TUESDAY 5TH JULY 2022

Again, Zenith Wins Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria Named best corporate governance bank at World Finance 2022 awards Kayode Tokede Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, at the World Finance Banking Awards 2022, retaining the award for a second consecutive

year. The bank was also named as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022.

The awards, which were presented to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith

Bank Plc, Mr. Ebenener Onyeagwu at the London Stock Exchange yesterday, were in recognition of the bank’s ability to embrace digital transformation and best-inclass sustainability and corporate governance practices, leading to a

stellar business performance in a difficult economic climate.

Commenting on the double recognition, Onyeagwu said that: "These awards reflect our strong business fundamentals, resilience and ability to adapt to the ever-

changing dynamics of the market through our innovative solutions, as well as our commitment to global best practices.

“As a member and signatory to various domestic and international sustainability frameworks

including the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles, we continue to support the achievement of the Continued on page 10

ICRC to Gazette $22bn PPP Projects in 2022, Says Acting DG... Page 5 Tuesday 5 July, 2022 Vol 27. No 9947. Price: N250

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Money Laundering: ICPC Probes Completed, Unoccupied Housing Estates in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt ... Page 6

Galadima: Using Capacity as Parameter for Presidency, Obi Not Comparable to Kwankwaso Says ex-Anambra gov has a lot to learn PDP berates APC, Labour Party, declares placeholder APC creation Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Funmi Ogundare A prominent member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP),

Buba Galadima, yesterday, said if the major prerequisite for Nigeria’s presidency was capacity, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, was

not comparable to the NNPP candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, by all standards.

Galadima, who acknowledged the desire of the South-east to

produce a Nigerian president, however, contended that Obi should exercise some more patience, because he still had a lot to learn from Kwankwaso in

leadership.

As discussions around the 2023 general election continued, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, berated the ruling All

Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party for introducing the placeholder idea into Continued on page 10

FG: Nigeria Risks Chaos if Petrol Subsidy is Removed Claims, ‘We are leaving the country much more secure than we met it’ NMDPRA expresses concern over growing oil theft Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government, yesterday, maintained that removing petrol subsidy would result in unintended consequences, insisting that this is a most inauspicious time to withdraw the price buffer.

Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, told Reuters that many other nations were introducing measures to help

citizens cope with high oil energy prices. Mohammed said Nigeria could not be an exception.

Despite the daily killings and attacks across the country, the minister said, "We are leaving the country much more secure than we met it," noting progress made against Boko Haram since 2015.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian MidContinued on page 10

Leadership Tussle: APGA Urges Police to Arrest Ex- National Chairman, Okorie, Others ... Page11

BEST COMMERCIAL BANK, BEST CORPORATE GOVERNANCE BANK...

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Ebenezer Onyeagwu (right), and Paul Richardson of World Finance at the presentation of the Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria Awards to Zenith Bank at the London Stock Exchange… yesterday

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

NEWS

LAUNCH OF THE GREEN ECONOMY...

L-R: European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi; Director, International Cooperation Department, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget & National Planning, Dr. Lanre Adekanye; Consul General, Denmark, Mr. Per Christensen; Representative of Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development / Director, Agribusiness & Market Development in the Ministry, Emmanuel Olaleye; Cluster Coordinator, Germany, Markus Wauschkuhn; Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann and Consul General of the Netherlands, Michel Deelen, during the official launch of the Green Economy at the 8th edition EU-Nigeria Business Forum, entitled 'Nigeria and the New Economy' in Lagos...recently

ICRC to Gazette $22bn PPP Projects in 2022, Says Acting DG SGF calls for reduction of risks, costs of doing business, others James Emejo in Abuja The acting Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr. Michael Ohiani, yesterday said the commission intended to gazette a pipeline of 53 eligible and bankable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects valued at about $22 billion this year.

He also disclosed that it published a pipeline of 51 eligible and bankable projects, worth over $17 billion in 2021, including projects from different economic sectors which had been granted the Outline Business Case Compliance Certificates, but which did not have identified bidders.

These came just as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the federal government and African governments to a large extent, must be addressed a number of issues to

provide an enabling environment for the private sector to support infrastructure development and to stimulate and create a vibrant private sector on the continent and accelerate infrastructure development.

He said creating a friendly investment climate could only be achieved by reducing risks and costs of doing business and by securing private property rights, improving governance, fighting corruption, simplifying regulations, and promoting competition.

He said African governments must also resist pressure to erect trade barriers for intra-African trade to flourish adding that currently, intra-African trade amongst African states is about 10 per cent of total exports - the lowest amongst other regions in the world.

Both spoke at the opening of the Africa Public-Private Partnership Network (AP3N) summit with

the theme: “Financing Africa’s Infrastructure through PPP.” Ohiani, however, said there were 197 pre-contract projects at different phases of development and procurement on the ICRC website in 2022.

The ICRC boss said as of May 2022, there were 77 post-contract PPP projects under implementation at the commission’s Projects Disclosure Portal, adding that the portal is the first disclosure platform in the world, established in collaboration with the World Bank.

Among several other achievements, Ohiani said following the inauguration of the ICRC governing board, between 2010 and 2021, the federal government had approved PPP projects valued at over $9 billion, pointing out that the commission had issued 128 Outline Business Case Compliance Certificates which included certified bankable projects

to date, to enable them to proceed to procurement phase.

He said the ICRC had also issued 50 Full Business Case Compliance Certificates to date which included projects to be submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) preparatory to their commercial and financial closures.

Nonetheless, the ICRC DG said it was inevitable for governments to enhance the investment environment for both local and foreign players in the 21st century as well as look to innovative financing mechanisms that promote local capital markets, private sector risk, and rely on regulatory systems to balance investor and consumer requirements.

He said: “With fiscal and budgetary funding constraints plaguing governments across the continent, the cold reality is that private participation in infrastructure is an economic necessity, rather than

an optional financing solution, as hitherto considered.

“Partnership between the public and private sectors for the financing, design, build, maintenance of infrastructure and delivery of associated services is absolutely necessary for Africa governments to meet the need for modern and efficient infrastructure, and for reliable cost-effective delivery of public services.”

He said governments all over the world, including the African continent, had come to recognise that the collaboration between public and private sectors remained crucial to securing dependable and sustainable funding for infrastructure and reducing the pressure on fiscal budgets.

According to him, PPP arrangements have engendered acceleration of infrastructure provision, faster implementation of projects, and reduced whole-life costs of projects.

FG 'll Recruit One Million Nigerians for 2023 Census, Says NPC Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The National Population Commission (NPC) has disclosed that a total of one million Nigerians would be recruited by the federal government for the conduct of the 2023 national census.

The federal government's agency also assured that a reliable technological innovation had been advanced by the NPC for the conduct of the exercise to prevent politicians and interested elites from hijacking or manipulating the process.

The Commissioner representing Ekiti at the NPC, Mr. Deji Ajayi, said this in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, during a media briefing heralding the trial census to be conducted in Ekiti preparatory to the next year's main census exercise.

The former Ekiti State's Head of Service added that nine towns across nine local governments selected out of the 16 councils in the state, had been delineated into Enumerated Areas(EAs) to ease the trial census.

The retired Permanent Secretary, said areas to be enumerated in the trial census in Ekiti included: Ado, Emure, Iro, Ijero, Ikole, Iworoko, Ise, Ikun and Omuo Ekiti.

Ajayi explained: "This is the first time we will be doing a paperless census, everything will be digital to check corruption and bring about accurate data that can help national development.

"Census is a massive operation that will engage one million personnel and managing such a huge workforce manually will raise huge logistical and documentation challenges.

"It is in recognition of this fact that the NPC resolved that recruitment for the 2023 census will be done electronically. This trial census will provide opportunity to test the feasibility of the e-recruitment.”

Reeling out the significance of census to nation-building, Ajayi said population statistics would be used by private organisations to plan for the recruitment of young Nigerians by knowing

the number of active population.

"The government will also use such statistics to plan for our youth, students and the health needs of Nigerians. They will also know the number of gerontocrats, who should be catered for," he added.

Assuring that the exercise would be difficult to manipulate, the NPC boss said: "Technology is open to manipulation, but NPC has gone a step higher by having an updated technology innovation that can prevent multiple registration.

"The biometric technology will capture your face and fingerprints and goes to the server and any similar information supplied will be noticed and expunged from the data immediately.

"This time, no person, who is not seen will register as a Nigerian. We have put everything in place to ensure that this exercise will neither be hijacked nor politicised.

"The commission has intensified preparatory activities deploying

technological innovation on a massive scale to conduct truly scientific census that will not only be accurate and reliable, but also transparent to all Nigerians.

"We have also brought in some eggheads from our universities and retired experts from the civil service to train our workers for better efficiency", he stated.

He said incidentally, appropriate frameworks for PPPs were already in place and activated in most African countries including Nigeria, adding that these were expected to contribute to addressing the infrastructure deficit and operational constraints.

He said the summit offered the unique opportunity to have the details, the direction, the options, and focus on infrastructure financing, and to share thoughts, knowledge, and experiences on its key areas with a view to having a better understanding of infrastructure financing and administration to boost the African economy.

Mustapha, while commending the ICRC and other sponsors for sustaining the PPP dialogue process over the years, adding that, “We strongly believe that with the initiative of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement the situation will drastically improve.”

He said the forum has for the past few years provided unique investment opportunities in infrastructure, as well as for sharing knowledge and experiences with key policymakers, leaders in the private sector, and other strategic partners within the continent and across the globe.

Continued on page 12

Pupils’ Enrolment Jump from 900,000 to 2.2 Million in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Commissioner for Education, Badamasi Lawal Charanchi, yesterday disclosed that the enrolment of primary school pupils in the state has risen from 900,000 to 2.2 million, due to the government's effort of revamping the education sector.

The Commissioner, who disclosed this while addressing journalists in his office, explained that out of the 2.2 million pupils enrolled in primary schools across the state, 1.2 million were girls.

He explained: "When we came on board in 2015, there were only

900,000 primary school pupils, but today we have 2.2 million children coming to school. About one million boys and 1.2 million girls.

"Is this not a development? And yet we are being accused of having a large portion of out-of-school children in the north. Yes, they are, but see what we have reached.

This is not unconnected with the efforts of Governor Aminu Bello Masari's administration."

He added that the government had expended N15 billion on construction of seven new schools and renovation of 57 others across the 34 local government areas of

the state in order to revitalise the education sector.

The commissioner reiterated that N6 billion was spent by the government on the payment of West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO) and other examination fees for indigene students in the state.

"Numbers of primary school teachers also increased from 19,000 to 27,000. We also have 5,000 secondary school teachers.

This is aside from the adequate teaching and learning materials being provided to schools by the government," he added.

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NEWS

AWARD FOR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FINTECH INDUSTRY...

L-R: Chairman/CEO, WTS Broadcast Ltd, Deji Osibogun; President, Fintech Nigeria, Mr. Ade Bajomo; Past President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria; (CIBN), Dr. Segun Aina; Former President, CIBN, Mrs. Debola Osibogun; Vice President, FintechNigeria, Mr. Stanley Jacob, and President, CIBN, Dr. Ken Opara, at the presentation of an award to Aina for his contributions to the Nigeria fintech ecosystem at an event held in Lagos… yesterday

Money Laundering: ICPC Probes Completed, Unoccupied Housing Estates in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt Accuses REDAN of failure to deliver mass housing schemes, illegal sale of allocated lands Warns members against serving as conduit for illicit fund transfer Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), yesterday, revealed that it had commenced investigation into completed but unoccupied housing estates in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, suspected to be conduits for money laundering.

ICPC also accused members of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) of failure to pay counterpart funding for loans obtained from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to deliver infrastructure for mass housing projects, where members, instead, sold the plots to the highest bidder.

Speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference of the Association held in Enugu, Chairman of the ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, expressed regrets that some members of REDAN were engaged by unscrupulous individuals and politically exposed persons (PEPs) to launder their ill-gotten wealth. Owasanoye said this had led to the labelling and perception of honest and patriotic members of

the association as corrupt.

He disclosed that the commission was currently investigating cases of fully completed but unoccupied estates in Abuja, in order to identify developers serving as conduit for money laundering and illicit financial flows (IFFs).

The ICPC chairman stated that the commission intended to cover other major housing hubs in the country, especially Lagos and Port Harcourt.

A statement by ICPC said while urging REDAN to support the law enforcement agencies in their investigations, Owasanoye advised the association to intensify its compliance monitoring of members in the areas of unwholesome practices, such as low quality housing deliveries and shady financial practices.

The statement quoted the ICPC chairman as saying, “The commission conducted a system study and review of mass housing delivery in the FCT, where it was discovered that members of REDAN who had been allocated huge plots of land for mass housing development in Nigeria through the FMBN, with particular responsibility to provide infrastructure after which allocations

Finance Minister Heads NELMCO Governing Board Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed is to head the Governing Board of the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company Limited (NELMCO).

This followed the approval by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) of the immediate composition and the proposed governance framework for the sustainable management and payment of post-privatisation liabilities of the power sector transferred to NELMCO, which hitherto was without a board.

The approval by the NCP chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was one of the major decisions taken by the Council at its third meeting for 2022 held at the Presidential Villa, and presided over by him.

NELMCO is a Special Purpose Entity (SPE) created by the federal government, and saddled with

the responsibility of managing the liabilities and non-core assets of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

According to a statement issued by the Head, Public Communications, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ibeh Uzoma Chidi, the new board headed by the finance minister also has the Minister of Power, Aliyu Abubakakar; Director General of the BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh; Director General of the Debt Management Office(DMO), Ms. Patience Oniha; and the Managing Director of NELMCO, Mr. Adebayo Fagbemi as well as all executive directors of the company and two private sector members.

The NCP noted the need to ensure an appropriate governance framework and sustainable management of the NELMCO’s affairs as contained in the provisions of its Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART) necessitated the constitution of the board.

are made to the National Housing Fund (NHF) contributors, failed in the payment of their counterpart funding and in the delivery of infrastructure to the project sites and, rather, resorted to offering and selling the estate plots to the highest bidder, contrary to the government policy.”

He counselled the leadership of REDAN to self-regulate its members as part of measures to prevent being used for money

laundering and IFFs. Owasanoye, who was represented by the commission’s Director of Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management, Mr. Adedayo Kayode, urged the leadership of REDAN to introduce the KnowYour-Customer (KYC) principles to its clients to avoid serving as conduit for money launderers and IFFs offenders.

He stated, “It is my position that self-regulation is a way out

of this quagmire for the association.

REDAN should consciously draw up programmers to build capacity of its members on modern trends in construction and also hold its members to the highest level of ethical standards.

“The association should introduce and enforce high ethical standards for its members, especially, to ensure their processes are not used for money laundering. In this regard, the association may introduce KYC

principles.”

The ICPC boss stated that the theme of the AGM, “Enhancing the Real Estate Sector through Effective Regulation and Collaborations,” was in line with the commission’s mandate of partnership and collaboration with relevant institutions towards building a mass mobilisation vanguard in the curbing of corruption and IFFs within the system and the country, generally.

TotalEnergies Moves to Connect New 50,000 Barrels Per Day Oilfield to Egina NCDMB, NAICOM task oil companies on compliance with Nigerian content insurance guidelines Peter Uzoho in Abuja Multinational oil and gas company, TotalEnergies, has said its effort to increase oil production in Nigeria would materialise this year, disclosing that it was on the verge of connecting the 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) Ikike oilfield to the 200,000bpd-capacity Egina deepwater storage facility.

Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater District, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Mr. Victor Bandele, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, at the Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Local Content Seminar, with the theme, “Funding the Nigerian Energy Mix for Sustainable Economic Growth.”

This was just as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) urged oil and gas companies operating in the country to ensure compliance with the Nigerian Content Insurance guidelines for the oil sector.

In his presentation at the seminar, Bandele said TotalEnergies would continue to make significant investments in Nigeria, assuring that the Ikike oilfield would soon start producing.

He said the import of that commitment was that the company was fully integrated in Nigeria, adding that TotalEnergies produces more than 20 per cent of total oil output in Nigeria.

He said, "We are putting in another field into Egina this year.

That field, the Ikike field, has the

capacity to produce about 50,000 barrels per day. For that to have happened in 2022, it means the journey started some years back when it was rough.

"And that is the kind of delivery action that I talked about, that you will decide that because we believe in something, you must step into it regardless of the challenges.

“In Nigeria, we are present in the upstream, the midstream and the downstream. You cannot get away from us and we cannot get away from you.

“What it means is that we are fully integrated in Nigeria. As I speak, we produce more than 20 per cent of total oil in Nigeria.

“We are the second highest producer and supplier of gas to the Nigerian population and the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited."

Bandele said as the world continues the transition to cleaner sources of energy, it was imperative for the government to show the direction the country should go and intensify collaboration with industry stakeholders.

While noting that diversification to cleaner energies offers a lot of benefits, he said with the federal government of having set a target of providing electricity access to 80 per cent of the population by 2030, such action should spur industry stakeholders to work with the direction of the government.

He maintained that renewables and natural gas were positioned to lead the Africa's energy consumption growth as the continent

departs from the traditional use of biomass, which currently accounts for about half of the entire energy consumption.

However, the duo of the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote and the Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM, Mr. Sunday Thomas, formally presented the Nigerian Content Insurance Guidelines for the oil sector.

Wabote explained that insurance of assets and liabilities in the oil and gas industry according to Sections 49 and 50 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act (2010) stated the requirements for players in the Nigerian oil and gas activities on the need to engage local insurance companies for insuring their assets, liabilities and so on.

He said it was in a bid to carry out its key mandate of enforcing compliance with the provisions of the NOGICD Act that the board, in collaboration with NAICOM, developed and issued the Insurance Guideline for the oil and gas industry.

He added that the guideline would contribute significantly towards promoting the development of insurance services in-country and would also drive the retention of financial spending in Nigeria, thereby contributing towards reversing capital flight.

Furthermore, he noted that the guideline would also help to create a database of all insurance programmes procured by operators, project promoters, alliance

partners, and Nigerian indigenous companies, to enable the board to monitor utilisation of in-country insurance capacity.

Wabote said, "At NCDMB, we believe that any in-county value retention realised from the insurance sector will further enhance the delivery of our 70 per cent Nigerian Content target by the year 2027.

"The Implementation Framework of the Guideline highlights the specific directorates of the Board and their responsibility regarding the implementation of the insurance guideline.

"The Directorates saddled with the responsibility of interpreting and enforcing the guideline will be reaching out to you shortly to provide support and clarity to bring all parties into compliance.”

He clarified that the goal of the insurance guideline was not to create additional impediments for oil companies but to create job opportunities and in-country value retention to address threats to the country's socio-economic stability.

Wabote, who made a presentation on, "Strengthening Nigerian Content Implementation with the Seven Ministerial Regulations," pointed out that one of the key lessons of the events in the last one year was the need to develop and sustain local capacities and capabilities to tackle issues of energy security, food shortages, insufficient vaccines, and other socio-economic disruptions.

Continued online

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NEWS

THIRD EDITION OF THE LAGOS WASTE FORUM...

L-R: Director, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Mrs. Nwamaka Onyemelukwe; First Lady, Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; CEO, Sterling One Foundation, Mrs. PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT. Peju Ibekwe, and Founder, FABE International Foundation, Temitope Okunnu, at the third edition of Lagos Waste Forum held at the University of Lagos… recently

Osinbajo: New ECOWAS Leadership Must Resolve Lingering Issues in Sub-region Body lifts economic, financial sanctions on Mali Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has charged the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resolve all pending issues affecting the sub-region.

The lingering issues, according to him included economic challenges especially with the Russia-Ukraine crisis, economic challenges and military coups in three of the West African countries.

Speaking in Accra, Ghana, after the election of President Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau as ECOWAS Chair-

man alongside a newly composed Commission, Osinbajo stressed that there were high expectations regarding the output of the body.

He said the sub-regional body's leaders must work harder to resolve the identified lingering issues in the region.

The vice president, who spoke with newsmen at the end of the 61st Ordinary Session of ECOWAS added: “President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana did an excellent job in a very challenging period in the history of ECOWAS and many of the challenges remain.

“So, we expect that the new

leadership will take over and work as hard and perhaps much harder to resolve some of the issues. There are even additional challenges today - economic challenges, especially with the Russian-Ukraine crisis, and economic problems. Other issues are the coups that have taken place in the region in the past couple of years and we are still trying to resolve some of those issues."

He emphasised that the new leadership under Embaló must step up efforts and address the many responsibilities that the region faces today.

Osinbajo however added that besides the challenges, the region was witnessing appreciable progress in the ECOWAS common currency policy, saying there are things, “we should be happy about.”

He also noted that there was progress being made on the LagosAbidjan Corridor, especially on some of the issues around the movement of goods and services on that corridor.

"These are some of the very important decisions that were taken and I think progress is being made," the vice president submitted.

Makarfi: Only Formidable, United PDP Can Defeat APC in 2023

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has said only a formidable and united Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2023 general election.

Makarfi stated this when he received the Director-General of Save Southern Kaduna Group (SSKG), Mr Istifanus Audu Nimbia, and his entourage on a courtesy visit.

In a statement by the Director, Corporate Communications SSKG, Mr Victor Bobai, Makarfi called for unity amongst members of the PDP following the agitation by youths of Southern Kaduna regarding youth inclusiveness and fair share in governance.

The PDP leader stated that the immediate challenge before the PDP was to ensure that Southern Kaduna remained very united and support the nomination of Dr. John Ayuba.

"John Ayuba is first of all from Southern Kaduna and therefore going to the press to agitate against him is not the right thing to do without asking the PDP gubernatorial candidate the level of consultation he made before arriving at Dr John Ayuba," he said Makarfi noted that the youth should make positive agitation and

also demand for other lucrative positions, where they could build experience and develop capacity for the future.

"No society can develop without the inputs and positive contributions from the youth.

Stop sending wrong signals and terrible narratives of hate and discouragement. See yourselves as a united political front," he said.

The former Kaduna governor, therefore, advised the youth to always ask questions before taking certain decisions, saying, "My doors are open and I am here for you. Do come and interact with us," he said.

He also reassured them that the PDP would run an all-inclusive administration, where the various interests within the party could find accommodation.

Earlier, Mr. Istifanus Audu Nimbia, stated that, "Members of the Save Southern Kaduna Group, are lovers of the PDP and majority of us here are PDP members except for very few that are from other political parties. However, we sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to us to meet with a man of many virtues but specifically a man of peace.

"It's our resolve to work for the return of the PDP in 2023, because now we have tested both the PDP

and APC and we have realised that PDP is a great party. Thus, we shall mobilise to put an end to the poor governance of the APC. "Southern Kaduna Youth at this moment look up to the PDP to be very sensitive and include the youth demography for balance of power and equity.

“Our paramount desire is whether there would be any

possible window to substitute John Ayuba with our preferred younger person that will carry us the youths along.

“We appeal to you sir to help us to talk to Ashiru Kudan and get this issue sorted out. A number of times, the youth have been promised that one of them shall be running mate but unfortunately, someone else got the ticket," he said.

Earlier in his address at the opening session of the summit chaired by Akufo-Addo, the efforts and commitment of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari in containing the COVID-19 pandemic and in addressing other challenges across the region were appreciated by the Authority of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS. Acknowledging Nigeria’s contributions, Akufo-Addo said: "Let me address on behalf of all of us, our thanks to our esteemed colleague, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who in his capacity as champion in the coordination of the fight against the COVID-19, has spared no effort in this endeavour."

Akufo-Addo then recognised Nigeria’s leadership role in addressing other challenges across the region, especially the menace of coups, terrorism, and deteriorating humanitarian situations.

He said: “Indeed, following the failed coup d’etat of 1st February 2022 in Guinea Bissau and our emergency summit of 3rd February 2022, we decided to deploy an ECOWAS Standby Force to support the stability of the country and President Sissoco Embalo’s elected government.

"That deployment of 609

security personnel, composed of 150 Nigerian troops and 140 Nigerian police personnel, 150 Senegalese troops, 100 Ghanaian troops and 59 troops from Cote d’Ivoire, with a force headquarters of 80 officers drawn from across the region, under the overall command of a Nigerian general and force commander has now been completed."

While condemning the menace of terrorism in parts of the region, the Ghanaian President said: “These terrorist attacks are now not only focusing on the Sahel, but also expanding to the coastal states in our region.”

He also affirmed that ECOWAS remains committed to the restoration of democratic order in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.

Among decisions reached at the end of the meeting was the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against Mali with the expectations for improved progress in the country’s transition to democratic rule.

A newly composed ECOWAS Commission is also in place with the emergence of Gambia's Omar Alieu Touray who was introduced yesterday to the meeting of The Authority of Heads of State & Government of ECOWAS. He replaced Mr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou of Cote d’Ivoire.

Private Sector Moves to Partner NIWA to Complete Lokoja River Port Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja The Private Sector in Kogi State and the management of Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) are mulling partnership arrangements that would lead to the completion of the Jamata River Port, located in Lokoja.

The call for the completion of the port that was first awarded in 2012 by the federal government through a private partnership arrangement was made yesterday, when the organized Private Sector, made up of the Shippers Council of Nigeria, Shippers Association, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Kogi State Chamber of Commerce, Industry and

Agriculture and management staff of NIWA visited the port during a facility tour.

The General Manager, Marine Services, NIWA, Mr. Joseph Ororo and General Manager, Ports and Environmental Services, Agbalu Fidelis, were amongst other top management staff of NIWA at the facility tour.

While the private sector lauded efforts of the government thus far, they decried the slow pace of work on the port, pointing out that if the facility was operational, it would have helped in reducing cost of doing business.

The private sector representatives said the location of Lokoja and river port could not be overemphasised, even as they lamented that the travel time, loss

of many hours, dilapidated nature of the state of Nigerian roads, had made it very important to complete the Lokoja Port.

The stakeholders identified adequate budgetary funding as factor that had slowed down the pace of work since it was first awarded in 2005 and later in 2012.

While pointing out that the 2012 flooding that was witnessed in the state led to a call for a variation of the contract, they lamented that it took many years until 2021 when it got an approval for variation from the earlier N4.1 billion to N6.4 billion.

The private Sector team led by the Director, North Central Zone of the Shippers Council, Okolue A. Ify and Director General, Nigeria Shippers Council, Kogi

State Chapter Edwin Ignatius, led in the appeal to the federal government to ensure the completion of the Jamata Inland River Port located in Lokoja, pointing out that the economic benefits were enormous for the country.

Speaking on behalf of the NIWA team, Ororo and Fidelis disclosed that the Jamata Inland River Port was at 59 per cent completion and expressed optimism that the main quay structure would be ready by the end of the year.

The NIWA team disclosed that as part of efforts to beat inflation, a state of the art cargo lifting equipment and other equipment needed for the takeoff of the Port had been procured awaiting completion.

TUESDAY JULY 5, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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Six Dead, 24 Injured after Illinois Highland Park Shooting Suspect in fatal Copenhagen mall shooting remanded in psychiatric facility for 24 days A rooftop shooter killed at least six people and wounded 24 more at a July Fourth parade in an affluent Chicago suburb on Monday, authorities said.

Also, a man arrested on suspicion of killing three people and wounding several others during a shooting at a shopping mall in Copenhagen on Sunday had been remanded in a psychiatric facility

for 24 days, Danish police said yesterday.

For the Illinois killings, a rifle had been found and police are searching for a gunman who opened fire at Highland Park police, Commander Chris O’Neill told reporters.

According to NBC News, the city of Highland Park confirmed that there's "an active shooter incident" and urged all, "individuals are

advised to shelter in place."

"Law enforcement agencies are searching for the suspect; evidence of a firearm has been recovered," the city said. "Numerous law enforcement officers are responding and have secured a perimeter around downtown Highland Park."

The shooting happened "in the area of the Independence Day parade route," the Lake County

Sheriff's Office said in a statement posted to Twitter.

Illinois State Police also responded to the scene, "assisting Highland Park PD with an active shoot situation," according to a statement the agency tweeted.

Police were spotted scouring rooftops around Central Avenue near Green Bay Road and Second Street in the aftermath of gunfire.

FG: NIGERIA RISKS CHAOS IF PETROL SUBSIDY IS REMOVED stream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) expressed worry over the rising incidents of vandalism and theft along the key pipeline conveying refined petroleum products to Mosimi, Ibadan, Ore, and Ilorin fuel depots. Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, said this when the top executives of the South-west Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) visited him in Abuja.

Mohammed’s position on petrol subsidy aligned with that of President Muhammadu Buhari, who recently chided the West for demanding the removal of what the government termed underrecovery while they continued to seek new ways to relieve their own citizens of the effect of the harsh global economy.

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil exporter, but still has to import almost all its fuel needs due to lack of refining capacity. The country recently scrapped plans to abolish fuel subsidies earlier this year, a move that raised concerns with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"When you consider the chaos, the social disharmony and ... instability such an action (abolishing subsidies) would facilitate, is it worth it? I don't think so," Mohammed said in a wide-ranging interview with the news medium.

Nigeria suffers intermittent fuel shortages and has raised its deficit forecast twice this year and increased borrowing to cover the cost of the subsidy.

The country's petroleum production has also fallen short

of government targets, with $1 billion in revenue lost to crude oil theft in the first quarter of this year, according to the sector regulator.

Mohammed said a new industry law that allocates money to oilproducing communities would stop attacks and blamed the European Union's climate change policies for stifling investment in the sector.

"We believe that climate change is real and important for emission control, but there is a bit of double standard in the EU policy regarding climate change," he said.

Alongside attacks on the oil infrastructure, much of Nigeria's north is wracked by violence committed by so-called "bandits," while dozens were killed in church attacks in the northern state of Kaduna and the South-west state of Ondo last month.

Notwithstanding the killings and attacks across the country almost on a daily basis, Mohammed said the current federal administration was “leaving the country much more secure than we met it" at the inception of the government in 2015.

He reiterated the Buhari government’s call on Western countries to declare the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which campaigns for secession of part of South-east Nigeria, a terrorist group.

Asked if Nigerian security forces had killed any innocent people in the country's South-east during its campaign against IPOB, Mohammed said, "Not deliberately."

Mohammed said he would demand the return of hundreds of priceless sculptures, known as the Benin Bronzes, when he meets

AGAIN, ZENITH WINS BEST COMMERCIAL BANK IN NIGERIA Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating value for our shareholders, customers, clients, investors, communities and the environment through our practices, operations and investments."

He dedicated the awards to the Founder and Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, for his pioneering role in building the structures and laying the foundation for an enduring and very successful institution; the board for the outstanding leadership they provide; the staff for their commitment and dedication; and the bank’s customers for making Zenith Bank their preferred financial Institution.

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Zenith Bank's track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, with these latest accolades coming on the heels of several recognitions including being voted as Best Bank

in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World's Best Banks Awards; Best in Corporate Governance 'Financial Services' Africa, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, by the Ethical Boardroom; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards; and Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker's Bank of the Year Awards 2020.

Also, the Bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, Number One Bank in Nigeria

by Tier-1 Capital in the "2021 Top 1000 World Banks" Ranking by The Banker Magazine and the Retail Bank of the year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards 2020 and 2021.

Similarly, Zenith Bank was honoured as Bank of the Decade (People's Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020 and emerged winner in four categories at the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021, carting home the awards for "Best Company in Reporting and Transparency", "Best Company in Infrastructure Development", "Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment", and the coveted "Most Responsible Organisation in Africa.

with the director of the British Museum later on Monday, after Germany returned the first two of more than 1,100 of such sculptures last week.

"I will be telling them that time is running out to return our stolen artefacts," he said.

The minister added that he did not expect a result immediately, stressing, "it's about when, it's not if."

Mohammed’s comments came as NMDPRA voiced concern that incidents of vandalism and theft were rising along the main pipeline delivering refined petroleum products to Mosimi, Ibadan, Ore, and Ilorin fuel depots.

The 2B pipeline network pumps petroleum products from the Atlas Cove depot in Lagos Island through the depots in Ejigbo in Lagos Mainland, to Mosimi in Ogun State, Ibadan in Oyo State, Ore in Ondo State, and Ilorin in Kwara State.

The NMDPRA chief executive said the series of theft and vandalism had led to huge revenue losses for the government.

Speaking when the top executives of the South-west IPMAN visited him in Abuja, Ahmed described the association as a critical stakeholder in the petroleum sector.

He added that the industry regulatory authority had received complaints about private petroleum products depots selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, above the approved price of N165 per litre.

Ahmed said the illegal price

increment had disrupted the smooth operation of the entire fuel distribution and supply value chain, leading to higher prices in some areas.

He urged the association to report any fuel depot selling products to its members above the approved ex-depot prices by the government.

In his remarks, the zonal chairman of IPMAN in the South-west, Dele Lamidi, said the executive committee visited NMDPRA to seek its collaboration and support, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

Lamidi listed some of the challenges faced by IPMAN to include products sharing difficulties, rise in penalties, difficulties in getting tax clearance from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), as well as the high cost of doing business in the country.

He pledged the continuous support of the group to the federal government by ensuring that petrol was available at the regulated retail price of N165 per litre at retail outlets across the country.

Lamidi stated, “As far as we are concerned in the South-west, we have gone beyond embarking on strikes. Strike is not the solution to any problem, because if there is a strike, it affects the masses and our businesses.

“We will work together with the authority to ensure free flow of petroleum products and also make sure that products are sold at the government-regulated retail price, if we get them at the normal price.”

“It does appear that he was shooting from a roof," Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli told reporters.

Fourth of July events in other Chicago suburbs, Evanston and Skokie, were also called off in the wake of the Highland Park shooting.

“Unfortunately as you may know, we have an active shooter situation in Highland Park at their parade,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker told reporters at the Independence Day event in nearby Evanston.

“I’m still getting reports.”

United States Rep, Brad Schneider was at the Highland Park event when shots rang out.

"My campaign team and I were gathering at the start of the parade when shooting started," the lawmaker said in a statement. "My team and I are safe and secure."

Witness Larry Bloom said at first people thought the popping sound was part of the parade.

"You heard like a 'pop, pop, pop,' and I think everybody kinda thought maybe it was a display on one of the floats and then it just opened up," he told NBC Chicago.

"I was screaming and people were screaming," Bloom added.

"They were panicking and and they were just scattering and I, you know, we didn't know. You know, it was right on top of us."

Suspect in Fatal Copenhagen Mall Shooting Remanded in Psychiatric Facility for 24 Days Meanwhile, a man arrested on suspicion of killing three people and wounding several others during a shooting at a shopping mall in Copenhagen is being remanded in a psychiatric facility for 24 days, Danish police said yesterday.

The 22-year-old Danish man was known to psychiatric professionals, CNN quoted to have police said earlier.

The suspect was charged with manslaughter, Copenhagen Police tweeted. The court who heard the case yesterday, put a ban on naming both the suspect and 10 victims named in the charge, the force added in a series of tweets.

The shooting unfolded on Sunday at multiple locations inside Field's, a shopping center in the Danish capital. Social media footage showed people running through the mall and heavily armed law enforcement officers on the scene.

