WEDNESDAY 13TH JULY 2022

CBN Seeks Proper Disclosure, Fraud Prevention Mechanism on Digital Financial Services James Emejo in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed financial institutions and payment service providers to do more to enhance transparency

and proper disclosure of Digital Financial Services (DFS) going forward.

The apex bank also mandated deposit money banks (DMBs), merchant banks, Other Financial

Institutions (OFIs), Payment Service Banks (PSB) and other payment service institutions under its regulation to boost their fraud prevention and risk management capabilities by providing fraud

prevention messages and tips for consumers using both audio and virtual modes of communication in local languages.

The central bank further directed the institutions to monitor fraud

reports to identify emerging fraud issues and sensitise their customers on how they can protect their assets, following the growing threats to cybersecurity in recent times.

The bank disclosed this in its

‘Exposure Draft on Digital Financial Services Awareness Guidelines,’ which seeks to address gaps in consumer knowledge and practices Continued on page 40

Heathrow Asks Airlines to Stop Selling Summer Tickets, Limits Daily Passengers to 100,000... Page 40 Wednesday 13 July, 2022 Vol 27. No 9955. Price: N250

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Osun 2022: INEC Reassures Voters They’ll Decide Next Governor... Page 40 Ex-SGF to APC Now tell me, which Christian will vote for APC with the following contraption: Moslem Presidential Candidate (Lagos), Moslem Vice Presidential Candidate (Borno), Moslem National Chairman (Nasarawa), Moslem Deputy National Chairman (Borno), Moslem President (Katsina); Moslem Senate President (Yobe); Moslem Speaker (Lagos); Moslem Deputy Speaker (Plateau) e.t.c. APC the great! Wu na de try woh!

Lawal: Tinubu is Cornered, He’s Taken Sides Against Christians…To Your Tent Oh Israel!

Warns the gods want to destroy ex-Lagos governor, ruling party Urges Buhari to invoke his powers to revoke vice-presidential nomination Says ex-Borno governor is overambitious, Machiavellian Shettima complicit in Chibok Girls’ abduction, terrorism, say northern Christian leaders Amaechi’s ally, Princewill, quits ruling party on same ground Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, yesterday, in a long read three-pager, told his friend and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, that his decision to settle for a Muslim-Muslim ticket would have consequences, because he has taken sides against Christians.

Lawal, who located the grounds for his displeasure in a popular proverb – ‘Those whom the gods want to destroy they first make mad’ – to further underscore the implication of what Tinubu had done, lamented that there were clear indications that sycophants always have greater influence on leaders, adding that, Tinubu has Continued on page 40

ALL FOR OYETOLA...

L-R: Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai; Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan; Kano State Governor and co-chairman, APC National Campaign Council for Osun governorship election, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Osun State Governor and Party’s Governorship candidate, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola; Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; APC Presidential candidate, Mr. Bola Tinubu; former interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande; APC Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the Party’s National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his co-chair, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, at the final APC governorship mega rally for re-election of Oyetola held at Oshogbo...yesterday

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

NEWS

ASSESSING SECURITY SITUATION AT KIRIKIRI PRISONS… L-R: Assistant Controller General, in charge of Zone A, Lagos, Nwobi Uche; Lieutenant Gboyega James; Superintendent of Corps, Segun Adeogun; Controller of Corrections, Lagos State Command, Freedman Ben Rabbi; Deputy Controller of Corrections, Frank Okonkwo; and Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during the minister’s visit to assess the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons security situation in Apapa, Lagos... yesterday.

With 614,000bpd June Underperformance, Nigeria’s Oil Losses Exceed $2bn OPEC pegs country’s crude output at 1.158bpd for last month Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Out of the 1.772 million barrels per day crude oil allocated to the country by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in June, Nigeria was only able to produce 1.158 million bpd, the latest Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) by the organisation has indicated.

At a conservative average price of $110 per barrel for the month, a THISDAY analysis showed that Nigeria’s daily underperformance pegged against the OPEC quota yielded a whopping 614,000 bpd and 19.034 million barrels’ deficit for the month.

A further breakdown revealed that valued against the daily oil price for the period, Nigeria may have lost as much as $2,093,740,000 due to its inability to, for months, increase the country’s production level.

For a country with huge foreign exchange shortages, if the loss had been plugged it would have for a start helped cash-strapped federating units (states and local governments) embark on major projects.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has not been able to contribute a kobo to the federation account this year.

Although, month-on-month, the country’s oil production increased

by about 134,000 barrels per day, from 1.02 million bpd recorded in May 2022, to the new figure of 1.158 million bpd, according to data by the government, OPEC’s figures showed that it was far from the projection for the period. It was also markedly lower than the production for April, which stood at 1.219 million bpd.

It also almost aligned with data for June released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) which stated that the country produced more than 133,000 bpd, representing a 0.13 percent increase from the May 2022 output.

But despite the huge gap between

expected and actual production, the Minister of State, Petroleum, Mr Timipre Sylva, had recently said the gap will be filled by August.

Sylva's comment came almost a year after similar assurances by the minister and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, that the country will drill enough oil to cover for the deficit by December 2021.

"For us in Nigeria, we are at a low point. We are not able to meet our OPEC quota. We have given ourselves just about a month to ensure that we can ... we believe that by August we would see some improvement in security,” Sylva

Report: Nigerian Businesses Turn to Solar as Diesel Costs Bite Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report

Nigeria’s solar companies are seeing a surge in demand for mini-grids and equipment as businesses in Africa’s biggest oil producer look for alternative power sources, a Reuters report disclosed.

The increased demand became even stronger after the cost of diesel soared locally due to rising global oil prices, it noted.

But it added that supply constraints could hamper their ability to capitalise on the trend, with some saying they had begun to turn away customers because they had been unable to meet demand.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy with a population of more than 200 million people, has an installed electricity capacity of 12,500 megawatts but the national grid only provides 4,000 MW at peak, leaving businesses and citizens heavily reliant on diesel-powered generators.

The price of diesel, which is not subsidised like petrol, has nearly tripled to N800 a litre ($1.93) or even higher in some areas in the country. Most of that increase came in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“There has been an increased growth in demand (for solar), I think really driven by the spike

in diesel prices this year,” Daystar Power Chief Commercial Officer, Victor Ezenwoko said.

The Energy Commission of Nigeria said the country spends $22 billion annually to fuel generators.

Solar power adoption was estimated at below two per cent and some businesses perceive it as unsuitable for large-scale use, industry executives told Reuters.

A study earlier this year by Boston Consulting Group and All-On, a Shell-funded firm, said Nigeria’s installed photovoltaic solar panel per capita amounted to 1 watt compared to an average 8 watts in similar emerging markets like South Africa.

That is changing as energy costs eat into company margins, forcing businesses to actively consider solar, a clean form of energy, said CEO at Rensource Energy, Prince Ojeabulu.

In 2021, Rensource installed under a megawatt of solar panels but it is now constructing 6 MW plants.

“By the end of the year, going by the trend that we see so far, we should have 12 MW of solar installations operational across Nigeria, or even more,” he added.

A Ministry of Power official said there was an increase this year of approved solar mini grids serving industrial users but did not give details.

But global supply chain dis-

ruptions caused by COVID-19 lockdowns in China this year and the war in Ukraine are tampering the optimism for growth. Delivery times for some equipment has risen from three months to as long as nine months.

“We could install 60 MW this year if we had the equipment. We have even started turning down customers...we have become more choosy with whom we work (with),” said Daystar CEO and Co-founder, Jasper Graf von

Hardenberg.

Local financing has been difficult to access too, executives said, but money is flowing in from overseas development financial institutions looking to invest in businesses focusing on green energy.

Demand has been so strong for Arnergy solar that it has done more connections in the first half of 2022 than the whole of last year, said its Vice President for Strategy and Business Operations, Sinmi Akinsanmi.

said in an interview.

But the aspiration expressed by the minister remained very ambitious as Nigeria’s production increases remain very uninspiring, slipping to a record low of 1.024 million bpd production in May. The gap is expected to continue to grow since there appears to be no short term solution to the problem and Nigeria’s OPEC quota has even increased to 1.826 million bpd for the month of August.

Identifying massive theft as one of the reasons for its inability to meet its quota, the federal government had months ago, deployed heavy military presence in the Niger Delta to curb the menace. But even that move has not helped much.

However, it would appear that there’s no shortcut to nipping the prolonged underperformance in the bud, with dipping investment, multiple divestments, operational difficulties and oil theft having been identified as issues bedeviling the sector.

In addition, the country is currently experiencing petrol scarcity due to its inability to refine its fuels in-country, posing a huge blow to the local currency and the economy by extension.

On the economy, the OPEC report stated that despite the improvement in fossil fuel prices, the short-term economic outlook for Nigeria was clouded by high inflation, which it said had reduced private sector optimism and weakened consumer spending.

“In May 2022, the composite CPI

rose to 17.7 per cent y-o-y from 16.8 per cent y-o-y in the prior month.

“In response to the elevated inflationary pressures, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) raised its policy rate by 150 bps to 13 per cent, bringing borrowing costs to the highest since April of 2020.

“It was the biggest rate hike since July of 2016 amid concerns that persistent inflationary pressures could weigh on the country’s fragile recovery...pointing to the weakest improvement in business conditions in Nigeria's private sector since January of 2021.

“Overall, the above-average fossil fuel prices support a firmly positive outlook for the rest of the year, but concerns over soaring inflation would increase uncertainty next year,” the OPEC report stressed.

Tied to the country’s underproduction, last week, the NUPRC Chief Executive, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, revealed that Nigeria lost $1 billion in revenue during the first quarter of this year due to crude oil theft, warning that the development was a threat to the economy of Africa's top producer.

Komolafe noted that of the 141 million barrels of oil produced in the first quarter of 2022, only about 132 million barrels of oil were received at export terminals.

"This indicates that over 9 million barrels of oil were lost to crude oil theft ... this amounts to a loss in government revenue of about $1 billion ... in just one quarter," Komolafe added.

Group Seeks Systematic Approach to CurbVandalism, Destruction of Public Property Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The Ashcraft Centre For Social Science Research has lamented the destruction of public properties, insecurity and other socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria, saying such tendencies were hampering investments in the country Speaking at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, on its forthcoming South-south zonal stakeholders statutory summit, the group called for a systematic approach to curb the unfortunate situation.

The Chief of Strategic Planning and Innovations, Summit Planning Committee, Dr. Chiakor Alfred cited the recent attack on the Kuje medium custodial centre in Abuja,

saying there was the need for a systematic approach to avoid a recurrence.

According to him, the forthcoming summit with the theme, "Domesticating Stakeholders Statutory Responsibilities in Protecting Nigeria's Critical Infrastructure and Other Assets," would engage stakeholders on how to deter and mitigate these challenges in a systematic and coordinated manner.

Adding that the summit would take place in Port Harcourt, River State between July 24 and 28, he said Nigeria is at present experiencing an intensity of insecurity, comparable to what obtained in Lebanon in the mid-1980s.

"The almost daily recurrent cases of terrorism, insurgency,

cybercrimes, banditry, kidnapping, piracy, oil bunkering, drug trafficking and other forms of organised crimes, have created an entirely new security environment.

"Nigeria now faces more security threats that have different characteristics from classic military conflict between states.

The gross expansion of the contours that define security boundaries makes it imperative to recognise the eco-systemic dimensions of the threats that stare at us daily and in every form.

"One of the most worrisome challenges to Nigeria's national economic development is the systematic vandalisation, degradation and destruction of its critical national infrastructures and business

assets," he said.

He stressed that the consequences of these criminal activities constitute adverse national security risks of untold proportions and impact the collective destiny gravely by undermining investor confidence, inhibiting the drive for foreign direct investment, social capital growth and real business development, and truncating real progress in other sectors of the national economy.

He solicited the partnership and support of all stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors, with diverse political, religious and professional orientations to put aside all prejudices to help forge a common front to confront the monster that is threatening the corporate existence of the nation.

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THINKING COLLECTIVE SECURITY...

L-R: Project Manager, Premier Plantations Limited, Mr Boniface Iyen; Assistant Commissioner of Police (Rtd)/Group Chief Security Officer, Nosak Group, Mr Thomas Eno-Edobor; Group Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mrs Judith Aikhoje; Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Mr Abutu Yaro; Group Managing Director, Nosak Group, Mr Thomas Oloriegbe, and General Manager, Saturn Farms Limited, Mr Victor Egharebva during a visit to the Edo State Police Command to discuss stronger security ties at Urhonigbe, the host community of Premier Plantations Limited, Cassava Farming and Processing Project, in Benin…recently

FG Acted Unlawfully on $3.1bn e-Customs Project, Firm Tells Court Eromosele Abiodun A firm seeking to be joined in the ongoing $3.1 billion e-Customs project suit in the Federal High Court Abuja, Adani Mega Systems Limited, has accused the federal government of acting unlawfully in awarding the contract.

It stressed that there were several pending suits on the matter before other courts.

In a motion on notice brought before the court by Taiwo Abe, counsel to Adani Mega Systems Limited, the company while seeking to be joined in the matter listed the cases and described the government's action as subjudice.

The firm averred that it would be affected by the outcome of the ongoing matter while listing some of the pending cases it claimed were on and related which are concerned with automation of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Adani Mega Systems Limited, through its lawyer wrote that, "The purported Federal Executive Council approval of

2nd September 2020, and the signing of the contract award to the Defendants for automation of the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service E-customs when an action is pending is clearly subjudice, pre-emptive of the court's decision, illegal, unlawful and done to steal a match against the applicant. B. “The subject matter of this instant suit is the same contract which was awarded to the Party/ Applicant seeking to be joined by virtue of Project Engagement Mandate from the Central Bank of Nigeria dated the 16 day of February 2017, and a build, operate and own agreement on 20th of March 2017, and the Party/Applicant seeking to be joined holds a valid and duly executed contract with the Technical Committee of the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) which included the 1 to the 5 Defendants/Respondents and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on behalf of the Federal Goverment of Nigeria, as the Service Provider/Vendor for the

Enterprise Screening Platform for the inspection of all inbound and outbound cargo as prescribed

by Nigerian law.”

It stated further that, “By virtue of the relevant laws of Nigeria, only the Central Bank of Nigeria through the Technical Committee set up for that purpose has the mandate, power and authority to administer the provisions of the Pre Shipment

Inspection of Exports Act and the Pre-Shipment Inspection of Imports Act and it is in furtherance of this powers that the Central Bank of Nigeria through the Technical Committee set up for that purpose engaged the services of the Party/Applicant seeking to be joined for the provision of the scanning services infrastructure and Octopus required for inspection of all

inbound and outbound cargo as required by law in Nigeria.

“In compliance with the relevant due process laws of Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria sought and obtained a letter of 'No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement with regards to the contract between the claimant and the federal government of Nigeria through the Technical Committee

Kachikwu: Nigeria Witnessing Record Calamity Under Buhari Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has called on Nigerians to stand up and defend the country, saying under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, Nigeria has been witnessing unprecedented calamity second only to the nation’s civil war.

Speaking on “the state of the nation” in Abuja, last night, the ADC presidential candidate

stated that, the streets of Nigeria flow with the blood of the innocent people as a result of the incompetence of Buhari’s administration in the past seven years, adding that, the terrorists Nigeria pampered today would destroy the country tomorrow.

“Many a mother is weeping. Many a wife in sorrow.

Many families left to mourn quietly and helplessly. In all this, no one has lost his or her job. No minister, national security adviser or president

has resigned.

“The shame of a nation! Who did this to us? We reduce the dead to nomenclature such as scores killed, dozens killed, hundreds killed. Don’t we know they have names?

“They had dreams, ambitions, aspirations. They had loved ones.

What needs to happen before we know Nigeria is a failed state? Who needs to die again.”

Kachichuku asked: which school needs to be attacked, who to be kidnapped before

Poverty, Unemployment Bane of Vote Buying, Says NYCN President Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The National President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Mr. Sara-Igbe Sukubo has attributed poverty and unemployment among the people of the country as major cause of voting buying that has characterised the electoral processes in the country.

He however urged governments at all levels to address the issues so as to put a stop to the trend in the country.

Speaking at Ilorin yesterday, during a one-day North Central Zone Youth Leadership summit

with the theme, "Youth and Leadership in Nigeria: 2023 in Perspective," Sukubo said the purported issue of voting buying that had characterised elections in the country was due to poverty.

According to him, "the issue of vote buying is a simple matter, the only thing to understand in this electoral process is that there is high level of poverty and unemployment among Nigerians."

He added, "These two challenges have necessitated vote buying during elections and it is the menace we are facing now in the country and even

of the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS).”

“The Central Bank of Nigeria without any legal ground, reason or Justification purportedly terminated the said valid, legal contract on the 18th day of September, 2017 which illegal, unlawful, invalid termination is now subject of several litigations before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.”

all over the world.

"The only way to address the issue of vote buying is for the government at all levels to provide a level-playing ground, reduce unemployment and also address the issue of insecurity that will allow peace to reign supreme all over the places in Nigeria."

Sukubo who called for unity among youths and all other stakeholders in the country ahead of 2023, said it was unity of purpose that would usher in new socio-economic growth of the country.

He also used the occasion to

laud the Kwara State governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his youth-inclusive policies in his administration.

He said the development had gone a long way in promoting the skills and intellectual capability of youths in the state.

Sukubo however said the youths would do everything possible to support the governor come 2023, so as to assist him to continue with its youth-inclusive policies.

Earlier, the Vice President, North Central Zone of NYCN, Muhktar Akoshile said the summit was organised to educate and

enlighten youths in the North Central zone that comprise Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Nassarawa, Niger and Plateau States.

He said the era of using youths as a political tool was over the country, adding that the summit would position youth as future leaders that would also take positive responsibility in the democratic governance of the country.

Akoshile, therefore called on the youths in the state to rally round AbdulRazaq so as to ensure more youths are involved in the art of governance come 2023.

Nigerians realise that this administration has nothing more to offer?

According to him, beyond the killings and kidnappings, Nigerians also have to contend with a failed economy, adding that millions unemployed and underemployed, Yahoo and the trade in human parts had been accepted as industries in the nation.

“The naira is 612 to the dollar today. Our farms are untended as terrorists rape, maim and kill our farmers while our government looks the other way. Five months of fuel scarcity in some cities like Abuja, diesel at an all-time high of N800 a litre and the middle class, who are the engine room of every society, just wiped out overnight.

“Our children are at home as government and ASUU fritter away their future. I can spend the next 24 hours talking about the failures of this government, but they are all too familiar to us all,” he said, even as he advised Nigerians to stand up, speak with one voice, with strong determination and reset the country for the future generations, explaining that silence in the face of tyranny was not an option.

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MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

08033025611 SMS ONLY

2023: How Much Weight Can Obi/Baba-Ahmed Ticket Pull?

Emameh Gabriel writes on the chances of Labour party’s presidential standard bearer, Peter Obi and running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, ahead of the 2023 general elections

A

fter days of marathon meetings and horse-trading, Labour Party’s presidential standard bearer, Peter Obi, last week finally settled for veteran politician and former Senator representing Kaduna North, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

This came few days after the proposed alliance between Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso-led New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) crashed due to disagreement between the two parties over who carries the banner for the presidential contest.

Baba-Ahmed’s name as Obi’s running mate surfaced barely 24 hours after former presidential spokesperson and Director-General, Peter Obi Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe, announced his withdrawal as the vice-presidential candidate of the party.

In line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, political parties have up till July 25 to substitute names where necessary of their presidential and vice presidential candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC].

Last week, before naming his running mate, Obi said he would prefer a younger person as his vice-presidential candidate. Datti (46) met the category Obi said he was scouting for.

His credentials as a former chairman, Senate Committee on Finance and a successful businessman are expected to help Obi drive a campaign already anchored on economy.

By the choice of Datti, Obi is making history running with a northern Muslim, though on different platforms and different positions. The former Anambra State governor was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the main opposition PDP, an election they lost to President Muhammadu Buhari’s ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

The decision was, in part, a political calculation to attract more votes from the Muslim community in the north to balance the confidence of his sympathisers in the region, while the party would largely concentrate in the Southeast where Obi hails from.

While Analysts are projecting a regional fragmentation in voting pattern with Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu making strong showing in the North, Obi’s support has also been growing in the region, thus picking a northern running mate would no doubt solidify his support beyond mere sentiment.

Speaking at the event last Friday, Obi, stressed that the unveiling of his running mate signals the party and his resolve in the journey to “take back Nigeria”.

He said: “It is good to be here today after weeks and months that we have gone round, consulted and searched around and looked for somebody who fits the bill of what we are trying to do.

“Today, I am proud to say I have been able to meet and secure somebody who is eminently qualified and fits the bill to be the Vice President of Nigeria.

“I know people will say you are not there yet, but I can tell you, I know where we are going”.

Obi continued: “This is our right to secure, unite and make Nigeria productive. And you can’t do that without having people who have similar visions, ideas and are prepared for the task. So, I have the honour today to present to you, God willing, Nigeria’s next Vice President in the person of Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Obi earlier in an interview with AriseTV Morning Show said he wanted “people who can look me in the eye and disagree with me during cabinet meetings. People who have their own minds and ideas.

“If you agree with me in three meetings then you are gone because that means you don’t have your own ideas. I want people and cabinet members who can say ‘Mr. President, you are wrong”.

Obi had on May 27, 2022, joined the Labour Party few days after dumping the main opposition party PDP, saying he left the former party “because of issues that are at variance with my persona and principles”.

According to him: “For me, the process of

Obi

Baa-Ahmed

achieving our goal is as fundamental as what one will do thereafter.

“Therefore, I have chosen a route that I consider to be in line with our aspirations and my mantra of taking the country from consumption to production; and that is the Labour Party which is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family.

“I invite all Nigerians to join me in taking back our country. Be assured that I’ll never let you down.”

Baba-Ahmed is the founder of Baze University, one of the new generation universities in Abuja. The 46-year-old was a former lawmaker who represented Kaduna North Senatorial district. The economist cum politician served as Senator for Kaduna North from 2011 to 2012 and a member of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007.

Apart from being son-in-law to Lt General Aliyu Gasau (rtd), one of the northern oligarchs, he is also the younger brother of the spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.

In his acceptance speech, Baba-Ahmed said his decision to accept the nomination was borne out of his commitment to rescuing Nigeria, noting that Obi and other Labour Party stakeholders also played a major role in his decision as he bought into their agenda and movement of getting Nigeria to where it should be.

He said: “My task here today is simple and it is to accept my nomination but just before I do that, I should give justifications as follows.

“The undeniable and unchallengeable fundamental reason for being on this ticket is to rescue Nigeria.

“And it goes logically without saying that you can only rescue that which is in trouble and Nigeria is in trouble and I cannot afford not to be part of the movement to rescue Nigeria.

“The second reason is that I believe in the greatness of Nigeria. I believe there will be peace and prosperity, and I believe Nigerian people will unite.”

Obi’s emergency as Labour Party’s presidential standard bearer has added a new flavor to the political atmosphere in

the last few weeks, leaving the impression that for the first time since the merger that brought APC to power, the Labour Party has demonstrated some level of threats to the two major political parties in the country, making some observers to opine that it is the third force.

The choice of Baba-Ahmed has attracted wide commendations and at the same time, pockets of criticism in some quarters, even in Obi’s camp. Some analysts have warned that it would be foolish for anyone to underestimate Baba-Ahmed as he brings some wealth of experience into the vice presidential ticket.

The OBIdient movement now Obi-Datti movement continues to gain wide tractions across the country. It is the new song on the lips of the youth demographic, most of whom have never voted in the past, but the feeling of disenchantment among this group would cause anyone new in politics to believe that Obi will defeat any opponent at the polls.

The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and Trade Unions Congress of Nigeria (TUC) recently announced their support for Obi’s ambition saying he is their sole presidential candidate.

Analysts believe that NLC and TUC are a solid pair. They posited that the reality of Obi having much more national appeal after his exit from the PDP, also gives the feelings that if the tempo is maintained and baring any last minute twist or crack, he remains the man to beat.

They however argued that, though both Obi and Baba-Ahmed look good together, the concern is that they appeal to the same demographics, the young, educated and upwardly mobile class, most of whom are either undecided voters who are loyal to no camp, free to be swayed by inducement or inexperienced voters who may fade out before the election.

They further argued that Peter Obi’s running mate is a fine gentleman who ticks all the boxes. A fitting candidate for a renaissant Nigeria. But in the Nigeria of today, he may not have any electoral value.

Among the questions raised on what Baba-Ahmed brings to the table for Obi is that though he is sound, elections are,

The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and Trade Unions Congress of Nigeria (TUC) recently announced their support for Obi’s ambition saying he is their sole presidential candidate.

Analysts believe that NLC and TUC are a solid pair. They posited that the reality of Obi having much more national appeal after his exit from the PDP, also gives the feelings that if the tempo is maintained and baring any last minute twist or crack, he remains the man to beat.

however, not academic competition. Is he politically and electorally solid? Is he a vote catcher?

Similarly, some observers still believe that beyond the social media hype that Obi, BabaAhmed and the Labour party have garnered overtime, they are not as grassrooted as their opponents, who are in power or have tasted power, using all the tricks and tools in the box at past election cycles and understand the sensitivities of the Nigerian voters, and can play it to their advantage when push comes to shove.

The 2023 election is however expected to come with much surprise, as a result of the disenchantment in some quarters by the dominant parties. While the Labour party is not expected to displace them in its entirety, the Obi - Baba-Ahmed alliance is expected to change the game and engender a shift in sentiment as campaigns and political advertisements enter full swing.

On his part, Convener of News for Peter Obi, Afam Ezenwafor, said it would be wrong and out of place for anyone to believe that Obi and Baba-Ahmed only appeal to a particular demography, noting that their acceptance cuts across the larger population.

He said: “I do not think that is the correct.

They appeal to all the mix in the demographics.

What may differ is the way the groups or classes you referenced express their acceptance and support for Peter Obi. “The primary reason for this may not be far-fetched. They are the most affected by the state of the nation, which is squarely a function of leadership ineptitude. So they are desperate to see the country work.

“The other groups in the demographics that you did not mention are also “Obidient”.

They may not be as vociferous and visible like the groups you mentioned in demonstrating their acceptance and support, said Afam who requested that “an opinion poll” should be conducted to authenticate his submissions.

“So, the presidential election may be seen to have been won by the Labour Party candidate Mr. Peter Obi for so many obvious reasons”, he boasted.

On what are their strengths and selling points, he said the strengths lie in “the organic followership and support that his (Obi) candidature have elicited across the country and beyond”.

“The turnouts for voter registration as we all have witnessed is unprecedented in the annals of our country’s chequered history. Despite all the odds and challenges associated with the exercise, the people have refused to give up “Who did you think motivated the renewed spirit? And who do you think most the new registrants will vote for?”, Afam asked.

