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Natural Oil, Gas Suppliers Seek Five-month Licencing Window for Diesel Importation Members to meet Buhari on forex scarcity, tax relief, others PMS consumption: House demands details of seized, auctioned products from Customs Emmanuel Addeh and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), a body of organised suppliers,

stakeholders and practitioners in the nation’s oil and gas sector, yesterday called on the federal government to allow its members a five-month window to import diesel to stabilise supply and prices.

This was just as the House of Representatives' Ad-hoc Committee investigating the 'actual daily consumption of petrol in Nigeria, yesterday demanded full details of all the petroleum products seized

and auctioned by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

In a communiqué read by the National President of NOGASA, Mr. Bennett Korie, after the 2nd annual National Executive Council (NEC)

and Stakeholders meeting in Abuja, NOGASA said it was planning to meet President Muhammadu Buhari to table its demands soon.

Manufacturers and consumers alike have been bearing the brunt

of the diesel price increases from an average of N250 per litre late last year to over N800 in some parts of Nigeria currently.

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BPE Pre-qualifies 16 Firms for Privatisation of Five Power Assets... Page 6 Friday 8 July, 2022 Vol 27. No 9950. Price: N250

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Boris Johnson Resigns after Mutiny in His Party... Page 5

Court Removes Oborevwori, Installs Edevbie as Delta PDP Guber Candidate Party sues for calm, says no cause for alarm Excitement in ex-finance commissioner’s camp, speaker vows to appeal judgment Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba and Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja

Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, disqualified candidate of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023

governorship election, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

Taiwo, in the judgment, agreed with the plaintiff that Oborevwori,

ought not to be on the 2023 governorship election for the PDP on account of allegedly supplying false and forged documents to the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the governorship election.

The judge subsequently directed INEC and the PDP to recognise the Continued on page 5

Lawan: Insiders Connived with Terrorists to Attack Kuje Prison Says development symptomatic of security failure We’ve mobilised all security apparatuses after attackers, FG declares Sunday Aborisade and Michael Olugbode in Abuja President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday, said Tuesday's attack on the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, was successful, because it was done in active connivance with some insiders at the facility.

Importantly, he said the incident spoke volume about the failure of the country’s security architecture.

But the federal government, has said it had mobilised all the nation’s security apparatuses to go after the attackers and fleeing escapees, ordering immediate activation of checkpoints across the country in search of them.

Lawan spoke, when he led a delegation of the senate leadership to assess the level of destruction done to the correctional facility by insurgents. The senators were conducted round the facility by the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa.

Continued on page 5

CELEBRATING INDUSTRY ICONS...

L-R: Vice Chairman, Waltersmith Group, Danjuma Saleh; Co- Founder, Seplat Energy, ABC Orjiako; CEO, First E & P, Ademola Adeyemi- Bero; Chairman, IPPG & Waltersmith Group, Abdulrazaq Isa; Country Chair, SPDC, Osagie Okunbor; CEO, Katchey Company, Kate Isa; CEO, Seplat Energy, Roger Brown; Chairman, Board of NNPC Limited, Sen. Margery Okadigbo; Deputy MD, Notore Chemicals, Ebiaho Emafo; CEO, NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari; CEO, West Titan Energy, Pade Durotoye; His Royal Highness, Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero; CEO, ND Western, Eberechukwu Oji; and former CEO, Shoreline Natural Resources, Ladi Bada, during the IPPG Gala dinner celebrating oil and gas industry icons in Abuja ... recently

Eid-el-Kabir: Sultan Urges Prayer for Nigeria as FG Declares Monday, Tuesday Public Holiday...Page 43

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Boris Johnson Resigns after Mutiny in His Party Boris Johnson's turbulent tenure as Britain's Prime Minister came to an end yesterday, after a historic party revolt over series of ethics scandals forced him to step down.

It took the resignation of nearly 60 members of his government - almost half the payroll -- for Johnson to finally abandon his attempts to cling on to power. According to CNN, even then, the Prime Minister insisted that he would continue as caretaker leader while the Conservative Party launches the process of choosing a successor.

Some senior figures in his party said even that would be unsustainable, given the dwindling

number of people willing to work for him.

Others were already lining up to replace him. Party officials said they would announce the timetable for a leadership election by Monday.

Speaking in front of the famous 10 Downing Street door, the same place where many of his predecessors delivered their own resignation address, Johnson announced that he would be stepping down - without actually saying the words out loud.

"It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore, a new

prime minister," Johnson said.

"The process of choosing that new leader should begin now," he added, saying the time line would be announced next week.

In a sign that he was planning to stay in the office for as long as he can, Johnson announced he had appointed a new cabinet "to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place."

Appointing new cabinet ministers means that the government can continue to function as he prepares to depart.

Johnson spoke of his attempts to stay on as leader and how "painful" it is for him to step down, but made

no mention of the scandals that have proved his political downfall.

"In the last few days, I've tried to persuade my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when we're delivering so much... and when the economic scene is so difficult domestically and internationally," Johnson said.

"I regret not to have been successful in those arguments, and of course, it's painful, not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself," he said, adding that he's proud of "getting Brexit done" and "leading the West in standing up to Putin's

aggression in Ukraine."

Johnson went on to address voters directly, expressing sadness at stepping down after nearly three years.

"To you, the British public: I know that there will be many people who are relieved and, perhaps, quite a few will also be disappointed," he said.

"And I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them's the breaks."

Johnson has in recent months been engulfed in a series of scandals that forced even his most stalwart supporters to abandon him. The

latest was Downing Street's botched handling of the resignation by Johnson's former deputy chief whip, Chris Pincher, who was accused of groping two men last week.

Johnson initially attempted to ride out the crisis - despite an unprecedented flight of middleranking ministers from the government, a battering at Prime Minister's Questions and a bruising appearance before a committee of senior lawmakers in Parliament.

On Wednesday, he still insisted he wasn't going to resign.

He finally gave in yesterday, after some of his most loyal allies told him that the game was up.

elections in Delta State scheduled to hold on 11th March, 2023 by the 3rd Defendant.

"A declaration that the 1st Defendant should and ought to be prohibited, inhibited, prevented or otherwise restrained from holding out, parading and or advertising himself as the candidate of the 2nd Defendant for the forthcoming Gubernatorial elections in Delta State scheduled to hold on 11th March, 2023 by the 3rd Defendant.

"A declaration that the 3rd Defendant is legally precluded or prohibited from accepting or

receiving from, acting on or otherwise recognizing or giving effect to the name of the 1st Defendant as the candidate or flagbearer of the 2nd Defendant for the forthcoming Gubernatorial elections in Delta State now scheduled for 11th March, 2023 by the 3rd Defendant.

"An order of this Honourable Court disqualifying the 1st Defendant from participating as the candidate of the 2nd Defendant in the forthcoming 2023 Gubernatorial elections in Delta state, scheduled for 11th March, 2023

COURT REMOVES OBOREVWORI, INSTALLS EDEVBIE AS DELTA PDP GUBER CANDIDATE plaintiff as candidate of the PDP in the 2023 governorship election in Delta State.

But the Delta State chapter of the PDP, has called for calm from all stakeholders over the disqualification of Oborevwori as the governorship candidate, even as the sacked standard bearer, has vowed to appeal the judgment.

However, there was palpable excitement in the camp of the former finance commissioner, which sees the development as a significant victory and expressed delight at the turn of events.

Oborevwori, who is the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly had emerged governorship candidate of the PDP in the May 25 primary election for the 2023 polls.

But Olorogun David Edevbie, a former Commissioner of Finance under former Governor James Ibori, who came second in the primary, had contested Oborevwori's participation in the primary on the grounds of alleged discrepancies in his academic qualifications as well as his age.

He specifically urged the court to bar PDP from submitting Oborevwori’s name as the flagbearer of the party.

Defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/795/2022 were

Oborevwori, PDP and INEC as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively.

The PDP candidate had used the names Oborevwori Sheriff Francis Orohwedor interchangeably in his certificates submitted to INEC. Among the reliefs sought by the plaintiff included declarations, "that Oborevwori is not qualified to participate and/or be declared the winner of the PDP Delta State Governorship Primary elections, which held on May 25, 2022 for the purpose of electing its candidate or flagbearer in the forthcoming 2023 Gubernatorial Elections in Delta State,

scheduled to hold on March 11, 2023 by the 3rd defendant.

"A declaration that having supplied false information and submitted dubious or forged credentials/ certificates in order to participate in and be declared the winner of the 2nd Defendant’s Delta State Governorship Primary elections, which held on 25th May, 2022, the 2nd Defendant herein is legally precluded from submitting, forwarding or otherwise transmitting the name of the 1st Defendant to the 3rd Defendant as the candidate or flagbearer of the 2nd Defendant in the forthcoming Governorship elections

in Delta State, now scheduled to hold on March 11, 2023 by the 3rd defendant.

"A declaration that the Plaintiff who, next to the ineligible and unqualified 1st defendant, scored the highest number of valid votes cast at the Delta State Governorship Primary elections of the 2nd Defendant which held on 25th May, 2022, ought to and should be returned and declared the winner of the 2nd Defendant’s Governorship Primaries and, accordingly, returned as the candidate of the 1st Defendant for the forthcoming Governorship

LAWAN: INSIDERS CONNIVED WITH TERRORISTS TO ATTACK KUJE PRISON According to the senate president, an attack on the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, could only have been possible with the collaboration of insiders within the nation’s correctional system.

He faulted the Nigerian Correctional Service for not providing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at the Kuje correctional facility and others across the country.

Lawan, therefore, asked the Comptroller General of the NCS to include a request for the provision of CCTV across maximum and medium correctional centers across the country in its 2023 budget proposal to the

National Assembly for approval.

“The attack on this correctional facility is symptomatic of the failure of security failure. The attack is only a culmination of the failure. We were told that an estimated 300 terrorists attacked this facility. They came on foot, and I believe they should have been detected.

“In the first place, 300 people will not come for an operation like this without planning. Planning must have taken a week, a month or a bit more. I believe that our security agencies should have picked this from their tracking systems in the FCT.

“Secondly, having gone round the facility itself, we are disappointed that this facility does not have Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, something that would record and give you details of what is happening and sometimes record the events.

“This is a medium security custodial center, how on earth in the FCT facility of this magnitude we don’t have CCTV? It means we can say that all other medium security centers across the country do not have CCTV. “We have asked the Comptroller General of Correctional Centre to ensure that the request for CCTV at

NATURAL OIL, GAS SUPPLIERS SEEK FIVE-MONTH LICENCING WINDOW FOR DIESEL IMPORTATION The challenge was worsened by the Russia-Ukraine war, the current global energy crisis, plus local structural defects and deficiencies in the Nigerian oil sector, wherein all the fuels consumed in-country are imported.

But the body stated that the only temporary measure to tackle the rising price of diesel which has affected the economy negatively was for the federal government to give licences to its members to import the product between now and December to cool prices.

In addition, the group urged the federal government to allow them access to the official foreign exchange window, lamenting that part of the current challenges is that its members source dollars from the black market.

The association, a network of suppliers, marketers, distributors and other related enterprises in the sector’s business environment, further called on the National Assembly to enact a law that will provide for an energy bank like in some other sectors.

“We resolved that the association should pay a courtesy visit to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) to outline some of the issues below and the way forward.

“The association urges the National Assembly to review the policy of taxation, that is, Value Added Tax (VAT) as it affects petroleum product supply and distribution chain.

“The association urges the National Assembly and relevant sectors to enact a bill for the establishment of an energy bank for easy transaction in petroleum products and oil and gas sector,” the group said.

The association also urged the federal government to fix the four refineries in Nigeria with a view to reducing the dependency on importation of refined products

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to ease the high cost of petroleum products in the country.

Furthermore, NOGASA resolved that through its business arm, the organisation should be given all necessary assistance by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to import diesel and other products into the country at competitive prices.

“The association appeals to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to ensure that suppliers are given a tax relief to avert multiple taxation and refund where necessary. It appeals to FIRS to use its discretion to apply relief on petroleum product,” it stated.

It urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to approve NOGASA as the umbrella body of all oil and gas associations in Nigeria, and thereby collaborating in licencing petroleum products in Nigeria.

NOGASA also called on the federal government to encourage the establishment of modular and private refineries like the Dangote and Watersmith facilities.

President of the group, Korie, noted that given the importance of the upcoming Dangote refinery to the nation’s economy, the government and banks should find a way to raise funds to complete the Dangote project.

“Dangote needs money to complete that refinery project and we are pleading with the government and the banks to lend him money,” Korie added.

With rising recurrent costs, the group stated that it would be left with no option than to begin laying off workers, insisting that as of now, some depot owners spend as much as N80 million every month as diesel costs to keep their operations going.

While acknowledging the recent hike in the bridging fund paid to fuel transporters, Korie explained that other administrative charges were killing the businesses of its

members.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives' Ad-hoc Committee investigating the 'actual daily consumption of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria, has demanded the full details of all the petroleum products seized and auctioned by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). The lawmakers also demanded the value of the products and the auctioneers.

Issuing a 7-day ultimatum, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abdulkadir Abdullahi directed the Clerk of the Ad-hoc Committee to write the NCS Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali on the request.

He said: "Give us the full details of the products seized, auctioned, the auctioneers, the volume, the value and any other related matters to this application. As at February, the actual landing cost they are putting it around four hundred and something thereabout.

“The market in the international market affects the subsidy, the higher the crude oil in the international market the higher the subsidy, but then, let’s have the volume and then if you even go further, if you want to impress us, you can even go further and give us the prevailing crude oil price.”

Earlier, Ali, who was represented Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Mr. Etim Edorhe explained that the Customs always obtain court injunction before auctioning all the seized items except for petrol which he said was highly inflammable.

He further disclosed that total crude oil exported from Nigeria between January 2015 and June 2022 stood at 876,801,931.515 (1,296 vessels) while total PMS imported into the country was 2,380,814,974.418 Metric Tonnes / 3,703 vessels (2,380,814,974,418 litres) for the period under review.

He said: "It is very easy for people

to easily ascribe whatever comes in into the country as being taken out by way of smuggling, it may not be in what I have given to you but I just decided to take records of petroleum products that we seized, that were attempted to moved out in from January to December 2021 across the country. Because I saw the direction this discussion is going, issue of smuggling or no smuggling, so Customs is not folding its hands, we are doing our work, the borders are there. We have the joint border patrol in place.

“Yes, we are daily intercepting these items as they attempt to move out. Some of them in tankers, some of them in drums, then in jerry-cans and some of these smugglers have this ingenuity of having petroleum products in polymer bags that you would not know. But daily we seize them. We are always ahead of whatever method they adopt.

I just told you, I took record of what happened in 2021 which I am going to give to you. In 2021, a total of 2,278,297 litres and with a duty paid value to N501,514,178,692.50.

He further said, “When you make arrest of inflammable products, you don’t keep them because of the possibility of fire around the premises. So, such items are auctioned and the money paid into the federation account. I’m going to give you that, I will get back with the figure on 2015 to 2021. I will give to you for 2021 you asked a question also about ascertaining the products.

Before they are given out must be condemned by a court of competent jurisdiction. That is normally done. No, no, no, they are inflammable, you cannot keep inflammable".

Reacting, a member of the Committee, Hon. Uzoma NkemAbonta said details of all the products seized should be made available to the committee.

the maximum and medium custodial centres of the country are included in their 2023 budget, because this is essential and indispensable.

“Now, as this facility lacks a functional CCTV, there’s no record of what happened, except narration.

But if we had CCTV, at least the records would have been there and analysis made, and arrest will be based on the information from the CCTV. “Thirdly, going from one cell to another to release people, specifically, those that are known to be insurgents, tells a lot of story.

It may not be far away from an insider job, someone, who is either working in this place or must have worked here. I think we have to look deeper into what happened, so that we find the culprits, because when things like this happen, then there should be sanctions.

“Where people fail to do their job properly, and they have been given that responsibility, they should be asked to take responsibility. If people don’t take responsibility for their failure, then it means nobody would bother to do what is expected of their office or the job that the person has been given.

“Having this kind of situation today in the FCT, that we have criminals, who are free now all over the city is very dangerous and you can never have peace of mind. The FCT has the seat of government, and today that seat is not safe. So, we have to do whatever it takes to get everybody back.”

Lawan tasked the security agencies to ensure that the insurgents, who escaped from the Kuje medium security custodial center are found and brought back.

Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army Battalion in Gwagwalada, Lieutenant Colonel Adisa, had told the Senate leadership that, over three hundred insurgents were behind Tuesday’s attack on the Kuje medium security custodial facility.

He added that, a total of 50 security personnel were on ground, when the terrorists armed with IEDs stormed the facility to release the insurgents.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who claimed the federal government had mobilised against the attackers, said, “We are working with the Ministry of Defence and the Office of the National Security Adviser as well as other intelligence and security agencies to ensure that the attackers and the escaped inmates are captured and returned to custody.”

Aregbesola, in a statement by his media aide, Sola Fasure, added: “As

we speak, security personnel are combing the whole area, up to a distance of 100 kilometres radius, looking for them. All checkpoints nationwide, have been put on alert. More than 400 of them have been brought in and more are still coming.”

He disclosed that he had been briefed on the full scale armed invasion of the correctional facility.

He recalled that the security officers on duty fiercely engaged the criminals and inflicted a heavy casualty on them, but regrettably, given their unprecedented number, they overpowered the officers on duty. One of the security personnel that engaged the attackers was unfortunately killed.

The minister noted that preliminary investigation, has indicated that the Boko Haram sect might have been responsible for the attack, adding that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), in conjunction with other security agencies, were working to bring back in the escaped inmates.

He said after the Abolongo, Oyo State, attack on a correctional facility, in October last year, it became apparent that a new form of attack for which the system was not prepared had emerged.

“Our system was primed to prevent and foil internal disturbance and riots, not external attacks/ invasion, since the facilities were usually built around police and military formations,” he explained, directing also that the NCoS urgently work with other security agencies to fortify all correctional centres in the country and insulate them against future attacks, among other measures introduced.

He said this was carried out, as well armed soldiers, police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers were drafted to their facilities nationwide, to secure them against further attacks, saying, “Several but unsuccessful attempts were made to attack our facilities since then, as the armed guards repelled them on each occasion.

“We appeal to all residents to be calm but vigilant. Security is a collective work between government and the citizens. Kindly, therefore, report all suspicious individuals and activities to the nearest security agency around you. We appeal also to doctors and medical workers to treat and then immediately report anyone with gunshot wounds to the law enforcement agency.”

The government, according to the minister, has further directed that all correctional facilities in the country be fortified; that all personnel be vigilant and alert, to avoid recurrence.

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NEWS

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

CONDOLENCE VISIT TO THE BARKINDO FAMILY...

Lamido of Adamawa, HRH Dr Mohammmed Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha (left) and Minister of State Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva during a condolence visit to the traditional ruler over the death of Secretary General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, late Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, in Yola, Adamawa State…yesterday

BPE Pre-qualifies 16 Firms for Privatisation of Five Power Assets Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has pre-qualified 16 firms for the privatisation of five National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) in the country.

The BPE Director General, Mr. Alex Okoh who announced this in Abuja, at the Investor Pre-bid Conference for the privatisation of the five plants, listed the plants as Geregu, Omotosho, Olorunsogo, Calabar and Benin-Ihovbor. He also gave the names of the 16 pre-qualified bidding firms The pre-qualified bidders included Mota-Engil Nig, Amperion Power, Sifax Energy,

Pacific Energy Company Ltd., and Globeleq Africa Limited.

Others are Geoplex Drillteq Limited, Asfalizo Acquisition Ltd, Launderhill PJB, Lauderhill Tata, Unicorn Power Genco Ltd, Connaught Energy Services Ltd, ENL Consortium Ltd, Ardova Plc, Central Electric and Utilities Ltd, North South Power Consortium and Quantum Megawatt Consortium.

Okoh noted that the power sector remains a viable investment in the country given its low percapita megawatts.

A statement issued by the privatisation agency stated that Okoh added that the interest

shown by bidders and the opening up of the generation aspect of the power sector confirmed that vast opportunities were abound in the sector and that the BPE and other relevant stakeholders were committed to making the sector very sustainable.

Okoh revealed that the objectives of the pre-bid conference were to address possible questions from the pre-qualified bidders with regards to the transactions and provide clarity on some issues in the transaction documents as may be necessary.

He also said the forum would also highlight the potential in the Nigerian power sector and

provide a platform for potential investors to understand the process for the privatisation of the NIPPs as well as to enable them to adequately prepare their bid documents.

Okoh said: “This event is a continuation of the federal government’s reform of the power sector with the aim of ensuring that assets within the sector are fully utilised and transformed into world class facilities, through the injection of private sector capital and deployment of more efficient and technical capacity.”

He allayed the fears of potential buyers of some of the plants which have litigation issues,

Cocoa will Be Sustainably Produced in Ondo, Says Akeredolu as 150,000 Farmers Get Seedlings, Inputs Fidelis David in Akure Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday expressed his administration's determination to ensure that cocoa production and the income generated from the produce remains stable and sustained in the state.

Akeredolu, who assured that he would continue to partner and encourage investors to support farmers with inputs and facilities that would alleviate their suffering promised substantial improvement in the economic, social and environmental aspects of the value chain.

The governor stated this at the distribution of one million Cocoa seedlings and farm inputs to 150,000 Cocoa farmers in Ondo and Osun states by Johnvents Cocoa Processing Factory located in Akure, tagged: "Johvents' Cocoa Sustainability and Farmers Empowerment Programme."

Akeredolu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Mr. Akin Olotu maintained that the seedlings would ensure Ondo state remains the leading cocoa producing state in Nigeria.

He said: "The economic importance of cocoa to Nigeria and our Sunshine State (Ondo), which accounts for about 40 per cent of the national output cannot be overemphasised. Cocoa has been and hitherto remains the number

one agricultural export crop of the nation and it is still second only to petroleum in the foreign exchange of the country.

"Despite the huge importance of cocoa, its production has been sandwiched with avalanche of problems mostly leading to poor quality of output and resultant loss of revenue or total rejection of exported beans at the terminal market.

“This problem I am aware the Johnvents Project is out to address and l am convinced it would be completely eradicated.

"It is worthy of note that within a year of Johnvents foray into the Ondo State Cocoa Industry, it has been able to address the entire cocoa value chain."

Akeredolu commended the company for training and providing inputs to Cocoa Farmers to increase their output both in quantum and quality; and as well off-taking and paying premium price for such beans.

"The present administration in Ondo State under the leadership of Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is set to making farming a more attractive and lucrative venture for both old and new farmers. We shall continue to provide enabling environment for agribusiness to thrive, especially by re-energising our gallant Amotekun Corps to subdue the security challenge in our farmsteads and communities.

“Necessary farm inputs would be made available while rehabilitation of farm roads would be given adequate attention."

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of Johnvents Cocoa Processing Factory, Mr. John Alamu described the launch as imperative to the future of cocoa industry in Nigeria.

Alamu said: “In this day and age, sustainable agriculture is more important than ever. It is becoming the soul of our business. Through sustainable agriculture, farmers can produce better crops, fight and adapt to climate change, increase their productivity and achieve better lives for themselves.

“Consistent with the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard RA 2020, we are honoured to launch our cocoa sustainability programme which mirrors the thematic goals of the Rainforest Alliance of improving the livelihoods of producers, protecting the rights of farm workers and their families, avoiding the destruction of nature and biodiversity, and mitigating the consequences of climate change," he stressed.

According to Alamu, the initiative was both an empowerment tool and a response to the global need for sustainable agriculture.

“This project aims to empower 150,000 farmers covering about 300,000 hectares of farmland in rehabilitation, regeneration and

replanting of cocoa trees over the next five to 10 years.

“Under this project, we seek to create a pathway toward more resilient and inclusive agricultural practices in accordance with the RA 2020.

"The impact areas this programme will focus on include zero tolerance for human rights violations such as child labour, forced labour, discrimination or workplace violence and harassment.

“It seeks to empower producers and workers to realise better working and living conditions for themselves and their families and protect their human and labour rights" On the sustainability programme's objectives, he explained that they were intended to achieve traceability and increase the positive social, environmental, and economic impacts of agriculture while offering farmers an improved structure to constantly improve their livelihoods and preserve their landscapes.

“The programme will achieve the global cocoa traceability goal through a transparent, reliable system that tracks products from the farmer along the supply chain up to the level of the retailer. Already there is an impediment to selling non-certified cocoa products. This initiative will provide our users with the confidence that our certified cocoa is indeed produced according to sustainable standards.

explaining that such litigations were baseless and frivolous as the Bureau and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) were empowered by the bids’ provisions under NIPPs' transaction to terminate bids that violated the ground rules.

The event attracted critical stakeholders in the power sector including the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) and Nigerian Bulk Trading Company (NBET).

The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) had in April 2021 approved the adoption of a fast-track strategy for the privatisation of the five NIPPs. It had also approved the engagement of CPCS Consortium

as the Technical Adviser (TA) for the 100 per cent sale of the five NIPPs, in line with the policy of divesting government shares from thermal generating plants.

Subsequently, the Bureau advertised in three national dailies, calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from prospective investors for the sale of the five plants, with a submission deadline of June 30, 2021.

At the expiration of the deadline for the submission of 36 EOIs were duly submitted from the prospective investors and the closure for the receipt of the EOIs was witnessed by the representatives of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), Anti-corruption and Transparency/Servicom Unit (ACTSU) of the BPE.

Insecurity, Forex Fluctuations Pose Threats to Oil Industry, Says Energy Expert Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Group Chief Executive Officer, Vurin Group, Mr. Victor Ude, has listed insecurity of oil and gas assets as well as fluctuations in the foreign exchange market as two of the biggest challenges facing the industry in Nigeria.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference in Abuja, Ude, who heads the diversified energy, power, real estate, communications and technology services company, stressed that Nigeria must begin to take serious actions to tackle the problems.

The CEO noted that the issues were already affecting Nigeria’s capacity to produce enough Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota, calling for the deployment of both physical and technological methods.

“The biggest challenge that we face today is insecurity. It has affected our OPEC quota.

What we need to do is to protect our assets whether through aerial, sensory, policing or enforcing legislation, it has to be collaborative and institutional,” he noted.

Ude stressed that there are

modern technologies which do not only detect but also control the flow of crude oil in whatever form, whether in vessels or pipelines or other ways which can be put into use.

He advised industry players to begin to incorporate ways of lowering emissions or decarbonisation of any type of fuels currently in production, expressing delight that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has already laid the groundwork.

“What Nigeria has done which we all applaud is that it has declared the decade of gas and gas is a transition fuel. So it gives us the chance, whether by way of regulation or policy. It needs to be sustained because the transition is only for a period and we need to invest in renewables.

“Certain policies are already in the PIA and those policies can enhance development. There must be policy and private partnership. We have removed a lot of uncertainties with the PIA, so we can begin to isolate areas of concern,” he noted.

According to him, Nigerians need to invest in areas where they don’t see policy deficits to give confidence to foreign investors, whether in the public or private space.

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ANNUAL PUBLIC SERVICE WEEK CELEBRATION...

L-R: Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN; Director, Service Matters, Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya and Special Adviser to the Governor, Parastatal Monitoring Office, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo during a special lunch event with Y2022 Outstanding Public Servants in commemoration of the annual Public Service Week celebration, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island...yesterday

Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors Seek IMF, W'Bank's Rapid Debt Relief for Africa Adopt 'Marrakech Declaration' Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja with agency report The 2022 meeting of the African Consultative Group of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the 54 African member states of the World Bank and the International

Monetary Fund (IMF) has ended in Marrakech, Morocco with a call on the two Bretton Woods Institutions to grant “rapid, comprehensive and substantial,” debt relief to Africa.

The demand, which was contained in what the African finance ministers and central

bank governors packaged as the 'Marrakech Declaration,' was to help Africa mitigate the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis, and limit their fallout on economic growth.

They urged the World Bank and the IMF to provide “rapid, comprehensive and substantial” debt relief to help Africa mitigate the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as

the Ukraine crisis and limit their fallout on economic growth.

This year's African Caucus held under the theme, “Towards a Resilient Africa,” and called for a rapid implementation of the commitment made at the G7 Summit in June 2022, including the urgent need to improve multilateral debt restructuring frameworks and address the challenges related to debt vulnerabilities.

Participants also called on the Bretton Woods Institutions to speed up deployment of a fresh global debt architecture and to support the African continent’s call for an extension of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI).

The opening of the 2022 African Caucus was marked by a message sent by King Mohammed VI of Morroco to participants wherein he called for more international

support and cooperation to enable African countries to mitigate the impacts of the soaring inflation affecting the global economy and enhance their resilience in the face of external shocks.

Morocco is chair of the Caucus which meets once a year to coordinate stands and views of Governors of African Central Banks before the annual World Bank-IMF meetings.

Malami Inaugurates Committee to Review Juvenile Justice System NPA Boss, Koko Congratulates New Ministers of Transportation Adults, couples constitute highest inmates in Borstal institutes Alex Enumah in Abuja The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, yesterday inaugurated a 13-member Technical Committee on the Review of Borstal Institutions and Remand Centres Act 2004.

The review according to Malami, was to make the law more effective and in conversant with current laws and times.

Speaking at the inauguration at Abuja, Malami, who was represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice JedyAgba, lamented that the rights of millions of African children were daily being violated without any effective remedy.

The AGF further observed that Nigeria was witnessing an alarming increase in crime and criminal activities involving juveniles that now require effective law to checkmate.

"However, for the sustainable reformation of the Nigerian Juvenile Justice System, it has now become imperative to review the Nigerian Borstal Institute legal framework and bring it up to conformity with the Child Right act, 2003, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and the Correctional Services Act, 2019," the Minister said.

Meanwhile, a former Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Correctional Reform and Decongestion, Justice Ishaq Bello, has lamented the occupation of Borstal homes by

over aged individuals including those who are already married with children.

He recalled how his committee embarked on various visits to the three borstal institutes in the country with a view of decongesting the already crowded homes.

He explained: "Our recent assessment of these institutes revealed the shortfalls of the present law. Contrary to the provisions of the Borstal Institutions and Remand Centers Act 2004, which allows for only the institutionalisation of offenders between the ages of 16-21, most children in the borstals are either below or above this age bracket.

Most of them seen at the Ilorin Borstal Institute were in their 30s and 40s with wives and kids.

"Additionally, children are not classified on the basis of their age, physical and mental health, length of stay, degree of delinquency and character. More so, factors like sequence of the delinquency, possibilities of functioning as a contamination risk and requirements of custody, juvenile educational and vocational training needs of children, their background, possibilities of their social adjustment, their prospects after release, as well as rehabilitation are not taken into consideration.

"Currently, there are only three borstal institutions in Nigeria. However, the Nigerian Correctional Services Act, 2019 has provided for the establishment of borstals in each state of the country. The Act has also prohibited Custodial centers from admitting children under the age of 18."

We 'II reposition Ministry of Science, Technology, Ikoh pledges Niger Delta elders welcome Umana, task him on NDDC board inauguration

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mohammed Bello Koko, has congratulated Muazu Jaji Sambo and Ademola Adewole Adegoroye on their appointment as Minister and Minister of State for Transportation respectively.

In a message sighted on his social media handle, Koko wrote: "Congratulations to Muazu Jaji Sambo and Ademola Adewole Adegoroye on your appointments

by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari as the Honourable Minister and Minister of State for Transportation respectively."

The NPA Chief Executive added that, "your wealth of experience and track record of excellent performance will undoubtedly add fillip to ongoing efforts at improving efficiency and advancing the frontiers of trade facilitation."

Meanwhile, the Minister of States Science and Technology, Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, yesterday said the new leadership of the Ministry plans to reposition science and technology in the country to drive technological growth and address the burden of unemployment within seven months.

Iko who spoke at a reception organised by friends and associates in Abuja, to celebrate his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, stressed that science and technology was all about wealth, job creation and innovation and creativity, noting

that such would help keep the youths gainfully employed.

He said he was bringing his wealth of experience on board to explore the science and technology sector alongside relevant stakeholders in the sector.

He said: "Well before now, I was a Commissioner for Industry, Science and Technology in my state. Science and technology is all about wealth and job creation.

It's all about innovation. It's all about creativity.

"President Muhammadu Buhari deems it necessary to appoint some of us. What we have is to deliver and I can assure you, within seven months, we're going to deliver in terms of making sure that our youth are gainfully employed, innovation."

He noted that the idea would be achievable, "via training the trainer. We are bringing skills, every graduate, every student, everybody must be trained in a trade.”

"In the past, we used to have handwork from primary school.

But nowadays there is no such thing anywhere.

"People will continue to graduate, and not add value.

This must change. We are going back to the grassroots.

"We are going to do basic, and we will also ensure that corps members before rounding up their National Youth Service Corps programme must have a trade," he said.

In a related development, elders in the Niger Delta area have welcomed the new Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, expressing optimism that he would correct

all the wrongs done to the people in the past.

The elder statesmen under the aegis of Niger Delta Elders Forum (NDEF) reiterated their call for the inauguration of a substantive Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which had been lingering since 2019.

In a statement signed by its National President, Chief Tonye Ogbogbula, the NDEF commended Buhari for appointing Umana, who they described as a, "distinguished Niger Delta patriot to the exalted position of the minister of Niger Delta Affairs.”

The group expressed optimism that the new minister would turn things around for the good of the people of Niger Delta, adding that Umana's promise that he would 'meet the yearnings of the people if the Niger Delta for development' was encouraging.

The NDEF took a swipe at the immediate past minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, saying that his, “numerous illegal actions in the NDDC while in office de-marketed the APC and the Federal Government" and blighted the Niger Delta area.

"Niger Deltans are therefore understandably very upset with the disdainful manner the region has been treated," the group stated.

"There is increasing anger against the federal government and the APC in the Niger Delta region as a result of the very poor, biased, illegal and provocative actions".

The NDEF leader noted that

with Umana's inauguration into office on Wednesday, hope was renewed in the Niger Delta as people anxiously wait for a better deal and an end to the "illegality " of interim management.

“It is now apposite to state that it is time to right the wrongs done to the region in the past three years of Godswill Akpabio’s tenure by inaugurating the substantive Board of the NDDC, an action that will be in compliance with the law setting up the Commission, the NDDC Act,” the group said.

The Niger Delta elders stated that their position on the need to halt the illegalities at NDDC was in consonance with the position of, “authentic stakeholders who have consistently demanded that the NDDC Act should be complied with in the governance of the Commission during and after the period of the much touted forensic audit."

“It is illegal to have contraptions of interim management committees/sole administrator to begin to administer the NDDC and arbitrarily utilise the monthly sums due to the NDDC,” the Elders insisted.