At a press conference, Copenhagen's Head of Police Soren Thomassen said two 17-year-old Danish citizens, one male and one female, and a 47-year-old Russian national had been killed in the gunfire.

Two other Danes and two Swedish nationals had received gunshot wounds and were in hospital in critical but stable condition, while several others sustained minor injuries while leaving the mall, Thomassen said.

The man arrested in connection with the shooting is currently the only suspect. Thomassen said there was no indication the suspect was acting with others but an investigation was ongoing.

Earlier, the police had said they detained the suspect 13 minutes after receiving the first emergency call, and that he was "carrying a rifle and ammunition" at the time of his arrest.

At the news conference, Thomassen said there was no indication the attack was an "act of terror" nor motivated by gender, and police believe the victims were chosen at random. The suspect was "known to people in the psychiatric field," he said.

Gun violence is relatively rare in Denmark. Copenhagen's last major shooting incident was in 2015, when a gunman attacked a free speech forum featuring controversial cartoonist Lars Vilks, killing one man and wounding three others.

As investigators piece together the circumstances that lead to Sunday's deadly shooting, questions are being asked as to how the suspected gunman could have obtained the weapon and ammunition used in the attack, as Denmark is considered to have some of the most restrictive gun laws in Europe.

GALADIMA: USING CAPACITY AS PARAMETER FOR PRESIDENCY, OBI NOT COMPARABLE TO KWANKWASO the country's electoral process.

PDP urged Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and be ready to vote out the ruling party.

Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, was a guest on The Morning Show of ARISE Television, where he spoke on the electoral alliance between Obi and Kwankwaso.

He said, though Obi did well, as governor of Anambra State, primordial sentiments of where he comes from should be put aside for the unity of the country.

According to him, "Chief Peter Obi was the governor of Anambra State, and he did his best to place Anambra on the map.

But if you look at it, definitely, of all the issues that we raised, we had 20 parameters to judge the two gentlemen.

“However, when we started, the issue from Peter Obi's side was that there is a sentiment in the South-east that the president must come from that extraction, and we say, no, we belong to a party called New Nigeria. Those are primordial sentiments that have never assisted Nigeria to become one.

“We are not yet one nation.

And our objective is to eliminate all those primordial sentiments of tribe, where one comes from and religion. It is only us that have the capacity, if given the opportunity, to make that happen.

"We want to build a new

Nigeria. Do we still fall back on primordial sentiments of where our work comes from and Nigeria remains what it is? We need someone with the capacity to run this country and I can't see, using this parameter, that would place the candidate of the Labour Party above Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. But he has a lot to gain, because he is only 60 years old. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is 65."

Galadima also addressed the notion being peddled on the social media about the presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, 77, and the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, 70, being too old to rule. He said, "So, if you now make Peter Obi as the president at 60, by the time he finishes his eight years, Senator Kwankwaso would have been 74 or 75 years.

“So, the young man on the social media, again, will say he's too old to run for president. But if you allow Senator Kwankwaso to become the president and Chief Peter Obi becomes his vice president, it means at the time, Senator Kwankwaso will be finishing his eight years, Chief Peter Obi would have been 67 or 68 and will be strong enough to run for the president of Nigeria."

Galadima described the development strides and economic performance of both Kwankwaso and Obi in Kano and Anambra states, respectively, as

unprecedented, saying, if Obi were made to manage the economy as vice president and Kwankwaso managed the development of the country, it would bring Nigeria together as a unified entity.

"It will be a seamless transition from Kwankwaso to Peter Obi,” he stated, adding, “I believe that Nigerians should not use sentiments and that patience is of essence in this matter. For example, Tinubu was patient enough to wait for his time and at this age he picked up the ticket of the ruling party.

“I think people from the south should manage this, because it is easier and simpler for somebody from the South-east extraction to become president easily and supported by a sitting national government, which we intend to do."

PDP Berates APC, Labour Party over Placeholder Creation

While addressing some students of Junior Secondary School, Alugun-Lungu Gwarimpa, Abuja, who visited the PDP national headquarters, the party’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the concept of placeholder was alien to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act. APC and Labour Party had submitted names of their presidential candidates and their running mates before the June 17 deadline

set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But while the APC presidential candidate, Tinubu, submitted Kabiru Masari as his running mate, Obi submitted the name of Doyin Okupe as vice presidential candidate. They were both billed to replace the two running mates latest July 15, when the window for substitution would close.

The PDP spokesperson, said, "Today, APC has introduced a new political lexicon into the political dictionary of Nigerian. They called it placeholder. There is nothing like placeholder in our law books.

It is an imposition by the APC and Labour Party. It is nothing but an imposition on the political dictionary. It is an indication that they are not ready for the presidential election. It shows the level of their not being serious.

"It is part of the confusion that the APC is introducing into the political system. Just last month, the APC presidential candidate said he graduated from a university in United States, but did not fill or indicate where he obtained his primary and secondary school education.

“It is a known fact that you cannot graduate for studies without evidence of where you obtained your early education.

Something is wrong and that is why Nigeria is asking that they provide such information."

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PREPARING FOR OSUN ELECTION...

L-R: Lagos State Governor/Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, and Kano State governor/ Co-chairman of the campaign council, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, during a courtesy visit to Oyetola in his Office at Osogbo, Osun...yesterday

Leadership Tussle: APGA Urges Police to Arrest Ex- National Chairman, Okorie, Others I'm fighting just cause, says factional leader

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has asked the security agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute its former National Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie and Chief Edozie Njoku for claiming to be the party's presidential candidate and national chairman respectively.

But in reaction, Okorie described the call by the APGA leadership as a deliberate attempt to obfuscate a legitimate call for a just cause.

Continuing, APGA leadership said the security agencies should arrest the two men for their alleged, "illegal and criminal conducts," in order to save the country’s fledgling democracy.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of the National Working Committee of APGA at Abuja, the party said the security agencies should treat with dispatch, "all issues pertaining to the unlawful activities of Chief Edozie Njoku, Chief Chekwas Okorie and their co-travellers."

The communiqué signed by all the members of the party's National Working Committee said they met to deliberate on salient issues and other sundry matters affecting the party in the build up to the 2023 general elections.

"The NWC reviewed the activi-

ties leading to the nomination of its candidates across various states of the federation, particularly as it relates to the conduct of its ward congresses and primary elections nationwide.

"The NWC further drew attention and treated with dispatch, all issues pertaining to the unlawful activities of Chief Edozie Njoku, Chief Chekwas Okorie and their co-travellers," it said.

In another statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tex Okechukwu, the party warned Okorie and Njoku to stop their illegal act, saying both of them had been dismissed from APGA. He said: "For your information a national chairman of APGA can only come from a properly constituted national convention supervised by INEC".

Okechukwu advised the former chairman and his group to stop misleading and confusing, the public, adding that APGA has only one National Chairman, Victor Ike Oye, who was elected with other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) at a convention held on May 31, 2019, supervised by INEC, Which had in attendance the former governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano,, the 36 chairmen of the state of the federation of APGA

party including the FTC members of State House of Assembly, BOT members and NEC. At the end of the meeting, the NWC unanimously expressed its deepest appreciation and vote of confidence on the National Chairman, Victor Ike Oye and commended him over the manner he piloted the activities leading to the successful congresses and primary of APGA nationwide.

It also congratulated all successful candidates of APGA on their emergence as standard bearers of the party for various elective offices in the forthcoming 2023 general election.

The NWC further enjoined them to be magnanimous in victory by extending their hands of fellowship to their co-aspirants.

The party commended all the aspirants of the party that were not successful at the primary election for their sense of professionalism, which according to it was clearly shown by the rancour-free primary.

The NWC admonished them to accept defeat without recourse to needless litigation.

However, APGA noted with utter dismay and discontentment, "the meddlesome and unlawful activities of Chief Edozie Njoku, Chief Chekwas Okorie and their cohorts in unduly interfering in the internal affairs of APGA and their

attempt to ridicule the sanctity of the Supreme Court."

The NWC called on relevant security agencies to swing into action forthwith by investigating, arresting and prosecuting the above-mentioned persons and their cohorts for their illegal and criminal conducts in order to save our fledgling democracy.

It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue to show its commitment, dedication and professionalism in defence of our electoral process.

The NWC further commended the Commission for its forthrightness, courage and sense of duty and preparedness in the build-up to the 2023 General Election.

The NWC urged President Muhammadu Buhari to step up efforts aimed at securing the citizens of our great nation and improving the dire state of the nation’s economy.

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has called on Nigerians, especially Niger Delta indigenes in the diaspora to invest in the region The Interim Administrator of PAP, Col. Milland Dikio (rtd), made the call during the 2022 Ijaw Diaspora Convention, held in New Jersey, USA. Dikio stressed that there are many opportunities in the region especially, in maritime, agriculture and oil and gas sectors begging for investments.

The PAP boss referred to the palm oil sub-sector as another opportunity with huge economical potential begging for attention. He decried the emphasis on crude oil, explaining that palm oil has broader market, greater economic value and

better profit if serious investments could be made to harness it.

Dikio in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Neotabase Egbe, described the opportunities in the region as new market frontiers waiting for investors to unlock them and reap bountiful economic benefits.

He allayed security fears of those in the diaspora, saying the interventions of the amnesty office had calmed down frayed nerves and restored peace in the region.

He told them that he had redesigned the training programmes of ex-agitators with the introduction of the novel Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) initiative.

Explaining that TEM was introduced to make the ex-agitators competent entrepreneurs and employable citizens, Dikio said with the new concept, the era of

dumping beneficiaries after training was over.

He disclosed that currently under TEM 1500 delegates had been deployed in various reputable companies to pursue careers in maritime, agriculture, oil and gas among others.

Dikio further told those in the Diaspora that the ex-agitators no longer block roads because of his efforts to make PAP focus on beneficiaries and his introduction of new conflict resolution system.

He said his administration created the Strategic Communications Committee (SCC) comprising ex-agitators, who were taught negotiating skills, bridge building, networking and other friendly ways of resolving conflicts.

He also said the tension in the region reduced drastically following his deliberate policy of continually

the party for anti-party activities, he voluntarily left the party in 2012.

"I founded APGA in 2002.

None of these individuals were there. When brigands were sponsored to destroy APGA, and billions of naira spent to fight me, I chose to step aside so as not to destroy a vision that encapsulates the political aspirations of Ndigbo.

"I voluntarily surrendered the certificate of our great party to INEC in 2012.

"INEC wrote to me in 2009 to reaffirm my chairmanship of APGA. These are facts that can be checked at the relevant agencies.

It is also in my book, APGA and the Igbo Question.

"A delegation was led to my home to apologise and plead with me to return to the party I founded

by Chief Edozie Njoku and the NWC. I really had no option but to accept and I re-registered as a member," he said.

INEC Confirms Attack on Enugu Office Gideon Arinze in Enugu The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed an attack on its office in Igboeze

PAP Woos Nigerians in Diaspora to Invest in Niger Delta Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

It noted and commended Buhari for the assurances of a free, fair and credible election in 2023.

Meanwhile, Okorie in a statement yesterday described the move by the APGA leadership as a deliberate attempt to obfuscate a legitimate call for a just cause.

On the call for his arrest, Okorie said Nigeria's security agencies were well aware of his residences.

"The call for my arrest is not only gratuitous, it is a preposterous demand that either lacks understanding of issues being canvassed or a deliberate attempt to obfuscate a legitimate call for a just cause," he said.

Okorie who claimed that he only responded to the invitation by a splinter group led by Njoku to come and rejoin the party, said some people in the party were panicked because the truth had come out.

Okorie also said that contrary to the claim that he was sacked by

engaging all stakeholders to tackle problems.

The amnesty boss reiterated that his leadership was focused on the mission of making ex-agitators economically self-reliant either through entrepreneurship or paid employments.

He added: “The broader amnesty package is critical for all to understand because people equate the whole basket of incentives that the federal government rolled out at the time of the amnesty declaration to the amnesty programme.

“Amnesty programme is always mistaken for the Niger Delta Recovery Plan with many placing unrealistic expectations on the programme. It is a disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme, in essence a holding fort to create enabling environment for peace to reign in the Niger Delta."

North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Similar attacks had been carried out in the commission's office in Igboeze South and Udeni Local government areas as well as its headquarters in Enugu.

In a statement released by the commission yesterday, INEC’s National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said the attack on the office happened at 11:48pm on Sunday, July 3.

Okoye said the arsonists overpowered the security guards who were in charge of the commission’s office and forced their way into the premises and burned down the building.

Although no casualties were reported in the attack, Okoye said 748 ballot boxes and 240 voting cubicles, furniture and equipment were destroyed by the gunmen who were yet to be identified.

The statement partly read: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, M. Emeka Onanamadu, reported that our Igboeze North Local Government Area office was set ablaze by unknown arsonists. The attack happened at 11:48pm on

Sunday 3rd July 2022.

“The arsonists overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze. Although no casualties were reported, 48 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and equipment were destroyed in spite of the best effort of the Enugu State Fire Service deployed from Nsukka.”

Okoye further stated that the commission was yet to ascertain the status of voter registration machines as well as the Permanent Voter Cards that were locked up in the fireproof cabinet in the burnt office.

He, however, explained that the commission was working to ascertain the status of voter registration machines for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as well as uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) locked up in the fireproof cabinet.

He maintained that although the commission had since reported the attack to the Nigeria Police Force, it was worried by the timing of the attack which comes in the middle of the voter registration exercise.

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WORKSHOP ON IMPLEMENTATION OF FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION...

L-R: National Convener /Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Olusola Idowu; Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abiola Olusanya; Her counterparts from Economic, Planning and Budget, Lagos State, Sam Egbube; Ondo State Commissioner for Economic, Planning and Budget, Igbasan Emmanuel and Representative of Resident Coordinator, United Nations, Isiaka Ibrahim at PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN the South-West Zonal Sensitization workshop on implementation of food systems transformation pathways 2022 in Lagos... yesterday.

Again, Diri Says State Police Will Solve Insecurity in Nigeria Wants Ijaw culture preserved Olusegun Samuel Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again stressed the urgent need to allow the establishment of functional state-owned police across Nigeria.

Diri, who spoke during a gala night to wrap-up the 2022 Ijaw Diaspora Convention in Newark, New Jersey, United States, said the operations of state police would end insecurity in the country.

In a statement by his Director, New Media, Kola Oredipe, the governor insisted on the restructuring of Nigeria and devolution of power to the states, adding that the federal government should respect the true dictates of a federal system

of government that was fashioned after the US democratic system, where equity, fairness and justice remained the order of the day.

“The security challenges are there in Nigeria and that is why some of us are asking for restructuring of Nigeria. There has to be devolution of powers to the states. Right here, in the US, I can see policemen, who are not federal but under the jurisdiction of their respective states.

“That is the federal system.

In Nigeria, why can’t we have state-owned policemen. State government should be allowed and that will contribute to security in the country,” he said.

He stated that the current administration in Bayelsa State was

investing massively in security to create enabling environment for investments to thrive.

According to him, “We have been in the US for some days now and have met various groups and institutions for partnerships and investments in the state.

Bayelsa State is so blessed in oil and gas but we are redirecting our energies to gas, renewable energy and agriculture among others. The meetings have been very encouraging and positive.

"But, for us, we know that security is key and that was why we established the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps headed by a retired Brigadier-General.

We are involving our youth in

the security of their localities. Of course, relatively in Nigeria, Bayelsa remains one of the safest states.

"So, we call on you our brothers and sisters in the diaspora to come and join us attract investment opportunities to your state. Research has shown that we are so blessed with arable lands and interesting to note that we can even plant rice 3 times in a year. This is big for us.”

Diri, therefore, seized the event to keep the Ijaw diaspora up to speed about development in Bayelsa, including the ongoing construction of the three senatorial roads, a development, whose news was received with excitement.

His words: “Through the three senatorial roads, we are connecting

Ex-CJN's Resignation: CDD Links S’Court's Crisis to Alleged Executive's Interference Alex Enumah in Abuja A social right group, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), has claimed that the recent resignation of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, could not be disconnected from alleged interference by the Executive arm of government.

The group, in a statement, alleged that, "There is strong evidence of the Executive getting involved in activities that interfere with the independence of the judiciary."

It listed several high-profile mid-night attacks on the houses of senior judicial officers, including justices of the Supreme Court, the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Muhammad's predecessor, Justice Walter Onnoghen, amongst others as indications of Executive's involvement in the harassment and intimidation of the judiciary.

In the statement dated July 4 and signed by the Forum of Fellows, the group noted that although the former CJN, had resigned on health grounds, information which they could not yet substantiate showed that Muhammad was forced to resigned over allegations bordering

on corruption.

The statement signed by Professors Adele Jinadu, Jibrin Ibrahim and Okey Ibeanu, stated that, "The manner of the resignation – voluntary or forced – and the reason for it – ill-health or cover up for corruption – have raised critical questions on the state of the judiciary".

They, however, stated that the development has posed a challenge to the constitutional principle of separation of powers, the integrity and the independence of the judiciary.

The Forum of Fellows, therefore, called for the defence and protection of the principle of separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary by all democratic forces and organisations.

Besides, the group also faulted the process of appointment of judicial officers, which they claimed has become politicised, where integrity and competence were no longer core criteria in the selection process.

Besides the Executive, CDD identified what it termed as "excessive powers" of the CJN as another factor at the core of the crisis at the apex court.

To remedy the situation, the

group suggested that, "The process of appointing judges at all levels, including the CJN, should be reviewed and made more open with a focus on competence and integrity.

"The excessive powers of the Chief Justice of Nigeria in the control of the Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council, should

be reviewed and transformed into a more collegiate system.

"The conditions of service of judicial officers, especially, Judges and Magistrates at all levels, should be improved and their tenures properly guaranteed to insulate them from political and societal pressures and corrupting influences.

many riverine communities by roads. We also want to ensure that all our local government headquarters hitherto not linked by road are connected. For the Sagbama-Ekeremor road in the Bayelsa West, we are working to ensure the completion and commissioning during the 3rd anniversary of our government.

"In Bayelsa Central, the YenagoaOporoma road is progressing with the bridge to connect Angiama community to Oporoma, the Southern Ijaw Local Government headquarters awarded. Just about two weeks ago, the last one in the East, Nembe-Brass road was flagged-off after decades that the road had been on the drawing board,” the governor said.

He, however, urged the Ijaws in diaspora to ensure they work closely with the national executive of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and add their voices to trending national debates and promotion of the culture of the fourth largest ethic group in the country.

“For a long while, Ijaw voice was silence in the country until we were able to put the INC together. I am happy that they have now been adding their voice to national issues and debates on how best we can live together as Nigerians, where no one is shortchanged. We strive for equity, fairness and justice. So, you must continue to support the

INC and strengthen their efforts back home.

“My physical presence here should tell you the importance I attach to the cause of Ijaw nation. I am equally happy with what this group is doing, bringing all Ijaws in diaspora together. Consciously, we must continue to preserve and promote the Ijaw culture and tradition, wherever we find ourselves. That applies to all of you abroad.

"We must transfer the strong values in the culture and tradition to our children. A man, who has no culture is lost. The beginning of a man’s culture is language and then his dressing. So, I count on you to ensure the sustenance of the rich Ijaw culture,” he said.

Chairman of the occasion and member representing Sagbama/ Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Fred Agbedi, stressed the need for the Ijaw people to continue to unite and urged those in diaspora to always contribute to the development of their state back home.

The President of Ijaw Diaspora Council, Professor Mondy Gold, expressed the appreciation of the council to the governor and other top Ijaw leaders for their attendance and participation, saying the forum has formed a strong network across the globe to stand firmly together for the progress of Ijaw nation.

ICRC TO GAZETTE $22BN PPP PROJECTS IN 2022, SAYS ACTING DG The SGF said the role of the private sector in infrastructure development and structural transformation in Africa and the rest of the world could not be overemphasised, adding that many African countries have made significant moves to promote this, through restructuring of financial sectors and adoption of policies to create the enabling environment for the private sector to grow and thrive.

Specifically, he pointed out that countries including Nigeria and South Africa have started to reap the fruits of the various policy changes that were, and are still being initiated.

According to him, Africa’s private sector currently accounted for more than 80 per cent of total production, and two-thirds of total

investment as well as responsible for over 90 per cent of formal and informal employment.

Mustapha, however, noted that in order to stimulate and create a vibrant private sector on the continent and accelerate infrastructure development - a number of issues needed to be addressed.

He said, “There is definitely the need to create a welcoming investment climate. This can be achieved by reducing risks and costs of doing business and by securing private property rights, improving governance, fighting corruption, simplifying regulations, and promoting competition.”

He also said there was need for financial sector development by strengthening regulatory and institutional frameworks to im-

prove governance and increase competition, improving access to finance and financial literacy, developing payment systems and enhancing creditor rights adding that access to finance by the private sector remained critical.

The SGF noted that given the constraints on public budget for financing the ever-growing infrastructure needs and in keeping with the practice in other nations with similar situations, the federal government had encouraged and supported the strengthening of the framework for PPP policy.

He added that the current financial situation in the country occasioned by the global COVID-19 pandemic and dwindling revenue had made the shift to PPPs more compelling than ever before.

He assured that the government would continue to maintain the integrity and transparency that must form the basis of all decisions on PPPs to ensure the right framework for effective partnership and value for money.

The Director-General, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr. Asishana Okauru, said the country cannot generate the expected growth in a sector without a commensurate or proportional increase of its infrastructure stock.

He added the ability of state governments to prepare PPP pipelines and bankable PPP projects, and offered a sustainable long-term approach to improving social infrastructure, enhancing the value of public sector assets, as well as making better use of taxpayers’ money.

TUESDAY JULY 5, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY

TUESDAY JULY 5, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

YET, ANOTHER WATER RESOURCES BILL The National Assembly should be wary of ideas that seek to divide the people

L

common to all people.’’ ast week, a contentious water resources The controversy around the bill has always been bill that had been rejected several about the skewed power structure that has hampered times on grounds that it runs counter the development of our country. During a clause-byto the letter and spirit of our federal clause consideration of the bill in 2018, for instance, structure resurfaced in the House of then Minority Leader and former Akwa Ibom Representatives. Curiously, neither the State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, who was until Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila nor House members recently the Minister of Niger Delta, had kicked know the content of this bill. They are only relying on against the provision seeking to empower the federal the assurance given by the promoter, Hon Sada Soli government to take control of all waterways and that certain provisions had been removed and that if their banks in Nigeria. The provision vests large issues arose again, he would withdraw the bill. But we pieces of land adjoining the riverbanks across the consider this to be rather country, which have been untidy and we reiterate the exclusive preserve of our earlier position that state governments, to the the National Assembly Across the country today, the consensus is that there is urgent federal government. Had should steer clear of issues need to devolve more power and resources from the centre to the the bill sailed through, it that have the tendencies would have altered the to generate acrimony and 36 states and 774 local governments. So, any proposition that critical provisions in the further divide the people.

Land Use Act which vests While we wait to see the seeks to reverse that idea should be discarded the ownership of the land provisions of this new bill, in the state governments it is important to refresh except in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where the memory of the National Assembly. In 2018,a “bill the federal government holds sway. for an act to establish a regulatory framework for the T H I S D AY The critical issue centred around the powers of water resources sector in Nigeria, provide for the EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU state governments on land particularly at water DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA equitable and sustainable development, management, MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO fronts.

Across the country today, the consensus is use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface and ground DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU that there is urgent need to devolve more power and water resources and for related matters” generated CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI resources from the centre to the 36 states and 774 so much heat that the National Assembly had to EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN local governments.

So, any proposition that seeks to MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI GURS LW 7KH ELOO VXͿHUHG WKH VDPH IDWH WZR \HDUV THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE reverse that idea should be discarded. We therefore later at the senate despite passage by the House of share the view of many stakeholders that the idea to Representatives. control water resources is a ploy to deprive people Like the earlier proposal, section 13 of the bill living along riverbanks of their basic livelihood as T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D had stated that “in implementing the principles EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA they will lose ownership of such land to the federal under subsection (2) of this section, the institutions GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, government. established under this Act shall promote integrated ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI Coming at a period many Nigerians are calling for water resources management and the coordinated DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, a restructuring of the federation so that more powers ANTHONY OGEDENGBE management of land and water resources, surface DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI and resources are devolved to sub-national units, the water and ground water resources, river basins SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH idea of the federal government appropriating the and adjacent marine and coastal environment and ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI waters is ludicrous to say the least. Whatever may upstream and downstream interests.” Meanwhile, CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI therefore be the motivation for the new bill, we hope DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO section 2(1) of the Bill, stipulated: “All surface water TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com the promoters are not trying to exhume issues that are and ground water wherever it occurs, is a resource very polarising and could easily be misconstrued.

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 FOR AFRICA’S INTEGRATED ENERGY ECONOMY The continent is making policy and legislative progress towards a QHZ GLVSHQVDWLRQ ZKHUH ÀUPV IURP WKH UHJLRQ FDQ H[SORLW DQG GHYHORS LWV RZQ UHVRXUFHV IRU WKH EHQHÀW RI LWV SHRSOH .H\ WR WKLV LV RQJRing regional engagement.

Africa is increasingly taking ownership of its own energy destiny in the private-sector space. But – equally importantly – it is also developing the policy and regulatory tools that support economic self-determination. Nowhere is this more evident than in Nigeria, where the long-awaited passing into law of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) last year is poised to unlock vast potential in the domestic and regional energy sector.

The Act has legislated the creation of two regulatory agencies to oversee critical parts of the industry. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) will be responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of petroleum operations in their respective sectors.

The upstream comprises resource exploration, as well as drilling and operation of crude-oil and natural-gas wells. Midstream usually refers to the transportation and storage of petroleum products by pipeline, barges, tankers or trucks, while the petroleum downstream LV PDLQO\ FRQFHUQHG ZLWK UHÀQLQJ DQG SURFHVVLQJ RI SHWUROHXP DQG natural gas and marketing and distributing end products to consum-

ers. The establishment of these regulatory bodies will provide a rich space for engagement with industry associations representing the enterprises that help to drive the industry. Prominent among these is the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) (https:// ZZZ 3(7$1 RUJ DQ DVVRFLDWLRQ RI 1LJHULDQ WHFKQLFDO RLOÀHOG service companies straddling the upstream , midstream and downstream sectors.

Across sectors, there has long been talk of the need to enhance AfULFD·V EHQHÀFLDWLRQ FDSDFLW\ WR KHOS WKH FRQWLQHQW PRYH GRZQVWUHDP from being a primary commodity producer, and to reverse the centuries-old pattern of developed nations exploiting Africa’s resources, WKHQ SURFHVVLQJ WKHP HOVHZKHUH IRU HQRUPRXV SURÀW 3(7$1 LV LQ the forefront of helping Africa achieve this in the petroleum sector.

It describes itself as “the initiator of local content in Nigeria … championing the quest for increased local participation in the Nigerian oil and Gas industry.”

In the petroleum industry, there are already numerous situations where a shallow-water asset owner in Nigeria might contract a European company to service its wells, despite there being a local supplier who can do the same thing. The solution to overcoming this misalignment lies on ongoing industry communication, to ensure standardisation of local content so that it meets local needs, thereby boosting private-sector participation in domestic production.

7KH HVWDEOLVKPHQW RI 1LJHULD·V QHZ UHJXODWRU\ ERGLHV RͿHUV DQ exciting opportunity to drive this kind of intra-industry partnership, and to help build an African energy industry characterised by PXWXDO EHQHÀW LQVWHDG RI XQHTXDO SRZHU UHODWLRQV $ FULWLFDO IRUXP for this kind of engagement will be the forthcoming Africa Oil Week (https://Africa-OilWeek.com/Home) in Cape Town, (AOW), the global platform for stimulating deals and transactions across the African Upstream. The event brings together governments, national and international oil companies, independents, investors, the geological and geophysical community and service providers.

A better integrated African energy sector can be a major driver of WKLV YLVLRQ ZLWK IRU LQVWDQFH 1LJHULDQ ÀUPV SDUWQHULQJ RQ $QJRODQ energy projects and vice versa. In the long run, there is potential to establish a semi-autonomous oil and gas industry that delivers product to domestic, and external markets on its own terms.

Reaching this stage requires communication and ongoing strategic engagement. The foundations for this are being laid through progressive policymaking and regulation. To take its rightful place as an energy powerhouse, Africa must continue to engage and partner across domestic and regional borders.

Paul Sinclair, Vice President of Energy & Director of Government Relations, Africa Oil and Green Energy Summit Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa.

15

TUESDAY, ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

MAINSTREAMING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IN NIGERIA'S PETROLEUM SECTOR...

L R: Deputy Clerk, Committee on Petroleum Downstream, House of Representatives, Salamatu Mamman; Executive Director, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Faith Nwadishi; Head, Legal, Investigation & Enforcement, Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Charles Abana; Representative of the Chairman, Fatima Binta Abubakar; Executive Director, Orderpaper Initiative, Okey Epia; Representative of the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Chris Ochonu and Oil and Gas Governance Consultant, Henry Adigun, at the public unveiling of the ‘Mainstreaming Fiscal Responsibility in Nigeria's PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE Petroleum sector A policy briefly by the Growth Initiatives for Fiscal Transparency’ in Abuja... yesterday

Katsina APC: Those Who Left Us for PDP Are Aspirants, Not Politicians Francis Sardauna in Katsina The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State, has described its members, who were defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as desperate office seekers suffering from poverty of integrity and morality.

Vice Chairman of the APC in the state, Bala Abu Musawa, while reacting to the alleged defection of 5,000 APC members in Matazu and Musawa to the PDP, said the ruling party would not be deterred by the gale of defection.

He said, "We have known enemies and cunning individuals among us that are jumping ship for their personal interest, but we are not afraid of their antics as we remain united, strong and

committed. You know, there is a difference between a politician and aspirant.

"A politician is someone, who remained in his party after he or she lost an election to another member to build it. While an aspirant is he who leaves the party, because he lost the election thinking that another party will give him the same ticket.

"So, people like Ali Maikano and others, who recently decamped to PDP are aspirants not politicians. In fact, all those defecting to PDP are office seekers, who are suffering from poverty of integrity, morality and a disease called indecision."

He, however, admonished APC members in the state not to be deterred by defections from the party, saying those who should

worry are members of the PDP that will soon have the problem of "political profiteers" in their hands.

Also, he added that no amount

of blackmail, intimidations and campaigns of calumny from the opposition parties would affect the APC victory at all levels in the forthcoming general election,

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Silas, has been abducted by terrorists in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The clergy man was said to have been abducted on Monday at his residence at the parish rectory at St. Charles Catholic Church, Zambina, Kauru LGA.

Chancellor of the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo, confirmed the incident in a statement.

“The sad event is believed to have occurred in the early hours of July 04, 2022, when he could not turn up for morning Mass,” the statement stated.

Okolo added that the priest “was abducted from the parish

around the socio-economic fortunes of the state and Nigeria for better, and urged the electorate to vote for the party in all elections.

APC Petitions SGF, Accuses Igini of According Recognition to 'Illegal Group' in A'Ibom Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has petitioned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, accusing the Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Mr. Mike Igini of unlawful

recognition of an illegal group within the party in the state.

The ruling party, in a petition against Igini, dated July 2, 2022, signed by the National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore and titled: "Willful Disobedience to Valid Order of Court by According Unlawful Recognition to An Illegal Group in APC Akwa

Terrorists Abduct Catholic Priest in Kaduna

John Shiklam in Kaduna

noting that the party was strong on account of its wide acceptance

by Nigerians.

He said APC was the only political party that could turn

rectory at St. Charles Catholic Church, Zambina, in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State” and therefore, solicited for “intense prayers for his quick and safe release.”

Okolo also warned the community against taking the laws into their hands, stressing that legitimate steps would be taken to ensure quick and safe release

of the priest.

“We equally wish to call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands. We will use every legitimate means to ensure his quick and safe release.

“May Jesus, crucified on the cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priest and all other kidnapped persons,” the statement added.

Ibom State", urged the SGF to intervene.

The ruling party conducted her state congresses across the country on 16th October, 2021.

In Akwa Ibom, the Congress conducted by the seven-man Banki Sheriff-led Election Committee, dispatched by Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee, produced Mr. Austin Ekanem as chairman, having polled 1,278 votes to win.

However, in April 2022, APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, inaugurated Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo as chairman of the party in Akwa Ibom State in defiance to a Court of Appeal order, asking parties to maintain the status quo.

Igini had said INEC would not compromise its stance on the sanctity of the processes that birthed the Ekanem-led State

Executive of the party.

The petition read: "We wish to bring to your attention, the contemptuous conduct and activities perpetrated against our party by Mr. Mike Igini, (Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State), which have been highlighted in the petition attached herewith in relation to the above subject.

"We hereby forward the petition to your good office and respectfully request for your intervention by conveying the concerns of the party contained in our petition to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the relevant security agencies.

"We are grateful in anticipation of your kind consideration and necessary action with regards to this request."

GALADIMA: USING CAPACITY AS PARAMETER FOR PRESIDENCY, OBI NOT COMPARABLE TO KWANKWASO Ologunagba called on Nigerians to rally round the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his vice presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, stating that they represent a symbol of unity that would unite Nigeria and tackle the ravaging insecurity in the country.

According to Ologunagba, "APC represents a command dictatorship that has so far offered no relief to the sufferings of the people.

Rather, what the APC has done is to triple the sufferings of our people.

“PDP as a party believes in negotiation and manages its differences, where there is one, but the APC has a command imposition structure, which is antithetical to democracy."

The national publicity secretary told the students that Nigerians must use the opportunity of the

general election to vote out APC, saying, "Nigerians cannot afford another four years of misrule by the APC. APC must be kicked out because we have had enough."

Ologunagba described APC as a party of strange bedfellows that had nothing tangible to offer.

PDP Urges Nigerians to Get PVCs, Vote Out APC

In another development, PDP said it had concluded plans to hold a roadshow on the streets of Abuja to sensitise the citizens, especially the youth, to register and be ready to vote out APC in next year’s general election.

Addressing a press conference to herald the roadshow, acting National Chairman of the party, Aliyu Damagun, and the Youth Leader, Mohammad Suleiman

Kadede, charged the youth to arm themselves with their voter cards to vote out APC next year.

Damagun said, "As you can see in this country, most of our youths today are idle. What is the cause? Bad governance? How do we change that? Go get your PVC. Go out there and sensitise people; let them come out en masse. All these ASUU strikes that we see, unemployment, banditry and what have you, are all due to bad governance. How do you change bad governance? It is to use your votes and act now.

"You have to go out there, get people informed, let them come out and get their PVCs so that we vote out this senseless government that has no direction. If you look at them, they don't even have the mind to initiate this kind of thing.

What they are thinking about is

that come 2023, they will come and buy you off and continue to labour you, leave you at home, close down your schools and allow you to enter banditry. It's up to you now to go out there and get your PVC." Kedede, on his part, said, "We can no longer deny or pretend that we are now at the lowest point in our national life. The youth of our country have become weary of the future. It is on this note that we call on all Nigerians to go out and get their PVCs, because this is the only tool to unseat them – these monsters at the corridors of power.