“The answers are very clear. He has the message of hope. He has proven beyond doubt that he has very sound knowledge of our economy.

And has also demonstrated the willingness and readiness to fix the economy,” he added.

Similarly, National Youth Leader of the party, Eragbe Anslem, told THISDAY that 2023 would be a different ball game.

“Winning elections this time around will be based on effective Mobilization at the polling unit areas with agents deployment for effective votes recording and transmission “Rigging will not find expression in 2023 as youth shall not tolerate any Electoral Malfeasance, noted Eragbe who stressed that the movement is beyond anyone but 85% of Nigeria youths who feel rejected by the system.

He said: “Demography is an important factor in electioneering campaigns and vote cast. Te youth of Nigeria no doubt constitute over 85% of the projected total vote cast for 2023 general elections. They have also agreed to effect a positive change that ultimately turn Nigeria from a consumption to production nation by engaging the numerous in job creation with productivity optimization.

“The OBIDIENT WAVE is a tsunami presently blowing on the national landscape carrying along the elderly also.

“The campaigns have been defined perfectly with the arrival of the Labour Party’s Vice Presidential Candidate Baba-Ahmed as the running mate to Obi, the Party’s Presidential Candidate”.

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JULY 6, 2022

POLITICS

Preparations for Osun Governorship Gather Steam As July 16, 2022 date for Osun gubernatorial election draws nearer, Yinka Kolawole x-rays the outcome of the recent debate organized by Arise TV for the candidates of various political parties in the State of the living spring

Oyetola

Adeleke

W

ith less than a week to the governorship election in Osun State, political activities have already reached a peak as political parties and their flag bearers in the last few months held meetings, campaigned to get the citizens to vote for them.

While the All Progressives Congress (APC) which is the ruling party in the state is trying to ensure, the incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola is re-elected, stakeholders in the major opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties are strategising on how to defeat Oyetola.

Every election cycle, as expected, requires a debate during which the contenders let the citizens know their plans for them if elected.

It was on this note that Arise Television, the sister broadcast arm of THISDAY newspapers last week held a debate with the top candidates to let the people of Osun State know whom to give their vote for.

While four governorship candidates namely Gboyega Oyetola of APC, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord party, Hon Lasun Yussuff of Labour Party and Mr, Goke Omigbodun of the Social Democratic Party attended the debate, the

Lasun

Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, failed to honour the invitation.

Adeleke in a message by his Media Director, Mallam Rasheed Olawale, said the PDP candidate may not attend the debate due to his ongoing campaign in the local government areas.

“We regret to announce to the management of Arise TV that our candidate may not attend the debate due to his ongoing campaign in the local government areas of the State”, he had explained.

At the debate anchored by Dr Reuben Abati and Ngozi Alaegbu, each candidate showcased their readiness to be Governor of the State come 16th July.

The gubernatorial candidates spoke on the need to create better atmosphere for creation of an economy that would assist in creating job opportunities for the unemployed youth in the state.

They equally vowed to provide adequate security for the citizenry

if they are elected by boosting Amotekun with training and retraining to make them cope with the security needs of the time.

Accord Party Dr Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord Party when asked why he wants to govern Osun State, said as an investor he has the needed skills and knowledge to make the state new and turn the state to her lost glory.

According to him “leadership is about results. I have worked tremendously in the private sector and since I have done it in the private sector, I will do it in Osun State” He noted that he would turn Osun around and create over 100,000 jobs within a year and pay all outstanding arrears of workers salary in the state.

The candidate also promised to make mining more profitable in the state and create more jobs for the unemployed youth.

His other priority areas include integrated agricultural and rural development, development of universal health care system,excellence Education,sport, science and technology, rapid industrial growth, accelerated economic development and human capital and zero tolerance for corruption.

Ogunbiyi

APC On his part, Governor Oyetola of APC said he has sufficient knowledge to deliver Osun State into a better State than he met it. He emphasized that with the level of his performance in the areas of Health, Education, mining, Agricultural development and extension, infrastructural development and the formation of Amotekun to combat criminal activities in the state, he deserves to be reelected for second time in office.

While boasting that come 16 July, the people of Osun State would vote for him based on his current performance as the state Governor, he assured to further create jobs and provide needed employment opportunity for the youths in the State.

Labour Party Lasun Yussuff, who was a Former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives in his presentation vowed to provide 60,000 jobs if elected as Governor.

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

Growing Concerns Over APC Governors Meeting with Wike Blessing Ibunge writes that last week’s meeting between some Southwest APC Governors and their PDP counterpart in Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has again brought up insinuations that the latter may leave the PDP soon

O

n July 8, 2022, the internet was abuzz with news of the visit of three All Progressive Congress Governors to their Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike in Port-harcourt. The visit which was led by the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, alongside Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Chairman, South West Governors Forum, had the social media agog that Wike might finally leave the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC. This is not the first time rumors of Wike’s defection was making news round. However the assumptions that he will defect started gaining ground following the outcome of PDP Presidential Primary held in May. In March 2022, Wike made a public declaration for his intention to contest for the President of Nigeria come 2023. He made bold to say that he was the only aspirant of the PDP who can salvage the country of bad governance.

Between the period of his declaration and campaign for the party’s presidential primary held on May 27 and 28, he was of the optimistic that he would become the flag bearer of PDP in 2023 general elections. However, the PDP ignored Section 3 its own constitution and decided through a 37-member committee that the party would jettison its zoning formula, and threw the Presidency on its platform open.

At the convention, Wike came second with 237 votes while former Vice President Abubakar Atiku won the ticket with 371 votes.

Wike

Fayemi

Shortly after that, a video began circulating all over social media, purporting that the governor intends to defect from the PDP following his loss at the presidential primary election.

In a swift response on June 15, the Governor urged Nigerians to ignore the ‘manipulated video’.

In a statement by his spokesman, Kelvin Ebiri, the Rivers State Governor said the video making the rounds was an excerpt from

a previous interview he had with regards to the defection of Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi from the PDP to APC. The Rivers Governor may have expressed displeasure over the disappointment of not having the party’s presidential ticket. He had also accused some PDP Governors of betrayal, for not fully supporting his ambition to represent the zone at the presidential primary.

Not quite long after the shock following the outcome of the presidential primary, there would have been another opportunity for Governor Wike to continue with the race if

chosen as running mate to Atiku.

Wike had during a reception organised for him by the people of the state in Port Harcourt after his arrival from Abuja, venue of the primary, stated that he was not a second class citizen. Which means he would not accept the position of a Vice President, when all indications are pointing at his nomination as Atiku’s running mate.

Again, Wike’s hope to become the running mate of the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku, was dashed on June 16 when the latter picked Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa against the recommendation of the party’s advisory council.

Following Okowa’s emergence as Atiku’s running mate after the party’s National Working Committee gave Wike a whopping support with 14 votes against 3 for Okowa, there were rumours that Wike was planning to leave the PDP. Atiku had set up a reconciliation committee to reach out to Wike to pacify him and to solicit his support for the party to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the general elections.

Soon after the presidential primary and other activities surrounding who becomes the PDP candidate’s running mate, Wike has not only remained silent but may be regretting his committed efforts in the party which has rejected his representation at the presidency.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 2022

20

FEATURES

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

Excitement over Okowa’s Job Creation Scheme in Delta As part of his strategic wealth creation in the SMART Agenda, the Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, initiated the Women Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme. Chiamaka Ozulumba reports that recently, 280 beneficiaries including 12 persons living with disabilities, were empowered, bringing the total number of WESAP beneficiaries to 835 so far

Delta Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (right), presenting a cheque to Orukamayan Omamumo, one of the beneficiaries of WESAP at the graduation and presentation of starter-packs to 2021/2022 graduands in Asaba. Supporting the gôvernor in the presentation is a Representative of Heritage Bank, Mr Charles Ojakovo.

PHOTO: BRIPIN ENARUSAI

I

t was another round of applause for Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa last weekend as another set of 280 ladies graduated from the state’s Women Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme (WESAP).

Given that strategic wealth creation is the first point in Governor Okowa’s phenomenal SMART agenda, the governor’s smile through the course of the graduation ceremony was well understood.

As the governor said at the graduation ceremony, the various wealth creation schemes of the administration had as at June 1, 2022 led to the creation of 128,813 direct and indirect jobs in the state.

Besides the strategic wealth creation schemes, an additional one million direct and indirect jobs have also been created through the various infrastructural and urban renewal projects.

It was as such no surprise that Delta State was ranked the Best State in Human Capital Development in the 2017 states per review by the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria.

Also significantly, in 2020, Delta was adjudged Second Least Poor State by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.

For a national economy that has been reported to record an unemployment rate of 33 per cent in the year 2022, the direct impact of the Okowa administration in lifting the citizenry from the squalor of unemployment and underemployment is receiving applause from far and near.

Among those who have noticed the impact of the administration in that wise is the Among the 280 ladies who graduated from the WESAP programme on Friday were significantly, 12 ladies living with one disability or the other who were trained in skill acquisition at the , at the expense of the state government at the Farm Craft Centre for the blind in Isheri, Lagos.

For an administration that has not left the disabled behind, it could well be understood the impact of the administration across board.

It was in that light that Governor Okowa said that the state is working toward becoming Nigeria’s centre for Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME).

Okowa said that with the creation of more than 128,813 direct, indirect jobs through the various

job and wealth creation programmes of his administration, Delta would become a hub for MSMEs in the next few years.

The governor said that with sustained growth of MSMEs, the issue of unemployment would become a thing of the past because people would become employers of labour rather than job-seekers.

He commended the state Ministry of Women Affairs and all the programme management for their dedication and consistency.

According to him, WESAP is our platform to enhance social inclusion by equipping the womenfolk with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to be productively engaged.

“I am pleased that the programme has remained steadfast to its mandate since it was inaugurated in November 2020.”

He commended the Heritage Bank for their current partnership, which had infused better financial management, transparency, and accountability into the programme.

“Today, we are empowering 280 women, including 12 persons living with disabilities who, at the expense of the state government, underwent a six-months training in arts and craft at the Farm Craft Centre for the blind in Isheri, Lagos.

According to him, today’s graduates bring the total number of WESAP beneficiaries to 835. ”They have been resourced with the vocational skills to run various enterprises in fashion design, hairdressing, confectionaries, decoration, and makeover/head gear.

“As of June 1, 2022, 128,813 direct and indirect jobs have been created through the various job creation, youth empowerment, and social investments delivery platforms of the administration.

"While this has impacted positively on the economy of multiplied thousands of households, I guarantee you that the maximum impact of these programmes will be felt in no distant future when Delta becomes the MSMEs hub of Nigeria.

“To the ladies who begin their entrepreneurship journey today, it is my hope that you will follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before you and make good success of this opportunity of a lifetime.

“You are among the privileged few who were enlisted in the programme from a long list of others who were equally qualified, but due to limited resources, we could only admit a limited number for now.”

Okowa therefore urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the good gesture of the government by committing themselves to disciplined work ethic, prudent management, and excellent customer service.

“It is now time to put to use, the knowledge you acquired in terms of personal effectiveness, sales and marketing, appropriate pricing, excellent customer service, and business management.

“Thankfully, Heritage Bank is there to facilitate the opening of your business accounts, which will enable you to separate your personal finances from the company funds and place yourself on a monthly salary.

“This will bring discipline into the running of the business, help to measure and monitor growth, as well as enforce accountability,” he stated.

Earlier in her welcome address, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Flora Alanta said the WESAP programme

Women Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme is our platform to enhance social inclusion by equipping the womenfolk with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to be productively engaged

was established three years ago to ameliorate the economic hardship the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed on families.

Alanta said that an empowered woman remained the bedrock for the economic emancipation of families adding that the future of families depended on the economic empowerment of women.

She noted that women needed to have skills that would earn them a living, adding that 280 women including 12 persons with disabilities were among the beneficiaries.

In his goodwill message, the Heritage Bank Group Head of Edo/Delta region, Mr Charles Ojakovo lauded Okowa for his unparalleled passion for the growth of SMEs as a way to rescuing Nigerians form hunger and poverty.

He pledged the partnership of the bank to the job and wealth creation programmes of the state government.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Peace Initiative, a group that has identified with the political aspirations of the governor has urged the governor to take his job creation formula to Abuja.

The group reacted in a statement issued on Tuesday, by its national coordinator, Emma Ekpe.

NPDI while commending Governor Okowa on his job creation schemes urged him to as a matter of urgency to carry the job creation formula to Abuja for the benefit of the nation as vice-president.

“We are proud of the latest graduation of 280 trainees under the Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme (WESAP).

“It is remarkable that such a scheme is coming out from Delta State and we can only pray that Governor Okowa should export the same scheme to Abuja to be replicated at the national level.

Continuing, the group while noting that Okowa’s job has been well cut out for him said: "Governor Okowa as vice-president will be the chairman of the National Economic Council, a platform for him to project the same successful scheme he has practiced in Delta State at the national level.

“It is for this reason that we urge our people in the Niger Delta region and Nigerians at large to support the Atiku-Okowa project as it is the panacea to the unemployment and underemployment malaise that the nation is presently suffering.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 2022

ENTREPRENEUR

ENYATA: Facilitating Tech Empowerment through Opportunities

Beneficiaries of the Enyata Project Buildup

Enyata Workspace

Ifedolapo Oseni

Alongside these initiatives, we host a free annual academy programme aimed at helping tech enthusiasts launch a career within the ecosystem. Enyata Academy creates a learning environment for anyone interested in becoming a tech player. Participants in the program get mentorship from senior engineers in Enyata, as well as the chance to shadow experts working on global projects.

We are currently in the consideration stage for the 6th cohort. Through this programme, the company hopes to foster community development.

Of course, Enyata’s impact isn’t limited to the talent community we identify with. As an organization, our strategy is woven around effort - an effort to serve, and ensure development in all we do.

In line with the company’s vision, we have been able to help businesses realize their ideas by helping them develop efficient products and offering them the tools needed to build said products. Up to this point, we have built a rich portfolio of web and mobile projects by partnering with companies around the world to build effective tech solutions.

Even more commendable is our catalogue of management systems designed to help businesses run their affairs more efficiently. They are Instrail (Insurance Management System), Inventory by Enyata, and the recent HRMS, all built by our Nigerian and Ghanaian teams.

T

here is no doubt that people in the tech ecosystem have gained a growing amount of societal respect. I am talking about the young talents setting up businesses and developing resources to tackle problems within and outside their communities. These are young people defying systemic odds and charting new courses for themselves.

It is a narrative many of us can connect with, and one that we at Enyata Inc. are proud to be affiliated with.

It has been my experience as the head of Communications to understand that facilitating growth with an ecosystem goes beyond what we claim or offer.

We need to ensure that we provide value in everything we do. It is the only way to guarantee the impact we set out to achieve.

Our community efforts at Enyata are motivated by a desire to effect change within the country. Nigeria continues to make significant strides within and outside the continent when it comes to building technological solutions, but we still are yet to measure up when it comes to the nation’s development.

This mismatch has consequently affected the country's economic growth as it is reported to have grown by a measly 3.4 per cent in 2021. This is why we do what we do at Enyata.

In my time here, a host of communityled campaigns have been successfully executed.

Ifedolapo Oseni

Through Project BuildUp 2.0, we rewarded 50 software and product developers with Macbooks to enable them along their professional journeys.

We also launched an educational hub through our Slack community. There, we offer a host of resources - webinars, workshops, articles; all these and more to facilitate the growth of over 3000 members.

Our efforts are an intentional and strategic move to keep providing value and upping the ante as an organization and a growing brand. Our CEO, Dayo Oyelade, regards it as an opportunity to give back to impact lives and influence the world while providing them with the necessary resources and support.

In his words, “Our priority is ensuring that we take the needed steps to guarantee future growth within and outside of our community. The plan is to ensure Enyata helps broaden the tech space beyond Africa. We want to build a world where great ideas, products, and companies come to fruition quickly whilst achieving the required impact.

Our work is to facilitate the process, however we can.”

So far, our efforts have impacted the lives of over 5,000 people and businesses by providing them with the opportunities, skills, tools, and insights needed to propel them forward.

The work we do at Enyata is invaluable, profound, and dare I say, commendable. We want to build a world where great ideas, products, and companies come to fruition quickly whilst achieving the required impact.

Our work is to facilitate the process, however we can. Ultimately, Enyata hopes to become, not only the preferred community for exceptional engineers in Africa but the biggest tech solution provider very soon.

-Oseni is the head of Brand Marketing and communications at Enyata Inc.

Brand Collections by Nene Partners David Adegboyega to Promote Sound Character amongst Youths

B

rand Collections by Nene, a fashion SME brand enabled by technology, has reiterated its commitment to support character development of the future leaders in Nigeria.

The organisation has partnered Sound Character Coach and Nation Builder, David Adegboyega, to promote sound character among Nigerian youths.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Brand Collections by Nene sponsored 1,200 copies of the Sound Character book titled: 'Sound Character: Maxim for a Successful Future' by David Adegboyega and donated 500 copies to students of Eletu Odibo Junior High School, Abule Oja, Yaba, Lagos.

The school was selected by the Education District IV under the Lagos State Ministry of Education.

Approved by the Lagos State Ministry of Education for use in primary, junior and senior secondary schools as part of tools for moral instructions in schools, the Sound Character book has been a tool for freedom management amongst

young people.

It is an instrument used by teachers to instill sound character in their students and also used by parents for proactive engagement with their children on issues of character building.

Brand Collections by Nene provide premium fashion solution to women across Nigeria to enhance their corporate outlook.

The company's core values include leadership, integrity, creativity and nation-building which explains the brand fit in partnering the exceptional Sound Character Coach and Nation-Builder - David Adegboyega. The Sound Character book has produced over 40,000 copies in print since it was published in 2005.

Affirming the company's passion for nation-building, the Creative Director, Brand Collections by Nene,

Omowunmi Amosun, said the need to enhance the value system of Nigeria's future leaders cannot be over-emphasised given the spate of moral decadence in our society.

She said the young ones today should imbibe sound character so that corruption will not be an option for them now or in future.

She quoted from Day 4 of the book, which says, "To build your life to last, build your character. You cannot stay forever in a place. To leave a lasting impression, relate well with everyone that comes your way. Treat everyone with a high sense of dignity so you can leave a positive ever-fresh impression in their minds."

Charging the students to imbibe sound character, Amosun admonished them to watch how they speak to themselves as their friends today may be their friends for life.

Expressing her gratitude to Brand Collections by Nene, Miss Christiana Adesola Sofuye, Principal, Eletu Odibo Junior High School, said that the books will be used daily on the assembly

ground to reinforce the moral talk they give the students.

In demonstrating how to use the book, the principal urged the students to hunger and thirst after sound character.

"Let it be your food" were her words.

David Adegboyega, Author, Sound Character Coach and Nation-Builder, thanked Brand Collections by Nene for this great partnership which ensures that the young ones are taught how to manage freedom.

He noted that while the young ones want to be free, they need to allow sound character to determine the domain of their freedom so they can live a life to be proud of.

In his words, "Intelligence plus character should be the goal of education, and that is what this partnership speaks to."

Amosun promised that this is only the beginning of greater things to come, as the organisation will not relent in supporting the efforts of the government, teachers and parents as they collectively contribute to the lives of these young ones and society at large.

22

WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JULYJuly 13, 2022 Wednesday 13, 2022 Vol 27. No 9955 TR

See page 24 NIGERIA NEEDS INCLUSIVENESS NOT HATRED VICTOR C. ARIOLE contends that Nigerians need inclusiveness in governance to play down on what is insinuated as hatred See page 24 NSIP: SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE VULNERABLE Many poor Nigerians are gradually being empowered, writes DANLITI GOGA See page 25 JAPAN SEEKS A HEARING BY AFRICA OKELLO OCULI argues that in the area of managing trends in population dynamics, Japan will fiercely protect its single ethnicity See page 25

EDITORIAL GROWING FATALITIES FROM SNAKE BITES

See page 26

& RE A S O

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

TOWARDS EFFICIENT CORRECTIONAL SERVICE There is need to ensure that the nation’s correctional facilities are adequately secured, writes HENRY UDUTCHAY

UT H

Nigerian investors are in dire need of managing volatility by hedging their risks, writes SOLA ONI

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2 24

T H I S D AY

There is need to ensure that the nation’s correctional facilities are adequately secured, writes HENRY UDUTCHAY

TOWARDS EFFICIENT CORRECTIONAL SERVICE The Nigerian Correctional Service, formerly Nigerian Prisons Service, has a YHU\ VLJQLÀFDQW DQG LQGLVSHQVDEOH UROH to play in the country’s criminal justice delivery system. As the only agency of government solely empowered by law to keep custody and records of convicted criminals and those awaiting trial, it has been grappling with the onerous task of IXOÀOOLQJ WKLV QDWLRQDO PDQGDWH +RZHYHU the ability and capacity of the service to live XS WR WKH KLJK SXEOLF H[SHFWDWLRQ RI H΀FLHQW management of correctional facilities across the country is being hampered by some daunting challenges. Among such challenges include, inadequate funding, SRRU ZHOIDUH SDFNDJH IRU WKH VWDͿ DQG inmates and dilapidated infrastructure at various correctional centres across the country. Indeed, the facilities in most of the centres are very dehumanizing and in terrible state. Closely linked to the poor state of infrastructure in the nation’s correctional centres is over congestion.

Although there are about 240 correctional centres across the country with a combine capacity for about 50,000 inmates, this has been doubled over the years as a result of large number of those awaiting trial. The fact is that the correctional facilities have been overstretched beyond the capacity of the service to manage. This deplorable VWDWH RI DͿDLU LV PDGH ZRUVH E\ LQDGHTXDWH security in and around the correctional facilities. It is therefore not surprising about the frequency with which attacks at the correctional centres have occurred in the recent time. From available records since December, 2020, when hoodlums attacked Benin correctional centre during the end-sars protest, there has been 18 jailbreaks with at least seven of them being successful. Available records indicate that, nearly 6,000 inmates have escaped from various correctional centres across the country in the past one year. The latest of such jailbreak occurred at Kuje correctional central located in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, when some yet WR EH LGHQWLÀHG JXQ PHQ DWWDFNHG WKH centre which led to the escape of several inmates. Worried by this ugly scenario, the Controller General of Correctional, Haliru Nababa, has been working tirelessly to implement some necessary reforms that would enhance the capacity and H΀FLHQF\ RI WKH FRUUHFWLRQDO VHUYLFH $ tested technocrat and astute administrator, the CGC has left no one in doubt of his zeal and commitment to transform the Nigerian Correctional Service. Working in tandem with the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who has ably supported him, the CGC has initiated and embarked on several programmes aimed at repositioning the service. Flowing with that vision, the service recently held a twoday retreat for its senior management cadre to brainstorm on how the service could meet the public expectations. The retreat tagged Sokoto 2022 with the theme: The Nigerian Correctional Service: Meeting Public Expectations, which took place at Kasarawa International conference centre, Sokoto provided a soothing ambience and ample opportunity to holistically examine the various challenges confronting the service with a view of charting the way forward. At the end of the very intense

and highly stimulating conference, farreaching recommendations were made, which if properly implemented would be able to address some of the critical FKDOOHQJHV KDPSHULQJ WKH HͿRUWV RI WKH service. Among such recommendations was need to ensure adequate biometric

capturing of the inmates by relevant agencies such as National Identity Management Commission and Nigerian Immigration three Service. It was equally recommended that there should be provision of foolproof database of all inmates at the various correctional centres.

Another important recommendation was the need for strategic collaboration with relevant agencies such as National Identity Management Commission, Nigerian Immigration Service and National Fraud Intelligence Unit using ICT for intelligence gathering, monitoring and sharing.

Similarly, the need for interagency security proactive collaboration was recommended and to be given priority. The conference also made very strong recommendation on the importance of ensuring the provision RI VHFXUH EXͿHUV EHWZHHQ FXVWRGLDO facilities and adjoining properties. This is in addition to installation of hi-tech surveillance system and bomb resistance devices at the correctional centres, as well as citing of correctional centres at isolated and secure locations.

Other recommendations by the conference include, periodic review of criminal justice system to conform to existing realities of the state of correctional facilities; purchase and supply of more arms for personnel manning correctional facilities especially at the centres with high SURÀOH LQPDWHV DQG UHSODFLQJ WKH DJHG DQG dilapidated facilities with modern state of the art ones that facilitate reformation.

Furthermore, it also recommended that the welfare of the inmates as well as their rights and dignity as enshrined in the 2019 correctional service Act should be given top priority, as well as issuance of FOHDUDQFH FHUWLÀFDWH WR UHIRUPHG LQPDWHV for seamless integration and acceptance by the society. The conference resolved WR SXVK IRU WKH KDUPRQL]DWLRQ RI VWDͿ remuneration to be at par with the Nigeria Police in accordance with extant circulars and also called for a review of UHWLUHPHQW SROLF\ LQ WHUPV RI EHQHÀWV DQG GLVEXUVHPHQW WR EHQHÀFLDULHV Chief Udutchay writes via hochay2000@yahoo.com

WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 2022

VICTOR C. ARIOLE contends that Nigerians need inclusiveness in governance to play down on what is insinuated as hatred

NIGERIA NEEDS INCLUSIVENESS NOT HATRED Hatred, malice, evil hearts almost dispatched Rwanda to kingdom-come. If Nigeria dies, whether now or in future, hatred killed her. Let us carry those bishops and pastors who spew hatred from the pulpit, and bring them to the genocide museum in Kigali...Femi Adesina The reason Sarah Sanders does not go to the podium much anymore is that the press covers her so rudely and accurately, I told her not to bother, word gets out anyway...Donald Trump One of the raisons d’être of democracy is freedom of speech of citizens, though not necessarily extended to freedom of speech of KLJKEURZ R΀FH KROGHUV ZKR PXVW EH VHHQ serving the people hence restrained by the oath they took to be bounded by the constitution of the country. Somehow the duty of the image maker or mouthpiece of the No One citizen remains toeing the lines and teachings of the Public Relations’ practice, which lean on blowing up the strength of the No One citizen and downplaying his/her weaknesses.

Seeing in USA as, somehow, a best practice approach, Sarah Sanders was initially doing a good PR job for her principal till the man felt it was not necessary for the kind of image he wanted for himself and Sanders started adopting ‘parroting’ approach, so much GL΀FXOW IRU KHU WR VXVWDLQ SDUURWLQJ WKH PDQ and setting aside the PR practice; and not so long in the job, two years, she stepped aside and still found herself useful to be nominated the Governorship candidate of Arkansas, a contested Republican primary.

Come 8th of November 2022, she is expected to be the Governor of Arkansas. One doubts if her Nigerian counterpart could enjoy such FRQÀGHQFH RI WKH SHRSOH Sarah Sanders knew why Trump won the 2016 USA election by collegiate votes and not by popular votes, and it was because the USA/Republicans’ collegiate mindset/votes, as articulated by USA’s constitution, mattered in the assertion that supports “taking back their America” that seems to have been left inundated by “DACA Parents’ immigrants” (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) and as well as leaning towards unchristianly.