The NDEF noted that Umana, who is a technocrat and financial expert was expected to work the talk having already promised that 'together we can create the necessary impact and make the difference for the people of Nigeria and the Niger Delta.”

The group yet again kicked against the “continued administration of the NDDC by a sole administrator (as) the NDDC Act has no provision for this illegality".

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LONDON TO NIGERIA ON BIKE...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Buhari receives in audience Mr. Kunle Adeyanju aka Lionheart who rode his bike from London to Nigeria and Bikers across the 36 states in Nigeria at the Statehouse, Abuja…yesterday

Atiku’s Aide Replies Keyamo, Says ExVP Never Abandoned June 12 Struggle Narrates how PDP’s presidential candidate rejected headship of interim govt Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Media Adviser to former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Paul Ibe, yesterday pushed back on the allegation that he (Atiku) abandoned the June 12 struggle.

The spokesman to the politician and businessman in a series of tweets, noted that the events of the June 12 crisis were too well documented for anyone to seek to distort it.

The Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Mr Festus Keyamo, had alleged in his own tweets that Atiku never fought for the restoration of the mandate presumably won

by Chief Moshood Abiola, but was annulled by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) in 1993.

Keyamo stressed that Atiku was among those who first abandoned ship, maintaining that after the June struggle, ‘strangers’ emerged from nowhere and hijacked the

democratic train at the centre.

But describing Keyamo’s narrative of events as a blatant lie, Ibe said that because of the role Atiku played, the former vice president was marked for assassination, especially due to his opposition to military rule.

According to him, it also led to the then Head of State, Sani Abacha, appropriating INTELS, a company belonging to Atiku and trying to kill him in Kaduna before he managed to escape only after some of his security aides had been killed.

He explained that what Keyamo failed to say was that it was Atiku’s sacrifice of stepping down for Abiola that metamorphosed into his victory in the primaries and subsequent success in the June 12, 1993 election.

“I wish to remind Festus that the same Atiku that he is in a hurry to malign was approached to serve as the Head of the Interim National Government (ING) while

CAN Endorses Gadzama for NBA Election Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed support for the candidacy of Joe Gadzama for the presidential election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Gadzama, paid a courtesy visit to CAN during the National Executive Committee meeting held in Ibadan, to solicit for the organisation's support.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, stated that CAN took the decision because of the regular support given to the organisation especially in the quest to exempt churches from the controversial Company's Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

CAN President, Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle urged Christian lawyers to support Gadzama's bid to become next NBA president The statement said: "The Association then resolved to be praying for his success and asked the General Secretary to convey its decision to the

Christian Lawyers’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON).

“Thus in a letter of 1 July, 2022, written to the leadership of the Christian Lawyers’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) and signed by the General Secretary of CAN, Joseph Bade Daramola, the Association urges the Fellowship to adopt Gadzama as their candidate for the NBA President in the coming election.

“He (Gadzama) has solicited for CAN's support and we have accepted and adopted him as the candidate for the election.

We hereby request you to adopt him as your candidate as well.

"You may recall that, Joe Gadzama is that one man that rendered unequivocal services to the Christian body in Nigeria and the time has come for us to reciprocate this gesture of his,” the CAN's General Secretary stated.

"Gadzama is the lead Counsel for CAN in the suit filed against the CAC calling for the exemption of churches from the public institutions that the government can be monitoring and supervising,” it said.

he was in London. And it may interest him to know what Atiku’s response was: "I am not going to be part of a brief administration”.

“We know those who participated in the Abacha government which dealt a death knell to the revalidation of the

June 12 mandate. Some are late, some are still alive. Atiku was one of those who did not want to have anything to do with the Abacha military rule, not even with a long spoon,” he argued.

Quoting page 237 of Atiku’s biography written by the late

Dr Adinoyi Onukaba, Ibe stated stated that Atiku had expkained why he never have the Abacha regime a chance. “We decided not to participate in Abacha’s government because we did not want any more military rule,” he quoted him as saying.

Even after prominent members of the political class, among them those close to Abiola were picked to serve in Abacha’s government, he explained that Atiku did not want to serve in the dictatorship because of his commitment to democracy.

FG to Build Five Resettlement Cities for IDPs Says nation boasts of 3.5m refugees with only 84,803 registered The federal government yesterday disclosed that it was planning to build five resettlement centres for refugees in different parts of the country.

Already, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMIDP) has begun the construction of five resettlement cities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country.

Government also put the population of refugees in the country at 3.2 million while only 84, 803 have so far been registered with only 17,334 ready to return home.

The NCRMIDP Federal Commissioner, Hajia Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, made this known to newsmen at Abuja, while featuring on the weekly ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Media

Team.

According to her, the pilot cities of the resettlement centres are being located in Borno, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Nasarawa and Edo states.

“When displacements happen, flood, communal clashes, people lose their homes and means of livelihood. So, we started a pilot phase of our project resettlement in 2020. The project resettlement city will entail building small cities because Persons of Concern (PoCs) have three options of doable solutions.

“They can either locally integrate, resettle or they can go back to their homes but sometimes they are unable to go back home and that is why there is need for building of new communities or strengthening the capacity of their host communities.

“We are in the third phase of our resettlement city project but the pilot

phase is in Borno, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Nasarawa and Edo States.

Most of them are now at between 70-90 percent completion but that of Edo State is about to take off,” she said.

The Federal Commissioner added that as part of its solutions, the Commission would proceed to address issue of hunger as well as implement sundry empowerment programmes for the displaced persons, even as as they imbibe new forms of livelihood.

According to her: “When displacements happen within Nigeria we are not the first responders. So, we are expected to come in after they are stable to be able to provide them with doable solutions so that they can go back to normalcy."

Suleiman-Ibrahim who noted the recent adoption of the National

IDP Policy in 2021 by the Federal Executive Council, described the decision as epic, saying, "that gives us the legal framework and clearly highlights everybody’s role including the IDPs and the host communities.

“We have been able to continue to strengthen the psycho-social support system for the Commission because people are displaced, they go through all kinds of trauma so, psycho-social support is key.

“We have begun the piloting phase for the transitional learning centers in some locations in Edo, Zamfara, Imo, Bauchi, Federal Capital Territory and Katsina. We’ve been able to give persons of concerns access to COVID-19 vaccines and also conduct medical outreaches in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

Stakeholders Recommend Industry-wide Participation in Media Regulatory Framework NGE, NPAN, NUJ, IPI vow to resist attempts to stifle press freedom Media stakeholders comprising the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Newspapers Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ, International Press Institute (IPI) and other media-focused groups have recommended the need for industry-wide involvement in the setting up of the structure for a framework for the regulation of journalism practice in the country.

The groups therefore recommended a timeline of six weeks for the setting up of the structure for the media regulation for review and take-off.

This was contained in a

communique at the end of a strategic meeting in Abuja yesterday, signed by President, NPAN, Malam Kabir Yusuf; President, NGE, Mustapha Isah; President, NUJ, Chris Isiguzo; President, IPI, Mojeed Musikilu, and Executive Director, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Dayo Ayeitan.

Predicating their position on the renewed vigour by the National Assembly to reintroduce bills likely to stifle media practice in Nigeria, the stakeholders said the media would continue to resist every, “covert or overt attempt’’ to

muzzle and criminalise journalism practice in Nigeria – whether through the obnoxious social media bill or the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Code of Practice.

The stakeholders further agreed that the basic principles of good journalism practice, which is truth, accuracy, balance, independence, and protection of journalists remain the basic tenets of journalism and should be upheld at all times.

“We agreed that there is need for self-regulation based on the Code of Ethics, in addition to the need for further review of the existing code.

“Stakeholders insist on the primacy of media freedom, and to jealously guard same, and are not unaware of the responsibilities that come with such freedoms.

“Recommend the need for industry-wide involvement in the setting up of the structure for a framework for the regulation of journalism practice in the country,” the communique added.

The groups, which recommended a timeline of six weeks for the said structure for media regulation for review and take-off, agreed that capacity building for media professionals should be prioritised.

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REFUGEES, MIGRATION AND IDPS ON THEIR MINDS...

L –R: Head of Community and Services, National Commission For Refugees, Migration and IDPs (NCGRMI), Branda Abia; Acting Director, Human Resources and Management, Mallam Bello Bello and Federal Commissioner, NCGRMI, Imaan Sulieman Ibrahim at the Presidential Communication Briefing held at Abuja... yesterday

Court Stops TUC from Holding Delegates Conference Wale Igbintade The National Industrial Court (NIC), Lagos, has restrained the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from holding its 12th triennial delegates conference or taking any further steps to hold it, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit before the court.

Trial judge, R. H. Gwandu, made the order in a suit filed by the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) and nine other associations against the TUC. The court also granted an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the defendant, its servants, officials or agents from conducting election into the position of president and other national officers of the Congress pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

The order followed an ex parte application filed and argued on behalf of the claimants’ counsel, Timothy Adewale and other lawyers in the matter, including Johnson Esezoobo, who represents a party seeking to be joined in the suit.

The Judge held: “That I hereby

grant the interlocutory order as prayed on the claimants’ motion paper dated and filed on June 16, 2022. That the matter is adjourned for hearing on July 18, 2022.”

The claimants had in their originating summons prayed the court to declare that by virtue of the agreements and resolutions reached and ratified at the 11th triennial delegates conference of the defendant held on June 28, 2019 at NAF Centre, Abuja, the 1st claimant (ASSBIFI) should produce the next president of the TUC for year 2022 to 2015.

The claimants also asked for an order, mandating and compelling the defendant to immediately enable the 1st claimant to produce and assume the office of the president of the defendant in line with the agreement and resolutions reached and ratified at the 11th triennial delegates conference in Abuja.

“An order of this court, restraining the defendant from publishing for election the position of the president of the defendant for the year 2022 to 2025 and any other order(s) as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstance of the suit,” they prayed.

The application is supported by 27-paragraph affidavit

NPC Commences Trial Census in Sokoto Onuminya Innocent In Sokoto In preparation for the first fully digital census in 2023, the National Population Commission (NPC) has commenced training of its functionaries for trial census in Sokoto State.

In a media briefing held at Sokoto yesterday, the Federal Commissioner representing Sokoto State, Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo, said the trial census was another key preparatory activity for the main census.

He noted that the Commission had commenced training of enumerators and local government supervisors to conduct the exercise in all the selected nine local government areas, three each from the three senatorial district of the state.

Dattijo further disclosed that the trial would be conducted in all the 7,718 selected enumeration areas across the country to test run the suitability and readiness for the actual census in 2023.

The Commissioner stated

that the exercise would avail the Commission opportunity to test all aspects of census operations from planning to implementation, logistics, arrangement and management, questionnaire design format, training procedure, field work operations, publicity, payment system, data processing, data tabulation and analysis.

"The trial census which is also known as the " Census dress rehearsal, "is another key preparatory activity for the census, it is a process in which all census operations are tested in detail and comprehensive manner.

This takes place as a matter of best practice about a year before the actual census date to assess the scenario that may be presented during the main census.

Fielding question on the security challenges in some part of the state he said the NPC would engage those from those areas for the exercise.

deposed to, by the general secretary of the Pulp Paper and Paper Products Printing and Publishing Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PPAPPPAPSSAN), Benedict Ikegbulam.

He swore that sometimes in 2019, due to the leadership imbroglio and the intricate nature of the situation around the presidency of the TUC, members of the defendant during its triennial delegates conference constituted an

electoral committee chaired by Augustine Etafo of Construction and Engineering Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and also a deputy president of the Congress to work out modalities for elections into TUC as a way of resolving the imbroglio and saving the defendant from collapse.

“That the electoral committee, after the National Officers position were harmonised with the approval of the National Executive Council of the

defendant recommended to the defendant the following order of presidency of the defendant to prevent rancor or internal crisis: “That Food, Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (FOBTOB) take the position of TUC president in 2019- 2022. That ASSBIFI take the position of TUC president in 2022-2025 and after the tenure of ASSBIFI, the position of the president shall be open to all members to contest, and that

these recommendations were approved and ratified.

“The claimants’ were however, surprised that the defendant in preparations for the 12th triennial delegates conference published a special notice dated February 8, 2022 for positions to be contested for 2022 to 2025 at the conference to include the office of the president of the TUC without any regard to the aforementioned motions adopted, ratified and already being implemented,” he averred.

ASUU Strike: Group Says Closure of Universities Exposed Students to Social Vices Ibrahim Oyewale, Lokoja.

Worried by the protracted industrial action by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), a group the Coalition of Northern Group, Student Wing (CNG -SW ) - has lamented that it has exposed students to violence, exploitation, early marriage, sexual abuse and other vices.

The group believed that due to the strike, more idle minds had been recruited into militias, sexual exploitation of girls and young women, teenage pregnancies and child labour in bid to make ends meet.

Speaking with the newsmen in Lokoja yesterday, the State Coordinator, Mr. Adama Ayuba

lamented that the students were worried by the prolonged closure following the resurgence of the age-long unresolved dispute between the federal government and ASUU. The coalition expressed concerns over protracted closure of Nigerian universities as a result of the strike embarked on by ASUU, threatening to mobilise students, parents to a massive zonal protest which would include shutting down activities in all states and the National Assembly, all political parties offices, major highways, airports and railway stations The group condemned in the strongest terms the levity with which the federal government had been approaching the indefinite

closure of the universities and other institutions of higher learning.

"We are worried particularly, at the closure of these high institutions, which is in its fifth month with no immediate resolution in sight, carries high social, moral, security and economic costs for citizens across the country particularly northern Nigerian communities.

"We are disturbed also that with the closure of the universities and other educational institutions which are hubs of social activity and human interaction for such indefinite durations, Nigerian youth, especially those of financially distressed families are inadvertently forced to miss out on social contact that is essential

to learning and development,” the coalition posited.

The group berated the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed who admitted that the complexities of the situation was beyond compression.

The students threatened to join forces with their parents , civil society Organisations to devise a means of achieving lasting solutions between the federal government, ASUU and other unions.

They said they unanimously agreed to mobilise students en mass and join other 18 northern states’ chapters to collaborate with students, parents ,civil society organisation in the respective states for mega meetings to decide a definite cause of action.

NAHCON Blames Air Carriers for 2022 Hajj Operation Hitches Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has blamed the hiccups in the operation of the 2022 Hajj on the failure of the airlines to fulfill the airlift agreement for the 2022 hajj.

NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara, was quoted in a statement yesterday to have stated that although all air carriers were charged with the responsibility of providing two big capacity aircraft for the airlift, only one of the carriers fulfilled this obligation by the end of the regular operations

period even though their entitlements were paid in line with the signed agreement.

NAHCON had on June 3, 2022, signed agreement with Max Air, Azman Air and FlyNas to airlift pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

It had also revealed that an agreement that was entered with one of the airlines to provide aircraft that would transport licensed tour operators’ pilgrims for the Hajj was also never fulfilled.

As a result of these encumbrances, only 40,000 of the anticipated 43,000 Nigerians were airlifted to Saudi Arabia for

the Hajj after the Saudi granted Nigeria landing lease permit extension of July 6.

The aviation inconsistencies and failure to follow flight itinerary led to 25 flight cancellations. NAHCON also highlighted other hiccups to the exercise to include slow visa processing due to insufficiency of funds in some tour operators’ wallet to enable spontaneous visa processing and poor server issues that forced suspension of visa issuance to pilgrims.

NAHCON said the leadership of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operations in Nigeria was conversant with the steps

it took to resolve the deadlock arising for the visa delays for private tour operators.

“The newest is an allegation that seems to insinuate that NAHCON collected additional monies from stranded pilgrims of licensed tour operators. In unambiguous terms, NAHCON does not collect Hajj fare from any pilgrim, whether from the private or public quota.

“It has never been the commission’s tradition nor will it start now. Whoever has claims of being financially shortchanged can forward their grievances to the appropriate offices for investigation,” NAHCON said.

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WHEN THE DIG CAME CALLING AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE...

L-R: Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in-charge of Department of Research and Planning and the DIG supervising South-east geo-political zone, John Ogbonnaya Amadi; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Lawal, when the DIG visited the governor at Enugu…yesterday

Gov Makinde: My Father Taught Me Unforgettable Lessons on Dignity, Integrity Oyo State Governor, 'Seyi Makinde, yesterday said his late father, Pa Olatubosun Makinde, taught him great lessons about dignity and integrity.

Makinde, who led his siblings and family members to lay wreaths on the tombs of Pa Makinde, and his mother, Mrs. Abigail Makinde, at the Cathedral of St Peters, Aremo, Ibadan, said him and his siblings were grateful that the parents laid a solid foundation for them to build on.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as telling the gathering, which included top government functionaries and family members, that his father, who died 10 years ago, was happy at what was happening behind him.

He said: “Let me thank you all for joining us for this short programme. Actually, at the break of the day yesterday, I saw my father in my dream and we were just joking around.

In my thoughts, I felt I saw happiness with him where he is. So, I said I would wear Agbada for this event, which I don’t usually do.

“Exactly this time 10 years ago, I was struggling to come to terms with losing my father.

As a matter of fact, I was all over the place and told him

not to ‘go.’

"Today, I am appreciating my daddy (and my mummy also), especially for the lessons he taught me in life, which I would like to share with everyone.

“My father always said a life that is lived with integrity, even though it may not have the trappings of riches and fame, but can actually be the light that will show the way for others who are coming behind, is worthy and that is exactly what we have seen here today.

“He was a primary school teacher; whose life was not with any trappings of fame but gave his children the light that pointed to the direction we should follow.

"Just the way the Bible also points it out – train up your child in the way he should go, so that when he grows, he will not depart from it."

In his short sermon, the Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, said the late Pa Makinde had a positive impact on his children and that was the reason he was being remembered by the children.

"If he had not had an impact on his children, they would not have remembered him 10 years after, not even 10 months after," the Clergyman said.

According to him, the art

Tinubu Sad over Barkindo's Death Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has expressed sadness over the death of the Secretary-General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Mohammed Barkindo.

Tinubu, in a statement yesterday by Tunde Rahman, noted that the sudden death of the global oil chief, was heartbreaking, adding that, Nigeria just lost an illustrious son and an outstanding professional in the global oil industry.

"Dr. Mohammed Barkindo represented our country well

in the last six years as SecretaryGeneral of OPEC. His term in OPEC brought stability to the global oil industry. He was a positive influence in mobilising consensus in dealing with global energy crisis.

"His death at the height of his glory is heartbreaking and a great loss to our country, the international community, his family and friends," he said.

Tinubu, however, condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari, who nominated him to represent the country in OPEC, his immediate family and the government and people of Adamawa State, especially, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

of wreath-laying to remember loved ones started in Ancient Greece, adding that wreaths, in most cases, are always in circles and are decorated with flowers to signify eternal life, beauty, and memorial.

He said: "So, when we see a wreath being laid, it connotes

the importance of the departed to the layer of the wreath, which we are doing today.

“If Papa had not had an impact on his children, they would not have remembered him 10 years after, not even 10 months after. If he had not done the expected duties of a parent

to the children, they will not remember to come to do this.

“By the way, remembrance is a gift of God. It is one special aspect of nature God has given us. So, I believe His Excellency, even right now, will remember the way his father used to speak, smile, walk and smack him

when he has done wrong.

"These are the gifts of memory and it gives us a kind of joy that we can visualise. We receive a kind of contentment that they are still with us even though, in body, they have departed, and that gives us joy and peace of mind.”

FG Lifts No Work, No Pay Order on Medical Lecturers Not on Strike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government has commenced payment of withheld salaries of some medical lecturers from various federal universities, who opted out of the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The move to lift the ‘no work, no pay’ order was sequel to a letter by the medical lecturers under the aegis of Medical and Dental Consultants Association (MDCAN) to the Ministers of Education, Labour and Employment, and Finance Budget and National Planning, requesting for the payment of their withheld March-June, 2022 salaries.

The affected lecturers were from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital

(UMTH), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) and the Usman Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital (UDUTH).

A top official of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, who preferred anonymity, confirmed to THISDAY that approval had been granted for the payment of the lecturers.

According to the source, the approval was granted because the medical lecturers harkened to pleas by the federal government and well-meaning Nigerians for ASUU to stay on duty while negotiating with the federal government.

“We are processing the payment as approved by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning. Our target is to get the salaries

paid immediately workers return from Sallah holidays,” the source said.

Meanwhile, more medical lecturers have defied the ongoing ASUU strike to resume work in their various universities.

A letter by the MDCAN, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, (ATBUTH) chapter to Minister of Labour and Employment had indicated that some clinical lecturers have been working throughout the period of the strike.

The letter entitled, “Request for Payment of Withheld Salaries,” was signed by the Chairman of MDCAN ATBUTH, Dr Yakubu B. Sharma and Secretary, Dr. Rufai A. Dachi.

It read: “We hereby write to humbly request for the payment of withheld salaries

of our members from March 2022 to June 22. These members are clinical lecturers who have been working throughout the period of the ongoing ASUU strike.

He noted that the economy of many countries was facing severe challenges giving an example with the neighboring Ghana, where university Teachers Association embarked on strike for just one week and resumed immediately to commence negotiation with their government. He added that some lecturers have confided in the presidency that if government could make reasonable adjustment in their salaries, most would return to work. After all, there are other academics in the polytechnics with Ph.D. and Masters degree who receive less.

RCCG Donates Library to Sogunle Primary School Members and pastors of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and officials of Ikeja Local Government Executive Council gathered at Sogunle Primary School, Ikeja recently to inaugurate the new library donated by one of the RCCG Youth Province 1 parishes, Living Seed Church (The Bridge) in collaboration with Dare Adeboye Foundation.

The Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mojeed Alabi Balogun, who was represented by Pelumi Ologonje, the Supervisor for Education was delighted to inaugurate the project.

According to a statement, Ologonje noted that such projects as well as individual support were key to the enhancement of the society.

In his speech, lead pastor of RCCG The Bridge and assistant pastor in charge of CSR RCCG Youth Province 1, Pastor Leke Adeboye, emphasised the importance of education.

According to him, “education is the most important thing. Even Jesus came to educate the 12 disciples so that they can educate the rest of the world. When you educate a child, you’ve equipped them for life. You can take

everything I have away from me, but you cannot take away what is inside my head.

“The new library features books, furniture and computers.

The computers were a notable addition because the pupils previously had to visit another school for every computer period.

In addition to the digitized library, the church also renovated the toilets and restored an abandoned classroom.”

The headmistress of the school, Mrs. Edith Ehirim, expressed profound joy and gratitude for the intervention by the church.

The RCCG Charity, His

Love Foundation, showed their support at the commissioning.

Also present was the Head of Education Department for the Local Government, Mrs. Folakemi Ajayi, who noted that such a project is an investment into the future of both the currently enrolled pupils and those yet to be born.

This was the second CSR project carried out by RCCG, The Bridge following a hospital drive for new mothers in LASUTH in the month of March where hospital bills were paid and mother-child care packages were received.

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FRIDAY, JULY 8, 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 06July-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 194.75 195.90 16.66% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 5.31% Nigeria International Debt Fund 324.53 324.53 7.24% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.16 107.31 7.58% 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 7.97% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.70 3.76 8.77% 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 4.90% Anchoria Equity Fund 145.87 147.50 4.75% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.21 1.21 5.70% 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 22.31 22.98 9.96% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 515.76 531.31 14.32% ARM Ethical Fund 43.96 45.28 12.83% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.06 1.07 -1.43% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.04 1.05 3.11% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.61% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.09 106.09 8.95% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,121.33 1,121.33 12.13% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.10 2.10 4.07% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.39 2.44 19.00% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.05 1.05 4.39% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.35% Paramount Equity Fund 19.9 20.27 14.12% Women's Investment Fund 150.61 152.49 6.07% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.99% Cordros Milestone Fund 135.85 136.82 8.97% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.17 110.17 5.14% 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 100.00 100.00 5.36% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 6.71% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,164.71 1,179.46 0.08% 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 N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 1472.26 1472.26 10.70% FBN Balanced Fund 195.40 196.70 11.49% FBN Halal Fund 121.09 121.09 10.17% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.08% FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) 124.52 124.52 5.96% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 165.26 167.50 8.83% 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 3.88 3.88 -3.15% Legacy Equity Fund 1.96 1.98 12.14% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.23 1.23 2.06% 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

4,167.02 3,579.74 100.00

4,228.45 3,579.74 100.00

13.79% 6.27% 7.87%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.11 1.11 3.94% 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 13.42% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,176.78 1,176.78 4.95% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 100.79 100.79 0.83% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 7.58% 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 8.35% 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 N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.00 1.03 13.10% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.36 1.39 4.41% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.16 1.18 12.57% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.07 1.07 3.72% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.89 1.89 3.33% United Capital Eurobond Fund 121.77 121.79 2.82% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.01% 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 5.99% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.24 16.42 11.13% Zenith Income Fund 22.82 22.82 3.93% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.10% 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 3.90 4.00 -2.62% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 6.09 6.19 4.25% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 19.03 19.23 7.59% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.40% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 21.41 21.61 7.10% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 154.19 156.19 -2.25%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

117.49 51.76

3.77% 1.78%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

15.40 143.50 114.10 17.10 16.40

15.50 146.97 116.55 17.20 16.50

10.07% 10.33% 11.29% 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.

FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022

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POLITICS

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

Northwest Holds Key to APC’s Presidential Victory Mikailu Barau writes that Northwest zone stands a better chance to produce running mate to APC Presidential standard bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

T

he activities of a group known as Tinubu Support Organization (TSO) in the historic city of Kaduna on Monday, 4th July, 2022 are landmark in the race to 2023 election within the fold of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The group among other activities paid a courtesy call on Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and held a press briefing where they advocated for the Vice Predential running mate to come to the North-west in order to balance the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The group did not stop at that but went ahead to narrow down its choice to Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State based on its belief that El-Rufai is a highly experienced figure who always stands for progressive policies with massive appeal to the region.

My affiliation to Senator Marafa’s political doctrine makes me committed to the Asiwaju ticket and consider it duty bound to offer advice for its success. In a number of instances, I heard Senator Marafa giving credit to Tinubu for his massive support and his fatherly role as APC National Leader to the success of the legislative endeavour that saw the emergence of Senator Ahmad Lawal as a formidable Senate Presidential Candidate in 2015 and eventually the Senate President in 2019.

Beyond the general season of politicking and the breath of all manners of ideas to advance the causes of interest groups and individuals ahead of the 2023 general elections, some stances are worth evaluating due to their appeal to logic and TSO’s is one.

Starting with the suitability of which zone is most likely to make the Tinubu project succeed, one needs to weigh the strength and weaknesses of each of the zones the APC presidential candidate is bound to make his choice.

Since Tinubu is from the Southern part of the country, it is expected that his running mate should come from the North to give his ticket the desired broad-base and balance.

That is to say that the running mate must come from either the North-West, NorthEast or North-Central.

With the deadline for the submission of Vice Presidential candidates closing in, there are agitations for each of the three zones based on some perceptions. The Northcentral for instance is agitating to have the Vice Presidential ticket based on the perception that a religiously balanced ticket would serve the APC well. But this idea has not gained popularity because other than its appeal to the sentiments of religious balance, it may not bring the much-needed votes for the APC presidential candidate to coast home to victory. While the North-central remains relevant in the political equation, the two states of Benue or Plateau, where ordinarily the choice should have favoured, are known to be more in support of the PDP. One thing also that rules the North-central out is that APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, is from the zone.

On the other hand, while picking a running mate to Tinubu from the North-East could also be considered as an option, it equally has its challenges. This is because the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, hails from the North-east which invariably implies that he will most definitely win some of the traditional PDP states in the region like Bauchi, Adamawa and Taraba even if the APC gives its Vice Presidential ticket to someone from the zone. Besides, two states in the region namely, Borno and Yobe have always and will always stand for the APC regardless of whether the VP ticket goes there or not.

Gombe state, on the one hand, is also becoming the third state in the league of APC

settled states in the North-east especially with ranks closed between Governor Inuwa Yahaya and Senator Danjuma Goje political groups.

Picking a running mate from the North-

West, however, will definitely change the political equation of the zone with states like Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Jigawa, the region is the behemoth in terms of voter population

in Nigeria and no serious contender for the presidential seat of Nigeria ever toys with it. This is the zone with six out of its seven states all governed by the APC. Even Sokoto that makes the exception is known to be traditionally and realistically APC considering how the 2019 gubernatorial election was keenly contested with the margin of some 342 votes between APC and PDP. Another reason that makes Northwest a critical geopolitical zone to consider in this regard is the frustration caused by banditry which hits it worst.

But beyond its disposition as the only zone with seven states mostly loyal to APC, North-west Nigeria is the only one so far in the current political arrangement that is yet to be given a sense of belonging by any of the major political parties in the country.

Since the PDP has given its presidential ticket to the Northeast, the APC as a matter of urgency needs to embrace the North-west if it is to get its calculations right. It should not be forgotten that the Northwest is also home to the serving President, Muhammadu Buhari, and giving it a Vice President will be a good consolation to consider.

The danger of not factoring these subtle but forceful variables in the political equation in relation to the interests of the Northwest by APC amounts to a costly gamble that positions either the PDP or smaller parties like the NNPP to prey on the zone which would amount to a political miscalculation on the part of the APC. It is important for the APC not to let go of the North-west because it is only when the APC shows prospects of reclaiming the entire Northwest states that it can gain the confidence of the North-central and North-east states to queue up behind it. .Dr Barau wrote from Gusau, Zamfara state

The Gains of Buhari’s State Visit to Portugal Garba Shehu writes about the gains of the recent state visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Portugal

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari’s State Visit to Lisbon, Portugal from Wednesday 28th June to 2nd July was a first class success story and this is measurable by outcomes, not least, the real determination of the two nations to engender a close relationship.

Many in Nigeria remember that historically, Portuguese sailors were the first in Europe (ahead of British) to have contact with the territory now called Nigeria, when a certain Explorer, Rui de Sequira visited the Lagos area in 1472, actually naming the area around the city as Lago de Curamo, which means Lake of Curamo (Curamo, recall Kuramo Lagoon, Kuramo Beach and Kuramo Hall at the famous Eko Hotel, Lagos).

Among the important things embedded in the vision of Nigeria’s role and place in the world , clearly laid by President Muhammadu Buhari, is the revival of important relationships that have suffered long neglect. In addition, he has a strong willingness to assume the leadership expected from Africa’s largest country in population and economy.

So herein lies the first importance of this visit.

One, there can be no better illustration of the larger strategic goal of the future of this relationship than the eight agreements and Memoranda Of Agreement, MOUs signed in the course of this visit.

These are the MOU on political consultations, diplomatic training, research and exchange of information and documentation; cooperation in the field of culture; in the field of women and girls develop-

ment, empowerment and gender affairs; youths and in the area of sports.

At the very well attended Portugal and Nigeria Economic Forum with the chosen theme: “Expanding Investment and Trade Between Nigeria and Portugal,” two agreements also were signed, one between the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council and AICEP, its Portuguese equivalent and another between the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, NACCIMA and the similar body in Portugal.

Two, this visit achieved a desire for a strategic partnership to strengthen the work Nigeria has been praised for doing by all levels of Portuguese authorityPresident, Prime Minister, President of National Assembly and Mayor of Lisbonwhich is her stabilizing role in West Africa and importantly for the hosts, the stability and support of the ex-Portuguese territories in the subregion, specifically Guinea Bissau and São Tomé and Principe.

This is resonating very well with the Portuguese.

Three. Invariably linked to this is the convergence of strategic interests and the laying of a framework to strengthen security and cooperation between the two states.

Portugal which has an association with with its former territories in Africa, the equivalent of our own British Commonwealth made up of Angola and Cape Verde in addition to the two others states mentioned. They have troops deployed for safekeeping duty in West Africa. They have committed to support Nigeria in military training, the sharing of intelligence and in the war against terrorism.

-Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022

POLITICS

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Obi, Kwankwaso, 2023 Elections and Challenge of History Chido Nwangwu compares the candidature of Rabiu Kwankwaso with that of Peter Obi ahead of the 2023 presidential poll

R

abi’u Musa Kwankwaso, technocrat, former elected Governor of Kano state of Nigeria (1999 to 2003 and 2011 to 2015), leader and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has pushed himself into a political ditch.

He said a few days ago that presidential candidates in the SouthEast zone where the IPOB activists and other groups have ignited the fires of insecurity should not be voted for in the February 2023 election!

The titan of Kano politics can alter the dangerous dynamics, dysfunctional politics and wanton abuse of the development resources of Nigeria.

The catastrophic failures and serial problems of insecurity, relgious amd ethnic killings in the key northern Nigeria cities and communities do not fit his chest-thumping dance and awkward self-congratulations against former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. Kwankwaso’s base, Kano State, has the highest number of local governments and votes of any State in Nigeria’s political arithmetic. But you cannot win Nigeria’s presidential election with only Kano and Jigawa. Otherwise, Kwankwaso may be remembered in history as a tactical distraction for the emerging nationwide movement which I’ll simply characterize as being channeled through the prudent but stingy Peter Obi. I’ve met Mr. Obi, directly, only four times.

We attended the same University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He graduated three years ahead of me.

On the other hand, I have met only two former Governors of Kano State; the first being the late firebrand Abubakar Rimi of the PRP — when I was a member of the Nigerian Television Authority’s ENG (Electronic News Gathering) unit….

The second being its brilliant two-term ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau — who later became Nigeria’s Minister of Education. I interviewed him.

I have not met Kano’s former Governor Kwankwaso.

At this point, it’s factually relevant to remind Mr. Kwankwaso that he served as the Defense Minister of Nigeria (2003 to 2006).

This was a period Boko Haram was expanding their onslaught against both Christians and Muslims in the north especially in the Borno, Yobe and Bauchi States.

On July 5, 2022, USAfricaonline.com reported the double breaking news with these captions: “In direct challenge to Nigeria’s Buhari, gunmen attack his advance convoy near his home town; Kuje Prison bombarded” Beyond the two terrible events, the Funtua-Katsina axis, Zamfara-Niger States insecurities are growing. Kaduna State under Buhari’s APC Governor Nasir el-Rufai has

almost been lost to terrorists, herdsmen, bandits and all manner of jihadists. And, he’s being seriously promoted in the media as the best VP/running mate for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Borno and Yobe indigenes have never had life so hard and dangerous!

Who should, seriously, be asked to account for (mis)managing the battle against terrorism in Nigeria? Especially in the north?

Is it those who constitute almost 82% of the highest command structure and senior levels of ALL the armed forces of Nigeria?

Or those who do not have any significant influence and clout?

Who will answer questions to the peoples of the northern Nigeria (both Christians and Muslims) for the bloody imposition of terror, unleashing of brigandage, of banditry and insecurity by Boko Haram, the AK-47 “herdsmen”, ISWA (Islamic State of West Africa), other affiliate jihadists and criminal groups?

