MONDAY 18TH JULY 2022

All Set for Zenith Bank’s 7th Annual International Trade Seminar on Non-oil Export Nume Ekeghe The seventh Annual Edition of the Zenith Bank International Trade Seminar would be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, and virtually by 9.00 am.

The seminar with the theme:

“Unlocking Opportunities in Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export Business,” was part of Zenith Bank's efforts to support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) initiatives to grow the country's non-oil export sector.

The seminar would draw participation from trade practitioners, local and foreign

exporters, manufacturers, financial institutions, and government agencies.

According to a statement, the forum would provide an opportunity for all participants, including relevant government agencies, to explore ways to unlock the immense opportunities

in Nigeria's non-oil export sector.

The export seminar would feature a welcome address by the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, while the keynote speaker would be the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.

Goodwill messages would

be delivered by very eminent individuals, including the Founder and Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), His Excellency, Wamkele Mene; and President/

Chairman, African Export-Import Bank, Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah.

There will be three panel discussions during the seminar.

The first panel titled: "Unlocking Opportunities in Nigeria's NonOil Export Business: Operators/ Continued on page 5

Kyari: FG to Continue to Determine Petrol Prices Despite NNPC’s Transition to Commercial Entity...

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Monday 18 July, 2022 Vol 27. No 9960. Price: N250

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NLC Vows to Go Ahead with Nationwide Protest over Closure of Universities...

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Buhari: Osun People Have Expressed Their Will Through Ballot, It Must Matter, Be Respected Congratulates PDP's Adeleke on electoral victory Reiterates commitment to credible electoral system Atiku, Ayu, Saraki, Diri, Obaseki, Obi, others salute winner See story on page 5 SD

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

PAGE FIVE BUHARI: OSUN PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR WILL THROUGH BALLOT, IT MUST MATTER, BE RESPECTED Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Kingsley Nwezeh, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Adedayo Akinwale, Alex Enumah, Sunday Aborisade, Udora Orizu in Abuja, Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City, Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt, George Okoh in Makurdi, Hammed Shittu in Ilorin President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, described the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, as an expression of the will of the people through ballot, which must matter and be respected.

The president, who congratulated Adeleke, as well as commended the maturity and commitment of all stakeholders, however, reiterated his commitment to a credible electoral system in the country.

This is as congratulatory messages, have continued to come for Adeleke from different strata of the system, particularly, members of his political family, including person like the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar; National Chairman of the PDP, 7/17/22r.

Iyorchia Ayu; former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri and his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, among others.

“With the election over, the president expressed conviction that the people of Osun have expressed their will through the ballot, and the will of the people must always matter and be respected in a democracy,” he said in a release by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina.

Continuing, he noted further that the successful conduct of the election was a further testimony to the maturity and commitment of all stakeholders – the electoral body, security agencies, political parties, the media, civil society and the electorate – to further strengthen the integrity of the electoral process in the country.

Buhari, therefore, reassured the nation that the commitment of his administration towards having credible elections remained unshaken.

Atiku, Ayu, Saraki, Diri, Obaseki Salute Adeleke

In his congratulatory message, Atiku Abubakar said, "At this point in time when our country needs to take a break from the shameful effects of bad governance, it shall be on record that Osun State provided the compass into that brighter future that awaits us at the horizon.

"The referendum on the administration of the APC, has commenced with the verdict of the people of Osun State in electing Senator Ademola Adeleke, while we know that the 2023 general election will be a full referendum.

"It is inconceivable that Nigerians will reward the APC for the failings of the last seven years. And in a state like Osun, for example, it's been a long time since the people last felt the effect of good governance.

"The ship of hope is already at the harbour under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party.

We shall intensify the work to ensure that we uproot all vestiges of bad governance and false hopes towards the 2023 election. The Imole (light) that has started to shine from Osun shall soon have a national coverage."

"Congratulations to Sen. Ademola Adeleke, on a well-fought victory.

Also, hearty congratulations to the PDP family and all stakeholders, who came together to make this sweet victory possible. But even more importantly, congratulations to the great people of Osun State for proving that power truly belongs to the people.”

Ayu, who in his congratulatory message, said the Osun people have spoken, recalled how the defeated governor denied the party the use of facilities for its campaign.

"A few days ago, the defeated and outgoing Governor, HE Adegboyega Oyetola and his party, the APC, did everything to frustrate us. This included denying us the use of any public facility in the state capital for our mega-rally.

"We had to use the party's state secretariat. As it were, we couldn't have access to the stadium, but we had access to the people's hearts, loyalty and votes," adding that, the convincing win of 403, 371 against Governor Oyetola's 375, 027 was ample proof of that.

Ayu said, "Today is, therefore, not just a day of double restoration – it's a day of redemption too. It restores PDP to power and redeems the Osun people from the scourge of mediocrity, empty promises and excuses."

"I congratulate the two-time winner, the tenacious Adeleke. I congratulate the good people and residents of Osun State. I hail every party stakeholder, who stood with us in action, prayers and hope.”

In his message, Saraki too said, "Today, all across Nigeria, the nation has watched as the people of Osun State deliver a clear, loud, and strong message: “Imole De” — which means that light has come.

"We have watched, as the people of this great state have reclaimed their mandate and the mandate of my dear friend and brother, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the PDP governorship candidate, which was surreptitiously stolen at the polls exactly four years ago.

"With everything that we have all witnessed here in Osun State, one lesson remains clear: the people of Nigeria want better. They want lives that are not hampered by the rising cost of living, the flailing economy, and the insecurity. They want a conscientious government — one that works for and represents the best interests of themselves, their families, and their communities.

"Make no mistake, this victory was not easily attained. It is the culmination of the sacrifice and hard work of our party leaders, stakeholders, and leaders, who all played specific roles to ensure that this time around, our party’s mandate has been protected, and our candidate has now emerged victorious.

"I congratulate my brothers, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa and Governor Godwin Obaseki, for taking the time out of their busy schedules to ensure that our victory was not only concise but complete.”

Obaseki: Osun People Chose Progress over Retrogression

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the PDP governorship candidate in Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, following his victory in Saturday’s election, saying the Osun people chose progress over retrogressive politics.

Obaseki, who also said Osun people made their choices through the ballot, choosing the PDP and its ideals of equity, unity and progress over the retrogressive policies that had put them in dire straits, however, stood with the people of Osun in sending a clear message to Nigerians that, “we are prepared and ready to rescue them from the hardship and woes that they have been thrown into.

“We thank the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for sustaining the electoral reforms, which started in the September 19, 2020 Edo State governorship election. These reforms have ensured a peaceful, fair and credible conduct of the election, which gave the people the freedom to elect their preferred candidate.

“As a party, we remain steadfast in our commitment to rescue Nigeria and are, by this victory, fired up to go into the 2023 general elections to win.”

Makinde: People's Power'll Continue to

Triumph

Oyo State Governor, 'Seyi Makinde, has congratulated Senator Ademola Adeleke, over his victory at the just-concluded Osun State governorship election, saying the power of the people has again triumphed and would continue to triumph.

According to him, Adeleke's victory was similar to what happened in Oyo State during the 2019 governorship election, when the people exercised their franchise in support of an opposition party.

Makinde, who hailed the teeming voters across the 30 local governments of Osun State for standing by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and staying resolute to ensure that their votes counted, said: "it's great to have a second PDP flag flying in the South-West."

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Makinde lauded Adeleke, PDP members and Osun State voters for remaining strong and unwavering throughout the electioneering period.

"On behalf of the government and the good people of Oyo State, I congratulate the Osun State Governor-Elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the people of Osun State on this victory.

“It is great to have a second PDP flag flying in the South West and this victory teaches all politicians an important lesson – that truly, power resides with the people. The power of the people will continue to triumph, the earlier politicians realise this fact, the better for our democracy," he said.

Obi Congratulates Adekeke

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has extended what he described as his warmest personal congratulations to Ademola Adeleke on wining the Osun State gubernatorial election.

Obi also congratulated candidate of the Labour Party in the election, Hon Lasun Sulaimon Yusuff and his running mate, Adeola Adekunle Atanda, for a hard fought battle and their spirit of resolve and sportsmanship, despite the outcome.

He said, “To our the Obidient Movement Family and our supporters nationwide, the outcome of this particular election is not a verdict on our exponentially growing strength nationwide especially, when viewed against the fact that we are barely one month old in the party and we had to contend with forces that have been entrenched in the state for the last two decades.

“However, within this very short period of only a few weeks, the Labour Party has made its presence and political impact felt nationally.

We must strengthen our collective resolve not relent in our noble march to take back our country.

Much work remains to be done, hence we must focus the totality of our efforts now on the forthcoming 2023 General elections.

“In the fullness of time, our message of rescue and recovery will resonate through out the length and breath of the Nation and most Nigerian electorate will buy in into our mission to take back Nigeria, for the purpose of rescuing it from continued decline , shift the National psyche from consumption to production and from sharing dwindling resources to creating wealth and frontally

combating poverty.”

Nwobodo: Adeleke's Victory, Precursor to PDP’s Success in 2023

A former governor of Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, has described the victory of Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke, as a precursor to the success awaiting PDP in the 2023 general election.

Nwobodo, in a statement last night, said Adeleke’s victory showed that the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, would win the presidency in 2023 and that the PDP would win in the Southwest and the other geopolitical zones.

“I congratulate the governor-elect of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke for his victory in the well-conducted polls last Saturday.

Adeleke’s victory is a forerunner to the electoral fortunes of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Atiku will win the presidency for the PDP in 2023."

Nwobodo recalled that Adeleke had in 2018 won the same governorship position through the ballots but was "robbed of victory through the rigging machinery of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)."

“This time around, he has won again in another clear victory, and I congratulate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a credible poll in Osun State.”

‘Buhari’s Negligence Responsible for Edo, Osun Losses’

A Chieftain of APC in Edo State, Mr. John Mayaki, has laid the blames for the party’s recent struggles, including a crushing defeat in Osun State with the ouster of incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola, at the feet of President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he accused of negligent management of party activities and ‘suicidal’ tolerance of anti-party activities within the ranks.

He also added that the antiparty activities of top ranking APC members, governors and ministers under the President Buhari-led administration was to blame for the electoral misfortune of the party in Edo and Osun states.

Mayaki noted that the poor reward system of the party and that of the president, posed another negative impact on the party, adding that Buhari as the leader of the party does not appear concerned if the party collapsed under his watch.

Mayaki, who chaired the Media Council of the Edo APC in the 2020 governorship election, maintained that although the president’s noninterference through the infamous ‘federal might’ represents a good development for the country’s democracy, it still doesn’t excuse the observed “abandonment of his obligations as the leader of the party, who ought to be spearheading efforts to unite the ranks, enforce loyalty, and expand political control.”

He warned that unless the President changes tack, his ‘look the other way’ approach to party issues might complicate the party’s chances in 2023, adding: “The antiparty activities of top ranking APC members, governors and Ministers under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is to

blame for the electoral misfortune of the party in Edo and Osun states.

“Poor reward system of the party and that of the president, if not checked, could impact negatively on the party just as the ‘I don’t care attitude’ of Mr. President as a party man. The president is the leader of the party and he doesn’t appear concerned if the party collapses under his watch.”

victory in the Saturday, July 16, 2022 Governorship election.

“Your overwhelming defeat of a sitting governor underscores the well-founded confidence and trust the people of Osun State repose in you as the leader with the desired capacity, integrity, humility, love for the people and the political will to lead their state in the right direction.”

Ortom: Takeover of Nigeria by PDP Has Begun

Adeleke's Victory Has Vindicated Diri, Says IYC

Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has said the election of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the next Osun State Governor, was a precursor to the round of victories awaiting the PDP as it began to take back all the states in its resolve to rescue Nigeria from the destruction meted to it by the APC-led federal government.

While congratulating Adeleke for his victory at Saturday’s gubernatorial election, he praised him for his steadfastness, hard work and commitment to the welfare of the people that earned him the victory, saying “ the people have spoken”.

Ortom also praised the people of Osun state, the INEC, the media, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the security operatives for ensuring that the will of the people prevailed.

"On behalf of myself, the government and the PDP family in Benue State, I congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke on his election as the Governor-elect of Osun State.

I am convinced that you will provide an enduring leadership for the people in appreciation for the massive support they have given you by your election."

“The victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate; Senator Adeleke in the Osun election is a measure of trust and confidence of the citizens on him and the party “, Ortom stated.

While congratulating the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu and the National Working Committee of the PDP, Governor Ortom also expressed confidence that the victory of the party in Osun State would further change the political map of the South West as the PDP is ready to rescue the country from its undertakers in the APC.

Elumelu: PDP’s Victory in Osun Marks APC’s Exit in 2023

Minority Leader of the PDP in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has congratulated Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the Saturday, governorship election, saying it marked the exit of the APC in 2023.

Elumelu, in a congratulatory message, said the victory and recovery of the mandate that was allegedly stolen from Adeleke by the APC in 2018, further reinforced his popularity and that of the PDP not only in Osun State, but also in the South West geo-political zone and the nation as a whole.

According to him, this showed that the PDP would win 2023 general election.

"On behalf of the members of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives, I congratulate you, the Osun State Governor-Elect, Your Excellency, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, on your well-deserved

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide said the victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke at Saturday's governorship election in Osun State, was a proof of the commitment, loyalty and capacity of the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to his party, the PDP. In a statement by the President of IYC, Peter Timothy Igbifa, he said Diri as the Chairman of the PDP Electoral Committee in Osun, proved that an Ijaw man could be trusted to deliver in a national assignment.

"As a council, we noticed that some PDP leaders were not happy that an Ijaw man was appointed to handle the Osun electoral matters.

They conspired against Governor Douye Diri to make him fail in his first national party assignment.

"They referred to him as an inexperienced politician and tried to demean and relegate him to the background. But man is not God. Diri triumphed as a miracle governor and delivered a resounding victory to his party".

Igbifa, who congratulated Diri for piloting the success of his party in Osun, said the victory of PDP had brought shame to the enemies of the Bayelsa governor and the Ijaw nation within the PDP, who had earlier conspired to make the Bayelsa governor fail in his first national party assignment.

Female Lawyers Commend INEC, Women Turn-out

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in a preliminary report on its observation of the governorship election in Osun State, has commended the efforts of the INEC, for the efforts at ensuring a free and fair election in Osun State.

The body also commended women for turning out en mass to exercise their franchise in selecting who governs them in Osun State for the next four years.

FIDA Nigeria, in its preliminary report on the Osun poll, signed by its Country Vice President and National President, Mrs Amina Agbaje, noted that women and persons with disability were also accorded priority by the electoral umpire.

"Reports across the Local Government Areas in Osun state observed indicate that there was early and high voter turnout for the polls across the state as security personnel, electoral officers and election materials arrived at most polling units between the hours of 8:00 - 9:00am.

“24% of the polling units had the election materials before 8AM, 48% by 8AM and 28% by 8:30AM. Furthermore we observed that 64% polling units visited had more than one electoral official, 24% had 3 electoral officials, and 12 % had two (2) electoral officials.

Continued on page 6

ALL SET FOR ZENITH BANK’S 7TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL TRADE SEMINAR ON NON-OIL EXPORT Practitioners' Perspectives," would focus on the value chain and prospects of the non-oil export sector and has five discussants, including the Managing Director, GACON Ltd, HRM Adaku Chidume Okoro; Managing Director, WACOT, Bibhu Nanda; Group Managing Director, Tulip Cocoa, Johan Van Der Merwe; Managing Director, First Patriot, Santosh Phenany; and Managing Director, Starlink Global & Ideal Ltd, Alhaji Adeyemi M. Adeniji.

The second panel, titled: "Funding/Logistics/Government

Support for the Non-Oil Export Sector," would explore the availability of long-term funds, insurance & reinsurance, and risk-sharing mechanism for the non-oil export sector.

The panel has five discussants, including the Managing Director/ CEO, Bank of Industry, Mr. Olukayode Pitan; Director, Development Finance of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yusuf Philip Yila; Managing Director, West Africa Container Terminal, Naved Zafar; Managing Director, Nigerian

Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko; and the ComptrollerGeneral, Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Ibrahim Hameed Ali (Rtd).

The third panel discussion titled, "The ABC of Non-Oil Export," would focus on the pitfalls in the non-oil export business, standardisation and grading of primary export products, as well as the export of services, especially the burgeoning Nigerian creative industry.

The panel also has five discussants including a well-respected trade expert, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo;

Founder/CEO, Flutterwave, Agboola Olugbenga; Chairman/CEO, Colossus Investment, Mr Babatola Faseru; President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi; and Senior Consultant, 3T Impex Trade Centre, Mr Bamidele Ayemibo.

The seminar would be live on Zoom and YouTube. To connect on Zoom, simply visit www. zenithbank/exportsem to register.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. You can also watch live on YouTube via the link: https://bit.ly/ZBTradeSeminarLive.

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

NEWS

Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 08074010580

ACCESS BANK POLO DAY IN LONDON...

L-R: Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna; Group MD/CEO, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe and MD, Access Bank UK Limited, Jamie Simmonds, during the Access Bank Polo Day held at the Guards Polo Club, Egham, Surrey, London…recently

BUHARI: OSUN PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR WILL THROUGH BALLOT, IT MUST MATTER, BE RESPECTED "With regards participation of female electoral officials, we observed that a larger percentage of the polling units visited , that is about 76% had more than 2 female electoral officials, 12% had less than 2 officials, while 12% were above 2 officials.

"For instance, at polling unit 007, Ward 3, Boluwaduro LGA, polling unit 012, ward 2, Ife North LGA, accreditation commenced between 8.20- 8.30am, Similarly at polling unit 7, ward 6, Iwo LGA, accreditation commenced as early as 8am, however at polling unit 23, ward 5 , Oshogbo LGA, voters were accredited at 9.45am", Mrs Agbaje said.

On the turn out. of female voters and Persons with Disabilities, FIDA, claimed it observed a large turnout of female voters in about 88% of the polling units observed, adding that only 12% of the polling units visited had low voters.”

Utomi: With Transactional Politics, APC, PDP Can’t Produce Good Leaders

National Leader of Labour Party, Prof Pat Utomi, has declared that, with structural deficiency by reason of their transactional politics, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) could not produce good leaders.

He also said his 2012 Leadership Newspaper Annual Lecture gave birth to the APC but that people, who hijacked power then never wanted people like him to come closer.

Utomi, a Professor of Political Economics and Management, made the assertion in Benin City, capital of Edo State, weekend, at a one-day sensitisation programme organised by "Nigeria Can't Continue Like This" NCC-LIT, with the theme: Supporters of Good Governance.

According to him, what attracted persons him then was the anticorruption thing, because Buhari said, when elected, he would kill corruption, so that Nigeria could make progress.

“However, because of this transactional politics, we can see what has become of the government and in my opinion, this government is the most corrupt Nigeria has ever had.

“ASUU has been on strike forever, and look at what they are just asking for and it is for the sake of our children and this is what one man, called Accountant General can just take N170 billion from our treasury. You can see that their conscience don’t worry them again, because of the structure,” he said.

According to him, the desire to change Nigeria made him to start working with some persons

on the need for a third force and that made him to be working with some groups including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Labour Commission from the thirty-six states of the country and that was how the Labour Party allied to the Labour Congress.

"So, when some persons begin to project me for the presidency, and Peter Obi said the PDP thing will not work for him and came to the LP, I said okay, I will step down for him, because I am for anything that will make Nigeria work," Utomi noted.

He also disclosed that the formation of APC as a party began from a lecture he delivered in Lagos in 2012.

"APC started from a lecture that I gave at the Leadership Newspaper Annual Lecture, 2012 with the title, ‘Political Parties: Will Opposition Save Nigeria?’ At the Sheraton Hotels. When I finished the lecture, Chief Paul Unongo, accosted me and said, can I just close this gate so that about one thousand persons at the lecture will not go until we know how opposition political parties should be created.

“On the high table were Muhammadu Buhari, Bola Tinubu, Bisi Akande and others. In that meeting, I was mandated to go and write APC manifesto with the Vice President Yomi Osinbajo. But from the day one, it seemed that people that captured power do not want people like us around, and I just decided to stay on my own."

Nwosu: Relegation of Founding Fathers, Arrogance Cost APC Osun

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governorship candidate of APC in Imo State, Mr Uche Nwosu, has blamed internal crisis, arrogance, reliance on power of incumbency and poor reward system for the inability of the party to win the just concluded Osun State governorship election.

Nwosu, in a statement shortly after the result was announced by the INEC, noted that the APC leadership allowed internal crisis to engulf the structure of the party in nearly all the states, adding that the loss the APC suffered in Osun State was self-inflicted.

He stressed further that the arrogance of the people in power had led them to play God, while losing the commitment of party faithful.

"APC lost because the party leadership allowed internal crisis to kill the structures in all the states.

Secondly, arrogance contributed to the fall of the party. They believe that once you are in power, no one can do anything. APC has

always believed in the power of incumbency and also remember that we have been saying it that their reward system is zero.

"For instance, the founding fathers of the party are relegated to please new members. Look at how they treated the former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, see how he was relegated, a founding member of the party and they believed he can't do anything, he should go to hell. They have seen it now," he said.

On whether the party could still bounce back ahead the 2023 general elections, Nwosu lamented that the party does not have the luxury of time to make amends.

"It is getting late, in fact it is already late for the APC to retrace its steps. If they wanted to make corrections, they could have done that since; they had every opportunity to do that, but because some of the leaders in the party are very arrogant, they don't care, they are selfish and only think about themselves and we have been shouting about this but no one cared to listen. They think that once you become a governor then you have everything and nothing else matters anymore.

"I strongly blame the leadership of our party for the woes that have befallen the APC. God gave us power in 2015 and became arrogant with the power. We no longer care what happens, how the people feel, we don't care how the founding fathers of the party are treated, see where the arrogance has gotten us today," he said.

PDP Governors Say It’s Time for APC to Go

The PDP governors, yesterday, congratulated Ademola Adeleke and said his victory on Saturday was because of the trust Osun people reposed on him, adding that it was time for APC to go.

The party's governors said because the people could see Adeleke’s heart, which was full of love and concern for the wellbeing of his people, they elected him In a statement by the chairman of the PDP Governor, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, the party’s governors said, "This victory is as a result of the sagacity, hard work, teamwork, skillful campaigns, efficient resource allocation, openness and humility exhibited by the Governor-elect ' "He concentrated on issues that mattered most to Osun people and they responded in kind, bestowing on him and PDP an earth-shaking victory of historic proportions. This victory is a lesson for all. It shows that everyone matters in politics, particularly the electorate. It also confirms the famous dictum that 'God's time is the best'.

“We must remain vigilant and anticipate all the antics the dying All Progressives Congress (APC) will come up with. But rest assured that we are all with you in this great effort to reset the trajectory and story of Nigeria, positively.

The light has shone on Osun State, in July. It is time for the light to shine on Nigeria, again through the instrumentality of the PDP, come February, 2023.”

PSC, IG Say Osun Signposts Peaceful 2023 Elections

The Police Service Commission (PSC), said at the weekend, that, the commendable performance of the personnel of the Nigeria Police and during the just concluded Osun State governorship election was a signal that future elections in the country may witness good coverage by police and other security agencies.

Speaking in the same breath, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Baba, commended security operatives particularly, officers of the Nigeria Police, the military, and other security agencies as well as the electorate in Osun State for the peaceful conduct of the elections held last Saturday in the three Senatorial Districts, 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs), and 3753 polling units of the State.

The commission, in a statement, said it monitored policemen on election duties in the 30 Local Government Areas of the state and rated their performance above average.

"The police men arrived the polling centres on time and were professional in their conduct.

They exhibited a high level of commitment to their duties and were able to restore orderliness in most of the polling units.

"There were an average of three policemen in most of the units who were properly dressed with their name tags and were also firm and courteous to voters.”

The IGP applauded the massive deployment of police operatives, specialised units, and other human and operational assets including three helicopters and a couple of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial surveillance in the the senatorial districts, four adequately manned gun boats for the riverine areas, and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) which enabled swift responses to the pockets of electoral issues.

As statement by Force Headquarters said the IGP also lauded the collaborative efforts of other security agencies which assisted in the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Avoid Litigation,

Congratulate Adeleke, Lawyer Tells Oyetola

Human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has asked the Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to concede defeat and congratulate the governor-elect of the state, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

Olajengbesi, who is also a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, also said Oyetola would disgrace himself if he dares heads to court to challenge the electoral victory of Adeleke as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The lawyer described as a waste of time, any litigation by the APC candidate, saying even the Supreme Court cannot save Oyetola from his defeat at the polls of Saturday, July 16, 2022.

He therefore asked Oyetola to do the honorable thing and congratulate the governor-elect (Adeleke) just as President Muhammadu Buhari has done on Sunday.

Secondus Felicitates Adeleke

A former National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, has congratulated Ademola Adeleke on his well deserved victory at the Saturday's Osun State governorship election.

Secondus said the victory was a clear affirmation and demonstration of the people's goodwill in appreciation of the efforts of the Adelekes in the development of the state.

He commended all those who contributed greatly to the victory, in particular, the PDP 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, among others.

"By this brave and courageous act, Osun people have shown their determination to take their collective destiny in their own hands and for this PDP and all lovers of democracy are proud of them.”

Mark: Adeleke's Victory, PDP's Gateway to 2023

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has said the victory of Ademola Adeleke, was a gateway for the PDP in 2023.

“Your perseverance, steadfastness, focus, determination and unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of the citizens of Osun State has paid off. Their votes are investments and trust in you to lead them to the promised Land," he said.

The former Senate President told Adeleke to see his victory as a call to higher responsibility, and the power to do good and emancipate the people from deprivation, poverty and want.

He praised the people of Osun State for remaining steadfast and believe in the capacity of Adeleke to deliver dividends of democracy to them hoping that the governorelect will live up to expectation.

Mark also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), the security operatives and the media for the enabling environment that guaranteed free, fair and credible election in Osun state.

He said the PDP victory in Osun State shows that, “the PDP is the party of choice and the vehicle to usher In positive changes for Nigeria in 2023."

Abdulsalami’s Peace Committee Urges Adeleke to be Benevolent in Victory

The National Peace Committee (NPC) has described recently concluded governorship election in Osun state as a triumph of democracy.

In a statement signed by the former Nigeria's Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), the group urged the winner of the election, Senator Adeleke Ademola Jackson Nurudeen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be benevolent in victory, urging him and his political party to eschew triumphalism that may make peace-building difficult after what at certain moments was a fractiously fought election "We wish to commend and congratulate the people of Osun State over their peaceful conduct during the July 16, 2022, governorship election making the following observations.

"We particularly commend the people of Osun State for coming out in large numbers abiding to the procedures set out by the Electoral Act and implemented by the electoral commission. Your conduct is an admirable example of proper voter behaviour to the nation, even as we look forward to the General Elections in 2023.

"We note with certainty, the efforts put in place by various stakeholders in government, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), traditional and religious leaders, and various development partners, to ensure a peaceful and transparent atmosphere before, during and after the elections in Osun State. We are elated over this development and call for further cooperation in future elections.

“While the elections were not devoid of incidents, particularly the scourge that is vote trading, we commend the efforts of all stakeholders who have tirelessly worked either as ombudsmen or observers or participants to ensure that the elections were conducted according to the rules,". It said.

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20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALAYETORO… R-L: Wife of late Deji of Akure, Mojisola Adesida; Former Governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko; Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Alayetoro of Ayetoro, Oba Samuel Ajayi and wife at the 20th anniversary of Alayetoro in Ayetoro Ekiti…recently

NLC Vows to Go Ahead with Nationwide Protest over Closure of Universities

Rally to hold July 26th, 27th Union debunks Ngige’s claims that medical lecturers have suspended strike, urges minister to resign

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its resolve to hold a two-day national protest to demand the immediate reopening of the country's public-owned tertiary institutions which had been shut down for five months.

The resolution by the NLC came just as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Usman Danfodio University chapter has debunked claims by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige that its medical lecturers have backed out of the ongoing strike embarked upon by the university lecturers’ union.

The NLC accused the federal government of not negotiating in good faith to resolve the crisis in Nigeria’s public Universities The Labour movement had at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, on June 30, 2022, threatened to embark on a nationwide protest to compel, "the federal government to conclude the ongoing negotiation with trade unions in Nigeria’s universities and be prepared to commence implementation of whatever Collective Bargaining Agreement arising therefrom so that public universities in Nigeria can resume

normal activities."

The federal government was then given a 21-day ultimatum to resolve the dispute or face a one-day nationwide labour protest which might culminate in a full blown worker's strike.

The ultimatum would end on July 26.

However, in a mobilisation letter sent to all the state branches of NLC and the Federal Capital Territory, the Congress directed them to activate all the mechanisms to implement the decision of NEC to organise a national protest beginning from Wednesday, July 26 to Thursday, July 27.

Among the resolutions reached at the NEC meeting were the condemnation of the alleged unserious attitude of government to negotiations as well the activation of, “no work–no pay” policy on the striking university workers.

The NEC described the stoppage of salaries of the university workers as draconian.

The NEC went on to resolve to organise a one-day solidarity action in support of Congress affiliates in the education sector.

But in a statement issued yesterday, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the decision of the NEC have been activated accordingly with a circular to affiliates and

Developed Countries Urged to Free Africa from Shackles of Debt Michael Olugbode in Abuja The only way for Africa to be freed from the shackles of debt and get its development back on track is if the continent is assisted by developed countries, private financial institutions and international multilateral financial institutions.

This was this submission from an international online seminar with the theme, “Africa's Debt Situation and China's Responses," organised by the Shanghai Institute of International Studies (SIIS).

The seminar held at the weekend had in attendance experts and professionals from international organisations, enterprises, Chinese and foreign think tanks and representatives from universities, where they discussed two major topics: ‘Assessing the debt situation in Africa, and China's role

in the African debt issue.’

The participants stressed the need to take stronger actions in providing financial support to developing countries and alleviating their debt.

The seminar aimed to deepen the understanding of African debt crisis and explore how China and the African community could deepen their cooperation with Africa. At the same time, the seminar called on all parties to coordinate and cooperate on this problem, especially the developed countries, private financial institutions and international multilateral financial institutions, and together they should take stronger actions in providing financial support to developing countries and alleviating their debt through actions by all parties can the world help Africa and the global economy to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.

state councils for compliance.

The NLC lamented the delay in resolving the dispute between members of ASUU and other nonteaching staff unions despite the setting up high-powered negotiating team headed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari for that purpose.

It also recalled that a tripartite meeting was convened by the federal government on May 12, 2022, at the instance of the organised labour and well-meaning Nigerians to resolve the crises in the tertiary institutions.

According to NLC, negotiations were held and the meeting was adjourned for three weeks to allow the Prof. Nimi-Briggs Committee to turn in their report and also to allow the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to subject all the proposed unviersity payment platforms to integrity test including IPPIS. "The committee was asked to conclude its work and report back to the negotiation meeting.

It was the federal government at the Tripartite Plus negotiation meeting, that requested that the

meeting be adjourned for three weeks to enable the Briggs Committee to submit their report and for integrity test to be conducted on the payment platform proposed by the trade unions.

"How can government now turn around to blame the unions for the work of a committee they appointed? This was the same way the last committee report on this matter was aborted,” it stated.

The NLC statement added: "Given the foregoing and in line with the resolutions of the NEC of the Nigeria Labour Congress which took place on the 30th of June 2022, we demand the following from the federal government: "The federal government should immediately conclude the ongoing negotiation with trade unions in Nigeria’s universities and be prepared to commence implementation of whatever Collective Bargaining Agreement arising therefrom so that public universities in Nigeria can resume normal activities.

"The federal government should immediately pay the salaries of striking university workers which

had been frozen on the premise of the so-called “no work-no pay” policy especially as recommended by the leaders of Nigeria’s two major faiths.

"We demand that the federal government meets these demands in line with the resolutions of the statutory organs of the Congress.

"All the decisions of the NEC have been activated accordingly with a circular to affiliates and state councils of Nigeria Labour Congress."

NLC also spoke on the need for the review of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the federal government and the union in the tertiary institutions, saying that it had expired long before now.

"Given the free fall of Nigeria’s currency, the naira, and its continuous devaluation, the need for the review of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement is public knowledge.

"As it stands today, the highest earning university Professor and staff earns less than $800 as take-home pay. This is indeed very ridiculous and is a major factor to the high rate of brain drain in our system making us unable to retain our best brains."

ASUU Debunks Minister's Claims That Medical Lecturers Suspended Strike

Meanwhile, ASUU, Usman Danfodio University Chapter has debunked claims by Ngige that its medical lecturers have back out from the ongoing strike embarked upon by the union.

In a statement at the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Sokoto, yesterday, the chairperson of the union, Prof. Muhammad Almustapha accused Ngige of misleading Nigerians.

He added that recently Ngige in an interview with Arise TV on 14 July, 2022, had said the medical lecturers of the university had suspended the strike since it didn't produce the desired results.

"Ngige on the July 14, 2022 pitiably and shamefully said medical lecturers of the university are at work, they have written their Vice Chancellor that they are at work.”

He noted that the statement was the imagination of the minister which was intended to misinform the general public against the sensibility of Nigerians.

Crisis of Confidence Hits Maritime Transport Unions, Associations as Key Members Pull Out

Dike Onwuamaeze

A crisis of confidence has hit the Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) following the constant breach of the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into by members of COMTUA allegedly by some members, especially the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Some of the key members of COMTUA, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Nigerian Association of Road transport (NARTO), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have consequently withdrawn their memberships of the body.

MWUN had in a letter to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), dated March 10, 2022, signed by the Secretary General, Felix S. Akingboye, a copy of which was seen by THISDAY, drawn the attention of the NPA Managing

Director to the development in COMTUA. “I am directed to inform you, Sir, that Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has withdrawn from the Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Association (COMTUA),” the letter read.

The union added: “We are constrained to take our exit from the Council due to the continuous breach of the provisions of the Council’s MoU by members especially the NURTW.” While listing the primary objectives of the Council to include, among others, collaboration of all the maritime trade unions and associations to stem the incessant and unabated gridlock that had bedeviled the access roads to the nation’s sea ports over the years, speak with one voice on issue concerning members, and synergise with one another to foster solidarity, the union lamented that the NURTW had allegedly constantly breached this well-stated understanding.

