FRIDAY 29TH JULY 2022

Shell Posts Record Quarterly Profit of $11.5bn, TotalEnergies $9bn Nigeria misses out in oil windfall as NNPC spends revenue after oil theft on subsidies, leading to inability to remit funds to foreign reserves, thereby deepening naira’s woes In US, fuel currently sells for $2.01, UK sells for £1.87 per litre Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report Shell has launched a $6 billion share buyback scheme after posting its

best profit for a second consecutive quarter as high energy prices and refining margins generated bumper earnings for the world’s oil and gas majors.

Europe’s largest oil company’s adjusted earnings, the profit measure most closely tracked by analysts — rose to $11.5 billion in the second three months of the

year, breaking the record $9.1bn posted in the first quarter.

Oil majors and oil-producing countries have continued to reap bountifully from high international

oil prices, leaving Africa’s biggest producer, Nigeria behind, due to its inability to meet its production quota.

Unfortunately, Nigeria has

continued to miss out in the current oil windfall as NNPC limited spends whatever is left Continued on page 5

FG Moves to Begin Implementation of 5% Excise Duty on Telecom Services... Page 10 Friday 29 July, 2022 Vol 27. No 9971. Price: N250

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Yakubu: 2023 Elections Will Be Fair, Credible, Acceptable Says INEC has no candidate in next year’s polls Hints commission working with agencies on security Alex Enumah, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Action Alliance (AA) party, has again dragged the Independent

National Electoral Commission ( INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim, to court over alleged

double nomination, as the court to stop INEC from listing them for next year’s election.

This is as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Idris Wase, has assured Tinubu

and Shettima, of his total support in the build-up to the 2023 general election and beyond, because no other candidate is better qualified to lead the country.

At the same time, a chieftain

of the ruling party, Chief Ayiri Emami, has said the APC would win the presidency for Tinubu and the party’s governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege in next year's

elections.

However, the AA in its earlier suit pending before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Continued on page 5

NSA: Military Developing New Strategies to Curtail Terrorism Says there’ll be renewed momentum against insecurity Admits Nigerians are tired, gravitating towards self-help Promises those found wanting in kuje jailbreak won't go unpunished Guards brigade, others kill 30 terrorists in Bwari Atiku vows to rescue Zamfara from insurgency Stop the killings, kidnapping, new CAN president urges Buhari PDP N’Assembly caucus collecting signatures to impeach president Deji Elumoye, Kingsley Nwezeh, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade, Udora Orizu in Abuja, Segun James, Nume Ekeghe in Lagos, Francis Sardauna in Katsina, Fidelis David in Akure and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), yesterday, allayed general concerns over the growing insecurity in the country, when he said the military has already begun to develop new strategies to curb the tide of terrorism.

Monguno, who spoke after the National Security Council (NSC) held its third meeting in one month, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House, Abuja, admitted that Nigerians were tired of the Continued on page 5

PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AUDIENCE WITH BODY OF BENCHERS...

L-R: Vice Chairman, Body of Benchers, Hon Justice Mary Peter Odili; Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Staff Prof Ibrahim Gambari and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, during an audience at the State House, Abuja…yesterday

FCTA Resuscitates G7 Security Operations, Vows to Take Out Bandits, Terrorists... Page 12

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Geregu Power Announces Successful Issuance of N40.1bn Bond Kayode Tokede Geregu Power Plc, a power company primarily engaged in the generation and sale of electric power in Nigeria, has announced its successful issuance of a N40.085 billion Senior Unsecured Bonds under its N100 billion multi-instrument issuance programme.

The transaction, which represents Geregu’s debut bond

issuance in the debt market was over-subscribed.

The issuance which commenced on July 1, 2022, following relevant approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) closed on July 14, 2022, with a bond yield of 14.50 per cent.

Worthy of note was the huge appetite demonstrated by high-quality investors including pension fund administrators, commercial banks, asset managers,

insurance companies and other corporates in spite of the rising interest rate environment due to increased borrowing activities and persistent inflationary pressures.

This was the largest corporate bond issuance by a power generation company in Nigeria’s capital markets and a reflection Geregu’s strong credit quality as well as the resilience of the Nigerian debt markets, despite current domestic challenges.

The Chief Executive Officer, Geregu Power, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa, noted that the capital raising would in no small measure support the company’s capital investments.

“The resounding success of our debut bond offer demonstrates implicit confidence in our business by the investment community in our quest to increase capacity and contribute our own quota to the Nigerian Electricity Supply

Industry (NESI).

“It would help us in the attainment of our long-term corporate goals; market leadership, innovation, and commitment to the highest standards of environmental, social, and corporate governance.”

Geregu Power has been assigned a long-term national scale rating of (A) by GCR Rating.

United Capital Plc acted as Lead Issuing House to the debut

offering, while CardinalStone Partners Limited, Comercio Partners Capital Limited, Cordros Capital Limited, Coronation Merchant Bank Limited, FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited, iWorld Financial Services Limited, Kairos Capital Limited, Lighthouse Capital Limited, Renaissance Securities (Nigeria) Limited, UCML Capital Limited, and Vetiva Capital Management Limited were Joint Issuing Houses.

were given to the various security agencies. The meeting deliberated on all those issues, after the brief by the National Security Adviser, which is usually the procedure.

“Again, council deemed it necessary to inform the general public, that fighting this type of asymmetric conflict is a collective effort. It's not something that should be confined to only the security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

"When we keep saying whole of society approach, whole of government approach, to get a whole of nation approach, what it means is that everybody has to partake in this enterprise. The truth is that no country can ever overcome the difficulties of an asymmetric conflict by virtue of the fact that the enemy of the state is embedded within the population within the wider society.

"It is true that the local people are averse; they're scared; they're worried and there's no confidence.

That is understandable. But without their support, without the cooperation in terms of giving information, it makes it very hard for the operational elements.

“A few days ago, troops of the guards brigade were ambushed and decimated. Had there been a collective effort by way of just snippets of information, we might have averted that incident. That is not to say that the responsibility is for those outside the security domain. It's a collective responsibility."

Monguno also has a word of advise for the political elite, whom he said should watch their utterances at this period so as not to compound the problems on ground.

He said, "Equally, the political elite is also urged to take into account the consequences of utterances, especially, from people who have established a reputation, people who are considered leaders of thought, people, who are considered to have some kind of influence in society – whatever goes out may be harmful, not just to the government, if that is the intention, which I doubt may not be a deliberate thing, but at the end of the day, it will affect the

wider society."

He also called on the media to be positive in their reportage of the security challenges facing the nation.

"Council is also concerned about the nature of media reporting incidents with regards to insecurity.

It is important for the media to understand that certain reports being generated by the media, either the way and manner in which they report can also aggravate this delicate situation," saying Nigeria was in a difficult situation and that the president was aware of the people's concerns about the growing insecurity.

According to him, "We are in a very difficult situation, and Council understands. Mr. President understands people's concerns about the growing insecurity. But I can assure you that there's no straight cut and dried method of dealing with this thing unless all of us embrace each other."

On the recent jail break at the Kuje Correctional, Monguno said, the probe panel was on the verge of winding down, and that officials found culpable would be punished.

"Council is in the process of winding up the special investigative panel on the Kuje incident. And the idea is to come up with recommendations, hold those who are supposed to be held accountable for their deeds and to ensure that this type of thing never ever, ever happens again in this country," he said.

NSA: MILITARY DEVELOPING NEW STRATEGIES TO CURTAIL TERRORISM current security challenges facing the nation and had begun to gravitate towards self-help.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting held at the Council Chambers and lasted about four hours, Monguno, who said the NSC reviewed the security situation in the country with a pledge to take urgent steps to address concerns,

also promised that those found wanting in Kuje jailbreak wouldn’t go unpunished.

In what appeared like a rebound, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, said military air strikes conducted by the Nigerian Air Force in a joint operation with troops of 7 Guards Battalion, decimated 30 terrorists in Bwari Area Council

of Abuja, even as it restated its commitment to protect the seat of power and Nigerians.

But the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, vowed to rescue Zamfara State from the throes of terrorists if elected president in 2023.

In a related development, the

YAKUBU: 2023 ELECTIONS WILL BE FAIR, CREDIBLE, ACCEPTABLE had sought the disqualification of the APC from the 2023 presidential poll over alleged act of perjury on the part of its presidential candidate, Tinubu.

But in a fresh suit instituted yesterday, July 28, the plaintiff has further sought the disqualification of the ruling party on the grounds that it has nominated a candidate for more than one constituency in the 2023 general election.

The act according to the AA, in the fresh suit marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/1256/2022, contravened Section 35 of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022.

The suit filed on behalf of the plaintiff by Mr Ukpai Ukairo, has INEC, APC, Tinubu and Shettima as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.

It is specifically seeking, "A declaration that the nomination of the 4th defendant by the 3rd defendant as the Vice Presidential Candidate of the 2nd defendant is void arising from the express provision of Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022 in that the 4th defendant allowed himself to be nominated in more than one constituency for the 2023 elections.

"A perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th defendants from holding out themselves as Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates contesting the 2023 Presidential election on the platform of the 2nd defendant."

Plaintiff also sought another order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from listing the names of Tinubu and Shettima as presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the final list of candidates in the said election and restraining INEC from placing APC on the ballot for the said election.

In an affidavit in support of the suit deposed to by one Mr Kalu Agu, plaintiff claimed that the APC contravened the law, when it submitted the name of Shettima both as candidate for Borno Central Senatorial and Vice President in the 2023 general election.

"The 2nd defendant also submitted the name of the 4th defendant as its Candidate in Borno Central Senatorial election for the 2023 election and the 4th defendant swore to a Form EC9 in his capacity as the said candidate and same was submitted to the 1st defendant.

"That the 4th defendant also on July 15, 2022 submitted another Form EC9 to the 1st defendant through the 2nd defendant and this time he was nominated for Vice Presidential Candidate.

"That the 4th defendant also deposed to the oath constituting the said Form EC9 as being nominated for the position of Vice Presidential Candidate. That Borno Central Senatorial Zone and the Presidential Election are two different constituencies.

"That the Plaintiff applied

through me for the certified true copies of the Forms EC9 of the 4th defendant for the Borno Central Senatorial Zone and the Presidential election but the 1st defendant is delaying the release of it to the Plaintiff," it prayed.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Wase: No Candidate is as Qualified as Tinubu Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has assured Tinubu, and Shettima of his total support in the build-up to the 2023 general election and beyond.

Speaking when he received Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (ABAT) Support Group, which was on a courtesy call on his office on Wednesday, Wase reiterated his earlier stand on the capacity of Tinubu.

According to him, there’s no candidate in any political party that can match the quality and candidature of Tinubu, even as he expressed optimism that the APC would come out victorious with the overwhelming majority in both chambers of the National Assembly.

"I want to assure you that we in the House of Representatives, particularly, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), we shall collaborate with every organisation to ensure victory for Tinubu/Shetima ticket. I charge you to go out in full force and campaign for Asiwaju.

“We have good products to sell. This is somebody that had turned around the economy of Lagos within a short time and has built people across the country, irrespective of region or religion. I charged you all to go out in full force with your head high seeking those votes as you have a good product to sell to Nigerians. I urged you not to relent in ensuring the victory for our candidates," Wase said.

Earlier, National Coordinator of the organisation, Hon. Oyinkansola Okiwuyi, said they were in the National Assembly to seek the support and cooperation of the deputy speaker and to also inform him about the strategy they were using to galvanise and solicit for votes.

APC Chief Promises Delta’ll Deliver Tinubu, Omo-Agege A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC), Chief Ayiri Emami, has said the ruling party would win the presidency for Tinubu in next year's presidential election.

He also assured the people that the party would snatch Delta for APC from the ruling PDP by voting massively for the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Omo-Agege, who is currently the Deputy President

of the Senate.

Emami gave the assurance yesterday, when he received Elder Godsday Orubebe, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Director General of Ovie Omo-Agege gubernatorial campaign committee at his Ubeji residence.

He said Tinubu and OmoAgege’s emergence in 2023 elections was a collective project that would be executed with all efforts by their teeming supporters in the state.

The APC chieftain, however, stressed the need for unity of purpose amongst all the ethnic nationalities in the state to ensure the elections of Tinubu and Omo-Agege, noting that the presidential candidate was an in-law of Delta State, while Omo-Agege has united the party in the state more than ever before.

Emami promised to work with Orubebe in achieving the target goals by making available his teeming supporters to serve in any capacity to ensure that the party won the 2023 elections.

Another Chieftain of the party, Yemi Emiko, while eulogising Orubebe’s political wizardry, said it was not a coincidence that he was made the Director General of Ovie Omo-Agege gubernatorial campaign committee having held political positions at the state and national levels in the past.

Orubebe, while appreciating the leadership qualities of Emami, said he had to pay him the visit knowing that he has been a consistent member and leader of APC since he joined the party.

He solicited for more support and collaboration to ensure that Tinubu and Omo-Agege emerged during 2023 elections.

PDP Caucus in the National Assembly, yesterday, met behind closed doors to discuss the proposed impeachment of President Buhari and had immediately begun to collect signatures to that effect.

Meanwhile, the Oodua People's Congress (OPC), has warned that the activities of bandits and the general insecurity in the country was already threatening the continued unity of the nation.

This is as the North West chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has joined other Nigerians of like-minds to decry what it described as an alarming rate of insecurity in the country.

However, Monguno, who revealed that government was currently working on new strategies to curtail the worsening insecurity in the country, explained that the military had agreed on new strategies to curtail the menace, assuring Nigerians that there would be a renewed momentum against terrorism.

He said: "Members of the armed forces have also made a commitment that in the coming weeks, they have already started working on a new strategy to deal with these snippets of violence.

And they've given their word, their commitment to the president, that there will be a change in momentum, regardless of the fact that there might be certain institutional limitations, which they face. But they understood the enormity of the responsibilities that they have."

Stressing that the security situation could result in the citizenry gravitating towards self help, he said, "I know people are weary, people are tired, people are beginning to gravitate to other places for self help. The truth is that help is rooted in everyone working for the other person."

He, therefore, canvassed for the support of the people in fighting terrorism, saying tackling security problems should be the task of everybody and not that of government alone.

His words: "Today’s meeting was convened by the president, as a continuation of the meeting that took place last week to discuss the technical issues and the taskings that

Guards Brigade, Others Vanquish 30 Terrorists in Bwari The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that military air strikes conducted by the Nigerian Air Force, in a joint operation with troops of 7 Guards Battalion, killed some 30 terrorists in Bwari Area Council of Abuja, restating its commitment to protect the seat of power and Nigerians.

DHQ said the operation was was a response to the killing of military personnel by insurgents in the same location last week.

It also restated its commitment Continued on page 36

SHELL POSTS RECORD QUARTERLY PROFIT OF $11.5BN, TOTALENERGIES $9BN of its revenue after oil theft on subsidies, effectively leading to her inability to remit funds to foreign reserves, and consequently deepening naira’s woes.

However, while per litre of gasoline in the US, for instance, sells for $2.01, same is sold for £1.87 per litre in the UK, while Nigeria has continued to move between N165 and sometimes N200, which is way cheaper than what the big economies like the US and the UK sell theirs.

According to Global Petrol Prices, the average price of gasoline around the world is 1.41 U.S. Dollar per litre.

But there is substantial difference in the prices among countries.

As a general rule, richer countries have higher prices while poorer countries and the countries that produce and export oil have significantly lower prices.

One notable exception is the U.S. which, for instance, is an economically advanced country but has low gas prices. The differences in prices across countries are due to the various taxes and subsidies for gasoline.

All countries have access to

the same petroleum prices of international markets but then decide to impose different taxes. As a result, the retail price of gasoline is different.

Meanwhile, Shell beat average analyst estimates of $11 billion and was more than double the $5.5 billion it recorded a year ago.

Shell produced less oil than in the first quarter but benefited from higher prices, reflecting the soaring cost of crude in April, May and June following Russia’s February invasion of Ukraine, according to Reuters.

Higher refining margins drove performance in its chemicals and products business, while it also noted “exceptionally strong” earnings from its gas and power trading business.

“With volatile energy markets and the ongoing need for action to tackle climate change, 2022 continues to present huge challenges,” chief executive Ben van Beurden said.

Shell left its dividend at $0.25 a share but said that, with the $6 billion share buyback plan, total distributions to shareholders would be “significantly in excess” of 30 per

cent of cash flow from operations.

The new round of share buybacks follows $8.5 billion of buybacks that were completed in the first half of the year. Net debt also fell to $46.4bn from $48.bn three months earlier.

A rapid recovery in demand following the end of pandemic lockdowns and a surge in energy prices, driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have boosted profits for energy companies after a two-year slump.

French rival TotalEnergies also reported on Thursday a record profit of $9.8 billion in the quarter and accelerated its buyback programme.

United States rivals Exxon Mobil and Chevron report results are expected on Friday (today).

Oil and gas prices remained elevated in the quarter, with benchmark Brent crude averaging about $114 a barrel. Benchmark European natural gas prices and global liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices averaged an all-time high in the quarter.

Shell's strong results reflected higher energy prices and refining margins, as well as strong gas and power trading, the company said,

but were partly offset by lower LNG trading results.

Refining profit margins tripled in the quarter to $28 per barrel.

They have weakened substantially in recent weeks amid signs of easing gasoline demand in the United States and Asia.

Shell said its refinery utilisation would increase to 90-98 per cent in the third quarter, compared with 84 per cent in the second quarter.

Its oil and gas production in the second quarter was down 2 per cent from the previous quarter to 2.9 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd).

Shell's LNG liquefaction volumes stood at 7.66 million tonnes in the second quarter, down from 8 million in the previous quarter. Volumes are expected to fall to between 6.9-7.5 million in the third quarter due to strikes at its Australian Prelude site and planned maintenance.

Shell used the surge in cash generation to further reduce its debt, which stood at $46.4 billion at the end of June, compared with $48.5 billion three months earlier.

Its debt-to-capitalisation ratio, or gearing, declined to 19.3 per cent.

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

A NATION AT WAR...

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari ; National Security Adviser, Major General (Retd ) Babagana Monguno; Chief of Defence Staff , General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya and the Chief of Naval staff, Admiral Awwal Zubairu at the National Security meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa , Abuja...yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

Buhari: NDDC Audit Report Being Implemented in Phases Orders comprehensive staff audit of Commission Says violators of procurement laws now to face appropriate sanctions Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Amid agitations for the implementation of the forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared that the report was already being implemented in phases, assuring that the process would soon usher in a new management and board for the Commission.

The president also promised to complete the East-West Road before the end of his administration, directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its subsidiaries to step in and fix Section 4 of the road (Eleme Roundabout to Onne junction), through the Tax Credit Scheme.

Presenting a keynote address at the opening ceremony of a two-day

top management retreat organised for its officials and those of the NDDC by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Buhari stated that the implementation of the audit report and its recommendations had commenced in phases.

This was contrary to the perception that the administration had dumped the report.

While receiving the report on September 2, 2021, the president had threatened to apply relevant laws to remedy the deficiencies outlined in the audit report, noting that this would include, but not limited to the initiation of criminal investigation, prosecution, and recovery of funds not properly utilised for the public purposes which they were meant for.

The president, who was represented at the retreat which was held at the State

House, Abuja, by the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo, said: "Undoubtedly, the federal government has made huge commitments to the Niger Delta region in furtherance with its desire to give the people a new lease of life.

"This administration has been proactive in response to issues of the region. We are adopting and implementing more prudent policies and programmes that will bring about a better Niger Delta region.

"It is gladdening to note that the ministry has prioritised the repositioning of the NDDC to ensure they deliver on their objectives and mandate. This is evidenced by its efforts that led to the completion and commissioning of the Commission’s headquarters building complex in March, 2021, providing the Commission with a

conducive base to operate.

"In pursuance of our determination to curb corruption and in response to the call of the governors of south-south for a forensic audit of NDDC, I undertook some critical reforms and requested a forensic audit of NDDC from inception to 2019.

"The report of the audit has been submitted and implementation of its recommendations has commenced in phases. This process will soon usher in a new management and board for the Commission."

Buhari stated that the expanded retreat with the governors of oil-producing states, chairmen of the relevant committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives, oil companies, ministries, departments and agencies in attendance, was a veritable platform to take major

New NNPC's Status Ends NDPC's Era of Anti-local Content Practices Peter Uzoho

The successful transitioning of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited into a company operating under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) has brought to an end the era of violation and disregard of the Local Content laws by its upstream subsidiary, the National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

THISDAY learnt that as the NNPCL continues to reposition as a limited liability company in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the NPDC has promised to change from its past missteps and henceforth make deliberate efforts to comply with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act and associated regulations and guidelines.

THISDAY gathered yesterday that key officials of the company made the commitment during a Nigerian Content sensitisation workshop facilitated by NCDMB’s

key personnel, which held in Benin, Edo State recently.

Investigations revealed that the decision by NPDC to turn a new leaf followed years of noncompliance with the provisions of the NOGICD Act and other Nigerian content regulations issued by the NCDMB, the Act's implementing agency.

Findings showed that NCDMB had made several efforts in the past, particularly from 2016 to 2022, to steer NPDC into compliance with the NOGICD Act and the Board’s processes in its operations without much success in comparison with other multinational and indigenous operators in the industry.

Documents seen by THISDAY revealed that the first sensitisation workshop organised by the NCDMB for NPDC officials was held in September 2016, to familiarise the company’s officials with the Board’s processes.

However, the attitude of the company did not improve significantly, which led to NCDMB writing the NPDC

letters on November 22, 2018, and January 21, 2019, notifying it of clear breaches of the NOGICD Act and requesting the company to fulfill its statutory responsibility and attend meetings with the Board.

It was also learnt that NPDC’s actions did not match the directives spelt out in the letters, even as the NNPC’s subsidiary did not make any appreciable efforts to address the non-compliance issues until the Local Content board issued a final warning in a letter dated June 6, 2022.

This, THISDAY gathered, prompted NPDC to request the NCDMB to carry out a sensitisation workshop for its key officials on salient issues mandated in the NOGICD Act, the Board’s processes, and expectations from operating companies as enshrined in the Act. Investigation further revealed that some of the non-compliance infractions, which were previously observed against NPDC included

non-submission of statutory reports to the NCDMB, execution of projects and contracts without obtaining relevant approvals from the NCDMB, and procurement of 2624 joints of 12”3LPE coated line pipes procured by NPDC from overseas without due consideration to in-country pipe mills and coating plants with such capacity.

In the same vein, the national operator’s asset management teams were alleged to have delayed providing NCDMB with details of all ongoing projects, contracts and services for effective monitoring of Nigerian Content requirements by NCDMB. Some industry stakeholders, who spoke to THISDAY over the matter, on condition of anonymity, stated that NPDC’s unimpressive attitude towards compliance with the NOGICD Act in the past might have related to its status as a government-owned company and the erroneous belief that it was immune from significant sanctions by the NCDMB at that time.

decisions towards effective collaboration to derive value for money in the developmental initiatives by all these stakeholders in the region.

He threatened that, going forward, fraudulent practices and violation of the procurement laws would be visited with appropriate sanctions as stipulated in the Public Procurement Act. The president noted that it was important to underscore that the Strategic Implementation Work Plan (SIWP), a framework that focuses on the strategic objectives raised in the federal government's 20-point Agenda and the Pan-Niger Delta Forum's (PANDEF) 16-point Agenda would be strengthened to provide the strategic framework

for coordination of development initiatives in the Niger Delta Region to achieve maximum impact at this critical time.

He also stated that in order to strengthen the internal structure of the NDDC, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs had been mandated to carry out a comprehensive staff audit of the Commission, and ensuring that right staffing and proper placement were achieved.

"Accordingly, I urge all wellmeaning Nigerians, especially the Niger Deltans, to exercise restraint and ensure a conducive and secured environment for implementation of the several developmental projects and programmes in the region," added.

FG: 23 States, FCT Received N24.45bn from Conditional Grant Schemes in Seven Years Says nation's access to basic water now 64% Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 23 states in the country have received N24,450,000,000 from the Conditional Grant Schemes as incentives to invest more of their resources into areas of national development priorities and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)/Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This was disclosed yesterday at the State House, Abuja, by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, at a news briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team.

She stated that the fund disbursed since 2015 till date, was introduced in 2007 with a 50 percent marching grant from the federal government and 50 percent from the participating states.

According to her, the grants were targeted at education, health, water and sanitation projects "and aimed

at executing pro-poor projects in a consultative manner with the beneficiaries."

The SSA also said the fund was spent on the implementation of 732 water and sanitation facilities; 494 health facilities (new facilities and renovation/rehabilitation); 616 education facilities (new construction, renovation/rehabilitation of block of classrooms; 1,150 women and men were empowered/trained in vocational skills, such as sewing, knitting, detergent & pomade making etc.)

She said there were special intervention projects across the geo-political zones, an initiative she affirmed was aimed at strategic investment to fast-track the achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria.

"Between 2016 and 2021, a record number of projects have been implemented, aimed at providing essential services to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, by ensuring no Nigerian is left behind.

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COURTESY VISIT TO BUA GROUP...

L-R: MD/CEO, Union Bank, Mr. Mudassir Amray; Chairman, BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Board Chair, Union BanK, Mr. Farouk Gumel, during a visit to the BUA Group headquarters in Lagos by Union Bank…recently

We Handed Over 70 Arrested Oil Vessels to EFCC, Says Navy Udora Orizu in Abuja The Nigerian Navy at the resumed investigative hearing of the House of Representatives adhoc committee on fuel subsidy probe disclosed that it has

handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) 70 out of the 147 vessels arrested over illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft.

Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, who is the Director of

Addax Workers Begin Strike Ugo Aliogo Employees of Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria have embarked on an industrial action over anti-labour practices.

Addax, owned by China’s Sinopec Group, has four Oil Mining Licences operating the assets in Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) before its transformation to a limited liability company.

The company has about 324 Nigerian employees which include the 141 permanent staff and 183 contract employees.

According to the workers who downed tools, who are members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Addax management refused to engage them on labour-related issues after the announcement of the revocation of its licences by the federal government.

The workers threatened to shut all the company’s operations including oil wells, valves crude lifting and export terminals operating

by Addax if the company refuse to engage them, saying that all attempts to get the Management to the negotiation table failed as it ignored them.

