MONDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2023

Tinubu to Ring NASDAQ Closing Bell as NGX Partners US CoC, NIPC

Kayode Tokede

President Bola Tinubu would on Wednesday ring the closing bell at NASDAQ in New

York, United States, as part of proceedings at the Executive Business Dialogue organised by United States Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian Exchange

Group Plc (NGX Group), and Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC). The dialogue is scheduled as part of a series of events in

the non-deal roadshow planned by NGX Group to support the new administration’s efforts to reignite foreign capital interest in the Nigerian economy,

and position the country for sustainable growth, according to a statement from NGX.

to foster dialogue, strengthen economic ties, and enhance collaboration. The roadshow

According to NGX Group, the non-deal roadshow would help Continued on page 5

Atiku’s Aide Accuses Tinubu of Massive Propaganda with 15 Media Advisers... Page 12

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President Nominates Ibrahim, Olawande as Youth Ministers...

Adeleke: Aircraft’s Engines in Averted Crash May Have Been Tampered With

Keyamo: NSIB to commence immediate investigation, says report will be implemented

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Osun State Governor , Senator Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, confirmed reported aircraft

incident, in which he was personally involved, claiming strong indications that the two

aircraft engines might have been tampered with before boarding and take-off, that was eventually

aborted.

But the Minister of Aviation and Aerodrome Development,

Subsidy: NLC to Honour FG’s Invitation for Talks, But Adamant on Demands

Minister moves to stave off another strike

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Ugo Aliogo in Lagos

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), yesterday, disclosed its readiness to attend a meeting called by the federal government for Monday to try to prevent an indefinite strike by the congress in protest at unresolved issues relating to fuel subsidy removal.

A top NLC member, who pleaded to remain anonymous, told THISDAY that the meeting with Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, would focus on the massive suffering and hunger in the country caused by the increase in fuel prices. The source said it was for this reason that the union went on warning strike on September 5 and 6.

The source also stated that should the federal government fail to comply with NLC’s demands, workers would

Mr. Festus Keyamo, has assured

L-R: Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H. E. Sheikh Hasina; Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Lord Marland of Odstock, and presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, during an interaction at the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum, in Dhaka, Bangladesh…recently

House Committee Frowns on NIMASA over Sale of 82 Vehicles for N5.8m

Quizzes Sokoto River Basin delegation for indiscriminate sales of public assets at ridiculous prices

Juliet Akoje in Abuja.

The House of Representatives Committee investigating the 'Disposal of Public Property by Agencies between 2010 and 2022 to unravel the extent of illegal auctioning of public property, non-remittance of revenue realised into Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF),' at the weekend, frowned at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) after it publicly justified the sales of 82 vehicles for the sum of N5.8 million over the past 12 years.

The lawmakers also quizzed the Sokoto River Basins'delegation over indiscriminate sales of public assets to management of the Agency in breach of extant Public Procurement Act, at ridiculous prices.

NIMASA’s Executive Director, Mr. Chudi Offodile, announced during the resumed investigative hearing of the committee chaired by Hon. Julius Ihonbvere, that due process was followed.

According to the committee, the documents presented showed that Peugeot Expert Ambulance with market value of N200,000 was sold at forced liquidation/auction value of N95,000; Honda Civic Saloon Car with market value of N170,000 was sold at N76,500; Toyota Hilux (Grounded) with

the governor and the general public that the report of an investigation into the incident as well as its recommendations, would be implemented.

Reacting to reports on the incident, which had been kept away from the media, spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said the highly technically equipped aircraft was well-maintained with the best technical crew and was never an unused platform where birds could build nests.

Contrary to the claim by the hanger owner that birds' nests caused the incident, he noted that birds' nests were made with straws not bidding wires as in this case.

According to him, the near fatal incident was averted shortly after boarding and less than two minutes after commencement of taxing on the tarmac.

“An early warning noise from the engines immediately prompted the pilots to direct

is part of the group’s drive to support federal government’s agenda to elicit interest of foreign investors in the Nigerian economy.

NGX added, “The goal is to display the robustness of the capital market and leverage the pace of reforms by the new administration of President Tinubu; enabling foreign investors recognise the value created by the changing landscape.”

It further explained, “The NGX Group is also looking to attract more listings by engaging prospect companies and spotlighting them in front of international investors.

“It will spotlight NGX, pipeline of listings and bluechip market operators. This window

market value of N300,000 was sold at N140,000; another Toyota Hilux (Accidental) with market value of N200,000 was sold at N96,000 while another Toyota Hilux (Grounded) with market value of N250,000 was sold at N115,000.

"Two units of Toyota Hilux which was at the time of inspection in the custody of Carbotage Consultant in Lagos, put at N1 million market value, was sold at N470,000 each forced liquidation/auction value; Honda Civic put at N210,000 was sold at N95,000; Honda City put at N190,000 market value was sold at N80,000; among others.

"Through its office in Abuja, a Toyota Hilux put at N500,000 market value was sold at N245,000; Toyota Avensis put at N300,000 market value was sold at N145,000; Toyota Corolla put at N300,000 market value was sold at N147,000; two units of Honda Civic put at N90,000 market value were sold at N30,000 each; among others."

Other lawmakers who spoke during the investigative hearing, demanded for documentary evidence of funds remitted into the CRF account as provided by extant provisions of the Procurement Act, Proceed of Crimes Act, and other known legislations or financial regulations.

evacuation of the passengers. Everything happened within five minutes.

“Early reports from internal investigation indicated sabotage. But the authorities, locally and internationally, were still investigating the incident.

“We, however, want to assure the public that Governor Adeleke and his aides are safe and there was no injury or any outward explosion on the plane,” he said.

The governor expressed his deep appreciation to well-wishers and supporters, who had been calling since the report of the incident, adding that, “Mr Governor is hale and hearty.”

However, once alerted, the minister contacted the Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and was briefed accordingly.

To this end, a mandatory report was submitted on September 6 2023 in accordance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARS).

presents a unique opportunity to reignite the interest of foreign capital in our country, create vital partnerships, and promote increased deal flow into the capital markets.

“Stanbic IBTC Capital, CardinalStone Partners, and Chapel Hill Denham are sponsors for the roadshow, which will feature prominent private companies, like Lagos Free Zone Company, Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP), Flutterwave, and VFD Group.

“Other events scheduled between September 20 and 25 by NGX Group include the Non-Deal Roadshow in New York and London organised in collaboration with Debt Management Office to be

Offodile, who denied knowledge of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, on the remittance of the funds generated from the sale of public assets, affirmed that the proceed of sales was paid by the Auctioneers into NIMASA's coffers.

Ihonbvere, while expressing surprise that most of the vehicles displayed in the document presented to the ad-hoc committee didn't show that they were old or not in good condition, saying, "looking at them (pictures of vehicles captured in the documents), some of them are looking new."

Ihonbvere, thereafter narrated how a former Edo State Governor engaged a female mechanic to fix some of the vehicles tagged as unserviceable vehicles and recovered over 100 vehicles while other spare parts were stored and that over 100 vehicles fixed by the female mechanic were deployed to various MDAs, thereby blocking financial leakages.

He expressed concern over the rationale behind the placement of an advert on March 29, 2022, calling for a public auction of NIMASA vehicles and sale of all the vehicles on March 30, 2022 through forced liquidation/ auction while alleging that the move, "leaves us with the impression that it's a prearrangement."

The operator submitted the report through the new web based National Aviation Safety Reporting System, SMS Pro, deployed by NCAA in collaboration with Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) in compliance with the provisions of ICAO mandated State Safety Programme and the Civil Aviation Act 2022, noting that a full blown investigation has commenced. Expressing relief that the incident ended without any harm, the minister in a statement by Director General of Civil Aviation, Captain Musa Nuhu, assured the people that the outcome of NCAA’s investigation and recommendations would be implemented in line with Nig. CARS and global best practices. NCAA, therefore, assured the traveling public that it would double its efforts in collaboration with NSIB to maintain and improve upon the high safety aviation standards set in the country over the past decade.

headlined by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; and a tech event, themed, Invest in Africa’s Future, planned with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Future Africa. It will be headlined by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.”

NGX also said the tech event would, among other objectives, explore how the newly created NGX Technology Board could support capital formation in the technology industry and provide an opportunity for US institutional investors interested in investing in Africa to meet with prominent African venture capital firms and tech founders.

The Majority Leader further argued that the process contravened the extant Public Procurement Act to dispose public assets within the duration of 24 hours and disclosed that the Ad-hoc Committee was in custody of petitions against NIMASA that the vehicles were sold to some officials and staff of the Agency, maintaining that the auctioneers engaged

by NIMASA were merely hired to rubber stamp the fictitious insider trading.

Furthermore, the lawmakers requested for a list of all the auctioneers as well as beneficiaries of the vehicles, the original cost of vehicles and invoices, letter of contract awards for auctioning of the assets to the auctioneers; relevant approvals obtained from Federal

Ministry of Works & Housing as well as Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

Ihonbvere, however directed the delegation from NIMASA and Sokoto River Basin, should provide relevant documents that would aid the ongoing investigation. The Ad-hoc Committee is expected to resume hearing on Wednesday, 20th September, 2023.

WEF: Generative AI to Enhance Creativity, Automate Routine Tasks for Future Jobs

How large language models (LLMs), deep-learning algorithms that can recognise, summarise, translate, predict and generate content using very large datasets, affect current and future jobs is the focus of a new World Economic Forum (WEF) white paper ‘Jobs of Tomorrow: Large Language Models and Jobs,’ released at the weekend.

The white paper, in collaboration with Accenture, found that LLMs could be a boon for jobs that required critical thinking, complex problem-solving skills and creativity, including those in engineering, mathematics and scientific analysis.

These tools could benefit workers by increasing the productivity of routine tasks and making their roles more rewarding and focused on a higher added value.

This paper takes a structured approach to understanding the direct impact of LLMs on specific jobs likely to play out in the short term.

“Generative AI is poised to impact labour markets significantly, but this impact will be highly different across different roles,” the Managing Director, World Economic Forum, Saadia Zahidi said.

“Business leaders, policymakers and employees must collaborate on harnessing the potential of new jobs while managing displacement and ensuring a future of work that empowers and elevates people.”

According to the analysis,

which examined more than 19,000 distinct tasks across 867 different occupations likely to be impacted by LLMs. The industries with the highest estimates of overall potential exposure – both in automation and augmentation – are financial services and capital markets, along with insurance and pension management.

“As LLMs advance, new roles will also be created, including AI developers, interface and interaction designers, AI content creators, data curators and specialists in AI ethics and governance.

“The jobs most at risk of disruption – with up to fourfifths of the tasks automated – are those that involve routine and repetitive language tasks, including roles such as credit authorisers, checkers and clerks.

“The occupations projected to remain relatively unaltered include education, guidance, career counsellors and advisers, with 84 per cent of their tasks having a low exposure to change,” it added.

“Generative AI is ushering a transformative era that is reshaping ways of working across industries. While some traditional roles will evolve and even transition, we are seeing a surge in demand for specialists who can harness the power of AI to innovate, solve complex challenges and oversee responsible use of generative AI systems,” Communications, Media and Technology Industry

Practices Chair, Accenture, Kathleen O’Reilly said.

“Organisations training people to collaborate with generative AI will gain a competitive advantage,” he added.

It pointed out that the new data on the impact of LLMs supplements and reinforces findings from the Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, which found that up to a quarter of jobs were expected to change in the next five years from the combined impact of technology, the green transition and the geoeconomic outlook.

The paper argued that businesses and governments must take proactive steps to prepare for the effects of LLMs in the workforce, including by improving foresight, creating an adaptable workforce, implementing systems that facilitate job transitions and encouraging lifelong learning.

The Sustainable Development Impact Meetings 2023 are taking place on 18-22 September in New York.

The meetings would reflect on progress made on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and revive momentum for multistakeholder action.

More than 600 business leaders, policy-makers, leaders from international and civil society organizations, innovators and social entrepreneurs will come together in person to advance concrete progress on the SDGs.

SUBSIDY: NLC TO HONOUR FG’S INVITATION FOR TALKS, BUT ADAMANT ON DEMANDS

embark on the indefinite strike from September 22.

The meeting would as well discuss the invasion and occupation of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) headquarters in Abuja by the Nigeria Police.

The union had accused the federal government of failure to implement some of the resolutions from previous meetings.

Lalong, yesterday, invited the NLC leadership for a meeting today to try to resolve the issues.

A statement by Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, said the minister invited NLC for another meeting over its planned indefinite strike.

The statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, read, "Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Simon Bako Lalong, who sent the invite to the leadership of the NLC, specifically, directed the Department of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations to convene a meeting with the leadership of the organised labour for Monday, September

18, 2023.

"The minister, who directed the Department of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations to convene a meeting with the leadership of the NLC for Monday 18th September 2023, said it was important that the unions sit with government to resolve all pending matters to avert further disruption to the economy."

The minister also said the administration of President Bola Tinubu would always engage the organised labour and respond to its concerns after due consultation and negotiations in order to guarantee industrial harmony, which is critical to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Lalong had earlier met with the two main labour centres in the country, NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC), for talks to avert the two-day warning strike the took place September 5 and 6, but only TUC showed up for the meeting. NLC had boycotted the meeting after accusing the federal government of not showing seriousness in the negotiation.

Following its displeasure over the delay in talks with the federal government, NLC had issued a 21-day ultimatum within which government should come up with palliatives to cushion the effect of the fuel price hike or face a total and indefinite strike.

In a statement issued to mark an end to the twoday warning strike, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, had told workers, "In the event that the government fails to provide the appropriate responses to our demands, we encourage you to maintain your steadfast resolve. The same passion and determination that fuelled this warning strike will be crucial if we find ourselves compelled to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.

“NEC in session of NLC resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and the impoverishment experienced around the country.”

TINUBU TO RING NASDAQ CLOSING BELL AS NGX PARTNERS US COC, NIPC

ADELEKE: AIRCRAFT’S ENGINES IN AVERTED CRASH MAY HAVE BEEN TAMPERED WITH

ROYAL BALL TO MARK THE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF THE ALAKE AND PARAMOUNT RULER OF EGBALAND...

In Top Management Shakeup, NNPC Removes, Replaces Three Executive Vice Presidents

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday announced the removal and replacement of three of the company’s Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs), formerly known as executive directors before the advent of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Those impacted by the development included: Abdulkabir Ahmed, who was hitherto in charge of gas, power and new energies; Adokiye Tombomieye, who headed the upstream segment as well as Adeyemi Adetunji, who was in charge of the downstream.

In their place, the national oil company now has Olalekan Ogunleye as EVP gas, power and new energies; Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan would oversee the company's upstream operations, while Adedapo Segun would take charge of the downstream.

The management shake-up was confirmed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC, Mr. Garba Muhammad, in a press statement.

“In line with NNPC Ltd.'s commitment and drive for organisational renewal, anchored on our business imperatives, standards of excellence, people development, and strengthening our competencies and capabilities through broad-based leadership exposures, the company wishes to announce the following executive

appointments with immediate effect.

“Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Executive Vice President, Upstream, Olalekan Ogunleye, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power, and New Energy and Adedapo A. Segun, Executive Vice President, Downstream,” Muhammad stated in the brief statement.

The erstwhile Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer of the NNPC, Eyesan, who would now superintendent over the upstream, possesses over 30 years’ experience in the sector.

Her profile also indicates that she midwifed the first-ever nonassociated gas commercialisation in Nigeria and delivered the renewal of Nigeria’s Deepwater Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) in record time, paving the way for over $10 billion in eco-friendly investments.

The graduate of Economics from the University of Benin was also said to have played a good part in the NNPC’s acquisition of equity in Dangote, and other private refineries in the country.

On the other hand, Ogunleye, the new gas and power man, was the Deputy Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited and was said to have almost three decades of career life.

He has held several key management positions in his parent company- the NNPC, especially in the gas sector, which equipped him with significant

industry experience in various aspects of the gas value chain.

Before he joined NLNG in April 2022, he was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria Limited (GACN), established by the Federal Government of Nigeria

to facilitate adequate gas supply to the domestic market and ensure the effective implementation of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan. He was also the MD/CEO of N-Gas Limited, a joint venture company between NNPC, Chevron, and Shell with the responsibility for the sale and

marketing of gas in Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana. He holds a degree in Law from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Not much is available in the public space on Segun, who would now handle the often chaotic downstream sector, but

it was gathered that he was Group General Manager, Treasury as well as Chief Finance & Investor Relations Officer at the NNPC in the past.

The three EVPs that were removed, THISDAY learnt, would have been due for retirement in 2024.

CJN to Inaugurate Nine Appeal Court Justices Wednesday

Bench depletes further as Justice Amina Augie retires from Supreme Court

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, would on September 20 swear-in nine newly appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal. This comes as the retirement of Justice Amina Augie further reduces the number of justices on the bench of the Supreme Court, who are currently overlaboured by an excruciating workload.

Just few years after it almost attained its full complement of 22 justices, the apex court had in the last three years been hit by a wave of retirement, death, and resignation. The bench witnessed a sharp drop from 21 justices to 13, while the death of Justice Centus Nweze, in July this year, brought it further down to 12, and the retirement of Augie on September 3, upon attaining

the mandatory retirement age of 70 years, again reduced the number to 11.

It is from the 11 justices that the CJN would be expected to select seven justices that would hear appeals emanating from the presidential and governorship election petition tribunals.

According to a statement by the Supreme Court's Director of Press and Information, Dr. Festus Akande, a traditional valedictory court session in honour of Augie would be held on Thursday.

The statement explained that the ceremony was delayed due to the annual vacation of the court, which ended on Friday, September 15.

Augie was sworn in as Justice of Supreme Court on November 7, 2016. She graduated with a Second Class Upper Division in Law from the University of

Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1977 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978.

The remaining justices on the apex court’s bench are the CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola, Musa Dattijo, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, John Okoro, Uwani Abba-Aji, Garba Lawal, and Helen Morenikeji Ogunwumiju.

Others are Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Tijjani Abubakar, and Emmanuel Agim.

Meanwhile, the swearing-in ceremony of the new appellate court justices slated for Wednesday would be held at the Main Court auditorium of the Supreme Court.

The new justices include Hannatu Laja-Balogun from Kaduna State, who was appointed High Court Judge on May 24, 1999; and Binta Zubairu, also from Kaduna State, who

became High Court Judge on October 31, 2001.

Others are: Peter Obiora from Anambra State, who became High Court Judge on January 17, 2005; Okon Abang from Akwa Ibom State, appointed High Court Judge on June 22, 2009; Asma'u Mainoma from the Federal Capital Territory, appointed High Court Judge on February 1, 2013; Lateef Ganiyu from Oyo State, who became High Court Judge on June 26, 2014; and Jane Iyang from Cross River State, who was sworn-in as High Court Judge on February 12, 2015.

The rest are Hadiza Shagari from Sokoto State, who was elevated to the High Court Bench on February 12, 2015; and Paul Bassi from Borno State, appointed to the High Court on July 14, 2017.

Report: Lagos in ‘Bottom 10 Position’ in EIU’s Liveability Index 2023

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Economist Intelligence United (EIU) report on “The Global Liveability Index 2023: Optimism Amid Instability” has listed Lagos among 10 cities at the bottom of its ranking.

The EIU report, which ranked Lagos 170 out of 173 cities it surveyed, explained that the liveability survey quantified the challenges that might be presented to an individual’s lifestyle in 173 cities worldwide and provided a profile for each city.

The report noted that every city was rated across five broad categories, which are

stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure, adding that each factor in a city is rated as acceptable, tolerable, uncomfortable, undesirable or intolerable.

In the report, Lagos was ranked behind Douala, Cameroon and Harare, Zimbabwe that were ranked 164 and 166 respectively.

The EIU report added: “Even at the bottom of our rankings, cities such as Lagos (Nigeria) and Algiers (Algeria) have gained ground, with some improvements in their healthcare and education systems.

“Both are in countries that are energy exporters and have

to some extent benefited from higher global oil and gas prices. Although corruption continues to be an issue, some additional public funding has been made available for infrastructure and public services, which have also benefited from the decline in COVID cases.”

It added: “Damascus (Syria) and Tripoli (Libya) are still at the bottom of the list, held back by social unrest, terrorism and conflict. However, while Damascus has seen no improvement since last year, scores for Tripoli and other cities in the bottom 10 have improved as the pandemic has receded.”

According to the report Lagos

was awarded an index of 42.2 having scored 25.0 for stability; 37.5 for healthcare; 54.4 for culture and environment; 41.7 for education and 53.6 for infrastructure.

However, Vienna (Austria) came top on the ranking with an index of 98.4 that was garnered from scoring 100 points for stability, healthcare, education and infrastructure and 93.5 for culture and environment.

In contrast, Damascus (Syria) that took the last position in the ranking with an index of 30.7. It scored 20 for stability; 29.2 for healthcare; 40.5 for culture and environment; 33.3 for education and 32.1 for infrastructure.

The report stated that its findings

showed that the “EIU’s Liveability Index has risen significantly in the 2023 survey, reaching a 15-year high as the world moves on from the COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare and education score improved in many cities in Asia and the Middle East and Africa. However, scores for stability have slipped backwards since last year, amid several instances of civil unrest around the world.”

It also said that “Vienna (Austria) tops the rankings for 2023, owing to its winning combination of stability, good culture and entertainment, reliable infrastructure, and exemplary education and health services.

“It (Vienna) has occupied this position regularly over the past several years, with only the COVID-19 pandemic causing the city to vacate its place at the top spot.

“Copenhagen (Denmark) takes second place, while a shift towards normality after the pandemic has helped the Australian cities of Melbourne and Sydney to bounce back up the rankings to third and fourth place, following a sharp tumble in 2022. Three cities in Canada, two in Switzerland, and two in Asia (a New Zealand and a Japanese city are joint tenth) make up the rest of the top ten positions.”

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

L-R: Business Mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; the celebrant and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; his wife, Olori Tokunbo Gbadebo and His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi during the Royal Ball to mark the 80th birthday of the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday.

FOOD SECURITY ON THEIR MINDS...

NCC: Nigeria Needs Multifaceted Approach to Strengthen Digital Infrastructure, e-Payment System

Nume Ekeghe, Dike Onwuamaeze and Kayode Tokede

The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) has stated that a multi-faceted approach that would involve government agencies, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, technology providers, and the private sector was required to strengthen digital infrastructure for efficient and innovative e-payment systems in Nigeria.

This was declared in Lagos at the weekend, by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, at the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s (FICAN) annual conference with the theme “Strengthening Digital Infrastructure for Efficient Innovative Payment Systems in

Nigeria.”

Danbatta, who was represented by a Deputy Director of NCC, Mr. Anthony Ikemefuna, stressed the need to improve collaborative efforts between the NCC and financial regulators such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to enable proper coordination of policies and regulations related to digital payments and telecommunications.

He also called on telecom operators to support financial inclusion initiatives by partnering with banks and fintech companies to offer mobile banking and payment services to unbanked and underbanked populations.

He said that, “strengthening digital infrastructure for efficient and innovative payment systems in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted

India Sees World as One Family, Says Envoy

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Shri Balasubramanian, weekend, in Abuja, at the celebration of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day, said his country saw the world as one family.

Balasubramanian said, “The The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme embodies India's vision of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which means "the world is one family."

According to him, “ITEC, stands as a testament to India's commitment to nurturing global partnerships and extending a hand of friendship to countries around the world. For over five decades, ITEC has been a conduit for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and mutual growth. It exemplifies the spirit of SouthSouth cooperation and embodies the principles of equality, solidarity, and mutual respect among nations.

“Today, we come together to celebrate a significant occasion, the ITEC Day, a day that underscores the deep bonds of friendship and cooperation that India shares with its partner countries, including Nigeria. It is an honour for me, as the Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria, to stand before you and address this gathering on this auspicious day.

“ITEC serves as a powerful tool for forging partnerships and building bridges between nations.

It promotes people-to-people interactions, cultural exchanges, and a deeper understanding of each other's traditions and values.

“The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, is the leading capacity building platform of the Ministry Of External Affairs, Government of India. Instituted in 1964, ITEC is one of the oldest institutionalised arrangements for international capacity building having trained more than 200,000 officials from 160+ countries in both the civilian and in the defence sector.”

The envoy further stated that, “ITEC is about cooperation and partnership for mutual benefit. It is response-oriented, and it addresses the needs of developing countries. India possesses rich experience in the field of economic development as well as manpower skills and technology suited to the geographical and ecological conditions of partner countries.

“The professionals and people from ITEC partner countries are offered unique training courses in different centres of excellence in India which empower them with not just professional skills but prepare them for an increasingly globalized world. The training Programme is demand-driven, and subjects selected are of interest to partner countries for their working professionals on a wide range of skills and disciplines.

approach involving various stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, technology providers, and the private sector.”

He also identified some key strategies and the way forward that would enable the country to achieve this goal, which included investment in digital infrastructure, promotion of digital literacy and inclusion, the strengthening of regulatory frameworks, enhancement of cyber security measures and fostering of competition and innovation.