The union specifically accused the NURTW of writing frivolous petitions against its (MWUN’s) members and other stakeholders, that is government agencies, which led to arrest by the police and the resultant embarrassment caused to the union.

MWUN also said that the NURTW peddled falsehood against its (MWUN’s) members and other stakeholders.

The Union (MWUN) stated that as a focused and responsible union, it could not remain a party to an organisation that “professes one thing and does another.”

“Consequently, Maritime Workers Union of Nigerian (MWUN) cease to be party to any action or discussion of the Council effective from the date of our letter of withdrawal from the Council, copy of which attached for your perusal.

“Also forwarded is copy of the Council’s letter of acceptance of our withdrawal dated 12th July, 2021.

It is also on record that other key

members of the Council such as NARTO, AMATO, RTEAN have also withdrawn their memberships of the council.

“However, Maritime Workers Union, as a stakeholder in the industry still remans a member of the Steering and Enforcement Committees set up by the Ministry of Transportation to decongest the Port access roads in order to facilitate ease of doing business in the Ports,” the MWUN stated in the letter.

AMATO had also issued a notice disclaiming its membership of COMTUA. Signed by Chief Remi Ogungbemi on behalf of AMATO, the association wrote: “Once again, it has gotten to our information that AMATO is being mentioned, printed or paraded as a member of COMTUA. Therefore, it has become expedient for us as AMATO to inform the relevant authorities and the public that: There was never a time AMATO aligned with COMTUA and will not be part of COMTUA.”

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MEETING ON OIL, GAS & ENERGY AND BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP… L-R: Technical Adviser on Gas Business & Policy Implementation to the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Justice Derefaka; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Acting High Commissioner, High Commission of India in Nigeria, Mr. VADL Surendra, and First Secretary Political Information & Education India High Commission in Nigeria, Mr. Vipul Mesariya, during a meeting on oil, gas & energy and bilateral relationship between both countries in Abuja…recently

Kyari: FG to Continue to Determine Petrol Prices Despite NNPC’s Transition to Commercial Entity Says new transparency requirement will be tasking Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has maintained that determination of fuel prices would continue to be a decision by the federal government despite the firm’s transitioning to a commercial entity.

But unlike his counterpart in Brazil state-run Petrobras oil company, Jose Mauro Coelho, who resigned from his post as CEO last month over President Jair Bolsonaro's interference in the company’s fuel pricing policy, Kyari said that the exercise would henceforth be performed for a fee for the Nigerian government.

Coelho was forced to step down from his role just days after Petrobras announced that it would increase petrol and diesel prices and Bolsonaro who is seeking re-election in October described the move as one that, "could sink Brazil into chaos."

President Muhammadu Buhari also holds the same view.

Coelho would be the third Petrobras CEO to have come and gone since Bolsonaro took office in early 2019, with the disagreements earlier leading to the ouster of former CEOs Roberto Castello Branco and Joaquim Silva e Luna.

Speaking during a prerecorded interview with Channels Television, yesterday, Kyari stated that whereas

before now the NNPC's function of being the sole importer may not have been on a commercial basis, it would henceforth charge a fee for the service.

“In the case of the price of petroleum, this is a policy matter.

And the NNPC is going to be a supplier to the Federation at a fee.

So, the issue of at what price you sell petroleum will be the decision of the state.

“The state has continued to maintain that we must continue to pay subsidy on petroleum products. We are happy to do this, but as a commercial venture, we will have a service-level agreement between us to render that service,” he said.

Although it became a Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) on July 1 by the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the NNPC is expected to be officially unveiled

by Buhari tomorrow.

The president recently deferred the full deregulation of the sector, which would have seen the removal of the controversial and opaque petrol subsidy and will gulp at least N4 trillion this year, by 18 months.

But Kyari reiterated that it would no longer be business as usual, insisting that as a commercial venture, the NNPC would just be a service provider to government, rather than shouldering the responsibility of importation and

allowing it hurt the company’s bottom line.

“We will procure the products and we will sell to the state, and will be step on step with the country and literally, I've seen no indication at this point in time that the state is ready to change any price of petroleum products.

It has nothing to do with our operations.

“For us, what it really means is that this is business for us.

We'll charge them a fee and at any point, so that the company can make money on behalf of its shareholders,” he said during the interview.

Kyari, who also spoke on the new demands on the new NNPC explained that it would henceforth take the issue of transparency more

of the bank and the subsequent African Union supported $6.5 billion General Capital Increase (GCI) approved by the bank’s Board of Directors in June 2021.

The “stable” outlook is also supported by a strong balance sheet and strong shareholder support that is expected to carry Afreximbank through the turbulent global cycle, especially considering the current geopolitical instability and the vulnerable global economy.

GCR also noted that the status of Afreximbank has benefited from significant membership penetration especially in the

will rather continue to ensure more openness in its operations to attract more investments and foreign partnerships.

“Actually it now becomes more demanding to be more transparent.

NNPC is a partner company for the global EITI initiative, like very many other private companies that voluntarily chose to become partner company to the EITI.

Audit Query: Senate Probes NIMASA's Payment of $5m Legal Fee without Results Nigeria loses $9.3bn due to lawyer's incompetence Panel seeks arrest warrant against NIMASA DG Sunday Aborisade, Abuja The Senate has commenced a probe into the alleged payment of $5 million as a professional fee by the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to a legal firm for the purpose of recovering $9.3 billion which the country lost to the global movement of Nigerian hydro-carbon resources.

The Senate Public Account Committee (SPAC) is carrying out the investigation based on the query raised by the Auditor General for the Federation (AuGF)

as contained in its 2018 Annual Report.

The $5 million was said to be the five per cent of the $9.3 billion Nigerian hydro-carbon loss between 2013 and 2014.

The law firm, not disclosed, was expected to carry out necessary legal actions that would enable NIMASA to perfect an intelligence based efforts to track the nation's hyrdo-carbon global movement.

The Chairman of SPAC, Senator Matthew Urhoghide at the last sitting of the panel, expressed dissatisfaction with the failure of

GCR Upgrades Afreximbank’s Rating to ‘A’ The Global Credit Rating (GCR) has announced the upgrade of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) international scale long-term issuer rating from A- to A, with stable outlook.

The rating agency also upgraded the international scale long-term issuer rating on the bank’s Global Medium-Term Note (GMTN) Programme to A (Stable Outlook) and affirmed the Bank’s short-term issuer rating at A2.

According to GCR, Afreximbank’s credit rating was upgraded to reflect the positive consequences of the elevated status and growing importance

seriously, having earlier joined the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

“More than anything else, there's really no plan of tying this (subsidy) to our turnover and they have no relationship,” he noted.

According to him, the new NNPC will not withdraw from the international organisation, but

African region, significant capital flows from shareholders and track record for Preferential Creditor Treatment (PCT). The Bank is now one of the largest and most influential Multilateral Development Banks operating in the African region, with its franchise as a trade finance focused MDB strengthening over the last decade, meaning its strategic position has elevated.

The rating agency believes that the many initiatives that Afreximbank had undertaken over the last couple of years, including the recently introduced Ukraine Crisis Adjustment Trade

Financing Programme for Africa (UKAFPA), worth $4 billion on a net basis would continue to be a strong underpin of relevance and importance to its shareholders.

President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah said: “We are pleased to receive the positive news of the ratings uplift. “We thank the bank’s shareholders and member states for the strong support that led to this outcome. Afreximbank remains committed to delivering value to all its shareholders from both trade development and financial perspectives.”

the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh and his team to appear before it over the issue.

He said the panel had no other option than to call for the issuance of arrest warrant against the Director General.

Urhoghide lamented that his panel had invited the NIMASA management up to three times, but the officials failed to honour the invitations.

He said, "This Committee has no other option but to demand the issuance of warrant of arrest against the Director General of NIMASA. "It is convenient for him and his team to come to the National Assembly to defend appropriation of fund, but when it is time to give account of the money they collected and spent, they will be nowhere to be found.

"This Committee had invited NIMASA up to three times to come and explain on the payment of $5 million as professional fee and details of $9.3 billion loss by the federal government, but the agency declined the invitation."

The report of the Auditor General revealed that all efforts by the AuGF to see details of the $9.3 billion loss by the federal government for scrutiny was not granted by NIMASA. The AuGF report indicated

that the money was paid from Zenith Bank (UK) dollar account.

Part of the query read: "Audit observed that the agency engaged the service of a legal firm through a letter with reference number NIMASA/DG/KP/2014/001, dated 24th January 2014.

"It was for the intelligence based tracking of global movement of Nigerian hydro-carbon and recovery of loss by the federal government of Nigeria in the sum of $9.3 billion between 2013 and 2014, with a start-off cost of $5 million and five per cent of all sums recovered.

"Payment instruction with reference number NIMASA/2007/ DFS/WJ/5.500/VOL.11/341 dated April 2014 showed that the firm was paid the sum of $4,523,809.52 (Four million five hundred and twenty three thousand eight hundred and nine dollar fifty two cents only) net as professional fees from Zenith Bank (UK) Dollar account.

"The naira equivalent of this amount was N741,904,761.28 at an exchange rate of N164 to a dollar as of that date.

"No evidence of recovery of either part or the entire sum of the 9.3 Billion US Dollars was presented as at the time of the Periodic Check in February 2018, despite the huge amount of money already paid to this effect.

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SEEKING BABA'S WISE COUNSEL… L-R: Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure; Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi; Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Labour Party Vice Presidential Candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, during a courtesy visit to Obasanjo...yesterday

FG Disburses N351.65bn in W’Bank’s SFTAS to Promote Fiscal Transparency in States Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government has so far disbursed a total of N351.65 billion grant to participating states in the last four years under the World Bank-assisted States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme for Results (PforR).

SFTAS' National Programme Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Okon made the disclosure at the weekend in Abuja, on the sidelines of a national workshop for civil society organisations (CSOs).

The four-year SFTAS Programme (2018-2022) was approved by the World Bank in June 2018 and commenced in May 2019 to nudge states into imbibing fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability.

The original $750 million loan from the World Bank

comprised two components - the performance-based grants from the federal government to states for achieving the Annual Eligibility Criteria and the Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), which is the programme results.

SFTAS, which seeks to encourage states to significantly improve outcomes in four key results, is designed to provide performance –based grants and technical assistance to them to implement the 22- point Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) and the Open Government Partnership (OGP).

The four key areas where states expected to significantly increase results are: Fiscal Transparency and Accountability; Strengthen Domestic Revenue Mobilisation; Increase Efficiency in Public Expenditure and Strengthen Debt Sustainability.

Over 80 Children Delivered in Benue IDPs’ Camp, SEMA Reveals George Okoh in Makurdi Benue State internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) camps have recorded an increase in births from January to July this year, with over 80 children given birth to.

Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Emmanuel Shior, who made the disclosure in Makurdi at the weekend, while distributing food and non-food materials to IDPs across the state, noted that the agency has no right to regulate child birth.

"To deserve to have sex is human needs that cannot be controlled by SEMA,” he said.

The SEMA boss who denied receiving any donation from the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume for the IDPs in the state, urged members of the public to disregard such social media reports.

He pointed out that SEMA remains the coordinating body and advised anyone or group intending to donate materials to IDPs to involve the agency,

because an official report is usually written to appropriate quarters for record purposes.

According to Shior, the agency was working in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC) to see that IDPs were captured in the ongoing trial census in the state.

While calling on the federal government and the international community to look towards the needs of IDPs that have allegedly been displaced by Fulani herdsmen that occupied their ancestral homes, he noted that the people want to return home, warning herders to vacate such communities with immediate effect.

"Benue IDPs are yearning to go back to their communities but insecurity could not allow them. It is the wish of Benue State Government to return them home. Let me sound a warning to herders to vacate Benue communities with immediate effect," he added.

Shior explained that over 200 people who were displaced in Okpokwu Local Government Area in a recent attack were also to benefit from this month's food items.

Okon told journalists that of the $1.5 billion released by the World Bank in two tranches of $750 million each, the sum of N351,650,867,450 had been disbursed to states that met the Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs).

He said: “We had started disbursing second tranche of the $750 million long ago, and in fact, it might interest you to note that up till now, about N351.65 billion has been disbursed to states as grants for achievements made in respect of what we call the Disbursement Linked Indicators.

"Currently we are also in the process of making more disbursement for the 2020 APA and the 2021 APA (Annual Performance Assessment).

"The 2021 APA, which we expect to disburse in October will be the last of this disbursement.

Okon stated that SFTAS came with what he described as a 'dangling gold', adding that the message is: "If you do this, we are going to pay a certain amount of money. It's something we welcomed and started pushing right from then to see to what extent we get those states to open

as much as possible."

According to him, the SFTAS Programme which comes to an end this year has achieved so much in building transparency, accountability and sustainability among the states, particularly in terms of accountability.

He noted that it had made all the states to publish their annual budgets and their end of year account on timely basis.

"We also have had all the states improve their internally generated revenue. Then, in terms of building a basis for comparison among the states, we have all the states currently in terms of matters that relate to Treasury Single Account (TSA), matters that relate to procurement law, matters that relate to audit law.

"Almost all the states in the federation now have all these in place and it has really promoted accountability transparency and accountability among the states of the federation," he stated.

On the possible extension of the SFTAS Programme beyond 2022, Okon disclosed that no clear position had been taken on that.

However, he stated that because of the impact on the states and

public finance management, it was not impossible that such considerations may be explored moving forward.

Earlier in his briefing for the CSOs, Okon noted that in a bid to encourage a common set of fiscal behaviour aimed at promoting fiscal transparency, accountability, and sustainability among the states of the federation, the World Bank and the federal government developed a fouryear (2018 – 2022) Programme for Results (PforR) facility worth $750 million tagged States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Following the advent of COVID-19 in December 2020, he added that the World Bank approved an additional financing of $750 million to the SFTAS PforR to assist states to cope with the fiscal constraints occasioned by the pandemic.

The SFTAS National Programme Coordinator said programme combines select actions from the Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) and the Open Government Partnership (OGP) agenda to form its disbursement linked results which states are to meet in order

to access funds.

"As part of its strategies to ensure the sustainability of fiscal reforms, the SFTAS Programme Coordination Unit, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is engaging stakeholders on the demand side like the CSOs who can ensure that fiscal transparency and accountability are sustained in state public finance management (PFM) activities.

He stressed that it was an incontrovertible fact that CSOs the world over are veritable platforms for the promotion of good fiscal governance and sustainable development.

In their quest to ensure the emergence of an egalitarian society, he said, "CSOs have been known to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted by holding leaders at all levels accountable thus ensuring transparency and accountability in public financial management especially at the state level.

"They are also at the vanguard of mobilising the citizenry towards national development through organising advocacy activities of government policies, programmes and actions.

Osinbajo Refused Offer to Travel Abroad for Surgical Operation, Presidency Source Reveals FEC wishes VP quick recovery Deji Elumoyebi and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the weekend insisted on using a Nigerian hospital and medical experts for the surgical operation to correct a fracture on his right femur despite the advice of his doctors for him to go abroad for the operation.

According to sources close to Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, where the operation took place on Saturday, some of the government and private practice doctors of the vice president made the suggestion because the going abroad option was often usually considered by such class of patients and at times the option could also

seem more seamless.

But one of the doctors who coordinated the surgery, Dr. Yemi Onabowale, who is the founder of the Reddington Hospital, was quoted to have said "the VP was clear that he had confidence in Nigerian doctors both at home and abroad and would prefer they handle the operation."

His preference to have the surgery done in Nigeria was also being regarded as a major boost for the government's often stated objective of a reversed medical tourism as some voices in the healthcase sector have expressed excitement at the Vice President's choice.

Osinbajo was also said to have argued that doing the operation in

Nigeria would not only encourage Nigerian doctors who are among the best anywhere in the world, but it would also help develop the capacity here in Nigeria and further build on the medical infrastructure in the country.

Confirming the development, a senior presidency official who pleaded anonymity said it was true the vice president was given the option to go abroad but opted to do it here.

"The VP's view is that most people don't even know the facilities exists here. Besides we have some of the best doctors available anywhere," the official disclosed.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has

wished Osinbajo quick recovery following the successful operation possibly related to a long standing injury associated with the game of squash.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, in a statement yesterday sent the goodwill to the vice president on behalf of Council.

He expressed delight that the surgical operation, which was performed by a team of specialist doctors in Lagos, was reported to be successful.

As Osinbajo recuperates from the surgical operation, FEC wished him quick recovery so as to continue to give the needed support for the overall growth and stability of the country.

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NEWS

12TH ANNIVERSARY OF TRINITY HOUSE… L-R: Trinity House Anniversary Committee Member, Adediwura Babalola; Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; Anniversary Chairperson, Opeyemi Oke; Head of Media, Dr. Titi SUNDAY ADIGUN Akeredolu; and Committee Member, Omotade Odunowo at the Trinity House 12th Anniversary Press Conference held at the Church Auditorium in Lagos… yesterday

Afenifere Knocks Buhari, Says Charge to Army to Wipe Out Terrorists Repetitive Deji Elumoye, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan A Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has described the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the army to confront “terrorists and insurgents and wipe them off the face of the earth and bring peace to countries” in West Africa as a repetition of orders that had been given so often that it no longer evokes substance, because it was not backed up with necessary wherewithal.

The President, had while

addressing the 247 graduating students of the Senior Course 44 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, last week, said, “Recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria bore the hallmark of national and trans-border insurgents trying to cause havoc in Nigeria as well as in neighbouring countries.

“He then charged the soldiers, who were led by the Commandant of the College, Oluwarotimi Tuwase, to consider it as part of their duty to confront these terrorists and insurgents and wipe them off the face of the earth”.

2023: 2,000 More APC Youth, Women Defect to PDP in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

About 2,000 youth and women in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State at the weekend publicly dumped the party for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The defectors, who were mainly from Osi community in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state stated that, they decided to dump their former party, APC based on the alleged non-performance since the party took over the mantle of leadership in the state.

Last weekend, hundreds of the APC members in Isolo-opin ward in Ekiti council area of the state dumped the party for the PDP. Speaking at an outing in Osi town, leader of the defectors and one of the advocates of "O To Ge" movement during 2019 general election in the state, Mrs. Veronica Ayeni (Ire) said, "I used my time, resources and my energy to mobilise for Kwara APC in 2019 general election.

"This was done purposely, because of my children for them to secure jobs as employment and prompt empowerments remain the campaign watchword of Governor Abdulrahman

Abdulrazaq. More than three years now, nothing like dividends of democracy in my immediate family not to talk of my political followers.

"I have worked with Saraki dynasty in the past, and I know what my community has benefited from Saraki family. 2023, we will deliver Osi for PDP," she said, adding that, "APC is a political party with full of crises and deceit.

"I have decided to leave APC party, because 2023, I can see there's no hope for them in Kwara State and Nigeria by extension with various calamities that our electorate are facing as a country people.

As a grassroots politician and a great political mobiliser from Osi ward l, I'm assuring you more members of APC in PDP as you have officially received us to your peaceful party," she stated.

In his remarks, Hon. Sakariyahu Uthman, who is the PDP chairman, Osi ward ll, assured them a great synergy as he made it known to the defectors that there was no factions in Kwara PDP. He called on the defectors to move into the wards in the local government so as to mobilise more members into the PDP so as to ensure electoral victory of the party in the state come 2023.

But in a release last night by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the group observed that insurgency ought not to have occurred at all in the first place, were the government up to its responsibility and since it began, the kid glove treatment being meted out to the terrorists was what made them to grow to the point of taking over territories in some states in the northern part of the country notably Sokoto, Kaduna, Borno, Niger, Zamfara among others.

While appreciating President Buhari’s affirmation to give the military needed support, Ajayi submitted that this has been said several times over without backing it up with action.

"For example, it was on

record that men of the Armed Forces had, at different times, complained that they do not have the kind of fire-power possessed by the terrorists they were supposed to confront and overcome. This much was stated as one of the reasons why those who attacked Kuje Correctional Centre on July 6, this year, succeeded in their dastardly mission.

“Minister of Defence, General Bashir Magashi (rtd), while briefing newsmen after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on June 3, 2020, said the Nigerian Army lacks requisite manpower and funding. And that the fact was presented at the meeting they just concluded.

"The Minister’s submission was not controverted, yet, no noticeable improvement

had been seen since then.

Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, states unambiguously that, ‘The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’.

“Sub section (c) of the same section 14(2)(c) goes on to make it mandatory for the government to ensure the participation of the people in the governance of the country. As is known, this aspect is observed more in breach than in observance.

But that is not of immediate concern here now. That the President understands the duty of the government should not be in doubt going by several statements he has made.

"The success of the steps taken by the administration on corruption can be judged

by how low that scourge has gone in our country. In doing so, it is important to recall what happened to the man who headed the Pensions’ Board, the reason for the suspension of the Accountant General of the Federation and the vote-buying habit that has now been taken to an unprecedented level in the country.”

In conclusion, Afenifere reiterated its push for state and community policing system, which it said must be allowed with all the necessary powers while the national security agencies are equipped, motivated and mobilised adequately in a manner that would make them tower above the enemies they are supposed to confront, the terrorists etc."

NBA President-elect Wants INEC to Leverage Technology in 2023 Alex Enumah in Abuja The newly elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to leverage the technology the NBA deployed in the conduct of its elections so as to achieve a smooth, credible, free and fair general election in 2023.

Maikyau stated this

against the current insecurity challenges confronting the nation, shortly after his declaration as President-elect of the NBA Executive Election, which held on Saturday.

According to him the association has been conducting transparent and credible polls through modern technology to the applaud of members.

The online technology enables the participation

of a very large number of the NBA, who do not need to travel from one point to another or even gather in a spot, as people cast their votes at their convenience within the time slated for the ballot.

Maikyau, therefore, urged INEC to deploy the technology in its conduct of future elections in the country particularly, as insecurity seems to be a major threat to the conduct of the 2023

general election.

In a related development, the president-elect has extended his hand of fellowship to all contestants in the elections so as to lead a United and progressive bar in the country.

"I extend my hand of fellowship to who took in process as contestant, let put our hand on the plough to cultivate the fertile land of the NBA", he said.

In Preparation for Transition, Fayemi Sacks All Political Aides Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti In what appeared like a preparation for his handing over on October 16, 2022, the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has terminated the appointments of all his political aides.

Those affected by the sack are his Special Assistants, Technical Assistants, Executive Assistants and Senior Special Assistants he appointed upon assumption of office in 2018.

Fayemi will handover to his would-be successor, Biodun Oyebanji, on October 16,

2022, having won the June 18 governorship poll as the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A memo dated July 15,2022, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Foluso Daramola, which was sighted by newsmen in AdoEkiti, yesterday, said Fayemi approved the termination of these appointments with effect from 31st July, 2022.

Fayemi said the action, which was in consonance with the state’s transition law, was targeted at ensuring payments of entitlements of

political office holders and their terminal benefits.

Fayemi further stated that the action would pave way for the state government to process all outstanding allowances to the affected officials, for a smooth transition from the incumbent administration to the new government.

The memo read: “A Transition Committee was constituted to among others, evolve strategies for a smooth transition from the incumbent to the incoming government.

One of the duties of the Committee, in line with

Ekiti State Transition Law, is to ensure the payment of entitlements of political office holders including their terminal benefits.

"His Excellency, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, has approved that the services of all Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Technical Assistants and Executives Assistants would end on 31st July 2022 to enable the State Government process all outstanding allowances of the affected officials more so that the Government is winding up."

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NEWS

HOMEWIN GRAND FINALE… L-R: Assistant Head, Monitoring and Enforcement, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) Lagos, Niyi Adeleke; Group Managing Director, Sijumoti Group, Sijubomi Ogundele; winner of three Bedroom Home in Lekki, Diala Princewill Chidi; Deputy Director/Zonal Coordinator, NLRC, Lagos, Nkiru Onuzulu; and Chief Operating Officer, Homewin, Eze Igwe, during SUNDAY ADIGUN the Homewin grand finale in Lagos…recently

Obasanjo Seeks Constitutional Roles for Traditional Rulers to Promote Stability, Peace Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Former President Olusegun Obasajo has called for constitutional roles for the traditional rulers across board in the country, saying this would engender peace and stability in the country.

Obasanjo described traditional institution as sacred and pivotal to the success and survival of any society, saying no nation could grow when their tradition was being subjugated and suppressed in a brazen fashion.

The former number one citizen spoke in Ayetoro Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government area of Ekiti State, at the weekend, during the 20th coronation anniversary of Alayetoro, Oba Samuel Olufisan Ajayi.

The former Nigerian leader was accompanied to the ceremony by the former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

Obasanjo, who was the father of the day, described the traditional institution as a significant part of every society, adding that the role of the royal fathers should be accorded due recognition.

"No one can underrate the contributions of our royal fathers.

They are the custodians of our customs and tradition.

"But majorly, they sustain peace

and stability in any society, so we have to accord them their due constitutional roles," Obasanjo said.

The former president commended Oba Ajayi for his positive impact in the community

since he ascended the throne, urging him to continue his appreciable contributions to drive development in the town.

Addressing his subjects, Oba Ajayi, said the 20-year journey

had not been easy considering the challenges a devouted Christian Oba would encounter on the throne in a typical Yoruba community.

"As a true Christian, I have

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have lamented the global decline in vaccination coverage with 25 million infants missing out on life-saving vaccines in 2021.

According to a statement

by UNICEF made available to THISDAY at the weekend by it Communication Officer, Bauchi Field Office, Mr. Opeyemi Olagunju, quoted Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, to have said: "The largest sustained decline in childhood vaccinations in approximately 30 years has been recorded in official data published today 15th July, 2022 by WHO and UNICEF." The report also disclosed that, "The percentage of children who received three doses of the vaccine

of various kinds of challenges and by God’s grace, also of great triumphs. I thank God that at any time when the enemies had come like a flood, God had raised a standard against them”, he said.

Buhari, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Akeredolu Mourn Ex-APC Women Leader, Nelson Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Segun James in Lagos and Fidelis David in Akure President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Ondo State counterpart, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Bola Tinubu have commiserated with the Nelson family over the demise of a frontline politician and advocate of the womenfolk, Chief Kemi Nelson.

Buhari in a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, also sent condolences to the government and people of Lagos State, Tinubu, and the Lagos APC family on the loss of, "a consistent and faithful party member who devoted so much to the evolution, development, sustenance and relevance of the party in Lagos and around the

country."

Buhari noted the contributions of Nelson as a former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Lagos State, the State Women Leader, National Deputy Women Leader of APC, and former Executive Director of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, remarking that she was such a grassroots mobiliser and an achiever who left her footprints wherever she served.

“As the only female member of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Kemi Nelson continued to be part of the governance structure that led to the transformation of Lagos State into the Centre of Excellence it has become,” he said.

The president prayed that almighty God would grant the husband, Adeyemi Nelson and the family, friends and associates of the deceased, the fortitude to bear the loss and repose her soul.

Nelson died yesterday at the age of 66.

On his part, Sanwo-Olu in a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the death of Chief Nelson as a great loss to Lagos State, especially the ruling party, considering her unique position as one of the great mobilisers in the party.

The Governor described the late Lagos APC Women Leader as a, “passionate, trustworthy, committed, extremely loyal politician, leader, women advocate and an invaluable asset to APC and Lagos State."

Furthermore, Sanwo-Olu said, "the death of Chief Kemi Nelson is a painful and big loss to me personally. It is also a great loss to the GAC, our party, APC, the deceased family and friends.

"I am saddened by the passage of this indefatigable, devoted, loyal, committed, progressive democrat

WHO, UNICEF Lament Global Decline in Vaccination as 25m Children Miss Routine Immunisation Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

had my fair share and I can say categorically that it is not a tea party at all for an uncompromising Christian to reign over a Yoruba town as an Oba. "Thus, it has been 20 years

against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3) – a marker for immunisation coverage within and across countries – fell five percentage points between 2019 and 2021 to 81 per cent.

"As a result, 25 million children missed out on one or more doses of DTP through routine immunisation services in 2021 alone. This is two million more than those who missed out in 2020 and six million more than in 2019, highlighting the growing number of children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases.

"The decline was due to many factors including an increased number of children living in conflict and fragile settings where immunisation access is often challenging, increased misinformation and COVID-19 related issues such as service and supply chain disruptions, resource

diversion to response efforts, and containment measures that limited immunisation service access and availability.

“This is a red alert for child health. We are witnessing the largest sustained drop in childhood immunisation in a generation. The consequences will be measured in lives.”

It added: “While a pandemic hangover was expected last year as a result of COVID-19 disruptions and lockdowns, what we are seeing now is a continued decline. COVID-19 is not an excuse.

“We need immunisation catchups for the missing millions or we will inevitably witness more outbreaks, more sick children and greater pressure on already strained health systems.”

The report added that, "18 million of the 25 million children

did not receive a single dose of DTP during the year, the vast majority of whom live in low- and middle-income countries, with India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Ethiopia and the Philippines recording the highest numbers.”

It noted that among countries with the largest relative increases in the number of children who did not receive a single vaccine between 2019 and 2021 were Myanmar and Mozambique.

According to the statement, globally, over a quarter of the coverage of HPV vaccines achieved in 2019 have been lost.

This, it stated, has grave consequences for the health of women and girls, as global coverage of the first dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was only 15 per cent, despite the first vaccines being licenced over 15 years ago.

and team player who played remarkable roles in the success of our party at the state, zonal and national levels during her lifetime.

“Chief Kemi Nelson as a consummate politician and committed leader of her people, especially women, contributed immensely to the growth and development of our great party as APC Women Leader in Lagos and South-West. She also did her best for our dear Lagos State during her tenure as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

“She will be missed dearly by her family, friends and the entire political class, particularly GAC, chieftains and members of the ruling party across Lagos State and Nigeria.

"I pray that God would grant the soul of our beloved GAC member, Chief Kemi Nelson, eternal rest and comfort to the immediate and political family she left behind."

Akeredolu said he received the news of her death with sadness.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, described the death of the APC Chieftain as a great loss to the party, noting that her demise was shocking and irreplaceable.

He specifically sympathised with Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu as well as the entire APC family.

"The death of Kemi Nelson prods remarkably nostalgic moments. We have had cause to work together on the platform of our great party, the APC. Her commitment to the party, and the good of the people was admirable.

She was a progressive to the core.

“While we understand the inevitability of death, the loss of close associate and friend stirs the vein. Kemi was a dependable ally and trusted party leader. She will be sorely missed by all.

"Indeed, our party and the good people of Lagos State have lost a rare gem with adorably immeasurable qualities. It is more

saddened that we lost this great mobiliser at this crucial time when her services to the party is most needed.

"This is a moment of shared pain; especially as late Kemi Nelson was an asset to behold.

Her political experience was vast and inexorably deep. We will never forget her hard works,” Akeredolu added.

Tinubu described the deceased as a nationalist and grassroots mobilier.

“She was relentless, she was dedicated and she worked assiduously for the creation of the Nigeria of our dreams. She could well have achieved and sustained personal success as a private citizen concerning herself solely with the welfare of her family. Instead, she was passionately committed herself to politics as a vehicle for her to contribute to the common good.

“Throughout the course of her life, Mrs. Nelson did much for the development of Lagos, the cause of progressivism and the progress of Nigeria. As Commissioner she began the Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Centres in various Local Government Areas across Lagos which, to this day, continue to empower disadvantaged women, men and youths in the State.

“We shall never forget Yeye Nelson. For her past sacrifice for Lagos and indeed Nigeria; she will be remembered. For her commitment to the womenfolk and the downtrodden she will be celebrated.

“I will always remember Yeye for her loyalty, sense of duty, abiding compassion for humanity and for always being there for us and our progressive cause.

“I commiserate with her family particularly her doting husband and children. I mourn with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and our APC family. I commiserate with her numerous associates across the country including First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari.”

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Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE

POLITICS

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com 08033025611 SMS ONLY

M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E

The Rough Road to Adeleke’s Victory Deji Elumoye and Yinka Kolawole look at events leading to the election of Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party as next governor of Osun state

Adeleke

O

sun state governorship poll is one of the nine off seasons elections usually conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission. So, last Saturday, July 16, 2022, the governorship election was held in the state of the living spring.

It was a straight battle between the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent governor,AlhajiAdegboyega Oyetola and Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The build up to the election saw the two major candidates traversing the entire 30 local government councils of the state to canvass for votes from the people. They also used the opportunity to seek blessings from royal fathers in cities and towns they visited in the course of the campaign.

The electioneering campaigns peaked last week when the APC Tuesday had its grand rally in Osogbo which was attended by the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and about 15 Governors.

Two days after on Thursday, the PDP also held its grand rally attended by former Vice President and standard flag bearer of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and some PDP Governors.

It was glaring from the crowd that attended the two rallies that something different was bound to happen in Osun State in a matter of days.

Those who attended the rallies openly complained that something good must definitely come the way of the state during the Governorship election.

Before then, there had been noticeable crack in the APC. There are those who are loyal to Governor Oyetola and by extension to the party’s flag bearer, Asiwaju Tinubu while there are those who are for the former governor of the state and current Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola whose group tagged themselves True Osun Progressives (TOP).

As a result of the differences between Oyetola and Aregbesola groups in APC which predated the election that produced Oyetola as governor in 2018, the Adeleke campaign team was able to reach out to the leaders of the Aregbesola group on the need for them to work together.

Although the TOP leaders initially rebuffed the moves of the foot soldiers of Adeleke but by last week in the heat of the campaign they were able to reach a compromise to work for the success of Adeleke at the poll.

By last Saturday, words had gone out from TOP leaders to all their members in the wards in the state that they should vote for the PDP candidate. THISDAY also confirmed that the directive had the blessing of Aregbesola who travelled out of the country few days to the governorship poll.

It was on this premise that the last Saturday’s Governorship poll held. It was more or less a protest vote against the administration of Governor Oyetola who some accused of being high handed.

Oyetola

The election eventually held without any crisis across the state. Oyetola and Adeleke expressed optimism that they will emerge victorious at the end of the voting exercise.

