THURSDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2022

Nigeria Seeks Debt Restructuring from IMF, World Bank Mulls over tapping from Fund’s newly created food shock window Again, IMF advises FG to increase domestic revenue Obinna Chima, Eromosele Abiodun and Nume Ekeghe in Washington DC The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab

Ahmed yesterday disclosed that the Nigerian government was in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to restructure the country’s debts.

The minister also revealed that

the country was considering tapping from the IMF’s newly created Food Shock Window, that allows member-countries to access emergency financing instruments. The new window would be available

for a year to provide additional access to emergency financing for countries facing urgent balanceof-payment need related to the global food crisis.

Speaking on the sidelines of

the ongoing IMF/ World Bank annual meetings in Washington D.C, Ahmed said: “It is a fact that Nigeria’s debt has increased over the last three to four years and this increase in debt was occasioned

by the different kind of exogenous shocks that the country faced which is not unique to Nigeria.

“The situation we have by our Continued on page 33

Lawmakers Flay FG over N8.2trn Recurrent Expenditure in 2023 Budget... Page 5 Thursday 13 October, 2022 Vol 27. No 10047. Price: N250

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Dangote’s 650,000bpd Refinery 97% Completed, Says NMDPRA... Page 33

Again, Tinubu, APC Governors, NWC Meeting Ends in Stalemate Concerns as Adamu stays away Buhari's diary delaying campaign kick-off, says Keyamo Mrs. Tinubu begs women to mobilise for party Fani-Kayode: PDPhas lost aggrieved five govs

Continued on page 33

Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia (left), receiving his award, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), from the president

President/Chairman, Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah (left), receiving his award, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), from the president

National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno (left), receiving his award, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), from the president

Executive Chairman, Obijackson Group, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi (left) receiving the national honour award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) from President Muhammadu Buhari, at the 2022 National Honours Awards in Abuja... on Tuesday

Director General, NIA, Rufai Abubakar (left), receiving his award, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), from the president

Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (left), receiving his award, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), from the president

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

NEWS

2022 IMF/WORLD BANK MEETING IN WASHINGTON DC...

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Aliyu Ahmed; Minister of Finance and Budgetary Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; CBN Deputy Governor, Dr. Kingsley Obiora, and Director General, Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha, at the ongoing Annual Meetings in Washington DC...yesterday

Lawmakers Flay FG over N8.2trn Recurrent Expenditure in 2023 Budget Senate concludes debate on N20.51trn fiscal estimates Appropriation bill passes second reading in both chambers House disagrees on deadline for subsidy removal Buhari's decision to end subsidy on eve of his exit political, not patriotic, says Deputy Minority Leader Sunday Aborisade and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Senate and House of Representatives yesterday passed for second reading the N20.51 trillion 2023 budget presented to the National Assembly last Friday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The approval of the appropriation bill at the upper chamber followed a robust debate on its general principles by senators.

Many of the federal lawmakers, however, frowned at rising recurrent expenditure component national budget on yearly basis.

One of the lawmakers, Senator Ali Ndume ( APC Borno South), urged his colleagues to thoroughly investigate the rising recurrent expenditure despite embargo placed on employment by the federal government and hundreds of retirees recorded on yearly basis .

He noted with concern the N8.2 trillion earmarked for recurrent expenditure in the proposed N20.51 trillion 2023 budget, which he said, constituted 43 per cent of the entire budget profile.

Ndume said, "Mr President, our relevant committees, should thoroughly scrutinise proposals made in the N20.51trn 2023 budget by the executive, particularly the recurrent expenditure component which has been rising on yearly basis.

"Statistically, in the 2018 budget recurrent expenditure vote was N3.5 trillion, in 2019 it increased to N4.7 trillion, rose again in 2020 to N4.8 trillion, in 2021 N5.9 trillion, 2022 N6.9 trillion and astronomically projected as N8.2 trillion for the 2023 fiscal year.

"The yearly increases are even happening in the face of embargo placed on employment in all the federal ministries, departments and agencies apart from the hundreds of civil servants retiring on yearly basis as well.

"The Senate and by extension, the

National Assembly, need to critically look into it this time around, more so, with attendant increase in the votes of debt servicing which is projected to be N6.31 trillion for the 2023 fiscal year and far higher than capital vote of N5.35 trillion. " Mr. President and very distinguished colleagues, we must thorough look into budgetary proposals made by the executive to prevent a situation of borrowing money for payment of workers’ salaries," he said.

Other Senators who made contributions like Tolu Odebiyi (APC Ogun West), Jibril Isah ( APC Kogi East), Betty Apiafi ( PDP Rivers West), among others, frowned at the rising votes of recurrent expenditure.

Apiafi added in her contribution that the issue of oil theft should be looked into very critically as well as other areas of revenue leakages.

She said, "In August this year, from 1.82 million barrels oil production expected from Nigeria per day, the country was only able to produce 972 million barrels per day, losing 859 million barrels per day to oil thieves.

"The loss in the stated month, translated into $59 million per day and N9.5 trillion per annum. " This dangerous revenue loss must be stopped in the general interest of all," she said.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan in his remarks after the passage of the budget for second reading, bemoaned the huge loss of revenue due to high scale oil theft and called for appropriate sanctions against the perpetrators.

Lawan charged the committees of the Senate to, in the course of the budget defence, ensure critical scrutiny of the submissions and trace any leakage or wastages contained in it.

The Senate thereafter, adjourned plenary to November 15, for consideration of the budget proposals at committee level.

Also, the Senate yesterday passed the N607,952,023,580.00 2022 budget of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for second reading. Members of the red chamber in their various contributions, expressed dismay in the late presentation of the FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill, 2022 for consideration.

They warned against future occurrence.

The Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, in his lead debate, noted that the 2022 FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill seeks to

authorise the issue from the Federal Capital Territory Administration Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Account, the total sum of N607,952,023,580.00 only.

He said the sum of N76,569,904,857.00 had been earmarked for personnel costs, N138,199,851,110.00 for overhead costs, while the balance of N393,182,267,614.00 was for capital projects, “for the Service of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for the financial year commencing

from 1st January and ending 31 December, 2022.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC - Kogi West), supported the bill and pledged his panel’s readiness to give it accelerated consideration, the fact that it was transmitted too late notwithstanding.

On his part, Senator James Manager, (PDP - Delta South), decried a situation where the 2022 statutory appropriation of the FCT was being considered for second reading in October 2022 - less than

two months and half months to the end of the year.

In a related development, the Senate yesterday passed the N65,905,252,467 budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPFTF) for 2022.

The amount was made up of personnel expenditure of N948,810,609.29, total overhead costs; N8,857,106,527.44 and total capital expenditure of N56,099,335,330.35.

The Senate passed the budget Continued on page 34

Nigeria's Oil Production to Get Boost as Shell Resumes Export at 400,000bpd Forcados Terminal Month End Peter Uzoho After months of under-production and heavy dip in foreign exchange earnings from oil export due to crude theft and vandalism, Nigeria's oil production is set to rise again as Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) hinted yesterday that its 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) Forcados Oil Terminal would resume export operations by the end of this month.

By then, the oil major said it expects that on-going essential repairs on the facility would have been completed and begun normal export operations.

SPDC’s Media Relations Manager, Abimbola Essien-Nelson, disclosed this in a statement yesterday, saying, “In addition to the repairs, we are working to remove and clamp theft points on the onshore pipelines to ensure full crude oil receipt at the terminal.”

Shell had declared a force majeure on the Forcados Oil Terminal Offtake Programme due to integrity compromise through constant oil theft, which it said

posed an “existential threat”.

According to Essien-Nelson, the active illegal connections to SPDC joint venture’s production lines and facilities in western Niger Delta as well as the inactive illegal connection to the onshore section of the 48.”

Forcados Export Line are in the company’s on-going programme to remove illegal connections on the pipelines that feed the terminal.

She said, “SPDC gives priority to the removal of active illegal connections and to illegal connection points that have leaks.

This scheduled programme is continuous as new illegal connections are identified during surveillance of the pipelines.

“An example of such illegal connection is on the onshore section of the 48” Forcados Export Line, which is currently not active and has no sign of leak at the interconnection point.”

According to Global research and consultancy group, Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac), the terminal has an oil export capacity of 400,000 barrels per (bpd).

It described the Forcados Oil

Pipeline System as, “the second largest network in the Niger Delta, and transports oil, water and associated gas from fields in the western delta to the Forcados oil terminal.

“The Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP) is the major trunk line, into which feed multiple branches from onshore fields. At the Forcados River manifold, its capacity is 850,000 b/d,” and was hitherto by Shell until 2012.

Essien-Nelson reiterated SPDC’s commitment to running its assets safely, reliably and in accordance with globally accepted standards.

“SPDC continues to work tirelessly, alongside government and partners, towards the eradication of crude theft from its infrastructure,” she said.

SPDC gives priority to the removal of active illegal connections and to illegal connection points that have leaks. This scheduled programme is continuous as new illegal connections are identified during surveillance of the pipelines.

Nigeria’s oil export recorded its lowest drop in about 30 years due

to incessant oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which forced many of the operators shut down production.

In September, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, which is in a joint venture with SPDC, had announced that the country was losing 470,000 bpd of crude oil, the equivalent of $700 million monthly to oil theft.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in its September report indicated Nigeria’s inability to meet its crude oil production quota of 1.826 million bpd, as it produced a paltry 927,000 bpd in August.

Confirming the development, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said crude oil production fell month-on-month by 11.47 per cent to 0.972mbpd in August from 1.08mbpd in July 2022.

The persistent decline continues to constitute a critical financial strain on the federal government’s budget implementation, as oil proceeds account for 80 per cent of its revenue and foreign exchange earnings.

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NEWS

TINUBU PRESENTS MANIFESTO TO THE PARTY'S NWC AND GOVERNORS...

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Abubakar Kyari; presidential candidate, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Director-General, Tinubu/Shettima Campaign and Governor of Plateau State, Hon. Simon Lalong; vice presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, and House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at the presentation of their manifesto to the party's National Working Committee and Governors at Abuja...yesterday

FG Approves N202.8bn Repairs of EnuguOnitsha Road By MTN Under Tax Credit Scheme Okays N13bn fire truck maintenance center for Katsina Police Trust Fund gets N4.5bn for vehicle supply, insurance, N592m MRI equipment for OAUTH Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government has approved the reconstruction of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway by one of the telecommunication service providers, the MTN, at the cost of over N202.8 billion under the road Infrastructure tax credit scheme.

This was sequel to the approval of a memorandum presented by the Ministry of Works and Housing to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

Briefing newsmen after the FEC meeting, the Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, explained that the road project was being executed in line with the Executive Order 7 signed by the President in January, 2019.

According to him, the telecommunication giant would complete

the dualisation of the 110-kilometer road.

He also revealed that the Council approved the UmuchiUsusu-Umueme GZ Industries Road in Abia for construction

by GZ Industries also under the Tax Credit Scheme at the cost of about N4.2 billion.

"So we, the Ministry of Works and Housing, presented two memoranda and they are largely Public Private Partnership (PPP) based memoranda and I will explain how.

"In 2019 January 25 specifically, you might recall that President Buhari approved Executive Order 7, which was the road infrastructure tax credit scheme, to allow private sector to invest tax liabilities in advance in infrastructure, and that policy has helped us to finance roads like or by Obajana to Kaba, Apapa-Oshodi, OshodiOjota Expressway, the Bodo-Bonni

expressway in Port Harcourt, about 1,000 kilometers covering 21 roads under the NNPC investment. So, there is increase optic for that policy.

So, today we have two more.

"So, the first that was approved today was the one by MTN Nigeria Plc, the telecommunication company to take over and complete the ongoing Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. That road is a 110 kilometres, which is being dualised.

So, you have 110 kilometers times two.

"The outstanding works aggregate to about 91 point something kilometers on both sides, if you accumulate it for those who use the road.

"You will see that the Enugu bound section has been largely completed but there's a lot of work to be done on the Onitsha section.

"So, this policy is going to allow a steady and sustained stream of funding to completion by MTN

Shell Probes Illegal Oil Tap After Report of Prolonged Theft Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Oil major, Shell's Nigerian subsidiary, is investigating reports that an illegal oil tap ran for nine years on a pipeline it operates, a spokesperson said yesterday.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) said on Sunday the theft point extended from the Trans Escravos pipeline and that the Afremo platform, operated by the Nigerian unit Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), was the suspected exit point of the stolen crude.

"We are also conducting an investigation to establish where the theft lines end and whether there have been any breaches of the unmanned platform's security barriers (locks etc.) or any unauthorised use of the equipment on it," an SPDC spokesperson said in an email to Reuters.

SPDC said it had detected illegal connections as part of regular surveillance and would launch a joint investigation with regulators to "establish the nature and condition" of the lines before removing them.

NNPC pointed to the theft line discovery as evidence that Nigeria's coordinated interventions, including contracts with companies owned by former militants, to crack down on theft were paying off.

Large-scale theft from Nigeria's pipelines has throttled exports, forced some companies to shut in production and crippled the country's finances.

For the significantly oildependent Nigerian economy, THISDAY reported Tuesday that crude production slumped to a new low of 937,766 barrels per day in September.

It would be the first time since at least 1990 that Nigeria would

be producing that low quantity of the commodity from which the country generates majority of its foreign exchange revenue.

Latest data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) detailing production for last month , showed that the fresh drilling figure was lower than the one for August which was 972,394 barrels per day.

The information is coming days after THISDAY reported that Nigeria lost as much as $800 million in earnings that could have accrued to the federation to facilities' shut-ins and equipment failures in August.

Nigeria is dealing with unprecedented oil theft under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, hobbling the country’s ability to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota in the last one year.

and the amount approved is N202,887,436,672,11 billion to complete the outstanding works of an aggregate of 91.9 kilometers on both sides.

"The second memo also was under the Tax Credit Scheme and while the first one was related to the road linking Anambra and Enugu states, this one is with respect to a road in Abia state.

"Now, the road is called Umuchi -Ususu Umueme GZ Industries Road in Abia. The private sector beneficiary of the approval is a company called GZ Industries. GZ Industries manufactures aluminium cans for bottling drinks. They have a factory in Agbara in Ogun state and they have another one in Abia in this area. So, it's a link road to their factory.

"The approval was for N4,205,454,855,26 billion. The road is a 3.7 kilometer road. So it's an access road to their Industry.

Council graciously approved both memoranda."

Wednesday's FEC meeting also approved the establishment of a fire truck maintenance and refurbishment centre to be sited in Katsina at the cost of N13,020,022,803.

This was part of the three memo presented to the Council by the Ministry of Aviation, whose minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, told newsmen that the project is important to the country.

According to him: "The second memoranda is approval for the award of contracts for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Center in Katsina. And this is a very critical procurement for us. It is to attend to all the issues we're having with fire tenders all over the country.

"In the past, past governments used to ship this firefighting equipment back to Europe where they're manufactured to get them refurbished and bring back at a cost; and of course, it takes time to do so, and export our labour on our foreign exchange.

"So, the Buhari government decided that we should establish one and that center will cater for aviation firefighting equipment, including all other firefighting equipment around the country.

"In fact, it's not going to be limited to only firefighting. It will be for heavy duty vehicles that could be maintained and the intended purpose, as they gain experience, we go into assembly of those trucks here in Nigeria, similar to what Volkswagen and Peugeot are doing, and eventually they start to manufacture our own.

"So, the setup will be with the aim to achieve that but the first initial contract is to set it up in such a way that we'll be doing maintenance on those equipment, and the contract sum was N7,913,949,964.

"The second contract under that is the building itself. The building of the maintenance center, which is Messrs Ingenious Nigeria Limited at the sum of 3,985,432,685.

"And the other one is the civil works around it, which went to Messrs Glovesly Pro-Project, at the cost of 1,120,640,154. 63. This is within our own threshold as a ministry. So, it didn't come to Council but the two came and they passed on the completion period with this procurement is 12 months."

Sirika added that FEC also approved the full business case for the establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the Ministry of Aviation despite the availability of the facility under some private operators in the country.

According to him, the new one was necessary because the existing facilities are limited in capacity.

He stated: "The second memoranda is approval of the business case, full business case. Now this is a roadmap item for the Ministry of Aviation. We seek to establish a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility where aircrafts will be maintained here in the country, and will be a departure from the former where aircrafts are flown to Europe, to America or to the far East for maintenance. In this particular case, we will be doing the maintenance here when it's established.

"There's a lot of debates. People have said, we have Messrs Aero Contractors, we have Arik, have others that are having the MROs.

Well, those MROs, Yes, but they are not to the size and to the level that we envisaged. “Those are doing small single aisle airplanes, but this one is going to go the whole hog; it's going to be a full center for full ABC and D Checks on wide body multiple aisle, high capacity airplanes within the country.

"This will stop us from exporting our labour, our foreign exchange and will transfer technology and then of course, begin the future to put together a manufactured certain parts of aircrafts and of course, aircraft itself.

"So, this business case is for 30 years and the company or the group that won the contract is Messrs AGW and they came in a consortium with NAYAK Aircraft Services and Messrs Glovesly Pro-Project Limited and they will be paying a fixed fee of sum of $30,000 in the first year, with annual escalation rate of three per cent payable annually in advance and other fees that are variable.

“Zero to five years- one per cent; 6-10 years 1.5 per cent; 11-15 years, two and a half per cent; 16-20 years, five per cent and 21-30 year, 12 and half percent.

"The total amount of money they will pay the federal government is $185,750,000. This is a fixed fee of about $1.4 million, variable fees of $51.1 million; land rent $6.82 million and corporate taxes $136 million."

The FEC also approved the award of contract for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for the supply of vehicles and insurance cover for other vehicles at a total cost of N4,541,829,704.17.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, who briefed the media on this, gave the specification of the contract as Toyota Landcruisers, Toyota Prado 2021 model and Toyota Camry.

According to him, the vehicles are to be used for tactical operations to achieve, "the vision and strategic deployment in a bid to strategize for better security networking, as well as aid strategic deployment of technical squads to tackle insecurity across the country."

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POLITICS

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

Chila: We’ll Resist Moves to Disgrace Ayu Out of PDP The Leader of Ward2Ward4Atiku, Hon. Abraham Chila, in an interview says the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party is the handiwork of those who want to shore up their ego and attract relevance to their diminishing status. Adedayo Akinwale brings excerpts:

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hose calling on Dr. Iyorchia Ayu to resign from office as National Chairman of PDP have made it the major bone of contention in the crisis tearing PDP apart. How do you think it would affect the fortunes of PDP in 2023 elections?

Let me say that there is no crisis in our great party, the PDP. This talk of crisis where none exists is the handiwork of those who want to shore up their ego and attract relevance to their diminishing status. Ayu was not selected or imposed on the party by any single individual that could just wake up and call for his resignation. The national chairman was a product of zoning of political offices before last year’s national convention during which the leaders of the party zoned the office of national chairman to North Central and finally to Benue State.

