THURSDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2023

Okonjo-Iweala: My First 30 Months at WTO Have Been Exciting, Challenging

Tasks African countries on AfCFTA Iceland donates CHF500,000 to WTO fisheries funding mechanism

Obinna Chima in Geneva Director-General of World Trade

Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, described her first 30 months as head of the

global trade body as exciting and challenging. Responding to a question by

THISDAY during a media briefing on the side-lines of the ongoing WTO’s “Public Forum” in Geneva,

Switzerland, Okonjo-Iweala said she felt “charged up, ready to go” and deliver results for people whenever

it involved the WTO.

Continued on page 16

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NYT: Adeyemo, US Deputy Treasury Secretary to Visit Nigeria to Bolster Economic Ties

The Joe Biden administration is dispatching the United States Deputy Treasury Secretary, Wally Adeyemo, to Nigeria next week as

it seeks to deepen economic ties with Africa and counter China’s influence on the continent.

According to the New York

Times, the visit comes as President Bola Tinubu, embarks on reforms to revive the country’s sluggish economy and months after Biden

had pledged to deepen the US’ involvement with Africa with an investment of more than $50 billion over the next three years.

The United States has been trying to make up lost ground in the geopolitical contest with China and Russia to cultivate relations

in Africa.

Nigeria, which is Africa’s largest

History as NUPRC Picks 42 Winners for Its Gas Flare Commercialisation Bid Round

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

Forty-two indigenous oil and gas companies have emerged winners of 49 flare sites in the 2022 Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) bid process, the first of such in the history of hydrocarbon exploration and production in the country. Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) announced this in a statement issued yesterday.

NUPRC added that it had approved KPMG, a global network of professional firms, to partner with it in the implementation of the award to ensure successful outcome.

The federal government launched NGFCP in December 2016, to involve third-party investors or off-takers in harnessing gas released as a by-product of oil production, a crucial part of the seven big wins of the administration for the oil and gas sector.

Launched by then Minister of

Continued on page 16

NABII VISITS BAGUDU...

L R: The Founder and Principal Partner, The Nextier Advisory, Mr Patrick O Okigbo; CEO, Nigerian National Advisory Board for Impact Investing (NABII), Ms Etemore Glover; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; Director International Corporation at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Lanre Adekanye; and Special Adviser to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning , Mallam Bashir Buhari, during a courtesy visit of the Nigerian NABII to the minister in Abuja… on Tuesday.

PREPARATIONS TO CELEBRATE 114TH ANNIVERSARY OF KINGS COLLEGE...

L-R: Alternate Chairman, Emeka Oragwu; 2023 Kingsweek Planning Committee; Olumide Akpata; Chairman, Kingsweek 2023 Planning Committee; Ali Andrew Agada, Principal, King’s College Lagos; Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, President, King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA); Rotimi Aladesanmi, General Secretary, KCOBA, and Moses Nasamu, Secretary, Kingsweek 2023 Planning Committee, during a press conference to announce the Kingsweek 2023 and the 114th anniversary of Kings College Lagos…recently

AfDB Announces Investor Calls for Inaugural Dollar Benchmark Hybrid Capital Transaction

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced upcoming investor calls and meetings in New York, London and Paris, ahead of an inaugural US dollar Global Benchmark Sustainable Hybrid Capital transaction.

In July, S&P Global Ratings assigned an AA- rating to the proposed instrument - the highest rating for hybrid capital.

A statement from the AfDB yesterday, explained that the transaction would be issued in a Sustainable Bond format, under the Bank’s newly established Sustainable Bond Framework and would finance a combined portfolio of eligible green and social projects.

BNP Paribas and Goldman Sachs International have been mandated as Joint Structuring Agents & Joint Global Coordinators, and Barclays, BNP Paribas, BofA Securities and Goldman Sachs International as Joint Bookrunners. The banking institutions would arrange a series of global fixed income investor calls and meetings, commencing tommorow.

“Hybrid capital will have a multiplier effect on the bank’s financing, and allow for the issuance of additional green, social

and sustainability bonds to finance projects targeting some of the continent’s most critical development challenges, including food security, access to water and sanitation, health services, and climate change.

“This is a great new way to enhance a multilateral development bank’s capital base and optimise its balance sheet. The African Development Bank is starting a new asset class, hybrid capital, issued by

AAA-rated multilateral development banks,” said the Bank’s Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Hassatou N’Sele.

Also, Acting Treasurer, AfDB, Omar Sefiani noted: “This hybrid

capital transaction will open new opportunities for the Bank and other AAA-rated multilateral development banks to boost lending by tapping private investors.

“While the bank has been very

active in generating additional lending capacity through risk reduction transactions on its assets, this transaction boosts its capital base and thus generates additional lending through its liabilities.”

Afreximbank Charges Nigeria to Take Leadership in Intra-African Trade

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has called on Nigeria to take the lead in intraAfrican trade in the continent.

The Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, Afreximbank, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, made the call in Lagos, in her opening remarks at the High-Level Business Roadshow on the forthcoming Intra Africa Trade Fair (IATF) expected to take place in Egypt from November 9th to 15th.

“Independence is only the prelude to a new and more involved struggle for the

right to conduct our own economic and social affairs,” Awani cited Kwame Nkrumah, Pan-Africanist and father of African independence statement. According to Awani, “This statement made over 60 years ago continues to ring true today. It underlines the position that despite attaining political independence, Africa’s emancipation was far from complete and the quest for economic independence still lies ahead.

“This quest continues and makes it imperative for us to

BATN Takes Bold Step Towards Sustainability, Inaugurates Solar Panels at Its Factory

In line with its sustainability agenda of creating a better tomorrow, the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) has announced the inauguration of its state-of-the art solar power plant in its Ibadan factory.

The inauguration of the solar plant was done by the Area Operations Director Sub-Sahara Africa Charles Kyalo and other members of the leadership team.

According to a statement, the Managing Director of BAT Nigeria and Cluster Director of West and Central Africa, Yarub Al-Bahrani, while speaking at the inauguration of the 1 MWp DC grid-tied solar panel system in the Ibadan factory, described it as, “a significant step forward in BAT Nigeria’s journey towards sustainability. This initiative not only showcases the company’s

dedication to reducing its carbon footprint but also sets a clear example for others in the industry.”

He added, “by harnessing the power of renewable energy, BAT Nigeria is not only securing a cleaner future but also contributing positively to the community and the environment.

“BAT’s commitment to sustainable practices is unwavering, and this project is a testament to that commitment."

The newly inaugurated 1MWp DC grid-tied solar system is capable of generating an average of 2,800 KWh per day, while reducing carbon emissions by 450 Tons as it was designed in line with the BAT Photovoltaic (PV) Standard, using Tier-1 Solar panels (Jinko) and Inverters (SMA) equipment. The Director, External Affairs,

Odiri Erewa-Meggison, posited that the installation of the new solar power plant reaffirms the BAT Nigeria’s position as a frontrunner in the transition to a greener and more sustainable future.

She said, “we are proud of this significant milestone as it affirms BAT’s commitment to our bold ambition to build ‘A Better Tomorrow’ and reduce the impact of our business on the environment”.

BATN recently announced its zero waste to landfill and 100 per cent recycling of all waste in the factory. The factory was also globally recognised and awarded the Alliance for Water Stewardship certification, in recognition of its responsible water governance, sustainable water use, protection of water quality, community engagement and continuous improvement.

work collectively to find African solutions to the challenges facing our continent.”

She noted that it also encourages the Nigerian public and private sector to actively participate, take advantage of the opportunities to grow and expand their business, drive intra-African trade, and support economic integration under the AfCFTA.

“This trade fair is meant to bridge the gap on trade and market information. That is why I'm charging the government, financial institutions, and states to support and sponsor participants to come to the trade fair in Egypt," Awani added.

She noted that Afreximbank had invested over $36 billion into the Nigerian economy since its creation in 1993 through its trade and project financing initiatives. This support has covered a range of sectors and industries, including among others, energy, transport, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and trade infrastructure.

"Afreximbank remains committed to contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth as evident in several flagship projects underway," she reiterated.

Among the projects are the $300 million 500-bed Africa Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) ongoing in Abuja in partnership with King’s College, London, the Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre (AATC), also in Abuja, and the Africa Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) in Shagamu, Ogun State, which

is already operational.

Awani, also reiterated that Afreximbank was not only spearheading the IATF to support the AfCFTA, but was also at the forefront of supporting African trade.

The bank had also developed financing and facilitation instruments to support trade and investment, she added.

She emphasised that, "Afreximbank intends to double its financing of intra-African trade to US$40 billion on a revolving basis by 2026, up from US$ 20 billion in 2021."

Nigerian businesses are in pole position to lead intraAfrican trade growth and rapidly expand their footprint across the continent according to experts that attended the Business Roadshow in Lagos.

The Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakusak, spoke about how the NEPC spearheads Nigeria’s participation at the IATF and extolled the benefits of the trade fair to Nigerian businesses.

The High-Level IATF Roadshow in Lagos also featured two insightful panel sessions: ‘Growing intra-African trade amidst increasing regional and global geopolitical challenges.’

Regional Chief Operating Officer, Anglophone West Africa, Afreximbank, Intong Eric Monchu, said the implementation of AfCFTA was the arrowhead of Afreximbank’s strategy and that the continent "must stop being last in terms of trade and must tailor African solutions

to African challenges.”

Speaking about Nigeria, Bank of Industry’s Divisional Head of Corporate Finance, Leonard Kange, said: “The country is vulnerable to the volatility due to exporting raw materials. You're exporting money and importing poverty. It is very important to support and develop our industrial base, support and enable them to grow.”

Also, DGM/Head, Strategic and Corporate Communication, Nigeria Export-Import Bank, Olatayo Omidiji, called on Nigeria to develop infrastructure and technology for manufacturing to compete globally as the composition of trade globally is mainly manufactured finished products: “The starting point is to add value to raw materials.”

In the second session, entitled ‘What must Nigeria do to take advantage of the AfCFTA?’ the panelists provided actionable insights on localising manufacturing with quality products conforming to international standards and improving transport infrastructure.

Senior Adviser, AfCFTA Secretariat, Mr. Emeka Uzomba, spoke about the key benefits of the AfCFTA as the most important development tool for Africa by creating a large trading block that provides scale and encourages the localisation of manufacturing. He also spoke about improving the standard and quality of products, efficiency of processes as well as infrastructure and trade as services and called on the private sector to play its part.

LAUNCH OF WORLD TRADE REPORT...

Varsity Academics Urge CBN to Revisit Currency Swap Deal with China

Seek advisory committee on capital market

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

In view of the increasing chunk of imports from China, the Association of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (ACMAN) has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to revisit its currency swap deal with the country to a scale that reduces significantly the dependence on the United States dollars for imports from China.

ACMAN, which is the umbrella body of lecturers and researchers in the Nigerian university system and the financial market industry committed to the development of the Nigerian capital market through teaching, research and advocacy

also called for the setting up of a Capital Market Advisory Committee (CMAC) comprising capital market experts in the industry and the academia.

The mandate of such an advisory committee would be to provide research-based advice to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements and various financing opportunities in the capital market.

Briefing journalists in Abuja, yesterday, on the capital market and President Bola Tinubu’s 100 days in office, ACMAN President, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, expressed concern that the forex market has remained illiquid while volatility in exchange

rates had persisted despite the naira float policy which followed the unification of exchange rates. Uwaleke who spoke alongside other members of the association said: "To make matters worse, the parallel premium has continued to widen seemingly defeating one of the objectives of the naira float. In view of the continued huge chunk of imports from China, we are of the view that the CBN should revisit the currency swap arrangement with China to a scale that reduces significantly the dependence on US dollars for imports from China.

"On the supply side, a lasting solution remains embarking on deliberate efforts to diversify the export base. In the meantime, the

government should give support to the CBN in the implementation of the RT 200 programme especially in relation to port reforms while it works on the ease of doing business to pave way for increased foreign investments.

"We believe that unlocking value in dead assets is one way to improve the country’s fiscal liquidity. We encourage the new administration to speed up the process of privatising government enterprises, including the NNPCL, not by selling to a few individuals or companies but through the capital market for transparency and inclusiveness as well as explore asset securitisation as a means of financing developmental projects."

Shettima Departs Abuja for Havana, Cuba, to Attend G77+China Leaders' Summit

To join other world leaders to address developmental issues facing global south

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G77+China Leaders’ Summit holding in Havana, Cuba, from 15th to 17th September, 2023.

He would be joining other world leaders, including the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Gutteres, at the Summit to deliberate on development issues facing members mostly from the global south.

The Summit, according to statement issued yesterday, by the Director of Information in the office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola, would equally explore proactive ways of addressing challenges facing the development of the member-states leveraging science, technology and innovation to enhance socio-economic growth.

Also, the vice president would on the sidelines of the Summit hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders to promote Nigeria’s trade and investment relations in line with the economic development diplomacy of the Tinubu administration.

The Havana Summit is being hosted by the President of

the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, in his capacity as Chairman of the G77 and China, under the theme: “Current Development Challenges: The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation.”

Nigeria is a founding member of the G77 group which was

established in 1964 by 77 developing countries.

The group - a coalition of 134 developing countries with 80 per cent of world population, aims to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations.

The vice president is accompanied on the trip by the Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abubakar Kyari; Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Adamu Lamuwa, among others.

The association commended the Tinubu-led administration for recognising the capital market as a major pillar in its economic blueprint (as contained in the President’s Policy Advisory.

"In this regard, we recommend the setting up of a CMAC comprising capital market experts in the industry and the academia whose mandate will be to provide researchbased advice to the Hon. Minister of Finance on PPP arrangements and various financing opportunities in the capital market.

"In conclusion, ACMAN notes with concern a recent memo by FTSE Russell, in which the Subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) disclosed its reclassification of the Nigerian stock market index from Frontier to Unclassified market status citing difficulty by international institutional investors to repatriate capital from Nigeria.

"We think this is a premature move on the part of FTSE Russell, which has not allowed sufficient time for the forex reforms introduced by the government to mature," ACMAN said.

The association noted that over the recent years, the Nigerian economy had been characterised by weak growth, high inflation, unemployment and volatile exchange rates, rising public debt and fiscal imbalance compounded by CBN’s Ways and Means and a corrupt fuel subsidy regime.

"These legacy challenges confronted the President on assumption

NSE Unveils N600m Smart Innovation Hub to Boost

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) yesterday formally kick-started its N600 million smart innovation hub at the national headquarters of the organisation in Abuja, a development it said will help boost the country’s new digital economy.

Speaking at the event, the President of the NSE, Tasiu Gidari-Wudil, noted that the move was in fulfilment of one of the administration’s focus to ensure the ease of doing business and more transparency in the profession.

The event was themed: "Embracing the Digital Future: Unveiling the NSE Smart Innovation Hub," and was attended by engineering professionals, government officials and captains of industry.

Aside providing an official

business space reserved to foster productivity and networking for its consumers and stakeholders, the president noted that the hub would integrate technologies, services, tools, and data analytics that empower users to lessen face-to-face interaction.

The smart office dashboard, he added, would have a unified web interface that can allow users to signup for available physical and virtual office spaces, executive conferences and workshops and organised virtual meetings with physical access control policies.

He listed the objectives of the hub to include serving as a smart business solution to members; making the learning curve easier by providing available resources, with an e-library that can be accessible both online and on the premise.

“It will provide a technology innovation hub that will facilitate Research & Development (R&D), mentorship and product development to the NSE financial members and other stakeholders," he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the event, who doubles as the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali, said the commission would back any endeavour to promote engineering, innovation and technology which he described as the bedrock of the NEDC’s operations.

Besides, Alkali stated that when completed, the centre would create a space for research and development, innovation challenges, and ease of doing business, to impact positively on the economic and technological

of office. Against this backdrop, the twin policies designed to end fuel subsidy and unify multiple exchange rates, which defined the administration’s first 100 days in office, were largely welcomed by both domestic and foreign investors and seemed to boost confidence in the economy.

"Perhaps, nowhere has this confidence manifested better than the stock market where the benchmark index (NGX ASI) hit the highest level ever in the history of the Nigerian stock market (over 68000 points) with year-to-date return now above 30 per cent.

"But these reforms have left in their wake unpalatable outcomes which have made life more difficult especially for the ordinary Nigerian. Inflation rate is on the rise with food prices largely unaffordable.

"There is evidence of declining economic activities with fewer vehicles on the roads and reduced work days in both private and public sectors. Similarly, not a few micro and small businesses have reduced their scale of operations due largely to inability to afford the high cost of fuel.

"The president is advised to move speedily to ameliorate the pains brought on vulnerable Nigerians on account of the sudden removal of fuel subsidy. This should include scaling up the interventions in MSMEs and agriculture as the current size of the total package is very small, at less than N1 trillion," it added.

Nigeria’s Digital Economy

development of the country.

In his intervention, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, said the project embodies the fusion of engineering brilliance and digital innovation. According to him, it also holds the potential to reshape businesses, industries, and the nation as a whole.

“The NSE innovation hub, will be a haven for minds that dare to dream and innovate. It will be a breeding ground for collaboration, where thinkers, makers, and visionaries come together to shape the next wave of progress.

“The AI/IoT Lab will be a sanctuary for exploring the limitless potential of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. It is where we will unlock solutions to complex challenges, revolutionising industries,

and the way we interact with the world around us,” he added.

He stated that the hub would serve as a sanctuary for engineers and professionals to collaborate and innovate as well as offer training and resources to facilitate the adoption of digital technologies within businesses and organisations.

Also speaking, Group Managing Director, Sahara Group, Kola Adesina, stated that today’s engineers have gone beyond designing structures and systems, but are now data architects, leveraging information to drive decision-making, optimisation and efficiency.

He explained that it was the responsibility of engineers to ensure that digital technologies are accessible to all, regardless of their socio-economic background.

L-R: World Trade Report Coordinator, Alexander Keck; Director, Information and External Relations Division (IERD), World Trade Organisation (WTO); Chief Economist, Ralph Ossa, and World Trade Report Coordinator, Victor Stolzenburg, during a media briefing on the Launch of the WTO’s World Trade Report in Geneva, Switzerland…on Tuesday

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF SANWO-OLU'S CABINET...

Nnaji to FG: Use AI to Leapfrog Nigeria into Top 10 Industrialised Countries

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Group Chairman of Geometric Power Limited, Professor Barth Nnaji, has called on the federal government to jettison negative policies the country embraced in the mid-1980s and embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) to leapfrog the country into the 10 most industrialised nations in this era of Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Nnaji, who was a former minister of Science and Technology, made this call recently in his convocation address during the 5th graduation ceremony of Michael & Cecilia Ibru University, Agbara-Otor, Delta State.

He stated in the address that it was sad that Nigeria did not fare much better with the Third Industrial Revolution, which is digital revolution and charged the government that, “now that the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is known for Big Data, the Internet of Things, etc. is here, we need to learn from the past and quickly use it to leapfrog Nigeria into becoming one of the top 10 industrialised countries globally.”

According to him, “it is time to reverse the negative policies of the mid-1980s which have resulted in grave economic consequences. Let’s reset our trajectory positively so that we can leapfrog into the Fourth Revolution.”

He noted that negative economic policies retarded the country’s industrial development, weakened its export capacity and created the grounds for the country’s currency to crash from 70 kobo to a United States’ Dollar in 1977, to the current exchange rate of about N900 (90,000 kobo) to the dollar on the parallel market.

Nnaji, said for, “Nigeria to ef-

fectively leapfrog into the Fourth Revolution, we should quickly embrace AI. As some of you may be aware, I have a long-standing interest in this area.

“I did my Post-doctoral Fellowship in AI at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.

“When I joined the University of Massachusetts, I became not just a Professor of Engineering, but also the Director of the Automation and Robotics Laboratory, which had everything to do with the development of AI.

“While our research was for civil application, it sometimes found its way into military and security use. All this was long before AI became known to most people in the world.

“With Generative AI becoming the dominant issue among scientists, researchers, and policymakers in the world since last November when Open AI launched ChatGPT4, which has now upended the way we have known the world, it is only natural that Nigeria understand what it is as quickly as possible.”

He added that, “Nigeria must embrace AI on an industrial scale.

AI is set to transform every aspect of the world—healthcare, research, education, business, etc. the way no revolution has done instantly. With AI, almost everything will be done much faster, much cheaper, and much more accurately.”

Nnaji, advocated that the federal government should lead the charge of AI development in Nigeria through appropriate policy adoption and implementation, as well as the creation of the right environment.

According to him, “tariffs on IT equipment need to be reduced drasti-

cally. The training of IT specialists must be taken more seriously. IT institutions must be given pride of place. The Ministry of Communication and Creative Economy should be recognised as a critical ministry for rapid national development. The same thing goes for the Ministry of Science and Technology.

“Nigeria should prioritise Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) just as India did. In the case of India, the whole world is

today witnessing tremendous results, from solid food security to advanced manufacturing on to sophisticated IT to advanced medical tourism and now to moon and sun exploration!”

He traced the country’s scale of participations in the four industrial revolutions that shaped the world economy and tasked the federal government to lead the patronage of made in Nigeria products because “patriotism has a lot to do with rapid economic development.

“When we support local industries, we not only create jobs and business opportunities for our people, we also conserve foreign exchange.”

He added: “Nigeria, to some extent, joined the First Industrial Revolution, which is the agricultural revolution, and some achievements were made in areas such as groundnuts, cotton, rubber, cocoa, palm produce, etc.

“Many of these were raw materials for value-added products also

produced in Nigeria. There were also various Government-led programs such as Operation Feed the Nation in 1976 and the Green Revolution in 1980.

“However, these agricultural development programs and policies to support private sector investment in agriculture were not continued by subsequent governments. Because the achievements were not sustained, they have not yielded the desired results for our economy.

NERC Set to Cut Discos’ Response Time, Launches App to Report Power Outages

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has officially made public a new application meant to report electricity outages by Nigerians and reduce response time by power Distribution Companies (Discos).

The power sector regulator stated that aside providing a platform for quick resolution of customer complaints, it will also act as a three-way interface between customers , Discos and NERC almost on a real-time basis.

At the launch of the pilot Power Outage Reporting System (PORS) at the NERC headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman, Mr Sanusi Garba, explained that the move will assist the in fast-tracking service delivery in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). Garba recalled that the commission

had earlier launched a consumer protection regulation that provides timelines within which Discos are required to resolve customer complaints.

According to him, the inauguration of the application and its web-based version, will further help the commission in monitoring Discos’ compliance with the orders handed down by NERC.

He urged Nigerians, especially those in Abuja, where the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) will be the first franchise to experience the pilot programme before extending to other states of the federation to take advantage of the new app.

“This particular app we are launching today is supposed to assist the commission in monitoring that Discos to actually comply with the standards set out in that regulation,” he stated.

CNG Conversion: Kano Understudies Ogun State, Praises Abiodun

A team of engineers from Kano State has lauded the government of Ogun State for pioneering the conversion of diesel and petrol engines to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The team, led by the Director of Transportation, Kano State Ministry of Transport, Engr. Mahmud Musa Seriki, was in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on a mission to understudy the conversion process.

The Ogun State Government had embarked on the conversion to eliminate the effect of the recent removal of subsidy on fuel in order to reduce the cost of transportation in the state and make living more

comfortable.

Speaking while inspecting some of the CNG-powered buses, Seriki said Ogun State was blazing the trail in the conversion to CNG and Kano State which also has the plan to do the same, thought it wise to understudy the process.

Seriki said Kano State has a lot to benefit from the visit to the Gateway State as his team has had first-hand experience and interaction with the experts handling the conversion process, adding that all of these would be useful when Kano wants to commence similar conversion process.

He said, “I am thrilled by what we are seeing here, particularly the

likely effect on the reduction of transport fare which the conversion would have on commuters when the vehicles begin to ply the roads.

"We are pleased to have this firsthand experience and we will go back to our state to replicate same with a view to making living more abundant for an average Kano resident."

Addressing the team earlier, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Revenue Assurance, Mr. Oluseyi Ogunseye, said it made more economic sense to run engines on gas rather than on diesel and petrol as it saves almost 40 percentage of funds that could be used for some other pressing needs

while at the same time, provides a greener environment and reduces environmental pollution.

