TUESDAY 13TH JULY 2021

FG Reaffirms Commitment to OPEC’s 1.554m bpd Oil Quota Cartel marks Nigeria’s 50th membership anniversary Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government yesterday pledged its renewed commitment to full compliance with the country’s crude oil

production quota, which it pegged at 1.554 million barrels per day in June.

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, said during a briefing in Abuja

to mark the country’s 50th anniversary as a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), that rationing production was the right thing to do at the

moment.

The minister stated that apportioning quotas did not hurt the country’s production, adding that if not because of the cartel’s intervention, the

price of crude oil would still fall below.

Sylva said the 1.554 million barrels per day which was allocated to Nigeria for June, excluded condensates, stressing

that as of today Nigeria has fully complied without exceeding the total allocated to the country since the OPEC member countries agreed to cut production.

According to him, although Continued on page 12

W'Bank to Disburse Additional $750m for States' Transparency Initiative...Page 8 Tuesday 13 July, 2021 Vol 26. No 9591. Price: N250

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Battle to Remove Matawalle Begins, Court Fixes July for Suit Plaintiffs seek order for new election within three months PDP files joinder application Alex Enumah in Abuja The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja has fixed July 16 for the hearing of a suit, which kick-started the legal battle by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unseat the Governor of Zamfara State, Hon. Bello Matawalle, for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The suit, filed in the names

of two PDP members from Zamfara State, Sani Ahmed and Abubakar Muhammed, is seeking to oust the governor for dumping the PDP. The duo, in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/489/2021 is contending that in view of an earlier judgment of the Supreme Court that the APC had no candidates in the 2019 Continued on page 10

Obaseki: Our Actions in Interest of All Edo People

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday clarified the position of the state government on the controversy between it and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, over the custody of some looted Benin artefacts that Germany is planning to return to Nigeria, saying all actions taken so far were in the interest of all Edo people.

"The actions of the government thus far on this issue have been driven by selfless, patriotic considerations and in the best interest of Edo State and Edo people,” he said in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, in Benin.

He committed his administration to continued engagement with the monarch to Continued on page 10

REPORTING PROGRESS… President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, during the governor’s visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja to brief the president on his visit to Chad and Niger Republic to plan for the return of Nigerian refugees…yesterday

Ohanaeze Tackles Kogi Gov over Power Rotation...Page 6

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

Ohanaeze Tackles Kogi Gov over Power Rotation Says Bello still a student when agreement was reached

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu he apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday took on Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, over his opposition to the clamour by Southern governors and others for the region to produce the next president in 2023.

It dismissed Bello’s stance that rotational presidency is unconstitutional, saying the governor was still a student when the North and the South reached an agreement to rotate power.

But Bello doubled down on his position, insisting that merit and not ethnic sentiments should be the criterion for picking the next president.

Bello, during a maiden edition of the ‘Governor Yahaya Bello Seminar for Political and Crime Correspondents’ in Abuja on Friday, had described rotational presidency as “unconstitutional.”

He had said Nigerians should be allowed to pick from the best the nation could produce to fill the presidency.

However, Ohanaeze, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, slammed the governor, saying that he has demonstrated a remarkable obsession with ambition shortly after providence paved the way for him to be governor in 2015 at an impressionable age of 40.

It added: “There is no doubt that Bello has a date with destiny going by a smooth political ascendancy that life has presented to him.”

It expressed fears that the

governor was embarking on a political adventure that lacked both conscience and principle.

Ohanaeze stated that all the miseries and evils, which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the inner still voice or conscience.

“Governor Bello was still a student, studying Accountancy at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria when an agreement was reached between the North and the South with respect to rotational presidency.

Ohanaeze stated: “The meeting was held at the National University Commission Conference Centre, Abuja in 1998. Dr. Chuba Okadigbo spoke on behalf of the South while Alhaji Abubakar Rimi spoke for the North. The likes of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Solomon Lar, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, etc were at the meeting.

“The Nigerian statesmen examined the merits and demerits of zoning and rotation of power between the composite zones in Nigeria. In the end, it was resolved that the presidency be conceded to the South and that it would rotate between the South and the North in the interest of equity, unity, and corporate existence of Nigeria.

“The foregoing was the basis for the emergence of presidential candidates of the mainstream political parties from the South-west in 1999. Since then, the patriotic and peaceloving Nigerians have adhered to the rotation principle such that at the end of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s second tenure,

Ohanaeze Has Constitutional Right to Monitor Kanu’s Trial, Says Malami Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), yesterday welcomed the formation of a legal team by the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to monitor the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

The group had constituted the legal team to monitor and ensure a fair trial for Kanu.

The legal team would be led by the National Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze, Chief Chuka Muomoh.

Reacting to the constitution of the legal team, Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu, said the decision

by Ohanaeze Ndigbo was in line with the doctrine of the right of fair hearing enshrined in Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Malami said inherent in the position of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the matter was the demonstration of their recognition of belonging to Nigeria and succumbing to the rule of law while maintaining their stance that they were not averse to the trial of Kanu.

The AGF said Ohanaeze, by

its position, “showed a mature departure from the mindset of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra,” when the apex Igbo group stated that it does not support the use of violence while channelling concerns and presenting demands.

“By urging the youths to be law-abiding and sheathe their sword as well as asking them to try to obtain voter’s card to enable them to contribute to national development, the position of Ohanaeze becomes glaringly constitutional and commendable,” he said.

According to him, the federal government respects the rule of law and does not advocate the breach of the law.

“Hence, with or without the so-called monitoring group, justice will be adequately served to Nnamdi Kanu in compliance with the enshrined provisions of the law,” he said.

Malami expressed the hope that “the unnecessary legal monitoring group will come with an open mind and guided by nothing but the rule of law in the process so as to convey the judgment of the court as may eventually be delivered to their people in various languages and dialects of the members of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo communities and the entire Nigerians.”

President Umaru Yar’Adua was elected; Goodluck Jonathan and then President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Ohanaeze stated that it was on that basis that the Southern governors resolved at their Lagos meeting last week that the South should produce the next president.

Ohanaeze advised Bello that it would serve his interest better if he supported the resolution by his Southern colleagues; more so as he is still young.

It urged Bello to embrace the ethical functional relationship between the morality of an agreement and the legality of the constitution.

It said: “Morality is the universal foundation of laws.

On the other hand, law should be seen to stand in defence of morality.”

But in a swift response, Bello insisted that a rotational presidency is unconstitutional.

The governor said he had people from different regions of

the country in his government, stressing that he places primacy on competence over and above tribal sentiments and mediocrity.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement, said where Bello was studying at the time did not matter, arguing that competence and capacity could not be sacrificed for mediocrity.

He said: “We have practised rotation, but what do we have to show for it as a nation? Who

remembers where a good president comes from?

“The South-east can bring forward their best to contest the election. What the nation needs now is the best for the job.

“Our constitution doesn’t respect the rotational presidency.

It was the convenience of the political class.”

He added that the governor didn’t dispute such unwritten agreement, but he is only faulting it.

“We need a young, vibrant, and pragmatic president come Continued on page 10

GO AND BRING BACK MEDALS… An athlete (left) and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), during the send-forth and unveiling of Team Nigeria's 2021 Olympic Kit in Abuja...yesterday

FG Budgets N4.8bn to Monitor WhatsApp, Others Don't gag the opposition, free speech, Abaribe tells state legislatures Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government has earmarked N4.8 billion for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to monitor WhatsApp, an encrypted messaging application, and Thuraya, a satellite telephone.

The provision seen by an online newspaper, TheCable, is contained in the supplementary 2021 budget passed by the National Assembly.

This is coming as the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has advised the 36 state Houses of Assembly not to cow minority leaders in their midst.

The National Assembly had approved the sum of N982 billion as the supplementary budget for 2021. While N123 billion was approved for recurrent expenditure, N895 billion was earmarked for capital expenditure.

The budget is meant to boost military operations and to facilitate the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine.

The line items of the budget showed that police “commands and formation” got N33.6 billion for some projects, including the fumigation of 19 training

institutes at N200 million.

While N936 million was earmarked for the police to buy uniform and kits, N910 million was voted for allowances and salaries of trainees.

Under the Ministry of Defence, N1.6 billion was set aside for an “additional 2,700 troops.” The army also got N675 million for operation allowance for the troops.

The Nigeria Air Force got N239 billion, of which N266 million was budgeted for small arms and ammunition, N1.5 billion for upgrade of barracks “through direct labour” and N84 billion for the payment of “defence equipment.”

The Department of State Services (DSS) got N17.5 billion for the purchase of vehicles, arms and upgrading of its six training institutes nationwide, among other line items.

Under health, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) got N1.6 billion for a “treatment programme.”

While N20.6 billion was voted for the “delivery” of vaccines to every ward/primary health centre, N60.7 billion was earmarked for the purchase of COVID vaccines.

The sum of N6.7 billion was earmarked for the procurement and installation of oxygen plants nationwide.

Meanwhile, Abaribe has cautioned the 36 state Houses of Assembly against suppressing and intimidating opposition voices.

Abaribe, in a statement yesterday, expressed concern at recent happenings in some state legislatures in the country, where minority leaders and opposition party members are hounded as perceived enemies in the performance of their statutory functions to oversight the executive.

Most worrisome, according to Abaribe, was the recent incident in Imo State House of Assembly, where the Minority Leader, Hon. Anyadike Nwosu, and some other members were suspended without following due process.

He added that the beauty of democracy is in the checks and balances, accommodation of all shades of opinion and allowing free canvassing of viewpoints in the constitution.

He said: "Democracy does not stop at the national level.

It must permeate all levels of

government, that is, wards, local governments, state and other democratic institutions. In all of these, everybody must enjoy the freedom of expression and association as guaranteed by our constitution.

"So, it is undemocratic and smirks of dictatorship, any attempt by anybody, particularly a parliament for that matter to abhor minority functions and stifle opposition voices, just because you want to pander to executive whims.

It is reprehensible to even contemplate suspension of a minority leader because he questions the executive on things that seems to be antithetical to democratic norms".

Abaribe advised the state legislatures to always see every party represented on the floor as partners in progress, whose viewpoints are all geared towards achieving good governance.

"Without dissenting opinions, democracy loses its kernel. The essence of liberal democracy is the accommodation of different viewpoints, which is warehoused in the interplay of the executive, legislature and judiciary independently in the political system," Abaribe added.

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W'Bank to Disburse Additional $750m for States' Transparency Initiative Dike Onwuamaeze The World Bank is set to disburse an additional $750 million to strengthen the implementation of the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) scheme.

The scheme was approved for Nigeria in December 2020 to support the implementation of the National Executive Council’s (NEC) COVID-19 Plan.

The planned disbursement was disclosed yesterday during the

national workshop on Citizens Accountability Report (CAR) template under the SFTAS, which held in Lagos State for Southern states.

The CAR is a series of audit statements prepared by a government agency on behalf of the government to the citizens to ensure accountability of public funds.

Programme Manager of the SFTAS/Open Government Partnership (OGP) Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Onyeanakwe, during

the workshop, said: “Additional financing of $ 750 million to expand the programme to support state (governments) to implement the NEC COVID-19 Plan in response to COVID-19 was approved by the World Bank Board in December 2020.”

He added that the disbursement is a loan from the World Bank to the federal government to be provided as conditional performance-based grants to state governments that actually achieved results under

the SFTAS programme.

He said: “Let me re-emphasise that this is a grant and not a loan to the states, so the burden of repayment is on the federal government. The grants are performance-based so are not shared across the board according to a formula like the monthly FAAC transfers to states where every state government takes something home regardless of fiscal performance.

“Disbursement of performancebased grants under the SFTAS

programme will require a state government to first achieve the annual eligibility criteria, which are the online publication of the approved annual budget and audited financial statement within the specified time limit.

Then eligible states receive grants in proportion to the number of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) they achieve each year.

So you can see that there are parameters that are strictly followed as states have to achieve tangible and meaningful results to access the grants.”

Some of the elements of the DLIs include improved financial reporting and budget reliability, increased openness and citizens’ engagement in the budget process, improved cash management and reduced revenue leakages through the implementation of State Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the strengthening of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collection.

Others are the reduction of

payroll fraud through the use of biometric registration and Bank Verification Number (BVN), improved procurement practices for increased transparency and value for money, strengthened public debt management and fiscal responsibility framework, improved clearance/reduction of the stock of domestic expenditure arrears and debt sustainability.

He stated that the objective of SFTAS is to strengthen fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability across all states of the federation.

The SFTAS programme for results was initially approved by the World Bank Board in June 2018, which released $750 million loans that comprised $700 million performance-based grants from federal to state governments that achieved the annual eligibility criteria and the (DLIs) and $50 million for technical assistance to states to help them achieve the DLIs and ensure no state Continued on page 12

FGGeneratesN1tnfrom Sale of Public Assets BPE: No plan to privatise TCN Says agency not involved in proposed acquisition in Dangote Refinery

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

BORDER GUARD AT ALAUSA… Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, Mr. Bauchi Aliyu (left), and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the comptroller’s courtesy visit to the governor in Lagos…yesterday

Tambuwal, Secondus Urge N’Assembly to Back e-transmission of Election Results Chuks Okocha in Abuja

As the members of the National Assembly commence the clauseby-clause debate on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill tomorrow, the Chairman of governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has appealed to the federal lawmakers to do the right thing by voting for online transmission of election results The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, also rallied members of the National Assembly to ensure that outcome of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill reflects the wishes and desires of Nigerians.

Tambuwal said in a statement yesterday that he was constrained to add his voice to urge the members of the National Assembly to do the right thing.

"I am minded and constrained to add my voice in making this appeal to the sitting members of the National Assembly, not as the ViceChairman of Nigeria Governors' Forum nor as Chairman of the PDP Governors' Forum,

not even as the governor of Sokoto State but as a Nigerian citizen and former Speaker of the House of Representatives," he stated.

Tambuwal said it would be in the national interest to bequeath to Nigeria an Electoral Act that will contribute to free, fair, and credible elections irrespective of party platform.

He added: "We have seen many times where a person may be in the ruling party today and in the opposition party tomorrow. We have also experienced a situation where party leaders would want to frustrate the re- election of a sitting member, even in the same political party.

"What guarantees the reelection of a member of the National Assembly or indeed any other contestant should be his performance and appeal not the dictates of any godfather either as governor, president or party leader or stakeholder.”

He stated that it is a credible, free, and fair election that will ensure that the voters decide on any electoral contest.

According to him, the Edo and Ondo States elections where electronic transmission of votes from the unit level ensured

that the voters’ wishes were respected are good examples.

“PDP won in Edo and APC won in Ondo as a result," he added.

He explained that some people have argued that internet penetration in all parts of Nigeria is not assured, but added, "this is exactly why the bill should give INEC the prerogative of introducing electronic transmission of votes in any election.

"In any case, INEC has demonstrated and assured that it has the technology to transmit votes electronically even without the internet. INEC had also assured that with the new process and technology, any interested Nigerian could track or monitor the results of the election from his or her house."

Tambawul said the international community, INEC, the civil society, almost all the political parties supported electronic transmission of results.

Secondus also enjoined members of the National Assembly to ensure that whatever they do with the Electoral Bill reflects the wishes and desires of Nigerians.

Secondus said in a statement from his media office yesterday that the legislators should know that the easiest way to guarantee peace in the country is through free, fair, and credible elections, which can only be guaranteed by the amendment of the Act. He said: "Free and fair election is critical to the future of our democracy and it behooves on you parliamentarians to save this democracy by doing the needful.

"It's the electoral reform carried out by the PDP administration that prepared the enabling ground that saw an opposition come to power in 2015, to deepen our democracy.

Therefore, we must improve on it and put our nation in a positive light in the comity of democratic nations.”

According to him, every true representative of the people in a parliament must ensure that all critical decisions reflect the wishes and desires of their people.

"There is no doubt that every Nigerian desires a free and transparent elections and this can only be gotten if the Electoral Act is adequately amended to meet their aspirations,” he added.

The federal government has so far generated N1 trillion from the sale, commercialisation, and the concession of 234 public assets in the past 32 years, Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex Okoh has said.

The BPE also cleared the air on the speculated moves to privatise the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), saying that the federal government is not contemplating an outright sale, but considering how to attract private capital to the transmission component without ceding the ownership of the company.

A breakdown of the 234 assets involved from the time of the defunct Technical Committee on Privatisation (TCPC) in 1989 to the creation of the BPE in 1999 showed that the agriculture sector accounted for 32, banking and finance (31), cement (15), energy construction and services (14), hotels and tourism (13) industry and manufacturing (9), oil and gas (13).

Others are ports (31), power (24), mines, and steel (38), automobile (8), paper and packaging (4), sugar (4) and telecom.

Okoh told journalists yesterday in Abuja that the BPE is expected to generate N493.40 billion revenue from various transactions as approved by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

Over 30 assets are targeted for privatisation in 2021, including nine categorised as energy, eight in industries and communication, six in development institutions and natural resources. Okoh added that 22 of the assets to be privatised were carried over from 2020.

Responding to questions, Okoh denied the involvement of the BPE in the proposed moves by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to acquire a 20 per cent stake in the Dangote Refinery, which is currently under construction.

But he added that its initial plan to privatise the nation’s four refineries had been dropped when the federal government opted for a revitalisation approach to improve them.

He stated that the refineries with a refining capacity of about 480,000 barrels were at various stages of non-performance.

He said: "Our plan initially was to privatise the refineries, especially with private investors going into refining," adding that with the NNPC believing that they could be rehabilitated, the privatisation agency had to drop them from its 2021 work plan.

Okoh stated that the issues surrounding the Ajaokuta Steel Company were quite complex but expressed optimism that they would be resolved, especially the litigation aspect.

According to him, once that is settled, a decision will be taken on how to forge ahead with the company.

He said the rationale for privatisation was to generate revenue for the government, reduce operational inefficiencies, revitalise and optimise public sector entities and increase investment level as a catalyst for growth.

Okoh stated that the nation’s fiscal space is getting increasingly constrained, adding that as a result, government cannot provide the resources required to meet all of its obligations and bridge the huge infrastructure gap.

He stated that the most Continued on page 12

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WeWon'tAllowPresstoRunAmok,SaysGbajabiamila Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that while he would not be part of any bill that seeks to gag the press, he noted that no institution, especially the press, would be allowed to run amok.

The Speaker stated this on Monday during the annual dinner and award of excellence with the theme: 'Reorganising Good Governance and Legislative Excellence in the Face of Adversity.'

Gbajabiamila's comment was a sequel to the backlash from media owners, journalists, and other stakeholders on the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) sponsored by Hon. Segun Odebunmi.

According to him, “I will not be part of any bill that will seek to gag the press. No bill will come to the floor of the House that seeks to gag the press, because the press as it is supposed to be, is supposed to be the voice of the people.”

The speaker said he was of the strong view that there is press freedom and freedom of expression and there will always be, noting that there was nowhere in the world where freedom of expression

is absolute.

He said freedom of expression is limited to the extent that it does not affect another person's freedom.

He pointed out that freedom of expression is not absolute, saying it was made absolutely clear in the constitution that everyone claims so much.

The Speaker said Section 45 of the constitution guarantees freedom of expression but added that the government can limit that freedom for the sake of health and security, which he said is written in black and white.

He stated: "Once, I will never allow the gagging of the press. I worry where at every turn when the National Assembly tries to promulgate the law with the best of intentions and everybody descends on the National Assembly.

"Using this as a sample, this Press Council Bill. I called the proponent of the bill, what is going on, what have you done and he tried to break it down. I haven't read the bill personally myself but I will read it in the next couple of days in detail. I just have a general idea of the context.

"He told me he had a meeting with all the stakeholders. I wasn't present at the meeting. Because I said to him, I hope you are meeting

with these guys, whatever provision they have problem with, whatever provision that is inimical to the development of the press or the growth of the press, remove it or tweak it in such a way that everybody will be happy."

The speaker said from his understanding, even though he doesn't know how true it is, the issue was not about any provision, the issue was that the press does not want to be regulated at all.

Gbajabiamila said the fact that no institution wants to be regulated gives him concern.

"We are getting to a point in this country, nobody wants to be regulated, the NGOs don't want to be regulated, the religious bodies don't want to be regulated, social media doesn't want to be regulated, professors of universities go on strike because they don't want to be on the same payment platform as everybody else," Gbajabiamila said.

The speaker wondered what the function of government would be if not to regulate for good government.

He added: "So, regulations are a key component or essential component of good governance. We cannot just let people or any institution run amok. The executive is regulated, the judiciary to a large extent is regulated, the

legislature is regulated. Just name it. Institutions are meant to be regulated.

"There is no one institution that can be above the law, especially an institution that is meant to be the fourth estate of the realm whose utterances or writings can make it break even a government."

The speaker said as long the provisions in the bill guarantees the independence of the press, it is non-negotiable.

Gbajabiamila further said in the last two or three weeks, he had been inundated with the issue of Electoral Amendment about the alleged smuggled Section 59(2).

He insisted that neither himself nor members of the House Committee on Electoral Act are aware that any of the provisions as agreed on by the committee had been tampered with.

However, speaking with THISDAY in a telephone interview yesterday, Odebunmi said the bill is at the second reading stage.

The lawmaker added that any Nigerian who thinks there’s something in the bill that’s not friendly should submit a memorandum on it.

Odebunmi said at the moment the bill has been stepped down for further deliberations.

He said: "The little thing I can say is that we are at

the public hearing, which means the bill is at the stage of the second reading where you have to engage the stakeholders. Any Nigerian who thinks there’s something in the bill that’s not friendly should submit memoranda."

Odebunmi said the National Assembly is in the process of making a law, adding that nobody would force any law on anybody.

He said: "This is just a process, the stakeholders will look at it and whatever you think is not good, they have the right to call on the attention of the committee.

The memoranda will be the document that we will work on.

"Presently we’ve already stepped it down for more consultations on it. I’m a Nigerian and I know the importance of the press to the system. I will never ever join anybody to gag the press.

“But you know, the major thing we are talking about is an existing Act. Had it been somebody somewhere has moved for the amendment of this existing Act, we couldn’t be talking about this Act at this age now.

“Since 1999, nobody has amended the Act, that’s why we are talking about the Act. So, if the stakeholders can now come together to amend that act, why postpone every day

while you can work on it and get a clean copy of whatever we think can suit democracy."

Earlier, the Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Chapter, Mr. Emma Ogbeche, said regulating the media space may not augur well for our democracy.

He said: "Mr. Speaker, you have experienced the beauty of the best democracies and what freedom of the press can do to deepen democracy in those climes. Nigeria cannot be an exception. Each and every one of you in this hall has been beneficiaries of the struggles against dictatorship in this country.

"When politicians fled, the journalists had nowhere to run, they stayed back to brave the odds. We went underground.

Media houses were closed.

Some of us paid the supreme price so that democracy can thrive. If we survive dictators in the past, I'm persuaded that we will survive every attempt to stifle, repress, or to gag and to place a stranglehold on the constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press in this country."

Those given awards are Borno State Governor, Prof.

Babagana Zulum; Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje; and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among others.

have always acted transparently and in consonance with existing federal and state laws in all matters relating to the proposed return of the artefacts and monuments.

"The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has displayed and will continue to display immense respect for our traditional institutions and, therefore, will continue to make effort to secure a private audience with His Royal Majesty to discuss his concerns."

It said the governor had ordered that no one, either in government or acting independently, should engage in disrespectful exchanges and/ or altercation with the palace.

"Governor Obaseki, meanwhile, expresses his gratitude to the President of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other officials of the federal government for their patriotic and tireless efforts that have brought us to the verge of this eagerly anticipated achievement which has remained elusive for over a century.

"While thanking and congratulating the federal government, the president, the minister, the royal palace of the Oba of Benin and all stakeholders who have contributed to the successes so far recorded in this endeavour, the governor assures that he will continue to work assiduously with all local and international stakeholders for the eventual and final return of these valued records of our

great and glorious heritage back to Benin City for the benefit of all Edo people, Nigerians and the black race," it added.

THISDAY had reported exclusively that except a compromise was reached, the Oba of Benin and Obaseki, were heading for a showdown over the impending return by Germany and the United Kingdom of artefacts stolen from the palace in 1897 during a raid by the colonial invaders.

While the monarch favours the return of the artefacts to a museum to be built by the palace within its premises, or in the alternative, a museum to be built and managed by the federal and state governments, the palace believes the governor prefers a private trust to take custody of, and manage the artefacts.

OBASEKI SUES FOR PEACE, SEEKS AUDIENCE WITH OBA OF BENIN ensure that all the looted artefacts from the kingdom are returned.

The federal government has set August 2022 as the deadline for the German government to ensure full return of hundreds of artefacts looted from the Bini Kingdom in 1897.

The state government and the monarch had differed over whether the artefacts, on return, should be in the custody of a private museum as proposed by the state or returned to the palace museum, as preferred by Oba Ewuare II. Obaseki had told THISDAY last Thursday that he was working on a tripartite arrangement, involving the federal and state governments, the Oba of Benin and a private trust that would manage the artefacts on behalf of the palace and the people.

But Oba Ewuare II, at a press conference last Friday said he had agreed with the governor to house the artefacts in a palace museum and that the controversy around it was absolutely unnecessary.

The monarch had alleged that some unscrupulous people were moving to hand over the artefacts to unauthorised private entities or third parties and that it would be resisted.

The palace of His Royal Majesty, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, had asked the federal government to temporarily take custody of 1,130 stolen Bini artefacts that are about to be repatriated from Europe.

The oba’s demand followed a statement issued by the Edo State Government which said a “transformational” museum would be built in Benin to house

the artefacts upon their return.

But Obaseki yesterday said his concern about the Benin monarch's statement was that it created the impression that there was a major conflict between the interests of the state government and the palace on the matter.

He stated that his administration would not engage in “disrespectful exchanges” with the monarch over stolen artefacts, adding that he will continue to seek private audience with the monarch to address his concerns.

He said the clarification became necessary because the widely publicised media statement issued by the palace had given the impression that the Edo State Government was fighting with the palace.

It explained: "The Government of Edo State and the governor

BATTLE TO OUST MATAWALLE BEGINS, COURT FIXES JULY FOR SUIT governorship election in Zamfara State, having not conducted valid primaries, it would be unlawful for Matawalle to retain his office while defecting from the PDP to the APC, and thereby transfer PDP’s victory to the APC. The plaintiffs want the court to, among others, declare that Matawalle must resign from his office before his defection to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election, within three months, for the PDP to replace him.

The governor, two weeks ago, had defected from the PDP, which brought him to power to the ruling APC, an action which the plaintiffs considered wrong, illegal and unlawful.

When the matter was called yesterday, lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), who argued the ex-parte application, told the court that the plaintiffs have been unable to serve processes on the defendants hence the request to do so through substituted means.

He prayed for an order "granting leave to the plaintiffs/

applicants to serve the motion on notice seeking leave to amend hearing notices and all other processes on the first and second defendants by substituted means, to with: pasting same at the Zamfara State liaison office at No: 6/7 Sangha Street, off Mississippi Street, Maitama District, Abuja or leaving it with any adult person in that office."

Justice Inyang Ekwo in a short ruling, granted the request as prayed and ordered service of the originating processes on Matawalle and his deputy, Alhaji Mahdi Gusau, through the national secretariat of APC in Abuja.

Justice Ekwo thereafter fixed July 16 for the report of court papers on the two defendants.

The plaintiffs, who claimed to be members of the PDP in Zamfara State, want the court to among others declare that Matawalle and Gusau must resign from their offices before their defection to allow INEC to conduct a fresh election, within three months, for the PDP to replace them.

Filed on June 17, 2021 before

Matawalle eventually defected to the APC, the suit has as defendants: Matawalle, Gusau, APC, and INEC. Ahmed in an affidavit he deposed to in support of the suit, is claiming that he suffered along with other members of the PDP in Zamfara State and that Matawalle and Gusau's defection would deprive them of the efforts they put into ensuring PDP's victory in the election.

The deponent stated that it would amount to injustice against him and other members of the PDP in Zamfara if Matawalle and Gusau, being beneficiaries of the Supreme Court judgment were allowed to defect to the APC without relinquishing their current offices.

"As one of the members of PDP, who worked tirelessly and invested so much of our time and money to secure the victory of our party in the 2019 governorship election in Zamfara State, the second plaintiff and I will be highly prejudiced if the offices we worked so hard to win for PDP is transferred to APC, through the defection of

the first and second defendants (Matawalle and Gusau), while they are still in the offices into which they were elected as members of and as candidates sponsored by PDP. "As indigenes of Zamfara State, who joined other indigenes of the state to give our collective mandate for the governorship of Zamfara State to PDP, the second plaintiff and I will be highly prejudiced if the mandate we gave to PDP in respect of that office is transferred unilaterally by the first and second defendants to APC, who did not participate in or sponsor any candidate in the said election," they said.

The plaintiffs want the court to declare "that the APC, which did not hold primaries for the governorship election in Zamfara State in 2019 and did not participate or sponsor a candidate in the said election cannot lawfully occupy through any of its members the office of the governor or deputy governor of Zamfara State which, by the combined effect of sections 177(c), 187(2) and 221 of the constitution, is meant for

persons who are members of a political party that participated in and sponsored candidates in the election into those offices.

"A declaration that by the combined effect of sections 177(c), 187(2) and 221 of the constitution, the first and second defendants, which were elected into office as governor and deputy governor respectively of Zamfara State as members of, and as candidates sponsored by the PDP, cannot transfer those offices to the APC by defecting to that political party while they are still in office as governor and deputy governor of Zamfara State in view of the judgment of the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC/377/2019 between the APC and another vs. Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and 179 others, to the effect, that the APC did not participate in the 2019 governorship election of Zamfara State and therefore its members are not entitled to hold the office of governor or deputy governor of Zamfara State."

Meanwhile, the PDP in another application is seeking to be joined as an interested party in the suit.

OHANAEZE TACKLES KOGI GOV OVER POWER ROTATION 2023. We need a man who will be at home with everyone from everywhere. The agreement made while he was in school over 20 years ago must not necessarily be in force forever, especially when it has not taken our nation to where we want to be as the true giant of Africa.

“We need a new one for a generation that wants to see Nigeria prosper,” he stated.

According to him, Bello is working with a man from Anambra State as directorgeneral, Research and Development; a man from Borno State as his special adviser on public relations and an indigene of Lagos State as his special adviser on legal matters.

“Nigeria will never be great as long as we think our greatness is in the shell of ethnic competition.

Let the best emerge in 2023,” he said.

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021

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NEWS

Only Two LGs Safe in Kaduna, Says Sani Emir, Baptist school student regain freedom Mary Nnah in Lagos and John Shiklam in Kaduna A former senator, who represented the Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, yesterday decried the unabating banditry in Kaduna State, resulting in people living in fear.

Sani, while fielding questions on ‘The Morning Show,’ a breakfast programme on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said insecurity had become so pervasive in the state as only two out of the 23 local governments in the state are safe at the moment.

Sani spoke against the backdrop of the recent abduction of over 100 pupils of Bethel Baptist High School, Maraban Rido, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State as well as the kidnapping of the Emir of Kajuru, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, along with 10 members of his household.

However, the emir, who was abducted by bandits in the early hours of Sunday, has regained freedom.

Also, one of the abducted pupils of Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, Kaduna, has been released by their abductors.

Sani warned that if no serious action is taken immediately to contain the killings and kidnappings in Kaduna State, one day, people would wake up without a state.

He said: “We have reached a point in this state today where the only local governments that are safe are two local governments in Kaduna State – the Kaduna North, where I am talking from right now, and Kaduna South which is a metropolitan local government. All the other local governments which are in the outskirts are all besieged by bandits. So, we have never seen this kind of trouble and it appears that the abductions are even increasing by the day.”

Sani who identified four entry points to Kaduna– the one from Lagos, the one to Abuja, the one to Southern Kaduna, and the one from Zaria–added that all four were now vulnerable to bandits’ attacks.

He said that the bandits had devised a way of kidnapping on the road to Southern Kaduna, which is the road where Bethel Baptist High School and the palace of the emir are located.

“They push their cattle to the

road and when you have decided to stop; they would simply come out of the bush and kidnap you into the forest.

“Anything after 7 pm, many people from the outskirts move out to the central to return in the morning. This is the situation we are in right now,” he added.

Sani was one of those that expressed empathy and made calls to make a case for the rescue of the pupils and many others, who were kidnaped in the state.

He took it a step further last weekend when he visited the school where the distraught parents of the abducted pupils had converged to pray for the release of their children.

“I have given them my words telling them that even though I am not the senator now, but being that this is my state, and then once my constituency, I have a moral reason to continue to identify with them and to do everything possible to see that we secure the release of these abducted children,” he stated.

According to him, abduction has become a daily tragedy in Kaduna State as even many cases are unreported.

He added: “Those ones that are reported are either mass abduction or abduction of prominent people.”

He frowned upon the fact that Kaduna is a state that has the largest establishments of military and security agencies in the country.

Sani said it was unimaginable that with all the presence of all the security outfits, the state seemed not to be secured.

“I am also deeply pained by the fact that it has reached a point that even those elected into offices don’t even visit the victims of this banditry,” he said.

He warned that if the trend continues, even those within the city would not be safe because the bandits have moved away from local roads where they kidnap people to raid houses and pick their targets.

“Nowadays they even send letters to communities and they visit such communities either a day before or a day after their deadline,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Emir of Kajuru who was abducted by bandits in the early hours of Sunday has been freed.

Also, one of the pupils of Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, Kaduna, has been released by the bandits.

The spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammad Jalige, confirmed the release of the emir in a telephone interview with THISDAY in Kaduna yesterday.

Jalige said: “The chief is back and he is currently in his palace as I speak with you.”.

He, however, said he was not in a position to say whether the 10 family members of the emir were also released as he was yet to receive a comprehensive report from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kajuru.

“I am not in a position to say

the weak link in the power chain, as the generation component, which was privatised had since attracted a lot of investments, making it more efficient.

According to him, generation capacity has improved, while 60 per cent of the distribution segment has also been partially privatised and is beginning to pick up through the federal government's reforms.

Malo said: "The seemingly weak link in the transmission component; it is still 100 per cent owned by the federal government.

“The idea is to think outside the box and bring in solutions that will make the transmission component service the value chain and make it more efficient.

“Government is not thinking of privatising; it is thinking of ways and means that

is going to be with us “So we have one of the boys out. We are praying that this will lead to more and more other children coming back,” Hayab said.

He said negotiations were still going on for the release of the students, adding that the foodstuffs demanded by the bandits had been delivered to them.

“So with the release of one of the students, now we have 120 students with the bandits”, Hayab said.

The students were abducted on July 5, when bandits invaded the school.

CONDOLENCES… L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Son of the deceased, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; his sister, Mrs. Erekpitan Ola-Adisa; and the governor’s wife, Bisi, during a condolence visit to the family of the late Mrs. Emily Aig-Imoukhuede in Lagos…recently

FG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO OPEC’S 1.554M BPD OIL QUOTA there has been a stalemate in the OPEC discussions which has now been postponed indefinitely, there is no crack in the carte.

He stated that it is the way things work in OPEC wherein every member has to agree on every issue before it can be resolved.

He said: “Our OPEC quota is around 1.554 million bpd for crude oil, excluding condensates.

We are complying with the OPEC cuts and it really doesn’t hurt us because the danger is that with non-compliance, prices can go the other way round and everything you are producing will fetch you less money.

“It’s the right thing to do and whenever OPEC gives us our quota, we do everything to achieve it. Right now, we are completely compliant with the total that has been allocated to

FG GENERATES N1TN FROM SALE OF PUBLIC ASSETS feasible option was to attract private sector investments, adding that BPE’s current initiative in its 2021 work plan and additional roles in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) space is poised to impact the economy positively.

