THURSDAY 11TH AUGUST 2022

Mobil-Seplat Deal: Buhari Backs NUPRC on Decline of Ministerial Consent Blames lack of proper coordination among agencies Indigenous oil firm denies underhand dealing, threatens court action Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja About 48 hours after granting ministerial consent regarding the N1.283 billion sales and purchase deal between ExxonMobil and Seplat Energy, President Muhammadu

Buhari yesterday rescinded the decision.

The president, who is the de facto Minister of Petroleum Resources, blamed the lack of coordination among the concerned agencies for the confusion, explaining that he

had weighed the likely ramifications of the earlier decision.

On Monday Buhari had overridden the long-drawn attempt by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to block the deal, citing the need to

attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the oil and gas sector.

No sooner had the process of acquiring the assets been announced than the state-owned oil firm moved to halt it from proceeding, claiming that it had a pre-emption right.

The Nigerian authorities thereafter put a halt to the proposed sale citing overriding national interest as one of the reasons for rejecting the deal, with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), intimating ExxonMobil

of the decision.

But in a surprising twist, months later, Buhari said he had consented to the deal , stressing that it would come with massive benefits for Continued on page 10

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President Rejoices with Accounting Doyen, Akintola Williams at 103... Page 8

Lalong: Buhari is Chairman of APC Presidential Campaign Organisation Says he never lobbied to be Tinubu's running mate Assures role of DG won’t affect governance in Plateau Deji Elumoye in Abuja Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau

State who also doubles as the Director General (DG) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

presidential council has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari is the Chairman of the organisation

working towards the election of Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president in the February, 2023 election.

Lalong, who spoke yesterday, with newsmen at the State House, Abuja, said he was at the seat of

government to brief the President as Continued on page 10

Wamakko to Wike: You Did Not Lose PDP Primary Because of Religion Party’s crisis: NWC members may have ditched Rivers gov to back Ayu Council boss berates Maeba for attacking gov We cannot return Rivers to bitterness, Abe tells Wike Chuks Okocha, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain representing Sokoto North senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, has poured cold water on Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike’s assertion that he lost the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election because of religion.

Wamakko, hosted by Wike, spoke in Port Harcourt on Tuesday at the inauguration of one of the Rivers State governor's projects.

Wamakko’s position came as it emerged yesterday that the leadership crisis in PDP over the outcome of the party’s presidential primary was becoming intractable as members of the National Working Committee (NWC) appeared to have ditched Wike and were fraternising with the national chairman, Dr.

Iyorchia Ayu. But Chairman, Emohua Local Government Area in Rivers State, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, yesterday berated fellow Rivers man, Senator Lee Maeba, over his recent verbal attack on Wike.

In a related development, the governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, appealed to Wike and other political leaders not to return the state to the dark era of politics of bitterness and antagonism.

Responding to an earlier remark

by Wike on his loss of the PDP presidential ticket, Wamakko pointed out that religion was not a major factor in Nigeria's national elections.

"My brother, I beg to disagree that you lost the election during the last PDP convention because of religion," the former Sokoto State Continued on page 10

CENTENARIAN...

Again, Terrorists Free Seven More THE Representative of President Muhammadu Buhari and Hon. Minister of Works & Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola,SAN (left) presenting the congratulatory message to the Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Abdul Hafeez Abou (right), during his 100 years birthday prayers at the Abducted Train Passengers... Page11 President's Lagos Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos... yesterday

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

AT THE LAUNCH OF 56BRIDGE...

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Alleanza HMO, Dr. Charles Onwuzuligbo; Director, Business Development, BridgeGap Consults Limited, Chiedozie Egbe; HR Manager and Invited guest, Nike Elegbede; Managing Director, Lega Industries, Lekan Laniyan; Director of Operations, BridgeGap Consults Limited, Mosun Obembe; Administration & Facility Manager, Oluwashina Babalola; Team Lead, Graphics & Social Media, Joseph Ayenomoh, and Lead Consultant Software Developer, Tobi Hassan , during the launch of 56Bridge, a video enable recruitment and hiring App developed by BridgeGap in Lagos…recently

Decommissioning: Petroleum Explorers Recommend Sanctions for Non-compliance with Regulations by IOCs Expert laments degradation of N’Delta environment Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) yesterday called for sanctions on international oil companies (IOCs) that flout the decommissioning of non-functional oil and gas assets before their planned exit.

Speaking in Abuja at the NAPE quarterly technical presentation,

the Coordinator, Abuja chapter of the organisation, Dr. Eunice Ajayi, noted that there should be heavy fines for oil companies that do not carry out proper environmental remediation.

The event in which the Guest Speaker, Head of Department of Geology and Associate Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Ogbonnaya

Igwe, gave the keynote had as its theme: “Diagnostic Environmental Impact Footprints in a Multiplex Transition Era.” Decommissioning means the cessation of offshore oil and gas operations at an offshore platform and returning the seafloor to its pre-production state.

But the petroleum engineer stressed that many Nigerians,

especially in the Niger are succumbing to early effects of years of population, advising that the authorities must ensure that the environment is restored before the IOCs leave.

“We should actually fine them and make sure they don't leave until they carry out proper mitigation measures. They need to really clean up the environment before

Nigeria Losing 6.132bn Gallons of Crude Oil to Theft Annually, Analyst Says 16.8m gallons lost daily, equivalent to 67m litres of refined products Peter Uzoho Latest analysis has revealed that with a barrel of oil containing 42 gallons, Nigeria is losing a whopping 6.132 billion gallons of crude annually to oil thieves.

In addition, the country is also losing to oil thieves, about 16.8 million gallons of crude oil, which is equivalent to 67 million litres of refined petroleum products.

A public affairs analyst, Mr. Bala Zaka revealed these.

The figures emanated from the summation using 400,000 barrels per day and 146 million barrels per year losses to oil thieves, a situation that has become a nightmare to oil companies, the government and other concerned stakeholders.

Speaking on a national television (TVC) yesterday, Zaka, who is an energy consultant, said 2000 petroleum tankers of 33,000 litres each and possibly, a ship stationed for the illegal purpose were involved in the movement of the stolen crude.

Nigeria has been grappling with oil losses caused by the stealing of oil by oil thieves and pipeline vandals alongside other factors ranging from the withdrawal of funding for oil exploration and production projects by the international oil companies (IOCs).

Others include the non-restart of shut-in oil wells, ageing facilities, the inability of the national oil company and the many independent companies springing up to replicate

the capacity demonstrated by the exiting oil IOCs. This has led to Nigeria consistently failing to meet its production quotas allocated to it monthly by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), more so depriving the nation the benefit of the current high oil price.

As at the last count, Nigeria's crude production deficit against OPEC's 1.8 million barrels per day July production quota was about 700,000 barrels, as the country only managed to produce just about one million bpd in the month under review.

The foregoing challenges have rendered the government's aspiration of achieving three million barrels per day oil production and 40 billion barrels reserves almost impossible, with the reserve stagnating between 36 and 37 billion barrels for years.

Zaka explained, "We should carry out a conversion because technically, a barrel is 42 gallons.

By the time you multiply 400,000 barrels by 42 gallons, we will see what it will take you to, and we know that a gallon is four litres. So, multiply that again by four litres, we will see the litres in millions.

"We know this 33000 litre tankers, then by the time you take that 60 something million litres of crude oil and divide it by 33000, you will see 2000. So, just imagine 2000 tankers of crude oil moving.

"So, I think I will agree that they must have a way of moving them out through illegal bunkering. And I think, a big ship is probably there that you will put the quantity. In such case, the best way to describe it is to say, it is a well-crafted and a well-syndicated criminality. It is criminality.

"You know there is what we call crude criminality and a well-crafted criminality. They are two different things. Crude criminality is when you experience with petty thieves.

So, in this case, it is well-crafted.

"So, like I said, all you need to do is to multiply 400,000 by 42.

Then, multiply that figure again by four, by the time you get that figure, you then divide everything by 33,000. That will give you about 2000. So, that is the theft per day.

Then, if you want to get it per year, that figure per day, multiply it by 365, it will come up to some crazy values that will send Nigerians jittering."

However, outside the huge volumes of oil lost daily and yearly to theft, he said the damage such criminality does to the image of the country was worrisome, adding that that has huge implications to the nation's investment expectations.

they leave.

“If it's not enforced, there's nothing we can do as individuals, but the lawmakers, the regulators and everyone concerned should be able to enforce these laws and place some form of embargo on them.

“There should be enforcement of the decommissioning rules before they are allowed to leave the country,” she insisted.

She noted that in the longrun, the environmental hazards produced by the companies would impact human health in one way or the other, worsened by the amount of gas flaring still taking place. She added that the pollution of the water and land and how it seeps into plants being consumed by Nigerians remain a major challenge which must be tackled.

“In the hospitals you see a lot of patients there, and it's actually inversely affecting the lifespan of the human race. You see people, a lot of youths being diagnosed with terminal diseases like cancers, high blood pressure, and so on and these are actually the effects of what we take in,” she explained.

In his presentation, the keynote speaker, Igwe, drew a correlation between the inexplicable sicknesses around the country and the pollution, especially around the Niger Delta.

He insisted that the industry regulator must take charge and

show leadership, noting that it was abnormal for the IOCs to be ahead of the regulators and dictating the pace in the oil and gas sector.

“No, it shouldn't be. It should be the other way around. I don't know who will change the laws, but that is what I think should happen,” he maintained.

He lamented the extinction of aquatic life in oil producing communities, followed by massive contamination, stressing that with the ongoing divestment in the oil and gas sector, things may even worsen.

While admitting that many of the leakages in the region were caused by sabotage of oil assets by host communities, he explained that the situation was becoming almost helpless. Listing what he described as environmental hotspots in the divestments era before 2045, he noted that leadership, risk management, delivery and competitiveness would be major challenges.

“We don't even have clear goals for the divestment. We don't even know what to do with the personnel if we sell off today. We don't know what to do.

“So we have lack of clear technical definition and behaviours of team. Projects and leadership will be uncoordinated and stakeholders’ management will need to be fortified,” he advised.

Buhari, Minister Differ on NDDC Audit Report Implementation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana has stated that his ministry was taking steps to review the audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), contrary to President Muhammadu Buhari's recent disclosure that a phased implementation of the report had commenced.

In a keynote address he presented at a management retreat organised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs penultimate week, Buhari had stated that his administration had commenced the implementation of the recommendations of the audit report in phases.

He had said: "In pursuance of our determination to curb corruption and in response to the call of the governors of the 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."

However, while receiving a former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang in Abuja, Tuesday, the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, said his ministry was taking steps to

review the already concluded audit report of the NDDC, adding that it would provide proper foundational template for the implementation and execution of projects in the region.

According to a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Patricia Deworitshe, "Umana stressed that the ministry is taking steps to review the already concluded audit report of the NDDC as it would provide proper foundational template for the implementation and execution of projects in the region."

The minister restated the commitment of his ministry in partnering with major stakeholders and development partners to ensure the development of the Niger Delta

region and the country.

Commenting on oil theft in the region, he explained that although complicated, no option would be excluded in tackling the menace, adding that efforts were being made to maintain peace and tranquility in the region.

Umana promised to do his best to support efforts, initiatives and programmes that would lead to the ministry’s achievement of its objectives and mandate.

Earlier, the Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Sharon Ikeazor, stated that there should be effective coordination of the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to promote developmental projects in the region.

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PRESENTING A PLAQUE IN APPRECIATION TO ABIODUN...

L-R: A civil servant, Tola Awobotu; Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun; beneficiaries of Ogun State Teachers Internship Scheme (OgunTeach), Tosin Fatumbi and Afolake Oyegunle, presenting a plaque in appreciation of their appointment into the 2-year scheme at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta… yesterday

TUC Leadership Tussle Deepens as Group Urges FG, Others Not to Recognise Osifo Declares national delegate conference nullity Ugo Aliogo The Chairman, Concerned Affiliates of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Emmanuel Jaja has called on the employers of labour in Nigeria, federal and state governments not to recognise or have anything to do with the leadership of TUC pending the determination of a substantive suit in court.

Jaja, who disclosed this yesterday in Lagos, during a media briefing said the election produced Mr. Festus Osifo, as TUC President was held on July 19, at Abuja, during the 12th Triennial National Delegate Conference of TUC. Osifo is the current President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, (PENGASSAN).

He revealed that the purported National Delegates Conference of TUC was a nullity, saying the products of the conference should not by any means be recognised, “as the leadership of TUC as the so called delegates conference contradicted all forms, rules and laws guiding the Congress Delegates

Conferences.”

Jaja further stated that it was, “most regrettable and disheartening that a labour centre like ours (TUC) could deliberately desecrate the temple of justice by flagrantly disobeying its orders.”

He recalled that the National Industrial Court on July 6, 2022, had restrained TUC and its agents in the presence of TUC lawyers and the PANGASINAN from conducting the delegates conference, pending the determination of the substantive issues.

“We, therefore, call on the federal and state governments and all employers of labor in Nigeria not to recognise or have anything to do with the so-claimed leadership of TUC of Nigeria pending the determination of the substantive issues in the Court.

“Meanwhile we have directed our lawyers to ensure that they do the needful as regards the violation of the court orders to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to defile Court orders in future,” he added.

He hinted that the case is presently at the industrial court.

Jaja maintained that TUC’s resolutions at its 11th Triennial National Delegates Conference held in 2019, where the conference unanimously agreed that FOTOB should produce the National President of the Congress from 2019 to 2022, while ASSIBIFI should produce the President of

the Congress from 2022 to 2025 and thereafter the position of the Presidency shall be left open to any affiliate that wishes to contest the position of Presidency. He further explained that the decision was reached at various organs of the Centre, which included the National Administrative Council (NAC), the Central Working Committee (CWO), the National Executive

Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee investigating the daily consumption of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) in the country has demanded details of the oil consortium involved in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP) arrangement.

The resolution of the lawmakers

was sequel to the submissions by the representatives of the consortium at the investigative hearing, chaired by Hon. Abdulkadir Abdullahi.

The consortium which consists of three companies namely; Ashgroup Energy Ltd; Jack Energy Solutions Ltd and Vitol SA, a Switzerland based Company, had entered into the DSDP agreement with the NNPC

Stakeholders want quick review of FRA to check loopholes in public finance The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has called for the immediate passage of the amendments to the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 (FRA, 2007) and the setting of a debt limit for both the federal and state governments.

The FRC Chairman, Victor Muruako said this became necessary to stem the worrisome trajectory of debt accumulation at all levels.

Speaking at an interactive session in Abuja, yesterday, under the Growth Initiatives for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT) Nigeria, organised by OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative in collaboration with other stakeholders, Muruako stated that there was an urgent need by the National Assembly to conclude the amendment of the FRA, 2007, to check loopholes in the public finance management (PFM) system.

He said: ‘’We are calling on finance committees in the 9th Senate

and House of Representatives to, as a matter of fact, accelerate the amendment and passage of the FRA Act, 2007 before they wind down their sessions come 2023.

"This is because, there are several loopholes in the current Act that has made government vulnerable to massive looting, corruption and even freedom to borrow without necessary steps followed. There is no doubt that if they fail, there will be business as usual across the MDAS (Ministries, Departments and Agencies), which may further worsen the rate of national development.’’

The challenge of remittance compliance is specific to the Act which seeks to provide for prudent management of the nation’s resources, ensure long-term macro-economic stability of the national economy.

He regretted the nonchalant attitude of MDAs towards the remittance of public funds, capitalising on the gaps in the FRA,

and for ASSIBIFI to produce the next president.

“Regrettably, the National Secretariat of the Congress on 28th February 2022 issued a notice on the Congress WhatsApp platforms informing the affiliates of the coming Congress National Delegates conference which was scheduled to hold on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th July 2022.”

House Demands Details of Oil Consortium Involved in DSDP Arrangement with NNPC

FRC Seeks Debt Limit for FG, States Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

council (NEC), and finally at the National Delegates Conference.

(NDC).

According to him, “The implementation of the resolutions commenced with FOTOB which produced the President of the Congress as agreed in 2019 and by 2022 June he served out his tenure as per the resolution of the 2019 delegates’ conference

especially the lack of sanctions for non-compliance.

According to him, a review of the Act with specific sanctions for failure to remit revenues would compel public officer holders to sit.

The FRC Chairman disclosed that the Act identified 50 offences/violations, yet did not provide sanctions to punish offenders.

Describing the FRA as a peculiar Act, Muruako noted that besides covering some issues on PFM like the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) upon which annual budgets are anchored, it also sets thresholds for debt/borrowing at federal and state levels.

In his contributions, the FRC Director, Legal, Investigation and Enforcement, Chukwyemeka Charles Abana expressed regret that the Commission was not getting the needed support from sister agencies towards actualising the amendment of the Act. He lamented that the Act had

undergone three amendments already which were done piecemeal with the government cherry-picking areas that suited its purpose and situations.

Addressing the forum, the Executive Director, OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative, Mr. Oke Epia said the FRC which was established pursuant to the Act however, has some gaps that had significantly prevented the successful implementation of the law by the Commission.

According to him, “These gaps are summarised largely by a lack of mechanisms for enforcement of the law, especially in terms of punishment for default and violation, without the powers to impose and enforce some form of sanctions on public entities and individuals that deliberately fail to comply with the FRA as enunciated by the statutory guidelines of the FRC, the commission can be considered a toothless bulldog whose stipulations can be neglected without consequences.”

The consortium was represented by the Commercial Manager, Ashgroup Energy Ltd, Nazifi Alhassan and Murtala Baloni, Head, Public Affairs, Mansel Commercial Company, an affiliate Company linked to Vitol SA. The DSDP agreement was a scheme introduced by the NNPC Ltd in which oil companies lift crude oil and bring in same value in refined products into the country.

But members of the Committee were not satisfied with the explanation given by Baloni about the involvement of the consortium and the role of Mansel in the scheme.

A member, Hon. Nkem Abonta (PDP, Abia) while objecting to the operations of a foreign company that failed to avail the committee with information on a transaction in Nigerian crude, said the consortium needed to be further scrutinised regarding the DSDP arrangement.

He chided Vitol SA over the letter sent to the Committee requesting that the National Assembly should write their request through the Swiss Embassy to get the records.

Making reference to a similar request by the Senate, the Company stated that, the communication went through the same channel and all the required information was provided to the Senate Committee.

As stated in the letter, the representative of the Company emphasised that Vitol SA would run afoul of a particular Swiss law if it divulges the information without the consent of Swiss authorities.

Baloni reiterated that the company was ready to provide all the necessary information regarding

the DSDP arrangement with the NNPC. However, angered by the response, Abonta said the partners in Nigeria, particularly Mansel should be invited to explain.

To this end, Chairman of the Committee, directed the Clerk to write a letter inviting the Managing Director (MD) of Mansel Commercial Company Ltd to appear before the Committee next week Tuesday.

In similar vein, the Committee also directed Oando Plc to avail it with details of crude lifting, importation of refined products and other information as regards the DSDP arrangement.

Head, Business Development, Oando Trading, Otaru Danjuma, who came with a brief summary of the firm’s activities relating to PMS supplies and subsidy claims, requested for more time to put the documents requested by the committee.

Danjuma noted that Oando is a stand-alone firm under the DSDP and became part of the scheme in 2016.

He said in part, “As a standalone company, when the allocations come out from NNPC, a request is made for us to deliver a cargo of products. The volumes differ.

“The dates differ. However, the crude is allocated as against the value of that product we have supplied. And what NNPC does sometimes is that NNPC releases an allocation, the allocation is valued and you requested to bring back PMS of that value and we reconcile. We reconcile on a quarterly basis.”

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MEMORIAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN HONOUR OF LATE CAPTAIN HOSA...

L-R: President, Nigeria Bar Association, Mr Olumide Apkata; Executive Director, Pipeline infrastructure Nigeria Limited and first son of Late Captain Hosa Okunbo, Mr Osahon Okunbo and Former President, NBA Mr Austin Aleghe, during the One year memorial Thanksgiving service in honor of late Captain Hosa Okunbo in Benin.... recently

Envoy Seeks Increased Trade Between Nigeria and Chinese Businesses Oluchi Chibuzor The Chinese Lagos ConsulateGeneral has called for more trade connection between Nigeria and China in order to facilitate growth and promote cooperation among both countries' businesses.

Speaking at the 2022 Stanbic IBTC African-China Expo, the Chinese Consulate General Lagos, Mr. Guo Pengwen, said China and Nigeria as one of the important economies in Asia and Africa need to share trade cooperation to benefit the people of the two countries.

According to him, “So banks and financial institutions should play a more important role in promoting

international trade. As the largest commercial bank in Africa, Standard Bank Group should continue to provide support to Africa-China trade and the China-Nigeria trade to provide solutions and platforms for importers and exporters.

“There is need to create connections between traders in China and Africa and support Chinese products. The going may be tough when one walks alone, but it get easier when people walk together; it is expected that Nigeria and Chinese enterprise would make use of the trade platforms provided

by Stanbic IBTC and the Standard Bank Group, to find potential, seize opportunities, help each other and

jointly trade a better and a solid business environment between China and Nigeria."

Meanwhile, for Nigeria to leverage the potential of its non-oil sector, experts at the programme emphasised the need for the country to embark on strategic policy reforms.

This, they argued would enable the country to effectively harness the opportunities, drive development and expand its agricultural export base.

This, according to them, was because the Nigerian agricultural sector was replete with diverse opportunities and has the potential to generate $40 billion annually from

export of agricultural goods, aside the possibilities of value-addition that are limitless.

Equally they noted that NigeriaChina trade continues to favour import of much diversified products as compared to a mono-export trading of petroleum products only.

In his opening address at the conference, the CEO Stanbic IBTC Bank, Wole Adeniyi, pointed out that the bank would continue to provide the needed support to promote trade relationship between local businesses in Nigeria and their counterpart in China.

“At our Africa-China Trade Support, we have recorded over 16,000 transactions and have seen

Fashola Inaugurates Engineering, Builders' Councils, Tasks Members on Professionalism Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) has inaugurated new board members of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) as well as the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON).

Speaking during the separate events in Abuja, the minister charged them to ensure that the ethics guiding the engineering and building professions were strictly adhered to.

The minister reiterated the commitment of government to the development of infrastructure, cautioning the new members of the regulatory agencies against activities that could bring the professions to disrepute.

Stressing that both professions will continue to play key roles in the economy, the minister urged both councils to uphold the moral and ethical standards of the profession.

He told the new board members that as true professionals, they should always do the right thing no matter the pressure and refuse to compromise standards.

"As you are all aware, our government has committed to infrastructure and as you all know infrastructure brings development to the country. It boosts our economy, it creates employment and it enables the nation to compete for continental

and global space," the minister said.

To the new CORBON board, he told them to be open and transparent in their activities, warning that attempting to cut corners could be dangerous to the health of the sector.

On the composition of the new council members, Fashola said that the members were drawn from professional bodies and cuts across all the zones of the country.

“What you see in the membership is the diversity of our nation fairly represented and we will continue to improve on it," he said In his response, the immediate past President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Babagana Mohammed, said the new council members were coming with a lot of experience.

While promising to ensure the protection of the ethics and standards of the engineering profession, he stated that part of the immediate focus of the council will be to make members understand and obey the regulations.

Another member, Prof. Zekeni Yelebe, who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the council members pledged that members will ensure that standards are upheld in the profession.

"We can see that this government is serious in terms of infrastructural development and as a council, we will make sure that engineering activities especially infrastructural

development are done with all engineering ethics," he promised.

The newly inaugurated COREN members included: Dr. Muhammed Jibrin, representing North West, Dr. Idiat Arogundade, representing the North Central, Prof. Baba Waziri, representing the North East, Prof Yelebe, representing the South South and Professor Gabriel Shonaike, representing the South West.

Others were: Babajide Ojedele, representing the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ademola Olurunfemi also representing the ministry as well as Tasiu Wudil

and Babagana Mohammed, both representing the NSE. On the other hand, the 11- member council of the CORBON has Samson Opaluwah as the Chairman, with Prof. Shehu Bustani, Jonathan Chinasa, Dr. Taliat Yusuf and the head of building at the ministry as members.

Other members of the council included; President, Nigerian Institute of Building who doubles as the President of Structural Engineers, Abdulhamid Yuwari; Christian Chinedu, Alhassan Marke, and Kingsley Oghoro.

over $2.5 billion deals. We offer trust and facilitate matchmaking for business-to-business," he said.

Also with the theme, ‘Synergy for Growth,’ the need for Nigerian businesses to close the country's trade imbalance with China was seen as a gap that must be closed by developing capacities of local manufacturing, agricultural products and value addition processes.

Explaining what needs to be done by Nigerian businesses to access international products, the Deputy Director and Regional Coordinator, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Samuel Oyeyipo, urged them to ensure they meet all necessary certification requirements of counterpart countries.

“We have noticed that most of our exporters, MSMEs in general have very good products that could compete with any other products in the international markets, but one of the problems we have discovered is that most of them do not have the necessary certification that could attest to the quality of those products."

The Head, Africa-China Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Ade Otukomaya, urged Nigerians exporters to embrace export particularly to Chinese people.

“I have the benefits of visiting all the Free Trade Zones(FTZs) in Nigeria, about 90 percent of the participants in those FTZs are Chinese and the reasons for creating them by our government is to promote production and

packaging for the purpose of export. If we do not play there, we will see the Chinese having the biggest cultivation of cassava; as a matter of fact, we see those requests coming our way.

“So you will continue to see a lot of brands in Chinese that are Nigerian made products and that is why we say take advantage when the Chinese say Nigeria package and made goods; we welcome you to bring them to our store and shelf."

Making his presentation, the Head, Trade, Transactional Products and Services, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Seun Ogundolapo, explained that the Asian continent has overcome Europe as Nigeria’s trading partners, with China accounting for over 40 per cent of Nigeria's trade volumes.

“But, over the years we have seen Asian countries come up and they have become very bullish in trading with Nigeria. As we speak today, Asia has taken over from Europe; 44 per cent of our trade engagement happens with Asia and about 40 per cent of that is with China. So we can see the importance and relevance of the Chinese Community and their products with Nigeria."

He, however, pointed out that Nigeria needs to initiate a specific and targeted policy framework, matched with the political will, “to spot areas of engagement that could maximally contribute meaningfully to the country's priority field in economic recovery and sustainable growth.”

Buhari Rejoices with Accounting Doyen, Akintola Williams at 103 Mourns veteran journalist, Chiahemen Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with the nation's doyen of accounting, Chief Akintola Williams as he marked his 103rd birthday anniversary on August 9, 2022.

The president in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, joined family and friends of the renowned accountant to mark his birthday, appreciating God for grace of long life, strength and impact, particularly in service to the country.

Buhari felicitated with Chief Williams for scoring many firsts, which brought the spotlight to

Nigeria and Africa, being the first Nigerian to qualify as a chartered accountant in England in 1949, and starting the first indigenous chartered accounting firm in Africa in 1952.

The president noted other historic achievements of the chartered accountant in establishing Association of Accountants in Nigeria in 1960 with the goal of training accountants, being a founding member and first President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and full involvement in setting up the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

President Buhari acknowledged the many recognitions and awards he had received, including appointment

as Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1997.

The president, “continues to celebrate with the chartered accountant, and prayed for his wellbeing.”

In another development, Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of a former Reuters Bureau Chief for Nigeria, John Chiahemen, extending condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, including everyone in the various media organisations where he worked.

The president, in a statement issued yesterday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, recalled that as a veteran newsman with

the reputable international news agency and Editor of Reuters Africa, Chiahemen was respected for his brilliant contributions and editorial role of covering news about Africa from a business and development perspective, beyond the narrow stereotypes of disaster and poverty.

He expressed belief that the remarkable legacies left behind by one of Nigeria’s most accomplished journalists would continue to inspire current and upcoming members of the fourth estate of the realm.

Buhari, therefore, prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased and comfort for those who mourn.

THURSDAY AUGUST 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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TEN WAMAKKO TO WIKE: YOU DID NOT LOSE PDP PRIMARY BECAUSE OF RELIGION governor stated.

"This is because Muslims voted for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo twice as president of this country," Wamakko said.

The former governor added, "Muslims also voted twice for former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is from the South-south geopolitical zone. I am sorry, sir, I have to disagree with you on the matter of religion here. Take note, please."

He, however, commended Wike for his developmental strides in Rivers, saying, “I have seen what you can do, what you have done and I believe that you have the capacity to do more. Having said that, let me repeat again that Governor Wike, you are very dynamic, very courageous and talk and do governor of Rivers State."