Sources among the workers revealed that sequel to the notification by the APN Management informing its employees on the withdrawal of operating licences by the NNPC in a town hall meeting, both parties met and reach a financial term of exit settlement for all the workers.

It was gathered that there was agreement that the financial exit settlement would be executed at the expiration of Addax Petroleum Nigeria’s PSC agreement for OML 123 and 124 by July 1, 2022.

"Addax Management has so far rebuffed our call for the execution of the financial exit settlement and other employees ‘related issues.”

Senior Assistant General Secretary, Lagos Zone, PENGASSAN, Babatunde Oke confirmed that the strike was embarked upon, “by our members due to the management’s refusal to engage our association on the financial settlement earlier agreed on.”

One of the workers who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the workers had waited patiently for the management, "trying to understand its plights but it is like they are insensitive to our own problems. Many letters have been written asking for a meeting but the Management refused to meet them."

Lesson Learnt, who made the disclosure while addressing the lawmakers said the Navy did not have the power to prosecute arrested vessels, saying culprits are usually handed over to security agencies and in most cases EFCC. He also a total of 14 vessels arrested were handed over to the owners who had been acquitted of the cases against them.

"From our record, 70 have so far been handed over to EFCC out of about 147 vessels that were arrested while others were handed over to other agencies. In the records of seizures made in respect of petroleum

products arrested over illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft, a total of 127 vessels were involved in different forms of offences.

“This included those released to the owners within the same period. Now to the record of prosecutions, in respect of arrest made during seizure, Nigerian Navy does not have the statutory responsibilities or power to prosecute arrested vessels.

They are usually handed over to security agencies in most cases EFCC," he said Speaking further he said the NNPC and the Pipeline and Product Monitoring Company (PPMC) usually sent copies of letters with

details of vessels permitted to lift oil products in and out of the country to the Nigerian Navy.

According to him, a total of 10,489 of such letters were sent to the Nigerian Navy in 2020 and 2021 alone.

Reacting, members of the committee expressed displeasure that the Navy relied on the NNPC for such information.

The House Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said, “We leave waterways under your care, therefore independent of what NNPC does, it is your mandate. To say you only rely on what is coming from NNPC does not inspire confidence in

Nigerians who allow you to monitor what comes into the country.

“I know the Navy has a record of every tanker coming or going out that has products that have to do with oil and gas.”

Another member, Hon. Mark Gbillah, while commending the Navy for the divulgence of additional information, however said they were taken aback by their response.

Consequently, the lawmakers gave the Navy one week to provide comprehensive details of vessels that imported petrol and exported crude oil from 2017 till date.

RMB Nigeria Supports Dangote Industries Limited in Landmark Corporate Bond Issuance RMB Nigeria has announced that it worked alongside Dangote Industries Limited to facilitate the largest corporate bond issuance in the history of the Nigerian capital markets.

The landmark N187.58 billon Series 1 issuance was aimed at part-financing the completion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery Project, a key infrastructure project for Nigeria and West Africa, which is currently scheduled to commence operations in the first half of 2023.

According to a statement, RMB Nigeria acted as a Joint Issuing House and Bookrunner on this milestone transaction and remains a trusted adviser to Dangote Industries.

RMB provided valuable advice in the evaluation,

marketing and execution of the transaction Dangote Industries is a leading, diversified and fully integrated conglomerate with operations in Nigeria and Africa with 11 distinct business lines across a wide range of industries; including cement, sugar, salt, condiments, packaging, energy, fertiliser and petrochemicals. Dangote Industries via its funding vehicle, Dangote Industries Funding Plc, sought to raise N150 billion via the Series 1 bond offer with the option to upsize under its N300 billion Debt Issuance Programme.

The Series 1 bond offer comprised of Tranche A: 7-year and Tranche B: 10year, Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Bonds.

Despite rising yields

and tightening liquidity environment, the Bond was well received by the market and recorded participation from a wide range of investors including domestic pension funds administrators (PFAs), asset managers, banks, insurance companies and high net-worth investors.

The total bids received was N198.18 billion representing a subscription of 1.33x of which N187.58 billion was within the advised price range.

The Co-Head Banking Division, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited, Chidi Iwuchukwu said: “We are delighted to have worked on this landmark transaction and are grateful to the board and management of Dangote Industries

Limited for appointing us as Joint Issuing House and Bookrunner.

“The success of the transaction reflects the strong credit quality of Dangote Industries Limited and the growing resilience of the Nigerian debt capital markets.

“We remain a long-term partner and trusted adviser to Dangote Industries Limited and its subsidiary companies.”

RMB Nigeria 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.

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

"HOUSING OUR PEOPLE, BY ALL OF GOVERNMENT AND ALL OUR PEOPLE"...

L-R: Deputy Governor, Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan Iya; Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and , Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Bashir Nura AIkali, during the 11th meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development held at Sokoto State ... yesterday

FG Moves to Begin Implementation of 5% Excise Duty on Telecom Services Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja In spite of the existing 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) that Nigerians pay for goods and services, the federal government, yesterday revealed plan to implement the five per cent excise duty on telecoms services which it had previously intimated Nigerians about.

With this policy, for every call made by telecom subscribers, they would now pay five per cent of the total cost of the voice call, which would be deducted from the subscriber's account by the telecom operator, and remit same to government.

The five per cent excise duty is an additional fee that the telecom subscriber pays, which is different from the cost of voice call.

The federal government disclosed this yesterday at a stakeholders' meeting in Abuja, organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mr. Zainab Ahmed was represented by an Assistant Director, Tax Policy, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Musa Umar, while the Assistant Chief Officer in the ministry, Frank Oshanipin, did the ministry's presentation.

Zainab made the disclosure in her presentation at the stakeholders’

Domestic Airlines Lose N4.3bn Annually to Sunset Airports Chinedu Eze Nigerian airlines have lost about N4.3 billion annually to airports that provide only daylight service which restrict operators from flying longer hours.

Most of these facilities, known as sunset airports, do not have the infrastructure that enables flights to operate into the night, like the airfield lighting; while the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) limited few that have the infrastructure to only daylight operation, which means flights cannot service such airports after 6:30 pm.

The amount of loss was disclosed by the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi at the 26th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) held yesterday in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Sunset Airports: Economic and Safety Implications, Uriesi said lack of 24 hours flight operations to major routes in Nigeria was impeding the growth of the airlines.

In his paper titled, “Maximising Runway Utilisation: A Nigerian Airline Perspective,’ the Ibom Air Chief Operating Officer said domestic carriers were losing an average of N4 million per flight, N12 million in every flight, N360 million in 90 flights and N4.3 billion annually on every flight lost to sunset airport operations.

This restriction, Uriesi noted had led to a huge under-utilisation

of aircraft fleets by the Nigerian airlines as against the global industry standards.

“This is due partly because of too many impediments in the operating environment that limit airline productivity. These include limited runway availability across the domestic network, multiple operational infrastructure deficiencies, poor organisation and many others,” he said.

In a bid to solve the challenge, Uriesi appealed to the government to prioritise airfield infrastructure and provide the necessary Instrument Landing System (ILS) and accompanying accessories for every airport, while also keeping the aerodromes open to meet the needs of airlines and other users.

He also advised that the government should make approved master plans a regulatory requirement for every airport and make non-adherence to the master plans by any organisation illegal.

“There is need to establish a local aircraft lessor /financing vehicle that would allow for the domiciling of aircraft payments in local currency. This would make a huge difference to the air transport sector in Nigeria,” he added.

Also speaking at the seminar, the Director at the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), Prof. Anthony Kila in his paper: ‘Passenger Experience in Daylight Airports,’ said the NCAA should encourage the airlines to succeed without compromising safety.

forum on implementation of excise duty on telecommunications services in Nigeria According to Oshanipin, "The five per cent excise duty has been in the Finance Act 2020 but hasn't been implemented.”

The delay to in implementation was as a result of government’s engagement with stakeholders.

He added that payments would be made latest 21st of every month.

He further said: "The duty rate wasn't captured in the Act because it is the responsibility of the President to fix rate on excise duties and he has fixed five per cent as the duty rate for telecommunication services, which include, GSM services.

"It is public knowledge that our revenue cannot run our financial obligations, so to that effect we are

to shift our attention to non-oil revenue.

"The responsibility of generating revenue to run government lies with us all," he added.

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, however said operators would not be able to subsidise the five per cent excise duty on telecom services as a result of the 39 multiple taxes that they pay, coupled with the epileptic power situation that had compelled operators to spend so much on diesel.

The President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, (ATCON), Ikechukwu Nnamani who was represented by the Executive Secretary of ATCON, Ajibola Olude, said, "the five

per cent excise duty on telecom services would not be in tandem with present realities,” adding that the industry was bleeding.

Olude suggested that the idea be stepped down as it would lead to job loss.

"The idea untimely and not well intended, because the industry is not doing well currently." Olude said.

The Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) who was represented by the Assistant Controller at NCS, Lami Wushishi, in her remarks said: "All active telecom service providers must pay the five per cent excise duty."

However, the Executive Secretary ALTON, Gbolahan Awonuga, said the five per cent telecom excise duty was not healthy for the

industry because telecom services providers already pay two per cent of their annual revenue to the NCC. The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Adeleke Adewolu, in his opening remarks said: "As communicated in the federal government Circular of March 1, 2022, the five per cent Excise Duty was to have been implemented as part of the 2022 Fiscal Policy Measures, but the industry considered the earlier scheduled commencement date of June 1, 2022 inadequate and we duly took this up with the federal government.”

El-Rufai Threatens to Sack KASU Lecturers over ASUU Strike Insists solution to insecurity is to bomb terrorists’ camps

John Shiklam in Kaduna and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has threatened to sack lecturers of the Kaduna State University (KASU) and declare their positions vacant if they don’t return to the classrooms.

The lecturers are part of the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

El-Rufai who spoke during a live Hausa programme on local radio stations in Kaduna on Wednesday night, said the state government has no issues with lecturers in the state own university and so they should not be part of the ASUU strike.

According to him, “ASUU has problem with the federal government, not the state government.”

He said the Acting Vice Chancellor of KASU had assured him that the lectures would resume work and he had asked to find out if they actually resumed work “because I initially instructed that their salary be stopped.”

The governor said, “whoever joined the strike will not be paid salary. We have been telling the KASU lecturers that they have no problem with the state government.

“ASUU’s problem is with the federal government, therefore why will our staff who have no problems with us join the strike?”

El-Rufai warned that, “If this continues, I will wake up one day to sack them all, I swear to God! “We will sack them all and declare their positions vacant on the pages of newspaper.

“They once did same thing and we gave them warning, now they have repeated it.

“I’m only waiting to receive the report from the Commissioner for Education. I swear to God, we will sack all those that joined the strike if they refuse to resume work.”

Also commenting on the outcome of the APC presidential primary, the governor said he and other APC governors were fully in support of the TinubuShettima ticket and would work assiduously for their success in 2023, “because they have proven to be good leaders as governors in their respective states.”

He also dismissed speculations that he was appointed as the Director General of the Presidential campaign, saying however that he was saddled with an assignment on the campaign processes and would soon meet the APC party chairman with colleagues to

deliberate on the 2023 election.

He called on Nigerians never to vote for the opposition PDP again, alleging that the PDP men embezzled and bought houses overseas.

Reacting to rumours that he plans to leave the APC, El-Rufai said he was among those that created the APC, saying he would never leave the party.

“How can a father leave his daughter? I will never abandon the APC,” he said.

He also debunked the idea of becoming a minister after leaving office as governor, saying he was minister at age 43 and would not like to be minister again at 63.

He also said President Muhammadu Buhari was not aware of the threat by terrorists to abduct both of them as the president was not aware of the threat.

He said he had been advocating for the bombing of terrorists’ camps in the past five years, insisting that it was the only solution to the security challenges.

“Insecurity is a major challenge and the disturbing thing is that, despite our efforts at the state level, the situation is getting worse.

“It is affecting our efforts to bring investors into the state and

even those that have invested, their business is not moving as expected,” he said.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the APC, Chief Sam Nkire has said the country cannot afford to shut down all sectors of the economy due to the solidarity strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) with university workers who are on strike.

Nkire stated this in a statement issued yesterday, where he also called on the federal government to urgently take action to avert the looming solidarity strike in the interest of peace and unity of the country.

Nkire stated: "The country could not afford to shut down all labour activities in the country at this point in time, when political, economic and social situations are boiling at very high temperatures."

He appealed to both parties in the dispute to consider the present economic and security situations in the nation, as well as the plight of the idle student population and apply the spirit of give and take in resolving the issues involved.

He described ASUU as being insensitive towards the suffering and academic losses of the Nigerian students.

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NEWS

PROMOTING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY...

L-R: Mrs. Jane Aihrube who represented the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Aishah Ahmad; MD Post Assurance Limited, Lekan Ajisafe; Rep of Modupe Cole Foundation, Ufuoma Sunny Okpuru, recipient of AAF grant; MD AT3 Resources, Tosin Adefeko, and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele at the launch of Alice Ajisafe Foundation held at Eko Hotel, Lagos… recently

NCAA: Aviation Sector in Crisis, Dollar Scarcity, Weakening Naira Impacting Operations Says financial health of some airlines not sustainable Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), yesterday said with rising dollar scarcity, weakening value of the naira against the dollar as well as the rocketing price of jet-A1, the industry is currently experiencing a full blown crisis.

Describing the problem as ‘horrible', the Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, who spoke on the state-run television station, NTA, noted that the triple challenges have combined to throw the sector into some form of instability.

Aviation fuel is currently selling at about N1000, while the cost of operations in the sector has generally climbed in recent months, resulting in a massive rise in the cost of flight tickets.

“We indeed have a crisis.

And now first of all, it’s about

the scarcity and unavailability of jet -A1 which is a significant component of the direct operating costs of any airline.

“The increase in price is about five times over what it was less than a year ago. And to compound matters, not only the scarcity of foreign exchange, but the exchange rate itself has deteriorated significantly, doubling the cost of the airlines operations in terms of maintenance, training of pilots, buying spare parts and the purchase of fuel,” he stated.

Nuhu added that due to the crisis in Ukraine and Russia, the international price of jet A1 has increased significantly and at the same time , the value of the naira has decreased significantly , while the dollar has been getting stronger, creating multiple jeopardies.

According to him, with the current situation, the NCAA has

Fayemi Commences Construction of 1000km Rural Roads in Ekiti

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Governor Kayode Fayemi has commenced the construction of 1000 kilometres roads across 16 local government areas of Ekiti State.

Fayemi said the programme would be undertaken through a World Bank co-sponsored project targeted at transforming the rural economy and of which Ekiti had been listed as a beneficiary.

Speaking with newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Fayemi, represented by the Project Coordinator of Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (EK-RAAMP), Sunday Adunmo, said he had in 2021 commenced construction work on six pilot roads which were prerequisite for the state to be added to the project, which now has 19 participating states.

Fayemi stated that the work was in top gear to ensure the completion of the roads even as asphalt laying had begun on one of the six roads.

While allaying fears over the continuity of the RAAMP programme in the state following the transition of the Fayemi-led administration, he said the governor- elect, Biodun Oyebanji was part of the present

administration which initiated Ekiti’s inclusion in RAAMP. "Biodun Oyebanji had severally expressed readiness to make rural road construction a key component of the administration’s agricultural development agenda.

"The RAAMP initiative would transform the state economy by providing motorable road access to farms and connecting them to market hubs with the aim of curbing losses experienced by farmers as a result of poor road network.

"The ongoing construction of cargo airport in Ado Ekiti would be of immense benefit to the RAAMP project as the State would ensure maximum use of the airport for transporting farm produce to other States and countries.

"In a couple of months, the state would begin construction of many rural roads and market hubs with the aim of making agriculture a lucrative business for farmers and making Ekiti State the food basket of the South West Nigeria.

"The State RAAMP is targeting construction of 1000km of rural roads across the 16 local government areas of the State," Fayemi said.

begun an audit of some of the airlines, noting that the health of the airlines was not sustainable if things continue as they are.

“Indeed, we do have a serious crisis. We've started the financial and economic health audit of some couple of airlines and what I can say is that it’s not sustainable.

“A significant amount of money is wiped out just getting jet-A1 to fuel the airlines. Unfortunately, flight delays cancellations come when an airline goes or takes hours to negotiate (for fuel). And some of the airlines because of previous debt, they have the fuel suppliers asking for cash payment.

“So, if you're operating a flight, you have to cough out N5 million depending on how much you have to pay for supplies in cash for fuel. So, all these contribute to making an already bad situation worse,” he pointed out.

He stated that for the NCAA, the situation has increased the amount of work it has to do because it has had to continue to mount heightened surveillance and ensure that despite the difficulties, airlines comply with the rules and regulations.

“So, it's not the best situation, but we can assure the traveling public that we're doing our best to work with the airlines to ensure the continued safe operations of all flights.

“Over the last couple of years, due to some challenges and some difficulties we're having in land transportation, aviation has become the preferred means of transportation.

“Aviation sector has become more particularly critical than what it used to be to the economy and with the difficulties the airlines have, it (shutdown of multiple airlines) is going to have a significant impact on economic activities,” he added.

Stressing that aviation globally remains a catalyst for economic growth and development, Nuhu said that there has be collaboration of all actors in the sector to find a solution to the crisis.

“It's going to have a negative impact if we have to shut them down due to their inability to continue operating safely because of the difficult situations they have. It is going to have a significant negative impact on

the economy.

“People can’t travel, businesses will be affected, goods and services cannot be transported.

We're all in this together, including the government, the agencies, the industry,” he explained.

Recently, he recalled that the NCAA had to suspend the operations of Dana Air because it saw the fragile financial stability of the company which could have an impact on safety was unsustainable.

“So it's not the best situation.

In fact, it's a horrible situation we find ourselves in but I keep saying we will keep doing our best to ensure the safety of travellers and sometimes we may take decisions that are not very palatable to the traveling public, but priority for us is safety.

“But also, aviation is business, it is a catalyst for economic growth. So we just have to find a solution to get out of the conundrum the sector finds itself,” he noted.

Also speaking, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Roland Iyayi,

aligned with Nuhu on the cost of fuel, stressing that it has increased by at least five times in the last 24 months.

“The margins airlines have is less than five per cent of their total. So if you're talking about a situation where fuel, a component that is about maybe 40 per cent or 50 per cent of your cost having gone up, there's no way you can look at an airline and sustain the same pricing for airline tickets.

“So it is impossible to sustain what airlines have been doing over the years. So invariably, what we have now is a situation where it's been compounded by the fact that there's a scarcity of foreign exchange for airlines to be able to acquire spares to maintain their operation safely.

“So with all of these factors, it's become very important that airlines actually review their pricing to indicate the current trends. There's no way they can sustain fares that are below cost, you must produce at a particular cost. And for you to stay in business, it has to be cost plus profit,” he noted.

Court Admits Suspended Accountant General, Two Others to Bail in Alleged N109bn Fraud Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Jadesola AdeyemiAjayi of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja, yesterday granted bail to the former Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris and two others arraigned before her on an alleged N109 billion fraud.

The bail was granted in line with the same terms and conditions of the earlier administrative bail granted the defendants by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

Idris alongside Mr. Godfrey Akindele, Mr. Mohammed Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited were last week arraigned before the court on a 14- count criminal charge bordering on alleged stealing and breach of trust and

money laundering to the tune of over N109 billion.

However, following their plea of not guilty, the court had ordered their remand at the Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja pending the hearing and determination of their bail application and subsequent trial.

Ruling in the bail applications argued by Chief Chris Uche, Mr. Peter Abalaka and Mr. Mohammed Ndayako for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively, the court held that the offenses charged against the defendants were bailable and that the court was inclined to admit them to bail.

"In line with the due process and supremacy of the law, the defendants are still entitled to bail, irrespective of the enormity of the allegations against them", the court held.

The judge further observed that the EFCC did not in any

of its processes, stated that the defendants misbehaved while on administrative bail.

Conditions attached to the bail was that the defendants must remain within the FCT, Abuja, and must seek consent of the court before travelling out.

Defendants are also to depose to an affidavit of assurance to abide by all their bail conditions.

The court held that the defendants must deposit their passports with the Court's Registrar and also give assurance that they would not procure alternate passports during the pendency of the case.

Meanwhile, the judge ordered that the defendants should remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Center until they are able to perfect their bail conditions.

Part of the 14-count charge against the defendants read: “That you, Ahmed Idris between

February and December, 2021 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being a public servant by virtue of your position as the Accountant General of the Federation accepted from Olusegun Akindele, a gratification in the aggregate sum of N15.1 billion which sum was converted to the United States Dollars by the said Olusegun Akindele and which sum did not form part of your lawful remuneration but as a motive for accelerating the payment of 13 per cent derivation to the nine oil-producing states in the Federation, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 155 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same section.

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NIGERIA ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2022...

L-R; Conference Chairman, Michael Oyere; Lagos Section Programs Chair/Chairperson for NAICE 2022 Awards Committee, Ms. Priscilla Enwere; SPE Nigeria Council Chairman, Prof. Olafuyi Olalekan and Lagos Section Director & NAICE 2022 Venue and Entertainment Committee Chairman, Mr. Temitope Oshuntuyi during a press conference by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, ABIODUN AJALA Chairman to announce the forthcoming Nigeria Annual International Conference & Exhibition (NAICE 2022) in Lagos....recently

FCTA Resuscitates G7 Security Operations, Vows to Take Out Bandits, Terrorists Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has taken steps to re-invigorate the G7 security operations, which involves security collaboration and partnerships with

states that are contiguous to the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji, hinted at this after the monthly FCT Security Committee meeting, held yesterday and chaired by the FCT Minister,

Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.

Babaji said the re-invigoration of the G7 security operations would see to the commencement of security actions and procedures by members of the G7, which would involve taking the fight

NPA Secures Approval for Designation of Lekki Seaport as Customs Port, Approved Wharf The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) yesterday disclosed that it has secured approval for the designation of Lekki Deep Seaport as Customs Port and Approved Wharf.

According to a statement, in keeping to the promise of ensuring the operational take off for berthing of commercial vessels at the Lekki Deep Seaport before the end of the year 2022, the Authority had written a letter through the Ministry of Transportation seeking expedited presidential approval for the Port to be gazzetted as a Customs Port and Approved Wharf in line with the requirements of the law.

It explained that with the

approval granted by President Muhammadu Buhari, it meant all was set for commercial vessels from across the world to berth and clear cargo at Nigeria’s first Deep Sea Port and first fully automated port.

The Managing Director of the NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko had on July 1st, 2022, whilst receiving the first vessel to berth at the Lekki Deep Seaport said, “the commitment of the NPA to providing every support necessary to place Nigeria on the global list of countries with deep seaports is unflinching.

“This is why matters related to the operationalisation of Lekki Deep Seaport before the end of

Buhari Flays Poor Judges’ Working Condition Promises to act quickly on review of welfare of judicial arm Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has flayed the present working condition of judges in the country, saying the degenerate welfare and working conditions of the nation’s judiciary were serious and would be treated as such.

This is just as he cautioned on the dire state of the country’s economy “currently battling insecurity, corruption and economic challenges,” aggravated by the COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.

Speaking yesterday at the State House, Abuja, while receiving in audience the chairman and representatives of the Body of Benchers, a body of legal practitioners of, “the highest distinction in the legal profession” Buhari stressed that a democratic government like the one he leads, “standing on a tripod comprising the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, cannot stand where one of its three pillars, the judiciary, is not properly nurtured, maintained and sustained to deliver on

its very pivotal constitutional duties.”

The president therefore promised to act quickly on the report of the committee he set up back in 2018 to review the welfare and working conditions of the judiciary.

He said: “Let me assure you that the issues would be given due and urgent attention within the resources available to government.”

Buhari congratulated the Body of Benchers on the successful completion of the, “Benchers’ complex at Jabi,” a building described as impressive that would house the body and provide conference facilities and accepted their invitation to personally commission the structure.

Earlier in his presentation, the chairman of the Body of Benchers, Wole Olanipekun, described the condition under which judges, especially the Justices of the Supreme Court work as pathetic, appalling and below the minimum standards that are required:

this year have been placed on top priority.

“This development shows that Nigeria’s renewed export orientation and the readiness of the NPA to take trade facilitation a notch higher is no fluke.”

to the bandits and terrorists in their camps, mostly located in states bordering the FCT. He, therefore, called for the collaboration and cooperation of residents of the FCT, whom he urged to provide actionable and timely intelligence to the security agencies while also calling them to be security conscious at all times.

He equally assured residents of their safety and urged them to go about their lawful activities.

“I call on residents to give actionable and timely intelligence to all the security agencies and to also be security conscious. I am also assuring them that FCT is safe.

Every member of the community should go about their lawful

businesses.

“We are on top of the situation.

We have deployed our men both overt and covert and we are doing everything possible in synergy with all the security agencies, with the support of our traditional rulers and religious leaders to make sure that FCT is safe,” Babaji said.

Senior Special Assistant on Security to the minister, Ambassador Abu Salihu Mohammed, while corroborating the CP, revealed the readiness of the heads of security agencies in the neighbouring states to participate actively in the G7 operations.

He also called on residents to be wary of fake news especially on the social media, which were

designed to cause panic amongst the citizenry.

Circulating such news, he said would amount to playing into the hands of terrorists, urging residents not to panic, even as he called on them to verify news and other information from relevant and recognised authorities.

The meeting was also attended by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu; Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu; Executive Secretary FCDA, Shehu Hadi Ahmed; heads of the various military formations and para-military organisations in the FCT as well as religious and traditional leaders and area council chairmen.

FG Worried over Persisting Cases of Child Labour in Nigeria, Says Ngige Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government has expressed worry that there are still child labour practices in country despite policies and efforts to eradicate it.

The government's concern came just as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) stated that a research in partnership with UNICEF on the role of social protection in the elimination of child labour' revealed that 1.5 billion children worldwide, aged 0-14, receive no family or child cash benefits.

Speaking yesterday during an interactive session with journalists to commemorate this year's World

Day Against Child Labour 2022, with the theme; "Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour," the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige said the Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with the ILO and other stakeholders have been working assiduously to ensure the elimination of Child Labour in line with SDG. He also said the Ministry recently conducted the Child Labour/ Forced Labour Survey in collaboration with the ILO and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), adding that the last survey was conducted 22 years ago.