I understand that there are few people who see themselves as the owners of PDP. It was such arrogance that propelled the removal of Dr. Audu Ogbe as national chairman in the past. But, things have changed. Ayu is not Ogbe. If such dictatorial impunity succeeded in the past it can no longer happen to another Benue State man, not a Tiv man. Maybe those calling on Ayu to resign want to repeat the hot water treatment given to Ogbe. They are stoking the wrath of the Tiv nation and we are watching them. Well, Benue State, and indeed, the entire North Central are ready to fight against the attempt to subject the state and zone into PDP’s weeping boy or burden bearers of overbearing potentates. We have taken this insult with calmness believing that PDP counts on Benue State to lead it into good

paid off or frustrated in someone else’s business.

As a promoter, Ayu wants to ensure that the venture succeeds, just as Wike the investor doesn’t care whether the business succeeds or not as far as he gets his dividends. However, all in all, Ayu could be likened to a landlord in PDP, while Wike stands as a tenant in the party.

And going by the foregoing analogy, who suppose to call for the resignation of the other?

Chila things and a new era.

But come to think about it, between Wike and Ayu, who should be asking the other to resign? Ayu and Wike have different badges as PDP stakeholders. While the national chairman is a promoter, the Rivers State governor is an investor.

So, while Ayu has no fixed interest, Wike has a fixed interest, because the national chairman insists on the welfare of all members unlike Wike that stands for the welfare of his camp.

You know no one can intimidate a promoter in a venture he initiated, but an investor can easily be

Is your group, the ward2ward4Atiku, founded to support Ayu or engage voters during the campaigns?

Our group, Ward2Ward4Atiku (W2W4A), is a unique platform created out of the exigencies of our growing democratic experience. If you recall, after the 2019 general election, the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said there was need for some soul searching in our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

That soul searching came by way of the Governor Mohammed Bala-led Presidential Election Review Committee (PERC). Although the work of the committee was not publicised, in the course of its assignment, many valuable suggestions and insights were received geared towards reforming the party for greater citizen involvement.

Part of the recommendations of that committee was the proper democratization of the party to reflect the people’s factor of PDP. To achieve that the committee talked about decentralisation of ownership through funding. The committee frowned at the situation whereby individuals or candidates for an election take over funding of the party, while the people – the

real owners – are left like mere passengers in a luxurious bus.

So, by and large, the need to deepen the institutional framework of the party became acute. And that was part of the extenuating circumstances that gave rise to Ward2Ward (W2W). I know you would be wondering why certain features of the group were left out. That would show you the level of deep thinking that went into the silent reforms in PDP. It might interest you also to note that part of the reason Ayu was head-hunted for the position of national chairman was to ensure that PDP returns to its original ideals, the true vision of the founding fathers.

Ayu has not only been around in Nigeria’s political evolution, but was one of the founding members of the party. The former President of the Senate was a member of the G34 that transmuted to PDP. So, you can see that what is currently happening within the party is not a happenstance, but a product of deep and honest conversation among genuine lovers of democracy and true patriots.

Then coming back to how W2W became W2W4A, immediately the Wazirin Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, emerged as the presidential candidate of the party and in line with the original idea, the platform became subordinated to him as the leader. So, it could also have become W2W4W if (Governor Nyesom) Wike had won or W2W4S if Dr. Bukola Saraki had won.

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

Igbakpa: In 2023, Nigerians Will Vote Character, Competence Not Political Party

In an interview with Udora Orizu, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ben Igbakpa, speaks on salient political issues particularly his belief that youth will vote capable and competent candidates regardless of the political party they belong to

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ow prepared are you for 2023 election?

Elections are not won or lost on the day of election. Elections are won and lost, the moment you decide to be a politician, not just even when you are elected. People will judge you by virtue of your activities and what you have been able to bring to the table over the years.

People judge from character, people judge from family threat, people judge from your presentation, how they look at you. For this 2023 elections and my NNPP candidature, I belief I have quite put something on the table such that every progressive mind will want to look at twice because the wind that is blowing everywhere is the fact that people are looking at individual no longer political party.

For me, political parties are just vehicle to your destination and the candidates are the drivers. So, no matter how beautiful a vehicle is, if you don’t have a good driver, that vehicle cannot take you to your destination. So, talking about my preparation, I prepared myself since 2019 when I was elected into the national assembly, believing that there is always a four-year period for renewal of the electoral contract. So, the people are judging by the score card and so far, the reactions have been very encouraging, my consultations, now that the campaigns are open, have been wonderful.

So, we believe that now that power has actually gone back to the people which is what it is supposed to be, the right candidate has to win and in this very case, I am the right candidate for Ethiope Federal constituency and I will win, by God’s grace and the will of my people.

at their character, looking at their pedigree and their capacity; so people will definitely vote for character, capacity and competence.

That is what it is.

Igbakpa Specifically speaking, would you say that the 2023 election is about character and capacity and who you are to the people?

That is it, that is the wind. You can hear the enthusiasm with which our young people collected this permanent voter’s card. Before now, there is this voter apathy.

People believe it has been done, whether you vote or don’t vote, somebody will emerge but now people are now looking at it, that yes with the Electoral Act 2022 which has made it mandatory for partial electronic process, people are now beginning to feel, yes, my vote will count, there is need for me to go out and vote and in voting, you must decide and looking at the process of the election, looking at the candidates, looking

You are confident of winning the election but going through the final list published

by INEC, we discovered that one Mr Christian was published as NNPP candidate for Ethiope federal constituency. Was that a mistake?

It was an error which has been corrected. It is not that my name was missing, my name was in another constituency, Okpe/Sapele/ Uvwie which is not my constituency. I still take it that maybe it is a mistake on the part of maybe, the party or INEC but that has been corrected. I don’t know where the mistake is coming from because for somebody like me, I don’t think anybody needs to look twice to know my constituency. I am a serving member.

Where I belong to is in the public domain but somebody working on that kind of document might not really have time to look at everything to be sure, you give it to them and they upload and whatever it is but it’s been corrected and there is no cause for alarm. We’ve started our campaign. We are moving by the grace of God and the people.

After the primaries you brought a motion to the floor of the house, trying to amend the electoral act on the delegates system.

Why did you abandon it?

I have not abandoned it. You remember it was becoming turbulent, it was becoming controversial, I believe it is a leadership recruitment process and the primary is the beginning of that recruitment process and if the primaries

are not properly done, like I said, the drivers of this beautiful vehicle, if they are defective, then you should expect that the end is also going to be defective.

If you don’t have people with character and capacity to do the job, the good governance that the people, Nigerians are crying for, it will never come and that is why I felt it was expedient that moment to just get done with it. But as it is now, it is pending, maybe before we close or by the next assembly, the 10th assembly, that is one amendment that must come.

It must have to be done so that our statutory delegates can actually vote. But be that as it may, people must put this at the back of their mind, it was not like there is an error per se, it is just trying to remove any form of ambiguity from the Act, from the law so that when you look at it, as at the 2010 Electoral Act, that is the position, that is how it is but now that several surgeries have been done to the electoral act bringing it to speed, the national assembly leadership in their wisdom feel there is need to clear this thing, make it open so that this elected delegates and statutory delegates should vote.

But somehow, the president did not sign, so it becomes difficult for the political parties to say what if we go ahead to use the statutory delegates and tomorrow it becomes an issue of litigation and whatever we have done will become null and void. So, to be on safe side that is why all the parties now went into using only the adhoc delegates which was a disaster. It became too commercial. It became too deceitful that people cash and carry.

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

19

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

FEATURES Synergising on Cyber Security for Digital Economic Growth

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

Known for its benchmark in the nation's digital economy and promoting the cybersecurity space, ISACA Abuja Chapter has been inspiring confidence in organisations to explore the benefits of technology and emerging trends, Rebecca Ejifoma reports

Prof Isa Pantami (5th from left) flanked by the president of ISACA Abuja Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Omoke and other executive members of the chapter at the Award/Dinner Night in Abuja

M

aking a great first and last impression has been an essential component driving the ISACA Abuja Chapter, a recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Chapter Achievement.

As an institution, ISACA is touted as the world's largest global organisation for IS/IT audit, cybersecurity and governance professionals with 400 chapter members and 100 plus organisations in 15 years of its existence.

It recognises that the progress and development of the nation hang on Idowu Koyenikan's quote, "Your pride for your country should not come after your country becomes great; your country becomes great because of your pride in it". Hence, ISACA is resolute in distinguishing itself in the Digital Trust and cybersecurity space.

Recently, the GCEO of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari at the Award/Dinner night in Abuja spoke on the theme, "Digital Revolution Game Changer in Extending the Frontiers of Transparency in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry", where he acknowledged the role ISACA plays in inspiring confidence in an organisation like NNPC Ltd to exploit the relieving benefits of technologies for business processing notwithstanding the myriad of threats in cyberspace.

He went ahead to endorse the ISACA Abuja Chapter as worthy of commendation for its contributions to business sustainability and human capacity development. "In NNPC Limited, we recognise the role ISACA plays in inspiring confidence in organisations like ours to exploit the obvious benefits of technologies for business processing, notwithstanding the myriad of threats in cyberspace," Kyari emphasised.

While underscoring other opportunities the association provides including technology professionals in developing requisite skills and competencies for their jobs, Kyari emphasised, "We encourage active membership of our people, who are our greatest assets, in professional associations like ISACA. They are proud of their level of

participation in ISACA activities, certifications and programmes."

Accordingly, Kyari emphasised that as an indication of their confidence in ISACA and the ideals and values it promotes NNPC Limited has since 2016 adopted the ISACA flagship framework, COBIT, as the framework for the governance and management of information and technology in their enterprise. "This has contributed immensely to the strides that they made in the automation of our business processes in the past couple of years to improve operational efficiencies."

Therefore, he applauded ISACA Abuja's contributions to business sustainability and human capacity development in various organisations, the country, and the world at large.

Following the passage into law of the PIA by Mr President on 16th August 2021, the NNPC Limited boss noted that NNPC has transitioned into a limited liability company. It is governed by the provisions of the Company and Allied Matters.

He said: "The law seeks to ensure increased accountability in the sector by strengthening governance, as well as enabling financial, administrative, and environmental stability that will attract and lock-in long term investments."

The NNPC Limited, he continued, has prioritised the digitalisation of key business processes to enhance transparency and accountability. For the GCEO, this is evidenced in their downstream sector where sales have been fully automated to ensure petroleum product distribution can be properly tracked and energy security for the country is maintained.

"But as we strive towards a more transparent operating landscape enabled by digital technology, we are mindful of some of the accompanying risk factors to the business such as technology failure, cyber-attack, data losses, and regulatory compliance issues," he highlighted.

Meanwhile, in helping organisations actualise their goals, the ISACA Abuja chapter prides itself as an organisation that celebrates key players, great personalities, and amazons raising the bar in the technology and information space globally.

One such recipient is the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, who was decorated with a lifetime achievement award for his immense contributions to the growth of the sector.

He doffed his hat to the organisation.

"ISACA Abuja recognised our honest efforts and achievements and found us worthy of an award. This is the main reason I feel excited. I'm humble," he expressed during his speech as the Chairman of the occasion at the Award Night.

At this point, Pantami described ISACA Abuja as a globally recognised professional institution across the world. He highlighted its myriad of initiatives, which he insisted are an agenda in creating and maintaining trust in the digital world which has become increasingly challenging in an era when high-profile security, privacy and ethical missteps have become commonplace.

I encourage the youth to explore emerging technology and come up with innovative ideas to bring positive change to the nation

For the minister, ISACA Abuja has played a critical role when it comes to digital governance in cyberspace. That is why the Federal Government and the ISACA Abuja Chapter are synergising to boost the nation's economy through the youth's active involvement in emerging technologies.

"I encourage the youth to explore emerging technology and come up with innovative ideas to bring positive change to the nation. The government desires to see ISACA develop the economy by creating jobs using technology."

Notwithstanding, Pantami described technology as a double-edged sword that can be used positively or negatively. "It becomes necessary for our young people to deploy technology and use it positively at a personal level to embolden yourself by educating yourself."

Following quickly on his heels, ISACA Abuja acknowledged the ever-growing need to help young people learn new skills that will give them an edge in problem-solving skills across the globe. This cyber security month, ISACA will be launching One In Tech Foundation. It will embolden more than 100 female children with coding skills while this year CommunITyDay will focus on creating awareness of the credible election with the theme “Safe Cyber For Credible Election” a novelty football match will be played at MKO Stadium Abuja.

ISACA CommunITyDay is an annual event on the first Saturday of October where the organisation gives back to its local community through various initiatives.

While some opportunities may be directly applicable to advancing digital trust, others may be simply making the world a better place.

Hence, the 14th Annual Conference will be hosting global Industry subject matter experts who will be speaking on “Digital Innovation & Future of work: Implications for Work, Industry and Governance". The conference will hold from the 31st October to 2nd November at Shehu Musa Yar'adua Centre CBD Abuja

20 T H I S D AY THURSDAY OCTOBER 13 2022 TR

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& RE A S O

Thursday October 13, 2022 Vol 27. No 10047

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

A BETTER WAY TO ARBITRATE

Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker House of Representatives, is a champion of the downtrodden, writes IDOWU BALOGUN

See page 21

THE GRAND LADY OF OLD GRANDMA SCHOOL

LOUIS ODION pays tribute to the patient and virtuous matriarch, Jadesola Ibidapo, who passed on at age 90

See page 21

EDITORIAL

THE GROWING CASES OF BANK FRAUD

See page 22

1

It takes more than vast campaign apparatus to win elections, argues MONDAY PHILIPS EKPE

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APC and PDP shouldn’t be too confident in the ability of their high-profile campaign organisations to deliver because, as recorded in many other countries, winning does sometimes bypass the strong and mighty to embrace the underrated

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T H I S D AY

321

THURSDAY OCTOBER 13 2022

Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker House of Representatives, is a champion of the downtrodden, writes IDOWU BALOGUN

A BETTER WAY TO ARBITRATE

LOUIS ODION pays tribute to the patient and virtuous matriarch, Jadesola Ibidapo, who passed on at age 90

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PHW ZLWK WKH $688 OHDGHUVKLS OHG E\ LWV 3UHVLGHQW 3URIHVVRU (PPDQXHO 2VRGHNH RQ WKH SURWUDFWHG VWULNH WKDW KDG GHÀOHG VROXWLRQ *EDMDELDPLOD DV KLV FXVWRP JRW a way out. He declared that the deal had EHHQ VHDOHG 7KH VSHDNHU·V WHDP KDG LQ WKH ODVW IRXU ZHHNV KHOG IRXU GLͿHUHQW PHHWLQJV ZLWK WKH DFDGHPLF ERG\ WR UHVROYH WKH FULVLV /DVW week, he led a delegation of lawmakers to WKH 3UHVLGHQWLDO 9LOOD ZKHUH KH PHW ZLWK 3UHVLGHQW %XKDUL WR VXEPLW WKH UHSRUW RI WKH meeting with ASUU. *EDMDELDPLOD VDLG 3UHVLGHQW %XKDUL would soon make a declaration on the ´1R :RUN 1R 3D\µ LVVXH $FFRUGLQJ WR KLP ERWK WKH JRYHUQPHQW DQG $688 had agreed to shift grounds from their UHVSHFWLYH SRVLWLRQV LQ WKH RYHUDOO LQWHUHVWV of the students and the country at large. *EDMDELDPLOD D FRUH QDWLRQDOLVW LV D JUHDW DVVHW WR 1LJHULD +H ZDV ZHOO SUHSDUHG IRU WKH WDVN RI QDWLRQ EXLOGLQJ 5W +RQ 2OXIHPL +DNHHP *EDMDELDPLOD ERUQ RQ WK -XQH WR WKH SRSXODU DULVWRFUDWLF *EDMDELDPLOD IDPLO\ RI /DJRV \RXQJ *EDMDELDPLOD DWWHQGHG 0DLQODQG 3UHSDUDWRU\ 6FKRRO DQG WKH SRSXODU ,JEREL &ROOHJH IRU 6HFRQGDU\ HGXFDWLRQ +H SURFHHGHG WR /RQGRQ IRU KLV $ /HYHO and enrolled at King William’s College on WKH ,VOH RI 0DQ 8QLWHG .LQJGRP +H ODWHU returned to Nigeria to study law at the 8QLYHUVLW\ RI /DJRV ZKHUH KH JUDGXDWHG ZLWK KRQRUV LQ DQG ZDV FDOOHG WR WKH 1LJHULDQ EDU LQ *EDMDELDPLOD VXDYH DQG KLJKO\ FHUHEUDO FXW KLV WHHWK LQ ODZ SUDFWLFH DW %HQWOH\ (GX DQG &R D IRUHPRVW DQG UHSXWDEOH ODZ ÀUP that attracted sound young lawyers in the 80s. After learning from the masters, *EDMDELDPLOD YHQWXUHG RXW WR JLYH ZLQJV WR KLV GUHDPV E\ HVWDEOLVKLQJ KLV RZQ ODZ ÀUP )HPL *EDMD &R ,Q WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV of America, he earned his Juris Doctor from $WODQWD -RKQ 0DUVKDOO /DZ 6FKRRO LQ WKH 6WDWH RI *HRUJLD *EDMDELDPLOD FOHDUHG KLV SDSHUV DW WKH *HRUJLDQ EDU H[DP LQ +H VXEVHTXHQWO\ VHW XS KLV ODZ ÀUP LQ Atlanta.

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Odion FNGE, is the Senior Technical Assistant on Media to the President

22 4

T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 13, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

THE GROWING CASES OF BANK FRAUD The regulators should do more and restore sanity to banking operations

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IUDXG LV EDQN YHULÀFDWLRQ QXPEHU %91 %XW \HDUV he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation after the expiration of the deadline given by Central (NDIC) has disclosed that the total Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to banks for the issuance of amount resulting from bank fraud and %91 PDQ\ DFFRXQWV DUH \HW QRW OLQNHG ZLWK DQ\ forgery cases stood at N120.79 billion in YHULÀFDWLRQ QXPEHU ,W VKRXOG DOVR EH QRWHG WKDW WKH 2020. While the amount represented a level of fraudulent cases and magnitude of losses decline of 40.98 per cent when compared in banks would ultimately exceed the discoveries with the N204.65 billion recorded in 2019, the number RI 1',& DV WKH FRUSRUDWLRQ·V ÀQGLQJV ZHUH RQO\ of fraud cases surged by 177.10 per cent to 146,183 in SUHGLFDWHG RQ UHSRUWHG R΀FLDO FDVHV 7KH VRFLDO PHGLD 2020 from 52,754 in 2019, according to the NDIC 2020 is replete with numerous reports by duped bank Annual Report. This surge in fraud particularly in customers. digital and electronic payment systems is a growing Against this backdrop, the magnitude of losses FRQFHUQ LQ WKH ÀQDQFLDO V\VWHP DQG VKRXOG EH GHDOW recorded by bank customers as reported by the with by relevant authorities.

