TUESDAY 22TH AUGUST 2023

JP Morgan: With $4.5bn Debt Service, Lower FX Position, Nigeria Requires Sustained Reforms to Attract Capital Inflows Expresses worry that Tinubu’s cabinet dominated by politicians ICAN: NNPCL’s $3bn loan insufficient to stabilise FX market without increased crude oil production, export James Emejo in Abuja and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos Nigeria’s high debt service rate amid

relatively low net foreign exchange position calls for continued reforms to attract foreign capital inflows, according to a report by global

ratings agency, JP Morgan.

The global investment bank released its report, as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria

(ICAN), yesterday, declared that the emergency $3 billion crude oil repayment loan facility provided by the Nigerian National Petroleum

Company Limited (NNPCL) to ease the liquidity in the foreign exchange market would be insufficient if Nigeria could not increase its

production and export of crude oil.

According to JP Morgan, while Continued on page 10

Shettima Leaves for Johannesburg to Represent Nigeria at BRICS Summit... Page 10 Tuesday 22 August, 2023 Vol 28. No 10359. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Infrastructure Bank, FEMADEC Group Partner to Boost Gas-powered Transport System... Page 12

Ministers Assume Office, Set Agenda, Targets Ndubuisi Francis, Olawale Ajimotokan, Emmanuel Addeh, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, James Emejo, Michael Olugbode, Kasim Sumaina, Kuni Tyessi and Alex Enumah in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu’s ministers – 45 of them – yesterday, took their oaths of office, administered on them by the president and immediately, they began to set targets and agenda for their respective ministries shortly after reporting at their desks.

The ministers, who took over at their offices, some 85 days after the administration of Tinubu assumed power, all claimed to understand the weight of the assignment handed them and were determined to succeed.

While they largely thanked the president for considering them worthy for the task ahead, some of them had started to talk tough, saying the work at hand demanded such a tough start.

They all gave an overview of

what their leadership might look like by design and in sync with the renewed hope agenda of the Tinubu administration at different engagements with journalists in their offices.

The one common denomina-

tor, however, by practically all the ministers was that they all claimed the president gave them specific mandates, which formed the fulcrum of their agenda-setting, Continued on page 5

Tinubu to Cabinet: You Are Appointed to Serve Nigeria, Not Ethnic, Regional Interests Administers oath of office on 45 cabinet members Charges them to serve with dignity, integrity, competence Wike: PDP governors made 10 ministerial nominations Berates opposition party's members calling for his suspension

Story on page 10

THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CABINET...

Some on front row: R-L Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru; Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima; SGF, George Akume, and others, in group photograph with President after administering the oath of office on them at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ... yesterday

2

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 •T H I S D AY

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 • T H I S D AY

3

4

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 •T H I S D AY

5

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

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

NEWS

HANDSHAKE TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY...

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu (1) in a handshake with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during oath taking and inauguration ceremony as Minister at the Banquet hall, Aso Villa... yesterday

M I N I ST E R S AS S U M E O F F I C E , S E T AG E N DA , TA R G E T S upon reporting at their various desks.

Edun to Nigerians: Your Economic Pains Will Be over Soon

the Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy.

Ahmed assured Edun of the of his support and the loyalty of the management and staff of the Ministry.

The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties of the ministry, Mr. Okokon Udo, in his welcome address, assured Edun of they had a responsibility to perform and deliver on the mandate. their readiness and commitment towards the realisation of the president's vision for Nigeria's economy.

Wike: I Have President’s Mandate to Sanitise FCT

Fagbemi: I’m Open to Suggestions, Constructive Criticisms

The Minister of Finance and the Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, has solicited the support of the management and staff of his ministry to actualise President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the current pains as a result of some of the president’s policies would soon be over.

According to a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Stephen Kilebi, the minister who acknowledged the trust, opportunity and honour given to him to serve said Tinubu's key macro, monetary and fiscal measures might have taken a toll on Nigerians, it would be at the economy's advantage.

Noting that they had a responsibility to perform and deliver on the president’s mandate, he said, "We must deliver and we must perform" adding that the expectations of Nigerians from the president were high and so he had come to correct most abnormalities, promising to do whatever that was possible to minimise the sufferings of Nigerians.

Assuring the people that “the pains of Tinubu's reforms would soon be over,” he explained that as the Minister of Finance and the Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, his job was to help in sustaining the reforms initiated by the former Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Samsuna Ahmed.

He promised to build on her achievements, so as to take the country to greater heights, stating that governance is a continuum.

Edun, who reiterated the need for team work, noted that, it was the only way to achieve success, even as he added that the ministry was not new to him because he had been in and out of the Ministry for a purpose, but would utilise digitalisation of the ministry as an advantage to fasten his job.

Earlier, his Permanent Secretary, Mallam Aliyu Ahmed, in his remarks stated that the minister's antecedents and pedigree with over 30 years of experience in the finance sector made the cap really fit as the Minister of Finance and

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, yesterday, assumed duty and said he was open to both suggestions and constructive criticisms.

Fagbemi was received by the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, directors and top management staff of the Ministry of Justice along with Heads of Parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Justice.

In a brief remark, he appealed to the staff of the ministry to redouble their efforts in the discharge of their duties, adding that, the office of the AGF was strategic as it services all government Ministries, Department and Agencies.

While soliciting the cooperation of the Permanent Secretary and staff of the ministry in view of achieving his mandate, he said he would be open tosuggestions and constructive criticism, adding that, “If you must criticise, you proffer solutions also.”

Fagbemi, who pointed out that, the ultimate goal of any lawyer was to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said, he was, “happy that one, two, three of you are SAN. Before I leave office, we are going to have many more in the ministry.”

He, however, warned against acts of insubordination and urged the management and staff of the ministry to be guided by their conscience and the oath of office they took.

Earlier in his welcome address, the SGF and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Jeddy-Agba pledged the support and un-alloyed loyalty of management and staff of the ministry to enable the minister function well in office.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, said he had secured the mandate of President Bola Tinubu to sanitise Abuja into a world class city within a very short time regardless of ‘whose ox is gored’.

Making the disclosure at a news briefing, where he unveiled his 10-point agenda, Wike, who was accompanied by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, vowed to step on toes in his bid to sanistise the nation’s capital.

"We will bring FCT back to where it ought to be. So many people have complained that this is not the FCT of the founding fathers. We must tackle issue of security. FCT should be where people come for holidays.

“It is not going to be business as usual. So many people have complained that the FCT has lost the sense for which it was established by its founding fathers. We have to make the FCT one of the best cities in the world. This is one of the things we want to do in the short, medium and long terms.

“Abuja is supposed to be one of the safest places in the world. The issue of security must be tackled and we are ready to provide all the necessary logistics for the security agencies to do their work. I already know the problems from Rivers, where I came from. Our duty is to provide the tools to support the security agencies.

“After that, I won’t tolerate any excuses. If they can’t safeguard the place then we will continue to have problems.

The Police Commissioner must identify all the hotspots in the FCT and treat those who steal manholes as armed robbers. I don’t want to fail Mr President for having the confidence by appointing a person from the opposition like me as a minister,” Wike said.

He further warned that his administration would not take excuses from security agencies as they would provided with the required tools to work as issue of security is germane.

The former governor of River State, however, decried poor sanitation in Abuja and indiscriminate sprouting up of markets in every nook and cranny of the city, and vowed that the administration would not tolerate such practice as it bred insecurity.

Continued on page xx

6

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

ALAKE REPORTS AT SOLID MINERALS...

L-R, Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu; and the Minister of State for Steel Development, Maigari Uba Ahmadu, during their resumption of PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE office at the ministry after their inauguration in Abuja yesterday

M I N I ST E R S AS S U M E O F F I C E , S E T AG E N DA , TA R G E T S

Pate: We’re Going to Drive Health Sector Reforms

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof.

Muhammad Ali Pate, has said he was ready to implement policies that would enhance the standard of the health sector and improve the lives of Nigerians.

Pate, who said this at a reception held for him at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja, noted that, “I will work with my brother, the minister of state and everybody to actualise the vision and mandate of President Bola Tinubu.”

He added that the selection of ministers for the health ministry by the president indicated that “he considers the people as the basis and foundational element of his administration.”

He further reiterated his intention to work with health actors, parastatals, hospitals, states and private sectors in improving the standard of healthcare, in order to stall oversea medical tourism.

The Minister of State, Dr. Tunji Alausa (FMOH), commended the management and staff of the Ministry for the warm reception, asserting also that health care covered not only hospitals but physical health, social security, national security and others.

He stated that people deserved basic comprehensive internationally acceptable healthcare services, promising also that they were determined to achieve this feat to improve lives.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has promised to unveil the administration's foreign policy vision in a few days’ time.

The minister, who gave this promised yesterday shortly after assuming office, spoke at a reception where friends, supporters and staff of the ministry were on hand to receive him.

Speaking at the short reception which also had in attendance, the Emir of Bichi, Nasir Ado Bayero, the minister said it was the highest honour to have been asked to serve the country by President Tinubu.

He however, called for the support of the staff in the efforts to place Nigeria in its true position at the international front, stating that it was the responsibility of the staff to uphold the standard of the ministry.

Tuggar added that the time was challenging, given the current situation, but noted that, “it is the highest honour to be asked to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs by President Bola Tinubu.”

He said: “The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is at the forefront of promoting Nigeria's interest and protecting our citizens abroad. As a historically important ministry, foreign affairs has long represented the high standard of excellence. It is, therefore, our job to make sure that those standards never fail. Each and every one of us has a key role to play.

"These are turbulent times. From the unfolding political crisis in Niger Republic to the regional insecurity and economic uncertainty, we have a lot of work to do. In the coming days, I will be meeting with many of you to better understand the needs of the ministry and develop plans to tackle these challenges.

“In due time, we will also be unveiling a new vision for Nigeria's foreign policy. The four D diplomacy which is centred on development, democracy, demography and diaspora.

"We hope to find modern solutions in order to address complex modern problems. I will count on your support and partnership. I believe with your support, we can place Nigeria where she belongs at the pinnacle of regional and global decision making.”

given to him by the president.

Pledging continuity in the work that had been done in the sector and as well improve on the modus operandi, Keyamo, in a statement by the Head of Press of the Ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi, said, "I'm people-oriented, and my aim is to satisfy people."

Speaking earlier on behalf of the Directors and staff of the Ministry, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, spoke about the preparedness of staff to work with the minister.

“We know you are here to continue the good work of Mr President as it concerns the aviation sector and we assure you of our commitment to make sure we deliver our mandate," he said.

The Union Chairman, Hector Nnadi, in his brief remark expressed optimism that the Minister, following his track records and being a youth, full of energy, would perform well as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace.

Umahi: I want Professionalism, Commitment to Work

Keyamo: To Succeed, We Need Transparency, Team Spirit

Tuggar: Expect New Foreign Policy Vision Soon

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, yesterday, on assumption of duty as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development said, transparency, team spirit and selflessness were what could lead to the actualisation of the mandate

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, yesterday, on assuming duty, called for professionalism and commitment to work, and advocated change from the old style to embracing innovations and local content.

Addressing a cross-section of staff of the ministry, Umahi said, “I will challenge my fellow engineers on the issue of concrete technology even in the midst of forex challenge and petroleum crises. The nation is endowed with natural resources, so we should be prepared for the renewed hope of the present government anchored on change.”

Describing himself as a ‘field person’, the former Ebonyi State governor said, he would immediately begin inspecting ongoing works, stressing that the attitude of its professionals would determine the fate of a country.

“I am not an office person, I am a field person. Which means, we are going to make changes, we are starting inspection tours to inspect ongoing projects and to know the ones to come up with,” he noted.

Umahi added that he would not tolerate those he described as wanting to set the clock backwards, promising to be a minister for the entire country.

Pledging to replicate the work he did in Ebonyi State in terms of fixing the federal roads, the minister said he would be briefed by every departmental head in the presence of all the staff to onboard them, and charged the workers to put in their best and be part of history.

Continued on page 8

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 • T H I S D AY

7

8

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

WIKE ASSUMES OFFICE...

L-R: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for FCT, Hajiya Mariya Mahmud and Permanent Secretary of FCT, Mr. Olusade Adesola, during the Minister's PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE press conference on their agenda in Abuja ... yesterday.

M I N I ST E R S AS S U M E O F F I C E , S E T AG E N DA , TA R G E T S Addressing the staff of the ministry alongside the Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Kyari acknowledged that though there were increasing threats to food security, the challenges were not insurmountable.

“Our target is not only to secure and feed the country but also to export food. We have that potential and it’s just there ready to be tapped.

“All I can say is that I am ready and I am willing to commit 100 per cent to the service of this nation. We all know the challenges that we face now; and when I say hunger, it also means food – the challenges of food production – insecurity is one, flooding is another among others.

“But for me, and my colleague here and even state governors, the biggest hope we have is the political will driven by President Bola Tinubu.

“When he declared the food emergency on the first day and has made a huge commitment to revive agriculture and secure the nation’s food. I think that we have a big challenge but it is not insurmountable.”

On his part, Abdullahi said no mission was impossible if the people were committed to their tasks, calling for a collaborative effort among staff towards delivering on the ministry’s mandate.

Tunji-Ojo: Discharge Your Duties Mindful of Extant Laws

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has charged the paramilitary service chiefs in the ministry to discharge their mandates in line with the extant laws, warning that he would hold them accountable for any transgression.

The minister made the declaration yesterday when he assumed office at the Old Federal Secretariat premises, immediately after he was swore in at the Presidential Villa alongside other ministers.

He said: “I am here to work but in working we must have a good environment. The work of this ministry affects everyone whether you are rich or poor.

“I don't lead from the back, I lead from the front. We will try, we will do our best to provide leadership built on the foundation of your support.

“I do not inherit enemies and I do not inherit friends. I make my own enemies and I earn my own friends. I am here to make a change and I am here to deliver results and I need you to help me to do that.

"Just as Mr President will hold me accountable for whatever happens in the Ministry of Interior, I will never hold your subordinates responsible for anything; I will hold you responsible for anything that goes wrong", he told the Controller Generals of the Paramilitary Services, who came to welcome him to the ministry.

the foreman gives him blocks to lay. At the end of the day, he wants to see that the building come up and, within six months, the house is built. We have to have measurable systems.

"The expectation is huge and our president is committed fully towards tackling these problems. I enjoin everyone to be part of this,” he said.

Sununu, who thanked God for the appointment, said the time had come to surmount the challenges in the sector, adding that, working together as a formidable force would help to overcome the challenges.

Kyari: Food Insecurity Challenge Must be Addressed

Mamman: We Need Team Work to Build Education Sector The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, and the Minister

of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, yesterday, assumed office and called for team work to build the education sector.

They were received by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo, Directors and heads of and parastatals under the ministry.

Mamman, in his speech, called for collaboration and support from heads of parastatals, directors and members of staff to move the ministry forward.

"Our President and the entire citizens expect us to deliver.

For me, I work like a bricklayer. Everyday, he goes to site,

Alake: We're Set to Implement President's Agenda

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Abubakar Kyari, yesterday, promised to tackle hunger, which he said remained one of the biggest challenges facing the country.

He said with the political will already provided by President Tinubu, his administration would seek to address the challenges of food production, including insecurity, flooding among others.

Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, yesterday, hinted that his team was set to implement President Bola Tinubu’s directive in line with the mandate of the sector.

The minister, who assumed duty at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, however, said he had a roadmap to unveil in the days ahead for the sector.

"Having worked with Mr. President in his cabinet as a commissioner for eight years, I understood what results are, and we are here to achieve results. I believe we can do it with all hands on deck.

"We won't allow bottlenecks to stifle our set goals. It's either you shape in or you ship out. If you can really sit down to listen, you would understand that, Hydrocarbon is fading out and the attention of the world is shifting to solid minerals. So, we must get it right," Alake said.

Similarly, the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, said though there were many steel companies in the country, “we can only tackle one at a time. It's time to move the country to the G-20 industrialised nations.

9

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS M I N I ST E R S AS S U M E O F F I C E , S E T AG E N DA , TA R G E T S "The mandate of Mr. President is to ensure that we get it right in the steel sector and as a young ministry, we would work towards the production of steel in the country in no distant time. We are set to kick start the Ajaokuta steel machine and Nigeria can not afford to fail in steel production," Audu concluded.

In his remarks, the Minister of State, Steel Development, Maigari Uba Ahmadu, sought collaborations with the sector stakeholders to achieve their set goals.

Edu: Our Target is to Lift 133 Million Out of Poverty

“Mr. President has said when we come, we should own up where there are mistakes, we should own up where we erred, we should not be shy to say, ‘No this is wrong and we are going to correct it’. The ministry will be at the core of it’s job, the job of info dissemination,” he said.

Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Musa Hanatu Musawa, In her remarks, vowed to use her ministry to export Nigeria to the world.

“Whatever we will do, we are going to do it together to achieve greatness. Nigeria stands on the precipice of greatness. I understand the passion that is required to move the ministry forward and we are going to do a number of things to change the trajectory. We are going to export Nigeria to the outside world, and make Nigeria the greatest nation on earth, in a way that will change the narrative.

“Culture is our identity and we are going to use this ministry to resuscitate and grow the economy. We are going to roll out action plan that will not just satisfy all stakeholders, but actualise our mandate for President Tinubu. Our guiding principles will be innovation, preservation, empowerment, corporation, collaboration,” Musawa said.

Uzoka-Anite: We’ll Boost FDI Inflow, Promote BusinessFriendly Environment

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has declared that the federal government was committed to lifting 133 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Edu made the assurance yesterday at a meeting with top functionaries of the agencies under the supervision of the ministry.

She described as unacceptable, the escalating rate of poverty in the country, while calling for all hands to be on deck to ameliorate the situation, and vowed to ensure accountability and transparency during her tenure as minister.

According to the minister, the ministry intended to achieve the target through series of interventions and initiatives, saying it could be done through determination and strong-will.

“What is most important is that we will keep our focus on lifting 133 million Nigerians out of poverty. We will play down on politics, we are here to face the real business of governance” Edu said.

The minister underlined the need to bring smiles back to the faces of Nigerians, saying it was vital to reach out to those who were underserved and renew their hope.

“While doing this, we must ensure that we will increase our efforts, be very sincere, transparent and accountable,” Edu said.

Magagi: There’s No More Room for Fake News, Lies

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Magagi, has pledged that under his watch, there would be no room for lies and fake news.

The minister said the president had mandated him to speak the truth, which is now a new covenant between the government and the people of Nigeria.

He gave the assurance, yesterday, at an official reception organised for him and his counterparts in Arts, Culture and Creative Economy and Tourism.

Magagi assured Nigerians that the new administration would run an open door and transparent policy in the course of its tenure.

“For me, I am actually a reporter reporting for duty, and I meant it with every sense of the word. The president has asked me to come and tell you, this is a brand new ministry of Information and National Orientation.

“This is a ministry that is set to be repositioned like never before. I have been in the industry for nearly three decades and I should know where the shoe pinches.

“Today is not for policy announcement but a day to familiarise ourselves with all the stakeholders in the ministry.

Mr. President did not send me to come and lie, and this is the new covenant with you and Nigerians. We are going to say it as it is.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong and the Minister of State, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, have promised to work towards ensuring decent work place and creating jobs for the teaming unemployed youths in the country.

Talking about the relationship with the organised Labour, the ministers said the Ministry would work closely with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates not only to ensure that all pending industrial disputes were settled amicably, “but also addressing with strong determination for the new minimum wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of fuel subsidy."

Lalong, who spoke on assumption of duties said the president had mandated the ministry to ensure decent work place and better remuneration for the workers in the country.

"The President directed that the Ministry of Labour should move on with the negotiations with organised labour over the pending dispute on fuel subsidy removal to achieve an amicable resolution.

"Under my stewardship, the Ministry of Labour and Employment will fulfil its mandate of ensuring decent work for all Nigerians and making sure that our citizens particularly the youth and women get the opportunity to deploy their energy, creativity, talent and gifts to the development of the nation "Because of the level of unemployment, underemployment and challenges associated with the work environment, we have been mandated by Mr. President to ensure that Nigerians get decent employment and are adequately remunerated for their labour both in the public and private sectors.

"We shall not spare any effort to protect the Nigerian worker and guarantee his dignity at all times," he said.

Onyejeocha, on her part, assured that she was going to work collectively with everybody in the ministry to see that necessary changes were brought into place to impact positively on the lives of Nigerians.

She said every Nigerian has a moral duty to support changes that would bring a turnaround in the affairs of the country. "We promised Nigerians that we are going to take many of our youths out of the streets and it is important that we towards fulfilling the promises of this government to Nigerians," she said

Oyetola: We’ll Boost Economy Using Marine Resources

Minister, Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, yesterday, resumed office, shortly after being sworn-in by President Bola Tinubu and vowed to install policies that would attract more foreign investments into the country as well as promote a business-friendly environment for indigenous companies to grow.

Promising a new dawn, she reiterated her commitment to operate an open-door policy and urged the staff to cooperate with her.

Addressing the staff of the ministry, she said, “This is not the era for growing money alone. This is the era for investment. This is the era to open your doors to attract investors, to bring in people to showcase what you have.

“A lot of people are out there looking for ways to come into the country. It is our opportunity; it is our time to make that happen and I am happy to be on this journey with you.

“Our work here is to ensure that we create more jobs, more employment, lift people above the poverty line and ensure that small and middle enterprises and industries that are already existing expand and grow better.

“Our job is to attract investments. There is so much opportunity. One of them I have already witnessed here is the human resources. If we only harness our human resource potential Nigeria will be great even without our mineral resources.

“Even without our non-mineral resources, only our human capital alone is enough to take us where we want to. Now combine that with the new potential we have with mineral and non-mineral deposits.

“I think it is just for us to open the doors and say investors please come what do you want, we are here to facilitate that,” she said, adding that, carving a positive image for the country remained vital towards wooing investors and ensuring that businesses thrive.

Lalong, Onyejeocha Pledge Job Creation, Workers' Welfare

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, yesterday, outlined his vision for a thriving blue economy sector that prioritises sustainability, innovation and economic growth.

Oyetola, who spoke at a maiden news conference held in the Ministry of Transportation, acknowledged the abundance of marine resources that existedwithin the coastal region and emphasised the need to fully harness them for economic gains.

He added that part of his vision was to ensure that inland rivers, lakes, and waterways were well utilised, both in terms of cargo shipment and passenger transportation.

"The global level Blue Economy is estimated at more than $1.5 trillion annually and I urge stakeholders to seize the opportunity and become a significant player in the industry," he said.

Oyetola, also called for collaboration and teamwork among all stakeholders and agencies, adding that teamwork would help maximise the benefits of Nigeria's vast coastal resources.

"I strongly believe in the power of collaboration and dedication to service. The collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal can only be efficient and effective through teamwork.

"This is why I crave your indulgence that we must work as a team to deliver on our mandate. Let us work together to find innovative solutions to the challenges we face, ensuring that our oceans and marine life are safe, reliable, and sustainable,” he said.

10

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

TEN

Shettima Leaves for Johannesburg to Represent Nigeria at BRICS Summit 73 world leaders including UN scribe billed to grace event Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Johannesburg, South Africa, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 15th BRICS Summit of Heads of State and Government.

Shettima, according to a statement issued by the Director of Information in the office of the

Vice President, Olusola Abiola, would be joining other business and political leaders across the world at the Summit scheduled for the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg from August 22 to 24.

Notable leaders expected to attend the event include South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa; President Xi Jinping

of China; Brazil's President, Luiz Lula da Silva; and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Seventy three dignitaries including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the chairperson of the African Union Commission and President of the New Development Bank have also been invited.

The summit is expected to

deliberate on issues on trade and investment facilitation, sustainable development, innovation, and global governance reform.

It would also continue its outreach to Leaders from Africa and the global South; as it focuses on global geopolitics, trade and infrastructure development BRICS, an acronym for

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is a group of five major emerging and developing economies.

The BRICS group accounts for more than 42 per cent of the world population, 30 per cent of the world’s territory, 23 per cent of the global economy and 18 per cent of global trade. One of its founding values is shared

commitment to restructure the global political, economic and financial architecture to be fair, balanced and representative resting on pillars of multilateralism and international law.

The Vice President is accompanied on the trip by some senior government officials and he is expected back in the country at the end of the week.

TINUBU TO CABINET: YOU ARE APPOINTED TO SERVE NIGERIA, NOT ETHNIC, REGIONAL INTERESTS Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Chuks Okocha in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has charged the 45 newly inaugurated ministers of the Federal Republic to prioritise the interests and welfare of the entire nation and its diverse population above regional or state-specific considerations.

Tinubu spoke on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of the new members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House Conference Centre.

The president underscored the immense responsibility the ministers bore in shaping policies that will affect the lives of hundreds of millions of Nigerians.

Relatedly, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday, revealed that all the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors were given the opportunity to nominate 10 persons for ministerial positions before Tinubu made his final appointments. Wike, a PDP member, dismissed allegations that he took up the cabinet post in an All Progressives Congress (APC) government without the endorsement of his party. He condemned calls for his suspension from the party.

Tinubu told the new ministers, "You are not a minister of a particular state, colony, region, or ethnic nationality. You are a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

He stated, "This is all about the cohesion and work of a great team, and I believe we now have it. It is an honour to be chosen to serve as a minister in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and such a high honour comes with tremendous responsibility.

"In this moment of abundant promise and peril in equal measure, all of you that have been sworn in have been called to distinguish yourselves. Nigerians are highly expectant of excellence in service delivery, accountability, and transparency."

Tinubu reminded the new ministers that they could not disappoint Nigerians, who expected them to serve with integrity, dignity, and competence to actualise the “Renewed Hope” agenda of his administration.

He said he would not hesitate to take necessary remedial measures if any minister failed to perform.

He told the ministers, "As your country honours you today, you must each work to make yourselves worthy in the eyes of God and our entire nation’s people. Your highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that our people can once again believe that government can be a positive force for transformation and a vehicle for collective progress of all citizens of this great country."

The president congratulated the ministers and welcomed them to "the Administration of Renewed Hope".

He further affirmed that the newly appointed ministers were selected based on their track records of excellence in both the public and private sectors. He said they effectively represented the rich diversity of the country.

Expressing his wish for the success of the cabinet members in the discharge of their duties, Tinubu invoked the metaphor of a journey, in which he was the driver of a vehicle, with all Nigerians as passengers.

According to him, "In this new assignment, we are in this boat

together, even if it is a vehicle, I am the driver. The entire nation sits watchful, as you and I navigate this vehicle. We must hold each other responsible. We have to do the job to meet the expectations of all Nigerians. God be with you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

The president earlier administered the oath of office, in batches, on the 45 new ministers.

The ceremony had in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Kwara State Governor, Abdulaziz Abdulrahman.

The ministers were sworn-in in batches of five. The first batch comprised Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of State (Gas) in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo; Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy; and Minister of Education, Tahir Maman.

The second batch included Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of State (Oil), Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev; and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.

The third batch of ministers swornin were Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; Minister of Sports Development,

John Enoh; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh.

The fourth batch of ministers sworn-in included Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; Minister of Transportation, Alkali Sa’id; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite; and Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru.

The fifth batch of ministers was made up of Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo; Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmud; Minister of Housing and Urban development, Ahmed Dangiwa; Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu.

The sixth batch of ministers sworn-in were Minister of State, Education, Yusuf Sunumu; Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu; Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa; Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John; and Minister of State Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

The seventh batch of ministers sworn-in were Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris; Minister of State Environment, Ishak Salako; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.

The eighth batch of ministers sworn-in were Minister of Interior,

Bunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of Power, Adedayo Adelabu; Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike.

The ninth and final batch of ministers sworn-in were Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo; Minister of State for Steel Development, Maigari Ahmadu; Minister of Police affairs, Ibrahim Geidam; Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle; and Minster of Special Duties and Intergovernmental, Affairs Zephaniah Jisalo.

Wike: PDP Governors Made 10 Ministerial Nominations

Wike yesterday, disclosed that the PDP governors were given the opportunity to nominate 10 ministerial candidates before Tinubu made his final appointments.

The new FCT minister also said his decision to accept to serve as Minister of FCT was for the national interest, while berating PDP members calling for his suspension. He claimed that the national leadership of PDP was aware of his ministerial nomination.

Speaking at his Area Eleven office of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Wike dismissed insinuations that he accepted the ministerial offer without the clearance of his party.

According to the former governor of Rivers State, “I laugh at those Reggae dancers in PDP who are talking about suspension.

“Ridiculous people. Ignore them and let's focus on serious matters.

"There's no PDP governor who didn't make nominations for Mr President. All of them made 10 nominations."