Earlier, in his speech, Wike noted that the country’s development challenges bordered on lack of experienced people who were passionate to serve and advance society.

The governor stated, "Somebody called me last night and said people are talking that the Nigerian economy was dying, things are hard in Nigeria, that am I in a different country; that every day we are commissioning new projects. It is not the amount of money you have, it is your passion, your love for your people, your commitment to your people and the job.

"The problem we have in this country today, we don't have people who have that passion, who want to serve their people.

The only regret I have is that I don't have the opportunity to tell the bandits enough is enough. If I have the opportunity in the bandits’ zone, their time would have been gone, but unfortunate I don't have it. But this one I have, I will use it to serve my people so that they will be happy and they deserve the best.

"A good government should be close to the people. There is nothing

wrong in being close to the people.

But what is important is what you have achieved in being close to those in authority. May God forbid that I should be close to a president or vice president and nothing will come to my community.”

PDP Crisis: NWC Members May Have Ditched Wike to Back Ayu

The PDP leadership crisis was responsible for the postponement of the national caucus meeting and National Executive Committee (NEC) previously scheduled to hold yesterday and today.

There had been reports that the Rivers State governor had asked for the sack of Ayu for his alleged biased disposition towards him. Tensions were so high that some NEC members also called for the sack of Ayu. But to ease the tension, and it was advised that both the NEC and the national caucus meetings be suspended to allow for further reconciliations.

A member of the NWC confided in THISDAY that Wike’s demand for the sack of Ayu would be counter productive The source said, "If Ayu were to be sacked, as Wike requested, and replaced with someone from the south, it would mean that the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, from the south will have to be relieved of his office.

"Also, it would mean that even Wike would have lost a top ranking official that he nominated. Apart from Senator Anyanwu, the said swap will affect other members of the NWC from the south. Under the circumstances, it will dislocate the party and its preparation for the presidential and other elections next year.

"So, we have decided to align with the known devil than to scatter the party now and cause major crisis, which will drive deep into the campaigns. It is agreed that we

MOBIL-SEPLAT DEAL: BUHARI BACKS NUPRC ON DECLINE OF MINISTERIAL CONSENT the country and the industry in particular, highlighting the need to quickly ramp up production.

If it succeeded, the transaction would have seen the acquisition of the entire offshore shallow water business of ExxonMobil in Nigeria and was expected to deliver 186 per cent increase in production from 51,000 bpd to 146,000 bpd or 170 per cent increase in 2P liquids reserves, from 241 MMbbl to 650 MMbbl.

In addition, it was expected to deliver a 14 per cent increase in 2P gas reserves from 1,501 Bscf to 1,712 Bscf, plus significant undeveloped gas potential of 2,910 Bscf (JV: 7,275 Bscf) Among others, , it would also increase by 89 per cent, the total 2P reserves from 499 MMboe to 945 MMboe, including offshore fields with dedicated, MPNU-operated export routes offering enhanced security and reliability.

The president had okayed the acquisition in a public statement on Monday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, who stressed that Buhari was: “Considering the extensive benefits of the transaction to the Nigerian energy sector and the larger economy.”

But a few hours after Buhari granted his consent, the NUPRC Chief Executive, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, rejected the decision, explaining that the position of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was clear on the matter. He insisted that its consent to the deal remained declined.

Quoting relevant sections of the law which empowers it to hold such view, Komolafe stated that the status quo (its withdrawal of consent) was still subsisting, maintaining that it was purely a regulatory matter.

“So, the position of the commission as the authority involved in the regulation of the upstream which had earlier been communicated to Mobil, stands. As far as the commission is concerned, nothing has changed. The status quo remains as far as we are concerned,” he maintained.

In throwing his weight behind the regulator’s decline of the $1.283 billion transaction yesterday through

a spokesman, Garba Shehu, who was quoted by Premium Times, an online news outlet, Buhari said he decided that the best line of action was to stick with the regulatory commission.

“It has become clear that the various agencies involved in decision had not coordinated well among themselves and having looked at all of the facts with all of the ramifications, the president decided the position of the regulator is to be supported,” Shehu said.

Shehu further confirmed to THISDAY last night that indeed, the President had decided to stick to the law. "They called to confirm and I confirmed it."

But the president’s earlier July 8 statement was said to have gone against a decision taken three days earlier in favour of the NNPCL, as the NUPRC and the national oil company fought to make the president change his mind on the matter.

It also came after an Abuja court granted NNPCL an order of interim injunction on July 6, 2022, temporarily barring ExxonMobil from completing the transaction.

Meanwhile, Seplat has pushed back on allegations that it had some underhand dealings in the process of trying to secure the consent of the president in the run-up to the Monday 8 announcement.

The indigenous oil firm, in a statement signed by its Chief Financial Officer , Emeka Onwuka, threatened to take legal action against all the parties that have propagated such false information relating to its business activities.

“Seplat Energy has become aware of news and social media reports alleging impropriety in the process of securing ministerial consent to the acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited by Seplat Energy Offshore Limited.

“Such reports are wholly untrue and the company will pursue legal action against any parties involved in disseminating false information related to its business.

“This announcement is made pursuant to Rule 17.10 of the Rulebook of the Nigerian Exchange, 2015 (Issuer's Rule),” it stated.

support Ayu and see what will happen after the general election."

The NWC member, who pleaded to remain anonymous, said it was the consensus that the suggestion

by Wike and members of his camp for balancing should be a matter that would be considered after the election.

“Whatever happens to Ayu will happen to all of us,” the source said.

"For now, we are with Ayu. We will sink and swim with him," the NWC member stated.

THISDAY also gathered that Wike had cut political relationship with the national secretary of the party, Anyanwu. According to a source, the only person working with Wike for now is the National Vice Chairman of the party for South-south, Chief Dan Orbih.

The source said, "You can see that even in the opening ceremony of some road projects in the state, only Orbih was there. He is just a member of the NWC in name.

Orbih, like Wike, is fighting the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki."

It was also learnt that other PDP governors in the South-south had distanced themselves from the Rivers State governor, who is being accused of dictatorial tendencies and comments. It was leant that the governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Edo states are not in the same camps with Wike, let alone the Delta State governor, who is the PDP vice presidential candidate.

A member of the Wike's camp, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, openly declared recently that Atiku was his presidential candidate and as one of the sponsors of Ayu to the post of national chairman of PDP, he was solidly behind him as the PDP chairman.

The story is the same for PDP governors in the South-east, such as Enugu and Abia states, a PDP top source disclosed.

He said, "Survival and self-interest is the name of the game. All of them have interest to see that their sponsored governorship candidates win and protect their interests in the states."

According to the source, "It is in the survival interest of Wike to have his man win as the next governor of Rivers state, considering the fact that the EFCC has started investigating the Rivers State finances."

The source further stated that it was common knowledge that the Rivers State governorship candidate escaped arrest around June this year at the PDP headquarters in Abuja.

It was also gathered that some top PDP stakeholders in the state

like Senator Maeba, Austin Opara, Celestine Opara, Senator Sekibo and the former Chief of Army staff, General Kenneth Minimah were not in the same camp with Wike.

Rivers Council Boss Berates Meeba for Attacking Wike

Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area in Rivers State, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, berated Meeba for his recent verbal attack on Wike.

Meeba, a strong supporter of Atiku, had in a recent interview accused Wike of being a dictator.

He claimed that Wike threatened to stop them from campaigning for Atiku in the state without his express permission, lamenting that the governor frustrated his bid to contest the governorship primary of the party.

The former senator was Chairman, Governing Council of the Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, in Rivers State, that has been dissolved by the governor. Meeba lamented that Wike did not allow him employ anybody in the institution and he refused to fund the polytechnic because of him.

He said the governor was also furious that he and some PDP leaders met with Atiku recently, where they promised him that Rivers State would vote a PDP candidate in 2023.

But Lloyd described Meeba as a coward without electoral value.

He said it was cowardice elevated to the national level for Meeba, a two-time senator, to claim that Wike ordered him not to run for governorship.

Lloyd said Meeba displayed his cowardice again by remaining as a council chair of a Polytechnic he claimed Wike refused to fund for over seven years without resigning his position.

Lloyd stated, "I can only describe Lee Meeba as a coward. It is very unfortunate that he has taken his cowardice to the national level.

For Lee to come out on a national television to say that Wike ordered him not to run an election and that was why he didn't win is a sign of his cowardice.

"He also said that he sat as a chairman of the Governing Council of the Elechi Amadi Polytechnic but that the governor prevented him from employing anybody and didn't fund the school. But he remained there without resigning. These are not human beings."

Lloyd said Meeba lacked decency for reporting the outcome of a meeting where he was not in attendance.

He said regarding Meeba, "He had no decency to report events that happened in a meeting that he didn't attend. He said in his interview that it was a meeting of Ikwerre elite. How did they lose it that Governor Wike can cow all of them?

"Will he (Meeba) have been crying foul if he was given the governorship ticket? He opened his mouth to say that the governor hates Ogoni. This is the same man that has dualised the road from Sakpewa to Kono where Lee comes from.

“Maybe, the governor didn't give Lee's company, New Tiger Head, the construction of overhead bridge that will fall and kill Rivers people.”

Speaking further, Lloyd said, "They have nothing to say about Governor Wike. Let him leave Abuja and come to Rivers to grant interviews. Let him come home. We are here. These are ‘food is ready’ politicians. They think that going to Atiku and casting aspersions on Governor Wike will make Atiku take them seriously.

"He has also shown that he cannot give Atiku one vote. Between Wike and Lee, who should Atiku go for, the man who called you and said you would not get one vote and it happened that way?

“Let Lee Meeba point at one Ogoni he had made all through his foray in the senate. How on earth do you think that a state like Rivers would not matter with over 3.6m votes?"

Commenting on Atiku, Lloyd said, "It is obvious that Atiku wasn't destined to be president with his body language. As a Catholic, I will tell you that clearly. I haven't seen a man, who is given delicious food and he pushes it down.

"Nobody abdicates his pulpit to intruders. Atiku came back to the PDP from the APC, contested the 2019 election, lost and proceeded to Dubai. He was on that long vacation until the election period.

He came back.

"This is somebody the former president told us that if he had handed over to him God wouldn't have forgiven him. Do they think that we don't have memory? It is in Obasanjo's book. Rather than look for ways and means to pull everybody together on a table, the likes of Lee are running to Abuja.

Is that where the election will hold?

"I want to remind Lee that his school, the secondary school he attended in his community, is leaking.

He attended Government Secondary School, Rumeme. No roof."

Lloyd insisted that the plot by Atiku and those loyal to him to create crisis in Rivers PDP was an exercise in futility because the party's leaders were solidly behind Wike.

"There is no crisis in Rivers PDP,” Lloyd insisted, saying, Governor Wike is in charge. We are satisfied with Governor Wike. That was why some of us who went to APC came back to join forces with him. Can't you see what is happening that there is no other political party in Rivers? We are solidly behind Wike."

Abe to Wike: We Cannot Return Rivers to Bitterness

Senator Magnus Abe appealed to Wike and other political leaders in the state not to return the state to the dark era of politics of bitterness and antagonism.

Abe said the governor should not allow Rivers return to fear, a situation that had in the past painted the state badly in the news.

Abe stated this yesterday, when he played host to members of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Forum and the Middle Belt Forum on a solidarity visit to endorse his candidature for the 2023 gubernatorial elections in the state.

Reacting to the state governor’s broadcast in Port Harcourt over the weekend, the former senator said, "My attention has been drawn to the state broadcast by Governor Nyesom Wike, where he expressed fears and reservations about politicians meeting cultists in hotels, bars, resorts and other entertainment centres to plan evil against one another.

“I was particularly disturbed when I saw the name of my party the SDP mentioned in that broadcast. My own concern and prayer is that this election cannot return Rivers State to the old place of fear, to the old place of challenges and crisis that we used to have in previous elections.

“I want to appeal to our governor, whether we are members of SDP, APC, PDP or whatever political parties we belong to; we are all Rivers men and women and our objective is to choose a leader for our people that will carry us forward, not to bring cultists and fight one another."

The SDP standard bearer suggested that a security summit should be organised where all political leaders would be invited to share their ideas on how to have peaceful elections before, during and after the 2023 elections in the state.

LALONG: BUHARI IS CHAIRMAN OF APC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION Chairman of APC campaign team about the forthcoming campaign plans of the party.

“The president is Chairman of the campaign council. Therefore, as DG, I will come regularly to brief him on certain things that we are planning.

"You know as DG of the campaign council I have to from time to time see the president who is our Chairman and keep him abreast of events."

Commenting on reports that he lobbied at a point to be picked as running-mate to the party’s presidential flagbearer, Tinubu, Lalong said it never crossed his mind to serve as APC presidential running mate.

Rather, he said, he was focused on running as Senator, the ticket of which he said he eventually got.

According to him: “I am a member of the APC, I will say a founding member of the APC. I don't do anti-party activities.

Some people said it’s because I was denied VP, and I have said, I did not lobby for VP. Yes, many people were lobbying and writing on my behalf, but what I wanted to be, and I still stand for now, I obtained form for Senate, I won. I have my senatorial ticket that I'm waiting for.

“So, if at any time, some people who wanted to be VP lost out and they're using religion, they should not use me to help them. We're very far, we're talking about leadership, we're talking about the problems, addressing the problems of Nigeria and all we're talking about is good leadership, which can come from any religion.”

The governor also dismissed protests against his accepting to serve as DG of APC Campaign Organisation, saying the Pope had not told him it was a wrong idea.

Lalong stated that being an ardent member of the Catholic faith, even the Pope is not angry with his decision to accept the job.

A group, under the aegis of Concern Christians on the Plateau (CCP) recently staged a rally in Abuja, where they called on Lalong to reject the offer to serve as the director general of APC presidential campaign council, threatening that the Plateau Christians would not support him in, ‘the suspicious engagement or assignment.’

The group had also alleged that the APC rejected him for the position of VP based on incompetence, and now turned back to make him to seek for votes for the same party, saying that it was completely out of place.

The governor, who maintained that he respects his faith as a Christian, noted that he was elected governor for people of all faiths and non-believers as well, adding that since politics is about interest, he is a member of the APC and would not engage in anti-party activities.

He said when he returned to Jos upon his appointment as the DG recently, the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), welcomed him.

The governor said he was therefore not sure where those who claimed to be Christians and are opposing his appointment as against their faith came from.

“You said CAN Plateau, it’s not CAN Plateau, I don't think.

A group of people, CAN Plateau did not come out. I came back home and CAN welcomed me at the airport. The next day, I addressed stakeholders of Plateau State and I told them why I’m accepting it and then there was jubilation and all of them accepted.

“So, if you see people talking about me rejecting… I've accepted already, is not issue of…. I told them.

Some of them are already keying into it. I have accepted already. It's not an issue.

“I'm a Christian, I said it and some people are misinterpreting it, that I said I was not a Christian.

“If you see my TVC interview, I said I was born a Catholic. Baptized a Catholic, confirmed a Catholic. I went through missionary schools.

Yes, I was taught by mission. I respect my being a Christian. I've been given the highest award by the Pope. I still hold that award, the highest Papal award, Knight of St. Gregory's the Great. I have it. One day, if you want, I’ll wear my uniform and come here,” he added.

On the reported protest against his choice as Campaign Director General, Lalong said “I don't even know where they are. I Hold a Papa Night and as a Catholic, everything we do, we do it and we send the advice to the Pope.

The Pope has not told me that what I'm doing is bad, to accept (to be) Director-General. As a Catholic, we take that direction.

“But generally, as a governor of a state, I said as a governor of the state, I am not responsible to only my faith, I am responsible to other people who belong to other faiths,

who are not Muslims or Christians.

So that is why I took an oath of office. The purpose of my Oath of Office is to take care of those people.

“When it comes to politics, it’s a matter of choice, a matter of interest.

In every political party, you have Christians and Muslims, in every political party, there's opportunity for you to vote for a Christian or to vote for a Muslim.

“If you don't want a Muslim, you wait until election when you’ll vote your choice. If you don't want a Christian, you will go there and go to vote”, he said.

Reacting to fears that the assignment to run the party’s presidential campaign would put governance in Plateau State in disarray, Lalong said besides the fact that he has capable hands within the administration, technology has made leading easier.

"It doesn't affect it, we’re using technology. What is the distance from here to Plateau? It’s 20 minutes, if you're going by air. Just as I'm leaving this place, I have a council meeting, I have Plateau Executive Council meeting. I can hold council there, I can hold council…, I've capable hands that are taking care of the state. That was why I mentioned that I've no fear about my time.

“This is not the first assignment I'm doing. I've been handling assignments from federal government, from the party, while sitting as governor of Plateau State, so it will not affect my decision”, he said.

Speaking about the other reason for visiting the President, Lalong said it was to appreciate Mr. President for all what he has done for Plateau State in recent times.

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NEWS

SERVICE OF SONGS AND TRIBUTE OF LATE SANYAOLU...

L-R: First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; brother of late Omotayo Sanyaolu; daughter of the deceased, Ayobami; wife, Cynthia; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Son of deceased, Babajide and Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat during the service of songs and tribute of late Sanyaolu, at the 10 Degrees Event centre, Oregun Ikeja,...yesterday

Terrorists Free Seven More Abducted Train Passengers Terror kingpin, others neutralised in military airstrikes in Kaduna, North-west, North-east, 29 others killed Amao reviews operations in Kaduna John Shiklam in Kaduna and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Seven of the remaining 39 abducted passengers of the March 28 AbujaKaduna train attack have been freed by their abductors.

Tukur Mamu, media consultant to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a Kadunabased Islamic cleric, who has been at the forefront of mediations for the release of the victims, disclosed this in a statement yesterday in Kaduna.

The statement said a total of seven hostages, which included a family of six, were released on Wednesday morning.

Five hostages were earlier released on August 2.

With the release of the seven hostages, 32 others are still being held by the terrorists.

The statement said the release of the seven victims, which was “due to Gumi’s efforts,” with the support of a serving senator from the north who desired to remain anonymous.

The statement said, “This is to confirm to the world that due to Sheikh Gumi's efforts and with the support of a serving senator from the north, (a God fearing personality that doesn't have any relationship with the hostages), who chose to remain anonymous, that all the family of six have regained their freedom on Wednesday morning.”

It added that among those released was a 60-year-old woman, Hajia Aisha Hassan, who was said to have been freed due to life threatening health challenges.

The statement listed the names of the six family members as: Abubakar Idris Garba; his wife, Maryama Abubakar Bobbo; their four children- Ibrahim Abubakar Garba,10; Fatima Abubakar Garba, 7; Imran Abubakar Garba, 5, and the youngest, Zainab Abubakar Garba,1.

The statement said Abubakar, the head of the family, was the son of bedridden Maj. Gen Idris Garba (rtd), an indigene of Niger State, who served as military administrator of Kano and Benue states during the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

The statement noted that Gumi prayed for the immediate release of the remaining victims and urged government to intensify efforts towards securing their freedom.

He said the delay in releasing the remaining victims was unnecessary, adding that their release is possible once the right approach is taken.

But the statement did not say whether any ransom was paid.

On March 28, terrorists attacked an Abuja-Kaduna bound passenger train, killing eight people, abducting 62 passengers, while many others were injured.

So far, 30 people have been released, while 32 are still being held captive.

Some of the 30 people released were said to have paid as high as N100 million ransom to the terrorists for their freedom.

Meanwhile, a notorious terror leader, Alhaji Shanono, and about 18 other terrorists were neutralised in the ongoing operation by the Nigerian Air Force in the Northwest.

In a statement on Wednesday, Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said over 30 riffles and 20 motorcycles were destroyed during the airstrike.

Gabkwet said Shanono was killed in an airstrike on Tuesday, following intelligence reports that the criminal had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna.

At least 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the terrorists were said to have been released as a result of the airstrike.

Gabkwet said, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, who was in Kaduna yesterday to review the operations, gave further directives to troops as intensive air operations were being sustained in the entire military theatres of operation.

He said, “NAF aircraft continue to seek and decimate enemies of the state in their attempts to make life unbearable for innocent Nigerians.

“From the briefings received by the CAS, it is evident that so far, the directives given to the operational commanders is yielding the requisite outcome.”

The statement noted that Amao, while addressing the commanders, reminded them of the need to remain steadfast and focused on the task ahead.

“We can't afford to let down our guards,” the statement quoted the CAS as saying.

The statement said, “In the North-west specifically, the effect of strikes undertaken by NAF aircraft have revealed that several terrorists have been eliminated and their enclaves destroyed.

“One of such strikes, which occurred yesterday, August 9, 2022, resulted in the elimination of a well-known terrorist leader operating in Kaduna State.

“Indeed, following receipt of intelligence on August 9, 2022 that a well-known terrorists' kingpin, Alhaji Shanono, had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at

Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch dispatched aircraft for interdiction mission at the location.

“Overhead the location, terrorists were sighted under clusters of trees at the foot of Ukambo high ground and after ensuring the absence of civilian settlements within the location, the crew received the authorization to strike.”

According to the statement, “Feedback from local sources disclosed that over 30 rifles and 20 motorbikes were destroyed while

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has tentatively scheduled its emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for the first week of September.

The decision to hold the NEC meeting in September was reached yesterday during the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja.

Convening the NEC meeting became imperative following the expiration of the 90 days transfer of power granted to the NWC of the party by NEC at its 11th meeting on April 20 in Abuja.

THISDAY checks revealed that

the date is subject to the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari, who doubles as the party's national leader.

A member of the NWC of the party, who did not speak on the record, disclosed that the NWC could not give a specific date when the NEC meeting would hold because they have to seek Buhari's approval.

"The NWC is looking at the first week in September. This date, however, is subject to the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari. The National Chairman and National Secretary are to convey to Mr President our proposed date for the NEC meeting," said the NWC member.

The APC chief added, "We can not

Gabkwet said, “One of such operations was conducted on 6 August 2022 at Gazuwa, about 1.2 kilometres to Gargash, after intelligences revealed that infighting for relevance and supremacy was underway between terrorists of the Shekau faction and terrorists aligned to Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP).

“The state of confusion and disorder among the two terrorists’ factions thus presented an opportunity for a surprise strike

by NAF pilots, which was carried out using two aircraft types.

Umahi Urges ASUU, FG to Meet Demands Halfway to End Strike Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. David Umahi has called on the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to show understanding and accept halfway agreement so as to end the protracted industrial action.

Umahi noted that though the demands of the unionist were germane, but it would be unreasonable for the federal government to borrow N1.1trillion to meet the demands of the lecturers that downed tools since February 14,

APC Emergency NEC Meeting Holds September, Awaits President's Nod for Specific Date Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

about 18 terrorists, including Alhaji Shanono, were neutralised with others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

“Sources also revealed that not less than 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the terrorists were released as a result of the airstrike.”

Gabkwet said similar strikes were also undertaken in the North-east as well.

He said, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai was fully engaged in conducting air interdiction missions on terrorists’ targets in Borno State.

give a date now. The party leadership will consult with the President and clear the date with him. We are not privy to Mr President's activities, that is why I cannot give the specific date. We have to clear with him and jointly agree on a date."

According to the APC leader, the meeting is crucial.

"We intend to have the NEC meeting before the commencement of the Presidential campaign," the ruling party NWC member further stated. "We (NWC) have to report our activities in the last 90 days to NEC and equally present for approval of the comprehensive campaign programme for the 2023 general elections," our source disclosed."

2022.

Umahi stated this when the Director General, Budget Office of the Federation and Member Board of Trustees of Nigerian Police Trust Fund, Mr. Sam Akabueze paid him a courtesy call in Abakaliki.

Umahi said: "Our basic problem in this country remains security, health and education. Let me say a little about education which is in public domain.

"University education is not for everybody and that is the truth.

The basic education every country strives to attain is secondary school and vocational schools. These are the basic schools and when you have these qualifications, you will able to use it either to start up something or to be able to use it to be employed and while you are in employment, if you don’t have the mercy you will be able to aspire to university education" The governor advocated that the educational system should be reviewed so that the federal government and ASUU would sit down and iron out the problem about the strike.

He added: "There is a need to review our educational system, it mustn’t be for everybody. I am not ashamed that I have first degree and my deputy is a PhD holder, it doesn’t matter. It is what you bring on board. So, I cannot see how we cannot sit down with our ASUU leaders and iron out this problem about the ASUU strike.

"I have read in social media,

newspapers how students got into trouble just by sitting at home or engaging in means of keeping themselves busy instead of being in schools. There is no way the country Nigeria will go and borrow N1.1trillion to meet ASUU demands, it’s quite unreasonable.

Are their demands genuine? Yes, but we can start little by little.

"There must be commitment on the side of both parties. Look, ASUU is not asking this to take to their houses so to say, there are asking it for our children to better the infrastructure, to better the lecturers and the students.

“Yes, but we can start with a fraction of that and then have a programme that will run on the platform of sincerity to address all the lots.”

Speaking further, he said: "But let me also say that most of the time, our people have low appetite for maintenance of public works.

No matter how much you deploy to these universities, unless the users, the industry, the regulators, unless they begin to treat public infrastructure as their own in the various universities, it will continue to go bad no matter how much the federal government deploy to it.

"So, it is important for ASUU to show some understanding and for those who are negotiating on the side of government to also show some understanding. Let’s meet ourselves halfway and their open the schools to save the fate of our children"

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POLITICS

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

Fadahunsi: Senators Will Move against Lawan If...

A member of the National Assembly, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, in this interview with Sunday Aborisade, said Senators across party divide will move against Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, if he opposes their planned move to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari next month. He also spoke about the abysmal performance of the APC-led government at the centre since 2015, among other issues.

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t what point did the collaboration between the All Progressives Congress Senators and their counterpart in the red chamber collapse?

It is true that we met at the inception of the Ninth Senate and agreed to cooperate with the executive arm of government notwithstanding the political party we belong to. We decided to do that so that Nigeria could move forward. At the end of the day however, we found out that it was a mistake we do so. That is why there was no vibrant opposition in the Ninth Senate.

President Muhammadu Buhari had complained that lack of cooperation between the executive arm of government and the Eighth National Assembly under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Yakubu Dogara as Speaker of the House of Representatives led to his poor performances in his first tenure. He said the stiff opposition to his administration stalled the execution of most projects lined up by his government. We felt for Nigerians and we saw the need to give him our cooperation. We have now realised now that we made a mistake and that the opposition must begin to play it’s role.

Nigerians are now blaming the National Assembly for all the mistakes of the Buhari-led executive.

pull out of the unholy alliance. We want the whole Nigeria to know that we have not been supporting the rot in the land at the moment.

Fadahunsi

What have you now agreed to do specifically?

The opposition Senators have now agreed to stop discussing national interest issues behind closed doors.

We will now speak to the cameras to let Nigerians know what’s happening. Everybody must know everything about their country. That was the reason we staged a walk out during our last plenary before we went on vacation. We have been talking and giving suggestions but the head of the Senate President is hooked to the Villa. He doesn’t want us to discuss or examine whatever communication he brings from the Villa simply because he had the gavel. Now, instead of continuing the cooperation and allow death to kill everyone, it is high time we

As senators from the opposition political parties, were you being compensated for supporting the rulling APC government?

It is highly unfortunate because the leadership of the Senate is adopting a winner-takes-all system. They don’t care about the interest and welfare of other Senators apart from their loyalists. That is why the rate at which the turnover affect the party primaries was massive. Only about 20 per cent of the Senators had their party tickets to return.

Specifically, what are those things that you regret that the cooperation had caused the nation?

The first thing is the huge debt the country is incurring. Unfortunately there is no corresponding projects on ground to justify the huge debts apart from some parts of the northern Nigeria.

The projects being handled in the South started since the Olusegun Obasanjo administration and they had still not been completed. This was not the original plan and we feel pains for the incoming generation that would be in trouble.

There is rising unemployment, the academic activities at the various public universities had also stopped for months. This is apart from the fact that lack of poor funding was the reason universities are producing half baked graduates.

This had further worsened the unemployment situation in the country.

Nigerians believe that the National Assembly is a recruitment centre because major agencies come to you to fill their employment slots with your candidates....

Well, all I know is that there is no way you can benefit from the slot allocation from the federal agencies except you are a member of the APC or one of the body of principal officers.

It is a matter of winner-takes-all. The situation was not like that when Saraki was president of the Senate. He made sure that sure slots go round. Unfortunately, the man leading us now, was formerly the head of the opposition in the National Assembly, challenging the system, and now he doesn’t want anybody to challenge him.

