THURSDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2023

Court Releases Emefiele to His Lawyers, Says There Must Be End to Detention without Trial Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, yesterday, ordered the immediate and unconditional release of the

detained former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

Adeniyi, who made the order while ruling in a bail application by Emefiele, stressed that "there must be an end to detention without trial".

Wednesday, November 8, made it exactly 151 days since the former CBN boss was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court said although the federal

government had stated that Emefiele would appear in court next week over a pending arraignment, there was no evidence before it to assure that he would be arraigned on the said date.

Adeniyi pointed out that "the

issue is not that the court should admit the applicant to bail", but the enforcement of the court's order of unconditional release made November 2.

Besides, the court observed that releasing Emefiele would not stop

his arraignment by the federal government.

The judge subsequently ordered the federal government to release Emefiele to his team of lawyers, Continued on page 38

Adesina: Abidjan-Lagos Highway Corridor Has Generated $15.5bn Investment Interest... Page 6 Thursday 09 November, 2023 Vol 28. No 10438. Price: N250

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Information Minister, Idris, Pledges Commitment to Take-off of New UNESCO Institute in Nigeria... Page 41

Tinubu Signs N2.1tn 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Says executive will ensure judicious use of budgeted resources

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, signed the N2.176 trillion Supple-

mentary Appropriation Act aimed at strengthening Nigeria's security architecture as well as tackling critical infrastructure deficit,

among other considerations. The supplementary budget was passed last week by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Tinubu, while signing the budget into law, commended the legislative arm for its expeditious consideration and approval.

He assured Nigerians that his government would ensure the judicious use of the budget.

Tinubu signed the Supplemen-

tary Appropriation Act, 2023, in his office at State House, Abuja, in Continued on page 38

48 Hours to Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo Polls, Tension Heightens, Abdulsalami C'ttee Preaches Peace Chuks Okocha, Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja, Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa, Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja and Tony Icheku in Owerri

Wiith about 48 hours to the November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states, the National Peace Committee (NPC), led by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called for peaceful conduct during the off-season elections in the three states.

The call came amid growing tension in the states, and as candidates of the participating political parties signed the peace accord, organised by NPC, a non-governmental organisation. The candidates promised to ensure peaceful behaviour before, during, and after the polls.

Signing of the peace accord, called Abuja Accord, before major elections in the country has become a permanent political ritual since it was initiated in 2014 by some eminent citizens and elder statesmen in response to emerging threats occasioned by the 2015 general election.

However, in Imo State, the candidates of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and All Progressives Congress (APC) shunned the peace accord.

The ceremony, which took place Continued on page 38

Signing 2023 supplementary Budget...

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Olamilekan Adeola; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI. during the signing of the 2023 Supplementary Budget at the Presidential Villa, Abuja ...yesterday

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

NEWS

Tinubu Launches National Geo-spatial Data Repository Digital CRVS System...

President Bola Tinubu displaying little Aisha Ahmed Saheed's Birth Certificate, during the launch of the National Geospatial Data Repository Digital Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) System and PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI. inauguration of the National Coordination Committee for CRVS at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday

Adesina: Abidjan-Lagos Highway Corridor Has Generated $15.5bn Investment Interest Reveals African economies witnessed GDP growth of 3.8% in 2022

Ugo Aliogo in Marrakech The President of African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has stated that the AbidjanLagos highway corridor was able to secure $15.5 billion investment interest in 2022.

According to him, the infrastructure would transform the entire West African region and speed up regional integration and trade when completed.

He also disclosed that last year, investment interests were secured for $3.6 billion for the East Africa railway corridor, linking Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

Adesina, who stated this yesterday, in Marrakech, Morocco, during the opening of 2023 Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days organised

by AfDB with the theme: ‘Unlocking African Value Chains,’ said African economies witnessed real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 3.8 percent in 2022, higher than the world average of 3.5 percent.

He noted that five of the six prepandemic top performing African countries were projected to be back in the league of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies for 2023–2024.

He hinted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a consolidated market size

of $3.4 trillion.

He further explained that the future of electric vehicles in the world depends on Africa, stating that the size of the electric vehicles value chain was estimated to increase from the current $7 trillion to $57 trillion by 2050. Therefore, he stressed that the future depends on Africa because she accounts for the largest source of the green metals for the development of electric vehicles, including platinum (70 percent), cobalt (52 percent), manganese (46 percent), bauxite (25 percent), and graphite (21 percent).

He disclosed that the AfDB and its partners were developing the $20 billion Desert-to-Power project across 11 countries that share the Sahel zone, which when completed would be the largest solar zone in the world.

The AfDB president remarked that Africa’s default rate was the lowest in the world as 2.1 per cent compared to Eastern Europe which he put at over 10 per cent and Asia at over eight per cent.

Speaking on the Special Agroindustrial Processing Zones, Adesina said the size of Africa’s food and agriculture market would be worth $1 trillion by 2030. He lamented that despite significant progress and successes being recorded recently in agriculture, Africa still has 283 million people that go hungry each year.

He espoused that in January 2023,

the AfDB and the Government of Senegal, in partnership with the African Union, organised the Feed Africa Summit.

He revealed that the Summit, attended by 34 Heads of State and Government, took the decision to decisively feed Africa, adding that they have collectively mobilised $72 billion towards implementing food and agriculture delivery compacts from the summit.

He asserted that Africa must end the export of raw agricultural commodities, stating that governments of countries must recognise that the fastest way to poverty was through the export of raw commodities, while the highway to wealth is from export of value-added products.

He maintained that Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) were important because they provide critical infrastructure to support agro-industrial development in Africa, to unleash the power of its agricultural potentials, with the establishment of food processing and manufacturing companies within the zones.

Adesina, said to support the establishment of SAPZs, the AfDB has provided financing of $853 million and mobilised over $661 million from other development partners.

In his words: “The zones will support the transformation of the agricultural sector, raise productivity, scale economies and efficiencies of food and agricultural value chains.

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has debunked reports insinuating that a price hike by the company was responsible for the surge in the price of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, in the domestic market.

The company in a statement issued yesterday, by its General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Andy Odeh, dismissed the said report which had predicted looming scarcity as a consequence as speculative and indicative of a fundamental misunderstanding of Nigeria's intricate market dynamics.

"The NLNG has noted media reports insinuating that a price hike by the Company is responsible for the surge in the price of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, in the domestic market and predicting that scarcity looms as a consequence.

"NLNG dismisses these media reports as speculative and indicative of a fundamental misunderstanding of Nigeria's intricate market dynamics," the company said.

The NLNG explained that the domestic LPG market, like any other, was subject to dynamic market forces and various external factors such as changes in exchange rates, and escalating price benchmarks

processing of beef instead of African cows emigrating on hoofs, while the rest of the world exports processed beef. The SAPZs offer the infrastructure enabled platforms for Africa to turn its massive agricultural lands into real sources of wealth.

“Our valued partners include the Islamic Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Arab Bank for Economic Development, the European Union, and the Korean Export-Import Bank. We are also working with the African Union to support the Common Africa Agro-Parks programme.

“Our collective effort has mobilised $1.5 billion in support of the establishment of 25 SAPZs in 11 African countries.”

N139bn Rights Issue: Investors Stake N4.04bn on FBN Holdings’ Shares Kayode Tokede As the date for its N139 billion rights issue draws nearer, investors on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), yesterday staked N4.04billion on FBN Holdings shares with speculation that top management of FirstBank were increasing their holdings in

the oldest financial institution in Nigeria.

At the close of trading yesterday, FBN Holdings was the most traded stock by value and volume, followed

by United Bank for Africa plc (UBA), Universal Insurance Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and Unity Bank Plc. Investors staked 209.90 million

NLNG Debunks Alleged Hike in LPG Price, Says 380,000MT Delivered to Marketers This Year

Peter Uzoho

“Today, the AfDB is pleased to announce the launch of the Alliance for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones together with founding partners Afreximbank, Islamic Development Bank, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, and Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms.

“The Alliance has the goal of mobilising at least $2 billion in financing and investment commitments from Alliance members and partners over the next five years. Meeting this financing goal will deliver an additional 15 to 20 SAPZ projects in various countries across the continent.

“They will open new income earning opportunities from the

mirroring crude oil prices.

It further explained that other factors determining the price of LPG included the Panama Canal drought-induced vessel scarcity impacting transport costs especially for imported LPG. It maintained that the above have had significant effect on energy prices in the recent times and could undoubtedly be some of the reasons for recent price hikes witnessed in the domestic market The NLNG, however, disclosed that it had since the beginning of the year delivered over 380,000 metric tonnes of LPG using its dedicated LPG vessel.

It added that it had been making defining contributions to the domestic

LPG market, spurring the steady growth of the nation’s DLPG market volume from less than 50,000 metric tonnes of imported LPG in 2007 to over 1.3 million metric tons of both domestic and imported LPG today.