Others are building trust and encouraging consumers’ confidence, enduring data privacy and consent, as well as collaborate with private sector and ensuring government’s support and leadership, and monitoring and evaluation.

Danbatta, said investment in digital infrastructure was needed to, “expand and upgrade broadband and mobile network infrastructure, particularly in underserved and rural areas,” as well as investment “in data centers and reliable power supply to ensure the resilience and availability of digital payment systems.”

The NCC’s chief also harped on

the need to, “launch nationwide digital literacy campaigns to educate citizens, especially those in rural areas, about digital payment systems.

“Encourage the adoption of mobile banking and agency banking to reach unbanked and under-banked populations.

“Update and streamline regulatory frameworks to accommodate digital payment innovations while ensuring consumer protection, security, and financial stability. Collaborate with industry stakeholders to establish clear standards and interoperability requirements.

“Develop and enforce robust cyber security regulations to protect digital payment systems from cyber threats.

“Promote the adoption of encryption, multi-factor authentication, and fraud detection technologies.

“Promote a competitive environment by preventing monopolistic practices and ensuring fair market access for new players” and encouraging “fintech innovation through regulatory sandboxes and support for startups.”

He referred to digital infrastructure as the foundational technological components and systems that enable the functioning

and connectivity of digital services, applications, and data in today's information age, emphasing that these forms the backbone of the digital economy and society.

Danbatta, further stressed the need to encourage partnerships between financial institutions, telecom operators, and fintech companies to develop and deliver innovative digital payment solutions.

Meanwhile, the Head, Digital Banking, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Olukayode Olubiyi, said 85 per cent of transactions done by the UBA settle on its digital platform and argued that inadequate infrastructure posed one of the greatest challenges to Nigeria’s electronic payment.

Olubiyi, added that the dearth of operational and telecommunications facilities, as well as unstable power supply had slowed down the growth of electronic payment in the country.

He said: "Ultimately, it comes down to policy, regulation, and collaboration. If parties are willing to collaborate, many of the frictions currently experienced in the Nigeria financial service sector can be mitigated."

He added that banks faced

unprecedented e-payment failures during the period of cash scarcity in the first quarter of this year, which prompted ‘the urgent need for technological infrastructure upgrades."

According to him, the challenge of failed transactions in Nigeria's payment systems should necessitate collaborative effort among industry stakeholders and the implementation of appropriate policies and regulations.

Olubiyi also called for, "an increased collaboration among the CBN, telcos, commercial banks and fintechs to expand internet connectivity and seamless electronic transfers across the country.”

He added that, “uniformity in banking applications across the industry could significantly reduce the occurrence of failed or delayed payments."

Olubiyi stated that, “to combat fraud, it is imperative for the government, private sector organisations, and international partners to engage in strong and cohesive collaboration. Sharing intelligence and pooling resources will significantly contribute to the fight against cybercrime.”

Nigeria, Cuba Sign MoU On Food Security, Agriculture

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

On the sidelines of the G77 + China Leaders' Summit in Havana, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of Nigeria on food security and agriculture advancement with Cuba.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) was a historic journey to strengthen the ties between Nigeria and Cuba in the field of agriculture.

The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Agriculture of Cuba in the presence of officials from both countries.

During the pre-signing meeting, Kyari lauded the willingness of Cuba’s government to partner with Nigeria, noting that both countries share a common vision for their people.

The minister expressed heartfelt gratitude for the shared insights into Nigeria's pressing food and agricultural opportunities and challenges.

He also underlined Nigeria's demographic advantage, vast land resources, immense agricultural potential, promoting President Bola Tinubu's vision for food and nutrition security.

According to him: “It was in this spirit that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development evolved into the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security".

Kyari extended a hand of partnership to his Cuban counterparts with a focus on vital areas such as bio-fortification of agricultural produce, improvement of agricultural seeds and seedlings, agricultural mechanisation, cuttingedge technologies for increased

yields, and the reduction of post-harvest losses.

The minister also said, "Nigeria is keenly interested in collaborating with Cuba in the domains of poultry, livestock, and fisheries.

Key areas of cooperation include veterinary medicine, vaccine development, artificial insemination, and the development of pastures and ranching as essential components in curbing the challenges posed by inefficient open grazing of cattle.”

Others are training, capacity building, and knowledge transfer as the cornerstone of any thriving agricultural economy.

Also speaking, Cuba’s Minister of Agriculture, Ydael Jesus Perez Brito, who signed the MoU, told the Nigerian delegation about the island nation's agricultural prowess, admitting that the country has "over 500,000 hectares

under cultivation" and remains "a global player in the export of tobacco, coffee, honey, and other commodities."

Brito expressed delight at the opportunity to partner with Nigeria stating that his country would provide impactful cooperation in identified areas contained in the MoU.

The host minister highlighted Cuba's agricultural human capital and different models of practices which have raised its productivity.

He also explained that his country would deploy its wealth of experience to help Nigeria achieve its agriculture and food security policies.

Nigeria will benefit from Cuba’s agriculture capacity in areas such as bilateral relationship encompassing agricultural productivity, sustainability, knowledge sharing and technology transfer.

L-R: Cuba's Minister of Agriculture Ydael Jesus Perez Brito, Nigeria's minister of Agriculture and Food security, Senator Abubakar Kyari and the Nigeria's Ambassador to Cuba, Ben Okoye shortly after the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Cuba at the ministry of Agriculture, Cuba... weekend

Tinubu Nominates Ibrahim, Olawande as Youth Ministers

Sends their names to Senate for confirmation

Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Hammid Shittu in Ilorin and Fidelis David in Akure

President Bola Tinubu, has approved the nomination of Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youth

and Mr. Ayodele Olawande, as the Minister of State for Youth, pending their confirmation by the Senate in line with provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The President, according to a

AbdulRazaq, Tunji-Ojo congratulate nominees

release by his Media Adviser, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, yesterday, charged the two nominees to ensure that they consistently reflect the dynamism, innovative zeal, and unyielding productivity that were synonymous with the young people of Nigeria

as they discharge their duties. Ibrahim, a young medical doctor, recently served as the President of the Progressive Young Women Forum (PYWF), and also served as the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Sustainable

Obi in Bangladesh, Says SMEs Key to Global Economic Growth, Rapid Expansion

The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has underscored the importance of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) to global economic growth.

He also explained why small businesses are the engine of growth across the globe, especially in areas of job creation, innovation, and domestic investment.

Obi’s position was contained in the remarks he made over the weekend, at a global conference organised by the Bangladesh Government in conjunction with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The Labour Party standard bearer argued in his address at the international conference that SMEs are emerging as the undisputed engine of rapid economic expansion and growth globally.

Buttressing his position with various data, Obi noted that, "World Bank records (2020), show that SMEs account for roughly 90 per cent of businesses and more than 50 per cent of jobs created globally. While formal SMEs contribute up to 40 per cent of national income (GDP) in developing and emerging markets (DEMs), their impact and contribution are significantly higher when informal ones are included, he cited a World Bank report.

According to the former Anambra state Governor, “In Bangladesh, SMEs contribute about 40 per cent to GDP, in Nigeria 48 per cent and China 60 per cent with about seven out of every 10 formal jobs created by SMEs.

It has the same immense impact in India where SMEs account for over 40 per cent, of the total

workforce, Obi added.

Obi urged the Commonwealth nations to pay very special attention to small businesses, which he said had proven to be the fulcrum upon which sustainable and inclusive growth and development can be achieved across Commonwealth countries.

He noted that, "If we enhance the functionality and impacts of SMEs across Commonwealth countries through formalisation and internationalisation, we would have done it across the world with lives, communities, and economies positively impacted.

“Endowed with a population of about 2.5 billion people, a home to over a billion young consumers and exports of over $1 trillion, the need for better support for SMEs cannot be over-emphasised."

He further explained that small businesses, especially in developing and emerging markets, faced many challenges arising from lack of formalisation and internationalisation.

He revealed that many small businesses were not registered and licenced and lacked international affiliations, export less than large companies, and barely exploit the benefits of international trade, which limits the growth opportunities of both the SMEs and the countries.

"To harness the full contributions and impacts of SMEs, Obi admonished that reforms such as proper formalisation and internationalisation are needed to address the identified challenges.

“Formalisation involves bringing SMEs into the formal economy through registration of their businesses and complying with legal and regulatory requirements.

“Expectedly, the process of formalisation will be beneficial not only to the SMEs but the overall business environment and economic stability as significant segments of SMEs operate in the informal sector due to a lack of resources or awareness of the formalisation benefits.”

Noting that this limits their access to credit, markets, and government support which consequently results in reduced investment, innovation, and growth opportunities.

"Proper formalisation and internationalisation of SMEs particularly in today’s globalised economy therefore require urgency and full support of all stakeholders as it allows SMEs to tap into global markets, access international resources, and grow their businesses with immeasurable positive global impacts," Obi said.

Obi further explained that this was critical especially to Commonwealth nations, as they control a combined wealth of about $150 trillion, which is over 10 times their combined GDP of about $14.5 trillion today, and over 30 times the global trade and export value of about $4.8 trillion.

Arguing further on the untapped benefits, Obi said the Commonwealth, despite controlling one-third of the global population only contributes below 15 per cent of the World GDP of $100 trillion and with a global GDP per capita of $10,700; while that of the Commonwealth is $3500.

“This shows a huge growth potential, which can be enhanced by investment in SMEs where the bulk of the youths are domiciled, especially within the Commonwealth family.

"SMEs in Commonwealth countries are essential drivers of economic development and poverty reduction. Formalisation and internationalisation are crucial pathways to unlocking their potential, fostering innovation, and increasing competitiveness.”

While noting that the challenges are many, Obi stated that supportive policies, capacity-building initiatives, and strategic partnerships could empower SMEs to thrive in the global economy.

“And by investing in the formalisation and internationalisation of SMEs, the sustainable socioeconomic growth and development of Commonwealth Organisation and Countries can be significantly enhanced.”

On the sidelines of the conference Obi in a meeting with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H. E Sheikh Hasina, congratulated her and her team for what they have been able to achieve in their nation, with the support of SMEs in the last 15 years, noting, however, that more still needed to be done.

Obi at the meeting corroborated with the Managing Director of City Bank in Bangledesh, Mashrur Arefin, that 80 per cent of job creation and a higher percentage of growth in Bangledesh today were created by SMEs.

He said, "This shows an example of what I have said over the years. In 2009 when I visited Bangladesh, their GDP was $102 billion, with a GDP per capita of $688. Today, their GDP is $460 billion and a GDP per capita of $2700.

“Their unemployment rate in June 2009 was between nine and 10 per cent, today it is below five per cent.

Development Goals (SDGs).

On his part, Olawande was a community development expert and youth leader in the governing All Progressives' Congress (APC). He recently served in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Innovation from 2019 to 2023.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has commended President Bola Tinubu over the nomination of Ibrahim as a ministerial nominee.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor described Jamila’s nomination as one that satisfied two major developmental milestones of youth empowerment and gender inclusion in the decision-making process in Nigeria. He commended Tinubu for conceding yet another ministerial

slot to Kwara, in what suggested a commendable direction to rightly accord the state its deserved flowers for the loyalty of its people to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Relatedly, the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has applauded the nomination of Olawande as the Minister of State for youth by Tinubu.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Babatunde Alao, the minister noted that the nomination further proved the president's knack for identifying talents and potentials within the youth demography.

"The RenewedHope agenda is one that we are confident will flourish, given your ability to not only recognise talents but also to fostering environment where merit can truly thrive," he said.

Abbas Hails Cardoso, Usoro, Dattijo, Others' Nomination as CBN Governor, Deputies

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the calibre of persons he has nominated to manage the affairs of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity of the Speaker, Mr. Musa Abdullahi Krishi, he described those nominated as eggheads in the financial and economic sectors.

Abbas, noted that they have what it takes to reposition the CBN.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Friday, nominated Dr. Olayemi Cardoso as the new Governor of the CBN.

The president also approved the nomination of four new Deputy Governors of the CBN. They are Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, Emem Nnan Usoro, Philip Ikeazor and Bala M. Bello.

The Speaker noted that Cardoso, a financial expert and a banker of many years standing, would certainly bring his experience to bear in his

new role as the CBN governor.

Abbas, specifically commended the president for considering Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, from Kaduna State for a position in the CBN, noting that the nominee had been a good ambassador of the state.

Dattijo, a former Commissioner for Planning and Budget under the administration of Governor Nasir el-Rufai, was a policy adviser at the Executive Office of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in New York.

He later served as the Chief of Staff to El-rufai during the latter's second tenure as governor of Kaduna State.

The nominee has a master’s degree in Development Economics and Policy from the University of Manchester and another master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also has several certificates, including in Sustainable Development at the Columbia University, USA; Public Finance at the London School of Economics, and Advanced Project Management at the Oxford University, UK.

with former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu; at the 20th Anniversary of Etsu Nupe in Niger... yesterday

MBAH SIGNS ENUGU STATE ELECTRICITY BILL INTO LAW…

L-R:

Atiku’s Aide Accuses Tinubu of Massive Propaganda with 15 Media Advisers

Emmanuel Addeh and Chuks

Okocha in Abuja

Phrank Shaibu, an aide to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has raised the alarm over alleged plans by President Bola Tinubu to unleash a regime of propaganda in the coming days.

The Special Assistant on Public Communication to the former vice president said in a statement yesterday that the ‘fake news’ regarding the lifting of the visa ban by the United Arab Emirates was just a “tip of the iceberg”.

Shaibu noted that Tinubu had already appointed over 15 media

aides with the sole aim of pushing misinformation as a policy of state and distracting Nigerians from the deep pains his administration has caused them.

He noted that this has always been Tinubu’s style from his days as governor and leader of his party.

“From information available to us, Bola Tinubu is set to push propaganda to overdrive as he heads out for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He will claim to have attracted foreign investments amounting to $100 billion, but will fail to provide key details.

“It is all propaganda. It is all a load of baloney. In India, he claimed they had received

Bauchi Flags Off Distribution of Palliatives to Vulnerable Persons

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has flagged off the distribution of food and non-food items as palliatives to vulnerable persons in the state to alleviate the negative impact of the removal of fuel subsidy in the country.

Major components of the exercise include distribution of about 89,000 bags of rice to 20 local governments areas, payment of N10,000 each to the most vulnerable citizens, provision of mass transportation buses and payment of students’ scholarship.

It also includes payment of outstanding gratuities and leave grant to retired and active civil servants as well as payment of special allowances to volunteer health workers, casual workers and environmental sanitation agents

Flagging off the distribution of the palliatives in Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammed, said as a result of the removal of subsidy on fuel by the federal government, President Bola Tinubu introduced palliative packages in the country that would cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

While appreciating Tinubu for responding to the feelings of

people, the governor stressed that the gesture would complement his administration's economic empowerment initiatives which according to him lifted a number of families out of poverty.

He said the removal of subsidy on fuel led to hike in prices of commodities, cost of transportation and other services, adding that the development translated into an increase in the cost of living with more people pushed into the poverty level.

The governor said part of the palliative intervention by the federal government included the distribution of five trailer loads of rice and N5 billion to each state in cash and in kind, adding that the palliative was made up of a grant of 52 per cent, with the remaining 48 per cent as a loan payable over a period of 20 months to support states to provide additional palliatives.

Mohammed, said the sum of N2 billion had been released from the federal government while arrangements were being made to access the remaining money in addition to more grains from the CBN and the federal government’s committee on palliation which would be distributed.

pledges of over $14 billion just as his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari, claimed in 2018 that he had secured pledges of up to $6 billion. This is nothing but audio investments.

“Last month, the NNPC claimed to have obtained a loan of $3 billion with which it would help stabilise the naira. We raised the alarm that it was all a ruse to deceive Nigerians. Now, we have been justified as the naira is now approaching $1/N1,000 on the black market,” Shaibu stated.

According to the Atiku’s aide, fter his trip to the UAE, Tinubu claimed the visa ban had been lifted immediately, insisting that the government has now shifted the goalpost after the UAE authorities revealed that the news was false.

“This is the sort of embarrassment Nigeria will continue to attract in this season

of balablu. A report by FTSE revealed that Tinubu’s so-called FX unification policy was failing and Nigeria was degraded from frontier market to unclassified. “Having failed to bring economic rebirth, he has now recruited over 15 media aides instead of recruiting more economic experts,” Shaibu added. He listed the media aides as: Ajuri Ngelale (Special Adviser Media and Publicity); Tunde Rahman (SSAP Media); Tope Ajayi (SSAP Media and Publicity); Abdulaziz Abdulaziz (SSAP Print Media) and Otega Ogara (SSAP Digital/New Media).

Others, he said include: Segun Dada (SAP Social Media); Nosa Asemota (SAP Visual Communications); Sunday Moses (PA Videography) and Taiwo Okonlawon (PA State photography).

He listed others as: Moremi

Ojudu (SAP, community engagement southwest); Tanko Yakasai (SAP, community engagement northwest); Chioma Nweze (SAP, community engagement southeast)., Abiodun Essiet (SAP, community engagement north-central); Abdulhamid Yahaya Abba (SAP, community engagement northeast) and Emmanuella Eduozor (SAP, multimedia content production).

“This is apart from the minister of information and others appointed in the ministry to drive the propaganda agenda,” he alleged.

Shaibu said it was laughable that Tinubu, who vowed to hit the ground running from the first day, had held only one cabinet meeting since his inauguration, nearly 120 days ago.

He asked Nigerians to remain patient as the Supreme Court

prepares to commence work on the election petition appeal.

“Tinubu removed petrol subsidy without any plan whatsoever and decided to hand over a few bags of rice to millions of poor Nigerians. Till date, the minimum wage remains N30,000 or $31 per month based on the parallel market exchange rate.

“This is the punishment Nigerians are facing because the election management body failed to do its work on February 25. This is a manifestation of the words of the Holy Book, which says when the righteous lead, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people suffer.

“In the meantime, we ask Nigerians to remain patient as the judicial authorities do their job in righting the electoral fraud that has brought Nigerians to their knees,” he said.

PEPC: PDP, LP, APM Confident of Meeting Tuesday S’Court’s Deadline

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), had expressed confidence that they would meet the Tuesday, September 19 deadline, to submit their presidential petition appeal to the Supreme Court.

The PEPC had on September 6 dismissed the petitions by the former vice President and the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; the LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi and the APM presidential petitions for lack of merit.

This was as a group led by Senator Victor Oyofo, D37, a body canvassing support for the presidential campaigns, told THISDAY that the mood of Nigerians at the moment was justice and not judgement from

the apex court.

Atiku had also personally confirmed meeting with members of the D37 on his verified X account (Tweeter Account), saying, "It was great hosting a delegation of the D37 group led by Senator Kassim Oyofo, yesterday.

“In my interactions with them, it was reassuring that there's still a large number of Nigerians, who are prepared to join hands with other patriots to pull our country out of its current quagmire."

Also, Atiku's aide on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, has said the lawyers to the former vice president and the PDP Presidential candidate had completed their documentations and would file their papers today, Monday.

According to him, "The lawyers have done their documentations and briefed the former vice

president and therefore will be at the Supreme court on Monday.

"You know that constitutionally, the petitions must be filed 14 days after the judgement of the PEPC. Under the Circumstances, we will be in the court on Monday. We will not take chances of coming late because we don't want to be caught by any technicality. We will always want to be on the side of the law," he explained. He said the lawyers had done all that needed to be done and would therefore not want to be taken unawares.

In the same manner, spokesperson of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Yunusa Tanko, also said Obi’s legal team would file an appeal at the Supreme Court tomorrow, Tuesday.

While noting that, Obi had no plans of changing members of

his legal team, Tanko, alongside the National Legal Adviser of LP, Kehinde Edun, told journalists that, “I just confirmed that we have not filed the appeal. That will be done between now and Tuesday.

“We are also not seeking to engage or tweak our team of lawyers. We have not filed the appeal, yet, because we are still within the time frame. It will be done any moment from now. Our legal team is still intact. They are some of our best hands. There is no reason to change them since we do not doubt their capabilities.”

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, is expected to constitute the Supreme Court panel that will hear the appeal arising from the judgment of the Presidential Election Petitions Court latest on Wednesday.

We need justice, not judgement, Oyofo’s group declares

Chief of Staff to the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Victor Udeh; Secretary to State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; Deputy Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ezenta Ezeani; and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, during the signing of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023 by the governor at the Government House Enugu, weekend.

As Rivers APC Youth Accuse Tinubu of Neglect...

On Monday, September 4, 2023, a group, Concerned Youths of Rivers State APC, took to the streets, protesting over what “we have observed with total dismay, shock and a deep sense of abandonment at the continued neglect of members of the APC in Rivers State; most especially we, the younger generation.”

In an open letter handed to newsmen, the youth expressed regrets over the appointment of non-party members by President Bola Tinubu, saying it amounted to rewarding people who had used everything within their reach to fight APC’s growth in Rivers State.

The open letter, signed by the concerned youth party members from across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, went further to enumerate the sad situations that had befallen members of the party since 2015 and particularly during the last general elections.

“It is important to note that what we have as APC in Rivers State today are a combination of individuals who joined your journey from the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) or even the grand merger of the All Progressives Congress (APC). These individuals exist, and have over the years devoted their time, energy, and resources to ensuring the progressive spirit remains resolute in Rivers State.

“Years have past and today our efforts have now yielded fruits in your election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; sadly, rather than relax and enjoy the fruits of our labour in your victory, we are faced with what we consider as total disregard, neglect and victimisation by the same system we have toiled and suffered for over the years.

“We are amazed that under our government, card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Rivers State are being appointed and nominated into Federal Boards, Parastatals and Agencies at the detriment of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

“This is a party that has severally suffered the high-handedness of the PDP and its leaders in the

State who committed every resource at their disposal against us. These actions over the years have caused us pain, agony and loss. Most recently, we lost our fellow party member, Chiosom Lennard, during his attempt to defend the mandate of our great party from the hands of overzealous members of the opposition; properties damaged, and dreams shattered all because we stood for this party,” the youth stated.

They lamented that recent developments of appointing non-party members have left APC members in the state “nonplussed and extremely perturbed.”

“Sir, it is important to take a look at the provisions in our parties constitution: Article 9 (3) (iii) of the APC constitution states as follows “APC-led Governments at all levels shall accord qualified members of the party priority in appointments to positions in ministries, departments and agencies.

“As loyal party members of the APC who have paid our dues and made enormous sacrifices for the Party at different times right from its formative

stages up till the general elections that ushered in your government, we find this situation utterly worrisome, especially, in light of our party’s misfortunes in the State which is very much known to the President”.

According to them, “we vehemently and outrightly condemn and reject the continued nomination PDP chieftains into federal boards, agencies and parastatals in our own government at the expense of our party in the State.

“We consider these nominations and appointments grossly offensive and a clear disregard to the sensibilities of our teeming loyal supporters as well as a threat to the continual survival of our party as they tend to further arm the PDP against the APC in Rivers State. This is not only capable of weakening the party further in the State, but also undermines party loyalty and commitment.

“We are fully aware of the disconnect between the state and federal organs of the party, which originated from the disrespectful hobnobbing and statements by some allies of Your Excellency who openly dined with the PDP actors in the State; and fueled by rumors, lies and the antics of same players. This is well known to us but shouldn’t be our waterloo.

“We call on Your Excellency who we know is a total party man and understands too well the importance of party sustenance through effective reward system, to quickly look into the matter and make amends in the interest of the party and its teeming members in Rivers State.

“We also invite you Mr. President to pay further attention to the provisions of Article 9 (3) (iii) of the APC constitution which states as follows “APC-led Governments at all levels shall accord qualified members of the party priority in appointments to positions in ministries, departments and agencies.”

While agreeing that the president has the prerogative of deciding who to appoint into any position he deems fit, they appealed to him to exercise such powers considerately in fairness to members of his party in Rivers State.

“Sir, It is our belief that you can find eminently experienced and highly qualified individuals in the party in Rivers State who can occupy

such exalted position or any other position without jeopardizing his renewed hope agenda. Therefore, we appeal to you, Mr. President, to look within and pick a member of our party for such appointment in line with Article 9 (3) (iii) of the APC constitution,” they summed up.

The nomination of Boma Iyaye (from Rivers) as the Executice Director, Finance and Administration was received with condemnation from other members of the APC in Rivers State, wondering why President Tinubu would abandon his party members and patronize those who never campaigned for, nor supported his presidential ambition.

According to a party member, Mr Sokari John, he said it is disheartening and regretable that the president could give all appointments due to the state so far to members of the PDP, while his own party members wallow in regrets.

He noted that President Tinubu was laying a very dangerous precedence that will hunt the APC for a long time to come, adding that members fought with blood, death and sweat to make the party stay alive in Rivers State.