I wonder whether there existed a leader in a democratic system that would not want to be challenged. Why won’t he be challenged? He

must be challenged because he was elected by the people.

Did the alliance between the opposition lawmakers and the APC Senators affect the oversight functions?

Go and interview most of the Senators. The oversight functions are not functioning. How will there be effective oversight when the President would bring the budget and his Representatives are here to insist that the financial document must be passed as presented. How will you go on oversight when you know that the budget estimates would be passed as presented? That is why the contractors and civil servants are doing whatever they like with the budget. Even when you decided to go for oversight functions, the heads of the ministries departments and agencies would not be available to answer questions about how they implemented the last budget because they know that the next one would be approved as presented.

Security is a major concern to the nation now and the PDP caucus has started an action against the president by threatening him with impeachment if he failed to act within six weeks. Is that a right thing to do?

On security, most of the people that voted for Buhari did so because they felt he would address insecurity being a military general.

Unfortunately, the issue had escalated to the extent that kidnapping and killings of innocent souls happen every day in Nigeria. They terrorists had successfully entered the nation’s capital.

Kidnapping has become a very lucrative business in Nigeria with the terrorists demanding up to N100m each to set their captives free. The insurgency in the North-East is still there.

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

Yaman: I Will Run an Open Govt If Elected Kwara Governor in 2023 The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) gubernatorial candidate for 2023 general election in Kwara state, Abdullah Shuaibu Yaman, in this interview with Hammed Shittu, speaks on his programmes for Kwara people if elected Governor in March, 2023

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integrity. Every month, that government announced the revenue profile of the state and went through all due processes in taking loans.

Again, that’s transparency. Kwarans deserve to know how they’re being governed. That was why we saw Governors Saraki and Ahmed coming on air to speak with Kwarans.

What has this government done? Destruction of legacies without establishing new ones.

Government of hatred and vindictiveness.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (GAA) abandoned Kwara’s logo and identity; was almost vandalising the diagnostic centre; turned the stadium complex into a political arena and abandoned the metropolitan square meant for such activities. This governor is like a prodigal son that devoured the legacies of his father without establishing new ones.

Kwara can not afford another four years of profligacy and destruction.

hat are the selling point of your party, Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), to Kwara electorate for the 2023 governorship

election?

You see, my critical selling points are integrity, sincerity, honesty and transparency. In the last three years, we’ve witnessed unprecedented deceit and betrayal of public trust. Contracts were awarded without due processes; bills were passed without transparent public hearings; appointments have been made without due diligence and regard to competence and capability. Any manifesto will be meaningless without the necessary ingredients of transparency and accountability.

So, I’m going, to be honest, transparent and trustworthy in dealing with the good people of Kwara State. Having said that, the government I’m going to head will be “our government” and not “my government”. It will be collective and inclusive. Our priority areas for sustainable growth and development shall be security, civil service reform, revenue reform for economic Independence, education and human capital development, road Infrastructure and rural economic development, responsive and comprehensive health care system, agriculture as a pinnacle to sustainable prosperity, private sector and traditional institutions driving security system, tourism and creative economy and youth employment and empowerment.

“The How” to achieve these will soon

Yaman

be presented to Kwarans when campaigns start. Now mind you, the basic principles to drive these are integrity, honesty and transparency. When former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed promised to complete all ongoing projects of Dr. Bukola Saraki, he followed up by completing the Harmony Diagnostic Centre, Aviation College, Kwara State University’s School of Engineering, and all ongoing road projects, among others. That’s

Do you think the manifestos are capable of convincing the people of the state to vote for you?

Time will tell. But what’s sure like death is that Kwarans are tired of a muted and onechanced governor, a governor that speaks and listens to no one but himself.

What are your priority programmes which you will focus on if you win the 2023 governorship election in the state?

Simple! Security, civil service reform, revenue reform for economic development, youth employment and empowerment and

infrastructure development.

What programmes will you do differently if you are voted as the governor of Kwara state?

Our government shall not be just a spending government but one that generates more resources for economic expansion and inclusiveness. We shall be accountable to Kwarans and allow our productive civil servants to offer their best to the state and shall be rewarded accordingly. We shall adhere strictly to Kwara master plans established by the previous governments with necessary amendments to meet modern exigencies. Our government shall be focused and resourceful.

We’ll ensure that every part of the state feels the impact of government.

How bright are the chances of your party winning the 2023 governorship election in the state?

Well, God is the maker of kings. In Him alone resides the authority to succeed. But so far, this governor appears to be an orphan. All major actors in his emergence have abandoned him because they have since discovered that he’s a one-chanced governor. Any commander that goes to a battlefront without his battalion is doomed. That’s what GAA is currently doing.

So far, we’re praying and working to succeed.

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

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POLITICS

Arise: APC’s All Muslim Ticket Will Bring Progress to Nigeria A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ayo Arise, in this interview with Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu, says the all Muslim presidential ticket of the ruling party was neither a slight on the christian community, nor was it about fanaticism.

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o you think theAPC miscalculated by going for a Muslim-Muslim ticket when it was obvious that the Christian community will rise against it?

The Muslim-Muslim ticket is a decision that cannot be said to be perfect as there were situations for the Muslim-Christian ticket which ordinarily could have been ideal if not for the fact that the candidate happens to be from the South West. If the candidate had been a Christian it would have been much easier to pick a Muslim northerner. But since things happened the way it has happened, it is much easier for a Northern candidate who is a Muslim to pick a Christian Southerner. That would have been the most reasonable thing to do but now that we have the reverse as the case.

The condition on the ground is very clear that the Northern population, maybe 60, 70 percent are Muslims and we are talking of numbers if you are to win election. After sitting down very well, you will discover that there are very able, intelligent, technically sound Christians but the question is how many votes would you command to be able to win election, particularly from the North. If the reverse has been the case to the South West, it would have been a suicidal error for any Northern candidate to pick a Muslim from the South.

So, when you look at the situations that are emerging, he had very limited choices and when you consider the fact that yes, there have been a similar situation in the past and in reality, anybody that wants to rule this country must not make religion your priority. If you make religion your priority then our chances for development are tending more towards zero.

If you look at the entire world, what the leaders are discussing. In this world we have today, people are discussing things about creating life in the space, they have even gone beyond electricity, that one is taken for granted. But in this country, we still don’t have electricity to work, people don’t have electricity in their homes. Are we looking for solutions like that or we are looking for solutions to resolve our religious differences?

Arise What concerns a leader should be providing minimum acceptable standards for the citizens, security, availability of amenities and facilities for livelihood, employment. These are things I believe should be the focus of leadership.

And I think Nigerians should be more worried about these at this point in time. How do we resolve our security challenges, unemployment, cure the situation of our nepotism, tribalism, these are the issues that are paramount and Nigerians should be more concerned about.

I think what we need to focus now, it is not practically feasible for Tinubu to say he is dropping his running mate because he is a Muslim, so, not only would he lose face, people will start wondering, is this the type of leader we want to have. Looking at the character himself, we all know that his wife is a Pastor of Redeemed Church and they have been living together for God knows how long, so,

I do not think that the basis of discussion in their home is religion. For many of us, the situation of inter-marriage between Christian and Muslim is more prominent in the South West.

What we are looking at is for us to live as brothers and sisters. We should not be looking at ourselves from a religious aspect and this is an opportunity for us to begin to move forward but if you look at the apprehension of people in this country, it is being festered by a few. Those are the things that have brought so much suspicion into the society and people are looking at religion as a basis and we don’t need that to solve the problem. We only need a good leader to ensure that he lives by example.

I think for me personally, it could have been not looking or not expecting the reaction in a way, but I personally, am one of those who will say let us give Tinubu and his vice a chance. If we are not being directed towards becoming a Muslim nation, I believe there are people in Nigeria who will stand against that move and I don’t think anything it will ever come to the mind of Tinubu and of course, the Vice is quite an educated person that has antecedence that can also be pointed to.

The gentleman came to the Senate after I left, I don’t know him that much but from all that I heard about him, I think when he was Governor, I believe there was no time he could have gone ahead to drive Christians out of Borno State. So, when we look at it, it is an experimental thing.

We saw it before, but Abiola never ruled for us to know what he could have done. Even though I have known the Governor of Lagos State for more than 25 years, but I have never bothered to find out whether he is a Christian or a Muslim because those things don’t bother me. In fact it is not long ago that I knew that Fashola is a Muslim and when you look at many of these people, they have Christian wife, so, there is no fanaticism in this thing. We cannot rule this country based on that. I think it is a major issue that we continue to appeal to the Christian Community that this is not a slight. So, I think reasonably in terms of calculation and strategy, I believe the candidate of APC considered all that before coming up

with all muslim ticket.

As a party man who also supports his own, I just want to know the legacies Buhari has created and how you want to build on it. Secondly, this Muslim-Muslim ticket is still a major issue.

Well, on Buhari’s legacy, I read a few things that Tinubu said he would do and one of the very first one, in terms of tackling security, is the fact that he would automatically start the process of having State Police. I don’t think that if he says that he will continue on the legacy of President Buhari, I don’t expect that he would just become President and start rubber stamping everything that Buhari did. In terms of policies of this administration, you will notice that a few things are focused on social benefits of the people to ease the burden of the downtrodden, now the implementation might be another question. Has those policies achieved what they were set out to achieve and to be sure, let me make it very clear, I do a few things for the government. I think our civil service needs a complete overhaul.

We are the ones responsible for the ailment of the country. Even though a leader can come in and begin to change things, the rot is so deep that when you even try, it becomes a problem and when Buhari started, we started hearing the slogan “corruption is fighting back”. People didn’t know what this meant and when you look at where we are today, those people that surrounded him, what is their thinking. Are they thinking about how to bleed this country to death or they are thinking about how to bring infrastructure to benefit all. If a leader does not go beyond his advisers, the chances are that he might not know half of what is going on in the society. So, it is still part of our responsibility to begin to talk to power. This is what is going on, these are the problems we are facing. So, I think he will come in and do his best.

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

Beke: APC Will Produce Next Governor in Rivers In this interview with Blessing Ibunge, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Mr Emeka Beke, expresses confidence that he is going to deliver the party at the 2023 general elections in the state.

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will be your own. You can’t stop someone who believes he will be governor, most qualified in the state to become a governor, definitely you expect him to run away.

Now if you listen to what he (Abe) said that he is leaving APC Rivers State but he is still with Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is that a genuine person.

hat are your thoughts about political development in Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially as members are defecting?

My first primary assignment here is to win election in Rivers. And winning election, you need to unite everybody that you think is aggrieved, who are genuine members of your political family, because as a father for you to be in a political party, you are like a family and as the head of the family, no matter what comes up, you share the responsibility. Some may have one challenge or the other, my assignment is to ensure we stay together.

What is the party doing about the resignation or defection of prominent members, is the party not bothered about this development?

One thing you must know, first, most people who are leaving the party, were commissioners, advisers or one other office holder in the last administration of Hon Rotimi Amaechi and you know that we have left government in the past seven years and people expect so much and which is not forthcoming. People will want to go somewhere to have their daily income, that is exactly what was happening. None of them will say this is the reason why I am leaving the party. I want to be very honest with you, most of them will not tell you probably, the leader did not treat me well but out of hunger people will run out. That is the way I see it.

A prominent chieftain of APC, Senator Magnus Abe just left the party, what is

Beke

your take on the development?

First, Magnus Abe wants to be Governor of Rivers State and what Magnus wants is just anointing and nobody anoints anybody in politics you need to work hard for it.

Magnus probably did not find what he wants from this end of our party, probably he want to try in another party, we wish him the best of luck.

If Magnus genuinely beliefs in this party, one thing you must know, one person will be governor at a given time, two persons can never be, probably it is not your turn or the turn of your zone or is not given to you, just have hope that someday it

March, 2023 is around the corner, you have a candidate already, what is the plan of the party for Rivers state people and the chances of APC candidate winning the elections?

As a political party, you know what we are doing, reaching out to people, talking to people, stakeholders and if you watch what is happening in politics is not about politics where somebody will come and steal a ballot, that era has passed on. You need to talk to the people in the grassroot, you need to talk to the people in the unit. What we are doing is to talk to the relevant people who have the votes, not funfair. Funfair has gone, you need to go back to the grassroot, talk to the people who have the card, who are eligible to vote.

And as a party we are doing very well, people might say, members are defecting from the party, from APC to PDP, that is the way PDP members are leaving to come to APC, we don’t make noise. And one thing I can tell you, we have a better candidate than the PDP candidate 100 percent. You can’t in anywhere compare, how can you compare if you really say you are a Nigerian, you can’t compare Tonye Cole and Sim, no way but for me, that is the choice of the PDP. The choice of APC is Tonye Cole and we are going to take him to the Bricks

House, we are very sure of that.

What are your strategies to unseat the ruling PDP and takeover the Rivers government house in 2023?

First, you have been in the state as a journalist, Chief Nyesom Wike is going to be governor for eight years, one thing you know as long as you live in this state, we need to tell ourselves the truth, there is nothing to show that the government of Nyesom Wike has done well in Rivers State. Any normal Rivers man or woman will not cast their vote for PDP. I want to say it clearly, is it from the civil servants, do we have secretariat in Rivers State, no.

Insecurity is bastardized in Rivers State; why will people vote for PDP, is it because of the money they will give to them? All our sons and daughters that were overseas are brought back home but his own son is qualified to go overseas. What is his foundation, who is his father. Who is Wike’s father in Rivers State, I want to know, why you will deprive other people benefits, their rights. A lot of prominent men in this state wanted to go overseas with state scholarship and you denied the entire Rivers sons and daughters their scholarships.

Well, I wonder how they will cast their votes for PDP, that is just my concern, they won’t. Go and feel the pulse of the people. That is why when I see somebody leaving APC for PDP I just keep wondering, what are you going to do, you want to get Rivers money and put in your pocket.

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

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FEATURES

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

Climate Change: Need for Sustainable Waste Management Policies in Africa negative. It can go the other way, as a person picking up litter can have a beneficial impact on the local environment.

The primary impacts of concern in an energydependent society often come as a result of our energy use. Burning hydrocarbons like coal and oil to provide us with useful energy results in the emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

Other activities causing harm include improper waste disposal to bodies of water and soil, accidental spills of chemicals, increased demand for resources as populations increase (especially due to consumerism as stated above), and much more. The impacts that these have on the environment have become clear and include: Climate change, including Global warming, Acid rain, Photochemical smog, and other forms of pollution, Ocean acidification, Displacement/ extinction of wildlife; Resource depletion - Forests, Water, Food. Etc. Many issues in the world are causing one or more of these effects. The Oil sands, for instance, is of great concern to many these days as they essentially contribute to each of the above impacts.

Titilayo Obileye

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frica is the next big thing in the committee of continents to drive the socio-economic fortunes of the world. However, there is a need for a sustainable long-term plan in securing the sanity and safety of the African ecosystem. Development without sustainability is not achievable.

Sustainability is the continuous improvement of a present state without compromising the future, and for the betterment of the future. Therefore, it is highly important in a place, organisation, institution, government, or any form of habitat.

In present times, there is the need for not only growth and development but the sustainability of our environment and the world in general.

There is a massive need for leaders, government agencies, and other stakeholders in the waste management sector to rise to the problem that is subtly endangering our very existence because the earth (our Environment) is our only home and if destroyed by poor/unsustainable waste management policies and practices, there will be no home for us to live.

As a result of the need for environmental sustenance, there comes the emergence of Efficient Waste Management Policies/Practices, thereby protecting our communities for the benefit of the population.

The generation, collection, and disposal of wastes are intrinsic part of any developing or industrial society. Waste, from both domestic and commercial sources, has grown significantly in Africa and other developing nations of the world over the past decades. Every time a householder shops at a store or an open market, they contribute to the accumulation of waste. It is possible to quote figures which show that the production of waste amounts to millions of tons, hence, the management of waste is a matter of national and international concern.

The ‘4R’ concept which refers to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Responsible disposal aids the achievement of the smart environmental management system. The concept emphasizes an increase in the ratio of recyclable materials, use of raw materials, and manufacturing waste as well as an overall reduction in resource and energy use.

Goal 13 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations is to “ensure environmental sustainability, through Climate Action”. A very important issue that is crucial in realizing this goal is the need to develop and adopt effective strategies for the optimization of the Waste Management system, Environmental systems, and more especially in densely populated urban areas and institutions which include regions of Africa.

MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT: THE GOOD, THE BAD Effective municipal waste management is a major problem in Africa, especially the disposal, collection, and processing of the generated wastes.

The constant consumption growth has resulted in a significant rise in waste generation. This has urged local authorities within the continent to develop an improved waste management system to tackle the waste conundrum.

Amongst these solutions, the most likely one remains the optimization of the waste collection process.

Every region has its unique profile regarding municipal waste generation and emerging environmental issues. The lack of awareness in communities in connection to waste generation and handling can be considered a reason for poor environmental and waste management.

Waste collection is a major element of any waste management system. It has a high economic impact together with eminent environmental and social consequences.

Authorities and research bodies have worked on various ways to optimize the collection process. This has led to significant improvements in waste collection. Nevertheless, the best means for optimizing the process is yet to be achieved.

In most African cities, municipal waste collections are done in an ad-hoc manner, which contributes to high municipal waste collection costs.

Municipal waste collection vehicles are assigned to zones without any serious demand

President Buhari and Governor Sanwo-Olu analysis, route construction being left to the waste vehicle drivers. Every time the vehicle is filled up, it heads to the disposal site to unload and then returns to the zones. This method contributes to high municipal waste collection costs and environmental issues.

Research has it that about 66 -95 percent of the municipal waste management budget in African countries is spent on waste collection and haulage. Minimizing the cost of municipal waste collection through Collection Route Optimization and Collection Point Locations will help in optimizing the general management of municipal waste systems within the continent.

The volume of these wastes does not constitute the problem, but the inability of waste management administrators to keep up with the task of managing waste and the environment. The consequence is that improper disposal or storage of these wastes constitutes hazards to society through the pollution of air, land, and especially surface and groundwater.

THE LAGOS STATE PLASTIC USAGE AND WASTE STRATEGY: A COMMENDABLE STRIDE A strategy known as the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, which aims to replace the PSP system in manner that would effectively tackle the management of waste in the state was adopted by the Lagos State Government in March 2017 to stamp out the practice of dumping refuse and other categories of thrash on major roads and street corners, which has negative impact on the environment especially during rainy seasons. See https://punchng.com/ expectations-as-lagos-government-introducesnew-environmental-policy/?amp Also, in March 2020, the Lagos State Government also published on its official website, a Policy that will regulate plastic utility and waste; "In view of the increasing prevalence of plastic waste and its negative effect on the environment in recent years, the Lagos State Government is set to put in place policy guidelines backed up with an enabling law, to regulate plastic utility and ensure sustainable management of plastic waste." https://lagosstate.gov.ng/blog/2020/03/15/ lagos-to-implement-policy-on-plastic-wastemanagement/ In Ghana, there is a steady development of plan and policy for municipal waste management. According to a research paper

by Patrick Aaniamenga Bowan, Sam M. Kayaga, Andrew P. Cotton, and Julie Fisher, "study examined MSWM performance in Ghana using the Wa "Municipality as a case study. The findings indicate that Ghana has a good institutional framework for MSWM, the laws and regulations governing waste management are adequate and the involvement of the private sector in waste collection has drastically improved waste collection in the country.

However, strengthening the enabling environment for sustainable MSWM could scale up MSWM performance in Ghana for the attainment SWM goals such as protection of public health and the environment, conservation of resources, and creation of employment."

EMERGENT POLLUTANTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Emerging pollutants are chemicals and compounds that have recently been identified as dangerous to the environment, and consequently the health of human beings. Precisely, they have been labelled “emerging” because of the rising level of concern linked to them.

In addition, many of these emerging pollutants have not been regulated under national or international legislation, hence posing a greater risk to our environment and livelihood. These pollutants include a variety of compounds such as antibiotics, drugs, steroids, endocrine disruptors, hormones, Industrial Additives, Chemicals, and also Microbeads, and microplastics.

There is an inextricable link between these pollutants and wastewater.

Municipal, industrial, and domestic wastewaters are, in fact, a primary pathway for their wide diffusion in the aquatic environment. While more research is needed, it is widely acknowledged that these emerging pollutants are increasingly becoming a hazard.

An environmental impact deals with any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, resulting from a facility’s activities, products, or services. In other words, it is the effect that people's actions have on the environment.

For example, when volatile organic compounds are released into the environment, the effect or impact is pollution in the form of smog, in this case being

"It is also clear that improper waste management practices have a significant impact on the natural environment and sustainable development of the continent...Therefore, Waste Management must be developed from the primary level"

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Human ways of life have placed pressure on the environment and have caused an imbalance in the ecosystems through the producing, consuming, and wasting of natural resources. Most countries have major effects on the environment due to Municipal and Industrial waste generation with economic development since the natural resources are used, and waste and pollution are produced. Therefore, the concern toward the management of waste as an integral part of sustainable development has increased.

Findings revealed that there are significant issues with unauthorized waste disposal practices due to the lack of proper waste management processes on the continent.

It is also clear that improper waste management practices have a significant impact on the natural environment and sustainable development of the continent. Thus, awareness about Waste Management & Environmental Impact on Sound Environmental Development or/and Sustainable Development is seemingly low. Therefore, Waste Management must be developed from the primary level.

Furthermore, the Environmental Impact and Specific Action can be analyzed using a Life Cycle Assessment, which is the process of observing a product from its "cradle to grave" and determining the impacts associated with it at each step. These methods are somewhat subjective and resource intensive.

Emission Inventories for example may quantify the emission of pollutants, while Risk Assessment can analyze the effects these pollutants will have on the health of those within the environment.

Process Hazard Analysis involves identifying and assessing the potential impacts of unplanned hazardous materials. A team may rank the possible hazards and focus on preventing those that can cause the most harm.

Waste storage and primary disposal are the dominant means of managing waste. Thus, it has caused significant challenges within the continent. Therefore, Waste Separation from the household level, Proper Storage, more Efficient Waste Collection Systems, and Sustainable Recovery and Disposal Practices are identified as needed processes within the administrative system and communities.

Considering the nature and components of waste generated by households and business places, the waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting processes would be more suitable for managing the challenge. These management options should be integrated into a sustainable framework. Adequate consideration should be given to monitoring processes. Public education and properly planned waste management programs also need to be introduced into the current waste management system.

Especially awareness programmes must be conducted to improve the knowledge about the importance of Municipal & Industrial waste management for sound environmental development in the continent. The Administrators and Authorities should also provide for the introduction of complementary programs and policy development. t5JUJMBZP 0CJMFZF JT B DPNNVOJDBUJPOT TQFDJBMJTU XJUI UIF &LJUJ 4UBUF (PWFSONFOU

19

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

Representation in Nigeria Presents Great Opportunities for Content Creators Bada Akintunde-Johnson

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n a world where pictorial realities on-screen, despite wielding great influence, are not entirely aligned with the every-day-realities people face, content creators must work overtime to capture the essence of societies — not just the idealistic dreams of what could be, but the current (sometimes aggravating) conditions that currently exist.

Content, as we have all come to realise, shapes views and opinions — that are sometimes hard to shake off. Many, without realising it, have formed opinions of foreign cultures not by interacting with representatives of those groups or cultures but through a clip or scene they watched. This stark reality makes it expedient for Content to perform the function of a looking glass and for content to mirror society. A tall order, no doubt, but one that presents a myriad of opportunities for content creators.

Nigeria—with over 360 tribes, about 250 ethnic groups and 6 geopolitical zones— is a melting pot of culture with diverse nuances, many of which are either not properly represented on-screen or are not represented at all. At Paramount, we recently carried out a survey —Reflecting Me: Global Representation on Screen— to evaluate the general perception surrounding representation and on-screen diversity, the ethos that drives our content production and operations. The results were staggering.

94% of Nigerians, compared to 78% globally, considered it important for TV shows and movies to correctly reflect the country’s different cultural groups and identities, with the majority agreeing that on-screen representation of people and portrayal of their cultures is inadequate. 70% of Nigerians felt there is a need for a more accurate representation of certain groups and identities,

Akintunde-Johnson while 40% want more types of groups and identities to be represented on-screen.

Amongst those who felt poorly represented, 54% felt people like them are represented inaccurately, while 47% felt people like them are not represented enough. Viewers want to see more inclusion both on-screen and, not surprisingly, off-screen as well (89% agree producers should commit to improving diversity and representation behind the cameras).

Meeting this need for representation requires a multidimensional approach

because people are layered. A Nigerian is more than just a Nigerian. He could be a Nigerian who is part Efik, part Yoruba and is also the first child of a family of five. These different facets bring different dimensions that we, as content creators, need to capture as much as we can. This requires us to get close to the cultures we need to portray, understand them and make sure the end result tells their stories in a way that resonates with them. (MT: Please check this rational with Bada) Representing Nigeria’s blend of cultures, therefore, requires an immersive approach. Something we adopted for the southeastern Nigeria-inspired reality TV show, The People’s Hero. We ran underground activations in Owerri and Enugu that gave us the proximity we needed to understand the culture to be portrayed through the show and mirror it more accurately. What we experienced, in terms of culture, was vastly different from what we had encountered in the southwest while observing representatives of the culture.

On-screen diversity is as complex as our individual identities are – and the intersectional nature of our lives means that one person could feel under-represented or misrepresented across several of these aspects.

Economic status, an aspect not often discussed in conversations around representation on-screen, came out strongly. While we are aware that most TV shows —particularly scripted series— are somewhat aspirational, with people living in nice homes, wearing nice clothes and driving flashy cars. It was clear from the study that some audiences felt alienated as this did not reflect the reality of their day-to-day living.

As creators that serve diverse audiences, these insights are important in strengthening our content offering. We need storylines that portray real-life experiences. Through ‘Our Content for Change’, a global initiative that aims to counteract bias, stereotypes, racism and hate through every facet

of the company, we are making progress to better deliver relatable content to our audiences.

The findings of the study, therefore, present immense opportunities for us to further explore storylines that add important layers of representation. Given the size of Nigeria’s economy and a population north of 200 million with more than 300 tribes and 500 languages, the diverse cultural well from which to draw the future possibilities for storytelling is exciting. We can dive deeper to explore the beauties and reaches of different people and cultures and create content pieces rich in cultural context.

Representation matters to viewers because it has an impact in the real world. For most people, a lack of representation doesn’t make them angry or make them passionate for change. Instead, the sad reality is that it simply leaves people feeling defeated and marginalised, with 48% of those who feel poorly represented saying it makes them feel unimportant, ignored, or disappointed, which impacts their overall self-esteem and sense of belonging.

Besides knowing someone, media representation and celebrity acceptance have the biggest influence in shaping positive views towards various groups and identities as well bringing burning social issues to the fore. But what happens when audiences don’t know someone? The people on-screen shape their views.

Representation in media is a vital component to truly connect with different audiences and communities, and we, at Paramount, are proactively transforming our whole creative ecosystem to better serve our audiences and achieve significant change now and in the future. t#BEB "LJOUVOEF +PIOTPO JT $PVOUSZ .BOBHFS GPS 1BSBNPVOU "GSJDB

Proposed Okada Ban: Impact on Women, Household, and Economy Melvin Awolowo

T

he Federal Government is proposing a nationwide ban on 'Okada' (motorbikes).

According to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, the proposed ban on motorbikes will cut the supply of logistics to the terrorists.

Although the intention is laudable, the fact that this popular means of mobility is also a strong trade logistic and commuting asset for the masses and an extensive line of traders across the thickly populated metropolitan cities in the federation already nullifies the reason tendered for the proposed ban. Based on sound logic, the probable outcomes of the ban may fall below the target. The planned ban, therefore, calls for a critical analysis.

Escalated urbanization and increasing rural exodus of people in search of better careers and business opportunities have seen the few commercial cities in Nigeria become thickly populated.

This movement from rural to urban areas always reshapes a city landscape. New land areas are explored for settlements, the market expands to meet the needs in the new areas, and public facilities such as schools, healthcare centres, and road networks are expanded to these locations to capture the needs of the new residents.

Top Nigeria cities of Lagos, Kano, River, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Ogun, Oyo, and the FCT amongst others are characteristically commercial-centricity, the constant rush, the demand for faster mobility for timely delivery of goods and services to last-mile locations, the robust expansion of residence to hinter locations, the poor state of hinter roads, and the constant search for solutions to the incessant loss of valuable man-hour have made a larger section of the city dwellers to keep patronising motorbikes.