In Nigeria, the coalition that made it possible for Adesina’s principal to assume the No One citizenship of the country was premised on either hatred of one man - his predecessor, or the complaints that that one man was governing in exclusion of a section RI WKH FRXQWU\ ,Q HͿHFW HLWKHU KDWUHG RU exclusion of a section of the country, became an anathema of governance that must be seen as a weakness that must be downplayed. So, like Sanders’ failure to downplay such traits, - though encouraged by her principal, that allow for disintegration of the country – see her as unpatriotic, hence the adoption of the approach of parroting her principal.

Most of the statement his principal makes that connote hatred is parroted by Adesina.

1LJHULDQV DIWHU ÀJKWLQJ D FLYLO ZDU ZKLFK Rwanda never did, are in better stead to appreciate what it means to avoid war or what it means to downplay hatred in their midst. And they seem to have been seriously provoked by Adesina’s PR opprobrium like referring to pastors and bishop who still UHPDLQ SDWULRWLF ,Q HͿHFW PLVXQGHUVWDQGLQJ RI WKH GLͿHUHQW VHFWLRQV RI WKH 1LJHULDQ VWDWH seems to be what needs to be remedied and not over blowing hatred as Adesina LQVLQXDWHG $GPLW GLͿHUHQFHV DQG FROODSVH

them for superior values, so insinuated Sir Ahmadu Bello who was able to do that for over 300 minorities in the North, now being subjugated by mostly two major groups who had all along misunderstood why these immense minorities had once centered their grievances against the southern groups; not seen necessarily as hatred, but seen as a powerful group and that leaning on a great leader could get them corner the greater share of the national cake – anachronistically and burdeningly baked in the south as if there is no cake in the north. It is time to make the cake available in the north for all Nigerians.

A guest on Channels TV on Saturday, anchored by Ayo Makinde (2nd, July, 2022), seemed to have a better understanding of the Nigerian state than a greatly paid R΀FLDO OLNH $GHVLQD ,W LV QRW KDWUHG instead, as he put it: one section is feudalminded and people there believe and obey what the godfather says; another section south west - listens to the godfather on the condition that considerations are attached, otherwise they could act as being sent on an errand as a slave and they get the message delivered as a wise person; and other section – south south and south east will ask: who the hell is that godfather?

Hatred, malice, evil heart expressed by individuals or a collective group, as said

by Adesina, are lesser evil than seeing either the feudal lords or the godfathers that assure stomach infrastructure for their followers, as well as those who do not care for either feudal lords or godfathers - completely excluded from governance - including seeing those who are hated on the grounds of staying put to the realities of republican state being told “I don’t like you” or “you gave me only 5% of the votes as a sign of hatred. When indeed, it could stand as genuine and constructive opposition, very healthy in democracy. If on that basis a given section appropriates to itself the collective wealth of all Nigerians in a squander mania drive, it behoves the rest of the section to acknowledge that there is need to rethink the drowning process of the nation so as to avoid collective suicide.

Political culture or behaviour of Nigerians or its sections is not supposed to be herds culture prone where everybody must join the expected godfather driven train. Diversity obliges that some people FRXOG GLͿHU DQG LW PXVW EH UHVSHFWHG However, the governance process must align with obeying the constitution that says no one should be discriminated against on any basis; even if you assume the person hates you. The pumping machine, like in irrigated farm, which is the government at the centre must administer the water in equitable centrifugal force to reach all the corners and crannies of the country ; that is being inclusive as there is no how the 36 states in Nigeria must align themselves to either feudal, godfather or “I don’t care about godfather” approach.

Ariole is a Professor of French & Francophone Studies,University of Lagos

325

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 2022

Many poor Nigerians are gradually being empowered, writes DANLITI GOGA

NSIP: SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE VULNERABLE As democracy continues to evolve across the world, its most enduring objective remains greater inclusion of the people in governance. However, the initial focus on political inclusion through provision of basic rights to freely choose and mandate their OHDGHUV KDV VLJQLÀFDQWO\ EHHQ GLVSODFHG E\ the demand for socio-economic inclusion and empowerment as a more urgent existential need of the electorate, especially

the majority poor and vulnerable. The inherent inequities of the electoral systems tend to dilute the impact of “people power” on the political dynamics of the democratic process, such that the expected socioeconomic inclusion and empowerment of the masses as the ultimate dividend of democracy remains a mirage and a leading cause of voter apathy and worsening of the plight of the poor and vulnerable.

It is against this background that the historic creation of the Federal Ministry RI +XPDQLWDULDQ $ͿDLUV 'LVDVWHU Management and Social Development by the Muhammadu Buhari Administration dedicated to the administration and institutionalization of the federal government’s agencies and programmes in the humanitarian and social security sector should be evaluated. This is a major breakthrough in the crying need to insulate the necessity for socio-economic inclusion and empowerment of the majority poor and vulnerable masses, including unemployed youth, the aged and the disabled, from the whims and caprices of ambitious politicians that infest the political dynamics of democracy.

After decades of governance without provision of social security except for ad-hoc SURJUDPPHV DQG ÀUH EULJDGH LQWHUYHQWLRQV the creation of a ministry to coordinate, consolidate and actualize a systematic and robust social investment agenda to redress the plight of all categories of poor and vulnerable citizens is a monumental achievement. That achievement has VLQFH EHHQ HͿHFWLYHO\ WUDQVIRUPHG LQWR D guarantor of government responsibility to deliver to the masses a comprehensive package of relief and empowerment as a policy thrust, irrespective of political vagaries or sincerity of politicians.

Such awesome developments that would usually take ages to accomplish in the entrenched bureaucratic culture were remarkably recorded in only about three years of the creation of the Federal 0LQLVWU\ RI +XPDQLWDULDQ $ͿDLUV 'LVDVWHU

Management and Social Development in 2016. Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, its founding minister, impressively validated her reputation for an impassioned commitment and focused service delivery to distressed and disadvantaged people earned from her cognate experience and track record as Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (2016-2019). In less than three years, she was able to assemble a crack team of committed personnel and aides whom she directed WRZDUGV D WLPHO\ DQG RUJDQL]HG WDNH RͿ Subsequently, all hands were on deck WR DFWXDOL]H WKH PDQGDWH WR HͿHFWLYHO\ coordinate the administration’s strategic response to the humanitarian challenges in the country through provision and HͿHFWLYH FRRUGLQDWLRQ RI KXPDQLWDULDQ interventions as enunciated in the groundbreaking National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), now assessed to be the biggest social protection and poverty eradication programme ever put in place by any government in Nigeria and one of the biggest in Africa. The NSIP was conceived to address immediate and long-term socioeconomic imbalances and inequalities, alleviate poverty, and stimulate accelerated economic growth under four main clusters - N-Power; National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP); The Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

Another landmark achievement that further consolidated the establishment and sustenance of the Ministry and its mandate saw to the successful launch of the National Policy on IDP for which the process of developing and adoption commenced as far back as 2001. It provides a framework for national responsibility towards prevention and protection of citizens and, when necessary, non-citizens, from incidences of arbitrary and other forms of internal displacement, meets their assistance and protection needs during displacement, and ensures their rehabilitation, return, reintegration and relocation after displacement, while integrating the provisions of existing international conventions, treaties and protocols on internal displacement, international humanitarian and human rights laws. Other national policies developed by the ministry include National Policy on Ageing, creating a Senior Citizens Centre, the National Migration Policy and the National Disability Policy which established the National Commission for People with Disabilities.

The National Disaster Risk Management Policy and the National Social Protection Policy are undergoing administrative and legislative processes.

For the larger picture of the outstanding performance of the new ministry a review of milestones and awesome impact of its programme clusters says it all. The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is currently operational in 35 states and the FCT, with arrangements for the on-boarding of Bayelsa in advanced stage.

Goga writes from Kano

OKELLO OCULI argues that in the area of managing trends in population dynamics, Japan will fiercely protect its single ethnicity

JAPAN SEEKS A HEARING BY AFRICA On Tanzania’s much venerated national holiday; ‘’SABA SABA DAY’’ (the 7t day of the 7th month), His Excellency Matsunaga Kazuyushi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, treated me WR D JHQHURXV GLDORJXH LQ KLV 2΀FH DW WKH Embassy of Japan in Abuja. Our discourse was a commentary I had published in the THISDAY newspaper.

I had emphasised the role of ‘’Soft Violence’’ in Japanese culture and economic life, including ‘’corporate governance’’. I had attributed to harsh natural elements like earthquakes, tsunami, and heavy snowfalls producing intensive self-discipline including casual self injury as a mark in romantic pledges.

The Ambassador focused on collective resolve to mobilise individual energies to mend injuries and destruction caused by nature’s violent sense of humour. $V KH UROOHG RXW KLV GLͿHUHQW SHUVSHFWLYH it recalled for me perplexed shock by a Palestinean visitor to Lagos who witness D ÀUH UDJLQJ WKURXJK D WDOO JRYHUQPHQW building while crowds of people stood and watched, in a seeming trance, this horrendous ruin to a public asset. If that had been taking place in Palestine, he asserted, all those people would spontaneously URXVH FROOHFWLYH HQHUJLHV WR SXW RXW WKH ÀUH In mid-May 2022, a newly married couple accidentally drove their vehicle into a stationary truck whose brake lights were dark. The impact killed the bridegroom instantly. The bride was thrown out the car with severe injuries. Her cries for help UXQJ RXW EXW QRQH ZDV RͿHUHG 6HYHUDO witnesses were preoccupied with using their cell phones to take her photo for loading into U-Tube for the pleasure of their photo-story ‘’going viral’’: widely broadcast to vast numbers of Internet users. That behaviour drew much rage among those who knew the retired Nigerian Ambassador whose son and newly earned “Daughter-in-Law’’ had been denied communal help.

Ambassador Kazuyoshi was careful to avoid this road of blame of Nigerian area of social failures. He noted that Nigerian leaders urge Japanese companies, notably TOYOTA, to build a manufacturing plant in Nigeria for building motor vehicles for its vast market. This show of economic patriotism is, however, in direct opposition to views held by corporate managers of TOYOTA who give priority to a PANAFRICAN market.

Japanese corporations had decided in the 1960s to avoid economic losses when their factories were seized by politicians who decide to ‘’NATIONALIZE’’ factories located in their countries. They also faced the task of beating European and American politicians demanding that Japanese vehicles manufactured in Japan be banned from entering their countries and taking away the market from their local manufactories, thereby, throwing millions of workers into joblessness.

Accordingly, they evolved the strategy of dispersing production of components of motor vehicles. Individual parts of a vehicle from tyres, windscreens, brakes, steering wheels, to engines would be PDGH LQ IDFWRULHV ORFDWHG LQ GLͿHUHQW

countries. It made no sense to nationalize a factory that is manufacturing only front lights of a car for sale to sister companies scattered in other countries. Moreover, if the assembled vehicle is nationalised the SURÀW PDGH IURP VHOOLQJ LW LV VHQW RXW LQ INFLATED prices of parts imported from sister companies abroad. The economic patriot was left with an empty shell.

Ambassador Kazuyoshi was not about

The assassination of former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, by a former security official with a secretive home-made gun has severely rattled a sacred sense of collective security to spell out this narrative and crucify his employers whose interests he is vowed to promote till kingdom come. It is also not clear that economists and journalists have educated politicians about this defensive economic diplomacy crafted by multinational corporations. Accordingly, corporate managers of TOYOTA appear more PAN-AFRICANISTIC than patriotic African politicians when they argue for locating factories building parts of vehicles in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt and elsewhere.

This dispersal strategy can be presented as a manifestation of Africa’s collectiveness. The common African trading space is being seen by African leaders as a creeping progress towards Kwame Nkrumah’s dream of a single African continental government with a common military force, a common currency and common diplomatic machinery.

This creeping political and economic process, however, lacks profound religious roots of belief in COLLECTIVE work; impulses to join individual energy into a common pool.

In the area of managing trends in population dynamics, Japan will stubbornly protect its single ethnicity.

Projecting a shrinking population by 2040 (in contrast to Nigeria’s rise from 200 million to 400 million), there is no impulse to invite foreigners as immigrants.

Instead, Japan’s Small and Medium Scale (QWHUSULVHV ZRXOG ÁRRG LQWR 1LJHULD DQG use Nigeria’s labour on this soil.

Stories of immigrants into Europe and the Americas bombing entertainment locations; fatally stabbing host individuals with knives and even winning seats in legislatures, disrupts Japanese sense security inside a single ethnicity. The assassination of former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, by a former VHFXULW\ R΀FLDO ZLWK D VHFUHWLYH KRPH made gun has severely rattled a sacred sense of collective security.

Prof Oculi writes from Abuja

26 4

T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

GROWING FATALITIES FROM SNAKE BITES Government should put in place appropriate policies to tackle the menace

O

VQDNH ELWHV ZLOO QRW KDYH VHULRXV HͿHFWV %XW WKH FRVW ne of the most neglected public health seems prohibitive. According to medical practitioners, problems in Nigeria today is snakebite snake treatment and management are very expensive, which reportedly has a mortality putting the average cost of treating one case at N62,000. rate of 12 per cent. From north to 6LQFH PRVW RI WKH YLFWLPV DUH XQDEOH WR DͿRUG WKLV the south, inhabitants of our rural amount because they are mainly subsistence farmers, communities are frequent victims as it is important for the government to subsidise the they go about their daily food production and animal treatment or make the anti-venom available in primary rearing activities and sometimes even in the comfort KHDOWKFDUH IDFLOLWLHV %HVLGHV JRYHUQPHQW DW DOO OHYHOV of their homes. Unfortunately, many of these snakebite must strengthen public clinics and hospitals as well as FDVHV JR XQUHSRUWHG DQG WKXV GR QRW DSSHDU LQ R΀FLDO engage residents of rural communities in enlightenment epidemiological statistics. Besides, most health workers campaign on preventive measures. have little or no formal training in the management of In 2011, the federal snakebites. government promised to According to the World make Anti-Snake Venom Health Organisation Government, at all levels, must strengthen public clinics and (ASV) available and (WHO), snake bite DͿRUGDEOH EXW LQVLVWHG RQ SDUWLFXODUO\ DͿHFWV WKH hospitals as well as engage residents of rural communities in SUHYHQWLYH VWUDWHJLHV 7KDW most vulnerable members led to the establishment of of society which is why enlightenment campaign on preventive measures the Nigeria/UK Echitab appropriate policies need Study Group to research to be put in place to tackle and develop ASV, while the menace. The minister exploring ways of providing of state for health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, disclosed free treatment for snakebite victims. The inauguration of recently that an average of 20,000 cases of snake bites T H I S D AY the structure that houses the Echitab Snakebite Control are recorded annually in Nigeria. “The snake bites cases EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU and Research Centre in Kaltungo in Gombe State was increased recently because of excessive rainfall, leading to DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA SDUW RI WKH FROODERUDWLYH HͿRUWV DLPHG DW ÀQGLQJ ODVWLQJ more morbidity and deaths connected with inadequate MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO solutions to the menace of snakebite in the country. It has DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU quantities of anti-snake-venom”, said Mamora. “States CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI RYHU WKH \HDUV GHYHORSHG WKUHH GLͿHUHQW EUDQGV RI $69 with the most cases of snakebite in Nigeria are Gombe, EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN using venom extracted from local snakes purposely to Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Nasarawa, Enugu, MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI address the Nigerian situation.

Kogi, Kebbi, Oyo, Benue, and Taraba.”

THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE While the idea to increase research activities and Against the background that guidelines for the prepare room for the development of ASV in the prevention and clinical management of snakebites have country is good, there is an urgent need for sustained been developed by WHO/AFRO, we should not be T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D public enlightenment, particularly among dwellers of witnessing the number of fatalities being recorded in EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA rural communities. They should be told how to prevent our country. These guidelines, developed at the request GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, VQDNHELWHV DQG ZKDW WR GR DV ÀUVW DLG ZKHQ VRPHRQH ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI of the federal government in 2004, are meant to assist DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, is bitten. To ensure the availability of the ASV before health workers to improve medical care for snakebite ANTHONY OGEDENGBE local production of the drugs begins, government victims. They are also to serve as a source of information DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI should import large quantities. It is also important to for the public on how snakebites can be deadly if not SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH WUDLQ PHGLFDO SHUVRQQHO WR HͿHFWLYHO\ PDQDJH FDVHV ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI treated quickly.

While the right anti-venom can save a snakebite CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI of snakebite early since the venom usually worsens DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO the health of victims by the minute and increases their victim’s life, getting to an emergency room as quickly as TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com likelihood of succumbing to death because of its potency. possible is also very important. If properly treated, many

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

LETTERS THE THIRD LAGOS INTERNATIONAL WATER CONFERENCE Water is one of the most important substances on earth. It is so important that both plants and animals need water to survive. It is, however, essential that the water people drink and use for other purposes is clean and free from germs and pathogens. Therefore, to make water potable, its production must conform to the World Health Organization’s standard.

3URGXFLQJ VX΀FLHQW ZDWHU IRU WKH ZRUOG SRSXODWLRQ KDV been a great challenge as many countries are currently grappling with water stress.

According to the journal on livable cities by the State of Green, Denmark, Water plays into many of the other SustainDEOH 'HYHORSPHQW *RDOV 6'*V )RU LQVWDQFH LW LV GL΀FXOW WR imagine achieving SDG II on Sustainable Cities and Communities without also implementing solutions for sustainable urban water management.

In developing nations, urban population growth is increasingly putting pressure on urban water supply. It also means wastewater treatment plants must treat an increasing volume of wastewater, sewage collection and treatment systems in creating livable cities.

Without proper sanitation, sewerage and clean water supply, there is no livable city. Therefore, placing water at the center

of the city’s urban planning and investments creates a strong foundation for sustainable growth. It increases chances of developing long-term solutions, which successfully integrates the role of water with the needs of both local citizens and nature.

The Challenges facing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) could also represent opportunities.

There is no gain saying that limited access to water supply DQG VDQLWDWLRQ KDV D QXPEHU RI GDPDJLQJ HͿHFWV RQ GHYHORSPHQWDO RXWFRPHV ,W QHJDWLYHO\ DͿHFWV WKH KHDOWK VHFWRU DͿHFWV HGXFDWLRQ DQG HFRQRPLF DFWLYLWLHV DQG KDPSHUV ZRUN H΀FLHQcy and productivity.

Confronted by the reality of a global water challenge, the Lagos State Government in its characteristic style of setting the agenda for the rest of the continent on critical global issues initiated the annual Lagos International Water Conference (LIWAC).

A brainchild of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO), the conference, which has become an annual event since 2020, intends to encourage exchanging WUDQVIRUPDWLRQDO DQG LQQRYDWLYH LGHDV WRZDUGV ÀQGLQJ ODVWLQJ solutions to water supply and sanitation challenges, especially in a megacity as Lagos with a projected annual growth rate of

3.2%.

Highlights of past editions have already attracted investment through partnership with WaterAid to strengthen capacity building and promotion of water sector regulation in Lagos.

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on the LUWASH programme is also part of the major outcomes of previous editions of the conference.

Other notable highlights of past conferences include enhancing urban water service delivery in Lagos by improving infrastructure and accountability, strengthening regulatory oversight of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, and VWUHQJWKHQLQJ WKH ÀQDQFLDO DQG WHFKQLFDO FDSDELOLWLHV RI /DJRV Water utilities and private water vendors among others.

The 3rd edition of the conference, a 2-day event, was held last June at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island. A gathering of global water leaders, it sought to unlock great opportunities IRU SULYDWH VHFWRU LQYHVWPHQW WR SURPRWH DFFHVV H΀FLHQF\ DQG sustainability for water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Tayo Ogunbiyi LV 'HSXW\ 'LUHFWRU 3XEOLF $ͿDLUV 0LQLVWU\ RI ,QIRUPDWLRQ DQG 6WUDWHJ\ $ODXVD ,NHMD

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

27

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

A T

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

08056356325

J U L Y

S & P INDEX

1 2 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Airtel Africa, 14 Other Blue Chip Stocks Contribute 88.8% to NGX Market Cap

Kayode Tokede Airtel Africa Plc and 14 others listed stocks on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) as of July 8, 2022 contributed about 88.8 per cent or N24.7 trillion out of the overall NGX N27.80 trillion market capitalisation, THISDAY findings have revealed.

The 15 out of 161 listed stocks dominated the market on the backdrop of stronger fundamentals that continued to attract local and foreign investors’ surge interest.

Airtel Africa, a telecommunication

giant throughout first half (H1) of 2022 remained most capitalized stock on the NGX, followed closely by Dangote Cement Plc. Others most valued stocks are: MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, United Bank For Africa Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Holdings Plc, Seplat Energy Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc., FBN Holdings Plc and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc. In addition, Nestle Nigeria Plc, BUA Foods, BUA Cements, Nigerian Brew. Plc. And Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc joined the list of most valued

stocks on the NGX. At the closing of trading activities last Friday, African telco giant, Airtel Africa made the top spot as the most valuable company on the Nigerian Exchange, with a market value of N6.51 trillion.

MTN Nigeria came second with a market capitalisation of N4.688trillion, followed by Dangote Cement that closed at N4.686 trillion in market capitalisation as of July 8, 2022.

Airtel Africa has witnessed an increase in its stock price, closing July 8, 2022 at N1,732.20 from N955.00

the stock price opened for trading this year.

MTN has been on the rise since the beginning of the year, starting from about N197 to as high as N230.30 per share last Friday.

According to analysts, the stock price of Airtel Africa and MTN increase can be linked to impressive 2021 full year results dividend payout that took their market capitalisation past N6 trillion and N4trillion, respectively.

Airtel Africa has appreciated

by N2.92 trillion in market value

this year, much higher that all the financial services firms listed on the NGX, while MTN with additional market capitalisation of N677.8billion this year is more significant as the company’s financials represent income generated from Nigeria alone, excluding other African countries.

Airtel’s income includes that of other sub-Saharan African countries even though the income of Nigeria is dominant.

Commenting, analyst at PAC Holdings, Mr. Wole Adeyeye, said, “Investors anticipation towards

MTN Nigeria launching a Payment Service Bank (PSB) drive stock and the telecommuting corporate earnings is an indication for investors to take position.”

The CEO, Wyoming Capital & Partners, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka noted that improved liquidity in the system is responsible for the positive performance of Airtel Africa, MTN Nigeria, among other most valued stocks on the NGX. Other factors driving liquidity Continued on page 29

Experts: FG’s Appetite for Eurobond May Likely Move Nigeria to Debt Distress Nume Ekeghe A Member of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee, Asogwa Robert has warned that the federal government appetite for debts through Eurobond is likely to steer Nigeria towards debt distress in the near future.

Robert, in his personal statement in the just-released communiqué of the May 2022 meeting, stressed the worrisome state of Nigeria’s debt profile.

Another MPC, Adenikinju Adeola Festus also alluded to Nigeria’s debt standing and FG’s budgetary performance also being worrisome.

As of July 07, 2022, Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserve stood at $39.3 billion and as of March 31, 2022, Nigeria’s public debt stock stood at $100.07 billion dollars.

Robert stated: “The escalating fiscal sector deficits with the attendant rising debt ratios are part of the weak links in the domestic economic environment.

The poor revenue growth in a period of expanding government expenditures has continued to soar the budget deficit levels in the first quarter of 2022, similar to the trend witnessed in 2021.”

“The total debt stock as at the first quarter of 2022 has now risen to N41.60 trillion as compared with N39.56 trillion in December 2021, which represents a N2.04 trillion increase in a period of three months.

As at end 2021, the debt service to revenue ratio was 76.0 percent, but may have jumped to about

80.0 percent by the first quarter of 2022.”

“Particularly worrisome about the debt structure, is the increasing accumulation of Eurobonds in the external debt component, while minimising concessionary loans.

The unexplained government preference of Eurobonds at high interest costs, with the associated exchange rate risk may likely hurt Nigeria sooner than anticipated.

Unfortunately, several other African countries are involved in this excessive rush for Eurobonds.

Already, Nigeria is being mentioned by the IMF as one of the countries that may likely move into debt distress, given the staggering $100.07 billion dollars of public debt stock as at March 31, 2022, ”he added On his part, Festus urged the federal government to reduce borrowing and advised that focus be shifted to enhancing its internally generated revenue to fund its activities.

He stated: “I am concerned about government budgetary

performance. The rising share of governments in total credit to the economy by the banking system suggests crowding out effects of private-sector borrowings.

Governments should divert to non-debt means of funding its activities. Government must grow its revenue base; reduce waivers to economic agents, plug leakages and wastes, and address the wasteful petrol subsidy system. The huge energy deficit must be urgently Continued on page 29

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T U E S D AY, J U LY 1 2 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS DESCRIPTION

Price

Yield

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

109.34

8.14

108.07

10.04

104.52

10.92

120.08

10.72

112.78

10.88

Change Updated Time (%) 8, 0.00 July 2022 8, 0.00 July 2022 8, 0.22 July 2022 8, 0.00 July 2022 8, 0.00 July 2022

MATURITY

Discount

Yield

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Change Updated Time (%)

NTB 11Aug-22 NTB 8-Sep22 NTB 13-Oct22 NTB 10Nov-22

10.00

10.09

-0.01 July 8, 2022

9.75

9.91

-0.01 July 8, 2022

9.00

9.22

0.00 July 8, 2022

3.90

3.95

0.00 July 8, 2022

NTB 26-Jan23

6.84

7.11

0.00 July 8, 2022

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

Discount Yield

Change Updated Time (%)

18.91 19.09

0.02 July 8, 2022

15.28 15.43

0.01 July 8, 2022

19.45 20.64

-0.02 July 8, 2022

13.71 14.30

-0.03 July 8, 2022

12.91 13.44

-0.02 July 8, 2022

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

Updated Time

July 8, 2022 July 8, 2022 July 8, 2022 July 8, 2022 July 8, 2022

28

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L-R: MD/CEO, Conrad Clark Nigeria Limited and Convener, Nigerian Risk Awards (NRA), Joachim Adenusi; MD/CEO, FITC, Chizor Malize; NRA Judge & Strategic Management Specialist,Dr. Bamidele Osinowo and GMD, Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina, at the 6th Edition of the Nigerian Risk Leadership Summit & Awards held in Lagos… recently

FG Under Moral Burden to Earmark Sugar Taxes for Health Investments, Says UK Professor James Emejo in Abuja The federal government is under moral and economic obligations to commit proceeds from the newly introduced Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) taxes to improve healthcare delivery for the vulnerable population.

The Dean, Faculty of Population Health Sciences/Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, University College London, Prof.

Ibrahim Abubakar, said though the SSB tax is relatively a new practice globally, there have been good examples of countries and settings where earmarking on health had been done successfully, especially in the Philippines and Thailand.