Speaking with newsmen after casting his vote at ward one, unit two, Popo, Iragbiji in Boripe local government area, Governor Oyetola said considering the time frame for voting, INEC needed to speed up or increase the number of machines so as to ensure that the process is completed within the time frame.

He said security agents did well and loved the enthusiasm that voters displayed to cast their votes.

According to him “I’m particularly very grateful to them and that shows that people are conscious of the need to participate in the process. Once the process is transparent enough, people will not be persuaded to vote, there will be no voters apathy.”

He said “I’m confident that I will be reelected by the grace of Almighty God.” Also speaking, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Ambassador Adejare Bello, described the turnout as very massive in unit 4 of ward 3, Ede north local government area.

According to him “What is more interesting about it is the peaceful conduct of the whole process. The electorate are comporting themselves very well, there is no inducement there is no cohesion, there is nothing like I want to vote PDP or APC, there are preventing me and there is no monetary inducement.

“We hope and pray that it happens across the state so that people can choose freely who will govern them for the next four years.. As an APC stalwart it is my prayer that governor oyetola will carry the day, it has been my prayer all along because I came all the way from Mexico since May because of today’s election. It is my prayer that God crowns the effort.”

Tinubu

Atiku

“We have seen some improvement, I want to commend INEC for it. But that is not to say that we are having it 100% without hitches because I have some of my people they have their PVC, and this is not the first time they are voting,but the machine could not capture them. Many of them were asked to sit until after the election is about to be over. We hope and pray that at the end of the day they will not be disenfranchised.”

“It is true people have been calling but until INEC announces officially that somebody is leading the process, somebody is winning but I can talk of this unit because I am a witness.”

He said: “Security agents have been fantastic today those with arms are controlling the crowd now in some places that people called me that there are problem, immediately I told them to go there, they responded promptly suggesting that the security situation as far as this election is concerned is getting improved.”

There were also instances of vote buying which some Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that monitored the election complained about.

Two NGOs said the election process was marred with malpractices including high level of inducement and compromise of the voters’ cubicles.

This was contained in separate releases by Dr. Hussaini Abdu who is the Board Chairman of Yiaga Africa and Ene Obi, the Convener of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in Osogbo.

While observing acts of vote buying in Akinlalu and Iree towns, YIAGA Africa disclosed that information from its observers in the field revealed that voter intimidation by All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs was carried out in Iragbiji.

It also stated that in Ogbaagba town, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs threatened to disrupt the electoral process.

“Yiaga Africa received and verified the following critical incident reports: Voter Inducement/Bribery: Yiaga Africa received reports of acts of vote buying perpetrated by agents of the APC and PDP in some polling units.

“For instance, PU 009, Akinlalu Commercial Grammar School, Ward 01 in Ife North. The party agents strategically positioned themselves

by the voting cubicle to see how voters marked their ballots.

“In PU 003 Opposite Olomu Mosque in Osogbo, PDP party agents were seen handing out between N2000 and N5000 to induce voters.

Also, in Disu Polling Unit 003, ward 7 in Orolu LGA, APC agents were seen distributing N4000 to voters who voted for the party while PDP party agents were seen distributing N2000 to induce voters.

“There was open negotiation of buying and selling of votes well-coordinated by the polling agents in many of the polling units. There were no complaints from any of them against each other. Codes and coupons were used to extract commitments from voters as opposed to the blatant money exchanging hands observed in the Ekiti State Governorship election.”

Apart from the police and soldiers drafted to the state to give security back up for the governorship election, other agencies like the EFCC, ICPC, NDLEA, FRSC had their men drafted to the polling booths to ensure that voters were not induced.

On its part, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in a preliminary report on its observation of the governorship election in Osun State has commended the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the efforts at ensuring a free and fair election in Osun State.

The body also commended women for turning out en-mass to exercise their franchise in selecting who governs them in Osun State for the next four years.

FIDA Nigeria in its preliminary report on the election, signed by its Country Vice President and National President, Mrs Amina Agbaje, noted that women and persons with disability were also accorded priority by the electoral umpire.

“Reports across the Local Government Areas in Osun state observed indicate that there was early and high voter turnout for the polls across the state as security personnel, electoral officers and election materials arrived at most polling units between the hours of 8:00 - 9:00am. 24% of the polling units had the election materials before 8AM, 48% by 8AM and 28% by 8:30AM. Furthermore we observed that 64% polling units visited had more than one electoral official, 24% had 3 electoral officials, and 12 % had two (2) electoral officials.

“With regards participation of female electoral officials, we observed that a larger percentage of the polling units visited , that is about 76% had more than 2 female electoral officials, 12% had less than 2 officials , while 12% were above 2 officials.

“For instance, at polling unit 007, Ward 3, Boluwaduro LGA, polling unit 012, ward 2, Ife North LGA, accreditation commenced between 8.20- 8.30am, Similarly at polling unit 7, ward 6, Iwo LGA, accreditation commenced as early as 8am, however at polling unit 23, ward 5

As a result of the differences between Oyetola and Aregbesola groups in APC which predated the election that produced Oyetola as governor in 2018, the Adeleke campaign team was able to reach out to the leaders of the Aregbesola group on the need for them to work together.

Although the TOP leaders initially rebuffed the moves of the foot soldiers of Adeleke but by last week in the heat of the campaign they were able to reach a compromise to work for the success of Adeleke at the poll.

Continued on page 19

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MONDAY DISCOURSE

Men Eyeing Ganduje’s Job in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu writes on the political atmosphere in Kano State ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial election

A

s the 2023 governorship election in Kano State draws closer, political parties particularly the All-Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have commenced moves to persuade the electorates.

The parties began their preparations in full swing using various styles aimed at convincing the citizens to give them the mandate with which to govern the commercial state for the next four years. The candidates rolled out various promises on what they will do if given the mandate in 2023.

APC The All-Progressives Congress is the ruling party in the State which controls the majority in the State House of Assembly. It has two serving Senators in the National Assembly, members from Kano North and South senatorial districts and most members of the House of Representatives from the State.

The party is also controlling the 44 local governments including some federal government appointees under the party. APC is running for two terms in the state and had recorded laudable programmes under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the party unanimously endorsed the choice of Governor Ganduje’s successor, Mr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who is the incumbent deputy governor of the state. He is believed to be working hard to actualize his ambition to succeed Ganduje and become the governor of the state. Gawuna promised the party and entire citizens of the state that his government will continue with the laudable projects and programmes initiated by his principal, Ganduje, whose tenure will end on May 29, 2023.

Gawuna is seen as an easy-going politician whose dealings cut across all the political parties and his straightforwardness and deft tactics on issues will help him to actualize his ambition.

Ganduje who endorsed his deputy, Gawuna, as his successor, also picked his former commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Murtala Sule Garo, as Gawuna’s run-

Sokoto. He is very diplomatic and ambitious.

His running mate, Mr Garo, is well known to most people across the length and breadth of the state and he enjoys the support of majority of local government chairmen across the 44 local government areas of the state. He’s a grassroots politician that controls the majority of the political class in the state. He has the backing of a majority of APC stakeholders.

Ganduje

ning mate for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

As a deputy governor, Ganduje said, “he makes good use of his office, a very loyal lieutenant who is very loyal and dependable.”

For Garo, the governor said, “He is a real Commander, who is loyal and committed to our cause. This is a very fearless confidante. If you want a clear and clean political fight, you need somebody who is energetic, loyal and fearless. That is Murtala Sule Garo for you.”

Nasiru Gawuna is a former Chairman of Nassarawa Local Government Area of the state who served as Commissioner for Agriculture between 2013 and 2015 and from 2015 to 2018 when he was appointed Deputy Governor of Kano State by Mr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje following the resignation of the then deputy Governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar.

He holds a degree in Biochemistry from Usman Dan Fodio University

PDP The PDP in the state is embroiled in a legal battle and leadership crises. The party conducted a parallel congress which produced two candidates from different factions.

Sadiq Aminu Wali He was Kano State Commissioner for Water Resources under Ganduje administration, though a card-carrying member of PDP, he is also the son of a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali.

In a parallel party congress, Mr Wali was elected as the party’s candidate against the other aspirants like Alhaji Ibrahim Al-Amin, Yusuf Bello Dambatta, Muaz Magaji, among others.

Muhammad Sani Abacha He was also elected as the party’s governorship candidate from the other camp loyal to the party’s leadership recognized by the court. Abacha defeated Alhaji Jaafar Sani Bello during the party election held at Lugard road, headquarters of the PDP in the state.

NNPP NNPP is the party with the majority of its members loyal to the former Governor of the state,Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who joined the party after leaving the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over allegations that the party lacked internal democracy.

The NNPP is now the major opposition party in the state with thousands of members who are massively decamping to the party from the ruling APC and the PDP. The party has a serving Senator, Ibrahim Shekarau as its member, some national assembly members and State House of Assembly members. The party is now home to people who were upset

over the leadership style of their former party, and those who left in protest after losing their former party’s ticket to run for another four years in various elective positions.

Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, who contested for the governorship under the PDP, has clinched the governorship ticket of NNPP through consensus and affirmation by 1,452 delegates of the party.

Recall that Yusuf lost to the incumbent Governor Ganduje, after the election was declared inconclusive and a re-run election was conducted in the state.

Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Salihu Tanko Yakasai was elected as the party’s Governorship candidate after a keenly contested election of the party. Yakasi served as Special Adviser on Media to Governor Ganduje and resigned from his position and dumped the party for the PRP. He is a young politician admired by the majority of the youth in the state who see him as their Messiah. Dawisu (Peacock) as he is popularly known in the state, became a role model for the youth, students and upcoming politicians for his attitude to reality and truth.

African Democratic Congress (ADC) The Chairman of Kano State Council of Ulama, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the party through consensus.

Sheikh Khalil, a former gubernatorial aspirant of PDP, before moving to APC and later defected to ADC, pledged to give priority to education, health, youth development and economic growth, and vowed to take over power in Kano State.

A political analyst, Muhammad Bashir explained that the 2023 elections in Kano is going to be top as the voters promised to vote the candidates of their choice who will pilot the affairs of the state for the next four years.

According to him, “From what I have seen, this time around, there will be a massive turnout by the electorate. We are appealing to the INEC to ensure a credible and smooth election.”

With a fierce battle ahead, only time will tell who will eventually emerge winner come 2023.

The Rough Road to Adeleke’s Victory , Oshogbo LGA, voters were accredited at 9.45am”, Mrs Agbaje said.

On the turn out.of female voters and Persons with Disabilities, FIDA, claimed it observed a large turnout of female voters in about 88% of the polling units observed, adding that only 12% of the polling units visited had low voters.

“For instance at Polling unit 1, Ward 1, Ife South LGA , about 175 women were observed exercising their franchise, similarly at polling 1, ikija ward 2, Ife South LGA, about 204 women were observed undergoing the accreditation process. Similarly at polling unit 003, ward 1, Olorunda LGA, we observed a large turnout of female voters. At polling 005, ward 7, Ifedayo LGA a good number of female voters were observed exercising their franchise, similarly at Unit 004, Ward 10, Ife Central LGA, more female voters were observed exercising their franchise.

“Furthermore at Polling unit 7, ward 10, Odo-Otin LGA, more than a hundred women were observed exercising their franchise. Our observers reported that 88% of the covering polling units observed low turnout of persons living with disabilities across polling units visited”.

FIDA however commended INEC for given priority to persons with disabilities, the elderly/ aged, pregnant women and nursing mothers in the voting process.

“Our observers reported that Persons living with Disabilities were prioritized in at least 56% of the polling units. While only 32% of the polling units provided special kits for persons living with disabilities however 68% of the polling units didn’t. However 80% of the polling units prioritized pregnant women, the elderly and nursing mothers. For instance at polling unit 004, ward 10, Ife Central LGA, nursing mothers, pregnant women and persons with disabilities were prioritized thus exercising their franchise speedily. At polling unit 003, ward 1, Olorunda LGA, pregnant women

and Elderly were prioritized by Electoral Officials. Furthermore at Polling unit 23, Ward 5, Oshogbo LGA, pregnant women & the Elderly were prioritized accordingly.

On the functionality of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), FIDANigeria observed that across most polling units within its purview, BVAS was largely functional and as such aided accreditation and the voting process.

The women lawyers also stated that security officials/personnel in at least 52% of polling units visited were perceived to be impartial, with 28% perceived to be very impartial and 20% perceived to have partial electoral/security officials.

The women lawyers however, lamented the incident of vote buying, although the body did not pin it down to any political party.

“FIDA Nigeria observed disturbing incidents of vote trading across the state especially as our observers reported that about 16% of the polling units were to have witnessed voting inducements. For instance at polling unit 2, ward 3 , Isokan LGA, Incidence of vote buying were observed by leading political parties between N3000 to N5000 respectively. At PU005, Ward 08 St Peter’s School Sekona, Ede South LGA, Our observers reported incidence of vote buying. Similarly at PU 02, ward 002, Ayedade LGA and Polling unit 12, Ward 12, Ife North LGA, voters were induced with the sum of N2, 000 –N5, 000”, the preliminary report claimed.

At the end of the voting exercise, Adeleke emerged as the new

Governor of Osun state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Sunday morning, declared Senator Ademola Adeleke, winner of the governorship poll.

The Election Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, announced the result at the INEC office in Osogbo, the tate capital. According to him, Adeleke won in 17 of the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) while Oyetola won in the remaining 13 LGAs. Adeleke, according to INEC’s Chief returning officer, garnered 403,371 votes in the overall results from LGAs as against 375,027 votes for Oyetola Despite having 15 candidates contesting for the governorship seat, the election was keenly contested by APC’s Oyetola and PDP’s Adeleke.

The Local Government areas won by APC are Boripe, Ilesa East, Ayedire, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Ayedaade, Iwo, Olaoluwa, Isokan, Atakumosa East, Ife South, Ife Central and Ife East.

The PDP won in Ede North, Ede South, Ifelodun, Boluwaduro, Egbedore, Odo Otin, Osogbo, Ila, Atakumosa West, Olorunda, Ilesa West, Obokun, Oriade, Orolu, Ife North, Irepodun and Ejigbo.

The Man, Senator Ademola Adeleke Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, aged 62, who will be sworn in in November’s, 2022 as the next governor of Osun state is a Nigerian politician and businessman.

He represented Osun-west senatorial district between 2017 and 2019 and is from the Adeleke family of Ede in Osun State. He contested in 2018 against Adegboyega Oyetola who defeated him in the Osun State gubernatorial election rerun.

Adeleke began his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Surulere, Lagos State then relocated to Old Oyo State and attended Nawarudeen Primary School, Ikire.

He progressed to The Seventh Day Adventist

Secondary School, Ede also in the then Old Oyo State and later moved to Ede Muslim Grammar School, Ede, where he finished his secondary school education before relocating to the United States.

He studied at Jacksonville State University, Alabama in the United States where he majored in criminal justice and with minor in political science.

After much controversies about his educational qualification, he went back to school and got enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan State College in the United States, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice in 2021.

Adeleke is a businessman and administrator; he served as an executive director of Guinness Nigeria Plc from 1992–1999, where his co-directors included Lt General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); he was the group executive director at his brother’s company, Pacific Holdings Limited from 2001 to 2016.

Prior to joining Pacific Holdings Limited, Ademola had worked with Quicksilver Courier Company in Atlanta, Georgia, US, as a service contractor in 1985–1989. He progressed to Origin International LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, US, a flavours and fragrance manufacturing company as vice president from 1990 to 1994.

Adeleke is a community member and philanthropist who started his political career in 2001 alongside his late elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke who died in April 2017.

He contested at the Osun west 2017 byelection after the death of his brother, emerging as the winner under the People’s Democratic Party.

Adeleke was a member of the All Progressives Congress until he defected to the People’s Democratic Party in April 2017 NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 18, 2022

FEATURES

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

Unending Burden of Fuel Scarcity Impact in the FCT Business owners, hoteliers and transport operators, as well as most Nigerians, are presently burdened and negatively impacted by the raging fuel crisis in the Federal Capital Territory.

Olawale Ajimotokan and Emmanuel Addeh, who examined some of the root causes like non-payment of bridging gap to independent marketers, product transportation issues and insufficient cost for inbuilt products per litre, report that the lingering effect on the common man and businesses in the FCT is a dilemma that needs urgent solution

Black market thrives in FCT because of lingering fuel scarcity

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or months, residents of Abuja have not enjoyed reliable supply of petrol.

Although the issues are multifarious, the latest round of scarcity, according to the authorities, is caused by product transportation issues.

Many roads within the city are now routinely blocked as motorists struggle to get the product from the few filling stations that are open, as vehicular traffic stretches several kilometres as a result of the latest scarcity.

While the federal government has increased what the petrol distributors call bridging gap, which enables the movement of petrol to far-flung areas, the contention of the operators is that it is barely enough.

Given the peculiar nature of the country’s sector, products which ordinarily should be moved through pipelines are now transported by road through large tankers and diesel is required to do this.

Quadrupled Prices Between last year and now, diesel prices have quadrupled while other administrative charges have markedly skyrocketed. Petrol marketers have insisted that under the current conditions, they cannot sell the product at the current official price of N165 per litre since all inbuilt costs push the ex-depot price to around N163. That is the dilemma.

Protest by Independent Marketers over Non-payment of Bridging Gap In addition, the independent marketers maintain that they are being owed huge backlogs since the days of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) which has now been collapsed into the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Penultimate week, in a communiqué read

by the Secretary of Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN), Suleja and Abuja depots, Alhaji Mohammed Shuaibu on behalf of the Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Alhassan, he said their members had not been paid their “bridging claims” for about 12 months, amounting to over N50 billion.

IPMAN stated that the fund administered by the NMDPRA was being withheld for inexplicable reasons. The branch of the striking petroleum marketers covers Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, parts of Kaduna state as well as the entire Niger State.

“The Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) is owing us bridging claims from 2021 till date. Therefore, all our claims should be paid without any delay.

“About 85 per cent of our staff are being laid-off because there is no

PHOTOS: GODWIN OMOIGUI money to pay their salaries. These include pump attendants, truck drivers and other administrative staff,” the independent marketers lamented,” Alhassan said.

IPMAN stated that for instance, the marketers that had up to 10 trucks and above could no longer maintain them due to lack of payment of their bridging claims allowances by the NMDPRA which oversees the midstream and downstream areas of the petroleum industry.

Due to the payment default, the IPMAN members said the development had reduced the supply of petroleum products to Abuja and environs, since getting funding to purchase the product and maintain their trucks to transport products from the South to Abuja had become problematic.

But Farouk Ahmed, chief executive of the NMDPRA responded that the organisation had so far paid N74 billion to IPMAN as bridging claims in the last seven months.

“So far, the Authority paid N71,233,712,991 bridging claims and another N2,736,179,950.84 freight differentials to the marketers as at 6th

Before, we were buying diesel at N150 per litre which then was okay considering you can afford to run your generator for 24 hours because it had not eaten your cost but now we are buying it at N800 per litre. So a 100 litres will be N80,000. In a month, some hotels borrow about N2.5m, if not N4 million, depending on the size of the hotel and number of rooms

June, 2022.

“A breakdown of payment made to marketers is as follows: Major Marketers (MOMAN) received N9,958,777,487.24, IPMAN members were paid N42,301,923,616.96, NNPC retails N6,661,459,118.61 while DAPPMAN members were paid N12,303,195,651.57, these translate to a total of N73,969,892,941.84,” he said.

NNPC's Stance On its own, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has told Nigerians that it has enough petrol stock in the depots despite the scarcity, especially in Abuja and surrounding states.

Recently the national oil firm, assured that the country had about 1.9 billion litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol in various facilities in the country that could last for 32 days.

Expressing the hope that normalcy would be restored in a ‘couple of days', the Group Executive Director, Downstream, Mr. Yemi Adetunji, who spoke during an inspection tour of the filling stations across the federal capital, had explained that the challenge was temporary.

Adetunji said that the NNPC was making every effort to ensure energy security for the country, noting that with Lagos sorted out, the company in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders will soon bring the situation in Abuja under control.

Distribution Challenge His position aligned with that of the National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mr Festus Osifo, also insisted that Nigeria has Continued on page 21

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 18, 2022

FEATURES

Unending Burden of Fuel Scarcity Impact in the FCT

Females are not left out of the black market sales a distribution problem.

In addition, the PENGASSAN leader stated that private depots were selling their products above the N148 official ex-depot price because of some inbuilt logistics, making it impossible for retailers to sell at the official N165.

“The ex-depot price of this product is N148 as of today and there are some costs that are built into it. And one of the costs is the bridging fund, which NNPC would collect and remit to the NMDPRA. “So now at a particular time, they agreed with the truck drivers that bridging fund will be N10 per litre, depending on the destination you are going all over the country. At the time they agreed, the cost of diesel was about N250.

“But today the cost of diesel is over N700, it has tripled. So the expectation from the tanker drivers is that since the cost of diesel has gone up, instead of paying N10 you have to multiply by three,” he explained.

Effects of the Scarcity in Abuja The effects of the raging scarcity of fuel in the FCT are far reaching. Given that vehicle owners in the FCT are either spending many productive hours queuing for fuel at petrostations or at black market, the dire outcome is that cost of transportation has increased by over 100 per cent.

As a result the cost of foods, goods and services has skyrocketed beyond the means of the ordinary people.

The burden of the fuel scarcity is saddled more by the poor, thereby increasing their suffering and their poverty level.

It is not only private interests that feel the effect of the current brunt. In fact, government establishments are not left of the fuel scarcity saga in the FCT. Fear of Power Shortage in National Hospital The National Hospital, Abuja is one of the government establishments severely impacted by the crisis. Arising from unstable electricity the management of the hospital has been depending on its generators for electricity to all the critical wards.

A source at the hospital, said the hospital management can’t in any way imagine any situation where power shortage will destabilise its operation.

Three weeks ago, the hospital, as a last recourse, heavily relied on its generators and as a result, incurred enormous bill from diesel consumption after the hospital experienced persistent outage of electricity supply.

“We have constant light but mostly, we are on generator. It is even now that the power company is bringing light a bit. Before, like two-three weeks ago, there was no light everywhere. If you were here, you would see the generators humming. We are on generator light for 24 hours because here, we can’t do without light in the hospital,” the source said.

It was gathered that all the critical wards in the hospital that run with machines, like the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Mortuary, Dialysis unit, IVP Unit and Trauma ward, due to their nature, cannot operate without constant light.

The fear at the National Hospital is that those units will automatically shut down, with attendant risk to patients, who are in need of critical attention. For instance, the trauma unit

treats accident victims, and patients subjected to assault and knife injuries.

Rising Cost for Commercial Transport Operators Some commercial transport operators have also decried the unending hardship brought by fuel scarcity in the FCT. They urged government to resolve the prevailing crisis as it is affecting them and the passengers.

When cornered at the Jabi Motor Pack, the Chairman of the Ibadan unit of the road union, Rotimi Akinyemi said fuel scarcity has resulted in the cost of the Abuja-Ibadan-Lagos transport increasing to N7,200.

He said although the official pump price of fuel was N165 per litre, once drivers got beyond Gwagwalada and further to the south, the cost varied from N180, N220, N250 and N280 per litre.

Akinyemi lamented the decline in the number of travelers as many passengers can hardly afford the random price increase.

“You can see that business is bad as a result of the scarcity. We are hoping for things to improve in our country because we are not happy with what is happening. I want government to urgently address the issue of fuel crisis in the country.

"They should do something because fuel availability is at the heart of peace and insecurity in Nigeria. The suffering of the people is too much.

Nigeria is awash with petroleum but we are suffering for it.

“We want our leaders to alleviate the plight of the commoners. In this country we are faced with fuel, electricity and water problems, which are basic things vital for survival of the people. Unfortunately, it is only some people who can afford them, leaving the ordinary people to their plight. The government should not appear to be helpless as a result of the situation,” Akinyemi said.

In a like manner, Ibrahim Adeniyi, who runs an intra-city taxi business in Abuja, asserted that transporters are badly hit by the raging fuel crisis.

The native of Atiba-Oyo lamented that transporters spend upward of five hours at petro-stations queuing to buy fuel and most often get the product at the Black Market above

the official rate of N165 per litre because some marketers prefer to horde fuel.

Adeniyi said the fuel scarcity was biting transporters because aside from the low profit margin, the cost of spare parts has also soared beyond their means.

“How won’t it affect us? This business is barely profitable because at the end of the day many of us are left with little after paying more on fuel. Again the cost of spare parts has hit the roof. In fact, there is no spare part that is not expensive. A spare part that used to sell for N1,500 is now selling for N,3000.

“Before, we were buying one tyre at N12, 000 now it is N27,000. A new battery that was selling at N17,000 now goes for N34,000. It is only God that can help us in this country. After buying fuel you are left with little profit that can hardly feed you and your family in a day.

You can’t eat a meal and be satisfied, you use pure water to support it,” Adeniyi lamented.

Confectioners Hang on a Tight Rope The Coordinator, Nigerian Bakers Association, North Central, Mrs Clara Ameh Oduwole, echoed similar consternation. She said bakers are barely managing to survive the current hardship so that their business will not collapse because availability of power is essential to the sustenance of the business.

She said:”In our confectionary business, fuel availability is paramount because we need to generate electric power. We need diesel for production of cake and ice cream. Unfortunately we are not breaking even. In fact, I have to buy a new generator that uses petrol. Although petrol is cheaper than diesel, it is not available at the filling stations except at the Black market,” Oduwole said.

She said the high cost of fuel has brutally affected the cost of production as a bag of flour that was about N14,000 in December was now about N30,000. According to Oduwole, she recently brought a 50 kg gas that used to cost N14,000 last year for N45,000.

“There are so many factors that we don’t know where the problems are coming from but we have to find alternative,” she said.

In response to the anxiety that bakers were resorting to price hike as a result of the high cost of production, Oduwole asserted that bakers were not hiking prices of their products because of increase in cost of production.

“You know in marketing when there is inflation you are going to make less profit to make your business relevant. You can increase your profit but not at the same rate as the cost of production.

“I try to focus more on things that are in higher demand from our buyers. Bread and cake

In our confectionary business, fuel availability is paramount because we need to generate electric power...Unfortunately we are not breaking even.

In fact, I have to buy a new generator that uses petrol. Although petrol is cheaper than diesel, it is not available at the filling stations except at the Black market

are luxury. The demand for cake has reduced but people will still wed while organisations are buying. And it is for that reason that we are still in business,” she said.

She appealed to government to ameliorate the plight of SMEs by being responsive and by also having a listening ear as the fuel scarcity is having a harsh effect on bakers.

Hospitality Industry Groans In his perspective, the General Secretary of Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA), Enofiok Ekong attributed the survival of some hotel businesses under the current hostile fuel regime to sheer grace of God. Ekong, who is the owner of Value Brand Hotel, Area 10, Abuja, described the fuel scarcity as terrible and bad for HOFA members. He said many of them are merely struggling to remain in business as they cannot they pay their workers’ salary.

He said most of the hotels that used to run at 50 per cent before were now operating at 20 per cent. He added that it was the 20 percent that the hotel owners were using to buy diesel, pay for the bar and pay salary.

“It is not interesting at all. It is very frustrating,” Ekong said, adding many hotels have also folded up as a result of biting cost of operation.

“Before, we were buying diesel at N150 per litre which then was okay considering you can afford to run your generator for 24 hours because it had not eaten your cost but now we are buying it at N800 per litre. So a 100 litres will be N80,000 and the 100 litres, if anybody is running anything inside, the whole amenities in the room, cannot last you more than four hour. That means you have to top another 100 litres again.

“In a month, some hotels borrow about N2.5m, if not N4 million, depending on the size of the hotel and number of rooms. That means in a month you are spending out of what you are suppose to be making as profit. Don’t let us even talk about power supply—there is no light. Some people run their generators 24/7.

Salaries that you suppose to pay at the end of the month you can’t.

“In the past, in a week, we used to see 10 guests, but because of the insecurity and hardship in the country we are managing just two guests.

And that two guests are what you are going to use to buy fuel, pay salary and electricity bills that will come at the end of the month,” Ekong said in a tone tinged with rage.

He said although HOFA as a body tried to convey their stance to government by writing to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on why increasing electricity tariff was unfriendly to business, the commission ignored their pleas and went on to increase electricity consumption bill.

“In April when we did not have light, our electricity bill actually increased. But we are law abiding citizens, we can also follow the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the bakers association that have threatened to shut down everywhere because of business.

Imagine if all hotels decide we will close our doors –if anybody comes they won’t stay-but then again you have to show human face to some things because there are some people who depend on that money to feed their families.

We just need to keep finding way to remain in business,” Ekong said.

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

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This Week In Tech Tech Top 5 News 08097710984

MTN TO TAKE OVER TELKOM TN Group is in talks to take over the South African telephony group, Telkom.

It made it known to its Shareholders that the discussions were to acquire Telkom’s entire issued share capital in return for shares or a combination of cash and shares.

In a statement released on Friday, MTN said discussions are at an early stage, and there is no certainty that the transaction will be consummated.

“The transaction, if concluded, may have a material effect on the price of the company’s securities. Accordingly, shareholders are advised to exercise caution when dealing in the company’s securities until a further announcement is made,” MTN said.

Telkom confirmed the discussions in a separate statement issued to shareholders.

The deal will face intense scrutiny from the Competition Commission and other regulators, given the size of the two companies and their dominance in the sector.

MTN currently has 34.5 million subscribers, making it the second largest mobile operator behind Vodacom. Telkom has 16.9 million mobile subscribers.

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BLOC ACQUIRES ORCHESTRATE TO OFFER FINTECH INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES Bloc has announced the acquisition of Getwallets, the wallets-as-a-service provider that recently changed to a payment orchestration company, Orchestrate.

Orchestrate is set to power Bloc’s payment infrastructure.

The strategic acquisition will enable Bloc to focus its core product strategy on delivering seamless BaaS & banking services while orchestrate leads its fintech Infrastructure with its proprietary payments orchestration API. Its rise to a broader payments infrastructure company means, as Orchestrate, it can provide businesses instant access to multiple payment methods and providers globally through a single integration (currently available in Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, South Africa and the USA, with plans to extend support to more foreign payment providers and currencies shortly).

Bloc’s acquisition of Orchestrate boosts the group’s capacity to offer FinTech infrastructure such as online payments, subscription management, BNPL payment infrastructure, virtual wallets, bill payments, invoicing, in its fintech-as-a-service suite of APIs. Commenting on the acquisition, the founder of Bloc, Edmund Olotu, said, “We are proud of our input in helping shape the African fintech space and excited to welcome the Orchestrate team into the Bloc family. Part of our vision has always been to empower businesses of all sizes to offer seamless payment solutions to their customers, which is essential not just to the experience of the end user but also to the sector’s growth. his is an exciting evolution for both businesses as we look to grow and build even more solutions that ultimately support the growth of African tech businesses in the coming years.’’

Founder and CEO of Orchestrate, Jerry Enebeli, added, “We are thrilled to bring our technology and know-how to the already incredible Bloc team. It was clear that our business growth goals aligned and that we could mutually benefit from combining our talent, resources, and expertise to create a unique infrastructure that can power African fintech.We are looking forward to working together to close the fragmented gaps in cross-platform payments and powering many more businesses to scale their markets, whether in Africa or globally.”

FLUTTERWAVE SUSPENDS VIRTUAL DOLLAR CARDS Flutterwave said its virtual dollar cards would be unavailable for any transactions

nosakhare.alekhuogie@thisdaylive.com

Nosa

Alekhuogie

Tech Personality of The Week TAYO OVIOSU

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his week’s tech personality is Tayo Oviosu. He is the founder and Group CEO of Paga Group Ltd. Paga is a finance company focused on solving problems prevalent in the Nigerian financial industry, including making money more accessible and portable via mobile payment systems.

They also offer their platform as a service to third-party partners.

Recognised globally in 2014, CNBC selected Tayo as the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year West Africa’, and in 2015 the African Leadership Network selected Paga as the outstanding growing company of the year in Africa.

In 2021, paga’s total payment value was N1.2 trillion.

Oviosu is also the co-founder of Kairos Angels, an angel investment company.

Kairos Angels is on a mission to transform the world by partnering with visionary entrepreneurs to build scalable and sustainable businesses. and purchases from Sunday, 17th July 2022.

The cards have been a convenient way for Nigerian merchants to convert their naira balance into US dollars on a virtual Mastercard to make online payments.

However, announcing the service suspension on Virtual Dollar Card, Flutterwave said, “We are writing to inform you that effective Sunday, 17th July 2022, all our Virtual Dollar Cards will be unavailable for any transactions and purchases. This is due to an update from our card partner, which will cause the card service to be unavailable for an extended period. You will be unable to make online and in-store payments and purchases using your Virtual Dollar Card(s), you will be unable to fund existing Virtual Dollar Card(s), your existing Virtual Dollar Card(s) will be terminated, and the corresponding balance will be credited to your payment balance.”

While it is working with its card partner to restore the service as soon as possible, Flutterwave advised its customers to unlink their dollar card(s) from recurring payments and replace them with another payment method.

The Barter card is used on most merchant sites where the MasterCard logo is displayed. The Barter USD card can be used on most global payment sites like Uber, Google Play, Apple Music, Facebook, PayPal, etc. for payments and purchases.

META BUILDS AI THAT CAN TRANSLATE 55 AFRICAN LANGUAGES Meta, Facebook’s parent company, says it has built the first open-source

single artificial intelligence (AI) machine that can translate across 200 languages, including 55 African languages, with state-of-the-art results.

The company said it is using the modelling techniques and learnings from project ‘No Language Left Behind’ NLLB-200 to improve and extend translations on Facebook, Instagram, and Wikipedia.

The company is said to develop high-quality machine translation capabilities for most of the world’s low-resource languages. This single AI model was designed with a focus on African languages. They are challenging from a machine translation perspective.

In a Facebook post, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said they worked with professional translators for each of these languages to develop a reliable benchmark that can automatically assess translation quality for many low-resource languages.