As well, motorbikes have brought succour to women traders who use them as a valuable short-haul transport system to keep trade flow active in the highly invaluable informal sectors.

For instance, Madam Nkiru is a trader in dry foodstuff. She lives in Agbede, a suburb in Ikorodu, and travels several kilometres to the city centre to get her supplies for sale. Every Tuesday, she goes to Oyingbo market for her supply of Stockfish, Ogbono, crayfish, and dry melon. She gets her supply of plantain from Owode Elede every Wednesday and Pumpkin leaves from Sabo in Ikorodu. Every day Madam Nkiru sets out for the market, she requires the services of Ibrahim who picks her up with his motorbike by 4:00 am

Awolowo to Agric bus stop. Due to the inaccessible motorable road to her stall, Ibrahim makes an average of three trips with her wares, when she returns. Sometimes, he will engage other motorbikes to help with moving the wares to the stall.

With the impending ban on motorbikes, Madam Nkiru will have to walk about 8km to get to the nearest motorable road.

That also means she will have to leave home earlier, which is unsafe. Another option for Madam Nkiru is to go to the markets the nights before and sleep out in the cold. That also is unsafe. When she returns, how does she move her wares to her stall?

For Ibrahim, he is automatically out of job, exposing his wife and three children to hunger and uncertainty. Ibrahim, got his motorbike on hire purchase, for which he has to remit regular payments. How does he fulfill these obligations? And there is the investor who has empowered unemployed Nigerians with motorbikes on hire purchase, how does he recoup his investment? This investor has a family he fends for, he has people in his employ whose families depend on

them for survival. What becomes of them?

When the ban gets implemented, Madam Nkiru is most likely going to buy less quantity of wares, which means she will lose the discounts she enjoys, her health is going to suffer, her customers will have less to buy, prices will increase, and her family will have less to feed from. Nowhere in this scenario has terrorism been curbed except that it has created an opportunity for the disengaged able-bodied men and women to be lured into crime including terrorism.

While there is no data to show how much the motorbike business contributes to the GDP, we agree that banning this effective transportation system would disrupt the trading activities in the informal sectors especially. Considering the informal sector contributes 50% of the nation's GDP, the ban would affect the country's economy.

Let's take Lagos state as an example. The state attracts more settlers than most states in the country. Although the state is small at 3,345 square kilometres it holds the highest national urban population of 27.4 %.

It also contributes 10% of the country's $432.3 billion GDP. The state’s human population size is larger than the combined population of five African countries, namely Liberia, Gabon, Namibia, Botswana, and The Gambia. In formulating trade and commerce strategies, a large population is often a precursor to organising thriving commercial activities.

Lagos sits as one of the largest markets for goods and services it is believed to be outperforming its strongest competitors such as Cape Town and Nairobi as one of the strongest hubs for business startups in Africa. But Lagos isn't strengthened by the formal economies alone, like all the commercial cities in the country, the state's economic strength traces back to the women and men who trade in kiosks and shops across trading hubs of Ikorodu, Badagry, and Iyana-Ipaja amongst others.

Similarly, Kano's economy is driven by SMEs and smallholder subsistence farmers for whom motorbikes have become a formidable system of logistics in moving farm produce to the marketplaces. The same goes for Abuja where traders and consumers patronize motorbikes extensively in conducting trading activities in Utako and Nyanya.

It is the same in Akure, Ilorin, Ibadan, Lokoja, and every local trading landscape. These fast-growing local hubs have always been challenged by sparse infrastructure provision.

The constant movement of goods and people across the few state roads available continues to pile pressure on both the road infrastructure and

the users. Private cars clog the few highways.

Delays in the delivery of goods or lateness for business appointments are common across some of these cities.

This acute shortage of wider mobility infrastructure has continued to force public-private interventions but none of the innovative transport infrastructures has been able to proffer sound solutions to last-mile issues across the country.

The truth remains that investors can choose to fly aboard any choice airline in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, PH, Calabar, Sokoto, Ibadan, and Ilorin to name a few. Smart businesses can select from a wide range of logistic options to move their goods and personnel across local cities. The blue-collar workforce would continue to tap in and tap out of the available state-run commercial buses. The socialites could ride in a cab.

The question then is what happens to the traders like Madam Nkiru using the 'apian' ways, untarred road surfaces to move goods across the marketplaces and hinterlands to break the bulks to make sales for the investors who use the air transportation, and their management workforce who ride in the buses, trains, and cabs?

More so, it can't be reasonably justified that a ban on motorbike operations would halt the terrorists who have defied military air aerial attacks, and keep flawing state strategies for almost a decade now.

The economy has taken enough hits already, disrupting the trading network would wreak more havoc on the system without halting terrorist operations. In the final analysis, the informal economy will be most hit. The local economy rests largely on the shoulders of the informal traders, most importantly the women who hoist their umbrellas to peddle branded wares along Kubwa or sell branded flours in tiny local shops in Ketu, traders who spread their tomatoes under the sun in Kano, and move wares across short spaces on Okada in Benin. There is hardly a more effective First and Last Mile (FLM) transport solution to meet the trading mobility needs of these women currently.

Hence, if Okada is banned in Nigeria, the impact would be felt strongly by these traders and those up the value chain such as the investors and their employees. This well-knitted value chain layers subtly on each other. The daily/ monthly sales returns in the thickly populated local markets feed the banks and factories to a large extent, the government. t"XPMPXP JT B 1VCMJD SFMBUJPOT QSBDUJUJPOFS JO -BHPT

20 T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 11, 2022 TR

UT H

& RE A S O

Thursday August 11, 2022 Vol 27. No 9983

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

HOW DARE, ONYALI BROUGHT JOY FOR NIGERIANS The commitment of the Sports minister and his team inspired the performance at the Commonwealth Games, writes KEHINDE OLAOSEBIKAN

See page 21 DISCOS: A CASE OF BACK DOOR NATIONALISATION? CHRIS ‘TOBI ONI contends that the takeover of the five electricity distribution entities is questionable

See page 21 EDITORIAL WHAT HAPPENED TO THE AUTOGAS PLAN?

See page 22

1

Federal legislators are too important to engage in frivolities, cautions MONDAY EKPE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, GET SERIOUS! Ever since the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, declared at the inception of the Ninth National Assembly that the Senate under him would give the executive arm total loyalty, not questioning anything that would come from President Muhammadu Buhari, I have been worried for the current democratic practice in Nigeria itself. And I’m not alone. Whatever he wished to achieve with that open, wholesale and ruthless commitment, he inadvertently rubbished WKH LQWHQWLRQV DQG HͿRUWV RI WKRVH ZKR GRZQ WKH DJHV DQG LQ GLͿHUHQW ORFDWLRQV across the globe, contributed immensely to the institutionalisation of the noble and theoretically sound political system called democracy. Lawan instantly appeared to me as someone who, though not new to the legislature, was yet to fully come to terms with the centrality of that arm of government. While not underrating the other two branches, namely executive and judiciary, the legislative wing is the hub of representative governance, a melting pot of the diverse aspirations of the entire country. ,I LW EHFRPHV LQHͿHFWLYH E\ DQ\ PHDQV WKH overall project of nationhood descends into peril, either visibly or covertly. If on the other hand the statement made that day was to convey the readiness of the federal legislators to reduce or eliminate needless rancour with the presidency, that was clearly not properly expressed.

The docile image the men and women of the red and green chambers of the National Assembly have attracted to themselves is, therefore, well-earned. Somehow, apart from few moments of self-discovery, like the debate and signing of the new Electoral Act, this national legislature has stayed on its self-assigned course of non-confrontation, even in situations that require scrutiny and assertive oversight. That cannot be FODVVLÀHG DV D YLUWXH )RU PRVW 1LJHULDQV the present crop of National Assembly members does not represent the best in this political dispensation. It was probably the realisation of that perception that informed the move to impeach the president before the lawmakers went on recess. That it came after the psyche and mood of the country were viciously fouled by the video where terrorists brutally whipped their captives in a Kaduna forest should ordinarily be a ready catalyst, depicting a dire security situation that has immense negative impact on virtually every Nigerian and other people of conscience.

The mostly opposition senators with the support of some members of the House of Representatives who did not stop at giving President Buhari ultimatum but went on to WKUHDWHQ KLP ZLWK UHPRYDO IURP R΀FH LI KH failed to restore order within six weeks, did VR ZLWK WKH KRSH RI ZLQQLQJ WKH FRQÀGHQFH RI their fellow citizens, in addition to dispensing their constitutional responsibilities.

As expected, reactions from the presidency were, at best, dismissive. The presidential

spokespersons’ attempts to pour cold water on it were largely received with disdain. Mr )HPL $GHVLQD FDOOHG WKH DJLWDWLRQ ¶EUDYDGR· ZKLOH 0DOODP *DUED 6KHKX VSRNH RI ¶EDE\LVK antics’. Some public opinion leaders have reminded Nigerians of the constitutional powers of the National Assembly to impeach the president if it is convinced to do so.

Interesting, though predictable, exchanges, RQH PXVW DJUHH )RU PH WKH SHRSOH RI WKLV country are already overburdened by attacks and rumours of attacks. Adding melodrama to this combustible atmosphere the way the distinguished senators and honourable members of the federal legislators have done at this point is diversionary and will now serve the exact opposite of the purpose for which it was designed. If for nothing else, the timing IDOOV ÁDW RQ ERWK OHJDO DQG PRUDO JURXQGV The eight impeachment steps stipulated in Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution cannot EH MXVWLÀDEO\ WDNHQ ZLWKLQ WKH UHPDLQLQJ months in the life of this administration.

One of the most passionate explanations of the rationale for the impeachment plan ZDV SURYLGHG E\ 6HQDWRU )UDQFLV )DGDKXQVL (Osun East Senatorial District). According to him, “We have been talking and giving suggestions on how we could end the insecurity challenges facing the country, but the head is hooked to the Villa. He has been frustrating all moves by us to take drastic measures against the president. We have now made up our minds to strike now that the iron is still hot, instead of wasting our time and cooperating with the Ahmad Lawan leadership while the nation is being destroyed by terrorists, with no plan by the government to stop them. We won’t wait until we are all killed. We have now decided to pull out of the rubber stamp arrangement so that the whole Nigerians would know that we have not been in support of the failing economy, the huge debts accumulation, falling naira, insecurity across the country, and the unprecedented forms of corruption going on in the polity.

“Unfortunately, the man heading us now

The existential threats facing the nation can only be checkmated if you assume your duty of being on the neck of the executive and insisting on getting the right things done. You ought to be concerned about the levels of accomplishments of your numerous committees

was leading the opposition lawmakers before and was challenging the rots in the system then. Now, he doesn’t want anyone to challenge the Buhari government when things are falling apart every day. Any leader that opposes such challenge in a democratic setting must also be challenged because we are elected by the people. Go and interview PRVW RI WKH VHQDWRUV 7KHUH LV QR HͿHFWLYH oversight of the ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government.

Buhari will bring the budget and his people here will want us to pass it as he brings it.

No examinations and heads of MDAs are doing what they like. Those who voted for Buhari in 2015 thought he could contain the insecurity, being a former military general, but, unfortunately, things are getting worse under his watch and he appears helpless.”

That sounds more like the wailing of an activist and not a proper observation by a representative of his people who wants to be taken seriously. Let’s be clear about the gravity of the contents of the senator’s lamentations. They are known facts, readily admissible in the court of public opinion.

7KH UHDOLWLHV SDLQWHG E\ )DGDKXQVL DUH VR penetrating in the lives of many Nigerians that the hope for a greater tomorrow has since been replaced with intense prayers to survive just one day more. The main problem with even merely thinking of sacking Buhari at this point is, why now? Even if he deserves to be shown the way out of the Villa (some people are not convinced he does), why did the senators wait till the twilight of his government to distance themselves from his real and perceived failings and punish him for same? True to the predictions of those who have watched the National Assembly’s ways of doing things over time, some of its members who were shouting “Buhari must go” only few days are now in the process of recanting their stand, as reported in some dailies at the weekend.

2Q D ÀQDO QRWH GHDU $VVHPEO\ PHQ DQG women, for the sake of positive posterity, hoping that you are bothered at all by it, try to redeem whatever is left of your honour and sense of worth as servants of the longVXͿHULQJ SHRSOH RI 1LJHULD 7KLV FDQQRW EH achieved by pursuing unrealistic goals. The existential threats facing the nation that are well known to you can only be checkmated if you assume your duty of being on the neck of the executive and insisting on getting the right things done. You ought to be concerned about the levels of accomplishments of your numerous committees. Let it be on record that you have spent your time in your ¶KDOORZHG· VHDWV PDNLQJ EHQHÀFLDO ODZV DQG pushing programmes that can safeguard the lives and wellbeing of the citizenry. Although the concept of legacy now appears distant to us, it will surely matter. Someday.

Dr Ekpe is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

321

T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 11, 2022

CHRIS ‘TOBI ONI contends that the takeover of the five electricity distribution entities is questionable The commitment of the Sports minister and his team inspired the performance at the Commonwealth Games, writes KEHINDE OLAOSEBIKAN

HOW DARE, ONYALI BROUGHT JOY FOR NIGERIANS On the 13th of May, 2022 while in Abuja on a political expedition, I stopped at the R΀FH RI WKH 0LQLVWHU RI <RXWK DQG 6SRUWV Development, Chief Sunday Dare to brief him on some developments at home. As , ZDV DSSURDFKLQJ WKH R΀FH , VDZ KLP rushing out, descending the staircase to KLV R΀FH EULVNO\ +XUU\LQJ 0\ WKRXJKW was that he must be hastening to meet an appointment in the villa with the President.

But as he sighted me, he said “Kenny I am going to the stadium, join me there”. He SUDFWLFDOO\ UDFHG WR KLV ZDLWLQJ R΀FLDO FDU DQG VSHG RͿ WR WKH VWDGLXP

I followed his convoy and at the stadium we met Mary Onyali-Omagbemi who received us and commended the minister for coming to the training session promptly “as usual “. Coming to the training session promptly as usual, I wondered whether he had been really attending their trainings. I kept my cool, waiting for a good RSSRUWXQLW\ WR FRQÀUP WKLV We immediately entered the main bowl where athletes from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja together with their compatriots from the Diaspora were training, competing for places to UHSUHVHQW 1LJHULD DW WKH MXVW FRQFOXGHG Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. )URP WUDFN WR ÀHOG HYHQWV WKH KHDWV ZHUH well organized and highly interesting to the extent that one had the feeling of watching the main event and not just a practicing or selection exercise. I observed keenly as the minister passed messages and instructions to Mary Onyali, his Special Adviser (Technical) from time to time. Fully alert, the Track Queen would elegantly dash down to WKH ÀHOG DQG UHWXUQ WR WKH PLQLVWHU 7KH WZR of them were obviously fretful but clearly focused and steadfast in getting the best out of the hundreds that came for selections. $V WKH KHDWV ZHUH JRLQJ RQ WKH 1DWLRQDO Convention Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by a former Senate President, Senator David Mark arrived at the stadium. The party was billed to use the stadium for its national convention some few days ahead. The PLQLVWHU WRRN VRPH PLQXWHV RͿ WR UHFHLYH them.

But the former Senate President who was in company with the governors of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa; Benue State, Sam Ortom; immediate past Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioa and Senator Philip Aduda among others was surprised to meet KLP RQ WKH ÀHOG 6HQDWRU 0DUN VDLG ´<RX VXSSRVHG WR EH LQ WKH R΀FH WUHDWLQJ ÀOHVµ WR which Sunday Dare replied that “the main job is here Sir”. They all laughed and prayed WKDW KLV HͿRUWV ZRXOG \LHOG JUHDW IUXLWV They were all impressed.

Done with the inspecting team of PDP, we returned to the training session where the selection of the team for the games continued. Sitting next to Mary Onyali, I ZDV DEOH WR JHW PRUH RQ WKH H[WUD HͿRUWV SXW in by the minister towards getting the best WHDP IRU 1LJHULD DQG DOVR JHWWLQJ WKH EHVW out of the individual athletes and coaches.

First, the minister, according to Onyali instilled discipline in the team ensuring that all the rules are obeyed to the letter in terms of punctuality, kitting and conduct ERWK RQ DQG RͿ WKH SLWFK 6KH GLVFORVHG WKDW the minister has consistently displayed it in all his engagements with the team too. She FRQÀUPHG P\ LQTXLVLWLRQ WKDW WKH PLQLVWHU makes time to attend their trainings and always doing so, promptly. Onyali told me too that the minister has also been a great source of motivation to the team as he personally interacts with them giving them FRQÀGHQFH DQG H[SUHVVLQJ JHQXLQH ORYH WR them.

Sunday Dare profusely displayed this in P\ FKDQFHG ZDWFK RI WKH KHDWV DQG ÀQDO selections of the team to the most successful &RPPRQZHDOWK *DPHV 1LJHULD HYHU attended since 1950. He got to the stadium ahead of the time for the commencement of the heats. Showing uncommon commitment and impartiality, Sunday Dare ZDWFKHG DOO WKH KHDWV DQG ÀQDO VHOHFWLRQV and ensured that only the best were chosen not minding their religion, tribe or region.

As a great motivator and exemplary leader, the youth and sports minister mingled with the team, amiably exchanged banters ZLWK ÀUP DVVXUDQFH WKDW WKH 3UHVLGHQW KLV ministry and the entire country were fully behind them in all their endeavors.

Onyali, a very passionate person about athletics did not forget to inform PH RI DOO WKH HͿRUWV DOUHDG\ PDGH E\ WKH minister in getting the nation prepared for the commonwealth and other international sporting engagements. She VDLG WKH ÀUVW WKLQJ WKH PLQLVWHU GLG ZDV the unprecedented 300 per cent increase in rewards for medal won at all competitions which she disclosed was a major motivation DQG DWWUDFWLRQ IRU DWKOHWHV WR UXQ IRU 1LJHULD She also revealed that the minister of Youth and sports strategically delivered the 1DWLRQDO 6SRUWV )HVWLYDO DQG 1DWLRQDO <RXWK Games amidst COVID-19 complications to ERRVW 1LJHULDQ VSRUWV DQG RXU FKDQFHV DW international tournaments.

On why there were so many performing locals on the pitch struggling to be selected, Onyali said that the Return to Grassroots 6SRUWV 'HYHORSPHQW 1DWLRQDO 3ULQFLSDO Cup and Talent Hunt Programs of Sunday Dare-led sports ministry had brought out so many great talents from towns and villages across the country.

And as we were leaving the stadium after the minister’s convivial interaction with the athletes, Onyali asked me jokingly, that as a friend of the minister, whether I had adopted a game or an athlete in the spirit of Adopt An Athlete initiative of the minister to which I responded that I had already adopted Table Tennis and planning to build a Tennis Academy in my village, Onipe. She said, “thank you sir” with so much respect and passion that made me felt that this just must be done.

Olaosebikan, a reputation manager and CEO, Midas Communications Ltd writes through: midas1062@gmail.com

DISCOS: A CASE OF BACK DOOR NATIONALISATION? When the Bureau for Public Enterprises %3( DQQRXQFHG WKH WDNHRYHU RI WKH ÀYH electricity distribution companies (Discos) in Kano, Benin, Kaduna, Ibadan and Port Harcourt on July 6, it must have reasoned that the season was not only ripe, but that elements were working all in its favour. First was the incessant collapse of the grid which had come to lay bare the hollowness of the sectors’ promise of restoration. This year alone, the grid is on record to have collapsed six times – for reasons that are as complex as are varied – cutting through the layers of an intriguingly complex service delivery chain.

Then was the perceived pathetic performance of the key players creating an oasis of unmet expectations particularly in the background of modest investment by the operators. All of these have come to be accepted as dampening any expectations of service and operational optimisation for an enhanced service delivery.

If we add to this the daily anguish of the LOO VHUYHG 1LJHULDQ HOHFWULFLW\ FRQVXPHU who have seen service ebb further and further down to such a point that they have virtually given up on any real prospects of imminent recovery; the action by the government could only have come to many DV D SURYHUELDO FDVH RI 'DQLHO ÀQDOO\ FRPLQJ to judgment.

Yet again, it was another instance in which a powerful government agency – the BPE would chose to blame victim – rather than treat the problem as an organic whole requiring an industry-wide re-evaluation.

Of course, the BPE claimed that the WDNHRYHU RI WKH ÀYH GLVWULEXWLRQ FRPSDQLHV ZDV RYHU DQ DOOHJHG SRRU ÀQDQFLDO performance by the operators – a claim that must have come to many as a surprise as few could recall any claims of insolvency either being made against the entities in the public space let alone an established one.

(YHQ PRUH FXULRXV LV WKDW WKH 1LJHULDQ (OHFWULFLW\ 5HJXODWRU\ &RPPLVVLRQ 1(5& and the BPE – as against the presumed lenders – would take the lead in mounting a frenzied rationalisation of an act said to have stemmed from a dispute over an alleged indebtedness. That the alleged indebtedness would itself be disputed by the distribution company in question must have added another interesting angle to the puzzle.

1HHGOHVV WR VWDWH WKDW ERWK WKH %3( DQG 1(5& KDG FLWHG WKH VWDWXWRU\ UHVSRQVLELOLWLHV DV ¶VX΀FLHQW MXVWLÀFDWLRQ· IRU WKH UDWKHU GUDVWLF DQG SDWHQWO\ H[WUD OHJDO DFW VX΀FH to state that they had determined, in their opinion – even if against credible evidence ² WKDW WKH ÀYH HQWLWLHV ZHUH WHFKQLFDOO\ LQFDSDFLWDWHG DQG DOVR ÀQDQFLDOO\ LQVROYHQW Having thus determined that the companies failed to meet their loan obligations with Fidelity Bank Plc as a result of which their shares, ostensibly, collaterised, had to be called in by the lender, all that was left for the BPE was to position itself as an undertaker in what smacked of a stagemanaged takeover of a private entity in what would open another tragic chapter in the nation’s never-ending tale of corporate and institutional infamy! +RZ WKH\ FDPH XS ZLWK WKHLU ÀQGLQJ LQ the absence of a credible, independent audit RI WKH ÀUPV DQG E\ FRPSHWHQW ERGLHV ZRXOG itself remain moot. That, most assuredly, will constitute another intriguing element

in the unending puzzle. Reminds of a proverbial crying by the witch in the night and the death of the child in the morning; as they say, it does not require a soothsayer to tell who did what…

As it is, many more questions would spew forth in the coming weeks and months in what promises to be a titanic battle. Already, the signs are that the battles have been joined. Indeed, they have been on multiple fronts.

Take the case of Benin Disco as an H[DPSOH WKH FRPSDQ\ KDV VLQFH ÀUHG back: “The shares of the BEDC have not been given as security or to any other party”.

Yes, it admitted that Vigeo Holdings Limited (VHL - a non-shareholder of BEDC) obtained credit facilities from Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, and Keystone Bank Plc (the VHL Lenders)”; it nonetheless insists that the credit facilities (and any enforcement action in relation thereto), ‘have…become subject of litigation in an action instituted by VHL and other SODLQWLͿV WKH 9+/ $FWLRQ ZLWK 6XLW 1R FHC/L/CS/239/22 - Vigeo Holdings Limited and 4 Ors v. Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited, and therefore, sub judice.”

Meanwhile, Vigeo Power Limited, the majority shareholders of BEDC, worried at the possibility of back door UHDFTXLVLWLRQ RI WKH HQWLW\ KDG ÀOHG D suit at a Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain Fidelity Bank Plc and other co-defendants from taking over BEDC pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The action, dated July 8, had, among as the GHIHQGDQWV 1(5& WKH &RUSRUDWH $ͿDLUV Commission (CAC), K.C. Akuma, and Henry Ajagbawa– the two persons appointed by the federal government to take over the management of the company.

Also, the BEDC apparently convinced that BPE took the actions in bad faith dragged it to a United Kingdom arbitration to challenge what it considered as arbitrary takeover of the BEDC by the Fidelity Bank.

The above is the basic outline of dispute in what portends an epic ÀJKWEDFN E\ WKH LQMXUHG HQWLWLHV Interestingly, while the BPE was showboating, none of the issues at the heart of the crises in the electricity sector came for mention.

Oni writes from Benin City

22 4

T H I S D AY

THURSDAY AUGUST 11, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE AUTOGAS PLAN? The autogas project should be pursued to fruition

C

3RWHQWLDO JDLQV LQFOXGH KRZ PXFK YDOXH WKH ompressed Natural Gas (CNG) and country would derive from less carbon emission /LTXHÀHG 3HWUROHXP *DV /3* DUH and forex expenditure on fuel importation. The economical fuel sources for automobiles.

LPSDFW RQ WKH HQYLURQPHQW ZRXOG DOVR EH VLJQLÀFDQW Their advantages over conventional Gas, according to the plan, would be treated as an petrol or diesel are now widely acclaimed independent commodity rather than a by-product of in the transportation sector. Countries RLO SURGXFWLRQ ZLWK FOHDU FXW ÀVFDO IUDPHZRUNV WKDW in Europe, Asia and South America have leveraged would support its commercialisation, especially for them for their light-duty and medium-duty trucks transportation and domestic energy need. The federal as well as heavy-duty vehicles. The Organisation for government highlighted its intention to support CNG Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) penetration, set up a viable environment to make the QRWHV VSHFLÀFDOO\ WKDW DERXW PLOOLRQ YHKLFOHV GHYHORSPHQW RI ÁHHW PDUNHWV SRVVLEOH DV ZHOO DV UXQ RQ &1* LQ (XURSH DQG PLOOLRQ LQ RSHUDWLRQ make sure that there would be enough supplies to worldwide. It also mentioned CNG’s growing meet demands. penetration in the Along the foregoing transport-fuel mix. direction, the federal ,Q

1LJHULD Potential gains include how much value the country would degovernment was also clear jumped on this idea that it does not have the when a former minister rive from less carbon emission and forex expenditure on fuel money to invest but would of state for petroleum, encourage private sector Ibe Kachikwu, set in importation. The impact on the environment would also be SDUWLFLSDWLRQ 6DGO\ ÀYH motion a new framework years after this programme significant to make the most of was announced, nothing the country’s vast gas is on ground to suggest resources. The policy was T H I S D AY that the federal government is serious with the idea WR RSHQ WKH GRRU IRU LPSURYHG &1* DQG /3* XVH LQ EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU that could actually serve as a catalyst to reposition the domestic market, including transportation sector.

DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA the oil and gas sector. Dayo Adeshina who manages The ugly impact of Nigeria’s reliance on imported MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO WKH /3* H[SDQVLRQ SURJUDPPH VDLG UHFHQWO\ WKDW fuel made this a welcomed and celebrated idea at the DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU the federal government was still committed to CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI time. Conversion kits and other measures to enable EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN WKH SROLF\ +H FODLPHG WKDW DERXW D PLOOLRQ RXW RI people switch over to gas powered vehicles were MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI 1LJHULD·V UHSRUWHG PLOOLRQ YHKLFOHV ZRXOG EH even publicised to be on their way. The pertinent THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE FRQYHUWHG WR XVH &1* RU /3* %XW $GHVKLQD DOVR question now is, what has really happened to this unwittingly admitted that the government had no plan? clear plan on the proportion of each of the vehicles Nigeria is immensely rich in gas. As of January to be converted. That is, between light, medium or T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D GDWD IURP WKH 1LJHULDQ 8SVWUHDP 3HWUROHXP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA heavy-duty vehicles. This is unacceptable for a policy Regulatory Commission revealed that the country GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, and programme the government sold to Nigerians KDV WULOOLRQ FXELF IHHW WFI RI JDV UHVHUYHV ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI with so much glee. The excuse of course was that Attempts to commercialise the gas resource beyond DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, WKH &29,' SDQGHPLF KDG VORZHG GRZQ SRWHQWLDO its present value resulted in the drawing up and ANTHONY OGEDENGBE works on the programme.

DSSURYDO RI D 1DWLRQDO *DV 3ROLF\ E\ WKH )HGHUDO DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI While it may now be too late in the day to expect SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ([HFXWLYH &RXQFLO )(& 'HWDLOV RI WKH JDV SROLF\ anything remarkable on the idea from the current ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI had the government exclaiming its desire and push to have ‘Natural Gas Vehicles’ with CNG run in some CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI administration, we hope that the next administration DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO will take the policy more seriously so that we can ODUJH 1LJHULDQ FLWLHV VXFK DV /DJRV 3RUW +DUFRXUW TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com harness the potential of our enormous gas resources.