The NLNG said it currently delivers over 450,000 metric tonnes per annum of Butane, the main product in cooking gas and had embarked on domestic propane supply to further grow the market.

The company said it had committed its entire Butane and Propane production to the domestic market from 2023, adding that despite feed gas challenges, it continues to supply LPG to the domestic market, which accounts for approximately 40 per cent of the total market volume.

units and N4.04 billion by volume and value in FBN Holdings, respectably and its impact reflected on the financial institution’s stock price.

The stock price of FBN Holdings closed at N19.35 as it gained 0.52 per cent or N0.10 per share from the N19.25 it opened for trading.

Since the beginning of November 2023 trading, the stock price of FBN Holdings has gained 7.54per cent from N17.90 per share to N19.25 per share.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, APT Securities Limited, Kasimu Garba Kurfi hinted that some top management of the financial institution were increasing their holdings, adding that some loyalists of the top management of the HoldCo were also investing in FBN Holdings stock on the NGX. “There is increasing positioning by major stakeholders in FBN Holdings, and some them are making sure their loyalists have large portion of holdings.

“The NGX could have announced if it was insider- related but we have not seen that happening for now,” he explained.

FBN Holdings had sought the approval of the Exchange to raise N139 billion in additional capital through a rights issue.

Its stockbrokers, FBNQuest Securi-

ties, sought approval on behalf of the lender in a notice.

Part of the notice read, “its stockbrokers, FBNQuest Securities Limited, submitted an application to Nigerian Exchange Limited for the approval and listing of a Rights Issue of 8,973,823,198 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N15.50 per Share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Monday, 9 October 2023.”

Meanwhile, the financial institution still has Mr. Femi Otedola as the single largest shareholder of the bank with 5.57 per cent holdings out of the total outstanding shares of 38.5 billion. The stock has a free float of about 88.9per cent.

FBN Holdings recently announced the release of its nine months financial statements for the period ending September 30, 2023, with profit before tax of about N270.3billion.

This represented an increase of 156.3 per cent from N105.5 billion posted in 2022, driven by strong growth in interest income.

According to the group’s financial statements for nine months of 2023, the company’s profit after tax (PAT) was N236.4 billion, a 159,2per cent increase from the N91.2 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2022.

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bilateral meeting at UNESCO...

L-R: Programme Specialist in Communication and Information, UNESCO, Alton Grizzle; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO, Dr. Tawfik Jelassi; and Nigeria’s Ambassador, Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Dr. Hajo Sani, at a bilateral meeting between the minister and the Assistant DirectorGeneral, at UNESCO HQ,... recently

ICPC: We've Recovered Assets Worth Billions of Naira By Tracking Constituency Projects

Says companies belonging to civil servants executing constituency projects We uncovered N8.6bn projects abandoned in nine states, BudgiT reveals N/Assembly to partner CSOs on constituency projects, says Barau Adedayo Akinwale and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) said it has recovered assets worth billions of naira to the government’s coffers through constituency and executive projects’ tracking initiative.

However, the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, has said the National Assembly would partner civil society organisations to strengthen zonal intervention

programmes, otherwise known as constituency projects.

The ICPC added that through the initiative, it also returned equipment to communities for whom they were meant.

The Chairman of the ICPC, Musa Aliyu, disclosed this yesterday, in Abuja, at a policy Dialogue on Parliamentary Succession and Constituency Projects, organised by at Order Paper Advocacy Initiative and BudgiT Foundation Dialogue.

The Chairman who was represented by Mr. Jimoh Suleiman, said

the agency tracks constituency projects to curb corruption and increase recovery of public funds.

His words: "In view of the ICPC’s drive at ensuring good governance and value for money on government projects, the ICPC conceived the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative whose objectives are to curb corruption, improve service delivery to the people, ensure the full execution of all projects, guarantee value for money in the implementation of projects and ensure compliance

with regulatory requirements in the implementation of the projects, and increase recovery of public funds into government coffers.

"The initiative has led to the recovery of assets worth billions of naira to the government, return of equipment to communities for whom they were meant, and actual proper implementation of projects.

"Also, many contractors have been compelled to return to the sites to complete hitherto shoddily done or abandoned projects."

Aliyu, noted that the outcome

Tinubu: Accurate Population Data Crucial for Innovative, Effective Governance Launches digital population database Inaugurates system coordinating committee

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has declared that accurate information on the size, characteristics, and distribution of the nation's population is imperative both for planning and for the effective delivery of public services to Nigerians.

Speaking, Wednesday, at the launch of the Digital Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System, and the National Geospatial Data Repository at the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu said Nigeria's population remains the greatest asset the nation wields in the broader mission to become one of the largest economies in the world.

He said the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system is the basic building block of an identity ecosystem.

According to him, "It will help to improve service delivery to all Nigerians and shall ultimately become a vital source of identity data across federal agencies such as NIMC, NIS, Road Safety, INEC, Police, EFCC and other security outfits.

"The system will also improve the ability of our federal agencies to generate vital statistics on important population events and migration, further enabling the government to design well-tailored, effective and efficient policies that are capable of meeting the specific needs of the Nigerian people.

"It is my hope that the current

drive to re-position this vital registration system will provide the basis for the 100% attainment of our Year 2030 SDG targets in respect of real-time identity management and population data.

"Our population remains the greatest asset of the nation in the development process. Collecting accurate and reliable information on the size, distribution, composition, and characteristics of the population is an essential governance activity that is also consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration. The Commission will therefore be supported in the conduct of the next census."

Commending the National Population Commission (NPC) for the initiative, President Tinubu asked the commission to deploy its cutting edge technology, especially the geo-spatial data that has been collected through the Enumeration Area Demarcation in implementing the eCRVS. His words: "Coming at a time when the Commission has made substantial progress in its quest to deliver the first digital population and housing census, it is my hope that the result of the census will provide the nation with much-needed data for development planning and the enthronement of good governance.

"It is, therefore, my great pleasure to launch the VITAL REG system and the National Geo-Spatial Data

Repository to the greater glory of God, our unity, and the collective prosperity of our great country.

"I am also pleased to inaugurate the National Coordination Committee of CRVS under the Chairmanship of the National Population Commission, which is composed of stakeholders across relevant federal ministries and agencies."

President Tinubu further implored members of the Committee to demonstrate maximum commitment and hard work in ensuring a huge success

of the new electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (eCRVS) system for the progress, peace and development of the country.

Earlier in his goodwill message, the Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate stated that the eCRVS system will help the nation better in tracking maternal mortality rate, under-5 mortality rate and under-Zero children wellbeing of Nigeria.

Continues online

of the tracking exercise presented different scenarios, such as absence of check mechanisms, project facilitators and civil servants gaming the system and turning the initiative into conduit pipe.

He added: "Almost every stage of the implementation process marred in cesspool of corruption and abuses so much that some projects were shoddily executed or not executed at all.

“Even some of the projects were executed by companies belonging to civil servants and project facilitators or companies in which they had substantial interests.

"Some of the negative outcomes of the tracking exercise include lack of synergy between the communities and the project facilitators in terms of Needs Analysis, Non- involvement of the communities in project conception, leading to waste of scarce resources, succeeding legislators not ready to take on projects initiated by their predecessors, and lack of awareness on the funding/ownership of such projects among others."

The ICPC Chairman was of the opinion that the fight against corruption cannot succeed without the full support, active participation and collaboration of key stakeholders and the society in general.

He noted that to entrench transparency and accountability in the systems, everyone must join hands to monitor the implementation of government projects in their communities.

However, BudgIT said it has uncovered the payment of N8.6 billion to 26 contractors for 19 projects across nine states which had been abandoned or not done.

BudgIT’s Head of Tracka, Ayomide Ladipo, said the projects were captured in the 2022 budget.

She added: "For the 2022 FG Projects execution, we uncovered the payment of N8.6 billion to 26 contractors for 19 projects across 9 states which have been abandoned or not done. Some of them are: "The payment of N542 million to Abu-Halawa International Limited between December 2020 and April 2023 under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for the Construction of Jare Earth Dam in Katsina. Nothing has been done on the site to date.

“The payment of N630 million to Babar Global Services Nigeria Ltd and Foundation Solid (NIG) Limited between July 2022 and September 2023 under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for the Construction of the Ogbese Multi-Purpose Dam Project, Ekiti. This site has been abandoned since 2021."

Ladipo, added that it also included the payment of N400 million to Laralek Ultimate Ltd in March 2023 under the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for the Limited Rehabilitation of Opo Malu Road, Saki, Oyo State, adding that the contractor for this site has never reported to the site to date.

Continues online

CBN: Old, Redesigned Banknotes Remain Legal Tender

Naira depreciates on parallel market to N1,020/$, drops to N874/$ on I&E

James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday emphasised that every banknote issued by the apex bank remained legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone, as stipulated in Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007.

The central bank particularly stressed that both the old and redesigned naira banknotes remained legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone.