On the efforts to reduce incidence of child labour,

Ngige said the government was implementing vigorously the National Children School Feeding Programme (NCSFP) which is the major plank of the battle to fight Child Labour, increasing children school enrolment and preventing children dropping out of schools.

In terms of International Standards, Ngige said Nigeria has ratified the two ILO key Conventions that are instrumental in the elimination of Child Labour Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for work and Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of work.

The Director of the ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Vanessa P'hala

said: "We have a serious situation on our hands, and that is putting it mildly.

"The role of social protection in the elimination of child labour' reveals that 1.5 billion children worldwide, aged 0-14, receive no family or child cash benefits while more than 160 million childrenthat's I in 10 children aged 5-17-are still engaged in child labour, and progress has stalled since 2016.

(ILO, UNICEF 2022')."

She said that without immediate action, the number of children in child labour could rise by 8.9 million by the end of this year, due to increased poverty and vulnerability (ILO and UNICEF 2021).

Controversial Water Bill is Frankenstein Monster, Says Ezekwesili, Charges NASS Not to Pass It Chiemelie Ezeobi Former Minister of Education and Founder, School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), Oby Ezekwesili has urged the National Assembly not to pass the controversial Water Resources Bill.

Describing it as a Frankenstein Monster, she said the Bill was dressed up as a military decree, adding that it needed to be worked on before it was drafted.

Flaying the intent, content and tone of the bill, she said it showed a complete lack of capacity to learn from present failures in governance.

In a Tweeting on her page @

Obyezeks she wrote "I have read through the Water Resources Bill and sincerely advise @nassnigeria @SPNigeria @NGRSenate @ DrAhmadLawan @HouseNGR @SpeakerGbaja to not pass it.

Naaaaa.

"There’s simply too much going on in those proposals that must be unpacked. Deepening centralisation? No please.

"A simple test of appropriateness of the Water Resources Bill as proposed is to answer this core question: How well has the centrethat is, the Federal Government @NigeriaGov performed on all centralised management of resources and institutions that

are best localised? This is (sic..) key.

"There is a legitimate concern of how we as a country can more effectively and equitably manage our cross-boundary waters.

"However the provisions that allows the federal government to arrogate the power to handle this, must stop. We have too much on the Exclusive List. Too much.

"Reading through that Water Resources Bill gave one serious headache. The intent, content and tone showed a complete lack of capacity to learn from our present failures in governance. " The law proposed could have been a dressed-up Military Decree.

Please don’t pass it @nassnigeria.

"Capacity to research, propose, dialogue and design effective laws that help us govern our Shared Assets like waters, efficiently and equitably, in our federation is seriously lacking. It is obvious in the Water Resources Bill.

"There’s more work needed before that Bill is drafted. I therefore appeal to @nassnigeria @ NGRSenate @HouseNGR to please not rush the Water Resources Bill as is through passage.

"It would be another Frankenstein Monster that will do the country no good.

Let’s recommence a process for designing a simple and effective Law on Water."

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POLITICS

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

Moves By Senate to Ensure Nigerians Access Mortgage Facilities Laudable Olubunmi Omoogun writes about moves being made by the Senate to ensure Nigerians have access to mortgage facilities to enable them own housesState

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n Nigeria, like every other country of the world, a home is a fundamental human need. That is why government has been spending money building affordable’ housing, better known as low-cost homes to ensure that people in the country have a safe place to call home.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola and the Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority, Senator Gbenga Ashafa have been working to increase access to home ownership for low income earners through reduced housing cost & alternative financing options.

Today, the Federal Housing Authority has constructed 300,000 homes across Nigeria for low income earners while bringing together experience and expertise from multiple stakeholders to deliver a sustainable and impactful solution to housing in Nigeria.

One of the objectives of the Federal Housing Authority is also to create up to 1.8 million jobs in the construction value chain for Nigerians as well as increase domestic production of construction materials through economies of scale.

The pilot project of Federal Housing Authority which will be replicated across the country sits on 18 hectares of land, housing 764 units of various house types.

The breakdown shows a total of 16 blocks of 3 Bedroom Flats in a block of 8 flats, 32 blocks of 2 Bedroom Flats in a block of 8 Flats, 14 blocks of 1 Bedroom Flats in a block of 16 Flats and 5 Blocks of Terrace duplexes in 4 rows.

To demonstrate the commitment of the National Assembly to bridge the housing deficit and facilitate the provision of more affordable housing facilities in Nigeria, the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Tolu Odebiyi sponsored a Bill for an act to establish the Chartered Institute of Mortgage Bankers and Brokers of Nigeria (CIMBBN) to add value to the housing sector and create greater opportunities for people to own their property in Nigeria, in line with the housing policies of the federal government of Nigeria.

The Bill is seeking to professionally arm mortgage bankers and brokers in the country with the appropriate legal and legislative instrument to function optimally The sponsor of the Bill, Senator Odebiyi said “In a recent report by Price Water

House Coopers (PwC), there is a present deficit of over 17 million houses in Nigeria.

By this figure, experts have also warned that Nigeria will experience a 22 million housing deficit in the next nine to ten years time if nothing is done to address the increasing demand occasioned by the

2.55% continuous increase in population”.

The bill sponsor who is also the Acting Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) further said, “The increase in housing demand calls for the need to urgently deploy all legitimate and legislative solutions to this menace, hence

mortgage comes to mind in this regard”.

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

Can Clement Jimbo Win House of Representatives Seat in Akwa Ibom?

Keresifon Essien ponders over the chances of Clement Jimbo to represent Abak/Etim Ekpo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives come 2023

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ar beyond the transient glories and recognition that high offices fetch for the occupiers, especially in Nigeria, are the huge demands for sobriety and studious relationships and inter-actions with both the sacred and the profane. It is an estate of extreme carefulness.

Yes, this is obviously the period of carefulness in the country, now that there are much uncertainties on the political terrain.

Talking about carefulness here, one person who is very careful of his political direction is Mr. Clement Jimbo, whose emergence on the political podium of Abak in Akwa Ibom State has sent shivers down the spines of many political actors who are now afraid of him.

Since last year, Jimbo, 42 had the intention to run for a seat in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and began consultations with some political stakeholders in the 10 Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State in May, 2022, when he abandoned the Senate ambition and bought the nomination and expression of interest forms of the All-Progressive Congress (APC) for the House of Representatives and passed through the processes of party primaries and emerged the candidate for the House of Representatives to represent the good people of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in 2023 poll.

However, it has to be pointed out that his arrival at the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal

Constituency tarmac has caused serious earthquake within the three Local Government Areas, as fear gripped some politicians and stakeholders in the opponents’ camps.

The young Estate Surveyor turned Politician believes that he will win at the Polls come 2023, having enjoyed the huge support of the youths and elders of the area, who are clamouring for positive change when he becomes their representative at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

To deliver a sound answer to the posing question: “who is afraid of Clement Jimbo?”, one must take cognisance of his antecedence and personal idiosyncrasies.

After some entreaties from some powerful political heavy-weights for him to back out of the race, he bluntly refused and resolved to protect and justify his party nomination ticket at the polls and the confidence repose in him by his people. The reason for his firm

stance is because of the vision he wants to actualize and appropriate to his Federal constituency.

As they say:” without vision the people perish”. This is the tonic that gives him the energy to propel forward. Just like every successful son of Akwa Ibom State with vision like our iconic brother, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio who with good vision transformed the state from a pedestal entity to a land of promise.

As we know, God is no respecter of anybody, as he brought a green-horn in the mould of a young Godswill Akpabio all the way from Lagos in 2006 into the political scene in spite of so many political juries and he emerged the winner of the PDP Gubernatorial ticket and the 2007 Election to become the 9th Governor of Akwa Ibom State since creation in 1987.

The same God will continue to do new and wonderful things as he has brought Clement Jimbo to actualize the long dreams of the grassroots people of the Federal Constituency. Like little David and Joseph in the Holy Bible who came from nowhere to change the fortune of the people, a determined Clement Jimbo is coming to do likewise for the people of Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika who are happy to produce a knowledgeable, frank and eloquent young man with enormous zeal to stand up and make a case for his people back home with a lucid view to getting a good share of the National cake.

-Essien writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

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Friday July 29, 2022 Vol 27. No 9971

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

THE WANING ALLURE OF ‘EBORA OWU’ FREDERICK NWABUFO reviews an aspect of the current political season and asks, what’s the worth of Obasanjo’s endorsement?

See page 21

HOW TO REVAMP THE ECONOMY BENEDICT ELUJOBA writes on the role of manufacturing in accelerating national development See page 21

EDITORIAL INCEST AND THE SOCIETY

See page 22

1

Presidency’s customary flippant response to senators’ ultimatum to the president shows the administration’s misreading of the political situation, writes BOLAJI ADEBIYI

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Interestingly, while his aides are pretending that their boss is still in charge and working hard at resolving the challenges facing the nation, Buhari, by words and deeds, has given up and has begun the trip back to Daura months before his 29th May 2023 terminal date

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BENEDICT ELUJOBA writes on the role of manufacturing in accelerating national development FREDERICK NWABUFO reviews an aspect of the current political season and asks, what’s the worth of Obasanjo’s endorsement?

THE WANING ALLURE OF ‘EBORA OWU’ Former President Olusegun Obasanjo XVHG WR EH D FKLPHUD +LV LQÁXHQFH was mythical yet sweeping. In the past, Nigeria was too small to contain his stature as he dominated the horizons across Africa and beyond. He lived up to his legend of being a human ‘Orisa’. He is, perhaps, still one of the most respected leaders out of Africa. But Obasanjo’s LQÁXHQFH ZLWKLQ 1LJHULD DSSHDUV WR KDYH ebbed over the years. His words seem to

have lost lustre and his presence vacant of command. Perhaps, when a masquerade comes out to perform all the time, and sometimes without an invitation, it loses its allure and charm. )URP DIWHU KH OHIW R΀FH XS until 2014, Obasanjo had his wonder and thunder. His position on national matters mattered and was sought after.

His missives were denominated ‘‘letter ERPEV·· IRU WKHLU VKHHU TXDOLW\ WR LQÁLFW maximum casualty on the target and sway public opinion. In 2013, former 3UHVLGHQW *RRGOXFN -RQDWKDQ VXͿHUHG ‘’casualty’’ from one of Obasanjo’s missives. Obasanjo wrote an open letter which technically put a nail to the reelection bid of Jonathan.

In the letter titled ‘Before it is too late’, Obasanjo accused Jonathan of many malfeasances. He said: “Allegation of keeping over 1000 people on political watch list rather than criminal or security watch list and training snipers and other armed personnel secretly and clandestinely acquiring weapons to match for political purposes like Abacha and training them where Abacha trained his own killers, if it is true, it cannot augur well for the initiator, the government and the people of Nigeria.” He also accused Jonathan of cleaving Nigeria apart – along the weak seams of north-south and Christian-Muslim. According to him, Jonathan was favouring and promoting his Ijaw kin to the disadvantage of other Nigerians.

Obasanjo’s letter was well-celebrated. ,W ZDV KHOG XS DV D GHÀQLWLYH DQG summary verdict on the administration of Jonathan. Obasanjo himself was hailed for his “courage and forthrightness”, and for his audacity to look power in the eye and spit the truth. But all of that changed after the 2015 elections.

In 2018, just three years after President Buhari came to power, Obasanjo applied

himself to his accustomed enterprise.

He dispatched an open letter to Buhari, accusing him of incompetence.

According to Obasanjo: “The lice of poor performance in government – poverty, insecurity, poor economic management, nepotism, gross dereliction of duty, condonation of misdeed – if not outright encouragement of it, lack of progress and hope for the future, lack of national cohesion and poor management of internal political dynamics and widening inequality – are very much with us today.” ,Q 2EDVDQMR ÀUHG D VDOYR +H accused Buhari of failing to address insecurity, of nepotism and of sundry ineptitudes. Obasanjo’s uppercut: “For over ten years, for four of which you have been the captain of the ship, Boko Haram has menacingly ravaged the land and in spite of government’s claim of victory over Boko Haram, the potency and the activities of Boko Haram, where they are active, remain undiminished, putting lie to government’s claim. The main issue, if I may dare say, is poor management or mismanagement of diversity which, on the other hand, is one of our greatest and most important assets. As a result, the very onerous cloud is gathering. And the rain of destruction, violence, disaster and disunity can only be the outcome.”

In 2021, Obasanjo reprised himself in another letter to Buhari. But over time, his take or opinion on national matters has become tepid, vapid, and lacking in magnetism to hold public interest and to sway public opinion. His opinions have lost the power to cause mortal damage.

And those who once eulogised him as the incarnation of courage, truth, and honesty, when it was convenient to do so IRU SROLWLFDO UHDVRQV DUH QRZ KLV ÀHUFHVW critics. +DV WKH (ERUD 2ZX EHHQ GHP\VWLÀHG" What is the worth of Obasanjo’s HQGRUVHPHQW" Recently, Obasanjo’s hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, Ogun state, became a cynosure of political pilgrimage as politicians fell over themselves to seek his endorsement of their bids. There seems to be a rat race for Obasanjo’s endorsement. Some supporters of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, even claim that the former governor has the blessing of Obasanjo. Although Obasanjo has not publicly declared support for any candidate, there are reports that he is favourably disposed towards Peter Obi’s candidature.

Even at that, Obasanjo’s endorsement cannot take Peter Obi to the presidency. It cannot even take him anywhere.

Obasanjo is a big masquerade. His place in Nigeria’s political progression is undisputed. When iconic leaders are to be counted, Obasanjo will have a place.

But in the cycle of life, there comes a time when the big masquerade will have to retire – when there is no one left in the crowd.

Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is a writer and journalist

HOW TO REVAMP THE ECONOMY In development economics literature, manufacturing is often regarded as the engine of growth and development. The leading economies of the world: USA, China, Germany, Japan, UK etc grew into economic SURPLQHQFH FKLHÁ\ RQ WKH EDFN RI LQGXVWULDO revolutions that were driven by advancements in manufacturing capabilities.

In most emerging economies, manufacturing remains critical to job creation, as well as inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

Manufacturing currently accounts for over half a billion jobs worldwide and around 17 percent of the world’s workforce of about three billion. It goes without saying that for Nigeria to achieve sustained and accelerated economic growth it cannot be an exception. It must improve her manufacturing capacities so as to move from a producer of predominantly primary products WR D SURGXFHU DQG H[SRUWHU RI ÀQLVKHG JRRGV It is the value additions from manufacturing that will enable the country earn far more from the global markets while creating new employment and attracting foreign direct investment as well as increasing returns to the government through improved taxes and levies.

This is why, for about a decade, the focus of the federal government has been on economic GLYHUVLÀFDWLRQ DQG UHGXFLQJ JRYHUQPHQW·V dependence on crude oil as the major revenue or foreign exchange earner. The country’s performance though still leaves a lot to be GHVLUHG 2YHU WKH ODVW ÀYH \HDUV 1LJHULD·V top non-oil exports have been dominated by raw materials. For instance, a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monthly report in February 2021 revealed that in November 2020, Olam Nigeria Limited topped the list with a value of $26.65m from the export of cocoa beans, cashew nuts and sesame seeds to Turkey and China. $ QRWDEOH PDQXIDFWXUHU RI ÀQLVKHG JRRGV that has remained consistently among the WRS ÀYH QRQ RLO H[SRUWHUV RYHU WKH ODVW WKUHH years is British American Tobacco (Nigeria) Limited (BAT Nigeria) from the export of cigarettes to several West African countries.

In the referenced monthly CBN report, BAT Nigeria had total exports of $12.57m. This is made possible due to the Company’s $185m cumulative investment in a state-of-the-art factory in Ibadan which has created over 350,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.

BAT Nigeria’s operations have also earned the country over $900m in taxes and other levies in 20 years, while repatriating over $100m in foreign exchange per annum and supporting additional foreign direct investments of USD30m by a principal supplier.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics reveals that up until Q4 2021, Sesame seeds remained Nigeria’s major non-oil export, only recently toppled in Q1 2022 by Urea (which is a by-product of crude oil). These are indicators that show the urgency with which Nigeria must improve her manufacturing capacity.

The list of top non-oil exporters must be increasingly populated by manufacturers of ÀQLVKHG SURGXFWV LQ ERWK YROXPH DQG YDOXH Nigeria needs more companies that will establish factories to increase the country’s RXWSXW RI ÀQLVKHG JRRGV )RU LQVWDQFH companies that will process cocoa into export quality chocolates rather than aggregators that export cocoa beans. Factories that will produce leather bags, shoes and other accessories rather than our heavy exports of processed leather. The same applies for other raw material exports such as sesame seeds,

cashew nuts, gum Arabic etc such that Nigeria will enjoy more FDI; increased foreign exchange repatriation; improved earnings from taxes and levies as well as job creation from many more companies as it currently does with BAT Nigeria.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) 2022 Industrial Development Report recommends that in preparing for the future, countries around the world would need to “strengthen their manufacturing and digital capabilities and promote mutual learning and knowledgeVKDULQJ µ ,W QRWHV VSHFLÀFDOO\ WKDW ´LQ developing economies, governments and business leaders must strive to foster the development of domestic production capabilities to ensure long-term resilience in a rapidly changing global industrial landscape.”

The Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria (MAN) has remained in the IRUHIURQW RI HͿRUWV WR IRVWHU DQ HQDEOLQJ environment for manufacturing and industrialization in the country, along with employers’ unions, private sector organisations and economic experts.

They have continued to outline the problems that plague the manufacturing sector including unfavourable business environment; erratic power supply; poor and decaying physical infrastructure; multiple taxation; high interest rates; and inconsistency in government policies, ZKLOH DOVR SURͿHULQJ VROXWLRQV At the recently concluded Nigeria Employers Summit 2022 in Abuja, the CEO, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, LGHQWLÀHG VSLUDOLQJ LQÁDWLRQ H[FKDQJH rate depreciation and volatility in forex market; the multiplicity of taxes and levies; and trade policy issues as some of the problems militating against investment and ease of doing businesses in the country.

“Manufacturers need to be supported by trade policies, considering that they import raw materials and machinery and the challenges that come with it. ,QDSSURSULDWH PRQHWDU\ DQG ÀVFDO SROLFLHV could make or unmake any investment in any economy. These policies are at the centre of an enabling environment for business. Hence, there is an imperative of reform in the entire international trade ecosystem and the general macroeconomic management system of the country,” he added. Other speakers at the Summit also called for the introduction of sustainable regulatory frameworks that will secure current investment in the country and create additional investment opportunities WKDW DUH EHQHÀFLDO WR WKH QDWLRQ·V HFRQRP\ In its 2021 second-half economic review contained in a May 26, 2022 report, the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) noted that the foreign exchange crisis, which is responsible for the depreciation of the Naira value compared to convertible currencies such as the US dollar, diminishes the size of manufacturing and the incentives of manufacturers in the country as Naira value depreciation causes the costs of manufacturing raw materials and machinery imports to escalate.

Elujoba is of the Centre for Promotion of Enterprise and Business Best Practices

22 4

T H I S D AY

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

INCEST AND THE SOCIETY Despite the law against incest, the highly destructive social menace is becoming rampant in our country

A

with it. Also, because incest is horrendous and could n Inspector of Police in Nasarawa State bring a huge amount of shame and stigma on the family, has allegedly raped and impregnated incidences go unreported to the authorities for criminal his 15-year-old niece. In Ekiti State, prosecution. Regardless, in most Nigerian societies, another 15-year- old girl was raped incest is one of the most widespread of all cultural and impregnated by her stepfather taboos, both in the present and in the past, according in what is fast becoming an epidemic to sociologists and psychiatrists. Most modern societies of incest in our country. These bizarre stories pour in have laws regarding incest. daily, inundating law enforcement personnel who are Incest is a crime in Nigeria by virtue of Section 3, not equipped to prosecute or who themselves are now subsection 1, sub-sub section b of the Matrimonial Causes complicit. Most of these cases, even when reported, are Act. Also, Section 33 of the Marriage Act forbids sexual settled out of court, which may account for the paucity of relations and marriage among people who are related data on the social problem that is damaging our society. by blood. It is captured Incest is human sexual as “Prohibited degree of activity between family consanguinity.” Incestuous members or blood While some people blame the prevalence of incest in Nigeria on broken relationships or marriages relatives; it is a crime of are further prohibited in having sexual intercourse homes and substance abuse, this is a forbidden red line most families the 1st Schedule (Section with a parent, child, sibling, hardly want to cross or discuss because of the discomfort and trauma 3) of the Matrimonial or grandchild. Reports Causes Act, Cap 220, Law from the media indicate associated with it of the Federation of Nigeria that incest is becoming (LFN) 1990, where it lists an uncontrollable rash, the prohibited degree of consanguinity to include T H I S D AY occurring between father and daughter, mother and son, EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU that between father and daughter, mother and son, brother and sister, uncles, nephews, and nieces, while DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA brother and sister, uncle and aunt, niece, and nephew. even minors are not spared.

MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO In addition, Section 214 (3) of the Criminal Code Act (a 7KHUH DUH VFLHQWLÀF UHDVRQV ZK\ LQFHVW LV SURKLELWHG ,W DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU criminal law that is applicable in and covers all parts of CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI is to avoid inbreeding: a collection of genetic disorders EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN Nigeria), Caption 77, Law of the Federation of Nigeria VXͿHUHG E\ WKH FKLOGUHQ RI SDUHQWV ZLWK D FORVH JHQHWLF MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI (LFN) prescribes a minimum of 14 years’ imprisonment relationship. Such children are at greater risk for THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE for those found guilty of incestuous liaison, which it congenital disorders, death, and developmental and UHIHUUHG WR DV ´RͿHQFH DJDLQVW PRUDOLW\ µ physical disability, and that risk is proportional to how The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP FORVH WKHLU SDUHQWV DUH 9LFWLPV RI LQFHVW VXͿHU JUDYHO\ T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D Act) 2015 explains that any form of sexual relations and sometimes throughout their lifetime. They are left EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA between people classed as being too closely related to damaged mentally and emotionally for years. Many GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, marry each other (with or without) consent is incest and ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI must deal with feelings of guilt, shame, and sadness, DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, is liable to a minimum conviction of 10 years without an ending up having anger management problems and ANTHONY OGEDENGBE RSWLRQ RI ÀQH )HZ LI DQ\ FRQYLFWLRQV KDYH EHHQ UHFRUGHG distrust. Some victims have been known to be suicidal DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI in Nigeria. There has been a clarion call from rights and others have taken their own lives.

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH DFWLYLVWV RQ JRYHUQPHQW WR SDVV WKH 6H[XDO 2ͿHQFHV $FW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI While some people blame the prevalence of incest in Nigeria on broken homes and substance abuse, this is a CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI (Amendment) Bill 2019 to protect minors and under-age DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO against sexual exploitation and for states government to forbidden red line most families hardly want to cross or TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com domesticate laws that criminalise incest. discuss because of the discomfort and trauma associated

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

ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA’S WORTHY LEGACY In the light of the celebration of the 2022 National Diaspora Day under the leadership of Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairperson and &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI 1LJHULDQV LQ 'LDVSRUD &RPPLVVLRQ (NiDCOM), this Diaspora psychologist decided to address huPDQ ULJKWV FRQFHUQV UHJDUGLQJ IRUHLJQ DͿDLUV UHODWLQJ WR 1LJHULDQ Diaspora communities and gender equality, as relating to females who still face institutional barriers and discrimination in employment and other settings in Nigeria. In the incoming presidency of either Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or former Vice President Atiku Abuakar or perhaps Mr Peter Obi, and the next legislature, the ZRUN RI 'DELUL (UHZD LQ WKH DUHD RI IRUHLJQ DͿDLUV DV LW UHODWHV WR diaspora voting and women’s rights, should not receive a doomed vote. Only a regressive-thinking society will not be gender sensitive and see females as just reproductive instruments. Dominated male institutions use religion to make female biological conditions a criterion for subordination and unequal.

Nigeria has made some developmental progress, yet the male elites continue to use religion and tradition as an excuse to continue the social system and institutionalized discrimination of women.

7KH ULVH RI D΀UPDWLYH DFWLRQV DQG HYHQ ODZV LQ HYHU\ ZRUNSODFH including in legislatures and educational institutions, are national experiments whose time has come.

Female population growth is far greater in every country, but OHJLVODWLYH DWWHPSWV WR LPSOHPHQW D΀UPDWLYH DFWLRQ IRU ZRPHQ have repeatedly failed due to overwhelming rejection, especially in Nigeria. The coming administration and National Assembly should be a part of the progressive world by making changes to the constitution or enacting meaningful laws to allow female citizens full presence in various sectors. Nigeria’s legislators need to unGHUVWDQG WKDW D΀UPDWLYH DFWLRQ DV D SROLF\ ZLOO VWULYH WR HOLPLQDWH barriers in the system and customs towards female groups because of a history of injustice and inequality, and will help to promote an inclusive society, which is a precondition for democracy, integration, and diversity.

While I can understand some concerns about provision to allocate special seats for women to increase their political representaWLRQ ZKDW 1LJHULD VKRXOG XQGHUVWDQG LV WKDW D΀UPDWLYH DFWLRQ DFWV DV DQ HQJLQH IRU VRFLDO PRELOLW\ IRU GLUHFW DQG RYHUDOO EHQHÀWV 7KLV type of progressive move could lead to more diverse leadership, which can gradually result in economic growth.

For the sake of diversity, female attitudes, and their great cogQLWLYH FDSDFLWLHV ZKLFK FDQ VRPHWLPHV EH GLͿHUHQW IURP WKRVH RI men, add value to the economy and public life. Females are known IRU WKHLU DGYDQWDJHV LQ YHUEDO ÁXHQF\ SHUFHSWXDO VSHHG SUHFLVLRQ

ÀQH PRWRU VNLOOV FRQWUROOHG HPRWLRQV DQG EHWWHU PDQDJHULDO GHFLsion-making skills.

Dabiri-Erewa, who once encouraged this writer to return to my native home and contribute my specialties in nation building (which I used to do periodically) continues to advocate for Diaspora voting rights while supporting the cause of human rights, including women’s rights in Nigeria. In a male-dominated political environment in a country of over 200 million people, women voices in the legislature and government will act as social tools and provide leadership to aggressively and adequately pursue and practicalize enforced anti-child marriage, domestic violence, and work harassment programs.