"The rate of insecurity is alarming and calls for urgent national attention. Ladies and gentleman, the Nigerian students have been out of school for over five months, with no solution in sight. The

APC-led federal government has paid deaf ear to the plight of the Nigerian student, thereby, forcing them to roam about the street and become vulnerable to negative tendencies. It is, therefore, imperative for the Nigerian youth to go out and get their permanent voter cards in order to use their votes to unseat the wicked APCled federal government.

"The persistent insecurity that has plagued the nation now for a while with no solution in sight is another manifestation of the complete incompetence and abandonment of government by the All Progressives Congress-led federal government. We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to take up their destinies in their hands and activate the office of the citizen by going all out to get their permanent voter cards.

"The Peoples Democratic Party is, no doubt, the last hope for the common Nigeria on the street.

And so, we encourage you all to get your PVC ready for a brighter future. Your PVC is your power.

Your PVC is your strength. Your PVC is your equipment to shape the future of your country."

In her speech, National Women Leader of PDP, Professor Stella Atoe, said, "Every eligible Nigerian electorate has the constitutional right to determine who governs the country in which they are citizens. They have the power to change a bad and non-performing government through the use of their votes at the polling units during elections, and install a good one. The power through which this can be done is the acquisition of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC).”

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 5, 2022

16

POLITICS

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611 SMS ONLY)

The Rough Edges Along PDP’s 2023 Presidential Path Emameh Gabriel writes that with the current crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, it may be having problems making inroads ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Atiku

T

he opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came out of its national convention last year unscathed to the amazement of many, after months of leadership tussles that eventually led to the sack of the party’s former national chairman, Uche Sencondus.

So many people had thought that after the convention, the new leadership of the party would keep the ship steady but events in the last few days have shown that the party is at the verge of crashing even before the take off of the 2023 presidential election campaigns, a development that explains that the main opposition party might be facing problems to make headway in next year’s general elections.

The ‘Rescue Nigeria’ mantra the PDP adopted for the 2023 general elections seems to have gone up in flame as it is currently been overwhelmed by the litany of crises in some of its state chapters and especially the outcome of its recent presidential primary.

While the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) is putting its arsenal together and even making efforts to poach from the ranks of the PDP, a Third Force wave led by Labour Party’s Peter Obi appears to have further polarized the PDP in some parts of the country, especially the South East.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State are the main actors in the centre of the controversy, with analysts asserting that this could be the end of the road for the once largest political family in Africa.

While there are ongoing efforts by aggrieved members of the party to mend fences, moves by the ruling APC to reap from the crisis is likely going to make it almost impossible for the opposition party to redeem itself if its leadership fails to put its act together.

Presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, recently noted on his Twitter handle that he remained a listening leader and would ensure that all grouses in the PDP are adequately addressed.

The PDP came out of its convention in December, 2021 without rancour leaving the impression that the party was ready to reinvent itself by holding up to its internal democratic tenets but the outcome of its presidential primary has left party almost in tatters.

The absence of 11 PDP governors at the inauguration of the Osun State national campaign council ahead of the state’s governorship election has stirred up suspicious that all is not well with the party.

Without doubt, this has proven that the Ayorchia Ayu-led Peoples Democratic Party is currently faced with a strong challenge threatening the existence of the party once again, as it battles to keep its head above water.

The crisis in the PDP today is deeply rooted, first in the party’s refusal to zone its presidential ticket to the South and Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the party’s flag bearer as well as his refusal to pick Governor Nyesom Wike, who came out second at the primary as his running mate, after 14 out 17 governors of the party endorsed the Rivers State Governor as

Ayu

the preferred choice for Atiku.

Atiku’s victory at the party’s presidential primary did not come by surprise to many. THISDAY had reported after the party’s convention in December last year that the emergence of Ayu, a close associate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as the new chairman of the PDP was a trump card for Atiku.

Calls by Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) on the party to zone its presidential ticket to the South for the sake of equity and justice were rebuffed by leadership of the party led by Ayu, Atiku’s close political ally.

A source from the party told THISDAY that Governor Wike was manipulated to axe Uche Sencondus to plantAyu who would later do Atiku’s bidding.

“Wike would have seen this coming if he had listened but he was so emotional about the removal of the former national chairman that he couldn’t realize that Sencondus was a better evil to him. So Atiku took advantage of his weakness and foisted Ayu on the party with the impression that the party would zone its presidential ticket to the South”, said the source.

The PDP had after its presidential primary election in May, 2022, decided to shop for a running mate from the South South where the party believed it could ger significant votes from come 2023 polls as the South East was no longer an option due to the agitations in the region over its refusal to cede its presidential ticket to the region.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who came second in the primaries was the favourite but again lost out to his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa.

Atiku had after consulting gov-

Okowa

Wike

ernors of the party for a choice for a running mate, turned down the suggestion to pair up with Wike. His decision did not go down well with majority of the committee members who saw Wike as a better choice. This was allegedly against his initial promise to pick Governor Wike after winning the party’s primary election.

Atiku’s decision has left the party divided with most Southern PDP leaders who are not happy with him now appear to be working against him.

Last week, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, had accused Atiku of not doing enough to reconcile aggrieved persons within PDP after the party’s presidential primaries.

Fayose had also in his Twitter handle faulted the PDP disregard for its constitution on zoning, insisting that it must be a Southern President or nothing. Fayose who was critical about the consequences of the party’s refusal to zone it ticket to the South before the primary wrote: “The PDP Constitution provides for a rotational Presidency. Section 3(c) provides that the party shall pursue its aims and objectives by adhering to the policy of the rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices, in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness.

“The current President of Nigeria is a two-term Northern Presidency, thus implying that it must be a Southern Presidency in 2023 or nothing.”

Writing in Yoruba language, Fayose also tweeted that “awa South lo kan” — which means, “it is the turn of the South”, adding that Nigerians should “await details soon”.

The former Ekiti State governor also alleged that Atiku “promised” to make Wike his running mate after he was declared winner of the PDP presidential primary election, but reneged on his promise after winning the party’s ticket.

In what clearly explained that the opposition party was in for a long battle, Fayose had threatened that, “If the party is now a one-man show, we will show them that we can resist it. We are with Wike 100 per cent. When they need Wike’s money and Wike’s support, they will say, ‘Wike is good enough’. Wike has been injured, but we will remain with him. Whatever he does is what we would do; wherever he asks

us to go is where we will go.”

On his part, Governor Ortom also declared that he was not sure whom to support in the 2023 presidential poll as he was hoping on God to direct him. Ortom in several interviews expressed disappoinment over ill-treatment of his friend, Governor Wike, by the party’s leadership after the primaries.

His grievance was Atiku’s decision to pick Governor Okowa of Delta State as his running mate in place of Wike, who had majority of votes of the committee set up to advise on the most suitable candidate.

Atiku who is in United Arab Emirates amid criticism from party faithful for leaving his party behind in the middle of crisis for holidays, at the weekend reacted on his verified Twitter handle saying:“The @OfficialPDPNig will remain united. Focus on our actions. We are taking action to address the feelings of all party members. The unity in our community is my priority. Our resolve to unify Nigeria starts in our party and moves to the community, then onto society.”

He continued: “Every governor, legislator and other elected officials produced by our party, and party members and loyalists, are much loved and respected by me. When they speak, I listen. I do not only listen, appropriate actions have been taken, are being taken, and will continue to be advanced.”

Speculations are rift about Wike’s future in the PDP with rumour of his alleged romance with the presidential candidate of the ruling APC and former Lagos State governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu. His recent meeting with former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has left a lot to be desired about his next move.

Although Wike had vowed never to leave the PDP, analysts have raised the questions that for his associates to openly grant interviews about how badly he was treated and also declaring that Wike will never support Atiku’s presidential bid, shows that there is more to what is playing out in Wike’s camp.

While some have said his grievance was justified, some have said described his behavior as selfish and as one who wants “to pull down the party because of his selfish ambition.

Former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, last week advised members of the party not not blame Governor Wike for feeling aggrieved about the outcome of the selection of Atiku’s running mate, as he had been a strong pillar of the PDP, but called on Atiku to sit with Wike for a talk.

According to him: “I won’t blame Wike for feeling bad, because he has been one of the pillars of the party. Let the presidential candidate, Atiku, sit down with Wike to discuss issues, because he is the only one that knows why he picked his running mate, the matter is resolvable.”

Makarfi, however, expressed optimism that the party would come out stronger to win the 2023 elections.

The PDP after its presidential primary election in May, 2022, decided to shop for a running mate from the South South where the party believed it could get significant votes from come 2023 polls as the South East was no longer an option due to the agitations in the region over its refusal to cede its presidential ticket to the region.Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who came second in the primary was the favourite but again lost out to his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa

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

17

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 5, 2022

POLITICS

Insecurity and Governor Yahaya’s Efforts for Peace in Gombe Segun Awofadeji writes that despite the worsening state of insecurity in the north-east region, Governor Inuwa Yahaya has turned Gombe to epicentre of peace and development

T

hree years on, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has taken effective measures to maintain the prevailing peace in the state, and also turn it to an epicentre of development despite the insecurity in the north-east region.

Gombe, popularly called the Jewel in the Savannah has been described as one of the most peaceful states in the country considering many critical security indices that placed the state high on the ranking.

This position was made clear in a report published by Eons Intelligence, a media organization and a strategic intelligence and advisory group which specializes in analysis of crimes, political, economic risk and opportunities in Nigeria.

The report analysed the crime incidences to include kidnapping, and other heinous crimes that result into death of people for the month of January, 2022. The report revealed that Niger State had the highest crimes rate in the country in the month under review with a total of 396 kidnap victims and 267 total death cases, followed by the North Western States of Zamfara and Kaduna respectively.

Also, recently, Gombe State was adjudged as the most peaceful state in the North-East by the forum of State Directors of Security ( SDS) after their meeting in Gombe. This is in addition to the fact that Gombe is the reigning number one state in the ease of doing business ranking in Nigeria.

Despite sharing borders with the insurgencystriken Northeastern States of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, Gombe maintains a rather peaceful serenity where the state recorded zero death, and zero kidnapping incidences in recent times.

As paradoxical as it may sound, DirectorGeneral (Press Affairs), Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, told THISDAY in an interview that “this development is not a mere coincidence but a result of well planned security policies and strategies by Governor Yahaya administration. Recall that, during the

Yahaya

2019 campaigns, Yahaya vowed to reduce crime rate to the barest minimum and mitigate security threats, thus guaranteeing the security of lives and property for all people of Gombe State”.

The Eons Intelligence’s report came at a time when Governor Yahaya flagged off the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps, GoSTEC Programme in which not fewer than 2,000 youth across the 11 local government areas of the State will be trained and engaged into various developmental activities including security where they will assist the statutory security outfits in the state.

His Interventions So Far Before he came to power in 2019, the Governor vowed to reduce crime rate to the barest minimum and mitigate security threats, thus guaranteeing

the security of lives and property of all people of Gombe State as was rightly captured in his campaign manifesto.

Therefore the creation of the Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation in September, 2019 was an attempt made to facilitate proper coordination of security affairs in the state. The ministry works hand-in-hand with all formal and informal security organizations for proper and effective security services.

In addition, the ministry trains youth to prepare them for possible recruitment into the military and para-military services at the national level.

Aware that majority of the people of Gombe State engage in agriculture, and there had been clashes between farmers and herders which claimed lives and properties, the Governor reconstituted Farmers-Herdsmen Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Committee at the state level and re-established same in all the 11 Local Government Areas of the state. This effort promoted understanding and peaceful co-existence between different communities in the state.

Another aspect where the state government got it right is Community involvement/participation in security matters. Here Governor Inuwa has succeeded in creating a strong platform where community and religious leaders participate in the formulation of security related policies and their implementation.

Community policing is part of the security framework that reflects community participation in security matters. Community security committees were put in place and were equipped with dedicated telephone lines for reporting security breaches by members of the public.

This has helped security operatives to nib any infraction in the bud.

Importantly too, from the outset, the state government under the leadership of Governor Inuwa adopted dialogue as an effective strategy for settlement of communal disputes. It’s

on record that in many instances, disputes on land, tribal or ethnic grounds in the state were settled through engagement of traditional and community leaders.

All security institutions require adequate funding to operate effectively. Huge amount of money is allotted every year to support security institutions. Police, Army, Civil Defence and other Security outfits are under Federal Government, but to consolidate on what the Federal Government is doing, Governor Yahaya always support the security agencies operating in Gombe state.

Meanwhile other non formal organizations like vigilante are also supported in every way possible to ensure effective security service.

Also, worthy of note is the activities of restive youths and political thugs, popularly known as ‘Yan Kalare’ who are known for committing many atrocities and politically motivated violence have been posing a security threat.

Governor Yahaya believed that engaging youth will help in reducing violence and increasing human capital in the state. So, in line with this, the Governor Yahaya-led Administration has established a Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre at Boltongo of Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area for regular training of youth on early warning systems and quick response to security challenges.

Another thrust in that regard is the homegrown human capital development initiative of Governor Yahaya, the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (G-STEC) which will engage over 2000 youth in the state. This is in addition to collaborative programmes with so many international and domestic development partners to establish training centers, provide technical support and facilities to the teeming youth in the state.

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

Edo PDP May End Up Having No Candidate for 2023 Polls Adibe Emenyonu writes that with muscle flexing and ego trip between Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; and the South South Zonal Vice Chairman, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, the party may end up fielding zero candidates during 2023 general elections

A

fter his former party, the All Progressives Congress shut its doors against Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in his bid to actualise his second term, he quickly defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was granted waiver against the interest of other aspirants of the party’s platform.

But shortly after his ambition was realised courtesy of the September 19, 2020 governorship election, Obaseki and the state party leaders entered into an unpleasant conflict over who should control the machinery of the party in Edo State.

The misunderstanding started when Obaseki after being sworn in for secord term in office, reappointed Osarodion Ogie, who defected with him from APC to PDP, as Secretary to the State Government.

While leaders of his new party were still contemplating on this, Obaseki also appointed a Chief of Staff, in the person of Osaigbovo Iyoha, who also came with him from APC. This development angered the main stream PDP led by the Zonal Vice Chairman, South-south, Chief Dan Orbih, who began to feel cheated in the entire arrangements after helping Obaseki to climb up only for him to kick the ladder away. With these two scenarios, whatever little respect left between the two leaders began to wane.

Fightng back, the Orbih-led group shut out those who migrated with Obaseki from APC to PDP by refusing to integrate them as bonafide card carrying members of Edo PDP. In their thinking, since Obaseki decided to empower only his fellow political migrants and shut out

Obaseki

Orbih

the geese that laid the golden egg from such juicy appointments, the integrity group by which name the Orbih-led group is known by within the party decided to maintain their grip of the party knowing that the day of reckoning must surely come.

Another sign that the marriage is going to crumble came in April, 2022, when Obaseki through his 10man lawmakers in the state House of Assembly, sought the amendment of the state local government law with a view to conducting local government election.

Rather than the mandatory 90 days notice for the conduct of the local government election as stipulated

in the 2010 Electoral Act as amended, the Assembly reduced it to 20 days.

On the strength of this amendment, a threeman Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) was constituted headed by Justice Jamed Oyomire (rtd). However, as soon as the state electoral umpire issued a time table for the conduct of the election, the Orbih group who had already suspected a sinister motive to box them into political limbo, approached a Federal High Court to restrain the commission from going ahead with the election. Besides, the group drew the attention of the court to Katsina State which gave a clear cut 90 days in compliance with the Electoral Act when that state electoral body issued a notice for the conduct of local government election from January 11 to April 11, 2022. Therefore, on April 7, 2022,

it filed an ex parte motion with Suit No. FHC/ ABJ/CS/432/2022 praying the court to grant an interim injunction restraining EDSIEC, it’s agents, servants, privies, from conducting the said election into the local government scheduled for April 19 pending the determination of the motion on notice which the court granted. On the above premise, the Edo state electoral umpire had no option than to comply by announcing the suspension of the election citing the restraining order by the federal high court as the reason for the suspension. Having lost the bid to bring his men into the main stream PDP in the state, the undaunted Obaseki flew another kite but was also cut in the web.

Prior to the party primaries and sensing that the party structure is quickly slipping off his hands, Obaseki organised ward congresses across all the 192 wards in the state to elect adhoc delegates ahead of the party primaries.

The delegates elected were 576 in number for the election with one national representative from every local government.

This also hit a brick wall as the other faction ignored the Obaseki’s organised primaries to conduct their own primary election for the state assembly and national assembly. At the end, the two groups conducted parallel primary election. Luckily for them, before the conclusion of the primaries, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or accepting the hoc delegates produced by the Obaseki-led faction.

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

18

TUESDAY, ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

On Pastor Poju’s Bromance With Peter Obi O ctober 1, 2016 was the first day and time many young Nigerians got to know Peter Obi. On that day, he was the guest of a nationally popular annual event known as The Platform. The Platform is the brainchild of Pastor Poju Oyemade, founder and Senior Pastor of Covenant Christian Centre.

On that day, Peter Obi broke the Internet with his heartfelt speech about his vision for Nigeria.

President Buhari had addressed the nation only a few hours before Mr. Obi’s appearance on that stage, yet, according to Google, his speech was the number one trend. Quite a feat to upstage the country’s President on Independence Day, which is the most patriotic day in Nigeria.

Now fast forward to July 1, 2022. Almost exactly six years after Peter debuted on The Platform. This time around, he is no longer just an ex-governor. He is a former Vice Presidential candidate of a major party, and is now the Presidential candidate of a previously fringe party that is on its way to becoming mainstream.

He has now gathered an online army of internet savvy youngsters hungry for change. They see him as the messiah they remember from his The Platform performance.

And on that day, Pastor Poju Oyemade spoke his mind via some tweets. He said: “Faith is not just blind belief or hoping for a miracle.

Faith sees. Faith has her eyes opened and possesses the evidence upon which it builds its belief. Faith prepares long, sometimes for years just as Joseph did for the years of famine. Faith counts the cost before embarking.”

In another tweet, he further said: “Without having real evidence upon which you are acting, nor preparation for the task, recognising real obstacles that lie ahead and making concrete plans, one is just being delusional about the outcome.

The enthusiasm of the youth must not be wasted on poorly planned projects.”

Finally, he opined that: “Noah spent months/years planning for the flood & he was operating in faith. Jesus said no man goes to battle without taking stock first nor lays the foundation of a tower without counting the cost first lest he will be mocked. Our faith is intelligent, it doesn’t live in denial.”

And then all hell broke loose. Peter Obi’s horde of Internet followers, as if coordinated by a hidden finger, coalesced on Mr. Oyemade’s timeline and threw decorum to the wind as they savaged him and excoriated him without mercy.

I do not want to repeat some of the things they said here. Much, if not most of it, is not fit to be printed. Strangers to Nigeria would have believed that Pastor Poju was the vilest creature in the land with the way and manner he was set upon by the Obidient clan.

These supporters forgot that one reason Peter Obi became popular with a lot of social media savvy youths is because of The Platform opportunity Pastor Poju gave him. Without that stage, he may not have risen to his current level of acceptability with Nigeria’s Internet savvy youthful tribe. No matter how angry they are, one would have thought that they would at least appreciate Poju for that!

And this brings to fore a character challenge. This is the main issue with Peter Obi. Just hours before, a controversy on Muslim prayer mats had arisen.

Oyemade

Obi

A Peter Obi support group had printed his image on Muslim prayer mats.

That incident is why I have previously maintained that Christians should compulsorily study Islamic Religious Knowledge and Muslims should do same with Christian Religious Knowledge.

I have read the Quran and know that this is wrong. Islam does not tolerate images of humans in mosques or on prayer mats. And these are prayer mats (you can tell by the image of the mosque on the mat). They are intended for use in prayer.

It is seen as idolatry. The Hadiths condemn it.

Tinubu tried it in Mecca and the Saudis arrested his campaigners. Even images depicting Allah (SWT), or of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) are not allowed. How much more an image of a politician. This is sad.

And you cannot even counsel Peter Obi’s supporters.

They feel they know more than those counselling them. You talk one, they talk one hundred. Anyway, we are watching.

In any case, the Muslim prayer mat issue threatened his popularity. And as a result, Peter Obi QUICKLY spoke up and distanced himself and his campaign from the act, while apologising to Muslims. Fair enough. But then, when his followers attacked a man who gave him The Platform that helped his popularity, Peter Obi went suddenly and loudly silent. Because it does not affect his popularity!

There are people who gave their backs to Peter Obi as a step on his rise to national prominence.

They saw potential in him long before his new-found online loyalists saw it. I am one of them. Pastor Poju Oyemade is another. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the foremost.

And yet, when his new Obidient tribe starts to insult and threaten these his early friends, Peter keeps quiet. Look at the very foul language they used and are still using on Pastor Poju. And what is his sin? That he spoke his mind?

Atiku and Tinubu’s supporters will NEVER do that to an Imam that criticises them. Peter, remember those you met on your way up. You will also meet them on your way down.

Look at his people. Calling Pastor Poju a “so-called man of God”? Really? Do these guys know the secret charity Pastor Poju has done and is still doing? The no-fees schools he supports? The thousands he feeds?

The evangelism he embarks on? The hospital visits and payments of bills he undertakes? And most importantly, his genuine love for God and study of His Word? How could they? Who are they to judge him as being ‘so-called’?

The way and manner these people have dragged Pastor Poju in the mud really touched me. Poju is such a decent fellow. Yes, insult me, threaten me.

That is your group mentality. We all know you guys by now. But ingratitude is the worst thing you can do. “If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.”-Proverbs 17:13 says Having seen what Buhari’s followers have unleashed on the nation for the last unfortunate seven years, on Election Day, many people who love and admire Peter Obi, will not vote for him, not because he is not an excellent candidate (he is), or because he is not patriotic (he is), but because of his followers.

A man who can’t call his followers to order is a follower, not a leader!

Ironically, this is what Pastor Poju had to say about Peter Obi on October 1, 2016, when he gave

Mr. Obi the national stage that made many young Nigerians fall in love with him. After today’s baptism of insult, I am curious to know what Pastor Poju now thinks!

“Gov Peter Obi has clearly demonstrated that you don't have to attack anyone to be effective in communicating a need for change @theplatformng.

His presentation showed the power of storytelling as against mere words of bitterness. This is what @ theplatformng is all about.

In response to yesterday's Platform, it is now time to implement the next idea. The Platform will be opening a politics/governance Institute. We will equip people with the knowledge & tools to be skillfully engaged in nation building. This energy will not go destructive nor shall it go to waste.”

How can you allow such a man who spoke so glowingly of you to be chewed up and spat out by your horde without so much as stepping in to caution them? Let us imagine that Pastor Poju’s congregation turned against Peter and excoriated him, would Mr. Oyemade watch idly as they did that? Of course not.

Peter projected himself as a leader, yet, rather unfortunately, he has allowed one young girl on Twitter to just hijack his campaign and inject IPOB-level toxicity into it. She, rather than him, was controlling his messaging, his narratives, and the direction of his campaign. He followed his followers instead of leading them!

And he allowed himself to be led by his followers, who tend to be very passionate, and hardly tactical. They believe so much in the rightness of their candidate and his cause, and they expect that, that their belief should make others accept their line of thought without question.

As a result, they refuse to persuade, implore, cajole, coax, explain, or even appeal. Their approach is that you must be for us and our candidate or we crush you. Sadly for them, and fortunately for others in the Nigerian Project, they do not have the capacity to crush others.

I have no sympathy for Peter Obi. He called me privately and I told him that his supporters are alienating him from those geopolitical zones he would need if he wants to win an election, either as the top or bottom of the ticket.

His response to me proved his political naivety.

He said ‘Reno, it is my enemies doing it!’ How could he have expected someone like me to believe that, even if he was politically unsophisticated enough to believe it?

Reno’s Nuggets Although I have always admired the Yoruba, this campaign season deepens that approbation.

When I criticise Tinubu, you see their responses. ‘Sir it is not true’. ‘Egbon, I won’t agree’. ‘E sir, please don’t talk like that’. Even when they politically disagree with you, the Yoruba will still kill you with respect. Why won’t you love them?

Such cultured and refined people. A reflection of class and breeding. Stooping to conquer. Even when they disagree, by and large, they agree to disagree without being disagreeable. If everybody in Nigeria could imbibe their philosophy, Nigeria would be a paradise! #TableShaker

Judicial Independence Invaluable to Rule of Law, Says Okowa Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has harped on the importance of judicial independence to the rule of law in Nigeria.

He also stressed the invaluable place of financial autonomy in the realisation of the independence of the judiciary in the country.

Okowa, who is also the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the assertion in his keynote address at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (SLP) 2022 annual conference in Asaba, yesterday.

A court-free day was declared yesterday by the judicial authorities to enable lawyers in the state participate in the national conference whose theme was, "Legal Practice in Nigeria: Our Reality, Our Future."

While commending the association for holding the conference in Asaba, the state capital, the governor said that the theme, “Legal Practice in Nigeria: Our Reality, Our Future," was apt.

Okowa said, "The courts and the

legal profession must continue to adapt to cope with rapid changes like cross-jurisdictional legal issues and resolve disputes over business activities in the virtual world. They will have to address the impact of information technology on their work.

"Of equal importance is the need for the NBA to continue championing the welfare and well-being of legal practitioners and members of the judiciary.

"The Delta State government is working to provide a framework under which the Judiciary and the legal profession can respond positively to these challenges, hence in 2021, I signed into law the Delta State Judiciary Fund Management (Financial Autonomy).

"While I agree that much work remains to attain genuine financial autonomy, the law marks a critical first step for the independent control of the Judiciary’s internal fiscal management and appropriations.

"My administration has and will continue to support the notion that judicial finance should be exercised free of interference by the executive

branch of government in the same manner that the executive and legislative branches administer the funds appropriated for their internal operations.

"This is because there can be no rule of law without a guarantee of independence for the judiciary.

"Protecting the independence of judges and courts in the interest of the administration of justice includes giving them the substantial resources they need to fully perform their judicial duties properly and efficiently and to consider cases fairly and within a reasonable time as required by Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

"In addition, the courts must have the assurance from the other two state powers that they will have sufficient operating resources and financial autonomy in managing these resources. We will continue to work to achieve this end ultimately.”

Speaking further, he said: "The legal community must put itself in a position to leverage the continental trade liberalisation under the AfCFTA because the expected

growth in business and investments presents significant prospects."

He added that businesses would need competent lawyers to advise on domestic and international transactions, conflicts of laws and commercial dispute resolution and urged Nigerian lawyers to specialise in established and emerging practice areas.

"I subscribe to the view that Nigeria does not have too many lawyers but too many lawyers doing the same thing. Many lawyers tend to focus on the obvious practice areas like criminal, family, or land law.

"But there is an increasing need for legal advice in niche areas. These include international trade law, with the advent of the AfCFTA and the exponential increase in cross-border trade,’’ he said, adding that a society governed by the rule of law, must ensure that citizens had access to justice at reasonable cost and speed.

Okowa stressed that, "to meet community expectations, the court system must be able to resolve disputes between citizen and citizen

and between citizen and State, not only fairly but also economically and expeditiously.

"Justice that is not affordable or delayed will amount to a denial of justice."

He noted that the state shared NBA’s ideals of upholding the rule of law, and disclosed that his administration recently submitted the Delta State Administrative Procedure Bill to the House of Assembly for legislative action.

"The bill strengthens the rule of law and improves the administration of justice by prescribing a fair and transparent procedure for Delta State administrative agencies to propose and issue their regulations."

Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, represented by Justice Abdul Aboki, in his remarks, said the NBA had a burden to ensure that legal practitioners kept to the ethics of the profession.

He said the challenges of the legal profession were self-inflicted and lauded the choice of the conference theme which according to him was meant to address the challenges

facing the profession.

Ariwola urged legal practitioners to brace up to improve the administration of justice in the country.

On her part, Chief Judge of Delta, Justice Theresa Diai, expressed delight with the partnership between the state government, the state judiciary and the NBA, saying that it was necessary for the development of the justice sector in the country.

She commended the Section on Legal Practice for championing the course of improving knowledge of legal practice in the country.

Earlier, President of NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata, thanked the government and people of Delta for hosting and sponsoring the conference.

He also congratulated Okowa for clinching the Vice-Presidential ticket of the PDP and wished him great success.

He said that the three sections of the NBA - Section on Business Law, Section on Legal Practice and the Section on Public Interest and Development Law had continued to grow in leaps and bounds.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022

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

4 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Amid Revenue Challenges, NNPC’s Project Funding Deficit Hits $1.092bn

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has recorded a $1.092 billion deficit in its planned funding for priority projects in the first five months of 2022; latest data from the national oil firm has shown.

It came amid increasing cash crunch and the inability of the organisation to meet its monthly financial obligation to the federa-

tion, comprising the federal, state and local governments, which operate a joint account.

In 2021, the company posted a deficit of over $2.6 billion for cost recovery and priority projects, although it budgeted about $5.8 billion for the purpose.

While through cost recovery, a party is able to recoup its capital and operating costs out of a specified percentage of production, the NNPC also has major oil and

gas projects meant to boost the country’s production.

Some of the projects, which have been on for years include domestic gas development initiatives, frontier exploration, renewable energy and the Nigeria/Morocco pipeline.

They also include the Gbaramatu IPP/Excravos power plant, upgrade and rehabilitation of Delta IV, upgrade of Oben metering, Sapele metering station, Ajaokuta metering station as well as construction of

Egbin 500mmscfd gas facility.

In addition, the NNPC had previously listed the construction of the West Niger Delta project, Asa north Ohaji project, Excravos/Lagos pipeline expansion, OB3 supply lines as well as the AjaokutaKaduna-Kano (AKK) project as some of its priority projects.

Also listed are the Brass LNG, although funding has since dried up for the project, EGTL operating expenses, among others.

The NNPC document showed that the entire appropriation for ‘calendarised’ cost recovery and funding for priority projects was $6.43 billion for the year, which was further segmented into $536 million monthly disbursement.

In terms of actual functional dollar funding level, a breakdown of the releases showed that in January, $441.2 million was spent on cost recovery and ongoing projects, in February it was $137.3 million,

while it was $322.9 million and $321.9 million in March and April respectively while in May, it was $364.5 million.

In the same vein, the shortfalls in funding for the months were $94.77 million in January, $398.7 million in February, $213 million in March and $214.334 million in April while it hit $171.4 in May, during the month under review.

Continued on page 20

G7 Countries Pledge $4.5bn to Address Global Food Security Gilbert Ekugbe G7 leaders have announced a contribution of $4.5 billion to address global food security.

The United States would contribute 50 per cent of this commitment.

Besides, the President of United States of America, President Joe Biden, has announced that his administration would invest $760 million of its contribution to combat the effects of high food, fuel, and

war-driven fertilizer prices in those countries that need this support most.

At a summit of G7 leaders in Germany, the United States also announced support for the African Development Bank’s (AfDB’s) initiative to significantly increase food production in Africa to avert the looming food crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.

The AfBD’s $1.5 billion African Emergency Food Production

Facility, which was approved by its board of directors in May, is expected to provide 20 million smallholder farmers with climatesmart, certified wheat, maize, soy and other staple crop seeds, as well as more affordable fertilizer and extension services.

This would enable Africa to rapidly produce over the next four farming seasons an additional 38 million tons of food worth $12 billion.

FOOD

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N23,000–N25,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N22,000-N25,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N23,500-N25,000

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

LAGOS

50KG

RIVERS N23,000–N26,500

50KG 50KG

N23,000–N26,500

SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000 EDO

N17,000–N20,000

The United States would also support the AfDB’s Africa Disaster Risk Financing program, which would help African governments to respond to severe food insecurity caused by extreme weather events like drought. The AfDB launched the program in 2018 to boost countries’ resilience to climate shocks and it operates in almost a dozen African countries.

The President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi

SIZE

PRICE

STATE

100KG JIGAWA

Adesina, said: “I am delighted about the significant announcement and contributions made by President Joe Biden and fellow G7 leaders, to tangibly support the work of the AfDB and to address global food security.”

“The U.S. government’s multipronged response to global food security challenges, which entails support for some of the AfDB’s own innovative programs, is a tremendous boost to our efforts

and other institutions who are working hard to support African countries at this particular time of need. We warmly and wholeheartedly embrace the support by the United States and other G7 member nations,” Adesina added.

In May, the United States chaired a Global Food Security Call to Action ministerial meeting where it launched the Roadmap for Global Food Security. Ninety-four Continued on page 20

T O D AY

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

N9,000

C O C OA

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

1 TON

ONDO

N740,000 – N760,000

1 TON

OSUN

N730,000 – N750,000

1 TON

EDO

N720,000 – N740,000

100KG

BENUE

N8,500

100KG

KADUNA

N8,500

50KG

ENUGU

N23,000

50KG

LAGOS

N17,000

1 TON

CROSS RIVER

N700,000 – N720,000

100KG

DELTA

N23,000

1 TON

AKURE SOUTH, ONDO

N730,000 — N755,000

LAWYER TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022

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WEEKLY PULLOUT

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ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA, HON. JUSTICE OLUKAYODE ARIWOOLA

Overhauling the Judiciary: Acting CJN Ariwoola’s Tasks Ahead

II

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

IN THIS EDITION

Aiding and Abetting: Whether a Lesser Offence to Conspiracy Page IV

QUOTABLE ‘There is no controversy in the Supreme Court. We are the ones with the Chief Justice, and that’s why you heard the President saying that His Lordship is disengaging on the grounds of ill-health.” - Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, JSC, Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria

LAWYER

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE: EDITOR, JUDE IGBANOI: DEPUTY EDITOR, PETER TAIWO, STEVE AYA: REPORTERS

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022

Issues Before the Acting CJN Congratulations to his Lordship, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola JSC, on his elevation to the position of Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (Acting CJN) on Monday, June 27, 2022 upon the resignation of the outgone Chief Justice of Nigeria, his Lordship, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad GCON (on health grounds).

Upon confirmation, the Acting CJN will occupy this position until he retires at the age of 70 on August 22, 2024 (he was born on August 22, 1954).

Constitutional Provisions Relating to the Appointment of the CJN Section 230(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) (the Constitution) establishes the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), while Section 231(1) thereof, provides that the CJN shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), ubject to Senate confirmation.

Pursuant to Section 231(4) of the Constitution, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the Acting CJN as the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, to perform the functions of the CJN upon the office becoming vacant, until a substantive CJN is appointed. Unless the NJC recommends otherwise, the Acting CJN can only act in that position for three months from the date of his/her appointment, and such person shall not be reappointed after the appointment has lapsed (Section 231(5) of the Constitution).