NDIC should be a wakeIn perpetrating up call to the Economic their internal abuse, and Financial Crimes unscrupulous bankers Commission (EFCC) to connive with outsiders The magnitude of losses recorded by bank customers as reported by the beam its searchlight into to defraud unsuspecting bank operations with a customers by helping NDIC should be a wake-up call to the EFCC to beam its searchlight into bank YLHZ WR ÁXVKLQJ RXW WKH fraudsters to open fake criminal elements in the operations with a view to flushing out the criminal elements in the system accounts into which system. This is necessary victims are deceived to IRU HͿRUWV E\ JRYHUQPHQW make deposits. This is not to promote e-payment and only a clear expression of T H I S D AY entrench a robust cashless economy achieve optimal how the menace of corruption has permeated every EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU result. sphere of our national life, but a situation where banks DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA If the federal government is indeed committed to which ought to be the custodian of people’s trust have MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO ÀJKWLQJ ÀQDQFLDO FULPHV LW PXVW WDNH GHFLVLYH VWHSV WR transformed into dens of robbers. In 2016, there were DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU end internal robbery in the banks by reading the riot CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI 16,751 reported cases of bank fraud and a year later, act to them: to either clean up their systems or face EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN the number had increased to 26,182. And most of MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI severe sanctions. The government must also have the them were internet/online-banking and ATM/cardTHE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE will to shut down any account that is not linked to related fraud-cases. %91 ZKLOH JLYLQJ LQQRFHQW RZQHUV WKH SODWIRUPV WR What is particularly irksome is the level of apply through their banks for proper registration with negligence and carefree attitude by the management view to reclaiming their funds and those with criminal T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D of the various banks involved. Ordinarily, especially in records should be forfeited to the federal government.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA this age, every bank is expected to have a sound data GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, To our collective shame, our country is often cited EDVH ZLWK HͿHFWLYH SODWIRUPV IRU WUDFLQJ IUDXGVWHUV ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI as a breeding ground for these nefarious practices But such is the level of criminal negligence that some DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, because of the activities of some of our citizens unscrupulous bank employees now open fraudulent ANTHONY OGEDENGBE who use their skills in perverse order to defraud accounts for their cronies within the system without DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI individuals and companies. As regulators within the being detected. With that, it becomes easy for criminals SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH sector, the NDIC and CBN cannot just be expressing ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI masquerading as bankers to provide information public lamentation about these sordid practices. It to their co-conspirators, leading to online/internet CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO is their responsibility to restore sanity to banking fraud.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com operations in Nigeria.

0HDQZKLOH RQH RI WKH SODWIRUPV IRU ÀJKWLQJ RQOLQH

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

LETTERS NIGERIA AND THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS It is almost impossible to know by exact measurement how much pressure a crumbling country is putting on its long-suffering citizens. But by all accounts, it is much, therefore bringLQJ LQWR ÀHUFH IRFXV MXVW KRZ PXFK KDV JRQH ZURQJ DQG ZKDW could be done about it. Unavoidably, the focus is always also on just how much bad politics have contributed to causing the pressure to build.

Nigerians are known the world over for their fortitude and remarkable resilience. Over the years, these have contributed to some near impossible feats by Nigerians all over the world under mostly backbreaking conditions. $V 1LJHULDQV KDYH JRQH DKHDG WR WKULYH LQ GLͿHUHQW FRXQWULHV RI WKH ZRUOG XQGHU GL΀FXOW FRQGLWLRQV PDQ\ SHRSOH KDYH EHHQ forced to wonder at their grit especially when they had to put XS ZLWK WKH GL΀FXOW FRQGLWLRQV RI WKHLU KRPH FRXQWU\ DV ZHOO as the considerable energy that goes into weathering culture shocks elsewhere.

This grit in the face of staggering odds has continued to fuel the narrative that Nigerians have somehow managed to miracXORXVO\ NHHS WKHLU KHDGV RQ WKHLU VKRXOGHUV LQ VSLWH RI ÀQGLQJ

themselves in a country that is fast losing its grip.

Annually, on every October 10, the world over celebrates the World Mental Health Day. It is usually a day set aside for the ZRUOG WR UHÁHFW RQ WKH PHQWDO KHDOWK RI LWV PRUH WKDQ VHYHQ ELOlion people, deliberate on measures to protect and improve the mental health and wellbeing of people everywhere.

As the realization has grown the world over that mental health is just as important as physical health, it has become crucial to ensure that people stay mentally healthy. The focus on this crucial factor in well-being has increased over the years because experience has shown not only that many people are struggling but that their struggles are always hidden away as mental illness is considered a taboo in some quarters.

To mark this year`s World Mental Health Day, Psychiatrists have raised the alarm that one in four Nigerians, that is over PLOOLRQ 1LJHULDQ LV VXͿHULQJ IURP RQH PHQWDO GLVRUGHU RU the other. There have been even more damning statistics. Data also shows that Nigeria has only about 300 psychiatrists to treat 200 million people while Africa has one psychiatrist for every LQKDELWDQWV ZKLFK LV WLPHV OHVV WKDQ WKH ÀJXUH UHFommended by the World Health Organization.

Figures also show that in Africa around 11 people per 100,000 die yearly by suicide which is higher than the global average of nine per 100,000 people.

7KHVH VKRFNLQJ ÀJXUHV LPPHGLDWHO\ EHWUD\ WKH IDFW WKDW WKHUH is something wrong with the education as well as the environment in terms of managing mental health in Nigeria.

With superstition rife about mental illness in Nigeria, it is ofWHQ GL΀FXOW WR JHW WKH PHVVDJH DFURVV WKDW PHQWDO LOOQHVV LV MXVW like any other illness which can be treated to ensure that those ZKR VXͿHU WKHUHIURP GR QRW KDYH WR HQGXUH WKH WUHPHQGRXV SHUVRQDO VXͿHULQJ WKDW FRPHV ZLWK LW :LWK PHQWDO LOOQHVV VWLJma is a big challenge.

Again, is it that Nigeria is not producing enough psychiatrists yearly or is it simply the case that the environment is simply not conducive for their work?

Whatever be the case, the mental health crisis is a rampaging one and unless serious measures are taken to curb it, it may eventually spiral out of control leaving Nigeria with a very sick SRSXODWLRQ LW FDQQRW DͿRUG WR KDYH Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

23

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

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REPO

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

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613.31%

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United Nations, W.TEC Urge FG to Invest in Girl Child, Insist on Technology Education

Emma Okonji Nigerian government has been advised to invest in girl education and to expose them early to technology education, where lots of opportunities abound.

The advice was given in Lagos during the celebration of the 2022 International Day of the Girl Child, organised by Women Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria and the

Union Bank of Nigeria.

The Director, United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria, Mr. Roland Kayanja, in his goodwill message, advised Nigerian government to invest in the girl child, in order to ensure the education of the girl child.

According to him, the girl child will be able exercise her full rights in her community and society, when given the right education.

Head, Strategic Brand Management at Union Bank, Ngozichukwuka Akinyele, in her keynote address, commended

the United Nations Information Centre for being at the forefront of accelerating the rights of the girl child and advocacy of women in general.

According to her, “Girls must be assured of equitable access to opportunities in all aspects of their lives, from education to employment and for us at Union Bank, we are proud to partner with organisations like W.TEC and UNIC who help push for gender parity.

Gender equality is one of the United Nations Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs) that we are particularly passionate about and contribute actively towards. Through our dedicated women’s proposition alpher, we advocate for and promote female empowerment initiatives because we firmly believe that educating and nurturing girls will have a fundamentally positive impact on our development as a country.”

Akinyele encouraged the girls to be courageous to stand up for equality, equity, and social justice, so that they would be today’s champions of equality

and inclusion, and tomorrow’s wise leaders of the world.

Executive Director, Women Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), Mrs. Oreoluwa Lesi, said: “The theme for this year’s International Day of the Girl Child is ‘Our Time is Now, Our Rights, Our Future’ and the focus is about how to use technology to better the life of the girl child. So W.TEC is encouraging Nigerian girls and girls all over the world to embrace technology and use technology to access new opportunities, as

we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child.”

Lesi said W.TEC was able to pull girls from various public schools in Lagos State and assembled them concurrently in Oregun, Lagos, and at the United Nations Information Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child with them.

According to her, “We partnered Union Bank and the United Nations Information Continued on page 24

‘Telecom Infrastructure Critical to Successful 2023 Elections’ Emma Okonji Given the observed importance of telecom infrastructure as a very critical factor to the success of the forthcoming general election in 2023, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof.

Umar Garba Danbatta, has called on every Nigerian in every community to join hands

in protecting the infrastructure for the benefit of the country.

Danbatta, who was special guest at the 6th Edition of the Annual Conference of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos recently, with focus on the forthcoming election, together with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu in

attendance, said with the planned transmission of election data and results riding on telecom infrastructure, there was need to ensure the fidelity of the transmission systems to enhance the credibility of such data.

“If telecom infrastructure is vandalised or damaged, it would create problem in the area of the data transmission during election; citizens

will find it difficult to use their phones to seamlessly communicate and the journalists too might find it difficult in being able to access their web platforms to disseminate necessary information which members of the public require to make informed decisions at every point in time,” Danbatta said.

According to him, over the years, the telecom sector has

continued to face destabilising situations arising from negative attitudes and actions of hostile communities; theft of diesel, batteries, and power generators from telecom base stations; digging up and cutting of fibre optic cables by construction workers; indiscriminate sealing/locking-up of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites by state governments, other governmental and community

stakeholders; as well as other disruptive activities, which he said, must be decisively tackled.

While reiterating the importance of telecommunication in all aspects of human lives, including the forthcoming election and other national activities and programmes, Danbatta said without telecom infrastructure, Continued on page 24

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT W E D N E S D AY, O C T O B E R 1 2 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS DESCRIPTION Price ^14.20 14MAR-2024 13.53 23MAR-2025 ^12.50 22JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17MAR-2027 ^13.98 23FEB-2028

Yield

100.36

13.89

98.84

14.09

96.85

13.70

108.30

13.73

100.25

13.90

Change Updated Time (%) 7, 0.00 October 2022 7, 0.01 October 2022 7, 0.00 October 2022 7, 0.00 October 2022 7, 0.00 October 2022

MATURITY

Discount

Yield

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Change Updated Time (%)

NTB 10Nov-22 NTB 26-Jan23 NTB 9-Feb23 NTB 9-Mar23

5.91

5.94

0.00 October 7, 2022

6.51

6.64

0.00 October 7, 2022

6.62

6.77

0.00 October 7, 2022

6.84

7.04

0.00 October 7, 2022

NTB 27-Apr23

7.22

7.52

0.00 October 7, 2022

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

Discount Yield

Change Updated Time (%)

11.14 11.21

0.00 October 7, 2022

10.29 10.34

0.00 October 7, 2022

13.64 13.82

0.00 October 7, 2022

12.67 13.42

0.00 October 7, 2022

17.17 18.71

0.00 October 7, 2022

CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate Updated Time ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS OCT 26 449.69 1 October 7, 2022 2022 NGUS NOV 30 451.43 2 October 7, 2022 2022 NGUS DEC 28 3 453.18 October 7, 2022 2022 NGUS JAN 25 4 454.92 October 7, 2022 2023 NGUS FEB 22 5 456.67 October 7, 2022 2023

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

BANKING

How Sterling has Re-invented Liquidity Mgt for Nigeria’s Corporate Institutions Nume Ekeghe writes on how Sterling Bank Plc continues to introduce redefining products into the country’s banking sector

A

lthough innovation is usually associated with players in the technology and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors, it is not unusual to encounter innovative products among financial services providers. However, what is unusual is the rate at which Sterling Bank Plc continues to introduce sector’s redefining products into the country’s banking sector.

With well-rounded solutions like Specta and its variants, OneBank, Sterling Pro, among others that cater to the needs of individuals, SMEs and large corporates, the impressive list of innovative products under Sterling Banks belt covers virtually every aspect of financial service businesses via digital platforms: payments, credit, investment, etc.

Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, once explained the reason behind the banks focus on innovation in financial services; Our world evolves daily.

Therefore, there is a need for continuous innovation to meet the ever-changing needs of individuals and businesses. Our overriding objective at Sterling Bank is to develop and align our solutions to improve the experience of our customers, boost individual and business productivity while delivering the convenience that digital channels delivery provides.

The bank’s products roster is quite impressive, earning the financial institution the credibility of a customer-focused solutions provider, evidenced with the Abubakar-Suleiman receipt of numerous awards. It is against this background that Sterling Bank won the Innovative Bank of the Year Award at the 2019 edition of the Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) Efficiency Awards organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), among others.

In continuation of this trend, OmniX by Sterling was recently launched to serve both financial and non-financial Institutions (FI/NFIs) as well as large corporates and High Networth Individuals.

With the rapid and continued digitization of the FIs and NFIs operations, easing productivity challenges encountered by the corporate customers in doing business while maximizing efficiency becomes an imperative.

Executive Director, Corporate and By leveraging technology and innovation, Investment Banking, Sterling Bank, Sterling Bank for instance, has successfully Mr. Yemi Odubiyi, who disclosed this developed intimacy with its clientele and is in a statement issued by the Bank consequently able to boast of a considerable said, “OmniX is deliberately designed number of loyal customers. This shows to offer a simple, easy and effective that any player within the financial service platform to manage the daily liquidity sector seeking to improve its performance needs of corporates. may be looking at the Sterling example.

Odubiyi further explained that

“OmniX, as we have designed it, will solve corporates concerns on how to invest, finance and make the most of available capital, in as close to real time as possible. It is yet another statement of commitment by Sterling Bank not just to innovative banking, but also to the Nigerian economy. OmniX will improve their productivity and offer services from the viewpoint of an industry leader.”

OmniX is delivering unique offerings to both non-bank related financial institution customers and corporate clients through a digitised offering designed to boost efficiency and increase customer satisfaction. Further reinforcing Sterlings reputation as an innovator in financial services technology by delivering an unrivalled

digital experience that is game changing for the corporate and investment banking sub-sector of Nigerias financial services industry.

Odubiyi further remarked that the ability to serve the non-traditional financial institutions and large corporate clients with the desired speed and required agility speaks to the fact that the bank is not just another option but a clear leader in delivering effective service.

Kashetolulope Lawal, GH Client Coverage and Financial Institutions Groups, highlighted that OmniX would provide convenience to corporate clients by expediting financing decisions, speeding up transaction processing times, automating investment processes, while minimizing the incidence of human errors associated with manual processing to improve customers experience and drive business productivity, dovetailing into profitability for users.

Kashetolu explained that OmniX is suitable for all categories of corporates inclusive of banks, manufacturers, multinationals as well as other financial institutions.

According to the Group Head, Digitising service offerings for corporates through our platform has led to significant improvements since all the data and processes involved in accessing services are all pre-defined and optimized to enhance the financial efficiency and performance of these class of customers, he said.

“OmniX, as we have designed it, will solve corporates concerns on how to invest, finance and make the most of available capital, in as close to real time as possible. It is yet another statement of commitment by Sterling Bank not just to innovative banking, but also to the Nigerian economy. OmniX will improve their productivity and offer services from the viewpoint of an industry leader,” Kashetolu concluded.

Features embedded in OmniX include corporate account opening, collections management, digitised applications for investment in treasury bills, fixed deposit placements in local and foreign currencies, call deposits, discounted bankers acceptances, deposit products, as well as commercial papers.

OmniX also allows users to secure short, mid, and long-term credit facilities through prime brokerage options, term loans, overdrafts, and trade settlement finance.

A key differentiator with other solutions is that OmniX also provides advisory services through direct engagement with in-house sector specialists, weekly analysis of investment banking trends, updates, and the opportunity to diversify investment portfolios by offering access to alternative investment classes such as commodities etc

UNITED NATIONS, W.TEC URGE FG TO INVEST IN GIRL CHILD, INSIST ON TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION Centre (UNIC) to mentor the girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

(STEM) education.

The Union Bank team came with facilitators, who trained the

girls on various technology and social developmental learning, including STEM career

mentorship, during breakout sessions. At the workshop session, some of the girls

were trained on projects like solar powered phone charger and computer keyboard light.

The mentorship provides opportunity for the girls to build their future career.”

GOCOP, most of who are senior media professionals, Danbatta commended GOCOP members for their contributions in the promotion of awareness of derivable benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through their online platforms.

“The NCC would like to commend the leadership and entire members of GOCOP for the good work you are doing in your professional practice of disseminating timely and accurate information to Nigerians to enable citizens to take inform decisions,” Danbatta said.

‘TELECOM INFRASTRUCTURE CRITICAL TO SUCCESSFUL 2023 ELECTIONS’ it would be difficult to communicate with family and friends over long distances or conducting banking, insurance, or accessing government and other social services, including education, entertainment, and other essentials services that enhance quality of life.

“This means that telecom

infrastructure is important, and we must all ensure that we guard and protect those critical national infrastructural assets now, during the upcoming elections and thereafter. So, every citizen in Nigeria must take responsibility for the protection of telecom facilities for the benefits to all,” Danbatta

said.

He enjoined GOCOP members to use their credible media platforms and enviable experiences to collaborate with the NCC in creating greater awareness and public enlightenment on the need to protect telecoms infrastructure.

At the event, which was

chaired by the Founder, Centre for Alternative Policy Perspectives and Strategy (CAPPS), Dr. Umar Ardo; with other personalities including former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase; Regional Director Ford Foundation, Dr. Chidi Aniagolu-Okoye; and distinguished members of

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Examining Child Malnutrition Ugo Aliogo examines the menace of child malnutrition in Nigeria, as stated in the recent report of the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF)

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alnutrition in children has a wide range of causes, which could be immediate, underlying, or basic.

Globally, climate change, increased insecurity, political instability, and lack of adequate resources (human, economic, social), are basic determinants of malnutrition in children.

Climate change has a huge effect on agricultural production, which in turn limits household access to food supplies. This, experts say, will further lead to inadequate dietary intake in children and ultimately malnutrition. The heightened insecurity has also affected agricultural production, access to farmlands, transportation of food supplies, and access to health facilities. These have limited the availability of food for consumption, particularly for children, and this increases the risk of malnutrition.

The 2018 National Demography Health Survey, (NDHS), said 37 per cent of Nigerian children aged between 0 to 59 months are stunted, seven per cent are wasted (thin for their height); 22 per cent are underweight (thin for their age), and two per cent are overweight (heavy for their height).

According to the NDHS, South-west has less than seven per cent of global acute malnutrition and moving up North, it is direr with North-west showcasing 57 per cent in stunting. Only the South-east fared a little low with 18 per cent of children stunted.

UNICEF REPORT

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) Humanitarian Situation Report through its 2022 Nigeria Humanitarian Action for Children between January and June, has revealed that it admitted 154,697 children 6-59 months old (53 per cent girls) with severe acute malnutrition for treatment in Northeast Nigeria (vs. 158,377 mid-year targets) and 109,247 children (53 per cent girls) in the Northwest (vs. 112,397 mid-year target).

The report stated that in the North-east, a 22 per cent increase in admissions of severely malnourished children has been observed in nutrition centres across

the Northeast compared to the previous year.

The report noted that humanitarian situation monitoring results indicated high levels of acute malnutrition among new arrivals from inaccessible areas, with Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) at 16.9 per cent and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) at 6.3 per cent, worsened by poor water and sanitation access and poor health conditions.

Overall, 4.1 million people are projected to have crisis level food needs in 2022 according to the most recent Cadre Harmonisé; and 1.3m children to be acutely.

According to the report, “Findings on the SAM prevalence from the last Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transition (SMART) survey highlighted that the LGAs most affected by the 2 per cent SAM threshold were in northern Sokoto. In addition, most SAM admissions, especially in Katsina are from communities where community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) programs are not available. To address this,

UNICEF is currently supporting comprehensive nutrition surveillance in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina.