He commended the Kano State Government for sending its team of engineers to understudy the Ogun State model of the CNG conversion, assuring that Ogun State would always be willing to assist and share its varied experiences with any State that makes such request.

According to him, CNG should be encouraged and supported because it is lighter than air and in case of a leak, disperses upward rather than pooling on the ground which would reduce the risk of fire outbreak.

Aside the AEDC in Abuja, Garba noted that the rollout to other distribution companies but will be determined by the volume of complaints received by each power utility.

“A lot of progress has been made in the smart metering, but this app, we are encouraging customers to go to google play store and Apple store to download this applications because it is supposed to help customers report disruptions to supply in their areas,” he added.

He noted that with the new app, Nigerians will no longer to troop to Discos’ service offices nationwide,

noting that the app can be operated from the comfort of one’s room. He added that all that is needed to log in is the meter number or a customer’s Account Identification number. In her remarks, the NERC’s Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Aisha Mahmud, explained that the launch of the app was a collaborative effort between the regulator and the Discos and had been in the works for a while.

She added that once the meter number is inserted, it will pull out all the information on the individual or customer without any hassle.

Tinubu Felicitates Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo, at 80

Lauds his inspiring, exemplary track record of service to nation

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has sent warm greetings to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, felicitating with the revered royal father on the milestone.

In a letter personally addressed to the Alake of Egba Land yesterday, the president wrote: “Please accept my warm felicitations on the auspicious occasion of your 80th birthday, taking place on September 14th, 2023.

"I share in the joy of so many Nigerians in celebrating another milestone with you and your family, the Council of Chiefs, sons and daughters of Egba-land, as well as friends and associates from the public and private sectors.

“Your Royal Majesty's track record of service to our nation has been

inspiring, exemplary, and commendable, most notably beginning with your distinguished and meritorious career in the military, which saw you winning many medals.

“Since ascending the throne of Your Majesty's forefathers in 2005, your wisdom and charismatic leadership has brought peace and progress to your domain, and the impact has been felt at both state and national levels.

“At 80, Your Royal Majesty, we will continue to cherish and rely on your experience, foresight, and guidance to take Nigeria to greater heights, all while acknowledging your sacrifices and selfless service.

"I pray the Almighty God will grant Your Royal Majesty many more years of joy, health, and strength to continue serving the country we love."

Front row from left: Newly appointed members of the Lagos State Executive Council: Commissioners - Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN (Justice); Mrs. Bolaji Dada (Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation); Prof. Akinola Abayomi (Health); Barr. Tokunbo Wahab (The Environment); Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai (Housing); Mr. Olugbenga Omotoso (Information & Strategy); Hon. Ibrahim Layode (Home Affairs & Culture) and others behind, taking their oath of office during their swearing-in ceremony at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa,... yesterday

Tinubu Directs CBN to Hold Quarterly Meetings with Airlines to Resolve FX Issues

Woos foreign investors on proposed MRO, aircraft leasing in government operated airports As IATA berates Nigeria over high airport charges

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to hold quarterly reconciliation meetings with airlines operating in the country, with a view to resolving foreign exchange (FX) issues in the industry as well as encourage existing and new entrants into the Nigerian aviation sector.

This was just as the International Air Transport Organisation (IATA) berated the Nigerian government for stiffing airlines’ operations with heavy taxes and charges. IATA revealed that it had at least identified about 27 charges imposed on airlines by the Nigerian government.

However, Tinubu, while speaking in Abuja, yesterday, at the 7th/2023 edition of the African Aviation Conference and Exhibition, said

his administration was committed to ensuring FX availability to entrepreneurs and that the CBN, “is open to provide tax holidays to new investors."

The president who was represented at the event by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, disclosed that the vision of his administration was to make Nigeria the aviation hub of Africa.

He said the federal government was wooing global investors to invest in Nigeria’s Aerotropolis project promising tax breaks, and other incentives.

"I wish to reiterate that my administration, will continue to sustain the support being given to the industry,” the president added.

He also called for investments into the proposed Aviation Leas-

ing Company (ALC) and the Maintenance Repair, Overhaul (MRO) facility and infrastructure upgrade at the federal government operated airports.

He noted that the efforts were imperative towards meeting the target of making Nigeria the aviation hub of Africa in the long term.

According to him, in order to attract foreign investors, the government was already looking at areas to improve aviation business in Nigeria, and that a number of infrastructure would be upgraded.

"This includes upgrading of the Cat-3 landing system at major airports, construction of the second runway in Abuja, airport improvement programmes through concession and government willingness to partner with companies to turn major airports into Aerotropolis,”

he added.

On Aircraft Leasing Company (ALC) he said the “Government welcomes major players in aircraft leasing and head lessors to invest in Nigeria airlines to provide state of the art aircraft."

Speaking further, he opined that government would ensure enforcement of contract agreement and the rights of investors, stating, "and indeed all parties are protected; and Nigeria being a signatory to the Cape Town Convention will uphold international obligations.”

He also noted that the MRO facility was another critic aspect that could make the Nigerian aviation industry a hub on the continent.

“With the shortage of qualified engineers, the current administration is willing to provide all the necessary support for the establishment of

OKONJO-IWEALA: MY FIRST 30 MONTHS AT WTO HAVE BEEN EXCITING, CHALLENGING Okonjo-Iweala assumed office on March 1, 2021 and is both the first woman and first African to hold the position of WTO Director-General

She said, “I love my job and I feel very privileged to be here. I think it is one of the most challenging, but one of the most exciting jobs. When I came into this room for this meeting, I was quite tired, but as soon as I started talking about the issues, I just wake up because they are so interesting.

“So, I feel charged up, ready to go and I try to deliver results for people. That is the bottom-line. What I am interested in at the WTO is if the agreements we are making touching people.”

The former Nigerian Minister of Finance stated, “I know that when we do the fisheries agreements, 260 million people worldwide depend on fisheries, so getting these agreements and stopping over-fishing touches people.

“There are 12 million in Africa that depend on fishing. Agriculture also touches people. So, I feel that what we have been doing since I came have been exciting because we are delivering for people. So, I really like it here.”

Commenting on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a free trade area encompassing most of Africa, which was established in 2018, the WTO boss described it as a very important agreement for the continent, which was expected to deliver benefits.

She disclosed that the WTO had been supporting African countries to build capacity on AfCFTA implementation on a needs basis, adding the WTO has spent about three million Swiss Francs trying to help countries in terms of capacity building on AfCFTA.

Okonjo-Iweala stated, “What we have tried to do from the WTO is to help build capacity of

various countries to implement the agreement. So, some of them have approached us and we are working with them through the African Union (AU).

“As we speak, we have spent about three million Swiss Francs trying to help countries build capacity, upon request. Sometimes, to negotiate the end of those protocols, we worked with some of them.

“Then, implementing them is another thing.

“So, that is what we have been doing and we would like to see this thing work, because it would make a huge difference and make Africa one market of 1.4 billion and give us the power of India or China. That says a lot.

“But we have a lot to do. We have the guided trade in eight countries now and we are waiting to see how it will work. We are ready at the WTO to continue supporting the AfCFTA.”

Earlier, Okonjo-Iweala said regarding issues in the global trading system, “We hear a lot of discussion on whether the multilateral trade system is still working or whether we are now in ‘slowbalisation’ or that globalisation is gone given the geopolitical tensions we face. Those questions are coming.

“People are also asking that governments are making so many regional and bilateral trade agreements, so is the multilateral trade agreements still alive and what is the WTO doing.

“People tend to take the multilateral trading system for granted. But you need to know that 75 per cent of world trade today takes place on WTO’s Most Favoured Nations Terms (MFNTs). Meaning that it is taking place on all the rules and commitments agreed with the WTO. So, three-quarter of world trade. That is why we are not so concerned, because the

NYT: ADEYEMO, US DEPUTY TREASURY SECRETARY TO VISIT NIGERIA TO BOLSTER ECONOMIC TIES

economy, is key to those efforts. The Biden administration believes Nigeria, a democracy that is rich with natural resources, has the potential to be an economic anchor for the United States on the continent.

Several Biden administration officials, including Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, have visited Nigeria during Biden’s first term.

“However, Adeyemo is a unique emissary: He was born in Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s largest cities, and emigrated with his family to California when he was two years old,” the New York Times reported.

The trip will be Adeyemo’s first time going back to Nigeria in decades, he said, and he would be returning as the highest-ranking member of the African diaspora in the Biden administration. His ascension to the top ranks of the U.S. government had been watched with joy in Nigeria in recent years.

“It’s one of those opportunities to go to a place that means a lot to me personally, but also to go to a place that means a lot to me professionally, just given that Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy with a huge demographic boom,” Adeyemo said in an interview with The New York Times.

“It’s just a great chance for me to talk about how we can deepen the economic relationship and the strategic relationship at a moment when Nigeria has a government that’s already taken really important steps in terms of economic reform.”

While in Lagos, Adeyemo plans to meet with government officials and executives from the technology, entertainment and finance sectors. He also plans to meet with American companies that operate in Nigeria and visit a local project that had received financing from the U.S. government.

The Biden administration views Nigeria as an opportunity because of its large population of young workers. Nigeria’s government has

tried to make the country more attractive to foreign investors by easing currency controls and removing fuel subsidies, which have for years strained its public finances.

Adeyemo, said his message in Nigeria would be that “the United States wants to be your partner, not only to provide development assistance, but to think about how we deepen our investment and trade relationship.”

While he is Nigeria, Adeyemo also plans to talk to Nigerian officials about tackling corruption and protecting the financial system from illicit finance risks. He would also encourage Nigerian officials to continue to pursue ways of diversifying the economy away from its reliance on petroleum and embracing renewable energy.

The outreach from the United States comes as Nigeria grapples with the highest levels of inflation in nearly two decades and, like many African nations, a heavy debt burden.

According to government statistics, Nigeria owes more than $20 billion to international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. It also owes $4.7 billion to China, which is Nigeria’s largest bilateral creditor.

The Biden administration had been pressuring China to offer debt relief to African countries. However, Nigeria has yet to seek debt relief through the “common framework” initiative that was established by the Group of 20 nations.

Biden administration officials have been careful to avoid explicitly characterising US interests in Africa in the context of competition with China.

During a trip to South Africa last year, Blinken had said the administration’s Africa strategy was not centered on rivalry with China and Russia.

But a White House document on Biden’s strategy in sub-Saharan

Africa released the same day, had said the effort to strengthen “open societies” was partly intended to “counter harmful activities” by China, Russia and “other foreign actors.”

Asked about China’s influence in Nigeria, Adeyemo underscored what the country shares with the United States and noted that both are large, multiethnic democracies with similar values.

He pointed out that African

countries were increasingly aware of China’s reluctance to restructure debt and that the United States was taking a different approach to its economic relationship with Nigeria.

“We’re talking about investment and foreign direct investment in Nigerian companies, in Nigerian infrastructure, in a way that allows Nigerians to be able to build a thriving economy that isn’t overly reliant on external debt,” Adeyemo said.

world class MROS and training organisation,” he added.

On the summit, the president said, "I firmly believe that as key players and decision makers, this summit will provide the required atmosphere for you to discuss, and identify recovery strategies that would attract private investors to support the funding of infrastructure projects by building a transparent, stable and predictable investment climate, as well as include aviation in the continent’s national development plans.”

Speaking earlier at the summit and exhibition, Vice president, IATA, Africa and Middle East, Kamil Al Alwadi, said findings showed that Nigeria ranks highest in airport charges in Africa, saying the Abuja airport was the most expensive airport in Africa, closely followed by the Lagos airport.

largest chunk of world trade is still taking place on WTO’s terms.”

Okonjo-Iweala explained, “Trade is not something you think of all the time, it just happens. Just remember that if we were to remove the WTO rules of today, there would be no agreements underpinning world trade and that would really result into anarchy.

“So, I think the multilateral trading system is still strong, it’s still growing and it underpins 75 per cent of world trade. The rest may be trade done under different agreements, be it bilaterally or regionally. But it is a small part of the trade that we are talking about here.”

Meanwhile, the government of Iceland said it would contribute CHF500, 000 to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism to assist developing members and least-developed countries in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Martin Eyjólfsson, presented the contribution to Okonjo-Iweala yesterday.

Eyjólfsson said, “I am very pleased to formalise Iceland's donation of CHF 500,000 to the Fisheries Funding Mechanism today. Iceland is a global leader when it comes to sustainable fishing, and we have a long history of assisting countries in need of building sustainable fisheries management capabilities.

He lamented the stunted growth in the region, especially Nigeria, calling on Nigerian government to create a conducive environment for airlines to thrive.

He added that Africa had put itself in a place where it cannot help its own, "expensive fuel, excessive charges, leasing and insurance through the roof, the airlines need to be financially viable too. The airlines contribute to the country’s GDP but Nigeria needs to decide what to do for them to survive."

Alwadi, further said carriers based in Africa were expected to record a moderate combined loss of around $484 million in 2023, because the continent remains a difficult market in which to operate an airline, with economic, infrastructure and connectivity challenges impacting the industry performance.

“We look forward to working closely with the Fund to secure a timely ratification and successful implementation of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.”

Okonjo-Iweala expressed gratitude to the government of Iceland for the financial contribution towards WTO’s Fisheries Funding Mechanism. She said, “Iceland's continuing support for the implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies underscores the importance of collective action in preserving our oceans and promoting responsible fishing practices worldwide. I commend Iceland's leadership in this critical endeavour.”

The new Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies would involve adjustments and enhancements to WTO members' legislative and administrative frameworks, their transparency and notification obligations, and their fisheries management policies and practices.

Article 7 of the agreement provides for the creation of a funding mechanism to provide targeted technical assistance and capacity building to help developing and least-developed country members with implementation.

The fund is operated by the WTO with partner organisations, namely, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the World Bank Group, which bring to bear relevant expertise and allow the WTO to leverage its own expertise.

HISTORY AS NUPRC PICKS 42 WINNERS FOR ITS GAS FLARE COMMERCIALISATION BID ROUND

State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, NGFCP was intended to offer gas-for-sale by the government through a transparent and competitive bidding process, with a structure devised to provide project bankability for the flare gas buyers

The programme was one of the government’s initiatives to drive the attainment of zero routine gas flaring by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2060 in the country.

The Muhammadu Buhari government had disclosed that 226 companies had submitted bids before the project was suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The programme was first superintended by the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), which had announced the identification of the 49 flare sites in February 2020.

However, with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) coming into existence in August 2021, ending the existence of DPR and replacing it with the current NUPRC, the commission last October announced the relaunch of the gas commercialisation programme and opened bids.

NUPRC explained, yesterday, that the issuance of letters of award to 42 companies/entities deemed successful in the process was ongoing.

It said the 42 successful bidders were awarded 49 flare sites put

forward during the 2022 NGFCP auction process.

The Gbenga Komolafe-led commission further said 38 of the companies/entities had been awarded 40 flare sites for standalone single flare site development, while four were awarded nine sites to be developed as clusters.

The upstream regulator, however, said “Reserve bidders” status had also been accorded some companies for the corresponding flare sites in case the preferred bidders failed to meet the terms and conditions stipulated in the RFP.

According to the commission, "Award letters are already being transmitted to the respective successful entities through the appropriate channels.

“The successful 42 winners emerged out of the 300 companies/ entities that indicated interest in either revalidating their prequalification status as existing participants or submitting Statement of Qualification (SOQ) as new participants.

"In furtherance of its mandate in Section 7 (e) and Section 105 (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, the commission, in the third quarter of 2022, restructured the NGFCP and re-launched the programme to align with the provisions of the PIA, as well as reflect prevailing economic and operational realities."

NUPRC noted that the significant success recorded in the NGFCP

bid process was due to a series of focused engagements with relevant stakeholders, including domestic investors, international development agencies, oil and gas producers, technology providers, and financial institutions during the intervening months.

The commission further explained, “The engagements by the commission were to galvanise and sustain interest in the programme, attract investments and stimulate participation by local and foreign entities.

“In response to the Request for Qualification (RFQ) issued in the fourth quarter of 2022, 300 companies/entities indicated interest in either revalidating their prequalification status as existing participants or submitting Statement of Qualification (SOQ) as new participants.

“Following the evaluation of SOQs, a total of 139 applicants were deemed successful and awarded the Qualified Applicant status.

“Subsequently, in the first quarter of 2023, the commission issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) to enable qualified applicants to put together their respective proposals for any of the 49 flare sites on offer."

NUPRC also stated, “Eighty-eight entities, comprising individual companies and consortiums responded to the RFP and submitted a total of 137 proposals, each containing technical, commercial and financial

documentation for one or more of the 49 flare sites for either standalone or cluster development."

The regulator maintained that the proposals were duly evaluated by it and approval secured to announce 38 companies/entities as successful bidders for 40 sites for standalone single flare site developments and four companies/entities for nine sites to be developed as clusters.

However, it stated that some companies were also awarded Reserve Bidders status for the corresponding flare sites in case the Preferred Bidders failed to meet the terms and conditions contained in the RFP.

NUPRC said, "At this stage, the Preferred Bidders would individually proceed to execute the Suite of Commercial Agreements with relevant parties and effect payment of the prescribed award fees to enable the grant of Permit to Access Flare Gas by the commission.

"KPMG, a global network of professional firms, has been approved to partner with the commission in the implementation of the award to ensure successful outcome of the gas flare-out commercialisation process.

“The management congratulates the successful bidders and enjoins them to follow through with the final stages of the programme towards becoming Permit Holders and executors of viable projects that would harness flare gas for value creation.”

5TH LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY (LASU) RESEARCH & INNOVATION FAIR...

Osun Begins Telecoms Installations’ Audit, Targets N500 million Revenue

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Global Transaction Nigeria

Limited, a company saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that telecommunications infrastructure complies with laws of Osun State has expressed its readiness to begin standard control activities in the state.

The Executive Chairman Mr. Rotimi George Taylor, made this known while fielding questions from journalists on the readiness of the company to carry out audit, inspections of existing installations within the state.

This is to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and ensure notices, guidelines, and regulations necessary to enforce contravention against owners and developers of installations in breach of regulations are done.

Taylor, who lamented how some of the telecommunications companies had been trying to evade dues said Osun state government through GTNL would do everything within the law particularly the State of Osun Environmental Protection Law 2022, to ensure the companies fulfill their financial obligations.

According to the Executive Chairman, since all those companies came to the state to do their businesses it was incumbent upon them to pay their dues since the state government had deemed it fit to provide enabling environment for their business to grow.

He hinted that in the next three months the GTNL would strive to garner generate about N500 million for the state.

He, however, commended

Governor Ademola Adeleke, who he said had decided not to put the burden on the citizens of the state and had contacted them to carry out the audit. He said: "Osun State Govern-

ment has entered into an agreement with Global Transactions Nigeria Limited to ensure that telecommunications infrastructure complies with the laws of Osun state, particularly the State of Osun

Environmental Protection Law 2022.

"GTNL is empowered to carry out audits, inspections of existing installations within the state to ensure compliance

with relevant regulations and ensure notices, guidelines, and regulations necessary to enforce contravention against owners and developers of installations in breach of regulations are done.”

Kano Research Center Calls for Collaborative Efforts to Tackle Healthcare Challenges

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The Kano State Independent Research Trust Center has stressed the need for active collaboration among government, research, and private institutions in order to tackle the pressing challenges of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The Research Center established in 2013, by Pfizer, for the Kano State

government to conduct biomedical and healthcare research on communicable and non-communicable diseases, insisted that the collaboration would ensure increased access to healthcare, affordability of health services and improve overall efficiency.

Addressing journalists at the conclusion of its medical outreach held in Kano, the Chief Medical

Director of the Trust, Dr. Jamil Ismail Ahmad insisted that, “the government needs to come in, research institutions like ours need to come in, the private sector, the philanthropists, and even the people themselves need to come in to make things better.”

He explained that it was against this background and in line with their corporate responsibility

Group Asks NJC, Anti-graft Agencies to Probe Tribunal Judges

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

A pro-democracy group, the Citizens United for Democracy in Nigeria (CUDIN), has called on the National Judicial Council and the anti-graft agencies in the country to investigate judges currently delivering judgements at the various election tribunals.

The group at a news conference in Abuja, yesterday, said probing the judges would help the judiciary come clean over allegations of corruption being levelled against some of the judicial officers.

The National Coordinator of CUDIN, Felix Ngutswen, who read the text of the group's statement, said the NJC should not allow the integrity of the judiciary to be compromised by any corrupt judicial officer.

CUDIN said, "We call upon the National Judicial Council and other anti-graft agencies to take immediate action and investigate any suspected judgments thoroughly.

"The integrity of the judiciary must be safeguarded, and all those involved in selling judgments, whether the judges, lawyers, or political actors, must face severe consequences for subverting the democratic process.

"We, as a leading pro-democracy organisation in Nigeria, strongly denounces the Election Petition Tribunal's recent judgment on the highly contested election of the National Assembly in Plateau

State on the 25th February, 2023.

“The verdict, underscores a disheartening setback for transparency, justice, and democracy in Nigeria."

The group noted that the Election Petition Tribunal's primary responsibility was to ensure fair and impartial adjudication in electoral disputes.

It lamented that the judiciary's sacred duty to uphold the sanctity of the democratic process had allegedly been compromised by some judicial officers with vested interests.

The group noted that, "Citizens United for Democracy in Nigeria has meticulously analysed the proceedings of the Election Petition Tribunal in Jos, Plateau State and discovered an alarming series of irregularities.

"The development is casting serious doubts on the integrity and impartiality of the judgment.

"Our investigation reveals clear indications of political interference, and hidden agenda leading to the alleged compromised decisions where the same Tribunal is giving contradictory judgments on the same issue.

"Democratic principles form the cornerstone of a progressive society, empowering citizens to choose their leaders freely and fairly.

"Nigeria, as a vibrant and dynamic nation, must embrace the principles of transparency and accountability to cultivate an environment where citizens' voices are valued and respected.

"The Peoples Democratic Party conducted its primary elections in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which the delegates system was duly followed.

"The inconsequential issue of qualification that the judge Hon. Justice M.B Tukur is leveraging has been settled up to the Supreme Court.

"Where did he get the audacity from to subvert the will of Plateau people on the ground of a settled

court case since 2021?

"The implication of the Judgment is that PDP has a valid and solid structure through which our mandate was given and we optimistic that the appeal court would reverse the judgment of the Tribunal.

"Despite the evidence tendered before the Tribunal by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the PDP on the repeat Congresses conducted

on the 25th September, 2021 as a result of the court rulings, the Tribunal went ahead to declare that Senator Napoleon Bali, Hon Beni Lar, Hon Musa Bagos, and Hon Peter Gyendeng have been disqualified on the ground of the so-called structural issues

"We want to know under which provision of the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the APC to challenge the candidacies of the People's Democratic Party.”

that they organised the outreach program, explaining that their target was to attend to between 3,000 to 4,000 patients suffering from different communicable and non-communicable ailments such as malaria, pneumonia, hepatitis, and HIV, among others.

He observed that the medical services provided to patients included consultations, checking of vital signs, free drug dispensation, and medical advice and awareness to patients, in addition to a few cases of referrals.

He further told journalists that they would commence clinical service in the office by the third week of September 2023, adding that the equipment, manpower, and other critical resources necessary to take off were already on the ground.

The Chief Imam of the Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Nasir Adam, expressed appreciation to the research trust while calling on members of the public to embark on a similar life-saving venture.

IPMAN to Soludo: Pay Us N900m Debt Used in Buying Diesel to Power Streetlights in Anambra

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called on the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to offset the N900.7 million debt owed its members for petroleum products supplied.

The group said the money was owed to about 70 contractors for diesel supplied to his government for power generating sets used to run streetlights across the state for one month. The transaction happened in March and April, 2022.

Soludo, who was sworn into office in March 2022 had complained about the high cost of fueling the generators, which powered

the streetlights installed by his predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano and added to the aesthetic of most of the urban areas.

He had after one month of procuring diesel for the generators dumped the streetlights, throwing major highways into darkness.

He, however later installed solar-powered streetlights, while deactivating those installed by Obiano.

However, IPMAN in a letter to Soludo, signed by Chinedu Anyaso and Emeka Iloafor as chairman and secretary of the association respectively, disclosed that within the one month that Soludo used the Obiano-installed streetlights, their members were owed N900 million.