Another party member, Chinedu Ahunanya, said he regretted ever supporting the APC at the general elections, while adding that several members of the party were threatened and injured for daring to preach the gospel of the APC in Rivers State.

“I have always had enormous respect for Asiwaju Tinubu, but I must say that I am terribly disappointed with his handling of APC in Rivers State.

“Where were these people when we laid down our lives for the APC to thrive in Rivers State? The people being appointed today never saw anything good in the party. Is this how a leader should behave? What moral right will he have to talk to us again? I am indeed disappointed with his style of politics.”

Recall that other states had protested in like manner, where members of opposition party had been nominated into the NDDC board, with the president being forced to replace them. Ondo and Cross River had vehemently protested the nominations of Victor Kolade Akinjo and Asu Oku Okang respectively.

Barau: Legislative Activism as Deputy Senate President

Ismail Mudashir writes about the legislative activities of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, since the 10th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 13, 2023.

On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, the 10th Senate will mark its first 100 days following its inauguration on June 13, this year. The inauguration of the par- liament followed President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation, via a letter to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambawal, in line with Section 64(3) of the 1999 Constitution.

The first duty of the Senators was the election of the presiding officers – the President of the Senate and the Deputy Senate President. After a keen contest, Senator Godswill Akpabio, from Akwa Ibom State, emerged as the President of the Senate, defeating Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State. Apparently, because of his rare personality traits, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, a fourth timer at the National Assembly (three times in the Senate – 2015 to date and once in the House of Representatives – 1999 -2003) emerged as the Deputy President of the Senate unopposed as all his colleagues threw their weight behind him.

Three weeks after the emergence of the two presiding officers, eight principal officers were named, thus the leadership of the 10th Senate was duly constituted. With the constitution of the leadership, the lawmakers got the parliamentary work started as urged by the President of the Senate, Senator Akpabio, in his speech on July 4, 2023, titled, “Let’s get the work started.”

On July 6, Senator Barau, for the first time, presided over the plenary session. During the session, five motions were moved including the one on Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

After the July 6 session which attracted applause from across the Red Chamber and beyond, Senator Barau had presided over the plenary on other occasions in the absence of the President of the Senate in the last 100 days.

Among the critical motions sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate during the period under review was the one on the poor state of road infrastructure and the menace of gully erosion in the country. Also to his credit was a motion on the emergence of President Tinubu as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Four bills of the Deputy President of the Senate, including the one on the creation of a development commission to fast-track the development of the country, have been introduced at the Red Chamber.

Balanced appointments

Recognizing the heterogeneous nature of the country, the Deputy Senate President selected his seven

key appointees from across the country - four were drawn from Kano State - two from the southern part of the country - Oyo and Imo states, and one from Kwara State - North Central geopolitical zone.

The appointees who hail from Kano State include the Chief of Staff, Professor Muhammad Ibn Abdullahi; the Special Adviser (Policy & Monitoring), Professor Bashir Muhammad Fagge; the Special Adviser (Political), Yusuf Aliyu Tumfafi and the Special Assistant (Media & Publicity), Shitu Madaki Kunchi.

The Special Adviser (Media & Publicity), Ismail Mudashir, hails from Kwara State; the Special Adviser (Special Duties), Idris Abiola Ajimobi from Oyo State; and the Special Adviser (Administration), Mrs. Ngozi Ndawi Nkemdirim, from Imo State.

Commendations have followed what has been described by lawmakers, media practitioners, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders in the country as balanced appointments.

Constituents driven representation

For Senator Barau, his representation has been constituents and pro-masses driven. Hence the unfettered access he grants to people from Kano North, Kano State, and beyond; the old, young, rich, and poor; APC members and members of other parties.

For instance, in August, 2023, he instituted a scholarship programme through which hundreds of tertiary institution students from Kano North Senatorial District were given N50,000 each. The programme was flagged off at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

Before the scholarship scheme, the Deputy President of the Senate had paid WAEC and NECO fees for hundreds of secondary school students.

To boost agriculture in the state, Senator Barau also distributed fertiliser to farmers

across the 44 local government areas of the state. This initiative, according to beneficiaries, would enhance their output and contribute towards the attainment of food security in the state and country at large.

On September 6, the people of Rimindako community in Bagwai LGA of Kano State, through a human rights activist, Muhammad Zubair, lauded the Deputy President of the Senate for the construction of Yasanya bridge and access road in their community.

Keeping parliament alive during recess

Even with the annual recess embarked upon by the parliament on August 7, the office of the Deputy President of the Senate has been active, five days a week (Mondays – Fridays), with Senator Barau performing official engagements. During the period, he met with ministers, heads of agencies, civil society/pressure groups including the promoters of Tiga and Gari states, clerics, and party leaders, among others.

During their visit, stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano North Senatorial District, led by Hon. Sani Mukaddas, hailed Senator Barau, describing him as an exceptional lawmaker and leader.

In the same vein, a forum of former zonal women leaders of the APC has thumped up Senator Barau, saying he is not discriminatory in his dealings with all.

“Continue to support us, we won’t disappoint you, Insha Allah,’’ were the words of the Deputy President of the Senate to those who visited him. He also assured them of the commitment of the parliament to support the executive with the necessary legislation to address the challenges facing the nation.

-Mudashir is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Deputy President of the Senate

Barau

All is not well in the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State as youths are disenchanted with President Bola Tinubu for neglecting his party despite all they have had to endure in the hands of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state, writes Wale Igbintade

Tinubu

RATES AS AT SEPTEMBER 15,2023

At 2.66tn, Currency in Circulation Hits Record High in 2023

Kayode Tokede

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that currency in circulation increased to N2.66trillion in August from N2.6trillion in July amid rising inflation in Nigeria.

The reported N2.66trillion as of August is the highest so far this year. Currency in circulation has gained 2.48per cent Monthon-Month and dropped by 17.14 per cent Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y), respectively.

Nigeria’s inflation rate, according to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) increased to 25.80 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) in August 2023 from 20.52 per cent in August 2022, driven by money supply, exchange rate, net exports, interest rates, fiscal

factors, agro-climatic factor, and real output.

In August, the country’s inflation figure hit the highest in more than 10 years, according to analysis by THISDAY.

The amount of currency in circulation in Nigeria fluctuated in the first half of 2023. In January, it stood at N1.39trillion and fell to N982.097 billion in February.

However, currency circulation rose to N1.68 trillion in March. In April, May, and June, it increased to N2.48 trillion, N2.53 trillion, and N2.60 trillion, respectively.

In October 2022, the CBN announced that it would be redesigning three of the existing banknotes: the N200, N500, and N1000 notes. The new notes were due to be circulated on December 15, 2022, while the

old notes would remain legal tender until January 31, 2023.

In August 2022, the currency in circulation had fallen to N2.78trillion from N2.81trillion in July. In June, it was N2.74trillion and in May, N2.79trillion. It stood at N2.79trillion in April and N2.8trillion in March.

It amounted to N2.78trillion and N2.83trillio in February and January respectively.

Finance Expert, and Vice President, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori hinted that excess liquidity towards the “Bear” months contributed to growth in currency in circulation, stressing that Nigerians are finding it difficult to embrace the cashless policy of the CBN. According to him: “The market currently is awash with excess

liquidity and it is due to season of the year. CBN interventions in the foreign exchange and other key sectors of the nation’s economy are factors contributing to hike in currency in circulation.”

He explained further that Nigeria is still more of a cash economy amid infrastructure challenges.

“Someone can blame infrastructure deficit to CBN’s good intention of making Nigeria a cashless society. The infrastructure that will make the cashless policy work is missing compared to what we have in Kenya,” he explained.

Speaking, Head, of Financial Institutions Ratings at Agusto & Co, Mr. Ayokunle Olubunmi noted that it vastly because of the spill over effect of the cash

crunch and that average Nigerians are hoarding the new notes and are not depositing in the banks because of distrust in electronic banking.

He said: “The increase in currency outside the banking system is something that is expected because of how the naira redesign policy was implemented. An average Nigerian recall what we suffered and because it was suspended till December, a lot of people are preparing themselves for what would happen in December and most people are hoarding the new notes.”

He noted that because Nigeria just concluded an election, there are a lot of funds still circulating in the economy and that confidence in electronic banking

has not returned to pre-policy. He added that with a new administration, the uncertainty of the naira redesign implementation and its effect on currency in circulation should be closely monitored.

The CBN said currency management has faced several challenges in recent years, including counterfeiting, the use of cash for illegal activities, and the hoarding of banknotes by members of the public. At the time the CBN introduced currency redesign policy, it explained that over 80 per cent of the currency in circulation was outside the vaults of commercial banks.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

UNWTO: Nigeria, Others Spend on Tourism Will Hit $261.77bn by 2050

Ugo Aliogo

A report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Tourism has projected consumer spending on tourism, hospitality and recreation will reach about $261.77 billion by 2025.

The report revealed that tourism generated $11.7 billion and created 9.1 million direct jobs within the sector in 2022.

Also, the 2023 Hotel and Hospitality Industry Confidence Index indicated expanding number of hotels across Africa.

In the same vein, Statista has forecasted an average annual growth rate of 8.68 per cent over

the next five years and hotel market revenue of $13.80billion by 2027.

Speaking at the Pyne-NESG Africa Conference, with the theme: “Tourism in Africa: Catalyst for Accelerated Economic Empowerment,” the President of the Aircraft and Owners Pilot Association of Nigeria (AOPA), Dr. Alex Nwuba, said on a subregional basis, tourism contributes most to East Africa’s gross domestic products (GDP) (5.5 per cent), followed by Southern Africa (3.4 per cent) and West Africa (2 per cent), with tourism contributing just 1.7 per cent to Central Africa’s GDP.

He also noted that the sector

accounts for almost half of all service exports in Sub-Sahara African (SSA) (49.7 per cent), adding that Southern Africa receives almost 40 per cent of all the tourist receipts ($13 billion per year), of which 91per cent go to South Africa.

He remarked that in East Africa, Kenya, Mauritius and Tanzania receive over $1 billion in tourist receipts, noting that In West Africa, Ghana and Nigeria are the biggest tourism earners accounting for 60 per cent of all sub regional receipts.

Also speaking at the conference, the Malawian Minister for Tourism, Vera Kamtukule, said

Africa needs to redefine and change the trajectory of what tourism should be and focus more on authenticity and rely on themselves.

Kamtukule added: “We need to inculcate a culture of celebrating ourselves. There is no one sitting in their offices outside the walls of this continent that is thinking about elevating us they are actually thinking about how to exploit us. So, we need to start doing these things. The second thing that I want to highlight is that we need to get rid of predatory marketing which puts one African country as the angel and another country as a

demon. We will say oh, don’t go to Nigeria because it is not safe to go to Nigeria, but go to another country. We need to get rid of that.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Board Member, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Udeme Ufot, said the conference is coming at a time when continental economic integration is a critical focus in lieu of the advent of AfCFTA that guarantees free movement of persons, goods, capital and services, thus ensuring that intra-African tourism is now fully enabled and all efforts should be made to drive tourist traffic across the

MARKET DATA AS AT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

continent, and seamlessly too, adding that negotiation of all relevant tourism Protocols should be concluded speedily.

Udeme added: “The theme of this year’s conference is apt, as evidence abounds from other continents as to how the tourism sector has been a tool for economic empowerment, especially for the women and youth segment, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, the rising contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP of African nations is evident, resulting in Nigeria creating a separate Ministry of Tourism for the first time in history.”

PTAD Disburses N846.14m Arrears, Gratuity to Pensioners

James

Emejo in Abuja

The acting Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Mr. Sulayman Shelleng, has said a total sum of N846.14 million had been paid to 2,730 pensioners of the Civil Service Pension Department as their accrued arrears and gratuity.

He said the arrears paid to the retirees ranged from previously verified pensioners not on the payroll, those who did not receive their gratuity on retirement, and failed payments on the GIFMIS platform.

Shelling, however, assured that the payment will continue until all accrued arrears are paid, urging other pensioners who are yet to receive their arrears to be calm as the directorate is working tirelessly to ensure that all outstanding

arrears of pensions and gratuity are paid soon.

In a statement issued by PTAD’s Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Olugbenga Ajayi, Shelleng further assured DBS pensioners of the directorate’s continued strive to ensure that their welfare is given priority.

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) is a wholly treasury-funded extraministerial agency supervised by the Federal Ministry of Finance and regulated by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Prior to PTAD’s establishment and the commencement of operations in August 2013, the DBS administration under the old pension offices faced overwhelming challenges. These challenges were an accumulation of a number of negative incidents and inactions on the part of the

old pension offices that resulted in the absence of a comprehensive database of pensioners, reports of ghost beneficiaries, allegations of pervasive fraud, administrative bottlenecks in accessing pension services, poor funding of pension liabilities, as well as poor delivery of service to pensioners.

For many years, these challenges led to huge losses in government funds and ultimately denied many pensioners their pension benefits for decades while some of them paid the supreme price in the pursuit of their entitlements.

Essentially, PTAD’s operations and service delivery model were therefore designed to reform the marred history of pension administration in Nigeria, and to improve the provision of pension services to pensioners; some of who are among the oldest retired government workers.

Customs Partners Benin Republic to Curb Trans-Border Crimes

James Emejo in Abuja

The acting Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, has expressed his commitment to collaborate with the Benin Republic to enhance trans-border security and regulate trade between both countries.

He also said the partnership will enable both agencies to prepare the way for an in-depth mechanism to harmonise the import prohibition lists by the two countries.

Speaking when he officially received Senior Officers of Benin Customs, led by its Director-General, Alain Hinkati, for bilateral talks in Abuja, Adeniyi further reiterated his commitment to curb smuggling and unlawful trade through the borders. He said, “We deemed it necessary

to meet and form a strong agreement that will support our strategic plans to implement technological-base measures of clearing and tracking of items at our borders.”

In a statement issued by its spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, the acting CGC, however, said the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had also concluded plans to promote good relations with border communities with a view to actualizing full participation of private sectors and frameworks of border Customs Units.

He praised the Benin Customs and Embassy for expressing interest in collaborating with Nigeria to enhance trade facilitation.

Adeniyi said, “The customs administration in both countries

PENCOM Sensitises Civil Society Organisations on Developments in Pension Industry

have a very good idea and technical know-how on what it means with trade; thus, we are back with a renewed enthusiasm to foster our relationship and make an impact on our trade facilitation roadmap.

“We hope that the programme will address the issues of trade and set a roadmap for the implementation of new strategies that will enhance the economy and revenue in Nigeria and Benin Republic.”

On his part, however, Hinkati, said both agencies needed to develop ideas to address transit issues and other progressive measures, adding that the increasing global security challenges and the need for cooperation among customs administrations cannot be overemphasised as this will boost their respective economies.

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) hosted a Sensitisation Conference for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at an event held in Abuja. Aisha Dahir-Umar, the Director General of PenCom, opened the Conference with an address which underscored the importance of promoting continuous interaction and information flow between PenCom and CSOs on recent developments in the pension industry.

The event, which marked the third in its series, aimed to highlight the critical roles CSOs play as a link between government agencies and the public. PenCom recognises the value of enlightenment and engagement with civil society for a more robust and inclusive future pension industry.

elopment

WIMA Tasks Oyetola on Ease of Doing Business, Seafarers Dev

Gilbert Ekugbe

Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA) Nigeria Chapter, has charged the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola on the need to create the enabling environment for maritime operators to thrive.

The President, WIMA-Nigeria, Mrs. Rollens Macfoy, whomade the call during a press briefing in Lagos, lamented the high cost of doing business in the maritime industry, explaining that a conducive business community is the heart of any economy that seeks to diversify

its economic revenue base.

According to her, the Minister should create a one-stop shop for barge operations in the country, bemoaning that it is presently very difficult to register barges and vessels in the country.

In her words, “Ease of doing business is the heart of any economy. A situation where it is so difficult to register barges, it is difficult to register vessels is not encouraging for stakeholders in the industry. We should have a one-stop shop for barge operations to ensure smooth operations, because at the end of day, it is the end user that takes it all

the cost.”

She also called on the Minister to deepen his engagement with the critical stakeholders in the seafaring space, adding that seafaring is a very lucrative and viable sector that can earn foreign exchange for the nation.

“Seafarers should be critically taken care of. He must close meetings with people that are directly involved to know exactly what is going on. A lot is happening in the seafaring space which is so discouraging. A lot needs to be done because our children are going into these schools,” she lamented.

Reliance Infosystems to Bridge Digital Skills Gap with Career Development

Emma Okonji

Reliance Infosystems Group, a career development platform, through its subsidiaries, Modiva Tech, Cloud Base and PlungeSmile, is set to bridge the digital skills gap in the country and enhance investment opportunities for Startups.

The group, which is into career development and digital skills training, has stressed the need for more Nigerians to be involved in its free online training in order to bridge the digital skills gap in the country.

Speaking at a career development forum organised by Reliance Infosystems for career professionals, young

school graduates and students in Lagos recently, the Vice President, Startup Ecosystem, Reliance Infosystems Limited, Mr. Andy Eberechukwu Akukwe, said the forum was organised for career professionals, young school graduates and students, including Startups who already have business ideas that they want to further develop.

Akukwe further said: “What we do basically is to train people and develop their technology skills and capabilities. We have training hub and interested persons register online and they receive virtual training from seasoned facilitators. People are trained in Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence

(AI), Robotics, Data Analytics, Business Application, among others. The training is free and trainees can have access to our facilities and resources free of charge. After training, we help them connect to jobs that are ready and to investors that are interested in investing in their solutions. Our key partner is Microsoft and our trainees have access to Microsoft solutions.”

According to him, PlungeSmile is a Foundation of Reliance Group that provides scholarship and access to quality education, and it is involved in free feeding initiative in selected schools in South-west Nigeria, and has donated over 550 books to pupils and students.

Significantly, the Director General’s address highlighted the robust growth in the pension industry in 2023 despite economic challenges. Pension assets recorded a significant increase of N2.08 trillion, rising from N14.99 trillion at the end of 2022 to N17.07 trillion as of July 2023. Moreover, the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has secured over 10 million Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders.

The above notwithstanding, the pension industry still holds vast growth potential, especially as more Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (NMSMEs) join the CPS through the Micro Pension Plan (MPP). The MPP’s key objective is to curb old-age poverty by enabling participants to contribute during their working years. The MPP fosters long-term savings to provide financial security during retirement. The Commission actively supports Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) in devising incentives such as health insurance for MPP participants.

The Conference featured three informative presentations that shed light on various aspects of the pension industry. The first presentation, “Enhancing Customer Service in the Contributory Pension Scheme: PenCom’s New Strategy Plan,” emphasised the Consumer Protection Department’s (CPD) role in ensuring effective customer service in the pension sector. The CPD protects RSA holders’ rights and seamless service delivery.

The second presentation, “Enhancing Service Delivery to Improve the Micro Pension Plan’s Prospects in Nigeria,” underscored the drive to enhance service delivery in micro pensions. The objective is to make pension plans more inclusive, accessible, and beneficial for individuals in the informal sector and other underserved

populations. This initiative strives to bolster financial security during retirement, promote financial inclusion, and contribute to overall economic development while ensuring efficiency, transparency, and a customer-centric approach in micro pension plans.

Lastly, the third paper, “RSA for Mortgage Financing: A Beacon of Hope for the informal sector,” detailed how RSA holders can access up to 25% of their RSA balance as an equity contribution to procure residential houses through a mortgage. This initiative aligns with the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, stipulating that pension assets can be utilised for residential mortgage equity contributions. PenCom has diligently developed and issued guidelines to PFAs to facilitate this process. From March 2023 to September 2023, 377 RSA holders accessed N4.74 billion to pay equity contributions for their residential mortgages.

During the Conference, participants expressed satisfaction with the performance of PenCom, commending the organisation for its exceptional supervision and regulation of the pension industry in Nigeria. Their appreciation underlined the pivotal role of PenCom in fostering a trustworthy and sustainable pension system in the country. The positive sentiment shared by participants evidenced the organisation’s steadfast commitment to upholding the highest standards of regulation and supervision, ultimately advancing the interests of pensioners and the nation.

In conclusion, the Sensitisation Conference for Civil Society Organisations organised by PenCom proved enlightening, shedding light on the thriving pension industry and showcasing transformative initiatives to secure the financial future of millions in Nigeria. The engagement stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between government agencies and civil society to achieve a prosperous and secure retirement.

PENCOM DG, Aisha Dahir-Umar

NPA, NIMASA, Others Chart Course for Success of Blue Economy

Oluchi Chibuzor

Key stakeholders in the maritime sector have enunciated fresh measures to be adopted to ensure that the Blue Economy contributes tremendously to the development of the Nigerian society.

They stated this during ta roundtable, titled, “How to Achieve the Benefits of the Blue Economy,” organized by League of Maritime Editors’ (LOME) held in Lagos.

Speaking, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, said the blue economy is already operational, but required the proper identification of comparative advantages for the purpose of what is potentially advantageous and sustainable.

Jamoh who was represented by the Director External Relations, Isichie Osamgbi, challenged industry players

and operators to see themselves as co-drivers in the journey towards the success of the Blue economy , saying without this , the success story of the Blue economy cannot be complete.

He disclosed that, whereas the blue economy in Nigeria is still unfolding, it is at the stage where a collaboration of efforts must concentrate at optimizing the comparative advantages in order to remain competitive in the global space.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko represented by the Tin Can Island Port Manager, Jibril Buba, advocated enhanced capacities through deliberate policy and stakeholders’ actions necessary to drive the processes.

Bello-Koko said the authority has for a long time already prepared the grounds for its takeoff and consistent

with the full realization is always providing the enabling environment through which the required efficiencies, competences and capacities can be developed and sustained.

The NPA boss commended LOME for the acquisition of its secretariat, which has been designed to also serve as Centre for Media Advocacy, noting that the place will serve as catalyst for positive change in the industry. In his contribution, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Hon Emmanuel Jime represented by the Council’s Director Consumer Affairs Department, Chief Cajetan Agu, described blue economy, as having huge economic potentials that should be harnessed by all. Describing Nigeria as a blessed country in terms of the abundance of Blue Economy, he said what is needed is to harness the potential of the blue economy.

Nuhu: Some State Airports are Waste of Resources

Chinedu Eze

The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu has described some state airports as waste of funds and misplacement of resources by state governme nts.

He said many of the airports built by some state government are not viable, noting that some of them are idle after huge resources have been spent on them, describing such as misplacement of priority because such funds could have been spent to meet the critical needs of the people of the states involved.

He said that building an airport follows detailed process, but unfortunately some state government do not study the viability of such airports before they embark on the projects.

“There are two processes of

building airports. First is the policy side which the Ministry gives. So, if a state governor wants to build an airport in his state, he writes to the Minister. The Ministry will form a committee, comprising the aerodrome department of the Ministry, NCAA will be part of it, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) will also be part of it. They go through the feasibility study of the airport. They go visit the site, and initially these things are perfect. They have a good business case, everything is okay. The committee comes back, recommends to the Minister, the Minister gives approval, it comes to NCAA, we start building the airport, it gets to 70 per cent completion and then everything falt ers.

There are quite a few number of airports that were built

but they have not even met the requirements, so much money has been spent on them, but they have not reached the minimum requirement or even done initial test flights,” he said.

Nuhu frowned at the fact that while these airports lead to waste of state government resources; they also push the aviation agencies like NCAA, NAMA, FAAN and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) into spending huge resources recruiting personnel, training them and providing logistics to manage these airports.

“The unfortunate part that people don’t see, is that many a times these state governments handover the management of these airports to FAAN. But what you don’t see, because there are more airports, NCAA has to have more aerodrome inspectors.

It is a burden on me, because it is a airport, so we must inspect it and make sure it is okay, ”he lamented.

NANTS Inaugurates Abattoir to Curb $400m Annual Meat Importation

James Emejo in Abuja

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has inaugurated a modern abattoir and meat factory in, Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in a bold initiative aimed at reducing the country’s meat importation bill which is valued at over $400 million annually.

The project is an initiative of the traders’ body in partnership with ECOWAS and Swiss Cooperation as well as the West African Institute for Agricultural Trade and Development (WAITAD) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, which provided technical support.

The integrated meat facility project which benefited from a grant of $275,000 from ECOWAS and an investment of about $150,000 from NANTS is anchored on the development of an innovative investment model that gradually transforms into a profitable and job-creating

business for young men and women with attractive returns on investment capable of self-financing and ensuring its sustainability.

Speaking at the inauguration, President, NANTS, Mr. Ken Ukaoha, decried a development where the diplomatic community in Nigeria as well as other Nigerians spent over $400 million on meat importation annually simply because they do not think that meat in domestic abattoirs is hygienic.

He said this was part of the triggers for the establishment of the modern facility to address these concerns and stimulate patronage thereby saving the country the scarce foreign exchange as well as creating jobs for the teeming youthful population.

Ukaoha said the project was particularly important given the environmental state of the country’s abattoirs which made it unattractive to both government and private investments.

