FRIDAY 15TH JULY 2022

Crude Oil Theft: Joint Ventures Are Most Hit, Bleeding, Says Akabueze Gilbert Ekugbe The Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, yesterday stated that Joint Ventures (JVs) are bleeding the most as a result of rising crude oil theft and rampant destruction of oil production facilities across the country.

Speaking at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) economic and business outlook seminar 2022 tagged: "LCCI Midyear economic review and outlook conference," in Lagos, he pointed out that JVs have the highest stake in oil and gas contracts, maintaining that the implications for federal government's revenue was vastly

in a different way with the stake much lower on production sharing contracts.

He, however, blamed Nigeria's inability to meet the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC's) quota due to what he described as industrial scale crude oil theft and the rampant vandalism of crude oil facilities.

He said there are different business arrangements in the oil and gas sector which have different implications for government's revenue, saying the JVs are the biggest hit as a result of crude oil theft and destruction of oil facilities since they provide the highest stake.

"If you are doing 500 million

barrels per day, production sharing contracts, the implication for government revenue is vast in a different way, the sake his much lower on production sharing contracts," he said.

Also speaking, the Africa Tax and Legal Service Leader, PWC Nigeria, Taiwo Oloyede stated that bulk of tax evaders were

in Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), noting that the bulk of federal government's revenues are with evaders.

He explained that Nigeria could increase its tax revenues without increasing taxes or introducing new ones while also calling for need Continued on page 5

DMO: Sustainability of Public Debt Dependent on Significant Revenue Growth... Page 40 Friday 15 July, 2022 Vol 27. No 9957. Price: N250

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Brigade of GuardsTightens Security in Abuja over Terror Fear Buhari says armed forces response to insecurity commendable, pledges more support Deji Elumoye, Kingsley Nwezeh, Michael Olugbode in Abuja and Francis Sardauna in Katsina

ALL FOR ADELEKE...

L-R: National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu; PDP Osun State Governorship Candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke; Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, and Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, at the party’s mega rally held in Osogbo…yesterday

Responding to potential terror attacks in the nation's capital, the Continued on page 5

Atiku: Starting with Osun, an End Has Come to APC’s Reign in Nigeria Says PDP’s victory in tomorrow’s poll will send message to ruling party Ayu, Okowa, Saraki, govs, others in final campaign for Adeleke State govt denies opposition party use of Stadium, creates tension NSCDC deploys 11,226 personnel Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode in Abuja and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, said with PDP’s sure victory in Osun on Saturday, an end has come to the reign of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country.

The former vice-president, who said Senator Ademola Adeleke’s win would send a clear message to the APC, adding that he was convinced by the popularity of the party’s candidate in the state.

Also, the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu; Vicepresidential candidate of the party Continued on page 5

UBA BRANCH NOW IN DUBAI...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority, Prince Arif Amiri; Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa(UBA), Mr. Tony O. Elumelu; Governor, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), His Excellency Essa Kazim; and Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, at the official launch of UBA (DIFC Branch), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates(UAE)...yesterday

Sexual Assault: Court Sentences Baba Ijesha to Five Years Imprisonment...Page 41

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Buhari Wants Global Anti-corruption Criminal Court to Try Offenders Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has clamoured for the establishment of an International Anti-Corruption Criminal Court to try offenders across the globe.

He also urged fellow African leaders to intensify the fight against corruption, and create more disincentives for pilfering of public funds.

In a recorded remark yesterday to celebrate the ‘African Day of Anti-Corruption,’ the President, who is the African Anti-Corruption Champion, praised African leaders for gains so far recorded, admonishing that efforts must be intensified to prosecute offenders and collect resources that had been stored in other countries.

He said: “Distinguished participants and fellow African leaders, corruption is evil and all efforts at tackling it are desirable. I have monitored the fight against corruption in Africa and I can see both successes and drawbacks.

The battle must continue for the sake of the continent and its people no matter the difficulties.

"In Nigeria, the fight against corruption has been vigorous since 2015. A lot has been achieved in the areas of arrest, prosecution, conviction, asset recovery and anti-corruption laws.

“I must admit that the fight has not been a bed of roses. Truly, a lot of more work in many fronts is required.

For example, civil and public servants must be ethical and professional at all times. “The private sector must contribute in curving corruption. The international community needs to close safe havens. The judiciary requires more impetus. Perhaps, an International Anti-corruption Criminal Court is needed."

According to him, family and religious values will have to be upgraded, and schools have a lot of work to do for a better society.

“I am extremely delighted to address the participants as we celebrate the Africa Day of Anti-Corruption. Distinguished participants, we have come a long way in the fight against corruption in Nigeria and Africa in general.

“May I use this opportunity to appreciate fellow African leaders for their individual and collective efforts in fighting corruption on our continent. I appreciate all of you for the confidence reposed in me being the Africa Champion on Anti-Corruption.

“I understand that the theme for

2022 is ‘Strategy and Mechanisms for the Transparent Management of Covid-19 Funds, Lessons from the Pandemic.’ In Nigeria, we responded to the Covid-19 Pandemic swiftly and having tamed it, we have realized the need for more awareness campaigns on health issues and more investment in the health sector. Again, service delivery requires checkmating corruption,” he added.

The President told African leaders that, “we must get rid of corruption in Africa if the continent is to realise its full potentials.”

“I have come to realise that

nations in Africa have to ensure that national resources are not taken to safe havens around the world and we must curtail Illicit Financial Flows in all its ramifications. Also, we must work collectively to recover all resources taken abroad.

“We must show looters that crime does not pay by depriving them of the proceeds of their crime.

“Also, elite greed and irresponsibility must be eradicated in Africa. Again, ethics, decency, decorum and respect for rule of law must be promoted in Africa.

It is important to develop strategies

for behavioral change in Africa if corruption is to be tamed. This will ensure that national resources are allowed to serve the population and not a tiny few".

He also said anti-corruption agencies must be empowered and allowed to deliver on their mandates.

“In Nigeria, I am very proud of our Anti-Corruption Agencies, our law enforcement agencies and our regulatory bodies for their efforts at checking criminality including corruption. I very deeply appreciate them for their sacrifices,” the president said.

said naval troops on anti-bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region destroyed 109 illegal refining sites and arrested 24 oil bunkerers in the last two weeks.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Bernard Onyeuko, said soldiers recovered over N2.7 billion stolen crude comprising over four million litres of crude oil, two million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)and 30,000 litres of DPK. He said troops of Operation Delta Safe, also discovered and destroyed 34 wooden boats, 150 storage tanks, 119 ovens, 104 dugout

pits, 27 pumping machines, one weapon, one speed boat, 13 vehicles and seven outboard engines.

Onyeuko said the soldiers achieved the feat while on operation Octopus Grip conducted in creeks, towns and communities in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.

The DMO spokesman, while giving an update on military operations conducted between June 30 to July 14, also said 3,858 Boko Haram fighters and their families surrendered to troops fighting the counter-insurgency war.

Those who surrendered included

will not be in his interest nor that of entire country to underestimate this resolve.

“While we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to be awake about the crisis Oyetola is brewing in Osun State, we call on our people not to be discouraged by the defeatist antics of Mr. Oyetola and his baby vuvuzelas. This election is not just about the PDP or Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, but for the good of our people and humanity in general,” he said.

But, in defence of the action of the state government, the Special Adviser to Oyetola on Political Affairs, Sunday Akere, said the party lacked organisation and failed to book the said venues until other groups did.

He stated that not using a venue has no correlation with deployment of thugs, calling on security operatives to take cognisance of the threat issued by the PDP. “It is unfortunate that the PDP, due to lack of proper organisation, decided to book the venues after other groups have done so. Other parties have used many public facilities, it does not determine who wins an election. A youth group booked for the stadium ahead of them, while the mini bus union is using the freedom park,” he said.

Meanwhile, a pro-election group, Yiaga Africa, has condemned what it described as the weak response from government in prosecuting those arrested in vote-buying amidst the increasing tendencies for thuggery in tomorrow’s gubernatorial election in Osun.

A statement by Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Yiaga Africa and Ezenwa Nwagwu, a board member, Yiaga Africa, lamented the possibility of vote buying in the Osun election.

"Weak state action against vote buying mercenaries: Recent experience in Ekiti state reveals that despite rampant vote trading during the election, the Nigerian Police have continuously shied away from arresting political party agents that engaged in vote buying on election day.

“In cases, where arrests are effected, there is limited information on consequential actions taken by the police to prosecute these offenders.

This seeming laxity by the Nigerian Police may embolden party agents to engage in brazen violation of electoral laws regarding voter inducement or vote buying on election day."

On logistics deployment, Yiaga Africa said, it has noted the marked improvement in the deployment of electoral materials and personnel in the Ekiti election, which led to the relatively early commencement of polls.

It said Osun state, with a

substantially larger number of registered voters and polling units, might pose a bigger challenge to INEC if the logistics for the election were not managed properly.

BRIGADE OF GUARDS TIGHTENS SECURITY IN ABUJA OVER TERROR FEAR Brigade of Guards, responsible for the security of the president, his family and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), has deployed troops at the entry and exit points in Abuja, for a more effective security of the seat of power.

To this end, soldiers have intensified stop and search operations with increased checkpoints in view of the development.

But President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said the armed forces response to insecurity in the country was commendable and therefore, pledged the readiness of his administration to provide

additional logistics and support to the military towards eliminating terrorism and insurgency in the country.

At the same time, Nigeria and China, have signed a bilateral intellectual agreement to find lasting solutions to the challenges of insecurity in both countries.

However, in Abuja, civil servants and other residents had a tough time getting to their offices as the security checks snarled traffic, keeping motorists stranded in traffic for hours.

The traffic gridlock was noticed in Nyanya-Karu Road, Lugbe-Abuja City Gate axis and Gwagwalada-

Zuba area.

The tightened security, THISDAY gathered, might not be unconnected to a security alert issued last week by the FCT command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), that the insurgents were planning to attack schools, churches and public infrastructure in the territory.

The situation had immediately forced schools and churches to review their security arrangements.

"We spent more than two hours in the traffic before getting to work," a resident said.

The new security measures came as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ)

Continued on page 43

ATIKU: STARTING WITH OSUN, AN END HAS COME TO APC’S REIGN IN NIGERIA and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and governors of the PDP, yesterday, led a final campaign for Adeleke ahead of Saturday’s election.

But a mild tension erupted yesterday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, when the government reportedly denied the PDP a use of the Oshogbo township stadium for its planned mega rally.

The PDP was equally denied the use of the Technical College field and the Freedom Park. Yet, the APC and the Labour Party, were on Tuesday and Wednesday, allowed to use same facilities for their rallies.

This is as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, has deployed 11, 226 officers and men to cover the 3,763 polling units, collation centres, flashpoints as well as critical national assets and infrastructure in all the 31 local government areas of the state during Saturday’s gubernatorial election.

Speaking on the prospect of the PDP in tomorrow’s election, Atiku said, “Our victory in Osun, by God’s grace and the overwhelming decision of the electorate, will send a strong message to the ruling APC party that their reign has come to an end.

APC’s loss in Osun is a win for the people of the state. It is when the people win that the PDP can truly boast of victory.

“And that is the promise that the PDP holds, not just in Osun but everywhere else. Thus, the election this Saturday is a battle between the people and the forces of darkness that has held us hostage. But it is a battle that I am certain that the people shall win.

“I don’t speak Yoruba but I understand a bit of it. Some members of my family speak the language fluently. Of course, the Yoruba people

are dear to my heart as other tribes in our country. But the Yoruba language, has a unique quality that I admire in particular. It has the power of descriptiveness.”

On the popularity of the PDP candidate, Atiku said, “By my understanding, the slogan of Imole as the brand identity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the Osun State election could not have been more apt.

“Imole is not just light. Indeed, the closest English interpretation of it is ‘to illuminate’. And for that, it is no wonder why our gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke enjoys a groundswell of support amongst the esteemed people of the state across all localities and local governments.”

According to him, “For the past 12 years, Osun that was once a shinning star of the West, has been thrown into a state of doldrums. But the good news is here, because the PDP is here.

“Imole has come on a rescue mission to return Osun to its state of glory and splendour and I, Atiku Abubakar, and all leaders of our great party will be on ground in Osogbo to mobilise support for the success of our campaign.”

Describing the crisis in the party as a social media creation, Atiku insisted that the PDP was one united party, stating that he was open to meeting the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Fielding questions after the mega rally in Osogbo, the PDP presidential candidate said, “It is a social media drama. There is nothing like a Wike camp or Atiku camp. There is one PDP family.”

When asked whether he was willing to meet Wike for discussion, the former vice-president answered: “Why not? I am open to that. Some people get angry, when things don’t

go their way and so on and so forth.

We will overcome that. I have every belief that we are going to do that.”

Ayu, Okowa, Saraki, Govs in Final Campaign for Adeleke

Despite denying the PDP the use of the stadium facility for its mega rally, yesterday, the party still held its rally at the state secretariat with a large turnout of members.

In attendance were Atiku and his running mate, Okowa, Ayu, who led other members of the National working committee to the mega campaign; Saraki, the Governor of Sokoto State and chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambawul.

Other PDP governors in attendance were the Edo State, Godwin Obaseki; the chairman of the Osun State campaign council and Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, One after the other, the PDP chieftains spoke on why the electorate should vote for PDP, even as they described Osun as a PDP state, insisting that the stolen mandate must be returned back.

Saraki also posted on his verified Twitter handle, saying, "Yesterday, at the training of PDP Polling Unit agents in Osun State, I was proud to see the level of preparation of our party and Senator Adeleke. There, I called on all PDP polling agents to not be intimidated on Saturday and to protect all PDP votes!

"We have learned from the Osun 2018 gubernatorial election. This time, we are more prepared. Our agents have been trained, using INEC guidelines and we are sticking to the letter of the law," he said.

However, for denying the PDP the opportunity to hold the mega rally, the state chapter of the party described the action as shameful and a sign of jittery for defeat.

According to the party’s Caretaker Chairman, Dr Akindele Adekunle, the party was denied the use of stadium, Technical College field and the Freedom Park, which it applied to use for the final campaign programme, adding that the action revealed the plan of the state government to incite violence and disrupt peaceful election on Saturday.

“After due consultations with prominent stakeholders in the state, including our highly revered royal fathers, the leadership of our party, decided to make do with the vicinity of our state secretariat for our Mega Rally.

“Our party considers the action of the state government as an affront of a dying horse and a deliberate attempt to provoke violent reactions from the good people of Osun State, thereby, instigating crisis in the state.

It is a shame and a dent on the noble race of Yoruba nation that a governor living at the mercy of tax payers money would find it convenient to descend so low.

“It is elementary for any reasonable government to know that public facilities are meant for public use.

The main bowl of the Osogbo City Stadium we applied to use for today’s rally, for instance, had been put in place and adequately maintained by successive administrations in the state for use of our people even before Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola retraced his history to Osun State from Lagos for political trading.

“We are not unaware that Mr Gboyega Oyetola by his refusal to grant our party, the required permission to use the facility, was just only testing waters of the large scale violence he is planning against the state. We want to assure him and his cohorts that he would be matched.

Any attempt to subvert the electoral verdict of our people will be resisted as bonafide residents of the state. It

CRUDE OIL THEFT: JOINT VENTURES ARE MOST HIT, BLEEDING, SAYS AKABUEZE to repeal existing taxes.

"The bulk of your existing revenue is tax evaders, and even some of them are facilitated by government. In fact, the highest tax evaders in Nigeria are in government from MDAs who collect Value Added Tax (VAT) and withholding tax that do not remit it and nothing will happen and you know in Nigeria you can do a lot of things and get away with it,” he said.

Commenting on fuel subsidy which remains a drain on the economy, Akabueze projected that Nigeria would spend more than the N4 trillion proposed, pointing out that the federal government has never been very honest about the cost of fuel subsidy.

"On one hand, we do not even know what we consume, which is a big embarrassment. I listened to the National Assembly saying NNPC is the sole importer of petrol and they said they imported about 63 million litres per day.

How can the consumption be more than what we are importing," he added.

In his contribution, the President, LCCI, Michael Olawale-Cole has predicted that the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) rate hike and rising energy cost, with diesel above N800/litre, Jet-A1 at N710 per litre, and petrol selling above the government-regulated price of N165 per litre, would continue to aggravate production costs which may lead to restrained

manufacturing and eventual job losses.

According to him, in the third quarter, many factors would weigh on economic growth such as CBN’s rate hike as well as the rate hikes by other central banks around the world. He, however stated that the worsening security situation in many parts of the country would continue to threaten agricultural production, manufacturing value chains, and logistics.

“We expect to experience some fiscal constraints because of debt overhang accompanied by a high debt service burden and heavy subsidy costs. There are therefore heightened fears of contracting output, constrained production, and recession risks as we navigate the

murky waters of 2022,” he warned.

He noted that the Chamber had earlier in the year projected a growth rate of 2.5 per cent for the economy, saying the projection was anchored on the assumption of a sustained high oil prices, transition to a market-reflective exchange rate system, targeted fiscal interventions, and gradual implementation of reforms in the oil sector.

“However, while these factors appear somewhat realistic, factors such as rising security tension, lingering liquidity constraints in the currency market, low vaccination rate, and lack of will to follow through with critical reforms are the major downside risks to the country’s near-term outlook,” he added.

NSCDC Deploys 11, 226 Personnel

Director, Public Relations, NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, in a statement, said the personnel were deployed from the national headquarters and nine state commands: Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Kogi and Edo to supply manpower for the election.

The CG stated that the objectives of the Corps in the forthcoming election was to create a secured environment for its successful conduct and enhance the general security in the state before, during and after the election.

He explained that personnel had attended various workshops on best practices during election and had been acquainted with the provisions of the Electoral Act as regards the Rules of Engagement, hence, must comply with the Corps’ Operational Code, Standard Operating Procedure and above all, display professionalism and high sense of discipline throughout the election.

He noted that the robust operational order has been activated to ensure a hitch-free exercise and guide against molestation and intimidation of the electorate by hoodlums or party thugs.

Audi, therefore, hinted that, in readiness for the election, the Corps' undercover personnel from the national headquarters had joined their counterparts in Osun for covert operations to nip any security compromise in the bud.

Audi has also assigned Deputy Commandant General (DCG) in charge of Operations, Dauda Mungadi, to oversee the election exercise.

He also designated Assistant Commandant General (ACG) Operations, Philip Ayuba, Zonal Commander (Zone J), Fasiu Adeyinka and Commandant Special Duties, Oliver Ugwuja to serve as field Commanders monitoring each senatorial district of the state.

He noted that to ensure that critical assets of government were not vandalised by criminal elements before, during and after the election, there would be deployment of the Anti-vandalism Squad, Critical National Asset Protection Unit and other special forces to all key points in the state to protect them against vandalism, damage or arson.

He also warned all personnel deployed to remain apolitical, stressing that whoever was found perpetrating unethical conduct would face sanctions.

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NEWS

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

SENIOR COURSE 44 GRADUATION CEREMONY...

President Muhammadu Buhari (M) flanked by the Kaduna State Governor, Mal Nasir El Rufai; Commandant of the College Air Vice Marshal Olurotimi Anthony Tuwase; Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi; Minister of Agriculture, Dr Abubakar Mahmood Muhammad, and the graduating students, during the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 44 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji Kaduna State…recently

MAN: Unclear Regulatory Environment, Judiciary Impeding Private Infrastructure Financing Dike Onwuamaeze The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Mansur Ahmed has identified unclear regulatory environment and Nigeria’s judicial system as major impediments to attracting private sector finance in Nigeria’s infrastructural development.

Ahmed made this statement yesterday in Lagos during an event that was organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria with the theme “Infrastructure Development in Nigeria: A Necessity for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”

He said: “A regulatory environment that is clearly defined and everyone knows its roles and obligations and what the agreement says must be put in place and respected by not only the legislators and the executive but also by the judiciary.

“Indeed in the past several years, I am sure there are many people here who will confirm,

the judiciary is often the major impediment to effective participation of the private sector in the provision of infrastructure.

“So, it is important that this regulatory environment, which sets out the responsibilities and defines the relationship between the public sector and the private sector, is set up and respected.”

He argued that Nigeria must have the legal and regulatory environment that would appeal to investors and give them the confidence to fund infrastructure projects in the country.

“Infrastructure development plan must be backed by law so that no government will come in tomorrow and throw away projects that the private sector has committed funds. Secondly, we must have institutional and regulatory arrangement that ensure that the private-public sector relationship is clearly defined by contractual arrangement where there are obligations that are

defined and binding and must be complied with.

“Because there are areas in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) or privatisation arrangements where we know of cases where the government simply refused its obligation and yet expected the private sector to keep its own obligations.

“I say that without a clear coherent and internally consistent implementation framework, we will not get it right. We must look at the plan. We must break it down and we must have implementation framework that will ensure that it will work before we can get money from the private sector.

“We need to make sure that that plan is backed by consistent implementation framework which has right caliber of people and right institutions to ensure that it works,” he said.

Ahmed, who served as the pioneer director general and chief executive officer of the Infrastructure and Concession

Regulatory Commission, also said, “even the public sector financing has to be re-engineered because the current arrangement whereby budget allocation is used to finance infrastructure will not work. The budget may be late.

Secondly, the release of fund is so slow that you cannot really build infrastructure with that kind of process where a work that can take 18 months ends up taking three years longer.

“I hope that Nigerians who are pensionable will object to their money being invested in infrastructure development unless they can see a credible plan and work program.”

Speaking in the same vein, an Economist and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, said that infrastructure projects must be bankable before it could attract private sector investment.

Yusuf said: “The thing is that the private sector will invest in

ECOWAS Court Declares Twitter Ban Unlawful, Orders Buhari Govt Not to Repeat It Udora Orizu in Abuja Following a suit by the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 176 concerned Nigerians, the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Court has declared unlawful the suspension of Twitter by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, and ordered his administration never to repeat it again.

Last year, following the deletion of Buhari's tweet, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed had announced the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.

The federal government also threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone using Twitter in the country, while the National Broadcasting

Commission (NBC) asked all broadcast stations to suspend the patronage of Twitter.

But in the judgment delivered yesterday, as disclose by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the Court held that the act of suspending the operation of Twitter was unlawful and inconsistent with the provisions of Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both of which Nigeria is a state party.

The court also ordered the Buhari’s administration to take necessary steps to align its policies and other measures to give effect to the rights and freedoms, and to guarantee a non-repetition of the

unlawful ban of Twitter.

According to the Court, “The Buhari administration in suspending the operations of Twitter violates the rights of SERAP and 176 concerned Nigerians to the enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and the media, as well as the right to fair hearing.

The Court also ordered the Buhari administration to bear the costs of the proceedings and directed the Deputy Chief Registrar to assess the costs accordingly."

Reacting to the judgment, Femi Falana, SERAP’s lawyer in the suit said, “We commend the ECOWAS Court for the landmark judgment in the case of SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria in which the judges

unanimously upheld the human rights of community citizens to freedom of expression, and access to information. Even though the Court had granted an interim order of injunction last year which restrained the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN from prosecuting Nigerians who defied the Twitter ban.

"SERAP deserves special commendation for pursuing the matter to a logical conclusion.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and the full enjoyment of this right is central to achieving individual freedom and to developing democracy.

It is not only the cornerstone of democracy, but indispensable to a thriving civil society.”

infrastructure that is bankable because it is about returns, profit and loss.”

He added: “At the heart of competitiveness in production is infrastructure. At the heart of industrialisation is infrastructure.

If you do not fix infrastructure it will be extremely difficult.

That is why we are struggling with capacity utilisation, cost of production and competitiveness.

The way to ensure sustainable industrialisation is to ensure that you have infrastructure.”

Similarly, the Group Managing Director of Afrinvest, Mr.

Ike Chioke, said that Nigeria “needs to have a very clear and predictable environment in order to attract private sector finance in infrastructure development,” which also included the fiscal and monetary policies environments.

Chioke added that the issue of insecurity in the country was inhibiting investors from making commitment to invest in the country.

He said: “Insecurity is literarily all over the country. A foreign investor was kidnapped 48 hours after he came into Nigeria on $48 million investment.”

BEDC Takeover: Lawyers Commence Contempt Proceedings against Defaulters Legal advisers to Vigeo Power Limited, majority shareholders of Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc (BEDC), have commenced contempt proceedings against defaulters over the takeover of the company.

According to a statement yesterday, the law firm of Kunle Adegoke (SAN), lawyers to VigeoPower Limited, said the contempt proceedings became imperative because the attention of its client had been drawn to a publication issued by the Bureau of Public Enterprises ((BPE) on Wednesday, the 13th day of July, 2022, in which it laboured unsuccessfully to justify its attempts at illegally taking over the BEDC Electricity Plc despite the orders of injunction issued by the Federal High Court, Abuja on the 8th day of July, 2022 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1113/2022 between Vigeo Power Limited v.

Fidelity Bank Plc. “It is on record that the total shareholding of the BPE and the Ministry of Finance in BEDC is just 40 percent making the two of them minority shareholders which pales into insignificance in the face of the 60 per cent shareholding held by Vigeo Power Limited, our client,” the lawyers explained.

The law firm remarked that, “It is sad that in a worst form of brigandage unknown to Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and the Shareholders’ Agreement dated the 21st day of August, 2013 which is subsisting among the parties, the BPE, using Fidelity Bank Plc as a front, has decided to take over a company that is not indebted to either BPE or Fidelity Bank using the naked force of state power.”

According to the legal advisers, “Contrary to the impression sought to be created by BPE in the publication referred to above, Vigeo Power Limited’s 60 percent shareholding in BEDC was never collaterised in any loan transaction with Fidelity Bank Plc or any other financial institution.”

They contended that, “It is also the case that it is unknown to CAMA or the shareholder’s agreement subsisting among the parties that BPE can, by unilateral declaration, dissolve the board of BEDC and appoint its own preferred persons to take over the management of BEDC. Were that to be allowed, it means any minority shareholder can unilaterally take over the management of a company under the guise of enforcing a non-existent loan transaction.”

