FRIDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2023

Otedola Doles Out N750m to 750 Augustine University Students Donates N140m for furnishing of school's engineering faculty complex Another N110m for streetlights of the entire campus, generating set Installed as university’s chancellor Mary Nnah and Peter Uzoho

Geregu Power Plc, and Director, FBN Holdings Plc, Mr Femi Otedola, turned his generosity to the education sector, yesterday,

Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Chairman of

and took human development a step further, as he donated N750 million to 750 returning and fresh students of Augustine University,

Ilara-Epe, Lagos State. The money covered the students’ school fees for the 2023/2024 academic session.

Otedola announced the donation

Ceremony.

Otedola also donated N140

yesterday in an address shortly after his installation as the second Chancellor of the university during the school’s 5th Convocation

Continued on page 5

NUPRC Explains Workings of New Host Communities‘ Reporting Platform, Says Some Interests Fighting Back... Page 40 Friday 27 October, 2023 Vol 28. No 10425. Price: N250

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Senate Confirms Aliyu as ICPC Chairman... Page 44

FG Moves to Securitise NLNG Dividends for $7bn Cash To utilise proceeds to settle backlog of FX forwards, flood market with dollars FX speculators may suffer losses Obinna Chima As part of efforts to boost foreign currency liquidity in the economy and strengthen foreign

exchange (FX), the federal government has concluded plan to securitise about $7 billion of the country’s dividends from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural

Gas (NLNG).

A top official in the present administration who disclosed this to THISDAY yesterday, said while the government expects to

get $7 billion from a consortium led by Standard Chartered Bank from next week, the federal government also expect inflows from the $3 billion emergency

loan from the African ExportImport Bank (Afreximbank), which the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had secured two

months ago, bringing the total inflows expected in the short-term to $10 billion.

Continued on page 5

Supreme Court: Tinubu’s Election as President is Hereby Affirmed President: It's time to build Nigeria together Pledges to exceed people's expectation in service delivery, good governance PDP, LP react Story on page 5

CELEBRATING VICTORY WITH THE PRESIDENT...

L-R: Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, during a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after the Supreme Court verdict which affirmed the election of Tinubu…yesterday

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Okonjo-Iweala: We Want to Demonstrate Trade is Part of Solution to Climate Crisis WTO partners UNCTAD, ICC, ITC on 'Trade House'

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, stated that her organisation wants to demonstrate that trade was part of the solution to the global climate crisis in partnership with three other world bodies.

Okonjo-Iweala, stated this as the WTO and partner organisations unveiled Trade House pavilion for the forthcoming United Nations (UN) COP28 climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The WTO is partnering the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) — as a pioneering initiative that highlights trade’s pivotal role in providing solution to the climate crisis.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Trade House pavilion, Okonjo-Iweala said the WTO and its partners would bring to the table a menu of trade policy actions that could help countries reach net zero.

She stated: “I invite you to the

first ever Trade House pavilion, a new aspect of COP28 together with Trade Day. We want to demonstrate that trade is part of the solution to the climate crisis.

"To support our discussions, we will bring to the table a menu of trade policy actions that could help countries reach net zero.”

For the first time, trade has been spotlighted as a specific theme at the UAE conference, as outlined in the thematic programme announced by the COP28 Presidency, hosted by the United Arab Emirates.

Trade House would fortify this focus on trade by providing a dedicated space to spark discussions and solutions on how trade can help drive climate and sustainable development actions.

Activities at the Trade House would focus on accelerating climate action through trade-led development, using coordinated and inclusive approaches, to ensure a just transition to a low-carbon economy.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Tade House, ICC SecretaryGeneral, John W.H. Denton AO

said: “Effective policy frameworks and strengthened supply chains are essential to combatting climate change.

"ICC's role as a co-convenor of the Trade House is a clear signal that the business community is not only part of the solution — but leading the charge for a more robust global trading system. This space will enable our organisations, stakeholders, and partners to explore these issues in the heart of the COP28 Blue Zone.”

In his remarks, ITC Executive

Okonjo-Iweala Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said: “A low-carbon transition must be just and inclusive, with small businesses driving the change, especially those led by women, young people, indigenous peoples and members of marginalised groups.

SUPREME COURT: TINUBU’S ELECTION AS PRESIDENT IS HEREBY AFFIRMED Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah, Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Laleye Dipo in Minna, Tony Icheku in Owerri, Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Basking in the euphoria of yesterday’s Supreme Court judgement which affirmed his election on February 25, 2023 as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has called on all Nigerians, including members of the opposition political parties to join hands with him in order to build a great country.

In a statement entitled: "It is Time for us to Build Our Great Nation Together," personally signed by him, Tinubu welcomed the verdict of the Justice John Okoro-led Panel of the Supreme Court on the Presidential Election petitions filed by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), challenging the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

Earlier yesterday, a seven-man panel of justices of the apex court affirmed Tinubu's election shortly after dismissing two separate appeals filed by candidates of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and LP, Mr Peter Obi, seeking the nullification of Tinubu's victory at the February 25 presidential election. The panel in a unanimous decision held that the two appeals were lacking in merit as they did not provide any credible or convincing evidence to set aside the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court, which last month held that Tinubu was legally qualified to contest the February 25 presidential election and that the electoral umpire was right when it declared Tinubu president.

However, in their separate reactions, the PDP and LP expressed disappointment over the ruling, while on the other hand, former President Muhammadu Buhari, Afenifere, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some state governors, all welcomed the Supreme Court judgement and congratulated

Tinubu on the verdict.

Continuing, President Tinubu noted that the apex court did justice to all issues put up for consideration in the petitions on the merits of the law, without fear or favour.

The President in the release stated, inter alia: "There is no doubt, with the profound judgment of today, that our electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in our national identity because of the diligence and undaunted professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter.

"While the verdict of today has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, I want to reiterate that my faith in our nation's judiciary has never been shaken, not even for a moment, because I know that our hallowed courts of law will not fail to administer justice to all Nigerians in all matters and at all times. “Despite the fusillade of pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors, the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defense of humanity.

"It was affirmed once more today, that my party, the governing APC had freely and fairly won the popular mandate of Nigerians, which has since given rise to my leadership of this great nation at a tumultuous period of unprecedented reforms in our history as a nation.

"With deep gratitude to God Almighty, I solemnly and humbly accept today's judicial victory with an intense sense of responsibility and a burning desire to meet the great challenges confronting our people.”

He added: "The victory of today has further energised and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths, with honour and total respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of our citizens.

"Our Renewed Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria

has further gained momentum and I will continue to work from morning to night, every single day, to build a country that meets our collective yearnings and aspirations.

"We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together. The strength of our diversity and the great citizenship that binds us must now compel us forward in directing the energy of our people towards building a virile, stronger, united, and more prosperous country.

"In the days and months ahead, I trust that the spirit of patriotism will be elevated into supporting our administration to improve the living conditions of Nigerians. I am prepared to welcome the contributions of all Nigerians to foster and strengthen our collective progress.

"I send my immense gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve our country. I promise again to meet and exceed your expectations in service delivery and good governance, working with my team and trusting in the grace of God.”

How Supreme Court

Affirmed Tinubu’s Election as President The Supreme Court yesterday affirmed Tinubu’s election as President of Nigeria. A seven-man panel of justices of the apex court affirmed Tinubu's election shortly after dismissing two separate appeals filed by candidates of the PDP, Atiku and LP, Peter Obi, seeking the nullification of Tinubu's victory at the February 25 presidential election.

The panel in a unanimous decision held that the two appeals were lacking in merit as they did not provide any credible or convincing evidence to set aside the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court, which last month held that Tinubu was legally qualified to contest the February 25 presidential election and that the electoral umpire was right when it declared Tinubu president.

While stating that all issues raised for determination were resolved against the appellants, the apex court held that, "On the whole, there is no merit in this appeal and it is hereby dismissed.

"The judgment of the lower court delivered on 6 September declaring Tinubu president is hereby affirmed."

Both Atiku and Obi had in their separate appeals prayed the apex court to set aside the judgment of the presidential election tribunal which had on September 6, dismissed their petitions against the emergence of Tinubu as president.

The petitioners had hinged their individual request for the voiding of Tinubu's victory on grounds of alleged non-compliance, irregularities, corrupt practices and non-qualification of Tinubu to contest the poll.

Specifically, they had contended that the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results of the presidential election real time, substantially affected the election. They had also accused INEC and Tinubu of suppressing and diverting their scores.

In addition, they had claimed that INEC was wrong in declaring Tinubu as winner of the poll having not won majority of the lawful votes as well as securing 25 per cent of votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory.

They had also claimed that Tinubu should be disqualified on account of alleged forgery, perjury, dual citizenship, forfeiture of the sum of $460,000 over alleged complicity in

drug related offences and alleged double nomination of the vice president, Kashim Shettima.

However, after newly six months of litigations, the five-member panel of the presidential tribunal led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, had held that there was no prove of the allegations made against the February 25 presidential election and that Tinubu was qualified to participate in the election.

The dismissal of the petitioners necessitated the instant appeals which were also dismissed by the apex court in a unanimous judgment.

According to the justices, the appellants have not advanced any cogent reason why the judgments of the lower court should be voided.

Delivering judgment in the 1st appeal filed by Atiku and the PDP, Justice John Inyang Okoro, who read the lead judgment yesterday, observed that the issues for determination by the court bordered around alleged electoral fraud, President Tinubu’s non-qualification, and non-compliance of the conduct of the disputed election with the provisions of the Electoral Act. On the issue of non-compliance, Continued on page 43

FG MOVES TO SECURITISE NLNG DIVIDENDS FOR $7BN FACILITY The arrangement is being organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which is the shareholder of the NLNG. The move aligns with the recent disclosure by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, that the country was expecting about $10 billion inflows in the nearest term, which according to him would help to clear FX backlog and stabilise the naira.

Speaking at the 29th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday, President Bola Tinubu had also assured Nigerians and investors that there was an ongoing plan to boost the country’s foreign exchange

liquidity.

Tinubu had acknowledged challenges faced by the business community in the financial markets and had assured them of additional FX liquidity to restore market confidence.

Speaking further, the source told THISDAY: “NLNG has been performing and used to pay dividends of about $6 billion, but because our oil production and gas production have fallen, dividends also fell to about $2 billion.

“But what this government has decided to do is to securitise these dividends over a period of time and use it to borrow money in order to curb the depreciation of the naira against the dollar.

“The target is to boost dollar liquidity by flooding the market with dollar supply and try to push the naira/dollar exchange rate to about N800/$. So, by next week, they may get $7 billion from Standard Chartered Bank consortium and get the $3 billion from Afreximbank, under the agreement reached with NNPCL. “At same time, the government is making serious efforts to ramp up oil production significantly.

The idea is to use the entire $7 billion to settle some old FX forward obligations and reduce pressure on the naira, improve liquidity and allow the currency to appreciate.”

Market analysts believe

that with the steps, the nation currency which has come under intense pressure in the past few weeks might begin to appreciate.

They believe this could help the naira appreciate to around N1,000/$ and make currency speculators to lose their shirts.

This, they also believe could be achieved if oil production was improved and crude oil theft significantly curbed.

Meanwhile, the naira closed at N1,300 to a dollar on the parallel market yesterday, stronger than the N1,310 to a dollar it closed the previous day, while on the official I&E FX Window, it closed at N837.49 to a dollar, weaker than the N801.10 to a dollar it closed the previous day.

Monsignor John Aniagwu, had passed on a huge task to him, the entrepreneur assured that he was acutely aware of the weight of the responsibility and the expectations that come with it. He assured of his commitment to upholding and advancing the values and visions that Augustine University represent.

Otedola recalled that he had refused the appointment of chancellor from several universities in the past due to his extremely busy schedule, stating that he could, however, not refuse such an appointment from his Archbishop.

He added, "Having accepted, I intend to work for the advancement of the growth of our university to ensure that it is listed in the ranking charts among the top universities in Nigeria and among the top Catholic universities in the world."

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, Professor Christopher Ojetunde, welcomed the new Chancellor, thanking Otedola and his family for their generous financial support towards the establishment and development of the university.

Ojetunde said the Faculty of Engineering Complex, built by Otedola, was a significant boost to the school.

He added that the successes being recorded by the university were made possible through the generous contributions of people like Otedola, and prayed that God would continue to bless him.

Earlier, while reading Otedola's citation, Orator of the university, Dr. James Onyeashie, said the businessman was considered and appointed as the new Chancellor of Augustine University in recognition of his immense contribution to the growth of the Nigerian economy and the school.

Onyeashie described Otedola as a philanthropist with an unflinching commitment to the development of education in Nigeria.

He described how Otedola started a N2 billion Faculty of Engineering Complex, with the first phase completed at the cost of N670 million.

He said the complex, which was inaugurated in February this year, was currently in use.

OTEDOLA DOLES OUT N750M TO 750 AUGUSTINE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS million for the furnishing of the university’s Engineering Faculty building and another N110 million for the installation of street lights on the campus and purchase of a new standby power generator.

He explained that each of the 750 returning and fresh students of the university would receive N1 million from the N750 million, explaining that the gesture is to alleviate the plight of the students and their parents under the current harsh economic situation in the country.

Otedola has been a major financial supporter of the university. He donated the Engineering Faculty Complex to the school, an edifice comprising four blocks, constructed at an estimated cost of N2 billion.

The first phase of the building was completed at a total of N670 million, and the facility was inaugurated in February 2023, and has been in use since then.

Announcing the donations amid thunderous cheers and applause from the benefiting students and the entire audience at the occasion, Otedola expressed strong belief in

transforming establishments he was affiliated with.

He stated that the N750 million donation to the 750 students was to commemorate his appointment as the second Chancellor of the university and also to help cushion the effect of the difficult situation in the country on the beneficiaries.

Otedola said, "As stated in my citation, I strongly believe in transforming establishments that I am associated with. Therefore, to commemorate my appointment as the Chancellor of the university today and in recognition of the harsh economic situation in our country, I hereby announce a scholarship donation to each returning student of the university and each new first-year student of our university, the amount of one million naira each towards the 2023/2024 session school fees of each student.

"I am told that there are 500 returning students and about 250 new first-year students, making a total scholarship donation of N750 million "I hope this donation alleviates the

plight of the parents of our students in this difficult time. I am depending on the Governing Council and the management of the university for the efficient management of these funds."

The renowned entrepreneur said to be entrusted with the role of chancellor of such a distinguished institution was both a privilege and a profound responsibility.

He said the latest donations to the school were in addition to his earlier pledge of N2 billion for the construction of the Engineering Faculty Complex.

Otedola announced that the design of engineering number two within the complex had been completed, adding that the contract for its construction would soon be awarded, with a completion date of December 2024.

He expressed hope that his kind gesture would encourage the students of Augustine University to study hard to be first class graduates who would contribute positively to the growth of Nigeria.

The famous business mogul

further said, "I feel emotional as I make this speech today as this university was also my late father's dream. I remember the Fund Raising Committee visiting my father several times, when he was alive, and also approaching me in 2008 for help in building the university.

"What they did not know and, indeed, no one knew at the time was that I was bankrupt in Nigeria.

I thank God Almighty for changing my fortune and for all that He has provided for me since then.

"I firmly believe that Almighty God has empowered me to help in the development of this university and to help the multitude of students here. I thank God for using me as an instrument to assist the Catholic Church and, in particular, our Archbishop in all the good works of the Archdiocese of Lagos in promoting quality education in Nigeria."

Otedola said, "I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and humility and it is with immense honour that I accept this appointment."

Noting that his predecessor, Rev.

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

REJOICING WITH THE PRESIDENT...

L-R: Minister of Sports Development, , Senator John Enoh; Executive Director Sahara Group, Kola Adesina; Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga; Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume; President Bola Tinubu; former Delta State Governor, James Ibori; Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia; Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, and former Minister, Musiliu Obanikoro, during a congratulatory visit to the President after the Supreme Court judgement in Abuja…yesterday

FG: With Paltry $5bn Annual Earnings, Nigeria Still Far from Achieving Full Gas Potential Emir of Kano backs govt on liberalisation of oil sector

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government yesterday admitted that Nigeria was still very far from reaping the full benefits of its enormous gas resources, compared to even African countries with far less reserves, but which earn more than Nigeria's $5 billion annually.

Speaking at the 6th Valuechain Annual Lecture and Awards in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that Nigeria remains an ‘ocean of gas and a drop of oil’, with over 200 TCF of untapped gas resources and ranking 9th globally in terms of proven reserves.

The theme of the event was: "Midstream Gas Development: A Pathway to Energy Transition."

Shettima was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on

Energy and Power Infrastructure, Office of the Vice President, Sodiq Wanka.

Stressing that the impact of fully exploiting the nation’s gas reserves would be massive, the vice president explained that gas remains critical to the nation’s power supply, accounting for over 80 per cent of total generation.

Describing gas as a critical transition fuel for the country’s ambitious climate targets of hitting net-zero by 2060, the vice president said growing Nigeria’s production would enhance other gas-based industries, from fertiliser methanol to cement and consumer goods.

A booming economy built on the exploitation of gas reserves, he maintained ,can vastly enhance the fiscal position of the federation.

“But the story of Nigeria’s gas riches and potential cannot be complete without understanding that we are far off from that potential and have a lot of work to do, as public sector leaders and as captains of industry.

“Today, Nigeria earns around $5 billion from gas production, a figure that is 40 per cent less than in Egypt, which has around 30 per cent of Nigeria’s reserves. Our production to reserve ratio is less than a 3rd of Egypt’s, less than a quarter of Algeria’s and around 10 per cent of Malaysia’s,” he pointed out.

In the aftermath of the RussiaUkraine war, Shettima said the the European Union (EU) and many other nations were shopping for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LNG), lamenting that at the same time,

Nigeria’s largest LNG assets were operating significantly below capacity because gas supply was inadequate.

“At this rate, according to 'Decade of Gas' analysis, we could have a demand-supply gap of up to 10bscfd of gas by 2030,” he added.

On how gas can impact the economy, the vice president highlighted the number of power plants and factories that have built up around the Escravos-Lagos-Pipeline system and its various spurs.

He expressed happiness that the AKK pipeline was nearing completion, which will unlock gas demand along the Northern corridor, but noted that there was still a lot of work left to be done.

“The Obigbo-Umuahia-Ajaokuta pipeline will be key to ensuring the AKK pipeline is not gas-constrained

while opening up new demand along its right of way. There is much work left on expanding the ELPS network among others.

“These projects can be significantly accelerated if we focus on making investments in them more attractive.

Our network code must adequately cover private pipelines. “ We have to ensure that private investors are able to recover their costs and make a return on their investments by creating a new framework for tariffs that is not too rigid. And we need to have clear guidelines for tolling. The story is similar for other midstream infrastructure,” he stressed.

On what the government is doing to solve the challenges, he explained that Nigeria cannot talk about midstream infrastructure in isolation, with the power sector remaining the largest consumer of domestic gas. “ The government is working actively to resolve longstanding

liquidity issues in the sector. Some of the most ambitious customer metering initiatives are underway or soon to be announced.

“We will continue to strengthen sector governance that favours only technically and financially sound investors to own key assets in the power sector. We will drive the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 to create a new narrative and new national framework for electricity that will bring investment to the electricity sector.

“In terms of upstream gas, the commitment of the government on ensuring the right tariffs to encourage exploitation of non-associated gas remains strong. The government will also not rest in continuing to pursue a holistic approach to the issue of security of petroleum assets – from strengthening the operationalisation of the Host Communities Trust Fund to closer community engagement, surveillance and prosecution of identified vandals,” he noted.

The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has been scheduled as the keynote speaker at the 2023 edition of the Alaghodaro Summit, which is being held to mark the seventh anniversary of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State.

The summit is organised by the private sector in Edo State to showcase reforms, investment and strategic alliances that have midwifed the transformation of the State into an industrial hub.

This year’s edition of the annual summit is billed to run between November 8 and 12, with the theme, “The Edo Story: Creating Shared Opportunities into the Future.”

In a statement, the Chairperson, Local Organising Committee and Executive Secretary, Alaghodaro Economic Summit Limited/Gte, Eire Ifueko Alufohai, said Dangote had been scheduled as the keynote speaker at this year’s summit, noting that he will be sharing insights of his experience as an investor in the State.

The Dangote Group in the course of the last seven years completed the greenfield six million metric tonnes Okpella Cement Plant, which is contributing immensely to the overall production capacity of the Dangote conglomerate’s cement

business in Nigeria.

The insights from Dangote at the summit would point to the landmark reforms that have drastically improved the ease of doing business in the State, ensuring that investors are able to initiate new ventures and expand their existing investments.

Alufohai said, “Governor Godwin Obaseki, in the past seven years, has been relentless in his pursuit to attract investments to Edo State, focusing on key sectors that have the potential to stimulate economic growth and development, and create better opportunities for the people.

“We expect that insights by Africa’s richest man would do justice to questions regarding the reforms undertaken in the State in the last seven years to open Edo up for investment.”

She added, “The upcoming summit, being the last to be celebrated under the sterling leadership of Governor Obaseki will highlight the gains of the government’s business-friendly policies and reforms over the past seven years that have spurred investment in various sectors of the State with a strategic focus on expansion and sustainability of these investments for long-term economic prosperity and advancement.”

Minister Rallies FG's Housing Agencies to Clear Backlog Nationwide Aliko Dangote to Headline 2023 Alaghodaro Summit in Edo Lists rising inflation, obsolete legal provisions as major challenges

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has said that given the rising deficit nationwide, federal housing agencies under the ministry should be creative in delivering affordable housing to Nigerians.

Speaking during a multiagency meeting at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Dangiwa argued that Nigeria’s problem was not the lack of institutions, but said the agencies had done little to collectively and individually address the housing problem in the country.

The meeting was attended by the leadership of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), Family Homes Fund Limited (FHFL), and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

According to Dangiwa, the problem has become more glaring, given the state of the housing market, the estimated size of the housing deficit and the prevalence of slum dwellings.

He also highlights the cost of land acquisition, interest on mortgage loans, among several other challenges,

noting that not much progress had been made.

Stressing that the federal government was determined to change the situation, which he described as an “embarrassing narrative”, Dangiwa stated that Nigeria can no longer afford t to move at the current slow pace.

“We no longer have the luxury of time to think about our mandates the way we have always done. With each passing month, each passing year, we are losing time while the problem is compounding.

“Our population is rapidly increasing, and the housing need and demand is rising. We must, therefore, resolve to act in a way that shows the urgency of the moment while taking into consideration the size of the problem we seek to solve,” he added.

Some of the challenges, he said, are either systemic or macro-environment related, such as the rising inflation rate, the Land Use Act, Institutional Establishment Acts of the FHA and the FMBN, the obsolete provisions in the NHF Act, lack of government capital interventions, and other gaps in the housing value chain.

However, he expressed the belief

that there still exist areas that can be leveraged despite the challenges to make a greater impact.

“Despite these challenges, I believe that there still exist areas that we can leverage despite these challenges to make a greater impact.

During my time at the FMBN, we made historic progress despite these challenges. That is what we should aim to do,” he added.

He highlighted the action plan of the ministry, which includes strengthening the institutional capacity of federal housing agencies, increasing the supply of decent and affordable housing stock and establishment of a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF).

He listed others as the implementation of land reforms to ease land administration and access for private sector players, setting up building materials manufacturing hubs across the six geopolitical zones, development of new cities that are integrated, inclusive, and demand-driven, as well as implementing urban renewal and slum-upgrading programmes.

Dangiwa called for the total commitment of the agencies to collaborate and participate with

other housing stakeholders to see to the delivery of the renewed hope agenda for housing.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NMRC, Kehinde Ogundimu, expressed satisfaction with the policy direction and action plan of the ministry.

He noted that the implementation of the initiatives outlined by the minister will trigger significant development in the housing sector.

“On our part, we’re working to bring about a number of solutions, including the provision of data in partnership with bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Office of the Statistician-General of the Federation, and several others to assemble housing-related data based on the 117 indicators we ascertained through engagement with the association of affordable housing.

“We are also working to dematerialise the entire titling process, find solutions to issues around construction such as technology, materials, cost, etc., and find ways around the scarcity of funds and financing,” he assured.

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CELEBRATING SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT...

L-R: Senator Muhammed Musa; Senator Solomon Olamilekan; Deputy Senate President, Jubril Barau; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Tokunbo Abiru during the senators congratulatory visit to the President after the supreme Court judgment at the Presidential villa in Abuja...yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

Tinubu to Aides After Supreme Court Victory: Your Jobs are Secured Governors, speaker, Wike in state house to rejoice with president Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu yesterday, told his political aides that their jobs were guaranteed following Supreme Court's confirmation of his election as presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 presidential poll.

The aides, including the State Chief of Protocol (SCOPE), Victor Adeleke; his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale; Aide de Camp (ADC), Lt. Col. Nurudeen Yusuf and other security and civilian appointees, had gathered in his office at the State House in Abuja immediately after the court’s pronouncement to congratulate him on his victory.

Tinubu, who happily received them announced, first to Ngelale and Adeleke that their jobs were safe before the ADC, who spoke on their behalf congratulated Tinubu, saying, “Gentlemen, we want to congratulate the president having been confirmed by the Supreme Court as a five-star General, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

This was followed by the observance of a short prayer for the president on his victory.

Some state governors were also among the earlier callers at the seat of government to celebrate with President Tinubu over the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his victory.

They included Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdulahi Sule (Nasarawa), Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Rev. Fr. Hycinth Alia (Benue).

It was not clear whether Diri’s purpose in the State House was to congratulate the president being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who is seeking re-election as governor during the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa state.

The governor, along with others, however, rejoiced with the president on his victory with the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, informing the president that Diri would have come earlier to see him but was busy

with his governorship campaign, which Tinubu acknowledged.

Speaking to newsmen after felicitating the President, Benue Governor, Rev. Fr. Alia said the president’s victory at the Supreme Court would enable him to focus on the business at hand.

He said: “It is quite exciting because now we are going to move ahead. I know that our president has great plans for the nation and particularly in my state and I will not want us to miss out on that at all.

“His victory is not just a victory for the nation but those of us who are not on the same page for growth and development as it is intended.

“It is a larger victory for all of us. These (Judiciary) are people who are meticulous with the books.

“Today is a blessing for Nigeria that our sitting president carries the day. Please, let us all join hands with him to take our nation to higher heights because he has not just the potential, he has already started exhibiting what will bring our further growth.”

Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, also congratulated the President, the opposition, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all Nigerians over the court victory, saying Tinubu’s success at the court would reflect rightly on the lives of all Nigerians.

He also called on the opposition to sheath their sword and support the government to succeed, saying “if Mr. President succeeds, it is Nigerians that succeed and we are praying and working hard that Mr. President should succeed because when a leader succeeds, it touches on all the followers”.

On how the judgement must have reflected on the INEC, considering the fact that the electoral umpire is preparing to conduct the governorship election in his state, Bello said “INEC’s reputation is never in question or in doubt at all.

“All the jobs they have done have been affirmed by the Supreme Court today and I’m confident that in the Kogi election, more successes will be recorded by INEC, by the good people of Kogi state and of course, APC posed to win with landslide and massive votes in the upcoming election, based on our performance

and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President”, he said.

In his reaction, Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, lauded the Supreme Court for dispensing the case in line with global best practices, noting that this would be setting a precedence for similar cases at the appellate or Supreme Court.

“More importantly, by this judgement, the Supreme Court has also put to rest a lot of issues that will now become precedents in law. I’m sure that some other cases where either appeals have been filed at the appellate level or the Supreme Court, will probably be withdrawn”.

He, however, expressed the view that the opposition figures who challenged Tinubu’s victory in court now have to show that they mean well for the country from the onset by either going to sleep or congratulate and support

the President.

“If that opportunity does not present itself for you now and the courts and people have chosen who they want, if you really do mean well for the country, what you need to do is congratulate that person, join hands with that person to ensure that what you want to do is achieved, that the common man gets the best of governance”, Abiodun said.

Also reacting to the judgement, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, said Tinubu’s victory was not unexpected as according to him, they knew that it would be the case.

Speaking in the same vein, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, noted that the victory was a revalidation of the mandate which the Nigerian people gave him.

“The highest court, the Supreme Court, spoke loud and clear that

mandate was freely given. That is what we want in this country.