Investigations and reviews of some of the more authoritative and insightful reports show an extremely dangerous descent of Nigeria to a failing/failed State!

In my forthcoming 2022 book, MLK, Mandela & Achebe: Power, Leadership and Identity, Nigerians and Africans continue to bear the brunt of what I classify as “ancient fanaticisms and religio-political hatreds driven by foot-soldiers of violence should not determine the existential circumstances of life and death of Nigerians! No! Under President Muhammadu Buhari and before him, the familiar clique of power players, the same list of familiar names and almost the same circle of retired Generals, senior Police officers, intelligence operatives, moneybags and dedicated civilians northern Nigerian strategists and geniuses have handled Nigeria’s government and resources with little to show as results.

On the issue of Obi and Kwankwaso working together, it’s been difficult for their representatives to negotiate an agreeable synergy or merger into the 2023 presidential election.

I think it is an understandable part of the challenge and beauty of diversity in a pluralistic society, multiethnic and multi religious country such as Nigeria.

I note— without sentiments as a political scientist — that while Peter Obi’s candidacy has blossomed into a popular movement across Nigeria’s and its diaspora, the critical issue is: how much of his escalating popularity will be collected and bagged as actual votes cast for the Labour Party in February 2023?

-Dr Nwangwu is Founder & Publisher of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com, and established USAfrica in 1992 in Houston.

Follow him @Chido247

Nigeria is at War

D

ear Mr President Today’s epistle is written with the simple and hopefully clear intention of publicly, passionately and for the records inform you that Nigeria is at war.

The missive is addressed to you in your quality as the number one citizen of the country and by virtue of your position as the Chief Commander and head of political affairs of the country. Given who you are personally, some might find it somewhat odd for a civilian to have to inform a General, albeit retired, that his country is at war but that is where we are today and the facts must be told.

It must also be noted that beyond your specific case, such is the way in this system called democracy that we have chosen to practice and in some monarchical system that we moved away from. Let’s face it, there is nothing really new here, history and geography abound of chronicles wherein Generals far more tried, tested and decorated than you have had to report to and take counsel or even orders from civilians who have the responsibility of pointing out what must be done in times of war and peace.

The recent attacks that occurred withing hours a few days ago, one on the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja and before then the attack your own convoy transporting your advance team to Katsina might very well be or not even at all related, let alone coordinated but they both reek of defiance in style and scream of challenge in deed.

To make things worse, such daring and, in most cases, ruinous attacks are neither new, sudden nor mysterious, rather it is just a sad new height of a growing crescendo of crime and impunity that commenced with audacious and provocative kidnappings and killings of unarmed civilians then transformed into capturing entire communities and storming of government symbols of power and authority such as police and military forts. Even the symbols of the achievement of this administration such as the train from Abuja to Kaduna has been attacked.

Mr. President, with no intention of excusing or justifying you, it must be said that these attacks, euphemistically described as “security challenges” started rearing its ugly and nefarious head before you came into office. By the same token though and with no intention of making you feel worse that you probably feel, it must be remembered that one of the major reasons that led to you and your party winning the elections held in 2015 and your consequent ascension to the office of president was the general believe and the hope that with you at the helm of affairs the attacks on the country will come to a victorious end for Nigeria.

“A general in charge of Nigeria will defeat our enemies” was the crux of the reassurance given by many to those that doubted your ability to perform once in office. Full disclosure here: that many given reassurances between 2014 and 2015 included this writer. Alas Mr. President you have thus far failed all of us and there is no other way to say it, if one wants to speak in knowledge and conscience.

Contrary to those that argue that you do not care and even go on to denounce the existence of a link between you and those terrorizing Nigeria, I personally but strongly believe that you do care and that you do not take delight in having these unpleasant events occur on your watch. It is my view however that you are simply and sadly in water too deep to stand in, you also seem to lack a sense of urgency and a sensibility for emergency that cases like these require.

You also seem not be lucky to have

capable, committed and lucky generals around you, what seems the saddest feature in the tale of your unlucky and underachieving Generals however is that you, the Commander-in-chief, do not seem to see them for what they are. You seem to see things with a third eye that sees beauty and strength where others using logic see squalor and flaws. That needs to change now, not soon.

As a people, we have spent so much, too much time debating, attacking and defending based on the ethnic origin and religious affiliation of those attacking us and the country. Whilst some of us raised the logical idea of classifying those attacking us as terrorists, some disagreed and the government under your command was initially lukewarm. With the recent attacks, it should be clear to all and impossible for those that want to be honest to fail to see that these attackers have declared war on the country. The attack on your convoy Mr. President should be treated as nothing less that a warning shot and a clear statement.

Just in case we doubt them, those attacking Nigeria want all of us to know that they can attack anyway and at any time, just in case we still have doubts, they want us to know that they are not just cowards preying on the weak and unarmed souls.

A Warning Shot as you teach us General, is an intentionally harmless artillery shot delivered with the aim of enacting compliance from enemy forces, it is an accepted symbol of indicating planned confrontations be it on land, sea or air. Those that attacked your convoy are too organized not to know that you were not there, they knew those vehicles were transporting your advance party. They have sent a signal of war by targeting you the head and corporate symbol of the country called Nigeria.

The time for talking is hence over, it is time to agree that Nigeria is at War; scholars and analysts can debate and decipher the nature and features of this asymmetrical war, but war it is. The government, led by you in person, needs to mentally develop a sense of urgency and sensitivity that gives all the assurance that you get it that we are now operating in extraordinaire circumstances.

You need to set up a war cabinet whose main aim is to device and execute ways to defeat those attacking our lives and properties. Citizens of this country as well as allies and foes need to see that you know this is war, that you can and that you are willing to fight for Nigeria. In war, there are only two options: you can only fight or surrender there is no option for pretending not to know it is war.

Join me if you can @anthonykila to continue these conversations.

-Prof Kila is Centre Director at CIAPS Lagos. www.ciaps.org.

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 2022 Friday8,July 8, 2022 Vol 27. No 9950 TR

See page 28 LEGALISATION OF ABORTION IN LAGOS STATE Abortion is outlawed under our laws, writes SONNIE EKWOWUSI See page 28 REVAMPING THE EDUCATION SECTOR IN LAGOS PATRICK OKEWALE writes that the Sanwo-Olu government is committed to upgrading the states’ public schools See page 29 IN PRAISE OF IFEANYI OKOWA The Delta government is tackling the many challenges of the state, writes CHIMDI UKAH See page 29

EDITORIAL THE ESSENCE OF EID-EL-KABIR

See page 30

& RE A S O

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

BOKO HARAM/ISWAP INCURSIONS AFAKRIYA A. GADZAMA argues the need for the strengthening of the security Forces

UT H

The Rivers State governor should quit wailing, rid himself of the entitlement mentality and toe his party line, writes BOLAJI ADEBIYI

THE WIKE PROBLEM IN THE PDP In his brilliant analysis of Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers State, bitter response to both his defeat in the Peoples Democratic Party presidential primaries and the refusal of the winner, Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president of Nigeria, to pick him as the running mate, Ruben Abati, celebrated columnist, said the governor’s reaction had become a problem that the party must solve.

Advising the trio of the PDP, Atiku and Wike to come together to act as one in WKH LPSHQGLQJ ÀJKW IRU WKH SUHVLGHQF\ LQ 2023, Abati concluded that the aggrieved governor needed to calm down and DFFHSW WKH SDFLÀFDWLRQ E\ WKH SDUW\ leadership otherwise he would run the risk of being asked to do his worst. If that happens, Wike would be spectacularly GHP\VWLÀHG This is a piece of excellent advice that Wike needs to take without further delay.

But so far, he has been quiet and still brooding. Yet there is no concrete basis for his disappointment and anger. He entered into a contest in which only one of the 17 contestants could win. Like every other person, he expected to win while the others would lose. He also expected to have the cooperation and support of the others if he won. Indeed, in his voluble speech to the delegates shortly before votes were cast, he promised to support the eventual winner if he lost. Why is he now bitter and threatening to pull down the roof because he lost the contest?

In his post-defeat speech to his supporters in Port-Harcourt, he complained that he was betrayed by his fellow southern governors with whom he had an agreement to swing the presidency southward. He was more pained by the action of Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto State, who practically decided the contest by stepping down for Atiku on the convention ground. Wike felt that having been the livewire of the party since 2015 by placing the treasury of Rivers State at the service of the PDP, he was entitled to its presidency as his reward.

Wike’s entitlement mentality demonstrated a shocking political naivety and some of his actions in the last couple of years showed serious errors of political judgment. In an apparent strategic move to control the party machinery, he began to fund the party after it lost power in 2015, particularly after he secured the chairmanship of the party in 2017. :LWK WKDW ÀQDQFLDO JHVWXUH DUURJDQFH which later metamorphosed into rascality set in. First, along with his fellow enfant terrible, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Modu 6KHUULͿ ZDV EURXJKW LQ DV WKH SDUW\·V

national chairman. Of course, the PDP establishment kicked in, leading to about two years of crises and legal battles. :LWK 6KHUULͿ RXW RI WKH ZD\ :LNH PDGH his next move of installing his kinsman, Uche Secondus, as the national chairman against the run of play as the Southwest expected to take the position by the party’s zoning convention. But because he was the one with the deep pocket, he had his way. Many people were unhappy but they kept their cool.

6HFRQGXV PDGH HͿRUWV WR VWDELOLVH WKH party even as Wike’s conduct of ridding roughshod over everyone was becoming unbearable and a source of constant embarrassment to the party leadership.

Not a few of his brother governors complained about his overbearing attitude and meddlesomeness with a couple of them claiming to have left the party on that account. Next, the Rivers State governor began to nurse presidential ambition and his kinsman’s chairmanship was no longer tenable. He moved against him.

In spite of his deep pocket, Wike could not use the party structure to remove Secondus. He had to procure a backdoor ex parte order from a court in a remote town in Rivers State to edge out the national chairman. That singular act ought to have made it clear to him that his hold on the party was tenuous. Next, in cohort with his fellow southern governors, they pushed the chairmanship of the party up North in the mistaken belief that it would automatically commit the PDP to a southern presidency.

If Wike did not realise that the forced removal of Secondus was a tactical

error, the emergence of Iyorchia Ayu, an old ally of Atiku and a part of the PDP establishment, should have told him that his presidential ambition was headed for the rocks. Everyone in the party knows that whoever controls its machinery will always have his way in any policy FRQWHVW 7KH FRQÀUPDWLRQ RI WKDW ZDV WKH battle for the zoning of the presidency and how Ayu used his position as the SUHVLGLQJ R΀FHU WR VZD\ WKH GHFLVLRQ LQ the way of an open contest contrary to the party’s constitution.

Rather than beat a retreat and do a sober review of the tactical situation, Wike carried on tactlessly, believing that his deep pocket would give him victory in a party where all the major stakeholders were already fed up with his uncouth manner. He was clearly bound to lose because his southern base was not only thoroughly divided but many of his brother governors were also working for his main opponent, Atiku.

Equally unmeritorious is his anger at the refusal of Atiku to choose him as the running mate. First, at the onset of the contest, Atiku pleaded with Wike to support him and in return run with him.

Wike refused and opted to compete.

Second, he told everyone during the electioneering that he was running to be a presidential, not a vice-presidential candidate. Finally, once the contest was narrowed down to Ifeanyi Okowa, the urbane governor of Delta State, and himself, it ought to have been clear to him that Okowa would be preferred.

Much more experienced, more brilliant, more of stable character and uncontroversial, Okowa is by far more suited to hold the vice-presidential position. Very few people remembered that Okowa was the chairman of the electoral sub-committee of the 2018 Port-Harcourt presidential primary convention where Atiku trounced Tambuwal, Wike’s candidate. Why should Atiku not reward Okowa?

Meanwhile, in spite of all that has happened, Wike needs to understand that his options are limited and that he needs the PDP more than the party needs him. He has imposed a civil servant without any political root as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State.

Members are still seething with anger.

He needs all the support he can get to SXW RXW WKH EXVK ÀUH DW KRPH RU HOVH«

Adebiyi, the managing editor of THISDAY Newspapers, writes from bolaji.adebiyi@ thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY

AFAKRIYA A. GADZAMA argues the need for the strengthening of the security Forces

BOKO HARAM/ISWAP INCURSIONS President Muhammadu Buhari and the gallant men of the armed forces, including military intelligence, the State Security Service and the police have endeared themselves to the people of the North East by the way they stopped the insurgents’ daring reign of terror and virtual take-over of this part of the country some years ago.

It will be recalled that the attacks by the terrorists in the North East and the country in general was characterized by massive kidnapping and hostage taking. Today, nobody can give the exact number of people who have been kidnapped or killed by the Boko Haram and their ISWAP allies. Sadly, the mayhem and killings by criminal groups have continued unabated in many parts of the country especially in the North East.

It is important to note that no President before President Muhammadu Buhari has dealt a serious blow to the onslaught by the Boko Haram and other criminal groups in the country. Although the present Government has substantially put a stop to the criminal activities of the insurgents in the last one year, the other security challenges, especially banditry, have diminished its success. Very scary are indications that the Boko Haram and WKHLU ,6:$3 D΀OLDWHV KDYH LQÀOWUDWHG various parts of the country. Although their criminal and subversive activities are more pronounced in the North East especially in areas around the Lake Chad Basin, Kala Balge and the Askira-Lassa axis which were not reported, events in other parts of the country in the last few months show the group’s dangerous activities are spreading.

The situation in Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna and Katsina states are equally very scary.

Some days ago, it was reported that the terrorists even attacked the advance party of presidential movement and broke into Kuje Prison where they freed their captured colleagues. The Kuje Prison attack raised serious concerns about the security of the Federal Capital Territory. Many concerned citizens have wondered who then is safe in the country. The concerns are well founded and demand swift action.

Insecurity arising from activities of Boko +DUDP DQG WKHLU ,6:$3 D΀OLDWHV DQG DUPHG bandits currently pose unprecedented WKUHDWV WR FRXQWHU LQVXUJHQF\ HͿRUWV 7KHUH are fears that unless something is done fast, the successes of the last couple of years would be lost. Unfortunately, some areas witnessing the incursions are those most devastated before the terrorists groups were

dislodged. Evidently, the activities of armed bandits, terrorists and sundry criminal groups have wreaked unimaginable havoc on socio- economic activities in many states and communities. Continuous attacks by the Boko Haram and ISWAP are currently the most devastating menace that have aggravated the plight of most communities in Borno, Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara States which have become very dangerous DUHDV IRU HYHQ R΀FLDO EXVLQHVV DV ZHOO DV gateway States to southern parts of the country.

As consistently pointed out by some experienced military strategists and LQWHOOLJHQFH R΀FHUV WKH VWUDWHJ\ RI MXVW dislodging the terrorists and armed bandits is fraught with the dangers of their eventual regrouping. This is what has happened in the war against the Boko Haram in the North East. Many of the insurgents were simply dispersed and therefore had the opportunity of regrouping with deadlier groups such as ISWAP. Also, the persistence of conditions that promoted their emergence continues to drive their resurgence. As previously pointed out, the Boko Haram/ISWAP alliance has survived this long because of lack of will of some stakeholders and lack of DSSURSULDWH ÀJKWLQJ HTXLSPHQW $OPRVW DOO the security forces are short of well trained personnel which resulted in over stretching WKHP 7KH IDLOXUH WR ÁXVK RXW WKHLU FRKRUWV LV another major catalyst for the resurfacing of the Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks currently being witnessed in the country.

7KH VSLOO RYHU HͿHFWV RI WKH LQFXUVLRQ of ISWAP into the sub-region should not be discounted as almost all neighboring countries are currently very fragile after succumbing to the take-over bid by ISWAP. 1LJHULD KDV DOUHDG\ EHHQ LQÀOWUDWHG E\ ISWAP and is also a prime target. Also lessening the tempo of the counter terrorism HͿRUWV LV WKH HPHUJHQFH RI VHYHUDO RWKHU security challenges across the country. Very noticeable are armed banditry, highway robbery and kidnapping. These have distracted attention and resources required WR ÀJKW WKH %RNR +DUDP 7KH HPHUJHQFH of election politics has also played a role in VORZLQJ GRZQ WKH ÀJKW DJDLQVW WHUURULVP LQ the country.

Many isolated and ungoverned areas especially forests in remote parts of the country provide ideal cover for the terrorists to hibernate. Security experts believe if the ÀJKW DJDLQVW ,6:$3 DQG WHUURULVP LV WR succeed all forests and remote places must be thoroughly cleared.

'HÀFLHQFLHV LQ RXU LPPLJUDWLRQ ODZV especially the ECOWAS Protocol must also urgently be looked into. The Immigration Services as presently constituted cannot GLVFKDUJH LWV IXQFWLRQV HͿHFWLYHO\ considering the size of the country, low level of security consciousness of people and lack of appropriate technical capacities and inadequate training. In my considered view, WKH FRXQWHU WHUURULVP ÀJKW LQ WKH FRXQWU\ should be hinged on well thought-out and aggressive counter-terrorism strategies.

Something needs to be done to strengthen monitoring and fortify the country’s porous borders.

Gadzama OFR, mni is former DGSS and ChairmanNational Institute for Security Studies

FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022

Abortion is outlawed under our laws, writes SONNIE EKWOWUSI

LEGALISATION OF ABORTION IN LAGOS STATE The abortion directives issued last week by the Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide 6DQZR 2OX WR WKH HͿHFW WKDW /DJRVLDQV FDQ now “safely” kill their unborn babies without any qualms are illegal and therefore null and void. Frankly speaking I don’t know why the governor has allowed himself to be drafted into the simmering, highly-sensitive political, cultural, religious, moral and contentious issue of abortion. I don’t know any Nigerian politician who had promoted abortion without his or her political career being ruined. Already the Sanwo-Olu’s abortion GLUHFWLYHV KDYH VSDUNHG RͿ GHPRQVWUDWLRQV in Lagos and Abuja. The Governor’s abortion directives fragrantly violate sections 145, 146, 147 and 201 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (as amended in 2011); sections 228, 229,230, 297, 309, 328, of the Criminal Code Act CAP C38 (and their equivalent provisions in the Penal Code); sections 3,4, and 17 of the Child Rights Act 2003; Child’s Right Law of Lagos State 2015: sections 17 and 33 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution; Articles, 3, 4 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Preamble to the 1990 Convention on WKH 5LJKWV RI WKH &KLOG &5& UDWLÀHG DQG adopted by Nigeria). Therefore, as earlier stated, the aforesaid abortion directives issued last week by the Lagos State Governor are illegal and therefore null and void.

Therefore the Lagos State Governor is humbly advised to withdraw the abortion directives. Why? Because the abortion directives or policies cannot be enforced or obeyed in Lagos State. It is trite law that directives or policies that are ultra vires the existing laws of the land or do not fall within the ambit of the laws of the land or are in violation of the laws of the land cannot be enforced or obeyed in the State. Only enacted laws or Acts can be enforced or obeyed. *RYHUQRU·V 'LUHFWLYHV WKDW DUH LQ ÁDJUDQW violation of the laws of the land cannot be HQIRUFHG 7KH FRPELQHG HͿHFWV RI VHFWLRQV 145, 146, 147, 201 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (as amended in 2011) and sections 228, 229,230, 297, 309, 328, of the Criminal Code Act CAP C38 (and their equivalent provisions in the Penal Code) is that anybody who, with an intent to procure the miscarriage of a woman or intents to abort or kill her baby in the woman by unlawfully administering on her any noxious substance or contraceptives or pills or drugs or instruments or by inserting instruments into the womb of the woman and crushing her baby to pieces in order to achieve the aforesaid purpose is guilty of a felony punishable under the various sections of the Criminal Code of Lagos or the Criminal Act of the Federation. In fact, section 328 of the Criminal Act prescribes life imprisonment for killing an unborn child. The section stipulates: “Any person who when a woman is about to be delivered of a child prevents the child from being born alive by any act or omission of such a nature, that, if the child had been born alive and had then died, he would be deemed to have unlawfully killed the child, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for life”. Section 17(1) of the Child’s Right Act 2003 clearly provides for the right of the unborn child. It states: “A child may bring an action for damages against a person for harm or injury caused to the child willfully, recklessly, negligently or through neglect before, during or after the birth of that child”. In similar fashion, section 16(1) of the Child’s Law of Lagos State 2015 clearly provides for the right of the unborn child. It

states thus: . “Right of the unborn child to protection against harm, etc. (1) A child may bring an action for damages against a person for harm or injury caused to the child willfully, recklessly, negligently or through neglect before, during or after the birth of that child”. The preamble to the CRC states: “Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights

of the Child, “the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth”.

The deduction from the forgoing is that abortion is outlawed under our laws. In fact, both sections 16(1) of the Child’s Law of Lagos State 2015 and 17(1) of the Child’s Right Act 2003 clearly provide that an unborn child can bring a legal suit, of course via locus parentis or guardian ad lite, against any person for damages for harm or injury willfully or QHJOLJHQWO\ LQÁLFWHG RQ WKH FKLOG EHIRUH its birth, during its birth and after its birth. So, you can see that the unborn child enjoys enormous the right to life under our laws. Therefore unless the aforesaid laws are amended to permit the killing of unborn babies, the Lagos State Governor has no right to issue directives approving the killing of the unborn babies in Lagos State. It is instructive to note that section 201 of the Criminal law of Lagos State erroneously relied upon by abortionists to argue that medical abortions are permissible in Lagos State to “save the life and protect the physical health of the woman” does not by any stretch of imagination prescribe abortion.

Section 201 merely states that a person or a medical doctor is not criminally liable for any surgical operation performed in good faith and with due diligence on any person IRU KLV EHQHÀW RU XSRQ DQ XQERUQ FKLOG for the preservation of the mother’s life.

Therefore section 201 is not an exception allowing the procurement of abortion in Lagos State. Equally section 297 of the Criminal Act is worded exactly like section 201 of the Lagos State Criminal law. Again section 297 is not an exception allowing procurement of abortion. The Dublin Declaration on Maternal Health 2012 and other declarations unequivocally state that abortion is not medically necessary even to save the life of a pregnant woman. So why are these abortionists misinforming the Lagos populace?

Ekwowusi wrote from Lagos

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022

PATRICK OKEWALE writes that the Sanwo-Olu government is committed to upgrading the states’ public schools

The Delta government is tackling the many challenges of the state, writes CHIMDI UKAH

REVAMPING THE EDUCATION SECTOR IN LAGOS

IN PRAISE OF IFEANYI OKOWA

In today’s competitive world, nothing short of quality education gives one an edge.

And with a global embrace of technology, any classroom that fails to incorporate tech into its curriculum may just be shortchanging its students.

Hence, it was with excitement that I read and saw pictures of how the Lagos State government transformed Vetland Junior Grammar School, Agege. Call it a ‘rebirthing’ and you would not be wrong.

Prior to its transformation, the school was just made up of bare classrooms, with desks and chairs for students while the teachers used the ubiquitous blackboards and chalk to teach. It bore the skeletal architecture of schools founded during the administration of Lateef Jakande between 1979 and 1983. However, a strong pedigree of administrators ensured discipline and academic excellence of its students which saw it elevated to a model school by the Lagos State government. But through the years, its basic and austere structures remained.

But that is now history because on Wednesday, June 29, the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu commissioned a ‘new’ Vetland Junior Grammar School, Agege, which the state described as a technology-driven modular learning space. Built with shipping containers, the school has nine classrooms, WKUHH ODERUDWRULHV DQG IRXU VWDͿ URRPV ZKLFK DUH ZHOO LQVXODWHG ,W LV DOVR RͿ JULG as it is powered by solar panels, which guarantee constant power supply to enable digital teaching and learning. Aside from equipping the classrooms with interactive touch-screens, Sanwo-Olu said the pupils would be given electronic tablets to aid both in-class and virtual learning.

“This is the future leaning in public basic education in Nigeria and Africa,” SanwoOlu said at the event.

“The development of containerised modular classrooms is a welcome milestone on our journey towards ensuring that no child is left behind in Lagos.

“Our goal, as a Government, is to build learning spaces of the future, thereby bequeathing public schools that are driven by cutting-edge technology and that can compete favourably with the best schools anywhere in the world.”

It is also noteworthy that 620 students in the school would also enjoy sporting IDFLOLWLHV WR LQFOXGH D PRGHUQ ÀYH DVLGH football pitch, a multi-purpose-built court where Volleyball, Tennis, Badminton and Basketball can be played. The WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ ZDV D ELW VXUUHDO UHÁHFWLQJ on how the space was just a few months ago. But keen watchers of the Lagos State public education space may not be too surprised at the developments.

Before the mushrooming of private schools, it was public schools that largely catered for the educational needs of children in Nigeria. Sadly, over the years, PDQ\ JRYHUQPHQWV DW GLͿHUHQW OHYHOV KDYH neglected public schools, thereby making them relics of the past. Thankfully, Lagos is on a drive to revamp this as Sanwo-Olu said the model college’s upgrade is part of strategic intervention in the public school system which has led to the modernisation of over 200 public schools.

“So far, this administration has

constructed more than 800 new classroom blocks in the public school system of Lagos and supplied about 150,000 units of furniture to our public schools across all six education districts of the state,” said SanwoOlu. “The intervention has scaled up output in teaching and raised academic excellence.

“We have also improved security in our public schools by installing watch towers, SHULPHWHU IHQFHV SDQLF EHOOV DQG ÁRRG lights, and have prioritised the comfort of boarding students through the provision of beddings and other necessary items. As WKH EHQHÀFLDULHV FDQ DWWHVW WR WKH ZHOIDUH and training of teaching and administrative VWDͿ LQ RXU SXEOLF VFKRRO KDYH UHFHLYHG VLJQLÀFDQW DWWHQWLRQ DV ZHOO µ At the event, parents of the students were impressed and thankful to the state government. Chairman of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Barr.

Omoyele Akintayo, thanked Sanwo-Olu for listening to the yearning of the parents to rebuild the school with structures that have a modern outlook.

“I cannot hide my feelings and emotions today,” said Akintayo.

“I’m highly delighted. There is no amount of accolades and encomiums that can be adequately showered on Sanwo-Olu that will be enough to show our appreciation for this world-class innovation.”

Also, the Lagos State Commissioner for (GXFDWLRQ 0UV )RODVKDGH $GHÀVD\R VDLG that the school being unveiled was testament of how the Sanwo-Olu administration’s education reforms had transformed public schools.

“This is an iconic building that will last for ages and transit our children into the 21st FHQWXU\ EDVHG NQRZOHGJH µ $GHÀVD\R VDLG harping that the model college deserved the gesture, given the academic excellence it had turned out in national examinations over the last three years.

Also, members of the Old Students Association present at the event could not stop themselves wowing. Unlike some of the guests, they could appreciate the stark GLͿHUHQFH RI ZKDW ZDV DQG ZKDW ZDV EHLQJ commissioned. Aside from the site and the fact that the school still retains its former, there is nothing bearing a resemblance to the decrepit concrete structures that were initially built in the early (1980s) and what existed a few months ago.

The entire project was conceived and delivered by the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS) set up in 2019 by the Governor to implement interventions designed to improve access to basic education. Chairman of SCRPS, Mr. Hakeem Smith, said the containerised structures were raised on high density rafts carefully calculated to hold both live and GHDG ORDGV +H VDLG WKH ÁRRUV ZHUH PDGH of terrazzo material for durability, adding FRQYHQLHQFH IDFLOLWLHV ZHUH ÀWWHG LQ WKH academic area, while two composite toilets, which are water-free, are built for visitors and security guards. He said the school was DOVR UHEXLOW ZLWK D ZDWHU V\VWHP ÀWWHG ZLWK D ÀOWUDWLRQ FRPSDUWPHQW WR GHOLYHU SRWDEOH water to the pupils.

Okewale ZULWHV IURP /DJRV

A few months ago, in the course of a business meeting in China involving the Delta State government and private sector partners, a matter involving some key statistics came up. While the participants were still grappling with the numbers, the state governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa who led WKH VWDWH GHOHJDWLRQ KDG DOUHDG\ ÀQLVKHG with the mental calculations. He shared the results with the other participants and added some personal recommendations based on the numbers.

“I was quite surprised”, said one of the participants at the event, a UK-trained oil and gas expert. “He was so fast, ahead of the rest of us”. Then he added: “But I understood when I did some research on him. He is quite brilliant. You know, he became a doctor at 22”.

Yes, Governor Okowa is not lacking in brain power or academic accomplishments. +LV UHFRUGV FRQÀUP WKLV $V PDQ\ VRXUFHV KDYH FRQÀUPHG UHFHQWO\ KH KDG WKH VHFRQG EHVW UHVXOW LQ WKH +LJKHU 6FKRRO &HUWLÀFDWH Examination in the then Bendel State in 1976, then obtained an MBBS in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Ibadan, graduating in 1981 at the age of 22.

Thereafter he embarked on a public career that has spanned both statewide positions and the Senate.

It is therefore no surprise that as governor, this brainy but very humble politician has QRWFKHG XS VLJQLÀFDQW DFKLHYHPHQWV ZKLFK have inspired his admirers to regale him with some traditional titles and nicknames as a tribute to the landmark feats of his administration.

One of such nicknames is “Road Master”, a reference to the numerous completed and ongoing road projects across the state under his watch. Road construction has been a major component of Okowa’s agenda because the feedback from communities across the state after his election in 2015 was loud and clear: “we want roads!”. The records show that Okowa who also goes by the traditional title of “Ekwueme” (the one who speaks and keeps his promises) has taken the mandate very seriously.

The Okowa administration has VLJQLÀFDQWO\ DGYDQFHG XUEDQ UXUDO integration and transformed urban centres in Delta State with 799 civil infrastructure projects spanning 1,577.8 kilometres of roads and 908.8 kilometres of drainage channels. This is in addition to 21 bridges FRQVWUXFWHG LQ GLͿHUHQW SDUWV RI WKH VWDWH These projects have boosted trade and commerce and enhanced the ease-of-doingbusiness environment across the state, and increased the capacity of the private and public sectors to operate and expand economic opportunities.

Another landmark is the reinvigorated primary health care system and the establishment of a contributory health insurance scheme with over 900,000 registered clients which has attracted positive attention across the country. This LV D VLJQLÀFDQW DFFRPSOLVKPHQW EHFDXVH LW aligns with the universal health coverage goal of the World Health Organization, for all people to have access to the health services they need, when and where they QHHG WKHP ZLWKRXW ÀQDQFLDO KDUGVKLS 'HSHQGLQJ RQ WKH VSHFLÀF GHWDLOV DQG capacity of enrollees, the Delta scheme

includes the full range of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care. The progress made by Delta State is impressive considering that the National Health Insurance Scheme at the federal level still battles many challenges.

Youths are rightly a central part of Okowa’s vision and programmes. Apart from being the inheritors of tomorrow, they are also critical to achieving sustainable peace in a restive Niger Delta state like Delta. To keep them meaningfully engaged, the government has established several skill acquisition projects.

They include the ICT-Youth Empowerment Programme (ICT-YEP) and the Rural Youth Skill Acquisition Programme (RYSA). ICT-YEP is aimed at providing necessary ICT skills training to enable self-employment for start-ups that will be based in Delta State. At the end of the training programme, participants are provided with starter packs. RYSA is designed to take skill acquisition programmes to the rural youth population with the objectives of creating incomeearning opportunities, stemming youth restiveness, discouraging rural-urban drift, and growing the local economy.

Another initiative, the Tertiary Institution Entrepreneur Programme (TEP) is designed to produce work-ready and self-employed graduates, to mitigate JUDGXDWH XQHPSOR\PHQW VLJQLÀFDQWO\ Through these and other job and wealth creation programmes for youths, the Okowa administration has created over 100,000 direct jobs and over 1,000,000 indirect jobs.

To overcome the funding challenges that shredded state, federal and state government budgets in the wake of the global oil price crash of mid-2014, Okowa instituted policies to mitigate shortfalls, manage available resources better, and boost revenues. These included a host of tough measures intended to eliminate WKH GHÀFLW DQG UHVWRUH WKH KHDOWK RI SXEOLF ÀQDQFHV &RVW FXWWLQJ PHDVXUHV WR SOXJ ZDVWDJHV OHDNDJHV GULYH ÀVFDO GLVFLSOLQH induce prudent management, compel strict adherence to due process, and reduce operating expenditure were introduced and implemented. Revenue limits were respected and due diligence prioritized.

On this solid foundation, the Road Master has forged many paths to improving good governance and public welfare in Delta State.

Ukah LV D SXEOLF DͿDLUV DQDO\VW

26 30 4

T H I S D AY

FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

THE ESSENCE OF EID-EL-KABIR Nigerians should remember the poor and needy in this season of celebrations

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

27

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

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

08056356325

J U L Y

S & P INDEX

7 , 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%

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0.44%

Domestic Airlines May Lose N5bn as FAAN Shuts Lagos Airport Runway for Lighting from Today

Chinedu Eze Fifteen years after the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) unveiled the domestic runway of the Lagos airport after reconstruction without the runway lights, FAAN will from today close the runway, known as Runway 18 L, for three months to install airfield lighting.

In 2008 the domestic runway of the Lagos airport was unveiled after reconstruction without the runway light. FAAN assured then that the airfield lighting would be installed in few months, but this never happened till almost 15 years later.

During the rehabilitation of the runway, which lasted for over two years, airlines incurred huge losses, prompting the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to complain to the federal government then.

Consequently, there are palpable fears that local airlines may lose over N5 billion in three months, which is the cost of fuel burnt in taxing from the international runway of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to the domestic terminal 1 and 2, known as General Aviation Terminal (GAT) and MMA2 respectively.

The FAAN had announced that it would close the runway today to install airfield lighting that would

enable aircraft to land and take from the facility in the night.

Taxing from the international runway to the domestic terminals takes average single isle aircraft about 30 minutes and during taxing the aircraft burns fuel.

The average Boeing 737 classic burns about 500 litres of fuel taxing for 30 minutes, which at N700 per litre would cost an airline N350, 000 during landing and the same cost during take off.

For three months domestic aircraft movement to and from Lagos, according to FAAN’s 2021 traffic records is about 15, 000, which would cost the airlines N5, 250, 000.

FAAN in a statement said, “As part of efforts aimed at improving safety and efficiency of flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has concluded arrangements to complete the installation of CAT III Airfield Ground Lighting system on Runway 18L/36R. “The project, which will commence effectively today, is expected to last for 90 days.

Consequently, Runway 18L/36R will be closed to flight operations during this time. However, stakeholders are to note that there will be no disruption. All

normal flight operations will be conducted through runway 18R/36L. A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to this effect has already been published and disseminated accordingly.”

However, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aero Contractors, Captain Abdullahi Mahmood, commended the federal government, especially the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for making history by installing the airfield lighting, 15 years after the rehabilitation of the runway when FAAN separated the contract of the runway construction from the airfield installation, which was a rarity.

Captain Mahmood, however, acknowledged that that airlines would lose huge resources to the closure of the runway, despite the fact that domestic airlines and others would benefit from the installation of airfield lighting.

He lamented that airlines have suffered so much, struggling to provide critical service to the country, but face the issue of high cost of aviation fuel, which is threatening their existence.

“Another problem is the closure of Runway 18L, which is the domestic runway. This is good for us because when they install Continued on page 29

Nigerian Private Sector Productivity Contracts First Time Since December 2020 Dike Onwuamaeze The key finding of the Stanbic IBTC Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) report for June 2022 showed that the productivity of the Nigerian private sector experienced its first decline in 19 months by moving down from 53.9 in May to 50.9 in June.

The PMI report also revealed that the growth of new order moderated to its weakest point in two years while overall input price inflation quickened to four-month high.

The report said that Nigerian private sector remained in growth territory at the end of the second quarter, even though recent challenges around cash shortages

have led to weaker new order growth and a renewed decline in output.

According to the report, this resulted in business conditions improving at the weakest rate for almost 18 months as companies responded by raising their staffing levels, purchases and stocks of inputs reduced rates in June.

Stanbic IBTC stated that the headline figure derived from the survey is the Purchasing Managers’ Index™. Readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show deterioration.

It said: “At 50.9 in June, down from 53.9 in May, the headline

PMI signaled a twenty-fourth successive monthly improvement in business conditions in Nigeria’s private sector. That said, the latest result was indicative of the weakest improvement for 17 months The PMI attributed the moderation to renewed contraction in output, which fell for the first time in 19 months.

The Head of Equity Research West Africa at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Muyiwa Oni, said that “the Stanbic IBTC PMI signaled an improvement in private sector activity for twenty-fourth consecutive month. However, the headline PMI index printed Continued on page 29

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS DESCRIPTION

Price

Yield

14.20 14-MAR2024 13.53 23-MAR2025 12.50 22-JAN2026 16.2884 17MAR-2027 13.98 23-FEB2028

109.58

8.05

108.04

10.07

106.55

10.25

120.08

10.73

113.28

10.77

Change Updated Time (%) 1, -0.01 July 2022 1, 0.00 July 2022 1, 0.00 July 2022 1, 0.03 July 2022 1, 0.00 July 2022

MATURITY

Discount

Yield

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Change Updated Time (%)

NTB 14-Jul22 NTB 11Aug-22 NTB 8-Sep22 NTB 13-Oct22

6.20

6.21

0.12 July 1, 2022

6.00

6.04

0.00 July 1, 2022

3.45

3.47

0.00 July 1, 2022

6.00

6.10

0.00 July 1, 2022

NTB 10Nov-22

3.90

3.96

0.00 July 1, 2022

MATURITY TRBH CP V 26-JUL-22 FSDH CP VI 1-AUG-22 NENL CP I 24-OCT-22 FSDH CP VII 27-OCT-22 SIBP CP III 27-OCT-22

Discount Yield 11.47 11.56 8.08

Change Updated Time (%) 0.00 July 1, 2022

8.14

0.00 July 1, 2022

15.87 16.71

0.00 July 1, 2022

10.10 10.44

0.00 July 1, 2022

9.29

9.58

0.00 July 1, 2022

CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS JUL 27 1 429.51 2022 NGUS AUG 31 431.36 2 2022 NGUS SEP 28 3 433.21 2022 NGUS OCT 26 4 435.06 2022 NGUS NOV 30 5 436.92 2022

Updated Time

July 1, 2022 July 1, 2022 July 1, 2022 July 1, 2022 July 1, 2022

28

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

AIR WATCH

Airport Concession: FG Initiates Request for Proposals Chinedu Eze The Federal Ministry of Aviation, in line with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act, 2005, and global best practice, has informed all stakeholders, local and international, development partners, and members of the media, that the Request for Proposals (RfP) phase of the Nigeria Airport Concessions programme (NACP), commenced on the 1st of June. Shortlisted bidders have since been notified in writing and via the transaction portal.

Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, James Odaudu, said in a statement that the RfP stage of the programme would close on the 5th of September 2022. All shortlisted bidders are thus encouraged to ensure that they make their submissions in a timely manner and as per the detailed guidelines included in the bidders’ package.

Speaking to members of the media on the eve of the NACP bidders conference, prior to embarking on a stakeholders’ tour of notable

international airports in Brazil and Turkey, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, expressed his confidence in driving a transparent and robust concession programme to competition before the end of the year.

“We are delighted to inform all stakeholders and indeed, all Nigerians, that a critical milestone in this programme has now been reached. We anticipate that the programme, including the final negotiations stage will be concluded before the end of the year, thereby allowing for the affected assets to be handed over to the absolute best private sector operators well before this administration hands over to a new, duly elected government,” Sirika said.

The bidders conference, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission – the substantive regulator for all infrastructure concessions in Nigeria, took place on the 20th of June 2022 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in

Abuja and marks a critical milestone in the process of concessioning Nigeria’s four international airports and associated assets, comprised specifically of passenger and cargo terminals. Delegates of preferred bidders flew into Nigeria from no fewer than four countries, with the majority joining online via the NACP’s virtual conferencing facility.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation Abel Enitan added: “We are delighted to see this level of genuine interest in Nigeria’s infrastructure concession programmes and in particular this airports concession programme.

As the global aviation industry recovers, this level of interest Nigeria enjoys from emerging market investors is testament to the sheer scale of opportunity Nigeria offers long-term investors who share a positive vision of the nation’s future. We wish all bidders well as they conduct their own due diligence and prepare competitive bids for the various assets.”

A I R WATCH Private Jet Charter Services Gears Up for Big Business in 2023

EU Sets New Requirements for Inbound Air Shipments From 1 March 2023, all freight forwarders, air carriers, express couriers, and postal operators transporting goods to or through the European Union (EU) (including Norway and Switzerland), will be required to submit advance cargo information in the form of a complete Entry Summary Declaration (ENS), under the second phase of the EU’s new customs pre-arrival security and safety programme – Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Release 2.

Economic operators involved in handling, sending, shipping and transporting cargo, express or postal consignments to or via the EU by air, have to comply with new advance data reporting requirements for pre-loading and pre-arrival customs risk assessments.

By collecting data about all goods entering the EU prior to their loading and arrival, ICS2 supports effective risk-based customs controls while facilitating free flow of legitimate trade across the EU’s external borders. ICS2 will simplify the movement of goods between customs offices at the first point of entry and final destination in the EU. For economic operators, ICS2 will streamline requests for additional information and pre-departure risk screening by customs authorities.

In addition to air carriers’ ENS filing responsibilities under the multiple filing regime of Release 2, freight forwarders, express couriers, and postal operators will also be legally responsible for providing data. They either have to share it with the air carriers, who will

then complete the ENS filing requirements, or submit the data directly to ICS2. Postal operators and express couriers, who have previously been declaring partial information regarding inbound shipments (under ICS2 Phase 1), will now also be required to coordinate with their air carrier to submit all required data.

Those in the air transport sector who are currently filing advance cargo information into Import Control System (ICS) will have to gradually start filing this data into ICS2 during the operational roll-out of Release 2.

Economic operators are strongly advised to prepare in advance for Release 2, in order to avoid the risk of delays and non-compliance.

Red Star Grows Profit by 87% Red Star Express Plc has declared a Group Profit Before Tax of N413.9 million for the year ended 31 March, 2022, which is an impressive increase of about 87 per cent from the sum of N220.8 million recorded in the same period of 2021.

The information was disclosed in a statement of comprehensive income released Wednesday by the Management of the Group.

Also putting up a strong show, is the group’s revenue earning of N12.6 billion, an increase of 34 per cent over the figure of N9.4 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021. Its share capital rose modestly to N477million from

N463 million.

The Group’s investments in property, plant and equipment equally recorded a significant increase from the sum of N2.6 billion in 2021 to N2.9 billion in 2022. Its total non-current asset increased by over 300m, while the total balance sheet size recorded a marginal increase.

Red Star has demonstrated an impressive resilience, as its many industry peers grapple with harsh operational climate realities arising from the untold impact of COVID 19, high rate of inflation and other macro economic pressures.

The Group CEO, Mr. Auwalu Babura, reiterated that the company’s steady positive

performance was attributable to the commendable resilience of the staff as well as the application of prudence and steady innovative measures by management.

It’s Head of Finance, Mr. Valentine Onyibo, forecast an easier sail in the years ahead.

“I can authoritatively tell you that with this financial result, we have laid a solid foundation for the years ahead. Of course, we have taken time to engage in some reviews and have identified areas we need to improve upon. We are very optimistic that the first quarter result whichis due in couple of weeks, shall come out stronger and better,” Onyibo said.

Eskimi CMO Masterclass Harps on Digital Marke tin g f or B rand s P ro fit a b ilit y Emma Okonji Eskimi CMO Masterclass has demonstrated how Nigerian brands can drive marketing for profitability in the digital era.

Speakers, panelists and participants who gathered at the recent CMO Masterclass in Lagos, unanimously agreed that brands in Nigeria must focus on the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to achieve their target while embracing programmatic solutions.

Eskimi is Nigeria’s largest programmatic platform; an ad-tech platform that enables independent

brands and agencies to conduct programmatic advertising campaigns across different channels.

Business Development Director at Eskimi, Vita Garifulina, who delivered the keynote address, stressed that startups and other budding entrepreneurs should learn from industry leaders in the telecommunications, Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), retail and device brands that are leveraging Eskimi’s metrics to drive marketing measurement in the areas of consumer awareness, interest, engagement and actions.

These, she said, could be achieved

through access to real-time data, focus on the right KPIs and making data actionable.

Statistics-wise, Garifulina said with an estimated population of 203.6 million as of 2021 and 50 per cent of them connected to the internet, Nigeria’s digital marketing industry has huge potential.

According to the Statista 2021 report shared by Eskimi, Nigeria has 169.2 mobile phone connections representing about 83 per cent of the population. 42 per cent use the internet representing 85.49 million people, while 27 per cent of them are on social media.

Chinedu Eze It is estimated that politicians may spend over $500 million on aircraft charter services for the 2023 election when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gives a go ahead for electioneering campaigns.

That is half of what was projected that All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would spend during the campaigns for the 2019 election, put at $243 million.

Political observers say that campaign for 2023 elections would be rife and demanding because more Nigerians have shown interest in election, as suffering has pushed the people to determine who becomes their president in 2023.

Politicians know that more is at stake and for them to win, and they must spike their campaigns and move to the nooks and crannies of the country to sensitise the people and persuade electorates to vote for them.

During the 2019 election campaigns, patronage to charter service was low compared to 2015 election because Buhari incumbency reduced the fire in the opponents, knowing the power of incumbency in African democracy.

Findings then showed that available aircraft for charter in Nigeria reduced from about 230 before 2015, to about 150.

According to sources involved in charter operations, the 150 in addition to few privately owned aircraft were even more than the demand by the political parties because of the low-key campaigns.

But the normal cost of charter service prices four years ago was from $4,500 to $7000 per hour.

This means that each aircraft makes an average of 90 operations in a month at an estimated cost of $6000 per trip.

Details show King Air 350i makes $4,500 per hour; Hawker 800XP: $5,500 per hour; Challenger 604: $6,500 per hour and Gulfstream GIV: $7,000 per hour.

These prices had changed significantly from the last four years and this was attributed to the realities of the economy, the high cost of aviation fuel, the high insurance premium and the fact that aircraft available may not meet the demand during the campaigns; although it is estimated that the number of private jets in Nigeria has increased to over 200, including the ones acquired by pastors that are likely to be put into use for reward during the campaign period.

However, the Managing Director of Flight and Logistics Solutions Limited, Amos Akpan, who has engaged in charter services for many years, said that there are benefits in politicians engaging in charter services to move around. He said that it would be difficult for politicians to fit their tight timeline to scheduled flight time.

“In the heat of the campaign season, it is not possible for leaders, lobbyists, and party chieftains to align their meeting times with regular scheduled commercial flights. Leaders share vital last minute changes to presentations while on the trip and this cannot be done in public flight cabins. They need to go into remote cities and mostly at such

times that the regular scheduled commercial flights will not do. This means you can choose to land in remote airfield nearest to the venue of your event. Arriving destination in your aircraft with your chosen companions at your own time gives you the best mental shape to handle what you’ve gone for. It gives confidence to travel on your controlled itinerary. Most private jets are fitted with amenities that allow owner/charterer work while enroute,” he said.

On the cost of charter service Akpan noted that users of private jet know that the cost of failure far exceeds the cost of chartering a private jet for that trip, adding that the annual cost of running a private jet is estimated at between N500 million to N2.8 billion depending of type and size.

“During political campaigns, private jets are usually fully booked by party or candidate’s campaign team. They have to deposit money to secure utilization at short notices. The utilization contract is on monthly minimum guaranteed hours of utilization. If you agreed to pay N4.9m per hour for a minimum guaranteed utilization of 120hours per month, you will pay the operator N588m in advance for that month. Whether you utilize 30hours or 120hours in that month or not, you are considered to have consumed as agreed.

But if you exceed the 120hours, you’ll be invoiced for the extra hours.

“Most of the redundant airfields will experience increased activities and revenue. They will receive request for special services like night landing and take off (if they have runway lights), extended use of lounges, extended parking times and busy car parks,” Akpan said.

THISDAY learnt that this is also the period when private aircraft owners who registered their aircraft as privately owned engage in illicit charter service along with private jet operators who registered their aircraft as commercial charter. The difference is that while commercial charter operators are subjected to higher safety obligations, pay charges and taxes, private jet owners enjoy waivers and are not subjected to maintenance scrutiny by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

But due to the fact that owning and maintaining a private jet costs a lot, some private jet owners engage in chatter services to earn revenue for the maintenance of the aircraft and to pay the crew. Some of them hand them over to chatter managers with fixed base operators (FBOs) and others.

An industry insider who was critical of the illicit activities of the private jet owners that use them for charter once told THISDAY, “In a local parlance, I will say that they are doing kabu-kabu and when they do this they deprive operators who registered their aircraft as commercial charter equipment, business. They don’t pay taxes to government and the insurance they use does not cover charter operation, which means they are not liable if their passengers are involved in accident and their maintenance is not up to standard for commercial aircraft charter, but I wish to note that this did not start today; it has been there for a long time.

But whatever happens, this is boom time for aircraft charter operators.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

29

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

As Aviation Fuel Crisis Escalates Cost of Flight Operations Flight operations in Nigeria have become precarious as airlines face abrupt disruption of flights due to scarcity and high prices of aviation fuel, which may impair profitability, writes Chinedu Eze

A

fter series of lamentation and protests against spiraling increase in the price of aviation fuel since February 2022, when the price of the product jumped from N180 per litre to N400 per litre till currently when it hovers around N700 per litre, Nigerian airlines have struggled to maintain flight operations despite the odds.

But theirs is a precarious existence with lurking fear that the price of the product might soar beyond their affordability, as it has been projected that without any intervention, it could rise to N1000 per liter in due time, and they would be forced to ground their operations.

The airlines have acknowledged that the current price of aviation fuel is not sustainable because airlines are not making profits in their operation, so it is just a matter of time that some of them would begin to shut down, after they have exhausted all the creative ways to maintain safe flight service.

CONTROL There are indications that the federal government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the airlines are in a quagmire when it comes to the supply of petroleum products. Nigeria, a major oil producer is not refining crude oil, the refineries have been in comatose for years and government has woefully failed to rehabilitate them.

So Nigeria, which is oil producer, is importer of refined product.

Since the war between Russia and Ukraine, the price of crude has increased due to limited supply and high demand. Nigeria could not meet its quota of supply due to the fact that it is not producing enough for the international market and in the miasma of crude supply and refined fuel import; Nigeria has lost out because it is not enjoying any advantage in the matrix of crude export and fuel import and therefore has lost the control of the price of refined product, which is now determined by international crude oil price and market demand, as the product is deregulated.

NBS REPORT Recently the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed that Nigeria spent N292.56 billion in the importation of aviation fuel in the first three months of the year – January to March 2022.

NBS in its Foreign Trade Statistics Report for First Quarter of 2022, aviation fuel, referred to as ‘kerosine type jet fuel’ accounted for 4.96 per cent of Nigeria’s total import of N5.9 trillion, with the commodity ranking the second most imported commodity in the country in the first quarter.

According to the NBS report, aviation fuel import in the first quarter of 2022 represented a significant increase of 287.29 per cent compared to the N75.54 billion spent on its import in the fourth quarter of 2021.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the NBS disclosed that jet fuel import was the sixth most imported commodity, accounting for 1.27 per cent of the period’s total import figure of N5.94 trillion.

In the first quarter of 2021, there was no mention of jet fuel import in the foreign trade statistics of the NBS, despite the country recording total imports of N6.85 trillion for the period.

Furthermore, the NBS reported that the most notable import item in the period was Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, which

gulped N1.67 trillion of Nigeria’s import bill.

The first quarter 2022, fuel import figure, according to the NBS, represented an increase of 15.97 per cent and 142.73 per cent when compared to N1.44 trillion and N687.74 billion spent on the import of the same commodity in the fourth quarter of 2021 and first quarter of 2021, respectively.

The NBS said: “The value of total imports in first quarter 2022 stood at N5.90 trillion, this decreased by 0.67 per cent when compared with the value recorded in the fourth quarter of 2021 (N5.94 trillion); but increased by 21.04 per cent compared to the value recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2021, which is N4.875 trillion.

“In terms of Imports, in the first quarter of 2022, China, The Netherlands, Belgium, India and the United States were the top five countries of origin of imports to Nigeria. The values of imports from the top five countries amounted to N3.44 trillion representing a share of 58.34 per cent of the total value of imports. The commodity groups with the largest values among the top imported products were ‘Motor Spirit ordinary’ – N1.507 trillion), ‘Kerosene type jet fuel’ – N292.56 billion, and ‘Durum wheat (not in seeds)’ – N258.31 billion.”

SUSTAINING OPERATION One of the major challenges faced by airlines is that the price of the key component of their operation, aviation fuel, is not steady, leading to increases on hourly basis, which could make the product to become scarce at any time, if not all over the country but at some airports, since the prices change from one state to another.

Head of Communication of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, told THISDAY that airlines are facing a serious challenge in their efforts to sustain their flight service and meet the demand of their customers and at the same time ensure they operate safely in tandem with international standard and recommended practices.

Ezenwa said the unpredictability of the price of aviation fuel, which could change at

any time, makes it impossible for airlines to plan long-term. In order to cut cost, airlines have to review the profitability of the routes they operate, the load factor and the cost of operating to that destination. So airlines are in constant review of their schedule to ensure that every opportunity is maximised.

THISDAY also learnt that airlines have to do away with operating routes that cannot guarantee high load factor; so flights are stopped to certain destinations and airlines have to shrink their services to reduce their cost of operation.

“So what airlines are doing is that any route that is not yielding the expected result in terms of profitability they don’t fly. So airlines have to do their analysis well. The days that they don’t have good load they don’t operate on those days.

“Every week we do analysis and work at the possibilities. You look at the routes that can guarantee you high passenger load. But for us, our load factor has been good. We have built goodwill and consistency that make us a very reliable airline. We plan well so we have not had the cause to readjust our flight schedule,” Ezenwa said.

He however lamented that whatever the airline earns, high cost of fuel takes it away and you can’t make projection for tomorrow because you cannot tell what the cost would be. The price of aviation fuel can increase at any time.

“There is no reason for planning; there is no stability, so you plan with what you see on daily basis. You can’t really plan well under this system. But as it is now we are still hoping that government would step in and save the airlines; because if things continue like this some airlines will be forced to close shop. You look at your business model and review your operations. There is a limit airlines can endure. It is true that airlines don’t want to downsize, but if things continue to be difficult, downsizing will become inevitable,” he said.

REVIEWING COST The Managing Director of Flights and Logistics Solutions Limited, Amos Akpan, told THISDAY that aviation fuel has become the highest component cost of flight operation and airlines wont have any other choice than to pass the high cost to the consumers.

He said that the consequence would be that people would travel only when they must and there would be more virtual engagements than physical meetings in the business circles, as virtual interface continues to increase since after the COVID-19 lockdown.

“You can only travel when you have to, when it is compulsory. So the high cost of aviation fuel has reduced the number of people that travel by air and has increased virtual meetings. The most reliable fight is first flight of any airline. Airlines don’t have a choice but to keep their aircraft in the air. Aircraft is serviceable equipment; so you have to find a way to use it and in terms of cost, airlines are not making profit now. They are just keeping afloat. What is good for Air Peace is that it is operating international destinations. Regional destination is not profitable. It is costlier for Nigerian airline to operate regional than to operate domestic service,” Akpan said.

He added that in order to adjust to the new reality of cost of operation, airlines have to do a lot to sustain their service and this include to reduce the number of flights; that is, their capacity they are offering to travellers, reducing services on board like offering refreshments, noting that some airlines have stopped offering that. The final action, he said, would be retrenchment.

“Staff retrenchment is always the last because the danger of reducing staff is because airline business is a technical job that deals with skilled personnel, marshallers, engineers, pilots; except the service you are rendering gets so lean you trim the personnel to fit the service. But all these will happen if the price of aviation fuel continues to increase. But after cutting staff, you should be ready for extinction,” he said.

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

NIGERIAN PRIVATE SECTOR PRODUCTIVITY CONTRACTS FIRST TIME SINCE DECEMBER 2020 at 50.9 in June, down from 53.9 in May, with the latest figure at a 17- month low.

“Private sector output fell during the period, halting 18 months of

expansion, while elevated costs weighed on consumers’ demand.

Indeed, overall input costs reached a four-month high in June.

“Rising input costs will continue

to threaten output, in turn adding further pressures on inflation. We now see inflation averaging 18% this year as supply-side challenges, amid domestic structural constraint,

persist. Headline inflation has trended upwards for the fourth consecutive month reaching 17.71 per cent year-on-year (y/y) in June from 16.82 per cent y/y in May.

Rising diesel cost, petrol scarcity, domestic insecurity and supplychain challenges in the global space still serves as an upside risk to inflation in the coming

months. Sure, we forecast a real GDP growth of 3.2 per cent in 2022, persistent rise in inflation and FX illiquidity challenges continue serving as downside risks.”

DOMESTIC AIRLINES MAY LOSE N5BN AS FAAN SHUTS LAGOS AIRPORT RUNWAY FOR LIGHTING FROM TODAY the airfield lighting we will benefit from it and we know that it is long overdue. We thank the federal government and the Minister of Aviation who made what hitherto seemed impossible, possible. But it is still our problem. That period the runway will remain closed airlines will lose money. It takes about 30 minutes for aircraft to taxi from the international runway to the domestic terminal. That is huge cost in fuel.

“I am even suggesting that airlines that can do it should move their operations to other airports. It will be a huge cost

to airlines. Now aviation fuel in Lagos is about N715, Abuja, N745, Kano, 750 and Maiduguri, N780 per litre. This is huge challenge for us,” he said.

Recently the Managing Director of FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, explained in an interview that the airfield installation at the runway was being delayed by legal constraint because the company contracted to install the facility sued FAAN to court and assured that the Minister was doing everything possible to provide that critical infrastructure to the runway.

The FAAN Managing Director also said that it was the wish of the agency to make all airports operate 24 hours but that could be done at some cost.

“FAAN want all airports to operate 24 hours because it is a business for FAAN. We earn our revenue from the operations; we are a service delivery agency, but the challenge is, will the 24/7 pay for itself? Somebody has to pay for the 24/7 operations. Will the business pay for itself? If we open an airport with just only three landings, FAAN will close down. No organization in the

world will do that. Even if you go to Europe, you will find out that many airports are sunrise to sunset. You can operate an airport even for sunrise to midday so that everybody that knows should go around that window.

“FAAN cannot operate an airport that we cannot breakeven, because we are already challenged. We want 24/7 days airport, but we need to know if the business will be sustainable.

At first, some of the businesses may look as if they are sustainable even for the next two years. So, somebody must be ready to have

the business model to sustain 24/7 operations,” he said.

However, airline operators said that with the airfield lighting installed in more airports, airlines would be able to abide by their flight schedule with very minimum flight delays and cancellations.

“If you look at weather issues now, there are delays of flights to Port Harcourt, Benin, Owerri because of harmattan weather.

We will later operate to these airports because they have airfield lighting, but we will fly to the daylight airports first in order

to beat 6 p.m. when they will be closed for flights.

“So, if airfield lighting is installed we will be able to operate our schedules that we publish. In terms of additional revenue, it will affect the bottom line. If we operate we earn more revenue because of the extended flight time. The installation of the equipment will enable us to maintain our schedule integrity despite VIP movement and weather that could cause delays.

Above all, it will reduce our cost and add to our benefits,” one of the operators told THISDAY.

30

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Nigeria, EU Partner on Innovative Modern Agriculture The European Union is bringing succor to Nigerian agricultural sector that would enhance Nigeria’s quest for food security and sustainable agriculture, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

T

he European Union is investing €1.3 billion in the Nigerian agricultural sector. This was announced on Friday, July 1, in Lagos by the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador Isamuela Isopi, during the official launch of Team Europe Initiative (TEI) Green Economy, Nigeria.

The launch was part of the activities that marked the 8th Edition of EU-Nigeria Business Forum that was held in Lagos between June 30 and July 1, 2022, with the theme ‘Nigeria and the New Economy.”

Isopi said that the TEI-Green economy would put forward innovative, modern solutions to established sectors like agriculture as a new growth engine.

She said: “We launch a TEI-Green Economy, which brings together projects and measures of access to finance, promoted and funded by the EU, the EU Member States and EU Development Finance Institutions” with the objective to achieve low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient development that would create jobs for the youth and accelerate economic growth through the development of climate-smart agriculture as well as circular and digital economy.

The attainment of this objective is built on three pillars, which are the development of climate smart agriculture and sustainable transformation of Agri-SMEs in selected value chains and the expansion of renewable smart energy and promotion of circular economy. The third pillar is the development of innovation and creation of jobs for Nigerian youth.

The implementation of the TEI-Green Economy is expected to yield the emergence of new, and the growth of existing, agribusiness in sustainable agricultural value chains in order to achieve growth in production and exports as well as improvement of smallholder livelihoods through capacity building and investments.

Others expected benefits of the TEI-Green Economy are improved food security, reduction of livestock/crop losses and the application of EU standards. It would also enhance the introduction of nature-based agricultural measures that would reduce climate change vulnerability, enhance biodiversity and combat deforestation and desertification. It would also enhance access to sustainable electricity, especially for agricultural and productive uses.

It would also increase renewable energy share and improve renewable energy regulation and implementation in the country.

Other results expected from the project also include enhanced employability of Nigerian youth and women, increased creation of digital start-ups outside urban areas and the creation of new green smart jobs.

Isopi said that the TEI–Green Economy is intended to assist Nigeria in achieving low

carbon, resource efficiency, and climate resilience agriculture by creating jobs for the youths and generating economic growth.

According to her, the TEI would run till 2027 and would impact 60 projects in agriculture, renewable energy and climate initiatives.

She said: “It is my great pleasure to announce the unveiling of the Team Europe Initiative - Green Economy. I am not doing this alone but doing it with my colleagues’ ambassadors and consul-generals of member states: France, Germany, Denmark and Netherland, alongside European Commission and European Union development financial institutions and private sector.

“It is by working together in collaborative approach and also in partnership between the public and private sector that we can achieve better results.”

Isopi, her remarks during the opening of the 8th EU-Nigeria Buiness Forum, noted that the economic situation in Nigeria has remained difficult and would be further stressed with yet another crisis unfolding in Europe that is occasioned by the Russia/ Ukraine armed conflicts.

She said: “In Nigeria, the shockwaves are already being felt on fuel, fertilizers and food prices,” and added that “Nigeria’s new economy is about finding a path through difficult terrain, identifying opportunities and offering a business-friendly approach.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Director of European Commission Directorate General for Agriculture, Mr. John Clarke, said that the TEI would improve Nigeria’s agricultural industry and create jobs in the rural areas with the support of the private sector. It would also improve networking, discussions and shaping ideas that would be turned into proposals to government.

A Representative of the Supporting Efficient Agriculture Ecosystem of the Embassy of France, Dr. Sonia Darracq, said that France is very proud to be part of this TEI and is contributing €430 million for its implementation.

Darracq said that the initiative would be aimed at enhancing employability of Nigerian youths and women, improving food security and enhancing access to finance especially for agricultural businesses.

She said: “We will collaboratively be able to strengthen our efforts, expand our scope of actions and accept new partnerships.

“Climate change and demographic pressure indeed warrants us to apply new measures. I am confidence that this initiative will lead to more fruitful collaborations between Nigeria and the EU. We are committed to supporting the government of Nigeria in its efforts to diversify the economy, expand renewable energy while creating wealth, jobs and inclusive participation.”

EU identified agriculture as the backbone of Nigerian economy that is providing the main source of livelihood for most Nigerians and contributing about 22 per cent to the nominal GDP of the country. It said that the prevalent smallholder farming system that relied on rain-fed agriculture and unsustainable farming practices are highly prone to climate change to which Nigeria is particularly vulnerable.

The EU also noted observed that notwithstanding a number of policies adopted by the government, the agro sector does not produce the needed quantity and quality of output, nor does it create jobs for the country’s growing young labour force.

It is against this background, and in line with the EU’s Green Deal, that the TEI-Green Economy would support the Nigerian government’s effort to diversify the economy by combining support to enhance access to renewable energy for productive uses and boosting the development of the agricultural sector while integrating circular economy principles in the development models.

“Collectively, the actions will help Nigeria attain the SDGs and put the country on a sustainable development path,” the EU said.

The Head of Green and Digital Economy Team EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ms. Inga Stefanowicz, told THISDAY that the EU intervention would also be advisory and policy dialogue with government. It would also impact on capacity building and projects that directly encourage working with the private sector, small holder farmers, processors, aggregators and value chains in the agricultural sector.

Stefanowicz said: “It will bring in EU development financial institutions that will work through Nigeria’s financial institutions.

They will be investing and lending directly on projects on the ground on favourable terms.

These will be projects in the agricultural sector, investments in energy access primarily for productive use. We will concentrate of course on green energy, especially solar energy. Finally some of the projects are going to be what I like to call employability related projects.

We will like to target more on youths and women.”

The EU further stated that the EIB sovereign lending would support the agri-food sector access to markets by financing rural roads, as well as climate adaption and mitigation efforts.

It said: “The EIB investments in infrastructure and private equity climate funds will facilitate renewable energy and other climate related projects. The EIB’s and European DFI’s technical assistance will be available to banks issuing SDGs and Green Bonds, whereas the EIB and European DFIs can also act as anchor investors.

“Access to finance will be instrumental in strengthening the resilience to climate change and promoting financial inclusion. In the case of smallholder farmers, this will also be enhanced by the EIB support to the rollout of the Digital ID.” The EU noted that the ETI would create space for EU trade and investments while generating job opportunities for Nigeria’s youth through the combination of investment facilities for sustainable energy, agriculture and nature-based solutions by EDFI and European DFIs, coupled with policy dialogue and technical assistance by the EU and the EU member states.

It said: The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, in his keynote Address delivered at the unveiling of the TEI-Green Economy, solicited the support of the EU and the EU-countries to assist with capacity building for Nigeria as a country and its companies to prepare proposals to access the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Abubakar, who was represented by the Director, Africbusiness and Marketing, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Emmanuel Olaleye, said that the execution of green projects would contribute to the reduction in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions as envisaged in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) strategy.

He said: “EU companies and their Nigerian counterparts should take advantage of available GCF to attract Green Projects to Nigeria.

I urge companies to use their Corporate Social Responsibility fund to finance the Integrated Watershed Management Plan that will reduce ecological damage in our rural communities as a result of soil erosion, land degradation, flooding, and high ground water level.

“Integrated watershed management projects will recharge the underground water sources, reduce flooding, and conserve water for Irrigation, thereby reducing the amount of water flowing to the south as flood water.”

The minister noted that the agricultural landscape in Nigeria is changing, with increased government policies aimed at stimulating private sector investment and boosting local production of key products.

“In line with the diversification drive of the current administration as well as in the fulfillment of one of its cardinal pillars of food security, the government will continue to prioritise activities in the agriculture sector through targeted policies to attract investments. The policies like the recently approved National Agricultural Technology and Innovation policy emphasises the use of technology that includes digital agriculture, ranging from innovative technologies such as the use of drones, internet, and other IT facilities/ equipment along the value chain from input delivery, production, processing, and marketing.

Digital agriculture techniques will be used to support climate-smart agriculture to effectively respond to the challenges associated with climate change,” Abubakar said.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

31

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Apeji: How My N29,000 Kuli-Kuli Business i s E m p o w e r i n g N i g e r i a n Wo m e n Adenike Apeji (a.k.a Iya Kuli-kuli), is a serial entrepreneur, and the Founder of Renee Golden Multi-Ventures, a food and beverage, and agricultural value-chain-focused business. She doubles as an accountant and also operates as a Customer Relations Officer and Retail Advisory to both National and Multinational Businesses. In this interview with Sunday Ehigiator, she shed light on how she transformed a business she began with just N29,000 into a multimillion naira investment, which has equally empowered several women in Nigeria. Enjoy excerpt use when it comes to the point scaling up. It’s been very tough. The rates are not friendly and the core of my mission is that it is affordable. When you call kuli-kuli the first thing that comes with it is affordability, that’s the mindset.

My margins are not very high. So that margin of interest rates is so bad, we have these because one of the things we have done is that we’re seeing light in dark places. So my model is not taking away the business from that environment that is established. For example, my factory remains in Niger state and I have had times I had to do insurance.

Nigeria was ranked 135 out of 145 as one of the countries where you don’t have ease of doing business. Doing business for us is just like saying we are like a camel passing through a needle’s eye. It’s been tough but one of the strengths of an entrepreneur is your resonance, not giving up in the face of everything.

Tell us about yourself and what you do? ’m a serial Entrepreneur. I’ve been a consultant in accounting and accounting software over the years. I’ve worked at multinationals like Etisalat (9mobile) and some other consulting firms. I’ve taken roles as retail advisor, customer relations, and, basically as an accountant to organizations over the years.

Currently, I’m serving as the Creative Director of Renee Golden Multi-venture. It is a food and beverage company that has valid chain processes in agricultural products we have delivered over the years on some products. But we are taking one product at a time. And we started with groundnut and we revamped Kuli-kuli. We didn’t invent it, it’s something that we have all eaten as young children and we found a new thing, and we decided to work on it.