The apex bank further insisted that there were sufficient banknotes across the country for all normal

economic activity.

In a statement, CBN Director, Corporate Communications Department, Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, stressed that all denominations of banknotes issued by the central bank remained legal tender.

He said in line with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007, no one should refuse to accept the naira as a means of payment. The apex bank noted that the clarification became necessary in view of recent reports of alleged scarcity of cash across some major cities in the country despite assurances of sufficient cash stocks in all locations across the country.

The CBN also expressed concerns over reports of anxiety among some members of the public over the legality or otherwise of old naira banknotes.

AbdulMumin stated, "For the avoidance of doubt, while reiterating that there are sufficient banknotes across the country for all normal economic activity, we wish to state unambiguously that every banknote issued by the CBN remains legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone, as stipulated in Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007.

"Accordingly, branches of the CBN across the country have been

directed to continue to issue different denominations of old and redesigned banknotes in adequate quantities to deposit money banks (DMBS) for onward circulation to bank customers.

"We wish to restate that all denominations of banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remain legal tender. In line with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007, no one should refuse to accept the Naira as a means of payment."

He said, "Consequently, members of the public are advised to accept all CBN-issued banknotes currently in circulation and guard against panic withdrawals.

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China-Africa (Nigeria) Production Capacity Cooperation Symposium...

L-R: Secretary General, China Council for Promotion of International Trade, Henan Sub-Council, Mr. Kong Jinming; Deputy Director General, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, China Chamber of Commerce Representative Office in South Africa, Mr. Liu Yan; Special Guest of Honour and former Minister of Industry, Mrs. Nike Akande; Consul General, People's Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole; and Director-General, LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona, at the China-Africa (Nigeria) Production Capacity Cooperation Symposium held in Lagos... recently

Sanwo-Olu, Aig-Imoukhuede Lead Delegation to Lord Mayor's Show in London Seek to attract foreign investment

Arrangements have been concluded by the Lagos State Government and EnterpriseNGR, an advocacy group that promotes the growth and development of Nigeria’s Financial and Professional Services (FPS) sector as a catalyst for economic development to take part in the Lord Mayor’s Show in London.

The decision of the Lagos State Government and EnterpriseNGR to take part in the Lord Mayor’s Show holding in London this week was

disclosed at the weekend during a press conference by the Lagos International Financial Center (LIFC) Council chaired by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and co-chaired

by EnterpriseNGR’s Chairman, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

Sanwo-Olu, who had earlier signed an Executive Order Three to inaugurate the Lagos International Financial Center Council, symbolising his administration's commitment to making the state a global financial

Rising Gas Price: Senate Summons NGMC Boss

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate Committee on Gas yesterday summoned the Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company Limited (NGM), Justin Ezeala.

He was asked to make available, details of the gas sales and purchase agreements with gas companies.

The Chairman of the Senate panel, Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe, announced the invitation of the Managing Director of the NGMC Limited, after a closed session with his members.

The committee in its resolutions at the end of the meeting also expressed dissatisfaction with the action of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari.

Kyari was alleged to have been preventing the National Assembly Committees from over-sighting subsidiaries of NNPC which the

Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) empowers the committee to do .

The committee is also demanding to know the financiers of the Auto CNG Project with NiPCO, where NGML has approved an Investment of N30 billion .

The panel's resolutions read: "The Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company Limited should appear to give details of the Gas sales and purchase agreements with Gas companies.

"The committee also expressed dissatisfaction with the attempt by the Group CEO of NNPC preventing the committee of National Assembly from directly over-sighting subsidiaries of NNPC which the Petroleum Industry Act empowers the committee to oversight .

"The committee therefore resolved to use relevant provisions of the constitution to enforce the appearance of the MD if he fails to honour the invitation of the committee again".

hub, said Lagos State and EnterpriseNGR, were poised to make history as the first African participants invited to join the prestigious Lord Mayor's Show’s 805th procession in London.

A statement yesterday, explained that the ground-breaking collaboration between Lagos State and EnterpriseNGR, strengthened by the inauguration of the Lagos International Financial Centre Council in partnership with EnterpriseNGR, was built on their shared goal of positioning Lagos as Africa’s premier financial centre to attract foreign investments.

During the Lord Mayor’s Show, Lagos, represented by Sanwo-Olu and other members of the LIFC would engage in strategic one-on-one and bilateral meetings with key United Kingdom-based businesses, investors, government officials, and Nigerians

in the diaspora, all with one message: "Lagos is open for business. Come and invest in Africa's economic powerhouse."

Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of the LIFC Council, said the objective of the Council was to work collaboratively to provide financial services, drive investment structure, and create a conducive environment to ensure transformation and align with the federal government on its economic recovery plans.

He said his administration had been proactive in collaborating to catalyse infrastructural development and it would be the first African city that would be participating in the Lord Mayor's Show in the United Kingdom to attract foreign investors to Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu, emphasised that the key objective of the historical

The federal government is rehabilitating some sections of the Third Mainland Bridge at the cost of N21.047 billion.

The rehabilitation was flagged off yesterday, by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who said, "We intend to start with the four ramps to the bridge where works have already commenced on 6th November, 2023, and will be completed on or before 13th December, 2023. The works on the major carriageway of the bridge will commence 15th January, 2024."

Umahi said the previous work on the bridge was not comprehensive,

adding that this work would improve the stability of the bridge and that there was still work to be done on that bridge.

He said the contractor handling the bridge is the Chinese company, Messrs CCECC Nigeria Ltd and that they had been mandated to work on the upper deck.

He said the ministry was presently carrying out investigations as well as the design of the piles, pile caps, piles as well as the deflected deck slab, which will lead to the award of a contract for the restoration of the substructure elements of the bridge at a later time.

The scope of works to be covered

economic prominence. This invitation aligns harmoniously with the council's mission to establish Lagos as a global financial hub, attracting investments that will fuel sustainable economic development.

"Lagos and Nigeria's enduring history with the United Kingdom reflects a proud Commonwealth partnership since gaining independence in 1960. Nigeria remains dedicated to fostering diplomatic and economic ties, presenting abundant investment opportunities in sectors such as oil, finance, technology, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure.

“This resilient partnership, combined with Nigeria and Lagos's commitment to growth, creates a promising landscape for United Kingdom investors eager to contribute to and benefit from the nation's dynamic and expanding economy.

Tinubu Leads 9-man Nigerian Delegation to Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh Departs Abuja today Appoints 11 new federal Commissioners for NPC, re-appoints nine others Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu is leading a nine-man Nigerian delegation to the Saudi-Africa Summit billed for November 10, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The President who is expected to depart Abuja, today, would be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir

Mamman; Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu; as well as the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu.

Others on the President's delegation are the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambas-

FG to Rehabilitate Sections of Third Mainland Bridge with N21.047bn

Bennett Oghifo

participation of Lagos and EnterpriseNGR in the Lord Mayor’s Show in London, was to showcase the investment potential of Lagos and to elevate the State as a global investment destination.

He said: “Lagos is not just going to London for the parade and pageantry; this visit has a more strategic purpose. This is a prime opportunity to showcase Lagos on a global platform.

“The newly inaugurated LIFC Council signifies not just an institutional milestone, but a commitment to a bold vision—positioning Lagos as the beacon of financial innovation in Africa.

“The Lord Mayor, Professor Michael Mainelli's invitation stands as a resounding endorsement of Lagos State's commitment to excellence, as well as recognition of its increasing

by this contract indudes: Milling of the existing asphaltic surface; provision of asphaltic concrete wearing course on the carriageway across the entire bridge length and ramps to a compacted thickness of 50mm; removal and replacement of worn-out expansion joints on the carriageway; removal of all existing guard rails and installation of new ones; painting of guardrails, kerb surface and concrete barriers; Lane marking using thermoplastic material; and Installation of solar powered street lights for proper illumination.

The project when completed would ameliorate the sufferings

of commuters and all road users who ply the bridge with a lot of discomfort.

“The resurfaced deck will ensure a smooth riding surface that will reduce the spate of accidents and reduce wear and tear of vehicles; Solar powered street lights will ensure proper illumination of the entire stretch of the bridge for safety, security and aesthetics.

“Painting of the kerbs and concrete barriers will give the bridge a new aesthetic look, cause only minimal discomfort to road users. In this regard, the contractor has been directed to also work at night to ensure that the project is delivered.

sador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Mallam Jalal Arabi.

At the Saudi-Africa Summit, Tinubu, according to a statement issued yesterday, by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, would underscore Nigeria’s commitment to attracting more Foreign Direct Investment and expanding business partnerships, which are strongly reinforced by his administration's ongoing domestic economic reforms.

Discussions at the first SaudiAfrica Summit would revolve around supporting joint action, enhancing political coordination, addressing regional security threats, facilitating economic transformation through research and the local development of new energy solutions, all while bolstering cross-sectoral investment cooperation.