In the incoming administration and legislature, along with the work of Dabiri-Erewa in Nigeria’s foreign policy, more responsible HͿRUWV IRU DOO PDWWHUV UHODWLQJ WR 'LDVSRUD YRWLQJ ULJKWV VKRXOG EH critically attended to and accomplished. The issues of full diversity in the legislature, executive management, higher education leadership, business activities, and security/enforcement leadership VKRXOG EH HTXDOO\ IXOÀOOHG DV WKH\ FRXQW WRZDUGV EXLOGLQJ D EHWWHU Nigeria.

Prof. John Egbeazien Oshodi can be reached at info@teuopen.university

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 29, 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

2 1 , 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%

Stakeholders Decry Economic Loss of Exporting Nigerian Goods by Road as against Airfreight NIGERIA GDP FROM TRANSPORT 2022

Chinedu Eze Stakeholders in the aviation industry have expressed concern over the huge economic loss of exporting Nigerian goods to other countries by road, instead of airlifting such goods from airports across the country.

According to them, the objective of the federal government to promote non-oil exports and strive to have balance of trade by improving exports of perishables and other products may not be realised, due to avoidable obstacles that make it very difficult to airfreight made-in-Nigeria goods.

At the Zenith Bank 7th Annual

International Trade Seminar on Non-oil export held in Lagos last week, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, frowned at the current situation where Nigerian goods are taken by road to neighbouring countries and exported overseas as goods produced by Ghana, Togo and others which receive the foreign exchange at the expense of Nigeria.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote also lamented obstacles to export made-in-Nigeria goods and stressed that the huge revenues earned by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) would not be as high

if Nigeria is importing so much and exporting very little.

He emphasised that Nigeria is today known as import oriented country, which has contributed immensely in weakening the local currency and advised that increase in exports would help to strengthen the naira.

These deliberations prompted THISDAY to carry out investigation on export of goods by air and what challenges the exporters face at the airports.

THISDAY findings revealed that there is the tendency of federal government agencies at the

airports, including the NCS, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and even the Nigerian Police to rip off the exporters.

This combined with high charges by these agencies, has made it very difficult for exporters to carry out rewarding business.

It was also variously confirmed that goods are delayed by avoidable bureaucracy by the aforementioned until some of them, especially agricultural produce are damaged and wasted to the exporters’ loss.

THISDAY also gathered that the most adversely affected are small

and medium scale export oriented businesses that export a lot of goods on marginal profits, After bribing their way through, they will not have anything to gain from the exercise.

Those who spoke to THISDAY described the extortion as ‘despicable disincentive’ to export of goods by air.

Commenting, the Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SACO), Mr. Basil Agboarumi, told THISDAY that in order to know the impact of these obstacles it would be good to find out why airlines that freight cargo to Nigeria fly back empty against their wishes.

This, he revealed, was due to high charges on the goods, the opaque export process and the stumbling blocks, which if Nigeria is seriously desirous of boosting its export, would have used policies to check.

“We told government what to do to enhance export of made-inNigeria goods but they didn’t listen to anybody. It is embarrassing that many cargo planes that bring goods to Nigeria go back empty. This will tell you that there is a problem why that is happening. That should be attributed to government policy, Continued on page 26

Analysts: Prolonged Russia-Ukraine Crisis Will Dampen Nigeria’s Economic Prospect James Emejo in Abuja Analysts have warned that the current economic difficulties in Nigeria could deteriorate should the Russian-Ukrainian war linger.

The Chairman, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Abuja Branch, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, said the situation could further widen the

government’s fiscal deficit while the stock market would witness negative investors’ sentiments.

Uwaleke, in an interview with THISDAY, said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is currently hamstrung and could do little to respond to the growing threat of inflation in the country because the problem is largely structural.

He said, “I submit that to tackle inflation, we need to first identify the major drivers. Gladly, the NBS has been publishing CPI data promptly which points to cost-push (as opposed to Demand-Pull) factors.

“If the price pressure is coming from the rising cost of petroleum products (PMS, Aviation fuel, Diesel, Kerosene- no thanks to

the Russian Ukrainian conflict), electricity, transport costs from weak infrastructure and food shortages due in part to insecurity and smuggling, the CBN becomes hamstrung and can do little.”

Reacting to the recent hike in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the apex bank, in response to

inflationary pressures, the former Imo State Commissioner for Finance said, “The reality is that the traditional monetary tools have reached their limits.

“Therefore, the solution does not lie in tightening monetary policy. Raising rates at a time the economy’s growth is still tepid and the government has mapped out

plans to borrow to finance the deficit will only create distortions in the economy.”

He said, “I think the ‘fiscal theory of price level’ which concedes a greater role to the fiscal authorities in taming inflation finds application here. At best, the CBN Continued on page 25

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, J U LY 2 8 , 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

Yield

Change (%)

104.87

10.86

1.87

104.77

11.39

0.00

103.38

11.30

-0.14

115.70

11.79

0.07

110.43

11.40

0.00

Updated Time July 22, 2022 July 22, 2022 July 22, 2022 July 22, 2022 July 22, 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

11.17

0.00 July 22, 2022

9.75

9.88

0.00 July 22, 2022

9.00

9.19

0.00 July 22, 2022

3.90

3.95

0.00 July 22, 2022

NTB 26-Jan23

7.50

7.80

0.00 July 22, 2022

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

Discount Yield

Change Updated Time (%)

18.99 19.03

1.45 July 22, 2022

15.15 15.21

1.20 July 22, 2022

17.19 17.99

-2.73 July 22, 2022

11.41 11.76

-2.65 July 22, 2022

10.59 10.90

-2.65 July 22, 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 22, 2022 July 22, 2022 July 22, 2022 July 22, 2022 July 22, 2022

24

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

AIR WATCH

Customs Intercepts Smuggled Rice, Tramadol Worth N7bn The Comptroller General of Customs, Strike Force, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has announced that it intercepted N7billion worth of contraband smuggled into the country from neighboring countries between January to June 2022.

In a chat with newsmen in Lagos, the Coordinator, Strike Force Unit, DC Mohammed Yusuf, said four suspects were arrested in connection with the smuggled items.

“The seized items were, 8,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 5Okg each, equivalent to 13 trucks; 1x40ft container of Tramadol; Sildenafil citrate; 1613 bottles of 100ml Codeine III; 1079 bales of secondhand clothing; 3,695 pieces of used tyres. Others are, 966 slabs of Donkey skin; 77,760 pairs of new Ladies shoes; 5,250 pairs of used shoes; and 197 logs of wood, “he said.

Yusuf, explained that, his team

has suppressed smuggling, prevent revenue loss, protects environmental degradation, unlawful poaching of wildlife poaching, protect the national economy and improving importers’ compliance.

He said, “Our operational capacity received a big boost with additional new Toyota Hilux vehicles from the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, which provided support for suppressing smuggling, prevent revenue loss, protects environmental degradation, unlawful wildlife poaching and in all, protect the national economy.”

“Specifically speaking, importing what we can produce threatens our economy, unlawful felling of trees degrades the environment and promotes deforestation while illegal killing of wildlife creatures and endangered species like pangolin and donkeys for their scales and skins respectively, could lead to

these animals extinction.

“With these and other tasks under our purview, we made seizures worth a total duty paid value (DPV) N7.4billion with Four arrested suspects in connection with some of the seizures during the period under review.”

“Through our meticulous checks on import documents, we were able to recover the sum of N3.14billion through issuance of Demand Notices (DN). This was done sequel to our discoveries of short payment of duties within the period of six months.

“This amount would have been lost, but for our vigilance and uncompromising disposition in the discharge of our duties.

Within the same period in 2021, a total collection of N1.81billion was made which showed an increase of N1.33billion representing 73% of revenue increase, “he said.

A I R WATCH NIMET Records 95% Accurate Weather Precision in 15 Years

NLNG, NPA to Partner on Deployment of Vessel Traffic Service The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have agreed on a partnership geared towards the deployment of a Vessel Tracking Service (VTS).

This commitment was made when the Managing Director of the NLNG Dr. Phillip Mshelbila paid a partnership renewal visit to the NPA Headquarters in Lagos.

The VTS, which is to be deployed through the NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML) a subsidiary of the NLNG will enhance the capacity of the NPA in the area of domain awareness

and management.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of the NPA, Mohammed Bello said, “we are greatly delighted by this development especially as it is coming at a time when we are ramping up efforts under the technical guidance of the IMO to deploy the Port Community System (PCS) since the effective safety communication with vessel-to-shore and vesselto-vessel that a VTS enables actually supports the successful deployment of PCS.” Vessel Traffic Service is a control

measure for vessels required to assure the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS); an International Maritime Organization (IMO) Convention which provides safety assurance for the ship, crew, cargo, the environment and ports host community.

This synergy between NPA as a port regulator and trade facilitation platform and the NLNG a major player in the global Liquiefied Natural Gas business signposts a lot of positives for the renewed export orientation of the federal government of Nigeria with the NPA at its vanguard.

Jidda Commends Chinese, Nigerian Govts over Air Peace’s China Service Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Baba Ahmad Jidda, has commended the governments of China and Nigeria for deepening bilateral ties through the approval of Air Peace’s scheduled, commercial flights to Guangzhou-China, which commenced on July 13, 2022.

This is as the diplomat also called on the Chinese government to relax the travel restrictions for Nigerians willing to fly to the Asian country.

Jidda made this known in Lagos recently during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, at the airline’s headquarters in Lagos.

Noting that the approval for Air Peace to launch flights into China was given on the strength of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) signed between both countries, he said it took about four years before the agreement was finally implemented.

The Ambassador, who lauded the efforts of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and those of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, stressed that a lot went into getting Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, to finally connect both countries through air travel.

“I want to say that as an ambassador, we still have much to do to support Air Peace to operate comfortably for the benefit of all Nigerians and the Chinese. So far, the Chinese are benefitting tremendously from the operations of Air Peace because Nigerians are having some difficulty in obtaining visas. I, therefore, want to use this medium to plead with the Embassy of China in Abuja, to consider relaxing restrictions on Nigerians, such that Nigerians will be given visa and they will now fly Air Peace and the market of Air Peace will expand. This, to us, is very important.

“Finally, I would like to thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the

Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for making this historic approval of direct flight between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China,” Jidda stated.

In his remarks, Onyema expressed delight over the visit of the Ambassador and emphasised the pivotal role he played in ensuring that Air Peace got the statutory nod to kick off the China route.

Applauding the tremendous support of the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, towards the airline, Onyema emphasised the need for Nigerians to jettison their ethnic differences and support one another.

He affirmed: “This is why I have always believed in the unity of this country. I am Onyema from South East. You are Alhaji Baba Ahmad Jidda from North East. You have been fighting for me. You have been fighting for this Air Peace owned by an Igbo man. And today, we have it, the China route.

CeBIH Elects Female Chairperson, Tasks Exco on New Commitment

Emma Okonji

The Committee of e-Business Industry Heads (CeBIH) has elected Celestina Appeal as its new chairman, alongside other new exco members that will run its affairs in the next dispensation of two years.

The newly elected exco members include Celestina Appeal as Chairman, Folasade Femi Lawal as Vice Chairman, Olayinka Odusote as Secretary, Industry Shared Services, Ajibade Laolu-Adewale as Secretary, Emerging Payments, Wasiu Popoola as Secretary, Fintech Relations, Omotayo Adeniran as Secretary,

Pricing and Revenue Assurance, Siraj Momodu as Secretary, Publicity Advocacy, Lovelyn Iruayennama as Treasurer, Onyeke Ogoegbunam as Internal Auditor and Odunayo Akanbi as Head, e-Banking Operations sub-committee.

They were elected through a voting system, following the completion of the outgoing executive who held the affairs of CeBIH in the last two years.

They were elected during the committee’s first physical meeting since the outbreak of COVID- 19 pandemic.

Before the dissolution of the past

exco, the former Chairman, Yemi Atanda did a recap of what his regime achieved.

Stakeholders present at the election, highlighted the need for anyone interested in leadership to be actively involved in the activities of CeBIH. The newly elected Chair, expressed her gratitude to members who voted her and otyer exco members to serve in the next two years.

Having spent eight years in CeBIH as an active member, she acknowledged the shared vision the committee holds and expressed it as a shared responsibility.

Chinedu Eze As the rains continue to pound different parts of the country, causing severe flooding, the Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof.

Mansur Matazu, has said the agency has recorded 95 per cent precision and accuracy of weather predictions in the last 15 years.

This is far above the accepted minimum standard of 60 per cent, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Speaking on the spate of rainfall in recent days in some parts of the country, Matazu urged Nigerians, especially those in Taraba state and some parts of the South West areas to be weary of more floods as a result of expected rainfall.

He advised Nigerians to be prepared for more flooding in some parts of the country, adding that the climate change has affected the activities across the world.

The NiMet Director General regretted that most states and local government areas are not captured in the weather prediction system, so that weather changes in those areas could be monitored.

He said there is the need for MDAs to adhere to NiMet’s predictions in order to mitigate the impact of flooding and explained that poor response has remained the factor leading to devastations caused by weather.

He therefore called for adequate compliance to avoid the tragic consequence of flooding that could be avoided through preemptive action.

Matazu however expressed optimism that with the agency’s good working relationship with the National Orientation Agency and Ministry of Communication, a lot of sensitisation would be done to ensure that people take climate forecast into their daily activities.

On adherence to forecast by farmers, Matazu explained that the agency had distributed farmers’ rain gauge to them for monitoring to enable them to feedback the agency and urged Nigerians to desist from dropping refuse into the water channels and to stop building on waterways to mitigate flooding.

Matazu also explained that the agency’s collaborations with various partners, government and non-governmental organizations to co-produce and deliver user-defined impact-based products and services has led to accurate, reliable and timely weather forecast.

According to him, across all continents of the world, humanitarian crisis is on the increase, requiring cooperation and various levels of partnership to overcome such challenges and also observed that developments of nations are being jeopardised in an atmosphere of chaos, diseases, disaster, epidemics, food insecurity, hazard and many more.

Earlier this year, NiMet announced its weather prediction for the year and said the rest of the year was looking good.

Presenting the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) to the nation, with the theme, “Strengthening Climate Actions through Timely and Impact-based Climate Prediction for Economic Recovery,” Matazu explained that the Seasonal Climate Prediction falls under the category of NiMet’s long-term forecasts in

contrast to its weather forecasts that range from nowcasting to short and medium forecasts.

The SCP contains information on the onset and cessation dates of the cropping season; length of the growing period; rainfall amount; temperature forecasts for the hot season (January to April); dry spell and little dry season; malaria and meningitis vigilance, and socio-economic implications of the predictions.

According to the 2022 SCP, the earliest onset of the planting season is expected to begin by February 28 in the coastal parts of the country, while the onset of rainfall is expected to commence between April and May in the central states, and eventually within June to July in the northern states.

The onset of the planting season is predicted to be normal over most parts of Nigeria with a few areas having it earlier, while some areas would have it delayed. The document predicting rainfall cessation dates across most parts of the country in 2022 to be near the long-term average conditions.

The NiMet also anticipated that the gap between the onset and cessation dates would be regarded as safe periods for the planting of various crops in accordance with their cropping calendars.

It anticipated the growing season to last between 250 to 300 days in southern parts of the country, 100 to 200 days in the North. According to the report, the areas around Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Benue, Bayelsa and Rivers states are likely to experience a shorter than normal length of the growing season. It then forecast prolonged length of the growing season in parts of Plateau, Kaduna, Edo, and Imo states.

For the annual total rainfall, the prediction indicates that the annual rainfall amount is expected to be normal in most parts of the country. The annual rainfall amount is expected to range from 390 mm in the North to over 2,790 mm in the South; on the other hand, annual rainfall amount ranging from 390 mm to 790mm is anticipated in some parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina and Sokoto states.

Other states envisaged by NiMet to have total rainfall include Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Benue, FCT, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo with records of 1,190 mm to 1,590 mm. It, however, forecast dry spells from May to August, noting that moderate dry spells would persist for 15 days in Adamawa, Benue, Kogi, Ekiti, Kwara, Niger, FCT, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Gombe. Other areas to be affected include parts of Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, while Nasarawa and Plateau states are to experience a severe dry spell for 20 days or longer.

With regard to temperature, the agency predicted daytime and night-timetemperature for the months of January to April, from which the country is projected to expect warmer January, cooler days in February over the North but warmer nights over the South. Interestingly, warmer days over the North and cooler nights around the South are predicted for the month of March. The month of April is forecast to experience warmer daytime temperatures and cooler than long-term average night-time temperatures.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Domestic Carriers Struggling to Survive Despite High Cost of Operation As Nigerian airlines strive to adjust to the new realities of high cost of aviation fuel, depleting passenger traffic and scarcity of forex, Chinedu Eze writes that the trying period may be the most precarious for the airlines, as many grapple with uncertain future

A

t the Air Transport Service Senor Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) secretariat, located at the Concord area of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, there was no rumbling noise of aircraft taking off overhead the building.

The building, which also houses the secretariat of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) is at the flight route of Runway 18L, which is the domestic runway. Immediately aircraft takes off from the runway, it flies above the building in seconds. But recently, the aircraft take off sound has reduced, an indication that flight has also reduced. In the past at least aircraft takes off every 10 minutes, but that is no more in recent times.

A recent visit at the domestic terminal, known as MMA2, showed low activities at the departure hall, as few passengers were queuing for flights or buying tickets. The hustle and bustle was gone. A ground staff of one of the airlines told THISDAY that activities had drastically gone down but there was high passenger turnout in the morning, “but not like what we used to have in the past.”

Some ticketing officers of various airlines were having a rest in their cubicles; some checking in counters were idle, while travellers sporadically turn in to buy tickets. THISDAY noticed that Max Air was checking in Lagos-Kano passengers, while Azman Air was boarding passengers upstairs.

HIGH COST OF TICKETS

A passenger, who bought a return ticket on Sunday to travel to Abuja from Lagos and back on Tuesday, paid as much as N192, 000, which is almost N100, 000 for one leg of the trip. Industry observers say that not many Nigerians can afford to pay for such “outrageous fares”, but that is airlines’ response to the “outrageous” cost of aviation fuel. A top operator told THISDAY that about 55 per cent of passengers could still be travelling “ and they can only travel when it is very necessary and I foresee a situation whereby airlines would scale down their operation because not many will be needing their service and even sourcing aviation fuel is difficult.”

But with the withdrawal Aero Contractors and Dana Air from service, it is expected that existing airlines would still have enough passengers to attend to.

Former CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, said the reduction in the number of airlines would further shrink the number of operating aircraft and with increase in demand and limited supply of equipment, airfares will continue to rise.

“The impact of removing two airlines out of already depleted sector will definitely impact on the capacity and lead to increase in the price of tickets. Demand will increase in the face of shortage of available seats. This may give rise to panic buying, as airlines with the knowledge that two airlines are down would increase their prices and force people to start booking ahead. So the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should ensure that it effectively regulates the industry.

It should look at the health of the airlines, their finances and also protection of the consumers,” Sanusi said.

However, Spokesman of Air Peace, Stanley Olisa, told THISDAY that despite the fuel crisis, the nation’s biggest carrier is doing everything possible to meet the demand of its customers and so far has continued to operate its route network and despite the challenges, the airline has just opened flight to China and would soon extend its wings to India.

“The fuel crisis is impacting on every airline but we have maintained our operation and continue to service our route network. The number of aircraft we have now is even more than what we had five months ago. We know we have customers to serve and despite the challenge we just started operation to China and soon we will extend our service to India. So we still service our route network; although the fuel crisis is affecting every airline, but so far we have been able to sustain seamless service to our customers,” he said.

WORSENING SUPPLY SITUATION

It has become evident that as Nigeria continues to import refined fuel products it would continue to suffer hiccups because of the depreciation of the naira and dearth of forex. THISDAY learnt that it is becoming increasingly difficult sourcing foreign exchange to import these products and the only decisive solution is local refining of the products.

The CEO of CleanServe Integrated Energy Solutions Limited, Chris Ndulue, told THISDAY that the cost of aviation fuel might continue to rise as long as the price of crude remained high in the international market and Nigeria is still importing. So the price of the product is determined by the price of crude, the exchange rate and landing cost. He said that the marketers are also facing their own challenges because you may finish selling the product but you won’t see another one to buy and you may finish selling but you need to double the funds you used to buy the same volume of product you just sold because the cost has increased. He said that the solution to the crisis is local refining of fuel products and commended the airlines for the efforts they are making to remain in service and urged government to give the airlines support and incentive to help them sustain their operation. On Wednesday THISDAY reported that the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said there was no immediate solutions to the multi-pronged crises rocking Nigeria’s aviation sector.

He stated this after a meeting with the Airline Operators Association of Nigeria (AON) in Abuja, noting that the variables impacting the crises in the aviation sector were beyond the industry’s control thus, “there is no immediate solution.”

Sirika insisted that there was no short-term solution because the problem affecting the industry is global energy crisis.

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

ANALYSTS: PROLONGED RUSSIA-UKRAINE CRISIS WILL DAMPEN NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC PROSPECT should continue to improve on its development Finance function especially its interventions in agriculture to ensure increased output given that the major inflation challenge is coming from rising food prices.”

Also analysing the impact of rising prices in the country, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Credent Investment Managers Limited, Mr. Ibrahim Shelleng, said the continuous contractionary policy

by CBN was a direct response to

global inflationary pressures, adding that central banks globally have all raised interest rates in reaction to the inflationary pressures caused by the Russian-Ukraine crisis.

He said while this could be understood in the context of developed countries wanting to reduce demand-pull inflation caused by supply shocks, “I am not convinced that this same stance will be effective in developing countries where the dynamics are different.”

Shelleng said: “Firstly, in a country like Nigeria with a huge underbanked population, the effects of monetary policy are not as far-reaching and therefore the impact on the economy tends to be minimal.

“Secondly, given Nigeria’s stagflation (low growth, high inflation, high unemployment) the changes in MPR have had little effect in curtailing the situation, albeit with blame also lying on the fiscal side.”

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FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

OIL AND GAS

The Biggest Winners in New NNPC Chineme Okafor, writes that the ‘new’ company that has emerged from the old Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation could do well for itself, and make Nigeria the major winner of its metamorphosis

I

f the ‘new NNPC’ Limited longs to be unlike its predecessor, the choices before it are clear but not quite simple: it has to do ‘positive politics’ and stay brave in its choices. If it does these, it stands a great chance at gifting Nigeria another globally acclaimed energy business trophy after the hugely successful Nigeria LNG Limited.

Primarily, this piece concerns itself with the potentials for extensive value creation with the new company that comes from the now defunct NNPC. It argues that there is a model – the NLNG – for the new company, and that this model has so far leveraged ‘positive politics’ and brave choices to create opportunities and values for Nigeria. The ‘new NNPC’ therefore does not need to re-invent the wheel; it could as well ‘plug and play’ this for profitability.

But first, from the paradigm of political scholars, politics anywhere and time concerns itself with power distribution in the society which also includes the distribution of opportunities and values. This piece thus conceptualizes doing ‘positive politics’ to embody not just power distribution as the case may be, but the progressive

processes desirable to drive the operations of the ‘new NNPC’ to profitability.

These processes will mostly reflect on the new company’s governance choices – embracing a commercial-oriented disposition; distribution of opportunities – independence of its strategic business units (SBUs) to create values from brave choices; and social influences – posture as a

conscientious entity fulfilling its obligations such as tax remittances to the Nigerian state.

It then implies that simply embracing the new law – Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA) may not be a sure proof that the ‘El Dorado’ Nigeria may be seeking with the new NNPC is within its reach but choosing to just become and operate as a conscientious going concern

could lead the new company to profitability and give Nigeria sustainable value from her hydrocarbon resource. Nigeria is not without caches of ‘reformative laws’ anyway, the PIA inclusive, however the ‘new NNPC’ should use it to get it right, if it does not, it would mean that Nigeria has wasted well over a decade of its time and energy getting the oil sector reform law passed.

Fortunately, Mele Kyari, its head who has midwifed this transition, is reputed for being brave with difficult choices. For example, he against the ‘usual playbook’, opened the financial books of the unprofitable old behemoth – NNPC – for the first time in 2020 after about 43 years of its operation, and Nigerians were able to confirm some of the thoughts they held about the corporation’s business choices, some of which were indeed unprofitable, irrational and nothing to be proud of when compared with its peers.

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

STAKEHOLDERS DECRY ECONOMIC LOSS OF EXPORTING NIGERIAN GOODS BY ROAD AS AGAINST AIRFREIGHT particularly requirements. Why is it that airlines come in but they find it difficult to pick cargo and go back,” he questioned.

Agboarumi explained that after paying charges and meeting the demands of the personnel of the government agencies in charge of export, Nigerian goods become very expensive and uncompetitive in the international market.

He also said that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should earmark more land for the expansion of cargo terminal so

that handling companies can expand their facilities, if Nigeria is really desirous of boosting its exports.

“We need to expand our facilities to accommodate exports. Export is growing everyday but not to the volume expected if there were no impediments in the process.

Government should do something to encourage exports,” he added.

Travel expert and organiser of the annual cargo conference in Lagos, Aviacargo, Ambassador IkechiUko, told THISDAY that if Nigeria wishes to boost its cargo

exports by air, it should treat cargo the way passengers are treated at the airport.

He explained that passengers have one place security checks, where they pass through and are scrutinized, cargo should also have similar one place check; where goods are moved and checked and them be taken to the aircraft for export.

“The processes of goods should be done in one place. In doing it that way you reduce the time the goods are delayed. Today the situation is like a minefield where

the exporter meets obstacles here and there. We have to simplify the process. There is over regulation by Quarantine, Customs, Immigration, a lot of hindrances and obstacles,” he said.

An insider from one of the major aviation handling companies told THISDAY that from the gate of the cargo terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Police officers at the gate are the first to stop the exporter and examine the goods. Immediately they realise that the person came

for export, they would insist on ‘settlement’.

That ‘settling’ continues through the Quarantine, Customs, Immigration and in addition he pays the huge official charges.