I believe that Section 231(5) of the Constitution, a follow up to Section 231(4) is clumsily drafted. Using the literal rule of interpretation, it seems to mean that an Acting CJN can only hold this position for three months (in Acting CJN Ariwoola's case, until September 27, 2022), and if this time period lapses, he/she cannot be reappointed, except upon the recommendation of the NJC. Section 231(5) is silent regarding the position for reappointment. However, the provision uses the word ‘reappointed’; to reappoint means to "appoint (someone) once again to a position they have previously held"; in this case, the position previously held is the office of Acting CJN. It would be absurd to reappoint someone for an additional period of time in an acting capacity, after already serving for three months. It makes more sense to interpret the provision as meaning that an Acting CJN’s name should be forwarded by the President on the recommendation of the NJC, to the Senate for confirmation as the substantive CJN (and not as Acting CJN), within the three months that the individual is temporarily holding the position, in Acting CJN Ariwoola’s case before September 27, 2022.

It is trite law that when the literal rule of interpretation of statutes leads to an absurd outcome which may not be what the Legislature, or in this case, the drafters of the Constitution intended, the golden rule can be invoked to obtain a more reasonable meaning. In the case of Dangote Cement v Anyafu (2020) LPELR-52601 (CA) per Monica Dongban-Mensem JCA (now PCA) the Court of Appeal held that "The golden rule of interpretation is to give words their ordinary, clear and simple meaning where they do not lead to absurdity or ambiguity". See also Joseph Nwobike v FRN (2021) LPELR -56670 (SC) per Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju JSC where the Supreme Court held that "The Golden Rule is complimentary to the Literal Rule, in that the principle of interpretation is that the words of a statute should be given the meaning according to the intention of the legislature, and its intention could be known from the literal or grammatical interpretation of the language used".

I submit that one can therefore, safely conclude that Section 231(5) of the Constitution refers to appointment as the CJN, and not reappointment as acting CJN. About His Lordship, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola Hon. Justice Ariwoola is a seasoned Jurist who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981, and has served as a judicial officer for about 30 years, since he was first appointed as a Judge in the Oyo State Judiciary in 1992. To date, he has had an exemplary career, and there is no reason for the Senate not to confirm him as the 22nd Chief

practice that the most senior Supreme Court Justice fills the vacuum when the position is vacant; there is no reason for there to be a change in this particular circumstance - ‘Hon. Justice Ariwoola lo kan!’ (It’s Hon. Justice Ariwoola’s turn!). As it is for many reasons, the Judiciary is not where it should be. Any unnecessary vacuum or delay in sorting out the issue of the leadership of the Judiciary, one of the three arms of government, especially in this particularly crucial, transitional time in our country, could be inimical to us.

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

The

Advocate

P.S: Adorning of Religious Attire to Court

“We expect the President and the NJC to forward the name of Acting CJN Olukayode Ariwoola to the Senate for confirmation without delay, so that the CJN can quickly settle down and face the tasks ahead head on, and get on with the reform of the justice sector immediately - Lawyers do not see any reason not forward his name for Senate confirmation immediately” Justice of Nigeria.

Going Forward His Lordship is expected to hit the ground running, as he has his work cut out for him already. Aside from the letter of protestation allegedly written by the Justices of the Supreme Court drawing attention to their deplorable conditions of service, which must be addressed forthwith, there is a lot to do.

From increasing citizens’ access to justice; to the NJC filling the vacancies in the Supreme Court (I believe the Apex Court is down to 14 Justices with two Justices passing away in 2021 and three retiring after reaching the mandatory retirement age and now the former CJN resigning - hitherto, they were not a full court of 21 Justices - see Section 230(1) (b) of the Constitution); to addressing the slow pace of the judicial process and making the wheels of justice move faster and more efficiently; to the conversation about which matters should be heard by the Supreme Court and those which should be disposed of finally by the lower courts, in order to reduce the unnecessarily heavy burden on the the Apex Court, and also, so that people don’t spend up to 20 years waiting for their matters to be finally determined (this may require legislative amendments); to the

Acting CJN, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

financial autonomy of the Judiciary; the issue of remuneration and conditions of service of all levels of judicial officers in Nigeria; the issue of the NJC and its composition, and indeed, all the other judicial bodies and how to make them function more efficiently and effectively; the issue of forum shopping and conflicting court orders, especially as the election season has commenced; to being not just the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court but the Chief Justice of Nigeria, which also involves regular actions like on the spot visits to the various State Judiciaries to assess them and being actively involved in the direction the Judiciary takes nationwide. In short, we expect His Lordship, the Acting CJN, to prepare his agenda over the next few days and make it public, as the justice sector is in dire need of reform.

Conclusion We expect the President and the NJC to forward the name of Acting CJN Olukayode Ariwoola to the Senate for confirmation without delay, so that the CJN can quickly settle down and face the tasks ahead head on, and get on with the reform of the justice sector immediately - Lawyers do not see any reason not forward his name for Senate confirmation immediately. It has been the

As for Mr Malcolm Omirhobo, who went to the Supreme Court and Federal High Court last week in his ‘Olokun’ traditional attire, this may just be the beginning. In 2017 and 2018, I had warned against allowing any religious dress to be worn with the wig and gown, after the incident of Amasa Firdaus who was not called to the Bar in 2017, because she refused to remove her hijab like the other Muslim sisters did, and insisted on wearing it with her wig and gown.

She was eventually called to the Bar in her hijab, the following year. Some may have seen it as some kind of victory, but I saw it as the beginning of more confusion in the legal profession and strife amongst the various religions, especially Islam and Christianity - a development which is certainly extremely unwelcome, in a country that has never been as polarised as it is today with regard to ethnicity and religion. I displayed a photo of a Reverend Sister who is mandatorily required to wear her Nun’s Habit as her daily dress but dispensed with it for the purpose of her call to the Bar, adorning a smart black suit with her wig and gown instead, to conform with the normal accepted dress of a Barrister. I also displayed a photo of myself in a hijab, which I wear regularly when I attend Islamic functions.

We are aware that Section 38(1) of the Constitution allows for freedom of religion. But, in my editorials of 19/12/2017: “Judiciary: A Tale of Two Decisions” and 17/7/2018, “Amasa Firdaus: Hijab and the Fire Next Time”, I discussed this issue and still point out some of the same facts which I highlighted then: 1) That the hijab and burqa are more traditional wear worn by Arab women, and not necessarily mandatory regulation wear prescribed by the Holy Quran. The Holy Book enjoins believers to use righteous clothes to cover their shame (Quran 7:26); women should guard their modesty and shouldn’t display beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof, bosoms should not be exposed (Quran 24:30-31).

While Islam places emphasis on modesty and decent dressing, there is no specific mandate to wear a hijab, or that the only way to achieve this modesty, is by wearing a hijab; 2) That a wig cap could be worn discreetly to cover the hair under the wig, as I see many of our female judicial officers of the Muslim faith do; 3) That allowing the hijab would open a can of worms, as other religions would also insist on wearing their own religious attire with the wig and gown, thereby turning the court into a circus. That we would see the Catholic Priests in their Cassocks and Reverend Sisters in their Habits, Aladuras in their sultanas and fluffed head covers coming barefoot to court (like Mr Omirhobo), Ifa faithfuls in their ilèkè and òja, Buddhists in their orange raiments, to mention but a few; 4) That denying the other religions the right to express themselves in their dress like the Muslim sisters wearing the hijab, would amount to discrimination contrary to Section 42 of the Constitution; 5) That the NBA is a Voluntary Association which has a right to draw up its internal rules and regulations, including that of dress, and anyone that is not happy with the dress code of the legal profession is free to join other professions where it is acceptable to adorn religious attire; 6) That it was best to uphold Section 10 of the Constitution, and keep religion out of official, public spaces. People should not foist their religious preferences on others; they should be personal.

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Aiding and Abetting: Whether a Lesser Offence to Conspiracy Facts The Appellant and a certain Friday Uwadiea, were arraigned before the Federal High Court, Abuja on a three-count Charge of Conspiracy to transport 499.4 kilograms of Hemp, otherwise known as cannabis sativa, without lawful authority; thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004. The first and second counts were against the said Friday Uwadiea as the 1st accused person alone, while the third count as above, which relates to conspiracy to transport cannabis sativa unlawfully, was proffered against the Appellant and the other accused person. They both pleaded Not Guilty to the third count.

At the trial, the Prosecution called six witnesses and tendered exhibits. Upon the close of the Prosecution’s case, the Appellant made a No Case Submission on count three.

This No Case Submission was however, overruled by the court, further to which the Appellant testified in his defence. Upon the conclusion of trial, parties were directed to file their Final Written Addresses. The Respondent failed to file its address, while the Appellant duly filed and adopted same.

In its judgement, the trial court found that the Prosecution failed to prove the offence of conspiracy (with which the Appellant and the other accused person were charged), beyond reasonable doubt. The court, nonetheless, convicted the Appellant for the offence of aiding the transportation of cannabis sativa, and accordingly, he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

Dissatisfied with the decision above, the Appellant unsuccessfully appealed to the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the decision of the trial court. Hence, the further appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination Of the two issues formulated by parties for determination, the Apex Court utilised the sole issue below, in its determination of the appeal – Whether in the circumstances of the appeal, the lower court was right to affirm the conviction and sentence of the Appellant for the offence of aiding, which the Appellant was not charged with, and not being a lesser offence.

Arguments In his submission on the first issue, counsel for the Appellant posited that the evidence of Prosecution witnesses, particularly PW2, PW3 and PW4, cast doubts on the criminal involvement of the Appellant, in the alleged aiding. He referred to the record of appeal and submitted that the evidence of these witnesses did not link the Appellant with the 1st accused person on the charge of aiding in the transportation of cannabis sativa, an offence which the two courts below adjudged the Appellant as guilty of. He submitted further that the witnesses could not fix the Appellant to the commission of the crime of aiding, and that all the evidence adduced by the Prosecution were hearsay, suspicious and contradictory. He relied on the case of BOLANDE v STATE (2009) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1172) 1 at 9-10, in support of his position. Counsel referred to the evidence of the 1st accused person, which did not disclose how the Appellant conspired or aided him criminally in the transportation of Indian hemp; the basis upon which the trial court discharged the Appellant and the 1st accused person of the offence of conspiracy.

Criminal Procedure Act, to substitute a conviction for a lesser offence on a charge for an offence containing several particulars, where only such particulars which make up the lesser offence is proved. Further, where an accused person is charged with an offence and it appears in evidence that he committed a different offence from which he might have been charged, he may be convicted of the offence which he is shown to have committed by the evidence, regardless of the fact that he was not charged with that particular offence – ADAVA v STATE (2006) All FWLR (Pt. 311) 1777. He argued that findings and conclusions of the trial court could not be faulted in law, as it was derivable from the case put forward by the Prosecution; hence, it was safe to convict the Appellant for the offence of aiding and abetting the transportation of cannabis sativa.

Honourable Olukayode Ariwoola, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 5th day of June, 2020 Before Their Lordships Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta Olukayode Ariwoola John Inyang Okoro Chima Centus Nweze Amina Adamu Augie SC.781/2016 Between OSAYEH IMIEKA

APPELLANT And

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

RESPONDENT

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Olukayode Ariwoola, JSC)

He questioned the propriety of the 1st accused person being discharged of conspiracy, while the Appellant was found guilty of aiding the 1st accused person in transporting cannabis sativa.

Counsel argued that the Appellant was not charged with the offence of aiding and abetting, and that the finding of the Court of Appeal that the Appellant was convicted of a lesser offence is perverse, misplaced and against printed record, as it is not mentioned anywhere in the judgement of the trial court that the Appellant was convicted for a lesser offence.

Counsel for the Appellant submitted further that, by Section 36(6)(a), (b), (c) and (d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Act, a valid arraignment of the Appellant for the offence of aiding the transportation of cannabis sativa, is very fundamental.

Failure to take his plea on this offence, which is not a lesser offence to conspiracy in view of the unambiguous provisions of Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, should have entitled the Appellant to a discharge and acquittal, as the trial

“By virtue of Section 14(b) under which the Appellant was charged, both offences (conspiracy; aiding and abetting) are of equal weight, and attract the same sentence or terms of imprisonment upon conviction. It follows that the offence of aiding and abetting, cannot be a lesser offence to conspiracy"

was a nullity – OKOLIE v STATE (2012) All FWLR (Pt. 607) 770.

Counsel contended that the common ingredients of the offence of conspiracy, aiding, abetting and attempting to commit an offence under Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act is – mens rea – the intent which leads to knowledge and actual participation in the commission of the purported crime. He argued that the lower court having found that the Prosecution failed to prove the offence of conspiracy against the Appellant, he ought to have been equally discharged of aiding, which offence is also anchored on intent.

Responding to the submissions above, counsel for the Respondent referred to Exhibit PW4B, the statement said to have been made earlier to the Police by the Appellant. Counsel argued that it is a confessional statement, which is direct, positive and unequivocal, as to the participation of the Appellant in the transportation of the cannabis sativa. He reiterated the position of law, that an accused person can be convicted solely on his confessional statement – IKEMSON v STATE (1989) 1 CLRN 1 at 22. Counsel submitted that the statement made by the Appellant was amply supported by other pieces of evidence of the Prosecution witnesses. Regarding the submission on discharge of the Appellant for conspiracy to transport cannabis sativa, and convicting him for aiding the same offence, counsel posited that a trial court and an appellate court have the power under Section 179(1) of the

Court’s Judgement and Rationale The Supreme Court prefaced the determination of the appeal with the definition of conspiracy as an agreement between two or more persons to do an unlawful act, coupled with an intent to achieve the agreement, objective and action, or conduct which furthers the agreement. It is a separate offence in itself from the crime, which is the subject of conspiracy – ADESINA KAYODE v THE STATE (2016) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1511) 119. The offence of Aiding and Abetting came about, as a means of deterring people from helping criminals get away with crimes committed by them.

A person may be charged with the crime of aiding and abetting, even though he was not present or physically assist during commission of the crime.

The Apex Court held that the Appellant in this case, was not charged separately with aiding and abetment; he was only charged with conspiracy with the 1st accused person, which the trial court found that the Prosecution failed to establish. Offences of aiding, abetting, counselling or acting as an accessory to the commission of any act or offence referred to in the Act, are separate offences which must be preferred against any person suspected to have committed any of the offences. The offences are separately mentioned in the law, and are therefore, not mere lesser offences to the offence of conspiracy.

A lesser offence is a combination of some of the several particulars making up the offence charged; the particulars constituting the lesser offence are carved out of the particulars of the offence charged – TORHAMBA v POLICE (1956) NRNLR 94.

Ordinarily, by the provisions of Section 179 of the Criminal Procedure Law, the court is empowered to convict for a lesser offence either on the trial of the offence charged, or by the accused person pleading guilty to the lesser offence with which he was not charged. By the record of court, the Appellant was not charged with aiding and abetting the transportation of cannabis sativa, and he did not plead to same. By virtue of Section 14(b) under which the Appellant was charged, both offences (conspiracy; aiding and abetting) are of equal weight, and attract the same sentence or terms of imprisonment upon conviction. It follows that the offence of aiding and abetting, cannot be a lesser offence to conspiracy.

Appeal Allowed.

Representation U.O. Sule, SAN with P.U. Adejoh, Esq.; C.O. Egbodo, Esq.; Hafsat I. Usman, Esq. and G.E. Oti, Esq. for the Appellant.

Etukwu Onah, Esq. for the Respondent.

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

V

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

INSIGHT ABUBAKAR D. SANI

FAPS2001@YAHOO.COM

Introduction The news that the American Supreme Court has overruled its almost 50-year decision which upheld the constitutional right to abortion, has been nothing short of cataclysmic - at least in that jurisdiction. By a split decision, the majority held that abortion is a matter to be decided by the States, and the voters in those States – not by the Supreme Court, as it did in Roe v Wade. In the words of Justice Alito “the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion”.

Abortion in Nigeria According to Professor Friday Okonofua of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Benin in the South of Nigeria (in “the conversation”, theconversation.com) ‘abortion’ refers to “two types of pregnancies that end before 20 weeks, which is now regarded as the age of viability of a pregnancy . . . spontaneous abortion (which) occurs without an intention by the woman to stop the pregnancy, (while) induced abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy because it is unwanted”. He further opines that “the incidence of induced abortion is difficult to measure, because (such) abortions are restricted by law”.

However, the Federal Ministry of Health “estimates that in 2012, there were 1,250,000 induced abortions in Nigeria, equivalent to a rate of 33 abortions per 1000 women aged 15 – 49. Over 80% of induced abortions, are done by doctors in private settings. The rest are either self-induced, or performed by other health personnel and quacks. These terminations are done for social reasons. Data on legal terminations in Nigeria are lacking, but the worsening trend and the complications that follow induced abortions indicate a lack of skill and appropriate technology for the safe termination of pregnancy” (National Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications, Federal Ministry of Health, page 9).

Abortion Under Nigerian Law The two broad codes of criminal law in force in Nigeria – the Penal Code and the Criminal Code (applicable in the 19 Northern and 16th Southern States, respectively) – criminalise abortion, unless it is done to save the life of a would-be mother. The punishment varies from 7 years to 14 years for the mother-to-be and the person (if any), who performed the procedure. See Sections 232 – 234 of the Penal Code, Sections 228 – 230 and 297 of the Criminal Code and Section 38 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015. They provide as follows, respectively: The Criminal Code Section 228: Attempts to procure abortion - Any person who, with intent to procure the miscarriage of a woman, whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully administers to her or causes her to take any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.

Section 229: Attempt to procure own miscarriage - Any woman who, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully administers to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, or permits any such thing or means to be administered or used to her is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.

Section 230: Supplying drugs or instruments to procure abortion - Any person who unlawfully supplies to or procures for any person anything whatsoever, knowing that it is intended to be unlawfully used to procure the miscarriage of a woman, whether she is or is not with child; is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.

Section 297: Surgical operations - A person is not criminally responsible for performing in good faith and with reasonable care and skill a surgical operation upon any person for his benefit, or upon an unborn child for the preservation of the mother's life, if the performance of the operation is reasonable, having regard to the patient's state at the time and to all the circumstances of the case.

Overruling of Roe v Wade: Any Relevance for Nigeria?

The Penal Code Section 232: Whoever voluntarily causes a woman with child to miscarry shall, if such miscarriage be not caused in good faith for the purpose of saving the life of the woman, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years or with fine or with both.

Section 233: Whoever with intent to cause the miscarriage of a woman whether with child or not does any act which causes the death of such woman, shall be punished a) with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine; and b) if the act is done without the consent of the woman, with imprisonment for life or for any less term and shall also be liable to fine.

Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015 Section 38: Every victim is entitled to receive the necessary materials, comprehensive medical, psychological, social and legal assistance through governmental agencies and/or non-governmental organisations and victims are entitled to be informed of the availability of legal, health, social services and other assistance.

The Federal Government – through the Federal Ministry of Health – has laid out the conditions for undertaking induced abortion safely. This is contained in the National Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications published in 2018. It’s objective, is to minimise the incidence of induced abortions by non-professionals, and to identify pregnancies which put women’s health or lives at risk. It also spells out options for ethical and safe medical management of such women globally. According to the World Health Organisation, ‘unsafe abortion’ is the “termination of pregnancy done by persons lacking the necessary skills, or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards or both”.

Both the United Nations and the World Health Organisation, recognise a woman’s right to choose to abort her pregnancy. This is coupled with her

“…..the overruling of Roe v Wade by the US Supreme Court only goes so far, that is, it has no extra-territorial impact here – either legal or otherwise. Unfortunately, this appears to have been lost on the Lagos State Government, as the timing of its new Policy Document on abortion appears to have been informed or inspired by that decision”

right of access to family planning, safe abortion and post-abortion care. See Goal No.3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (“Good Health and Well-being”) which targets “universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education”, amongst others.

Status of State Laws and Policies on Abortion in Nigeria The recent unveiling by the Lagos State Government of a policy document tilted“Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications” apparently aims to achieve the same objectives as the national one authored by the Federal Ministry of Health referred to above - albeit at a State-level. This intervention has, however, proved to be controversial, as it was greeted with protests that it sought to legalise abortion.

Beyond that, I believe that the larger question is whether the aforesaid pre-existing Federal Policy document, as well as the National Health Act, 2014 have not covered the legal field of abortion in Nigeria. If, that is the case (as I believe it is),

it is clear that, not only the Lagos Policy instrument, but, also the relevant State laws dealing with abortion (i.e., the Penal Code and the Criminal Code as aforesaid), might have become otiose – if not outrightly ultra vires and invalid.

This is because, even though they were initially well within the legislative competence of the various State legislatures, however, by virtue of the combined provisions of Sections 4(3) & 17(1) and Items 60 and 68 of the Exclusive Legislative List as well as Paragraph 2(a) of Part III of the 2nd Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, the National Assembly and - (by virtue of the National Health Act, 2014), the Federal Ministry of Health - now possess the exclusive (albeit concurrent) authority to regulate abortions across Nigeria – including Lagos State.

Conclusion Far from having a direct (or, indeed, any) bearing on the Nigerian legal framework for abortions, the overruling of Roe v Wade by the US Supreme Court only goes so far, that is, it has no extra-territorial impact here – either legal or otherwise. Unfortunately, this appears to have been lost on the Lagos State Government, as the timing of its new Policy Document on abortion appears to have been informed or inspired by that decision.

NBA Annual Conference 2022, Chimamanda Adichie, Named Keynote Speaker Celebrated author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has been named Keynote Speaker of the forthcoming Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos.

The Conference, themed “Bold Transitions”, will take place at the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos from August 19 - 26, 2022.

Chimamanda Adichie was born in Enugu, Nigeria in 1977 and grew up on the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where her father was a Professor, and her mother was the first female Registrar.

She started out as a medical student at Nsukka before departing for the US where she took a different path, graduating summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in Communication and Political Science. She has a Master’s Degree in African Studies from Yale University, and a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University.

Ms Adichie was awarded a Hodder fellowship at Princeton University for the 2005-2006 academic year, a MacArthur Fellowship in 2008, and a Fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute of Harvard University for the 2011-2012 academic year.

She has received honorary doctorate degrees from Eastern Connecticut State University, Johns Hopkins University, Haverford College, Williams College, the University of Edinburgh, Duke University, Amherst College, Bowdoin College, SOAS University of London, American University, Georgetown University, Yale University, Rhode Island School of Design, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Ms Adichie has delivered two landmark TED talks her first, 2009 TED Talk ”The Danger of A Single Story” and her 2012 TEDx Euston Talk ”We Should All Be Feminists”, which was published as a book in 2014.

#upjudicialsalaries ‘The remuneration of judicial officers is appalling, especially when compared to other arms of Government.

The imminent and looming danger is that, judicial officers across the Federation will begin to create their own safety nets openly and brazenly, since there is no effective one being created by Government.”

- Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, Immediate Past Lagos State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice

VI

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Placing “Place Holders” Placeless (Part 2) Introduction

T

here is widespread agitation over this newfound trend which manifests in the form of stand-in, place holder, surrogate or dummy mate nominees. This is related to the unrestrained and rampant use of this novel model in the present political contestation.

Candidates employ this with muffled intention to subsequently substitute the dummy nominees. This has already led to intrigues, disorder, confusion, political horse-trading and nightmares on the part of political parties in this unusual selection of candidates, with a view to circumventing the position of the law. Today, we shall conclude our discourse on whether a shadowing, ghostly and nonrecognised “placeholder” or “dummy mate” was ever contemplated by the Electoral Act of 2022, as a juristic person such as to contest elections. Please read on.

Can there be a Surrogate Running Mate?

Who is a "placeholder" in relation to a candidate? A placeholder is not a candidate for an election. He is an unknown person, who has the seal of a political party to occupy the position of an unknown person; a mere faceless surrogate. His position creates uncertainty in a political party, as his presence can mar or invalidate the nomination of his principal. This person is clearly unknown to law, and the political party that submits such an unknown person to INEC is deemed to be aware of its potential wrongdoing and must ready to face the consequences of its gamble.

The APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, had nominated Ibrahim Masari, a Katsina politician, as the party’s place holder or dummy candidate, for his yet to be named running mate, so as to beat the INEC deadline.

Masari had served the APC as its National Welfare Secretary under the Adams Oshiomhole - led National Working Committee (NWC). It is believed that the issue of Tinubu having a Muslim-Muslim ticket (Prof Babangida Zulum of Borno State is said to be the preferred one). is tearing the party apart. Can they repeat the Abiola-Babagana “Hope 93” winning Muslim-Muslim joint ticket with the present state of the nation where religion is tearing us apart? Can Waziri Atiku Abubakar be put on the same wavelength with Alhaji Bashir Tofa who was roundly trounced across Nigeria, even in his Albasah Gyadi-Gyadi ward, near Zoo area of Kano State? Only time will tell.

Similarly, the Labour party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is reported to have also submitted the name of his campaign Director General, Dr Doyin Okupe, as his dummy/ place holding running mate.

Whereas Section 29(1) of the 2022 Electoral Act, as amended, provides that political parties shall submit names of their candidates not later than 180 days before the date appointed for the general election, Section 31 of the Act also gives the political parties an opportunity to withdraw and substitute their candidates, not later than 90 days before the said election Section 31 states that “A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice in writing signed by the candidate to the political party that nominated him for such election, and the political party shall covey such withdrawal to the Commission not later than 90 days to the election”.

INEC had, as part of its administrative arrangement, given up till 6pm of Friday June

17, 2022, as deadline for the submission of names of candidates for the Presidential and National Assembly election. It also gave 15th July, 2022, for the Governorship and State Assembly candidates.

In fulfilment of Section 31 of the Electoral Act, the Commission gave July 15, 2022, as last day for withdrawal by candidates and replacement of withdrawn candidates by the political parties.

In the same vein, INEC also gave the parties up to August 12 for the withdrawal and replacement of withdrawn candidates by the political parties.

This means that the parties who are still facing crises over the choice of running mates still have until the July 15, 2022, to substitute the names being forwarded at the moment, with respect to the Presidential candidates.

“Candidate” under the Electoral Act, 2022, has a fixed meaning. The law did not say a candidate “includes”. It says it means.

The question that calls for dispassionate determination, is whether a placeholder qualifies as a candidate, who has secured the nomination of his political party to contest an election within the meaning of the Electoral Act. The answer is obviously in the negative. If a placeholder is not a real candidate, then he is not a person known to and envisaged by the law. The nomination and the subsequent submission of this non-existent being to INEC, is not a mere misnomer that can be remedied by replacement or withdrawal under Section 31. Its nomination and submission to INEC, seals the fate of the political party that submitted its name.

Any Escape Route?

The political parties have already submitted names of candidates. Section 142(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered (the 1999 Constitution), clearly provides that a Presidential candidate must nominate his running mate from the same political party. While Chapter VIII of the PDP Constitution provides for the nomination of candidates for election into public office, Article 20 of the APC Constitution provides for elections into elective positions and appointments. These are clear enough to admit of any ambiguity.

Having established that the existence of a placeholder is unknown to law, can this

“A placeholder is not a candidate for an election. He is an unknown person, who has the seal of a political party to occupy the position of an unknown person; a mere faceless surrogate”

non-existent entity be replaced or substituted by a candidate? I think not Some principles of law might be of help to us here. In the case of ANEGE & ORS v ALANEME & ORS (2020) LPELR-50445(CA), the intermediate court, per Muhammed Lawal Shuaibu, JCA, considered at pages 19 – 22, whether the court can grant an amendment for the substitution of a non juristic person with a juristic person. He held thus: "… I have right from the onset stated that after filing the notice of preliminary objection by the defendant at the lower Court, the claimants thereafter filed a motion on notice to substitute the unregistered "Ideato Welfare Association" with "The Registered Trustees of Ideato Cultural and Welfare Association, Calabar" or to amend the status of the 1st and 3rd defendants to show that they are principal officers of the Registered Trustees of Ideato Cultural and Welfare Association, Calabar.

A misnomer when associated with issues of juristic personality and misdescription of names of parties simply means the "wrong use of a name or a mistake in naming a person, place or thing, especially in a legal instrument which should ordinarily not lead to a nullification of the proceedings. In other words, a misnomer in the context of litigation occurs where the entity suing or intended to be sued exists, but a wrong name is used to describe that entity. See Maersk Line Adide Investment Ltd (supra). In Emespo J. Continental Ltd v Corona S. Mba & Co (2006) 11 NWLR (Prt 991) 365 at 378, it was held that a misnomer is said to occur in legal proceedings when the correct person comes or is brought to Court under a wrong name, but not when the wrong person sues or is sued in an action.

The test which has been applied by the Courts to ascertain if the title of a party shown on the writ of summons is a misnomer is well settled. One factor that operates on the mind of the recipient of the writ of summons, is whether there is or is not another entity to which the description on the writ might refer. The test is usually the Reasonable Man's test of some kind to wit: How will a reasonable man receiving the document take it?

If in all circumstances of the case and looking at the document as a whole, he would say to himself, of course it must mean me, but they got my name wrong, then there is a case of misnomer. If, on the other hand, he would say "I cannot tell from the document whether they mean me or not and I shall have to make inquiries, this would have

gone beyond the realm of a misnomer.

See Dacies v Elsby Brothers Ltd (1960) 3 All ER 672 at 676, Mailafia v Berities Insurance (1986) 4 NWR (Pt 38) 802 at 812 and Nwabueze v Nipost (2006) 8 NWLR (Pt 983) 480 at 526-527. The appellants' complaint is that the suit which was filed without a competent defendant was dead ab initio and liable to be struck out. And that the desperate attempt to give life to it was futile. The Supreme Court had recently restated the legal position in APGA v Ubah & amp; Ors (2019) LPELR - 48132 (SC) held that if the entity intended to be sued exist but a wrong name is used to describe it, that is a misnomer. In the instant case and at the time of filing the suit at the lower Court, the 2nd appellant, "Ideato Welfare Association" was non-existent as it was an unincorporated association. Similarly, the "Registered Trustees of Ideato Cultural and Welfare Association" did not exist when the respondent cause of action for this suit arose between 2011-2014. In Obasi v Mikson Establishment Ltd (2016) LPELR-40704 (SC), the Supreme Court has inter alia held that naming a non-juristic person as a party is not a misnomer and amending same to substitute a juristic person is out of it. This is so because there cannot be a valid amendment of the title of a suit since there never was a legal person who was brought before the Court by the action. And since to be competent a suit must be instituted between legally juristic persons, failing which it is incompetent and a juristic party cannot subsequently be amended to take the place of a non-juristic party originally sued. The correction made by the lower Court by replacing a non-juristic person with one with legal capacity was done without jurisdiction….".

Was a shadowing, ghost and non-recognised “placeholder” or “dummy mate” ever contemplated by the Electoral Act of 2022, as a juristic person? I think not. Mr Bashir Machina, a Lawyer, has already introduced this dangerous step through his “Deus ex Machina”, by bluntly refusing to step down for Senate President, Ahmed Lawan. What happens if Kabiru Masari, Ahmed Tinubu’s “dummy mate”, proves stubborn and refuses to kowtow to the Jagaban? Assuming Dr Doyin Okupe, Peter Obi’s D-G and place holder, refuses to yield? What is INEC’s position on this? I see some legal fireworks in the offing in the next few days and weeks ahead. Hmmn, politrics and Politricians!!! (Concluded).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “Our government... teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.” (Louis D. Brandeis)

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

SERIOUS MATTERS

OLAWALE FAPOHUNDA, SAN Eminently Qualified he appointment of Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as Acting Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (pending confirmation by the Senate), was well made.

Even if there was no ‘turn by turn arrangement’ in the Supreme Court, most who have either appeared before His Lordship or had private conversations with him on the state of the Judiciary in Nigeria, will agree that His Lordship is indeed, well qualified to sit atop the Nigeria’s Judiciary especially at this time. I have been privileged to have experienced both, and I have no doubt that His Lordship is very familiar with the multifaceted issues facing the Judiciary; and having served over a decade as Justice of the Supreme Court, experience and subject-matter appreciation can hardly be said to be obstacles.

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Of Judiciary, Principalities and Powers What appears to be the reoccurring issue of concern since the announcement of His Lordship’s elevation is not that of qualification or competence, but whether the ‘principalities and powers’ within the legal profession, the executive and the legislative arms of government will allow His Lordship do all that is necessary to save the Judiciary from demons that have ensured that sustainable Judiciary reform remains a mirage. Already, the vultures are circling. There have been talk of probes into the activities of the Supreme Court, as well as proposals for setting up parliamentary committees to investigate the conditions of service of judicial officers. There is also much talk about the desirability of meeting with Supreme Court Justices, to get a better understanding of their ‘grievances’.

This is the reasoning that has ensured that we have had more than two decades of all talk and little action, on judicial reform in Nigeria. It is almost as if we are hearing about the poor conditions of service of judicial officers, for the first time. To be sure, the ‘best selling letter’ of the Justices of the Supreme Court disclosed nothing new. There is nothing that is wrong with the Supreme Court, and broadly speaking, the Judiciary in Nigeria, that has not been subject of findings of many committees and reports of high-level conferences and workshops. To suggest that we go through this routine of ‘jaw-jaw’ again after more than two decades of this Israelites journey, is a tragic recipe for doing nothing.

Struggling Judiciary We do not need more probes or committees to tell us what we already know. We know that our Judiciary faces certain inherent problems, which show the weaknesses and defects of the system. These limitations do not only relate to structural problems, but have profound implications on the liberty of Nigerians. We know that the Judiciary struggles with some important challenges, including judicial corruption. This is not simply about Judges taking bribes, but all forms of inappropriate influence that may damage the impartiality of justice. We know that our Judiciary, including the Supreme Court, struggles with backlog of pending cases.

This number is continuously increasing, and this itself shows the inadequacy of the legal system. We know that despite progress in this area, our Judiciary still struggles with archaic systems and procedures. In the 21st century, our courts are still wholly paper-dependent.

Writing in long hand and limited use of IT, are two key issues. We now know that the Justices of our superior courts, struggle with some of the worst conditions of judicial service. That the prestige of office is sharply

It is Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’s Turn: What’s Next? at variance with their salaries, allowances and conditions of service. Given what we know, it seems to me that the single issue that should now confront My Lord, the Acting Chief Justice ( ACJN) is what to do about this.

opinion. Judicial reform is an issue of national seriousness, and all must play their part in addressing it. The suggested agenda should include a combination of administrative, legal and constitutional interventions.

Tasks before Acting CJN In my respectful view, the main challenge before His Lordship is to rekindle the confidence of judicial officers and their belief in the importance of their exalted offices, while at the same time restoring the hope of Nigerians in our justice system. His Lordship needs to urgently put together, a set of radical reform initiatives of the type never seen in the history of Nigeria. Important areas of intervention should include a commitment to strengthening the independence, responsibility, efficiency and transparency of the Judiciary; responding to the interrelated problems of delay, cost and complexity in the justice system; promoting and implementing a zero tolerance principle with respect to corruption within the Judiciary; making litigation less complex; encouraging appropriate and timely settlement of disputes; diverting matters to more suitable dispute resolution processes. To achieve these in concrete terms, I will like to propose a number of practical steps for the consideration of the ACJN.