“We want stability; we don't want distraction. The president has taken off beautifully and he has the interest of the people at heart. So far, the choices he's making are tough but at the end of the day, they will make for a better tomorrow. So, we are very happy with what has happened today, Nigerians are celebrating", the SGF stated.

On his part, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake congratulated Tinubu on his triumph at the Supreme Court.

The Minister asserted that the sanctity of the people's will as expressed at the polls has prevailed, urging the opposition to join hands with the President in delivering the Renewed Hope agenda.

His words: "I congratulate the President and Commander-InChief of the Armed Forces of

the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) on his triumph at the Supreme Court, today. Indeed, the affirmation of his victory in concurrence with the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) is a further testament to the sanctity of the mandate, freely given to him by the Nigerian people. " With the apex court ruling, electoral litigation has come to an end, therefore, I urge the opposition to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship and congratulate the President whilst joining hands with him to revamp the economy and deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians" the Minister stated.

Alake appealed to Nigerians, irrespective of how they voted in the last election to support the administration and have faith in ongoing reforms, stressing that the present temporary pains will soon ease out.

Elumelu: Africa Ready for Investments Amid Challenges Says continent needs massive global capital infusion to develop critical infrastructure needed in 21st century Kayode Tokede and Oluchi Chibuzor The Chairman, Heirs Holdings Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has wooed foreign investors to Africa, saying the continent was ready for investments amid socio-political and macroeconomic challenges.

Elumelu, speaking during a recent invitation of Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of the FII Institute.

Mr. Richard Attias in Saudi Arabia, noted that the continent has huge opportunities amid high level of unemployment, weak access to economic opportunities, and poor access to health care.

Elumelu in a chat with Attias, on the topic ‘How Africapitalism Drives Inclusive Growth,’ said, “We need to mobilise huge long-term capital into the continent to enable us leapfrog and fixed infrastructure that will need to develop.

“Japan, Germany, Korea and even China have benefited from massive global capital infusion. Africa needs it and I will be failing if I do not use this opportunity to draw the attention of the world to the continent on the need to collaborate with African business leaders and more importantly those like the Tony Elumelu Foundation who like to support young African entrepreneurs.

“Let's see how we can work together to create a better future for everyone.”

He disclosed that Africapitalism started from his personal experience in the continent, stressing that for the continent to develop, the private sector has a major role to play.

According to him, “I realised that we at the private sector have a role to play in developing the continent, and not just one person and not just government alone.

“We should not have an entitlement mentality that some people come to develop the continent for us. So, we

decided to involve the Young Africans at our Tony Elumelu Foundation.

“We need all hands on the deck in developing Africa. We need to privatise the young ones to who the future of Africa belongs to and most importantly, our private sector people in realisation that it's not about the money we have in our bank account, but how we're able to deploy the capital we have in creating economic opportunity and prosperity for our young ones.

“Africapitalism is a call on the private sector to invest long term in critical sectors of the African economy that have the potential for transforming and catalysing economic empowerment and prosperity on the continent.

“So that at the end of the day, we all grow together and no one is left behind and embedded in it is the philosophy of inclusive growth, philosophy of empowering young men, as well as our women who had for a long time been left behind, and

realising that a government must play their own role in catalysing the opportunities and enablement, that will enable private sector take-off and working also with the philanthropic organisation in Africa and outside of Africa to develop the continent.”

He said part of the reasons Africapitalism had been accepted and practiced by quite a number of people, was because Heirs Holdings Group does not just preach about it, but practices it with investment in power, and hospitality, among other critical sectors.

“In our group, we have Transcorp which is the largest electric generating company in Nigeria today. Transcorp has a combined energy-generating capacity of 2,000 megawatts.

“So for an ordinary eye, that is an economic investment that yields profits for the investors. But more importantly, we all know that access to electricity is the single most critical factor that we need to fix if we must develop Africa.

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NEWS XTRA

Lagos, Ogun Floods: Senate Seeks Establishment of Flood Management Council

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate yesterday urged President Bola Tinubu to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Committee for the Development of a Comprehensive Plan of Action on flooding.

The federal panel had recommended the establishment of a National Flood Management Council (NFMC) in Nigeria.

The agency is expected to serve as a central body responsible for coordinating flood management activities nationwide.

The Senate resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East).

The red chamber commiserated with the victims of the flood disaster and commended the governments of Lagos and Ogun states for their handling of the crisis occasioned by the flood disaster.

The Senate also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to the victims of the flood in the affected communities in Lagos and Ogun states.

It urged the federal government to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to x-ray the recurring situation of flood across the country with a view to proffering a lasting solution to flood disasters.

It also directed the relevant committees of the Senate to provide adequate funding for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT), Hydrological Agency of Nigeria, and the River Basin Development Authorities to effectively carry out their responsibilities in line with their mandates.

Air Force Chief Approves Land Directorate to Secure NAF Property Kingsley NwezehinAbuja

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has approved the establishment of the Directorate of Land Administration (DLA) to secure, control, document, manage and administer all Nigerian Air Force (NAF) lands and landed properties across the nation.

The new directorate, to be domiciled under the logistics branch, will among other functions, interface with the various ministries of lands as well as the base commanders in ensuring that all matters related to

trespassing and encroachments on NAF lands and landed properties are expeditiously dispensed with in line with extant laws.

A statement signed by NAF Spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said in the course of its expansion over the years, NAF acquired lands and landed properties in various parts of the country while some were allocated to the service by some state governments and the federal government.

“Incessant issues of trespassing, encroachment and needless

disputes over un-demarcated or unfenced boundaries of some of these lands and landed properties have, however, necessitated the need for a proactive step towards securing all NAF lands as well as avoiding conflicts and disputes with civilians, institutions or organisations.

“The need for the NAF to address this situation is also expedient as some of these encroachments constitute a risk to the security of some NAF Bases with implications on national security,” it said.

Uphold Ethics, Professionalism, TRCN Registrar Charges 1,003 UNIJOS Inductees Seriki Adinoyi inJos The Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof. Josiah Ajiboye has underscored the importance of professional development, charging 1003 newly inducted teachers of the Faculty of Education of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), to uphold ethics and professionalism in all their undertakings.

Addressing the inductees during the 10th induction of the faculty, Ajiboye expressed confidence in their abilities to live up to the reputation of the teaching profession and to positively impact future generations.

He encouraged them to embrace the theme of the ceremony and carry the legacy of the teaching profession with honour and distinction.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof.

Tanko Ishaya, who was represented

by Prof. Timothy Oyetunde, emphasised the importance of teaching to the progress of societies.

He stated that teachers play an integral role in forming young minds with knowledge, understanding, and empowerment.

He also underscored the significance of teachers in adhering to ethical standards, which reflect their

Niger Sets Up International Gold Market in Minna Laleye Dipo in Minna The Niger State Government has established an International Gold Market in Minna with plans to set up similar markets

NECA Tasks Workers on Enrolment into Contributory Pension Scheme Gideon Arinze in Enugu The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has called on more workers in the country to enrol on the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in other to address their post-retirement needs.

The Director-General of NECA, Adewale Oyerinde, made the call yesterday in Enugu at a one-day interactive session between the National Pension Commission (Pencom) and NECA on current developments and challenges in the implementation of the Pension Reform Act 2014, for the organised private sector.

Oyerinde, who was represented by the South-east Chairman of NECA, Okechukwu Chime, said it is worrying that as of June 2023, only 10 million people out of the over 73 million population workforce had enrolled into the scheme.

commitment to nurturing responsible, compassionate, and informed citizens.

As part of the transformation, the vice chancellor urged educators to embrace global standards and innovative pedagogical methods and to commit to lifelong learning.

He highlighted the induction ceremonyasasignificantcommitment, encouraging teachers to honour their oathsandbringaprofessionalapproach to their teaching assignments.

He noted that among the factors contributing to the poor enrolment is the uncertainty of what happens after contributions have been made and the lack of a proper structure to compel employers to contribute their own quota to the scheme.

“Multinational companies in Nigeria for instance do not default in their contribution because in their home countries, it is illegal and laws are enforced. In Nigeria, local companies break the laws and get away with it,” Oyerinde said.

He, however, said the interactive session provided PenCom and NECA with an opportunity to address the reasons why the remaining N63 million workers are not contributing, adding that the private sector remains committed to the success of the pension scheme as long as its concerns are not only noted but also addressed expeditiously.

in Bida, Kontagora, Suleja, New Bussa Kuta and Kagara towns.

The establishment of the market would enable the state government to reap the benefits of mining and sale of gold.

The Governor of Niger State, Mr. Mohammed Umaru Bago, who inaugurated the Minna Market yesterday, noted that not less than N1.2 billion transaction in gold is going on in Minna on daily basis with the government not benefiting anything from the transactions.

Bago said that as a result that government would “properly articulate all gold mining activities in the state” in order to capitalizs “on the huge potential therein.”

He also disclosed that the creation of the market will help to address illegal gold mining in the state.

The Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area, Mr. Aminu Ladan, said that the project would boost economic activities in the state, adding that it would also pave the way for new businesses to grow in the Kure UltraModern Market.

The market is named Mohammed Umaru Bago International Gold Market.

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POLITICS

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

Ubah’s Defection to APC Rattles Anambra Politicians David-Chyddy Eleke writes that the recent defection of the Senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Ifeanyi Ubah, from the Young Progressives Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress may not be unconnected with his governorship ambition in Anambra come 2025.

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enultimate week, news of the defection of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, member representing Anambra South senatorial district in the Nigerian Senate broke. His defection from Young Progressives Party (YPP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) was announced on the floor of the Senate, via a letter Ubah wrote to the Senate, which was read by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

In the letter, Ubah had among other things stated his reason for moving from YPP to APC to include; APC’s sterling leadership of the country, Tinubu’s fairness to Ndigbo, and the need for his constituency to be connected to the centre.

Ubah followed up his explanations by appearing on a national television on same Thursday to further explain his decisions.

He said: “For someone winning election back to back, you know that you must be close to your people and you must always consult widely with your people. So for me to join the APC, I did my consultation and then I listened to the voice of my people. If you look at the APC today, you will discover that the President (Bola Tinubu) has been super fair to the South-East irrespective of our votes during the elections. Giving us the Minister of Works (David Umahi) is something that would not have been possible in the past.

“There are other appointments that are coming and so many other good things he wants to do for our people. So, it is very important for us now to join the centre party so that we would not be left behind.

The entire South-East is joining where I am going. Just watch and see what is going to be in the next few weeks.”

Ubah’s submissions may not be wrong.

For someone who joined a then obscure party like YPP, Ubah was able to bring his influence to bear, using the party to win two hotly contested senatorial elections and also make a huge impact in the last governorship election in Anambra.

Ubah, the CEO of Capital Oil, was first elected a Senator under the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in 2019. He was also re-elected under the YPP in the recently concluded 2023 poll, after what has been adjudged an impressive showing, which also brought people into the fold of the party. Ubah’s claims may not be false that soon, many other politicians would begin to flock the party, this is especially as he himself has bigwig politicians, especially in Anambra State, who may move with him to APC. In the last general elections, through Ubah’s doggedness, YPP was able to secure three House of Assembly seats in Anambra for young politicians, and also stood his ground to reclaim the victory of a House of Representatives candidate of his party, who was on the verge of losing her victory.

Most of these, may most likely join Ubah in his new party, when he holds his declaration rally. Moreso, Ubah is the national leader of YPP, and as such the face of the party.

With his exit, it would not be a surprise if the party collapses, as most of his political mentees, allies and supporters would join him.

Meanwhile, there are indications that Ubah’s defection has nothing to do with his love for APC and its achievements, but strictly because of his resolve to accomplish his long time ambition of becoming the governor of Anambra State.

A legal practitioner, Mr Tony Okafor, who spoke to THISDAY said: “Only two reasons can qualify a National Assembly member to defect: first is when there is a division (not crisis) in the political party

that sponsored him to win the election, another is if there is a merger of the political party that sponsored him to win the election; see section 68 of the 1999

constitution.

“If YPP has the capacity, it should drag Ifeanyi Ubah to court to commence the process for his sack from the Senate. I

Pro-democracy Group Warns against Political Crisis in Plateau

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pro-democracy group, Peace and Good Governance Advocates (PEGGA) has tasked the nation’s judiciary not to allow the evolving peace on the Plateau to be consumed through the actions of a few errant officers and their political collaborators.

The group in a statement issued by its national coordinator, Mani Immam, warned that the contradictory and sometimes conflicting judgments being issued by the election petition tribunals could boomerang.

Alleging that there is a limit to which the populace can endure electoral manipulations, PEGGA in the statement tasked the National Judicial Council (NJC) to put special focus on the Plateau and avoid the state and the country unnecessary tension on account of contradictory and conflicting judgments delivered.

The group in the statement said: “We want to draw the attention of all concerned as to the growing tension on the plateau on account of what is now being drummed to the citizenry that the so called owners of Plateau State are determined to take control of the state.

“This boast that is being made by some former office holders and their supporters has seen them jumping and leaping at the surprising judgments of the Court of Appeal and the tribunals that have led to the sacking of a number of persons popularly elected during the last elections.

“The whisper is that apart from the legislators that these so-called owners of the Plateau want to take control of the State House of Assembly and the Government House.

“What was initially thought as a joke is increasingly taking the form of reality with the use of technicalities and twisted judicial logic to upturn the popular decisions taken by the electorate during the last General Election.

“We are appalled that at a time when issues pertaining to the nomination of candidates have been firmly established by the Supreme Court we are at a loss that the election panels on the Plateau are heeding the plea of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in seeking the removal of their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rivals.

“While we are non-partisan, we are, however, afraid that this judicial gambit is increasingly raising tension on the Plateau and call on the judicial authorities to be mindful of the ongoing developments”.

think too that the people of Anambra South Senatorial District can be accorded the jurisdiction to litigate on this. Its selfish trading off of the people’s mandate. Wish I could help.

“Division is not running battle (as Ubah stated). Running battle at best could be quarrel or crisis. The constitution says division. Don’t we know what is Division. Division is like one divided by two (which is half). The only political party in Nigeria that can qualify to be said to be divided is may be Labour Party that has Apapa and Abure or so. YPP is not divided,” the lawyer submitted.

Besides these, many people in Anambra have insinuated that the move to join APC was to ensure that Ubah rode on the wings of the rulling party to actualize his ambition.

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, who spoke on condition of anonymity described Ubah’s defection as timely.

This is on the rumours that Senator Uche Ekwunife, a serial governorship contender like Ubah, who was recently named the Director General of South East Governors Forum, was warming up to move to APC, with the help and connection of both Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, and David Umahi, former governor of Ebonyi State, who are both top APC members.

“I don’t see Ifeanyi Ubah’s defection stopping that of Ekwunife, but what it means is that the trio of Ubah, Ekwunife and Andy Uba, who was the candidate of the party in the last governorship election would be slugging it out, which I know will favour Ifeanyi Ubah, because he currently holds a strategic position that the powers that be in APC would want to pay attention to.”

In the wake of the announcement of Ubah’s defection however, several members of APGA attacked him for what they described as his desperation. While many reminded him that APC remained a hard sell in Anambra, others told him that his desperation to hit Anambra governorship seat was making him return to his spittle (APC), which he had denied in 2019.

An APGA chieftain, Mr Chinedu Obigwe said of him: “The rumour is that Ubah dumped the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for APC to properly position himself to contest the 2025 governorship poll in the state against the incumbent governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo of APGA. As at the last count, Ubah has joined five political parties, namely, PDP, Labour Party, APGA, YPP, and APC. Those claiming that APGA is jittery with Ubah’s rumoured defection to APC are talking nonsense.

As a matter of fact, APGA is unperturbed because Ubah is a familiar political foe to the party(APGA) especially when it comes to governorship election contest.”

“He is a familiar political foe to APGA and the party knows how to beat him in every governorship election. To be honest, this latest move of Ubah is a political dent to him. It’s also an ill-advised and ill-conceived political move. The defection portrayed him as a political prostitute that specialises in jumping from one party to another. The attitude of jumping from one party to the other also portrayed Ubah as an inconsistent character that cannot be trusted.

“As for the rumour that he joined APC to contest for Governor in 2025, APGA remains unperturbed because his political move is inconsequential. When that time comes, Governor Soludo’s good works in Anambra will speak for him and Anambra electorate will use his re-election for a well deserved second term to reward him for his administration unprecedented transformation of Anambra State,” Obigwe said.

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POLITICS

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Machiavelli and the New Speaker Governors and Tribunal Judgments Chido Nwangwuwritesaboutintriguesassociatedwith Anthony Kila writes on the need for President Bola the election of Mike Johnson of Republican Party as Tinubu to resist any pressure that may be mounted SpeakeroftheUnitedStatesHouseofRepresentatives on him from any quarter to influence the decision of about four weeks after the impeachment of Kevin the judiciary in the gubernatorial election petitions McCarthy also of the Republican Party. currently before the Appeal Court.

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fter weeks of foolish posturing, grandstanding, infighting and partisan tomfoolery, the Republicans have, to some extent, began to come back to their sense!

After several efforts to elect the successor to the disgraced former Speaker McCarthy, the number of congressional Republicans who seemed ready and willing to end their journey in the desert of political uncertainty and wear a mask to cover their ideological extremism grew overnight.

In politics, Niccolò Machiavelli, said the end justifies the means!

That is how the Republicans of all ideological stripes decide to rally (a)round Mike Johnson of Louisiana to elect him House Speaker — after weeks of chaos and intraparty turmoil.

It remains their determination to hold onto power as prescribed by Machiavelli that made conservatives in the Congressional delegations to adjust their posture. They abandoned Rep. Tom Emmer who supported the certification of Joe Biden as duly elected President of the United States of America!

Johnson was the fourth Republican nominee for Speaker in three weeks.

In jettisoning Emmer, the Republicans who are still beholden to the divisive and unruly former President of the United States, Donald J. Trump chose Johnson. He was part of the conspiracy to deny the credibility and certification of the election of Biden.

Johnson is now second in line for the presidency. The congressional Republicans who made a fool of McCarthy gave the support of all 220 Republican members in attendance. It was, therefore, comfort-

ably more than the 215-vote total that was required to assure victory.

On the other side of the aisle, all of the 209 congressional Democrats voted for the New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. He’s AfricanAmerican and the leader of the Democrats in the House.

Upon his victory, Johnson gallantly said “The people’s House is back in business.

We’re going to dispense with all the usual ceremonies and celebrations that traditionally follow a new speakership because we have no time for either one…. The American people’s business is too urgent in this moment. The hour is late. The crisis is great.”

President Biden congratulated Johnson, noting that: “We need to move swiftly to address our national security needs and to avoid a shutdown in 22 days. Even though we have real disagreements about important issues, there should be mutual effort to find common ground wherever we can…. This is a time for all of us to act responsibly, and to put the good of the American people and the everyday priorities of American families above any partisanship.”

African countries, hopefully, would have learned and noticed that the was no military coup in the United States because of the almost one month lag without a Speaker at the House of Representatives!

I know that building institutions and infrastructure are vital to democracies.

-Dr Nwangwu is Founder of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com Follow him on Twitter @ Chido247

ear Readers, Over the past six months, we have as country focused on electoral cases of the presidential election, leaving the battle for state and other seats in second position and lot has happened so far at state and legislative levels in terms of post-election disputes.

In a concerning turn of events, we the people and indeed the President find ourselves at a crossroads, facing pressure from some state governors who have been recently ousted from office by electoral tribunals.

There are enough voices to take seriously widely shared suspicions that these governors are allegedly seeking to enlist the President’s support in their efforts to undermine and overturn the tribunal’s decisions. It is crucial for President Tinubu to recognize the importance of upholding the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in our democracy and indeed country as an entity.

The recent wave of gubernatorial tribunal rulings has been met with mixed reactions across the nation. It is expected that all those governors that had unfavorable judgments from the Election Tribunals will seek redress in higher courts.

However, others especially those from the ruling APC have appeared to be resorting to political maneuvering in a bid to reverse their fortunes. This situation raises important questions about the sanctity of the electoral process and the role of the judiciary in ensuring fair and transparent elections.

It can be overemphasized how crucial these elements are to our system in terms of existence, living together as a people and dealing with the rest of the world.

Recently, Nasir Gawuna of the APC upstaged Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf of the NNPP at the Tribunal. In Nasarawa State, Dr. David Ombugadu of the PDP defeated Governor AA Sule while in Kaduna, Senator Uba Sani secured a pyrrhic victory as the Tribunal ordered a rerun election in some wards against his challenger, Isa Ashiru of the PDP. The story in Kogi State is slightly different as the Tribunal declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan of the PDP winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial Election and sacked Senator Okere of the APC. Kogi’s case is peculiar because of the forthcoming governorship election in the state and any judgement favourable to the PDP at the Court of Appeal might have a domino effect on the election.

There are media reports that some of the governors that had their elections nullified at the Tribunals are busy crisscrossing the country enlisting the support of religious leaders, traditional rulers and political leaders to influence the outcome of judgements at the higher courts.

Of course, the final port of call is Mr. President, especially for the governors of the APC, who feel that President Tinubu owes them a favour. Many of them believe that the President is vulnerable and they will even go to the extent of blackmailing him.

As a very experienced politician and tactician, Tinubu has the capacity to withstand adversaries without necessarily inheriting the sins of others. Any attempt to interfere with the court processes could undermine his government with the attendant chaos. President Tinubu should choose the side of the people and not of those in power without political influence as they were rejected by their people at polls.

The 2023 general elections recorded the highest number of governors who wanted to go to the Senate after completing their tenures but majority of them were rejected by their people after serving for eight years in the saddle. This is, at least in theory, a testament to our political maturity and by extension our democracy

and political process. Any attempt to tamper with the will of the people by the president at the higher court will be a huge setback to our democracy.

Let me use this medium to refresh the memory of Mr. President that his ACN, which was one of the legacy parties that formed the APC, was the biggest beneficiary of the non-interference of the executive in the judicial process. States like Edo, Osun and Ekiti couldnt have gone to the ACN if former President Goodluck Jonathan chose to influence the outcome of the judgments.

Under Buhari, the Supreme Court took away Bayelsa State from the APC and handed it over to the PDP on the eve of the swearing in. That was strong judiciary and democracy in action!

In Nasarawa in particular, the people defied all forms of intimidation and harassment even from their traditional rulers and voted for Dr. Ombugadu of the PDP because they were yearning for change. The victory of the people of Nasarawa State can only be guaranteed if the judiciary is allowed to dispense justice based of facts and not influence.

The independence of the judiciary is a cornerstone of any democracy. It is essential to prevent the abuse of power and maintain a system where the law is applied equally to all, regardless of their political affiliations.

The President, as the leader of the nation, must be particularly vigilant in safeguarding this principle.

It is imperative for President Tinubu to resist any attempts by these ousted governors to pressure or influence him into meddling with court judgments. The President must demonstrate his commitment to the rule of law, fair elections, and the democratic principles on which our nation is built.

Furthermore, it is essential for civil society organizations, the legal community, and the citizens to be vigilant and support the independence of the judiciary.

The checks and balances within our system rely on the separation of powers, and when this balance is threatened, the very foundations of our democracy are at risk.

President Tinubu faces a crucial test of his commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the independence of the judiciary. It is a test that will define his legacy and the strength of our democratic institutions.

We urge the President to stand firm in his support of the judiciary, ensuring that justice is served without political interference and that the integrity of our electoral processes is preserved for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Join me if you can on twitter @ anthonykila to continue these conversations.

-Kila is Institute Director at CIAPS. www.ciaps.org.

22

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 25Oct-2023, unless otherwise stated.

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

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 274.88 276.03 45.24% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 340.38 340.38 13.50% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 109.07 110.17 5.28% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.45% AIICO Balanced Fund 4.67 4.77 36.94% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 0.02% Anchoria Equity Fund 180.87 183.30 24.78% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.26 1.26 2.43% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 28.95 29.82 31.91% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 637.21 656.42 22.25% ARM Ethical Fund 51.20 52.74 13.48% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.16 1.16 3.33% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 3.96% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.06% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.62% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 97.73 97.73 7.69% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,138.50 1,138.50 6.23% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.04 1.04 6.70% CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% Paramount Equity Fund 23.87 24.35 38.75% Women's Investment Fund 187.45 190.30 36.27% CHD Nigeria Bond Fund 100.62 100.62 12.44% CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund 1.02 1.02 11.21% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.75% Cordros Milestone Fund 157.26 158.25 22.63% Cordros Fixed Income Fund 109.41 109.41 9.98% Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund 110.41 110.41 11.54% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 113.27 113.27 6.22% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 1.00 9.75% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.43 1.44 25.71% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.40 1.40 3.07% Coronation Fixed Income Fund EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1514.55 1514.55 11.52% FBN Balanced Fund 249.75 252.00 35.76% FBN Halal Fund 130.65 130.65 12.73% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.03% FBN Dollar Fund 122.23 122.23 7.45% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 226.99 229.87 50.66% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 109.83 109.83 9.53% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.89% Legacy Debt Fund 3.55 3.55 -0.59% Legacy Equity Fund 2.58 2.63 28.83% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.31 1.31 4.34% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Balanced Fund 5,335.53 5,375.29 32.82% Coral Income Fund 3,940.52 3,940.52 7.54% Coral Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.68% FSDH Dollar Fund 1.19 1.19 0.00%

GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.gtcoplc.bank; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Guaranty Trust Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Guaranty Trust Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Guaranty Trust Equity Income Fund (VEIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.81 1.85 13.72% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,188.71 1,188.71 8.71% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 16.32 16.45 40.06% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.86% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 102.60 102.60 11.92% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.49% Norrenberger Dollar Fund (NDF) ($) 102.53 102.53 11.69% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 2.07 2.12 31.74% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.88 12.20 7.58% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.59% PACAM Equity Fund 2.49 2.53 75.46% PACAM EuroBond Fund 128.34 131.18 15.11% SCM CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital The Frontier Fund 159.14 163.46 26.59% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.09 1.09 10.02% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 4,667.43 4,704.24 37.68% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 254.78 254.78 8.15% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.90 1.92 51.59% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 347.58 347.70 11.02% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 366.61 371.07 56.97% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.65% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 16,939.51 17,147.67 55.16% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.45 1.45 11.89% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 126.77 126.77 8.43% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 123.88 123.88 16.45% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,919.11 4,919.11 15.63% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 4,907.85 4,968.28 76.51% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 5,084.63 5,107.73 33.61% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.23 1.25 35.28% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.72 1.73 32.45% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.33 1.34 23.79% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.15 1.15 11.09% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.92 1.92 6.56% United Capital Eurobond Fund 123.12 123.12 5.60% United Capital Global Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 8.38% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.04% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 18.04 18.24 30.18% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 21.34 21.57 35.07% Zenith Income Fund 25.09 25.09 6.50% Zenith Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 6.99 7.09 73.37% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 11.43 11.53 94.81% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 24.12 24.32 36.20% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.14% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 27.47 27.67 37.28% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 147.83 149.83 -6.26%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.04 55.66 101.33 9.88

9.00% 4.98% -13.49%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

19.93 445.00 385.00 17.40 16.40

22.03 445.00 385.00 17.50 16.50

35.14% 245.71% 281.76% 49.32% 75.59%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.40

0.00%

Fund Name

SFS REIT Union Homes REIT Nigeria Real Estate Investment Trust UPDC REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

I N F R AST R U CT U R E F U N D

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

23

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

O C T O B E R

S & P INDEX

2 6 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.07%

N795.28/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

Naira Devaluation: Airline Operators Fret over Imminent Extinction of Domestic Airlines

Chinedu Eze Airline operators have raised the concern that some domestic airlines may suspend operations permanently from March next year, if there is no government intervention to cushion the high cost of operation in the Nigerian aviation sector.

The operators stated that the devaluation of the naira, which now exchange for N1,200 to $1, could force some airlines into bankruptcy.

According to the Managing Director and CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, said some airlines would go down from early next year if there is no help from the federal government.

He insisted that what will delay

the demise of some airlines is the Christmas season, which will likely record high passenger traffic.

He however said from March next year when low season will set it, some airlines would not be able to cope with the high cost of flight operations.

Sanusi said: “Some domestic airlines will go under by March next year. There will be reduction in the number of airlines. So, some airlines will fall by the side, if government does not give reasonable assistance to the operators. This is because the cost of operation has continued to increase. Jet A1 is now N1,100 per litre. The major challenge is that we don’t manufacture any aircraft spares in Nigeria; so, the moment

the value of dollar increases against Naira, the cost of spares increases.”