In the letter titled, ‘Request for Debt Payment of N900,664,805.00

Owed Our Members for Diesel Supplied and Services Rendered in Respect Of Street Lights’, the association said the decision to intervene in the transactions was reached at its annual general meeting in Enugu on August 24.

The letter read in part: “We, IPMAN covering Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, write to appreciate the good works you are doing in Anambra and commend all your efforts in making the state a livable place.

“We want to bring to your notice that your department in charge of paying for diesel and services on the Anambra streetlights has refused

to offset an outstanding debt owed to our members. The debt is to the tune of N900,664,805 accrued for the months of March and April 2022.

"Our members are dying because of these debts and the banks are chasing them around to repay the loans given to them to do this business. We attach the breakdown of the debts for your records.”

When contacted, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community affairs, Hon. TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, whose office allegedly oversaw the transaction, said: “I am not aware that they wrote a letter to the governor. I have not seen it, but I know what they are talking about.”

L- R: Pro - Chancellor and Chairman of the occasion, Sir David Olubanji Sunmoni , Keynote Speaker and immediate past Hon.Minister of Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN ,Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. lbiyemi Ibilola Olatunji -Bello during the 5th Lagos State University (LASU) Research & Innovation Fair with the theme," Harnessing Sustainable Research and Innovation in Nigerian Universities towards National Growth and Development” at the Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, LASU, Ojo, Lagos on Tuesday

Oba Gbadebo: Celebrating A Symbol of Egba Unity at 80

Today, September 14, 2023, the Egba people who occupy the entire Ogun Central Senatorial District comprising six local government areas - Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ifo, Odeda, Ewekoro, and Obafemi Owode - as well as their brothers, sisters, and friends across Nigeria and the diaspora will roll out the drum to celebrate.

They will be out to celebrate a man who symbolises and represents the unity of their federation, sophistication, education, industry, brilliance, uniqueness, pathfinding, and leadership roles as well as their many achievements in the larger national, continental, and global context.

Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV is 80 years old today and this is a monarch in whom the Egbas are well pleased and proud.

The Egbas, a group of people who work hard, study and travel widely, achieve greatly, and celebrate flamboyantly, will demonstrate their predilection to partying when they roll out drums, gongs, and flutes, churn out the best musical lyrics, and most poetic lines, display the best of cuisines, drinks and clad in some of the most fashionable attires to celebrate their monarch.

The best achievement of Oba Gbadebo as a monarch who has been on the ancient throne of his forefathers since August 2, 2005, when he was selected as the 10th Alake of Egbaland has been his ability to bring about unity, peace, tranquility, and sense of community development among his people while his tenure has also witnessed tremendous physical infrastructure and economic development in both Abeokuta and the communities in the six local government areas dominated by the Egbas.

To further understand why the Egbas will celebrate this monarch as he joins the rank of octogenarians, one must have a good grasp of the delicate but highly sophisticated traditional system of government of the Egbas. It is a sys-

tem that is worthy of being studied, emulated, and developed by the rest of Nigeria as a way of restructuring the current warped federal system that has continued to be a burden and a setback for our national development.

The Egbas have a unique traditional system in which four traditional rulers co-habit and rule in one big town - Abeokuta township. With the Alake of Egbaland as the paramount ruler of the Egbas, there is the Osile of Oke Ona Egba who is the ruler of the Oke Ona Egba, the Agura of Gbagura-Egba , and the Olowu of Owu-Egba. The subjects of all these traditional rulers are Abeokuta indigenes.

Also, unlike in many towns, every Egba person rightly belongs to two local government areas. While the homestead is in Abeokuta town which has been divided in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria into

Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North LGAs, a true Egba must also belong to a community or village in any of the four other local government areas in Ogun Central senatorial district - Ifo, Obafemi Owode, Odeda and Ewekoro. These communities were farmlands where our ancestors established their farms.

From mere farmlands, the communities have grown from hamlets to villages to big communities whose population and land mass surpass those in some other state capitals.

This has been my explanation to other Nigerians who sometimes wonder why former President Olusegun Obasanjo is said to be from Owu, Abeokuta, and Ibogun at the same time. Some even add Ota where the General has the headquarters of Obasanjo Farms as part of the myth on the man’s real base.

President Obasanjo, an Egba man is from the Owu quarters in Abeokuta North Local Government Area. And he has his house there. His village is located in Ibogun in the Ifo Local Government area where he also has a house. Ota is just a place where he has his business, the farm. In any case, Obasanjo Farms also has branches in other parts of Nigeria like Lanlate in Oyo State, Mambila in Taraba State, and Owiwi in Ifo LGA, among other areas.

In Abeokuta, while we know who is Ake, Oke Ona, Gbagura, and Owu, we are all Egbas and we have respect for all our traditional rulers. This federal system has worked for us and the traditional Egba chieftaincy titles are shared among indigenes from different quarters. In the past, personality differences and idiosyncrasies have tended to create disagreements among the monarchs. However, these negative tendencies have disappeared since the current Alake took over, of course, with the co-operation and support of his brother Obas.

All Egba traditional rulers move and work as a united team. There is cooperation, unity of

purpose, and a peaceful relationship between all our Obas. Under Oba Gbadebo, the usual bickering, unhealthy rivalry, or superiority fight has seized. Our Obas now attend each other’s personal or community events.

Thus, events like Lisabi Day and others are celebrated together by all Egbas and their friends, at home and abroad. No discrimination. No segregation.

The newfound unity has also percolated to the ranks of the prominent indigenes. The Egba people wherever you have them, now work together and rally around their monarchs such that you don’t know who is from which quarters.

The state of peace and tranquillity in Egbaland is a reflection of the person of Oba Adedotun Gbadebo. As a member of the State Executive Council for four years, I had the opportunity to relate with and observe Kabiyesi from close quarters. He was a gentleman to the core. The type they call ‘Officer and gentleman’, bearing in mind that he is a retired, decorated military officer.

Oba Gbadebo joined the army after bagging a degree from the Faculty of Arts of the nation’s premier university, the University of Ibadan. Though he left the army as a Colonel, he worked at the highest level in the force by serving as Principal Staff Officer to the last occupant of the powerful Office of the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon. Those who knew him then believed he was a workaholic, organised, focused, and disciplined officer who earned his place in heading what could be the policy and strategy headquarters of the military administration headed by Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

-Olaniyonu writes from Abuja.

Nwifuru: Walking the Talk in Ebonyi

Ebonyi State governor, Hon. Francis Nwifuru is the fourth civilian Governor of the State. He assumed office on May 29, 2023. Before his emergence as Governor, he was the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. So, he knows the state political terrain well.

Since Nwifuru’s assumption of office, it has been good news and seasons of approvals and implementation. First of all, his appointments were total departure from the old norm where certain class in the society, mostly the elderly see themselves as best fit to occupy political positions.

In the present administration in Ebonyi, over 90 percentage of members of the State Executive Council are youth who may possibly be occupying political office for their first time. This measure was to inject fresh blood into the system, build and groom leaders of tomorrow. Above all, one thing fascinating about Governor Nwifuru is his frankness. Hate him or like him, he doesn’t paint issues to be sweet. He reacts to issues frankly and courageously without minding whose ox is gored. Again, this feat was a departure from the past administration in the state, where people’s emotions and expectations were gambled with.

As contained in his manifesto, named Ebonyi Charter of Need, enhancing the welfare of civil servants became his first port of call. Not only that the Governor increased the salaries of civil servants by N10,000 each, he also approved their promotions and further recruitment of 1,454 persons into the civil service in the state.

This was in addition to 195 health personnel already approved for immediate employment. This measure was a major breakthrough for the civil service that had suffered poor remuneration and no promotions for more than eight years.

Marching his words with action, the recruitment exercise has started. The issue of workers’ salary has become a perennial issue which almost stalled the past administration.

For about 25 years now, no retired civil servant has been paid gratuity in the state.

It was a moment of jubilation in the state when it was announced that the State Executive Council has approved the payment of all arrears of gratuity in the State.

Briefing newsmen recently after the weekly State Executive Council meeting in Abakaliki, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor noted that the payment will cover civil servants who retired from 1996 to 2021.

He added that the Council also directed that all issues around those who were yet to receive the payment

of their pension which is still ongoing should be resolved without further delay.

According to him, the measure was part of efforts of the State Governor, Hon. Francis Nwifuru in ameliorating the sufferings of the people in the State.

Okpor said: “in furtherance of the resolve of the people-oriented and purpose-driven administration of Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to lifting the living standard of majority of Ebonyians through Human Capital development policies, the Ebonyi State Executive Council also approved the payment of arrears of gratuity to retired civil servants from 1996 to 2021 with a cost implementation of over four billion naira.

“Council also directed that all issues around those who are yet to receive the payment of their pension which is still ongoing should be resolved without further delay”.

There was a time in the state, where several political strategies were deployed to whittle down the agitations of workers in the state, including the factionalization the leadership of the Labour Union in the State. Comrade Leo Nkah was conscripted to chair the progovernment chapter of NLC while Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor was the authentic chairman of NLC.

But, with his commitment to ensure that welfare of civil servants is one of his priorities, Nwifuru has set a new tone that will redefine the lost glory of workers in the state.

Within 100 days in office, two kilometre roads and 65 duplexes have been awarded to all traditional rulers in the State. The idea, perhaps is to revive the traditional institution in the state and reintegrate them into the governance of the State.

These roads were also part of the rural areas development masterplan which the present administration said was contained in Ebonyi’s

charter of needs. The past administration under David Umahi started well on the construction of 10 kilometre roads in each communities but it became a mirage as some of the Local government chairmen either abandoned the projects or didn’t work at all.

This however attracted criticism on the rationale behind Umahi’s penchant for flyover projects in the state while some roads even in the capital city were deplorable.

The critics were of the view that some of the flyovers had no value for now when the State is still confronted with numerous priorities. Observers had contended that critical sectors in the state especially primary education and health sectors were not functional.

In the area of education, the pride of the state, Ebonyi State University was in shambles, coma and moribund. Lecturers were on strike. Infrastructural facilities were decaying. Courses lost accreditation. The entire university was collapsing and the only survival fund which is the monthly subvention stopped coming from the state government.

In fact, at a point, Umahi said he could no longer afford the monthly N200 million subvention and further reduced it to N150 million. But due to the ASUU strike and of course the State government policy of no work, no pay, the issue of monthly subvention was totally stopped.

It was a major challenge for Nwifuru’s administration due to his assurance to make educational institutions very attractive that no one would like to send his or her children to school outside the State. But the only way to start is by reviving the dwindling standard of Ebonyi State University.

Oba Gbadebo

Yusuph Olaniyonu writes that the 10th Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, who symbolises unity among the Egbas since he ascended the throne in 2005, clocks 80 today.

Benjamin Nworie writes on the developmental strides of Ebonyi State Governor, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

Nwifuru

‘Thanksgiving in Triumph’, as Makinde, Others, Extol Adeosun at 55

The importance of thanksgiving especially in triumph was the emphasis as the First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs Olufunke Makinde; Secretary to Ogun State government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, and other dignitaries gathered recently at the All Souls’ Church, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, to celebrate the Founder, St Rachael Pharma, Pharmacist Akinjide Adeosun, as he turned 55. Sunday Ehigiator reports

Born 55 years ago, Akinjide Adeosun is a pharmacist by profession, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of St. Racheal’s Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited and the Founder of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF).

The AAF is a non-profit, non-religious and non-political organization set up by the celebrant in 2014 to leave a leadership legacy in Africa by strengthening the capabilities of today’s leaders and building a pipeline of ready future leaders by 2035.

Before founding St. Racheal’s Pharma in 2016, Adeosun was the Head of Branded Generics and a member of the Africa Leadership Team (ALT) at GlaxoSmithKline Pharma, Africa. He served meritoriously in various functional and management roles at GSK for over two decades.

He then went on to establish St. Rachael’s Pharma in his quest to improve life expectancy through the availability of top-quality affordable pharmaceuticals in Africa. The enterprise was founded on the three pillars and values of ‘Excellence, Integrity, and Empathy’.

He has always exhibited these values through his lifestyle, relationships and family life, while also happily married to his longtime friend, and former Secretary to the State Governor of Oyo State, Pharm Olubamiwo Adeosun, and both were blessed with wonderful children.

All these life feats summed together imply triumph for Akinjide Adeosun, thereby necessitating the need for a thanksgiving occasion themed, ‘Thanksgiving in Triumph’.

Thanksgiving, a Necessity

Delivering the sermon of the day, Evangelist Folayan Adebayo said thanksgiving was a necessity in every triumph, as it connects one to other open doors of blessings unmerited.

According to him, “Lamentations 3 vs 22-23 says, through the Lord's mercies, we are not consumed because his compassion fails not, they're new every morning, great is your faithfulness.

“We've all gathered here to celebrate not just another year in the life of Akinjide Adeosun but to thank God for his faithfulness, his mercies, his love, his protection, his provision, his restoration, his wisdom and his affirm and miraculous piety over passed challenges that have held this family hostage.

“We've gathered to give all thanks and glory to God for creating an epitome of blessing, a vessel onto all, someone as Akinjide, the vessel of vision, the vessel that is purpose-driven, the vessel moved with love, the person who we all see signs and wonders of God in his life.

“Talking about thanksgiving, there are various meanings and definitions and various things that promote thanksgiving but the cause of today and the theme being Thanksgiving in trials, I'll say that thanksgiving is an act of different offerings to God, handing to God previous things of our lives, previous years of our lives we've all lived, and knowing fully well that it is not by our power nor by our might but by the mercies of God that we've been able to overcome all these days and years in our lives.

L-R: Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties, Oyo-State, Alhaja Fausat Sanni; The Lord Bishop, Ijesha North, Osun-State, The Rt. Revd.Isaac Oluyamo; The First Lady of Oyo-State, Engr. (Mrs.) Olufunke Tamunominini Makinde; Former Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Bayo Sarumi; The Celebrant, Founder & Chairman ST. Racheal's Pharma, Pharm. Akinjide Adeosun; Celebrant's wife, Pharm. Olubamiwo Adeosun and The SSG to Ogun-State, Mr Tokunbo Talabi at the 55th Birthday anniversary of Pharm. Akinjide Adeosun, themed 'Thanksgiving in Triumph', recently held in Lagos

“Again, thanksgiving is an act of exposing to the world, the act of one's attitude of gratitude to God. Uncle Jide is a perfect example, He has exhibited to us today one of his secret characteristics of evolving and accomplishment in his life, which is an attitude of gratitude, regardless of the danger of death that once surrounded him in 2020.

“Therefore brethren, to triumph all of us must imbibe the attitude of thanksgiving in a trial as Christians. Some of the conduct and prayers are that all should know God and trust him wholeheartedly, know your God and trust him wholeheartedly.

“Uncle Akinjide, I want you to know that the mind is a special gift, life is a privilege and not our right. Life is an investment unto God and life is about impact.

“If I were to summarise your life’s story, I’d describe you as a visionary leader, an educationist, and a lover of music. You are endowed with the gift to discover young potential leaders, you are a man of integrity, you are purpose-driven and your passion for change particularly in the leadership field is excellent. You're generous beyond margin and to crown it all, you are an indescribable gift from God.”

Makinde extols Adeosun

Speaking about the celebrant, the First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs Makinde, described Adeosun as a pragmatic, God-fearing, and exemplary person.

“The celebrant Jide Adeosun is a friend I've come to know through Church and I met him about 23 years ago, almost 24 years ago.

“He is a very practical person and pragmatic when it comes to leadership. He lives an exemplary life and he works so hard to showcase what he believes in. He pushes for the best and only the best. You can see he likes bright colours and he's also a bright person, brilliant up there and also he's not a shady person.

“For him, integrity is something he cannot trade for anything. He's a Godfearing person, he loves his Psalms, he loves worshipping, he's a good husband and he works hard.

“Above all, I'd say he's somebody that if you meet, you'd keep the relationship going because he's always going to be pushing you to be a better person or a version of yourself.

“My wish is, Jide, go out there, keep doing what you're doing, Love the Lord more, worship more, embrace the Lord more and do more for the people knowing that God is always there for you and he'd always uphold you. Don't be afraid to take a step even when no one wants to step out.”

A Dependable, Faithful and Reliable Husband

Addressing the media, the wife to the celebrant, Mrs Adeosun, described her husband as a dependable, reliable, faithful, loving, and very strong person.

According to her, “What he believes in he does not suffer for, he goes for it and you heard when he talked about it. He’s very kind, though he might

be stubborn to his vision, stubborn to what he believes in.

“He's in a hurry to make an impact in the world and that's why you can see all the various things he's doing. He loves God, he loves his family both nuclear and extended and he's a man of integrity.

“I pray for God's infinite Mercies because without God's Mercies and grace we'd be consumed. I also pray for God's blessings upon him, I wish him a long life as well. He's 55 years old today and I pray for the next 40 years of good health and strength for him at least.

“I wish him prosperity because we don't want to live long and suffer, I wish him blessings, I wish him favour from God and men so that he'd look back and be happy with himself and happy with God's blessings upon him.

“I pray that his table be surrounded by his children and his grandchildren and he'd enjoy them all to good old age, in health and vitality.”

A Man of Destiny

Earlier in his thanksgiving message, Adeosun expressed gratitude to God for allowing him to clock 55 years, while also describing himself as a man of destiny and purpose who is determined to touch lives and give back to humanity and society.

He said that the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) was set up to leave a leadership legacy in Africa by strengthening the capabilities of today’s leaders and building a pipeline of ready future leaders by 2035

According to him, “Our foundation is aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 of Good Health and Well-being as well as Goal 4 of Quality Education. Thousands of people have benefitted from the foundation since its launch in 2015.

“We have had leadership discourses delivered in an admixture of training, case studies, and project shadowing. We have also had free medical missions executed for indigent patients.

“The foundation is executing a five-year leadership MoU at Meadowhall College in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria.’’

Adeosun also took the congregation through the many significant and remarkable times of his life, ranging from how he got enrolled to study pharmacy at the prestigious University of Ibadan, to how he met his wife, conquered his fears, and survived a terrible Delta-variant of COVID-19 in 2021 through the mercy of God.

He therefore urged his well-wishers to be focused, empathetic, determined, resilient, have leadership attributes, and most importantly to have integrity.

Also in attendance is the Oyo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Fausat Sanni, the Lord Bishop of Ijesa North Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt Revd. Isaac Oluyamo and wife, Mrs Margaret Oluyamo; former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Bayo Sarumi; and the former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, among others.

DOPRI, Others Decorate, Charge Four Newly Promoted Airmen to Serve Nigeria Better

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Director of Public Relations (DOPRI), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, recently decorated four Airmen in the media unit who were promoted by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

At the decoration, which took place at the DOPRI's office at the NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Gabkwet commended the newly promoted soldiers, adding that it was well deserved.

In his charge to the airmen, he went down memory lane on his career trajectory, adding that it was usually not how far, but how well one comes up the ladder.

He also urged them to do more with the new ranks they were decorated as the service expects more from them.

Furthermore, he stressed on the need for them to be more family-conscious by looking out for the welfare of their respective homes.

To those who missed out on the recent promotion, the DOPRI charged them to keep

faith and double up the work, while assuring that no one will be left behind.

Also speaking, the duo of outgoing Director Information, Group Captain Joel Abioye and his successor, Group Captain Kabiru Aliyu, reminded the

airmen that promotion only comes from God, thus, they must put in the work.

Prior to the speeches, the senior officers hung the new ranks on the elated airmen, who were full of appreciation to the NAF authorities for

deeming them worthy out of the hundreds of others.

Also, the DOPRI graciously asked THISDAY's Group Features Editor, Chiemelie Ezeobi, who was on a chance visit to the NAF Headquarters, to decorate one of the airmen.

While reminiscing on the over a decade hand of fellowship extended by Air Commodore Gabkwet, Ezeobi commended them for the service for the nation and further charged them to work harder in promoting the image of the Nigerian Air Force.

Reminding them that the Pen is still mightier than the Sword, Ezeobi reminded them that without the Information Unit, the activities of the NAF would remain in obscurity.

Furthermore, she urged them to mentor the younger and upcoming ones because if they can’t impact anyone

around them, then they are just occupying space.

The promoted airmen were Lance Corporal Abubakar Umar Faruq, a member of the BMTC 39/2018, who has served in various NAF units including 651 Base Services Group, Air Force War College Markurdi, 551 NAF Station, Jos and currently with HQ NAF; Lance Corporal Babalola Divine Oluwayinka, a member of the Basic Military Course 38/2017; Coporal Yahaya Muhammed, a member of the BMTC 30/2012 with a Diploma in Estate Management but with passion for photograph and photo journalism, which he is pursuing at the directorate; and Lance Corporal Terhemen Anger Anyam, member of the BMTC 39/35705 with training on Camera Operating Technics obtained from NTA TV College in Jos.

The newly promoted airmen with Ezeobi and NAF Directorate of Public Relations personnel, as well as the DOPRI, Air Commodore Gabkwet

JUDGES, SPIRIT AND LETTERS OF LAW

VICTOR C. ARIOLE

contends that the September 6 ruling did not take the people into consideration

See page 21

IT’S ARISE O’CLOCK

IN AKWA IBOM

The governor is off to a good start, reckons FRANCIS UKOT

See page 21

EDITORIAL

THE LAGOS MASS TRANSIT RAIL

Thursday September 14, 2023 Vol 27. No 10381

Even with its disadvantages, Africa can negotiate its way into global significance and reckoning, writes MONDAY

PHILIPS EKPE

A CONTINENT IN NEED OF SELF-RESPECT

The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU), was only two years old in 1965. The larger part of Africa had battled for freedom from European colonists. While some countries had won theirs, others, encouraged by the wave of victories, marched on with vigour. They were all united by a desire to assert themselves on the world stage. The organisation also considered it crucial to be viewed as a unifying umbrella for progressive states. Incidentally, the United Nations (UN), formerly United Nations Organisation (UNO), which was established at the end of the Second World War, had just clocked 20 years. That year, as an Observer Mission to UNO via a vote at the 20th Session of the General Assembly. The hope for respectable collaborations with international institutions and countries in other continents was born.

Surely, becoming engrafted into any entity as a single bloc didn’t start today; neither is the practice peculiar to the continent. For ages, alliances and integrations have been forged across national and continental boundaries to further critical interests. The European Union (EU) is a G-20 member too, we need not be reminded. That the African bloc became a member of G-20 during its meeting in India last week is, therefore, not strange. But times have changed and are actually changing rapidly. The African organisation is six decades old and counting. There are enough signs to bother whoever is truly concerned about the continent’s fortunes and its place in an increasingly complex world which actively guards and promotes unique identities even in the face of the much-hyped globalisation. Meaning, it’s safer and wiser to go to any gathering, no matter how intimidating or mouth-watering the prospects are, with a good dose of dignity. Certainly not empty

place in New Delhi, South Africa was the only African nation in the elite club. Since 1999 when G-20 was founded, no other African country was found worthy to occupy any consequential slot there. Watchers of multinational clubs are asking for the actual import of what is being touted as an achievement. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu who led a large contingent to the venue of that conference to participate from the side-lines declared that his country deserved a spot in the organisation’s mainstream. A pathetic call, quite frankly. Time was during its glorious foreign policy era when Nigeria could not be ignored on the international scene. At the height of that dispensation in the 1970s and 1980s, it was the only nation without physical recognised at the UN as a frontline state, in honour of the prime role of the West African apartheid regime in the southern African enclave.

As expected, the UN has praised G-20 for giving AU a permanent seat. This, according to Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the world body,

global stage. When much of the existing international multilateral architecture was built, most of Africa was colonised and did not have an opportunity to have their voices heard. This is another step towards India’s role as a leader of the Global South and developing countries. This highlights India’s capabilities as a bridge-builder, politically and geographically.” This statement is a panegyric of some sort but within it lie debatable items. importance?” The two most powerful blocs in world politics at the moment are led by the United States and western Europe on one hand and China and Russia on the other. Both are constantly in search of allies, most of which are developing and underdeveloped. To these advanced economies, Africa’s real use revolves around its superabundant natural resources. Other considerations are secondary. They have demonstrated that for centuries and have not shown sincere signs of shifting their grounds. Even in terms of the voting rights at the UN, when highly critical resolutions are being made, African countries are hardly in the room. Dujarric’s reference to the continent’s colonial past is one stark fact that may never be exorcised from history, understandably. Many scholars, leaders and commentators often point to the twin atrocities of slavery and colonialism as being responsible for much of the underdevelopment that has been Africa’s bane for decades. Dwelling on that narrative hasn’t helped the Black race, even if true. India which is being hailed today for its advancement and leadership had also swallowed those bitter pills. Two years ago, the Asian country handed over the hosting of the greatest number of extremely poor human beings to Nigeria which is yet to come to terms with the unfortunate reality, let alone design and implement workable solutions to the mess.