Speaking on, “Importance of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes to Public health,” via a Zoom event organised by Gatefield Communications, Abubakar said earmarking SSB taxes to health could reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

He said the federal government could replicate successful templates from other countries as it embarks on the implementation of the sugar tax in Nigeria adding that the tax offers an ample opportunity for the government to reset and improve healthcare delivery whose outcomes had remained poor despite increasing health expenditure since 2001.

He said committing the taxes to the development of the sector would help to boost human capital by ensuring that the poorest citizens

are healthier thus guaranteeing a healthier workforce and economy.

He said the economic remodeling would suggest that the country is better off improving the health of its workforce as many people constitute the bulk of the working population.

Citing the recent Lancet report, he said about 40 per cent of NCDs is determined by diet – with SSB playing a major part.

He said Nigeria had the unfortunate tragedy of a dual epidemic of high infectious and unnatural process of deaths as well as a rising trend in NCDs. Abubakar stated that an analysis published earlier in the year suggested that compared to 1998

Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

“So our overall recommendation is that the overall fiscal envelope needs to be increased. We are delighted, therefore, that one of such approaches which is the SSB has now been integrated into the Finance Act and is being implemented.”

He added that though increasing the SSB taxation will lead to an increase in the price of sweetened sugar, “No doubt if we sufficiently reduce consumption of sugar, there will be a reduction in NCDs”.

According to him SSB tax also comes with a secondary benefit – “If we raise these funds and we use them to support the provision of healthcare to our poorest citizens who cannot afford

health insurance, then it becomes a win-win situation”.

He said government spending in absolute terms remained quite low compared to the global average or other countries in Africa, adding that the reasons why there is no commensurate result in spending and outcomes were unconnected with inequality and poverty.

Abubakar also said the government should ensure efficient spending on the right issues in order to improve health outcomes as well as incentivise healthcare workers to stay and work in primary healthcare systems in the country.

Essentially, Nigeria joins over 42 countries that have implemented

the SSB tax.

The consumption of SSB constitutes significantly to Nigeria’s rising prevalence of NCDs and is one of the main drivers of obesity and type-2 diabetes in the country.

Earlier in January, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed had hinted at the imposition of N10 per liter tax on SSB as part of the critical policy thrusts of the Finance Act 2021.

The minister explained that the tax became inevitable in order to discourage excessive consumption of sugar in beverages, which had continued to imperil the lives of Nigerians.

NEPC Reiterates Support for Non-oil Exports as IT Firm Eyes $28bn Online Recruitment Market James Emejo in Abuja The Executive Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakusak, has said that the council would continue to partner with any institution that is readily available to stimulate innovation through information technology and other IT-enabled solutions in supporting the federal government’s non-oil export drive.

To this end, he said the council had

set up Youths Export Development Desks in all the state offices across the country to fast-track the promotion of non-oil export activities, especially in the digital space.

The NEPC boss disclosed this at the unveiling of the Yard Mobile and Web App, which is a discourse platform aimed at digitalising the employment process with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to merge talents with organisations and agencies across the globe.

Represented by the NEPC

Deputy Director, National Export Office, Andy Ambikputen, Yakusak specifically commended the company’s Chief Executive/ developer, Mr. Anderson Idoko, for the digital innovation aimed at providing solutions that are scalable, proven, secure, and easy to use and support business growth.

He said the country remained well-positioned as the biggest economy in Africa and one of the largest youth populations in the world, to develop a strong economy

that would have a transformational impact through the growth of digital innovation and entrepreneurship which is essential for the creation of an ecosystem for innovation-driven enterprises.

He pointed out that “As trade improves economic efficiency and contributes to poverty reduction, ICT can also promote economic and social development”, adding that trade and ICT have great potential to reduce poverty by improving, among other things, the production

and sale of goods and services.

He said the solution also provides opportunities in online e-learning, whose global market value was estimated at about $250 billion in 2020 adding that the learning management system market generated about $1.22 billion in the same period.

The platform also offers resources for freelance whose global market worth is estimated at about $2.35 billion in 2018 and estimated to reach $6.7 billion by the end of 2025.

Group Seeks to Tackle Climate Change Via Smart Agriculture James Emejo in Abuja

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)

and 1999, NCDs were the 12 major causes of disabilities in the country.

He said Nigeria must increase its total envelope of funding to tackle its NCDs challenges.

He said, “When you compare us to the African or global average, we are either below or slightly better in the poorest of countries. We also showed that when you look at our health outcomes, we do worse than our neighbours. So we need to improve the efficiency with which we spend money.

“It will be a tragedy if we took away money from education and other determinants of health and we plough that into health especially theoretic health in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) has teamed up with other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to reduce the impact of climate change on agribusiness through the adoption of the Climate -Smart Agriculture approach.

President, NABG, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere, said farmers needed to adopt Climate-Smart Agriculture as a solution to crop cultivation,

mitigating post-harvest losses, improving crop yields, restoring soil nutrients, and improving livestock farming amidst the ravaging impact of climate change on the ecosystem.

Speaking during a 2-day workshop on Developing a National Framework for Climate-Smart Agriculture, themed, “Cleaner, Safer, Rewarding Agriculture”, which was organised by the group and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ijewere pointed out that every country has

a specific responsibility to adjust to climate change, especially in food production.

He said the Climate-Smart Agriculture project currently being championed by NABG seeks to ensure that a sustainable agricultural framework that is inclusive and affords Nigerian youths the opportunity to get involved in food production is established.

This, he said, will reduce massive food importation bills while using

the land resources efficiently and effectively with modern farm technology.

The NABG president the innovation will bring about increased harvest and less input sustainability; improving quality soil; sustainable greenhouse gas levels; high production and falling cost, and new methods on weather and harvest forecast.

Ijerewe said, “We believe that it is high time Nigeria begins to

transform its agri-food system including crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, agro forestry and forestry.

“Agri-food systems must increase production in a sustainable manner in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs. So, the whole idea of putting this together is to ask ourselves these questions in advance and to put in place a framework that will enable us to address these issues.”

Marie Tecnimont to Help Nigeria Develop Circular Economy A leading global Oil & Gas refining company, Messrs Marie Tecnimont Group has pledged to support Nigeria both in unlocking greater values by processing its natural resources and in developing circular economy for the first time in the country.

This is coming on the heels of the recent signing of an agreement with African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited (ARPHL)

for the construction of 100,000 barrels Refinery be collocated in Port Harcourt.

This pronouncement was contained in a statement released by the company at its Headquarters in Italy.

The Chief Executive Officer, Alessandro Bernini, remarked, “We are really honoured to support Nigeria both in unlocking greater values by processing its natural

resources and in developing circular economy for the first time in the country, as Biojet is one of the most effective solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of the global aviation industry. Moreover, these new contracts confirm the strong geographical diversification of any backlog and the reliability of our technology driven value proposition.”

The company in the statement

also announced that its subsidiaries, Tecnimont and Stamicarbon had been awarded several new contracts and other variations for licensing, engineering services and EPC activities by international clients in Europe, the Middle East, Far East and Nigeria.

Listed in the Milan Stock Exchange, Marie Tecnimont S.p.A is a global leader in the transformation of natural resources

in plant engineering in downstream oil & gas,with technological and execution competencies. Through its subsidiaries, the Group operates in the field of green chemistry and the technologies to support the energy transition.The Marie Tecnimont Group operates in about 45 countries through approximately 50 operative companies and powered by a staff strength of about 9300 personnel.

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BUSINESSWORLD

CAPITAL MARKET

Yuguda’s Two Years of Capital Market Development Since assuming office June 2020, the current Executive Management team of the Securities and Exchange Commission led by Mr. Lamido Yuguda has made tremendous strides and achieved a good number of set goals for Nigeria’s capital market development and sustainability. Kayode Tokede writes on how the current management achievements in the two years is expected to improve the Commission’s capability in adapting to changing economic and market conditions and ultimately delivering on its mandate.

T

he function of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is to regulate investment and securities business as the capital market which the commission supervises plays a critical role in the development of a nation’s economy.

Two years ago, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the Yuguda-led management team of the SEC, the Commission has no doubt made tremendous strides and achieved a good number of set goals expected to improve its capability in adapting to changing macroeconomic and market conditions.

Since resumption, the current management of the capital market regulating body has further looked into the capital market-wide issues such as: enhancing primary market activities, making sure capital market was finally demutualized, strengthening corporate governance, and creation of a Fintech and Innovation Division dedicated to products and services rooted in information technology, among others.

These initiatives are frameworks targeted at boosting local and foreign investors’ participation and creating room for more companies to thrive.

The key highlights below underlined Yuguda’s milestones in two years.

Resolving legacy issues of Identity Management is a crucial driver in improving market participation and solving problems like that of Unclaimed Dividends.

The Commission inaugurated a marketwide Identity Management Committee with a mandate to harmonize the various databases of investors in the Nigerian Capital Market, facilitate data accuracy in the Nigerian Capital Market, mitigate fraud, improve KYC requirements and manage AML/CFT risks, among others.

The inaugural meeting of the Committee was held in July 2021. Following deliberations at the meeting, the Committee established some additional points to enrich its Terms of Reference.

FURTHER DRIVING PRIMARY MARKET ACTIVITIES

KEY MARKET-WIDE ISSUES UNDER CURRENT DG OF SEC

During Yuguda’s two years in office, the Commission drafted an amendment to the Investments and Securities Bill ISA and the Bill that is already at an advanced stage.

The bill has been presented to the National Assembly and Its essence is to enhance the regulatory framework of the Nigerian Capital Market. Furthermore, it would lead to the introduction of new products into the market and greatly enhance the regulatory powers of the Commission. In addition, the Bill is expected to increase the effectiveness of the Investments and Securities Tribunal.

At the international level, it introduces legislation that ensures the Commission’s compliance to the requirements of the IOSCO Enhanced Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (EMMoU) concerning consultation, cooperation and the exchange of information. These updated laws are necessary to increase cross-border enforcement cooperation and assistance among securities regulators, thereby enabling them to respond to risks and challenges posed by globalisation and advances in technology.

Furthermore, the ISB introduces necessary amendments to financial Markets operations around netting and insolvency with relation to the development of derivatives. It also seeks to strengthen legislation in the commodities sector as more depth and transactions are achieved within the sector.

The Commission has been implementing the initiatives contained in the Capital Market Masterplan (CMMP) (2015-2025) as a road map towards the development of the capital market in

Yuguda Nigeria. Numerous initiatives to improve the contribution of the capital market to the national economy, market structure, competitiveness, attractiveness, regulation and oversight were embarked upon in the first five years of implementation with remarkable successes in some initiatives and added focus on the implementation of key issues in others. The Commission has successfully completed the review of the CMMP as intended by the CMMP 2015-2025. The review was supported by FSDA and was carried out by PWC Nigeria.

The review of the CMMP was recommended in the Masterplan itself to realign the initiatives/ deliverables to prevailing market conditions and keep the document relevant in the dynamic capital market due to issues related to Fintech, sustainability and regional integration. The review is expected to guide further development of the market so that it can attract more funds for economic growth and development.

One of the major results expected from the implementation of the Capital Market Masterplan was to ensure competitiveness by establishing practices and systems that improve efficiency and attract interest from both foreign and domestic investors. Resolving legacy issues of Identity Management is a crucial driver of improving market participation and solving problems like the Unclaimed Dividends issue.

The Commission led by Yuguda has approved 41 new equities issues valued at N656.9 billion, 37 bonds valued at N776.2 billion, 28 applications for shelf programs valued at N2.5 trillion and 21 Exchange Traded Derivatives Contracts during the period.

The commission in two years recorded a total of six Schemes of Merger, seven acquisitions, 21 Corporate Restructurings, and three takeovers processed. The capital market under him has ensured that over N11 billion of untraceable shareholders’ funds arising from Schemes of Arrangement in the custody of Registrars were transferred to the National Investor Protection Fund (NIPF).

As part of the process of improving time to market of transactions and fast tracking the review process, the Commission conducted a training for issuing houses to help with improving the quality of applications usually submitted. A new approval strata was also introduced during the period to improve pace of approvals.

As part of the process of improving time to market of transactions and fast tracking the review process, the Commission conducted a training for issuing houses to help improve the quality of applications submitted. A new approval strata was also introduced during the period to improve pace of approvals.

The Commission recorded a landmark achievement on the first electronic offering with a combined feature of both book building to Qualified Institutional and Retail Investors. The Commission also granted approval for the first derivatives contract application which has seven and 14 different contracts from both the NGX and FMDQ Exchanges respectively.

The Commission recorded a landmark achievement on the first electronic offering with a combined feature of book building to Qualified Institutional and use of the price discovered from the book-build for sales to Retail Investors. The Commission also granted approval for the first 21 derivatives contracts

which had seven and 14 different contracts from both the NGX and FMDQ Exchanges respectively.

ACHIEVED NGX DEMUTUALISATION IN 2021

The Demutualization of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in 2021 was a milestone in the development of the Nigerian capital market. The benefits of the process have been highlighted, including the opportunity for investors to participate as shareholders of the Exchange. Also, the structure of the NGX should improve corporate governance and attract more capital to the market.

The discussions on demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) had been ongoing since 2001 although there were no deliberate efforts made in advancing the process until 2011. In 2011, demutualisation was discussed again after having been covered in a paper presented by the NSE titled, The Roles and Expectations of Regulators in the Demutualisation Process. A 21-member technical committee was then inaugurated that year by the Commission and charged with the responsibility of developing a legal framework for the demutualisation process.

In 2014 the Commission issued draft Rules on Demutualisation of Exchanges in Nigeria and the final rules on demutualisation were released on April 27, 2015. The Rules provided the regulatory framework under which the demutualisation process would be implemented.

One major challenge faced by the NSE was the absence of the appropriate legal basis in the CAMA 2004 to support the demutualisation model of the NSE considering that it was a company limited by guaranty. The NSE had a few options but in the end, it settled for having a Demutualisation Bill which was eventually passed into law as the Demutualisation Act of 2018. The Act provided the legal framework for demutualisation of the Exchange and thus addressed the gap in the CAMA. Technological innovation is also expected as the Exchange attempts to diversify its business mix.

The Commission anticipates further deepening of the market in terms of product offering and size which would require increased regulation and oversight towards investor protection.

MARKET SUPERVISION

The SEC presently supervises eight main Exchanges in Nigeria: Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), FMDQ Securities Exchange, National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), AFEX Commodity Exchange, Gezawa Commodity Market & Exchange, Lagos Commodities & Futures Exchange, Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX), and Prime Commodity Exchange.

The Commission under the current DG has made important strides in monitoring market activities, management of Return monies and confirmation of the quantum of Unclaimed Dividends during the period.

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

EXPERTS: FG’S APPETITE FOR EUROBOND MAY LIKELY MOVE NIGERIA TO DEBT DISTRESS addressed.”

“My main concern in this meeting is the current elevated

level of inflation. Inflation is bad for growth, employment, and poverty reduction. The continue

increase in inflation rate since November 2021 is already affecting economic agents. Evidence shows

that inflation expectations are positive, and second round effects of inflation are already reinforcing

current levels of inflation. All our comparator countries have already raised their rates once or twice since

January 2022. It is also important to curb the appetite of the government for debt,” he stated.

AIRTEL AFRICA, 14 OTHER BLUE CHIP STOCKS CONTRIBUTE 88.8% TO NGX MARKET CAP in the equities market he added are, “instant payment of dividends to shareholders through electronic means (e-dividend), provides opportunities for immediate reinvestment of these dividends, especially by institutional investors, who manage funds and portfolios for clients.

“Negative real return in the fixed income market and the need to hedge against inflation. Equity market is an inflation adjusting market, and so, some investors who were willing to hedge against inflation, irrespective of the downside risk that the market poses, decided to bring liquidity back to the equity market and it impacted on these companies’ stock prices.”

The doyen of the Nigerian capital market, Mr Rasheed Yusuf, said the key drivers to these stocks’ contribution to the capital market are increasing global oil price and

impressive corporate earnings.

According to him, “The current global oil price that is above $100 per barrel has translated into more revenue for the federal government and more spending.

Since there is more revenue for the government, there will definitely be more spending and more business opportunities for individuals and companies listed on the NGX. “Everybody was thinking Nigeria will be in an economic crisis but with oil revenue above $100 per barrel over the Ukraine-Russia crisis, the government has been able to manage the subsidy.

“The global oil price has breathed a new life into companies in the country and investors’ expectation is that these companies will make good profit and it has contributed to growth in their stocks.

“Most of them recently released the 2021 financial year, first quarter

results and we have seen impressive corporate earnings. The performance of these companies has reflected in their corporate earnings However, Both MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa had announced the commencement of PSB operation that was approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

MTN Nigeria’s fintech subsidiary, MoMo PSB Limited commenced following a successful pilot initiated on May 16, 2022, which was in commemoration of the launch of MTN’s GSM operations on May 16, 2001 and listing by introduction on the Exchange on May 16, 2019 and a key milestone in delivering the company’s Ambition 2025 strategic priorities.

Also, in a stock market statement, Airtel Africa announced subsidiary SmartCash PSB had started providing services through selected retail outlets with plans to expand across Nigeria

in the coming months. Airtel Africa secured a full Payment Service Bank licence from the CBN through its subsidiary in April, having received an in-principle approval in 2021.

However, Both MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa had announced the commencement of PSB operation that was approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

MTN Nigeria’s fintech subsidiary, MoMo PSB Limited commenced following a successful pilot initiated on May 16, 2022, which was in commemoration of the launch of MTN’s GSM operations on May 16, 2001 and listing by introduction on the Exchange on May 16, 2019 and a key milestone in delivering the company’s Ambition 2025 strategic priorities.

Also, in a stock market statement, Airtel Africa announced subsidiary SmartCash PSB had started providing services through

selected retail outlets with plans to expand across Nigeria in the coming months. Airtel Africa secured a full Payment Service Bank licence from the CBN through its subsidiary in April, having received an in-principle approval in 2021.

However, BUA Cement was the only company with over N2trillion in market capitalisation, following N55.85 per share trading of its stock on the bourse.

Cement manufacturing at its Annual General Meeting for the period ended December 31, 2020 declared a dividend of N70 billion at N2.067k per ordinary share in a move that shareholders applauded.

This is coming on the heels of a profitable year for the Cement producer with a turnover of N204 billion and declared Profits After Tax of N72.3 billion in the year under review.

While addressing shareholders,

the Chairman of BUA Cement, Abdul Samad Rabiu had canvassed more investments in the cement industry saying that current national production levels across were not enough to meet the everincreasing national demand for cement which was increasing at a rate over 3 million metric tonnes per annum.

He, therefore, canvassed new investments in the cement sector and encouraged other investors to develop new cement plants.

BUA Cement is constructing a 3 million metric tonnes which is expected to come on stream in Sokoto by the end of 2021 with new plants already in the works.

The Managing Director of BUA Cement, Yusuf Binji stated that the company is committed to remaining a value–driven, oriented company that prioritizes excellence and product quality.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Windfalls: Nasarawa Accesses N9.75bn, $15.7m from FG Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia The governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, yesterday revealed that his administration has accessed monetary windfalls consisting of N9.75 billion and $15.7 million from the federal government.

The governor made this known when he received the state deputy governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, and members of the State Executive Council on a traditional Sallah homage at his Gudi country home.

He explained that the monetary windfall of N9.75 billion was

a refund from the federal government as money spent by Nasarawa State for the building of the Lafia airport.

He continued that the $15.7 million SFTAS fund was accrued to the state from the federal government as an encouragement to the state’s fight against corruption and enhancing of transparency in the use of public funds in the state.

However, Governor Sule has revealed that the monies would be used in building critical infrastructure such as roads and markets, particularly the

completion of the Kwandere - Marke bypass started by the administration of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.

“Other roads to be constructed from these funds are the Keffi road dualization; which was previously stopped for lack of funds, as well as the Adudu Azara road.

“Part of the money will also be expended in the completion of ongoing projects in Lafia, Akwanga, Doma, and the construction of a new market in the headquarters of Nasarawa Local Government Area,” he explained.

The governor, therefore, maintained that he was not afraid to disclose the amounts accrued to the state from the windfalls because his administration had nothing to hide.

“One thing that will not happen is that we will not take this money and give it to someone maybe because we like your face. It will be open. You go to the state Accountant General and take this money and spend.

“Once we finished four or eight years, you will come and look at our records and you will see it clearly defined,” Sule concluded.

Yuguda Urges Stakeholders Co-operation to Bridge Infrastructure Gap Kayode Tokede Key stakeholders have been urged to co-operate with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in its desire to help bridge the infrastructure gap in the country.

Director General of the SEC, Mr. Lamido Yuguda stated this during a meeting with the new executives of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) in Abuja.

Yuguda said the capital market is capable of attracting finance that would assist the nation bridge the current infrastructure deficiency.

According to him, “We have huge infrastructural deficit in the country like insufficient power, lack of good roads among others.

We want our country to have good infrastructure and I know this is possible with the help of the capital market and other stakeholders.

“It requires adequate planning and financing and we can achieve it as a nation. The capital market through the private sector can fund road construction while government focuses on other issues”.

He commended the new leadership of CIS and assured them of the support of the Management of the Commission for a successful tenure. The SEC boss acknowledged CIS as a key

partner in the Commission’s regulation of the market and assured that the SEC would continue to provide the needed support.

“The future for this country is bright and we have the young population to push it. We can have a much better standard of living than we have now and we hope you will continue to give a lot to the market.

“We are committed to any initiative that will further spur the growth of the capital market.

We also have a review of the ISA Bill pending at the National Assembly and that bill has a lot that will revitalize this market, “he added.

In his remarks, President of CIS, Mr. Oluwole Adeosun commended the SEC for the relationship that exists between the Commission and the Institute and thanked the Management for always supporting the CIS. “Thank you always because you have embraced the institute and made it clear that you desire a very harmonious relationship and we are happy about it, “he said.

Former President of CIS, Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe thanked the DG for the efforts the Management has been making to support the CIS, adding that the Institute has been able to function effectively due to the support of the SEC.

Sterling Bank Wins ACGSF Award Nume Ekeghe

L-R; National Success Manager, BetKing Nigeria, Mr.Oloruntele Shaji; Recipient of new and fully furnished BetKing Shop,Mr. Gbenga Alagba; Director of Agency Operations, BetKing Nigeria, Mr. Uche Okafor; and Regional Success Manager, BetKing Nigeria, Mr.Chidozie Agochukwu, during the 100 BetKing rollout program aims to reward loyal PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT agents across Nigeria with fully furnished shops held in Lagos… recently

FG: 40 Students in Six Geopolitical Zones to Undergo Jewellery Training Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The federal government has selected 40 Nigerian students from the six geopolitical zones of the country to undergo 8 month master training programme in jewellery object design, manufacturing, stone setting, costing and market research.

Government said that the students are expected to go back to their states and open clusters with the assistance of

their state governments to train more operators.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilenka Adegbite, at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja, however said, “unfortunately, the gemstone and jewellery industry in Nigeria has remained undeveloped and mined by artisanal mining operations, sold as rough gemstones in Germany, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the United States.”

He reasoned that the

jewellery industry can contribute significantly to national economic growth in ways like job creation along with its value chain of mine to market; increase in livelihood standards with creativity of citizens, export contribution of over a $100m and import substitution.

He said since Nigeria is a large consumer of jewellery products from the United Arab Emirates, India, China and Europe, providing local but

Fidelity Bank Supports Children with Special Learning Needs Nume Ekeghe Fidelity Bank has attributed its decision to execute Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects across the country to its belief that its corporate success is tightly connected to the success of its host communities.

In a statement the bank’s Head Internal Control Division, Mr. Daniel Okorie at St. Vincent de Paul/The Child Special School, Port Harcourt, Rivers state said the bank is glad to inaugurate a borehole, structural renovation and furnishing projects as well as donated

several food and sanitary wares as part of its CSR initiatives.

Addressing guests comprising students and administrators at the school, representatives of the school education board, staff of Fidelity Bank and journalists at the event, Okorie said, “In the words of Timothy Pina, an American Author, ‘Philanthropy is not about money, it’s about feeling the pain of others and caring enough about their needs to help.’ It is in recognition of the needs of the school that we decided to provide a borehole, carry out renovation works and at this facility under our Fidelity Helping Hands

Programme (FHHP).”

Head of School, Rev Sister Nwamaka Muoneke, said the school caters to children challenged by cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, Downs Syndrome, dyslexia among other learning disabilities.

Also speaking, Most Rev Dr Camillus Etukudoh, Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, represented by Rev Fr Boniface Gbamamu acknowledged that the goodwill demonstrated by the bank leaves hope that there are still kind-hearted individuals and corporate organisation’s who could lift Nigeria from the doldrums and

quality jewellery will save the country of scare foreign exchange and encourage tourism and manufacturing of local crafts.

Olamilekan noted that to strengthen local production of jewellery, it has become imperative to train Nigerians in the industry for the market.

To this end, the government developed a roadmap after conducting a baseline study for the Nigerian gemstone industry.

Sterling Bank Plc has won the Best Participating Financial Institution under the National Farmer of the Year 2021 Award of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The bank in in a statement noted that this award was given at the National Award ceremony held in Abuja over the weekend.

In a letter informing the bank of the award, Secretary to the board of the ACGSF, Mr. Edwin Nzelu states: “Sterling Bank Plc has distinguished itself under the scheme by its national support to small holder farmers in the year 2021.

“It is therefore our pleasure to inform you that Sterling Bank Plc has emerged as the 2021 ACGSF Best Participating Financial Institution of the Year in the National Category and would be presented with the award at the ceremony.”

The ACGSF explained that Sterling Bank was recognised for

its payout of more than N136.88 million to farmers across the country from January 2021 to December 2021 under the ACGSF. Agriculture is one of the five sectors that Sterling Bank has concentrated investments in since 2018 as part of its HEARTs of Sterling programme in a bid to make significant impact in the economy. The other sectors are Health, Education, Renewable Energy and Transportation.

The ACGSF was established

by Act No. 20 of 1977 and started operations in April 1978. Its original share capital and paid-up capital were N100 million and N85.6 million, respectively.

The Federal Government holds 60 percent of the shares while the CBN holds the remaining 40 percent.

The capital base of the Scheme was increased to N3 billion in March 2001. The Fund guarantees credit facilities extended to farmers by banks up to 75 percent of the amount in default net of any security realised.

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 2022

EDUCATION Repositioning Public Schools in Nasarawa Not satisfied with his approved permanent appointments for the 2,500 teachers engaged casually by his immediate predecessor into the mainstream of Nasarawa State civil service, Governor Abdullahi Sule is repositioning the entire public schools in the state toward meeting the aspirations of the people. Igbawase Ukumba reports

I

t was on record that ex-Nasarawa governor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, had engaged about 2,500 teachers in basic education and secondary school levels in the twilight of his administration, engaging teachers with a salary of N25,000 for university graduates and N20,000 for NCE graduates.