The President is expected back in Abuja at the end of the Saudi-Africa Summit.

Meanwhile, Tinubu has approved the appointment of 20 qualified Nigerians as Federal Commissioners in the National Population Commission (NPC) with nine current Federal Commissioners being re-appointed for a second term in office.

The new appointees, according to

Ngelale, included Hon. Emmanuel Trump Eke — Abia; Bishop Alex Ukam — Cross River; Ms. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba — Delta: Dr. Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu — Ebonyi; Ms. Sa'adatu Dogon Bauchi Garba — Kaduna and Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa — Kano.

Others are Hon. Yori Afolabi — Kogi; Hon. Olakunle Sobukola — Ogun; Hon. Temitayo Oluseye Oluwatuyi — Ondo; Ms. Mary Ishaya Afan — Plateau and Mr. Ogiri Itotenaan Henry — Rivers.

The re-appointed NPC Federal Commissioners are Dr. Clifford Zirra — Adamawa; Mr. Chidi Christopher Ezeoke — Anambra; Isa Audu Buratai — Borno; Dr. Tony Aiyejina — Edo; Mr. Ejike Ezeh — Enugu; Mr. Abubakar Damburam — Gombe; Prof. Uba Nnabue — Imo; Senator Mudashiru Hussain — Osun and Mr. Saany Sale — Taraba.

Tinubu, charged the new and returning NPC Federal Commissioners to successfully implement all measures taken by his administration to produce and effectively appropriate accurate population data with which lasting solutions to Nigeria's socio-political and economic challenges can be conclusively developed and executed.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY • THURSday NOVEMBER 9, 2023

politics

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

Maduka: Labour Party Stands Better Chance to Win Imo Guber Poll

A chieftain of the Labour Party, Sir Basil Maduka, in this interview with Adedayo Akinwale, explains why he took the party to court and his decision to support LP’s candidate, Senator Athan Achonu, for the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial poll in Imo State.

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hree primaries were held in Imo state for the governorship election, which of the factions conducted your primary?

There was an exco in Imo state. Because of the situation and what happened in the presidential election, the party by its wisdom, led by Barrister (Julius) Abure dissolved the state exco because of the confusion that came on board during the presidential election, where they saw that the existing exco then had overstayed their tenure.

So, they needed to conduct the primaries. So the leadership of Abure dissolved the current exco as at that time and set up another Interim State Working Committee. So the last exco did handover of the party, they took off. But two weeks after that, there was a court injunction. The party office was sealed. Behold, we were told that some four Hilux cars came from the Government House to seal off the party office.

The court injunction says the status quo should remain. But there is exco sworn in already, their names are in INEC. That was part of the genesis of the problem. It was Abure who signed the appointment letter for them.

So, because of that court injunction, the party by its wisdom called stakeholders meeting in Abuja, what is the way forward? So, along the line, the party by its wisdom set up a committee to come and handle the primary election.

Their mandate was to revalidate the party’s register, conduct primaries and do Congress within that three months.

So these people that are already existing said they have to conduct the primaries since their tenure has not expired.

The committee set up by Abure was also there, that was how we had two parallel primaries. These people who were already existing had to now produce me as the authentic candidate because the matter was still in court.

The committee set up by Abure produced another candidate. So let the court interpret who is the authentic candidate.

It was much later we began to hear there is someone called Lamidi Apapa.

It was in the process of court we had there was another person who claimed that he did primaries, we then asked him how come? On which structure, who did the primary?

That was how we started hearing about Apapa. So, since the matter is in court, let the court interpret. These people are the State Working Committee set up by Abure.

This other one, there is a committee set up by him also to supervise this as a result of that court injunction because the party is always supreme.

Any primary of that nature, the national leadership of the party must come to supervise, it was in this process we now heard there was somebody else who came and did his own on Sunday, being 16th, which we all know that INEC does not work on Sunday. That was how we began to hear about Apapa, it was on social media I first heard about him.

You took the party to court and the Supreme Court has already decided.

And the party is saying that you are no longer a member of the party.

What is your position now in the Labour Party?

People who are saying that I’m not

during his campaign and in his own wisdom, when the matter was in court, he said anyhow the party goes, he’s going to support whoever. But as at that time, Senator Achonu’s name was already with INEC, not yet removed.

So he came and flagged off the campaign because a party must produce a candidate. Since the Supreme Court has ended it, we have a candidate, definitely our candidate will fly.

Will you support the candidate?

Yes. As at Friday and Saturday, we had our meetings, when I called everybody that the Supreme Court was over and I had to tell them this is the way everything played out. That everyone should remain steadfast and our party is the party to beat in Imo. That I’m going to call you again to give all of you direction. I will now ask our candidate, how far are you doing, what kind of support?

Is it financial support or the entire crowd because our party must win, our party in Imo must win because I have invested a lot. Where will I go? which other party? Our party, Labour Party, must win.

Maduka

known in the party, nobody can say that in Imo. You know when some people want to be relevant through social media or wherever...

Somebody who formed a party, financed a party till after the presidential election.

Now, somebody is telling you that you’re not known in the party, that is to tell you that something is happening somewhere.

And as a result of that two primaries, these people now produced me as a candidate.

The committee also had a candidate — Senator Achonu. That’s the two known candidates. This one was committee, this one was the people already in court.

So we had to go to court so that the court could interpret who the authentic candidate was. At the end of the day, the Supreme Court in its wisdom decided that this is the candidate.

You can’t challenge the law and when a matter has gone to the Supreme Court, you have to accept it because that’s the law.

And today, we will make sure that our party wins. Because I’ve invested a lot. I’m the highest investor, so my party in Imo has to win. Nobody from Imo can tell

you that Basil Maduka is not known.

Let me show you the structure I set up in Imo as regards Labour party. I set up and also the major financier of what we called The Big Tent. The Big Tent has structure in 305 wards funded by me.

Obi/Datti movement — there are so many support groups, as I said today, 55 support groups (Obi/Datti). I merged them together, I funded them. Each of them has structure in 305 wards. There is Basil Maduka Movement, there is Restoration Agenda. All these people have structures in 305 wards. So you can imagine who owns the party in Imo. Yes! Supreme Court has taken its decision. It is these crowds which will determine who wins the governorship of Imo state.

What was the role Peter Obi played in this crisis and categorically tell us, are you working for Labour Party in Imo in the coming gubernatorial election?

As we speak, the Supreme Court matter just ended and I have addressed all my supporters on Saturday. I called all the unit heads, the 55 support groups, Basil Maduka Movements and the State Exco. I addressed them on Saturday.

That was my first outing because election is some days ahead. Again as you said, our principal, Mr. Peter Obi, our presidential candidate, I followed him

Going by the legal battle that has threatened to rattle your party in Imo state, what are the chances of your party winning this election?

I think I had the major followers because when I left PDP, I collapsed almost 60% of PDP to the Labour Party.

They are trying to hear from me. I’ve shown you the number of followers I have. The party doesn’t have any matter again. We are no more in court, the party is no more in court. So we have a candidate today, Senator Athan Achonu.

Are you not threatened by the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodinma?

Imo state is not APC state and they know the person they followed, Sir Basil Maduka. Gentleman, all the entire structure, this party must win. That’s the only thing they need from me. The first outing I had was that Saturday telling them how everything went. Yes, the incumbent is there, but what has the incumbent done? Moreover, his (Uzodimma) zone has been in power for over 20 years. Orlu zone has been in power for 20 years. Owerri zone and Okigwe are being marginalised.

Okigwe did only a tenure, during the time of Ohakim. That is where Senator Achonu comes from. They had only one chance. Owerri zone did only seven months when Hon. Emeka Ihedioha had only seven months. So the Imolites today are asking for power from the Owerri Zone or Okigwe. And our candidate who is from Okigwe stands a better chance. Giving the incumbent another opportunity — 24 years, that’s the biggest cheat.

So, what is your party doing to Well, at least we are back to base now and we will do mobilise voters to come out to cast everything possible to make sure that our party wins their votes?

Well, at least we are back to base now this election because all this while we were in court. and we will do everything possible to make sure that our party wins this But the court has settled the dissatisfaction between election because all this while we were us. The Supreme Court has taken a decision, therefore in court. But the court has settled the between us. The Supreme we have to reclaim our mandate and that’s what we dissatisfaction Court has taken a decision, therefore have to reclaim our mandate and are going to do in this election. So I will advise our we that’s what we are going to do in this So I will advise our people to people to make sure that they come out en masse and election. make sure that they come out en masse vote for the Labour Party. and vote for the Labour Party.

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T H I S D AY • THURSday NOVEMBER 9, 2023

politics

Afuye: Deputy Governors Should Be 100% Loyal to Governors

Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, in this interview with Gbenga Sodeinde, bares her mind on the need for state Deputy Governors to be totally loyal to their principal, the governors while stressing that Governor Biodun Oyebanji has brought positive development to the state in the last one year.