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NEWS

AFRICA SOCIAL IMPACT SUMMIT...

L-R: United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr. Matthias Schmale; Vice President, Public Affairs Communication & Sustainability, The Coca-Cola Company, Africa, Ms. Patricia Obazuwa; MD/CEO Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman; CEO of Sterling One Foundation, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe and Vice President and Head, Corporate and Government Relations, Olam at the premier edition of Africa Social Impact Summit held in Abuja...yesterday.

Report: There Are 121 Million Annual Unintended Pregnancies Globally Ugo Aliogo

of reproductive age in 2015–2019.

The report further explained that globally, 29 per cent of all pregnancies, both intended and unintended combined ended in abortion, stating that this amounted to an estimated 73 million abortions per year on average, in 2015–2019, “where these abortions are unsafe, women risk short- and long-term morbidity and even death.”

The report noted that the steady abortion rate alongside the declining incidence of unintended pregnancy meant that the proportion of unintended pregnancies ending in abortion had increased since 1990–1994, from 51 to 61 per cent.

The report came one year after it was discovered that Nigeria records about 2.5 million cases of unintended pregnancy annually, pointing out that 19 per cent of

married women and 48 per cent of unmarried women seek to postpone or delay childbearing.

According to the report, “The steady abortion rate alongside the declining incidence of unintended pregnancy means that the proportion of unintended pregnancies ending in abortion has increased since 1990–1994, from 51 to 61 per cent.

“Taken together, these findings suggest that women may be exercising moderately more autonomy over their reproductive outcomes, in the form of both pregnancy prevention and termination of unintended pregnancies, compared to women 30 years ago. This broad trajectory can be mapped alongside increasing

Infracredit, French Development Agency Sign Agreement to PPPs in Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved refund of the money spent by the Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma to fix some major federal roads within the state.

The badly dilapidated roads which Uzodimma embarked on their construction recently because of their economic importance to the state were majorly those of Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe (both nearing completion) and would soon be inaugurated by the President, as well as that of Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road which Buhari would also flag off when he visits the State next month.

Buhari had earlier been slated to visit Imo State to commission some projects on July 12 and 13, but the visit was moved to August because of the heavy rains that resulted in the slowing down of the road constructions he was billed to commission this month.

According to a statement yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, at the weekly Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Uzodimma on Wednesday, it was learnt that Buhari had already given approval for the refund of the money used by the Imo State Government to repair the federal roads within the State.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, was quoted to have briefed newsmen, saying

The 2022 State of the World Population Report has estimated that between 2015 and 2019, there were about 121 million unintended pregnancies each year, with some 48 per cent of all the cases being unintended.

It also stated that 61 per cent of the unintended pregnancies ended in induced abortion.

The report which was titled: ‘Seeing the Unseen: The Case for Action in the Neglected Crisis of Unintended Pregnancy,’ was launched recently by the United Nations Population Fund, Resident Representative, Ms Ulla Mueller.

It revealed that though the rate of unintended pregnancy had declined, the global abortion rate was virtually unchanged and was estimated at 39 per 1,000 women

Michael Olugbode in Abuja InfraCredit, a specialised infrastructure credit guarantee institution in Nigeria and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed a Technical Assistance Financing Agreement.

Under the agreement, the AFD would provide project preparation and development technical assistance support for InfraCredit’s prospective pipeline of public private partnership (PPP) projects in selected state governments that require support to improve their bankability and attract private sector participation.

Thus, it would enable them access long-term local currency financing from the domestic debt capital markets.

Technical and legal assistance as well as feasibility studies for projects selected in agreement between InfraCredit and AFD would enable, among others, to support the development of infrastructure projects and job creation.

InfraCredit’s Annuity PPP Guarantee was developed to facilitate the sustainable financing of new infrastructure projects alongside subnational governments in Nigeria.

Such eligible projects could benefit from InfraCredit’s guarantee, which could mobilise up to 20-year

local currency financing from the domestic debt capital markets.

Speaking on the Agreement, Chief Executive Officer of InfraCredit, Chinua Azubike, stated that: “To date, InfraCredit's guarantees have enabled the issuance of up to $266 million (Naira Equivalent) of local currency infrastructure bonds of which 61 per cent include PPP projects.

However, an increasing pipeline of sub-national infrastructure projects requires project preparatory support to deliver well-structured bankable projects that can access the debt capital markets.

“This collaboration will enable state governments adopt new funding tools and PPP models that will attract and retain private sector’s financial incentive to invest in viable infrastructure projects.

AFD’s technical assistance funding will enable InfraCredit build deal pipelines of well-prepared state government-supported and private sector-led infrastructure projects to be executed.”

Speaking on the agreement with InfraCredit, Xavier Muron, Country Director of AFD in Nigeria, noted that: "This €600,000 grant to Infracredit will finance studies and technical assistance for future infrastructure projects via publicprivate partnerships throughout Nigeria. Ultimately, it aims at mobilising further the private sector in infrastructure projects.”

availability of contraceptive options, gains in gender equity and improving indicators of development, generally speaking; both development progress and decreasing unintended pregnancy rates are found in the great majority of countries for which data are available.

“On a country or regional level, however, the proportion of unintended pregnancies ending in abortion varies widely. There is no discernible association between the national incidence of unintended pregnancy and the proportion of those pregnancies ending in abortion; in many places women tend to exercise reproductive choice in one way but not the other.

“The incidence of unintended

pregnancy varies widely by region.

There were about 35 unintended pregnancies annually per 1,000 women aged 15 to 49 years in Europe and North America, compared to 64 in Central and Southern Asia and 91 in subSaharan Africa, in 2015–2019. But there are wide disparities within regions, too. For example, the estimated unintended pregnancy rate was 49 in Niger but 145 in Uganda.

“Despite these intra-regional relationships between unintended pregnancy and lack of development, suggesting that more vigorous efforts to address unintended pregnancy could yield significant development benefits. Meanwhile, the proportion of unintended

pregnancies ending in abortion varied widely, reflecting the wide diversity in cultural and legal environments around the world.

“Countries (and territories) with higher levels of gender inequality, as measured by the GII, had higher rates of unintended pregnancy in 2015–2019, in both low- and middle-income countries and in high income countries.

“Notably, in Europe and North America, by 2015–2019, the unintended pregnancy rate had dropped to about half what it had been in the early 1990s, while in Southern and Central Asia and Latin America it fell by about one quarter (28 per cent). The rate also fell in sub-Saharan Africa, but only by about 12 per cent.

Buhari to Refund Money Spent on FG Roads by Imo, Says Uzodinma Council also deliberated on other critical issues affecting the State, resolving among other things, that the Somachi abattoir which is the central abattoir in the state was to be shut down to avoid epidemic outbreak.

He said the abattoir is in a very bad state and capable of causing health hazards if nothing is done fast.

Consequently, Emelumba said Council approved that the Somachi abattoir be closed down following approval given for the immediate commencement of the construction of a new Abattoir at Naze.

The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Anthony Mgbeahuruike was directed to take necessary steps to commence the construction of a new Abattoir in Naze before the closure of that of Somachi.

To assuage the plight of the butchers at Somachi in the event of the closure, Emelumba said they would be relocated to three major Abattoirs at Egbu (Owerri North), Avu (Owerri West) and Afor-Ogbe (Ahiazu-Mbaise).

He said their relocation would commence as soon as the construction of the new Abattoir at Naze commences and that the butchers should bear in mind that where they are to be relocated is only temporary.

"The overall objective of this is to ensure that the health of Imo citizens is not taken for granted as the present Abattoir could be described as a public toilet because of the level of

pollution and the degradation of the environment that goes on there," the statement added.

The Commissioner was joined at the briefing by his colleagues of the Ministry of Works, Barr.

Ralph; Homeland Security and Community Vigilante, Dr. Ugorji O Ugorji; Agriculture, Dr. Barthy Okorochukwu; Environment, Prof. Emeka Duru, Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr (Princess) Rabbi Ibrahim, Livestock Development, Dr. Mgbeahuruike and the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Mr Oguwike Nwachuku.

Emelumba further explained: "Council noted with delight that the Federal Government has promised to refund the money used by the State Government in the construction of the flagship projects of Owerri/Orlu and Owerri/Okigwe roads by this government, and when this is done it will be a big boost on the economy of the State.

"Council has also approved a Supplementary Budget of N65.7 billion and by this approval it will now be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for the necessary legislative backing.

"Executive Council was glad to note that Dunlop, a wellknown international brand is coming from Turkey to open up discussion with the state government on a partnership arrangement that will culminate in the production of rubber related products such as tyres and other rubber products, in

addition to planting of new rubber plantation in the state.

"When realised, the project will boost the economy of the State, create employment."

He assured that the arrangement would be completed in record time.

Also, the EXCO moved to strengthen the Sanitary Department of the Ministry of Environment to ensure that they have Sanitary Inspectors within the metropolis who will enforce sanitary conditions for both domestic and commercial houses and ensure that the State Capital is made safer and environmentally friendly.

In the same vein, Council noted that construction work on some of the roads were still ongoing, though not at the same pace as in a dry weather.

Emelumba however assured that the contractors are conscious of the season and determined to deliver their jobs on agreed time.

Regardless, he said in the next two weeks the construction of Owerri/Mbaise/Umuahia road and Orlu/Mgbee/Akaokwa roads would be flagged-off and full construction works commenced.

Emelumba further explained: "When these roads are completed it will be a marvelous achievement for the 3-R administration in Imo State.

This is hinged on the fact that all the major economic activities in terms of the roads in the State would have been touched and the entire LGAs would be connected to very good road network.

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POLITICS

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

Peter Obi as Epitome of Moral Character Awele Odor writes that Peter Obi is an embodiment of moral character ahead of the February, 2023 presidential poll

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hat will be Obi’s selling point?”. Mr. Emameh Gabriel in his piece titled “Peter Obi and the Viability of a Third Force” (ThisDay, June 28, 2022, p.16), asked this question that aids the examination of the chance of Mr. Peter Obi in the contest for presidency in 2023.

My categorical answer to this very thoughtful and important question is that his moral character is his selling point.

I shall defend this answer in this reply to the question by comparing his moral character with the moral character of the PDP and APC candidates because it is strongly believed that one of them will win the election. I present first a necessary background.

The fundamental and overriding basis for voting for any of the contestants for the position of President in 2023 should be leadership values. Unfortunately, we do not have any generally known, accepted, and institutionalised—covenanting— leadership values.

The only known value that the founding fathers of our nation and democracy after colonisation practiced, which was popularised by Mr. Ukpabi Asika, was Onye ubeya ru ya raa (Igbo). This means, contextually, “anyone elected or appointed into any political position should loot as much public finance as he could”. This value has endured as the institutionalised political value because all governments after the first government lacked moral character to correct the criminality.

The PDP and APC have practiced it to epidemic level. A person’s values are best assessed by studying the character of the person over several decades of his professional, social and interpersonal activities, and not by relying on the claims that he makes about his character or the character that he exhibits one year or several weeks to an election.

The value that best befits our next president—indeed all future presidents— is moral character and not selfishness, financial greed and insatiability, onye ubeya ru ya raa, lust for power, overlordship or autocracy, ethnicity, or religious bigotry.

The PDP and APC have practiced these for 23 years. Moral Character is Everything! Moral character was institutionalised, although not written, and evident in personal, family, social, and institutional activities when Nigeria was the country of our pride and the envy of all other nations. Moral character was everything then! The best expression of moral character was good family name.

Particular evidence of moral character are iwa om’oluwabi (Yoruba), ezigbo omume (Igbo), and halin kirki (Hausa), to use the three major languages.

Members of families were the first to condemn, correct and, sometimes, punish a person for moral failing or corruption, to preserve their family name. But now, family members promote, cover up or defend moral failings or corruption. This is why our economics, democracy, governance, legislation, justice administration, international relations, marriages and children upbringing have been failing. It is why the naira which was N1: $2. is now N620:$1!

After a year of researching the dynamics, functionality and value of values in the administration and management of three national systems several decades ago, I concluded that Western, mostly American, individualistic and materialistic values adopted mindlessly were the cause of our predicament, that our only way out of this and be on the right road to our true destiny was to revive the good old values and institutionalise them, that is, obligate Nigerians strictly to practice them; and that if this was not done, rather than get out of the predicament, the situation would get worse progressively and, at a finite future time, will become intractable.

We are in that situation now, but I was vilified and the view ridiculed when I made the recommendation. It is noted that the values of Americans, although inferior to our traditional values, are working for them and stopped the monster, Mr. Donald Trump, from destroying the Capitol, the blood of American democracy, because the US insitutionalised several values. Mr. Boris Johnson fell because he lacks moral character, one of Britain’s institutionalised leadership values, although unwritten.

Based on the authority of the research and vindication by its actualisation I recommend that all future elections— presidential, governorship, legislative and local government—and the appointment of all judges, ministers, CBN governor, SFG, advisers, etc in future should be based on institutionalised moral values, which moral character encompasses.

Done with my background, I begin my comparison of the moral character of Mr.

Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) with that of the presidential candidates of the PDP and APC by noting that Alhaji Atiku chose Mr. Obi as his V.P during the contest for the presidency in 2019 because he and the PDP said they wanted “a man who has no record of financial corruption with the EFCC”.

This is in order that his arrest and prosecution will not mar his campaign and cause the PDP to lose at the contest.

This action is the most significant, outstanding and important evidence of the moral character of Mr. Peter Obi. No other evidence presented here can equal it in significance or importance.

Because the members of LP who chose him, although a new comer to the party, are very distinguished, puts him on the same moral or virtue pedestal as Mr. George Washington, the first president of the USA. Another evidence that Mr. Obi surpasses both candidates in moral character assessment is that while he was the governor of Anambra State, he did not take advantage of the position to privatise any state economic or financial interest to himself while an ex-president said and wrote that this is what one of them did when he gave him authority to privatise some government economic interests. This is onye ubeya ru ya raa. The damning revelation has not been retracted.

It is said that it is one of the reasons he is gigantically rich. Another comes from his corrupt use of office earlier. He said in 2019 that he will privatise NNPC and will encourage people who enriched themselves corruptly to invest them, not fight corruption. You know why, or don’t you? I have not seen any report that Mr. Obi acquired his wealth by looting state funds. This fact certifies him worthy of the Seat of President in the new Nigeria. An online medium accused him of keeping the existence of some companies “secret” and not that he established them with state money or money got from privatising state interest to his benefit. Mr. Obi left the right to decide who governs Anambra State and who goes to the legislative arm, whether in Awka or in Abuja, to Anambrarians, and who becomes commissioner to the governor of the state. He is a true democrat. He will not interfere with legislative, judicial or EFCC rights.

-Odor, a public good promoter wrote from Akoka, Lagos NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Mainstreaming Good Governance in Ogun West Olubunmi Omoogun chronicles the legislative and constituency interventions of Senator Tolu Odebiyi

A

round the world development has always been measured by using the Human Development Index (HDI) ) by the United Nations. Education which stands out among the indices to measure development was one of the pick by the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Tolu Odebiyi, a first timer in the Red Chamber adding to global development in terms of per capita.

His interventions in other areas of governance have also been hugely applauded by his Constituents and interestingly enough, by his colleagues at the 9th Nigerian Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Setting a standard, Senator Tolu Odebiyi right from the get-go instituted the Tolu Odebiyi Scholarship Foundation awards to cater for the tuition fees of brilliant but economically disadvantaged students of Ogun West descent in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Over the past three years, this selfless initiative has yielded positive results as hope keep rising for more indigent students who have benefited immensely from the scholarship awards.

Some of them have even gone further to enjoy full-time employment opportunities, courtesy of the Tolu Odebiyi Foundation that guided the beneficiaries through school and crowned it with job opportunities in Africa’s leading fintech companies.

As a son of educationists, Odebiyi placed premium on Education and believe that all hands must be on deck and no stone must be left unturned in helping the youth to acquire quality education.

The Senator who has been tagged the

Pride Of Ogun West by his people, has constructed many public schools with newly constructed intra school road system, installed water/solar powered street lights projects across the five Local Government Areas that make up Ogun West Senatorial District and empowered many people including vulnerable women and youths from his beloved Ogun West Senatorial District.

Following difficulties encountered by prospective candidates for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination and the West African Examinations Council and in order to ease the pains of the people within the Ilaro environs with regards to issues relating to the National Identification Number (NIN), the Senator again came to the rescue of his people as he facilitated NIN

registration Centre in Egbado College in Ilaro, Ogun State, after engaging the executive arms of government.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the Senator achieved another feat no Senator from Ogun West has ever achieved with the successful inclusion in the Nigerian Constitution of the bill for an act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 CAP C23 LFN 2004, to make provision for change of name of the area referred to as ‘Egbado’ to ‘Yewa’ in Ogun State as contained in the First Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) 2020 (SB. 357). The factor of name is, no doubt, rooted in historical traditions which the ‘Egbado’ people of Ogun West Senatorial District have consistently demanded to be addressed as ‘Yewa’.

Also, as an inspirational and uncommon parliamentarian, he sponsored more than 15 impactful Bills.

Among them are: The Bill on Chartered Institute of Mortgage Bankers and Brokers of Nigeria (CIMBBN) to regulate the practice of mortgage banking activities in Nigeria.

The Bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the National burns and rehabilitation centre Ilaro, Ogun State to provide intensive treatment, provide the rehabilitative needs of burns victims with the help of capable hands in the treatment of burns related injuries.

-Omoogun wrote from Abuja NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 13July-2022, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 194.26 195.41 16.37% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 5.31% Nigeria International Debt Fund 325.16 325.16 7.63% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.10 107.25 7.52% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.04% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.71 3.77 9.05% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 4.72% Anchoria Equity Fund 146.28 147.92 5.05% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.21 1.21 5.84% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 22.33 23.00 10.09% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 515.89 531.44 14.35% ARM Ethical Fund 43.90 45.23 12.70% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.07 1.08 -0.76% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.04 1.05 3.21% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.43% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.2 106.2 9.06% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,123.56 1,123.56 12.36% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.10 2.10 4.12% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.38 2.44 18.35% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.05 1.05 4.54% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.48% Paramount Equity Fund 19.96 20.33 14.46% Women's Investment Fund 150.85 152.74 6.24% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.70% Cordros Milestone Fund 136.08 137.05 9.15% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.27 110.27 5.11% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.87% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 9.03% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.07 1.07 16.98% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 102.78 102.78 4.72% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.76% Legacy Debt Fund 3.88 3.88 -3.09% Legacy Equity Fund 1.99 1.98 13.23% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.23 1.23 2.14% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

4,169.84 3,583.92 100.00

4,231.09 3,583.92 100.00

13.42% 6.27% 7.77%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.11 1.11 3.95% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.61 1.64 13.78% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,153.18 1,153.18 5.11% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.57 12.65 15.04% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.30% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 100.86 100.86 1.69% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 7.67% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.68 1.71 6.84% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.87 11.91 6.29% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 5.87% PACAM Equity Fund 1.50 1.52 5.41% PACAM EuroBond Fund 115.42 118.44 1.44% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 127.29 129.49 5.15% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 8.34% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.00 1.03 12.60% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.36 1.38 4.04% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.17 1.18 12.30% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.07 1.07 3.86% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.90 1.90 3.34% United Capital Eurobond Fund 121.92 121.92 2.95% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.73% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.99 14.13 6.12% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.25 16.43 11.21% Zenith Income Fund 22.83 22.83 4.01% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.09% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.93 4.03 -1.94% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 6.12 6.22 4.70% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 19.03 19.23 7.59% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.37% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 21.40 21.60 7.03% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 153.93 155.93 -2.42%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

117.60 51.78

3.86% 1.82%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

15.31 143.54 113.99 17.10 16.40

15.41 147.01 116.43 17.20 16.50

9.44% 11.49% 13.01% 21.93% 3.99%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.55

12.10%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 2022 Friday15, July 15, 2022 Vol 27. No 9957 TR

See page 24 DELTA STATE AND SDG EIGHT UGWUMADU NNANTA writes that Delta is creating decent work and economic growth

See page 24 EMMANUEL: THE PROMISE KEEPER AT 56 PETER ADOBAMEN pays tribute to Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State See page 25 THE DIVISIVE STRUGGLES FOR HEGEMONIC SUPREMACY The Press helps to construct an ethnicised political culture, contends RICHARD IKIEBE See page 25

EDITORIAL SPECTACLES OF ANIMAL CRUELTY

See page 26

& RE A S O

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

AFRICA UNION AT 20: TRAJECTORIES AND PROSPECTS The AU has endeared itself as an efficient mechanism to process tools to facilitate and advance the continent’s integration and development, agues CHARLES ONUNAIJU

UT H

The anger over the All Progressives Congress’ single faith presidential ticket is essentially political, writes BOLAJI ADEBIYI

THE FURY AGAINST SINGLE FAITH TICKET Since Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, announced Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim and former governor of Borno State, as his running mate during the Sallah holidays, the Christian community backed by some social critics has been up in arms against the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, which they argue is insensitive to the delicate religious diversity of the country. They are insisting that Tinubu must drop Shettima and balance his ticket with a northern Christian.

That is not going to happen because the person they are talking to is not a IULYRORXV RU ÁLSSDQW SROLWLFLDQ ZKR GRHV not weigh his options rigorously before he makes his move. The current hoopla was anticipated long before he won the APC primary. Those who wanted to block him raised the issue earlier. They argued that being a southern Muslim might pose a problem if he won the QRPLQDWLRQ DV LW PLJKW EH GL΀FXOW WR JHW a northern Christian with the political clout in the party to balance his ticket LI WKH PDLQ RSSRVLWLRQ 3'3 ÀHOGV D northern Muslim.

He had responded that he had his winning strategy, explaining that what it would take to win was for his northern party men to mobilise their region where the party has 15 of the 19 governors, while they leave him to deliver the southern, particularly the South-west part of the country.

With the emergence of Abubakar Atiku, a northern Muslim and former vice-president of the federation, as the ÁDJEHDUHU RI WKH RSSRVLQJ 3'3 DQG his choice of Ifeanyi Okowa, a southern Christian and governor of Delta State, as running mate, the anxiety in the APC and the arithmetical masturbation became heightened. The PDP in going up North against the southern clamour for the presidency was looking at the numbers just as Tinubu, who nominated Shettima his fellow Muslim.

As of 24 January 2022, according to Independent National Electoral Commission’s record, the North had 44, 320, 558 voters while the South had 38, 023, 459 voters. The bulk of the voters are in the North-west with seven states, 20, 858, 539; followed by the South-west, 16, 940, 205. Next is North-central 13, 965, 108; South-south, 13, 936, 888; North-east, 11, 958, 501; and South-east, 9, 858, 539.

In 2012 Tinubu reckoned that Buhari with weak platforms had retained an average of 11 million voters from essentially the North-west and a fraction of the North-east over three election

cycles and that if a national platform could be erected for him to run on, he could win. His permutation was that a combination of the North-west and South-west ticket could do the magic. He, therefore, approached the serial electoral loser to rethink his decision to quit the stage. The result is well known.

Such cold calculations are at play even now. In 2018, Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers State and of the PDP stock, told his party men that given their weak position, the strategic thing to do is forgo any sentimental attachment to zoning and face the reality of the numbers. He argued WKDW WR KDYH D ÀJKWLQJ FKDQFH WR XSVWDJH the APC, it needed to look up North for its presidential candidate. His calculation was that since the PDP was strong in the South, the party could present a northern candidate that would seek to divide Buhari’s vote in the North while the PDP would lock down the South, particularly the South-east and the South-south.

That permutation worked in 2011 for the PDP as Jonathan locked down the entire South, using Tinubu in the Southwest, and forayed for votes in the North, particularly in the North-west where Namadi Sambo, his deputy came from.

However, the PDP’s 2019 North-east (Atiku) / South-east (Peter Obi) failed largely because its numbers were inferior to the APC’s North-west (Buhari) / South-west (Yemi Osinbajo) returning ticket. Added to that was the sabotage by the South-east PDP politicians who refused to support Obi’s vice-presidency.

The PDP by going North and selecting a Muslim despite the southern agitations for the presidency was no doubt looking

at the over 44 million votes in that region that is dominated by Muslims. Atiku’s choice of a South-south Christian Ibo running mate aims to corner a large proportion of over 23 million of the more than 38 million southern votes (Southsouth, 13, 936, 888; and South-east, 9, 858, 539) that is largely Christian.

With that PDP combination and projected numbers, Tinubu’s APC had no other choice than to respond strategically. $OWKRXJK KLV FKRLFH VDWLVÀHV WKH southern clamour for the presidency, he is, however, a minority Muslim that may not be all that acceptable to his northern brothers. So, in the absence of a towering political northern Christian to mobilise the largely Muslim 44 million votes for him he needs a potent Muslim to do the job for him hoping that his largely cosmopolitan and liberal people in the South, particularly the South-west would show understanding.

If that is the case, why go struggle for 11 million votes with Atiku in the Northeast when he could lock down 20 million votes in the North-west? Again, it’s cold political calculations. He is hoping that Shettima would galvanise the four APC governors out of the six governors in that region to lock down their states’ votes, denying Atiku of any dominance, while Buhari and the six APC governors of the seven governors of the North-west would turn in the majority of the votes in that area for him.

The Tinubu ticket strategy, therefore, is to lockdown the largely Muslim votes in the North (44 million) in addition to the 16 million in the South-west while scampering for the required 25 per cent in some states of the South-south and South-east.

This is essentially a strategic projection.

It might work, it might fail. Of course, the strategists would be foolish not to expect that the PDP would respond. Part of its response already is to mobilise public opinion against the single faith ticket with the Christian community providing itself as a willing tool.