Where to look is inwards. “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery/ None but ourselves can free our own minds/ Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy/ ‘Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time/ How long shall they kill our prophets/ While we stand aside and look?/ Yes, some say it’s just a part of it/ sing/ These songs of freedom?....” When those lyrics rolled out of the track, “Redemption Song”, by the legendary Bob Marley with a direct inspiration from the equally iconic PanAfricanist and orator, Marcus Garvey, their prophetic value was probably underestimated. But it’s now clear that Africa is overdue for a thorough soul-searching.

As we struggle to understand where we stand in the comity of continents, deliverance from inferiority complex must top our priority list. Frantically lining up to join BRICS or whatever mustn’t become a pastime. It’s even worse when the continent gains admission as a single entity in what can be perceived as an

fathers of African unity fought so hard to liberate the continent from the grip of western domination, this generation should, at least, be seen to take mature, calculated steps towards occupying honourable positions at tables where momentous decisions are made.

Of course, respectability is never achieved in a vacuum. The continent parades 55 politically independent nations, 1.4 billion people, a paltry three percent of global gross domestic product, GDP, a largely youthful population, weak development indices and poor political structures in many countries. It has started witnessing military coups again, signalling a major threat to the enthronement of democracy. However, none of these sore points should hinder Africa from aspiring and positioning itself properly. There’s no part of the planet that is completely free from challenges. The continent has contributed to world peace through peacekeeping missions to several trouble-spots. It’s also home to numerous resources, human and material, in high demand around the world. And many Africans in the diaspora constantly give excellent account of themselves and contribute immensely to the upliftment of their host countries. Other viable, competitive endowments exist.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), the world’s biggest regional free trade area, for instance, which was established in 2021 can be the engine-room for genuine development; catalyst for the kind of and boost for the right voice and visibility vital for optimal engagements. By World Bank estimates, the free trade scheme will push up the continent’s income to 450 billion dollars and intra-continental trade to over 80 % by 2035. Hopefully. The world is now more uncertain and aggressive than ever. Much less or no space is left for the beggarly and the mediocre.

Dr Ekpe

a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

Let’s be wary of being patronised. If the fathers of African unity fought so hard to liberate the continent from the grip of western domination, this generation should, at least, be seen to take mature, calculated steps towards occupying honourable positions at tables where momentous decisions are made

VICTOR C. ARIOLE contends that the September 6 ruling did not take the people into consideration

JUDGES, SPIRIT AND LETTERS OF LAW

The Presidential Electoral Petition Tribunal (PEPT) rendering its unanimous judgment led my curiosity into searching the minds of French philosophers of 18th Century in their dissenting voices on how not to allow the letters of the law render useless the spirit of the law. Baron de Montesquieu is the lead philosopher but not the utmost, even as a Judge. He removes “Baron” from his name because it is a “privilege” symbol. So, even as a judge, he is of equal status with the people.

In Jean Jacques Rousseau the letters are prone to ruin but the spirit is effervescent, ever glowing notwithstanding what human contact does to the letters. And it takes a Daniel to come to judgement to get the letters to respond to the spirit. His “social contract” is binding rules

people. Freedom and Equality were evidently sacrificed at the altar of INEC confraternity with the Judges and the Lawyers. On one hand the Judges hold sway in accepting whatever is admissible as exhibit and on another hand what they have accepted as admissible turns out to be hoax on judgement day as either flimsy evidence, or “not certified by the Registry of the court”, seems the language of loophole.

It makes one wonder whether the arrays of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on both sides of the divides are not reflective of the mirror that is the Nigerian judicial system and legal education process. Indeed, another structural deficiency of Nigerian law and its educational products.

The SANs seem to be all on the side of INEC. No freedom or equality for the majority of the 90 million electorate. Both sides could not have done what so much pleased the Judges that they seem to see the process as trite.

important timeline by which many things are detractors and opponents have not relented in chastising Pastor Umoh Eno, the Akwa Ibom months, it’s clear that Pastor Eno, governing much was disclosed in the speech on September

“We have established an Agency with the sole responsibility to drive our rural development, improve the quality of life of our rural dwellers, stimulate economic activities and stem ruralto urban migration, the Rural Access and

between a benevolent prince and the people; and craves for greater obligation from that benevolent prince who must listen to the judges who are gobetween the benevolent prince and the people so as to remind him of the spirit of the law. Rousseau further envisaged the expected disposition of the prince and the judges in his “Emile”, as human beings that must be knowledgeable in all fields and be structural in the application of knowledge as against stuffing the head with information that lacks discerning in its application value. If you claim “INEC result viewing portal” (IREV) is not a function of electoral law why make it available and why allow tax payers money as well as international observers’ conscience be tied to it.

So, the burden of discernment is on the judges, and it extends to lawyers who either prosecute offenders or defend the law not to necessarily seek for loopholes to confuse the prince or the people.

As intermediary, the judges or lawyers are FRATERNAL with the PRINCE or The people as they choose to, given their proactive stance to quell impending danger, in line with the respect of “Fraternity, Equality and Freedom”.

In all evidence, the Judges, and the lawyers whether on the side of the petitioners or the defendants greatly fraternised with INEC –Independent National Electoral Commission. There was no Daniel among the judges to fraternise with the people in general, that is, the 90 million Nigerian electorate.

Nigerian electorate remains greatly undecided in this election and would have been allowed a second round to outrightly decide who they wanted so as not to enter into a trite law situation as it seems to be the case. It is certainly not easy to remove a sitting president by mere legalese. And as lawyers themselves say, it has turned trite as precedence of unending litigations after presidential elections since 1999 shows.

Nigerian Law exhibited ruin of the letters and it weighed heavily against the spirit that expects Freedom and Equality to be manifest among the

This is where Voltaire the contemporary of Rousseau comes in with his education novel of “Zadig”, a training process of the masses that makes them see both the judges and the lawyers as their equals and must be questioned when they are not bringing to the table the worth of their knowledge. One of the judges to my greatest dismay berated European Union and ECOWAS observers’ reports as if Nigeria is an isolated island from the rest of the world. The world is a global village and technology enables anyone to live in the world as Alvin Toffler defines it, “electronic cottage”.

ECOWAS, EU paid a lot of money to get Nigerians to live that world on electoral value basis, and INEC must render account of it. IREV would have been the incontestable platform upon which no judge or court process would have been pronounced flimsy or uncertified evidence.

As a participant of that election the purported form 8A or even its further serials that end in 8E have duplicates that are not quite visible and, for sure, could not have been certifiable by the court even if they were even tendered as evidence. They were blurred and so they were, and could have been blindly certifiable by the IREV. Seeking for 133,000 copies of agents’ submission to validate petitioners’ and second defendants’ claims of being short-changed in allocation of votes sounds pursuing a wild goose chase like the only woman judge adduced in her own judgement, berating the petitioners’ approach to proving their cases. Or even the fourth judge that reeled out results uploaded to the IREV and expects both the petitioners and the second defendants to find solace in the partial nature that “favours or does not favour” them.

INEC is the prince in this PEPT judgement and the judges and the lawyers had allowed, through this judgment, the complete ruining of a social contract between INEC and Nigerians including the wider world. However, Nigeria has been given a President by INEC and it behoves the President to fill the gap of a wicked INEC by making the Presidency a greatly benevolent one, observing the constraints. Nigeria must help Africa reconnect with the progressive world. The African spirit that is ever renewing itself in all the continents it goes through with pains and sorrow must not be ruined in Nigeria where it is representatively expressed in body and soul.

Ariole

is Professor of French and Francophone Studies,

Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development,

In the area of infrastructure, the Eno to hear from the governor that internal roads

Also recognising the importance of food security, the Akwa Ibom government has continued to focus on agriculture in similar vein governor, the state “acquired over 50 thousand hectares of land in all the 31 local government areas, to ensure food security and to get our

“As a practical demonstration of this renowned Songhai Farms to start a model farm in our state, We have already sent hundreds of our people for training so they could form the nucleus of the skilled workers to drive this

he has also started placing smiles on the faces of retired workers in the state by disbursing their local government, primary school teachers and

“Three billion naira has so far been released

On education, Pastor Eno reiterated that “Education remains free and compulsory at primary and secondary school levels and as part of the palliatives we are rolling out, based on the initial two billion naira we received from the federal government, in form of loan and rice, we intend to support parents with school uniforms, shoes and the payment of bursary to students in tertiary

Our commitment to the payment of West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees is irrevocable and we have already done so,

And knowing the importance of good primary school education, Pastor Eno also talked of his administration’s plans to build

“Work is ongoing at a fast pace at the schools, the Christ the King School, (CKS)

The governor also pledged to build model primary healthcare facilities in the ameliorate the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, the governor listed the “Distribution of additional bags of rice to each of the 2,272 gazetted villages; cash transfers to 53,000 workers in the state for three months, levy-free Fridays for transporters and traders for three months; all these have raised our contributions to

Also, within 100 days, the new Akwa Ibom government hatched the idea of a skill acquisition centre - Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre

to the governor, ILED “will soon be up and running aimed at equipping our people with the right entrepreneurial and leadership skills, thus preparing them to

While these are smart initial moves, they can only be fruitful in an ambience of peace known for restiveness which characterises Eno administration is being proactive and

“To ensure that we continue to enjoy the peace we are known for, we have created of Internal security, headed by a retired general of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier

“Our security architecture is robust and remains committed to working thank the security agencies immensely for Economy newly created by the federal government, aquatic-rich states like Akwa the Eno administration sees this and is determined to ensure that our comparative advantage in blue economy is utilized to as well as our tourism sector, which is a

from Uyo, Akwa Ibom

IT’S ARISE O’CLOCK IN AKWA IBOM

The governor is off to a good start, reckons FRANCIS UKOT

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

THE LAGOS MASS TRANSIT RAIL

Several commuters in Lagos recently the Blue Rail Line commenced commercial

It is a dream come true

We commend the Lagos State government for this massive infrastructural strategic mass transit vehicles aimed at easing the

Letters to the Editor

faster alternative to time

elements have almost ruined the rails constructed

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.

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TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY LEADERSHIP FOR HUMANISM

The Lagos intra-city trains have been built at enormous cost, mostly through debts. We hope that they will run like proper businesses to ensure adequate value and sustainability

FG Approves Review of NCC ACT to Streamline Regulatory Roles with NITDA, Boost Telecoms’ Growth

Emma Okonji

In order to clearly differentiate the regulatory roles of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) from the Information Technology (IT) policy development and implementation roles of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the federal government has approved the review of NCC Act 2003. The decision of the federal

government to distinctly differentiate the roles of both government agencies is coming on the hills of the recent friction between NCC and NITDA over industry regulatory issues, which almost undermined the contribution of the telecoms’ sector to national Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who confirmed the review of the NCC Act 2003, said NCC

has concluded on the first and second draft of the review and has submitted same to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani for approval, before the final draft would be released.

Danbatta who spoke at the Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum (TERF) in Lagos said: “The Nigerian Communication Act is currently being reviewed. The first and second draft has been concluded

and the final draft will soon be released. The second draft has been made available to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. We had to review the NCC Act to ensure that all areas of conflicts and overlaps can be addressed so that NITDA and NCC can co-exist without friction of roles.”

The NCC Act 2003, which was signed into law by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo on

July 8, 2003, empowers NCC as a regulator to create a regulatory framework for the Nigerian communications industry and to promote the implementation of national telecommunications policy as may, from time to time, be modified and amended.

The NCC Act is however being reviewed, following the proposed NITDA Bill that was sent to the ninth Assembly some months ago, which seeks to convert NITDA from a development agency to

regulatory agency.

The bill seeks to enact an Act that will empower NITDA to provide for the administration, implementation and regulation of Information Technology Systems and Practice in Nigeria, which will automatically convert NITDA from a development agency to regulatory agency in a sector where there is an existing regulator.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Ruto, Adesina Backs African Youths’ Demand for Involvement in Setting Climate Policies

Emma Okonji

President of African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and the President of Kenya, William Ruto, have backed the demand of African youths for greater involvement in setting national and international climate policies, insisting that African youths are the biggest asset to

the African continent and the global population.

Both leaders made the declaration at the recently concluded Africa Youth Climate Assembly, which held in Nairobi, Kanya, where issues of accelerated establishment of a Global Green Bank and a New Global Financial Pact, were discussed.

According to a statement released

by APO Group, on behalf of African Development Bank (AfDB), the discussions were aimed at prioritising young people and their interests in climate financing, at a time when hundreds of young people from across Africa are demanding a significant role in decision making for climate action.

Delegates of youth leaders, entrepreneurs and policymakers

presented the Africa Youth Climate Assembly Declaration to Adesina and Ruto, at the Africa Youth Climate Assembly in Kenya.

The delegates also called for the establishment of a UN Youth office to be based in Africa, the continent with the largest youth population in Africa.

In response to the Declaration, President Ruto and the Bank

Chief recognised Africa’s youth as the biggest asset for Africa and the whole world, praising their dynamism and innovation.

Ruto and Adesina backed their demand for greater involvement in setting national and international climate policies. The two leaders responded to questions from youths in a two-hour session moderated by African Youth Climate Assembly

Lead Coordinator, Elizabeth Watuthi on a wide range of issues including youth access to finance, Africa’s energy transition, the plight of millions displaced owing to the impacts of climate change and mobilisation of resources for sustainable development.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

CEO, Maridolph Ventures, Faith Adophy; Managing Director, CDK Integrated Industries, Bernard Longe; Event Director, Big 5 Construct Nigeria, Amr Hassan and General Manager, CDK Industries, George Kachouh at the Big 5 construct exhibition in Lagos… recently

Enegesi: Food Technology Will Address Basic Human Needs

the excerpts:

Food technology has been rapidly evolving. Could you provide an overview of how it’s changing the way people approach cooking and dining?

Technology has always enabled us to get more done with less. These days as time is becoming more of a scarce resource, food technology is helping people meet the number one essential need of human beings which is eating.

Food technology is revolutionising the culinary landscape by making quality meals more accessible and convenient. From meal kit delivery services to advanced cooking appliances, technology allows individuals to enjoy their favourite meals without the time-intensive preparation.

Food tech also helps people skip cooking entirely. That is where food delivery becomes very important. People order food through a variety of channels now, including websites, WhatsApp, Instagram, and apps like Eden Life and it gets delivered to them quickly.

Your brand, ‘Homemade by Eden Life’, addresses the challenge of preparing highquality meals in today’s fast-paced world. How does it contribute to the larger food technology ecosystem?

Homemade by Eden Life contributes to the food tech ecosystem in a variety of ways. From the consumer standpoint, we have built a technology that allows people to easily access great homemade food. We are also building some tools that would enable us to make these deliveries efficient, and we are going to open up opportunities for other food businesses to use them as well.

We have our state-of-the-art food infrastructure facility where all our meals are made with care and rich ingredients. Ensuring quality through our process - from the way we receive ingredients, to the way we prepare them, to the way we actually cook them and package them.

We see ourselves supporting the ecosystem in different ways by giving them access to our processes and our facilities.

In a country where hectic schedules are commonplace, how do you perceive the relationship between technology, culinary traditions, and the need for convenient dining

options?

The relationship is symbiotic. Technology preserves culinary traditions by making them accessible to time-strapped individuals. While fast-paced lives might limit cooking time, technology bridges the gap by allowing people to savour traditional flavours through innovative solutions like ours, preserving the cultural importance of homemade meals.

Can you discuss the challenges that food tech companies face when striving to maintain the balance between convenience and nutritional value, especially in Nigeria?

The ideal world for businesses like ours is when our customers know we offer the very best meals in town, that are affordable and they know they can order these meals and can get them delivered in record time.

The challenge that food tech companies

however face when trying to balance these three factors - quality, delivery time, and affordability, is ensuring that convenience or pricing doesn’t compromise nutritional integrity and vice versa.

As food tech evolves, companies must find ways to sustain all three and keep their customers happy. Striking the right balance requires continuous innovation, collaboration with nutritionists, and a commitment to delivering nourishing options.

Research shows a significant number of career-oriented individuals in hectic roles. How does the food technology industry contribute to their well-being and work-life balance?

In order for these career-oriented individuals to actually live and work well, they need to properly fuel their bodies. It is very easy to fall into the trap of working really hard and eating unhealthily. When you eat poorly, your body doesn’t feel good and you fall ill, but at Eden Life, we understand that because people are working so hard and they are time-pressed, we make sure that when we offer them the convenience of getting food quickly, the food they are eating is one that properly fuels their bodies and that’s why we pay more attention to the food processing than most other options on offer across Lagos.

This industry strives to enhance well-being by freeing up time for other essential activities. That is why nutrition is important, and it is not just about making food. It has to be good food.

We also partner with companies to provide healthy meals more accessible to their employees at their offices.

As the food tech sector expands, what innovations do you foresee that could redefine how Nigerians dine in the future?

The first will have to be the technology that goes into how we make food. There are some meals that require very intense preparation, for example, pounded yam. Imagine if there was a machine that could pound yam and it would taste and feel the same way as though someone pounded it manually. I believe the

appliances that we use to make food will evolve. There are foods that have remained the same since the beginning of time and there are also so many food entrepreneurs that are experimenting with new flavours.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, and sustainable sourcing could reshape the industry. AI-powered recipe recommendations and personalised nutrition plans might become mainstream.

In the same way, you have afro-fusion music, the same can be applied to food, where people are taking our food and are adding different twists to it. So imagine there is an open-source database of all the recipes and all the foods in Nigeria and it is made available to ensure people are able to experience the true variety our culture offers. It would bring everybody and our palettes closer.

Additionally, advancements in sustainable sourcing and reduced food waste can contribute to a more eco-conscious and efficient food chain.

What role do consumer preferences and feedback play in shaping the evolution of food technology and brands like Homemade by Eden Life?

Consumer preferences and feedback are pivotal. They guide the development of new products and services that align with changing lifestyles.

Food is also a deeply personal experience. If on one level people look homogenous, we all want to eat sort of the same things. There are national favourites we like as a people, so data is important in determining what kind of meals we make.

Then there are also different individual preferences like how people prefer their spice levels, how some people might have allergies, some people may be more adventurous with food, and some less.

All of these things are what influence how we approach our food at Eden life. We aim for things that are familiar but are also different enough to be interesting.

Nigeria’s Triumph at Cannes

Raheem

Advertising in Nigeria has evolved so have professionals. From the first-generation advertising agencies to the present-day generation, the industry has witnessed remarkable progress that has put it on the global map as one of the creative destinations in the world.

Then and now, you hear of big names such as Biodun Shobanjo, Steve Omojafor, and many others who are regarded as the doyens of advertising. Although old but not tried, many still look up to them for mentorship.

No doubt, the industry significantly contributes to the economic growth of the country and continues to flourish in terms of revenue, creativity, local and international recognition, and talent. This year’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), a body for professional advertising practitioners and agencies with over $175 million in advertising spend, says a lot about the success of the industry and its people.

An independent survey revealed that graduates of mass communications, marketing, and others always prefer to work in the advertising industry than any other industry. Another amazing thing is when they think of advertising in Nigeria today, many professionals in other fields and outside the country say an individual that first comes to their mind is Steve Babaeko, a renowned creative advertising and marketing communications expert, because of how he has been able to position himself and his contributions to the growth of the industry.

Babaeko is an adman who has not only helped brands sell their products and services through creatively crafted award-winning marketing communication campaigns but has also creatively sold himself and his agency to the world.

He runs a new generation advertising agency in Nigeria, X3M Ideas which within a short period expanded to other Africa and the Middle East markets like South Africa, Congo, Zambia, Dubai, and Kenya.

LEADERSHIP ROLES

Babaeko is currently the President of AAAN and the President of the Nigeria Chapter of the International Advertising Association (I.A.A). He has more than two decades of experience working in the marketing communications industry. He began his career in 1995 with MC&A Saatchi & Saatchi where he worked for five years, then went on to Prima Garnet Ogilvy, where he also worked for another five years. After 7 years at 141 Worldwide (now Nitro 121), where he worked as creative director, he left to set up X3M Ideas in 2012.

His agency has become a household name

in the creative advertising space winning both local and international accounts and laurels. His agency recently broke a 70-year jinx to become Nigeria and West Africa’s first agency to win at the Cannes Lions.

Aside from his agency’s award wins, he has appeared at several global events as a speaker and jury member, networking with global business leaders. He has served as a member of the jury at the New York Advertising Festival, the Loeries, and the African Cristal Awards. He has also spoken at the Cannes Lions Festival and the International Advertising Association conference.

In another vein, he has served as the Chairman, Public Relations Committee of the NigerianAmerican Chamber of Commerce among other leadership roles.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Babaeko has attended several international Leadership training, including some at Harvard Business School, Columbia University, New York, and Stanford Graduate School of Business.

He was listed as one of Adweek’s Top 100 Creatives in the world in 2019. He was also conferred with the “Visiting Fellow” honours at the Henley Business School, University of Reading.

Babaeko is involved in a couple of social advocacy activities, including pushing for the recognition of Obangogo Hills, a symbolic cultural and tourist location in Kogi State of Nigeria, standing over 700 metres high, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. His agency also embarks on several Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives while he also embarks on charitable courses.

THE X3M IDEAS BRAND

The agency has won numerous awards, ranging

from The Luum Awards, The Loeries Awards, and the Lisbon Awards to name a few.

Some of its notable clientele are MultiChoice; Africa’s foremost telecommunications company, Globacom Limited; global leader in wine and spirits, Pernord Ricard, a leading dairy cooperative, Royal FrieslandCampina of The Netherlands; a leading Cabodinated soft drink company, LaCasera, and many others.

Based on its success in South Central Africa, it entered the Middle East market. Since X3M Ideas launched in other markets outside Nigeria, it has executed brilliant marketing campaigns and premium brand experiences for brands like Chivas, Beefeater, Access Bank, GoTV, and Jameson in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana.

Last year while reflecting on its expansion plans, Babaeko said he was optimistic that the next journey into new markets in Dubai, Kenya, and Congo Brazzaville will breathe a new life into advertising practice in those regions.

In his words, “In the past 10 years, X3M Ideas has revolutionised marketing communications using brand-tailored solutions to navigate the dynamic nature of the markets. Due to digital disruption, the business of advertising has become more complex than before. Rather than focus on the challenges of consumer markets where we operate, we see more opportunities for growth beyond the African continent. Dubai is a choice destination for businesses in Africa. Wherever we see a need for innovative solutions for strategic communications, we go there and help businesses find their ‘X-factor’ and deliver quality service,’’ he said.

Co-founder and CEO of Eden Life, Nadayar Enegesi, speaks about how his food company is using technology solution to bridge the gap between talented home cooks and discerning food lovers yearning for traditional meals that can be delivered during busy schedules.. Emma Okonji presents

Enegesi

Akingbolu writes on the relevance of the recent feat achieved by X3M Ideas, a leading creative agency at the Cannes Lions 2023 Festival.

MTN Acquires 2.6GHz Spectrum to Accelerate Broadband Deployment

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the transfer of a 10MHz spectrum in the 2.6GHz spectrum band from OPENSKYS Services Limited (OS) to MTN Nigeria.

According to a statement from MTN, the acquisition of the 2.6GHz spectrum licence will enable MTN Nigeria accelerate its broadband deployment across Nigeria.

“The acquisition of the licence

took effect on September 7, 2023, and will see MTN deploy the spectrum across the 36 states of the federation, including the federal capital territory (FCT) Abuja. The 2.6GHz spectrum band is designated for the deployment of terrestrial mobile broadband services,” the statement said.

According to a GSMA report on opportunities for global mobile broadband, the 2.6GHz spectrum band is the ideal complement to the 700MHz-800MHz spectrum bands as together, these bands can help

to provide the most cost-effective nationwide coverage of mobile broadband services across both rural and urban areas.