This, he added, is in the areas of infrastructure development, improved health care service delivery, power generation and supply, employment creation, food security, and human capital development.

On the speculations that the federal government is planning to privatise the TCN, BPE's Director, Energy Department, Mr. Yunana Malo, said there was no such plan to privatise the company, adding that what is being considered is reform with a view to give it out to a concessionaire for optimum value.

He said the transmission was

whether other family members of the emir that were abducted were released too because we are yet to receive a comprehensive report from our DPO who is there.

“I will give you details as soon as we received comprehensive reports from the DPO”, Jalige said.

THISDAY, however, gathered that the bandits did not release the monarch’s family members.

Similarly one of the pupils of the Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, Kaduna, has been released following ill health.

Chairman of Kaduna State

Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Joseph Hayab, confirmed the release in a telephone interview in Kaduna yesterday.

He said the kidnappers called to say that they had released the boy who was becoming “weak”.

“The kidnappers themselves called us today. I think they kidnapped some people somewhere and one of the persons was sick.

“So they now called us and said that one of the boys is weak and they will release him with that sick person to come back.

“The boy is yet to be with us but any moment from now he

the private capital can be brought into the transmission component without giving out the ownership of Transmission Company."

The BPE, he said, would give out the transmission segment in concession, “so that we can have somebody building the high tension lines, covering areas that have not been reached or to maintain the existing ones to get maximum value, to move from the radial system we have today into a mesh."

He added that the idea is not to privatise but to reform and make it efficient by bringing in private sector operational modalities within the transmission company.

On the federal government’s 40 per cent stake in the Distribution Companies (DISCOS), Malo said the shares were still intact and protected

by BPE.

us as Nigeria.”

Chronicling Nigeria’s participation in OPEC in the last 50 years, Sylva stated that the relationship between Nigeria and the oil producers’ group has been of mutual benefits to both parties.

On the one hand, he said OPEC had supported the growth of the oil industry in Nigeria through the harmonisation and adoption of policies among its member countries, as well as through the sharing of knowledge and technical expertise.

Nigeria has also contributed enormously to the survival of the OPEC through turbulent times, by supporting the efforts of the organisation to balance and stabilise the oil market.

Over the past 50 years, he stated that Nigeria has produced six presidents of the OPEC Conference, including Shettima Ali Monguno (1972/73), Mallam Yahaya Dikko (1982/83), Dr. Rilwanu Lukman (1986/1989 & 2002), Prof. Jibril Aminu (1991), Dr. Edmund Daukoru (2006) and Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (2015).

According to him, Nigerians

have in total, presided over 26 OPEC ministerial conferences held in many countries, including President Muhammadu Buhari, who also served as head of Nigeria’s delegation to OPEC from 1976-1978.

Sylva added that Nigeria has also produced four OPEC Secretaries-General, including Chief M.O. Feyide, Lukman, Daukoru and the incumbent, Dr. Sanusi Barkindo.

“This amounts to a total of 15 years of managing the affairs of the OPEC secretariat on behalf of all its members. Nigeria has therefore played a vital role in the evolution of the secretariat and the development of the organisation,” he said.

As a member of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) , Sylva stated that Nigeria served as special envoy to some African participating countries earlier this year in order to bolster commitment to the agreements.

The minister added that oil will continue to be an important component of the energy mix into the foreseeable future and will continue to power the global

economic growth in order to eradicate poverty, which is still prevalent worldwide.

The occasion also marked the launch of the book, “Nigeria and OPEC: 50 years of partnership, 1971-2021”, which is an updated version of the one published in 2006 to mark the 35 anniversary.

Earlier, Barkindo, in a statement, had said that over the course of the five decades, the unique relationship between OPEC and Nigeria had positive effects for both parties.

He said both OPEC and Nigeria had repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to the universal values of international cooperation, dialogue, sustainable development and working towards the common good.

He lauded Buhari, whom he said is the only serving head of state who worked as a head of OPEC delegation earlier in his career from May 1976 to September 1978.

Barkindo added that Nigeria has consistently regarded as one of the most admired and respected members of the OPEC, particularly in consensus-building.

FG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO OPEC’S 1.554M BPD OIL QUOTA was left behind.

A participant at the workshop and the Director of the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre, Nigeria, Mr. Ralph Ndigwe, said the CAR would enhance the public’s trust in government programmes by enabling the citizens to hold government accountable by understanding governance processes.

Ndigwe said: “For a long time Nigerians have suffered for lack of knowledge on fiscal governance due to long military rule that made Nigerians think that government affairs are for

civil servants alone.

“But under democracy, we realised that people have to understand and participate in governance in order to receive benefits.

“The essence of what we are doing here is to get the citizens to understand how they can get involved in governance so that they can improve their lives and help the government to function better as no government will succeed without the trust and involvement of its citizens.”

A public financial management facilitator for the UK Funded Foreign Commonwealth and

Development Office-Partnership to Engage Reforms and Learn, Mr. Basil Obasi, stated that the purpose of the CAR “is to enable the government to report their financial statements in a way that is understandable to the public in order to create the avenue that will increase accountability and transparency on the part of government and further help the civil society and the media to understand the government’s accounting process and documentation so that they will ask the right questions about how the public fund is being utilised.”

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021

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COMMENT

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

WAR AGAINST THE MASSES AND SEPARATISM The impunity of state actors fuel violent conflicts and separatism, argues Omotoye Olorode

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he Socialist Congress of Nigeria (SCON) strongly condemns the widely-reported armed attack and disproportionate use of force by security operatives on the private residence of Mr Sunday Adeyemo (also known as Sunday Igboho) at Ibadan, Oyo State, in the middle of the night of Thursday July 1, 2021.

In this growing frequency and intensity of the deployment of heavy armed force during civil disturbances, we recall the heavy military barrage against, and the resultant carnage on, the compound of Mr El- Zak Zaky a few years ago in the city of Zaria; the massive and unprovoked military attacks and killing of unarmed peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on October 20, 2020; and the current entrenchment of routine attacks on peaceful protests including the recent police murder of a student protesting against increases in school fees in Kaduna State.

This sustained state terror across Nigeria, of course, has its antecedents in the brutal economic and social policies imposed with impunity especially since the late 1970s!

On the specific case of the attack on Igboho’s residence, it is unacceptable in a law-governed society that a full “shoot-out” military operation was carried out on a citizen’s residence, reportedly, without a search warrant or any invitation by police to such a citizen to report at a designated police establishment; even when law-enforcement agencies claim to be in possession of “intelligence reports”! These questions arise because of the numerous instances of what amounted, in the past, to summary executions and disappearances of “suspects” by police!

We must add that the intractable fundamentalist militancy in the North East of today and the current militarization and state-sponsored violence in the South East are traceable to the impunity of state power and state actors ahead of the current separatist, secessionist, ethnicized and religionized phase of violent conflicts in Nigeria! Over time, a police state developed in our country because the ruling coalitions had failed consistently in the last two decades at least to deliver on the simple responsibility of securing the lives and property of citizens!

We must declare that we in SCON believe that any peaceful separatist or even secessionist program is, or may be, legitimate; but we know that there are hardly any antecedents or examples of such peaceful secession!

Even the possibility or actual peaceful breakup of Nigeria as it is today, with the generalized socially irresponsible and looting mentality of the ruling class, will simply sustain the interests of the ethnic faction of the Nigerian ruling class against that of the oppressed and marginalised masses of people in the putative “new” country! These are the lessons of the history of separatisms; not figments of our imagination.

Assuming that a breakup of Nigeria can be achieved peacefully, immediate and practical problems of creating and maintaining new borders, massive refugee problems (housing, food, water, health care, jobs, agricultural land, etc.) and attendant security crisis in the “new countries” and their borders will fester for decades to come. The poor and marginalized masses, not the various ethnic wings of the Nigerian ruling class, will necessarily bear the burdens of these consequences.

We must also state emphatically that a break up Nigeria, peaceful or not, will lead to loss of the inherent advantages of the beauty and diversity of the geographical, resource, and cultural diversity which have enabled, and continues to enable, the masses of ordinary people to build, exchange, and sustain authentic solidarity and fraternity, livelihoods,

THE INTRACTABLE FUNDAMENTALIST MILITANCY IN THE NORTH EAST OF TODAY AND THE CURRENT MILITARISATION AND STATE-SPONSORED VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTH EAST ARE TRACEABLE TO THE IMPUNITY OF STATE POWER AND STATE ACTORS AHEAD OF THE CURRENT SEPARATIST, SECESSIONIST, ETHNICISED AND RELIGIONISED PHASE OF VIOLENT CONFLICTS IN NIGERIA

and opportunities! Clearly these advantages are realizable only if the struggles of the masses produce a Nigeria that is owned truly by the masses.

For the reason of all of the foregoing, we condemn, in very strong words, the continued irresponsible deployment of the police and the army and other multiplying wings of Nigeria’s neo-colonial, largely punitive occupation “law-enforcement formations” against our people across Nigeria. At the same time, the ruling class cannot secure the life and property of our people; not just in the increasing ethnic and religious conflicts, but also in ruling class-instigated inter-community, intra-community, and religious clashes!

Imposing “disaster” economic and social policies, divide-and-rule, and repressing popular resistance: how constantly-regrouping elites from all over Nigeria stay in power to accumulate wealth.

It is looking more and more obvious that the instigation of ethnic and religious conflicts in Nigeria is a ruling-class program of manufacturing “disasters” to divert the attention of the masses from the violent economic and social policies imposed on them especially in the last 20 years or so—policies that generate and multiply poverty, inequality, hopelessness, and manifested in unemployment, unpaid salaries and pensions, cuts in workers’ salaries, increases in fuel and electricity prices, abandonment of infrastructure and public-funded education, security and health care.

Beyond enabling the ruling-class coalitions they call political parties to maintain a divide-and- rule hold on the victims of their IMF/World Bank economic and social policies, the said policies are the direct causes of the ethnic, religious, farmer-herder, and communal antipathies and clashes, fear, cultism, ritual murders, urban and rural decay, banditry and generalized violence. In turn the generalized violence breeds the culture of groups and individuals resorting to “self-defence” and taking the law into their own hands—creating, predictably, the current Nigerian state of barbarism which human beings have been trying to overcome in the last 5000 years or so!

In the circumstance imposed on Nigeria by overlapping generations of Nigeria’s ruling class and their handlers in the World Bank and the IMF, we repeat our call on the masses of the Nigerian people to begin to build independent peoples’ coalitions such as the current effort of The Peoples Alternative Political Movement (TPAP-M) which SCON is fully involved in. A Peoples Alternative movement will work towards a New Nigeria, guaranteeing peoples power and enforcement of fundamental economic and social rights of all Nigerians—sovereignty of the people and putting the commanding heights of the economy under popular public control, massive public support for urban and rural renewal and environmental rehabilitation; popular and community control of law-enforcement and law-enforcement agencies; reversal of all the looting they call privatization; right to security of life and property, right to jobs, right to food, water, shelter, public-funded education and health care and affordable public transport.

We pose the foregoing fundamental conditions as the cure for escalating mass poverty, fear, ethnic and religious divisions, separatist and secessionist agitations, banditry, general insecurity of life and property and generalized violence across Nigeria.

Olorode is of the Socialist Congress of Nigeria

BENIN ARTEFACTS AS HEIRLOOM OF THE BENIN PEOPLE

Washington Osa Osifo contends that the state government cannot house or control artefacts owned by other entities or private collectors

O

ur artefacts remind us of who we are. They tell more stories about our civilization than any attempt at intellectual historical reconstruction.

They are indeed, active components of our present! We speak to the artefacts and they speak to us in mutually decodable idioms! This underscores the imperative of returning the looted Benin artefacts to the owners, because we find in them, the essence of our being and the concrete validation of our civilization far beyond aesthetics.

The ongoing debate over the moves by Edo State government to appropriate the proposed repatriated Bini artefacts has thrown up some legal issues.

Although, the Governor of the State has not claimed proprietary rights over these artefacts, this is only but a bare-faced denial. Indeed, his proposals to take over the control and management of these artefacts through the Special Purpose Vehicle incorporated for that purpose as well as his arrangement for an Edo Museum of West Africa suggests otherwise. This brings to fore the crucial question whether or not he has such powers, assuming though not conceding that his intentions are actually altruistic as claimed.

We contend unequivocally that the Edo State government lacks the powers/vires to exhibit or attempt to display any proprietary rights or interest over the proposed repatriated artefacts. Therefore, since it lacks such rights or interest over these “property”, it also lacks the powers to dictate how, when and where these artefacts are preserved or displayed upon their return as proposed. We support our contention with three legal platforms as follows : One, the doctrine of vested rights. Two,the doctrine of covering the field. Three, the right to the

intellectual property in these artefacts.

The doctrine of vested rights: Perhaps this should be one of the strongest arguments in support of the right of the Bini Kingdom and the Benin Traditional Council to insist on their right to the ownership of these artefacts and the corollaries of the control and management of the returned artefacts. The doctrine of vested rights is a common law doctrine. It is legally defined as a right that belongs to a person unconditionally to a property and which cannot be impaired or taken away without the consent of the owner, especially through retroactive legislations. In other words, the doctrine preserves the pre-existing and established rights of individuals and/or institutions, even in the face of subsequent laws or statutes that purport or attempt to take away such rights.

By this concept, the courts are enjoined to regard such rights as firmly established and inalienable by any subsequent legislation, especially by a body or authority that did not exist at the time the rights inured to the affected individual or institution.

Extrapolating this doctrine and applying same to the issue at stake, it can be argued that since the ancient Bini Kingdom and the artefacts in question pre-existed before the sovereign entity-Nigeria was birthed in 1914 and before the sub-national entity-Edo State was created in 1991, it is legally impossible for both entities to take away the vested rights of the Bini Kingdom, Bini Palace and the Bini Royal Family over these artefacts. Accordingly, even if the national entity or its sub-national make a policy or law to derogate from the vested rights, such policies and/or laws ought to be interpreted in a manner to preserve the rights of Bini Kingdom to these artefacts.

Therefore, since it is incontrovertible that these artefacts existed as far back as 1897 when they were

looted and taken away from Bini Kingdom, any entity like Edo State that came into existence long after that date, cannot validly evolve a policy or make a law that attempts or purports to take away this right.

The Doctrine of Covering the Field:This doctrine will become relevant in the discourse if it is assumed though not conceded that the doctrine of “vested rights” is inapplicable in the circumstances and the State (Nigeria) can legislate to take control of the management of the returned artefacts. To that end, it may be argued that since by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and other relevant subsidiary laws, it is the Federal Government and not Edo State that can make arrangements for the domicile and preservation of the proposed returned artefacts.

Specifically, it is not in doubt that the establishment, control and management of museums and artefacts is exclusively within the legislative competence of the Federal Government. This is because museums, monuments and artefacts are contained as item 60 (b) in the Exclusive Legislative List in Schedule 2 to the Constitution. It provides as follows: “The Establishment of regulation of authorities for the Federation or any part thereof :...(b) to identify, collect, preserve or generally look after ancient and historical monuments and records and archaeological sites and remains declared by the National Assembly to be of national significance or national importance.

It is contended that in furtherance of this power, the federal government through the National Assembly (legislature) enacted the National Commission for Museums and Monuments Act. This is an Act that empowers the federal government to establish National Museums for the collection,

preservation and display of monuments, including artefacts. Specifically , section 3(1) dealing with the powers and functions of the Commission, provides inter alia: Section 3(1): “The functions of this Commission shall be : (a)To administer national museums , antiquities and monuments; (b)To establish and maintain national museums and other outlets for or in connection with, but not restricted only to the following, that is: antiquities, science and technology, warfare; African, black and other antiquities; arts and crafts, natural history and educational services….”

Clearly, by the tenor of these provisions and with the fact of the establishment of national museums and the presence of one in Benin-City, the federal government has covered the field.

Therefore, there is no need for a duplication of any legislation or establishment of any other museum by the Edo State government for the reception and warehousing of the proposed Bini repatriated artefacts. The doctrine of covering the field posits that even where the federal and state legislatures have concurrent powers to legislate on a subject matter, if a prior National Legislation addresses all relevant issues pertaining to the subject matter, then, there is no need for a subsequent state legislation on the same subject matter. The Supreme Court of Nigeria restated this doctrine in landmark cases like Attorney-General of Ogun State v A.G of the Federation (supra) and A.G of Lagos State v A.G of the Federation & Ors (supra) etc.

The Right of the Bini People to the Intellectual Property in the Artefacts: In addition to the proprietary claims of the Binis to the physical artefacts upon their return, there is also their right to the intellectual property in these artefacts. This is equally inalienable without the consent of the people.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021

EDITORIAL NIGERIANS MUST RESIST INCREASING ASSAULT ON PRESS FREEDOM The plan to muzzle the press is wrong and counterproductive importance.’ Hence, pertinent questions remain: Why is an administration that came to power with a promise to fight corruption obsessed with regulating the media in an environment where there is little accountability? Why are members of the National Assembly afraid of scrutiny in the discharge of their public duty?

Continued from page 1

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he Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), the umbrella body for the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) say the bill seeks to ambush judicial resolutions of the issues already before the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Similarly, provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (NBC) are designed to give the Information minister not only power to oversight the industry but also to practically determine what is to be broadcast and how in a cynical proposition that must have been copied from the North Korean rule book.

Stripped of pretensions, by seeking to criminalise journalism as a profession, suffocate media operations and usurp the powers of the courts, the ultimate

BY SEEKING TO CRIMINALISE aim of the bill and its sponsors is to JOURNALISM AS A constrict the civic PROFESSION, SUFFOCATE space and destroy MEDIA OPERATIONS AND dissenting voices.

USURP THE POWERS OF THE COURTS, THE ULTIMATE By cynically taking away rights AIM OF THE BILL AND ITS that are already SPONSORS IS TO CONSTRICT guaranteed in our THE CIVIC SPACE AND constitution, the DESTROY DISSENTING proponents seek VOICES to take Nigerians back to the military era and its arbitrariness. This is a dangerous proposition that should be resisted by all critical stakeholders in Project Nigeria. It is even more galling that the National Assembly that is never attentive except on issues that border on its own privileges is treating the controversial media bill almost as a matter of ‘urgent national

Letters to the Editor

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

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he proposed amendments to the Press Council bill, as noted by the NPO, is a poor attempt to resurrect the obnoxious Public Officers Protection Against False Accusation Decree No. 4 of 1984 and the Newspapers Registration Decree 43 of 1993, enacted by military rulers of past eras. “It assumes that there are no extant laws to penalise media infractions and exact restitution for the aggrieved persons,” argued NPO which described the new NBC code as no less provocative, “making the Minister of Information the Monster Minister with sweeping powers to make and enforce regulations online and offline.”

The multifaceted assault on the media must be seen in the context of the wider political inclinations of the incumbent administration.

A ban has been placed on Twitter. There is impending action to limit other social media platforms. The electoral law is being amended in a manner that forbids the electronic transmission of election results that has helped to curb malpractices while the rights of the people to freely assemble are constantly being called to question by the police. Amid all this, an ever-compliant National Assembly stands ready to rubber-stamp the autocratic reflexes of the executive branch, thus leaving the public interest undefended.

Taken together, these actions point clearly in the direction of increased authoritarianism and deliberate departure from the liberal democratic foundations of our constitution. They must be resisted.

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

THE RISING COST OF FOOD “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” - Virginia Woolf.

A

visit to the market in recent times, and as a matter of fact, in the last one year, reveals that the cost of food items has increased drastically!

Life has therefore become increasingly difficult for many Nigerians, especially the low-income earners, unemployed, and other vulnerable people.

For example, a market survey showed that a ‘Derica’ cup of beans, which previously sold for between N250 and N300, is now sold for between N500 and N600 or more. A ‘paint’ bucket of garri, which sold for around N350, is now sold at N1,500. A piece of yam tuber which initially sold for N500 or N600 is now sold for between N1,000 and N1,200. Even small sachets of milk, which were sold for N40 or N50, are now sold for N60 or N70.

And the list goes on!

This relentless upward movement of prices is discouraging to many families with limited budget. It also adds to the stresses and frustrations of many people, making life unbearable for them. It is distressing to see that foodstuffs, among other things, cost more, and that taxes and utility bills of all kinds keep increasing. Something drastic needs to be done as hunger is biting hard!

The word most commonly used to describe what has been happening is INFLATION. Inflation is a term used in the field of Economics to describe the general and progressive increase in

prices, and a fall in the purchasing value of money.

According to recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s inflation rate stood at 18.12% in April 2021, although it dropped a little to 17.93% in May 2021. The report also showed that the food inflation rate rose to 22.95 per cent in March 2021 compared to 21.79 per cent in February 2021.

The composite food index also rose to 22.72 per cent in April 2021 from 15.03 per cent in April 2020.

The details may differ, but the story is much the same in many other countries around the world. The cost of living is rising relentlessly. For many, bread and milk have become a luxury, and three meals a day a rarity. Rice is now usually eaten only on festive occasions because of its high cost. Those who suffer most are the unskilled labourers and poorer people, who are in no position to demand higher incomes needed to keep up with rising prices. For these people especially, inflation is a thief, a thief that robs the most needy.

Some people try to alleviate the problem by working longer hours, but others find work difficult or even impossible to obtain because of the high rate of unemployment in the country.

They are forced to devote each day to the unending and often fruitless task of searching for food. For them, it is not merely a question of coping with the cost of living, but, rather, a matter of struggling to meet the cost of survival. Particularly hard hit are those on fixed incomes such as the pensioners or the unemployed.

Who or what is to blame for this growing inflation? Many

people blame the government. One basic cause of rising inflation is when the government has been spending more money than they have been making. The government for their part may blame the economic policies of other countries. The International Economic Order has also been strongly criticised. Other possible contributory factors to the problem of inflation in Nigeria include: the devaluation of the Naira; worsening insecurity in farming communities; increase in cost of production; the government’s economic policies; the price of fuel; the national debt; reduction in productivity; high taxes; increase in public spending; illiquidity of the foreign exchange market; high/ unfavourable exchange rate; rising unemployment, and so on.

In view of all these problems bedevilling our economy, the concerned authorities should endeavour to properly manage the situation before it spreads out of control. When the price of food items and other goods and services increases over a period of time, it affects the entire economy. It impacts the cost of living, the cost of doing business, and every other facet of the economy.

Inflation is like a balloon. A balloon can be filled with air up to a point, depending on its size and strength. But when too much air is pumped into it, the balloon will always ‘burst.’ That is also true of constant economic inflation; it eventually leads to an economic ‘bust.’ From the economic viewpoint alone, authorities agree that throughout history every case of rampant inflation has ended in the destruction of that nation’s money. Time and again this has happened, without exception.

Daniel Ighakpe, FESTAC Town, Lagos

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021

NEWSXTRA

Third Wave of COVID-19: Check International Travellers, Sanwo-Olu Advises Immigration Segun James As the country is hit by a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to rise to the occasion to prevent the potential spread of the virus.

The governor, who gave the charge when he received the

Comptroller of the Lagos State Command of the NIS, Bauchi Aliyu, at the State House in Alausa, said against the background of fresh transmission recorded in the past few days in Lagos and confirmation of the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus in the country, it has become imperative for the service to be extra vigilant in its operation.

Sanwo-Olu said the NIS has a

statutory responsibility to prevent further spread of the virus by keeping their eyes on travellers coming into the country through land, sea and air borders.

This, he said, would help the Incident Command team to curtail the rate of transmission and manage cases already confirmed.

The governor’s meeting with the state NIS boss came after he (Sanwo-Olu) raised the alarm over the disappearance of some

air passengers, who came into the country via the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, but could not be reached for COVID-19 status monitoring by EKOTELEMED because they supplied wrong contact details.

As the gatekeeper, SanwoOlu charged NIS to work with frontline responders stationed at ports of entry across border posts to ensure in-bound travellers

adhere to laid down COVID-19 protocols.

According to him, “We are monitoring events that may lead to the third wave of COVID-19 in the country and this is why we need to work together with the NIS. As the gatekeeper, you have statutory responsibility to work with our frontline health workers to ensure that the people coming into the country obey our rules and conform to the

protocols.”

The governor urged the Service to ensure passengers coming into the country are duly monitored and accounted for.

Sanwo-Olu accepted the comptroller’s proposal for the mop-up of irregular migrants in Lagos, noting that such operations would help improve security in the state and aid the government to identify non-Nigerians working illegally in Lagos.

Zulum: I’m Not Aware of Any ISWAP-appointed Governor Seeks FG’s assistance to repatriate 200,000 refugees Deji Elumoye in Abuja Borno State Governor, Prof.

Babagana Zulum, has emphasised that he is fully in control of the state, saying he is not aware of any part of the state being governed by Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).

Zulum said the reported appointment of a governor over some territories in Borno State

by Boko Haram/ISWAP remains unauthenticated, restating that he is fully in charge of the state.

The governor, who made the disclosure yesterday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja, declared: “As far as I’m concerned, I’m the governor of Borno State, and I don’t have any information that we have another

government in the Nigerian state.

So I’m very much in charge.”

He, however, stressed that his government would not bother to investigate the issue.

There had been social media reports that the terrorists had appointed one Abba Kaka as the governor under a new leadership restructuring by an interim council.

The governor dismissed the authenticity of the report, saying: “We are yet to validate the authenticity of this report that ISWAP appointed a governor in Borno State. So, as the governor of the state, I think it’s not right for me to speak on something that I don’t have full knowledge of.”

Asked whether he would investigate it, Zulum said he won’t, blaming the report on the social media.

Lagos Court Declines Yoruba Nation Agitators Bail Till July 27 A Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos, has declined bail application for the 49 Yoruba Nation agitators arrested and detained by the Lagos State Police Command.

The agitators were arrested at Ojota, Lagos on July 3, 2021 during a rally in support of the actualisation of Yoruba Nation.

The motion for their bail application, filed by human

rights lawyers led by Olasupo Ojo and Oladapo Kayode, was adjourned to July 27, 2021 for a ruling.

The court had on Monday, July 5, 2021 granted the application for an ex-parte order brought before it by the Lagos State Police Command to detain the agitators for 21 days.

The 21-day ex-parte order will expire on July 26, 2021.

Federal High Court Proceeds on Annual Vacation July 26 Alex Enumah in Abuja The Federal High Court yesterday announced that it would be proceeding on the 2021 annual vacation on Monday, July 26.

The vacation period apart from affording judges of the court to have some rest, also enable them to plan and prepare for the next legal year of the court.

The Chief Information Officer of the Federal High Court, Mrs. Catherine Christopher, who made this known in a statement to judiciary correspondents, added that the court will resume its normal activities on September 20, few days after the end of the vacation.

The statement however noted that the court during the period will be opened at its core divisions for “extremely urgent” cases.

The statement read in part: “Pursuant to the provisions of

Order 46, Rule 4 (d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, announces to Hon. Judges, stakeholders and the general public, that the Federal High Court will proceed on its Annual Vacation for the Year 2021 from Monday July 26, 2021 to Friday September 17, 2021. The Court resumes sitting on Monday, the 20th of September, 2021.

“In order for the court to enable judges to enjoy their well-deserved rest and to prepare for the challenges of the New Legal Year, only the core divisions: Abuja, Lagos and Port- Harcourt will remain functional throughout the vacation.

“It is essential to stress that during the vacation, only cases of extreme urgency such as Arrest of ship(s) and Fundamental Rights Enforcement are to be entertained”.

WITH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS… L - R: Deputy Political and Economic Chief, United States Consulate, Lagos, Merrica Heaton; Chairman, Waltersmith Group, Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa; Commercial Attaché, United States Consulate, Mr. David Russell; and Commercial Counselor, United States Consulate, Jennifer Woods, during the courtesy visit of the representatives of the United States Consulate General to the Waltersmith office in Ikoyi, Lagos…recently

Electoral Bill: 21 CSOs Want N’Assembly to Vote on Contentious Clause Deji Elumoye in Abuja Twenty one civil society organisations (CSOs) have charged the leadership of the National Assembly to call for division whenever any contentious clause of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill is being considered by the two chambers this week.

The CSOs, which stated this in a statement yesterday, are:

Centre For Liberty; The Electoral Hub; Yiaga Africa; Actionaid; The Abuja School; The Nigerian Alliance; Raising New Voices; Ayisha Yesufu; Speak Out Africa Initiative; Ready To Lead Africa; Centre for Impact Advocacy among many others.

According to the groups, Nigerians are looking forward to the ninth National Assembly this week to demonstrate patriotism and pass a citizens-responsive

Electoral Amendment bill that will enhance efficiency in the electoral process and guarantee free, fair, credible and transparent elections.

The CSOs expressed optimism that the clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Amendment Bill be conducted with utmost diligence, deliberation and transparency.

They added that much as there would be consensus on

certain clauses, but where there is no consensus on a provision or clause, there should be a call for division and a vote should be taken.

According to them, “Considering the importance of the Electoral Amendment Bill in our electoral democracy, we call on the Senate president and the Speaker of the House of Representative to ensure that voice votes are not adopted.

Alleged Tuition Hike: Unizik Students Protest, Block Enugu-Onitsha Highway David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State yesterday protested the hike in school fees by the university authorities.

The students who marched around the school premises with placards, later blocked the Enugu-Onitsha expressway for

hours to register their grievances.

A third-year student of the institution, who was part of the protest but preferred to speak under anonymity, said they decided to embark on the protest as they could not bear the increment any longer.

“When they increased the fees to over N50, 000 last year, we were asked through the SUG

executive to bear with the school, promising they will revert to the initial fee of about N26,000.

“But to our greatest surprise, instead of asking us to pay the old fees as promised, we saw additional amount to what we paid last year.”

Meanwhile, the institution, through its Acting Head, Information and Public Relations, Chika

Ene, had on Saturday, refuted alleged increase in school fees of returning students of the institution for the 2020/2021 academic session.

The statement urged students, staff and the public to dismiss the report as fake, targeted at causing unrest and destabilising the peace being enjoyed in the University.

Buhari Hails Ayade, Matawalle for Dumping PDP Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, and his counterpart in Zamfara State, Mr. Bello Matawalle for dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives

Congress (APC).

Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the APC and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, presented the two governors to the present yesterday at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking while welcoming the two governors to APC, President Buhari hailed the duo for having

the courage to defect from the opposition PDP to the ruling APC. According to him, by these defections, the two governors will now earn more respect from their people for having the courage to move to the ruling party.

The President stressed that the coming of the two Governors to APC was very important to the

party, adding: “To be principled and identify your objectives is a great quality that should endear us to our people.

“Your people will respect you more for having the courage to come to APC at your own time. Nobody forced you, but you believe it is the best way to serve your people.

I value your decision.”

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NEWSXTRA

Buhari: Africa Must Unite against Instability Congratulates Ethiopian leader on electoral victory Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for all African nations to work towards uniting against instability in the continent.

The President, in a statement by his spokesman, Mallam Garba

Shehu, to congratulate Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia over his party’s election, lamented that instability in one part of Africa is a threat to stability elsewhere.

His words: “Instability is a grave threat to African progress.

African countries cannot attain

their development goals if every group resorts to violence and destabilisation instead of seeking peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue.”

President Buhari congratulated the Prime Minister of Ethiopia over the decisive victory won by his party in the just concluded

parliamentary elections, returning him to office for another five years.

Reacting to the outcome of the elections as announced over the weekend, the President told the Ethiopian leader: “On behalf of the Nigerian people I send you and the people of Ethiopia our well wishes for your courage and

commitment to the democratic process and urge you to continue with the good policies of your government that endeared you to the people.”

President Buhari, who also reflected on the instability rocking Ethiopia appealed to parties and factions in the country to come

together to halt their country’s march to civil war to save their people from depravations of conflict.

He assured the Ethiopian leader that Nigeria will continue to support the unity and territorial well-being of his country and of all the African states.

Sanwo-Olu Arrests Suspected Criminals in Ojota Says no room for criminals in Lagos Task force impounds 105 motorcycles Segun James The war against criminality in Lagos State has gone a notch higher as the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, personally arrested a gang of suspected criminals, which specialised in harassing motorists and road users in traffic.

The gang of suspected criminals met their waterloo yesterday morning while attempting to unleash terror on a motorist around Ojota in-bound Alausa.

Help however came for the motorist as governor SanwoOlu’s convoy approached the scene to rescue him from the three machete-wielding criminals who were at the time, trying to forcefully drag him out of his vehicle.

The security personnel attached to the governor swooped on the suspects, retrieved the dangerous weapons from them and arrested the three of them.

Sanwo-Olu, had while handing over security equipment

purchased by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for the use of Lagos Police Command, on June 10, said there would be no hiding place for criminals in the State.

Sanwo-Olu yesterday stated after his security personnel arrested the three machetewielding criminals that the exercise was a warning signal to other criminal elements and prospective traffic robbers in Lagos that there is no hiding place for criminality in Lagos State.

Also yesterday, the Strike Squad of the Lagos State Taskforce carried out a massive raid on motorcycle (okada) riders at Second rainbow and Toyota Bus Stop along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

During the raid, which lasted for some hours, a total of 105 motorcycles were impounded.

Prior to yesterday’s raid, a total of 201 motorcycles were impounded last week.

Alleged N10bn Fraud: Judge Threatens to Arrest Oduah, Others over Absence from Court Segun James A Federal High in Abuja has threatened to issue arrest warrants against former Aviation Minister, Senator Stellah Oduah and eight others named in a charge should they fail to attend court on the next date.

Justice Inyang Ekwo made the threat yesterday when Oduah (a Senator, representing Anambra North) and some other defendants were absent at the proceedings, with no explanation from their lawyers.

In the charge marked: FHC/ ABJ/CR/316/2020, Oduah, Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd, are the defendants.

In the 25-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the nine defendants are accused, among others, of engaging in the laundering of about N10 billion.

They are particularly charged with conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank

accounts with an old generation bank.

At the mention of the case on Monday, the court noted only the second and third defendants (Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi) were present.

The development prompted the prosecuting lawyer, Hassan Liman (SAN), to complain about the absence of the other defendants, without any explanation from their lawyers.

Justice Ekwo noted the court’s business for the day was for the prosecution to report its compliance with an earlier order granting leave for it to effect substituted service of the charge on the fifth and sixth defendants.

“When trial is fixed and they are not hear, you can then complain,” the judge told the Liman, who reported that the prosecution has complied with the order of substituted service.

The judge observed, as earlier noted by the prosecution, that beside the second and third defendants, the others were absent.

“This is a note of warning that warrants of arrest would be issued at the next date against any defendant, who is absent,” Justice Ekwo said.

APPRECIATION VISIT… L-R: Minister of the Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola; former First Lady of Oyo State, Dr. Florence Ajimobi; and wife of the minister, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, during an appreciation visit to the minister in Lagos … weekend

Lawan, Fayemi, Progressive Govs Mourn ex-Deputy Gov of Kaduna Deji Elumoye, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) have consoled the government and people of Kaduna

State over the death of the former Deputy Governor, Mr. Barnabas Yusuf Bala.

Lawan, in a condolence message issued yesterday also commiserated with the family, friends and political associates of the departed.

“The death of Bala is a great loss to the people of Kaduna State whom he served with great dedication as Deputy Governor

and as a member of the House of Representatives. He will also be sadly missed by the progressives’ family in his home state and across Nigeria.”

He prayed Allah to forgive the deceased his sins and to accept his soul into eternal rest while also praying that Allah grants his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

The PGF has also consoled the governor of Kaduna State and members of All Progressives Congress (APC) over death of former deputy governor.

The Chairman of PGF and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu in a statement issued yesterday described his death as a loss to the nation and the progressive community.

Corruption Threatens African Agenda 2063, Says EFCC Chairman Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, said yesterday that the African Vision (Agenda 2063) would be a mirage if corruption was not decisively dealt with on the African continent.

Bawa was speaking at the virtual meeting of the 5th African Union Day of Anti-Corruption themed: “Regional Economic

Communities: Critical Actors in the Implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption”.