“They should fasten the process of exports. The exports are necessary to counterbalance what we import so that the naira will gain value,” the source said.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine, who identified himself as Femi, told THISDAY that there

has been improvement in the relationship between exporters and Quarantine, disclosing that the agency is currently carrying out sensitisation campaign to enlighten potential exporters, the conditions and requirements that they must meet in order to have easy movement of their goods for export.

Femi said that things were getting better and that volume of goods for export were growing, but also admitted that Nigeria has not reached there yet.

This

Weekend

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022

TR

UTH

& R E ASO

N

WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS WACCOL: Giving Homes Beautiful and Exceptional Look See page 29

ETRENDS BBNaija S7: What Does the ‘Level Up’ Theme Suggest? See page 30

ART WEEKEND Mydrim Gallery Rekindles Tradition with 5th Edition of Future Masters See page 31

POLSCOPE Nigerian Issues that Bother Me (1) See page 32

OLUWATOBILOBA AMUSAN:

Group Features Editor: CHIEMELIE EZEOBI chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com

07010510430

Nigeria’s Golden Star Athlete

28

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͷ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

COVER

How Tobi Amusan Took the World by Storm Ø ßÑÏØϘ ÜÏÑÙؘ ÓÑÏÜÓË˪Ý ÙÖÎÏØ ÓÜÖ˜ ÙÌÓ ×ßÝËؘ ÎÏÚÝÓÞÏ ÞÒÏ ÙÎÎÝ ÝÞËÍÕÏÎ ËÑËÓØÝÞ ÒÏܘ ÍÖÓØÍÒÏÎ ÞÒÏ ÑÙÖÎ ×ÏÎËÖ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ʨØËÖ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ áÙ×ÏØ˪Ý ͒͑​͑× ÒßÜÎÖÏÝ ÏàÏØÞ ËÞ ÞÒÏ ÙÜÖÎ ÞÒÖÏÞÓÍÝ ÒË×ÚÓÙØÝÒÓÚÝ ÒËàÓØÑ ÍÜÙÝÝÏÎ ÞÒÏ ÐÓØÓÝÒ ÖÓØÏ ËÞ ͓͒˛͑͗ݲ Ø ËÍÒÓÏàÓØÑ ÞÒÓÝ ÐÏËÞ˜ ÞÒÏ ÍßÜÜÏØÞ Ù××ÙØáÏËÖÞÒ ÒË×ÚÓÙØ ËÖÝÙ Ý×ËÝÒÏÎ ÞÒÏ ÏâÓÝÞÓØÑ ÙÜÖÎ ÏÍÙÜÎ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÚÜÙÍÏÝݲ ÜÓÙÜ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ áÓؘ ÝÒÏ ÒËÎ ËÖÝÙ áÙØ ËÞ ÞÒÏ ÝÏ×Ó ʨØËÖÝ áÓÞÒ Ë ÜÏÍÙÜÎ ÌÜÏËÕÓØÑ ͓͒˛͓͒ݲ Chiemelie Ezeobi ÜÏÚÙÜÞÝ ÞÒËÞ ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏ ʨÜÝÞ ÞÓ×Ï ÏàÏܘ ÞÒÏ ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ØÞÒÏ× áËÝ ÚÖËãÏÎ ËÞ ÞÒÏ ÙÜÖÎ ÞÒÖÏÞÓÍÝ ÒË×ÚÓÙØÝÒÓÚÝ ËØÎ ÓÞ áËÝ ÝßÍÒ Ë ÑÙÙÝÏ Ìß×Ú̋áÙÜÞÒã ×Ù×ÏØÞ ÞÒËÞ ÏÖÓÍÓÞÏÎ ÒÙÚÏ ÐÙÜ Ë ØËÞÓÙØ ÞÒËÞ ÒËÝ ÌÏÏØ ÌËʵÏÜÏÎ ÙØ ËÖÖ ÐÜÙØÞÝ Ìã ÒÏÓÑÒÞÏØÏÎ ÓØÝÏÍßÜÓÞ㘠ÏÍÙØÙ×ÓÍ áÙÏݘ ÓØʮËÞÓÙؘ ÍÙÜÜßÚÞÓÙØ ËØÎ ØÏÚÙÞÓÝ×

W

ithout a doubt, the unprecedented sterling records broken by Nigeria’s own Tobiloba Amusan at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, were products of her faith, hard work and consistency in her chosen field of sports.

First at the semi finals, Amusan not just finished first, but in a record breaking time of 12.12s.

She sped like the wind as she clocked to the finish line to the amazement of all, including the commentator whose buzz word at her win was “How dare we not believe she could do it”.

Amusan had produced a jaw-dropping world record in the semi-finals, smashing the previous best mark of 12.20secs held by Keni Harrison of the United States in 2016.

At the finals, she didn’t relent, rather she cemented her win but even in a lesser time.

Amusan finished in a time of 12.06s, 0.08s better than the 12.12s she got in the semi-finals. With her win, Jamaica’s Britany Anderson was in second place, while current Olympic Champion, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Cuba placed third.

GOOSE-BUMP MOMENT FOR NIGERIA’S NATIONAL ANTHEM

For her feats, she was awarded a lump sum of 100,000 dollars but that paled in the face of the National Anthem, which was played for the first time ever at the World Athletics Championships.

Amusan was reduced to tears as the Nigerian National Anthem was rendered. As she sang along, every word of the Anthem made more sense to her. The nuances she exhibited when the part of “The labour of our heroes past, shall never be in vain” and “One nation bound in freedom, Peace and Unity”, was rendered resounded not just for her, but for weary Nigerians who had before her win been buffeted on all sides by terrible news emanating from practically all regions of the nation.

Thus her win was like a streak of silver lining tinged with hope for so many Nigerians who were on the verge of losing hope in this nation. History will record that in that singular moment when the National Anthem was rendered, Nigerians were united with one common purpose- quest for a Nigeria of our dreams.

THORNY TIMES

But the track and field had not always been

rosy for Amusan. She has had a mixture of joys and near misses since she chose this field career.

Three years ago, at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, she placed fourth position in the final, which was crushing because prior to that, she had broken the African Games record twice in 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. She ran 12.69 seconds to win her semifinal heat before running a hundredth of a second faster in the final to win the gold.

Also in Tokyo in 2021, at the Olympic Games, finishing outside the podium again in fourth place, which was another defining moment for the Nigerian hurdler. Taking these successes mixed with the disappointments in her stride, she worked on her game and a year later, she ran her way into our hearts and the world.

ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR

At the World Championship, Amusan became the second Nigerian sprint hurdler to win a medal after Glory Alozie, who won a silver medal in Seville, Spain in 1999.

Amusan is the first Nigerian to bag a Diamond League trophy in September 2021 when she set an African Record and Personal Best of 12.42secs in Zurich. Also in the African Record for Diamond League, she broke the record after clocking 12.41 seconds in the 100m women’s hurdle in June 2022.

In Paris, France, she also broke her own record with her third-best run of the season at the Diamond League meet. In fact, when she blazed to victory with a time 12.41secs, that moved her up to third in the world in 2022 behind World Leader, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Alaysha Johnson.

In the African Athletics Championships, Amusan became the fifth woman to successfully retain gold at the 100m hurdles event after claiming gold at the African Athletics Championships in Mauritius in June given that she first won the title in 2018 at the 21st edition of the competition and is now the third Nigerian to successfully defend the sprint hurdles title.

In August 2021, Amusan broke Nigeria’s 21-year-old record having won her first semi-final in 12.62s to become the first

Nigerian since Glory Alozie at Sydney 2000 to qualify for the 100m Hurdles final at the Olympics.

AFFIRMATIONS TURNED MANIFESTATION

Meanwhile, one outstanding thing that has stood out thus far in her win has been her faith and trust in her career. In one of her many affirmations to herself, she had on November 8, 2016, posted on Twitter,

“Unknown “U k now, b but I will illl be UNFORGETTABLE … I will Persist until I SUCCEED ….”

Many years down the line, those words of affirmations are manifesting and we are certainly here to cheer her on. Cheers to more wins Tobiloba Amusan, we celebrate you and what your win means to millions of young girls around in the world and even in your community.

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͷ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

NEWS

WA C C O L : G i v i n g H o m e s Beautiful and Exceptional Look

Precious Ugwuzor A leading exterior and interior company popularly known as WestAfrican Cladding Company Limited(WACCOL)isdetermined to give houses across Nigeria a unique and exceptional look.

Different people have different ways and methods of living their lives but one thing that everyone have in common or wish, is living in a beautiful and well decorated home. Speaking during an interview after the Army Day celebration exhibition held in Owerri, the Design Engineer of WACCOL, Ekeh Elizabeth Amarachi revealed that the company’s latest project will soon be revealed which will

be a must have in every homes.

Accordingtoher,“wehavevarious designs like WPC flutted wall panel, wooden wall art claddings, acoustic cladded hanging shelves, futuristic TV consoles, calacatta gold Italian marbles frames, wavy TV consoles, cladded reception desks etc.”

Narrating what motivated him to venture into cladding and construction business, Amarachi said: “I was talking with my business partner and he was telling me how he was putting together his new office and wanted to do all these modern claddings so he found a furniture person, they bought MDF boards but it only took hours to cut the boards into tiny

slats, fix and glue it together, the finishing was very rough and it wasn’t looking sharp.

“We tried to purchase it but no one was selling it at all the markets in Lagos, we tried to order from abroad but their MOQ was more than we needed.

“So after doing the market survey and feasibility studies, we found out that there’s a demand for it but people don’t usually use it because furniture makers use wood, mdf boards, plywood to construct it and it ends up not looking fine.”

“We did a trial order, a 20ft container, we were even giving out for free, doing free installations just to create awareness.

It has not been easy but it has

been an amazing journey so far.

We have successfully done a lot of installationsandconstructions,and the feedbacks have been amazing and commendable.

“We plan to add more colours, modelsanddesignstoourproduct line. Also, we have other building materialsthatwillbethenextbigthing linedupwhichwewillintroduce to the market soon.

“We plan to have our products inabout10,000homesbynextyear.

Standards will be the same as we don’t compromise on quality. “ Currently, our new office and showroom is under construction at Oniru which will be commissioned hopefully by month end,” the WACCOL Design Engineer added.

ESVDI to Empower 10,000 Youths on Basic Digital Literacy Skills Stories by Mary Nnah A youth-led national development organisation, Education Sustainability and Vocational Development Initiative (ESVDI) has launched the basic digital Literacy skills project for youths.

The project, facilitated by youths, will be implemented in over 30 participating African countries by over 300 selected ambassadors.

The Global Education Ambassadors Programme (GEAP), would leverage creative communication, training, storytelling, and presentation by Ambassadors in marginalised communities, rehabilitation centers, elementary schools, secondary schools, tertiary institutions, care homes, organisations, orphanages, prisons, etc to empower more youths for a decent job, employment, and entrepreneurship while facilitating knowledge exchange and highlighting what works and what doesn’t in ICT. The project was launched to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, 8 and to rewrite the current research data of UNESCO, African Union, and World Bank report on Africans who are digitally literate.

At the Ambassadors orientation, the Executive Director of ESVDI, Vivian Ubani, described the project as one that aims to increase collaboration, and cross-cultural learning and build a network of youths from diverse backgrounds that would bring

about transformational change in our world.

She added that the project runs in cycles at four months intervals and is very competitive, adding, “It is hoped that the project would receive the support of other donors for continued implementation, as it has the potential to be scaled-up and adapted in more countries and regions of the world.”

Following Ubani’s remarks, the founder of Sustainable Higher Education Internship Program

(SHIP) India Dr. Smriti Pahwa, the partner organisation on the project; Coordinator American Spaces Calabar, Ann Mesembe; Co-founder & COO UNIPLAT Switzerland, Dr. Takahisa Karita; founder CZITApp downloader, Mr. Anthony Amadi amongst other partners have continued to support the project.

The project implementation which began in June to the end of September for the first cycle will include activities

such as Ambassadors training, visitation to partner institutions, organisation, communities, and so on, depending on the participating audience and empowering them using customised training curriculum designed by the organisation.

The project will engage young women and men, graduates, undergraduates, persons with disabilities, employed and unemployed between the ages of 15 - 35 years with more interest in women and girls.

How Rite Foods Engendered Business Growth, as Ogun State MAN Chairman Hands Over to Successor The Managing Director of Rite Foods, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, the outgoing chairman of the Ogun State Chapter of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), who is highly reputed for his visionary leadership qualities, has created the enabling business environment for the growth trajectory experienced by organisations in the various industries that constitute the association for a viable economy.

Adegunwa, who has successfully piloted the affairs of Rite Foods, a market leader in Nigeria’s food and beverage sector, from a humble beginning to a world-class company with unrivaled and award-winning brands that have dictated the pace for its competitors, boosted the association’s activities with futuristic and ground-breaking policies that have been well applauded by members of the

association.

The Rite Foods boss, having completed his four-year tenure has handed over to Mr. George Onafowokan, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Coleman Wires and Cables, for continuity of the legacy he has left behind, thus imbibing the cutting-edge approach to the fundamentals of the Ogun chapter of the association.

The outgoing chairman’s administrative prowess which has made a remarkable impact in the state, with the evolution of large and small medium enterprises, wealth and job creation, as well as improved infrastructural development, has helped to place it on the world map as an attractive business destination, with enough economic potentials.

Applauding the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo

Abiodun, at the handover ceremony in Abeokuta, Adegunwa affirmed that the effort of his forward-thinking government would not go unrecognised, having paved the way for the various MAN’s initiatives to thrive, thereby enhancing businesses, professionalism, and advanced economy.

Known as a trailblazer in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, Adegunwa’s Rite Foods has been the hallmark of distinctiveness with an unparalleled brand portfolio.

Established in 2007 as a subsidiary of Ess-Ay Holdings, Rite Foods’ inventiveness has also earned high recognition in the energy drinks market with the first-ever packaged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle brands for the premium Fearless Red Berry and Fearless Classic.

AFRICA’S PREMIER CSR, SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRY All is set as the local organising committee of The SERAS CSR Awards Africa, announces its call for entry and participation for the 2022 edition, which is the 16th edition of the glamorous award ceremony.

Entries for this year’s edition opened on July 22nd and closes on August 31st. Participating organisations are expected to register on www.theseras.com. The awards ceremony is slated for Sunday, December 4th, 2022.

The SERAS is Africa’s first and foremost recognition for corporate social responsibility and Sustainability. It has grown to become the most credible and glamorous business award in Africa.

Today, it is the gold-standard award and the most important industry ceremony in Africa. The growing importance of The SERAS has led to participation from organisations from 22 countries in Africa so far.

At the media conference unveiling the 2022 theme, which is- ‘Climate, Circularity, and the Future of Sustainability: Bridging the SDGs Gap through Impact Investing, the founder of the awards, Ken Egbas, also unveiled the 25 awards categories ratified by the judges’ committee which would be competed for by organisations across Africa.

The Categories include- Circular Economy; Environmental Stewardship; Rural Population Integration; Poverty Reduction; Promotion of Good Health/ WellBeing; Partnership of the Year; Education Intervention of the Year; Reporting & Transparency; Best Work-Place Practice; Stakeholder Engagement; Not-for-Profit of the Year; Deborah Leipziger Africa Prize for Innovation (Product/Service). Others are - Gender Equality/ Women Empowerment; Social Enterprise of the Year; Food Security, Water & Sanitation; Climate Action; SupplyChain Management; Sustainability Reporting (Media: Electronic/Print/online); Sustainability Professional of the Year; and CEO of the Year.

In line with the focal theme, the committee also introduces five new categories such as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion; Net Zero Transition; Technology for Development of the Year; Social Impact/ Human Capital Advancement; and Impact Investor of the Year.

According to the founder, “We have indeed attained a milestone to be hosting the 16th edition of the awards.

What we have consistently done every year is to use this platform to set the agenda for the growth and development of sustainability in Africa, and systematically get organisations in Africa to buy into the vision of being responsible businesses that are becoming the force-for-good on the continent.

YOLANDA GRAMPP TO GRACE DEWDROP UNCUT LEARNING 3 Esther Oluku International baking sensation and award winning cake artist, Yolanda Grampp, will grace this year’s Dewdrop Uncut Learning 3, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dewdrops Cake Factory and Convener of the Uncut Learning series, Mrs. Ezinne Okonkwo, has said.

Okonkwo made the announcement with a team of partners at a press briefing in Lagos recently while intimating journalists on the line up of events for the three day bakers’ seminar set to hold from 5th through 7th September 2022 tagged; “Revamping the Craft”.

She stated that this year’s event would build on the already existing goodwill of the project since inception by empowering five widowed bakers with the sum of five hundred thousand naira each, give out one million naira worth of baking equipment to three lucky bakers’ and reward the efforts of cake tutors and instructors across the country.

“We just introduced the grant for the widowed baker in this edition. In 2017, we gave one million naira worth of baking equipment to one person. In 2019, we increased the number to two people and this year, we are giving the same worth of equipment to three persons.

“Also in 2019, we introduced our live challenge where teams come up to compete for the grand prize of three million naira. This year, we already have thirteen teams registered. There is a team coming from Zimbabwe and a team coming from Cameroon with the rest teams from Nigeria and the knock out stage on September third where six or seven teams will be eliminated,” she said.

Okonkwo also noted that although the challenges posed by current economic trends has put a strain on the baking community, the seminar would be a platform for bakers to improve their skills, network and learn how to keep their businesses afloat in these trying times and urged bakers to take advantage of the discounted registration cost to register for the event.

On her part, partner to the event and Enugu based baker, Ms. Ify Okorie, noted that among other things, the energy of people gathered together for a common cause is inspiring and as such a golden opportunity for participants to engage in a shared dream.

“At Uncut Learning when thousands of women are gathered in a room with one passion and one vision, there is no way you don’t leave charged. You hear people’s stories who started from nowhere and they are going and for a starter, you see where your future could be,” she said.

Another partner to the event and Founder, Cakes “R” Us Ms. Onome Nornu, disclosed that over fifty vendors are already registered for the event.

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E-TRENDS C.J. OBASI AMONG TALENTS FOR 6TH REALNESS AFRICAN SCREENWRITERS’ RESIDENCY

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

BBNaija S7: What Does the ‘Level Up’ Theme Suggest?

Stories byVanessa Obioha

C.J. Obasi

Screenwriter C.J. Obasi joins other African film talents for this year’s Realness African Screenwriters’ Residency, which takes them on an eight-week programme in South Africa and Switzerland for mentorship and support in their feature film projects in development.

The Residency is an incubator for African screenwriters that provides personalised support to empower writers to find the core of their stories and flesh them out into screenplays, and to pitch their projects to industry partners for financing and production.

In partnership with Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, selected participants which include Ahmad Mahmoud (Sudan),JabuNadiaNewman(SouthAfrica), Youssef Michraf (Morocco), Lara Sousa (Mozambique) and Sandulela Asanda (South Africa) will attend the creative incubation programme “Basecamp” from August 3 to 13, 2022. In addition, Kantarama Gahigiri, a Screenwriters’ Residency alumnus from the 2018 cohort, will attend the Locarno FilmmakersAcademy, as last year’s Realness Residency did not happen due to the pandemic.

The scriptwriters will then take up residence at Nirox and Farmhouse 58, for six weeks, in The Cradle of Humankind, South Africa - a calm and nurturing environment to focus on their work. Here, story consultants,Ayanda Halimana and Mmabatho Kau, and creative producer, Cait Pansegrouw, will mentor them.

With 24 housemates living in two separate houses, Big Brother Naija raises the stakes for its seventh season. The season, themed ‘Level Up’, seems to spark curiosity among fans and housemates.

Indeed, the Level Up season raises a lot of questions. Previous editions had themes that are usually street lingos.

Take for instance the ‘Pepper Dem’ theme of 2019, a street lingo which suggests a mix of spicy flavours depending on the context, and last year’s edition ‘Shine Ya Eye’ which requires one to be smart and cautious.

With ‘Level Up’, one wonders what game the omniscient Big Brother is up to. With hints of ‘Metaverse’ dropped on the opening night, is Big Brother preparing the housemates for the future of technology? Why was it important for the organisers to build two separate houses for the housemates and add an extra channel? Is it toying with the idea of multi-screening which is one of the perks of the 5G network?

As much as this new direction looks intriguing, it may be distracting to viewers who have to flip between the main and extra channels to keep up with the drama. The beauty of Big Brother Naija has always been having

Sheggz and Bella

the housemates all together in a place and seeing how they adapt to their differences as well as the isolation. But who knows, Big Brother always has a plan.

It will be interesting to see how the game unfolds in the coming days.

This season, the housemates as usual are a dynamic mix. There is the poet, the

Blueworld Cosmetics Unveils Nollywood Actress, Mimi Orjiekwe as New Brand Ambassador

exotic dancer, pharmacist, the footballer, the engineer, and performing and visual artists among others. Their personalities range from cool to eccentric.

Fans have already found their favourites like Bryann, Bella and Phyna as well as possible shippers (lovers).

They include Sheggz and Bella, Allysyn

AFRICA FASHION WEEK NIGERIA, LAGOS FASHION FAIR TO HOST 8TH

Mimi Orjiekwe and Blueworld Cosmetics Ltd. CEO, Ikenna Ekeagu

Ugo Aliogo

After winning the Infinix X Davido Blow My Mind nationwide challenge in 2019, Odunze Sopuruchukwu who goes by the moniker S-pee is gradually making his entry into the saturated music industry.

Born inAnambra State, theAfro-pop artist possesses an uncanny talent to balance between afrobeat and soul, with his melodic vocals which set him on a unique path from the crowd.

Agraduate of Business Administration and Management from Federal Polytechnic Nekede in Imo state, S-pee’s recent remix of his song ‘Mi amor’ featuring rapper Phyno is his first official single after he penned a deal with Big A Entertainment.

With his partnership with the label which is spearheaded by MrAnderson Obiagwu, S-pee seeks to conquer the music industry.

PORTABLE’S HEADIES DISQUALIFICATION SPARKS MIXED REACTIONS Iyke Bede

S-PEE SEEKS TO CONQUER THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WITH ‘MI AMOR’ REMIX

S-pee

and Hermes, Groovy and Beauty, and Pharmsavi and Christy O. EloSwag, a housemate on Level One is the season’s first Head of House and for this week, the housemates are tasked to showcase their talents.

How well will they perform in their first task tonight?

As part of desire to increase market penetration of its brand, Blueworld Cosmetics Ltd. has unveiled a popular NollywoodActress, Mimi Orjiekwe as its new brand ambassador for its premium products known as G7 Gold Exclusive Body Whitening Milk.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Blueworld Cosmetics Ltd., Ikenna Ekeagu, said the focus of the event was the formal signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the company and Orjiekwe.

He also stated that the premium product G7 Gold Exclusive Body Whitening Milk. is a whitening body milk, noting that as a company, their products are locally manufactured.

He noted that they chose the brand ambassador, because over time she has identified with the product. Hence, her skin colour. Also for her active social media presence, which he noted are strong indicators for the company in its selection for a face for the product.

“When I saw her on social media, her skin colour was in line with what we wanted, and since she has identified with our product, So, I checked her instagram handle and I realised that she has the followership that I wanted to promote the brand. So, we discussed

and agreed if the company would be able to secure an ambassadorship deal with her,” he said.

Ekeagu revealed that the partnership is 12 months agreement and the target for the brand ambassador is for her to use her instagram page to promote the G7 Gold premium products, adding that on their part, the company would use their platform to push the product in order to create the needed awareness for the product.

According to him, “It is a new product that came into town that we need to create visibility and full awareness for.

G7 Exclusive Body Whitening Milk is made up of a lot of ingredients, such as to whiten the skin, beautify the skin, even tone and protect the skin.

“Among all other cosmetics product in the market, our products stands out and very exceptional. G7 Gold comes with a couple of beauty ranges for now. G7 Gold Liquid Bath, it has variant of Gold & Carrot. G7 Gold Serum and G7 Exclusive Body Whitening Milk with a variant of Gold, Carrot & papaya.

“G7 Gold has been in the market for two, three years, and it is doing well. Even in Ghana, Cameroun and here at home in Nigeria. But because we need more popularity, we need more visibility to be able to capture the local market. That is the reason why we are engaging the service of a brand ambassador today.

A model on AFWL runway

For the first time, two Nigerian fashion powerhouses, Lagos Fashion Fair (LFF) Exhibition and Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) combine forces to host their events together in September at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This historic partnership between the founder of AFWN, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LFF, Mr Ayo Olugbade may change the face of fashion shows in Nigeria as both brands are returning for their 8th edition.

The goal of the LFF Expo powered by the Atlantic Exhibition is to give the perfect opportunity for fashion lovers to connect with fashion vendors from all over the country.AFWN, on the other hand, is an indigenous fashion platform created as a sister event toAfrica Fashion Week London, the biggest festival of African fashion in the United Kingdom (UK) and set up to showcase the best of Nigeria and Africa’s emerging creative designtalents.Thepartnership,according to the organisers, will put the spotlight on African indigenous textiles, colours and fashion with the sole aim of showcasing African creatives on a global stage.

Local designers billed for the event include AdirestylesNG, Ego by Ego, Fashion byAshani, among others as well as Nivaldo Thierry from Mozambique, YawsCreations from The Gambia and Hortense MbeaAfroplan from Ethiopia.

The seeming grass-to-grace story of street-pop artist Habeeb Okikola, popularly known as Portable, is currently facing a downward spiral following a series of controversies.

Recently, he was disqualified in two coveted categories at this year’s Headies: Best Street Artist, and Rookie of the Year. Both are his first-ever nominations in the award’s history. The exclusion, according to the organisers, stems from a series of threats from the singer including his threats to other nominees should he lose to them in a social media video uploaded on May 25, 2022.

“Those are my awards. Anybody else who wins, I will ask for them to be killed.

I will ask them to kill the person. If the organizers give my award to someone else, they will die,” he said.

To be sure, The Headies has had its fair share of controversial moments that involved awardees and their disgruntled counterparts. In 2016, Olamide and Don Jazzy initiated a prolonged feud over their protégée that were nominated for Next Rated Artist.