Restore Brotherhood in the Supreme Court The next important big step, should be to rekindle the brotherhood that has historically been the hallmark of Justices of the Supreme Court. What God had joined together, let not issues of conditions of service put asunder.

Charity must begin at home. In the words of that Yoruba proverb which His Lordship will be familiar with, ‘Akii du ori olori, ki awodi gbe tèni lò’. This loosely translated, means one should not fight to save others at the cost of ones interest.

The issues raised by the Honourable Justices of the Supreme Court, must be addressed urgently without more public fanfare. This Day Lawyer has frequently stressed that any improvement in quality of judgements from the Supreme Court will not only depend on the availability of a productive working environment, but also dependent on their Lordships taking pride in their work. It must be obvious to all now that, inadequately motivated Justices cannot find satisfaction in their jobs, neither can they be expected to perform optimally.

Publish Your Vision As an important first step, the ACJN should consider publishing his vision and agenda for the Judiciary and administration of justice in Nigeria. It is important that his agenda is built on, the widest possible consensus of justice sector stakeholders and public

“…..the main challenge before His Lordship is to rekindle the confidence of judicial officers and their belief in the importance of their exalted offices, while at the same time restoring the hope of Nigerians in our justice system”

the establishment of an Independent Judicial Benefits and Compensation Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of salaries, allowances and benefits of all Judicial Officers in Nigeria including lower court Judges. The Commission should be required to submit a report with its recommendations to the CJN, for onward transmission to the National Council of States for deliberation and implementation.

Facilitate a National Council for the Administration of Justice Administratively, the ACJN should consider facilitating the establishment of a National Council for the Administration of Justice including representatives of the three arms of government, with a clear mandate to oversee the implementation of required reforms in the Judiciary and justice sector. Achieving a justice system that works in the interest of Nigerians, cannot be the exclusive preserve of the Judiciary.

The Judiciary should provide leadership, for the other arms of government. Issues for the consideration of the proposed Council should include, whether the administration of salaries and conditions of service of judicial officers should be lumped together with that of other public or political office holders. As it currently exists, the provisions relating to judicial salaries and entitlements are to be found in the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office holders (salaries, allowances, etc) Act 2002, and the Amendment Act 2008. In this regard, whether there is a need for Judicial Salaries and Allowances Commission to replace the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission as it relates to the Judiciary.

Support the Implementation of the Other issues of note should include, the desirability of a review of the Supreme Court Rules to ensure Dayo Apata Report May I respectfully refer His Lordship that only cases of constitutional significance or to the Report of the Presidential Com- that deal with life and liberty are heard in the mittee on the Review of Judicial Salaries Supreme Court as of right. This is not simply a and Conditions of Service, published in law and justice issue, it is one that relates to the 2018. While there may have been some physical health and wellbeing of Justices of the Supreme Court. Furthermore, there is the need inflationary trends since 2018, the Report to begin to reverse the narrative of backlog of provides yet the most comprehensive cases in the Supreme Court. and current description of a practical road map to better conditions of service Final Thoughts for judicial officers. As a member of the As Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola Committee, I am aware that the Report begins his tenure, many justice sector stakeholders has been presented to the Presidency, the will agree that as daunting as the task before National Assembly and the leadership His Lordship is, Nigeria simply cannot afford of the Nigerian Bar Association. Sadly, limited or slow or no progress in achieving more than five years after the presenta- judicial reforms. May God grant His Lordship tion and multiple review meetings on the wisdom, courage and strength, to take our contents, implementation has been limited. nation’s Judiciary closer towards our dream of Noteworthy, the report inter alia proposes a Judiciary that works in the interest of justice.

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Acting CJN, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

Overhauling the Judiciary: Acting CJN Ariwoola’s Tasks Ahead In a most unexpected twist, the erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad GCON unceremoniously resigned as head of the nation’s Judiciary on Monday, June 27, 2022. In the tradition of the Bench of not allowing a vacuum, the next in rank, the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was sworn in the same day by President Muhammadu Buhari, as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria. As his confirmation as substantive head of the Apex Court is being awaited, senior Nigerian Lawyers express their expectations of the new CJN in this special edition O.C.J. Okocha MFR, SAN – ‘He should address the very same issues he and his brother Justices complained about’ I congratulate the Honourable Justice Ariwoola on his assumption of office as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, and I pray the Almighty and Eternal God to grant him wisdom, health and strength, so that he may be the better enabled to fulfil the duties of his very high office. I expect His Lordship to faithfully abide by the Oath of Office which he subscribed to. I also expect him to address the very

same issues which were contained in the complaint which he and the other Justices of the Supreme Court objected to. And, very importantly, His Lordship should ensure that the slow pace of justice is urgently tackled, so that we may see speedy, effective and efficient disposal of causes and matters before all the courts in Nigeria.

O.C.J. Okocha MFR, SAN, JP, DSSRS, former President of the NBA Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN – ‘Constitute a Committee to Review Judicial Officers’ Salaries’ Firstly, may I extend my sincere congratulations to Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on his being sworn in as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

It cannot be overstated that, my Lord’s task ahead is a very sensitive

“……the acting CJN is a fine jurist and a perfect gentleman, who will no doubt approach this new role with wisdom and innovation”

and important one. The Judiciary, as the third arm of government, plays a very sensitive role as the vanguard of our democracy. Now, more than ever, the Judiciary must be adequately catered for, to ensure its continued independence, impartiality, and the effective performance of its constitutional duties.

Urgent Task I, therefore, commend to my Lord, the Honourable Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, the need to urgently constitute a committee on the review of judicial officers' salaries and conditions of service. Such a Committee should comprise of the CJN, the Heads of Court, and all other relevant stakeholders, who will be saddled with the responsibility of coming up with recommendations to ensure that the welfare of our

Judicial officers reflects the current realities of our time, especially in light of the depreciated value of their current salary/allowance structure.

All recommendations and/or proposals from the proposed salary and allowance committee, should form the fulcrum upon which a Bill will be urgently sponsored and expeditiously considered by the National Assembly, amending the "Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008” which came into force on February 1, 2007, allowing for an upward review of the 14 years old salary/allowance structure of our judicial officers. . My Lord’s wealth of experience, wisdom and knowledge is indeed, of inestimable value, in navigating through this all-important task, and I can only pray for God’s divine guidance and mercies.

Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN Yakubu Maikyau, SAN – ‘Pursue a holistic reform of the entire Judiciary’ The work of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, in my respectful view, has been clearly identified. The letter written by the 14 Justices of the Supreme Court, had already *pinpointed* the immediate

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Overhauling the Judiciary: Acting CJN Ariwoola’s Tasks Ahead needs of the Apex Court. Those needs should be addressed immediately.

Secondly, I expect that the new Chief Justice will pursue holistic reforms in the Judiciary. In doing this, I expect that His Lordship will take a serious look at the Communiqué arising from the Justice Sector Reform Summit of 25th January, 2022, with the view to implementing the recommendations therein: The Summit focused on three specific areas namely: (i) Judicial Appointments/Selection: Current Practices & Challenges; (ii) Rethinking Judicial Administration: Budgeting; Funding; and Accountability; (iii) Accelerating the Speed of Justice Delivery: Accountability & Performance.

Finally, but not the least, with respect to the remuneration of Judges and Justices, a Committee should be set up to come up with recommendations based on our concrete economic realities, for the upward r e v i e w of their salaries and allowances.

The recommendations should take into account the hardship to which the Judicial officers were subjected to since 2008, when their salaries and allowances were last reviewed; some compensatory measures should be considered and recommended for implementation. In this respect, I respectfully commend to His Lordship, the Honourable Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Report of the Technical Committee on Review of Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service, set up by the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN in conjunction with the then CJN, Mr Justice Walter Onnonghen on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2018. Given the lapse of time since 2018, the Report will certainly not be effective in addressing current realities, but the recommendations can serve as a useful guide for this exercise.

The exercise should cater for judicial officers, even in retirement.

These are my modest expectations of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN Femi Falana, SAN – ‘Act on the protest letter of the group of 14 Justices’ The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, should act on the protest letter of the group of 14 Justices. His Lordship should promulgate the draft Supreme Court Rules and Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, which are awaiting the imprimatur of the Chief Justice. The budget of the Judiciary should be prepared by the NJC, with input from the heads of all courts. The budget should be submitted directly

to the National A s sembly, in line with the judgements of the Federal H i g h Court.

T h e Chief Justice should ensure that more Justices are appointed to decongest the Apex Court. The Justices should embrace case management, including the hearing of applications and cases by virtual means. Not less than three panels should be constituted to sit contemporaneously, while the Chief Justice should head such panels in all important cases. As a matter of urgency, the Chief Justice should reform the nation’s electoral jurisprudence. In particular, the Court should stop selecting and imposing unelected Governors and legislators on the Nigerian people.

The NJC should be repositioned, to deal with allegations of misconduct against judicial officers. As the Chairman of the NJC, National Judicial Institute, Federal Judicial Service Commission and head of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice should delegate some of his functions to his colleagues. His Lordship should lead the campaign for improved conditions of service of judicial officers, while the Chief Registrars should be the accounting officers of all courts in Nigeria.

Femi Falana, SAN Mrs Funke Adekoya, SAN – ‘He should lead by example’ I congratulate Honourable Justice Ariwoola on his elevation to the position of the Acting CJN and wish him every success as he takes on the burden as the premier head of courts in Nigeria, of reviving the confidence of the public in the Judiciary and our judicial system, which is possibly at its lowest ebb.

Leadership is by example. He should start by ensuring a thorough audit of the finances of the Supreme Court, and encourage other heads of court to do likewise.

O p e n support for constitutional

“The work of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, in my respectful view, has been clearly identified. The letter written by the 14 Justices of the Supreme Court, had already *pinpointed* the immediate needs of the Apex Court. Those needs should be addressed immediately”

changes that limit appeals to the Supreme Court, should be his next priority.

Mrs Funke Adekoya, SAN

jurist and a perfect gentleman, who will no doubt approach this new role with wisdom and innovation.

Mrs Boma Alabi OON, SAN

Mrs Boma Alabi OON, SAN – ‘Focus on Decaying Infrastructure’ Start with the Low Hanging Fruits Well, let me tell you what I would do, if I was the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I would start with the low hanging fruits. Anyone who has visited the Supreme Court, knows the state of our Apex Court infrastructure. I would appoint a professional facilities management company, following a competitive tender, setting out clearly the deliverables and penalties for nonperformance.

Once I have identified the best in class, I will promptly hand over the Court facilities as well as all Justices' residences. This, if not already done, is a very low hanging fruit, as I cannot imagine that the staff in the office of the CJN, are equipped to deal with broken tiles and leaking taps.

Adeniji Kazeem, SAN – ‘He must pursue and secure real financial autonomy for the Judiciary’ That the former CJN, Hon Justice Tanko Muhammad GCON resigned on health grounds is no longer news; but, if you look closely, you will no doubt see the acrid white smoke from a smoking gun in the shape of an internal memo from 14 Justices of the Supreme Court.

I expect the newly appointed Acting CJN with the support of the relevant Agencies, to urgently address the welfare and administrative lapses highlighted in that leaked explosive internal memo. The acting CJN must then create a potent and effective lobby to unlock “red tape” and bottlenecks, in order to address the poor remuneration of Judges that have not been reviewed for about 14 years.

The remuneration of judicial officers is appalling, especially when compared to other arms of Government. The imminent and looming danger is that, judicial officers across the Federation will begin to create their own safety nets openly and brazenly, since there is no effective one being created by Government.

He must also correct the perceived lopsidedness in perquisites at the Apex Court, for example, I am made to understand that there is currently only provision for the CJN to retire with a house worth a lot of money, while brother Justices retire with nothing, until recently when this issue was escalated to the NJC. The acting CJN must also actively pursue financial autonomy for the Judiciary in the real sense, and instil judicious and transparent use of released funds. It is only with proper financial autonomy, that the sanctity of judiciary can be maintained, and I expect this to be a top priority. The era of “cap in hand” to the executive, must end.

Above all, is the huge task of improving and restoring the public perception of the Judiciary as a respectable, fearless, impartial, upright final arbiter of disputes, no matter whose ox is gored. In recent times, the reputation of the Apex Court and indeed, the entire Judiciary has taken a huge dent, especially with this crisis of confidence generated by that toxic memo.

Sadly, there is also the growing perception that the political class is gradually infiltrating the Judiciary, neutering it, and making it ineffective and unavailable to ordinary citizens.

There is indeed, great restorative work to be done to redeem the Judiciary’s image by the acting CJN, and I am cautiously optimistic that with his pedigree and requisite support, positive change will emerge.

Dismantle the Monarchy I would then, turn my attention to systematically dismantling the monarchy the office currently represents, and, to putting in place much needed checks and balances.

I believe the draftsmen of our Constitution being Lawyers and anxious to maintain the independence of this arm of Government from the overbearing reach of the Executive arm, regrettably, ended up with an own goal, in, vesting all powers in the CJN without limitation.

Reducing the Burden of the Supreme Court: Interlocutory Applications I would also take steps to ensure that interlocutory applications do not go beyond the Court of Appeal, thus, reducing the burden on the Supreme Court significantly. The last time I checked the statistics, the Nigerian Supreme Court had delivered judgements in over 500 cases in a quarter, whilst their counterparts in England and Wales had delivered nineteen judgements in the same quarter.

In addition, the Chief Justice of England and Wales has little or no business with anything else, but constituting judicial panels to hear the appeals before the Apex Court. There are staff members with MBAs rather than LLBs, dealing with the business of managing the courts. And, HR professionals dealing with the human resººources aspect of the Justices and their support staff. I would go down the same route.

Conclusion In conclusion and answer to your question, the acting CJN is a fine

Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, Immedicont'd on page X

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Overhauling the Judiciary: Acting CJN Ariwoola’s Tasks Ahead cont'd from page IX

ate Past Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice Tu d u r u Ede, SAN – ‘Redouble efforts to clear backlog of pending appeals’ Firstly I express profound appreciation to his Lordship, Hon Justice Tanko Muhammad, former CJN for his voluntary retirement. He showed leadership in quitting, especially when in Nigeria nobody leaves office, but would rather want to die in it. For the Acting CJN (potentially incoming CJN), we urge him with his brother Justices to redouble their efforts in clearing backlog of appeals. New Justices to Court of Appeal be appointed. Appeals be fast tracked.

Most importantly, he should resolve the complaints of the Justices about welfare and working conditions. lt is surprising that the JSCs don't have legal Assistants. They should be provided with them urgently.

Tuduru Ede, SAN The New CJN and the Task Ahead Jibrin Okutepa, SAN The task ahead of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is enormous. His Lordship must as a matter of utmost urgency and necessity, settle down to deal with them without fear or favour.

Filling Vacancies First, there are vacancies to be filled at the Supreme Court. The names of serving Justices of the Court of Appeal, have been pencilled down. His Lordship must insist, and in consultations with other relevant s t a k e h o l ders, pick the brightest and the best to fill the vacancies.

Those to be appointed to the Supreme Court Bench and indeed, every judicial Bench in Nigeria must be those who have capacity, character and unassailable integrity in the discharge of their judicial duties.

We must not prefer and appoint our last eleven, when we have the best eleven to pick from to deliver justice in judgement.

Functionality of NJC & Other Judicial Bodies Secondly, His Lordship must make the

National Judicial Council and other relevant judicial bodies functional, and not only continue the tradition that they only bark, but must bite.

The numerous powers of NJC must be exercised transparently, and in the most prompt manner. No Judge with proven case or cases of impropriety, should be allowed to sit on the Bench.

A situation where judicial officers accused of impropriety are allowed to stay in their jobs or where proven cases of impropriety are made and such judicial officers are given light punishment and are still kept on the Bench, must be avoided at all costs.

Confidence Building His Lordship must embark on confidence building, and restore the lost confidence in the Judiciary. No doubt that as at today, the Nigerian public have lost interest in our justice delivery system. His Lordship must do something to build the confidence of Nigerians in the Judiciary.

Discipline Thirdly, the discipline of Legal Practitioners whose conduct have brought the legal profession to the total disrepute and odium, must engage the urgent attention of his Lordship. There must be an urgent stakeholders meeting to fashion out the ways to reorganise the disciplinary processes of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria. There is no doubt that many Legal Practitioners who have no business in the profession are practising, and have contributed to the lost glory of the legal profession in Nigeria.

The CJN must in consultations with NBA, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) and the Honourable Body of Benchers (BOB) do some radical reforms at LPDC, and make discipline of Lawyers transparent and self-enforcing, rather than the current cumbersome complaint based procedures with the attendant cost implications.

We must make a clear departure from our dogmatic approach to discipline that tends to forget about morality as a basis of ethics, and focuses more on arid anachronistic legalism. To clean the legal profession of indiscipline and many malfeasances currently going in it, we must ensure that the code of conduct for Legal Practitioners is religiously enforced, and sanctions applied against any erring Legal Practitioners without any fear or favour, or any sacred cows in the profession.

Reorganisation of the Supreme Court Registry Fourthly, there is an urgent need to reorganise the registry of the Supreme Court, for maximum efficiency and performance. There is no doubt that Supreme Court usually sits in Chambers, to transact some business. As at today, for matters

“….. my expectation is that the new CJN should show courage, independence and professionalism…..I expect the CJN to take the Judiciary through a re-birth of sorts - birth a vision of rebuilding a virtually broken Judiciary, and restructuring the way it delivers its services”

heard in Chambers, the outcome is usually not brought to attention of the parties concerned. Getting dates for matters is something else - extremely cumbersome. The Registry of the Supreme Court, must be cleaned up.

Conflicting Judgements His Lordship must also set up a committee to compile conflicting judgements of the Supreme Court, with a view for the Supreme Court to make definitive pronouncements of the correct positions of law in those conflicting decisions. As at today, there are so many conflicting decisions of the Supreme Court and this only results in conflict in what to follow, and in effect, conflicting decisions based on Supreme Court decisions in all courts of record.

Finally Finally, His Lordship must lead and show transparent leadership in the Supreme Court, and must avoid the mistakes of his predecessors in office. These mistakes is what brought us to the state where we are in the legal profession. A sad state I must say.

It is time to clean up, and lead the way forward.

Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, SAN Jonathan Gunu Taidi - ‘Prioritise clearing the backlog of pending appeals’ The swearing in of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria on 27th June, 2022, presents another opportunity to end the perennial pains of the Judiciary inflicted f r o m within and outside the judicial arm.

T h e internal memo written by 14 Justices of the Apex Court complaining about the egregious state of affairs in the sector, has brought to fore the horrific conditions under which our judicial officers charged with administering justice are forced to work, and how that unjust situation is brought about, not because of the paucity of funds to take care of their welfare, but rather due to misplaced priorities.

It is clear that the administration of justice is not feasible, in an unjust environment.

We would therefore, prefer that the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria hits the ground running, by setting new templates for expending resources by all Heads of Courts.

This is the surest way to justify the sustenance of judicial financial autonomy. In addition, the acting CJN should prioritise clearing the backlog of appeals pending before the Apex Court, to stem the alarming tide of appeals which come up for hearing long after

the parties concerned have died.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Former NBA General Secretary Ed Malik – ‘CJN must be courageous in the discharge of his duties’ ‘In a strict constitutional sense, the Judiciary is independent and co-equal with the Executive and Legislature.

By expectation, the Judiciary is the last line of defence for democratic governance and also, the last hope of the common man.

Thus, when the foregoing suppositions are taken into consideration, the question is whether Judiciary under the leadership of the past CJNs met that benchmark.

Unfortunately, under the immediate past leadership of CJN Tanko Muhammad, the Judiciary was at its lowest level of any iota of respect. He met the bar already at a low point, yet lowered it the lowest bar and threw the bar away Well, my expectation is that the new CJN should show courage, independence and professionalism.

These are relevant articles that can help him to re-route the Judiciary from the abysmal drift it was headed, back to the path of respect and honour.

Else, the Judiciary will remain the washpot of the Executive and dishonest politicians.

Ed Malik Joseph Otteh - ‘He must take the Judiciary through a rebirth’ “I expect the CJN to take the Judiciary through a re-birth of sorts - birth a vision of rebuilding a virtually broken Judiciary, and restructuring the way it delivers its services. A broad, all inclusive vision, that does not leave anything out – strengthening for the independence of the Judiciary and leading an institutional fight to end the affront to the Judiciary’s authority through rampart disobedience to its orders and decisions; greatly improve public respect and faith in the judicial process and fight corruption within the institution with better tools and a new template; end the nepotism and illicit influence overshadowing judicial appointments, and ensure to recruit the best people for judicial office including appellate office; mainstream the use of ICT in the judicial process, and enhance the efficiency of delivery of services – in short, everything. He needs to lead the legal profession/judicial vocations to re-conceptualise how justice delivery can best be undertaken in the 21st century, and then pursue the reforms with every fibre of strength.”

Joseph Otteh, Access to Justice

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XIII

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 5, 2022

FEATURES

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

Boosting Women's Inclusion in Oil and Gas At the second edition of the Women in Oil and Gas Conference, key stakeholders deliberated strategies to chart a way forward that would positively boost more women's inclusion in the sector. Rebecca Ejifoma reports

Alero Onosode, Chairperson Diversity SWG (NCCF); Chief Timipre Sylva, Hon. Min of state for Petroleum Resources; Sen Margery Chuba-Okadigbo, NNPC Ltd Chairperson; Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Simbi Wabote; and Mrs. Lami Ahmed, member of NNPC Board

A

t the second edition of the Women in and Gas Conference 2022, it was unarguable that the women meant business when they set out to rev up their game in the sector. As much as they had their fair share of the good and the bad times, they assembled and spoke in one language – inclusion.

Over the years, women have continued to clamour for inclusion, diversity and equity in various fields of the economy globally. Like other sectors, the Nigerian oil and gas is no exception, hence, dignitaries like the Special Guest of Honour and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, among others threw their weight behind their call.

The conference, which addressed the theme, "Leveraging Opportunities for Women in the Oil and Gas Industry", was powered by the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF) by the Diversity Sectoral Working Group (DSWG) in Lagos. Hence, it was a perfect platform to promote this cause In his address, Sylva made bold claims that there were enough provisions in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content (NOGIC) Act and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to encourage the involvement of women.

While calling for more participation of women in the oil and gas industry, he insisted that harnessing their natural strength, intuition, knowledge and expertise for the growth of the industry has become imperative.

As the Special Guest of Honour, the minister conceded that although women make up 48 per cent of the global workforce, he said they are only 22 per cent of the labour force in the oil and gas field.

Consequently, Sylva stated that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) had taken a bold step to inaugurate the group in line with Section 58 of the Act setting it up by deliberately promulgating gender-friendly policies.

He said: "What we are doing here is to sensitise and galvanise to get more women involved. The Nigerian government has been deliberate in gender-friendly policies. This is aimed at increasing access to funding, award of contracts and support for research and development in the interest of women operators in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

“This government, through its Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) – Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) partnership, has rolled out a 40 million dollar fund to empower women in

the oil industry.

“This is separate from the 300 million dollar Nigerian Content Initiative (NCI) Fund, which is equally available to women (and men) who meet the criteria."

Noting that the industry played a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the world and would continue to play this key role in spite of the growing call for energy transition, he opined that harnessing the natural endowment, strength, intuition, knowledge and expertise of women for the growth of the industry has become a fundamental truth.

Stressing that women needed one another to survive the realities of the sector, whether locally or internationally, he added that “It is estimated that women occupy about 50 per cent of nontechnical positions at entry level compared to only 15 per cent of technical and field role positions.

“Gender diversity and inclusion decreases with seniority. There is only a tiny proportion of women in executive positions. The percentage of women in the industry drops over time from 36 per cent to 24 per cent between the middle and executive level, a recent study by Global Energy Talent Index Report has indicated".

Summarily, he urged the various women groups in the sector to work together to champion the course of women in the industry, for the greater good of all.

Still exuding dedication to changing the narrative and providing women with more opportunities in the industry, the NCDMB created a N14.6 billion fund to boost women’s inclusion in the sector.

The Executive Director, NCDMB, Mr Simbi Wabote, made this submission in his remark earlier at the hybrid conference. “The Board is partnering with the Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank to establish a $40 million women in energy fund.

“This is in addition to the $300m Nigerian Content intervention fund (available to both men and women), which also provides a long-term single-digit interest rate to make funding available with the Bank of Industry (BOI)," says Wabote.

He also gave the women his word about the Board's enthusiasm to restyle and furnish them with more opportunities, shoot up their participation, and recognition in the sector.

Just like the others, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd, Margery ChubaOkadigbo, harped on the significance of women getting involved in the oil and gas industry as germane for rapid growth.

She also saw the dire need for more provisions for women in strategic positions to breed economic growth in the country. “There is no better time to promote this forum than now, especially with the passage of the PIA," says Chuba-Okadigbo.

And with the Women in Oil and Gas Conference seeking to have more women engage in the sector, the conference highlighted the challenges, opportunities and seamless ways to navigate them.

It was in line with this that the Chairperson DSWG, Mrs Alero Onosode, commended the women in the industry for a platform to meet minds, make a case, and become a force for change in the lives of the Nigerian oil and gas.

While conceding that women have achieved so much in the sector in her opening remarks, Onosode encouraged the women to roll up their sleeves.

Her words: "With the theme for this year, the oil and gas industry remains pivotal to the change that we want to see in our country and the world. The energy transition offers more opportunities to all women today. That

Energy transition offers more opportunities to all women today. That change will only come when we get new creative energy around the table and new solutions to the problem ahead of us

change will only come when we get new creative energy around the table and new solutions to the problem ahead of us."

Onosode, however, cautioned that if they are going to birth something new in this nation and across the industry, it is going to take the coming together of the men and the women.

With each window that the women will come across, the chairperson emboldened them, "We must face it with preparedness, resilience and fortitude. Now that we are getting ourselves ready, we must take our place now."

In a communique issues afterwards, the organisers noted that “Project 100 for womenowned businesses as proposed by Senator Margaret Chuba-Okadigbo will transform the terrain completely. Like their male counterparts, these businesses will grow fast and begin to compete internationally, bringing the dividends home with multiplier effects on the horizon.

“An alliance with women in the host community led by women professionals of Diversity SWG, and its strategic partner associations in the oil and gas industry. The engagements come with several benefits: economic empowerment, policing their husbands/relatives, youths, and curbing their excesses like illegal refining, vandalism, etc.

"Having policies and eventually laws that will ensure certain quantum or scope of projects are set aside for women-owned businesses. It will be a way to strengthen the conversation.

Like Local Content pursuit, it will move the conversation from the angle of best endeavors to that of being an obligation on the part of companies and ministries departments and agencies, MDAs. “Oil and Gas Women’s Strategic Collaboration will bring about many benefits. Benefits of an immediate spread across the entire industry.

Having a strategic alliance with women associations across the entire value chain of the oil industry will create an immediate presence of the NCDMB’s Diversity SWG in these areas. The alliance will be expected to snoop around for opportunities in these sub-sectors and through the power of advocacy, actually land some for the women.

"There is a great need to increase the funding of women-owned businesses. From the increase in NCIF managed by the Bank of Industry, BOI, through the Nigerian ExportImport Bank fund, there is a lot to dwell on in enhancing the capacity of these women and their businesses.”

XIV

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 5, 2022

FEATURES

Lifeline for Chibok Girls To ameliorate the suffering of some rescued Chibok girls, the Chibok Ladies Vocational Tailoring Program was instituted. So far, two batches of 24 trainees have graduated from the programme, Chiamaka Ozulumba reports

T

he Chibok Ladies Vocational Tailoring Program (CLVTP) has been instituted to ameliorate the suffering of some rescued Chibok girls. It is a platform designed by Dr. Adrian Ogun to give skill acquisition in tailoring to some of the girls.

The project is being supervised by Yakubu Nkeki, the Chairman of the Abducted Chibok Girls Parents Association.

So far, two batches of 24 trainees have graduated from the programme. Four facilitators were engaged for the training in their different workshops within the Chibok community, Borno State.

On Saturday, June 11,2022, Nkeki led five of the graduate trainees and one of the facilitators, Mrs. Rahilla James, alongside sewing machines and samples of clothes sewn, to Abuja on the invitation of Dr. Ogun.

They were all full of praises to the chartered accountant from the London School of Economics and Abuja real estate developer for giving them joy and hope. According to Nkeki, efforts at rehabilitating the girls by the federal government failed because of certain factors which include nonchalant handling of the affairs by ministry officials.

According to him: "the federal government sent some of the girls to American University Yola but due to individual differences, some of the girls refused to stay in school, some preferred to get married, some preferred hand work.

"And for the purpose of those that preferred hand work, I contacted the Minister for Women Affairs to whom the President handed me over to facilitate training for these girls but the effort proved abortive.

"So, these girls were sitting idly at home until Dr. Ogun came and said he wants the girls to be involved in skill acquisition so that they will have something doing after their marriage and that is what we are doing now".

He said 24 of the girls some of whom are now married have undergone the six months training and have been well-equipped to stand on their own.

One of the beneficiaries, Mary Dauda, thanked Dr. Ogun for the impact he has made on the lives of all of them. On her experience during the training, she said, "we really enjoyed the training which lasted six

L-R: Mr. Yakubu Nkeki, Chairman Abducted Chibok Girls Parents; Mrs Rahilla James, trainer; Mary Dauda, beneficiary; and Dr & Mrs Adrian Ogun sponsors of the programme during a reception and certificate presentation in Abuja to two batches of 24 trainees in Abuja ….. recently months."

She was full of appreciation to the family that trained them. She said she and her colleagues are now professional tailors, adding that they have been sowing different styles on commercial basis for people in Chibok and making good living to cater for themselves and their junior ones.

Responding, Dr. Ogun said he just did what he did on behalf of his church, the Saint Mark Church, United Kingdom.

He said he was encouraged by his wife to give means of livelihood to the girls who seemed to have been rejected and neglected by the society because

of the humiliation they experienced in the hands of their abductors.

Dr. Ogun said rehabilitating them by giving them source of livelihood and income is the best that could have happened to them in the situation they found themselves.

He promised to see to the challenges of inadequacy of equipment being experienced by the facilitators to hasten the training program and to be able to accommodate more beneficiaries.

Recall that 276 female students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok , Borno State were abducted from school by kidnappers believed to

be of the Boko Haram Islamic sect in April, 2014.

A lot of kind hearted organisations, human right campaigners and civic society organisations mounted different campaigns targeted at getting the girls out of captivity.

After several national and international efforts, many of the abducted girls were rescued though in batches while till date, others could not be found.

The federal government, faith-based organisations and even individuals made promises to assist in giving life back to the girls by rehabilitating them and integrating them into the society and give them means of livelihood to avoid being stigmatised.

SkillPaddy to Tackle High Rate of Unemployment in Nigeria Mary Nnah

I

n response to the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria, along with incessant ASUU strikes keeping millions of young people generally idle, Intelligent Innovations, an indigenous IT start-up, last Friday, launched SkillPaddy, a youth-focused online upskilling platform.

The launch, which took place at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, saw in attendance stakeholders from the public and private sector, as well as leading figures from Nigeria’s IT industry.

In his remarks, the CEO of SkillPaddy, Kunle Erinle, said the company began working with young Nigerians after the global pandemic to help them develop relevant skills in line with the fast-changing global economy.

Erinle said with the help of industry experts, the company rolled out courses on the SkillPaddy platform, to graft learners into a community for a three-month programme, supported by several partners and sponsor organisations.

He added that SkillPaddy aims to not only address unemployment in Nigeria but help in bridging the productivity gap which presently exists in many industries.

“The world is changing very fast. Today, eight out of the 10 biggest companies in the world are in the tech industry. This translates to 10 million jobs in the digital technology space, with one million of these jobs open in Africa.

CMO SkillPaddy, Opeyemi Adetomiwa; COO SkillPaddy, Ibironke Wickliffe; CEO SkillPaddy, Kunle Erinle; and a guest at the event "Do you realise that most of these jobs remain open year after year because people with the right skills are either not applying or none existent? It is a real challenge for us as a continent, and that is why SkillPaddy exists."

He said further that the platform

will be officially rolling out its first batch of courses for roles that are in high demand in today's job market such as graphic design, mobile app development, business analysis, product management, software testing, and many more.

"To further help our learners, our partnerships now extend to different fields including the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Honeywell Group, Chocolate City Group, and others to help them transition into most industries that are now driven by tech.”

The keynote Speaker at the launch was Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Innovation and Technology, who set the tone for the day’s conversation.

Alake encouraged private sector involvement in capacity building for the youth and expressed his desire to work with SkillPaddy to train youth as part of an already existing program with Lagos State.

Afterward, a four-man panel discussed “Raising a Productive Workforce: A catalyst for Sustainable Economic Growth,” which addressed the issue of productivity among Nigerians of employable age.

The panel was made up of Olumide Soyombo, Co-Founder, Bluechip Technologies; Ifeyinwa Anyadiegwu, Head Chocolate City Group; Opeyemi Adetomiwa, Chief Marketing Officer (Moderator); Onaolapo Thomas (Group HR, FilmOne Studios); and Leye Agunbaide, Entrepreneur Selection and Growth, Endeavour.

SkillPaddy is a learning platform for Nigeria’s youth to develop relevant skills for today’s world, through structured and flexible courses and certifications that help connect them to the local and international job market.

XV

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 5, 2022

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Sanwo-Olu, Experts Advocate Tall, Safe Buildings as Solution to Nigeria’s Urban Housing Challenges Bennett Oghifo

L

agos State Governor, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu, renowned experts in public policy and leading industry players in the built and construction industry in Nigeria have affirmed that ‘building up’ is the best solution to tackling the problem of scarcity and high cost of accommodation in urban centres in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu alongside the experts made this assertion at the fifth edition of leading building solutions company, Lafarge Africa’s public policy thought-leadership series, Concrete Ideas, held at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos on the 28th of June 2022.

While decrying the acute scarcity and high cost of buildable land in major urban areas in the country, the experts highlighted the challenges affecting the optimal use of tall buildings and also shared insights on how this could be the solution to the problem of scarcity and high cost of accommodation in urban centres in Nigeria.

The experts concluded that to fully harness the many advantages that high-rise buildings offer, the government and all the stakeholders in the built environment must take bolder steps to combat the many problems militating against mass development and the optimal use of high-rise buildings in the country.

This they believe will go a

long way in providing answers to the problem of inadequate housing in the urban centres in the country, particularly in Lagos and Abuja where there is limited availability of buildable land and accommodation.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, at the high-profile conference commended the incredible job Lafarge Africa is doing within the Nigerian construction sector. “We are building a Greater and Stronger Lagos, and the strong buildings that are built with Lafarge Cement are contributing to the beauty and aesthetics, of our State and our collective desire to keep up a picture of a Greater Lagos.”