According to him, corruption presented a major threat against the actualisation of the “Africa of good governance, democracy, and respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law which is the vision of African Agenda 2063”.

A statement by EFCC said the anti-graft agency boss, who was represented by the Director of Intelligence, Mr. Abubakar Saád,

said corruption was a threat to the dream of a united and prosperous Africa.

“It has drastically increased the prevalence of poverty and inequality on our continent. Our continent continues to suffer from rampant debilitating capital flight and illicit financial flows, accompanied by a consistent decline in the standard of living and quality of life of our people”, he explained.

He, however, remarked that the adoption of the African

Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), signed in Maputo, Mozambique, on 11th July, 2003 and its coming into force in 2006, had brought about remarkable progress in the fight against corruption.

“It has also provided a fulcrum for regional economic communities to synergise anti-corruption efforts undertaken by National Anti-Corruption Authorities (NACAs) and measure the impact of prescribed interventions”.

Three Bankers Arrested over Alleged N51.9m Fraud Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday arrested three bankers for an alleged case of conspiracy, stealing, forgery and obtaining

money by false pretence.

A statement issued by EFCC said the suspects, Kagha Emmanuel Uchenna, Okoro Chinasom Davidson and Egbogu Emmanuel Obiora, who are employees of one of the new generation banks, allegedly conspired and defrauded a

customer of the bank of the sum of N51, 978, 883. 37.

Investigations revealed that the trio forged the signature and National Identification Management (NIM) number slip of the customer, activated his mobile banking application and fraudulently withdrew the

money.

The commission said the suspects, who were arrested on July 7, 2021 at the Nsukka, Enugu branch of the bank, volunteered statements and would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021

POLITICS

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

APC, PDP, Third Force in Battle of Wits in Kwara Hammed Shittu writes that the two major political parties in Kwara State; the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party are bedeviled by internal crises, leading to the emergence of a splinter group in the APC called the Third Force

Bolarinwa

Gobir

Abdullahi

Mohammed

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this has helped him to finally install his main man, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari as the new state chairman of the party against a well accepted state chairman of the party, Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa that is from Alhaji Lai Muhammed’s group.

The governor also recently welcomed the immediate past chairman of the PDP into APC at an event to mark the celebration of June 12 in the state. This was a clear demonstration that he has taken over the grassroots of the party.

However, the other group led by the Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Muhammed has been strategising on how their group would have its way when the time comes. Series of meetings, consultations and mobilisation have been going on in the group as a move to wrestle party leadership from the governor at the right time.

The APC has postponed its congresses indefinitely.

The national convention of the party would surely determine who is in charge of the party in Kwara State.

However, piqued by these irreconcilable differences, some members of the party recently decided to dump the APC and formed a political group under the name of Third Force Movement in the state.

The group according to THISDAY checks was formed to serve as a new front to bring new breed politicians together aimed at wrestling power from the APC. These aggrieved people that formed the Third Force were those that worked together as a team to form the “O To Ge Movement (Enough is Enough) that wrestled power from the PDP during the 2019 general election.

Although, there were insinuations from certain quarters in the state that the group is being funded by APC leader and former party’s governorship aspirant, Alhaji Yakubu Gobir but some members of the force that spoke with journalists denied such allegation instead they said, “we were just begging him to join us in order to rescue us from the ongoing marginalisation in the state.”

Speaking at the unveiling of the group in Ilorin, the spokesman of the group who is also the former state APC senatorial chairman for Kwara central senatorial, Mallam Abdulfatai Abdulrahman, said that, “It is impossible to achieve the developmental goals we are aiming for Kwarans in the midst of chaotic situation

we found ourselves in Kwara APC.” Mallam Abdulrahman who accused the governor and the current leadership of their former party, APC of allegedly disfranchising many of them due to the power that be in the state added that, their new party would be unveiled in due course.

The defectors , who tore their APC membership cards and burnt their brooms-symbol of the party, at the event said that the plot to allegedly marginalize them was all about 2023 political permutations.

He added, “As you are all aware, Kwara APC has been enmeshed in one crisis or the other almost immediately after the party’s primary, stretching into the campaign period and lingering up to date.

“The crisis reached its peak with the recent concluded APC membership revalidation and registration exercise in the state that was flawed with deliberate policies and grand orchestration to deregister and disenfranchise selected members of the party.

“The success of a political party is anchored on its popularity, intra party membership cohesion, integrity and sincere commitment to the service of the masses. All these are glaringly diminishing in Kwara APC as it is now.

“A grand design that denied majority of party members the opportunity to register and revalidate their membership across the state is a 2023 permutation agenda. We can never cross our fingers and watch the game from the sideline.

“The deliberate inaction to address the lingering crisis in Kwara APC has become obvious to all discerning minds that the agenda to deregister and refusal to revalidate thousands of members across the state was a grand plot that has the backing of the National Caretaker Committee of the party.”

Also speaking on the new development, a chieftain of APC who sought anonymity told our correspondent that, “We are the architect of our current situation in the party.”

He said that, “The number of those that dumped the party last week and formed a third force are the people that we worked with during the 2019 general election in the name of “O To Ge” and see what are facing now.”

The APC leader who accused some power that be behind the ugly development in the

party said, “I dont know how we are going to do it again in Kwara because those that worked for the electoral victory of APC have dumped the party and some people are saying they do not matter.”

“We shall see the outcome of the defection of these people during the next elections in the state and I want to add that many people will also quit APC after the national convention if the ongoing attitude and perceived marginalisation are not stopped in the party.

“I believe that it is high time the govenror forgets the past and convenes a peace meeting of stakeholders including leaders, youths, women, among others because there is an adage that says a tree cannot make a forest and if the APC will win the 2023 general election, this is the time to bury our differences and come together as one entity like we did it during the 2019 general elections.”

Meanwhile, as this is going on in the ruling APC, the opposition PDP is also making its own political calculation ahead of the 2023 general election.

The party is also in turmoil as allegations and counter allegations continue to trail the suggestion on which zone will take the governorship position during the 2023 polls.

Although, no aspirant of the party has come out to signify his or her intention for the plum position but the event of the past few months over zoning has generated comments from the stakehoders in the party across the three senatorial districts.

Political observers believe that a senatorial area of the state that has the lowest voting strength has been clamouring to take the slot at the expense of senatorial districts that have the highest voting strength in the state in the name of.power shift. This particular senatorial district will surely still depend on the other two senatorial districts to enable it achieve its goal at the end of the day.

It is on this issue of power shift in the party that the party stakeholders have been engaging themselves on which zone would produce the next governorship position of the state and they have been making their position known at various occasions.

For example, PDP leaders in Kwara central senatorial have denied their support for the zoning of the governorship position to Kwara north senatorial as being rumoured in certain quarters.

In a statement signed by the Committee’s Chairman and Secretary, Hon. Abdulwahab Isa and Hon. Isiaka Mogaji respectively, and made available to journalists in Ilorin, Kwara central leaders of the party under the aegis of Unity Committee described the report as false, malicious and misleading.

The PDP leaders said that, “Be that as it may, the committee reiterated that at no time did we resolve on zoning the gubernatorial position to the north senatorial district or any other position for that matter.

he political atmosphere in Kwara State, popularly called State of Harmony, has continued to thicken every day ahead of the 2023 general election despite the fact that the election is still far away. This is so in view of the current political calculations and maneuvering that continues to trail political events across the 16 local government councils of the state.

This development can be seen across the two major political parties, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while a new Third Force political group have emerged from APC towards seeking the support of the people of the state during the period so as to wrestle power from perceived oppressors.

In the ruling APC, things have fallen apart and the centre can no longer hold as various camps have made new moves to seek new platforms that would help them realise their political ambitions.

The party has been enmeshed in leadership crisis since it emerged victorious during the 2019 general election in the state. The stakeholders instead of consolidating on the electoral victory and working together as a team to set a new agenda for the socio and political development, became fragmented to the extent that, this has continued to take a serious toll on the growth of the party.

The party was so divided to the extent that, they could not form a common agenda that would have become a formidable team to help them work again as one entity to seek another four year in the political calculation like they did during the 2019 general election under the political movement called ‘O To Ge”(Enough is Enough) that wrestled power from the scion of late political leader of the state and former governor, Dr Bukola Saraki.

The feud however snowballed into two major camps in the party. One is believed to be led by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed while the other group called the AA group answers to the state governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Each group is working in different directions, trying to outwit each other ahead of the 2023 general election.

The development has led to accusations and counter accusations over the party’s electoral processes especially the recent party’s membership and revalidation exercise and appeal committee set up by the national leaders of the party.

Though, the incumbent governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is yet to comment on whether he is interested in a second term bid or not but his political calculations have shown moves for a second term bid. He has taken over the party leadership, and his real involvement in the just concluded party membership registration exercise among others are signs of his interest to seek another term in office.

Apart from this, the The governor and his group called Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (AA) group have allegedly taken over the control of the party based on the constitutional provisions of the party that allows state governors on the party’s platform to be the leader of the party and

As this is going on in the ruling APC, the opposition PDP is also making its own political calculation ahead of the 2023 general election. The party is also in turmoil as allegations and counter allegations continue to trail the suggestion on which zone will take the governorship position during the 2023 polls.

Although, no aspirant of the party has come out to signify his or her intention for the plum position

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

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T H I S D AY ˾TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021

POLITICS

Buhari and the Dilemma of Picking a Successor President Muhammadu Buhari looks entangled in a successor’s dilemma, a seemingly intractable set of circumstances that will put him in the good or the bad book of supporters of the All Progressives Congress in 2023, writes Emameh Gabriel

Buhari

Osinbajo

Tinubu

Fayemi

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ments or body language of the moment. That was before a more assertive Buhari backed the ouster of Oshiomhole and the installation of a northerner as caretaker party chairman, in the person of Mail Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State. Which seemed like the triumph of a certain faction of the party over another.

And if we are to take seriously the comments of Buhari and his media aide, then it is the power play and horse trading among geo political groups that would determine who succeeds the president.

So far, the frontliners in the race to 2023 include former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the party, Ahmed Bola Tinubu who has carved for himself a political empire in the last decade, a political capital that may fetch him a hedge in the race to Aso Rock but at the same However, despite Buhari’s efforts to stand above petty politicking within his party, every now and then he is caught up in its intricacies.

Although he has successfully maintained over the years a modest rapport with his benefactor and self acclaimed national leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there are those who believe that the president may not be well disposed towards Tinubu emerging the party’s candidate in 2023. While it seems natural that the president should repay the former Lagos State governor in the same coin by actively supporting his aspiration, but Buhari has always stylishly maintained his independence.

Despite the party’s re-registration and revalidation exercise intended to whittle down his sway on the APC, Tinubu has continued to command overwhelming influence in the party, but the opposition building against him seems to be growing by the day While even ministers in government have clamoured for zoning, and his recent comment shows that the president too is conscious of the well entrenched principle of zoning, which he expects the convention to decide on.

a certain amount of influence over him, they include: the minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, the minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, the governor of Ekiti State, who was his former minister of Solid minerals, Kayode Fayemi, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo. But of the aforementioned names while Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi and Nasir El-Rufai have signalled their interest for the plum job, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has remained utterly elusive. But the president’s usual cold and calm mien does not indicate an attachment or more than necessary attention and disposition to any of them.

But for anything, the recent hostile takeover of the party’s hierarchy by new players shows that certain individuals still have the president’s ears. Abubakar Malami is believed to be the central figure behind the latest putsch. Though himself did not indicate interest to succeed the president, he seems to be the character around which the anti - Tinubu forces have been rallying.

Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo has overtime proven himself a loyalist of his principal, tip toeing almost imperceptible through the daily political controversies. While one cannot absolutely say he is the president’s man given the politics of his emergence as VP, but both seems to have enjoyed a good working relationship. Buhari who has never hidden his suspicion for career politicians somehow found Osinbajo, a professor of law, who is not to steep in grassroot politics a comforting presence.

In the early days of the administration Osinbajo enjoyed the trust of the president, who like the public may have been enchanted by the propaganda of the pre - 2015 election.

But it is apparent that Osinbajo has continued to enjoy the respect of the president, however the president in his public utterances and body language has not displayed an inclination towards the favourability of being succeeded by his Vice President. But there are those who believe that if the intricacies of the 2023 politics eventually favors Osinbajo, Buhari will not hesitate to support his succession by the eminent professor of law. Besides, the President most often cannot be predicted.

Rotimi Amaechi who lately added his voice to the clamour for the presidency to be zoned to the South, also harbours the ambition of becoming president and may enjoy the goodwill of the president but his South - South region does not command strong support in the APC, with no governor from the region making his case a difficult one to push.

Fayemi Kayode on the other hand is coming from a zone (Southwest) that is a strong pillar of the APC but from this zone also comes the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Tinubu. While Fayemi may have captured the president’s heart with his youthful charm, it will be difficult for the president to support the latter over the man that was particularly instrumental to his 2015 victory.

Nasir El-Rufai is no doubt one of the favourite of Mr president as seen in his constant shuttle to Aso Villa during Buhari’s first term and in his strategic role within the party, including heading the 2017 APC restructuring committee.

El rufai who recently attacked the zoning principle, saying it does not lead to the best outcome, is a man of ambition and great schemings. Observers are of the view that if the northern tendency in the party could have there way in their scheme to retain power in the north by jettisoning the zoning principle, the governor of Kaduna State may emerge a leading contender for the party’s candidacy.

Recall that Buhari had after the removal of Adams Oshiomhole as party chairman mandated the Yobe state governor and Chairman APC Caretaker and Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee, ( CECPC), Mallam Mai Mala Buni to use his leadership to tidy up the arrangement for the party’s national convention where a new set of national officers would be elected.

It is easy to see that the convention will be the major hurdle in the APC’s quest to continue to govern the country beyond 2023. Even before now the issue of the convention has been the source of discord as factions accuse each other of trying to hijack the process and produce an executive that will install their choice as the party’s candidate.

Political watchers opine that the eventual convention will witness intense political intrigues and horse trading as geo - political groups would be engaged in battle of wit.

While there seems to be the understanding that zoning will play a role as it always has in major Nigerian political parties conventions, it is not yet clear how it will play out this time around. The growing voices in support of the South producing the presidential candidate, have been silent on the micro - zoning formula, thus setting the stage for the Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth to slug it out.

At present, the APC controls five out of the six states in the South West. This contrasts with the situation in the South East where the party is in charge of only two states, namely Imo and Ebonyi, where they even still considered relatively weak.

he much expected national convention of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has been postponed indefinitely, but rather than cause a drop in interest it is expected to trigger regional and individual interests in the party as to who will get the blessing of the President come 2023.

President Muhammed recently during an interview on ARISE News said that he wanted the APC to continue in power beyond his tenure and that only the party can decide on where the pendulum swings.

If the aforementioned comment is anything to go by, the President was being circumspect, which is not strange given the politics that predated the formation of the APC and emergence of his candidacy and administration.

It is no more news that the ruling party is enjoying only an ostensible calm, that the controversial removal of its former national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and the subsequent reregistration/ revalidation in the party has further deepened the divide that seemed to have always been there.

While the president had always maneuvered superbly between the factions, it is clear that he cannot continue with this style if he truly wants a solid and coherent party that can deliver an electoral victory in 2023.

It is not in the nature of African politics for presidents to leave their successors to be determined by the free will or politicking among party membership, and very few will expect Buhari to take this path, even though there are those among his cycle who are thinking so.

Special Adviser to President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesanya had in one of reaction to the topic under debate said his principal will not handpick his successor in 2023. That even though Buhari is interested in who succeeds him, he will not manipulate the process to favour anyone.

The presidential spokesperson was reacting to a statement by Tunde Bakare, serving overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, who urged the President to be involved in the choice of his successor in order not destroy his legacies.

“By May 2023 God willing he would have finished his second term as president, he would not have stood for another term and he will be exiting. So, he has that at the back of his mind,” Adesina said.

“Pastor Bakare said he should be interested in who succeeds him, yes I am sure the president will be interested in who succeeds him but he will not manipulate the process, to pick a successor.

“The president will not pick a successor.

We know him, he is not somebody like that.

Will he be interested in the process? Yes, he will. He will ensure that there is a free, fair and credible election; that nobody will come to use money and resources to bamboozle his way into the leadership of the country. It will not happen. The president will ensure free, fair and credible process; but to handpick a successor? No, he will not do that.”

But Adesina may only be echoing the senti-

The president’s supposedly favourite men President Muhammadu Buhari has not really shown a preference for any particular politician or personality, whether thinly veiled or directly.

But there are men who have remained vocal and visible around the president and exercise

Despite the party’s re-registration and revalidation exercise intended to whittle down his sway on the APC, Tinubu has continued to command overwhelming influence in the party, but the opposition building against him seems to be growing by the day. While even ministers in government have clamoured for zoning, and his recent comment shows that the President too is conscious of the well entrenched principle of zoning

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

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FEATURES

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

Institutionalising Legal Framework Towards Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre recently organised the third edition of legislative retreat on the institutionalisation of a legal framework towards protection of civilians and civilian harm mitigation in armed conflict

Cross sections of legislators, CISLAC members and journalists at the one-day retreat on Institutionalising Legal Framework for the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts

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n most conflicts, civilian harm can come in form of death, injury, property loss (homes, businesses, livestock), civilian infrastructure damage (schools, hospitals, water treatment facilities), loss of livelihood and psychological trauma. These happens when civilians are caught in between crossfire, when they live in proximity to military targets, use of force at checkpoints and during raids, use of indirect fire in populated areas, use of inappropriate weapon systems, targeting errors or mistaken identity on the basis of faulty intelligence and lack of preparation for civilian presence on the battlefield.

This is why Protection of Civilians (PoC) is important. Essentially, Protection for the civilian population is a basic element of humanitarian law that states that all civilians and all those not taking part in the fighting must on no account be attacked and must be spared and protected. In fact, the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols contain specific rules to protect civilians.

Although the concept of PoC has been progressively introduced to a wider audience, however, within the framework of conflict operations, the full implementation of this principle is hindered by a number of shortcomings, such as the limited understanding of roles and responsibilities, and the lack of clear methods and guidelines.

Thus, to underscore the urgency in institutionalising a legal framework for PoC, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with the support from Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), recently held a one-day legislative retreat on institutionalising a legal framework towards protection of civilians and civilian harm mitigation in armed conflict.

The event which held in Lagos provided members from the House of Representative in the security committee the opportunity to discuss the bill titled “Protection of Civilians Bill 2020”. In its explanatory memorandum, the bill seeks to regulate the conduct of security operations, protect the civilians and mitigate harms to the civilian population during armed conflicts in Nigeria.

At the retreat were House of Representative members on security committees like navy, army, justice, finance and human rights. To ponder over the bill were Chairman, House Committee on Army, Hon. Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas; Saidu Musa Abdullahi, deputy chairman House Committee on Finance; while Defence was Zayyad; Navy was Wale Egberongbe; Air Force – Abass Agbowarin

Adigun; Interior – Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong Udo; National Security and Intelligence – Hon. James Adisa Owolabi; Human Rights – Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye; Justice – Hon. Chinyere Igwe; and qLegislative Compliance – Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji.

Framework Prior to the event, the framework sent in by CISLAC and signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Army, Hon. Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas, noted that it was geared towards institutionalising the essential to the development of a legal framework, strategies, and plans for Protection of Civilians living in conflict-zones as they continue to experience the devastating impacts of conflict-related damages, increased vulnerability and trust deficit with wide-ranging effects on health and human sufferings.

According to CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), the bill is long overdue considering the plight of civilians who are directly bearing the brunt of conflicts in their communities, adding that the devastating effects of the conflicts have taken heavy toll on citizens, thus all hands must be on deck to mitigate civilian sufferings during conflicts by supporting the bill.

In an earlier note sent before the retreat, he posited that "if Nigeria goes ahead to institutionalise this law, it becomes the first in Africa to do so and the 9th Assembly would have written its name in history. Protecting civilians has too often been understood through the prism of compliance with international humanitarian law. This is an incomplete view: compliance with the law is the bare minimum, but current patterns of harm and long-term effects of hostilities highlight the need for legal framework and compliance to effectively prevent, minimise and respond to civilian harm.

"The full protection of civilians must become a strategic imperative across scenarios from direct involvement in hostilities to support provided to parties of conflict, and through the full spectrum of Nigerian security architecture in all its theatres of operations. This should entail prioritising the health and wellbeing of people, supporting political and social structures that ensures justice and dignity as well as protecting the environment, and be understood as a wider goal of conflict prevention and response.

"No effective protection strategy can be conceived without a sound understanding of the violations/abuses that were committed.

This include inter alia, their rationale, their

direct and indirect effects, and the social and legal framework in which they took place.

Nowadays, the general lack of protection in crises affecting civilians caught up in armed conflict and other situations of violence is due, not to an inadequate legal framework, but to poor compliance. This retreat will specifically look at the proposed bill and policies and design strategies for its engagement."

Specific Output For the retreat, certain outputs were expected and it included taking into consideration both the draft bill on protection proposed and review the content to ensure standards and specifications are met; designing and agreeing on the specific strategies and approach (to be presented jointly or individually with timeline) that the frameworks will be listed and mentioned on the floor of the House; and adopting roadmap to convene public hearing on the bills soon with CISLAC/CIVIC leading in the process.

Legislative Stance During the second phase of the retreat, it was focused on the review of the protection of civilians bill.

Chairing the retreat, House Committee Chairman on Army, Hon. Abdur’razzak Namdas said ” We have been expecting this kind of retreat in more than a decade as our citizens are wounded and have become victims on a daily basis. Their properties constantly destroyed and land are prevented from being cultivated all in the name of tackling insecurity. The army in no means is overstretched and we need to use both kinetic and non kinetic methods to solve this problem.

"It is important that every security actor has a responsibility to protect and mitigate harms to civilians that will occur as a result of persons, activities , operations and I assure you that the committee on the army is ready to give the necessary support, contribution towards the institutionalisation of the framework inline with the standing orders of the 9th Assembly of the 1999 constitution as well as International and humanitarian and human rights laws. We will take the ownership of the proposed bill."

On his part, Chinyere Igwe, member of the Justice committee said ” For any bill to be justiable, for it to have effect in law, the Justice Committee must necessarily be an actor so they can dot the i’s and cross the ts’ before it can go through the rudiments of the National Assembly."

Egberongbe Mufutau Adewale representing Apapa Federal Constituency, Lagos State and a member of the House Committee on Navy, said in order to tackle insecurity and other vices, there is the urgent need to focus on vocational education for the youth, adding that "there is urgent need to review our school curriculum to focus on vocational education to have employers of labour. It is also important for government to provide the enabling environment for small businesses to thrive. The provision of incentives, intelligence gathering mechanism, use of local chiefs and improving our security architecture.

"Social media should be looked into to stop instigating people and the military should have advocacy with the civilians. In addition, rule of engagement, training of civilians and soldiers on rule of engagement. There is need for devolution of power and practising true federalism”.

In his comment on the proposed bill, Abbas Adigun the deputy chairman, house committee on armed forces who represented the chairman said ” Civilians are paying daily due to this conflict. If we have this bill, we will support it and ensure punishment for perpetrators as there is a need to address and give succour to those who have lost family members and property”.

Prince Rotimi, a member of the House committee on Human Rights said it is important to address the fundamental problem causing the conflict. ” We need to ask ourselves, how did we get to this point we are in today? It was the laxcadicial attitude of past leaders. I’m telling you, if the Chibok girls were rescued immediately this situation will not be so.

What is the strength of our army, police and Air force? The army is overstretched and a situation where people who are supposed to be protecting us are being protected. So, there is need to uphold the rights of the protected and ensure no harm comes their way”.

Also speaking, Saidu Musa Abdullahi, the deputy chairman house committee on Finance said the bill is timely and coming a bit late, adding that "as we speak, civilians are being kidnapped. The bill will provide a legal framework for our foot soldiers and this is a welcome one. It is not all about having problems but having a way to incorporate non state actors to come in as a way to negotiate.

There should be a way to mitigate the effects of conflicts on the civilians. I assure you , this bill will get the necessary support from the house committee on finance".

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FEATURES

Boost for Nasarawa Hydropower Project President Muhammadu Buhari has taken over completion of the 20 Megawatts Farin Ruwa Hydropower project initiated by the Nasarawa State government within 24 months, reports Igbawase Ukumba

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vailable statistics from the consulting firm for the Farin Ruwa Multipurpose Dam project - Kwarra in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Poseidon Tech Limited, showed that the Farin Ruwa Hydropower project has a dam with an earthfill embarkment with a cress length of 745 metres and a height of about 65 metres. The dam also has a reservoir capacity of 73 million cubic litres, with an area capacity of about 5.3 kilometres sqare.

Nevertheless, the statistics revealed further that the Farin Ruwa Dam's risen water level storage to fill up to the annual average flow will be about 420 metres. Other parts of the dam include a spillway, a power house, dam protection; both up stream and down stream, access road through the dam up to Manga settlement. A saddle dam of about 500 metres up to a height of about 10 metres and a 4.3 metres penstock.

Other available records showed that the project was conceived in 2003 and the contract awarded in 2004 by the first democratically elected governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. By the time his administration ended in 2007, the overall execution of the project stood at 60 per cent completion with a total expenditure of N5.8 billion.

Unfortunately, the Farin Ruwa Hydropower project was stalled during the administration of late Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma principally due to the state's dwindling finances. However the administration was able to do three key things; the payment of compensation to the natives whose farmlands were affected; termination of partnership agreement with the original contractor and taken up fully by the defunct Nasarawa Energy Company (NEC); which is now Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NASEPA).

That was the situation when former Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura took power in 2011, as explained by a former permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry Of Water Resources; who is an indigene of Nasarawa State, Dr. Musa Ibrahim Weng, during the flag off of completion of the project by the federal government on June 12, 2021 at Manga settlement in Wamba Local Government Area of the state.

The former federal permanent secretary said: "Governor Al-Makura's preoccupation at this time was to try and source for a reputable partner to complete the project. However Al-Makura was frank that the state government had no money to complete the project. The governor then sent a letter to the Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, on the 26th of April, 2018 requesting the take off of the project by the federal government, and the minister responded immediately.

"The minister said although the project is an initiative of the state government, its passion for completion is commendable, and also in tandem with the vision of Mr President to see to the completion of projects with direct benefits to the Nigerian people. Consequently, the ministry will engage further with the state government to fashion out a way towards taking over this project."

Following the result of this interaction between the two parties (former governor Al-Makura and Minister of Water Resources, Mr Weng disclosed that the minister wrote to Mr President on September 11, 2018 seeking for approval for the ministry to take over the Farin Ruwa Dam project. He continued that the minister also widened the scope of the project to include the dam, water supply, irrigation and hydropower generation.

L-R: Sen Adamu, Water Resources Minister; Gov Sule, Senator Adamu, Rt Hon Balarabe at the flag off

"On October 15, 2018, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources received Mr. President's approval for the take over of the project from the state government along with N700 million takeoff grant. Immediately after that, a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the federal and the Nasarawa State governments," Mr Weng concluded.

For former Governor Abdullahi Adamu; the initiator of the Farin Ruwa Hydropower project, it was an absolute gratefulness to God who has made the day possible. Acccording to the former governor and now senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, "Ten years ago, if I were told that this will happen at the human level of thinking, I probably say I don't think so. But here we are today.

"This project was sought out and conceived in 2003 and which implementation started here in 2004. I left office May 29, 2007 and that started to spell the end of the fortune of the project. I saw it. All the living people who are around have seen it. The little we have achieved was completely vandalised.

So I am short of words to express my gratitude to Governor Abdullahi Sule and the Minister of Water Resources for putting their heads together and see to it that the project was revived."

Senator Adamu's prayer at the flag off of completion of the hydropower project was that this intention which is being actualised, God will see it to a fruitful completion that the people whom the project was conceived for will live to have the benefits of the project.

"Every Kobo that was put in this project was not from Abdullahi Adamu's pocket. It was public money. When it was left to waste, it was public money that was allowed to waste. So words alone cannot say how gratefully I am personally and how gratefully these people from this part of Nigeria, and those who will come from other parts of Nigeria to benefit," the former Nasarawa State governor maintained.

The success story of the Farin Ruwa Hydropower project can not be

completed without the input of the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who approached the federal government to take over the project.

At the flag off of completion of the hydropower project at Manga settlement, Senator Al-Makura appreciated all those who played key roles that led to the flag off of completion of the Farin Ruwa Dam project.

Al-Makura specifically thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for not only agreeing to take over the project, but for always coming to the aid of the state, which the erstwhile governor considered as Buhari's second home.

In the same vein, Governor Abdullahi Sule also sought further intervention from the federal government to enable the state generate 50 megawatts of power from the Farin Ruwa Hydropower project during the flag off ceremony for the completion work on the Farin Ruwa Dam. Specifically, the Nasarawa State governor requested for the Ministry of Water Resources to assist the state towards generating 25 megawatts at the table of the Farin Ruwa waterfalls and another 25 megawatts, at the Farin Ruwa dam when completed.

According to Governor Sule, "the entire Nasarawa State requires only about 10 megawatts of power, with the remaining 40 megawatts to be generated be uploaded to the national grid to power the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Farin Ruwa Falls, as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, the federal government will write its name in gold if it carried out the project.

"Even though the original concept by the initiator of the hydropower project and first civilian governor of the state, Abdullahi Adamu was to produce only 25 megawatts of power, my administration has a vision to upscale the project to 50 megawatts. As an engineer, I can see that at the table of the falls, 25 megawatts can be easily generated.

Then you have the dam. By the time the water floods and with 73 million litres of water, coupled with the depth of the dam, you can easily generate

another 25 megawatts. 10 megawatts is enough to power the entire Nasarawa State, you have 40 megawatts to go to Abuja," Governor Sule explained.

The governor, who thanked President Buhari for agreeing to take over the Farin Ruwa Dam project from the state government, further commended him for not hesitating to execute meaningful projects that will have impact on the lives of the people.

The governor said: "The President wants to make impact. We want to copy from the President and make impact. We will make that impact with this project.

I equally appreciated my predecessors, who are present at the event, as well as a retired permanent secretary at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Musa Weng, for their contributions towards the actualisation of the project.

"I recall that on assumption of office, I was told that over N5 billion was expended on the project which was abandoned since 2007, with the facilities mostly vandalised and I promised that such amount of money must not be allowed to waste. I specially appreciated the Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, for the various projects and support to the state."

Flagging-off the project, the Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Adamu, said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the take over of the Farin Ruwa Earth Dam project from the Nasarawa State government in 2018. According to the minister, President Buhari not only approved for the takeover of the project, but also additional proposal for expanding the project to include a regional water scheme and construction of irrigation infrastructure of about 2,000 hectres to serve people of the area.

Adamu disclosed: "My ministry awarded contract for the construction of the multipurpose earth dam project in Kwarra, Wamba Local Government Area, to a Chinese firm, Messrs Wiz China Worldwide Engineering Limited, in November 2020, with a completion period of 24 months. I therefore appreciate the Nasarawa State government for constructing the 15 kilometres Sisinbaki/ Kwarra road, which will facilitate the quick execution of the project."

22

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

13.07.2021

Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN

‘NOT EVERY IGBO BELIEVES IN IPOB’S AGITATION’

2/DASHBOARD

13.07.2021

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

13.07.2021

Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN

‘NOT EVERY IGBO BELIEVES IN IPOB’S AGITATION’ QUOTABLES

‘I don't believe that a woman Lawyer is any less a Lawyer, than a male Lawyer. On the contrary, I think they are better than them. They have more patience to deal with problems……”

- Mrs Hairat Aderinsola Balogun OON, former Attorney-General of Lagos State, former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association ‘….Vehemently rejecting the clandestine moves to manipulate and alter the Electoral Act, to remove electronic transmission of results from the law. Such a faulty venture to tamper with a critical component of transparency and credibility in the electoral process, is an unpatriotic and mischievous attempt to subvert our democratic process, institutionalise rigging……’ - Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Abia State, Senate Minority Leader, 9th National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria

When Statement of Claim Will Not Supersede Writ of Summons PAGE 4

Sanwo-Olu, Wabote, Okolo to Speak at 15th NBA-SBL July 14 Conference PAGE 5

Criminalising Payment of Ransom for Kidnap Victims PAGE 6

/3

13.07.2021

APC, PDP: Two Parties, the Same Coin As the country plunges deeper into chaos, Nigerians are watching Politicians and the ruling class actively causing, partaking and fuelling anarchy in Nigeria.

Defections to the APC I was extremely amused when I heard President Buhari's comment that Zamfara Governor, Dr Bello Matawalle, defected to the APC (All Regressives Congress) because of their exemplary performance in governance. With all due respect to the President, we all know that the performance of the APC is far from glowing, and the reason that Dr Matawalle defected is based on nothing else but self-interest - to secure his position as Governor for a second term, having got his first term by virtue of the courts. I just pray that all the curses that he had rained on himself in 2019 should he defect from the PDP (People's Destruction Party), do not affect the people of Zamfara State who already have more than their fair share of troubles, with the insecurity that has pervaded the State!

The truth of the matter is that, APC is PDP and PDP is APC; and Nigeria is desperately in need of a new crop of decent and intelligent people to salvage this country, not this gang of expired charlatans who have run out of ideas (that is, if they even had any in the first place), have absolutely nothing to offer, and think that they can fool Nigerians and reinvent themselves by jumping from one sinking ship to another. Be that as it may, while nothing in the Constitution seems to stand against Governors defecting from one political party to another more than insects perching from one plant to the other, it’s not quite the same for lawmakers.

Last week, I watched a news clip of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, a Lawyer by training, happily congratulating one of his colleagues who defected from the PDP to the APC. Apparently, this member was the seventh defector-lawmaker to cross-carpet over a period of just one week. I emphasise the fact that Femi is a Lawyer, because he knows that by virtue of Sections 68(1) (g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution), a Federal and State lawmaker cannot cross-carpet unless his or her Party is divided/in deep crisis. We all know that the PDP is not divided or in any particular crisis, save for the defection of its members to the APC for their purely selfish and self-serving reasons, believing that they can get juicier deals for themselves from the ruling APC, especially the Governors who are completing their second term.

But, the point is that, when the Chief Lawmaker No. 2 of the country along with his colleagues, whose mandate it is to make laws for the good governance of the country (Section 4 of the Constitution), openly display and express so much pleasure that the Constitution which they are meant to uphold, is being observed in the breach with gusto and aplomb, because the breach is a boost for the political party which they belong to, it shows that indeed, we are in a lawless country. One wonders why Nigerians are expected to be law abiding, when those in power are neither law abiding, nor are they particularly held accountable for breaking the law. Are there two different types of laws in Nigeria? One for the people, and another for the ruling class?

The Constitution certainly does not so provide. On the contrary, Section 24(a) of

the Constitution makes it mandatory for every citizen (including Politicians and lawmakers) to abide by the grundnorm.

Lauretta Onochie’s Repugnant Nomination So, what is the big deal if Lauretta Onochie who once lambasted Nigerians for wanting to know the nature of the President’s sickness when he was away in the UK on medical tourism for an extended period of time (especially because the people felt that they had a right to know since he’s our President, and the country’s funds were probably being expended on his treatment), is nominated to be an INEC National Commissioner? Is this a civilised society that is governed by the rule of law? It is not.

I not only felt embarrassed by her nomination, but ashamed when I watched the news clip of part of her screening by the Senate Committee last Friday. She lied through her teeth that she is no longer a member of the APC, simply because she did not partake in the recent revalidation exercise of APC members! For goodness sake, are we morons? What do these people take Nigerians for? If the Senate confirms her nomination, it will be obvious that truly, as many have claimed, Nigeria does not have a Senate, not in this 9th National Assembly anyway, but a rubber stamp agency of the Presidency. It will also be obvious that the APC is trying to turn INEC into DNEC (Dependent National Electoral Commission) and possibly manipulate the outcome of elections to favour their candidates, by inserting their party members into the electoral body.