“To give a sense of the scale, the 200-language model has over 50 billion parameters, and we trained it using our new Research SuperCluster, which is one of the world’s fastest AI supercomputers. The advances here will enable more than 25 billion translations every day across our apps,” he said.

Zuckerberg added, “Communicating across languages is one superpower that AI provides, but as we keep advancing our AI work, it’s improving everything we do from showing the most interesting content on Facebook and Instagram to recommending more relevant ads, to keeping our services safe for everyone.”

According to him, AI models require lots of data to help them learn, and

there’s not a lot of human-translated training data for these languages.

“There are more than 20 million people who speak and write in Luganda, but examples of this written language are extremely difficult to find on the internet,” he concluded.

SENDSPRINT LAUNCHES, PROVIDES MONEY TRANSFERS TO AFRICANS IN DIASPORA SendSprint, a payments and money transfer startup, launched yesterday in the UK with a service targeting Africans in the diaspora.

SendSprint’s product offering is enabled through a strategic partnership with Flutterwave to facilitate cross-border remittances for transactions coming into Africa.

SendSprint established the UK as its international headquarters with a presence in the US and Nigeria. It has also applied for the necessary licensing through a regulated entity.

The fintech is launching two products to connect the African diaspora to loved ones at home. The first is Send money, which enables seamless transfers into African countries, and the other is Sprint Connect, a gifting solution that connects the African diaspora to retailers across the continent.

They are also offering three destination countries for senders, including Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, and in the first 18 months, they are targeting 300,000 UK customers.

SendSprint’s Money Transfer product will offer a flat fee of $5 for international transfers into Africa and favourable exchange rates with real-time transaction monitoring and 24/7 customer service support.

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

23

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 5 , 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%

Rising Inflation Thrust Money Supply to N48.87trn in June, Highest Since 2010

Kayode Tokede Latest data released by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that money supply in the economy recorded the highest growth in 10 years, gaining 9.14 per cent or N4.46 trillion Year-till-Date (YtD) to N48.87 trillion in June of this year.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) last Thursday in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) disclosed that Nigeria’s inflation rate reached a 65-month high of 18.6 per cent in June 2022 from 17.71 per cent in May. Inflation had opened January 2022 at 15.60 per cent.

CPI measures the average change over time in price of goods and services consumed by the general public for day-to-day living i.e it

measures the inflation rate.

The significant increase in money supply reflects increasing demand for cash by the general public caused by continued rise in prices of goods and services, evidenced by the fifth consecutive months rise in the inflation this year.

According to THISDAY findings, the surge in money supply is driven by increased borrowing by the federal government and commercial banks’ lending to the private sector propelled by the Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR) policy by the CBN. The “Credit and Money” supply data by the apex bank revealed that money supply (M3) grew by 23.68 per cent to N48.87 trillion in June 2022 from N39.51 trillion reported June 2021.

Money supply is defined as total stock of money in an economy comprising currency (notes and coins) and deposit with commercial banks in Nigeria and it consists of broad money (M2) and narrow money (M1).

Further analysis of money supply also showed that major components M2 and M1 recorded sharp increases in June 2022.

According to the CBN data, M2, rose by 25.56 per cent or N9.93 trillion in its Year-on-Year (YoY) growth to N48.8 trillion as of June 2022 from N38.86 trillion ending June 2021, while M1 increased by 27.26 per cent or N4.37 trillion YoY to N20.39 trillion as of June 2022 from N16.02 trillion reported June 2021.

Also contributing to the huge

growth in money supply in six months of 2022, is the increase in credit to the private sector and government during the period.

The CBN data showed that credit to the government rose by 55 per cent or N6.4trillion to N17.99 trillion as of June from N11.59 trillion in the corresponding period of 2021.

Further analysis showed that the growth in credit to the government was 34.86 percentage points higher than the growth in credit to the private sector as of June 2022.

The CBN reported 20.37 per cent or N6.64 trillion increase in credit to private to N39.27 trillion as of June 2022 from N32.64 trillion reported in June 2021.

With the CBN retaining 65 per cent minimum Loan-to-Deposit

Ratio (LDR), among other regulating policies to boost commercial banks lending, credit to private sector between January and June 2022 has added N4.09 trillion and reached its all-time high.

With the latest figure, it means that credit to the private sector in YtD performance has added 11.61 per cent or N6.08 trillion from N35.18 trillion reported by the CBN in January 2022.

According to the CBN, credit to the private sector was N35.99 trillion in February and hits N36.47 trillion in March 2022. It crossed the N37 trillion mark in April to N37.68 trillion.

The CBN in its money and credit statistics revealed that credit to the private sector reached N38.1trillion

in May 2022.

The CBN had revealed that credit to private sector reached N35.73trillion in 2021 and reported N26.65trillion credit to private sector in 2019.

THISDAY can report that credit to private sector in 2019 when the LDR policy was introduced, gained N3.75trillion or 16.33 per cent to close at N26.69trillion from N22.95trillion it opened in 2018.

In 2020, credit to private sector added N3.5trillion or 13.12 per cent to close December 2020 at N30.15trillion from N26.65trillion recorded in January 2020.

However, in the full year of 2021, credit to private sector rose

by N5.08trillion or 16.57 per cent Continued on page 24

At 12.29%, Prime Lending Rate Hits 17-month High Kayode Tokede Following the recent increase in Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 13 per cent, the prime lending rate in the banking sector reached 12.29 per cent in June, highest in 17-month.

Prime lending rates are the interest rate that commercial banks charge their most creditworthy customers,

generally large corporations.

Prime lending has continued to witnessed steady increase since January 2022 amid mounting inflation rate.

The CBN had increased the MPR or interest rate to 13 per cent in response to global inflationary pressures, which had continued to hurt economies around the world.

Despite increasing prime lending rate, CBN numbers revealed that the maximum lending rate dropped to 27.61 per cent in June 2022 from 27.37 per cent reported in May 2022.

Analysts noted that the move is meant to attract more lending to customers.

Maximum lending rate dropped to 27.37 per cent, a 0.42 basis points

decline from 27.79 per cent reported

by CBN in April 2022.

In addition, interest on saving deposit as of June 2022 hits highest figure at 1.38 per cent as of June 2022 from 1.37 per cent reported in May 2022. The interest on saving deposit had opened the year at 1.25 per cent, gaining 0.12 percentage points Year-on-Year (YoY) from

1.81per cent reported June 2021.

The maximum lending rate refers to interest charged by banks for lending to customers with a low credit rating.

The CBN had mandated commercial banks operating in the country to submit their lending and saving rates for publishing.

As published by the CBN in April

2022, the average interest rate paid by commercial banks on savings is 1.15 per cent with only Heritage Bank and SunTrust Bank paying more than four per cent.

For lending, CBN often provides guidance on rate bands, with maximum and prime lending rates Continued on page 24

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT F R I D AY, J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS DESCRIPTION Price 14.20 14MAR-2024 13.53 23MAR-2025 12.50 22JAN-2026 16.2884 17MAR-2027 13.98 23FEB-2028

10.780,00

Yield

Change (%)

903,00

-0.54

10.807,00 1.130,00

0.00

10.340,00 1.130,00

0.24

12.008,00 1.070,00

0.00

11.043,00 1.140,00

0.53

Updated Time July 15, 2022 July 15, 2022 July 15, 2022 July 15, 2022 July 15, 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

11.10

11.19

-0.01 July 15, 2022

9.75

9.90

0.00 July 15, 2022

9.00

9.20

-0.01 July 15, 2022

3.90

3.95

0.00 July 15, 2022

NTB 26-Jan23

7.50

7.81

0.00 July 15, 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 (%)

20.39 20.52

0.00 July 15, 2022

16.64 16.77

-0.01 July 15, 2022

19.61 20.73

0.00 July 15, 2022

13.85 14.41

0.00 July 15, 2022

13.05 13.55

0.00 July 15, 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 15, 2022 July 15, 2022 July 15, 2022 July 15, 2022 July 15, 2022

24

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

BUSINESSWORLD

STATUS REPORT

Nestlé Cuts Operating Expenses to Enhance Profit

Kayode Tokede

N

estle Nigeria Plc made progress in the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2022 when it reduced its operating expenses that had eroded profits growth in the 2021 financial year.

The cost-saving plus improving revenue enabled the multinational company to push profit after tax up by 45 per cent up to N18 billion in Q1 2022 from N12.4billion reported in Q1 2021.

The company operations of the food and beverages company ended Q1 2022 show improving earnings prospects compared to 2021 when profit closed at N40.04 billion from N39.21billion in 2020.

Inability to grow profit in the year followed two major cost increases that consumed gains in revenue.

The cost of sales lines are input expenses, which rose ahead of sales revenue at 31.04 per cent to

N219billion in 2021 from N167.87 billion in 2020, while revenue grew by 22.55 per cent to N351.8billion in Q1 2022 from N287.98billion in Q1 2021.

Also, net finance income closed Q1 2022 at N1.45billion from a loss of about N1.31billion reported in Q1 2021.

BOASTING REVENUE BY CUTTING COST

Nestlé Nigeria’s management is showing a lot of caution on the side of cost this year in order to avoid a repeat of last year’s pattern where virtually all the gains in revenue were consumed by cost increases. The company’s administrative expenses, which are under full management’s control, are getting hit more than the others.

The administrative cost was slashed by 21

per cent to N2.6 billion in the Q1 2022 from N3.32billion in Q1 2021, which compensated for the company’s inability to cut other costs outside its full control. The big challenges remain in input and marketing/distribution expenses, which keep growing ahead of sales revenue.

It was nevertheless a moderation in the cost of sales in the Q1 2022 compared to last year when the margin of increase ahead of sales was much wider at 31 per cent compared to 22.6 per cent. Cost of sales claimed a reduced proportion of revenue in the Q1 2022 at 60.8 per cent compared to 62.5 per cent in 2021 full year performance.

The big news for Nestle in the Q1 2022 is a shift from a net finance cost of N1.3 billion in the same period of a net finance income of N1.4 billion. This was achieved with a windfall of N3.8 billion in finance income, rising from

an insignificant figure of N123 million in the same period last year.

The robust finance income however obscured the persisting rapid growth in the cost of finance, which rose by 65 per cent to N2.4 billion in the Q1 2022. Net finance cost claimed 8 per cent of operating profit at the end of the year but the position changed to a contribution to build operating profit in theQ1 2022.

Rising finance expenses continue to reflect huge debt build-up in 2021 from N40 billion at the end of 2020 to N77 billion and further to about N84 billion at the end of the Q1 2022.

With the cost of sales still growing ahead of revenue, gross profit grew at a slower pace than sales at 24.5 per cent to N43 billion in Q1 2022 from N34.74billion reported in Q1 2021.

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

AT 12.29%, PRIME LENDING RATE HITS 17-MONTH HIGH often the guide.

According to April interest rate, Union bank of Nigeria with 49 per cent; Stanbic Bank/ FCMB, 42 per cent; Keystone, 35 per cent; Sterling bank Plc, 33 per cent; Wema bank, Zenith Bank Plc, Ecobank, 30per cent and Access bank, 28.50 per cent have the highest general lending rates (maximum).

On a flip side, Coronation bank, 12 per cent; FBN merchant, 17.50per cent; FSDH Capital, 19 per cent; SunTrust bank, 20 per cent and Globus Bank LTD, 21 per cent and Citi Bank, 22 per cent are the six cheapest general lending rates(maximum).

Experts noted that commercial banks are adjusting to hike MPR and increasing interest on saving deposit to win more deposit.

The Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN, Aisha Ahmad, who is a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in her personal statement at the end of May meeting stated: “Sustaining banking sector lending to critical sectors of the economy will be paramount as monetary policy tightens to contain inflation.

“Given the positive correlation of market lending rates to the MPR, it is expected that borrowing costs will rise, possibly restricting loan growth.”

The President of the Association of the Capital Market Academics in

Nigeria (ACMAN), Professor Uche Uwaleke in a chat with THISDAY maintained that the decline in maximum lending rate to excess liquidity in the banking sector, stating that the interventions by CBN also forced banks to cut interest rate on loans to customers.

He explained that, “When the money supply is high, it is expected to translate into low interest rates on lending to Bank customers.

“The numerous interventions by CBN have forced down interest rates in the banking sector. The CBN has a lot of its intervention at single digit interest rate; moved from nine per cent to five per cent. When the CBN should have ended that regime of five per cent lending rate, it extended it further.

“The CBN has been extending loan facilities to key sectors of the economy and a lot of interventions are accessing these funds at single digit interest rate. The banks were forced to reduce interest rate in order to remain relevant in their major core business of lending to the real sector.”

He said that the gap between saving and lending rates is massive, stressing that the CBN management have expressed concerns.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele had admitted that the hike in MPR would increase cost of borrowing, especially in non-priority sectors of the economy.

Emefiele, however added that lending to key priority sectors, which had been identified to boost growth and generate employment, would remain at a single-digit interest rate of nine per cent.

He pointed out that the decision to raise interest rate was the last resort and a difficult one for the MPC, which had been crafting policies to stimulate economic growth as well as achieve financial stability.

He said the CBN had adopted a contractionary monetary policy stance in view of the aggressive rise in inflation in recent times, which had led to high food and commodity prices in the country.

Emefiele noted that CBN’s action was aimed at curbing inflation, on the one hand, and supporting growth of the economy, on the other. He said the MPC was in a dilemma in arriving at a decision to raise the lending rate. As a result, the apex bank governor explained, a drastic measure such as raising the benchmark lending rate was required to reduce monetary expansion in order to tame inflation.

He assured that though inflation was expected to maintain an aggressive acceleration in the coming months, the central bank would not hesitate to return to its accommodative stance whenever it saw a reduction in the headline index.

RISING INFLATION THRUST MONEY SUPPLY TO N48.87TRN IN JUNE, HIGHEST SINCE 2010 close 2021 at N35.38trillion from N30.65trillion reported by the CBN in January 2021.

Analysts in a chat with THISDAY attributed increased credit to the government as a factor contributing to growth in money supply, which they noted is also a major driving force behind the upward inflationary trend.

They added that increasing inflation rate might truncate its impact on the nation’s economy at large.

Commenting, Vice President, Highcap securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori said, “In general, an increase in the money supply drives inflation rather than the other way around. In our typical case, money

supply growth far outstrips economic growth, which is a typical condition for stoking inflation.

“In terms of inflation, the majority of the inflationary pressure we are experiencing is supply-side driven, as a result of issues like insecurity, poor infrastructure, insufficient logistics, and cost push factors from the external environment, such as the Russian-Ukraine conflict. As a result, I would ascribe a higher percentage (about 65-70per cent) of the money supply growth to inflation. I believe the balance is due to a higher credit growth to the economy, notably to the government.”

On his part, CEO, Wyoming Capital & Partners, Mr. Tajudeen

Olayinka noted that the N39.27 trillion credit to private sector as at June, 2022, still within the range of credit growth in 2021.

According to him, “an average monthly growth rate of 1.66per cent since December, 2021, is an indication of a moderate credit extension to the private sector of the economy, in consonance with low absorptive capacity of the economy itself, and as possibly programmed by CBN, given mirage of problems bedevilling the Nigerian economy.

“An economy with low productivity and total reliance on import must guide its credit expansion, in order not to put too much pressure on a faulty exchange rate management.

Further credit expansion in the midst of poor monetary and fiscal coordination, could spell doom for the economy. This is one of the reasons our economy is not doing well.”

Commenting on the driver of credit to real sector, analyst at PAC Holdings, Mr. Wole Adeyeye attributed the growth to 65 per cent LDR policy of the CBN, stressing that many banks complied with the directive on the minimum requirement.

He added that, “the intervention programs by the CBN in various sectors of the economy drove the increase as borrowers took advantage of the low interest rate.

The minimum LDR of 65per

cent and intervention programs by the CBN in various sectors have contributed to the strong economic growth witnessed in the past quarters.”

Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd, Mr. Ambrose Omordion noted that post-covid-19 business activities contributed to N38.1 trillion credit to private sector as of June.

He expressed that the recent increase in CBN’s Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) might disrupt credit to private sector going forward, stressing that cost of production tends to witness increase and impact on local economy.

However, the surge in money

supply is driven by increased borrowing by the Federal government and lending to the private sector propelled by the various intervention funds of the CBN. Investment analysts in a chat with THISDAY said increased credit to the government as a factor responsible for the sharp growth in money supply, which they noted is also a major driving force behind the upward inflationary trend.

According to Adeyeye, “Money supply has been elevated over the last few months, mainly driven by a relatively dovish stance of the CBN. In our view, we think that the high money supply partly drove Nigeria’s Inflation.

125

T H I S D AY MONDAY JULYJuly 18, 2022 Friday 18, 2022 Vol 27. No 9960 TR

See page 26 POST-WORLD PR DAY: AFRICA’S CHALLENGE The challenge for African agencies is to exert more of their efforts on business development as a service to the existing and prospective clients, writes OBINNA INOGBO See page 26 ON LAGOS EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT ADEPEJU SALAMI writes the Sanwo-Olu administration is addressing the infrastructure deficit in the state’s public schools as well as ensuring that the schools are secure See page 31 NIGERIA’S DEMOCRATIC EVOLUTION AND OBI’S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATURE Peter Obi stands a good chance of emerging the winner of the 2023 presidential contest, reckons CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE See page 31 EDITORIAL THE CBN CYBERCRIMES FRAMEWORK

See page 32

& RE A S O

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

IMPROVING WELFARE OF NORTHEAST IDPS WITH ETHICAL DATA OLUFUNKE FAYEHUN argues that the Nigerian government and critical stakeholders in the humanitarian sector must implement appropriate policies to improve the living conditions of the IDPs

UT H

Tinubu’s cheap appeal to the heady events of 1993 mis-reads contemporary Nigerian history, agues CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU

NIGERIA IS NOT AN EMIRATE November 28, 1988 was a Monday. In Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a Constituent Assembly inaugurated by military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida, had been in session for just over six months, since 11 May 1988. At the helm as its chair was Anthony Aniagolu, then a recently retired Justice of Nigeria’s Supreme Court.

He was a Christian from Enugu State. His deputy was Muhammadu Buba Ardo, then Chief Judge of the Gongola State, who died suddenly in 1991, two years after the Assembly completed its work. He was Muslim.

The Secretary to the Constituent Assembly was one Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, whom the country has since then got to know a lot more eloquently, a Muslim from Borno State.

Kingibe’s assistant was Amal Inyingiala Pepple, who would rise to the height of the civil service in Nigeria, before retiring in June 2009 as the Head of Service of the Federation. She is a Christian from Rivers State.

In those days, Nigeria had 21 States: Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bendel, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Gongola, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Nigeria, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, and Sokoto States plus the FCT. The Constituent Assembly, which Justice Aniagolu chaired, comprised 567 members drawn from all these states. 458 were elected, while 109 were nominated by the federal government, including the Chairman and his Deputy (both of them male), and drawn from the ranks of judicial À JXUHV VHQLRU ODZ\HUV WLWDQV RI LQGXVWU\ traditional rulers, experienced public servants and administrators, academics and other professionals.

At the submission of its report on 5 April 1989, the membership was down to 565, owing to the death of two members: Dr. Daniel Obasi Agbafor, an elected member representing Ohaozara federal constituency then in Imo State in south-east Nigeria, who died on Sunday, 14 August 1988; and Honorable Justice Umaru Agora Isiaku, a judge of the High Court of Niger State nominated to represent Abuja in the Assembly, who died on 10 October 1988.

Assembled to negotiate the terms of a constitution on the basis of which the Babangida regime claimed it would hand over power to an elected government at the end of its transition programme, the Constituent Assembly got into a very animated debate from October 1998 over the irrelevant issue – as Nigeria’s current ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) would have us all believe) - of religion in Nigeria and the role it is to play in civic and constitutional life. In this debate, there was no quarter given nor taken.

So, on Monday, 28 November 1988, the

Assembly received an unusual assortment of martial guests. They were led by Augustus Aikhomu, a Navy Admiral, and second in command to the military president.

Accompanying him in full military uniforms were Air Marshall Ibrahim Alfa, Chief of $LU 6WDͿ *HQHUDO $ODQL $NLQULQDGH IRUPHU &KLHI RI 'HIHQFH 6WDͿ 0DMRU *HQHUDO 3DXO Omu, Minister of Defence; Rear Admiral 0XUWDOD 1\DNR )ODJ 2΀ FHU &RPPDQGLQJ Western Naval Command; Air ViceMarshall Hamza Abdullahi, FCT Minister; Colonel John Shagaya, Interior Minister; and Mr. Victor Pam, Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police. It seemed evident that their mission was serious.

On arrival, Admiral Aikhomu proceeded to read a Riot Act to the Assembly, declaring, as Justice Aniagolu recalls in his memoirs on the making of the 1989 Constitution that was never promulgated: “the Federal Government has decided that this Assembly should stop further debate and discussion on these clauses.” As the Assembly wound down its work on 20 March 1989, Admiral Aikhomu wrote a letter (Reference: GS/ CGS/235) to Justice Aniagolu as its Chairman ordering them to “insert into the Constituent Assembly Draft Constitution all matters and clauses of the Revised CRC Constitution which were excluded from the jurisdiction of the Constituent Assembly.”

In this way, the military retained ultimate decision making in resolving the matter of the place of religion in Nigeria’s life. To address that, they defaulted essentially to the framework agreed in the 1979 constitution when, as in 1989, the then military regime had also sent their second-in-command to order the Constituent Assembly gathered in 1978 to stop debating the matter before it got out of hand.

Four years after this uneasy settlement,

Nigeria’s political elite reached an equally uneasy truce in order to hurry Ibrahim Babangida from his ruinous and interminable political transition programme.

At the end of the truce, Moshood Abiola, a Muslim from Ogun State in Southern Nigeria teamed up with the aforementioned Babagana Kingibe for the ticket of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which triumphed in the June 12, 1993 presidential election before being frustrated from taking over SRZHU ZKHQ %DEDQJLGD QXOOLÀ HG WKH UHVXOW of the election. The 1999 Constitution, which ultimately transitioned Nigeria to civil rule six years later, essentially defaulted to the 1989 settlement, which in turned accepted the 1979 settlement. Many people prefer to say that the constitutional situation is that “Nigeria is a multi-religious state.”

At both national conferences convened À UVW E\ 3UHVLGHQW 2OXVHJXQ 2EDVDQMR LQ 2005 and then by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014, religion nearly derailed proceedings. Indeed, at the 2014 National Conference, it was reported that “religion pitched Nigerians against one another at the national conference with delegates disagreeing over religion.” The leaders who have led Nigeria until date have attempted WR ZDON WKH À QH EDODQFH WKDW UHOLJLRQ HYRNHV in the country. Even President Muhammadu %XKDUL RIWHQ DFFXVHG ZLWK VRPH MXVWLÀ FDWLRQ of being narrow on issues of faith, was not unmindful of the sensitivity of this issue when he declined the importunations of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, like Buhari a Muslim, to be his running mate in the 2015 presidential election.

The ruling APC has acted convenient on these issues, however, rather than principled. In 2019, Kaduna State Governor, $KPDG (O 5XIDL LQ D À W RI VHFWDULDQ KXEULV toppled the conventions of faith and ethnic balancing in the state when he decided to “pick fellow Muslim, Hadiza Balarabe, as running mate.” The correlation between this decision and the deterioration in coexistence in the state since then has been spectacular.

In explaining his choice then, El-Rufai claimed his only consideration was “competence”. In justifying his decision to choose fellow Muslim, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential contest, APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, has similarly argued the urgings of competence with a bit of history, claiming that “the spirit of 1993 is upon us.” Like El-Rufai, Tinubu’s position implies spectacularly that individual competence and religious harmony are somehow mutually exclusive.

If he wins and the country emulates the trajectory of Kaduna State, the country FRXOG EHFRPH D OHYHO NLOOLQJ À HOG A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at Chidi.Odinkalu@tufts.edu

2 26

T H I S D AY

OLUFUNKE FAYEHUN argues that the Nigerian government and critical stakeholders in the humanitarian sector must implement appropriate policies to improve the living conditions of the IDPs

IMPROVING WELFARE OF NORTHEAST IDPS WITH ETHICAL DATA One of the critical problems resulting from the Boko Haram insurgency in northeastern Nigeria is the crisis of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that more than 2.9 million people were displaced in the northeast as of December 2021. The IDPs in the region move from one location to the other in search of safety, with some experiencing multiple displacements due

Crises and Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria: A Situation Analysis (Olufunke Fayehun and Olayinka Akanle 2022).

So far, our work shows that the humanitarian data process in northeastern Nigeria faces several challenges.

First, personnel, technological and LQIUDVWUXFWXUDO JDSV DͿ HFW WKH FRKHUHQFH of data storage and handling processes.

Data banks are available but are spread across divergent institutions and actors,

WR D FRQYHUJHQFH RI FRQÁ LFWV 7KHUH DUH deaths and displacement along with loss of livelihood and supportive existential systems. They often experience human rights abuses and have many unmet needs ZLWK PRUH DGYHUVH HͿ HFWV RQ YXOQHUDEOH groups such as women, children and people living with disabilities.

In partnership with the global community, the Nigerian government has supported IDPs by building camps, supplying food, evacuating victims of insurgency from terror locations and signing the Kampala Convention to protect IDPs, among others. While many humanitarian and diplomatic interventions in Nigeria focus on livelihoods, the situation is rapidly moving towards IDP resettlement and reintegration. This shift, by necessity, requires a critical assessment of the data process protocols in the context of humanitarianism and displacement in Nigeria, as data is central to practical understanding and improved humanitarian protection systems. Unfortunately, the data SURFHVV QHFHVVDU\ WR SURYLGH HͿ HFWLYH DQG sustainable assistance to displaced persons in northeastern Nigeria is lacking. Reliable and valid humanitarian data are critical to designing and implementing practical and sustainable interventions. Such humanitarian data should be collected responsibly and ethically.

The need to collect humanitarian data using ethical standards is the focus of our research project with the Data and Displacement Research Team at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom and the University of Ibadan, Nigeria (www.warwick.ac.uk/datadisplacement).

This project, led by Prof Vicki Squire, is funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council and Foreign, &RPPRQZHDOWK DQG 'HYHORSPHQW 2΀ FH (AHRC\FCDO). The research involved 50 ,'3V LQ À YH FDPSV LQ 0DLGXJXUL %RUQR State and 20 stakeholders and practitioners from 2021 to 2022. We further explore this issue in our report entitled Humanitarian

generating reliability and systematization issues. Second, there are procedural and DGPLQLVWUDWLYH REVWDFOHV LQ GHÀ QLQJ YXOQHUDELOLW\ 7KHVH FUHDWHG VLJQLÀ FDQW LUUHJXODULWLHV LQ WKH FODVVLÀ FDWLRQV DQG LGHQWLÀ FDWLRQV RI WKH PRVW YXOQHUDEOH ,'3V in the camps. Third, engagement with IDP communities has been a challenge.

In other words, those who collect data IDLO WR HͿ HFWLYHO\ HQJDJH DͿ HFWHG ,'3 communities in the production and use of data. The IDPs reported that they had at one time or the other given out their data to GLͿ HUHQW RUJDQLVDWLRQV EXW GLG QRW NQRZ what the data collected was used for or why it was requested. Fourth, and most crucial, is the challenge of inconsistency or limited application of ethical systems in data collection, storage, sharing and utilization. Full information disclosure and comprehension by IDPs often appear to be neglected in the data collection.

How do we improve the living conditions of Internally displaced persons in northeast Nigeria? We must enhance technological and infrastructural facilities.

Rigorous capacity building must be pursued within and outside the camps to aid data collection, storage and utilization performances. We must also advance understanding and build consensus around the multiple vulnerabilities in IDP camps. At the core of all these is the need to appreciate the necessity of ethicaldata-driven humanitarian practices for H΀ FLHQF\ HͿ HFWLYHQHVV DQG VXVWDLQDELOLW\ This process must involve a commitment to improving IDP data literacies and access as well as reinforcing and institutionalizing ethical systems and values in collecting data from IDPs in camps and urban settings.

Ethical data collection and management processes are central to improving sustainable humanitarian assistance to displaced populations.

Dr Fayehun is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan

MONDAY JULY 18, 2022

The challenge for African agencies is to exert more of their efforts on business development as a service to the existing and prospective clients, writes OBINNA INOGBO

POST-WORLD PR DAY: AFRICA’S CHALLENGE The growth of Public Relations in Africa can be summed up with three words: money and mileage. In terms of money, we’re far behind the rest of the world. Latest À JXUHV IURP 35RYRNH 0HGLD D OHDGLQJ source of global PR news, show that out of the Top 250 PR agencies in the world, none is out of Africa. The top PR agency in the world generates over $980m in income while the 250th generates over $6m in

income. That means no African PR agency generates over $6m in income. In terms of mileage, we can compete. The World PR Day that was celebrated on the 16th of July was initiated by an African: a Nigerian, no less! We have Ayeni Adekunle, the founder and CEO of Black House Media, one of Nigeria’s top PR agencies, to thank for World PR Day. 2022’s World PR Day attracted PR participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Ukraine, Kenya, Dubai, Canada, South Africa, Ecuador, India, Botswana, Abu Dhabi, England, Rwanda, Belgium and Uganda. Talk about mileage! All were encouraged to post personal PR stories, videos and hashtags created for the day RQ VRFLDO PHGLD RUJDQLVH À UHVLGH FKDWV and publish op-eds about PR on their agency/personal blogs or submit op-eds to national/regional newspapers and trade magazines.

Why is Africa lagging way behind À QDQFLDOO\ LQ 35 LQFRPH JHQHUDWLRQ" Existing and prospective clients cite lack of return on investment as the reason why they’re not willing to spend more or spend at all, respectively. The challenge going forward for African agencies is to H[HUW PRUH RI WKHLU HͿ RUWV RQ EXVLQHVV development as a service to these existing and prospective clients. Apart from all WKH VHUYLFHV ZH RͿ HU VXFK DV HPSOR\HH relations, community relations, media relations, government relations, investor relations, CEO brand management, crises management, issues management and strategy, just to name some, leading the client to where they can charge another party for their service is indispensable.

Simultaneously, we must continue to do more and more PR for ourselves as practitioners and as agencies. In working for our clients and getting paid, we can all too easily forget to make friends that will help us be more successful. Yes, you read that right! PR is also about making friends so that in times of trouble, you won’t be too badly burned. In times of prosperity, you

need to share your wealth in the form of corporate social responsibilities to your operating environment. Is your agency in a co-working space? Once a month buy snacks for the whole building! %XLOG D ERUHKROH RQ \RXU R΀ FH VWUHHW for that compound that doesn’t have pipe borne water and imprint your company logo on the borehole. And don’t forget about to write about your good deeds in the newspapers and on blogs! If we do them for our clients we can do them for ourselves. Acts such as these earn you or your agency serious brand currency that leads to face or name recognition that will put you in a position to charge top naira!

Trust, Truth and Transparency was the theme for this year’s World PR Day. PR is not spin; it’s not telling lies. We highlight the positive. The United States of America retains her position as the world’s thought leader on most things, particularly in politics, entertainment and fashion. They were able to do this through making the whole world believe they’re the best.

When I was growing up in the 1980s American movies frequently made villains Eastern European and heroes American. It wasn’t until I became an adult I realised that they did this to give the world the impression that Eastern European was bad and America was good. Switch to the 2000s and they started making their villains Middle Eastern to give the world an impression that the Middle East was bad and they were superior. My senior colleague Bolaji Okusaga, Managing Consultant of Precise, a PR agency,

The top PR agency in the world generates over $980m in income while the 250th generates over $6m in income. That means no African PR agency generates over $6m in income

who was named as one of the Top 50 PR professionals in Nigeria in honour of this year’s World PR Day, said in an interview some years ago that who wins an American Presidential election LV QRW WKH PRVW TXDOLÀ HG EXW WKH PRVW persuasive. African PR agencies need to be more persuasive when we ask for more money from our clients and when we’re pitching services to prospective clients.

The best time to strike an iron is when it is hot and right now as the world is JDJJLQJ IRU RXU $IUREHDWV DQG À QWHFKV we must use these successes to inspire us to build an African PR industry that is world-class.

Obinna.inogbo@yahoo.co.uk

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MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Bank Customers with BVN Rise to 54.77m, Records 700,000 New Enrolments Nume Ekeghe Data released by the Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS) has revealed that enrolments for the Biometric Verification Number (BVN) by bank customers’ in the country has reached 54.77million as at last month.

The NIBSS data also showed that a total of 700,000 bank customers in three months between April 10, 2022, and July 10, 2022, enrolled in the initiative introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to tackle identity challenges in the banking sector.

As at December 26, 2021, the enrolments stood at 51.7 million, while BVN enrolment database grew by six million in the 2021.

NIBSS data showed that active bank accounts in the country stood at 133.5 million as of December 2021. It means 78.73 bank customers have not registered their BVN in any of the 22 banks in the country.

While there may be multiple

accounts linked to a single BVN, industry analysts said there is still a gap between bank accounts and BVN registrations, which must be filled.

Speaking with THISDAY, the Managing Director, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori said the over 770 million gap in bank’s customers yet to register their BVN calls for concerns.

He, however, encouraged bank customers to update their accounts with BVN in order to drive financial inclusion of the CBN. According to NIBSS, BVN gives bank account owners a unique identity that can be verified across the Nigerian banking industry, while it ensures that customers’ bank accounts are protected from unauthorised access.

Emphasising the need for the number, NIBSS noted that with the increasing incidents of compromise on conventional security systems (password and PIN), there was a high demand for greater security

for access to sensitive or personal information in the Banking System.

“In recent times, biometric technologies have been used to analyse human characteristics as an enhanced form of authentication for real-time security processes, ”he said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, NIBSS, launched the BVN project on February 14, 2014, with the aim of capturing biometrics of all bank customers and giving them a unique identity that can be verified across the Nigerian banking industry.

The project is also aimed at deepening financial inclusion in the country. To have many more Nigerians on the BVN database, CBN had in December 2019 announced the commencement of the classification BVN 2.0 plan that allows both the rich and poor in rural areas to access financial services.