Sanusi however observed that there would be no drastic reduction of passenger traffic in the domestic air travel because majority of those who travel by air will still be able to afford the high cost of ticket, “but they could adjust in the frequency of their travel.”

Speaking, the Chairman and CEO of United Nigeria Airlines who is also the spokesman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Professor Obiora Okonkwo, told THISDAY in an exclusive interview that the rapid devaluation of the naira against the dollar is adversely affecting all businesses, especially aviation business

He said that 99 per cent of airline operations is dependent on forex, especially the dollar, emphasizing that the dollar is aviation currency all over the world.

Okonkwo said there are two options to save the airlines one of which is a federal government intervention by providing aviation fuel at affordable cost, “the second option is for government to provide airlines access to dollar at lower rate.”

He warned that if the cost of operation continues to increase and the airlines pass the cost to the travellers, a time would come when the airlines cannot continue to pass this cost to travellers.

“There is a limit the fares can

be affordable under prevailing circumstances. It will affect load factor if the fares continue to increase and when the load factor reduces, the airlines will begin to bear the loss and the airlines do not have the financial system that can endure such losses for a long time. The airline will not continue to operate at a loss; so, they will be forced to close down.

“Aviation is a catalyst to economic development in Nigeria and throughout the world. So, if airlines stop operation, it will affect other economic activities. The reason why government builds roads is to connect people from one place to another. That is also the reason airports are built, to

connect people from one place to another by air. If flight service stops it will affect the economy directly and indirectly. We have been speaking about this but we are yet to get positive response.

We have been holding discussions with the Minister of Aviation and hopefully he will do something for the airlines,” Okonkwo said.

He emphasised that the airlines are going through tough times, remarking that in a situation like this there should be special policy aimed at alleviating the fiscal challenges that are affecting certain sectors of the economy.

The story continues online on

www.thisdaylive.com

AfCFTA: Aganga Tasks FG on Vision for Nigeria’s Industrialisation with Implementation Plan Dike Onwuamaeze The federal government has been urged to agree on a vision for the Nigeria’s industrialisation and follow it up with soundly articulated policy and plan for its implementation to enable the country to benefit from the emerging African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market where manufacturing would be the dominant deciding factor.

This advice was given by a former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr.

Olusegun Aganga, who was also a former Minister of Finance, when he delivered the 3rd Adeola Odutola Lecture at the 51st annual general meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) with theme, “Setting the Agenda for Competitive Manufacturing Under the AfCFTA: What Nigeria Needs To Do.” Aganga said: “Nigeria must act decisively and quickly.

It must begin now to do the following: Agree on a vision for industrialisation with targets that

the whole country will buy into.

Develop a policy and plan of implementation.

“The Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), which MAN helped develop is a good starting point. Let me remind you what NIRP set out to achieve: to make Nigeria a top 10 global player in at least 10 key manufacturing categories within the next five to 10 years. This was the vision and we thought it was realistic then as we do now.”

He added: “AfCFTA is situated within the context of Africa

Agenda 2063, also known as ‘The Africa We Want.’ Africa Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework developed by the African Union (AU) to guide the continent’s development over the next five decades, from 2013 to 2063.

“Manufacturing plays a central role in the realisation of this Agenda. It is seen as a key driver of economic transformation and industrialisation, capable of generating employment, fostering intra-African trade, technological advancement and the reduction of poverty.

“The emphasis on manufacturing in both the AfCFTA and Agenda 2063 is not surprising given that the manufacturing sector accounts for about 70 per cent of global trade and about 30 per cent to 55 per cent of service jobs are related to the manufacturing sector.”

According to him, it is important to make it clear from the outset that in the modern global economy, industrial development is not luck but n outcome of a nation’s deliberate choice.

“Countries must, therefore,

have an intentional, precise, and intense approach to nurturing and expanding Industrial activities.

This is even more paramount for a country like Nigeria, starting from a relatively low manufacturing base,” Aganga said.

He said that in setting the agenda for Nigeria’s competitive manufacturing, he would like to direct the country’s attention to how China metamorphosed into a global manufacturing giant.

The story continues online on

www.thisdaylive.com

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, O C T O B E R 2 6 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS Change Updated Time DESCRIPTION Price Yield (%) ^13.53 23-36, October 101.40 12.14 MAR-2025 00 26, 2023 ^12.50 22-12, October 99.00 13.00 JAN-2026 00 26, 2023 ^16.2884 October 108.14 13.23 -1,00 17-MAR-27 26, 2023 ^13.98 23October 99.81 14.02 -6,00 FEB-2028 26, 2023 ^14.55 26October 98.98 14.82 -5,00 APR-2029 26, 2023

BILLS

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

MATURITY

Discount Yield

Change (%) Updated Time

MATURITY

NTB 26-Oct23 NTB 9-Nov23 NTB 7-Dec23 NTB 25-Jan24

1.80

1.80

October 0.00 26, 2023

2.57

2.57

October 0.00 26, 2023

3.92

3.94

October 0.00 26, 2023

3.50

3.53

October 0.00 26, 2023

JULI CP II 25-OCT-23 ZEDC CP I 17-NOV-23 NSDL CP IIA 22-NOV-23 MTNN CP V 23-NOV-23

NTB 8-Feb24

4.39

4.45

October 0.00 26, 2023

NSDL CP IIB 23-NOV-23

Change Time Discount Yield (%) October 0.00 26, 16.95 17.00 2023 October 14.71 14.89 0.00 26, 2023 October 19.25 19.60 0.00 26, 2023 October 11.27 11.39 0.00 26, 2023 19.24

19.60

October 0.00 26, 2023

CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS OCT 1 – 30 2024 NGUS NOV 2 – 27 2024 NGUS DEC 3 – 24 2024 NGUS JAN 4 – 29 2025 NGUS FEB 5 – 26 2025

Date

October 26, 2023 October 26, 2023 October 26, 2023 October 26, 2023 October 26, 2023

T H I S D AY

3 24

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2023

The developing nations are the main beneficiaries of the trade wars, and technology race among the super powers, reckons DAYO SOBOWALE

DEVELOPMENT, TRADE AND TECHNOLOGY The US semi-conductors and chips race with China, with the advent of artificial intelligence and its huge import and potential for security, quality of life and commerce, highlights the desire of the two nations to dominate global events for the long term. The US has the technology for making chips and battery technology for electric vehicles [EV ] but China has the raw materials for making semi-conductors used to make chips. The US is limiting exportation of technology for chips and EV batteries to China while China is hampering the exportation of raw materials for making both chips, semiconductors EV batteries. I have christened this strategic trade face offs, at first as a race for chips

and semi-conductors reminiscent of the arms race of the Cold War that started after WW2 between the Soviet Union and the US . The arms race dominated world politics and trade with its ideological divide putting a stamp on world trade, technology and culture in many parts of the world . Nothing illustrates that divide on global culture and way of life better than the tone, content and message on global economic development of the last World Economic Conference in Marrakesh, Morocco and the Brics nations conference on development and technology hosted by China in Beijing.

It is not as if I have forgotten Russia, the remnant of the USSR which dissolved into 15 component states after Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost and perestroika during the presidency of US President George Bush between 1988 and 1992. Russia today is neck deep in war over its invasion of Ukraine over a year ago and the US , NATO and the EU have seized the opportunity to recreate the spirit and menace of the Cold War and its arms race by arming Ukraine to the hilt in making Russia’s invasion a Waterloo and a deterrence for Russia against foreign aggression and invasion especially on European soil . Putin of Russia on the other hand had been driven by what he perceived as retaliation on the easy way the USSR collapsed ignominiously under Gorbachev and has held the West responsible for this hence his invasion of Crimea in 2004 under the US presidency of a careless President Barak Obama during which the US lost its global credibility and capability to deter which also led to Putin’s brazen invasion of Ukraine in similar circumstances in a Biden presidency. Also waiting on the sidelines of this chips and battery race are the EU , Brexit Britain , India , and the electronically savvy nations of South East Asia in ASEAN as well as Taiwan, which China claims as its own and is ready to claim it militarily anytime it deems fit but for its fear of US military might which it is desperately trying to scuttle with its controlled aggression on the major seas of its neighbours in the Pacific

. Taiwan reportedly has the largest chip-making company in the world and the probability of China invading Taiwan and taking over that crucial supply chain has led to the move by the US to establish as quickly as possible a chip making semi -conductor industry in the land of an old enemy Vietnam where it lost the war of democracy to the Viet Cong , which defeated the US militarily and mightily then. Which really demonstrates that in diplomacy and international relations there are no permanent enemies but permanent interests .

In taking on the might and power of the US globally China has teamed up with Russia more so nowadays. Although China was an original member of Brics with Brazil, India and S. Africa.

Now so many developing nations like Nigeria have joined Brics which China launched 10 years ago to link China to South Asia by rail. Since then China’s President Xi has launched three similar initiatives on a China-led Infrastructure and Development, Security and Culture [ which he labelled Way of life ] Initiatives . The Development /Infrastructure Initiative speaks for itself by its name as well as the security one dominated now by the chips, semi- conductor technology race now accelerated by technology.

Especially now with the world powers’ obsession with how artificial intelligence can be used for good or bad in military and security matters and in the very near future and in the long run .

The Culture Initiative has to do with what both China and Russia in tow perceive as the moral decadence of the West inherent in the wide adoption of gay values , LGBTQ rights and same-sex marriage as European values in both the US and EU . Ideologically China sees its brand of democracy and the one party state as superior to the multi- party state, tenure election plural democracy of the West. In this regard China is not willing to sit back and allow western culture and democracy to dominate the world. Especially with developing nations where the West markets democracy through globalization as going hand in hand with the free market economy and liberalization. China is therefore taking on the world on its own terms of trade and selling its own political culture and way of life. This is similar in many ways to how Colonialism spread its tentacles globally with the gun diplomacy and the bible. Or reminiscent of jihad which is by force of arms.

Anyway the developing nations of the world are the main beneficiaries of these trade wars, technology race and battle of ideas on the prospects of a better quality of life. Which are bye products of the struggle for domination of the world by the juggernauts of world power and influence .This is not a case or the story of when elephants fight it is the grass that suffers . It is time for the grass to prosper. It is also a good time for insightful leaders who can see through the conflicting economic theories and ideas and borrow from experience on where the shoes have pinched before economically and financially and are able to know who the cap fits before boarding the plane for any developmental adventure or association . With the right decision and choice, the omens should be good for the masses who elected the leaders of the developing world into power in the first instance.

Sobowale ia a news analyst with Arise News

All business contracts must be transparent and adhere to due diligence, writes OLUWAGBEMIGA OGUNSOTE

LESSONS FROM THE NIGERIA VS. P&ID CASE On Monday, October 23, 2023, a commercial to fruition, and P&ID alleged that Nigeria court in the United Kingdom rendered a had breached the terms of the contract. This YHUGLFW WKDW VLJQLÀFDQWO\ DOWHUHG WKH FRXUVH dispute culminated in a protracted legal of a protracted and complex legal battle battle that was taken to arbitration in 2012, between Nigeria and Process & Industrial with a senior lawyer Mr Olasupo Shasore Developments (P&ID), a British Virgin Islands- (SAN), a former Attorney-General of Lagos based company. In what can only be seen as State, representing Nigeria’s interests. a victory for Nigeria, Justice Robin Knowles, 7KH UDPLÀFDWLRQV RI VXFK DQ HQRUPRXV presiding over the case, made a ruling that set VXP OHDYLQJ 1LJHULD·V FRͿHUV ZRXOG aside an earlier arbitral award against Nigeria. have been nothing short of an economic The earlier award in favour of P&ID was catastrophe. Interestingly, Nigeria had a a staggering sum of $6.6 billion, alongside a 90-day window in 2017 to appeal the ruling seven percent interest rate, as damages to be …and didn’t take it until the time lapsed paid by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The and a summary, no-contest judgment was implications of this week’s ruling are profound, issued against Nigeria. as it potentially prevented P&ID from seizing Consequently, Nigeria, seeking to be foreign assets owned by the nation. allowed to re-enter a dispute of the award, But just before we act like we are wont to do initiated legal proceedings in both the – pat ourselves on the back and put that past United Kingdom and Nigeria to prove behind us and move on – it is important that we that the project was fraudulent from do what rational beings would do. We should conception and that even the arbitration DV D PDWWHU RI XWPRVW LPSRUWDQFH UHÁHFW RQ process was not spared from corruption KRZ ZH JRW KHUH LQ WKH ÀUVW SODFH 3HUFKDQFH and manipulation to favour P&ID. such an exercise will enable us to take away Typical of the strategy of locking the stall critical learnings that may steer us away from after the horses have bolted, the Economic threading such a path in future. and Financial Crimes Commission set up Let us be realistic…if the arbitration award D VSHFLDO 3 ,' XQLW VSHFLÀFDOO\ IRU WKLV case to work backwards and prove the GLͿHUHQW OHYHOV RI ¶IUDXG· ,Q WKH ÀUHZRUNV that followed, innocent people were caught LQ WKH FURVVÀUH 2QH RI VXFK ZDV 1LJHULD·V counsel, Mr Shasore, who it transpires had FRQVLVWHQWO\ XUJHG 1LJHULDQ R΀FLDOV WR engage in the arbitration process to avoid an adverse judgment and had penned a letter to EFCC as far back as March 2016 calling on the agency to investigate corruption in the case. Accused of all manner of malpractice DQG YLOLÀHG UHSHDWHGO\ LQ WKH PHGLD IRU same, Shasore’s experience also showcased DQRWKHU ÁDZ LQ RXU V\VWHP WKDW ZH PXVW was not as huge as it was to even pose an pay attention to, and address vehemently existential threat to Nigeria, the last-minute whenever we can: how government HͿRUWV WR VWDOO DQG WKZDUW WKH SD\PHQW RI WKH functionaries pay little attention to who and award might never have taken place.

ZKDW PD\ QHHG WR EH VDFULÀFHG VR WKDW WKH\ In 2010, during the Yar’Adua/Jonathan can save face or service their interests. administration, Nigeria had entered (what on Speaking in this direction in Monday’s the surface was) a laudable gas supply and judgment, Judge Knowles had scathing processing agreement (GSPA) with P&ID, words for former Attorney General, with the goal of developing a gas processing Abubakar Malami with respect to the plant in Cross River State to help cut down gas accusations against, and mistreatment, of ÁDULQJ DQG LQFUHDVH DYDLODELOLW\ RI JDV IRU RWKHU Mr Shasore. national uses such as power generation.

In his judgment, he mentioned three Flaws and fraud in the contracting process matters (Page 101, Para 470) that referred would eventually be exposed. How a contract to Nigeria’s conduct in relation to the ZLWK VXFK QDWLRQDO UDPLÀFDWLRQV FRXOG KDYH previous hearing. One of them was, “Mr been executed in a shabby manner that it Malami’s decision to put forward a false was, clearly showed that private pecuniary and dishonest case in his evidence before Sir interests had taken control of the process. Ross Cranston about the alleged corruption It would later come to light that Nigeria’s of Mr Shasore SAN, which has only been Ministry of Justice was not even carried along. abandoned sub silentio in the course of this Sensitive documents that had no business trial.” being in the hands of P&ID found their way He had earlier (Page 96, Para 442-5) had RXW RI FRQÀGHQWLDO JRYHUQPHQW FLUFOHV DQG LQWR this to say, “Mr Shasore SAN has not, in P&ID meeting rooms. Even P&ID Nigeria Ltd my judgment, been shown to be corrupt. which was the original corporate entity the His actions are inconsistent with Nigeria’s government had discussions with ended up theory that he was….on the other hand, the EHLQJ D GLͿHUHQW FRUSRUDWH HQWLW\ IURP 3 ,' account given in this judgment shows that which the government eventually signed the responsibility for failures to obtain evidence contract with. and to avoid delay lay rather with many Due diligence and adherence to laws PLQLVWHUV DQG R΀FLDOV ZKRP 0U 6KDVRUH DQG SURFHVVHV DUH RIWHQ VDFULÀFHG IRU VHOÀVK SAN and others (including Stephenson interests…and the P&ID contract was no Harwood and Mr Cordara QC at one stage) exception. However, we have no idea the scale pressed repeatedly.”

RI ORVV 1LJHULD KDV VXͿHUHG GXH WR WKLV LQ RWKHU less celebrated scams.

Ogunsote Eventually, the GSPA project never came writes from Garki, Abuja

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST STROKE Nigerians should adopt healthy lifestyles

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excuse of poor economic conditions, busy schedule, hen somebody has a stroke, and ignorance. The World Stroke Organisation (WSO) according to the United Nations, contends that 90 per cent of strokes are associated “every second that goes by ZLWK LGHQWLÀDEOH ULVN IDFWRUV WKDW LQFOXGH GLHW ZHLJKW is crucial. As brain tissue and alcohol, hypertension, exercise, smoking, cholesterol, millions of neurons begin to fade depression, stress, etc. Increasing awareness of these away, time could not be more risk factors will help in reducing the burden. Sadly, precious.” As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to little is being done in that direction in Nigeria today commemorate the 2023 World Stroke Day on Sunday, hence stroke has become a serious health challenge.

29 October, relevant stakeholders in the health sector :KLOH OLIH H[SHFWDQF\ DORQH GRHV QRW UHÁHFW WKH must work to reduce the scourge of a dreaded disease expected number of years an individual would that is assuming an epidemic proportion in the country. live with optimal health, the lower life expectancy In 2021, a team of Nigerian researchers from the LQ 1LJHULD UHÁHFWV RXU VWDWH RI KHDOWKFDUH GHOLYHU\ University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, system. Of grave concern is that in recent times, there Lagos State University College of Medicine, Alex has been a total absence of any keen desire by the Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, government, at all levels, Abakaliki, University of to clean the environment Ilorin Teaching Hospital, for Nigerians to enjoy University of Benin The world stroke organisation contends that 90 per cent of strokes healthier lives. Indeed, Teaching Hospital, Benin in many cities across the City, and Federal Medical are associated with identifiable risk factors that include diet, weight, country, environmental Center, Asaba, conducted pollution has become a alcohol, hypertension, exercise, smoking, cholesterol, depression and research to garner major public health issue. “information about how stress That perhaps accounts for to best improve outcomes why there is an increase in for stroke patients in T H I S D AY cases of terminal ailments like cancer, hypertension/ Nigeria.” The researchers, Babawale Arabambi, EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU stroke and needless deaths that can be traced only to Olajumoke Oshinaike, Shamsideen Abayomi Ogun, DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA environmental pollution.

Chukwuemeka Eze, Abiodun Hamzat Bello, Steven MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO To address the increasing rate of Nigerians dying Igetei, Yakub Yusuf, Rashidat Amoke Olanigan and DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU from stroke and other preventable diseases, public CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI 6LNLUDW <HWXQGH $VKLUX LGHQWLÀHG RQO\ ÀYH FHQWUHV EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN awareness needs to be promoted about healthy DPRQJ WHUWLDU\ KRVSLWDOV ZLWK VWURNH VSHFLÀF XQLWV THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE lifestyles.

Experts are of the view that Nigerians “The oldest was established in 2010 and the newest should be more health conscious and do routine in 2021,” said Arabambi. “Based on the number of medical checks. People are advised to eat right, reduce SDWLHQWV DGPLWWHG WR WKHVH ÀYH FHQWUHV DORQH ZH H[FHVVLYH UHÀQHG VXJDU WKHLU VDOW DQG IDW LQWDNH ZKLOH believe that creation of more stroke units is certainly increasing their vegetable and fruit intake. Besides, T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D needed at other hospitals in Nigeria.”

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA they must stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, Meanwhile, several medical studies have proven GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, work to reduce their weight and exercise regularly. that most chronic diseases in the country are rooted in ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI The theme for the 2023 World Stroke Day is ‘Together poor nutrition, hence, it is most common that hospital DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, we are greater than stroke’. It is an encouragement for ANTHONY OGEDENGBE SDWLHQWV DUH DGYLVHG WR ZDWFK WKHLU GLHWDU\ LQWDNH ÀUVW those who are down with the ailment. But it is also a DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI before any other health tips. Conventional wisdom SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH message for health authorities and other stakeholders teaches that the kitchen is the best hospital while ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI LQ 1LJHULD RQ WKH QHHG WR ÀJKW WKH VFRXUJH 3UHYHQWLRQ food is the best medicine. Unfortunately, this is one CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI especially for such a life-threatening ailment, remains area Nigerians take with huge levity, mostly on the DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO the best cure.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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

LETTERS UMAHI, CEMENT AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has been in the QHZV VLQFH DVVXPLQJ R΀FH E\ LPSRVLQJ D QHZ SROLF\ RI FRQFUHWH technology in road construction in Nigeria. The former Governor RI (ERQ\L 6WDWH VLQFH DVVXPLQJ R΀FH KDV DGYRFDWHG WKDW WKH IHGHUDO government will henceforth be constructing concrete roads in the country. David Umahi argues that concrete roads last longer than asphalt roads, and also claims that concrete roads are cheaper to build. Consequently, the minister insists that contractors that would get contracts to construct roads for the federal government must use cement and not asphalt. Those who will use asphalt must give 15 years of guarantee, and be limited to only 5% variation claim on Bitumen and Bituminous works.

6WDNHKROGHUV LQ WKH FRQVWUXFWLRQ LQGXVWU\ DUH RI GLͿHUHQW RSLQions. Most of them are not happy with the minister as they say that the drastic change the minister wants to introduce is without any dialogue and consent with the relevant stakeholders in the construction industry. The strategy of Minister Umahi has created uncertainties in the sector.

As a result, almost all roads construction has been stopped throughout the country. This has led to contractors being forced to heavily downsize their operations, and reduce the number of their ZRUNHUV RQ WKH GLͿHUHQW SURMHFWV WKHUHE\ OHDGLQJ WR XQHPSOR\PHQW LQ WKH VHFWRU LQ WKHVH GL΀FXOW WLPHV

Despite the deplorable state of our roads, we risk entering a period with dark clouds hanging above the construction industry in the coming dry season because of the works minister’s new policy.

1LJHULD FDQQRW DͿRUG WR EH LGOH LQ FRQVWUXFWLRQ ZRUNV LQ WKH FRPing months. Those who question the rush to adopt concrete roads technology in Nigeria argue that the concrete roads the minister constructed in Ebonyi State as governor have started failing. Just DIWHU RQO\ DERXW ÀYH VHYHQ \HDUV WKHUH DUH KHDY\ FUDFNV DSSHDULQJ in many sections of those roads in Ebonyi State. This is contrary to the claim of the minister that concrete roads will last for 50 years.

Concrete and asphalt pavements are both recognized technologies in roads construction, but their advantages and disadvantages indicate that the preferred technology is determined by the terrain on which they are used. It is important to note that above 90% of the roads worldwide are made in asphalt. Independent of the technology opted for, the focus to improve roads in Nigeria ought to be on the quality of the construction as well as the maintenance of the roads during their lifespan. This requires appropriate and consistent funding from the government.

What Nigerians want are good roads that would enable people and goods to safely, and rapidly move from one destination to another. This is fundamental to grow our economy.

It is not expedient to embark on only concrete roads construction

QRZ WKDW WKH ÀQDQFH RI WKH FRXQWU\ LV VKULQNLQJ :K\ VKRXOG WKH country move to a more expensive road construction technology in these trying times? Insisting on concrete roads policy will see less projects due to cost impact and budget constraints.

The minister is therefore urged to ignore the lobby by the cement industry to adopt concrete and in the interest of all Nigerians to focus on quality of works delivered by the contractors whether it is asphalt or concrete roads. The works minister must ensure that awarded contracts are promptly funded as and when due. When funding lags, contractors are forced to cut cost or delay the works, which will eventually have a negative impact on the quality of the road delivered. Recently, Umahi admitted that about N10 trillion is still being owed to the contractors on past projects by the federal government.

In these dire economic times, coupled with the erratic funding of road projects by government, it is foolhardy for the minister to insist on construction of roads with concrete technology which is more than double the cost of construction with asphalt technology.

Should the minister insist on forcing all road projects in Nigeria to adopt concrete technology, all road projects in Nigeria are most likely to end up as white elephant projects.

Emmanuel Aka, Abuja

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

AIR WATCH

TotalEnergies Advocates for More Renewable Energy Consumption Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A multinational firm, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, TEPNG/ NNPCL Joint Ventures, has advocated for peoples commitment in the usage of renewable energy, a sustainable way to mitigate the challenge of climate change.

The Executive Director, JV Assets, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Mr Obi Imemba, made the call yesterday, while speaking with journalists at a “Project Make in Nigeria”, an innovative summit to encourage local produce, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Speaking on the danger of ignoring the benefits of renewable energy, Imemba said organisations should diversify in their means of producing energy, stressing the need to protect the environment from activities leading to further pollution.

Imemba explained that, “Climate Change is a global challenge and we believe that whatever we do, if want a sustainable future for all of us, we need to make sure that our activities are not detrimental to the environment. Anything you do whether is production, even

farming or energy production, they have impact on our environment.

“We are soliciting that whatever we do, we should make sure that the impact on our environment is mitigated. We must integrate environmental responsibility in every activity that we undertake.

The guy that is burning his fuel, running generator, we encourage those people to move toward solar energy. We encouraging that we should as much as possible do not do vandalisation and burn crude.

Those are leading to pollution and causing environmental issues.”

Uganda Airlines Begins Direct Flight to Nigeria Chinedu Eze There were excitement and optimism on Thursday night at the new terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos when Uganda Airlines inaugural flight touched down to mark the beginning of direct flight between Nigeria and East African nation.

The elated delegation from Uganda said direct flight between both countries would deepen economic ties and social relationship between the two countries.

Direct flight from Uganda to Nigeria is three and half hours, but in the past anyone travelling from Nigeria to Uganda would have to connect flight from another country, which took about 10 hours, a factor that discouraged robust economic interaction between the two nations.

Speaking during a press conference in Lagos on arrival, the Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Airlines, Jennifer Bamuturaki, said the flight service would be three times a week and would cut travel time from 10 hours to three and

half hours.

She stated that the launch of flight services to Lagos by Uganda’s national carrier would help to close the gap for travellers shuttling to the West and East African countries.

Also speaking, the Uganda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Nelson Ocherger, expressed joy over the inaugural flight of Uganda Airlines to Lagos, saying the approval by the Nigerian government would open a vista of business opportunities to both nations.

Nigeria Makes History on World ATC Day Nigeria recently made history by having an all-female Air Traffic Control (ATC) Crew taking charge of all its control units nationwide including Area, Approach and Terminal Control.

This was part of activities to mark the World Air Traffic Controllers Day celebrated globally on October 20, 2023.

The initiative was the brain child of most of the senior female Controllers with the first female Controller in Nigeria, Mrs. Hauwa Danboyiwho led the pack by taking it up to the management to get the approval.

DGM, Air Traffic Management (ATM), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Mrs. Kate Nnanna-Ibemgbo, was then charged as the Planning Committee Chairman together with her committee members who saw to it that the epoch-making event was a reality.

“We thought of a situation where we could come together and pool our individual strengths to have a collective strength and do what we know would project the core values of ATC in Nigeria, but to also show that in our profession there is actually

a very big presence of inclusion.

There is diversity, but at the same time there is inclusion. So, there is synergy between the male and the female counterparts,” Nnanna-Ibemgbo said.

The DGM, Technical Evaluation and Manpower Development, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mrs. Ekeada Doris, said: “I am proud to say that when I joined ATC in 1998, we were six in number and now we are almost 50. So, I am very proud that we have enough ladies to occupy all the positions all over the country today.”

CIBN Honours Onyema with Fellowship Award The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has conferred a Honourary Fellowship Award on the Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema.

The CIBN honored Onyema at its 60th Anniversary Fellowship Investiture in VI, Lagos.

The Fellowship conferment is in recognition of Onyema’s invaluable contributions to the Institute, the

banking industry and the economy at large as the CEO of Air Peace.

The Board of Fellows and Practice Licence of the Institute also stated that the honour was in acknowledgement of his peace advocacy, constant promotion of broad nationalism and his several evacuation flights.

Onyema thanked the Institute for the honour and pledged to

continue supporting it and using his commercial entities to positively impact the Nigerian economy. He further applauded the Institute for ensuring high professionalism in the banking profession.