Broadband penetration in Nigeria stood at 47.36 per cent as at December 2022, but the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025) sets a target of 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025. MTN however said its acquisition of the broadband spectrum would enable it to provide improved broadband services for its customers, meeting the rapidly

Onas Woos European Investors to Ogun

Guangdong Free Trade Zone

Raheem Akingbolu

growing demand for capacity to deliver mobile broadband services on a widespread, common basis across the country.

MTN says the transfer of the spectrum will significantly improve its customers’ experience in line with its commitment to deliver excellent service.

In addition, the acquired spectrum will also enable the telecommunications operator to deliver broadband technologies, aiding the achievement of Nigeria’s broadband objective.

Experts List Benefits of App Security in Digital Economy

Emma Okonji

Security experts in the technology and banking sector have identified key benefits of having various layers of security on mobile technologies, applications and services, in the digital economy, also known as mobile economy.

The experts highlighted the benefits at a round-table event organised recently by CED Technologies and Appknox, with the theme, ‘How to Think Security First in a Super-fast Mobile Economy – Act or React’.

According to them, putting security first in a super fast mobile economy should be at the forefront of all activities and decision-making processes within the rapidly evolving

mobile technology and economy.

The Chief Technology Officer at CED Technologies, Chukwuebuka Ume-Ezeoke, said while people were creating mobile technology solutions that help and better everyone’s life in and out of Africa, there was a need to think security first.

“While companies like Appknox and CED Technologies have built a safe and secured mobile ecosystem using a system plus human approach to outsmart hackers, we believe that it is everyone’s business to think security first, recheck and double check so that businesses can be as secure as possible,”

Ume-Ezeoke told Journalists on the sideline.

He explained that the roundtable was basically to

bring security leaders, bank executives, chief information security officers, heads of risk management, and even founders for different FinTech apps to encourage everyone to think security first while creating solutions that help and better everyone’s life in and out of Africa.

Ume-Ezeoke, in his presentation, noted that the importance of API Security for organizations, was to prevent data breaches by ensuring that only authorized users and applications can access the data, and that data is encrypted during transmission.

“API security ensures that the organisation a compliant with regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, by protecting

sensitive data and providing secure access to APIs,” he added.

The Chief Information Security Officer of FirstBank and its subsidiaries, Harrison Nnaji, listed the key benefits of mobile app security to include data protection, user trust and confidence, compliance and legal protection and then, enhanced reputation and competitive advantage.

“Security trends in mobile security revolve around 5G security, AI-powered security, zero trust architecture, Quantum-Resistant Encryption, Biometric Enhancements, Blockchain for mobile security, mobile threat defense and privacy-preserving Technologies,” Nnaji added.

Information Minister, Others for AAAN 50th Anniversary AGM

Raheem Akingbolu

The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria has concluded plans to hold its 50th Annual General Meeting/ Congress. The AGM/Congress will hold at the International Conference Center (ICC), Abuja on Thursday 21st and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

The theme for this year’s AGM/Congress is ‘50 years young, Ready for more’.

The Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris as the Special Guest of Honour as well as other

notable government dignitaries, will be at 50th Anniversary Annual General Meeting/ Gala of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria.

The Association will be paying a courtesy visit to the Presidency as part of the activities of the 50th Anniversary AGM. The visit will be an avenue to discuss the growth and impact of the communication industry to the nation and opportunities that can be harnessed to strategically position the industry.

The President of the Association, Mr. Steve Babaeko stated that this year AGM is

very special because it’s our 50th anniversary and it’s been a journey with many achievements and milestones to celebrate with lots of great campaigns developed over the years. The association has grown in leaps and bounds with so many great advertising veterans that has contributed to the intellectual and socio-economic growth of the industry. This year 50th Anniversary AGM is a with a difference because it’s all about celebrating the breakthrough of the last 50 years while driving harder for more records to break in the next 50 years. is a platform to actively

engage in intellectual and critical discourse on the opportunities that can be harnessed in improving the business and practice of Advertising in Nigeria and advocate unconventional solutions in rebuilding and rebranding the industry.

The Chairman of the Events Planning Committee, Mr. Doyin Adewumi stated that the Association has come to a decision to invite leading experts in their fields to lead the discourse on the theme. He further stated that the impact of the discourse will be beneficial to delegates and members of the Association.

Barely a week after President Bola Tinubu called on Indian investors to maximize the advantage of Nigeria’s economic potentials and do business in the country, a stakeholder in the nation’s economy, Dr. Abbey Onas has urged European investors to seize the opportunities in Nigeria’s Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone.

Onas, who is the Coordinator of the OgunGuangdong Free Trade Zone and Chairman of ZGM Investment Group, stated this while delivering an address at the 32nd Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland, where he urged European investors to explore the immense prospects and opportunities within Nigeria, particularly the Ogun Guangdong free trade zone.

Highlighting the proactive policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at attracting foreign direct investments, Onas emphasised the presence of highly educated Nigerians eager to collaborate with global partners. Sharing his thought on the negative narrative surrounding investing in Nigeria and Africa, Onas called on the media to portray the country as a destination for mutually beneficial business partnerships. Acknowledging concerns about Nigeria’s business environment, he urged investors not to wait, as the administration’s efforts to secure foreign interests could lead to missed opportunities in the future. He pointed to President Tinubu’s success in transforming Lagos State as evidence of Nigeria’s potential for economic growth.

NSIG Class of 2023 Urged to Uphold Ethics of Internet Governance

The Acting President of Internet Society Nigeria Chapter, Kunle Olorundare, has stressed the need for students of the Nigerian School on Internet Governance (NSIG) class of 2023 to uphold the ethics of the school and be good ambassadors for positive change in the global internet governance landscape.

Olorundare who is also the coordinator of the Nigerian School on Internet Governance, stated this during the celebration of the fourth edition of the NSIG.

According to him, the Nigerian School on Internet Governance will continue to play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of Internet Governance experts, who will contribute to shaping the narrative of the Internet’s future, particularly in the emerging metaverse. He believes Africa is going to benefit mostly from the future Internet – Metaverse, if we take position now by contributing at the formative stage.

“As we progress on this

remarkable journey, let us remember that our collective mission is to prepare each of you to become a good ambassador for positive change in the global Internet governance landscape. The challenges ahead are significant, but with your unwavering commitment and the support structure we provide, I have every confidence that the NSIG Class of 2023 will rise to the occasion and make substantial contributions to shaping the future of the Internet,” Olorundare said.

He explained that Nigeria would in the near future, produce great leaders who would not only contribute to the expansive world of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), but would also actively contribute to the Internet Governance ecosystem.

This development, he noted would come from the newly introduced ISOC Learn, an invaluable resource that will further enhance the knowledge and skills of NSIG Class of 2023 in the realm of Internet Governance.

Emma Okonji

Emma Okonji

L-R: Accountant, FirstBank Sports Council, Olayiwola Afolabi; Team Manager, Elephant Boys, Seyi Aruleba; Alt. Chairman, FirstBa nk Sports Council, Muyiwa Olulaja; Chief Coach, Elephant Boys, Gafari Mohammed; Team Captain, Elephant Boys, Sidime Mohammed; Asst. Team Manager, Elephant Boys, Olumide Ekun; PR Manager, FirstBank Sports Council, Bamidele Olujitan, during the presentation of the Championship Trophy of the maiden edition of the Bishop Harfo rd Anayo Iloputaife Memorial Cup to the Alt. Chairman of the FirstBank Sports Council at the FirstBank Head Office… recently.

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA:

Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 12Sept-2023, unless otherwise stated.

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

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF.

Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

TRADED

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Call for Urgent Action in Reducing Maternal, Child Mortality

Across the world, nearly 800 women die in childbirth every day. In its recently released seventh annual Goalkeepers report, Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates made a call not just for urgent action to advance progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, but to also shine spotlight on reducing maternal and child mortality. However, hope is in the horizon as the report says seven innovations could save 2 million mothers and babies by 2030,

Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently released its seventh annual Goalkeepers Report, describing where the world has collectively fallen short at the halfway point for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and where innovation and investment can fuel progress, particularly in the fight against the global epidemic of maternal and child mortality.

Co-authored by foundation Co-chairs Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates, the report highlights new data that shows the potential of scaling up global access to seven innovations and practices that address the leading causes of maternal and newborn deaths.

“By making new innovations accessible to those who need them most, 2 million additional lives could be saved by 2030, and 6.4 million lives by 2040. That’s 2 million families spared an unimaginable heartbreak—and 2 million more people who can shape and enrich our world,” they wrote.

Since 2016, progress in reducing global maternal mortality has stalled, and in some countries—including the United States—death rates have risen steadily. Across the world, nearly 800 women die in childbirth every day. Though deaths of children under five have continued to decline since the mid-2010s, the first month of a newborn’s life continues to be the most dangerous, accounting for almost half of all under-five deaths today. An estimated 74 per cent of child deaths happen during a baby’s first year.

In respective essays, French Gates and Gates acknowledge the global efforts between 2000 and 2015 that significantly improved the health of mothers and babies but point out that progress has stalled since COVID-19 hit. They explain how the discovery of revolutionary information about maternal and child health in the last 10 years led to low-cost and easy-to-implement innovations and practices that prevent and treat deadly childbirth complications such as post-partum hemorrhaging, infections, and maternal anemia.

They call for immediate action to help put the world back on track to achieve the global goal of cutting the maternal mortality rate to less than 70 out of 100,000 births and newborn mortality to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.

“As is so often the case in global health, innovations aren’t making their way to the people who need them most—women in low-income countries, as well as Black and Indigenous women in high-income countries like the United States, who are dying at three times the rate of white

women. That needs to change,” writes French Gates. “We have seen over and over again that when countries actually prioritize and invest in women’s health, they unleash a powerful engine for progress that can reduce poverty, advance gender equality, and build resilient economies.”

“Over the past decade, the field of child health has advanced faster and farther than I thought I’d see in my lifetime,” said Bill Gates. “If our delivery can keep pace with our learning—if researchers can continue developing new innovations and skilled health workers can get them to every mother and child who needs them—then more babies will survive those crucial first days.”

Highlight on Life-saving Innovations

According to the group, many of the lifesaving innovations and practices highlighted in the report can be delivered by midwives and birth attendants in communities. They listed them as: a bundle of interventions that can reduce postpartum hemorrhage, the No. 1 cause of maternal death, by 60% for less than $1 per package; Bifidobacteria (B. Infantis), a new probiotic supplement that, when given to an infant alongside breastmilk, combats malnutrition—one of the leading causes of newborn deaths;

Multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) that boost survival rates for babies by helping replete nutrient stores in pregnant women and ensuring those vital nutrients are transferred to the baby; a new one-time infusion of IV iron

for women that replenishes iron reserves during pregnancy, protecting against and treating anemia, a condition that is both a cause and effect of postpartum hemorrhage and affects almost 37 per cent of pregnant women. Others include Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS), which are given to women who will give birth prematurely to accelerate fetal lung growth, providing several weeks of maturation in just a few days; Azithromycin, which reduces maternal infections during pregnancy and prevents infections from spiraling into sepsis—the cause of 23 per cent of maternal deaths in the United States—and reduces mortality when given to infants in high-mortality settings; and An AI-enabled portable ultrasound that empowers nurses and midwives to monitor high-risk pregnancies in low-resource settings to ensure that risks are diagnosed and addressed early.

Urgent Need for Action

However, halfway to the deadline for the SDGs, the Goalkeepers Report shows that on 18 indicators—from poverty to gender equality, education to food security, health to climate—the world is off track. It underscores the urgent need for action, as well as a renewed global commitment to ensure a more equitable and safe future for all by 2030. For mothers and babies, having access to the quality health care they need to live long and healthy lives will require policy changes,

political will, and more investment in women’s health and health care workers, including midwives.

Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates called for urgent action to advance progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and shine a spotlight on reducing maternal and child mortality.

“The world has come so far, so quickly in our understanding of how to save the most fragile lives,” said Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation. “Together, we can translate that knowledge into tangible progress—by supporting countries to access the highest-quality products known to save a mother’s and a baby’s life, by investing more in the research and development of new lifesaving tools and approaches, and by ensuring women have agency over their own health care throughout their entire journey to motherhood. The world can and must do more to achieve a healthier, more prosperous, and equal world.”

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Co-chairs Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates and the board of trustees.

About Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers is the foundation’s campaign to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals). By sharing stories and data behind the Global Goals through an annual report, the Gates Foundation hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders—Goalkeepers who raise awareness of progress, hold their leaders accountable, and drive action to achieve the Global Goals.

About the Global Goals

On September 25, 2015, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, 193 world leaders committed to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals). These are a series of ambitious objectives and targets to achieve three extraordinary things by 2030: end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change.

Melinda Gates

Bill Gates

Since 2016, progress in reducing global maternal mortality has stalled, and in some countries—including the United States—death rates have risen steadily. Across the world, nearly 800 women die in childbirth every day. Though deaths of children under five have continued to decline since the mid-2010s, the first month of a newborn’s life continues to be the most dangerous, accounting for almost half of all under-5 deaths today

Crack A 100: Promoting a Culture of Holistic Health

Mary Nnah

Crack A 100, a truly remarkable and comprehensive chiropractic and brought together experts, enthusiasts, and individuals seeking to enhance their physical and mental health.

The event, which left a lasting impact on the participants’ well-being was held at a Pure Fitness Center a diverse range of activities and presentations aimed at promoting holistic wellness.

Attendees were treated to an informative seminar led by renowned chiropractor and host, Dr Chima PaulJohnson who shared his expertise on various topics such as spinal health, posture correction, and stress management techniques.

The engaging sessions provided valuable insights into the importance of maintaining a balanced and aligned body for overall well-being.

In addition to the educational aspect, the event featured firsthand chiropractic care as well as interactive workshops and games. Attendees had the opportunity to receive personalized consultations, where skilled practitioners assessed their individual needs and provided tailored recommendations for improved health and vitality.

The event also boasted a vibrant marketplace, where attendees could explore an array of wellness products, from natural supplements to complimentary drinks courtesy of showcased their offerings, providing a unique opportunity for individuals to discover new and innovative ways to support their well-being.

Furthermore, the event fostered a sense of community and connection

among like-minded individuals. Attendees had the chance to network with fellow wellness enthusiasts, exchange ideas, and forge meaningful relationships. The positive energy and shared passion for holistic health created an atmosphere of camaraderie and inspiration.

The impact of Crack A 100, a chiropractic and wellness event

It catalysed positive change, empowering individuals to take charge of their health and make informed decisions regarding their well-being. The knowledge gained and connections made during this event will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the lives of those who attended.

As the echoes of this exceptional event continue to reverberate

chiropractic and wellness community has taken a significant step forward in promoting a culture of holistic health.

The event organisers, speakers, vendors, and attendees can all be commended for their dedication and commitment to fostering well-being in the community.

In conclusion, the chiropractic and wellness event that unfolded in success, leaving a profound impression on all who participated.

It served as a platform for education, inspiration, and connection, elevating the understanding and practice of holistic health in the region. This event has undoubtedly paved the way for a brighter and healthier beyond.

SEPSIS (Part 1)

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection is mismanaged, resulting in fatal widespread organ malfunction and inflammation.it is a life threatening emergency.

In normal physiology of the body, white blood cells are typically sent to the infection site by the immune system in response to the onset of an infection, such as one brought on by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Sepsis, on the other hand, is characterized by an uncontrolled immune response that might start to damage the body’s own tissues and organs.

Although the precise causes of sepsis are complex and not fully understood, it is believed that an excessive release of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, which can cause systemic inflammation throughout the body, is a contributing factor. The poor supply of oxygen and nutrients to crucial organs including the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and brain due to this inflammation can decrease blood flow.

Chiropractor offering a lady a chiropractic service at the event

Family of 14-year-old Desperately Solicit N32m for ATG, Bone Marrow Transplant

Rebecca Ejifoma

The family of 14-year-old Cherish Momodu is desperately soliciting N32 million to undergo an AntiThymocyte Globulin (ATG) and According to her medical report made available to THISDAY, Momodu is managed as a case of aplastic anaemia by the Paediatric

It also stated that Momodu was presented to the clinic due to fever, generalised body weakness for two weeks, bone pain for a week and was severely pale on presentation. The report also indicated that the teenager had been transfused

severally with blood and blood products since diagnosis and is currently on oral cyclosporine. Hence, she requires ATG and a

ATG is required urgently as disease progression is fatal, the report states that the patient needs Apheresis platelets, which are available at the sickle cell foundation at Idi-Ara she was having pains after sports, but we didn’t ascribe it to this. She was having muscle pull, so I thought that it was due to a lack of exercise

Onyiye Madu, lamented.

While appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to save her teenage daughter, the last of four children, save her child.

All donations can be made to the

Foundation Renovates Children

Wards in Delta Hospital

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

over the weekend, inaugurated some projects at the Ekpan Central Hospital of Delta State.

Abe I, inaugurated the renovation Children and Maternity Wards of the Ekpan Central Hospital. Other projects inaugurated were the installation of new curtains in the Maternity Ward and Children’s

The inauguration of the projects was to also commemorate the

Otarigho which coincided with this Day of Charity.

The Otarigho family, accompanied by the members and staff of the earlier held a memorial mass at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Ekpan, in honour of the deceased before the commissioning of the projects.

Inaugurating the projects, Ovie represented by the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Victor Otomiewo, showered praises on the Otarigho family for the projects.

Chief Otomiewo, while commiserating with the Otarigho family over the loss of the beloved

appreciated gestures that would improve health and educational

He urged other well-meaning Deltans to emulate the foundation by supporting initiatives that would improve the underprivileged in the society particularly in the areas of healthcare delivery and education.

Trustees and sibling of the deceased, Mr. Emokiniovo Otarigho, said the foundation was established to keep the memory of their sister who died exactly a year ago as well as to promote charity works in the health sector in Nigeria.

Otarigho stated that the late

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SEPSIS

body temperature, although in some cases, it can also cause abnormally low body temperature. be significantly increased, often exceeding 90 beats per minute.

fast and shallow. A respiratory rate higher than 20 breaths per minute is common in sepsis.

Sepsis can affect the brain and cause confusion, disorientation, or difficulty concentrating. impair kidney function, resulting in reduced urine production.

cause a drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. mottled, pale, or discolored. It may also feel cool to the touch.

beat faster than usual, and a weak pulse may be present.

sepsis experience severe discomfort or pain, often localized to the site of infection. become rapid and labored, and the person may experience difficulty breathing.

SEPSIS AND THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Any organ system, including the reproductive system, is susceptible to the potentially fatal illness caused by sepsis. While infections of the lungs, urinary tract, or abdomen are the ones most frequently linked to sepsis, diseases of the reproductive organs especially during or after surgical operations that are poorly managed involving the reproductive system can also cause sepsis.

CAUSES OF SEPSIS IN THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Infections resulting from gynecological surgeries like hysterectomy or cesarean section, as well as infections caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), postpartum

infections, post-abortion infections, or infections after other infections can all cause sepsis in women’s reproductive health. These infections may be brought on by fungus, viruses, or bacteria.

is an illness of the female reproductive system typically brought on by a STI like chlamydia or gonorrhea. The infection has the potential to spread and cause sepsis if left untreated.

birth, infections can happen, especially if there was a protracted labor, a c-section, or if the mother had particular risk factors. Sepsis can develop from uterine infections or surgical wounds if they are not treated rightly.

limited access to safe and authorized abortions, some people may turn to risky procedures that might result in life-threatening infections. Sepsis can happen if an infection spreads and is not properly treated.

withstanding its rarity. Sepsis can develop if an infection happens and is not managed.

RISK FACTORS OF SEPSIS

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing sepsis in reproductive health.

age, particularly in individuals who are very young or elderly. Newborns and infants, as well as older adults, have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections and complications.

weakened immune system can result from various factors, such as chronic illnesses (e.g., HIV/AIDS), cancer, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders. Certain medications, such as immunosuppressants or corticosteroids, can also compromise the immune system and increase the risk of sepsis.

chronic diseases, such as kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or heart disease, have a higher risk of developing sepsis. These conditions can impair the body’s ability to fight infections effectively.

Hospitalized patients, especially those inceptible to healthcare-associated infections, which can lead to sepsis. Invasive medical procedures, surgery, or the use of medical devices (e.g., urinary catheters, ventilators) can introduce pathogens into the body, increasing the risk.

anywhere in the body can potentially lead to sepsis. Common sources include abdominal infections (such as appendicitis or peritonitis), skin infections, or infections in infections can all contribute to sepsis.

both personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness, can increase the risk of infections that may progress to sepsis. This is particularly relevant in settings with limited access to clean water, sanitation, or healthcare facilities

-

Cherish Momodu

NACCIMA Hails Obaseki for Reforms toTransform Edo into Nigeria’s Petrochemical Hub

Oluchi Chibuzor

The National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Kelvin Oye Esq., has lauded the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for his administration’s progressive economic reforms which have transformed the State into Nigeria’s petrochemical hub with two operational modular refineries.

The two modular refineries in the state have continued to wax strong, with both now having a standing order of 300,000 barrels of crude from the Oza oil field.

Decklar Resources Inc and its co-venturer Millenium Oil & Gas Company Limited, which operate the Oza oil field, confirmed that aside

from the 200,000 barrels of crude ordered by the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, Duport Midstream Company Limited has placed an order of 100,000 barrels of crude from the field. The products from the modular refineries in Edo State include diesel, low-pour fuel, and naphtha.

In a statement on Monday, the NACCIMA boss said Edo State has also been experiencing an influx of investments into various sectors of the State’s economy, which is a testament to the favourable business environment created by Governor Obaseki. Oye said, “The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has lauded the progressive economic reforms introduced by Governor Godwin

Obaseki of Edo State. The initiatives aimed at transforming the state into a petrochemical hub have yielded positive results, with the two modular refineries in the state making standing orders of 300,000 barrels of crude from the Oza oil field. This is in addition to the 100,000 barrels ordered by Duport Midstream Company Limited.

“The products from these modular refineries include diesel, low-pour fuel, and naphtha, which provide an avenue for revenue generation for the state.”

In a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of Decklar Resources, Sanmi Fumuyide, he disclosed that trucking of crude oil from the Oza Oil Field to the Edo Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Limited facility has reached a cumulative volume of over 55,000 bbls.

Odiete Spearheads Sustainability Revolution with Bold Initiatives

Ugo

Aliogo

Blending Technological Expertise and a Vision for a Greener Future and known for her tech-driven acumen and managerial prowess, Ms. Anita Odiete, a sustainability advocate and the dynamic force behind the emerging ‘Atunlo’ initiative, has announced a comprehensive strategy to combat waste challenges and promote sustainability in Africa, starting from Ibadan, Oyo State. Ibadan, celebrated for its rich heritage, is also one of Africa’s most expansive cities.

In a statement, Odiete noted that rapid urbanization and growth have led to escalating waste management concerns.

The statement further explained that Odiete ‘s forwardthinking approach encompasses the introduction of an integrated circular economy model and sustainable practices designed to empower local communities, enhance responsible consumption, and rejuvenate the city’s environment.

According to the statement, “Key Features of Odiete’s initiative includes advocacy: By raising awareness on waste

management principles and practices among businesses, policymakers, and the general public, Atunlo is able to combat climate change, promote responsible consumption and protect aquatic life from marine pollution.”

Commenting on her vision, Odiete said, “Ibadan holds a special place in my heart. It’s not just about cleaning up; it’s about redefining our relationship with waste, understanding its value, and fostering a community that thrives economically and environmentally.”

Ife Ajagbe Named Head of Operations for Symphonic W’Africa

Symphonic Distribution, one of the leading independent music distribution and marketing companies in the industry with footprints in major music markets across the USA and worldwide, has named Ife Ajagbe, as Head of Operations for Symphonic West Africa.

Speaking about her new role, Ajagbe said, “My job at Symphonic involves taking care of the interests of existing Symphonic clients and partners in the West African region while onboarding fresh musical talents. Symphonic is literally for everybody because the real aim is to make artists in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa feel cared for beyond just digital music distribution. The organization has been in

business since 2006. So, this is a company that knows its onions when it comes to Digital music distribution, Sync Licensing, Rights Management, Funding and a host of other services.”