Naira Weakens to N430/$1 on I&E Window, Reserves Records Slight Gain Nume Ekeghe The value of the naira weakened to N430 to the dollar at the Investors’ and Exporters’ window at the end of business last week even as the Nigeria’s external reserves gained slight momentum.

The nation’s foreign reserves rose by $75 million during the week to hit $39.43 billion as at July 14, 2022.

In the parallel market, the value of the naira likewise weakened to N618, which is a further depreciation from N616 in the previous week.

At the I&E window, the value of the local currency had depreciated as the turnover at the market dropped.

Compared to N424 to the green back, which the currency closed the previous week, by close of business last Friday, the value of the naira had dropped to N430.33 to the dollar. Turnover at the market as of 14 July 2022 decreased by 73.2 per cent to $149.07 million, with trades consummated within the N411.42 – N444 per dollar band.

In the Forwards market, the rate was flat at the 1-month which was N427.37 per dollar contract, but weakened at the 6-month by -0.1 per cent to N449.55 per dollar and 1-year by -0.2 per cent to N472.81 per dollar contracts. The rate appreciated at the 3-year by 0.1 per cent to N435.17 per dollar According to analysts at Cordros

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

Research, dollar had recoded significant shortages which is limiting foreign exchange supply at the official channels amidst increased forex demand underpinned by summer travels and political activities.

They stated: “We understand that travellers and manufacturers have continued to recourse to the parallel market as most of their forex needs remain unmet at the official windows. Consequently, since the last policy meeting, the local currency depreciated by 1.3 per cent apiece to N424.63 and N617 to the dollar at the IEW and parallel, respectively, as of 14 July.

“Meanwhile, inflows to the Investors and Exporters Window (IEW) improved as the CBN’s non-oil export proceeds repatriation rebate scheme appears to be bearing fruit.

Specifically, total inflows to the IEW

rose by 62 per cent month on month to $1.84 billion in June compared to May figure of $1.14 billion, its highest level since December 2021 when it was $2.42 billion though still significantly below the Q1-20 monthly average of $3.68 billion.

“The improvement was primarily due to a 70.3 per cent month on month increase in inflows from local players representing 88.4 per cent of total inflows. Notably, we highlight that inflows from exporters (193.7 per cent m/m to $1.02 billion) rose to their highest level since the CBN created the IEW, reflecting the impact of the CBN’s rebate scheme to attract non-oil exports. We highlight that inflows from foreign investors remain tepid relative to the pre-pandemic level, reflective of forex liquidity challenges and an overvalued currency.”

Unilever Announces N1.91bn Profit in H1 2022 Kayode Tokede With the sharp increase in revenue and non-core operating income, Unilever Nigeria Plc has reported N1.91billion profit in its half year unaudited financial statement for period ended June 30, 2022.

This is an increase of 167per cent from N714.78million reported in H1 2021. The multinational household company also grew profit before tax by 586.17per cent to N2.99 billion in H1 2022 from N434million reported in H1 2021.

A cursory view of the Unilever Nigeria unaudited result shows that the company’s profit was driven by significant sales of the company’s reportable segments, that is, Food and Home and Personal care products.

Both segments delivered a revenue of N43.81 billion in H1 2022 compared to N32.42billion in the same period of 2021.

Revenue growth from the Food Products segment was at 39.5per cent year-on-year YoY), generating a total of N19.87 billion in H1 2022 from N14.24billion in H1 2021, while revenue from Home and personal care products raked in N23.9 billion, representing growth of 31.66 per cent YoY. Also, about N66.66million noncore operating income drive profit in the period under review.

The company disclosed that it made N66.65million income from the transitional service agreement.

In a notice, the company ex-

plained that, “Subsequent to the disposal of the Tea business in October 2021, Unilever entered into a Transitional Service Agreement (“the Agreement”) with the new owner, Unilever Tea MSO Nigeria Limited. The Agreement will be in place for a period of 15 months, during which time Unilever would provide production and sales support to Unilever Tea MSO Nigeria Limited in exchange for a fee.”

The period in review witnessed a persistent increase in prices of goods and services, thereby resulting in inflationary pressures that affected both consumers and producers.

Despite the double-digit food inflation, the H1 2022 profit was supported by cost management practices as production costs increased by22.3 per cent to N29.61billion from N24.2billion reported in corresponding period.

The company’s total operating expenses increased by roughly 36.4 per cent during the period to N11.17billion from N8.19billion reported in prior period.

A further look at the financial results showed that the company’s total assets are now at N119.9 billion, gaining about 10 per cent from N108.3billion reported in 2021 full year.

Unilever Nigeria had declared a dividend of N0.50 kobo for 2021 and the company last traded on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) at N15.5 per share as of July 15, 2022.

Explainer: What You Should Know About The Safety of Pension Funds Under CPS Preceding the Pension Reform of 2004, which established the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), Pension Administration in Nigeria was fraught with numerous challenges and inefficiencies. The effect of these inefficiencies was a lack of accountability and transparency amidst weak administrative structures.

However, 18 years since the advent of the CPS, the new system has succeeded when viewed within the context of the pitfalls that characterised the pension schemes that preceded it. The relative stability attained as funds under the CPS have sustained a growth trajectory has astounded pundits who were doubtful about the security of pension funds at the inception of the scheme.

Here are the key safeguards that have ensured transparency and the safety of pension funds under the CPS.

RING-FENCING OF PENSION ASSETS THROUGH THE SEPARATION OF CUSTODY AND MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS The Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) manages the pension funds without having direct access to the funds, as custody is vested in a separate entity, the Pension Fund Custodian (PFC). In effect, while the PFA makes day-to-day investment decisions in line with the Investment Regulations issued by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), it is the responsibility of the PFC to effect payments for the investment and receive any dividends or profits therefrom, on behalf of the PFA. PenCom ensures that both parties adhere strictly to regulations governing the pension funds. Indeed, the cardinal principle of separation of custody from management and supervision has resulted in a pension scheme with a sound internal mechanism for transparency and accountability. The ringfencing of pension fund assets has resulted in the consistent growth in pension assets.

DAILY MONITORING OF PENSION FUND INVESTMENTS PenCom requires all PFAs to submit daily valuation reports on pension fund investments. These reports provide the details and value of all investments made with the pension funds at the end of each trading day. Therefore, PenCom can determine if investments are in accordance with the Investment Regulations and identify any infractions immediately for corrective action.

Thus, the safety of the pension funds is monitored by PenCom at all times.

SEGREGATION OF PENSION FUNDS FROM THE ASSETS OF PENSION OPERATORS There is complete separation between the pension funds and the assets of pension operators. This means that an operator is not allowed to combine its own company funds with pension funds. As a result, a pension operator’s insolvency will not negatively impact the pension funds. Where an operator is incapacitated by capital inadequacy, the pension funds will simply be transferred to another solvent operator under the direction of PenCom. This segregation of pension funds has further assured the transparency of the CPS.

STRICT REGULATION ON INVESTMENT OF PENSION

PENCOM DG, Aisha Dahir-Umar

FUNDS The investment of pension funds by PFAs is strictly regulated in accordance with the Investment Regulations issued by PenCom. The regulation prescribes allowable investment outlets and sets limits on the percentage of funds that can be invested. This ensures that risks are properly managed to ensure the safety of the funds. The PFA’s exclusive responsibility for investment decisions is only limited by compliance with the provisions of the regulation.

Prohibition of applying pension funds as loans or as collateral for loans Pension funds are secured for the sole purpose of providing retirement and terminal benefits for the RSA holders. Consequently, pension funds are prohibited from being given out as loans or applied as collateral for loans. This has prevented the depletion of pension funds through non-performing loans taken by the RSA holder or the PFA granting a direct loan to a third party.

STRICT LICENSING REQUIREMENTS The Pension Reform Act 2014 prescribes a strict licensing regime to operate as a PFA or PFC. This includes possessing the professional capacity to manage pension funds and an undertaking not to engage in any other business except that of management of pension funds.

In addition, such applicants must satisfy the condition that they have never been liable for the mismanagement of any fund before the application.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CPS SAFEGUARDS While the foregoing safeguards are not exhaustive, their effectiveness is best represented by the consistent accumulation of pension fund assets, which stood at N14.19 trillion as at May 2022. Furthermore, 9.67 million RSA holders have been registered under the CPS since its inception. However, it should be noted that these safeguards have been largely effective due to the strong regulatory and supervisory oversight by PenCom.

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L-R: Director, Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMMCO), Mr. Uche Okeke; External Auditor, Mr. Olufemi Ojolo; Director, MOA, representative of Abia State, Mr. Uma Ukonu; Company Secretary, Olubunmi Tadema; Chairman, ANAMMCO Board, Sir Godwin Ubaka Okeke; MD, Mr. Maduabuchukwu Okeke; Punuka, Company Secretary, Sharon PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI Juwah; and Director, Mr. Adewale Folowosele, during the 46th Annual General Meeting of ANAMMCO at Lekki, Lagos… recently

TF Laments Rising Unemployment, Skills Gap, Seeks to Institutionalise Apprenticeship as Panacea James Emejo in Abuja The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has raised concerns over the inability of Nigerians to occupy existing job opportunities due to a lack of requisite skills, thereby yielding employment to foreigners.

The Director-General of ITF, Mr. Joseph Ari, said despite the high unemployment rate in the country, especially among the youths, a skills gap assessment in six priority sectors of the economy revealed that rather than the absence of jobs, vacancies still exist in several

sectors of the national economy.

He said the study conducted by the fund in collaboration with the United Nations Development Organisation (UNIDO) further showed that Nigerians were unable to fill the vacancies either because of the lack of requisite skills or were being filled by foreigners.

Speaking at the opening of the 2nd National Skills Summit, which was hosted by the ITF, he advocated for the institutionalisation of apprenticeship and traineeship for national development as a panaceafor the soaring

unemployment and poverty in the country.

This is as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Maryam Katagum, described the summit as the necessary tonic needed as the federal government commences implementation of the National Development Plan 2022-2025, to afford leaders from the government, academia and the business community to develop a shared understanding of what is required to achieve excellence in the skills sector.

The minister, while declaring the gathering open, noted that

over the years, the ITF had embarked on a passionate campaign for skills development under the leadership of Ari, adding that this aligned perfectly with the vision of the federal government with regard to economic diversification and job creation.

She said her ministry had been monitoring the progress of all agencies and parastatals under its purview and “I make bold to declare that the ITF is at the forefront of delivering the policies of the current administration”.

Katagum said through its

Osinbajo, Sule Begin Discussion to Implement N 4 0 0 b n Pove r t y R e d u c t i o n B u d g e t Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, last week met with the governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, and began discussion on implementation of the N400 billion allocated to poverty reduction in the 2022 budget.

Osinbajo and Governor Sule were joined in the discussion at the Presidential Villa with other members of the Presidential Poverty

Reduction and Growth Strategy (PPRGS) steering committee.

Governor Abdullahi Sule disclosed this while speaking with journalists after the committee’s meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Governor Sule said that N350 billion, out of the N400 billion, was allocated to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development for the expansion

of its various programmes.

According to the governor “the Humanitarian Ministry is going to take N350 billion for the expansion of the various programmes like Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Conditional Cash Transfer, Farmer Money, Market Money and the rest of that.”

He continued that the Steering Committee had at its last meeting set up various working groups to

prepare what is required in the implementation of the budget.

Sule added that based on the recommendations of the working groups and approvals by the president, the committee met and discussed the implementation.

According to him, “the balance of N50 billion will be reserved for other programmes in agriculture, construction of rural roads and electricity, particularly solar energy.”

CBN Urged to Cushion Effects of Forex in Real Estate Sector Ugo Aliogo The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been urged to cushion the effects of forex scarcity in the economy by ensuring enough supply in order to assist investors in the real estate market to procure building materials from overseas.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the Group Manager, Project, Herel Global, Osamudiame Ogbeide, said forex is a serious

concern for investors in this sector because many of the building construction equipment especially for finishings are imported from Europe and Asia such as elevators, light fittings, and tiles, as a result, “we cannot run away from the search for forex.”

He lamented that the difficulty in accessing forex through the parallel market.

He revealed that due to the constant increase in the rate of

forex on a daily basis, it has made producers of building materials to increase their prices, “even people that have production factories today in Nigeria, who would typically base their prices in naira are now making it US dollar dominated.”

Ogbeide lamented that the inflation in the prices of building materials, noting that it is also impacting the sector negatively, and has created several shifts in prices of commodities.

According to him, “We have to consider inflation as something we cannot run away from. So, if you are looking at a project that will run for say 24 months or even 12 months, right, because we have seen shifts between prices as high as 10x 5x in the space of a month or two. So, you are not talking about 24 months, you’re talking about 14 months depending on the project. You have to postulate inflation and study the trend.”

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Announces Executive Appointments Nume Ekeghe Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of new directors to oversee the operations of various subsidiaries within the group.

The appointments were in line with the financial institution’s tradition and succession strategy of grooming

leaders. With the appointments, the organisation bolstered its capabilities to provide better services to its clients.

A statement from the bank notes that Helmut Engelbrecht was appointed as Non-Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC and Hassan Khan was appointed as Non-Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC

Capital Limited. Bunmi Olarinoye and Idris Toriola took up the positions of Chief Executive and Executive Director respectively at Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited. Adelanwa Adesanya and Selvan Kistnasamy were also appointed Independent Non-Executive Director and NonExecutive Director respectively

at the stockbroking subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC. Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Dr Demola Sogunle, commenting on the appointments said that the financial institution was committed to growing its people while upholding the highest standards of service delivery across its subsidiaries.

numerous skills intervention programmes, the fund had trained thousands of Nigerians that are today gainfully employed.

Nonetheless, the ITF DG said one of the objectives of the summit was to seek ways of applying apprenticeship in resolving poverty and unemployment bearing in mind how well it worked miracles for countries that took that route when they contended with issues such as we are facing now.

He said, “The question that arises from this paradox is, how can we plug these gaps using

apprenticeship? The answer to this question can be found in countries such as Germany, China, Australia, USA and others that at various times faced similar challenges such as we are contending.

“What they did was to pour greater investments in skills acquisition and apprenticeship training. For instance, in Germany about two decades ago, there was mass unemployment with roughly five million unemployed people and low employment rates to the extent that it was labeled “the sick man in Europe.”

NIWA, Bangladesh Agree to Explore Mutual Benefits in Agricultural Production Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the government of Bangladesh have agreed to collaborate in exploring mutual benefit in the areas of Waterways.

The parties made the disclosure when the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria, His Excellency Masudur Rahman, led a team on a courtesy visit to the Managing Director, NIWA, Dr George Moghalu, in Abuja.

The Bangladesh Ambassador, while stating his mission, invited NIWA management to Bangladesh to explore potential areas of mutual benefits.

Rahman said both countries have similarities and could engage in versatile areas of cooperation from food security, agriculture, digital technologies, textile, health among others.

According to him, “We will give support in seeking collaboration in the areas of dredging, training, creating river

basin opportunities like fishing and agricultural products. Bangladesh has those opportunities and I think it can be a win- win collaboration between Bangladesh and Nigeria.”

Responding to the requests, the NIWA Managing Director, expressed readiness to collaborate with the country, insisting that development of Waterways will contribute to economic growth.

Moghalu said: “I felt very excited about your visit because I know that Nigeria has a lot in common with Bangladesh. Apart from the fact that we are both large countries, waterways and diversities in language, religion and tribe, we also share common sentiment with Bangladesh.

“For us in NIWA, we appreciate the potentials and enormity of what the maritime sector can make in the development of the economy. We also believe strongly that if we develop our Waterways it comes with lots of advantages that will bear heavily on the GDP of our country.

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T H I S D AY MONDAY JULY 18, 2022

ADEPEJU SALAMI writes the Sanwo-Olu administration is addressing the infrastructure deficit in the state’s public schools as well as ensuring that the schools are secure

ON LAGOS EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT The administration of Mr. Babajide 6DQZR 2OX FOHDUO\ XQGHUVWDQGV WKH NH\ role education can play in transforming the society. This explains the decision of the administration to make education a foremost part of its T.H.E.M.E.S (acronyms IRU 7UD΀F 0DQDJHPHQW DQG 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21ST Economy, Entertainment and Tourism and Governance and Security) Developmental

Agenda.

The increase in budgetary allocation for HGXFDWLRQ QR GRXEW VLJQLÀHV WKH LQWHQWLRQ RI WKH 6DQZR 2OX OHG JRYHUQPHQW WR XVH HGXFDWLRQ DV D PRVW HͿHFWLYH FKDQQHO WR drive its ‘Greater Lagos’ vision.

Therefore, the pursuit of developing an educational system that is able to think critically, innovate and provide solutions towards a more sustainable pattern of living have become a noticeable part of the administration’s agenda.

To begin with, the academic setting in the state is witnessing a dramatic change in terms of personnel and infrastructure.

The State’s BOS Education Transformation Plan (BOSETP) is an evolving initiative that is building networks and encouraging SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK GLͿHUHQW VHFWRUV WR SURYLGH an enduring and sustainable education in the state.

In setting the stage for this transformation, *RYHUQRU 6DQZR 2OX LQDXJXUDWHG D VSHFLDO committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS) with the mandate to ensure that all public schools are conducive for learning. Progress has been recorded in the intervention programme, as over 450 VFKRROV KDYH JRW D VLJQLÀFDQW IDFH OLIW ZKLOH new blocks of classrooms are being built in rural communities.

One noticeable dimension to the public schools’ infrastructure renewal drive is the security angle. Thus, the Security lmprovement Programme (SlP) was introduced in the state’s public schools, especially the model colleges and the boarding schools.

An integral part of the SIP is the construction of Watch Towers and fences ZLWK ÁRRG OLJKW DQG SDQLF EHOOV 6RPH RI WKH EHQHÀFLDU\ VFKRROV RI WKH 6,3 VFKHPH include Epe Grammar School, Epe; Badagry Grammar School, Badagry Oriwu College, Ikorodu; Lagos State Model College, Ojo; Lagos State Civil Service Model College, lgbogbo, Ikorodu; Lagos State Model

College, Agunfoye, Ikorodu and the Lagos State Model College, Igbokuta, Ikorodu.

The idea is to boost security in the schools and protect lives.

7KH JRRG WKLQJ LV WKDW WKH 6DQZR 2OX administration is not only addressing WKH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH GHÀFLW LQ WKH VWDWH·V public schools, it is also ensuring that the VFKRROV DUH ZHOO IXUQLVKHG &RQVHTXHQWO\ fabrication and supply of dual single composite student benches and tables with underneath compartments for books and bag storage are being supplied to virtually all the public schools, especially those with glaring cases of inadequate furniture.

The furniture design was adopted to improve learning conditions and comfort for the students. Presently, about 203,190 units of dual single composite student benches and tables are being supplied to the public secondary schools, while about 105,000 units have also been produced for the primary schools in phase one of the sc heme.

Currently, construction is ongoing in the state’s public schools with projects ranging from 100 classroom blocks, 120 classrooms WR FODVVURRP EORFNV $OO WKHVH HͿRUWV are geared towards reducing the students’ classroom ratio in the public schools and also to make teaching and learning easier.

Other schools where learning infrastructure have been upgraded include Ojota Junior Grammar School; Muslim Senior College, Oworonshoki; Eva Adelaja Memorial Girls Grammar School, Somolu; Lagos State Model College Badore; Model College, Igbokuta and Model College, Oriokuta.

Others are Model College, Ojo; Model College, Oriwu; Model College, Agunfoye, Ikorodu; Civil Service Model College, Ikorodu; Model College, Meiran; Akintan Junior Grammar School, Surulere; Elemoro -XQLRU 6HFRQGDU\ 6FKRRO ,EHMX /HNNL 2NH 2GR -XQLRU +LJK 6FKRRO (EXWH 0HWWD )(67$& -XQLRU *UDPPDU 6FKRRO $PXZR 2GRÀQ %DGDJU\ -XQLRU *UDPPDU 6FKRRO %DGDJU\ $UDURPL ,ORJER -XQLRU 6HFRQGDU\ 6FKRRO 2NR $IR 6W -RVHSK 6HFRQGDU\ School, Mushin and Ajumoni Junior Grammar School, Mushin amongst others.

The investment of the administration in XS VFDOLQJ LQIUDVWUXFWXUH KDV UHVXOWHG LQWR the commissioning of completed projects such as 18 Classroom Blocks at Muslim Junior College, Egbe; 18 Classroom Blocks at Maya Secondary School, Ikorodu; 18 Classroom Blocks at Eva Adelaja Junior Secondary School, Bariga, and Block of 20 Classrooms at Bashua Military School Primary School, Shomolu.

Others are 13 Classrooms at Saviour 3ULPDU\ 6FKRRO ,IDNR ,MDL\H /*$ %ORFN of 20 Classrooms at Ayanleye Memorial 3ULPDU\ 6FKRRO ,IDNR ,MDL\H /*$ DQG Block of six Classrooms at Ansar Ur Deen, Ibonwon, Epe. More than ever before, renewal of public schools’ infrastructure has dominated the government’s priority in the education sector. With over 1,000 public primary VFKRROV DQG PRUH WKDQ JRYHUQPHQW owned secondary schools in the state, the government, no doubt, has its hands full.

Salami is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

Peter Obi stands a good chance of emerging the winner of the 2023 presidential contest, reckons CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

NIGERIA’S DEMOCRATIC EVOLUTION AND OBI’S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATURE Upon our attainment of political sovereignty in 1960, Nigeria practised parliamentary system of government with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa taking the post of the prime minister while Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the president. While Balewa wielded executive power, Azikiwe was a WLWXODU RU ÀJXUH KHDG ZKR SHUIRUPHG RQO\ ceremonial functions. $W WKDW WLPH ZKLFK ZDV LQ WKH ÀUVW republic, the major political parties were the Action Group (AG), Northern People’s Congress (NPC), and the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroun(NCNC). AG was to the Western Region what NPC was to the Northern region. And NCNC was believed to have its stronghold in the Eastern region.

Although they made pretensions to being nationalistic in outlook, they are regional political parties, at best.

Again, Action Group, a political party founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, tended towards the left, which is socialism.

Then, Awolowo, who was the premier of the western region, practised democratic welfarism, which was in tandem with socialist idealogy. He implemented free HGXFDWLRQ SROLF\ LQ WKH :HVW ZKLFK EHQHÀWHG innumerable Yoruba people, who came from indigent homes.

7KH PDMRU SROLWLFDO DFWRUV LQ WKH ÀUVW republic, who played politics of ideas, ZHUH SROLWLFDO LGHRORJXHV DQG SKLORVRSKHU kings. Think about Matthew Mbu, Anthony Enahoro, Osita Agwuna, Mokwugo Okoye, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, and Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Chief Awolowo, a mystic and political colossus, earned degrees in Commerce and /DZ DQG ZURWH ERRNV WR ERRW $ ZHOO UHDG man, Azikiwe was a political scientist , poet, and biographer. His oeuvre covers such genres of writing as poetry, biography, and political science. An autodidact, who had RQO\ SRVW SULPDU\ HGXFDWLRQ JRW WKURXJK correspondence, Mokwugo Okoye wrote books on political science, which are classics, today. And Tafawa Balewa held his own in the areas of scholarship and writing. It was he who wrote these astounding works: Shaihu Umar, a fable; Nigeria Speaks, a Polemic. $OWKRXJK WKH ÀUVW UHSXEOLF SROLWLFLDQV were men of letters and political ideologues, WKH\ FRXOGQ·W SUHYHQW WKH FROODSVH RI WKH ÀUVW UHSXEOLF 7KH ÀUVW UHSXEOLF IDLOHG RZLQJ WR WKH existence of disunity among the people(s) of Nigeria. The disunity was caused by ethnic rivalry and suspicion as well as religious intolerance.

And the second republic was characterized by inept and corrupt political leadership. A political dark horse and lame duck, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, was helped to power by kingmakers and northern interests. But the EHUHW ER\V RXVWHG KLP IURP R΀FH IRU UHDVRQV not unconnected to inept and corrupt political leadership. Then, the military arrested and tried some state governors. Those found guilty of perpetrating corrupt deeds were given long jail terms.

The third republic was stillborn because of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was adjudged the freest and fairest election in our political annals. Chief MKO Abiola was the presumed winner of that electoral contest. And the 1$'(&2·V ÀJKW IRU WKH UHYDOLGDWLRQ RI 0.2 Abiola’s political mandate threw Nigeria into

D SROLWLFDO FXO GH VDF Abdusalaam Abubakar midwifed our transition to civil rule in 1999 after the mysterious deaths of the vampiric and thieving Sani Abacha and moneybags, MKO Abiola. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was handed the baton of political leadership in 1999, marking the birth of the

fourth republic. For over 23 years , Nigeria has been practising democracy, with one political party handing over power to another political party, peacefully and seamlessly.

But in this fourth republic, our political cum democratic culture is characterized by politicians’ perpetration of electoral IUDXG DQG ÀQDQFLDO PLVGHPHDQRU DQG their promotion of ethnic nationalism and religious bigotry. And since the inception of the fourth republic, political leaderships DW GLͿHUHQW VWUDWD RI JRYHUQPHQW DUH rudderless, corrupt, myopic, and inept because a majority of those who possess knowledge, probity, and leadership qualities do not participate in our politics.

For example, the infrastructural rot, problem of insecurity, high rate of unemployment, incessant Industrial action by university lecturers, and epileptic power supply, which have bedeviled Nigeria, are incontrovertible proofs that governance has been put in abeyance in Nigeria.

And the arrest, trial, and conviction of James Onanefe Ibori, a former governor of Delta State; Reverend Jolly Nyame, an erstwhile governor of Taraba State; and 0U -RVKXD 'DUL\H D RQH WLPH JRYHUQRU RI Plateau State are pieces of evidence that our politicians contest for exalted political posts for reasons that are not altruistic.

So, not unexpectedly, during the APC and PDP’S presidential primary elections, the presidential aspirants of both political parties engaged in political chicanery and duplicity, vote buying, and arousing of ethnic and religious sentiments. The PDP’S presidential aspirants’ engagement LQ WKRVH GXSOLFLWRXV FULPLQDO VHOÀVK and unpatriotic deeds negate the political SKLORVRSK\ DQG PRUDOLW\ FRGH RI 0U Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State. He found their deeds detestable and despicable.

Okoye writes fromUruowulu-Obosi,Anambra State

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MONDAY JULY 18, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

THE CBN CYBERCRIMES FRAMEWORK Financial institutions should heed the CBN directive for their enlightened self-interest

T

Justice (DoJ) said, “Foreign citizens perpetrate many he Risk-Based Cybersecurity Framework BEC scams. Those individuals are often members of and Guidelines for Other Financial transnational criminal organisations, which originated Institutions (OFIs) recently released by in Nigeria but have spread throughout the world.” the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could Last year, no fewer than 12 Nigerians were charged in not have come at a better time given the four criminal complaints in connection with their roles growing cybersecurity threats in the country. in expansive online fraud schemes (including romance But it would not work except the banks and other scams and pandemic unemployment assistance fraud) À QDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQV VKRZ HQRXJK FRPPLWPHQW WR LWV targeting individuals in the United States. Some others LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ 7KH WKUHDWV LGHQWLÀ HG E\ WKH &%1 IRU were also charged with mail fraud, attempted mail WKH EDQNV DQG À QDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQV LQFOXGH UDQVRPZDUH fraud, and mail and wire fraud conspiracy, in connection targeted phishing attacks and Advanced Persistent with an advanced fee fraud scheme using social media Threats (APT) that have become prevalent within the to target elderly victims. system. The deadline for In 2015, the Cybercrimes full compliance has been Act was passed into law to put at 1st January 2023.

The Senate recently disclosed that Nigeria has lost about address the challenges. The Cybercrimes refer to law criminalises a variety those criminal acts such $450 million to 3,500 cyber-attacks on its Information and RI RͿ HQFHV ² IURP $70 as identity theft and bank Communications Technology space, representing about 70 per card skimming and identity frauds facilitated through theft to possession of child the use of the internet. To cent of hacking attempts in the country pornography. It imposes, our collective shame, our for instance, seven-year country is often cited as a LPSULVRQPHQW IRU RͿ HQGHUV breeding ground for these T H I S D AY of all kinds and additional seven years for online crimes nefarious practices because of the activities of some of our EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU that result in physical harm, and life imprisonment for citizens. While cyber criminals in some other countries DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA those that lead to death. But like almost every law in the are using their negative skills for espionage and illicit MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO country, there is the problem of enforcement.

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU technology theft, their Nigerian counterparts are using CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI Committed mostly by the young, often called ‘Yahoo their skills to defraud individuals and companies. But EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN Boys’, a precursor of the infamous ‘419’ email scammers, it is not only abroad that these people perpetrate their MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI the fraudsters are increasingly taking advantage of criminal activities, they also do it at home. So endemic THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE the rise in online transactions, electronic shopping, is the problem that the Senate recently disclosed that e-commerce and the electronic messaging systems to Nigeria has lost about $450 million to 3,500 cyber-attacks engage in all manner of crimes that have sullied the on its Information and Communications Technology T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D image of Nigeria abroad. To deal with such emblem of (ICT) space, representing about 70 per cent of hacking EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA shame, there is an urgent need to improve the capacity of attempts in the country.

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, F\EHU VHFXULW\ R΀ FLDOV DQG WKH VKDULQJ RI F\EHU VHFXULW\ ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI From social networking and research to business DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, best practice from across the globe. In addition, we must and commerce, ICT systems are ordinarily deployed ANTHONY OGEDENGBE build the capacity for local law enforcement. to perform simple as well as complex tasks. But DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI Given the importance of cybersecurity to the banking the cyberspace is also vulnerable to the activities of SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH VHFWRU DQG LQGHHG DOO À QDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQV ZH KRSH WKDW criminals. What marks out the Nigerian fraud gangs ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI they will heed the CBN directive by beginning to put CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI RSHUDWLQJ LQWHUQDWLRQDOO\ LV WKHLU IRFXV RQ LOOLFLW À QDQFLDO DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO in pace necessary compliance measures before the 1st and economic transactions. For instance, in June 2019, TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com January 2023 deadline. a damning statement by the American Department of

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

LETTERS

HOW SAFE IS KATSINA STATE? If the ruthless terrorists who like termites are chewing up many communities in Nigeria`s northeast and northwest like termites have recently taken to sending messages scrawled in EORRG DQG VPRNH WR 3UHVLGHQW 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL DQG WKH ruling All Progressives Congress, it is because they have failed to secure Nigeria, and vulnerable communities must now bear the brutal brunt of their fatal failures.

To ensure that the apocalyptic messages are received, it appears the terrorists have chosen the President`s home state of Katsina to be the giant slate on which they starkly scrawl their messages.

0XOWLSOH WHUURULVW DWWDFNV KDYH DOUHDG\ FRQYXOVHG .DWVLQD 6WDWH WKLV \HDU 0DQ\ FRPPXQLWLHV KDYH EHHQ DWWDFNHG ZLWK many slaughtered, abducted and buildings are razed.

In December 2021, overwhelmed by the relentless attacks, $PLQX %HOOR 0DVDUL WKH .DWVLQD 6WDWH *RYHUQRU KDG FDOOHG RQ the people of the state to defend themselves.

Only recently, Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency revealed that as a result of the activities of the bandits, 69 primary healthcare centers have had to be shut down with many health workers asking to leave vulnerable areas. According to him, the

bandits even recently burnt down two renovated healthcare centers in Batsari Local Government.

7KH LQFDOFXODEOH FRVWV RI WKH HͿ HFWV RI WHUURULVP RQ OLIH LQ Katsina State can never be properly measured. Yet, when the President visited his home for the recent Eid-el-Kabir, instead of taking him to task over his government`s failure to rein in the insecurity turning their lives upside down, many people in the state including their leaders chose to stew in sycophancy. $PLQX 0DVDUL WKH 6WDWH *RYHUQRU VDLG WKDW VHFXULW\ LQ WKH country had improved considerably compared to when the President came into power, urging the Daura Emirate Council, title holders, political leaders in the state and citizens across the entire federation to remember the bombings of mosques and churches before 2015 that hindered worship. *RYHUQRU 0DVDUL HYHQ ZHQW DV IDU DV VD\LQJ WKXV ´$OO WKH foolish talk on social media is by those who only think of themselves. Our elites are never happy or appreciative until something gets to their pockets.”

Ironically, the traditional durbar in the Daura Emirate which is the President`s Emirate was suspended as a result of insecurity.

The Emir of Daura, Dr.Faruk Umar also urged the President

to increase his patience and tolerance as he begins to countGRZQ NQRZLQJ WKDW WKH XOWLPDWH UHZDUG IRU KLV VDFULÀ FH ZLOO come from God. It certainly does appear that the situation in Katsina State is of the blind leading the blind. The massive crowd which hailed the president and followed him home from the Eid prayer ground after prayers on July 9 certainly showed as much.

Yet, when his advanced team was attacked by bandits on its way to Daura on July 5, the same residents must have feared the worst. When Aminu Umar Dayi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Dutsinma Area Command was killed E\ EDQGLWV RQ VDPH -XO\ WKH\ ZHUH QR GRXEW WHUULÀ HG For many Nigerian politicians, the reality of Nigerians holdLQJ WKHP DFFRXQWDEOH IRU WKHLU IDLOXUHV LQ R΀ FH LV QRWKLQJ PRUH than foolish talk which they conveniently wave away whenever such arises. For them, it is always the work of detractors and traducers. This kind of thinking from politicians and attendant inaction from those who elect them have fostered a climate of unaccountability which in turn has foisted impunity and corruption on Nigeria.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

HOMES&DESIGN

ACCESS BANK TOWER:

The Shining Beacon and Leading Light Responsible corporate organisations always take care of their business to attract trust and confidence in their capabilities. They often make indelible statements like Access Bank did with its headquarters building. Access Bank Tower brightens the Lekki axis, as does the building’s facelift. Bennett Oghifo writes

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he imposing Access Tower, the Access Bank Head Office, is located strategically at No 14/15, Prince Alaba Oniru Road, Oniru, Lagos.

The tower’s all-glass facade glitters and even glows at night. Access Bank has come a long way not to make this statement. The bank evolved over the years into a world-class African financial institution.