Just last month, Onyema was honoured with a Doctorate Degree by the Nigerian Defence Academy for his outstanding service to the nation and humanity in general.

Businesses Urged to Integrate ESG Goals for Sustainable Development Emma Okonji Nigerian businesses and other businesses operating in Nigeria have been urged to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals in their workplace for the purpose of sustainable development of the business and the workers.

Industry experts that attended the Sustainable Futures Africa Event, organised by Hudson Sandler and Global Compact Network Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday, called on businesses to ensure full integration of ESG policies that could boost profitability and drive meaningful impact in their businesses.

The Executive Secretary, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, who was represented at the event, highlighted the need for organisations and businesses to be more transparent in their

corporate disclosures in all financial transactions, while speaking on the theme: ‘ESG Advantage-Shaping Profitable and Purposeful Paths for Sustainable Development in Nigerian Businesses’.

He pledged the commitment of the council to serve the public interest as a regulator, and encouraged businesses to deliver high standard corporate governance, financial and ESG reporting in their organisations in order to deliver economic and sustainable growth for Nigeria.

He said Nigerian businesses could benefit immensely, should they fully embrace ESG policies.

The Chief Compliance Officer and Company Secretary, Oando Plc, Ayotola Jagun, said Oando had been restructured in line with ESG goals. According to her, Oando is keen about staff relationship and how to retain staff and encourage them to

believe in the company. She stressed the need for businesses and organisations to invest in capacity development of staff in a manner that will discourage the mass exodus of Nigerian workers out of the shores of the country in search of greener jobs and work satisfaction.

Chief Corporate Service Officer at IHS, Dapo Otunla, said the core values of IHS, a connectivity company that provides access to telecommunication services through telecoms towers, are built around customer focus, innovation, integrity and sustainability.

The Vice President, Corporate Communications, Airtel Africa, Mr. Emeka Oparah, said the telecoms company had always remained strong in implementing its ESG policies that are built on for pillars, Business, People, Community and Environment, with emphasis on education.

A I R WATCH NAMA’s Milestones in Airspace Safety Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has made successful efforts at improving safety in the nation’s airspace by upgrading landing aids and automating its system.

The Managing Director of the agency, Tayib Mohammed Odunowo, in an interactive forum with aviation correspondents in Lagos, said he knew the agency had challenges like any other agency and had to quickly hit the ground running when he assumed office, recalling there were issues of communication in the airspace and many other on-going projects. ‘’When I came into NAMA about four months ago, we did what we called business process reengineering, almost changed direction, there is something called a paradigm shift, everybody sitting here can’t see things from different angle. Because I had the opportunity of coming from the NCAA (the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority), I had known some of the challenges, it was easy for me to just say what are the key issues, even in NCAA we had the same challenges.

Odunowo said that in order to be in tandem with where the world is going both in aviation and other areas of development, he prioritized automation. This means that the agency has to de-emphasise on manual systems that were still prevailing at the time.

“We needed to automate. The world is moving and leaving us behind. Nigeria is standing still in the area of automation.

And if you look at the agencies, the one that needs it most, is NAMA. We talk about the NextGen, it is about Airspace modernisation which started in America.

It is about moving from ground based to Satellite based ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast) even though, they are using GPS. Europe is doing the same, it is called Single European Sky, that is airspace modernisation, Dubai is doing Seamless Asia.

“It is all about air traffic management inter-cooperability. One single sky. So, everything we are doing in this field if you don’t want to be left behind, you must automate. Immediately, we started to deploy fibre in all our 46 stations, we brought in the Galaxy backbone, they have started as at today’’, he said.

In the area of Capacity building, the NAMA boss disclosed that there were issues but the agency is currently relying on Information Technology to boost staff training.

“In NAMA, we want to capitalise on IT. Three weeks ago, we were in Paris Airshow, I spoke to the Director General, NCAA about training and we learnt that 80 percent of the training they do in France is online.

Therefore, we are changing that mindset now with my team and they have signed an agreement with us and they (staff) are going to start to join their virtual trainings and its cheaper for us,” he said.

Odunowo disclosed that NAMA is improving safety of its infrastructure and equipment at its stations and the airports.

“The other thing is that we are improving safety. There is something called air safety reports. It is about occurrences that have occurred that God said it’s not time.

Technically, these incidences have to be investigated just like an accident and litigating measures procured. We went all the way far back, started to go through all of them, and we constituted a committee, that process is ongoing and you will be amazed the result we are getting with that.’’, he added.

In order to be more productive, achieve synergy and cohesion, he said that NAMA works more as a team with more effective output through coordination and communication.

“We now work as a team. Every week

in NAMA, we have what we called nontechnical meeting at 11 a.m. Every director chairs it. We have accomplished a lot with that synergy. We just started doing it, we were not doing it before in NAMA. We also do technical meetings with engineering and operations, if you see the issues that come up. So, that synergy is forged heavily.

“Then the issue of communications of our upper airspace which is a growing concern. When we went to Norway, we came up with an analysis, even though we had the idea, we had the idea for like 30 years, but we needed solution. So, they are doing an analysis of our system, it’s like scan and they will come up with digital document. We have engaged two different companies on this.

Speaking on power issue and other projects, Odunowo lamented that it was affecting the agency’s revenue and disclosed that the agency is looking at using other energy alternatives like solar and lithium in addition to the traditional diesel-powered generators, which have become high money guzzlers due to the high price of fuel.

“We have conducted a proper power audit for each station, power is killing us, we are bleeding and we need to do something about, it will soon be a problem of the past,” he further said.

Odunowo said he inherited a lot of projects and the agency is poised to complete them, noting that when these projects are completed, NAMA will be totally transformed and decried paucity of funds, which is a major challenge.

“NAMA has close to 20 projects ongoing right now and if we can deploy these projects, we are going to be the next best thing but the problem is we have funds challenge, so what we have done is we constituted a project review committee and the report is almost done, we are going be handing the interim report to the Minister of Aviation and the final report next week. We are reviewing and rescoping the projects, some of them are obsolete, we need to take hard decisions, we can’t afford some, we could phase some out.

“We also created Controller Pilot Information sharing analysis Centre. That is a major one. A lot of pilots are on this platform. Our controllers are also there, so that when they are complaining real life, director of operations is also on the platform, this is real life, we get complaints and we log it and fix it and we come back. We are going to be having a yearly seminar, the controller-pilots interactive forum. The clients are the pilots, they are the best people to get critique from, why not capitalise on it and take it seriously.

We have over 70 pilots on that platform,’’ Odunowo added.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Ending Wastage of Nigeria’s Agri Produce A recent tour around the country shows that Nigeria has diverse and huge agri produce to export to the world but lacks the ability to develop, preserve and exploit her invaluable resource, writes Chinedu Eze

F

rom the mangrove to the Sahel, Nigeria has farm and animal produce for export that could yield more foreign exchange than oil and gas.

However, it was all tears, frustration and despair when the video of fruits and other farm produce that were destroyed on transit was shown to the world recently.

Due to bad roads, the trucks conveying the produce from the farms to the markets across the country could not continue the journey and all the produce were parked by the side roads for days. All the produce worth millions of naira were eventually destroyed for lack of preservation, as farmers count their losses.

With insecurity, bad roads and timeline, farmers cannot continue to move their produce by road because delays by road transport can destroy the farm produce and give rise to record of losses. It is this reality that prompted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to set up Aviacargo Roadmap Committee to look into how Nigerian farmers and others could use air to move these produce that are time bound and also preserve them to remain fresh as they get to the consumer.

A tour to different parts of the country by the committee came with priceless revelations. The committee was able to establish that freighting farm produce by air from the farms to the markets would in the long run, yield huge profits to the farmers. It also established that Nigeria has huge potential to export its farm produce, which is in high demand in Europe, the United States and other parts of the world.

THISDAY learnt that the agricultural sector employs about 40 per cent of Nigerians but the country has not maximised the benefits of agriculture because of the low yields of the sector, which is largely subsistent. This is because many Nigerian farmers are yet to know the benefits of producing for international market and even the production for local consumption yields little income because

farm produce is largely seasonal.

During the season the produce is available and cheap but after the season it becomes unavailable. Even during the season, it is always difficult to convey the produce to the market where the demand is very high. The effort to move this produce is encumbered by bad roads, insecurity and other inhibiting factors.

Reports indicated that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has put the demand for tomatoes in Nigeria at 2.2 million tons and the supply at 800,000 tons. The ministry added that the actual quantity of tomatoes harvested is 1.5million tons but 700,000 tons are actually lost to post-harvest bottlenecks. But all these inhibiting factors could be solved by air freighting of the farm produce.

CARGO FREIGHTING Findings indicate that if perishables are moved by air to the different markets where they are in demand in Nigeria, it will take a very short time to move cucumber, tomatoes, carrots from Jos to Lagos; from Kebbi to Onitsha and from Katsina to Port Harcourt. The farmer will move the produce from his farm to the nearest airport within a day and it would be freighted by air to the market. Nigeria has 32 airports. It is only few states in Nigeria that do not have airports, but airports are not very far from many communities that produce farm commodities, from the north to the south.

To make the movement of perishables possible from the airports, Nigerian airports must have cargo terminals with storage facilities and cold chain for perishables,

so that farm produce could be preserved and they will remain fresh as they get to the consumers. Agriculture experts in Nigeria have posited that subsistence farmers cannot do this alone; they need the support of their government. Every state government would want to have many of its citizens employed and agriculture is the easiest way of creating jobs. It is expected that state government will support efforts to bring farmers together so that their farm yield can be put together and freighted.

There are suggestions that farmers should form cooperatives and the state governments can facilitate this and encourage the farmers.

This will help in gathering farm produce for local consumption and for export. Some observers recalled that in the past when palm kernel was a big foreign exchange earner for the country, small farmers sell their produce to the cooperatives who serve as middle men.

After several market days, the middle men would have gathered up to 40 tons of palm kernel and a truck would come and move them to the port. Then it used to be Port Harcourt; however, cocoa in the South West and Mid-West were shipped through Western ports then. But for perishables there is no luxury of time but the farmers’ cooperative can easily defray the cost of freighting and move their produce in time to the consumers.

TOUR OF SOUTH EAST In order to boost export of farm produce and others by air, the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee was mandated by FAAN to study ways Nigeria can increase the volume of its exports, find out ways goods and services could be moved by air locally through the airports and also find out the impediments to air freighting in Nigeria.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Experts Push for Sustainable Practices at YDF Conference Companies and brand owners in Nigeria have been urged to encourage and institutionalise sustainable practices as they thrive to build a healthier and safer working environment.

Corporate players, who spoke recently at the Young Directors Forum maiden conference organised by the Chartered

Institute of Directors (CIoD) in Lagos, made a case for sustainable practices relating to the environment, economics and society.

Head of group sustainability at Access Holdings, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan said companies must be committed to zero emissions and must ensure

continuous improvement and culture transformation.

She advised businesses to educate their workers on corporate sustainability, adding that intentional steps must be taken to recruit a sustainability team to achieve companies’ set goals.

“I came here with my husband

and we decided to come with just a car. Not because we couldn’t afford two but because car sharing is important to ways we can ensure a sustainable environment,” she said.

Also speaking, the chief executive officer of Max, a mobility tech company, Adetayo Bamiduro, emphasised the need for corporate

entities to solve existing problems without creating new ones He said his company’s mission is centred around creating affordable products and services for drivers and also embracing the future of renewable energy

Samsung Launches Galaxy FE Series Smartphones Emma Okonji

AGREMENT SIGNING…

L-R: Head, Mini-Grid, Engie Energy Access Nigeria, Onyinye Anene-Nzelu ; Managing Director, Cross Boundary Energy Access Nigeria, Humphrey Wireko; Head Project Management Unit, Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria, Abba Aliyu; and Component Coordinator, Solar Hybrid Mini-Grid NEP, Hadiza Katagum, at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ENGIE Energy Access, CrossBoundary Energy Access & Rural Electrification Agency for the development of Solar Hybrid Mini-Grids Under the REA-NEP in Abuja… recently

driven by electric vehicles in Africa.

Chairman of Mutual Benefits Group, Akin Ogunbiyi , said companies must structurally position their businesses in ways that would outlive the founders.

Samsung Electronics has announced the latest FE series addition to the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem — the new Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+, and Galaxy Buds FE. Known for their iconic and durable designs, advanced performance, cuttingedge camera and audio capabilities, the smartphones are the most epic FE devices, which serve as perfect entry point for those who want to experience Galaxy flagship devices for the first time.

Speaking about the latest Galaxy products, the Managing Director, Samsung Nigeria, Charlie Lee, said: “At Samsung, we are committed to bringing world-class innovation to everyone through epic mobile experiences that fit their lifestyle. Our new FE devices are packed with crowd-pleasing premium capabilities that, on their own or as part of a connected ecosystem, let Galaxy users maximise their creativity and productivity.”

According to him, the Galaxy

S23 FE comes with iconic design, pro-grade camera and smooth gaming performance to enhance customers’ experience.

It is protected with IP68 1 water and dust resistance for an even sleeker display.

Offered in new vibrant colours, Galaxy S23 FE allows users to select the device colour that best fits their style.

When it comes to creating perfectly sharable content, Galaxy S23 FE is an editing studio on the go, capturing customised shots with the Camera Assistant app, Lee said.

The Galaxy S23 FE series is available from N613,000 in modern, bold colours, including Mint, Cream, Graphite, and Purple.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+ come with large screen viewing, IP68 durability, and S Pen boost possibilities for creativity and productivity.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ deliver essential entertainment, expressive creativity, and seamless productivity.

‘Emerging Technologies Will Drive Africa’s Financial Inclusion’ Aleph Launches One Airtel Africa’s Group CEO, telecommunications industry Dr. has

Segun Ogunsanya challenged the

in Africa to leverage emerging technologies to enable all people

in the continent to connect, engage and transact with the rest of the world.

Speaking at the just concluded Mobile World Congress in Kigali, Ogunsanya noted that through these technologies, telecoms players have an opportunity to step up efforts to bridge the digital divide, drive financial inclusion and deepen availability of affordable smart devices. He cited Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) as a powerful tool for predicting customer behaviour and deepening insights about customer needs and preferences. Opportunity also exists in intelligent connectivity, a concept that foresees the combination of 5G, the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence to accelerate technological development and enable new disruptive digital services.

“The telecom industry is in a unique position to make it easier for people to enter the digital world by deploying these technologies. This is through significant investments in building digital highways across the continent, while creating a vibrant mobile money ecosystem. Through collaborations with equipment manufacturers and other key stakeholders, we can put smart devices in the hands of every African.” Ogunsanya said.

The Airtel Africa Group CEO argued that a significant proportion of Africa’s young population still remained unreached with 59 per cent smartphone penetration and only two out of 10 Africans have a mobile money wallet.

Emerging technologies can be used in: AI-aided e-learning to design best curriculum based on students learning abilities; e-health to improve patient monitoring and more efficient health facilities; Agritech that uses AI and connectivity in crop disease detection tools; and financial inclusion, by triangulating the digital highway, unified payment system and intelligent mobile wallets.

Brand Initiative to Unify Global Brands in Africa Emma Okonji Aleph Group, Inc., an ecosystem of local digital experts and technologydriven solutions, has launched its ‘One Brand’ initiative, uniting its unique range of brands – including Ad Dynamo by Aleph in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa under the Aleph name.

Aleph’s expertise is connecting thousands of advertisers with billions of consumers globally and creating markets for local businesses to grow through digital advertising. The Group’s multiple, largely regional brands included Httpool, IMS Internet Media Services, Ad Dynamo and Connect Ads, and served as the adtech partner of choice for the world’s leading platforms, advertisers and agencies.

The initiative will also help Aleph build on the tangible progress made

globally, and in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa over recent years. Since 2021, the Group has expanded from 90 markets to 150, now spanning five continents; and grown to serve more than 45 partners with a dedicated team of digital experts around the world.

Managing Director at Aleph, Africa, Stephen Newton, said: “At Aleph, we are not just rebranding for the sake of it. We are beginning an exciting new chapter that brings our local experts and proprietary technology under one powerful brand, Aleph. That is the purpose of our One Brand initiative, a strategic direction towards a unified future where our global expertise enables us to deliver unparalleled value to our partners, advertisers, agencies, and SMBs in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa, while helping them to grow at scale.”

300 Entrepreneurs to Receive N90m Grant from MTN Foundation Emma Okonji

Three hundred young entrepreneurs are set to receive N90 million in equipment grants from the MTN Foundation, following the conclusion of the sixth phase of the ICT and Business Skills training.

The entrepreneurs were announced during the closing ceremony that was held virtually recently.

Present at the ceremony were the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. William Alo; Chief Technology Officer, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Jonas Nzeagwu; Special Adviser, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Enugu State Government, Arinze Chilo-Offiah; Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Innovation and Business Incubation, Chinwe Okoli, as well as MTN executives, participants of the training and training partners.

In his goodwill message during

the ceremony, Governor Obaseki encouraged the participants to further improve on the skills they have learnt and also ensure that they uphold the value of giving back.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Director, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro, pledged the commitment of the foundation to invest in digital inclusion. “Congratulations to every entrepreneur that participated in the training, we will continue to ensure we get everyone digitally educated,” Okoro said.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. William Alo, Chief Technology Officer, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Jonas Nzeagwu, and Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Innovation and Business Incubation, Chinwe Okoli, shared goodwill messages, congratulating the participants and encouraging them.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ DAY OCTO Ͱ͵˜ ͰͮͰͱ

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Caroline Wuraola-Adepoju; Minister of Housing, Dan Musa; and Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bala Jubrin, when the comptroller-general visited the minister on staff housing matters in Abuja...recently

L-R: Assistant Inspector of Taxes, DBIR, Mrs. Ese Ovuede; Deputy Director, HRA, Petroleum Institute, Effurun, Delta State, Mr. Suala Yeri; Chairperson, Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), Mrs. Temisan Eguando; Chairman, Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief John .O. Nani; and Membership Secretary, Mrs. Anne Macaulay-Gbogidi, during a visit by members of CIFCFIN, Delta State chapter, to Chief Nani at the DESOPADEC headquarters in Warri, Delta State…recently

L-R: National Coordinator, Indomie Fan Club (IFC), Mrs. Faith Joshua; Public Relations/Protocol Officer, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr. Okechukwu Okalanwa; third prize winner, Indomie Fan Club (IFC) Team Yourself Up 8, Master Ashade Iman of Aunty May School, Lagos; Chief Executive Officer/ Chief Creative Officer, Poke Limited, Idu Raphael; and Deputy Director, Lagos State Council for Art and Culture, Mr. Ayoola Mudasiru, during the ‘IFC Team Yourself Up 8’ prize presentation to winners in Lagos… recently

L-R: Digital Marketing Manager, Power Oil, Ademola Quadri; Veteran actor and Brand Ambassador of Power Oil, Mercy Johnson Okojie; guest artist, Duncan Mighty; Cee-C of Big Brother Naija; and Brand Strategist, Redtown Digital, Ademuyiwa Oghenetega, at the recent Power Oil WalkHeartOn 2023 event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State…recently

L-R: Head, Public Relations, Protocol and Media, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mrs. Janet Mcdickson; Assistant Director, Energy Infrastructure, BPP, Mr. Abubakar Salihu; Deputy Director, Administration, BPP, Mrs. Hauwa Sambo; Director, Research, Training and Strategic Planning, Mr. Adebowale Adedokun; representative of the Director-General, BPP and Director, Regulations and Database/ICT, Mr. Aliyu E. Aliyu; representative of the Chairman, ICPC, Mr. Lawrence Abuo; and Managing Director, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Mr. Onafowote Fatai Idowu, at the BPP Training for Procurement Officers in Federal Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Parastatals, and Commissions, held at the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Oshodi, Lagos…recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Chairman, Lagos NIPR, Comfort Obot Nwankwo; Managing Director, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Nigeria and Goodwill Ambassador, Lagos Digital PR Summit, Tokunboh George-Taylor; Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Joseph Edgar; Head of Marketing and Communications, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami; Public Relations Consultant and Founder, Mosron Communications, and Nigerian Women in PR, Tolulope Olorundero; and President, Upticomm Marketing Company, Segun McMedal, at the 8th Lagos Digital PR Summit in Lagos…recently

This

Weekend

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

Group Features Editor: CHIEMELIE EZEOBI chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com

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WEEKLY MAGAZINE

DR. BETTA EDU:

Creating Profound Impact in the Humanitarian World

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COVER

Dr. Betta Edu: Creating Profound Impact in the Humanitarian World Call Dr. Betta Edu the poster female that keeps shattering those glass ceilings and you won’t be wrong. The postgraduate degree holder from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has held enviable positions at such a young age including Director General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency; Special Adviser to Cross River State Governor; Commissioner for Health, Cross River; and National Chairman of Commissioners of Health in Nigeria. She also most recently headed the national women wing of the All Progressives Congress, APC. With numerous laurels for her healthcare advocacy and touching lives, it was therefore not surprising to many that when she was appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in July 2023 she hit the ground running. Barely four months after, she has continuously created profound impact like a star in the firmament in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope agenda she has keyed into.

Chiemelie Ezeobi explores her work trajectory and the future she represents now with her deliverables

M

inister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu has in few months since her appointment, raised the bar of ministerial stewardship with her resilience, dedication and zest in turning around the seemingly troubled and controversial sector whose mandate, among others is to interface with the Nigerian people and make life better for them.

With an unparalleled work ethic and attention to detail, which is second to none, Edu has a knack for finding innovative solutions to complex problems and consistently surpassing expectations in any role she has handled.

Essentially, her ability to streamline processes, optimise workflow, and maintain team efficiency has continuously garnered her recognition from colleagues and indeed the public in general.

Disrupting the Old Order Upon her appointment as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, courage was needed to tackle headlong the issues beguiling the ministry, and this she fearlessly did.

First off, she disrupted the process of the old order, starting with faulting the social register, which in truth does not reflect names of the ideal vulnerable people. Many have described it as a courageous move to have suspended the N-Power programme indefinitely.

But for her, there should be no shortcut in doing the right thing. According to her, the suspension was a result of some irregularities observed within the scheme. The next move is for an investigation to be launched into how funds were expended since the beginning of the programme.

Revealing reasons behind the suspension and what will follow, the minister noted, “We must go back to look into N-Power and understand what the problems are so we will basically suspend the programme for now until we are done with proper investigation into the utilisation of funds into the N-Power programme.

“We want to know how many persons are basically on the program right now, how many persons are owed, the amount they are owed. We are totally restructuring the N-Power and expanding it. There are lots going on. We met people who were supposed to have exited the programme last year and they are still claiming that they are still teaching.

“Sometimes we contact the school or the places where they are working and they are not there. They are not working yet they keep claiming that they are being owed eight or nine month’s stipends.”

Even with the expected backlash from those the programmes was favouring inordinately, her willpower to do right by the nation has not wavered.

Force of Nature Upon meeting Dr. Edu or going by her pictures, you could be lured by her constantly smiling persona.

But behind that smile lies a force of nature. It was not surprising that Udeme Bisong, a Social Commentator once wrote that ethereal looks, poise and charm naturally captures the attention but almost immediately, “you are made aware of her other sterling qualities and you know that this is easily one of the most inspired Ministerial choices made by President Bola Tinubu.

“You glance through her CV and you’re in a daze. You preview her professional trajectory and you’re in awe. Of a truth, thoughts of every other ancillary consideration for her nomination vanish.

She’s a youth. Well, yes but what she has packed into her youth, people twice her age are still working towards half. Well, she’s a woman. Of course. By gender identification and it ends there. You dare not leave her in a tokenistic box. She is a force of nature that moves with her own atmosphere. You have to notice when she walks in.”

Successful Venture at UNGA Beyond her impacts locally, her first international outing as minister yielded results. At the recently held 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, she lobbied the commitment of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres, who promised UN’s assistance in tackling poverty and humanitarian

Tackling Poverty, Irregular Migration Still on the positive impacts created so far, at the Hague in Netherlands; Edu also secured commitments of EU, Netherlands, and 48 other nations to support Nigeria in job creation to tackle poverty and irregular migration.

The meeting which had the European Union Commission Director General for international Development, Erica Gerrestsen, the Minister for Justice and Minister of Security, Netherlands, Netherlands Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Paul Huijts; Netherlands Special Envoy for Migration, Peter Schuurman; Head of Section Sahel, West Africa and Great Lakes, Tijmen Rooseboom, among others.

On the Nigerian Government delegation, was the Ambassador of Nigeria to Netherlands Dr Eniola Ajayi; The Federal High Commissioner on Refugees Migrants and internally displaced persons, Hon Tijani Ahmed; the representative of the Minister of Interior, Hon Olubumi Tunji-Ojo; Mrs Dukpe, Representative of CG of Nigerian Immigration, amongst others.

Part of the commitments include the visit of the Netherlands and EU leadership to Nigeria on situation analysis and key stakeholders engagement, support for the implementation plan for poverty Alleviation in Nigeria and the return of Netherlands Long stay visa issuance from Netherlands embassy in Ghana office back to Netherlands embassy in Nigeria amongst others.

Dr. Edu concerns in Nigeria.

Edu generally viewed the UN mission as “fruitful” and mentioned having talks with several nations that could offer assistance to Nigeria and potentially become partners.

She said, “The UN Secretary General committed to having the UN support Nigeria to address this. We have the World Food Programme, and we have the commitment from them to see that we can end hunger in Nigeria.”

She added that the details and strategies have been finalised, which will be disclosed during an upcoming event where food will be distributed to households across Nigeria as part of their initiative to eradicate hunger.

Addressing Humanitarian Emergencies Beyond eradicating hunger, Dr. Edu is set to launch another project almost immediately, focusing on addressing humanitarian emergencies by constructing shelters for those affected.

“People who are affected will get housing, people who are affected will get money for start-up, then loans for micro-small and medium scale enterprises will also be given to Nigerians beginning from October,” she said.

In her interactions with the World Economic Forum, Edu highlighted talks of viewing refugees as valuable contributors to the nation, rather than burdens or liabilities.

She mentioned that Nigeria currently hosts more than 98,000 refugees, and discussed the idea of enhancing their employability,

incorporating them into the system, and effectively harnessing their potential, instead of keeping them confined in a refugee camp and providing them with handouts.

Partnerships and Accessible Social Register One of the crucial needs of the ministry is the verification of Nigeria’s social register and the establishment of a readily accessible database for the general public, and she has delved into it already.

On viable partnerships, the ministry is already on track as the list of partnership that she has struck in the last months speaks to a woman that knows her onions.

Humanitarian, Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund Just few days ago, she announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund to raise $5 billion annually.

Edu said, “Every year we hope to be able to raise at least 5 billion dollars within this fund and this is from the various funds and sources. We are hopeful that with the creation of this funding, we can sit down with all the key stakeholders including other ministries and actually work out the full modalities of implementation in Nigeria.”

The minister expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the approval of the creation of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund.

“Every year we hope to be able to raise at least 5 billion dollars within this fund and this is from the various funds and sources. We are hopeful that with the creation of this funding, we can sit down with all the key stakeholders including other ministries and actually work out the full modalities of implementation in Nigeria.”

Mentorship, Empowerment and Giving Back A Pro Unitate alumnus of Federal Government Girls College, Calabar, Dr. Edu who also obtained her first degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Calabar, has emerged as the selling point of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She also stands out as an exemplar of excellence in the world of administration, where efficiency, organisation, and dedication are paramount.

Determined to make complex systems appear effortlessly managed, the minister is also a compassionate woman who also understands the importance of giving back to her community and empowering the next generation.

She actively engages in mentorship programs, sharing her knowledge with young women, to inspire and guide them on their journeys.

Already in her kitty are awards like Nigeria Quintessential Woman Award, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Award of Excellence, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Medical Expert of the Year, Award of Excellence in Gender Inclusion, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

As her career continues to flourish, Betta Edu intends to continuously leave behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and the belief that anyone can overcome challenges to reach their fullest potential. She represents the epitome of a modern administrator, a beacon of hope for those aspiring to make their mark in the professional world.

Her story is a testament to the heights that can be achieved through unwavering dedication, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. She is not only a role model but an inspiration to all, proving that with determination, one can overcome any obstacle and excel in the world of administration and governance.

At best, what Dr Edu and her team are doing is a testament to the best of humanity. Their commitment to easing the suffering of the less privilege, their courage in the face of peril, and their dedication to upholding the principles of human rights are nothing short of inspirational.