“The report is planned to be released by mid October and will cover all the LGAs and group them based on similarities in the level of malnutrition. During the reporting period, 16 additional government-run OTP sites were established in Kurfi, Dutsinma, Musawa and Matazu LGAs, Katsina State, based on survey findings, and UNICEF is in the process of supporting the opening of two stabilization centers in Goronyo LGA, Sokoto State and Gusau LGA, Zamfara State to add to the three current SCs located in Sokoto and Zamfara being supported by MSF. “

made towards achieving the target of reducing anaemia among women of reproductive age, with 55.1 percent of women aged 15 to 49 years now affected.

The report revealed that there is insufficient data to assess the progress that Nigeria has made towards achieving the low birth weight target, nor is there adequate prevalence data.

The report remarked that some progress has been made towards achieving the exclusive breastfeeding target, with 28.7 percent of infants aged 0 to 5 months exclusively breastfed. Similarly, Nigeria has made some progress towards achieving the target for stunting, but 31.5 percent of children under 5 years of age are still affected, which is higher than the average for the Africa region (30.7 percent).

The report added: “Nigeria has also made some progress towards achieving the target for wasting but 6.5 percent of children under five years of age are still affected, which is higher than the average for the Africa region (6.0 per cent). The prevalence of overweight children under 5 years of age is 1.6 per cent and Nigeria is on course to prevent the figure from increasing.

“Nigeria has shown limited progress towards achieving the diet-related non-communicable disease (NCD) targets. The country has shown no progress towards achieving the target for obesity, with an estimated 15.7 per cent of adult (aged 18 years and over) women and 5.9 per cent of adult men living with obesity. Nigeria’s obesity prevalence is lower than the regional average of 20.7 per cent for women and 9.2 per cent for men. At the same time, diabetes is estimated to affect 6.8 percent of adult women and 7.5 per cent of adult men.”

GLOBAL NUTRITION REPORT

The global nutrition report explained that Nigeria is on course to meet one of the targets for maternal, infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN), adding that no progress has been

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

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

26

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Enhancing Financial Inclusion The granting of a payment service bank licence to Globacom by the Central Bank of Nigeria, coupled with the recent launch of MoneyMaster PSB, Nigeria is set to further deepen its financial inclusion drive, writes Emma Okonji

F

ollowing the approval granted Globacom to operate MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank (PSB) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2020, the telecoms company, last week, launched G-Kala, its flagship product that would further drive the activities of MoneyMaster PSB across the country.

According to Globacom, last week’s launch of G-Kala is in line with its commitment to deepen, stimulate the growth of digital payment in Nigeria, and to bridge the country’s financial inclusion gap.

The launch attracted industry stakeholders and celebrities from within and outside the country, and Globacom used the occasion to announce several business initiatives that further push the frontiers of telecom business beyond the country.

MONEYMASTER PSB LAUNCH

Determined to further bridge the financial inclusion gap in the country, Globacom, last week, launched its payment service bank business called the MoneyMaster PSB. The PSB had since commenced commercial operations on May 30, 2022.

In a statement shortly after the launch in Lagos, the telecom company said: “Our over-arching business objective remains to empower Nigerians by providing them with unlimited opportunities. MoneyMaster extends that objective as it targets the unbanked and under-banked with G-Kala its flagship product in order to deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria.”

MoneyMaster PSB was granted a payment service bank license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on August 27, 2020. Payment service banks can, by virtue of their licenses, facilitate payment and remittance services within Nigeria, accept deposits from individuals and small businesses, issue debit and prepaid cards, operate electronic wallets, inbound remittances, and carry out other services in line with CBN regulations. They however differ from commercial banks in the fact that they cannot grant loans.

Money Master, according to Globacom, will be leveraging on its pan-Nigerian spread and pervasive agents’ footprint in the rural and urban areas as it begins its massive rollout. To open an account, all the customer needs to do is dial *995# then follow the prompts from a Glo line or from any other telecommunications network as MoneyMaster PSB is network agnostic.

Just as Globacom revolutionised the telecom industry with cutting-edge technology and unique products when it started operations in 2003, MoneyMaster PSB is poised to redefine the payment service banks’ landscape while driving financial inclusion in Nigeria, Globacom, the statement said.

“One key feature of MoneyMaster’s G-kala product is that the customer’s phone number will be used as his or her account number,” the statement continued. “We are grateful to the CBN for the opportunity to deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria using our cutting

edge technology and vast network. With 133.5 million bank accounts in Nigeria as of December 2021 according to figures released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and with only 54 million BVNs registered as of April 10, 2022, there is a huge gap of about 79 million Nigerians and potential for PSBs like MoneyMaster to help bring many unbanked and under-banked into the financial services ecosystem,” the statement further said.

ABOUT MONEYMASTER PSB

MoneyMaster PSB is a payment service bank promoted by Globacom, and it was licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria on August 27, 2020. The CBN’s aim of setting up PSBs is to help grow financial inclusion in the country and achieve the CBN’s target of 75 per cent financial inclusion by 2024.

A PSB can do everything a bank can do except give loans or accept forex remittances The CBN had also licensed other PSB operators in Nigeria, like Momo promoted

by MTN, Smartcash PSB promoted by Airtel, 9PSB promoted by 9mobile and HopePSB promoted by Unified Payments, bringing the total number of PSB operators in Nigeria to five.

PRODUCT OFFERING

The MoneyMaster’s flagship product, called G-Kala, offers variety of services, and with G-Kala, customers can open an account simply by dialing @995# from any network then follow the prompts.

Once the account is opened and the G-Kala wallet is funded, customers can buy airtime and data, pay bills, pay merchant, withdraw cash at any agent location, transfer money to other bank accounts in Nigeria, and send money to any mobile phone in Nigeria.

According to Globacom, one key feature of G-Kala is that customers will never forget their account number because their phone number automatically becomes their account number.

THE ASSURANCES

Delivering a keynote at the launch of MoneyMaster, the Head, Enterprise Business Group at Globacom, Zakari Usman, said with the theme: ‘Pushing The Frontiers: An Evening With Glo’ the telecom company would unveil a suite of innovative and cutting edge business solutions to a select audience of C-Suite executives who were invited to witness the launch of another revolutionary product from Globacom.

According to Usman, “We also want to, as the cliché says, kill more than one bird with a single stone by formally introducing MoneyMaster PSB, our new

financial services subsidiary. As technology advances and the world becomes more digitally interconnected, the businesses that will survive into the future are those that continue to push the frontiers by leveraging technological advancements to design, introduce and disrupt the market with innovative technologies, products and services.

“Novelties we thought were the mere stuff of fiction and movies have become the reality of our quotidian existence.

We have driverless cars, smart homes, e-medicine and e-education. Everything we imagined decades ago has become the stuff of everyday life. As leaders of businesses, especially those at the intersection of commerce and technology, we must not be caught napping. We must continue to push the frontiers because as Peter Drucker once noted, it is either we innovate or die.”

IMPACT OF 5G

Speaking on the impact of 5G on telecom business and how telecom operators like Globacom will leverage 5G technology to offer innovative services to its existing and would-be customers, Usman said: “As we get ready for the full dawning of 5G technology and the digitally integrated world it promises,we must continue to up our game in the services we offer directly or indirectly. We must also begin to explore the synergy inherent in collaboration and the revolutionary mindset of Co-opetition espoused by Adam M. Brandenburger and Barry J. Nalebuff in their book of the same title. As technology compels us to be co-dependent, we will begin to better appreciate the advantages open to us when we collaborate and co-operate.”

Following a transparent and credible auction of 3.5GHz on December 13, 2021, the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), chaired by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, had, on February 22, 2022, officially handed over the spectrum allocation for 5G deployment as well as federal government-approved National Policy on 5G to the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), the telecom industry regulator.

NCC is optimistic that effective implementation of the National Policy on 5G will accelerate the actualisation of the national targets in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, as well as other sectoral policies designed to enhance Nigeria’s digital transformation.

THE FOCUS

Addressing the mission and focus of Globacom, Usman said: “Our focus at Glo remains to innovate/provide value/ enhance lives. Glo has always disrupted

the market with innovative and value adding services and products from per second billing to Blackberry Services to 4G Data to Value Added Service (VAS), to borrow me data service to Digital – GloCafe and GloTV. Currently we have more innovative and value adding voice products like GloBerekete 10X; Glo Social bundles that keep you connected on social media, digital and VAS products like e-top and then our annual end of year promos that empower and help people’s dreams come through.

We are continuing with that focus with our Auto Credit product a part of our suite of E-top up services will provide seamless transition and connection for customers who run out of credit mid-conversation through a service we will provide in concert with aggregators and financial partners.”

According to him, MoneyMaster PSB, our payment service bank, commenced business recently and the over-arching objective is to redefine the payment service banks’ landscape with our suite of digital financial services while working to help achieve the Central Bank of Nigeria’s mandate of 95 per cent financial inclusion by 2024. MoneyMasterwill disrupt and revolutionise the financial industry in the same way that Globacom revolutionised the telecom industry with cutting-edge technology and unique products when it started operations in 2003, Usman said.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION GROWTH RATE

The Nigerian government, in its National Financial Inclusion Strategy adopted in 2011, had set for itself an ambitious target to financially include 80 per cent of its adult population by the year 2020. The target was however not achieved as only 64 per cent were included by the end of 2020.

CBN later set another target to achieve 75 per cent financial inclusion by 2024.

Although financial inclusion has grown in the past decade, Nigeria fell short of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy targets for 2020. The overall financial inclusion target was 80 per cent by 2020; EFInA data shows that only 64 per cent of Nigerian adults were financially included by the end of 2020. This means that 36 per cent of Nigerian adults, which is about 38 million adults, remain completely financially excluded.

In addition, large gaps in financial access remain for some of Nigeria’s most financially excluded groups. Women continue to be more financially excluded than men, with only 45 per cent of women using formal financial services, compared with 56 per cent of men.

Adults in Northern Nigeria continue to be significantly more financially excluded than those in the southern zones, and rural adults are still more excluded than those in urban areas. Young adults, between the ages of 18-25, are significantly more likely than older adults to be financially excluded.

The Glo MoneyMaster PSB is however set to bridge the existing financial inclusion gap in the country.

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Honor Well

On behalf of my family and constituents in Afikpo North/Afikpo South federal constituency, I wish to heartily congratulate my dear colleague and Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha on your conferment with National Honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR. Your selection as a recipient is well deserved as you have taken monumental steps towards the alleviation of poverty, and provision of critical infrastructure in your Constituency, and the advancement of Women's rights in Nigeria.

Once again, Congratulations!

HON NKEIRUKA CHIDUBEM ONYEJEOCHA Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives and Member representing Isuikwuato/ Umunneochi Federal Constituency

Signed by: HON. IDUMA IGARIWEY ENWO Member Representating Afikpo North/Afikpo South federal constituency, Ebonyi State. Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

LASG Plans to Drive Infrastructure, Human Capacity with Lagos Development Plan Gilbert Ekugbe The Lagos State Government (LASG) has stated that the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) (2022-2052) would prioritise infrastructure development, build a thriving economy and focus on achieving a human-centric Lagos economy.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the plan would also ensure an effective governnace to achieve an all-inclusive economy for the citizens of Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu at the 2022 Ehingbeti summit said the plan would also be focusing on 20 strategic areas that would drive the very deep ambition of the plan.

He noted that the plan is built around four critical strategic pillars, which include a thriving economy, a human centric city, modern infrastructure and effective governance.

He added that the long-term development plan is the beginning of a greater and better Lagos.

He said the Ehingbeti is a forum for stakeholders in and out of Lagos, citizens in businesses, governments, regulators, civil society organisations, technocrats, partners, students, and international players come for exchange of ideas to address potential development road blocks and to jointly chart forward a path accelerates sustainable economic development for the State.

Also speaking, the Commis-

sioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube, said if Lagos was a country, it would be the sixth largest economy on the continent, adding that in terms of resilience, Lagos State is rated triple A by Fitch while pointing out the rating is coming at a challenging time where a lot of economies are being downgraded.

On her part, the Chairperson, Lagos Economic Summit Group (LESG), Mary Iwelumo, said the Ehingbeti summit has birthed several landmark projects across the State, stressing that previous Summits have also provided the opportunity for stakeholders to evaluate the implementation status of the resolutions developed at the Summit.

Presco’s Founder, Vandebeeck, Receives National Award, Projects Economic Growth The Federal Government of Nigeria has honoured the Founder of Presco Plc and Siat Nigeria Limited, Mr Pierre Vandebeeck with National Award in recognition of his contributions to the development of Nigeria’s economy.

President Muhammadu Buhari conffered the National Honours Award of the Order of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria (OFR) on Vandebeeck on Tuesday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Vandebeeck was among recipients of Awards at the investiture of distinguished Nigerians and foreigners by President Buhari at the 2022 National Honours Awards.

Speaking on the Award, Vandebeeck, who was accompanied by his wife, Managing Director of Presco Plc, Felix Nwabuko and his

wife, Fidelia, commended Nigeria for recognizing his contributions to economic growth in the last 50 years.

Vandebeeck also projected economic growth for Nigeria especially in the area of agriculture and oil palm development.

Making reference to oil palm production, Vandebeeck said: “Expect more growth and more dividends for Shareholders of Presco Plc.” Vandebeeck, a Belgian National, is an Officer of The Order of the Crown of Belgium, was Honorary Consul of Belgium for Gabon and was also conferred with the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State of Nigeria (DSSRS).

Vandebeeck, has been part and parcel of Nigeria’s economic growth, especially in the Agricultural Production

and Agro-Allied Industries.

Born on the 16th of August 1945 in Munsterbilzen, Belgium, Mr. Vandebeeck is an Agronomist with specialty in Tropical Agriculture, graduated in 1969.

He immediately started his career working as plantation manager and then group inspector for five years for Afrifina’streecrop estates of coffee, rubber, cocoa and oil palm, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

He came to Nigeria in 1974 as Project and Team leader for Socfin Consultant Services (Socfinco)which was hired by the World Bank to develop Oil Palm Plantations in Nigeria.

His first assignment was the land acquisition and development of a 4,700 hectares oil palm estate at Adapalm Ltd Plantation, presently owned by the Imo State.

Ojulari Appointed MD Mercedez-Benz Nigeria The Board of Directors of Weststar Associates Limited has announced the appointment of Mrs. Mary Ojulari as the new Managing Director for Mercedez-Benz Nigeria. Her appointment takes immediate effect. Ojulari replaces Mirko Plath who held the position of Managing Director from the inception of the company until 15th September.

Until her elevation to the new role, she was the Deputy Managing Director/ Chief Financial Officer of the company where she played a key part in the growth of the company.

According to the statement from the management of the company, the appointment is part of the bold move to reposition and consolidate on the strategic business growth trajectory of the company.

In her new role, Ojulari is expected to bring to bear her 24 years cognate work experience, which cut across diverse sectors including audit, automotive, hospitality, media, and service sector.

She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from London South Bank University and became

a fellow of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants since 2008.

She started her working career in KPMG, United Kingdom, before moving to Bass Group Plc as a management accountant in 2003 and, thereafter, Whitbread Plc, United Kingdom as a management accountant.

In 2006, Mary joined the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) as an analyst and rose through the ranks to become the Business & Corporate Planning Manager in the same organization in 2009.

Corporate Governance Conference to Hold October 18 Sunday Ehigiator In maintaining its commitment to developing corporate governance and best practices in Nigeria, the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria has revealed plans to host its 2022 Annual Corporate Governance Conference, themed, ‘Digital, Diversity, and Inclusion: Evolving Trends in Governance and Board Culture’, on October 18, 2022.

This was made known through a statement from the organisation.

According to the statement, the conference is scheduled to be a hybrid event which will hold on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, under the distinguished chairmanship of the organisation, Mr Muhammad Ahmad.

According to Ahmad,

the conference will enjoy a global viewership of corporate governance enthusiasts and stakeholders, and it is intended to foster discussions among key corporate governance experts who will discuss the role of Digital, Diversity and Inclusion with regard to board culture and board effectiveness.

“Championing the discussions this year will be a panel comprising of the keynote speakers, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, Chairman, Securities & Exchange Commission, Nigeria, Femi Lijadu, and Guest Speaker and the CEO, Puma Energy International, Dr Emma FitzGerald.

“Other discussants include the Board Chairperson, Stanbic

IBTC Bank, Sola David-Borha, Managing Direct/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Dupe Olushola, Immediate Past President, Namibia Institute of Corporate Governance, Escher Luanda, Associate Dean, Lagos Business School, Prof. Yinka David-West and Founder/ CEO, CG & QMS, Sam Cookey who will be moderating the discussions.”

Commenting on the theme of the conference, the Chief Executive Officer of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Mrs Chioma Mordi, “the need for boards to evolve and embrace a new culture to ensure inclusion and effectiveness as well as business resilience influenced the theme of this year’s Annual Conference.”

Founder of Presco Plc and Siat Nigeria Limited, Mr Pierre Vandebeeck, receiving National award from President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja...recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JUNE 2022 Money Supply (M3)

48,865,823.53

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

167,956.2

Money Supply (M2)

48,797,867.32

-- Quasi Money

28,405,330.1

-- Narrow Money (M1)

20,392,537.22

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,722,785.91

---- Demand Deposits

17,669,751.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

6,242,394.29

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

42,623,429.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

57,267,178.05

---- Credit to Government (Net)

17,996,690.06

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

39,270,488

--Other Assets Net

5,566,430

Reserve Money (Base Money

11,320,304

--Currency in Circulation

3,259,269.15

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,320,303.72 384,377.56

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

June 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

11.10

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

13.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.45

Savings Deposit Rate

1.38

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.48

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

4.97

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.30

Prime Lending rate

12.29

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 27 SEPTEMBER 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $89.50 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.67 the previous Friday, 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).

THURSDAY OCTOBER 13, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THURSDAY, ͹ͻ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

TÊTE-À-TÊTE AT LONDON POLITICAL SUMMIT...

MP for Peterborough and the Parliamentary host of the London Political Summit, Hon. Paul Bristow (left) in a chat with Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, at the London Political Summit, held at the House of Commons, Westminster, London… yesterday

Sylva: How Deployment of Gas Resources Can Help Nigeria Fast-track Industrialisation Programme Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has reiterated that gas will be deployed as Nigeria’s transition energy source to ramp up the country’s industrialisation programme.

Speaking during a dinner with the diplomatic community in Abuja, Sylva noted that gas remains the only single energy source that can help Nigeria diversify the economy, explaining that it is a sure way for Nigeria to bridge it’s energy gap.

With a proven gas reserve of 206 TCF and a potential upside of up to 600 TCF, Sylva explained that in order to reap the benefit of its gas resources, the country was deepening its natural gas utilisation under the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP). “ Energy is the basic resource for national socio-economic development and it must be secured at all times. As a result of its rising impact on national security and economy, the need to safeguard energy and ensure availability, reliability and affordability has made energy diplomacy an essential part of every country’s foreign cooperation,” he explained.

According to Sylva, Nigeria has rolled out the auto-gas scheme with the aim of displacing the

excessive use of petrol and is working towards reducing its use with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). In his words , this will reduce petrol use and minimise carbon emissions.