“Today, we are one of the five largest banks in Nigeria in terms of assets, loans, deposits and branch network; a feat which has been achieved through a robust long-term approach to client solutions – providing committed and innovative advice,” said the financial institution.

It explained further, “Access Bank has built its strength and success in corporate banking and is now applying that expertise to the personal and business banking platforms it acquired from Nigeria’s International Commercial bank in 2012.

The next two years were spent integrating the business, investing in infrastructure and strengthening the product offer.”

Access Bank also cleans up its environment.

It undertook a massive rejuvenation project not long ago that presented an interesting aesthetic outlook on the Lekki-Oniru axis.

It bled the clogged traffic flow and refreshed the air circulation. The bank understands that movement within and across cities is essential for economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction; beyond simply facilitating cheaper and more efficient movements of goods, people, and ideas within cities, transport affects the distribution of economic activity across cities.

Road widening is carried out to ease traffic snarls or when extra lanes are needed to make movement fluid. Road

widening can improve traffic safety and capacity. The widening of roads is one of the useful methods employed by Access Bank Plc to deal with the long-standing traffic problems on the Oniru-Lekki stretch in a problem-solving development known as Victoria Island-Lekki Traffic Circulation Project-Oniru Axis.

The project was conceived to help lower traffic congestion, reduce air pollution from idling vehicles, and helps riders avoid the stress that comes from daily driving in highly congested areas.

According to the bank, the Victoria Island and Lekki axis are two very busy commercial areas in Lagos with a huge exchange of economic activities daily.

These areas easily provide employment opportunities for many people, with close to 40 per cent of total employment

opportunities within the formal sector.0 The Access Bank intervention, known as Victoria Island-Lekki Traffic Circulation Project-Oniru Axis, was a step-by-step approach that had the unprecedented backing of the Lagos government. It incorporated effective road expansion, including reconstruction of junctions and roundabouts, to improve traffic flow.

The Victoria Island-Lekki Circulation Solution was conceptualised by Planet Projects Limited (PPL) at the instance of Access Bank Plc., and its target was to eliminate noise and chaotic motor vehicle traffic that backup for kilometres fueling man-hour loss to those caught in it, particularly business people and residents.

Access Bank considered the chaotic situation offensive to its status as a first-rate financial institution, and its CEO, Mr Herbert Wigwe, thought it necessary to make it go away.

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BUSINESSSPECIAL

Editor: Obinna Chima obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08024557078

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; Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa(UBA), Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; and Managing Director, UBA (DIFC Branch), Mr. Vikrant Bhansali, at the official launch of UBA (DIFC Branch), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates… recently

UBA: Expanding Financial Services Frontier The United Bank for Africa Plc last week intensified its cross-border expansion by opening a new branch at the Dubai International Financial Centre. Obinna Chima writes on the expected benefits from the new expansion

I

n line with its expansion drive, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) last week opened a new branch at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to serve its customers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other parts of the Middle East.

UBA is Africa’s Global bank with a rich history spanning over seven decades. The bank which is headquartered in Lagos, is one of the most recognised financial institutions to originate from Sub-Saharan Africa with thriving operations in 20 African countries Republique du Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Congo DRC, Cote d’lvoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Chad, Uganda and Zambia.

In addition, the financial institution provides corporate, commercial, SME, consumer and personal (retail) banking services to more than 35 million customers, served through diverse channels. Also, UBA offers pension custody and related services.

The bank has proven expertise and capacity in key sectors of economies across Africa especially in oil and gas, infrastructure finance, agriculture and commodity/export, and these have positioned it as a preferred partner for structured solutions to key governments and corporates operating in/into Africa.

UBA’s primary strategy is to focus on its customer and this informs its Customer First (C1st) philosophy which it explained ensures that it always put it customers first.

This, the bank stated it achieved through its deployment of three key levers - People, Process and Technology - to give its customers the best offerings and services. UBA’s business strategy is built on being the bank of choice for individuals and businesses across the African continent and for those who are wishing to do business in Africa.

Furthermore, UBA emphasises the core values of Enterprise, Execution and Excellence and aims to be the leading financial services institution as well as the undisputed Sustainable Financial institution in Africa.

In terms of corporate governance, this the bank stressed it holds as one of its core values and confirmed its commitment to the implementation of effective corporate governance principles in its business operations, in line with the applicable Corporate Governance Codes.

In order to promote effective governance of the bank, relevant structures had been put in place for the execution of the Bank’s Corporate Governance strategy, as elucidated in its Governance Charters, such as the Board, the Board Committees, and Executive Management Committees.

The Board of Directors of the bank has the overall responsibility for ensuring that the highest standards of corporate governance are maintained and adhered to by the Bank.

The Board is adequately comprised of the appropriate mix of knowledge, skills, experience, and expertise.

Also, its sustainability strategy ties closely with its corporate vision which is to be the undisputed leading and dominant financial services institution in Africa.

This corporate vision is the backdrop of its sustainability vision which focuses on promoting excellence by building a sustainable financial institution that supports the execution of environmentally and socially responsible endeavours.

That is why with the commencement of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, the bank has been positioned to facilitate intra-African trade with its presence in 20 African countries as it offers trade loans and financing, letters of credit refinancing, trade advisory services, access to international banks for cross border trade, PTA/BTA and a team of dedicated relationship managers and its expansion to the UAE, would enable it play more financial intermediation role as the relationship between Africa and the Middle East continues to grow.

UBA’S UNITED ARAB EMIRATES’ EXPANSION

The UBA (DIFC Branch) would operate under the Category 4 licence and would be regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the financial regulatory agency of the special economic zone, the Dubai International Financial Centre.

The UBA branch in the DIFC would service corporate & financial Institutions and customers across the Middle East with a core focus on correspondent banking, relationship management and advisory services.

Through this new expansion, the UBA Group would be able to harness opportunities in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 72 countries with an approximate population of three billion and a nominal GDP of $7.7 trillion and thereby, reinforce its strong franchise as Africa’s Global Bank, facilitating trade and capital flows between Africa and the rest of the world.

Speaking during the launch of the new subsidiary in Dubai recently, the Chairman, UBA Group, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, explained that with the Group’s foray into the Gulf Region, UBA continues to focus on its strategic intent to lead the way when it comes to doing business in Africa.

He said “Collaborating with our franchises in 20 African countries and the major financial centres of London, New York and Paris, UBA (DIFC Branch) will facilitate the financing of trade transactions between the Middle East and Africa, enabling trade finance and investments.

“We have been looking forward to this day as it is the first time we will have presence in this part of the world. We

know that our international expansion is incomplete if we are not present in the gulf.

“So, today, we are now formally in four continents across the globe and serving over 33 million customers and still growing. Today also shows that UBA is also a strong franchise and we are expanding our reach across the world.

“We are considering other locations that would complement what we are doing.

This is just the beginning. On behalf of every one in UBA and our customers that made this happen because without them we would not achieve much, we say thank you to them and thank you to the authorities of UAE for granting us this authorisation to operate.”

According to Elumelu, who is also the Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), pointed out that UBA is the only bank with Nigerian origin that has extended out of Nigeria to the UAE. “All others have come through other locations and it shows the strength and respect that the authorities in Dubai have for UBA. We are always very deliberate in executing our strategy. We have a long-term view, but we take them one step at a time.

“That is why you have seen consistent progress by UBA. It is not common to find enterprises with that kind of pedigree.”

Also, Elumelu, who is the founder of Heirs Holdings stressed that, UBA setting up in Dubai would also help to provide payment and trade finance correspondent banking platform for Nigerians and Africans who do business in the Gulf region as well as those in the Gulf region who do business with Africa.

“It’s been a long journey; we’ve always hoped and wished for this to happen and we are happy that today, that audacious ambition or dream has become a reality and we are happy that UBA is berthing in the Gulf and Dubai precisely. We are happy to be extending our services to Dubai. UBA Dubai is the first Sub-saharan African bank to be fully authorised to operate as we have just commencing business today,” he added.

Responding to a question on if the bank would be opening more branches in the Middle East, Elumelu said: “It is beyond the Middle East, but the far east as well.

But in the first instance, we believe that Dubai should serve this area.

“What we want to do is to be that bank that helps to support our people who do business in any and every part of the world.”

Also, UBA’s Group Managing Director/ CEO, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, who also spoke at the event said: “Today, we are formally on four continents across the globe, operating in 24 countries, serving over 35 million customers and still growing.

“We are the only bank with Nigerian

origin that has extended out of Nigeria to the UAE. Those before us have come through other locations and that shows the strength and respect the Dubai authorities have for UBA. Our presence in Dubai affirms that UBA is a strong franchise, expanding its reach across the world.”

Uzoka added: “The authorities and business environment here in the DIFC is phenomenal and UBA is seeing Dubai as the gateway for Africa and that is why we are here, to be closer to our clients, to be partnering with them and facilitate businesses and trade flows into Africa through the UBA franchise. So, we are super excited.

“On behalf of every one in UBA and our customers that made this happen because without them we would not achieve much, we say thank you to them and thank you to the authorities of UAE for granting us this authorisation to operate.

“We are always very deliberate in executing our strategy. We have a long-term view, but we take them one step at a time. That is why you have seen consistent progress by UBA. It is not common to find enterprises with that kind of pedigree.”

On his part, the CEO, UBA(DFIC), Mr. Vikrant Bhansali, said: “Trade, commerce and investments in Africa are expanding in the Gulf Region and Asia. Leveraging the presence of UBA Group in global financial centres, UBA (DFIC) will enhance the ability of the group to facilitate access of Gulf investors and banks to African markets.

We will finance trade, facilitate commerce and help grow investment in Africa, across all sectors.”

In his contribution, the Executive Director, Treasury & International Banking, UBA Group, Mr. Chiugo Ndubisi, said the birth of UBA (DFIC), “gives us the opportunity to showcase the UBA brand to our various corporates that operate from the Middle East as well as other African financial institutions and global financial institutions that operate in this area.

“That would give us easy access to funding, which is why treasury is key for us. It also gives us the opportunity to support trade flows for some of our customers in and out of Africa.”

The Chief Executive Officer, DIFC Authority, who spoke during the ribbon cutting ceremony, Arif Amiri said: “UBA(DFIC) attests to the strong relationship between Dubai and Africa.

It is a beautiful start as we are looking forward to achieving more interaction, channeling more trade and investments into Africa, and with UBA DIFC, we are closer to achieving our objectives. DIFC will continue to seek partnerships that will deliver winning relationships as we have just witnessed with UBA Group.”

With this development, it is expected that UBA as a strong franchise would be able to meet the needs of its customers who do business in the Middle East, thereby strengthening the relationship between both continents.

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

ANALYSIS

NPA’s Electronic Call-Up System: Assessment of Interventionist Strategy at Lagos Ports Segun Adesojiv

S

everal decades of infrastructure rot, neglect and poor or zero maintenance culture coupled with rustled up management prescriptions had left public infrastructure including roads, utilities in total ruin.

Year in, year out, annual budgets in trillions of naira are made with the focus on building of new infrastructure with little or no provision for maintenance budget.

Among the causalities of this criminal neglect are the Nigerian ports across the country particularly those in Lagos. The Lagos Port Complex also known as Premiere Port (Apapa Quays) in those days is the earliest (the first) and the largest port in Nigeria.

Established way back 1913 some several decades before this writer was born, the port was financed by the colonial government, thus becoming the busiest port for exporting agricultural produce and importation of goods from countries of the world. Today, Nigeria has six seaports with the Calabar Port now in Cross River State being the first and the oldest seaport in Nigeria.

Apapa, a beautifully carved out port city with all the allurements, well-paved roads and exotic buildings, has suffered serious neglect as the roads leading to the ports became a crying shame with the attendant traffic chaos.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), a parastatal agency under the Federal Ministry of Transportation, controls the ports and terminals with the primary business as cargo handling. This involves (a) service delivery to commercial vessels arriving our shores in the form of Pilotage, Towage & Mooring services and (b) service to cargo which includes all the gamut of activities including cargo receipt from the ship, its storage within the terminal and its delivery to the consignee or owner -- the later aspect of its operation which focuses on services to cargo was outsourced under the concession to private terminal operators since 2005/2006.

As a result of massive growth and development over past decades with the location of about 30 petroleum products tank farms in Apapa, it has become a jungle of hundreds of articulated vehicles and petrol tankers which had caused gridlocks in the past few years.

The intractable traffic situation necessitated presidential intervention with the signing of an Executive Order on Ease of Doing Business at the ports and the visit of the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to the facility and subsequent inauguration of a presidential taskforce to clear the area of the traffic menace which became a national shame and embarrassment.

Tankers and articulated vehicles’ queue had extended from Apapa to Onipanu on the Ikorodu Expressway, Eko and Ijora bridges, taking the drivers about 40 days and 40 nights to complete their journeys of going into ports to either discharge their containers, commodities or taking them out.

In short, between 2017 and 2019, the Apapa traffic was hellacious, with a debilitating effect on the economy.

Compounding the traffic situation was the road reconstruction and rehabilitation being executed by the NPA in collaboration with Flourmills and Dangote stretching from Area B Police Station and the Apapa Port gate along Warehouse road.

However, the NPA, concessioned in 2005 by the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration had intervened with ETO which has resulted in free movement of articulated vehicles in and out of the port complex with the exemption of hiccups caused by the Police who indulge in indiscriminate stoppage of the vehicles for ``search and screening’’ after they had been cleared by the ports authorities and other relevant security agencies.

Beloo-Koko

Without doubt, the NPA’s ETO is a phenomenal and timeous intervention that has magically decongested the ports area. Operationally, the gains of ETO are attested to by all stakeholders including one of the unions in the maritime industry that has constituted itself to an institutional opposition to the NPA management by sometimes giving a bum rap to its initiatives just to attract attention to itself.

The union -- Council of Maritime Transport Union and Association (COMTUA) – actually played to the gallery while masquerading as one of the unions in the industry during its recent visit to the Vice-President, Prof.

Osinbajo on June 27, 2022 at the Villa.

As a matter-of-factly, the visible unions in the sector were Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) while the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) but with less interest in port operations are in existence. Indeed, AMATO with focus on maritime trucks movement was the most visible while MWUN was the umbrella body because of its influence arising from membership of dockworkers.

For some critical stakeholders, the

“NPA also directed terminal operators to prioritise export in their operation as shipping lines are quite aware of the consequences from the Authority’s standpoint for compliant export containers not loaded on scheduled voyages.”

successes of ETO which was inaugurated on February 27, 2021 are unmistakably glaring and self-effacing. As a precursor, the NPA management under the leadership of Mr. Mohammed Koko had introduced the following: r -JCFSBMJTBUJPO PG CBSHF NPWFNFOU on the waterways through LICENSING BARGE OPERATORS which allows cargo evacuation from port terminals which led to reduction of the no of trucks on the road corridor. r /JHFSJBO 1PSUT "VUIPSJUZ BMTP QVU JO place an EMPTY CONTAINER POLICY requiring shipping lines in the container handling space to build holding bays to hold at least 50-65% of their monthly landed containers and removal of at least 80 per cent equivalent in empties or laden export in return voyages.

Closely related to the above, NPA management in recognition of the inelastic nature of port infrastructure and the reality of increased cargo inflow into the country through the ports as a direct benefit of the port concession, defined a MARITIME LOGISTICS RING and directed all shipping lines in the container handling space to relocate their holding bays which were hitherto along the port corridor.

Evidently, the action and the enforcement regime that followed the oversight by the management also reduced the gridlock significantly.

Then came ETO which harmonised the structures already created to drive the Eto Call-up system.

Hitherto at the peak of the truck gridlocks, the cost of transportation of containers within the Lagos metropolis and its environs was in excess of N1.2 million but with ETO, the same movement is now estimated to be around N300,000 while the traffic is now confined to Apapa and more organized by every assessment even by critics (COMTUA).

The Electronic Call-up project executed by a technology company (Messrs.

Trucks Transit Parks Ltd (TTP)) hired

by NPA was built on collaboration with the Lagos State Government which provided the enforcement backbone and it is common knowledge that the

Lagos State Government has appraised this collaborative effort quite positively.

Today, the turn-around time for trucks engrossing the port particularly Apapa is now less than 24 hours while Tin-Can is still above 24 hours for obvious reason of ongoing road reconstruction. Again, the average amount that was paid by truckers at the peak of the gridlock for empties to access the port was between N150, 000 and N200, 000 per truck and this does not guarantee entry but now to go into the port using the ETO to call-up empty containers only N15, 000 is paid from a pre-gate location.

ETO is not all that NPA has to introduce as the Managing Director of NPA, Mr. Mohammed Bello-koko, has also disclosed plans to introduce another app to serve as a competitor to the current ETO system.

According to him, the second app is being created to provide competition and give people alternatives aside from ETO. For trunkers and other players in the port arena, sanity has returned to Apapa port with daily truck count of about 830 on the average, while Tin-Can is counting about 456 also on the average.

Conscious of the efforts by the federal government to diversify the economy from dependence on oil to the non-oil with Agro products as the focal point, NPA introduced some measures first by ensuring that export containers arrive at the ports using barges or through landing jetties already approved.

Exports also have priority lanes to the ports and the current uptick in numbers of Agro export containers arriving the port and loaded on board vessels is attributable to this policy.

NPA also directed terminal operators to prioritise export in their operation as shipping lines are quite aware of the consequences from the Authority’s standpoint for compliant export containers not loaded on scheduled voyages. In addition, NPA now handles all the logistics relating to arrival of export containers at the ports and their loading onboard vessels by the terminal operators.

On the checkpoints by security agencies on the port corridor, NPA management has identified the activities of security agencies particularly the police and sometimes, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) as well as some NPA security operatives as the greatest challenge in this regard. The security operatives are alleged to be disrupting the flow of traffic by indiscriminate stopping of trucks.

Police multiple checkpoints have become extortion centres thereby posing a threat to the ETO project.

But NPA appears to be on top of the situation as it is learnt that it is already collaborating with the Lagos State Government to streamline the checkpoints or ``extortion points.’’ Credible and dependable sources confirmed that NPA had sought the cooperation and collaboration of the Police High Command with a view to jointly inspecting and identifying illegal and unnecessary checkpoints and dismantle them.

LASG on its part as NPA’s strategic partner is already reviewing the activities of its operatives to identify and remove extortionists among them while necessary disciplinary measures are being meted to culpable NPA officials. With the operation of the Electronic Call-up system and the launch of the App called ETO which truckers are expected to use to book turns to enter the ports devoid of human-to-human interface, Nigeria is on the right track of achieving port efficiency and emplacing the ease of doing business at the ports as well as take its rightful place as the regional maritime hub. To the man at the helm, Mohammed Koko and his management team, one cannot but give kudos for this initiative and to urge them to consolidate on the re-engineering and re-inventing of the wheel agenda. t "EFTPKJ B MBXZFS XSJUFT JO GSPN .BSJOF #FBDI "QBQB -BHPT

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MONDAY JULY 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 18, 2022

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CITYSTRINGS

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

Walking a Tight Line between Fighting Non-state Actors and Human Rights Violation in Anambra Over the years, internal security operations of the military and other services have been dogged with allegations of human rights violation by affected communities. Recently in Anambra State, the military were accused of collateral damage in their war against non-state actors.

David-Chyddy Eleke reports on the recent incident in Ogbaru Local Government Area

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ince the expiration of the olive branch offered to non-state actors bearing arms in Anambra State in May, 2022, by the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, security operatives have not spared anyone who has been indicted for any form of criminality in the state.

In the midst of the fight, security forces have bombarded several communities in the state where criminal elements are known to habit. Communities like Ukpor, Orsumoghu, Lilu, Ogboji, and many others where criminals have their camps have been visited. Casualties have been recorded, arrests have been made, buildings have been destroyed and other properties too, especially those belonging to the criminals.

Fight against Non-state Actors in Ogbaru Last two week was the turn of Ogbaru Local Government Area. Ogbaru is one of the riverine parts of Anambra, which has borders with Delta State, Rivers State, Onitsha in Anambra and other communities within the state.

It falls into Anambra North zone. It is the only community outside Anambra South Senatorial district where criminal elements who have become popular as unknown gunmen were known to have camps and also operated.

Ogbaru is also among the communities where Governor Soludo had declared state of emergency as a result of activities of criminals.

Nigerian military comprising the Navy and the Army, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nigeria Police Department of State Services had stormed the community and engaged gunmen in gun duel, routing most of them from their camps, killing them and arresting many more.

Governor Soludo who had spoken during an event to mark his 100 days in office had stated that operations were ongoing in various communities where criminals habit. Soludo celebrated the feat of security operatives, just as the army public relations officer, Brigadier General Nwachukwu had also hailed the efforts of operatives in the operation.

Meanwhile, there had been a huge outcry about the same operation, with rights group, indigenes of some communities in Ogbaru, and even the outlawed group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) condemning the operation, and alleging that many innocent persons had been killed.

Communities in Ogbaru, such as Ossomala, Umunankwo and Obeagwa communities were said to have been involved in the attacks, with many young people, who were described as defenceless and unarmed, said to have been killed.

Reports said the deployment of the military personnel in the area had begun in the evening of Tuesday, June 28, from Ogbaru Naval Base and Onitsha 302 Artillery Regiment in over 20 trucks, during which the military claimed to be looking for unknown gunmen.

The soldiers, according to information gathered, purportedly turned their guns on the defenceless and unarmed natives and others, who were labelled ESN/IPOB, while abandoning the forests where the locals said were the hideouts of the unknown gunmen located inside big river/swamp forest of Obene-Ochuche/Umuzu/Okija divided by Ulasi River.

Board Chairman of the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, a rights group otherwise known as Intersociety, Chief Emeka Umeagbalasi, described the killings as

Soludo a genocide. He said: "Several or dozens were killed in the end as you might have seen in the videos and pictures of the aftermath of the invasion. The rampaging military personnel also went into villages and broke homes at late night, forcing scores to be killed and other defenseless natives of the affected communities to escape through River Niger and others.

"The sanctity of human lives was never prioritised or considered, likewise the principles of use of force. The pictures and videos of the incident clearly connote 'egregious and industrial scale massacre of unarmed citizens.'

"Our findings further showed that the slain could not have been armed members of the criminal entities because judging from the attached pictures and videos, nobody, not even relatives or friends of the slain would have dared nearing the corpses and wailing or screaming profusely or checking them if they are to be forest based members of the criminal entities or "Unknown Gunmen" especially the street criminal entities or counterfeiters."

Also, The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) described the alleged extrajudicial killings as despicable. Reacting to the development in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful called on Soludo not to be tempted to be in any competition with his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodimma "in killing our people."

The group said: "The global family of

the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to call the attention of professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to the slaughtering of his citizens in Ogbaru LGA and Nnewi South LGAs of Anambra State.

"IPOB family is deeply saddened with the ongoing massacre of innocent people with no traceable links to criminals by Nigeria Joint Military in an effort to curb criminality in the East particularly in Anambra State and Imo State.

"It is very sad and distasteful seeing our people being massacred in their numbers especially at the Ogbaru and Nnewi South LGAs. We don't know if Gov. Soludo was aware of this military exercise or it's Caliphate government's plans to wipe out larger number of Ndigbo."

Group Denies Killing of Innocents The claims to the killing of innocent youths have however been punctured.

A youth group, under the aegis of Igbo Youths For Positive Change said nobody among those killed is innocent as only criminals were targeted for elimination.

The group said no one should cry for the criminals reportedly being killed by security operatives in Anambra State.

The national president of the group, Chinedu Obigwe, said this in a statement made available to journalists in Awka, the Anambra State capital. He said: "My reaction to this is that he or she that fetches ant-infested firewood

Security agents are not after innocent people but they are determined to deal mercilessly with the criminals masquerading to be unknown gunmen and that is exactly what they are doing

gave invitation to lizard and should carry his cross.

"Security agents are not after innocent people but they are determined to deal mercilessly with the criminals masquerading to be unknown gunmen and that is exactly what they are doing."

Also lending his voice to that of Obigwe, the former chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, and contestant for the House of Representatives for Ogbaru federal constituency, Hon Arinze Awogu debunked the rumours of the killing of innocent citizens.

Awogu said: "My attention has been drawn to the seemingly uneasiness being experienced by residents of Ogbaru Federal Constituency which has created atmosphere of panic and general state of fear among the indigenous communities in Ogbaru following the joint operation carried out on Wednesday, 29th June, 2022 by the Nigerian military in different locations within Ogbaru Federal Constituency.

"The said operation and the fear of a repeat operation has left palpable tremble to pervade the land with heightened confusion now reigning supreme in our communities as unfounded rumours and misinformation have caused many innocent members of our communities to flee their homes and farmlands with the attendant consequences and difficulties, while some are making frantic efforts to relocate from their homes to elsewhere.

"We wish to inform our people as follows: That the military are not at war with Ogbaru and her people, Ogbaru people are not members of unknown gunmen, the military know who their targets are and not Umu-Ogbaru. The fear being entertained by innocent people of Ogbaru of a planned military attack on their homes should be disregarded as there are no basis for such plans by the military.

"Innocent members of our communities should ignore all misleading information about impending military attack on Ogbaru communities, the people of Ogbaru are enjoined to go about their lawful duties and businesses without fear. You have no need to run from your house or farmland when you have not committed any offence and you are not a member of Unknown Gunmen," Awogu enjoined them."

Rebuttal The above stance mirrored that of the military that their attacks did not target innocent people, rather non-state actors who took up arms against the state.

For Director of Naval Information, Commodore Ayo Vaughn, it was only proper to debunk allegations of killing of innocent persons. In his reaction to THISDAY, Vaughn said the allegations were fake, insisting that only criminal elements were targeted.

He said the operation "was part of the ongoing joint clearance operations carried out by all security agencies in Anambra State, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Police Force and the Directorate of Security Services."

He described reported of the killing of innocent youths as highly fictitious. "This report is highly fictitious as it must have been sponsored by the terrorists. Nothing of such happened, and the situation report for that operation was forwarded accordingly."

While the allegations continue, the state governor, Prof Soludo has assured that he will not relent in the fight against criminals in the state, until the entire state is reclaimed.

Soludo also assured that the task of sanitising Anambra, which he plans to make a liveable and prosperous homeland, will never be compromised.

MONDAY JULY 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Oye Leads NTBC on Trade Mission to Turkey, Boosts Investment Flow to Agric, Others Gilbert Ekwugbe

The Nigeria Turkey Business Council (NTBC), led by its President, Dele Oye, has embarked on a trade mission to Turkey to strengthen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Turkey and forge new business relationships to drive investment into Nigeria’s agro-processing industry and other sectors of the economy.

The delegation attended FOTEG and WIN EURASIA Istanbul Fair 2022 in Istanbul; the KONYA MACHINE TECHNOLOGIES FAIR in Konya; the Konya Agriculture Exhibition 2022 and the 17th edition of the AGROEXPO International Agricultural and Livestock Exhibition, all in Turkey.

Speaking on the mission, Dele Oye said the trade mission aims to further exploit the current bilateral cooperation potential between Nigeria and Turkey and seek investment in the nation’s agriculture sector in line with the federal government’s vision for an agriculture-based economy to drive job creation and achieve food security.

Oye, a second Deputy

President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Nigeria (NACCIMA) noted that the Council also leveraged the opportunity of the trade mission to seek foreign investments and partnerships to expand technology deployment in agriculture to improve profitability and productivity, ensuring the sector becomes attractive to the nation’s youthful population.

He said, “As part of the trade mission to Turkey, the delegation of the Nigeria Turkey Business Council (NTBC) attended the FOTEG ISTANBUL Fair 2022, a meeting point for food processing equipment suppliers, food production companies’ representatives and senior managers. With all the exhibitors and visitors from all around the world, the fair provided many opportunities to understand the latest trends in a big market, creating a fine platform to connect with investors from across the globe with many showing strong interest in Nigeria’s huge agriculture market.

“We were also at the Konya

Machine Technologies Fair and the Konya Agriculture Exhibition 2022, where global industry professionals demonstrated their strength in the machinery technologies market as well as the exhibition of new products and services. We understand the importance of technology to agricultural development and leveraged the opportunity to woo investors in this regard.

Oye further explained that, “the Nigeria Turkey Business Council (NTBC) Ltd/Gte is a bilateral think-tank and forum jointly envisioned by NACCIMA and the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEiK) to continually create avenues for the discussion of issues pertinent to the development of the blossoming trade, economic and business partnership between the two countries.”

“The NTBC delegates, among other things, showcased the huge investment prospects in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, rallying investors to take advantage of the available investment opportunities to invest in new frontiers, “Dele Oye added.

Agusto & Co Affirms Sundry Foods A-Rating, Outlook Stable Leading Rating Agency, Agusto & Co has affirmed A- rating to food services giant in Nigeria, Sundry Foods Limited (SFL) with stable outlook.

This comes nearly three weeks after an international rating agency, Global Credit Ratings (GCR) accorded SFL the national scale long term and short term issuer ratings of A-(NG) and A2 (NG) with revised outlook to positive. ‘’Agusto & Co. upgrades the rating assigned to Sundry Foods Limited (“Sundry Foods”, “SFL” or “the Company”) to “A-,” Mr Nduka Mokwunye, Head Marketing, SFL, announced in a statement quoting the credit agency’s latest report.

In the report, Agusto & Co noted that the rating upgrade reflects SFL good profitability, moderate leverage, adequate working capital as well as good and sustainable cash flow position which it said is supported by the company’s favourable trade terms with its customers and creditors.

The rating agency said that other factors that influenced the latest SFL rating include aggressive expansion drive as well as the company’s good market position in the capacity of a leading player in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry with a stable and experienced management team.

Similarly, SFL cumulative Operating Cash Flow over the recent three-year period (2019 – 2021) was enough to meet dividends and interest payments; therefore, in the rating agency’s opinion the company’s cash flow position is good and sustainable given its business model.

To buttress its point the rating agency said, SFL recorded a 75% increase in revenue performance in the first quarter of 2022 from a similar period in the previous year, adding that SFL recorded an improved operating profit margin and profit before tax margins to 13.5% and 11.2% respectively (FYE 2020: 9.7%,

7.5%). ‘’This is reflective of the company’s continued expansion evidenced by the opening of eight additional outlets as at the end of the first quarter of 2022.

Thus, SLF posted an annualized ROA and ROE of 33% and 66%, which are good in our opinion, “the rating agency said.

Other key rating drivers the agency highlighted in the report include a short-term and long-term financing surpluses of N1.2 billion and N935 million respectively as at 31 December 2021 which SFL recorded that resulted in an overall working capital surplus of N2.1 billion which agency consider adequate.

Speaking on the new feat, SFL Managing Director, Mr Ebele Enunwa remarked that the latest rating by a renowned rating agency has reinforced the fact that, ‘”we are a credit-worthy company in the country with a very good investment potential for many local and international investors and financiers.”

Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Wins Awards Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria (RMBN) has announced that it recently won two awards within the M&A category at the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria Awards (AIHN) award ceremony.

The AIHN is the umbrella body for issuing houses and investment banks in Nigeria.

The awards ceremony is an annual event designed to recognise and reward market participants who have contributed to the growth of the industry.

RMB Nigeria won the M&A Deal of the Year 2021 for Dolidol’s 100 per cent acquisition of Mouka Limited, a Nigerian manufacturer of mattresses and pillows from Actis and the Moukarim family.

In addition to the M & A Deal of the Year, RMB Nigeria won the award for the Best M&A House. This was in recognition of a successful year in which RMB Nigeria

concluded a number of landmark transactions including the demutualisation of The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX) and subsequent listing on The Nigerian Exchange, the merger of BUA Foods five food businesses and subsequent listing on The Nigerian Exchange, the Initial Public Offering of IHS Towers on the New York Stock Exchange, MTN Group’s Offer for Sale in MTN Nigeria Plc, First Bank of Nigeria divestment of its minority shareholding in Airtel Nigeria Limited and the share reconstruction of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc. Commenting on the awards, a statement quoted the CEO RMB Nigeria/Regional Head West Africa, Michael Larbie to have said: “We are proud to have such a strong presence in the M&A category, winning two highly regarded awards.

“This is a testament to our reputation as the bank of choice

for our M&A clients, and the expertise we have in structuring deals for our clients that are value accretive to all parties.

These awards illustrate the great strides we continue to make in providing our clients with best-in-class financial services.”

Also, the Head, Investment Banking Africa Regions, Rand Merchant Bank, Chidi Iwuchukwu added: “We look forward to continuing to bring our expertise to enabling more M&A transactions for our clients, supporting them, and stimulating economic growth in the process.”

RMBN has over 15 years of transactional experience in Nigeria ranging from advisory on infrastructure projects, execution of key merger and acquisition mandates, to the provision of innovative and bespoke funding solutions to support transactions across a range of sectors.

AIHN AWARDS CEREMONY

L-R: CEO RMBN Stockbrokers, Layi Olaleru; CFO & Executive Director, RMB Nigeria, Bayo Ajayi; Head of Client Coverage, Ngover Iheyembe-Nwankwo; CEO, RMB Nigeria & Regional Head West Africa, Michael Larbie; Senior Transactor, Corporate Finance, RMB Nigeria, Bimbo Oyeyiga, and CEO, CSCS, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, during the Association of Issuing Houses awards ceremony where RMB Nigeria was awarded Best M & A Deal of Year 2021 and Best M & A House 2021, in Lagos…recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY MAY 30, 2022

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

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

MARKET NEWS

Gain in Airtel Africa, Others Lift Stock Market by N355bn Kayode Tokede Despite the shortened trading week due to two-day public holidays, the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) halted its profit-taking streak by investors as Airtel Africa Plc added 10 per cent or N173.20 to close at N1905.40 per share.

With about N650.9billion gain in Airtel Africa market

capitalisation, the overall market capitalisation added N355billion to close at N28.185trillion the market opened for trading on Wednesday from N27.803trillion it closed for trading on Friday.

The decline in Dangote Cement Plc, Access Holdings, United Bank for Africa Plc and Lafarge Africa Plc slowdown the stock market performance last week.