They remind us that compassion, empathy, and resilience can prevail even in the darkest of times, and it is a collective responsibility to commend their efforts, support their work, and ensure they continue to make a profound difference in the lives of those most in need.

What Nigerian ministers need is to start thinking out of the box, to think differently, unconventionally, and from a new perspective in order to rescue Nigeria and deliver the renewed hope agenda that Mr. President promised. This, Dr. Edu has begun already.

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NEWS

Anuli Ajagu’s ‘Praise Party’ Set to Dazzle the Nigerian Movie Scene Stories by Mary Nnah Nigerian-Canadian,AnuliAjagu, the CEO of Brampton Productions and Founder of RevAnuli Inc., is set to dazzle the Nigerian movie scene with her movie titled, ‘Praise Party’. With ‘Praise Party’, Ajagu is set for her cinematic debut, an exciting family-friendly Nollywood film, billed to hit the cinemas next month.

Premiering in Lagos on November 5th and going to the cinemas nationwide, on November 10th, the star-studded production boasts an exceptional cast including Kunle Remi, KeppyEkpenyong,Eberechukwu Bayray Nwizu, Tina Mba, Sola Fosudu, Chioma Nwosu,Arinze Okonkwo, amongst others.

Written and produced by Ajagu, herself, the movie directed

by Obi Martins, a US-based thespian, illustrates the dynamics of mental and emotional trauma.

Set in Nigeria, it also highlights the importance of community, seeking professional help, and how taking responsibility, counselling, faith, courage and forgiveness can be therapeutic;

Anuli Ajagu bringing healing and restoration to hurting souls.

Praise Party explores the complex dynamics of Tobe Thompson’s narcissistic behaviour towards his wife, Zara Thompson, and brings to the fore, the influence of unresolved childhood trauma, privilege, and injustice.

Zara’s character endures extreme emotional abuse and social stigma resulting from

marital breakdown and infertility.

Through this compelling narrative, the film sheds light on real-life issues that many African families experience, but often sweep under the carpet.

Combining elements of drama and psychological thriller, the movie hopes to offer a thoughtprovoking,breathtakingcinematic experience.

Praise Party, which began garnering international accolades

way ahead of its cinematic release on July 8th won the coveted ‘Best International Film,’ at the prestigious Charlotte Black Film Festival, North Carolina. The film was also an official selection, and screened at the Canada China International Film Festival (CCIFF) opening weekend, on July 15, 2023, in Montreal Canada. On August 31st, at the CCIFF closing gala awards in Montreal, Ajagu was awarded ‘Best Producer,’ for the film, Praise Party.

Ajagu first graced the Nigerian TV screen in the 1990s, captivating audiences with her role as Gloria in the hit soap opera, “Fortunes”. Acting alongside stars such as Ramsey Nouah, Regina Askia, and Liz Benson, Anuli established herself as a talented thespian.

She holds a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Jos in Nigeria, where she graduated in 1991, focusing primarily on playwriting. She also has a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication, as well as a post-graduate diploma in Journalism. She’s currently a doctoral student at Royal Roads University, BC, Canada.

Two Giant Nigerian Brands to Showcase Africa to the World this October To mark Black History Month in London,whichisusuallycelebrated throughoutOctober,tworenowned Nigerian brands, Africa Fashion WeekLondonandtheBlackHistory and Lifestyle Awards, have lined up a series of activities to mark the annual event.

Addressing pressmen in Lagos recently, founders of the two Nigerian brands, Olori Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi and Folashade Balogun, respectively, said the event scheduled to kick-start in London from October 27th to 29th will be promoting the continent’s culture,clothing,andmusicamong others in the diaspora.

“AfricanFashionWeekLondon has been in existence for the last 12 years and this year is its 13th year. Black History and Lifestyle Awards started a couple of years ago and we have done our events in Nigeria and all that. But this time around the two giant brands are collaborating to hold a fantastic event in London. October is Black HistoryWeekinLondon.So,weare trying to change some narratives from this black slavery and all that.

This is us showcasing our heritage, our culture, and also letting people

Folashade Balogun and Olori Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi knowthatblack-ownedbusinesses have come to stay”, Balogun said.

BalogunwhosaidHouseofSota will be going on the runway with a collection called ‘Ijile’, added that awards will be given to those who have performed excellently in the industryandtherewouldbespecial recognition awards for those who have supported the growth of the BlackandAfricancreativeindustry.

Olori Ogunwusi, said, “We are coming together to have a massive event.And there’s thisAfrican say-

ing, that says when you want to walkfast,youwalkalonebutwhen youwanttowalkfar,youworkwith other people. And that’s why we have decided to do this together this year.”

Speakingfurther,Ogunwusisaid, “Iwasprivilegedtoattendherevent in Nigeria last year, and that was wheretheconversationstarted.She wantedtohaveaneventinLondon to celebrate Black History Month.

We had an ongoing event already.

So we both decided rather than

herdoinghersindependently,why don’twebothcometogether,bring our forces together, bring our energies together and networking opportunities and just showcase Africatotheworld?Thatwassuper fabulous.”

Olori noted further, ‘One of the things we are going to be doing is that we are going to be having celebrities walk on the runway wearing clothes made by different designers. In addition to that, we are launching our first UK Trade Expo this year as part of the event. it is called the Beyond Fashion UK Trade Expo.

‘We decided to do that because we realised that over the years fashion has gone beyond just showcasing models on the runway or showcasing the designs on the runway. So we’re trying to explore the entire value chain of the fashion industry. So we’re starting on October 27th and it’s going to be about commerce and culture”, she added. The keynote speaker for the event, holding at the prestigious Institute of Directors in London, will be the Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

WIMBIZ Announces Theme for 22nd Annual Conference WomeninManagement,Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has announced the theme for its 22nd Annual Conference, which will be held from November 2nd to 3rd at Eko Hotels and Suites.

This year’s conference is themed “Mission I’Mpossible: Thrive!” and is set to inspire, empower and equip participants with the tools necessary to thrive in uncertain times.

“Mission I’Mpossible: Thrive!” is focused on reminding delegates that, as individuals, they can make a significant impact in life and thrive in their respective organizations, communities, collectives and nations.

The WIMBIZ Annual Conference is known for attracting high-profile and exceptional speakers, and this year will be no different. The conference will feature an impressive lineup of

speakers, including the conference Chairperson, Bimbo Oloyede, CEO, Strictly Speaking; Simon Melchior, Chief Executive Officer, ASSECO Software Nigeria Ltd; Omon Dike, Founder/CEO, U-Connect Human Resources Ltd & Gr8jobsngto and Leena Pylvanainen, Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Others are Dr. Rufai Oseni, TED Conference Speaker, Advisor, Start Up Africa, Global Speaker, TV Host; Tosin Adefeko, CEO, AT3 Resources; Pharm. Josephine Ehimen, CEO, Nett Pharmacy; Jette Bjerrum, Consul General & Head of Mission, Royal Danish Consulate General, Lagos; Folusho Gbadamosi, Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria; Fisayo Fosudo, Tech & Finance Creator; Tobi Ayeni,

Digital Strategist & Founder MissTechy; Tomike Adeoye, Award Winning Brand Influencer, Actor and Entrepreneur and many others.

Executive Director, WIMBIZ, Hansatu Adegbite, at a press conference held recently, elaborated that a significant number of the remarkable accomplishments achieved by women were as a result of attending the WIMBIZ Annual Conference.

She explained further that the conference was established to inspire women to reach their full potential and achieve great feats in their respective fields.

“This year’s theme is timely and relevant as it comes against the backdrop of economic and social challenges women in Nigeria and its impact on their various careers and businesses,” said said.

The conference will feature

several sessions, including 5 Plenaries, 2 Deep Dives, WIMBIZ Conversations, and a Debate.

These sessions will explore a wide range of topics, including parenting, health, technology, and governance. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts in their respective fields and leave with actionable insights to apply to their businesses or organisations.

The conference will close with an After Party that promises to be unforgettable. This year’s Annual Conference promises to be an engaging and insightful experience for all participants.

WIMBIZ is a non-profit organisation that has, over the last 22 years, implemented programmes that inspire, empower and advocate for a greater representation of women in leadership positions in the public and private sector.

POLICY INNOVATION CENTRE SELECTS 30 INAUGURAL BINTA FELLOWS FOR CAPACITY STRENGTHENING The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), has announced the selection of 30 dynamic individuals for the Behavioural Insights Network Transparency & Accountability (BiNTA) Fellowship, who will participate in an innovative programme aimed at driving behavioural change and combating corruption in Nigeria. BiNTAFellowship, a pioneer for behavioural re-engineering, is designed to build capacity among innovators and changemakers as champions in the fight against corruption.

Supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the BiNTA Fellowship aims to strengthen the capacity of these anti-corruption changemakers to leverage behavioural insights in disrupting the socially normative status of corruption in Nigeria.

According to the Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre, Dr Osasuyi Dirisu, “the first edition of this initiative is focused on strengthening the capacity of 30 carefully selected anti-corruption changemakers sourced from diverse sectors of the economy to co-create behaviourally-informed anti-corruption initiatives and support them in implementing those initiatives.”

She said further that the training, co-creation and implementation support will be provided and guided by seasoned experts, mentors and the Behavioural Innovation Lab of PIC. She stated further that the selection process was highly competitive and broadly inclusive, attracting applicants from the public and private sectors, academia, as well as other sectors of the economy.

“Firstly, the selection criteria were basedonthecandidates’character about their corruption records. We also examined their competencies as demonstrated in a track record of prior leadership and initiative in any social endeavour. Then their abilities to think innovatively on issues surrounding the anti-corruption landscape in Nigeria were examined.

Moreso,specialattentionwasgiventofemalecandidatestoensuregender balance and equity.”

OFADABOY PARTNERS LAGOS STATE ON WORLD FOOD WEEK Nigerian’ premium indigenous outdoor catering and restaurant company, OfadaBoy has announced its partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture to celebrate Global World Food Week in Lagos with the theme Water is food, Water is life.

It was also disclosed that the 5th edition of the number one food festival in Nigeria, Ofada Rice Day (OFD) will be held in December to cap the Food Week events.

The announcement which was made at a press briefing by the Ministry of Agriculture, outlined various activities lined up for the week-long celebration, which include a Farmers forum, Road Show and Sensitization walk, School quiz etc.

Commenting on the partnership, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Abisola Olusanya, disclosed that, the importance of the theme for 2023 cannot be over-emphasized as food and water plays a major significance to human existence.

She added that the outlined activities could not have been achieved alone without the huge support and consistent partnership from OfadaBoy and other sponsors. ‘We are excited that ofadaBoy has been with us for the past five years and the partnership keeps getting stronger and bigger annually, as we look forward to another superlative Ofada Rice Day event in December to further drive home the very importance of food to life and the originality, health benefit of our rice’.

In his remarks, the convener of the Ofada Rice Day Festival and Chief Executive Officer, of OfadaBoy, Mr. Tobi Fletcher, noted that the company is extremely happy to be part of the train to bring to the consciousness of Nigerians again the significance of water and food to life. He said the partnership with LASG has become a must-do for the company annually, even beyond Food Week activities.

Mr. Fletcher, further remarked that the 5th edition of Ofada Rice Day, which is scheduled to be held in December will be a back-to-back fun package to inspire action, entertain and provide an all-inclusive atmosphere for all to unwind, interact and bond.

TRAVELWINGS.COM FETES GUESTS AT EXCLUSIVE LEKKI OFFICE OPENING Vanessa Obioma In a remarkable expansion move driven by the resounding success of theirIkejabranch,theinternationalonlinetravelagency,Travelwings.com, unveiledtheirbrand-newbaseofoperationsintheheartofLekki,Lagos.

Theexclusiveinaugurationevent,heldrecentlypooledtravelenthusiasts andesteemedgueststoitsgrandopeninginLekki,showcasingitscommitment to delivering excellence in the world of travel.

“WeareextremelyexcitedaboutoursuccessfulexpansionintoLekki, Lagos,”remarkedChiefCommercialOfficer,AmanpreetSingh.“Wehave received positive feedback from our operations in Ikeja. It is a pleasure forustobringouroperationstoprospectivetravellersinandaroundthe Lekkiandwelookforwardtogivingourcustomersthebesttravelservice possible.” WithfiveyearspresenceinNigeria,Travelwings.comisknown for providing the best travel deals on holidays, discounts on domestic andinternationalflightsdirectlyfromLagos,packagesonluxurycruises, and a flexible payment plan for customers to book trips ahead of time.

Ithasgrownitsclientbaseandevenexceededitspre-COVIDnumbers.

TheChiefBusinessDevelopmentOfficer-Africa,SeanBradley,elaborated on the uptick in the travel and tourism industry.

“Travel and Tourism adds value to the economy by contributing to GDP–tourism’scontributionwasatalevelof25.36US$billionsin2022, up from 23.71 US$ billions previous year, a change of 6.97%. Tourism alsocontributessignificantlywithjobcreation.Travelwings.comremains committed to working with the Department of Tourism and helping promote Nigeria.”

Singhalsopointedoutthattheagency’sgoalwiththenewLekkioffice is to bring in localisation and penetrate different markets, regions and customersegmentsinthecountry.Additionallywithitsblendedmodel of online and physical office, its customers confidence, he believes, will be boosted.

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 T H I S D AY

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN, EFCC, Others Make Case for ’Nigerian Identity’ System Kayode Tokede As the world marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, stakeholders in the Nigerian cyber space have made a strong case for an Integrated Identity Management System to be called ‘’The Nigerian Identity’’ whereby international passport, phone number, Biometric Verification Number (BVN) belonging to one individual are grafted onto one composite interconnected file to easily detect and track perpetrators of cybercrime.

They also called for regular update of regulatory guidelines and improved collaboration between the financial sector regulators, industry operators and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) to effectively manage emerging risks and achieve a secured digital ecosystem that facilitates safer transaction processing and customer experience.

This forms part of the sub-

mission of participants at the Information Security Society of Africa - Nigeria (ISSAN) Cybersecurity Roundtable with the theme: “Re-Thinking Corporate Governance Rules on Money Transfers,” held in Lagos.

The Stakeholders comprised representatives from Deposit Money Banks, FinTechs, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NIBBS, Internet Service Providers (Huawei), Tech Companies, Cybersecurity companies, Legal Practitioners, and the Press.

In a communique released at the end of the forum, they agreed that there was also the urgent need to create effective blacklists of criminals in the financial sector so that when they have committed any infraction anywhere within the industry, they should be blacklisted industry wide.

The participants identified

human factor as the most critical element of a cybercrime, stressing that staff recruitment and customer on-boarding should be done with greater and continuing care and concern.

They raised concerns on non-compliance to Tier 1 account transactions limits, urging operators to review and improve their respective security architectures as well as ensure the implementation of the existing regulations by the industry operators. Thus, the need for a stronger regulatory attention for FinTechs was canvassed especially in relation to enforcing the limits for Tier 1 accounts.

They further urged banks to make extra effort to build trust in customers’ minds; improve data protection; emphasize financial literacy for financial inclusivity; exert more effort in educating their customers on the workings of the financial system and enhance security of their Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

Penpay Partners Quickteller to Provide Informal Sector Workers Access to Retirement Savings Plans Penpay, the Awabah product aimed at building the largest distribution network for financial services in Africa, has announce its partnership with Quickteller, the leading consumer digital payments platform, powered

by Interswitch.

Penpay in a statement said the collaboration aims to provide informal sector workers with access to structured retirement savings plans through Quickteller. With PenPay now available at ATMs nationwide, millions of Nigerians will have

the opportunity to secure their financial future.

Commenting on this partnership, Growth Manager at PENPAY, Oluwaseun Adekanbi, stated, “We are thrilled to join forces with Interswitch to empower the informal sector workers across Nigeria. Through this collaboration, we will ensure that everyone, regardless of their employment type, can access retirement savings and plan for their financial future. This is a significant step towards achieving our mission of fostering

financial inclusivity in Africa.”

Also commenting on the partnership, the Insight and Growth Specialist, Corporate Ecosystems at Interswitch, Omoniyi David-Mosaku, said: “This partnership with PenPay will further boost our sustained efforts to deepen financial inclusion across Nigeria and beyond. We are excited about this partnership with PenPay, a powerful step towards empowering informal sector workers with a secure path to retirement.”

PZ Exemplifies Commitment to Development, Environmental Protection In line with its commitment to sustainable initiatives, investing in the wellbeing of people, families and the community at large, PZ Cussons, makers and distributors of quality consumer products and home appliances, organized a 1-day sustainability exercise.

The exercise involved the cleanup of its host community in the Ilupeju area of Lagos state recently.

During the ceremony at PZ Headquarters in Lagos, the Managing Director Africa, PZ Cussons, Oghale Elueni, stated, “For over 120 years, PZ has existed in Nigeria and we stand for the social,

economic, and human elements of the environment. We conduct our business sustainably to meet the needs of the current generation, while ensuring that we’re leaving a better planet and society for those who are to come.”

The cleaning exercise saw the team pick up as many nonbiodegradable wastes as possible, such as plastic bags and bottles, tetra packs etc.

The Category Head, Homecare, PZ Cussons, Abimbola OdimayoOlabode, said, “Morning Fresh has been in Nigeria for over 30 years and is committed to caring

for those who care, as such, we have extended this narrative to the environment. We get so much from nature so we need to take care of the environment as well.”

Head of Marketing, PZ Cussons, Kemi Longe, mentioned that the reward was designed to encourage the residents to put more effort into cleaning the environment.

“Through this initiative, we are confident that not only the Ilupeju community, but Nigeria as a whole, will be positively influenced and encouraged to care for the environment one plastic at a time,” she said.

Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates Africa’s Premier Workspace, Centre Point Dayspring Property Development Company Limited (DSPDC) is beaming with pride as Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, officially inaugurates their iconic masterpiece, Centre Point in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Positioned as Africa’s premier workspace, Centre Point rises majestically to a height of 103 meters, offering a dynamic blend of leasable office spaces, owner-occupied offices, and a versatile multipurpose hall.

This dynamic space isn’t just reserved for tenants; it’s open to the public as well, inviting everyone to partake in extraordinary events. Each facet boasts its own distinct and stylish entrance on the ground level, setting the stage for unparalleled experiences.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, commented: “This indeed is a magnificent edifice, a place of elegance, beauty and class.

Centre Point represents a new era for Lagos and Nigeria, symbolizing our unwavering commitment to sustainable growth. This remarkable edifice is a place where beauty and tourism have come together.

This is truly what Lagos is all about. You have indeed raised the bar and added a big flavour to Lagos. This is a beauty of what our Lagos can become.”

Executive Director at Famfa Oil, a sister company to DSPD, Mr. Dele Alakija, commented: “This magnificent structure is the embodiment of international

collaboration, transcending borders, and cultures to create a centre of excellence unparalleled not only in Nigeria but across the entire African continent. It stands as a testament to the power of unity and the sharing of expertise from disparate teams on various continents.”

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Rotimi Alakija, Executive Director of Centre Point, added: “The mandate of Dayspring Properties is to bring international standards of property development to Nigeria. Centre Point is not merely a commercial building; it is a new landmark with a lasting legacy. To us, it’s a bold declaration of elegance and innovation, attracting talents and investments from all corners of Nigeria, various parts of Africa, and the world.”

L-R: Brand Influencer, Bukunmi Adeaga (Kiekie); Managing Director, PZ Wilmar Ipsit Chakrabarti; HR Director Africa, PZ Cussons, Joyce Coker; Managing Director Africa, Oghale Elueni; Head of Marketing, Kemi Longe; Managing Director, HPZ, Rajkumar Kale; and Head of Homecare Category, PZ Cussons, Abimbola Olabode-Odimayo at the sustainable environment exercise in Lagos... recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) August, 2023

Money Supply (M3)

65,445,154.2

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

552,553.58

Money Supply (M2)

64,892,600.61

-- Quasi Money

40,870,301.28

-- Narrow Money (M1)

24,022,299.33

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,295,309.10

---- Demand Deposits

21,726,990.23

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,144,158.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

58,300,995.27

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

87,273,966.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

32,511,333.17

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

54,762,633.63

--Other Assets Net

13,347,376.27

Reserve Money (Base Money

19,429,603.25

--Currency in Circulation

2,660,138.92

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

16,769,464.34 428,519.21

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

August 2023

Inter-Bank Call Rate

3.89

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

18.75

Treasury Bill Rate

5.13

Savings Deposit Rate

5.26

1 Month Deposit Rate

7.31

3 Months Deposit Rate

7.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

8.30

12 Months Deposit Rate

8.13

Prime Lending rate

13.99

Maximum Lending Rate

27.59

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 29TH SEPTEMBER , 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $97.48 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $97.08 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

37

MARKET NEWS

Transcorp Hotels Sustains Growth Momentum With 69% Growth in PBT KayodeTokede Transcorp Hotels Plc, yesterday announced its financial performance for the third quarter (Q3) ended September of 2023, showing a strong Year-on-Year (YoY) growth on all indices.

The leading hospitality brand of Transcorp Group sustained strong growth, recording N5.55billion profit before tax in Q3 2023, an increase of 69 per cent YoY from N3.29bbillion

reported in Q3 2022.

With the N5.55billion PBT in Q3 2023, Transcorp Hotel has surpassed 2022 full year results when it announced N4.53billion PBT from N1.66billion reported in 2021 financial year.

From the unaudited result and accounts published on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the group also sustained growth in profit, gaining about 79per cent to N4.07billion in Q3 2023 from N2.27 billion

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

reported in Q3 2022.

Key contributing factor to impressive performance in profits include the group’s 31.76per cent YoY growth in revenue to N29.9billion from N22.7 billion the previous year, and it is significantly higher than pre-Covid performance Revenue per Available Room (REVPAR) grew to N106,244 by the end of September 2023 from N77,428 at the end of September 2022, a 34per cent

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

increase.

Also, Transcorp Hotels “Other operating income” stood at N1.17billion in Q3 2023, representing an increase of 147per cent YoY from N474.51million in Q3 2022, driven by N694.17million net foreign exchange gain in Q3 2023 from N31.11 million loss reported in Q3 2022.

Total assets increased to N123.8billion as of September 30, 2023 from N120.5billion

T R A D E D

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

A S O F

reported in 2022 full financial year.

The results reflect the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional value to its stakeholders and sustaining its growth momentum.

Commenting on the results, Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels, Dupe Olusola in a statement said, “This consistent financial upswing reinforces our dedication to excellence and resilience in the

face of economic challenges.

We have remained nimble, adapting quickly to meet the dynamic preferences of our guests”.

She expressed that the company continued to experience strong performance in its International Business Travel segment, as it took advantage of renewed investor confidence in the Nigerian economy as a new government resumed office.

O C TO B E R / 2 6 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

38

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

ଂ

ଂ

ଂ

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 R O X P H

7 R S * D L Q H U V T ic k er

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

M C N IC H OLS

0.61

8.9%

F ID ELIT YB K

39.8

-1.8%

UA C N

12.20

6.1%

CHA M S

23.5

3.6%

OA N D O

8.95

4.1%

A C C ESSC OR P

20.6

0.6%

CHA M S

1.99

3.6%

UB A

19.0

0.3%

N EST LE

1050.00

2.9%

J A P A ULGOLD

18.3

0.0%

6.35

2.8%

GT C O

13.6

-1.5%

12.7

-2.9% 2.8%

T R A N SC OR P C UT IX

2.32

0.9%

A IIC O

FB NH

16.10

0.6%

T R A N SC OR P

12.0

A C C ESSC OR P

16.95

0.6%

ET R A N Z A C T

9.7

-7.1%

N GXGR OUP

21.10

0.5%

FCM B

8.6

-0.7%

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 D O X H

7 R S / R V H U V T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

N SLT EC H

0.27

-10.0%

N EST LE

1748.5

P ric e C hg % 2.9%

C WG

7.70

-9.9%

ST A N B IC

495.1

-3.2%

T H OM A SWY

4.03

-9.8%

GT C O

482.1

-1.5%

IN T B R EW

4.15

-9.8%

UB A

357.3

0.3%

UN IVIN SUR E

0.22

-8.3%

A C C ESSC OR P

347.7

0.6%

F T N C OC OA

1.56

-8.2%

F ID ELIT YB K

326.9

-1.8%

ET R A N Z A C T

7.02

-7.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

228.5

-0.7%

OM A T EK

0.40

-7.0%

M TNN

100.9

-0.4%

P R EST IGE

0.41

-6.8%

D A N GSUGA R

99.7

0.0%

C OR N ER ST

1.39

-6.1%

T R A N SC OR P

74.9

2.8%

39

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

NEWS

SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING...

L-R: Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria,(TCN), Engineer Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz; President, TBEA Energy, China, Mr Huang Hanjie; Federal Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; Global Chairman, China Civil Engineering Construction (CCECC), Mr Liu Wiemin and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FGN Power Company, Mr Kenny Anuwe at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Power, CCECC and TBEA Energy in Beijing, China, recently

House to Probe Performance of Loans Disbursed by CBN for Metering Juliet Akoje in Abuja.

The House of Representatives has mandated its Committees of Finance and Power to investigate and determine

the performance of the loan and the utilisation of funds disbursed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for metering purposes.

The resolution followed

the adoption of a motion on the ‘Need to Investigate the N39 billion Settlement Loan granted to Ziglaks by the Defunct Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to Supply

Meters to Discos,’ moved by Hon. James Abiodun Faleke at plenary yesterday.

Faleke, noted that in July 2018, the Federal Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing,

Varsity Workers Reject FG's Conditional Payment of Withheld Salaries

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

University workers under the aegis of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) yesterday, rejected a pre-condition set by the federal government for payment of the withheld salaries of its members.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently granted a partial waiver for the staff of tertiary institutions to be paid four out of their eight months salaries seized by government under its policy of "No Work, No Pay." The government had said the waiver was granted based on the principles of presidential prerogative of mercy, subject to Federal Ministry of Education and that of Labour and Employment developing a document of Understanding (DoU), before payment of the withheld salaries can be effected.

However, in a statement signed by president of NAAT, Ibeji Nwokoma, the union said it viewed the federal government's condition as draconian and undermines workers' fundamental human right to freedom of expression and association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

In the statement, NAAT added: " It is important to make this press release in view of the recent statement credited to Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the effect that

the President has granted a partial waiver to the staff of tertiary institutions based on the principles of presidential prerogative of mercy, subject to Federal Ministry of Education and that of Labour and Employment developing a document of Understanding (DoU), before payment of the withheld salaries can be effected, as widely reported by both electronic and print media.

"The attention of the leadership of our great Union, the NAAT has been drawn to this development which we consider as a matter of great

concern and worrisome.

"While we want to commend the President for his magnanimity in granting the partial waiver, we view the condition of DoU as draconian and undermines our fundamental human right to freedom of expression and association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

"Hence, NAAT rejects in its entirety the idea of DoU as a pre-condition for payment of the withheld salaries of our members".

NAAT urged Tinubu to

rescind on his decision and approve unconditional payment of the withheld salaries immediately.

"It must be noted that the work loss as a result of the strike action has since been covered through extra work hours and students graduated, currently undertaking their mandatory National Youth Service programme as a result, nothing has been lost "NAAT wishes to call on well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and ensure payment of our withheld salaries in full for a sustainable industrial harmony," he said.

by Presidential approval, converted the N119 billion judgment debt against the federal government into a N39 billion loan, which was granted to Ziglaks Company to supply metres.

He recalled that the loan was for a term of about seven years, and Ziglaks was to repay the entire N39 billion, which would elapse in 2025 and the Ministry of Power directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to issue a regulation that facilitated the signing of metre supply agreements between the Federal Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing with Ziglaks and other metre asset providers.

"There has been no evidence of supply of metres by Ziglaks Nigeria Limited, since 2018, when the agreement was signed and payment of N39 billion made.

“Apart from Ziglaks Nigeria Limited, the CBN also intervened in the funding of metre manufacturers to provide metres and ameliorate the suffering of the people's underestimated billings, but

this action is yet to be felt by the people.”

He pointed out that the World Bank is currently supporting Nigeria with a loan to supply 1.2 million metres, which was expected to kick-start the programme the federal government wants to use to reduce the metering gap.”

The lawmaker further stressed that despite the huge sums of money provided to close the metering gap, Nigerians were still complaining about lack of metres and receive crazy estimated bills from the Discos.