Meanwhile, the Christian leaders had initially made the case for a Christian president at the end of Buhari’s tenure. It might be pertinent to ask them why they are dissipating so much energy over the APC’s single faith ticket when they could easily mobilise their numbers behind a candidate of their faith on any of the other 16 political parties.

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

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T H I S D AY

The AU has endeared itself as an efficient mechanism to process tools to facilitate and advance the continent’s integration and development, agues CHARLES ONUNAIJU

AFRICA UNION AT 20: TRAJECTORIES AND PROSPECTS The transition from the Organization of African Unity (OAU), to the Africa Union (AU), in 2002 was a crucial historic starting point for the continent. The OAU was the crystallization of the Pan-Africanist sentiments that swept through the continent in the wake of the popular anti colonial struggle and was its foremost institutional expression. Though born amidst fanfare, the OAU was also an ideological compromise of various tendencies and political temperaments of the time and HYHQ WKRXJK LW ZDV D VLJQLÀFDQW DQG KXJH achievement to found a common ground, WKH RUJDQL]DWLRQ ZDV DͿHFWHG DQG HYHQ constrained by the then, paralyzing cold war intentional system.

Its boldest move to identify the structural challenges and other weakness of functional integration was the document of the Lagos Plan of Action of its special summit, held in the then capital of Nigeria in 1980, which designed and charted a comprehensive and integrated framework of genuinely panAfrican vision of development that spanned industrial, infrastructure and region-wide connectivity.

7KH ODFN RI SROLWLFDO ZLOO DQG HͿHFWLYH coordinating institutional direction meant the plan was sidelined and in its SODFH D SURJUDP RI VWUXFWXUDO DGMXVWPHQW developed by the western-based Bretton Woods institutions- the World Bank and the International momentary Fund (IMF), was shoved down the throat of the continent.

Other mechanisms like the African (FRQRPLF &RPPXQLW\ $(& DOVR ÀQDOL]HG LQ $EXMD LQ 1LJHULD LQ WKH V DOVR VXͿHUHG VLPLODU IDWH DV WKH /DJRV 3ODQ RI Action. With the end of the cold war in the V ZKRVH HͿHFWV RQ WKH FUXFLDO WKHPH of African Unity and Integration has been less than sanguine, it was obvious that the transition and even transformation of the 2$8 WR D PHFKDQLVP RI HͿHFWLYH DFWLRQ RQ WKH LGHQWLÀDEOH FKDOOHQJHV RI WKH FRQWLQHQW would be compelling.

Hence, the birth of the African Union at the historic summit in Durban, South Africa in July 2002, encapsulating the vision of an “Africa, integrated, prosperous and peaceful, an Africa driven by its own citizens, a dynamic force in global arena.”

There is no gainsaying that such an ambitious vision invites a broadly shared consensus superbly complimented by a genuine political commitment towards regional integration. Though, the African Union built more on practical mechanism to advance integration with the aim to JUDGXDOO\ ÀOO WKH JDSV LQ WKH LQVWLWXWLRQDO and structural constraints, it also harbors its poetic dimension that seeks radical fast track to the establishment of the “United States of Africa” with a president and cabinet ministers to boot.

The late leader of Libya, Colonel 0XDPPHU .KDGD΀ QRW RQO\ VHW KLV YLVLRQ squarely to achieving it but was willing to commit resources to it. Since his tragic demise in 2011, in the NATO orchestrated destabilization of the country and his consequent assassination, the strident advocacy for the establishment of the “United States of Africa” as the immediate aim of the AU has considerably mellowed down, while other critical components for

the integration of the continent continued apace.

A unique and distinct feature of the Africa Union has been the institutional outreach to the Africa’s eight regional economic communities. The common market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the community of SahelSaharan States (CEN-SAD), the East Africa Community (EAC), the Economic Community of Central African States, (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), the intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA). The synergy of the A.U Commission with the regional HFRQRPLF FRPPXQLWLHV KDYH VLJQLÀFDQWO\ sharpened the focus on the important challenges of integration and also, crucially galvanizing the international cooperation needed to pump the synergy. There is no doubt that the founding of the AU was in part, motivated by a desire to strengthen Africa’s leverage to engage with the rest of the world and to manage the process of globalization to the continent’s advantage.

In this respect, the AU has charted and initiated creative and proactive measures which has prevented the continent from been entirely marginalized by the trends of globalization. Despite weak economic foundation, the continent’s distinct advantage including its economies of scale, especially with the launch the Free Trade Area and common market (AFCTA), demographics - youth population, relative low labor cost, resource endowments LQ DGGLWLRQ WR PRUH HͿHFWLYH SROLWLFDO coordination have put the Africa Union on a scale of serious international actor, while putting the continent on the spotlight. $V D PDMRU DQG NH\ DFWRU LQ 6RXWK 6RXWK Cooperation, the AU Commission in its end of term report 2017-2021, titled “taking stock, charting the future”, said that “the establishment and operationalization of WKH %HLMLQJ UHSUHVHQWDWLRQ R΀FH PDUNV WKH ÀUVW HYHU 6RXWK 6RXWK &RRSHUDWLRQ R΀FH outside the continent”.

China-Africa Cooperation which has long history and has continuously evolved from sharing common trenches in the anticolonial struggle and common aspirations to building self-reliant economies to the cooperation phenomenal levels is marked by pragmatic engagement that feeds tangible aggregates to Africa’s requirements for functional integration and development. Within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) the 55- member organization comprising 53 Africa countries with GLSORPDWLF UHODWLRQV ZLWK %HLMLQJ &KLQD and the Africa Union Commission (AUC), the continent has reported vital progress in key areas of regional integration.

As noted in white paper issued in 2021 titled “China and Africa in the New Era: A partnership of Equals” it observed that “China -Africa friendship has not been an over-night achievement, nor has it been gifted from on high.

Onunaiju is director, Center for China Studies, Abuja

FRIDAY JULY 15, 2022

UGWUMADU NNANTA writes that Delta is creating decent work and economic growth

DELTA STATE AND SDG EIGHT

Oghenekaro Igoh is an exemplar of HQWUHSUHQHXUVKLS DQG MRE FUHDWLRQ $ EHQHÀFLDU\ RI WKH 'HOWD 6WDWH HQWHUSULVH development training programme, she shared her story in 2020.

“I had thought I would go into the traditional roadside tailoring, but after the training at Songhai Delta, my mind opened to other possibilities beyond conventional fashion designing. I began to think of starting a fashion institute. After establishing with

starter pack, I got a shop at City Complex and started school. The shop became too small in less than one year, and I saw the reason to expand. Therefore, I rented this three-bedroom for N350, 000 annually.

I do lots of adverts online. I currently have two billboards: each of them costs N80, 000 monthly. My students come from within and outside Delta State, and I realise my funding through training fees. I have 30 students while six people have graduated. I run morning and afternoon sessions. I make clothes quite all right, but my niche is training for both males and females interested in fashion.”.

Nigeria is a paradox in several areas, including the critical role of youths. A recent survey shows that youths lead in entrepreneurship in the country and have the drive and energy to reduce the growing unemployment challenge. Delta State is one of a few states that understand the critical role of government as an enabler in unleashing youth’s potential in entrepreneurship.

Rukevwe German holds an HND in Electrical Electronics Engineering, and like any young man, his dream was to work in an oil VHUYLFLQJ FRPSDQ\ +H FDUULHG KLV FHUWLÀFDWH from one oil company to the other, submitting his CV and attending endless interviews that yielded no results. Five years after graduation, fortune came his way when he enrolled in the VWDWH JRYHUQPHQW·V MRE FUHDWLRQ SURJUDPPH 7KH -RE &UHDWLRQ 2΀FH HVWDEOLVKHG KLP ZLWK DQ HP laptop, a printer, a generator, a workstation and N50,000 cash as rent subsidy for his shop.

Barely two years after establishment, Rukevwe KDV PDGH DVWRQLVKLQJ SURJUHVV DQG GLYHUVLÀHG into other businesses to have multiple income streams.

As the CEO of Big GG Communication in Warri, he is an Electrical Engineer, Information and Communication Technologist, laptop/ mobile phone technician, accessories merchant, instructor, trainer and a point of sales (POS) agent to Zenith Bank. “ I am because of the WUDLQLQJ , UHFHLYHG IURP MRE FUHDWLRQ 67(3 Next month I am getting married. I now have a rented apartment; I no longer live with my parents. I have trained three persons; one was

for free. I am a graphic designer; I repair laptops and mobile phones, have two POS centres, sell accessories and am an instructor at Complete Computer Technology. The patronage is good. My vision is to own a computer training institute.”

The Delta State scheme directly addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goals Number 8, which seeks to create “decent work and economic growth”.

5XNHYZH IXUWKHU WHVWLÀHV ´7KH MRE creation programme is one of the best things that happened to me. The programme is very credible. I saw it online. I applied and got it without knowing anyone. I pray it continues and those other governors after Senator Okowa will continue with the vision. I see it as a generational vision,” he stated.

Nigerian Bureau of Statistics data shows that MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) account for 49.8 per cent of Nigerian GDP. The small businesses keep the economy buzzing despite the challenges of oil and gas and our inability to manage the fundamental economic UDWHV RI LQWHUHVW H[FKDQJH DQG LQÁDWLRQ “Entrepreneurs are the bedrock of the Nigerian economy”, Entrepreneurship in Nigeria Report 2021 states.

What do these MSMEs do? The research shows that Nigeria’s small businesses play mainly in retail, fashion, and FMCG. They DUH LQ DJULFXOWXUH ÀVKLQJ DQG IRUHVWU\ hospitality, and hotel businesses. $ VLJQLÀFDQW FRQFHUQ RI SODQQHUV everywhere is the Malthusian population bulge and its consequences for economies and nations. Technology and changes in production practices averted the Malthusian nightmare. Entrepreneurship holds promise for countries such as Nigeria, with an overwhelmingly huge youth population and the backdrop of poor economies.

Delta State found a way of keeping youth engaged and active in positive endeavours. Prof Eric Eboh is the Chief -RE &UHDWLRQ 2΀FHU UXQQLQJ SURJUDPPHV in the local governments that bring hope, skills and smiles to young Deltans. The focused human capital development programme Delta State embarked upon in the Ifeanyi Okowa years enabled it to advance technical and vocational education in line with a policy emphasis on skills acquisition. A strategic thrust involved increasing access.

Delta State rehabilitated six technical colleges and is building 10 new ones.

The Delta State Government upgraded three institutions to universities in tertiary education in 2021. They are the University of Delta (former College of Education), Agbor, the Delta State University of Science and University (former Delta State Polytechnic), Ozoro, and Dennis Osadebey University (former campus of Delta State University), Anwai, Asaba.

Okowa’s Delta State certainly understands Nigeria’s nexus of entrepreneurship, youth, and capacity development. He who is faithful in small things would undoubtedly deliver on bigger things.

Nnanta writes from Asaba

325

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 15, 2022

PETER ADOBAMEN pays tribute to Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State

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The Press helps to construct an ethnicised political culture, contends RICHARD IKIEBE

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26 4

T H I S D AY

FRIDAY JULY 15, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

SPECTACLES OF ANIMAL CRUELTY There seems to be no end to our troubles with wildlife. It is heading in a dangerous direction

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 15, 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 4 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Cash Squeeze, High Fares Lower Domestic Passenger Traffic at Nigerian Airports

Chinedu Eze Domestic air travel is recording low passenger traffic at the beginning of the second half of the year when upswing in air travel is expected, THISDAY has learnt.

Investigations revealed that in the last two months passenger traffic has been surprisingly low and it is attributed to general cash squeeze, hike in airfares and low purchasing power of many Nigerians.

THISDAY also gathered that while many Nigerians would prefer to travel by air instead of by road due to insecurity, the high airfares remain a disincentive because many Nigerians cannot

afford the high fares.

A protocol officer at the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos who arranges tickets for corporate and individual travellers, told THISDAY that passenger turnout has become drastically low, although there was upswing during the movement for Salah, but relatively it has remained low.

According to him, passenger traffic remained low in the last two months when compared to the same period in the previous years, even in 2021 after the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020 and the attendant economic devastation.

“I think high fares is the major

cause. People are still travelling but it is not like before. Most of the airlines are charging high fares, beginning from about N50, 000, N56, 000 to N78, 000 to N80, 000; especially those who buy last minute tickets. It can even be higher. And all the airlines are involved. They said that was the only way they could survive, ”he said.

Travel expert, Ambassador Ikechi Uko, confirmed there had been discernible cash squeeze, which is affecting people’s purchasing power, adding that this is not only affecting air travel but also the economy, and that there is low patronage of those offering essential products like foods, services and others.

“I watched sellers of ram and cattle during Salah being interviewed on television and they were full of lamentation. Some said they sold but the market is not as it used to be. I don’t know whether it has to do with summer; people purchasing dollars that gave rise to the cash squeeze.

“But this is the time airlines can review their aircraft utilisation. They should deploy their low capacity aircraft and get them filled up. But unfortunately they are still using the big planes, which have high cost of operation that eats deeply into their pockets. The airlines that leased aircraft must pay for the lease. Also, the constant rainfall

and high fares have exacerbated the situation. So there is general downturn in the economy. But the hotels are doing well. The feedback indicates that people who didn’t travel overseas have chosen to stay in hotels and the hotels in Lagos and Abuja are doing good business,” Uko said.

But a senior official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in Abuja, told THISDAY in a telephone interview that traffic has been low in the last few days but was high during Salah holiday and noted that Nigerians who travelled for the holiday were not back, hence the low traffic.

“During festivities, traffic is usually

high and low. It is high when people are going on holidays and low after they have travelled and passenger turnout will be low until the end of the festivities. I don’t think the downturn in the economy has reduced the number of people that travel,” he said.

But this view is contrary to what an official of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) told THISDAY. According to the official, “there is low passenger traffic and airlines are finding it increasingly difficult to operate due to high cost of aviation fuel and high cost of aircraft servicing. The scarcity of forex and Continued on page 22

Court of Appeal Lauds NIMASA’s Commitment to Admiralty Matters President of The Courts of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem has commended the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh, for his exemplary leadership role in advancing the cause of

adjudication and mediation in admiralty matters.

Speaking at the recently held Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) seminar for judges in Abuja, Justice Dongban-Mensem said Jamoh is contributing immensely to keeping judicial officers abreast

with relevant knowledge to handle maritime matters.

The Court of Appeal President who personally participated in a similar seminar for judges organised

by NIMASA, added that the DG has set worthy examples for his peers, which has increased judges’

capacity to perform better.

Jamoh’s impact, he added, touches on areas like timely and easier interpretation of Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act which aims at achieving a safer maritime domain; alternative dispute

resolution in the maritime industry; limits of admiralty jurisdiction in Nigeria amongst others.

Under Jamoh’s watch and with NIMASA as an interested party, Nigeria recorded its first conviction of pirates using the SPOMO Act at the Federal High

Court Port Harcourt in August 2020.

The convicted three persons were accused of involvement in the hijack of an Equatorial Guinean flagged vessel named, MV ELOBEY VI, off Equatorial Guinea’s coast.

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, J U LY 1 4 , 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 (%) July 8, 0.00 2022 July 8, 0.00 2022 July 8, 0.22 2022 July 8, 0.00 2022 July 8, 0.00 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

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Seplat: Avuru’s Contradictory Verses Charles Oseji interrogates accounts of alleged boardroom events at Seplat Energy as rendered by its former MD/CEO, Austin Avuru.

I

t is a given in the corporate world that Directors and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) owe confidentiality and fiduciary obligations to their companies. These are both ethical and legal demands; hence apart from respective company’s corporate governance codes, the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) 2018, the United Kingdom’s Code of Corporate Governance, among others, represent efforts to ensure that company interest supersedes individual interest.

For instance, Section 306 provides of CAMA 2018 provides that “The personal interest of a director shall not conflict with any of his duties as a director under this Act”. Therefore, when in December 2021 the Board of Directors of Seplat Energy Plc. announced the termination of the appointment of its pioneer/immediate past Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Austin Avuru, as a Non-Executive Director, it predicated it on alleged breach of his fiduciary duties and Seplat’s corporate governance codes. As reported at the time, Avuru was the promoter and a Director of another, Chappal Petroleum Development Company Ltd. while he was still Seplat’s CEO, and failed to declare it.

Ironically, Seplat was already involved in the acquisition of the whole share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) from ExxonMobil Corporation, USA; hence he allegedly used Seplat’s insider information to launch a rival bid with Chappal, incorporated in 2020. That in itself was unethical, illegal, and punishable under Nigerian laws. He also became the Chairman of Chappal while still serving as Non-Executive Director of Seplat without declaring same to Seplat Board.

When all pretences are set aside, business, like politics, is war by other means; hence a business analyst described Avuru’s actions as corporate espionage akin to a General of an enemy army sitting in the War Council of the rival army.

Surprisingly, Avuru is back in the news with his yet-to-be-presented book, “My Entrepreneurial Journey”, which excerpts were published in the May 2022 edition of “Africa Oil + Gas Report”. Therein, he reels out graphic details of purported boardroom events surrounding the appointment of his successor as CEO. With every stroke, he tries to present Seplat as racially divided and its co-founder/immediate past Non-Executive Chairman, Dr. ABC Orjiako, as an ethnic bigot. Going by his virulent polemics, he would have invoked Sango (Yoruba god of thunder) upon both if he had the powers.

THE GROUSES According to Avuru, Seplat Board had agreed to recruit an Operations Director (OD), who would be carefully groomed over a few years to succeed him. They kick-started the process in October 2016 with “six highflying candidates”.

The interview panel included himself, Orjiako (as Chairman of Nomination Committee, NOMCO) and other members of NOMCO. He writes: “After two days of elaborate interviews, we selected two candidates, both experienced Petroleum Engineers…. I instructed HR (Human Resources) to engage both candidates for discussion, with the Addax Director being our number one choice and the Shell GM the reserve candidate.

“As soon as I returned to my office, the Chairman summoned me to his office. He was looking agitated and angry. Once I sat down, he said, ‘Look, Austin, at the rate you are going, when we leave this company, they may not even allow us through the gate into the company premises’ “What was the problem? Our preferred candidate was of Igbo origin, a brilliant Ph.D. holder whose parents were both professors.

Austin Avuru None of us on the interview panel (except, of course the Chairman) considered his ethnic origin in picking him as our preferred candidate. The reserve candidate was Yoruba and Chairman was vehement in accusing me of filling too many management positions with Yorubas. He insisted we settle for the preferred candidate…

“Surprisingly, and without reason, we received a one-line email from the candidate a week later stating… ‘I am sorry but I not be able to take the offer’”.

Accordingly, the process was re-launched in 2017. The leading candidate hailed from Akwa Ibom, while the first runner up was a Yoruba.

“It took one year for our candidate to be able to extricate himself from Shell….

During this period, our number two candidate (the Yoruba) was employed by a company promoted by our Chairman, Salvic Petroleum....

“The new Operations Director assumed duty in February 2018. The plan was to groom him to slide into my position in two and half years”, he explains.

He, however, alleges that Orjiako appointed “one errand consultant” to “profile the CEO job, evaluate the OD and CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and submit a report” based on which NOMCO and the Board would decide his successor.

“He fixed a special Board meeting for November 11 2019 in Dubai for the purpose of choosing a new CEO…. In Dubai, the consultant presented a report that essentially said both candidates were excellent, albeit each having his strong and weak points….

He also suggested that picking any of them, from the strong sentiments already generated, would create deep divisions in the company and submitted the names of five Nigerian CEOs/Deputy CEOs of some multinationals organisations from which we could hire.

“In a well-choreographed exercise, the Chairman waived all suggestions aside and invited each of the candidates to make presentations to the Board at the end of which he called for a vote.

“Nine of the twelve Directors were invited to vote (with the Chairman holding back his vote in case there was a tie). Five expatriate Directors (that, including the Nigerian/ British director) voted for the CFO (Roger Brown), three Nigerians voted for the OD while one Nigerian Director abstained. In the nine years of the Company, we had never been so racially and bitterly divided on any issue. The Chairman declared the result final and I stormed out of the meeting”, he concludes.

He equally alleges that Orjiako stayed put as the Chairman of NOMCO despite a policy by the Security and Exchange Commission and corporate governance code to the contrary.

INTERROGATING THE GROUSES The first impression about Avuru’s account is boardroom politics, which is a universal phenomenon. Companies everywhere have their internal power plays, but by their confidentiality obligation, Board members don’t wash their linens in public. So, by taking an otherwise confidential company matter to the market square, where lies the overarching company interest in Avuru’s world?

Secondly, reading in-between the lines of his account, it is not difficult to see a sense of entitlement or prerogative to produce/ anoint his successor. Unfortunately, other parties thought otherwise, and thwarted it.

But there are pertinent questions to ask: Was it the official decision of the Board to keep the first runner-up in the 2016 interview as a “reserve” or was it Avuru’s singular decision, and why? Did the successful candidate just wake up to reject the offer or did person(s) take steps, including calls, to pass subtle threats, to misrepresent Seplat as a hostile work environment, and to place the candidate on a lower level than he deserved to dissuade and get him out of the way for the “reserve” candidate?

Was the purported “reserve candidate” rejected because he was Yoruba or because the Chairman and other Board members probably saw through a plot to install a

potential puppet CEO? The above questions also become pertinent since, by Avuru’s account, Orjiako hired the Yoruba, who came second in Seplat’s 2017 round of interview. So, why would Orjiako want Yoruba in his own company, Salvic Petroleum Development, and not want them in Seplat? It is quite contradictory, especially when it is common knowledge that Orjiako gets along well with the Yoruba and has a long history of working well with them in the corporate world. Obviously, Avuru’s claim is a mischief to tarnish Orjiako’s image and pitch his numerous Yoruba friends/business associates against him.

Come to think of it, how come a supposedly deracialised and cosmopolitan Avuru easily sees everything from the prisms of tribe and race? How come he readily concluded that everyone, who voted for Brown as CEO, did so on racial ground? What happened to competence? Instructively, it has been almost two years since Brown succeeded Avuru in August 2020 and Seplat continues to surge from strength to strength.

Meanwhile, since Seplat enjoys dual listing (on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange), it naturally operates Nigerian and UK conventions. It wasn’t out of place for the Chairman to chair the NOMCO since UK Code of Corporate Governance permits it. Findings also show that Orjiako actually stepped down as NOMCO chairman once the Security and Exchange Commission came up with a policy to the contrary.

Furthermore, describing a global HR brand like Heidrick & Struggles (H&S) as “errand consultants” only goes further to present Avuru as a “My-way-or-the-highway” capitalist.

Interestingly and ironically, in the event brochure for the Industry Lecture and Sendoff Party recently organised by Seplat in Orjiako’s honour, Avuru confessed that Seplat was designed from Day One in such a way that the Chairman is not a passive position where the chairman “would just preside over Board meetings four times a year”. He relived how, together, they build Seplat from ground zero and how Orjiako always wanted nothing except the best for the company. He described Orjiako as a forthright person, “brilliant and cerebral”, “very resourceful, very sophisticated, and very kind”, and, in fact, “one of the strongest Catholics”.

Likewise, global business powerhouses and partners/associates of Seplat such as the Founder, Maurel & Prom, Monsieur JeanFrancois Henin; former CEO of London Stock Exchange/former Non-Independent Director, Seplat Energy, Xavier Rolet; Group CEO of Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema; Senior Independent Non-Executive Director of SEPCOL; former UK Minister/former UN Deputy Secretary/former Independent Non-Executive Director of Seplat, Mark Malloch-Brown, etc. cannot all be wrong in praising the great job Orjiako did as Chairman of Seplat. So, Avuru wasn’t alone in the aforementioned assessment of Orjaiko as a consummate entrepreneur.

Consequently, many are wont to wonder what manner of man praises an associate to high heavens in one breath only to seek to stab and slay his credibility in another breath.

Or what manner of a corporate player runs down a company that has given him firm and fortunes.

This development only goes to further justify Seplat’s decision to sack Avuru from their Board in 2021. He has failed woefully in his confidentiality obligation and acted in ways inimical to Seplat’s interest; and it is a matter Seplat should never gloss over. t 0TFKJ XSJUFT GSPN -BHPT

CASH SQUEEZE, HIGH FARES LOWER DOMESTIC PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT NIGERIAN AIRPORTS the depreciation of the naira are forcing airlines to just manage to survive, hoping that this period of depressed economy will also pass.”

The Managing Director of Flight and Logistics Solutions Limited, Amos Akpan, told THISDAY that not many Nigerians could afford to buy ticket at N50, 000 for one way and N110, 000 for return, observing that the earning

of Nigerian working class does not support such high fares and that even corporate organsiations allow travel for their personnel when it is very essential and when there could not be virtual interface.

“If your company does not send you on a job you cannot travel by air. The earning of a Nigerian worker cannot support such high fares, but conversely, the airlines

cannot survive without the high fares. Any airline that sells ticket for anything less than N50, 000 is making economic mistake,” he said.

However, the spokesman of one of the major Nigerian airlines told THISDAY that Nigerians have got used to the increased airfares, but the low patronage is not unconnected to the economic situation in the country now.

He also stated that the popular triangular routes of Lagos-AbujaPort Harcourt still maintain high load factor, but admitted that other destinations could be recording low passenger traffic and added that, maybe, due to security concerns on the Ore-Benin expressway, many Nigerians travelling to Benin do so by air; so Benin records high passenger traffic.

The airline spokesman also stated that there is drastic reduction in leisure travel; that people travel now mainly for business.

“Nigerians have gotten used to high fares charged by airlines which is caused by the cost of aviation fuel. Yes, there is low passenger traffic but there is still high load factor in the popular Lagos-Abuja-Port Harcourt routes.

There could be low passenger turnout on other routes. Insecurity has made many to shun the roads.

Perhaps that is the reason why there is high patronage on the Lagos-Benin route because of the security fears on the Ore-Benin highway. I don’t think there is still leisure travel. Majority of the people who travel by air, do so for business,” he said.