Among other things, he

said the new abattoir boasts of a lairage where animals are kept in a decent manner, and taken care of before they are slaughtered - making sure they’re healthy.

He said even after slaughtering efforts are made in order to ensure that the meat is healthy for eating.

Among other things, the facility is equipped with processing and packaging units, a cold room, a management office, and a training center where butchers will be trained.

He said, “I want to close by thanking ECOWAS once again for trusting and believing in us. What has been done here will now be replicated by NANTS in other sister countries of ECOWAS.”

ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Madam Massandje Toure-Litse, who launched the facility, said the livestock sector offered a huge economic potential amid various challenges in member states.

UBA: Performance Across Key Metrics Drives Robust Dividend

Kayode Tokede

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc reported a remarkable performance across key financial metrics in half year (H1) ended June 30, 2023, to remain one of Africa’s financial institutions contending as the most profitable and shareholders yearning for investment.

The Pan-Africa financial institution in H1 2023 reported exceptional growth in profits and expansion in balance sheet position driven by the management’s effective management amid domestic and global macro economIC headwinds.

UBA’s profit before tax hits N403.65 billion in H1 2023, an increase of 370.7 per cent from N85.75billion reported in H1 2022, while profit after tax stood at N378.24billion in H1 2023, representing an increase of 437.8 per cent from N70.34billion reported in H1 2022.

For the first time, UBA surpassed Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) and Zenith Bank Plc in profit before tax.

For example, Zenith Bank declared N350.4 billion profit before tax in H1 2023, an increase of 169.5 per cent from N169.5 billion in H1 20222, while GTCO announced N327.4 billion profit before tax in H1 2023, an increase of 219.1per cent from N103.25 billion generated in H1 2022.

Hitherto, UBA reported N200.88 billion in 2022full year result and accounts and in 2021, a N153.07 billion was declared as profit before tax. Furthermore, its profit before tax was at N127.3billion in 2020 and in 2019, the Group declared N111.3billion profit before tax.

The board and management of UBA proposed an interim dividend of N0.50 per share as against N0.20 per share in the corresponding period last year, representing a dividend yield of 3.04per cent based on the last closing price of N16.45 per share as of September 15, 2023.

PROFIT & LOSS FIGURES

From the profit & loss figures, UBA’s reported N418.28billion net trading and foreign exchange gain in H1 2023 from N9.15billiion reported in H1 2022 and it contributed to the triple-digit growth in profit before tax in the period under review.

UBA’s gross earnings closed H1 2023 at N981billion in H1 2023, an increase of 164per cent from N372billion in H1 2022.

UBA recorded N428.29billion interest income in H1 2023, an increase of 66.4 per cent from N257.36billion in H1 2022 primarily driven by the elevated yield in the fixed income market and increase in key earning assets.

Thus, income from investment securities grew by 80.5 per cent to N190.48 billion in H1 2023 from N105.51 billion in H1 2022 while income from loans and advances improved by 35.6per cent to N178.59 billion in H1 2023.

The Group’s interest expenses grew by 88 per cent to N150.18 billion in H1 2023 from N79.9 billion in H1 2022 following the increase in costs across the group’s funding base - deposits from banks grew by 237.2per cent to N22.28 billion in H1 2023 from N6.61 billion in H1 2022, while interest expenses on Deposits from customers stood at N98.93billion in H1 2023 from N54.96 billion reported in H1 2022.

The group’s non-interest income grew markedly by 544.2 per cent to 505.85 billion in H1 2023 from N78.21 billion in H1 2022, driven by the higher income generated from foreign exchange foreign exchange revaluation gains that rose significantly by 1303.6per cent to N29.24 billion induced by the naira devaluation; net fees and commission that gained 30.7 per cent to N78.30 billion, and investment securities trading that appreciated by 79.3per cent to N25.44 billion.

In addition, the group recorded a substantial gain in its other operating income of about

N357.71 billion in h1 2023 from N13.15 billion loss in H1 2022, triggered primarily by the N348.43 billion net fair value gain generated on the group’s derivatives holdings relative to the N22.61 billion loss recorded in H1 2022. Operating expenses (OPEX) increased by 39.8 per cent to N billion in H12023 following the higher costs incurred on personnel expenses (+32.7 per cent to N69.39 billion, AMCON levy (31.2per cent to N40.92 billion), NDIC premium (+32.1 per cent to N11.61 billion, and depreciation and amortization (23.6per cent to N16.12 billion).

Notwithstanding, UBA’s operational efficiency improved – cost-to-income ratio closed H1 2023 at 35.9 per cent from 65.4 per cent- as the group’s operating income rose by 154.4 per cent grew faster than OPEX.

CUSTOMER DEPOSIT LIFT TOTAL ASSETS

UBA’s total assets stood at N15.38trillion as of June 30, 2023, an increase of 41.7 per cent from N10.86trillion in 2022 full financial year, driven by significant increase in net loans and customer deposits

The group’s customer deposits rose by 42.4 per cent to N11.14trillion as of June 30, 2023 from N7.82trillion in 2022 FY, while net loans hits N4.68trillion as of June 30, 2023, an increase of 36.1 per cent from N3.44trillion reported in 2022FY.

Customer deposits contributed 72.4 per cent of the group’s total assets as of June 30, 2023 from72.1 per cent in 2022FY.

In addition, the financial institution shareholders’ funds moved to N1.7trillion as of June 30, 2023, an increase of 85.7 per cent from N922.1billion reported in 2022FY.

In terms ratios, UBA’s Non-performing Loan ratio increased to 3.3 per cent as of June 30, 2023 from 3.1 per cent reported in 2022FY, while Return on average equity (RoAE) increased to 57.7 per cent as of June 30, 2023 from 17.1 per cent reported in 2022FY.

CEO’S COMMENT

Commenting on the result, Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, UBA, Mr. Oliver Alawuba in a statement said, “ Whilst the Group recorded strong double-digit growth in revenues and profits from its operations, the result also reflects the effect of sizeable revaluation gains, arising from the harmonization of currency exchange rates in Nigeria.

“Our reporting currency found a new exchange level at about N756 to 1US$ as of 30 June 2023, compared to N465 at the beginning of the year. The results again demonstrate the benefits of our long-held diversification strategy across Africa and globally. UBA is a genuinely Pan-African business. The growth of our international business, most recently in the UAE, only reinforces this earnings quality

“Our business is on a steady growth trajectory, as we further strengthen our risk management architecture and make technology investments to deliver premium service to our customers. We have also continued to finance landmark projects in critical sectors of the economies where we operate across Africa, facilitate intra-Africa trade with our valuable offerings and provide a versatile last-mile distribution network for Africa-bound donor and multilateral agency funds.

“The three core geographical pillars of our business (Nigeria, Rest of Africa and Rest of the World) aremaking strong contributions to the Group profit, further justifying our global strategy and business positioning across Africa, UAE, France, UK and USA, and demonstrating the benefits of positioning UBAas the financial intermediary for Africa and the rest of the world.

He added that, “Our Board has approved an interim dividend of 50k per share, which represents an over 150% increase over prior year. As we approach the last quarter of the year, the Group remains strategically positioned to sustain the strong performance, consolidating on H1 2023 results, to deliver superior returns to our esteemed shareholders.”

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

FATALITIES ON THE WATERWAYS

The authorities should enforce minimum standards for water transportation

The rising number of deaths occasioned by boat mishaps on the nation’s waterways has caught the attention of President Bola Tinubu. Last week, he ordered a ‘thorough and comprehensive investigation’ into the recurring tragedies. For almost two decades there has hardly been a month without boat accidents than a thousand people reportedly lost their lives to these accidents with the victims mostly rural dwellers.

have no alternative means of transportation. Because of that, people tend to pile into whatever watercraft happens to be moving towards their destinations. But the death tolls are getting too high. In a particular incident two years ago, the boat taking a bride-to-be along with other family members capsized along the Benue River killing all but three of the passengers. The bride’s body was never recovered.

It is a notorious fact that there is hardly any ferry,

of these small wooden canoes most often carry passengers far beyond their capacity. In some instances, boats that were constructed to carry not more than 20 persons could be loaded with 50 or more passengers especially at peak periods when people are in a hurry to get back to their places. Consequently, when the canoe encounters stormy conditions along the water, the sheer weight of the human cargo and other luggage would make it easily susceptible to capsizing.

Aside from overloading, another cause of these marine accidents is the fact that most of the boats

Perhaps more important is the obvious absence of enforcement of safety standards. In fact, not much

DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor

is known about the existence of any mandatory operational guidelines for ownership of ferries and boats and the minimum standards that must be met to be in the business of ferrying people through the waters. Furthermore, the fact that there are usually no life jackets on board is a sure guarantee that casualty was bound to be high..

Some of the accidents also result from the carelessness of relevant authorities. Last week,

the cause of the latest boat accident that claimed 30 lives. “The people stay up on the stream of Jebba Dam and the river was recently dredged to create more space for carrying parcels of the water. In the process of this dredging, some trees were cut down but not completely down,” according to Ibrahim. “So, when the water rises, you will not see these tree stumps. The boat had a collision with a tree stump, and it was what caused the breakage of the boat and caused it to capsize.”

There is no doubt that water transportation could be one clear source of decongesting the roads in places where road travel could result in spending standard should be enforced nationally so that all ferry and canoe operators have a universal safety standard. There should also be regular inspection of these boats just as motor vehicles are inspected for their road worthiness to detect dilapidated and rickety ones which constitute serious hazard.

Provision of emergency services along the waterways is also important. The absence of such emergency agencies often contributes to accidents occur since the operators have little or faced with emergency situations. All these and other safety measures would go a long way in minimising the number of deaths on the nation’s waterways.

Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS

THE TRAGIC DEATH OF BAKO ANGBASHIM

The tragic killing of Bako Angbashim, a Deputy Police once again laid bare the grave danger law enforcement something about Rivers State that frightens even neutrals. recently governor of the state for eight years, there is the

and prodigiously blessed with crude oil which is easily one of nature’s most precious gifts, the region has for years experienced what it is like to live in a country that is ashas seeped into spores, polluting its rivers, fouling its air and sickening its people. As a people’s gift has tragically become their curse, they have responded with militancy

manifested in acts that are as criminal as they are about sending a message.

sabotage, before quickly becoming organized and morreached with the federal government for the vicious atits stellar gifts, Rivers State remains high on tension and crime. Cultists, oil thieves and every other kind of crime imaginable call the state home.

who was serving his country in a state he had called home for years, death was always lurking around the corner. Inintendent of police had acquired a reputation for pristine professionalism, endearing himself to the people in the process. So, he had to be killed, in a way to send a message.

nals can toy with those who defend the country.

with so much savagery, what is the fate of ordinary everySecurity agencies has declared someone wanted for the gruesome murder. It remains to be seen how long it will take before he is made to face the law. But before he is caught, before all those who commit grievous crimes safe.

collaboration between communities and security agents must pick up pace to ensure that more communities like Ahoada are not turned into a hiding place for the criminals.

Ike Willie-Nwobu, Ikewilly9@gmail.com

should be regular inspection of these boats just as motor vehicles are inspected for their road worthiness to detect dilapidated and rickety ones which constitute serious hazard

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 14Sept-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

Inside Story of Lagos Building Collapse where Regulators Mortgage Lives for as Low as N50,000 (II)

Aside regulatory malfeasance fuelling building collapse as detailed in part one of this report, racketeering between the regulator and property owners, as well as judicial laxity and government’s insouciance in the aftermath of building collapse, have been shielding culprits from due sanctions which could have deterred reoccurrence of tragedy, writes Omolabake Fasogbon in the concluding part of this report

Francis Egbuonu, a generator retailer, narrowly escaped death when tragedy hit house 34, Ibadan Street, Ebute-metta, Lagos on the night of May 1, 2022. It was the second reported building collapse in Lagos that year. Perhaps, Egbuonu may not be alive to tell his story had the incident not happened on a Sunday when most businesses observe rest.

In his late forties, Egbuonu not only lost his three shops with rent still in effect, but also over N7millon worth of credit purchased goods restocked just on the eve of the tragedy, which were destroyed in the collapse that claimed over 10 lives, that including Sinat referenced in part one of this report.

Already, up to $3.2 trillion had been lost to 166 building collapses in Lagos between 2020 and 2021, according to Brookings, an American research group.

Worse still, Egbuonu’s wife who then was nine months pregnant is yet to recover from complication resulting from shock of the collapse. Saying Egbuonu is now a shadow of his former self would be stating the obvious. Though striving to recover, he is not anywhere close to his previous, maybe after paying off his huge debt incurred by the collapse.

"My family has been thriving on debt ever since, we pay off one debt with another, no one is willing to help, not even government who brought this burden on us" cried Egbuonu who now manages a smaller single shop in the same vicinity.

Owned by not a few extended family members, the collapsed structure had been marked unsafe for habitation by the regulatory agency, LASBCA in Adekunle district area, Yaba, Lagos since November 2021. It should have been demolished within 21days as the law states, but was left precariously for another six months.

Following the incident, there were allegations and counter allegations from different quarters bordering on negligence and unclear racket between regulatory officials and structure owners after building was tagged vulnerable, prompting the collapse.

One of such was a claim by an anonymous caretaker of the property on Premium Times newspaper that tenants were issued quit notice after LASBCA flagged the house, in which they defied.

But Egbuonu and three other tenants bereft by the incident dismissed ignoring the notice, alleging that caretaker and building owners had ulterior motive.

Visibly distraught Egbuonu said, “Yes, the landlord asked us to leave on a reason that they want to renovate, not to demolish the building. However, we became doubtful for many shady developments that played afterwards.

"We discovered that the landlords admitted a new tenant even after a vacation notice was served, and this was just few weeks to the collapse. Besides, we requested to be re- admitted upon completion of the renovation since our rent and agreement fee had not terminated but they declined.

" We were even utterly shocked when LABSCA officials came to lock up three shops in the building, including mine, sparing about 19 other shops and 16 flats".

"I mean! Why not lock up the whole house and demolish if they meant business? "Teary Egbuonu asked rhetorically. He continued, “Can you imagine they even reopened our shops after we went begging, not convincing us afterall that the house was sinking”, he raged.

Like many experts, he blamed the collapse on the well-learned officials who refused to demolish the building promptly.

Egbuonu suspected landlords may have struck a deal with power wielding regulatory officials to help evict old tenants, while they patch up the structure and admit new tenants to realise more money. Many a landlord in Lagos apply this method once they intend to raise rent cost.

While the aggrieved may have succumbed

to fate, they are still bittered that the culprits, both the owner of the building and regulatory officials were neither rebuked nor sanctioned. To these ones, finding closure will be for the law to take its course on the offenders. Sadly, their wishes may never be, judging from precedents.

Owners of Collapsed Structure

Defy Lagos Law, Plans Reconstruction

By Chapter 59 Section 74 of the Lagos URPD law, in the event of collapse due to negligence on the part of the owner or the developer, such property shall be forfeited to state government after due investigation.

The law also prescribes prosecution of house owner or engineers handling such building.

Despite these laws, not only were the owners of Ebutte-meta property above absolved, the property was neither confiscated. Employing subterfuge, this reporter yet learnt from two of the property owners, Sunkanmi Ayorinde & Ayo Dosunmu that a reconstruction is being proposed on the site.

"The family is already in talks with another developer to erect in a new structure", disclosed the landlords.

Still irked, Egbuonu is concerned that overarching regulatory body may have upended the matter to absolve all culprits from due consequences.

"It is so sad that that the law has failed to take its course, this way, building collapse will thrive in the country", Egbuonu remarked, sighing.

Sagging Enforcement

Besides the law, threats and scary government warnings after each incident of collapse are not uncommon. These, echoing hopes of sanctity have not really deterred a reoccurrence where sector infractions seemingly flourishes, with statistics of building collapse building up on monthly basis, according to Awobodu in a report he released recently. Kunle Awobodu is the past president of the Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB).

Sad still, since 1974, no errant regulatory official or property owner has really been duly punished for collapse, inspite that not a few incidents are evidently linked to contraventions and corrupt practices prior. As per the implication, President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Olutoyin Ayinde said impunity has been the reason behind many substandard buildings in the state and called for stricter enforcement of law to deter errancy.

"Failure to punish those who violate building ethics encourages substandard buildings that collapse frequently", Ayinde maintained.

Even still, few attempts to get offenders pay for their actions or inactions are either truncated by powerful influences or trivialised by the law court. Oftentimes too, suspect flee, but they are not untraceable.

For instance, this reporter reliably gathered that sacked LASBCA officials culpable in 2016 Lekki Gardens collapse were later reinstated by Lagos State Industrial Court, frustrating what should have passed for a good precedent.

Indeed, compromising officials exposed in the part one of this report were made to face disciplinary panel, with the overarching regulatory body, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development (MPPUD), publicly ordering an investigation, unfortunately, the

verdict is still to come.

Manhunt for the Visible

Under a tight regulation and security apparatus, stories of culprits fleeing are disappointingly common, of which alleged errant owner of collapsed nine- storey building in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos is one.

That fleeing too has become a norm is considered anomalous, blamed on system failure and data gap. Many at times, regulatory officials are complicit like it turned out in Oniru's case.

The owner was alleged to have flouted building regulation, which the then MPPUD Commissioner, Idris Salako claimed was on the run and being hunted too, just after the collapse.

But Salako's deliberate refusal to divulge the owner's identity kind of confirmed sources' revelation about his intimacy with Otunba Yemi Lawal, whom this reporter later discovered to be the owner and developer of the structure.

Lawal, a popular real estate entrepreneur and close ally of politicians chairs Seagle Property Development Company, a popular Lagos-based real estate firm. His residence on Akiolu Crescent (full address withheld), as sighted by this reporter is just a stone's throw to the collapsed structure, where he also happens to be a key executive of the Community Development Association, CDA.

Confirming Lawal fled a morning after the tragedy on September 4, 2022 to evade arrest, neighbours said he is not unknown to his regulators. Besides, his profile and footmarks spread across Lagos were enough clues for his uncovering after all. Curiously, there have not been any evidence confirming his arrest or trial.

Like Lawal , the developer of a collapsed three- storey building under construction at house 4, Alayaki Lane, Lagos Island ran off after incident, which Salako said prevented his arrest.

But few weeks after when reporter returned to the site, neighbours and bricklayer working in a nearby site said the 'developer', as popularly called had been a regular visitor in the vicinity, which happens to be just a walking distance to the manhaunting LABSCA office in Lagos Island.

"I still saw him here last week ", an anonymous bricklayer responded in awe upon hearing

What Nigerians never expected was its sudden removal without plans already put in place to cushion the effect it will have on their well-being. They had expected a working refinery already in place, and an increase in the minimum wage, among other measures and palliatives to be in place before the eventual removal of subsidy, but this wasn’t so

One of the numerous building collapses that have rocked Lagos

Inside Story of Lagos Building Collapse where Regulators Mortgage Lives for as Low as N50,000 (II)

Infographics

developer was being hunted, which to him sounded like a joke.

In reaction, new MPPUD Commissioner, Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins said, “Well, we are not aware that the developer is back in town. Any helpful information about his whereabouts will be appreciated".

But not a notice to suggest the search or put the public in the know. Till date, it is not on record that the 'developer' was apprehended, perhaps, he is rolling his sleeve for another construction project.

Returning to the site of a three-storey site that collapsed at Akanbi Crescent, Yaba, Lagos, it leaves no sign of a prior tragedy.

Pitiable, the wreck and damage done by the collapse on Febuary 12, 2022 had soon become a history that neighbours hardly recollected when approached for enquiry.

Expectedly, the developer of the structure broke the law, Including breaking of government seal which alone is punishable under Section 75 (8) and Section 75(2) of Lagos URPD law.

While Bamgbose-Martins boasted about the developer’s arrest and trial when questioned, findings with close sources confirmed only temporary arrest.

"Yes, he was arrested but has since been released. It was later resolved, said an executive of the Community Development Association (CDA) who preferred anonymity for obvious reasons.

A guard in the area who does not want to be named hinted further at a possible reconstruction on the site saying, “The developer has been regular on the site. He was here last week (May 2023) with some clerics to pray on the site. I think he's planning to start construction activity."

Requesting for proof of trial from Bamgbose -Martins, who still insisted developer was sued, he rather directed reporter to Lagos State Ministry of Justice (MOJ), while the ministry too refused to pass comment when reached.

Three Trials of 326 Cases Truncated by Judiciary

A fraction of building collapse cases that narrowly made it to court were literally dead on arrival. Search on Google and consultation with key stakeholders in the built sector showed only three cases of over 326 incidents of building collapse have been tried since 1974 in Lagos.

"Too bad", Awobodu frowned.

He further lamented, “It is unfortunate that nobody has been successfully prosecuted for building collapse offences in Nigeria. Quackery,

compromise and impunity remained unchecked.

“When human beings are not subjected to the law of consequence, misdeeds are absolved in sentiments. Alas, loss of lives and property becomes a continuum”.

Our reporter tried for official data of trials from MOJ through its Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Grace Ali, who instructed reporter to write to the office Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP for details.

The office has refused to respond since it received reporter's letter on July 19, 2023. In the letter too, this reporter has enquired for evidence of trials earlier declared by Bamgbose-Martins as well as update on Synagogue building collapse case of 2014 which trial is as at today still inconclusive.

Recall the Synagogue collapse killed no fewer than 116, with it handlers charged with 110 counts bordering on involuntary manslaughter and project owner, one count of building without approval.

Two years after the Synagogue collapse came the Lekki Gardens collapse, killing 34. Not like Synagogue’s, the judgment did not foot drag but largely questioned.

The culprits, Managing Director of Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, Richard Nyong, and eight others were charged with six-count charge bordering on failure to obtain building approval and involuntary manslaughter.

By gravity of damage, the judge, Sybil Nwaka initially declined a 'Plea and Sentence Agreement' proposed by the defendant, he eventually succumbed, investigation has revealed.

This is however against Section 325 of Nigeria Criminal Code Act and Section 223 of 2015 Criminal Law of Lagos State which prescribe a jail term punishment for a manslaughter offence.

Where this reporter could not obtain

a document of the judgment formally, attempt to get it covertly was denied as she could not afford N500, 000 bribe request from a court worker.

The seemingly cooperating court worker who failed to give his name being suspicious revealed, “I saw the copy of the judgment, but I can’t lay my hands on it again. it was clearly Plea and Sentence Agreement’. We were all shocked too. Anyway, this is Nigeria!

"You see, Judgment like this are not easy to come by especially that the judge in charge has been transferred on promotion. Besides, I fear the judgment document is a classified one. If you insist on getting it, we will have to settle those that can fetch it out," the source maintained

Plea Bargain, a Dangerous PrecedentExperts

To many, an out of court settlement was inapt in a tragedy as grave as claiming scores of life.

These ones argued that such was too lenient a verdict in an environment where building collapse surges, amid pressure to stem the tide too.

A law firm, ASALAW defines plea bargain as an agreement between the prosecutor and a defendant who pleads guilty to a lesser charge or to one of multiple charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence or a dismissal of the other charges.

To President of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Nathaniel Atebije, a death sentence may not be necessary, there should however be a capital punishment commensurate to offence and gravity of impact so enough to deter other people from committing such offence.”

Whereas, Real Estate lawyer, Aderemi Fagbemi submitted that in a case of building collapse, both house owners and developer or building handlers should be sanctioned separately, suggesting therefore a combined sanction approach of fines and imprisonment.

"A plea bargain may not serve as sufficient deterrent to violation of building codes", she disapproved.

FG Refused Us to Try Errant Engineers in Ikoyi Collapse - Past President, COREN

Just when Bamgbose-Martins had bragged about the law taking its full course against offenders, including culprits in collapsed 25-storey Ikoyi towers of November 1, 2021, a revelation by engineering professional body, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), blew the lid off his assertion.

Moreover, aside that the owner of collapsed Ikoyi tower built beyond floors approved by regulator, COREN's investigation also revealed engineering failure in the incident that killed no less than 45, leaving several others with lifelong injury and deformed structure.

Whereas, a move to try erring engineers and even LASBCA, as proposed by COREN in 2022 is being frustrated by the federal government, immediate Past President of COREN, Ali Rabiu, alleged.

Dispirited Rabiu said, “Following our investigation, we recommended the trial of engineers we found culpable to the FMWH, but we are yet to get approval from the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing (FMWH). Unfortunately, we can't act unless directed as we are responsible to them".

FMWH Passes Buck, Fails to Comment

Contacted for comment, the then serving Minister for Works& Housing , Mr Babatunde Fashola through his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr Hakeem Bello passed reporter to the Director, Public Buildings and Housing, FMWH, Solomon Labafilo, who in turn asked reporter to reach out to the Director of Engineering Services Department, FMWH, Felix Ebuzòeme on the issue.

Labafilo said, “COREN report wasn't sent to us. It must have been sent to Engineering Services Department".