I

Bring us up to speed on the genesis of your business?

I’ll say it started during my service year.

I was posted to a village called Kutigi in Niger State, and that’s where the dream of this Kuli-kuli business started. I discovered that there was a gold mine there, in the instance of the Kuli-kuli business.

And I sorted to find the people that do it.

So I told my parents I’m not coming back home. This was my one year of discovering myself, discovering who I want to be and what I want to go into. So I went back, my first allowance, I went to Ojuelegba. I came home for Christmas. I got different kinds of books filled and went back to the village.

So while entering the village I started seeing a young girl whose name is Aminat.

Her picture is still in my office, she hawks Kuli-kuli every morning. I kept asking her why she wouldn’t go to school and then I had this strong feeling that this kuli-kuli could bring something great out of this girl and her likes.

So I started thinking about how I could help them to actualize this. So I established a vocational centre in that village and the Governor recognized it and gave me the Governor’s Award in Niger state. This was in the year 2004.

So that was it. I knew that something great could come out of nowhere. It was a small village but I knew that it was a gold mine. So I thought about the rural-urban migration. I thought about how these people can make meaning out of space, and so I started my research.

However, after my NYSC, I was working at the State Ministry of Finance, but I didn’t spend much time there, then I went into consulting on accounting software. I spent about eight to nine years with my boss, learning and helping small businesses to set up their accounting systems in the IT way. So I did that and as I was establishing that, I added asset management too.

I think I did asset management for daystar and so many other things. So from there, I progressed to Multinationals. I think God wanted me to have exposure to different areas that make up a business and don’t forget I said I’m always led to do anything

by God. And so I moved into multinational customer service.

I would tell you that the two halves of the business are customer service and accounting.

When you can bring customers in and you can manage the funds well your business will grow. So I think God wanted me to have a pinch of that customer service. So, I was in customer service in Etisalat Nigeria and I think that was the best customer service from telecoms.

So in the same Etisalat, I was moved from

What makes your products unique?

Our unique selling point is that our products are commercially safe, hygienically produce healthy, nutritious, quality, and affordable. This gives us an edge in the market competition out there.

Apeji

customer service to retail advisor so I ran at three different centres. So on one holy day I just sat down and I felt that I had had enough.

I knew that I was going to start something, of course, God being my guide I knew that it was time to start up. And so I went into the village that I went to serve, actually to be honest with you. I never wanted to stay; I went out of the country already. I moved to the United States of America (USA), and I was about to settle down but I lost my peace. I started asking God what he wants me to do. If I go back to Nigeria, and the economy does not empower women.

So I started researching, what was wrong with the kuli-kuli they were selling in that village, and why is it not finding acceptance. I started doing research and worked on it. I took it to various labs, what kind of water, what kind of environment. And then we started. So that’s how I started the kuli-kuli.

I gave so much into research. I said to myself, why will cookies stand on a shelf and kuli-kuli cannot? You even have more nutritional value in kuli-kuli than a box of cookies.

I realised that people would eat kulikuli sometimes and see them. So I sat down with the processing and I made sure that every single product comes out top-notch, meaning that even if we have to pick all the wrongs in the groundnut to ensure only the clean ones go into processing, I’m ready to pay that price.

So the content was the best quality for me, if your content is not making sense your package won’t as well. So we put all our effort into the content.

I remember the first time I ever received an idea to go and share kuli-kuli at a party. It was my friend Barrister Solape’s project that day. And so I sat

down packaging that morning and said, ‘come on, we can make this thing into a very nice package and share it at the party. To kill my doubt I made chin-chin and I made kuli-kuli.

So I went and looked for a package branded with our name, and “happy 40th birthday.” And I got to the party, and to my shock, everybody wanted the kuli-kuli more than the chin-chin and so you were right on the testing ground for me to know this has an acceptance.

So I went and researched, I went as far as China to get packaging that suits what I wanted it to be. So I had a picture in mind of what I wanted it to look like. Last December we were packing and people were ordering kuli-kuli to put in hampers, a particular customer called and made orders, and we had to deal with the quality, quantity, and packaging.

Those are the things I saw that did not make it acceptable in the first place.

And once we solved that, we saw that we could gain acceptance into so many arms. To be honest with you we have a very good problem, too much demand and less supply because we are trying to scale up to do the machined process.

One of the things we’ve also done with the kuli-kuli is that we’re working on how to get it effectively and efficiently produced because of the tedious process that goes into it. I want to be able to produce in two days, instead of five, so that I will always be able to satisfy my customers.

Looking at the unfriendly economy, how have you been able to remain afloat, do you take bank loans?

Oh yes. You see my company would have scaled up to more than this. I don’t want to mention names but Sterling Bank has been the basic bank that I

Give us insight into your establishment cost, and current asset or worth?

I started Renee Golden Multi-ventures in 2017 from my living room with the sum of N29,000 and then in 2019, we moved into an office space and expanded factory space at Bida, in Niger state. Now we are worth over N12 million in assets and generated revenue of over N22.5 million in 2021.

How is the business contributing to the economy?

As an organization, we are contributing greatly to the economic growth of the nation and making a social impact within our communities of operation. We are creating employment opportunities for graduates and youth in Nigeria as we have 7 management staff and 28 production and sales staff.

Also, we provide an internship platform (with over 25 interns taken and scaled up to the proper education system) for both secondary school students and undergraduates in the tertiary institution by equipping them through training on relevant employability skills and to gain experience for the future. Over the years we have economically empowered over 200 women through our retail distribution channel, entrepreneurial skills, and vocational training in capacity building as SMEs. With our expansion plans ongoing for raw material sourcing we would be empowering over 100 groundnut out-growers within local governments of Niger state in the northern region of Nigeria with modernized machinery, training structure, and capacity building for their farm yields to eradicate wastage of farm produce.

We have been able to preserve, rebrand, and promote loyalty and respect for our indigenous products such as our local snacks kuli, Tigernut drink (kunu aya), honey, and local rice in the global market.

Global statistics of wastage on-farm produce presently stand.

What is your magic wand?

My greatest motivation in life is that I have one life to live and an impact must be made with this life. So I must not waste any opportunity. Work while it is a day for the night cometh when no man can work.

32

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Group Petitions AGF over Unfair Distribution of NLNG Train 7 Projects Gilbert Ekugbe The Northern Voices for Equity and Justice (NVEJ) has petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami over what it called an unfair distribution of the ongoing Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train 7 Project contracts across all regions of the country.

In a statement made available to journalists, the group led by Kabir Ahmed, alleged that managers of the NLNG Train 7 Project including the contractors, Saipem and Daewoo and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) are deliberately

awarding contracts on the project to their proxies, associates and cronies to the exclusion of parts of Nigeria.

The NLNG project is expected to increase the six processing trains of the plant in Bonny to seven trains as well increase the current installed capacity to 30 MPTA With the approved vendors list exceeding over 300, the NVEJ stated that there is hardly any company from the northern part of Nigeria or their business interests that are involved.

Describing it as a major missing link that continues to fuel the unending divide within the Nigerian socio-economic and political structure, the

group maintained that the project remains in excess of $10 billion (N6 trillion).

It stated that this is inclusive of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commission (EPCIC) and is expected to stretch till 2027 or a little beyond if everything goes well.

“Much as we appreciate and support the participation and capacity building of our brothers and sisters in the Niger Delta and the entire South by extension through various projects in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, it has become imperative that these project managers must not look away from other regions,” it said.

Key Challenges to SMEs’ Financing Tackled at CMSA Annual Business Luncheon At the just concluded Annual Business Luncheon of the Capital Market Solicitors Association 2022, the CEO of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Temi Popoola, said that the challenge of access to finance holding down Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria from performing their role as engines of growth can be addressed through the use of technology to provide innovative solutions.

Popoola spoke at the CMSA as Keynote Note speaker on the theme, “Capital Market, Startup Financing and Syndicate Funding: Ability of Small and Mediumsized Enterprises to Access the Capital Market,” the NGX CEO highlighted the critical role that

Nigeria’s 40 million SMEs play in the economy, saying they have contributed about 48 percent of the national GDP in the last five years, accounted for about 50 percent of industrial jobs and nearly 90 percent of the manufacturing sector in terms of the number of enterprises.

“Long-term solutions are required to address this critical concern and technology presents innovative opportunities to address the SME financing gap through the development of new business models and digital financial products, including equity capital,” he said.

Citing a 2020 report by the Global Partnership for Financial

Inclusion, Popoola said recent advances in technology are impacting how SMEs finance their business and transform their operations. He said the report, titled “Promoting Digital and Innovative SME Financing”, shared insights on how digital technologies are helping to close the financing gap for SMEs through the adoption of digital financial services solutions.

He said innovative solutions, such as blockchain technology, cloud computing, the internet of things, Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML), big data analytics, innovative Application Programming Interface (API), among others, are helping SMEs.

‘IBEDC Losses N50m to Vandalism Every Month’ Kayode Tokede The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc has disclosed that the company losing over N50million every month to vandals through stolen cables, damaged transformers, and other network infrastructure.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO), IBEDC, John Ayodele who disclosed this decried the spate of vandalism within its network, stressing that activities of vandals is beginning to cripple power distribution to its esteemed customers.

He noted that unknown civilians and armed men cladded

in Police and Civil Defense uniforms, carted away IBEDC 33kV underground cables at Mokola Round-about in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to him, “The stolen cables feed Agodi Injection Substation, where Government House, the State Secretariat, Agodi and majority of Bodija area and thousands of other urban customers are serviced.

“This means the economic power and livelihood of these people have been grossly disrupted, as we are incapacitated by the stolen cables to meet the supply demand. And this is just one of the various

instances of the nefarious activities of vandals within our franchise.”

He appealed to IBEDC customers to jealously guard electrical installations within their environments to avoid being plunged into unexpected darkness, as the company cannot afford to replace any vandalized installations for now.

“We implore all residents and Customers to report any act suspected to be vandalism to the nearest Police Station, Civil Defence and the Department of State Service. IBEDC does not operate late nights and all activities that occur after 8pm should be suspected and reported accordingly”, he said.

Skymark Partners Raises N3.2bn Series 2, 3 and 4 CP Skymark Partners Limited, a proprietary investment company focused on investing and creating wealth in critical growth sectors of the Nigerian economy, has successfully issued Series 2, 3 and 4 Commercial Papers under its established N5bn Commercial Paper Issuance Programme - raising a total sum of N3.2bn.

The issuance consisted of three series – a 91-day series priced at 12.5919% discount, a 182-day series priced at 13.3046% discount and a 270-day series priced at 14.1065% discount.

Skymark Partners set out to raise N2bn but recorded significant investor interest evidenced by the submitted bids totaling N4.5bn. This translates to a 228% subscription of the

issuance.

Speaking about the successful issuance, Egie Akpata, FCCA, Chairman of Skymark Partners Limited, said, “This issuance represents a landmark event for Skymark Partners and positions our firm to achieve its strategic objectives and continue to provide value to all stakeholders.”

According to him, “The success of the CP issuance and particularly the oversubscription reflects the investor community’s trust and acceptance of Skymark Partners as a counterparty for the long term. We remain thankful to our investors for their continued support and confidence in Skymark Partners Limited”.

Akpata also expressed his

appreciation of the effort and strong support of United Capital Plc, the Dealer for the transaction.

Following the release of the company’s audited FY 2021 financials, DataPro affirmed Skymark’s long term rating of A and short-term rating of A1, citing the continued growth trend of revenue and profits and a clear articulation and implementation of its corporate strategy.

The rating remains valid till March 2023.

Skymark Partners is a principal investment company with interests in financial services, technology, and real estate amongst others. Skymark Partners was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

L-R: Vice Chairman, Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA) Vincent Iweze, Principal Partner, E. Osoka and Co. Lady Eli Osoka, CEO, Big Cabal Media, Tomi Aladekomo, Head, Business Development Division, FMDQ Exchange; Jumoke Olaniyan, Chairman, CMSA, Chike Obianwu, and Conference Chairman, CMSA Annual Business Luncheon, Adeleke Alex-Adedipe, at the CMSA 2022 Annual Business Luncheon in Lagos...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

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE 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).

33

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

MARKET NEWS

‘NGX Remains Preferred Listing Platform for Capital Raising’ Capital market stakeholders have commended Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) for providing a vibrant listing platform for government and corporates to meet their business objectives.

The stakeholders stated this during the NGX CEO Roundtable held in Lagos yesterday.

The event, themed, “Creating the Enabling Ecosystem for Accessing Capital from the Nigerian Capital Markets,” brought

together key stakeholders in the capital market ecosystem to address and proffer solutions to the challenges faced by issuers in raising capital in the market.

In his opening remarks, Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, OON, said that, “we convened this Roundtable with the ultimate objective of enhancing the listing experience for listed companies

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

and providing useful insights to prospective companies.

Speaking, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo said that the Federal government is working diligently to improve the economy through diversifying the economy and strengthening institutions and structures. Additionally, he said, “as more of our startup companies grow and mature, we must ensure that there is access

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

to a range of financial options to support their expansion plans.”

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. (Mrs) Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed in a goodwill message, said that as a nation faced with the burden of economic recovery as a result of the global pandemic, the capital market is an efficient, reliable solution for businesses to raise capital and for investors to

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

grow wealth.

On his part, the Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Lamido Yuguda noted that the theme of the roundtable resonates with the mandate of the Securities and Exchange Commission in developing and regulating the market while protecting investors.

CEO of NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola reassured stakeholders

O F

of NGX’s commitments to improving issuers’ experience by providing a platform that enables companies to raise capital more efficiently whilst protecting investors. “As part of efforts to improve the listing experience of current issuers and attract new listings, NGX has intensified efforts with policymakers to shape reforms and policies that are supportive of listings and the capital market at large.

0 7 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

Friday, July 8, 2022

Thisday Afrinvest Indexfell Closed Flat Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index by 14bps The dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ ϭϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ The dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ Ăƚ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

at 1,674.89ŝŶĚĞdž points ƉŽŝŶƚƐ due to sell-pressure ZENITH(+0.5%), (-0.6%), Ϯ͕ϰϮϲ͘ϵϯ ĂƐ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ onGTCO WAPCO (-1.3%), and UBA (-0.7%). These stocks cumula-

ZENITH (+0.5%), and ACCESSCORP ;нϮ͘ϭйͿ ŽīƐĞƚ

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

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losses in FBNH (-ϯ͘ϮйͿ ͕ UBA (-0.7%), and FIDELITicker

TYBK (-ϭ͘ϮйͿ͘ ƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ASI up 11bps as DANGCEM Gains 3.3%

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

for 15.5% of the index.

WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ

ĚĂLJ͕

ƉƌŝĐĞ

ƵƉƟĐŬ

ŝŶ

(+9.8%), E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ & E, (+0.7%) bolstered ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶ the local bourse as the All-

zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ͕ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďŽƵƌƐĞ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŵĂƌŐŝŶĂů index

rose

1,732.20

by

gains as 39,550.36 the benchmark index rose to 11bps to points. ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ zd 1bp ůŽƐƐ ŝŵͲ ϱϭ͕ϱϲϯ͘ϳϯ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ proved to -1.8% while ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ േϮϯ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ACCESSCORP ;нϮ͘ϭйͿ͕ ZENITH (+0.5%) and GTCO

0.00% 0.0%

ROE

30.9% 142.7% 45.6%

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%

7.2%

0.0%

23.3%

12.1%

27.0x

6.1x

3.9%

3.7%

20.40

0.5%

4.2%

-21.5%

-0.5%

19.8%

3.2%

3.4x

0.7x

14.7%

29.8% 36.3%

21.85

0.5%

4.2%

-13.1%

0.7%

20.6%

2.6%

2.8x

0.5x

14.2%

275.00

0.0%

3.9%

7.0%

0.0%

37.7%

16.4%

12.4x

4.5x

7.4%

8.0%

26.20

0.0%

3.0%

9.4%

-0.8%

15.5%

11.1%

7.1x

1.1x

7.7%

14.1%

8 FBN Holdings Plc 9 Nestle Nigeria PLC 10 SEPLAT Energy PLC

10.60

-3.2%

2.5%

-7.0%

-8.6%

20.1%

1.9%

2.3x

0.4x

3.3%

43.7%

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%

13.1x

1.0x

3.2%

7.6%

9.70

2.1%

2.3%

4.3%

4.3%

17.9%

1.6%

2.1x

0.3x

7.2%

47.2%

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

0.0%

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

4.1%

8.8%

0.0%

18.4%

1.0%

2.2x

0.4x

6.3%

44.9%

7.1x

1.1x

9.0%

14.1%

0.7x

6.6%

20.1% 41.1%

0.0%

1.3%

21.8%

33.55

0.0%

1.3%

-6.8%

0.0%

15.6%

2.1%

by volume were dZ E^ KZW ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ & E, (11.1m

17 International Brew eries PLC 18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

5.40

0.0%

1.0%

9.1%

-14.3%

-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

Across sectors under our coverage, performance was

Across sectors within our coverage, performance ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ er 'ŽŽĚƐ indices, ϭ down 4.6% and ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂŶĚ ĂƐ Ϯ Insurance ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͕ ůŽƐƚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ

31 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 32 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> (AFR-ICT, Oil & Gas, and Industrial Goods indices

33 Custodian and Allied Insurance 34 Unilever Nigeria PLC

9.1%),

hE/> s Z

(-3.5%),

>/E< ^^hZ

(-6.4%),

ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ and Consumer Goods

35 Jaiz Bank PLC 36 Oando PLC

ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ Ϭ͘ϱй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ

37 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 38 Sterling Bank PLC

ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ (-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^^ KZW ;нϮ͘ϭйͿ͕ ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K (-0.8%), E/d,

39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

and D E^ Z (-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ

ing indices fell by Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů-

ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕;нϬ͘ϱйͿ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ E/d, ,KEz&>KhZ ;нϴ͘ϰйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ

0.6%

25.5%

-6.4%

13.3%

1.2%

2.4x

0.3x

10.9%

0.0%

0.7%

132.1%

0.0%

17.8%

8.1%

13.5x

2.2x

0.6%

7.4%

165.00

0.0%

0.5%

87.9%

0.0%

7.6x

4.6x

4.3%

13.2%

3.40

0.0%

0.5%

372.2%

6.6%

15.7%

0.9%

8.0%

3.20

-1.2%

0.4%

7.0%

-7.5%

10.7%

1.1%

2.9%

0.9%

T ic k er

ƟŽŶ in E' D (+3.3%).

ŝŶĚĞdž ĚŝƉƉĞĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůŽīƐ ŝŶ Z ' >/E^ ;7.4%). /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ Outlook ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ 1.6x ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ stocks /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ

2.00

0.0%

0.4%

-13.8%

0.0%

12.70

-0.8%

0.4%

28.3%

-0.4%

12.5x

19.1x

1.8x

7.1%

0.3x

6.3%

0.6x

12.5%

3.2x

11.8%

1.4x

6.3%

0.5x

1.6%

0.0%

0.4%

-8.0%

-1.8%

1.28

2.4%

0.4%

33.3%

4.1%

10.40

0.0%

0.3%

70.5%

8.3%

7.9x

1.2x

2.4%

12.6%

17.10

0.0%

0.2%

94.3%

-0.9%

12.1%

4.1%

18.3x

2.1x

2.9%

5.5%

11.20

0.0%

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

8.3%

16.7%

6.6%

8.6x

11.6%

27.10

2.3%

0.2%

21.3%

2.3%

18.1%

2.3%

6.0x

0.8x

9.2%

16.6%

7.30

0.0%

0.2%

-7.6%

4.3%

19.5%

5.5%

4.3x

0.8x

6.8%

23.3%

15.50

0.0%

0.1%

6.9%

4.7%

8.8%

5.4%

30.3x

1.3x

3.2%

3.3%

0.84

3.7%

0.1%

50.0%

-7.7%

17.4%

1.3%

6.5x

1.2x

4.8%

15.4%

5.45

0.0%

0.1%

23.3%

-3.9%

5.55

0.0%

0.1%

-5.9%

-9.8%

6.1%

0.7%

8.7x

0.6x

1.54

1.3%

0.1%

2.0%

1.3%

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%

-21.5%

-165.0% 11.4% 6.6%

1.8x

32.9% -9.5%

1.0x

1.1%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

A C A D EM Y

1.72

9.6%

J A IZ B A N K

42.1

3.7%

NA HCO

9.30

9.4%

GT C O

19.5

0.5%

F T N C OC OA

0.35

9.4%

ST ER LN B A N K

9.4

1.3%

H ON YF LOUR

2.97

8.4%

UB A

6.9

-0.7%

IKEJ A H OT EL

1.32

8.2%

NA HCO

5.2

9.4%

C H A M P ION

3.89

8.1%

IN T B R EW

4.9

0.0%

UN IT YB N K

0.49

4.3%

CHA M S

4.3

0.0%

J A IZ B A N K

0.84

3.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

3.9

0.5%

T R A N SC OR P

1.28

2.4%

A C A D EM Y

3.5

9.6%

27.10

2.3%

WEM A B A N K

3.0

0.0%

J B ER GER

5.2%

16.00

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

er, up 1.8% driven by price apprecia , DW/KE ;нϴ͘ϭйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Insurance

-9.9%

-1.2%

22 Wema Bank PLC 23 FCMB Group Plc

29 Cadbury Nigeria PLC 30 UAC of Nigeria PLC

5.0x

3.20

27 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

Mixed Sector Performance bearish as 4 indices lost, 1 index gained ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &Z-/ d

1.0x

90.50

24 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 25 United Capital PLC 26 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

ʬ1.7bn.

Bearish Sector Performance

6.9%

5 Zenith Bank PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 Lafarge Africa PLC

10.60

ĂŶĚ ϮϬ͘ϳй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ƚŽ ϭϰϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ

10.9%

1.2%

6.0%

15 Ecobank Transnational Inc 16 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

improved as volume and value traded rose 5.4% E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

6.3%

0.0%

ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ ϴϴ͘ϱй ƚŽ േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ The most traded stocks

ʬ11.9bn ʬϮϳ͘ϴƚŶ͘ DĞĂŶǁŚŝůĞ͕ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ĂŶĚ to K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕

0.8x

0.0%

ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй ƚŽ ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ value

ϮϬ͘ϳй ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ

5.6x

71.90

13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 14 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

;нϬ͘ϱйͿ͘ ĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐůLJ͕ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

P/BV

230.30

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC

ĂƌŐĂŝŶ ,ƵŶƟŶŐ ^ƉƵƌƐ DŝůĚ 'ĂŝŶƐ͘​͘​͘ ^/ ƵƉ ϭďƉ Share

2426.93

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

,KEz&>KhZ

Price Previous Price Current Change Price Change Weighting Index to Change YTD Date

Current Price

advanced while 15 stocks declined. MRS (+9.9%), MAY-

ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ͕ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘Ϭϲdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϬϮdž ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝͲ

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

BAKER (+9.8%), and HONYFLOUR (+9.8%) led gainers

or session as 15 stocks advanced, 10 declined

T ic k er

while ABCTRANS (-8.3%), LASACO (-6.7%), and LIVE-

R T B R ISC OE

ǁŚŝůĞ ϴϮ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ĮŶĂů ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ STOCK (-4.8%) led losers.

Previous day, we expect the

UP D C R EGA LIN S

ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ĂƐ earnings season the week, we expect theŵŝdžĞĚ͕ market to extend its gradually winds up. ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ͘

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

0.34

-8.1%

A IR T ELA F R I

572.2

P ric e C hg % 0.0%

1.17

-7.9%

GT C O

396.8

0.5%

0.25

-7.4%

D A N GC EM

128.5

0.0%

J A P A ULGOLD

0.28

-3.4%

Z EN IT H B A N K

85.1

0.5%

FB NH

10.60

-3.2%

UB A

51.4

-0.7%

F ID ELIT YB K

3.20

-1.2%

NA HCO

46.1

9.4%

FCM B

3.20

-1.2%

NB

44.3

0.0%

UC A P

12.70

-0.8%

WA P C O

41.4

0.0%

N GXGR OUP

22.35

-0.7%

J A IZ B A N K

36.6

3.7%

7.45

-0.7%

UC A P

27.7

-0.8%

UB A

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

P ric e

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

This

Weekend

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

TR

UTH

& R E ASO

N

WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS The Art, A flambouyant 5-star Business Boutique Hotel Berths in Lagos See page 37

ETRENDS Cally Ikpe and the Revolution of Nigerian Music Videos See page 38

ART WEEKEND Affinity Art Gallery Warms Up the Art Scene with New Show See page 39

POLSCOPE 2023: The Potholes on Their Paths See page 40

Group Features Editor: CHIEMELIE EZEOBI chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com

07010510430

Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya: Blending Kinetic, Non-Kinetic Approach in Tackling Insurgency in Internal Security Operations

36

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

COVER

Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya:

Blending Kinetic, Non-Kinetic Approach in Tackling Insurgency in I n t e r n a l S e c u r i t y O p e ra t i o n s ØÞÓÖ ÒÓÝ ËÚÚÙÓØÞ×ÏØÞ ËÝ ÞÒÏ ͓​͓ØÎ ÒÓÏÐ ÙÐ Ü×ã ÞËÐИ ÓÏßÞÏØËØÞ ÏØÏÜËÖ ËÜßÕ ËÒËãË áËÝ ÞÒÏ ÒÏËÞÜÏ Ù××ËØÎÏÜ ÚÏÜËÞÓÙØ ˜ ÜÏÝÚÙØÝÓÌÖÏ ÐÙÜ ÙßØÞÏÜ ÏÜÜÙÜÓÝ× ËØÎ ÙßØÞÏÜ ØÝßÜÑÏØÍã ÙÚÏÜËÞÓÙØÝ ÓØ ÙÜÞÒ ËÝÞ ÓÑÏÜÓ˲ ×Ï×ÌÏÜ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ͔͘ ÏÑßÖËÜ ÙßÜÝÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÚÜÏÝÞÓÑÓÙßÝ ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÏÐÏØÍÏ ÍËÎÏ×㘠ÒÏ áËÝ ÍÙ××ÓÝÝÓÙØÏÎ ÓØÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÓÑÏÜÓËØ Ü×ã ØÐËØÞÜã ÙÜÚÝ ÙØ ÏÚÞÏ×ÌÏÜ ͓​͓˜ ͚͒​͚͑˛ Ø ÞËÕÓØÑ ßÚ ÞÒÏ ×ËØÞÖÏ ÙÐ ÖÏËÎÏÜÝÒÓÚ ÙØ Ëã ͓͘˜ ͓͓͑͒˜ ÒÏ ÚÖÏÎÑÏÎ ÞÙ ÚÜÙÞÏÍÞ ÞÒÏ ØËÞÓÙØ˪Ý ÞÏÜÜÓÞÙÜÓËÖ ÓØÞÏÑÜÓÞ㘠ÒÏÜ ØËÞÓÙØËÖ ÓØÞÏÜÏÝÞÝ ËØÎ ËÍÍÙ×ÚÖÓÝÒ ËÝÝÓÑØÏÎ ÞËÝÕÝ ÓØ ËÓÎ ÙÐ ÍÓàÓÖ ËßÞÒÙÜÓÞã Ë×ÙØÑ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÜÏÝÚÙØÝÓÌÓÖÓÞÓÏݲ˿CHIEMELIE EZEOBI ÜÏÚÙÜÞÝ ÞÒËÞ ÙØÏ ãÏËÜ ÎÙáØ ÞÒÏ ÖÓØϘ ÎÏÚÝÓÞÏ ÎËßØÞÓØÑ ÍÒËÖÖÏØÑÏÝ ÓØ ËØÎ ÙßÞ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÌËÞÞÖÏÐÓÏÖΘ ÒÏ ÓÝ ÌÏØÞ ÙØ ßÝÓØÑ Ë ÌÖÏØÎ ÙÐ ÕÓØÏÞÓÍ ËØÎ ØÙØ̋ÕÓØÏÞÓÍ ÏÐÐÙÜÞÝ ÓØ ÞËÍÕÖÓØÑ ÞÒÏ Øß×ÏÜÙßÝ ÓØÝÏÍßÜÓÞã ËÍÜÙÝÝ ÌÙËÜÎ

U

ntil his appointment as the 22nd Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya was the Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI, responsible for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations in North East Nigeria. On May 27, 2021, he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the elite crop of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

unshakeable, his command philosophy is premised on Professionalism, Readiness, Administration and Cooperation (PRAC).

ABOUT THE COAS

On his vision for the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Yahaya said it will channeled towards defeating all security challenges presently confronting the Nigerian Nation in collaboration with sister services and other security agencies.

Succinctly put, his vision is having “A professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria”.

Born on January 5, 1966 in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the COAS is a product of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and University of Salford, Manchester.

At the NDA, he was commenced officer cadet training on September 27, 1985 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Corp of Infantry as a Second Lieutenant on December 27, 1990.

He is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), and Nigerian Army School of Infantry and he also boasts of a master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy.

MISSION

APPOINTMENTS HELD

On his mission, the COAS said he will command the NA to win all land battles in defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria, protect her national interests and accomplish assigned tasks in aid of civil authority among other responsibilities.

Over the course of serving his fatherland, he has held several appointments including Staff, Instructional and Command.

Notable among the appointments held by the COAS were Garrison Commander Headquarters Guards Brigade, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Deputy Director Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Deputy Director Army Research and Development and the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield.

VISION

PLEDGE For the COAS, under his command, the “Nigerian Army will discharge its duties with diligence, commitment and loyalty to the President Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Mohammadu Buhari.”

COMMAND PHILOSOPHY For the General, whose triad stance on professionalism, discipline and regimentation are

He also served as the Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Commander, Headquarters 4 Brigade and 29 Task Force Brigade (Operation Zaman Lafiya).

He was also Director Manpower at the Army Headquarters, Military Secretary, Army Headquarters and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.

HONOURS The COAS is a proud holder of several honours and awards, some of which include, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Grand Service Star, Passed staff course (Dagger).

In his kitty also is the National Defence Course (Chile), Economic Community of West Africa State Monitoring Group Medal, Command Medal, Field Command Medal, General Operations Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal and Golden Jubilee Medal.

BLEND OF KINETIC AND NON-KINETIC APPROACH While noting that the security challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria and the West African sub-region alone, he said the military has continued to adopt kinetic and non-kinetic measures to confront such security threats.

ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR Recently at a media

chat held with select media executives including THISDAY, the COAS said despite daunting challenges, the army under his command has recorded several achievements.

According to him, military and other security agencies are making steady progress in various theatres of operation despite the serious security challenges facing the country.

To achieve this, premium was placed on acquiring the right equipment.

Therefore, with support from the federal government, procurement of arms and ammunition was paramount.

A strong believer in training, COAS has always opined that training is key for soldiers and officers. Therefore, he has continuously ensured that under his command, the army reviews their curriculum in tandem with the existing security challenges.

The COAS is also of the school of thought that discipline and regimentation are pivotal to professionalism in the Nigerian Army, thus his continuous effort to ensure personnel toe that line.

Also, as one who places premium on welfare of officers and soldiers, he embarked on several projects such as the renovation of some barracks and offices, construction of new barracks, upgrade of medical facilities, and even schools.

Summarily, the last one year under his command has seen return of Nigerians in the North-east to their homes, mass surrender of terrorists and reopening of all schools in the geopolitical zone including the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

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NEWS

The Art, A flambouyant 5-star Business Boutique Hotel Berths in Lagos Stories by Mary Nnah Determined to contribute to the development of the tourism and hospitality industry in Nigeria, a prestigious 5-Star boutique Art-Deco hotel, The Art Hotel, Lagos is set to officially open its doors to welcome guests to a distinct kind of luxury hospitality on July 11th, 2022.

Located in the heart of Victoria Island, The Art Hotel, designed with keen attention to detail, and the first of its kind hotel, will offer unmatched hospitality experiences in Nigeria’s commercial hub as the “art-tainment” atmosphere makes the hotel a travel enthusiast’s home away from home.

The Art Hotel is a magnificent edifice characterised by contemporary art installations primarily from one of the most prominent Art Galleries in West Africa, the Nike Art Gallery.

The boutique hotel is also adorned with curated art pieces from notable Nigerian artists by the likes of Peju Alatishe, Ndidi Emefele, Tola Aliki, Sanusi Olatunji, and Nike and Tola Wewe, Bolaji Ogunwo, to name a few.

Commenting on the forthcoming unveiling, the Chief Executive Officer of the Art Hotel, Tunji Abdul, said, “After a challenging five-year planning and development process, we are delighted and honoured to be opening our doors to the general public as we have positioned ourselves to meet the growing demand of the business community, art lovers, and The Explorers.”

“We will offer an unmatched hospitality experience while aiming to serve our unique guests. Our vision is to become the leading provider of differ-

entiated, boutique Art-Deco hotels in key cities worldwide, starting with Lagos”, he added.

Developed by Dreamspaces Development Limited along with a team of exceptional experts from the hospitality industry, the hotel is set to endear its guests to wonderful staycations with a refreshing ambiance and excellent service.

The Art Hotel boasts of impressive state-of-the-art amenities, including conference and meeting rooms, a

standard Gym, a posh lobby with a 6-story glass ceiling atrium that enhances natural lights, an art lounge gallery, a rooftop swimming pool, a cloud terrace restaurant, and the Mist Restaurant and lounge.

The lavishly decorated rooms pay homage to the traditional Oniru ruling house in Lagos, with the Duke Standard rooms, Duke Superior Rooms, Prince Deluxe Suites, and Emperor Suites. The hotel has bridged the gap between indigenous culture and con-

temporary creativity.

The Art Hotel has the perfect combination of pristine hues and a vibrant selection of artistic furnishings to give a balanced touch of simplicity and sophistication. It is an experience destined to capture guests’ minds from the moment they walk in, making it even more memorable and delightful.

For reservations email info@arthotelng.com or visit www.arthotelng.com and @ art.hotelng on Instagram for more Information.

The Art Hotel exterior

religion in Nigeria. Christians should walk towards the barking dog,” Kukah said.

He blamed politicians and the government for implementing and executing policies and programmes that divide the people along ethnic and other sectarian lines.

Lamenting the security situation in the country, he also blamed the government for lacking the capacity and willingness to tackle it.

“Now, Nigeria is being ranked as the ninth worst country for Christians to live in the world. We are number nine and Iran is number eight. Everywhere I go; people keep asking me what is happening to Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

“Toxic politics has now poisoned our religion.

Though I am not a veterinarian, I was told that when a dog is barking you walk towards it and not retreat because, if you turn back, it would attack. My point is that we Christians must walk towards the barking dog. We must not retreat, he noted.”

In his sermon, vicargeneral/episcopal vicar, Ikeja Region, Monsignor John Aniagwu, who represented the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, advised Nigerians to get their permanent voter’s card (PVC) and avoid being manipulated in the 2023 elections.