Abuja, Kano and Kaduna.

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 ‘EAT THE OIL MONEY; WE TAKE THE CRUDE’ Continued from the backpage That, in a nutshell, has been the situation in the Niger Delta for as long as I can remember. It is obvious that the sustained pillaging of our national resources is a problem that will not go easily away until we PXVWHU WKH FRXUDJH WR GHFLVLYHO\ GHDO ZLWK LW 2Q WK -XO\ DW WKH SXEOLF SUHVHQWDWLRQ RI WKH audit report of our oil and gas industry, the then National Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI) governing board Chairman, Mr. Ledum 0LWHH GLVFORVHG WKDW 1LJHULD ORVW RYHU ELOOLRQ worth of crude oil to thieves within the period. Today, the statistics of loss are even more frightening.

In March this year, I joined the federal government WHDP WR RYHUÁ\ WKH 1LJHU 'HOWD FUHHNV WR ZLWQHVV RLO theft in action. In the team were the Minister of State, 3HWUROHXP 0U 7LPLSUH 6\OYD *URXS 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU RI WKH 1LJHULD 1DWLRQDO 3HWUROHXP &RPSDQ\

113& /WG 0U 0HOH .\DUL WKH &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2IÀFHU 1LJHULD 8SVWUHDP 3HWUROHXP 5HJXODWRU\ &RPPLVVLRQ 1835& 0U *EHQJD .RPRODIH &KLHI RI 'HIHQFH 6WDͿ /WG *HQHUDO /XFN\ ,UDERU DQG VHYHUDO VHQLRU R΀FHUV IURP WKH 1DY\ $LUIRUFH DQG WKH VHFXrity agencies. As I wrote after our visit, I don’t know how any rational investor would want to put his money in the Nigerian oil and gas sector while the sheer magnitude of the tragic debauchery speaks eloquently to the total breakdown of law and order in Nigeria.

That precisely is the challenge of our country today, and also connects the three issues I have highlighted, DOEHLW EULHÁ\ :KHWKHU LW LV WKH LQDELOLW\ RI WKH OHDGership of the main opposition party to resolve their internal contradictions or the crisis in our universiW\ V\VWHP WKDW KDV PDGH WKH $688 VWULNH DQ DQQXDO ‘festival’ in the calendar of our tertiary institutions or even a situation in which sundry criminal gangs seem to have overwhelmed the capacity of the Nigerian

state in the oil and gas sector. We cannot continue like this.

'XH WR WKH ZD\ ZH KDYH PLVPDQDJHG RXU DͿDLUV many young people now invest their hope and aspirations not on productive enterprise in Nigeria but rather on how they can ‘Japa’ (emigrate). This is a ULVN\ URXWH WKDW RͿHUV QR SUHGLFWDEOH RXWFRPH HYHQ WR WKRVH ZKR VXFFHHG %XW ZH FDQQRW EODPH WKRVH ZKR dream of greener pastures abroad if the opportunities are shrinking on our shores. To retrieve our country, we must begin with the restoration of law and order.

The meaning of what Alakoroa told Al Jazeera a decade ago is that the moral authority to challenge impunity has been lost to criminals who are aware of ZKDW LV KDSSHQLQJ ZLWKLQ R΀FLDOGRP 8QWLO ZH VXFcessfully deal with that, peace and progress will continue to elude us.

Olusegun Adeniyi, Abuja

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2022

23

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

A U G U S T

S & P INDEX

1 0 , 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%

ITU Expands Global Network of Space Monitoring to Address Harmful Radio Frequency Interference

Emma Okonji The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations (UN) specialised agency responsible for driving global telecommunication activities among member states, has expanded its global network of space monitoring stations with the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Sultanate of Oman.

Under the agreement, Oman will provide state-of-the-art satellite monitoring facilities that will help to address cases of harmful

radio frequency interference, in accordance with Article 15 of the Radio Regulations.

Oman’s seven earth stations will monitor emissions from satellites in the geostationary orbit between the longitudes of West and East, operating in frequency bands from 80 megahertz (MHz) up to 40 gigahertz (GHz).

ITU has signed similar agreements with Belarus, Brazil, China, Germany, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, and Viet Nam. ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Director, Mario Maniewicz

and the Executive President of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Omar Hamdan AlIsmaili, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the latest cooperation agreement at ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

While signing the MoU, Maniewicz, said: “These enhanced space monitoring capabilities will continue to ensure the high reliability of satellite communications and other space services. This supports

the interference-free operation of not only current systems, but also of future systems, with new and innovative radio technologies that the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference in Dubai, UAE, may authorize.”

Al-Ismaili, said: “TRA Oman is delighted to cooperate with ITU to help in mitigating harmful interference. We believe that such cooperation at the international level is important and needed to protect satellite communication.

This cooperation will give wider exposure to our staff and engineers

responsible for satellite monitoring activities. TRA Oman looks forward to working with ITU in all aspects related to the telecommunications sector.”

The space monitoring became necessary to ITU, because while working with its member states and other space stakeholders globally, ITU collects and processes reports of incidences of harmful interference in all sorts of Radiocommunications.

The Radio Regulations define radio frequency interference (RFI) as, “the effect of unwanted energy

due to one or a combination of emissions, radiations, or inductions upon reception in a radiocommunication system, manifested by any performance degradation, misinterpretation, or loss of information, which could be extracted in the absence of such unwanted energy.”

The rapid growth and expansion of satellite connectivity also mean increased risks of interference.

Continuous monitoring and international coordination are Continued on page 24

Nigeria’s Broadband Penetration Hits 44.5% as NCC Reviews Short Code Services Emma Okonji Nigeria’s broadband usage has continued on the rise, moving up from 40.9 per cent in February 2022 to 44.5 per cent in July 2022, a figure considered hopeful for achieving the national broadband target of 70 per cent in 2025.

Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who disclosed this at the beginning of the ongoing three-day public inquiry on five telecom regulations and guidelines in Abuja, said emerging technologies and advancements in the sector, would trigger the commission to match

these developments with appropriate regulations and guidelines.

“With the technological advancements anticipated in the coming years, it is expected that there will be a proliferation of devices in the industry. It is, therefore, essential for the Commission to ensure that the right regulatory frameworks can

accommodate such eventualities, ”Danbatta said.

At the event which was attended by the entire Board of Commissioners, led by its Chairman, Prof. Adeolu Akande, the commission’s CEO said the public inquiry, which covered five areas of existing regulations, were aimed at achieving operational

efficiency and operational excellence.

He listed the regulatory instruments under review at the public inquiry to include Type Approval Regulations, Guidelines on Short Code Operation in Nigeria, Guidelines on Technical Specifications for the Deployment of Communications Infrastructure, Guidelines on Advertisements and

Promotions and Consumer Code of Practice Regulations.

He said the focus areas were already articulated in some important documents guiding the operations of the Commission, which include the Nigerian National Broadband Continued on page 24

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT W E D N E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 0 , 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

104.87

10.81

104.68

11.41

102.07

11.75

115.19

11.91

107.92

11.98

Change Updated (%) Time 0.00 August 3, 2022 0.00 August 3, 2022 0.04 August 3, 2022 0.00 August 3, 2022 0.00 August 3, 2022

MATURITY

Discount

Yield

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Change Updated Time (%)

NTB 13-Oct22 NTB 10Nov-22 NTB 26-Jan23 NTB 9-Feb23

9.00

9.16

0.00 August 3, 2022

3.90

3.94

0.00 August 3, 2022

7.50

7.78

0.00 August 3, 2022

7.30

7.59

0.00 August 3, 2022

NTB 9-Mar23

5.45

5.63

0.00 August 3, 2022

MATURITY SIBP CP III 27-OCT-22 DLMG CP IV 11-NOV-22 FDHP CP III 17-MAR-23 VHPL CP III 1-APR-23

Discount Yield

Change Updated Time (%)

15.12 15.14

-0.03 August 3, 2022

17.24 17.98

0.06 August 3, 2022

11.25 11.57

0.06 August 3, 2022

10.44 10.71

0.06 August 3, 2022

CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS AUG 31 1 433.54 2022 NGUS SEP 28 435.39 2 2022 NGUS OCT 26 3 437.24 2022 NGUS NOV 30 4 439.09 2022 NGUS DEC 28 5 440.94 2022

Updated Time

August 3, 2022 August 3, 2022 August 3, 2022 August 3, 2022 August 3, 2022

24

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Attaining Smart, Sustainable Nation with Technology Emma Okonji examines the role of emerging technologies in attaining smart, secure and sustainable nation as projected by the Nigeria Computer Society at the 2022 NCS international conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State

A

ligning itself with global trends, where nations are introducing and implementing smart technologies for sustainable national development, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the umbrella body for all Information Technology (IT) professionals, has stressed the need for the development of smart, secure and sustainable Nigeria, using emerging technologies.

NCS made the call during its 2022 international conference, which held last week in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with the theme: ‘Smart, Secure and Sustainable Nation’ (S3N).

In his opening remarks, the President of NCS, Prof Adesina Sodiya, said this year’s theme was strategically chosen to discuss the opportunities and challenges in the smooth implementation of smart and intelligent systems in Nigeria.

According to Sodiya, “There is a dear need to harness the opportunities in the evolution of smart technologies for rapid transformation of nation’s economies and to address national security issues.

The current security challenges in Nigeria have become the major concern of NCS.” During the three days international conference, which attracted speakers from within and outside of Nigeria, strategic discussions on full adoption of smart systems in government, production, agriculture, business, science, economy, engineering, management and national security were held.

This year’s conference presented three engaging plenary sessions where specific topics relating to the theme of the conference, were discussed. At the end of the conference, a roadmap for the speedy implementation and adoption for sustainable national development was developed.

DEVELOPING SMART CITIES

Chairman of the NCS international conference and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, in his speech, stressed the need for ubiquitous data generation and processing that would guide government’s decision in developing a smart, secure and sustainable nation. He said four states in Nigeria, which include Lagos, Abuja and Abeokuta, were already working towards having smart cities in their states, adding that they are close to attaining the smart city status. He however said the quantity of data generated and processed in any state on a daily basis, would determine the smart city readiness of the state.

According to him, counties like Singapore, Finland, Switzerland and Japan have already attained the smart city status, with Singapore leading, because

they generate and process huge quantity of data on a daily basis.

Pantami said for Nigeria as a nation to become smart, secure and sustainable, it must generate and process huge amount of data that would help government and the private sector players to make meaningful decisions that would guide policy implementation.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s’ conference: “Smart, Secure and Sustainable Nation (S3N 2022),” Pantami said the theme was apt because it would address three separate issues that align with global digital transformation.

“A smart and secure nation supports operational efficiency, saves time in accomplishing tasks, saves energy consumption and enhances business and economic growth. The International Data Corporation (IDC) had predicted that by 2025, the world would have 41.6 billion interconnected devices, and the projected 41.6 billion devices would be generating huge amount of data, a situation, which suggests that countries thriving to attain the secure and smart city status, must be ready to generate huge amount of data for processing,” Pantami said.

Declaring the conference open, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said the state had initiated various technology projects that are driving technology innovation and digital transformation in the state.

Also speaking, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said Nigeria must move from a consuming nation to a producing nation and that regulation of the technology sector would help to achieve it. He said data generation, processing and protection, would be necessary to attain a smart, secure and sustainable nation.

President, British Computer Society, Mr. Mayank Prakash and the President, Computer Society of Kenya, Dr. Waudo Siganga, commended NCS for the selection of appropriate theme for its international conference, which they said, would address global issues, especially in the areas of data generation and processing in addressing issues in a smart, secure and sustainable nation.

PRIORITISING DIGITAL SKILLS

The need to prioritise digital skills above obtaining certificates, was stressed by the Minister of Communications and Digital

Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, who urged NCS to consider prioritising digital skills above certificates in order to identify with technology savvy individuals that have digital skills to drive digital transformation across the country.

Pantami who spoke during a breakfast meeting at the just concluded NCS International Conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said Nigeria lost out in the first, second, and third industrial revolutions and must sit tight to ensure that the country participates fully in the 4th industrial revolution that is tilted towards soft skills.

According to him, soft skills are required for the fourth industrial revolution and NCS must begin to accept people with digital skills as their potential members, without laying so much emphasis on certificates.

“NCS must expand its scope of membership to include persons with digital skills who may not necessarily have certificates from tertiary institutions of learning,” Pantami said.

One of the past Presidents of NCS, Prof.

Charles Uwadia, described the minister as a motivator of innovators and promised that NCS, as an advocacy group, would continue to adopt emerging technologies that would support technology innovation and digital transformation.

OGUN ICT POLICIES

Addressing the level of development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Ogun State, which played host to this year’s NCS conference, the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said the state was doing well in ICT, having digitalised learners’ certificate numbers, school curriculum in the education sector and infrastructural development in the state.

The governor, who noted the role of ICT in the changing world, said his administration had put the right mechanism and infrastructure in place, to enhance hitch-free business environment across the state.

He disclosed that the Ogun State TechHub was established to identify the best brains in ICT in the state in order to harness youths’ IT knowledge.

“We are using IT in every sector of our economy. We used IT to reach out to our children during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have used IT to put the state local fabric called

‘Adire’ on the global market; and today people can buy ‘Adire’ from anywhere in the world,” the governor said, adding that the state has also used ICT to establish virtual court sitting and e-registration in the state. We are also working towards having internet facilities in all government offices in the state, he said.

Abiodun commended the NCS for choosing Ogun State for its conference this year, and charged the computer professional group to develop programmes that would make computer knowledge accessible to all Nigerians.

Pantami who led the delegation to visit the state governor during the NCS conference, said: “I am happy because you are passionate about IT development in Nigeria. We are happy with what you have done with ICT, particularly the giant strides in the digital economy. We have been following the activities of Ogun State TechHuB, and it is commendable.”

He added, “Ogun State has so many IT professionals. Your initiatives are attracting more investors, and I hope the state will emerge as the Silicon Valley of this country in the near future.”

NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES

Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor and Chief Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, who were represented at the conference, gave insights into the use of technology in addressing national security.

Speaking about the roles of the military in the face of insecurity and insurgencies, Irabor said although insurgencies such as kidnapping and banditry and activities of unknown gunmen have taken most parts of the country, they could be addressed using the right technology tools. He described such insecurity as national threats to Nigeria’s unity as a nation. He however stressed that security should be taken seriously by every Nigerian and that they should see security as everyone’s business. He listed different securities challenges to include environmental security, human security, health security, transport security, among others, which he said could be addressed through the right technology tools and collaboration. He listed some factors that could aggravate insecurity in the country to include low level per capital income, illiteracy, poor infrastructure, inadequate and inefficient public utilities, and unemployment.

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

NIGERIA’S BROADBAND PENETRATION HITS 44.5% AS NCC REVIEWS SHORT CODE SERVICES Plan (NNBP) 2020 – 2025, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020 – 2030, NCC’s Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024 and its Strategic Vision Implementation Plan (SVIP) 2021 – 2025, which are being

implemented towards achieving its mandate.

While stating that these strides are the results of the Commission’s regulatory efficiency and focused implementation of policies and strategies of the federal government

of Nigeria, Danbatta said: “The public inquiry is in tandem with the Commission’s strategy of consulting stakeholders in all its regulatory interventions.”

The EVC further stated that the amendment of these regulatory

instruments were to reflect current realities, one of which is the anticipated deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) technology, and management of short codes in Nigeria, including the Toll-Free Emergency Code 112.

Earlier, Head, Telecoms Laws and Regulations at NCC, Helen Obi, stated that public inquiry allows the Commission to incorporate the comments and suggestions of industry stakeholders, in the development of its regulatory

instruments.

She said the process ensures that the Commission’s regulatory instruments were in line with the current realities in the industry as it had done with some regulatory frameworks and guidelines in 2021.

ITU EXPANDS GLOBAL NETWORK OF SPACE MONITORING TO ADDRESS HARMFUL RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE crucial to ensuring the highest reliability of space services and satellite communications ITU’s Satellite Interference Reporting and Resolution System

(SIRRS) enables governments and other space stakeholders (satellite operators, space agencies, and other participating entities) to report through their respective

administrations any harmful interference affecting space services.

The resulting reports have enabled ITU to build up an extensive repository of interference

incidences. This makes ongoing and new cases easier to track, analyse, and resolve, according to ITU Senior Radiocommunications Engineer, Jorge Ciccorossi.

“If we cannot measure it, we cannot manage it. We can’t do it alone. ITU needs information from its member states and all other space stakeholders to measure

the actual situation and help us gather the evidence needed for resolving reported incidences of harmful interference,” Ciccorossi said.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Tizeti Eyes Pan-Africa Internet Connectivity Expansion, Moves to List on NGX Emma Okonji West Africa’s pioneer solar-based internet service provider, Tizeti, last week, played host to technology innovators and tech startups in Lagos at the Tizeti NeXTGEN 2.0 Tech Conference, where it unveiled plans to cover Africa with unlimited high speed internet connectivity and to explore an Initial Public Offer (IPO), through the listing on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX)

before the end of next year.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Tizeti, Mr. Kendall Ananyi, who unveiled the plans, said the NeXTGEN 2.0 Tech Conference, coincided with its 10 years anniversary of offering unlimited high-speed internet service to customers in Nigeria, and other West African countries.

“We have a steady plan to cover the whole of Africa with unlimited super-speed internet connectivity, starting with West

Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. Currently we are in Nigeria and Ghana and we are expanding to other African countries. We are not competing with the telecom operators that offer internet service, but we are offering internet connectivity services to cities and smaller communities.

Our plan is to go public in other to raise funds to drive our next frontier of business. We will be going public before the end of next year to get our business

listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited. The listing will help us fund our next phase of growth.

We are currently passing through regulatory processes, which will be completed soon to enable us go public before the end of next year,” Ananyi said.

Speaking on Tizeti’s service offering, Ananyi further said: “Our service offering is unique because we offer unlimited internet access to our customers. With unlimited, access, customers can download

any anything online within the subscription period. Apart from unlimited access, the price is also very affordable Where there are fibre links, we will run fibre to the towers, then to the homes and offices, but because fibre has not gone round the country, we use wireless connectivity from the towers to the homes and offices, in areas where there is no fibre connectivity. With wireless offering, we offer best quality of service.”

Giving further details about

Tizeti’s expansion plan, the Chief Operating Officer, and Co-founder of Tizeti, Mr. Ifeanyi Okonwo, said the company would be expanding across Africa, being the largest continent in the world that is playing host to billions of people..

Manager, Business Development and Enterprise at Tizeti, Precious Omagbe, spoke about the Tizeti Turbo Connect that allows customers to have access to increased bandwidth with high speed connectivity.

Graduates 43 in Skills MTN Set to Boost Broadband Penetration WTEC Acquisition, Offers Grant with Home Broadband Services Nosa Alekhuogie

Emma Okonji MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, yesterday in Lagos, launched its Home Broadband services, designed to accelerate broadband penetration across the country.

The launch of the home broadband services is in

alignment with the federal government’s plan to achieve over 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025. With the launch, MTN Home Broadband services will be available to millions of Nigerian households.

With over 200 million people, Nigeria currently

boasts of approximately 44.3 per cent internet connectivity, whereas other African countries, such as South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya, are at 68, 74, and 48 per cent internet penetration, respectively, a development that underscored the need for inceasred broadband access in Nigeria.

Stewart Joins Data.org as Chief Data, Technology Officer Emma Okonji Data.org has announced that Dr. Uyi Stewart will join the organisation on August 15, 2022, as Chief Data and Technology Officer. In the newly-created position, Stewart will provide senior technical leadership in all aspects of data.org’s work, with a particular focus on our programmatic initiatives, which today include the Inclusive Growth and Recovery Challenge, the Capacity Accelerator Network,

and Epiverse.

Stewart will play a critical role in designing and building new initiatives, leveraging his global network to drive inclusive co-creation and strengthen outcomes. He will also be responsible for data.org’s overall data strategy, leading the design, development, and implementation of advanced analytics to glean insights from data.org’s own data generated through its initiatives, and data from the wider social impact sector.

Executive Director at Data.org, Danil Mikhailov, said: “Our rapid growth in scope and scale of our global initiatives have heightened our need for technical depth to conceive and evaluate programs, and to make use of the increasing volume of data informing our overall work today. We are delighted to be working with an esteemed data and technology leader to bring oversight and insight to our efforts, and to deepen our networks globally, particularly in Africa.”

‘Cydene Mobile App Will Boost Adoption of LPG in Nigeria’ Emma Okonji The Chief Executive Officer of Cydene Energy, Skalid Obi, has said the company will be boosting the adoption of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) across households in Nigeria, with its Cydene Express Mobile App that was recently launched in Lagos.

In his welcome address at the launch of the Cydene Express Mobile App, Obi noted that the company was prompted to build an app having realised a gap in accessing and paying for household utilities from the comfort of the homes of the consumers.

According to Obi, “At Cydene Energy, we have built a socially inclusive app that can accomodate Nigerians.

From this app, Nigerians can now securely purchase utilities while maintaining comfort and maximising productivity.

“We realised the need to own the management system inother to understand the logistics of delivering services from merchants to the consumers.”

With the launch of the app, the federal government’s effort to boost LPG adoption as cooking fuel via National LPG Expansion Plan (NLEIP) will receive a boost, Obi said.

Delivering a keynote address at the product launch, Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, acknowledged that, “globally, disruptions have become the order

of the day and technology is at the heart of that disruption.”

Executive Vice-Chairman of Techno Oil Ltd, Nkechi Obi, while delivering her goodwill message, commended

the Chief Executive Officer of Cydene Energy, for his tenacity and commitment to bridging the gap in delivering utility services to Nigerian households.

Visa Introduces Grant to Boost African Women Businesses Emma Okonji Visa has announced a grant towards the African Women Impact Fund (AWIF), a collaboration between Standard Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The grant will be utilised to fund the working capital needs of women fund managers across South, East, and West Africa and will target 55 women who responded to AWIF’s call to action and have been part of their programme since 2020. Visa’s grant to the AWIF is an extension of the She’s Next program, a global advocacy program for women-owned businesses that has been expanded to Sub-Saharan Africa to further champion and strengthen African women business owners as they build, sustain, and advance their

businesses.

Announcing the initiative, Senior Vice President and Head of sub-Saharan Africa at Visa, Aida Diarra, said: “The aim of She’s Next to help women owned businesses thrive and our ambition with this grant is to enable access in a space where women owned firms are under-represented. Through this programme we aim to ensure that women are not only recipients but become decision-makers where institutional funding for businesses is concerned,” Global Markets Head, Strategic Partnerships at Standard Bank Group, Lindeka Dzedze, sads: “We are elated to have Visa partner with Standard Bank and grateful for their meaningful contribution to the African Women Impact Fund. Standard Bank sees gender equity not only as a fundamental human right but also as a business imperative.

Speaking about the home broadband servicea, the Chief Operating Officer, MTN Nigeria, Hassan Jaber, said: “At MTN, we believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life; hence our investment in industryleading connectivity operations.”

General Manager, Fixed Broadband, MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said: “Customers now have enhanced access to dedicated 24/7 support and online channels to place orders for MTN Home Broadband with options for home delivery. They can also enjoy truly unlimited data bundles, longer tenure data plans with the flexibility to share data with multiple users remotely as well as enhanced data subscription channels including myMTN App.”

Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (WTEC), recently held the first graduation ceremony for participants of the inaugural cohort of the 2022/2023 cycle of its ‘She Can with ICT programme’ in Lagos, where it celebrated 43 participants in basic skills from different fields.

The cohort was held at the Skills Acquisition Centre of the International Women’s Society of Nigeria (IWS) in Jakande, Lekki, Lagos.

The ceremony was part of the 23rd anniversary and graduation of IWS - Skills Acquisition Centre for all vocational students at the IWS centre for 2022 calendar year.

Graduating students received certificates from NABTEB, IWS Skills Centre Certificates, SheCanWithICT (W.TEC Certificate) and ASCEND Tutor Certificates.

The programme, which was a huge success, was graced by Isabella

Abia-Okon MVP, IWS Nigeria, Nkoli Obi-Ogbolu, 62nd President IWS, among other dignitaries.

During the ceremony, W.TEC presented a seed grant of N100,000 to Aderinola Odunayo Ajibade, whose proposed business feasibility on the expansion of her pastry business, tagged ‘God’s Choice Services,’ emerged as the most viable business feasibility submitted by her class.

The grant was part of W.TEC’s SHE CAN WITH ICT programme done

by W.TEC in collaboration with the Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation.

The SHE CAN with ICT (Sustaining Her Enterprise, Career and Network) is a W.TEC initiative in collaboration with Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, to improve the productivity and profitability of women-owned businesses, by equipping them with in-depth practical digital technology skills and tools to catalyze their entrepreneurial growth in an increasingly technologydriven business environment.

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Mitigating Flood Risks Ugo Aliogo in this report examines the 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction released by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Annual Flood Outlook released by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA)

D

espite increased enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns for better preparedness on flood mitigation and management, particularly in the flood risks zones in the country, flooding has remained a major climate change challenge that the country has continued to grapple. Though some States are making frantic efforts in addressing the challenges brought by the flooding, however there seem not be an end in sight anytime soon. Flood disaster has continued to ravage many communities and states yearly, despite early warnings and seasonal predictions from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Annual Flood Outlook released by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

Recently, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Mustapha Ahmed, stated that the agency had identified 233 local government areas in 32 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that would experience flooding in 2022. This warning is being followed by the 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction released by NiMet and the Annual Flood Outlook released by NIHSA. Ahmed said the agency had sent out advisory letters and maps showing predicted flood risk areas in various States to the respective State governments. He also noted that the agency have also produced risk maps for vulnerable local government areas as forecasted

by NIHSA’s Annual Flood Outlook.

According to him, “State emergency management agencies as well as local emergency management committees must be proactive. This will ensure effective and efficient flood preparedness, mitigation and response.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Farouq, has called on relevant stakeholders to take proactive measures in addressing flood and its associated impacts. Farouq, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Disaster Management at the ministry, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, added that adequate information must be sent out to the public for effective preparation.

NIHSA’S REPORT

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had in its submission in the 2022 Annual Flood Outlook, (AFO),

predicted that 233 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 32 states of the Federation and the FCT fall within the highly probable flood risks areas, while 212 LGAs in 35 states of the Federation including FCT fall within the moderately probable flood risks areas. The remaining 329 LGAs fall within the probable flood risks areas. The highly probable flood risk states are; Adamawa, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross-River, Delta, Eboyin, Ekiti, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa and Kadunna, others are, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe, as well as Zamfara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The 2022 AFO noted that the Annual Flood Outlook, based on empirical evidence, has aided the abatement of flood risks in the country, and building upon the past successes NIHSA has improved on its prediction capacity through introduction of new approach to the 2022 AFO, this new approach, involves disaggregation of expected annual flood events into three different scenarios, the first scenerio as; Flood Outlook for the months of April- June, Flood Outlook for the months of July- September, as the second scenerio while Flood Outlook for the months of October- November, as the third scenerio.

NIHSA further informed that the level of floods in the highly probable flood risks areas between the months of April and November is expected to be high in terms of impact on the population, Agriculture, livelihood and livestock and infrastructure and the environment, stressing that part of 57 LGA’s in the country fall within highly probable risks areas in the months of April, May, and June; with part of 220 LGA’s in the months of July, August and September; and part of 38 LGA’s in the months of October- November, 2022.

NIHSA stated that the moderate flood risks areas between the months of April and November impact levels of floods are expected in parts of 45 LGA’s within the months of April, May and June; and in parts of 140 LGA’s within the months of July, August and September and parts of 54 LGA’s within the months of October and November, 2022.

“Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo are expected to experience Coastal Flooding due to rise in Sea Level and tidal surge, while Lagos, Kaduna, Gombe, Makurdi, Abuja, Benin- City, Port- Harcourt, Lokoja, Asaba, Nsukka, Kano Owerri Oshogbo, Yenogoa, Calabar and other urban City Centres will experience flash and urban flood,” NIHSA added.

While calling on stakeholders to consider in strong terms the flood forecasts, flood early warning and information that are being issued

by NIHSA in its AFO, monthly and weekly alert bulletins for reducing incidences of flooding in the country, they also noted that AFO, would no doubt go a long way to save our dear nation from significant losses of lives, property and other critical infrastructure.