Wike stated further, "Before I accepted this position, I wrote to the PDP National Chairman, Zonal Chairman, State Chairman, My Governor, Minority leaders in the National Assembly, all of them replied to me in writing, saying, "Take the appointment. So ignore those bad belle losers shouting suspension."

The former governor clarified that his appointment and nomination as a minister were not based on partisan considerations.

"If it's about party, I won't be here, but I'm here because this is about Nigeria," he said.

On whether he would emulate the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as Minister of FCT, Wike said, "Those asking me whether I will be like El-Rufai are the same people who said El-Rufai is the best Minister of FCT. So why don't you want me to be like him?

You people don't like performers?

I'm going to be another El-Rufai."

Wike also discussed his mission as FCT minister, saying, "I'm not here to bring down anybody's building.

I'm interested in that as long as your papers and other legal approvals are intact.

"Those saying I'm here for vendetta are jokers. I don't use my official work for vendetta. I use polling units for vendetta, they all know this."

Wike said, "I'm not someone who sits down in office to read reports and sign files. I'll always be on the road inspecting projects. Although, files won't last more than 24 hours on my table…I hate files."

JP MORGAN: WITH $4.5BN DEBT SERVICE, LOWER FX POSITION, NIGERIA REQUIRES SUSTAINED REFORMS TO ATTRACT CAPITAL INFLOWS Eurobonds only start maturing from 2025, with continued maturities from 2027, the country still needs to service between $2.5 billion and $4.5 billion of public and publicly-guaranteed debt over the next few years.

Along with a structural Balance of Payment (BOP) deficit, JP Morgan said this would mean higher FX needs in the coming years, pointing out that with “relatively lower net-FX position providing limited space to plug this gap and borrowing costs on the expensive side with potentially no market access,” the country needed foreign direct and other portfolio investments to attract FX inflows.

The financial institution stated, “Thus, in our view, continuing on the reform path would be imperative to allay concerns on the external side.”

The report specifically noted that a stall in current reform momentum amid lower net FX reserves had the tendency to unnerve markets, adding, “But we remain cautiously optimistic.”

It stated that the recent decision of the federal government to freeze fuel prices remained a “pause on the reform path rather than a reversal as no subsidy payments should exist at current prices”.

The report stated, “We estimate net FX reserves at $3.7 billion, significantly lower than prior estimates, owing to larger-than-expected currency swaps and borrowing against existing reserves.

“Structural BoP deficit means authorities need to implement reforms that will attract steady

external funding, but in the near term the CBN has the ability to source FX at commercial and semi-commercial rates.

“Lower net FX reserves reduce the willingness to introduce a flexible exchange rate regime in the near term. High private and moderate public sector external financing needs will keep Nigeria reliant on external financing for the foreseeable future.”

The ratings agency said Nigeria’s sovereign bond prices declined by 2.5-5pts across the curve since the CBN published its audited financial accounts late last week. It noted that the decision to freeze petrol prices at current levels resulted in concerns that fuel subsidies may have been reinstated, further weighing on asset prices.

According to the report, “That said, the announcement of a cabinet, which appointed technocrats in key positions, such as the Ministry of Finance may slow the Eurobond price decline in the near term, even if a likely slower pace of reform implementation could limit bond upside from here.

“The foreign exchange market will remain in focus given the likely lower starting point for net FX reserves, with an overall balance of payments deficit pointing towards continued FX pressure.”

The report pointed out that the new administration had a blistering start in June, and it enacted key reform measures, including the removal of fuel subsidies, followed by significant adjustments in the FX market.

It stated, “Since then, petrol prices have more than doubled and the naira has depreciated by c.40 per cent against the dollar in the official market. However, in recent days the spread between the parallel market (900) and interbank exchange (770) rates have widened, while the president this week announced there will be no further increase in petrol prices.

“While we think the FX market could benefit from better price discovery, we do not interpret the freeze on petrol prices as a reversal of the subsidy reform for now.

“This is because we estimate that at current average retail prices (NGN617/litre), crude oil prices (US$85/barrel) and the parallel market exchange rate (900), authorities are not currently subsidising petrol. However, invariably, a further rise in these key variables and government’s insistence on keeping petrol prices flat will result in a return of subsidies.”

The report further stated, “While we think the government remains committed to major reforms relating to fiscal adjustments (revenue mobilisation and expenditure rationalisation), FX market reform and oil sector revamp, the pace and momentum could slow given the significant inflationary impact on the population.

“The president has named his cabinet, which includes some technocrats in key positions, such as the Ministry of Finance (also doubling as the Economy Ministry) and the creation of new ministries of priority,

such as tourism, digital economy, as well as steel development.

“Furthermore, junior ministers were appointed to the now split ministries of petroleum and gas resources, suggesting a continuation of the previous administration's approach where the president appointed himself as the Minister of Petroleum and Gas Resources.

“That said, most other cabinet positions were dominated by politicians.”

ICAN: NNPCL’s $3bn Loan Insufficient to Stabilise FX Market without Increased Crude Oil Production, Export

Meanwhile, ICAN declared that NNPCL’s emergency $3 billion crude oil repayment loan facility, meant to ease the liquidity in the foreign exchange market, would be insufficient if Nigeria could not increase its production and export of crude oil.

The 59th President of ICAN, Dr. Innocent Okwuosa, stated this, yesterday, in Lagos during a media chat titled, “The NNPCL $3billion Afrexim Bank Borrowing, Naira Exchange Rate and Fuel Subsidy: Our Position.”

Okwuosa stressed that naira’s performance in the foreign exchange market would continue to face challenges because of short fall in foreign exchange earnings due to oil theft and other factors.

According to Okwuosa, “While it may be too early to assess the

impact of these interventions by the CBN and NNPCL, we are of the view that they appear insufficient to address the issues they are meant to address”, as long as Nigeria’s foreign exchange revenue continued to dwindle with crude oil production “falling to just 1.081 million barrels per day (bpd) in July 2023 compared to the quota of 1.8 million bpd set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

“This is due in part to oil theft, production inefficiencies and lack of accountability in the industry, and as such our foreign exchange revenue and, hence, exchange rate will continue to be challenged.”

The ICAN president demanded, “The CBN and NNPCL should disclose the extent of unpaid foreign exchange bills and outstanding debt obligations, to enable Nigerians know if the $3 billion will make a sustainable impact on the foreign exchange rate.

"Then there is the question of why NNPC is the channel for obtaining the $3 billion loan rather than the CBN?” He, however, acknowledged that the intervention had improved liquidity in the foreign exchange market that had seen positive movement in rates, particularly in the parallel market for now.

The president of ICAN also stated that other causes of foreign exchange rate instability in Nigeria included lack of diversity in the country’s export base, trade imbalance, high inflation rate, low productive base, and weak infrastructure.

Others, according to him, are policy inconsistencies, corruption, non-alignment between fiscal and monetary policies and high cost of doing business in Nigeria.

The institute also warned that in view of the identified gaps, “The much-anticipated foreign exchange stability and economic growth may remain elusive if solutions are not provided in the short, medium and long term as against the quick fix interventions.”

Okwuosa appealed for accountability and transparency, which demanded that the cost of refining a litre of fuel locally or importing same from abroad should be disclosed to Nigerians, “as any choice in this affects exchange rate and fuel price.”

He pointed out that the accountability and transparency issues could be addressed through a clear methodical analysis that should provide to Nigerians the cost composition of imported petrol.

Okwuosa added, “If indeed the landing cost exceeds the pump price, then Nigerians have a right to know who is paying for that differential, which is effectively a subsidy. Is it NNPC Limited, or is it through direct deductions from FAAC allocations to the federal, states and local governments? This calls for accountability and transparency.”

Okwuosa also asked if the government would, “probe and sanction licenced marketers who have imported petrol over the years and allegedly made inappropriate subsidy claims. Again, this calls for accountability and transparency.

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 • T H I S D AY

11

12

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN NNPC AND NYSC...

L-R: Director of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, NYSC, Nwatarali Ngozi; Managing Director, NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe; Director General, NYSC, Brig. Gen. Yusha'u Dogara Ahmed; GMD, Kudimata Nig. Ltd. Kathleen Erhimu; and Director of special duty, NYSC Musa Abubakar during a partnership agreement between NNPC Foundation, NYSC and Kudimata to promote financial education held in Abuja… recently

Infrastructure Bank, FEMADEC Group Partner to Boost Gas-powered Transport System James Emejo in Abuja The Infrastructure Bank (TIB) Plc and FEMADEC Group have forged a strategic alliance aimed at catalysing sustainable transportation in the country.

The landmark collaboration signified a notable achievement in Nigeria's ongoing quest for cleaner energy alternatives.

The Group's strides in operating Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, including the existing fleet of 20 CNG buses under LAMATA, underscored its dedication to ecologically sound solutions, a commitment which predated the fuel subsidy removal.

Essentially, the partnership seeks to allow for the introduction of 500 CNG buses within the next five years, commencing with an

initial batch of 50 buses in the forthcoming year, the proposal stands poised to instigate significant change.

The group's leadership within the CNG value chain is undeniable, and the new alliance with the Infrastructure Bank further underscored its foresight.

The partnership seamlessly aligns with TIB’s sustainability objectives, echoing its resolute endorsement of the government's net-zero and climate change agenda.

The bank's aspiration to champion Nigeria's infrastructure progress was evident in its endorsement of pivotal initiatives, yielding expansive positive impacts on both the environment and society.

The preliminary offer extended

by TIB lays a solid foundation for the expansion of FEMADEC

Group's CNG bus fleet.

The acceptance of the proposition by FEMADEC Group, notably championed by the Group Chief Executive, Fola Akinnola, remained a testament to their zeal and

dedication to this alliance.

Akinnola said the, "Pivotal endeavour is primed to redefine Nigeria's public transportation landscape, offering dependable, cost-effective, and ecologically

The Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi and other stalwarts of the party, yesterday, stormed Benin City, Edo State, to campaign for the party's candidates ahead of the local government elections slated for September 2, 2023.

Others at the campaign rally which held at the Baptist Convention Ground were the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure; state chairman, Mr. Kelly Igbaloi; former Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Elizabeth Ativie; the senator representing Edo South senatorial district, Neda Imasuen; member, representing Oredo and Egor-Ikpoba-Okha federal constituency respectively, Esosa Iyawe and Murphy Omoruyi.

Also at the rally were the immediate past Nationa Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata; Dr. Dorry Okojie, Adolphus Aletor Pastor Azemhe Azena, and representative of Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon, all of whom are governorship aspirants of the party.

Speaking at the rally, Obi ascribed the high level of poverty

in Nigeria to the absence of development at the third tier of government, assuring all the candidates of the party's support to ensure their victory at the polls.

"The local government is the nearest to the people in the grassroots. Local government is suppose to be the root for ensuring development. It is the system that is closer to the people and the critical areas of local governments for development are health, education and other infrastructural amenities.

"As you know today in Nigeria there is mass poverty.

And the mass poverty is in the local government areas. So, for the system to work for a country that generate wealth, the local government must be adequately catered for.

"The central government come through the sub national (state) to the local government. So, every form of government is domicile in the local government.

"This is why we should not ignore the local governments.

As governor of Anambra State, I was prevented by all forms of legal litigations to conduct local government elections for over six years.

a more ecologically aware future for Nigeria's transportation sector, highlighting the shared commitment of both TIB and FEMADEC Group to sustainable advancement and progress.

Restrict EFCC to Investigations, Decentralise Police, Agbakoba Tells New AGF Wale Igbintade Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba has called on the new Attorney General of Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to unbundle the

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and restrict it to investigations.

Agbakoba, in a statement issued yesterday, highlighted the tasks ahead of the newly inaugurated AGF, reiterating the need for major reforms in the criminal

Obi, Other LP Stalwarts Storm Edo for LG Polls Campaign Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

conscious travel alternatives for citizens, all while harmonising with the nation's broader sustainability ambitions."

The partnership further represented a remarkable stride towards

"As we were coming into the rally venue, I told our national chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, that we must find a way to support the candidates that are contesting for the local government in Edo state.

"So, we are not just here to talk, we are here to give

support our candidates who are contesting the election.

Even when we are here I told the chairman that we will do whatever we can do to support the candidates because there is problem of hunger and people cannot even entre vehicles to their work and they cannot eat.”

justice system.

He also recommended that prosecution be handled by a newly established National Prosecution Agency.

He stated that the, "utter confusion in the duplicated work of our law enforcement agencies in particular EFCC and ICPC is urgently needed."

While expressing his confidence in the abilities of the new AGF, Agbakoba also noted other key reforms to include a complete decentralised Police Force at local state and Federal levels, a major revamp of outdated laws and the necessity for a speed of justice reform.

The statement titled "Urgent Tasks For the Attorney General Of The Federation," read: "There are pressing tasks to be carried out urgently by the new Attorney General of the Federation.

Major reforms of the criminal justice system with particular reference to the utter confusion

Bauchi Governor Establishes Palliative Distribution Committee Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has constituted a palliative distribution committee for theimmediate implementation of the federal government’s palliative programme following the removal of fuel subsidy.

The governor announced this on Monday, while briefing journalists shortly after a stakeholders' meeting held at the Government House, Bauchi, saying the committee would l be headed by his Deputy, Mohammed Auwal Jatau. Mohammed, who said distribution of the palliative would commence soon, noted that

the distribution committee was set up to come up with the framework of assistance to beneficiaries including payment of allowances to civil servants, payment of gratuities and pensions to retirees and pensioners, transportation, procurement of food and non food items.

"We have set up a committee under chairmanship of my Deputy with Head of Service, Chief of Staff, representative of the Emir of Bauchi and other relevant Ministries and other stakeholders for the commencement of the implementation of the palliation programme of the federal government by states, everybody is aware that the federal

government has given some money to states to ensure palliation is given to all the segments of the society as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy.

"As usual, the Committee will work with all the stakeholders particularly our traditional institutions to ensure transparency and justice in the distribution process," he added.

The governor assured the people of the state that his administration wouldl initiate a sustainable palliative programme that will be sustained through the tenure of his administration to serve as remedy of addressing emerging issues.

in the duplicated work of our law enforcement agencies in particular EFCC and ICPC is urgently needed.

"Also there is need to unbundle EFCC and restrict them to investigation only while a new National Prosecution Agency ought to be established.

"Another key reform would be a complete decentralised Police Force at local state and Federal levels. Major revamp of our outdated laws is urgently needed to follow the Rwanda example that modified 1000 laws. Last but not least the AGF must work on Speed of Justice.

"It’s a crying shame it takes upwards of 15 years to conclude cases from the High court to the Supreme Court.

"Finally but not exhausted is to create sector specific dispute resolution Agencies to free up the utterly cluttered dockets of the regular courts.

"The other very important task before the Attorney General will be the unnecessary and wholly inefficient matter of over centralization of our superior courts. There is no better time than now to hack down the highly centralised court systems in Nigeria.

"The AGF is invited to consider major constitutional amendments to create a system of federal and state courts. State courts ought to have exclusive jurisdiction over matters related to them. This is also the case for federal courts whose jurisdiction must be limited to federal causes.

"This will free up the clutter at the Supreme Court and make it the Policy Court it ought to be in the first place "We have a Brilliant AGF in Lateef Fagbemi SAN. Am convinced this will be a simple task for him. He is a very good colleague and I have the highest confidence in his abilities."

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 • T H I S D AY

13

14

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 •T H I S D AY

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 • T H I S D AY

15

16

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 •T H I S D AY

17 4

T H I S D AY

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF BAWA The detention without trial of the EFCC Chairman is wrong

W

e subscribe to the position of Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, that the continued detention without trial of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa is illegal and dangerous for the health of our democracy.

Bawa was on 14th June suspended by President Bola Tinubu to allow for a proper investigation RI VRPH ´ZHLJKW\ DOOHJDWLRQV RI DEXVH RI R΀FH levelled against him.” Same day, he reportedly submitted himself to the State Security Service (SSS) in relation “to some investigative activities concerning him.” Since then, Bawa has been kept in custody without any charge.

Under whatever guise or pretence, detention of citizens without trial is an open sign of authoritarianism. For a government that is less WKDQ GD\V LQ R΀FH the Bawa instance needs to be seen as a bad sign. If a prominent citizen like Bawa can just be put away, let’s not be surprised if tomorrow OHVVHU PRUWDOV VWDUW GLVDSSHDULQJ RͿ WKH VWUHHWV by being casually arrested and put away without charge or prosecution. Besides, the optics of SHRSOH XQGHU ()&& LQYHVWLJDWLRQ WDNLQJ R΀FH DV PLQLVWHUV ZKLOH %DZD URWV LQ GHWHQWLRQ UHÁHFW contempt for transparency and accountability. It is the height of power arrogance to just put away D WRS JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDO DQG QRW HYHQ KDYH WKH routine decorum to tell the public why.

The real issue here is the illegality of the continued detention without trial. “I am not unaware of the claim that Mr. Bawa is being detained on the basis of a remand order issued by a Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory,” said Falana who argued that “the remand order has become spent, invalid, and illegal as no magistrate has the power under Section 493 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, or Section 35 of the

Constitution of Nigeria to authorise the detention of a criminal suspect for 67 days without trial.”

We hope that Bawa is not a foretaste of something far too frightening. If between when he was suspended and detained and now, the state is yet to come up with any charge, we fail to understand the basis for his continued detention. Incidentally, Bawa’s case mirrors that of the equally suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin (PHÀHOH %XW LQ WKH FDVH RI (PHÀHOH DW OHDVW WKHUH KDYH EHHQ VRPH SXEOLF GUDPD LI RQO\ WR IXOÀOO some legal righteousness. The suspended CBN Governor has been charged and dragged around various courts by the DSS. The only problem is the serial disobedience of court orders that respect his individual rights. /DVW PRQWK (PHÀHOH was arraigned in court on a two-count charge bordering on possession of a single barrel shot gun, as well as possession of 123 rounds of live ammunition without licence. After pleading not guilty to the charge, (PHÀHOH ZDV VXEVHTXHQWO\ JUDQWHG EDLO LQ WKH VXP of N20 million with one surety in like sum. The court then adjourned the case until 14th November IRU WULDO DQG RUGHUHG (PHÀHOH·V UHPDQG LQ WKH correctional service pending perfection of his bail. :KHQ D VHQLRU R΀FHU RI WKH 1LJHULD &RUUHFWLRQDO 6HUYLFH 1&R6 DWWHPSWHG WR WDNH (PHÀHOH LQWR custody in line with the court’s directive, he was accosted by DSS operatives. What followed was D IUHH IRU DOO ÀJKW WKDW QHDUO\ GHJHQHUDWHG LQWR D VKRRWLQJ ZDU EHWZHHQ R΀FLDOV RI WKH WZR DJHQFLHV EHIRUH VDQLW\ HYHQWXDOO\ SUHYDLOHG (PHÀHOH ZDV ODVW ZHHN FKDUJHG ZLWK D GLͿHUHQW RͿHQFH WR continue the drama of absurd.

On Bawa, there has been no action. He has just been detained without charge. Yet, using force unrestrained by law or conscience to trample on the fundamental rights of citizens should have no place in a democracy. Bawa should be charged to court or be released.

Using force unrestrained by law or conscience to trample on the fundamental rights of citizens should have no place in a democracy. Bawa should be charged to court or be released T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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 UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR’S UNENDING CONTROVERSIES It is no longer news that the management of the University of Calabar has suspended the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Cyril Ndifon, over allegations of sexual harassment of female students. Ndifon’s suspension followed a probe into the allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him by some female students of the faculty who were recently seen in a viUDO YLGHR VWRUPLQJ WKH R΀FH RI WKH VFKRRO·V 9LFH &KDQFHOORU Prof Florence Obi, wielding placards with inscriptions such as, “Ndifon must go for our sanity,” “We are tired of buying law journals,” “We are tired of lecturers not attending classes,” and “Law girls are not your bonanza.”

The suspension was reportedly conveyed via a letter by the school’s Registrar, Gabriel Egbe, and partly read, “Please refer to our letter Ref UC/REG/DISC.45A dated August 14, 2023, on your alleged violation of the provisions of the extant laws and policies of the university and your response to the said letter which was dated August 16, 2023. The vice-chancellor has JRQH WKURXJK \RXU ZULWWHQ UHSUHVHQWDWLRQV DQG LV QRW VDWLVÀHG with your explanations.

Essentially, while the suspension is appreciated, this piece on the other hand believes that Unical is not alien to scandals.

Prof Ndifon’s latest scandal is just an addition to the institution’s gale of bad press. Recall that the erudite Professor of Law was in 2015 suspended over the same sexual harassment allegation. Commentators are never tired of harping on the uniYHUVLW\·V OXULG DPELHQFH ZKLFK KDV VHHPLQJO\ GHÀHG VXFFHVsive leaderships. For example, reports have shown that Unical is not only reputed for poor relationships with students but equally allergic to its image when it comes to dealings with its publics.

Notedly, while the dust raised by the Ndifongate (part two) appears to be settling, another tar on Unical’s linen has just reared its ugly head, prompting analysts to suggest that there is something deeply troubling with the school, albeit hidden. ,Q WKLV OLJKW WKH UHSRUWHG RUGHDO VXͿHUHG LQ WKH KDQGV RI WKH successive University of Calabar leadership, from 2014 till date, by Isioma Aninyem, a Nigerian, trading under the name Michael Hull Services, an educational services company that is primarily involved in sourcing and supplying of educational materials, particularly journals, to educational institutions, readily comes to mind. Giving details of what he termed ‘’using trickery and deception to obtain sets of academic/research

journals to the tune of N1, 034,700 from the organization in 2014’’, the management of Michael Hull Services in the referenced report explained that a former university librarian contacted Michael Hull Services to provide academic/professional journals to the university library in preparation for the accreditation of the academic programs of the university by WKH 1DWLRQDO 8QLYHUVLW\ &RPPLVVLRQ $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH ÀUP there was an assurance that immediate payment would be made after the delivery of the journals. Unfortunately, however, to this day, the organization has written and appealed to the bursar, vice-chancellor, accountant and the university librarian to pay the money as promised, but the appeals never yielded any result. Undoubtedly, it will be convenient for some commentators to argue that this is a commercial dispute and therefore, should be settled privately without coming to the public domain. But there are glaring reasons why this particular issue must be investigated.

Jerome-Mario Utomi, Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), at Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos

18

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023

POLITICS

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

APGA’s Kogi Guber Candidate, Ilonah, Intensifies Campaign for Lugard House Juliet Akojex-raystheagendaoftheAllProgressivesGrandAlliancecandidateintheNovember,2023governorship election in Kogi state, Idoko Kingsley Ilonah, as electioneering campaign gets underway in the Confluence State.

A

s the political atmosphere gets charged ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi State, there is one man to watch in the race to Lugard House. He is, Idoko Kingsley Ilonah, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) gubernatorial candidate.

No fewer than 18 candidates would jostle for the exalted seat of the governorship of the state based on the list recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Pundits argued that the tussle for Lugard House promises to be a straight fight between the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello’s anointed candidate, Usman Ododo and the All Progressives Grand Alliance’s candidate, Idoko Kingsley Ilonah.

A vitriolic critic of Governor Bello who is the candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Dino Melaye is also in the race just as the former chief of naval staff, Usman Oyibe Jibrin of the Accord Party (AP).

Three issues revolving around competency and capacity, agitation for power rotation, ethnicity and the biting poverty in the state promises to determine the outcome of the governorship election.

The emergence of Melaye and Abejide both of the Okun extraction has rekindled the hope of Kogi West agitators for power-shift.

The agitators for power shift contend that the Igala-dominated Kogi East had held power for 17 cumulative years while the Ebira-dominated Kogi Central would have had eight years at the expiration of Bello’s tenure.

So it was argued that it would be just and fair for power to rotate to Kogi west senatorial district.

To them, the 16:8:0 formula is unpalatable to a heterogeneous state like Kogi and there’s a need to balance power.

However, the Igalas who boast of over 55 percent of the voting population contend that since the primary essence of democracy is all about allowing the electorates to make their willful choice, the ballots cast should be the ultimate decider of whoever would ultimately administer the state.

Ilonah who is an adherent of the tenets of democracy remarked that competence and the antecedents of all those jostling for the governorship seat should be the yardstick to determine the election of the next governor of Kogi state.

The business mogul who hails from AgaIdoko Clan of Idah, the headquarters of Igala Kingdom, the occupants of the most populous Kogi East Senatorial District of the Confluence State warned against handing over the reigns of the leadership of the state to a neophyte.

The grassroots politician who is at home with his people and a graduate of Geology & Mining from the University of Jos in his private business ventures and public service has impacted on the lives of the hundreds of persons within and outside Kogi state.

In the areas of business and entrepreneurship, Ilonah established the Lona Group of Companies; Lona Media, launched the first-ever digital LED outdoor billboard in Nigeria named Digital LED Outdoor Billboard which marked the beginning of the digital outdoor advertising revolution.

Under his leadership, Lona Media built notable billboards, including the biggest billboard in Africa along the Abuja International Airport Road and the largest billboard globally on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. The latter aimed to set a Guinness World Record and put Nigeria on the international map of excellence.

Lona Media expanded its business operations across 10 states in Nigeria, with its headquarters in Abuja, employing over 250 individuals from Kogi and other parts of the country just like in his other ventures.

He also engages in direct and mechanised farming activities at Oforachi in Igala-Mela/ Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State which contributes to the agricultural sector and provides employment opportunities to over 200 villagers.

In the public service, Ilonah was in December

Ilonah said: “I believe that I have the best ideas to turn around Kogi State for good. Is it not absurd that you have Lokoja with water where seaports and everything can be created but we have to import things all over into Nigeria and they come through Lagos? We then transport them from Lagos to Lokoja and then you start talking about the northern parts.

“So Lokoja should serve as the seaport for the northern part of Nigeria. So what we want to do basically is to harness the enormous potentials of Kogi State. Kogi State alone can feed Nigeria.

Look at the Ajaokuta steel, I know it’s owned by the federal government but Kogi has the potentials to feed Nigeria.

“We have the capacity to build the largest rice mill in Africa and even the world in Kogi State because we have the land, we have the soil and our soil is one of the best in the country. So I have the best ideas to turn around the infrastructure of the state.

“I have just one point agenda which covers about six-point agenda. The point is that if you don’t have funds, if you don’t generate Internally Generated Revenue how do you do the roads, infrastructure? So we intend to build roads, all the 21 local government areas in the state should be connected to themselves and also to the capital which is Lokoja.

Ilonah 2017 appointed board member of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund by former President Muhammadu Buhari which highlighted his expertise and contribution to the agricultural sector to the benefit of Nigerians especially those of Kogi extraction.

To further exert his humanitarian disposition, Ilonah has through the Lona Foundation, dedicated a significant portion of his resources to positively impact human lives. The foundation focuses on providing quality education and essential amenities to many individuals.

TheAPGAGovernorship candidate’s efforts has not gone unnoticed as his philanthropic efforts, commitment, and service have earned him numerous awards and honors from various communities and organisations, both within and outside Nigeria.

These modest accomplishments and contributions to his immediate and the outside community, stood him out of the total of 18 candidates jostling for the Kogi Governorship slot.

While the politics of ethnicity has taken over race for ascendancy to the Kogi number one seat, Ilonah though from the populous Igala nationality which felt the pendulum should swing to, the APGA man is moved by mission and vision and not such affiliation couched in competence.

He told journalists: “Fortunately or unfortunately, I am Igala man but I don’t believe in ethnic politics. I detest religious, regional or sectional politics and I don’t want to be part of it.

“Our leaders that rushed into endorsing candidates were unfair to the people of the state because elections should not be about ethnic agenda; it should be about competence, who will turn around the fortunes of the State.”

Ilonah also seems to be unperturbed by the influence of incumbency which fear to many is the beginning of wisdom in Nigerian politics.

As it is now, the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello who operates the state apparatus is solidly behind his favoured candidate on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Usman Ododo.

Yet, the opposition APGA candidate declared in a recent interview that he and his party “are not afraid of the power of incumbency,” making reference to the victory of former President Buhari over the then President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

Ilonah further said he was not worried by the gale of defections to the ruling APC as it was just for stomach infrastructure purposes and not genuine reasons.

According to him: “In politics, so many things happen. We must not run away from the fact that the majority of these people are going for stomach infrastructure, that is the truth. Stomach infrastructure is one of the reasons you see people cross-carpeting.

“The election is November 11 and as we are getting closer, there will be defecting, recamping and all that. So what is happening now with due respect to those defecting is purely the issue of stomach infrastructure. So we are not worried”.