29

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

AIR WATCH

A I R WATCH

IATAFrownsatSchipholFlightRestrictionsbyNetherlands The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed shock at the announcement by the government of the Netherlands that it would cut the number of annual flights at Schiphol Airport to 440,000, which is 20 per cent cut to Schiphol’s potential cap.

This is just as Heathrow airport management has warned that it would continue to cut flights to reduce upsurge of passengers who throng the airport during summer.

“This sudden decision is a shocking blow to aviation, jobs, and the economy of the Netherlands.

It comes on top of a tripling of the passenger tax, and a 37 per cent rise in airport charges. We are seeing a throttling of air connectivity which has been steadily built up for 100 years, and supported large parts of the Dutch economy and the aspirations of millions of Dutch travelers,” said IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh.

IATA said the justification put forward for the cut is not supported by facts. The government claims that the cuts would reduce noise and deliver a significant reduction in NOx emissions.

But aviation’s NOx contribution is around one per cent of total NOx deposition in the Netherlands, and the redistributed noise paths that are also a part of this initiative would actually increase the number of people exposed to aircraft noise.

Prior to the pandemic, IATA said aviation supported more than 300,000 jobs and €22 billion in GDP to the economy of the Netherlands. Key to this economic contribution was the connectivity driven by Schiphol’s global hub airport role. In 2019, Amsterdam was the third-best internationally connected city in Europe, behind only London and Paris.

“When governments shut down aviation in the

pandemic, we all saw the terrible impact that it had on people in the Netherlands and its economy.

Downsizing Schiphol will permanently destroy jobs that are only now recovering. Moreover, without the possibility to grow at Schiphol, businesses in the Netherlands will need to evaluate their future in an economy that will be moving from global gateway to regional center,” said Walsh.

IATA observed that Schiphol has been recovering fast since the end of pandemic restrictions. The airport has already had over 280,000 movements this year, putting it on track to reach its existing 500,000 movement limit. The previous Dutch government, recognizing the economic importance of Schiphol’s hub connections, set out a pathway for Schiphol to grow to 540,000 movements. The sudden announcement of a cut to 440,000 movements thus constitutes a 20 per cent cut to the potential connectivity of the airport.

On sustainable aviation, the industry has committed to reaching net-zero CO2 by 2050. Delivering this tough goal will require huge investment in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and cleaner, quieter aircraft.

KLM’s commitment to SAF, for example, is directly

encouraging suppliers to increase production. But these investments can only be maximised if carriers are operating in a stable regulatory business environment.

Overnight changes to the rules of the game by governments are counterproductive to investment in a more sustainable industry, nor do they create any environmental gain when passengers keen to fly will travel to alternative airports to do so.

“After two years of restrictions, the world is getting moving again. Schiphol has been struggling to cope with demand, which shows how important the airport is, not just to Dutch travelers, but as a strategic hub for the Netherlands. This crazy decision to cut the airport off at its knees will achieve none of the stated environmental aims, but it will cause irreparable harm to jobs and prosperity. The government should reverse course and set out a meaningful pathway for the sustainable growth of aviation in the Netherlands, focused on delivering sustainable aviation fuels and helping the industry meet its commitment to achieve net-zero CO2 by 2050,” said Walsh.

Meanwhile, Heathrow Airport has apologised to passengers caught up in recent travel chaos but warned that more flights could be cancelled, BBC News has reported. The UK’s largest airport asked airlines to remove 61 flights from Monday’s schedules, as it seeks to cope with soaring demand and staff shortages.

Heathrow’s boss Mr. John Holland-Kaye said the airport would request, “further action if necessary”.

Tens of thousands of UK passengers have been affected by travel disruption.

Airports and airlines have struggled to recruit staff after shedding jobs during Covid-19 lockdowns as holiday demand has returned. The UK is about to enter the key summer holiday season as schools

begin to break up.

The government and the aviation regulator wrote to carriers last month telling them to ensure their summer timetables were “deliverable”.

Last week, British Airways said it was cutting 10, 300 more short-haul flights between August and the end of October. The announcement, affecting Heathrow, Gatwick and City airports, means nearly 30,000 flights will have been removed from BA’s schedule between April and October this year.

Heathrow apologised to passengers affected by “long queue times, delays for passengers with reduced mobility, bags not travelling with passengers or arriving late”, at times in recent weeks.

But it insisted most passengers had a good level of service, despite resourcing challenges at the airport, airlines, ground handlers and government agencies.

Holland-Kaye further said: “I am very proud of the way that our team is rising to the challenge of growth, and giving excellent service to the vast majority of passengers.

“However, we have already seen times recently when demand exceeds the capacity of the airport, airlines and ground handlers.

“We will review the schedule changes that airlines have submitted in response to the government’s requirement to minimise disruption for passengers this summer and will ask them to take further action if necessary.”

Heathrow said it had asked airlines to remove 61 flights from Monday’sschedules, because more passengers are expected in Terminals 3 and 5 than the airport can currently serve.

Previous “schedule interventions” happened following problems with a baggage system, and because more passengers were expected than security staffing could cope with. Heathrow said nearly six million passengers used the airport in June.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Emirates, Air Canada Form Unique Strategic Partnership Emirates and Air Canada have announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement that would create more options for customers when travelling on the airlines’ networks while also enhancing the customer experience throughout the journey.

Emirates and Air Canada intend to establish a codeshare relationship later in 2022 that would offer enhanced consumer travel choices for Air Canada customers to travel to the United Arab Emirates and to destinations beyond Dubai. Emirates customers would also enjoy an enhanced travel experience when travelling to Toronto or to key destinations across the Air Canada network.

Customers are expected to have the ability to book connecting travel between both airlines’ networks with the ease of a single ticket, seamless connectivity at the carriers’ respective global hubs and baggage transfers to their final destinations.

President of Emirates Airline, Sir Tim Clark said: “This is a significant partnership that will enable our customers access to even more destinations in Canada and the Americas, via our Toronto and US gateways.

It also opens up many new route combinations for travelers across Emirates’ and Air Canada’s extensive networks in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

“We are pleased to partner

with Air Canada, one of North America’s most established airlines and Canada’s flag carrier and we look forward to jointly progressing on various areas to provide even better customer flight choices and experiences,” Clark said.

Commenting on the development, the President and CEO of Air Canada, Michael Rousseau, stated:

“As we continue pursuing our strategy of expanding our global reach in response to growing opportunities in VFR markets (Visit Friends and Relatives) that serve Canada’s large multicultural communities, we are very pleased to form a strategic partnership with Emirates, a highly respected flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates with a hub in the vibrant city of Dubai.

AkwaabaTravel Market Partners Turquaz Health Tourism The organisers of AKWAABA African Travel Market have announced a partnership with Turkish firm Turquaz Health Tourism as their Official Exclusive Partner for this year’s AKWAABA event.

Turquaz Health is a health organisation in Turkey, which provides the best medical solution to medical needs with the best quality facilities, cutting edge technology equipment, globally accepted medical doctors and internationally recognized credentials.

Turquaz Health founded

by Idil Saguner and Sureyya Umran Alinak are experienced at matching hospitals to the needs of the patients. They will be using their network and connections to bring the best groups to Africa.

According to statement from the firm, “We are very excited to be going into business

collaboration with AKWAABA for its 18th edition of AKWAABA African Travel Market.”

Organisers of the biggest Travel and Tourism Expo in West Africa have decided to give a lot of attention to Medical Tourism and Health Insurance at the 2022 Edition of the event. This is because of the Increasing Importance of Medical Tourism in Africa.

According to the Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed who supervises Tourism, Nigerians spent over $1 billion on Medical Tourism in 2021. This underscores the importance of this type of tourism and the need to examine the role of health travels in the growth of tourism and travel.

Turquaz Health Tourism is expected to bring in several Hospital Groups from Turkey to the event.

FRIDAY JULY 15, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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FRIDAY JULY 15, 2022 •T H I S D AY

This

Group Features Editor: CHIEMELIE EZEOBI

Weekend chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com

07010510430

TR

UTH

& R E ASO

N

WEEKLY MAGAZINE

Sam Ochonma:

Creating Impact through H&T Partnership

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͳ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

COVER

L-R: Adewale Muse, Partner, The Hook Agency; Sam Ochonma, MD, The Hook Agency; Idris Olorunnimbe, GCE/ Founder, The Temple Company; Toheeb Dele Balogun, Partner, The Hook Agency; and Bayo Owosina, Partner, The Hook Agency at the unveiling of H&T Africa, in Lagos… recently

Sam Ochonma: Creating Impact t h r o u g h H & T Pa r t n e r s h i p Ø ÏâÏÍßÞÓàÏ ÍÙÒÙÜÞ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ Ë×ÌÜÓÎÑÏ ßÎÑÏ ßÝÓØÏÝÝ ÍÒÙÙÖ˜ ØÓÞÏÎ ÓØÑÎÙ× ËØÎ áÓÞÒ Ë ÝÍ ÎÏÑÜÏÏ ÓØ Ù×ÚßÞÏÜ ÍÓÏØÍÏ ÐÜÙ× ÏØÝÙØ ÎËÒÙÝË ØÓàÏÜÝÓÞ㘠ÎÙ ÞËÞϘ Ë× ÍÒÙØ×Ë ÍßÜÜÏØÞÖã ÖÏËÎÝ ÙØÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÐËÝÞÏÝÞ ÑÜÙáÓØÑ ÓØÎÏÚÏØÎÏØÞ ËÎ ËÑÏØÍÓÏÝ ÓØ ÓÑÏÜÓ˘ ÒÏ ÙÙÕ ÜÏËÞÓàÏ ÑÏØÍã áÒÏÜÏ ÒÏ ÓÝ ÜÏÝÚÙØÝÓÌÖÏ ÐÙÜ ÎÜÓàÓØÑ ÓÞÝ ÙØÑÙÓØÑ ÑÜÙáÞÒ ËØÎ ÏâÚËØÝÓÙØ ÏʥÙÜÞÝ ÓØÞÙ ÙÞÒÏÜ Ï×ÏÜÑÓØÑ ×ËÜÕÏÞÝ ÓØ ÐÜÓ͢ ÓØÍÖßÎÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ØÓÞÏÎ ÓØÑÎÙ× áÓÞÒ ÞÒÜÏÏ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÚËÜÞØÏÜݲ ÒÏ Ó×ÚËÍÞ ÙÐ ÒÓÝ ÞÏË×˪Ý áÙÜÕÝ ÑÙÏÝ ÌÏãÙØÎ ÍÜÏËÞÓØÑ ÏÖÏÍÞÓÙØ̋áÓØØÓØÑ ÍË×ÚËÓÑØÝ ÌßÞ ËÖÝÙ ÎÜÓàÓØÑ ÑÜÙáÞÒ ÐÙÜ ÚÜÓàËÞÏ ÝÏÍÞÙÜÝ ÞÒÜÙßÑÒ Ó×ÚËÍÞÐßÖ ÝÙÖßÞÓÙØ ÎÜÓàÏØ ÍÙ××ßØÓÍËÞÓÙØݲ ÜÓÙÜ ÞÙ ÒÏ ÙÙÕ˜ ÍÒÙØ×Ë ÝÏÜàÏÎ ËÝ ÏËΘ ÙÜÚÙÜËÞÏ Ù××ßØÓÍËÞÓÙØÝ ËÞ ÏÞËÓÖ ËØÎ ßÚÚÖã áÒÏÜÏ ÒÏ áËÝ ÓØÝÞÜß×ÏØÞËÖ ÓØ ÏÝÞËÌÖÓÝÒÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÍÙ×ÚËØã˪Ý ÌÜËØÎ ÚÜÏÝÏØÍÏ ËÝ ÞÒÏ ÐËÝÞÏÝÞ ÑÜÙáÓØÑ ÚÖËãÏÜ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÎÙáØÝÞÜÏË× ÙÓÖ ËØÎ ÑËÝ ÝÏÍÞÙܘ ÝÚÏËÜÒÏËÎÓØÑ ÞÒÏ Ó×ÚÖÏ×ÏØÞËÞÓÙØ ÙÐ ÙàÏÜ ͕͖ ÜÏÞËÓÖ ÙßÞÖÏÞÝ ÓØ ÓÞÝ ʨÜÝÞ ÞáÙ ãÏËÜÝ ÙÐ ÙÚÏÜËÞÓÙØݲ ÖÝÙ ËÞ ËØÎÙ Ö͘ ÒÏ ÞÒÜÓàÏÎ ÐÙÜ ʨàÏ ãÏËÜÝ ËÝ ÍÜÏËÞÓàÏ ÖÏËΘ ÍÙÜÚÙÜËÞÏ ÍÙ××ßØÓÍËÞÓÙØݲ Ý Ë ÍÜÏËÞÓàϘ áÒÙ ÍßÜÜÏØÞÖã ÝÏÜàÏÝ ÙØ ÞÒÏ ÌÙËÜÎ ÙÐ ÎÓÜÏÍÞÙÜÝ ÙÐ ãÎÏØÏ ØÏÜÑã ËÝ Ë ÙØ̋ âÏÍßÞÓàÏ ÓÜÏÍÞÙÜ ËØÎ ËÜÞØÏܘ ßÎ ÝÏÏÎÏØ ÓÖÖ ÙßØÎËÞÓÙؘ ÒÏ ÜÏÍÏØÞÖã ÚËÜÞØÏÜÏÎ Ï×ÚÖÏ ÜÙÎßÍÞÓÙØ Ù×ÚËØ㘠ËÖÙØÑÝÓÎÏ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÍÙ̋ ÐÙßØÎÏÜݘ ÞÙ ÐÙÜ× ʶ ˜ ËØ ÏØÎ̋ÞÙ̋ÏØÎ ÍÜÏËÞÓàÏ ÝÙÖßÞÓÙØ ÚÙáÏÜÒÙßÝÏ ÞÒËÞ ÏØÍËÚÝßÖËÞÏÝ ËÖÖ Ë ÌÜËØÎ ØÏÏÎÝ ÐÜÙ× ÍÜÏËÞÓàÏ áÙÜÕÝ ÞÙ ÚÜÙÎßÍÞÓÙØ˛ Ø ÞÒÓÝ ÌÜÓÏÐ ÏØÍÙßØÞÏÜ áÓÞÒ CHIEMELIE EZEOBI, ÒÏ ÝÒËÜÏÎ ÞÒÏ àÓÝÓÙØ ÌÏÒÓØÎ ÞÒÏ ØÏá ÚËÜÞØÏÜÝÒÓÚ What do you do at The Hook? e call ourselves the creators of impacts. What we do is create solutions for clients. We always ensure that we create an impact.

We have whatever your brand problems need us to be.

W

How far along has this journey been?

It’s been four years of constantly trying to ensure that our partners, which are our clients, are satisfied end to end. We registered this business in 2017 but we kicked off in 2018. Since then, we have worked with multiple clients in private and public sectors. We have created positive impressions among the stakeholders.

So what is the unique selling point of your company?

Our unique selling point is our ability to tell stories. For you to be able to create the right impact, you need to tell a story.

And everyone, every brand has a unique story. The world is full of beautiful stories so why don’t you use those stories to create the solutions that you seek. Whatever we do, we go from deep insights to creative story telling and we are able to solve brands’ problems that way.

But did you start off in the creative sector?

I started my career as an animator. I used to do motion graphics at the time. I travelled abroad to go deeper into video

editing. Something interesting happened, rather than pursue that when I returned, I found myself in advertising agency as an art director and that was the beginning of everything I am today.

I was pushed to work for Oando PLC which is the client side. I was moved from advertising to the client’s side. I worked under Oando PLc for five years.

I was in the corporate communications department. I left Oando for Enyo Retail and Supply. I was the Head of Corporate Communications at Enyo Retail and Supply. I left Oando to set up pretty much to set up The Hook.

But I worked with Enyo for about two years before settling down at The Hook.

Toheeb Balogun, was my copywriter when I was in the agency. Every time we saw ads, we would go back to our corners and try to redo ours. We would freestyle and don’t ourselves.

We tried to do it in a more impacting way.

The whole storytelling thing was part of our niche when we formed the company. We decided to create impact because of our vast wealth of experience within the team. We decided to do things differently for us to stand out. We arrived at the passion of storytelling and decided, let’s tell the stories of brands, of humans and let’s see how it turns out. That carved our niche today.

So how did the passion for storytelling start?

My passion for storytelling has always been there. One of my partners,

So what is the partnership with Temple Production Company all about?

The partnership with the Temple

“What H&T is going to do is serve as an endto-end creative solution powerhouse. That is why we have called it a creative solution power company. Everything you need as a brand or as a product or an entity, you will get under one roof. There will be no need to go to an agency or a production house”

production company is one interesting story. The CEO of the Temple Production was looking for an impactful advertising agency, something away from the norm.

He had gone round, trying to get agencies and we were recommended.

Immediately he spoke to us he said this was where he needed to be. He reached out to the team. We had the first four meetings and it was a done deal. Because what he saw was what he had always dreamt of. What he saw was that he had seen this group of young talents, young guys ready to take the world by storm. We signed the partnership agreement. That was the basis of forming the new name H&T. What H&T is going to do is serve as an end-to-end creative solution powerhouse.

That is why we have called it a creative solution power company. Everything you need as a brand or as a product or an entity, you will get under one roof. There will be no need to go to an agency or a production house.

Like Idris would always say, the power of one is lesser than the power of two.

Now you brought two forced together, the best you can get is a superpower.

We came together to form one company to provide solutions for you. There is nothing short of greatness that will come out of that. We want to touch anything and transform it into something else.

Whatever it is, government or country and make an impact.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͳ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

NEWS

Garlands for Mirabel Centre @9

WORLD POETRY DAY: WOMEN URGE IMPROVED TRAINING FOR THE GIRL CHILD Olawale AjimotokaninAbuja

Founder, Mirabel Centre, High Commisioner, Catriona Laing and Mirabel Board Member Precious Ugwuzor Mirabel Centre, Nigeria’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre, (SARC) celebrated its ninth year anniversary on July 6, 2022 in Abuja.

Founded on July 1, 2013, by Itoro Eze-Anaba, the Mirabel Centre provides succour and a safe place to survivors of rape and sexual assault in Nigeria.

The British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing CB, hosted the accountability dialogue reception in her residence, bringing together donor partners and critical stakeholders from across the country.

The reception was a platform to celebrate the Centre’s milestone, strengthen trust and accountability, discourse challenges, as well as receive feedback and evaluation that will enable the Centre continue to further fulfil its mandate from partners.

Founded on July 1, 2013 by

Itoro Eze-Anaba, the Mirabel Centre provides succour and a safe place to survivors of rape and sexual assault in Nigeria.

Survivors who have recently or in the past been sexually assaulted can access free post-incident support services at the Centre. In the last nine years, the Centre has provided free medical and psychosocial support services to nearly 7400 survivors (including boys, men, and persons living with disabilities).

British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Catriona Laing CB, said: “I am delighted to recognise and celebrate the work done by the Founder of Mirabel Centre, Itoro Eze- Anaba and the entire Mirabel Centre team as the organisation celebrates its ninth anniversary.

“It remains a sad reality that women continue to be victims of sexual violence and abuse in Nigeria today.

We cannot understate the vital

importance of the exemplary support sexual assault centres like Mirabel provide. I look forward to continuing to partner with Mirabel Centre for many more years to come as we all seek to end sexual violence.”

In her keynote address, Founder of the Mirabel Centre, Itoro Eze-Anaba, said: “Sexual and Gender Based Violence is the most pervasive human rights violation on earth.

The impact of SGBV is felt not only by the survivors but also by her family, her community and the state as a whole.

“SGBV affects the realization of all development goals including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To achieve the SDGs we must eradicate SGBV and provide support to survivors of SGBV.” The Mirabel Centre, located at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH in Ikeja, Lagos, is a one-stop service center that provides timely and professional servic-

es free of charge to survivors of rape and sexual assault. More about the Centre here.

Prior UK Aid programming supported the original establishment of Mirabel Centre as a model for other states. The SARC model has since been rolled out across all states in Nigeria.

Itoro Eze-Anaba who founded Mirabel Centre has been honoured with a Commonwealth point of light award by the Her Majesty, The Queen of England for her work in this area.

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall became the Centre’s first patron in September, 2021.

HRH is a member of the British Royal Family. She is married to the HRH Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne. HRH’s charity work is varied across several themes including health, literacy, supporting those in need; victims of rape and sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Groups Partner on Employability, Job Creation Stories by Mary Nnah Odogbolu Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ladejobi Shuaib has expressed willingness to partner Detola Abike Mogaji Memorial Foundation (DAMMF) and Havas Nigeria, a marketing solution company for employment generation for the LG youths.

Held at the local government secretariat in Odogbolu, Ogun State last Thursday, the Wealth Creation Scheme is a partnership program aimed at engaging and training dozens of youths in the customer relationship and financial management sector.

After training, the successful trainees will be independently certified, and work under probation for the financial institution with the opportunity to get promoted to a full staff of the institution.

The Executive Chairman, Hon Ladejobi Shuaib, who was represented by the ViceChairman, Hon. IretiAdenugba while commending DAMMF and Havas Nigeria said the initiative is a welcome addition to the capacity-building landscape.

He said it is coming at a most appropriate time, a period that requires urgent and ambitious solutions to the lingering national problems of unemployment and unemployability.

He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to

Partnership at work partner with the private sector in creating wealth through a public-private partnership with a financial institution and a non-profit organisation domiciled within the LGA to empower and strengthen the teeming youths of the local government. Speaking at the event, the promoter of , DAMMF, Mr. Mogaji Olatunde said the aim behind The Wealth Creation Scheme is for the greater benefit by creating jobs for the teeming youth of the Odogbolu Local Government, as well as addressing the significant skills gaps in Nigeria.

Also speaking at the training session, Hon Oguntade Oluwaseun, an aspirant for Odogbolu State Constituency urged the local government youths to be up and doing to take up the opportunity to create a means of livelihood for themselves and shun social vices.

The Director, Operation Havas Nigeria, Mr. Dare Oyegbola said, “we believe that initiative like this will strive to make the youths more employable in today’s workspace and foster financial inclusion

and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people in Odogbolu Local Government.

“Thereby giving them an environment that will enable them to earn while communicating and sensitising the people on the importance of being prudent.”

The Chairman, Hon. Ladejobi further encouraged the youths to take up the opportunity as a step towards getting better, especially the customer relationship training which is a very important skill in the world now.

Women have appealed to strategic stakeholders across the country to place more emphasis on the training of the girl child at all levels.

The National President, Market Women Association of Nigeria, Mrs Felicia Sani, canvassed this during 2022 World Poetry Day organised for school girls in FCT, by Helpline Foundation for the Needy.

She said necessary steps should be put in place for the academic success of the girl child as they remain the hope and future of the country.

She tasked the girl child to be bold, brave and humble anywhere she might find herself.

“Parents and relevant stakeholders should provide the enabling environment for girl child at all levels to succeed in their education pursuit. “ The future of Nigeria depends on the contribution of the girl child, which must be taken serious. Women are the neck of the nation, they carry men on their neck, so there is every need to support and encourage them,” she said.

In her remarks, Cecilia Kadiri, who spoke on behalf of Helpline Foundation, said the initiative was to encourage the children to be committed to their studies especially the girl child. She said the programe was conducted to revive the reading culture among students.

On her part, the co-convener of the poetry day and a serving corps member, Fatima Nuhu, clamoured a better future for girl child education in Nigeria, while also lamenting a lot of patriarchy and problems associated with the girl child.

“My advice to every girl child out there is to literally sit down and find a creative outlet. If it is not poetry, reading novels or writing novels, they should engage in a trade or skill.

“They should find something to do that will better the society and better their lives as individuals,” Nuhu said.

HER ABILITY HUB EMPOWERS THE GIRL-CHILD With its vision to empower and emancipate the minds of young girls to live their dreams, Her Ability Hub recently toured Somolu to drive home this message.

Founder, Her Ability Hub, and girl empowerment advocate, Omoayena Odunbaku said, “I grew up in this neighbourhood and even though I didn’t attend a public school, most of my friends did.

“We played together in this neighbourhood, however, most of them didn’t turn out well. When I turned 40 I wrote my book and while my childhood friends were interviewed, we realised, it wasn’t a lack of will, but they were misguided at some point.

“So, while we try to give back to society, one of the things we realised is the empowerment of the mind.

We want to emancipate their minds to know they can achieve anything.”

With the theme, “Shattering the Glass Ceiling”, the tour which held for four days in different locations across the local council and had young people in all 19 public schools in Shomolu get copies of the founder’s book, ‘Omoh’ centred on inspiring the girl child. The students also got mentored and given step-by-step rules to achieve set goals.

While advising the girl child, Odunbaku, who holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning noted, “My trajectory is a mixed one; I repeated JAMB, I wasn’t the best in class, but here I am today as a role model, so they can be role models too tomorrow.

“If you can dream it, you can achieve it, there is no limit. Put in the effort, and focus, and the sky is your starting point. The girl child is the backbone of every society and when she is empowered, it reduces poverty and delinquencies.”

She added that society leans on the shoulde r s o f t h e g i r l c h i l d a n d t h e w o m a n re m i n d i n g her that it is counting on her and she should n e v e r f ail.

A legal practitioner and facilitator at the event, Mcwilliams Nwaogu, said, “Empowering the mind of the girl child is important. If the girl child is educated and she knows there’s no limit to her success, the home is already settled.

“The law profession, for instance, is no longer male-dominated; female judges are springing everywhere doing great. Some of these women when they speak in court you could get intimidated.

“The girl child has a lot of opportunities, she only needs to be focused on her goals and the sky is her limit.”

Another facilitator and human resource consultant, Olasumbo Anifowose while speaking on how the girl child can thrive in a society noted that there aren’t enough platforms that encourage the female child.