Section 156(1)(a) of the Constitution provides that a member of INEC must not be a member of a political party.

Does Ms Onochie think that Nigerians are foolish; that because she claims not to be an up-to-date APC card carrying member, we are deceived into believing that she is not partisan, when we know that she’s more partisan than many other card-carrying members?!

It is true that we do not know the hearts of all the other members of INEC and their biases; but, in the case of those whose affiliations we are fortunate enough to be aware of in good time, such as Ms Onochie, the appropriate action must be taken - she should not be confirmed, especially for such a job like this, which demands indifference - it would be wrong, unethical and absolutely immoral. For one, if she is confirmed, our electoral umpire and process will lose the credibility it has.

Just as Ms Onochie is not the only woman from Delta State that can be considered for this job, this is not the only position available in Government that she can be

APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

nominated for. In any event, Ms Onochie’s tweet of June 24, 2020 confirming that an APC e-NEC meeting would hold the next day, leaves us in no doubt that she’s not just an APC member, but a strong inner caucus one. It is disgraceful that she would therefore, perjure herself at the Senate Committee hearing, and indeed, to Nigerians, by trying to say otherwise, in a desperate bid to secure the INEC job - yet another reason that shows that she is not qualified for that particular position since it requires integrity. By her singular statement that she stopped participating in party politics in 2019, she told a lie.

Does her action already pre-qualify as a misconduct under Section 157 of the Constitution, before even being confirmed for the position of INEC National Commission?!

It was stated in R v Sussex Justices Ex parte McCarthy 1924 1 K.B. 259 per Lord Justice Heart that: “Justice must not only be done, but also seen as done”. I submit that it would be an injustice for Ms Onochie to be confirmed as an INEC National Commissioner, on the ground that there are cogent enough reasons and reasonable evidence to show that there would be a high likelihood that she would be biased in favour of the APC. See the case of Deduwa v Okorodudu & Ors 1976 1 NMLR 237. Also see the Supreme Court case of Rafiu Womiloju & 6 Ors v Fatai Ogisanyin Anibire & 4 Ors SC.211/2002 per Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad JSC. I would even go a step further to submit that Ms Onochie’s loyalty and service to this administration, her previous membership of APC, her membership of APC which she sought to conceal, are more than mere conjecture - they are verified facts which amount to admissible evidence against her nomination. Applying the Reasonable Man’s test, it could certainly be inferred by a reasonable person that, based on her antecedents, there is a real likelihood that Ms Onochie would be biased. The proper thing for her to do is to decline this particular nomination (especially as she knows that many Nigerians, especially civil society organisations are rightfully against it), or the Senate Committee should reject her nomination, or the President withdraws his nomination.

P.S. The alleged plan of the Federal Government to review the Land Use Act 1978, to purportedly remove the sections which prohibit economic development would be condemnable, if it seeks to remove the control of State lands from the purview of the respective Governors to the Federal Government (Section 1 of the Act), or

PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus

“ONE WONDERS WHY NIGERIANS ARE EXPECTED TO BE LAW ABIDING, WHEN THOSE IN POWER ARE NEITHER LAW ABIDING, NOR ARE THEY PARTICULARLY HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR BREAKING THE LAW. ARE THERE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAWS IN NIGERIA? ONE FOR THE PEOPLE, AND ANOTHER FOR THE RULING CLASS?”

insert some kind of veto power that allows the Federal Government to take over any land within a State if it so desires, for whatever purposes. This shows that the Federal Government couldn’t care less about whether such a move is anti-Federalism and rather entrenches Unitarianism, the latter concept being partly responsible for the failure of the Nigerian State, seeing as it is clearly not suited to the heterogeneous nation that we are. Some suspect that this initiative is a ploy to give out State land to the Herders for grazing purposes, at all cost. Hopefully, it will remain in the realm of an unsubstantiated allegation and suspicion, because if it’s true, this is the kind of decision that will undoubtedly give impetus to even more unrest and tribal discord in our nation. We certainly do not want that.

4/LAW REPORT

When Statement of Claim Will Not Supersede Writ of Summons Facts The Respondents commenced Suit No. HCT/72/1995 against the Appellants by a Writ of Summons filed at the High Court of Ogun State, seeking inter alia, a declaration that the 1st to 5th Appellant are not members of or related to Adoku-Ogbo Family of Ewupe, Otta, Ogun State. The Statement of Claim was amended three times, and the final Amended Statement of Claim was filed on 25/4/2002. The 1st to 5th Appellant filed their Statement of Defence. At the conclusion of the trial, the court granted two reliefs in favour of the Respondents and dismissed the other reliefs sought by them.

Dissatisfied with the judgement of the trial court, the Appellants appealed to the Court of Appeal, which court allowed the appeal. The appellate court affirmed the judgement of the trial court, in respect of the two reliefs which the trial court granted in part. Dissatisfied with the judgement of the Court of Appeal, the Appellants appealed to the Supreme Court.

Issue for Determination The following sole issue was determined by the Apex Court, in respect of the appeal: Whether the lower court had jurisdiction to sit on an appeal emanating from the judgement delivered by the trial court, being a matter that originated from a Writ of Summons signed by the law office of Chief Toyer Coker & Co. Arguments Counsel for the Appellant submitted that the issue of jurisdiction can be raised in any proceedings, even at the Supreme Court, for the first time. He added that once the issue of jurisdiction is raised, it must be resolved before any further step is taken in the appeal. Relying on the decision in RAJI & ORS v IPAYE (2003) 7 SCN 55 at 63, he urged the court to hold that failure to raise the issue either at the trial court or the Court of Appeal, will not deprive the Appellants of the right to be heard on the issue of jurisdiction. Further, counsel relied on the case of MADUKOLU v NKEMDILIM (1962) 1 All NCR 587, in support of his position on when a court can assume jurisdiction in a matter. He referred to pages 1 to 23 of the summons and the ex parte motion, seeking approval of the trial court for the Respondents to institute and prosecute the suit in a representative capacity. Counsel emphasised that the said processes were signed by the law firm of Chief Toye Coker & Co., which is not qualified under Section 2(1) of the Legal Practitioner’s Act to sign legal processes. He reproduced Section 2(1) of the Act and relied on the decision in OKAFOR v NWEKE (2007) All FWLR (Pt. 368) 1016 at 1025 – 1027, in urging the court to dismiss the suit.

Responding to the submissions above, counsel for the Respondents conceded that a threshold issue can be raised even on appeal to the Supreme Court, and that the court has laid down condition for the competence of a matter before it.

The conditions include the case coming before the court by due process of law, and upon fulfilment of any condition precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction. He relied on MADUKOLU v NKEMDILIM (supra) and SKEN CONSULT NIG. LTD v UKEY (1981) 1 SC 6 at 36. Counsel also agreed with the doctrine of stare decisis and the case of OKAFOR v NWEKE (supra), which was followed in SLB CONSORTIUM LTD v NNPC (2011) 4 SCNJ 211. However, he submitted that a judgement is an authority for what it decides - EMEKA v OKADIGBO & 4 ORS (2012) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1331) 55 at 95- 97. The two cases of OKAFOR v NWEKE (supra) and SLB CONSORTIUM LIMITED v NNPC (supra) in which the Originating Summons and Amended Statement of Claim were signed by the law firm of Adewale Adesokan & Co., the objections were predicated on a breach of the rules of court. He distinguished these cases by stating that in the instant case, the ground of objection is not predicated on any rules of court.

Counsel argued further that the Statement of Claim is part of the originating process and when it is filed, it supersedes the Writ of Summons and the content therein determine the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit. He argued that the Statement of Claim, which according to him, is part of the initiating process, was signed by a legal practitioner. He urged the court to distinguish the facts of this case from the fact of OKAFOR v NWEKE, and arrive at a different conclusion from the referenced suit.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the sole issue, the Supreme Court held that the original Writ of Summons tagged “General Writ of Summons,” was issued by the law firm of Chief Toye Coker & Co. The Writ contained an untrue statement to the effect that Chief Toye Coker & Co. of 6, Ojugbele Street, Off Metun Road, Otta, Ogun State is a legal practitioner for the Plaintiffs. Chief Toye Coker & Co. is not a single Legal Practitioner as described in the Writ; rather, it indicates a firm of legal practitioners.

Citing Section 2(1) of the Legal Practitioner’s Act, the Apex Court held that “a person” as used in Section 2(1) of the Act means a natural (not a juristic) person who must have satisfied the condition precedent to call and must have been called to the Bar in Nigeria; or admitted under special circumstances to engage in law practice in Nigeria. The person referred to in the sub-section must have been duly called to the Bar, and must have been enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Toye

Honourable Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 22nd day of January, 2021 Before Their Lordships

Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta John Inyang Okoro Chima Centus Nweze Ejembi Eko Uwani Musa Abba Aji Justices, Supreme Court SC.254/201 Between 1. ADEKUNLE AJIBODE… … … … … … .. Appellants 2. KARIMU AJIBODE 3. CHIEF RAIMI AJIBODE 4. CHIEF M. A AJIBODE 5. JOHN AYINDE

And 1.

2.

3.

4.

DAUDA GBADAMOSI… … … … … … … …

Respondents PRINCE SADIRU OBALANLEGBE YISA AKINBOYEDE MURAINA ABATAN (For themselves and on behalf of Aidokun-Ogbo Family of Ewupe)

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, JSC)

“….IF THE WRIT OF SUMMONS IS FILED, AS IN THIS CASE, IN VIOLATION OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONER’S ACT AND IPSO FACTO NULL AND VOID, THE TIME HALLOWED PRINCIPLE THAT THE STATEMENT OF CLAIM SUPERSEDING THE WRIT OF SUMMONS WILL NOT APPLY”

Coker & Co is not a person contemplated in Section 2(1) of the Act.” Regarding the submission of counsel for the Respondents that the decision in OKAFOR v NWEKE (supra) and similar cases were decisions on objections relating to breaches of rules of court, the Supreme Court held that violation of an Act of the National Assembly is a much more serious matter than a violation of the rules of court. A party cannot waive the breach of a law made by the National Assembly, and it is never late in any proceedings to raise the issue of jurisdiction.

On the submission that the Statement of Claim, when filed, supersedes the Writ of Summons, is not absolute in its applications. It applies to the contents of the Writ of Summons and if a new claim is contained in the Statement of Claim, the new claim cannot be superseded for it is not part of the claim in the Writ, and the Statement of Claim cannot supersede this part. More so, if the Writ of Summons is filed, as in this case, in violation of the Legal Practitioner’s Act and Ipso Facto null and void, the time hallowed principle that the Statement of Claim superseding the Writ of Summons will not apply. What purports to be a Writ of Summons in this case became a nullity upon being filed; it could not ignite the jurisdiction of the court and a purported process filed pursuant to it does not fare better than the Writ.

Their Lordships held further that if the trial court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, it follows that the court below had no jurisdiction to hear the appeal arising therefrom. Jurisdiction of a court is donated to it by either the Constitution or by a statute - MISS OLUCHI J. ANYANWAKO v CHIEF MRS. CHRISTY O.N. OKOYE & 4 ORS. (2010) 1 SC (Pt. II) 30. The jurisdiction of the court remains dormant, until the claim before the court ignites it. If the claim has not been brought before the court by due process, the claim cannot invoke the court's jurisdiction, and the court labours in vain in entertaining the suit. This is the case here. The trial court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, and the court below didn’t have the competence to determine the appeal arising from proceedings which are void.

Consequent upon the foregoing, the Supreme Court ordered that the proceedings at the trial court, as those in the Court of Appeal be, and were declared null and void.

(Dissenting opinion of Honourable Ejembi Eko, JSC) Dissenting on the sole issue, Honourable Ejembi Eko, JSC stated that the issue is a Preliminary Objection to the competence of the suit of the Respondents at the trial court and same, was not raised either at the trial court or the lower court.

Therefore, the counsel who settled the Notice of Appeal was clearly misleading the court in the Notice of Appeal, when he asserted that the Defendant/Appellants, was dissatisfied with the decision in the judgement of the Court of Appeal, and hereby appeal as of right to the Supreme Court. This is a suggestion that the Preliminary Objection was an issue before the lower court, which court decided the issue in its judgement.

His Lordship opined that it was too late in the day for the Appellants herein to be heard complaining about any defect in the Writ of Summons to which they unconditionally entered appearance, filed pleadings, and called evidence; and in respect of which the trial court gave them judgement. His Lordship stated further that the Supreme Court does not entertain appeals from the High Court, and that the provisions of Order 2 Rules 9(1) and 29(1) of the Supreme Court Rules do not avail the Appellants, as the provision relates to setting aside a process for non-compliance with the Supreme Court Rules.

This cannot be invoked to set aside or strike out any process filed at the trial court, as the Supreme Court cannot usurp the functions of the High Court. Also, the issue canvassed is a fresh point of law on procedural jurisdiction of the trial court, which can only be raised on appeal to the Supreme Court with leave of court. Further, the Writ of Summons was issued by the Principal Registrar of the High Court in accordance with the Rules of court, and in line with the claims of the Plaintiff as endorsed in the Writ. The Rules of court does not authorise the Plaintiffs or their counsel to issue Writ of Summons; hence, there is presumption of regularity in line with the provisions of the Evidence Act. More so, by the provisions of the extant rules of the High Court of Ogun State, the court is empowered to “amend any matter in any endorsement or pleading” at any stage, and this may not necessarily involve the striking out of the entire pleadings.

His Lordship related the instant case to the decided case of HERITAGE BANK LTD v BENTWORTH FINANCE (NIG.) LTD. (2018} 9 NWLR (Pt. 1625) 420 (SC) and struck out the appeal with costs.

Appeal Allowed on a ratio of 4:1.

Representation Mr. S.A. Sanni for the Appellant.

Mr. J.T Shotirane with J.T Komolafe for the Respondent.

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

NEWS/5

13.07.2021

Sanwo-Olu, Wabote, Okolo to Speak at 15th NBA-SBL July 14 Conference Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will deliver the opening address at the 15th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) on July 14.

Also, Dr. Wendy Okolo, Intelligence Research Engineer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will give the Keynote Speech, while Engr.

Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), will deliver the goodwill message.

This year’s Conference, themed “Retooling Business for Change: Leveraging the Tech

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Explosion”, will explore how businesses can leverage technology to drive

transformation.

According to the Organisers, this year’s

Conference boasts of an array of carefully selected Speakers and Panelists sourced from the ICT sector, Government, corporate bodies, law firms and law societies.

They include Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Gabriel Okeowo, Principal Lead/CEO, BudgIT Nigeria, Justice Kashim Zannah, Chief Judge of Borno State, Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary/CEO, NIPC, Mitchell Elegbe, MD/CEO of Interswitch, Olugbenga Agboola, Co-Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, and Asue Ighodalo, Founding Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo, among others.

The Panelists will discuss

Akeredolu, Falana, Adegboruwa, Others to Speak During NBA Ikeja Law Week Steve Aya The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Olurotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, Mr. JK Gadzama, SAN and Mr Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, are among the Lawyers expected to speak at this year’s National Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch Law Week.

Addressing newsmen at the Bar Centre, Ikeja on Friday, Dada Awosika, SAN, Chairman Planning Committee, said the annual law week is one of the cherished traditions of the Bar. He explained that the week could not hold last year, because of the restrictions occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The theme of the weeklong event according to him is, “The Nigeria of our Dreams”.

He said, the country, recently is faced with never-seen situations such as kidnapping, daylight robbery, among other security challenges.

“We still have some people clamouring for self-determination, and some others clamouring for restructuring. We will gather to discuss the Nigeria of our dreams.”

The weeklong activities, which started with a Jumat Service last Friday, was followed by a Church service on Sunday, and a cocktail party later on Sunday evening. On Monday, there was a knowledge sharing session at the Marriot Hotel, Ikeja, both in the morning and afternoon, with the topic: ‘The Nigerian State and the Call for Restructuring”.

Speakers included Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and Dele Adesina, SAN among others.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Olurotimi Akeredolu, SAN

The afternoon session with the topic ‘Governance as a Call to Service’ had Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, Adesina Adegbite and David EdevELH IRUPHU &KLHI RI 6WDͿ to Governor of Delta State.

Today, pknowledge sharing will also be held at the Bar Centre, both morning and afternoon with the topic:‘Post-#EndSARS Protest: Is the Nigeria Police Still Our Friend?’ To be handled by Afam Osigwe, SANOlumide Fusika, SAN, Jonathan Taidi, Major General Fejokwu, DCP Yetunde Longe, Marvel Akpoyibo (DIG Rtd) and Osai Ojigbo of Amnesty International.

The afternoon session topic according to him will be ‘Success in Legal Practice: Who Moved My Cheese?’

On Wednesday, the morning and the afternoon session will be held at the Bar Centre with the topic: ‘The Judiciary and the Bar: The Need to Constantly Work Together’, will have Speakers such as CJ Lagos, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, Hon. Justice Otisi JCA, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, Lawal Pedro, SAN, Moyo Onigbanjo, SAN and Hon.

Femi Falana, SAN

Justice Ikechi Nweneka.

The afternoon session will have Speakers like Ngozi Giwa-Amu, Company Secretary, 7up Bottling

Company, and others Outside will speak on the topic: ‘Legal Practice Outside the Courtroom: The Experience’.

a wide array of topics such as “Tech Innovation and E- Governance”, “The Future of Digital Financial Services & Financial Inclusion”, “Outliers – From Law to There”, “Internet and Broadband Connectivity – Good or Bad?”, and “We All Have a Story” at five plenary sessions on Day 1 of the Conference.

There will also be a Question and Answer session

NBA Lagos Branch Begins 2021 Annual Law Week on July 23rd All is set for the 2021 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch law week which will be hold in grand style, from the 23rd to 29th of July, 2021 at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Themed: ‘Disruption, Innovation and the Bar’, the event will feature prominent personalities in the legal space and other sectors of the economy, who will be speaking on various topics.

This will set the tone for the Conference, as a faculty of distinguished Speakers will give overviews of how technology, innovation and trade liberalisation are disrupting the practice of law across the globe, and what it means for the Nigerian legal practitioner.

Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN is also expected to be a guest at this event.

Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, Hon. Attorney-General, Lagos State and Mrs Efe Etomi, will formally open the two-day Conference of the NBA Lagos Branch Law Week 2021 with a welcome note.

NBA Ikorodu Promotes Effective Administration of Justice At Law Week Peter Taiwo The Ikorodu Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) during its law week titled: "Prompt, Efficient and Effective Administration of Justice at All Times", lectured by Hon. Justice (Dr.) Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi (Rtd) and guest speakers Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Law at the University of Lagos, held at Ikorodu Town Hall main auditorium.

The speakers discussed the failures of the justice system in place to deliver prompt administration of justice, which only encourages impunity that translate to lack of confidence in the justice system resulting in self-help. "It is unfortunate that the standard is not efficient in Nigeria".

Speaking on the problem of personalities in administering an adequate and effective justice

system, it was agreed that there is need to tackle the deficit in quality and quantity, which they were of the opinion that increasing salaries would not solve the problem, "If we are to be true to ourselves, attitudinal culture cannot be ignored. It is possible, if we improve salaries, same won’t encourage efficiency.

Everything is not about welfare.

The Average Nigerian does not know how to measure time, this has found its way into the courts and justice system.

“The number of persons that need the justice we deliver is increasing by the day, but we have failed to meet up with the pace and adjust.”

In light of this criticism, recommendations were made to tackle these problems with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to dispense with unnecessary human involvement, to speed up

with Oyeyemi Aderibigbe, while Dr. Adeoye Adefulu, Vice Chair, NBA-SBL, will give the closing remarks.

Remarks by the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Adeleke Alex-Adedipe, Chairman, NBA-SBL, Ayuli Jemide, as well as Olumide Akpata, President of the NBA, are expected to precede the panel sessions.

the system. Also, reform of the Civil Procedure Rules to ensure we remove the clogs to justice, was also mentioned "We need to evolve standards.

We are really losing respect, because we abuse the wheels of justice. Before we start to risk being targeted outside by the public, we really need to evolve ourselves positively.

"The AI technology does a lot of things, that might dispense with human involvement.

The Speakers also argued that “we take charge of our process and take hold of the responsibility to deliver prompt, efficient and effective administration of justice”.

That the discipline in the profession should not be taken with levity, when Lawyers give wrong advice or commit perjury, it makes blatant lies, destroying the profession.

There would be eight plenary sessions, with experts from various sectors of the economy.

The First plenary session will focus on the topic: ‘National Security and our Fundamental Rights’. This Panel will discuss the recent encroachments by the Government on fundamental rights, on the grounds of national security. Speakers who will speak on this topic, include Mr Femi Falana, SAN, Partner; Prof. Akin Oyebode and Prof. Chidi Odinkalu. The moderator for this panel is Mr. Charles ‘Deji Adeogun-Phillips – Former UN Genocide and War Crimes Prosecutor.

The Second plenary session will focus on ‘Built to Last: Creating World Class Law Firms in Nigeria’. Discussants will share their experiences of building law practices designed to stand the test of time. They will touch on their challenges, the future of law practice, and succession planning. The third plenary session is on the topic: ‘Bringing Justice Delivery in Nigeria into the 21st Century’.

The Panelists will discuss the current state of justice delivery in Nigeria, causes of delays in justice delivery, the extent to which judicial officers should be involved in court administration and the ways in which technology can be deployed to birth a justice delivery system that is fit for purpose.

The Moderator will be Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, JSC. Other Panelists include Mr Babajide Ogundipe, Justice A.O. Faji, Justice Lateefat Okunnu, Professor Fidelis Oditah QC, SAN and Gbolahan Adeniran (HAG Ogun State).

The 4th plenary session will focus on the topic, ‘The Changing Landscape of Arbitrator Disclosure Obligations’. The Panelists will discuss recent cases and developments relating to the obligation of Arbitrators to disclose possible conflicts of interest. For the 5th plenary session , the topic is 'Financial Autonomy of the Judiciary: Key to Judicial Independence or Ruse?'

This panel will focus on the recent clamour for financial autonomy for the Judiciary, and examine whether it will deliver the much-desired judicial independence.

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13.07.2021

Criminalising Payment of Ransom for Kidnap Victims A Myopic Strategy in the Fight Against Terrorism and Kidnapping in Nigeria This article by Akintayo Balogun highlights the foolhardiness of the proposed Bill considered by the Senate, to criminalise the payment (and receipt) of ransom payments, in light of the Government’s obvious failure to secure the lives and property of the people This article by Akintayo Balogun highlights the foolhardiness of the proposed Bill considered by the Senate, to criminalise the payment (and receipt) of ransoms payments, in light of the Government’s obvious failure to secure the lives and property of the people The news filtered in on Wednesday, 19th May, 2021, that the Senate considered a Bill that seeks to prohibit the payment and receipt of ransom for the release of any person kidnapped, imprisoned or wrongfully confined. According to the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Bill 2021, anyone who pays ransom to kidnappers, and the kidnappers who receive ransom, risk a 15 year jail term. According to the Senator sponsoring the Bill, he stated that essentially, the Bill seeks to substitute Section 14 of the Principal Act to read: “Anyone who transfers funds, makes payment or colludes with an abductor, kidnapper or terrorist to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped is guilty of a felony, and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years”.

To say the least, the reading of this Bill sent a lot of shivers down my spine. It is not just correct.

Deal With the Real Problem, Not Offshoots The Bill does not in any way, address the security challenges of kidnapping in Nigeria. The socalled proposed amendment, is failing to deal with the real issue perturbing Nigeria. Paying ransom to kidnappers is not the problem, no one will go about paying ransom to kidnapers for no just cause. Anyone doing so has been pushed to the wall, and he or she does it with so much pain and frustration. Many people who paid ransoms, are yet to recover from the debts they were plunged into. Do you think it is convenient in the first place, to give out hard earned money to some undeserving faceless individuals? No one wants to do that. The Senate is getting it all wrong, if this Bill scales through. The Senate should make laws that deals with the real problem of Nigeria, and not the offshoots of the problem. If the problem is dealt with, the offshoots will not find a feeding place and will naturally die with its principal.

The honest truth is, as long as abduction of citizens continues in Nigeria, especially with this unfortunate trend where there is massive security inefficiency, payment of ransom will continue, because that is the only viable means of getting victims released from the den of the kidnappers.

What we would have expected the Senate to do, is to take steps to fortify the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, or to recommend the creation of a special department that can command and conduct a successful mission/ operation to the den of kidnappers and get victims out alive and safe. They should also ensure the arrest of such abductors, and make sure that they face the wrath of the law. If this mission is successfully pursued, no one will be thinking of paying ransom. No one wants to pay ransom, Nigerians have only been pushed to the edge, and have taken the matter into their hands to save their loved ones.

Unfortunately again, 99% of Nigerians are unarmed, not to talk of defending themselves against kidnappers (Let us not even talk about the process of licensing a gun in Nigeria). How then do you deal with the situation? I am fairly convinced that the sponsor of this unfortunate Bill, has probably never had a close family or friend who was kidnapped or who died in the den of kidnappers. If he had, his school of thought on this issue would have been massively different.

Three Scenarios that Played Out in Nigeria Scenario No. 1 In the first scenario, a family friend was kidnapped along Lokoja-Okene Road. He was in

Government is not doing anything, the families of the victim cannot do anything. The victim remains in the den of the kidnappers or are shot dead. Is this the way to go?

Kidnap Victims the car with his wife and other members of the family, but the kidnappers took only him, being the owner of the car, and they also took some other persons in other vehicles they had stopped alongside. Immediately the kidnappers left the scene with their victims, his wife rushed to Okene to report the unfortunate incident at the nearest Police Unit she could find. The response of the Police Officer she met, was a shocker. The Officer simply told her that she should just wait, the kidnappers will soon contact her and that was all the assistance she got from the Police. True to it, few hours later, she was contacted by the kidnappers and they demanded for a ransom. He spent about 10 days in the

“NOW, IF THIS BILL IS PASSED INTO LAW, WHAT SHALL BE THE FATE OF KIDNAPPED VICTIMS WHEN GOVERNMENT NEVER COMES TO THEIR RESCUE? WHAT SHALL BE THE FATE OF A KIDNAPPED VICTIM, WHEN THE FAMILY IS BANNED FROM RAISING FUNDS TO GET THE VICTIM OUT OF THE DEVIL’S DEN? IS THAT NOT DISGRACEFUL AND SHAMEFUL?”

custody of the kidnappers before the family was able to raise the ransom, and thereafter, released. This scenario is the most common kidnap situation in Nigeria. What did the Police do? Absolutely nothing. Now, in the midst of this, should the wife of the kidnapped victim be penalised for paying ransom to save her husband, when the law enforcement agencies responsible for the safety of lives and property only folded their hands doing nothing? Now, if this Bill is passed into law, what shall be the fate of kidnapped victims when Government never comes to their rescue? What shall be the fate of a kidnapped victim, when the family is banned from raising funds to get the victim out of the devil’s den? Is that not disgraceful and shameful?

Scenario No. 2 A second scenario that comes to mind, is the case of the GreenField University Students. The kidnappers took several students, and requested for huge sums as ransom. When the family of the victims did not respond adequately to the demands of the kidnappers, they killed three of the victims (may God rest their souls). The kidnappers had promised to continue killing the victims, as long as the parents failed to yield to their demands. While the families of the remaining victims ran around to raise funds, again the dare devil kidnappers killed another two of their victims (may God rest their souls).

A few parents were able to raise funds to have their own children released, while majority of the kidnapped victims were in custody for a longer period of time. In the event that the families of the victims were unable to raise the required funds, what would Government have done about it? Was there even any attempted raid on the enclave of the kidnappers? Should the families of the victims have sat down and watched the evil men of the underworld sniff life out of their children, because a docile, unconcerned Government is in power? God forbid. Should the families of these victims be penalised for paying the ransom, while Government didn’t do much? We must also bear in mind that the Government of Kaduna State (where this kidnap took place), has come out to say that it will not pay ransom for these or any other kidnap victims, and it stood it grounds firmly on that position, while no raid was conducted

by Government. What then, is the fate of the numerous Nigerians in kidnappers’ dens all over the country, if this bill is passed into law? Should Nigerians be punished for saving their loved ones, where Government has failed woefully to protect its citizens? Is Government aware that kidnappers are impatient? Once they are not getting any response from the families or friends of their victims, they mostly shoot them dead. Should Nigerians rather lose their loved ones, because there is an appalling law that says they shouldn’t pay ransom to kidnappers? The

Scenario No. 3 The third scenario, is the kidnap and successful rescue of an American national. On Monday 26th October, 2020, one Philip Walton, an American national, was abducted from the village of Massalata in Niger republic, where he had been living with his wife and child for about two years. His abductors brought him into Nigeria, of course, through our porous borders. However, in a swift, professional and stealthy reaction to the abduction, the US Special Forces conducted a raid in Nigeria on Saturday, 31st October, 2020, exactly five days after his kidnap, and rescued Philip Walton from his abductors without any hurt to the victim and without the payment of any ransom.

Upon the completion of the rescue mission by the American Special Force, in a statement by the Assistant of State for Public Affairs, he stated “No American service personnel was harmed in the operation to rescue Mr. Walton from the armed men”. What a feat! This could only be achieved in a system where the security system is one of the best, if not the best in the world. The relations of the victim never needed to negotiate with his abductors; the Government simply moved into action, located the enemies, subdued them, and saved their national.

This last scenario, is what the Nigerian Senate should base their attention on. This is all we need. If this can be put in place, nobody would be talking about payment of ransom to kidnappers.

Recommendations to the Senate of Nigeria 1. Bury that Bill. It is not what Nigerians need at the moment. The Senate should be more interested in strengthening the security apparatus in Nigeria, or at most, allowing civilians to arm themselves so they can defend themselves against kidnappers.

2. Our Senators should value the lives of Nigerians more.

3. The process of licensing Nigerians on the use of personal weapons to defend themselves, should be decisively and sturdily looked into.

4. Nigeria should focus on penetrating and hijacking the entire networks of kidnappers and terrorism in Nigeria. So that, once a call is put across to a victim’s family or a location is discovered, the security agencies swoops in and makes a compacted arrest of the situation.

5.

Our Senators should strengthen our security personnel, and make them professionals in their field. Make them the pride of the country. America proudly announced, that their personnel performed well.

6. The Senator that sponsored this Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Bill, 2021, may have done it with a good and sincere purpose, to curb the spate of terrorism in Nigeria and to stop financially empowering kidnappers, but the strategy is naïve and myopic, which now makes the entire Bill cowardice. It is strongly advised that this Bill is abandoned, with the speed of sound. Let the Senate concentrate on rejuvenating, equipping and reengineering the security architecture of Nigeria, so it can meet up with international best standards, and our officers can rescue victims even before contact is established with the families or friends of the victim. Until this is done, this Bill is rather ill-fated.

It is a slur, and same should be discountenanced and thrown away into the bottomless pit, never to be heard of again.

May all victims of kidnap find their freedom in shortest time, May life enter again into our security system, And May the good light shine in the dark places of Nigeria, Amen.

Akintayo Balogun, LL.M, Legal Practitioner, Abuja, FCT

13.07.2021

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Law Reform in Nigeria is Now An Imperative Background Barely a fortnight ago, three of Nigeria’s leading and most eminent Senior Advocates surviving from what now appears to be the golden age of legal practice here in Nigeria, had cause to write the Chief Justice of the Federation and Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, expressing concern over the way and manner Lawyers were being elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in recent years. Writing under the auspices of the Body of Senior Advocates (BOSAN), Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN (foremost constitutional Lawyer and Nigeria’s leading Senior Advocate) , Professor AB Kasunmu, SAN (Nigeria’s most senior courtroom advocate) and Chief Folake Solanke, SAN (Nigeria’s foremost female Senior Advocate), asked the LPPC to consider suspending elevation to the rank of SAN for three years. The letter which was also signed by Seyi Sowemimo, SAN, BOSAN’s long standing Secretary, pointed out that the number of SAN’s appointed in the year 2020 in particular (totalling 72 in number) were far too many, and that this was contrary to the practice and standards established over the years.

To be candid, it is all very well for those who have already been conferred with the rank to want to protect their prestigious, exalted and celebrated status out of self interest, but the problems facing the legal profession today, runs far deeper than just the annual application process to become a SAN. Over the years, there has been an almost complete disregard and neglect for law and justice sector reform, and BOSAN has to accept its own fair share of responsibility for this impasse.

When I was called to the Bar about 40 years ago, there were only about 6 or 7 Universities that had Law Faculties in the entire country. This enabled the Council of Legal Education to monitor and gauge the standards of the various Faculties of Law, across the country. No more than about 500 were called to the Bar in any given year, and there wasn’t a need to have more than one Law School for the entire country. Today, our various Law Faculties across the country churn out close to, if not in excess of 5,000 graduate Lawyers annually. Many of these Lawyers will be qualified to apply and become SANs in about 10 years time, if they meet the criteria. Considering the number of legal practitioners Nigeria now produces annually, what justification is there for denying applicants the title, if they satisfy the necessary criteria? Some applicants have even had to apply as many as ten times, before eventually being conferred with the rank.

Determination of Leading Advocates Every country needs to be able to determine, and know its leading advocates. That’s a given in my view, but the real question is, what is the basis for determining this criteria? For years now, advocacy has been placed on the back burner in place of written briefs/addresses, and this is a real tragedy. Instead of us finding a way to relieve our Judges of the burden of having to hand-write court proceedings, we have instead adopted the written briefs/ address in place of advocacy. Many of these written briefs/ addresses are written by Lawyers unknown to the courts, but adopted by a Lawyer desirous of becoming a SAN, without the court in most instances scrutinising, assessing or asking questions about the written brief/address. Should this be the accepted criteria and procedure, to determine our best advocates? What benefit does this practice bring to advocacy in the long term? It simply makes it easier for Lawyers to circumvent the system, and apply to become SANs. Secondly, the rank of SAN has developed into a cartel.

It’s become a means to make vast and huge sums of money.

As a consequence, almost every Lawyer is pursuing the rank not out of ability, talent, capability or capacity to develop the law, but as an avenue to amass a fortune.

This has placed overbearing pressure on the application process for SAN, but on the flip side of the coin is, can we really blame the applicants? As far as they are concerned, once you qualify, you are qualified. Why should anyone be denied elevation, if they meet the necessary criteria? The focus now needs to be on improving our administration of justice system, and possibly creating another cadre of

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad

elevation for the legal practitioner which would not only aid the administration of justice system, but also make it easier for our courts to scrutinise and determine our best advocates.

Various Cadre of Elevation In the UK which was cited as an example by the eminent SANs in their letter, various cadres of elevation in the

“TO BE CANDID, IT IS ALL VERY WELL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONFERRED WITH THE RANK TO WANT TO PROTECT THEIR PRESTIGIOUS, EXALTED AND CELEBRATED STATUS OUT OF SELF INTEREST, BUT THE PROBLEMS FACING THE LEGAL PROFESSION TODAY, RUNS FAR DEEPER THAN JUST THE ANNUAL APPLICATION PROCESS TO BECOME A SAN”

profession exists other than the QC (Queens Counsel) equivalent of our SAN. Many of these other cadres of elevation such as the Recorder and Master but to mention a few, contribute to the smooth effective and efficient running of the administration of justice system. Ideally, another rank needs to be created that will not only relieve pressure on the application process to become SAN, but also aid the administration of justice system.

In my opinion, the purple robed Circuit Judge would ease such pressure. Lawyers of at least ten years standing who are prepared to devote three months of the legal year to sit as a circuit Judge on interlocutory matters, would be extremely valuable. What are the immediate benefits, this new rank could bring to our legal system? It would aid the substantive Judge in the smooth administration of justice, in that they would now be able to focus on trials which are the bedrock of justice delivery in any society.