Before Nigerian music became popular globally, seasoned radio host and A&R (Artists and Repertoire) consultant, Ife Ajagbe, had always been an advocate for Nigerian artists, coaching independent artists on best practices on what it takes to get their work prominently featured on relevant media platforms. And now that Afrobeats has become a worldwide phenomenon, Ajagbe is set to further amplify artists’ voices to ensure the whole world gets to hear their songs.

Although there are many digital music distribution services that serve the West African market, Symphonic sets itself apart in the areas of value and efficiency. For instance, the platform is cognizant that many independent artists have a limited budget for the distribution and promotion of their music.

“Afrobeats is the new crude oil, and it is important to nurture the sources of this promising product. As part of our commitment to artists’ development, Symphonic West Africa plans to hold regular training, master classes, and other avenues for artists to learn valuable skill sets in their journey through the music business,” Ajagbe stated.

UncleSele Foundation Commissions Classrooms at Makoko Children School, Orphanage

Amid excitement in the community, the four classrooms built by UncelSele Foundation at Makoko Children Development Foundation School and Orphanage, Ebute Metta, Lagos, were officially commissioned on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

The event, which coincided with the birthday of Sele Opuofoni, founder of Unclesele Foundation, had in attendance community leaders, educators and students, parents and well wishers, among other stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, Opuofoni, better known as Uncle Sele, who is also School Ambassador for Nigeria appointed by World Values Day, noted that during a usual search in Makoko to empower people for learning, it was observed that children were congested in a cramped classroom without desks and chairs at the aforementioned school.

Subsequently, the Foundation obtained 23 desks and chairs for donation to the school. However, it was realized that

Money

there weren’t sufficient space to accommodate the desks and chairs. This prompted the need to embark on the building project.

Uncle Sele noted that a considerable number of Nigerian students are not learning the basic skills they need to succeed in life, adding that Makoko as a community in Lagos is a home to many less privileged people who barely make ends meet, and the children often do not have access to quality education.

AT 25 AUGUST,

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $85.71 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $85.84 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).

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS

2023

L-R: Convener, Titans of Tech Awards, Don Pedro Aganbi; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro and Zonal Controller, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Yomi Arowosafe, at the 2023 Titans of Tech Africa Awards, which held in Lagos… recently

Banking Stocks Lift NGX Index as Investors Gain N338bn

Kayode Tokede

Investors’ appetite for banking stocks on the trading floor of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday lifted the All-Share Index (ASI) from the negative region even as investors gained N338 billion. The rebound therefore, ended two days of losing streak as investors continued to focus on fundamentally sound stocks, impressive Half Year (H1) 2023

results and dividend payment from banks such as Zenith Bank and UBA which filed their results to the investing community.

Specifically, rally on the shares of AccessCorp gained 9.77 per cent, UBA rose by 9.78 per cent and Zenith Bank Plc added 0.74 per cent per cent supported the market, resulting in 0.93 per cent increase in the benchmark All Share Index (ASI) to 67,373.88 points from

66,760.20 points recorded in the previous session.

Also, the market capitalisation closed at N36.876 trillion from N36.538 trillion, representing a 0.93 per cent or N338 billion gain to investors.

Accordingly, the year-to-date (YTD) return increased to 31.47 per cent. Performance across the sectors was bullish with the banking sector appreciating by 4.58 per cent, while the Insurance index and Consumer

Goods Index rose by 2.27 per cent and 1.27 per cent.

On the flipside, the Oil and Gas Index fell by -0.12 per cent while Industrial Goods Index dipped by -0.03 per cent.

Analysis of the activity level showed that the total traded volume of stocks plunged by 11.76 per cent to 569.633 million units, while value of stocks traded declined by 20.99 per cent to N8.70 billion which changed hands in 8.405

deals. This is against 645.54 million units and N11.01 billion, exchanged in 10,554 deals recorded in the previous trading session.

Oando Plc was the most active stock as it transacted 143.44 million units valued at N1.39 billion. AccessCorp sold 63.55 million units worth N1.07 billion while Fidelity Bank transacted 39.55 million units valued at N31.37 million.

Reacting to this develop-

ment, analysts at Afrinvest, said that they expect a positive performance on the local bourse as investors hunt for bargains amid improved sentiment. Meanwhile, investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth, improved as 34 stocks appreciated while 23 others depreciated in value. Dangote Sugar (+10 per cent) led the gainers’ chart while Courtville (-10 per cent) topped the losers’ chart.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF SEPTEMBER/13/23

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Edited by NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG | ikotibok@gmail.com

Nigeria’s third indigenous sports betting, Surebet247,

no

When inquired about the secret behind SureBet247, a prominent sports betting company that originated in a modest space in the Tolu area of Ajegunle, Lagos, a decade ago, cofounder of the indigenous sports betting company, Sheriff Olaniyan, responded with a smile, “It’s a bit of luck, but mighty hard work.”

Standing on the ground floor of the two-storey office space, the corporate headquarters of the company in Surulere, Lagos, he recollected his days of multitasking to meet customers’ demands to cut down on operational costs.

Growing from a team of barely half a dozen people playing jingles from the back of their car for publicity to putting up massive billboards, they’ve come a long way in securing market shares. Today, Olaniyan sits at the helm of affairs, coordinating a few dozen staff that report directly or indirectly. This scenario was one most of his friends didn’t envisage when the London returnee rolled up his sleeves to do the groundwork.

“There was no first job,” Olaniyan clarified his unemployment status following his return to Nigeria, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Ilorin. “At that time, we were seriously excited. It was hard. When I came back from the UK, I dumped all the UK paraphernalia off me: I had to go to Computer Village to carry printers and desktops on my shoulder, just to deliver.”

The idea of SureBet247 came at a time when existing operators like NairaBet and 1960Bet were predominantly online platforms. Recognising this gap in retail marketing, the team focused on the retail side of sports betting. This aggressive marketing regime

Olaniyan

bridged the gap between punters and operators by providing much-needed information and instructing them on the various ways to place bets other than wins, losses, and draws.

“My cousin was working with a guy called Dotun Adegbile. Adegbile was with 1960Bet, and then he left 1960Bet, and then we started our own, SureBet247. We were the number three industry founders in Nigeria. We felt, ‘Okay, we can duplicate this in the retail space as well’,” said Olaniyan. “We started that journey with research, calling the providers until we were able to start.”

Additionally, this marketing structure involved the onboarding

of agents. This entailed organising seminars and workshops in prospective states they had hoped to break into: Oyo in the west and South-eastern states. But more crucial to retaining the loyalty of agents was the remuneration structure. This led to an expansion of the brand into a household name. But despite these regional growths, they, from time to time, hit a wall and resulted in seeking funds to bankroll the business.

“Honourable Akin Alabi, the owner of NairaBet, came from England as well to start the business. So, we felt, ‘Okay, at this point in our life, if we’re seeing this traction, how do we raise money? How do

we go out there?’ Olaniyan said. “But trust me. We visited almost all the banks. They kept telling us it was not bankable. It is high risk. But it was hard to explain to them.

“In Europe, the gaming industry is bankable. You can use X assets or X process revenue to seek funds from the government. Bear in mind that the operators might not need money. They only want to have that access, especially on those days that you see crazy wins. You want to pay out this big win so that people will believe in your brand.”

He added, “There were many times I was supposed to be out of business. I had to pick up the phone, manage the providers and

Davidson Abraham x-rays the fascinating world of odds-making as he breaks down the complex world of sports betting odds generation

Sports betting is a global phenomenon that attracts millions of enthusiasts seeking to predict the outcomes of their favourite sporting events while trying to make a profit. Central to sports betting is the concept of odds, which play a pivotal role in determining potential winnings and risks for bettors. But have you ever wondered how sports books, also known as betting platforms or bookmakers, set these odds?

UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF ODDS

Odds represent the probability of a particular outcome occurring in a sporting event. They are typically expressed in three main formats: fractional, decimal, and moneyline. For example, if you see odds of 2/1 (fractional), 3.00 (decimal), or +200 (moneyline), they all convey the same fundamental information - the potential return on a successful bet.

GATHERING INFORMATION

Bookmakers employ a team of

experts, often called odds makers or traders, who closely monitor many factors that could influence the outcome of a sporting event. These factors may include the team’s performance history, player injuries, weather conditions, venue advantages, public sentiment and betting trends.

OPENING LINES

Before an event, sportsbooks release an initial set of odds known as the “opening lines.” These initial odds are based on the odds makers’ assessments of the factors mentioned above and their initial gut feelings about how the event might unfold. However, these lines are not set in stone and are subject to change as more information becomes available.

MARKET FORCES AT PLAY

Once the opening lines are released, bettors start placing their bets. The amount of money wagered on each outcome influences the odds. If a disproportionate amount

of bets pour in for one team or outcome, the sportsbook will adjust the odds to balance the action. This ensures that the sportsbook does not take on too much risk and can guarantee a profit regardless of the outcome.

BALANCING ACT

Sportsbooks aim to create balanced action on both sides of a bet. In an ideal scenario, they would receive equal money for each possible outcome. This situation, known as a “balanced book,” guarantees the sportsbook a profit through the “vigorish” or “juice” (the commission taken from losing bets).

LINE MOVEMENT

As more information becomes available, such as injury updates or changes in team dynamics, the sportsbook may adjust the odds to reflect the changing circumstances. These adjustments are known as “line movements” and can occur right up until the start of the event.

tell them we were expecting money. We were looking for N1 million then, that’s 10 years ago.”

Compared to the sports betting industry in other parts of the world, the Nigerian sports betting industry is still in its teething stages. This implies that it requires the support of software providers, odds providers, and payment processors, resulting in a huge chunk of its revenue, a figure Olaniyan estimates at €80,000, remitted on a monthly basis to these providers domiciled in Europe. In a nutshell, Nigerian operators are mere conduits between punters and service providers in Europe.

“This industry is over 75 years old in Europe, especially in the UK where gaming started. And if you look at that trajectory of people learning to code, making mistakes, refining it to date, the industry in Nigeria is just 10 years old,” Olaniyan explained. “It’s not something someone would just wake up one day, being a super-programmer, and quickly put everything together. We have minds that are working on this. We might not know them, but I am very sure they will soon be out there. It is doable, but it takes time.”

By standard practice, remittances to providers are paid in dollars or other foreign currency. Aside from providers gulping a huge portion of revenue, foreign exchange fluctuations exacerbate the situation. This problem led to an innovative move by the company to collaborate and install certain infrastructure.

Olaniyan stressed. “If you ask punters on the street, they will tell you, ‘Oh, we won N20 million.’ Our name becomes rhetorical, like, you want to go and bet, they would say, ‘I’m going to play SureBet’.” With a strong stance on responsible gambling, protection of customer data and privacy, and adherence to statutory requirements of regulators, however, SureBet247’s growth trajectory was occasionally blemished with cases of nonpayment of winnings. Olaniyan set the record straight, describing these cases as ‘arbitrage,’ whereby bettors spot a glitch in the system and use it to their advantage by betting when the game has ended and outcomes are known.

We had someone from Ibadan trying to sue the company. I think something funny also happened. We traced the backend, checked our data, saw the log, and there was no way we would pay. We showed them the backend, and at the end of the day, most of the time, they always accepted. It’s not that we don’t want to pay. You should ask the question about what was on their tickets, not that we don’t want to pay them. It’s a function of what happened at that time,” he explained.

SHARP BETTORS VERSUS CASUAL BETTORS

Sportsbooks also pay attention to the betting behaviour of different types of bettors. “Sharp” or professional bettors who consistently win are closely watched, and sportsbooks may adjust odds to limit their exposure to these skilled bettors. On the other hand, casual or recreational bettors may not influence odds as significantly.

In the intricate world of sports betting, odds-making is a blend of Mathematics, analysis, and market dynamics. Sportsbooks strive to strike a delicate balance between providing attractive odds to attract bettors while ensuring they manage risk effectively. Understanding how odds are set can empower bettors to make more informed choices and enjoy the thrill of sports betting responsibly. Remember, the odds are not just numbers; they are the heartbeat of the sports betting universe.

“We realised building a platform is the way forward, and it took us two years, precisely, to go out, and find a suitable partner, that we are going to have our feed with them, we’re going to have what suits this particular country of ours, Nigeria. Most times, when Europeans bring their platforms to Nigeria, it’s totally not the same market,” Olaniyan noted. “So, we always take time to see what suits the people and what is economically good for us. We went out, and we were able to build a platform. Right now, we don’t rent a platform anymore, we own the platform ourselves. We only took a sportsbook, which is difficult to get in terms of people collecting data from different countries.”

Before SureBet247 attained the feat, Olaniyan disclosed that the company had maintained a reinvestment-oriented culture for growth.

“We were consistently reinvesting our money back into the business. Well, if you have to look at our turnover, our revenue was over N1bn as at that time, we were a living success story. And if you have to talk about milestones, every year is a different milestone,”

As the jurisdiction wars between the national and state arms of gaming license commissions continue, with operators at their mercy, Olaniyan is hopeful for a favourable outcome to help streamline processes and collapse the multiple taxation channels into one. He, however, noted that other African countries present operators with unique challenges. So far, the company has had a presence in Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, and Benin, where they operated for a while.

“So it’s not just peculiar to them,” Olaniyan said, explaining the challenges in other host African countries. “It is also happening in our own country, but I believe they are seriously working on it. We have the association of regulators now liaising with the federal authorities on how to share the revenue generated from these and how to licence new operators.”

By and large, Olaniyan believes he’s left an indelible mark in the annals of the Nigerian sports betting industry with a partnership that resulted in establishing the third sports betting brand in Nigeria, one that has endured the test of time amid harsh climes that obliterated other operators. While he sometimes thinks luck has a role in the rise of SureBet247, he maintains that when it comes to legacies, people “need to know that everything is hard work.”

ago,

bank was willing to lend it N1 million, although they knocked

how the company made it from a modest shop in

NAMIBIA AMBASSADOR VISITS OBASEKI...

Kingibe to Wike: You’ve No Executive Powers, Must Operate Under N’Assembly’s Supervision

Faults appointments of FCTA mandate secretaries

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Ireti Kingibe, has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Wike, that he had no executive powers and as such, must operate under the legislative guidance of the National Assembly.

Kingibe also faulted the recent appointment and inauguration of the mandate secretaries of the FCTA by Wike, saying they were meant to be screened by the federal legislature.

According to her, the National Assembly would serve the legislative duties to the FCTA as the state Houses of Assembly does to the state governments, adding that as state assemblies were to the states, so was the FCTA to the National Assembly.

Addressing a press conference, she said, "You also have to remember that the minister of the FCT – I'm not sure we have had a former governor as minister, I think we have had one. Some [former] governors may think that as FCT minister… the minister does not have executive powers. He works hand-in-hand with the National Assembly and the president to administer FCT."

Faulting the appointment of the mandate secretaries, who were recently sworn in by Wike, she said, "the National Assembly has the duties to screen them as the state houses of assembly usually screen the state commissioners before they would be sworn in.

She further faulted the appointment of members of the mandate

secretaries outside the FCT, stating that recently she engaged one of such mandate secretaries in a private discussion and to her chagrin that the mandate secretary did not know where Kwali, one the area council of the FCT was located.

Kingibe said Wike was new to the FCT and therefore, needed to be guided to discharge his duties as the FCT Minister.

Dwelling on her relationship with Wike, Senator Kingibe said, "You must remember that the minister and I have different goals. I was elected by the people, so, I'm answerable to you the people of the FCT, he is not. But working together, I hope we can merge our interests.

"I cannot force myself on the minister. You have to remember that and the senate is in recess. I am a lawmaker. I have not been around. So, they are not approving anything, you cannot get approval from a house that is not sitting.

“Yesterday night, the election tribunal affirmed my election as duly elected senator of the federal capital territory. I feel a great sense of relief that I can now start facing the work the people of the FCT elected me to do. First, I would like to thank the best legal team, the best lawyers anybody could have. I'm really blessed to have had them

"I have been engrossed in my case and the minister is new. We have not met. We spoke for the first time today (Tuesday) when he called to congratulate me and we assured each other that we would work together."

Speaking on threats of demolitions in the FCT, Senator Kingibe said,

"For one thing, I'm not telling you that there would not be demolitions. There are many problems within the FCT. Look at the flooding taking place in FCT, why? Houses are being built on flood channels, permission are being given to people to build

estates on flood plains. There are so many things that we need to fix."

Citing the building on the green areas and water ways, using the Trademore estate as an example, she said such would not be allowed to continue, but added that the welfare

legislature

and interest of the people in the FCT would be protected. She the indigenes of the FCT were aware of the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that the FCT cannot enjoy a special status.

"After the matter has been disposed of at the Supreme Court and if the same position is maintained, then we will agitate for a governor, three senators and other status of a state, but for now, let the matter remain as it is."

SDG4: Egbin Power Maintains Investment in Education of Host Communities' Children

The Egbin Power Plc has restated its continuous investment in the promotion of academic excellence and gradual achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its host communities through its scholarship programme, which is now in its 8th edition.

During the presentation of awards to beneficiaries of the scholarship for the 2023 edition, yesterday in Lagos, the generation company (Genco) restated its commitment to education in line with SDG 4 that, “aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

The beneficiaries in this year’s edition, drawn from public schools in the host communities – Egbin, Ijede and Ipakan - were presented with the scholarship awards which covers all school expenses, including tuition, textbooks, and school uniforms in addition to other educational items.

Speaking at the ceremony organised to honour the beneficiaries, the Chief Executive Officer of Egbin

Power Plc, Mr. Mokhtar Bounour, explained that education remained the bedrock of transformational advancement of societies, socioeconomic growth and human capital development, which the company strongly promotes through its various initiatives.

“The foundation of development in any community, society or nation is education because it brings sustainability, progress and raises future leaders for a more prosperous society.

"At Egbin Power, we realise the significance of quality education, that is why we have continued to provide the scholarship programme in our host communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” Bounour said. He added that, “Education is a child’s right, as it strengthens the developmental capacities of individuals, communities, groups, institutions, and countries. That is why we have instituted this scholarship programme

NGO: Government Bureaucracy Hindering CSR Projects in Nigeria

Gilbert Ekugbe

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Africa Education Aid for Development Network (AFEADEN), has expressed concerns over the prevalence of government bureaucracies hindering efforts by NGOs to carry out corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects in the country.

The founder, AFEADEN, Judith Obi-Ikpa, called on the federal government to reduce the bureaucracies involved in getting approvals to carry out community development programmes, warning that it hinders and discourages many private institutions to lend a helping hand.

Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of renovated

blocks of classroom in Oworoshoki Nursery and Primary School, the founder stated the urgent need for the bureaucracies to be addressed, saying that it took the NGO a long time to get approvals for carrying out the project.

Reaffirming AFEADEN's commitment to educational development in the country, the NGO donated over 200 bags and exercise books to pupils of Oworoshoki Nursery and Primary School.

The move according to the NGO was on the heels of its vision to ensure that children go to school and stay in school.

She, however, explained that the role of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in societal development cannot be overemphasised.

"The government alone cannot do

it all and this is why the handshake between public and private is very important.

“We are also working other classrooms too as we are taking one after the other. Our vision is to ensure that children are able to go to school and stay in school.

“To stay in school they have to have the resources, the environment has to be conducive enough for learning," she said.

"We were moved by the deplorable state of the classrooms, so we mobilised actions to ensure that we give the school a face-lift. According to one of the teachers in the school, the last time any upgrade was done in the school was way back ten years ago," she bemoaned.

According to her, the cost

implication for carrying out the project gulped about N890,000 aside from other supports rendered by like-minded individuals.

Also speaking, the Project Manager, AFEADEN, Chijindum Ikpa, said the NGO was elated to carry out the life-changing project for the children, adding that every child must get access to quality education in the most conducive and environment for learning.

"We want to commend the AFEADEN for the opportunity to partner. We are very grateful that we could come out in mass to support the project. We are really happy to do this for the children and giving them a conducive environment to study. We are happy to be here and we will keep doing more as the Lord keeps blessing us," he said.

to achieve rapid development in our host communities."

While receiving the scholarship awards, Abimbola Akinbiyi, one of the beneficiaries in the 2023 edition expressed her happiness to have emerged one of the awardees.

She commended Egbin Power Plc for creating the scholarship programme in order to encourage students to give their best in education.

Her father, Mr. Mark Akinbiyi commended the Genco, the community leaders and teachers of the school for encouraging students to participate and excel in their academic endeavour.

Ridwanullahi Sharafa, who also

emerged an awardee, praised the Genco, the management and staff for creating the platforms to support students with the scholarship.

Principal, Powerfields Group of Schools (College), Mrs. Folahanmi Adesina, said: “Egbin Power Plc deserves commendation for discovering brains and talents from the community through the scholarship platform.

“I also want to applaud the management and staff of Egbin for their unwavering support to the beneficiaries over the years, while also promoting the school as a brand.”

She urged the students to continue to do their best in their education.

Abbas: My Relationship with Uzodinma Cordial

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Contrary to some media reports, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has said he enjoyed a cordial relationship with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.

Abbas stated this in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, while reacting to a media report titled: “Uzodimma Reports Abbas to Tinubu for Giving Ugochinyere Juicy Committee”, insinuated that he was at loggerheads with Uzodinma. The Speaker said the report was “fictitious” and “malicious”, and urged the public to disregard the story.

"It has come to the attention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, that a newspaper report with the above headline has been in circulation.

"Ordinarily, the speaker would not respond to such a fictitious and malicious story, but for the unsuspecting public, who may be

hoodwinked by the content of the report that was only attributed to imaginary sources,” he said.

The Speaker informed the public that at no time did Uzodinma contact him to rescind the appointment of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere as the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).

He reiterated that Abbas enjoyed a cordial relationship with Uzodinma and nothing has happened to warrant any sour relationship between them.

"It is worthy to note that Speaker Abbas Tajudeen was overwhelmingly voted by 353 out of 360 members of the House on June 13th, 2023 under the platform of the 'Joint Task Coalition for Nation Building' of the 10th House of Representatives.

"As such, the Speaker, and indeed the leadership of the House, have the responsibility to ensure that chairmanship of the Standing Committees of the House and responsibilities are assigned to elected lawmakers across political parties.

Peter Uzoho

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd right); Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. (right); Namibia Ambassador to Nigeria, Humphrey Geiseb (2nd left), with his wife, Lena, during the courtesy visit by the Namibia Ambassador to Nigeria, at the Government House, in Benin City, ... yesterday

Says they must be screened by federal

REAPPOINTED...

L-R: Newly appointed Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Olugbenga Omotoso receiving his letter of appointment from Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the swearing-in ceremony of new members of the State Executive Council, at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa, ... yesterday

Sanwo-Olu Swears in 37 Commissioners, Special Advisers

Says no bickering between executive, legislature

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, swore in 37 commissioners and special advisers, charging them to engage collaboratively and work together to build on the successes of the incumbent administration’s first four years in office.

The state executive council, which is a mixture of politicians and technocrats with 29 male and eight female, was made up of 18 returning members of the immediate past cabinet members and 19 new names.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the State Executive Council held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who charged his team to do their best to surpass the expectations of

Lagos residents, also dismissed insinuations of bickering with the state assembly.

He said the new cabinet has been carefully and painstakingly chosen, adding that,"They are, by any measure, some of our best brains, not just in Lagos State, but right around the country. These are men and women, who can and will hold their own anywhere in the world.

“They are emblems of what Lagos State is all about – a Centre of Excellence. Lagosians should, therefore, rejoice in their selection and be expectant of quality service and performance in the months and years ahead.

"The task of this new cabinet is clear. It is to build on the successes of our administration’s first four years

in office. It is to take our people closer to our dream of a Greater Lagos. The expectations of our people have never been higher than they are right now.

“Doing your best to meet them is therefore not an option. It is the least you will be expected to do. Lagos is the Centre of Excellence; your work must be excellent in every ramification.

"Working together, carrying the people along, keeping your feet on the ground, and ensuring that every decision you take has the best interest of our people at the heart of it, are the surest ways to succeed. May God guide you in the effective discharge of your onerous responsibilities."

On the controversy that trailed

the screening and confirmation of the nominees by the Lagos State House of Assembly, he said there was no bickering between the executive and legislature. He said: "I am not unaware of the feelings in some quarters that the initial rejection of some nominees by the Lagos State House of Assembly, necessitating the submission of a revised list of nominees, signified a call to arms between the Executive and the Legislature.