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hat is your take on the impeachment moves being pressed against some state deputy Governors on account of lack of trust?

My take is that Deputy Governors must display 100% loyalty to their bosses. We can’t have two drivers in a bus at a time, the bus will crash. The Governor is the driver that is handling the wheel while the Deputy is to play a supportive role. To lead the people and deliver requires the two to really trust each other and partner to work towards the set goals.

In Ekiti, I am 100% loyal to my boss, whom I considered as a very good and humble man.

Most interesting is the fact that Governor Oyebanji considered me as a co-pilot in our services to Ekiti. The two of us are like Siamese twins that will remain together, because the task of delivering the best is our utmost goal and nothing more.

If this should be the case, then there is no point for any Deputy Governor to be disloyal or trying to undo his boss, this is grossly unacceptable.

The worst thing to happen in any government is for the Deputy governor to constitute himself or herself to a distraction to his boss, such government will be difficult to run.

The two must work together because the constitution has made the governor number one. Two people can’t be governor at a time, that will lead to crisis and chaos.

It has been one year that you and your principal came into office. How has the journey been?

We thank God and the people of Ekiti State for the opportunity given us to serve them. It was a divine privilege for Governor Biodun Oyebanji to have been chosen to lead Ekiti at this time and we thank God that we are making good use of the opportunity.

The journey has been very challenging because Ekiti State is one the states that are financially challenged. Go and check the federal allocation ladder, Ekiti receives one of the lowest allocations from the federation accounts. The internally generated revenue is also relatively low, but we are working round the clock to deliver the best to our state and with the support of the people in the civil service, organised private sector, drivers’ union, youth groups, market men and women and other strata of the society, I think we have not disappointed them.

Governor Oyebanji has been able to show that good performance can occur with little amount that we have with all he has done across all the sectors of the economy, particularly around the six-point agenda of this administration through which we campaigned across Ekiti and made promises to the citizens.

Ekiti is predominantly agrarian. How is your government making use of this opportunity?

Ekiti being majorly agrarian has been a source of strength to us as a government because it affords us the opportunity of having potentials that can attract investments to Ekiti and Governor Oyebanji is working hard to ensure that all these opportunities are tapped to the fullest. You know that farming is one area where Ekiti has a strong comparative advantage.

Attainment of food security status is very dear to Governor Oyebanji’s heart because of the general belief that when people have enough food to eat, then poverty becomes a little bit solved.

The governor is not just trying to encourage farming, but he is keen about two things: One, to encourage commercial and large scale farming and two, to encourage our youths to take farming as a profession.

Time has come for us to do away with this conservative thinking that farming belongs to poor people. It is now an occupation that gives enormous wealth if well practised.

To actualise our dream in this sector, the present government has rehabilitated a total of 16 kilometres of rural roads in two local governments. This initiative covered towns like Ayebode, Ilupeju, Araromi and Ilawe Ekiti

accessories that can give them honour, respect and comfort.

Governor Oyebanji had also created the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Home Affairs to handle cases revolving around tradition in our dear state. This also attested to the respect this administration has for our royal fathers. The governor had also made it clear that he has a lot of initiatives that will be rolled out soon to better their lives. The expansive Ulera Wa Health intervention programme of government will also visit palaces to look after the wellbeing of our royal fathers.

You can go and verify, the government is not joking with issues that border on their welfare and wellbeing because they are our partners in maintenance of peace and stability across all the towns in our dear state.

The government is also serious about the implementation of the State Regency Law, which stipulates that no Regent must be on the throne beyond six months.

It was formerly two years before being compressed. Some of the towns where regents have spent over two years are being encouraged to get new Obas by mediating in their internal crisis, particularly by pleading with those who are in courts to opt for out -of -court settlements because no town can develop without a substantive Oba in place.

Afuye with 700 farmers as direct beneficiaries.

We have constructed drainage system at poultry site at Erunfun, while the existing boreholes there had been renovated for steady water supply.

Ekiti was known as a cocoa belt during the old Western region.

How are you relaunching the state back to reckoning in Cocoa production and other sectors?

This is one areas that made the old Ondo State had relevance under the administration of Chief Obafemi Awolowo during the Old Western Region, that was our prowess in Cocoa production considered as the heartbeat of our economy then.

Governor Oyebanji knew that we are gradually losing that reckoning because production of cocoa has reduced in this axis due to lack of incentives to farmers and perhaps poor attitude to farming. But this government is trying to bring back the old good days. This government as part of its policies has distributed 10,000 oil palm seedlings to farmers at subsidised rate.

We are also collaborating with USDA on cocoa value chain while we have allocated 246 hectares of land to indigenous farmers. This government has supported 221 farmers with 509 bags of fertilizer and 1103 litres of herbicides to increase productivity.

Knowing that cassava is now a hotcake in the market, we have supported 180 farmers with 3370 bundles of cassava cuttings, 20 farmers with 300kg of rice seeds and 132 farmers with 507 goat weaners.

We are also embarking on aggressive land clearing around Ipao-Oke Ako-Irele axis and we have approved compensations for farmers whose

lands were taken away in the process.

Has the local governments contributed to the economic growth and people’s standards of living under this government?

The local governments in Ekiti under Oyebanji are truly independent and what we have now is competition among the 16 local governments and the 19 LCDAs in project execution. The Governor upon assumption of office promised the people that the councils which are the closest to the people will be made to be financially independent and that is why you have them embarking on projects like water provision, construction of ultra modern markets, building of primary schools, grading and tarring of intracity roads in their areas.

In fact, if you go round all these councils, you will appreciate the quantum of works they have done and this is having remarkable impacts in the lives of our people.

The governor further enhanced the growth of local economy by his instruction to the council chairmen that all these contracts must be awarded to local contractors to boost local economy and prevent capital flight.

The traditional rulers are the custodians of culture and tradition. In which ways have you given them the needed comfort and respect they deserved?

Governor Oyebanji has enormous respect for royalty and he can’t do anything that can denigrate them. Recently, the Governor inaugurated an ultra modern Ekiti State Traditional Rulers’ Chamber in Ado Ekiti to give our monarchs comfort during their bi-weekly statutory meetings.

This is the first time this would happen in the 27 years of the creation of Ekiti. The one they were using before could hardly accommodate 82-member council and that accounted for the rotation of membership of the council.

But the present edifice can accommodate 145 Obas at a sitting.

It has very expansive parking lots and other

There is no point for any Deputy Governor to be disloyal or trying to undo his boss, this is grossly unacceptable.

The worst thing to happen in any government is for the Deputy governor to constitute himself or herself to a distraction to his boss, such government will be difficult to run. The two must work together because the constitution has made the governor number one. Two people can’t be governor at a time, that will lead to crisis and chaos.

How are you responding to the rising youth unemployment in Ekiti ?

Mr Governor is very passionate about the building of the capacities of our youth because no nation can get it right when youth are neglected or allowed to be redundant.

You all know that we are in the ICT world, the present administration had distributed a total of 910 laptop computers to 35 secondary schools under the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE).

This is meant to build their capacities in this aspect ahead of the future. This government has released a sum of over N35 million to support ICT project being envisioned by private individuals and organisations.

This government had also launched the Innovation Grant Facility to enhance innovation and creativity in the realm of advanced digital skills and entrepreneurship. This project will create about 10,000 jobs for Ekiti youth.

As a matter of policy, Mr Governor has separated the Sports Commission from the Ministry of Youth Development.

The Ministry of Youth now stands alone to cater for the needs of the youth. As a way of encouraging our youths, Mr Governor recently sponsored some athletes to Kaduna and three of them had been chosen to represent Nigeria at the Confederation of Athletics Africa championship.

Infrastructure is a catalyst to industrial development. What measures are you devising to ensure industrial growth through increased public facilities?

There is no doubting the fact that investment in infrastructure is key to industrial development. We have realised this and we are not taking it for granted. If you visit Ekiti even up to the interland, you will see the aggressive work we are doing in terms of road rehabilitation, dredging of waterways, rural electrification, solar power extension for social activities.

All these were copious attempts to make lives better for our people. Within this short time, we have dredged 7,949 metres of waterways covering Ado, Ikere and Ekiti Southwest local governments. We have rehabilitated and connected Iloro, Ikogosi and Erinjiyan tourism corridor to the national grid likewise Ayekire and Ekiti East LGAs. Some towns like Ijan, Iluomoba, Aisegba, Agbado, Ode, Isinbode, Imesi, Iro and Omuo are being reconnected to national grid after being in perpetual darkness for over 10 years.

No society can grow when things like these are happening. We are presently installing solar lights at Atikankan noted to be a flashpoint for criminal activities.