When the reporter enquired further with Ebuzoeme, he replied by sending links of previously published stories on building collapse that clearly did not speak to enquiries presented him. When prodded further, he ignored reporter.

The burden of compromise and quackery, which often results to loss of lives and destruction of properties, remain unabated because of lack of strong institutions and the judiciary. To all concerned, as long as premium is not placed on the value of life, more building collapses would be recorded.

*This story was produced with support from Tiger Eye Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation.

An acknowledgement copy of the letter submitted to office of Director of Public Prosecution

Source: BCPG/Brookings/Google

It is unfortunate that nobody has been successfully prosecuted for building collapse offences in Nigeria. Quackery, compromise and impunity remained unchecked. When human beings are not subjected to the law of consequence, misdeeds are absolved in sentiments. Alas, loss of lives and property becomes a continuum

O’ Neill: BRICS’ Countries Expanding Not Logical, Disappointing

Former Chief Economist at Goldman Sachs, Jim O’Neill, coined the acronym BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China) in 2001, and in 2010, South Africa was admitted into the group which made it BRICS. In this interview, the economist who later coined the acronym MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey) criticised the expansion drive of the BRICS nations. He also spoke about governance in Nigeria and Africa. Obinna Chima brings the excerpts

What is your assessment of the BRICS nations so far, do you think they have been able to make any impact in the international system since you coined the acronym and what do you think about their expansion drive?

Economically, only two of the BRICS countries have been particularly successful and that obviously is China and India. The other two – Russia and Brazil – because I didn’t include South Africa at the beginning – had a very good first decade, but since after 2010, both have been extremely disappointing and of course South Africa as well. In fact, each of the three countries’ share of global GDP is back to where it was when I created the acronym in 2001. So, the aggregate of the BRICS is completely dependent on India and especially China.

China today, despite having significant problems, is twice the size of the other BRICS countries put together. So, BRICS is an economic club that is dependent on the importance of China and India. As for the expansion of the political club, I don’t really understand what they are trying to achieve, because they have never achieved anything political together so far. At the same time and how it relates to Nigeria of course, I don’t understand the criteria they used in choosing the countries to join them. I don’t know why they want to expand when they have never achieved anything yet as a club, because it would be harder for them and I don’t understand why they chose the six countries they announced.

You also came up with the MINT but we seem not to be hearing much about them forging any form of alliance?

Yes, the MINT acronym can 12 years after the BRICS. I created BRIC acronym in 2001, but the MINT idea came late 2013. So, that was what I was trying to say earlier. If they are going to expand the BRICS group, economically, you would first include

Indonesia, probably Mexico and not Argentina, because Mexico is much bigger, probably Turkey and very relevant and almost definitely, Nigeria ahead of Ethiopia or Egypt. Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and holds almost 15 per cent of Africa’s population. Whilst Egypt and Ethiopia have a lot of people, it is less than half of the people of Nigeria. So, I don’t why they chose the countries they did. For me, the expansion is not logical, it doesn’t make any sense and it is very disappointing. I wrote an academic article early this year in which I suggested that if they are going to expand, they needed certain criteria. The main criteria was what would be the goal

of expanding it to any other country and what do they want to achieve? Secondly, what would a new country bring that is not already there from the current members? And thirdly, is it based on demographics or economic size and finally, as it looks like, is it actually based on sympathy for being anti-western to some extent? Out of the six countries they announced to join them, only one of them is under democratic rule. So, it looks like they chose countries that symbolises that they are anti-western, which to me doesn’t make any sense and I think is very disappointing.

So, if you are to compare Nigeria when you coined MINT and the opportunities you saw in the country then and the state of the country presently, what will be your assessment of the performance of the country?

On the performance of the Nigerian economy: to be honest with you, it has been very disappointing. Nigeria has not reformed enough and is still too dependent on oil, even though there were some encouraging steps recently to reduce subsidy on petrol prices. Somehow, Nigeria has to develop its economy to become less dependent on oil prices and oil revenue. Since I visited in 2013, I don’t think the country has been very successful. For me, beyond Nigeria, it is very sad that Africa is still the world’s poorest continent and it seems to be very difficult for governance to improve. Obviously, this is even at a time when a lot of Francophone West African countries are having a lot of turbulence and many coups. I used to think and I hope I will eventually be right, that the emergence of a younger generation that gets better educated would allow for a more transparent and a less corrupt form of governance to occur in many African countries. But if you look at so many examples in the past decade, it is very

disappointing.

And what is the role of leadership in all of these?

The leadership in Nigeria in my opinion has been very disappointing. But I still think it should be the next country to join the G20, because it is the most important country in Africa in terms of its economy and population.

So, how do you think Nigeria can position itself to be more relevant in the international system?

I personally think Nigeria shouldn’t worry too much about not being included in BRICS, because it is a club that hasn’t achieved anything yet. Secondly, I personally believe that Nigeria is probably the most outstanding country to be included in the G20, if they are going to expand it. If they are going to expand the G20, Nigeria should be one country that should be next to become a member. That is because it is the biggest country in Africa. If you want to make the global system truly representative, in my opinion the G20 is close to being the most legitimate thing we have, because it already has 80 per cent of GDP half of the world’s population. So, adding Nigeria would make a lot of sense. I don’t think the BRICS group is likely going to have any global power. If you really want to truly solve global issues, you need to have the important countries and the most important emerging countries with you. It is pretty straightforward in my opinion.

What is your take about the idea of a common currency for the BRICS nations?

It is a ridiculous idea. You will need to have an independent central bank to achieve that. There is no way that India and China would ever agree to an independent central bank or even a joint central bank. To me, it is just fantasy and almost embarrassing.

Stolzenburg: AfCFTA, Fantastic Tool to Address High Cost of Intra-African Trade

Victor Stolzenburg is a Research Economist at the World Trade Organisation. In this interview, he gives an overview of the recently launch World Trade Report as well as speaks about the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. Obinna Chima provides the excerpts:

Can you give an overview of the recently launched global trade report?

The report is essentially about answering the question about the role of trade in tackling the three biggest challenges that global policymakers are facing today. These are maintaining peace and stability, reducing poverty and inequality and addressing climate change. At a very high level, the report has two key messages: Firstly, trade right now is at the cross roads. We see more and more signs of fragmentation in the global trading system because trade seems to be flowing more within politically aligned countries.

The second key message is that the fragmentation would be a key problem and ultimately the most important part of it is that it would create a lot of economic cost in terms of growth and also it would set us back on the three areas that I mentioned before. That is, it would set us back on security, poverty reduction and inclusiveness as well as the fight against climate change. So, what we are saying is that we should not see a trade-off between efficiency and these other policy goals, but in fact, we should see everything falling in same direction, and trade can be an important part of the solution to these issues. Essentially by getting us back in terms of growth and also getting us back on track in terms of security, inclusiveness and all the rest.

You talked about fragmentation. What are the broader risks to the international trading system that were identified in the report?

What we see is that there has been three step

Stolzenburg

process. It started off with the changing narratives around trade. For close to seven decades, there has been a shared understanding between nations, which is the founding principle of the WTO, that trade and economic interdependence leads to shared prosperity and peace. But this narrative has been changing due to a number of crisis. Firstly, there was the financial crisis, we also had the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical

tensions such as the war in Ukraine and rising conflicts in Africa.

All of these have led to the changing narratives around trade. For good reasons there are legitimate concerns, but policymakers seem to argue more that economic independence is the right way to increase security. And this narrative has obviously started affecting policymaking around trade. So, we are seeing that more fragmentation is happening in trade policy and we see that here at the WTO because countries raise trade concerns. That is, if a country or a WTO member implements a measure related to trade, then another country can raise a trade concern if they consider this measure to be an issue for their trade flows. The trade concerns have surged over the last few years, which is a clear signal that countries react more and more unilaterally to the problems we are seeing in the world and less in cooperation with other countries.

Ultimately, this is now affecting trade flows. Just as I said earlier, already, trade is re-shifting and not flowing multilaterally as freely as it was before and has been shifting more towards politically aligned regions and this is not optimal from an economic, security or climate change perspective.

What were the findings about e-Commerce and what is the future of e-Commerce in global trade?

We warned about fragmentation and there are a lot of headline news that are somewhat

negative about trade. But beyond this headline news and maybe less visible, we see all sorts of positive trends; and e-Commerce and digital trade is one of such areas. Digital trade has been growing strongly over the past few years. It is one of the areas not hit by the pandemic and even increased faster when the rest of trade slumped. That is one of the reasons why trade as a whole has been resilient.

The most important benefit of course is that digitally delivered services are not resilient in themselves, but they help economies as a whole to become resilient, because they facilitate work from home and remote work, which became more prominent during the pandemic. But what stressed in the report was that digitally-enabled services can also help in terms of inclusiveness because trade cost tend to be much higher for remote countries, for landlocked countries and for countries that have weak physical infrastructure.

Obviously, it is one of the reasons why we see trade cost being linked to infrastructure problems. And there is a support gap between advanced and developing economies, but there is less gap when it comes to innovations in things such as mobile payments as they have taken off much faster in Africa compared to Europe; and all of these essentially facilitate e-Commerce, which is why we think e-Commerce and digital trade are huge opportunities for global trade. Obviously, digital trade tends to be much greener across the world.

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

O’Neill

Transforming Public Service Delivery

There is an impression amongst many Nigerians that public servants whether at the federal or at the state level no longer care about serving the people they are recruited to service. Many public servants have been accused of negligence of duty, unwillingness or inability to solve societal problems, and sometimes deficient in basic knowledge of quality public service delivery.

In extreme cases, some of them feel that they are doing the public a favour by rendering services to them, while others just see their employment as mere avenue to earn salaries, get promotion and enjoy other benefits without making any meaningful impact in the lives of the citizens from their workplaces.

Whether it is in the National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Police Force, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) or the Imo State Water Corporation, the story is just the same.

These unwholesome practices and mindsets contribute to the leadership failures in the country, which require a major fundamental change through retraining and exposure of public servants to the basic standards of public service delivery obtained in advanced nations.

In an increasingly evolving world, Nigeria requires visionary leaders who can navigate complex issues, make data-driven decisions, and drive meaningful change and this occurs with transformative leadership which is at the heart of what the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation is seeking to achieve.

The challenges of poor working conditions, overstaffing, and bureaucracy mean that Nigeria’s public sector requires fresh ideas, modern leadership, and data-driven decision-making to address pressing issues like infrastructure development, economic growth, and public service delivery.

ENTERS AIG-IMOUKHUEDE FOUNDATION

This is what the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation seeks to accomplish. Its mission is to improve the lives of Africans through transformed public service delivery and increased access to quality primary healthcare through its different initiatives.

One of such initiatives is the AIG Scholarship Programme for Public Servants which the foundation undertakes in collaboration with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford.

“My experience at the Blavatnik School of Government was a once-in-a-lifetime, lifechanging opportunity. I gained practical knowledge from academics and renowned public policy leaders on the nuances of public service. Most importantly, I learned the importance of focusing on the impact my work will have”, said a 2019 AIG Scholar, Hakeem Onasanya.

Onasanya is the Special Adviser to the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).

LSETF was established to tackle unemployment and promote entrepreneurship in Lagos State by empowering its residents with job and wealth-creation opportunities.

Onasanya applied for the AIG Scholarship to undertake a Master’s in Public Policy degree (MPP) because of his passion for public service and desire to positively impact his country and give back.

Reiterating that his time at Oxford was life-changing, he added that the diversity of his class provided lots of opportunities for knowledge transfer.

With 123 class members from 50 different counties, students discovered that many of the issues countries face are not unique and that sometimes the best way to move forward is to learn from the successes and failures of other countries. During the period he was

at Oxford, Onasanya said he also learnt the importance of continuous learning.

“During one of our lectures, we were told that after attending the University of Oxford, ignorance is no longer an excuse. This quote has followed into my career. I constantly tell myself that I cannot be an ambassador for the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and be ignorant about the world surrounding me. I, therefore, seek to educate myself constantly”, he stated.

He noted that his experience at Oxford has made him approach his work with excellence and impact at the forefront of his mind, meaning that he always does his very best and thinks about the real people who will benefit from his work.

According to Onasanya, “When you work in public service, you must serve the people; you are not doing them a favour. So, I approach my work with that mindset. I also carry out constant impact evaluations to assess how the beneficiaries of any project I am engaged in are faring and if it is solving the identified problem. Finally, I ensure that I obtain sufficient data so that the assessment of the results of our interventions is backed by evidence.”

PROOF OF IMPACTS RECORDED

To show that he gained quality training in the course of his sojourn at Oxford, Onasanya undertook a project which was on the Lagos MSME Recovery Project Fund, which the Governor of Lagos State set up to rehabilitate small businesses and inhabitants of Lagos who were affected by the aftermath of the #ENDSARS protests. He was an integral part of the committee and wrote the final project report.

“Projects like this are why I work in the public sector. They allow us to show that the public sector can provide a service and that a keyway that citizens will reap the dividend of democracy is through the work of public servants”, he intoned.

For his work, Onasanya was recently recognised by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, as a recipient of the 2022 Royal African Youth Leadership Award in the Entrepreneurship & Empowerment category.

Also, in 2020, Folasade Osho, a staff of NAFDAC, was awarded the AIG-Scholarship, thus beginning the journey to a life-changing career experience.

A summer project she undertook with the Oxford in Berlin Global Public Health Strategy Group, provided her with an opportunity to contribute to a national project focused on using digital tools to mitigate the supply of substandard or falsified COVID-19 vaccines in lower-middle-isometries.

Osho, has facilitated Nigeria’s participation in a workshop that birthed “the Abuja principles”, which distilled vital insights to be considered when implementing digital innovations in resourceconstrained settings. The experience she gained during the project made her an ideal candidate to be called upon to serve on the Technical Working Group (TWG) for implementing pharmaceutical traceability in Nigeria.

She has also been involved in preparing guidelines and organising workshops and training for stakeholders within the pharmaceutical supply chain, the Federal Ministry of Health, other agencies, and funding partners. These activities are in preparation for a full-scale implementation of traceability for all medical products in Nigeria by 2024.

Her training has been invaluable in solving a real-world problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, where a recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said substandard drugs kill 500,000 persons yearly.

To curb the problem of fake drugs, NAFDAC is implementing a drug traceability programme, which will enable the agency to see the movement of prescription drugs or medical devices across the supply chain by 2024. Interestingly, Osho, who currently serves as a member of the Technical Working Committee implementing pharmaceutical traceability in Nigeria, said she owes her skills and abilities to the AIG-Imoukheude Foundation scholarship programme.

“The knowledge I gained from effective use of evidence in policy-making, managing public sector organisations, and interest groups’ politics has proved extremely valuable in my work as a member of the TWG for implementing pharmaceutical traceability in Nigeria,” Osho said.

MORE IMPACTS

The AIG Scholarships isn’t just about education; it’s about creating leaders who can tackle the unique challenges of the Nigerian public sector. These public servants return home equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to become transformative leaders.

For instance, Louisa Chinedu-Okeke, the Special Assistant to the President on Finance, working in the office of the immediate past Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo was a 2018 AIG Scholar, whose experience impacted his career.

Louisa applied for the AIG Scholarship to undertake a Master’s in Public Policy degree (MPP) at the University of Oxford because she wanted to make a leap from a career in consulting to the public sector and sought to gain knowledge and develop skills from one of the world’s leading universities that would help her be successful as she transitioned into the public sphere.

“As a result of the training and experience I received from the MPP, I can critically review my opinions and the views of other parties to structure my position so that my proposals and recommendations for policy direction are always evidence-based. Additionally, I gained important soft skills that have helped me enhance my results by building consensus with people”, she said.

Louisa was a member of the committee that monitored and evaluated the implementation of Nigeria’s economic sustainability plan, created in response to the economic impact of COVID-19. She was also a member of the Fiscal Policy Reform Committee that came up with the finance bill for 2021.

ABOUT AIG-IMOUKHUEDE FOUNDATION

Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede started their philanthropic journey over 30 years ago and have been involved in many grassroots and not-for-profit projects across Nigeria.

Six years ago, they established the AigImoukhuede Foundation to consolidate, provide focus, and coordinate the family’s philanthropic activities.

The Foundation achieves its objectives by strengthening public sector reform initiatives with funding and technical assistance and by implementing capacity-building programs for public servants. It collaborates with government ministries, departments and agencies, academic

institutions, civil society organisations, and private sector entities to scale its impact.

To promote its healthcare goals, the Foundation provides funding and strategic support to drive the work of affiliate organisations focused on driving access to quality and affordable healthcare. Organisations supported include ABCHealth, the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) and the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF).

To build public servant capabilities, it offers the AIG Scholarships empowering outstanding Nigerian Public Servants with the opportunity to pursue a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. Since 2017, it has awarded 29 scholarships to students across various African countries.

Other initiatives include the AIG Senior Leaders Programme for Federal Permanent Secretaries and the annual AIG Public Leaders Programme, which aims to provide high-potential public servants with the knowledge required to bring about transformational change across their organisations.

Through its various programmes, the Foundation has helped train nearly 400 public servants since 2017 and aims to reach 3,000 of the country’s top public servants by 2030.

OPERATIONS MODEL

The AIG-Imoukheude Foundation seeks to solve real-world problems by training its focus on advocacy, capacity building, civil service reforms, and improving healthcare.

Through evidence-based advocacy, it seeks to provide focused citizens with information and knowledge about public sector performance so that they are empowered to call for improved public service delivery and hold the government accountable. It also advocates for increased private-public sector collaboration and knowledge transfer to improve the effectiveness of the public sector.

The foundation’s capacity building programme is directed at enhancing the capacity of civil servants and other public sector officials to be more effective in their roles. This is done by funding scholarships, developing executive training programmes based on the needs of the public sector workforce, and collaborating with government entities to support their capacity-building initiatives.

It supports the reform initiatives of public sector entities by providing financing, strategic support, and technical assistance, focusing on projects that will ultimately contribute to a more effective service.

The foundation also seeks to improve access to quality, affordable healthcare and is working with the Nigerian government to strengthen primary healthcare systems for better health outcomes for all citizens.

“We also collaborate with carefully chosen partners to provide them with strategic support and funding to address some of the most significant challenges in Africa’s primary healthcare sector,” it said on its website.

Earlier in the year, Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan, traveled to Singapore for a public service conference. She revealed that the kind of technological tools used by her counterparts in other countries forced her upon her return to call a press release and sound warning that unless the country embraced digital technology, efficient service delivery would be a mirage.

L-R: Chairman, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Special Assistant to the Kaduna State Governor, Abdulhakeem Ibraheem; Deputy Manager, Internal Audit Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Olutimayin Itunuoluwa; Assistant Chief Engineer, Performance Management Department, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ajike Ogbu; Executive Vice Chair, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, at the 2023 AIG Scholarships Predeparture Orientation programme.

Nigeria’s public service sector both at the federal and state levels is witnessing transformation in terms of delivery of quality service to the citizens owing to the empowerment of public servants through the AigImoukhuede Foundation’s Scholarship Programme, writes Peter Uzoho

ActionAid Urges FG to Invest in Infrastructure, SMES to Tackle Unemployment

Raheem Akingbolu

With a clear demonstration of political will and deliberate investment in infrastructure, small and medium scale enterprises (SMES) and education, the 133 million citizens described as multidimensionally poor by the recent National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report would be relieved of the pangs of poverty, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) new Country Director, Mr Andrew Mamedu, has said.

According to him, ActionAid Nigeria, a social justice nongovernmental organisation working to eradicate poverty and all forms of injustice in Nigeria, determines under the

new leadership to work around the key thematic areas of governance, education, health, women’s right, agriculture and human security in emergency, to take at least five million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years

While taking Journalists through his plans in office in Abuja, Mamedu said Nigeria has the capacity and resources to end the scourge of poverty and unemployment if the right things are done by its leadership.

He said if the ruling class showed the same commitment in winning elections against poverty, most poor Nigerians would be out of the poverty cage

He pointed out that his era would align strongly with the rural communities to tackle critical challenges that beset the Nigerian people in a more penetrating manner, and he said: “In the next 10 years, hold us to account for the 5 million.”

Lamenting on the worrisome global climatic condition, the he said Africa contributes less than 4 percent of global emission but bears 60 percent of the burdens.

He blamed poverty in Nigeria on politicians who manipulate and mismanage the huge resources in the country to their own advantage, calling on the media to do all it could to hold people in government to account.

AGF Vows to Eliminate Threats to Financial Reforms

The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, has reaffirmed her commitment to upholding and promoting the ideals of prudence, transparency and accountability in government financial transactions.

The AGF said she will take requisite steps to permanently resolve observed and potential threats to the efficient and continuous implementation of all the financial management reform initiatives of the federal government.

She also declared that a review of other financial management policies was underway, pointing out that the objective was to give the necessary revitalisation to these policies to make them function optimally.

Madein, in a statement issued by the Director of Press, Office of the AFG (OAGF), Mr. Bawa Mokwa, further explained that since assumption of office, she has undertaken an in-depth review of the financial reforms adding that she will leverage the outcome of the review to inject new ideas and strategies into the projects in order to sustain the gains so far recorded.

She said, “Recently, the OAGF had meticulous engagements with IPPIS Service providers, I can assure you that there has been great improvement in the operations of the payment platform. The review of other financial management policies is underway. The objective is to give the necessary revitalization to these policies to make them function optimally.”

She said the OAGF will sustain the practice of publishing the details of FAAC revenue distribution to the three tiers of government, noting that publication of the revenue distribution will keep Nigerians abreast with the revenue generation and distribution effort of the federal government and also help them balance government performance with revenue inflows at all levels.

Madein said, “A government can only thrive if the citizens are carried along in the management of public funds. Nigerians need to be aware of the inflows and expenditures. With this, they can compare revenue collected with the developments on grounds to ascertain whether the government is performing or not.”

Chams HoldCo Lists Key Achievements, Assures Investors

Chams Holding Company Plc, a leading technology company in Nigeria has unveiled its key achievements despite the tough operating environments, explained the outlook for the second half of the year and assured the shareholders of superior return on investment.

Besides, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and stockbrokers have commended Chams for its innovative products and services and urged the company to sustain the momentum to boost its revenue steam and enhance shareholder value.

Addressing the Management of Nigerian Stock Exchange Limited (NGX) and stockbrokers during the Company’s Facts behind the Figures at NGX in Lagos at the weekend, the

Group Managing Director, Mrs Mayowa Olaniyan, who made graphical presentation of the Company’s recent outstanding financial performance, listed seven key achievements, including changing of business model to platform model, transformation into non-operating holding structure , business expansion, development of PenCentral solution and strong financial performance among others.

“We possess the highest Fintech Lincense category which has changed the business model to platform model. Our nonoperating HoldCo structure is cost effective. We have expanded Perso Bureau to include SIM card production. Chamsswitch has received certification by UnionPay Internarional, the biggest card scheme, “said

Olaniyan.

Corroborating her, the Company’s Chairman, Demola Aladekomo, said Chams had weathered the storm to come out stronger and would continue to play pivotal role in the technology space globally.

Aladekomo stated that Chams’ biggest asset was its quality Staff who he described as some of the brightest in the industry.

In his welcome address, the Divisional Head, Capital Market, NGX, Mr Jude Chiemeka commended the Board and Management of Chams for providing an up-to-date information of the Company’s financial performance, strategic and operational developments to the Exchange and Stockbrokers.

‘Nigerians with St Lucia Passport, can Travel Visa-free to Canada’

Sunday Ehigiator

The Country Manager of RIF Trust Nigeria, Zuberu Kadiri has revealed that Nigerians who have an Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, or St Lucia second passport now have visa-free air travel via an eTA to Canada.

Kadiri made this known while speaking on the impact of Canada’s Visa-Free Air Travel Policy (eTA) on Nigerians, through a statement.

According to him, “Citizenship-by-Investment and Residency-by-Investment programmes have become popular choices and ‘Plan Bs’ for Nigerians and their families.

“RIF Trust, part of the Latitude Group, is one of the leading international investment migration advisory firms. RIF Trust has assisted over 6,000 clients and their families to secure global access through Citizenship and Residency-by-Investment programmes.

L-R: Doyen of Stockbrokers,Sam Ndata; Head, Listing

MARKET INDICATORS

“Nigerians who have an Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, or St Lucia second passport now have visa-free air travel via an eTA to Canada.

“However, if you’re travelling as a citizen of these countries, you must have held a Canadian visa within the past 10 years or possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa to qualify. This en ables you to apply for an eTA instead of a traditional visa when visiting Canada by air.”