“From a young age we don’t get opportunities and I didn’t have options, to be honest. I only looked up to teachers in school, but as you step into the career world, you have mentors who will probably take interest in you, or you are assigned to one that will guide and shape you.

“If you look at the society today, there is so much decay hence we need to encourage the girl child that they can become who they want to be, even if not through academics, there are vocational skills a lot of young ladies are thriving in and it is mind-blowing.”

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IMAGES

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY JULY 15, 2022

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Groom’s mother, Mrs. Margaret Akano; groom, Mr. John Oluwafikayomi Akano; his wife, Mrs. Adebola Blessing Akano; a guest, Mrs. Olufunke Olayinka; and groom’s father, Mr. Ezekiel Akano, during the wedding of their children in Ilorin, Kwara State...recently

L-R: CSR Lead, Airtel Nigeria, Chioma Okolie; Airtel Touching Lives Season 6 beneficiary, Zita Ejike; Lagos Regional Operations Director, Airtel Nigeria, Chika Obanor; and mother of the beneficiary, Ego Ejike, during the presentation of N500, 000 as education scholarship, and a rented business store with essential equipment to both Zita and her mother in Isashi, Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State…recently

L-R: Membership Chairperson, Ikeja Metro Lions Club, Mrs. Grace Ademola; past International President and LCIF Chairperson, Mr. Douglas Alexander; past Club President, Ikeja Metro Lions Club and District Leo Programme Chairperson, 404B2 Nigeria, Mrs. Blessing Umebali; and President, Ikeja Metro Lions Club, Mr. Godson Anigbo, at the just concluded 104th Lions Clubs International Convention in Montreal, Canada… recently

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Leye Ajayi; Founder, Love of Christ Generation C&S World Wide, Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi; Treasurer, NUJ, Mrs. Iyabo Ogunjuyigbe; Ex-officio, NUJ, Mr. Kemi Ishola; and Secretary of the council, Mr. Tunde Olalere, during NUJ Sunday service with Rev. Mother Ajayi at the Love of Christ Church in Lagos…recently

Chief Executive Officer, Katchey Group, Mrs. Kate Isa (left), presenting the profile of the company to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, during a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja… recently

L-R: Vice-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Prof. Samaranda Olarinde; state Governor-elect, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Founder of ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola; and his wife, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, during a thank you visit to Babalola on the university campus in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State…recently

Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State at the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Ejike Ezeh (7th right), with NPC officials and stakeholders during the NPC Town Hall meeting with stakeholders for Enugu North senatorial zone at Udenu Local Government Area of the state...recently

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

Friday, July 15, 2022

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index by 0.1% 51,339.01 points. Similarprovedlower to -1.8% whiletoŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ

10 SEPLAT Energy PLC 11 Access Holdings PLC

േϮϯ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ůLJ͕ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ ϮϬ͘Ϯй ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ͗ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй ƚŽ ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ value

ϮϬ͘ϯйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ďLJ

-0.02% 0.0%

ROE

30.6% 142.2% 45.7%

81.4%

ROA

P/E

20.2%

4.1%

0.0%

18.2%

6.2%

11.0%

1.2%

8.0%

16.9%

0.1%

105.6%

13.9%

14.6x

18.0x

5.7%

5.8%

3.4%

-3.6%

23.3%

12.1%

26.1x

5.9x

3.9%

3.8%

20.70

1.5%

4.3%

-20.4%

1.0%

19.8%

3.2%

3.4x

0.7x

14.5%

29.3% 35.9%

6.9%

22.10

-1.6%

4.3%

-12.1%

1.8%

20.6%

2.6%

2.8x

0.5x

14.0%

275.00

0.0%

3.9%

7.0%

0.0%

37.7%

16.4%

12.4x

4.5x

7.4%

8.0%

25.90

-0.4%

2.9%

8.1%

-1.9%

15.5%

11.1%

7.0x

1.1x

7.7%

14.2%

10.90

1.9%

2.5%

-4.4%

-6.0%

20.1%

1.9%

2.4x

0.4x

3.3%

42.5%

1,400.00

0.0%

2.6%

-10.1%

0.0%

112.8%

16.1%

24.3x

28.3x

3.7%

4.1%

1,300.50

0.0%

2.6%

100.1%

0.0%

7.5%

3.6%

13.1x

1.0x

3.2%

7.7%

9.25

-0.5%

2.2%

-0.5%

-0.5%

17.9%

1.6%

2.0x

0.3x

7.6%

49.5%

12 United Bank for Africa PLC 13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 14 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

7.50

0.0%

1.7%

-6.8%

0.7%

15.6%

1.4%

2.2x

0.3x

13.3%

46.5%

55.85

0.0%

1.4%

11.7%

-5.0%

10.5%

3.9%

24.1x

2.4x

2.9%

4.2%

216.90

0.0%

1.5%

52.7%

0.0%

43.6%

25.5%

11.3x

4.8x

4.1%

8.8%

0.0%

1.3%

21.8%

0.0%

18.4%

1.0%

2.2x

0.4x

6.3%

45.1%

7.1x

1.1x

8.9%

14.1%

0.7x

6.6%

20.1% 41.4%

33.55

0.0%

1.3%

-6.8%

0.0%

15.6%

2.1%

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

17 International Brew eries PLC 18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

5.50

-5.2%

1.0%

11.1%

-12.7%

-9.9%

-3.4%

32.50

0.0%

0.9%

14.6%

0.0%

15.9%

4.5%

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Guinness Nigeria PLC 21 Presco PLC

1.1x 5.0x

-9.7%

3.18

0.0%

0.6%

24.7%

-7.0%

13.3%

1.2%

2.4x

0.3x

11.1%

90.50

0.0%

0.7%

132.1%

0.0%

17.8%

8.1%

13.5x

2.2x

0.6%

7.4%

158.40

0.0%

0.4%

80.4%

-4.0%

7.3x

4.4x

4.6%

13.8% 8.0%

22 Wema Bank PLC 23 FCMB Group Plc 24 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

Mixed Sector Performance

6.3%

0.0%

10.60

ϰϰ͘ϳй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ƚŽ ϭϭϱ͘ϰŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ ʬϭ͘ϮďŶ͘ E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

0.8x

0.0%

15 Ecobank Transnational Inc 16 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

as volume and value declined 41.9% and ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ĂŶĚ K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ traded ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕

5.6x

69.30

ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ ϴϴ͘ϱй ƚŽ േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ The most traded stocks

ʬϮϴ͘ϭďŶ ƚŽ ʬϮϳ͘ϳƚŶ͘ DĂƌŬĞƚ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ĚĂŵƉĞŶĞĚ

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

P/BV

230.30

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 5 Zenith Bank PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 Lafarge Africa PLC

stered ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶ the local bourse as the All-

as losses in BUAFOODS (-Ϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ ZENITH (-1.6%), Share

2421.99

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĚĂLJ͕ ƉƌŝĐĞ Losses͙ ASI ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ down ,KEz&>KhZ Local Bourse Extends 0.1%

Price Previous Price Current Change Price Change Weighting Index to Change YTD Date

Current Price

3.40

0.3%

0.5%

372.2%

6.6%

15.7%

0.9%

3.03

0.0%

0.4%

1.3%

-12.4%

10.7%

1.1%

2.9%

0.9%

12.5x

1.8x

7.1%

0.2x

6.6%

0.6x

12.8%

3.2x

11.9%

1.4x

6.3%

0.5x

1.6%

1.96

3.2%

0.4%

-15.5%

-2.0%

Across our coverage sectors, performance was

25 United Capital PLC 26 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

12.60

0.0%

0.4%

27.3%

-1.2%

16.00

0.0%

0.4%

-8.0%

-1.8%

mixed as 3 indices lost, 1 gained while the AFR-

27 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

1.26

2.4%

0.4%

31.3%

2.4%

10.40

0.0%

0.3%

70.5%

8.3%

7.9x

1.2x

2.4%

12.6%

ICT and Oil & Gas ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ InsurŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ

29 Cadbury Nigeria PLC 30 UAC of Nigeria PLC

17.10

0.0%

0.2%

94.3%

-0.9%

12.1%

4.1%

18.3x

2.1x

3.1%

5.5%

11.20

0.0%

0.2%

17.9%

0.9%

5.2%

2.3%

12.6x

0.7x

6.1%

7.9%

er 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ Insurance indices, down 4.6% and ance ŝŶĚĞdž ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ Ϭ͘ϲй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ

31 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 32 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

234.50

0.0%

0.2%

5.7%

0.0%

1.7x

8.3%

ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> (D E^ Z ;нϯ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ Z ' >/E^ ;нϴ͘ϬйͿ͘ ŽŶͲ

33 Custodian and Allied Insurance 34 Unilever Nigeria PLC

Bearish Sector Performance

Across sectors under our coverage, performance was

bearish as 4 indices lost, 1 index gained ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &Z-/ d

9.1%),

hE/> s Z

(-3.5%),

>/E< ^^hZ

(-6.4%),

versely, the Consumer Goods led the laggards,

35 Jaiz Bank PLC 36 Oando PLC

ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘ϵй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ h &KK ^ ;-

37 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 38 Sterling Bank PLC

Ϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ /Ed Z t ;-ϱ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ , DW/KE ;-8.7%). ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K (-0.8%), E/d, (-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͘

39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

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

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

ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ Also, the ĂŶŬŝŶŐ and Industrial Goods indices

ƟŽŶ in E' D (+3.3%).

of losses in E/d, ;-ϭ͘ϲйͿ͕ ^ K ;-0.5%) and t W K ;-0.4%).

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

T ic k er

ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ stocks /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ

0.0%

0.2%

21.3%

2.3%

18.1%

2.3%

6.0x

0.8x

9.2%

16.6%

0.0%

0.2%

-7.6%

4.3%

19.5%

5.5%

4.3x

0.8x

6.9%

23.3%

15.50

0.0%

0.2%

6.9%

4.7%

8.8%

5.4%

30.3x

1.3x

3.2%

3.3%

0.88

0.0%

0.1%

57.1%

-3.3%

17.4%

1.3%

6.8x

1.3x

4.5%

14.7%

5.48

0.0%

0.1%

24.0%

-3.4%

5.45

0.0%

0.1%

-7.6%

-11.4%

6.1%

0.7%

8.6x

0.6x

1.55

0.6%

0.1%

2.6%

2.0%

10.3%

1.0%

3.1x

0.3x

-17.7%

-4.1%

62.50

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

6.25

0.0%

0.0%

16.2%

0.0%

-21.5%

-164.1% 11.6% 6.5%

1.8x 1.1%

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

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

2.25

8.7%

T R A N SC OR P

12.2

2.4%

R EGA LIN S

0.27

8.0%

IN T B R EW

7.6

-5.2%

C WG

0.95

8.0%

FB NH

7.4

1.9%

C UT IX

2.36

7.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

6.6

-1.6%

8.40

5.0%

ST ER LN B A N K

6.4

0.6%

50.80

4.7%

A C C ESSC OR P

6.4

-0.5%

CHA M S

0.25

4.2%

GT C O

6.0

1.5%

M A N SA R D

1.96

3.2%

J A IZ B A N K

5.6

0.0%

C A VER T ON

1.38

3.0%

J A P A ULGOLD

5.5

0.0%

2.4%

WEM A B A N K

4.7

0.3%

1.26

32.7% -9.5%

1.0x

A C A D EM Y

T R A N SC OR P

11.6%

7.30

P ric e C hg %

B UA F OOD S

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ 1.6x

8.6x

P ric e

NA HCO

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ Outlook

6.6%

5.3%

27.10

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

er, up 1.8% driven by price appreciaĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ϳϬďƉƐ ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ

16.7%

18.7x

advanced while 15 stocks declined. MRS (+9.9%), MAY-

breadth, strengthened to 0.06x from -Ϭ͘ϭϮdž ĂƐ ϭϱ

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

BAKER (+9.8%), and HONYFLOUR (+9.8%) led gainers

ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͕ ϭϬ ůŽƐƚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϴϭ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ while ABCTRANS (-8.3%), LASACO (-6.7%), and LIVE-

today͛Ɛ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ Ă ŵŝůĚ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌͲ STOCK (-4.8%) led losers. Previous day, we expect the ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ earnings season mance as investors hunt for bargains. gradually winds up.

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Value

P ric e C hg %

C H A M P ION

3.55

-8.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

148.3

-1.6%

IKEJ A H OT EL

1.20

-7.7%

GT C O

123.7

1.5%

IN T B R EW

5.50

-5.2%

SEP LA T

115.7

0.0% 0.0%

T ic k er

M ULT IVER SE

1.80

-4.8%

P R ESC O

105.2

UP D C R EIT

3.45

-4.2%

FB NH

78.8

1.9%

1.16

-3.3%

M TNN

77.4

0.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

22.10

-1.6%

WA P C O

62.5

-0.4%

J OH N H OLT

0.89

-1.1%

A C C ESSC OR P

59.7

-0.5%

9.25

-0.5%

IN T B R EW

42.8

-5.2%

25.90

-0.4%

NB

42.6

0.0%

UP D C

.

A C C ESSC OR P WA P C O

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

T ic k er

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

38

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Firm Launches App Platform to Aggregate Skilled Artisans, Boost Employment Oluchi Chibuzor Clickafix, a technological firm has launched a platform that connects skilled artisans and professionals to service seekers to boost employment in the country.

The app is also aimed at increasing the income of vocational professionals in the country.

In view of this, the company noted it has partnered with some knowledge- based organisations to help ensure quality and safety are not compromised on the app.

Speaking in Lagos recently, the Founder and Director of Clickafix, Mr. Arun Goswami, said the app seeks to help users solve a lot of problems around

getting access to good service especially from qualified skilled artisans.

“A lot of Lagosians, who are most of the time in need of competent and reliable professionals to fix faults in their homes and offices, can now attend to those faults with peace of mind.

“Clickafix is a secure platform that has enrolled only verified artisans on whom a thorough background check has been carried out to ascertain competence and character, thereby offering peace of mind to service seekers.”

Speaking, Co-Founder of Clickafix, Mr. Pawan Bhandari, stated that Clickafix is in partnership with select top-quality training institutes

in Lagos, with an up-to-date curriculum.

He added that the app is also enrolling skilled artisans that were not trained in the various institutes but have been accessed and accredited by the core team of the company.

Bhandari maintained that Clickafix is a technologyenabled platform that not only seeks to offer choices to customers and service providers but also seeks to boost entrepreneurship in Nigeria. According to him, more people will thrive as entrepreneurs with Clickafix and we are offering them opportunities to get more jobs done for customers they may not have been able to reach on their own.

Allianz Pledges Commitment to Insurance Growth in Nigeria Ebere Nwoji The Managing Director, Allianz Nigeria, Adeolu Adewunmi-Zer, has pledged her company’s commitment to drive insurance growth in Nigeria .

The insurance firm said it would do this through designing of innovative products, professional expertise and excellent service delivery with cutting-edge technology in order to guarantee a sustainable future and prosperity for the people.

Adewumi-Zer, made the disclosure while addressing insurance journalists in Lagos.

She said Allianz Nigeria was well positioned for profitability and growth, adding that the company is here to stay in order to expand the frontiers of insurance in Nigeria and Africa at large.

She said Allianz with long years of experience and expertise

in technical matters in insurance, had what it takes to make a difference in Nigeria and Africa.

“We have the expertise, we have the experience, we have the technology and we have the right quality and quantity of manpower to make a difference” she stated. She said the company was fully recapitalised to the tune of N18 billion as required by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

The Allianz chieftain said the company was a forward looking company, adding that its strategic objective was to ‘secure your future.’

“We are here to stay to drive insurance growth in Nigeria and in extension, Africa. Our strategic objective is to secure the future of our customers, the future of our employees, the future of our stakeholders and the future of the people in our communities.

There are a lot of opportunities in

Africa and the future of insurance business is here in Africa. One thing that I want you to know is that the future is Africa. So if the future is Africa, the future is Nigeria. So you cannot have a strategy for Africa, if you do not take Nigeria seriously.”

She said one of the strategies of the company was to be a preferred insurer in Nigeria, Africa and globally in line with their recent joint venture collaboration with Sanlam.

“Because we know how important it is to have a partner with stamina at your side who prepares you with solid and sustainable solutions, we strive to do it right with passion and persistence. Allianz and Sanlam have agreed to combine their current and future operations across Africa to create the largest Pan-African non-banking financial services entity on the continent, “she said.

‘Investment One is Fully Diversified Organisation’ Investment One limited has stated that contrary to claims in some quarters, it is a diversified organisation that provides various financial and investment services all over Nigeria.

The company in a statement said, “Since founded in 2007 following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s initiated reforms in the banking industry, Investment One (then GTB Asset Management Limited) has offered and continues to offer innovative investment options coupled with value-added services in Nigeria’s financial services space.

“We pride ourselves in providing first-class services in the industry. Our strong expertise at understanding

clients’ needs and mapping them against a wide range of superior products gives us a comprehensive edge in the market share.”

It added, “We are endowed with a team of investment professionals poised to provide clients with premium services founded on in-depth market insight, innovation, and service excellence. Be it advising, executing, managing, or transferring wealth to future generations, our clients will find the full complement of investment solutions with us.

“Our business is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with core strength centered but not limited

to Investment Management, Trust Services, Financial Advisory Services and through our subsidiaries provide Securities Brokerage to individuals, corporate institutions, state governments as well as government agencies and parastatals.

“Our mission is to generate consistent and sustainable returns for our investors, with higher regard to quality, honesty, integrity, and customer satisfaction. We pride ourselves in providing first-class services in the industry. Our strong expertise at understanding clients’ needs and mapping them against a wide range of superior products gives us a comprehensive edge in the market share.”

CHI Pays Accident Claims of Journalist Consolidated Hallmark Insurance (CHI) Plc, for the second time this year, has paid accident claims of another member of the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO), who had an incident recently.

The company had promptly paid accident claims of a member who had an accident in February this year.

The recent payment however was for a member who had an accident when the vehicle she was commuting in was hit by an articulated vehicle and

she fell off the vehicle while still in motion. She sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

However, covered under the free group personal accident cover issued to NAIPCO, CHI stepped in to pay the hospital bills of the member while the victim has been discharged from the hospital and she is now in good health.

It will be recalled that there is a running Group Personal Accident Insurance cover worth N24 million Sum Assured given for free to insurance journalists

in the country by CHI. This gesture, according to the company, is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, to ensure that journalists who are exposed to danger and hazard in the discharge of their duties are adequately protected.

Speaking on the development, the group managing director/CEO, CHI, Mr. Eddie Efekoha said that the gesture was to show the kind of values and respect his insurance firm has for journalism.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY MAY 30, 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $118.84 a barrel on Friday, compared with $116.50 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

39

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

MARKET NEWS

Stock Market Down N118.19bn on Profit-taking Kayode Tokede Investors’ profit-taking persisted on the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) for the second consecutive session, leading to market capitalisation dropping by N118.19billion.

The stock market capitalisation that opened trading this week at N27.803trillion dropped by 0.43 per cent or N118.19billion to close yesterday at N27.685trillion.

The NGX All-Share Index also down by 0.42 per cent or 218.40 basis points to 51,339.01 basis points from 51,557.41 basis points the stock market opened for trading this week.

When the market opened for trading this week, it dropped

by N90.14billion and yesterday’s losses in Zenith Bank Plc and nine others dragged the market overall capitalisation lower by N28 billion.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Consequently, the NGX ASI yesterday also decreased by 51.24 basis points, representing a dip of 0.10 per cent to close at 51,339.01 basis points.

Accordingly, the Month-toDate loss increased to -0.9per cent, while the Year-to-Date return moderated to +20.2per cent.

The downturn of yesterday’s trading was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Zenith Bank, Champion Breweries, International Breweries, UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust (UPDCReit) and Lafarge Africa.

On sectoral performance, the Consumer Goods Index dropped by 0.9per cent and Banking Index depreciated by 0.7 per cent, while the Insurance Index added 0.6per cent index was the sole gainer of the day.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

The Industrial Goods and Oil & Gas indices closed flat.

However, market breadth, which is measured by market sentiment was positive, as 15 stocks gained relative to 10 losers. Academy Press recorded the highest price gain of 8.70 per cent to close at N2.25, per share. Regency Alliance Insurance followed with a gain 8.00 per cent to close at 27 kobo, while Computer Warehouse Group

O F

(CWG) appreciated by 7.95 per cent to close at 95 kobo, per share.

Cutix went up by 7.27 per cent to close at N2.36, while Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) appreciated by 5.00 per cent to close at N8.40, per share. On the other hand, Champion Breweries led the losers’ chart by 8.74 per cent to close at N3.55, per share.

1 4 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

NEWS

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FORUM/BOOK LAUNCH...

L-R: Director, Chief Research Adviser to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Salahu Junaidu; MD/CEO Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammed Bello Abubakar; Keynote Speaker, Prof. Mike Hinchey; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska, and Executive Secretary, West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, during the stakeholders' consultative forum on Emerging Tech/Launching of two books by Pantami, at Lagos ...yesterday

DMO: Sustainability of Public Debt Dependent on Significant Revenue Growth Seeks effective implementation of PIA Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Debt Management Office (DMO) has stated that going forward, the sustainability of Nigeria’s public debt requires that government’s revenues are enhanced significantly while continuing to explore more concessional and semi-concessional sources for its borrowing and refinancing needs.

This was part of the recommendations of the DMO in its 2021 Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) report released on its website yesterday.

Nigeria’s total public debt stock comprising the debt obligations of the federal government, states and the Federal Capital Territory

(FCT) rose from N39.56 trillion in December 2021, to N41.60 trillion ($100.07 billion) in the first three months of 2022, raising concerns over the sustainability of the mounting debt stock.

The DSA report revealed that despite increased borrowings, total public debt in terms of Debt-toGross Domestic Product (GDP) remained at a moderate level, while Debt Service-to-Revenue ratios were high.

According to the DSA, the projected ratios of total public debt to GDP at 26.1 per cent and 25.8 per cent in 2022 and 2023 respectively, were below Nigeria’s self-imposed limit of 40 per cent and within the 55 per cent limit

Enugu: Unknown Gunmen Attack INEC Registration Officials Chuks Okocha in Osogbo, Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt and David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, were on Wednesday 13th July, 2022, attacked by unknown gunmen in Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 of Igboeze North Local Government Area, Enugu State.

This was disclosed by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement on Thursday.

Okoye, who noted that the Administrative Secretary in Enugu State, Mr. Jude Okwuonu, reported that the incident took place at about 2.30pm, added that the gunmen fired sporadically into the air to disperse registrants and registration officials.

He further disclosed that in the ensuing stampede, one INEC staff sustained injuries and was receiving treatment in a hospital, while two voter registration machines and personal items of the staff such as mobile phones were lost.

Meanwhile, INEC said it has commenced investigation to unravel the fact behind the alleged discovery of permanent voters cards (PVCs) in a drainage in Obio/Akpor, Rivers State.

There was a video trending on the social media, where some unidentified persons recovered so many voters’ cards from a drainage within Rumuodara axis in the area.

In reaction to the video clip, Mr. Richter Alabraba, Administrative Secretary of INEC in Rivers State, disclosed that the issue has been reported to the security agencies for an urgent investigation.

Speaking too on the development, Okoye said, "We have commenced immediate investigation and anyone found culpable in this diabolical scheme clearly intended to disenfranchise Nigerians will be sanctioned under the law.

"Every eligible Nigerian who registered as a voter is entitled to his/her PVC. The constitutional right to vote in any election must never be suppressed or abridged in any way.

"As far as the record of the Commission is concerned, PVCs have been printed for all valid registrants in Nigeria up to 14th January 2022 and delivered to all the States of the Federation for collection by voters. We will not allow retrogressive elements to sabotage our efforts."

Relatedly, a group, International College of Democracy and Human Rights has called on INEC to address areas that can cause disenfranchisement and rigging of the coming 2023 presidential election.

recommended by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as the Economic Community of West African States’ convergence threshold of 70 per cent.

"The ratio remained within the 40 per cent limit when Guaranteed Loans and the Ways and Means Advances at the Central Bank (CBN), were included.

"Going forward, the sustainability of the public debt requires that government’s revenues are enhanced significantly while the Government continues to explore more concessional and semi-concessional sources for its borrowing and refinancing needs," the report stated.

The DSA noted that based on the projected 2022 GDP of $$448.32 billion and Nigeria’s country-specific Debt to GDP limit of 40 percent, the Borrowing Limit for the fiscal

years 2022 and 2023 will be about US$62.21 billion or N25.586 trillion (at an exchange rate of $1/ N411.3).

It stressed that in line with Nigeria’s Medium-term Debt Management Strategy, 2020-2023, the proposed New Borrowing could be raised from both domestic and external sources.

These recommended maximum amounts that could be borrowed would depend on absorptive capacity of the domestic debt market, and the options available in the external market, in line with the revised Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy, 2020-2023.

The borrowings would be long-term and would be strategically deployed to fund priority infrastructure projects, it added.

The DSA also recommended the strengthening and continued implementation of the Strategic

Revenue Growth Initiatives (SRGI) to shore up government revenues, to reduce financing pressures, and expand the fiscal space.

Also recommended included sustaining the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP), 2021-2025 to maintain the recovery in the economy; rationalising expenditure by focusing on priority spending on growth-enhancing sectors of the economy.

Other recommendations included effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 which was expected to attract investment in the oil and gas sector; enhancing growth in non-oil export through fiscal and trade incentives, maintaining relative stability in the foreign exchange market.

Part of the DSA recommendations also included encouraging private sector participation in funding

infrastructure projects through public-private partnership arrangements, improving and sustaining political and macroeconomic stability, as well as addressing security and infrastructural challenges, to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

Meanwhile, the DMO has explained that the federal government’s appetite for Eurobond was to finance budget deficits and capital projects.