NIMET’S REPORT

The Director-General, NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, said the agency has since February, 15 released the Seasonal climate Prediction (SCP) for the year with its attendant socio-economic implications, adding that the theme for this year’s SCP is: ‘Strengthening Climate Actions through Timely and Impact-based Climate Prediction for Economic Recovery.’

He further explained that the effort to produce the prediction and release it to the public with sufficient lead-time, is part of NiMet’s Early Warning drives and for stakeholders, policy makers and the entire populace to take advantage of the prediction and advisories for adequate climate smart and weather-wise plans and decisions.

According to him, “It is no news Climate is changing and this is a global reality with local evidences and attendant impacts. Over the last three decades, Nigeria has witnessed tremendous increase in temperature and rainfall amount with increased occurrences of high intensity, short duration thunderstorms which are always accompanied by strong winds and flash floods.

“Climate change discourse is never complete without reference to the oceans as one of the key drivers in addition to greenhouse gases. A recent publication by World Meteorological Organisation, greenhouse gas concentrations, sea level rise, ocean

heat and ocean acidification are on the increase with harmful and long-lasting ramifications for sustainable development and ecosystems.”

Matazu said: “For the year 2022, the rainfall has already been established in all southern states and most part of the central states in line with the predictions.

Just a month away, rainfall is expected to have been established across the country.

“The rainfall amount is generally expected to be normal in most places, however, short duration, highintensity rainfall that characterised the onset months usually comes along with flash floods due to excess runoffs and disastrous wind gusts. In-season, likely flood occurrences as a result of cumulative rainfall and other factors as highlighted by NIHSA must be taken seriously.”

He therefore called on the states, the press, private entities, and all Nigerians to carefully consider the 2022 Disaster Risk Management by NEMA for proactive decisions ad policies that would help avoid losses and strengthen mitigation, adaptation and reduction of risks associated with floods.

EXPERT VIEW

Experts in environmental management are of the opinion that government should take proactive steps in addressing the warning of NiMET to prevent the collateral damage that the flood might cause. In his remarks, the Director-General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Joseph Onoja, advised the Lagos State government not allow the buildings on floody or swampy areas, noting that this could cause those areas to be flood prone and cause havoc. He urged government to focus on the drainage system which has been bastardized, stating that studies have shown that the drainage system master plan were built objectively before all the new developments in the state.

“Overtime due to government lack of supervision these places has brought a lot of damages and distortions to the plans that have been made and has caused blockage and improper flow of water caused by heavy rainfall,” Onoja said.

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

Akinosho: Handling of Seplat-ExxonMobil Deal Unhealthy for Nigeria’s Investment Environment Gilbert Ekwugbe Oil and gas insider and publisher of Africa Oil and Gas Report, Toyin Akinosho, has faulted the position of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on President Muhammadu Buhari’s consent to the sale of ExxonMobil USA’s whole shares in Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimted (MPNU) to Seplat Offshore Limited, a subsidiary of Seplat Energy Plc. Akinosho said such action was capable of further de-marketing Nigeria’s already challenged investment environment adding, “if a company (Seplat) is willing to spend $1.3 billion to acquire another company (MPNU) and

that has done so well in terms of production over time, I think we should give that company a chance.”

Fielding questions on “The Morning Show”, a programme on Arise News Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, Akinosho said “the overall issue speaks of very poor organisation of a Nigerian agency.”

He maintained: “It is such a public spat in my view that you have three different press releases in a space of four hours giving different interpretations to a ministerial consent. We first heard from the President. That is the highest authority and that is the Minister of Petroleum Resources and we are dealing with a ministerial consent.

“And just around the close of business, the regulator speaks and says there hasn’t been any consent.

This is not very good in the public eyes. In fact, the whole idea that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) was moving against Seplat, in my view, has always been poor marketing of Nigeria’s investment environment.

“But the main point is, even if the President is procedurally wrong in making the announcement, could the NUPRC openly insist that he was wrong? For whatever it is worth, for the Nigerian investment environment that has basically been taking a heat; that a whole lot of investors have been facing challenges, it is not looking good to see what

you might call divisiveness in the petroleum industry governance”.

The publisher also said there was a difference between sale of a whole company and sale of a company’s participating interest in a Joint Venture.

“If you are selling your stake in a Joint Venture, I understand that the NNPC could say, you will need to ask us because we are partners with you already. Sell it to us. But if you tell them that you just want to leave and you are selling your entire company to another organisation, that is a different thing altogether and that is where this deal is coming from.

“However, NUPRC is saying that the President could not go out

and say it had granted ministerial consent. My sense is that probably the NUPRC recommended the decline of this assent. And on what basis?

“If you look at the press release the NUPRC had issued much earlier in the year, it said that ExxonMobil had not complied with the law. I don’t understand what aspect of the law because ExxonMobil simply wants to leave the shallow waters. And other companies have left. Eland Oil and Gas has left in this same way. ConocoPhillips left in this same way. When ConocoPhillips was selling to Oando, it didn’t say they were selling the Oil Mining Lease (OML). They said they were selling their company. Ashland did

the same thing much earlier. So, there is precedent.

“ExxonMobil is not selling is not selling its segment in OML 67, 68, 94 and the rest. They are basically selling Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited the way Ashaland sold Ashland, the way ConocoPhillips sold its entire shares to Oando. ExxonMobil are themselves exactly the same way Eland Oil and Gas, which was listed in UK, sold to Seplat and this same government approved it.

“As far as I know, the President Buhari has signed off on ExxonMobil-Seplat transaction, the Attorney General has signed off on it. So, I really don’t understand where NUPRC is coming from”, he stated.

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Collaboration, Key to Driving Growth in Nigeria’s Financial Industry, Says Expert Emma Okonji To accelerate growth and deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria, it is imperative for players in the financial service industry including Banks, Telcos and Fintechs to collaborate to provide innovative solutions and unique offerings to customers, the Managing Director, Interswitch Purepay, Akeem Lawal, has said.

Lawal who is an expert in Financial Technology (Fintech) service delivery, made this known during the Nigerian Fintech Forum

held recently at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In his keynote address tagged ‘Building Partnership for Growth, Exploring the Intersection of Banks, Telcos and Fintech Companies’, Lawal explained that the Nigeria financial industry has evolved tremendously over the years with customers transitioning from banking halls transactions to adopting digital payment services.

He noted that despite the growth of the financial sector, customers are yearning for more innovative and seamless payment

solutions hence, players in the financial industry must work with one another to design cutting-edge solutions that speak to the needs of customers and further strengthen the financial industry.

He said: “As headline platinum sponsor, we are delighted to be sponsoring the Nigeria Fintech Forum because we believe that a platform like this will provide the opportunity for critical stakeholders in the financial industry to engage and proffer solutions that will consequently drive the growth of the financial

Industry.”

He further said: “At Interswitch, we will continue to design tailor-made solutions that speak to the need of every customer. Therefore, it is important for players in the financial industry, including the banks, telcos and fintechs to leverage collaboration to provide innovative and seamless solutions to customers. This is the only way we can meet the 95 per cent financial inclusion target by 2024.”

Walure Capital Harps on Digital Skills, Unveils Tech Hub Facility Emma Okonji Walure Capital, a technology resource company equipping people with digital skills and powering business innovation with technology across Africa, has reiterated its commitment to develop digital skills among individuals, organisations and institutes of learning.

Managing Director, Walure Capital, Mr. Samuel Adeleye, restated the commitment during the launch of Walure Tech Hub in Ojodu, Lagos, equipped with state-of-the-art technology tools that will drive technology innovation and digital skills

acquisition.

Adeleye who described Walure Capital as a tech talent outsourcing firm, said it would excel in building the right solutions for businesses in order to drive growth and value.

Its vision and mission, according to him, are to empower people with digital skills that come with rare opportunities in tech. During the tour of the facility, the General Manager, Walure Capital, Mr. Okubanjo Obafemi, showcased the state-of-the-art equipment to dignitaries such as the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning, Mr. Idris Salako; General Manager, Odua Group, Adewale

Raji; former Head of Department, Mass Communication, University of Lagos (UNILAG), who is the current Chairman, UNILAG Television and Radio stations, Prof Ralph Akinfeleye, among other dignitaries.

The facility comes with dedicated and non-dedicated working space for individuals and corporate organisations, including conference rooms, studio, and well equipped training rooms.

Pleased with the state-of-the-art equipment in the facility, Salako commended the founder of Walure Capital, for the launch of the technology hub, which he said, would help tech savvy Nigerians

to develop digital technology skills and create digital jobs for the Nigerian citizens.

“The initiative of Walure Tech Hub, is in line with the initiative of the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to develop the tech space and make it innovative enough to create jobs that will keep Nigerian youths in Nigeria and discourage them from leaving the country in search of jobs. Nigeria is losing its best brains in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to foreign countries, and technology hub with modern tools, is what can keep them back in the country,” Salako said.

NCC Restates Commitment to FundAcademic Research in Schools Emma Okonji Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof.

Adeolu Akande, has restated the commitment of the Commission to commit more funds to research and prototypes, resulting from grants from the Commission to the academia.

This is coming at the backdrop of the recent revelation that the Commission has commitment more than N500 million in funding research across the Nigerian universities.

Akande told a gathering of Vice Chancellors and professors from universities in the southern parts of the country at a roundtable conference at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos that the Commission would continue to acknowledge the importance of working with stakeholders to engender innovations and build indigenous technological capabilities that would strengthen the ICT ecosystem.

“We want to use this opportunity to assure you that the Commission will continue to give support to the educational sector in the interest of national development. We will also continue to encourage research and innovation in

Nigeria’s tertiary institutions,” Akande said, explaining that the essence of the roundtable is to dialogue with the academia, industry and other stakeholders on how research efforts and prottotypes can be transformed into commercially viable products that solve real-life problems.

“Consequently, the Commission will continue to allocate the requisite resources to research, development and innovations necessary for the industry to continue to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country,” Akande said.

Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, represented by the Director, Legal and Regulatory Services of the Commission, Josphine Amuwa, said academia remained a key driver of innovation in all spheres of human endeavour.

He said this was why his leadership at the Commission is determined to not only give grants to the academia but also support the commercialisation of these prototypes to deepen the indigenous technological capabilities, which would support the overall development of the industry.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2022

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Advocating for Domestic Resource Mobilisation to Strengthen Nigeria’s Health Security Sunday Ehigiator writes that the ‘#PreventEpidemicsNaija’ campaign launched by the Nigeria Health Watch in 2018, with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, GHAI, has helped increase awareness and funding among policymakers and the public for epidemic preparedness at national and sub-national levels

Head, Research and Policy Advisory, BudgIT, Iniobong Usen

W

hen the #PreventEpidemicsNaija Campaign was launched in 2018, it was likened to the story of the boy who cried wolf. Why should the country dedicate resources to preparing for an epidemic that might never happen? Today, the project has helped increase awareness and funding - among policymakers and the public - for epidemic preparedness at national and sub-national levels.

In October 2018, four years after the first case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was reported in Nigeria, Nigeria Health Watch, supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), launched the #PreventEpidemicsNaija project.

The overall goal of the project was to increase public awareness and support for epidemic preparedness and response (EPR), as well as to advocate for increased funding to boost the efforts of the national public health institute, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

At the time, the Ebola outbreak was no longer foremost in the mind of many Nigerians, therefore initial campaign efforts were likened to the story of the boy who cried wolf.

There was also the argument that Nigeria had many pressing health needs which required urgent attention, so why should the country dedicate resources to preparing for an epidemic that might never happen? Well, the Ebola outbreak left a clear message that the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced, which is the vital need to build a strong health system that strengthened surveillance efforts and the country’s ability to detect, respond to and control future disease outbreaks.

This is essential to prevent and minimise the health and socio-economic consequences of an infectious disease outbreak. For these systems to be established, firm political will is required, and it is critical for the government at all levels to make the financial investments required to develop the national and sub-national capacity for health emergency preparedness and response efforts.

EARLY CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES The project sought to engage with political decision-makers on the need to prioritise epidemic preparedness; build government, civil society and media capacity to advocate for funding for epidemic preparedness, make the case for investments in epidemic preparedness and track budget allocation and spending, inform advocacy.

The campaign was flagged off with vox pops, media engagement, forums and policy dialogues. Notably, at the ‘Cost of Epidemics’ policy dialogue in May 2019, participants shared strategies on how Nigeria could prepare for infectious disease outbreaks, budget for epidemic prevention, and pool local resources towards epidemic prevention.

It was agreed that achieving sustainable

Project Director, LISDEL, Dr Gafar Alawode

financing for epidemic prevention would require including a budget line item for epidemic prevention in national and state budgets.

In addition, in February 2020, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare & Communicable Diseases, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, and the Chairman, of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloreigbe, discussed the role of the legislature in funding epidemic preparedness at a breakfast meeting themed, ‘Legislating Epidemics’.

THE #PREVENTEPIDEMICSNAIJA CONSORTIUM These activities contributed to achieving the project’s objectives which were to increase awareness and funding for epidemic preparedness and implementation of the National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS) in Nigeria, but it soon became imperative to take the #PreventEpidemicsNaija advocacy to the sub-national level.

Therefore, in 2020, the campaign expanded, as Nigeria Health Watch, the Legislative Institute for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) and BudgIT were part of a GHAI-led consortium to intensify budget advocacy toward epidemic preparedness at the federal and state level.

It was especially important to take the campaign to the states because, despite Nigeria’s history of infectious disease outbreaks, there were gaps in the epidemic preparedness and response capacities at the sub-national level.

Speaking on the need for a consortium, Project Director, LISDEL, Dr Gafar Alawode said, “The major problem this project was trying to solve was the suboptimal public investments in health security, and limited government responsiveness in terms of having the necessary legal, institutional and policy framework to address health security issues both at the national and sub-national levels.”

LISDEL and Nigeria Health Watch also

Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu

collaborated with the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC), the Legislative Network for Universal Health Coverage and other organisations to create public demand for epidemic preparedness.

MEDIA ADVOCACY The consortium has garnered media attention and leveraged the voices of highly regarded religious and community leaders at media events, as well as leveraging multimedia platforms to raise awareness and support for the campaign.

The media is an important stakeholder in the Prevent Epidemics programme and it was, therefore, important to equip journalists who report on health and those interested in health reportage with the professional and technical knowledge to accurately report on epidemic preparedness. To achieve this, Nigeria Health Watch organised a series of journalism workshops with journalists around the country. As a result, reportage of epidemic preparedness in Nigeria became quite widespread.

Since 2020, the #PreventEpidemicsNaija Journalism Awards (PEJA) has recognised and rewarded exceptional reporting of epidemic preparedness stories in Nigeria.

Between 2018 and 2020, online engagement has increased significantly, with the campaign hashtag, #PreventEpidemicsNaija, a prominent hashtag in social media conversations about the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY LISDEL collaborated with BudgIT and other civil society organisations, including the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC), to build a Health Security Financing Accountability Framework.

This approach can be used to track federal, state, and local government budget allocations, expenditure and outcomes, as well as to identify expenditure constraints and to inform advocacy.

Campaign partners are collaborating

The COVID-19 pandemic has given us additional impetus that the work we do in advocacy for epidemic preparedness is extremely important, more so, prioritising Nigeria’s health security has to be front and centre for policymakers, especially as we are in an election year

with political decision-makers to disaggregate expenditure data, as needed to track releases at the federal level and in Kano and Lagos State.

According to the Head, Research and Policy Advisory, BudgIT, Iniobong Usen, “One thing the project has enabled us to do is to look at what the resource allocation to epidemic preparedness and response through the budget is, and to try to ensure accountability through the tracking of the budget and implemented projects to which these allocated sums in the budget were trying to address.”

SUB-NATIONAL ADVOCACY: THE KANO STATE EXAMPLE In Kano State, LISDEL collaborated with BudgIT to establish the Kano State Health Security Advocacy Team (KSHSAT). LISDEL and GHAI built relationships with epidemic preparedness champions in politics and the media to demonstrate the value of investing in health security.

This engagement built trust which led to invitations for LISDEL and KSHSAT members to participate in the government-led budget review and planning sessions, as well as meetings to assess the state’s preparedness.

Furthermore, LISDEL, GHAI, and KSHSAT collaborated with the Kano State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on budget advocacy efforts which were aimed at getting each of the 44 Local Government Areas (LGA) to allocate funding for epidemic preparedness and response in their budgets.

The project recorded successes, as a line item of N300 million was created in the budget for epidemic preparedness, as well as an additional allocation of N2 million per LGA. PRIORITISING EPIDEMIC PREPAREDNESS According to the Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, “The COVID-19 pandemic has given us additional impetus that the work we do in advocacy for epidemic preparedness is extremely important, more so, prioritising Nigeria’s health security has to be front and centre for policymakers, especially as we are in an election year.”

Adequate funding, political will, partnerships and increased collaboration will improve Nigeria’s ability to prepare and respond to infectious disease outbreaks and strengthen the country’s health security.

Ihekweazu noted that the #PreventEpidemicsNaija coalition will continue to advocate for increased funding for Nigeria’s health security at the federal and state level, even as transparency, accountability, and sustainable government investments in epidemic preparedness must be a priority.

And as Senator Utazi said at a recently held Legislating Epidemics Breakfast meeting, “It is during the time of peace that you prepare for war.

We all have to create an epidemic preparedness culture in Nigeria.”

31

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2022

NEWS

Evoke Health Solutions Launches to ProvideTelehealth Services to Nigerians &WPLF F )FBMUI 4PMVUJPOT IFME UIFJS MBVODI PO 4BUVSEBZ "VHVTU BU 4IFSBUPO )PUFM "CVKB The event was well attended by dignitaries from different strata of life.

The online attendance was RVJUF JNQSFTTJWF UPP &WPLF F health team which comprises young brilliant minds and capable hands stated that technology is the way forward in healthcare of Nigerians.

The platform was birthed as a solution to many during the $PWJE QBOEFNJD MPDLEPXO and has since then grown. *U XBT UIF WJTJPO PG %S Ifeoma Obianuzi Amadi and %S "OUIPOZ 0LFUB CPUI medical practitioners and former classmates, desire to contribute their quotas to the health sector of the country.

The experiences gained from their work stations and various homes outside of Nigeria aids in proffering solutions to the masses in Nigeria. %S "NBEJ FYQMBJOFE JO EFQUI XIBU &WPLF F IFBMUI JT and what Nigerians stand to gain using its services. In her address she said, “Telehealth offers a high quality solution, it is obvious that development and implementation of telemedicine and digital health developments has a lot of advantages and

brings a great value for both practitioners and patients. i&WPLF IBT B VTFS GSJFOEMZ platform and a wide range of medical doctors, specialists, nurses and pharmacists. On connecting, you will then be assessed and referred to the appropriate specialist. In case the patient requires further assessment, then arrangements can be made to travel whether locally or abroad to be reviewed by the specialist. *O TIBSJOH IFS FYQFSJFODF %S Amadi said her friend ‘s dad in UIF 6OJUFE 4UBUFT IBE B TUSPLF with no one around to take care PG IJN 4IF DBMMFE NF BOE XF didn’t know anybody where he resides, at the time there was only a no contact service that was available. “ That scenario actually gave me an idea on the kind of services XF OFFE UP PGGFS BU &WPLF TFSWJDFT for patients who are bedridden and those in the nursing homes that can access a doctor easily. &WPLF JT UBJMPSFE JO TVDI B XBZ that persons in the rural areas can access doctors with ease.

An average Nigerian living in the rural area travels about 56 kilometers to the nearest health clinic, oftentimes the clinic is overly crowded and that person may be turned back for different reasons and told

to return another day. /PX XJUI &WPLF F IFBMUI no one is turned away, each patient is treated with the strictest privacy and priority, the initiative minimizes the cost of traveling to see a doctor and offers high quality medical care regardless of the patient or physician location, they aim to eliminate time and distance factors in healthcare for remote patients by enabling real-time examination and treatment through virtual consultation. %S "OUIPZ 0LFUB TUBUFE UIBU the world has advanced and changed drastically after the Covid pandemic. He believes Nigerians are no exception to that change and as such they are eager and SFBEZ UP FNCSBDF &WPLF F IFBMUI services.

“The world has gone digital and telemedicine stands to offer more to Nigerians than the traditional hospital system in place. With &WPLF B QBUJFOU DBO CF WJFXFE by several specialists at the same time and that in itself is an added bonus. i&WPLF F )FBMUI DBO XPSL JO Nigeria, the insecurities and constant outbreak of diseases make it a remarkable service.

With more people shopping for goods and services online, telehealth is an added advantage.

L-R: Co-founder/CEO, Evoke E-Health Solutions, Dr. Tony Oketah; Chief Nursing Officer, Ms Gertrude Amadi; Chief Finance Officer, Mrs Nkiru Nwankwo and Co-founder/CEO, DR. Ifeoma Obanozie-Amadi at the pre-launch of Telehealth Practive in Nigeria, weekend, at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja

ClearviewHospitalCelebratesFifthAnniversary Esther Akinsola One of the leading healthcare providers, Clearview hospital, -BHPT SFDFOUMZ NBSLFE JUT 5th anniversary in Nigeria’s healthcare space.

Clearview has developed novel solutions to unmet care needs of people and is growing to care for more. &TUBCMJTIFE JO $MFBSWJFX hospital was set up as a mother and child care facility with a special emphasis on fertility medicine, offering patients quality care in an unparalleled ambience.

“At Clearview Hospital, the facility’s mission is to provide cutting-edge medical solutions promptly and cost-effectively, while advancing the healthcare and well-being of women and children.”

'SPN TDPSJOH B SFDPSE BT B mother and child care facility, it has expanded its services to pre-conception focused on fertility solutions -Treating infertility, fibroids removal through laparoscopic myomectomy, and all other factors that lead to infertility to conception

*7' USFBUNFOUT *$4* *6* BOE delivery robust ante-natal QSPHSBN BOE /*$6 TFSWJDFT and partnerships that would give the facility the capacity to cater to more pre-term babies.

The excellence and dedication Clearview accord its patients is first-hand premium service.

4QFBLJOH BU UIF BOOJWFSTBSZ celebration Kunle Ajayi, managing director of Clearview HosQJUBM -FLLJ i*O UIF CFHJOOJOH it was a slow start. Now we are well-established and growing and have had patients with us all these years.

“I’m delighted with all the specialities we can offer under one roof such as paediatrics, fibroid treatment, mother and child care, and general medical care for those who are in need.

“It is this fitting together to the community and its people that is most important to Clearview Hospital.

“We are trying to make healthcare accessible without breaking the bank. Our patients have learned that we are here for them. We’re constantly giving them the support they need.

We are serving them well. In

XF IBE QBUJFOUT USFBUFE BOE EFMJWFSJFT u &NQIBTJTJOH HSPXJOH together, Ajayi said that Clearview has worked alongside in strategic partnerships with Women Community to bring affordable payment plans to cater for Gynaecological procedures BOE *7' WJB B .BUFSOBM )FBMUI 4FSWJDF 4DIFNF 1SPHSBNNF According to him, it is a service where patients that have salaried account or third-party salaried account with access bank can benefit from an easy repayment plan GPS UIFJS *7' BOE %FMJWFSZ BOE Gynaecological procedures, with an amazing low-interest rate, long-term payment plan, and no charges.

“The programme that allow individuals to be assisted by a loved one or family member, or friend,” he said.

Also speaking at the anniversary, Abiodun Olubitan, group head, Women bank initiative Access Bank said it has been a very impressive journey and reading through the testimonials and some of the milestone achievements.

FERTILITY Hormonal Imbalance And Infertility (Part 1) With Dr. Kemi AILOJE drkemi@lifelinkfertility.com www.lifelinkfertility.com +2348033083580

I

n a healthy functioning person, hormones should be in adequate proportionin order to support the functions of the body. Hormonal imbalance is becoming more common, but most women and men who have these disorders often times ignore the signs. Hormones play an important role in the functionality of the woman’s bodyas well as in men. Hormonal levels are not always stable as they can decrease or increase and become out of balance.

Medically, it is only natural for hormones to fluctuate depending on which phase of the menstrual cycle or it may just be the result of natural aging. However, when there is an imbalance in the hormones, it can disrupt the body system from fertility to mood, especially when you are trying to get pregnant. This week, we will be discussing the various hormones in the female’s body, their function and effects on fertility.

WHAT ARE HORMONES? Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers produced in the endocrine glands.

These powerful chemicals travel around the bloodstream telling the organs and tissues what to do, also help control the body’s major processes such as metabolism and reproduction.

WHAT IS A HORMONAL IMBALANCE? Hormonal Imbalance is a condition that occurs when there are too little or too many hormones in the blood stream.

Hormones play an important role in the body such that even a small imbalance can cause a serious effect all over the body.

An irregular balance of the hormones associated with reproductionin one or both partners can make conception and pregnancy difficult. Hormonal imbalances are the leading causes of infertility in women, but often treatable with lifestyle changes and medications.

HORMONES AND YOUR FERTILITY. Hormones play a vital role in the female reproduction, especially those hormones that control fertility.Hormones in the body must regulate and signal the growth of an egg from the ovary, release the newly formed eggs into the fallopian tube and thicken the uterine lining for implantation.

If the released egg is fertilized by sperm, the resulting embryo then travels to the uterus (womb) for implantation. The development and maturation of sperm is also regulated by hormones within the male body. An absence or irregular quantity of one or more of these hormones can

delay or prevent any of the above process from happening, making it very difficult for pregnancy to occur.

FEMALE HORMONES AND THEIR EFFECT ON FERTILITY The complexity of female reproductive system can be judged from the fact that even the slightest imbalance in the hormones can result in difficulty with conception and eventually female infertility. The overall female reproductive hormones have its different functions and an alteration in any of the hormones alters its biological functions. Below are the hormones and their effects on fertility. r 'PMMJDMF TUJNVMBUJOH )PSNPOF '4) This hormone helps in the regulation of menstrual cycle. Italso stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles (a bag where the egg cell develops) in the ovary and increases estradiol production. When there JT BO JNCBMBODF JO UIF MFWFM PG '4) JU could indicate a problem with the ovaries, decrease in the ovarian reserve or an indication that the woman is approaching menopause. r -VUFJOJ[JOH )PSNPOF -) 5IJT hormone controls the menstrual cycle.

It also triggers the release of an egg from the ovary. This hormone is responsible for the release of matured eggs during ovulation. When there is an imbalance JO UIF MFWFM PG -) JU NBZ SFTVMU JO irregular periods and interference with ovulation and conception. r &TUSPHFO 5IJT JT UIF IPSNPOF UIBU supports the regulation and development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics and the reproductive system in females. When there is an imbalance in the level of estrogen, it causes difficulty in conception and can also affect implantation. Many women also experience a decrease in libido as a result of low estrogen levels. r 1SPHFTUFSPOF 5IJT IPSNPOF JT responsible for maintaining pregnancy.

It preparesthe endometrium for pregnancy after ovulation. It triggers the uterine lining to help grow an embryo. It also prevents the muscle contractions in the uterus that would cause the body to reject an egg. If the level of progesterone is low it causes miscarriage and high level of progesterone in the body prevents ovulation TO BE CONTINUED

32

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

LASG Expenditure Hits N675bn, Targets 100% Budget Performance Gilbert Ekugbe

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State, Sam Egube, has stated that the Lagos State government’s expenditure has hit N675 billion out of a total budget expectation of about N880 billion in the first half of 2022.

According to him, the expenditure represents 77 per cent performance with plans to hit 100 per cent by the end of 2022.

Egube at the Y2023 budget consultative forum for Badagry division, said so far, the State’s Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) currently stands at N346 billion compared to N451 billion it recorded last year, pointing out that the IGR represents a 77 per cent performance.

In his words: “We have always exceeded an 80 per cent budget performance in this administration.

We really want to do a 100 per cent. It is our aspiration that we will move this performance as we move into the second quarter to hit over 80 per cent. Over the last three years, our State has achieved

very strong budget performance in the neighborhood of 80 per cent and that is something we will continue to drive irrespective of the challenges we face as a nation.”

He said the business environment has been extremely challenging, adding that the foreign exchange challenge in the country and inflation are largely driven

by Covid 19.

“We are an import dependent country and when the exchange rate increases, so also do prices increase, but in terms of performance this year, I will say our State achieved 80 per cent of revenue of N502 billion.

This was quite phenomenal especially when you consider the challenges that we face as a country,” he said.

He however stated that the Lagos State government is investing in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), saying that the State has increased the budgetary allocation to about 100 per cent to support over 152 businesses

and persons.