Al-Makura, speaking during induction for the newly employed teachers, explained that the decision of his administration to engage the teachers was to fill in the vacancies created in the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Al-Makura continued then that his administration’s decision in that direction was based on his desire to uplift the standard of education and inject new talents, as well as intellectuals, into the state basic and secondary school levels for optimum performance.

Al-Makura then indicated that the employment of the over 2,000 teachers, who were on probation for over one year, was to demonstrate his passion and commitment to standardising the education sector for enhanced teaching, learning processes and high performances across the basic and secondary school levels in the state. He pointed out that that was the first time his administration employed such a large number of teachers in the state.

However, upon assumption of office, Governor Abdullahi Sule approved the appointments of the engaged 2,500 teachers by his immediate predecessor into the mainstream civil service. Sule’s gesture removed the 2,500 previously engaged teachers from the list of casual workers to permanent and pensionable staff.

At the three-day workshop for principals of secondary schools from across the state, the governor again approved the recruitment of additional 550 teachers to fill an existing gap in the educational sector. This window of opportunity for employing new teachers came on the heels of the formalisation of over 2,000 teachers appointed by the immediate past administration of Senator Al-Makura, as well as the current administration’s recruitment of the last 400 teachers.

However, with the injustice perpetrated during the recruitment of the last 400 teachers still fresh in his mind, the governor warned the TSC against abusing the process.

Sule recalled that the erstwhile chairman

Governor Abdullahi Sule

of the commission was suspended because of underhand dealings in recruiting the last 400 teachers.

“I am warning the Teachers Service Commission once more that as far as I am concerned, I have not given the names of my brothers, my sisters, my in-laws or relatives. I will not approve any list brought to me that has the names of brothers and sisters and relatives of VIPs. I want competent teachers irrespective of where they come from,” the

governor insisted.

Sule equally made known his administration’s commitment to providing a conducive teaching and learning environment, assuring that Nasarawa would not be left out in implementing the ‘Teachers Act’ enactment.

Sule emphasised that education remained the bedrock of economic development of every society, playing a pivotal role in the transformation of all spheres of human endeavour.

“This is in addition to the significant role played by education in nurturing our children as future leaders. I, therefore,

Schools need powerful and effective principals willing to foster a high level of student achievement and an effective organisational climate of their schools to make future generations successful

called on the participants at the workshop not to spare any effort to not only imbibe but also demonstrate the lessons they will learn at the three-day training,” Sule stated.

In his introductory remarks, the convener of the workshop, Professor Mohammed Isa Kida, the CEO of GMASS Consulting and Solutions, said the session was one of the human resource reconstruction recommended following the baseline survey of Nasarawa’s education sector. Kida described the roles played by principals as important for educational standards and quality education in a nation.

“Schools need powerful and effective principals willing to foster a high level of student achievement and an effective organisational climate of their schools to make future generations successful.

The principal, whose responsibilities are multi-dimensional, need to be motivated, upgraded and dignified so that they influence and properly monitor the behaviour and academic climate of teachers and students effectively,” he said.

Kida commended Sule and disclosed that 250 principals from private and public secondary schools, comprising 200 from public and 50 from private schools, participated in the three-day workshop, with selected cream of professors and seasoned educationists as resource persons.

In her welcome address, Commissioner of Education, Hajiya Fatu Jimaita Sabo, said the workshop couldn’t have come at a better time than when all efforts are geared towards repositioning the education sector.

The commissioner, who doubles as the event’s host, pointed out that Sule has remained unrelenting in his determination to reposition the education sector toward meeting the people’s aspirations.

She particularly commended the governor for summoning the political will to devote the lion’s share of the state’s annual budget to education, starting with 26 per cent in 2020, 32 per cent in 2021 and 36 per cent in 2022, which she said was unprecedented even by the continental standard.

“Based on the commitment of the state government, as well as the resilience of the staff of my ministry towards repositioning education, the UNICEF education specialists from the Kaduna field office will visit the state soon to provide technical support aimed at changing the narrative in the education sector,” explained Sabo.

Skills Acquisition: Panacea for Unemployment Becky Uba Umenyili

Vocational training and skills acquisition in some schools in the country will undoubtedly reduce the crunch of unemployment and joblessness, which have become a snag in the polity of Nigerian governance. An increase in population, yearly turn-out of school graduates, the downturn in the national economy, which cause low investment opportunities to enable companies to create jobs, infrastructural insecurity and some other pertinent factors have all contributed to the degree of unemployment in the country.

The average Nigerian youth is confronted with this situation which seemingly presents a hopeless future with fears of sustainability.

Thus, the proverbial statement of the bird learning to fly without perching since the hunter shots without missing has become the tag for some secondary schools that now engage their students in vocational training and industrial developments.

This is strictly not part of the curriculum but yet it’s inserted in the schools’ academic calendar

weekly to create opportunities for the children to learn various crafts, artworks and vocational projects; including ICT and computing tutorials with repairs and maintenance of systems, plumbing and carpentry training, house building and paint making, shoe manufacturing and repairs, basic tailoring skills and fashion/cosmetics application, hair making and barbing practicals, baking and cooking of various dishes as well as other utility-based training.

Hitherto, the routine upbringing of children to attend formal educational training has been structured from the prep to primary and up to tertiary education. The dilemma of job haunt after graduation has necessitated the introduction of this additional training programme to save today’s children the problem of joblessness in the future.

The advantage this presents to youths cannot be underestimated

because youths unable to acquire higher education opt to learn a trade, and their educated counterparts learn a skill to fit into the job market.

Recent developments following the ASUU strike have shown that some of the affected students have taken to some nefarious means to keep busy; obviously, they lack the fund to start businesses of their own and perhaps feel over-aged to learn decent trades.

Such a situation can be avoided if children undergo training in various skills while in secondary schools because adaptation later in life would not be difficult for them since they would have gained the required basic knowledge.

Some youths feel ashamed to undergo vocational training after graduation due to unemployment and may even regret the time spent in formal education in school, a factor that may propel some affected persons into felonious means of survival.

Learning vocational skills in secondary schools would help the children to specialise in their chosen careers and afford an additional

opportunity for more jobs after graduation.

Many schools have sporting, musical and other extra curriculum activities. However, adding vocational training gives added advantage to douse whatever monotony may arise from regular formal classroom teachings.

A facilitator of skill acquisition projects in schools, Mrs Rose Okwuchime, said, “These are different from actual skill training because some don’t use tools and practical is very important in vocational courses to prevent limiting the children to near-theoretical learning.”

Okwuchime also noted that although the federal government encourages vocational training in schools, most government-owned schools have yet to embrace the course because of its huge cost implication. She further stated that there was a need to commence the training in all schools to exhibit students’ work during graduation to encourage participation and private sector funding.

Providing schoolchildren vocational training will make them more engaged when they get to higher institutions with an opportunity to excel after graduation.

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EDUCATION

Anthos House Students Six Students to Represent Nigeria in Get ASDAN Certificates US Microsoft World Championship Uchechukwu Nnaike

Some students of Anthos House, Lagos, a school for special needs students, have been certified by the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) after completing vocational courses.

Speaking during the presentation of certificates to the students recently, the Deputy Director of Education, Dr. Barney Wilson, said the students were certified after acquiring life skills, relationships, citizenship, responsibilities, and how to comport themselves.

“These students know about humanity. They know about decency and respect. So the ASDAN programme gives them the life skills that they need to be successful. So this is the first of many completions, the first of many certificates,” said Wilson. “This is a historic occasion. These students are earning their certificates.

They are the first in the history of Anthos House to be receiving an ASDAN certification.”

The head of the school,

Dr. Kimberley Scollard, said a child diagnosed with a learning disorder could excel academically.

“So it’s wonderful to see all their hard work being rewarded with a certificate that is a recognisable transferable certificate,” stated Scollard.

She described the students as smart, dedicated, and talented, saying they discovered things about themselves that they had no idea they were capable of.

Scollard added that the students learn a little more differently than mainstream students. Anthos House teaches all the courses that a mainstream school teaches, but the subjects are more practical.

The assistant principal, Mrs. Atinuke Ogunnaike, said just as students in mainstream schools require IGCSE and other certificates for further studies, the special needs students require ASDAN certifications.

She said the certificate is equivalent to the BTech, but while BTech is timed, ASDAN allowed the students to achieve it at their pace, so there is no rushing the child.

Six students will represent Nigeria in the 2022 Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship from July 21 to 24 in Disneyland, California, USA. The students and two teachers will also be sponsored by Zenith Bank PLC and Agusto Consulting Limited for the competition.

The students emerged after returning top scores and the fastest times during the national Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship for Students (MOSWC) organised by ReadManna Empowerment Initiative, a not-for-profit organisation that drives learning of current, practical and relevant digital

literacy skills in schools and work environment.

The students include Hammad Omotosho of Aduvie International School, Abuja, FCT, who scored 1,000/1,000 in Excel 2019 in 10 minutes 11 seconds; Joshua Olunlade of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State (Word 2019 – 1,000/1,000 in 10min 46Sec; and Gabari Rume Mamuromu of Faith Academy, Ota, Ogun State (Word 2016 1,000/1,000; 11 minutes 45 seconds). Others are Adekoya Toluwani of Faith Academy (PowerPoint 2019, 1,000/1,000; 23 minutes 18 seconds); Divine Ihonde of City of Knowledge Academy, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun (Excel 2016,

980/1,000; 28 minutes 30 seconds); and Aliyah Adunola, City of Knowledge Academy (PowerPoint 2016, 1,000/1,000; 29 minutes 2 seconds).

They will be accompanied by two ICT teachers, Mr. Olusola Ajayi of Aduvie International School, Abuja, FCT, whose student scored highest in the 2022 MOS Nigeria competition, and Mrs. Victoria Adebayo of Faith Academy, Ota. In a statement, the CEO of Readmanma Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Edna Agusto, emphasised the importance of Microsoft Office certifications, noting that proficiency in them gives the students leverage in the labour market.

The MOSWC is keenly competed annually by students in over 150 countries.

In the past 13 years, Nigeria has come second and third in the world championship and has had top 10 finishes nearly every year.

The national competition that produced the Nigerian contingent was held between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, with 385 participants taking the examination in Ilorin, Abuja and Lagos.

Joshua Olunlade is the second university student to win the national competition open to students aged 13-22. Nineteen students scored 1,000/1,000 in various programmes.

Teach For Nigeria Appoints New Board Members Teach For Nigeria, a nonprofit organisation, has announced four new board members who will join and support its work to improve students’ access to quality education in Nigeria.

The new members will further support in advocating for access to learning opportunities for underserved children in local communities.

Speaking on the partnership, the CEO of Teach for Nigeria, Folawe Omikunle, said the new members’ expertise would be invaluable to the organization as it expands access to more opportunities for Nigeria’s most marginalised children.

The new board members began their tenure with Teach For Nigeria effective June 2022.

They are Joke Chukwumah, founder, Children’s International School, Lekki, Lagos; Bolanle Njideofor, Operations Director, Bloombreeds Schools; Executive Director, Greensprings School, Lai Koiki; and CEO, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman.

Chukwumah started her career in banking, where she rose to the position of assistant general manager in 1997. Since then, she has served in different roles, having worked with several banks, including Guaranty Trust bank.

She was at a time Chairman, InvestmentOne Funds Managers Limited, InvestmentOne Pensions Limited, and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Children’s Developmental Centre, Surulere, Lagos. She is on

the board of InvestmentOne Financial Services Limited and Keystage Educational Services Limited, among others.

Njideofor is accountable for all operational aspects of the school, which involves managing, analyzing, planning, and implementing key strategies to deliver optimal short- and long-term performance.

She has over 13 years of experience in the people space in the UK, US, and Africa.

Koiki studied Geography at the University of Lagos and then studied Early Childhood education in the UK. She returned to Nigeria and took up a job as a teacher in a private school, after which she set up Greensprings in 1985 with just three children.

Greensprings began as a preschool and later included a creche. After over 25 years of providing educational services, Greensprings schools remain one of Nigeria’s most respected and highly rated privately owned schools.

Suleiman is an economist and a banker with over 20 years of experience in consulting and financial services.

As the CEO of Sterling Bank Plc, his top priority is to optimize the impact of financial intermediation in critical sectors that can catalyze growth and create a future of shared prosperity for all Nigerians. These sectors are Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation and are at the HEART of Sterling.

L-R: Chairman Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN) Lagos, Monsurah Alagbe, President of the association, Dr. Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho; former President, Dr. Felicia Agubata; Vice President COREN, David Omonibeke; Second Prize winner, Miss Abebe Amarachi; Branch Chairman Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) EgbinIkorodu Branch, Bashiru Mohammed; third prize winner, Miss Justina Achem Justina, at the Felicia Agubata Science competition and scholarship for girls held in Lagos...recently

IDP to Connect Nigerian Students to Global Study Goals Funmi Ogundare

IDP, a global leader in international education services, has stated its readiness to connect Nigerian students with global education opportunities through International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Speaking during the official opening of its first office in Ikeja, Lagos, recently, IDP’s Regional Director, Middle East, Africa, European Union, and CIS countries, Imad Chaoui, said with a growing and ambitious younger population,

there will be strong demand for IDP’s services in Nigeria.

“As the world reopens after the pandemic, Nigerian students are determined to pursue their global study goals in key destinations such as the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, but they need trusted support to navigate their options,” said Chaoui. “From our leading IDP Connect research, we know that Nigerian students are looking for affordability, post-study work opportunities, multiculturalism and a straightforward visa process when considering where

to study abroad.”

Chaoui added, “Today marks a real opportunity for universities around the world to attract Nigerian students to their campuses and for Nigerian students to secure a quality global education and platform for their career through IDP.” Emphasising the organisation’s impact on students’ careers, he pointed out that in the last 50 years, “it has been there to support students. We are presently in 30 countries around the world.”

The organisation, he added,

offered “our services free of charge for students to choose the right course, in the right university abroad, to build a network with other nationalities and have a broader horizon, which is what they can use in the near future. That is why we are so passionate about what we do and what we offer.”

The organisation’s Country Director, Mr. Darrin Vardon, said with its established processes, Nigerian students will be matched with the right courses and also receive the right support to help them succeed.

PwC Mentors Students, Holds Chess Challenge Mary Nnah

PwC Nigeria has held its second mentorship programme as part of this year’s Chess4Change wholistic development initiative. The seventh in the series, the chess-centred corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, empowers students in public schools with various life skills.

The mentorship session, held at Government College, Surulere, was graced by dignitaries such as CSP Taiwo Adewunmi, the DPO,

Bar Beach, Victoria Island; Dr Adebukola Bojuwoye, Head, Lagos State Sports Medicine Unit; Mr Alex Ogbole, Forensic Analyst & Cybercrime/ Financial Crime Investigator, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); and Mrs Cecilia Okeowo, the Principal, Government College Lagos.

CSP Taiwo Adewunmi urged the students to be more security conscious. Dr Adebukola Bojuwoye discouraged the abuse of drugs and other related substances, while Mr

Alex Ogbole spoke on juvenile delinquency: financial crimes & other related offences.

Additionally, the firm organised a keenly contested novelty match in the Majidun community of Ikorodu between students of the Chess4Change programme and the ‘Chess in Slums Africa’ (CISA) initiative.

Speaking at the event organized in conjunction with MediaVision, Delia Asuzu, PwC Nigeria’s Head, Clients and Markets, encouraged the participants to make the best of the opportunity as chess

develops the various life skills essential for success. All the contestants in the challenge, which was won by the ‘Chess in the Slums’ team, received PwC-branded gifts, while the winners received additional prizes.

During an earlier courtesy visit, the Baale of Majidun, Chief Alex Omoyele, thanked the PwC team for the benevolence; and reiterated the community’s continued commitment to welcoming such impactful community development initiatives.

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CITYSTRINGS

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

Encomium as Princess Elizabeth Ogunbeku Joins Septuagenarian Club Friends and families overwhelmed Princess Elizabeth Ogunbeku with encomium as she recently joined the septuagenarian club in grandeur. Rebecca Ejifoma captures her life's journey and widowhood trajectory

I

t was a mini yet delightful banquet birthday party at the Sheraton Restaurant in Lagos recently. For the guests, there was no perfect time to dine, wine, and dance with the latest septuagenarian, Princess Elizabeth Ogunbeku other than now. Hence, friends and families feasted with Ogunbeku, a Princess of Ilesa kingdom and daughter of the King of Osu in Ilesa, Osun State.

Among some of her challenging moments, she recounted that despite being a widow since 1990 after the death of her husband, an inspector of education and former Permanent Secretary of Lagos State, Mr. Joseph Ogunbeku, she has countless reasons to appreciate God. "God has been gracious to me and my four children. I really thank Him because it is by his grace that I'm 70," she expressed excitedly.

For the mother and grandmother of four, the journey has been worth every while.

"I can't say anything other than to thank God," describing the journey as good, she narrated, "Let's say from 1990 till now, I've been a widow. It has just been my four children and I. They are all graduates now".

Ogunbeku also admitted that she filled the vacuum in her life with total service to God while keeping up with life as an entrepreneur. "I sell petty things. And I've been doing that since 1990 just to take care of my children. It was God that saw us through all the way."

Speaking with much ebullience and fulfillment, the celebrant shared the secret to basking in good life, as she has tested and tried it. "The secret to a good life is Jesus. He has helped me. I'm a worker in the church in Deeper Life Bible Church.

When my husband was alive", she recounted, "he was an inspector of education. He was once a permanent secretary in Lagos State, which helped the children to an extent. But all things you see today are the works of God," she said with teary eyes.

On what emboldened her faith in Christ, the Princess of Ilesa land acknowledged that even before the demise of her husband, she was a staunch follower of Christ, an unapologetic born again at that. She told THISDAY that she didn't let her financial or marital status define her existence. Rather

Celebrant, Princess Elizabeth Ogunbeku at 70

she worked tirelessly in the vineyard of God, "My source of joy today."

Just like any regular individual, Ogunbeku had several times felt like throwing in the towel. However the urge to languish in her agony, she chose to go on swinging. "There were a lot

of times I felt like giving up after the death of my husband but I held on to God. After his death, I became an SU Deeper Life. That really helped me.

And because I'm one of their women leaders in the church, they were there for me."

Lending a voice to other women and widows, cheerful Ogunbeku said, "Follow Jesus. Only Jesus can help," she encouraged boldly. "It's not by our power or our might but by the spirit of God. It is only Jesus that helped me. Because after the death of my husband, I decided to follow Jesus to the end. Yes, I was still young when he died. Some people came for my hand in marriage, but I declined all".

She also implored women who are helpless not to depend on any man or the church, but to look on to Jesus for anything. Ogunbeku conceded, "He has been doing it for me. Any time I ask Him for something, He helps me".

Among the guests at her bash was Prince Adebusoye Adekanye, her younger brother.

He couldn't contain his joy, as he chanted her praises. "I'm happy she's 70 today. As children we had our trials and tribulations.

But look at where she is now. I'm very happy I'm witnessing this day in her life."

As her immediate younger brother, Adekanye reminisced about their days of yore when they tracked down their many challenges and came out stronger.

"We worked in a place we suffered for some years. I'm happy how far she has come. I wish her the best of luck."

Among some of the virtues of her sister, he listed gentleness, patience, peace and tolerance. "Those are some of her attributes.

I'll advise her children to emulate these virtues."

As more guests found their way to the reception where they were warmly welcomed, the youngest child of Ogunbeku, Morolake Ogunbeku Bello, enthused, "I'm thankful to God for her life." Adding, she attested to her mother's pious life.

"She's been doing a lot since she lost her husband, my father, in 1990. "She's passionate about God and all that has to do with Him. The most important thing I've learnt from her is putting God first.

She's all about God. God is enough."

Although just a feast to clink glasses to her life at 70, friends, loved ones and well wishers of Ogunbeku didn't let a good photo session slip by. From selfies to group photos, it was, indeed, a memorable day for the septuagenarian.

KSM Provides Succour to 3,480 Needy in Lagos Rebecca Ejifoma

T

hree months after feeding about 7,250 needy families in Lagos communities, members of the Order of Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM) VGC sub-council at the weekend defied the indecisive weather to continue their humanitarian services in the sub-council of Lekki environs and across the state.

This time, however, they fed about 3,480 needy families from all religions, tribes and the physically challenged through the Feed The Hungry (FTH) initiative.

This was part of efforts to assuage the plight of the indigent residents with necessary succour in this time of economic turbulence and fall in naira.

While the FTH initiative is in its second phase, this is the brainchild of the Lagos Metropolitan Council of KSM that acknowledges the existence of hardship among the vulnerable residents.

The Worthy Grand Knight (WGK) VGC sub-council, Sir Tony Ukairo expressed fulfilment that the initiative met its goal in its second edition. According to him, this little show of kindness will continue to be extended to the needy quarterly.

"Those of us who work still know how tough it is for us and our homes much less those who are underprivileged. So we need to share with them from our

LR: Sir Tony Ukairo, Sir Don Ezeh, and the Deputy Grand Knight, VGC Sub-council, Sir Anthony Chiejina at the second edition of the KSM Feed The Hungry initiative in the Lekki area of Lagos

little," he added.

He sees the FTH charity apostolate as apt, capable of alleviating the living status of the average Nigerian family as prices of food items continue to surge while the cost of living is unarguably depressing.

Echoing the words of Ukairo,

Sir Don Ezeh the Lagos Metropolitan Grand Knight (MGK) of KSM, Sir Don Ezeh, emphasised that this move is designed for the needy and the hungry.

This time, however, they dished out packs of food items including rice, noodles, tomato paste, spices, beans, and beverages, among others. These were distributed with tons of love and prayers.

While appreciating members of the KSM for their unwavering support, Don Ezeh encouraged them to raise the gear in their monthly contributions for the course.

"Let's plan it and push our contributions to help feed the hungry people.

Let's continue to give a thought to them," he interceded.

In his address, he cheered the members further, "When you give you are saying 'Thank you, Lord, for making me a giver."

Adding, he charged them, "Donate with prayers. Give from your heart."

Don Ezeh, however, tasked the members to spread the message to other council members on the need for cheerful giving. "We are not doing this because we are rich. We are doing this to show gratitude to God." FTH is a pleasant addition to the numerous philanthropic works by the KSM. KSM lawyers in synergy with the Lagos State Government judiciary will help facilitate the release of prisoners many of whom have spent longer time on awaiting trial list, prison ministration among others, paging for exam fees of repentant inmates alongside fellowshipping with them.

This way, the KSM is giving hope to them yet again. "This is just one of the many humanitarian acts we carry out nationwide.

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NEWS

WE ARE GLAD TO MEET YOU… L-R: Sen Abba Ali; President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Hassan Sada HK, during a Sallah homage by the president's classmates of Middle School in Daura, Katsina State...yesterday

PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE

Komolafe to Lead Special Oil Industry Stakeholders' Discussion on IOCs' Divestments

Peter Uzoho

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe will at a workshop in Lagos next week galvanise oil and gas industry players to deliberate on the implications of the gale of divestments by the international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria.

The workshop is being organised by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).

The one-day hybrid workshop has as its theme: "The Big Sale: Opportunities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry from Assets Divestments."

Komolafe, who has been slated to deliver a special guest presentation at the workshop, would be joined by other top industry stakeholders and chief executives including the Chairman of AA Holdings, Austin Avuru; Chief Executive Officer of Waltersmith Petroman Oil, Chikezie Nwosu; and Chairman, Energia, George Osahor amongst others.

NAPE in a statement issued

yesterday and jointly signed by its President, Dr. James Edet and the Publicity Secretary, Ms. Tunbosun Afolayan, said the workshop would examine the overall Nigerian oil and gas divestment activities to enable the identification of opportunities for all stakeholders, including local players, operators, servicing companies as well as upstream, midstream and downstream infrastructure owners.

The IOCs including Shell, TotalEnergies, Eni, Chevron and ExxonMobil have remained adamant in selling off their onshore and shallow water oil assets in Nigeria, citing several reasons including massive oil theft and bunkering activities in the Niger Delta, vandalisation of oil assets, high cost of operation, unfavourable fiscal regime among others.

NAPE observed that in the last 15 years there have been multiple divestments of oil and gas assets in Nigeria’s onshore and shallow offshore areas and that the scale of these divestments was larger and more frequent.

It pointed out that several

conversations and engagements had focused on why divestments were taking place, adding, however, that there was a need to discuss the possible benefits of divestments to all stakeholders.

It noted that globally, the oil and gas industry was undergoing an accelerated evolution to respond to the world’s growing demand for cheaper, cleaner, and sustainable energy.

The explorationists maintained that Nigeria was not exempted from these substantial considerations,

The recent statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that a total of 6,877 subscribers changed their mobile lines from one network to another between March and May 2022, in search of better service quality.

Among those that ported their lines to other networks, the regulator revealed that MTN received the highest number of subscribers who migrated from their original networks to other networks.

According to NCC statistics posted on its website, a total of I,452 subscribers ported from other networks to MTN network in March 2022, while a total of 345 subscribers ported to Globacom in March 2022, and a total of 290 subscribers ported to Airtel, while only 115 subscribers ported to 9mobile within the same month, totaling 2,202 that ported in the month of March.

In April 2022, MTN still maintained lead in terms of the number of subscribers that ported to other networks as 832 subscribers ported to the telco in April 2022. Also, in same month, 354 subscribers ported to Artel, 131

ported to 9mobile and only 112 ported to Globacom, totaling 1,429 that ported to other networks in the month of April.

In May 2022, a whopping 1,731 subscribers ported to MTN network, while 1,050 switched their mobile lines to Airtel network, 314 switched to 9mobile, while only 151 switched to Globacom, totaling 3,246 that ported in the month of May 2022.

Porting of mobile lines is the migration of subscribers’ mobile number from one network to another in search of better service quality, while still retaining the initial number on the new network.

Subscribers however would have to wait for 60 days after porting, before they are allowed to return to their original network or to other network of choice.

The NCC statistics also revealed that MTN maintained the highest market share of 38.06 per cent in the last three months, followed by Airtel with 28.22 per cent and Globacom with 27.54 per cent market share.

9mobile, which is the fourth entrant into the Nigeria’s GSM market space, has the least market share of 6.19 per cent.

Market share is calculated based on the number of active subscribers for telephony services on each

Nigerian oil & gas industry to discuss opportunities, barriers, and solutions to challenges to harness the opportunities in the Nigerian oil and gas divestments.

“There are focused presentations to be delivered on the following topics: Divestment opportunities and the challenges of insecurity, crude theft, and asset decommissioning; Funding challenges, divestment strategies and incentives; PIA, the new laws and policies; as well as regulator's role in divestments.

"The event will also feature a moderated six-man panel session on the main theme of the workshop, which will include Opportunities from divestment for local players, operators, servicing companies and upstream to midstream infrastructure owners.