In a statement posted on its website, the Debt Management agency said it was providing clarifications on the comment allegedly made by a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), expressing worry over the country’s rising debt, particularly the increasing accumulation of Eurobonds in the external debt component.

Oil Prices Tumble Below $100 to Pre-Russia-Ukraine War Levels Armed men raid Libya’s NOC, head declines to step down

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report Both major crude benchmarks shed more than $5 a barrel yesterday, bringing oil prices to levels not seen since before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as fears of economic recession slowed demand.

Brent, the international benchmark, fell as low as $94.45 a barrel in trading, although it closed at $96.84 on February 23, the day before Russia invaded Ukraine.

West Texas Intermediate, the US marker, fell to $90.56, below its close of $92.10 before the invasion.

The price slides added to a broad rout over the past six weeks that has now fully erased the price surge triggered by the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Goldman Sachs analyst, Damien Courvalin, told the FT that the move, “reflects growing concerns over oil fundamentals, both for higher supply and weaker demand.”

Vladimir Putin’s decision to

send troops into Ukraine caused prices to soar earlier this year, with both Brent and WTI briefly trading above $130 as western countries retaliated by imposing sanctions on Russia, one of the world’s biggest oil exporters.

But recessionary jitters and the prospect of the US Federal Reserve stifling growth with a rapid tightening of monetary policy have since halted the rise.

Data released on Tuesday by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) suggested petrol demand had slipped to its lowest level for the current time of year since 1996.

“The weakness of US oil demand indicators does appear to have led to the weakness in prices,” said Paul Horsnell, an analyst at Standard Chartered, noting data had “worsened significantly.

Oil prices have tumbled in the past two weeks on recession concerns despite a drop in crude and refined products exports from Russia amid Western sanctions

and supply disruption in Libya.

Aside those, Nigeria continues to lead underperforming nations in terms of oil production, hobbling the plan by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to fully return the liquids taken off the market in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nigeria blames massive oil theft, decaying upstream infrastructure as well as its inability to restart oil wells shut down in the wake of the pandemic in 2020.

Worries of COVID-19 curbs in multiple Chinese cities to rein in new cases of a highly infectious subvariant have also kept a lid on oil prices, a Reuters report stated.

China's daily crude oil imports in June sank to their lowest since July 2018, as refiners anticipated lockdown measures to curb demand, customs data showed on Wednesday.

President Joe Biden of the United States will today fly to Saudi Arabia, where he will attend a summit of Gulf allies and continue his call for them

to pump more oil.

However, spare capacity at the OPEC is running low, with most of the producers pumping at maximum capacity, and it is unclear how much extra Saudi Arabia can bring into the market quickly.

Meanwhile, an armed, masked group said to be affiliated with and acting on orders of the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) Thursday stormed the National Oil Company (NOC) in an attempt to force long-time head Mustafa Sanella out and install a new board.

Sanella had on Wednesday rejected the prime minister's authority to sack him, raising the prospect of an open struggle for control of the state energy producer.

Recall that Libya's messy political situation has already removed 850,000 barrels per day from the market this year through a blockade by eastern factions, underlining the risks to already constricted global energy supply.

41

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

NEWS

NILE UNIVERSITY'S 3RD ANNUAL CAREER FAIR...

L-R: Head, Student Services, Nile University, Dr. Fausat Aleshinloye; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dilli Dogo; State Manager, Bank of Industry, Dr. Ogo Ifeoma Akabogu; Education Sector Manager, HP Inc., Dr. Lanre Phillips; Career Development and Employer Relations Advisor, Nile University, Mrs. Binta Gali and Director of Strategy and Business Development, Mr. Gerald Osugo, at the third Annual Career Fair organised by Nile University in Abuja...recently

Sexual Assault: Court Sentences Baba Ijesha to Five Years Imprisonment Says defendant took his acting too far Wale Igbintade An Ikeja Special and Sexual Offences court yesterday convicted and sentenced Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka James, alias Baba Ijesha, to five years imprisonment over sexual assault of an underage girl.

Delivering judgement that lasted for almost three hours, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo sentenced him after he was found guilty of four-count out of six-count charge brought against him by the Lagos State government.

The state had through his Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr. .Babajide Matins filed six counts bordering on indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration against the defendant.

Justice Taiwo held that the state failed to prove count one and six of the charges.

The court also exonerated him of offence of sexual by penetration which deals with allegedly sexually assaulting the minor by penetration with his car key seven years ago and attempted sexual assault by penetration during another

encounter with the minor in April 2021.

However, the judge found him guilty and convicted him on indecent treatment and sexual assault of a minor between 2013 and 2014.

The court held that the prosecution successfully proved counts two and three that he indecently placed the survivor on his laps and rubbed his penis on her body.

He was also found guilty of counts four and five, where he was accused of indecently touching the same minor and sexually assaulting her seven years later by rubbing her body and sucking her fingers.

The court held that the defendant confessed that he molested the girl in 2021.

Justice Taiwo added: "The court can convict a person based on his confessions. The defendant was consistent in his admission in the two videos. The pain of the first prosecution witness (Damilola Adekoya Princess) was real. The girl was scared and we could see the fears in her eyes while she was giving her evidence before the court.

She was compelled to make her evidence.

Ohanaeze Optimistic of Peter Obi's Victory in 2023 David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The vice president of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke –Ogene yesterday said the group was confident of Obi's victory in 2023.

Okeke-Ogene who spoke with journalists in Awka, expressed dissatisfaction over the choice of a Muslim -Muslim ticket by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said Ohanaeze Ndigbo would give Obi the necessary support and encouragement to actualise his aspiration and change the narrative in the country.

"We appeal to the new Nigeria movement in support of Obi and the Labour Party (LP) to disregard and ignore self-centered individuals in the south-east who are speaking from both sides of their mouths.

"The youths of Nigeria were out and determined to take ownership of the country from the old order," he added.

Okeke -Ogene said votes must count in 2023 elections and that it would no longer be business as usual, which according to him, would birth a new Nigeria.

He added that: "The Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, represents the face of a new Nigeria without any ethnic coloration.

"Obi's emergence had engendered a tsunami like movement across the country, made up of Nigerians from all ethnic groups in the country.

"It is now clear that any attempt by one religion to dominate the political structure could only widen the gap of mistrust and destroy the delicate sense of tolerance cultivated over the years," he said.

"The argument of the defence that the prosecution failed to state the exact age of the survivor cannot stand as the law states that anyone under the age of 18 years is regarded as a child.

"The defendant may not have the thought of having sex with the survivor on that day but he aroused her by sucking her fingers and rubbing her body. He did not take off his clothes while arousing her.

"I hereby found the defendant guilty of count two to five and he is discharged of counts one and six.The defendant is here by

sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for count two, 3 years for count three, 5 years for count 4 and 3 years for count five."

The sentence is to run concurrently starting from the day he was convicted.

The court held that the review of medical expert, the testimony of the two witnesses, forensic analyst and child expert, Mrs Olabisi AjayiKayode and a medical doctor, Dr. Aniekan Makanjuola that there was blunt penetration of the virginal but they cannot ascertain the time.

"The time has elapsed on

the assault and the medical examination, the injury would have been erase since seven years ago.

During trial, the prosecution called six witnesses including the survivor, the mother of the victim(princess), investigation officers and medical experts.

For defence, four witnesses testified for defendant in the case.

After he was found guilty, defendant counsel, Mr. Kayode Olabiran prayed the temper justice with mercy.

He said the defendant was a first time offender who had pass

through trauma of incarceration both at Kirikiri Correctional facility and Panti when he was arrested and remanded.

"There is no doubt that the defendant is remorseful. We pray my lord to consider the fact that the defendant is an actor who has impacted positively to the society in the course of his career.

"We urge your lordship to be lenient with the defendant who has lost almost all his image all over the world and will be deserted by his colleagues in the movie industry.

NANS: We Met Tinubu in Students' Interest, Not for Politics Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday clarified why it met with the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying it did so as part of efforts to end the lingering strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU).

NANS said it took the decision, taking into consideration the influence Tinubu musters in APCled government and within the ASUU ranks, adding that enlisting the former Lagos State governor's support was deemed apposite and appropriate to save the education system.

The NANS' National President, Sunday Asefon, explained this in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday.

Asefon was upbeat that Tinubu was passionate about intervening to end the protracted FG-ASUU feud to return students in public schools to schools with the way he spoke regarding the logjam.

He said: "In our continuous efforts in advocating for the end to the prolonged ASUU Strike, I led the national executives of NANS and stakeholders to meet with the Presidential Candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to harness his contacts to prevail on ASUU and FG to put an end to the protracted industrial action.

"It is our believe that no stone must be left unturned in ensuring that ASUU return to the classrooms.

It wasn't something political, but a step considered imperative to save our education system.

"We are still going to consult other critical stakeholders to intervene in this matter and save

our country from imminent collapse, because the future of any country depends on the qualities of its graduates and its future leaders.

"We had fruitful engagements and Asiwaju, who passionately expressed concerns, commended the students leaders for their initiatives to engage in high level and seek political solution.

"He shared in our position that every reasonable Nigerian must be seriously concerned as the continuous strike poses a great danger to security and collective wellbeing of our nation."

Asefon appealed to the students’ body to be hopeful that the current impasse will be resolved soon, saying: "Asiwaju had promised to immediately step up his interventions, even now that the President has opened the window for individual contributions to dialogues in pursuit of the end

to the industrial action.

"Nigerian students expressed our deepest appreciation to Asiwaju for cutting short his very tight schedule and campaign activities to address our leadership and made strong commitment to end the strike.

"He also promised to continue to engage with us and youth organisations across the country to tap into our strength, ideas and creativities in the days ahead while ensuring that youth and students will form integral part of his programmes."

Asefon assured that NANS under his leadership would leave no stone unturned to halt incessant ASUU Strike in Nigeria.

"We have reached a stage in this struggle where the end is more important to us than the means and as leaders we will not do less than our very best to ensure the end of this strike," he added.

Dangote Cement, Host Communities Sign Development Pact in Kogi Ibrahim Oyewale Lokoja As part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant and host communities have sealed a landmark deal and renewed development pact, even as the company scales up its intervention schemes.

The new agreement which was signed at the factory in Obajana yesterday, was described by both Dangote Cement Plc and the communities as a milestone.

While speaking, representatives of the mining communities of Oyo and Iwa said the Community

Development Agreement (CDA) jointly assented would see more job opportunities for locals, and bring them rapid social and economic transformation in their communities.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite said the federal government was glad that Dangote Cement Plc was fulfilling its obligations to the host communities, adding that the CDA was in line with the 2007 Mineral and Mining Act. The minister who was represented by the Ministry’s Chief Geologist Ntuimbe Etta said the government will continue to facilitate a peaceful atmosphere between the company

and its host communities.

The Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, Mr. JV Gungune, said the massive support for the communities envisaged in the new CDA was in alignment with the company’s vision and mission of supporting its host communities.

He explained that the five-year agreement would be implemented between 2022 and 2026, adding that the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote was appreciative and proud of the support from all the communities, including the plant communities of Obajana and Apata.

According to Gungune, the content

of the CDA would be implemented under the supervision of the mutually agreed Community Development Monitoring Committee.

Senior General Manager and Head of Environment and Community Affair, Dangote Cement Plc, Engr.

Tukur Lawal said the company remains a socially responsible one and would continue to touch lives through the provision of basic infrastructures.

He described the two mining communities as peaceful, supportive and business-friendly, adding that the presence of the company has brought about urbanization and development.

42

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

NEWS

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP...

L-R: Rear Admiral Bamidele Oluwagbamila; NDDC Interim Administrator, Dr. Efiong Akwa and Director, Research, Planning and Statistics, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Alfred Abba, during handing over of vehicle documents to the representative of the Nigeria Navy on the Joint Security Committee for the Forensic Audit, at the NDDC warehouse in Port Harcourt

Defection: Court Declines Zamfara LG Chairmen's Request to Join Suit Seeking Matawalle's Sack Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday refused to join Chairmen of 14 Local Government Councils in Zamfara in a suit seeking the sack of Governor Bello Matawalle and others over their alleged unlawful defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Ekwo in a ruling held that the applicants could not be joined in the suit because they are unnecessary parties and not needed for whatever reason.

The judge described them as busy bodies and meddlesome interlopers seeking to fish in another person's troubled waters.

According to the court, a careful look into the processes filed by the Local Government Chairmen including their affidavit, showed no nexus between them and governor Matawalle in the suit.

The court in addition held

that the applicants' motions were strange and unknown to law because no claim was made against them whatsoever by the plaintiff.

The chairmen had through their lawyer, Emeka Okpoko, argued that the court's decision would affect their interest and the entire councils.

The Council Chairmen included: Ahmed Anka, Aminu Kofoji, Kabiru Ladan, Bashir Muawiya, Mohammed Sadiq, Abubakar Takwas, Sanusi Sarki, Nasiru Yakamata and Ummaru Maradun.

Others were Salisu Dangulbi, Abdulrahman Shinkafi, Dahiey Garbadu, Aminu Tsafe and Auwal Moriki.

Matawalle, Zamfara State and federal lawmakers from the PDP had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last year, a move that resulted to the current litigation.

The plaintiff in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/650/2021, dated

Stakeholders Call for Flexible Regulation of IoT Ecosystem in Nigeria Emma Okonji Participants at the stakeholders' consultative forum on emerging technologies yesterday in Lagos, stressed the need for light regulation of all technologies that would drive Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem in Nigeria.

The forum, the first in its series, which was organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had as its theme: 'Regulatory Roadmap for IoT Ecosystem in Nigeria'.

Stakeholders said the light regulation became necessary, based on the expected increase in data generation by 2025.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, who used the occasion to launch two of the books he authored, promised that government would implement regulatory policies that would enhance growth of Nigeria’s IoT ecosystem, without stifling it, According to him, the IoT ecosystem regulation would support privacy and confidentiality of data generation and usage.

The first book is titled ‘Datafication of Society to Foster

an Internet Economy’ and the foreword was written by the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Mr. Houlin Zhao, who has had a long distinguished career at the ITU and has served as the Secretary-General since 2014.

The second book is titled ‘Cybersecurity Initiatives for Securing a Country’, with the foreword written by the President of International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), Professor Mike Hinchey, who is a professor of software engineering at the University of Limerick, Ireland and was previously Director of the Software Engineering Laboratory at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland, United States of America.

While unveiling the books, Hinchey said data generation would be largely driven by IoT technology and other emerging technologies and that the two books clearly captured the importance of data generation in fostering an internet economy and the initiatives for securing a country’s cybersecurity.

and filed on April 6, asked the court to declare the action of the governor as well as the lawmakers illegal, unconstitutional and therefore should be removed from office.

But the LG Chairmen in their motion on notice claimed that they would be terribly shortchanged and denied the services of the defendants at both state and national levels if the court acceded to the request of PDP without hearing from them.

According to them, their overall interests and that of the good people of Zamfara are better

served and protected with the 2nd defendant (All Progressives Congress) being a federal party.

The applicants who said the issues cannot be effectively determined without their joinder, said Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees fair hearing to them.

But Chief Emmanuel Ukala, counsel to the PDP and Mahdi Mohammed, the impeached deputy governor, opposed to the motion for joinder.

Ukala informed the court that a counter affidavit had been filed to the effect on April 13, urging the

court to dismiss the application.

He argued that his clients did not make any claim against the chairmen that would have affected them.

The senior lawyer submitted that the standard practice for joinder is one that has to be affected by a decision to be joined.

Justice Ekwo agreed with the plaintiff that the application of the chairmen lacked merit and liable to dismissal.

He subsequently dismissed the application for want of merit.

Meanwhile, the Judge fixed October 27, for hearing of the

substantive suit seeking removal of governor Matawalle from office as Zamfara governor on account of the alleged unlawful defection.

Chief Ogwu Onoja who stood for PDP at yesterday's proceedings lauded the verdict for rejecting the bid by the Council Chairmen to delay the PDP'S suit through frivolous, unwanted and baseless joinder application.

The senior lawyer said the stage has been set for final determination of the governor's fate with the dismissal of the joinder request.

Gbajabiamila: How Tinubu Stopped Me from Deputising Tambuwal Says he rejected N100m for Obasanjo’s alleged third term agenda Udora Orizu in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has shed light on the role played by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu that led to his decision to reject the offer to become the Deputy Speaker to Aminu Tambuwal in the eighth Assembly.

Gbajabiamila also talked about his role during third term agenda of President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration.

The details were contained in the book titled: 'Mr. Speaker' co-authored by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Musa Krishi and Charles Omole, to mark Gbajabiamila's 60th birthday.

He recalled how the former Governor of Lagos State, stopped him from taking up the position of Deputy Speaker to current Sokoto State governor, whose election as Speaker was orchestrated by him.

According to him, Tambuwal and other members approached the then ACN leaders and suggested that he should become the Deputy Speaker from the Minority.

While everyone was excited about it, he said Tinubu called for caution and stood his ground, saying they don’t want a Deputy Speaker.

He said: "My Party (ACN) leaders had never heard of Tambuwal, they didn’t know him, but I introduced him to them. They called for an interview; they met

with him; they asked questions, and that was it. I turned that campaign around because our members had closed shop once they heard of Mulikat’s earlier endorsement.

“Whoever my party endorsed was going to win the election, so everybody was gnashing their teeth and really upset, and they had closed shop until I revived that campaign again. That’s the foresight of Asiwaju, we talk about. Later on, when people asked Asiwaju why, he said one, as Deputy Speaker, you'd just be tied to the apron strings of the Speaker, so whatever the Speaker does and does not do, you are going to be part and parcel of it, and the party will take the blame.

“You would have to own his credits and also own his discredits, too'. He said anywhere in the world, the Minority or Opposition Leader is way beyond the Deputy Speaker. He (Tinubu) said you'll make it politically; you’ll make a name for yourself more than you would if you were Deputy Speaker, and he turned out to be right.”

Speaking further on the role played by Tinubu during his tutelage period in the political space, Gbajabiamila recalled how some political leaders from Surulere Federal Constituency of Lagos State who strived to truncate his political career, were checkmated by his political godfather.

Digital Economy: Abiodun Inaugurates Fibre Optic Factory in Ogun James Sowole in Abeokuta Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun yesterday inaugurated the first fibre optic cable manufacturing factory in West Africa and the fifth in Africa.

According to the governor, the factory would be a further boost to his administration's innovation and development of its digital economy infrastructure.

The factory, Coleman Wire and Cable Fibre Optic Company, is located on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Speaking at the inauguration of the factory, Abiodun expressed delight that the pioneer factory,

would equally boost the advancement in teaching and learning processes in academic institutions across the state.

He said, "The manufacture of fibre optic cables locally will aid the deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the different sectors of the economy. It will boost tech innovation, advancement in teaching and learning processes in our academic institutions, improve medical care, improve ease and access to data information and enhance internet connection.

"This will no doubt be a boost to our administration's innovation of digital economy infrastructure.”

Abiodun further disclosed that his administration's commitment towards building a technologically advanced state had won his administration awards in the area of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital economy by the Federal Ministry of Communication, Business Day Newspaper in 2019, Independent Newspaper, Daily Times in 2021.

He added that the awards were in recognition of efforts of his administration to maximise the advantages of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital economy.

Abiodun further disclosed that the launching of its digital

economy project which aims to lay five thousand kilometers of fibre optic cables across the state would receive the needed boost with the commissioning of the first fibre optic cable factory in West Africa.

The governor noted that the commissioning of the factory would go a long way at conserving the already scarce foreign exchange, promoting tech transfer, generating employment and alleviating poverty.

He called on other wellmeaning individuals and organisations to come and benefit from the immense opportunity the state has.

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NEWSXTRA

AYADE PICKS APC SENATE TICKET FOR CROSS RIVER NORTH...

R-L: Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, acknowledging cheers from supporters after picking APC senatorial ticket for Cross River North; state APC Chairman, Alphonsus Eba and Hon. Peter Odey...yesterday

Afenifere: Buhari's Lamentation over Tough Presidency, Admission of Incapacity, Failure Fidelis David in Akure A Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has said President Muhammadu Buhari's lamentation over the toll his official duties had taken on him in the last seven years was an admission of incapacity and failure.

Buhari, on Monday, through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described his seven years in office as “tough” saying “I am eager to go".

Secretary-General of Afenifere, Sola Ebiseni, in a statement in Akure, alleged that the present administration led by Buhari has virtually become a ghost of itself with the players so deflated of

the air of legitimacy.

"It was not clear the real import of President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement, when he described his seven years in office as tough and that he was eager to go. If it were before the parties’ conventions when it was thought that there was a hidden agenda to perpetuate his tenure beyond the constitutional limit, it would have been right to suggest that the statement was an assurance to Nigerians and the International community of his commitment to honouring his departure date.

"His assertion of the toughness of the assignment is rather amusing for a man that has seen it all, both as a military ruler and

Varsity Don Tackles Buhari, Urges FG to Resolve Dispute with ASUU Ibrahim Oyewale, Lokoja Piqued by the recent comment by President Muhammadu Buhari over the prolonged strike embarked upon by members of the Academic Staff of Universities (ASUU), a varsity don, Prof. Anthony Ali has called on the federal government to pay the salary arrears of the university lecturers.

He also urged the government to increase the remunerations of the lecturers and furnish the universities with quality education before the strike would be called off.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday.

It added that enough was enough, “for the hell fire Nigerians have suffered since May 29, 2015.”

The Associate Professor lamented that all the political appointees were not telling the president the truth, saying that they have instead been engaged in deceiving, heroworshipping, doing eye service,and boot licking to remain in office so long as they are getting richer daily.

“Mr. President, your lieutenants will not tell you that you performed far below your expectations in power and far below your achievements in office as a military ruler in 1994. Mr. President your aids will not tell you that Nigerians are disappointed about their expectations of you and that you failed in your second coming as Nigeria’s ruler. Haba! enough is

enough,” he added.

He decried the statement credited to the president that crime rate in the country was growing, saying, “our children who are idling at home are increasing the percentage of staff strength of banditry, Boko Haram, ISWAP, kidnappings, cultist, and eminent protest that could lead to the breakdown of law and order and further discredit your regime.”

"Mr President, the issue at stake is that enough is enough of the increasing percentage of mass majority of Nigerians who now live below the poverty line compared with when you were a military ruler in 1984. Mr. President, enough is enough because the life expectancy of Nigerians has fallen from 54years in 2002 to 49years in 2022.

"Mr President, enough is enough, it is high time you reversed Nigeria’s economy from underdeveloped to a developed economy by paying serious attention to the education sector assisted by ASUU. Mr. President, Nigerians are unable to meet their desire for necessities of life such as food, transport, education, healthcare, employment, and electricity and are looking unto you as enough is enough.

“The issue at stake from October 1, 1960, why Nigerians remain underdeveloped was the collaboration of exploiting class in the core allied with their counterpart in the periphery to exploit the lower class in the periphery,” he added.

democratically elected leader of his people. Like he has done in the last seven years on vital national issues, the president merely lamented the six months strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU)

without proffering any solution or giving any assurance on how soon the youths of this country would return to school.

"Notwithstanding, the laughable self-assessment of surpassing his

predecessor in the provisions of infrastructure and the somewhat juvenile nostalgia of having not visited his hometown in one year, the Daura lamentation is both an admission of incapacity and failure,

the natural consequence or effect of which is to take a bow and relieve himself of further torment by a duty of mutual disaster to the labourer and more so to the farm owners.”

BRIGADE OF GUARDS TIGHTENS SECURITY IN ABUJA OVER TERROR FEAR 505 males, 1,042 females and 2,311 children, as well as six commanders of the terrorists, amongst them, Mallam Mala Hassan, Ali Madagali, Musa Bashir, Buba Dahiru, Jafar Hamma and Abbali Nakib Polisawa.

Within the period under review, Onyeuko said soldiers killed several terrorists and arrested some logistics suppliers/collaborators with various items at various logistics towns within the theatre.

Buhari: Armed Forces Response to Insecurity Commendable, Pledges More Support

President Muhammadu Buhari, who pledged the readiness of his administration to provide additional logistics and support to the military towards eliminating terrorism and insurgency in the country, has also described the armed forces response to insecurity as commendable.

He further disclosed that the nation, in the last 12 years, had experienced more security challenges but was quick to hail the operational capability of Nigerian military.

Speaking Thursday at the graduation ceremony of 247 students of the Senior Course 44 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, the president promised that his government would continue to provide the needed support required to wipe out terrorists and insurgents off the face of the earth.

According to him, “This government will continue to provide the required guidance and support to ensure that the desired results are achieved. The Armed Forces of Nigeria are working tirelessly to enhance their combat effectiveness, operational capability and training necessary to eliminate the threats, in synergy with other institutions and nations.

“The response of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, militancy, kidnapping as well as the activities of separatists and armed militias amongst others have been commendable.

“We have witnessed recent

terrorist attacks in Nigeria bearing the hallmark of national and trans-border insurgents trying to cause havoc in Nigeria as well as in neighbouring countries.

“It will be part of your duty to confront these terrorists and insurgents and wipe them off the face of the earth and bring peace to our countries,” the president told the graduating students.

He described the specifics of their training, which focused primarily on countering security threats as very important, adding that, “combating these prevalent security threats effectively demands that African countries continue to work together at all levels; be it tactical, operational and strategic.”

Appraising the ongoing collaboration of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Benin Republic and Chad in a multinational operation to combat the Boko Haram Insurgency in the Lake Chad region, the president said it has been productive, commendable and successful.

“The synergy achieved in operating together must have been enhanced by an understanding of the doctrines of the cooperating forces. This occasion provides me another opportunity to briefly reflect on the state of the Nigerian nation, particularly, regarding national security. The last 12 years have been very challenging for our nation, considering the different security threats that have besieged the country.

“Our government is poised to promote national security and development, as well as to remain committed to promoting a vision of a secure, safe, just, peaceful, prosperous and strong Nigeria. We shall be employing all elements of our national power in ensuring security, a just society, peaceful coexistence, national unity and sustainable development while promoting our good standing internationally.”