“It is important to stress that Nigeria’s vehicle of choice on the energy transition journey is natural gas. Much has been done towards harnessing this huge potential to provide the energy needed for our growing population in terms of power generation, transport, feedstock for industries and clean cooking solutions.

“It is disheartening that Nigeria is still energy-poor despite our enormous energy resources, which include over 200 TCF of proven natural gas reserve with a potential upside of up to 600 TCF. “Majority of our people still lack access to reliable electricity and clean cooking fuels, and our pursuit is to significantly reduce this menace, with the hope of ending energy poverty in the country soonest,” he added.

He hailed the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, describing it as a game changer for the oil and gas sector.

“The Nigerian energy industry has undergone positive reforms with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. The PIA

2021 has paved the way for new investment, created jobs, support economic and energy diversification and has placed Nigeria in a position of being able to not only meet our energy needs, but help support the world’s rising energy demands.

“The Act has generous incentives to encourage the development, distribution, penetration, and utilisation of gas – as it incentivises entry into the midstream, especially for investment in gas pipelines,” he explained.

The minister called on the international community to support

Nigeria’s effort at maximising its resources in the face of global energy transition plans.

“It is important that we continue to talk, listen to each other and craft pathways that are mutually beneficial in the area of energy security.

“I would therefore like to invite you all to support Nigeria’s call for partnership and investment in our energy industry in the true spirit of cooperation,” he said.

Sylva stated that Nigeria will continue to use the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) to accelerate global energy

Proffering suggestions on how to avoid another strike by university lecturers in the future, the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), AgoIwoye, Ogun State, Prof. Ganiu Olatunde, has advised the federal government to incorporate some of the features of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) into the existing Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform of the government.

Olatunde insisted that the only way to peacefully resolve the lingering crisis between the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) and the federal government over the preferable platform for payment of lecturers' salaries was for the

government to merge UTAS and IPPIS together.

The VC made the call during a chat with journalists in his office to mark the end of his five-year tenure in the university ASUU had rejected IPPIS, a payment platform created by the federal government to pay its workers and insisted on UTAS as its preferred payment option.

Expressing concern on the effects of the incessant strike, Olatunde lamented that the action was a setback, to the country, hoping that ways to avoid using strike to resolve issues without industrial action would emerge.

He said, "Must we have IPPIS? Why can't we look at those things in UTAS and put them in the IPPIS such that it can give a faultless platform?

"Those things that are peculiar

that for years , the kind of initiative had not happened in years.

He stressed that the NIES remains an international event which is attended globally and called for continued cooperation as the programme draws closer.

Others who spoke during the event included the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) Abdulrasaq Isa, the Chairman Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Nik Odinuwe, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, among others.

Obajana: We Must Separate Acquisition from Asset-grabbing, Kogi Replies Dangote Peter Uzoho The Kogi State government yesterday responded to Dangote Industries Limited's (DIL) insistence on 100 per cent ownership of Dangote Cement Company, saying DIL's efforts at making the state's demand appear unreasonable only justified its protest against what it described as "callous and deliberate asset grabbing."

The state government maintained that Obajana Cement Company was solely founded in 1992 and owned by the state, which held 100 per cent of its shareholding in trust for its people, long before DIL ventured into the state and longer still before Dangote Cement Plc came into existence.

In a detailed response to Dangote Group's advertorial, titled, "Separating Facts From Fiction", the Kogi

FG Must Incorporate UTAS into IPPIS to Avert Future Strike, Says VC James Sowole in Abeikuta

transition agenda as it continues to promote energy efficiency and renewable technologies.

“It is also fast becoming a platform for showcasing engineering and technological breakthroughs in the energy sector,” he added.

He lauded the ambassadors for the work they have put in to sustain Nigeria’s relationship with their various countries.

In his remarks, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahima who doubles as the Cameroonian envoy to Nigeria, underscored the importance of the energy industry globally, stressing

to UTAS input them in IPPIS to improve it and that is the thing we are now coming back to.

"If the government had ceded IPPIS, the non-academic unions will say the federal government must accept their own too, others will want to bring their own too, so the FG will never agree. The federal government will never agree because it will drag them in the mud because they will say our own is superior.

"But, rather than change or allow your own (IPPIS) to come in, let us make those things in the our own (UTAS) and put them in the IPPIS, so that another group will not stand up and say accept our own too and that is where we are heading to now.

"The ASUU has agreed that the components of those best things in UTAS should be incorporated

in the IPPIS." Highlighting some of his achievements, Olatunde said tackling insecurity issues was one of the major achievements of his five-year tenure.

The VC said all the principal officers cooperated with him when he assumed the office, adding that the school recruited more security personnel just as CCTV cameras, were installed to monitor, activities on the campus.

He also expressed delight that the OOU was not denied accreditation for any of its programmes.

"After security, we ensured that we have good environment and make the school to be attractive to students. We don't have any denied programme in our school because all our programmes are fully accredited.

State government noted that successive administrations had always invited DIL and Dangote Cement Plc (DCP) to prove that the Group paid anything at all for the purported acquisition of Obajana and its alleged 100 per cent ownership, "but each time, DIL and DCP have woefully failed to do so."

In the response titled, "Separating Acquisition from Asset-Grabbing," Kogi State Government disclosed that it took a loan of at least 15million Deutsche Marks to conduct feasibility assessments, which confirmed the existence of those 'vast limestone deposits' that DIL found so enticing years later.

"Sadly, for over a decade after DIL and DCP started posting profits from the operations of the Obajana plant, the Kogi State Government was still labouring to pay off the said loan and interests accruing thereon," the statement noted.

The Kogi State Government said in the interest of humanity and truth, it was pertinent to ask the questions: "How come years after DIL and DCP claim they acquired 100 per cent of the equity and assets of Obajana Cement Plc, Kogi State officials were still listed as shareholders of the company, holding shares for and on behalf of the people of Kogi State in filings made by DIL and DCP at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)?

"Is the above not evidence that DIL and DCP which do not deny that Kogi State invited them to

invest in Obajana Cement Plc in the first place, are lying when they defend their rapacity and duplicity by claiming that Kogi State allegedly abandoned her allotted shares and was subsequently kicked out of the company she founded by them, thereby allegedly extinguishing all rights and interests of Kogi State and her people in the operations of the company?

"By what rules of corporate acquisitions or even buy-outs are DIL and DCP operating in their highhanded dealings with Kogi State and people? At what point was DIL and DCP able to raise money and Kogi State Govt not able to raise money to take up their allotments, resulting in the alleged transfer of Kogi's shares in Obajana to DIL/DCP? "Which money or consideration did DIL provide in 2002 for the alleged acquisition of the 90 per cent equity in Obajana Cement Plc, which used to be vested in the Kogi State Government and what money or consideration did DIL and DCP pay in 2003 to acquire the remaining 10 per cent of Kogi's shares in Obajana Cement Plc?" The state government invited Nigerians and all persons of goodwill everywhere to ruminate on the issues raised and draw conclusions, "on the ways and manner in which DIL and DCP have shamelessly gone about their conspiracy to dispossess Kogi State and her people of their rightful assets."

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THURSDAY, ͹ͻ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THIRTY-THREE

Dangote’s 650,000bpd Refinery 97% Completed, Says NMDPRA Scarcity to end as 146 petrol tankers arrive Abuja, environs Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The 650,000 barrels per day Dangote refinery in Lagos is now 97 per cent complete, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), said yesterday.

The NMDPRA's Chief Executive, Mr Farouk Ahmed, stated this when representatives of the refinery visited him in his office in Abuja to present the work plan of the facility for

2022/2023.

The integrated refinery and petrochemical complex in the Lekki Free Zone near Lagos, Nigeria, is expected to be the world’s biggest single-train facility, upon commissioning.

Estimated to cost about $20 billion, the refinery will produce Euro-V quality gasoline and diesel, as well as jet fuel and polypropylene and will likely generate 4,000 direct and 145,000 indirect jobs.

The new refinery will double Nigeria’s refining capacity and help in meeting the increasing demand for fuels, while providing cost and foreign exchange savings.

It is estimated to have an annual refining capacity of 10.4 million tonnes of petrol.

“Today, representatives of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals presented their 2022/2023 work plan to the Authority which showed that the refinery project is estimated to

be at 97 per cent completion.

“Dangote Oil Refinery is a 650,000 barrels per day integrated refinery project under construction in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos. It is expected to be Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility,” the NMDPRA said in a statement.

The Authority's Chief Executive, Ahmed, reiterated the importance of the Dangote Refinery to the country while assuring that the Authority

will give all necessary support to ensure timely completion and kick-start operations.

Also, there are indications that the scarcity of petrol that has rocked Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city and its environs may soon subside as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday revealed that 149 tankers of the product have arrived the environs of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Executive Director, Downstream

of the NNPC, Mr Adeyemi Adetunji, who spoke in Abuja, explained that the water which had subsumed the link road between the south and the north in Kogi had started receding.

“We are pleased to inform the general public that more petroleum products trucks have started arriving in Abuja and other destinations as the flood which had earlier restricted the movement of trucks along Lokoja has receded.

Labour Party Unveils 1,234 Man Campaign Council Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Rising opposition political party, Labour Party, yesterday, unveiled a 1,234 man Campaign Council Committee for the 2023 presidential election.

National Secretary, of the Labour Party, Clement Ojukwu, who announced some leaders of the 1,234-member presidential council, said it would be chaired

by AIG Muhammadu Zarewa.

According to the list of members of the council released in Abuja during a World Press conference, the National Chairman, Julius Abure, would serve as the Chairman Advisory Council, while Clement Ojukwu would serve as Secretary General, Dr. Doyin Okupe, would be the Director General of the Campaign Council and Chief Oseluka Obazee, would be the General Manager of the Council, while others would serve in their various capacities at national and regional level.

The list came weeks after public speculations that raised questions about the party's lack of structure to set up its presidential election campaign council with known politicians.

Speaking at the event, Okupe, who described the emergence of Atiku Abubakar the PDP presidential candidate, as an evil mechanisation to short change the South, boasted that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter

Obi, has at least 15 million voters in the kitty.

He said the figures were generated from 80 per cent of new voters, whom he said were supporters of the LP candidate.

The former presidential spokesperson said about 60 per cent of Nigeria’s 38 million social media users are registered to vote, adding that 50 per cent of the figure were ‘Obidient’ While describing the ruling

All Progressives Congress (APC), and PDP as expired commodities with defective structures, he added: "If there was a strict pre-qualification process, both the APC and PDP would have been disqualified from the start of the presidential race.

He further described the process that produced the presidential candidates of the APC and the PDP as flawed, saying the youths would decide the immediate

future of this country.

Okupe said: "I am not talking here about the dubious nature of educational records, or even allegations of foreign court certified criminal narcotic records , or any basis of poor health, and not even of falsified or advanced age but I refer to the fundamental parameters of competence and character, where none of these other known candidates, measure up, in any way, to the sterling

THISDAY, he said it was wrong in the first place to have a presidential candidate from the south and a DG from the same region, when the party manifesto was anchored on equity and justice.

Abayomi who earlier faulted Okupe's speech which he claimed was not signed, said the former has embarked on a journey of self annihilation, a position he said was against the position of the leadership of the Labour Party.

AGAIN, TINUBU, APC GOVERNORS, NWC MEETING ENDS IN STALEMATE Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja For the second time in a week, the meeting between the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, governors of the party, members of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) and the disputed Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), yesterday, ended in deadlock.

The meeting, which again, failed to agree on a particular date that the ruling party would flag-off its campaign, however, saw the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, stay away from the deliberation that lasted hours, raising concerns about the state of the party.

The meeting was a follow up to last Wednesday's tripartite committee meeting aimed at harmonising the party's presidential campaign council list.

But the spokesperson of PCC, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), has said the President Muhammadu Buhari’s schedule, being the Chairman of the campaign council, was delaying the flag-off of the campaign.

At the same time, wife of the APC presidential candidate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday called on women to mobilise for the victory of the party at next year' elections.

This is as the Director of New Media of the PCC, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, also yesterday, said the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost its aggrieved five governors, because it was unable to manage tendencies within the party.

The governors being referred to are Nyesome Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

THISDAY recalls that the

422-member campaign list initially released, had created discord within the party with the governors, party leadership and stakeholders expressing dissatisfaction.

It was against this background that the campaign activities of the ruling party were put on hold indefinitely to ensure all hands were on deck and everyone carried along.

The meeting, which held at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, started a few minutes after 11a.m and ended 2:15 p.m, had in attendance Tinubu, the Campaign Director General and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and party's VicePresidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

The governors at the meeting included Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun

NIGERIA SEEKS DEBT RESTRUCTURING FROM IMF, WORLD BANK 2023 projection is that we will be needing to use about 65 per cent of our revenue to service debt. Unfortunately, the cost of debt service is rising because of the rising interest rate globally which is resulting also in higher debt service costs.

“But our projection from the debt sustainability analysis is that Nigeria is able to cope with its debt service in 2022 as well as in 2023. We have been engaging financial institutions to look at the opportunity to restructure our debt to further stretch the debt service period to give us more fiscal relief.

Those are some of the things we want to achieve in this meeting.”

Furthermore, she said the country was considering borrowing from the recent window created by the IMF for countries facing urgent balance-of-payment need related to the global food crisis.

She explained: “The last drawing we had from the IMF was the second round of Special Drawing Right (SDR) that was provided for all the member countries of the IMF. “The IMF recently offered a food security package that countries can draw and it is equivalent to about 50 per cent of their SDRs. We have not taken a decision to draw on that, we have to examine what are the requirements to see if it will be safe for us to draw because we don’t want to be drawn into an IMF program and as it is, we are studying the terms

qualities of Peter Obi and Dr Yusuf Datti-Ahmed.”

Meanwhile in what seemed like a factional tussle in the party, the National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, has kicked against what he described as illegal, the unveiling of the party’s presidential campaign council by Dr Doyin Okupe and a few others, whom he described as people without political relevance.

In a telephone interview with

and conditions.

“If they work for us, we will now decide to take it because the funds can certainly be useful in terms of adding to our reserves and also in terms of helping us to cope with the challenges that the country is facing especially as the floods that have been happening right now in the country is going to cause more stress on our food system.

“We realise that the floods that are happening are currently destroying crops and therefore the harvest that is expected will be much less and it will mean that more of our people will struggle to be able to afford food.”

Commenting on the 2023 Appropriation Bill that was presented by the president last week, the minister said the plan in the Medium Term Economic Framework (MTEF) for 2023 to 2025 and the 2023 budget scaled down on the subsidy that the government has to carry.

According to her, the projection was that, “we should be able to exit subsidy by the middle of next year and at the same time we have to be able to provide more support to the poor and the vulnerable in our society especially as vulnerability is increasing and will increase as a result of the climate change that we are beginning to see in the country.”

She added: “We took all of these into account in designing the MTEF and the budget. We

have been very pessimistic in our projections. For example, the oil price that we fixed was at $70 and everybody is asking why we are we staying at $70 when the prices are averaging $90?

“So those are some of the safeguards that we have put in because we do have production problems, but we are beginning to see some uptick in the production numbers and we hope that by the end of the year, we would be able to circle back to the production benchmark as provided for in the budget.”

She also said the country was targeting a 3.7 per cent growth for 2023.

“On the borrowing side, it means that we are having to use more of our naira to pay debts that are dollar-denominated and as the dollar strengthens and the interest rate goes up globally, it affects us so we ended up having to use more of our revenues to pay the debt,” she added.

Meanwhile, the IMF yesterday restated the need for Nigeria’s policymakers and leaders to save some of the country’s oil earnings in these times of high energy prices as well as increase its domestic revenue drive in order to reduce external borrowings.

The Fund also disclosed that 19 out of 35 African countries are presently in debt distress or at risk of debt distress and stressed the need for more responsible fiscal measures to be taken by countries

in the continent.

The Divisional Chief, Fiscal Affairs Department IMF, Paulo Medas, who said this during a media briefing said: “Nigeria has benefited from higher oil revenues.

We haven't seen an improvement in the deficits as we hoped because of the large energy subsidies, but also other issues with the production of oil and other pressures on the budget.

“So, our recommendation is to try to save some of these oil revenues but also address these emergency needs. Another aspect I would say is that Nigeria is one case where tax revenues are really low and this really undermines the capacity of the government to mark these types of shocks and to provide key services.”

On his part, Director of Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF Vitor Gaspar, pointed out that African countries were experiencing high inflation, debt crisis and an impending food crisis as well as other socioeconomic concerns.

“What we are seeing now, according to estimates by the World Bank is that 11 million more people would enter extreme poverty now than what should have been expected under present trends.

“The food crisis is another devastating effect and some estimates indicated more than 120 million people in Africa alone are suffering from food insecurity. They don't have enough to eat and this is a very serious situation,” he added.

(Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Bello Matawale (Zamfara), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abubakar Bello (Niger), AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Abdulahi Sule (Nasarawa, Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Babagana Zullum (Borno) and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, spokesperson of the PCC, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), said the schedule of President Muhammadu Buhari, being the Chairman of the campaign council, has contributed significantly to the delayed take-off of the campaign.

He said Buhari's schedule has to be put into consideration before a specific date would be fixed for the commencement of campaign.

Keyamo stated: "You know that the structure of our campaign involves Presidential diary. I have said that our campaign is not going to be like those that they can kick and start like small vehicles. It is maneuvering a 50-ton tanker on a highway and once we hit the highway, it will be in motion and movement.

"Since Mr President is the chairman of the Campaign Council, we are going to take his diary into consideration in picking and choosing the date. However, we have all virtually agreed to hit the street very soon. We have also agreed on the region we are going to kick-start but I won't say that now. We have also agreed on all the basic issues.

We just want to carry along the leader of the party, Mr President and hit the street."

He however, assured the people that all the organs of the party were united and working in unison towards one purpose, adding also that Tinubu had already presented a draft manifesto to the party.

Keyamo added: "What you have seen here is the meeting of different layers of the party. It was the meeting of the major stakeholders of the party. The progressive governors, the NWC, and the PCC with the presidential candidate. We are a very united party with all the organs of the party working in unison towards one purpose. All we did today during the meeting was to review the draft of our manifesto.

"Our candidate is not the type that operates on his own. He carries everybody along. He presented the draft of the manifesto to all the stakeholders that looked at it.

And guess what, almost all the stakeholders gave that draft more

than 90 per cent pass mark."

Asked to give details of the manifesto, Keyamo noted: "We can't give you the content, because we are not going to take it away from our candidate. He is going to present himself before Nigerians on a particular date and occasion.

We have set up a small committee charged with the responsibility of reducing the manifesto documents to major highlights in message form we will sell to even the market women, street traders in the most simple language.

"We don't want to present to Nigerians a very complicated document that they cannot understand in simple terms," he added, stressing that they had accommodated all the interest groups in the campaign list, and there was virtually no disagreement at the meeting.

On the allegation made by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), that APC has connived with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Keyamo described the allegation as absolute nonsense.

His words: "There has been absolutely no occasion, where the APC, either through NWC or any of levels of leadership put any kind of pressure on INEC. Those sensing defeat are already looking for reasons for that defeat. It is one of the reasons, it is one of the excuses they are trying to generate to accommodate their defeat, but they should know that the defeat is imminent."