The APGA gubernatorial stand bearer is also clear on what he would do differently if given the mandate which is to turn Kogi around and reclaim its lost glories.

REVAMPING THE ECONOMY On his plan to turn around Kogi state economy,

On his plan to turn around Kogi state economy, Ilonah said: I believe that I have the best ideas to turn around Kogi State for good. Is it not absurd that you have Lokoja with water where seaports and everything can be created but we have to import things all over into Nigeria and they come through Lagos? We then transport them from Lagos to Lokoja and then you start talking about the northern parts. So Lokoja should serve as the seaport for the northern part of Nigeria.

So what we want to do basically is to harness the enormous potentials of Kogi State. Kogi State alone can feed Nigeria.

HEALTH On health, he said: “We want to create free healthcare service for our people, 0-18 years old shouldn’t pay a dime if they are sick, those who are 60 and above shouldn’t pay a dime when they are sick. For the indigenes, we will work it out when we get to power. We will introduce health insurance, revamp primary healthcare system, create world class healthcare facilities.

“All the three senatorial districts should have world class health care facilities that can handle major surgeries in each of the senatorial zones.

So how do you do that if you don’t have IGR?” EDUCATION He also unfolded his plan for education saying “Our policy for education is, primary, secondary is free and compulsory. For tertiary institutions, you can take a loan, go to school and when you are done you can pay back. It’s not that the IGR is our major agenda, but that is the bedrock of other things that we want to do in the state. We are the only state in Nigeria that is surrounded by 10 states, we have monuments, tourism sites.

“You have in Lokoja for instance where River Niger and River Benue meet; the confluence state. The Dangote cement in Obajana is a pride to Kogi, Nigeria and the entire Africa. So I have the best ideas to drive development in the state,” he promised.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT On women empowerment, Ilonah said: “The Kogi women are central in our developmental agenda for State. Our women will benefit from quality education, empowerment, employment opportunity, functional health facilities and credit schemes that will enhance the socio-economy status of our women” YOUTH The youth also form part of his campaign promises saying “I believe that the Kogi youths remains the bedrock of development and future leadership of the State. Kogi under my watch will deliberately create policies that ensure sustainable growth and development for the youth on the part of honor, integrity and responsibility in every sphere of affairs in the State” SECURITY Lona also has major plan to secure the Confluence State if elected governor. According to him: “On security, as an entrepreneur of national and international status, l know the importance of security to economic development.We cannot have local and foreign investment in a chaotic environment.The security apparatus will be technologically gingered to complement a motivated security work force”

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 • T H I S D AY

19

20

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ THISDAY

PERSPECTIVE

Niger Coup: Time To Give Strategic Diplomacy A Chance Paul Ejime

A

s expected, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected the unreasonable three-year political timetable proposed by the Niger junta leaders for return to constitutional order following the 26th of July coup that deposed elected president Mohamed Bazoum.

Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security calls the plan “unilateral, provocative and a smokescreen” by the junta to cling to power after what appeared to be a positive movement following the retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led ECOWAS delegation to Niamey.

The delegation met with the junta leader Brig.Gen, Abdourahmane Tchiani, his colleagues and detained Bazoum, whose state of health had generated much public interest.

The initial fault steps and brinkmanship that preceded that ice breaking visit had heightened tension with the junta literally inciting the public against ECOWAS, which has also been accused of being teleguided by France and the U.S., which are defending their defence and economic interests in Niger.

The ECOWAS leaders’ decisions to slam sanctions and the seven-day ultimatum given the junta to reinstate Bazoum and restore constitutional order or risk the use of military force were considered precipitate and unprecedented.

Under provisions of the 2001 regional Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which prescribed zero-tolerance for unconstitutional change of government, the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government is vested with unlimited powers to authorise whatever measure it deems fit to restore constitutional rule.

The protocol also has provisions for checkmating abuse of political power and violation of human rights, but the fixation had always been on military coups.

The Niger putsch is the fourth successful army takeover of government in four of ECOWAS’ 15-member States. It was roundly condemned internationally, and rightly too.

The only point of disagreement appears to be ECOWAS’ threat to use military force in Niger, after having failed to rein in similar coup makers in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, all former French colonies in West Africa.

Neighbouring Chad too, a non-ECOWAS member is also under military rule.

Ironically, Chad’s military dictator, Gen. Mahamat Kaka Idriss Derby, who seized power after the assassination of his father

by Chadian rebels in 2021, is among initial envoys dispatched to canvas restoration of constitutional order in Niger, while blatantly delaying the same process in his own country.

With a new management at the ECOWAS Commission, the regional bloc needed to take some drastic measures to put an end to coups in the politically restive region wracked by insecurity, characterised by deadly strikes by Islamic terrorists and other armed groups, such as Al-Qaida, ISSI and Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Traditionally, ECOWAS uses conflict management tools such as the Mediation and Security Council from Ambassadorial to Ministerial and Heads of State levels, the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, the Council of the Wise, if necessary, before escalation to the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

This could vary. But having issued an ultimatum, which passed without any military intervention, ECOWAS needed to redeem itself by staying on the message but at the same time allowing back-channel diplomacy for the peaceful resolution of the Niger impasse.

But the Niger junta had also not covered itself in glory, by restricting ECOWAS’ initial delegation led by Gen Abubakar to the Niamey airport, citing security concerns, and also refusing to receive a joint ECOWAS-African Union-UN joint Mission to Niger.

This annoyed ECOWAS leaders and informed their activation of the ECOWAS

Niger Junta leader Brig.-Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani & Pro-coup Rallies in Niamey Standby Force to restore constitutional order in Niger at their second summit on Niger on 10th August.

Following that marching order, the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff at their second emergency meeting in Accra, Ghana on 18th August, announced that an undisclosed “D-Day” had been decided for possible military intervention in Niger.

Fast forward to the second Niamey visit by the Abubakar-led ECOWAS delegation.

The three-year transition programme announced by the junta must be part of an attempt to consolidate its hold on power and as a negotiation strategy.

Opposition to the use of military force does not mean support for the military coup, neither does the dubious turnout by youths seeking to join Niger armed forces.

Rather, the latter is a manifestation of the failed governance system, characterised by pervasive youth unemployment, economic hardships, insecurity and lack unleased by successive administrations from which the military cannot exonerate itself.

Even with the conscription of Niger’s estimated 26 million impoverished and longsuffering population into the national armed forces plus the ill-advised support from the armed forces of the Mali and Burkina Faso troops, the Niger junta cannot withstand an ECOWAS joint military force under normal circumstances.

The junta must therefore climb down its arrogant high horse and make diplomatic initiatives a priority for quick return to constitutional order in Niger.

Also, to whip wayward member State into line, ECOWAS should be more strategic, admit where mistakes have been made and make amends, especially on the governance failures by some of its leaders now pretending to be born-again democrats, contrary to their track records.

Commissioner Musah says the ECOWAS plan for possible use of force is a decision

conceived by and would be entirely funded by the organisation, explaining that the less than satisfactory responses to the coups in other member States should not an excuse to condone subsequent bad behaviours.

“A time comes when you have to draw a line in the sand and say, no more to military coups in the ECOWAS region,” Dr Musah said, adding that experience had also shown that “soldiers are not the messiahs for solutions to Africa’s myriad problems, some of which are global.”

But apart from the fact that using military force to restore constitutional order cannot be described entirely as democratic, and the fear that kinetic option is a high-risk venture that could result in unintended catastrophe and humanitarian disaster, the involvement of powerful external interests have further complicated the already bad situation in Niger, an otherwise mineral-rich but impoverished nation.

France and America have military bases and an estimated combined 2,500-armed forces in Niger. What will be their role if ECOWAS were to follow through with military intervention?

Furthermore, what can be deduced from the recent arrival in Niamey of America’s new Ambassador to Niger?

Another sticking point is how to unpack the growing anti-French sentiment in its former colonies, especially in the coup countries in West Africa, from the opportunism behind the Tchiani-led coup?

More importantly, foreign governments have evacuated their nationals from Niger, and the coup leaders have also moved their families to safety. As usual, World attention is on the important figures, but where is the interest of ordinary Nigeriens, who are victims of decades of bad governance, and the crippling sanctions in the ongoing geopolitical game?

ECOWAS must seize the initiative and control the narrative by asserting its inde-

pendence, to eliminate any perception that it is acting as a proxy to foreign interests in Niger.

Soldiers are not primed to govern. ECOWAS must therefore guide, accompany and redirect its drifting member States on the path of constitutional order, with leaders showing examples.

ECOWAS should deploy its conflict management and resolution tools to ensure that a short transition programme of 12-18 months is strictly implemented in Niger with a damage control strategy to spare the organisation further reputational damage.

Niger, and other African countries must be governed for the overall benefit, protection, wellbeing and with equal opportunities for all citizens, not for the selfish interests of the corrupt and compromised political class and their external collaborators.

Bazoum and France might end up as the greatest losers in the Niger equation.

His reinstatement seems unlikely, going by the domestic political temperature and as citizens appear determined to take back their countries from decades of suffocating French overbearing influence.

Also, as Russia, China and other external interests wait in the wings, Africans and particularly, their political leaders, must realise that switching alliance or allegiance among foreign powers/interests is not a solution to the governance and development challenges bedevilling the continent.

Africa’s rich human and natural resources must be harnessed by visionary and dynamic leaderships at national, regional, and continental levels for the benefit of the continent’s estimated 1.4 billion population.

After more than three decades of independence African leaders cannot continue to use colonialism or foreign interference as plausible excuses for unpardonable governance failures. *Paul Ejime is a Global Affairs Analyst and Consultant on Peace & Security and Governance Communications

LAWYER TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023

A

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

WEEKLY PULLOUT

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

SOJI AWOGBADE

‘Nigeria’s Energy Industry is Dysfunctional and Outdated’

II

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

IN THIS EDITION

Body Empowered to Recruit Constables into the Nigeria Police Force Page IV

LawPavilion Set to Revolutionise Legal Advocacy in Nigeria Page V

QUOTABLES ‘Annually, $9 billion worth of gold is illegally taken out of Nigeria according to a former Minister….through private jets. I’m not talking of Lithium, or other resources.’ - Femi Falana, SAN

‘First, he was charged with unlawful possession of firearms; and then, suddenly, we now find that he’s being charged under offences covered by the Corrupt Practices Act.…Is it a situation in which Prosecutors are trying to find something against Mr Emefiele at all costs, or do we have a situation where the suspended CBN Governor has committed a crime against the State?.’ - Kayode Adeluola, SAN

COLUMNIST PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, CON, SAN, FCIArb,, PH.D. LLD Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which political and governmental power, is defined, limited and shared by a grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and balances.

This column seeks to fiercely discuss constitutional, legal and political issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the plenitude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour.

The writer of this column, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Notary Public and Motivational Speaker. He co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria’s pioneer human rights league, on October 15, 1987, the Universal defenders of Democracy (UDD), in 1992, and with Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others in 1998, the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), to push out the military. In his early days, he lectured at the University of Ife. Prof Ozekhome is an author of many books. He is also a Special Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

LAWYER

NBA-SPIDEL to Probe Kano Election Tribunal Bribery Scandal Page V

Prof Cyril Ndifon: NBA Launches Investigation into Alleged Professional Misconduct PageV

Disputes between States and the Federation: Examining the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (Part 4) Page X

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE: EDITOR, JUDE IGBANOI: DEPUTY EDITOR, PETER TAIWO, STEVE AYA: REPORTERS

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023

Magistracy: Their Poverty, Our Pain

A

considerable amount of light has been shed on the plight of judicial officers of superior courts of record, their meagre remuneration and poor conditions of service. However, not much has been said about the even worse conditions of service that judicial officers of the lower (I would rather not use the term ‘inferior’) courts, particularly the Magistrates, are facing. Even though the Magistrate Court is not a superior court of record as listed in Section 6(5)(a)-(j) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution), nor is it expressly listed by name in the Constitution like the superior courts, it is still recognised in the Constitution, since it is a lower court of record established for a State covered by Section 6(4)(1) & (5)(k) of the Constitution. A community reading of Section 6(1)-(5)(k) of the Constitution evinces the fact that, both the superior and lower courts make up what is known as the Judiciary, even though Magistrate Courts and Magistrates are omitted from the Section 318 of the Constitution’s definition of judicial office and officer. This is another anomaly in the Constitution, that requires correction. Though the jurisdiction of the Magistrate Court is limited, it is the first point of contact in terms of access to justice for majority of Nigerians, and their dockets are extremely busy, as 50% or more of the cases start from there. With such a crucial role in the justice system, how then should Magistrates not be ‘expressly’ mentioned as judicial officers in the Constitution? This should be one of the first steps that must be taken by the Legislature, to rebuild the esteem of the Nigerian Magistracy.

Putting It into Proper Perspective: Lagos State Magistrates in Focus Allow me break it down, and put it into proper perspective. A legal practitioner who is not less than five years post-call to the Bar, is eligible to become a Magistrate, and such person can sit on the lower Bench until he/ she attains the age of 60 (see for instance, Sections 4(2) & 10(a) of the Magistrate Court Law of Lagos State (MCL)). This means that a Lawyer who is called to the Bar at age 25, and becomes a Magistrate at age 30, can serve in the Magistracy for 30 years before retiring. How can a Magistrate, a Lawyer of at least 35 years standing, end up with a paltry N50,000 monthly pension (not even enough to fill up a petrol tank)? If such a Magistrate lives till age 90, their total pension will be N18 million for 30 years, paid in monthly instalments I might add, probably less than what National Assembly Members who serve for only four years receive as their severance packages in one fell swoop, that is, as a bulk payment. Isn’t it bizarre that though Government is constitutionally bound to ensure that we maintain an equitable society, it has always done quite the opposite with its inequitable, irrational, remuneration policies for workers. See the Preamble and Section 16 of the Constitution. And now, with the recent increase in the retirement age of High Court Judges to 70, things may have become even worse, since the chances of Magistrates being elevated to the higher Bench, may have just become slimmer. In the past, it was a well travelled career path for those who reached the Apex Court as Supreme Court Justices, to have started their judicial careers from the Magistrate Court.

In Lagos State, there are four categories of Magistrates, the highest being Chief Magistrate, followed by Senior Magistrate, and then Magistrate Grade I & II. Unfortunately, the prestige that was once attached to the office of a Magistrate in Nigeria has become a ‘tale by moonlight’, as it is long gone. It seems as if the Magistrates in neighbouring Republic of Benin may have been suffering a similar plight as Nigeria, as their Magistrates went as far as going on strike in 2012, 2013 and 2014; and when their government threatened to enact legislation to prohibit the Magistracy

to court, riding on the back of an ‘okada’!

About two years ago, I accompanied someone to a Magistrate Court outside Lagos to observe the proceedings. It turned out that the court room was being shared by two Magistrates, sitting on alternate days or different times, to be able to accommodate each other!

Someone told me that Lagos State Magistrates are given N150,000 robe allowance!

My response was that, the robe allowance cannot be for a decent robe, but for ‘a ran di robe’ sewn by ‘Ejika ni Shop’! That is, a robe sewn by a roadside tailor who carries his sewing machine on his shoulder, going from street to street looking for customers.

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

The

Advocate “Where the highest paid Chief Magistrate in the Lagos State Judiciary for example, takes home something like N540,000 monthly….I actually saw the payslip of a Magistrate Grade II, who earns N155,000 per month!…. The lowest paid Magistrate in South Africa earns about N1,730,000 monthly…. struggling for public transportation seems to be the norm amongst Magistrates…” from striking, the Magistrates actually took to the streets in their robes to demonstrate in 2014 and 2017. Of course, such strike action goes against the expected demeanour of judicial officers, who are meant to be quiet, guarded, dignified and of the highest etiquette, any maybe that is why our State Governments have been able to get away with treating the Magistracy so badly, over the years. While the Magistrates Association in Lagos continues to suffer in silence, in Republic of Benin and even in Calabar where Magistrates also carried placards in protest, it seemed to be a case of desperate measures to address desperate situations that could no longer be tolerated.

Where the highest paid Chief Magistrate in the Lagos State Judiciary for example, takes home something like N540,000 monthly (allowances inclusive)(a take home pay that doesn’t take you home - a salary that is just a little more than a Senator’s newspaper allowance!), and the pension is N50,000 per month (less than the pay of some domestic workers in private homes), why is it that it is a surprise to anyone, that a call to the Nigerian Magistracy being a call to penury, may end up as a call to corruption, especially in a Kleptocratic country like ours, that is, a country where corrupt political leaders misappropriate the common wealth of the nation for

themselves, at the expense of the people.

It is simply a microcosm, of the larger society. Many Magistrates earn less than N200,000 monthly. I actually saw the payslip of a Magistrate Grade II, who earns N155,000 per month! Magistrates in most other States, are paid even less.

So disgraceful.

Examples of Awful Conditions Recently, I read an article authored by Learned Senior Advocate, Dr Muiz Banire, in which he stated that he saw his classmate, a Magistrate, struggling with other passengers to board public transportation! When he called to enquire from his friend the reason for his use of public transportation, his friend informed him that he couldn’t afford to fuel his car for the month. How sad.

What if a Defendant who is on bail, also boarded the same bus, recognised the Magistrate and decided to pounce on him and damn the consequences?

Though shameful, struggling for public transportation seems to be the norm amongst Magistrates, as I also read a news story where the Chairman, Magistrates Association in Bauchi, complained that Magistrates were constrained to board commercial vehicles alongside litigants.

Similarly, a friend of mine who resides in one of the South West States, told me that on his way to court one morning, he sighted a Chief Magistrate also speeding

Comparative Analysis In Kenya, a Chief Magistrate earns 732,000 Kenyan Shillings monthly, which is over N3 million, while the lowest paid Resident Magistrate earns 190,000 Kenyan Shillings, just over a N1 million. Their salaries were upwardly reviewed in 2021, after the last review in 2017 (four years interval). The lowest paid Magistrate in Kenya, earns almost double what the highest paid Chief Magistrate in Lagos is paid!

In Ghana, it seems that the salaries of Magistrate Judges as they are referred to over there, are staggered based on the number of years they have been serving. The highest paid Magistrate Judge, one of 20+ years experience is paid 246,200 Ghanaian Cedis per annum, which amounts to about N1,399,000 per month, while the lowest paid, a Magistrate of two years or less, earns N586,434, more than a Chief Magistrate in Lagos.

The lowest paid Magistrate in South Africa earns about N1,730,000 monthly, more than three times more than a Chief Magistrate here.

Even though Sections 81(3)(c) and 84(2) of the Constitution provide that the remuneration, salaries and allowances of certain officers shall be a charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, only Judicial Officers of Superior Courts of Record amongst others, are listed in Section 84(4) thereof as recipients. Magistrates are excluded, and fall into the purview of Section 121(3)(b) of the Constitution, to be paid by the State.

The Way Forward It is time for the State Governors/Governments to therefore, do the needful. The salaries and allowances of Magistrates, are overripe for a healthy upward review. It seems that the Nigerian Magistrates, may be in the category of the worst paid. How can dignity be restored to the Magistracy, when Magistrates ride on okadas and struggle for public transportation?

Luckily, we have a new Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who doubles as the AG of the FCT, which also has a Magistracy like other States. Leading by example, by doing a holistic review of the FCT Magistracy and their conditions of service, with a view to recommending the much needed adjustments as soon as possible for immediate implementation by the Federal Government, will hopefully spur on the State AGs to recommend same to the State Judicial Service Commissions and their Governors, especially if the meetings of the AGF and all the State AGs are held regularly, and seen as an important forum where good policy can be driven nationwide.

There must be a serious collaboration between the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and the State Chief Judges too, to improve the lot of the Magistrates.

P.S. We are all watching with keen interest, as the case of the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Professor Cyril Ndifon, unfolds. Obviously, he didn’t learn much from the case of Professor Akindele of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, who was released from prison last year, after serving two years imprisonment in the case of a ‘sex-for-marks’ case, involving a student, Monica Osagie.

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

Body Empowered to Recruit Constables into the Nigeria Police Force Facts A dispute arose between the Appellants and the Respondents as to who, between the 2nd Appellant and 1st Respondent, is statutorily responsible for the recruitment of constables into the Nigeria Police Force.

Consequently, the 1st Respondent filed an action at the Federal High Court, seeking inter alia the determination of questions on the interpretation of the provisions of Section 153(1)(m) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Paragraph 30 Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, and Sections 6 and 25 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001 with regards to the body responsible for the appointment, promotion, dismissal or exercise of disciplinary control over any persons holding or aspiring to hold offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General).

The 1st Respondent sought, upon the determination of these questions, a declaration that by the combined effect of the referenced provisions, it is the sole statutory body exclusively empowered to appoint, promote, dismiss or exercise disciplinary control over any persons holding or aspiring to hold offices in the Nigeria Police Force, except the Inspector General. The 1st Respondent also sought, amongst other reliefs, an order nullifying any act or attempt by the Appellants to appoint, enlist or recruit persons into the Nigeria Police Force.

The trial court, whilst dismissing the 1st Respondent’s case held that. the powers of the 1st Respondent to appoint officers into the Nigeria Police Force (excluding the 2nd Appellant) do not include the power to recruit constables. The trial court held that Regulation 71 of the Nigeria Police Regulations, 1968 specifically confers on the Appellants the power to recruit constables, and the statutory powers of the 1st Respondent in relation to the appointment of officers into the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General of Police), are only exercisable after the 2nd Appellant has exercised the power to recruit the said constables. Displeased, the 1st Respondent appealed to the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and held that the power of appointment donated to the 1st Respondent by the Constitution and its enabling Act, encapsulates the power to recruit constables.

The Court of Appeal also nullified Regulation 71 of the Nigeria Police Regulations, for being inconsistent with the Constitution. Dissatisfied, the Appellant filed an appeal before the Supreme Court.

Issue for Determination The Supreme Court adopted the first issue submitted by the Appellant, as the central issue germane for the determination of the appeal.

Whether the Court of Appeal was right in its finding that, as between the 1st Appellant and the 1st Respondent, it is the 1st Respondent (Police Service Commission) that has the power to recruit constables into the Nigeria Police Force.

Arguments Learned senior counsel for the Appellants submitted that Regulation 71 of the Nigeria Police Regulations 1968, clearly designates the statutory officers of the 1st Appellant who shall be responsible for the enlistment of recruit constables; that the recruitment is for the purpose of identifying and training such persons before they can be appointed as officers in the 1st Appellant. He contended that there is a distinction between the word “recruit” and “appoint”, and that the 1st Respondent’s powers of appointment are different from the 2nd Appellant’s power of recruitment. He argued that while the Police Act and the Nigeria Police Regulations 1968 made provisions specifically for the enlistment of recruit constables and their training, the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act 2001 and the Constitution do not contain such provisions but only made provisions only for the appointment of persons to offices in the 1st Appellant.

He further submitted that the Court of Appeal erred by nullifying Regulations 71 and other related Regulations of the Nigeria Police Regulations, on the basis that they were inconsistent with the provisions of Paragraph 30 Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution and Section 6 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act as, according to him, there is nothing in the Constitution or the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, whether

Honourable Tijjani Abubakar, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 11th day of July, 2023 Before Their Lordships Mohammed Lawal Garba Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Sulawa Adamu Jauro Tijjani Abubakar Justices, Supreme Court SC/CV/773/2020 Between 1. NIGERIA POLICE FORCE 2. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE 3. HON. MINISTER OF POLICE AFFAIRS

APPELLANTS

And 1.

2.

POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION

RESPONDENTS

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Tijjani Abubakar, JSC)

direct or implied, to indicate that they intended to repeal the said Regulations.

On the other hand, learned senior counsel for the 1st Respondent submitted that the Court of Appeal rightly held that, the words “appointment “and “recruitment” mean one and the same thing. He argued that the powers conferred on the 1st Respondent by the Constitution and the enabling Act, extends to recruitment or enlistment of constables into the Nigeria Police Force. He submitted that the 1st Respondent having been created by the Constitution and empowered by Paragraph 30 Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution to appoint persons to offices in the Nigeria Police Force, its powers in this regard extend to constables as listed in the Schedule to the Police Act; the only exception being the office of the 2nd Appellant. He submitted that the lower court rightly voided all the provisions in the Nigeria Police Regulations 1968, which purport to vest the power of enlistment of recruit

“….the power of the 1st Respondent to appoint officers into the Nigeria Police Force (except for the 2nd Defendant) also includes the power to recruit….

As of today, the body empowered to recruit Police Constables by law, is the Police Service Commission.”

constables into the Nigeria Police Force as being inconsistent with the Constitution.

Court’s Judgement And Rationale In determining the appeal, the Court referred to the provision of Section 153(1)(m) of the 1999 Constitution which established the 1st Respondent and subsection 2 thereof, on its composition and powers contained in Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution. The Court also reproduced Paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution which vests the 1st Respondent with the powers to appoint persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force, and to promote, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons in the Nigeria Police Force. The Court held that it is clear from a combined reading of subsection 2 of Section 153 and Paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, that the 1st Respondent is statutorily empowered to appoint persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force.

The Apex Court also referred to Section 6 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act 2001, to the effect that the 1st Respondent shall be responsible for the appointment, promotion, dismissal and exercise of disciplinary control over persons in the Nigeria Police Force, with the exception of the Inspector General of Police. Further affirming the statutory powers of the 1st Respondent at the relevant time it was established, the court referred to Section 24 of the Police

Service Commission (Establishment) Act 2001, which brought persons holding offices in the 1st Appellant before the commencement of the Act within the purview of the disciplinary control and other powers of the 1st Respondent.

Thereafter, the Court proceeded to determine whether as argued by the Appellants, the 1st Respondent’s powers of appointment do not extend to recruitment of constables. Relying on Chapter 2, Section 2, Number 020201 of the Public Service Rules held by the Court to be applicable to the 1st Appellant, the Court held that although the word used by the Constitution and the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act on the powers of the 1st Respondent is “appoint”; however, by the ordinary English and legal meaning of both words, it encapsulates the process of recruitment. The Court referred to its definition of “recruit” in its decision in IYEKE v P. T. 1. (2019) 2 NWLR (PT. 1656) 217 as meaning to “hire or enrol or to seek to hire or enrol (new employees, students etc)”. In other words, recruitment and appointment for the purpose of employing personnel into the Nigeria Police Force are one and the same thing, and the 1st Respondent is constitutionally empowered to carry out the process of recruiting persons for positions within the Nigeria Police Force, other than the office of the Inspector General of Police.

On whether the office of a constable is an office within the contemplation of Paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution and Section 6(1) of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, the Apex Court held that flowing from the provision of Section 141 of the Police Act 2020 which defines a constable as an officer below the rank of a corporal and the Schedule to the Act which provides that the hierarchy of the Police shall consist of constables, recruits amongst others; it is clear that the office of a constable is an office within the Nigeria Police Force and within the contemplation of Paragraph 30 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution.

Therefore, the power of the 1st Respondent to appoint officers into the Nigeria Police Force (except for the 2nd Defendant), also includes the power to recruit. As of today, the body empowered to recruit Police Constables by law, is the Police Service Commission.

The Court further held that the provision of Regulation 71 of the Nigeria Police Regulation 1968 which created recruitment officers subject to any necessary delegation of powers by the Nigeria Police Council and subject to the control of the Inspector General of Police, is clearly inconsistent with Paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution which vests the powers regarding appointment, enlistment or recruitment of persons into the Nigeria Police Force (excluding the 2nd Respondent) in the 1st Respondent. With the advent of the 1999 Constitution which did not confer such powers on the Nigeria Police Council, it is impossible for the Nigeria Police Council and the 2nd Appellant to delegate powers or exercise any control in respect of the appointment or recruitment of constables.

Affirming the decision of the Court of Appeal voiding Regulations 71 (and other relevant provisions) of the Nigeria Police Regulations for being in conflict with Paragraph 30 Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, the Apex Court held that any law enacted before the coming into force of the Constitution which is in conflict with the provisions of the Constitution must be modified or repealed as required by the Section 315 of the Constitution, and where the National Assembly has neither modified nor repealed it, same must be declared unconstitutional. Therefore, any provisions in the Nigeria Police Regulations, 1968 (an existing law), which overlaps with the provisions of the Constitution empowering the 1st Respondent to appoint officers including constables (except the Inspector General of Police), must be declared null and void to the extent of their inconsistencies.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Dr Alex Iziyon, SAN, OFR, Phd. with Others for the Appellants.

Mr Agabi, SAN for the 1st Respondent.

Adedayo Ogundele ACSC with others for the 2nd Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)An Affiliate of Babalakin & Co.