"Others are solutions to key barriers, challenges, and issues that prevent access to divestment opportunities, Implication of divestment on National revenue, community engagement and Local content."

Audit Query: Senate Asks Health Ministry to Explain Alleged N5.7bn Donor Funds Mismanagement Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate Public Account Committee has summoned senior management staff of the Ministry of Health to appear before it in order to explain how they managed the N5.7 billion grant from an international donor agency.

NCC: 6,877 Subscribers Ported to Other Networks in Three Months Emma Okonji

stressing that the 70-year-old Nigeria oil and gas upstream industry was going through additional significant transformations that were completely changing its business landscape.

The statement added, "These transformations are driven primarily by the passing into law of the ‘Petroleum industry Act’, asset divestments and insecurities of critical upstream facilities.

"The workshop gathers critical stakeholders, decision makers and eminent speakers of the

of the licensed service providers utilising different technologies including Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Fixed Wireless and Fixed Wired (Landline).

According to the statistics, as at May this year, MTN had a total of 77.71 million active subscribers, Airtel had a total of 57.62 million active subscribers, Globacom had a total, Globacom had a total of 56.23 million active subscribers, while 9mobile had a total of 12.64 million active subscribers.

THISDAY learnt yesterday that the alleged mismanagement of the fund had forced the agency to suspend further assistance based on unsatisfactory reports emanating from some agencies being supervised by the Ministry.

The alleged poor handling of the fund was detailed in the 2016 report of the Auditor General for the Federation, currently being scrutinised by the Senator Matthew Urhoghide-led SPAC. Urhoghide at the last sitting of the panel expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health and the senior officials to appear and give account of the fund.

The Senator lamented that four invitations had been sent to the Ministry but were ignored.

The first letter, according to him, was dated February 1, 2022, and the meeting was scheduled for February 8 and another was scheduled for March 16.

The donor agency was Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), an international NGO which specilaises in bringing together public and private sectors

with the objective of creating equal access to new and underused vaccine for children living in the World's poorest countries.

The SPAC Chairman said the Committee would be left with no other option than to demand an Arrest Warrant against the Ministry officials so that they would give explanation.

He said, "The Ministry of Health has consistently refused to come and give account before this Committee.

We have sent invitations to them to appear with no response from the Ministry, this is very unfortunate."

The query read: "First in 2015, a donor named GAVI, an international NGO which specialises in bringing together public and private sectors with the objective of creating equal access to new and underused vaccine for children living in the world's poorest countries, assisted the country.

"The NGO, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, accused the National Primary Health Care Development Agency of mismanagement of funds released by the organisation.

"GAVI then invited my Office

(AuGF) to observe the appointment of an audit firm to carry out extended cash programme audit of GAVI funds released to NPHCDA from 2010 to 2015.

"There was non-adherence to laid down procedures stipulated in Public Procurement Act, 2007, in the procurement of Goods, Services and works valued at N4,987,958,621.00 (Four billion, nine hundred and eighty-seven million, nine hundred and fifty-eight thousands) " Expenditures made by the NPHCDA between 1st January, 2010 and 31st March, 2015, amounted to N8,599,291,949.

"Out of the amount, the sum of N187,725,160.00 was not supported with relevant statutory and third party documents, such as payment vouchers, receipts, invoices, delivery notes, store receipt vouchers, contract completion certificates, among others. " The sum of N18,804,865.00 was also reported to be ineligible expenditures as it comprised payments to suppliers who did not deliver the procured goods or services as per contract.

Ezeagu Leaders Hail Ugwuanyi’s Leadership Role in Enugu PDP Primaries Stakeholders of Ezeagu Local Government Area under the umbrella of Ezeagu Union have expressed gratitude to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for the exceptional wisdom he exhibited in ensuring a peaceful and successful conduct of the primary elections of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the council area and state in general.

According to a statement, the Ezeagu leaders said they were pleased with the outcome of the

party primaries which saw the emergence of their illustrious sons, Dr. Festus Uzor and Chima Obieze as the flagbearers of the PDP for Udi/ Ezeagu Federal Constituency and Ezeagu Constituency respectively, in the 2023 general elections.

According to a statement, they also appreciated Ugwuanyi for entrenching peace and good governance in Enugu State in spite of the numerous challenges confronting the country since he assumed office as governor.

Speaking when members of Ezeagu Union paid a thank-you visit to Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, the Chairman of the group, Dennis Onyebuchi, told the governor that: “We want to thank you for all your efforts to make us to be living in peace, especially the one you have done recently around the PDP where you are the South East leader and leader in the state.”

The Ezeagu Union Chairman, who gave a historic background of

the union and its ideology, asked the governor to, “take our thank you very seriously.”

Adding his voice, Prof. Chike Anibeze, who described Ugwuanyi as, “a man with pragmatic eyes of picking up excellence,” said: “We are here in full and everybody who is supposed to be here is here. We are here on our own volition. We made up our minds to be here.

We came because we want you to understand the unity that is embedded in us.

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Osun 2022: INEC Reassures Voters They’ll Decide Next Governor Says of 1,955,657 registered voters, 1,479,595 have collected PVCs Deploys five national commissioners, 12 RECs for Saturday’s poll Tinubu, Shettima, Akande, Sanwo-Olu, others campaign for Oyetola Chuks Okocha in Abuja With the Osun State governorship election three days away, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday, reassured the electorate in the state that their votes would count in electing the next governor.

Yakubu, who claimed that, out of the 1,955,657 registered voters in the state, about 1,479,595 had already collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), also hinted that for a successful exercise, the commission had deploys five national commissioners and 12 Resident Electoral Commissioners for Saturday’s governorship election.

This is as the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, at a mega rally in Osogbo, campaigned vigorously for Governor Gboyega Oyetola, who is seeking re-election.

Among those at the rally were the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu; his running mate, Kashim Shettima; former national chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande; the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among other governors and part leaders.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the state capital, the INEC chairman said, "For us in INEC, let me reassure political parties’ candidates and the electorate that the choice of who becomes the next Governor of Osun State, is entirely in the hands of voters.

"As I have repeatedly said in previous engagements with stakeholders, INEC will not take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate. Our focus is on the processes and procedures as provided by law."

Noting that INEC has successfully implemented 12 out of 14 activities contained in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, he explained that the only two outstanding activities were the last day of campaign by political

parties, which ends at midnight on Thursday 14th July 2022, and Election Day activities on Saturday 16th July 2022.

The INEC chairman said the commission had taken every step and made every arrangement for the successful conduct of the governorship election this weekend.

"We held consultative meetings with political parties and their candidates. We had several engagements with the security agencies at national, state and local government levels.

We consulted with stakeholders. We sought, and received, the blessings of royal fathers and religious leaders.

“We have recruited, trained and carefully screened all categories of ad-hoc staff to be deployed to the field. All non-sensitive materials for the election, have been delivered to all our 30 local government area offices across the state. Voter education and sensitisation is ongoing.

"We have made arrangements for the transportation of personnel and materials to ensure that polling units open on schedule on Election Day. For a more effective supervision of the process, we are deploying five national commissioners, twelve resident electoral commissioners and many senior officials to support our state office here in Osun to deliver credible elections," he said.

Yakubu noted further that voters’ registration was carried out all over the state, including the devolution of the exercise to the 332 wards, adding: "We have printed and delivered the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for collection by all valid registrants in the state.

"When we visited Osun last week to assess our readiness for the election, concerns were expressed about the availability of the PVCs especially, for those who applied for transfer of their registration to Osun State or to new locations within the State.

“I am glad to report that we have delivered the PVCs for fresh registrants, transfers and requests for replacement of cards as a result of loss, damage or incorrect personal

CBN SEEKS PROPER DISCLOSURE, FRAUD PREVENTION MECHANISM ON DIGITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES with DFS as well as beef up the security of digital services.

The central bank noted that DFS has the potential to expand access to financial services for the Nigerian population and spur innovation in the financial services industry.

The proposed guidelines provide for a set of principles and expectations for financial service providers to integrate into the provision of DFS to ensure consumer understanding, good treatment, and positive outcomes.

The framework also seeks to set Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) standards for Digital Financial Services Providers (DFSP), align product development, promotion, and consumer awareness to DFS amongst DFSP, enhance transparency and proper disclosure on DFS as well as provide for the development of financial literacy and consumer education materials on DFS. The guidelines further provided for awareness and access to redress and complaints handling by mandating financial institutions and payment service providers to disclose information on consumer complaints channels, resolutions, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in product enrollment materials as well as ensure periodic training of agents and complaints handling staff.

In addition, the framework stated that DFS providers shall henceforth disclose all terms, conditions, fees, and other associated charges on product offerings prior to enrollment, ensure integration

of data privacy and protection standards into internal policies and conduct evidence-based awareness campaigns to sensitise consumers on how to protect their assets and sensitive details and develop default settings on DFS which are by nature “opt-out” not “opt-in” of data sharing with third parties, and clear and simple “opt-in” language for sharing of data, as well as ensure privacy to data collection and sharing during product enrollment.

The digital service providers were further required to put in place strategies to assess their policies on raising consumer awareness and product usage; develop indicators and performance measures to assess changes in awareness and usage; forward their strategies and performance measures to the Director of Consumer Protection, CBN bi-annually for review.

Moreover, they were requested to forward monthly returns on consumer awareness programmes/ initiatives conducted to the Director, Consumer Protection, CBN. The CBN guidelines came amidst efforts to safeguard financial services consumers against all forms of abuses and exposure to security threats amidst the growing influence on digital services and payment culture.

Last month, the apex bank released the Risk-Based Cybersecurity Framework and Guidelines for OFIs, following the recent increase in the number and sophistication of cybersecurity threats against financial institutions.

details such as names, dates of birth etc as provided by law."

Consequently, the INEC chairman said in the commission's effort to ensure that more voters collected their PVCs before the election, the Commission took additional measures with effect from Thursday, last week.

His words: "We are also updating our records to provide detailed breakdown of PVCs collected by polling units. This will be concluded and made available on Friday 15th July 2022. This is important because the total number of PVCs collected will be used to determine the margin of lead principle, as against the total number of registered voters in line with our Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022 derived from the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022."

Underscoring its commitment to an inclusive, credible and transparent electoral process, Yakubu said the Commission was also deploying assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to have a more pleasant voting experience on Election Day. “Magnifying glasses, Braille Ballot Guide and Posters for voters with hard of hearing conditions will be deployed at polling unit level in areas of need based on data collected in collaboration with the PwD

community.

"Our revised Regulations and Guidelines provide for priority to be accorded at polling units to PwDs without waiting in long queues during voting as is the case with elderly people, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

"Beyond these measures, we also want to make PwDs to get more involved in election administration like everyone else. In this regard, the 2022 Osun State Governorship election will also make history, being the first election in which INEC is deploying PwDs as ad hoc staff.

“Thirty-five (35) serving NYSC members with one form of disability or another have been identified, trained and engaged as ad hoc staff at polling unit level," he said.

He said the Commission would continue to deploy technology in the electoral process, both as a matter of practice and a requirement of the law, adding that, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be deployed for voter accreditation and uploading of election results on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal on Election Day. "We have also trained enough Registration Area Technical Support Staff (RATECHs) and made adequate transportation arrangements for their rapid response in the event of reported glitches on

Election Day. "On Election Day, the national headquarters of INEC in Abuja will monitor the election throughout the state. Our Zoom Situation Room will be activated. We are working to ensure that accredited observers and the media are invited to join us at intervals to provide live reports from the field.

"At the same time, citizens can contact us on our various platforms such as the toll-free INEC Citizens Contact Centre (ICCC) telephone line in addition to our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

"I cannot conclude my remarks without addressing a matter of serious concern to our elections. Here, I am referring to sundry violations of our electoral law, including the diabolical practice of vote buying in which voters are financially induced to vote one way or another.

"It is obvious that the more the Commission and other stakeholders work hard to progressively improve the quality of national elections in Nigeria, the more some retrogressive elements try to undermine the process.

"While we will continue to work with the security and anti-corruption agencies to confront this challenge, our effort will be given a boost by the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal

as recommended by the Uwais Committee in 2009, reinforced by the Lemu Committee in 2011 and the Nnamani Committee in 2017," he stressed.

Meanwhile, the APC governorship mega rally, which held at Osogbo Township Stadium, was also witnessed by other party stalwarts like the Chairman of Progressives Governors' Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Governors Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo).

Speaking at the rally, Tinubu urged the electorate to come out in large numbers and vote for Oyetola for continuity of good governance in Osun, saying the governor deserved to be re-elected to consolidate what he had done in his first term.

He, however, appealed to all the people of Osun State to re-elect him.

"Go out with your PVCs and vote massively for APC and Governor Oyetola on Saturday. Think about your children and vote for Oyetola for a better future for them.

"You must all go out in large crowd on Saturday to re-elect Governor Oyetola. Don't be deceived

by PDP and other mushrooms parties. We must vote and defeat Continued on page 41

Heathrow Asks Airlines to Stop Selling Summer Tickets, Limits Daily Passengers to 100,000 Heathrow Airport is asking airlines to stop selling any more tickets for travel this summer, as it announces a cap on passengers allowed to fly from the airport.

The London airport would limit passengers to 100,000 a day until September 11, as it struggles to cope with high demand and a lack of resources.

CNN quoted the airport CEO, John Holland-Kaye, to have announced the "difficult decision" in an open letter to passengers, saying "over the past few weeks, as departing passenger numbers have regularly exceeded 100,000 a day, we have started to see periods when service drops to a level that is not acceptable... Our colleagues are going above and beyond to get as many passengers away as possible, but we cannot

put them at risk for their own safety and wellbeing."

Many airlines have been working to reduce the number of passengers going in and out of Heathrow.

But Holland-Kaye said Heathrow's latest forecast showed an excess number of seats had already been sold and therefore airlines needed to stop selling tickets now.

"Even despite the amnesty, daily departing seats over the summer will average 104,000 -- giving a daily excess of 4,000 seats. On average only about 1,500 of these 4,000 daily seats have currently been sold to passengers, and so we are asking our airline partners to stop selling summer tickets to limit the impact on passengers" In 2018, the daily number

of passengers going through Heathrow was nearly 220,000, split between arrivals and departures.

Lufthansa (DLAKY), which has already canceled thousands of departures from Frankfurt and Munich for the summer season, said it might make further adjustments to its schedule "for traffic peaks in August."

"Lufthansa has thus made a noticeable contribution to relieving the airports, including London Heathrow," a spokesperson told CNN Business.

The head of International Air Transport Association, the group representing global airlines, called Heathrow's travel restrictions "ridiculous."

"Airlines have been predicting stronger traffic than Heathrow has been predicting ... they clearly

got it completely wrong," said Willie Walsh, director general of the IATA. "To tell airlines to stop selling -- what a ridiculous thing for an airport to say to an airline."

Walsh, the former CEO of British Airways owner IAG, added, "Heathrow are trying to maximize the profitability that they get from the airport at the expense of airlines."

A Heathrow spokesperson rejected Willie Walsh's comments, telling Reuters, "Aviation is under considerable pressure as demand ramps up -- at Heathrow we've faced 40 years of growth in just four months and what we need is collaborative working and investment in services to protect passengers, not ill-informed comments from retired airline bosses."

LAWAL: TINUBU IS CORNERED, HE’S TAKEN SIDES AGAINST CHRISTIANS…TO YOUR TENT OH ISRAEL! been cornered by self-serving, hero-worshiping, lapdogs.

The Adamawa-born politician and administrator, said, he had thought he would be able to avoid commenting on the “disastrous error by my very good friend, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his choice of a running mate”, because “I will be the very last person to stand in the way of my very good friend Tinubu's path to the presidency.

This is because since 2011 my consuming passion has been for him to succeed Buhari as President of Nigeria.”

While calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to invoke his powers as the leader of the party to revoke Shettima’s nomination, adding that the former Borno State governor was overambitious with a Machiavellian bent to his politics.

In a related development, Northern Christian Political Leaders in the All Progressives Congress (APC), across the 19 northern states of the country, have accused Shettima, of complicity in the April 2014 kidnap of over 200 Chibok School girls.

This is as a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State and ally of former

Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, Tonye Princewill, has resigned his membership of the APC, because he could not defend its presidential combination.

Building up to his disappointment, Lawal said, “It will not be true if I say that I did not see it coming. I have often read his body language, picked up snippets from several discussions with his lapdogs (some of whom, sadly are Christians, but most of whom are Muslims) and I have conveyed my reservations to them against the pitfalls of a Muslim-muslim ticket towards, which I sensed they were drifting.

“As part of my obligation to him, a close friend, I had on many occasions argued the merits and demerits of both ticket permutations to him. I have done so in both verbal and written form and I have likewise, done so with some of his close respectable associates and friends.

“In all instances, I had left him with the sole responsibility for his final decision arguing that in the end, the consequences of the outcome of any bad decision will be his to bear. There might be some collateral damages though.

I have also on several occasions

passed on to him counsels and messages from some well-meaning Nigerians intended to alert him on the possible outcomes of the presidential ticket permutations.”

Lawal, who established that, “Tinubu is a very good man. He is a great listener. He has a very humble and friendly disposition to every one. He is very generous in both cash and kind, especially where it could advance his political interests,” added that, “But I have realized that it is in the nature of power that sycophants and lapdogs have the most influence on leaders with such character traits.

“They will lie to him, malign and disparage others and generally do any thing to curry his favour and to also put well-meaning associates in bad light. I suspect this is what has happened to my friend. He has been cornered by self-serving, hero-worshiping, lapdogs.

“It never used to be like this.

While in his hay-day in Lagos, he surrounded himself with smart, street-wise guys that could tell truth to power. He had Rauf Aregbesola, Yemi Osinbajo, Babatunde Fashola, Dele Alake, Muiz Banire, etc.

“The Lagos days were the days of think-tanks, strategic planning,

monitoring and evaluation, principles and ideologies. But these people have since grown-up and moved up to establish their own systems living my friend stranded.

Nature they say abhors vacuum.”

Describing Kashim Shetima as an overambitious man with Machiavellian bent and has lots of money with which to procure a preferred-candidate status among Tinubu's lapdogs, he added that, “And as we are beginning to see, to also procure bogus supporters especially, from among the Christian community to help launder his no-so-good image.

“True, based on the advice of his new friends, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made his choice. And I am sure he thinks he is ready for the outcome of that choice. He has chosen to bring religion to the front burner of Nigerian politics. And being a Muslim, he has chosen to take sides with his own religion. For all he cares, Christians can go to blazes with their votes.

“But he must also be told that there will consequences for this choice. Some of them are that, Christians all over the country Continued on page 43

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NEWS

50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION...

L-R: Mrs. Funlola Jeje; Director General, Budget Office, Mr. Benjamin Akabueze; Celebrant and Managing Director, Teuview Art and Frame Gallary, Olujuwon Olusanya; Managing Director, THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Eniola Bello; PHOTP: MUBO PETERS. Managing Director Sproxily Africa, Mr. Chinedun Chijioke and Accountant, Mobil Petroleum Nigeria, Mrs. Ekaette Chijoke at the 50th birthday of Olusanya held in Lagos yesterday

Buhari: Same People, Same Culture Killing Each Other in N’West Urges South-south to stop destroying national assets Francis Sardauna in Katsina President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said killings, cattle rustling and other heinous crimes bedeviling the North West zone of the country were being orchestrated by the same people with the same culture.

Addressing some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, who paid him Sallah homage at his private residence in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari, who expressed worries over the general situation, however, appealed to the people of Southsouth to desist from destroying national assets.

The APC governors at Buhari’s residence were the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari; Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai and their Imo State and Nasarawa State counterparts, Hope Uzodinma and Abdullahi Sule.

Others were Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State; Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State; Dr Fayemi Kayode of Ekiti State; Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State.

While noting that the North-west currently posed more security challenges, the president said some successes had been recorded by his administration in the North

East and South-south regions of the country.

“Ask anybody from the North East, he will tell you what used to be the North East before and

the South-south. We are enjoying a peaceful time now.

“The big problem now is North West. And North West is amazing.

I still can’t understand; they are

problem in the South-south: they are stealing petroleum but I told them they are hurting their people more than the rest of Nigerians,” the president said.

He, however, urged people of South-south, whom he said were predominantly farmers and fishermen, to desist from destroying national assets.

Tinubu's Choice of Shettima, a Masterstroke, Says Yahaya Sheriff congratulates ex-Borno governor, drums support for APC ChuksOkocha in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has described as a masterstroke, the choice of a former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, saying it was a right decision that would facilitate the party's smooth sailing to victory in the 2023 presidential election.

Also, a former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has congratulated Shettima and called on APC stakeholders to work in unity to ensure the actualisation of a Tinubu/Shettima presidency in 2023.

Inuwa, while reacting to the development, noted that as a

committed and loyal party man, Shettima as a great asset to the ruling party, would add immeasurable value to the APC presidential ticket.

"Asiwaju will not have made a better choice. The former Borno State governor is a highly cerebral, eloquent, competent, courageous and cosmopolitan leader, who has succeeded in building bridges, reputation and friendships across the country; and I believe he has the capacity, acumen and political sagacity to deputise the Jagaban," he said.

While congratulating Shettima, Inuwa said with his background as former lecturer, banker, agricultural economist, ex-governor and parliamentarian with visionary and patriotic ideologies, Shettima would be a 'round peg in a round hole' as a vice president.

Lagos to Launch Smart Lag ID Card The Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) yesterday announced that all was set for formal launch of the upgraded Lagos State Resident Identity Card (LAG ID Card).

Announcing the launch date, the General Manager, LASRRA, Mrs. Ibilola Kasunmu, said the new LAG ID Card would be launched next Wednesday by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Police College, Ikeja GRA. According to a statement, the launch would happen, simultaneously, across the five divisions of the state: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe. Kasunmu, added that one of the key highlights of the day would include live demonstration of the smart card, its benefits as well as the unveiling by the governor.

Speaking on the new LAG ID Card, Kasunmu disclosed that the new card was embedded with more features and functionalities to offer the card holders wider and faster access to services provided by the

the same people, the same culture stealing each other’s cattle and killing each other.

“We don’t have much problem in the North East now. We don’t have

Lagos State government.

“The new LAG ID Card is a multi-application smartcard that offers registered residents access to services ranging from ‘a means of personal security and identity verification’ at points of accessing various government services, to applying for loans from Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF)," she added.

In addition, card holders can also use it as a payment card for services across multiple vendors including buses and ferries; supermarkets, as well as cash withdrawals from banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

Kasunmu appealed to residents in the state who have not registered to do so by visiting the website www.lagosresidents.gov.ng.

She noted that once registration is activated online, residents would need to visit any LASRRA Registration Centre nearest to them so their biometrics may be captured to complete the process, adding that registration is absolutely free.

Also, she urged those who registered in or before 2018 and those who have changed their names and/or addresses, to effect changes by validating/updating their records with the same process, after which they would be called upon to pick up the new LAG ID Card.

Kasunmu, stressed that one of the reasons residents with the old cards need to do this was because the upgraded LAG ID was embedded with a multi-applet chip module which stores some of the updated biodata and biometric details of the resident for real-time validation and verification of identity.

She explained that the old identity card was only for identification purposes.

“Holders of the old card need to update their records to obtain the new LAG ID Card with a validity period of 5 years.

“The new card allows flexibility, to onboard more features and expand usability in view of fast-changing technology trends,’’ she stated.

According to a press release issued by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Ismaila Uba Misilli, Inuwa noted that, "The Tinubu/ Shettima ticket is an excellent combination that has already given APC an upper hand and set the opposition off-balance as we approach the elections."

He, however, reassured the candidates of his personal commitment and support for the APC in Gombe State, to the Tinubu/ Shettima ticket as well as victory for the party in 2023, saying, "Gombe is a strong APC base and we shall deploy our political arsenals to ensure sweeping victory for our great party at all levels."

On his part, Sheriff, in a statement

by the Director-General, Ali Modu Sheriff Campaign Organisation, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, congratulated the APC on Shettima’s nomination as vice-presidential candidate of the party.

“I, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff on behalf of my political associates and family, hereby congratulate Senator Kashim Shettima on his nomination as APC 2023 vicepresidential candidate by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate.

“For the records, Shettima personally notified me of his nomination as soon as he was informed of it, and I have given my blessings to the Tinubu/Shettima APC 2023 presidential ticket.

"We have given him and his principal our blessings and we implore all hands to be on deck as we work in unity to ensure the party’s electoral victory in 2023. All party stakeholders and members must work together to ensure that the APC wins the 2023 presidential election, irrespective of whatever sentiments we may harbour.

"We are all APC members and should come together and campaign for the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket and for the party to win the elections at all levels. From the depth of my heart, I support the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket and I believe that with Allah on our side, our electoral victory is assured,” he said.

OSUN 2022: INEC REASSURES VOTERS THEY’LL DECIDE NEXT GOVERNOR them," Tinubu charged the people of Osun State.

Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, while speaking too, said Osun in the last three and a half years, had witnessed great development and growth under the leadership of Oyetola.

He described the governor as a prudent and good manager of human and material resources, adding that the governor had done a lot in his first term for him to be re-elected on Saturday.

Sanwo-Olu, in his address, said, his Osun State counterpart had performed very well in his first term and he was deserving of another term.

Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for Osun State Governorship election, said the electorate must vote and ensure that their votes count on Saturday.

"Governor Oyetola has performed extremely well. He is deserving of another term. I have gone on campaign train with him and from what I have seen and heard, he has done very well. Don't allow anybody to deceive you. There is no crisis in APC. We are united in our party.

"I want to urge you all to vote

for APC and Governor Oyetola on Saturday so that he can continue the good work he is doing in Osun State. By God's grace, we will come back for victory dance on Sunday."

National Chairman of APC, Senator Adamu, while presenting the APC flag to Oyetola, said, the party was impressed with the good performance of the governor and that was why it was supporting him for re-election, and therefore, appealed to genuine APC members and the electorate to turn out in large numbers on Saturday to vote for Oyetola.

"We are taking no chances and that is why we came out in full force to support our candidate, Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Governor Oyetola has done so much since assuming the office of Governor in Osun State. He did very well during his first term and he deserved to be re-elected.

We pray for better performance in Osun than what we scored during the Ekiti State governorship election," he said.

Bagudu, who spoke on behalf of the Progressives Governors Forum, assured the people of Osun of good governance if they re-elected Oyetola.

The Kebbi governor, who

reiterated the support of President Muhammadu Buhari, APC governors and party leaders for Oyetola, said the ruling party has done very well at the state and national levels to deserve continuity in office.

In their goodwill messages, Kano State Governor and co-chairman of the campaign council, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who addressed the rally in Hausa and Igbo languages, appealed to the people of Osun State to re-elect Oyetola for him to be able to complete the good work he has started in the state.