That’s good for justice administration. The Judges from trials, would get to know our best Lawyers. Corruption will equally become less, because the substantive Judge is no longer handling interlocutory matters and the circuit Judge is not known - this is because, ideally, a circuit Judge will operate in a State outside where he or she has their main practice. It would be wonderful if Nigerian case law could be cited in other Commonwealth jurisdiction once again but our Courts need to deliver judgments on substantive issues of law and not technicalities, many of which emanate from our Constitution. Judges need to be known for handing down good, well researched and written judgements. There is too much emphasis these days on the SAN. How many of us remember Sapara Williams or Akitoye Ajasa? Lawyers are usually the flavour of a particular generation, but a good well researched and written judgement will withstand the test of time, and be talked about for years to come.

The Road to Law Reform Once again, it all centres on law reform. It is a shame that we haven’t kept abreast with significant reforms to the English Common Law, and as a consequence, a lot of it is no longer relevant in these climes. Another significant reform in my view, would be to take out a lot of the judicature provisions in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and place them into an Administration of Justice Act, thereby allowing the judicial and legal authorities to reform and amend legislation when it’s prudent to do so, without the need for a constitutional amendment.

It would also enable us to shadow and keep an eye on significant developments of the English Common Law, and other Commonwealth jurisdictions. One thing is absolutely clear; we have the knowledge and personnel to implement the sort of reforms suggested. It is the desire and determination, that is questionable.

We have SANs who double up as QCs such as Professor Fidelis Oditah QC, SAN and Oba Nsugbe QC, SAN, their experience practicing abroad could be invaluable in aiding law reform. The Chairman of the Council for Legal Education, Emeka Ngige, SAN and Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN, a former Director General of of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Abuja are both very amenable. Some other leading Lawyers spearheaded by Yemi Candide- Johnson, SAN, have equally set up the Justice Reform Project. We also have many accomplished academics at home and abroad too many to mention. If we engage and consult the numerous talented professionals in both the legal and judicial sectors, and find a means of coordinating their ideas within a short period of time, we will be able to come up with a satisfactory blue print for legal and justice sector reform to move us forward.

Finally, it is worth pointing out that many at the Bar would feel a lot more appreciative of our senior and leading advocates, if they could find time to devote more effort to significant law reform so as to improve the daily practice of law, and aid the smooth and efficient running of our administration of justice system. They owe this to their junior colleagues at the Bar and to future generation of Lawyers, in the hope that, in the long run, they will be able to do better for themselves in the general practice of law than the golden generation of the legal profession were ever able to do for them.

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‘Not Every Igbo Believes Hitting the age of 60 in a country where the life expectancy is 54.33 years, is a privilege that may not easily be available to many. The Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN turned 60 on Sunday, July 11, 2021, and in a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, he defended his unflinching faith in the Nigerian nation, and why he doesn’t believe in IPOB’s agitation for self-determination, but rather a country based on equitable distribution of resources, appointments and projects. He also makes a case for Devolution of Powers and State Police

C

ongratulations on your 60th birthday, Learned Silk. We wish you many more happy, useful, and prosperous years. As you have just turned 60, do you still have faith in the Nigeri-an nation, given the present insecurity, eco-nomic and ethnic challenges?

Thank you so much, for your best wishes and prayers. I must also use this opportunity, to thank you for the giant strides your team in This Day Lawyer has been recording over the years. You have done a lot in improving legal education and awareness among legal practi-tioners, judicial officers and law students.

Your law pages every Tuesday are a ‘must-read’ for many of us in legal practice. Any Tuesday with-out your law page. is not complete for me.

Please, keep it up.

Specifically as to your question on whether I still have faith in this country given the insecurity, economic and ethnic challenges facing us, my answer is a straight 'Yes.' My faith and belief in the oneness of this country, has never been shaken for a second. All the challenges you mentioned, constitute a passing phase in our journey to nationhood. Insecurity is a global challenge. There is hardly any part of the world, that does not have its own share of security challenges.

Even in America - the ho-mestead of democracy - we read reports of violent shootings every now and then. The epidemic of gun violence in that country, has not made Americans question the oneness of their nation. The menace has even become accepted as a way of life, leaving the hapless citizens to the mercy of God. You just pray not to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. In the West African sub-region, the insecurity challenges we face are not restricted to Nigeria; they are also prevalent in Ghana, Niger, Bur-kina Faso, Chad, Sierra Leone and some parts of Cameroun. Just Google 'insecurity in Africa', and you will discover that the challenge is not restricted to Nigeria. The other day, there were public demonstrations against rising insecurity in Ghana.

Same also took place in Burkina Faso.

So, there is no basis for anyone to question the oneness of the nation simply because we have security challenges.

Similarly, the economic challenge

Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN

“YOU HAVE DONE A LOT IN IMPROVING LEGAL EDUCATION AND AWARENESS AMONG LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND LAW STUDENTS. YOUR LAW PAGES EVERY TUESDAY, ARE A ‘MUSTREAD’ FOR MANY OF US IN LEGAL PRACTICE. ANY TUESDAY WITHOUT YOUR LAW PAGE, IS NOT COMPLETE FOR ME”

we face is al-so global. No country in the world - in the af-termath of the coronavirus pandemic - is free from economic crisis. It is also a passing phase.

On ethnicity and its challenges, it has been with us since independence, but we shall surely overcome it. The young generation of Nigerians we are breeding today, are more urbane and cosmopolitan than our own generation. With inter-tribal marriages that have risen signifi-cantly in the country, the challenge of ethnicity will pale into insignificance with time.

As a leader of thought in Igboland, what are your thoughts on the recent re-arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of the proscribed IPOB, and its implications for the self-determination strug-gle of the Igbos vis-à-vis the larger Nigerian polity?

Because everything concerning the arrest, re-arrest and re-arraignment of Nnamdi Kanu is now before a court of law, I believe it is more honourable for me to refrain from commenting on it. The only thing I wish to state is that, in line with the provisions of our Constitution, he’s presumed innocent and is entitled to fair trial. I will urge the prosecuting authorities to ensure that he gets a fair trial, in line with in-ternational best practice. Not every Igbo believes in IPOB’s self-determination agitation. However, I believe that nearly every Igbo is in-terested

in the equitable distribution of resources, appointments and projects in the country. It will serve us better living in a united and progressive Nigeria, anchored on equity and fairness.

What are your views on the clamour for re-structuring of Nigeria? Do you support it?

Should there be the drawing of a brand new Constitution or amendments to the existing one are enough to take care of the changes that may be required?

What does restructur-ing mean to you?

I wholeheartedly support the clamour for the restructuring of the country. With the experi-ment we have had so far with the parliamentary and presidential systems of government, it’s not in doubt that we should be able to fashion out a made-in-Nigeria system of government, that will suit our peculiar purpose. We have seen the good and bad aspects of the two systems of government. We should be able to extract the good aspects and jettison the bad aspects. And that is where the concept of restructuring becomes relevant. Devolution of powers is also part of restructuring.

We should embrace it, in order to make the country grow. The Federal Government controls so much at the expense of the State and Local govern-ments. The security challenges we currently face, have thrown up for our consideration the concept of State Police, despite some of its

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13.07.2021

in IPOB’s Agitation’

“NOT EVERY IGBO

few obvious drawbacks. To curtail crime and crimi-nality in the country, State Policing is a sine qua non.

It may not be possible for the nation to get a brand new Constitution, unless there is some-thing like a revolution - which is very unlikely. So, we have to key into the various constitu-tional reviews being organised by the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. We may not get everything in one day, but as time goes on, the restructuring we clamour for may become a reality.

After so many twists and turns, the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill has finally been passed into law. Given the many set-backs the Bill suffered, what is your percep-tion about some of its obvious provisions, the highlights, so to speak? For example, only giv-ing the host communities 3% share instead of the 10% the South South Legislators demand-ed for?

Firstly, I must commend the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly for taking the bull by the horn by passing the Bill, subject to harmonisation of differences between the two chambers. If you recall, since 2008 the Na-tional Assembly has been making futile at-tempts in passing the Bill. I recall that in 2015, during the tenure of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President, the Bill was broken into four parts in order to ensure a smooth passage; yet, he did not succeed. If I recall correctly, the four PIBs that were introduced in 2015 were Petro-leum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB); Petrole-um Industry Administration Bill (PIAB); Petrole-um Industry Host Community Bill (PIHCB), and Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill (PIFB).

This time, a new comprehensive Bill - reflecting a kind of synergy between the stakeholders including the executive arm, the legislature, the oil majors, the representatives of oil producing communities and NNPC - had succeeded in presenting a legislation that will promote growth in the oil and gas industry, modernise fiscal systems, and enhance global competitiveness.

From what I have read in the media, the new legislation - if assented to by Mr. President af-ter harmonisation - is expected to provide a framework to boost oil and gas output, while enhancing the sector’s attractiveness to international investors, thereby increasing foreign direct investment. It will also catalyse reforms in governance, administration, host community and fiscal matters.

I support many of the provisions in the Bill such as the establishment of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the

BELIEVES IN IPOB’S SELF-DETERMINATION AGITATION. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT NEARLY EVERY IGBO IS INTERESTED IN THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES, APPOINTMENTS AND PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRY”

Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN

incorporation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the provisions of CAMA after 6 months of the commencement of the law, the abolition of gas flaring in accordance with international best practice, deregulation of the downstream sector to ensure market related pricing, and the creation of Petroleum Host Communities Fund to provide direct social and economic benefits from petroleum operations to host and impact-ed communities. I support the proposal that in-stead of allocating 3% oil companies’ profit to host communities, it should be increased to a minimum of 5%, provided that there is a strong transparency and accountability framework for the utilisation of the funds. However, I do not support the clamour for 10% being championed by some groups. Furthermore, the issue of definition of ‘host communities’ or ‘oil-producing communities’ needs to looked into during the harmonisation. I believe that ‘oil-producing communities’ should not be where pipelines are laid, but where oil is produced, otherwise the whole Nigeria would be classified as ‘oil producing community.’ All said, I commend Mr. President for fulfilling his election promise, by breaking the PIB jinx in coming up with this historical legislation. I urge that the Bill should be assented to, as soon as the harmonisation is worked out.

Last week, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) proposed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria to suspend the award of the rank of SAN for a few years, saying that too many awards were made in the last exercise.

Do you subscribe to this view, which some have described as

self-serving?

Actually, the BOSAN letter you referred to was written as far back as September last year, and not last week as erroneously reported by some social media blogs. Personally, I do not subscribe to the idea that the award should be suspended, on account of the number of successful applicants conferred with the rank last year. The number can however, be reduced in this year’s exercise, and in subsequent years. I believe that every human endeavour is a work in progress. No process can be perfect at all times. As time goes on, some identified loopholes or weaknesses in a process are cured through reforms.

BOSAN in the said letter – correctly, in my personal opinion identified some areas that require urgent reforms and immediate action.

The LPPC in its meeting, has agreed to look into these areas. This shows that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, as the Chairman of LPPC, has a listening ear and is very open to suggestions on how to improve on the process. Very soon, I expect that there will be a call for memoranda from various stakeholders in the legal profession on how to further reform the process which, if you recall, was last reviewed in 2018 during the tenure of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen.

The Council of Legal Education which you presently chair, is saddled with the responsibility of producing Lawyers for Nigeria, has in recent times been tasked on improving the quality of Lawyers being admitted into the Nigerian Bar. What are your plans to ensure that this mandate is given effect?

Like I stated earlier, no human endeavour is perfect. It is usually a work in progress. The call for the improvement in the quality of Lawyers being called to the Nigerian Bar, did not start today.

It has always been there with us since 1962, when the Nigerian Law School was established. It is a work in progress. The Council of Legal Education has from time to time, been reviewing the curriculum of the Nigeria Law School. The last time the curriculum was reviewed was in 2019, shortly before I came on board. There had earlier been a comprehensive overhaul of the curriculum during the tenure of late Hon. Justice M. O. Onalaja (JCA) as Chairman, and Dr. Tahir Mamman as Director-General. That was in 2008. I must also say that the task of training a law student to become a good Lawyer, is the responsibility of all stakeholders in the administration of justice regime.

Right from secondary school, the foundation has to be properly laid.

If there is a faulty foundation, no matter what you teach at the University and Law School levels, the product will not be good. The Council is in touch with the National Universities Commission, which is currently reviewing the curriculum of subjects being taught at the universities in Nigeria. Hopefully, in the near future, some adjustments will be made in the curriculum. cont'd on page 10

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‘Not Every Igbo Believes in IPOB’s Agitation’ cont'd from page 9

nappings in Kaduna State, proactively liaised with security agencies for the provision of security at the six campuses of the school. You stated that your team visited Bwari three times, and could not see the presence of any security. It is to be noted that security operations could be visible or covert. These days security agencies prefer covert operations, so as to catch the deviants unawares.

As far as I know, following the intervention of the Hon. AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, security was beefed up and is still beefed up at the Bwari Campus of Nigeria Law School. Remember that we also have other educational institutions like Dorben Polytechnic, Veritas University, Catherina International Academy and so many other secondary schools operating in Bwari. We also have JAMB Office there. They are all still in session, and open to the public. I think the less we discuss about security matters in the open, the better for the safety of our children. I thank God that despite all the scary things being posted on the social media, the Bar Part 1 students sat for their examinations without any incident.

In addition, we are also sourcing for government and private sector intervention in the infrastructural development of the Nigerian Law School. The infrastructural decay in the school, is very troubling. The environment in which the students are being taught, is nothing to be happy about.

New Law school campuses are being approved. The most recent one is that of Port Harcourt. What is the essence of this further decentralisation, when some of the activities of the Law School like the Bar Part 1 - which some have argued should be an online course - are still concentrated in Bwari?

Let me say that only one campus was approved in principle, about three weeks ago. You will agree with me that as Nigeria’s population continues to grow, the number of those aspiring to become Lawyers will also increase proportionally.

Currently, the Nigerian Law School cannot admit all the applicants seeking to be admitted for Bar Part 2.

Annually, the Law School receives applications from nearly 10,000 students, whereas, the sitting capacity in the six campuses combined is roughly about 6,000. Therefore, the need to build more structures in the existing campuses, in order to accommodate the excess 4000 need not be over-emphasised. The offer by the Rivers State Government to build a brand new, state-of-the-art campus for Nigerian Law School was unanimously accepted by the Council of Legal Education with the concurrence of the Hon. AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, in order to help in expanding the capacity of the institution to admit law graduates.

I think the gesture by Rivers State Government should be applauded.

Just recently, the National Universities Commission issued licenses to about 22 private universities, and each of them was authorised to open Faculties of Law, subject to Council of Legal Education’s accreditation. We must therefore, be proactive in planning ahead for the consequential increase in the number of applicants seeking to be admitted to the Nigerian Law School.

On the issue of Bar Part 1 being an online course, the issue has not been tabled before the Council, and so, I would not like to pre-empt any discussion on the subject. However, like I did say at the beginning of this interview, no condition is permanent.

The only thing that is permanent is change. We shall continue to adapt to changes brought about by technology or otherwise, as they occur. I won’t be surprised if in the near future, the agitation for online programme at the Nigerian Law School is extended from Bar Part 1 to Bar Part 2. Bwari as the headquarters of Nigeria Law School, has the capacity to admit all the Bar Part 1 students with a population of about 300 to 400 students. It does

Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN

not require spreading the students to all campuses outside Abuja, as being clamoured for in some quarters.

Recently, there were concerns about the security of students in the Bwari campus, especially as Bwari is somewhat isolated. What

“…… STRIKE ACTION

BY JUSUN….THE TIMING WAS WRONG. FOR ME, THE STRIKE WOULD NOT HAVE LASTED THAT LONG, IF IT WAS TIMED TO TAKE PLACE DURING THE SEASON OF POLITICAL PARTY PRIMARIES, IN WHICH MANY OF THE STATE GOVERNORS WOULD HAVE ONE INTEREST OR THE OTHER”

PHOTOS: KOLA ALLI

are the plans of the Council of Legal Education to secure Bwari law students going forward, in the face of the incessant kidnapping of students in the North?

The claim that security has been beefed up in Bwari is far from the truth, as our teams visited Bwari at least three times with no evidence of any security.

Should the authorities be so nonchalant about the safety of students, encouraging them to risk their lives by going to school with no security, and then turn around and refuse to pay ransoms demanded?

First of all, I must restate that the issue of insecurity is a global affair.

No part of the world is absolutely secure these days. Is Lagos safer than Bwari? Were students not kidnapped along with their principals at a Model College in Igbonla, Epe, in 2017? Similar incident also took place in 2016. Were students not abducted at Junior Seminary School, Ikorodu, Lagos, and were released after payment of ransom? In 2007, were students, staff and teachers not kidnapped at an international college in Isheri, Ogun State, very close to Lagos? I use these instances to illustrate the point that attempting to single out the Bwari campus of Nigerian Law School as an unsafe location, is unhelpful. We all live at the mercy of God Almighty. If some criminals hatch a plan and decide to unleash their devilish thoughts via kidnapping or abduction, it can be executed anywhere and at any time.

See what is happening in Kaduna State. It can happen anywhere. The management of the Nigerian Law School prior to the frequency of kid-

How do you think judicial autonomy can be achieved in Nigeria? Do you think there were any gains achieved by the two-month JUSUN Strike action?

Judicial autonomy can be achieved, when all State Governors decide to make it happen. At the moment, many State Governors are not interested and will not like to hear anything about judicial autonomy. For those of them who embraced the principle and have gone further to enact the relevant laws, we commend them.

The Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation who took the bull by the horn by issuing Executive Order 10 signed by Mr. President, despite its perceived imperfections, should also be commended. In effect, no matter the laws you enact or many constitutional amendments you make to provide for the autonomy of the judiciary and legislature, if the will power is lacking among the State Governors, all the efforts will be futile.

On the recent strike action by JUSUN, my view is that while the motive behind the strike action is altruistic and therefore, commendable, the timing was wrong. For me, the strike would not have lasted that long, if it was timed to take place during the season of political party primaries, in which many of the State Governors would have one interest or the other. Be that as it may, I must commend all those who brought the Governors and JUSUN executives to the roundtable, for the negotiation and signing of the memorandum of understanding on the 20th of May, 2021. It is my hope that all parties to the agreement, will keep to the bargain.

Thank you, Learned Silk.

IMAGES /11

13.07.2021

T

he Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, celebrated his 60th birthday with a lecture at the Nigerian Law School Lagos Campus, last Sunday. Here are some of the personalities who attended the event. PHOTOS: KOLA ALLI Senator Ike Ekweremadu (left) and the Celebrant, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN

Former President of the NBA, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN (left) and President of the NBA, Olumide Akpata DG, Nigerian Law School, Prof Isa Chiroma, SAN

Dr Gbolahan Elias, SAN

L-R: Prof Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, Ambassador Sally Uwechue and Kemi Pinheiro, SAN Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uche Ihedina (left) and Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN

Hon. Justice Samuel C. Oseji, JSC

Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN

L-R: Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, Ikechukwu Uwanna and Kelechi Obi

Tolani Edun (left) and Kanayo O. Kanayo

L-R: Chief Joseph Kyari Gadzama, SAN, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN

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13.07.2021

Unburden Lawyers from Scrutinising Clients’ Sources of Funds A Rejoinder Antithesis to Mayowa Owolabi’s Thesis (Part 2) Introduction Last week, I commenced my rejoinder to the 24th June, 2021 This Day Lawyer write-up by Mr Mayowa Owolabi, in which he critiqued (albeit, wrongly), the unanimous Court of Appeal judgement anchored by Honourable Justice Chidi Nwaoma Uwa. The Court of Appeal had held that Lawyers are not required to scrutinise their clients’ accounts, to determine the source from which they were paid their professional fees for services rendered. Today, I will attempt to show that Mr Owolabi’s thesis sorely missed the point. This is the second tranche of my antithesis.

Mr Owolabi had agreed inter alia, that the Court of Appeal decision “accords with logic”. Having accepted the correct “lex lata” (the law as it is) position as put forward by the intermediate Court, it becomes incomprehensible how Mr Owolabi would simultaneously attempt (vainly though), to fault the same decision on an assumed “de lege ferenda” (the law “with a view to the future”). His thesis was merely in futuro; the law as he would have preferred it to be, so as to bring it to “par with applicable regulations in the United Kingdom”.

Unfortunately, we are not yet there!

Mr Owolabi’s dissertation seems to suggest wrongly, that a Lawyer should go beyond the call of his normal duties and wear the garb of a “detective/whistle blower” over his client’s funds, just because he is being paid his earned professional fees by such client. Were this to be the correct position (God forbid), no Lawyer would ever earn fees. Even if a Lawyer were to inquire of a client the actual source of funds from which he was being paid, it is inconceivable that such a client would readily voluntarily disclose the true source, as being for example, criminal or illicit (even if it were so). Would such a Lawyer then still be accused of complicity, or held liable for having been misled and deceived by his client?

Mr Owolabi made reference superficially to the United Kingdom Proceeds of Crime Act, 2002, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations, 2019, and the Terrorism Act, 2000, in drawing comparison to the state of affairs in the United Kingdom, via-a-vis the extant laws in Nigeria.

He further argued that law firms in the United Kingdom had been mandated to scrutinise transactions undertaken throughout the course of their relationship with clients, including the source of funds, to ensure that the transactions are consistent with the relevant person’s knowledge of the customer, the customer’s business and risk profile (Regulations 28 (S 11 (a) of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017).

Apart from Regulation 28 (S 11 (a) of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017), Mr Owolabi never cited any specific provision of the Proceeds of Crime Act, 2002, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations, 2019, and the Terrorism Act, 2000, he relied so heavily on in his submission, to show a Lawyer’s obligation to become an investigative Policeman over his client’s funds. I have taken time to carefully study the provisions of the Acts he cited, and I submit unequivocally that, he appears not to have understood the gravamen, purport and import of the decision of the Court of Appeal. In relying on foreign legislations, he failed to highlight any specific aspect of the foreign legislation (Acts), that compel a legal practitioner to ascertain the very source of funds from which he would be paid by his client before receiving his fees.

For the avoidance of doubt, the case of F.R.N. v Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, borders on fees legally and legitimately received by Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers from an unencumbered and de-frozen account (by an order of court), for professional services duly rendered by the firm.

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, cited by Mr Owolabi, is an Act which establishes the Assets Recovery Agency; provides inter alia, for confiscation orders in relation to persons who benefit from criminal conduct; and allows the recovery of property which is or represents property obtained through unlawful conduct, etc. (See Section 330 (Part 7) of the said Act). Even then, this section provides that such persons (not Lawyers) must “know or suspect or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that another person is engaged in money laundering in the course of a business in the regulated sector”.

However, Section 330(6) of the said Act provides expressly that a person does not commit an offence under the section if: a. he has a reasonable excuse for not making the required disclosure; b. he is a professional legal adviser or relevant professional adviser; and i. if he knows the identity of the suspect mentioned in (1) and the whereabouts of the laundered property because of information or other matter that came to him in privileged

Proceeds of Crime Act, 2002, and Regulations 28 (14) and (15) of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Information On The Payer), 2019, he would have discovered that legal practitioners are not required to disclose privileged information concerning their clients’ funds.

In any event, the case of CBN v Regd Trustees, NBA (CA/A/202/2015; unreported) which was cited with approval by the same intermediate court, has settled this issue per adventure.

In that case whose facts Mr Owolabi admirably gave, the Court of Appeal emphasised (ruling in favour of the NBA) that the provisions of Sections 5 and 25 of the Money Laundering Act (MLA), in so far as they purport to apply to Legal Practitioners, are invalid, null and void, for being inconsistent with Section 192 of the Evidence Act, 2011. This section of the Evidence Act protects privileged communication between a Lawyer and his client. Lawyers are therefore, as held by the two divisions of the Court of Appeal (Abuja and Lagos), to be exempted from the provisions of the MLA. Were this not the case, the noble profession would have been saddled with the fate of market men and women, artisans, bricklayers, frozen fish seller, tailors, hairdresser, etc. Let us all collectively and individually defend our noble profession please.

circumstances; or ii. the information or other mentioned in (2) came to him in privileged circumstances; or iii. he does not know or suspect that another person is engaged in money laundering; and iv. he has not been provided by his employer with such training as is specified by the Secretary of State by order for the purposes of this section.

Further, if every professional (the legal practitioner inclusive) were to enquire into the source of funds from which he would be paid before he accepts a brief, no transaction would ever crystallise. As noted by the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal, there is no law which mandates a legal practitioner to take such a step. And, my deep research has not thrown up any. In all the foreign Acts and Regulations relied upon by Mr Owolabi, there is no specific provision that mandates a person to go on inquiry or a voyage of discovery, into the source of funds from which he would be paid his professional fees.

In addition, my learned friend wrongly suggests that by virtue of the provisions the Proceeds of Crime Act, 2002 and other similar laws in the United Kingdom, Solicitors are required to become “whistle blowers” who must disclose suspicious activities on their clients’ account. I humbly submit that, if he had calmly studied the provisions of Section 330(6) of the

“MR OWOLABI’S DISSERTATION SEEMS TO SUGGEST WRONGLY, THAT A LAWYER SHOULD GO BEYOND THE CALL OF HIS NORMAL DUTIES AND WEAR THE GARB OF A “DETECTIVE/WHISTLE BLOWER” OVER HIS CLIENT’S FUNDS……”

A Legal Practitioner is Entitled to His Professional Fees That a Legal Practitioner is entitled to his professional fees, is the correct position of the law.

In ASCA BITUMEN CO. LTD v ISAH (2016) LPELR40778(CA), the intermediate court held: “Rule 18(1) and (2) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2007, provides as follows: “18(1) A client shall be free to choose his Lawyer and to dispense with his services as he deems fit, provided that nothing in this rule shall absolve the client from fulfilling any agreed or implied obligations to the Lawyer including the payment of fees. (2) The Lawyer shall ensure that important agreements between him and the client are, as far as possible, reduced into writing, but it is dishonourable and a misconduct for the Lawyer to avoid performance of a contract fairly made with his client whether reduced into writing or not. “The relationship between a Legal Practitioner and his client, is contractual. See Edozien v Edozien (1993) 1 SCNJ 166 at 189; Mosheshe v N.S.P. Ltd. (1987) 2 NWLR (Pt. 55) 110 at 119 and Adewunmi v Plastex Nig. Ltd. (1986) 6 SC 214 at 223. The agreement bounds only the client and the legal practitioner, but not a third party. The Respondent was not a party to the agreement entered into by the Appellant with the Legal Practitioner, engaged to defend her in the trial court and in this court. The Appellant had the choice to defend the suit through her employees, or to contract a Legal Practitioner to defend her in the Lower Court or in this appeal. Rule 21(1) of the Rules (supra) further provides as follows: “21(1) A Lawyer shall not abandon or withdraw from any employment once assumed, except for good cause. “A Lawyer is an employee once engaged by the client, and not a party in litigation. Rule 24(1) of the Rules (supra) further provides that: “24(1) It is the duty of a Lawyer to accept any brief in the Court in which he professes to practice, provided the proper professional fee is offered unless there are special circumstances which justified his refusal”. I do not fathom a situation where a client engages or employs the services of a Legal Practitioner upon the payment of a professional fee, and saddles the opposing party with the refund of the fee when that party was not a party in the agreement between the Counsel and his client”. Per TUR, JCA. (Pp 27-28). Paras. A-F) (More on this next week, by God’s grace. (To be continued).

The Serious and the Trivial “In Nigeria, an innocent citizen will drive 10km alone and meet 10 checkpoints; bandits will drive 100km with 300 kidnapped children, and meet no checkpoint at all”Anonymous.

“Why do Nigerian leaders ask Nigerians in diaspora to invest in Nigeria, while they invest their loot abroad?Anonymous.

“Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves.

Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is….. Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.- Pope Francis.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “Our attitude towards life determines life's attitude towards us”. (John N. Mitchell)

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BUSINESSWORLD

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

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Quick Takes Mshelbila Appointed NLNG CEO

The Board of Directors of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has approved the appointment of Dr. Philip Mshelbila as successor to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Tony Attah, whose tenure expires August 30, 2021.

NLNG announced this in a statement issued by its General Manager, ExternalRelationsandSustainableDevelopment,EyonoFatayi-Williams.

Attah, according to the statement, will return to his parent company, Shell, on August 30, 2021, at the expiration of his five-year tenure at the helm of affairs, having been appointed Chief Executive Officer by the NLNG Board in July 2016.

Mshelbila, who is rounding-up his tenure as the Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic LNG Company of Trinidad & Tobago, will be taking over from Attah on August 31, 2021.

NLNG is an incorporated Joint-Venture owned by four shareholders, namely,theFederalGovernmentofNigeria,representedbytheNigerian National Petroleum Corporation (49 per cent), Shell Gas B.V. (25.6 per cent), Total Gaz Electricite Holdings France (15 per cent), and Eni International N.A. N.V. S.àr.l (10.4 per cent).

PORTINSPECTION

L-R: Minister of Transportation (FMOT), Rotimi Amaechi; Permanent Secretary, FMOT, Dr. Magdalene Ajani; Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority,MuhammedBello-Koko,andChairman,LekkiPort,MrBiodunDabiriduringthevisittoLekkiPortbytheMinister...recently SUNDAYADIGUN

NNPC: Refinery Owners to Pay for Crude Oil in Naira Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said there are ongoing discussions with refinery owners in the country to sell crude oil in local currency.

Chief Operating Officer, Refineries and Petrochemicals at the NNPC, Mr. Mustapha Yakubu, who spoke at the oil and gas conference in Abuja, recently, explained that the need to sell crude oil in naira was further necessitated by the scarcity of foreign exchange in the country.

He explained that some completed private refineries are yet to commence production because they were yet to conclude with the national oil company on the procurement of feedstock for their refineries.

Yakubu stated that ordinarily, crude oil is sold in foreign currency, but stressed that owing to the volatility of foreign exchange, NNPC has arranged to sell crude to private refineries in naira.

“Today, they have a challenge.

Some of them constructed refineries today they cannot start because we are discussing how

ENERGY to allocate crude to them. We are asking them to pay in foreign exchange.

“You know what is happening to foreign exchange: volatility.

So, we have to find a common ground so there is a discussion in that regard to allow them pay in local currency,” he said.

He added that the NNPC was collaborating with the private investors in the refining business because it is possible for the investors to build refineries without having feedstock, crude or condensate to refine, while the raw material belongs to the government.

“Whatever they do, they have to work within certain regulations.

Refineries are not bakeries. I can go to Wuse market and buy flours. But for those refineries you need feedstock whether crude or condensate.

“This crude belongs to government, so there is need for collaboration. We need to support them. Because you can build refinery and there is no crude. What happens? Their partners (banks) will be running after them.

“Government needs to make money from this crude oil. A lot of sectors need money. The health sector needs money. There should be that assurance that if I give you crude you have to pay for it and you need to also deliver the balance.

“The investors that are building refineries today we have to collaborate that is the way we can encourage them,” he added.

In his remarks, Chairman, Major Oil Marketers of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, maintained that private investors are reluctant to replicate the establishment of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) across the country because of the high cost of the equipment.

According to him, the sophisticated equipment that were required to operate the CNG plant are expensive and there were issues with availability and product pricing, arguing that investors would always go to where there is a return on their investment.

“Some entities have made significant investment in downstream. Nipco Plc, several years ago invested in seven CNG stations in Benin. The question is:

Why has it not been replicated across the country. And why hasn’t it moved much faster?

“It always goes down to the economics of it. At the end of the day, anybody who is an investor needs returns on their investments. It is between the availability of the product, pricing all coming together because investment in CNG infrastructure is not cheap.

“It is not like coming up with a bakery. You need a lot of sophisticated equipment to compress the air. You need the pipelines system to move the gas.

Obviously, there is a requirement for significant investment,” he noted.

Oyebanji urged the government to create the right environment for investors to come into the business, noting that it will be difficult to develop the sector with the current impediments.

The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari, had stressed the need for Nigeria to develop a framework on energy security in order to have diversified sources of petroleum products supply and to secure Continued on page 24

DPR Bags Excellence Award

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has bagged the 2021 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Excellence Award.

The award, received by the Director and Chief Executive Officer of DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, at the 2021 NOG Conference Gala Nite held in Abuja, recently, was in recognition of the regulatory agency’s achievements since Auwalu came on board.

Those achievements, according to the organisers of the annual event, included the establishment of the National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC) in Lagos, which was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in January.

The DPR also got the recognition for successfully completing the bidding for 57 marginal oilfields in the country, helping the federal government to shore up its revenue with a promise to enhance the nation’s oil and gas production. The organisers of the award noted that the department’s transformation from a regulator to a business enablerandopportunityhouseintheoilandgasspacewaswhatNigeria needed to maximise the potential of the sector.

Auwalu, in a statement by the Head of Public Affairs, DPR, Mr. Paul Osu, thanked the organisers for the recognition, stressing that it would spur the DPR to attain greater heights.

He assured that DPR would continue to create opportunities that enable businesses and investments for all stakeholders by using its service instruments of licenses that guarantee investments, by using permits that enable participation and by using its approvals that authorise activities.

Mutual Benefit Posts N5.01bn Profit

Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc has announced a profit after tax of N5.10 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020.

This represented an increase of 41 per cent from the previous year’s figure of N3.61billion.

The company during the period achieved a GrossWritten Premium of N19.98 billion, showing seven per cent growth from the previous year’s figure of N18.69 billion.This was contained in the 2020 financial results of the company recently released on the floor of the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) The result showed that profit before tax stood at N5.04 billion, representing a 34 per cent increase from N3.75 billion in 2019.

The company also recorded a 74 per cent growth in shareholders’ fund which rose to N23.35 billion from the N13.43 billion of 2019. Also, total assets grew by 22 per cent from N67.78 billion in the previous year to N82.87 billion in the year under review. Insurance contract liabilities for the year under review stood at N17.57 billion, a 25 percent increase from the previous year’s figure of N14.10 billion. In addition, total claims paid by Mutual Benefits Assurance and its subsidiary; Mutual Benefits Life Assurance during the period under review stood at N19.37 billion representing an eight per cent decrease from the last year’s figure.

FGBeginsImplementationofNuclearEmergencyStrategy The federal government has begun ramping up its preparedness to handle emergencies resulting from the use of nuclear and radiological materials in the country.

The government stated that a protection strategy in such emergencies remain one of the elements that must be put in place for taking response actions in cases of emergencies, given the growing use of peaceful deployment of nuclear power in the country.

ENERGY Speaking during a workshop which brought together all the emergency response agencies of government in the country, acting Chairman of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Prof. Yusuf Ahmed, noted that part of the objectives was to ensure that all the nuclear energies deployed in various parts of the country are kept safe.

He noted that in cases of

emergencies, the first responders needed to know what to do to protect people, communities and the environment around the facilities, adding that the national coordination of response team has been a challenge.

“There are security people and other emergency responders who are supposed to respond when such incidents happen. What we are trying to do is how to harmonise all these emergency responses wherever it happens within the country.

“How to coordinate their actions and so this is one of such exercises to put them together under one roof and these are the standards in the nuclear industry.

“We need to know the standards in the security forces, emergency management experts and harmonise to ensure planning, including deploying facilities,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria has been using nuclear power for Continued on page 24

“The bank will continue to engage and partner with fiscal authorities on measures to dismantle the encumbering structural bottlenecks and correct inflationary trends” initiatives”

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele

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BUSINESSWORLD NNPC: REFINERY OWNERS TO PAY FOR CRUDE OIL IN NAIRA all the sources.

According to him, the massive population of Nigeria, where 70 per cent of the people is predominantly youths, poses a challenge to the energy security of the nation.