V

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

L-R: MD/CEO, LawPavilion Business Solutions Limited (LP), Mr Opeyemi Olugasa; Head, Digital Transformation Unit (LP), Damilola Ibiikunle, Head, Digital Publishing Unit (LP), Seyi Funmi Soyemi, and Head, Product Department (LP), Mr Olalekan Sogbein, during the Media launch of Prime GPT and Primsol GPT at LawPavilion office, Opebi Ikeja, Lagos

Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL John Aikpokpo-Martins Suspended Unical Law Faculty Dean, Prof Cyril Ndifon

LawPavilion Set to Revolutionise Legal Advocacy in Nigeria

The Constant innovation through technology and notably, Artificial Intelligence (AI), offers the muchneeded platform for progress in virtually all sectors of human endeavour, is about to revolutionise legal Advocacy and inject pace into the often very slow Nigerian Justice system as the foremost legaltech company in Africa, LawPavilion Business Solutions Ltd over the weekend at a press conference, shed light on how leveraging the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), can revolutionise the legal landscape with the presentation of two new AI products.

Speaking at the event, Ope Olugasa, the MD/CEO of LawPavilion said the urgent need for the Nigerian legal system to embrace

the power of artificial intelligence, has become inevitable. According to him, as technology evolves rapidly, with Generative AI raising the bar in AI landscape, industries, individuals and companies who want to stay ahead of the curve, must adopt these AI tools for transformative services. Drawing a parallel to the remarkable growth witnessed in Nigeria's banking sector through fintech innovations, he illuminated the potential that can be unlocked when technology is harnessed effectively.

Olugasa then announced that LawPavilion Business Solutions Ltd is set to unveil a pivotal advancement at the NBA Conference, with the launch of Prime GPT and Primsol GPT, two revolutionary

NBA-SPIDEL to Probe Kano Election Tribunal Bribery Scandal The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has set up a three-man Committee, to unravel bribery allegations trailing the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal, even as the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Flora Azinge had stated that a staff of the Tribunal is under probe for a financial transfer.

In a press statement release, signed by its Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, SPIDEL commended the Chairman of the Kano State Election Tribunal, for voicing out the fact that attempts have been made by a Senior Advocate to bribe, and by extension, compromise the Tribunal; and more importantly, that money has been shamelessly flying around in the Tribunal for some time. and strongly condemns these evil practices and attempts to compromise the integrity of the Tribunal by unscrupulous legal practitioners.’’ It must be stated that, attempts to bribe Judges and pervert justice are not only criminal in nature, but also amounts to infractions of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Any Lawyer who engages in attempts to compromise the integrity of the court or any of its officers is a disgrace, and an embarrassment to the legal profession’’ SPIDEL also noted, unfortunately, that the Honourable Chairman

has sought to modify her earlier statement, and we hope that this modification is not arising from pressures on her. To keep silent, is to enable malfeasance and perpetuate irresponsible behaviour.

“May we reiterate that the later modification of the earlier statement of the Honourable Chairman of Tribunal, is very surprising and confusing’’.

SPIDEL is willing and ready to take this matter up to ensure that the said Senior Advocate is made to face the wrath of the law as a scapegoat. We would not be satisfied, except the Senior Advocate is called out by the Honourable Chairman.

We, therefore, call on the Honourable Chairman, Honourable Justice Flora Azinge, to boldly and courageously disclose the name of the Senior Advocate and other senior Lawyers (if any) involved in this scandalous attempt to compromise the integrity of the Tribunal. This call is expedient and the grant of same by the Honourable Chairman is imperative, to enable SPIDEL to do the needful in accordance with her mandate and in furtherance of the objectives of the Rules of Professional Conduct in the Legal Profession, which makes it a duty upon every Lawyer to report every infraction of the RPC to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.

AI-driven platforms that stand to redefine legal drafting and advocacy. He asserted that this strategic embrace of AI is more than a mere catchphrase, as it is a resolute commitment to harness an unparalleled opportunity to get things right.

Elaborating on the trajectory of the Justice Revolution powered

by AI and GPT, he detailed a phased approach encompassing Lawyers, Judges, and citizens, further positing that LawPavilion is poised to spearhead this transformative revolution in the legal landscape through PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT, the groundbreaking AI solutions, meticulously crafted to empower legal professionals with comprehensive insights, expediting decision-making, enhancing efficiency, and elevating precision in their advocacy and legal research.

He said ‘With the incorporation of generative AI GPT into our trusted legal research tools -Prime and Primsol, Lawyers do not have to lose a case again on the grounds of technicality’.

Expounding on the innovative PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT, Damilola Ibikunle, the head of the Digital Transformation Unit at LawPavilion said "PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT transcend mere products; they stand as embodi-

ments of innovation, and a resolute commitment to empowering legal practitioners with tools that elevate their practice to unparalleled heights.

These state-of-the-art offerings harness the formidable potential of AI and advanced algorithms, revolutionising the landscape of legal research. They illuminate the path to accuracy, efficiency, and profound insight within the intricate domain of legal research".

In a captivating demonstration of PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT's operational mechanics, Olalekan Sogbein, head of Products at LawPavilion, articulated how legal practitioners can seamlessly input their case summaries into these platforms. In mere seconds, the generative AI delves into the vast reservoir of LawPavilion's legal database, extracting pivotal insights encompassing jurisdiction, subject-matter, mode of commencement, and issues for determination with possible legal arguments and authorities to support the issues. This streamlined process empowers legal professionals, with a rock-solid foundation for crafting compelling legal briefs and arguments that stand resolute in the face of complexity.

In response to the inquiry regarding the potential job displacement of Lawyers, Olugasa passionately

elucidated that AI's role is not to replace Lawyers, but to liberate them from mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on more cerebral and value-driven activities. He affirmed that both PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT are meticulously designed to empower Lawyers to accomplish more within less time, expanding their capabilities to efficiently handle multiple briefs.

He delved into how the arduous preliminary research that would normally consume days, can now be concluded in a matter of minutes. He posited that leveraging on AI such as PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT, will give Lawyers the needed propeller to launch into the league of the globally sought-after legal practitioners.

Olugasa confidently concluded that AI will not replace Lawyers, but Lawyers who harness AI will replace Lawyers who do not.

Responding to enquiries about whether PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT will facilitate the input of briefs to predict case outcomes, Olugasa shared that this is indeed, a facet the organisation is exploring for the second phase of PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT. He assured everyone present, that the second phase will be launched in a matter of months following this inaugural phase.

Addressing concerns about the accuracy of PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT, particularly in light of AI's occasional inaccuracies, Olugasa stated emphatically that LawPavilion is acutely aware of this aspect. Olugasa underlined that backed by years of experience in legal technology, LawPavilion developed PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT specifically for Lawyers, leveraging authentic legal data from LawPavilion's extensive legal resources. He however emphasised a caveat, that there is always a need for due diligence by legal practitioners, as AI is only meant to enhance their work, and not replace it.

On whether Lawyers can start subscribing to PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT, Olugasa said Lawyers can presently pre-order PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT, pending the official launch which is set to take place at the upcoming NBA Conference. Olugasa extended an invitation to forward-thinking legal practitioners who are keen on steering the wheel of justice forward in Nigeria, urging them to visit LawPavilion's exhibition booth at the NBA Conference, to witness firsthand the revolutionary capabilities of PrimeGPT and PrimsolGPT, and to seize the opportunity to subscribe.

Prof Cyril Ndifon: NBA Launches Investigation into Alleged Professional Misconduct The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). in response to recent allegations of professional misconduct involving members of the legal community, has taken decisive measures to address the issue. In a statement released on Saturday, the NBA outlined its actions and commitment to maintaining the integrity of the legal profession.

According to the statement the NBA has decided to launch an investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Prof.

Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar. This move follows a resolution by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA during its recent monthly meeting.

The meeting Presided over

by NBA President Mr Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON SAN, was attended by all National Officers of the association. An ad-hoc committee, led by 1st Vice President, Mrs Linda Rose Bala, Assistant General Secretary Mr Daniel Kip, Chairperson of NBA Women’s Forum, and the Chairman of the NBA Calabar Branch, has been established to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations against Prof.

Ndifon.

Also in a related development, the NBA has addressed recent reports concerning the attempted bribery of Justice Flora Azinge of the National Assembly and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Kano.

The NBA, in its pursuit of transparency and accountability,

has formally requested Justice Azinge to provide the association with further details regarding the allegations. This request, contained in a letter dated August 16, 2023, aims to facilitate a thorough investigation into the matter.

Moreover, the NBA’s commitment to upholding the highest professional standards within the legal community, is further demonstrated by the actions taken against certain members for unbecoming conduct. Following deliberations at a previous monthly meeting, the National Officers of the NBA have lodged petitions with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC). These petitions target individuals whose actions have raised

concerns about their adherence to the ethical standards of the profession.

Among those facing petitions are Mr Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Ifunanya Excel Grant, a young Lawyer from the Aba Branch known on social media as “the baddest Lawyer.” Mr Yunusa-Ari’s petition is rooted in allegations surrounding the declaration of the 2023 gubernatorial election result in Adamawa State, while Miss Ifunanya faces complaints related to her online behaviour, including explicit content and videos, as well as engaging in substance abuse.

#upjudicialsalaries “The working conditions of the Judiciary, are having a detrimental effect on recruiting exceptional Judges. The Committee notes that poor working conditions of judicial officers, is one of a number of factors that are currently affecting recruitment to the Bench, and is deeply concerned about the impact on the administration of justice…..We propose a 200% salary increase across board, for all judicial officers.” - NBA Working Committee on Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service

VI COVER

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

Soji Awogbade

PHOTO: Kola Ali

‘Nigeria’s Energy Industry is Dysfunctional and Outdated’ At 70, Mr Soji Awogbade is set to retire from AELEX, a law firm that he co-founded with four other partners in 2004. He has been in the saddle as Head of the Energy Sector of the firm from the inception of the firm, and also served as Managing Partner for a number of years. In a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi over the weekend, he shared his thoughts on Nigeria’s challenges in the energy sector, the business of law, the secret of successful partnerships, and his next steps after his exit from the firm

K

indly, give us a brief overview of the journey of your professional life, up to the point that you became a founding Partner of Aelex Law Firm. For almost two decades, the firm has continued to thrive. Given the fact that partnerships don’t really thrive in

our clime, what has been the staying power of the founding Partners? Now that you are 70, are you continuing in active practice in the firm, or what next?

I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1997 after accidentally studying law at the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi

“The second factor for longevity, is that partnerships actually have an underpinning recognition that the law is a business”

Awolowo University. At the law faculty, Ife, I went through a column of Professors who used different styles for instructing to teach the law. Some were downright school teachers, others were pure academics, while one or two were practice oriented. I was attracted to the academics, and I nearly gave thought to becoming one myself. Life as a law student was good; the curriculum allowed many extracurricular activities. We were overindulged by the government of the day, in terms of life on campus.

My professional career started at the Ministry of Justice, Sokoto, in the then North-Western State of Nigeria, and I still remember

very clearly the mentorship I enjoyed under the then Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the State, Lawal Bungudu, who was a gentleman. He took me under his wings. There, I had my first introduction to criminal law prosecution – it was a sodomy case. That was an uncommon break, and in retrospect, it must have happened because there were no Lawyers at the Ministry at the time. The thrill I got from life as a Prosecutor, ignited my interest in the advocacy. I was already beginning to enjoy law practice, even as a Youth Corper.

When I left Sokoto, I was employed as a Counsel by Fani Kayode & Sowemimo, even though I did not apply for the job. There, I had my

VII

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER ‘Nigeria’s Energy Industry is Dysfunctional and Outdated’ first introduction to specialisation; a section of the firm did almost exclusively solicitors’ work. Although I was not at the firm for a long time, I took note of the distinctions between barristers and solicitors, even in a fused profession.

A very unusual conversation at the Federal Court of Appeal, handed me my next job at the Chambers of a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief M. A. Agbamuche, SAN; Agbamuche & Co. There, I was fortunate to do top-level barrister work, without being led by a Senior from start to finish. I use the word “fortunate” because a junior usually has a Senior to guide and teach, but, in my case, the absence of supervision compelled me to be more meticulous and thorough. This became my work ethic, and remains one of my biggest strengths to date. My work included, land suits, corporate oil and gas, construction. I also prosecuted medical malpractices for the Nigerian Medical Council, a client of the firm. I took cases through the full gamut of the judicial system, including the Supreme Court, during this period.

My restless spirit drove me to another practice, where I had a brief sojourn before setting up my law firm, Soji Awogbade & Co. So, by my 10th year at the Bar, I was self-employed with five juniors working with me. .My work as a barrister, reached its peak at Soji Awogbade & Co. I vividly recall the excitement of being instructed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who was also a Queens Counsel, to represent a company whose board he chaired, in a contractual dispute.

The matter was before one of the most respected, almost feared Judges of the Lagos High Court in those days. Justice L. J. Dosunmu delivered judgement in this case against my client, declaring that the Belgian Embassy who had engaged my client in a commercial contract, enjoyed sovereign immunity in contractual matters.

This case made the headlines of newspapers and law reporting channels, for its unique and ground breaking implications. I was up against the most celebrated Rotimi Williams Chambers. We traded law for law, and they carried the day.

We filed an appeal at the insistence of my client, who believed that the learned trial Judge erred in law.

One unique thing also happened; my chambers was besieged by a few academics who also urged us to appeal the decision, to reverse what they thought was a dangerous precedent on the subject-matter.

We could not persuade the Court of Appeal to see the point, so the case ended there. I also decided I no longer wanted to be a Barrister, and focused on practice as a Solicitor.

It was while practising as a solici-

Soji Awogbade

tor, that I was invited to lead Nigeria’s oldest law practice as its Managing Partner. At the time, Irving & Bonnar was at the very pinnacle of legal practice in Nigeria. The bulk of its clients were conglomerates and multinationals, with very few private clients, and the firm stood out for having participated in many landmark business transactions. With its rich heritage, it was an honour to succeed a long line of toplevel Lawyers. Interestingly, despite having a very small barrister portfolio, Irving & Bonnar also produced many Judges, including former Supreme Court Justices. I recall that their portraits adorned the hallways of the office.

I spent nine years in the saddle, before delving into entrepreneurial law again under the sentimental name of Victor & Charles, which I co-founded with my late wife, Jumoke Madarikan. The firm got the attention of the market and had its fair share of corporate work, but had a unique limitation which I identified very early; the legal services market had matured by this time, in the corporate and commercial side, to demanding specialisms in law.

So, clients were increasingly looking for multiple skillsets for their legal requirements.

They were looking for Lawyers

“So, the staying power of the partnership at AELEX was recognising that what we had agreed to do is a business which should be profitable, all things being equal”

with numerate, Lawyers with negotiation know-how to support them in their transactions. The banking and oil and gas sectors were particularly demanding, in this respect. Having encountered a number of setbacks in landing such instructions, I decided that it was time that a multidisciplinary law firm entered the market. I consulted widely, within the industry. This was how AELEX was born.

My consultations revealed that there were a few law firms which were already working along these lines, and some who were thinking about doing so. The foundation Partners of AELEX, fell into the second category. We discussed and planned rigorously, and launched in 2004. The reception we got, more than justified our thinking. The concept is now proven to be successful, and many have borrowed from it.

As to the longevity of partnerships, the fault is not in our stars.

Even now, most Nigerian, or may I say, African law practices, are founded and based on the skill or fame of their founders. The reputation of the partners is the fuel that oils the practice, and it usually stays that way, until natural forces terminate the journey. Some hand over to relations or progeny which is still the predominant culture today, perhaps, because barristers, who form at least 90% of the profession, attract business by name recognition. That may explain why partnerships are not so popular or widespread.

The second factor for longevity, is that partnerships actually have an underpinning recognition that the law is a business. Therefore, law being a profession in which you could rely almost exclusively on your personal standing, does not readily recommend itself as a zone for combinations. In between these two reasons, lie

the explanation, in my view, of why partnerships do not seem to thrive in our environment. I could write a book on this subject!

So, the staying power of the partnership at AELEX was recognising that what we had agreed to do is a business which should be profitable, all things being equal.

We also were determined to boost our professional standing, both as individuals and as a firm.

As part of the governance rules at AELEX, you are obliged to retire from the practice at the age of 70, even if you became a Partner at 69!

So, I cannot continue as a Partner, even if I wanted to. One thing is clear – as a Founding Partner, I can never detach myself from AELEX. It will always have a special place in my heart. What I do next with the energy I have left, will be less black letter law, more policy work and civic duties. In fact, I have spent the last five years driving policy, especially with African Trade. I also plan to play more golf and spend time with my family, who have were generous to share me with the law.

As Head of the Energy Practice Section of Aelex, what direction do you believe that Nigeria’s energy sector should be going?

The continuous reliance on petroleum now appears to be an anathema, while the rest of the world is moving towards coal, wind energy and even electric vehicles.

From my exposure as an adviser to the energy sector, even before AELEX, it was my view that the long standing structure of the industry is dysfunctional and incapable of meeting the requirements of a modern economy or society. Luckily, I had aired my position on this over a decade ago, and my insights were drawn from the good fortune of watching the Energy Ministers of two other countries at close range.

Cont'd on page VIII

VIII TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY COVER ‘Nigeria’s Energy Industry is Dysfunctional and Outdated’ Cont'd from page VII

Nigeria still does not have my dream type of Ministry of Energy.

Our structure splits the components of the energy sector into silos which sometimes don’t speak to one another as clearly as they should, in a way that conduces to building an integrated energy sector. I am glad to find out that this paradigm is about to shift, not exclusively thanks to changes in the Petroleum Sector through the Petroleum Industry Act. Even with that legislation, there is still quite a bit of mileage, to a fully integrated energy sector.

As to the global and local arguments on zero carbon and the environment, while it is difficult to argue against the science of climate change, the commercial reality and viability of the options on the table for Africa and especially Nigeria, requires a careful and educated discourse. No one can deny climate change and its effects, but the needs of the people who inhabit the planet, appear to be growing in a totally different progression to the reality that science is pushing.

The consumption of energy, is one of the most universal attributes of the human race. While some may have a deeper understanding of its implications, a great majority are oblivious of what consuming energy really implicates, or directly instigates. The argument becomes even more complicated when you juxtapose the interest of energyrelated resource bearing nations against the consuming nations, and the design of production and consumption. It is clear that the disparate interests may have to align in a very difficult marriage, which will continuously require skilful handling, to avert a global catastrophe. My prescription speaks to a balance, between the hydrocarbon power and environment sectors of the economy.

Why does Nigeria allow oil companies to continue to flare gas and pollute the atmosphere, instead harnessing her gas reserves for commercial value?

The petroleum sector is a peculiar sector, requiring a welter of skillsets to find and produce petroleum.

As to flaring, it is important to remember that there are two broad types of gases – gas associated with oil, and gas not associated with oil. Globally, the sector recognises that it is inherent in the production of oil which has associated gas, to totally eliminate flaring. What technology has succeeded in doing is minimising flaring activity, because of its deleterious consequence to the environment. Continuous research is being conducted on the subject, and in recognition of that, progressive regulation and legislation-making

Soji Awogbade

is cognisant of the fact that zero flare is an ideal which can only be aspired to.

The cost implication of reducing flaring, is another kettle of fish entirely. It is popularly known that even where fines exist, operators of oil fields find gas to be a nuisance to be flared, as a result there are now mandatory requirements that alternative processes and uses must be devised for the gas that comes associated with oil. Exploration and production of gas on its own, shares the same province with the issue of gas flares, and it is therefore. subject to the same constraints and hurdles. We never issue gas only licences.

As to the rest of the world, it is difficult to see where they are moving to, apart from the fashionable slogans of environmental friendliness. With the rash of new oil exploration licenses being issued, by even the most environmentally conscious jurisdictions of the world, it is difficult to measure how quickly the rest of the world is expected to transit from hydrocarbons to renewable energy. Coal, which has the reputation of being the cheapest fuel since the Industrial Revolution, is regarded as the dirtiest fuel and is likely to go first. Luckily, the component of coal in the Nigerian fuel mix is very low. Therefore, we escape the

“….it is difficult to see under the doctrine of State Sovereignty, how any one State can dictate a form of governance to another. Sadly, the tools that the global community has always used to discourage nonconstitutional government change, may seem to be losing their effectiveness….”

judgement and wrath of the rest of the world on that score.

Renewables constitute less than 5% of the power mix today. Our ambition is much higher. because of our obligations under the Paris Agreement. Electric vehicles are a rarity in most economies, that do not have stable power.

Therefore, it is not difficult to see why Nigeria’s allure to EVs is still very low. Needless to say that, it is in matters like this that government behaviour is the best precept to stimulate lifestyle changes, which are not mandated by law.

Nigerians apparently weren’t prepared for the sudden and unexpected removal of fuel subsidy, which has resulted in an astronomical rise in the prices of goods across board.

Our refineries are comatose.

How do we bridge the gap, and address these present challenges? Should Government reverse its decision, as the Kenyan Government has done temporarily?

There is a voodoo about the existence and real impact of the so-called fuel subsidies in Nigeria.

The anecdotal illustrations of the subject, bring out the complexity of any kind of solution that may be deployed by any government.

The seeming knee-jerk step of the current government was widely applauded, because there was a genuine belief by those applauding that the funding of the subsidy is a major drain on the national coffers. The benefits of which were going to a tiny and negligible few. However, some argue that the concept is a fiction of budgeting and economic management. The third school, actually believes that too many sectors of the economy, especially those catering to the privileged, enjoy a subsidy of one type or another and therefore, singling out fuel subsidy, as the cure of a subsidy syndrome directly

targets the poor. From my little analysis, I’m sure you will agree with me that this is no schoolboy assignment.

Given Nigeria’s growing population, how can energy needs be met, especially in an inclement environment with corruption and inefficiency?

As you can see from my response on the issue of the fuel subsidy, unless inefficiency is reduced and corruption checked, it is difficult to solve a problem like energy supply or consumption.

Power plant projects in Nigeria are basically perceived as drainpipes and scams, with many either never taking off or slow in coming to full operation, after humongous amounts are pumped. How can this trend be reversed?

If the Government does not divest itself of the notion that its responsibility to power is by establishment of plants, the power supply problem will remain largely unresolved. Firstly, such initiatives when taken by Government, bow to political considerations which are sometimes at variance with economic realities in procurement, siting and operation of the plants.

A look at the current geography of power plants in Nigeria, immediately reveals lopsided arrangements in the Sector. Plants are either sitting far away from consumers, or in locations considered far away from fuel supply. Some of these plants will be expensive to connect to the national grid, while others are of a nature that only highly specialised operators should operate them. For this reason, the starts and stops that are prevalent of Government behaviour in this sector, do not come as a great surprise to many who understand power. That is not to say that Government is not conscious of the deficiencies, or that it is not attempting to correct them, however, the traditional policy flipCont'd on page IX

IX

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER ‘Nigeria’s Energy Industry is Dysfunctional and Outdated’ Cont'd from page VIII

flops inherent in regime change, rules change, and the reality of the marketplace, make it difficult to get to a reasonable success level, no matter how much money is thrown at the problem. As I have said before, the architecture of energy in Nigeria operated in a silo fashion, is a direct obstacle in the way of any solutions to problems like this, power plants included.

The nation lacks the capacity for reliable alternative source of power, whether solar, wind or natural gas. Some have attributed this to the absence of a clear energy policy by the Government. If you agree with this assertion, what would you suggest to the Government in formulating a workable and sustainable energy policy?

In responding to your earlier question, I already addressed my personal viewpoint on this matter.

All I wish to add, is that power is too important to the lives and livelihood of Nigerians, or any nation, to be left in a disorganised state; it will affect development.

At a recent Lecture on Prison Decongestion, we were informed that one of the reasons for prison congestion is Police’s poor investigative skills. There seems to be a huge deficiency in the use of forensics and technology which aids investigation to a large extent, in fact, we were told that Government hospitals do not even provide the chemicals needed for autopsies, which are crucial in murder cases. Unfortunately, Lagos State’s world class Forensic Laboratory was mostly destroyed by hoodlums during #EndSARs. How do we change this negative narrative, bring Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies investigative techniques into the 21st century?

The legal system which Nigeria operates, especially for the administration of justice and law enforcement, is overdue for a major overhaul. The institutions that were created under the system, are usually somewhat handicapped to function under the guiding principles set for them. By far the greatest handicap, is the under-investment in the administration of justice.

Unfortunately, the proliferation and development of crime in the world respects no boundaries. Therefore, every system which is alive to the implications of crime, ought to continually renew its procedures and processes to be ahead or at least to catch up with crime. That doesn’t seem to be something that our legal system is equipped to do.

To mention forensics, is to ignore that the point of interest and cynosure in the law enforce-

Soji Awogbade

ment architecture, is your local Police station. A visit to most of them will reveal how inadequate they are, to execute the functions given to them. In fact, the Nigerian Police system is a campaign platform for philanthropy, whereby the rich and the prosperous demonstrate their social responsibility to the extent that it looks as if Government has surrendered the zone to non-government actors.

There is no doubt that other methods of crime investigation and adjudication, including forensics will produce a just and speedy resolution in most cases. Whether it is the mere destruction of one facility, or the lack of availability of one substrate or the other, a legion of problems are waiting to be attended to.

I have a personal interest in forensics, and it has been demonstrated to me by experts worldwide deploying forensics, that it is a tool that could correct the contracting and implementation behaviour of both the private and public sectors, if targeted at the evaluation of value for money and other indicators in public procurement.

Are you in support of ECOWAS using military intervention to restore democracy in Niger? Is there any law or treaty

“It is clearly too early to write the report card of the Tinubu administration….The Tinubu administration, is trying to do something in many areas where we had poor or no governance for decades. So long as it consults and conducts open governance….”

that supports such an action?

What about the doctrine of sovereignty?

The doctrine of sovereignty of nations is inviolable, and it has been used to justify both laudable and not so laudable intentions.

The tender democracies that Africa has, unfortunately suffer from the malaise of misgovernance, conflict of ideology and curious cultural interpretations of the concept of democracy.

The Nigerien insurrectionists have highlighted some of these points, in their speeches. Some of these problems come from a colonial heritage, which in my view, has no current validity.

With that as a background, it is difficult to see under the doctrine of State Sovereignty, how any one State can dictate a form of governance to another.

Sadly, the tools that the global community has always used to discourage non-constitutional government change, may seem to be losing their effectiveness, due to the changing global power architecture; supply chains; as well as ideological shifts.

Military intervention, is a very clumsy and costly tool. So, unless it is clear that the people of a nation have surrendered their sovereignty to a regional or continental authority, it is tenuous, except in self-defence, to see why one nation or regional arrangement should invade another country under the pretext of the rule of law. The bullies of the world may have done it and got away with it, but that doesn’t make it right. The state of the countries many years after invasion under the pretext of rule of law, is another reason why it should be considered carefully.

The last bit of that architecture, is a question of humanitarian considerations. This is an even more difficult terrain to navigate, and must be carefully deployed.

What are your expectations

from the Tinubu administration? Some believe that the administration has started out on a shaky footing, with the removal of the fuel subsidy. They are unhappy about the value of the Naira, which seems to be declining rather rapidly, almost in a free fall against the Dollar, Pound Sterling etc. The people are presently going through very difficult times. Do you think this administration has the capacity to reverse the dwindling fortunes of Nigeria and give Nigerians a better life, or is it too early to make that type of judgement of a Government that is less than three months old?

It is clearly too early to write the report card of the Tinubu administration, but there is a cliché that “do nothing, is not an option in any circumstances”. The Tinubu administration, is trying to do something in many areas where we had poor or no governance for decades. So long as it consults and conducts open governance, the debate should be allowed to explore all possibilities to bring the Nigerian economy out of coma. So long as Government is not arrogant about its solutions, and it can demonstrate the value proposition intrinsic in its steps and policies, they should be given a chance to intervene in various aspects of our economic and even political architecture.

As to my expectations of the Government, I resort to the creed of the Junior Chamber of which I am a Senator. The Junior Chamber International believes “that government should be of laws, rather than of people”. If you carefully unpack that maxim, it speaks to a great deal of the current state of the nation, and if deployed, we will be on our way to prosperity once again.

Will politicians subscribe to such an ethos? My response is, not willingly.

Thank you.

X

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Disputes between States and the Federation: Examining the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (Part 4) STATE (2013) 3 NWLR (pt. 1340) 123 SC, the Apex Court held that though Section 232(1) has indicated that only governments can be competent parties when the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is being invoked, suing through and or suing a sitting Attorney- General will not make the suit incompetent, as Section 20 of the Supreme Court Act, 2004 permits that.