He said, “There is a way forward if we allow true de-

mocracy to prevail and elect the right people. Nigeria is endowed with so many right people who can lead us in the right direction to overcome the challenges we are facing.”

Aniagwu flayed the economic situation in the country and lamented that many people were slipping into abject poverty and the government could not arrest the situation.

Bishop Martins, who later joined the occasion, expressed delight that Lagos was kicking off KSM’s 70th anniversary celebration.

Martins stated that the celebration was an opportunity, with its theme, to look to the past, examine the present and define the future, and believed that participants must have learned a lot speaking with Kukah.

Lions Club Donates Borehole to Community As part of its effort to improve the health status of Nigerians, the Lagos Phoenix Lions Club recently provided residents of Obalende and its environs a borehole to enable them to have clean and safe water within their reach.

The borehole project was commissioned by the District Governor Lion Fortune Wagbatsoma ably represented by the District Governor-elect,

L-R; VP, Consumer Electronics, Jumia, Sandeep Narayanan; and General Manager of realme CIS & MEA region, Jack Zhang during realme partnership launch with Jumia Jumia, the leading pan-African e-commerce platform has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with realme, the world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand, which would provide millions of consumers in Africa access to innovative and trendsetting devices with the latest technology.

The agreement allows for realme to have an official store on Jumia’s platform that would connect it with online consumers across 11 African countries, initially including Nigeria and gradually expanding to Kenya, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, and thereafter to the remaining African countries where Jumia operates.

Speaking about this development, VP, Consumer Electronics, Jumia, Sandeep Narayanan said “We are delighted to begin exploring how we might offer our platform to realme and provide it with the opportunity to grow and access the African market.

“Both of our companies share similar values and we look forward to a collaboration that would provide Jumia’s consumers access to best-in-class, affordable smartphones via Jumia’s seamless shopping experience.”

Speaking further, Narayanan added, “Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing mobile regions and millions of African mobile users use a smartphone to access Jumia for their everyday needs.”

He said therefore that with this in mind, his company looks forward to further enhancing the penetration of ecommerce in the region.

General Manager of realme CIS & MEAregion, Jack Zhang, said his company is thrilled to partner with Jumia, the leading e-commerce platform in Africa, to bring its smartphones to users across the continent, adding, “This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to technology decentralisation by making technology that used to be only in flagship models to be accessible to more consumers.

“We believe the young generation in Africa will find our products to have the best side of performance and of trendsetting design, as it is our mission to scale innovation with the trend for consumers in the world.”

Catholic Bishop Encourages Christian to Partake in Politics The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said that the absence of good Christians in the political space has led to a bad situation in the country.

He noted that Christians have so much power and are given little because they are not united and organised as a bloc, adding that they have the capacity and resources to make Nigeria a better place for all.

He, therefore, urged Christians to embrace politics as the country prepares to elect new leadership in 2023.

Kukah said this while delivering a lecture at an event to flag off the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, (KSM), Nigeria, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos being part of a one-year bouquet of activities geared at celebrating KSM’s platinum jubilee anniversary.

Kukah, who said kidnapping for ransom, banditry, robbery, corruption, and insurgency were some of the ills troubling the country, averred that Christians were complicit by not participating in the political process and allowing those who do not have the interest of the people at heart to dominate the political space.

“Toxic politics is poisoning

REALME, JUMIA JOIN FORCES TO BOOST SMARTPHONE ADOPTION IN AFRICA

Lion Ano Anyanwu at Ije Barracks Market, Obalende Lagos after due needs assessment by the Club under the able leadership of Lion Gloria Ngozi Igure, who is the president for the year 2021/2022.

In attendance were the Zone 1A Chairperson Lion TPL Soledotun AbdulkarimYusuf, the Charter President of the Club Lion Joyce Akpata, and other members of

the club.

The community was so amazed and happy because the women leader contacted said they needed water supply in the area which is densely populated for years.

Indeed it was a heart fulfilled project that will impact heavily on the lives of the market women and police residing in that axis as water is one of the most human basic needs.

OLU OF WARRI HOSTS 3RD GHIGHO AGHOFEN CEREMONY Sylvester Idowu in Warri Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III has hosted the third edition of “Ghigho Aghofen” ceremony for Omadino Community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta.

The ceremony was hosted at Olu’s palace, amidst cultural displays from various ethnic nationalities residing in the oil-rich kingdom.

Among the nationalities were the Urhobos, Ilajes, Binis, Esans, Yorubas, Ijaws, Isokos, Igalas and Igbos, among others.

Ghigho Aghofen, meaning “Palace Watch,” is a ceremony ushering in one of the indigenous Itsekiri communities to keep watch over the Warri Kingdom.

It was initiated by the king in 2021, shortly after ascending the royal stool.

The aim was to promote the robust relationship between the king and other communities that could not have access to the palace due to one reason or the other.

Addressing the congregation on Saturday, Ogiame urged Omadino community to resolve their differences and forge ahead as one and indivisible community.

“I thank Omadino community for coming in large numbers. I want to use this opportunity to preach peace and unity because there is a lot that is being spoken about in the community.

“Let me remind you that you have a unique opportunity to start again in your community. So a line must be drawn.

Many people may feel a sense of indictment and frustration.

“I appeal to all of you to put those sentiments away and start doing things right. Omadino is a too important community for there to be division and fight.

“You are on duty till Sept. 24. You will also be on duty when we mark our first coronation anniversary.

“Hopefully, before the time lapses, we will come to Omadino.

We want to see that the factions are dissolved and embrace peace,” he said. Ogiame said that there was much to achieve with unity, with special reference to Itsekiri Trust Fund.

“As much as possible, we will re-organise ourselves as Itsekiris.

We have to exhibit excellence,” he said.

The royal father also thanked Inorin community, the immediate past Ghigho Aghofen (Palace Watch) for doing a great job in the past three months.

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E-TRENDS I TURNED DOWN N50 MILLION FROM BBNAIJA FANS, SAYS CROSS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

Cally Ikpe and the Revolution of Nigerian Music Videos Stories by Vanessa Obioha

Ex-BB Naija housemate, Cross.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate in a recent chat with E-Trends disclosed that he turned down N50 million from fans. This, he said, is the highest amount that he has ever rejected since he participated in the most popular reality TV show.

On the BBNaija Reunion show, Cross revealed that he turned down N20 million from fans of fellow housemate Saskay.

Elaborating on his decision not to accept gifts from fans, he said: “It’s not a do or die in life. Stand for what you believe in. The reason why I didn’t accept cash gifts from fans is because I knew that if I did so, I would be attached to the giver and deep in my mind I was not ready for anything.

The money is sweet. Don’t get me wrong but in the long run, is it what I really want to do?

Do I want to give my brand to someone when I can build my brand myself? I decided to be content with whatever I had. It affected me but I am still who I am.”

Big Brother Naija is mostly driven by fans who bet on relationships among the housemates. Cross noted that fans’ craze for relationships is part of Nigerian culture.

“Coming out of the house, I noticed that fans are really invested in relationships inside the house. I have noticed that Nigerians love love, relationships and marriages. It is what drives us. It is our culture.

That’s why we have more fans outside Nigeria,” he explained.

Cross, who had a clash with Angel, another housemate in the house during the reunion show, reiterated that their friendship is over.

“We do not talk. I took her as a personal friend but it seemed she didn’t have the same feelings for me and she came on live TV and made me feel horrible.

I don’t think a friend should do that to a friend. That’s the end of our friendship. I don’t hate her. I wish her the best.”

The seventh season of Big Brother Naija was recently announced and it will be a double launch show, premiering on July 23 and 24. The prize for the season is N100 million and 30 fans will win One Million Naira each in the Fave Lock-In promo exclusive to DStv and GOtv customers.

NOLLYWOOD

In the 90s, Cally Ikpe, the convener of the Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) set out to revolutionise the Nigeria Music video. His foray into mainstream entertainment started in 1992 when he was appointed to anchor the premium music video show, ‘Super Sound’ on NTA2 Channel 5 in Lagos.

“The General Manager of the TV channel, Mrs Jennifer Endim did me that honour based on competence only. I had no prior connection with her. Succeeding veteran host, Olisa Adibua as presenter of that show, was no mean feat and I embraced the task quite well,” he said in a recent chat.

‘Super Sound’ mainly showcased trending Western musical videos as Nigerian music videos lacked technical quality and aesthetics. However, a determined Ikpe remained focused on pushing Nigerian music videos to the forefront. This led to the creation of ‘Da New Live Beats’, in 1995, where American and Nigerian content were abundantly played side-by-side. Ikpe also introduced live performances, allowing artists to put vocals on DJ beats.

It was at this phase that the duo of Tuface (now 2Baba) and Blackface, known as Plantashun Boyz became a regular feature on the show. Femi Kuti, KC Presh, Danny Wilson, Daddy Fresh, Daddy Showkey, Jimmy Jatt, and Timaya, were among many who found expression on the show.

“I recall that Healing Child was the first Nigerian artist to shoot his video on celluloid as far back in the 1990s. ‘Da New Live Beats’ ran live every Sunday morning on NTA2

SPOTIFY UNVEILS SIMI AS LATEST ARTIST OF EQUAL AFRICA

Cally Ikpe

Channel 5. It was practically about the biggest music video programme on TV in Nigeria then, and I dare say the most resilient too.”

Although it was not structured to run with a live studio-based audience, the premises of NTA2 Channel 5, Victoria Island, according to Ikpe, was usually jam-packed with people, mostly industry practitioners trying to get a space on the show.

“That attested to how popular the show was. In fact, people still accuse me today of making them miss Sunday morning mass or church service. It was a rare moment for me and I enjoyed the privilege and the glory. We were invariably championing the music

video revolution in Nigeria; and deservedly, we had the rare privilege of initiating Nigeria’s first-ever music video awards, the annual Nigeria Music Video Awards in 2007.”

The NMVA ushered in a new era where music videos were seen as a critical element of an artist’s creative process. Ikpe described it as a coronation of the height Nigerian music videos had attained.

“Up till about 2015, over 80 per cent of artistes in mainstream Afrobeats in Nigeria found our platform useful,” he said. “The technical support from many individuals in the entertainment and media industry like Edi Lawani, Efe Omorogbe, the late Ogbonnaya

Kaffy Reveals Reason Behind Making ‘Dance Is Serious Business’ Documentary

Simi

The ‘Woman’ crooner, Simi was recently unveiled as the latest artist to join the Spotify Equal Africa programme.

“We are proud to welcome Simi to the EQUAL programme, and we’re so excited to see where her talent continues to take her from strength to strength,” says Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu.

Simi joins other Nigerian artists like Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, Asa, and FAVE to be part of Equal Africa, which aims to spotlight and amplify the voices of talented African female artists making waves in the music scene. She also becomes only the second African artist after Tiwa Savage to be named an Equal Global and Africa artist.

The Nigerian musician, sound engineer and actress, born Simi Ogunleye, started her musical journey as a chorister in church. She released her debut studio album ‘Ogaju’ in 2008 before switching genres to Afro-pop.

She came onto the public’s radar in 2014 after the release of the single, ‘TIFF’, which was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies in 2015. Her latest album ‘TBH’ was released in June.

Kaffy

Iyke Bede Acclaimed Nigerian dancer Kafayat Shafau, simply known as Kaffy, recently revealed the motive for producing her documentary ‘Dance Is Serious Business’.

The Guinness World Records holder told E-Trends that it was her way of preserving authentic African history and culture through storytelling to inspire a new generation of artists.

“We lose our history if we don’t tell our stories,” she explained. “I don’t want somebody from the West to come to tell the story of one African dancer. I am alive and I will tell that story. There’s no other time to do it than now.”

The documentary which was recently screened to a select audience at EbonyLife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, culminated in the marking of

her 42nd birthday, where she further revealed that ‘DISB’ had been in the pipework for over a decade.

The documentary chronicles her climb through the entertainment industry and her influence in positioning dance as a well-respected profession, one that has so far served as the launchpad for the progression of the afrobeats genre to international markets.

It also explores other topics such as motherhood, separation from her husband, early family life, and gender bias in the dance space.

‘DISB’ features commentary from high-profile personalities like Ben Murray-Bruce, Joke Silva, Daddy Showkey, Gbenga Adeyinka, Jimmy Jatt, TY Mix, and Freeze.

The Imagneto Dance Company boss also hinted at a follow-up production, ‘The Rise of the Phoenix’.

Amadi, Nseobong Okon-Ekong, Jungle Productions, Digitrack Studios, Daar Communications, Charly Boy’s New Wave Productions, Kennis Music, DonTee, Philip Trimnell Productions, Dudu Productions, Patrick Doyle Media and the rest was quite reassuring.”

Ikpe also found solidarity in others like 2Baba, P-Square, Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Festus Keyamo, Basketmouth, GbengaAdeyinka 1,Adekunle Ayeni, Kunle Bakare, Banky W, the late Dan Foster, Sound Sultan and Goldie, among others.

Ikpe who runs his production outfit Callivision insisted that individuals like Nas Onucheyo, Tony Adeniyi, SundayAre, DeboAlexander worked behind the scene tirelessly to ensure the success of Nigeria’s premiere music video awards.

With the impact of ‘Da New Live Beats’ and NMVA on the Afrobeats scene today, Ikpe deserves a place in Afrobeats history today. However, in the latest documentaries onAfrobeats: ‘Journey of the Beats’ and ‘Afrobeats’, Ikpe’s name is clearly missing as one of the critical promoters of the Afrobeats movement that is recognised globally.

Today, many creatives take their daily bread from music videos. If persons like Ikpe did not kickstart the campaign on quality music videos, we may still be lagging behind in the field.

Although it has been on hiatus, the NMVA is presently being fortified to make it more impactful, according to Ikpe. He also hinted at working on a peace advocacy project, ‘Road to a Violence-free Nigeria’, via his non-governmental organisation, Callivision Initiative for Youth and Good Culture.

VISIONIERS SET TO ROCK THE AIRWAVES WITH ‘DANGOTE’ Weynom McDavid, the winner of the ‘Hit the Note’ musical competition, and some of the contestants on the talent hunt show have teamed up to drop a single titled, ‘Dangote.’

McDavid; second runnerup, Gabriel Okoh; and Martha Ugwu all went home with recording contracts and other prizes.

Other contestants include Odekunle Precious and Wisdom Tamaramkuro. They have since fused themselves to form a group, Visioniers, and are upbeat about their new single titled ‘Dangote’.

According to the group, ‘Dangote’ is aimed at encouraging youths to go for the best because the success story of the man, Aliko Dangote, the CEO of Dangote Group, serves as an encouragement to Nigerian youths while urging them to turn away from social vices associated with youths.

McDavid, who went home with a N4 million music deal, said that he was overwhelmed with what the organiser, MkeyVison, an entertainment and recording label, has done for his career and he wants to show his appreciation by doing something that would benefit the members of the public.

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ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Affinity Art Gallery Warms Up the Art Scene with New Show A refreshing air of escapism is palpable as one navigates the gallery space to digest the works of nine emerging artists from the contemplative to the nostalgic, Yinka Olatunbosun writes

A

buzzy sight of Affinity Art Gallery last Sunday signaled the return of warmth to the quiet visual art scene in Lagos. Nine emerging artists with unique painting styles converged on the Affinity Art gallery, Victoria Island Lagos in a group show titled “It’s all in me.’’ Curated by Wunika Mukan, the show is an assortment of creative expressions, tapped from the inner self and the society. The exhibition tells the story of being and becoming, from the contemplative to the nostalgic.

Featuring Obiageli Adaeze Okaro, Akinola Taoheed Olaitan, Derek Jahyem Jombo-Ogboi, Ebuka P.Agudiegwu, Nzubechukwu Ozoemena, Olasunkanmi Akomolehin, Oluwapelumi Oluyemi, Plantation (Ayomide Tejuosho) and Sophia Chioma, the show which opened on July 3 is a convergence point for young artists from diverse cultural heritage and at different stages in their careers- undergraduates, fresh graduates and studio artists.

Breaking the barriers is in Okaro’s veins. The Enugu-state born photographer is intrigued with capturing portraits of black men and women- and sometimes, architecture and fashion. Drawing upon her ancestral roots, she highlights the glow and beauty in black skin, dismantling stereotypes that are celebrated on Nollywood screens.

“In this body of work, decisively romantic images are composed using styling themes from past eras. The images are simultaneously strong and graceful with an underlying melancholy,’’ she said.

Her piece titled, “All That You Are’’ shows a young woman shrouded in shadows. With its sensual appeal, Okaro reflects on the intimate yet relatable memories of a woman’s journey into becoming.

With Olaitan, every piece is multilayered.

Using purple patch-like scars on the skin of his subjects, he depicts bravery-an invaluable asset in everyday struggle. The multi-disciplinary artist and student of the University of Nsukka had enjoyed some tutelage at the Universal Studios ofArt underAbiodun Olaku and Salako Olajide Peter. To infuse deeper meanings to his works, he interrogates his name ‘Akinola’ meaning ‘the strong one has wealth’ as relives his past and contemplates the future.

“My work is a constant search for the best way to interpret the ideas that I have about my genesis and the world I live in,’’ he said.

His works at the show include the series “I

One of the works at the exhibition

feel loved Again.’’

For a taste of figurative surrealism and naturalism, Derek Jahyem Jombo-Ogboi is the showstopper. In dark shades he posed against his paintings-looking like a celebrity of sorts. Having participated in group shows in Bristol and Cambridge, this Benin-born Delta state indigene has made a name for himself as a graffiti artist and interdisciplinary artist who makes installations using auditory mediums. He didn’t fall short of expectations in appropriating Benin culture in his pieces.

“My work is a fusion of classical style with contemporary elements and objects,’’ he disclosed.

Olasunkanmi Akomolehin, who studied art at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic as well as Yaba College of Technology was taught by his grand-mother that a woman’s beauty transcends the physical. This thought inspired one of his pieces called ‘’Oreke.’’ As one with six sisters, he is often concerned about the nature of women.

“In my work, I use afro hair to depict strength, implicit in its defiance of gravity and as a representation and extension of our innate identity. It is a reminder of our ability to bloom and thrive irrespective of life’s circumstances,’’ he said.

Ebuka PascalAdudiegwu drew a relationship with man and plants throughout his

works, exploring stereotypical narratives about the origin of the black man. In a very engaging conversation, he walked this reporter through his journey of self-discovery and the determination to pursue art even as a graduate of Biochemistry.

Since he was five, he knew he would paint but couldn’t be consistent without parental support. Fast-forward to 2022, this group show is his first exhibition in Lagos following successful shows in Cyprus, South Africa and London.

In ‘Nostalgia,’ he explores past experiences from his young inquisitive mind. Born in Kano, he communicates his views on black identity, gender, tribalism, addiction, societal neglect, child abuse and extrajudicial killings.

“My intention is to rejuvenate the consciousness of my viewers through my works thereby provoking their thoughts and adjusting conversations to redress these societal issues challenging humanity,’’ he said.

Family roots and catholic iconography played significant influence in the works of Nzubechukwu Ozoemena, a self-taught artist and an undergraduate of architecture at the University of Benin. He highlights themes of memory, connectivity, community and spirituality using paint and scribbled texts. In ‘Trickles of Reconciliation,’ he interrogates the subject matter of baptism.

Using charcoal, oil and graphite, Oluyemi Oluwapelumi navigates everyday realities as she applies the Italian method.

“I think of my work as a call for change, hope and self-awareness, inviting viewers into a world of originality,’’ she said.

Based in France, Ayomide Tejuosho’s installation titled ‘My Sin is Blue’ is a body of photographs, words and video archives of passing black people. She described it as ‘a visual compilation of my reflections ob black plurality, black nihilism, pain and the black divine.’ Through found and developed visuals of still black forms, the project affirms these phenomena by dignifying the mundane with the light.

At the show’s opening, the curator, Wunikan Mukan, expressed her confidence in the new crop of emerging artists. “These are artists that I really believe in and I feel like there is a space for them in the art community. A couple of them have had shown before but this is a major gallery show and I just want to use this as an opportunity to amplify them,’’ she said.

With Eyes on Ojude Oba Festival 2022, FCMB Promotes Tourism t$POHSBUVMBUFT "XVKBMF PG *KFCVMBOE Yinka Olatunbosun In anticipation of the Ojude Oba Festival 2022, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has congratulated and commended the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru KayodeAdetona, chiefs, age groups, all indigenes of Ijebu land on this year’s Ojude Oba Festival scheduled to hold in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on July 11. A promoter of the Festival for almost 20 years, the bank also reiterated its commitment to initiatives that would promote tourism and the development of Ogun state and Nigeria.

FCMB gave the commendation and assurance at a press conference organised on July 1, 2022, by the Ojude Oba Planning Committee to announce details of this year’s Festival. In a goodwill message to the Awujale, the Founder of FCMB Group and Olori Omo-Oba of Ijebuland, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, said, ‘’I have received the news that the good Lord has enabled you to resuscitate the age long Ijebu tradition of Ojude Oba, after a two-year break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which prevented us from paying annual homage to an inimitable

A festival scene at Ojude Oba

Royal Father.’’

The message, which was delivered on behalf of Otunba Balogun by the Group Head, Corporate Affairs of FCMB, Mr. Diran Olojo, further stated that, ‘’I have always been confident and assured that the good Lord would restore our joy in resuming this Ijebu cherished tradition.”

Reflecting on the festival, the Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun, said, ‘’the Festival also remains a unique platform for home-based Ijebus to promote their wares

to a broad range of visitors, thus contributing significantly to economic growth and development. FCMB has been a major supporter of the Ojude Oba Festival for almost two decades and it has been a mutually beneficial journey.

As a purpose beyond profit corporation, we understand that culture is an essential component of sustainable development. It is an important factor in building social inclusion, eradicating poverty and stimulating progress.

FCMB is committed to the longevity of the Festival and proud to be associated with the values it promotes’’.

He urged stakeholders to see the Ojude Oba festival as a platform to showcase the entrepreneurial ingenuity of Nigerians and promote trade as well as the country’s tourism and hospitality industry. The Ojude Oba (in Ijebu dialect means “the king’s forecourt or frontage”) is a major festival in Nigeria that began over 100 years ago. It brings together all sons and daughters of Ijebuland in Nigeria and diaspora for a carnival-like celebration of the traditional, cultural, spiritual accomplishments and other values of the Ijebu nation.

Kunle Adewale Day Fund for Social Impact Launched, Seeks Fresh Entries

Kunle Adewale facilitating an art session with young women in South Africa

Yinka Olatunbosun With a view to provide financial support for artists and organisations around the world, the Kunle Adewale Day (KAD) Fund for Social Impact has been launched as an artistic intervention to improve health outcomes, social developments and contribute significantly to the quality of life of the beneficiaries.

Named after Kunle Adewale, a Nigerian born artist who was honored by John Cranley, the Mayor of Cincinnati Ohio, by declaring every August 2nd as the Kunle Adewale Day in the United States, the fund provides a rare opportunity for artists to strengthen their commitment to arts for social change.

Adewale is a recipient of multiple awards and fellowships including the Atlantic Fellow of equity in Brain Health, University of California San Francisco; Mandela Washington Fellow of the U.S President Barack Obama; The World Bank Social Inclusion Hero, Commonwealth Youth Award Winner, to name a few. The application for the KAD Funds for Social Impact is open to artists and organizations that use creative engagements from all over the world. Artists from low-income countries are strongly encouraged to apply as well.

“We currently have a team of jury from United States, United Kingdom and Nigeria,’’ says Adewale in a press statement.

“These jurors will select the winners for this inaugural KAD FUND for social impact.

The Jurors include: Annie Ruth, Founder, the Eye of the Artists Foundation, Cincinnati Ohio; Ewaniki Brandton, Co-owner Soul Palette, Cincinnati Ohio; Katherine Bond, The Partnerships Lead, Atlantic Institute Oxford UK and Oyindamola Fakeye, Director, Center for Contemporary Art Lagos. “ Kunle’s leadership and artistic social impacts have been felt across the world in the field of mental health, brain Health, maternal health, child’s health and other areas of public and community Health. More so, Kunle’s works have been featured on numerous international media platforms.

“My hope is that KAD FUND will give opportunities to more artists and organizations to impact their communities positively just as Kunle Adewale is doing across the world today. We anticipate that quite soon, it would be said that Kunle Adewale Day Fund supported Social Development Champions with millions of dollars but now, we are starting with what we have and our little drops with more partners will become a mighty ocean soonest. We are gradually receiving support for the KAD FUND from friends and individuals who recognize, appreciate and celebrate the impact of Kunle Adewale across the globe,’’ he said.

The deadline for application is July 22, 2022. The winner of the grant would receive a minimum grant support of $1,000 while the finalists would benefit from MasterClass on Grant Writing, professional development, and mentoring, media Spotlight and mentions, and global fellowship opportunities among many others.

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

40

POLSCOPE

áÓÞÒ ÎÎã ÎÓàáÜÓ ÏÎÎã˛ÙÎÓàáÜÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͸΀͸ͽ ͻ͸; ΁ͻͽ;

2023: The Potholes on Their Paths

I

n politics, they say, one day is too long a time for dynamics to change. So, with the general elections still about eight full months away, a lot could yet change.

But as at today, each and every of the frontline contenders for the presidency of the country has some hitches and gallops to scale over.

For the purpose of this write-up, I shall focus my assessment on just three political parties. It is their flagbearers I have described as frontline contenders. In no particular order, they include the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.

Except something remarkable jolts the political process, the next president of the country will be produced from any of the three political parties. The crowd of the remaining political parties are just going to serve as justifying the contest as democratic, given the many parties who would be angling for the crown, even when they know that they don’t quite stand a chance.

For the candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu, there is no doubt that his victory at the APC presidential primary (where he scored 1,271 votes) was quite outstanding as he markedly had an across -the-board support, causing him to trounce all 13 others in the contest. Even his runner up, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi came a distant second with 316 votes.

But about a month after the contest, although the rank of the Emi lokan maestro has been swelling, the draw back in the camp is that Bola Tinubu, beside not having his primary and secondary school certificates, has not been able to scale over the choice of his running mate.

He appears both confused and in a dilemma over who to pick. The calculations have become complex, especially as the twin considerations of region and religion have become core. This actually forced the APC presidential candidate to name an interim character, a certain man, now described as Place Holder, (the certificateless) Mr Ibrahim Masari, pending when a final decision has to be taken. But by last Wednesday, some persons had gone to court demanding that Masari should never be substituted, as there is no “Place Holder” in the constitution.

But as the days and weeks go by, the candidate still looks fixated in confusion. Perhaps when he returns from his trip to France this weekend, he would have a solution to this nagging problem.

Now there is a contention between North-west and North-east on which zone should produce the running mate. Will it be Gov Nasir El Rufai or will it be Senator Kashim Shettimah or Prof Babgana Zulum?

While the northwest has been getting all the plum positions including the presidency (Shagari, Yar’Adua, --Namadi Sambo as VP to Jonathan--, Buhari), the North east has barely gotten any, save the first republic Tafawa Balewa (as Prime Minister). The North west appears to be the oppressive region/enclave of the north More than the issue of which region the running mate should come from, is the more critical factor of religion. A Muslim-Muslim ticket appears like a big risk, as it appears a very sensitive and touchy issue in the Nigerian polity. Many Christians are sorely vexed with the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, yet the party is concerned about the electoral worth of whoever is chosen. “is it not better to have a Muslim-Muslim ticket that can win election, than having a Muslim-Christian ticket that will lose election?”, asks some party chieftains who believe that “there is nothing wrong with a Muslim-Muslim ticket”.

Already, it is causing disquiet in the APC and Tinubu is as undecided as he is confused.

Thankfully, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the parties

Obi

Tinubu

have between July 15 and August 12 to withdraw candidates whose names had been earlier submitted to INEC. In the Atikulated camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party actually appears articulated as it seems stuck in a messy controversy over the choice of a running mate. Indeed, the worrisome quiet that followed the choice of the running mate few weeks ago, has now given way to the ruckus grumbling, complaints and hard-headedness threatening to not only tear down the PDP, but to also send it further away from the corridors of power and reckoning in the country.

Many had hailed the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for his decisive action of picking his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, against the better-favoured, but erratic and boisterous Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. But about two weeks after the choice, the party is already boiling. Fourteen out of a 17-man committee set up to advise Atiku on who to choose as a running mate was said to have favoured Wike, but perhaps fearing the garrulousness and explosive nature of Gov Wike, Atiku had settled for a more predictable, level-headed Gov Okowa.

Rather than move forward, the party has since been thrown into the cesspit of controversy, tension and uncertainty.

Wike, till now has remained silent. It took the outburst of Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue State (where Wike declared for the presidency), for people to realise that the quiet that followed the choice of a running mate was only the peace of the graveyard: it held more fright than normal peace can provide. Ortom’s outburst was closely followed by Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State who has continued to argue and insist that the PDP cannot be fielding a candidate from the north, just yet. He believes that it is the turn of the South to produce the president of the country, after the eight year rule of President Muhammadu Buhari (by 2023).

Perhaps, Fayose’s arguments makes some sense, especially as the same northern region now has the Presidential candidate, Atiku (Adamawa State); the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu (Benue State), and the BOT Chairman, Walid Jubrin (Nasarawa State).

The fume in the party is causing the party to lose steam faster than a leaking exhaust. Matters are not helped by the foreign trip of Atiku himself, who seems ensconced from the upheaval rocking the party. First, he was said to have gone to Dubai (from where he sent pictures of a

Picnic image of himself in shorts and shirt), and then later to Germany where he was said to have gone for medicals. Till the time of writing this column, Atiku is yet not back, even though he had vowed to unify the party.

His absence at such a critical moment of turbulence in the party seems to suggest some unseriousness on the part of the party.

Efforts by Atiku’s emissary to meet Gov Wike in Turkey last week, were said to have been rebuffed by Wike himself.

Wike has remained worrisomely quiet and unusually reticent.

The PDP BOT Chair, Jubrin has said a delegation of party chieftains led by Atiku himself and with Gov Okowa shall go visit Wike for reconciliation, to beg him not to leave the PDP. But knowing Wike, where else can he really go?

Although not much details have been given further, some Wike’s supporters are demanding that for the reconciliation to make sense, then Gov Okowa must be dropped as the running mate to Atiku. I hardly think that will make sense. It has also been rumoured that Gov Wike has refused to have a One-on-One discussion with Atiku on the matter. That will simply lead the party to a jinxed junction.

The prerogative of who should be the running mate should be that of the flagbearer himself and not necessarily that of part-led committees. So If Atiku has settled for Okowa, for the sake of compatibility, so be it. Wike must be sportsmanly enough to realise that political contest is like a gamble: you either win or lose.

But more than the issue of running mate, some persons in the party are also demanding that Dr Ayu should step down as the chair of the party, not only because he has shown signs of bias (by hailing Gov Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who betrayed Wike, as the ‘hero of the convention’, two days after the May 28 PDP presidential primary), but also because the north seems “over-represented” in the top hierarchy of the party.

In all, the PDP has got several rivers to cross in its journey to reclaim presidential powers. How well and swiftly it swims across the rivers will determine whether or not it can get the power back. Time is ticking away.

In the bubbling Obi-dient community of supporters in the Labour Party (LP), the problem of a viable and politically savvy running mate from the north also seems to be the pothole on the path of the party.

There is no doubt that the rave of support for the LP candidate, Peter Obi is catching

Atiku

on like a fuel-powered fire flame, but political pundits are worried that his inability to choose or name a worthy running mate, preferably from the northern region, is a problem.

In order to beat the INEC deadline, Obi had merely named Dr Doyin Okupe as a Place Holder running mate.

Until early this week, many had looked forward to the planned merger or alliance talks between the LP candidate and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Dr Doyin OKupe, last Tuesday on a Television show declared the alliance talks as “dead”.

Before his declaration, Kwankwaso himself had maintained that he cannot be a running mate to anybody, including Peter Obi; rather it should be the other way round. The persuasion to Kwankwaso to bulge yielded no fruit. Many believe that the duo—Obi and Kwankwaso would have been a good pair given the seeming ethno-religious balance the two would have achieved.

Political watchers believe also that Kwankwaso was unduly arrogant and self-conceited to assume that because he had held more political/ public offices, then he should be the candidate and Obi, with train loads of supporters across board, should be the running mate.

Yes, Kwankwaso had been almost everything, from Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps, Senator, Governor, minister, Ambassador etc., his presidential aspiration does not resonate with Nigerians outside Kano State and a few northern states. He is largely perceived as a regional political giant. How many people in Bayelsa State or Osun State, for instance, can relate with a Kwankwaso?

The same cannot be said of Obi whose phenomenal support base has been getting larger and larger by the day.

Even then, Obi had said he would prefer a younger running mate and not an old recycled politician.

Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed,46, an economist and founder of Baze University, from Kano State, is among the persons being considered as Obi’s running mate.

Yes, it is true that the popularity of Peter Obi has not been tested at the ballot, yet the enthusiasm and zeal with which young Nigerian professionals—including lawyers, activists, unemployed youths and adults alike are keying into the Obi-dient Movement is amazing. Many of them have volunteered the building of LP website, grassroot mobilisation etc., all to enlarge the support base of the candidate across every state of the federation.

In all, who will become the running mate remains a hurdle that the Obi-dient political force will have to scale.

If the President’s Convoy Can be Attacked…

Last Tuesday, the advanced team of the President was attacked in his home state, Katsina.

Two persons were said to have been killed, another two were injured. It only bespeaks of the danger in the land. It is like the chicken is coming home to roost. If the President’s own convoy, with all the apparatchik of security equipage can be attacked by daring bandits, then every Nigerian is damn vulnerable and at great risk.

But if there is still any iota of doubt of how close danger is, the terrorists drove the point home on same Tuesday night when the demons of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre and not only freed many inmates including 64 Boko Haram terrorists but also killed some prsons. Not only were 443 inmates freed, four

persons were killed, several vehicles and the records office of the prison were burnt. Part of those who escaped are the bombers of the Nyanya and Madalla bomb blasts in 2014.

To say Nigeria is at the edge is clearly an understatement. Nigeria is the sixth most terrorized country in the world. Already, fear has gripped many Abuja residents as the deadly criminals have been unleashed at them.

Sources had said the terrorists had written to the Prison authorities to say they would attack the facility on the actual day they came, yet nothing was done to re-inforce surveillance with

the aim of repelling the attackers.

And so, they came, they attacked and they left uncaught. President Buhari who visited the scene of the attack, bemoaned the failure of intelligence. It is a shame that this happened and people who should be in the fireline are still seating pretty cool in their offices. In less than ten days we have had three bloody attacks in the country: the Shiroro massacre, the attack on Mr President’s advanced team, and now the attack on Kuje correctional centre.