On the commencement of PDP's presidential campaign, Keyamo said APC would allow the "little boys to continue, the big boys are coming behind."

Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on women to mobilise for the victory of the party at next year' elections, even as she expressed confidence that Tinubu and Shettima would protect the interests of women as well as safeguard their rights if elected at the polls.

Mrs. Tinubu said the women’s wing of the APC presidential campaign, comprising seasoned politicians, market women, media professionals and others, possessed the ability to bring the party over the finish line in first position at next year’s polls.

“When women are united, wonderful things happen; and I have immense confidence in the ability of the amazing team assembled here today to secure the women’s vote for APC, Continues online

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CONGRATULATIONS, YOU DESERVE THE AWARD...

L-R: Former President, Goodluck Jonathan; Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu; Chairman, United Bank for Africa PLC, Mr. Tony Elumelu; and the Director-General, World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, exchanging pleasantries after the conferment of National Awards in Abuja.

FG Woos Foreign Investors, Says Nigeria Most Attractive Destination in Africa Eyes $75bn annual e-Commerce spending by 2025

James Emejo in Abuja The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, yesterday in Cairo, Egypt, insisted that Nigeria remained one of the most attractive investment destinations in Africa, urging investors to take advantage of the enormous economic opportunities thereof.

The minister also said Nigeria’s current e-Commerce spending stood at about $13 billion per annum, adding that the figure was projected to rise to about $75 billion in annual revenue by 2025.

She said the market outlook for

the country’s e-commerce showed that the number of online shoppers in the country which was at 76.7 million in 2021, was expected to hit 122.5 million by 2025.

Citing figures from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Katagum, who spoke at the maiden conference of the Nigeria-Egypt Trade Conference and Exhibition, theme: “For Africa - By Africa” in Cairo, said Nigeria’s e-payment transactions increased by 85.5 per cent year on year to N171.99 trillion in August 2021.

The minister said Nigeria remained the largest African country by population and size

of the economy which the global consulting firm-PwC had projected to be among the top economies by 2025.

Katagum, told participants that the country was blessed with huge natural and mineral resources in commercial quantities, favourable climate conditions, and a high potential for industrial development.

She said the country remained open to deepening collaboration with Egypt and other friendly nations, adding that Nigeria is strategically located with easy access to other countries within the West African region.

She said with the advent of the

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria and indeed the continent was better positioned for broader economic integration, trade enhancement, the attraction of foreign investments, wealth and employment generation, poverty reduction, and improved shared prosperity for our people.

The minister said Nigeria was home to a multitude of investment and trade opportunities, adding that the federal government had acknowledged the needs of foreign investors, and had put in place a good number of investment-friendly incentives for them in various sectors of the economy.

LAWMAKERS FLAY FG OVER N8.2TRN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN 2023 BUDGET after it considered and adopted the harmonised report of its Committee on Police Affairs and that of the House of Representatives.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Halliru Dauda Jika identified the revenue sources for the proposed budget as; 0.5% of the total revenue accrued to the federation account which is N52,569,086,241.00.

Meanwhile, members of the House of Representatives at plenary yesterday passed for second reading the 2023 Appropriation Bill presented to the parliament last week by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The budget of N20.51 trillion which was well debated on by the lawmakers, commenced with main focus on crude oil theft, revenue shortfall, education, insecurity and rising debt profile.

Lawmakers belonging to the main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) while taking turns to express concerns over the borrowing by the present administration, disagreed that the deadline for subsidy removal as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari shouldn't be early next year.

The House Leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (APC, Kano) leading the debate on the bill's general principles, urged his colleagues to exhibit a sense of nationalism and the fiscal document their supports.

He noted that provision had been made to address petroleum subsidy payments, adding that six months from now, the country would go into free subsidy regime.

"For three years we have exhibited all sense of nationalism. It’s a budget of transition because it is his last budget. We should also transit into the right government to continue the work Buhari left. The government has shown enough concern to address insecurity, infrastructure and so on.

“No government is happy when insecurity or infrastructure is deteriorating. The ASUU strike, the House waded in and we are providing funding to solve the lingering issue," Doguwa said In his contribution, the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) while lamenting the rising crude oil theft, faulted the move by Buhari to end subsidy payment from the second half of next year.

Okechukwu recalled how Buhari when he was vying for the presidency in 2014, had claimed that petrol subsidy was a scam.

He wondered while this 'scam' has continued to run and it's been amplified by Buhari's government, saying that it meant Buhari's decision was political and not driven by patriotism.

The Deputy Minority Leader therefore called for extension of the deadline, saying it would create a lot of crisis for the next government taking over.

"It is quite important to state that the things the budget does not contain are critical. First and foremost, the benchmarks as established, will N435 exchanging to the dollar? In the parallel market, it is N740 to a dollar. It's a complete

distortion of reality and we have operated that way, running two rates regarding to the exchange rate of this country.

“Mr. Speaker, the benchmark we have as per OPEC quota is 1.69 million barrels per day. Today, what we have set out to do is less than 1.8 million that we should be doing.

“Unfortunately, in the Niger Delta, the level of theft and the heist that is going on in the oil industry has made this impossible. Suddenly, we are discovering that a pipeline has been existing for the harvest of petroleum products and it not official.

“They have a platform that is out there in the sea and we are supposed to have electronic security gadgets monitoring the sectors and suddenly, we are paying privately security contractors to do our supervision in the oil sector and they are discovering shiploads of petroleum products.

“Mr. Speaker, Hon. Colleagues, it is quite unfortunate that we have people superintending this and it is happening in their very faces and nobody has been sacked.

"What is also sad is that the level of borrowing that has been done.”

Corroborating Okechukwu's statements, Hon. Onofiok Luke (PDP, Akwa-Ibom) said the 2023 budget, “a budget of transition, and sustainability, should answer its name appropriately and address the issue of subsidy.”

According to him, ending subsidy June next year was a ticking time bomb for the next administration.

Luke also advised that the money

to be allocated to the education sector should be well utilised to avert another strike action.

On reducing cost of governance, the lawmaker flayed the reluctance of the president to implement the Oronsaye's report, as promised.

On his part, the Chief Whip, Hon. Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno) faulted the opposition lawmakers’ assertions that the country's debt was no longer sustainable.

Monguno was of the view that the government deserves a pat in the back for keeping debt-to-GDP ratio within the sustainable limit allowed by the international threshold.

According to her, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government made tremendous efforts towards sustaining MSMEs, which are the engines of economic growth in any economy.

The minister noted that the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Industry and Trade and Investment and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) had launched the first Export Trade House (ETH) in Egypt on March 21, 2022, in Sadat City, adding that the choice of Egypt was deliberate, as it remains the gateway to North Africa, as well as to boost the trade relations between both countries.

She said through the ETH, the visibility of Made in Nigeria products and Nigeria’s market share in Egypt and North African Countries will be enhanced.

She said through the ETH, the visibility of Made in Nigeria products and Nigeria’s market share in Egypt and North African Countries would be enhanced.

She added that her ministry was actively involved in the implementation of the National Quality Policy (NQP) which was meant to guide Nigeria as a country to build sustainable quality infrastructure in order to make its products competitive in both the domestic and international markets.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s Assistant Director Information, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, Katagum said, "The Nigerian-Egyptian cultural, social and economic forum was launched here in Cairo. In addition, the ministry also participated actively at the Intra-Africa Trade Fair held in Durban, South Africa in November 2021. All these are meant to expose Made-in-Nigeria products in the international market.”

She also explained that the Commerce 44 initiative was an export strategy designed to develop and promote the export of 11 agricultural commodities, 11 manufactured products, and 11 solid mineral products with high export potentials, which would translate to an increase in job creation, income and wealth creation, revenue generation, poverty reduction, increase in the volume of export for processed products, improved market access through enhancement of quality and packaging of the identified products to 11 target countries/ regions of the world.

The minister maintained that the government was passionate about facilitating the growth of investments in the e-commerce value-chain, which grew from 14 per cent in 2019 to 17 per cent in 2020, and capable of contributing significantly to the country’s GDP.

House Directs CBN to Halt Sale of Polaris Bank Udora Orizu in Abuja

The House of Representatives yesterday directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately suspend the planned sale of Polaris bank.

The resolution of the lawmakers was sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Agenda, Hon Henry Nwawuba.

Moving the motion, Nwawuba frowned at what he described as ridiculous sum of N40 billion placed on the bank.

He stressed the need for the review of total outlay by the federal government in Polaris Bank and account for the entire financial input in the bank by the federal government through the Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

He said, "The House is aware further that given the need to ensure that the divestment in the bank does not jeopardise the core reason for the CBN intervention in the bank in the overall public interest, the divestment should be done most transparently following the required due process. The House is cognisant of the fact that this is necessary to avert public outcry and untoward reaction from critical stakeholders in the economy, foreign business partners banking community, depositors, correspondent banks, etc, as it is also crucial to avoid the shortcom-

ings of the previous similar exercise undertaken in the past.

“The House recalls that Polaris Bank is borne out of the bailout of the defunct Skye bank Plc that failed due to poor corporate governance and non-performing loan for which a whooping sum of close to a trillion naira of public fund was committed to resuscitating the bank.

“The House is dismayed that the sale of the bank for a purported N40 billion amounts to just about four per cent of public funds invested in the bank. The House is dismayed further that the proposed sale is shrouded in secrecy and is opaque and requires that it is done in transparency and accountability to eliminate insinuations of corruption."

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HONOURED FOR SERVICE TO COUNTRY...

L-R: Chief Leemon Ikpea receiving national honours award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) from President Muhammadu Buhari, at Abuja…recently

Yakubu: 95 Million Nigerians to Vote in 176,846 Polling Units Insists election results would be transmitted real time There’ll be no ballot snatching, stuffing in 2023, says INEC Opposition parties allege plot to stop e-transmission of election results, deactivate BVAS Chuks Okocha, Udora Orizu inAbuja andJohn Shiklam inKaduna The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Tuesday, gave an idea of the number of voters in the 2023 general election, saying 95 million Nigerians would vote in 176, 846 polling units across the country.

Yakubu, who dropped the hint at an event organised by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) at the NED Headquarters, Washington DC, United States, however, insisted election results would be transmitted real time This is as INEC, has assured the people that with the electoral reforms, there would be no room for ballot snatching and stuffing by criminal elements during the elections.

But the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), chairmen of political parties, and heads of political associations have alleged that plans were being put in place by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate INEC into abandoning the use of electronic transmission, uploading of election results and the deactivation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine from the

commission's server.

However, Yakubu, while speaking at the event, said, "The election is significant because the incumbent president is not eligible to run, this being his second and final term.

"There are 18 political parties in the race to produce the next President to be elected by 95 million voters. We had over 84 million registered voters in 2019. But with last Continuous Registration of Voters (CVR), we are going to add at least 10 million Nigerians and that will take the Register of Voters to 95 million. And these 95 million citizens will vote in 176, 846 polling units."

While raising the issue of insecurity affecting the 2023 elections, he said, "Are there concerns about the 2023 general election? I’ll be the last to say there are no concerns.

The first concern is the perennial issue of insecurity in different parts of the country, compounded by the traditional issues of thuggery during elections organized by some of the political actors.

"I say it is a perennial issue because at the end of the day, it is nothing new. However, the dimension of the insecurity is concerning in the sense that in the past, it was localised or confined to a particular part of the country, the northeast. But now it is more widespread and we are keeping our eyes particularly on the northwest

and the southeastern parts of the country.

"Elections are conducted by human beings. We worry about the security of our officials, voters and the materials to be deployed.

Without them, we cannot conduct elections. We have spoken to the security agencies, they have assured us that the situation will improve before the elections.

"So, fingers crossed. Those who are supposed to secure the environ-

ment have assured us that they will secure the environment for us to conduct elections. Our responsibility is to conduct elections. I say this and I won’t be tired of saying it to an audience like this: In West Africa, there are 15 countries including Nigeria. But the total number of registered voters in the 14 countries combined is 73 million.

"In Nigeria, it’s going to be 95 million. So, there will be 22 million more voters in Nigeria than the

whole of West Africa put together.

Each time Nigerian goes to the polls, it’s like the whole of West Africa voting," he said.

He told his US audience that INEC have learnt a lot of lessons from the general election conducted in 2015 and 2019 as well as the 103 off cycle elections and bye-elections since the 2019 general elections.

Giving insight into what INEC has done to improve the integrity and quality of electioneering process,

Members of the Tantita Security Service owned by Commander Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo on Tuesday, averted a mild protest by some ex-militants in Bayelsa State over their noninclusion in the ongoing execution of the N4 billion crude oil pipeline Surveillance contract awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The demonstrators, numbering over a hundred, had on Tuesday disrupted vehicular traffic along the Imiringi road leading to the residence of the State Coordinator of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in Bayelsa State, Great Joshua MacIver, They were protesting against alleged non-inclusion in the process of monitoring and stopping the illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalisation in the state.

Continues online

Wike's Political Appointees Aimed at Unleashing Political Violence, Group Raises the Alarm Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A socio-political group, the Oneon-One-Network has raised alarm, alleging that massive recruitment of political advisers by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike was targeted at, “unleashing political violence in Rivers State ahead of the 2023 general elections.”

Aside the 28, 000 advisers for various political units in the state, Wike also appointed 319 Ward Liaison Officers and 40 Local Government Area Liaison Officers.

A statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, by the Director- General of the Network,

LoveGod Nweze, alleged that Wike had by the appointment recruited renowned thugs and cultists as advisers.

The group called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), international communities, civil society organisations and others to call the Rivers State Governor to order not to set the state ablaze.

Nweze further appealed to the security and law enforcement agencies to shun alleged Wike’s entreaties to compromise as agents for political witch hunt even as he urged them to beam 'their search lights on this wave of merchants of violence disguised

as 14,319 recruits being primed to be unleashed on the political landscape.'

"We have been witnesses to executive rascality and abuse of office as being exhibited by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State especially as it relates to the forthcoming general elections.

“First, he pronounced and signed what we considered Decree 21, only fashionable and workable in a Military Junta and not the democracy we professed to be practicing, which mandates political parties to get near-impossible government approval for political activities, after paying as high as a non-refundable five million naira

Ex-militants Protest Non-inclusion in Pipeline Surveillance Recruitment Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

he said, "We have introduced innovations to increase transparency and ensure credibility of the electoral process. The new Electoral Act with its many progressive provisions, has provided legal backing to the innovations. On this note, I’ll like to appreciate the civil society organisations and other stakeholders for the intense advocacy, leading to the passage of the new law.”

According to the protesters identified as members of the second and third phase beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), there was a need for inclusion in the surveillance contract.

Addressing the aggrieved ex-militants, Mr. Timi-Igoli Timi, the Chief of Staff to the State Coordinator of Tantita Security Services Nig, Ltd, (Bayelsa State Operations), Joshua MacIver, assured then that the recruitment process into

the crude oil pipeline surveillance job was still on going.

He called on the them to always exercise patience, reiterating that the recruitment exercise was an allinclusive one aimed at capturing all relevant stakeholders in the various catchment areas across the state.

He pointed out that the recruitment exercise would not only capture the second and third phase Amnesty beneficiaries, but also accommodate Persons Living

with Disabilities.

Igoli also admonished the protesters and urged them to always seek proper information before embarking on a protest action, describing their protest as ill-conceived and lacking in proper communication.

He reiterated that all stakeholders have already been mapped out for different time frames and would all be attended to by the end of October, 2022.

per activities.

“This is clearly intended to frustrate the activities of perceived political opponents and other political parties. Recall that this same Wike when he contested to be governor was against the then Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and he was not prevented from using any of the state-owned facilities for his political activities and engagements.

"Also, yesterday's appointment of over 14, 000 persons by the governor is another illustration that the governor’s intention is a subterfuge towards unleashing political violence in Rivers State ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“Also, why will the governor be desperate to bring further opprobrium to the state by wasting scarce resources on frivolities when our parents are still being owed, denied their pensions and gratuities and our various communities are yearning for developments?

"A conservative monthly payment analysis of N200,000 each to the 14, 459 appointed persons will set the state back to a tune of over N2 billion monthly and add it to other operational cost such as transportation and others, over four billion naira will have gone down the drain from the state coffers.”

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30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION...

L-R; Chairman, Red Star Express Plc, Alhaji Suleiman Barau; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero; MD/CEO, Red Star, Mr. Auwalu Babura and Non-Executive PHOTO; ABIODUN AJALA Director, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ndu during the celebration of Red Star Express Plc 30th Anniversary in Lagos...yesterday

FG: Extent of Damage to Roads, Other Public Infrastructure by Floods Not Yet Known More communities, homes submerged as Diri sympathises with victims FEMA tells Abuja residents to brace up for more floods Deji Elumoye, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa The federal government has explained that the extent of damage to roads and other public infrastructure by floods across the country was yet to be ascertained.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, stated this yesterday, while speaking with newsmen after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

Fashola, who was responding to a question on the extent of

damage done to the roads by the floods and the attendant logistics movements and travels, said it still remained difficult to measure the level of damage, until the waters must have finally receded.

According to him: “At this stage, it’s difficult to quantify the damage to the roads, the only thing that is clearly visible at this time, and that's because the flood is still receding. So it's when all of that is gone that we can really see how much damage has been done.

“The impact is that just like in any situation of extreme weather condition, travel logistics are hampered, so some of the roads are difficult to traverse.

“It has caused some backlog in logistic movements, we are already seeing some disruptions in supply chain, like fuel and some other things, but we hope that when the water fully recedes, we will see the full extent of damage. But we are already planning our Ember-months movement, which we do in the last quarter of the year.

“So that will take into consideration any damage that has been done and we'll try and remedy as much of it as resources and time allow us, so that we prepare for that heavy movement period during the festive period”.

Also yesterday, the federal government said it has begun

discussions with the Ethiopian government over the recent visa ban on Nigeria, hoping to achieve a reversal of the new policy.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who disclosed this during the briefing, however, noted that the ban does not in any way affect the business deal between Nigeria and the Ethiopian Air over Nigeria Air. The Ethiopian government recently temporarily suspended visa on arrival for Nigerians and citizens of over 42 other nations with immediate effect.

“I don't think this is restricted to or applied to Nigeria alone on the decision to do visa on arrival from all the information we got,

You’re Dazed by Atiku’s Popularity, PDP Replies Tinubu Insists APC candidate not eligible to contest election Chuks Okocha in Abuja The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, responded to attacks from the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and concluded that the former Lagos State governor, was only dazed by the growing popularity of its own candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The opposition party, however, said Nigerians were appalled and sickened by the lack of depth being exhibited by Tinubu, as reflected in his recent utterances against other political parties.

The PDP held that, while Asiwaju Tinubu, has proven to Nigerians that he was incapable of serious discourse, it was nevertheless disgraceful that the APC presidential candidate, who was facing multiple legitimacy and disqualification issues, was displaying such vacuity in the public domain.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, stated that, for emphasis, “The PDP is a serious political Party campaigning on issues and we have refrained from commenting on the many personal, health, academic, ancestry and corruption issues challenging the APC Presidential Candidate.