"Discos have failed to meet post-privatisation conditions of closing the metering gap, thus, making millions of consumers receive estimated billing despite a potentially pending contract agreement," he added.

He however regretted that the new Electricity Act, 2023, which aimed at protecting Nigeria's interests by ensuring accurate charges for electricity, may be undermined if the N39 billion contract for Ziglaks Company and CBN funds were not investigated.

NURTW Declares Najeem-led Group Delegates’ Conference Illegal Folalumi Alaran in Abuja The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) yesterday described the Quadrennial National Delegates Conference held by the Najeem Yasin and Tajudeen Agbede-led group as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a statement signed by the incumbent President, Tajudeen Baruwa, he noted that in line with the provisions of the constitution of the union, it conducted its 10th Quadrennial National Delegate Conference, August 23, 2023 at Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Stressing that national officers were duly sworn-in

and inaugurated, the union also stated that its constitution does not provide for an acting president where there is a substantive president. " The attention of the leadership of NURTW has been drawn to a kangaroo National Quadrennial Delegates Conference purportedly held by Alhaji Najeem /Agbede's led dissidents group on Wednesday October 25, 2023 at Maha event centre, Abuja.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the said delegates’ conference is not only a sham but also unconstitutional, illegal and null and void for the following reasons: The NURTW is a

creation of the law and has an approved constitution that guides its operations and activities.

"The constitution of the union in Article 8,2(1) stipulates that the National Delegates Conference shall be held every four years in the month of August. The above provision of the constitution of the union is not ambiguous but mandatory and conclusive. So holding the national delegates conference in the month of October is a clear breach of the constitution of the union.

"It is on record that the National Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the union has been held in

accordance with the dictates of the constitution of the union on August 23, 2023 at Lafia Nasarawa State, where in the national officers elected at the zonal delegates conference on May 24, 2023 were duly swornin and formally inaugurated. " The constitution of the union does not provide for the acting president where there is substantive president,” it noted.

Baruwa therefore called on the union members, the general public and relevant authorities to disregard the ‘kangaroo’ delegates conference, adding that the conference and its organisers lack legitimacy and should

not be taken seriously. " On the strength of the above, we hereby condemn in its entirety the purported delegates conference wherein one Isa Ore was sworn-in as deputy president and mandated to act as president when there is already substantive president in the person of Baruwa.

"The general public and all relevant authorities are hereby advised to disregard the purported delegates’ conference as the organisers and the conference itself lacked legitimacy and is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no effect," the statement added.

40

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

NEWS

AGBARA BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE...

L-R: Managing Director, Parallex Bank, Dr. Olufemi Bakre; Chief Executive Officer, Wissam Khanz Group,Mr. Wissam Ramlawi; Minister of Power, Mr. Bayo Adelabu; Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima; and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, during the Agbara Business Roundtable held in Agbara, Ogun State recently

NUPRC Explains Workings of New Host Communities‘ Reporting Platform, Says Some Interests Fighting Back Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) yesterday explained how the new ‘HostComply platform’ would operate, insinuating that it was being blackmailed by those who want to maintain the status quo to the detriment of the country and host communities who suffer the effect of oil exploration.

In a statement yesterday, the NUPRC which was reacting to a story by a national newspaper, indicating that communities were angry over charges associated with the operation of the platform meant to improve service delivery to oil-bearing communities, described the report as ‘spurious propaganda’.

While taking a swipe on some industry players who

it said cannot and would not want to play by the rules, the NUPRC stated that they would employ every instrument to paint unbecoming pictures just to frustrate genuine attempts at sanitising the industry.

The NUPRC stated that the setting up of HostComply was in furtherance to the provision of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, Chapter 3, section 235(1) which says: “The settlor shall incorporate Host Communities Development Trust for the benefit of the host communities for which the settlor is responsible”.

It added that Section 235(4) of the Act states that: “The settlor shall for the purpose of setting up the trust, in consultation with the host communities, appoint and authorise a board of trustees, which shall apply to be registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as

Northern Governors Mourn Elder Statesman, Adamu Fika Segun Awofadeji in Gombe The Chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed sadness over the demise of a distinguished elder statesman and former Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Adamu Fika, the Waziri of Fika who died at the age of 90 years.

In a statement issued by the Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, made available to journalists yesterday, Yahaya described the late Fika as an exemplary leader and towering figure who left an indelible mark on Nigeria's civil service and educational institutions, and whose legacy transcends his lifetime.

"Dr. Fika's commitment to integrity, honesty, and a corruption-free civil service was legendary. He was resolute in his pursuit of a merit-based and transparent public service, firmly believing that those

values were the cornerstones of a strong and prosperous nation," he added.

Describing Fika's demise as a monumental national loss, Yahaya acknowledged that his death though marked the end of an era, his legacy would live on as an enduring example of what a true civil servant should embody.

He further stressed that the elder statesman's vision for strong national institutions would remain a source of inspiration for generations to come.

Yahaya, also commended the deceased’s remarkable services and contributions to national development when he served as the pro-chancellor, chairman of the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2018, and as the chairman of the board of trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) where he served until his demise.

The Northern Governors' Forum Chairman conveyed his condolences to the immediate family of the deceased.

a corporate body under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).”

Besides, the NUPRC stated that Section 240(1-4) specifies sources of funding for petroleum host communities development trust while Section 244 (a – c) specifies how the funds are to be allocated.

“Specifically, Section 244(c) states that: An amount not exceeding 5 per cent to be utilised solely for administrative cost of running the trust and special projects, which shall be entrusted by the Board of Trustees (BoT) to the settlor, provided that at the end of each financial year, the settlor shall render a full account of the utilisation of the fund to the BoT and where any portion of the fund is not utilised in a given year, it shall be returned to the capital fund,” it added.

Therefore, what the NUPRC, as the regulator of upstream petroleum activities in the country, did, the commission said, was to set up a cuttingedge solution, HostComply, to streamline reporting of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management for the operators, host communities and regulators,

in line with the requirement of the PIA. “It was designed to ease regulatory compliance and oversight function for the regulator and to enable the settlors meet regulatory requirements in a timely, efficient, cost-effective manner,” it stressed.

The Gbenga Komolafe-led organisation pointed out that HostComply which is now put on the firing line by those it described as industry saboteurs and their hirelings would not be the first in recent times to attract a negative attack on the regulator.

It recalled that when the regulator insisted on having Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) install and manage metering devices/ activities at crude oil export terminals, the same people ‘went on overdrive’ because it was obvious it would no longer be business as usual.

“Nigeria loses huge revenues periodically as a result of metering infractions; and perpetrators and their accomplices would not let go nor accept any regulation that would put them out of business.

“It is not a hidden fact that host communities in oil-bearing and producing areas in the country have been suffering devastation and deprivations of all sorts due to the activities of some critical stakeholders who short-change and create divide-and-rule systems to flourish. “ The Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) was deliberately created to address the concerns of the host communities and stop the activities of the Shylocks and their collaborators. The NUPRC as the regulator is putting everything in place so that the overall intendment of the PIA on this score is effectively realised for the benefit of those envisaged.

“We are therefore not surprised that they fighting back, using every available means, including trying to confuse and deceive members of the public with concocted narratives. “ When they are on such mischief mission, they cleverly avoid seeking clarifications from the NUPRC but rather prefer to quote, out-of-context, correspondences issued by operating units of the

commission in the process of giving impetus to the implementation process,” it added.

According to the commission, the online platform is meant to offer comfort to the HCDT by providing them with a robust technological tool to interface and engage with the settlors and manage projects in their respective communities professionally while meeting global ESG best practices.

Despite the distraction, the NUPRC stated that it was committed to fostering stronger relationships between operators, host communities, and regulators, and enhancing the dividends of petroleum resources for the prosperity of all stakeholders.

“HostComply limits to the barest minimum human interference and represents a significant step forward in achieving this vision. It is only the non-conformists and those who have something to hide that are afraid of regulations, especially if the regulations limit their capacity to short-change the system and the people,” the commission said.

FG: River Basins Can Produce Enough Food for Local Consumption, Export John Shiklam in Kaduna The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, says the 12 river basins in Nigeria have capacity to produce sufficient food for consumption and export.

Speaking during a visit to the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), at Mando area, Kaduna, the minister said manpower was needed though, disclosing that the basins require persons with the technical know-how to manage the water basins.

Goronyo suggested that the NWRI should be converted to a degree-awarding institution.

He added that converting the NWRI to a degree-awarding

institution in its areas of speciality, will boost food security, youth inclusivity and tackle unemployment and insecurity.

According to him, the NWRI is the only institution running courses like hydro technology, hydro engineering, and irrigation in Nigeria.

He said, "From information available to me, it was established in 1979, it has to go beyond this and become a world-class institution. We are trying to revitalise this place to become a world standard degree-awarding university.

"With the food security agenda of Mr. President, the elevation of this institution would go a long way to address

insecurity, unemployment and youth inclusivity.

"With the array of professors, doctors, and staff committed to providing the desired teaching and learning, it is time for this institute to realise its mandate."

The minister commended Emmanuel Adanu, the DirectorGeneral of the institute for his achievements despite the meagre budget allocated to the school.

"We have seen novel efforts in the area of hydro engineering technology, dam assessment, and reservoirs.

"The institute is supposed to grow bigger instead of stagnating.

Stakeholders should come here and get world class training for their staff. The managing directors

of river basins should utilize the institute maximally because it has the technology that you cannot find anywhere," said the minister.

He added, "There are 12 river basins and a lot number of dams in Nigeria, some of which have components of hydro and irrigation. We undertook this tour with a view to familiarise ourselves with what is on the ground to prepare for the task ahead."

The noted that food security "is the first on the eight points agenda of Mr. President and it cannot be actualised without irrigatable lands" and that the 12 river basins are enough to feed this country and even export."

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

NEWS

MULTI-AGENCY STRATEGY MEETING… L-R: Managing Director FHA Mortgage Bank, Mr. Hayatudeen Auwal; ED Portfolio Management, FMBN, Kingsley Chukwumah;MD/CEO, NMRC, Kehinde Ogundimu; Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo; Minister Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; MD/CEO, FHA, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, and CEO, Family Homes Funds Limited, Abdul Mutallab Mukhtar, after a multi-agency meeting at the ministrys headquarters in Abuja…recently

Era of Payments for Unawarded Contracts Over, AGF Declares Says N743.737bn released for capital projects as at August, N487.421bn being processed for September, October James Emejo in Abuja The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, yesterday, said the era of payments for yet-to-be-awarded projects was over.

She said likewise, projects that were not included in the procurement plan, “will be very difficult to implement,” going forward.

The AGF read the riot act at the opening of a one-day capacity-building programme themed: "Implementation of the Cash Plan Policy in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges”, which was organised by the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria (APPON) FCT Chapter in collaboration with the Office of the AGF and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

She further disclosed that with the bottom-up cash plan introduced by the federal government, N743.737 billion had been released for capital budget implementation as of August while about N487.421 billion was being processed for September and October 2023.

Madein, however, put the

total releases at N1.2 trillion, noting that compared to the correspondent periods in 2022, N5 trillion had been released while actual implementation was below N1 trillion.

She also said the era of uncertainty over capital budget releases was over as only implemented projects would be funded henceforth.

The AGF said it was expected that projects that were due for payments, would have undergone all the procedures and preparations, adding that they don’t necessarily have to be completed projects as ongoing projects with milestones and interim payment certificates will be qualified.

Likewise, she pointed out that programmes of the MDAs that involved personnel movement, and payment of DTAs that were impeded in the capital budget would be honoured for payments once approved - details necessary to make the payments are available at the time of uploading the cash plan.

She said, “It has been made in a way that on a monthly basis, the MDAs are required

to gather all the payments that are due and upload them and they may even be due in the next few days or next few weeks but can successfully be uploaded with the criteria that has been set out.

“Once they are uploaded and once the fund that very month is available, they will all be paid. And what it means is that the beneficiaries that have already been mapped out that their details have been supplied would be the ones to be paid.

“It is no longer the time they would say, 'procurement, I don't want you to award the contract to that company, give it to another company'. The era is over. You will be at peace with your principal and everybody will be at peace.”

She said, “There won't be any area where you will be made to do something very different from what you work and procurement plan had spelt out from the beginning of the year.

“So, it is appropriate for me to encourage procurement officers should embrace this policy very well and ensure that the policy is working

because it has lots of prospects.

“It saves the country from running helter-skelter to seek money at the beginning of the year while the same government will continue to pay interest on the fund that is not being deployed.”

According to her, the cash plan also, “helps in implementing budgets as at the time we have already programmed that they will be implemented.

“So, the implementation will no longer be delayed, so also the payment will no longer be delayed. With your capital budget, you have the chance of drawing 100 per cent in a month if you are convinced that you have implemented all the projects and they are all ready for payment.

“But if you have not implemented your projects, it becomes very difficult and that's why we hear of a few agitations because they've not done all the necessary activities that are supposed to have taken place prior to payment.”

“So, it is appropriate that we all embrace this policy and support the Office of the

NSITF Rolls out Strategies to Achieve FG’s Social Security Agenda Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) says it has rolled out more measures to operationalise the federal government’s 'Eight-Point Agenda' on jobs and social security.

Speaking on Thursday at the 'New Performance Management System Implementation Workshop' for the Fund’s heads of department organised for regional and branch managers of the agency in Abuja, the Managing Director of NSITF, Maureen Allagoa, said the agency must step up performance in the face of growing challenges in the world of work to effectively

meet up with the Federal government target on social security.

Of the eight-point agenda of the federal government, poverty eradication, job creation, and growth speak directly to the Ministry of Labour and Employment mandate, said Allagoa.

"As a key agency of the Ministry of Labour, the NSITF occupies a central position in ensuring that this national objectives are met. If we must remain relevant as the nation’s cardinal social security agency, we must leave no gaps in ensuring that we contribute our quota," stated the NSITF boss. "Part of the target of the Employee Compensation, lest we forget, is to grow a resilient

national workforce without which optimum productivity, growth and social inclusion will be made more difficult."

To effectively achieve this, noted Allagoa, the NSITF operations must be rejigged while pointing out that "we are here to learn and position ourselves on a lead spot for systematic performance evaluation metrics which is more pragmatic and better aligned to our job responsibility."

"I’m happy that the reinvigoration of the civil/ public service by remodelling the performance assessment system to a new model that measures and tracks actual performances, being championed by the Head

of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Folashade Yemi-Esan, has taken root in the NSITF," she explained.

Allagoa disclosed that NSITF "has fully embraced the Performance Management System (PMS), which presents a more systematic approach for assessing the performance of employees" and "left Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) with all its deficiencies."

She said the process would allow an organisation like "ours to align our mission, goals and objectives with available human resources and set priorities. It will enable us to track productivity in real-time on an individual, team or organisational level."

Accountant General (OAGF) to ensure that it works. It makes life easier for everybody and the government is even the bigger and larger beneficiary of this kind of policy.”

The AGF further pointed out that in an attempt to end the continuous extension of the budget circle, the office came up with the Bottom-up Cash Management and drafted an implementation guideline in June 2020 alongside a treasury circular issued on May 29 2020.

She stated that in order to boost the implementation of the policy, the then Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning sought and got presidential approval on August 24, 2022.

This was followed immediately with a review of the Cash Management

Guideline and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in January 2023 by the OAGF cash management team and the GIFMIS team in collaboration with the World Bank experts engaged by the OAGF. She stressed that prior to the “Implementation of the policy, the Capital Development Fund was committed to the tune of over N1.5 trillion year in year out” adding that these “commitments remained so for months in the hands of MDAs indicating that the actual cash needs of MDAs were ignored in the releases of funds thereby slowing down the utilization/implementation of already allocated funds while government continuously pay interest on borrowed funds already committed.”

President Tinubu Celebrates Legacy of late Patriarch, Alhaji K.O. Tinubu President Bola Tinubu celebrates the life and legacy of the late patriarch of the Tinubu family, Alhaji Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu, LLB, LLM, BL (CP Rtd), on the 20th anniversary of his passing.

President Tinubu extols the sterling qualities of the late patriarch, who was a distinguished public servant, lawyer, administrator, and philanthropist.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale today, Thursday 26th October, 2023, he described the late top policeman and lawyer as a finest gentleman that served the country diligently.

"Baba was the finest of men.

He was an honourable man; he was noble. He believed in defending the weak against the strong and standing for what is just even at the cost of personal liberty. He was my fortress in the dark days of oppression. He was my rock.

"Baba was selfless. He never stopped giving himself; his

Late Alhaji Kafaru Tinubu fortune, and everything for the betterment of others," the President says.

The President recalls the invaluable advice, support, and guidance the late patriarch provided him when he served as the governor of Lagos State.

"Baba was passionate about good governance. When I was the governor of Lagos, he was always on hand to offer brilliant advice and guidance.

"He left a legacy that is larger than life. We will continue to celebrate Baba as well as the values and principles he exemplified," the President declares.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

2023 NATIONAL INSURANCE CONFERENCE… L-R: Executive Director, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Chidiebere Nwokeocha; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Adaramola Temitope; President, Council Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Godwin Igbiti; Regional Director , Anglophone West Africa, Continental Reinsurance, Ogadinma Onwuaduegbo and Sec General , West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA), Davies Ebelechukwu, during the 2023 National Insurance Conference in Abuja ... recently

DHQ: Security Forces Soon to Declare Victory in War against Insurgency Troops vanquish 73 terrorists, arrest 182 others Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The military high command said yesterday that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) would soon declare victory in the ongoing war against

insurgency, going by the progress made so far.

It said the security forces were ahead of non-state actors, having secured the surrender of hundreds of thousands of insurgents in the

North-east.

At a media briefing in Abuja, Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Edward Buba, said the insurgency would soon be over.

House Urges FG to Auction Police Barracks Nationwide to Enhance Officers’ Welfare Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday called on the federal government to auction all police barracks across the country to enhance their welfare.

The Green Chamber also asked the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Police Affairs to liaise with the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) to immediately assess the value of all federal owned barracks across the country and announce a public offering for same.

The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the need to address the deplorable living conditions of officers of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) raised

by Hon. Murphy Omoruyi.

Moving the motion, he recalled that in September 2020, the National Assembly passed the Police Reform Bill 2020, which was signed into law by the former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on September 16, 2020.

He said one of its core issues was to address the living conditions of the nation's gallant police officers.

The lawmaker noted that the problem of adequate and dignified accommodation for police officers persists and has so far outlived all previous measures.

Omoruyi stressed that between 2019 - 2022 over N5 billion was spent by the federal government on barracks renovations, adding that despite all efforts, barracks continue to fail to meet basic needs in their current state of disrepair and lack of maintenance.

The lawmaker pointed out that there had been robust national debates and calls for more community oriented policing strategies and having officers living

amongst the general population, rather than in their secluded barracks would significantly satisfy the calls and enhance public safety.

Omoruyi emphasised that the barracks method of housing for police and local law enforcement officers was a relic colonial practice that had since been abandoned by the same colonialists in their home countries.

He expressed worry that police officers and their families live in squalor, characterised by large cracks on the wall, batinfested houses, leaking roofs and dilapidated structures for barracks across the country.

Omoruyi lamented that police officers had been tagged as corrupt, saying this cannot be divorced from lack of welfare services for them.

He said the public has lost confidence and respect in the country's officers due to their poor conditions of service.

Omoruyi expressed concern that the deplorable living condition of the police officers has dampened their morale and productivity.

He noted that if this issue was not urgently addressed, the welfare of the gallant officers will continue to deteriorate.

The lawmaker stressed that the abolishment of the barracks model and replacement with an enhanced ‘Housing Allowance’ determined by rank, existing police salary structure and location would be highly beneficial to the officers’ welfare, morale, productivity as well as the good of the general public.

The House therefore urged the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Police Affairs to liaise with the BPE to immediately assess the value of all federal-owned barracks across the country and announce

a public offering for same.

It also mandated the Committee on Appropriation to ensure a redeployment of the funds meant for the maintenance of barracks across the country and provide annual budgetary allocation for the construction of befitting housing for serving police officers.

"We are very much in the lead in the ongoing counter insurgency and counterterrorism operations in the country and that sooner than later the insecurity would be history.

"One of the top priorities of the armed forces is to secure the country and protect citizens from harm caused by these terrorists and extremists across the country.

Accordingly, the military is actively working to achieve this mandate", he said.

He said operations in the last one week resulted in 73 neutralised terrorists with 182 of them arrested.

He said troops also arrested 14 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages.

In the South-south, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of

N1.2 billion.

"It is worthy of mention that the armed forces are in the lead in the ongoing country insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the country.

“Significantly, these operations have killed or captured several terrorists, extremist leaders, their facilitators, key associates and numerous of their foot soldiers.

“Relatedly, the ongoing surgical operations recently embarked upon have thrown these evil elements into a state of complete disarray due to the precision of the operations.

“The terrorist and extremist alike are now perplexed and suffocated with little or no hiding place. It is now a question of sooner than later before it would be too late

for most of them”, he said.

Buba noted that ”during the week and in collaboration with our foreign partners, “the military conducted a surgical operation targeted at the residence of an ISWAP terrorist commander in Niger State.

"Several arrests and discoveries were made as a result of the operation. However, being an ongoing operation not much can be revealed at this stage. Nevertheless, one thing is certain, the operation is just one of several others to flush out the terrorists.

“The message is clear to all. You are either on the side of Nigerians and the armed forces, or against us in the fight against terrorists and extremist", he said.

Sanwo-Olu, Obaseki, Others Witness Decoration of 12 AIGs, 19 CPS Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The governors of Lagos, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Kogi and Abia States, yesterday, witnessed and also participated in the decoration of 12 newly-promoted Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and 19 Commissioners of Police conducted by the InspectorGeneral of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The event followed the approval

of the recommendation by the Nigeria Police by the Police Service Commission (PSC) for the promotion of 31 AIGs and CPs as well as 5,687 other dedicated senior officers within the Nigeria Police Force.

In his remarks, the IG charged the beneficiaries to continue to exhibit the core values of service, sacrifice, and selflessness in the discharge of their duties.

He also commended their dedication and hard work which earned them the well-deserved

promotion.

"The newly decorated officers demonstrated exceptional commitment to maintaining law and order in their respective duty posts and as such new ranks symbolise added responsibilities and the trust placed in them to continue leading by example,” he said.

Also in attendance were former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, retired IG, Usman Baba and his wife, senator representing Kogi Central, royal fathers from Kogi

and Lagos States, members of the force management team and other senior police officers.

The IG congratulated all the promoted officers and encouraged them to redouble their efforts in service to the nation.

He also appreciated the PSC for their thorough and objective evaluation of the officers' performances assuring of improved collaborative efforts in the effort to deepen excellence and uphold the NPF’s duty to serve and protect the people of Nigeria.

NDLEA Arrests 252 Drug Offenders in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, yesterday said it arrested 252 suspected drug dealers and traffickers in nine months.

The state Commander, Buba Wakawa, who disclosed this through the Assistant Commander Narcotics, in charge of Media and Advocacy, Ondoimi Bebetu, in Benin City, said the suspects

were arrested between January and September this year.

He said the arrested suspects who were considered users were counselled and released to their loved ones, adding that the law permits the agency to counsel them.

He explained that in fighting drug trafficking, the agency liaises with the police, army, the Department of State Service (DSS) and other sister agencies to carry out periodic raids in hotels and

event centres in the state to arrest drug dealers and traffickers.

"From January till date, NDLEA has arrested 252 suspected drug traffickers and peddlers in the state.

Some of them have been jailed, some are still in court while other have been counselled.

"We go to hotels and recreational centres where young boys and girls hide to traffic drugs. The arrested suspects are usually questioned to know those who are dealers, drug peddlers and users," he said.

Wakawa said though the drug war in Edo State has been very challenging, the agency is doing its best in curtail drug use and supply drug chain in the state.

"Some of the commonest drugs from this dealers are cannabis, tramadol, cocaine, heroine, Colorado and codeine syrup. The users sniff this drug, sometimes cook or chew them raw while they smoke the dried one, and swallow tramadol," he added.

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NEWS

29TH NIGERIAN ECONOMIC SUMMIT...

L-R: Managing Partner, Kreston Pedabo, Ajibade Fashina; Managing Director, FSDH, Mrs Bukola Smith; and Managing Director, Development Bank of Nigeria, Anthony Okpanachi at the 29th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja... recently

SUPREME COURT: TINUBU’S ELECTION AS PRESIDENT IS HEREBY AFFIRMED the apex court which agreed with the tribunal that the appellants did not present relevant evidence to prove this allegation pointed out that the appellants abandoned the duty placed on them to prove non-compliance and rely solely on INEC's failure to transmit results real time.

According to Okoro, "the unavailability of results on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) cannot be a ground to nullify" the February 25 presidential election which produced Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as President.

In addition, the apex court held that failure to transmit results to IReV does not affect the results of the election, because the IREV portal was not a collation system.

"IREV is not a collation center.

Whenever iREV fails, it doesn't stop collation of results because collation never stopped," the apex court held, adding that the results on the IReV were meant to be compared with the hardcopy results in an event of a dispute.

Besides, Okoro agreed with the respondents and the tribunal that INEC has the constitutional right to determine how it organise or collate results.

On the issue of striking out certain paragraphs of the replies of the appellants as well as expunging the statement and evidence of some petitioners' witnesses, Okoro pointed out that allowing the statements and evidences of the witnesses would confer undue advantage on the appellants as the time for the respondents to file in their reply had elapsed.

Besides the apex court held that allowing the statements would amount to amending or brining additional evidence outside the 21 days permitted by law.

Similarly, the apex court held that the claim of votes suppression and diversion were not proved because the appellants failed to call witnesses from the polling units where such occurred, adding that the statements of the Ward, Local Government, State and National agents were more of hearsay since they could only testify of what they saw in the polling units and not across the country where election held.

On the contentious FCT issue, the apex court disagreed with the appellants that a candidate must secure 25 per cent of votes cast in the FCT before he or she can be declared winner. Okoro observed that going by that interpretation would place the FCT higher than other states of the federation.

In the whole, the apex court resolved all seven issues for determination in favour of the respondents which include; INEC, Tinubu and APC. Earlier, the apex court declined to accept fresh evidence from Atiku to

prove that Tinubu forged the certificate it submitted to INEC in aid of his qualification for the 2023 presidential election.

The court held that it lacked jurisdiction to do so on grounds that it was brought outside the 180 days provided by law.

Atiku had asked for leave to present fresh evidence obtained from the Chicago State University (CSU) in proof of his allegation that the certificate Tinubu submitted to INEC for qualification in the 2023 presidential poll was not issued by CSU. The fresh evidence rejected was a 32-page document containing Tinubu's academic record from the Chicago State University where Tinubu claimed he graduated from in 1979. The 1979 certificate released to Atiku showed remarkable difference from the one Tinubu submitted to INEC. Besides, a deponent who swore on oath to the genuineness of the documents released to Atiku, under cross examination admitted that the university did not issue the certificate Tinubu submitted to INEC. However, Atiku had brought in the fresh evidence to the Supreme Court on October 6, one month after the tribunal delivered its judgment on September 6, 2023.

He had urged the apex court to accept the evidence in the interest of the nation and justice, pointing out that the issue of alleged forgery by a presidential candidate was a very weighty constitutional matter.

But, in their judgment, the apex court held that the application, "cannot be granted" because it was coming after the mandatory time provided by law for the court to entertain and decide such application.

They cited Section 285 of the Constitution which provides that a petitioner must file his case within 21 days while the tribunal must have to hear and determine within 180 days. Pointing out that the law was sacrosanct, Okoro noted that the fresh application which was brought on October 6, was brought after the case had expired on September 17, and cannot be accepted by the apex court, since the tribunal has hands off from the case.

He observed that Atiku had filed his petition on March 21, on the last day provided by the law, while the presidential election tribunal delivered its judgment on September 6, 2023, few days to the expiration of the 180 days.

In dismissing the application, the apex court held that it cannot do what the tribunal can no longer do by virtue of Section 285 of the Constitution.

Since the lower court has no jurisdiction to entertain the application, it follows that the Supreme Court cannot do anything with it, Okoro added, stressing that the time for doing certain things as prescribed by the

law cannot be extended.

"The 180 days is immutable and cannot be extended. They did not ask for extension of time to amend their petition to bring in their deposition, even at that it can still not be accepted", Okoro held.