“I reject such feelings in totality. Were the Executive designed to be omnipotent and omniscient, the very important oversight function of the Legislature would be needless. Thankfully, our constitution recognises that our people will be best served with a system of

Lai Mohammed’s Firm to Partner NCDMB on Strategy Communication, Training, Others

Ex-minister describes monitoring board’s tower as 'hidden jewel of Nigeria'

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said his lobbyist firm was willing to partner the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on strategic communication, executive training and others.

The former minister made this known yesterday, when he led a delegation of the firm, Bruit Costaud, an affiliate of Ballard Partners USA, including a senior consultant, Government Affairs, Olajumoke Bamigbola, to the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr Simbi Wabote, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

He said the visit to the NCDMB Tower, where he described as a 'Hidden Jewel of Nigeria', was in a bid to bolster strategic communication, policy advocacy, and research initiatives.

Mohammed said: "Well, I came here to formally introduce our firm of policy advisory consultants to the Board and because what we do at our firm is to actually try to create a platform that would make the public and the private sector talk to one another rather than talk at one another.

"Our experience both in government, in the media and the private sector has shown that there is that yawning gap between policy and implementation largely due to the distrust that is harboured by both

parties and then we believe that there is the need also to amplify the positive achievements of our organisations.

"When I made my presentation this evening, I dwelt more on what the Board, that is the NCDMB, would be able to achieve in ensuring that Nigerians actually take hold of the industry.

“The various partnership with the private sector either in modular oil refineries or gas processing or cylinder manufacturing, or even in parks.

"So, we believe that there is a need to support the excellent work already being done by the Communications Department of the Board by us trying to amplify it better.

"But there is another area that we believe is important, that is making the NCDMB the go-to organisation when it comes indigenising the industry and I am glad that the Executive Secretary also told us of his experience in Namibia where he went to present the paper and today it will appear as if now that is going to be the template that other countries would use in trying to get their own nationals to take possession of their own industry.

"So, basically what we do at BC is to bring the private sector and the public sector together and improve the use of doing business index overall."

On area of collaboration with the board, the ex-Minister said the firm would want to partner them in the

areas of strategic communications, strategic mapping and executive training.

He noted: "We have this ongoing agreement with the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) whereby we take advantage of their own in-built executive capacity building to extend to some of our clients. We also believe that in the area of corporate diplomacy, we can be very useful to the Board."

On how he would cope with the private sector having spent much

of his life in the public service, Mohammed said: "I realise that in the last 25 years of my life, I have either been in government, in the media or in politics.

“So, what I do now is just try to look at how I can reach out with my colleagues, leverage on those contacts, experiences, expertise and influence to ensure that Nigeria is a better place."

On his part, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, said the Board was ready to partner with BC.

Checks and Balances that is led by independent bodies in each Arm of Government.

“This system demands collaboration, and a willingness to give and take without rancour. That is what the Executive and Legislature of Lagos

State, in the past few weeks, have fully demonstrated in arriving at this event today. I thank the Right Honourable Speaker and all members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for their diligence, cooperation and contribution.”

Kogi Guber: Court Bars Bello, Others from Arresting Abejide

Orders DSS, police to provide maximum protection

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, issued an order restraining Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and seven others, from arresting the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, Hon Leke Abejide.

The order is pending the hearing and determination of a suit, Abejide filed against Bello, the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Commissioner of Police (Kogi State), Department of State Service (DSS), Director General of DSS, Director DSS (Kogi State) and the Commandant-General, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The judge, who specifically restrained the respondents from inviting, arresting, detaining, or threatening the life and properties of the applicant, also ordered the police, DSS and NSCDC to give

him maximum protection, either in Kogi, Abuja or in any part of the country.

Justice Mohammed made the orders while ruling in an ex-parte application, argued by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Sammie Somiari on behalf of the governorship candidate.

Abejide in the ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1248/2023 had sought enforcement of his fundamental rights to life, dignity of person, personal liberty, fair hearing, peaceful assembly and association.

He also sought his rights to freedom of movement and freedom from discrimination as enshrined in Sections 33, 34,35,36,37, 38,40,41,42 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution and other relevant laws on human rights.

He complained that since he emerged governorship candidate and his campaign booming, Bello had allegedly become jittery and threatened as well as opted to get him arrested and caged to keep him out of circulation.

Report: Nigeria’s Air Transport to Grow by 5% Annually in Next 20 Years

Chinedu Eze in Lagos and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

World’s biggest airliner manufacturer, Airbus has projected that air transport would continue to grow by at least five per cent annually in Nigeria over the next 20 years.

This was in line with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), whose record of air transport in Nigeria indicated that the sector has created 241, 000 jobs with $1.7 billion contribution to GDP, which was 0.4 per cent of the GDP.

Airbus projected that the transport industry would also grow by over four per cent yearly in Africa between 2019 and 2042.

Airline Marketing Director,

Africa, Airbus, Joep Ellers, stated this yesterday in Abuja.

According to Ellers, air transportation was a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy and needed the cooperation of all for the sector to thrive.

He also said passenger traffic in Nigeria would increase by 2. 9 per cent over 2019-2042, stressing that additional 159 aircraft would be needed to serve the Nigerian market within the same period.

He projected that North America traffic would grow in Nigeria by 3.3 per cent in the next 20 years, while traffic between Europe and the country would grow by 3 per cent within the same period.

Ellers, also projected that the traffic would increase by 4. 7 per

cent between Nigeria and Latin America, adding that the traffic is estimated to grow by 5.1 per cent between Nigeria and the other African countries.

The traffic would increase at 4.5 per cent between the country and the Middle East, while it grows at 5.6 per cent at Asia Pacific.

Ellers added that for the African continent, air transportation would grow faster than the world’s average, stressing that this would be bolster by the continent’s growing population, which is put as the fastest in the world.

He further stressed that this would be boosted by urbanisation and middle class development, attractiveness of inbound tourism and the potential from the

Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which has been adopted by most countries on the continent.

He also estimated that Africa would require additional 1,180 aircraft between 2019 and 2042, while at least 75 per cent of such aircraft, representing 880 would be typical single-aisle and 300 of such airplanes would be wide-body.

This he said represented 25 per cent of the total airplanes that would be required on the continent within the period.

He added: “Between 2019 and 2042, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by 3.3 per cent yearly in Africa, while its population would increase by 831 million with the same period.

Alex Enumah in Abuja

INAUGURAL INDUCTION/AWARD CEREMONY...

Chicago State University Refuses to Authenticate Certificate Tinubu Submitted to INEC

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

A new development, yesterday, crept into the alleged certificate scandal Presidential Bola Tinubu, as the Chicago State University (CSU), has refused to authenticate the certificate Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) ahead of the of February 25 presidential elections.

Also, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, on Tuesday, adjourned ruling on a subpoena application for Tinubu’s records from the universe.

Counsel for CSU, Michael Hayes, while speaking before Judge Jeffrey

House Denies Receiving N100 Million as Palliative

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives has denied reports that members of the Green Chamber received N100 million as palliatives from the executive arm of government.

Spokesperson of the House, Akin Rotimi, in a statement yesterday said the clarification became imperative following the media reports credited to the National Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Christopher Onyeka, who claimed that the Executive arm had given N100m to National Assembly members as palliatives. He described the claim as baseless and devoid of any factual accuracy. According to him, “Transparency and truth in public discourse are necessary for a functioning democracy. While we doubt that Mr. Onyeka was actually conveying the official position of the NLC on this claim, it is nonetheless important to correct such misinformation.”

Rotimi said the House considered it irresponsible and most unfortunate

that Onyeka would misrepresent facts in a bid to lend credence to otherwise valid demands of the NLC, while seeking to denigrate the National Assembly, and inciting the public against the institution.

His words: "We state categorically that Mr. Onyeka lied in his claim that National Assembly members were given N100 million as palliatives.

"For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did Members of the House of Representatives receive any money from the Executive arm as palliatives. We, therefore, consider this statement as malicious, irresponsible and in bad faith.

"We consider it irresponsible and most unfortunate that Mr. Onyeka would misrepresent facts in a bid to lend credence to otherwise valid demands of the NLC, while seeking to denigrate the National Assembly, and inciting the public against the institution."

To this end, the House demanded an immediate retraction of this "lie" and a public apology from the Nigeria Labour Congress.

Gilbert in Chicago, stated that the school was not in a position to authenticate Tinubu’s certificate as either fake or genuine.

The recent statement, however, contradicted the school’s previous assertions that it issued a certificate to the Nigerian politician after he graduated in 1979.

Hayes, at the hearing in Chicago, which began at about 1:30 p.m. (local) and lasted several hours in the lawsuit brought by Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said, “Is the diploma authentic or is it a forgery? My client can’t answer yes to either of those questions.”

The lawyer insisted that the school’s administrators, if asked

under oath won’t be able to certify Tinubu’s certificate because they “just don’t know” where he obtained it or how.

Hayes was responding to the judge’s inquiry into the school’s ability to confirm under oath that Tinubu was issued the certificate he tendered to Nigeria’s electoral office as part of his final eligibility paperwork in June 2022.

Hayes insisted that CSU records showed Tinubu attended the school, but admitted there were several contradictions that the school’s administrators won’t be able to clarify under oath.

Those discrepancies included the June 22, 1977, date that Tinubu’s certificate carried, as well as the

school’s president at the time the certificate was obtained and typographical, font and header errors on the document.

Tinubu on June 17, 2022, submitted a certificate to INEC that was purportedly issued in 1979 and signed by Elnora Daniel.

But Ms Daniel only arrived at CSU in 1998 from Hampton University, 19 years after Mr Tinubu was said to have graduated.

She then left the school in 2008 following a financial mismanagement scandal or 14 years before June 2022 when CSU issued yet a fresh certificate in Tinubu’s name under subpoena from a Nigerian lawyer, who had inquired about Mr Tinubu’s education there.

The contradictions, among others, caused Mr Abubakar to file the suit to compel CSU to produce records relating to Tinubu and make its top officials available for deposition to certify the produced records, according to the Nigerian opposition leader’s lawyers. Alexandre de Gramont, who appeared in court for Abubakar, said the documents and depositions were being sought for use in the Nigerian Supreme Court, where the final battle over Tinubu’s election has headed.

Atiku has until September 20 to appeal the September 6 decision of the Court of Appeal, which is the first instance court in the presidential election tribunal process in Nigeria.

Ijebu Group Seeks Restoration of Electricity in Ogun LG after over 7-year Blackout

The Ijebu Waterside Club (IWC) has called on the federal government to heed the Save Our Soul (SOS) call of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area (OWLGA) over the total collapse of electricity supply that has grounded socio-economic activities in the last seven years.

According to a statement yesterday, they made the call at a meeting with Senator Gbenga Daniel on Monday.

Alhaji Ahmed Tijani, who is the President of IWC, a 41-year group of accomplished businessmen and professionals of Ogun Waterside extraction, intimated Daniel, who represents the Ijebu East Senatorial

Constituency that includes OWLGA, that the electricity crisis had impeded socio-economic development of the critical agro-industrial hub in Ogun State.

Tijani, who noted that the people of OWLGA continued to suffer neglect, highlighted several abandoned government projects that include the OK LNG; the Deep Sea Port; Laogo Resort; Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute (GIPI) in Oni, the only tertiary educational in the area; Iwopin Paper Mill, and a road contract linking Efire and Ayede-Ayila to Ondo State estimated at over N14 billion that was awarded when Mrs

Insecurity: Niger to Reopen Some Shut Public Schools

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Not less than 11 out of the 42 public schools shut across Niger State as a result of insecurity and banditry might be reopened from the next academic year.

The 42 schools were shut way back in 2021 following frequent kidnaps of students especially girls. The highest point was the kidnap of 99 girls from Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area, where the students spent close to 88 days in the den of kidnappers.

The government, according to a reliable source close to the Ministry of Education, was still closely watching

the security situation as it affects\ ed the communities where the remaining 31 schools were located. Some of the schools to be reopened are located in Lavun, Gurara, and Wushishi local government areas of the state.

A statement from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education signed by Jibrin Usman Kodo the Information Officer on behalf of the commissioner, Hajia Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, stated that the decision to reopen the schools followed improvement in the security situations in the affected areas.

The statement stated that the decision to reopen the schools had been conveyed to major stakeholders

in the education sector, including Officials of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), those of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA),Heads of Schools as well as officials of the ANCOPSS, saying, as part of the preparation for the reopening of the schools, an online data capturing of all teachers would commence soon The statement further disclosed that, "indexing of students" would now be initiated right from the Early Child Education (ECCDE) class to Senior Secondary class (SSS) and that Early Child Care Department Education has been made compulsory as no child would be admitted into primary class without undergoing ECCDE.

In addition the statement explained that the ministry has concluded plans to establish Quality Assurance Offices in all the 25 local government areas in the state and also provide them with adequate teaching and learning materials,warning that, "indiscipline either by the students or teachers will not be tolerated."

It also added: "There will be sanctions for principals, who indulge in the collection of unnecessary fees from students" stressing that the ministry was looking at ways of improving feeding of boarding school students just as plans were underway to organise teachers summit.

Kemi Adeosun was Finance Minister.

Others include oil & gas related projects that if implemented, would promote job creation, boost government’s revenue earnings and foster overall economic growth across Ogun Waterside, Ogun State and Nigeria.

According to IWC, the Nigeria Electricity and Gas Improvement Project (NIGEP), a World Bankbacked project in partnership with the federal government of Nigeria, that was planned to bring succour to the people had also been abandoned, “a development that further worsened the crisis in OWLGA.”

“In 2010, the NIGEP offered a big ray of hope when the Federal Government completed works on the Omotosho 2x150MVA, 330kv power plant, and a proposal was made to construct a 2x150MVA, 330/132kv substation at the power plant and utilise the outgoing 132kv lines to feed neighbouring areas of the power plant.

“The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the World Bank, subsequently decided that the proposed Omotosho-Agodo substation, a 45 kilometre 132kv double-circuit line project, would be executed to serve the people of OWLGA.”

The IWC President said the World Bank-backed electricity project remained abandoned as funds were not made available to pay compensation to affected stakeholders.

“I also want to thank you for

giving us this unique opportunity to meet with you at a very short notice. IWC cherish your simplicity, humility, tenacity and open door policies, a complete Omoluabi virtue,” Tijani told Daniel.

“Over the last 41 years of the existence of IWC”, the Club’s president told Daniel, “we have met and interacted with all past Governors of Ogun State right from the time of late Lt. Col. Oladipo Diya (General Diya), except your successor who failed to meet with us throughout his eight years, and of course all our efforts to also meet with the incumbent in the last four years have also not yielded any result.”

While speaking on the neglected GIPI in Oni, he told the Senator that, “we had always advocated for the establishment of a higher institution in our local government.

“We were therefore happy when you established during your tenure as our governor the Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute (GIPI) to produce middle level manpower for anticipated projects in the OK FTZ and other Free Trade Zones in Ogun State. But today, the Institute needs help. It is your baby and we trust you will not allow it to die.”

The Iwopin Paper Mill, Alhaji Tijani further stated, “was a federal government project established in our local government some 43 years ago that suffered major operational failure like many projects during the military era.

L-R: Stakeholder, Akwa Ibom Clergy Forum (AICLEF), Bishop Edet Okon; Chairman, AICLEF Stakeholders Forum, Bishop Anietie Etukudo; AICLEF President, Pastor Emmanuel Joseph; AICLEF BOT Chairman, Rev. (Dr.) Daniel Akwatang; Stakeholder, His Eminence Dr Emmanuel Josiah Udofiah and Bishop Udoma Udoma, a Stakeholder during the AICLEF inaugural induction/award ceremony held in Lagos... recently

SPONSORSHIP DEAL SEALED...

Yusuf Suspends KASCO MD over Unauthorised Sales of Grains

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has suspended the Managing Director of Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Dr. Tukur Dayyabu Minjibir, over alleged sales of maize without the authorisation by the state government.

Minjibir was alleged to have sold the maize belonging to the state government, which was meant to be distributed

as palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, but single-handedly sold it at a subsidised price without the consent of the governor.

A letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Bichi, explained that the suspension was part of the government’s effort to ensure zero tolerance for corruption among civil servants and government appointees.

“As part of his commitment

Subsidy Removal: Sule Takes FG’s Palliatives to Poor Households

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

The Nasarawa State Governor, Mr. Abdullahi Sule, has distributed palliative given to the state by the federal government to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal to poor and vulnerable households across the state.

The governor yesterday personally distributed the palliative, made up of bags of 50 kg of rice and various sums of money to over 3,000 poor and vulnerable households in Awe, Keana and Obi Local Government Areas of the state.

Sule said that the 50 kg of rice and N5,000 were shared to over 1,000 beneficiaries in Keana LGA.

He said: “What we are sharing to beneficiaries today is meant for the beneficiaries only. If they, on their own, decided to go and share with somebody else, that is their choice. It is not our own directive that you can share with anybody.”

He, therefore, appealed to people of the state to remain calm as more palliatives would be distributed in subsequent programmes.

“When we receive the balance of the N4 billion, again we will do a similar thing. For those who did not get today, they may get a day after. That is why I am pleading with everybody to be patient,” he said.

to fighting corruption, Governor Yusuf has directed the immediate suspension of the Managing Director, Kano Agricultural

Supply Company (KASCO), Dr. Tukur Minjibir.

“The governor directed the issuance of suspension in

a letter dated September 12, 2023, conveyed by the SSG, Dr. Abdullahi Bichi.” The managing director

was suspended for alleged involvement in an inappropriate sale of grains belonging to the Kano State Government.

NCC Raises the Alarm over Rising Electronic Frauds in Nigeria’s Telecom Industry

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has cautioned various telecommunication consumers on the rising trend of electronic frauds perpetuated on telecom platforms across key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Director, Consumer

Protection and Advocacy Unit, Consumer Affairs Bureau of the Commission, Mr. Alkasim Umar, sent the warning during a sensitisation programme in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

At the event tagged: ‘Shine Your Eyes-No Fall Mugu’, Umar noted that as part of the strategy to actualise the

protection and promotion of the interest of consumers, the department collaborates with Consumer Advocacy Groups and relevant stakeholders to empower telecoms consumers with the knowledge and advocate for their protection within the telecoms industry.

The director, who was

represented by the Head of Consumer Advocacy and Production Unit of NCC, Clems Omeife, said the development and deployment of robust infrastructure to support innovative technologies and services have no doubt positively transformed our socio-economic space.

Flood: Group Tasks Rivers on Environment Protection

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

An international organisation, Natural Justice, has urged the Rivers State government to ensure the protection of the environment, stressing the need for early intervention to avoid effects of disastrous flood in the state.

The members of group, in their numbers, marched from Isaac Boro Park in Mile One to Government House, Port Harcourt, demanding for environmental protection across the state.

Speaking during the climate justice movement in Port Harcourt, Programme Manager for Natural

Justice (Nigeria), Mr. Mike Karikpo, expressed the importance for protection of the environment, saying that “our environment is our life, without the environment we cannot exercise any other right that we have as human beings.”

According to him “We are building a movement of young

people, of women, of community, students, the media that we are working together to address the climate crisis from its very root.

“We matched from Isaac Boro Park to government House, to present a petition, both to the governor and to flood response committee.”

Man Electrocuted While Stealing Electric Cables in Unizik Power Installation

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

A yet-to-be-identified man was last Monday night electrocuted to death, while allegedly trying to steal electricity cables on the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka campus in Anambra State.

A source said the incident

happened around the Faculty of Education building close to the Department of Economics of the university. The source said the man was allegedly cutting cables inside the electricity installation arena when Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) suddenly

restored power, hence he was electrocuted.

He said: “Evidence showed that the thief had almost done cutting a high-tension cable before electricity was suddenly restored by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), and he got killed.

“EEDC officials, policemen, and officials of the safety department of the university removed his body last Tuesday and took his body to the mortuary.

“We just came this morning (Tuesday) and found the body suspended from the electric pole at a transformer point in the area.”

OAU Adjusts Fees Payable by Students Group Tasks Plateau Reps Member, Gagdi, to Join Peace Efforts

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have adjusted the fees that students of the institution would be paying.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that for those in the Faculties of Arts, Law and Humanities , the ‘freshers’ will pay N151, 200 while returning students of the same faculties will pay N89,200.

For those in the Faculties of Technology and Science, the new students will pay N163,

200 and the returning students of the same faculties are to pay N101, 200.

In addition, the new students being admitted into the Faculties in the College of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Pharmacy are to pay N190, 200 ( new students) and N128, 200 ( returning students) respectively.

The decision was taken by the Senate of the University at its emergency meeting on Tuesday, 12th September, 2023.

The management, therefore, wishes the students resounding success in their academic programmes.

Olive Christian Ministry Begins Convention Today

Olive Christian Ministry (OCM) will hold its yearly convention from today to September 17 at its auditorium, Ashiri Akofa Street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos with the theme: “The Hand of God”.

In a statement, the church said the convention would feature the founder Pastor Mide Salako; Pastor Esther Salako, Pastor Seyi Olawunmi, Pastor

Adekunle Olusanya, and Mrs. Stella Adebayo, among others.

The statement added that there would also be praise and worship sessions, and a business grant workshop.

It said Miss Adebayo would speak on “How to Access and Source for Business Grants” followed by “the Atmosphere of Worship with household renowned gospel artistes.”

A pro-democracy group, Peace and Good Governance Advocates (PEGGA) has taken Rep Yusuf Gagdi, member representing Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke Constituency of Plateau State to task over what it alleged as his divisive comments on the crisis on the plateau, asking him to join

hands with all other stakeholders to push the state forward.

Reacting to the lawmaker’s assertions against Governor Caleb Mutfwang and claims of lopsided killings in his constituency, the group in the statement issued by its national coordinator, Mani Imman, urged the lawmaker to

put politics aside and join all other stakeholders in the state to work for the peace of the state.

PEGGA particularly noted that his assertions came a day after First Lady Remi Tinubu visited the state to join hands with the Plateau State government in addressing the needs of the

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

The group said: “We find the claims of our lawmaker, Rep Yusuf Gagdi that the governor is isolationist because he did not visit him or invite him to meet with him as provocative and unbecoming.

Omo-Agege Commends Tinubu for Revamping Nigeria-UAE Economic Relationship

Immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative to restore the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), describing it as a key win

in economic diplomacy.

Reacting to President Tinubu’s meeting with the leadership of the UAE, Omo-Agege who was also the Delta State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election, said restoring and strengthening mutually beneficial

economic relationships is pivotal to the return to sustainable development.

In a press statement issued by Media Adviser to Senator Omo-Agege, Mr. Sunny Areh, the APC chieftain stated that it takes a bold vision and aggressive diplomacy to revive the important

economic relationship between both countries which will ultimately see the restoration of direct flights and the lifting of the visa ban.

He said: “Economic diplomacy is a crucial component of the bid to bring Nigeria’s economy back to the path of growth. “

Inordinate Pursuit of Wealth Shortens Lifespan, Don Warns Nigerians

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

People who indulged in inordinate quest for instant wealth would have shorter lifespan while those that made their money through normal process would live longer to enjoy their wealth.

This scientific finding was made known by the Executive Director of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Professor Obiajulu Emejulu, while featuring at the 2023 Odenigbo Lecture.

The Odenigbo lecture is an annual lecture series

organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri in which Igbo intellectuals use Igbo language to deliver a lecture on a particular topic, which the late iconic literary and intellectual giant, Professor Chinua Achebe, featured in 1999 edition.

Emejulu, who is a language

and communication expert, delivered the 2023 edition of the lecture series that now in its 28th year. He lamented the havoc that get-rich-quick syndrome has wrecked on the Nigerian society and warned people to desist from the mad rush to acquire wealth..

L-R: Managing Director, Checkers Africa Limited, makers of Checkers Custard, Mr. Karan Checker (left), and Creator/Executive Producer of Turtle Taido, Mr. Muyiwa Kayode, at the contract signing ceremony for the sponsorship of Turtle Taido Game Show by Checkers Custard in Lagos... yesterday

DAN UKANA

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Super Eagles, Saudi Arabia’s Green Falcons to Test Strength in Portugal

Oparanozie Desires Football No More, Bows Out

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Former Super Falcons Captain, Desire Ugochi Oparanozie, 29, yesterday called time on her illustrious football career.