Pertinently, the NGX All-Share

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Index rose by 1.3per cent or 657.71 basis points week-on-week (WoW) to close at 52,215.12 basis points from 51,557.41 5basis points it opened for trading .1.28 Consequently, the stock market in its Month-till-Date (MtD) and Year-till-Date (YtD) returns closed at 0.8per cent and 22.2per cent, respectively.

However, activity levels were weaker than the prior week, as trading volume and

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

value declined by 38.7per cent WoW and 27.5per cent WoW, respectively.

The weekly report by NGX disclosed that a total turnover of 504.322 million shares worth N7.517 billion in 12,393 deals was traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 822.404 million shares valued at N10.366 billion that exchanged hands in 20,643 prior deals.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

According to the report, the financial services industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 270.549 million shares valued at N 2.940 billion traded in 5,730 deals; thus contributing 53.65per cent and 39.11per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Sectoral performance on the NGX revealed that, the Industrial Goods index dropped by 3.4per

O F

cent, Insurance index was down by 1.9per cent, Banking Index depreciated by 0.5per cent, and Consumer Goods index dipped by 0.3per cent while the Oil and Gas index closed flat.

The report stated that a total of 2,414 units valued at N962,254 were traded last week in 10 deals compared with a total of 5,099 units valued at N267,772.87 transacted in prior week’s 17 deals.

1 5 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

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MONDAY, JULY 18, 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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NEWSXTRA

DIGITAL FORUM...

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor on Science and Technology, Lagos State, Engr. Saheed Balogun; Executive Director, Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), Mr. Faisal Naru; Deputy Director, PIC, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu; Economic Counselor to the UK Government, Mr. Guy Harrison; and Chief Executive Officer, Prunedge, Mr. Joel Ogunsola, at the second leg of the Foreign and Commonwealth ETOP UKUTT Development Office (FCDO) funded ‘Inclusive Digital Transformation Programme’ organised by the PIC in Lagos...recently

Tinubu to Begin Consultation with Christian APC Leaders, CAN, Others over Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Following the backlash occasioned by the MuslimMuslim presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu, has set up a team of eminent persons with whom he is scheduled to meet the Christian leaders within the party and faith-based organisations like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Catholic, to appeal to them and secure their buy-in.

THISDAY gathered that the team would embarked on the parley from next week as part of efforts to explain the reason behind the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC and seek

their understanding.

Tinubu recently announced a former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, as his running mate ahead of the 2023 elections, a move that did not go down well with Christian leaders within the party and the Christian community in general.

It was against this backdrop that Tinubu decided to lead a team to appeal to the Christian community.

A source in the Tinubu Campaign team, who pleaded anonymity, told THISDAY that the plan, which is going to be a holistic approach, was to make the Christian community see reasons behind the MuslimMuslim ticket.

"First of all, we are moving around to appeal to the Christians. There is a team

that will be going round.

Asiwaju personally will go, but some other people from his campaign team will be part of the team," he said.

Asked if the campaign team has been put together, the source stressed that some of them have been working as members of the campaign team for the past three years.

According to him, “Kashim was part of that team, I was part of that team, (James) Faleke was there. There are people who have been there.”

When asked if it wasn't too late to lobby CAN after the ruling party, had already settled for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, the source stressed that it was not late because the presidential election was still some months away.

He noted that the wife of

the presidential candidate, Senator Remi Tinubu, who is also a pastor, has started reaching out to the Christian community too, adding: "There is nothing late in politics, the election is in February. Even Asiwaju's wife is reaching out. She's a pastor.

"From next week, we will meet CAN, identified stakeholders from the North, Middle-belt. There is a lot of reach out we want to do across the country, because now, the idea is that we need everybody, we must talk to them and appeal to them and let them see reasons behind some decision.

"Some of our team members are unhappy. The likes of Babachir (Lawal) and co. So, we are reaching out to them,

that this is what we started, they must see to the end of it. We understand why they are angry, they should try and understand. And people outside the team, the larger stakeholders, for all to see reasons why we are doing what we are doing. It is going to be a holistic approach."

The source further revealed that the Director General of the campaign organisation would be named after the unveiling of Shettima.

He said left to Tinubu, he preferred the former National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, but noted that the governors were not comfortable with him.

His words: "We don't want to come up with somebody that is controversial again.

We want a DG that will be

accepted by everybody. Like the issue of Kashim Shettima, some governors were angry, but they all agreed that Kashim should have it when it was finally narrowed down to him.

"So, the issue of DG now, there will be a consensus.

Asiwaju picked Oshiomhole, but they kicked against it.

Oshiomhole had the experience.

He (Asiwaju) and Oshiomhole moved together during the 2019 elections. Both of them knew how they won the election. It was on that basis, Asiwaju wanted him.

“They are still discussing the issue, maybe the governors might see reasons to accept him, I don't know yet. After the presentation of Shettima on Wednesday, the next thing will be the Director General," he said.

PERSPECTIVE

TEXEM UK Warns of Emerging Cyber-securityThreats in Nigeria

N

igerian organisations have been warned of emerging cybersecurity threats that may affect their organisational existence unless tackled with strategic data-driven solutions.

In a statement on TEXEM's website, its Director (Special Projects), Caroline Lucas Wednesday, said the firm urged the organisations to avail themselves of its programme for effective and efficient solutions.

The programme comes up at The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, on July 20 and 21.

The statement identified 17 challenges facing Nigerian organisations while assuring the UK firm would make its expertise available in tackling these challenges.

It said the central focus of the coming programme would be 'Data-Driven Decision Making For Effective And Efficient Achievement of Organisational Goals' and will help optimise how organisations are led, compete, and ultimately unlock scarce value.

According to the statement, the programme is actionable and will proffer solutions to the contextual realities organisations currently face in Nigeria.

It said challenges organisations in Nigeria presently face include the unprecedented worldwide pandemic occasioned by the novel coronavirus and the Russia-Ukraine war.

TEXEM also mentioned the high level of physical and cyber insecurity, spiralling inflation, and supply chain disruption.

"Conventional organisational models are

failing, and effectively inspiring a remote workforce remains challenging. The others are low national cohesion, dramatic forex fluctuations, low or negative real GDP (inflation-adjusted) and, by extension, low customer demand," it explained.

It added, "Also, dwindling government and business revenue, higher costs, low morale of staff and the citizen, diminishing productivity and low level of national competitiveness when benchmarked with others."

TEXEM listed additional challenges such as the high level of talent exodus and political unrest, the upcoming election in 2023 and likely changes in monetary and fiscal policies.

It said the forthcoming programme would equip leaders and participants with requisite strategic insights to stimulate innovative thinking further, encourage evidence-based decision-making and help organisations thrive despite Nigeria's challenging operating context.

The outfit stressed that the programme was designed to meet the strategic leadership needs of executives rather than analysts looking to expand their technical skills.

"Through our services, TEXEM has collaborated with hundreds of organisations in the UK and Africa and helped them achieve their goals efficiently and effectively to overcome adversity and achieve prosperity," the statement said.

Nigerian participants would overcome biases, make more confident decisions and have more successful organisational outcomes by availing themselves of opportunities to be derived through the programme, it stressed

and added that the leaders would be more dynamic, responsive, and strategic and help their organisations outperform rivals.

TEXEM also mentioned that executives would learn to use data to do more with less.

"Nigerian leaders will optimise their leadership quotient through data-driven insights on how to inspire high-performance behaviour, facilitating retention and optimising performance. Leaders would learn from examples such as Google, Amazon and Starbucks, who have successfully harnessed data for effective and efficient achievement of goals," the statement pointed out.

TEXEM further stated that participants would also learn the consequences of poor data utilisation, adding that "this programme aligns with the strategic intent of all Nigerian organisations' goal of consistently achieving profitable growth.

It would enhance all organisations' ability to turn challenges into opportunities."

A renowned faculty expected to deliver the two-day programme is Prof. Rodria Laline, the founding director of the Harvard University Maximise Your Board's Potential Programme.

Laline is also a former visiting professor of Insead, IMD and IESE and the Co-Founder of Global Chipcard Alliance (the company that creates chips for ATM cards).

She is the former CEO Of Global Research And Development, an organisation that collaborated with IBM, ING, Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment Corporation, Honeywell Bull, Elsevier Science, Oracle Corporation,

Siemens and Philips.

Laline is a board member of The Open Software Foundation and advised the prime minister of the Netherlands.

"My perspective about the programme is that it has been very interactive and timely considering the current economic landscape and the challenges organisations face presently. And one thing I also like about the programme is that it is very interactive," said Mr Sunday Asade, Chief Operations Officer of AG LEVENTIS, regarding the programme.

He added, "We are having executives bring their experiences into the case study, and then we are looking at how we could benefit from this and apply them to our organisation. And in terms of interaction, I think it's an opportunity to bring different executives from different organisations together to look at ways in which you could manage the current economic recession, especially effectively inspiring people because people are our critical assets. And for me, I think the programme has been able to fulfil the aspiration and objective I set out to gain from the programme. So overall, I think the programme is worth it."

Seplat's New Energy Director, Effiong Okon, added, "It is my first time doing a local programme in Nigeria, and it's quite interesting. The first thing I liked about it is the diversity of the participants. I also like our edgy conversations with Prof Christian and Dr Alim Abubakre. It's quite thoughtprovoking."

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NEWS

Matawalle Suspends Emir for Turbaning Terrorists’ Kingpin in Zamfara Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has directed the immediate suspension of the Emir of Birnin Yandoto in Tsafe Local Government Area, Aliyu Garba Marafa.

The emir was suspended for turbaning a notorious terrorists’ kingpin, Adamu Aleru, who has been on the police wanted list, as Sarkin Fulani (the Chief of Fulani) of Yandoton Daji emirate.

Matawalle, in a statement issued last night by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Kabiru Balarabe Sardauna, dissociated himself from the alleged turbaning of the terrorists’ kingpin.

“This is to inform the general public that the Zamfara State Government has dissociated itself from the alleged turbaning of a Sarkin Fulani by the Emir of Birnin ‘Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area.

“In this regard, the State Executive Governor, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has directed the suspension

of the Emir with immediate effect”, the statement added.

Consequently, the governor has approved

the appointment of a sixman committee headed by Hon. Yahaya Chado Gora to investigate the circumstances

leading to the action of the suspended emir.

The governor, however, directed the District Head

of Yandoto, Alhaji Mahe Garba Marafa, to spearhead the affairs of the emirate until further notice.

PACESETTERS SCHOOLS GRADUATION CEREMONY…

L-R: School Director, Immanuela Imansuangbon; Vice Chancellor, Veritas University, Abuja, Rev. Fr. Prof Hyacinth Ichoku; Chairman, PaceSetters Schools, Ken Imansuangbon; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Nile University, Abuja, Prof. Dileep Kumar, and General Nasiru Muktar of Nigerian Army, at the Graduation and Prize Giving ceremony of Pacesetters Schools in Abuja...recently JULIUS ATOI

2023: Church Launches Catholic Bishop Bemoans Killing of Priests Across Nigeria ‘Operation Show Your PVC’ David-ChyddyElekeinAwka

FrancisSardaunainKatsina The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has joined other denominations in Nigeria to launch operation show your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) by its members during Sunday worship services across the country.

In a letter signed by the ECWA General Secretary, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu Jnr and addressed to all its District Church Council (DCC) chairmen and secretaries, the church urged all its pastors to ensure enforcement of the directive.

The letter titled ‘The Forthcoming 2023 General Elections in Nigeria’, was read yesterday by the Secretary of the

ECWA Goodnews, G.R.A, Katsina, Katsina State during worship service.

The church explained that the directivedoesnotmeanthatmembers without their PVCs should not be allowed into congregational halls but should be encouraged and mobilised to register and obtain their PVCs ahead of the forthcoming polls.

The letter read in parts: “In view of the high stakes in regard to the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, I write on behalf of the ECWA executive to request that beginning from Sunday 26th June, 2022, pastors in all our churches should begin Operation Show Your Permanent Voter’s Card by members during the Sunday worship services.

EY Admits New Partners

As part of its continued growth across the West African market, EY has announced the admission of three new partners and two associate partners into its team.

The new partners are: Omolola Esan (People Advisory Services), Temitope Oni and Audrey Obidike, both in Tax Service Lines, while the new Associate partners are Surukat Alani (FRG, Assurance) and Bukonla Oladapo (Consumer Industries, Assurance).

Their admission into the EY West Africa Partnership was effective July 1, 2022.

According to statement released

by EY, the admission is on the back of continued efforts to meet and surpass client expectations as it continues to build a better working world for the community,

the people and all its business stakeholders.

Esan, an organisation Design specialist, joined EY from a Big 4 firm in March 2018 with the mandate to establish HR Advisory in the Cluster. Her wealth of professional experience spans strategic Human Resources management and Consulting, marketing, media and advocacy and journalism from different sectors in Nigeria, Switzerland and Mexico.

Oni, an experienced tax professional with about 12 years’ work experience, started his career in one of the top 4 accounting and professional service firms. He joined EY Nigeria as a transfer pricing senior in Februºary 2014 and rose through the ranks.

Niger Delta Stakeholders Commend Buhari for Appointment of Umana as Minister Olusegun Samuel inYenagoa Elders, youth groups and stakeholders from the Niger Delta region have commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the appointment of Mr. Umana O. Umana as the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs.

The group said despite the huge challenges before the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) respectively, they believe and confident that Mr.

Umana possesses the ability and capacity to preside and reposition the affairs of the ministry and the commission for the betterment of the region.

The Niger Delta Stakeholders, through its Secretary – General, Chief Anthony Loveday, stated that the confidence reposed in the minister is due to his qualification as an astute administrator, financial expert, technocrat and a firm believer in the need to develop and empower the people of the region.

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has bemoaned the abduction and killing of priests in Nigeria. Ezeokafor, who spoke to journalists yesterday, expressed dismay at the development, emphasizing that anyone who kills a priest, has killed Christ a second time.

He said it was clear that some

unscrupulous elements were behind the act, noting that war had been tacitly declared against the Catholic Church with her priests, religious and laity, as their major targets.

He said: “Catholic priests are Christ’s representatives on earth.

Killing them amounts to killing Christ a second time. Catholic priests should be respected. They made the greatest sacrifice here: no wife, no children, no heir, nobody to succeed

them when they are gone. What other sacrifice is greater or costlier than that?

“You are abducting and killing them because they are doing Christ’s work on earth? What wrong have they done? It is really abominable to maim a priest. Why go after a hapless servant of God? Someone who has left everything for the sake of God’s people. Priests deserve to be protected, encouraged and motivated.

“Their cries will reach the heavens and the heavens will fight their battles.

Nigeria Government should be very careful.”

“Their usual silence over these killings and abduction of Catholic priests simply shows that they are enjoying it. They should remember that God’s anger will definitely descend on Nigeria’s government if it continues to play the ostrich.

Court Refuses to Vacate Order Halting Demolition of Kpokpogri’s House Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Charles Agbaza of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja, on Friday, refused to vacate his earlier order halting the further demolition of the residence of Abuja socialite, Prince Joseph Kpokpogri.

The court had on July 7

restrained the Minister of the FCT, Muhammad Bello, from further demolition of the said property located in the FCT pending the hearing and determination of the claimant’s case before the court.

At Friday’s proceedings, the FCT Minister had through his lawyer, Mr. Y. Abubakar, urged the court to vacate the restraining order which he said ought to elapse

after seven days.

“It is exactly eight days after the order was made. The Rule of this court provides that such order shall abate after seven days and there is no formal application for its extension”, Abubakar submitted.

However, counsel that represented the claimant, Mr. Richard Ebie, urged the court to revalidate the order which he

argued had no definite lifespan until the determination of the case.

“There is no formal application before this court for the ex-parte order made on July 7 to be vacated.

“This is a case where a party had on its own, decided to take laws into his own hands. If the order is set aside that means they will have a leeway to continue the demolition”, Ebie added.

IMB Confirms Piracy Decline in Gulf of Guinea The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in its half-year report of 2022 has commended the reduction in piracy in the globe. The Bureau also expressed optimism that it was a new dawn for the shipping community globally. This was coming on the heels of the Bureau receiving the lowest number of reported incidents for the first half of the year since 1994, evidencing

its efforts in raising awareness to make the waters safe globally.

This is contained in a statement signed by Assistant Director, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Edward Osagie, yesterday in Lagos.

The Gulf of Guinea Declaration (GoG) on Suppression of Piracy

has confirmed that there has not been any case of Seafarers kidnap one year after the May 2021 declaration.

This is considered commendable progress in comparison to the 2020 statistics when 130 seafarers were kidnapped.

The status report from the GoG declaration also confirmed that there had not been any case of

kidnap for ransom in 2022, as against 20 cases in 2020 and 12 in 2021.

Responding, the DirectorGeneral of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, said that Nigeria was committed to sustaining the momentum of the success recorded in recent times in the fight against piracy in the region.

Defence Chief Hails Nigerian Military Officers for Peace in Liberia Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Staff (COS), Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Major General Prince Charles Johnson III, weekend showered encomiums on the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for playing a vital role in the restoration of peace and stability in Liberia.

He also paid glowing tributes to late Lt Gen LN Yusuf and

Major General SA Abdurrahman, who served as the first and second COS of the new AFL before handing over to an indigenous COS. Johnson gave the commendation and tributes when he visited the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

He said that Nigeria and

Liberia have had long standing defence and bilateral relations, admitting that, “today Liberia has witnessed seventeen years of relative peace and stability because of the sacrifices of men and women of the AFN, for which Liberia is ever grateful and indebted to Nigeria”. As an expression of Liberia’s depth of gratitude, he said, a befitting memorial was being planned to

honour and immortalise the AFN in the annals of Liberia’s history especially, those who paid the supreme price with their lives to bring peace to Liberia.

Responding, the CDS, General Irabor said the AFN remained proud to have actively participated in the restoration of peace, law and order to Liberia during the period of the country’s security challenges.

How FG Will Control Water Resources if Proposed Legislation Becomes Law

Udora Orizu in Abuja

The federal government would have the power to control all water resources across the country if the controversial Water Resources Bill recently reintroduced in the House of Representatives eventually becomes a law.

The proposed legislation which seeks to take over all inter-state rivers, hydrological territories across the country scaled through first reading on the floor of the House of Representatives before the lawmakers embarked on Sallah break.

The private member bill

sponsored by Chairman House Committee on Water Resources Hon. Sada Soli, seeks to establish a regulatory framework for transboundary water resources in Nigeria, provide for the equitable and sustainable development, management, use and conservation of

Nigeria’s inter-state surface water and groundwater resources.

A draft copy of the bill seen by THISDAY, showed that the power is to be vested on the Minister of Water Resources who would exercise it on behalf of the federal government.

MONDAY JULY 18, 2022˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

Police Nab Suspected Robbers, Drug Peddlers, Cultists in Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested two criminal suspects, Olusesan Segun and Kareem Gbenga, for alleged drug peddling, robbery and cultism.

The Ekiti State Police Commissioner, Morounkeji Adesina, made the revelation in Ado Ekiti, the state capital yesterday in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sunday Abutu.

The CP said the suspects were arrested by the police at the popular and dangerous Atikankan spot located within Ado Ekiti capital city.

Adesina added that dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects during the operation carried out by his men.

He said following credible intelligence received by his officers, detectives from the Command swooped on a criminal hideout and arrested the suspects, while other members of the gang fled the scene.

The police commissioner

said: “Items recovered from them included one cut-to-size locally made single barrel gun, one locally made pistol, 51 live cartridges, 32 suspected stolen under wears, and 20

suspected stolen aluminum window frames.

“We also recovered eight suspected stolen phone, some wraps of weed suspected to be Indian hemp, and some

wraps of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine.”

Adesina stated that during interrogation, the suspects confessed that they were into armed robbery with those who

are currently at large.

He said they further disclosed that they hawked illicit drugs and that they were members of the Eiye confraternity, terrorising Ado

Ekiti recently.

The state police boss said: “The suspects will be arraigned accordingly, while efforts are still ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.”–

EAG MARKS FOURTH ANNIVERSARY…

L-R: Chairman, Gwong Microfinance Bank Ltd Mr. Segun Sanni; Investment and Financing Research Officer at the Ministry of Infrastructure & Public Works at Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mrs. Holding Meranza Rebecca; Vice Chair, Emerging Africa Group(EAG), Mrs. Toyin F. Sanni; Chairman,EAG Chief (Mrs.) Onikepo Akande; Minister of Infrastructure & Public Works, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr Tshitenga Kabuya Thierry; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr. Bienvenu Ebengo Boyembe and Independent Non-Executive Director, Emerging Africa Capital Limited, Mr. Greg Binkert at the fourth anniversary of EAG in Lagos...recently

Gombe SSG Calls for Unity NDLEA Arrests Three over Oman-bound Narcotics in Fetish Bowls among Political Appointees Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Secretary to the Gombe Government (SSG), Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, has sued for unity and understanding among all political office holders of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the State.

The SSG, who gave the charge weekend while addressing the Forum of Senior Special Assistants to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said that the call became imperative as reports across the State showed the contrary.

Professor Njodi also noted with concern the growing

disharmony and distrust among all levels of elected and appointed government officials describing it as worrisome.

He also stressed that it is unacceptable as every official and party member is important with a lot to contribute to the development of the party and the state at large.

The SSG further noted that every appointee of the ruling APC has a responsibility to the achievement of government’s policies and programmes and challenged them to come up with ideas that will help move the government and party forward.

Geometric Power Nab Two for Stealing Electric Facilities Dike Onwuamaeze The two persons who allegedly attacked facilities at the premises of Geometric Power and Aba Power Limited in the Osisioma Industrial Layout, Aba, Abia State’s manufacturing hub, on Saturday and carted away materials worth millions of Naira have been nabbed.

They were captured yesterday in Aba by police officers following an intelligence report from Geometric Security Services Limited.

These facts were made known

yesterday by the Geometric Chief Security Officer, Air Commodore Nicholas Orjiude, (rtd) while speaking to journalists in Aba. The alleged culprits are Mr. Ikechukwu Umeh, 20 years, from Amaekwuru in Ezinifite Local Government Area in Anambra State and Mr. Samuel Sunday Enogwe, 18, from Umuika in Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State.

Mr. Chibueze Gideon Onyesoh, a 40-year-old dealer in metal scraps from Okpuala Avu, Osisioma, Abia State, was also allegedly arrested.

Eroton Announces Successful Containment of Oil Spill in Rivers Sunday Okobi Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited, has announced that it had successfully shut in CAWC015 Well amid efforts to contain CAWC047 wild well oil spill in Rivers State.

Following the oil spill incident in Cawthorne Channel Well 15 (CAWC015L/S) which occurred on June 15, 2022, the indigenous oil producer has confirmed that the spill has been successfully contained and the well brought under control.

The company in a statement also expressed delight “to confirm that CAWC-047 that was also vandalised

within the same month and flowing to the environment since July 14 has just been controlled.”

It added that efforts are ongoing to complete a spill clean-up of the wellhead slot, a proper securement, and the subsequent installation of subsurface downhole plugs.

Eroton recalled that both spills were due to willful sabotage by unknown persons.

In the statement issued by the company spokesperson, Mercy Max-Ebibai, it stated that the well engineering team and the well control vendor assiduously worked to establish control across all the flowing points on the vandalised wellhead.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a woman and two men in connection with an attempt to smuggle drugs into Oman in fetish bowls.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics

agency, Femi Babafemi, operatives of the agency arrested a 27-year-old alleged drug queen, Mrs. Opoola Mujidat, for planting drugs concealed in fetish bowls containing scary native black soap and sponge on two Oman-bound male passengers at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Babafemi said the passengers, Raji Kazeem and Akinbobola Omoniyi, were travelling together to Oman, a country in the Middle East, on Ethiopian Airlines flight last Monday when they were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the airport; a search of their luggage revealed wraps of cannabis sativa hidden in bowls of native black soap

and sponge packed into a bag containing food items, which was carried by Kazeem.

He said both Kazeem and Omoniyi immediately alerted the anti-narcotic officers that Mujidat, who was still within the vicinity, gave the bag containing the illicit substance to them at the airport, which prompted her arrest.

FCT Minister Dragged to Court for Allegedly Sealing Parks, Gardens A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been asked to restrain the Minister of the FCT from sealing recreational parks and gardens in the FCT. The plaintiffs, members of the Association of Parks and Garden Owners in Abuja are also seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the minister, his

privies, agents, workers, partners, representations, associates or howsoever from enforcing the purported regulation of 7p.m. as the maximum hours of daily operations of parks and gardens in Abuja, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

Besides, the association is also challenging the alleged planned ban on sale of alcoholic

beverages in parks and gardens in the FCT. The plaintiffs in the suit filed on their behalf by Mbanefo Ikwegbue disclosed that the parties are already before the court on account of their dispute in suit No: CV/408/2008.

They further contended that the dispute between the parties is therefore subjudice and subject

of litigation before a competent court of law, adding that whilst the suit is still pending before the court, the defendant FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, proceeded to issue a directive on television threatening to enforce the purported regulation for Parks and Gardens in the FCT to close by 7p.m. as regulation time on daily basis.

Lagos Restates Commitment to Promotion of Financial Inclusion Ugo Aliogo and Ijeoma Okonji The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has restated his administration’s commitment towards closing the financial gap through direct financial support and policies to promote inclusion.

Sanwo-Olu, who disclosed

this in Lagos at the grand opening of the Emerging Africa Campus and fourth anniversary of Emerging Africa Group(EAG), said the administration is working to ensure the citizenry have financial access to enable them pursue their dreams, ideas, and innovations that are investable, future thinking and solution

providing.

He also stated that in pursuit of seeking financial and economic independence for the people of Lagos, the state government created platforms such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, the Lagos State Science and Research Innovation Council (LASRIC) and others.

He revealed that through these initiatives the administration is rolling out millions of Naira in grants and soft loans to individuals, organizations, and companies, who have come up with innovative ideas geared towards providing solutions to the several challenges we are encountering as a State and nation.

APC Chieftain, Emami, Berates Politicians Opposing Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Sylvester Idowu inWarri

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has berated politicians who are against the presidential/ vice presidential ticket of the APC in the 2023 election.

He said that some of the prominent politicians, including governors and National Assembly members of the opposition parties,

criticizing the Bola Ahmed Tinubu/ Kashim Shettima ticket on religious grounds, “ are just pretending to be Christians, because they rig elections and go to church for thanksgiving to cover up their misdeeds.”

Chief Emami spoke yesterday while inspecting the progress of work at his APC pressure group campaign office in Warri, meant for the actualisation of Tinubu/

Shettima presidency and Omo - Agege/ Osanebi governorship bids.

He noted that he was taught by his Christian parents that Christianity is anchored principally on showing genuine love to people, not preaching segregation and hate as being exhibited by politicians, who deploy ethno - religious trick for their selfish interests.

According to the Warri chief and

businessman, rather than dissipate so much energy on diversionary politicking on the pretext of being Christian faithful, politicians and other stakeholders should interrogate the personalities and antecedents of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima as ex - governors of Lagos and Borno states, respectively and compare same with candidates of the opposition political parties.

Enugu Communities Commend Ugwuanyi for Appointment of LGA Chairman

The people of Greater Ugwuaji communities in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State have described Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as their liberator, who came into office, saw the suppression they were experiencing in the polity of the council area for decades and resolved it through his administration’s peace and good governance initiatives.

The people of Greater Ugwuaji communities, who trooped out in their numbers to the Government House, Enugu, to thank Gov. Ugwuanyi for the emergence of their illustrious son as the elected Chairman of Enugu South LGA for the first time in the history of Enugu State in the person of Barr. Chiemezie Ngwuo, said the governor has “made the impossible possible.”

Speaking on behalf of the people, Barr. Okechukwu Ede disclosed that prior to the governor’s intervention “there have been acts of subjugation, suppression and denials of all sorts existing in our polity against the Greater Ugwuaji communities”, adding that the ugly experience had prevented their communities from having a say in governance virtually

at all levels.

Hon. Ede told Gov. Ugwuanyi that “when your administration came on board, despite the enormous responsibilities on your shoulder, you never neglected or ignored addressing these aspects of man inhumanity to man. You handled these alongside the huge developmental projects in the state.

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MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Working Americans Queue for Food As Inflation Hammers US Long lines are back at food banks around the U.S. as working Americans overwhelmed by inflation turn to handouts to help feed their families.

With gas prices soaring along with grocery costs, many people are seeking charitable food for the first time, and more are arriving on foot.

Inflation in the U.S. is at a 40-year high, and gas prices have been surging since April 2020, with the average cost nationwide briefly hitting $5 a gallon in June. Rapidly rising rents and an end to federal COVID-19 relief have also taken a financial toll.

The food banks, which had started to see some relief as people returned to work after pandemic shutdowns, are struggling to meet the latest need even as federal programs provide less food to distribute, grocery store donations wane, and cash gifts don’t go nearly as far.

Tomasina John was among hundreds of families lined up in several lanes of cars that went around the block one recent day outside St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix.

John said her family had never visited a food bank before because her husband had easily supported her and their four children with his construction work.

“But it’s really impossible to get by now without some help,” said John, who travelled with a neighbour to share gas costs as they idled under a scorching desert sun. “The prices are way too high.”.

Ukraine Cargo Plane Crashes in Greece A Ukrainian cargo plane carrying 11 tons of munitions from Serbia to Bangladesh has crashed in northern Greece. The munitions had been bought by the Bangladeshi Defence Ministry.

Officials said all eight Ukrainian crew members died when the aircraft crashed Saturday night near the city of Kavala.

The pilot asked Greek aviation authorities for permission for an emergency landing, but Greece lost contact with the plane soon after the request.

Initial reports of the crash said the plane’s destination was Jordan, but Reuters reports that the plane was headed to Jordan’s Queen Alia international airport only to refuel.

Witnesses said the plane was engulfed in flames before it crashed.

People who live near the crash site have been advised to stay home and to keep their doors and windows shut.

An official said firefighters “felt their lips burning.”

“We don’t know what has been affecting us,” a fire brigade official told Reuters.

Sri Lanka Protest Movement Reaches 100 Days Sri Lanka’s protest movement reached its 100th day Sunday, having forced one president from office and now turning its sights on his successor as the country’s economic crisis continues.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled his palace shortly before demonstrators invaded it last weekend and resigned from the presidency on Thursday.

His mismanagement is blamed for Sri Lanka’s financial turmoil, which has forced its 22 million people to endure shortages of food, fuel and medicines since late last year.

The campaign to oust Rajapaksa, organized mainly through posts on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, drew people from across Sri Lanka’s often unbridgeable ethnic divides.

United by economic hardships, minority Tamils and Muslims joined the majority Sinhalese to demand the ouster of the once-powerful Rajapaksa clan.

It began as a two-day protest on April 9, when tens of thousands of people set up camp in front of Rajapaksa’s office — a crowd so much larger than the organizers’ expectations that they decided to stay on.

Under Sri Lanka’s constitution, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was automatically installed as acting president following Rajapaksa’s resignation and is now the leading candidate to succeed him permanently in a parliamentary vote next week.

But the veteran politician is despised by the protesters as an ally of the Rajapaksa clan, four brothers who have dominated the island’s politics for years.

Social media activist and protest campaign supporter Prasad Welikumbura said Wickremesinghe, too, should go.

anti-Islam tweet five years ago, but Indian Muslims are demanding that Arun Yadav be arrested. In the 2017 tweet, Yadav likened the Kaaba, the Muslim shrine in Mecca’s Great Mosque, to an ice cube in a glass of whiskey.

In the first week of July, when some online activists and Muslim leaders called attention to the five-year-old tweet and demanded legal action against Yadav, the BJP removed him on July 7.

“Arun Yadav’s abusive comment targeting the Kaaba hurt the religious sentiment of all Muslims. The community across the country demanded that he is arrested and tried in court for his dirty depiction of Islam’s holiest place,” Syed Azharuddin, a Muslim leader in the southern state of Telangana, told VOA. “But to our disappointment, the government is showing no sign it will act against Yadav,” he said.

Before Narendra Modi became India’s prime minister in 2014, his party set up social media wings, known as information technology or IT cells, across the country, aiming to propagate its ideology and political messages and expand popular support.

Work furloughs and layoffs are driving thousands in San Francisco, California, to seek food assistance getty images

Russian Missiles Hit Ukraine’s Industrial Sites in Mykolaiv Russian missiles hit the strategic southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv on Sunday, even as Moscow’s forces pounded Ukraine’s eastern region with new attacks.

Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said that the Russian missiles struck an industrial and infrastructure facility in the city, a key shipbuilding centre. There was no immediate information about casualties.

The Russian military says it is trying to cut off Ukraine’s entire Black Sea coast all the way to the Romanian border. Early in the five-month war, Ukrainian forces fought off Russian attempts to capture Mykolaiv, which sits near the Black Sea Coast between Russia-occupied Crimea and the main Ukrainian port of Odesa.

Since then, Russia has bombarded both Mykolaiv and Odesa with regular missile strikes.

The British Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russia is moving personnel and equipment among Kherson, Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia and increasing security measures around Melitopol.

“Given the pressures on Russian manpower, the reinforcement of the south whilst the fight for the (eastern) Donbas (region) continues indicates the seriousness with which Russian commanders view the threat,” the British assessment said.

Zambia Extradites Chinese Children Exploiter to Malawi Authorities in Zambia have extradited a Chinese citizen who fled Malawi last month over accusations of selling exploitative videos to China of Malawian children.

Police in Malawi told VOA Sunday that their counterparts in Zambia handed over

Lu Ke to them Saturday night in the Mchinji district, which borders Zambia.

“He is in police custody. He was handed over by our friends from Zambia. As of now he has been charged with trafficking in persons, but other charges may be added,” said Harry Namwaza, the deputy spokesperson for Malawi Police Service.

Lu Ke fled Malawi last month, where police searched for him after a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) investigation found he was recording young villagers in central Malawi and making them say racist things about themselves in Mandarin.

In one video, children, some as young as nine years of age, are heard saying in Mandarin that they are a “black monster” and have a “low IQ.” The BBC reported he was selling the videos at up to $70 apiece to a Chinese website. The kids performing in the videos were paid about half a dollar each.