“Apparently, the APC is dazed by the resounding presentation of

the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar at the flag-off of the Presidential Campaign in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, on Monday, October 10, 2022, Asiwaju Tinubu has become disoriented to the extent that he can no longer articulate or engage in any productive and focused political discourse.

"If there is any party that can be described as a “termite party” of course it will not be the PDP, which is fully “articulated ” and soaring with its campaign but the doomed APC that is crawling, having become legally crippled and no longer a legitimate and valid vehicle to field candidates in the 2023 general election.”

This, he said, explained why the APC could not constitute a Presidential Campaign Council, let alone flagging off its campaign.

"Though the APC Presidential Candidate, has demeaned himself before Nigerians, the PDP as a decorous Party will still refrain from commenting on the issues of his personal health and alleged unwholesome addictions for which he has become a butt of public joke.

"Since he procured the APC ticket, the APC Presidential Candidate, has not made any meaningful comment or contribution to serious national issues, instead, he has been engaging in illogical, incoherent and fatuous utterances. Our party cautions

Asiwaju Tinubu to advise himself, guard his utterances, face his many legitimacy and disqualification issues and stop making himself an object of public ridicule.

"What is expected of Asiwaju is to apologise to the nation for the woes and suffering brought upon Nigerians by the misrule of the APC, which he helped to install and for which Nigerians hold him personally responsible.

"The APC Presidential Candidate should come to terms with the fact that Nigerians have moved on with the PDP and Atiku Abubakar as their next president, given Atiku Abubakar’s established focus, integrity, experience, capacity and readiness to lead the mission to Rescue and Rebuild Nigeria from the monumental failures and misery that the APC represents," the statement stated.

it affects many countries as well.

We have contacted the Nigeria Immigration Service and also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deal with this. It has nothing to do with the relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopian airlines,” the minister explained.

Floods: More Communities, Homes Submerged as Diri Sympathises with Victims

Meanwhile, with over five reported deaths and loss of homes and properties and many communities deserted following the rampaging flooding across Bayelsa State, the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his government feels the pain and suffering of communities and individuals affected by the natural disaster.

Almost all part of the state is affected by the flooding with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) rising by the day However, the Bayelsa governor, assured that the government would give top priority to alleviating the suffering of victims.

He spoke yesterday during the 90th State Executive Council Meeting held inside the Executive Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa.

Diri said it was his concern for the victims that necessitated the setting up of the task force on flooding,

which has already visited more than 100 impacted communities.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that the government was aware that some lives have been lost as well as homes and communities ravaged by the unfortunate perennial occurrence.

He noted that the state’s aquatic nature makes it heavily impacted as available reports indicate that comparatively this year’s flood would be worse than that of 2012.

His words: “Let me assure our brothers and sisters that have been heavily impacted that while we pray the flood abates soon, your government will also do the needful as we have set up a committee during the previous state executive council meeting.

“The committee has been working tirelessly and it will present a report today on what they have done so far. From that, I believe that some succour will come from your state government.

“I also like to salute the courage of Bayelsans in the face of the ravaging floods. Homes and communities have been sacked.

Our people are now living as IDPs (internally displaced persons). We have also recorded a few deaths and destruction of property due to the flood.

Continues online

House Urges Police, Armed Forces to Investigate Incessant Killings, Kidnapping in Plateau, Others Juliet Akoje in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to immediately mobilise security to the troubled areas with a view to investigate the root cause, apprehend and prosecute any person found complicit in the attacks in Plateau State and other parts of the country.

It also mandated its Committees on Police Affairs, Army and National Security and Intelligence to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks for further

legislative action.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the need to ‘Stop the Incessant Killings and Kidnapping in Mangu/ Bokkos Federal Constituency in Plateau State and Other Parts of the Country,’ by Hon. Solomon Bulus Maren.

Maren noted that on October 4, 2022, there were separate attacks in Kunnet Barrah by miscreants, which led to the death of Mashingil Haruna Magit, Chidubem Omeke and Kyerian Omeke.

He added that on October 7, 2022, two students of All Nation's Academy, a secondary school in

Bokkos local government who were kidnapped in their hostel and one Pastor Jonathan Gushe of Christ Apostolic Church Mangar Zone who was also kidnapped were freed after ransom was paid to the kidnappers, however many others were still in the custody of the kidnappers.

He raised a concerned that on October 8, 2022, at about 7 pm, some suspected herdsmen attacked the people of Kulias village, which is two kilometres away from Bokkos town, leaving more than four people dead and several others injured.

"Five persons were kidnapped in Daika and Tukun of Pan Yam District, at Angwan Tsarki, two persons were abducted, two people were also taken at Angwan Mission of Mangu District, while two others were kidnapped in Pushit District of Mangu Local Government Area, all within a space of six days.

"On October 9, 2022, two Pastors, Peter Mandong and Bulus Mafulul were attacked by Fulani Militia, and although they escaped, Pastor Bulus is currently at Jos University Teaching Hospital receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the attack"

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NEWS

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha (left), being presented his award, Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja... recently

FG: Insurgency Destroyed 497 Classrooms, Left 2.8m Learners in Need of Support Funmi Ogundare The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, yesterday, expressed concern over the security situation in the country, saying insurgency has destroyed 497 classrooms and left 2.8 million school learners in need of educationin-emergency support.

This, he added, has had a domino effect on the literacy level of Nigerians and has led to approximately six of every 10 children under the age of 18 years experiencing some form of violence and half of the children experiencing violence before the age of 10.

Adamu, who was represented by the Director, General Services, Vivian Wategre, spoke at the 2022 summit of the Education Writers Association of Nigeria( EWAN),

themed: 'Towards Safe Schools in Nigeria, in Lagos.

She noted that it has also further aggravated the already challenging out-of-school menace plaguing Nigeria.

"Putting this in context, the attacks on schools are not limited to Nigeria as the trend is global. In the period between 2012 and 2016 alone, more than 600 teachers were reportedly killed in attacks while more than 19,000 were displaced (if this is a global statistics, then, you may wish to add ‘globally’),” he said.

Despite these challenges, he said the government was not deterred in its commitment to creating a good environment for education, which would increase literacy levels in the country.

He commended EWAN for its efforts in putting together the

programme saying that its action was a step in the right direction that would help mitigate the effects of the challenges.

The Director, Senior Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, disclosed that with the efforts put in place by the government including the Basic Education Service Delivery for All, BESDA, among other initiatives, the number of

Alex Enumah in Abuja The Supreme Court will on October 21, 2022, decide between Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the state’s former Commissioner of Finance, Chief David Edevbie is the rightful person to fly the flag of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 governorship election in Delta State.

The court chose the date yesterday, shortly after taking argument from parties in an appeal seeking the disqualification of Oborevwori as candidate of the PDP in the next year's governorship poll.

The appellant, Edevbie is asking the Supreme Court to re-affirm a judgment of a Federal High Court wish had ordered his party to forward his name as candidate in the forthcoming governorship poll after sacking Oborevwori over alleged falsification and forgery.

The PDP had declared the Speaker the candidate of the party after he won majority of the votes cast at its May 25, primary.

However, the former Finance Commissioner, alleging falsification and forgery of documents by Oborevwori, submitted to the PDP in his expression of interest and nomination forms had asked the

Federal High Court to disqualify Oborevwori.

Delivering judgment on July 7, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, had agreed with the plaintiff/appellant and subsequently ordered the sack of Oborevwori as candidate of the PDP and that the party should forward the name of Edevbie as the rightful candidate of the party.

However, a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Peter Ige had in a judgment faulted the decision of the trial court and ordered the reinstatement of Oborevwori as candidate of the PDP in the 2023 governorship election in Delta State.

Dissatisfied, Edevbie then approached the Supreme Court to set aside the judgment of the appellate court.

In a 23-ground of appeal, Edevbie faulted the entire unanimous decision Court of Appeal and asked the apex court to hold that he was the rightful candidate to fly the flag of the PDP in the Delta State governorship election.

Other respondents in the appeal besides Oborevwori are the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The Chairman of EWAN, Mr. Mojeed Alabi, said the theme was chosen to draw attention to the importance of safety of stakeholders in schools, adding that there was need to address such issues.

"There will be difficulty in addressing other issues in the country if such is not addressed. Having safe schools, is the responsibility of everyone. If we do not address the issue of security of schools in

Nigeria, it will be difficult to address any issues in the country,” he said.

President, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Chief Yomi Otubela, said the association has churned out strategies towards achieving safe schools such as members of staff signing safety policy, and putting up inscriptions on the walls of the school to constantly serve as a safety reminder.

Atiku/Okowa Will End Anguish, Pains, Deprivation Brought By APC, Says Support Group National Honour on Delta gov, justification why I choose him as my running mate, says former VP Secondus felicitates with Okowa, Ugwuanyi, Ishaku, Elumelu Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Delta PDP Guber Candidate: Sheriff, Edevbie Know Fate, Oct 21

out-school-children in the country has reduced drastically and could not have been as high as 20 million as claimed in some quarters.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, expressed concern over the security situation in the country, saying it should be a collaborative efforts between all stakeholders.

The Atiku/ Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation yesterday said the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s presidential election would end the anguish, pains and deprecation brought on Nigerians by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government.

The spokesperson, Atiku/ Okowa Presidential Campaign, Kola Ologbondiyan, who reassured Nigerians that the anguish and pains they are currently facing under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration will come to an end on May 29, 2023, when Atiku Abubakar is sworn in as President.

Ologbondiyan, who stated this while interacting with some PDP youths in Abuja, yesterday, said the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, are very concerned about the alleged pains and sufferings the APC had imposed on Nigerians in the last seven years.

He said the mammoth crowd that received Atiku Abubakar in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State as well as other venues of PDP presidential campaign was a pointer to the acceptance of the Atiku/Okowa presidency ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

"Among the arrays of presidential candidates, only Atiku Abubakar has the practicable plan on how to end the pains, the hunger, the starvation, the economic woes, the

lower purchasing power and the sense of hopelessness which the APC administration has brought upon Nigerians.

"Atiku Abubakar has the experience of office, unlike the learners on parade, having been the Chairman of the National Economic Council.

“Nigerians can recall that those years, between 1999-2007, were the glorious years of our nation when we achieved unprecedented economic growth.

"In those years that presidents elected on the platform of the PDP governed, life had meaning as our naira had value against competing foreign denominations; purchasing power was high; teachers had access to repayable loans and could build comfortable accommodation while those who desired to buy cars could afford them," he added.

Ologbondiyan charged Nigerians not to return those whom according to him, within a space of seven years, “dragged our country from the top to the bottom” among the comity of nations.

He urged Nigerians to continue to support the PDP and Atiku/ Okowa ticket, adding that only such, “presents the solution to the myriads of challenges confronting our nation."

In the same manner, Daniel Bwala, one of the Atiku's campaign spokesman took a swipe at the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying habit hardly die quick.

According to Bwala. "It is often

said that talk is cheap and by their fruits, they shall be known. Peter Obi’s mantra and cheap talk has always been the repetitive.”

Quoting Obi, Bwala said: “Change Nigeria from a consumer country to a productive country- this reminds one of the APC mantra of ‘Next Level and Change.’ For a man, who from his days in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka has been an importer of consumer goods, such as baked beans and Heinz products; why should Nigerians believe that the ingrained habit in his consumer-driven trading DNA and consumer of Nigeria’s foreign exchange will overnight and at over 60 years of age, all of a sudden change to production?

"Habits hardly die. The only known production of Peter Obi is the production of alcohol, through his Miller Breweries. Let him tell Nigerians how he has enhanced exports of goods and services outside Nigeria to earn foreign currency.

“Where is Peter Obi’s agricultural farm? Which schools/universities has he financed? Which housing estates has he built? In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, these are some of the most essential and at the base of human needs.

"Atiku Abubakar, had done all of these essentials of humanity. Talk is cheap. By their fruits, we shall know them. To thy self be true, as the saying goes."

Also, the former vice president

and the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubukar has described the national honour on his vice presidential candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as a testimonial that he did not make any mistake in the choice of his running mate Atiku who took to his Facebook page said: "conferment of the National Honour on Governor Ifeanyi A. Okowa by President Muhammadu Buhari is a testimonial that I made the right decision in tapping an achiever as my vice presidential candidate for the 2023 election.

"On behalf of my family, our team and our supporters, I say congratulations," the former vice president wrote.

Meanwhile, former National Chairman of PDP and the Technical Adviser to the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Prince Uche Secondus has congratulated Okowa, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state and Darius Ishaku of Taraba state, the PDP Minority Leader Hon. Ndidu Elumelu and all others of the PDP family for the national Honours award to them.

Secondus said in a statement noted that the they merit the awards having conducted themselves in personal and public lives as disciplined and responsible leaders of society.

He said the award of the National Honours by the country showed a recognition of their innate quality and prayed God to continue to be their guide.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 13, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

RECOGNITION FOR WOMEN IN MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS…

L-R: Founder/ CEO of LSF Public Relations Limited, Bidemi Zakariyau Akande; Principal Consultant, ADSTRAT Branding Management Consortium Limited, Mr. Charles O’Tudor; Founder/Managing Director, Stephanie John & Associates, Uche Ajene-Ayere; Convener of Women in Marketing and Communications Conference/Awards (WIMCA) and publisher of Brand Communicator, Mr. Joshua Ajayi; CEO, X3M Ideas and President of Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Steve Babaeko, and Marketing Director, Pladis Global, Dr.Tola Elatuyi, at WIMCA held in Lagos… recently ETOPUKUTT

Strike: ASUU’s Lawyer Reassures Nigerians on Resumption Alex Enumah inAbuja Lawyer to the striking university lecturers, Mr. Femi Falana yesterday night reassured Nigerians of an end to the eight months industrial action by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU).

Falana, who gave the reassurance while speaking on the ARISE News

Channel Prime Time programme, noted that the striking lecturers are law abiding citizens and would see how they can factor the intervention of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal which last week ordered ASUU to immediately go back to work before the court can consider their appeal against the judgment of the Industrial Court in Abuja.

The appellate court in a

unanimous ruling last week Friday, held that ASUU must first obey the order of the Industrial Court before coming to the court for leave to appeal the judgment.

While in its immediate response last week ASUU said it would meet and study the ruling of the appellate court and after meeting with the National Assembly during the week indications emerged that the union may likely resume work next week.

Falana had stated that the union’s

meeting with the lawmakers was successful and ASUU will meet Thursday to take a decision.

Speaking last night, Falana noted that although there are other alternatives to ASUU as regarding the resumption order, the union would give priority to the interest of the students.

He said:”ASUU members are law abiding. I have sent my advice and I cannot advise ASUU to disobey the order of the court.

We are going to ensure that

the intervention of the court is factored in.”

Falana further hinted that as lawyers they will continue to put pressure on the government to meet all agreements, adding that all stakeholders have to go back to the drawing board to ensure that this kind of strike can never happen again in the country.

Reacting to the position of the government on the “no work, no pay” policy, the senior lawyer noted that the situation does not

arise because once the union meet and call off the strike probably next week, ASUU will make efforts to recover lost grounds by working longer hours including weekends and holidays.

He, however, charged the federal government to take the funding of education seriously, noting that the current figure of over 20 million out of school is a potential time bomb that will destroy the nation if not well handled.

Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti

at the closing session of a two-day international valedictory conference held in his honour as part of activities marking the end of his term in office. The governor, who said he was emotional with the outpouring of solidarity and goodwill messages on him and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during the conference, noted that his journey in politics was borne out of collective resolve to avoid a repetition of the mistakes of yesteryears in the quest for a national rebirth.

Fayemi attributed his success in Ekiti and national service to the wealth of wisdom, counsel and guidance he benefitted from political and non- political leaders including President Muhammadu Buhari, late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Prof Wole Soyinka, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, all living Nigeria former Heads of State, state traditional rulers and others.

He said he derived fulfilment in his journey as the Governor of

Ekiti and like the Biblical Paul had run the race and done his best in keeping the faith of turning things around for the good of people.

Fayemi expressed gratitude to his brother governors in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), members of the Federal Executive Council that he served with as Minister of Mines and Steel Development, members of the Ekiti State Executive council, State House of Assembly and Local government administrators in Ekiti.

Nigerians are Tired of APC, PDP, Says Tanko Yakasai’s Son Do More to Rescue Nigeria’s Democracy, Fayemi Tasks Activists have seen them and what they Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The People’s Redemption Party’s (PRP) Governorship Candidate in Kano State, Mr. Salihu Tanko Yakasai, has declared that his party has the capacity to win elections in the state, even with the presence of big parties like the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Yakasai declared that “I am not afraid of the big parties rather, they are afraid of us.”

Salihu, son of Elder Statesman, Mr. Tanko Yakasai, spoke yesterday at Kano NUJ Press Center, during the 2023 Dialogue Series with politicians, organised

by Kano Correspondents’ Chapel.

He said: “I am not afraid of the big political parties. People

have to offer. The generality of Nigerians are tired of APC and PDP. Nigerians want change.

Nigerians are voting individuals, not big political parties.

“The PDP and APC are birds of the same feathers. The PRP has the capacity, competence and ability to win elections, particularly, here in Kano State.

“We are also reaching out to the huge voting demographic of the youths and they have assured us of their votes and support. It is also important to highlight the fact that over 97 per cent of the PRP’s candidates are youths.

“Another thing that is giving me confidence is the level of preparedness by INEC. INEC has demonstrated that they are fully prepared for the 2023 election.

Association of Patriotic National Assembly Candidates Launched An association to promote patriotism above selfish interests among National Assembly candidates for the Nigerian 2023 elections has been launched to support the incoming President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Executive arm of government to fast-track national development and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

The group is known as the Association of Patriotic National Assembly Candidates 2023( APNAC 2023).

“Nigeria needs urgent intervention from both the Executive and the Legislative arms of government to solve the myriad of challenges ranging from poor economy to crises of all sorts facing the nation,” the association said in a statement.

APNAC explained that the truth is that the quality of members of the Congress, Parliament and in the case of Nigeria, the National Assembly is key to the development of any democratic nation.

“This is because, the president or whoever that runs the affairs of the nation must work closely with National Assembly members to enact laws to provide the legal framework to implement projects/ policies beneficial to the citizens.

Once members of the National Assembly irrespective of political parties affiliations are not patriotic enough to work with the Executive led by the president, governance is slowed down and good ideas can even be frustrated to the detriment of the overall interest of citizens,” APNAC added.

According to the association, it was launched to identify patriotic Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates in the forthcoming 2023 general election across political parties in Nigeria in order to support them in their elections as well as form a positive alliance to work harmoniously with the incoming President of Nigeria in 2023 when elected.

Governor of Ekiti State,Dr Kayode Fayemi has called for direct involvement of social activists in political engagement to rescue the country from its current predicament. He said the task of a national rescue and rebirth must be led by committed compatriots that are fired by the kind of patriotic zeal needed to drive societal transformation.

Fayemi made the call yesterday

‘Attacks on Makinde Attention-seeking Moves by APC’ The Chief Press Secretary to of the APC in Oyo State, a rehearse of some subjects that awarded at amounts lesser Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, yesterday told the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state that it cannot rely on attacking the governor to legitimize its wobbling campaign for the 2023 election.