Also, in ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF RIVERS STATE v ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF AKWA IBOM STATE (Supra), the Supreme Court held that even if other persons or institutions are made parties to a suit whereby the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court has been invoked, such original jurisdiction will still avail if the main claims are between the State and the Federal Government or between States, because the existence of such dispute will fulfil the requirements of Section 232 of the Constitution.

Introduction

I

n the last episode of this discourse, we concluded our discussion of the meaning of ‘dispute’ for the purpose of the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. We then examined the legal dimensions of disputes between the States and the Federation, defining the Federation and the conceptual link between it and the Federal Government of Nigeria. We concluded it with a discussion of the principles for the invocation of the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in disputes between States and the Federation.

In today’s episode, we shall conclude our discussion of the principles for the invocation of the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, highlighting instances where the jurisdiction of the court cannot be invoked. We will then consider the possibility of an individual invoking the original jurisdiction of the court, and consider an apparent shift in the position in two circumstances which are discussed, starting with the locus standi of a State to sue in the court to protect its inhabitants or indigenes. Enjoy.

Principles for the Invocation of the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (Continues) However, some cases have also been struck out for feigning ignorance of this dividing thin line.

For instance, in ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF LAGOS STATE v ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION (Supra), the Supreme Court declined original jurisdiction to entertain the action and struck it out. The Plaintiff had sought a declaration that the Value Added Tax Act, Cap. VI, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, is null and void, to the extent that it provides for the imposition and collection of taxes on goods and services in Lagos State, outside the legislative competence of the National Assembly, and perpetual injunction, restraining the Federal Government from continuing to give effect to the provisions of the said Act. The 1st Defendant filed a notice of preliminary objection, urging the court to strike out and/or dismiss the action, stating that the allegation of the Plaintiff is absurd, and is trying to usurp the acts of an agency of the Federal Government.

In its lead judgement delivered by DATTIJO MUHAMMAD, JSC, the Apex Court held that: “the Plaintiff had approached the wrong court, because its claim clearly relates to the revenue of the government of the Federation, consequent upon the taxes of one of its agencies levies, and or/seeks the interpretation of the Constitution as to how the operation of the Constitution affects the 1st Defendant or any of its agencies.

The dispute pertained to the operation of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), in relation to an agency of the Plaintiff.

Rather, it was the Federal High Court that had jurisdiction on matters agency in relation to taxation of companies and other bodies”.

In the same breath, in the case of ATTORNEYGENERAL OF ABIA STATE v ATTORNEYGENERAL OF THE FEDERATION (2007) 2 SC 146, the action of the Plaintiff was a challenge against the establishment and functions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as a Federal agency operating in the States of the Federation. The Supreme Court held that this was not a dispute between the Plaintiff and the Federal Government; neither was it a dispute between the Plaintiff and the rest of the State Governments, who were joined as co-Defendants .

Instances Where the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court Cannot be Invoked The jurisdiction of the Court cannot be invoked where: a. There is a dispute on any criminal matter pursuant to the Court’s original jurisdiction. b. Any dispute arising between individuals at first instance. c. Any dispute between persons and the Federal Government. d. Any dispute between persons and a State Government. e. Any action instituted by a corporate or statutory body. f. Any action wherein a corporate body/ institution/organisation is made a party. g. Any dispute between/amongst Local Government or between a Local Government and a State/the Federal Government.

The above instances were stated in the concurring judgement of I.T MUHAMMAD, JSC, as he then was, in the case of ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF RIVERS STATE v ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF AKWA IBOM STATE (2011) All FWLR (Pt. 579) 1023 S.C. It is almost impossible to have this intriguing discourse without making reference, or highlighting the need for locus standi before a matter can be filed at the Supreme Court.

Locus Standi: Can an Individual Ap-

“….. even if other persons or institutions are made parties to a suit whereby the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court has been invoked, such original jurisdiction will still avail if the main claims are between the State and the Federal Government or between States…..”

A Shift of Position Similarly, in ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF ONDO STATE v ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION& 19 ORS. (1983) 2 SNLR 269, the Ondo State Government brought an action against the Federal Government and 18 other States of the Federation under the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction. However, the 20th Defendant was the then electoral body, that is, the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO). The Apex Court held that the Electoral body, not being a State, cannot properly be brought before it as a court of first Instance.

However, the Supreme Court may have tacitly shifted its earlier position, and nodded to this practice in circumstances such as: 1. Where a person suing through or suing the Attorney-General; and 2. Where the main claim is between a State or States and the Federation.

Locus Standi of States to Protect their Citizens Generally, the issue of locus standi was recently addressed by the Supreme Court, in the landmark case of ATTORNEY- GENERAL OF KADUNA STATE & ORS. v ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION & ORS (2023) LPELR-59936(SC) @(Pp 37 - 39 Paras B - B), where EMMANUEL AKOMAYE AGIM, JSC, illuminated thus: “Let me now consider the argument that the Plaintiffs have no locus standi to bring the suit, because the questions raised for determination and the reliefs sought for in the Originating Summons and the affidavit in support thereof do not show any dispute of facts or law, on which the existence or extent of their legal right depends. It is correct that S.232(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that the dispute between the Federation and a State or between States, over which this Court can exercise original jurisdiction, must be one that involves any question of law or fact on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends. In other words, the dispute must arise over the Plaintiff’s claim or assertion of the existence or extent of a right created or recognised and enforceable by law. This is the right, the breach of which entitles the Plaintiff to remedy, and gives him a right of action and a cause of action.

The rights they assert in this suit are the right to be first consulted by the President as constituents of the Federation, and the right to reasonable notice as such constituents before the President gave the directive or approval to the CBN to implement the change of currency notes, the right to protection of their States' governance, economic and social order against massive disruptions and hardships that have resulted from the hasty and not well thought through and organised implementation of the change, and the right to the establishment of adequate infrastructure and measures to prevent the said disruptions and hardships. It is obvious that the directive has been carried out. The fact is, common knowledge is not reasonably open to question and does not require proof, that the implementation of the directive has continued to deprive all persons and the Plaintiffs access to a substantial part of their funds in banks, thereby forcefully and illegally depriving them their rights of ownership and use of the said funds for State functions. The President's national broadcast of 16-2-2023, confirms this. Inherent in their status as constituents of the Federation under a democratic constitution, is their right to be consulted by the President before the exercise of any executive power of such magnitude as can have a far-reaching effect on the governance, economic and social order of each constituent of the Federation.

Such a right is inherent in the idea of a Federation in a democracy. Without it, the Federation looses its sovereignty, and the President becomes the sovereign and the Government of Nigeria a dictatorship.” (To be concluded next week)

Thus, in the case of ATTORNEYGENERAL OF RIVERS STATE v ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF BAYELSA

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “Presidents come and go, but the Supreme Court goes on forever”. (William Howard Taft)

proach the Supreme Court?

Certainly, the answer to the poser is NO. In RE: LAGOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (2019) 1 NWLR (Pt. 1652) 91, the Intervener/ Applicant approached the Supreme Court via motion, on seeking an order of the court granting leave to be heard in the proceedings between the Plaintiffs and the Defendant, on whether the questions submitted by the Plaintiffs for determination in its amended Originating Summons, ought to be heard by the Supreme Court in its original jurisdiction. The Supreme Court held that, the Applicant was not one of the parties recognised by Section 232(1) of the Constitution to invoke the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. It further held that, to that extent, the application was frivolous and the Applicant was a busybody in a matter that did not involve her.

22.8.2023

XI

XII

22.8.2023

22.8.2023

XIII

XIV

22.8.2023

XV

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY ͰͰ˜ ͰͮͰͱ

FEATURES

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

TPPW 2023: Advancing Women's Career, Enterprise Growth in Africa The Peak Performing Woman, TPPW, 2023 is giving women across Africa a reason to dream on, push the boundaries and challenge the status quo to attain excellence in their careers. This goal was the thrust of the maiden edition of TPPW that honoured female achievers for their unmatched impacts across industries. Rebecca Ejifoma reports on its resolve to advance the career and enterprise growth of one million women on the continent

L-R: Proprietress of Ebire Group of Schools, Bukola Ogunyemi; The Lead Consultant/CEO of The Knowledge and Resource Centre, Dr Mosun Belo-Olusoga; Publisher/Chairman of The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex Ibru; and the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Peak Performer Africa, Dr Abiola Salami at TPP Woman of the Year 2023 and the launch of The Peak Performing Woman's Companion held in Lagos

I

t was a defining moment for outstanding female recipients from all walks of life across Africa. They had converged on The Muson Centre in Lagos to receive their flowers after putting their best foot forward to make igniting impacts as career professionals, entrepreneurs, social innovators, and political office holders, amongst others.

Thanks to CHAMP's TPP Woman of the Year 2023, a perfect vehicle to drive women to attain excellence. It was a confluence of three invaluable activities, including a summit, an exhibition and awards.

With the theme, “Embracing Equity for Peak Performance”, there were fireside chats among other engaging icebreakers, which heralded the unveiling of CHAMP's latest women empowerment tool, The Peak Performing Woman’s Companion, a must-have for every woman aspiring for greatness as peak performers.

"A peak performing woman is a catalyst for socioeconomic growth," says the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of TPP, Dr Abiola Salami. Adding, "Our aim with TPP Woman project is to equip one million women in the next 18 months from launch with the insights from the book to deliver excellence as career professionals, entrepreneurs, social innovators, and political office. The estimated budget for this project is $1 million. The proceeds from this launch will be funding that.”

Arguably, Salami is confident that TPP Woman project is taking women to where they should go. While empowering, connecting, and celebrating women across Africa, it enables more women to live beyond misperceptions, self-limiting beliefs, fears, stereotypes and misplaced emotions that could limit the God-given exceptional nature within women for the development of humanity.

“TPP Woman of the Year 2023 aligns with our quest to celebrate outstanding women yearly. This year, we received 2,543 entries,” he acknowledged, reminding the continent that the struggles and achievements of these women were reflective of a more significant societal shift towards gender equality.

opportunities, women should have that self-belief that they can do it,” she chipped in.

She, however, urged women to develop a broad mindset, keep learning, and grow as they leverage available platforms to take advantage of opportunities.

For Belo-Olusoga, also the Lead Consultant/CEO of The Knowledge and Resource Centre (KRC), women need to understand trends, technology and how it works for them. According to her, women should develop a broad mindset, keep learning and grow as they leverage available platforms to take advantage of opportunities.

To her, reskilling or learning new skills is not about throwing what they have learnt away.

Instead, it allows them to flesh things up from another perspective.

Toyin Sanni Underscores Import of Tech Swiftly on the heels of her presentation is the Founder/CEO of Emerging Africa Group, Toyin Sanni. She encouraged women to leverage advanced technological tools to get to the top of their game. She also underscored the significance of understanding technology, connecting and networking with like minds.

RMD, a He-for-she Even the words of veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, RMD, reverberated throughout the cheering hall. First, he described himself as a he-for-she and a strong advocate of women attaining the zenith of

Cross-section of recipients of The Peak Performing Woman of the Year 2023 their careers. Thus, he emphasised that women could become peak performers by being aware, sensible, and sensitive.

“It’s making peak performance a lifestyle.

Societal biases and religious beliefs hamper women’s progress," says RMD. "There are societal biases and religious beliefs that block women’s progress, and just like Dr Abiola Salami encouraged us, we must do our best to support women to break those beliefs."

Adesuwa Onyenokwe Lends her Voice Echoing other speakers' thoughts as the panel moderator during the summit session, veteran journalist, Mrs Adesuwa Onyenokwe, described TPP Woman as a tool for women to climb the ladder of success.

"The whole essence of The Peak Performing Woman is something I identify with. A peak performing woman is today's woman— you're living today.

"The peak performing woman is about helping women to learn the process," she admitted. "So that with that learning, they can create their glass ceiling, their space and run with it, not forgetting that they must pull many other women along. Excellent topic. Excellent platform.

Excellent idea."

Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru's Review of the Tool In her review of The Peak Performing Woman’s Companion, the Publisher/ Chairman of The Guardian Newspapers, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru commended the convener for addressing the foundational problems undermining women’s careers, personal growth and contributions to nation-building.

“Salami thoughtfully guided women readers through detailed and specific missteps and misunderstandings that,

Ultimately, TPP Woman project, which is empowering women to dream big and achieve excellence is the right thing to do and essential for an equitable and just society.

Inspiring Words of Mosun Belo- That is why the project continues to help women break Olusoga down barriers, promote gender inclusion, and provide The first female Chairman of Access Bank, Mosun Belo-Olusoga, motivated the women with the resources they need to accelerate and women with cheerful words to launch them into winning. "When presented with achieve their full potential and create a better world

most times, undermine their aspirations to become peak performers," she highlighted.

Leveraging lessons from his inspirational piece ‘Who Says It’s a Man’s World: Ageless Lessons for Becoming an Exceptional Woman’, Alex-Ibru pointed out that Salami’s 11 chapters focus on women’s empowerment and self-worth in an increasingly challenging global economy and changing workplace.

Award Recipients For Lifetime Achievement Awards, Justice Amina Augie, the sixth woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice in Nigeria; Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; Dr Mosun BeloOlusoga; the Founder of Girls Grooming School and Author, Mrs Rosemarie Bukola Ogunyemi; and the first female Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Mrs Catherine George.

The West African CEO of the Year is Toyin F. Sanni. Under the CEO of the Year category are Funke Bucknor-Obruthe (Event Management); CEO of the African Business Coalition for Health (ABCHealth), Dr Mories Atoki, (Health Advocacy); CEO and Principal Consultant of U-Connect, Omomene Odike (Human Resources); and the first female CEO/MD of ASO Savings, Risikatu Ahmed (Mortage Banking of the Year) among others.

Among the Super Achievers Category are Chioma Yvonne Afe for marketing communications; Ruth Isime for media; Folake Ani-Mumuney for marketing and communications; Thelma Ekiyor and Olatowun Candide-Johnson for women development.

For the Exemplary Leadership category are the Group Features Editor of THISDAY, Mrs Chiemelie Ezeobi for Media; Kemi Ogunkoya for capacity development; Nancy Isime for Media. Under the Woman for Excellence are Konye Chelsea Nwabogor for media; Ifesinachi Okpagu for marketing and corporate communications; and Katja Schiller Nwator for development among others.

Ultimately, TPP Woman project, which is empowering women to dream big and achieve excellence is the right thing to do and essential for an equitable and just society. That is why the project continues to help women break down barriers, promote gender inclusion, and provide women with the resources they need to accelerate and achieve their full potential and create a better world.

XVI

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Military Men in the Defence Ministry Have Been Disastrous to Nigeria

P

resident Bola Tinubu apportioned portfolios to members of his cabinet last week, and his choices have obviously led to a lot of punditry. Some claim that the cabinet is lacklustre. Others say they are round pegs in square holes. No matter what the president did, there was sure to have been a lot of debate for and against his decision.

Anytime there is an action that involves selection, there is also a counter-action that involves rejection. For example, if you select people to be ministers, it would invariably mean that you reject others for that position. And when you apportion portfolios to them, some will be chosen to man what has come to be known as first-class ministries, such as finance, petroleum, defence, transport, aviation, and foreign affairs, which implies that those who did not get such juicy ministries were rejected.

It is in the light of this that Nigerians ought to take some of the criticism of first the choice of ministers and then their choices of portfolios.

A minister is not a specialist. A minister is an administrator. That is why each ministry has a permanent secretary, who is a specialist, as the civil service head of that ministry. And in the hierarchy, there are directors, heads of departments and senior civil servants, who are micromanagers of specific niches within that ministry.

The job of a minister is to give direction.

In other words, to lead. The position of the civil servants is to garner the skill and management required to move in the direction they have been led by their minister.

You do not even need to be a doctor to be the health minister. The only ministry that constitutionally requires specialisation is the ministry of justice.

And if that ministry is not tied to the office of the attorney general, then even that specialisation will not be necessary.

For example, the UK's health minister is the Rt Hon Steve Barclay (MP). The fellow is a lawyer and former soldier.

However, he has built a reputation in the health ministry as an effective administrator par excellence, who has prevented the UK from seeing a resurgence in the new strain of COVID-19 and meeting his targets to reduce the cost and waiting time for cancer patients, and addressing funding issues in the NHS. In the United States, their health minister is Xavier Becerra, who is also a lawyer and career politician who served as attorney general of California. Mr Becerra handled the US mpox outbreak and contained it.

So, we must understand the difference between leadership and management.

Aliko Dangote leads the Dangote Group, and he has built the world's largest singletrain refinery in Lagos. However, he is not managing that facility because he does not have the expertise to do so. He has thus hired people with the requisite expertise to manage that aspect of his business and report to him.

Otunba Mike Adenuga is perhaps Nigeria's most brilliant industrialist.

However, it is his leadership that has brought him thus far. He is one of Africa's leading, if not the continent's top telecommunications mogul. But he does not need to understand how a submarine cable makes the Glo network one of Africa's best. He has managers who understand that and report to him.

A leader that is bogged down with micromanagement cannot be effective. That is why Buhari failed. Because he left his job of leadership to be chasing small fry who stole $25,000, instead of delegating

our constitution instead of vice versa.

So, please, let's put things into proper perspective.

My Take on General Tchiani's Pledge

The so-called promise by the coup leader, General Tchiani, to hand over to civilians in three years is worthless. It is not even worth the value of the paper from which he read it. The man is just looking for relief from the ECOWAS, and if ECOWAS leaders give in, he will consolidate himself until another strongman removes him. Didn't Abacha promise that his administration would be "brief"? Power corrupts, and absolute power, such as the type currently being wielded by Tchiani, corrupts absolutely.

ECOWAS should continue with the squeeze in Niger. Why do they still have GSM and Internet data? They depend on the French-based Eutelsat. Shut it down.

Shut them out of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications.

Nobody should be rattled by Wagner forces in Niger. Wagner are merciless mercenaries. They fight for money.

Without money, their appetite for Niger will soon dim. And Russia is not in a position to financially support Niger for a sustained period. It has its domestic issues to contend with.

Consign Tchiani back to the Stone Age, and his own soldiers and people will eventually turn against him, and the general will be forced to flee to either Russia or their client states like Mali or Burkina Faso.

If General Tchiani is allowed to trick ECOWAS and get them to accept his Taqiyya promise, the domino effect of coup will reach other West African nations.

This is beyond Niger. Make Tchiani a scapegoat! #TableShaker President Bola Tinubu

that to Bawa, without 'snoopervising' him.

If you look at the naira, it was most stable between 1975 and 1979 when it traded at 64 kobo to $1. And for two of those years, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria was Adamu Ciroma, a journalist who read history. Ciroma was a leader. He led a CBN board of directors and committee of governors that had people with the technical skills to move in the direction he wanted to go.

So, when people complain that a ministry, like defence, needs a former military person as minister in order for that agency of the federal government to be effective, I would respectfully disagree based on factual evidence.

We had a former military general and head of state as president and a retired general as minister of defence under Buhari, and our security worsened. The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same things and expect different results.

If Buhari and Bashir Magashi only worsened the situation, then perhaps it is right to change them.

If you look at the Global Terrorism Index for 2023, the countries experiencing the most insecurity are nations governed by the military, including Burkina Faso (#2) and Mali (#4).

Niger was making progress on the Global Terrorism Index until the military took over, and two days ago, jihadists killed 14 Nigerien soldiers.

If you look at our history, we have had more security when civilians headed the defence ministry than when soldiers or ex-soldiers held that office. The Niger Delta militancy began under TY Danjuma,

an ex-general, as minister of defence and ended when a civilian, Yayale Ahmed, took over. The Boko Haram insurgency started when a former general, Godwin Abbe, was defence minister and is only now easing under Nuhu Ribadu as the national security adviser.

If you take Mohammed Badaru, the new defence minister, he was governor of Jigawa. Jigawa is one of the states that handles terrorism and insecurity well. How did he do it? Maybe he can replicate it at his new ministry.

Let these ex-military guys give others a chance, and then we can compare and contrast, because the military is trained to carry out specific orders and tasks given to them by civilian authorities. That is why they are instructed not to question orders but to implement them without dispute and deviation.

This makes it very difficult for them to be flexible enough to understand the non-combat aspect of securing a nation.

And there is a simple explanation for this. You see, when all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

And when all you have is a gun, you shoot to kill, rather than speak to chill.

However, civilian administrators undergo rigorous debates, consultations and discussions and get feedback from those they administer without intimidating them. So, they will likely be better at giving our military the proper orders and parameters so that the armed forces can focus on their core duties.

The point of civilian control of the military is to ensure that our armed forces are subjugated to the nation and

Reno’s Nuggets When you do a white wedding and then do a traditional African wedding, you have not done a Christian wedding and a traditional one. You have actually wasted your money by doing two traditional weddings. Read Scripture from cover to cover, and you will never find a church wedding. In fact, the word 'church' does not even appear in Scripture.

Church is a word that appeared in The Bible, which is a translation of Scripture. The original Scriptural word translated church is actually ekklesia, which means gathering. Nobody in Scripture married in an ekklesia, synagogue, or temple. All Scriptural marriages were done in the home (Genesis 24:67), and marriage was considered solely a family matter. Yeshua Hamashiach, our Lord and Saviour, attended the wedding at Cana as a guest in a home.

John 2:2 is very clear. It says, "Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding."

He was not there as the officiating minister.

Stop allowing church, priests and pastors fool you. Church marriage is unnecessary and unscriptural and is purely a scheme for financial exploitation. #RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu

Reno Omokri

Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. Ruffler of the Feathers of Obidents. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Hodophile. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019.

Business Insider Influencer of the Year 2022.

Reno

You have the power to summon a stronger positive thought into your mind whenever a negative thought attempts to break into your mind

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023

21

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

A T

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

08056356325

A U G U S T

S & P INDEX

1 8 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.07%

N795.28/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

Delta, A’Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa Get 46% of Total FAAC Allocation to States in Four Months

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Four states in Nigeria, namely: Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa got close to half of all Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements to the 36 states in the first four months of 2023, a THISDAY analysis of data sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has shown.

The review indicated that while some states got as low as just over N2 billion in the months January to April, Delta State led the pack of huge allocation receivers from the federation account, followed by Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa

respectively.

THISDAY analysis of the figures showed that out of the N1.017 trillion disbursed to the 36 States during the period, the four states got N467.2 billion, representing 46 per cent of the total disbursements during the period.

In all, Delta received N46.1 billion, N29.3 billion, N35.5 billion and N38 billion respectively during the months under review, totalling N148.7 billion while Akwa Ibom trailed with N48.8 billion, N24.2 billion, N24.7 billion and N24.4 billion, to hit N122.1 billion receipts in the first four months of the year.

Rivers on its part received N110 billion, broken down into N40.3

billion, N22.7 billion, 24 billion and N23 billion, during the period, while Bayelsa got N86.4 billion in the order of N33.2 billion, N17.4 billion, N16.8 billion and N19 billion.

However, in spite of the volume of receipts, recent figures released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) indicated that all the benefiting states were still heavily indebted, both locally and internationally.

For instance, Delta State’s domestic debts were the highest compared to other states in the South-south region of Nigeria, according to the DMO. It showed at the time, that with N421.8 billion in domestic

debts, Delta was the most indebted state in the South-south region, and was fifth in the region in terms of external debts, with $59.9 million. The new governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, in June got approval to borrow an additional N40 billion.

Also Rivers State, the largest economy in the South-south and second in the country after Lagos in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), was the second most indebted state in the Southsouth at the time of release of the DMO data, with N225.5 billion as domestic debt. It also had an external debt of $87.1 million, placing third in the region.

Rivers state, under the new governor, Siminalayi Fubara, similarly recently borrowed an additional N200 billion loan on behalf of the state.

In addition, Akwa Ibom’s domestic debt of N206.6 billion was third in the region with an external debt of $44.9 million, while Bayelsa state had a domestic debt of N140 billion at the time and $60.4 million external debt.

Despite the heavy allocations, the states have been heavily criticised as some of the many where huge fund receipts and infrastructural development have not been commensurate. In response, political leaders in the region have always

argued that it takes more to build infrastructure in the area due to the topography.

The NBS data further revealed that in January, N93.52 billion was shared among the oil-producing states from the 13 per cent derivation fund while in February, the sum of N32.73 billion was shared among states from the fund.

In March 2023, the sum of N43.21 billion was shared among the oil-producing states from the 13 per cent derivation fund while in April; the sum of N35.10 billion was shared among them.

NOTE: The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

NACCIMA Charges FG on Speedy Ratification of AfCFTA Agreement to Facilitate Intra-African Trade, Boost Economic Integration Eromosele Abiodun The President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Oye Esq., has charged the federal government on the speedy ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement to facilitate intra-African trade and boost economic integration.

Oye, who also urged Nigerian

businesses to embrace the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA, said the agreement presents an unprecedented opportunity for African businesses to expand into new markets, bring new products and services, and create more jobs and wealth for the people.

Oye spoke at the second phase of the AfCFTA Secretariat Mission in Nigeria, in conjunction with the National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade

Agreement, NACCIMA and the business community in Nigeria.

According to the NACCIMA boss, “It gives me great pleasure to reflect on our early endorsement of the AfCFTA and our unwavering commitment to its success. As one of the first organizations to endorse the agreement, NACCIMA has actively supported preparations for the implementation of the AfCFTA in Nigeria.

“I am delighted to announce that NACCIMA has successfully

FOOD

organized the AfCFTA lecture series in collaboration with Deloitte; an initiative that has been instrumental in sensitizing our members on the potential benefits of the agreement.

Through these series of lectures, we have provided valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges presented by the AfCFTA to our members.

“We are delighted to note the significant progress made so far, including the establishment of the AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana and

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N35,000 – N45,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N35,000 – N45,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

PRICE

the launch of the operational phase of the agreement. The AfCFTA presents an unprecedented opportunity for African businesses to expand into new markets, bring new products and services, and create more jobs and wealth for our people.”

He added, “As we move into the second phase of the AfCFTA Secretariat mission here in Nigeria, I implore the Nigerian Government to quickly ratify the agreement. The timely ratification of the AfCFTA will

provide a much-needed boost to our efforts to promote intra-African trade and economic integration.”

“In closing, I call on Nigerian businesses to embrace the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA fully. As the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria has a crucial role to play in the success of this historic agreement. Let us all work together to harness the full potential of AfCFTA and make the African continent the economic powerhouse it deserves to be.”

T O D AY

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N30,000

BEANS

MAIDU GURI

N22,000 – N30,000

100KG

BENUE

N32,000

50KG BAG

N32,500 – N42,000

100KG

KADUNA

N32,000

100KG LAGOS

N36,000

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

ENUGU

N24,000

100KG

KANO

N35,000

50KG

LAGOS

N35,000 – N45,000

50KG

LAGOS

N26,000

100KG

DELTA

N36,000

50KG

RIVERS N36,500 – N46,500

100KG

DELTA

N35,000

50KG

SOKOTO

N60,000 – N70,000

100KG

ABIA

N36,000

100KG

ABIA

N35,700

SIZE

22

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS FOOD

NAME OF COMMODITY

PALM OIL

COMMODITIES

PRICE

T O D AY

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

GROUNDNUT

100KG KANO

N20,500

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N60,000

MAIZE

100KG

OYO

N10,000

N24,000 – N35,000

100KG BENUE

N27,000

100KG KANO

N30,000

100KG ENUGU

N16,500

100KG BENUE

N65,000

100KG DELTA

100KG LAGOS

N32,000

N14,000

25CL IBADAN N22,000 — N35,000

100KG PLATEAU

N45,000

100KG

ABIA

N11,000

100KG DELTA

N34,000

100KG DELTA

N50,000

50KG

LAGOS

N9,000

100KG

ABIA

N27,000

100KG LAGOS

N60,000

100KG KANO

N9,400

100KG ENUGU

N23 000

100KG ENUGU

N45,000

50KG

N6,000

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N35000 25CL

PH

25CL

IMO

N24,000 – N36,500

25CL

EDO

N20,000 – N35,000

25CL ABUJA N25,500 – N35,000

BENUE

S&P: Nigeria’s Petrol Demand Halved after Subsidy Removal Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria’s petrol demand has halved since President Bola Tinubu scrapped the country’s costly fuel subsidy late May, impacting European refiners who typically sell into the country, a report by S&P Global Commodity

Insights, has said.

Imports of the fuel to Nigeria plummeted to 106,000 bpd in July from 205,200 bpd in May, according to data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea, after local fuel prices skyrocketed following Tinubu’s announcement. Total refined product demand has

fallen 41 per cent in the same period, the data showed.