Kyari, while fielding questions on The Morning Show, the flagship breakfast programme on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, had also defended the federal government’s interest in acquiring a 20 per cent stake in Dangote Refinery, worth about $3.8 billion.

He stated that if the deal is consummated, NNPC could recoup its investment in five years.

He said: “For example, when there is a minor scarcity of petrol, it affects several things and several people because of our large population size and shortage in the supply chain of petroleum products.”

FG BEGINS IMPLEMENTATION OF NUCLEAR EMERGENCY STRATEGY peaceful applications since the 1980s, stressing that nuclear power can be used for other purposes aside deploying it for violent purposes.

On the expected outcome of the programme organised

by NAEC and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ahmed stated that hazard assessment, among others would form the fulcrum of the workshop.

He stated that Nigeria has continued to build on the development of its nuclear power for use in agriculture, health, water resources, and mining and on the environment.

The objectives of the workshop, the commission said was to train personnel of relevant response organisations on how to develop, justify and optimise protection strategy for nuclear use and understand the domestic framework that guides the process of implementing protection strategy.

Participants included personnel from NAEC and its centres, NNRA, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the media.

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Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

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Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent

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Chinedu Eze (Aviation) ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏ ÌÓÙÎßØ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

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NEWS

Report: OPEC+ Added 610,000bpd to Oil Market in June Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies OPEC+’s crude production rose by over 600,000 b/d last month as quotas increased and Saudi Arabia further unwound its additional cut.

Argus estimated that OPEC members, including those not participating in the supply restraint pact, added 560,000 b/d to the market in June, with Riyadh accounting for the lion’s share.

Saudi Arabia brought back another 350,000 b/d of the extra 1million b/d cut that it implemented in February to April and plans to restore the remaining 400,000 b/d this month.

Exports failed to match production growth largely because rising temperatures boosted crude demand from the domestic power sector.

Angola saw the second-largest hike among OPEC members after hitting a 16-year low in May. The resumption of Gindungo flows drove a 70,000

b/d increase to 1.14mn b/d last month.

Angolan oil minister, Diamantino Azevedo, said he expects production to average 1.19mn b/d this year, below a previous

forecast of 1.22mn b/d.

The revision was underpinned by delays in investment and drilling campaigns caused by last year’s Covid-induced collapse in oil prices as the country averaged

1.13 million b/d in the first six months of this year.

Iran and Venezuela, two of the three OPEC members exempt from the OPEC+ deal, both increased output while Iran’s

went up by another 50,000 b/d to 2.44mn b/d as talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal continued in Vienna. If the negotiations are successful, US sanctions on Tehran’s exports will be lifted.

MEDIA BRIEFING

L-R: General Manager, Servicom/Board Secretary, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ijeoma Okoronkwo; Executive Director, Maureen Allagoa; Managing Director/CEO, Michael Akabogu; and Executive Director Operations, Modu Gana, at a media interactive session on driving the agenda of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund held in Abuja... recently

Total Seeks Boost in Rail Infrastructure for Gas Development Total Energies Nigeria Limited has called for the ramping up of Nigeria’s rail infrastructure to take the pressure off the country’s roads in the transportation of gas around the country.

General Manager, Administration, Deepwater, of the company, Mrs. Maryam Shehu, who was a panellist at the just-concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition, explained that the movement of molecules around the country remains a major challenge that should be addressed.

She explained that through the years, the company has always been part and parcel of gas development in this

country, noting that currently, the Total Energies has three firm agreements to supply gas to the domestic market.

Admitting that operationalisation and administration of the agreements have not been as smooth as it should, Shehu stressed that this is due to the fact that the value chain is still dysfunctional.

Going forward, Shehu stated that as an industry, the decision to develop any gas field remains a value chain decision, starting from the end of the chain, saying that it’s very critical that market developments for gas utilisation was taken seriously.

“The market needs to be quite developed, it needs to be

deepened, there has to be some incentivising of industries, using gas and a lot of awareness creation to enable companies that should normally be using gas, but are not using gas today.

“What is quite critical is that the demand for gas has to increase to be able to increase production or to enable the fact that a lot of investments that have been made in the upstream segments of the value chain will be recouped on time,” she noted.

According to the general manager, there are a lot of stranded fields that would require production through the use of virtual pipelines and would need the movement

of gas trucks plying the roads.

While appreciating that that government was paying a lot of attention to infrastructure, she noted that it was important that there should be focus on the way roads are being constructed to ensure that they are solid enough to accommodate huge trucks.

“Because, especially the LNG trucks, these trucks are quite heavy. And we’ve also seen the effort government is making, as regards the development and rehabilitation of rail network.

“Today, we recommend that these rail network development should be optimised, and not just focus only on passengers. It should be optimised in such a way that cargo rail is considered

in the rail network, so that a lot of pressure can be taken off the road, so that these cargo rails can transport the LNG, CNG from one location to the other,” she said.

Shehu added that to further develop the market and encourage the use of gas, the security situation in the country should be given more attention so that people feel safe to take the gas trucks across to their destination and to the markets.

“And then, people should generally have a good sense of security in the country to be able to boost business to achieve the industrialisation that we require to boost the development of gas,” she explained.

Fashola Inaugurates New FHA Board, Doubts Housing Deficit Data Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has formally sworn in the new board of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), stressing on the occasion that current public data which pegged Nigeria’s housing deficit at about 17 million was baseless.

The minister argued that the challenge that Nigeria has is basically an urban housing problem, noting that even at that, the issue is how to ensure that empty, unoccupied buildings in major cities are put up either for

sale or rent.

The newly-appointed board comprises Senator Lawal Shuaibu, Zamfara State, as Chairman, while other members include: Modestus Umenzekwe, Anambra State; Mumini Hanafi, Kwara State; Adamu Dadi, Yobe State and Mr Adamu Ismaila, Adamawa State.

Others are Zubairu S.N, Nasarawa State; Chinyere Anokwuru, Abia State; Yinka Ogunsulire, Ondo State: Veronica Shinnaan, Plateau State; Aleruchi

Cookey-Gam, Rivers State and Olajumoke Akinwunmi, Ogun State.

Also to serve as statutory members are the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Babangida Hussein and the Managing Director of the FHA, Senator Gbenga Ashafa.

Fashola thanked the president for the prompt approval of the list sent to him , noting that he was excited about the diversity of the new board in terms of ethnicity, gender and technical

expertise which they would bring to bear on their duty.

The minister maintained that while affordable housing remains the goal of government in the housing sector, the term “affordable” was somehow ambiguous because what is affordable to one stratum of the society may not be affordable to another set of individuals.

He stated that while FHA is statutorily involved in building new towns in the class of Festac in Lagos and Gwarimpa in Abuja,

it should ramp up its focus on rehabilitation of some of the old structures that are deteriorating.

The minister noted that under President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic recovery programme, there has been a plan to increase access to housing, ramp up employment opportunities through the building of infrastructure and invest in the Nigerian people.

“There has been something out there and it had been there before we came here; that Nigeria has 17 million housing deficit.

Waltersmith Partners UNIDO, UNECA on Industrial Park in Imo Community Amby Uneze in Owerri Waltersmith Petroman Nigeria Limited, one of the indigenous oil companies to build a modular refinery in Nigeria, is to build an industrial park in Ohaji/Egbema local government, its host community of Imo state.

Also in line with its corporate social responsibilities, Waltersmith has advanced plans to employ 47 youths of Ohaji/Egbema who had

undergone six months technical skills acquisition programme which was organised by the company.

The project is being undertaken with support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Chief Executive Officer of Waltersmith Petroman Company, Mr. Chikezie Nwosu, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of

Waltersmith Technical Skills Acquisition Programme, 2021 for some graduates of Ohaji/ Egbema local government area of Imo state.

Nwosu said the Industrial Park will attract petrochemical, pharmaceutical, research and other light manufacturing companies that feeds off the hydrocarbon value chain.

He said, “The industrial park is being developed with the support of the United

Nation Industrial Development Organisation and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa as part of Nigeria’s country program with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.”

According to him, the park will be world class with all the infrastructure that would attract world class companies, adding that the park will also double as a dry dock and free trade zone.

“It is not just an industrial park, but an industrial park with a difference,” he said, stressing that Ohaji/Egbema will continue to grow with all the adjoining communities also benefiting from the expected boom.

Nwosu commended the trainees for their comportment and zeal during the programme and however informed them that the employment opportunities which most likely be for their refinery will be done in phases.

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NNPC: Kyari’s Two Years in the Saddle Peter Uzoho reviews the performance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari two years after his appointment

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progressed to advanced stage with a certificate of no objection secured from BPP on the award of the contract and is currently awaiting the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval of award to the most technically and commercially qualified globally reputable EPC company.

ast Thursday made it the second year in office of the current Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari as the 19th GMD of the national oil company.

Already aware of the expectations of Nigerians, who are the shareholders of the NNPC, the nation’s oil and gas industry and other stakeholders in the affairs of the corporation, Kyari hit the ground running right from the day of his inauguration.

In his inaugural address, he had clearly indicated the direction his management intended to steer the corporation and two years down the road, his actions and strides vis-à-vis the key objectives he had set out for himself at his inauguration have earned the corporation phenomenal successes.

Upstream One of the goals the GMD set at his inauguration was to increase the national crude oil reserves to 40 billion barrels. To achieve that goal, the GMD galvanised NNPC to rev up exploration work in the inland basins with the drilling of the Kolmani River II Well, culminating in oil find in commercial quantity in the Upper Benue Trough, the volume which the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, had put at one billion barrels.

The drilling of Kolmani River III Well is ongoing with very high prospect of oil find. Seismic data collection is ongoing in the Bida and Sokoto Basins even as plans are also afoot to re-launch the exploration work in the Chad Basin. All these are geared towards boosting the nation’s crude oil reserves to meet the 40 billion barrels target.

Another goal set by Kyari was to boost the nation’s oil production to three million barrels per day, and to achieve that target, he immediately set about resolving disputes around a number of oil blocks that had led to production shut-in.

A case in point is the resolution of the dispute involving Shell and Belema Oil that shut in over 30,000 barrels per day production in the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 25. That dispute was effectively resolved to restore production in the oil block.

The NNPC GMD also led the corporation to execute the Abo OML 125 Heads of Terms, leading to the resolution of the issues around most of the deep offshore Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs).

This paved the way for the renewal of OML 125 and further investment in the exploration of the lucrative field to boost the nation’s crude oil production.

Recently, Kyari repeated a similar feat when he led the corporation to sign a series of agreements with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and other PSC partners to resolve the disputes around another deep offshore block, OML 118. That led to the renewal of that acreage with the prospect of a new $10 billion investment in the development of the Bonga South-East Field.

This will further boost the nation’s oil production.

In furtherance of the goal of boosting the nation’s crude oil production, the Kyari-led management has secured a number of alternative funding facilities for the corporation’s exploration and production arm, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and some of the Joint Ventures to facilitate further development of assets.

These include: the N875.75 million NPDC OML 65 Alternative Funding and Technical Services package with CMES-OMS Petroleum Development Company, the $3.15 billion Alternative Financing Package with Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) and other partners for the development of NPDC’s OML 13.

First oil of about 7,900 barrels per day was achieved from the project on April 1, 2020, while production is expected to peak at 94,000bpd of oil and 542mmscfd of gas within four years.

Gas Development In the area of gas development, NNPC has focused heavily on the gas sector in keeping with the aspiration of the administration to diversify the economy by transforming the nation into a gas driven economy. In this regard, NNPC drove and achieved the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train 7 Project in December 2019.

The project had been on the drawing board for over 10 years and is expected to generate over $20 billion of revenue to the government over

the project’s lifecycle, 10,000 direct and 40,000 indirect jobs.

The corporation followed that feat up in May 2020, at the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the signing of the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract of the NLNG Train-7 project. The contract was signed with the SCD JV Consortium comprising affiliates of Saipem, Chiyoda and Daewoo.

The execution of the EPC contract signals the effective commencement of the detailed design and construction phase of the multi-billion dollar project which, on completion, is expected to raise the NLNG production capacity by 35 per cent from the current 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 30 MTPA. On June 15, 2021, the ground-breaking ceremony of the NLNG Train 7 Project was conducted by President Muhammadu Buhari, signaling the commencement of construction work on the project.

NNPC also successfully flagged-off the construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project on June 30, 2020. The project which has been described by the president as a game-changer, is an integral part of the TransNigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) with a capacity to transport about 2.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day. The infrastructure designed to feed gas into the AKK - the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System II (ELPS II) and Oben-Obiafu-Obrikom (OB3) gas pipeline are also being aggressively executed and expanded to increase delivery capacity from 1.5BCF/D to over 3.5BCF/D. The ELPS II has reached 96.34 per cent completion.

Kyari also led the corporation to achieve a $300 million reduction in the cost of the AKK Gas Pipeline contract via contract renegotiation from the initial $2.8 billion.

Additional major stride in the gas sector was witnessed in late 2020 with the inauguration of the Oredo Integrated Gas Handling Facility (IGHF) and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Storage and Dispensing Unit. The facilities are wholly owned and constructed by the NPDC to address domestic gas supply challenges. The facilities currently deliver over 200 million standard cubic feet of dry gas per day and 330 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, which is equivalent of 16 units of 20 tonnes LPG trucks per day into the domestic market.

In order to provide an alternative to petrol as the sole automotive fuel and reduce the huge importation bill of the product, the GMD led NNPC to key into the Year /Decade of Gas initiative spearheaded by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to launch the Autogas initiative.

It executed a JV agreement with NIPCO to help in the marketing and distribution of the product to get as many Nigerians as possible to migrate to the use of gas as automotive fuel.

Kyari heralded 2021 with a significant step in the direction of bringing the proposed Brass Gas Hub into reality. He led NNPC to take the FID with the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company for the $3.6 billion Brass Methanol Plant in Odioma, Bayelsa State. He followed that feat up a few weeks later with the signing of a $260 million financing agreement for the Assa-North Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Project with Seplat. The project will deliver 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day and 1,200 megawatts of electricity to the domestic market.

On April 22, 2021, NNPC executed a Gas Development Agreement (GDA) for the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 143 with its partner, Sterling Oil Exploration and Production Company (SEEPCO).

The project will boost the nation’s gas production by 1.2 trillion cubic feet (tcf). The corporation also secured the United State Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Grant and commenced the upgrade of 1350MW Abuja IPP project development to World Bank Standard for bankability.

Downstream Like aspects of its operation, NNPC’s downstream operation is also experiencing the Kyari’s Midas touch with the introduction of Operation White which has helped in streamlining petroleum products importation, supply and distribution across the country. As the sole importer of petroleum products in the country, NNPC has succeeded in keeping the nation well supplied. It has emplaced a stable fuel supply system to guarantee zero fuel queues throughout the country in the last two years of Kyari.

The corporation is in the process of strengthening the products distribution system by revamping the pipeline network through a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model whose process is already at an advanced stage. The vision of revamping the pipelines is in tandem with the Refineries Rehabilitation Project to ensure that products evacuation facilities are in top shape to support the operations of the refineries post-rehabilitation in 2023.

Keen on boosting petroleum products supply and distribution in riverine areas of the Niger Delta, Kyari had led NNPC to sign an agreement with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Zed Energy for the construction of the N10.5 billion Brass Petroleum Products Terminal. The facility will serve as a strategic reserve for the country as it is expected to provide a depot for 50 million litres of petroleum products, two-way product jetty, automated storage and automated bay for diesel, petrol, kerosene and aviation fuel. It will close the infrastructure gap in the distribution of petroleum products and also help to stop illegal refining activities.

Refineries Rehabilitation Another goal that the GMD set for his management at inauguration in 2019 was the rehabilitation of the refineries. Kyari has made good of that promise by driving the rehabilitation project to an advanced level. On April 6, 2021, he led NNPC to sign the $1.5 billion Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contract Agreement with Tecnimont SpA, for the complete rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Refinery. On May 7, 2021, the GMD led NNPC and the contractor, Tecnimont S.p.A., to flag off construction work on the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation project.

The GMD is in the process of making good his promise to introduce a new operational model for the refineries post-rehabilitation with the call for bids for the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Contract for the refineries advertised recently in the media. The O&M model would ensure that the refineries are managed by contractors with requisite experience who would ensure that they are regularly maintained as and when due.

WRPC and KRPC EPC contracting has

Transparency One of the issues Kyari spoke passionately about during his inauguration was transparency and accountability. He emphasised that transparency and accountability would be the cardinal pillars of his management. He promptly followed up his inaugural pronouncement with the launch of his management’s strategic objectives two weeks later.

He christened it as Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE). Since then, he has walked the transparency and accountability talk by opening up the books of the corporation the way no other management before his has done.

Some of the key accomplishments recorded in this regard include the publication of the 2018 and 2019 Audited Financial Statements of the Corporation and its 19 subsidiaries registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 1990 as amended alongside that of the National Petroleum Investment and Management Services (NAPIMS) to provide clarity on Joint Venture finances.

The AFS were published in the corporation’s website for all interested parties to access and scrutinise. This is the first time the corporation’s AFS were made public in such a manner.

A major revelation in the Audited Financial Statements of the two years so far published is the 99.7 per cent reduction of the corporation’s loss profile from N803 billion in 2018 to N1.7 billion in 2019. Following this trajectory, the corporation is likely to declare profit in the 2020 AFS which is billed to be released soon.

The Kyari-led management also sustained the Publication of the Corporation’s Monthly Financial & Operations Reports (MFOR) in line with the TAPE vision. NNPC remains the only national oil company that publishes its financial and operations reports monthly globally. Also, the GMD led the corporation to enlist with the Global Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative as an EITI Supporting Company which mandates, places NNPC in the group of over 65 extractive companies, state owned enterprises that commit to observing transparency and accountability standards defined by EITI. Another key achievement of the NNPC under the leadership of Kyari on the transparency terrain is the successful completion of a controversy-free recruitment exercise for 1,000 young graduate trainees to rejuvenate the corporation’s talent mix.

Stakeholders Engagement In line with his promised at his inauguration to upscale engagement with stakeholders to ensure that stakeholders were carried along in the corporation’s operations, Kyari has kept faith with this pledge by devoting time to honour invitations from the relevant committees of the National Assembly, holding periodic engagement sessions with critical stakeholders including the media.

COVID -19 Interventions Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the group managing director quickly realised the vulnerable position of Nigeria with regard to condition of the existing healthcare system in the country. He rallied players in all the sectors of the oil and gas industry to raise over N21 billion to support the fight against the spread of the disease in the country. Under the leadership of NNPC, 26 per cent of the fund was deployed for the provision of logistics and in-patient support equipment such as ambulances, ventilators, isolation centres, etc. He ensured that every state of the Federation benefitted from the donations.

Twenty-one per cent of the sum was deployed for the provision of medical consumables. These included drugs, sanitisers, masks, protective gears and equipment, and were also donated to all the states of the Federation.

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Greenage: Carving a Niche in Student Housing Mark Chieshe

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reenage has developed an innovative green student housing value proposition for tackling the student accommodation problem in Nigerian universities. By placing EDGE at the core of its business, Greenage is unlocking private sector investment to re-define the future of student housing accommodation in the country and creating business value for shareholders.

Decent, comfortable, and quality student hostel accommodations enhance university learning and ensure good health while aiding students’ hygienic habits.

In Nigeria, the student hostel accommodation sector is huge, both in terms of the magnitude of the gap in availability and the potential for private sector investment. There are currently more than 170 universities in the country and the tally is increasing. This includes 43 federal universities, 48 state universities, and 79 private universities.

In addition, the country also has 17 federal and 26 state-owned Polytechnics, with several others owned by private individuals and other religious or corporate bodies. Statistics show the total population of tertiary enrollment exceeds two million students competing each year for about 750,000 admission slots. Average annual growth is estimated to be above 12 per cent.

This population growth pattern has long outpaced the capacities of existing hostel accommodations in the universities. Facing financial challenges, university administrators lack the means to build more bedspaces to meet the increasing demand as annual intakes surge.

The result is a crisis that needs a sustainable fix. Less than 30 per cent of enrolled students are housed on campuses in shared accommodations that are conducive for learning. A majority of students are compelled to rent expensive spaces “off-campus” in the surrounding university environments.

Fixing Student Housing This gap is a profitable investment opportunity for developers and the private sector. And there are several players already in the space.

However, Greenage Development Managers, a private equity-driven fund and provider of on-campus student and faculty housing projects stands out. First, on account of its unique environmentally friendly approach and second, because of its adoption of EDGE Certification for its buildings.

As a climate-smart developer, Greenage has set out not only to meet the demand but to do so in a manner that aligns with the future direction of the global built environment by adopting green building practices. This futuristic focus has put Greenage ahead of the competition and on a more sustainable path to business growth, brand equity, and profitable returns to its investors.

Incorporating green building practices into its hostel designs enables Greenage to deliver bed spaces that use water and energy more efficiently, leading to lower utility, operations, and maintenance costs.

“We are out to make a sustainable difference in the student housing space in Nigeria. And that means charting a different path. Instead of building in the conventional fashion, which could be in the short term, less expensive, we have decided to think and build green. This is because it shows not only our commitment to building a better climate smart future, but because it makes business sense too for our investors,” an Executive Director with Greenage, Mr. Marcellinus Nnaedozie said.

Greenage understands that buildings account for about 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions and that resource-efficient buildings leave a lighter carbon footprint on the environment.

“From what we see, it is clear to us that the future of the real estate sector, and in particular, the student housing space is green. So, it is simply logical that we should toe this line – for the planet, and of course, for our bottom line,” Nnaedozie added.

Leveraging EDGE Certification to Grow Greenage has put EDGE certification at the core of its transformative vision: a future-smart, climate-friendly, and sustainable student housing

accommodation in Nigeria. The developer has signed a long-term commitment to certify all its hostel projects in Nigeria using EDGE. “EDGE is a vital part of our efforts to re-imagine a green future for student hostels in Nigeria because it provides a scientific and the transparent basis for us to measure in exact terms, how much water and energy our buildings would save, and to also make projections as to the future value of our investments,” Nnaedozie added.

An innovation of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) provides a measurable way for design teams to optimize their designs to achieve certification as green. It includes a cloud-based platform to calculate the cost of going green and utility savings. Fast, smart, affordable, and inclusive, EDGE is powered by a state-of-the-art engine that possesses reliable city-based climate and cost data, consumption patterns, and algorithms for predicting the most accurate performance results.

The Greenage Climate Smart Value Proposition for Universities By adopting EDGE, Greenage has been able to unlock new sources of investment to drive its hostel projects. They have set up a $150 million sustainable housing fund to power development of 100,000 bed spaces across the country over a ten year period. The first phase of the program is estimated to cost about $50million.

The business proposition is simple: Interested universities provide the land, and Greenage sources financing through strategic partnerships to build, operate, and maintain the hostels at a modest fee that students would pay. In essence, they would be delivering a managed hostel accommodation service that ensures proper structural maintenance and provision of relevant amenities to create a comfortable living experience for students.

The proposition is a perfect fit for cash strapped universities in Nigeria. With minimal financial commitment, universities stand to build resourceefficient student residences, providing an amenity that is crucial to learning while playing a vital role in fostering an eco-friendly campus community.

As expected, the company’s green value proposition is receiving a lot of interest within the university community. Last month, Greenage performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of a 500-1,000 bed student accommodation at the Veritas University, a Catholic university located about 45 kilometers from Abuja City Center, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The project has received a preliminary EDGE Advanced certificate from thinkstep-SGS. Based on the design optimizations made possible by EDGE software, the hostel building is projected to record 46 per cent in Energy Savings, 46 per cent Water Savings and 51 per cent Less Embodied Energy in Materials.

“Using the EDGE Platform, our design teams were able to establish that it is possible for us to achieve those savings. For energy we would deploy climate-smart, energy technologies such as external shading devices, low-E coated glass, natural ventilation in student bedrooms, solar photovoltaics, and energy-saving lighting in internal, external, and back-of-house spaces.

“For water, we plan to use dual-flush water closets in student bedrooms and bathrooms, water-efficient landscaping, and kitchen faucets, a rainwater harvesting system, and low-flow showerheads, aerators and auto shut-off faucets in student bathrooms,” Nnaedozie added. t$IJFTIF XSPUF JO GSPN "CVKB NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Alakija Lists Benefits of PIB Sunday Ehigiator The founder, FAMFA Oil, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, has expressed optimism about the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by both chambers of the National assembly, saying it will help investors tremendously if passed into law.

She also said the future of oil wasn’t looking bright considering ongoing discussions around eliminating fossil fuels, and transitioning to renewable energy.

She made these comments over the weekend during an exclusive interview with THISDAY, as she prepares to mark her 70 years birthday on July 15, 2021.

According to her, the bill if signed into law, will paint a clearer picture to investors during decision-making processes, even though it has taken not less than

12 years before arriving at its current stage.

“I mean, look at too many other administrations that have come and gone and it never got to this stage. So we thank God that it’s here.

“We are studying it as a company, I don’t want to make any comment at this stage, but it’s going to help investors tremendously. It gives a clearer picture. We’ve needed this bill for so long, and it’s keeping us back, so I’d rather wait and see,” she added.

While expressing optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari would sign the bill into law, she equally expressed concerns that the legislation may still have to be worked on as it doesn’t cover some key areas, such as more representation for women in the oil and gas industry which was

also being clamoured for.

Speaking on the future of oil in Nigeria, stressed the need for the country to begin to diversify into other areas.

“I would say that it’s not looking bright. We as a company are definitely looking into diversifying before it’s too late. We can’t turn back the hands of the clock, because the world is moving on and it’s moving fast, we have to move with it, and the earlier the better to diversify into other areas,” she added.

She equally noted that there was an urgent need to keep the earth safe and replenish it.

According to her, we have been killing the earth all along, which is why we found ourselves in this terrible situation. “But things have to change, so the people too have to change with it.

NSITF Boss Vows to Reform Agency James Emejo in Abuja The newly appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Michael Akabogu, has said the days of financial recklessness and misappropriation in the organisation were over.

He said though the fund had been in the eyes of the storm in recent times, leading to bad public perception, measures have been put in place to redeem its image moving forward.

Akabogu, while unveiling his agenda to drive the NSITF during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, also said that the sum N180 billion had been generated from employers contribution between 2011 and 2021. He promised to ensure prompt payment of claims and widen the spread of enrollees adding that over seven million employees are currently covered by the scheme. Akabogu also stated that it had settled claims and applications of over 52, 000 beneficiaries since inception of the fund in 2011.

He also said out the 200,000 enrollees, only about 170,000 are currently active.

The NSITF MD, however said the new leadership would embark on the automation of services and migrate its operational procedures from manual to electronic platform to reduce delivery time from the current 14 days to 11 days.

He also lamented that the operators of Ponzi schemes had in the past taken undue advantage of the NSITF operational gaps to fleece unsuspecting members of the public but hoped that automation will provide solutions to these and many other challenges confronting the fund.

Akabogu, who was a general manager in charge of risks in the fund, promised to deploy his expertise to “clear the banana peels” and reposition the organisation.

He said he will be unveiling an elaborate policy blueprint for the fund in the two months.

He said: “We are all insiders and we know where the problems lie. This organisation will be a new kid on the block.”

He added that even though the fund had been assigned negative perception in the past, the sordid experiences will never be repeated going forward.

He pointed out that all past infractions had been duly investigated while those found culpable were being prosecuted and recovery of properties initiated.

Among other things, the MD said he will also focus on creating pathway to reward staff excellence as well as commit to their welfare. He said he will reposition the public perception of the fund and showcase what it is all about - and introduce performance index to measure staff productivity and attitude to work. Akabogu’s appointment followed the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the reconstitution of the NSITF management board as well as the recommendations in the Report of the Presidential Joint Board and Audit Investigation Panel set up in July 2020 to investigate the infractions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and the Financial Regulations (FR) in the NSITF.

NAMA Organises Aircraft Accident Search, Rescue Operation Simulation Ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit coming up next year, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) recently joined forces with critical stakeholders in aviation emergency rescue operations to conduct a live aeronautic simulation of an air crash.

This took place at the Mafoluku area of Oshodi in Lagos, a few meters from Runway 18 Left and the local airport, Ikeja.

Code named “SAREXNAMA 2021,” the search and rescue exercise focused on a disaster that could result from an air crash and create mass casualty incident which requires a coordinated response from critical stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of managing aviation emergencies.

The mock air crash search and rescue exercise involved an aircraft with registration No. ZYMMM from Abuja to Accra.

The aircraft diverted to Lagos due to electrical problem, and on board were 38 souls including

4 crew. In all, 15 survivors were rescued while 23 others were unaccounted for.

Addressing participants at the end of the exercise, the convener of the exercise and Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, expressed delight over the huge turnout by different agencies and stakeholders.

The NAMA boss however noted that several gaps were observed during the exercise especially in the areas of coordination and response to alert, even as he assured that the agency would work assiduously with relevant stakeholders in order to close the said gaps.

Participants included all the aviation agencies, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Air Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Federal

Fire Service, Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), the Nigerian Red Cross, as well as Caverton Helicopters, among others.

As specified by the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of ICAO Annex 12, Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation Pt. 14 of 2005, NAMA Search and Rescue Manual and the National Disaster Response Plan by NEMA, in accordance with Act 12 of 1999 constitution, the mock search and rescue operation is being coordinated by NAMA annually in order to test the procedures and communication between NAMA and other agencies involved in search and rescue and their collaboration; ascertain the prompt response of NAMA facilities and personnel to an incident, ascertain the preparedness of other agencies involved in the exercise and their response to alert as well as verify the operability of the joint rescue coordination centre.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͱ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

FG Inaugurates 46 Independent Monitors in Ebonyi Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has begun the distribution of engagement letters and monitoring devices to 46 independent monitors in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq reiterated the commitment of government in ensuring that the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) are adequately monitored for effective service delivery.

The minister was represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Raphael Obi. She urged the independent monitors to diligently report on the various social investment

programmes targeted at lifting vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty in line with President Muhammadu Buhari aspirations.

She said the devices are equipped with an application that will be used to report on monitoring activities of the trained independent monitors and are locally made in Nigeria by an indigenous company.

“The Application, which we call the Social Investment Management Information System (SIMIS), is a mobile and webbased Application designed for Monitoring the National Social Investment Programme,” the minister said.

The independent monitors will follow up on government’s Social Investment Programmes, including N-POWER, National Home Grown School Feeding

Programme (NHGSFP), Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

Each independent monitor will be paid a monthly stipend of N30, 000 and will be expected to meet up to 80 per cent of their deliverables monthly to be eligible for their stipend.

In his remark, the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, who was represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Human Capital Development Mrs. Ann Abigwe, applauded the minister for the social investment programmes currently in operation in Ebonyi state for having impacted tremendously on the lives of the vulnerable in Ebonyi State.

‘Low Charges for Airlines Handling Services May Compromise Safety’ Chinedu Eze Stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry have drawn attention to the comparatively low charges by ground handling services, saying it could compromise safety and operational standards.

Industry insiders said the massive drop of ground handling charges from $1,139 to only $400 on a Boeing 737 aircraft (narrow body airplane) or its equivalent on both local and domestic services would drastically affect the companies’ revenue and operational standards. They noted that the ground handling service rates are the lowest in Africa.

THISDAY learnt that the three ground handling companies; Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc and AHS Aviation Handling Services charge the lowest on the continent, despite having better Ground Support Equipment (GSE) than most of their counterparts in Africa. THISDAY also learnt that ground handling charges in Guinea, Senegal, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Ghana for narrow body and wide body aircraft are way ahead of Nigeria. The narrow body aircraft include B737, Airbus A320, ER 135 and ATR aircraft,

while the wide body aircraft are categorised as B767, A330, B777, B747 and A380 aircraft. For instance, investigation revealed that in Guinea, foreign airlines are charged $1,673 (narrow body); $4,715 (wide body), Senegal; $2,250 and $5,259, Cameroon; $1,400 and $4,500, Sierra Leone; $2,250 and $5,250 and Ghana with $1,500 and $4,150 for passenger flight. Cargo flight attracts $2,300, $1,750, $2,300, and $2,500 in Senegal, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Ghana, respectively for narrow body aircraft, while for wide body aircraft, the ground handling in those countries charge between $4,450 and $5,250 per flight.

A source told THISDAY that while the above named countries charge the airlines appropriate rates, a narrow body aircraft attracts about $1,000 ground handling charges in Nigeria, while a wide body aircraft goes as low as $3,000 for passenger flight.

At times, it was gathered that the $1,000 ground handling rates could be as low as $400, depending on the negotiating power by such a foreign airline. For cargo flight, airlines pay as low as $1,300 and $3,850 for narrow and wide body aircraft, respectively. It was further learnt that the current rates by the ground handling companies in Nigeria had been stagnant since

1986, despite the drop of the value of naira against major currencies and the skyrocketed rates of acquisition of state-ofthe-art equipment and training of personnel by the handlers.

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN), Sam Oluwole, regretted that the ground handling companies in 2021, currently charge far less what they were charging airlines in 1986, 35 years later.

According to him, in 1986, ground handlers were charging $1,139 for handling of a B737 aircraft, but lamented that despite the free fall of naira and increase in the price of acquisition of GSE, the handlers go as low as $300 for the same service in 2021.

“There are three aspects that concern us at the moment; economic, safety and security of the industry. As far back as 1986, grand handlers were charging about $1,139 to handle a narrow body aircraft for instance, but regrettably today, despite the crash of naira against the dollars and other currencies, some of the handlers charge as low as $300.

“Then a dollar was equal to 90,000, but today, the same dollar is about N500, yet we are charging low,” he said.

BASL Enforces Passenger Facilitation Policy at MMA2 Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) has advised travellers and others using the terminal to avail themselves of the rules guiding picking up and dropping of passengers at the terminal.

The rules, according to BASL, are aimed at restoring sanity to the Drop-Off Zone area of the terminal and also part of the strategic moves to ensure that safety and security of all terminal users are not subjected to undue risk. In a statement signed by the Group Corporate Affairs Manager of BASL, Mr. Mikail Mumuni, in Lagos, the terminal operator stated that a number of factors necessitated the resolve to enforce the rules regarding the

original design of the terminal, which include operating the Drop-Off Zone strictly for what it is meant for. Explaining further, he said the Drop-Off Zone was designed to cater for out-bound passengers and other terminal

users only while in-bound or arriving passengers are meant to use the Arrival parking area and the Multi-Storey Car Park, stressing that both outbound and inbound passengers were not meant to cross path.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͱ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Minister Advocates Critical Reforms to Reset Economy James Emejo in Abuja The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, has stressed the need to implement critical reforms in order to put the economy on the right path.

He said Nigerians needed to come to terms with the fact that the country is not presently buoyant as a result of the existing revenue constraints.

Agba, at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) discourse in Abuja, argued that though the country has enormous potentials to be a wealthy nation, noting that only the implementation of necessary reforms will guarantee positive outcomes.

He regretted that most Nigerians still considered the country as rich and therefore engaged in activities which are detrimental to the economy.

For instance, the minister questioned that rationale behind Nigerians’ appetite for foreign goods knowing the amount of pressure this exert on the local currency.

He said the continued importation of food items and other commodities without enhancing the productive capacity of the various sectors will be counterproductive.

This, he argued will only

benefit other countries at the detriment of Nigeria as jobs are exported.

Agba, however pointed out that these were among the issues which the OGP seeks to address by working with the civil society groups to, “open our books so that they see and understand”.

He said: “We have the potentials to be rich and the only way to get to those potentials is to carry out those necessary

reforms.”

“Nigerians need to know what is going on in their country, they need to know that the country is not a rich nation.”

He added: “Like we all think and if we do all agree that the country isn’t rich, then the reforms that are required to be carried out have to be carried out.

“Some are talking of the exchange rate, when you look at the dollar, it is a commodity;

what do you need the dollar for?

Do you need it to purchase food stuffs, you don’t.”