Asides from the disqualification the ‘Zazuu Zeh’ singer suffers, his reckless utterances on July 18, 2022, have landed him under the radar of the Lagos State Police Command which has vowed to proceed with a preliminary investigation following his claims of being the founding members of violent gangs. In a now-deleted video post to his Instagram, Portable claimed to be the founder of notorious gangs — One Million Boys and Ajah Boys — terrorising communities in Lagos state. He later renounced these claims.

While he was quick to distance himself from his claims, his past deeds don’t help his case. Weeks before his braggadocious assertion, a video surfaced on social media in which he was stripped and accused of stealing, hinting at his lifestyle before fame.

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ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Mydrim Gallery Rekindles Tradition with 5th Edition of Future Masters

Book Party for Remi Raji, Ten Others on the Race for 2022 Nigeria Prize for Literature

Seven young and spirited artists form the creative powerhouse on display at the Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos where the fifth season of ‘Generation: The Future Masters’ berthed last Sunday as a post-pandemic show. Yinka Olatunbosun reports on an encounter with the exhibiting artists

T

he long wait is over. Now in its 5th season, the show tagged Generation: The Future Masters has returned to its home at Mydrim Gallery.

The show which runs till August 8 parades Taiwo Abisoye, Olaitan O. Daniel, Ekpokpobe Oghenetega, WahabAromire, Edward Samuel, Ayooluwa Akinrinola, Unyime Edet and Folashade Fagorusi.

The co-curator of Mydrim Gallery, David Oluwatoyin, expressed his optimism that the exhibition is a much needed intervention in the art scene to disrupt the conventional ways of producing arts.

Four sculptors, two painters, one mosaic artist and one textile artist are the cynosure of art enthusiasts and collectors in search of new statement pieces. Initiated in collaboration with legendary painter Abiodun Olaku, the Future Masters 2022 has no fewer than 48 works.

Wahab Aromire, a full time studio artist with a major in sculpture created works to reflect his society. With titles such as ‘Couple,’ ‘Emir Guard,’ ‘So Great,’ and ‘Quietude,’ he introspectively explores subjects of personal and national magnitude.

“In ‘Quietude,’ I explore my habit of seeking solitude or meditating on what I’m going to do next,’’ he said during a press preview of the show. The artist who trained at the Universal Studio of Arts after he graduated from Lagos State Polytechnic in 2012 shifted the audience’s attention to the state of insecurity in Nigeria.

“Emir Guard addresses the insecurity in Nigeria to raise the consciousness of the risk to lives and why we need to be one another’s keepers,’’ he added.

Oghenetega who hails from Delta State is a 2014 graduate of University of Benin and a trained sculptor. He developed an affinity for coins which he mixes with other ferrous metals.

Behind his philosophical mind takes the viewer through a variety of sensual experiences.

“We act as if we are brave but there is fear among us,’’ he began. “We fear traffic, we fear how much we are to withdraw and how we will fall asleep. My art reflects bravery. I used to do figures that dance but what is there to dance about?”

Some of his metallic pieces include ‘Bravery,’ ‘Breakthrough,’ ‘Strength of Inner Beauty.’

A native of Kwara State, Olaitan Daniel is a visual artist and an art educator whose love for plein air painting radiates in this group show. The 2015 graduate of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education has been engrossed with the need to document the present for the future.

“I take my art to the street. Moving out of the studio to paint is not an easy thing to do.

You meet all kinds of people and so may want to disturb your work. What that taught me is perseverance.”

One of his ten works at the show titled ‘The

A display of book covers

Yinka Olatunbosun

One of the works at the show Merchandise’s Pavilion’ captures the Lagos Central Business District which is a commercial centre of Lagos. Drawing upon biblical allusion, his adventurous brush created another piece called “Our Father’s House.’’

Samuel Edwards has made a name for himself as a mosaic artist even though the 2010 graduate of the Federal College of Education, Technical, Yaba in 2010 was first a painter. He switched to mosaic art after receiving some commissioned works and also discovered the art form as a way of distinguishing oneself from others.

Some of his works at the show include ‘Identity Crisis,’ ‘Backstroke,’ ‘My Petition’ ‘The Gaze’ and ‘Seashore.’ His love for swimming inspires some of his series with water scenes.

“My new work in the collection is Identity Crisis. Some people have lost their paths in the bid to create a new identity,’’ he argued.

For the love of clay, Ayooluwa Samuel Akirinola has developed his career along the line of preserving history and cultural heritage. Like a time machine, the graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife takes the viewer down memory lane with every piece.

“In ‘Baba Railway,’ I tried to explain the life of a railway worker of the 60s and 70s and their feelings,’’ he explained. “Iya Oba is about

the Benin queen. I bring to reality what the queen mother looks like, the role she plays in the Benin Kingdom and how she grooms the king from childhood to adulthood.”

Akinrinola works with found metals like the motorcycle chain while recycling and upcycling junk metals.

For the textile artist, Folasade Fagorusi, every frame piece is like a painting from afar. Earlier on in her career, she specialised in graphics but has decided to combine this with other visual art elements.

“I incorporated graphics into non-commercial art forms. I used the systems to grade the colours, assemble them and produce. I can say I am into textiles with the aid of graphics, I have five pieces. My work reflects day-to-day life,’’ she said. Reflecting on the motivation behind the ‘Press Phone Generation,’ she admitted that her painting is a response to the general criticism against the younger generation for being too engrossed with mobile devices.

“I did this work during the EndSARS protests and back then, how parents used to complain that we were constantly on our phones. But we were not just pressing phones. We were making a movement. In this campaign period that we are now, we are making publicity for people. We are the press phone generation,’’ she said.

‘Becoming Queen Bathsheba’, a Modern Treatment of Historical Power Play Yinka Olatunbosun In her latest literary offering titled ‘Becoming Queen Bathsheba’, awardwinning author Amanda Bedzrah explores themes around the use and abuse of power, forgiveness, faith, and the consequences of our actions in a compelling fictional retelling of the popular Bible story.

The second in her Women-in-theBible series which explores familiar biblical stories from the perspectives of their female characters, Becoming Queen Bathsheba is a gripping narrative of the biblical story of David and Bathsheba, drawing from the queen’s expe-

riences.

From her placid life as wife to one of the king’s most trusted soldiers to the disruption from having caught the king’s eye, and the events that unfolded thereafter, Bedzrah tells the story as never before experienced and, in so doing, unearths so much more.

Avid fans of Amanda Bedzrah have come to recognise and love her writing style: a simple yet profound way of pulling the reader in and eliciting a response for action - to take away the right lessons and do the right thing.

This is because the author herself is a firm believer that strength and direction can come

from the Bible - even for today’s living. Much of Bedzrah’s work is grounded in the redeeming, empowering and transformative power of God’s love. Her debut book, The Love That Set Me Free, was met with critical acclaim, with readers recognising themselves — and finding healing — through her autobiographical account of childhood abuse, suppression and trauma.

Since then, she has authored several instructional guides for living life fully according to God’s will, including 5 Habits of Godly Resilient Women, Overcoming the Fear of Death, and Praying Proverbs. She has also designed

and published two journals for developing the art of kindness.

When quizzed about the departure from life guides to Biblical fiction, she commented on how she had always been struck by how little depth is given to the female characters in the Bible, including even the most pivotal leads. This observation prompted the Women in the Bible series, with Becoming Queen Bathsheba following the popular ‘Leah: Unnoticed. Unwanted.

Unloved’.

Leah explores the story of another female biblical character with a deft, light touch, and was warmly received in literary circles, earning it five-star reviews from readers.

“When the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature released the longlist of 11 drawn from 287 books in the running for the 2022 edition of the prize, focused on poetry, the internet was abuzz with conversations on the mixofestablishedandemergingpoetsonthelist.

The literature prize, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) with a cash award of $100,000, has been a literary tradition since 2004 rotating annually across four genres namely drama, poetry, prose and children’s literature.

This year, the interest of many literati may have been fired up with the mention of Remi Raji’s name on the list. First of all, his name is a household name in the Nigerian poetry space. Secondly, the scholar has demonstrated a winning streak in history.

His 1997 collection of poetry ‘Harvest of Laughters’ made him a joint winner of the Association of Nigerian Authors and the Cadbury Poetry Prize as well as the Association of West African Young Writers’ VOCA Award for Best First Published Book.

The 11 books on the Nigeria Prize for Literature longlist are Augusta’s Poodle by Ogaga Ifowodo, Coming Undone As Stitches Tighten by Iquo DianaAbasi, Dispossessed

by James Eze; Ife Testament by Olusegun Adekoya, Memory and the Call of Waters

by S. Su’eddie Agema; Nomad by Romeo Oriogun, The Lilt of The Rebel by Obari Gomba The Love Canticles by Chijioke Amu Nnadi, Wanderer Cantos by Remi Raji, Yawns and Belches by Joe Ushie and Your Crib, My Qibla by Saddiq Dzukogi.

The list was presented to the Advisory Board by the Chairman, Panel of Judges for this year’s prize, Sule Emmanuel Egya, a professor of African Literature and Cultural Studies at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State. Other judges are Toyin Adewale-Gabriel and Dike Chukwumerije. Adewale-Gabriel is a Poet and fiction writer. Dike Chukwumerije is a Spoken Word and Performance Poet and an award-winning author.

The judges described the longlist of eleven as the best of contemporary Nigerian Poetry, rich in experimentation with language, style and theme. While accepting the recommended longlist, the Advisory Board commended the thorough work done by the judges. On behalf of the Board, Professor Akachi Adimora- Ezeigbo, the chairman, said the quality of work in the list shows that a lot of scrutiny and work went into selecting deserving poets.

The judges will also continue adjudication on the 87 entries for The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, which runs concurrently with The Nigeria Prize for Literature. The literary criticism prize carries a monetary value of N1 million.

A shortlist of three is expected in September. Awinner, if any, will be announced by the Advisory Board in October. Before then, a book party looms for the poets in the race onAugust 7.

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POLSCOPE Nigerian Issues that Bother Me (1) áÓÞÒ ÎÎã ÎÓàáÜÓ ÏÎÎã˛ÙÎÓàáÜÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͸΀͸ͽ ͻ͸; ΁ͻͽ;

while the Nigerian state spends huge sums every year servicing the manning of the borders, we yet see an inpouring of illegal immigrants into Nigeria, some officially and others unofficially.

Few years ago, the Buhari administration announced a policy of visa-on-arrival from many African countries, especially Fulani-dominated countries. Right from that time, the towns and cities of Nigeria have been flooded with foreign nationals from Niger, Mali, Chad, Gambia, etc.

Many of the Okada riders who have become an affliction in our towns and cities, including some of the bandits, are not from Nigeria. They barely can even understand our pidgin English.

They are characteristically wild, tempestuous and violent. Many of them go around with the swag of miniature conquistadors. Not only do they seem to have come to stay, they even boast that they are Fulani, the rightful owners of the land.

The billion-dollar question is: where are the Immigration Officers? How did these strangers besiege our land with violence and death? No doubt, border posts are like cash dumps because of the heavy illicit deals they organize and execute.

Little wonder Customs officers and NIS officials lobby fat to be posted there.

The same heavily-manned-but-porous borders are where the smugglers of petroleum products pass through to neighbouring countries. The reason why Nigeria is spending ungodly sums in subsidizing petroleum products consumed even in other countries. Does President Buhari not know this? What has he done about it?

P

rophetic as it may seem, one wonders what Karl Maier, the author of This House Has Fallen: Nigeria in Crisis, would have written about Nigeria today. That book was published July 13, 2000. Twenty-two years after, the book is hitting us real, with oracular certitude. Yes, out of sheer patriotic spirit, we had rejected that our house (country) had not fallen and cursed Maier as a prophet of doom. Looking back today, who was right?

It is pretty hard believing that Nigeria is at this sorry point in her history. Ten or twenty years ago, nobody would have envisaged that what we are seeing in Nigeria today will happen. But those who are far more discerning will not be exactly surprised. The signs that we shall get to this point and even get to a worse low as a nation, have been there. From every direction, it is clear that Things are falling apart, the centre is failing to hold.

The battles we ignored today are the wars that will plague us tomorrow. And that is where we are today.

In this piece, I shall look at some of the issues that have knocked us down as a nation. The list is by no means exhaustive.

SECURITY CONCERNS This is probably the most lethal fear that has gripped everybody in Nigeria. Nobody feels sufficiently ensconced and shielded from the blight of insecurity that has befallen us as a nation. Truly, right now, as Asa, the iconic artiste sang, “there is fire on the mountain, and no one seems to be on the run”, essentially because no direction is free and safe.

One of the major reasons President Muhammadu Buhari won the election in 2015 was in the great belief that he has the answer to the issue of security which was at its infant age at the time. Many Nigerians, including this writer, believed that former President Goodluck Jonathan, was nibbling with the issue and did not know what to do. Buhari came forth as a no-nonsense army general who would deploy special military tactics and strategy to crush the baby monster called Boko Haram, at the time. Over seven years after, we can give the verdict that he came, he saw, and he was overwhelmed. Today, we have simply found ourselves in a deeper mess in matters of security.

President Buhari inherited just the menace of Boko Haram. on his watch, there has been a fertile mutation and today, we have not just Boko Haram, but also Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), Bandits, Ansaru etc., all unleashing raw terror on Nigerians.

Perhaps, what is even more troubling is that our President and his crew do not know what else to do to secure Nigeria and Nigerians. The more the security council meets, the deadlier the next attack gets. And we are forced to ask what they really discuss in those security council meetings. Each time they claim that they cannot disclose the strategies discussed or to be deployed to combat the scourge. Yes, they may keep their strategies secret and coded, but hey, what has been the result of their coded strategies so far? Nearly a month after the Kuje jailbreak, none of the attackers has been arrested. The latest revelation that the DSS filed 44 security intelligence reports before the attack on the Kuje Prison and nothing was done seems to confirm that there are high-placed saboteurs in government who are thwarting efforts to curb the security menace. So, who received those intelligence and refused to act on them?

How can it be explained that Kuje prison, of all prisons, does not have CCTV cameras?

Early this week, the chickens started coming home to roost, with the attack, in Bwari Abuja, of the elite corps-- Brigade of Guards, who were ambushed by terrorists. Three soldiers of the corps were killed. Already, all federal Government colleges and most schools in Abuja yet taking the NECO exam have hurriedly shut down and the examination season disrupted.

But ironically, Mr President, on the same day, flew out to Liberia to go deliver a lecture on “Security and Prosperity”, while the seat of his government is being assailed by ragtag terrorists.

That was the same way he flew to Senegal on the day the Kuje correctional facility was attacked and over 800 inmates freed. Such mindless trips in the face of great danger and threat suggest that Mr President is indifferent to the imminent collapse of his administration.

Few days before that attack, the terrorists while flogging and torturing the Kaduna rail abductees, had threatened to Kidnap President Buhari and Kaduna State governor, Nasir elRufai. How daring they can be, even if it is

Buhari not a likely possibility.

Earlier in the month, the advance team of Mr President’s convoy was attacked in Katsina State, with two soldiers killed.

That same day, (July 5,2022) the Kuje correctional centre was attacked and over 800 inmates including Boko Haram terrorists in custody, were freed.

Ironically, the knaves could attack a government facility and free their colleagues, take them back to the forest to unleash more terror on Nigerians, but the government cannot attack the hideout of the train abductees to free innocent passengers held hostage for four full months now.

Are they more organised than the national security apparatchik?

Nobody who watches the recently-released BBC documentary on “The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara”, will not believe Nigeria is heading to what Afghanistan is.

By last Monday, another set of three abductees were freed, and another on Wednesday. Like the ones freed earlier, each abductee had to pay N100 million to get released. Yes, N100 million per person!

Thirty-nine more persons are being held hostage and tortured on a daily basis.

A certain Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, has been the go-between for the bandits. He knows where they are. He negotiates with them. He brings feedback from them. Yet, the Nigerian government is not able to use the Gumi to crack into the hideout of these criminals. I barely can understand this. How come Gumi is able to reach the bandits all the time, but no security operative is able to use Gumi to get to the bandits? What else is called accessory to crime? Few days ago, Gumi’s media aide, Tukur Mamu was on television, giving finite details of the operational modus of the bandits, while ruling out the use of military force to free the train passengers held captive.

Beside the fog around why Gumi is spared, I also worry about how the bandits are able to communicate with the families of the captives regularly, yet the Nigerian government is not able to deploy technology offered by the NIN facility to track and trace the location of the bandits. It is all so befuddling. What was the hoopla about NIN if it cannot be used to trace the owners of the phones and their location? Even before NIN became a means of tracking owners of phone lines, the various telecoms companies had devices for tracing numbers, especially with the assistance of IMEI. Many believe that those in government are aware of who the bandits are and are just not keen on hunting them out. Former President Jonathan had once declared that he knew the Boko Haram members in his government. Yet, he never named them

before he lost power. The present Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami had also once claimed that the government has the list of the sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.

But more than three years after, he has not released the list. Even the few the soldiers could arrest and detained in prison have all been freed by bandits. These foggy cover-ups have reinforced the belief in many quarters that there are powerful forces behind the terrorism plaguing Nigeria and Nigerians.

Were it not so, how can it be explained that ever since President Buhari had given the orders that any unauthorised person caught with AK47 should be shot, not one such person has been killed in the country?

The other puzzle is how is it that bandits who live in the forest, are asking and receiving cash of millions of Naira? Where do they keep such monies? Can we imagine the heap of N500 million cash, for instance?

Where do they spend them? How come the bandits are never ever caught at the point of collecting such huge cash?

No doubt, many of such cash are used in procuring more and more arms. And the question is how do they get such arms? How are they able to ferry such sophisticated arms and ammunition across porously-manned borders without being caught? Is it really true that helicopters help in conveying such arms even into the forests?

There is no doubt that the quiet and acquiescence of present and past government officials like the former Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd) who had once argued that the Fulani herdsmen had become violent because “traditional grazing routes had been blocked by Benue farmers”. Such lousy and vexatious talks have unwittingly valourised the killer herdsmen, and today, neither the rich nor the poor can sleep again with both eyes closed. If Abuja is now under siege, it means that nowhere is safe anymore in Nigeria. It is perhaps in realization of the fact that they are all helmed in, that the Senators, last Wednesday gave Mr President a six-week sit-up ultimatum or get impeached.

And lest I forget, where is the much-talked about NIGCOMSAT frequency band by which the government is able to visualize from space which the federal government launched with so much fanfare few years ago?

POROUS BORDERS Simply put, the border posts are like compound gates. They check those who enter and exit the country/ compound. The men and women of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) are trained to man the borders.

Yes, there are several illegal routes (often bush paths) that circumvent the official borders. So

REFINERIES AND OIL SALES Many of us must be regretting badly how we got carried away by the belief that President Buhari was packed-full of action. That he was coming with a long cane to whip those who have held Nigeria down out of the way and clear it for a new dawn. As an army General, we thought the fire of the 1983/84 verve was still burning in him. How mistaken we were!

Long before now, we have realized that the fire had long gone out of him and the hearth is really cold.

Nigeria has four refineries: Kaduna, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Eleme. If fully operational, Nigeria should have no business importing refined petroleum products. But here we are, spending all our resources and more in subsidizing just petrol in Nigeria. I can’t explain the deep anger that followed the announcement by the Finance minister, Zainab Ahmed that Nigeria spends N1.243 trillion monthly on petrol subsidy. So calculate that for one year and you get N14.916 trillion to subsidise just petrol in one single year.

How much is the total budget of the country for one year? And how much does building a brand new refinery cost? Dangote just completed his refinery. How much did he spend? How is it convenient for government to spend that humongous sum to support importation of petrol but lacks the wisdom to build a new refinery? What is worse? Every year, huge sums of the nation’s resources are budgeted for Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries that produce nothing from year to year. In March of 2021, the Federal Government approved $1.5 billion (over N600 billion) for the repair of Port Harcourt refinery alone. And the completion date was cleverly put after this government would have handed over.

The Russian-Ukraine war has undoubtedly raised the price of petroleum products across the globe.

Under normal clime, it is a season for Nigeria to “hammer” (as the street boys put it), but instead of hitting jackpot, we are in tears, struggling to borrow to subsidise importation of what we have in abundance at home. As the dog will say, those who have buttocks do not know how to use it to sit.

Yet, the staff who work in these moribund refineries earn the fattest salaries in Nigeria. I cannot understand the economic foolishness that drives the Nigerian state. The irony gets even more smelly knowing that Mr President himself is the substantive Petroleum minister. We doubt if he really knows what goes on there.

If the oil industry (NNPC) was owned by an individual, would it continue to exist in the face of this raw and unbridled pillaging? That is why many people are not hopeful that the recent privatisation of the NNPC would actually translate to growing the Nigerian economy.

Today, we do not know for sure how many litres of petrol we consume in the country, neither do we assuredly know how many litres we export.

We are all at the mercy of the cartel that is in charge. We deal with the whimsical figures NNPC gives us. Nothing is scientific. So, over a quarter of what we hugely subsidised get smuggled to neighbouring countries. A typical case of monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY JULY 29, 2022

IMAGES

33

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

L-R: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Lead, Airtel Nigeria, Chioma Okolie; Executive Director, Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (WTEC), Oreoluwa Lesi; and Director, Airtel Business, Ogo Ofomota, during the Airtel Touching Lives Season 6 prize presentation at the WTEC office in Lagos...recently

The Director-General, World Peace Organisation (WPO) in Nigeria Prof. Olumuyiwa Babalola (right), during his visit to the Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola (left), at the Government House in Osogbo...recently

L-R: Founder, Elsies Baker House, Mrs. Elsie Ben-Okorie; Convener and Founder, Dewdrops Cakes Bake Factory, Mrs. Ezinne Okonkwo; Founder, Dripple Cake, Mrs. Tareela Okene; and Founder Cakesby-Kaks-TUs, Mrs. Onome Wornu, during a news conference on the third edition of Dewdrop Uncut Learning the Craft Revamped Baker’s seminar in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Paul Bou Nigerian Limited (Domestic Export Warehouse (DEW) operator), HRH Eze Paul O Uzuegbu; Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakuzak; and Chief Executive Officer, ZENNA First Class Nigeria Limited (DEW operator), Prince Okezie Amujiogu, during the presentation of approval letters to DEW operators by NEPC in Abuja...recently PHOTO: AYO AJAYI

L-R: Chairman, Board of Directors, SecureID Limited, Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Founder/Chief Executive Officer, SecureID Limited, Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbe, at the launch of LAGID by Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) in Lagos...recently

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Mac-Folly Hospitality Limited, Lagos Marriott Hotel, Mr. Chike Ogeah; Manager, Lagos Marriott Hotel, Aditya Chacko; and Publisher, Travellers Magazine/guest of honour, Mr. Ukechi Uko, during Uko’s visit to the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos...recently

A cross-section of members of staff of Olive House Academy, Orimerunmu, Ogun State, with Pharmacist, Oluremi Thompson (fourth left front row), flanked by the staff members of the school after the valedictory service of the 2021/2022 valedictory session of the school...recently

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

‘Customs Service Bill Conflicts With Other Legislation in Import, Export Process’ Gilbert Ekwugbe Customs agents in the country have stated that the report from the Senate on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) bill 2022, do not reflect the objective of trade facilitation process, which is predicated on Trade Facilitation Agreement (FTA). The report, they added, contradicts the World Customs Organization (WCO) Kyoto convention, harmonization and simplification of customs procedures.

National President, National Association of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, the umbrella body of customs agents in the country, Lucky Amiwero stated this in a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The agents in the petition called for the withdrawal of the bill and redrafted to address the

shortfalls of the international conventions and treaties.

They said, “Due to the importance of the Customs and Excise Management Act to the economy as an instrument that assists the federal government to formulate proper Trade and fiscal policy direction, the draft bill must be withdrawn, reviewed and redrafted to accommodate the shortfalls of the international conventions, treaties and protocol missing in the draft, which was ratified and domesticated and associated with the present Customs/ Tariff and Excise Acts, the draft bill of 2022, reduces the power of Nigeria Customs Service by almost 40 per cent , which will affect the service performance in future and global trade. Furthermore, the Nigeria Customs Service is not under the Ministry of Finance in the draft bill as indicated in paragraph 3.0

(1-5) clause 8-(3)(a) indicate that there is a new Minster of Customs to be appointed by the President.

“The repeal and re-enactment bill 2022 conferred all Function and powers to Nigeria Customs Service which includes: to manage and enforce the provision of the act, and the Customs and Excise law, direct, administer, direct manage and enforce provision of the Act, the Customs and Excise Laws, collect and account for revenue from Customs duties, Excise duties, other taxes, charges, fee and special assessments as may be assigned, administer trade and fiscal policies of the Government as it relate to this Act, promote trade facilitation in line with International Conventions and Agreements as it relate to Customs Administration, carry out all border enforcement and regulatory activities required by law.”

Chairman, Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE), Onyenwechukwu Ezeagu; Group Managing Director, GTI Group, Abubakar Lawal; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, LCFE, Akin Akeredolu-Ale and the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the inauguration Ceremony and of Lagos Commodities & Futures Exchange and launch of Eko Gold Coins yesterday

Network International, Infobip to Offer WhatsApp for Business, Banking Services Across Africa Foremost digital payment solutions provider, Network International has said it will bring WhatsApp for business and banking services to financial institutions across Africa through a partnership with Infobip.

Infobip, which is a fullstack cloud communications company is one of the world’s largest providers of A2P SMS services and will support Network International in its commitment to financial inclusion across Africa.

The company in a statement said in addition to helping financial institutions reach their customers through a familiar

and reliable channel, the agreement between both firms will help financial institutions deliver world-class support and seamless services in a personal, timely, and reliable manner. For individuals this means people can access their money securely and quickly, as well as utilising the latest chatbot technology to help empower customers to take control of their finances.

“Collaboration with global cloud communication service provider Infobip enables banks to use globally-trusted WhatsApp platform to communicate and engage with customers 24/7 using the

latest technology” Commenting on the deal, Network International Group Managing Director – Processing, Hany Fekry said, “We are delighted to introduce WhatsApp banking across Africa with Infobip. Helping financial institutions reach customers through a secure and familiar app is in line with our goal to increase and improve digital banking services across the continent to improve financial inclusion.”

Regional Head of Partnerships Sales, Infobip, Hana Bilbeisi, said, “We are delighted to have joined forces with Network International.