Adisa, who made the declaration in a statement, said recent baseless attacks on the governor by the spokesperson

Olawale Sadare, were nothing but attention-seeking moves aimed at gaining undeserved relevance for an obviously failed campaign to unseat Makinde .

Adisa said: “I’ve read the statement credited to the spokesperson of the APC in Oyo State, calling on Governor Makinde to resign over what he called the “notebook contract scandal,” wherein he also made

were already well-addressed by my office and other government officials in recent times.

“You cannot talk about scandal where there is none.

We have earlier explained that the government did not give out the exercise books at the rate of N2,100 as claimed in the false alarm by the APC. “We have equally stated that the said exercise books were

than the prevailing market price at the time, thus saving the government some funds.

“But it appears the APC is bent on listening only to the fabricated lies and falsehood.

“While we can allow them wander in that wilderness of lies, we say boldly that the governor has nothing to hide as far as the issues raised by the APC are concerned.

MTN, Intelligra, Others Partner on Smartphone Device Financing Emma Okonji MTN Nigeria, in partnership with Intelligra, an open platform for smartphone financing, with Stanbic IBTC and Slot Distribution Company, has brought smartphone financing to its customers in Nigeria.

The innovation, which is coming

to MTN Nigeria customers for the first time, will enable them have access to 4G and 5G smartphones of their choice, without paying for the cost of the smartphone.

According to the partnership agreement, which was announced yesterday in Lagos during a press conference, the smartphone device comes with a monthly bundle of

voice call and data plan, such that the cost of the smartphone device will be spread over a period of time that will enable the customer pay certain amount for the voice call and data plan that ranges from N7,000 to N18,100 per month, depending on the plan that the customer subscribes to.

Chief Executive Officer of

Intelligra, Mr. Tayo Ogundipe, said the partnership, which officially started in January this year, had finally been sealed to offer credit access to Nigerians to own a smartphone device of their choice, without making a one-off payment, which might be too expensive for many Nigerians.

Abia PDP Chieftain Heads to Court over Power Rotation Agreement

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Mr. Ndubisi Etugo Ogah, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Umuahia, seeking to stop the PDP and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from fielding and recognising Prof. Uche Ikonne as governorship candidate of the party for the 2023 election.

Ogah, in a motion exparte suit number FHC/UM/CS/63/2022 filed by his lawyer, P.C. Dike, is seeking an order of the court stopping PDP and INEC from fielding and recognising Ikonne as the candidate of the party because the power rotation agreement in the state known as Abia Charter of Equity did not favour Abia Central

senatorial zone to produce the next governor of the state.

He is also praying Justice Evelyn Anyadike to order the PDP to return the governorship ticket to Abia North Senatorial zone because going by the agreement signed by the founding fathers of the state known as Abia Charter of Equity (ACE), Abia North is next in line

to produce the governor in 2023.

Joined and listed as defendants/respondents to the suit are the PDP, National Chairman, Iyorvhia Ayu; INEC, Zonal Chairman of PDP in South East geopolitical zone, Ali Odefa, state chairman of the party, Asiforo Okere and the governorship candidate, Ikonne.

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THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Osimhen Back with a Bang as Napoli Reach Knockout Stage

Duro Ikhazuagbe Victor Osimhen returned from onemonth long Injury lay-off yesterday to score as Napoli defeated Ajax 4-2 to reach the UEFA Champions League knockout stages with two games to spare.

The win was the Italian Serie A leaders’ 100 per cent start in this year's competition. Luciano Spalletti's side have four wins from four and a perfect 12 points at the top of Group A. Osimhen started yesterday’s game from the bench barely four minute after the first half break and was an instant hit, drilling some powerful rings around the Ajax backline.

After Hirving Lozano (4th), Giacomo Raspadori (16th) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (62nd) had given Napoli the 3-2 edge with Ajax desperately looking for an equaliser, Osimhen snatched the

C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E ball from Daley Blind inside the visitors’ box before tucking in the fourth goal in the 90th minute.

Sheer tenacity of the Nigerian forward earned the Naples based team that goal and he celebrated it massively by taking off his shirt

and the facial mask. Of course, that earned him a booking.

Before that goal came, Osimhen had an effort chalked off for offside and then missed the target from point-blank range.

His Nigerian international team-

mate, Calvin Bassey contributed an assist in the goal scored by Davy Klaassen but was not enough to earn them a share of the three points at stake.

Nine points separate the Serie A leaders from third-placed Ajax, who can still make it through with two wins from their final two matches against Liverpool and Rangers.

RESULTS Napoli 4-2 Ajax Atletico 0-0 C’Brugge Rangers 1-7 Liverpool Leverkusen 0-3 Porto Barcelona 3-3 Inter V’Plzen 2-4 B’Munich Sporting 0-2 Marseille Tottenham 3-2 E’Frankfurt

Kwara SWAN Hails FG over Posthumous Award to Rashidi Yekini The Kwara State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended the Federal Government for recognising late football legend, Rashidi Yekini with posthumous award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

The late footballer was honoured along with 450 other Nigerians and foreigners by President Muhammadu Buhari at a ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

A statement by the Secretary of Kwara State SWAN, Olayinka Owolewa stated that the honour was a recognition of the contri-

butions of the late striker to the development of the round leather game in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Yekini, who hailed from Irra, Oyun Local Government Area and scored Nigeria’s first FIFA World Cup goal, was an integral part of the Super Eagles’ golden era.

Apart from his historic 21st minute goal against Bulgaria in Nigeria’s opening match of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Yekini, the national record goal scorer appeared 62 times for the senior team and converted 37 goals between 1984 and 1998.

Seven NPFL Clubs Fail Club Licensing Facility Requirements Home grounds nominated by seven Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs have been adjudged not suitable to host matches of the 2022/23 season except they improve conditions of stated areas where defects were observed by stadium facility inspectors.

It was noted that till date, Plateau United and Gombe United are yet to submit to the facility inspections and have not communicated any reasons for their failure to do so.

Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors, Rangers, Wikki Tourists, Niger Tornadoes, Sunshine Stars and El-kanemi Warriors are the clubs that have been notified that their facility fail short of the Club Licensing requirements.

Worst hit however, are Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors and Niger

Tornadoes which the inspectors noted in separate reports require serious and extensive makeover works to meet required minimal standards for approval.

Majority of the facilities at the seven grounds nominated by the clubs were found not to be suitable and these range from poor lighting, bad playing turfs, unsuitable conveniences for fans in the general area and obsolete scoreboards. Also found below standards are the changing rooms for players and match officials, Medical rooms, meeting rooms and water supply.

Other defects in the case of Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors, Niger Tornadoes and Sunshine Stars are poor playing pitches, defective scoreboards and poor sanitary conditions around and inside the stadium.

Victor Osimhen scored as Napoli defeated Ajax 4-2 to reach the Last 16 of the UEFA Champions League...last night

Nomination for World Athlete of the Year Award Leaves Amusan Speechless World, Commonwealth and African 100m hurdles champion and record holder, Tobi Amusan insisted yesterday that she is honoured to have been considered among the best 10 women in the world for the outgoing year.

The 25-year-old's name was among the 10 women athletes released Wednesday morning by World Athletics as nominees for the Women's World Athlete of the Year 2022 award.

When the news got to the Nigerian athlete, she was momentarily lost of words to describe her inner feelings. It was only after recovery from the ecstasy that she gushed these words: “Through the grace of God, I have achieved so many 'firsts by a Nigerian' and this is yet another one. I’m so honoured to be selected as a World Athlete of the Year Nominee and the first Nigerian ever to reach this height. ''I have twice being named

Tobi Amusan...nominated for Athlete of the Year Award Nigerian Athlete of the Year by Athletic Heat platform but this is my first international nomination and I want us to win it!,” wrote the athlete on her facebook wall.

Twenty Bucks, Jalo Foundation Sign MoU on Sport for Peace Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Two non-governmental organisations, Twenty Bucks Creatives and Jalo Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on sports for peace initiative.

The agreement on using sport as a campaign tool against violent election in 2023 was sealed yesterday in Abuja.

Founder and CEO of Twenty Bucks Creative, Charbel Olusanya Jarrouge, said they intend to host a football tournament in December

with all the major political parties in the country presenting youth teams.

He said a foreign referee, who will ensure neutrality and fairness will be deployed during the tournament, while there are also plans to invite international scouts and agents to empower the youth.

“We would also ensure a safe environment during the event by liaising with all armed forces during that period and we also call out to all the group leaders of

each political party to sign a (Peace Declaration) so we all work hand in hand to ensure a peaceful and successful tournament,” Jarrouge said.

He added the organisers are also introducing the foreign standard of entertainment by performing during half time just as in the American NFL and NBA. In his remarks the National Coordinator for the Sports for Peace Initiative, Mr Stephen Okwor, identified sports as a vehicle to accommodates everyone regardless

of age, ethnic, religious, economic and social status.

He said they are using sports and football in particular to identify and redirect youths who could otherwise have followed false paths.

Okwor said the foundation helps youths and teenagers develop their cognitive and physical tools and skills through advocacy, sensitization and education as well as overcome the temptation of being used as political thugs and tools of electoral violence by political office holders and seekers.

Amusan made history at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA in July when she became the first Nigerian athlete to win a world outdoor title and the first to set a world record courtesy of the 12.12secs she ran at the semifinal stage.

Amusan, who last year made history as the first Nigerian in the Diamond League era to win the Diamond Trophy, also made history at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham when she became the first Nigerian track and field athlete to successfully defend a Commonwealth Games title and the first to win gold in two Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, a three-way voting process will determine the finalists.

The World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family will cast their votes by email, while fans can vote online via

the World Athletics social media platforms.

Individual graphics for each nominee will be posted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; a 'like' on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or a retweet on Twitter will count as one vote.

The World Athletics Council’s vote will count for 50% of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and the public votes will each count for 25% of the final result.

Voting for the World Athletes of the Year closes at midnight on Monday 31 October. At the conclusion of the voting process, five women and five men finalists will be announced by World Athletics.

The winners will be revealed on World Athletics’ social media platforms in early December.

Thursday, October 13, 2022

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MISSILE

Edwin Clark to Federal Govt “It is dangerously incredible that crude oil theft, in spite of all the securities around, has assumed wider dimension to the extent that the quantity of crude oil we export today is less than the quantity being stolen by a gang of thieves of various designations. The stealing of crude oil is a wellmanaged cartel of government officials, the oil companies and the security agents”—Ijaw national leader on the menace of oil theft in Nigeria

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

When Budget Becomes Racket G

iven how a serious national economic planning instrument has been cynically subverted over the years, there cannot be a more apt summation of the futility of budgets in Nigeria than a 2019 Twitter thread by ‘Laolu Samuel-Biyi.

I have twice referenced his conclusion on this page: “If you want to keep hope alive in Nigeria, don’t look at the budget”. Difficult to fault him.

When a national budget is reduced to sharing money between and among powerful interests, as in Nigeria, how can a society develop?

Last Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2023 Appropriation bill to the National Assembly. It is his last and final one in office. The estimated expenditure for the 2023 fiscal year is N19.7 trillion with a proposed deficit of N10.78 trillion, representing 4.78 per cent of the estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This is above the 3 percent per cent threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007. While I leave experts to continue their dissection of the 2023 budget which, in any case, will be reviewed when a new President takes over on 29th May next year, it may be important to look back before we leap forward. That way, we will understand that we don’t do budget in Nigeria. We simply share money.

For the current 2022 fiscal year, the sum of N17.3 trillion was appropriated by the National Assembly. N817.6 billion was for statutory transfers, N3.978 trillion for debt servicing, N7.108 trillion for recurrent expenditure and N5.415 trillion for capital development. Let’s start with a few projections that tell compelling stories about our priorities as a country. The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) is expected to bring in N1.032 trillion from import duty and N98.529 billion from excise duty. Since excise duty is paid for locally manufactured goods, it is obvious that the federal government does not intend to encourage local manufacturing which is key to economic growth, job creation and the economic well-being of citizens. So, we have already made a statement of intent. Priority is given to the importation of products, which then explains why we have turned the Customs Service into a revenue generating agency rather than a development instrument to counter importation of products harmful to local industry or national security. We will come back to this another day.

Three weeks ago, the Senate Committee on Finance pledged that about 400 out of 541 Federal Government owned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) identified by the Stephen Oronsaye-led Presidential Committee on Rationalisation of Agencies will be scrapped.

According to committee chairman, Solomon Olamilekan, revenue generation is the most critical factor being considered by the federal government to decide which MDAs to retain or scrap. While we have heard this tale many times before, what Olamilekan failed to disclose is that dozens (may be hundreds) of new agencies and federal institutions have been added to that list by the current administration in recent years.

When some of us call for restructuring the country, it is essentially because of this misallocation of resources that has resulted in egregious behaviour in Abuja. For instance, according to the 2012 Oronsaye report, there are 106 public-funded core research and quasi-research centres spread across the country, including a full-fledged institute for the study of Trypanosomiasis. But only about 10 percent of their funds is expended on core research work with the rest going to staff salaries and procurements. According to the Oronsaye report (which identified 50 agencies without any enabling laws and 55 others not under the supervision of

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed any ministry), a common feature is the prevalence of high personnel cost as “many of them receive more budgetary allocations for personnel than they require because that component of their budget is usually inflated”. Several of them are also “obvious duplications of existing bodies” which then underscores the fact of “overlaps and enormous wastage of scarce resources”.

Four of these agencies are beyond scandalous: National Agency for Population Programmes and Development; Population Activities Fund; Population Fund Activities Agency and Population

Research Fund!

Yet, as I stated earlier, many more of such agencies continue to be created. In the 2022 budget, for instance, the federal government featured a line item for the office of Retired National Assembly Clerks and Permanent Secretaries where over N581 million was allocated contrary to the Pension Reform Act 2004 (as amended in 2014). Ordinarily, these are/were career civil servants who for 30 to 35 years have been contributing to their pension account. Suddenly, they exit the scheme and begin to enjoy full life benefit at public expense. Not only is this absurd but it is also against the spirit of the pension reform. But who can blame them in a country where a governor who had served five months was deemed to have occupied office illegally by the Supreme Court but awarded an annual pension of a hundred million Naira?

With the current clamour to be exempted from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) by the police and other public institutions that want to eat their cake and still have it, President Buhari may have unwittingly lent his name to the gradual destruction of one of the few successful public service reforms ever undertaken in Nigeria. Meanwhile, in the service wide provision of N1.93 trillion in the 2022 budget, monitoring of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has a provision of N1 billion. Despite that jumbo sum of money, these ‘monitors’ could still allow the Accountant General of the Federation to ‘misapply’ N108 billion without detection!

Looking at the capital component of the 2022 budget, several programmes are captured under capital projects. A good example is the convention of Annual National Local Government Summit—an ‘ongoing’ capital project in the Ministry of Special Duties—although one can say that the sum of N10.029 million budgeted for it is small potato. The National Veterinary Infrastructure and Abbattoirs/ Slaughter Houses Development Programme is also captured as capital project in the sum of N310.114 million under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In some cases, the budget provisions do not make any sense. For instance, in the Michael

Imoudu Institute of Labour Studies under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the sums of N19 million, N14.25 million and N107.75 million were budgeted for the construction of office building, residential building and provision of electricity respectively. The question then is, what type of office can N19 million build or what kind of residential building can be executed with N14.25 million in today’s Nigeria? This type of ridiculous provision is replicated in virtually all the MDAs. Under the Ministry of Works, several new projects simply have sums of money thrown at them without design while ongoing projects are allocated ridiculously low amounts. The construction and rehabilitation of Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba-Ilorin road described as ongoing has a provision of N3.35 million. Yes, N3.35 million! Besides, allocating equal funds to projects without regard to their scope, complexity and level of completion raises serious questions. The same amount of N208 million was allocated to both ongoing and new roads in Kano, Enugu, Kwara States with only N13.4 million for rehabilitation of Lafia-Obi -Awe -Tunga Road in Nasarawa State. All new projects in Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River, Kwara States also have equal provision of N50 million Naira.

What kind of new road can N50 million deliver?

I can go on and on to list numerous aspects of the ongoing 2022 budget that make little sense. But I believe my point is made. Ordinarily, a national budget should reflect the federal government’s fiscal and monetary policies that are targeted at economic development. That is not the case in Nigeria. Indeed, if the main objective of a budget is to reduce inequalities by mobilising and allocating resources for investment in the public sector, then what we operationalize annually in Nigeria is more of a racket!

While this anomaly has been with us for decades, redressing it must be part of the conversation we need to have ahead of the 2023 general election.

Saraki’s Delayed GCON

The Rage of Nature T

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t a time the country is yet to recover from the 2012 floods which claimed 363 lives, displaced over 2.1 million Nigerians, with losses estimated at N2.6 trillion, we are back to another deluge. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), as of last weekend, flood levels in most parts of the country had risen above the 2012 threshold by 11 per cent. Counting the cost in human displacement, livelihood disruption, infrastructure damage and environmental dislocation, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sani Gwarzo, confirmed on Tuesday that so far, the flood has wreaked havoc in 31 states and the FCT. “Over 500 persons are reported dead; 1,411,051 affected; 790,254 displaced persons with 1,546 persons injured. Furthermore, 44,099 houses are partially damaged; 45,249 houses totally damaged; 76,168 hectares of farmland partially damaged and 70,566 hectares of farmland are completely destroyed by the great deluge,” Gwarzo revealed.

At Ogbaru community in Anambra State last Friday, 85 people entered a boat to escape the rising water level. Only nine people survived to

tell their story when the boat capsized along the floodplain. Same day in Kogi State, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) advised motorists and commuters to shun the Abuja-Lokoja highway and take alternative routes to avoid the gridlock that has already led to fuel scarcity in Abuja and environ. Not only are most parts of Lokoja now practically submerged, but dozens of residents cannot also be accounted for. In Nasarawa State, Olam Nigeria Limited, one of the foremost agro-business companies in the country has put its loss at over $15 million worth of planted crops after flood submerged 4500 hectares of rice farmland. Since that represents just about 7 percent of the total farmlands affected across the country, one can only imagine the implication for food security in Nigeria.

The challenge at hand is monumental. When climate change results in high intensity rainfall, it is only natural for streams and rivers to overflow their banks with dire consequences for lives and livelihoods. But with rising death toll and increasing numbers of displaced people across the country, government at all levels must begin to find practical solutions to a problem that will not go away.

he investiture of the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, with the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) can be delayed. But it cannot forever be denied. It is shameful that the presidency could be so smallminded on this issue. To be sure, I have always been cynical of the parameters for coming up with the list for national honours in Nigeria.

For me, recipients ought to be strictly those who have made significant contributions to our country rather than those who have held or are holding certain public offices. On that basis, we may argue that there is no big deal in Saraki being denied a GCON. However, we will be missing the point. The issue here is about the accountability mechanism that ensures public officials do not misuse power either for their friends or against their enemies.

Based on the existing law, Saraki, like all former senate presidents, ought to be awarded the GCON. And President Buhari should have risen above the petty considerations of whatever may be his personal/political disagreement with Saraki to do the right thing. I hope the next president will redress the issue. Meanwhile, to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-iweala, GCON, Ms Amina Mohammed, GCON, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, CON, Mutawalli Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, OFR, Mr Remi Makanjuola, OON, Mr Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, OON and other honourees, my congratulations.

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