The minister said: “So we need to be productive, once you understand that when you go for the dollar it is for the purpose of buying things that are imported and keeping other people employed, we will begin to love Nigeria and eat what we produce just like the president said.”

NGO Receives Health Facility Accreditation Ugo Aliogo The Society for Quality in Healthcare in Nigeria (SQHN) has launched its internationally certified health facility accreditation standards in a virtual meeting attended by dignitaries and healthcare practitioners from both public and private healthcare organisations across 10 States. A statement by the NGO explained that SQHN, a not-for-profit organisation founded by Late Prof. Adeyemo Elebute, commenced operations in 2003, with the mission to lead, advocate and facilitate the continuous improvement of quality, “and safety in healthcare in Nigeria through accreditation, education, collaboration and training.

In line with its mission, SQHN actively began the development of local healthcare facility accreditation standards in 2014 to guide and support healthcare facilities in Nigeria in their collective, “and individual journeys towards quality care delivery, excellent patient experience, and patient safety.”

According to the statement, “The SQHN standards were developed by Nigerians, for

Nigerian health facilities based on both local and international evidence-based practices and standards following extensive assessment of the Nigerian healthcare system and detailed deliberations with relevant stakeholders in both the public and private health sectors.

“Similar to international healthcare quality accreditation standards offered by USbased Joint Commission International (JCI) and South Africa based, Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA) standards, the SQHN standards have gone through the rigorous review and certification processes of the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua).

“SQHN is the only internationally recognised health facility accreditation entity in Nigeria. SQHN standards are specifically designed to improve the overall quality of the health sector by providing standardised assessment of the structures and processes necessary to achieve quality outcomes in a manner that promotes benchmarking and internal organization improvement of healthcare facilities.

Group Begins Youth Empowerment Programme Nosa Alekhuogie Zigzag Nation has commenced the first phase of an empowerment programme for Nigerian youth, focused on skills development and job creation. The initiative is an all-encompassing empowerment programme for Nigerian youths, spread in two-fold; job creation and self-employment.

The two-fold training are forerunners that will be followed by programmes that will pivot on wealth creation, savings culture and financial independence.

Giving details of the initiative, the Chairman of ZigZag Nation, Mr. Obafemi Giwa Amu said: “In line with its afrocentric stance, the empowerment programme will subsequently be open to African youths as Zigzag nation embodies a cross-pollination of different African people of positive vibrations under one nation. Though global in outlook and orientation, the Zigzag Nation remains, for now, an African platform for people of different cultures to showcase their talents.”

According to him, to be a beneficiary of either the current self-employment or job creation programmes, all that Nigerian youths require, is to dedicate a

phone number for which five working days a week are available for its activation. Towards this end, a 9mobile phone number will be assigned to the prospect who will in turn visit any 9moble centre to activate the phone number.

“Each number will be attached a SIM card for easy and low cost communication in the community. SIM cards will also be availed to every prospect including all friends and family members attracted by the prospect to be part of the programme.

“Part of the special benefits derivable from the alliance with 9mobile include unlimited calls to all members, 1.5GB data and two-way authentication for security purpose.

“After the activation, the prospective beneficiary will be expected to set up his Zigzag passport, which gives access to many financial benefits. The focus group of beneficiaries remains the youths under the broad category of students, merchants, artisans, workers and a host of others. Every active prospect will set up a personal savings account with his own group of six to twenty persons he attracted to Zigzag Nation,” Amu said

CAPACITY BUILDING

L - R: Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Adeleke Adewolu; Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, Ms. Josephine Amuwa; Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice John Inyang Okoro; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Administrator, National Judicial Institute, Abuja, Justice Rosalind Bozimo; President, Court of Appeal, Donagban-Mensem; and Justice of the Supreme Court, Mohammed Lawal Garba during the Annual Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications hosted by the NCC in Abuja… recently

‘UK Generated £1.9bn from Export to Nigeria in 2020’ Sunday Ehigiator The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones has revealed that British firms operating in Nigeria were able to generate £1.9 billion through exports to Nigeria in 2020.

He likewise put total imports from Nigeria to the United Kingdom (UK) in 2020, at £1.3 billion.

He made this known over the weekend at the Nigeria-Britain Association’s Presidential Cocktail, held in Lagos, with the aim of providing an opportunity for the newly elected President of the association, Abimbola Okoya, to share her vision to friends and partners of the association.

According to Llewellyn-Jones, Nigeria has over time been perceived to be a difficult environment for business; hence the two countries must collaborate to correct the poor perception.

He said the above view doesn’t accurately portray the complete reality of the collaborative business environment between the UK and Nigeria, saying oftentimes, this has caused opportunities aimed at enhancing business relationships between both countries, being overlooked.

According to him, “the history of success for British firms operating in Nigeria is robust, total UK exports to Nigeria amounted to £1.9 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q4, 2020.

“Also, total UK imports from Nigeria amounted to £1.3 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q4, 2020. We are glad N-BA has created this platform to help promote the Nigeria-UK relationship.

“I am pleased to reiterate that our bilateral relationship is a strong one based on shared history, shared values and shared interests.

“The British Government recognises the great potential in Nigeria and I am optimistic that the Nigeria-UK relationship will continue to flourish.

“Nigeria’s success matters to the UK and it is in all of our interests to turn these opportunities into sustained growth by continuing to work together,”

he said.

Also speaking at the event, Okoya said the Nigeria-British Association was committed to continue to strengthen ties between both countries, along with the collaborative vision of the founders of the association.

“We will continue to create an identity that reflects the bonds of mutual understanding, cultural exchange and friendship between Nigerians, Britons and members of the Commonwealth, towards a common goal,” she noted.

The Nigeria-British Association is a non-profit organisation that has existed for over 50 years, with the aim of improving economic and socio-cultural ties between Nigeria, Britain, and the Commonwealth.

Tix Africa Closes Pre-seed Funding, Plans Expansion Emma Okonji Tix Africa, a self-service ticketing platform for event creators in Nigeria, has secured a six-figure pre-seed funding.

The funding round was led

by HoaQ, with participation from a number of private equity investors, and will enable Tix Africa to build its technology to scale its events apps. The startup also plans to expand operations to Ghana and East Africa in the coming months.

Tix Africa launched in 2019 to solve the challenges of ticketing live events in Lagos.

The founders have successfully run the Eat Drink Lagos Food Festival since 2015 and as a

result of encountering challenges of accurately collating guest details, payments and ticketing the events, it built Tix to plug the gap in user data readily available to event organisers under the company’s original name of Festival Coins.

The new capital raised will be deployed to expand Tix Africa’s development team, revamping its organizer mobile app, developing additional products, and launching Tix Pro - a paid version of Tix offered on a recurring subscription basis.

The company also plans to scale operations to Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Egypt in the second half of 2021.

Commenting on the fund raising, Tix Africa CEO, Folayemi Agusto, said: “Nigeria has some of the best events you can attend - no one does private gatherings or public events and festivals like us.

“We want to continue providing the best techenabled solution for event organisers and attendees so that each event is a seamless, accessible experience from the moment tickets are booked, right through to arriving and gaining entry to the actual event.

“The new capital will enable us to scale quicker and to integrate the currently separate products and services we offer,

including an app offering event attendees a marketplace where they can buy, trade and resell tickets securely. We’re really excited to expand our platform to other markets across the continent, potentially enabling users to attend events they may otherwise not have known about.”

The hospitality and event sector in sub Saharan Africa is worth tens of billions of dollars and was one of the sectors significantly impacted by COVID-19 lockdown measures, Agusto further said According to him, once lockdown restrictions began to ease, Tix Africa has also been working on offering virtual events integrated with Zoom.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͱ, ͰͮͰͯ

IMAGES

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Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong; SGS of Katsina state, Dr.Mustapha Inuwa and Deputy Governor, Nasarawa state, Agbadu Akabe, during the Launching of Nigeria Governors’ Forum(NGF) maiden Peace and Inclusive Security Initiative in Abuja....recently

L-R: Lagos State First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye; Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos Chapter, Bishop Stephen Adegbite; and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Tayo Ayinde, at the maiden edition of Lagos Praise Jamz 2021, held in Lagos..recently

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and the National Vice Chairman, PDP, South South Zone, Chief Dan Orbih during a courtesy visit by the Zonal leadership of the Party to the Governor in Government House, Asaba..recently

Federal Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Oyo state, Mr Kayode Ibrahim (left) and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN, Mr Goke Olatoye, during the visit of Olatoye to the Federal Controller in Ibadan…recently

L-R: PFN National Secretary, Dr Ilechukwu Cosmas; PFN National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke and his wife Rev. (Mrs) Victoria Oke during the media briefing on the state of the nation by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria held in Ogun state…recently

L-R: Representative of Lagos State Governor/Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi; Wife of the deceased, Mrs Evelyn Joshua and Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu during the funeral service for the late Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua in Lagos..recently

Fellow Member, Association of Business Managers and Administrators of Nigeria (ABMAN), Dr. Clement Michael; Registrar, ABMAN, Dr. Clement Ike; Representative of Chairman, Oxford International Group (Inductee), Mrs. Mariam Animasaun and Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Germans Abubakar, during the Conferment of Awards, Fellowship and Honour by ABMAN in Abuja…recently PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

L-R: Coordinator National Social investment Program (NSIP), Mr. Umar Biadir; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Catriona Laing and Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary, Mr Matsunaga Kazuyoshi during the Launch of G7 member action plan to save live from famine and humanitarian Crisis in Abuja… recently PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT LSPWC Rehabilitates 385, Urge Lagos Residents to Take Ownership Fadekemi Ajakaiye

T

he Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) has said it rehabilitated 385 roads across the state with plans to rehabilitate 400 more before the end of the year.

The General Manager, LSPWC, Engr. Olufemi Daramola, who stated this at a press briefing recently, pleaded with Lagos residents to take ownership of these roads and maintain them.

He said, “A total of 385 roads across the state have been worked on from January 2021 till date. Among the 385 roads, 100 strategic roads have been rehabilitated, routine maintenance was carried out on over 268 roads and 17 roads were maintained using palliative approaches.

The Corporation hopes to work on the additional 400 roads before the year ends.

“Some of the strategic roads fixed so far include: Mushin-Isolo LGA, Ileshomi Street, Oshodi LGA, Ado Badore, Eti-Osa LGA, Dailey Street, Shomolu LGA,

Odogbolu Street, Surulere LGA, Keffi Street, Obalende, Lagos Island LGA. Others include Jakande Estate Road, Alimosho LGA, Afolabi Street, Ikotun, Alimosho LGA, Old Otta Road, Powerline Junction, Orile Agege LGA and Etunreren Street, Ikorodu,” he said.

However, Daramola stated that the maintenance work carried out by the Agency is short-lived due to the activities of residents and other road users.

“The Agency is therefore out to sensitise the public on the man-made hazards done to our roads and also the need for our people to see these roads as theirs, thereby protecting it,” he said.

He stated that these roads deteriorate quickly due to harmful habits such as burning of items on the road, discharge of wastewater on the road, removal of manhole covers, excessive axle load, cooking on roads. Others include indiscriminate cutting of roads and dumping of refuse in drains.

Daramola stated that the Agency works round the

clock, and that night works have become a permanent feature of its mode of operation, but that most maintenance activities still take place in the daytime.

The weather conditions have impacted the road maintenance activities generally, the corporation is prepared

to take full advantage of dry periods in-between to carryout maintenance operation, he said.

He stated that the weather forecast is usually considered in planning work schedules while cold mix asphalt would be extensively utilised to fix the potholes even in the

absence of a favourable weather condition.

“The Agency commends the continued support from Lagos State to rapidly correct road defects, especially on strategic roads with high vehicular movement, where potholes and failed sections slow down movement,

thereby impacting negatively on economic and social activities in the state,” he said.

He stated that the Agency has provided various forms of interventions in combating road defects, which include palliative works, routine maintenance, and total rehabilitation.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Dada; Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Bisola Olusanya, during a participating panel and discussion on Water demand for Public and Private Estates, at the 2nd Lagos International Water Conference, by the State Water Regulatory Commission, in Lagos… recently

Firm Petitions Lagos AG over Alleged Land Encroachment Sunday Ehigiator Claptons Associates Limited has petitioned the Attorney General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), to step into a land encroachment dispute between the firm and Ms. Ifeoma Okungwu of Winhome Global Services Limited.

In a petition made available to THISDAY and signed by a representative of the firm, Charles Oghor, the

firm alleged that Okungwu encroached on their land located at Okun Ajah village in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state.

In the petition, which was also sent to the Coordinator of the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers, Ogbor explained that the firm had bought a vast expanse of land measuring approximately 23.081,240 square metres, which was a part of Ajayi Agbationika family land at Okun Ajah village in Eti-Osa Local

Government Area of the State in 2010.

He accused Okungwu of always using unknown persons and security personnel to disturb “our workers and the peaceful possession and occupation of the said land on the false claim that she owns the land.”

He said all efforts aimed at making Okungwu have a meeting with the firm to resolve the ownership issues had failed, and thereby appealed to the AG to invite both parties in dispute, so

that their claims could be verified.

“All efforts to make her see reason and meet with us (Clapton Associates Limited) to resolve the issue of ownership of the vast expanse of land has failed, rather she has resorted to sending thugs to chase away our workers from the land. She has vehemently refused to come to the table to justapose her title documents to ours.

“She has issued various threats to my humble self. I

humbly ask that she should be invited to your esteemed office to verify her claims against ours,” part of the petition read.

Also accompanying the petition sighted by THISDAY was a letter signed by the Principal Partner of the law firm, Oghenevweta, Mr. Godswill Ojakovo, urging the Lagos AG to direct the Coordinator of the state Special Task Force on Land Grabbers to wade into the matter not only in the interest of his client but also

that of the general public.

Another letter accompanying the petition signed by the solicitors of Claptons Associates urged the taskforce to assign seasoned officials to investigate Okengwu and determine whether her claim to the ownership of their client’s vast expanse of land has any merit whatsoever.

Every effort the reach Okengwu proved abortive as the lady who responded to her mobile number denied knowing anything about the matter.

Cleaner Energy: Sylva, Industry Giants to Address Investment in Gas Sector at Houston Conference The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, will canvas for investment into the oil and gas sector at the 2021 Annual Sub-Sahara Africa Oil and Gas Conference in Houston, Texas, USA. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who had said a road map document

that would drive investment in the sector would be unveiled in the next six months is expected to speak to investors at the conference.

A document made available to journalists showed that Sylva would among other issues intimate investors on the need to leverage the National Gas Expan-

sion Programme (NGEP) alongside his Technical Adviser, Gas Business & Policy Implementation, Justice Derefaka, who would focus on “Nigeria’s Pathway to Gas Economy through Nigerian Gas Flaring Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP).

The event tagged “The Future of Upstream and

Deepwater Development, Advancing Digitization and Gas Development Options in Sub-Saharan Africa,” is expected to also host Managing Director of NLNG, Tony Attah as a keynote speaker while Chairman, Kano State, NNPC-AKK pipeline project, Muazu Magaji would be a special guest of honour.

Coming in the midst of the new global energy landscape, the event, which would be attended by energy ministers, leaders of national oil companies, executives of international oil companies, indigenous oil firms and other critical players in the industry is expected to create leeway for the continent and evalu-

ate the future of upstream, challenges of digitalization and the options available to harness the continent’s huge gas resources.

The event, which is being organise by Energy & Corporate Africa and expected to take place in August, is pegged on the backdropped of the global trends fueling energy transition.

Youth Group Commends FG for Proposed A’Ibom Technology University Fadekemi Ajakaiye Advocacy for Youth Transformation and Empowerment Initiative (AY-TEIN), a frontline pan-Nigeria public service group, has expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the establishment of the Federal University Of Technology in Akwa Ibom State.

In a press statement signed

by AY-TEIN President, Ubokobong Akpan, following its zonal leadership roundtable in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, recently, the group applauded “the commitment of the federal government to realistically resolve the besetting socio-economic challenges confronting Nigerian youths.”

The forum described the

decision to site one of the newly approved federal universities of technology in Akwa Ibom State as a well-thought out decision that would promote balance in the distribution of strategic federal infrastructure, while also enhancing fair access to capacity building opportunities and meaningful participation in national development process.

AY-TEIN also advised that in developing curriculum for the new universities, government should consider the wide technological gaps in the country and put in place innovative academic programmes that would provide Nigerian youth with the requisite skill-sets and competences to address the nation’s technological needs, as well as function

maximally in the global technological sphere.

The Forum equally congratulated Governor Emmanuel Udom, under whose tenure the university has been approved. It enjoined Akwa Ibom people to bury all partisan and sectional sentiments bordering on location of the institution and work closely to ensure a smooth take off of the

university in the overriding interest of all.

AY-TEIN reiterated its commitments to continuously support policies and promote strategic programmes that would enhance meaningful transformation and sustainable empowerment of Nigerian youths and enjoined Akwa Ibom youths to take full benefits of its numerous empowerment initiatives.

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T H I S D AY ˾TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

Forum Endorses Clean Cooking Policy for Nigeria Bennett Oghifo

R

epresentatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the cooking energy sector have agreed to develop a clean cooking policy to promote clean cooking in Nigeria.

According to data, cooking with unclean energy source like firewood or charcoal leads to serious health problems like acute lower respiratory infection in children. It causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and lung cancer.

“Smoke from the kitchen in Nigeria leads to 78,000 premature deaths and about 55 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents are emitted from the same source.”

This was the outcome of a clean cooking governance workshop funded by Heinrich Boll Stiftung with the theme “Improving Clean Cooking Policies

and Institutional Framework in Nigeria,” held in Abuja, recently.

A statement by Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, said existing laws and regulations that relate to clean cooking are fragmented in policies of relevant MDAs and lack consistency and coherence. Several of the current policies have conflicting national targets and most have no diligent implementation frameworks. For this reason, participating MDAs agreed to develop a standalone clean cooking policy document to provide clear road map for the sector.

In addition to developing a single policy document on clean cooking built on existing policies, federal government agencies resolved to set up clean cooking units in all relevant MDAs. To ensure adequate coordination, the representatives of MDAs also agreed to set up a sub-committee on clean cooking under the existing inter-ministerial committee on climate change currently

chaired by the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Since there is already an existing inter-ministerial commitment on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), participants resolved to work towards the expansion of the mandate of this committee to include other cooking solutions.

Further, the delegates from the MDAs agreed to work on a bill to promote clean cooking and present this to the national assembly for promulgation of an act on clean cooking.

The Acting Director, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Halima Bawa-Buhari in her opening remarks, stated that “the advancement of clean cooking would be best achieved if stakeholders shared a common understanding of the benefits of clean cooking. She cited policy inconsistencies and a lack of institutional leadership as major impediments to clean cooking progress and re-iterated

calls for less reliance on biomass cooking, which depletes forest resources, causes environmental degradation, causes drudgery, and contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions.”

MDAs represented at the workshop include, the Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs

and Social Development, Federal Ministry of Power, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Orientation Agency (NOA).

L-R: Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., Dr. Lars Richter; and the Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu at an event in Lagos… recently

‘Security not Infrastructure Major Challenge in Real Estate Sector’ Alex Enumah in Abuja Chief Executive Officer of Lifestyle Asset Hub Limited, Mr. Abioye Oke has identified security as a major challenge in the Real Estate sector of the Nigerian economy.

Oke, who placed security above infrastructure such as power, water, road and some unfavourable government policies, called on government to urgently address the issue if the country must overcome the housing deficit in the country.

He spoke at a media parley with some journalists in Abuja on his recent award as African CEO of year 2021. The African Skill Centre, South Africa and LION Outreach International,

USA, at a recent Africa Lives Development Conference and Awards in Kigali, Rwanda, conferred the award on Oke in recognition of his support to governments in ameliorating the menace of housing deficit ravaging the African continent.

While Lifestyle Hub is already established in Nigeria, Ghana and Rwanda, it is already concluding efforts at establishing in Cote d’ Ivoire.

Speaking on the challenges in the sector, Oke said there are currently new technologies that readily address the issue of infrastructure, if when deployed will bring quality housing to Nigerians at a much cheaper cost.

“The problem is most of our

policies for industry players, we are used to traditional way of doing things. We need to start thinking differently, with different thoughts, trust me, we’ll be able to sustained a vertical design, vertical constructions because there are lots of smart ways to getting this done. So for us, “I was at a forum and I said right now, we don’t even need the federal government to give us power again, let’s commend them, they have tried. They should just give use security. We the private sector, we’ll generate power and we will credit it to the federal government that they gave us the enabling environment to generate power.

“A forward-thinking

developer, forward thinking entrepreneur should take power out of its problem list, your problem now should be security. In terms of the issues of maintenance, sustainability, you know that’s the least of the problem. Even in terms of plumbing system, there are lots of plumbing systems that pump water almost effortlessly. There is a way that from the fifth floor to the tenth floor, all the waste water stays on the third floor, the same water you wasted, there’s a plant that treat it, so that it can be sustainable, you don’t need to have too many plants, maybe one big plant down stir.

“There are a lot of innovative companies in the western world

that we have done research on.

They are not even willing to come to Nigeria to support us because they feel they can be kidnapped. So, the security issue is even affecting the housing sector indirectly”, he said.

On the issue of affordability, Oke disclosed that LifeHub has introduced a structured social funding system that will deliver quality housing to all classes of Nigerians.

“To own an average terrace duplex in Abuja, you need between N70 to N150 million, depending on the type. How many people can afford to acquire properties in these sums, very few; we now decided that instead of going the traditional way, we

will introduce a new package in the real estate industry. If I tell you that you can own the same property with N16 million would you believe it? When you subscribed with N16 million, all you’ll do is recommend four other people to subscribe in the same sum and you qualify for your house. So, you’ll have to do some work.

“Another package is for N4 million, and when I said N4 million I am not talking it is the down payment, that is the only money you’ll ever pay, but there is serious work to be done, you’ll recommend four people who will pay in the same sum and you earn 5 percent and those four people will need to recommend another,” he said.

AMDC, Enugu Partner to Deliver 750 Housing Units Emma Okonji In its quest to lower the entry barrier to home ownership for middle-to-low-income Nigerians, Alpha Mead Development Company (AMDC), has partnered Enugu State government to develop 750 affordable housing units for civil servants in the state.

The estate, Coal City View Satellite Estate will comprise of one, two and three-bedroom housing units; and will come with social and economic infrastructure such as schools, shopping mall, medical centres, security, and 24 hours water and power.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the board and management of Alpha Mead Group

recently, the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi commended Alpha Mead for the role it is playing in the affordable housing space and how the development team has demonstrated capacity since the groundbreaking on the Coal City View Estate five weeks ago.

He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, noting that the state government will ensure that the civil servants of the state get the best of accommodation.

“We don’t joke with the welfare of our people; they are the life-blood of our administration and state. So, it is deliberate that we decided to work with an organization like Alpha Mead who has a pedigree for quality

and sustainable development.

We will support you and encourage you to do more,” Ugwuanyi said.

Responding to the Governor’s steers, Chairman of Alpha Mead Group, the parent company of AMDC, Mutiu Sunmonu, assured the governor and people of Enugu State that the board would continue to put its weight behind the project.

“This project is important to us because it is another testimony of our commitment to frontally address the issue of affordable housing in Nigeria. Beyond the positive socio-economic impact that it will have on the government and people of Enugu state, we also want to use it to prove the public-private partnership

model to affordable housing in Nigeria; and we are happy that Enugu State is taking the lead in the innovative approach to address the perennial housing shortage that is slowing down our social and economic life as a nation,” Sunmonu said.

“For us at Alpha Mead, it is a strategic decision to venture into affordable housing. We want to see more Nigerians own a home. It is for us, about the impact and we are committed to staying true to this for the long run. We believe there is a lot for other states to learn from this relationship with Enugu state;so, we are using this opportunity to call on other State Governments to embrace this kind of PPP approach to housing development,”

Sunmonu added.

General Manager of the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC), Chukwuemelie Agu, said the estate would be in two phases of 350 and 400 respectively with the first phase expected to be delivered by Alpha Mead before the end of the year.

“This is a very cardinal project for us as a corporation.

Our governor cares very much about the people of Enugu state and he has given us his steers to ensure completion promptly and make homeownership a reality for our people,” Agu said.

From what we have seen so far, we believe we have the right partner in Alpha Mead Development. Of the initial 100 units, the company has reached

over 70 per cent in less than six weeks. We are happy about the progress, speed, quality and capacity that they have brought to this project”, Agu further said.

Conducting the governor and leadership of the state labour and trade union congresses on a tour of the site, the Managing Director of AMDC, Damola Akindolire, explained that so far 40 units of one and two bedrooms respectively and 20 units of three bedrooms, were at different stages of development. He expressed satisfaction with the support from the management of the ESHDC, noting that AMDC will remain committed to giving Enugu State civil servants, not just housing, but a home that they will be proud of.

Firm, CrossPoint Innovate Organises Training Fadekemi Ajakaiye In response to the high rate of unemployment and economic headwinds brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, CrossPoint Innovate, a training, mentorship and empowerment platform for young people and entrepreneurs, is organising a one-day conference and pitch competition, worth N8 million

in grants.

The Conference, which will take place next month in Lagos, is focused on helping young people and owners of small businesses start and grow their business through actionable intelligence and practical steps for operating in Nigeria. It also aims to celebrate and highlight businesses which stand-out, while inspiring the

next generation of individuals on issues relating to leadership, finance and service to humanity.

Speaking on what to expect at the Conference, founder of CrossPoint Innovate and Pastor of CrossPoint Church, Ladipo Soyombo, said the Conference will be pivotal to many businesses looking to excel in today’s economy. “We came up with CrossPoint Innovate at

a time when the country was experiencing a recession. Many people had lost their jobs and those who owned businesses were struggling. What we then did was to start an online training program for young people, which saw some success earlier this year. We took it one step further with the Conference and pitch competition, and already, hundreds of people

have applied.”

Soyombo said that the sheer number of people that have applied for the pitch competition is a reflection of not only the entreprenuerial spirit in Nigerians, but the huge gap, which exists in funding and support for small businesses.

He added, “the funding gap is huge, and Crosspoint Innovate wants to do its part in giving

businesses a fighting chance.”

Past speakers at CrossPoint Innovate trainings include industry leaders like the founder of Farm Crowdy, Onyeka Akumah, SVP GE Capital Sub-Saharan Africa, Seyi Akinwale, Group Head Corporate Communications BUA Group, Otega Ogra and Group Head Digital Marketing, Fidelity Bank Plc. Ose Osundeko.

32

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͱ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

DMO Offers N150bn Bonds Ndubuisi Francis The Debt Management Office (DMO) on behalf of the federal government has offered N150 billion bonds for subscription for the month of July. The offer announced on Monday by the debt office via a circular was in three tranches of N50 billion each.

The first tranche is a 10-year reopening bond to be offered at the coupon rate of 13.98 and a

maturity date of February 2028.

The second tranche of N50 billion with 12.40 per cent rate has March 2036 (20 years) as maturity, while the third tranche of N50 billion with 12. 98 per cent (30-year re-opening) has March 2050 maturity.

The circular indicated that the auction date would be Monday, July 19, 2021, with a settlement date of Friday, July 23, 2021.

Transactions would be at

N1, 000 per unit, subject to a minimum subscription of N50,001,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter.

According to the DMO: “For re-openings of previously issued bonds (where the coupon is already set), successful bidders will pay a price corresponding to the yield- to- maturity bid that clears the volume being auctioned, plus any accrued interest on the instrument.”

NDIC Boss Wants Deposit Insurance in ICAN’s Curriculum James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Bello Hassan, has called on the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to include courses on the deposit insurance system (DIS) into the institute’s programmes in order to deepen the understanding of the scheme within the banking public.

He said this would help to bridge the knowledge gap and address misconceptions on the benefits and limitations of the DIS, particularly its contributions to financial system stability.

Hassan, made the appeal when he received the council members of ICAN, led by its president, Mrs. Comfort Eyitayo, on a courtesy visit to the corporation.

He said awareness remains a critical factor towards ensuring the maximum impact and penetration of the benefits of the deposit insurance system on the public and the financial system.

In a statement by Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Mr. Bashir Nuhu, the NDIC boss pointed out that partnership with ICAN and other stakeholders to promote public awareness of the DIS had become necessary in view of the novel nature of the scheme in the country and the world at large.

He said the corporation would continue to place premium on collaboration with its strategic stakeholders in the overall discharge of its mandate.

Hassan, thereafter congratulated Eyitayo on her assumption of office as the 57th ICAN President and urged her to ensure

chartered accountants continued to uphold the ideals of accuracy and integrity as enshrined in the Institute’s motto.

He also assured the institute of the corporation’s continued support and collaboration.

In her remarks, Eyitayo acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the NDIC in stabilising the financial system in Nigeria. She said for an efficient financial services industry, there was the need to sustain depositors’ trust and confidence by continuous reassurance of the safety of their deposits at any given time.

She further expressed the commitment of the institute towards the continued partnership with the corporation to achieve greater awareness of the deposit insurance system amongst members of the institute.

Flutterwave Appoints New Chief Regulatory Officer Dike Onwuamaeze Flutterwave, a payment technology company in Africa has announced the appointment of Mr. Oluwabankole Falade, as its new Chief Regulatory and Government Relations Officer (CRGRO).

Flutterwave said Falade new role would include ensuring that the operations of the company are aligned with the policies of the agencies of government that regulate its activities.

He is also expected to provide strategic oversight and government relation strategies to support Flutterwave’s vision.

The Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Mr. Olugbenga Agboola, who commented on the new appointment, said: “We’re grateful for the conducive regulatory environments that have helped us carry out our business,

safely and in the best interest of the customers.

“With Falade joining our team, we believe he is well placed to strengthen our existing relationships as well as support us create new relationships. Falade will play an instrumental role in supporting us achieve our goal of creating endless possibilities for our customers with our key stakeholders in mind,” he added.

The payment company said that Falade would bring to his new appointment his 18 years’ experience in legal practice, regulatory affairs, government relations and business development across financial and telecoms industries.

He was the Director, Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations at IHS Towers and also held key leadership roles at VISA and MTN, where he managed interactions with key government

stakeholders and regulators in key markets across Africa.

Falade said he is, “excited about the work Flutterwave has done so far in building trust with regulators. We want the same things with the regulators; to grow businesses and economies through technology.

“My role remains to proactively work with stakeholders to better understand our interests and needs whilst ensuring we are always aligned with set standards and regulations. I’m happy to get to work.”

He is an alumnus of the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, with a certificate from the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation. He is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administration, Nigeria, and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the United Kingdom.

ND Western Outlines Growth Plans Peter Uzoho Nigerian independent oil and gas company, ND Western Limited, has listed a number of strategies to achieve its plan of becoming an integrated energy company, with significant downstream and midstream businesses.

One of such strategies is its ongoing drive to grow the company’s gas production capacity from current 400 million standard cubic feet (mmscf) per day to 600mmscf in the coming months.

The Managing Director of ND Western Limited, Mr. Eberechukwu Oji, told journalists recently that growing the company’s gas production numbers would lead to significant gas supply to the

domestic market -the power plants and local industries.

Oji explained that the focus on growing the company’s gas production and contribution to the domestic market was in line with the Decade of Gas agenda of the federal government and to use gas as the transition fuel in the emerging energy transition world.

He added that the growth plans included increasing ND Western’s oil production capacity from the current 20,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 30,000 bpd by end of this year or mid next year, noting that the firm even has the capacity to grow it to 60,000bpd.

He said: “We also have a very strong oil production. At the moment, 20,000 barrels per

day. We hope to grow that to 30,000 in the very near future -end of this year, mid of next year, before our plans come together.

But we have capacity to grow that to actually 60,000 barrels.

“So, that will make ND Western one of the strong players among all the Nigerian independents. We also have a mini refinery project that is in development -10,000 barrels a day.

“We are working on that very seriously. We are in discussion with NNPC as well, for the condensate refinery. That will be an additional 10,000 barrels.

So, if you combine our 10,000 mini refinery, plus the 10,000 condensate refinery, that will be 20,000 barrels of refining capacity.”

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͷ ͰͮͰͯ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $74.18 a barrel on Friday, compared with $71.97 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 ˾ ͯͱ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

NGX All-Share Index Sheds 0.36% as Market Extends Bearish Trend Goddy Egene The stock market opened for the week extending the negative performance of last week with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited All-Share Index (ASI) declining by 0.36 per cent to close at 37,857.89 yesterday. Similarly, the market capitalisation shed N70.9 billion to close lower at N19.723 trillion.

The market had went into the bears’ territory last week due

to profit-taking after a positive performance the previous week.

Specifically, the market dipped by 0.57 per cent. That bear run was extended to yesterday following sustained profit-taking in MTN Nigeria Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and BUA Cement Plc. Although only 13 stocks depreciated compared with 16 price gainers, losses by the bellwethers propelled the negative close. Market operators had said the market would display

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

a mixed trend, on profit-taking and repositioning for half-year earnings reporting season kicking off any time soon.

“Again, the way to go is target dividend-paying stocks and fundamentally sound companies with growth prospects in 2021, looking the way of mispriced equities ahead of interim dividend announcement. This is especially given that despite the seeming improvements, fixed income yield continues to offer a negative real

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

rate of return due to the galloping inflation,” they had advised investors.

CWG Plc le the price losers with 9.5 per cent, trailed by International Breweries Plc with 5.6 per cent. Champion Breweries Plc and FBN Holdings Plc went down by 3.2 per cent and 2.6 per cent respectively. AXA Mansard Insurance Plc and Zenith Bank Plc depreciated by 2.2 per cent apiece.

On the positive side, Tripple

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Gee & Company Plc led the price gainers with 9.8 per cent as investors continued to react to the impressive full year results of the company. The manufacturer of financial instruments, secure and commercial documents, labels and flexible packaging materials, posted a growth of 129 per cent in profit after tax (PAT) for the year ended March 31, 2021. Its PAT rose from N37.535 million to N85.880 million in 2021. The board

O F

has recommended a dividend of seven kobo per share, up from five kobo last year.

Regency Alliance Insurance Plc closed as the second highest price gainer with 8.8 per cent, while UPDC Plc and FTN Cocoa Processors Plc garnered 7.4 per cent and 5.8 per cent in that order.

Meanwhile, trading activities was mixed as volume traded fell by 22.6 per cent to 187.2 million shares while value traded rose by 6.7 per cent to N2.9 billion.

1 2 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021 • T H I S DAY

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 09Jul-2021, 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 155.96 157.51 -3.60% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.80% Nigeria International Debt Fund 320.53 320.53 -20.55% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 111.46 111.46 -0.57% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.05% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.27 3.43 -3.72% info@anchoriaam.com 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 3.32% Anchoria Equity Fund 134.35 135.88 1.01% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.10 -17.23% 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 N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 425.32 438.14 6.23% ARM Ethical Fund 38.18 39.34 13.27% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -1.22% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.96 0.97 -8.08% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.65% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.07 105.07 3.30% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.97 1.97 -15.86% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.07 2.11 -14.27% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 1.68% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.85% Paramount Equity Fund 16.48 16.78 3.04% Women's Investment Fund 136.31 137.89 2.43% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) N/A N/A CORONATION ASSEST 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 5.00% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 3.62% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,147.62 1,160.56 -0.49% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,386.52 1,386.52 11.10% FBN Balanced Fund 190.45 191.77 1.48% FBN Halal Fund 111.09 111.09 8.22% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.23% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

126.03 156.84

126.03 3.52% 159.00 3.74% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.95 1.58 1.18

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 4.58% 3.95 2.12% 1.61 3.53% 1.18 3.71% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price N/A N/A N/A

Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.09% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.89 2.95 1.03% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 151.20 151.48 -2.76% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.27 1.31 0.99% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 0.07% 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 1.41 1.43 3.47% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,132.71 1,132.71 4.39% 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 11.45 11.50 9.30% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.92% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.67 1.69 7.14% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.51 11.56 -5.13% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.72% PACAM Equity Fund 1.65 1.66 4.26% PACAM EuroBond Fund 112.00 113.66 1.88% 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 132.74 135.02 8.56% 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 1.01 1.01 3.41% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,262.23 3,294.22 1.53% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 231.17 231.17 2.81% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.21 1.23 3.39% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 303.96 303.96 3.16% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 220.56 223.83 1.06% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.49% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,298.00 10,442.11 -1.88% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.26 1.26 2.89% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 114.73 114.73 3.29% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 102.17 102.17 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.29 1.31 1.05% United Capital Bond Fund 1.89 1.89 3.44% United Capital Equity Fund 0.86 0.88 8.42% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.12% United Capital Eurobond Fund 118.82 118.82 3.83% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.07 3.87% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 5.59% 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 Equity Fund 12.91 13.02 8.81% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.17 14.29 15.98% Zenith Income Fund 24.17 24.17 0.80% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.43%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.09 51.54

2.77% -1.64%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.21 126.20 99.43 17.98 18.32

13.31 129.23 101.54 18.08 18.42

-0.04% 4.91% 0.18%

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

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.95 5.95 17.41 1.00 19.20 151.62

3.99 6.03 17.51 1.00 19.40 153.62

4.55% 4.54% 7.28% 4.83% -6.42% -30.79%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.52

13.11%

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.