Oparanozie who plays as forward for Chinese Women’s Super League side Wuhan Jianghan University, announced via her X (formerly Twitter) handle @oparanozie9 on Wednesday that she was retiring from football at both club and country levels.

“To my fans, family, and friends, thank you for the show of love and support over the years. It’s time to take a bow, as I believe there’s no better time than now. I’m officially announcing my retirement from professional football for both club and country,” observed the talented striker who along with Super Falcons mates won the Women’s African Cup of Nation in 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018. She won the 2014 WAFCON Golden Boot.

She further thanked her teammates and coaches in all the clubs she played her professional career that began at Bayelsa Queens in 2010 .

“To every team and coach I have played for, to every mate I ‘be played alongside, and to every opponent I have played against , thank you all for being part of this incredible journey. Thank you football, thank you Nigeria.

Oparanozie became a key figure for Nigeria after progressing through the youth ranks, earning over 60 caps. She scored 22 goals in 35 appearances for the Super Falcons.

Apart from Bayelsa Queens, Oparanozie also had stints at Delta Queens before moving abroad for greener pastures. She spent six successful years in France with Guingamp with spells at Dijon and in China, becoming the first African to play in the Chinese Women’s Super League.

As it is common with footballers with such glittering career, Oparanozie will be sadly remembered for missing her penalty kick as Nigeria agonisingly lost to England in the Round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World up in Australia.

time on her illustrious football career

CashToken Rewards Athletes at the Abeokuta 10km Road Race

It was a moment of excitement and celebration as CashToken Rewards Africa gifted N100,000 worth of Cash Token bundles to Patience Dalyop and Francis James who were the fastest-finishing indigenous Female and Male Athletes respectively at the Abeokuta 10km Road Race which held last Saturday.

The auspicious occasion which is part of activities to commemorate the 80th birthday celebration of the Alake of Egbaland, Kabiyesi Oba Michael Gbadebo (CFR), was attended by other illustrious sons and daughters of Ogun State across various works of life including the Managing Director of CashToken Rewards Africa, Chief Lai Labode.

The Abeokuta 10km Race which had Patience Dalyop and Francis James as the fastest finishing indigenous Male and Female Athletes, also witnessed the participation of indigenes of the state and top talents from across Nigeria and Africa who showcased their grith and gave the crowd an electrifying performance from start to finish.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of CashToken Rewards Africa, Chief Lai Labode, expressed gratitude to the Alake of Egbaland for his revered stewardship and hospitality in hosting such a renowned activity that has been experienced and witnessed by millions

of people within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

Chief Labode stated that the multitude of personalities that graced the occasion in commemoration of the 80th birthday of the Alake of Egbaland is a testament to his exemplary leadership and dedication to his people that has witnessed the continued development of his people.

He further stated that the marathon activity places Abeokuta amongst other iconic locations on the world map, with positive reviews and opportunities for more participation in

the future which will bring in more tourists and potential investments into the state.

Chief Lai Labode used the medium to celebrate the participants and winners at the marathon, as he urged them to remain committed, hardworking, diligent, and steadfast in the strive to attain their goals.

He also urged Nigerians to take a cue from the athletes in being prepared, diligent, and push on with perseverance towards achieving goals regardless of the obstacles faced.

Speaking on the Cash Prize received, the fastest finishing

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia will clash in a senior international friendly match in the city of Portimão, Portugal on Friday, 13th October 2023.

The clash comes barely a month before the three-time African champions, who lashed Sao Tome and Principe 6-0 in their 2023 AFCON final-day qualification game in Uyo last Sunday, set out on the race for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals with a home game against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

Within the same FIFA window in November, the Eagles will play their second match of the qualification series, away to the Warriors of Zimbabwe.

The friendly with Saudi Arabia’s Green Falcons has is one of the tune up games new handler, Roberto Mancini has lined up to prepare his team ahead of 2026 World Cup

qualifier against either Cambodia or Pakistan in November.

The Saudis who will play Mali’s Eagles at the same venue four days later after the Nigerian clash, have never played Super Eagles at senior level.

The most remarkable clash between both countries remains the opening match of FIFA U20 World Cup (then known as FIFA World Youth Championship) in 1989, in which second half goals by Chrstopher Ohenhen and Mutiu Adepoju steered Nigeria to a comeback 2-1 victory over the host nation in Riyadh.

After Nigeria missed the last Mundial in Qatar in a nail-biting manner at home in Abuja, the clash with Saudi Arabia appears one avenue for team handler, Jose Peseiro, to try out new game plans.

FIFA Council Member, Pinnick, Commiserates with Morocco over Earthquake

Nigeria’s FIFA Council Member and Member of the Executive Committee of Confederation of African Football (CAF), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has commiserated with the Government and people of Morocco over last weekend’s earthquake carnage that has claimed the lives of over three thousand people.

“I am inconsolably saddened by the earthquake that has wiped out whole families and wreaked so much havoc among a good people. It has been heart-breaking watching the images from Morocco and one is simply lost for words to appropriately describe the feeling at seeing pictures and videos.

“Morocco has continued to play a huge role in the development of African football, reaching out to many nations with cooperation agreements and hosting matches of many countries who do not have approved match venues in their countries over the past few years.

“My heart goes out to His Highness, King Mohammed V, my good friend Fouzi Lekjaa, the President of Royal Morocco Football Federation and all those who lost loved ones in the tragedy.

indigenous female athlete, Patience Dalyop, expressed gratitude to the management of CashToken Rewards Africa for the prize reward as she reaffirmed her commitment to working hard and challenging for the top prize at future tournaments.

Also receiving his cash prize, the fastest finishing indigenous male athlete, Francis James, expressed gratitude to the organisers of the event and the management team of CashToken Rewards Africa for the prize reward and promised to keep on working hard in preparation for subsequent tournaments.

“We all still have good memories of the great honour that the Morocco senior men football team brought to the entire continent by reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year, and we remain enamoured by the country’s keen desire to host CAF’s major tournaments.

“We love the dead but God Almighty loves them more. My consolation is that the whole world stood up to help. Nations and institutions have joined the rescue efforts and this shows the love that Morocco enjoys globally. I pray that God will rest the soul of the departed in peace and also grant those left behind to mourn the dead, the fortitude to bear the loss,” concludes the FIFA Council member in his condolence message to Morocco FA.

Zenith Bank, NBBF Ready as Savannah Conference Tip-off Sept 18

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has maintained that the top-off of the Second Phase of the Savannah Conference of the 2023 Zenith Bank Women's Basketball League remains sacrosanct as all the clubs are getting ready for the September 18date.

The NBBF had announced September 18 to 24for the second phase at the Lafia City Hall, Shendam Road, Lafia, Nasarawa State and now reiterated the fact that the body will not change the date.

The First Phase which took place in Jos saw Customs topping with five wins in five games while defending Champions, Air Warriors, came second with four wins in five games.

Plateau Rocks and Nigeria Army with three and two wins respectively in the same number of

games will have to double efforts to be in contention for the two tickets available in the zone for the finals billed for Lagos. Nasarawa Amazons (one win) and Kada Stars (no win) respectively are off the radar in the race for finals but will still feature in the second face for pride.

Speaking with our correspondent, the president of NBBF, Musa Kida, said all was ready for a successful competition.

"We are ready and all the teams are getting ready to move to Lafia for the second phase," Kida said.

"The September 18date is sacrosanct because we have our schedule since the start of the First Phase."

He however explained the reasons why the Second Phase of the Atlantic Conference was postponed.

‘It’s time to take a bow, as I believe there’s no better time than now’

Desire Ugochi Oparanozie..calls

Amaju Melvin Pinnick...FIFA Council Member

L-R: Vice President, Head of Business Expansion, CashToken Rewards Africa, Simi Adeoti; Managing Director, CashToken Rewards Africa, Lai Labode; Fastest finishing Indigenous Male, Francis James; Chief Commercial Officer, CashToken Rewards Africa, Stella Oshorinde and Chief Marketing Officer, CashToken Rewards Africa, Chinenye Nwokedi, during the prize presentation ceremony of the Abeokuta 10km Marathon Race held...last Saturday in the Ogun State capital city.

THE HOME TRUTH FROM KIGALI

Rwanda. Nobody can argue with Sule on that. “We had a similar thing in Nigeria, which was the civil war, but we didn’t get it right. They have got it right after the genocide. So, if we can only pick that part and unite our country, Nigeria will be a better place,” Sule added. I agree with Sule that the scars of the civil war are still very much with us, but I don’t think Rwanda is where we can learn about dealing with diversity.

However, the real takeaway from the Nasarawa governor’s confession was what he personally learnt from President Paul Kagame. According to Sule, he strategically positioned himself to be seated near Kagame so he could ask him a question. “I asked the president of Rwanda ‘what you do right that we should also do in Nigeria?’”. Kagame’s response as relayed by Sule is instructive. “He said the day Nigeria starts comparing itself to Rwanda, Africa is dead.” And from there Sule quoted what Kagame reportedly told him on what he and his colleagues should begin to do: “We cannot be compared with Nigeria. Tell Nigeria to wake up because Africa is waiting for her. We cannot afford for Nigeria to remain asleep, so tell Nigeria to wake up. And I’m challenging you governors, starting from you. Go and do it in your own state and make your state better. And if every one of you here would make your state better, Nigeria would be better for Africa.”

Kagame would not be the first African leader to say what Sule attributed to him about Nigeria letting itself and Africa down. The late South African President, Mr Nelson Mandela, was also quoted to have said something similar. The issue is what our leaders are doing to change the narrative. But before I proceed, it is interesting that Gambari, one of the honourees featured in the book presented at the session where Sule spoke, played a critical role in the Rwandan story. When the genocide against the Tutsi broke out in 1994, Gambari was Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations at a time our country was also a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council which he (Gambari) later chaired. The trio of Colin Keating of New Zealand, Karel Kovanda of the Czech Republic, and Gambari were vociferous in advocating early UN intervention by alerting the world that the

killings in Rwanda were genocidal.

In April 2021, Kagame publicly acknowledged that Rwanda will never forget Nigeria’s contribution towards stopping the genocide and he referenced Gambari. According to Kagame, while many world leaders were stonewalling in response to the tragedy, some people and countries stood out. “And one of them is an African country that we shall always be proud to call a good friend, represented by a man I remember, called Ibrahim Gambari. Nigeria stood out and said

ONE HUNDRED DAYS AFTER BUHARI

The last administration established “project lighthouse,” a financial data integration engine that helped to identify unpaid debts put at more than five trillion Naira, out of which a good part has been recovered. It subscribed to the Open Government Partnership, OGP in 2016, instituted the Whistleblower mechanism which has been legislated into law, fast-tracked Identity Management taking registered entries to well above 100 million from just about 20-25 in 2015, boosted assets recovery at home and abroad with enhanced laws that ensured transparency in the management of the funds and generally increased the latitude of power and authority of anti corruption agencies and the office of the Auditor General of the Federation.

Throughout these eight years, no bribery allegations against the person of Muhammadu Buhari were ever made.

One of the of the greatest achievements of the Buhari government has been that it diversified the economy. The administration achieved selfsufficiency in rice, and financed millions of small farmers of 23 different commodities, an effort that helped to boost the export of agricultural commodities.

In addition to programs such as the Anchor Borrower Scheme, the Buhari government launched the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, following the success of which Nigeria has become a net exporter of certain variants of fertilizer; it set set up Special-Agro Processing Zones, resurrected the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA, set up the National Young Farmers Scheme, Agriculture for Food and Jobs Program and the National Livestock Transformation Program, NLTP among others.

The NLTP was the administration’s effective response to herder-farmer clashes which spiked a few years back, that have substantially been curbed.

The Buhari government launched programs to streamline 46 million vulnerable people into the country’s development process, men and women who were otherwise deprived of it as the nation progressed and in way, helping thereby to increase their faith in democracy. Two million poor and vulnerable households received N10,000 bimonthly stipend per month; 10 million school children received a meal a day which has boosted school enrollment and following presidential approvals, so many schemes- Nigeria’s Micro Pension Scheme,Survival Fund, National Youth Investment Fund, National Special Public Works Program, COVID-19 Targeted Credit Facility, Survival Fund, Nigeria Investment and Growth Fund, the Development Bank (created in 2017) and the enhancement of the Bank of Industry just to cite a few have all come into play to

BACK PAGE CONTINUATION

there is a problem, and we must call it what it is. Professor Gambari was there, and we shall always be proud of Nigeria,” Kagame said in his speech to mark Kwibuka27, an event held annually to remember victims of the genocide. Now to the present. Kagame was right in telling Sule that it is a lack of ambition that would make any Nigerian leader aspire to be like Rwanda. With due respect to the yeoman efforts of Kagame (and he remains one of the few leaders on the continent for whom I have tremendous respect), Nigeria ought to aim far higher. Rwanda is a landlocked country of 13.46 million people. That is less than the population of Lagos State and just about 7 percent of the population of our country. With 26,338 square kilometers, Rwanda is also less than many states in Nigeria in landmass. In fact, Nigeria is more than 35 times the size of Rwanda while Niger State alone (at 76,000 square kilometres) is more than twice the size of the East-central African country. In human and material resources, Nigeria is also far ahead of Rwanda and all other African countries, for that matter.

By telling Sule that his charity should begin in Nasarawa, Kagame is invariably saying to him and colleagues what some of us have been saying all along: For Nigeria to develop and thrive, the focus cannot only be on Abuja. The states will also have to work for the people. Meanwhile, it is instructive that the destiny of Nigeria appears to be in the hands of governors. Of the five presidents we have had under the current dispensation, three (the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and now Bola Tinubu) have served as governors. Just like their Vice Presidents. Now, the Senate President, many Senators and Ministers are also former Governors. There is therefore no reason why the states cannot be centres of productivity and development. But a situation in which local government chairmen are corralled into prostrating before governors to obtain their statutory allocations offers little or no prospect in that direction. In case he missed the message, what Kagame was telling Sule is that governors in Nigeria can make a world of difference, especially since many of their states compare with African countries in terms of population and resources. The Director

General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala made this same point nine years ago as coordinating minister for the economy under President Jonathan. Speaking at the 12th convocation ceremony of Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State in June 2014, Okonjo-Iweala said the governors “have no reason whatsoever not to develop their states, given the huge amounts they receive regularly from the Federation Account every month.”

In that paper which did not go down well with many governors at the time, Okonjo-Iweala presented a breakdown of what ten states earned in 2013 and made a comparative analysis with revenues generated by a number of West African countries within the same period. “Many Nigerian states receive revenue allocations which are larger than the budgets of neighbouring countries such as: Liberia ($433 million), or Gambia ($210 million) or Benin Republic ($1.47 billion). The top two recipients of state allocations–Akwa Ibom and Rivers–receive $3.1 billion, which is about half of the entire budget of Ghana (about $6.4 billion),” Okonjo-Iweala said while calling on Nigerians to demand more accountability of their governors. “On a per capita basis (i.e., revenues/population), the top three recipients of FAAC allocations are: Bayelsa (N84,500 or $545), Akwa Ibom (N55,600 or $360) and Delta States (N42,000 or $270). On this per capita basis, many Nigerian states receive more than neighbouring countries such as: Ghana ($255), Benin Republic ($146), Liberia ($103), and Gambia ($117).”

Clearly, the NGF must do more than organize retreats and seminars. It should become a serious institution generating ideas on how to drive development in the 36 states. It says so much that despite the intellect, experience, and exposure of many of our governors, hardly any of them considers himself more opportune than the average president of the next African country. Yet, it is only in that mental state that they can outgrow their present Abuja inspired ‘feeding bottle’ orientation. Each of our 36 states has the resources and potential to be better than many African countries. Why no governor has risen to that level of consciousness is the reason why they will continue to troop out when another Kigali calls.

completely paralyzed the activities of big time drug syndicates. What General Marwa did in just one year has not been achieved in our National history. Even the Senator Hadi Sirika that they want to smear has improved aviation security beyond any of his predecessors. His efforts are acknowledged by international organizations including the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO and by many other countries. Where were they when he was keeping awake at night to ensure that the Abuja runway was repaired in record time? Or working to fully execute the modernization of terminal buildings in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu (plus runway) and Port Harcourt?

It’s no mean achievement that the Nigerian aviation sector made the world’s second fastest recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

The critics don’t want to acknowledge that maritime security experienced such a turn around when Admiral Gambo came on board. In less than one year, the International Maritime Bureau was singing the Nigerian Navy’s praises for normalizing the dire security situation in the Gulf of Guinea, GoG. Their reports clearly stated that for the first time in 27 years, the GoG had become the safest maritime environment.

There has not been a single area that had not been touched by the Buhari government. We have seen massive positive changes in the last eight years but as they say, the one who is pretending to be asleep is harder to wake up than the one who is actually sleeping.

make life better for the citizens as part of the massive changes in the economy.

The Covid-19 pandemic was brought under control due to the relentless leadership of President Buhari. In fact, the country was among the top few that came out with strong economic activities after the pandemic. It has happened due to the farsightedness of the President and the effective leadership of the efforts by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

Today Boko Haram terrorism has almost been quashed. There has been a massive improvement in health infrastructure, a significant and new education policy has been framed, and even a policy against open defecation has been formulated and is taking hold in many states.

No one should be angry at some revisionist characters whose only focus is the delegitimization of significant Buhari legacies.They refuse to acknowledge that bomb explosions, suicide bomb incidents and all that stopped when President

Buhari stepped in. The National Security office was ruthless in denying End User Certificates, EUCs to those bringing in Urea fertilizer. They impounded shipments of fertilizer for over 5 years to freeze the bomb-making industry controlled by terrorists thereby helping to bring these atrocities to a standstill. The so-called critics don’t want to acknowledge the great job done by the nation’s intelligence agencies in diminishing the IPOB, its affiliates and other secessionist movements. The National Intelligence Agency, NIA single-handedly worked with our neighbors, especially Niger Republic in bringing down illegal small arms and light weapons importation into Nigerian territory by 78%. This agency carried out extensive work on the blocking of the insurgent Cameroonian Ambazonian network’s infiltration into Nigeria. Our security and intelligence operatives were virtually awake 24/7 and the President was well aware at all times on the evolving situations.

Buhari’s critics don’t want to acknowledge how General Marwa’s arrival on the scene

Bullies who attacked governments and “something dropped” will continue to antagonize Buhari borne of anger from lost opportunities. A certain Buhari “critic” who served a Military Governor in one of the Northern States, even his underwear was bought from government coffers. When they came in they freed thieves, robbers and receivers of stolen goods and even gave them a working capital!

Within a few weeks, crime returned to Kaduna, and yes, the other places and he has the effrontery to speak as he did. This society has no use for such squalid nonsense!!

How many of these people do you think were happy when President Buhari said “no more free money”?

Buhari said money in National Security Agencies is for security. Lazy men and women who can’t work cannot just walk in and walk out of that place with bags stuffed with money in a free-for-all. These ones have nothing to teach anyone. President Tinubu, a wise politician will equally see through their masquerade.

Muhammadu has done his part and left. History will judge him, and fairly I think.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun

Former President Muhammadu Buhari

Fifteen of our 36 governors and three deputy governors travelled to Kigali, Rwanda last month for a three-day executive leadership retreat. We were told the trip was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). The retreat was reportedly designed to enable our governors to “re-imagine Nigeria’s leadership to achieve transformation and nationwide sustainable development.” Remarkably, governors from all five parties were represented: The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Although the governors have since returned from Kigali, many Nigerians remain critical of the idea that chief executives of our states would go all the way to Rwanda to nurture “skills to support deep listening and self-awareness” and learn how to address “multiple complex challenges.” Besides, at a time we are seeking foreign investors, it is demarketing to suggest there are no suitable places in Nigeria where governors could hold a retreat. Not to mention the extraordinary cost involved. But the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, recently explained what transpired in Kigali as well as how and why the retreat was conceived. What he said deserves attention.

Sule spoke in Lagos at the public presentation of ‘Hallmarks of Labour’ Volume 11 in honour of former External Affairs Minister, Prof Bolaji

Akinyemi, former Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and former Ohanaeze Ndigbo PresidentGeneral, Prof. Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu, now of blessed memory. Authored by Ms Patricia Otuedon-Arawore—whose 26-year-old foundation

honours selected accomplished Nigerians annually—the book highlights the achievements of these four role models who, according to the session’s chairman, Chief Phillip Asiodu, “have attained national and international prominence through hard work, integrity, transparency and positive public-spirited service.”

In addition to Sule, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and his Borno State counterpart, Babagana Zulum were in attendance. Oyo State was represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal while the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin stood in for Lagos Governor. Also participating were former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Vanguard newspapers publisher, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu as well as Chief Mrs Nike Akande, Senator Daisy Danjuma, and a host of other distinguished Nigerians. I was at the event to honour both Gambari and Akinyemi whose career paths I crossed many times, even as they remain friends. Apparently in response to critics, Sule defended the Kigali trip: “Unfortunately, and unlike so many accusations that have come in, it was not a trip organised by the Nigeria Governor Forum. It was an event organized by the UNDP. And UNDP decided to organize that event purely to take us to where leadership has worked and indeed leadership has worked in that country.”

The first take-away is the admission that leadership has failed in Nigeria at practically all levels and in all spheres - whereas it works in

Adieu Akintola Williams

As presidential spokesman in 2009, I attended a function where I was privileged to be seated beside the foremost Nigerian accountant, Mr Akintola Williams, who died on Monday at age 104. I remember asking him, “Sir, what is the secret to longevity?” He smiled and said, “I really don’t know but in my own case, I guess it is because I am unemployed and unemployable.” While I enjoyed his company that day, it happened to be the only personal contact I ever had with him. But it was enough to feel a sense of loss at his passage at a ripe old age. May God comfort the family he left behind.

The Home Truth from Kigali One Hundred Days After Buhari

This week, President Muhammadu Buhari clocked 100 days away from office after completing two terms of four years each as President of Nigeria. He chose to stay in Daura to be far away from Abuja in order not to distract the new APC administration and in the hope also that the distance will make it possible for him to have a good rest and to care for his farm which had not received as much attention as it needed while he was away.

He goes to the farm four days of the week and is upbeat about how well the crops and his animals are now doing. He gets a good measure of rest but the visits have not abated. To manage the numbers, he has a weekly program drawn for him as they did while he was in the Villa. Visitors are scheduled on the program but there are so many people who just start their motor bikes and cars to head out to Daura to him in the belief that he has the time to receive all visitors.

Among his many “special guests” are party faithful, grassroots groups, farmers, artisans, artists, praise singers, nurses and doctors, religious leaders, community leaders and several other professionals. Not left out are those who benefited

from the administration, one way or another.

The other day, he was musing the decision to remove fuel subsidy by the Tinubu administration,

saying he had hoped that it would lessen the pressure on him by constraining the large number of people who pick up their transport and head to Daura to see him from all parts of the country, but that he had noted that instead of they coming one by one, his friends, including the poor and the marginalized now group themselves, share costs to hire buses to come to see and talk to him.

So while it is the case that some in the country were happy that he was no longer in office, there are some, even more that continue to cherish and admire him.

In the eight years he led the country, Muhammadu Buhari had taken many decisions and as is human, one or two may have been wrong. But no one, not even critics, can question his intentions when those decisions were taken.

There has not been a single area that has not been touched by the Buhari government, with massive, positive changes in the eight years he held fort.

In the normative functions of our governments, an administration takes four to five major decisions in four years and they rush to the public square to celebrate themselves. Looking at the records he left, the Buhari government has taken hundreds of major decisions in the eight years it was in

office, and yet you hear nothing but criticism upon criticism.

The promise of tackling corruption and establishing a strong democracy was a prime factor in the rise to power by Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress party in 2015.

On coming to office, the administration directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to close their accounts with deposit money banks to fully operationalize the Treasury Single Account. TSA was launched in 2012 but left on the drawing boards. More than 17,000 bank accounts were closed and an average of four billion Naira in monthly bank charges was saved. Government revenue, it was found out, was being banked in personal accounts and signatories were, in some instances, big men and women who had retired from service.

This was closely followed with the institution of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System, IPPS to cover all MDAs in spite of great opposition by the armed forces and the universities. Ghost workers in excess of 50,000 were flushed out and savings in hundreds of billions made.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule

The late Williams

Former President Muhammadu Buhari