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

‘MPR Hike to Lead to Increase in NPLs’

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

Nume Ekeghe

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

President of Association of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (ACMAN), Professor Uche Uwaleke has said that the increase in benchmark rates alongside rising inflation may lead to an increase in non-performing loans in the banking industry.

Speaking at the bi-monthly forum of Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), he noted that a higher Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) will translate to higher interest and the higher the inability of customers to pay back their loans.

“The more you increase the (MPR), the likelihood that the asset quality of banks will even deteriorate. In the last MPC communique, we were told that the

non performing loans of banks have dropped to below the CBN threshold of five per cent. The MPR is the rate at which the central bank lends to commercial banks and we have a corridor of +1/-7. So that means effective lending rate is 15 per cent.

“So, if the interest rate is 15 per cent, banks of course cannot lend at below 15 per cent, it has to be higher, with the cost of doing business that is also rising. That is why you also find that banks are shifting all these things to their customers and those who are borrowing.

“You now find that lending rates will be higher as the banks now reprice their loans, and the likelihood that borrowers will default will also

be higher. And that’s why increasing the monetary policy rates may lead to an increase in the non performing loans of the banking industry, “he said.

Uwaleke also noted that the higher MPR would mean the cost of government servicing its domestic debt obligations will also increase.

He said, “But the central bank has a duty to tame inflation. So, that is why inmost economies central bank is meant to be independent.

Otherwise the fiscal authority may want to keep interest rates low MPR so, they can borrow at a cheaper rate. So raising the MPR will increase cost of borrowing. And that will mean cost of establishing domestic debt will of course increase.”

Yabacon Pledges Unification of Technology Sector in Africa Hamid Ayodeji Yabacon, the brainchild of Codessy Technologies, has announced its commitment towards unifying the African technology ecosystem, which it revealed is currently operating in dispersed clusters.

The organization during an event in Lagos disclosed that the aim of the initiative is to enhance the technology sector by having a single large, formidable African technology community focused on generating innovations and solving economical problems.

This, the firm explained, would help increase the productivity and economic activities of the continent and the globe as a whole.

Speaking at the event, Founder, Yabacon, Jesse Essang, stated that the Yabacon community comprises of individuals and other communities led by industry leaders, with the goal of birthing innovations that will lead to global digital transformation.

Essang said, “Yabacon is for technology consumers as well as professionals, thereby

making the community even more unique and productive.

“We understand the vital role unifying the technology space would play towards not merely enhancing the sector but also boosting the operations of other sectors as we live in a technology driven economy and world today.

“We are also delighted to reveal that many industry stakeholders have expressed an interest in joining this community in order to achieve and expand its vision and mission for technology across Africa.”

--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 THURSDAY, MAY 7

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).

35

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022

MARKET NEWS

Sanwo-olu, Others Inaugurate Lagos Commodities & Future Exchange Kayode Tokede The Lagos state government, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu, yesterday in Lagos joined key capital market stakeholders to officially launch the Lagos Commodities & Future Exchange.

Sanwo-olu, who was a special guest of honour, noted that the state government is committed to improving the living environment for businesses, and for the investments to thrive in Lagos

and the country at large.

He mentioned that the state is poised at attracting cutting-edge ideas and innovations, stressing that these innovations are targeted at improving the inflow of financial transactions, which is expected to enable businesses to flourish and institutions to grow.

According to him, the unveiling of Lagos Commodities & Future Exchange, dedicated electronic trading of agriculture products, solid minerals, oil &gas, is in

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

partnership with other commodities exchanges around the world.

Sanwo-olu, who unveiled the Eko gold spot noted that, “We are witnessing, more importantly, the gold spot contract series, which is valued at about 100 million pounds sterling, comprising gold-backed financial instruments that will be listed and traded on Lagos Commodity & Future Exchange.

“These gold coins will be known as Eko gold coins and

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

this first trench is designed as a proof of concepts. It comprises of 58 units of the coin valued at over N100 million. I’m told the future is listing of Eko gold coins will take place in tranches of 10 million pounds sterling each.

“This is no doubt the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the investment community in Lagos, Nigeria, and indeed around the world. “I’m certainly very confident that we’ll see a deepening of an emerging commodities trading

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

ecosystem, as well as an increased investment in agriculture, mining, in oil and gas exploration in Nigeria, and even to the opportunity to take advantage of all of these numerous offerings that will be listed on the Lagos commodities and futures market.”

Speaking earlier, the DirectorGeneral, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda, who was represented

by Executive Commissioner, SEC, Mr. Dayo Obisan noted

O F

2 8

that the launching of Lagos Commodities & Future Exchange is a giant stride in Nigeria’s capital market.

According to him, “Commodities Exchanges are critical for an enabling investment that is efficient, risk management, price discovery and transactional efficiency. To boost Nigeria’s competitiveness and transactional efficiency, we must develop the commodities trading Ecosystem.”

/ 7 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

36

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022

NEWSXTRA

AFRICA HIGH-LEVEL POLICY CONFERENCE...

L-R: Senior Officer, Nigeria Program for Natural Resources Governance Institute, Tengo Okoli; Acting Director, Communication, NEITI, Obiageli Onuorah; Executive Director, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Faith Nwadishi and Global Chairman, Publish What You Pay, Mr. Monday Osasah, during the West Africa high-level policy conference on inequality and natural resources management in Abuja ... yesterday

NSA: MILITARY DEVELOPING NEW STRATEGIES TO CURTAIL TERRORISM to the protection of the seat of power and Nigerians in its ongoing operations to weed the nation's capital of terrorists.

It debunked claims that more soldiers other than the official figures released were killed in the clash with terrorists in Abuja as contained in a viral voice note of an alleged soldier just as it maintained that the military high command would probe claims that military personnel were involved in collection of ransom payment meant for kidnappers if such a report was brought before it.

Defence Headquarters also disclosed that naval troops operating in the Niger Delta recovered 5,159,500 litres of crude oil, 1, 432,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and deactivated 80 illegal refineries.

At a media briefing in Abuja, Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Bernard Onyeuko, said "troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 167 Special Force Battalion in conjunction with the air component of Operation Whirl Punch conducted a clearance patrol around Bwari general area between 24 – 26 July 2022.

"Troops successfully cleared Kawu and Ido Villages.

Consequently, about 30 terrorists were neutralised and their enclave and hide out destroyed.

Ground troops also recovered 6 x motorcycles, 2 x AK47 rifles, 1 x fully loaded LMG magazine amongst others during mop up," he said.

Onyeuko affirmed that the military high command remained committed to the protection of the seat of power and the rest of the country.

In his remarks at the briefing, the Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Jimmy Akpor, urged the media to continue to support the military in ensuring that the enemies of the nation were defeated.

On the voice note being circulated on social media purportedly belonging to a soldier involved in the attack, Akpor said inquiries to know its authenticity was unnecessary but maintained that if found to be true an investigation would be initiated.

Atiku Vows to Rescue Zamfara from Terrorists Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who promised to rescue Zamfara from terrorists if elected president in 2023, explained that the only way to rescue and rebuild the state was by voting out the ruling APC in the forthcoming polls.

Atiku, according to a statement in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, said he would work to ensure that the state PDP gubernatorial

candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawal, won the 2023 general election.

According to the statement, which was released by Lawal's campaign office, Atiku spoke when the Zamfara State PDP gubernatorial candidate and other chieftains of the party visited him at his residence in Abuja.

The statement read: "To achieve that, there is the need for having a united PDP, which will be formidable enough to face any opposition no matter how difficult it may be.

“The best thing to do for the people of Zamfara State, is to bring about peace, secure farms, and provide businesses. But the situation now is otherwise. We must unseat the APC to rescue and rebuild the state and the country. PDP administration would resuscitate the textile industry.”

Earlier, Lawal, a former Executive Director of First Bank, explained that he led PDP stakeholders and APC stalwarts that decamped to the PDP to congratulate Atiku on his victory at the party primaries, which gave him the presidential ticket of the party for the 2023 general election.

Impeachment: PDP N’Assembly Caucus Collecting Signatures The PDP caucus in the National Assembly met behind closed doors on Thursday to discuss the purported impeachment of President Buhari and to show the extent of their seriousness, they had begun to collect the signatures of willing federal lawmakers.

The PDP Caucus in the red chamber had before the Senate adjourned plenary to September 20, asked Buhari to end insecurity in Nigeria within six weeks or risk impeachment.

Their House of Representatives counterparts fully joined their senate colleagues yesterday and expressed their support for the impeachment move.

Senate Minority Leader, Phillip Aduda and his counterpart in the House, Ndudi Elumelu, briefed journalists after the joint closed door meeting.

They said the collection of signatures across party lines would be taken at the two chambers in September, if Buhari failed to tackle insecurity before the expiration of their ultimatum.

Aduda explained that the plan to sack Buhari if he failed to honour their demands, was not the idea of the minority caucus in the Senate but a resolution taken by the entire senators at the closed session held on Wednesday.

Aduda said, "Indeed, all of you are aware of what happened yesterday and we felt that there was

the need to be on the same page with the members of the members of the House of Representatives.

Our actions yesterday were spontaneous from the issues that were raised on the floor of the Senate.

"We all agreed that the security architecture is failing and there is need to salvage it immediately and we also agreed that we must issue an impeachment notice to the president, because the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives of the citizens.

"We have called the caucus in the House of Representatives so that we can discuss with them so that they can hear from us and understand what we did yesterday."

Elumelu also told journalists that his colleagues in the green chambers would start collecting signatures as soon as the ultimatum expired without improvement in the disturbing security situation in the country.

He said, "They (senators), have given six weeks for Mr. President to address the insecurity that is, of course, affecting this nation, and I want to join on behalf of my colleagues to also say that upon the expiration, we will proffer ways of ensuring that we will gather all the signatures.

"Let me make it clear, those who are thinking that it is only the issue of PDP or the minority caucus.

Many of our colleagues under the bipartisanship are affected. Many of them are affected. They may not be speaking but we may be speaking for them. And when the time comes, I heard somebody this morning saying it is a laughable attempt to want do that.

"Perhaps, when the action starts, the person will find out that it's not a laughable action. It's real and we will not stand to allow this nation collapse. We think that it’s high time, the insecurity of this nation was addressed. We also have the issue of oil theft, which has risen, now making it difficult for us to earn income from oil revenue.

"These and many others are the reasons we are joining our colleagues in the Senate to ask Mr. President to address the insecurity of this nation within six weeks, otherwise, we will find the constitutional means to ensure that we serve him an impeachment notice."

Impeachment Move Too Late, Say Umeh, Mike Ozekhome But Senator Victor Umeh and Foremost human rights lawyer, Mr Mike Ozekhome (SAN) have condemned moves by the National Assembly to commence an impeachment of President Buhari.

The duo, who spoke on Arise

News, said going by the provisions of Section 143 of the Constitution, the path to the president's impeachment was cumbersome, considering the time left before the general election.

"If the president is alleged to have conducted gross misconduct, there are steps to take. One thing to do if you want to proceed in that direction is to have the requisite numbers," Umeh said.

He stated that those who are gunning for the president's impeachment must be able to muster two-thirds majority of both chambers of the federal legislature to agree to investigate the president for such an undertaking to sail through.

"If they don't have that number, it will be a distraction of the highest degree," he said.

In the same vein, Ozekhome said the National Assembly would not be able to carry out such a task, considering the short period left of the Buhari administration.

"I do not see them carrying it out. Impeachment has many stages. It could take two to six months. I don't see it happening with the general election in about six months," he said.

Ozekhome, however, took a swipe at the National Assembly for embarking on such a project belatedly and failing to take such a step earlier in spite of insecurity and the economic woes bedevilling the nation.

"This senate is the worst that we have had since Nnamdi Azikiwe and Nwafor Orizu. The 8th Senate was the best, because they could speak truth to power; they could look the devil in the eyes and speak the truth. I call this Senate a take a bow senate. I put the blame on the doorstep of the Senate President and the National Assembly," he said.

Buhari's Govt Has Failed Nigerians, Says Afenifere A Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has said the situations that unfolded in Nigeria within the week have further confirmed that those piloting the affairs of Nigeria currently were far from reality that Nigerians were dealing with on an hourly basis.

Afenifere, in a statement, said, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has failed Nigerians in view of the lackadaisical manner government was handling security situation.

In the statement signed by its publicity secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere while listing three instances worthy of immediate recall, blamed Buhari's appointees for lying to him.

It made reference to the drama at the National Assembly on

Wednesday, where the President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan went against the decision taken during the close-door meeting of the House’s officials to discuss the security situation in the country with a notice of impeachment to be served on President Muhammadu Buhari.

Afenifere wondered if Lawan preventing the Senators from discussing the issue, would put an end to the menace or assisting it to fester.

They also mentioned how deceitful those around the president were following the disclosures by two serving Ministers, Ahmed and Mohammed, after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

The organisation recalled that the Minister of Information, Lai Muhammed, described the threat by terrorists to kidnap President Buhari and Governor Rufai as laughable while his counterpart in the Ministry of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, said the Nigerian economy was doing very well, far better than under the previous administrations.

“As at 2015, when President Buhari took over, Nigeria’s inflation rate was a single digit of 9.01%.

Inflation today is 17.71%. As of 2015, Nigeria’s debt revenue stood at N8.8 trillion. As at today, the debt figure is N41 trillion. In 2015, a litre of petrol stood at N87 while it hovers around N190 –N200 today per litre.

“In 2015, when President Buhari assumed office, the dollar was exchanging at about N190 per US Dollar. Today the exchange rate is a little above N700 to a Dollar. When President Buhari assumed office then, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at $486 billion. The GDP as of 2021 dropped to $440 billion while it has dropped even further now.

"Yet, the minister in charge of our finance said the economy is doing ‘very well’. With such briefings from his officer in charge of economy, how would the President know that his government has failed woefully in that sector?

“Enter the Minister of Information. He described the threat of kidnap as laughable while speaking with journalists.

Yet, the reality around us proved otherwise. Programmes such as that of the Nigerian Law School in Abuja, were shifted or adjusted.

Unity schools were shut down.

“Not only that, officials of the Presidential Guards were reportedly attacked first on the way to Daura, President Buhari’s hometown and second in the Federal Capital Territory as confirmed by the Army authority. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, July 27, said the Department of State Services, DSS, shared 44

intelligence reports before the attack on Kuje Prisons," Afenifere stated.

Owo: Insecurity Fueling Imminent Civil War, OPC Warns The OPC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oguntimehin, has warned those fomenting trouble in the country to refrain from attacking the south west region as such would be met with stiff resistance.

The OPC, while reacting to the rising insecurity across the country, especially, with the repeated attack on Owo town, insisted that the southwest region should not be taken for granted by the perpetrators.

Oguntimehin decried the various terrorists' attacks in the Federal Capital Territory and some parts of the north, stressing that the porous security situation in the country was a pointer to imminent war capable of pushing Nigeria to the precipice.

He blamed the federal government for failing to act decisively on the issue of security as the docile posture of the government was giving the impression that it has been overwhelmed by the protracted security challenges.

"From the present situation in the country, it is evident that the federal government has been overwhelmed by the rising spate of insecurity in the country. President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to match his words with actions.

"For instance, public schools in Abuja, Nasarawa State and some other parts of the North are shutting down as a result of the rising insecurity. The situation is getting worse everyday with numbers of killings increasing sporadically.

"However, there is urgent need for the southwest governors to rise to the security situation before it is too late. We should not take the terrorists' threats with levity. We must act now".

Meanwhile, two workers of a construction company known as 'Craneburg Construction Company' in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo, were seriously injured over an attack by unknown gunmen at the construction site.

The attack which occurred Wednesday night, came coming after the bloody June 5 attack on worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church, owo which left 40 people dead.

The gunmen, it was gathered, shot sporadically into the air and damaged the windscreen of the trailers at the construction site while the injured people have been taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo and are responding to treatment.

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2022˾ T H I S D AY

37

NEWS

Hanifa: Court Sentences School Proprietor to Death by Hanging Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Kano State High Court yesterday sentenced to death by hanging the Proprietor of Nobel Kids Academy and North West Preparatory School, Abdulmalik Tanko, the principal suspect who masterminded the kidnap and killing of five-year-old school girl, Hanifa Abubakar.

The presiding Judge, Justice Usman Na’abba, gave the order while delivering his judgment.

Justice Usman Na’aba found guilty the 2nd and 3rd accused persons, Hashim Isiyaku and Fatima Musa guilty in four counts charges in the case of the murder of the five-year-old Hanifa Abubakar sometimes last year.

Delivering judgement, Justice Usman Naaba, said the five count charges included the kidnapping of Hanifa Abubakar, attempt to kidnap her, counseling of kidnapping her, abatement, and poisoning her to death.

In his acceptance speech, prosecution counsel who doubles as Kano Attorney General, Barrister Musa Abdullahi Lawan, described Hanifa’s murder as a crime

against humanity and prayed the court to ensure justice for the killing of the underage girl.

It was gathered that the trio of Abdulmalik (Proprietor of Nobel Kids Academy and North West

Preparatory School) alongside his accomplice, Hashim Isyaku and Fatima Jibrin were arraigned before the court by the Kano State government on five count charges bordering on

criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, confinement and culpable homicide contrary to section 97, 274, 277, 221 of the penal code.

Earlier Abdulmalik Tanko,

Hashim Isyaku, and Fatima Musa were arraigned on February 14 this year on five count charges of criminal conspiracy, attempt to kidnap, abetment, kidnapping, killing,

and concealing dead body.

The Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje had earlier pledged to sign the death sentence when passed by the court.

GEREGU POWER GETS FINANCIAL BOOST…

L-R: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Investment Banking ,United Capital Plc (Lead Issuing House), Gbadebo Adenrele; CEO, Black Birch Capital, Abiodun Sanusi; Deputy Chief Executive, Julius Omodayo-Owotuga; CEO, Akin Akinfemiwa; General Counsel, Akin Olagbende, all of Geregu Power Plc, and Company Secretary, United Capital Plc, Leo Okafor, at the official signing ceremony for the N40 billion 7-year fixed rate bond issuance under the N100 billion multi-instrument programme of Geregu Power Plc in Lagos…yesterday

Ortom Urges Christians to Unite NIACOM: More Insurance Companies May be Liquidated against Forces of Darkness ChuksOkochainAbuja Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on Christians in the country to unite so as to defeat the forces of darkness hovering over the nation.

According to a press statement by the Chief Press Secretary Nathaniel Ikyur, Governor Ortom made the appealed at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja while delivering a goodwill message at the inauguration of the new leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN).

He maintained that the country was under siege by the forces of darkness, which has made life

unbearable for the people, saying the church must work with God in faith and absolute obedience for things to turn around.

While thanking the church for standing firm and refusing to be intimidated by the evil forces in the country, Ortom advised Christians in the country to sustain their prayers for God to help enthrone peace and love in the nation.

The governor expressed optimism that the God who has sustained the tenure of the outgoing President of CAN, Reverend Samson Ayokunle, would do same for the new leadership of the association led

by Reverend Daniel Okoh for him to record milestone.

Gombe Launches COVID-19 Action Recovery, Economic Stimulus Segun Awofadeji inGombe

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has stated that the newly launched COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (GO-CARES) aligns with his administration human capital development initiative as encapsulated in the 10-year Development Agenda for Gombe State (DEVAGOM).

The governor, who stated this at the commencement of the project in Kuri, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of the state yesterday, added that the emergency recovery programme would support government’s budgeted programme of

expenditures and interventions specifically designed to expand access to livelihood support, food security and provide succour to the poor and vulnerable persons in communities whose lives, businesses, jobs and means of livelihood have been distorted by the pandemic.

Yahaya observed that “being a domestication of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery Stimulus Programme (NGCARES), the programme would help expand access to livelihood support, food security services and the provision of grants to poor and vulnerable households and firms following the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Clean Up Niger Delta before Divestment, Oil Companies Urged

Blessing Ibunge inPortHarcourt

A renowned environmentalist and Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, has urged International Oil Companies (IOCs) itching to divest from onshore to offshore in Nigeria, as a matter of significant to conclude the clean-up of the Niger Delta environment before leaving.

The environmentalist insisted that the oil multinationals are not divesting from Nigeria but deceptively running away from their responsibility over the spills

and the pollution that they have done in the region for decades.

Bassey made the assertion yesterday at a community environmental training organised

by HOMEF for coastal communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The HOMEF boss, who regretted that the Niger Delta environment has been bastardized by the activities of oil corporations, both international and local, said after placing a huge burden on local communities, the IOCs are moving to offshore where they would be less monitored, unless there is serious spills.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has said that more insurance companies may be sanctioned through liquidation as part of its moves to reposition the industry.

The Deputy Commissioner, Technical, NAICOM, Mr. Sabiu Abubakar, made this known at the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Second Edition of 2022 Business Outlook Seminar

in Lagos yesterday.

The theme of the seminar was: “Economic Policies of the Government in 2022: Challenges, Issues and Prospects’’.

“Recently two insurance companies’ licences have been withdrawn and these are: Niger Insurance and Standard Alliance Insurance.

“Though managing the death or failure of financial institution

is very demanding, nevertheless more may still be liquidated in order to sanitise the insurance sector,” he said.

Abubakar noted that NAICOM had strengthened its regulatory oversight to ensure that operators discharge their obligation by settling genuine claims timely.

The deputy commissioner said that insurance regulation and supervision were always

the bedrock of national economic development.

He noted that NAICOM’s reforms and regulatory initiatives would positively impact the insurance industry and the industry would witness tremendous development and growth.

Abubakar urged insurance practitioners to comply with and support the commission’s efforts.

Ogun Pensioners Appeal to Abiodun to Settle Gratuity Pensioners in Ogun State have appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently settle their N68 billion gratuity and other entitlements.

The retirees, under the auspices of the Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (LOGPAN), described the state government’s insensitivity to their plight as disrespect to humanity,

especially the senior citizens.

The Chairman of LOGPAN, Mr. Sikiru Ayilara, made the appeal while addressing journalists at their secretariat in Abeokuta yesterday.

Ayilara said the pensioners had written 14 letters of appeal to the state government without any response.

The pensioners also called on

the governor to increase their minimum monthly pension from the “paltry” N5,000 to N30,000.

The chairman also urged the government to carry his members along in the composition of the Contributory Pensions Scheme Review and Consequential Pensions Adjustment Committees, set up by the state to address

the demands of workers and pensioners in the state.

“It remains a fact that failure on the part of any government at all levels to take proper care of retirees will no doubt discourages patriotism.

“Facing the reality at eleventh hour of our lives, we beg the governor to respond to our yearnings.

Four Injured as NDLEA Officers, NURTW Members Clash in Osogbo Yinka KolawoleinOsogbo

At least no fewer than four persons were allegedly wounded following a clash between operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and some members of National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osogbo, Osun State.

However, officials of the NDLEA

were reported to have engaged the NURTW members, Oroki branch in a gun duel during a clamp down on a vehicle suspected to convey cannabis.

THISDAY also have learnt that the officials of the anti-narcotic agency were trying to arrest and seize hard drugs conveyed by the driver when the incident occurred.

Confirming the incident,

Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said the NDLEA officials were attacked while doing their legitimate duty.

He said: “From preliminary report I got, our men had intelligence that a vehicle was bringing in substance suspected to be hard drugs to Osogbo today.

“They followed the vehicle to a particular garage to see who the

consignment would be delivered to.

“So, at the point they tracked the vehicle to the garage and confirmed the consignment and arrested the driver of the vehicle, then they raised the alarm and the miscreants in the garage came out with bottles, cutlasses and guns to engage our men and our command for called for reinforcement which was a provided.

Plateau PDP Expresses Concern over Lalong’s Alleged Concession of Jos Market to Islamic Bank The market, which hosted In a statement issued by the market to the said bank to run for Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over the alleged concession of Jos main market by the state Governor, Simon Lalong, to an Islamic bank (JAIZ Bank).

traders from across Nigeria and West Africa in the past, had been in ruin since 2002 after it was gutted by fire. But Plateau citizens would rather leave it that way than to cede it to any Islamic organisation considering the religious sentiments in the state.

state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. John Akans, PDP said it has it on good authority that the state government has reached an advanced stage in signing a Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU) with JAIZ Bank with the view to handing over the entire

40 years at the cost of N10 billion.

He added that: “This is coming just shortly after the governor informed Plateau citizens that over N4 billion has been spent by his government on the same main market without giving account of how it was expended.

Obanikoro Tasks Lagos Residents on Continuous Voter Registration A member of the House of Representatives representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos State, Hon. Babajide Obanikoro has charged residents of the state to enroll for Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) before July 31.

Obanikoro made the call in a statement yesterday, challenging

all the eligible residents across the state to take full advantage of the remaining days to the end of the exercise.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced a two-week exercise for the ongoing exercise scheduled to end on Sunday, July 31.

Obanikoro said the window

of opportunity created by INEC was good enough to allow fresh registrants for the exercise while also appealing to those who have registered but yet to collect their PVCs to do so without delay.

Obanikoro said since the acquisition of permanent voter cards (PVCs) is the only way to be part of the electoral process,

Lagos residents should not shy away from discharging alive their civic responsibility.

He noted that the worry expressed by INEC over noncollection of over 22 million PVCs nationwide was profound, lamenting that more than one million was from Lagos, which he said, was unacceptable.

38

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

WORLD OF ISLAM Bandits Attack Zuba, NEWSEXTRA

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

FCT Border Town The Hijrah, Urbanization Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Tension flared last night in Zuba, when the community on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with proximity to Niger State, came under heavy attack from people suspected to be bandits.

Zuba, which is very close to Madala is located along the

Kaduna-Abuja Express Road.

There were heavy and sporadic gun shots from the attackers. Residents said that the shooting lasted for several minutes until the military was later mobilised to the scene of the attack.

The attack forced residents of the area to go into hiding out of feat of not being abducted

by the suspected kidnappers.

One Zuba resident, Antony confirmed the attack. He said he was at a Church service when news began to spread about the attack on the community. He said he hurriedly ran home in order to be with his family as safety was all that mattered to him.

Ebonyi Exonerates Fulani Herdsmen in Alleged Murder of 17-year-old Girl Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki The Ebonyi State Government, yesterday, denied allegations on social media that Fulani herdsmen were involved in the killing of a

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as DISU OLUWAFUNMILAYO OLAIDE, wish to be known and addressed as ALONGE OLUWAFUNMILAYO OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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young woman in Onicha Local Government Area.