Money

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 25 AUGUST, 2023

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).

and Regulation Department, NGX Group Plc, Godstime Iwenekhai; Chief Data Officer NGX Group,Dr. Olufemi Oyenuga; Divisional Head, Capital Market, Nigerian Exchange Limited,Jude Chiemeka; Group Chairman Chams. Sir Demola Aladekomo; Group Managing Director, Chams, Mayowa Olaniyan; Managing Director, ChamsAcess Limited,Dumebi Obodo and Managing Director, CardCentre Nig. Limited,Lekan Latona during the Presentation of Facts Behind the Figures by Chams on NGX in Lagos...recently

James Emejo

Stock Market Down N400bn WoW on Profit-taking in Zenith Bank, Others

Kayode Tokede

The stock market segment of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) reversed prior week’s gains as the total market capitalization of listed equities experienced a decline of N400 billion week-on-week (WoW) to close at N36.886 trillion, trigged by profit-taking activities in Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (MTNN).

Consequently, the NGX AllShare index declined by 1.10 per cent WoW to close at 67,395.74 basis points.

The sectoral performance in the week unveiled a largely bearish outing.

The NGX Insurance index emerged as the lone gainer this week by 0.46 per cent week on week. On the contrary, the NGX Banking index was hardest hit

this week as the index lost 3.24 per cent week on week.

The NGX Oil & Gas, NGX Consumer Goods and NGX Industrial Goods indices also exhibited signs of decline, albeit to a lesser extent, with losses of 2.02 per cent, 1.84 per cent and 0.28 per cent respectively.

However, market breadth for the week was negative as 32 equities appreciated in price, 53 equities depreciated in price, while 70 equities

remained unchanged. Oando led the gainers table by 42.86 per cent to close at N11.00, per share. Chellarams followed with a gain of 32.76 per cent to close at N3.85, while CWG went up by 29.76 per cent to close to N7.50, per share.

On the other side, Associated Bus Company led the decliners table by 33.63 per cent to close at 75 kobo, per share. Omatek Ventures followed with a loss of 31.03 per cent to close at 40 kobo,

while eTranzact International declined by 26.50 per cent to close at N7.35, per share.

Overall, a total turnover of 2.933 billion shares worth N47.449 billion in 44,654 deals was traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 2.644 billion shares valued at N45.450 billion that exchanged hands prior week in 44,189 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume)

led the activity chart with 1.955 billion shares valued at N26.384 billion traded in 21,707 deals; contributing 66.67 per cent and 55.61 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Oil and Gas Industry followed with 281.356 million shares worth N5.307 billion in 4,423 deals, while the Conglomerates Industry traded a turnover of 280.586 million shares worth N1.763 billion in 3,079 deals.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF SEPTEMBER/15/23

INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH MEDIA STAKEHOLDERS…

UNICAL Sex Scandal: Women Affairs Minister Apologises over Controversial Statement

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, yesterday, tendered an apology over the controversy which has trailed comments credited to her in a viral video concerning the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).

The minister regretted her statement, saying she was committed to justice as well as safeguarding and advancing the rights and welfare of Nigerian women, including the pursuit of justice whenever their rights were violated.

Barely 24 hours ago, a coalition of over 500 gender

rights activists under the aegis of Womanifesto convened by the Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola AkiyodeAfolabi, had demanded a retraction and public apology.

The women activists had said they were gravely concerned about the minister’s utterances on the UNICAL sexual harassment case and the implications for the interest and protection of vulnerable women and children in Nigeria.

The minister, in the video, also purportedly insinuated that the students were being used and manipulated by some people to get Ndifon out of

office, so they themselves could take his place.

She was reportedly heard in trending video threatening the students of UNICAL with dire consequences including imprisonment if they continued to pursue the case of sexual harassment against the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon.

In the video, the minister had said since the female students had admitted that they were not raped, it meant they were not sexually harassed.

But the Minister in a statement personally signed by her yesterday, in Abuja, emphasised her, "unwavering dedication to upholding due

diligence and the rule of law, recognising that justice and fairness are the fundamental principles upon which equitable societies are built."

She said, "This declaration comes in response to recent public discussions and reactions by concerned Nigerians regarding the unfolding situation at the University of Calabar, involving the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Cyril Ndifon, and sexual harassment allegations levelled against him.

AfDB, Eritrea Strengthen Partnership, Cooperation for Country’s Growth

James Emejo in Abuja

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group and Eritrea have strengthened their partnership to support the country’s growth and place it on a more sustainable development path in the coming years.

President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said the bank has committed to support Eritrea’s development, including its goal of selfreliance.

He spoke during a visit to the Eritrean capital, AsmaraAsmara, where he held talks with the country's President, Isaias Afwerki.

Adesina, described the development finance institution as an important partner of Eritrea and currently supporting the country in energy, water and sanitation, agriculture, skills and capacity development, as well as economic and financial governance.

Adesina said: “I had an excellent visit to Eritrea. I came away highly impressed by the passion to develop and the incredible resilience and self-reliance of the Eritrean people.

"The best part was when I

was told by a United Nations (UN) senior level official that “In Eritrea, corruption is zero per cent.”.

Adesina commended the Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, for being consistent with his engagement with the bank since the country joined the institution nearly 30 years ago.

In a statement, he was quoted to have added: “The capacity and first-rate skills of Eritrean engineers are amazing and should be shared with other African countries.

"President Isaias Afwerki is so passionate, determined very simple. Eritrea and its highly committed people have all it takes to rapidly grow and thrive in the years ahead.

“As President of the African Development Bank, I can assure you that under my leadership, the African Development Bank will be there to support Eritrea's drive to transform its economy.

"It can only get better with all the projects we have talked about today. If we work together, I know that Eritrea will be a much better country in many ways.”

The AfDB president also highlighted the need to prioritise agro-industrialisation to further

grow the agriculture sector and ensure food stability.

He also proposed the African Development Bank's Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones initiative as a model for transforming Eritrea's rural communities into prosperous economic zones, harnessing the power of commercial agriculture and food production.

Afwerki, however, thanked Adesina for the strategic role the bank was playing in improving the lives of the Eritrean people.

He said the country had identified the African Development Bank Group as the partner of choice to drive rapid socio-economic development and to move its economy “from subsistence to industrialisation.”

He said Eritrea had found the African Development Bank Group to be an ally and a key partner for development.

Afwerki said, “We have had fruitful engagements with the Bank and want to do more with the institution on a sustainable level.”

He also called for more resources for the African Development Bank and for it to be strengthened to support Africa's development priorities.

He also called for additional

at the University of Calabar.

“This is extremely regrettable as my intentions were sincere and aligned with my consistent advocacy for the welfare of Nigerian women and the pursuit of justice.

"I stand for all Nigerian women and I stand for justice; and it is my hope that we can work together to actualise the dream of a country where women’s rights are respected and protected, and where

"I wish to express my sincere apologies to those who were offended by my comments and actions regarding the sexual harassment scandal Daikin, a global innovator and provider of advanced, high-quality air conditioning, heating, ventilation, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) products and solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial applications, has announced the launch of its first Proshop in Port Harcourt.

support in other critical areas, including support for fishing communities, agriculture, skills and capacity development to increase self-sufficiency, and integrated infrastructure to enable the country to make the most of its large potash deposits

In April, the African Development Bank’s board of directors approved a $49.92 million financing grant for the construction of a 30-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant in Dekemhare.

This is the bank’s largest investment in the country and the project would have a transformative impact on improving access to energy in Eritrea.

It would also contribute to the Eritrea’s target of generating 360 megawatts of electricity by 2030.

In 2018, Eritrea signed a peace and cooperation agreement with its neighbour, Ethiopia. This milestone marked the end of 20 years of conflict that had hampered economic development.

The agreement and the lifting of United Nations and United States sanctions ended a decade of international isolation for Eritrea.

our daughters feel safe in institutions of learning.”

During a recent appearance on AIT, the Minister had also condemned sexual harassment and related offences.

She had also expressed deep concern over the escalating cases of sexual harassment across campuses and had emphasised the need for decisive action, assuring that her Ministry would actively seek justice for those affected.

Launches First Proshop in Port Harcourt

Daikin Partners IHCL,

and unmatched expertise to its customers.”

Commenting on the announcement, Africa Sales Manager at Daikin MEA, Sami Monastiriotis – Gkouneim said:

This was done in partnership with the Integrated Home Concepts Limited (IHCL).

“Set to open its doors on 13 September, 2023, the newly launched Proshop, located at Port-Harcourt, Nigeria, will serve as a business-to-business (B2B) sales and service hub for Daikin's extensive range of air conditioning technologies: from split and multi-split to SkyAir setups and control and VRV systems tailored for various applications,” it explained in a statement.

It noted that, “at the store, which will provide both a showcase of Daikin products and an engaging, customer-centric experience, Daikin specialists will be on hand to advise customers on the systems that best meet their needs, while the back-end support will ensure that their needs are attended to from design and sales through to installation and aftermarket services.

“For Daikin, Africa represents a key market in which Nigeria particularly stands out as a growth area. With the inauguration of Port Harcourt Proshop, Daikin is taking its commitment to the country to the next level, delivering industry-leading innovation

“With the launch of our first Proshop in Port Harcourt, our objective is to address the evolving needs of the Nigerian market by offering advanced air quality solutions that balance comfort with energy efficiency.

“Studies have revealed that certain air conditioning units might not be suited for Nigeria's unique weather conditions, leading to potential health risks and mishaps from outdated systems and lack of technical know-how.

“Having rigorously assessed Nigeria's market and its air quality challenges, we are now bringing our specialised expertise to bear to deliver toptier air-conditioning solutions in this market.

“Our collaboration with IHCL follows Daikin's approach of aligning with strategic local partners to ensure customer service excellence.”

Also, the Managing Director of IHCL, Sanjay Mishra, said: “IHCL is partnering with Daikin to open its first Proshop showroom in Port Harcourt, offering a quality and comfortable experience for both existing and prospective customers.

“The partnership will provide sales and technical services at one place, ensuring a seamless customer experience and a great Daikin brand experience.”

L-R: Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Reuben Muoka; Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists , Kano Chapter, Aminu Garko; Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Ubale Maska; Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Head, Women and Childre n Department, Nasara Radio, Aisha Abdulmalik and Head of Station, Rahma Radio/TV Abuja, Nafiu Yahaya, during an interactive session with media stakeholders in Kano at the weekend

AWARD WELL DESERVED...

HURIWA: Tinubu’s Appointments Are Nepotistic, Unconstitutional, Undemocratic

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), yesterday, said with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent approval of the nomination of Olayemi Cardoso to serve as the substantive Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), some 48 hours after appointing Zachaeus Adedeji as the acting chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), president appeared to be pushing an unseemly pro-ethnic agenda

In a statement by its national coordinator, Emmanuel

Onwuniko, the group said, “With a little over 100 days on the saddle, the president’s appointments have shown he appeared to have special consideration for people from his South-West region, especially those with links to Lagos State.

"If President Tinubu’s appointment of new services sparked new hope and drew deserved plaudits in that it recognised the nation’s diversity, his subsequent appointments curiously depart from that template.

"That the disastrous, previous administration of General

Melaye: With 52 Mineral Resources, Kogi Has No Reason to Be Poor

Says state has largest number of missing persons

Chuks

Okocha in Abuja

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State,Senator, Senator Dino Melaye, at the weekend, declared that the state was too blessed to be poor, with about 52 mineral resources available.

Melaye, said this during the formal submission of the report of the Policy Drafting Committee for Kogi State Governorship election at the party’s national Secretariat in Abuja.

This was even as Melaye, lamented that Kogi State accounts for the largest number of missing persons throughout the country.

Responding after the submission of the report by the committee headed by Prof. Sam Amadi, the PDP gubernatorial candidate pointed out that among all the candidates and parties participating in the governorship election in Kogi State, only the PDP was working on a policy document.

Melaye, maintained that Kogi State, which is also referred to as the ‘Confluence State’, has no reason, whatsoever to be poor, considering the abundant mineral resources that God has blessed the state with.

His words, “Kogi is too blessed to be poor, I brought people from outside Nigeria who did a scientific research and gave

me the mineral resources in Kogi State.

“We have 52 mineral resources in Kogi State out of which only one has been tapped, limestone. The rest are just there

“We have Uranium; we have the largest deposit of Uranium in Nigeria in Kogi State. Yet we are participating in this market. We have others in commercial quantity.”

Speaking on the issue of missing persons in the State, the erstwhile Senator, who represented Kogi West district in the National Assembly, said, “In the history of the state, we have the largest number of missing persons in Nigeria, even the PDP Chairman of Okene local government area, for four years, we are still looking for him.

“You can only imagine the number of missing persons in Kogi State, not to talk of those murdered in broad daylight. Two months ago 27 people were killed in Ejule in one day.

“This shows that we have a lot of work to do because the state has been completely bastardised, economy in shambles, hospitals are mere consulting clinics, no roads.

“The great water works done by former Governor Ibrahim Idris, today it is eleven months, no water in Lokoja the state capital. That is the type of state we are going to inherit,” he stated.

Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, towed a visionless, divisive path, in the overwhelming tribalistic appointments it made, should never excuse this course that fundamentally degrades the legitimate dream of a new, progressive, inclusive Nigerian state.

"Today, the stakes are extremely high and Nigerians are mindful that a failure to achieve democratic stability, through a meritorious, transparent, inclusive governance process may imperil the country's future as a coherent state. Mere political rewards and seeming ethnic nationalism should not drive the national journey. It is a perilous, avoidable option.’

"We recall here that the central driving mantra and foundational philosophy on which the ruling All Progressives Congress sold its presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now President, to Nigerians, was ‘Renewed Hope’. Nigerians bought into it and voted the

Security

Asiwaju and APC to power because it deeply resonated with the populace. But what is the reality?

"Key appointments traversing the nation’s crucial security, judicial and economic sectors are now unabashedly cornered by the South-West region. A quick, non-exhaustive check-list would include: Petroleum Minister: Bola Tinubu; Chief of Staff: Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Justice: Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Folashodun Shonubi who now gives way to a substantive CBN boss Olayemi Cardoso.

"Others include: Minister of Marine & Blue Economy: Bunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy: Bosun Tijan; simultaneously, the Chairman of Senate Committee on ICT, Afolabi

Agencies

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

No fewer 33 kidnapped victims in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State have been rescued by the Joint Taskforce of security operatives operating in the area. THISDAY checks revealed that the victims were, a fews

Salisu, and that of House of Representatives, Adedeji Olajide Odidiomo are both from the South-West; Minister of Power: Adebayo Adelabu; Minister of Transport: Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of Solid Minerals: Dele Alake; Chief of Army Staff: General Taoreed Lagbaja; Police IG: Kayode Egbetokun; Comptroller-General Customs: Adewale Adeniyi; ComptrollerGeneral Immigration: Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola; FIRS Chairman: Zacchaeus. Adedeji, et cetera, "HURIWA stated.

Also, another civil society group, South West APC Support Groups (SASG), hassaid, "This unfolding pro-ethnic gambit is not surprisingly provoking pushbacks from regional organisations, including the ‘favored’ South-West.

“Some S/West APC stakeholders under the aegis of South West APC Support Groups (SASG) earlier in the day alleged that states in the zone are being

sidelined in the appointments of presidential aides announced so far, as only the ‘Lagos boys’ are snatching the slots.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Otunba Dele Fulani, the SASG expressed worry that the trend might be extended to ministerial and board appointments for MDAs if not addressed immediately.

Besides Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s objections to its zone’s alleged peripheral action by the Tinubu administration, the Arewa Economic Forum also recently accused Tinubu of ethnic bias in the selection of appointees into crucial economic sectors.

“We are afraid to state that a situation whereby the appointees in crucial economic sectors are not only from the Southwest but also connected to the Lagos axis suggests a deliberate ‘Yorubanisation’ and ‘Lagoslisation’ of the polity,” chairman of the forum Ibrahim Shehu Yahaya, recently said.

Rescue 33 Kidnapped Victims in Bauchi

days ago, kidnapped by armed gunmen and taken into the forest awaiting payment of ransom from the families.

However, on the directive of Governor Bala Mohammed , who hailed from the area, the Joint Security Taskforce engaged the bandits and secured the release

of all the 33 kidnapped victims, hale and hearty.

Caretaker Chairman of Alkaleri council, Bala Ibrahim Mahmoud, received the 33 kidnapped victims from the security operatives in Yalwan Duguri of Alkaleri local Government.

The caretaker chairman

applauded the security agencies on the quick response to the menace that event led to the release of the victims from captivity.

He charged all the 33 victims to undergo medical check ups to ensure their perfect health before any further actions.

Yobe, UNICEF Collaborate, Enroll 7000 Vulnerable Children, Women for Health Insurance Scheme

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA) and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) have enrolled about 7,000 zero - dose poor women and children under the contributory healthcare scheme to access free healthcare services in Gulani and Geidam local government areas.

The enrollees were captured by the YSCHMA in collaboration with UNICEF, with the aim of giving them access to quality healthcare services at the designated health facilities.

The disclosure was made

yesterday, by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr. Muhammad Lawan Gana, at the opening of a one-day stakeholders engagement meeting. The meeting was on the UNICEF support to expand population coverage in two zero-dose local government areas of Yobe state held in Damaturu.

According to him, “Zero-dose children are children aged between 12 and 23 months, who have not received their first dose of diphtheria, tetanus, BCG, polio, meningococcal and pertussis containing vaccine (DPT-1)."

Gana, also said through the partnership with UNICEF, 3,500

children from each of the two local government areas would be covered with a pre-payment plan to access Primary and Secondary healthcare services in all YSCHMA accredited and engaged health facilities across the selected local government areas.

“The children will be enrolled to receive a full complement of primary healthcare services. When the need for referral arises, it will be made and it is also a free service,” he said.

The Commissioner further noted that the programme would complement the State Government’s Social Equity Programme, which had since enrolled over 32,000 vulnerable persons across the state.

He explained under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), which was being supported by the federal government, over 45,000 vulnerable persons had been enrolled.

“This is aside from another set of the 2,500 vulnerable persons supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF),” the Commissioner added.

The Commissioner therefore, commended the State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, UNICEF and other development partners in the state for their various supports in enhancing effective and efficient healthcare service delivery in the state.

L-R: Managing Director, Maximedia Global, Femi Adefowokan, Founding Partner, Dorothy Ufot & Co, Dorothy Udeme Ufot, her husband/ Group Managing Director, SO&U, Udeme Ufot; Senior Group Head, Human Interest & Admin, SO&U, Kemi Evbota, and Chief Operating Officer, Lucid Audio Visual, Biola Williams, during the presentation of the Advertising Legend Award to Udeme Ufot, during the 20th Anniversary of Marketing Edge Brands & Advertising Excellence Awards 2023 held in Lagos…recently

BUSINESS EXPANSION...

Mrs Obasanjo Begs Oyo Obas, Yoruba over Husband’s Action

Wife of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs. Taiwo Obasanjo, yesterday,sought the forgiveness of Oyo Obas and the Yoruba race in general over a recent action of her husband, which publicly humiliated the traditional rulers.

Obasanjo, a special guest at the commissioning of projects by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde had chastised some Yoruba traditional rulers for not standing up in reverence to him respect as a former president and the governor.

He consequently ordered them to stand up to recognise his presence.

The development, however, stirred immediate reaction across the board with the likes of Yoruba Council Worldwide, the Oluwo of

Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi and others calling on Obasanjo to apologise within three days or face the consequences.

But in a statement yesterday, titled: “Oyo Kings: A plea for forgiveness”, Mrs Obasanjo begged “for permanent and eternal forgiveness and pardon from all Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide, fathers and mothers, youths, teenagers and children, Christians, Muslims, traditional worshippers, all leaders in Yoruba land and the Council of Kings in Yoruba land.”

While noting that she was appealing with humility as a mother, she begged them to not “avenge on any of us the misdeeds of Daddy Obasanjo.

The statement read: “This is

Air Force Chief in Czech Republic, Seeks Strategic Partnership

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, weekend, saidstrengthening strategic partnership with other air forces, provided the pathway to an enduring and comprehensive solution towards addressing the challenges encountered in pilot trainings. This came as air strikes hit seven illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region.

Air Marshal Abubakar stated this just as he noted that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was poised to strengthen its strategic partnership with the Air Force of the Czech Republic in the areas of technological transfer, capacity building as well as research and development.

The partnership, according to him, would enhance the proficiency of NAF maintenance crew to be able to undertake some major maintenance works in-country, thereby reducing aircraft downtime, while improving air operations.

A statement by the Spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, stated that the air force chief spoke when he met with the Commander of Czech Air Force, Major General Petr Cepelka, on the sideline of the Future Air Force 2023 Conference currently ongoing in Praque, Czech Republic.

Speaking further, Abubakar sought the cooperation and collaboration of the Czech Air Force in the areas of counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and pilot training.

While acknowledging the support

the NAF has received from the Czech Air Force since the initial purchase of the L-39 aircraft in 1986, the CAS disclosed that the NAF had continued to maintain an active relationship with the Czech Air Force.

He recalled that the NAF had in the past collaborated with the Czech Air Force on pilot trainings on L-39Z aircraft simulator, altitude chamber and spatial disorientation training for several NAF pilots across different platforms, which had positively impacted on NAF’s fighting capabilities.

Responding, Cepelka, thanked Air Marshal Abubakar for sustaining the long history of mutual relationship that has existed between the NAF and the Czech Air Force, and assured him of the Czech Air Force support in the areas of aircraft acquisition, maintenance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations and training of NAF special forces.

Meanwhile, air strikes conducted by the Nigerian Air Force hit seven illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region.

A statement issued by NAF Headquarters in Abuja said the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe ramped up efforts at denying oil thieves and operators of illegal oil refining sites the opportunity to burst pipelines, operate illegal oil refining sites while damaging the environment.

It said air strikes conducted on Cawthorne Channel and Bille, both located in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, proved successful as seven illegal refining sites were identified and destroyed.

my own personal stand on the manner Chief Olusegun Obasanjo addressed the Kings at Iseyin at the road commissioning by Governor Makinde of Oyo State on Friday 15th September 2023.

“As a legitimate member of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s family, l would like to state publicly worldwide and privately that the manner in which Daddy Obasanjo addressed the monarchs is not acceptable to God, to the Yoruba race and the throne of Kingship and it must not be repeated again by any leader in Yoruba land.

“Daddy Obasanjo should not

have treated the kings with open contempt and humiliation in order to correct them and reveal their secret that they bow for him privately. It is not good at all. It is too humiliating.

“Protocols could have corrected them privately and respectfully, humbly with love and friendliness. The only person that is infallible is God,” adding that, God Himself is known as the King of kings and mortals too speak up to God when there is a misunderstanding of His intent. She added: “I want to publicly state here that on behalf of the

family, the children, the wives, the grandchildren and all members of the family of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, l am offering a big and genuine apology both spiritual and physical to all the kings of Oyo State, all the kings of Yoruba land and the entire Yoruba race both in Nigeria and Diaspora.

“Please, l beg for permanent and eternal forgiveness and pardon from all Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide, fathers and mothers, youths, teenagers and children, Christians, Muslims, traditional worshippers, all leaders in Yoruba land and the Council

of Kings in Yoruba land. Please l humbly appeal with all humility don’t avenge on any of us the misdeeds of Daddy Obasanjo.

“I am a full Yoruba woman married to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for over 40 years and l have two children for him both male and female. I am a grandmother. I do not support the humiliating treatment of the kings of Oyo State by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Let history bear my record that l came out to apologise to the Oyo kings and Yoruba land on behalf of the family of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.”

LP Faction Admits Obi Truly Lost 2023 Presidential Poll

James Sowolein Abeokuta

The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Comrade Abayomi Arabambi, yesterday, said the recent disclosure by the Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, that the party's candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, never won the election was nothing but the truth that resonated with Nigerians.

Arabambi, who is of the Lamidi Apapa faction of the LP, said it was condemnable and disturbing that rather than going back to the drawing board to meticulously examine where things had fallen apart and re-strategise for 2027 elections, some members of the Labour Party had chosen to attack the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole

Soyinka, for only re-echoing the truth that was not hidden to discerning Nigerians.

Further expressing support for Soyinka's position, in a statement, he said the party saw the reaction of its factional Chairman, Julius Abure, through his personal media aide, Mr Obiorah Ifoh, to Soyinka's statement as nothing but "affront and abuse from a rude boy to his grandfather."

The publicity secretary, said even Prof Charles Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, where Obi hailed from had also stated in the past that the probability of Obi clinching third position in the presidential race was very slim not to talk of winning the elections.

"As a party, we knew that

Professor Wole Soyinka was right in his submission because how does anyone claimed to have won an election based solely on pejoratives, assumption, vague rhetoric and zero evidence pointing to such being the case, but on the expectation that the actual winner would be disqualified and by some stroke of black magic, the candidate in the Third place will suddenly be declared winner without any proof of having scored the majority vote is absolute judicial madness on display by some people.