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

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FEatures

T H I S D AY • Thursday, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

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

Mejire Arubayi: Woodstyles is Bringing International Standards to Local Brands

Mejire Arubayi is a highly skilled and result-driven Project Development Consultant with a proven track record of delivering strategic projects across various organisations. With over 18 years of experience in Programme and Project Management, he has consistently driven business transformation and successfully implemented high-value and mission-critical systems in diverse multi-platform environments across Eu minrope and Africa. Currently, he serves as the Contract Manager at WOODstyles Limited, a renowned joinery and fit-out company committed to delivering flawless and high-quality woodwork for luxury products.

At the just concluded 2023 Design Week Lagos, a concept conceived to present and celebrate the best in contemporary African design across categories, Arubayi, in this interview with MARY NNAH, talks about the place for interior designing and the designers in Nigeria as well as how the industry contributes to the country’s economy amongst other issues Many have expected you to join active politics, what has kept you away? ow, you know that we all cannot be in active politics. We are all politicians in our different little enclaves.

I actually admire those who play the real game of politics. I do not think I am cut out for it. It is like asking why I am not a footballer. It is simple, I know very little how to play football and admire the game and the players. Politics requires so much money in our environment; I do not have a deep pocket. Not being in politics does not mean one cannot serve his people or the country in other capacities. However, I am ready always to make my contribution towards community/National development.

what I'm saying…

I don't want to generalise this because I don't want to use what is happening right now. We feel this is just the downturn and things will improve better. We're always positive, but that notwithstanding the flip side of this, is that for us, we are busier in Nigeria. It's good for us in the sense that clients are not going to look outside the box. They are going to look to us to deliver items rather than import them. We have the skill sets, and we have developed some level of quality to compete with many foreign items, which is important. So to us, like I always say, an impossible challenge allows us to tell ourselves that we can do it; if not as well sometimes even better than most imports. So those are the things that are the challenges. We'll get there also, the negative challenges of the industry which happens to everybody anyway are the cost of production, power, roads, infrastructure and everything. It's hitting everyone, every single person. We all suffer the same thing.

We'll suffer.

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How has life been after retirement?

It has been quite interesting; I feel fulfilled and exceedingly contented that in my chosen career at the highest level, I had the privilege and the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the development of a modern ICT service driven Immigration Ser Tell us why you are part of today’s event.

This exhibition is put together by interior designers every year as part of the event called Design Week Lagos. We have various activities every year right from inception and the firm has been a partner in this exhibition for years back. This year, we are exhibiting a 4ft door which is meant to be a statement template for a metre-high door by 2.8 metres and meaningful minimalist storage shelving. So that's what we have here for this year's exhibition in our stand.

Could you tell us about your motivation and experience in the industry?

I have been into design for the last 15 years and I have worked on private residence projects, luxury five-star hotel projects, and process designs, with a few of the very good interior architects around the world.

And it's what led me to join Woodstyles.

I feel the firm can execute the level which I can associate myself with. So that's why I decided to work with them. It allowed me to also help improve my designs. The designs for clients depends on what they want and I help them achieve their dream because I have been able to give them what they want and improve on my designs.

However, a lot of clients don't know what they want, while others know exactly what they want. Sometimes they know what they want, but they don't know how to place it.

You need to know what kind of questions they would ask and be able to put things together in designs, which you will use to execute the project. That's just basically what we engaged ourselves within the industry.

I would say that some customers know what they want some don't and it's one of the challenges that you face while you do business.

Take us through your accomplishments as a project and design manager.

I have undertaken several enterprise transformation projects and consulting roles with cross-functional experience in a wide spectrum of industries ranging from hospitality, finance, health, public sector, retail and construction. I have been into design for the past 15 years and interior

Mejire Arubayi

designs for hotels, offices, and private homes, amongst others. I worked on several projects in Nigeria before I joined Woodstyles Limited as a Contract Manager. It was based on these experiences that I now provide strategic direction for Woodstyles Limited while remaining a hands-on project manager overseeing projects’ needs. However, I naturally keyed into Woodstyles because it entails the kind of designs I do: high-end finishing, luxurious finishing, detailed finishing and bespoke finishing.

From your experience, where is the place for interior designers and designers in Nigeria?

Initially, we used to think interior design in Nigeria was a green field but over that narrative has changed.

We had all of these experienced interior designers and interior design architects amongst others, but we did not give them a name. So, everyone is beginning to realise the importance of having an interior designer on his or her project.

Some people feel they have to import to get high-quality luxury

design products. What is your take?

It will take time to change, however, the curve is beginning to tilt towards our side. The government policies have begun to help. But notwithstanding, it is expensive because we have to compete with imported goods.

We will not say because a product is made in Nigeria, then it should have a mediocre standard. We want to compete with international brands and we are succeeding in doing that. So, it is like we are bringing international standards to local brands and this is done by Nigeria in Nigeria for Nigerians. More importantly, we understand the Nigerian extreme harsh weather and produce for the market accordingly, such that puts us at an advantage over those who import furniture items without considering our weather.

What are the challenges you face working in the luxury sector?

There are quite a lot of challenges depending on how you want to look at those challenges. You understand

We will not say because a product is made in Nigeria, then it should have a mediocre standard. We want to compete with international brands and we are succeeding in doing that. So, it is like we are bringing international standards to local brands and this is done by Nigeria in Nigeria for Nigerians

The luxury design and interior decoration industry seems to have contributed a lot to the economy of the country. So what do you think about auditing the sector, to improve on its contribution to the economy?

We are growing rapidly. The more clients we get more job opportunities.

Every year we have some visitors to our booth, while we work to always take things to the next level, and all of that. So that's our kind of contribution. Because the more business we get, the more people are employed and the more CSR we do for the environment. The more we pay our taxes, the more the revenue income tax, and so there's a multiplier effect. Our stock trades 90% local context, so that's an improvement as well. So we're spreading the knowledge with the technical skills Give us an overview of how you source materials.

It makes things easier when you buy locally, we have very good raw materials here but we equally get a few things abroad. Everything is manufactured here.

We make videos for people to see right from where we start cutting the wood to finish. So many of those high-end items, we import them, some of the raw material content is sourced locally, depending on the projects, depending on requirements.

What's your company's environmental and corporate social governance strategy to ensure that your activities do not impact the environment, both in the aspect of wildlife and deforestation?

We're not the first primary user, let's say, we don't feel the impacts. Also, we have a lot of corporate social responsibility. We partnered with people who are ready to go into tree planting operations. But in Nigeria, here we do quite a lot of that as well, like World Tree Day. So we plant trees. We do a a lot of CSR, we engage the youths, train them, they do IT with us and some of them get employment. We have training schools where we train members of the community.

This has a multiplier effect on staff housing.

So to a large extent, CSR, as a firm we don't joke with it because, if you don't have a happy neighbour, you won't have a secure and safe environment to execute your business.

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T H I S D AY • Thursday, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

featues

Respite for Katsina Communities after Decades of Water Scarcity For residents of Gidan Zaki and Hayin Labi communities in Kafur and Bakori Local Government Areas of Katsina State, the provision of boreholes by Mishpael Fountain Ministry is like the discovery of oil, writes Francis Sardauna

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t was a carnival-like scene on a recent Saturday morning as residents of Gidan Zaki community in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State rolled out drums and their sleeves to celebrate their first-ever hand-propelled pump water source after decades of poor access to potable water.

The community residents which had lived all their lives without a portable water source were full of enthusiasm and revolutionary fervour following the successful drilling and inauguration of the community's first borehole

by Mishpael Fountain Ministry (MFM).

Before MFM came to the aid of the invariably neglected community, the residents relied solely on unclean sources of water like a stagnant body of water which gathers after rainfall and dirty wells where they stored rainwater during the rainy season for use in the dry season.

The agrarian community which has an estimated population of 5,000, had been suffering from lack of clean water for many decades thereby exposing its inhabitants to various preventable water-borne diseases. Residents of the community, who are predominantly farmers, spent less time on their farms because they had to search for safe water.

However, with the installation of the water facility by the Mishpael Fountain Ministry, residents said access to the potable water had brought succour and improved health, increased agricultural production and food sufficiency in the community.

One of the residents, Mrs Lydia Ishaku, said the community has never experienced an intervention of this magnitude and impact since its creation 50 years ago, adding that the provision of the borehole will go a long way in curbing water-borne diseases and improve their health.

She said: "I cannot begin to count the changes that will occur in this community as a result of the installation of this water facility. First, the way I go about my house chores will be different because, with water close to home, I have the strength to carry out my chores effortlessly. My hygiene will also improve.

"After years of suffering due to lack of potable water, you can see what it means to us judging from the excitement on our faces. We thank Mishpael Fountain Ministry for drilling this borehole for us.

It is indeed a great help to this community and other neighbouring villages."

With the provision of potable water by the non-profit making organisation, Mrs Ishaku admitted that she will now live a better life. She added that the humanitarian intervention will improve her personal hygiene and that of the family, and other residents of the community.