Besides, the apex court noted that the appellants did not plead forgery in their case and did not even apply for amendment to reflect forgery before seeking to tender fresh evidence of forgery against Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the apex court also dismissed Obi's appeal barely few minutes after it dismissed Atiku's for also lacking in merit.

According to the apex court most of the issues raised by Obi in his appeal were similar to the ones which were dealt with in the appeal by Atiku.

Okoro, noted that the only issue not dealt with was that of double nomination which had already been dealt with some months ago.

"It is the view of this court that the issue having been dealt with by this court on May 26, 2023, this court cannot allow the matter to be re-litigated; there must be an end to litigation.

"The appeal is devoid of any merit and it is accordingly dismissed.

"The judgment of the court below is hereby affirmed," Okoro held.

The judgment yesterday, finally put an end to all litigations concerning the 2023, presidential election.

It also brought great relief to the winners and some great lessons to those who lost.

Buhari: Supreme Court's Dismissal Of Atiku, Obi's Appeal Relief to Nigerians Former President, Muhammadu Buhari, described the verdict of the Supreme Court that dismissed the appeals by Atiku and Obi against the election of Tinubu as a welcome relief to him and majority of Nigerians.

The ex-President, in a statement issued yesterday, by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, repeated what he said about the September 6, 2023 verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Court which affirmed Tinubu’s victory that the decision was, “a reaffirmation of the will of the majority of the people against the determined will of a hard-fighting minority.”

According to him: “Now that we have arrived at the last bus stop, after a tortuous eight months of expensive legal journey, the nation deserves a break.

"The opposition has fought a good fight. Having now exhausted their rights as constitutionally allowed, they should take the hand of fellowship extended by the Tinubu/Shettima APC government. “Let them allow the government to run their administration and the people to have the benefit

of the promises the APC." However, the former president expressed concern over low voting percentage all over the country, especially in urban areas, saying this should change given the acceptance and vibrancy of democracy in Nigeria.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and his Deputy, Ben Kalu, described the victory of Bola Tinubu at the Supreme Court as the victory for all.

The Speaker in a statement issued yesterday, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, hailed the judiciary for remaining the last hope of the common man.

He noted that the judgment by the Supreme Court further strengthened legal jurisprudence in Nigeria.

Abbas added: “I want to congratulate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the affirmation of the mandate given to him by Nigerians at the Supreme Court.

“It is indeed a victory for democracy.

The entire judicial process further confirms and solidifies the rule of law in our country.

“It is my sincere hope that the opponents, after exercising their constitutional rights to challenge the electoral victory up to the apex court in the land, will consider working with Mr. President to deliver his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,' aimed at addressing the pressing socio-economic and security issues affecting Nigerians."

Also, the Deputy Speaker has congratulated the President on the judgement of the Supreme Court which affirmed his election as the President.

Kalu, in a statement issued Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu, said by the victory, democracy has triumphed in Nigeria.

The Deputy Speaker said the ruling of the apex court also affirmed the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls on February 25, 2023.

the PDP believes is against the express provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, the Guideline and Regulation issued by INEC under which the election was conducted.

"The PDP asserts that it is indeed a sad commentary for our democracy that the Supreme Court failed to uphold the provisions of the law.

“Instead, it trashed the expectation of majority of Nigerians who looked up to it as a Temple of Impartiality to deliver substantial justice in the matter having regards to the laws and facts of the case."

He stressed that Nigerians earnestly expected the Supreme Court to uphold and defend the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution in terms of qualification and minimum requirement for a winner to be declared in a presidential election in Nigeria especially with regards to the required statutory 25 per cent of votes in the FCT as well as issues of violation of electoral rules and guidelines, brazen manipulations and alterations of election results by the APC. According to the PDP, "Nigerians are still at a loss as to how the Supreme Court condoned the serious issues of forgery, falsehood and perjury on the altar of technicalities.

"The general gloom, melancholy and sense of despondency across the country upon the delivery of the judgment is an ominous sign of eerie situation which portend grave consequences because of the disappointment embedded in the judgment.

"This judgment by the Supreme Court has evidently shaken the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court as the last hope of the common man.", Ologunagba stated.

The PDP said that it remained undeterred and charged Nigerians not to be discouraged or allow the judgment to detract from their collective quest for the entrenchment of a credible electoral system that can guarantee a government that truly derive its legitimacy from the people.

PDP: Supreme Court Judgment Disappointing, Concerning

LP: Struggle to Build Nation Where Justice Reign Destroyed

The PDP yesterday said it was appalled by the judgment of the Supreme Court in the petition filed by its presidential candidate, Atiku, against the declaration of the APC and Tinubu as winners of the presidential election by INEC. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the main opposition party noted that, "The PDP and indeed majority of Nigerians are alarmed, disappointed and gravely concerned with the reasoning of the Supreme Court which

In its reaction to the Supreme Court judgement, the leadership of LP, yesterday said it was bewildered as the sacred fabric of justice and good conscience was shredded as the apex court delivered its verdict in the case between the party, its presidential candidate and the APC presidential candidate A statement by the National Chairman of the party Julius Abure, stated, "We are indeed very shocked and surprised that even the apex court will toe the line of an earlier judgement

Tinubu’s Supreme Court Victory for All Nigerians, Says Abbas, Kalu

in spite of all the flaws associated with the judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Appeal Tribunal.

"Having conclusively exercised our fundamental rights as gifted to us by the laws of the land, we have no other choice but to move on. We may be disappointed and dismayed by the outcome of the exercise, but we have chosen to trudge on and to remain optimistic of what the future holds for the nation.", Abure said.

According to Abure, "We weep for our institutions that cannot rise to the occasion and courageously defend democracy and the voices of our people".

However, he said that there were great lessons to be learnt, explaining that, "What transpired in Nigeria since the February 25 presidential election is a clear testament that our institutions are not working and that we may be sliding towards dictatorship.

"It is very clear that the executive has hijacked both the judiciary and the legislature. This is so unfortunate for our democracy and it is even more for the people of Nigeria.

"All what our forbearers taught us have been destroyed within a short space of time because of the unbridled ambition of a few. The founding fathers fought with their lives to achieve independence for the country.

"People lost their lives for the struggle to keep our democracy and all these years people have been struggling to achieve electoral and constitutional reforms. Regrettably, all of these efforts and struggles have been destroyed today", national chairman of the Labour party lamented.

Abure said it was also pertinent to put on record that the party, "has it on very good authority that the government may have marked some Labour Party's key leaders, myself especially and our leader and presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi in particular for vilification, in order to suppress the party, suffocate our team, and our goal of a new Nigeria.

"The planned persecution, intimidation, suppression and harassment of our leaders using security agencies and all other government institutions will be definitely defended.

"We are therefore calling on all our members, and the Obidient family to be vigilant and brace up for the challenges ahead. The struggle for a New Nigeria will certainly be tortuous and hard.", Abure alerted.

He called on the International community to rise to the occasion to defend democracy in Nigeria, saying, "Your voices were loud and clear in condemnation of the outcome of the presidential election. As we approach the next stage of our democratic journey, we call on you to stand by the millions of Nigerians who are already pushed beyond their limits into unnecessary hardship and penury."

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

NEWS

2023 NATIONAL WOMEN CONFERENCE...

Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Keynote speaker, Hadiza Bala Usman (left), with National President of the National Association of Senior Staff of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Mohammed Ibrahim, at the 2023 National Women Conference of the association in Abuja…yesterday

Impeachment: Ondo Deputy Gov Apologises to Akeredolu Fidelis David in Akure The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, yesterday, tendered an apology to the State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, over the political crisis in the State.

Crisis had arisen since Akeredolu's absence from the State and his subsequent return from a threemonth medical leave in Germany on September 7, and the recent impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor by the State Assembly.

However, speaking in Akure, Aiyedatiwa lamented the embarrassment and discomfort the governor had faced due to the barrage of negative news in the State in the last five months, pledging his loyalty and commitment to the development of the State.

Aiyedatiwa, noted that there was the need to calm all nerves in order to restore peace and tranquility in the Sunshine State.

His words: “I am profoundly grateful to Mr. Governor for his intervention and role in persuading the distinguished members of the Ondo State House of Assembly to

embrace the political solution offered by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the face of an impeachment move against me.

“Our beloved State has witnessed series of events triggered by the health challenges faced by Mr. Governor, which gave rise to misunderstandings, misconceptions, assumptions, and insinuations, and exploited by political contenders preparing for the upcoming 2024 gubernatorial election.

“The recent impeachment attempt by the House of Assembly and the ensuing reactions have further created division and chaos, with my loyalty to Mr. Governor being questioned.

“It is in reference to the above that I hereby tender my unreserved apologies to Mr. Governor and the good people of Ondo state, and I assure that, together, we will both complete this journey with honour, divine guidance and in good health by the grace of God.” Besides, Aiyedatiwa denied all the allegations peddled against him by those he described as desperate to get rid of him from government ahead of the next election, noting that he would continue to maintain

Senate Confirms Aliyu as ICPC Chairman Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate yesterday, confirmed the appointment of Musa Aliyu as Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The upper chamber also confirmed the appointments of Gadji Dantata and Saka Suleiman as members of the federal Judicial Service Commission.

Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, announced the confirmation of Aliyu and the two members of the federal judicial service commission after they were cleared by a voice vote by senators at the plenary.

Aliyu, a lawyer and former Attorney-General of Jigawa State was screened at the committee of the whole.

The ICPC Chairman told the senators that he is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) designate.

Aliyu explained that he obtained his secondary school leaving certificate in 1995 and proceeded to Bayero University, Kano to study Law in 1998.

The ICPC chairman said he graduated from Bayero University's faculty of Law in 2003 and enrolled for his law school in 2004 before

he started practicing as a lawyer.

Meanwhile Dantata and Suleiman who appeared before the senate for confirmation as members of the federal judicial service also narrated their achievements in the private and public sectors.

Dantata, said she hailed from Kano State.

She told the senators that she obtained her Bachelor's degree, Masters of Arts and PhD from the Bayero University, Kano.

The Deputy Senate President however directed that Dantata 'take a bow and go' in order to "ensure gender sensitivity" in the screening process.

Suleiman, the second member of the federal judicial service commission said he hailed from Ifelodun Local Government area of Kwara State.

The nominee said he attended Kwara State College of Technology now Kwara State Polytechnic.

Suleiman also said he enrolled into University of Lagos in 1981 where he obtained his Bachelor's degree.

None of the senators asked Suleiman questions relating to his position as a member of the Judicial Commission before he was directed to step out of the Senate chamber.

decorum in the face of those false and baseless accusations.

“We have continued to read all sorts of lies against my person in the media. None of it is true. There has never been any issue between Mr. Governor and myself and I have never undermined Mr. Governor.

This is a fabricated crisis just for the purpose of election.

“I remain fully committed to the principles of good governance that Mr. Governor has established, and I pledge my unwavering loyalty to him and I will continue to submit myself under his able, courageous and selfless leadership,” Aiyedatiwa said.

Aiyedatiwa, also distanced himself from groups and individuals holding

protests or calling on the Governor to resign, stressing that he has never commissioned any individual or group to engage in such campaigns.

The Deputy Governor thanked the national leadership of the APC for its intervention on the impeachment move against him, pledging his commitment to the reconciliation efforts aimed at restoring peace in

the State.

“I have a lot of respect for the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly and members of the State Executive Council and I do not hold any grudge. I want to appeal to all the political actors in the State to allow peace so we can all concentrate on the development of our dear State,” he added.

Bauchi Seeks USAID's Continuous Support in Fight against Malnutrition Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, yesterday, said the interventions of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Bauchi in critical areas has reinforced the commitment of the present administration in the state to deliver effective, sustainable solutions to challenges in the health sector including malnutrition.

Jatau, disclosed this at the official handing over of 17,500 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) donated by the USAID to Bauchi State government held in Abuja.

The Deputy Governor said to reciprocate the gesture, the administration of Governor Bala

Mohammed remained committed to MoU obligations, saying it would continue to demonstrate leadership and high sense of political will to ensure effective healthcare coverage.

He noted that the generosity of USAID in providing 17,500 cartons of RUTF was a significant milestone in the collective efforts to address malnutrition and its devastating effects, saying the therapeutic food ensures that children suffering from severe malnutrition can regain their health and lead promising, fulfilling lives.

Jatau, also said USAID's commitment to providing the RUTF was a testament to its understanding of the tremendous difference the intervention could make in transforming not only individual lives, but also the future of the state

as the donation of the cartons of the RUTF marks a significant turning point in the state government's battle against malnutrition in Bauchi.

"This donation is a testament to the tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of USAID to the wellbeing of our people.

“However, we must remember that this is just the beginning. Our fight against malnutrition requires sustained efforts and collaborations from all stakeholders to ensure that no child in our state falls victim to this preventable tragedy.

"As we all know, malnutrition remains a serious challenge in our society, particularly among the most vulnerable children.

“Malnutrition hampers not only the physical growth of our young ones, but also their cognitive

development, leading to long-term consequences that hinder their potential.

“However, with the assistance and partnership of USAID, we are actively working towards combating malnutrition in our state.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to USAID for the numerous interventions and support towards the development of our dear Bauchi state. USAID has consistently demonstrated dedication to alleviating the suffering of our people through implementation of programmes,” he added.

According to the USAID, the donation of the cartons of the RUTF was as a result of the state government's commitment to ensuring that RUTF and other essential commodities were available.

NAFDAC Destroys N16bn Worth of Substandard Drugs, Medical Devices Seeks speedy passage of counterfeit medical product bill Gilbert Ekugbe The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), yesterday, destroyed substandard and falsified drugs, medical devices and other unwholesome regulated products worth over N16 billion.

The Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, at the destruction exercise which took place in the Sagamu area of Ogun State, said the move was to demonstrate its commitment to eliminating illicit drugs, unwholesome foods, medical devices, chemicals while also safeguarding the health of the nation.

The Director General represented by the Director, Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC Francis Ononiwo, stated that the products being destroyed were unsafe for public consumption, explaining that

the products were seized courtesy of its renewed collaboration with manufacturers, importers and distributors.

In her words, "Also up for destruction today are damaged and expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trade unions, to the agency. The estimated street value of the products planned for destruction is N16 billion.”

However, she commended the National Assembly (NASS) for their support while also soliciting for the speedy passage of the counterfeit medical products bill that would strengthen the agency’s fight against counterfeiting in Nigeria.

She sounded a note of warning to unscrupulous importers and manufacturers of fake drugs, saying that the agency was on top of its

game to eradicate fake drugs and other regulated products with no economic value in the country.

"Some other products marked for destruction today are some products that were mopped up from circulation in the course of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate’s raids.

“These include illicit and unregistered pharmaceutical products, such as Codeine syrup, Tafrodol 225mg with active ingredient 7apentado/ Hydrochoride, aphrodisiacs, anti-malaria injections and many other unregistered drugs.

Also, included is potassium bromate which is a banned bread improver.

Others are contraband imported soaps, banned canned tomato paste, perfumes and body sprays," she said.

She commended the judiciary for their continued support and called for stiffer sanctions to deter counterfeiters, warning that their

activities continue to pose serious threats and danger to the society and consumers of the products.

Also speaking, the Director, South-west Zone, NAFDAC, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, said the South-west zone plays host to so many industries and stakeholders of NAFDAC regulated products, hence it was not any wonder that the zone was ladened with the full complement of NAFDAC activities including enforcement activities leading to the destruction exercise.

"The essence of this exercise is very crucial to display the transparency with which the agency conducts her activities including enforcement.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Ogun state Government who has collaborated with the agency over the years to achieve this component of the agency’s Mandate," she urged

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

RECOGNISING ENTREPRENEURSHIP…

L-R: Proprietor of Colonades Hospitality Range, Okemili Charles Odunukwe; representative of the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University(Unizik), Awka, Prof. Fredrick Odibo; Director of Unizik Business School, Prof. Emma Okoye; Chairman, Chikason Group, Chief Chika Okafor, and Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Emeritus Sam Omenyi, when Unizik Business School conferred the award of Dynamic Entrepreneurship of Excellence on Odunukwe and Okafor in Awka, Anambra State…recently

Police Arrest UNIPORT Student for Killing Girlfriend for Ritual Parade doctor for child trafficking, rescue four children

BlessingIbungeinPortHarcourt The Rivers State Police Command has paraded a 24-year-old Mr. Damian Okoligwe, a final year student of the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) for killing his girlfriend, one Miss Justina Otuene, 20 year-old, and cut-off her breast

and eyes for alleged ritual. she was asleep on Wednesday.

THISDAY gathered that the It was gathered that on his suspect (Damian), a Petrochemical (suspect) way to dispose the remains Engineering student, invited the of the victim, his movement became victim (girlfriend), a 300 level Biochemistry student of same university to his house along NTA Road, Ozuoba, Port Harcourt and John Shiklam in Kaduna allegedly committed the crime while The Director, North West Area Office of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. in the state.

Kehinde Aremu, has called on He gave the assurance when he employers of corps members to spoke at the Town Hall Meeting on the 2024-2026 Medium Term ensure better welfare for corps Expenditure Framework (MTEF) members.

Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, has assured that his administration would provide an additional 10,000 affordable houses and complete all ongoing road projects, including the agro-cargo airport in the next four years.

Abiodun also promised to refurbish Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the 236 wards

suspects arrested for different nefarious crimes in the state, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emeka Nwonyi, said that operatives

of Ozuoba Division received a complaint from a neighbour on suspicion of the smell of human blood fuming out of the suspect’s flat.

Ensure Welfare of Corps Members, NYSC Appeals to Corps Employers

‘10,000 Houses Coming in Ogun’

James Sowole in Abeokuta

suspicious where the local security in the area, alerted the police and he was apprehended.

Parading Damian and other

and the 2024 Budget for Remo Division, held at the Akarigbo Palace, Sagamu.

He also hinted at the construction of a Dry Port at Kajola and a Logistics Hub at Wasimi in collaboration with the private sector.

Aremu made the call in Kaduna at the 2023 edition of the Corps Employers’ Forum, with the theme: ‘Evolving strategies for promoting a healthy work/life balance for corps members: the role of employers’.

He also warned that

appropriate action would be taken against corps employers found to be aiding and abetting absenteeism and abscondment of corps members from service.

Aremu, who noted that employers of corps members play a pivotal role in fulfilling some objectives of the NYSC,

however, said corps members should not be overworked.

He stressed that corps members, who dedicate their time and energy to serve the country, should not be overwhelmed to the point where their work-life balance is compromised.

Tour Operators TaskTheNAHCON Boss on Accountability, Professionalism National President of the as a significant milestone in the to the holy land.

Ahmad Sorondinki inKano The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), has urged the new Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Mr. Jalal Ahmad Arabi, to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.

AHUON, Mr. Yahaya Sulaiman Nasidi, in a press statement that was issued in Kano yesterday, applauded the appointment of Arabi as the best thing to happen to the industry.

Nasidi in the signed statement described Arabi’s appointment

regulation and administration of Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria.

He said: “We believe that his leadership will further strengthen the commission’s commitment to ensuring the smooth and successful pilgrimage of Nigerian Muslims

“AHUON is confident that under Mr. Arabi’s guidance, NAHCON will continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, Accountability, and openness, build on the successes achieved by the previous Management team.

November 11 election in the state.

The forum also tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “immediately activate relevant sections of the electoral law against candidates fanning ethnic division and stoking atomic politics in the state.

Addressing the journalists in Lokoja yesterday, the Chairman of FFMKSHA, Mr. Alhassan Salisu Adakeke, with other members in attendance, pointed out that Kogi was too central to Nigeria to be left in the hands of candidates “who are out to disunite the state” and truncate the widely

acknowledged achievements of the current administration.

The FFMKSHA, which comprised the entire past lawmakers in the state from 1999 across political parties, also resolved to go back to their different communities to ensure resounding victory for the APC’s candidate.

Security Operatives Re-arrest Katsina Prison Escapee Kogi Guber: Former House of Assembly Members Support Ododo

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Joint security operatives in Katsina State have rearrested Abba Kala, a suspected notorious armed robber, who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in the state.

The state Public Relations

Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Najibullah Idris, announced the recapture of the escaped inmate in a statement yesterday.

Kala, an awaiting trial inmate, according to the statement, escaped from the custodial centre with one other inmate on October 17, 2023.

Ibrahim OyewaleinLokoja

The Forum of Former Members of the Kogi State House of Assembly (FFMKSHA) has unanimously declared its support for the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Usman Ododo, ahead of the

KICC to Distribute N150m Drugs, 100,000 Bags of Food Items to Lagos Indigents ‘We have Successfully Repaired Ayodeji million among others to Lagos Crusade’ that will hold from Initiator of CCRW, revealed he Ake indigents.

November 6 to 11, at Igbogbo had, over the years, learnt in 6,000 VVF in Jigawa’ The distribution will be done Stadium, Ikorodu, Lagos State. Ghana during his visitation and The Kingsway International

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has carried out 90,000 deliveries and 6,000 successful Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) repairs in Jigawa State thereby reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in the state.

The MSF’s Senior Manager, Dr. Marie-Hortense Koudika, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja after a workshop in collaboration with the Jigawa State Government.

The MSF, which is also known as Doctors Without Borders, is an Christian Centre (KICC) international non-governmental yesterday disclosed plans to organisation that is providing distribute over 100, 000 bags of food items, free medical humanitarian medical care.

Koudika said that the surgeries, drugs worth N150 organisation also carried out 18,000 C-sections, 143,000 hospitalisations and 19,000 newborn admissions at the Jahun General Hospital in Alex EnumahinAbuja Jigawa State in collaboration with the Jigawa State Government in Some former government officials of Zamfara State yesterday came up the last 15 years. with ‘facts and figures’ surrounding the alleged missing N70 billion from the state government account.

The ex-government officials in

Addressing journalists during a press conference in Lagos, the Senior Pastor, KICC, Mattew Ashimolowo, who also doubles as the Founder and

ministerial assignments, the act of combining companionship with crusade, especially in this trying time of economic hardship in Africa.

Zamfara: Ex-officials Speak on ‘Missing’N70bn, Seek Impeachment of Lawal

JCI Nigeria South-west Hosts Retreat for Youths Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria, South-west Area will host its yearly training retreat for youths from the region in Ibadan from November 2 to 5, 2023. In a statement, the South-west Director of Communication, Tobi Kuti, said participants are expected to explore the four areas of opportunities

through its non-profit foundation, Christ Compassion to the Rural World (CCRW) during its forthcoming six days crusade themed: ‘Christ Compassion

of JCI, which are: individual development, business and entrepreneurship, community action, and international cooperation.

Also, Executive Vice President, South-west Area of JCI Nigeria, Gafar Odubote, said: “We are excited to host the JCI Nigeria South-west retreat for young professionals.”

a chat with journalists in Abuja, while faulting the claims of the new administration on the issue, called for the impeachment of the Governor Dauda Lawal.

The ex-officials, a former Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, Rabiu Garba

and his counterpart in Information, Ibrahim Dosara, described the claim of fraud against the immediate past administration of Governor Bello Matawalle, as mischievous and a campaign of calumny.

They predicated their call for the impeachment of Lawal on alleged

involvement in extra budgetary spending without the approval of the State House of Assembly.

“We are calling on the State House of Assembly to impeach the governor for spending outside the budget of the state. He awarded contracts that are not in the budget.

A’Ibom Gov Seeks Partnership with Corporate Bodies to Achieve Economic Blueprint Okon Bassey inUyo Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Umo Eno, has sought partnerships with corporate organisations in order to actualise the ARISE Agenda blueprint of his administration, particularly in the execution of model schools, farms,

markets, roads, health care facilities and other projects.

Governor Eno made the appeal when a delegation from Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited based in the state embarked on a facility tour of the ongoing construction of CKS Model Primary School, Wellington Bassey Way,

Uyo. Conducting the delegation around the project, Eno appealed to the company to adopt the projects spelt out in the ARISE Agenda blueprint for execution, reasoning that such collaboration would fast-track development in the rural communities in the state.

According to him, “This is the management of Sterling Petro-Chemicals. They have a presentation to make to the government and members of the community where they operate in Eastern Obolo, and they are building a very large petrochemical plant in Akwa Ibom State.”

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

46

WORLD OF ISLAM Nov 11 Polls: INEC Warns

NEWS XTRA

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

against Fake News Gaza Tragedy: A Step Closer

Adedayo Akinwale inAbuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday cautioned the media against fake news ahead of the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship elections holding on November 11.

INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, gave the warning in Abuja at the quarterly consultative meeting with the media.

He revealed that the updated statistics of the commission showed

that 94 media organisations, deploying 1,255 personnel, have been accredited for the elections.

The chairman noted that in the next few days, the accredited media organisations would be notified of the date for the collection of the identity cards for their officials.

Yakubu said: “I wish to remind all media organisations to strictly adhere to the ethics of your profession. We welcome reports on the election. At the same time, you should form a bulwark against fake news.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the commission does not believe in censorship. We have said repeatedly that the best antidote to fake news is greater openness and regular and consistent engagement with stakeholders.

We will continue to work together in this regard.

“Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi Governorship elections are critical to the commission. At this meeting, we will fully brief you about our level of preparations. In return, we will appreciate your comments and observations.”

House Leader: Kwara Assembly Set to Enact Bill on Gender Equality Hammed ShittuinIlorin Kwara State House of Assembly has finalised arrangement to enact a bill on gender equitable opportunities for adequate representation of both genders in public and political offices.

The Leader of the House, Hon. Abdulkadir Oba Magaji, who confirmed the move yesterday while speaking with journalists on the sideline of a two-day retreat for state’s lawmakers in Ilorin said: “The development is

to consolidate the commitment of the present administration in the state to the equal representations of women and men in the art of governance.”

The retreat was at the instance of UN Women in Nigeria in conjunction with National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) titled “Towards the Passage of Gender Equitable Opportunities Bill in Kwara State” with the Speaker, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, in attendance.

Magaji noted that the present

administration has shown commitment to gender inclusion in governance while the state legislature would not hesitate to offer legislation that would help close gender gap.

“The retreat on Gender Equitable Opportunities Bill is a very good thing. I can tell you that by the special grace of God, very soon, Kwara is going to pass bill on Gender Equitable Opportunities.

“It is going to be a reality. It is going to come to fruition in Kwara State”.

Amosun, Others Pay Tributes as Ex-Ogun State Commissioner is Buried The remains of the former Commissioner in Ogun State, Suleiman Onabiyi has been laid to rest in Lagos. Onabiyi was said to have died on Sunday, October 22, at age 85 and was buried in a traditional Muslim way the following day.

The elder statesman and philanthropist was known for his grassroots politics and noble deeds to his community and beyond.

These acts earned him a book entitled, “Prince of the Grassroots” a biography of Chief Suleiman

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MR CHUKWUMEZIRI NWABUEZE JERRY, now wish to be known as and addressed as MR ANUSIEM JEREMIAH. All documents bearing my former names still remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IGBOKWE CHISOM MERCY now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PATRICK CHISOM MERCY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formally known and addressed as GABRIEL OLAMILEKAN BODE, now wish to be known and addressed as EKUNBOYEJO OLAMILEKAN. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS FOLASHADE IDAYAT OGUNWALE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FOLASHADE OREOLUWA OWOLABI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IHERJIRIKA KELECHI CHINMA now wish to be known and addressed as NJOKU KELECHI CHINMA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS IGBOKWE CHISOM MERCY now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PATRICK CHISOM MERCY. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Onabiyi Okanlomo of Egbaland.

In a press statement, the former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun described Onabiyi as a selfless leader.

He was the Chairman of Ifo Local Government Area under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) State Commissioner for Agriculture, Chairman of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, and the Chairman of the Elders Council of People Democratic Party (PDP) among others.

InAmosun’s words: “Agreat lover of the masses, a kind-hearted leader, and a man of admirable carriage, Chief Onabiyi will be remembered for the many lives he touched positively through his philanthropic gesture, and

for his devotion and commitment to the cause of the Almighty Allah (SWT).

“I’m deeply touched that our political family has been depleted of a committed leader, a great supporter, and a father figure. I thank the Almighty Allah (SWT) for his life and the indelible legacies he left behind. “ “It is my prayer that Allah (SWT) will grant Chief Sule Onabiyi Aljannah Fridaus, and give his wife, children, grandchildren and the entire family, the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

All documents bearing my former names still remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as BENEDICTA OMONIGHO IKPEGBUE, now wish to be known as and addressed as BENEDICTA OMONIGHO ONYENENUE. All documents bearing my former names still remain valid. The general public should take note.