L-R: Honorary General Secretary, The Nigerian Institute of Architects, Chike Ibeanu; Head, Mortar, Innovation & New Product Development, Lafarge Africa Plc., Femi Yusuff; President, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc. Enyi Ben-Eboh; and Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc., Khaled El Dokani, at the fifth edition of Lafarge Africa’s Thought Leadership Platform - Concrete Ideas held at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island Lagos… recently

Mesotho Group to Unveil Africa’s Biggest Market in Abuja in 2023 Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Damara

Kugbo International Market projected as Africa’s biggest market will be delivered towards the end of next year.

The project developer and the Managing Director Mesotho Group Limited (MGL), Jerry Joseph Damara, disclosed this at a meeting with the foreign investors from Italy collaborating with the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) on infrastructure in the FCT. Damara said the project,

which is nestled on a hilly terrain off the Abuja- Keffi Road will address the question of infrastructure in the FCT and provide employment upon completion.

The market is built from grant provided by the European Union. It will use renewable energy like solar, wind and water. Also, all its generated wastes would be recycled and turned it into reuseable energy.

The Kugbo International Market will spread across a 13-hectare parcel of land.

According to the project developer, 90 percent of the work has been completed on the first phase of the project on an area covering 7.5 hectares of land.

The construction work started in August last year after the approval of the Development and Control to commence work was granted.

“We are at the stage of asphalting and we have finished all the drainages. The site is safe,” Damara said.

The market has lock-up

shops, warehouses, banking halls, cold rooms, open stores, duplex shops and restaurants.

According to Damara, 27 blocks of 60 shops are under construction while about four blocks have advanced to the roofing stage including five blocks of building at the decking level. The remaining ones are out of DPC. “I can assure you that the Kugbo International Market will be one of a kind in entire Africa when it is delivered and we still talking about Phase

One of the project. It is a world-class facility that will provide memorable shopping experience. It is an informal market for both the rich and low profile people. We have the administrative area, a service area and a car park for over 500 vehicles. In addition to modern toilets, fire service facilities and a round the clock security manned by Police and civil defence,” Damara said.

He added that the duplex shops will stuff cosmetics and other accessories.

Ariston Restates Commitment to Sustainable Comfort for Families Fadekemi Ajakaiye Ariston, one of the worldwide leaders in the thermal comfort industry, has restated its commitment to providing sustainable comfort for its customers by making available quality and energy-efficient products or solutions.

The Director, Central Africa, Ariston Group, Richmond Aguiar, stated this during

the Country Manager forum with the media on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Aguiar noted that the company has consistently invested in research and development, leading to multiple advanced products with unique offerings.

According to him, each product features heat pumps for heating and solar efficient hybrid systems tailored to customer needs.

He disclosed that the Ariston range of products comes in water heating or heating form, including hybrid, powerflex and demand-response. He stated that the products are designed to make users enjoy complete comfort and ease in their daily life.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable and at ease in their daily life. To make this possible, we help families, and our

professional partners find the best solution straightforwardly”, he said.

He further explained that the company boasts of requisite expertise that can deliver after-sale services in Nigeria of the highest professional standards, guaranteeing customers built-to-last highperformance solutions.

He explained that the company’s range of products is

designed to improve people’s serenity and quality of life and help them make more responsible choices.

“At Ariston, we strive to anticipate proactively emerging customer needs by making state-of-the-art heating and hot water solutions accessible to all,” he said.

Also speaking, the Head of Marketing, Ariston Group, Mr Habeeb Somoye, noted that

the company takes pride in its ability to deliver quality and reliable products and solutions.

“We firmly believe in the dependability of our products and solutions. This comes from our commitment to use the best components and materials available and to certify the quality of each product through checks and tests completed before, during and after production.

“Unsustainable agriculture e.g. deforestation and ploughing, monocultures, Irrigation, slash and burn agricultural practices, etc., have resulted in the loss of important ground biota that help natural processes.”

She further pointed out that “The web of life is threatened by pollution leading to the biological magnification of toxins at higher trophic levels;

and also, different pollution sources have led to this and GreenHouse Gases (GHGs) resulting in global warming.

Oil bunkering/spill is mainly a problem in the oil-rich Southern Nigeria, rendering water not drinkable or supporting fishing and other uses in the region. Niger Delta is a typical example of how interwoven sustainable development, social justice and species conservation

are.

“The need to conserve biodiversity is not restricted to the terrestrial environment” Professor Nwansat further observed. “Oceans also play a vital role in climate mitigation and are a source of protein for some three billion people while containing countless species we know very little about, which could be the source of novel medicines and materials.”

CBCN Meets on Biodiversity The Coalition for Biodiversity Conservationists of Nigeria (CBCN) has held a highly important and well-attended online meeting stating that “Building a future where biodiversity and humankind thrive in harmony is our collective responsibility”. This is contained in a statement issued by the Convener, CBCN, Dr. Salamatu Fada. The statement said in a world faced with

steadily growing human impact on the environment, the need to save the world’s fast depleting biodiversity has become even more compelling.

In a keynote address delivered by Professor G.S. Mwansat of the University of Jos entitled “Escalating Anthropogens on Biodiversity Conservation. Past, Present, and Future”, she noted that “The earth we live in is now

a new geological epoch - the Anthropocene! Humans have modified the natural systems for food, shelter, and economic and social security - all of which are very important for us. However, these activities are helping to erode biodiversity.

As a result, some species are extinct already and up to one million species are threatened with extinction. That is why we are here on this day!

Julius Berger Appoints Daura, Anya as Independent Non-Executive Directors The Board of Directors of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has appointed two new directors, Amb. Adamu Saidu Daura, MFR and Mr. Chidi Anya to the company’s directorate.

The appointments according to a statement released on Thursday, 30th June 2022 by Mrs. Cecilia Madueke, Julius Berger’s Company Secretary, were made in a Board of Direc-

tors Meeting held on the 15th of June, 2022.

Amb. Adamu Saidu Daura, MFR and Mr. Chidi Anya will serve on the company’s Board as Independent Non-Executive Directors with effect from July 1, 2022.

The two new Non-Executive Directors will further bolster the company’s formidable directorate with their wealth

of knowledge and experience.

Ambassador Adamu Saidu Daura, MFR is a graduate of the University of Jos, Nigeria, where he obtained an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration.

He was a member of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2003 and served on various House Committees. He also has had a very distinguished career

in the Diplomatic Service where he served as Ambassador to different countries, including the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Pakistan.

Ambassador Adamu Saidu Daura, MFR had served on the Boards of State and Federal parastatals. He chairs the board of Ripen Marine Contractor Ltd and sits on the boards of Daberam Ventures

Limited, Atlantic Consortium Ltd, Ferens Nigeria Ltd, and Kaira Investment Ltd. He is conferred with the National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Amb. Adamu Saidu Daura has been notified of his new appointment as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

Mr. Chidi Anya is a graduate of the University of Nigeria and holds a Master of International Law and Diplomacy (MILD) of the University of Lagos. He has also attended various executive management courses at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Illinois.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989 and is recognized as a Notary Public.

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5.7.2022

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TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS FOOD

NAME OF COMMODITY

PALM OIL

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N25000 25CL

PH

NAME OF COMMODITY

TOMATOES

N21,000 – 24,000

COMMODITIES SIZE

STATE

40KG BENUE

PRICE

N15,000

40KG

KADUNA

N5,000

40KG

ABIA

N18,000

25CL IBADAN N18,000-N22,000 25CL

IMO

N21,000–N24,500

25CL

EDO

N17,000–N20,000

25CL ABUJA

N19500- N25000

25KG LAGOS

N9,500

40KG DELTA

N17000

PRICE

T O D AY

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N25,000

100KG

KANO

N10,000

100KG

BENUE

N27,000

100KG GOMBE

N12,000

100KG DELTA

N21,000

100KG LAGOS

N25,000

100KG ENUGU

N15,000

100KG

N29,000

ABIA

NAME OF COMMODITY

MAIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N9000

100KG ENUGU

N24000

100KG DELTA

N15000

100KG ABIA

N14000

50KG LAGOS

N13500

SIZE

Consumers Express Concern over FG’s Failure to Deliver 5000mw Supply from July 1 Peter Uzoho Electricity consumers have expressed frustration over the failure of the federal government and other operators in the Nigerian power industry to deliver the planned 5000 megawatts (mw) minimum power supply from July 1, 2022.

The operators, namely, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Generation Companies (Gencos) and the Distribution Companies (Discos) had at a strategic stakeholders meeting in Lagos, last month, resolved to activate contracts that would ensure that minimum 5000mw of power supply was achieved by July 1.

However, at the time of filing in this report, nothing had changed from the erratic supply that has become a regular feature in the nation’s electricity sector.

Angered by the consistent failures by the power companies and the government, some electricity customers under the aegis of Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN), expressed disappointment with the unending failures by the operators and government agencies managing the sector.

The President of ECAN, Mr. Chijioke James, told THISDAY in a chat that they were not satisfied with the situation in the sector.

James said: “The taste of the pudding is in the eating, once consumers see improvement, we will all gladly give thumbs up to the authorities to encourage them. But for now, I’m afraid to say we are not satisfied with the situation in

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

the sector.”

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of All Nigerian Electricity Consumers Protection Forum, Mr. Adeola

Samuel, criticised the power companies, saying they have never had any intention to improve the electricity supply in the country.

“I don’t think their prognosis was premised on improvement of any equipment or improvement on gas supply, rather it’s a

projection based on change of climate conditions which is raining season,” Samuel said.

He said issues of moribund

and obsolete power equipment still subsist, leading to frequent grid collapses, which now stands at five collapses in the last two months.

‘Prioritise Sorghum Devt under ABP to Drive Manufacturing’ Gilbert Ekugbe The Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Hans Essaadi, has advocated the need for the federal government to place sorghum as a focus crop under its ‘Anchor Borrower Programme’ given the growing demand and usage by many manufacturing companies in its production processes.

Essaadi gave this advice

while speaking recently at a panel session during the 2022 Employers Summit organised by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).

He remarked that it has become imperative for government to include sorghum as one of the critical agricultural commodities as it would help reduce the pressure on foreign exchange from companies, thereby conserving Nigeria’s foreign reserves.

He further noted that its inclusion would significantly boost and create more jobs as many smallholder farmers would get more involved in its cultivation.

Speaking on the topic ‘Backward Integration and the Promotion of Made in Nigeria Goods,’ he explained that Nigerian Breweries Plc has invested heavily over the years in research and development (R&D) in the

sorghum value chain and this delivered enormous gains, particularly with the local production of malted sorghum and malted syrup replacing the imported high maltose syrup since 2019.

He explained that the company’s local cultivation of sorghum varieties had assisted a great deal in reducing the amount of foreign exchange spent on the importation of sorghum which has impacted the cost of

production for both non-alcoholic and alcoholic products in the last few years.

He stated that the success story of the cultivation of sorghum varieties could be attributed to the level of support and collaboration between the research team and the farmers adding that the investment has gone a long way to support livelihoods in the entire agricultural value chain.

OCP Africa Announces Plans to Boost Fertiliser Production in Nigeria Gilbert Ekugbe The OCP Africa Nigeria has announced plans to boost fertilizer production in the country as part of its contribution to address the nation’s food security challenges.

The Country Manager and Deputy Managing Director of OCP Africa Nigeria, Mr. Caleb Usoh, in a statement argued for the need to introduce soil and crop specific fertilizers

against the current use of generic fertilizer blends for all soil and crop.

Usoh noted that the adoption of specialty fertilizers to address specific crop nutrition needs is the emerging trend in global agriculture practice due to different soil nutrient compositions.

He said: “OCP Africa, a world leader in phosphate and its derivatives, believes that efficient use of specialty

fertilizer is one of the best ways to increase farmers’ productivity and ensure food security.

“For long, Nigerian farmers have been faced with several impediments to obtaining optimal value from their farmlands, ranging from low access to quality inputs, problematic soils, and inadequate training on good agricultural practices; these challenges if not resolved will pose a threat

to the nation’s food system. ” He said that the OCP Africa has taken the initiative to provide customised fertilizers in the Nigeria agricultural space by pioneering the research and development and production of crop and soil specific blends of fertilizer by establishing ultra-modern fertilizer blending plants in three states across Nigeria, namely Kaduna, Ogun and Sokoto.

According to him, each of the three ultra-modern blending plants tagged “Centre of Excellence” comprised of a blending facility capable of composing five macro and five micro-nutrient elements, a fertilizer and soil testing laboratory, a retail outlet for agricultural products and services called the “Farm and Fortune Hub” and a Model Farm.

FAO: Global Agricultural Production to Increase by 1.1% in 2031 Gilbert Ekugbe The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have predicted that global agricultural production would increase by 1.1 per cent every year over the next decade.

The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2022-2031 stated that the additional output

would be mainly produced in middle- and low-income countries, which indicated wider access to inputs and showed that increased productivity-enhancing investment in technology, infrastructure and training would be critical drivers of the expected growth in agricultural production.

The report, however, stated that a prolonged increase in energy and agricultural input prices – such as fertilisers

would raise production costs and may constrain productivity and output growth in the coming years.

The outlook highlighted the significant contribution of agriculture to climate change.

Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture are projected to increase by 6.0 per cent during the next decade, with livestock accounting for 90 per cent of this increase.

In addition, agricultural

emissions was projected to grow at a lower rate than production, thanks to yield improvements and a reduction in the share of ruminant production, indicating a decline in the carbon intensity of agriculture.

Greater efforts would be needed for the agricultural sector to effectively contribute to global reductions in GHG emissions, as set out in the Paris Agreement on climate change, including large-scale

adoption of climate-smart production processes and technologies, especially in the livestock sector.

It said that the global agrifood sector faces fundamental challenges over the coming decade, particularly the need to feed an ever-increasing population in a sustainable manner, the impacts of the climate crisis and the economic consequences and disruptions to food supply linked to the war in Ukraine.

AMID REVENUE CHALLENGES, NNPC’S PROJECT FUNDING DEFICIT HITS $1.092BN In the meantime, the data showed that the NNPC reduced its cash call arrears in the April-May circle by about $11.6 million.

The monies owed five International Oil Companies (IOCs) has now been slashed by $3.729 billion from the initial $4.689 billion in 2016, the NNPC data stated.

Repayments to Mobil Produc-

ing Nigeria and Chevron Nigeria Limited remained cleared while Shell Petroleum Development Company, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria, as well as Nigeria Agip Oil Company are still being owed.

In all, the NNPC has paid $3.729 billion in the last six years out of the $4.689 billion renegotiated in

2016, but with $960.298 million still outstanding as against N971.8 million. While SPDC still has unpaid arrears of $595.1 million, Total is being owed $152 million while Agip’s debts have been reduced to $213.13 million.

The national oil company had signed the cash call repayment agreements with the five IOCs

to defray the cash-call arrears within a period of five years after many years. However, the repayment period has now exceeded six years.

Cash Call obligations arise when non-operating JV partners like the NNPC are called upon to provide funding for operations usually based on each partner’s equity

in the project.

At the time, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources had negotiated a discount with the IOCs, comprising SPDC, Total, Mobil, Chevron and Agip from about $5.1 billion down to $4.68 billion and had since then continued to reduce the debt payments in instalments.

WFP: INCREASING COST OF AGRIC IMPORTS COULD EXACERBATE FOOD INSECURITY IN W’AFRICA countries endorsed the roadmap, which affirms a commitment to act with urgency, at scale, and in concert, to respond to the urgent food security and nutrition needs of millions of people in vulnerable situations around the world.

Adesina was among key

speakers at that meeting, where he announced that the AfDB would provide $1.3 billion of its own resources to the African Emergency Food Production Facility’s $1.5 billion budget.

Africa relies heavily on cereal exports from Russia and Ukraine.

Because of the war, the continent faces a shortage of at least 30 million metric tons of food, especially wheat, maize, and soybeans imported from both countries.

However, the bank’s African Emergency Food Production program will see a total of 38

million tonnes of food produced.

This will include 11 million tons of wheat, 18 million tons of maize, six million tons of rice and 2.5 million tons of soybeans. The facility would build on the bank’s remarkable success of its Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation

(TAAT) platform.

Launched in 2019, TAAT delivered heat-tolerant wheat seed varieties to 1.8 million farmers in seven countries. It also increased wheat production by 2.7 million tonnes, with a value of $840 million.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD

OIL AND GAS

Understanding NNPC’s Evolution to New Entity By the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Law, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on July 1 this year became a limited liability company, but with the official unveiling scheduled for the 19th of this month. Emmanuel Addeh writes on what’s likely to change if everything goes well, as the national oil firm kicks off its operations under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

O

n September 21, last year, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) completed the incorporation of the NNPC Limited in accordance with the new PIA, a law that had taken almost 20 years to bring to fruition.

With that age-long hurdle now surmounted and official documentation completed as specified in Section 53(1) of the law, it is time to ramp up the operationalisation of the Act to give some verve to the beleaguered petroleum industry in the country.

Floated with an initial capital of N200 billion and with several regulations now in place, driven by the PIA transition committee, the stage has been set for the formal take-off of the new NNPC, as its promoters would put it.

To be sure, the NNPC has not performed optimally since it was set up some 45 years ago to act as the eyes and the hand of the government in the oil and gas industry.

But with the PIA in place, and the initial in-house work now done and dusted mostly by a committee supported by external consultants, the NNPC may have a new roadmap or pathway to its much-awaited revival.

It was learnt that with the phasing out of the old NNPC, activities like the valuation of the national oil firm’s assets and liabilities, establishment of sound corporate governance frameworks, rebranding of the new NNPC and change management have been silently going on in the company.

NNPC AND CAMA With the passing into law of the reformed Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA, 2020), which replaced the CAMA 1990 Act, companies like the NNPC are now provided a regulatory framework for how businesses should be carried out in the country.

These include the framework on areas of shareholding, registration processes, statement of compliance, minimum share capital, audit obligations among others.

Being now a commercially-oriented and profit-driven entity, the NNPC is expected to be managed like a private sector enterprise , well in some sense, and devoid of government’s brazen interference.

In essence, these processes, it is expected would translate to a more efficient, slim and nimble national oil firm, which is able to take decisions without constant recourse to the powers that be.

In addition, like every other company in the country, NNPC will pay taxes to the government and eventually be able to pay dividends to its shareholders, represented by government in its teething stages and then the public when it decides to have an Initial Public Offer (IPO).

Furthermore, the new NNPC will serve as a holding company for all its subsidiaries, over a dozen of them, in the post-PIA era.

Under the new arrangement, the new NNPC will review its existing assets and liabilities, determine those that it intends to operate based on sustainable commercial principles and incorporate those assets into her balance sheet.

Since the NNPC does not and cannot operate without partners or third parties, those of them with subsisting contract(s) and joint operating agreements with the NNPC, will also have their fate determined by the PIA. This development will come drawing from Section 54 of the PIA, which provides that all assets and liabilities of the NNPC will be transferred to NNPC Ltd within the first 18 months of the PIA coming into effect.

A DIFFERENT BALL GAME

Kyari

Further to that, Subsection 2 of the Act states that any assets, interests, or liabilities not transferred shall remain that of the NNPC until extinguished or transferred to government. This means that some toxic assets may be excluded.

When the transitioning takes off in effect, existing contracts and Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs) with NNPC will be evaluated and transferred in line with agreed principles to ensure business continuity.

As a business under CAMA and with the overarching guidelines of the PIA, the NNPC ltd., or the new NNPC will enter new investments and partnerships in upstream assets to increase gas production.

It is also expected to expand its downstream operations, while modular or small-scale refineries will be developed in addition to current investment in rehabilitation of existing refineries to ramp up in-country refining.

INITIAL FUNDING In transforming to a CAMA company, the NNPC will need to source for private funding, outside the apron strings of the government. It is also expected, to, due to a renewed commitment to transparency, scale up its credibility to its creditors.

Recently, the NNPC said it had secured a $5 billion corporate finance commitment from the African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) to fund major investments in Nigeria’s upstream sector. That’s, perhaps part of the initial funding for the activities of the new entity.

In another connection, the company has hinted that it will be raising between $3.5 billion and $5 billion as corporate finance to fund major upstream investments and would be pushing to take over ownership from non-investing partners through acquisition of pre-emption rights in the sample Joint Ventures (JVs).

At the same time, Section 65 of the Act encourages NNPC Limited and its joint venture partners to explore

the use of incorporated joint venture companies.

Consequently, the firm may be required to declare dividends to its shareholders as well as withhold 20 per cent of profit as retained earnings to grow its business like any other incorporated entity incorporated under the CAMA.

BUHARI’S DIRECTIVE President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the new NNPC is clear: “Ensure strict compliance with good corporate governance principles.”

The president who spoke during the inauguration of the board, urged the NNPC to place a premium on doing business with the highest ethical standards, integrity, and transparency.

He charged them to focus on profitability and operate at par with its industry peers across the world, exhorting the board to ensure that there is full alignment and synergy between NNPC Limited, the upstream regulatory commission as well as the Midstream & Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in compliance with the provisions of the law in all respects. ”I expect the NNPC Limited to be mindful of our commitments to our net carbon zero aspirations and to ensure total alignment with the global energy transition realities,” he reminded.

The President informed the board members that they came on board as a result of the reforms put forward by the PIA 2021, which seek to reposition the Nigerian petroleum industry to a commercially viable and competitive industry in line with global business dynamics and best practices. ”The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is mandated to focus on profitability and continuous value creation beyond the simple fulfilment of legal and regulatory requirements. ”NNPC Limited is expected to operate at par with its industry peers across the world, while acting as an enabler company that will foster the development of other sectors of our economy,” he noted.

Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, has also been upbeat about the possibilities that have been made available through the PIA, saying that it has provided better fiscal, commercial and regulatory frameworks to support competitiveness, investment and growth, while creating a fully commercial National Oil Company.

“Consequently, our company, the NNPC Limited will be unveiled on 18tb of July 2022 by our president, and I invite you to join us in Abuja Nigeria for the historic event as we create the largest corporate entity in Africa,” he told a gathering of oil and gas professionals recently.

Speaking separately in a recent interview on a national television, he stated that when the NNPC is fully commercialised, the company will no longer render free services to the federal government.

He noted that from then, all services rendered to the government by the NNPC limited or its subsidiaries will come at a cost to government, including the remittance of federation crude account funds.

He stated that the NNPC was on course towards its final lap of completion, explaining that it will no longer have access to government funding, but would survive based on its internal resilience and efficiency.

“First of all, the PIA is very clear that within six months, we must incorporate the NNPC as a company that is bound by the CAMA. The meaning of this is that you must be fully commercial, you must be profitable.

“It means that you will have no access to any other results, other than from your own production and your own productivity. So, that means that NNPC will be the different company that it has to be.

“Even when you render service to anyone, including the institutions of government, it must be at a fee and the PIA is very clear that even when we render service to the state, it would be at a fee. So, it’s going to be a different game,” he stated.

He stressed that although today NNPC is in a good stead, having declared N287 billion profit, with the assets available to it, the company can be turned into a multi-trillion naira business organisation.

Kyari said that when NNPC becomes a limited liability company, it will operate in a competitive environment, with the sole aim of making profits.

The GMD pointed out that the NNPC decided to be more transparent in its operations because of the perception of Nigerians that the company operates in a very opaque environment, explaining that even for its lenders, the condition of accountability remains sacrosanct.

“We know for sure, that historically many people have doubts about what NNPC does.

Our shareholders think that we’re an opaque company, that we’re not representing them well, and that we don’t know what we’re doing and I’m sure many times you see us in the media, in the public space, in very many forums, everybody thinks that nobody knows what NNPC is doing.

“We know that trust is very essential for our business. We also know that our partners, you know, financial institutions, even commercial partners would like to see and know what we are doing, so that they can invest in our company.

“So we know that making transparency and accountability, a primary focus of our activities will serve the best interests and will also enable our partners to see what we are doing, so borrowing will become easier for us,” he added.

If for anything, it may be just the right time to give the new NNPC a chance to prosper like its counterparts in other parts of the world who are currently reaping the fruits of high oil prices. Hopefully, it will deliver this time!

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TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Renewable Energy asViable Solution to Nigeria’s Electricity Crisis Sterling Bank Plc and Stears Data in a new report on Nigeria’s electricity crisis, advocated the adoption of renewable energy as a viable solution to complement domestic and commercial supply, Oluchi Chibuzor presents excerpts of the report

A

s Nigeria looks to several sources to end its intractable power supply crisis, stakeholders are working out solutions that if adopted by the federal government, will help solve the problem.

As part of their contribution towards solving Nigeria’s electricity crisis, Sterling Bank Plc and Stears Data recently released a report, which advocated the adoption of renewable energy as a viable solution to complement domestic and commercial supply The report entitled, “Powering Nigeria: How solar energy can become a sustainable electricity alternative,” is divided into five parts namely: Nigeria’s electricity problem; the impact of Nigeria’s problem; the case for solar energy in Nigeria; limitations to solar adoption in Nigeria, enabling Nigeria’s energy market and conclusion.

The report showed that despite the privatisation of Nigeria’s electricity industry, the country still has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world as 43 per cent of its population have no access to grid electricity, an indication “that 85 million Nigerians are not connected to – and cannot receive electricity from – the Nigerian transmission grid.”

The report in a comparative electrification rate analysis noted that Ghana has electrification rate of 84 per cent, Kenya 70 per cent, South Africa 85 per cent, sub-Saharan Africa 47 per cent, India 98 per cent, Europe 100 per cent, global 90 per cent and Nigeria 55 per cent. It noted that while Nigeria’s electrification rate is above the sub-Saharan Africa regional average of 47 per cent, it lags significantly behind its peers across the continent and the global average.

GRID-SUPPLIED ELECTRICITY

According to the report, Nigeria’s grid-supplied electricity is grossly insufficient, thereby making the country to have the largest electricity access deficit in the world. Nigeria’s electricity supply value chain is broken into generation, transmission and distribution. The entire value chain used to be controlled by a state-owned facility, National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) from 1972 to 2005, until the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was formed to transition to unbundling and privatising components of the power supply companies and form successor companies that will handle distinct parts of the value chain: generation, transmission and distribution with the aim of creating smaller, nimbler and more efficient corporations.

“However, unbundling NEPA into specialised, privately owned companies left the state company’s legacy of deteriorating infrastructure, energy losses, energy theft and non-cost reflective tariffs in the sector intact. And while the new structure was intended to address these problems, underlying issues have kept the sector in the same spot—or moved it backwards as some might argue,” the report said. The report concluded that, “the Nigerian electricity sector is stuck in an unproductive cycle.”

According to the report, Nigeria does not generate enough to meet its energy demand. The current generation potential is around 12,522MW with average output of 4,000MW. With estimated demand between 8,000MW and 17,000MW, there is a shortfall of at least 4,000MW. Under transmission and distribution, the report noted that, “Only a small fraction of the generated energy actually gets to the end user. Installed transmission capacity or the maximum amount of electricity that can be transmitted under ideal conditions is 8,100MW, and the peak transmission has been 5,459MW. “Further, only a quarter (3,100 MW) of our current generating potential reaches the end user, signs of a highly inefficient value chain. On top of these inefficiencies, the transmission grid’s outdated and worn infrastructure makes it highly prone to frequent system collapses.”

The lingering electricity deficit affects the country on multiple levels: at household, business and even at macro or economy level.

At the household level, the report noted that, “Over 40 per cent of Nigerian households own generators and bear the associated costs. First, the cost of purchasing generators, an estimated $500 million between 2015 and 2019, is higher than the proposed capital expenditure in Nigeria’s 2022 budget. There is also the cost of powering these generators. Sources and estimates vary widely, but the African Development Bank (AfDB) estimated that Nigerians spend $14 billion fuelling petrol or diesel powered generators.

“While PMS or petrol prices have been kept artificially low for the consumers through subsidies, variations in AGO or diesel prices can have severe impact on households and businesses as Nigerians are currently experiencing. Although the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) diesel price watch for February 2022 shows a less than 10 percent rise in the price of the fuel from the beginning of the year, diesel is widely sold at prices 200 percent to 300 percent up from the

end of last year. This has made it incredibly difficult for households or businesses to plan and manage themselves.

“While petrol prices appear more stable, prices are kept artificially low by government subsidies which are generally acknowledged to be unsustainable even in the near to medium term. These prices make the small petrol generators more attractive to households and MSMEs. “However, perennial issues like product scarcity, makes using these generators unreliable as well as expensive. With households consuming the largest proportion of energy in Nigeria, increased spending on self-supplied energy has implications on the wider economy. Increased prices in goods and services are fuelled by relying on these expensive sources of electricity, which contributes to inflation, especially since almost 70 percent of the lifetime cost of a generator is spent fuelling it.”

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF GENERATORS

From an environmental perspective, relying on generators is also a step in the wrong direction. Already, 75 per cent of the power generated on the grid is generated using fossil fuels. To worsen this, the capacity of small gasoline generators owned by Nigerians is eight times larger than the grid’s peak capacity.

This makes the case for the kind of energy that Nigeria should focus on as it diversifies its energy generation mix. Renewable energy is not only better from a cost perspective for Nigerian households; it is ultimately better for Nigeria in the long run. On the positive, there is great potential for increasing the share of certain models of renewable energy.

Solar power, for instance, currently supplies less than one percent of Nigeria’s electricity.

The report also noted that, the fact that other African nations with lower proportions of installed generated capacity coming from renewables, yet Nigeria still has lower electrification rates suggests that adding more sources of energy to be distributed through the grid will not suffice. This is the primary reason that off-grid renewable solutions should be explored as alternatives for even household users.

At the business level, Nigeria’s economy is driven by its MSMEs. They are responsible for 80 per cent of employment and they contribute almost half of the country’s GDP (around 49.8 per cent) annually. As the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, enabling them without hindrances is key to Nigeria’s development. Ensuring businesses have reliable and affordable access to energy can be transformative to the economy.

But businesses have little to no choice.

Surveyed SMEs received between one to five hours of electricity each day. It’s no wonder that power generation was the biggest cost to businesses in Nigerian companies. An estimated 15 per cent of businesses cease operations due to the pressures of keeping

up with these costs.

DIRECT COST OF SELFSUPPLY

Apart from the direct cost of self-supply, there are also indirect costs stemming from a loss of productivity. Loss of productive capacity can include the inability to complete or continue work when there is no electricity, or even when the quality and or quantity of work is diminished.

At the larger economy level, the report says Nigeria’s energy situation is extremely detrimental to its businesses and households. It is no surprise that the wider economy suffers as well. In addition to wide scale productivity losses, there are more direct impacts on the country such as attracting investments and the opportunity cost of funds spent fuel (both at an individual and at a government level).

According to the report, “The case has been made Nigeria cannot afford to generate its electricity using fossil fuel-powered generators,” contending that, “Beyond the financial implications, there are significant environmental impacts that the prevalence of generators causes.

“Their use is associated with air and noise pollution, which have significant long-term impacts causing respiratory illness, death, and hearing loss. Between 2008 and 2014, 10,000 deaths have been caused by generator fumes in Nigeria. Based on the current trajectory, greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise from 11.9 million tons to 17.1 million by 2030 from generator usage alone, if nothing changes.”

ADVANTAGES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

Against this background, the report says that renewable energy sources offer a viable alternative that is better for the environment and cheaper in the long run, adding that under the Paris Agreement, the Federal Government of Nigeria set the ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gases by 45 per cent by 2030, a development which provides additional incentive to promote and invest in the spread of clean alternatives such as solar energy to help reach these goals.

“Although there are a number of renewable energy solutions available, solar energy is the most suitable off-grid solution to explore for Nigeria due to the abundance of the natural resource, the long-term relative affordability, and the modularity of solar energy solutions in providing options for all levels of consumption,” the report says.

In Nigeria, solar energy exists as an abundant natural resource because of the country’s climate which receives an abundance of more than 2,600 hours of sunshine yearly, a development which has the potential to provide between 5.5kWh and 6.7kWh per square meter on a daily basis; it has long-term affordability as the technology used to generate solar advances and the associated costs fall and solar energy thereby becomes increasingly cheaper to generate and as the prices of petroleum products rise.

Solar energy will also become more affordable relative to fossil fuel powered generators. Also, solar energy has modularity of energy solutions as it can power anything, with sufficient modules or components to scale generation, thereby making it, one of its biggest benefits.

Solar energy also powers individual solar powered appliances like lamps, fans and refrigerators, among others, which are typically appliances used in the house that have solar panels mounted on them or separately; Solar home systems (SHS) are a standalone solution that, at their most basic level, consists of Photovoltaic (PV) modules and a battery system that work together to provide energy to an entire residence or building, and not just individual appliances and there are also solar applications for MSMES, the country’s economic backbone—holds even greater potential.

According to the report, “MSMEs reported a 50 per cent reduced monthly spend on lighting (from N9,406 to N4,738) as well as increased working hours and better yields when they went from having no access to grid supplied electricity to using solar energy solutions.”

Besides this, “The knock-on benefits are also well documented. Businesses enjoy increased productivity and efficiency, not hampered by rationing their electricity usage. Given that MSMEs report that electricity is their highest spend and one of the biggest threats to their businesses, providing them with reliable and affordable electricity is a key way to enable the growth of businesses in Nigeria.”

Solar solutions can deliver larger capacities and meet more complex energy needs, powering devices from 500w (including many small household appliances like laptops, small fridges and televisions) to 10kW, which powers most heavy duty household items such as air conditioners. It is unlikely to be suitable for industrial or heavy commercial use.

Also, solar energy can power commercial structures and ventures, community and the entire country with heavy investment in mini-grids in the long-term.

Although innovations, falling prices, and increasingly unattractive electricity alternatives have driven the adoption of solar in Nigeria, the country still has a long way to go. Per capita, solar capacity remains at 1Wp (watts peak)—the maximum power that can be generated from a solar panel. In Ghana and Kenya, per capita capacity is at 3Wp and 2Wp respectively.

Despite the emergence of many payment models, price remains the most significant inhibitor in the growth of the market, a symptom of other prevailing market issues. These problems can be examined by the costs tacked on at each point of the solar supply energy chain.

They include manufacturing and assembly of the products outside the country with the associated costs of importing them into the country under a high tariff regime, informal taxes and levies the importers have to pay to clear their goods, logistics and transportation challenges which makes distribution to rural areas difficult and expensive, thereby making the solar solutions even more expensive and unaffordable to many Nigerians in the long-run.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022

23

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Gbenga Komolafe: In Pursuit of NUPRC’s Mandate Uchenna Okoro

R

eforming public institutions in Nigeria is always a difficult task. Often times, it comes with resistance from either employees within the organisation or from sponsored smear campaigns, in form of commentary or written articles. The aim is just one – to derail the good efforts of drivers of such reform agenda.

That clearly is what can be used to describe a recent misleading, false and damaging commentary targeted at the Chief Executive Officer of the Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe.

It is worthy to note that the NUPRC was created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. The beautiful legislation brought to a close, a 20-year effort to reform Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The legislation has created environment a more conducive for growth of the sector and addressed legitimate grievances of communities most impacted by extractive industries.

Also, the PIA overhauled the regulation and governance of the oil and gas industry and provided for two regulatory agencies—the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA)— responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of petroleum operations in their respective sectors, and have the power to acquire, hold, and dispose of property, as well as sue and be sued in their own name.