Scrapping the long-standing subsidy could save Nigeria as much as N11 trillion ($2.6 billion) in 2023, according to estimates from the World Bank in June, providing relief to a growing government deficit, the report said.

Sinking Nigerian demand, driven by high fuel prices, has also led to a drop-off in demand for European exports, whose refiners had relied on thirsty West African markets.

Aside the ‘prohibitive’ fuel prices which have seen Nigerians buying less, it is believed that

smuggling into neighbouring countries has also reduced , if not completely eliminated, since it’s now unprofitable to do so.

“There is zero demand (in West Africa) at the moment,” a source in the region said. Another European market source said: “Considering the (Nigerian)

subsidy removal ... demand is indeed depressed.”

The subsidy removal has shaken up longstanding arbitrage for European refiners. While Nigerian demand in particular has diminished, other destinations have picked up the slack, the report stated.

Capex: Renewables Suffer Low Wabote: Africa Accounts Penetration Despite Opportunities for 12% of Annual Nigeria’s quest to solve the age-long energy access gap in the country through the adoption of renewable energy sources has been impacted negatively due to the high capital expenditure (Capex) involved in acquiring solar home systems and other alternative solutions.

This is happening despite the huge opportunities presented to the renewable energy players and

consumers by the soaring petrol and diesel costs as well as the epileptic electricity supply from the national power grid.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of SolarCentric, a commercial and industrial sector-focused solar company, Mr. Adetunji Iromini, the high foreign exchange rate and its unavailability has made it difficult for more solar offtakers to spring

up in Nigeria despite the absence of maintenance cost in renewables unlike fossil fuels.

With the current sharp increase in the pump prices of fuel and diesel, coupled with the lack of improvement in the electricity from the grid, Iromini told THISDAY that the only option available to Nigerians both for home and industrial uses was to consider adopting alternative

energy.

He argued that the high fuel and diesel cost as well as the poor power supply from the national grid have opened huge opportunities to the renewable energy sector, adding that the high Capex and lack of enabling business environment were hampering the growth and penetration of renewables in the country.

FG Moves to Integrate Artisanal Refiners into Mainstream Crude Oil Refining Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government has inaugurated a technical committee charged with the responsibility to fashion ways of integrating artisanal oil refiners into mainstream crude oil refining.

The government said the move would provide sustainable energy sources for Nigerians and advance responsible practices in the oil and gas sector.

A statement signed by the Assistant Director (Information)

at the Ministry of Petroleum, Chris Ugwuegbulam, said the Permanent Secretary, Gabriel Aduda, inaugurated the committee in Abuja.

In his opening remarks, Aduda stated that the persistent request by the artisanal oil refiners was brought to the attention of President Bola Tinubu, who directed the ministry to review and propose the way forward.

Aduda subsequently approved the proposal to constitute a technical committee on ‘subsidy removal without tears as well as integration of mini/artisanal refinery operations’

into the in-country oil refinery programme.

The committee’s terms of reference included: to develop materials/ framework for the sensitisation and integration of the mini/ artisanal refiners into midstream crude oil refining and to ascertain the technology, skills, safety and environmental global best practices in the petroleum industry.

It is also to facilitate the mainstreaming of artisanal refineries to boost in-country refining capacity at the required specifications; to

identify the sources of fund for the integration and establishment of the local refiners into the economy and structure the refund mechanism.

In addition, it seeks to facilitate the provision of crude oil for experimental and research purposes to institutions with prototype refineries for testing their equipment and, to review and make recommendations to the president on ways to task national technical institutions in building standard refineries for refining the crude in-country.

Standard Chartered: All-Time-High Demand Will Push Oil to $100 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Brent crude could hit an intraquarter high of $100 per barrel in Q4 according to Standard Chartered, Oilprice, has reported.

China worries aside, physical markets continue to show signs of strength, with Asian refineries expected to continue ramping up imports while crude inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma, hub are expected to drop to their lowest

level since April.

Supplies have become increasingly tight since late June as Saudi Arabia and Russia cut production. The latest energy report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) revealed that global oil demand grew by 3.26 million barrels per day in Q2, reaching an all-time high of 103 mb/d.

Commodity analysts at Standard Chartered buttressed that view saying their projections also imply large

inventory draws peaking at 2.9 mb/d in August.

However, their timing for when demand will hit a new high is a couple of months later than the IEA’s. StanChart estimates that June demand was about 0.5 mb/d below August 2019’s all-time high, but expects the record will be exceeded in the current month.

According to the analysts, highly effective producer output restraint, led by Saudi Arabia, will create the

conditions for a price rally that will take Brent prices above this year’s high at $89.09/bbl onto their Q4average forecast at $93/bbl, with a likely intra-quarter high above $100/bbl.

StanChart said the sharp tightening shown in most H2 balances is starting to spill-over into physical markets, and oil prices appear to be well supported to overcome the negative news coming from China.

NEITI, BPSR Seek Collaboration on Transparency in Extractive Industries Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) have met in Abuja, with a view to fostering more transparency in the oil, gas and mining sectors.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Ogbonnaya Orji, noted that the National Assembly must pressure the companies and government agencies to account for proceeds and utilisation of receipts.

As Nigerians await the release of its 2021 audit report in the coming weeks, Orji urged the lawmakers to act to bring non-compliant companies and agencies to book.

“When we release this report, it will lay squarely on the door of the National Assembly. It is to study the report and that is also when we will be relying on you (BPSR) to help us push and the National Assembly should discuss the report and cause change to happen.

“Whatever we have recommended agencies that have

been found defiant, ...should be invited to give account and then follow it up,” he stated.

Orji further noted the two organisations needed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure more openness in the extractive industries.

“In the extractive industries we provide the information and data and what we do to engage with relevant government agencies and possibly come together by doing business with government on how to push reforms in these areas,” he noted.

On his part, the Director General, BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Arabi, noted that the organisation‘s mandate was to usher in transformative changes that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.

He explained the mandate aligns closely with NEITI’s objectives, which revolve around promoting transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s oil, gas, and mining revenues.

Global Oil Production Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, has said that although Africa produces roughly 12 per cent of global oil volumes, it only consumes less than 4 per cent of the commodity.

He described the situation as potential opportunities for the production, processing and utilisation of oil and gas within the continent for improvement in the standard of living.

Wabote, therefore proffered strategies that would enable the nations to institute sustainable local content practices, achieve incountry value addition, and benefit maximally from the exploitation of their hydrocarbon resources.

Speaking at a two-day Namibia Oil and Gas Conference which held in Windhoek, Namibia, Wabote, according to a statement by the organisation, hinted that given the new discoveries in Africa, there was the need to fully harness the resources.

The NCDMB boss gave an overview of key parameters that are critical to in-country value addition and growth of the sector on a sustainable basis. These, he said are: Regulatory Framework, Gap Analysis, Capacity Building,

Funding and Incentives, Research and Development, and Access to Market.

Citing the example of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, he said: “An enabling regulatory framework backed with the appropriate legislation is very fundamental in local content practice...it is better than directives or policies that are subject to speculations or compliance on ‘best endeavour’ basis.”

According to him, once such a statute is in place, it is no longer optional or debatable whether to comply with local content requirements.

“The law must promote and enable investments rather than become a stumbling block to existing or new investors both locally and internationally.

“Provisions should be made in the law to address any lacuna without having to review the entire law such as the provision in the NOGICD Act for utilisation of Ministerial Regulations to address any gaps or opportunities.

“A regulator must be pragmatic in applying the law as the oil and gas industry is very dynamic such that aspirational goals and prevailing realities are not always on the same trajectory,” he added,

Eni Prolongs BW Offshore FPSO’s Assignment Off Nigeria Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Italian-headquartered oil and gas giant Eni has awarded another short-term contract extension to BW Offshore for one of its floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels, which is carrying out operations on a field located offshore Nigeria.

BW Offshore has inked a shortterm extension for the FPSO Abo with Nigerian Agip Exploration, a subsidiary of Eni, enabling the FPSO to work on the Abo field until 31 August 2023, Offshore Energy reported.

The previous contract extension expired on August 14 2023.

The FPSO owner is engaged in divestment dialogues for this FPSO, which were previously expected to close in 1H 2023, it said.

The OML 125 license entails three fields – Abo, Abo North and

Okodo – eight producing wells, two water injectors, and two gas injectors.

The wells are tied back to the FPSO Abo. Agip is the operator with 85 per cent working interest, while Oando Energy Resources holds the remaining 15 per cent.

Located some 40 kilometres off the Nigerian coast on the western edge of the Niger Delta, at a water depth of 550 to 1,100 metres, the Abo field covers an area of 1,983 km2 (490,010 acres). It contains light sweet crude oil, typically 39° to 41° API, and natural gas.

The Abo FPSO comes with a storage capacity of 930,000 barrels of oil, an oil treatment capacity of up to 45,000 bpd, a water injection capacity of 30,000 bpd, and a gas compression capacity of 48,4 mmscfd. The FPSO has been working on the Abo field with Eni’s Agip since the start of production in 2003.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023

23

BUSINESSWORLD

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture: Kyari’s Urgent Task After a long wait, President Bola Tinubu appointed Abubakar Kyari as Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. Gilbert Ekugbe, writes on the need for the minister to hit the ground running. anyone performing creditably well should be publicly acknowledge and adequately applauded,” he urged.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, highlighted the pathways to agricultural development for the minister. Yusuf said that the minister should focus on enabling legislation to guarantee and protect private sector investment in agriculture, strengthen and streamline mandates of agricultural research institutes towards demand driven research and extension and involve private sector, NGOs and communities in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government agricultural projects.

T

here is no better time than now that the United Nations has warned of global food shortages as a result of global warming and climate change effects on food production across the globe for Nigeria to have a proactive Minister of Agriculture.

The appointment of Mr. Abubakar Kyari as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture is also coming at a time when food prices have continued to skyrocket in the midst of declining purchasing power of households across the nation. According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and commodities, food price inflation rose to 26.98 per cent year-on-year. Kyari comes to office with public expectation that he would outperform his predecessors and attain food security in Nigeria.

Already, stakeholders in the agriculture sectors have their hopes high on him to take the Nigeria’s food sector to the next level. It is expected that the Minister of Agriculture must address acute needs and root causes of hunger, poverty and malnutrition, strengthen prosperity and security by demonstrating a commitment to the agriculture sector.

Certainly, his focus should be on ways to move food products from one place to another, especially in times of crisis; promote a comprehensive and unified response to the challenge of achieving global food security; reaffirm the vital role of trade to improve global food security; commit to take concrete steps to facilitate trade and improve resilience of markets for food and agricultural products and agricultural inputs and minimise trade distortions when applying emergency measures, in conformity with World Trade Organisation (WTO) disciplines.

Feeding a growing population, providing a livelihood for farmers and protecting the environment are some of the key challenges to be tackled by any serious government to achieve sustainable progress in agriculture development. Reacting to the appointment, the National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Kabir Ibrahim, in a chat with THISDAY, said that the decision of President Tinubu

to rename the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) as Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) speaks volumes of the administration’s desire to make Nigeria food secure within a short time.

Ibrahim noted that appointing relatively young people to drive the quest for the attainment of food security is also a step in the right direction.

He pointed out that the myriad challenges of insecurity, flooding largely due to climate change, inadequate finance, challenges of inadequate inputs, low level of mechanisation and reliance on rain-fed production, lack of processing, absence of seamless distribution of produce and its storage as well as consumption are obvious threats to the nation’s food system while calling for synergy among all MDAs with cross-cutting responsibilities.

“The Ministries of Water Resources, Defence, Environment and Ecological management, Aviation, Transportation, Power, Finance, Trade & Investment as well as the CBN, Works and the new Ministry of Housing and Urban Development must work lockstep with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to fast track the attainment of food security in Nigeria.

“Above all the most critical stakeholders, the farmers comprising youth and women among

them need to be incentivised to work assiduously to scale their productivity for any rapid attainment of food security. A periodic monitoring and evaluation of all policy implementation by Mr. President is absolutely necessary to ensure success in the effort to attain food security,” he averred.

The president of AFAN said that the nexus between food security and economic stability is an ‘absolute’ for Nigeria’s progress, especially in these challenging times, while commending the Tinubu-led administration for the appointment of relatively young cabinet members.

“We implore him to closely monitor their performances in implementing the policies of the administration. Any appointee found performing below average, perpetrating inequity or promoting corruption should be promptly removed or reassigned but

NOTE: The story continues online on

www.thisdaylive.com

24

T H I S D AY TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Oye Congratulates Wike, Keyamo, Bagudu for Appointment as Ministers Gilbert Ekwugbe The President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Oye Esq., has congratulated Festus Keyamo; Nyesom Wike and Mohammad Badaru Abubakar on their appointments as ministers by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In different congratulatory messages to the appointees, Oye described their appointments as well-deserved, urging them to leverage their skills and expertise to advance the growth of their various Ministries and contribute towards a more united, progressive and prosperous nation.

Congratulating Keyamo, the NACCIMA boss noted, “On behalf of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), I would like to extend my hearty congratulations on your appointment as the Hon. Minister of Aviation, despite all odds against your nomination

and appointment.”

Hailing Nyesom Wike, the NACCIMA chief said Wike as Governor of Rivers State demonstrated a passion for improving the standard of living for the people of Rivers State, dedicating a significant portion of his time to delivering critical infrastructure projects and improving access to basic social services.

“NACCIMA is the largest organised private sector Association in Nigeria, with over seventy city and state Chambers of Commerce spanning all the 36 states/FCT, as well as twenty bilateral and multilateral Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and professional business organizations. We are eager to engage and collaborate with Your Excellency to ensure a successful tenure, “he said.

Oye while celebrating Badaru’s accomplishments as a distinguished entrepreneur and public administrator said, “It is with great pride and admiration that I on behalf of Council

and the entire Membership of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) extend my warmest congratulations on your recent appointment as Honourable Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Your appointment is truly a testament to your exceptional leadership qualities, successful entrepreneur skills and longstanding track record in public administration.”

He added, “Moreover, as a former Governor of Jigawa State, you have demonstrated your exceptional proficiency in governance and administration, achieving remarkable feats in infrastructure development, healthcare, education, job creation and poverty alleviation, among others. Your sterling performance in governance earned you a reputation as one of the most effective and respected governors in Nigeria and the African continent at large.”

L-R: MD/CEO, Law Pavilion Business Solutions Limited (LP), Mr. Opeyemi Olusaga; Head, Digital Transformation Unit (LP), Damilola Ibiikunle Head, Digital Publishing Unit (LP), Seyi Funmi Soyemi; and Head, Product Department (LP), Olalekan Sogbein, during the Media launch of Prime GPT and Primsol GPT Products at its office, Opebi Allen,Ikeja, Lagos ..recently.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA)

Agusto & Co Reaffirms Axxela’s ‘A-’/Stable Corporate Credit Rating.

Axxela Limited, sub-Saharan Africa’s leading gas and power company, has retained its “A-” corporate credit rating by Agusto & Co. for the third consecutive year.

The statement by the PanAfrican Credit Rating Agency followed a successful corporate rating report, which affirmed the “A-”/Stable rating assigned to Axxela and its Series 1 Bond.

Commenting on the report, Chief Financial Officer at Axxela, Timothy Ononiwu said, “Over the past three years, Axxela has consistently maintained its ‘A-’/ Stable corporate credit rating.

This consecutive accomplishment once again validates our business model and reflects the excellence and fundamentals of Axxela’s commendable business operations as we expand our

natural gas pipeline footprint and access to innovative energy solutions that have the potential to address rapid industrialisation and economic growth on the continent”.

He added that retaining a solid credit rating underscores the company’s robust and sound financial standing and the viability of its investments across the natural gas value chain.

Pure Bliss Crowns 21 Millionaires, Extends Promo Pure Bliss has announced the extension of its ongoing Millionaire Consumer Promo by 6 weeks in order to allow more consumers to partake in the campaign.

With this extension, the promo will end on Tuesday, 5 September 2023. So far, the promo has produced 21 millionaires, with thousands of other consumers rewarded with airtime.

According to Brand Custodian, Pure Bliss, Bukola Yusuph, the promo extension was due to the positive feedback from consumers who want a chance to participate in the campaign and be one of the 60 lucky winners to win the 60 million naira up for grabs and the 30 million naira worth of airtime.

“Extending the Pure Bliss Millionaire Promo is in response to the massive demand from consumers who are excited by the promo and want to be part of the 60 lucky winners to emerge one million naira richer. We are motivated by our consumers’ excitement and participation in the promotion so far, ”she said.

“We will continue to lead consumer-centric initiatives like this in the biscuits category.

So far, we have rewarded 21 millionaires, while thousands of other consumers have received airtime. We look forward to rewarding many more consumers for the rest of the promo duration, ”Yusuph added.

The N1 million naira cash prize winners who have been rewarded in the ongoing Pure

Bliss Millionaire Promo include Esther Omolara– a retired secretary turned entrepreneur from Lagos; Geoffrey Onyeama– a student from Enugu; Mustapha Abubakar – a teacher from Katsina; Oluchi Ijenwagu– a chef from Rivers State; Nu’uman Koko– a trader from Niger State.

Others include; Busayo Adeboye– a teacher from Oyo State; Emmanuella Nwachukwu– a hairstylist from Imo State; Abba Jabba Ibrahim– a trader from Yobe; Olusola Akinwale– an architect from Lagos; Rotimi Olugbade– an Admin Manager from Osun; Aisha Imana – a Customer Service Representative from Lagos; and Gbolahan Olanrewaju– a Salesman from Jos; among others.

BUA Cement Rewards Customer Loyalty James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË BUA Cement has unveiled a scheme to reward patronage and stimulate demand for the commodity.

Speaking at the launch of the ‘Scratch&Win’ promo to also sustains sales and brand awareness at a period of low demand occasioned partly by the current economic hardship, the company’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive, BUA Cement, Mr. Yusuf Binji said the aim of the promotion was to support customers and by so doing, court their loyalty to the brand in line with the company’s future expansion drive.

Represented by the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr. Jacques Perkinson, he said,” We need to ensure that our customers are going to continue with us and in a way to reward them.

“In addition, we will use this to sustain our sales and also to build loyalty and continue to build our brand awareness”.

The promo which is tagged: #WinWithTheKing, targets endusers Bua Cement and will reward winners with cars, generators, tricycle trucks, mobile phones, cash, and other consolation prizes Also, the company’s Director, Sales and Marketing, Nasiru Ladan said, “Our segment as you know is the best in Nigeria. Our

segment is proven to be the best because it has its special strengths.

“The objective of the promo is actually to reward our loyal customers and also to sustain our sales during this low demand period and also increase our brand visibility.

He explained that end users those who use the product meant for various construction activities are eligible to take part in the programme.

He said, “So, the target is actually the end users. In terms of turnover, we cannot say anything very specific. All we are sure of is that it will definitely boost our sales. And definitely, the users of BUA are going to benefit from it.”

MARCH 2023 Money Supply (M3)

54,634,063.50

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

442,402.18

Money Supply (M2)

54,191,661.32

-- Quasi Money

32,839,133.46

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,352,527.87

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,445,439.42

---- Demand Deposits

119,907,088.45

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,992,904.55

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

48,641,158.95

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

70,596,115.20

---- Credit to Government (Net)

27,529,720.19

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

43,066,395.01

--Other Assets Net

11,123,812.79

Reserve Money (Base Money

15,975,739.59

--Currency in Circulation

1,683,498.35

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

14,292,241.24 419,889.49

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

April 2023

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.80

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

18.00

Treasury Bill Rate

5.73

Savings Deposit Rate

4.59

1 Month Deposit Rate

7.32

3 Months Deposit Rate

7.92

6 Months Deposit Rate

9.84

12 Months Deposit Rate

8.18

Prime Lending rate

14.05

Maximum Lending Rate

28.59

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 17 JULY, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $82.06 a barrel on Friday, compared with $81.53 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ AY, ͰͰ˜ ͰͮͰͱ

25

MARKET NEWS

BUA Foods, 30 Others Advance Market Cap by N263bn KayodeTokede

The gains recorded in BUA Foods and 30 other stocks advanced market capitalisation of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) by N263billion as the market started the new week in positive territory.

Specifically, the market capitalisation of the NGX rose by N263 billion to close at N35.685 trillion from N35.422 trillion it opened

for trading.

Consequently, NGx All-Share Index (ASI) gained 481.32 basis points or 0.74 per cent to close at 65,202.41points as against 64,721.09 basis points it closed for trading last week.

The upturn in market capitalization was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks amongst which are; BUA Foods (+9.29 per cent), Stanbic IBTC Holdings (+1.74 per

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

cent), Dangote Sugar Refinery (+2.86per cent), Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (+4.48 per cent) and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (+5.15).

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was positive, as 31 stocks gained relative to 15 losers.

John Holt emerged the highest price gainer of 9.66 per cent to close at N1.59, per share. SCOA Nigeria followed with a gain of

F O R

S E C U R I T I E S

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

9.40 per cent to close at N1.28, while BUA Foods advanced by 9.29 per cent to close at N152.90, per share.

AXA Mansard Insurance rose by 6.85 per cent to close at N3.90, while Livestock Feeds appreciated by 6.82 per cent to close at N1.88, per share. On the other side, Tantalizer led others on the losers’ chart with 10 per cent to close at 36 kobo, per share. Omatek Ventures followed

T R A D E D

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

A S O F

with a decline of 9.09 per cent to close at 30 kobo, while Jaiz Bank shed 7.78 per cent to close at N1.54, per share.

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance lost 7.61 per cent to close at 85 kobo, while Cornerstone Insurance depreciated by 6.15 per cent to close at N1.22, per share.

The total volume traded declined by 56.92 per cent to 231.60 million units, valued at

N3.993 billion, and exchanged in 5,494 deals. Transactions in the shares of Transnational Corporation (Transcorp) led the activity with 36.838 million shares worth N159.313 million.

Universal Insurance followed with account of 16.989 million shares valued at N3.611 million, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) traded 15.443 million shares valued at N563.447 million.

AU G U ST / 2 1 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

26

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

BIDEN'S DELEGATION TO PRESIDENT TINUBU...

L-R: Member of the Senior Foreign Service, U.S. Embassy, Abuja; David Greene; Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Industry, Trade and Investment, John Uwajumogu; U.S Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Marisa Lago; and Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos. Will Stevens during Marisa Lago and her team, members of President Biden’s delegation to President Tinubu in Abuja ….recently

Obiora: With 3.2% Growth, Poverty Eradication Not Feasible Laments country’s non-oil exports to GDP ratio at 1.2% in 10 years James Emejo in Abuja The Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Kingsley Obiora, has insisted that the country cannot grow at the current International Monetary Fund (IMF), projected 3.2 percent and expect to make a significant dent on poverty which is presently at 31 per cent.

Obiora also expressed worry over the country’s snail’s pace of non-oil exports to GDP ratio which stood at 0.8 per cent between 2001 and 2011, and 1.2 per cent between 2012 and 2022.

Speaking at the Zenith Bank Nonoil Export Seminar, held in Lagos, recently, he said, “We cannot grow

at 3.2 per cent and expect to pull 31 per cent of force living below the poverty line.

“That is why I'm very excited that Zenith Bank has continued this tradition to call attention to non-oil exports.”

The CBN deputy governor said the country needed to grow much faster, adding that, “countries that are way smaller than us are doing much better.”

He also said though the inflationary pressures in the country had affected growth in recent times, Nigeria’s situation was much better compared with other economies.

Obiora said, “The Netherlands has a land size of 34,000 square kilometres – and so if you add water,

you go to 42,000 square kilometres.

“It might interest you to know that non-oil exports from the Netherlands is 29 per cent of their GDP. Most times, they do $108 billion in non-oil exports. Now, keep in mind that the Netherlands is smaller than Niger State, actually half the size of Niger State.

“I give you another example; Ireland is a country that sits on just about 70,000 square kilometres and they routinely do non-oil exports of $170 billion.”

He said, “We have all it takes; we are lucky too that we have a government whose economic philosophy can be encapsulated in market-driven initiatives while also protecting and engendering

Borno State Govt Distributes Palliatives to 12,200 Households Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Borno State Governor, Prof.

Babagana Zulum has distributed food palliative to 12,200 vulnerable households living in Muna, Custom and Ngwom communities.

According to a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Isa Gusau, at least 73,200 persons would benefit as each of the 12,200 households was made up of six persons.

Gusau, said the palliative distribution was to ease the hardship from the removal of the fuel subsidy.

He disclosed that the 12,200

beneficiaries was made up of 7,000 male- heads of households and 5,200 female-heads of households.

He said each of the male-heads received a bag of rice and one bag of sorghum grain while the females received a carton of pasta and one wrapper each.

Speaking to newsmen after the distribution, Zulum expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, for approving grants to all the states of the federation.

Zulum pointed out that the president approved N5 billion for states with each state receiving N1 billion worth of maize grain

and N4 billion cash to buy rice for distribution to citizens.

He added: “We want to express our gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the magnanimous gesture to the States,” adding that: “Like I said in Abuja, the president has approved the release of N5 billion for states for the procurement of food items to be distributed to citizens.

“The federal government is magnanimous enough to approve 52 per cent of the money as grants to states, while 48 per cent amounting to N1.9 billion is to be refunded over time.”

the egalitarian society.

“So, there cannot be a better time for us to grab this our future, work on non-oil exports and make sure that we grow beyond the 1.2 per cent that we are currently producing at.”

Obiora who also assessed the global economic outlook, stated that the last three years had been characterised by crisis – citing the 2022 Annual IMF Report also titled “Crisis Upon Crisis” to buttress the turbulence in the world economy.

He said, “And when you look at it, we’ve had a ravaging pandemic, and we are having war in the heart of Europe. We’ve had unprecedented hunger in the largest swath of the world; we’ve seen inflation reach historic levels and we're seeing debt rise to levels that we have not seen before.

“If you look at COVID-19 with 769 million infections and 6.9 million deaths across the world, something that started as a public health crisis quickly metamorphosed into an economic one.”

He said, “In Nigeria, we’ve had over 260,000 infections and 3,155 deaths. So, we’ve also borne the brunt of that COVID-19. But what policymakers have done in a bit to save lives and livelihoods has been to go into an expansionary fiscal policy, dig into their pockets and make sure that the worst effects of the disruptions, the desolations, and the death was kept from happening.

“The G-20 alone- which is the top 20 economies in the world spent $14 trillion just to make sure that COVID was not as ravaging as it should have been.”

According to him, while the

RockTailoring Institute to Empower Inmates in Lagos With Entrepreneurial Skills House on the Rock Church has through its foundation, built and fully equipped The Rock Tailoring Institute at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Lagos, to empower inmates with entrepreneurial skills.

The Metropolitan Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, said the project at the correctional service was aimed at skillfully empowering the inmates in different areas as a means of bringing about transformation of their lives even while they are serving their sentence.

He said the tailoring institute was a partnership between The Rock Foundation and Adino Partners Limited, with the vision of empowerment and societal reintegration, which would equip

the inmates with tangible skills and also inspire them to become agents of change within their communities.

The senior pastor said the establishment of the tailoring institute within the prison was a testament to the belief that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, possesses the potential for change and growth.

"As these men and women learn to craft garments, they are simultaneously stitching together the fabric of their lives and weaving a new narrative of triumph over adversity.

"Through the art of tailoring, we offer not just a skill, but a means to rebuild lives, restore self-esteem, and foster a sense of purpose.

"We recognise that true rehabilita-

tion extends beyond confinement and this initiative paves the way for a brighter and more hopeful future for those who have made mistakes but now seek redemption," he said.

According to Adefarasin, the project would help the inmates learn new trade, earn some income and also contribute to the rehabilitation of other inmates.

The facility is fully equipped with machines which include, emel industrial and computerised straight sewing machines, butterfly manual and zigzag machines, U20 machines for embroidery designs, cover stitch/ tapping machines for specialised sewing like polo making, overlock machines, weaving machines, industrial hemming machines, suit and shirt buttonhole machines, giant

cutting machine and mini cutter.

Adefarasin said this would go a long way in charting a new path for the inmates going forward, as well as helping them to positively impact their families, communities and the nation at large.

He urged the inmates to seize the opportunity with open hearts and determined spirits to learn and create, while also remembering that their past does not define their future.

The representative of Adino Partners Limited, Mr. Alex Anyim, reiterated the firm's commitment to education, skill development and rehabilitation as well as its unwavering support, shared dedication and partnership with the church.

expenditure obviously was not a bad thing, it has taken public debt to historic levels.