35

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021

NEWSXTRA

Emefiele Urges Universities to Focus on Entrepreneurship Devt Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has stressed the need for Nigerian universities to focus more on entrepreneurship development in order to address the surging youth unemployment in the country.

He stated this in his keynote address at the 35th Conference of Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, which was held at the Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil, yesterday.

The CBN governor, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Development Finance Department, Dr. Adebowale Idowu, said there was urgent need for the universities to have a paradigm shift in the academic orientation of the graduating students from ‘job seeking’ to ‘job creation’ through entrepreneurship development.

According to him, “As you

may be aware, an estimated 600,000 students graduate from our tertiary institutions and enter the labour market annually, and after participating in the NYSC programme, the begin to seek the already thinned-out white collar jobs, a situation that has contributed significantly to the rising youth unemployment across the country.

“To address this trend, there has to be a paradigm shift in the academic orientation of our graduating students from job seeking to job creation through entrepreneurship development.”

Emefiele added: “Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) portend great opportunities to address these gaps and accelerate economic growth, leveraging on our vibrant youth population.”

He said as part of effort to achieve this objective, the CBN has planned to partner tertiary institutions in Nigeria to foster a culture of entrepreneurial develop-

ment among the youths prior to graduation, by supporting them with start-up capital for their enterprises upon graduation.

The CBN governor said the re-orientation is also critical to the recovery efforts to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the productive sectors of the economy and the fallouts from the dwindling oil

revenues accruable to the country.

“The proposed partnership will also provide a platform to build digital skills that are relevant to Nigeria’s broader developmental goals,” Emefiele said.

He disclosed that the CBN was developing a Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES) to re-orientate, train and finance entrepreneurship ideas among our

graduates.

The CBN governor noted that: “The scheme is designed to support the development of entrepreneurial mindsets and culture through the introduction of a platform that provides seamless access to affordable finance to graduates through innovative channels for participation.

“The proposed scheme will be

targeted at graduates of tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, monotechnic and colleges.”

He called on the vice chancellors to support the development of the laudable initiative targeted at re-defining the contribution of the teeming graduates to the sustainable economic growth and development.

Atiku Distances Self from Online Portal Giving out N10, 000 in His Name Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Nigerian Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has distanced himself from what he described as a fake online portal, the ‘Atiku Foundation Youth Empowerment Fund’.

A statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, said the portal was set up by some unscrupulous element with identity of the presidential candidate of the PDP in the last general election forged.

Ibe said: “The portal was supposedly set up without his consent with the intention to defraud.

“The objective of the criminals behind this scam is to defraud unsuspecting members of the public by advertising the identity of Atiku Abubakar as being associated with the fraud.

“We warn supporters of Atiku and the public not to patronise

any portal called ‘Atiku Foundation for Youth Empowerment’.

The portal is fake and certainly does not enjoy the authorisation of Atiku. Indeed this scam was first introduced in 2019 by criminal elements.

“We also warn the public and supporters of the Waziri of Adamawa not to patronise any scheme in his name, which is not expressly advertised on the verified social media accounts of the former vice-president.

“We call on the law enforcement agencies to track and arrest the individuals behind this online crime and identity forgery, and bring them to face the law.”

THISDAY learnt that the online portal with Atiku’s picture in suit claims to be empowering those who submit their names with N10,000 each. As at 12.37 p.m. yesterday, the portal claims to have empowered more than 150,000.

Osun Names Omoworare Director-General, Abuja Liaison Office Chuks Okocha in Abuja Osun State Government has announced the appointment of Rt. Hon. Olanike Omoworare as the director-general of the state Liaison Office in Abuja.

The state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, who disclosed the appointment in a statement issued after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting yesterday, said Omoworare’s appointment took effect from July 12, 2021.

A former parliamentarian and the first Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Omoworare is an alumnus of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University,

Ile-Ife) and University of Ilorin where she obtained Bachelor of Arts in Education and Master of Education in Guidance and Counselling respectively.

She previously served as the executive assistant on Women Affairs to former state Governor Adebisi Akande, and was also a Special Assistant, Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2016 and 2019.

Omoworare, a sports administrator, agriculture advisor and career advisor, was until her appointment, the principal consultant of Career Development and Training Services; a firm responding to manpower development in both the formal and informal education sector.

UNVEILING NEW FASHION …

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Flow Universal Solutions, Mr. Ikechi Odigbo; Senior Pastor, Day Star Christian Centre, Pastor Kenny Folarin; Chairman, The Wardrobe, Mr. Leke Awofeso; Managing Director, The Wardrobe, Mrs. Ade Awofeso; and Managing Director, Credit Direct Limited, Mr. Akinwande Ademosu, at the launch and formal unveiling of Fashion brand, ‘Ade’ fashion to fit, in Lagos… yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Ekweremadu: Only Justice Can Address Nationwide Agitations Deji Elumoye in Abuja Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has stressed that only justice could effectively address widespread agitations across the country.

Ekweremadu spoke yesterday while delivering a keynote address in Lagos at the 2021 Law Week event of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), themed “Building a Nigeria of Our Dreams.”

He also expressed concerns that Nigeria’s challenges could continue, unabated, unless the nation returned to the constitutional foundations of a federal structure as laid down by the founding fathers to support and sustain a peaceful, secure, and prosperous nation.

The ranking Senator warned

that Nigeria would continue to experience agitations and the emergence of ethnic campaigners except government protected the citizens and treated every part of the country with justice and equity.

He, therefore, called for a better management of the nation’s diversity, emphasising that “the turbulence in the country today derives from the concerns of some parts of the country that they have been sidelined and that the Federal Government has failed or even refused to protect them”.

“Although all Nigerians are by law meant to be equal, sections of the communiqué issued at the end of the last meeting of the Southern Governors Forum in Lagos, also point to the same concern that some Nigerians have since become less or more equal than others.

“Never in the history of post-civil war Nigeria has the cry of marginalisation and preferential treatment been so pronounced, and never has separatist agitations been so intense and pervasive.

“Verily, verily I say unto you, even if we clamp all the separatist agitators into prisons; even if we unleash all the Nigerian military and police might formations unto the streets, such agitations and the rise of ethnic militants will never cease unless we address the factors that gave rise to them in the first place”.

He equally advocated a hybrid of presidential and parliamentary systems, noting that the presidential system remained ideal for holding a vast and pluralistic nation like Nigeria together.

He however argued that

the features of parliamentary system, such as appointment of ministers from the parliament, “Question Time”, as well as removal of a head of government by a “Vote of No Confidence” rather than a tortuous and convoluted removal process in a presidential system, would help to curb presidential excesses and create greater overlap and cooperation between the executive and the legislative arms of government.

On rotational presidency, single tenure, and bicameral legislature, Ekweremadu submitted that rotational presidency is imperative in African environment where ethno-religious and sectional sentiments are still high, adding that in the higher and long-term national interest, it was high time idea of rotational presidency was entrenched in the constitution.

Gunmen Kill Nine People in Fresh Southern Kaduna Attack Gunmen suspected to be bandits have invaded Makarau Jankasa community in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing nine people.

Scores of natives have reportedly fled their homes to neighbouring communities as a result of the attack.

The fresh attack is coming

barely 72 hours after a similar attack on Warkan community in the same local government area where nine people were also killed and many sustained injuries with 12 houses burnt down.

A resident who confirmed the incident yesterday said the attackers invaded the Makarau Jankasa community on Sunday

at around 5pm.

He said security operatives arrived the village at a time when the criminals had already perpetrated their act and disappeared into the bush.

The resident called on the federal and state governments including security agencies to double their efforts in securing lives and properties.

“This attack are too much for us to bear, no one is longer safe in our community. Nobody can go to his farm now,” he added.

When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, didn’t respond to calls placed to his phone on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021

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NEWSXTRA

Sultan Calls for Prayers to End Insecurity Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam has described as “unfortunate”

the continued wave insecurity occasioned by banditry, kidnapping and insurgency across some parts of the north.

The JNI noted that the continued insecurity across the North without

2023: Northern Group Canvasses Support for S’East, N’East, N’Central Deji Elumoye in Abuja A northern group, North Central People’s Forum ( NCPF), has canvassed for a power shift in 2023 presidency to three zones namely South-east, North-east or North-central in order to correct the injustice the three regions have suffered since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

The group while expressing its opposition to any zoning or a power shift to the South in 2023, however, stressed that every part of Nigeria should be carried along and given a sense of belonging.

NCPF’s Secretary General, Khaleel Bolaji, while addressing newsmen on Monday, said “If you want to base it on the basis of regions, South East, North East and North Central should be considered for the presidency in 2023.”

He emphasised that North Central is particularly short-

changed in the scheme of things in Nigeria According to him, Bauchi State in the North East, has more heads of federal parastatals than the entire North Central States, including the Federal Capital Territory combined.

“We are out to make sure that the North Central is not shortchanged in the Nigerian project. We hold this country.

Without the North Central, there’s no Nigeria. We have not been given our right place in the country.

“In fact, since Nigeria returned to democracy, North Central has had more votes during general elections than the South West.

But they make more noise about it. Our region is the food basket of the nation.

The group stated that the agitation that the presidency should come to the South is further dividing the country adding that focus should be.more on competence.

any solution was condemnable, calling on Nigerians to provide intelligence tips to security operatives to end the security challenges.

The Muslim body stated this in a statement issued yesterday by the JNI’s Secretary General, Dr. Abubakar Khalid-Aliyu, titled,

‘Press release on the first 19 days of Dhul-hijjah 1442AH(2021) and the need for sustained prayers and virtuous acts of devotions’.

It reads partly,“Jama’atu Nasril Islam under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar,the Sultan of Sokoto,

urges the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to be more dedicated and be committed in virtuous acts during these days which have commenced yesterday, Sunday, July 11, 2021.

“We therefore use this occasion to call on the Muslim Ummah to

imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and shun acts that will attract the anger of Allah (SWT).

“We should all be more generous in alms and should also seriously engage in supplications for an end to the myriad of challenges bedevilling the Nigerian nation.”

GIVING BACK TO ALMA MATER… L-R: Vice Principal, Methodist Girls High School, Mr. Joseph Oyegbile; President, Methodist Girls High School Old Girls Association of 1981 Set, Aderonke Omorodion; Principal, Mrs. Adenike Idowu; and Vice President, Methodist Girls High School, Old Girls Association of 1981 Set, Mrs. Feyisara Osinupebi, during a cheque presentation to the school for the purchase of interactive board and equipment for science laboratories, in Yaba, Lagos…yesterday

N2.8bn Fraud: ICPC Arraigns Ex-Surveyor General, Awudu

Bauchi Gov Gets PDP’s Approval to Run for President in 2023

A former Surveyor-General of the Federation (SGOF), Dr. Ebisintei Awudu, has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), for alleged fraudulent diversion of N2.8 billion.

Awudu was brought before Justice Olusegun Adeniyi, of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court 9, Maitama, on a 22-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, gratification and virement, which contravened Sections 19, 10 (a) (i) and 22 (5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section 10(a)(ii) of the same Act. The charge in part reads, “That you Surveyor Ebisintei B. Awudu between 16th November, 2017 and January 2018, used your official position as the Surveyor-General

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

of the Federation to confer unfair advantage upon a relation and associate by awarding five different contracts with a total sum of N808,592,200 ( Eight Hundred and Eight million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand, Two Hundred Naira) to Geolev Nigeria Ltd., which company you had been a Director, wherein your half-brother and other associates are still Directors, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000”.

It was alleged that the sum of N1,253,428,269 was collected by the accused at different times between February and December, 2018, from various contractors handling projects for the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation as gratification.

Flutterwave Appoints Falade as Chief Regulatory Officer Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company, has appointed Mr. Oluwabankole Falade (Bankole) as the new Chief Regulatory and Government Relations Officer. In his role, he will support Flutterwave’s vision by providing strategic oversight and government relation strategies, while ensuring that the interest and needs of the business are aligned with that of the regulators.

Falade brings 18 years of experience in law, regulatory affairs, government relations and business development across financial and telecoms industries. Before joining Flutterwave, Bankole was the Director, Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations at IHS Towers. He also held key leadership

roles at VISA and MTN, where he managed interactions with key government stakeholders and regulators in key markets across Africa.

Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola, said,: “We’re grateful for the conducive regulatory environments that have helped us carry out our business, safely and in the best interest of the customers. With Bankole joining our team, we believe he is well placed to strengthen our existing relationships as well as support us create new relationships. Bankole will play an instrumental role in supporting us achieve our goal of creating endless possibilities for our customers with our key stakeholders in mind,” he added.

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday declared that he had got the go ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to run for president in the 2023 elections.

The governor made the declara-

tion when coalition of groups, including the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS), Bauchi State traders and artisans associations, as well as association of Achaba and Keke, visited him at the Government

House to present a letter of endorsement to him as President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.

According to him, since his first endorsement few weeks ago by the northern youth leaders’ forum, he had commenced consultation, adding that the state working committee of the party had given him ‘a nod of approval’.

He said he was contented with his present position as a governor, adding however that he was ready to serve the country in any capacity.

The governor also said after consulting the party, he would consult traditional rulers and clerics before making pronouncement on his aspiration.

Election Fraud: Jailed Akwa Ibom Prof Gets N10m Bail Okon Bassey in Uyo The Akwa Ibom State High Court 1 sitting in Ikot Ekpene has granted bail to Prof. Peter Ogban in the sum of N10million, pending his appeal.

Ogban, a professor of Soil Science at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, was handed a 36-month jail term and a fine of N100,000 after being found

guilty of electoral fraud levelled against him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The presiding judge, Justice Pius Idiong ruled yesterday that the bail conditions would include a surety in like sum, who must reside and have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

Others include the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy signed

by the state governor and two passport photographs each of the applicant and the surety to the registrar of the court.

Justice Idiong held that though the convict did not prove exceptional circumstance or unusual reason to be granted bail, he might have to serve the term of sentence before the determination of the appeal.

Counsel for INEC, Kpoobari

Sigalo, explained that the conditions for bail must be perfected before the applicant could be released INEC had arraigned Ogban on two counts bordering on fraudulently tampering with election results in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party during the 2019 general elections in the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.

Kano Hisbah Arrests Five Suspects over Alleged Homosexuality The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested five men suspected of engaging in homosexuality at Sheka Barde in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano.

The Commander General of the Board, Dr. Harun Ibn-Sina confirmed the arrest in a state-

ment issued in Kano yesterday, which was signed by Malam Lawal Ibrahim, Public Relations Officer of the Board.

According to him, the arrests were made following reports from residents of the area.

“All the suspects confirmed to be above 20 years of age

were apprehended on July 11 during a special raid,” he said The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the commander-general expressed outrage over the alleged actions of the youths.

Ibn-Sina thanked members of the community and security

stakeholders for their cooperation and support in cracking down on corruption in the state.

He said the suspects would be charged to court.

The commander-general urged youths to shun unwholesome practices as they were leaders of tomorrow.

Abiodun Flags off APC Campaign for Ogun LG Poll Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, flagged off the campaign for the local government elections in Imeko Afon and Yewa North Local Government Areas, with a promise to reconstruct

deplorable roads, including Abeokuta-Olorunda-Imeko road.

Abiodun, who was accompanied on the campaign train by members of his cabinet and chieftains of the All Progressives

Congress (APC), also presented the party flag to the party’s chairmanship candidates in the two local governments.

While Akinrogun Yaya Fadipe was given the flag in Imeko Afon, Gabriel Ogunyomi

was given that of Yewa North.

Addressing the people of both council areas, the governor said his administration had executed 52 projects in Imeko Afon and 76 projects in Yewa North in the past two years.

39

WEDNESDAY, ͹ͻ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Osinbajo Charges Team Nigeria to Repeat Feats of Ajunwa, Others at Tokyo Olympics

Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has charged Nigeria's team to the forthcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan to repeat the feats performed by the nation's Olympic athletes in Atlanta, United States and Sydney, Australia in 1996 and 2000 respectively.

Osinbajo, who spoke Monday at the State House, Abuja, while unveiling the Team Nigeria’s Olympics kit/ equipment ahead of the contingent's departure for Tokyo, Japan today, urged the team to replicate the performances of past Nigerian Olympians, noting that “you stand on the shoulders of giants.”

He recalled the exploits of past Nigerian teams, telling the 2021 athletes “you will also carry with you the encouragement of the great exploits of Nigerian Olympians before you.”

The Vice President reminded the team of such legend as Chioma Ajunwa who won the women’s long jump gold medal at the 1996 Olympics and became the first black African woman to achieve such feat.

“Nigeria’s Under-23 Olympic Eagles in 1996 won the gold medal for football with such talents as; Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Celestine Babayaro, Daniel

Amokachi (who was present at the event,) Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Kanu Nwankwo, Abiodun Obafemi, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Joseph Dosu, Kingsley Obiekwu, Mobi Obaraku, Uche Okechukwu, Teslim Fatusi, Tijani Babangida, Victor Ikpeba, and Wilson Oruma —that was the year we defeated the world’s best footballing nations – Brazil and Argentina and we all held our heads high,” recalled the vice president.

He stressed further: “At the Sydney 2000 Games, again we beat the best in the world, we won the gold in 4×400m relay after the American team that origin won the event was disqualified for using performance-enhancing drugs.

“Our team then was made up of the likes of Clement Chukwu, the late Sunday Bada, Enefiok Udo-Ubong, Jude Monye, and two other members of the squad, Fidelis Gadzama and Nduka Awazie.

“And for anyone who thinks we are joking, maybe they haven’t seen our exhibition basketball game on Saturday with the USA team, especially that amazing block by Precious Achiuwa against KD - Kevin Durant, who is probably the best player in the NBA right now. So Precious, you are the real MVP!

FIFA Job: Pinnick Needs to Continue in NFF for Nigeria’s Benefit, Says Egbe The Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Sports Facility Group, Ebi Egbe, has declared that for Nigeria to fully benefit from Amaju Melvin Pinnick’s position as FIFA Council member, he (Amaju) would need to remain as president of the nation’s soccer governing body, NFF. Egbe in a release made available to the media yesterday, pointed out that the country cannot afford to have another person leading the soccer federation when the incumbent has risen to the pinnacle of football administration at the global level.

He noted that administering football and other sports was quite different from partisan politics where one takes a bow after two terms.

“In International football, there is no provision that says that one must do two terms and quit.

“In the case of Amaju, we must thank God that he has

succeeded in finding his way into FIFA. For Nigeria to fully benefit from it, we need to pressure him to remain at the Sunday Dankaro House secretariat of the NFF. It would not be helpful to us as a country if we have a man in FIFA who is not in charge as our soccer federation president,” Egbe reasoned.

He therefore charged the nation’s football stakeholders to rally round Pinnick and also give him another mandate to remain as NFF president after the expiration of his present tenure next year.

Pinnick is the only NFF president that has won a second term in office. After his first term was almost truncated with litigations, he was returned to office for a second term in the election which held in Katsina where the Delta-born football administrator said he would not want to contest again for the NFF presidency a third time.

Amaju Pinnick (left) and British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, during Sunday night Euro 2020 final at the Wembley Stadium in London

“You stand on the shoulders of giants and with the quality and intensity of training you have received and your exploits during the qualification series for the Olympic Games, I am confident that by God’s grace, you will again make history and beat the best in the world.”

Osinbajo urged the team to promote the Olympian ideals, saying: “Olympics is about fair play, honesty, teamwork, respect, and friendship. I trust that you will, as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, represent our nation excellently.

“Fair play clearly enjoins

every athlete not to use any prohibited substances or to cheat in any way. Half of the joy and satisfaction of victory is that it was won fairly.

“Every one of you participating in the games is opening a page in history for yourself, your families, your community, and the nation.”

Osinbajo assured the team of the prayers and support of all Nigerians as they compete with athletes from other nations.

His words: “Your performance at the games will inscribe your names in national and world sporting history. You carry the

hopes and aspirations of millions as you compete in Tokyo. But you will in this endeavor, have the assurance of the prayers and best wishes of all Nigerians,” stressed the vice president.

While commending the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare for coordinating the various sporting Federations in preparation for the Games, the Vice President urged the athletes to make good use of facilities at its training ground in the City of Kizarazu to put themselves in proper shape ahead of the Games starting on July 23.

He urged the team to continue to observe all Covid-19 protocols and to strictly adhere to the IOC Playbook in order to safeguard their health and those of others around them.

Speaking earlier, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said the athletes were ready to do the country proud and presented to the Vice President, the made-in-Nigeria kits for the Nigerian contingent.

“I am happy to announce today that the complete kit for Team Nigeria to the Tokyo 2020 Games was produced with a heavy dose of local content.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo flanked by Sports Minister Sunday Dare and President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel during the unveiling of Team Nigeria’s kits and equipment for the 2020 Olympic Games at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday

Edo Govt Splashes $10,000 to Boost Adegoke's Tokyo Olympics Preparation Gusau pledges SUV gift to the NSF fastest sprinter if he wins gold Adibe Emenyonuin Benin City Edo State Government yesterday gave $10,000 to its ambassador and sprint sensation, Enoch Adegoke to support his preparations for the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

In a webinar virtual meeting, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, said the money was given to the sprinter to ensure there are no distractions in his preparation and quest for a podium finish at the Games.

Obaseki assured the sprinter that the state government would continue to support him in his future outings.

He said: "You can see how proud we are to identify with you. The funds we have approved for you is to ensure that your preparation does not suffer any distraction so that you can win a medal at the games.

"I can recall how hard you trained to qualify for the Games.

You were dedicated to your craft and the whole Edo erupted in jubilation when you made the time that qualified you for the Olympics. You are indeed a worthy ambassador.

"We wish you well at the Games, which we believe will

be a springboard for you. We want you to be level-headed, follow the rules and be clean (free from drug use).

“As a state government, we will continue to encourage you to give your best at all times.

We are convinced that you will come home with a medal and

you will get the needed luck on race days,” the governor added.

Responding, Adegoke thanked the Edo State Government for the gesture and stated that he is honoured and happy that good things would come from the support.

"I am happy to be part of this arrangement, it shows that the Edo State Government means well for me. The road to qualifications wasn't easy.

I thank the state government for the support and I promise to make the state and Nigeria proud.

AFA Sports Becomes First African Sports Apparel Partner in Olympics History Africa’s first sports apparel brand, AFA Sports, has said it is proud to announce that it is the official apparel provider for the Nigerian delegation to the Olympics.

The national apparels were displayed to the world on Monday by his Excellency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as he bid the athletes farewell before they board their flights to Japan today.

The historical deal makes AFA Sports the first indigenous African apparel partner to ever feature at the Olympics.

Announcing the partnership in Lekki, Lagos, the CEO of AFA Sports, Ugo Udezue said, “This is a golden opportunity and a golden moment not just for AFA Sports but also the Nigerian contingent. We are very passionate about

the opportunity to represent our country and the African populace.

“We are proud to be actively participating on a global scale, and are excited to continue rendering active support to the development of sports, and in particular the Olympic games.

“We are also grateful to the Ministry of Sports for creating an enabling environment for local sports enterprise.”

This partnership is yet another proof of AFA Sports long standing tradition of support which first began with providing apparels for the male and female national basketball teams to the Afrobasket and the World Cup games, then the male and female Volleyball teams, the Para-powerlifting federation, the first ever African Knockout involving mixed martial arts

and down to local athletes.

As a brand that has been conscientious to the needs of African athletes, just as when it developed the Humid-resistfabric to keep the body cool in Africa’s extreme humidity, AFA Sports said it conducted an extensive research on the Japanese climate in order to curate the best performance fabrics for the Olympics team where the margins of success can come down to the athletics products.

Speaking of the vital role that passion has so far played in the company’s rich history, the CEO said, “We are passionate about changing the narrative of the African story through a positive mindset while working diligently to create products that deliver in all facets at the international level.”

Tuesday July 13, 2021

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MISSILE Ohanaeze to Bello “There is no doubt that Bello has a date with destiny going by a smooth political ascendancy that life has presented to him. However, we have our fears that he is embarking on a political adventure that lacks both conscience and principle.” – Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, slamming Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, for describing rotational presidency as unconstitutional.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI NYSC And The Kemi Adeosun Case I abati1990@gmail.com

t is not often that cases before a court of law become so important that they get discussed in beer parlours, open places, other rooms and generate so much public attention beyond the court room, even after judgment has been delivered by a court of competent jurisdiction. But it happens, presenting, relative to context, the spectacle of concurrence and/or populism or a conflict between the court of law and the court of public opinion. This in itself is a reaffirmation of the role of the judicial system as a social modulator, beyond strict positivism, rather than a derogation from the relevance of the judiciary. Such cases are known in legal circles as “cause celebre” either for the attendant popularity and public interest or the precedence that they establish. Nigeria found itself confronted with such a case recently with the decision taken by the Court of Justice Taiwo Taiwo (Federal High Court, Abuja) in the matter between Oluwakemi Adeosun, former Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney General of the Federation. This is an interesting case that has the prospects of becoming a locus classicus, in its present form or on appeal (if that happens) with regard to the issues of citizenship, appointments into public office and participation in Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC). I will tone down the legalisms involved, but what are the facts before us and what conclusions can we draw from this particular case?

In November 2015, Kemi Adeosun, born in 1967 in London, England, to Nigerian parents from Ogun State Nigeria, was appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Finance by the Muhammadu Buhari administration. Before that appointment, she had worked in the United Kingdom as an accounting assistant at British Telecom, London, also at Goodman Jones as a senior audit officer, as a manager at London Underground, and later at Prisms Consulting. She was also a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers. In 2002, she returned to Nigeria and took up an appointment as a Financial Controller with Chapel Hill Denham Management. She became Managing Director of that company in 2010. In 2011, Adeosun was appointed Commissioner of Finance in Ogun State by then Governor Ibikunle Amosun who promised to turn around the fortunes of his home-state. Four years later, Kemi Adeosun was further elevated when she ended up as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, after President Buhari and Governor Amosun won a second term in office as President and Governor respectively.

It was widely assumed Mrs Adeosun earned that promotion due to Amosun’s influence. Amosun is a well-known Buhari ally and a prominent member of the ruling party. As Minister of Finance of Nigeria, Adeosun, an Economics graduate of the University of East London and a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, further ended up as Chairman of the Board of the African Export-Import Bank (AfreximBank).

Her profile was something made out of a fairy tale: amazing, well supported.

In 2018, that fairy-tale turned sour when an online newspaper, Premium Times Online alleged that Mrs Adeosun illegally obtained her NYSC exemption certificate. In Nigeria, no citizen, who is a graduate, is allowed to be employed in either the private or public sector, without having gone through a mandatory one-year national service.

This requirement is spelled out in Section 12 of the NYSC Act and embedded in the 1999 Constitution.

Premium Times, after calling out Mrs Adeosun, promised to conduct an investigation. And it did, with unsavoury outcomes. This generated tension, ethnic politicking and a heavy dose of blame game.

In the middle of all that, and the ugly implications for the integrity of the Buhari administration,

Adeosun Kemi Adeosun resigned from her position as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance on September 14, 2018. Her resignation letter, addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari is available online. But let me quote the following paragraph from it. She writes: “I have today become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine. This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.”

Kemi Adeosun’s resignation was an unusual thing to do in Nigeria. Most of her compatriots would never have done so. Resign from such a “juicy position” as Nigerians call it? No! But she did. And there were questions about whether she jumped or she was pushed. Other questions were asked: was she set up and sacrificed by the same man who made her Minister of Finance, her former boss, Governor Amosun? Did she herself get too big for her boots, and forgot her own beginnings? Who blew the whistle about her NYSC Exemption Certificate? As pundits went to town, Adeosun left town. She has now returned three years later, with a bang. A month ago, she got a generous mention in the newspapers as the founder of a Foundation – “the Dash Me Store”, an online thrift-for-charity initiative that she has now established to support the vulnerable in society. It was her first major public appearance in 3 years. And it wasn’t meant to be just one of those events. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in attendance for all the possible symbolic reasons, as Chair of the occasion. That was great optics.

Adeosun may have left the country in 2018 for controversial reasons, but she has returned on a high note, with perfect timing.

For me, this was particularly confirmed by the court ruling dated the 7th Day of July 2021 in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/303/2021 between Folakemi Adeosun - (Plaintiff) and Attorney General of the Federation – (Defendant) before His Lordship Hon. Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo in the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division. As it were, Kemi Adeosun had approached the Federal High Court to seek declaratory reliefs to the effect that (i) she was not under any constitutional disadvantage or prohibition at the time of her appointment as Minister with regard to her participation in the NYSC scheme, (ii) she cannot be subjected to any disability or disadvantage on the ground that she did not participate in the NYSC and

that ((iii) being a United Kingdom Citizen as at 1989 when she graduated from the University of East London, UK, at the age of 22 years, she was ineligible to participate in Nigeria’s NYSC. The learned Judge observed as follows: “In brief the fact of this case is that sometime in 2018, while the plaintiff was serving as the Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it was being paraded in the public space that she did not participate in the NYSC scheme and as such ought to have been disqualified from holding the office. It was further alleged that the said insinuations have remained unabated, thereby, consistently putting the plaintiff at disadvantageous positions in the pursuit of her career, both within and outside the country, this has therefore necessitated the plaintiff to file this action.” Counsel for the defendant relying on Section 12 of the NYSC Act and Sections 147 (5) and 192 (4) of the 1999 Constitution responded accordingly. The Court decided in favour of the plaintiff and granted the declaratory reliefs in her prayers before the Court. The ruling has been heavily criticised in the court of public opinion, and that has generated as much interest as the substance of the case itself.

First, there is this argument that the court did not address the issue of certificate forgery which was the basis for Mrs Adeosun’s resignation in the first place. Those who push this line of argument forget that this was not the matter before the court. A court of law is not duty bound to embark on a voyage of discovery or offer what has not been pleaded before it with admissible evidence. Procedure is critical in law and in common parlance, the court is not a Father Christmas. In this matter, a civil suit by the way, Kemi Adeosun had approached the court to protect her reputation, to which she claims much damage had been done by the circumstances of her exit from the Nigerian government in September 2018.

It is perfectly within her rights to do so, one’s reputation being so fundamental to everything else.

Second, some persons have expressed concern about the citizenship question raised in the ruling.

They ask: Granted that as of 1989, when she graduated Kemi Adeosun was not a citizen of Nigeria, and therefore ineligible for participation in the NYSC scheme, under the then extant 1979 Constitution, when she then returned to Nigeria to work, what steps did she take to become a Nigerian citizen? They point out that the 1999 Constitution after all, does not automatically confer citizenship.

There is a proper definition of citizenship under Chapter 3 of the 1999 Constitution, so at what point exactly did Mrs Adeosun become a Nigerian?

And how could she have been appointed a state Commissioner of Finance and later, a Federal Minister if there was no understanding that she had become a Nigerian citizen although entitled to dual nationality? And why would she sue the Attorney General of the Federation? Again, these questions were not raised by the defence counsel before Justice Taiwo Taiwo. The issues for determination were clear and specific. What has been offered is a technical, Constitutional interpretation of what the law says with regard to participation in the National Youth Service Corps Scheme of Nigeria, and the legal status in that regard of all persons, of Nigerian parentage but foreign nationality, caught between the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions with regard to eligibility to participate in the scheme and the question of their citizenship. But does the ruling of the Court meet public expectations? No. Third: Will the office of the Attorney General of the Federation appeal this ruling? I doubt. Will the Federal Government now file a suit to accuse the former Minister of Finance of the forgery of a certificate that everyone is saying is the main issue? Hmm. That won’t happen. This is Nigeria.

Mrs Kemi Adeosun’s reputation with regard to the NYSC matter has been judicially restored, and all insinuations about her involvement in this quasi political-legal tango have been laid to rest. Her brother Dele Ogun has been quoted as saying Premium Times, the online newspaper, has questions to answer. So, should she sue Premium Times that generated the storm in the first place?

She shouldn’t bother. There is no point fighting a battle she can’t win. Only the naïve would pick up battles with the media like those thick-headed characters who believe that they can restrict the freedom of information in society. I hope their advisers have seen the robust push-back by the Nigerian media community which started yesterday. Nigerian newspapers are now carrying placards against the government: from front-page advertorials to editorials!

It has been said that Kemi Adeosun’s legal victory is a victory for all Nigerians who were born abroad before the 1999 Constitution and who do not have to participate in the NYSC. Except that this is one case where the law does not answer all the questions. It must indeed be a fit and proper thing to serve one’s country, or even die for it. The NYSC was introduced in 1973, to move Nigeria beyond the pains and tragedy of the civil war and to promote national unity and integration. If things were normal, there would have been no reason for anyone to avoid the opportunity to serve the country.

Kemi Adeosun was 22 in 1989, and she was not a Nigerian citizen. When she returned to Nigeria in 2013 at the age of 34, she was already beyond the age of eligibility for the NYSC. She has now succeeded in proving her case in court. But other foreign-born Nigerians with an eye on the future should study her case closely and learn a critical lesson about the importance of one’s roots. They need to realise that the Adeosun case does not automatically offer them any protection under the law. Adeosun probably never imagined that she would ever have anything to do with public life in Nigeria.

Many Nigerians in diaspora, a growing generation of children with Nigerian parents and foreign citizenship often overlook the umbilical manner in which they are linked to Nigeria by blood.

They are proud to say that they have nothing to do with Nigeria and that they belong to other countries. But the pull of home and ancestral roots is forever strong. Most of the athletes in the D’Tigers Basketball team who represented Nigeria a few days ago and made history beating Team USA, the most dominant basketball team in the world, probably do not have a Nigerian passport, and may never have been to their ancestral home.

They wore shirts emblazoned with the message: “Naija no dey carry last”. They stepped up and proved it. Every Nigerian child born in diaspora should look beyond Kemi Adeosun’s legal victory.

A sense of home and roots, is the strongest DNA in our veins. The river may flow downstream into the oceans, without looking back, but it is bound to dry up if it loses touch with its source.

What is most unfortunate, however, is the crisis at home that drives a wedge between Nigerians at home and those in diaspora. While we urge the latter to identify with home, connect and remember, Nigerians born and bred at home, are in despair. They are either seeking to emigrate or secede. If they are lucky to graduate from a higher institution, they are not even happy to participate in the NYSC or serve the country.

Nigeria is so insecure parents do not want their children posted to certain parts of the country.

Nigeria has a way of killing dreams. The NYSC is one of those dying dreams. And that is why the Adeosun case, controversial as it seems, is bound to end up as just one of those things in the court of public opinion.

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