THISDAY gathered that the situation caused tension and panic in the area when speculation circulated that Fulani herders allegedly masterminded the death of the woman while returning from farm.

However, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Uchenna Orji, said that there was no evidence so far to link the murder to herdsmen, adding that there were no herdsmen residing in the area.

Orji said that the victim is believed to have been killed by criminal elements in the area while she was returning from a neighbouring village.

He said: “Our attention has been drawn to a trending social media post over a young girl found dead in a village in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and the impressions created over the circumstances of her death.

“While the state government condemns the ugly incident as unacceptable brutal murder of an innocent citizen by heartless criminals, it is imperative to note that contrary to the claims circulating in social media that Fulani herders were responsible for her gruesome murder, the community has not seen anything linking her death with the Fulani herdsmen, as there were no herders’ camp in the area.

Zulum Gifts N5m to Borno Almajiri who Fabricated Tractor Michael Olugbode inMaiduguri The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has given N5 million to Mr. Laminu Mohammed, a 25-year-old man, that fabricated a farming plough machine without the benefit of formal western education.

A statement that was issued yesterday by the Spokesman of the Governor, Mr. Isa Gusau, explained that the N5 million was to support the innovative skills of a talented almajiri in Borno State, who fabricated a manual plough machine for tilling of farmlands towards planting.

Zulum, who is a professor of irrigation farming, was impressed that Mohammed, who hailed from Gubio Local Government in northern part of the state, could achieve the feat even though he had never attended any formal school except the traditional Islamic education called Tsangaya

in Borno, and popularly called almajiri system.

Laminu used components of a lister engine which is originally made for water pump, to construct a plough which worked like a tractor that is pushed by hand.

Zulum was informed of Mohammed’s talent by a government official who drew his attention to Mohammed’s plough machine.

The governor said that the amount is aimed to inspire the ‘unschooled engineer’ to produce more ploughs and possibly other agricultural machineries that could serve farmers in Borno State.

His support for Mohammed came barely two weeks after the governor approved over N5 million for a 13-year old primary school boy who used mud to copy the design of Borno’s first flyover located along the Maiduguri-Gamboru Ngala Highway.

Veteran Journalist, Abdulhamid Babatunde Agaka is Dead A veteran journalist, Alhaji Abdulhamid Babatunde Agaka, died in his sleep in Kaduna yesterday.

The funeral prayers for the repose of his soul were held in the morning and his remains were later buried at a public cemetery in Kaduna. According to a statement, the seasoned journalist and media consultant, had lost his first and former wife, Salamatu Babatunde, last month.

Born on February 26, 1956, Agaka, attended Kano Capital School and the Capital School Kaduna in the 1960s before proceeding to Barewa College Zaria and Government Secondary School Ilorin.

With passion for journalism, he joined the service of the New Nigerian Newspaper based in Kaduna, in 1974.

He was a Correspondent (State Editor) of the New Nigerian Newspaper in Kano State

from 1980 to 1984. The vibrant journalist effectively covered the socio-economic and political developments of the cosmopolitan, commercial, cultural and religious state and wrote news stories and articles on the people and events of Kano State at that time.

Agaka was transferred back to Kaduna in late 1984 and became the News Editor and later Associate Editor (News) of the New Nigerian before joining the Democrat Newspaper as an Editor in 1988 and later the Editor-in-Chief. When the newspaper ceased publication in the 1996, he went into Media Consultancy and established Slim Jenkins Media Services, a professional consultancy firm, offering qualitative media, editorial, publicity, training, advertisement and related communication services for print, electronic, web and public enlightenment formats to corporate and individual clients.

By: Spahic Omer/IslamiCity

P

eople are both the creators and demolishers of every civilizational accomplishment. They, too, are the only beneficiaries of each and every valuable civilizational upshot. Similarly, people are the creators and inhabitants of cities, a locus of civilization.

They create cities and then live and work in them. They do this either commendably, thus securing and enjoying the fruits of their right acts, so long as they stick to the right schemes which led them to such a state, or appallingly with no clear purpose or direction. In the latter scenario, things are always bound to work against the inhabitants of a city, making their lives both miserable and injurious. Allah says to this effect: “Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from evil).” (al-Rum, 30:41) Of the essence is thus constantly and painstakingly educating, purifying, nurturing and cherishing individuals, as well as overseeing and monitoring their progress and involvements, along the lines of an adopted worldview, philosophy and vision. This is so because individuals make up groups and societies, and they are the planners, makers, beneficiaries, consumers and sustainers, or slayers, of every civilizational triumph. They subsist at the heart of every urbanization scheme and advancement. Indeed, human development and urbanization are intertwined.

They cannot be separated. Neither of them can be treated without, or at the expense of, the other.

It goes without saying that the people are the most direct causes of their own civilizational destinies. They, by and large, are fully responsible for them. Allah says, for example, that He will change the condition of a people only when they change what lies in themselves, i.e., when they change themselves first. (al-Ra’d, 31:11) He also says that He will help a people only when they “help” Him by obeying Him and by following His religion, Islam. (Muhammad, 7) This close and causal relationship between urbanization and any sort of civilizational awakening, on the one hand, and human spiritual and moral development and enlightenment, on the other, has been emphasized as a blueprint for genuine and lasting success in both worlds since time immemorial. It in fact denoted the focal point of each and every holy prophet’s struggle and teachings, from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all).

About Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Allah says that he was sent in order to teach people that they “...should worship none but Allah” (Hud, 11:2), and that they should seek “...the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance; that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit! But if you turn away, then I fear for you the penalty of a great day. To Allah is your return, and He has power over all things.”

(Hud, 11:3-4) Thus, in view of the developments that the Islamic message was living through in the city-state of Madinah, following the Hijrah, such a thing, i.e., nurturing and developing community members consistent with the values and beliefs of Islam, instantaneously attracted much of the Prophet’s attention.

It should be noted that at the time of the Hijrah, the ongoing revelation of Islam was entering its 13th year and the Muslims were yet to set up a free and autonomous state of their own. Once the city of Madinah with most of its inhabitants wholeheartedly welcomed the new religion, so fiercely disapproved of by many where it had originated, the wait finally came to an end and the stage was set for broadening the focus of the young community’s undertakings. As a result, the focus of revelation was likewise widened. The religion of Islam thus began to assert itself as a universal code of life overlooking no segment of human existence - a momentous development indeed after having been

portrayed essentially as an inclusive belief system during the precarious episode in Makkah. From the point of development, urbanization and community building, the whole Madinah period of revelation - in particular the first half, about four to five years - was, as expected, exceptionally eventful too.

The Prophet’s vision of the subject of personality and community building, as a launch pad for a wholesome urban development, was well-structured and arresting. He championed that under the auspices of Islam and its unique tawhidic worldview, the Muslims are seen as brothers to each other and their similitude is like a wall whose bricks enforce and rely on each other; they are like a solid cemented structure held together in unity and strength, each part contributing strength in its own way, and the whole held together not like a mass, but like a living organism. The Muslims are furthermore related to each other in such a way that if one of them (a part of an organic and formidable formation called the Ummah) is troubled by a problem of whatever kind, the rest of the body parts will remain disturbed and restless until the matter became solved.

Surely, for the reason of nurturing community members did the Prophet (pbuh) upon arriving in Madinah disclose to the assembled crowd some of the paths which invariably lead towards Jannah (Paradise) in the Hereafter, as well as towards individual and collective felicity in this world. Such paths are: implementing and spreading peace and concord wherever possible and by whatever lawful means, sharing and compassion, maintaining good relations with relatives (as well as with others), and praying at night when everybody else is asleep. The companion ‘Abdullah b. Salam said that these were the first words he had heard from the Prophet (pbuh). Without doubt, these were among the very first advices the Prophet (pbuh) gave following the Hijrah, because ‘Abdullah b. Salam was among the first to see, meet and hear the Prophet (pbuh). No sooner had he done so, than he embraced Islam, as he realized that the Prophet’s face “seemed by no means like the face of a phony.”

For the same reason did the content of the Prophet’s sermon at the first Friday prayer (Jumu’ah) in Madinah - as well as the content of the other sermons of his at this juncture - emphasize the importance of such issues as faith (iman), taking hold of the good and leaving the evil, brotherhood, sincerity, steadfastness, gratefulness for the blessing of Islam, the significance of helping one another in righteousness and piety and not in sin and rancor, the common cause of the Muslims, and the like.

Some of the underlying societal qualities and features of Islam, such as commitment to the established cause, justice, equality, and mutual understanding and cooperation, have also been manifested as early as during the exercise of determining the site of the first urban component in the city of Madinah, i.e., the Prophet’s mosque, and during the marking out of its boundaries. At the earmarked location of the mosque there was a walled piece of land that belonged to some people from the Banu al-Najjar clan. The Prophet (pbuh) sent to them and asked them to suggest to him the price of the land. They replied: “No! By Allah! We do not demand its price except from Allah.” The Prophet (pbuh) accepted the offer and the occurrence typified as well as inaugurated, so to speak, a new phase of the unreserved keenness of the first Muslims to sacrifice whatever they possessed for the cause of strengthening Islam and the Muslim community. Additionally, the mosque proper was about to expand into an area used for drying dates which belonged to two youths, both orphans, named Sahl and Suhayl. The Prophet (pbuh) asked them too to suggest to him the price of the place. However, when they said that they demand no price for it, the Prophet (pbuh) insisted that they tell the price, since they were orphans and possessed little. Eventually, he paid them ten golden dinars. The money was Abu Bakr’s.

To Be Continued

39

FRIDAY, JU ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Amusan, Brume Land in Birmingham as Games Kick off with Colourful Ceremony

Duro Ikhazuagbe Team Nigeria’s 94 athletes were part of the 6,500 athletes from 54 countries and territories that streamed into Birmingham's Alexander Stadium for the colourful opening ceremony last night.

National Javelin record holder, Nnamdi Chinecherem Prosper and veteran powerlifter, Oluwafemiayo Folashade were Team Nigeria’s flag bearers during the opening ceremony. While Prosper will be hoping to get to the podium, Folashade will also be gunning for another golden outing for Nigeria. 280 medals are at stake with para-sports fully integrated.

Hosts England were the last

C O M M O N W E A LT H G A M E S to storm the main-bowl of the stadium where a giant animatronic bull was at the centre stage with 2,000 performers tracing the story of Birmingham past and present.

Fresh from setting a world record in women’s 100m hurdles as well as winning the country’s first World Championships gold medal, Tobi Amusan and silver medal winning Ese Brume were given a rousing welcome into Team Nigeria’s section of the Athletes Village in Birmingham yesterday.

The Coordinator of Team Nigeria at the Games, Yusuf Ali, expressed delight over the arrival Amusan

and Brume to the Nigerian camp.

Ali said the two athletes were expected to take little time off to rest

but have landed in Birmingham already.

“It is a surprise and good team spirit for us to have them this early because athletics events start next week. That they chose to come

here is a demonstration of their readiness to excel at the Games as well. We are happy because this will also motivate others to do well,” stressed Ali, a former Team Nigeria Captain who was

a year older yesterday.

Team Nigeria’s table tennis players will be the first to kick off hunt for silverwares today as actions begin in the ping pong sport.

Meet All the 94 Athletes Representing Nigeria at Birmingham 2022 All eyes will be on Team Nigeria as the competitions kick off today after last night’s colourful opening ceremony in Birmingham.

Despite focus on Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume because of their spectacular outings at the just concluded World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, Team Nigeria is not all about just the hurdler and the long jumper. There are 92 other athletes whose spirits have been boosted by Amusan and Brume.

Carrying the ‘can-do’ spirits are these 94 athletes representing Nigeria in nine sporting disciplines. Here they are: *ATHLETICS ADEYEMI Sikiru, ALABA Olukunle Akintola, AMARACHUKWU Obi, AMENE Dubem, AMUSAN Oluwatobiloba, Ella ONOJUEVO, ENEKWECHI Chukwuebuka, Ese BRUME, EZEKIEL Nathaniel, Favour OFILI, Favour Oghene-Tejiri ASHE, Godson Oke OGHENEBRUME, ISA Esther, Joy Udo GABRIEL, Mike EDWARDS, NNAMANI Jonson, NNAMDI Chinecerem, NKWOCHA Grace, Obiageri AMECHI, OJELI Emmanuel, OLATOYE Oyesade, OMOVOH Knowledge, ONYEKWERE Chioma, OROBOSA Anabel Frank, Patience Okon GEORGE, Raymond EKEVWO, Rosemary CHUKWUMA, Ruth USORO, Samson NATHANIEL, Seye OGUNLEWE, Temitope ADESHINA, Tima GODBLESS, UDODI Chudi Onwuzurike. *BOXING ADEYINKA Benson, EGUNJOBI Yetunde, EHWARIEME Innocent, OGUNSEMILORE Cynthia, OSHOBA Elizabeth, OSOBA AbdulAfeez Osoba, OYEKWERE Ifeanyi, SHOGBAMU Bolanle, UMUNNAKWE Jacinta.

*JUDO ASONYE Joy Oluchi, EDWIN Patrick, JAMES Cecilia Chinyeye, MURITALA Fatai. *PARA-ATHLETICS ALAM Ugochi, EZEJI Kennedy, GALADIMA Suwaibidu, IYIAZI Njideka, NWACHUKWU Goodness. *PARA-POWERLIFTING IBRAHIM Abdulazeez, IKECHUKWU Obichukwu, MARK Onyinyechi, NNAMDI Innocent, OLUWAFEMIAYO Folashade, OMOLAYO Bose, THOMAS Kure, TIJANI Latifat. *PARA-TABLE TENNIS AGUNBIADE Tajudeen, IKPEOYI Ifechukwude, OBAZUAYE Faith, OBIORA Chinenye Faith, OGUNKUNLE Isau, OLUFEMI Alabi Olabiyi, SULE Nasiru. *TABLE TENNIS AMADI Omeh, ARUNA Quadri, BELLO Fatima Atinuke, BODE Abiodun, OFFIONG Edem, OJOMO Ajoke , OLAJIDE Adeyemi Omotayo, ORIBAMISE Esther, OSHONAIKE Funke. *WEIGHTLIFTING EMMANUEL Appah, EZE Joy Ogbonne, ISLAMIYAT Adebukola, OLARINOYE Adijat, OSIJO Mary Taiwo, RABIATU Folashade, STELLA Peters Kingsley, TAIWO Ladi, UMOAFIA Joseph. *WRESTLING ADEKUOROYE Mercy, ADEKUOROYE Odunayo, AMAS Daniel, EBIKEWENIMO Welson, EKEREKEME Agiomor, GENESIS Mercy, KOLAWOLE Esther, OBORUDUDU Blessing, OGBONNA Emmanuel John, REUBEN Hannah.

Tobi Amusan (left) and Ese Brume have arrived in Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games which started last night with the opening ceremony

Falcons’ ‘Oyinbo’ Defender, Plumptre, Yet to Savour Success with Nigeria Ashleigh Plumptre who has qualified with Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is yet to feel the impact of the success he has achieved in so short a time since his switch from England to the West African nation.

Just a fortnight ago, the former England youth international helped Nigeria qualify for a successiveninth World Cup as they reached the semi-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Yet, for the Leicester City defender, the focus on action on the pitch has not allowed her to reflect on her achievements.

"It still hasn't really sunk in about the World Cup," she told BBC Sport Africa yesterday.

"I never thought I would play in a World Cup, whether it was with England or Nigeria. I never thought it would be a thing.

"I remember watching the England Under-20s at the World Cup when I was about that age. I wasn't thinking that would be me one day, and here

'Gboko Boy' Kater Kpum, Upsets Current 16 & Under Champion Kater Kpum from Benue State caused a major upset in the Boys 16 event at the on-going SNEPCo Junior Tennis Masters by beating Mubarak Ganiyu from Oyo State - the Boys 16s champion of the MTN Junior Tennis League Championship held last month.

The 'Gboko boy" who came very close to beating Seun Ogunsakin, winner of several 16 & under titles, in his first round robin match trailed 5-6 but took the wind off the sails of Ganiyu with a solid cross court pass to level scores.

Kpum, with the crowd behind him for that wonderful pass, cruised through to win the match 9-6. " I came to this tournament with the aim of beating either Ogunsakin or Mubarak and I have achieved that." Kpum told

SNEPCo JUNIOR TENNIS his admirers at the Luik Tennis Recreation Club in Lekki where the tournament is taking place.

He will now have to beat Bode Lawal from Lagos in his final round robin match and await the outcome of the match between Ogunsakin and Ganiyu to know if he has a place in the finals.

The tournament which has seen such a very high standard recorded a second upset in the Boys 12 where Joel Michael, the third seed, upended Murewa Egbeyemi the 12 & under champion. Michael rallied from being down 0-7 to take the match to a tie-break at 8-8which he eventually won. Egbeyemi will have to beat Chukwudubem Amasiani who beat his younger

Ashleigh Plumptre

brother Chibuike, 9-0.

The Girls 12 is all but decided with Lorelay Holzendoff from Benin City and Ndifreke Benjamin clear favourites to reach the finals.

In the Girls 16, Khadijat Mohamed is through to the finals while Mary Iorlumun from Benue and Etoro Emmanuel are battling it out for the second spot in the finals.

The SNEPCo Junior Masters, organised by the International Tennis Academy, is featuring the top 3 players in the boys and girls 16s and 12s categories with wild cards for the 14s and 10s champions - boys and girls.

The tournaments ends Saturdaywith a grand finale starting 12 noon

we are. Crazy!"

Like several other African internationals, Plumptre represents a country of her parents' heritage- in her case the country of her father - rather than the country of her birth.

But, unlike most, she made the conscious decision to commit to the Super Falcons and approached the Nigerian Football Federation herself.

"I always have to do something for a purpose," the 24-year-old said.

"I'm somebody who is a bit different in football because I don't just play to play it. I have to do it for a reason.

"When we won the league with Leicester I sat down with my dad

and said “This is something I want to do”. It was actually my dad, who is my agent, who got in contact with Randy (Waldrum, head coach of the Super Falcons)."

However, changing allegiances from England to Nigeria was not without its challenges.

Plumptre recalls going to the Nigerian embassy in London to start a process that would take more than three months and multiple trips from her father Tim to the embassy and back.

Once her passport and international clearance had come through,she then faced the challenge of integrating herself into a squad which is used

to success.

"I was super, super nervous for the first camp because I had no idea what to expect," she said.

"There's not been anyone on the team that's like me, in terms of being from England and looking how I do.

"I didn't know how some of the team would take me, but everybody was really, really welcoming. Especially after my initiation. Obviously dancing and singing is a big part of the culture and I had to throw myself into it even though I was dreadful."

She can laugh now as she reflects, because since that first camp she has not looked back.

Gov Uzodimma Splashes N30m on Super Falcons’ Nnadozie, Five Others Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie and five of her teammates who are Imo State indigenes were on Wednesday rewarded with N5million each by the state government.

Gov Hope Uzodimma while speaking at the reception for the Super Falcons players at the Government House in Owerri said the cash reward was to appreciate the footballers for their five-star performance at the recently concluded Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco where the team reached the semi final as well as picked ones of the tickets to represent the continent at the World Cup in Australia next year.

He thanked the players “for their superlative performance at the just concluded African Women’s Football tournament held in Morocco.”

Governor Uzodimma thereafter splashed N5million each of the players.

In her remarks on behalf of the other players, Nnadozie who is a native of Umunna Orlu, expressed her gratitude to the Governor for the giant strides he has made in infrastructure renewal of Imo,

L-R: Imo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dan Ogu, IMO State Governor, Hope Uzodimma and Super Falcons goalkeeper, Nnadozie Chiamaka, when the latter made a presentation to the Governor after she was received at the New Executive Chambers, Government House Owerri....on Wednesday especially on the road from Owerri to Orlu. She described it as “wonderful” and asked the Governor not to relent in his efforts to develop Imo State.

Said Chiamaka: “I am so honoured to be here. I never believed in my life that I will have

this opportunity. Thank you Your Excellency for the encouragement and honour. Thank you so very much for the roads, particularly the one leading to my place in Orlu. It is amazing that I couldn’t recognise the junction leading to my home with the street light everywhere.”

Friday July 29, 2022

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MISSILE CSO to Gov Wike “The two flyovers will be among the latest of such development efforts of the Rivers State government after 10 flyovers in the capital city alone… we consider the huge resources invested in them too massive and concentrated in small geographical location of the state in the face of rising poverty and poor standard of living of Rivers people”–State Conference Chairman, Civil Rights Council, Arinze Robinson, asked Wike to invest in human capital projects.

BABATUNDEFASHOLA This is Part of the Change We Promised!

GUEST COLUMNIST

L

et me start by telling you how pleased I am that the National Housing Programme that was initiated by our ministry at the onset of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is now delivering on its objective.

Apart from stimulating the economies of the 34 states and the FCT in the communities, where work is being undertaken for the construction of houses, by providing work for artisans, builders, engineers, and other skilled persons in the built industry, the construction sites have been and remain centres of supply for building materials and other commodities.

Many people, who hitherto were unemployed have had their dignity restored, because they can leave home every day saying to their families – I AM GOING TO WORK. This is the part of the change we promised, and Sokoto state has not been left out.

I am also pleased to report that we are now in a season of completion, as many of these houses have been completed and are now being handed over to the beneficiaries, who follow the allocation procedure set out in the National Housing Programme web portal (nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng).

Across the states, the ministers of the federal republic, have been representing President Muhammadu Buhari, at the commissioning and handing over of these houses.

On the 22nd March 2022, the Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, represented the president to commission the Sokoto State National Housing Programme. This first phase included 80 units of housing, comprising four units of one bedroom, 48 units of two bedroom, and 28 units of three-bedroom bungalows.

Today, people, who had long dreamt to be homeowners now live that reality as they have been successfully allocated some of these houses.

Again, that is change.

Perhaps, one of the most pleasing impacts of this National Housing initiative by the federal government, is that, it has been used by President Buhari, to redeem the housing promise made to the 22-man squad of the Super Eagles since winning the African Nations Cup in 1994.

A promise that remained unkept for 28 years, has been redeemed by President Buhari, and if you ask the members of the Super Eagles, they will tell you that things have changed for them for the better. But the National Housing Programme is only one initiative of the federal government to address the housing needs of our people.

There are others by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) by way of direct construction in various states,

Buhari

just as the Federal Mortgage Bank, has financed the construction of about 6000 housing units at various stages of completion.

Similarly, the federal government, has increased its financing intervention support for housing through the Federal Mortgage Bank, by increasing the number of mortgages that have been issued and reducing the equity contribution requirement to make it more accessible.

Of course, I cannot ignore the various interventions by state governments, who have sensibly deployed resources to provide housing in their states and our host, Sokoto State, is a good example.

Let me use this platform to inform the meeting that state governments can apply on behalf of their residents or indigenes to fund the acquisition of parts of the National Housing Programmes constructed in the states should they be so desirous.

Of course, whatever the states and federal governments can do by way

of housing construction, is limited, compared to what the private sector can do. The evidence out there shows very clearly that the bulk of housing in our society and across the world is delivered by the private sector – individuals and corporate.

In this regard, I am happy to report a visible increase in the participation of the private sector in Nigeria’s housing sector. Nationwide, on many media platforms, we daily see, hear and read about the development of one estate or the other across Nigeria and this is most welcome and must be encouraged.

And this brings me to the theme of this year ’s council meeting, which is “HOUSING OUR PEOPLE, BY ALL OF GOVERNMENT AND ALL OUR PEOPLE.” The message is that housing provision is a collaborative effort by all levels of government and the private sector.

From what I have said so far about what the federal government is doing, what the states are doing and what the private sector is doing, the Nigerian housing sector is heading in the right direction even if there is more work to be done. It is to the work that needs to be done that I now intend to turn my attention.

The first thing I wish to address is that we all must remain conscious that not everybody wants a house built by government, as there are those, who wish to build by themselves and only seek access to land. We must, therefore, reform the process that governs allocation of land and issuance of title documents such as Certificates of Occupancy.

While the federal government has some lands, mainly acquired from the states, the bulk of the work that needs to be done here lies with the state governments, because of their almost total control of land by virtue of the Land Use Act. Some have argued that the Land Use Act is the problem about access to land. I beg to differ.

If there is a problem, my view is that the problem is not with law but

Perhaps, one of the most pleasing impacts of this National Housing initiative by the federal government, is that, it has been used by President Buhari, to redeem the housing promise made to the 22-man squad of the Super Eagles since winning the African Nations Cup in 1994

with the administration of the law.

How much have we automated our land administration processes in order to make them efficient before complaining about that law? States that have made this type of investment will report an improvement in their land administration system.

Today, I can tell you that since 2017, when the president delegated his power under the Land Use Act to grant consent and issue certificate of occupancy, to the Minister, we have issued over 5,000 certificates of occupancy and granted 2,738 consent to land transactions.

These are important documents to facilitate housing delivery and housing finance that we need to pay more attention to, in addition to the process involved in granting of construction permits and approvals.

Ladies and gentlemen, the other important matter we must pay attention to is the issue of rent. Housing supply and demand must be seen beyond ownership alone and must include rental housing.

At the federal government level, we have introduced Rent-to-Own into our acquisition/sale model for the disposal of the Houses in the National Housing Programme. I concede that a majority of the houses belongs to the private sector and they expect legitimate income from rent for the properties.

However, I hold a strong view that asking for 2 to 3 years rent in advance from working class people (as distinct from corporate tenants, who may prefer to pay in advance) does more harm than good to all concerned and to the economy.

Interestingly, rent is a matter over which the federal government, has no constitutional authority, because it is a local matter and rightly so. But I use the platform of this meeting to challenge and provoke all state representatives to thoughts and action about how we can make the payment of rent easier and comfortable for both tenants and landlords.

This would be a most revolutionary intervention when working class people can pay their rent when they receive their salaries. This is possible if we try and this will give the fullest possible expression to the theme of this meeting, which is, “HOUSING OUR PEOPLE,

BY ALL OF GOVERNMENT AND ALL OUR PEOPLE.” *This is part of the remarks by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, at the National Council On Lands, Housing And Urban Development, delivered yesterday, July 28, in Sokoto State, on the theme: “Housing Our People,

By All of Government and All our People”.

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