The news sparked outrage in Malawi forcing various rights organizations to hold street protests and present a petition to the Chinese Embassy in the capital, Lilongwe.

In the petition, the protesters asked the government of China to compensate the children in the videos for being fooled into saying words in a foreign language they could not understand.

Comfort Mankhwazi is the president of the University of Malawi Child Rights Legal Clinic, which led the protests.

She told VOA Sunday that she was happy with the extradition.

India’s Ruling BJP Removes Official Over ‘Anti-Islam’ Tweet India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has removed its social media head in the northern state of Haryana for an allegedly

Sudan Protesters Decry Violence in Southern State Security forces fired tear gas as Sudanese protesters marched in the capital Khartoum on Sunday against the country’s military leadership, holding it responsible for an outbreak of violence in Blue Nile State.

More than 30 people were killed and 100 injured in tribal clashes that started last week between the Hausa and Fung tribes in the southeastern state, close to the border with Ethiopia, according to Sudanese officials and the United Nations.

Authorities said on Sunday they would reinforce the security presence in the state and investigate the clashes. A curfew has been declared in two towns.

Protesters in the capital carried signs reading “Stop Civil War,” “Blue Nile is Bleeding,” and “Cancel the Juba Peace Agreement,” as they marched towards the presidential palace.

There have been sporadic outbreaks of violence in several parts of Sudan, including eastern coastal regions and western Darfur, despite a nationwide peace deal signed by some rebel groups in Juba in 2020.

The anti-military movement, which has carried out a campaign of protests since a coup in October 2021, has accused the military of stoking internal conflict and failing to protect civilians.

“The continuation of the coup means more death as we saw in Blue Nile, Darfur, and other places,” said Mohamed Idris, a 43-year-old protester in Khartoum.

Flooding Kills 12 People in Darfur Regions Flash floods triggered by seasonal torrential rains in Sudan’s western Darfur region killed at least 12 people, including children, the UN and an aid group said Sunday.

Heavy rains started late Friday in the Kass locality in South Darfur province, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Citing Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission, OCHA said around 540 people were affected by the flooding, which also destroyed or damaged more than 100 houses in an area inhabited by displaced people.

Toby Harward, a coordinator with the UN refugee agency, reported the deaths. He posted footage on Twitter showing flooded areas and homes. He said the UNHCR and its partners were working to provide humanitarian aid to affected communities.

The General Coordination for Refugees and Displaced in Darfur, a local NGO, said the dead included a pregnant woman and two boys ages 2 and 8.

According to OCHA, at least 9,336 people have been affected by heavy rains and flooding the provinces of South Kordofan, South Darfur, White Nile and Kassala since the beginning of the rainy season in June.

Sudan’s rainy season usually lasts until September. Last year, flooding and heavy rains killed more than 80 people and inundated tens of thousands of houses across the country..

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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BACKPAGE CONTINUATION THAT SINKING CARTER FEELING tribunal, even when you know you have no hope of winning, your supporters will congregate in your house every day, you will eat together, exchange campaign gossip and then move together to the tribunal. Your opponent will also come with his supporters, and there will be pushing, shoving and exchange of insults. The good thing about it is that by the time the verdict is delivered, even if you lose, so much bad blood is created between the two camps that it is impossible for any of your supporters to defect to the other side.” Alhaji Garba is now deceased; may his soul find eternal rest in Aljannah.

Defeating a sitting governor, such as Adeleke did at the weekend, is an overall rarity in Nigerian politics.

Since 1999, we have had roughly 216 governorship elections in Nigeria [i.e. 36 times 6]. Yet, one can count how many sitting governors were defeated in their re-election bids. They included [in 2003] Abubakar Audu in Kogi, Abubakar Hashidu in Gombe, Admiral Mohammed Lawal in Kwara, Rabiu Kwankwaso in Kano and Mala Kachallah in Borno. Five AD governors were dethroned in 2003, i.e. Segun Osoba in Ogun, Niyi Adebayo in Ekiti, Lam Adesina in Oyo, Bisi Akande in Osun and Adebayo Adefarati in Ondo.

In the following three years after the 2007 election, election tribunals threw out PDP governors Olusegun Agagu, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Segun Oni and Oserheimen Osunbor in Ondo, Osun, Ekiti

and Edo. More recently, governors that lost their re-election bids included Ramalan Yero in Kaduna, Mamuda Shinkafi in Zamfara, Capt. Idris Wada in Kogi, Aliyu Akwe Doma in Nasarawa, Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow in Adamawa, Ikedi Ohakim in Imo and Barrister Mohammed Abubakar in Bauchi. I am not counting governors who were ousted in their party primaries, such as Chinwoke Mbadinuju of Anambra and Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos.

It is very painful for a sitting governor to lose his second term bid. Even though Oyetola still has four months left in office, he will find that his authority is ebbing away by the day. Every Osun civil servant, traditional ruler, businessman and politician will be trying to warm his way into the heart of Governor-elect Adeleke, if necessary by turning up at owambe parties and doing a break dance. A press secretary once told me that when his governor lost his second term bid, he found him sitting alone in his house, which a week earlier was very difficult to enter due to security and the number of people trying to see the governor. But here was the boss, still with several weeks left in office, but with no files in front of him and no one, not even commissioners or the once ubiquitous Accountant General, trying to see him. That is a Nigerian politician’s biggest nightmare, to see his courtyard empty like a freshly swept mosque.

Why did Oyetola lose his re-election bid? Some pundits thought that after APC nominated Asiwaju

Bola Tinubu as its candidate in next year’s presidential election, it could not possibly lose an election in the South West. Oyetola is not only a firm APC man but he is Asiwaju’s nephew, yet he lost this race.

Observers have already adduced several reasons for the loss, the most obvious being the nasty quarrel with Oyetola’s predecessor, Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola. Having made disparaging remarks about Tinubu trying to be a god, Aregbesola left the state before the election and quietly instructed his supporters to do “anti-party activity,” as we call it here.

There is reason to suspect that Adeleke did not lose the election in 2018. The poll was declared inconclusive and the run-off election that followed in some wards and polling units was very messy.

APC pulled all stops, including locating polling units deep inside the bush while police allowed only voters cleared by APC chiefs to access the polling unit. Now that he has won, we don’t know what to expect. Many Nigerians think Adeleke will dance his way through the tenure, but those who know him well point out that he was a director of serious companies, including a power firm, and that he has many abilities in addition to dancing.

The most important question coming out of Osun however was how big a political and psychological blow it dealt to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. His biggest strategic worry is, wouldn’t Northerners begin to have second thoughts? Some Northerners will say,

“This man to whom we conceded the presidential ticket, only to lose an election in his own backyard!

And the governor who lost is even his son! They say it is because he quarreled with Aregbesola. Is this what he will do, quarrel with Pa Adebanjo, quarrel with Ambode, quarrel with many people and scatter the Yoruba vote?”

But of course the Osun election could be a political fluke. Tinubu was not on the ballot. Oyetola could have lost due to his own governance record and personal style. In any case, no election is exactly like another; as a voter it depends on the choices you have before you and the prevailing conditions.

Since 1999, many parts of Nigeria have learned to separate their choices between presidential, governorship and other elections. For example, in 2011, CPC presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari won in Borno State by a wide margin, but his party recorded a dismal performance in the governorship polls a week later. That same year, PDP candidate President Goodluck Jonathan swept the South West states in presidential polls, only for the voters to turn around a week later and elect a string of AC governors. So, while the Osun governorship election has given some people a fright and has boosted other people’s confidence, the truth they must all remember is, every election is different. Governorship election is about state issues; presidential election is about national issues.

president, was not going to sacrifice whatever would give him electoral advantage in achieving what he once described “a life-long ambition”. In the northwest, the governors and their deputies in all the seven states are Muslims, including Kaduna which has a very strong Christian population. And in the six states of the northeast, only Taraba, a PDP state, has a Christian as governor despite the sizeable Christian population in that zone.

Indeed, since this democratic journey began in 1999, outside of Taraba, Christians have been governors in two other states in both the northwest and northeast by accident rather than design. In Adamawa, Bonnie Haruna, then deputy governorship nominee of the PDP in 1999, was elected governor after he replaced Atiku who had moved up as vice-presidential candidate to then Candidate Olusegun Obasanjo. And in Kaduna, Deputy Governor Patrick Yakowa was sworn in as governor in 2009 to replace Namadi Sambo who had been appointed vice president to President Goodluck Jonathan following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The possible implication of the incessant election of Muslims as governors in 12 out of 13 states of the northeast and northwest, even in states like Adamawa, Gombe and Kaduna where there is sizeable Christian population, is that the Christian politicians from those areas do not have the reach, influence and followership to get the votes. Indeed, it is unlikely the combined forces of immediate past SGF Lawal, his successor Boss Mustapha, Senator Grace Bent and other non-Christian politicians in Adamawa APC could break Atiku’s control of the politics of the state. If Tinubu therefore believed he has a brighter chance of winning the 2023 polls

by pairing with another Muslim, he has a right to his choice. There is really no need for all the hoopla concerning that choice.

There is still an electoral contest on the way.

There is no indication, with Buhari’s disastrous performance in the last seven years on the platform of APC, that Nigerians would necessarily be inclined to elect another presidential candidate from the ruling party in 2023. As the just concluded governorship election in Osun State has shown, with the PDP candidate Ademola Adeleke trouncing incumbent APC Governor Gboyega Oyetola, there’d be much more to voters’ electoral choices than religious sentiments. I can understand the protest of the Northern Christian Leaders in APC; it is the affairs of their party, and they have a duty to sell their candidate. I, however, fail to understand the unnecessary dissipation of energy by Christian organisations, shepherds of the flock, and church leaders on the matter. They have been going on as if Tinubu and Shettima were already president and vice president. Yet, there is another presidential ticket in strong contention with the APC’s, and at least two others that might spring some surprise or disrupt expected political order.

In serious democracies, voters would naturally punish a party whose government has presided over such ruinous policies the APC administration has implemented. And if INEC’s conduct of the recent governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun were an indication of the electoral body’s determination to preside over a free and fair election in 2023, there are bound to be changes in the demographics and status of the voting population. It looks like more and more people who couldn’t be bothered to participate in the fraudulent elections of the

past may weigh in, and those are people whose votes are not in market for trading. Therefore, rather than throw unending emotional tantrums, northern Christians and their sympathisers in the South should go strategize on how to make the APC pay. This may be their only opportunity to show politicians, particularly the northern political players, the force of their voting power.

Northern Christians should perhaps not limit their fight for justice, equity and inclusion to APC alone. They may also want to look inwards at the governance structures in Christian bodies that represent their interests. The CAN, for instance, since inception in 1976 has had seven presidents and all, except John Cardinal Onaiyekan, are from the South. And Onaiyekan is from Kogi State in the north central and has served mostly in Kwara, also in north central, and Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, since it was established in 1958, although has had three presidents from the North (Onaiyekan, Ignatius A. Kaigama and Gabriel Ganaka) there has been only one from the northeast – Kaigama from Taraba, a state with dominant Christian population.

The other two are from north central. And the PFN since it was set up in 1985 has never had a northern president. Rev. Chris Okotie, one of its estranged members, was so displeased with the PFN’s governance structure that he once described the body as “a clannish religious enterprise”.

Going forward, however, perhaps what the country needs is constitutional guarantee of inclusion and equity and fairness and justice for minorities of all types – ethnic, religion, sex, etc. That way, there would be less acrimony as matters would not be left to the wiles and whims of politicians.

Villa to attend service with the Chaplain or share Holy Communion with ministers and permanent secretaries. They know they will not leverage on any pastoral claim to the earthly acquisition of wealth to ask for contracts or juicy appointments.

And they know that when state banquets or weddings of the President’s children hold, they would be content to watch their leaders laugh and grin excitedly in conversations with the high and the mighty.

So It is actually the golden layer of Christendom that fears it will suffocate if it has no one to call to circumvent one government policy or the other or consolidate access to authority and the public purse. However, once we refuse to reduce our elected officials to their religious identities, we establish a civic code that enables all of us to engage as citizens and restrain them from violating their oath of office by favouring one religion or another. It will enable them to face the urgent task of rescuing the country from poverty and insecurity by casting away the distractions of religion.

We should have learnt our lessons.The history of our present predicament, particularly since 1999, cannot be told without the roles of presidents and vice presidents who disguised their real personalities, with religious cloaks. A President once made us believe he was born again. He preached in prison and even built a church. But when his Christian values were put to test by the Courts for wrongfully seizing the revenue allocations to Lagos State, the meanness of spirit showed boldly. He did not care if Christians in Lagos State who would be affected by his unconstitutional act starved to death.

With all his pretences, Goodluck was promoted by Obasanjo as a good Christian from the South-South first as Vice President and later as president. The reign of the Boko Haram and herdsmen slashing the throats of farmers became ferocious under his watch. As the simple, poor faithful folks flocked to cemeteries to bury their dead, many of their faith leaders were clinking glasses of champagne in Aso Villa and purchasing jets in the name of the Lord.

For each of these leaders -Christian, Muslim or Animist - that mobilised us based on faith to gain power, public office has subsequently exposed them as mere mortals with the same pecadilloes to succumb to temptations, arrogance of power and oftentimes, gross incompetence.

Many of the antagonists of the same faith ticket argue as if the specific electoral context that led to the decision of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pick Senator Kashim Shettima is irrelevant. They must realise that the All Progressives Congress delegates made Asiwaju the flagbearer because he has demonstrated the tested capacity to win for the party. The concrete, visible evidence is Lagos State, where for 23 solid years, he has led the party to victory. In 16 of these years, the party that he consistently defeated in Lagos was in full control at the federal level with unfettered access to humongous resources and control of the coercive apparatus of the Federal Government.

To justify this huge confidence, Asiwaju is challenged to demonstrate that if he could help the party end the inglorious era of the PDP as the ruling party, he commands the strategic and tactical capacity to consolidate the control of the Federal Government by the APC to tame the hydra headed monsters bedevilling Nigeria currently.

It is electorally, a game of numbers focused on the history of the voting behaviour of citizens for the party. When you crunch the numbers, the APC has relied on the Northern states to win the presidency. It was the repetition of the feat of 12 million votes that made the merger of the founding parties so realistic in the first place. It worked in 2015 and 2019. As it is said, you don’t change a winning formula.

For consistently delivering for the party, the Northern states have become the strongholds of the APC. President Muhammadu Buhari continues to hold sway, particularly in the North Western zone. To further consolidate the votes, the vice presidential ticket in the North East is a tactical offensive to share the votes of the rival PDP in

the zone of its presidential candidate rather than give him a free ticket.

Any concerned party man who looks at the matter more from these power perspectives will likely sympathise with Asiwaju for taking a difficult but smart decision than resort to threats or tantrums. The vice presidency is significant but the Presidency is elaborate executive machinery in which many offices will require loyal and competent hands. Getting down to brass tacks, how does picking a Christian Vice President improve the general welfare of the average Christian in Zungeru, Ikoro Ekiti, Awka, Badagry or anywhere else? How has a Christian vice president stopped or suppressed the persecution of Christians in the last seven years to justify the current cacophony? Yes, Nigeria is multi ethnic, multi religious, multicultural etc, but should we be perpetually trapped in the quagmire of pervasive religiosity devoid of actual spirituality?

I was born a Christian and remain a Christian for life and no force on earth can convert me to any other religion but my faith does not enslave me to the wily self aggrandizing manipulation of some strident politico-commercial faith merchants!

This is the period Nigerians should seriously interrogate more germane governance issues like security, infrastructure, economy etc vis a vis the capacity, capabilities, track record, experience, vision, knowledge and courage of the presidential contenders rather than dissipate energy on sabre rattling, unedifying, strictly unproductive controversy over the religious tag of a ticket!

The presidential election is crucial but it will take place simultaneously with governorship, national and house of assembly elections. These are the tents that people will return to when the elections take place in February. Therefore, there is no basis for the zero-sum tension that those who lost out in the vice presidency bid are orchestrating. It’s about time Nigeria broke the chains tying her economic, political, social and spiritual progress.

2023, TINUBU AND INCLUSION It is within this context that the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Northern Christian leaders in the APC, a growing number of Christian clerics, among others, have been up in arms against Tinubu, a southern Muslim, for picking Shettima, a northern Muslim, as his vicepresidential nominee. The Muslim-Muslim ticket has been described as unfair to northern Christians in the party, insensitive to the delicate religious balance in the country, and an electoral hard sell.

For the Tinubu team, a Christian running mate did not appear to be on the cards even before the APC presidential nominee emerged. The moment the APC picked its party chairman from the North Central, it was obvious that should the party’s presidential candidate emerge from any of the zones in the South, the vice-presidential nominee would be from either northwest or northeast.

Despite the northwest having the highest voting population, the Tinubu team may have settled for the northeast with the strategic calculation of a strong vice-presidential nominee from that axis whittling down the likely zonal electoral support for Atiku Abukakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who is from that zone. Having picked his running mate from the south-south, Atiku has denied himself the disruptive means of denying Tinubu the pleasure of exploiting to the maximum, it-is-our-son (or what has been captured as Awalokan) syndrome.

Tinubu, who since 2007 when he finished his second term as Lagos State governor, has been working and scheming and investing in people and building relationships and political alliances across the country with the goal of becoming the

RELIGION, THE NIGERIAN DEMON to 33.5 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020. In this period, NBS reported that 12,160,178 Nigerians had no work to do!

Among the youths aged 15-34 years, the unemployment rate was 42.5 per cent. Embarrassed by the worsening situation of job scarcity, the NBS has cleverly kept the figures for 2021 and the two quarters of 2022 to its chest.

These statistical admissions are the cosmetics of grinding and crushing poverty in urban homes and rural households amidst inflationary spikes because the suffering of our people is beyond what these figures capture. They viscerally illustrate that the economy needs to be overhauled urgently and make an emergency of our ‘normalcy’.

Nobody needs a soothsayer to see the connection between the economic recession and crime, unemployment and kidnapping and between hyperinflation and the citizens’ desperation to run from pillar to post to survive even if it means using children, brothers or neighbours for money rituals whose efficacy is false.

From individual anarchism to sub-national rebellion, from separatist movement to fundamentalist invasion, Nigeria is pulled taut at the seams by centripetal forces even as her legislative, executive, judicial and bureaucratic managers are busy sharing the national cake that remained after the creditors have taken their interest for the month.

And that is why the controversy over a MuslimMuslim ticket, Christian -Christian ticket or any same-faith permutation is so provocatively out of tune with the needs of a country ridden with poverty and insecurity and threatened by the daredevilry of those who sold the country seeking to return to plunder.

Who gains from the current faith induced anti Tinubu campaign? Certainly, not the millions of devout parishioners and congregants whose meek surrender to fate and hope of a better tomorrow lies in the conviction that Christ has died for their sins. They know they will not be invited to the

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MONDAY, ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

MONDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Super Falcons Battle Hosts Morocco for Ticket to the Final

Femi Solaja

Super Falcons will face stiff test of character tonight when they line up against hosts Morocco’s Lionesses in the second semi final of the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat. Kick off is 9pm inside the Complexe Prince Moulay Abdellah.

With the pedigree of the defending champions in the continental football showpiece, this clash ought not to raise any fears for Falcons. Since the competition was launched as a biennial event in Nigeria 24 years ago, Super Falcons have won it nine times and now

WA F C O N 2 0 2 2

gunning for a 10th title.

Morocco’s Lionesses on the other hand came into the tournament as minnows with no title yet to show. In the opening match of the inaugural edition of the Women AFCON in Nigeria, the Super Falcons lashed the Lionesses 8-0.

The Falcons have also gone ahead to win nine titles in 11 finals before Morocco 2022, have taken part in all editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in addition to playing in three editions of the Olympic Women’s Football

Tournament, and have become a global brand.

However, on the evidence of their performance at the Aisha Buhari Women’s Football Tournament that Nigeria hosted in September last year and their run at this championship, the Lionesses do not deserve to be treated with kid gloves.

Coach Reynald Pedros will bank

on the deft touches and dribbling skills of Fatima Tagnaout on the left side of the pitch, as well as the courageous and lethal Sanaâ Mssoudy at the fore. The Super Falcons must be wary of these two players especially.

On his part, Coach Randy Waldrum could start with an energetic attacking line comprising of three-goal Rasheedat Ajibade,

Uchenna Kanu and Francisca Ordega, with the nifty Gift Monday also a possibility. Christy Ucheibe, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and Halimat Ayinde should retain their places in the middle, with Captain Onome Ebi leading a rearguard that will shield goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Before the Nigeria versus Morocco clash, South Africa’s

TODAY

Zambia v South Africa 6pm Nigeria v Morocco 9pm Banyana Banyana and Zambia’s Copper Queens will play the first semi final at the Complexe Mohamed V in Casablanca as from 6pm.

...Amstel Malta Ultra Pumps up Falcons for lionesses Clash Amstel Malta Ultra the official malt drink of the Super Falcons has doubled up on its support for the Nigeria women’s team ahead of Monday’s WAFCON semi-final clash against Morocco.

The Super Falcons with the backing of the nourishing malt drink successfully tamed the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the quarter-final and they are looking to repeat a similar feat against the Atlas Lionesses today.

The Morocco versus Nigeria fixture is widely seen as the star semi-final contest as it pits the most successful team on the continent, the Super Falcons against the Atlas Lionesses who presently rank as one of the

most-improved teams in Africa.

Though the Moroccans will be banking on their army of home supporters that have been showing up for their previous games, the Super Falcons can also count on Amstel Malta Ultra to continue galvanising the needed support for them as they have always done.

Since coming on board as a sponsor with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amstel Malta Ultra has never rested on its oars in giving an extra push to the women’s game.

While assuring total support once more, Amstel Malta Brand Manager, Maire Abia-Bassey said she is confident in the Super Falcons going to next year’s World Cup as African champions.

Elephant Girls Stump to Retaining Olukoya Women’s Basketball Title FirstBank’s Elephant Girls defeated MFM Queens by 54-37 to retain the Dr. D. K Olukoya Women’s Basketball Championship title at the weekend.

The final played inside the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium in Surulere Lagos, capped the week-long Championships whose grand finale was used to mark the birthdays of the MFM ministries General Overseer Dr D.K. Oluku’s and his wife, Dr Folashade Olukoya.

The FirstBank’s Team didn’t just retain the title, Marjanatu Musa of the Elephants Girls emerged the Most Valuable Player, (MVP) of the championships, Best Rebounds and Best Five. Her other teammates, Ifunaya Okoro emerge Best Shooter and Best Scorer of the 2022 edition.

Though the matches were

keenly contested, the Elephant Girls proved too strong for all their opponent including Raptors Basketball team that they defeated 66-34 in the Quarter finals.

They also humbled Bayelsa Patriots 77-12 before conquering the MFM Queens in the finals.

Having defeated the MFM Queens a week earlier to lift the Sam Oguche Basketball Foundation Championships, the Elephant Girls knew that the encounter will not be easy as the Queens will be looking to revenge.

But the well motivated FirstBank super stars, backed by their teaming fans were up to the challenge and left no one in doubt of their determination to once again teach the MFM Queens a bitter lesson in basketball. That they did with a 54-37 victory to retain the trophy.

Smith Shoots 64 to Upstage Mcllroy to Win 150th Open Title Cameron Smith stunned St Andrews by snatching the 150th Open Championship title by one stroke from Cameron Young, as Rory McIlroy finished third.

It is a first major for the Australian, who carded a magnificent bogey-free eightunder-par 64, that featured five successive birdies from the 10th, to win on 20 under par.

The 28-year-old had to roll in a three-foot birdie putt at the last to avoid a play-off with American Young, who had seconds earlier eagled the par-four hole to post a 65 and reach 19 under.

McIlroy, who led overnight by four shots alongside Viktor Hovland, closed with a two-under

70 to finish third, while Hovland shot a 74 to slip to 14 under and joint fourth place with England's Tommy Fleetwood, who closed with a bogey-free 67.

Cameron Smith ...wins 150th Open Championship in St Andrews

Rivers United were yesterday formally crowned champions of 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

Remo Stars Join Champions Rivers Utd, Plateau Utd for Continental Football Kano Pillars, Katsina Utd, Heartland and MFM FC relegated to NNL

Remo Stars yesterday crowned their first season back in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) clinched a CAF Confederation Cup ticket on the final day of the 2021/2022 season.

Remo Stars defeated Niger Tornadoes 3-0 to place third on 62 points from 38 matches.

Even with three matches to go, Rivers United had already secured the trophy. Their 1-0 defeat of Gombe yesterday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in

NPFL Port Harcourt was merely icing on the cake before they were handed the trophy.

The Pride of Rivers are to play in the CAF Champions League with runners -up Plateau United. Rivers United recorded 79 points ahead of Plateau United, who had 67 points. Plateau United consolidated with a 1-0 winners over Enyimba on the

final day of the season.

Sadly, two Super Eagles Assistant Coaches, Salihu Yusuf (Kano Pillars) and Usman Abd’Allah (Katsina United) led their respective teams to drop out of the Nigerian topflight league. The two other teams that completed the four to drop out of the NPFL were Heartland FC of Owerri and Lagos church team, MFM FC. All four teams are to play in the second tier NNL next football season.

RESULTS Heartland 1-0 Kwara Utd Remo 3-0 Tornadoes Dakkada 3-0 Sunshine Plateau 1-0 Enyimba Wikki 2-0 Katsina Utd Abia Warriors 3-0 Lobi Rangers 2-0 Akwa Utd Rivers Utd 1-0 Gombe K’ Pillars 2-1 Shooting MFM FC 0-1 Nasarawa

Access Bank Day Delivers Returns On and Off the Field of Play The vibrant Access Bank Day made a wonderful return to Guards Polo Club in Egham, Surrey, London on Saturday, once again delivering some fabulous fundraising accompanied by plenty of polo.

The pandemic had forced the club’s banking partner to postpone their hugely popular annual event for two successive years, so this year’s Access Bank Day was particularly important.

The Access Bank Cup which traditionally mixes patrons and some of the biggest names of the game currently playing in the UK resulted in a win for Access Bank.

They defeated Fifth Chukker 6-5 on The Queen’s Ground. Ali Albwardy, founder of the Desert Palm Polo Club in Dubai and patron of the Dubai high-goal team, stepped forward to receive the trophy from HH The 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi and HRH The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed N Bamalli.

Ali, who had scored the majority of his team’s goals, also received the Best Playing Pony prize for Jasmine, whom he had played in the first and third chukkas.

Ali’s team-mate, and Access Bank Day regular, Adamu Atta, was also impressive in this match, delivering some strong runs to goal.

The Most Valuable Player prize went to Fifth Chukker’s Ryk Neethling. Ryk has only been playing polo since lockdown but put in a sterling performance in this match. His sporting prowess should not be a surprise though as this South African is an Olympic

gold medal-winning swimmer!

Juan Martin Nero, Santi Cernadas, Barto Castagnola and Guillermo Terrera brought pace to the game but this was as much about having fun with friends as playing to win.

The first match of the day was played under a similar vibe and was a contest featuring Malcomines and Delaney for the Khalifa Cup. Damian Duncan’s Delaney team

won this match 7-6 thanks to a winning goal off the stick of Marcos Araya in the final 30 seconds of the game.

Damian was delighted to be named the Most Valuable Player in the post-match presentations which also included Dr Dere Awosika, Chairman Access Bank, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director of Access Bank and Bode Osunkoya, Chairman of Access Corporation.

HH, The 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi (3rd left); HRH, The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed N Bamalli, (4th left); with the Access Bank Polo team during the Access Bank Polo Day held at the Guards Polo Club, Egham, Surrey, London... at the weekend

TR

Monday, July 18, 2022

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MISSILE Northern Christians to Buhari

“Mr. President, since the return of democracy in 1999, the tradition has been a Muslim-Christian or Christian- Muslim paring by all political parties. However, the move by APC to adopt a Muslim-Muslim ticket is most insensitive and the height of discrimination against Christians in our country. Without mincing words, this is unacceptable…” – Leader of All Christians Community of Northern Nigeria, Moses Adams, protesting the insensitive APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket to the President.

MAHMUDJEGA VIEW FROM THE GALLERY

That Sinking Carter Feeling I

n November 1980, at his first cabinet meeting a few days after he lost the presidential election to Ronald Reagan, US President Jimmy Carter opened the meeting with these words, “Let me start by announcing the results of the election. We lost.”

According to a Time magazine story at the time, Carter knew days in advance that he had lost the election. American presidential elections hold on Tuesdays and Carter had ended his campaign tour the previous Saturday. However, when his pollster told him that he was trailing in the polls, Carter decided to campaign some more on Monday.

After his final campaign stop on Monday, he and his wife Rosalyn boarded Air Force One for the long fight to Georgia. As soon as he settled in

his presidential suite, the pollster handed to him the final opinion polls. With only hours to go, it showed that Reagan had widened the gap. The election was lost. The pollster retreated, and the First Couple held each other and sobbed.

I do not know on which day Governor Gbenga Oyetola of the State of Osun normally holds his cabinet meetings. Or whether he intends to open his next cabinet meeting by announcing the results of this weekend’s election, which he lost to the PDP candidate, Ademola Adeleke, widely applauded in the social media for his dancing prowess despite his immense bulk. We do not know exactly when Oyetola knew that the election was lost. Was it on election night, or earlier, even though we have no reliable opinion polls here? If Oyetola does

ENIOLABELLO ENI-B

make an announcement at the cabinet meeting, will he announce with finality that he lost the election or will he allege rigging and announce an intention to proceed to the election tribunal?

There is a good reason in Nigeria why a candidate does not hurry to concede victory to his opponent.

Oyetola has served only one term as governor so he is still eligible to serve another term. It is not unknown in Nigeria’s Southwest region to be booted out of Government House, only to make a triumphant return. In neighbouring Ekiti State, Governor Ayo Fayose was impeached and removed in 2006, only to bounce back in 2016. In the same state, Governor Kayode Fayemi lost his re-election bid in 2014, only to bounce back four years later for a second term.

eniola.bello@thisdaylive.com

All hope is therefore not lost for Oyetola, which is why he should not hurriedly concede to Adeleke.

After one acrimonious local government election in my home local government in which two of my primary school classmates contested, I pleaded with Alhaji Garba Dandiga, who managed the loser’s campaign, to concede and not go to the election tribunal. Ever the wily tactician, Alhaji Garba said, “In Nigeria, if you lose an election, and you hurry to concede in the name of so-called sportsmanship, by tomorrow all your supporters will drift away to the victorious man’s house.

They will say you are not a serious politician, that you only deceived them. But if you go to the Continued on page 54

0805 500 1956

2023, Tinubu and Inclusion

T

he attacks came hard and fast. The criticisms of the nomination of Senator Kashim Shettima as vice presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), that is. A few politicians quit the party in protest. A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and long-term promoter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as APC presidential candidate, Babachir Lawal, denounced his friend and associate for attempting to relegate Christians to second class status in the country.

Just as Northern Christian Political Leaders in APC expressed concern that the ticket would be a hard sell, a cross section of church leaders vowed to direct their congregants not to vote the ruling party. Indeed, since Tinubu had to quickly confirm

media reports that he had settled for Shettima as his running mate for the 2003 elections, there has been a storm of protests at what has come to be known as a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The protest speaks to the crisis of inclusion – religion, ethnic, gender, age – in the nation’s governance systems at all levels. Nigeria being multi-ethnic, and multi-religious, every administration strives to maintain the delicate balance, in appointments to public offices, between the North and the South, and between Christians and Muslims. The strive for balance extends to subnational governments in states and councils; and even between communities in areas where one religion, or nationality, is dominant. Indeed, it even extends to the governance of social clubs

and community associations. Every failure to have a balance, every indication there is a major tilt in favour of one religion, or nationality, or region, is met with cries of marginalization, of exclusion, of injustice, of inequity, and of oppression. This usually wets the ground for merchants of hate and mercenaries of chaos to fan the embers of discord and exploit, for personal profit, the nation’s religious and ethnic fault lines.

The Buhari administration, a product of the APC since 2015, either by omission or commission, has not particularly helped matters. Its key appointments, outside of the constitutionally provided one ministerial slot per state, have been heavily lopsided in favour of northern Muslims. Key appointments such as heads of

military and security agencies, revenue generating bodies, and strategic ministries like Defence, Power, Finance, Budget and National Planning, Education, Communication and Digital Economy, Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, and Agriculture and Rural Development are given to Muslim north. The more the protests and remonstrations against such brazenly lopsided appointments, the deeper the administration has dug in. With the Muslim leadership of the National Assembly, and the party, thrown into the mix, not a few critics easily pinned the label of Islamisation agenda on the administration.

Continued on page 54

DELEALAKE GUEST COLUMNIST

Religion, the Nigerian Demon P

hysically remote but fully involved in the processes leading up to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory at the APC primaries and also in the power play that led to the emergence of Senator Kashim Shettima as the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, it was with quixotic astonishment and predictable derision that the mere suggestion of a controversy over a same-faith presidential ticket provoked my angst and anger.

When are we going to stop laying the foundation

of every new experiment in national development on trivia? When will we stop chasing the shadows of selfish greed and particularist obsession with power and embrace the task of national transformation that has become our generational opportunity or imminent apocalypse?

Whatever the permutation- Christian/Christian, Muslim/Muslim or even Animist/Animist - reducing the gargantuan task of taking the country from the brink of socio-economic chaos to a debate over faith reflects the numbness of the elite to

the flaring anger of the swarming throng of the hapless and hopeless.

It is an involuntary suspension of reason when in great need. How many of us, on boarding a plane, enter the cockpit to interrogate the religious identity of the pilots? Or do women in labour insist on the faith of the midwife before delivery?

In critical situations as these, we trust the expertise of the persons in charge, convinced that we are in safe hands.

Just to remind us and jerk us out of our reverie,

look at what the figures are saying.

In terms of poverty, the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics has reported that foreign investment, a principal source of industrial production and jobs in our liberalized economy, declined by 81.46 per cent from $8.49bn in the first quarter of 2019 to $1.57 billion in this year’s first quarter.

No wonder NBS could report that unemployment increased from 27.1 per cent in the second quarter Continued on page 54

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