TThe Governor of Delta State, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori, has appointed Mrs. Veronica Abang-Gwam as a Senior Special Assistant (Media) in a strategic move that underscored the state government’s commitment to effective media management.

According to a statement, Abang-Gwam had worked for ex-Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. Her extensive expertise in cultivating and maintaining a robust online presence across various media platforms to engage audiences and share content about the governor’s activities and the state government’s ministries, departments, and agencies sets her apart.

“One of Nigeria’s most influential government aides, Abang-Gwam began her career in the hallowed halls of the National Assembly in Abuja, where she served as an aide to a former Senate President, Dr. Olubukola Saraki.

“Her previous roles were marked by her leadership and coordination of media operations, catering to the online audience and enhancing the visibility of the state governor and the government at large.

‘She excels in analytics and data tracking, using her skills to measure the impact of digital media campaigns, gauge engagement, and adapt strategies accordingly.’

Oborevwori Appoints CHANGE OF NAME Veronica I formerly known and addressed Abang as as MISS, CHIGOZIE BLESSING AFODI, now wish to be known as and addressed as MRS, CHIGOZIE SSA on Media BLESSING ISAIAH GODDAY.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME 7KLV LV WR FRQ¿UP WR WKH JHQHUDO SXEOLF that EMEGWA CHINYERE ABUOMA and EMEGWA ABUOMA CHINYERE is one and the same person, and now wish to be known and addressed as EMEGWA ABUOMA CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

7KLV LV WR FRQ¿UP 7KDW AJEME JOSHUA ONYEMAECHI is one and the same person as AJEME JOSHUA. Henceforth he wishes to be known and addressed as AJEME JOSHUA ONYEMAECHI. Nassarawa State University and the General Public please take note.

This is to confirm to the general public that UZOBUAKU DANIEL EMEKA and UZOBUAKU DANIEL NZUBECHI is the same person, and now wish to be known as UZOBUAKU DANIEL NZUBECHI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

to the Apocalypse (III) By: Spahic Omer/Iviews/IslamiCity Epitomising the Western position vis-à-vis history, Napoleon Bonaparte once remarked that history is a bunch of lies which a community agrees upon. The subject of the history of Palestine is an excellent case in point. The case denotes a centre of gravity around which the majority of other foremost issues revolve. The level and intensity of untruths applicable to the Palestinian case are expected to spill over and permeate the other either scientific or cultural domains.

That is why the triad – or unholy trinity - of Zionism, Islamophobia and Orientalism belong to the same family of a Western civilizational aberration. Although they had diverse origins and divergent performance metrics, the three continuously aided each other’s existence and functionality. Whenever it was needed, they carved out a plenty of convergence points where they could stand united and perform accordingly, appearing thus stronger and lending additional credence to the clouts of their respective spheres.

This means that despite its aspiration to become a global spectacle and despite its aggressive proselytising proclivity, Western civilization is compatible neither with the spirit of the Islamic faith nor the disposition of the Muslim mind.

Whatever has been imposed on the Muslim biological, intellectual and spiritual existence, chiefly by way of the Western forceful expansionism and colonization, is of an artificial character. The same increasingly alienates Muslims from their religion, history, culture and identity, while at the same time does not bring them any closer to the actual orbit of the West and its civilizational legacy. Retaining the status quo does not bode well for the future of the Muslim world.

Western civilization belongs to the West. That is not a club for Muslims. The sooner Muslims start reducing their civilizational dependence on the West, Islamizing what is at hand and generally working on producing viable Islamic alternatives, the better. The West should be eschewed as much as feasible, and all focus should be directed inwards, towards rebuilding what has been lost or forgotten.

Islamic civilization was the most consequential in history. It did not die – in fact, it cannot die because it represents the truth and the truth does not die. Islamic civilization merely went into a hiatus. It declined as a consequence of the vicissitudes of time and space (the laws of the rise and fall of civilizations) and just waits to be resuscitated.

Indeed, since many Muslims are torn between the beckoning of Western civilization which offers a poisoned chalice, and the prospect of reviving Islamic civilization which at this point demands hard work and sacrifices, the same Muslims stand at a crossroads insofar as responding to the Palestinian situation is concerned. What the intrinsic states of their heart and soul invite them to is not necessarily that which their indoctrinated mind feels inclined to. The clash between the two moods is real and painful. The physical battles on the streets of Gaza are almost similar intensity-wise to the inner battles those people have to endure.

The Palestinian quagmire is inextricably linked to the part played by both Israel and the West, which are mutually reinforcing in pursuit of a common objective. This is a proxy war wherein the West is the mastermind and Israel the marionette. The latter does the dirty work its masters in the West are supposed to do. When it comes to harming the interests of Islam and Muslims, the two principles that preside over the other considerations are unity - i.e., unity is strength - and collective efforts - i.e., collective efforts yield mutual success. Nothing unites those vultures better than an agenda against the Muslim interests.

Like so, for the West Israel signifies a bulwark of defence against the peril of Islam, whereas for Israel the West signifies a defensive shield from both the back and the flanks. Owing to this pact, while currently Israel mercilessly keeps pounding the vulnerable Palestinians trapped in Gaza, using some of the most sophisticated weapons on the planet, its master patron, the US, warned “against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation.” It moreover said it will send multiple military ships and aircraft closer to Israel as a show of support, and will also increase military aid and provide munitions to Israel (Aljazeera.com).

With this in mind, one muses when Muslims will gain insight into what really is going on and when they will recognize the key protagonists in the evolving scenario. When will they understand that they themselves, their Prophet and their

Creator are their only friends and supporters?

When will Muslims finally wake up? The other communities, especially the West and its staunch allies from other corners of the world, are either outright enemies or cunning hypocrites. Which is not surprising, though, given that all religions have been destroyed long ago and that their man-made substitutes keep faltering and vanishing into oblivion by the day, except Islam which not only refuses to succumb and go away, but also keeps getting stronger and its adherents getting more numerous by the day.

Without a doubt, hatred towards Islam and Muslims is factual and is as much impulsive as premeditated. Islam is the only power formidable enough to stand against the emergence and spread of devilish world orders.

When will Muslims start listening to the words of their Creator who knows the seen and the unseen, and the disclosed as well as concealed intentions of people? When will they heed for example these words: “And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say: ‘Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the (only) guidance.’ If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper” (al-Baqarah, 120).

Also: “O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves (like the Jews and Christians), for they will not spare you (any) ruin. They wish you would have hardship.

Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater. We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you will use reason. Here you are loving them but they are not loving you, while you believe in the Scripture - all of it. And when they meet you, they say: ‘We believe.’ But when they are alone, they bite their fingertips at you in rage. Say: ‘Die in your rage. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.’ If good touches you, it distresses them; but if harm strikes you, they rejoice at it. And if you are patient and fear Allah, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed, Allah is encompassing of what they do” (Alu ‘Imran, 118-120).

Finally, if there is any silver lining to what is happening in Palestine it is the fact that more and more Muslims are starting to ask questions they never asked before, and are starting to feel what they never felt before. This truly gives hope, for as long as there are questions there will be answers too, and as long as there are appropriate emotions and right mental states there will be right actions too. What is calamitous and assassinates hopes is apathy. Indeed, the confinement and suffering of the body are inconsequential when compared to the imprisonment of the intellect and soul. Before a person (a nation) gets out from his physical predicament, he must get out from the predicaments of his inner self first.

The Muslim potential is undeniable, imbuing the foes with a sense of dread. However, the outpouring passions and energies need to be fused and as such channelled towards a set of shared objectives. The key words are unity and cooperation: the unity of purpose, enthusiasm and direction, and cooperation - as per the Qur’anic directive (al-Ma’idah, 2) - in righteousness and piety, rather than in sin and aggression. If the West can constantly be united in matters of mischief, one ponders what prevents Muslims from getting united in matters of goodness and virtue.

It is high time to start getting to the bottom of things, and perhaps allow the latest chapter in the Palestinian tragedy - which contributes significantly to the separation of the wheat from the chaff, both domestically and internationally – to serve as a watershed. It is better to start taking things into our own hands before things take us in theirs.

As far-fetched as it may seem, but the recent events in the valiant Gaza denoted a step closer to the apocalypse about which the teacher of all teachers - Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family – informed us in such vivid and minute details. The Prophet told us that a great sign of the imminence of the Day of Judgment will be when Muslims as the only proponents of the truth will fight the Jews as a prominent segment of those who will follow Dajjal (false Messiah). The Jews could well be the vanguard of the rest.

Hence, when the big one comes, a person should be capable of discerning the true character of each side involved in the unfolding bedlam, and long before then, both in body and spirit, he should be in the ranks of the right party. Otherwise, there may be no extra time for reassessment, nor extra opportunity for redemption.

Concluded

47

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

FRIDAYSPORTS

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

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Orban on Target for Gent, Dessers, Lookman Fire Blanks

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigerian international, Gift Orban, ended his goal drought last night as his Belgian side whitewashed Iceland’s Breidablik Kopavugar 5-0 in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

The forward scored his first goal since August and also his only goal so far of the group stage of the competition in the 69th minutes. It was the fifth of the night as the Belgian side ran riot with goals.

Orban’s Super Eagles teammate, Cyriel Dessers fired blanks as

EUROPA LEAGUE Rangers emerged with a precious Europa League point from Prague after a testing goalless night against Sparta.

In Philippe Clement's first European game in charge, a tinkered Ibrox line-up toiled for a foothold in the Letna Stadion in the first half, with Jack Butland repeatedly keeping them level before the break.

The attack spearheaded by Dessers for 74 minutes before he was substituted for Danilo, failed

to unlock Sparta Prague’s backline.

Rangers' brittle attack eventually conjured a cluster of late chances, but Sam Lammers and Danilo found Peter Vindahl in defiant form in the Sparta goal.

Real Betis defeated Aris Limassol 1-0 in Group C's other game, to leave Rangers third on four points, level with Sparta.

Elsewhere, another Super Eagle, Ademola Lookman failed to get on the scorer’s sheet at Atalanta went away to share points with Sturm Graz in a 2-2 thriller.

Lookman was taken off for C. De Ketelaere in the 63rd minute. Gift Orban...ends goal drought, on target last night for Gent

RESULTS EUROPA

S’Prague Brighton Liverpool B’Topola Olympiacos Marseille Limassol Rakow St’Graz Molde Union Saint Pana’kos

0-0 Rangers 2-0 Ajax 5-1 Toulouse 1-3 Freiburg 2-1 W’Ham 3-1 Athens 0-1 R’Betis 1-1 Sporting 2-2 Atalanta 5-1 Hacken 2-1 LASK 1-2 Rennes

Newcastle’s Tonali Slammed with 10-month Ban

Newcastle United's Italian international midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 months for betting, the Italian football federation (FIGC) said on Thursday.

The 23-year-old was found to have gambled on matches involving his former club AC Milan before he joined Saudiowned Newcastle in July in a £56million pound (€64million) move that made him the most expensive Italian player in history.

The ban means Tonali will miss the rest of the Premier League season and next summer's European Championship, if holders Italy qualify.

He is the second Italian player to be banned from football in a betting scandal which came to light during the recent international break.

Juventus' Nicolo Fagioli was suspended for seven months by the FIGC's disciplinary tribunal earlier this month.

Tonali's agent claimed his client has a gambling addiction.

The FIGC confirmed that

Tonali had breached the rule which prohibits players placing bets on football events organised

by FIGC, UEFA and FIFA, and he has also been fined 20,000 euros (£17,380).

It added that the federal prosecutor and Tonali had agreed to an 18-month disqualification, eight months of which will be commuted to "a therapeutic plan" to help "recovery from gambling addiction".

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has said the club will fully support him.

"We will throw our arms around Sandro and protect him and try to give him the love and support he needs to find solutions to the problems he's had," Howe said last Friday.

"We see him being part of our team for many years. We are committed to him long term."

Newcastle, who are sixth in the Premier League, travel to Wolves on Saturday before facing Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Enyimba Crash Out of African Football League For the second time in less than two months, Enyimba, have lost out in the opening round of continental club tournament.

The Aba Elephant were hammered 3-0 (aggregate 4-0) by Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in the second leg of the inaugural African Football League.

The Moroccans opened scoring after just four minutes before they added two more goals before halftime.

Wydad who won the first leg 1-0 in Nigeria last week, have thus advanced to the semifinal of the inaugural AFL. They will face Esperance of Tunisia who won 3-1 on aggregate against TP Mazembe.

Despite their quarterfinal ouster, Enyimba will pocket $1 Million (More than a Billion Naira) as prize money for featuring in this tournament that has the full backing of world football governing body, FIFA.

1XBET CUP: Former Eagles, Agali, Disu, Others for LASU Conference Final

Former Nigerian international players including Victor Agali, Tajudeen Disu, Michael Dominic, Benson Edema, Wasiu Ipaye and a host of others, are expected to grace the final match of the LASU Conference of the maiden edition of the ongoing 1XBET Community Football Championship between Chekas FC and Joint FC at the LASU Stadium today.

The finalists for the LASU Conference have emerged, as Joint FC nicked closest rivals Young Stars FC 1-0 in the decider of Group A. Nnabukwu Elokue scored the lone goal of the game for his side

in the 14th minute of the first half.

Young Stars came back stronger in the second stanza, and almost got the equaliser through the penalty spot, but goalkeeper Salami Wasiu, who has been in tremendous form throughout the conference's games pulled the save that eventually gave his side the ticket to the final.

Ahead of the conference's final game between Chekas FC who lead the log in Group B and Joint FC, both coaches have been bullish, promising to defeat each and pick the ticket to the final 8, slated for next month.

Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali has been slammed with 10-month ban for betting infraction

FIFA Ranking: Super Eagles Retain 40th Spot Nigeria’s score draw with Saudi Arabia and a marginal win against ‘minnows’ Mozambique in a FIFA window in Portugal didn’t add any value to Super Eagles standings in the latest FIFA Ranking released yesterday.

Eagles remained static at 40th spot.

Current World Cup holders, Argentina, maintained their top position even as the Lionel Messi led Albiceleste are yet to lose a game nor concede a goal since winning the mundial last December in Qatar.

In the African ratings, Jose Peseiro’s wards remain sixth with Morocco leading the way.

AFCON 2021 winners Senegal are second while Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt make up the Top 5. Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso complete the Top 10 in the continent.

While most pundits may not be impressed with Nigeria’s position on the log, Eagles opponents on Match-day one of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Lesotho, dropped to 153rd spot in the latest ranking.

Zimbabwe, who will host the Super Eagles in Match-day two

of the World Cup qualifiers are standing at 125th.

Other teams in the Super Eagles World Cup qualifying group, South Africa, Rwanda and Benin Republic are ranked 64th, 140th and 93rd respectively.

In all, no fewer than 165 inter-

national matches were contested earlier this month, with 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers accounting for 26 of the lot in the continent.

Other criteria used for the rating include encounters in the preliminary rounds of continental competitions and Concacaf Na-

tions League clashes among the highlights.

The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on 30 November and the results of Super Eagles’ matches in the qualifying tournament will determine the position of the team on the log.

BOWFT 2023: Edo Queens Maintain Unbeaten Streak Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Edo Queens FC, yesterday, continued their impressive unbeaten run in the third edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT), securing a 2-1 victory over Ogun State-based Remo Stars Ladies at the UNIBEN Sports Complex, Benin City.

Remo Stars Ladies kicked off the game in a formidable manner, as Arubo Oluwaseyi netted an early goal in the 15th minute, propelling them to a 1-0 lead over Edo Queens.

However, Edo Queens' Abideen

Suliat swiftly responded with an equaliser in the 41st minute just before the halftime break.

Edo Queens returned from the break energized and went on the offensive against the Ogun Statebased team. The pressure on Remo backline paid off as one of their defenders caused an infraction leading to a penalty award to the hosts. It was expertly converted by Suliat Abideen on the dot of 90th minute of the game for the Edo ladies to maintain their invincibility in this edition.

Esther Moses of Edo Queens was picked as the Most Valuable

Player of the match.

Addressing journalists after the game, the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, expressed satisfaction with the quality of play by both teams.

Abideen Suliat, the scorer of Edo Queens’ two goals, exuded confidence as she expressed her belief that her team would win the championship.

In the second game of Matchday 4 held at the UNIBEN Sports Complex in Benin City, FC Robo of Lagos emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline against Heartland Ladies FC of Owerri.

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Utomi to Federal Govt “We get easy money from oil and we share it and the rest of the country lives in poverty. That is what makes a country to be the poverty capital of the world. The time to stop it is now. So much need to be done from our education system to the minds of our political actors” –Prof. Pat Utomi, calls on Nigeria’s leadership to diversify the economy so as to stimulate economic growth.

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OLAWALEBABALAKIN Tribute to Hon Justice Yinka Ayoola at 90 GUEST COLUMNIST

MOTIVATION TO WRITE THE TRIBUTE It took me a whole while to conclude that I had to write a tribute to Justice Olayinka Ayoola as he turns 90 years old on the 27th of October 2023. I had known Justice Ayoola as a colleague and friend of my late father, Justice Bola Babalakin probably as early as about seven years old. I know he is not a man given to publicity. He actually shies away from it. I recall that while I was growing up, Yinka Ayoola and Bola Babalakin used to feel very disdainful towards lawyers who sought publicity to attract clientele. They felt it was an antithesis to the legal profession and hoped it would not become the order of the day. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, it was an aberration to seek publicity in that manner. I cannot say what it is now. In their view, a brilliant legal practitioner was known for the quality of their arguments, their submissions in court, efficacy, diligent and comportment.

I apologise upfront to my Lord for writing this tribute and publishing it. You never asked for it and you will not be too happy that one of your boys did this to you.

My motivation for writing this piece is twofold, namely: a.

Historical – it is important to let the world know how great it was in the legal profession when I was growing up; and b.

To celebrate those who are deserving of celebration and not those who through a cacophony of sponsored media publicity, have acquired a reputation that is not premised on the quality of their character.

EARLY INFLUENCE ON MY LIFE I recall writing about these legal practitioners who influenced me a great deal in my decision to practice law and the trajectory I have sought to follow. These are: i) Hon. Justice Teslim Olawale Elias. ii) Hon. Justice Olufemi Ayoola. iii) Chief Fredrick Rotimi Alade Williams. iv) Hon Justice Yinka Ayoola. v) Hon. Justice Bola Babalakin.

I grew up in the world of very successful and active lawyers. My influence to read law as a student was already established by the time I was 16 years old. We were neigbhours to the Ayoolas. Olufemi Ayoola, arguably the most successful legal practitioner of his time, had a plaque in front of his house which I read every day. It was an inspiration. It stated as follows: “Olu Ayoola. BA, BCL, BSC, Econs, Dip ed”.

Olu Ayoola was born in 1928 and he was called to the bar of England and Wales in 1952 having bagged all the degrees stated above. As a young man, I wanted to acquire that sort of qualification at a very early age.

Influenced by him and my very academic surroundings, I submitted my doctoral thesis in Cambridge University before I was 26 years old.

The Ayoola brothers, Olu and Yinka were a phenomenon in 1967. Olu Ayoola at 39 years old, was appointed a High Court Judge of Western State of Nigeria. His brother Yinka was appointed in 1976 at the age of 43 years old. Both were very great legal practitioners. They were part of the dominant group of outstanding legal practitioners who were appointed to the Bench in old Western Nigeria. Some of the other names are: a.

Hon. Justice S. Ade Ogunkeye. b.

Hon. Justice Abdul Ganiyu Agbaje c.

Hon Justice Bola Babalakin THE COMFORTABLE LIFESTYLE OF JUDGES In those days, following the English tradition properly, the brightest of lawyers were appointed as judges. They were all very successful and affluent.

As a young man, I was taken to Court by my father regularly to avoid leaving me at home, where I was going to organize parties in his absence. The Legal Profession was enthralling. The legal battles between Yinka Ayoola, Richard Akinjide and Bola Babalakin were consistent and enlightening. The law courts were centers for the display of brilliance without rancour. As

Justice Ayoola a young man, I assumed wrongly that their very strong submissions against one another was a sign of a rift. I later discovered that there were no animosities. It was just in the natural course of practicing the profession.

I was very impressed with the quality of life of these legal practitioners and particularly impressed with the sort of cars they drove. My father’s boss between 1959 and 1960 was Hon Justice Ade Ogunkeye. He drove a Cadillac. Yinka Ayoola drove a Mercury Cougar, while Bola Babalakin drove a Mercedes 250.

This very substantial life of comfort did not prevent them from giving up their lucrative practices to take up appointments as Judges. They all followed the tradition of the United Kingdom where Judges are appointed from the most exceptional King’s Counsel.

The motivating factor for taking up these appointments was “HONOUR”. A judge was revered by all in the Old Western Nigeria. He was an epitome of brilliance, comfort, composure, and grace, and the Judges never mixed frivolously.

Even though renumeration was not the incentive, it was not miserable as it is now. A judge of the Old Western State earned more money than the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. This was before the serial distortions began in our Legal System. I do not believe that any judge today earns the salary and allowances of the members of the National Assembly. This is an unpardonable anomaly. It is interesting to note that in the English System, which we claim to follow, the Lord Chief Justice of England today earns more money than the Prime Minster of England. This is the natural order of things. The idea of Judges not been very comfortable is very alien to my upbringing. The notion of a judge not being able to effortlessly fund a comfortable lifestyle offends my senses. We have to assess how we came to this level and ensure that we can draw a line from the past and begin to place judges in their right economic place of comfort and honour as an immediate pressing issue.

I continue to ponder about the role of Senior lawyers.

I do not understand how these lawyers make a fortune practicing the law and do not enhance the forum in which they practice the law. How can we have Courts in Nigeria that do not have all round electricity? How can judges earn less than members of the National Assembly? How can we continue to expect to submit disputes to a poorly funded and inadequately motivated forum. Why are Senior lawyers not in the frontline of insisting on repositioning the Judiciary?

MOST LAWYERS TODAY NEVER SAW IT WHEN IT WAS GREAT.My worst fear is that most lawyers today never saw a vibrant, well positioned, well-funded judiciary. I believe the judiciary began its gradual decline

in 1976 when outstanding judges were removed from the various courts without a proper process. They let go a lot of outstanding judges and since then other brilliant and successful practitioners refused to aspire to the Bench. A system where the best lawyers do not aspire to the Bench is not a legal system founded on the value and ethics of the English Legal System.

Justice Ayoola was a Judge in Oyo State. He later became the Chief Justice of the Gambia. He was in the Court of Appeal for a while before he was elevated to the Supreme Court.

In the High Court, he was a soulmate of my dad. In those days, Judges were hardly found in unstructured gatherings. I recall that thrice a week, he will drive to our house around 5.00 pm to have a game of tennikoit ring with my Dad till 6.30 pm. They played alone. There were no intruders. My role was to pick up the rings they were throwing at each other when it was flung outside range. I was a ball boy. They will sweat in the process and then return to have a bottle of iced chilled water or a soft drink. I was the servant. Nobody was allowed to come near them, and no visitor attempted to join. Everybody knew their place.

The house we moved to when my father became a Judge of the Western State was Quarters 609, New Reservation, Iyaganku. It was at that time a six-bedroom house with three living rooms, a substantial dining room that could sit about 20 persons effortlessly. It also had a well apportioned study. I do not recollect that we ever had a light out. There was always power from the source, or the Court supplied generator and diesel. We had a two-bedroom visitors chalet which was so far from the main house that you had to walk down to call someone from the chalet. It was not within shouting range. The six-bedroom boys’ quarters was somewhere in a valley in the compound. I realized the property was on about two (2) acres of land. This is how the judges that I grew up with lived. Justice Ayoola’s house that was a stone throw away had similar facilities. You can imagine how depressed and downcast I am, when I learn that judges live in small buildings with little privacy and yet they are grateful for the concession and feel they need to thank the Government for the gesture. Judges in Western States had official Mercedes Benz cars before the Government low profile policy which benchmarked public servants Peugeot to 504. I believe the judges should have been excluded from this policy, but it was not obvious because almost all of them had very good personal cars which they drove outside official times.

I believe a lot of states should not have the number of High Court Judges they have today. They cannot provide for them adequately. They should expand the Magistracy and its jurisdiction and appoint very few High Court Judges that satisfy conditions similar to those we had in the old regions – Eastern, Northern and Western regions.

I can give direct evidence that Western Nigerian judiciary was an epitome of intellect, discipline, composure, and character.

MY PERSONAL GRATITUDE TO JUSTICE AYOOLA I have a lot of personal gratitude to Justice Yinka Ayoola. He was the man I ran to whenever I had serious arguments of disagreement with my father. As a young man, I argued a lot with my father. It was a regular session on the dining table every afternoon. Sometimes it was very heated, and my loving mother was always very anxious about the outcome. On a particular day, I was so sure I had won the argument, and I stood my ground; the next thing was that I received a dirty slap from my Dad. I had to be resuscitated by my mother. Later on, I discovered that my father enjoyed the arguments but found them totally unacceptable from a 13-year-old boy. He actually told my mother that if I developed the skill properly, it could be useful to me in the future. After this event, I cultivated the habit of discussing my issues with Justice Yinka Ayoola, who had a subtle way of mentioning it to his friend and getting the desired result for me.

Some of the incidents I remember includes when I was going to secondary school. I had a choice of secondary schools. In those days, interviews to some top secondary schools spanned three days. I had been to some interviews in many secondary schools, and I had been admitted in all schools. My choice was Aiyetoro Comprehensive High School, which was then managed by an American Group. My fascination was the ambience of the school and the quality of the food. I wanted to attend very badly. Before discussing with my father, I remember broaching the issue with his friend, Justice Ayoola. He advised me to go to Government College Ibadan which was this time consistent with my father’s view. Having listened to Justice Ayoola, my resistance crumbled. With Ayoola and my father standing on the same point, I had no choice but to comply with the situation. I remain grateful to the duo for making me attend arguably the most outstanding Secondary School in Nigeria.

When I was going to commence my law degree, I wanted to join my friends from Government College Ibadan in University of Ife. My mother was not keen on it. She wanted me to chart a course that will not be dominated by my father’s presence in Western State.

She wanted me to develop an independent personality.

She opted for UNILAG and with Justice Yinka Ayoola’s support, this was a fait accompli. UNILAG was an eye opener for me. In the course of my studies, through one of Chief Rotimi Williams cousins, I had access to his library. I was bowled over. I was overwhelmed by the richness of the library which was far better equipped than the University of Lagos Law library. This began my affiliation with the Rotimi Williams family, and I remain very grateful for the exposure that I received from Papa Rotimi Williams, which culminated in a situation that his office was the only office I very ever worked in my life apart from Babalakin & Co, where I work till date.

For my post graduate education, I had options. I tried to persuade Justice Yinka Ayoola as a stepping stone towards convincing my parents to go to my preferred school. Justice Ayoola and Justice Bola Babalakin made it clear to me that University of Cambridge was the best option for me. I agreed. I don’t believe I could have attended a better University. I thank them.

On arriving at Cambridge, I visited the University bookshop. I had never seen such a collection of very current books. They were all the latest editions. I was so enthralled by it all, that I bought more books than my allowance could afford. One of the books I bought was a present for Justice Yinka Ayoola. I recall inscribing in it a thank you for all he had done for me. On my return to Nigeria, I visited Justice Yinka Ayoola in his chambers. During the visit he brought out the book. I was overwhelmed with emotions. He did not discard a book gift given to him by an insignificant young man.

He read it and kept it.

A SELFLESS GENERATION My father’s contemporaries and friends were selfless.

There was no quid pro quo. Whatever they did for themselves had no financial consideration. It was a matter of honour. I needed a license to publish some books. The license belonged to Justice Yinka Ayoola. I approached him on the issue expecting some form of deliberation.

He quickly granted it to me without conditions. I could not believe it. What a great gesture. I can only wish that the values upheld by that generation of lawyers and judges will once again become the order of the day in the Nigerian Legal Profession CONCLUSION As you turn 90 my Lord, may you continue to flourish and may the almighty God enable us to recreate the legal profession in the mode which your generation represented. As my father fondly referred to you, “Yinkus” (please pardon my insubordination), I wish you very well.

My Lord, Justice Yinka Ayoola. I wish you a very fruitful 90th Birthday.

I remain yours Bolanle Olawale Olatokunbo Babalakin

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