Indeed, in two years, this is the ninth time correctional facilities have been attacked with varying degrees of blood letting and devastating damage. When will heads ever Minister of Defence, Gen. Magashi roll for clear cases of negligence?

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022

IMAGES

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Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Publisher, Marketing Edge, Mr. John Ajayi, receiving a souvenir from the Chairman, Guild of Photojournalist Nigeria/Photo Editor, THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Abiodun Ajala; and Secretary of the association, Mr. Odutayo Odusanya, during the courtesy visit by the association members to the Marketing Edge Communications office in Lagos…recently PHOTO: GPN

L-R: NEXIM Bank Award recipient, Ezinne Nwakuba; Imo State Deputy, Governor, Placid Njoku; Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; and Executive Director, Corporate Services, Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Dr. Bala Bello, who present the NEXIM Bank award for outstanding MSME Clinics participant to winner, Nwakuba, during the fifth edition of the National MSME Awards and Dinner in Abuja…recently

L-R: Ajagunla of Yorubaland, Chief Biyi Fadeyi; member, Planning Committee, Ms Debbie Imevbore; legal professional in United Kingdom, Bolaji Aborisade; the Olowaa of Elefon, Ife, HRM Oba Adetunji Adebowale; Founding Principal, Moremi High School, Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Deacon Jonathan Ogunwuyi; his wife, Deaconess Ogunwuyi; representative of Osun State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Taiwo Alege; Principal, Moremi High School, Mrs. Jade Eyitayo; and a guest, Mrs. Abimbola Adeyemo, during the inauguration of fence and gate at the school by the 1981/86 Old Students Association... recently

Chairman, Board of Directors of EMTS (9mobile) and Emir of Bichi, Kano State, His Highness Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero (centre); and students of Government Secondary School; Government Girls Secondary School, and Bichi Education Foundation Community Secondary School in Bichi, during the 9mobile Career Counselling Session for secondary school students in Bichi…recently

Officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy during the second quarter route match in Abuja...recently PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

L-R: Founder, Forthman Educational Foundation, Ohore Emmanuel; Comedian and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ambassador, Owen Gee; Executive Director, American Corner, Stephanie Adesanya; and Director of Education, Office of the Special Adviser on Education, Lagos State Government, Mrs. Sunmon Adepeju, at the 2022 International Day for Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking event organised by Forthman Educational Foundation in collaboration with American Corner, in Lagos...recently

L-R: Chaplain to Archbishop of Lagos, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rev. Matthew Adegbile; clergy of the Church, Rev. Orji Testimony; Presbyter, Wesley Cathedral Church, Olowogbowo, Lagos, Dr. Sunday Adegbola; clergymen, Archbishop, Dr. Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi, Revd. Olusola Makindipe, Revd Olatunde Oniyide, and Evangelist Femi Caulcrick, during the 2022 Annual Professional Thanksgiving Service held at the Wesley Cathedral Church, Olowogbowo in Lagos…recently

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

NEWSXTRA

PROMOTING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY...

L-R: Supervisor for Education, Ikeja Local Government, Mr. Pelumi Ologunde; Lead Pastor, RCCG The Bridge, Pastor Leke Adeboye; Head of Education Department, Ikeja LG, Mrs. Folakemi Ajayi, and Public Relations Officer Ikeja LG, Mr. Ola Oladapo, during the inauguration of a new library donated by one of the RCCG Youth Province 1 parishes, Living Seed Church (The Bridge) in collaboration with Dare Adeboye Foundation to Sogunle Primary School, Lagos…recently

Arewa Youth Group Tackles Kwankwaso, Says He’s Misrepresenting, Disrespectful to North Chuks Okocha in Abuja Arewa Youths Progressive Alliance, has dissociated itself from a statement widely credited to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso, where he claimed that northern voters would only vote for northern presidential candidates.

According to the spokesman of the group, Alhaji Sambo Galadima, "The North is neither anti-progress

nor xenophobic against other Nigerians."

In a statement, Galadima said, the impression created

by Kwankwanso during his appearance in a television programme, "Politics Today", is disrespectful of the North and misrepresents the true characters and orientation of an average Northern voter.

"Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso's utterances portrays the North as retrogressive and the average

Anambra Pastor, Odumeje Beaten by Security Agents, Church Demolished Soludo: He failed to comply with government’s directive David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Popular Onitsha-based pastor, Chukwuemeka Odumeje, who is comically known as ‘Indaboski Bahose and Liquid Metal,’ was yesterday manhandled by security agents in Onitsha.

His church, Grace and Power Prophetic Ministry was also demolished.

Odumeje's church was in March this year identified by the Anambra State government as one of the buildings sitting on drainage channels and had been marked for demolition.

Anambra State governor, Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo had visited Okpoko, a sprawling slum in Onitsha, a day after his swearing in, and had pledged to sanitise the area by ensuring the drainages channels are free.

However, during yesterday's demolition exercise, sources said Odumeje had attempted to stop the officials of the state government from demolishing his church, when he was manhandled by security men who accompanied the demolition team.

A video trending online showed the comic cleric being shoved around by security men, including police officers and men of the vigilante services.

He was severally slapped, and restricted from moving to the demolition area by armed security men.

Meanwhile, Soludo has confirmed that government forces were responsible for the demolition of the church.

The former Central Bank of

Nigeria Governor in a statement signed on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime explained that Odumeje failed to comply with government directive to remove illegal structure he built on waterway.

The statement titled: ‘Anambra State Government begins demolition of illegal structures in Fegge,’ was made available to THISDAY in Awka.

It read: "Following the expiration of the more than two weeks’ notice beginning from April 2022 served on developers and building owners who built several illegal structures along the waterway in Fegge and environs within Onitsha, Anambra state government has begun demolition of such structures.

"The exercise which is being carried out by a joint government task force, commenced the exercise from Bida Road by Modebe Avenue, Fegge Onitsha.

"The affected buildings include Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention Deliverance Ministries, shops and other perimeter fences "The structures were marked since April, 2022 and all developers and building owners were served notice to remove such illegal structures," the release read.

Odumeje came to limelight through videos of his comic preachings and bizarre style of healing, where he imitated WWE heavy weight wrestlers by smacking down his sick members for healing.

The cleric also claims to have many hidden powers, which he said were yet to be touched. He is more of a comedian to many than a religious leader.

Northern voter as insensitive and unconcerned about the sufferings of Nigerians and the high rate of insecurity and economic woes bedeviling Nigeria, and rather concerned about having ‘fellow Northerner and fellow Muslim" perpetuate themselves in power.

"Nothing can be farther from the truth. The Northerner experiences the same level of frustration with the state of governance in the country that the average Nigerian from any part of Nigeria experiences and wishes like every Nigerian that things improve for the better and that the most capable and most prepared individual takes charge of governance at different levels,

including the presidency of the country, for the betterment of Nigeria," he said.

He, however, argued that the North, has never been immune from the various troubles bedeviling Nigeria, just because a Northerner is the President nor has the North fared any better in infrastructure or living standards merely because a Northerner or a Muslim is the president of the country.

According to the group, "The former governor of Kano State insults the North by portraying us as some insensitive group of people without the capacity to think for ourselves. This is not true. He sends the impression out

there, that our votes are owned by some elites and that it is these elites, who will decide how we will vote in every election.

“If that was true in the past, that is set to change, because we are not slaves. We are capable of dreaming and holding strongly to our dreams. We are capable of working for and participating actively in political activities, independently and with the aim of bringing about the kind of government that shall serve the best interest of the average Nigerian."

"In the last seven years, more than 100,000 Northerners have been killed by bandits and terrorists, thousands of our

daughters, wives, mother's and sisters have either been raped, abducted or forcefully married out. Our farms are lying fallow and our harvests haven't been poorer.

“Yet, a northerner is the president. We voted for this Northerner, not because he is a Northerner, but because we believed he had the best of intentions and had the capacity to turn things around for good, for the benefit of all Nigerians.

But, we are disappointed."

He, therefore, assured Nigerians that the North would vote in line with what they considered the best for Nigeria at this time and in the future.

Okupe Steps Down as Obi's Running Mate, Labour Set to Unveil Baba-Ahmed Today Emameh Gabriel in Abuja A former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Doyin Okupe, yesterday, submitted a withdrawal letter from the position of the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

This is as the Labour Party, has concluded plans to unveil Datti Baba-Ahmed, as the substantive vice-presidential candidate to its standard bearer, Mr. Peter Obi. Okupe made the announcement on Twitter and Facebook accounts, noting that the presidential candidate of the party, Mr.

Peter Obi, would announce his replacement.

"This afternoon, I submitted my withdrawal letter from the position of the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party to INEC. A replacement will be announced by the national chairman of the party shortly. I feel greatly blessed to have been part of the foundation of success for the Labour Party,” he said.

Okupe’s withdrawal was expected, especially, as deadline of substitution of political parties candidates draws closer.

Okupe had declared when he

was picked a fortnight ago by Obi, that he was only “standing in” for the actual candidate.

The party had submitted Okupe’s name to beat the Independent National Electoral Commission’s deadline for the submission of the name of a vice presidential candidate.

“Choosing the vice presidential candidate is an electoral process and it does not stop until the process and schedule ends,” Okupe said at the time, adding: “INEC allows you to present a candidate and later on, if you want to substitute, you may do

so, if necessary.”

To that extent, everything is set for the Labour Party to unveil Baba-Ahmed as Obi’s partner for the 2023 presidential election.

Obi and Baba-Ahmed, had earlier in the week, sealed shared understanding to pair for the 2023 presidential race as Labour Party’s candidate, after several meetings with northern stakeholders, which were believed to have gone well.

With the arrangement satisfied, the Labour party, THISDAY, gathered, has concluded plans to formally unveil the duo today as its presidential standard bearers.

Mirabel Centre Celebrates Ninth Anniversary Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Mirabel Centre, Nigeria’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre, (SARC) has celebrated its ninth year anniversary.

A celebration of the accountability dialogue reception hosted by British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing at her residence in Abuja on Wednesday, brought together donor partners and critical stakeholders from across the country.

A statement yesterday by the British High Commission, disclosed that the reception was a platform to celebrate the

Centre’s milestone, strengthen trust and accountability, discourse challenges, as well as receive feedback and evaluation that will enable the Centre continue to further fulfil its mandate from partners.

Mirabel Centre, founded on July 1, 2013, by Itoro Eze-Anaba, provides succour and a safe place to survivors of rape and sexual assault in Nigeria.

According to the statement, survivors who had been sexually assaulted could access free postincident support services at the Centre, noting that in the last nine years, the Centre has provided free medical and psychosocial support

services to nearly 7400 survivors (including boys, men, and persons living with disabilities).

Speaking at the occasion, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, said: “I am delighted to recognise and celebrate the work done by the Founder of Mirabel Centre, Itoro Eze- Anaba and the entire Mirabel Centre team as the organisation celebrates its ninth anniversary. It remains a sad reality that women continue to be victims of sexual violence and abuse in Nigeria today.

“We cannot understate the vital importance of the exemplary support sexual assault centres like Mirabel provide. I look forward

to continuing to partner with Mirabel Centre for many more years to come as we all seek to end sexual violence.”

In her keynote address, Founder of the Mirabel Centre, Itoro Eze-Anaba, said: “Sexual and Gender Based Violence is the most pervasive human rights violation on earth. The impact of SGBV is felt not only by the survivors but also by her family, her community and the state as a whole. SGBV affects the realisation of all development goals including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To achieve the SDGs, we must eradicate SGBV and provide support to survivors of SGBV.”

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

NEWSXTRA

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SUMMIT FOR AFRICA...

R-L: President of Sierra Leone Julius Bio; President Muhammadu Buhari; DG, Operations, World Bank, Alex Van Trotsenburg; President of Senegal, Macky Sall; President of Congo, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, and President of Liberia George Weah, at the programme of International Development Association (IDA) Summit for Africa in Dakar, Senegal...yesterday

Eid-el-Kabir: Sultan Urges Prayer for Nigeria as FG Declares Monday, Tuesday Public Holiday NSCDC deploys 30,000 nationwide to beef up security John Shiklam in Kaduna, Michael Olugbode in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Sultan of Sokoto and head, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, has enjoined Muslims to pray fervently for God’s intervention in the calamities bedeviling Nigeria as they mark Arafat day, today, Friday, ahead of tomorrow’s Eid-el-Kabir.

Also, to celebrate this year’s Eidel-Kabir, the federal government, has declared Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th of July, 2022, as public holidays.

At the same time, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has deployed over 30,000 officers and men across the nation to ensure a hitch-free celebration.

The Sultan, in a statement yesterday, issued on his behalf, by the Secretary General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said Muslims must humble themselves before God in prayers as there seemed to be no end to the challenges facing the country.

“The Sultan calls on the Nigerian Muslims to please, in the name of Allah, fervently supplicate to Allah for His intervention and an end to the myriad of challenges bedeviling the country.

“It is obvious and very scary if we don’t humble ourselves to the Almighty Allah, an end to these orgies seems not insight if happenings in the country are anything to underscore.

“He implores us all to dedicate special prayers against all the menaces and the hydra-headed calamities (of insecurity, poverty, high cost of living and corruption) occurring in Nigeria,” the statement said.

The Sultan also noted that with the 2023 general elections fast approaching, Muslims “need to also seek Allah’s apt intervention for stability, security, peace and development of Nigeria.”

He added that, as people of faith, Muslims must submit themselves “to Allah, especially, that all efforts geared towards restoration of peace and order seems to defy solutions.

“We however reiterate that the need for fervent prayer for peaceful and smooth political transition, and an end to the varied socio-economic challenges, is ardently necessary.”

However, announcing the public holidays, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, congratulated all Muslims and Nigerians both at home and in the

‘Tinubu Risks Losing 50m Christian Votes over Muslim-Muslim Ticket’ John Shiklam in Kaduna A former chairman of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) and member of the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye, has said the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, riskedlosing over 50 million Christian votes if he picked a Muslim running mate for the 2023 elections.

Speaking in an interview with THISDAY in Kaduna, Owojaiye urged Tinubu to respect Nigeria’s diversity by picking a Christian running mate from the north-east.

He said President Muhamadu Buhari, a Muslim from the North West, would be completing his eight years as president in 2023, and therefore, it would only be fair to have a northern Christian from the north-east as his running mate.

According to him, since Nigeria is sharply divided along ethnic and religious lines, a Muslim- Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket by any politician would further undermine the unity of the country.

“If Tinubu does not nominate a

Christian as his running mate, he will lose over 50 million Christian votes. We are not threatening him, but we are ready to do that,” Owojaiye said.

Although he maintained that, Tinubu would make a better president, because “he is not a religious bigot and has done well by building people across the country,” however, running on a Muslim-Muslim ticket might be counterproductive.

“Tinubu will make a better President, because of his spread.

You see, what Tinubu has done is that all over Nigeria, he has built up people. With all the diversity in our country and the ethnic and religious tension, it will be most unfair for Tinubu to pick a Muslim as his running mate,” he said.

The Christian leader also lamented the security situation in the country, saying the government was not doing enough to address it.

“Everything seems like there is no government to take charge of security. People are being killed or abducted almost on a daily basis and there seems to be little or no effort to protect Nigerians from killers.

Diaspora on the occasion.

Aregbesola said, “I call on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country, considering the challenges of insecurity we face at the moment.”

The Minister assured the people that, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was “committed to the security of lives and properties of all Nigerians, empowering the citizens for successful living, the provisions of social investments programmes and adequate security in the schools.”

While wishing Muslims a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the minister urged Nigerians to take responsibility by reporting any suspicious individuals and criminal activities they observed around them to law enforcement agencies with the use of N-Alerts application that has been designed to mitigate security challenges with prompt response from security agencies. As soon as you "See Something Do N-Alerts", most especially during this festival.

He also enjoined all Nigerians to be vigilant and observant of intruders in their communities.

“We must all take responsibility for the security of lives and property as we celebrate this year’s festival,” he said.

He however, craved the indulgence

of every Nigerian to come together, insisting that, “We need to put our heads, hearts and all we have together, in order to achieve relative peace for harmonious coexistence and put an end to insecurities in Nigeria.”

The Minister assured all Nigerians of the government’s protection under the law, maintenance of law and order and keeping the peace in all situations.

To this end, the Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi, who ordered the deployment in order to beef up security across the nation, charged all Heads of Directorates, Departments, Zonal Commanders, State Commandants, Area Commanders and Divisional Officers to deploy massively across board in order to ensure a hitch-free celebration.

He said, “We have geared efforts towards keeping our people safe and critical infrastructure protected during and after the Sallah celebration. The recent spate of attacks and threats to life and property in the country call for more proactive engagements, rather than reactive actions.

"We need to identify and address areas of concern to our collective safety by deploying personnel adequately to protect soft targets.

Nigerians deserve a safe and peaceful environment and we must not allow bandits and terrorists to hold us to ransom now or anytime during festivity.

"I have ordered the deployment of

over 30,000 personnel across all our formations for effective deployment to all nooks and crannies to address all forms of threats to national security.”

While promising that adequate security would be put in place to safeguard praying grounds, recreation centres, markets, shopping malls, motor parks and all critical national assets and infrastructure, he charged those in the riverine areas to deploy necessary equipment like boats for periodic patrol of the nation's waterways to beef up security and forestall illegal activities of vandals and bunkerers.

He claimed that on the watch list of the corps were suspected black spots and other vulnerable areas to prevent destruction of both human and material resources.

“We are now experiencing asymmetric conflict, which requires new strategy, vigilance and effective action. The Corps will not rest on its oars to ensure that crime is nipped in the bud and perpetrators are brought to justice.

"I therefore, urge the good people of Nigeria to go about their legitimate businesses without fear, as our deployment will ensure safety and orderliness during the festivities."

He disclosed that the mobilisation of personnel for the Sallah operation will be drawn from Anti-vandal unit, Special Female Squad (SFS), Rapid Response Squad, SWAT, Special Forces, CG's Special Intelligence Squad, CG's Anti-vandal Monitoring

Squad, CBRNE, K9 Unit and the intelligence and surveillance team to ensure covert and overt security operation before, during and after the celebration.

Kwara: Saraki Supports Kwara People with Cows, Other Gifts

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said he would continue to make life more bearable for the people of Kwara State, irrespective of their political affiliations, to reduce sufferings occasioned by bad governance in the country.

Saraki stated this in Ilorin yesterday, in a statement by his local Press Officer, Mr. Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, during the distribution of cows, rams and cash gifts to different categories of people for the Eid Kabir celebration in the state.

"The celebration of Eid Kabir is to show love and kindness and this is being demonstrated so as to bring new hope to the people of the state," Saraki said, adding that, the distribution of the gifts to the people was a symbol of kindness, especially, to the less privileged people in order to make their families happy during the celebration According to the statement, Saraki's gesture, which has become an annual tradition, was to enable the beneficiaries fulfil their Sallah obligation of animal sacrifice and to also celebrate the festival with joy.

COURT REMOVES OBOREVWORI, INSTALLS EDEVBIE AS DELTA PDP GUBER CANDIDATE by the 3rd Defendant.

"An order of this Honourable Court commanding, directing or otherwise mandating the 2nd and 3rd Defendants to replace, forthwith, the name of the 1st Defendant with that of the Plaintiff as the lawful candidate of the 2nd Defendant for the forthcoming Gubernatorial elections in Delta State, now scheduled for 11th March, 2023 by the 3rd Defendant.”

Therefore, Taiwo in his Judgment, granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff except relief four, which sought the prohibition, inhibition, prevention or otherwise restraining Oborevwori from holding out, parading and or advertising himself as the candidate of the PDP for the forthcoming Gubernatorial elections in Delta State scheduled to hold on 11th March, 2023 by the 3rd Defendant.

Meanwhile, in its first reaction to the court judgment, the PDP said it was already studying the judgment and enjoined stakeholders not to panic, saying, there was no

cause for alarm.

Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza said, “Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has received the judgement of an Abuja Federal High Court, against our Gubernatorial Candidate for the 2023 general elections, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on the grounds of discrepancies in his documents.

“We have already engaged our team of legal experts to critically study the ruling and explore grounds on which we can confidently approach the Court of Appeal.

“We want to therefore enjoin our teeming supporters and loyal party faithful to remain calm, unperturbed, and law-abiding, and assure them that we are quite confident in our conviction, that justice will be done and we will get judgement at the Appellate Court. There is no cause for alarm.

But Edevbie’s Media Campaign Director, Fred Edoreh, last night, expressed delight that the court in

Abuja "granted all the prayers" of their principal, adding that Delta was happy that justice was served in the interest of democracy in the country.

"The Plaintiff, Olorogun David Edevbie proved his case against the fraud perpetuated by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori beyond all reasonable doubt,” he said.

This, nonetheless, there was disquiet in the camp of Oborevwori yesterday, when news of the verdict of the Abuja court filled the airwaves in Asaba and other parts of the state.

No one was initially ready to volunteer any official comment on the judicial twist of fate.

Eventually, Oborevwori, last night, appealed for calm among his supporters while thanking them for the steadfastness in reposing confidence in him.

Oborevwori, who spoke through his press secretary, Dennis Otu, in a statement mailed to THISDAY in Asaba at about 9.30pm yesterday, said he would appeal the judgment

and advised his supporters "to remain calm".

The statement stated. "I wish to appeal to all my supporters, political associates and well wishers to remain calm and law abiding over the Judgement of the Federal Court. There is no need to panic, all is well. We will certainly appeal the Judgement and so let us maintain the peace as all hope is not lost. All is well and it will end in praise to the Glory of God Almighty.

"The courts have always been part of our democratic experience, and our confidence in the judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man is unwavering.

So, as we embark on the appeal process, our supporters and indeed Deltans should kindly note and rest assured that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orhowedor Oborevwori, remains the gubernatorial flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State for the 2023 general election. The Sherrification Movement is well and alive and,

by God's grace, we shall overcome."

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NEWS

Gunmen Kidnap Four on Ekiti Highway, Demand N20m Ransom Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Panic gripped the residents of a section of Ekiti State yesterday as suspected gunmen allegedly abducted four persons along Oke Ako – Irele Road in Ikole Local Government area of Ekiti State.

Multiple sources confided in newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday that the incident occurred at about 6:00pm and that the kidnappers had started demanding N20 million ransom.

Those abductees were said to be occupants of a commercial car and a mini-truck traveling on the road that leads to the border.

The victims were said to have been ambushed at a potholeridden portion of the road that links to Ekiti and Kogi border.

The sources alleged that the driver, who is from Ipao Ekiti and a passenger were abducted in the commercial vehicle, while the driver and his assistant were taken away in the mini-truck, which was said to be conveying charcoal.

The source said: “We were in a meeting at about 6pm when we got information that there

were two vehicles with doors opened and the headlights on the road, but that there was nobody in the vehicles.

“On getting there, we saw a commercial vehicle and a mini-truck. But before we got there, the occupants of the two vehicles had been abducted by the kidnappers. The abductors immediately called requesting N20million as ransom for the victims.

“In the course of the phone call from the den, we got to know the victims are four and that the passenger boarded the commercial vehicle at Irele Ekiti and heading to Ayedun Ekiti.

“The commercial car driver said he did not know where they were in the bush but that all he knew was that they were near a river as they could hear sounds of flowing river. However, men of the police Rapid Response Squad, Amotekun Corps and local hunters have been combing the bush to rescue them. it is our prayer that they get them hale and hearty.”

A source specifically added that the communities in Ekamefa, comprising Irele,

Ijowa, Oke Ako, Ipao, Itapaji and Iyemero were living in fear of the kidnappers, who he said had surrounded the area.

Speaking with journalists on the incident, spokesman for

Ekamefa, Oluwafemi Abayomi, said: “Insecurity is a big problem in our area here. Our people are not safe, nobody can go to the farm again without being kidnapped.

“Ekamefa calls of the state and federal governments to help us, we are helpless in the hands of the gunmen. There are soldiers at Ipao, there are soldiers at Oke Ako. This kidnap

incident happened around there, we need help,” Abayomi said.

The spokesman of the Ekiti State Police Command, DSP Sunday Abutu couldn’t be reached for confirmation.

HAPPY GRADUATION……

L-R: The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Abia State, Chief Ikechi Emenike; daughter, Oluchi who bagged a First Class degree in Law at the University of Durham, United Kingdom; and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Dr. Uzoma Emenike, during their daughter’s graduation ceremony in United Kingdom...recently

Bauchi Assembly Crisis: Faction Gunmen Kidnap Catholic Priest in Benue Declares Support for Speaker George Okoh in Makurdi

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi A faction in the ongoing leadership crisis that is rocking the Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA) has declared its support and loyalty to the embattled Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, affirming that Sulieman remained the speaker of BAHA. Speaking on behalf of the members loyal to the speaker, A member of BAHA Representing Kirfi, Hon Abdulkadir Umar Dewu, called on people of the state to remain calm since Suleiman remained the speaker of the House.

Dewu said on Wednesday that “it’s not true that 22 members of the BAHA passed vote of no confidence on leadership.”

He debunked the reports that 22 members of BAHA recently sat and passed a vote of no confidence on leadership of the House, asking it to resign honorably or get impeached.

He expressed concerns on the allegations made by the 22 members of the assembly and boasted that those behind the plot would never get the constitutional required number

to execute it.

Dewu said: “The assertion made by the members on the alleged claims that 22 members out of the 31 members of the assembly have signed a letter calling for the resignation of the speaker of the BAHA and the other honourable members of the house came to me as a surprise.”

He explained that “it came to me as a surprise, and I am a little bit confused, when I heard about it. All I know is that the BAHA comprised of 31 members of which I know nine of us are presently in Saudi Arabia for Hajj and one of us went to Jerusalem for Christian pilgrimage and I think he only came back yesterday.”

Dewu further explained that “the House has a total of 31 members, 9 are in Saudi Arabia, one went to Jerusalem and the 20 of us that are not with them are around and they are claiming that they have 22 members with them.

“So it’s surprising and actually I want to tell the world that people should understand that there is something that may be they are trying to achieve by making that kind of claim.

Suspected gunmen last Wednesday kidnapped the Catholic Priest of the Otukpo Dioceses in Benue State, Reverend Father Peter Amodu.

According to local sources, Amodu was kidnapped while on his way to celebrate a mass at Okwungaga-Ugbokolo area of Okpokwu Local Government

Area.

Confirming the report, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, diocesan chancellor of the Otukpo Dioceses, while addressing priest in a statement, said Amodu, a priest of the Holy’ Ghost Congregation who is working in the Catholic Diocese of Otupo as Parish Priest of Holy Ghost Parish, Eke-Olengbeche.

“The sad incident occurred on July 6, 2022, at about 5 p.m. along Otukpo - Ugbokolo Road, Benue State, while he was on his way to celebrate the Holy Mass at Okwungaga-Ughbokolo.

“The Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, has called on all Christ’s faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and beyond to pray for his quick and safe release,

as we intensify efforts to ensure his release “We commend our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors.”

Attempt to get the police in the state to comment on the incident proved abortive.

Abiodun Condoles with Yemi Adebowale on Demise of Mother James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed his condolences to Mr. Yemi Adebowale, The Editor (Saturday), ThisDay Newspaper, on the demise of his mother, Mrs Susan Taiwo Adebowale, who died at the age of 86.

The governor expressed his empathy, in a letter, he personally signed.

Abiodun said: “I write to express my heartfelt condolences to you on the demise of your dear mum, Chief (Mrs.) Susan Taiwo Adebowale, who slept in the Lord at the age of 86.

“As we all know, the death

of one’s parents, particularly one’s mother, could be painful.

On this, I empathise with you.

“Though Mama joined the Saints Triumphant at an advanced age, her children, relatives and acquaintances will miss her greatly.

“Death, everyone is aware, is an inevitable end for all. My prayer is that Mama’s soul shall

continue to reside in the bosom of her Maker till we meet to part no more.

“So, on behalf of my family, the government and people of Ogun State, I commiserate with you. And I pray that all of Mama’s children shall live longer to eat the fruit of their labour. Accept my condolences and take heart, my brother.”

Zamfara APC: We’ll Only Support Tinubu if He Promises to Tackle Insecurity Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Zamfara State All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders have said that they would only support and deliver the state in the 2023 elections if the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu promises to tackle insecurity in the state and by extension, the North-west region.

The stakeholders demanded

serious commitment from the presidential candidate as the condition to deliver the state to him.

The resolution of the stakeholders was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the APC Zonal Publicity Secretary, North West, Malam Musa Mada.

The statement read: “As the fact-finding tour of the North West Zonal officials of All Progressives

Congress reached Zamfara on Wednesday, the stakeholders of the party in the State assured the Zonal Chairman, Malam Salihu Lukman and his team that they have unflinching loyalty to the party in whatever course and they are united in all fronts to give the party the required result necessary to claim the state in totality.

“Yet, they demand the

commitment of the presidential and all other candidates vying for electoral posts from the party for them to deliver the state to them.”

“The party’s stakeholders demand a serious commitment on the deteriorating security situation in the State and the region from anybody vying for any electoral post, especially the presidential candidate from the party to work for his success.”

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello, has explained why his administration is enforcing the policy on parks operation in the nation’s capital.

He said that his administration decided to revert to the policy in order to ensure the attainment of 40 per cent threshold of green

areas in the city.

Bello gave the insight when the management of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) led by its Managing Director, Mr. Buki Ponle, paid a courtesy call on him on yesterday in Abuja. ”The whole concept of the park policy is to make sure that these green areas within

Abuja as a city and to some extent parts of the territory are left green to be able to meet the 40 per cent threshold of green areas. ”Abuja was way ahead of many cities in terms of climate consideration and the whole idea was that you develop these green areas to make them truly

green with vegetation, with green land, flowers and trees. ” That was achieved to a large extent some years back but with population growth of the city and demand for housing and land, if we are not conscious about it then we may derail ourselves and just make it a concrete city,” he said.

Osun: INEC Devolves Distribution of PVCs to Wards FCT Minister: Why We’re Enforcing Policy on Parks Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Osogbo The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has devolved the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to registration areas/ wards.

The INEC in a statement by its State Public Relations Officer, Seun Osimosun, a copy of which was made available to THISDAY in Osogbo yesterday said the devolution is to ensure smooth processes of distribution of the cards.

The statement reads in part: “The INEC swishes to inform the general public, most especially, all eligible Voters who are duly registered but yet to collect their PVCs,

that they now have another opportunity to collect their PVCs at the Registration Areas (Wards) from Thursday 7th July to Thursday 14th July, 2022 between the hours of 9am to 3pm daily.

“Please note that this is the second time INEC is giving Voters in Osun State the opportunity to collect their PVCs at Registration Area/ Ward for ease of collection and more importantly, to ensure that no eligible Voter is disenfranchised.

“Every Voter who wishes to collect PVC should come with the Registration Slip issued to him/her during the Registration Exercise in exchange for the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

No collection by proxy, please.”

Taraba APC Dep Guber Candidate Tasks Residents on PVCs Collection Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The deputy gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Iliyasu Kirim, has charged residents of the state to come out en-mass to register and collect their permanent voters

cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 general election.

Kirim, who stated this while addressing party stalwarts and supporters at the party’s campaign office in Jalingo yesterday, noted that all hands must be on deck to effect a change of government in the state in 2023.

He attributed the poor living

condition of the people of the state to lack of effective leadership and failure of the government, just as he enjoined the people to change the narrative through their PVCs. According to him, “I want to enjoin the people of the state to come out en-mass to register to vote in the coming elections.

You must ensure that you collect your PVCs because that is the only way you can express your dissatisfaction with your present circumstance.

“You can only change the narrative by ensuring you are registered to vote, and we must all unite and resolve to change this government.”

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Insecurity: Buhari Should be Talking to Nigerians, Not Issuing Statements, Says Ali Ndume A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and Borno State Senator, Ali Ndume, yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari should directly address the nation on the matter of insecurity, rather than issuing statements through his media advisers.

The Senator made the comment while responding to questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“I’ve said it before. When it comes to issues like these, it is the President himself that is supposed to be talking to Nigerians, not some press adviser.

“The President, of course, should be taking responsibility . . . he is the President. By the time you ask people to elect you as President, anything that happens to any Nigerian, God will hold you accountable you for it,” he said.

Ndume added that he was “really disappointed with the

response of so many leaders.

“And it is our responsibility – of government – the security and welfare of

its citizens. And you have leaders responding as if it is a casualty, not their responsibility.

“I feel pained to be called a Senator. I’m almost like helpless. Many of us are like that, sitting down as

observers.”

Ndume’s comments comes days after terrorists attacked a prison in Kuje, the Federal

Capital Territory.

Many of those who escaped are believed to be dangerous Boko Haram members.

NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL…

L-R: Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare; 2022 Festival Mascot, Uzo; Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and Managing Director, PremiumTrust Bank, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim, at the unveiling of National Sports Festival Logo and Mascot in Asaba...recently

Monkeypox Outbreak Ogun: Police Parade 42 Suspects for Alleged Murder, Kidnapping, Cultism Confirmed in Nasarawa JamesSowoleinAbeokuta

IgbawaseUkumbainLafia

Nasarawa State has recorded six confirmed cases of monkey pox disease in two local government areas of the state since outbreak of the disease in the country.

However, the state explained that all the six persons affected by the monkey pox disease have all recovered from it with no deaths.

The State Commissioner for Health, Mr. Ahmed Yahaya, confirmed the outbreak of the disease in Nasarawa State at a press conference yesterday in Lafia.

Yahaya gave a breakdown that four cases were confirmed in Lafia and two other cases in Keffi

Local Goverment Areas of the state respectively.

Consequently, the health commissioner said an Emergency Operational Centre (EOP) for the monkey pox has been activated and an incident manager has also been appointed in that order.

He, therefore, explained that the Emergency Operational Centre (EOC) has been put in place all relevant strategies in the fight against the monkey pox in the state.

He said: “Healthcare workers have been sensitised on the occurrence of this disease, trainings have been conducted, drugs and essential commodities for the treatment of the disease has also been procured.

Bago/Garba APC Niger Governorship Ticket Gets Support Laleye Dipo in Minna Stakeholders in the politics of Niger State have thrown their weight behind the 2023 All Progressives Congress’ (APC) Governorship Candidate, Mr. Umar Mohammed Bago.

Bago, a member of the House of Representatives won the Governorship ticket and went ahead to pick the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Yakubu Garba, as his running mate.

In separate statements made available to newsmen yesterday in Minna, the stakeholders believed that the pair would win the 2023

governorship election and move on to revamp the state as a result of their previous performances.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Chapter, in one of the statements by its Secretary, Mr. Usman Chiji, specifically said that the choice of Yakubu Garba as running mate is “a round peg in a round hole,” adding that the appointment is also “as a result of his (Garba) tenacity in fighting for the welfare of workers in Niger State “Garba’s understanding of dynamics of politics will go a long way in assisting the administration, when voted into power.”