Specifically, Section 4 of the Act created the NUPRC and gave it power to acquire, hold and dispose off property, sue and be sued in its own name. It is responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of upstream petroleum operations. Clearly, the NUPRC’s functions are limited to upstream regulations. The objectives of the NUPRC among others include to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing upstream petroleum operations in the country; promote and enabling environment for upstream petroleum operations; ensure strict implementation of environmental policies, laws and regulations for upstream petroleum operations, and a whole lot of technical objectives that borders on crude oil regulations.

The mandate of the NMDPRA and NUPRC are clearly outlined in the PIA. That is why it is not only misleading, but

also callous for someone to allege that there have been in-fighting among the two agencies on implementation of functions which according to the uniformed analyst, had led to industry operators registering with the two of them instead of just one, to process permits. This is not true.

Operators whose business are related to the upstream sector clearly know they have to obtain operational permit from the NUPRC, while those that operate in the midstream and downstream sector, go to the sister regulatory agency for such permit. Their objectives of the NUPRC and the NMDPRA are clearly outlined in the PIA and there are no conflicts about them.

Also, the issue of competence of the NUPRC boss was touched on by the commentator. It is on record that since his appointment last year, Komolafe has been taking gradual, but steady steps towards reforming the commission in line with his promise when he assumed office.

The 58-year-old engineer from Ondo state, has shown that he is a round peg in a round hole as he continues to take critical decisions to ensure that NUPRC’s mandates are achieved.

A Fellow of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria and member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Komolafe’s expertise as a seasoned engineer and lawyer have no doubt been instrumental in giving the regulatory body the needed impetus to achieve its mandate.

He was Group General Manager, Special Duties at the NNPC, Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division and Executive Director (Commercial) Pipelines and Petroleum Marketing Company (PPMC). In addition, he was General Manager, Operations, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), General Manager, Operations of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), among several others.

Aside being an engineer, Komolafe has degrees in law, industrial and labour relations and is a recipient of various awards.

He is an expert in institutional process study and designs to curb revenue leakages and attainment of optimum national productivity.

As Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, he facilitated

optimum revenue for the Nigerian federation and performed transparently as acknowledged by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in its report within the period he served in office. In the same vein, as Executive Director, (Commercial) between 2012 – Mar 2014, he initiated strategic sales and retail plans and coordinated implementation of achievement of set revenue targets from downstream supply and distribution of refined petroleum products for nationwide consumption.

At the PEF, he initiated operations policies for effective petroleum products supply and bridging to the inner parts of the country and price equalisation management nationwide and pioneered successful implementation of electronic tracking of petroleum products distribution nationwide.

This, it was learnt, resulted in transparent bridging of petroleum products and price equalisation management that saved government hundreds of billions of naira through institutional process expertise.

He also successfully coordinated seamless supply of petroleum products nationwide with multiplier sectorial effect in the Nigerian economy as General Manager, Operations in the PPPRA. With these, it is clear that dead or alive, no Nigerian in the industry has moved to all the agencies and parastals across the value chain like Komolafe.

He had regulatory backgrounds that no one in the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) would offer contrary to claim by the said commentator. While there is nothing wrong with someone recommending another person that he or she feels is competent for a plum job, it is totally not true that Komolafe got his position at the NUPRC through nomination by the leadership of the National Assembly.

Additionally, the NUPRC under Komlafe’s leadership did not rent any office accommodation on assumption of duty, but maintained the one inherited on assumption till now. In fact, the contract for new office to Julius Berger had been awarded by the defunct DPR before he assumed office. So, Komolafe is not connected with any office accommodation as alleged but focused on achieving enhanced oil and

gas production for optimum federation revenue.

That was why the NUPRC last week finally closed out the 2020 marginal oilfields bid round two years after the process commenced. With the issuance of the Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPL), the winners of the awarded oilfields can now move to site for preliminary prospecting activities. In the process of getting to conclude the bid rounds, the NUPRC stated that about N200 billion was raked in from the 57 oilfields to the coffers of the federal government, plus an additional $7 million in signature bonuses and others.

In addition, the NUPRC announced the unveiling of the Template and Procedure Guide for the Host Communities’ Development Trust (HCDT) for commencement of implementation of the provisions of Section 235 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. The unveiling of the template on host communities fund administration was a major development for oil-producing areas of the Niger Delta who are expected to benefit from the three per cent operating expenses of oil companies in the area.

Also, it must be stressed that being a technical and highly professional and sensitive industry, working with consultants with best practices standards elevates the competences and productivity of the staff and the Commission. It is a global practice and we see multinationals engage consultants as well.

In the area of welfare, today, the NUPRC is not owing staff anything.

Indeed, we are aware that some detractors are not comfortable with Komolafe’s soaring profile and the latest pull him down efforts targeted at impugning the huge success and milestones achieved on record time with the licences award ceremony that was transparently done. While this attempts are just to distract and frustrate him, promoters of such must understand that he is focused on achieving the mandates of the NUPRC. Komolafe believes that optimising the value of the Nigerian oil resources can only be achieved when the Commission does its work diligently and in line with the rule of law that guarantees increased competition, opportunities and value creation. As someone who is a stickler to due process, he remains committed to ensuring that Nigeria gets all the desired benefits and value from its oil and gas sector. t 0LPSP B QVCMJD BGGBJST BOBMZTU XSPUF JO GSPN "CVKB

‘We Are Ready to Weather Challenges in Upstream Sector’ Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja One of the leading downstream oil and gas companies in Nigeria, Matrix Energy Exploration and Production Company Limited, has pledged to confront the challenges in the upstream sector as it moves into the new space.

Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Matrix Energy Group,

Abdulkabir Aliu, noted that having operated for years in the downstream side of the Nigerian oil sector, it was time to deploy its enormous talents in the upstream.

The company, along with Emadeb Energy and several other entities were among the about 161 indigenous oil and gas companies awarded oil prospecting licences by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory

Commission (NUPRC), a day earlier.

While Matrix Energy, along with its partners, were awarded two licences to explore and develop the Atamba oil field located in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42 and Igbomotoru oil field in OML 33 in the Niger Delta region, Emadeb Energy, a standalone company will explore the Ibom field, PPL 236.

The matrix boss noted that having received the licence, it was ready to replicate its positive performance in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry in its operations upstream.

According to Aliu, the company was determined to do its best to bring value to the assets as soon as possible for the benefit of the industry and country by finding first oil in record

time.

He said: “We are aware that the upstream industry is more challenging. But we are also aware that there are a lot of opportunities to contribute to the growth and development of the industry, in particular and the country in general.

“As an oil producing country, it is best for the operators to ensure they take advantage

of the current rising price of crude oil at the International market by ensuring the country meets its production quota at all times.

“For us in Matrix Energy Group, we will do our best to ensure we contribute significantly to the national oil and gas output and reserve aspirations as well as the overall betterment of the country.”

Buhari: FG’s Commitment to Infrastructure Devt Bearing Results Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja President Muhamadu Buhari has said that the commitment of his administration to infrastructure development across the nation had begun to bear fruits.

The president spoke at the weekend in Gashua,

Yobe State, north-eastern Nigeria during the official commissioning and handover of the completed section I phase II and section II phase I of the NguruGashua-Bayamari road.

Represented at the event by the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, he explained that the road was

built to the highest quality of design and workmanship and if well used should last for the designed service life.

“Our commitment to improving road transport infrastructure, our determination to improve the ease of doing business, create jobs and prosperity to lift people

out of poverty brings us here today because the results of our investment are manifesting,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola represented by the Director Highways, North-East, Celestine Shawusu, said that the

projects represent major investment in road transport infrastructure.

He explained that the projects were visible and incontrovertible assets in proof of what Nigeria’s resources are invested in, from a combination of its earned resources and borrowings.

In his remarks, Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni stated that the project was both historic and important to the state. He said that after several years of neglect by previous governments, the Buhari’s administration had been able to rehabilitate the road for use.

24

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Nigeria to Benefit from IFC’s $200m Facility to Olam Agri Dike Onwuamaeze Nigeria is positioned as a major beneficiary of the $200 million loan the International Finance Corporation (IFC), would provide to Olam Agri, subsidiary of Singapore-based Olam Group that has a number agro and industrial businesses in Nigeria.

The subsidiaries of Olam Group in Nigeria include the Olam Nigeria Limited, Outspan Nigeria Limited and Crown Flour Mill Limited.

The loan would be used to finance the purchase of wheat, maize, and soy from Canada, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, and the United States of America for delivery to members of Olam Group’s processing operations and customers in developing countries that rely heavily on imports of these staple foods.

These include Nigeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Senegal, Thailand, and Turkey.

The loan to Olam Agri would also support flows of key food commodities to developing countries, which have been reliant on sourcing from the Black Sea region.

The goal, according to a joint press release issued by Olam Agri and IFC, is to help ease food price inflation particularly in fragile, conflict-affected, and poorer countries that are net-food importers, which are among the worst affected, and where food purchases comprised an outsized share of disposable incomes.

The Chief Executive Officer, Operations, at Olam Agri, Mr. Neelamani Muthukumar, said: “This facility further supports us

to continue to supply staple crops and ensure food security to some of the most populous countries in Asia and Africa most at risk of global food inflation.

“We’re delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with IFC, aligning with Olam Agri’s focus on better access to food and nutrition for the most vulnerable and on strengthening global food security.”

Commenting on the loan, Regional Industry Director, Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services, Asia Pacific at IFC, Ms. Rana Karadsheh, said: “The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and climate change are having disastrous effects on food security for developing countries, erasing years of hard-won development gains.

Sigma Pensions Restates Commitment to Customers, Surpasses Minimum Capital Requirement Nume Ekeghe Sigma Pensions has reiterated its commitment to improving its customer services and continues to sustain competitive returns to its customers.

Sigma Pensions in a statement noted that as of 31 December 2021, its capital requirement was pegged at N5.5 billion which surpassed the required N5 billion minimum operating capital requirement stipulated by National Pension Commission (PenCom). Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sigma Pensions, Mr. Dave Uduanu, said: “ Last year was a good year for the company. We were able to recapitalise the company from

internally generated resources.

We didn’t raise money from the public.

“Our earnings grew and our revenue grew as well.

Furthermore, our assets under management (AUM) grew between 13 to 15 percent, which is strikingly above the industry average.”

He noted that Sigma Pensions has had an outstanding track record of delivering competitive returns in all the various classes of funds.

He added: “ One of the advantages of choosing Sigma Pensions is that we are one of the better performing managers in the market. Last year, five of our public funds were ranked among

the top five in the industry, which is good - meaning that you get good returns on investment.”

“We also have very good customer service. We are proactive, as we have deployed very good technology solutions to allow our customers to have seamless access to our services. So, on the balance, we are one of the top PFAs in terms of the key parameters of investment returns, customer service, and technology savviness. Also, we have a young and energetic workforce.”

“We think that with the resources and the competitive pressures that have been occasioned by the recently opened transfer window, PFAs will invest more in technology and people to serve customers better.

BIC to Increase Investment in Nigerian Market Raheem Akingbolu BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, has said it would increase its investment in the Nigerian market to meet the demand of Nigeria’s fast-rising young population. senior vice president, and general manager, Middle East and Africa, Peter Van den Broeck, made this known recently during a media briefing.

Broeck did not disclose how much the investment will be but said the business is planning to open another factory in the Nigerian market.

He noted that Africa, especially Nigeria is an important market for BIC owing to its young and vibrant population,

adding that the business plans to expand its operations in the continent.

Also, general manager at BIC Nigeria, Guillaume Groues, said he is delighted to be present in Nigeria today – a young population, the biggest economy on the continent, and pan market in Africa.

“We are investing in the country, from job creation to youth empowerment, to supporting education and environmental sustainability.

“We have a lot more to achieve in Nigeria in the years to come and we look forward to being close to our consumers on our journey in this prosperous market.”

Since its investment and

expansion in the market, BIC has impacted the communities it operates in across Nigeria Last year alone, BIC reached 25,900 students and 1,200 teachers in 233 schools through its school activation program which aims to support teachers to get their job done by providing them with the necessary writing instruments and material.

During the covid-19 outbreak in 2020, BIC donated 28,000 writing and coloring items to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to internally displaced people (IDPs). Similarly, 100,000 units of ball pens and 1,000 teaching aids were donated to Save the Children.

NB: Why We Earmarked N6.5m for Best Teacher in Nigeria The management of Nigerian Breweries Plc, has given reasons why the winner of the 2022 edition of the Maltina-Teacherof-the-Year award would smile home with a whooping N6.5m.

The annual award, which was inaugurated eight years ago, was designed to identify the best and most exemplary teachers in both the public and private secondary schools nationwide for lavish reward and celebration.

The Company Secretary/Legal Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, the organiser and sponsor of the competition, Mr Uaboi

Agbebaku, who announced the kick-off of the eight edition at a news conference in Lagos pointed out that the competition has yielded a tremendous impact on teachers and the teaching profession as well as Nigeria’s education sector generally.

According to him, Nigerian Breweries came up with the Maltina Teacher-of-the-Yearaward on the platform of its social arm, Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, and the entries are voluntary and free of charge to participating teachers.

Agbebaku explained that a total of N6.5million awaited the overall winner of the competition just as it applies to previous winners and a plaque and certificate.

He explained that while the grand winner would go home with N1 million as a national champion and another N500, 000 as a state champion on the day of the award ceremony in October where he or she would be unveiled, the person would also be paid N1 million yearly for the next five years provided he or she remains a teacher.

L-R: 1st Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Oluropo Dada,President, Oluwole Adeosun, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, Babangida Ibrahim 2nd President, CIS, Fiona Ahimie and Registrar and Chief Executive, Josiah Akerewusi, during courtesy visit of CIS’ Principal Officers to Ibrahim in Abuja, recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

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Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY MAY 30, 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $118.84 a barrel on Friday, compared with $116.50 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

25

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022

MARKET NEWS

Stock Market Commence Week on Negative Note, Depreciates by 0.07% Kayode Tokede The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange L:mited (NGX) yesterday opened the week on a negative note, reversing last session gains.

The NGX All Share Index (ASI) decreased by 38.22 basis points or 0.07 per cent to close at 51,791.45 basis points, while the market capitalisation lost N21 billion to close at N27.921

trillion.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Nigerian Breweries, Conoil, Lafarge Africa, Red Star Express and Cutix Plc. Also, market breadth closed negative, with 18 losers versus 17 gainers. Fidson Healthcare recorded the highest price gain of 9.82 per cent to close at N12.30, per share.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Learn Africa followed with a gain 9.78 per cent to close at N2.47, while UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) rose 9.71 per cent to close at N1.13, per share.

Prestige Assurance went up by 8.33 per cent to close at 37 kobo, while Regency Alliance Insurance appreciated by 7.69 per cent to close at 28 kobo, per share.

On the other hand, Conoil

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

led the losers’ chart by 9.90 per cent to close at N25.95, while R.T. Briscoe Nigeria and Red Star Express followed with a decline of 9.09 per cent each to close at 40 kobo and N2.50 respectively, per share.

Cutix lost 7.69 per cent to close at N2.28, while Unity Bank shed 6.69 per cent to close at 42 kobo, per share.

However, the total volume traded rose 52.82 per cent to

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

194.121 million shares, worth N2.822 billion, and traded in 4,899 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) topped the activity chart with 25.074 million shares valued at N31,770 million.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) followed with 20.176 million shares worth N413.020 million, while United

O F

Bank for Africa (UBA) traded 17.594 million shares valued at N131.221 million.

AIICO Insurance traded 13.608 million shares valued at N8.323 million, while FBN Holdings (FBNH) transacted 11.634 million shares worth N131.920 million.

Analysts at InvestmentOne Research noted that, “The stock market closed southwards today on the back of losses recorded across major sectors.

0 4 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

26

TUESDAY, ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

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Price Previous Price Current Change Price Change Weighting Index to Change YTD Date

Current Price

1,732.20

-0.10% 0.0%

ROE

31.3% 143.5% 45.4%

81.4%

ROA

P/E

20.2%

4.1%

0.0%

18.2%

6.2%

8.0%

16.9%

0.1%

105.6%

13.9%

14.6x

18.0x

5.7%

6.0%

7.2%

0.0%

23.3%

12.1%

27.0x

6.1x

3.8%

3.7%

20.45

0.0%

4.2%

-21.3%

-0.2%

19.8%

3.2%

3.4x

0.7x

14.6%

29.7% 35.9%

22.10

1.1%

4.3%

-12.1%

1.8%

20.6%

2.6%

2.8x

0.5x

14.1%

275.00

0.0%

3.8%

7.0%

0.0%

37.7%

16.4%

12.4x

4.5x

7.8%

8.0%

26.10

-1.5%

2.9%

9.0%

-1.1%

15.5%

11.1%

7.1x

1.1x

7.6%

14.1%

8 FBN Holdings Plc 9 Nestle Nigeria PLC 10 SEPLAT Energy PLC

11.55

-0.4%

2.7%

1.3%

-0.4%

20.1%

1.9%

2.5x

0.5x

3.1%

40.1%

1,400.00

0.0%

2.6%

-10.1%

0.0%

112.8%

16.1%

24.3x

28.3x

3.6%

4.1%

1,300.50

0.0%

2.6%

100.1%

0.0%

7.5%

3.6%

13.3x

1.0x

3.2%

7.5%

9.30

-1.1%

2.2%

0.0%

0.0%

17.9%

1.6%

2.0x

0.3x

7.4%

49.2%

11 Access Holdings PLC 12 United Bank for Africa PLC

7.45

0.7%

1.7%

-7.5%

0.0%

15.6%

1.4%

2.1x

0.3x

13.4%

46.8%

55.85

-5.0%

1.4%

11.7%

-5.0%

10.5%

3.9%

24.1x

2.4x

2.9%

4.2%

216.90

0.0%

1.4%

52.7%

0.0%

43.6%

25.5%

11.3x

4.8x

3.8%

8.8%

1.3%

21.8%

0.0%

18.4%

1.0%

2.3x

0.4x

6.4%

44.3%

7.1x

1.1x

8.9%

14.1%

0.0%

33.55

0.0%

1.3%

-6.8%

0.0%

15.6%

2.1%

17 International Brew eries PLC 18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

6.30

0.0%

1.2%

27.3%

0.0%

-9.9%

-3.4%

32.50

0.0%

0.9%

14.6%

0.0%

15.9%

4.5%

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Guinness Nigeria PLC 21 Presco PLC

ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ ʬϮ͘ϴďŶ͘

22 Wema Bank PLC 23 FCMB Group Plc

ĞĂƌŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

24 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 25 United Capital PLC

DŝdžĞĚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

6.9%

5 Zenith Bank PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 Lafarge Africa PLC

10.60

ƌŽƐĞ ϱϮ͘ϴй ĂŶĚ ϲϱ͘ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ƚŽ ϭϵϰ͘ϭŵ E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

10.9%

1.2%

0.1%

15 Ecobank Transnational Inc 16 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ĂŶĚ K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d>

6.3%

0.0%

ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ ϴϴ͘ϱй ƚŽ േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ dZ E^ KZW ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ & E, ;ϭϭ͘ϭŵ

0.8x

71.90

ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй ƚŽ ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ

ƚŽ Ϯϭ͘Ϯй ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ͗ Ϯϭ͘ϯйͿ͘ DĞĂŶǁŚŝůĞ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ

5.6x

230.30

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC

13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 14 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

ʬϮϬ͘ϲďŶ ƚŽ ʬϮϳ͘ϵƚŶ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

P/BV

1.2x

-8.5%

5.0x

0.7x

6.6%

20.1% 40.6%

3.24

-1.8%

0.7%

27.1%

-5.3%

13.3%

1.2%

2.5x

0.3x

10.8%

90.50

0.0%

0.7%

132.1%

0.0%

17.8%

8.1%

13.5x

2.2x

0.5%

7.4%

165.00

0.0%

0.5%

87.9%

0.0%

7.6x

4.6x

4.1%

13.2%

3.30

1.2%

0.4%

358.3%

3.4%

15.7%

0.9%

1.7x

7.3%

8.2%

3.46

0.0%

0.4%

15.7%

0.0%

10.7%

1.1%

0.3x

5.8%

1.98

-1.0%

0.4%

-14.7%

-1.0%

2.9%

0.9%

12.75

-0.4%

0.4%

28.8%

0.0%

12.1x

18.9x

0.6x

12.6%

3.2x

11.8%

1.4x

6.3%

0.5x

1.6%

5.3%

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ

26 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 27 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

16.00

0.0%

0.4%

-8.0%

-1.8%

1.24

0.0%

0.3%

29.2%

0.8%

ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ͕ ϭ ŝŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &ZͲ/ d

28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 29 Cadbury Nigeria PLC

10.20

0.0%

0.3%

67.2%

6.3%

7.8x

1.1x

2.4%

12.9%

16.50

1.2%

0.2%

87.5%

-4.3%

12.1%

4.1%

17.6x

2.0x

3.1%

5.7%

30 UAC of Nigeria PLC 31 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri

11.20

0.9%

0.2%

17.9%

0.9%

5.2%

2.3%

12.6x

0.7x

5.8%

7.9%

234.50

0.0%

0.2%

5.7%

0.0%

1.7x

8.1%

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ϯ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϯ ĂůƐŽ ůŽƐƚ͘ ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ Ğƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϰ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ >ĞĂĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞƌƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚͲƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> ;Ͳ Ϭ͘Ϯй ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ E/d, ϵ͘ϭйͿ͕

hE/> s Z

;Ͳϯ͘ϱйͿ͕

>/E< ^^hZ

;Ͳϲ͘ϰйͿ͕

;нϭ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ h ;нϬ͘ϳйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ

0.0%

0.2%

18.6%

0.0%

18.1%

2.3%

5.9x

0.8x

9.4%

17.0%

0.0%

0.2%

-7.6%

4.3%

19.5%

5.5%

4.3x

0.8x

6.8%

23.3%

34 Unilever Nigeria PLC 35 Jaiz Bank PLC

15.30

0.0%

0.1%

5.5%

3.4%

8.8%

5.4%

29.9x

1.3x

3.3%

3.3%

0.90

-2.2%

0.1%

60.7%

-1.1%

17.4%

1.3%

7.0x

1.3x

4.4%

14.4%

39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ ;нϬ͘ϭйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ E ;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ

ƟŽŶ ŝŶ E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͘

Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽǁĞƌ ďLJ Ϭ͘ϵй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐͲ

ƟǀĞůLJ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĚŝƉƉĞĚ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

Ϭ͘ϭй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ŝŶ t W K ;Ͳϭ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

hd/y ;Ͳϳ͘ϳйͿ͘

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ ϭ͘ϲdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

KƵƚůŽŽŬ

11.6%

7.30

ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ ,/W> ;нϱ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ DdEE ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K ;ͲϬ͘ϴйͿ͕ E/d, ;ͲϬ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;ͲϬ͘ϮйͿ͘ Ğƌ͕ ƵƉ ;Ͳϵ͘ϵйͿ ĚƌŽǀĞ ϭ͘ϴй ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ƉƌŝĐĞ 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂͲ KEK/> ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ ĂŶĚ

8.6x

26.50

ĂŶĚ &ZͲ/ d ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĞdžƉĂŶĚĞĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ĂƉŝĞĐĞ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĨĞůů ďLJ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůͲ

6.6%

32 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 33 Custodian and Allied Insurance

36 Oando PLC 37 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 38 Sterling Bank PLC

ĂŶĚ D E^ Z ;ͲϮ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ

16.7%

5.50

0.2%

0.1%

24.4%

-3.0%

6.15

0.0%

0.1%

4.2%

0.0%

6.1%

0.7%

9.7x

0.7x

1.52

-1.3%

0.1%

0.7%

0.0%

10.3%

1.0%

3.0x

0.3x

-17.7%

-4.1%

62.50

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

6.25

0.0%

0.0%

16.2%

0.0%

P ric e

-163.5% 10.3% 6.6%

1.8x

-9.5%

1.0x

1.1%

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

F ID SON

12.30

9.8%

T R A N SC OR P

25.1

LEA R N A F R C A

2.47

9.8%

GT C O

20.2

0.0%

1.13

9.7%

UB A

17.6

0.7%

UP D C

33.3%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a in e r s T ic k er

-21.5%

0.0%

P R EST IGE

0.39

8.3%

A IIC O

13.6

-3.0%

R EGA LIN S

0.28

7.7%

FB NH

11.6

-0.4%

C H IP LC

0.75

5.6%

WEM A B A N K

9.3

1.2%

VER IT A SKA P

0.21

5.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

8.6

1.1%

CHA M S

0.25

4.2%

D A N GSUGA R

8.1

0.0%

A C A D EM Y

1.32

3.9%

J A P A ULGOLD

7.8

-3.4%

WEM A B A N K

3.30

1.2%

A C C ESSC OR P

6.6

-1.1%

ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϭϱ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ DZ^ ;нϵ͘ϵйͿ͕ D zͲ

ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ͲϬ͘ϬϮdž Ϭ͘Ϭϯdž ϭϴ ǁŚŝůĞ dZ E^ ;Ͳϴ͘ϯйͿ͕ > ^ K ĨƌŽŵ ;Ͳϲ͘ϳйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ĂƐ >/s Ͳ ^dK < ;Ͳϰ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͘ WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĚĂLJ͕ ǁĞ ϲϰ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ ϭϲ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ

ŇĂƚ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ŶĞdžƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ŵŝůĚ ŐƌĂĚƵĂůůLJ ǁŝŶĚƐ ƵƉ͘

ŐĂŝŶƐ ƚŽ ďĞ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ͘

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

C ON OIL

25.95

-9.9%

M TNN

799.9

0.1%

R T B R ISC OE

0.40

-9.1%

GT C O

413.0

0.0%

R ED ST A R EX

2.50

-9.1%

A IR T ELA F R I

349.3

0.0%

-7.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

189.3

1.1%

0.42

-6.7%

FB NH

131.9

-0.4%

55.85

-5.0%

UB A

131.2

0.7%

D A N GSUGA R

130.0

0.0%

C UT IX UN IT YB N K NB

2.28

P ric e C hg %

J A P A ULGOLD

0.28

-3.4%

A IIC O

0.64

-3.0%

WA P C O

68.9

-1.5%

0.32

-3.0%

UA C N

64.6

0.9%

1.18

-2.5%

A C C ESSC OR P

62.1

-1.1%

F T N C OC OA IKEJ A H OT EL

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ < Z ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ,KEz&>KhZ ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ ďLJ ůĞĚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

27

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 01July-2022, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 197.16 198.31 17.60% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 5.32% Nigeria International Debt Fund 324.26 324.26 5.23% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.06 107.21 7.48% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.35% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.70 3.76 8.71% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 4.71% Anchoria Equity Fund 145.92 147.56 4.79% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.21 1.21 5.36% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 22.38 23.06 10.34% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 516.87 532.45 14.56% ARM Ethical Fund 43.97 45.29 12.86% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.04 1.05 3.07% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.60% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.01 106.01 8.87% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,119.73 1,119.73 11.97% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.09 2.09 4.10% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.40 2.45 20.20% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.05 1.05 4.33% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.62% Paramount Equity Fund 19.93 20.29 14.26% Women's Investment Fund 150.63 152.52 6.09% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.84% Cordros Milestone Fund 135.95 136.87 9.03% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.09 110.09 5.07% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.87% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 8.74% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.07 1.07 16.94% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 102.69 102.69 4.63% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.76% Legacy Debt Fund 3.87 3.87 -3.23% Legacy Equity Fund 1.95 1.98 11.88% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.23 1.23 1.97% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

4,166.76 3,576.79 100.00

4,228.28 3,576.79 100.00

14.16% 6.27% 7.34%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.11 1.11 3.93% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.61 1.64 13.33% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,176.13 1,176.13 4.89% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.58 12.65 15.07% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.38% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) N/A N/A N/A Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 127.24 130.07 5.66% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 8.54% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,691.68 3,733.88 -2.15% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 239.57 239.57 0.30% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.47 1.49 -1.99% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 321.71 321.71 0.44% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 275.90 280.00 -0.18% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.67% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 12,624.95 12,624.95 -0.90% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.32 1.32 0.43% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.80 118.80 0.27% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 110.24 110.24 0.71% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Sukuk Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.98 14.11 6.03% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.24 16.42 11.15% Zenith Income Fund 22.80 22.80 3.86% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.08% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.94 4.04 -1.69% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 6.19 6.29 5.88% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 19.13 19.33 8.11% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.03% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 21.43 21.63 7.21% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 154.15 156.15 -2.28%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

117.13 51.68

3.47% 1.63%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

15.42 144.44 114.53 17.10 16.40

15.52 147.93 116.99 17.20 16.50

10.20% -4.38% -3.66% 21.93% 3.99%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.55

12.10%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

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

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

TUESDAY JULY 5, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

28

NEWS

Insecurity: Uzodimma Harps on Synergy among Security Agencies Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, yesterday harped on increased collaboration among security agencies to adequately fight the insecurity in the country.

The governor stated this when he received the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, at the Government House in Owerri, the state capital.

Uzodimma described the theme of the celebration, “Repositioning the Nigerian Army in a Joint Operations Environment: A Panacea for Success in Addressing Contemporary Security Challenges,” as quite apt, topical and reflective of the mood of the Nation today.

According to him, to achieve the above theme, there is the need to develop a framework within which all the security agencies in Nigeria will work jointly and in synergy to confront the current security challenges in the country.

He said he hoped that the fallout from the celebration will be a renewed desire to reposition the Nigerian Army along the line of the theme.

Governor Uzodimma said

he will join other well-meaning compatriots to appeal to all the security agencies to put aside whatever inter-agency rivalries that may exist between them and continue to share vital intelligence for the overall security of Nigeria.

He reiterated the sacrifices the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army have continued to make for the freedom of the citizens and the protection of territorial integrity of the Nation, noting that in the course of their duty, some have paid the supreme price for the love of the country.

“In truth, no sacrifice can be higher than this,” he declared.

He recalled that many personnel of the Army have either been maimed or traumatised for life in the course of discharging their duties and assured that their sacrifices will not be in vain as succinctly captured in the National Anthem “The Labours of Our Heroes Past Shall Never be in Vain.”

He reminded the Army top brass that his administration takes the Army Forces Remembrance Day seriously, particularly as regards commitment to the

welfare of the veterans and widows of fallen troops as well as the needs of those who are still serving.

Governor Uzodimma therefore, encouraged the soldiers to serve with pride and renewed

vigour as his government and others will always stand by them.

He commended the Military for the Civil- Military Cooperation Impact Project which is ready for inauguration in this year’s Army Day Celebration in Imo

State, adding that such laudable gestures are in line with modern practices because “they go a long way in building a healthy relationship between the military and the civilian population.”

While acknowledging that

the Nigerian Army has greatly improved on its relationship with the civilian populace, the Governor noted that there is still room for improvement in the South-East in general and Imo State in particular.

OLD STUDENTS DONATE TO MAPOLY...

L-R: Rector, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic,Abeokuta, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji; Chairman, Association of Mass Communication Graduates, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, (MAPOLY),Abeokuta, 1992 set, Mr. Adekunle Adesina; and Chairman, Planning Committee, Dr. Femi Adefila, during the handing over of a renovated and upgraded television studio of the Department of Mass Communication, to mark the 30th anniversary of graduation of the set in Abeokuta...recently

Osun Guber: Monarchs Police Smash Syndicate of Motorcycle Thieves in Nasarawa operated between Aya Junction State. syndicate members posed as Ukumba in Lafia in Abuja and Keffi in Nasarawa “The following suspects an Assistant Superintendent of Declare Support for Oyetola Igbawase were arrested-Aminu Adamu, Police (ASP), and dispossessed The Nasarawa State Police State

Yinka KolawoleinOsogbo

The traditional rulers in Osun State, under the aegis of Network of Kings from Osun Country Side (NKOCS), have unanimously endorsed the candidature of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola as “the most qualified among the contestants.”

The kings lauded the governor for extending and expanding the frontier of socioeconomic and infrastructure development to the grassroots. They also said that his administration has rejuvenated the standard of living of the rural dwellers.

The traditional rulers declared that the monumental achievements of the government had further stimulated the rural economy, so “we cannot do without this government continuing for the next four years because we know the salt it has put in our soup.”

Speaking shortly after their meeting with the Governor in Osogbo, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of NKOCS, Oba Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye, said that the decision to endorse the governor was based on his prudence, meek character and administrative acumen in managing the affairs of the state amid scarce resources.

Security Agencies Prevent Arsonists from Burning Bauchi Assembly Complex The quick intervention of security agencies saved the Bauchi State House of Assembly Complex from attempt by arsonists to burn it.

The arsonists, it was gathered attempted putting fire on the Assembly complex Sunday night.

Consequently, a combined team of security comprising men of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Security, and the Nigerian Army, had to take over the complex.

The Special Adviser to the Bauchi State Governor on State

and National Assembly Liaison, Sani Burra, confirmed the incident to journalists yesterday in a message.

He said: “Assalamu alaikum!

Sir, just to inform you that some unknown persons last night had attempted to burn the Hon. House (Bauchi State House of Assembly) Complex.

“As a result of which security agencies have taken over the place to avoid breakdown of law and order. This is to avoid (prevent) the journalists from giving wrong side of the story please.”

First Rotary of Garki Female President States Mission

Olawale AjimotokaninAbuja

The first female President, Rotary Club Garki, Abuja, Mrs Zainab Omowunmi Owonikoko, has unveiled her agenda that will foster community projects and improve the living standard of rural dwellers.

She spoke after taking over the affairs of District 9125 Rotary for the year 2022-2023.

She listed the areas of focus to include peaceful co-existence, protecting the environment, fighting diseases, providing potable water in hard to reach communities, supporting education, growing

local economies and prevention of child and maternal mortality.

In order to achieve these objectives, she said priority would be given to family health outreach programme, vocational /career talk and quiz competition for schools in FCT, organizing Polio /COVID-19 seminars, rallies, road shows and sponsorship of 20 Youths to the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA).

Owonikoko described Rotarians as like-minded people with passion to voluntarily pull resources together towards utilising such funds to empower and alleviate poverty.

Command yesterday said it has smashed a notorious syndicate of motorcycle thieves who disguise as police officers, and arrested five suspects.

The state Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a statement, adding that the syndicate

The statement read in part: “On July 3, 2022, at about 1435hrs, the state police operatives attached to Masaka Division, while acting on credible information, smashed a notorious syndicate of motorcycle thieves that operated between Aya Junction in Abuja and Keffi in Nasarawa

Adamu Mohammed, Rilwanu Bala, Kabiru Usman, and Bashir A. Bashir.”

The statement noted further that preliminary investigation revealed the suspects posed as police officers, hired commercial motorcycle riders, whose motorcycles are still new, to a location, where one of the

the rider of his motorcycle and zoomed off.