"We know we lost that election, it was true Obi and Abure wanted to do Gbajuebecause ab initio, even when the presidential campaign council was formed, in the north, Peter Obi uses Igbo as state coordinators while northerner

remains their deputies," he said. He among other things alluded the failure of the party to refusal to plan, saying, it was an open secret that the party in its preparation towards 2023 elections had poor logistics and suffered dearly for it Arabambi added: "They did not support any candidate financially, they did not rent party secretariat at the ward, local government and state levels. No campaign material was produced neither was any vehicle purchased for the party at the state level "That's why we failed woefully. Imagine somebody that has no polling unit result sheet, no agents in majority of the polling units now turn around to claim election victory. So, how then do we say we won?"

Enugu State Embarks on Massive Law Reforms to De-risk Investments

The Enugu State government has announced that it would be embarking on a massive review of the state’s laws and the enactment of new ones where necessary, as part of efforts to make the state the preferred destination for investments.

The State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah’s administration is also prioritising the establishment of integrated smart schools in the 260 wards of the state to transform the education sector from mere social service delivery institutions to skill acquisition providing institutions.

The State Attorney-General and

Commissioner for Justice, Kingsley Udeh, made this known yesterday, at the end of the State’s Executive Council Meeting.

Udeh, said the Council had resolved to embark on massive law reviews to make the state more investment-friendly, after he signed the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023.

“We are aware that investors will always look for where the judicial system is strong enough. They want to be sure that if a dispute arises from business to business or business with the government, they would get quick dispensation of justice and that justice when given in the form of judgment would

be obeyed and enforced. This is what the government is working on," he said.

Udeh, said the governor Peter Mbah-led administration was also digitising the judiciary from filing of cases up to decision-making, adding that the target was to ensure that cases which used to take the court five years to seven years to dispense with could now be concluded in a matter of a year or less.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Ndubueze Mbah, said at least 10 of the integrated and smart schools earmarked for each of the electoral wards in the country would now be completed before the end of 2023, adding

that the first of such schools was nearing completion.

“The rationale for the schools is to establish a structure that would deliver the Nigerian basic education curriculum, not one where our children finish primary six without completing basic education because they are not able to progress to secondary school,” he added.

He noted that the curriculum model that would drive the schools would be based on what we call an experiential learning curriculum model in line with the governor’s Manifesto and Statement of Purpose, which is to ensure that no child will be 18 years old and not have acquired skills.

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

R-L: Daikin Nigeria Branch Manager, Cyril Ogu; wife of IHCL Managing Director, Poonam Mishra; Managing Director of IHCL, Sanjay Mishra; EMC Nigeria Sales Manager, Mr. Fouad Saab; DM of Africa Sales at Daikin Middle East and Africa, Mr. Sami Monastiriotis and Daikin Nigeria Country Manager, Mr. Vineeth Vijayan at the Launch of Daikin first proshop in Port-Harcourt.

This Week In Tech

Tech Top 5 News

ITU REPORTS GLOBAL INTERNET USER SURGE

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a branch of the United Nations overseeing technology matters, has reported a rise in global internet users, reaching 5.4 billion this year compared to 5.3 billion in 2022.

The ITU emphasised that the most significant surge in internet adoption occurs in low-income nations, with a 17 per cent increase in internet users over the past year.

However, less than a third of the population in these countries has internet access.

Specifically, in Nigeria, internet connections stood at 159.5 million as of July this year, constituting approximately three per cent of the worldwide connections, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin commented on the updated global internet data, stating, “This progress in connectivity is a positive step, aligning with our goal of ensuring no one is left behind as outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our dedication persists until we achieve a world where meaningful connectivity is a reality for all.”

However, Bogdan-Martin highlighted the need for an accelerated approach to internet access to ensure that digital advantages reach everyone.

The Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, also shared insights, noting that the growth in internet connectivity observed during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was short-lived, and current trends might not be sufficient to attain universal and meaningful connectivity by 2030.

He emphasised that attaining universal and meaningful connectivity by 2030, which entails enabling everyone to enjoy a secure, fulfilling, enriching, and productive online experience at an affordable price, necessitates a holistic strategy. This strategy should encompass enhancing infrastructure while addressing critical elements like affordability and digital literacy.

FLUTTERWAVE EMPLOYS 85% OF GRADUATES, DEFYING GLOBAL JOB MARKET

In the face of a challenging global employment landscape marked by layoffs and mounting joblessness, Flutterwave, the African fintech unicorn, has set a positive example by hiring a significant portion of its graduate trainees as permanent employees. About 85 per cent of the 200 participants from the inaugural cohort of Flutterwave’s Graduate Trainee Program have been absorbed into full-time positions after a year-long paid traineeship.

Flutterwave’s Global Chief People Officer, Mansi Babyloni, expressed excitement about achieving their goal of providing bright young graduates with opportunities to embark on successful tech careers early on. The Graduate Trainee Program, initiated in August 2022, offers a 12-month paid traineeship to recent graduates aiming to gain practical experiences and develop technical and soft skills. The program’s objective is to build a network of skilled young talent.

After completing their training and shadowing for a year, over 170 graduate trainees have transitioned to full-time employees, starting their careers as Analysts and Engineer 1s. This is aligned with Flutterwave’s recently launched career progression framework, illustrating a clear pathway of growth from entry-level positions to executive roles.

The move aligns with Flutterwave’s mission to create endless possibilities for all, underlining the company’s dedication to nurturing and empowering young talent shaping the future of tech professionals. The success of this initiative showcases the potential for impactful programs to mitigate youth unemployment.

Flutterwave praised the People Team and Graduate Trainee Managers for their crucial role in coaching, mentoring, and training the GTs during their journey. The Chief Operating Officer, Bode Abifarin, also expressed confidence in the potential and limitless possibilities that lie ahead for young professionals.

Overall, Flutterwave’s Graduate Trainee Programme serves as an example of the company’s dedication to empowering young talent and providing them with the tools they need to thrive in the technology industry.

GERMANY LAUNCHES CIRCULARY DIGITAL PLATFORM TO BOOST SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

Germany has recently unveiled a digital platform called Circulary in Lagos, Nigeria, to promote sustainable growth within the waste value chain.

TECH PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK

TENIOLA ADEDEJI

This week’s tech personality is Teniola Adedeji, a notable figure in the tech industry serving as the CEO and co-founder of Pharmarun, a burgeoning health-tech startup based in Nigeria. Adedeji’s journey into health tech commenced after she completed her pharmacy degree at the University of Lagos in 2013. Following her academic pursuits, she dedicated her expertise to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) from 2014 to 2015. In the subsequent years, from 2016 to 2020, she held positions at Invivo Health, Rozec Pharmacy, and Medquare Pharmacy.

During her tenure at various pharmaceutical establishments, Adedeji discerned a persistent issue that served as the impetus for Pharmarun’s inception. She observed the arduous struggle faced by customers in procuring specific medications, often requiring multiple store visits or journeys to particular towns or cities.

Customers frequently recounted their frustration, recounting experiences like, “’I have gone to five stores. Please, I hope you have what I need.’” Recognising the need for a streamlined solution, Adedeji envisioned a platform that seamlessly connected people to pharmacies, alleviating the hassle of finding the right medication. This idea gave birth to Pharmarun, a platform that efficiently guides patients to the most suitable pharmacies, saving them time and aggravation.

The demand for such a service surged, especially in the tumultuous year of 2020, catalysed by the ongoing pandemic. The revelation of an extensive market for the service occurred as Adedeji began offering medications on demand via WhatsApp. Pharmarun’s mission is to ensure accessibility to medications for people across Nigeria, irrespective of location or time. The platform enables users to conveniently order medications through their website or various communication channels such as phone, email, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Delivery times vary based on the region, ranging from three hours in certain parts of Nigeria to 24-48 hours in states where licensed pharmacies are scarce.

Pharmarun boasts a monthly revenue exceeding $18,000, showcasing its financial viability and growth potential. The startup aspires to transcend geographical boundaries, aiming to establish a presence in all 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory within the next five years, eventually expanding its reach to other African nations.

Supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV), along with the Chambers for GreenTech (DIHK Service GmbH), this initiative aims to address challenges stemming from rapid urbanization and waste management issues in Lagos.

The primary objective of Circulary is to encourage collaboration between Nigerian and German businesses in sustainable waste management. Timo Pleyer, the German Industry and Commerce delegate in Nigeria shed light on the numerous challenges faced by Lagos, including overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and suboptimal waste management. Shockingly, only 30 per cent of the household waste generated annually in Lagos is collected and processed appropriately.

The conception of the Circulary was the result of an extensive evaluation of Lagos’s waste sector. The platform offers various features, such as a marketplace for recyclable materials, information hubs, and matchmaking algorithms, all aimed at streamlining waste value chains.

Weert Borner, the consul general of Germany in Lagos, emphasised that this initiative is part of Germany’s expanded partnership with Nigeria to encourage environmentally friendly businesses.

The General Manager/CEO of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, highlighted that Lagos’s dynamic economy presents substantial market opportunities for sustainable waste management solutions.

X INTRODUCES GOVERNMENT

ID-BASED VERIFICATION FOR ENHANCED USER SECURITY

X (formerly known as Twitter) has rolled out a novel feature for its paid users – account verification based on government-issued IDs. This move aims to fortify the platform’s user authentication process and bolster

online security. However, this verification service is available in numerous countries, with notable exclusions being the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), and the United Kingdom due to stringent data protection regulations in these regions.

The immediate benefits of this ID-based verification process seem limited. X has suggested potential age restrictions on certain content based on the age information derived from the government ID. Additionally, the company is exploring measures such as facilitating access to age-appropriate content and combating spam and malicious accounts to maintain the platform’s integrity and encourage healthy conversations.

A label stating “government ID verified” will be shown for users who complete the verification process, accessible by clicking the blue checkmark on their profile page. Moreover, X has promised “prioritised support from X Services” for ID-verified users, although the specifics of this advantage remain unclear.

Notably, X has recently allowed paid users to hide their verification checkmarks from their profiles. Looking ahead, the company aims to expedite the checkmark review process for users who verify their IDs, providing them more flexibility to update their names, usernames, or profile photos without losing their verified status.

It is worth mentioning that X’s ID-based verification is currently limited to paid users, raising questions about the platform’s dedication to reducing impersonation and spam for all its users.

This move comes after Twitter discontinued its legacy verification program earlier this year, resulting in the removal of checkmarks from numerous accounts. Following the ensuing confusion and backlash, the company reinstated the checkmark for select prominent accounts.

Furthermore, X has recently updated its privacy policy to explicitly outline

its capability to gather users’ biometric data, educational background, and employment history. The company has stated that this data collection will aid in linking accounts to real individuals by processing their government-issued IDs, thereby strengthening its ability to counter impersonation attempts and enhance platform security.

WHATSAPP LAUNCHES CHANNELS FEATURE WORLDWIDE

WhatsApp has unveiled a major development, announcing the global rollout of its highly anticipated feature, Channels, as it moves beyond the limited beta phase. This move is set to introduce the feature to over 150 countries, making it widely accessible and marking a significant expansion in the app’s capabilities.

Channels on WhatsApp function as a way to follow and stay updated with various popular entities within the app. Users can liken it to following someone on social media platforms like X or Threads, granting access to all the content posted by these entities. This includes a diverse range of creators, spanning artists, organizations, sports teams, and thought leaders.

WhatsApp sees this as just the beginning for Channels, with plans to integrate additional features and expand based on user feedback. In the coming months, the platform will introduce the ability for anyone to create their own channel, aiming to democratise the broadcasting experience.

An official channel has been introduced for users seeking real-time updates directly from WhatsApp. This channel will serve as a credible and authoritative source for users to stay informed about the latest developments and innovations originating from WhatsApp.

WhatsApp ensures users have a secure and reliable way to stay connected and informed. As the communication landscape continues to evolve, WhatsApp, with the introduction of Channels, is spearheading the charge, fostering a closer connection among users in a private and personalised manner.

KNIGHTHOOD INVESTITURE…

L-R:Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Outsourcing Limited, Sir (Dr.) Olufemi Olukayode Ogunlowo; Bishop, Diocese of Ibadan North, Church of Nigeria(Anglican Communion), Rt.Rev. Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe; Lady Omowunmi Ogunlowo, and wife of the Bishop, Mrs. Catherine O. Aladekugbe, during the knighthood investiture in the Order of Saint Christopher, at The Cathedral of St Peter, Aremo, Ibadan, Oyo State…recently

NDLEA Seizes Illicit Drug Consignment in Lagos, Intercepts Five Pregnant Teenagers Exploited for Child Trafficking

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Latest attempts to export various quantities of methamphetamine and skunk by members of some transnational drug trafficking organisations through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and courier companies in Lagos have been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

who intercepted the illicit drug consignments concealed in different items.

A statement yesterday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, said that at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives last Tuesday intercepted an intending passenger going to Oman, Ugwu Tochukwu, while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight, noting that upon

Ika APC Tasks Ebie to Reposition NDDC

The Chairman-designate of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has been hosted by the executive members of the Ika Federal Constituency of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a charge for him to work towards taking the federal interventionist agency on a new trajectory. The event was held at the residence of the APC Ika South party chairman, Hon. Fada Ibude. The Ika Federal Constituency comprises Ika North-east and Ika South Local Government Areas in Delta State.

They expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for nominating Ebie, who has vast experience in public service. A lawyer, Ebie had been a commissioner and Secretary to the State Government in Delta State.They noted that with President Tinubu’s commitment to bringing Nigeria back to the path of sustainable development and bringing genuine change in the fortunes of the people of Niger Delta, Ebie should galvanise his team to ensure that NDDC assiduously impacts positively on the lot of the people.

ABCON Seeks Merger of BDCs

The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) is seeking the merger of several Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators not recapitalisation of the industry, the group has explained.

According to the group, the recommendation is to effectively help its corporate governance and rules of engagements with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The merger option was adopted for class ‘A’ BDCs in 2007/2008, which entitled them to $1 million weekly allocation with N500 million capital base.

The group called for similar business model through mergers and consolidation rather than

outright review of capital base of each operator.

It urged the CBN to regulate emerged BDCs from the consolidation exercise.

The President of ABCON, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, who disclosed this news in Lagos, said the group never asked for upward review of N35 million mandatory regulatory approved capital base for each BDC, but a merger of at least 10 BDCs to form new capital of N350 million.

The move, he said, would enhance the scope of operation and diversification of sources through various window and reduce regulatory pressures.

Lagos Harps on Consistent Environmental Cleanliness

The Lagos State Government over the weekend joined the Global community in commemorating 2023 World Clean-Up Day, urging every resident to imbibe and sustain the culture of consistent clean up of the environment.

Speaking during the sensitisation campaign and symbolic clean-up exercise held atAgiliti Community and its immediate environs, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr. Gaji Omobolaji, said all individuals should collectively contribute their quota in achieving and

a thorough search of his luggage, 7.50 kilogrammes of skunk were discovered concealed inside crayfish mixed with

dry bitter leaf.

Babafemi added that NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General

Investigations attached to some courier companies also intercepted Dubai-bound 2.9 kilogrammes of skunk and 14

grammes of methamphetamine concealed in bags of semovita and soles of ladies’ high heel shoes respectively.

Man Arrested for Selling Lady’s Nude Videos on Social Media in Anambra

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

A man, Chinedu Ezeudu, a native of Ndi Ikpa village Ezinato community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State has been arrested for allegedly selling

nude videos of a woman on social media.

The man was accused of leaking the materials after attempts to get money from her through blackmail failed.

The man allegedly sold the nude videos of the young

woman to persons who requested it for N3,000 each.

The man was arrested by after the victim made a report to the office of the commissioner for Women affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo.

Media aide of the

commissioner, Miss Chidinma Ikeanyionwu said: “The victim said she lost her memory card in March, 2023, but was later chatted up by the suspect in June, with a request for huge amount of money in order not to leak the nude videos.

Don Advocates Punishment for Parents of Out-of-School Children

James Sowole in Abeokuta

A Professor of Education Management at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Professor Olumuyiwa Adeyemi, has called on the three tiers of governments to enforce

the nation’s Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act, which prescribed various punishments, including one month jail term, for parents who failed to enroll their children and wards in school for the free and compulsory primary and junior secondary education.

Adeyemi made the call while delivering the 112th inaugural lecture of OOU at Otunba Gbenga Daniel Multipurpose Hall of the institution.

The UBE Act backed by relevant section of the Constitution, prescribed a fine of up to N5,000 or one month

jail term or both for parents found guilty.

He expressed concern over the increasing number of ‘out-of- school children’ in the country, which he puts at well over 10million as of 2019, said that the trend may not abate if nothing was done to arrest it.

Motorists in Benue Decry State of Oweto-Otukpo Federal Road

George Okoh

Motorist and commuters have decried the poor state of the Oweto-Otukpo Road that is impeding free flow of traffic and causing avoidable accidents.

Motorists plying the corridor have also complained over the

regular damage done to their vehicles by the road that is riddled with pothole.

A commuter, who is also a pharmacist that plied the road recently, Mr. Robert Idoko, yesterday described how potholes and craters have littered several portions of the road.

Idoko said that drivers were seen making effort to avoid potholes and slowing down to navigate some spots they could not escape. He called on members of the National Assembly from the Benue South to come together and lobby for the repair of the

road.

Idoko, who is a former Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area, said that the entire portion would fail if nothing is done soon about the road, which he said could cutoff the area from the newly constructed Oweto Bridge.

Missing Student of Nassarawa State University Found Dead in Ilorin

Hammed

ShittuinIlorin

Tragedy struck over the weekend in Ilorin, Kwara State’s capital, as a lifeless body of a 300 level student of Nassarawa State University, Mr. Yusuf Mubarak, was discovered in a pool of blood. Mubaarak, a new media journalist

and a native of Ilorin, was said to have been seen around the Federal Secretariat area, Federal Road, Ilorin, Kwara State last Wednesday.

He was later declared missing on Friday and fliers were made in a bid to search for him.

However, his lifeless body was eventually located around the Unity

Area of Ilorin on Saturday’s evening and has been buried according to Islamic rites in Ilorin amidst tears and wailings from friends, family and associates.

Reacting to the incident, the Kwara State Governor, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described the death as shocking and one under hazy

circumstances, saying that it must be investigated by security agencies. In a statement that was issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Mubaarak, his friends, and all the youth constituencies in the state.

NSCDC Parades Six Suspects for Energy Theft, One for N13m Fraud

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

residences to circumvent appropriate payment for energy consumed.

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

ensuring environmental sustainability.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, Sanitation Services, Dr. Hassan Sanuth, said waste generation is an unavoidable aspect of man’s activities and should be well managed.

He added that sustainable management of such waste is a challenge faced in the state as a result of the large and increasing population with wrong waste management attitude and practice which underscore the importance of a regular clean-up exercise.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun State Command, has paraded six suspects for economic sabotage bothering on alleged tampering with meters in their

The suspects were arrested at the weekend in Ota-Efun area, Osogbo, Osun State, during a joint operation of Nigeria Security and NSCDC and

While parading the suspects at NSCDC’s state headquarters, Osogbo, Osun State, Commandant Agboola Sunday, said that the suspects confessed to have committed

the offence leveled against them. He, therefore, called on members of the public to be a part of continuing efforts at safeguarding critical national asset in their neighbourhoods by reporting activities of vandals to the corps.

Diri Commended for Giving IYC Fresh Direction

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Newly-elected President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, has said the foremost Ijaw nation youth organisation is grateful to the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for giving the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the IYC a new lease of life.

Speaking during a courtesy

visit to the governor, Lokpobiri recalled how both bodies battled with internal wrangling before the governor assumed office and intervened to bring peace and unity within them. He also appreciated the governor for his role in ensuring the election that produced the current executive was peaceful and credible.

While noting that Governor

Diri’s neutrality allowed the will of the people to prevail, Lokpobiri also expressed gratitude to leaders of the Ijaw nation for their contributions to the success of the election.

The IYC president appealed for land to build a national secretariat for the group as well as financial support while assuring that his executive will not let Ijaw nation down.

He lamented that the Ijaws, who are a minority in five other Niger Delta states apart from Bayelsa, are being marginalised and ill-treated and appealed to the governor to use his office to intervene.

Governor Diri, in his remarks, stressed the need for the Ijaw nation to be united and peaceful, saying that it is the only way the ethnic group can develop.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR APPOINTMENT…

Bandits Attack Kaduna Suburb, Kill One, Abduct Four

John Shiklam inKaduna

One person was killed while a woman and her three children were abducted when bandits invaded Anguwan Musa area of Mararaban Rido, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis in Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

Aresident of the community said the criminals stormed the area at about 8:30 p.m. last Saturday, and terrorised the residents.

He said the bandits broke into the home of one of the residents, killed one person, while a woman and her three children were abducted.

The source said the bandits were well armed and were shooting sporadically when they invaded the community, and operated for about 30 minutes as the local vigilante group could not stand them.

He lamented the resurgence of kidnapping in the area, and called

Bayelsa Guber: IYC Cautions Politicians Against Violence, Hate Speeches

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa state, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has cautioned political actors and gladiators against hate speeches and any act that could escalate tensions in the state

The council in a communique issued yesterday and signed by its President, Dr. Alaye Theophilus, said IYC was of the firm belief that the lives and safety of Ijaw citizens should always supersede political considerations and electoral

processes.

To this end, it said it would hold any politicians responsible for any loss of life in the state.

It stated: “As the Bayelsa State election looms on the horizon, we issue a stern caution to political actors and gladiators against any acts that could escalate tensions in the state.

“It is our firm belief that the lives and safety of Ijaw citizens should always supersede political considerations and electoral processes. We shall hold politicians responsible if any Ijaw life is lost during and after the election.

FG Petitioned to Protect Disability Rights

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Ahead of the United Nations (UN) summit on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the federal government has received a petition with 48,063 signatures calling for action to safeguard disability rights

The Communication Associate at Sightsavers, Joy Tarbo, yesterday issued a statement announcing the formal presentation of the ‘Promise in Peril’ petition to the Minister of Humanitarian

on security agencies to do something about the security situation. According to the resident, “For some time now, the activities of

kidnappers had reduced until recently when the situation seem to be getting out of hands, especially with the frequent cases of attacks

and abduction in communities around Kaduna metropolis.

“The attack on our community took place on Saturday at about

8:30 p.m. They attacked, killed one person and abducted a woman and her three children, all of them members of the same family.”

A’Ibom Attributes Success in Governance to Patriotism in Leadership

OkonBasseyinUyo

Akwa Ibom State Government has said the achievements so far recorded in the state since its creation could be attributed to the patriotism in leadership exhibited by successive administrations in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to

Tony Icheku in Owerri

The absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Owerri, Imo State, at the weekend at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Gubernatorial Campaign Council for the state governorship

the Governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh, made the remark when the State Working Committee of Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Uyo.

Udoh said the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno-led administration is designed to

election billed for November 11, 2023, was clearly pronounced.

The APC has held sway in the state for almost 12 years as its flagship state in the South-east geo-political zone, and the state Governor, Hope Uzodinma, being the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.

complement and further on the gains. He advocated a robust reportage to promote the implementation of the ARISE Agenda, which he said represented the continuity of governance and a culmination of efforts by previous administrations to make Akwa Ibom a model state.

Tasking journalists to perform

However, Governor Uzodinma assured Imolites that the state chapter of the party is currently on a reconciliation mission to pacify all members who feel aggrieved one way or another, noting that the party has also received hundreds of those who defected from opposition political

their function with patriotism, Udoh sued for promotion of narratives that would further unite the state, celebrate the blessings of good leadership evident in the infrastructural, human capital and economic evolutions, rather than demonising leaders or de-marketing the state in pursuit of trivial political gains.

parties, stating that the doors remain open for more to come in.

He stated that: “We have embarked on the reconciliation of all the leaders and members of our great party who had suffered one grievance or another, and we have opened the doors for their return.

Senator Bello Seeks Suspension of His Allowances as Former Governor

Laleye Dipo inMinna

Following in the footsteps of former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the immediatepast Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has decided to forfeit his pensions as a former governor for the period

he will be in the Senate.

Bello was the governor of Niger State for two terms (2015 to 2023) before being elected as the senator representing Niger North senatorial district in the National Assembly last February 25.

Bello in a letter he personally signed and sent to the state

Governor, Alhaji Mohammadu Umaru Bago, on September 6, 2023, which was seen on various social media platforms, stated: “I write to request for the suspension of my pension and allowances from the government of Niger State for the duration of my service as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

“Your Excellency would recall that I was inaugurated as a senator representing Niger North in the Senate on June 13, 2023.

“I deem it ethically and morally improper to benefit from my pension and allowances as the former governor while I take emoluments as a senator

Lagos Rain: One Person Injured as Storey Buildings Collapse in Lagos

Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.

The statement highlighted that the petition garnered support from 121 countries, including Nigeria, with individuals from across the globe showing their solidarity for the crucial cause.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr. James Lalu, and Deputy Director of OSSAP-SDG, Dr. Zakariya Mohammed, are among the petitioners.

Rotary Club Trains, Graduates Youths on Vocational Skills

Rotary Club of Ewu Tuntun

District 9110 will tomorrow hold a graduation ceremony for trainees of vocational skills at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Centre, Oshodi - Isolo Local Government Council, Lagos.