He said, “As we speak, public debt is now at $92 trillion, which is over 40 per cent of total public debt in the world.

"And just to put it in a historical perspective, that is the highest level of public debt we now have in the last 60 years.

“In Nigeria, we have also seen our public debt growing gradually from 37.3 per cent last year, and it is projected to end this year at 38.2 per cent.

“We're seeing inflation at historic levels. We know that the war between Russia and Ukraine, as we know Russia and Ukraine, are very important commodity exporters. Both of them account for 50 per cent of oil seeds exports in the world and 30 per cent of sunflower exports.

“So, when such a region is at war, then you know what will happen to food prices around the world. We know too that there's been a shift in demand from goods to services, and as you know, services are usually more expensive.”

Continuing, he said, “There's also the disruption going on in China

today with their zero COVID policy power cuts as we know and then their switch from coal to more renewable energy – that has also meant that power is not as available as it used to be.

“We see too in China today, some correction in the property market - a lot of Chinese don't have quite the kind of investment vehicles that say the average American has and a lot of them have put their savings into property, but that has meant oversupply of property in China.

Today, there are 65 million empty apartments in China. That's enough to take the entire population of France.

“So, that correction is also leading to supply chain disruptions, all of these exacerbating the high food prices.

“Around the world, in Lebanon, you have inflation today at 269 per cent – it’s shocking but this is true.

In Argentina, inflation right now is 115 per cent. In Turkey it’s 38 per cent.

“Now, when you come down to Africa – neighbouring Ghana, at the last count, inflation there is about 42.5 per cent. We have it at 31 per cent in Ethiopia two years, and 36 per cent in Egypt.

Tamuno: Marine, Blue Economy Ministry, Tinubu’s Visionary Commitment Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Belize, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Dr. Maureen Tamuno, has described the establishing of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, headed by former governor Adegboyega Oyetota, as a testament to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to fostering a prosperous, resilient, and environmentally conscious country.

Tamuno, who is also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), noted that the creation of the ministry would go a long way in enhancing emerging areas of the country’s economy.

In a statement yesterday, she said the implications of this step were far-reaching as the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry held the potential to drive Nigeria’s economy and innovation, create jobs, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.

“Equally significant is the ministry’s role in addressing pressing environmental challenges. Oceans, which cover more than 70 per cent of the earth’s surface, are under

considerable threat from pollution, over-exploitation, and the impacts of climate change, as seen in our coastal areas and hinterland.

“President Tinubu is steadfastly committed to combatting these issues head-on by dedicating a specific ministry to the Marine and Blue Economy.

“Moreover, this decision resonates with global commitments such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Paris Agreement, which emphasise the importance of sustainable ocean management.

“President Tinubu aligns our country’s trajectory with international efforts to safeguard our planet’s oceans for current and future generations by prioritizing the Marine and Blue economy.”

Tamuno, who also chairs the Informal Working Group on Inspection, Compliance, and Enforcement in the ISA, therefore, called on the government and corporate organisations to key into the enormous economic opportunities available, saying over 30 contracts have already been awarded to other member states.

27

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

SECOND CORONATION ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE OLU OF WARRI...

L-R: Deputy Governor, Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro; His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR Olu of Warri Kingdom and his wife, Olori Atuwatse III, Queen Consort, Warri Kingdom during second Year coronation Anniversary at Aghofen Warri, Delta State... yesterday

Suspended Adamawa REC Petitions NBA over Planned Disciplinary Action Alex Enumah in Abuja The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari, has petitioned the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), over alleged plans by the Bar to refer him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) following his conduct in the last governorship election in Adamawa State.

Ari predicated his petition on grounds that the subject matter of his actions was pending before the Adamawa State High Court in charge No. HC/ADSY/15/2023, which was filed on July 5, 2023.

He, however, submitted that the

move to discipline him amounted to double jeopardy since the matter was before a court of competent jurisdiction.

"Mr President, your alleged anticipated referring me to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee may result in double jeopardy against me and a breach of my fair hearing contrary to the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as Amended," Ari stated.

He expressed optimism that the alleged plans to refer him to the LPDC would remain only an allegation, adding that the, "Nigeria Bar Association, has been in the forefront of advising against comments or taking steps on matters

pending before courts of law in the overall interest of justice.

"It is in the light of the above, especially the pending cases and criminal charge on the same subject matter, that I request that you stay any action regarding the subject matter of my duties as Resident Electoral Commissioner during the

Adamawa Gubernatorial Elections and to refrain from referring the matter to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, as to do otherwise would violate sections 144, 145 and 149 of the Electoral Act; Section 36 of the Constitution and; will grossly undermine the proceedings in the various courts,"

Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, has said for Nigeria to achieve her poverty eradication targets, there must be conscious and

systematic investment in education, food, housing, and security, among others.

The advice came at a time President Bola Tinubu inaugurated members of his cabinet expected to

To provide mass transit busses roads that the State Executive Council has identified outside Enugu metropolis and they are spread across the three senatorial zones,” he said.

According to the Commissioner, “those ones are very important roads linking the various local governments.

“There are equally some existing roads, such as the Enugu-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka road and GRA – Trans Ekulu road, which will be dualised due to the heavy traffics on them.

“These projects will come in sequence and we are ready. We urge the people of Enugu State to exercise a little more patience.”

Meanwhile, also briefing, the Commissioner for Information, Aka Eze Aka, explained that the State Executive Council also approved the implementation of short to long-term programmes and policies to improve security, alleviate the challenges occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, and migrate the state to e-governance.

“The Council has also noted that part of the palliatives to support the people of Enugu State is to provide mass transit buses and other measures to alleviate their sufferings.

“Approval has equally been given by the Council on some

to the NBA President.

Ari said his letter was informed by reports and speculations in the media space that he would be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee following his role at the Adamawa State supplementary Gubernatorial Elections of the 15th April, 2023.

Chinese Envoy: How Nigeria Must Invest to Eradicate Poverty

Mbah Set to Construct, Rehabilitate 81 Roads in Enugu The Enugu State Government has announced plans to begin the construction of 81 roads, comprising 71 roads in Enugu metropolis and 10 major roads to connect every part of the state.

The government has also identified roads for dualisation and strategic points for the construction of flyovers to ease traffic congestion in the state capital.

The Commissioner for Works, Dr. Gerald Otiji, made this known while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Peter Mbah, yesterday.

“We identified about 71 roads in Enugu urban. We have scoped them and we are on the verge of getting them rehabilitated or reconstructed. These 71 roads cut across Trans Ekulu, Abakpa, Emene, Awkunanaw, Coal Camp, Asata, New Layout, Achara Layout, Idaw River, among others.

“Also identified were areas with heavy morning traffic and traffic jams where government will build flyovers. Among them is Abakpa Junction.

“There is going to be a flyover there. We are also trying to navigate the Chris Chemist/Old Park junction area so that we can build a flyover there.

“There are also about 10 other

Ari wrote.

The acknowledged copy of the petition by Ari, titled, Re: Fallout Concerning My Role As Resident Electoral Commissioner Concerning The 2023 Adamawa State Governorship Election, Request For Stay Of Action Thereto" was dated August 21, 2023, and addressed

high-tech security infrastructure to support the security architecture of the government of Enugu State.

“Lastly, Council has approved the digitalisation of the MDAs to enhance work efficiency, which will form the foundation of our e-governance platform enunciated

by Governor Peter Mbah.”

On his part, the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, added that the Enugu State

Government would soon commence the distribution of palliatives, stressing government’s decision to decentralise the management of palliatives.

“On the issue of palliatives, Council took note of the effect of subsidy removal on the lives of Enugu people and took a decision to involve the local government councils to ensure that these palliatives actually alleviate the suffering of the people,” Agbo stated.

assist him to actualise his renewed hope campaign manifesto.

Jianchun, who spoke in Abuja, yesterday, at the unveiling of the Hausa edition of Chinese President Xi Jinping's book, 'Up and Out of Poverty' said there were many lessons from the book for Nigeria as both countries shared many similarities.

The envoy, while noting that the book was written in 1988 and contained the thoughts of the current president on how to eradicate poverty, revealed that it was the book that the president used in eradicating extreme poverty between 2012 and 2022.

Stressing that poverty revolved around two basic needs and three guarantees, he said, "For the basic needs, we have first, food and secondly, clothing. For the three guarantees, we have compulsory education, basic medical care, and safe housing.

"Nigeria needs to fix the edu-

cational sector. The country has a lot of dropouts and we all know that without education, a country cannot move forward. Nigeria needs to fix the medical challenges it is facing to eradicate poverty.

"The measures that China took were to boost the economy. The economy is a decisive factor to eliminate poverty. Nigeria needs to rely on its strength, natural resources and create more jobs for its citizens."

Also, speaking, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the book launch was apt, given the country's mass poverty, where 80 million lived below the poverty line, especially in the Northern part of the country.

Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, SGF, Aliyu Shinkafi, was of the opinion that the Hausa version of the book would help Nigerians benefit from the growth and development of China.

Oyebanji to Citizens: Don't Put Undue Pressure on My Team Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, yesterday, appealed to people of the state not to put undue pressure and demands on the newly appointed commissioners and Special Advisers, saying such could prevent them from coming to their constituencies regularly as their representatives.

Oyebanji also declared that his government had expended the sum of N213 million to lift 2,600 indigent citizens from poverty under social investment component of his administration within the last 100 days.

The governor revealed these in

Omuo Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East Local government Area, while giving account of his stewardship at a stakeholders' engagement programme marking his 300 days in office.

Addressing the crowd at the wellattended programme held at MIMS Civic Centre, Iludofin, Omuo Ekiti, Oyebanji stated that his government was building two model schools in Ikole and Ikere Ekiti to complement the four structures earlier constructed in Ado Ekiti by the administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Dispelling the fears that the new appointees could slow down his pace with their politicking, the governor said the new appointees were coming with additional values

to the government, adding that rather than slow down the pace of work, the public should expect greater level of performance.

“The new commissions are coming from different backgrounds and diverse level of expertise. We are still going to do much more than what we have done. If we can do all these in eight months without full cabinet, we should be able to do times two of these in four years.

"My cabinet members must hear this, our people said I am doing well because my commissioners, who are politicians have not been brought on board. But I want to say that they don't have any other choice than to do well. But don't put unnecessary

pressure on them. We should know that political appointment is a position of responsibility.

"When pressure is put on them, they will be dodging and would not want to come home. But these cabinet members are ready and willing and they have the fire power and experiences to do well. I have implicit confidence in them that they can only join us and deliver for our people.

"We must know that we contested the last election and won with APC as a vehicle and our members need to be very careful to remain in government. They must not take our people for granted or misbehave to them."

28

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

RECEPTION FOR NEW MINISTERS BY OGUN GOVT...

L-R: Minister of State, Environment, Dr. Ishak Kunle Salako; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; Imo State Governor and Chairman, Progressive Governors' Forum, Hope Uzodinma; Deputy Governor CBN, Aisha Ahmad; Governor Dapo Abiodun and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun at a reception held for the new Ministers by the government of Ogun State... yesterday

We’ve Got Lots to Offer Nigeria, Says Ex-IGs Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Former Inspectors-General of Police, yesterday, met in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to deliberate on the way forward for the Nigeria Police, saying they still have a lot to offer the nation.

Chairman of the Forum and former Inspector-General

of Police, Aliyu Atta, said the former police chiefs would soon take a position on the way forward for effective policing in the country.

The former police chiefs at the meeting included Aliyu Atta, Sunday Enhidero, Hafix Ringing, Solomon Arase, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, Ogbonnaya Onovo, Mike

Okiro among others.

A statement by the spokesman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Ikechukwu Ani, said the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, would also grace the occasion, which continues today.

"The other members of the committee that are outside jurisdiction have also confirmed

their participation via zoom. The retreat, themed: ‘Intervention of Ex-Inspectors-General of Police for Strategic Contribution to Effective Policing in Nigeria’ will hold at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture IITA, Ibadan Oyo State," it said.

The statement said several topical papers would be presented at the retreat, notably, "Current State of Police Pre-

paredness; Issues, Challenges and Prospects and Strategic Actions and Steps Towards Restoring NPF's Primacy in Internal Security Architecture of Nigeria."

It said there would also be a discussion and experience-sharing session on the imperativeness of employing the experiential knowledge of the retired IGPs in the effective management of

internal security in Nigeria.

Attah, however, insisted that the former police chiefs "have a lot to offer the nation in the search for solutions to the persisting and ravaging security crisis in the country."

He said the retreat would afford the ex-IGPs the opportunity to examine and proffer solutions using their varied experiences while in service.

Okon Bassey in Uyo and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

at providing a veritable platform for achieving effective budgeting system in line with the ‘Renewed Hope’ project of the federal government.

"This conference is very vital. For one, it helps to revive the platform of the partners for sustainable development forum which was created as part of the regional master plan implementation guideline, to bring all service providers and project implementers to the same table to fashion a common pathway based on shared vision for the development of the Niger Delta region.

"For another, it affords all of us the incentive and opportunity to pool our resources together, initiate projects and programmes within the obligatory goal of building a better region and empowering our people,” Ogbuku stressed.

In a keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, urged the NDDC

to come up with a budget that would meet the development needs of the states and communities in the region.

Belgore, who was represented by the Director of planning and statistics, Alfred Abbah, lauded the current management of the Commission for the stakeholders’ forum initiative.

Belgore said the way forward was to embrace robust and innovative pathways anchored on transparency and stakeholder participation towards right-budgeting, thus

maximising the available resources to address the most critical needs of the people.

He observed: “As the supervising Ministry, charged with the responsibility of coordinating the overall developmental efforts and activities in the Niger Delta Region, we promise to always provide and avail the Commission all the necessary assistance needed to ensure passage of your annual budgets and consistent flow of statutory contributions from the Federal Government.”

Adeleke: Solid Mineral Sector Needs Dynamic Overhauling NDDC Tasks Stakeholders on Feasible 2024 Budget Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has stressed that the solid mineral sector needed a dynamic overhauling and go beyond selling of raw materials into the development of value chains to get added earnings and redouble Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He disclosed this yesterday at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Gemstones Conference held at the University of Ibadan Conference Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, described the conference as a "laudable effort which will serve as a wake up call to managers of the economy and policy makers across board."

According to him, "The gemstone sector is a multi-billion dollar industry that has not received the

right attention despite the push to diversify our national economy. It is, therefore, a welcome development that we are gathered here to deliberate on this sub- sector.

"We have a challenge to develop process capacity to add high value to our solid minerals.

Specifically, gemstones present a high value opportunity for willing and enterprising Stakeholders to operate."

Jenyo, who commended the organisers of the conference also said, "We can however not achieve much unless we engage the private sector more productively. The organised private sector remains the most viable vehicle to drive the value addition and expansion of our processing capacity."

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, also represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Olanike K. Adeyemo, pledged government's support for the resolution of the conference.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) yesterday, tasked critical stakeholders of the region to fashion out an implementable budget for the commission in its 2024 fiscal year.

The commission made the call at a two-day stakeholders’ forum with the theme: “Partners for Sustainable Development Forum-NDDC 2024 Budget Conference,” holdìng in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

Stakeholders that attended the gathering were drawn from governments of the nine Niger Delta states, international oil companies (IOCs), traditional rulers, youth groups, civil society organisations, among others.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku said the stakeholders’ forum was aimed

NIOMR, UNILAG, Dalhousie University to Investigate Lagos Lagoon’s Nitrogen Cycle Oluchi Chibuzor The Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in collaboration with Dalhousie University, Canada, have embarked on a research to investigate the nitrogen cycle in Lagos Lagoon.

The pan-Atlantic study involves sampling of water and biological specimens within Lagos Lagoon and using inter-comparability of measurements made in the laboratories of NIOMR, UNILAG and Dalhousie University to measure the levels of inorganic nutrients.

The results would help establish a baseline for future monitoring of nitrogen within the Lagos Lagoon and also instigate other research on nutrient dynamics in Nigeria’s

aquatic ecosystems.

Speaking in Lagos, just before embarking on a sampling mission, recently, Assistant Director NIOMR, Dr. Juliet Igbo, said the outcome of this research hold the potential to offer crucial insights into the water quality of Lagos Lagoon and its present state of productivity.

According to her, "A first round of sampling for the study took place in December 2022. Collectively, insights from the two sampling missions will play a pivotal role in shaping the formulation and execution of a comprehensive, longer-term sampling and monitoring program.

“This program, in turn, will aid in evaluating and planning strategies to combat water pollution and eutrophication in the Lagoon."

She underlined that discoveries

stemming from this study should function as a wake-up call for immediate and preventative measures by government agencies.

She explained that eutrophication’s effects stemming from nutrient enrichment in the aquatic environment usually leads to a decline in water quality.

"The resulting deterioration can prove harmful to aquatic organisms and adversely impact the livelihoods of local communities who depend on the lagoon," she stated.

On his part, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, UNILAG, Dr. Akeem Abayomi, pointed out that the project would shed light on the varied origins of nitrogen within the expanse of the lagoon.

He explained that, "nitrogen infiltrates water bodies like the lagoon

through various channels such as agricultural run-offs, unprocessed industrial discharges, household waste, and sewage among others."

On his part, Prof. Douglas Wallace of Dalhousie University, noted that the research cooperation is off to a great start, with logistical measures now in place, and initial sampling and analysis well underway.

"We express appreciation to UNILAG and NIOMR for making their facilities available for the research project," he added.

The principal investigator and MSc student at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Dalhousie University, Canada, Mr. Chukwuka Orji, said the project would contribute international collaboration in tackling worldwide pollution challenges.

Subsidy Removal: Capital Luxury Transit Slashes Fare by 25% Okon Bassey in Uyo A Nigerian transport company, Capital Luxury Transit, is to slash its transportation fare by 25 per cent across the country, in order to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on road travelers.

A statement signed by the Chairman, Capital Luxury Global Group, Mr. Edidiong Udoidiong, in Uyo, yesterday, indicated that the decision was to ameliorate the hardship passengers face following the removal of fuel subsidy.

Noting that the company would not want to overburden its customers with hike in cost of transportation, Udoidiong assured that luxury and comfort with which the vehicles are known for would remain sacrosanct despite the reduction.

According to the statement, "the recent removal of fuel subsidy has undeniably affected various sectors, including transportation, and we are keenly aware of the impact this has on our valued customers."

"In light of the prevailing economic challenges facing our

great nation, Capital Luxury Transit, a trailblazer in luxury road transportation, has taken a bold step towards mitigating the burdens on our esteemed passengers.

"We are excited to announce a nationwide fare reduction of up to 25 per cent which commenced since June 15, 2023 (two months and ongoing).

"Despite these complex circumstances, Capital Luxury Transit remains resolute in its commitment to delivering luxury, safety, and convenience.

“This fare reduction, a testament to the CEO's compassion and foresight, underscores the unwavering resolve to serve customers with a commitment that transcends financial challenges," the statement added.

According to the statement, the fare reduction was not only to ease the financial burden on passengers, but part of the company’s corporate social responsibility in times of economic difficulty.

Udoidiong said the nationwide fare reduction would encompass all the routes and services.

29

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

ARBITERZ CONFERENCES’ “THE NAIRA: PATHWAYS TO INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS AND ACCELERATED GROWTH...

L-R: Managing Director, Cordros Asset Management, Mr. Gbolahan Aina; Chief Financial Officer, Aradel Holdings Plc (formerly Niger Delta Exploration and Production), Mr. Adegbola Adeshina; Moderator, Principal, Sahel Capital, Ms. Tosin Ojo; Managing Director, Emerging Africa Capital Trustees Limited, Mrs. Felicia Sonubi; Head of Capital Market, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX),Jude Chiemeka; and journalist and co-curator PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN. of the conference, Wole Famurewa at Arbiterz Conferences held in Lagos…recently

Nigeria Air: Chief Judge Reverses Decision to Hear Suit in Abuja Chinedu Eze The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has reversed the decision to transfer the suit filed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) against Nigeria Air to Abuja, citing fundamental flaw in judgement given by Justice Omotosho.

Justice Tsoho asserted that counsel to Nigeria Air concealed some facts which rendered the judgement to transfer the case to Abuja null and void.

The letter emanating from the Chief Judge’s Chambers and addressed to Dr. Alex A. Izinyam, resolved that the matter was now to continue in the Federal High Court (FHC) Lagos The letter Re: Judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/271/2023

between the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria & 5 ORS V. J.T.Tsoho, drew their attention to the non-disclosure by the counsel’s clients that there was a pending motion for the transfer of the case, while making an administrative application to the same effect.

The letter, signed by the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, OFR, read: “Please refer to your letter dated 4th May, 2023 on the above subject matter. It has reported delivery of Judgment in the aforementioned suit by Hon. Justice J.K. Omotosho on 27th April, 2023, dismissing the said suit for lack of a cause of action and abuse of court process.

“The Plaintiffs in the said suit challenged the 1st defendant, J.T. Tsoho – Chief Judge of the Federal

High Court) who acted in his Judicial capacity by transferring Suit No. FHC/LICS/2159/2022 from Lagos to Abuja Judicial Division.

“While noting the dismissal of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/271/2023, may I humbly draw your attention to my earlier letter addressed

to you, dated 9 March, 2023, particularly to paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 thereof regarding Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1999/2022. This is to the effect that non-disclosure by your clients that there was a pending motion for the transfer of the case, while making an administrative application to

John Shiklam in Kaduna Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has announced the reduction of school fees in state-owned tertiary institutions.

The former administration of ex-Governor Nasir El- Rufai had

increased school fees in state’s tertiary institutions amid public outcry.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, at the Government House, Kaduna, the governor said the down ward reviewed of the school fees was in fulfilment of his electioneering

Advocates enhanced legislative collaboration The Edo State Government has taken a significant step towards bolstering foreign direct investments by unveiling plans to establish a dedicated Diaspora Investment Desk.

This initiative is aimed at facilitate seamless engagement with the expansive Edo diaspora community, tapping into their expertise and resources for the advancement of the state's economic landscape.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony of the House Standing Committee on Commerce and Industry Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi, officially introduced the ambitious undertaking and called for a fortified partnership between the esteemed 8th Edo State House of Assembly and the governmental investment entities.

The committee was inaugurated by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mrs. Mariam Edeko, representing Esan North-East constituency, with its members charged with the paramount task of fostering an environment conducive to economic expansion and investor empowerment.

Uwaibi, who also head the Ease of Doing Business Secretariat, emphasised: "As our lawmakers, there are some other policies that we would need you to support us with, which will soon come to your

table. Such as the MSMEs Policy.

“We have done it with the help of our development partner, GIZ who will soon come to your table for legislative backing. That and the Digital Economy Policy are some of the priorities we are vigorously pursuing at the moment."

Further accentuating his commitment to the synergy between stakeholders, Uwaibi expressed his aspirations for a harmonious coexistence between local communities and burgeoning enterprises, adding "We also hope to see you also engage with the local government, by starting from the grassroots. We want a situation where businesses and the host communities live in harmony. This will create a more friendly environment for investors which will directly benefit the host communities."

He urged the legislative and executive arms to unite in spotlighting Edo State's multifaceted investment prospects as according to him, “this collective effort, would serve as an enduring testament to the state's dedication to fostering investment-driven prosperity.”

The Special Advised to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Strategy, Policy, Projects anf Performance Management, Mrs. Sarah Esangbedo Ajose-Adeogun, expounded on the pivotal initiatives instigated by the state government to enhance residents' quality of life.

These comprehensive endeavours span, she noted buoyed a wide

Omotosho, the transfer of Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2159/2022 is hereby cancelled. Accordingly, the case file in respect of the said suit is hereby remitted to the Federal High Court, Lagos for hearing and determination of the pending application for transfer by Hon. Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.”

Sani Slashes School Fees in KadunaTertiary Institutions

Edo Unveils Diaspora Investment Desk to Attract Investors Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

the same effect, rendered the application fundamentally flawed.

“As a result, I resolved to reverse the transfer of the case, but for the pendency of Suit No. FHCIABJ/ CS/271/2023.

“Therefore, following the dismissal of Suit No. FHC,ABJ/ CS/271/2023 by Hon. Justice

spectrum, from the innovative tourism masterplan to transformative projects like the Benin Port Project, the Benin Enterprise Park Project, and inclusive housing schemes such as the Coral City Project and Emotan Gardens Project.

Further in her remarks, AjoseAdeogun emphasised the imperative of intergovernmental cohesion, stating, "It tells me that there is synergy between the different arms of government. We have

the vision, now we must drive it in a sustainable manner. We need to be able to share learnings and where possible, partner to ensure that we are all moving along in the same direction."

She also underscored the concerted effort towards making Edo the quintessential place to reside and work by 2050, stressing that instituting transformative reforms remains pivotal to realising this vision."

campaign.

He added that the reduction was in response to public outcry on the current fees being charged.

He said, "In response to the public outcry over the current fees being charged by tertiary institutions in Kaduna State and its effect on school enrolment and retention, I directed heads of tertiary institutions in conjunction with the Ministry of Education to obtain relevant information on the extant fees regime in state owned tertiary institutions.

"At the end of their assignment, they made the following observations and recommendations: "That the extant fees regime in the state-owned tertiary institutions is burdensome and has led to a significant decline in student enrolments.

"That the extant fees has made many students to either abandon the pursuit of tertiary education or moved to alternative institutions.

"That to reverse the trend mentioned, it is imperative that a competitive fees model should be

adopted in our tertiary institutions.

"That the competitive fees model responds to current realities and promotes access to quality education."

Sani said further that, "as a caring and responsible government, we have accepted the recommendations and accordingly reviewed the fees downwards as follows: Kaduna State University (KASU) - Current Fee: N150,000, reduced to N105,000; Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Current fee: N100,000, reduced to N50,000, College of Education, Gidan Waya - N75,000, reduced to N37,500; Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences & Technology, Makarfi - HND Courses current fee, N100,000 reduced to N70,000, ND Courses- N75,000 slahed to N52,000; Kaduna State College of Nursing- N100,000 reduced to N70,000.”

According to Sani, the downward review of the fees aligned with the commitment of his administration to offer palliatives to cushion the effect of the rising cost of living in the polity, especially in the wake of recent petroleum subsidy removal.

TAF Presents Maiden Report, Solicits Support for Better Impact As part of activities marking its second anniversary, the Tamilore Areola Foundation (TAF), yesterday, presented its first report to volunteers, donors and partners at a fundraising ceremony in Lagos.

The event, which was held at the Upper Pavilion of the Ikeja Golf Club House, also featured a trophy presentation to winners of the First TAF Charity Golf Tournament.

Presenting the foundation's scorecard at the ceremony, co-founder Tamilore Areola Foundation, Jeffrey Adebayo, thanked sponsors, donors and volunteers for their support in the past two years. He stated that TAF has impacted lives under its Charity, New Path, and Isinmi Fund (healthcare) initiatives.

"The foundation provided food and gift packs to over 600 people in Oworonshoki Community, Lagos,

in 2022, in celebration of Tamilore's posthumous birthday.

“In January 2023, TAF partnered with the Solid Teens and Youth Initiatives to reach out to The Children's Correctional Centre in Mishin, Lagos, giving out food, clothing, books and other gifts.

“Four teenagers in the centre will be sponsored to attend the annual nine-day Solid Teens camp this month.

"On entrepreneurial development, we organised a free workshop on 25th March 2022, for young entrepreneurs seeking to improve their business strategies.

“A grant of N100,000 was given to two participants with the best business proposals. A two-day hands-on fashion workshop was also organised for 20 fashion enthusiasts in partnership with Lawiza Fashion.

Two outstanding participants were sponsored to a top fashion house in Lagos for a three-month course.

"TAF’s 'Startup to Scaleup', organised in April 2023, was targeted at startup entrepreneurs seeking upscaling guidance. The event featured sessions on ethical scaling and social media marketing, with two participants receiving business grants of N100,000 each.

“Isinmi, TAF's healthcare arm, aimed at supporting cancer patients aged 25 years and below, found and supported a patient with N1,000,000.00 in financial assistance," he said.

Reeling out TAF's future plans, Adebayo said the foundation aims to do more under the Isinmi, Charity and New Path activities yearly if provided with needed resources and support.

In his keynote address at the ceremony, President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Steve Babaeko said: "The foundation's commitment to charity, entrepreneurship and healthcare speaks volumes about what can be accomplished if hands and minds unite.

“Today, I stand as an advocate, I encourage you all to be part of this journey. Partner with TAF, donate to their course and volunteer your time and expertise. When we come together, we have the power to create waves of change that touch lives far and wide.”