However, appreciating the massive support from President Buhari, Tinubu, APC governors and the party leaders as well as the people of Osun State, Oyetola, who reeled off his achievements, promised to do more than what he did for the people in his first term.

"I will continue to deliver on my campaign promises. I want you to give me another opportunity to serve you for another term. You will enjoy me in my second term more than the first term. Don't allow anybody to buy your future. You are honourable people. Come out on Saturday and vote for APC on Saturday," he said.

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STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT… L-R: Senior Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Mr. Ayotunde Anjorin; Director/Head Corporate Services, Mr. Anthony Arabome; Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Ibrahim Boyi; AFC President, Mr. Samaila Zubairu; Director General SEC, Mr. Lamido Yuguda, and Director, Lagos Zonal Office, Mrs. Afsat Rufai, during a Meeting between the SEC and the AFC in Lagos… recently

Diri Warns Youths Against Criminality, Says Abducted Ex-Commissioner will Be Rescued

Olusegun Samuel

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, yesterday, had strong words for abductors of a former Commissioner for Special Duties (Federal Projects), Mr. Mike Ogiasa.

Diri also warned that the perpetrators would face the wrath of the law, even as he assured the people that the state government was working to ensure Ogiasa regained his freedom.

This came on the heels of a viral video of Ogiasa, begging his family, friends, pastors to raise money for his release.

The ex-commissioner, a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has been in captivity since June 2nd and was seen in the viral video in a freshly dug grave filled with water and begging for his life.

Speaking during the 17th state security council meeting in Yenagoa, Diri condemned the kidnap of the former commissioner and stressed that his administration had zero

tolerance for crime and criminality and that all those involved in the kidnap would not go scot-free.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, quoted Diri as saying people of the state and the Ijaw nation at large, were known for honesty, truth and hard work and wondered why some youths allowed themselves to be used as agents of criminality.

While cautioning youths against involvement in crime, which he described as an ill-wind that blows no one no good, he urged them to seek legitimate means of making money rather that resorting to crime, stressing that the government had the capacity to deal with perpetrators.

Diri, therefore, called on the people to support the government’s efforts to secure the state by availing relevant security agencies of necessary information as government alone could not successfully tackle insecurity.

"Let no youth be used to terrorise

our brothers and sisters. Recently, a video clip of a kidnapped former commissioner, has been in circulation. Unfortunately, people take pleasure in using it to give a negative connotation and image about our state.

"The government is not sleeping

on that matter. We are working on it and by God’s grace we believe and hope that the victim will come out alive. Ijaw people are known for honesty, truth and hard work.

No youth should be deceived into committing crime and see it as a legitimate means of livelihood.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) declared yesterday that high inflation across Nigeria, which impacts food prices, negatively affect household consumption, with no fewer than14.5 million people in urgent need of food and livelihood support between March and May 2022.

WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

In a new report released yesterday, the UN agency revealed that among north-eastern households surveyed by WFP's Essential Needs Assessment, 55 per cent reported not having enough food.

It said: "The Government’s Humanitarian Situation Monitoring Task Force reports that among households newly arrived from areas inaccessible to humanitarian actors, 77 per cent experienced crisis or emergency-level food deprivation and hunger.

"High inflation across Nigeria, especially impacting food prices, has negatively affected household consumption, with 14.5 million people needing urgent food and livelihood support from March to May 2022..."

The report noted that Nigeria has experienced one of West Africa’s most severe currency devaluation in recent years, adding that Bureau De Change (BDC) naira exchange rate against the United States dollars have nearly halved since 2018.

Amid these economic challenges and worsening food security, WFP said it has continued to provide lifesaving food, nutrition and livelihood support interventions to vulnerable people of the North-East states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, while continuing pilot support to Katsina and Zamfara in the North-West.

According to the UN agency, conflict had affected industry, infrastructure and displaced over 2.2 million people in the north-east and more recently, intra-communal clashes.

It stressed that crime had triggered the displacement of nearly one million people across the north-west and north-central zones, worsening food security and causing grave

times. So, we need the support of the people. Be vigilant, cooperate with government and the security agencies by availing them of necessary information. Mike Ogiasa must be released immediately. Security agents are working on it and I am sure in the end we will triumph.”

FG Restates Commitment to Recovering Nigeria’s Stolen Artefacts Oluchi Chibuzor The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment towards recovering the nation’s stolen artefacts across the country.

Mohammed also revealed that the country recently signed an agreement for the repatriation of 1,130 Benin bronzes from Berlin in Germany.

The minister who disclosed this recently during the opening of The Art Hotel in Lagos, said the bronzes were looted from the ancient city

of Benin in 1897, which was 125 years ago.

“Let me restate our commitment to recovering our priceless works of art which were looted from our country. Our efforts in this regard have started to yield fruits.

“Last week, in Berlin, Germany, we signed the agreement for the repatriation of 1,130 Benin bronzes which were looted from the ancient city of Benin kingdom in 1897.

“This number represents the single largest repatriation of looted works of art anywhere in the world. There is no doubt that the return of the most

UN Agency: 14.5m Nigerians in Urgent Need of Food Amid Rising Inflation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

“My administration has declared a zero tolerance for crime. So, I again advise our youths to move away from crime and criminality.

The government has the capacity to deal with situations like this.

"Our country is facing security challenges. These are not normal

protection challenges to women and children.

WFP said it reached 679,117 people in May, 89 per cent of plan and 50,602 more than April.

It listed areas of assistance to include 5,232 new arrivals fleeing areas of Borno State that are hardto-reach for humanitarian actors.

"WFP plans to continue scaling up assistance leading into the forthcoming July-August lean season.

"WFP allocated USD 4.27 million in electronic vouchers to 350,904 individuals via WFP-vetted vendors.

In locations where criteria for cash transfers could not be met, WFP distributed 6,024 mt of domestically sourced produce, vegetable oil and salt, 910 mt more than April, an increase of 18 per cent," it added According to the agency, its nutrition support for pregnant and lactating women and children aged 6-59 months experiencing or at risk of malnutrition reached 133,917 children, caretakers and women with 691 netric tonnes of specialised nutritious food.

"WFP began the gradual resumption of seasonal livelihoods support in May, with plans to reach

14,304 people with asset creation and livelihoods activities by end June," the report said.

The WFP is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations. It is the world's largest humanitarian organisation focused on hunger and food security, and the largest provider of school meals.

coveted Benin bronzes to Nigeria will help to stimulate domestic tourism in our country,” he said.

Mohammed, however urged investors to work on promoting Nigerian as the choice destination for investors.

He said the new hotel, which attempts to promote Nigerian arts and crafts, accommodates a gallery with an extensive display of diverse Nigerian arts for public viewing in celebration of Nigeria’s rich and vibrant culture.

“The Art Hotel brand is a new offering associated with art, style, culture, sophistication and contemporary creativity that promises quality service and genuine guest experiences to deliver customer satisfaction in a distinctive environment.

“This project had been strategically crafted to showcase our unique art, innovativeness and creative works.

The choice of Lagos for siting this hotel is strategic, Lagos is Nigeria’s economic hub where opportunities for expression abound and new stories of success and achievements unfold every day.

“Stakeholders are also invited to package and promote Nigeria’s destinations, goods and services.

This will create direct and indirect

employment through tourism, grow the economy, increase the national GDP, position Nigeria as an all year-round tourism destination and establish a worthwhile, acceptable and recognisable image of the country among tourists and travelers,” he said.

Also Mohammed commended the owners and sponsors of the hotel for the huge investment in the project, saying it revealed a deep understanding of the role of arts and culture on nation building.

“The domestic tourism industry in Nigeria has enormous growth potential with huge possibilities for bringing in Foreign Direct Investments, infrastructural development, tourism asset development and the creation of local, national and international awareness for our tourism assets.

“The sustainable development of this industry will preserve our tangible and intangible tourism assets, support tourism stakeholders and celebrate our cultural diversity, tourism assets and destinations.

Overall, our vision is to promote best practices in the tourism industry that will ensure its sustainability and make Nigeria a globally-accepted and acclaimed destination for all manners of visitors."

Buhari Felicitates BUA Chairman, Rabiu on Reappointment as President France-Nigeria Business Council Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu on his reappointment as the President of the France-Nigeria Business Council by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

The president statement yesterday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, commended Rabiu for his pivotal role in nudging forward the objectives of the association inaugurated a year ago and for retaining the trust and confidence of members of the strategic Council.

He acknowledged with delight that under one year of Rabiu’s leadership, the Council has recorded appreciable progress in plans by some of Nigeria’s biggest banks to set up subsidiaries in France, BUA’s partnership with Axes France to build a 200,000bpd refinery in Akwa Ibom State, among others.

Buhari assured the Chairman of BUA and Pioneer President of the Council of the federal government's unflinching support as top business leaders continue to build strategic partnerships aimed at improving business relations between the two countries, as well as supporting the economic programme of govern-

ment in the areas of infrastructural development, agriculture, power, job and wealth creation.

The president affirmed that the focus of his administration’s economic diplomacy was attracting foreign investments into the country which makes the ordinary Nigerian a prime beneficiary.

He therefore assured Nigerians and all foreign policy stakeholders that having reaped the benefits of major investments into the country in the last seven years, his administration would continue to vigorously promote Nigeria as a preferred and attractive destination to international investors.

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NEWS

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ACTION...

L-R: National Sales Coordinator, Globacom, Mr. Yomi Ogunbamowo; a winner in the Ojude Oba Special Promo, Okuselu Olukunle, and former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, presenting a tricycle to Olukunle in a promo sponsored by Globacom as part of Festival at Ijebu Ode... on Monday

Despite Opposing Same Faith Pairing, Clark Says He May Vote APC Explains why Jonathan stopped attending PDP's meetings Urges Buhari to constitute substantive NDDC board Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Elder statesman and national leader of Southern and Middle Belt Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday said if he was to vote between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he would vote for the former for zoning its presidential ticket to the south, which he said confirmed the fact that leadership of the party listened to agitations from the region.

Clark, who said age would not allow him participate in political matters again, however stressed that he withdrew his support for the ruling party for featuring a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The former First Republic federal information commissioner, also gave insight into why former presidential Goodluck Jonathan, decided to shun the PDP, including how he was

duped by Northern PDP leaders, whom he said squandered his money and that of the party to sponsor Buhari's election in 2015.

Clark stated this when he received Delta Central APC leaders (Delta Central APC Leaders of Thoughts -DECAT), who came on solidarity visit to his Abuja residence.

Addressing the group, he said Jonathan had hardly finished his first term when his party members from the north started a gang-up against him and used the resources meant for his election in 2015 to sponsor Buhari to power.

"Because I am an old man of 95, I no longer belong to political party, whereas if I were to vote, and you put only two parties, APC and PDP, I will vote for APC for zoning the presidency to the south and listening to our appeal,” he said.

On how Jonathan was betrayed and manipulated by northern PDP

leaders, Clark said, "Jonathan was the president for some time. The Northerners said it was their turn.

In 2015, the northern PDP leaders ganged up with APC to remove Jonathan from office. They did not campaign. Jonathan was on his own.

"So, when people say why Jonathan is not in PDP now, is not attending PDP meetings, I can simply say that he is learning his lessons that the people he trusted, did not trust him. They squandered his money, the party's money and they left.

"So when people say, why is Jonathan not in PDP, he knows how they betrayed him; northern PDP governors contributed money towards Buhari's success. How members of his government betrayed him.

"The national chairman of the PDP at the time, Dr. Muazu, did not go to his home to campaign.

He was only following Jonathan about. He knew what he was doing.

Every one of them wanted Buhari to win, so Buhari won.”

Clark further stressed that the agitations for a southern president was still very much alive and that people like Atiku and others championing for power to remain in the north are the true enemies of Nigeria sowing seeds of discord.

"We are saying that up till today, we still believe in a Southern President. So, that is why some of us have said the APC that we never wanted to talk about is the one that have listened to us by zoning presidency to the south?

He (Buhari) has ruled for 8 years.

Now the same northern leaders are now saying, competence, no zoning, integrity, no zoning.

"We thought it was a play but they maneuvered in PDP for Mr Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who has been wanting to be Nigeria's presi-

dent over the years, championing the cause of division. So, PDP, a party we loved, a party of southern Nigeria, disappointed us.

"In 2019, eleven million people voted for Atiku Abubakar's PDP. Five million from the north, five million from the south. He now believes he can achieve anything.

So, the seventeen governors met in Asaba at the Government House. One government provided the secretariat and they issued a communique that the southern Nigeria must have the president in 2023,” he said.

He further narrated how governors and leaders of Southern Nigeria issued several communiques and agreed that power must be zoned to the South but Atiku, including the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who hosted the first meeting and other leaders of the party in the north, jettisoned the calls.

LAWAL: TINUBU IS CORNERED, HE’S TAKEN SIDES AGAINST CHRISTIANS…TO YOUR TENT OH ISRAEL! will revolt against the APC to put the chances of his election in serious jeopardy. It will also put the election of all Christians standing for elections in Christian dominated areas in jeopardy. This could result in APC being a minority party in both the National and State Houses of Assembly.

“Now tell me, which Christian will vote for APC with the following contraption: Moslem Presidential Candidate (Lagos), Moslem Vice Presidential Candidate (Borno), Moslem National Chairman (Nasarawa), Moslem Deputy National Chairman (Borno), Moslem President (Katsina); Moslem Senate President (Yobe); Moslem Speaker (Lagos); Moslem Deputy Speaker (Plateau) e.t.c. APC the great! Wu na de try woh!”

He was of the opinion that, “The northern governors and some northern muslim elites must have persuaded him that they will never vote for a ticket that has a northern Christian on it. And he has agreed with them.

But if he thinks a Moslem-Moslem ticket will win him the northern Muslim votes, he should have a rethink. They will massively vote for one of their sons, because it is in their nature to do so. Buhari, their first son will not be on the

ballot in 2023. Atiku their second son will be.

"Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should be compelled upon by whoever can do so to rescind this decision.

President Muhammadu Buhari should exercise his powers as the Commander-in-Chief and as the APC Leader to revoke this nomination of a VP by Tinubu.”

Shettima Complicit in Chibok Girls’ Abduction, Terrorism, Say Northern Christian Leaders

Meanwhile, the northern christian political leaders, in a communique issued at the end of its meeting Monday night, and jointly signed

by Chairman and Secretary, Prof.

Doknan Sheni and Ishaya Bauka, claimed the Muslim-Muslim pairing could earn the party the tag of an Islamic party, even as they suspected that Shettima might be involved in some terrorism activities.

While noting that the ticket was a hard sell for them and that there might be consequences if the Muslim-Muslim pairing was not changed, the leaders said, the party’s decision was insensitive and would be difficult for them to sell the idea to their constituencies.

Arguing that the situation of the country now could not be compared

to what it was in 1993,when Nigerians unanimously settled for a Muslim-Muslim ticket without prodding, the group stressed that the country's unity was of utmost importance and not any other thing.

It, therefore, warned that there would be dire consequences for the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential poll, adding that if it was not possible in 2015, now was not the best of time to introduce it.

"The selection of a Muslim vice presidential candidate portrayed insensitivity to the Christians in the nation. The fear of the Christians in the north and the nation in general is that the APC party will be viewed as an Islamic party. The Christians in the north and the whole nation are highly aggravated.

"More so, we are apprehensive that the person picked might have had a hand in the Chibok girls Saga and other terror activities.

Moslem-Moslem ticket would undermine the election chances of Christians candidates in APC in the various states in the North.

"Considering that the chairman of the party is a Moslem, deputy chairman north is a Moslem, the president of the senate is a Moslem, the speaker and deputy speaker are Moslems, and now both the presidential and Vice presidential

candidates are Moslems and apart from this violating the constitution section 14 subsection 3, if this was to be reversed that all these were Christians, can any Moslem in the North be able to sell the APC presidential tickets to any Moslem ummah?

"If this selection of a Moslem Vice President candidate is not changed, there will be serious and grave consequences."

While arguing that, what should be paramount in the country now was unity and not infrastructure or the economy, the leaders added that, "For without unity, we cannot build. Any party or candidate that elevates the greed of a few above the needs of the many, has no business running the affairs of Nigeria."

Princewill Quits APC over Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Meanwhile, Princewill, in a letter, affirmed that, his resignation was in protest against the choice of Shettima as running mate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

In the resignation letter addressed to the Chairman of Ward 3 (Royal Ward), Buguma City, in Asari Toru Local Government Area area, he said he could not continue to “argue for equity in my state and defend

inequity in my country.

“While I appreciate my leader, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi, and all his efforts, I cannot defend the decision of my party, in fielding a MuslimMuslim ticket, especially, at a time like this, against all protestations from well-meaning Nigerians, across religious and political divides.

“It sets a very wrong precedent; it is totally insensitive and even if you win, will prove bad for good governance. Under these dire circumstances, I find no justification to still remain, in good conscience, a member of a political party that subordinates electoral victory, over the safety of lives and the peace of mind of its citizens.

“The men and women of our party here in Rivers are the most loyal and faithful supporters I have met. They know right and they know wrong. And they know me.

I enjoyed working with them and I’m so sad to leave.

“But an APC party that totally disregards the basics of the same equity we preach, is alien to me.

Buhari resisted the same temptation and chose a little known Osinbajo and won. I wish you well. And I remain grateful to our leader, but I cannot defend the indefensible.

And to be totally honest, neither should you.”

"Atiku has been kicking against Jonathan's presidency since 2010.

He said it was their turn. But today, the same Atiku and his people are now saying, integrity. We issued a statement that no southern governor, Senator, House of Representatives member or minister should accept being a running mate of a northern presidential candidate.

"Who is Atiku, who thinks that he is very important? That people like us when we speak, he will not listen? A good leader must be the one that listens to calls. So, if you become president, what will you do?

We all own this country. We didn't come to settle with northerners,” he said.

While telling the Delta APC group that came to consult him on the way forward for the 2023 general elections that he was happy for their visit, he said his only grouse was Tinubu's choice of running mate.

He said, "I am therefore very happy that you come to brief me and to give the organisation (Southern and Middle Belt Leaders) your support. They will hear. I will table your message in the next meeting. But the only thing your party (APC) has done that has made me to withdraw my support, is its Muslim-Muslim ticket. I won't talk about it.”

Clark also called on President Buhari to with immediate effect reconstitute a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) in accordance with the Act establishing the Commission.

Clark also threatened that any attempt by those he described as greedy persons to influence the president to appoint another interim administrator for the Commission would be met with stiff resistance, just as he asked the president to publish the report of forensics investigation carried out by his administration to unmask faces behind rots in the commission.

Clark said: "May I use this medium to kindly appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to please, as a matter of importance and urgency, constitute a substantive Board for the NDDC in accordance with the Niger-Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc) Act, 2000, No. 6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Continued online

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NEWS

Aregbesola Visits Kirikiri Prisons, Tasks Security Forces to be More Vigilant Goddy Egene Officers and men of the Nigeria security forces and paramilitary agencies in the country have been advised to remain vigilant and continually remain on the watch to be able to defeat criminal elements terrorising the country.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, stated this yesterday when he paid a surprise visit to the Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Security Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos state.

“We must acknowledge our servicemen and security agencies, who have sacrificed a lot to make this possible. We must equally charge them to remain eternally vigilant and continuously evolve strategies. And to define these strategies, we have to make decisions based not on fear, but on hard-earned wisdom.

“I have also informed our officers and men here that they must fight to defend our institutions, territory and constitution. It also applies to all others wherever they are

posted in Nigeria. The ragtag groups of opportunist must not be allowed to attack our

institutions and get away. They must not live to tell the story,” Ogbeni Aregbesola stated.

The minister directed the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), to

improve its efforts on intelligence gathering and acting on such information garnered, saying it

is the panacea to solving the problem of incessant Custodial Centres attacks.

SUPPORTING EDUCATION…

L-R: Executive Chairman, SUBEB, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King; Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo; Intercontinental Missions Coordinator and Pastor in Charge Region 19, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Brown Oyitso, and Pastor in charge, Lagos Province 40, RCCG, Pastor Bola Odutola, at the inauguration of a block of classrooms at Ojodu Primary School, Lagos…recently ABAYOMI AKINYELE

Irate Mob Kill Etsu Nupes Boss Mustapha Condemns Killings of Cleric’s Two Sons in Adamawa Farm Chief Security Man Daji Sani in Yola

Laleye Dipo inMinna

An Ex-soldier and the chief security officer of the Etsu Nupes’ farm and three others have been killed in a communal clash that occurred in Gbako Local Government Area of Niger state between Saturday and Sunday.

Other victims of the clash were the chief imam of Bramafu and a policeman that sustained serious injuries while not less than five vehicles and about 15 houses were damaged.

THISDAY’s investigation showed that the feud between the Bramafu and Ewugi, Dinari and Wantugi communities was over bumps

constructed on the road that traversed the communities and hindering free flow of vehicular traffic.

It was reported that on Sallah day the people of Ewugi, Dinari and Wantugi approached those of Bramafu asking them to remove the bombs.

The Bramafu people were said to have promised to address the matter after the Eid- El Kabir festival but youths from the communities stormed Bramafu to forcefully remove the bumps.

It was said that a clash later ensued between the communities leading to the death of two people from Ewugi.

Awujale Commends GLO for Supporting Ojude Oba Festival The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona has lauded Globacom Limited for the company’s consistent support for the Ojude Oba Festival since 2006, describing the company’s sponsorship as adding immense value to the age-old annual cultural event.

The octogenarian monarch who poured encomiums on Globacom and its Chairman, Mike Adenuga, Jr., in an address by the Chairman, Ojude Oba Planning Committee, Dr. Fassy Adetokunbo, described Adenuga as an icon who takes pride in the value systems and cultures of Nigerians. Oba Adetona prayed for continued sound health

and greater prosperity for Dr. Adenuga in his businesses and life endeavours.

Adenuga, in his goodwill message to the festival, said Globacom’s continued collaboration with the Ojude Oba Festival Committee is rooted in his company’s passionate commitment to being in the forefront of major initiatives aimed at celebrating the best of Nigeria’s cultures and traditions with a view to conserving them for posterity.

He noted that cultures are means of introducing belief systems, traditions and a people’s worldview to the outside world saying,

Former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Dies at 82 A former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Abayomi Kinyomi, is dead. He died yesterday at the age of 82.

Rt. Hon Kinyomi, was Speaker of the State Assembly from January, 1992 to November 1993 during the tenure of the late Sir Micheal Otedola.

The news of his death was broken by former Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, who claimed that Kinyomi reportedly died at a private hospital in Festac town after a brief illness.

The former lawmaker would be buried today accordance with Islamic rites.

Comrade Ayodele, who

disclosed the demise of Kinyomi on his WhatsApp page had said:”With a sense of deep loss, I would like to inform the general public of the passing away of Rt. Hon. Abayomi Kinyomi, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly under the administration of Sir Michael Otedola, the former Executive Governor of Lagos State from January 1992 to November 1993.

“Rt. Hon. Abayomi Kinyomi passed on this morning at a hospital in Festac Town after a brief illness.

I was privileged to visit him in hospital a day before his death. We had a lively discussion and he was of sound mind; I was surprised to hear that he later passed on.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, on Monday visited the headquarters of ‘Ekklesiyan Yan’uwa A Nigeria’ (EYN), also known as Church of the Brethren to condole with the family of Rev. Daniel Umaru, whose two sons were murdered by Kidnappers in Mubi LGA of Adamawa State

last week.

The Kidnappers were reported to have also abducted the daughter of the Cleric and later freed her after shooting her father and killing her two brothers Mustapha, who led a federal government delegation to sympathize with EYN church over the shooting of Pastor Umaru, killing of his two sons and kidnapped his 13-year-

old daughter in the state. He condemned the incident in totality and expressed the president’s sadness over the unfortunate incident “President Muhammadu Buhari was deeply saddened by news of the gruesome murder of the young stars,” he said.

He noted that the government was working towards ending terrorism and violent crimes in

the country.

While in Yola, on his way to Mubi to condole with the church and the family of pastor Umaru, the SGF was not satisfied with the work done by the contractors rehabilitating the Yola-Mubi road and threatened that the government would revoke the contract for the rehabilitation of Yola-Mubi road in Adamawa State.

Stay away from Our Politics, Bauchi APC Group Warns Minister SegunAwofadejiinBauchi

A Bauchi-based political group, APC Initiative for Good Governance, has warned the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk to steer clear of Bauchi State politics.

The group rather advised the minister to concentrate on her

ministerial functions to avoid unnecessarily heating up the political scene of the state.

The warning was contained in a statement by the Coordinator, APC Initiative for Good Governance, Bauchi State, Nasiru Cigari yesterday.

The group alleged that the minister, who is married to the gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress

(APC) Saddique Baba Abubakar, was unnecessarily interfering in the issues of politics which did not concern her.

As contained in the statement, the group stressed that she should just fold her arms and watch political issues from afar not poking her nose into it.

“It is no longer news that the ticket of APC House of

Representatives of Bauchi Federal constituency is vacant, following the withdrawal of its standard bearer, Hon Shehu Aliyu Musa who was nominated to serve as the running mate of Bauchi state APC gubernatorial candidate, Ambassador Baba Sadique Abubakar from Giade LGA of Bauchi North Senatorial zone of the state,” the group said.

Pray for Success of 2023 General Elections, Shaibu Urges Edo Pilgrims to Israel

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State acting Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, has charged Edo State Pilgrims to Israel for the 2022 pilgrimage to pray for Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Shaibu gave the charge while addressing Edo State pilgrims to the holy land, urging them to be good ambassadors of the state,

as they pray for Edo State and Nigeria over her many challenges.

The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Oyenude Kure, is leading 13 others to the pilgrimage and will be assisted by three other officials including the Secretary of Edo State Christian Welfare Board, Lady Brenda Ezekiel.

The acting governor said: “Be good ambassadors of our

state and take positive steps to promote the state in the holy land. We are good people; please ensure you represent the State well. Our country is in serious need of prayers, as we are going through a lot of challenges as a nation. We are faced with insecurity, economic retrogression and other serious challenges troubling the nation.”

Shaibu charged the Edo state

pilgrims to pray for the unity and progress of the nation.

“2023 is another election year.

Let us pray for a peaceful election so we can have good leaders that can manage our human and natural resources. We should pray for leaders who will be able to transform the nation, tackle insecurity and solve our economic challenges so we can move the nation forward,” he added.

Police Kill Robbery Suspect, Recover Arms in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Police Command announced that it has killed a notorious armed robbers and recovered arms when it responded to a distress call from residents of Abuja Quarters, by Benson Idahosa University, Government Reserved Area (GRA), Benin.

The Edo State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP. Jennifer Iwegbu, said yesterday in a statement that the robbers engaged the police in a gun duel, which led to the death of the suspect.

The statement reads: “In its unrelenting efforts to stem the increasing rate of armed robbery and other vices in the state, operatives of Edo State

Police Command attached to its Ugbor Divisional Headquarters on July 12, 2022, at about 04:45 hours neutralised an armed robbery suspect.