According to the President of Rotary Club of Ewu Tuntun, Rotarian Reuben Oni, “ the

vocational skills training, which held for five weeks, was conducted for unemployed youths by the club in partnership with Oshodi- Isolo Local Government Chairman, Mr Kehinde Oloyede Almaroof, UNDP Skills Acquisition Centre and support of Hon Stephen Ogundipe, member Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi Constituency.

The Lagos State government has said it would pull down two buildings that crumbled at 47/49 Oduntan Street, Kosofe, following the heavy rainfall on Saturday.

The structures affected include a two-storey building and a four-

storey building with one casualty that has been hospitalised.

The Director General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the building failed a structural integrity test confirmed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) at the scene.

Hence, he insisted that it threatens the public and adjoining buildings, stressing:. “The building will be pulled down.”

Oke-Osanyintolu narrated that their responders confirmed the buildings beside each other had caved in when they arrived.

“Investigation conducted by the LRT revealed that the collapse

could be attributed to aging and poor maintenance on the owner’s part,” he argued. According to the DG, further investigation revealed that the staircase of the building crumbled. A male adult reportedly fell from the topmost to the ground floor but is receiving medical attention.

Lawmaker, Rotimi Facilitates Free Medical Treatment, Surgeries in Ekiti

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, has facilitated free medical services for over

4,000 people in his constituency consisting of Ikole and Oye in Ekiti State.

The two day outreach tagged: ‘Ayewa Comprehensive MedicoSurgical Mission’, took place on separate days at Ikole Specialist

Hospital and Oye General Hospital.

The people of the constituency, irrespective of their age, trooped out in their large number to enjoy the golden opportunity which was carried out in

conjunction with Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Nigerian Medical Association (Ekiti State branch), and Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti.

Ndume Hails Tribunal Verdict Affirming His Electoral Victory

SundayAborisadeinAbuja

The Senate Chief Whip who is representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has described the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Maiduguri, which affirmed his electoral victory at the February 25 General Election as a triumph for his constituency.

The Borno State National

Assembly election tribunal sitting in Maiduguri had on Friday dismissed the petition filed by Mr Haske Kudla.

The Borno South Senatorial District candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had challenged the victory of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 election.

The tribunal dismissed the

petition and said the petitioner failed to present cogent, reliable and compelling evidence that could be sufficient to affect the poll’s result as declared by INEC.

Reacting on the development, Dist senator Mohammed Ali Ndume said the victory will further strengthen his resolve towards serÅving his Constituency with renewed vigour.“

ÅNdume in a statement on Sunday said, “It is with great gratitude to the Almighty God that I address you on this auspicious day in which God has caused us to enjoy another victory, given that a short while ago, the Elections Tribunal affirmed my electoral victory over PDP candidate by outrightly dismissing the petition he filed against my triumph.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule (left) receiving his letter of appointment from the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the inauguration of the State Executive Council in Alausa, Ikeja… recently. ETOP UKUTT

Rebecca Ejifoma

We are Reconciling All Aggrieved Members in Imo, Says Uzodinma

the other side. By logical extrapolation, should we assume that every public officer and every public institution that carries out its duty, must have done so because it was bribed? Are we to assume, for example, that the Returning Officer who declared NNPP’s Abba Kabir Yusuf winner of the governorship election, was bribed to do so?

In the event, Governor Abba Yusuf acted in the best way possible and with the utmost dispatch. He disowned the threat by Kibiya and promptly sacked him as commissioner. He also sacked his Special Adviser on Youths and Sports, Aliyu Yusuf Imam alias Ogan Boye, who was said to have shown much disrespect to the Vice President of the Federal Republic at the same occasion. While the governor’s prompt action was commendable, NNPP leaders still have more work to do to reign in their overzealous supporters because on the very day Kibiya was sacked, another party chieftain issued a viral video reiterating what Kibiya said in an even more virulent manner and repeating the same threats to kill judges if they rule against NNPP and its candidate. He said Kano will burn if Abba loses the case; that if Kano burns, the North will burn and that if the North burns, Nigeria will burn! All because of one man’s election.

Kibiya has already inflicted great damage to the outcome of the tribunal ruling, whichever way it goes. If it rules in Governor Abba Gida Gida’s favour, some people will say it was fear due to Kibiya’s threat that got the favourable ruling. On the other hand, if NNPP loses, Kibiya and his co-travelers will say well, they said so, that APC bribed the judges

to secure a ruling in its favour.

Ok, given the current difficult socioeconomic situation in the country and the unbridled hurry of many young persons to book a ticket out of poverty and powerlessness, one must sympathise with a young commissioner who fears the possible loss of his boss’ position due to a court case. Removal of a governor in Nigeria is very traumatic, not just for the governor himself but for the hundreds or even thousands of people who could come crashing down with his removal. Fact however is, it has happened many times already in Nigeria and the world did not come to an end.

Prof Oserheimen Osunbor was already getting used to the taste of power in Edo State Government House when an election appeal tribunal removed him in November 2008 and installed Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. In terms of political restiveness, Edo State is only slightly less volatile than Kano, but people took the change in their stride and Comrade ruled for eight [volatile] years. Three months earlier in Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu had been in the governorship saddle for 5 years already when a tribunal yanked it away and handed it over to Olusegun Mimiko, even after President Obasanjo had declared the 2007 election in the state to be a do-or-die affair to keep Mimiko out. In Osun State too in 2010, an appeals tribunal snatched the governorship away from Olagunsoye Oyinlola and gave it to Rauf Aregbesola. It couldn’t have been any less painful in Ekiti State in 2010 when Dr. Segun Oni was yanked off his seat by a tribunal and Dr. Kayode Fayemi took over in his place.

Look here Kibiya, you are only a commissioner. Where were you in 2014 when Alhaji Garba Umar UTC, who had been acting Governor of Taraba State since Governor Danbaba Suntai’s plane accident in 2012, was yanked off when Supreme Court said Muhammadu Sani Danladi was improperly impeached as deputy governor? Many people did not believe the ruling, and said it was General T.Y. Danjuma that threw around his weight to prevent UTC from succeeding Suntai. UTC walked away quietly and did not threaten any judge’s life. How painful could it be, that Emeka Ihedioha had been governor of Imo State for seven months, but was yanked off by Supreme Court in January 2020 to make way for Hope Uzodinma, who came fourth in the election declared by INEC? Look, things cannot get any more painful than Yenagoa in 2019. Governor-elect David Lyon was inspecting the parade ground ahead of his swearing in the following day when he heard that Supreme Court had annulled his election, due to his deputy governor’s mixed-up names, and handed over the seat to Duoye Diri. Why didn’t he threaten to kill any judge?

Ok, so much for the blow at judges’ wigs. On Thursday last week, former President Olusegun Obasanjo caused a major stir during an event at Iseyin, Oyo State when he suddenly told Oyo State Obas present at the event to stand up to greet him, and then ordered them to sit down. According to Obasanjo, who is supposed to know protocol and etiquette having been a top Federal officer for a cumulative 20 years including 11 years as Head of State, royal fathers and everyone else are supposed to stand up and greet a former Head of State

when he walks into an event. If it happens, it must be voluntary. I remember participating in an Arewa Consultative Forum committee meeting at Kaduna’s Trade Fair Complex in 2001 when suddenly, the door opened and General Yakubu Gowon walked in unannounced. Everyone in the hall sprang to their feet. The ever-gentlemanly Gowon pleaded with us to remain seated.

To put President Obasanjo’s demand in perspective, let us go back to the historical roots of Executive Presidency and presidential succession for some guidance as to the protocol position of a former president in the scheme of things. Americans invented Executive Presidential system in the late 18th century. On March 4, 1897, delegates and VIPs were filing out of the hall in Philadelphia, where John Adams had just narrowly won election as second President of the United States [the vote was by state electors, not universal suffrage]. As they approached the door, everyone stood aside for the first US President, George Washington, to leave first. Washington, like Obasanjo an Army General who fought in the American War of Independence, also stood aside. He beckoned to new President, John Adams, pointed at the door and said, “President of the United States.” Adams went out, then Washington beckoned to new Vice President Thomas Jefferson and said, “Vice President of the United States.” Jefferson followed Adams, then the former president and father of the American nation said, “George Washington, private citizen.” And he went out next. He didn’t ask anyone to stand up or sit down. A former president is a private citizen. That is how great men set precedence.

ACCOUNTABILITY DEFICIT AND THE TRANSPARENCY QUESTION

outflows is wishful thinking at the state level. The infrastructure and framework for transparency and accountability are just not there.

The second measure implemented by the last administration is the Treasury Single Account. The government brought in this system to harmonise the revenue and payment system. Sadly, only about 20 of 36 states operate the whole bouquet of Treasury Single Account (TSA), meaning others are averse to financial accounting reforms. Some analysts also think implementing the TSA should be followed by the passage of a "Fiscal Sunshine Bill", which will open up the government's financial activities in the budgetary process and its implementation. There have also been calls for solid legal sanctions where money is being spent outside its appropriated purpose.

The rot of fiscal and financial abuse in the system runs deep. This is a different time for business than usual. We must challenge the status quo and fight for a new financial accountability and transparency regime. I will advocate for a renewed zeal by state and LGA chief executives to be transparent and accountable. It is not enough to profess to encourage public participation and accountability, which to the average officeholder is a PR stunt, but matching words with actions is more critical. Notably, most public officeholders today loathe accounting for public resources or even their decisions. This is anathema to growth and development.

We need to strengthen the existing infrastructure of accountability and transparency in the state. The quality of most state legislature could be better. This is because the executive arm has hijacked the state legislature. Most legislators at the state level are handpicked, and often, they do the bidding of the state's chief executive. The annual budget is a mere ritual, and the state legislature's oversight functions are almost nonexistent in most cases. Virtually all the state institutions are weak and seem fascicle in the face of the mighty chief executives who bestrides the states like a colossus without accountability. The state of the state judiciary leaves much to the imagination.

The phenomena of state capture by godfathers and "polititractors" is prevalent

and a new elephant in the room. Budgets, project selection and initiation, contractors, approvals, and payments are all made outside the routine government processes. Some chief executives are more symbols of power than a source of authority, more like furniture in the state house. The chief accounting officer in the state is only accountable to his godfather and no one else. How can there be transparency and accountability when chief executive officers are mere puppets in the hands of selfish, self-centred puppeteers who see the states as their extended estates for plundering? Elections which citizens could use to punish lousy behaviour are few and far between, and even when they occur, there is no guarantee that chief executives with bad records of transparency and accountability will be voted out. Our

electoral system is still maturing, and we hope it comes to a point when state leaders will fear losing the election because they cannot stand public scrutiny and demand for accountability. However, there is a need to construct other forms of continuous enforcement of accountability by which the elected and appointed government officials can be held accountable or even punished for abuse of office.

While there is a growing awareness of the need for accountability, civic engagement and participation in governance processes remain relatively low in many Nigerian states. Citizens are not fully engaged in demanding accountability from their elected representatives. A panoply of reasons suffices for this anomaly.

First, some citizens have become disgruntled and disenchanted with the political system and have lost hope. An

average Nigerian believes that corruption is still deeply rooted in our system, so the possibility that their commonwealth will be fretted away is real. It is unreal how it has become normal that citizens have given up fighting for accountability.

The second is the structural lacuna in our constitution that has made it impossible for citizens to hold their leaders accountable for their socio-economic rights.

The non-justiciability of Section 6(6)C of the Nigerian constitution makes it difficult for a successful judicial challenge to hold leaders accountable for not providing citizens with their socio-economic rights. In plain language, citizens cannot sue the government for not providing them with socio-economic rights, therefore shielding the leaders from the public challenge of accountability for the state's resources.

This is our albatross!

Tinubu

Amusan Bounces Back, Wins Diamond League Again

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria’s world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, last night won the event for the third time at the finals of the Wanda Diamond League in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Amusan ran a Season Best 12.33secs to claim the title on the same ground she set the 12.12secs world record last year when Oregon hosted the World Athletics Championship.

Her eternal rivals in the event, Puerto Rican Jasmine CamachoQuinn placed second behind Amusan in 12.38, while American Kendra Harrison, the former world record holder was third in 12.44.

The victory has completely wiped the tears of the Nigerian petit sprint hurdler fondly called ‘Tobi Express’ back home. It was a fittingly consolation for Amusan who was distracted from defending her World Championship gold medal in Budapest last month due to her earlier suspension by Athletic Integrity Unit (AIU) due to three whereabouts failures for dope tests.

Although she was left off the hook to participate in the Budapest 2023 at the last minute, Amusan didn’t recover on time to show the world her feat in Oregon 2022 was

no fluke.

Amun is now the second woman in Diamond League history after Dawn Nelson-Harper to win a hat-trick of 100m hurdles titles

With this third Damond League title under her belt, the stage appears set for Nigeria’s first individual gold medal from the sprint hurdle at next year’s Olympic Games in Paris. Interestingly, the 30-day period of appeal opened to the AIU to contest World Athletics’ lifting of the provisional ban on Amusan lapsed on Saturday with no sign of the Nigerian going through another waiting period.

Last August when the provisional suspension was clamped on her was lifted, AIU insisted it was disappointed and vowed to review the reasoning in detail before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the applicable deadline.

AIU Head, Brett Clothier indicated the Monaco-based body was going to appeal.

But the period allowed for the appeal lapsed on Saturday with no clearly sign of any appeal by AIU.

David Howman also told reporters at the last World Athletics Championship in Budapest: “We have some concern that it might set a precedent which will be difficult for future cases.”

Ronaldo to Sue Juventus over £17.2million Debt

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to take legal action against former club Juventus in a row over unpaid wages.

The Portugal superstar joined the Bianconeri from Real Madrid in 2018 before leaving to return to Manchester United three years later.

The latter part of Ronaldo's stay in Turin coincided with the coronavirus pandemic, with Juventus players agreeing to defer their wages in order to help the club financially. However, Juve were found to have lied about the extent of these salary reductions in order to reduce their public losses.

Ronaldo agreed to forego £17.2m (€19.9m) in wages, and according to Gazzetta dello Sport, he now wants this sum to be paid and is prepared to take legal action against Juventus.

The 38-year-old recently requested

relevant documentation from the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office and will now move forward with a case against his old club.

Ronaldo is not the first former player to take issue with Juventus' affairs, with Paulo Dybala recently coming to an agreement over the £2.6m (€3m) he felt he was owed by the club over a contract dispute.

Leonardo Bonucci left Juventus for Union Berlin this summer after being frozen out by head coach Massimiliano Allegri and is now considering suing the club for damages.

Juventus have been hit with hard punishments over their financial irregularities, being docked ten points in Serie A last season - dropping from fourth to seventh - and banned from entering UEFA competitions for the 2023/24 campaign.

Savannah Conference Phase 2 Begins in Lafia Today

ZENITH BANK B’BALL LEAGUE

The second Phase of the National Women’s Basketball League sponsored by Zenith Bank is scheduled to begin today in Lafia, Nasarawa State with six teams jostling for the two tickets to the finals.

Lafia City Hall, Shendam Road, Lafia is the venue of this decisive second phase billed to end on September 24after a round-robin contest.

Already, the organisers, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the sponsors, Zenith Bank have expressed readiness and the assurances that the women’s league would be hitch-free all though the week.

Jos, Plateau State, was the host of the First Phase with Customs topping with five wins in five games while defending champions, Air Warriors, placed second with four wins in five games.

Plateau Rocks and the Nigerian Army with three and two wins

Moses Simon Gives Nantes First Win of Season at Clermont

Femi Solaja with agency report

Super Eagles forward, Moses Simon, was the hero of the day as Nantes picked their first win of the new French Ligue 1 season at Clermont Foot yesterday.

Simon’s valuable strike from 40-metre was his first goal of the new season and has now help move his side off the relegation zone to 15th after five matches.

Aside the wonderful strike by the Super Eagles forward, his display was a follow up to the fine display two days earlier by compatriot, Terem Moffi whose two goals earned Nice valuable

FRENCH LIGUE 1

3-2 win away at PSG.

Before yesterday’s encounter, Nantes had been winless in their opening four Ligue 1 games, picking two draws and two losses. Both teams showed lots of zest in the first half, but they were unable to break each other’s backline. They went into the break all square, but before Clermont Foot could find their feet, Nantes shocked them with Simon’s winner.

The home side were looking to build from the back through

RESULTS

CAF

their goalkeeper, but it did not go well. The Canaries won the ball deep in Clermont Foot’s box. Then Florent Mollet passed the ball to Simon, who was about 40 yards away from goal. The 28-year-old Nigerian forward wasted no time, as he had already seen that the keeper was off his line. Simon struck a sweet shot from distance that just dipped into the net.

The effort was all his side needed to seal a win over the home side, albeit Clermont Foot missed a penalty late in the game that would have earned them a share of the spoil.

Le Havre

Three Nigerian Boxers Qualify for 2024 Olympic Games

respectively in the same number of games will have to double their 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 the finals but will still feature in Lafia for the second face.

All eyes will no doubt be on Customs and Air Warriors for a straight fight on who wins the Savannah Conference also to see if they can maintain their top two positions to book tickets to be in the finals.

Four teams will feature in the finals next month in Lagos with two more expected to join from the Atlantic Conference. The second Phase of the Atlantic Conference to hold in Asaba, Delta State, on October 2while the final will take place between October 17and 21.

Nigerian boxers to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal returned to the country at the weekend with three of the boxers booking their tickets to the Games following their gold medal exploits.

The gold medalists include; Cynthia Ogunsemilore Temitayo, Omole Dolapo Joshua and Olaore Olaitan Adams.

Fighting in the final of the women's 60kg weight category, Cynthia Ogunsemilore defeated Algerian Kelif Hadjila via a 5-0 unanimous decision to claim the gold medal and a ticket to the Olympic Games while Omole Dolapo earned victory over Leta Fikremariyam from Ethiopia in their 57kg weight class bout with a 5-0 unanimous decision to pick the gold medal and the ticket to Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Nigeria's third gold medal came from the reigning African heavyweight champion, Olaore Olaitan Adams who out-punched Algerian Houmri Mohammed with a 4-1 split decision in the final of the men's 92kg weight

division. He also won the ticket to Paris 2024 in addition to the gold medal.

Three other Nigerian female boxers, Oyesiji Adeola Omowunmi (flyweight) Ojo Nene Joy (featherweight) and Patricia Mbata (middleweight) accounted for

the three bronze medals.

Nigeria went to the championship with nine boxers with coaches Tony Konyegwachie and USAbased Adura Olalehin handling their affairs.

Algeria topped the medals table with four gold medals to pick

four Paris 2024 Olympic Games tickets while Nigeria placed second with three gold and three bronze medals.

A total of 41 African countries took part in the week-long championship that lasted from September 9 to 15.

Team Nigeria’s boxers and coaches celebrating the country’s good outing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifying tournament in Dakar, Senegal at the weekend

Tobi Amusan... celebrating her third Diamond League title in Eugene, USA last night

MISSILE

Soyinka to Atiku, Obi

“What promised to be a spectacular contest is transformed into a Feast of Voluntary Donation of the spoils of war...Peter Obi did not win the Nigerian 2023 elections. Jointly with his erstwhile colleague of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, they donated the outcome, even before the voting. Let politicians and their cohorts learn to take responsibility for the consequences of their choices within democratic options" –Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, situating the duo's defeat by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the split of PDP very close to the elections.

VIEW FROM THE GALLERY

Blows for Wig and Crown

Two blows landed last week, almost simultaneously, on what were thought to be some of this country’s most venerable heads. One blow landed in Kano on the wig of the judiciary, while another one landed at Iseyin, Oyo State, right on the elaborate head gear of Yoruba Obas. The tribunal adjudicating on Kano State’s governorship election case is nearing the end of its assignment and tension is high between NNPP, whose candidate was declared winner of the election last March, and APC, whose candidate finished second and is hoping to overturn the results at the tribunal. One would have thought that the decent thing for either side to do is to get good lawyers, marshal their evidence and legal arguments and present them as best they could before the judges. In a high stakes matter such as this, it is understandable if either party kneels down in private and seeks the help of the Almighty God. One can even go further and seek the help of marabouts to pray and recite some

Obasanjo incantations, if he believes that they have the ears of God. They should however do so privately. Prayer’s efficacy becomes a little bit difficult if the person to whom

it is directed gets to hear about it.

I was amazed therefore that in recent weeks, both NNPP and APC supporters in Kano collected thousands of their supporters and publicly staged prayers for success at the election tribunal. I thought that was indecent. What will the judges think, to see pictures on television of people publicly praying in order to swing their votes on what is supposed to be a purely legal and evidence-based matter? As a litigant, you have no confidence in the ability of your lawyers or in the evidence they tendered before the court. Instead, you are counting on supernatural intervention to swing the hand of judges in order to accomplish what your legal team is unable to do?

Ok, since both sides publicly appealed to God to weigh in on their side of the election case, how are the judges to know which of the two opposing prayers the Almighty decided to accede to? When the tribunal finally delivers its ruling, is the losing side going to agree that God granted the prayer of the other side, or

DAKUKU PETERSIDE

GUEST COLUMNIST

will they believe that God actually granted their own side of the prayer but that the judges disobeyed God and delivered their ruling in favour of the other side? These are some of the dangers inherent in what is happening in Kano, with congregational prayers to seek God’s intervention in an election case.

From prayers to death threats. It was no surprise last week that during an NNPP prayer session, state Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Adamu Kibiya, easily went further. He said, “People voted for us and some people are attempting to do injustice. We want to tell the judges that we will not accept this. Any judge that is willing to deprive us of our rights will regret it. Whatever will happen, we won’t care.”

What? Threaten to kill a judge if a ruling does not favour your side of the case? There is an assumption here, that if your side loses the case, it must be because the judges accepted bribes from

Continued on page 54

Accountability Deficit and the Transparency Question

In August 2023, the federal, state, and local governments shared 1.26 trillion Naira from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the highest in our history. In July, they shared N966 billion, and from June till date, FAAC has distributed almost 3 trillion Naira. By Nigerian standards, this can be described as jumbo allocations. Compared to many West African states' revenue, the allocation to many states surpasses their annual budget. Can these jumbo allocations translate to concrete developments devoid of transactions for personal benefit? How can citizens ensure a higher level of fiscal and financial discipline, responsibility, and accountability? Knowing that the problem of monstrous bad governance is real and present at the state and LGA levels, how do citizens hold state and LGA chief executives to account for these resources?

There are two broad areas in which public accountability at the level of state governments is concerned. The first and most apparent assumption is that the completion of some infrastructure projects necessarily 'accounts' for funds budgeted for capital expenditure. Accordingly,

governors go ahead to build flyovers, roads that lead to no economic destinations and other structures. It becomes challenging for a mesmerised public to question the governor's accountability as he becomes the 'action governor'. Yet these ceremonial commissions say little about the accountability issues involved. The public cannot know the actual costs, how much borrowing supports the projects, or how much funds were misappropriated. The second aspect concerns the development of public accountability as integral to democratic culture. In a proper democracy, public officers are responsible for accounting to the public through regular periodic audits. They also have an ethical responsibility to account for their private life expenditure as a function of their statutory income. In the US, public officers are barred from receiving favours from private interests, either cash or kind above $20. Our States are far from this type of transparency and accountability.

We may be deceiving ourselves if we think that physical resource increase will automatically translate to increased public goods and services by the various states

and local governments. History does not support this thinking. We have seen the contrary, where more resources translate to more opportunities for squandering resources with impunity. This sudden revenue flow can create a significant appetite for corruption or mismanagement without institutional control and checks. Some of our elected leaders are ill-equipped to handle this kind of fund. Lacking vision, experience, and managerial capacity, the tendency to channel the resources to things that do not serve the public interest is high.

The matter is even worse due to the lack of robust public scrutiny and surveillance of state resources. The existing public trust and intelligence infrastructure seem inadequate for such scrutiny, or they have been encumbered by legalistic and mundane practices that make up the Nigerian factor. Our media seem not to be doing enough on this, too. As the watchdog to society, they have looked the other way from holding public servants accountable for managing public resources and instituting transparency in the system.

Past governments have put a few measures to provide transparency in

revenue allocation. Former Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala introduced the publication of details of monthly allocation to states. This practice of publishing FAAC revenue distribution details to the three government tiers has been sustained by subsequent administrations. The aim is to keep Nigerians abreast with the revenue generation and distribution effort of the Federal Government and help them balance government performance with revenue inflows at all levels. This measure is insufficient to curb corruption in the government revenue regime.

Many extrapolated states and LGAs will publish details of all they receive monthly and their expenditure profile by now. But that is not the case. State revenue and expenditure are still shrouded in secrecy. Only 10 of 36 states have their detailed budget on their website, another measure of transparency. None has its budget performance report on the state website. Less than 20 states publish their audited annual financial statements. To publish monthly financial inflows and

Continued on page 54