“The suspects confessed to have snatched over 30 motorcycles from commercial motorcycle riders through the same technique, produced fake receipts and sold them off to unsuspecting members of the public.”

Bayelsa Community Laments Alleged Killings of Indigenes by Oil Coy”s Security Operatives OlusegunSamuelinYenagoa

The leadership of Igbomotoru Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has protested the alleged killings of indigenes of the community by security operatives attached to Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) surveillance contractors.

The community also called on the Bayelsa State Government to order the immediate withdrawal of soldiers allegedly stationed in a houseboat in the community.

The leaders of the community claimed that the continued presence of soldiers in their locality would cause panic among indigenes that have been living in constant fear

and nervous shock.

In a statement by the Acting Paramount Ruler, Chief Goodluck Alagodei; Chairman of Community Development Committee (CDC) Mr. Ebipamunu Charles; Vice Chairman of CDC, Mr. Goodnews Otobo; Secretary Justice Pronto, and other members of the CDC and compound chiefs, said that no fewer

than four youths of the community have allegedly been killed.

The community leadership lamented that since June 22, the community has experienced an unprovoked invasion and attack by armed military men allegedly attached to Darlon, a surveillance security company contractor to NAOC.

Two Chairmen Emerge in Ekiti PDP as Fayose, Others Engage in Battle Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti Fresh crisis is now brewing in Ekiti State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), as former Governor Ayodele Fayose and some leaders of the party were embroiled in fight over the appointment of one Engr. Alaba Agboola, as the substantive

chairman.

A faction of the party loyal to Fayose, had announced Agboola as the substantive chairman, which angered the party members and urged the members to discountenance such arrangements they described as “undemocratic.”

To counter the position of the Fayose’s loyalists in the State

Working Committee of the party, some aggrieved stalwarts, also elected former Local Government Chairman in Ado Ekiti, Hon. Deji Ogunsakin, as chairman.

Following the emergence of the immediate past Chairman, Mr. Bisi Kolawole, as the party’s governorship candidate for the June 18 poll, his Deputy, Lanre

Omolase was appointed in acting capacity to preside over the PDP before Agboola was appointed.

A statement by Omolase yesterday and made available to journalists, in Ado Ekiti, said that Agboola, from Ijero Ekiti, would replace Kolawole, who resigned as the state chairman to contest the governorship.

Lagos Shuts Redeemers School over Death of Pupil The Lagos State Government has shut the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School in the Ogba area of the state.

The school was shut over the death of a five-year-old pupil, who reportedly drowned during a swimming lesson.

This was made known via a statement issued by The Lagos State

Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

Adefisayo noted that the school would remain closed, “pending an administrative investigation of its operations and procedures as well as the conduct of its officials – in line with schools’ safety standards and guidelines.

“The investigation is sequel to the death of a five-yearold pupil, who is suspected to have drowned during a swimming lesson while in the custody of the school.

The police are investigating the matter.

“A preliminary probe by the Office of Education Quality Assurance of the Ministry has

shown that the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba, is yet to conclude its registration and is, therefore, not yet an approved school.

“The Ministry is concerned about the safety of the pupils, hence the need for intervention.

The school will remain closed until all the required approval processes are concluded.

Niger APC Submits Names of Guber Candidate, Running Mate to INEC Laleye Dipo in Minna The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State has submitted the names of its governorship candidate and running mate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The names included the Member Representing Chanchaga

Federal Constituency and Winner of APC’s Governorship Primary Election, Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago was submitted to INEC while the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Mr. Yakubu Garba, was presented for the deputy Governorship candidate.

A statement made available to

THISDAY by the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Musa D Sarkindaji, yesterday said that the candidates’ names and bio data were given to the INEC by the State Chairman of the APC, Mr. Zakari Jikantoro.

According to Sarkindaji the state chairman of the APC “made wider consultation with

the critical stakeholders to arrive at the choice of Garba as the deputy governorship candidate.”

The statement described the decision as “good thinking, good combination and good products to the state.”

THISDAY learnt that the duo would be unveiled to the public before Thursday this week.

tuesday july 5, 2022 • T H I S D AY

29

NEWSxtra

Akeredolu: FG Too Quick to Blame ISWAP for Owo Church Attack Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has again disagreed with the Federal Government over who should be blamed for the killing of worshipers in Owo. Reacting to the killing during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today yesterday, the governor said to link the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) to the attack was questionable.

“I reacted to that almost immediately because I asked what evidence they have,” the governor said. “It is important to let us know because the security agencies were too quick to jump to the conclusion that it was done by ISWAP. “But whatever it is, we stand by the position that it’s a trilogy that is operating in our forests and causing havoc. We just have Fulani herdsmen right in front, followed by these bandits, and again ISWAP; so, the three of them work together and they work separately.”

At least 40 people were

killed and many injured when gunmen opened fire on worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The incident which occurred

In what could be described as a drama, some of the victims rescued from an underground church at Valentino area of Ondo town in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State by the operatives of the state Police Command have refused to leave the police custody.

THISADY had reported that no fewer than 77 people-comprising 54 adults and 23 children-were allegedly hypnotised, abducted and kept in an underground cell of a church known as Whole Bible Believer Church by the pastor of the church, Mr. Anifowose David, and his 45-year-old assistant, Mr. Josiah Peter.

THISDAY gathered that the

was responsible for the incident, the Federal Government linked the killings to ISWAP, a position which Governor Akeredolu disagreed with.

For the governor, the activities of killer herdsmen, bandits, and

ISWAP fighters are inseparable, and the terrorist group has always been quick to claim responsibility for attacks carried out by its members.

“So, we are not people who will buy the idea that maybe

it is ISWAP, or bandits, or Fulani herdsmen; we have faced terrorism in Ondo State from the three,” he stated. “So, I don’t know how you want to separate them except you have concrete evidence.

PRODUCT LAUNCH...

L-R: Deputy Director of Transsion West Africa , Mr. Luke Pan; Google Head of Nigeria and Ghana, Ngozi Madueke; National TECNO Brand Manager, Mr. Chip Tang; Media Personality,M r.

Taymesan Emmanuel; and celebrity influencer, Chef Chi, at the launch of the TECNO CAMON 19 held in Lagos ...recently ETOP UKUTT

Drama as Victims of Ondo Church Refuse to Leave Police Custody Fidelis David in Akure

on June 5 sparked widespread condemnation with various individuals and groups calling on the government to ensure the assailants were arrested and brought to justice.

Amid controversy over who

Assistant Pastor, Peter, claimed rapture was going to take place

by September this year, hence he encouraged the church members to stay behind in the church.

Briefing journalists yesterday on the latest development, at state Police Command headquarters in Akure, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami, said despite different appeals, the victims vowed to remain in the police custody until their pastor and his assistant are released.

Odunlami said: “Some of the parents said if not for what happened, they were not aware that their children have left school, while some said they were aware that their children were in church but didn’t know the church.

Police Kill Three Suspected Kidnappers, Free Italian in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Police Command on Monday said its operatives have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued 64-year-old Rev. Fr Luigi Brena, an Italian, who was abducted along Ogunwenyi, Usen Community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.

The state Command Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, said in a statement that the suspects were killed when they engaged the police in a gun battle during the rescue operation.

According to the statement, “Operatives of the Edo State Police Command attached to Iguobazuwa Division on the

03/07/2022 at about 17:45hrs received information that Rev. Fr Luigi Brena ‘M’ 64yrs, an Italian of Somascan Father’s Community was abducted by suspected kidnappers, along Ogunwenyi through Usen Community in Ovia South West Local Government area of Edo State.

“On reciept of the information, the police

operatives immediately swung into action and trailed the suspected kidnappers to their camp in the forest.

“The suspects on sighting the operatives, opened fire on them, but with superior fire power, the police operatives neutralized three of the kidnappers while the rest escaped with various gun shot injuries and abandoned their victim.

2023: Atiku ‘ll Never Win Adamawa, Say APC Stakeholders Daji Sani in Yola

Stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State have reiterated their commitment to go for houseto-house campaign to ensure that the APC wins all electives positions in the state in 2023.

The APC stakeholders under the auspices of the All Local

Government Association of Nigeria (ALGON) during an engagement meeting with the party leader, Mallam Jamilu Yusuf, said they would work tirelessly to making sure the Peoples Democratic Party (PDPß) loses in the state.

According to them, they are proud members of the party, and have remained faithful to the

party as grassroots mobilisers, and that their support for the party will push Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, to lose in Adamawa State despite his status as an indigene of the state.

They equally reiterated that the APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru Binani, would give the

incumbent Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, a sleepless night.

The APC stakeholders revealed how the PDP has become jittery of failure, “because of Binani, and have made an abruptly change of a running mate from male to female. “We are confident that Binani will beat Fintiri hands down in the election.”

levels.

The attack on the Ajata Aboki mining site in Shiroro LGA resulted in an ambush of security men by the terrorists leading to the massacre of no fewer than 40 security agents.

Four Chinese and some locals were also abducted by the terrorists during the raid. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG),

Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, in a statement which was made available to journalists in Minna, said the decision to suspend mining activities in the affected areas “is as a result of escalating insecurity in those areas in recent times.

“It is observed that these mining sites now attract or even accommodate criminals with prospective threats to security of

lives and property,” Matane said, adding that: “Any mining operator caught engaging in mining activities in the areas mentioned would face the full wrath of the law.”

Consequently, Matane said the state government has directed security agencies in the state to profile all mining sites in the affected local government areas in order to ascertain their genuineness.

Kaduna Guber: APC Retains Muslim-Muslim Ticket Niger Suspends Mining Activities in Three LGAs John Shiklam in Kaduna The governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani has picked Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s deputy, as his running mate.

Sani, who represents Kaduna Central Senatorial District, announced this in a statement he shared on his Twitter handle yesterday. He said after consultations with stakeholders he has decided to pick the deputy governor as his running mate.

According to him, Dr. Balarabe has demonstrated hard work,

punctuality, dedication and team spirit in the discharge of her responsibility as deputy governor which endeared her to the critical stakeholders in the state.

Sani called on the good people of Kaduna state to support the choice of the deputy governor as his running mate.The statement titled “H.E. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe is my running mate,”, reads: “After consultations with critical stakeholders of Kaduna State, I am happy to announce that have picked Her Excellency, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe as my running mate in the 2023 governorship election in Kaduna State.

PVC:Kwara Stakeholders Want Public Holiday for Workers Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Governor of Kwara State, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has been urged to declare a public holiday to enable civil and public servants in the state to collect, replace or transfer their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and be able to vote for the electoral candidates of their choice during the next elections.

A Chieftain of Social

Democratic Party (SDP) in Kwara State, Mr. AbdulRahoof Bello-làbeLàbe said yesterday that the declaration of the public holiday for civil servants and other stakeholders to collect their PVCs would boost electoral success in the state.

He said that, the opportunity would also assist the people to get their permanent voters cards to elect the leaders of their choice that would add more values to the society.

Laleye DipoinMinna

The Niger State Government yesterday suspended mining activities in three local government areas, including Shiroro, where seven Mobile Policemen were killed by terrorists last week.

The other two LGAs are Munya and Rafi, where terrorism and banditry have risen to terrible

Group Drags IG to Court over Alleged Refusal to Prosecute Tinubu on Alleged Perjury Alex EnumahinAbuja

A Non-Governmental group has dragged the Inspector General of Police before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court over his alleged refusal to prosecute the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola

Tinubu, over allegations bothering on perjury.

The suit dated and filed on July 4 on behalf of the applicant by Mike Nwankwo, has the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector General of Police as 1st and 2nd respondents.

The group, The Incorporated Trustees of Center for Reform

and Public Advocacy, said that the legal action against the police was necessitated by the Force refusal to take action on its petition against Tinubu over an offence he claimed the presidential candidate was indicted by the Lagos State House of Assembly in 1999.

The applicant maintained that

by Sections 214 and 215, of the Constitution and Section 4 of the Nigerian Police Act, 2020, the Police have the statutory responsibility to “prevent, detect and investigate criminal allegations whether brought to their notice by individuals, person or persons, corporate bodies, institutions etc”.

Police Warn against Illegal Gathering in Ogun James Sowole in Abeokuta The Ogun State Police Command yesterday warned residents of the state against unlawful gatherings proposed to hold on July 7, 2022.

The gathering, according to the police, would mark what is called 7/7 and may lead result

in bloodletting and wanton destruction of property.

The feelers of the proposed gathering were reveled in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi.

He said: “Intelligence report at the disposal of the Ogun State Command has revealed that

member of various unlawful Aye fraternity groups are planning to mark what they call ‘7/7’ on July 7, 2022.

“The report also revealed that the event may result in bloodletting and wanton destruction of property.

“In view of this, the Police Command wishes to warn those

having such devilish intentions to have a rethink and retrace their steps, as such move will be met with strong resistance from security agencies.

“To this end, all the command’s tactical squads namely: SWAT, Anti-Cultists, Anti-kidnapping as well as the DPOs and Area

TUESDAY, ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

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TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Poor Falcons Stumble as Banyana Claim All Three Points in 2-1 Defeat

Femi Solaja

Nigeria’s Super Falcons stumbled 1-2 against South Africa in their opening Group C game of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, Morocco yesterday.

The South African ladies fondly called Banyana Banyana dominated both halves of the game tagged ‘final before final’ with better ball possessions.

The first half however ended with no scores.

Banyana Banyana however turned the table and were up 2-0 within two minutes of the hour-mark after Jermaine Seoposenwe hooked the ball into the Nigeria defence to get a clear chance to beat goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi from close range. Natalie Cesane began the move, beating hard-working Ashleigh Plumptre with classy footwork on the edge of the Nigeria area before sending a through pass to Jermaine to finish up.

The cheers and back-slapping on the Banyana bench had hardly died down when, after nifty exchange of passes in the middle, Michelle Alozie was beaten with a long ball on the Nigeria right and Hildah Magaia shot past onrushing Tochukwu Oluehi.

The Super Falcons looked rejuvenated after Francisca Ordega and Uchenna Kanu came into the fray for Asisat Oshoala and Ifeoma Onumonu respectively. Two minutes into added time, Rasheedat Ajibade reduced the deficit when she found the ball at her feet in the box after good work and pass by captain Onome Ebi. Cup holders Nigeria must gain all three points against Botswana in their second match of the competition on Thursday to revive their campaign.

Speaking with reporters after the game, Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum admitted he knew the clash with South Africa was going to be a

R-L: Super Falcons Toni Payne and Rita Chikelue battling a South Africa’s Banyana Banyana forward during their Women’s AFCON Group C opening match in Rabat, Morocco yesterday. Nigeria lost 1-2

WA F C O N 2 0 2 2 difficult one.

“We knew it would be a difficult game. It is the first game of the tournament for us. We have to prepare for the next games.”

He was however surprised with the blunt attack paraded for the better part of the 90 minutes.

Official: Gabriel Jesus Joins Arsenal in £45m Deal Arsenal have signed Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City for £45m on a long-term deal.

The 25-year-old is manager Mikel Arteta's fourth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of midfielder Fabio Vieira, goalkeeper Matt Turner and Brazilian forward Marquinhos.

Arteta said he was "very excited" by Jesus' arrival.

"The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature," he said.

Arteta, who worked with Jesus when an assistant coach at City, has been trying to boost Arsenal's attacking options following the departures of forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on free transfers.

"I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here," the Gunners

manager said.

"This is a position that's been on our radar for a long time now and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I'm really happy."

Jesus, who will wear the number nine shirt for the Gunners, leaves City after five-and-a-half years.

He made 236 appearances and scored 95 goals for them, winning four Premier League titles, three League Cups and the FA Cup. "It's been a pleasure to play for Manchester City," Jesus said.

"I feel like I am a better player now than when I arrived - and to win 11 trophies has been amazing. My four Premier League titles are particularly special for me.

"I want to thank everyone at City - the manager, my teammates and the fans - for all the support they have given me over the past five-and-a-half years."

"I was surprised with our performance in the attack. We however got a late goal and we tried to get back in the game but was too late. We however remain positive. I am looking forward to how

we can improve.”

Waldrum promised to look at the areas where Falcons lacked bite in the clash with the South Africans. “ We were exposed and we will have to make necessary

corrections before our next matches in the tournament.”

He insisted that there was no need to press the panic button now.

"We can't panic at this period. We still have two

group games and we have to improve.

"We will analyse and review individual player’s performance and make the right decisions in our next games."

Bayern Wants Osimhen as Lewandowski’s Replacement The profile of Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, 23, is rising in European football circle as Bayern Munich are considering the Napoli star as possible replacement for iconic Polish international, Robert Lewandowski.

Lewandowski has told the German Bundesliga champions that he wants to leave this summer window with Barcelona his choice destination.

According to top Italian sports journal, Corriere dello Sport , Bayern are prepared to meet Napoli’s €100million asking fee on the former Lille of France Osimhen.

“Bayern Munich contacted Napoli to ask for information about Victor Osimhen and the feasibility of a possible deal. The German giants are looking to replace Robert Lewandowski and are considering a number of top options,” Corriere dello Sport reported.

With both Serge Gnabry and Lewandowski on the verge of exit from Allianz Arena despite having one year each to run in their contracts, Bayern appears desperate to make Osimhen deal a reality.

Apart from Bayern, top English Premier League clubs like Arsenal

TRANSFER NEWS and Newcastle have also been reported to be interested in luring the former FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner with Golden Eaglets to the foremost European league.

Sources close to Osimhen’s management team insisted the Napoli man is not likely to be available for any negotiation until after his vacation. This may not go down well with Napoli who are interested in getting all transfer matters sorted out fast

Victor Osimhen...wanted at Bayern to replace Lewandowski

before their preseason. Napoli are to play in the Champions League next season.

Osimhen scored 18 goals for Napoli in all competitions this past season despite the injuries he sustained early part of the 2021/2022 Serie A season.

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SPORTS

Nigeria Leans on Project Manager Ifeanyi Okowa for 21st National Sports Festival

By Chido Nwakanma “Asaba 2022 will be the best in terms of infrastructure and others that will be in place in the next few months. We have the personnel to stage a fun-filled and friendly sports festival from the beginning to the end,” host governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, pledged in 2021 to deliver to Nigeria a superlative National Sports Festival as the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports awarded the hosting rights to the 21st National Sports Festival to Asaba, the Delta State capital.

There is excitement in the sports community as they look forward to a positive manifestation of the

words of Ifeanyi Okowa. High expectations follow the prospects of Asaba 2022 running between November 2 and 15, 2022. Those expectations rely on the tried and tested human capacity management principle that past performance is a predictor of potential. The other expression is “the taste of the pudding is in the eating”.

The sports community has tasted and tested Okowa’s capacity in sports policy and administration. Plaudits attend each one. He walks in what people in communications recognize as above-the-line, below-the-line and through-the-line within sports.

Okowa is a sports lover

and patriot who intervened many times to save Nigeria’s blushes when it wavered on the hosting of the African Athletics Championships in 2018. Our country pledged to host, then began fumbling and wobbling, as Coach Fanny Amun famously described dithering. Okowa stepped to the rescue.

Before and after that, Okowa is one governor who rallies to the national call for the training and equipping of our sports team. He took on the task of grooming 12 athletes for the Tokyo Olympics.

Two did very well, including Ese Brume of Delta State.

These below-the-line building efforts hardly cut ice with the

sceptical public nowadays.

Nigerians have become like the biblical Thomas insistent on seeing and touching. Okowa offers a grand edifice for such persons to see. The Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba is a testimony and testament to the project management acumen of Ifeanyi Okowa. He converted a dream of Delta State for 17 years into the reality of a stadium that serves the local, national, and international sports community. Yes, building the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, took 17 years until a determined Okowa broke the jinx.

By delivering the stadium, Okowa saved Nigeria from embarrassment. The country

then hosted the African Senior Athletics Championships, Asaba 2018, between August 1 and 5, 2018. It was a masterclass in project management.

First, several hiccups hit the first few days of the competition. Critics went to town to excoriate the governor, the local organising committee, and Delta State government.

Logistics management suffered under the management of the Federal Ministry of Sports.

Athletes screamed. The media amplified it, and columnists on print and online went to town.

There were critical glitches at the commencement with flight connections for athletes. The Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, engaged chartered flights to solve the problem, though it was not the remit of the state government to handle that aspect of the logistics.

At the end of the competition, there were no further incidents with flights or accommodation with the state government taking charge.

Indeed, by the time the games commenced, the initial disappointment caused by the airport delay had become a distant memory. Instantly, some of the athletes and visiting journalists changed their tune. For instance, Wesley Botton, one of the journalists, tweeted: “After a horribly wobbly start, the local organising committee pulled

through today at the African Championship”.

52 countries participated in Asaba 2018. It was five more countries than in the previous tournament. 800 athletes in attendance created a tournament record. Events in the contest increased from 44 to 46. Stephen Keshi Stadium boasted luxurious new tracks that passed the certification tests of the then International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) (now World Athletics) and the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) weeks before the games commenced. Asaba 2018 complied with all rules guiding international athletic championships.

Stephen Keshi Stadium is currently one of the few stadia in Nigeria with fully covered stands. It has high-quality warm-up tracks, equipment, and facilities. The stadium that Ifeanyi Okowa built in Asaba is now part of the sporting, cultural and entertainment landmarks, and calendar of Asaba and Delta State.

Now you see why the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, and the folks in the sports community enthuse about Asaba 2022.

Governor Okowa and his team have already promised to deliver a first-rate Games Village and other infrastructure. Work is ongoing.

When a project matters, Nigeria turns to a tested project manager called Ifeanyi Okowa.

Eriksen Agrees in Principle to Join Man Utd

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (right) powered Delta State to retain first position of the last National Sports Festival hosted in Benin City

Ronaldo Excused from Man Utd’s Preseason

Cristiano Ronaldo...excused from Manchester United’s preseason training

Manchester United confirmed yesterday that Cristiano Ronaldo will not report back for preseason training due to "family reasons" which have been accepted by the club.

90min confirmed over the weekend that Ronaldo has indicated to United that he would like to leave Old Trafford if they receive an acceptable offer this summer, after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League due to poor form last season.

Ronaldo had been due to report back for pre-season training on Monday - all other players who represented their countries in the recent international break were due to do so - though doubt over Ronaldo's attendance was inevitable following the news.

United have now confirmed Ronaldo will not be present, though no time period for his return has been stressed. The players are due to fly out on

Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen has agreed in principle to sign for Manchester United on a free transfer.

The 30-year-old's short-term contract at Brentford ended last month.

It is believed Eriksen could also have returned to Thomas Frank's side, but the lure of playing for United proved too much.

A three-year contract is being prepared for Eriksen, who is still to have his medical at Old Trafford.

Eriksen could be United and new manager Erik ten Hag's second signing of the summer transfer window, with Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia completing his medical at Carrington ahead of his move yesterday.

The Dane returned to the

English top flight when he joined Brentford in January after being released by Serie A club Inter Milan.

He had to leave the Italian side after he had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) fitted following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. Players who have ICD's are not allowed to play in the Serie A. It is thought the opportunity given to Eriksen by Brentford boss and fellow Dane Frank plus his family enjoying living in London - meant a decision not to re-sign for The Bees was not straightforward, but he has now decided on United.

Eriksen's former club Tottenham Hotspur, who he played for between 2013 and 2020, did have interest in resigning him but have instead focused on other targets.

TRANSFER NEWS their preseason tour of Thailand and Australia on Friday.

A number of clubs - including Chelsea and Bayern Munich - have been linked with a move for Ronaldo in recent days, though United publicly maintain at present that they will not allow him to leave.

New manager Erik ten Hag, who has not yet met Ronaldo face-to-face, has always intended on the player staying for the duration of his contract.

Ronaldo has another year left to run plus the option of another, and it has never been in United's plans to sell. Ronaldo's decision is understood to have taken the club by surprise.

One player who present at United's Carrington training base on Monday was Tyrell Malacia, who finalised his £13m transfer from Feyenoord after completing medical.

Christian Eriksen...agrees in principle to join Manchester United

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

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Price: N250

MISSILE

NLC to Other Political Parties

“Workers have decided to take their destinies in their own hands, that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi is among the finest. His antecedents sit well with our aspirations, to have our workers and the unemployed engaged, for justice, and to ensure the redistribution of our country’s wealth for everybody rather than for a few…” --- NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, dismisses the notion that LP has no structure, clarifying that Nigerian workers constitute LP’s major structure.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Wike And The PDP N

yesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State is the biggest issue in the politics of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the moment. To put it differently, Nigeria’s major opposition party, the PDP, has a Wike problem. The extent of that has now been formally acknowledged by the party when the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Walid Jibrin, announced that major stakeholders in the party led by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his chosen running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, all PDP Governors, members of the BOT and other major stakeholders must go to Port Harcourt to appeal to Wike not to leave the party, not to get angry, and not to do anything against the party. Wike is the Governor of Rivers state. He claims that since the PDP lost power in 2015, he has been the one carrying the party on his back, providing resources and leadership at a time the PDP, out of power, began to behave like fish out of water. Wike filled the void. And now in 2022, he presented himself as an advocate for the shift of power to the South, and his good self as a Presidential candidate.

By some alchemy, the PDP ignored Section 3 its own constitution and decided through a 37-member committee that the party would jettison its zoning formula, the same formula, that was appropriated by the rival All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’ ruling party, and hence, the party threw the Presidency on its platform open. Nyesom Wike didn’t think that was right and so he threw his hat into the ring and decided to run for the position. His ambition has turned out to be a teachable moment and a reality check, and perhaps, in the long run, a reminder of his own naivety. Twenty-four hours to the PDP Presidential Convention, held in Abuja on May 28 everyone thought that the Southern agenda would prevail and that Wike or any of the other Southern aspirants including former Secretary to the Government Anyim Pius Anyim, and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki would get the nomination of the party.

Within the said 24 hours, everything changed.

Northerners are better politicians than Southerners, be it in the PDP or any other political party.

Southerners talk too much. Northerners think and strategize. While the latter think of community and group interests, the egoistic, Mercedes Benz crowd down South thinks only of ego and personal ambition. At the PDP National Convention, as it happened, Governor Aminu Tambuwal stepped forward and openly declared support for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. This was a game changer. In 2019, Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State, supported the same Governor Tambuwal. On May 28 2022, Tambuwal disappointed him and threw him under the bus. I have not seen or heard of any attempt by Governor Tambuwal to say sorry, or reach out. Instead, he got a hero’s welcome on his return to Sokoto and has since picked up the PDP Senatorial ticket for Sokoto South.

Wike did not just suffer the open humiliation and treachery by Governor Tambuwal, he came second on that account. Tambuwal is from the North West, a zone which controlled majority of delegates at the PDP Convention. Wike’s supporters continue to blame Tambuwal for Wike’s loss. They insist that he violated the principle that “one good turn deserves another.” Wike came second in the PDP Presidential primary process. What then remained was for the party to choose a running mate, and even in that regard, Wike lost out. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State behaving like a Wike henchman said on international television, that Wike is the best thing that has ever happened to the PDP, post-2015 and that a committee of which he was a member having selected him as the right person to be running mate to Atiku, feels doubly disappointed that Atiku chose someone else – Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP Governor of Delta State. He admits nonetheless that Okowa

Wike is eminently qualified having run the entire gamut of public service administrative experience from Local Government Chairman all the way to the top. But he thinks Atiku Abubakar has erred by rejecting Wike who was chosen by 14 out of a 17-member panel. Wike’s supporters are mourning.

They think they have been short-changed. They think Wike’s contributions to the party have been thrashed to spite and humiliate him. Politics is a mad house. Wike’s supporters also want to prove that they cannot be treated shabbily. There is indeed a new brand of madness growing like marijuana in the PDP that may offer an undeserved advantage to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), or the now much identified Third Force in Nigerian Politics represented by the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

It is therefore, good reasoning that the leadership of the PDP is reaching out to Nyesom Wike.

It also makes sense that the Chairman of the party’s BOT, Alhaji Walid Jibrin has told party members and stakeholders to stop misbehaving.

There are persons within the party who have said Wike is a nobody and can be discounted.

They forget that in 2019, Rivers State under his watch delivered the highest number of votes to the PDP. The big problem with the PDP is that it has too many big men, who think they are larger than life. They seem to have forgotten that the party failed to rule for 60 years as a party leader once predicted and that the times have changed.

Following the BOT Chairman’s directives, Atiku Abubakar and Ifeanyi Okowa should visit Wike and make peace. The simple principle is that you cannot spank a child and not expect him to cry. Let him cry. He cries. You mollify him. But the question to ask in that regard is: why Wike?

Why is he the only one weeping? There were others in that race: Anyim, Saraki, Ohuabunwa, Dele Momodu, Bala Muhammed, Mohammed Hayatudeen, Ayo Fayose, Udom Emmanuel…

13 aspirants, so why is Wike the only one crying as if he has lost his precious toy? Why does he and his supporters feel so entitled?

Atiku in particular needs to pay attention. In 2019, it was said at a point that he had chosen or had promised now embattled, Senator Ike Ekweremadu

that he would be his running mate. He ended up choosing Peter Obi. In the Presidential 2019 election, he didn’t get the kind of support he expected from the South East, because he, himself mixed things up. Obi went into that election with him, with many of his own kinsmen, divided by Atiku’s choice. In 2022, Atiku has done the same thing. As former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Vice President, the same issue that Atiku faced was that of trust and loyalty. He says he wants to unify the PDP, the community and the general society. He must embark on that task without trust deficits. What is his response to the PDP BOT Chairman’s directive that a high-powered PDP delegation would visit Wike? As of the time of this writing, I have not seen or read any direct response from him, but whatever it is, he must refrain from the twin temptations of contempt and arrogance. Let him visit Wike. Politics is all about Recognition, Respect and Relevance (the three Rs). That is all Wike wants. He needs that even if all it does is to energize his political libido.

Let him visit all the aggrieved stakeholders of the party too if he must.

There are some Wike extremists within the PDP who insist that Okowa must be removed and replaced with Wike. I don’t think that would happen. The party and the candidate have gone beyond that. Governor Okowa in his own right has excellent credentials, although he too, can’t find his Secondary School Leaving Certificate!

He is eminently qualified and experienced, they tell us. Nobody doubts that. It would be stupid to stay that he should step down. Indeed, his own supporters claim that the furore that has been generated by Wike not being chosen as Presidential candidate and his being ignored as a possible running mate is a strong vindication of Atiku’s choice and the preference of a quiet stakeholder and partner like Okowa. Someone in fact told me that Wike has shown that he would have created conflict in the Presidency, if the party wins. I was tempted to say that Atiku did precisely so during Obasanjo’s second term, and such a future situation would have been Karmic. But I kept quiet. Politicians don’t always like to hear the truth. What we know is that compatibility is crucial, and Atiku has chosen the man he feels comfortable with.

So, what is next? Wike’s supporters argue that if Okowa cannot be dropped, then Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the party Chairman, must go. Within 48 hours after the PDP presidential Convention, Senator Iyorchia Ayu went straight to visit Tambuwal in Abuja to declare him the “hero of the convention.”

I thought that was very bad conduct on the part of the party Chairman. He was meant to be an impartial umpire, but by showing his bias so openly, he courted the current enmity that has been thrown at him. But beyond that is his own promise that if the Presidential candidate of the party came from the North, he would step down and allow a Southern Chairman of the party to emerge. Balance. Federal Character. Equity. Since the Convention, Senator Iyorchia Ayu has refused to move. He is the easiest victim within the PDP leadership hierarchy, nonetheless. If there must be a sacrificial lamb that would bring peace to the party, he must be willing and ready to take the bullet. He won’t be the first party Chairman to make such sacrifice. Let him know this: Even if Wike and gang forgive Atiku and embrace Okowa, they would not tolerate Iyorchia Ayu. Bite the bullet, Senator Ayu. Already, Peter Ayo Fayose, former Governor of Ekiti State has been saying that the PDP cannot overlook the principle of Federal Character in Section 3 ( c ) of its Constitution. And when an attempt is finally made to reconcile with Wike and others, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must lead the group personally. It is not for him to send for Wike or to send emissaries. He is the one who wants to be President. He needs everybody on

board. He has promised to unify the party, the community and the country. He cannot do so from a high horse. He must “stoop to conquer”. One of the things being said by Wike’s supporters, for example, is that they are being treated as if they do not matter. They want to prove that they matter.

Candidly, PDP leaders must not behave as if they have been cursed by the trickster god, known as Esu in Yoruba mythology. They must learn from the lessons of history. In 2015 and again in 2019, they lost the Presidential election because their home was divided. The situation today is similar.

The thinking that Atiku gets all his votes from the North and would do so again this time around is entirely myopic. Every vote in every part of the country matters, including Wike’s only vote and the votes of his placard-carrying supporters, and all the overlooked aggrieved members of the party of which there are many.

Nyesom Wike has since returned from his much-publicized vacation in Istanbul, Turkey where I guess he ate a little turkey and licked some ice cream. My advice to him is that he needs to chill out as they say. When a child is beaten, he has every right to cry. When an adult is betrayed, he has every reason to be angry. Wike wanted to be Presidential standard bearer. He failed. He also lost the running mate slot. He was betrayed by those he didn’t expect would do so. He has been openly angry enough. The whole world has heard him.

But he must take one lesson away from it all: in Nigeria, when you want something so desperately, nobody will give it to you. There would be more than enough people who would deny you that which you crave, to humiliate and humble you.

Wike is without doubt, a victim of his own hubris and expectations, but he is also a victim, for the want of a better term, of the sadomasochism of the Nigerian elite political class. He should stop knocking his head against the wall.

Traditionally, when a child is aggrieved and he starts crying, every effort will be made to mollify him, but if he keeps on crying and wailing, after a while, he would be left alone and those seeking to appease him would adopt a wait and see position in the expectation that once he gets tired, he would keep quiet. Wike should not stretch his matter to that point. He also needs to avoid a situation where he would become the easy and convenient reference in the event that the PDP loses the 2023 Presidential election or the butt of jokes if the party triumphs. No tree makes a forest, except of course you are cut in the mould of an Obafemi Awolowo. And Wike is not of that mould.

The only group enjoying all of this would be Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Camp, and may be perhaps the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), the Kwankwasiya party and also, the Labour Party and its Obi-dient crowd who claim that Peter Obi is the answer, or that the PDP belongs to the museum of political relevance or that Peter Obi left the PDP because he saw tomorrow. They all exaggerate of course.

But leaders of the PDP must be careful not to lose the election before it takes place, with their own misconduct and greed. Senator Walid Jibrin, Chairman of the party’s BOT has already warned the rank and file to desist from acrimony. He has a point. Years back, a prominent member of the party told me that the result of any election is usually known six months earlier. He predicted correctly at the time that the PDP would lose the 2015 Presidential election because the party was divided right down the middle. The PDP has found itself in the same situation today. The party is running against time and opportunity. It is mismanaging its internal politics to the advantage of the opposition. It is about time Atiku Abubakar began to unify the party as promised. He must cut short his long vacation and get down to work.

More importantly, he must beware of the aggrieved who have chosen to be calm and silent. Wike is a symptom, not the real problem.

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