Another resident, Ishaku Gidan-Zaki, told THISDAY that the borehole drilled

by Mishpael Fountain Ministry was the first of its kind in the over 50 years history of the community. He expressed happiness and thanked the organisation and its partners for coming to their aid.

He, however, said before the MFM's intervention, residents of the community depend solely on unclean sources of water and sometimes share a stream which was their main source of water with cattle and other animals.

In Gidan Zaki and its environs, he said, a stream which flows through bushes and rocks serves as the only source of water for people and animals and that was a cumbersome task for residents, adding that the story had changed because of the provision of the borehole.

He added that: "Life was very difficult for everyone in this community, particularly children and women because of the difficulty in accessing water, not even clean water. But now we have a very big relief because of this borehole. We will forever remain grateful to this organisation."

As Ishaku and other residents of Gidan Zaki continue to wallow in an atmosphere of euphoria, residents of Hayin Labi village in Bakori local government area of Katsina State are also celebrating their first borehole

Some residents of Gidan Zaki community drinking water from a borehole drilled for them by Mishpael Fountain Ministry

The borehole drilled by MFM at Hayin Labi village in Bakori drilled by the Mishpael Fountain Ministry.

With no public water supply and no borehole in the community, residents of Hayin Labi depended on alternative means of water supply such as streams and locally dug wells. Some of the residents had to contend with the difficulty of trekking a long distance with bad terrain to reach a spring far away from the community.

Residents of the community also noted that before the MFM's intervention, the available sources of water for them were not only difficult to access but in most cases the water is not safe for drinking and domestic use.

The news that a borehole was successfully drilled with good water gushing out to the surface was received with ecstasy in the community. The residents said it has relieved the burden of the scarcity of water which "bites so hard" for many decades in the community.

"This water project is a dream

come-true. I am overwhelmed seeing this water project happening in my community. We thank Mishpael Fountain Ministry for giving us this borehole in our community", Ibrahim Shehu, a resident of the community said.

Perhaps the euphoria in Gidan Zaki and Hayin Labi communities over the boreholes would not have come to light if the Misphael Fountain Ministry did not come to the aid of the seemingly neglected agrarian areas.

Speaking shortly after the inauguration of the hand-propelled pump water systems in the communities, the Programme Officer of Mishpael Fountain Ministry, Mr. Tinat Joseph, said the faith-based organisation drilled the boreholes in the communities in order to assuage the suffering of the residents. He explained that the drilling of the boreholes was after a thorough need assessment conducted by the organisation in the communities, adding the gesture was part of the organisation's social corporate responsibility aimed at tackling the sufferings faced by the needy.

"However, with the installation of the water facility by the Mishpael Fountain Ministry, residents said access to the potable water had brought succour and improved health, increased agricultural production and food sufficiency in the community"

Joseph reiterated that the organisation had drilled 15 boreholes in communities in Katsina, Benue, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna States, adding that: "In Katsina alone, we provided four boreholes, and the two we just commissioned are the fourth ones we constructed in the state".

He added, "In Katsina State, we constructed boreholes in Gidan Baso community in Kafur; Gidan Dado Community in Danja and we just commissioned additional two in Gidan Zaki and Hayin Labi communities in Kafur and Bakori local government areas.

"In Kano State, we drilled a borehole in Gidan Yaji community in Rogo LGA. We also drilled boreholes in Soda community in Kajuru LGA, Kalapi 2 community in Chikun LGA, Hayin Garba community in Soba LGA, Kunkumi community in Makarfi LGA, Kibori ECWA Primary Health Care in Zango Kataf LGA and Nimgon Titi community in Sanga LGA in Kaduna State.

"We also drilled a borehole in the Kondoro Koro community in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State. While in Benue State, we constructed a borehole in the Antso community in Guma LGA to ease hardship faced by residents in the benefiting communities.

"Similar interventions were carried out by our organisation in the Baran Dutse community, Sabon Layin community in Bauchi LGA, Gada Doka community in Toro LGA and Kyanda community in Alkaleri LGA in Bauchi state."

He said MFM has been providing clean sources of drinking water for rural and marginalised communities, mobilising and empowering communities for peaceful co-existence and sustainable development, providing food aid and medical intervention and organising skill training for sustainable development for widows, orphans and the underprivileged in the society.

However, for residents of Gidan Zaki and Hayin Labi communities in Kafur and Bakori local governments, the drilling of the boreholes is like the discovery of oil. These water borehole systems will enhance access to safe water, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene, among others.

Although the residents continue to relish their new sources of clean water supply, they are hoping and waiting for the provision of other social amenities such as hospitals, schools, roads and electricity by both the federal and state governments.

But with the mission of encouraging, equipping and empowering for God's kingdom, Mishpael Fountain Ministry has a vision of being a hand, voice and feet of Christ in building bridges and bringing peace to fractured lives in Northern Nigeria and it had successfully brought succour to many derived communities in the country.

22

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2023 • THISDAY

polity Is Tinubu Already Scheming For 2027?

Even as key policy flip-flops, insecurity and economic stress prostrate embattled Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may already be scheming to retain power four years ahead of the umpire’s whistle in 2027, writes Louis Achi

T

wenty-four hours before the Supreme Court affirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s electoral victory on October 26, he approved the appointment of 10 new National Electoral Commissioners, RECs, top-heavy with his loyalists, on October 25. These were not mere coincidences.

At least two of the newly appointed RECs may be card-carrying members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the president’s party, according to a reputable national online medium. Two other nominees are also found to be long-term allies of prominent politicians serving in the Tinubu administration.

The nominees are Etekamba Umoren (Akwa Ibom State), Isah Ehimeakne (Edo), Oluwatoyin Babalola (Ekiti), Abubakar Ma’aji (Gombe), Shehu Wahab (Kwara), Bunmi Omoseyindemi (Lagos) and Aminu Idris (Nasarawa). Others are Mohammed Yelwa (Niger), Anugbum Onuoha (Rivers), Isma’ila Moyi and (Zamfara).

“Etekamba Umoren, the first name on the list of President Tinubu’s newly-appointed RECs, is an APC member, Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s ally and protégé, and was the subject of a petition for allegedly joining Akpabio in withdrawing N22bn from Akwa Ibom State government’s account and diverting it to “sundry personal use and unjustifiable expenditures,” investigative journalist Fiyaso Soyombo alleged in a recent tweeter-X post.

Umoren served as the Chief of Staff at the Akwa Ibom State Government House when Akpabio governed the state between 2007 and 2014. Akpabio also nominated him to serve as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under his successor, Udom Emmanuel, then an ally of Akpabio.

He was only relieved off his job in 2018 following fallout between Messrs Akpabio and Emmanuel, which also led to the removal of other key allies in the state executive council.

It could be recalled that in August 2018, during a welcome rally for Akpabio in Uyo, Umoren and other sacked members of Governor Emmanuel’s state executive council embraced the All Progressives Congress (APC). Umoren accepted a broom, an emblem of the APC, from Akpabio on stage and chanted APC through the speakers.

Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, further observes that “If you’ve followed Bola Tinubu’s long-term strategising for a while, you’ll know he is already plotting to extend his chokehold on Nigeria by obliterating the possibility of anyone else winning the 2027 presidential election. He has started positioning his people in INEC.” The nifty journalist further notes that, “Appointing Umoren as INEC’s REC in Akwa Ibom for an initial five years, asking him to oversee elections in a state he helped loot, a state where he was Permanent Secretary in the Government House, Chief of Staff to the governor and latterly Secretary to the State Government, and where he helped APC win votes, surely isn’t accidental.”

To ensure the neutrality of the electoral umpire,

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extant Nigerian law forbids the appointment of members of political parties as resident electoral commissioners, individuals who coordinate INEC activities in different states.

However, this requirement apparently holds sway only in theory.

Besides Umoren, at least three of the RECs nominated by Tinubu are known to have ties to him, his allies, the APC or politicians in his government. They are Messrs Shaka, Omoseyindemi and Onuoha.

A cursory review of the trio’s digital and non-digital footprints indicate a bias far before during and after the 2023 general elections that showed their leaning towards Tinubu, his allies and his party, the APC. For instance, the Lagos REC-nominee Bunmi Omoseyindemi had enjoyed a cosy political patronage from Tinubu and his allies since 2001. He was appointed chairman of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board in 2001 when Tinubu governed the state, a position he held until 2015.

In 2016, he was appointed an electoral commissioner in the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) by the thengovernor Akinwunmi Ambode who was also

an ally of Tinubu at the time.

Another REC nominee, Onuoha is an ally of a top official of the Tinubu administration.

He has been close to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Onuoha was a Special Adviser on Lands and Surveys to Wike until 2019 when he was crowned a traditional leader in Rumuepirikom, Obio/ Akpor Local Government area in the state, the same community Wike hails from.