President Buhari expressed delight that amongst the graduating students were international officers from sister African countries, saying

he was confident they enjoyed the friendliness of the country during their stay.

Nigeria, China Sign Agreement on Intellectual Security Project Speaking on the Nigeria, China bilateral intellectual agreement, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, said, Nigeria and China have challenges of insecurity and that the two countries need to work together in harmony to ensure peace in both countries, Africa and the world.

Jianchun, who spoke after the signing ceremony between China’s Contemporary World(Nigeria) Magazine and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution of Nigeria (IPCR) in Abuja, emphasised on the need to have peace for development, growth and sustainability.

“Both China and Nigeria have issues of insecurity, we need peace, therefore, we must work together to find resolutions to these problems.

We need harmony in integration, society, culture that will enable us achieve peace, development and sustainability," he said, adding that, China was looking at ways to make Nigeria a developed country and also make the African continent developed.

His words: "We are looking at ways through which we can make Nigeria a developed country and the rest of Africa as well through infrastructure, ICT and good governance. With the signing of this agreement, Nigeria becomes the first African country to sign an agreement with China on peace and security.”

He explained the need to have service oriented leaders and not those who just seek to grab power, adding that, China faced the challenges being faced by Nigeria today many years ago, but that, if the political parties got it right in chasing after service rather than just to get power, Nigeria would become like China.

Director, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Bakut Bakut, in his remarks said, "This agreement is a boost to our partnership which

is a continuation of what the country has been doing with the republic of China, which will focus more on Africa, world peace and security.

"The magazine is focused on non-sentimental issues such as environment, culture, economics, and others. Contributions to the magazine will be 60% China, 40% Nigerian and the magazine will cost N1000 due to subsidy from the Chinese. The magazine will be officially launched in September and it's going to be quarterly."

Army Assures Corps Members of Safety in Katsina

The Nigerian Army has assured the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to Katsina State of adequate security throughout their service year in the state.

The commander 17 brigade, Nigerian Army, Katsina, Brigadier General Ibikunle Ajose, gave the assurance during an interactive session with the state NYSC Coordinator, Aisha Muhammed, in her office.

He added that the military was determined to provide adequate security for NYSC members serving across the 34 local government areas of state The Army general expressed readiness to render necessary assistance to the corps members and the state NYSC management whenever the need arose in order to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

Ajose equally promised to sponsor sporting activities and competitions among corps members in the camp for harmonious coexistence to thrive.

Responding, Muhammed thanked the Nigerian Army for vowing to secure the lives and property of Corps members in the state.

She added that the NYSC management and the Nigerian Army would work assiduously to safeguard corps members, promising to report any suspicious person or movement to security agencies in the state for prompt intervention.

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NEWSXTRA

ASO SAVINGS GETS NEW DIRECTORS...

L-R: Director, Aso Savings & Loans; Henry Semenitari, Managing Director/CEO, Risikatu Ladi Ahmed; Chairman, Dr Faruk Umar; Company Secretary, Akachukwu Okechukwu, Directors, Isiyaku Ismaila; Richard Bello, and Enesi Makoju, during the company's Annual General Meeting, where shareholders ratified the appointments of the new directors...recently

2023: Kwankwaso Picks Idahosa as Running Mate Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has picked

Bishop Isaac Idahosa as his running-mate ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Kwankwaso, in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Aide, Muyiwa Fatosa, said

Idahosa would be officially unveiled to Nigerians on Monday 18th July, 2022 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja by 10am.

The former governor of

Kano State, revealed that the choice of Idahosa was made after careful considerations and meticulous screening of more than 20 prospective candidates all of whom were eminently

Impeachment: Oyo Deputy Gov Loses at High Court, Heads to A’Court Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan An Ibadan High Court presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola, yesterday, dismissed the suit filed by Oyo State Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, over the procedures adopted by members of the State House of Assembly to remove him from office.

Justice Akintola, in the judgement, ruled that the lawmakers and all the defendants have not erred on the procedures taken.

But not satisfied with the judgement, Olaniyan, immediately filed an appeal at the appeallatecourt, less than an hour after the judgement was delivered.

His counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, while confirming the development to journalists after the court session, said his client has filed notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution of judgement.

Akintola ruled that the process of removal of one from an office and originating summons filed by the claimant were purely legislative and not judicial, according to the 1999 constitution.

He said the role of the Speaker was administrative in the Constitution while the allegations were clear enough for the claimant to understand.

Akintola said he validated the process initiated by the House

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has postponed the unveiling of a former governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, till next Wednesday.

Although no reason was given for the sudden postponement of the unveiling that was supposed to be held 1p.m, it was, however, gathered that a relative of Shettima died and he had to travel to Maiduguri.

Another party source said due to the Osun governorship election, the party leadership didn't want any distraction and also wanted a full house when the Shettima would be unveiled.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of All APC Support groups, has rejected the nomination of Shettima as Tinubu's running mate.

The coalition, in a communique yesterday by its

case is accordingly dismissed," he said.

In his own reaction to the judgement, counsel to the defendants, Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, said the court only restated the position of the law on the matter, adding that the issue of removal is a legislative affair and when the court can only step in is if the legislatures step out of the constitutional provisions.

the Kaduna Polytechnic, with masters and doctoral degrees in theology.

Meanwhile, the National Vice Chairman, North West of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has said Kwankwaso, was not a threat to the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections.

Lukman, who stated this while speaking with select journalists on Thursday in Abuja, however, said the APC would work hard to achieve success in the forthcoming elections without dismissing anyone.

The party chieftain said the difference between APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties, was that APC was grounded in the minds of the people.

Bishop Marioghae: It’s Foolish to Push Muslim-Muslim Ticket Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Presiding Bishop at the Evangelical Ark Mission International (TEAM International), Arerieva Adede Tony Marioghae, has said the adoption of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket by the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a foolish idea that posed

APC Postpones Unveiling of Shettima Till Next Wednesday Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

of Assembly, having carefully considered the originating summons, counter affidavits by the defendants, written addresses and others.

"There is nowhere that the speaker is involved as an initiative but an administrative. The issue raised by the claimant against the defendant are resolved against the claimant. No proceedings of the House can be entertained in any court, therefore, the claimant's

qualified to run with him.

"Idahosa was selected because of his outstanding record, his impeccable integrity, his broad understanding of the Nigerian State and its contemporary challenges, his undiluted commitment to improving the conditions of Nigerians, and his sincere believe that a new and better Nigeria is possible if we work together with sincerity, tolerance, competence, and faith," he said, adding that he was also selected, because he represented the definition of a true role-model for the Nigerian Youth.

Idahosa, 57, is the presiding Bishop and Senior Pastor of the God First Ministry, Lekki Light Centre, Ajah. An indigene of Edo State, he is a trained Automobile Engineer from

Convener, Igwe Ude-umanta, called on party leadership and Tinubu to reconsider Shettima's nomination.

"We, substantive members of Coalition of All Progressives Congress Support Groups, here speaking in one voice and unanimously rejecting in totality the recent announcement of former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima as the running mate to the Presidential Candidate of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

"We call on the Leadership of All Progressives Congress, Progressive Governors Forum and His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the choice on running mate of the Party, and give support to the Nigerian Youths' nomination of a young Vice Presidential Candidate by picking Dr Ibrahim Bello Dauda to whom we all rally round and give all our fullest support nationwide ahead of the 2023 presidential election. He is the Nigerian youths symbol."

threat to the fragile unity and trust exiting in Nigeria.

Also, the Catholic Church, yesterday, denied report that the Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has endorsed Senator Kashim Shettima as vice-presidential candidate APC in the 2023 General Election.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Marioghae said there was currently a lot of distrust among people of the various faiths, especially, between Christians and Muslims, which makes the choice of the running mate of APC, presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu highly contentious.

He said, "Under the prevailing circumstances, it is foolish to bring a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket though it may be politically right. It is foolish to pursue that course of action."

Marioghae said, going by the state of affairs in the country, the next president in 2023 must be someone that is young, energetic and competent to deal with the tough economic situation.

“If I were in that situation, I would have looked at the sensitivity of the subject matter so as to calm people down.

Muslim-Muslim ticket does not promote trust. When you have two major dominant religion

in this country. The proper thing to do is to, for the sake of peace, carry everyone along.

It is simply a slap on the faces of Christians to say that in the whole North, we don't have competent Christians," he said.

On its part, the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has dismissed as falsehood and mischievous,report that Archbishop Kaigama endorsed Shettima as the APC vicepresidential candidate.

A statement signed by Director of Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Fr. Patrick Alumuku, described the endorsement story as fake, adding that mischievous

elements were out to drag the name of Kaigama to launder the image of Shettima.

"It has come to the notice of the Department of the Social Communications of the Archdiocese of Abuja a false news which has gone viral on the endorsement of Kashim Shettima as the APC Vice Presidential candidate.

"It is therefore unthinkable that Archbishop Kaigama who knows better the workings of the Church as a top cleric in the Nigerian sphere, would make such alleged endorsement. How could he when such posture contradicts the very essence of his episcopal ministry?”

N6.3bn Fraud: Court Reserves Judgement in EFCC, Jang's Case Groups protest Dariye’s continued incarceration despite pardon Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Plateau State High Court, has reserved judgement in a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking to prosecute former Governor Jonah Jang of the state and a former cashier with the state government, Mr. Yusuf Pam, over an alleged N6.3 billion misappropriation of fund.

The trial judge, Justice Christy Dabup, said the date would be communicated to the parties involved in the suit.

The court arrived at the decision after the prosecution and the defence counsels adopted their written addresses.

Lead counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) had

yesterday brought two applications, asking the court to grant it leave to appeal an earlier ruling by the court against the anti-graft agency during the trial within trial.

But the counsel to the second defendant, Mr. Sunday Odey, opposed the applications and urged the court to go ahead with the business of the day since the applications had no bearing with the adoption of their final addresses, which was slated for the court's proceedings.

After a heated argument between Jacobs and Odey, counsel to the EFCC eventually conceded to the defence counsel that the business of the day which was the adoption of written addresses should go

on as slated.

Lead counsel to Jang, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), urged the court to dismiss all the charges against his client and set him free, because the prosecution had not proven their case beyond reasonable doubts.

But Jacobs said, "I did not go against my Lordship's order because no such order for specific number of page for written address was given by the court.

Meanwhile, a coalition of Free-Dariye Groups, yesterday, staged a protest in Jos, and raisedthe alarm that over three months after presidential pardon had been granted him, former Governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye, has continued to

be held incarcerated.

Addressing a press conference in Jos, the groups led by Rhoda Sanda, said they were worried that months after President Mohammadu Buhari on behalf of Council of State had granted Dariye a state pardon, “the necessary authorities concerned to effect his release from prison are still dragging their feet over the matter, despite the state of health of the former governor.”

Calling on Governor Simon Lalong to intervene, the group said, “Your prompt intervention in this regard will dispel all manner of insinuations surrounding his continued incarceration and probably unravel why he is still being kept there.”

FRIDAY JULY 15, 2022˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

When You Wish People Death, Same Would Happen to You, Lasun Replies Tinubu Nume Ekeghe in Lagos, Kingsley Nwezeh and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Osun State, Mr. Yusuf Lasun in response to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on wishing death to the opposition, has said the same fate would befall Tinubu.

He noted that Tinubu is of questionable character, questionable background, and lacks decorum with his sneering comments at a recent campaign in Osun state.

Lasun said this yesterday while featuring on ‘The Morning Show’ on ARISE News Channel.

Tinubu had said: “Parties like Labour; they will labour till they die. God will not make you labourers.”

Responding, Lasun said: “I pity that man. I pity him because when you wish people dead then the same thing would happen to him too. I pity a man who no longer can get a hold of his

life. How can you come to that space to say that.”

“Four years ago, you went to the palace of Ataoja and told the whole world you are richer

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Coalition of Civil Society, Workers and Human Rights Defenders has advised Nigerians to reject money politics and vote for credible candidates who would turn around the fortunes of the nation.

The coalition also expressed appreciation with the level of interest being exhibited by the electorates in trying to register and get their permanent voter cards ahead of the election.

Convener of the Coalition, Comr. Osmond Ugwu, gave the advice yesterday while addressing newsmen on the mission of the coalition to the society and declaration of its position on contemporary social

that you don’t have to work to become somebody in life. Me, I want to labour but I don’t want to labour in vain.”

He further accused the

presidential candidate of trying to truncate the progress in Yoruba land, stressing that he is not intimidated by Tinubu’s affluence to speak his truth.

L-R: Pastor, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) LP21, Victory Chapel, Magodo, Daniel Adebola, his wife Omotayo; President, Women of Honour, Victory Chapel, Asst. Pastor Yinka Olayinka; Gospel Artiste, Efe Nathan; Pastor-in-Charge of Province, RCCG LP21, Bayo Olugbemi and his wife Fadeke at the church’s 2022 Women of Honour Convention in Lagos…recently

issues as they affect the nation, the South-east and Enugu State.

Ugwu, who doubles as President of International Solidarity for Peace and Humanitarian Initiative, said that the time has come for Nigerians to end electoral manipulations and merchandising of elective offices by politicians.

“To this end, we call on the electorates not to vote for anybody that uses money to buy their victory during the primaries as president, governor or representatives at the state and national assembly levels,” he said.

He maintained that electorates must also begin to inquire into the antecedents of all political aspirants as part of efforts to tackle corruption in public offices.

Group Commends Gov. Ugwuanyi for New Medical University, Others Members of the Odinma Nsukka have applauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for the giant development strides of his administration in the state in spite of the harsh economic realities in the country and the state’s lean resources.

The group, comprising notable sons and daughters of Nsukka zone, said they are pleased with the peaceful atmosphere in Enugu State entrenched by Gov. Ugwuanyi as well as his unprecedented infrastructural development in the rural areas of the state.

Speaking when Odinma Nsukka paid a Thank-you visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi , Enugu, the Chairman of the group, Chief Vita Abba, expressed gratitude to the governor for the establishment and licensing of the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Chief Abba, who commended the governor for “the remarkable and highly commendable feat”, revealed: “We were, indeed, merely looking forward to

place in Osun. Today, you are here again and you say people will labour to death. Can you not divorce reward from labour.

So, the man is telling everyone

WOMEN OF HONOUR CONVENTION…

Civil Society Advises Nigerians to Reject Money Bags, Vote Competence in 2023 Gideon Arinze in Enugu

than Osun state and that you are going to give Osun state a financial engineer. After four years, nobody has seen any financial engineering taking

the ESUT Medical Campus, but you were thinking bigger for Ndi-Nsukka. It was just like the Federal Polytechnic Ohodo that came as a surprise to all of us. Our gratitude knows no bound.”

The group went further to applaud Gov. Ugwuanyi for his untiring commitment towards the provision of “top-notch infrastructural facilities to the good people of the state and, indeed, Enugu North Senatorial District”, stressing that “The completed T-junction flyover bridge at Nike, Enugu East LGA, is a good example. It has freed up the gridlock in that axis”.

Listing other landmark projects of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, Chief Abba added: “The just completed 5,000-seat capacity Nsukka Township Stadium and massive development projects at SUMAC permanent site, Igbo-Eno, are among other milestone achievements.

“As we speak, there are so many completed roads and ongoing constructions in the district that are similarly mind-blowing and worthy of commendation”.

Osun Election: YIAGA Africa Urges EFCC, ICPC to Checkmate Vote-buying An Election Monitoring Group, YIAGA Africa, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to arrest anyone attempting to buy or sell votes during Osun governorship election.

The Executive Director of the group, Mr. Samson Itodo, made

the call during a news conference yesterday in Osogbo.

Itodo said that political parties, candidates, and their supporters must refrain from vote-buying and the related practice of compromising the ballot’s secrecy and value of the vote.

He said: “YIAGA Africa calls for better coordination with the EFCC and the ICPC in making

arrests of political party leaders, agents and anyone attempting to buy or sell votes before the election and on election day.

“Security agencies should deploy monitoring mechanisms to checkmate and curtail personnel excesses on election day”.

Itodo said with a different political and security terrain, the Osun election would test the resolve of election stakeholders,

especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to conduct credible, transparent and peaceful election.

He appealed to INEC’s permanent and ad hoc staff, all security agents, political party candidates and their supporters, as well as all electorate to work together to ensure that the election is credible and peaceful.

Hundreds of APC Members Defect to PDP in Kwara Hammed ShittuinIlorin

Hundreds of the members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti Local Government council of Kwara State have dumped the party for the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the next year general elections.

The defectors were led by Hon.

Bola Daramola from Opin ward of the local government council of the state.

Receiving the defectors at Isolo-opin yesterday , the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP for next year general elections, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola, expressed confidence in the victory of the party.

Makanjuola assured them of

justice, fairness and equity amongst members of the PDP and called on others who are yet to join to do so.

The former House of Representatives member, who described the event as ‘Operation Bring Back Our Members’, expressed delight that the returnees, led by Hon. Daramola, are former members of the PDP who had left the party for one reason or

the other.

Makanjuola therefore, charged them to use their political weight to ensure victory for the party come 2023 and beyond.

He, however, appealed to both old and new members of the PDP in Kwara South and the state at large, to work together in peace and harmony and emphasized on the supremacy of party decisions.

Cross River North: Ayade Emerges APC Senatorial Candidate Bassey Inyang in Calabar Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, yesterday emerged the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Cross River North Senatorial District after the conduct of fresh primaries in line with the provisions of the new Electoral Act. This followed the voluntary

withdrawal of the previous candidate, Hon. Martins Orim.

Ayade, who stood unopposed at the primaries, polled 252 votes of the 255 votes cast.

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Barrister Sameera Tabo, while declaring Ayade as the winner, said three votes were declared invalid.

Sameera said following Orim’s withdrawal, a fresh primary

election had to be conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

In his acceptance speech, Ayade expressed gratitude to the delegates for electing him.

“After running for the office of the president of Nigeria, I returned home and then came under tremendous pressure from my people. They said I did very well when I was a

Senator from 2011 to 2015 and insisted I go back and today I have answered their call. Of course, they recognised that this country requires a legislator that has both executive and legislative experience,” he said.

The governor said he was well equipped for the senate and would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the upper legislative chamber if elected.

Ortom Calls for the Immediate Release of Nnamdi Kanu George Okoh In Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for the peace process in the country to be taken seriously.

Governor Ortom made the call yesterday when a group under the aegis of American Veterans of Igbo Origin paid him a courtesy visit in Washington DC, United States.

He stated that Kanu’s issue is a socio-political challenge that must be dealt with politically.

In a statement by the Senior

Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs, Rev. Peter Ichull from Washington, D.C. the governor argued that even members of Boko Haram who pose a greater threat to the country’s unity have often been freed, resettled and some integrated into the armed forces.

Governor Ortom maintained

that the South-east of Nigeria must be given a sense of belonging to erase the impression of persecution of a section of the country.

He tasked Igbo veterans in the US to believe in one Nigeria, pointing out that no country on earth is without its challenges.

Forum Decries Low Women Representation in Public Service, Politics Wale Igbintade A group, Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF) has decried the low female representation and participation in the public service and politics in Nigeria, warning that the country will not achieve meaningful development and progress towards gender equality

if women’s agency and voice continued to be excluded.

NFF also called on the federal government to adopt public policies and implement treaties that promote, and enhance the rights of women and girls in country.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference held in Lagos, Focal

Person of the forum, Chinonso Okechukwu, said that the national average of women’s political participation has remained at 6.7 per cent in elective and appointive positions, which is far below the global average of 22.5 per cent, Africa’s regional average of 23.4 per cent, and West African sub-regional average of

15 per cent.

She said government, as a matter of urgency, must take action towards building a responsive and equitable society for all to thrive.

Okechukwu stated that women in Nigeria have paid heavy price in the conflicts that have been ravaging the country in the past two decades.

46

FRIDAY JULY 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

WORLD OF ISLAM Baby Factory: Police NEWSEXTRA

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Rescue Three Pregnant Social System in Islam (2) Women in Delta (Continued from last week)

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have rescued three pregnant women from a baby factory in Obodogba community, Okpanam, near Asaba, Delta State.

Two suspects were arrested for operating the illegal baby factory in the state.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP. Edafe Bright, in a statement yesterday gave the names of the suspects as 25-year-old Promise Ejogu and 29-year-old Aruna Sulieman.

One of the suspects, Promise, he disclosed, is a brother to the ring leader of the syndicate who engages in sexual activities with the women to get them pregnant.

He said the suspects are currently in custody while effort is on to arrest other members of the syndicate.

Edafe also disclosed that 25 suspected members of Black Axe Confraternity, also known as ‘AYES’ were arrested during their initiation ceremony at Zion Road in Ibusa, near Asaba.

Items recovered from them, according to him, included three Aye confraternity regalias, one

military vest, a pair of aye confraternity stockings, three cut-to-size locally made guns, four live cartridges, a gallon of substances suspected to be liquid hard drugs, four vehicles, and four motorcycles.

Similarly, 10 suspected cultists are now in police net for hibernating somewhere in Mile 5, a boundary between

Oshimili north and Oshimili south council areas of the state and planning to attack innocent citizens in the area.

According to the police image maker, one fabricated AK47 rifle, charms, fake Vigilante ID card, and AC&DC black axe confraternity regalias were recovered when the hideout was raided.

Akeredolu Signs First Amendment to Amotekun Law Fidelis David inAkure

The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has signed into law the first amendment of the Ondo State Security Network Agency Law. Akeredolu, who assented to the bill yesterday, noted that the new amendment has become imperative in light of the heightened insecurity across the state.

He assured that the amended law would enhance the security architecture of the state and help the Amotekun Corps to perform better.

This signing of the amendment came two weeks after the State House of Assembly has passed the bill that amended the Ondo State Security Network Agency

and Amotekun Corps Law 2022.

The lawmakers also passed a bill for a law that would establish the Ondo State Security Trust Fund and other.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Security, Mr. Ololade Gbegudu, said that Sections 4, 5, 6, 14, 16 and 18 of the principal law were amended.

Gbegudu said that the bills would provide funds for special equipment, training and retraining of Amotekun personnel as well as foster an effective and enduring public private partnership for crime prevention, and eradication in Ondo State.

He added that it would provide for joint border patrols with neighbouring states under the leadership of the Amotekun State Commanders.

Obaseki Faction of Edo PDP Conducts Byeelection for House of Reps, State Assembly Adibe EmenyonuinBeninCity The Edo State faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the state Governor, Mr.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS, AWOYEMI MOTUNROLA ODUNOLA, wish to be known and addressed as MRS OWOLABI MOTUNROLA ODUNOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ISAH JULIANA, wish to be known and addressed as MRS NDAH ISAH JULIANA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NWAKOR CHISOM IHUOMA, wish to be known and addressed as UDEH CHISOM IHUOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GODWIN OKON OBOT, wish to be known and addressed as NDIABAOBONG OKON OBOT. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as VICTOR NDIFREKE WILLIE, wish to be known and addressed as UDO VICTOR JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF , FRQ¿UP WKDW FELICIA IJEOMA OKAM, IJEOMA FELICIA OKAM and IJEOMA OKAM refer to the same person. Going forward, I wish to be known and addressed as FELICIA IJEOMA OKAM. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Godwin Obaseki, yesterday conducted a bye-election to select new candidates to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming Egor/ Ikpoba Okha Federal House of Representatives and State Assembly elections respectively.

The election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of the lawmaker representing Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Jude IseIdehen, who had earlier won the

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as UCHE GOODNESS CHINONSO now wish to be known and addressed as UCHE GOODNESS CHINONYEREM. All former documents remain Valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ONUBIYI ANTHONY CHUKWUEBUKA now wish to be known and addressed as IKECHUKWU ANTHONY CHUKWUEBUKA TWENAR. All former documents remains Valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as BARR MISS AGU JACHINMA OLUNMA, wish to be known and addressed as BARR MRS AHAIWE JACHINMA OLUNMA. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AHAMEFULA CHARITY NGOZI, wish to be known and addressed as MRS FRANCIS CHARITY NGOZI. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as VIRTUOUS UGOCHINYERE AGAZUE, wish to be known and addressed as VIRTUOUS TAMUNOTONYE IBUBEYE. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

party’s factional ticket.

A former member representing Ikpoba Okha Constituency at the state House of Assembly, Mr. Henry Okhuarobo, who had resigned the position to contest the position, polled 54 votes to win.

He defeated Mr. Osagie Osifo and two others including Mr. Nosa Adams and Sino Osawaru.

But reacting swiftly, Adams said he never contested the bye-election with Okhuorobo and Osifo as alleged, adding the he is already a candidate for the House of Representatives for 2023 by virtue of his name being published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) via court order in favour of the Chief Dan Orbih-led faction.

Also in his reaction, Henry Okhuarobo, thanked the PDP family for the opportunity to serve, praying for the eternal repose of the soul of late Jude Ise-Idehen.He said: “We must appreciate Almighty God who made this possible and at the same time, pray that the soul of the gentleman who initially won the party ticket rests in peace.

“I thank God for the opportunity that I have been offered by my constituents in Egor and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state to represent them at the National Assembly, especially the PDP family.”

“I am indeed grateful for the opportunity and I will put the interest of Edo people first at all times. I will do my absolute best to ensure that the fortunes of Edo are improved,” Okhuarobo pledged.

Similarly, Nicholas Asonsere, was said to have won the PDP ticket for the state House of Assembly with 28 votes to defeat Richard Egharevba and Esosa Ogbeifun.

The Unique feature of Islam

Islam was born with the unique feature of amalgamating the secular with religious, the worldly with the other-worldly, and with a clear approach to socio-economic affairs and with a well-defined administrative system.