“Following a distress call to the Divisional Police officer in charge of Ugbor Division at about 04:45 hours of July 12, 2022, that there was an ongoing armed robbery operation along Abuja Quarters by Benson

Idahosa University, Ugbor, GRA, Benin City, the DPO personally led operatives to the scene with the aim of arresting the suspects.

“On arrival at the scene, the suspects on sighting the police operatives engaged them in a gun duel. However, the superior fire power of the police operatives neutralised one of the suspected armed robbers.

Ayade Approves 100% Review of Judicial Officers’ Salaries Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade has approved the upward review of the salaries and welfare of judicial officers in the state.

The governor announced the new salary package at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar, during the swearing-in of the new President of Cross River Customary Court of Appeal,

Justice Anjor Mbe. In the new salary regime, starting from August 1, 2022. the salaries of the state’s high court judges will be increased by 100 percent.

Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal will also have their salaries increased by 100 percent while those of Magistrates will be increased by 50 percent.

In the same vain , the governor has also granted all judicial officers in the state immediate land allocation.

According to governor Ayade, “as a matter of state government’s policy, any judicial officer sworn-in will have his or her official car ready for delivery. “ Announcing approval for new recuitment into the state’s

judicial service, the governor said: “We have witnessed massive vacancy in the Ministry of Justice occasioned by retirement. To this effect, we have approved for the Chief Judge with the support of the Head of Service and the Civil Service Commission, the employment of 500 workers in the Ministry of Justice for the first phase alone.”

WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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BACK PAGE CONTINUATION WIKE AND OTHER MATTERS assurances to the contrary, even in Minna. The dummy sold to our team, and bought by all, that someone was behind a strong political consultancy for Atiku and that Minna and co knew nothing about it was at best an interesting tale. You see, I got that call! And it was from someone I did not know, but who knew where I was and who gave clear indications about what happened about 24 hours later.

It was the same story with Dr Sam Egwu; who was advised, a few hours before the election to choose a new party chairman, that “they” had decided that it would be Ogbulafor. Sam Egwu, with whom I visited every single party office in Nigeria, and who ran the best PDP party machinery as Governor of Ebonyi State, did not even turn up as contestant for the post of party chairman.

As for the presumed betrayal of Wike by Tambuwal, it may all depend on how one chooses to look at it. Truth be told, Wike was not just the main, but actually the only visible strong and determined, supporter of a Tambuwal presidency in 2019. He practically violated all the rules in pursuit of his goal. The 2019 Wike/ Tambuwal project cost the PDP the South-west, because the zone simply walked away after the Chairmanship that was zoned to it suddenly metamorphosed into a Secondus/South-South tenure, under the curious midwifery of Wike and his revised version of the party machinery and loyalties.

Since he contested against Tambuwal this time, taking his campaign everywhere, as any man who believes in what he is doing would, we must ask this: “When and how, did he realize that he should be president instead of Aminu Tambuwal? What faults did he see, or what prognostications did he traverse, to the point that the need for him to contest against Tambuwal became an inevitability?

Could Tambuwal not say, and feel, as they were all standing toe to toe and eyeball to eyeball on the night of the primaries, that Wike had betrayed him? Does a man like Tambuwal not have the right to see Wike’s involvement as betrayal, in the sense that the very person who threw everything into the ring for him had joined the hustings and is standing in his face and asking him to move aside? See what I mean? Perspectives and illusions all over the place.

One of the unfortunate fallouts of the PDP primaries, for Tambuwal that is, is that it would seem to have unwittingly played up a less than commendable quality that people easily ascribe to him in political circles. It is that of being less than absolutely dependable when people go into deals with him, or expect him to keep his word. True or not, it is a perception. And perceptions are reality for the perceiver.

In terms of record of performance between the two men as governors, Wike is light years ahead of Tambuwal. The latter, in my view,

Atiku

Tambuwal

Ayu

diligently aborted his chances of being cheerfully and robustly marketed today as a young and vibrant presidential candidate. His pathetic performance as the governor of Sokoto State is an issue here, because it differs radically from what he left behind in his days as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Boldly and without apologies, he stood against the most powerful political forces in the PDP and the Executive Arm of government combined. He came out of it standing tall, with the active partnership and commendable loyalty of Emeka Ihedioha.

Aminu Tambuwal was the first Speaker of the House who was, in real terms, actually chosen and elected by his colleagues. And this happened against all odds.

And it did not end there, no! Tambuwal presided without rancour. He evenly distributed positions, committee headship and all, without emphasizing party affiliation or personal loyalty to him. He simply ran “a whole house of elected representatives who worked together as one”. His tenure also saw the emergence of a well-organized review/amendment of some key provisions of the constitution. This was done in such a way that what his tenure gave Nigeria at the time was actually a template that could be used for the much-vaunted

restructuring.

Then he became governor. In sum, he went into oblivion the moment he was sworn in as head of affairs in Sokoto State. Notwithstanding contrived projections to the contrary, executive capacity, reliability and steadfastness were the issues that progressively made nonsense of his tenure as governor. How, and why, Tambuwal would aspire to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after his performance in Sokoto State remains a mystery to many perfectly rational observers. Why he would argue, as he did on national television, that Nigerians should worry about who can win the election instead of focusing on competence is understandable from the standpoint of one who does not know the limits of political realism in a severely underdeveloped nation like Nigeria.

But back to the Wike matter. Whereas it can be said, as is being said in some quarters, that Wike was partly responsible for what happened to him, that he played his music too loudly for his ethnicised Nigerian audience, and that he dared people who do not like being dared, it must also be said that those who unleashed the wind in the PDP primaries are bound to reap the whirlwind. Yes, Wike said a few days ago that he is a loyal party man. We believe

him. He said that they will all work together to win and then settle their “domestic” issues inhouse later. Nmanwu!

The PDP is not just in trouble but facing a benumbing fate of cataclysmic proportions.

The party has learnt nothing, as it brays forth everything a serious opposition party should not be associated with. It has now lost the chance to be taken seriously within its own ranks. Just as happened in 2019, its post party primaries reflexes reeks of incoherence, incompetence and outright tomfoolery. Wike is an Albatross of great weight around the neck of the PDP today. Worse still, Peter Obi has just chosen a running mate. Enough said!

have a rethink. They will massively vote for one of their sons because it is in their nature to do so. Buhari, their first son will not be on the ballot in 2023. Atiku their second son will be.

Proof of a possible Islamic agenda was leaked when Governor Ganduje, the “Kadmul Islam”, gave advance notice that Tinubu had assured them he would be nominating a moslem as his running mate. For those who might not know, Governor Ganduje has a foundation called “Ganduje Foundation” which purpose according to its website is to “provide selfless service to humanity and Islam” but whose primary purpose it appears is the conversion of Christians to Islam.

So if my very good friend Tinubu in a desperate bid to become President allows himself to made into a religious bigot or even a mujahideen, he is welcome. But it is a risk that will not play out positively for his presidential bid. But, were he to win and become President of Nigeria, it will be as a sectional President; an Islamic President.

And he will surely face massive discontent and opposition even before taking off.

Expecting Nigerians to ignore this crass insensitivity to the country’s diversity amounts to acceding to the perpetration of very grave injustice and discrimination against a huge segment of the society. No one who seeks to be president of Nigeria should ever deploy the tool of religious extremism and exclusivism as a tool to win elections. This is very very dangerous.

And this is very sad.

But, baring any last minute change of mind, Bola has made his choice. He should be bluntly told that in this choice Nigerian Christians clearly see a pending Islamic Republic of Nigeria in its infancy and are right to be severely anxious.

There is gloom among the Christian community all over the country since Tinubu announced

Kashim Shetima as his running mate. Are the generality of the moslem ummah happy with this? The answer is a resounding NO. How then do we respond? The decision as to how to respond to this deliberately senseless act of provocation is both corporate to each religious group and also personal to each voter that love peace, and hate injustice. Christians want to continue to leave peacefully with their moslem neighbors at home, at school, at the work place, in the markets and on the streets as we have always done or desired to do. And I am sure Moslems share this view too. No one person’s ambition to rule over us should be allowed to set us apart and at war with one another.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should be compelled upon by whoever can do so to rescind this decision.

President Mohammed Buhari should exercise his powers as the Commander-in- Chief and as the APC Leader to revoke this nomination of a VP by Tinubu. The APC National Chairman should refuse to sign the nomination forms if not rescinded.

There is a story in the bible on how some people responded to similar provocation: “And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.”

So Israel went to their tents” (1 Kings 12:16).

I will love for Bola to be our next President.

But I am afraid a Moslem-Moslem ticket will be “Dead on Arrival”. And the arrival date according to INEC’s election time table is 25th February, 2023. This ticket will drag down the whole APC members to the pit. We all should reject it. *Lawal, an engineer, is former Secretary to the Government of the Federation under President Muhammadu Buhari

A Presidency a Work

Just think about it. What if the Skirmish in Katsina had taken out the number one citizen? It was “only” the advance team that was attacked and injured personnel were receiving good treatment in hospitals, said the Presidency. The invasion of Kuje correctional facility lasted until the intruders completed their mission and left. The President visited the scene and expressed disappointment. If I was Yoruba, I would have said: “Olori buruku, ma ba temi je o!”

MUSLIM-MUSLIM TICKET: SYCOPHANTS HAVE MISLED TINUBU procure a preferred-candidate status among Tinubu’s lapdogs. And as we are beginning to see, to also procure bogus supporters especially from among the Christian community to help launder his no-so-good image.

But as a popular proverb goes: “Those whom the gods want to destroy they first make mad”.

It appears that the gods want to destroy the APC and its Presidential Candidate and have chosen the instrumentality of the northern Moslem governors and their super ambitious tool and Kashim Ibrahim for this purpose. Alhaji Kashim Shetima is a Greek gift from the Northern governors to Tinubu. I advise Bola to make sure Kashima’s two hands are always in his plain sight and empty.

True, based on the advise of his new friends, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made his choice. And I am sure he thinks he is ready for the out come of that choice. He has chosen to bring religion to the front burner of Nigerian politics. And being a Muslim he has chosen to take sides with his own religion. For all he cares, Christians can go to blazes with their votes.

But he must also be told that there will consequences for this choice. Some of them are that Christians all over the country will revolt against the APC to put the chances of his election in serious jeopardy. It will also put the election of all Christians standing for elections in Christian dominated areas in jeopardy. This could result in APC being a minority party in both the National and State Houses of Assembly.

Now tell me which Christian will vote for APC with the following contraption: Moslem Presidential Candidate (Lagos), Moslem Vice Presidential Candidate (Borno), Moslem National Chairman (Nasarawa), Moslem Deputy National Chairman (Borno), Moslem President (Katsina); Moslem Senate President (Yobe); Moslem Speaker

Shettima (Lagos); Moslem Deputy Speaker (Plateau) e.t.c.

APC the great! Wu na de try woh!

The northern governors and some northern moslem elites must have persuaded him that they will never vote for a ticket that has a northern Christian on it. And he has agreed with them.

But if he thinks a Moslem-Moslem ticket will win him the northern Muslim votes, he should

47

WEDNESDAY, ͹ͻ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Rangers' Fans Struggling to Deal with Aribo's Departure from Glasgow

Kunle Adewale A section of Glasgow Rangers football club supporters are finding it hard to deal with seeing the Nigerian international, Joe Aribo, train with his new teamSouthampton.

The Super Eagles midfielder had his first training session as a Southampton player on Monday.

But several Glasgow Rangers fans are struggling to deal with having their dearly beloved hero wear the training kit of another club aside from the Light Blues.

Aribo only on Saturday inked a four-year contract with English Premier League side Southampton, ending his association with Glasgow Rangers.

The 25-year-old midfielder spent three years with the Gers, winning

TRANSFER NEWS the Scottish Premiership and Cup. Aribo registered 26 goals and 25 assists in 146 appearances for the Light Blues, becoming a fans’ favourite at the Ibrox Stadium.

His most memorable goal would arguably be the fantastic strike that gave Rangers the lead in the Europa League final in May. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men eventually lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt, but Aribo’s name was eternally engraved in the Rangers’ record books.

After completing his multimillion euro move to Southampton on Saturday, Aribo joined the Saints team training on Monday.

A short clip of the training

session was posted on Twitter, and it drew reactions from several Rangers supporters who still feel attached to Aribo.

Some of their comments reveal their struggles with seeing a former Ibrox favourite fighting for a different badge.

— stuartdezopposition (@ stuartdezdevlin) July 11, 2022 “Ok that’s enough when can we have him back” — Tavernier Sufferer (@ StaunchTav) July 11, 2022 “It’s like being back at school and watching your ex-girlfriend going out with her new lad, who’s in uni and gets to drive his mum’s car.”

— Apockachipsnow (@ apockachipsnow) July 12, 2022 “Need to stop following Joe Aribo – it’s too tough watching

him play in someone else’s colours.

“All the best Joe, everyone at Rangers wishes you all the best with your future career. Once a Ranger always a Ranger! “ — Nick Markou (@ NickMarkou127) July 11, 2022 “Please stop this admin, if you stop making me cry I'll buy ur home shirt with his name on the back.

Already right into my @ OfficialFPL team. I think he's going to do amazing down there.”

— Billy Adams (@Bilko187303) July 12, 2022 Great player with velcro feet “Hope he's protected better by refs in England.

He will be a big bonus for you…

Good luck Joe and thanks for the memories…”

Joe Aribo...Rangers fans just coming to term the Nigerian international has left Ibrox Stadium

Pogba Insists Happy with His Man Utd Years, Unveiled at Juventus France midfielder Paul Pogba has said that "a bit of everything" in terms of "coach, team, position" had "blocked" him at former club Manchester United.

The 29-year-old has rejoined Juventusafter leaving United following his deal with the Old Trafford club expiring.

"I'm happy with the choices I've made in my life," he said.

"Sometimes you make choices that don't go your way but I'm happy with the years in Manchester.

I grew up, I learned, I became a man."

Pogba, who came through United's academy, left the club in 2012 to join Juventus and won the Serie A title four times with them before moving to back to the Old Trafford side for a then world-record £89m transfer in 2016.

He won the EFL Cup and Europa League with United in his first season back at the club but they were the only trophies he won in his second spell with them.

He played for managers Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick following his return to United and failed to produce his best form on a consistent basis under each of them.

However, Pogba, who has 91 international caps, was influential as France won the World Cup in Russia in 2018.

"Changing (Manchester United) coach every year is hard - this was a difficult aspect for me," said Pogba.

"Then there were a few injuries, but I think it was also a mental thing - playing and not playing makes you lose pace.

"There is a bit of everything: coach, team, position. All this has blocked me a bit.

"Now, however, I have left and you will see another Paul. I can do better than in recent years."

Pogba has signed a four-year contract with Juventus, who finished fourth in Serie A last season.

HiFL 2022: Tillers, UNIMAID Warriors, Others to Know Opponents As debutants EKSU, KASU aim to reach quarter finals

Paul Pogba (centre) at his second unveiling yesterday in Turin, Italy

Super Eagles Double Header in September to be Postponed Super Eagles double-header 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea Bissau fixed for September may now be postponed till next year, according to officials.

This postponement will follow the CAF decision for the 2023 AFCON to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire in January 2024 and not June 2023.

The shift of the qualifiers in September will also allow for the five African teams for the 2022 World Cup to prepare adequately for the Mundial in Qatar, which kicks off in November.

A F C O N 2 0 2 3 Q UA L I F I E R S Senegal Coach Aliou Cisse has already asked for such a window.

Should the qualifiers be shifted, Nigeria will have to arrange friendlies most likely against World Cup-bound teams to fill in the the September window.

The Super Eagles top Group A of the AFCON qualifiers with six points after two rounds of matches.

They could even book their passage to the final tournament with a home win against Guinea

Bissau were the qualifiers to be played in September.

Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe are the other teams in the group with the top two teams advancing to the tournament proper.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles new Portuguese Head Coach, Jose Peseiro, has described the non qualification of Nigeria for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar as an unfortunate accident.

In March at the Abuja stadium,

Ghana pipped arch-rivals Nigeria on the away goals rule to qualify for the World Cup after the crucial second leg of the playoff ended one-all.

Peseiro insisted that his Super Eagles are better than the Black Stars and ought to be the ones at Qatar 2022.

“I have a team with players who play in England, Italy, France, Spain, but unfortunately they didn’t beat Ghana to go to the World Cup,” Peseiro said in an interview.

“But I think it was an accident, I think Nigeria are better than Ghana.”

Teams in the Round of 16 of the ongoing 2022 Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) season will know their opponents tomorrow when the draws scheduled to hold at Protea Hotel, Lagos take place.

Matches in the group stages which were completed penultimate week produced some new entrants such as Ekiti State University and Kaduna State University into this stage of the competition.

Speaking ahead of the draws, the Chief Strategy Officer at Pace Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited, Goodness Onyejiaku said the football fans should brace up for the best of collegiate football when the games begin.

“We have grouped the 16 teams into four pots. Two for the Sahel and two for the Coastal. We are mindful of proximity for we have ensured that while we provide an opportunity for competitiveness, our athletes are not unduly stressed so that they can deliver spectacular contests when they play their games.

“Of course, our sponsors StanbicIBTC, Bold, and LIRS have always backed us and we are proud of the partnership that we share”, Onyejiaku said.

The possibility of two former champions, UAM Tillers and the

UNIMAID Warriors meeting at this stage is high as both teams have been drawn into the Sahel zone.

Two other powerhouses in the league DELSU Titans and UNIPORT Sharks who are making a return to this stage of the competition are also hopeful of getting favourable draws that will catapult them into the quarter-finals.

Perennial semi-finalist, until the last edition, UNILORIN Warriors are also upbeat about plotting down any team that comes their way as the team hopes to play in the finals scheduled for Lagos. Their chances of playing either KSU Steelers or FUTMinna Transformers are higher coming from the same zone.

Round of 16 debutants, Kaduna State University and Ekiti State University are also showing no signs of worry as the teams seek to explore their underdog status to their advantage against any team they are paired with.

Other teams in the round of 16 are last year's Super Four finalists AAUA Luminaries and UNN Lions, ATBU Bravehearts, BUK Stallions, FUOYE Dazzlers and the IAUE Minders.

Since its inception, three teams have won the HiFL league. UAM Tillers in 2018, UNICAL Malabites in 2019 and UNIMAID Desert Warriors in 2021.

Erik ten Hag's Man Utd Thump Hosts Morocco in Winner Takes All Q’final Battle with Botswana Tonight Liverpool 4-0 in Bangkok As Zambia, Senegal slug it out in the other game

Erik ten Hag enjoyed a winning start as Manchester United manager as three first-half goals set up his side for an impressive 4-0 success over rivals Liverpool in Bangkok.

Jadon Sancho opened the scoring before Fred and Anthony Martial increased United's lead against a Liverpool side that made 21 changes across the 90 minutes, including half-hour cameos for new signings Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho.

Young Uruguayan Facundo Pellistri added a fourth near the end as, in front of over 50,000

P R E S E AS O N

enthusiastic supporters in the Thai capital, Liverpool were made to pay for a combination of their profligacy at one end and defensive errors at the other.

It is, of course, only the start of pre-season, with some Liverpool players literally returning from holiday in the hours before Saturday's tour departure.

Of the starting line-ups, United's also contained far more players expected to be involved on the opening Premier League weekend.

Hosts Morocco are to slug it out with Botswana this evening in one of the quarter final matches of the ongoing 12th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat.

The winner of the match will grab one of the four African tickets to the World Cup in Australia.

In the other quarter final match of the evening, Zambia are to play Senegal with the winner also advancing to the Semis and a ticket to Australia.

It will be the turn of the Super Falcons to take on Cameroon on Thursday evening in Casablanca while South Africa and Tunisia

WA F C O N 2 0 2 2 complete the quarter final rooster.

Head Coach of Botswana, Gaoletlhoo Nkutlwisang, remains unfazed by the fact that the Southern African ladies are playing in their first WAFCON since 1991 the competition kicked off. She rates the chances of Botswana reaching the Semis and qualifying for the World Cup. "It's about preparing well and coming up with a good plan by analysing the Moroccans so that we can capitalise on their weaknesses," she noted

Similarly, Morocco Coach, Reynald Pedros, also has one eye on the bigger picture and becoming continental champions.

"We are all together behind the same objective, qualifying for the World Cup," the Frenchman said.

"We have to reassure the players about the potential of our team. It must be an additional motivation.

We are going to play this match with a lot of desire, determination, as we did in each match.

"The tournament does not stop at the semi-finals. We have the ambition of course, if we qualify, to go as far as possible."

There will be at least two first-time qualifiers for the World Cup as, from the quarter-final line-up in Morocco, only Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa have previously appeared at the global finals.

TODAY Zambia v Senegal 7pm Morocco v Botswana 7pm

THURSDAY Cameroon v Nigeria 6pm S’Africa v Tunisia 9pm

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

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& RE A SO

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Edwin Clark to Tinubu, APC

“On the reasons adduced by Tinubu on why he chose Kashim Shettima as running-mate, is Tinubu telling Nigerians that there are no Christians in APC from the North, who are ‘competent, capable and reliable?’

There are rumours of an attempt to Islamise the country. Are all these pointers to such rumours?” --PANDEF Leader, Edwin Clark, queries Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, as an affront to the Christians.

OKEYIKECHUKWU EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

Wike and Other Matters H e had everything going for him before the primaries. He was so sure of victory. For all you know, he would probably have outrightly declared himself winner of a yet-to-be-held primaries, and was being restrained by his handlers. Yes, he had his assurances here and there. He bragged with great gusto. And, let us say this for the record, he was actually one of the few candidates who spoke frankly, boldly and with the fire of personal conviction. Then Nigeria happened to him.

The assurances went up in smoke. His muchvaunted friends turned coat and fled in the direction of where the smell of conspiracy and cash led them. It was typical of the political elite and its unprincipled and inanity-driven orientation. Pitiful, is it not? That, somehow, the PDP, and all our political parties, believe that anyone but themselves think that they are platforms for any form of democracy. Its like a bat claiming that it is a bird, simply because it can fly. Utter bunkum! ‘ The delegates themselves knew beyond doubt that the primaries were the only bazaar season they could be sure of every four years. So, let’s

Wike get real, and remain real. A scam is not any less of a scam because people take the name of democracy in vain while they are at it. If

anything, our twenty years of democracy has made spectacular achievements in convincing the people that they should pass a resounding Vote of No Confidence on the democratic enterprise and just make money in its name.

Meanwhile, it need not be so.

Now, to the much-talked-about betrayal choreography between Atiku, Tambuwal and Iyorchia Ayu. It must be said, forthwith, that Ayu conducted himself like a cad. To boot, he was also thoughtless and tactless in his post-betrayal comments and triumphalism.

He declared a candidate who stepped down for another as a hero and crowned him the “saviour” of the party. So, what did the man save the party from? From having someone other than the man he stepped down for as the candidate, right? Which means that the emergence of the candidate in question was the plan all along. Ayu’s inability to control his excitement at the outcome he was working towards gave away the game and drew him some deserved flack.

As for who actually betrayed the other, that is between Wike and Tambuwal, it may well be a matter of perspective. Seriously! For a

political party that is supremely characterized by depravity of the worst kind, this is the usual pattern. We were leaving Gen Babangida’s house, enroute Port Harcourt for the 2019 PDP primaries when my phone rang. “…So, what I am saying is that it is not the man you are with that will get the ticket. We have decided it will be Atiku, so we want you to join his team and give it some vitality and sophistication”. I decline, explaining that his man was unlikely to run a good campaign or a good government.

But he persisted. “You see, you need to ask yourself where these people were and whether they were in any reckoning before 1999. The money they are spending is easily traceable to their involvement in politics since 1999. Nigeria and its politics are much older than that. They are small boys, who think that they can take over the party machinery and also give us a new president. A loaded political trailer will run over them in Port Harcourt. Look, Wike is the only person who is really behind your man”.

And Atiku emerged the presidential candidate of the PDP in 2019. This was despite clear Continued on page 46

BABACHIRLAWAL GUEST COLUMNIST

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Sycophants Have Misled Tinubu

I

thought I will be able to avoid commenting on the disastrous error by my very good friend, Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his choice of a running mate.

I will be the very last person to stand in the way of my very good friend Tinubu’s path to the presidency. This is because since 2011 my consuming passion has been for him to succeed Buhari as President of Nigeria.

It will not be true if I say that I did not see it coming. I have often read his body language, picked up snippets from several discussions with his lapdogs (some of whom, sadly are Christians but most of whom are moslems) and I have conveyed my reservations to them against the pitfalls of a moslem-moslem ticket towards which I sensed they were drifting.

As part of my obligation to him, a close friend, I had on many occasions argued the merits and demerits of both ticket permutations to him. I have done so in both verbal and written form and I have likewise, done so with some of his close respectable associates and friends. In all instances I had left him with the sole responsibility for his final decision arguing that in the end the consequences of the outcome of any bad decision will be his to bear. There might be some collateral damages though. I have also on several occasions passed on to him counsels and messages from some well meaning Nigerians intended to alert him on the possible outcomes of the Presidential ticket permutations.

Tinubu is a very good man. He is a great listener.

He has a very humble and friendly disposition

Tinubu to every one. He is very generous in both cash and kind, especially where it could advance his political interests. But I have realized that it is in the nature of power that sycophants and lapdogs have the most influence on leaders with such

character traits. They will lie to him, malign and disparage others and generally do any thing to curry his favor and to also put well-meaning associates in bad light. I suspect this is what has happened to my friend. He has been cornered

by self-serving, hero-worshiping, lapdogs.

It never used to be like this. While in his hay-days in Lagos, he surrounded himself with smart, street-wise guys that could tell truth to power. He had Rauph Aregbesola, Yomi Osinbajo, Babatunde Fashola, Dele Alake, Muiz Banire, etc.

The Lagos days were the days of think-tanks, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, principles and ideologies. But these people have since grown-up and moved up to establish their own systems living my friend stranded. Nature they say abhors vacuum.

Welcome the Abuja equivalent. But the Abuja equivalent are people inflicted with the modern Nigerian diseases - religious bigotry, sycophancy and morbid tribalism. They are mostly political jobbers who are most times not averse to the application of diabolical means. Gone are the days of think-tanks, and strategic planning. Gone are the days of principles and ideologies. Try and call a meeting; they will not attend. Try and make a plan; they will sabotage it. Everything is ad-hoc, everything is chaotic because they excel in such environments. The result is that they have played on his longterm ambition to be President and have built it into a sort of desperation and a crescendo that easily justifies this satanic resort to a Muslim-Muslim ticket. This is the calamity that has befallen my friend.

And why Kashim Shetima? He is an overambitious man who has a Machiavellian bent and has lots of money with which to Continued on page 46

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