He added that State is continually providing employment in the agricultural sector working with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to create over 5000 jobs.

He announced that there are plans to complete the rice mill this year, stressing that when completed, the mill would create over 4000 jobs directly and indirectly.

He noted that the 30 year development plan to be launched in October would accelerate development of the Badagry flank of the five divisions in the State to create new cities around this flank.

“That plan has already started as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the Badagry deep sea port which is very major. One of the major thing that has driven Lagos development is the port in Lagos,” he said.

He added that the port would be supported with investment in the blue and red line to shorten the journey time from Badagry to Marina to 30 minutes.

NDIC Urge Banks to Malpractices to Avoid Failure Nume Ekeghe

The Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr.Bello Hassan, has called for more vigilance by law enforcement and internal control officials in banks to avoid having a failed bank.

He said this yesterday on the sidelines of the capacitybuilding workshop for law enforcement agencies, bankers, and other stakeholders in Lagos.

The theme of the workshop is, “Effective Investigation and Prosecution of Banking Malpractices That Led to The Failure of Banks.”

He said: “It is important that we create a synergy among ourselves on the issue of this investigation of malpractices in failed banks and that’s why we find it necessary to organise this workshop on an annual basis so that we can sharpen the skills of our staff to be able to do their work efficiently and diligently.”

He added: “Since inception NDIC has paid depositors both insured and uninsured for the Deposit Money Banks more than N109 billion which represented recoveries that the corporation made from risk assets that is loans and advances that were granted

as well as physical assets of those banks in liquidation that were sold off thank.

Responding to a question on speculations about the soundness of some banks, he stated that all banks in Nigeria are healthy citing that the corporation, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria, frequently carry out stress tests.

He said: “All banks that are operating within the country are sound and in as much as their license has not been revoked, the regulator that issued will revoke if there is any problem. You are free to continue to bank with those institutions they are safe.”

FCTA Adopts SOP for Efficient Service Delivery Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has adopted the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), to facilitate and reposition its operations for efficient service delivery.

FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola,who made this known at sign-off ceremony of the FCTA’s SOP. He identified SOP document as the springboard for efficient and incorruptible services delivery to the citizensin the Territory.

Adesola also directed the relevant departments to immediately package appropriate training programme that would enable them build the capacity of

the SOP champions, so as they would cascade it down in the various SDA’s of the FCTA. He also declared that FCTA wanted o become number one organisation for efficient service delivery in Nigeria, and enjoined those who have not bounded in the ongoing reform initiative, to do so He expressed gratitude to Head of the Civil Service of Federation (HoS), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan for the leadership provided through the Service, while assuring the Service that the FCTA was ready to imbibe by the established rules at the lower level, as it has demonstrated such with its ability to develop SOP. “In FCT, we are no longer where we were last year, as

we have moved, and therefore everyone should join us to move.

And I pray that we keep this trajectory, so that the FCT will be acknowledged as investors friendly. We want to become number one organisation for efficient service delivery in Nigeria. This is what all of us should resolve to do, “he stressed.

Team Lead of the SOP, Mrs. Aolat Dosunmu, from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation commended the FCTA for demonstrating capacity for the effective deployment of the SOP, through the support and commitment of its staff and management from the Secretariats, Departments and Agencies that participated in a-two-week pilot SOP training.

RIFTrust to Provide 21st Century Insurance Policy Sunday Ehigiator RIF Trust, a leading residency and citizenship Investment advisory firm in the Middle East and Africa, and a member of the Latitude Group has revealed that its Second Citizenship programmes would equip clients with a 21st-century insurance policy.

The firm’s Country Manager, Zuberu Kadiri, in a statement said the programme was necessitated by the changes in

the world due to the old and new conflicts, the pandemic, shifting blocs, globalization, and decentralization of state systems, inflation, and rapid digitalization. “Ensuring global mobility is a primary focus for High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), with economic and social shifts sparking legitimate concerns around personal safety, financial stability and generational security.

“Second Citizenship

programmes have become a popular choice and ‘Plan B’ for individuals looking to secure access to global opportunities and expansion for their businesses irrespective of their birthplace.

“Our major objective is to give our clients S.M.I.L.E. i.e.

Safety, Mobility, Investment Opportunities, Lifestyle, Employment, and Education through our Citizenship and Residency

by Investment programmes, “he said.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JUNE 2022 Money Supply (M3)

48,865,823.53

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

167,956.2

Money Supply (M2)

48,797,867.32

-- Quasi Money

28,405,330.1

-- Narrow Money (M1)

20,392,537.22

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,722,785.91

---- Demand Deposits

17,669,751.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

6,242,394.29

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

42,623,429.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

57,267,178.05

---- Credit to Government (Net)

17,996,690.06

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

39,270,488

--Other Assets Net

5,566,430

Reserve Money (Base Money

11,320,304

--Currency in Circulation

3,259,269.15

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,320,303.72 384,377.56

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

June 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

11.10

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

13.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.45

Savings Deposit Rate

1.38

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.48

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

4.97

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.30

Prime Lending rate

12.29

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͵

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

33

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

Stock Market Rebound, Gains N391bn on Investors Renewed Interest In Dangote Cement Kayode Tokede In contrast to the past two-day trading sessions investors were taking profit, the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NNGX) was positive after gaining N391billionn yesterday aimed renewed interest in top cement player— Dangote Cement Plc that added 10 per cent in stock price.

In summary, the overall market capitalisation value gained

N391 billion to close at N27.009 trillion from N26.618 trillion it opened for trading, while the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) grew by 724.76 basis points, representing a rise of 1.47 per cent, to close at 50,075.47 basis points from 49,350.71 basis points Market breadth, which is measure by market sentiment was positive, as 20 stocks gained relative to 10 losers. Dangote Cement recorded the highest price gain of 9.96 per cent to

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

close at N265.00, per share. NEM Insurance followed with a gain 9.89 per cent to close at N4.11, while Ellah Lakes rose by 9.41 per cent to close at N4.30, per share.

Japaul Gold and Ventures went up by 8.82 per cent to close at 37 kobo, while May & Baker Nigeria appreciated by 8.68 per cent to close at N3.88, per share.

On the other hand, Lafarge Africa led the losers’ chart by

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

8.84 per cent to close at N23.20, per share. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company followed with a decline of 8.62 per cent to close at N5.30, while Honeywell Flour Mills went down by 6.41 per cent to close at N2.63, per share.

UAC of Nigeria (UACN) lost 5.36 per cent to close at N10.60, while AIICO Insurance shed 5.26 per cent to close at 54 kobo, per share.

Also, the total volume traded

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

rose by 98.58 per cent to 279.221 million units, valued at N2.082 billion, and exchanged in 3,576 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Jaiz Bank topped the activity chart with 115.128 million shares valued at N100.141 million. FBN Holdings (FBNH) followed with 39.956 million shares worth N431.498 million, while United Bank for Africa (UBA) traded 14.661 million shares valued at N104.318 million.

O F

1 0

AIICO Insurance traded 13.914 million shares valued at N7.675 million, while Japaul Gold and Ventures transacted 13.259 million shares worth N4.906 million.

Analysts at GTI Securities Limited said “the domestic market closes the day positive, as investors react to the profitability reports of listed companies. We expect mixed sentiments to continue, as more companies release their Q2 results.”

/ 8 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

THURSDAY AUGUST 11, 2022 •T H I S D AY

35

THURSDAY, ͹͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

DUALISATION OF AZIKIWE -ILLOABUCHI ROAD BEGINS...

L-R: Former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko; Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, at the official commencement of dualisation of Azikiwe -Illoabuchi Road by Mimiko in Port Harcourt... yesterday

Nnamani: I Will Vote for Atiku, But Tinubu is a Great Administrator Condemns campaigns targeting former Lagos governor’s health

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja A former governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has described the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 elections as

a strong politician and a great administrator.

Nnamani, who is currently representing Enugu East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declared this in a statement he personally

signed and made available to THISDAY in Abuja yesterday.

The Senator said notwithstanding the fact that he would vote for the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, Nigerians should know that Tinubu had significantly paid his dues.

The PDP lawmaker said he was the governor of Enugu State when Tinubu was also governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.

He said, "Tinubu is qualified to run for President of Nigeria in 2023 as there is no evidence

Looting of Amnesty Training Centre: Ex-Militants Demand Probe of Federal Ministry of Justice Officials Alleges sabotage in N3.8bn suit filed against amnesty office Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa A coalition of ex-militant leaders from the Niger Delta region have written to President Muhammadu Buhari over the alleged efforts by the officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice led by the Solicitor-General of the federation and Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba to frustrate the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) from filling proper defense against a suit filed by 15 companies accused of being involved in the 2019 looting of the Amnesty Training Centre, located in Kaiama community of Bayelsa State.

The ex-militants, under the aegis of the Niger Delta Amnesty Beneficiary Forum (NDABF), said instead of the officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice to support legal representation made by the Amnesty Office against the suits filed by the accused companies in the tune of N3.8billion, they were allegedly busy sabotaging the Amnesty office’s efforts in court by removing legal officers from PAP. In February, 2019, the N60 billion amnesty training center was looted and plundered by some unknown persons and community folks, leaving the once bubbling empty of all training equipment and materials.

The National Coordinator of the forum, James Okori, in a chat with newsmen after a peace march to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, claimed that thousands of beneficiaries of

the Amnesty Programme were suspicious of the sabotage by the Federal Ministry of Justice towards the issue of the looted N60 billion of the training center.

He said, “We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Security Adviser, the ICPC, EFCC, and DSS to investigate officials of the Federal Justice Ministry over their alleged role in removing the legal adviser and other legal officers from the Amnesty office.”

“We suspect that these officials may have been compromised by the accused companies. The removal of the legal officers attached to the Presidential Amnesty office at this moment of such suit by the accused showed an alleged sabotage against the amnesty office from defending themselves against the N3.8 billion lawsuit brought against the amnesty office by fifteen companies for alleged unexecuted contracts during the tenure of the former Amnesty Coordinator, Professor Charles Dokubo which allegedly led to the five days looting of the N60 billion Amnesty training complex in February 2019.

“Presently, the Amnesty office does not have a legal adviser or competent legal representative. We strongly support the 124 Amnesty beneficiaries that have filed cases against these 15 companies in two Federal High courts in Abuja.

"The public must know that five companies out of the 15 companies that are suing the amnesty office are allegedly not registered with the corporate affairs commission.

They are suing for N3.8 billion,

plus 21 percent post – judgement, and they are also requesting for special damages which can go as high as N5 to N8 billion.

“The officials of the Ministry of Justice, individuals and the companies allegedly involved have conspired amongst themselves in defrauding and syphoning public funds, with the recent steps they have now taken further by filing different suits at the High court of Justice in FCT, claiming full payment of contract sum with 21 per cent post judgment and the sum of N100,000,000 as general

damages, which we have reason to believe that all arrangements have been made to ensure that these reliefs are granted.

“Also, shocking is the fact that those saddled with the responsible of defending the federal government and any of its agencies, had now reneged from her oath of office and loyalty to the country and the good work your administration is doing, by ensuring that the 15 earlier mentioned companies get judgment against the Presidential Amnesty Programme.”

that he has dementia.

"While my vote is covered by the umbrella par my party, the PDP and our candidate, Atiku Abubakar. I take a bow for the hardest working politician of this generation. He patiently paid his dues."

Nnamani however said for the Tinubu to succeed he "needs to work on improving relationships with many others especially my people the Igbo."

Part of Nnamani's statement read, "He (Tinubu), needs to lead by advocacy, example, practice and open mindedness in assuaging the feeling and ongoing hostility to the Igbo in Lagos.

"I also condemn the castigation of Igbo by my highly distinguished colleague Senator Oluremi Tinubu, done under whatever circumstances.

"The Igbo cannot apologise for exploring the limits of achieving the Trinity of her character Igbambo (hustle) Njepu (Travel) and Ako na Uche ( cot of reason).

"When Bola Ahmed Tinubu was governor, Lagos state's internally generated revenue rose from N600 million per month to over N8 billion per month.

"He had an impressive track record as a governor; his state contributed more than 30 per cent to our country's GDP, accounted for more than 65 per cent of industrial investment in Nigeria, 80 per cent of its international trade, and collected more than 60 per cent of the country's value-added tax.

"In the area of human capacity, his mentorship was first class and his mentees have spread out and like little acorns many have become giant oak trees in Nigeria's political firmaments.

"Just like in Enugu State, we appointed non-Enugu people (avoiding the meaningless and retrogressive anathema "nonindigene") I recall my brother Ben Akabueze being a repository of the financial and economic secrets of "Yoruba" Tinubu Lagos State Government.

"Fashola, Osinbajo, Aregbosola, Fayemi, etc. All first class with A-game always. I vigorously opposed, protest and detest the shameless campaigns and parody targeting Tinubu's health.

"As a health worker I am amazed by the ignorance, foolishness, wickedness and callousness of these idiotic operators."

Lagos is Not Nigeria, PDP Chieftain Slams Keyamo's Defence of Tinubu's Presidential Ambition Sylvester Idowu in Warri Former Delta State governorship aspirant and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Sunny Onuesoke has taken a swipe at Mr. Festus Keyamo over his recent statement that Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best presidential candidate in the 2023 election based on his antecedents.

Keyamo had while speaking as the Media Director, Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council recently in a national television programme, said Bola Tinubu is the best among the presidential candidates and easiest candidates to sell.

Keyamo, who is the Minister of

State, Labour claimed that nobody comes close to Tinubu’s record when it comes to public service in the last 23 years and equally said if elected, Tinubu would continue with the record of Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Reacting to Keyamo’s statement, Onuesoke, in a statement yesterday said it was disappointing that an erudite lawyer like Keyamo who worked with the late human rights lawyer, Late Gani Fawehinmi, was supporting Tinubu’s candidacy.

Querying why Keyamo felt Tinubu was the best presidential candidate, Onuesoke asked, “How is Tinubu the best candidate? Did Tinubu win any award as best candidates like others or are you

promoting what they wrote and gave to you?

“What Keyamo should understand is that Nigeria is not Lagos. Even in Lagos and other western states, Tinubu had lost majority of his loyalists because they have discovered that APC is living in deceit. Tinubu’s presidency will destroy Nigeria further. They promised heaven and earth to Nigerians. Where are the benefits they promised?

Rather everything has worsened under their watch,” he stated.

The PDP chieftain urged Nigerians to shun Keyamo’s deceit, alleging that APC as a party has absolutely nothing to offer Nigerians except poverty, bad economy and insecurity.

“They have absolutely nothing to offer Nigerians except poverty, bad economy and insecurity. These people continue in self-deceit and unrealistic 'positive' speaking.

They keep telling us how good Buhari has been in the face of gross insecurity, abject poverties and massive deaths caused by ineffective governance.

“The defeat of Oyetola of Osun State to Davido's uncle, Adeleke is a good example of what awaits them in 2023,” he stated.

The PDP chieftain urged the electorates to save their future and that of their children by voting wisely in 2023, stressing that another eight years in the hands of APC politicians was unthinkable.

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NEWS

HIJRAH 1444/2022 LUNCHEON...

L-R: Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Debo Ogundoyin; Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Representative of Former Governor Ladoja, Alhaji Nureni Adisa, during the Hijrah 1444/2022 luncheon organised by Oyo State Government at Presidential Lodge, Government House, Ibadan.... yesterday

Former AGF, Idris Seeks Plea Bargain Option in Alleged N109.4bn Fraud Trial Alex Enumah in Abuja Former Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, is said to be seeking the Plea Bargain option in place of a full trial in the case of alleged N109.4 billion fraud.

This move was made known to the court yesterday by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN. Idris and three others are standing trial on a 14-count money laundering charge brought against them by the EFCC. The others include; Mr. Olusegun Akindele, a Director of the Federation Account, Mohammed Usman, and a company, Gezawa Commodity Market & Exchange Limited.

A Plea Bargain option is one that allows a defendant enters

a guilty plea to a lesser offence in exchange for a more lenient sentence or an agreement for some charges to be dropped.

This option enables both the prosecutor and the defendant to avoid a lengthy trial.

At the resumed trial, Jacobs

informed the court that the former AGF and his co-defendants had through a third party, requested to meet him to negotiate the plea bargain arrangement.

Jacobs however stated that he refused to meet with them in the absence of their lawyers.

However, counsel that represented the ex-AGF in court on yesterday, Mr. Goddy Uche, SAN, insisted that his client and his co-defendants were at the EFCC office for the meeting but declined to go further with the negotiation after they were asked to go to

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Kwara State government has explained that a viral video indicating that Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq was being booed during an event was a 2018 event before he became governor.

A statement by the Special Adviser, Political Communication to the governor, Bashir Adigun, said the video was taken during

campaigns four years ago, adding that thugs allegedly mobilised by Senator Bukola Saraki attempted to heckle the governor at the time.

Specifically, he recalled that it was recorded at an event held on December 26, 2018, by the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) at the Emir’s Palace, which was disrupted by the thugs.

He debunked the insinuation

election five years ago.

A largely peaceful election day was marred by logistical delays and a failure of these identification kits in some parts of the country.

However, electoral commission head Wafula Chebukati has said this figure will go up once data comes in about voters who were verified manually, instead of via an electronic ID kit.

At his latest briefing, , Electoral Commission Head, Wafula Chebukati said the commission had received 97 of presidential results sent in electronically, but official tallying would not begin until the physical results were received for verification.

He also referred to one of the incidents of violence reported on voting day involving an MP who is on the run for allegedly shooting dead his rival's bodyguard at a polling station.

"A murder case is a matter to be dealt with by the police, the law will take its course and justice will be served," he said.The two frontrunners in the presidential race are seasoned politicians.Mr Odinga, 77 - a long-serving opposition leader, nicknamed Baba ("father") by his supporters - is running for president for a fifth time. Mr Ruto, 55, who has tried to emphasise his connection with ordinary Kenyans by calling

2023 Elections: Sultan of Sokoto, Former CAN President Sign Peace Accord in US Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The immediate past President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, has revealed that he signed a peace accord with the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in Washington D.C. to engender unity and development in Nigeria.

Ayokunle explained that the peace accord was one of his last assignments before leaving office as CAN president.

In a statement he issued yesterday,

purported confessional statements the prosecution intends to tender in evidence before the court, with his client.

Meanwhile, trial judge Justice Jadesola Adeyemi-Ajayi has adjourned further proceedings in the matter till October 4.

Kwara Alleges Video Showing Crowd Booing Abdulrahman Happened Before He Became Gov that the governor was booed at the Kwara State Polytechnic, as alleged by the purveyors of the video, describing it as false. ”No event took place in Kwara Polytechnic on August 7, 2022, to warrant the governor being there. ”The video was taken in 2018 at the annual event organised by Ilorin Emirate’s apex sociocultural body, the IEDPU. The governor who was a candidate then,

Kenya Presidential Polls: Ruto Edges Ahead of Odinga with 51.24% to 48.11 Kenya Deputy President William Ruto is set to win the president elections as provisional results showed he is ahead with 51.24 per cent(1,795,220 votes), closely followed by Raila Odinga with 48.11 per cent (1,685,433 votes).

Other runners, George Wajackoyah has- 0.43 per cent (15,193 votes) and David Waihiga is sitting at 0.22 per cent (7,752 votes).

Tuesday's vote followed a campaign dominated by debates about living costs, unemployment and corruption.

Turnout was estimated at around 64 per cent, well short of the 80 per cent in the last

the office of the EFCC Chairman.

Uche had before the EFCC lawyer revealed that the defendant sought a plea bargain, alleged that the defendants were summoned by the anti-graft agency, a development he said made it impossible for him to discuss the issue of

Ayokunle said the peace accord, assented to by religious leaders during the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, DC, last month, accepted to unequivocally "reject and condemn all use of violence and coercion to spread or hinder political or religious views and identities, or to demean ethnic, religion, or tribal affiliation.”

Ayokunle added that the Sultan was represented at the event by Prof Usman Yusuf.

Against the background of many crises in Nigeria, which he said have had a religious context, the former

CAN leader said the accord sought to promote collaboration amongst the various traditions and faith communities present in Nigeria.

"The declaration we signed lays out a number of principles that we all Nigerians can readily affirm. It states that “all people are endowed by the Creator with inherent value and fundamental rights, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, culture, religion or the many other differences that often divide us, and that essential freedom and dignity of every person must be respected and protected," the statement explained.

himself a "hustler", is taking his first stab at the presidency.Two other candidates - David Mwaure and George Wajackoya - are also in the race.

Outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta is backing Mr Odinga, a foe turned ally, to succeed him, after a falling out with Mr Ruto.

To win the presidential race in the first round, a candidate needs: more than half of all the votes cast across the country at least 25% of the votes cast in a minimum of 24 counties.

attended the event as a special guest of his home community association. ”It is well known that this riotous and disrespectful action

by Saraki supporters and thugs was the last straw that caused the Saraki’s loss of every single elective seat in Kwara at the 2019 general elections,” Adigun alleged.

The governor who was a candidate then, the statement said, attended the event as a special guest of his home community association.

“Those who trended the video desperately meant to send the signal that an incumbent governor was being booed. That probably misled the wrong audience.

“For the Kwara audience, however, the video did the opposite.

It reminded them of the terrible old days when anyone who held a different view was treated with contempt and harassed with thugs loyal to the deposed dynasty.

“The video reminds them of the dreaded dark days when respected royalty and elders of the community were humiliated for daring to differ. The video brought back memories of when opposition leaders were denied access to public places,” Adigun said.

According to him, over the last three years of the AbdulRazaq administration, Kwara has enjoyed unprecedented peace and security as shown in cases of scheduled flights to the city of Ilorin having quadrupled.

"The Kwara government states that it was a video that retold the story of the horrors of those years, in contrast with the convivial atmosphere that the same man they harassed in the old video has now created in Kwara State.

“It is a rude awakening of Kwarans to the ugly past administrations and a timely call for them to exercise their imminent civic duty of voting to permanently bury the bad old days and its ruthless rulers.

“While the governor represents a bright new dawn of free speech, those behind the video are purveyors of fake news reminiscent of the old order. Certainly, no reasonable Kwara person wishes a return of those years where to hold a contrary view earned you jeers, indignation and violence.

“Members of the public are kindly urged to ignore the old video clip which is clearly one propaganda gone awry,” the statement noted.

Fake News: Call Your Supporters to Order, Tinubu Appeals to Peter Obi Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Tinubu Campaign Organisation (TCO) has appealed to the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Mr. Peter Obi, to call his supporters to order and allow the general election circle to be about issues that will advance the growth, progress and stability of Nigeria.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, by its Director of Media and Communications, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the TCO admonished the LP presidential candidate to get his supporters to desist from spreading lies, malice and denigrating other candidates, especially Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

TCO further stated that Nigeria will be better for it and the electoral process will be enriched if the 2023 presidential campaign sticks to issues of good governance that will lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty rather than being dominated by the ravings of guttersnipes, who do not wish the country well.

Mr. Onanuga noted that the TCO saw the need to appeal to Mr. Obi to rein in his supporters after investigating the origin of the fake report claiming that the Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo wrote a letter to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asking him to support Peter Obi and take care of his health.

The Ghanaian President had

through his official Twitter account vehemently debunked the fake news as a product of deliberate mischief with the intent to deceive the public.

“I have written no such letter to the APC leader, and it will not occur to me to do so. Ghana and Nigeria boast of decades of cordial, strong and brotherly relations, and I am not going to be the one to interfere in the internal affairs and politics of Nigeria,” said President of Ghana via Twitter.

“We have found that the fake news about Akufo-Addo’s letter was first published on June 22 by a rogue platform, whose url reads as worlsnews.space (sic) and site identity as World of News.

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THURSDAY AUGUST 11 , 2022˾ T H I S D AY

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‘APC Ruining Nigeria, Pushing Country into Failed State’ Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Ex-Minister of Youths and Sports Development and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has slammed the ruling APC regime for ruining Nigeria and pushing it into becoming a failed state.

“The nation’s economy is down as our legal tender (naira) has become worthless in the international market, and everything has gone down in all facets of the nation’s economy,” said the former minister in Ilorin during the 33rd media parliament of the Kwara council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The theme of the lecture was ‘Retooling Nigeria for Emerging Challenges’.

“In view of this, it is not an overstatement to say that the country is heading to a

failed state, and this is very unfortunate,” Abdullahi stated.

The PDP chieftain blamed

the APC for failing to fulfil its promises of bringing positive change in the lives of millions

of average Nigerians.

“This is a party that promised Nigeria a change and

see what we are facing today.

The APC-led government has brought all socio-economic and

educational sectors down. This is unfortunate,” the ex-minister stressed.

CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT…

L-R: Federal Commissioner at the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board(CDCFIB), Alhaji Ado Jafaar; Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Controller General, Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, and Assistant Controller General of Corrections, Benson Abolade Victor, at the 28th Passing Out Parade of the Assistant Superintend Corps Basic Course of the Correctional Service Staff College in Barnawa, Kaduna…yesterday

Akeredolu Clears Air on Arrest of Court Fixes August 18 for Ruling on Alleged N14bn Fraud Case Kuje Prison Escapee, Idris Ojo Wale Igbintade

Fidelis David in Akure

The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), yesterday cleared the air over the announcement of Mr. Idris Ojo, who was arrested by the security agencies, as one of the attackers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo. Akeredolu said there was a mix-up in the announcement by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, on Tuesday.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Richard Olatunde, the governor acknowledged the confusion the statement has created in the public space, considering that the ugly event of June 5 attack in Owo preceded the unfortunate

incident on Kuje prison.

He explained that Ojo, who is number 14 on the wanted list of Kuje Prison Escapees, was arrested in his brother’s house in Akure.

“The announcement of the arrest of Idris Ojo as one of the perpetrators of the June 5 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, was a mix-up from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.

“Idris Ojo, who is number 14 on the wanted list of the Kuje Prison Escapees, was arrested in his brother’s house in Akure. His brother, Mr. Jimoh Rasheed Ibrahim, received and accommodated him after his escape from Kuje prison.

‘Pyrates Confraternity Not Supporting any Presidential Candidate’ The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has said that it is non-partisan and does not have any preferred candidate for the upcoming 2023 Presidential elections.

NAS, also known as Pyrates Confraternity equally clarified that a recent viral video purportedly mocking All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu was being taken out of context for political gains.

The NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje, in a press statement entitled ‘Setting the Records Straight’ disclosed that the

organisation had a procession to round-up its 46th Annual General Meeting as its customary in all events in like manner for the past 46 years declared that no aspect of its procession was political.

“Part of the annual general meeting was the review of our entire advocacy, humanitarian and operational activities for the year.

This, then, as usual, culminated in a celebratory procession, an aspect of this yearly process that we have undertaken for the last 46 years. In our view, it proceeded without event, until this extremely limited video made this appearance.”

Enugu Governor’s Wife Preaches Peace, Love, Unity The wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugochi Ugwuanyi, has advised women in the state to love themselves, embrace peace, practice forgiveness, share gifts and positive ideas.

She also thanked the women especially the Enugu Women Prayer Network for their unceasing prayers and support for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration since 2015.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi who spoke while flagging off this year’s August meeting in Enugu, stressed that women of the state have been outstanding in their

support through prayers and effective participation in the programmes and policies of the governments at the state and local government levels.

Disclosing that the theme of the August meeting was “Women, The Home, Peace and Bridge Builders”, the Enugu Governor’s wife stated that the annual event “in Igboland represents the socio-economic and cultural development initiative of women to deliberate and proffer solutions to developmental issues concerning their homes, communities and the state.”

Justice Akintoye Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard the bail application of two suspected fraudsters, Ademola Jayeoba, and his father, Emmanuel Jayeoba, alleged to have defrauded the unsuspecting public of over N14 billion through a fake Ponzi scheme.

The two defendants, Adewale Jayeoba, and his

father Emmanuel Jayeoba, and their company, Wales Kingdom Capital Limited, were arraigned last week before Justice Nicholas Oweibo on a two-count charge of operating a banking business without a valid banking licence.

Consequent to their arraignment, Justice Oweibo adjourned the hearing of their bail application.

When the matter was called yesterday, counsel to the

defendants, Mr. Olaniyi George, told Justice Aluko, who has now assumed jurisdiction over the matter as a vacation Judge, that he has a bail application, and pleaded with the court to be allowed to move same.

However, the prosecution counsel from the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the defence had just served them with a further affidavit, which would require a response from the prosecution.