The famous Italian orientalist Dr. Laura Veccia Vaglieri, stated: “With Islam, the spirit was liberated from prejudice, man’s will be set free from the ties which had kept it bound to the will of other men, or other so-called hidden powers, priests, false guardians of mysteries, brokers of salvation; all those who pretended to be mediators between God and man and consequently believed that they had authority over other people’s wills, fell from their pedestals.

Because the Unity of God embraces all other unities, this religion was born with the unique feature of amalgamating the secular with religious, the worldly with the other-worldly, and with a clear approach to socio-economic affairs and with a well-defined administrative system.

Man became the servant of Allah Alone and towards other men he had only the obligations of one free man towards another. While men had suffered from the injustices of social differences, Islam proclaimed equality among human beings.

Each Muslim was distinguished from other Muslims only by his greater fear of Allah, his good deeds, and his moral and intellectual qualities.” [Apologia dell Islamismo, pp. 33-34] Allah Says (what means): {O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has piety. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.} [Quran 49:13] The most important and fundamental principle in Islam, is the doctrine of Monotheism. Monotheism in Islam is not only a theological principle, but it is the cornerstone of Islamic epistemology and the most basic principle of the methodology of Islam and all Islamic studies. According to this principle, authority, judgment, and power belong to Allah.

This doctrine liberates the whole of humanity from all sorts of domination, and every kind of intermediary and subjugation, and provides Muslims with a strong sense of independence.

This doctrine, together with the Islamic principle of “the duty of enjoining, spreading and encouraging good and forbidding evil” provides Muslims with the legal, spiritual, social, theological, and ethical justification to establish a Divine order.

Islam never approves imperialism, dictatorship, colonialism, oppression, tyranny, power politics, authoritarianism, totalitarianism, theocracy, oligarchy, and monarchy.

Main Principles of Islamic Way of Administration

1) The foremost feature of the Islamic administration is that its subjects should have implicit faith in Allah, and it should be clearly understood that Government has no absolute power over them, nor are they, its slaves.

2) The main objective of the Islamic administration is to establish and promote the virtues approved

by Allah as well as prevent and suppress the vices disliked by Him. It is for this reason that righteousness and respect for Allah should be displayed in the character of the head of the Islamic government. Government employees, judges and military officers should imbibe this spirit and, in turn, infuse it into the Muslim society.

3) The rule of the law is indispensable to an Islamic social order. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was sent with the Book, the Constitution of a Muslim community, the Balance, and the Divine standard in conformity with which Authority puts the Book into practice so that the people subsist by absolute justice. Nobody could be above the law in a Muslim society, nor could they transgress its limits. It should be enforced for all without any discrimination, the courts being free from outside pressure. History has witnessed that most of the Muslim Caliphs set up the best examples, adhering to this principle.

Inspite of enjoying more powers than kings of the past and presidents of the present, they adhered strictly to the law. Friendship and nepotism never induced them to ignore the prescribed rules and regulations, nor did their personal displeasure cause harm to any one against the cannons of the Islamic Law. Men make their own history and are responsible for their own condition individually and socially 1) Justice and the rule of the Law being the foremost articles of the Islamic constitution, it falls to the subjects to obey the government since Islam is strictly opposed to anarchy and

social disorder. This, however, does not mean that the subjects must obey their rulers in every instance. The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said: “There is no obedience in sin…” [Abu Daawood], but the failure to obey does not mean it is necessary to break out in revolt against the government. Rather it means that Muslim individuals of the community are responsible for their own felicity and salvation. Allah Say (what means): {….Allah does not change the state of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves…} [Quran 13:11] Men make their own history and are responsible for their own condition individually and socially, thus advice and preaching should always come first.

2) Another important article in this constitution is the establishment of an advisory system of government. Advice of the learned, of pious persons and persons of sound judgment and expert knowledge enjoying the confidence of the people is always to be sought. In turn, these persons are expected to speak out and express their opinions according to the dictates of their conscience with precision and integrity. This advisory system is so important to a Muslim community that Allah speaks of the first, exemplary Muslim community as (what means): {…(those) who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation…} [Quran 42:38] in praise of them. This importance becomes more explicit when the fact that this first community was led by the Prophet (pbuh) himself is taken into consideration, who was described by Allah in the following verse (what means): {Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.} [Quran 53:3] Allah again shows the importance He attaches to the advisory system or counsel by ordering His beloved Messenger (pbuh) to counsel with his companions.

Even after the reverse the Muslims experienced at the Battle of Uhud due to the disobedience of some Muslims’ soldiers to the Prophet’s orders (pbuh) He instructs it. The Prophet (pbuh) and his rightly guided successors never avoided counsel where and when it was necessary.

Thus, counsel is one of the cornerstones of an Islamic government.

3) Many affairs are settled through counsel or consultation in Islam. A judge settles through consultation a case about which he cannot arrive at an established verdict in accordance with the Quran and the Sunnah, thus consultation, like Ijtihad (a juristic opinion of scholars on matters which are not specified in the Quran or the Sunnah) and analogy, is one way of reaching a judgment. Further, any punishment, which is of a secondary nature, and not explicitly decreed in the Quran and the Sunnah can be given by the judge after consultation with authoritative Muslim jurists.

In Islam sovereignty is vested in Allah and the people are His representatives who carry out His commandments on earth. They have to follow and obey the legislations given by Allah through His Prophet (pbuh). Government is subservient to the Divine Law and exercises its authority in accordance with the injunctions of Allah and within the limits prescribed by Him. Although a system of Sultanate replaced this ideal system following the resignation of Hasan, the Son of ‘Ali ibn Abu Taalib (pbuh) most of the Muslim rulers remained faithful and obedient to the law and dictates of the Islamic constitutional system. Lastly, through consultation again, scholarly representatives of the people should be able to make the ruler abdicate when he deviates from the Right Path.

5) Another article of the constitution provides for freedom of opinion. Furtherance of virtue and suppression of evil has been enjoined by Islam not only as the right of Muslims, but their essential duty. Freedom of conscience and speech is the pivot on which the Islamic society and the administration function in the right direction.

The people have the liberty to find fault with the most prominent among the Muslims when they go astray and have the right to be outspoken in all matters, in a way that won’t create or result in a greater evil. A way to avoid a greater evil, is by knowing the etiquettes of enjoining good and forbidding evil to “the rulers” and to “the ruled.”

6) The last article of Islamic constitution is that the Public Treasury is Allah’s property and a Trust of the Muslims. Nothing should be received except through lawful sources, and nothing should go out except for lawful purposes. The ruler enjoys only so much jurisdiction over it as a trustee has over the property of a minor orphan under his custody: Allah Says (what means): {...and whosoever amongst guardians, he should take no wages, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable (according to his work)…} [Quran 4:6] 7) The ruler is bound to account for the income and expenditure of the Public Treasury and the Muslims have every right to ask him for a full account of income and expenditure.

47

FRIDAY, JU ͹ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Super Falcons Qualify for Ninth FIFA Wold Cup withVictory over Cameroon Buhari salutes the nine-time African champions, urges them to go for cup in Australia Deji Elumoye in Abuja Rasheedat Ajibade qualified Nigeria’s Super Falcons for the semi final of the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as well as a place in the FIFA World Cup slated to hold next year in Australia and New Zealand.

The Atletico Madrid Ladies forward fired a second half winner against Cameroon’s Indomitable

Lionesses in Casablanca, Morocco to ensure that Nigeria extends her participation in the women’s Mundial to ninth when they file out Down Under next year.

Interestingly, the victory pits the nine-time African champions against hosts Morocco who had earlier on Wednesday night defeated Botswana 2-1 in one of the semi final clashes.

Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene made

Amstel Malta Ultra Salutes Heroic Falcons over World Cup, S’final Berths Amstel Malta Ultra, the official malt drink of the Super Falcons has congratulated Super Falcons following their qualification for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Falcons who secured the victory through Rasheedat Ajibade’s goal over Cameroon have been described as true heroines.

While that crucial victory ensured that the Super Falcons remain one of only six countries on the planet that have never missed any edition of the Women’s World Cup, it also keeps them on track for a record-extending 10th African title.

The Brand Manager, Amstel Malta Ultra, Maire Abia-Bassey while praising the Super Falcons for achieving their first target of qualification for the pWorld Cup

Organiser PACE unveils new team jerseys for all the teams

new team jerseys to be used from the round of 16 through the finals at the draws event.

Speaking Director, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited, Sola Fijabi acknowledged the efforts of all participating schools and encouraged them to maintain their sportsmanlike conduct as the games go on.

“We are now at a very exciting stage of the league. What was witnessed during the qualifiers was the tip of the iceberg. The schools are ready and what we assured lovers of collegiate sports is double excitement. We appreciate the support of NUGA and our sponsors including StanbicIBTC, BOLD and the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services (LIRS) as we strive to deliver value to all our stakeholders,,” Fijabi said.

Oshoala, Kgatlana Dominate African Footballer of the Year Shortlist Monday Gift also listed for Young Player of the Year category

Former winners Asisat Oshoala and and South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana are on the updated 10-player shortlist for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) women's Player of the Year award for 2021-22.

Injury may have ruled the pair out of the ongoing Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), but Nigeria's Oshoala is chasing a fifth prize, while Kgatlana was the second South African to be crowned Africa's best back in 2018.

Morocco's Ghizlane Chebbak is a strong contender after helping her club AS FAR to third place at the inaugural Women's African Champions League, and the 31-yearold forward has scored three times during the Atlas Lionesses

Ajibade’s winner.

This caused Cameroon to come out of their shell in a desperate chase for an equaliser to make the closing minutes a nervous one for the Falcons.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Super Falcons for qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after their quarter-final victory against Cameroon.

The President, in a release issued by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina,

lauded the spirited performance of the Super Falcons in the tournament and for maintaining their dominant posture as undisputed champions of the round-leather game and most successful international women’s football team in the continent.

Having won the tournament twice in 2016 and 2018, under this administration, the President assured the girls and their handlers that the whole nation is strongly standing with them and will continue to cheer them on until the final whistle in Morocco.

He prayed that the Super Falcons, who have produced some of the greatest African players in the history of the women’s game, will surpass their achievement in the last Women’s World Cup in 2019, where they advanced to the Round of 16, for the first time in 15 years.

President Buhari also looks forward to the next generation of upcoming stars, who through hard work, discipline, resilience and determination, will one day win the World Cup for Nigeria.

enjoined the team to stay focused on their other goal of bringing the African trophy back home again.

“The Super Falcons have shown us all that with hard work and dedication, we can achieve a lot. Amstel Malta Ultra is very proud of the girls and would keep supporting them to stay on the very top,” observed Abia-Bassey.

It is even more thrilling to note that all Nigeria’s three women’s football teams are World Cup bound. Apart from the Super Falcons, the Under-20 team, Falconets, will be battling for the 10th time at the U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica next month while the U-17 team, Flamingoes, have also qualified for their category of the cadet World Cup to be held in India in October this year.

HIFL 2022: UAM Tillers Tackle Uniilorin Warriors in Round of 16 The maiden champions of the Higher institution Football league (HiFL) UAM Tillers from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi will tackle the winners of the 2022 Edition of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) football season, Uniilorin Warriors in the round of 16 of the ongoing Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) season.

Second placeholders at the 2021 HiFL season, AAUA Luminaries of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba have also been drawn against the LASU Blazzers of the Lagos State University.

At a draw organised in Lagos, the teams were grouped into four pots for logistical reasons that will ease their movement to honour their games which are scheduled to hold between July and September 2022.

The organisers also unveiled the

a bold run at the Cameroonian defence supported by twists and turns and the ball somehow landed at the feet of gangling Ifeoma Onumonu, who heaved it into the box for Ajibade to nod past Ange Bawu in goal for the Cameroonians for the only goal of the match in the 57th minute.

Nigeria played on the front foot from the first whistle, while the Indomitable Lionesses were happy to sit back and soak the pressure.

The Falcons created the better chances and were rewarded with

run to the WAFCON semi-finals.

Three of Kgatlana's compatriots also made the list; Andile Dlamini and Bambanani Mbane of Mamelodi Sundowns and AC Milan's Refiloe Jane.

Evelyn Badu and Doris Boaduwaa are shortlisted for Ghana, while Ajara Nchout Njoya of Cameroon and Zambia midfielder Grace Chanda also remain after the initial 30-woman long list was cut down.

Africa's most decorated footballer, Barcelona forward Oshoala is the last woman to have been crowned the continent's best, back in 2019 since when the awards have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Onome Ebi...gunning for a sixth World Cup appearance Asisat Oshoala (left) and Monday Gift have been listed in CAF Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in Australia and New Zealand next year categories respectively

18TH WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Olatoye, 4x400m Mixed Relay Team to Open Team Nigeria's Bid for Medals Hammer thrower Oyesade Olatoye and the 4x400m mixed relay team will open Team Nigeria's bid for podium appearances when the 18th World Athletics Championships begin today at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, USA. Olatoye, drawn in Group A of the qualifiers for the final will be making history as the first Nigerian, man or woman to compete in the Hammer throw event in the championships.

Last month in Mauritius, the 25-year-old won the Hammer throw title at the African Athletics Championships to become the first Nigerian woman to emerge African champion in the history of the competition.

Olatoye will however need a miracle to progress further in the event as she is lined up against athletes who have been throwing over 70m consistently including Janee' Kassanavoid of the USA who is third on the world list so far this year with her 78.00m throw in May and Canada's Camryn Rogers who is not far behind with the 77.67m personal best she incidentally threw at the Hayward Field last month.

She is fourth in the top list for 2022.

The Nigerian's 65.74m personal season's best will definitely not get her over the line and will need to throw a huge personal best of at least 73.50m which is the automatic qualification mark or be among the 12 best throwers from the two qualifying groups.

For the 4x400m team of Patience Okon-George, Imaobong Nse Uko,

Sikiru Adeyemi, Dubem Amene and Nathaniel Samson, the World Championships presents another big stage to make history as the first mixed relay team to make the final of a global event after debutting at the Tokyo Olympics last year, exiting in the first round The team has been drawn in heat 1 of two first round heats and will run from lane three, sandwiched between Poland, the reigning Olympic champion in lane two and USA, bronze medal winner in Tokyo in lane four. Three teams will qualify automatically from the heat for the final while two others with fastest losing times will join.

The final will be held later this

evening. The Nigerian team set a new 3:13.60 African record in Tokyo last year.

Later tonight, the heats for the men's 100m will hold with Favour Ashe, the reigning fastest man in Nigeria scheduled to run.

Also expected to be in the line up will be reigning World U20 Champion, Udodi Onwuzurike.

The duo will be aiming to return Nigeria to the final of the blue ribband event 15 years after Olusoji Fasuba ran in the final in Osaka, Japan.

Nigeria will also be hoping to win more than the one medal Ese Brume won three years ago in Doha, Qatar. The last time the country

won two medals was in 2013 in Moscow, Russia where Blessing Okagbare leapt to a silver medal in the long jump and a bronze medal in the 200m.

The country will also be seeking a first ever gold medal in the championships and will be relying on Brume, the only Nigerian still competing who has won medals at the World indoor and outdoor championships and at the Olympics as well as sprint hurdler, Tobiloba Amusan who has a 50-50 chance of not just making the podium this time around after two fourth placed finishes in Doha in 2019 and at the Olympics last year but also win the gold.

IBB Golf Club Captain’s Inaugural Tourney Begins in Abuja Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Golf players across the country will renew their rivalries beginning from today through tomorrow, July 16 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club course as the Captain’s inaugural tournament holds.

The two-day tournament which will officially usher in Mike Ekoja as the 25th captain of the prestigious golf club is expected to feature about 500 golfers from across the country The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Andrew Yakubu,

disclosed this while addressing a press conference during the week in Abuja.

The former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said the club has well over 5,000 active members.

He stated: “We have two major event days – Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, we are going to have the higher handicap men and ladies.

They will have their tournament first while it will be followed immediately with a cocktail that will introduce the main tournament

of the lower handicap players who are the more experienced players coming to the course on Saturday.

“Every activity will attract a range of prizes and trophies that will be presented to those who did well.

It is always an exciting period for us here. Golfers look forward to this tournament and the trophies and prizes at stake. A prize giving dinner is expected to cap the twoday event.,” concludes Yakubu.

Yakubu faulted the perception of golf as an elitist game, stressing that the game was not necessarily for the rich only.

Friday July 15, 2022

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MISSILE Lawal to Tinubu “The Northern governors and some Northern Muslim elites must have persuaded Tinubu that they will never vote for a ticket with a Northern Christian. But if he thinks a Muslim-Muslim ticket will win him the Northern Muslim votes, he should have a rethink. They will massively vote for one of their sons (Atiku), because it is in their nature to do so…”–Former SGF, Babachir Lawal, warning Tinubu about his Muslim-Muslim ticket.

BABATUNDEFASHOLA We’re All Potential Refugees!

W GUEST COLUMNIST

hen my friend and brother, Jimi Olusola, asked me to be the speaker at this event, I had no hesitation in accepting, because he indicated that it was Papa’s 10th memorial.

Although I was unaware that it was World Refugee Day and neither was I aware at the time that a book was to be presented, my mind was already invoking thoughts about refugees.

When he responded to my inquiry about what he would like me to speak about by saying, “Tunde he was also your father, choose your topic,” that decided me. I was going to speak about refugees, because that was Ambassador Segun Olusola’s final signature and most compelling work of art that he left us with. (Pun intended. Ambassador Olusola was an artist’s Artist).

His passion, commitment, sacrifice and dedication to the cause of refugees, a compelling humanitarian undertaking to which he devoted his personal resources, mobilised others to form and to join and contribute, immersed his immediate family and friends in, was arguably his most selfless of his many undertakings while he was with us.

Having now settled on my subject, a big problem then arose: What was I going to say about refugees that my audience does not already know about?

After all, there are refugees everywhere, so what is new? Then I thought to myself speak about the fact that he created Village Headmaster, he was Elsie Olusola’s husband and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia.

While I was flirting with my options, the casual invitation by Jimi was formalised by way of a letter signed by no less a person than Chief Mrs Opral Benson, OON, the Honorary President of AREF, and on the letter was boldly printed the names of the patrons of AREF, starting from Dr. Christopher Kolade to Major General Ike Nwachukwu to Aremo Taiwo Alimi. And that stopped me dead in my tracks.

These were Ambassador Olusola’s peers, many of who stood in Loco Parentis to Jimi and I. What was I going to tell them about Ambassador Olusola, Aunty Elsie, Village Headmaster or his stint in Ethiopia?; events and stories they partook of when I was in my toddling and adolescent years. In the hope, therefore, that I would have something worthwhile to say, I have titled my intervention HOME AND ABROAD. Around these two words and their simplest and extended meanings, I think there is sufficient elasticity to interrogate my subject, which is the issue of refugees, from multiple perspectives. I think it is too pedestrian to attempt a definition of what or who a refugee is, except that we can agree that a refugee is one who is seeking refuge, who has lost his sanctuary and in this sense his HOME and depends on the help, charity or benevolence of others.

Very often for us who have a HOME to go to at the end of each day, when we return to our house as a HOME, we return to the embrace of our family as the people that make our house a HOME, because they are not strangers, it is easy not to pay attention to the plight of refugees because we are far removed from it.

I got quite close to the world of refugees in very unusual circumstances that provided a rude awakening, over two decades ago. It is a story I find relevant for this occasion. Please permit me to share it.

It is the worst kept secret that I still attempt to play football long after my school days and myself and a group of friends constantly indulge in veteran football as a way of keeping fit and also strengthening bonds of friendship that were struck decades ago.

One day, we got an invitation for a friendly veteran match somewhere in Ogun State, in a place called Oru, that I had never heard about. My recollection of the details is hazy, but my experience remains indelible.

Late Ambassador Olusola As we arrived at the destination, I saw a sign indicating that it was a refugee camp, I cannot recollect if it was an AREF camp but my hazy memory suspects that it was. As we alighted and we were introduced, we interacted with men, who looked as healthy as us. As they spoke, I immediately discerned their accent.

It was distinctly Liberian (Mrs. Opral Benson has not lost hers and this is something about the place called HOME that I will come to shortly) and the first wave of reality hit me. The conflict and war in Liberia were not as far away as we thought, when we saw it on the television or read about it in the newspapers.

It had come to the place we called our HOME. Not only had we sent troops there, they had sent some of our brothers and sisters to us, albeit against their will. The conflict had taken their HOME from them and sent them ABROAD against their will.

Football became immediately unimportant and even though we still played, I don’t remember who won. My image of refugees before experiencing Oru, was that of poor people, people at the bottom of the pyramid, dislocated by forces of nature mudslides, earthquakes, tsunamis etc. This was different.

As we interacted, I found there were lawyers like me, professionals of all capabilities who had lost everything but their lives. Their HOME has changed from the house they built in Liberia to a contrived shelter in rural Ogun State. Their family members were not necessarily their spouses and children or siblings, it was the nearest person in the boat of their tribulations.

That experience was and remains numbing to me.

A situation that makes me take flight, that makes all the things that we value, become minor distractions

except life, and translates one from self-sufficient to totally dependent still sends chills down my spine.

I hope it tells a story that I seek to share about HOME and ABROAD. That experience and its known causes, including conflict and war, left in me a quiet resolve never to be consciously a cause of conflict or a promoter of conflict. I have seen and experienced its consequences in a most fortuitous and humbling way. For those who still beat the drums of war and conflict as their preferred solution to disputes and misunderstandings, I say be very careful what you wish for. I do not wish a refugee status on anybody.

Recent and ongoing events in Ukraine that are creating a global humanitarian crisis of refugees and economic pain and distress is a call to our common humanity to bring it to an end. I have recent and first-hand experience of the anxiety and anguish that a war in which we seemingly had no stake has caused many Nigerians. It speaks eloquently to my subject of HOME and ABROAD. Many parents who could reach me, called and sent text messages incessantly inquiring what our Government was doing to bring their children HOME from Ukraine. I can say here confidently that our government stood in the gap and responded to her citizens ABROADbecause she brought them HOME. Nothing speaks, perhaps, eloquently to the role of our Government at the onset of the Ukraine crises than the text of a relieved parent, who had been in anxious and expectant contact with me.

Let me share it with you. He texted on March 13, 2022 at 1:04 p.m: “Honourable Minister thank you very much. My daughter has arrived on the last flight yesternight.

She is with her sister in Abuja, may God reward you immensely thank you.”

Right inside Nigeria, in spite of the best efforts of government, the actions of an obvious minority, who have chosen to act outside the law, has displaced thousands of people, who albeit are at HOME in Nigeria, but are also ABROAD as internally displaced persons.

But conflict is only one of the more talked about causes of human displacement that results in people being refugees, whether at HOME or ABROAD. There are many more causes of varying degrees of devastation that I think now deserve not only our attention, but also our action, in order to support the work of institutions like AREF; and I will attempt to shed some light on some of them, because I cannot be exhaustive.

For this purpose, I invite us to highlight governance, good or bad, and politics as a source of conflict; and let us underline political persecution, genocide, religious intolerance, rising nationalism ethnic or racial supremacy, as State policy undertaken in the name of governance.

The way some governments deliberately or inadvertently become instruments for political persecution, genocide, ethnic cleansing, religious

I remember also some Qataris, who were trapped ABROAD because their HOME government had closed its borders to all incoming traffic without exception. For the period that the situation persisted, these persons were essentially stateless, because there was no relief from HOME and ABROAD

intolerance, or agents of racial or national dominance create problems at HOME for their people, that result in dislocations and refugee crisis ABROAD. In other words, the Government turns against the people it should protect. To whom should they turn for redress?

Regrettably, I do not have a failsafe solution to this problem, neither do I have a silver bullet that guarantees good governance globally and protects our civilisation from ourselves, however, I believe that if we resolve to find an answer, we will bring many of the problems under control, if not to an end.

On the brighter side, I can point to a reliable precedent, which is the United Nations Organisation and the global charter on human and people’s rights inaugurated at the end of the Second World War. This is the global legal order upon which the world has been run with occasional modifications from time to time for a little over seven decades now.

I am convinced that our world has changed significantly over the decades, to remain sustainable on a legal framework designed over 70 years ago, when nuclear capabilities were just emerging and not yet fully harnessed, and there was no globalisation, Internet or the social media.

We are now in a world where everybody can publish and disseminate information, whether true or false, and no one is really in control, in spite of government’s efforts to regulate microblogging sites from which verified, unverified and unverifiable information can travel almost faster than the speed of light and effectively at a push of the one button which reads – SEND. In other words, every one of us, can cause a problem ABROAD from HOME; or cause a problem at HOME from ABROAD at the push of a button.

This is a big concern. I propose, therefore, that the global legal order requires urgent and compelling revision to bring about global consensus on matters such as regulating these kinds of things, creating identifiable institutions, who can be held responsible and accountable for what is published.

The global legal order must also evolve new rules for governments worldwide about setting minimal but enforceable standards of protecting citizens and immigrants from genocide, ethnic cleansing, political persecution racism etc as potential sources of conflict, and dislocation at HOME and ABROAD. I acknowledge the ground-breaking and commendable work behind the establishment of the international court of criminal justice, but it is hobbled by many other well-intentioned principles like sovereign immunity and equality of states around which, perhaps, a re-think is now necessary.

After all, the citizen will now ask: yes, I accept that my country has the same rights as others and no country can come and overrun our boundary and territory as if we were a vassal state (until Russia entered Ukraine without a deterring military response); but what is the value of protecting my state from another state, when nobody can protect me when my state turns against me?

The quicker we find answers to this problem, the easier it will be for institutions like AREFto do a lot more, because for now, organisations like AREF with very frugal resources are standing in the gap for people with problems created by state and governmental entities with vast resources. Apart from governance and politics, environmental issues resulting in extreme weather conditions have become a recurring cause of dislocation and displacement of people.

There are many ways in which these manifest, but perhaps one to which I can advert our collective attention is how extreme shortage of water is not only dislocating people but is also a cause of conflict.

NOTE: Read the full piece in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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