Founded in memory of late Tamilore Areola, TAF aims at charity, entrepreneurship and healthcare, with a vision for spreading love and touching as many lives as possible.

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

30

NEWS

KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN…

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Lagos State, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji; Deputy Counselor, Taipe Trade Office in Nigeria, Joanna Mai;General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency(LASEPA), Dr. Dolapo Fashawe; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management, Emmanuella Zamba; Deputy Chief, Political and Economic Section/ Economic Officer, United States Consulate-General Lagos, Nigeria, Ms. Kenise Hill, and Marketing Manager, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Mr. Segun Ogunleye, at the inauguration of LASEPA Trash-for- Cash held in Lagos…recently ETOP UKUTT

Police Rescue Eight Kidnap Victims, Kill Two Suspects in Rivers Rivers State Police Command operatives said they have rescued eight kidnap victims abducted from different parts of the state.

The command also killed two suspected kidnappers who engaged operatives of the command in gun duel, in effort to rescue victims.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Emeka Nwonyi, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday at the police headquarters, on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, said the achievements were made within one week.

Nwonyi disclosed that “Police Operatives of the Commsand,

on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at about 8:30pm rescued one victim (name withheld) of Rumuokwachi Ogbogoro Port Harcourt, who was kidnapped

The Ondo State Commander of

The President Bola Tinubu-led Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been advised to rescind the resolution to go to war against the coup plotters in Niger Republic.

Former Ekiti State Chairman ofAll Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Jide Awe, who gave the advice in Ado Ekiti in a chat with THISDAY, said adopting military intervention may be counter-productive.

Awe, who is the SpecialAdviser to

the Ekiti State Governor on Political and Inter-party Affairs, said tension is building and that ECOWAS must take caution on the resolution to go to war with the country right now.

Rather, the APC chieftain advised that they should employ the instrumentality of diplomacy in resolving the issue in Niger Republic.

He pointed out that the threat of military action may ignite those behind them who are still covering their face, “because going deeper into the matter, it may be some western powers who are behind this.

information, a patrol team was dispatched to the scene where the kidnappers were given a hot chase with the assistance of OSPAC vigilante the victim

was rescued unhurt”.

CP Nwonyi also hinted that “One suspect was arrested, two of the kidnappers was neutralized during gun duel.”

Amotekun, Soldiers, Others Begin Clearance Operation in Ondo Forests

Fidelis David in Akure

Nigeria Security Network Awe: Why Tinubu, ECOWAS Must Western (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun, Adeleye, yesterday Rescind Resolution on Niger Crisis Adetunji said the corps, in conjunction

GbengaSodeindeinAdoEkiti

by four armed men inside a Toyota Corolla with reg. No Rivers RGM 411 EG at the same address.

He said: “Upon receiving the

with other security agencies in the state, have commenced

another set of clearance operation across forests in the state to arrest criminals using the forests as a hiding place.

Adeleye, who doubles as the Special Adviser (Security Matters) to the state governor, disclosed this while parading 31 suspects arrested for alleged crimes ranging

from kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, stealing, vandalism among others.

Specifically, Adeleye said nine suspects were arrested for alleged kidnapping, five were arrested for stealing, four were nabbed for vandalism, while 13 suspects were arrested for illegal possession of

firearms, house-breaking among others.

His words: “Today, we have 31 suspects that have been terrorizing different areas of Ondo state. All this 31 suspects were arrested within a week of operation across the 18 local government areas of the state.”

‘ProbeIkejaCantonmentoverAllegedSoldiers’ NightRobbery,Killings’ SundayAborisadeinAbujaand JamesSowole inAbeokuta The Chairman, Senate Committee onAppropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, has alleged that soldiers of the Nigeria Army operating checkpoints around Ikeja axis of Lagos State were responsible for

the killing of his senior aide, Mr. Adeniyi Oluwatosin Sanni, in the early hours of Saturday August 5, 2023.

This Senator made the allegation in a statement he personally signed and made available to THISDAY in Abuja yesterday.

He has therefore, urged the

headquarters of the Nigerian Army to launch an investigation into the matter The bereaved federal lawmaker had in a statement on August 5, stated that information available to him on the circumstances that led to the death of late Sani, indicated that hei was stopped at a checking

point around the Ojodu- Berger Area of Lagos on his way to his home at Isheri by “security agents” .

The deceased was asked to provide the documents of the car he was driving, which he did through a call to his wife who sent all the documents to his phone through a WhatsApp message.

Reserves Judgement in Kano Guber Election Community Apologises to Soludo Election TribunalMarch 2023 governorship election. would communicate the date his final written addresses dated Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano over UnauthorisedClemYouth Protest The three-judge panel led by for the judgment to all parties July 31, August 6, Auguay 7, and August 8, on replying on point Aguiyi; His Royal Majesty, The Election Petitions Tribunal Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay anytime it is ready.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Nimo community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has apologised to the state Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, over a protest by youths in the community calling for the resignation of the traditional ruler, local government area chairman, and presidentgeneral of the town.

Youths of the community had last week protested to the House of Assembly in Awka, asking for the removal of the Transition Chairman of Njikoka Local Government Area, Hon.

Igwe Maxi Ike Oliobi, and the President-General of Nimo Town Development Union (NTDU), Mr. Ekenenna Okafor-Omabu.

But the community, speaking through the National Publicity Secretary of NTDU, Mr. Clems Ezedinachi, in a statement made available to journalists, disowned the youths, and apologise to the governor for the act.

Part of the statement read: “Nimo community expresses solidarity with the Owelle of Nimo and the president-general of the town union in their bid to place Nimo in a higher pedestal.

sitting in Kano has reserved judgment in the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress(APC) challenging INEC for declaring Abba Kabir Yusuf of NNPP the winner of the 18th

adjourned the sitting to judgment after Counsel of the both parties adopted their respective final written addresses.

According to Justice Osadebay, the registrar of the Tribunal

“We will be fair; be assured that we will read what the law says and we will read it to the best of our knowledge,” Osadebay said Earlier, Counsel to the petitioner, Offiong Offiong SAN, in adopting

of law for all the respondents.

“We urge the court to adopt our written addresses as our argument and urge the tribunal to uphold our petition and grant our relief.

Niger Delta Women Demand Immediate Resignation of Akpabio Adedayo Akinwale

Niger Delta Women League (NDWL) has called for the immediate resignation of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio to save the country’s democracy.

It added that it would be

mobilising one million Niger Delta women on the 26th September, 2023 to the gate of the National Assembly to either thank the Senate for impeaching Akpabio or pressure them to do the needful.

The group made the demand in a statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by its National

President, Hon. Sheila Tamuno; Rivers State Co-ordinator, Ajemina Gobo; Bayelsa State Co-ordinator, Madam Eureal Allagoa; and Cross Rivers State Co-ordinator, Elizabeth Bassey.

The group noted that given the prevailing economic hardship foisted on the common man, by an

indiscretion fuel subsidy removal, without necessary measures on ground to cushion the adverse ripples therefrom, Akpabio’s unguarded statements comes wielding the gavel to seal a celebration of an elite 10th Senate over the sufferings of the masses.

Campaign Council Pledges Victory for PDP in Kogi Epetedo Indigenes Call for Review of Sanwo-Olu’s List of Commissioners

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council for Kogi state governorship election, Governor Ademola Adeleke has pledged to deliver the state to the PDP in the November 11 gubernatorial election.

Speaking at the inauguration of the campaign council, the chairman who is also the governor of Osun state, Ademola Adeleke said: “We are working for victory in the coming governorship election

in Kogi state, this gathering is another step towards our match to Lugard House in Lokoja.”

“Today we are inaugurating all the sub committees, I want to urge all the members of the committee to be committed to the goal of what we want to do.

Our job is to ensure that our candidate senator Dino Melaye is elected the governor of Kogi state.”, Governor Adeleke stated.

He charged the committee members to work towards the victory of Senator Dino Melaye as the next governor of Kogi state.

Chinedu Eze

The Epetedo Indigenes Association has said it is necessary and expedient to call for a review of Governor SanwoOlu’s new cabinet, describing the composition of the cabinet

as rather disappointing, stressing that it fell short of the expectation of the electorate.

Statement signed by the Chairman, Vice-chairman and General Secretary of the association, Alhaji Maroof-deen Babatunde Oshodi, Alhaji(Dr)

Mondiu Babatunde Sarumi Alhaji and Hon. Nosiru-deen Adegboyega Oshodi respectively, asserted, “Our decision to ventilate our stance derives from the seeming hard stance of the Governor after all the citizens sacrificed for him to shield him

from electoral defeat.

“We hereby register strongly the disappointment of Epetedo indigenes with the contemptuous disposition of the Governor to the people that stood for and with him when the going was rough, really rough.”

Ensure Only People of Integrity Have Access to Public Resources, GIABA Warns AlexEnumahinAbuja

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) has challenged citizens of the sub-region to henceforth ensure that only people of integrity have access to public

resources in their respective countries.

Director General of GIABA, Mr Edwin Harris gave the charge against the conclusion that corruption is the major impediment in West Africa.

Harris spoke yesterday in Abuja, at the opening of a weekly long

stakeholders’ workshop on the Outcome of GIABA’s Typologies Study on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing risks linked to Corruption in West Africa.

A military junta had last month sacked the President of the Republic of Niger, over alleged corruption

practices and treason.

Niger is the latest country to come under military rule following similar coup d’etat in Mali, Burkina Faso, who have declared support for the junta in the event of any military incursion by ECOWAS Military Forces.

31

TUESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Tobi Amusan Begins World Championships Title Defence in Budapest American Richardson beats a star-students sprint field to claim her first major title Duro Ikhazuagbe

After she was freed of three whereabouts failures by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), World Record holder and Champions in the women’s 100m hurdles from the last edition, Tobi Amusan, will begin the defence of her title this evening at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

The petit Nigerian now fondly called ‘Tobi Express’, has been paired in the last Heat 5 to cruise to the semi finals.

To race with Amusan in that Heat 5 is world ranked Number 9 Jamaican, Megan Tapper, who has a season best of 12.44secs which incidentally is also her PB. Despite having gone through psychological torture by the accusations of evading dope tests

by AIU, Amusan remains focused.

She has done 12.34 in the Diamond League this season and is capable of further lowering her time here at Budapest. Her 12.12 secs World Record remains untouchable.

Other sprint hurdlers to also watch out for in the other heats include American Nia Ali who has done a12.30 this season.She is ranked fifth by World Athletics.

Her compatriot, Kendra Harrison is

burning with the desire to reclaim her world record from Amusan. She has also done a 12.31 this season.

She has a PB of 12.20 and is ranked fourth in the world .

Puerto Rico girl, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn with 12.31 this season is another threat lurking in the shadow to undo the Nigerian speedster.

Camacho-Quinn also have a PB of 12.26 which puts her as one of

the favorites for the gold.

Yesterday, Nigerian sprinter, Rosemary Chukwuma finished last in the women’s 100m semifinal.

She clocked a slow 11.26. Ezekiel Nathaniel also could not progress into the final as he finished 6th in the men’s 400m hurdles. He could only manage a 49.22.

In the women’s 100m final yesterday, American Sha'Carri Richardson beats a star-studded field of rivals to claim her first

major title.

Richardson, contesting her first major final at 23, clocked a championship record 10.65 secs to take the gold.

Jamaica's Shericka Jackson took silver ahead of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Jackson, the reigning 200m champion, ran 10.72 secs as compatriot and record five-time champion Fraser-Pryce finished in 10.77.

Enoh Demands Synergy, Collaboration with Stakeholders on Sports Devt Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has said that the sports sector can only be developed in line with contemporary realities if there is synergy and collaboration with relevant stakeholders within and outside the sports industry. He made the call yesterday in Abuja shortly after he assumed office.

Enoh noted that the collaboration has become imperative, particularly as sports is not only one of the most unifying factors for all Nigerians but also one of the key sectors that contributes to the socio-economic development of the nation.

He noted that it was because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had passion for development of sports in the country that in his wisdom, he assigned a minister to

WORLD’S FASTEST WOMAN...

specifically drive the development of the sector.

According to Enoh in spite of the myriads of challenges, diversity and conflicts facing the country, Nigerians are always united as people when it comes to sports.

He expressed optimism that with effective collaboration of all stakeholders, the country will register its name among the comity of sporting nations.

The minister assured of his commitment to ensure a complete turn-around in the sector in line with the policy thrust of the present administration Enoh urged the staff and officials of the ministry as well as sports federations, to bring their wealth of experience and expertise to bear, in ensuring that the country has the best representations in all competitions.

American Sha'Carri Richardson beats a star-studded field of rivals to claim her first major title in the women’s 100m at the ongoing 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary...yesterday

Atletico Sign Nigerian Teenager, Over 100 Players Jostle for Medals Omorodion, from Granada

at Lagos Badminton Classics A total of 108 foreign players from over 35 countries and 43 Nigerian players are expected to compete for honours at the sixth edition of the Lagos International Badminton Classics taking place at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, from the 30th August to September 2nd, 2023.

So far, 37 countries have confirmed participation in the tournament. The countries include Algeria, Azerbaijan, Australia, Austria, Benin Republic, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada and Czech Rep. According to a statement issued by the President, the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, other countries include England, Equatorial Guinea, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Mauritius, and Norway.

Completing the train are Nigeria, Peru, Sri Lanka, Spain, South Africa, Slovakia, Slovenia, Togo, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, USA and Zambia.

Ambassadors of different countries whose players will be participating are expected to be in attendance together with the badminton loving governors of Kebbi, Ekiti and Ebonyi states

who will all add clamour to the Classics.

The Lagos Classics has been variously described as the highest category of Badminton

World Federation-sanctioned championship to be hosted by any African Country.

The rating of the Classics also affords the participants, including

Nigerian players, the opportunity to garner points towards qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics as well as improve their BWF World ranking.

Omo-AgegeClearsAironBoxing at 2024 Olympic Games in Paris The uncertainty surrounding boxing featuring at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France has been laid to rest by the President of African Boxing Confederation(AFBC), Azania Omo-Agege Siena .

Omo-Agege who is the Deputy President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation(NBF)took over the leadership of the continental body when he replaced former President, Bertrand Mendouga from Cameroon, confirmed that boxing is going to feature as a scoring event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

"Boxing will be competed for at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a scoring event" he stated, but quickly added that it is not all the weight categories that will be competed for as some have been removed.

He hinted that Africa will be having their Olympic qualifying Championship in Dakar, Senegal between September 9 and 15, 2023 where the entire continent will be fighting for only18 slots (11 women's and 7 men's weight categories).

The women’s weight class to compete for medals include; Light Flyweight 50kg (2); Bantamweight 54kg(2); Featherweight 57kg (2); Lightweight 60kg (2); Welterweight 66kg (2); Middleweight 75kg (1).

In the Men's categories, there will be contests in; Flyweight 51kg (1); Featherweight 57kg (1); Light-welterweight 63.5kg (1 ); Light-middleweight 71kg (1); Light-heavyweight 80kg (1); Heavyweight 92kg (1); and Super-heavyweght ±92kg (1).

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Boxing Federation last Wednesday invited 14 boxers and three coaches to camp ahead of the Olympic Games qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal According to the Secretary General of NBF, Mr. Dapo Akinyele, the Brai Ayonote Boxing Gymwill serve as training venue for the invited boxers. They include; Wahab Kukoyi, Rilwan Raheem, Fatai Moshood, Onwuania Ephraim and Adesina Zainab.

Others include; Ojo Joy, Damilola Shodipe, Omola Dolapo, Ige Ridwan, Sunday God'stime, Hyginus Maduchukwu, Oyesiji Adeolu, Kemi James and Cynthia Ogunsemilore. The three coaches to handle the boxers include; Tony Konyegwachie, US-based Adura Olalehin and Mosunmola Yinka Adeoti.

Spanish top division side, Atletico Madrid, yesterday confirmed the signing of 19-year-old Nigerian striker, Samu Omorodion from Granada.

The Spain Under-19 international joins on a five-year contract.

Spanish media reported Atletico had activated the striker's buyout clause of six million euros ($6.5 million).

Omorodion, born to Nigerian parents, made his league debut for Granada in their season opener on 14 August against Atletico and scored the team's goal in a 3-1 loss.

"We saw the boy play the other

day, we saw him in the friendlies, he has interesting things, he has potential," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said on Saturday.

Granada play their second game of the season at home to Rayo Vallecano later yesterday.

On their website yesterday, Atletico said Omorodion "is a physical prodigy with great coordination despite his 1.93m height. He stands out with his explosiveness; he is very fast and has goals in him."

Spanish media reported that Atletico plan to loan him out this season.

NNLBoss,Aluo,VisitsNPFL Strategic Partners, GTI Chairman of the nation’s second- tier league, the Nigeria National League (NNL), Mr George Aluo, on Monday paid a courtesy call on the Group Managing Director (GMD) of GTI, Abubakar Lawal.

GTI, an Investment Banking outfit, it would be noted, are the strategic partners of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

According to NNL media, the visit is one of the moves being made by the new NNL chairman to reach out to corporate bodies and other stakeholders in a bid

to reposition the league ahead of the new season.

Both personalities deliberated on areas of possible support for partnership ahead of the new season.

It would be recalled that the NNL early this month concluded the 2022/2023 season with the relegation playoffs held in Kano.

The NNL had after the Kano playoffs disclosed that it has stepped up plans ahead of the new season whose kick off date would be made public after the NNL board meeting with club owners.

TR

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE

Kaigama to State Governors

“When I heard the news that N5billion has been allocated by the Federal Government to each state as palliatives to cushion the effect of the economic ‘wahala’, my immediate reaction was whether this will reach the people that need it. I worry if this wellintendend palliative will not be used up by political leaders to recoup part of what they spent during elections or to settle their political acolytes” --Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, urging Governors not to divert the N180 billion palliatives.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Tinubu’s Ministers And Nigeria’s Dilemma Y

esterday, 45 Ministers took the oath of office as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pursuant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu exercising executive powers as granted under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, and in line with Section 147(3). These Ministers of the “Restored Hope Agenda”, we are told have a mandate to deliver Tinubu’s eight-point agenda as stated in his election manifesto to wit: national security, economy, agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation, education, and healthcare, with special emphasis on economy and security.

What immediately stands out about this cabinet is that it is the largest since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999, and given Nigeria’s current economic situation, this is somewhat disappointing as it signals a resort to “big government” with heavy cost implications. President Olusegun Obasanjo began in 1999 with a cabinet of 42 Ministers (1999 – 2003), which he later reduced to 27, and had increased to 30 by the time he was leaving office in 2007.

In 2007, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had a 39-member cabinet. President Goodluck Jonathan appointed a cabinet of 33 Ministers (2011-2014), and later 37 just before the 2015 general elections. In 2015, President Buhari appointed 36 Ministers, later increased to 42 in 2019. Although 45 Ministers were sworn in yesterday, it must be noted that President Tinubu actually nominated a total of 48 Ministers – three of whom were told to await further screening – Stella Okotete (Delta) Senator Abubakar Danladi (Taraba) and Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna). El-Rufai has since announced that he is no longer interested with a cryptic Marley-an “Who The Cap Fits” declaration that “man to man is so unjust…your best friend could be your worst enemy”. That is another interesting matter worthy of full commentary. But if you were to add a list of 45 ministers, which may possibly increase to 48 later, to the 20 slots for Special Advisers earlier approved by the Senate for the President, and the accompanying appointment of Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants, President Tinubu is set to run the most bloated government since 1999. This is curious in the light of the fact that many Nigerians had expected a lean government, to save costs and increase efficiency.

The current state of Nigeria’s economy is frightening, with over 113 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty; headline inflation at 24.08%; food inflation – 26.98%, Nigeria’s unemployment rate is about 41%, debt service to revenue ratio is calculated at about 90%, total debt is over N81 trillion, the available band for more borrowings is extremely narrow. Under such a scenario, the basic expectation would be for government to trim its size at all levels and tighten its belt. The only thing we have heard is the Federal Government asking the people to make sacrifice: fuel subsidy has been removed, resulting in increase in the pump price of fuel, the fuel exchange rate has been harmonized resulting in over 16% depreciation of the Naira, and a rampaging epidemic of empty pockets among the people, with the people trooping to the streets in Yola, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and elsewhere pleading with the government “to please allow them to “breathe”.

On top of it all, the Federal Government has announced plans to achieve an 18% tax to GDP ratio by 2024, and even if Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms says this would not mean higher taxation, the simple logic is that the people would be required to make more sacrifices to help government generate much-needed revenue. What is shocking is that whereas government is imposing a regime of austerity, the Nigerian government at all levels is not showing a similar commitment in the governance process, and this much was confirmed again yesterday by the sheer size of the Federal Government. Many would recall that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass upon assumption of office recently announced the recruitment of 33 aides! The Senate President also

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has a similar number of 33 aides, and in total, the 10th National Assembly members have since June appointed about 3, 000 legislative aides! It is worse at the state level. The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri recently appointed 47 media aides; the Governor of Kano State Abba Yusuf has appointed 97 persons as special advisers and assistants. In Niger state, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has 131 aides, all of them women.

Whereas the President may claim that he is exercising his powers under the Constitution, he has in actual fact created more Ministries. Obasanjo at a time had 27 Ministers, and still fulfilled Constitutional provisions. Jonathan had 33, and still did not violate the Constitution. It is to be expected that Tinubu’s Ministers would soon announce their own aides, further bloating the size of government. Under Tinubu’s government, the cost of governance would shoot through the roof, with the expansion of size, staff and bureaucracy.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the media and other informed groups in society had urged before now, that one of the main priorities of President Tinubu’s “Restored Hope” agenda should be the implementation of the famous Oronsaye Report – an 800-page 2012 Report on the Restructuring and Rationalization of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies which stated that the Federal Government alone has 541 parastatals, 929 MDAs, and that there should be mergers, complete abolitions, and rationalizations to block wastages and duplications and ensure efficiency. It is obvious that President Tinubu has no intention to take a look at the Oronsaye Report. In its June 2023 Nigeria Development Update (NDU), the World Bank had also recommended that for Nigeria, it was now “time for business unusual”. It seems so obvious that well, business will remain as usual in the governance arena, and our fear is that a day may well come when Nigerians will begin to praise President Buhari as things currently stand! And that will be a completion of our worst nightmare.

The process of appointing these Ministers was not impressive enough. Those who know Tinubu and his antecedents were convinced that he would hit the ground running and that he would have no difficulties identifying strong talents, a team of the best and the brightest that would help him deliver on his mandate. But it has been one big anti-climax. It took close to the 60-day deadline, and additional days for the President to come up with a list of party loyalists, former Governors,

close advisers from his days in Lagos, and a few technocrats. Nine former Governors, with one of them grudgingly withdrawing conveys a veil of staleness, no matter the experience that the former Governors may bring to the table. The kind of unsureness that governed the list is also embarrassing. During the screening process, the President had to substitute the name of the Kano nominee, Maryam Shetty. Nobody even had the decency to inform her. She only got to know when she got to the Senate for her screening. Nobody deserves to be treated so shabbily.

To worsen matters, it only occurred to the President on the. eve of the inauguration of the Ministers to make last minute changes. He reassigned the 66-year-old Abubakar Momoh whom he had named as Minister of Youth to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Young Nigerians had complained that a 66-year-old politician as Minister of Youth was an odd choice. The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) had also raised an alarm about the non-inclusion of the Niger Delta in the list of Ministries. Then the Ministers-designate for Transportation, Interior, and Marine and Blue Economy were reshuffled. The Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management was renamed as the Federal Ministry of Environment.

This back and forth looks untidy. It shows lack of preparedness, someone certainly was not paying attention to details about credentials, nomenclature and vested interests. If the President’s excuse is that the last-minute reshuffling is to ensure that the right persons are in the right places, then his attempt does not go far enough. It is one of the reasons why we argue that portfolios should be attached to Ministerial nominations to provide enough room for adjustments before the nominees are eventually confirmed. Further, there are fewer women than expected on the Ministerial list, and there are persons who think that the women have been given decorative positions. This is feedback that the President should pay attention to and address as he makes other appointments into the MDAs. And why is there no person living with disability on the list?

For the most part, the Ministerial list looks like an attempt by the President to settle political IOUs. Every President in appointing their first cabinets feel obliged to settle those who worked for their victory.

But even at that, there are many aggrieved APC members and foot-soldiers who must genuinely feel left out, because they believe they deserve to share the spoils of victory. However, Nigerians are not interested in “jobs for the boys”. They want a quality team. This is why the present cabinet must be rejigged within a year or 18 months at best.

President Tinubu must constantly move people around and recruit only the best. Ministerial positions must not be treated as chieftaincy titles. The kind of sit-tight, “Kabiyesi syndrome” that we witnessed under President Buhari, with some Ministers staying in office for eight years and remaining anonymous and ineffectual throughout - must not be allowed to happen this time around. Nigerians want Ministers who are ready to serve, not traditional chiefs of Aso Villa.

The President has talked about giving the Ministers a Performance Index. This is also known as Key Performance Indicators (KPI), very important but it must not be couched in general terms such as the emphasis on the eight-point agenda. It must be Ministry and sector-specific, and if any Minister does not show enough promise or capacity within the next 18 months, he or she must be turned adrift without fear or favour. Nigerians are impatient.

The Federal Executive Council must be seen to work truly in the best interest of the people. It is standard practice to organize seminars and retreats for newly appointed Ministers. Whatever syllabus may have been chosen for the class of 2023 certain specific subjects must be addressed. It is not enough to pack documents inside conference bags – a copy of the Constitution, Public Service Rules and Regulations, the Procurement Act or some other briefing notes – NO. There must be a proper

breakdown of expectations Ministry by Ministry and robust discussions. Nigerians don’t like to read except when there is an examination to be passed; putting documents together and hoping that the Ministers would read on their own would be presumptuous. Many of them probably don’t know what their Ministry is all about. They have to be taught and guided.

As is often the case, they are probably thinking of the contracts that they will award through their Ministries and what would be in it for them. They need to be given a crash course in the details of the Procurement Act and Public Service Rules. Out of ignorance, many past Ministers depend on civil servants who lead them by the nose and astray.

Having sound knowledge of procurement is part of the process. It is tied to budget performance and defined regulations.

These Ministers also need to be told that they are Ministers of the Federal Republic with responsibility to all the people and parts of Nigeria, regardless of religion, political affiliation, class or gender and the President was right in stressing this yesterday.

Cronyism, nepotism, prejudice are the major afflictions in Nigeria’s governance process. New Ministers would come under severe pressure, both external and self-imposed, to use their positions to settle their own incurred political costs. The party in their wards, local governments and states would call on them to remind them that it is their slot they are using and that they owe them an obligation to fund the party in the state, employ children from the state, award contracts to contractors from within the party and ensure major projects are brought to the community that produced them because “it is their turn”. Nigerians are very good at blaming leadership but the followers themselves are mean. A Minister would be asked to come and help pay hospital bills for newly delivered babies, even when he had no knowledge of the pregnancy: “Honourable Minister, we thank God oh, your wife has just put to bed”. The Minister is likely to be confused because his wife probably gave birth to his last child 15 years ago! But every woman in his state would suddenly become his wife, every pregnancy his own, every wedding must receive his blessing. Some other pressures are self-imposed. To keep the job, for example, some Ministers think that they are obliged to build goodwill among the informal circle around the President – very dangerous people - who exploit their proximity to the President to amass unmerited wealth. They promise appointments and access, and bear tales by moonlight. Many Ministers make the mistake of focusing more on this informal ring of vipers, but others commit the crime of thinking that they must take every project to the President’s home-town or state, to gain favour as a result. Tinubu must discourage such sycophancy.

Pastor Tunde Bakare has already warned about an emerging pattern of “imperial Presidency” in his recent State of the Nation Address. The term as described in a book of the same title by Arthur M. Schlesinger (Houghton Mifflin, 1973, 2004) refers to the abuse of power, its reckless use, and a President getting carried away with his own importance.

No government can break the law without the President’s consent, because the buck stops at his desk. Nigerians have a way of misleading their Presidents with excessive sycophancy and Aso Rock is the headquarters of sycophancy. Even the best of men can be tempted like Samson, the Israelite.

There are those men who in the President’s presence would immediately go down on their knees and start crawling towards him from a distance, bowing and scraping the floor and intoning “rankadede sir”.

Others would prostrate. Oftentimes, such persons are clutching a file under their arms. They want the President’s signature. Whoever acts in that manner should be asked to stand up immediately and stop scraping the floor! Tinubu must make it clear that such flattery would not work with him.

Work has begun for the Ministers. It won’t be long before the misfits among them will be exposed.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com