He added that if the defence can do without relying on the further affidavit, then the matter could go on.

After hearing submissions on the motion for bail and the counter by the prosecution, Justice Aluko adjourned the ruling on the bail summons till August 18. The trial Judge also directed that the defendants should remain in the custody of the EFCC till the ruling on their bail applications.

Bandits Kill Immigration Officer, Injure Two in Jigawa Ibrahim Shuaibu in Dutse

Suspected bandits attacked and killed one Immigration officer while two other officers sustained serious bullet wounds in Galadi to Birniwa area of Jigawa state.

The state Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS), Mr IA Aliyu, confirmed the incident yesterday in Dutse the state capital, explained that, on

Tuesday at about 2320hrs the bandits rode on two motorcycles, one carrying three persons and other one carrying two persons, immediately on arrival they open fire on the immigration staff members on patrol.

“The resulted in the death of one staff named Abdullahi Mohammed (CIA) and another two of the team members Abba Musa Kiyawa (DSI) and Zubairu

Garba (AII) sustained serious bullet wounds”, he said.

The comptroller said that as result of heavy exchange of fire, the bandits fled into the bush and abandoned their motorcycles and handsets.

He said the two wounded staff members were referred to General Hospital for proper medication and observation, while Abdullahi Mohammed

(CIA) who lost his life in the encounter has been buried in Dutse town.

According to him, the abandoned motorcycles are Bajaj with chasis number: MD2A18AXS7MWK81092 and the other one Royal motorcycle with chasis number: RY157FMINILI2607 with handset (Tech T5) will be handover to police for further investigation.

Gombe Pledges Collaboration with UNICEF on Education, Healthcare Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with development partners towards the upliftment of the standard of the living of the people of Gombe State.

The governor made the position known while receiving a delegation from

the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) who paid him a courtesy visit on the sidelines of its inspection visit to Gombe State yesterday.

He appreciated the support of the UN agency in executing projects especially in critical sectors of education and health.

The governor noted that Gombe State is a beneficiary of many collaborative projects and programmes with UNICEF,

citing the successful mopping up and enrolment of about 400,000 out of school children through BESDA as one of the instances where Gombe benefited a lot.

He specifically recognised the inputs of UNICEF and other UN agencies in drafting the State’s ten year development plan which he said aligns with the UN’s SDGs and UNICEF’s vision

and mission.

“Our 10-year development plan aligned with the targets of SDGs, Unicef and all United Nations agencies that are collaborating with us towards improving the standard of living of our people,” he said.

Governor Inuwa intimated the team of his administration’s great achievements of providing healthcare services to the people.

NAPTIP Denies Receiving Underaged Girls Rescued from Port Harcourt Brothel Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons, (NAPTIP) in Rivers State, has denied insinuation that the underaged girls forced into prostitution at a brothel in Azikiwe street, Mile 2, Port Harcourt, were

rescued and handed over to the agency last Saturday.

In an interview in Port Harcourt, the Head of NAPTIP in the State, Nwamaka Ikediashi, said the Police never handed over anybody to them.

She explained that they heard of the arrest of the underaged commercial sex

workers but no victim or suspect was handed over to NAPTIP. The NAPTIP Commander revealed that on her visit to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Eboka Friday on Tuesday, to discuss with him on the matter, said the CP told her that the matter may have been charged to

court.

“Police never handed over anybody to us. We just heard of the arrest but they didn’t hand any victim or suspects to us. And I have taken pain to see the Commissioner of Police and discuss with him over the matter. He told me that is like the matter has been charged to court”.

Shareholders Restate Confidence in Oando Management

Shareholders of Oando Plc yesterday restated confidence on the management of the company while urging the government to work with stakeholders to tackle the challenges facing the oil and gas industry.

A statement posted by Oando

said the shareholders made this known at the 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos.

The statement said the shareholders were represented by proxies of their various associations at the AGM in line with the COVID-19 safety

protocols.

According to the statement, all resolutions proposed at the meeting were approved including the election of Mrs Nana Mede and Mrs Ronke Shokefun as Non-Executive Directors.

Also approved were the

election of Adeola Ogunsemi as an Executive Director, the re-election of Ike Osakwe, Ademola Akinrele and Dr Ainojie Irune as Directors, the election of audit committee members and the approval of the remuneration of NonExecutive Directors.

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Court Jails Cleric, Two Others for Impersonating EFCC, ICPC in A’Ibom OkonBasseyinUyo An Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo, the state capital, yesterday sentenced three persons to various terms of imprisonment for impersonating the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its sister agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices (and other related offences) Commission (ICPC).

A cleric, Reverend Nobert Rampa, 53, a native of Ekpene Ukim in Uruan Local Government Area was among those convicted by the court for fraudulent deals under the cover of the EFCC and ICPC. Rampa was found guilty of defrauding people under false pretences of being a senior official working for the two anti-graft agencies.

Others convicted are a barber, Gabriel Udo, 34, from Mbiafum Ikot Abasi village in Ini LGA, and a patent medicine dealer, Patrick

Essien, 52, from Uruan LGA of the state. The presiding Judge, Justice Archibong Archibong, said the convicts were found guilty of

the charges of conspiracy, forgery and impersonating public officers.

They were convicted under Section 552, 112 and 495 of the

Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, 2000.

In about two hours’ judgement,

Archibong held that: “From the totality of the evidence of prosecution and defence witnesses as well as the exhibits before the

court, I am satisfied that the prosecution has proven the case against the accused persons as required by the law.”

YOUTH DAY OF SERVICE …

L-R: Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Mr. FemiTaiwo; Corporate Communications Manager, Beer Sectoral Group, Mrs. Eniola Alli; Chief Executive Officer, LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni; Country Manager, DOW Nigeria, Mr. Adebisi Adeoti, and Director of Programmes, LEAP Africa, Anabelle Nwakanma, at the 2022 Youth Day of Service press briefing in Ikoyi, Lagos… yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Notorious Cultist, Rashidi Oko- IG Stresses Role of Monarchs in Crime Prevention Ilu, Remanded for Alleged Murder, Arson in Osun Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

A notorious cultist, Rasheed Hammed, popularly known as Oko-ilu, who has been allegedly terrorising Ede in Osun State, has been remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre.

The police had arrested Hammed last Saturday after three months of being declared wanted for committing various capital offences.

Oko-ilu was arraigned yesterday afternoon on a nine-count charge at a Chief Magistrate Court in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The charge includes conspiracy to commit felony, unlawful killings, engaging in unlawful society, illegal

possession of arms among others.

Chief Magistrate, Olusegun Ayilara, ordered the suspect be remanded in custody due to the magnitude of the offences allegedly committed.

A charge sheet obtained by THISDAY yesterday in the court read that “Rasheed and others now at large, between February 13, 2020 and of August 7, 2022, at Ede, Osun State, in the Ede Magistrate District, did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony to wit: murder, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap. 34 Vol. Il Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

Dismissed DPO, 59 Others Jailed for Drug Trafficking Laleye Dipo inMinna A dismissed Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Eniola Emmanuel, and his accomplice, George Monday Chika, are among the 61 suspects convicted and sentenced to various prison terms for drug trafficking in Niger State.

Emmanuel and Chika are to spend 24 months each in the Minna Correctional Centre for being in possession of 168kG of cannabis sativa.

The conviction of the dismissed DPO is the high point of the convictions recorded by the Niger

State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) between January and July this year.

The duo and others were sentenced to the prison terms by a Federal High Court Judge, Justice Aminu Garba, in Minna.

The dismissed DPO, it was learnt was sacked from the Ondo State Command of The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for gross misdemeanor, and was arrested for drug trafficking by operatives of the Niger State Command of the agency early this year.

Woman Kills Lesbian Partner’s Husband in Onitsha David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

An unidentified lady has killed a staff of the College of Health in Onitsha, stabbing him to death with a knife.

THISDAY gathered that the man, who was simply identified as Ikechukwu, came home on Tuesday night to behold his wife in bed with another woman.

His wife, unknown to him was a lesbian, and had been keeping a female sex partner. On catching them in the act, sources said the lady quickly attacked the man with a kitchen knife, stabbing him to death, after an argument ensued.

“The news has been everywhere in Onitsha today.

People are so surprised how Ayaaya (Ikechukwu’s nickname) was killed.

“He was a very handsome guy, and he is an admin staff at the college. How his wife left such a handsome young man to become a lesbian to the point of bringing sexual partners to the house is still a wonder.”

Another Respondent, Mrs. Uju said: “Ikechukwu is a very popular guy in the neighborhood.

He is also known as “Onye Obodo”. He got married to the lady in 2019.”

Meanwhile, police authorities in Anambra State have confirmed the incident, saying that the lesbian partner has been arrested.

The Inspector General of Police (IG) Usman Alkali Baba, has underscored the relevance of traditional rulers as critical stakeholders in crime prevention and control.

Baba stated this yesterday when he paid homage on the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, at his palace

in company of the Governor of Gombe State, Mr. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

He said that the traditional institution remained key in the achievement of community policing initiative of the Nigeria Police Force where all citizens are expected to participate effectively.

The inspector general reiterated commitment of Nigerian Police to carrying traditional rulers along

in new strategies to combat crime and criminality in the country.

He explained that the need for that has become a categorical imperative now that the security situation in the country is worrisome.

Alkali also encouraged the monarch to promote the inculcation of norms and values among the people to reduce vices in societies.

He further disclosed that with the successful training and deployment of 10,000 police officers, another batch of 10,000 is being recruited, urging the royal father to encourage interested young people in the state to participate in line with President Muhammadu Buhar’s directive that all the 774 local government areas in the country must be represented in the exercise.

Man Jailed for Attempted Rape, Assault on Teenager in Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced a 40-year-old man, Oladipupo Seun, to 16- year jail term for attempted rape and assault of a minor.

In his judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye said: “I have evidence before me that the defendant assaulted Mariam intentionally. I have

no doubt in my mind that it was the defendant and no other person that assaulted Mariam at the midnight of February 18, 2021.

“The prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant assaulted Mariam indecently.

He is found guilty as charged on both counts one and two accordingly.

“The defendant is hereby convicted as charged in counts one and two contrary to the provisions of 359 and 360 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

“On count one, the defendant is sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, while on count two, the defendant is hereby sentenced to two years imprisonment.”

The charge read that the defendant on February 19, 2021, at Igede Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun area of Ekiti State, within the jurisdiction of the court, did attempt to rape one 18-year-old Mariam.

The offences, according to the charge, contravened Sections 359, and 360 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

UNDP, Katsina to Provide Free Education for Orphans Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Government has partnered the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide free primary and secondary school education for orphan caused by banditry in the state.

The state Governor, Aminu Bello Masari who disclosed this at a one year anniversary of

the Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KTSCHMA), said the UNDP in collaboration with the government would also empower widows and other victims of banditry.

He explained that the state government was currently conducting a census across the frontline local government areas to ascertain the number

of orphans and widows for the commencement of the free education and empowerment programmes.

Masari said: “We are conducting a census, and there is a very good development.

I am happy to hear that this organisation (KTSCHMA) is putting its attention, especially on those local government areas that are badly affected-they are

all badly affected but some are more directly badly affected than others.

“We are happy that UNDP has seen what we have done and are also partnering us to see how we can take care of these orphans and widows by empowering them. Orphans who are of school age will be offered primary to secondary school education.”

JAMB Releases Results of 2022 UTME Mop-up Examination Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of the recently conducted mopup examination for 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME). This was revealed in a statement issued by the Board Head of Public

Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja yesterday.

Benjamin said the Board had put in placed a user-friendly and simplified process of checking UTME results in line with its desire to adhere to the ease of doing business protocol of the government.

He said: “To check the results of the 2022 Unified Tertiary

Matriculation Examination (UTME) mop-up examination result conducted on August 6, all a candidate needs to do is to simply send RESULT to 55019.

This will be done by using the same phone number that he/ she had used for registration, and the result would be returned as a text message.

“Candidates can also print

their result from the Board website, www.jamb.gov.ng, after linking their email address to their profile.”

He said the simplified process would also preclude the exploitation of candidates by shylock business centres and cybercafés that often take advantage of hapless candidates.

NDLEA Calls for More Private Sector Participation in War against Drug Abuse Ayodeji Ake

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has called for more participation by nongovernmental organisations and well-to-do individuals in the fight against the endemic

drug abuse crisis in the country.

He made this call recently when he paid a working visit to the Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry (CADAM) at the Enoch and Folu Adeboye Rehabilitation Centre, Araga, Epe, Lagos.

While commending staff and management of CADAM, who he described as ‘doing

a wonderful job’, Marwa called on Nigerians to emulate CADAM in the fight against the scourge of drug abuse.

“In this war against drug abuse, the totality of Nigerians has to stand up, not leaving the work only to the NDLEA or CADAM. “We all have to stand up to take back our country from the stranglehold of drug abuse.

Well-to-do individuals, NGOs and private organisations can augment our effort by setting up private rehab centres such as what CADAM is doing.

“We only have 11 modern rehab centres in Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Health.

This is not enough. Recently, I was invited to inaugurate one in Ogbomosho set up by a community.”

39

THURSDAY, ͹͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

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Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

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Benzema’s Landmark Clinches Super Cup for Real

Karim Benzema continued his Ballon d'Or pursuit with a 324th goal for European champions Real Madrid as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 to lift the UEFA Super Cup in Helsinki.

Carlo Ancelotti's side, who beat Liverpool to win the Champions League in May, took the lead when David Alaba tapped into an empty net, with Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp stranded following Casemiro's header back across goal.

Benzema doubled the Spanish giants' lead after the break with a first-time finish from Vinicius Jr's cross to move second on Real's all-time goalscoring list, overtaking Raul and behind only Cristiano Ronaldo who has 450 goals.

Frankfurt, making their Super Cup debut, had moments of their own - the best when Daichi Kamada was sent through early on, but the Europa League winners looked second best once Real hit their stride.

Ancelotti named the same XI that started the Champions League final and there was a swagger to Real's play that comes with being crowned European champions for the 14th time - and now adding a fifth Super Cup to their trophy cabinet.

Frankfurt, meanwhile, earned a place in the continent's top-tier competition with their Europa League penalty shootout success over Rangers.

This meeting was their first against Real Madrid since a 7-3 defeat in the 1960 European Cup final and will give the Bundesliga side a gauge of what is to come.

Real Madrid players celebrating the 2-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt to win the Super Cup last night in Helsinki

Dessers Dumps Genk for Newly Betsy Obaseki Football Tournament ‘ll Drive Campaign Promoted Serie A Cremonese against Drug Abuse, Trafficking , Says Shaibu Femi Solaja with agency report

Super Eagles forward, Cyriel Dessers has joined newly-promoted Italian Serie A club Cremonese from Belgian side Genk for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old was top scorer in the inaugural Europa Conference League last season with 10 goals for runners-up Feyenoord.

"I feel like a child unwrapping his Christmas gift by joining one of the most illustrious leagues in the world," Dessers said. Belgiumborn Dessers, who decided to play international football for Nigeria in 2020, was on loan at Feyenoord last season from Genk.

He scored 11 times in 43 appearances for Genk after joining in 2020 from Dutch side Heracles, where his 15 league goals saw him finish as the Eredivisie's joint-top scorer in the 2019-20 season.

Dessers also hit 29 goals in 40 matches for NAC Breda in the second tier in 2016-17, before he joined top-flight Utrecht and scored 19 times in 56 games.

Dessers' most impressive campaign came at Feyenoord, scoring 20 goals and adding four assists in 41 appearances.

"It is going to be a difficult challenge full of obstacles, but I am ready to defend the colours of Cremonese," Dessers added.

"I'm looking forward to living a childhood dream in a new environment and doing all I can to help the team in the battles ahead."

Cremonese, back in Serie A for the first time since 1995-96, have not disclosed the length of his contract.

Dessers, who was born in Leuven to a Belgian father and qualifies for Nigeria through his mother, has won three caps for Nigeria, scoring one international goal.

Delta Set for 1st KickBoxing Championship in Asaba All is now set for the maiden edition of the Diamond Superstars National Open male and female Kickboxing Championship scheduled to hold between August 15 and 21, 2022 at the Delta State Sports Complex in Asaba.

Secretary General of the Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria (kBFN), Mr. Olalekan Faseesin, disclosed this in Lagos yesterday.

He hinted that the championship is inconjuntion with the the Delta State Sports Commission and the Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria, and is being sponsored

by Nigerian global ring Superstar, LovethPatra Ekufu.

Popularly known as "Nigerian Terminator” due to her combativeness while inside the ring, Ekufu remains the first African female

Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts world Champion.

Ekufu's global ring achievement include, two-time kickboxing world champion, three-time Mix Martial Arts(MMA) world champion, 25 times kickboxing champion, five time National Boxing Champion, African Wushu champion and two time Muay Thai National champion to mention a few , thereby earning herself the honour of being the most decorated African female fighter of all time at the world stage.

However, President of Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Wilson Okon, praised Ekufu for giving back to the society that made her by sponsoring the championship.

The Edo State Deputy Governor and Vice-Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT), Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has said the second edition of the yearly football tournament will drive the government’s campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Shaibu said this while briefing journalists in Government House, Benin City, on the preparedness of the state to host the second edition of the tournament.

He said the tournament which will commence on the 7th of September 2022will have 12 teams participating, with 10 coming from the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), while the other best two female teams from Edo State will join the competition, adding, “The opportunity given to the teams from the state is to expose our young girls and catch them young.”

Shaibu noted that “At the final of the competition on the 17th of September 2022, first ladies from the 36 states of the federation will attend the game at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.”

He continued: “We don't

discriminate in Edo State as this is the only state where our female and male football teams earn the same salaries. We are building up the girl-child and giving them support to thrive in all they do. Look at the performance of our female team in the Commonwealth Games, winning 12 gold medals while

the men won none. Females need to be encouraged to do better.

“Women football has come to stay in Edo State as we appreciate our First Lady, Betsy Obaseki for making the competition an annual event and a pre-season tournament to prepare our girls.

“We are using this year's tournament to create publicity

and awareness against drug abuse and trafficking. We have upgraded the tournament. It will take place in different locations in Edo State.

We have built 20 mini-stadium in the state and will be using two of them including the University of Benin Sports Complex and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.”

The deputy governor added,

L-R: Special Adviser to Edo State Governor, Media Projects and Chairman, Media and Communication SubCommittee, Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT), Crusoe Osagie; Edo State Deputy Governor and Vice Chairman, BOWFT, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sport Commission and Chairperson, Accommodation/Ceremonials/Protocol Sub-Committee, BOWFT, Mrs. Sabina Chikere, during the press conference to herald the tournament at the Government House, in Benin City...yesterday

Africa FAs Back Infantino for Third Term as FIFA President African football will support FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, in his re-election bid next year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Patrice Motsepe, announced yesterday.

CAF officially endorsed the candidacy of Infantino at its general assembly in Tanzania on Wednesday, with Motsepe reiterating support from the confederation itself and also on behalf of member associations to "our brother based in Europe".

Re-elected unopposed as president of football's world governing body in 2019,Infantino is set to stand for a third term at the 73rd FIFA congress next year.

"We discussed at the executive committee meeting that in recognition of the huge contributions, commitment and the track record that you've built in terms of improving African football, all 54 member nations have taken a resolution to vote for you (Gianni Infantino) for re-election," said Motsepe.

"He has shown so much commitment and love to football in Africa. I've been honoured whilst visiting about 30 nations over the last year, to hear the people who love football on the African continent as well as the presidents of football in all of the 54 African nations.

"They've said that the work Gianni Infantino has done, the visible improvements and the contribution to African football is greatly appreciated."

No other candidate has yet declared an interest in standing in the FIFA elections against Infantino, who was first elected president in February 2016.

The 52-year-old Swiss-Italian took to the stage in Tanzania to thank Africa for its support and pledged his continuous backing to the game on the continent.

He then joined Motsepe for the launch of Africa's new Super League, which is scheduled to start in the 2023-24 campaign.

Thursday, August 11, 2022

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Irabor to Nigerians “A nation is as strong as its military and there are various avenues you can weaken your military. Some people are strong physically, but you can attack them emotionally and their strength will be useless. Do not allow the people to weaken the emotional strength of the armed forces. If you do, every one of us will be the loser”—Chief of Defence Staff, Lt General Lucky Irabor, seeking support for the military as they fight insecurity in the country.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI ‘Eat the Oil Money; We Take the Crude’ THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

W

hen you live in a glass house, as they say on the street, you don’t walk naked. But that conventional wisdom must have been lost on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, despite his considerable experience in politics spanning decades. In a viral video a day after the party’s primaries that nominated former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential candidate for the 2023 general election, Ayu venerated the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, as the hero of their presidential convention.

Since what Tambuwal did to earn the accolade was to step down for Atiku, the import of Ayu’s statement was that the primaries had been programmed to nominate one man while any other outcome would have defeated such agenda. To compound the problem, the party set up a 17-man committee to shortlist three candidates for the position of running mate.

Ordinarily, when a committee is tasked with such an assignment, you don’t force the hands of the appointing authority. But the members went beyond their brief to announce that 14 of them voted for the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (who came second at the primaries). Three members were said to have endorsed Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa. When Atiku eventually picked Okowa as his running mate, Wike’s supporters, led

by Benue State Governor Sam Ortom, went on a media blitz to attack the choice. Ortom, who at one point said he was hibernating in a prayer room, waiting for God to direct him whom to vote for at the 2023 election, has of course changed tune on the matter but the damage is done.

In my column of 7th May 2015, ‘Inside the PDP Tower of Babel’, I wrote of the problems ahead for the party that had just lost the presidential election. And from the evidence of the past seven years, it is reasonable to conclude that the PDP seems to be as incapable of managing defeat as it was of managing its victory while in power for 16 years. With an orchestrated invitation of opposition governors (former and sitting) to come and commission projects in his state, Wike is raising the stakes every day, causing apprehension in the main opposition party. But he should also learn from history. In a previous disquisition on the PDP, someone who signed off as ERG, wrote: “The Umbrella was designed to give shelter to a finite number of persons, notably the man holding it (party chairman) and the one for whom it is meant to be covering (president or its presidential candidate). All other renegade passengers can exit into the rain in their trench coats”.

I don’t know what the endgame is but I hope that Wike is not burning his bridges.

Since he has promised to tell Nigerians what is provoking his recent actions and utterances, I will delay my comment on the unending fiasco in the PDP until I hear from him.

In any case, there are far more important issues to deal with. For instance, I have in the past few days followed the interesting drama in France of the rescue operation launched for a stranded beluga whale in Seine River. Although it was euthanized yesterday after developing health complication, I am sure many of my readers will consider me mad to write about a dead whale in France when Nigerian universities are under lock

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke and key. For those who still care, this is the seventh month that Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members have been on strike. How do we build a secure future for our children with such a cynical disposition to education, which ordinarily is the bedrock of every society?

Whatever may be their grouse, there are serious integrity issues which require more than throwing humongous sums of money at the lecturers to resolve. At the minimum, ASUU must also embrace transparency and accountability. I remember that almost a decade ago, ASUU forbade its members from filling a form distributed by the National University Commission (NUC) for a staff and student audit in the university system. How lecturers would oppose planning with data beats me but the argument of ASUU at the time was that the federal government could not be trusted with what it wanted to use the statistics for.

Like the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) which ASUU also rejects on spurious grounds, that proposition would have revealed all those teaching ‘full time’ in two or more universities as well as those doing little or no academic work, but demanding uniform earned allowances etc.

Let us also not forget those who are teaching courses in which they lack even the basic knowledge!

After decades of crisis in our public education system, I believe we have come to a critical juncture in which we need to engage in honest conversations about so many issues, including the state of infrastructure, alternative sources of funding, curriculum models, instructional methods, staffing policies as well as available educational resources in terms of libraries, laboratories, computers etc. Not to mention whether the current regime of free tuition can realistically be sustained. Such intervention is important because even if we resolve the current ASUU strike, we may soon be back to square one. Sadly, intellectuals who you ordinarily believe should be interrogating our problems with a view to proffering practical solutions beyond ‘give us money’ are behaving as if they are under the tutelage of MC Oluomo. But we deceive ourselves to imagine that as a nation, we can wobble and fumble our way into the future. Therefore, it is time we rally to resolve the ongoing crisis so that our students can go back to their campuses. After that, we can begin a serious conversation about public education in Nigeria.

Perhaps we should leave education for now and look at the state of our economy. In an April 2013 edition of ‘Economist’ magazine that I still keep in my study are two interesting stories about Nigeria. The first quoted Jim O’Neill, member of the United Kingdom House of Lords (at that time a Goldman Sachs economist) saying that with its huge potential, Nigeria deserves a better place on the global economic table. Higher than even South Africa. As for the second story, the introduction sums up the paradox: “Like a heavyweight boxer who has gone too many rounds, Nigeria sometimes seems punch-drunk.

One minute it acts like a champion by virtue of the size of its girth and the smile on its face, the next it could be flat on its back, groaning in anguish. On the whole, the country

Penchant for Last-minute Rush

F

or more than a year that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) campaigned for those who had not registered to vote to do so, not many Nigerians paid attention. When the exercise was about to close, millions of people rushed in at the same time to do what they could have done many months ago with ease. In the process, they have created a needless confusion in the polity. This is a Nigerian malaise we must deal with as we also experience every year with the annual Teens Career Conference of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) Abuja.

The registration portal opened about five weeks ago. By the time we close the portal hopefully by this weekend, we will then begin

to get calls and messages from parents who want their children to attend. And when we decline, many of them take it personal.

With the theme, ‘Why Tomorrow’s Leaders Must Begin Today’, the speakers for the 2022 edition are Samson Itodo, Executive Director, YIAGA-Africa and member of the Kofi Annan Foundation Board, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, an award winning actress and model, and Seun Onigbinde, a social entrepreneur, open data analyst and co-founder/CEO of budgIT. Like previous editions, the conference will bring together teenagers from Abuja and its environs to listen to expert advice on career choices in today’s dynamic and challenging world. Details about the conference are on www.rccgteapteens.ng.

is tottering along, acclaimed as much for its massive potential as for its actual achievements.

It is still a sick man all the same.”

No better sector of our national life exemplifies that than the oil and gas industry.

On Monday in Owerri, Imo State, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, described oil theft as a “national emergency”, after admitting that Nigeria “had fallen short of OPEC daily quota, from 1.8 million barrels to 1.4 million barrels, due to crude theft”, meaning that we lose 400,000 barrels per day.

But as grim as that revelation may seem, this is also an old tale.

In August 2012 (exactly a decade ago), Al Jazeera television did a report on this same issue. It followed the disclosure by the then Coordinating Minister for Economy and current Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that Nigeria was losing as much as 400,000 barrels per day to these cartels. “Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s finance minister, has said the trade in stolen oil has led to a fall in official sales of about 400,000 barrels a day – a 17 per cent drop – in April alone. With average April prices of $121 per barrel, this results in a loss of $1.4bn,” the television reported. “According to the authorities, the trade in stolen oil also involves sophisticated criminal networks and international traders who provide oil at discounted prices to refineries in West Africa, China and India.”

What I find most interesting in the Al Jazeera report is that the station spoke to a military commander as well as the head of the oil theft cartel. “Nobody is going to be spared, no matter how highly placed. We are here to protect the oil and gas sector of Nigerian economy,” Lieutenant Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, a spokesman for the task force charged with stopping oil theft at the time, reportedly told Al Jazeera. But he did not have the last word on the matter. “It’s mainly because of anger we are doing this job, because the government and oil companies don’t recognise us,” one Ibegi Alakoroa said to be the leader of illegal bunkerers also told Al Jazeera. “We want to tell the politicians that Nigeria’s oil is for all of us. They eat the oil revenue in Abuja, and we take the crude down here. That’s how it’s going to be,” the channel quoted the Alakoroa as saying. “Each day they continue burning our refineries, but we say: ‘Let’s go back to the job again and we go back immediately.’”

Continued on page 22

Yusuf Alli @ 60

T

hat Yusuf Alli, the Managing Editor, Northern Operations of The Nation newspapers is one of the finest allround journalists in Nigeria today is without any dispute. But that’s not what marks him out. Even though he once edited all the PUNCH titles (Saturday, Sunday and daily), his humility is unparalleled. That is perhaps because he sees himself basically as a reporter—the hallmark of a true professional in this business. On Monday, he joined the elite sexagenarian club, even though he doesn’t look it. I wish my egbon, Alhaji Yusuf Alli many more glorious years ahead in good health.

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