Police Arrest 30 for Alleged Cultism in Edo The Police command in Edo yesterday said it arrested 30 suspected cultists for alleged involvement in cult related clashes and activities in Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on the command’s achievements in its renewed fight against cultism in the state.

Nwabuzor disclosed that the suspects included seven females and 23 males, adding that they were arrested in different locations within the state capital.

According to him, following

the recent cult related clashes in the state, the command’s anti cultism unit raided criminal hideout and black spots as part of the ongoing clampdown on criminals in the state.

“During the raid, 30 suspects comprising 23 males and seven females were arrested. The suspects confessed to being members of various cult groups in the state.”

The PPRO also disclosed that some of the suspects were members of Eiye, some members of Aiye, some of Buccaneers and others of Maphite confraternities, among others.

Ogun State Police Command yesterday paraded 42 suspects for offences ranging from Murder, robbery, Kidnapping, rape and others.

Of these number, 32 of them were suspected secret cult members who allegedly played significant roles in various clashes that led to the death

of many, as well as disrupting the peace across the state in recent times.

The command also disclosed that a total number of 93 suspected cultists of different confraternity groups arrested between March, 2022 till date, were currently undergoing prosecution in the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer(PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi disclosed this yesterday while

parading the suspects.

Among the suspects, was a 29 years old fake kidnap victim, Segun Mafimidowo, who connived with some of his friends to demand for a sum of N8 million ransom from his parents under the pretense that he has been kidnapped by some unknown gunmen from Sagamu area of the state.

Oyeyemi said: “Mafimidowo also

sent picture where he was tied on both hands. The purported abductors later sent an account number of one OgbuAbraham in which he directed the parents to pay the ransom to. But the Anti Kidnapping section of the command embarked on technical based investigation which led to where Segun Mafimidowo and his so-called abductors, who are all his friends were hibernating”.

15 Corps Members Sanctioned for Absenteeism, Abscondment in Bayelsa Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa Eight corps members would start their service year afresh while seven others have theirs extended out of the 1,831 that participated in the 2021 Batch B, Stream 1, service year in Bayelsa State.

They were sanctioned by the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) for misconduct

bothering on absenteeism and outright abandonment of their one year compulsory national assignment.

Speaking at the passing out parade, the Bayelsa State Government reassured the NYSC of its continued support for the scheme to achieve its set objectives in the state.

The Governor of Bayelsa

State, Mr. Douye Diri, gave the assurance during the passing out parade ceremony of the 2021 Batch B, Stream 1 corps members held at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Governor Diri, who was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, pledged commitment to improved

welfare and security of corps members posted to the state for the mandatory one-year service.

He said that Bayelsa ranked among the best in terms of monthly remuneration and other welfare packages for youth corps members because of the importance the state government accorded to the national civic duty.

Youths Hail Dickson for Establishing Cassava Processing Plant in Bayelsa Olusegun Samuel inYenagoa

Youth groups from Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have expressed gratitude to former state Governor and Senator representing the Bayelsa West constituency, Seriake Dickson, for the establishment of the multimillion naira Cassava Processing Plant in the area.

The youth leaders, who made the commendation, are from Sagbama, Tarakiri and Ebedebiri, which are the host communities to the facility.

The plant, which is located at Ebedebiri, Sagbama LGA, has 240 tons input and 60 tons output per day processing capacity.

The groups from the Sagbama LGA said Dickson was able to

complete the gigantic project

by January 2020 because of his exemplary dedication to strategic issues of development in the area and indeed the state.

They recalled that the facility was scheduled for unveiling at the twilight of his administration but was put on hold for the incoming government to inaugurate following the verdict of the Supreme Court

in favour of the PDP in the state gubernatorial election.

The Chairman of the influential Tarakiri Youth Presidents Forum, Mr. Ebimobowei Perekeme, recalled that the state government led

by Dickson built the world-class modern cassava and starch processing factory from foundation to completion at Ebedebiri community.

Groups Set Up Programme to Enhance Opportunities for Lawyers, Others

Sunday Okobi

Centre for Law and Business (CLB) and Barbri Global have introduced an educational programme that would upgrade and offer opportunities for the legal and non-legal professionals in Nigeria and other West Africa countries, which promises to bring immense benefits to professionals in the West African sub-region

and ultimately Africa.

The groups at a webinar and physical press conference held recently in Victoria Island, Lagos, stated that the programme would bring the opportunity for lawyers and non-lawyers in the West African region to earn international qualifications and be called to the bar in New York and California in the United States as well as become solicitors

in the United Kingdom (England and Wales).

The Chief Executive Officer of CLB, Mr. Dapo Oyewumi, while giving an insight into the programme, said cross or multiple professional qualifications place such lawyers on the global professional stage high, affording them the advantages of international opportunities as well as serving

the needs of international clients, multinationals, multilateral organisations and more, which include ‘distinguish self, global relevance, improved employability.

Oyewumi said the programme would provide crucial information and prepare the candidates for the qualification which would also impact the legal profession in the region, including Nigeria.

Court Halts FG’s Demolition of Kpokpogri’s House Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Charles Agbaza of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday restrained the Minister of the FCT, Hon. Muhammad Bello, from further demolishing the residence of Abuja socialite, Prince Joseph Kpokpogri.

Justice Agbaza gave the

restraining order in ex-parte application made in favour of the applicant, who is a former lover of popular Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh.

Kpokpogri, in the application argued by his team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, stated that some persons from the Federal Capital Development Authority, (FCDA),

had on May 14, invaded his residence, “accompanied by a multitude of heavily armed policemen and bulldozers and excavators”, and commenced the demolition of his house, beginning with the boy’s quarters.

According to the applicant, the agents of the FCDA threatened to return for total

demolition of his house, even though they failed to give any reason for their action.

Ozekhome accordingly urged the court to intervene in the matter, in the interest of justice.

Ruling in the application, the court held that the case of the applicant was meritorious and accordingly granted all the reliefs sought.

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FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

WORLD OF ISLAM

NEWSEXTRA

Fake Army General Jailed Seven Years Social System in Islam (1) over N266.5m Fraud

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Wale Igbintade

A Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, yesterday, convicted and sentenced the fake Army General, Abiodun Bolarinwa to seven years imprisonment.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo in her Judgement sentenced Bolarinwa to seven years imprisonment without option of fine after he pleaded guilty to the 13 counts charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Delivering the judgment, the Taiwo held that she intends to send strong message to scammers given country a bad name, stressing that the

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as DANGANA ELIZABETH CLEMENT henceforth, wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SOLOMON ELIZABETH BYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known , called and address as CHARLES KELECHI NJOKU now wishes to be known, called and addressed as CHARLES KELECHI. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLAOYE ADEOLA RACHEAL now wish to be known and addressed as MRS KAYODE ADEOLA RACHEAL. All former documents remain Valid. General public should take note.

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convict shows the length scammer can go to defraud the innocent victims The Judge said: “ The defendant portrayed himself to be an Army General, he forged the signature of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and current president, Mohammadu Buhari in defrauding and obtaining by false pretenses to the victim.

“He so perfected the scam by the level of his education, that one wonders that if such individual should be allow to work scot free. It is so sad that people like this have given our dear country a bad name. I

therefore sentence you Abiodun Olusegun Abolarinwa to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine. “ The judge further ordered that,” the convict should pay the victim, N20 million and the four vehicles: Blank Range Rover, Black BMW car, Black Toyota Land Cruiser, and White Toyota Hilux with reg no Lagos KTU 985 ET recovered from him be forfeited. “ His property situated at No 1A, Joke Ayo Street, Alagbado be also forfeited and his First Bank account No 3050622693 opened with name

Tambuwal: Only NYSC Member with Skills ’ll Benefit from Empowerment Funds Onuminya Innocent In Sokoto The Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said only corps member with skills will benefit from the state government empowerment funds.

Tambuwal stated this yesterday at the passing out parade of 2021 Batch B stream1 corps members.

“Our administration has maintained the course of action that would guarantee short and long term credit facilities to any of you who has a viable skills that would translate into a meaningful endeavour,” he stated.

He implored them to utilize the experience garnered during the service year and exploit the opportunities

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as CHINENYE RUTH UZOWULU CHANGE now wish to be known and addressed as CHINENYE RUTH ECHEFULACHINWAEKE. All former documents remain Valid. General public should take note.

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The general public should note.

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The general public should please take note.

available to establish small-scale enterprises which will not only make them self-employed but also employers of labours.

“I congratulate you, as your one year mandatory national service to our fatherland comes to a glorious end today,” he added .

He stated that their contributions to the socio-economic development of the state particularly in the areas of healthcare, agriculture, social services, rural infrastructure and education will be for ever cherished by the government and the good people of Sokoto State and the country at large.

“May I register my profound appreciation for your tremendous contribution towards the success of numerous community-based development projects. Your commendable efforts are in consonance with our administration’s resolve to provide basic socioeconomic amenities to the rural areas, aimed at reducing rural-urban drift he added “The NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers Programme, the campaign against HIV/AIDS; polio eradication and social vices in the state are activities that are also worthy of praise.

Vote for Adeleke, Osun Monarch Directs Residents Yinka KolawoleinOsogbo

The paramount ruler of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal has directed residents and indigenes of Ede to vote massively for Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke and ignore 2026 false promise of governorship rotation to Osun West.

Speaking while receiving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate at Ede yesterday, the traditional ruler tasked heads of families and quarters in the town to mobilise and ensure they deliver Ede votes to one of their own whom he described as capable and competent to govern the state.

The royal father, who recalled how Adeleke was rigged out in 2018 declared that Osun West now has another historical opportunity to claim the governorship especially as Adeleke has all what it takes to compete and win the election.

While acknowledging the very popular support Adeleke has garnered across the state, the royal father thanked Osun indigenes for their show of love for Adeleke and tasked them to troop out enmasse and make their votes count.

He specifically urged voters across Osun West not to wait for a 2026 governorship promise for Osun West, insisting that this is the time to vote for Osun West through the candidature of Senator Ademola Adeleke.

Four categories of rights and obligations in man’s life

possible the development of a rich individual and collective life.

It is an established fact that Islam is a comprehensive way of life, a complete guidance for the whole of mankind covering all aspects of life. Islamic law (or Sharee’ah) is not confined only to civil and criminal matters but covers every aspect of life. The moral aspect, physical, psychic, economic, etc. Nothing is left behind.

It (Sharee’ah) takes care of man from when he is in his mother’s womb until after death. It deals with every detail.

Sharee’ah is the knowledge, the discipline, and the science of the rights and obligations of man, and what is good and evil for him individually and collectively.

Thus, the scheme of life, which Islam envisages consists of a set of rights and obligations, and every human being who accepts this religion must live by them. Broadly speaking, the law of Islam deals with man’s life in four categories of rights and obligations, or relationships: (1) man’s relationship with Allah, his Creator, (2) his relationship with himself, or his own rights upon himself, (3) his relationship with other people, and (4) his relationship with his natural environment, or in other words, the rights of those resources which Allah has placed within his power and has allowed him to use for his benefit.

Creatures by the nature of their being created, must submit to their Creator. Having established that Allah is, in reality, The Only One God to be worshipped, the Quran and Sunnah (the Prophetic traditions) explain the right way to worship Him. There must be unity between man’s worship and his attitude towards life.

The God worshipped by man in his prayer and devotion is the same God addressed while studying, earning a living, and in attempting to better conditions on earth. It is the same God applied to while eating, drinking, while communicating with his family, with other individuals, with other societies, peoples and states, whether in peace time or war.

Allah Says (what means): {Say: ‘Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds…} [Quran 6:161] The regular worship during the span of life provides man with an extraordinary spirit. The prescribed daily prayers, for instance, consist in repeating and refreshing five times a day the belief in which he reposes his faith. The times of prayer - dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and night, correspond with the five periods of man’s life, namely childhood and youth, age of maturity, old age, death, and life after death until the Resurrection. Dawn of the next day signifies the Resurrection, so each day is a complete cycle of man’s whole life in parallel with the life of the world. During each time of worship, a Muslim dissociates himself from his worldly engagements for a few moments, cleanses himself and presents himself before his Lord, seeking audience before Him. By reciting from the Noble Quran he is elevated into a state as if he were receiving it directly from the Lord of the worlds.

He asks Him again and again to enable him to follow His Chosen Path, refreshes his belief in all the pillars of faith and enlivens his memory with the fact that he has to appear before his Lord and give an account of his entire life. He unburdens himself to Him and begs His succor for all the difficulties in which he is entangled in life. Thus, the daily prayers strengthen the foundations of his faith, prepare him for the observance of a life of virtue and obedience to Allah, and refresh the belief from which spring courage, sincerity, purposefulness, purity of the soul, and enrichment of morals. The Quran states (what means): {Verily, the (daily) prayers prevent (a Muslim) from Al-Fahsha’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed, etc.) …} [Quran 29:45] Then, again, a Muslim must perform his daily prayers in congregation and especially so the Friday noon prayer. This creates among the Muslims a bond of love and mutual understanding. This arouses in them a sense of their collective unity and fosters among them the feelings of brotherhood. All of them perform their prayers in one congregation and this inculcates in them a deep feeling of brotherhood.

Prayers are also a symbol of equality, for the poor and the rich, the ‘low’ and the ‘high’, the rulers and the ruled, the educated and the unlettered, the black and the white, all stand in one row and prostrate before their Lord. They also inculcate in them a strong sense of collective discipline and obedience to the leader of the community. Prayers train the Muslims in all those virtues, which make

Man as Allah’s vicegerent

Islam regards man as Allah’s vicegerent and cannot tolerate his degradation by his submission to any kind of humiliation or oppressive powers.

Islam is the real way to freedom and liberation.

It is the religion, which invites man to struggle against oppression and tyranny for his freedom and dignity. So, by prostrating for Allah Alone, a Muslim declares that he does not bow down to any other than Him. Islam is the way to real freedom, one which allows no serfdom, promises all men freedom, and independence in thought, action, property and religion, and safeguards man’s integrity as well his honor and dignity.

Islam also frees man from the captivity of his lusts; sensual pleasures should not tempt and corrupt him. Drinking, permissiveness, gambling, night clubs, mixed social activities, bad movies, homosexuality, fornication and adultery, sex outside marriage, pornography, overspending, conspicuous consumption, arrogance, greed, etc. are all the humiliating factors for him which take his honor and dignity away and have been used by all kinds of colonialism, exploitation and imperialism. It is the daily prayer and other forms of worship such as almsgiving (Zakat), which inculcate in man the will to struggle against all aspects of self-degradation.

Cardinal causes for social convulsions and disruptions

As pointed out by a contemporary Muslim thinker, two cardinal causes for social convulsions and disruptions are: (1) the idea that “let everyone work so that I could eat” and (2) the thought that “it does not interest me if others die of hunger so long as I am full.” Islam eliminates the first of these vices through the ban of all kinds of transactions based on ‘interest and usury’, and the second through the command to pay Zakat. Zakat is the bridge between the various economic levels of the society.

Zakat is the Islamic obligation, which every Muslim whose financial situation is above a certain specified minimum must pay. The purpose of giving Zakat is to gain Allah’s approval, and this is possible by serving people.

The money that we pay in Zakat is not something Allah needs or receives. He is above any need or desire. He, in His benign mercy, promises the alms-givers manifold rewards, but there is one basic condition for being thus rewarded, and it is that when we pay in the name of Allah, we should not expect any worldly gains from the beneficiaries, nor aim at making our names as philanthropists. Allah Says in the Quran (what means): {Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah, and do not follow up what they have spent with remainders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord, and no fear shall be on them, neither shall they grieve.

Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than the alms followed by injury. And Allah is All-Sufficient, All-Clement.} [Quran 2:262-263] Zakat is as basic to Islam as other forms of worship, Prayer and Fasting. Its fundamental importance lies, in addition to its economic and social function, in the fact that it fosters in the Muslim qualities of sacrifice and rids him of selfishness and avarice.

Zakat is as basic to Islam as other forms of worship, Prayer and Fasting. Its fundamental importance lies, in addition to its economic and social function, in the fact that it fosters in the Muslim qualities of sacrifice and rids him of selfishness and avarice.

The Muslim society has immensely to gain from the institution of Zakat. It is the bounden duty of every well-to-do Muslim to help his lowly-placed, poor brethren. His actual wealth, and his share in it is very small when compared to the direct gifts of Allah such as the sun, rain, earth, and natural resources, so it is not to be spent solely on his own comfort and luxury - there are other rightful claimants upon his wealth, and they are the nation’s widows and orphans, the poor and the sick; those who have ability but lack the means to make their living, and those who have the faculties and intelligence but not the money with which they could become useful members of the community.

Islam regards it as a great injustice to fill up one’s own stomach and coffers while thousands die of hunger or suffer the agonies of unemployment.

Islam is severely opposed to such selfishness and greed. By paying the obligatory Zakat, one shares a very small percentage of his wealth with others and helps them stand on their own feet and become productive members of the society.

To Be Continued

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FRIDAY, JU ΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Nigeria’s Super Falcons Bounce Back with Win against Botswana Now second in Group C behind leaders Banyana Banyana

Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria’s Super Falcons bounced back to reckoning last night defeating Botswana 2-0 to steady their campaign in the ongoing 12th CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat, Morocco.

After the cup holders slumped 1-2

WA F C O N 2 0 2 2 in their opening game against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, goals by US-based Ifeoma Onumonu and substitute Christy Ucheibe earned Nigeria all the three points to climb from the bottom of the table to second spot.

Abdominal Injury Forces Nadal to Skip S’final Clash with Kyrgios Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from his Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios with an abdominal injury.

The 36-year-old Spanish second seed received treatment during his quarter-final against Taylor Fritz on Wednesday but pushed through the pain to win in five sets.

"I have tried a lot of times in my career to keep going but it is obvious the injury will get worse," he said.

Kyrgios will play Novak Djokovic or Cameron Norrie in Sunday's final.

Nadal confirmed he has a tear in his abdominal muscle which means he would not be able to be competitive over two matches.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion had practised at Wimbledon away from the media earlier on Thursday but then called

WIMBLEDON 2022

The Super Falcons will on Sunday come up against their counterparts from Burundi, with a win certain to guarantee a place in the quarterfinals of the championship.

Francisca Ordega was however awarded the Woman-of-the-Match award to the disbelief of many ball fans across the continent who think the likes of Toni Payne, Halimat Ayinde, Alozie or even Ifeoma Onumonu were ahead of her in terms work rate in the game.

Earlier, on the day South Africa marked 30 years since return to global football after decades of apartheid-enforced isolation, the Banyana Banyana defeated Burundi 3-1 to qualify for the quarter final

of the 2022 WAFCON in Rabat, Morocco.

Banyana took the lead in the 20th minute through Thembi Kgatlana but Burundi equalised 10 minutes later by Aniella Awimana. In the 32nd minute South Africa took the lead again this time off the boot of Amogelang Motau.

Kgatlana was fouled in the 53rd

by Burundi goalkeeper for a penalty award to Banyana. Linda Motlhalo converted for South Africa’s third goal of the evening.

For Burundi, who had a player sent off with 20 minutes left, the defeat was a second loss for them after going down 4-2 against Botswana in their opening game.

BIRMINGHAM 2022 Kingdom and that of accompanying officials.

Besides the Commonwealth Games, Gumel also revealed that Nigeria will also be featuring at the Islamic Games holding from August 9to 18 in Konya, Turkey.

With everything already set and perfected in terms of logistics by the Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Mr. Olabanji Oladapo, “what is now left is for the athletes to go there and make the country proud,” he further noted.

'I'm indeed optimistic that Nigeria will put up an excellent performance at both Games", Gumel concluded.

Super Falcons celebrating their 2-0 defeat of Botswana to climb to second spot of Group C of WAFCON 2020 in Rabat, Morocco...last night

National Sports Festival to be Expanded Soon, Says Dare Okowa showers praises on minister, marketer There are strong indications that the National Sports Festival will be expanded in future with about 10 countries from various parts of Africa participating.

Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare who dropped this hint on Wednesday in Asaba stressed that it was important for Nigeria to be staging an event that could be like a mini-Olympic Games on the continent.

2nd MFM Women’s Basketball Championship Begins in Lagos The second edition of the Dr & Dr (Mrs) D. K Olukoya Women’s Basketball Championship is scheduled to kick off in Lagos today with 12 teams in attendance battling for top prizes.

sent the ball into the box, only for the southern Africans to clear their lines.

Two minutes later, Onumonu failed to control in good time a good pass by Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene.

Botswana had their own song in the half, with Tholakele rattling goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie from a 22-yard free-kick in the 31st minute and then shooting straight at the Nigerian goal-tender six minutes later.

Substitute Ucheibe, with her first touch of the ball, scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 48th minute when she rose highest in the box to nod home Toni Payne’s heaved effort from a corner kick.

a news conference.

"Throughout the whole day I have been thinking about the decision to make," Nadal told reporters.

"I think it doesn't make sense to play. I feel very sad to say that."

Nadal had strapping on his abdomen during his fourth-round match but was in visible pain from the injury against Fritz.

He took a medical timeout during the match and ignored calls from his father and sister to quit before somehow rallying to win.

The two-time Wimbledon champion had been on course for a calendar Grand Slam, having won the Australian and French Opens already this year.

NOC Optimistic of Good Outing for Team Nigeria Nigeria’s team to the forthcoming Commonwealth Games scheduled to hold from July 28 to August 8, 2022, in Birmingham, United Kingdom have prospects of returning home with medals, so declares the body that should know.

President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, dropped this hint in Lagos while interacting with sports journalists during the 2022 Olympic Day Celebration held at the National Stadium Surulere Lagos.

According to him, all necessary preparations that will ensure victory for Nigerian athletes at the Games have been concluded.

These include travelling documents for their trip to the United

Onumonu who scored two of the three goals that downed Cote d’Ivoire’s Lady Elephants in the final qualifying fixture, gave the Falcons the advantage with a sweet finish in the 21st minute from an intelligent through pass crafted by Halimat Ayinde.

Prior to that, the champions looked brighter on the break than they did against South Africa, with Rasheedat Ajibade, Ifeaoma Onumonu and Francisca Ordega launching onslaughts that unsettled the Botswanans.

In the 26th minute, Nigeria could have been two goals up when Ordega found Toni Payne with a stylish pass and the defender

The 12 women’s basketball teams to feature in this pan Nigeria championship at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos include; First Bank of Lagos, Air Warriors of

MFM Basketball team gearing up to feature in the 2nd edition of the church’s basketball Championship beginning in Lagos ...today

Abuja, Inspector General of Police Queens of Abuja, Sunshine Angels of Akure, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Queens of Lagos, Achievers Queens from Bayelsa State amongst others.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare and wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanyo-Olu will lead other prominent Nigerians that includes the President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engineer Musa Kida to the event sponsored by MFM General Overseer, Dr Daniel Olukoya. The annual event is one of his many youth empowerment programmes from his famous 70 Points Youth Repositioning Agenda.

This Special edition to end next week Friday is being used to celebrate Dr Olukoya and his wife, Dr Folashade’s birthday born same date of July 15.

Over 16,000 athletes from across the country will converge on Delta State to compete for medals in 40 sports from November 2to 15, 2022.

Dare, who was speaking during the unveiling of the Logo and Mascot for the 21st National Sports Festival in Asaba, said the forthcoming sports meet would be the biggest in the history of the country in terms of numbers.

The Minister said; “About 40 sports disciplines will be competed for which is very huge and a record number while the expectation of having over 16,000 athletes is another anticipated record.

“We have the capacity to host well because that was what we achieved last year in Benin. We

are already looking at bringing in about 10 African countries to boost the glamour of the games. It is our own mini-Olympics.”

Also speaking during the unveiling ceremony, the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, showered encomiums on Dare for his commitment to sports development in Nigeria.

Governor Okowa congratulated the sports minister for the giant strides made in sports so far for the country.

His words: "I must truly thank the minister for the way he is taking sports development in this nation.

He has brought a high level of commitment to sports development in Nigeria yet he remains so humble

in his approach.

"I believe that is the reason why some of us are very much encouraged to work with him to see what best can be done for Nigeria. We notice the work he is doing and are proud of him in this respect."

Governor Okowa also revealed that the sports minister is one of the major reasons Delta State never hesitates to support Nigerian athletes and sports generally anytime the Ministry comes calling.

The sports loving governor also salutes the efforts of the marketers of the NSF, Nilayo Sports Management Limited for getting sponsors to embrace the games even before the unveiling of the logo and mascot.

NNL: Bendel Insurance Move Seven Points Clear Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin on Wednesday moved seven points clear at the top of Group B1 of the Nigeria National League (NNL) after beating Gateway United of Abeokuta 4-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in a rescheduled Match-day 18 game.

Insurance took charge of the game early as they were awarded a penalty in the 5th minute. However the penalty was saved by the goalkeeper with Sodje Stephen converting a rebound to give the host the early lead.

More pressure from Insurance led to an own goal by Gateway in

the 30th minute with Saraki slotting in from close range the third goal in the 34th minute.

The first half ended with Insurance having three goals advantage.

Echeter Deputy got the fourth goal for Bendel Insurance in the 78th minute from outside the 22m box.

Speaking with reporters after the victory, Edo State Acting Governor, Philip Shaibu expressed joy over the win. “ We have opened a gap on top of the table that can take us to NPFL. I am happy that all the efforts we have been putting in are yielding results. Technically, we are there (in NPFL) already and that is what Edo people have

been waiting for.

“Bendel Insurance actually do no belong to NNL, and we are happy we are going to join our mates (in terms of football) like Rangers and Kano Pillars. I am so excited and happy with this development,” concluded the acting governor.

On future plans when Bendel Insurance eventually qualify to play in the NPFL, Shaibu noted that "our players are good and good enough for the NPFL. Our target is to be the factory that produce players for the country.

And you can see today, four of our Bendel Insurance feeder team players featured in this match."

Friday July 8, 2022

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MISSILE Group to Buhari, Tinubu, APC “Christians will feel threatened with a Muslim-Muslim ticket, and may resort to pulpit preaching and mobilization of opinions across the Christendom. Civil Society Organisations and students would likely protest this destructive introduction into our polity, which may constitute security concerns. However, it should be noted that the ‘original sin’ is the adoption of a Muslim-Muslim ticket”–Nigeria Democracy Defence Watch, writes Buhari, warns that same religion ticket portends danger to national stability.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akinosuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Peter Obi and the Protestant Ethic I n the book titled the ‘protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism’ the German sociologist, Max Weber attributed the development of capitalism to the protestant ethic (protestantism is a form of christianity that originated with the 16th-century reformation, a movement against what its followers perceived to be errors in the Catholic Church). What then is the protestant ethic? Inclusively it consists of of the dynamic interaction of the the following elements, asceticism, discipline, virtue and the doctrine of predestination-as amended. Of all these elements, Weber argued, the reconceptualisation of the doctrine of predestination is the most decisive determinant in the causation of capitalism.

Predestination is the doctrine ‘that God has eternally chosen those whom he intends to save, that God has ordained all that will happen, especially with regard to the salvation of some and not others’.That prior to being born, you are already fated as a prospective candidate for heaven or hell and the fate is immutable notwithstanding the personal merit or demerit of your human conduct.

It is the reconceptualisation of this doctrine, to the effect that, in addition to asceticism, discipline and virtue, success in entrepreneurial exertion, is a qualification for religious salvation; that anyone who lives a meritorious life ‘of sobriety, discipline, hardwork and simplicity could be expected to prosper and that such prosperity would be credited to him as the sign of the elect’.

It postulates that beyond religious work, all work would be regarded as a calling from God which must be discharged with a view to pleasing God. It was this powerful incentive-that being successful in business will be reckoned as service to God, that unleashed the missionary energy and vision which birthed capitalism.

In this reconceptualisation, being a successful capitalist has become an end unto itself, where profit and surplus find meaning only in it’s utilisation as capital for reinvestment; a capitalistic repudiation of instant gratification in lieu of reinvestment; acquisition and preservation of wealth.’This new interpretation-of ‘profit making as a duty of every day calling and a mark of divine election’ brought about a profound change of attitude towards worldly effort and the acquisition of wealth. Rhetorically, it is captured in such cultural epithets and catchphrases as ‘time is money”; “sloth is sin”; “a penny saved is a penny earned”.

And in postmodern parlance the prototype capitalists are those regarded as professional investors.

Following the protestant ethic, an anonymous biographer of Peter Obi wrote this profile “To understand Peter Obi, you need to look at his history. Peter was moulded by deep catholic values of frugality (many of his siblings are catholic priests and reverend sisters). I understand that he briefly considered the priesthood.

Peter was shaped by the core values of

Obi

the society where he was raised: Onitsha.

The typical Onitsha trader *does not waste shishi*. These traders understand the value of money. They do not see N1,000; rather, they see what that money can buy and the margin that can be made from the sale.

They know that wealth comes from savings and investment. The average trader does not spend on ANY frivolities. They are utilitarian. A shoe is meant to protect the soles of the feet, so they buy the cheapest and most durable they can find”.

“Peter is NOT a rare breed! There are too many like him in Onitsha, Aba, Nnewi, Ogbete, Alaba, Ladipo, Balogun, Sabin Gari, and many others. Their history is that they start with little to nothing and build great wealth through savings and investments.

These are old-school business people. No flash. No noise. But they control immense wealth. That is the wood from which Peter was carved. *Peter won’t give shishi*. He is serious when he says that he won’t be able to fall asleep if he pays $500 for a hotel room. None of his fellow traders in Aba or Onitsha will be able to fall asleep.

It is how they were raised. It is what they know. it is what Nigeria needs now. We need intervention. We need to be cleansed of our bad behaviour. We need for our heads to be reset. We need someone to cure all of us of the madness that has taken over our country. One thing we are sure of is that Peter will plug the leakages. *Peter no dey give shishi*.

Before Peter Obi I had equally employed the Weber thesis to interpret and commend Aliko Dangote as follows: In the cultural origins of capitalism, Weber argues that capitalism is rooted in the cultural mentality that deems wealth creation as a vocation, a calling and specifically, the protestant ethic.

In general terms and in my understanding, the human agent of capitalism is (in the idiom of post-modernism) the professional

investor-who, beyond the material gratification of business returns, finds ultimate satisfaction in creating wealth as an end in itself. The positive Nigeria that is struggling to be born is that in which the many contemporaries of Dangote (who likewise acquire considerable resources from the primitive accumulation stage of Nigeria’s capitalist development) should equally embark on profitably ploughing back the accumulated capital into Nigeria’s economy. Dangote is, in this respect and in regard of his massive industrialisation of Nigeria and Africa, black Africa’s ultimate textbook capitalist.

BBC Africa offered its own perspective “You can normally recognise a Nigerian billionaire from a mile off but Mr Obi is thrifty and wears it as a mark of pride.

He is quick to point out that he owns just two pairs of black shoes from midmarket British chain Marks and Spencer, prefers a $200 suit from Stein Mart to a $4,000 Tom Ford suit, and always insists on carrying his own luggage, rather than paying someone else to do it for him”.

“Even his children are not spared his frugality. His 30-year-old son was denied a car, he said, while his other child is a happy primary school teacher - a rarity in a country where a politician’s name often opens doors to more lucrative jobs. His tenure as governor of Anambra state has become a reference point for his presidential campaign”.

“His supporters point out that he invested heavily in education and paid salaries on time - the simple things that most Nigerian state governors tend to neglect. He also left huge savings in state coffers at the end of his two four-year tenures, another rarity.

We don’t give shishi (money)” as a buzzword for his famed frugality and his prudence in managing government funds in a country with a history of wasteful.

You can normally recognise a Nigerian billionaire from a mile off but Mr Obi is thrifty and wears it as a mark of pride”.

In contradistintion to this philosophy and culture is a Nigeria steeped in hedonism, impunity; the resource curse and rentier syndrome (gaining significant amounts of profit without contributing to society). Contrary to scriptural injunction, it is an economy in which you do not need to partake in baking the national cake to gorge yourself on it in gluttonous proportions.

The totality of the Nigerian rot is indeed encapsulated in the prioritisation of consumption and consumerism over the ethic of productivity and hard work-in which there is no positive correlation between productivity and reward.

As a matter of fact Nigeria is not merely indifferent to the syndrome, it increasingly epitomises the inverse in which the country is inherently alienated from anything good and proper. In the past one month alone we have been treated to a unique culmination of this perversion in the life of two individuals in whose behavior we can

accurately gauge the depth to which any society has sunk in corruption and the pit of institutional depravity. They are the ill starred Ahmed Idris, the accountant general of the federation and Tanko Mohammed, the chief justice of Nigeria.

‘How do you explain that one person (the accountant general) took N80 billion it is not greed it is sickness. When you take N1 billion that is greed but when you take N80 billion that is sickness’ agonised the man of the moment. Parallel to this anomie was the desperate lengths to which fourteen associate justices of the supreme court have gone to call out their presiding officer whose penchant for gross misconduct and abuse of office will put Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye to shame. They cried out loud ‘Your Lordship, with all due respect, your conduct is the peak of the degeneration of the Court; it is the height of decadence, and clear evidence of the absence of probity and moral rectitude’ The characterization of Nigeria’s national proclivity for the prioritisation of consumption over production cannot be better captured than the famous Yakubu Gowon quip that the problem of Nigeria is not money but how to spend it. It is a profligate mentality that has found resonance down the line in the absurd criticism of obi for cultivating the habit of savings in public life. How else do you acquire and accumulate capital for investment in public and private enterprise? Yet it is not even as if the man stayed action on infrastructural and human capital development while embarking on savings. Were we not taught in ordinary level economics that savings equals investment, S=I? And it gets worse. Two days ago, the momentum for the lapse of Nigeria into national calamity intensified with the mafia tradition type attack on kuje prison. What particularly stood amidst the grim highlights of the attack was the self-indicting recount of the defence minister, Bashir Magashi.

“Most likely, they are Boko Haram because we have a sizeable number of Boko Harams that are in detention. Presently, we could not locate any of them. I think there are about 64 Boko Haram (members) in prison, they have all escaped.”

The messianic robe in which Obi is been appropriately dressed including the one you are reading was guaranteed to become an albatross not because it is not merited. It has to do with the workings of the legacy of the power politics dispensation that was bequeathed to Nigeria by the two military coups of 1966. Quite apart from the excitement his exceptional public and private life has generated, the farther the gap separating the younger generations of Nigerians from the consciousness of 1966, the stronger the identification with obi.

Amongst the older generation who were schooled in the 1966 tradition, there is the intimation of a hang up that if Nigeria is going to get a messianic leader why should it be an igbo?

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