However, before he was appointed as a Special Adviser to Wike, he had in 2007, served as the Commissioner, Legal and Political Parties Monitoring at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). He was one of the nine-member RSIEC Electoral Commissioners sworn in by the then Governor Rotimi Amaechi, in 2007. They were led by the late Nimi Briggs, an emeritus professor.

What’s more? The senate that will confirm or reject Umoren and the other nine RECs is chaired by Umoren’s mentor and principal Akpabio who is also Tinubu’s protege. Has the backdoor manipulation of voter choices in 2027 kicked off, four years ahead of schedule?

Big question.

These early maneuvers by Tinubu have not

gone unnoticed by several observers. In a tweet-X post, Olasupo Jakes notes: “I don’t know why the main opposition parties are keeping mute on this Tinubu’s newly appointed INEC REC throughout the states. If they have any seriousness in them, the battle starts now! Draw the public attention to this Tinubu’s shenanigans. Don’t wait until when the 2027 election is rigged, and they tell you to go to court. Let’s start resetting everything right now.”

There is little question that Tinubu simply exercised the powers granted him by Section 154 (1) of the Nigerian constitution and Section 6 of the Electoral Act (2022). Of course, it’s highly unlikely that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party have gone to sleep so early. Processing the ‘shocking’ ultimate outcome of their challenge of the highly contested Tinubu’s presidential victory and imperative re-strategizing may explain the apparent quietude on parties’ fronts currently.

Significantly, President Tinubu is perceived to revel in strategic ambiguity. According to organizational communication expert Eric Eisenberg, strategic ambiguity enables an executive, individual or organisation to express itself - its mission and goals - in a way that allows “the freedom to alter operations which have become maladaptive over time.”

It helps operatives understand the need to find balance between being highly specific or overly vague in what they stand for and how they want to be perceived. Several early key policy flip-flops in the current administration speak to these ambiguities.

Regularly feted as an astute politician, Tinubu certainly knows the difference between being ambiguous and being strategic about his ambiguity. His comical Bala-Blu and other ‘gaffs’ before, during and after the presidential primary apparently fooled both friends and foes. By nimbly guiding or forcing the crucial Northern pressure group to fundamentally birth the Tinubu presidential candidacy drew deserved plaudits from important stakeholders.

Adroitly navigating the landmine and dilemma of choosing a Muslim running mate and ignoring the nation’s combustible ethno-religious configuration speaks to a level of audacity or nifty gambling.

It could be recalled that through his tenacity and uncommon focus in guiding the reversal of electoral impunity across a wide swath of South-western Nigeria, during the Olusegun Obasanjo political blitzkrieg, Tinubu reaffirmed the enduring fact that indeed jutice is the first condition of democracy.

But the debate of the integrity of the 2023 general elections, particularly the presidential poll, subsists despite the Supreme Court judgement. The bitterness, extreme conteststation and a shocking sense of electoral injustice persists. This suggests that the Tinubu of the Obasanjo presidential era and the Tinubu of today are democratic horses of different colours.

As Tinubu cagily surveys the field, buying over fence-sitters, enticing the opposition and putting potential challengers on his secret hit-list ahead of the 2027 political battle, for groaning Nigerians, it may just be morning yet on creation day.

OPINION

Cybersecurity Management in Nigerian Corporate Organizations: An Imperative for National Security

Erhomo Richard Egbedi

T

he rise in digitalization underscores the crucial role of cybersecurity. Nigeria’s corporate sphere magnifies the significance. This research examines the cybersecurity management structures within Nigerian corporations, focusing on the assets, threats, and vulnerabilities they face.

The global digital landscape is rapidly changing, amplifying the importance of cybersecurity. For Nigerian corporate entities, the potential consequences of inadequate cybersecurity are vast and varied. This study investigates the cybersecurity management systems of these entities.

Employing both positivist and interpretivist paradigms, this research adopted a dualmethod approach. The initial phase consisted

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

of intensive documentary research, followed by an exhaustive quantitative survey. A representative sample of 328

IT managers and proprietors provided responses, which were then analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

The data highlighted a concerning situation. Despite Nigerian corporations’ widespread adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs), there exists a significant gap in their corresponding cybersecurity measures.

This vulnerability has repercussions beyond individual organizations, raising macroeconomic and national security issues. Our traditional definition of national security, previously limited to physical threats, needs to expand to include the present and potent cyber threats, which endanger areas like economic growth and energy security.

While many developed countries

have established specialized cyber agencies, emerging nations such as Nigeria need to catch up. Cyber threats are pervasive, but these economies often lack the expertise and infrastructure to counteract them.

To address this issue, organizations must prioritize comprehensive cybersecurity training at all hierarchical levels. The Nigerian government’s role in establishing specialized regulatory bodies and enforcing strict cyber compliance is also crucial.

In today’s digitally intricate era, cyber threats ignore national frontiers. With Nigeria’s corporate realm burgeoning, proactive cybersecurity measures are non-negotiable. Secure digital spaces aren’t just corporate assets; they’re cornerstones of national security.

•Erhomo Richard Egbedi writes from Columbia Business School Email: ere2128@gsb.columbia.edu

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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24 T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023 TR

UT H

& RE A S O

Thursday November 9, 2023 Vol 27. No 10436

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

IN HIS OWN WORDS

BASHIR IBRAHIM HASSAN unveils the vision of the man in the interior ministry

See page 25

NIGERIA’S MISSED GAS WINDFALL There is urgent need to invest more in gas infrastructure, argues ELVIS EROMOSELE

See page 25

EDITORIAL

NOLLYWOOD AND THE LAGOS FILM CITY

26

1

Fair off-season elections will reflect positively on the country, writes KALU OKORONKWO

OFF-SEASON ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA The states of Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo serve as prime examples of the pivotal role off-season elections play in Nigeria’s democratic experimentation. While the spotlight often shines on the grand stage of national and state elections, it is the off-season elections that wield a subtler, yet equally significant, influence on the country’s political scenery.

The gubernatorial elections in these states and others including Anambra, Edo and other such states are more than mere regional events; they hold the potential to shape political dynamics, and national inferences thus revealing their unique nuances, challenges, and their far-reaching impact on Nigeria’s political panorama.

Unfortunately, the Nigerian political journey so far has not been a pleasant one as its electoral process is often marred by irregularities, controversies, and voter apathy. These have far reaching implications on its significant impact on the nation’s governance and representation. In the shadow of the more celebrated general elections, off-season elections often wrestle with challenges that demand our attention.

Off-season elections refer to electoral processes that are held outside the usual general election cycle and has since gained prominence but more often suffer from a lack of attention and a myriad of problems. It is essential for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address these issues and ensure that off-season elections are conducted transparently and fairly.

A robust democracy is built on the principle of free and fair elections. Offseason elections are a crucial component of Nigeria’s democratic process. INEC must ensure that these elections are conducted with the same level of integrity and transparency as general elections to strengthen the country’s democracy.

For instance, one of the most significant challenges faced during offseason elections is low voter turnout.

The majority of voters tend to participate more actively in the general elections, while off-season elections often witness a significantly smaller number of voters.

This disparity can undermine the legitimacy of off-season election results.

Addressing the challenges associated with off-season elections will boost voter confidence. When voters see that their voices are heard and their votes count, they are more likely to participate in all elections, including off-season ones.

Ensuring that these elections are free and fair is crucial to maintaining equal representation and accountability in

Nigeria’s political landscape.

Incidences of electoral irregularities should be intentionally minimized as the off-season elections have been notorious for electoral voter suppression, ballot box stuffing, and vote-buying.

These irregularities can compromise the integrity of the electoral process and undermine public trust in the system.

Heightened security concerns that usually associated with off season elections through the absence of a largescale national security operation, as seen during general elections, can lead to security breaches, voter intimidation, and violence, discouraging voter participation and endangering the democratic process.

The security agencies most times pay lip service to the concern of voters during off season elections thus heightening fear among the citizenry.

A shadow of doubt still looms over the nation’s democratic progress in terms of security breaches during elections.

Taking the three focal states for the November 11, 2023 off season elections, the trio have been hot beds for political maneuverings and escalated violence especially Imo and Kogi States.

The story of off-season elections in Imo State is a compelling saga of political power play. Known for its vibrant political scene, Imo State has been a stage for intense battles for the governor’s seat.

Off-season elections here often serve as an arena for incumbents and challengers to test their mettle.

Kogi, with its diverse demographics and complex ethno-political dynamics, presents a unique case in the realm of off-season elections. The state has experienced its share of turbulence and intrigue during off-season contests.

Gubernatorial elections in Kogi have, at times, been marred by controversies, thuggery, ballot snatching and other vices leading to legal disputes and calls for election cancellations.

Bayelsa on the other hand is peculiar in a way. The state serves as a microcosm

of Nigeria’s broader struggle to balance resource allocation and sustainable development hence, off-season elections in Bayelsa resonate with the challenges and opportunities that come with resource abundance. Bayelsa State gubernatorial election is shaped by the desire to harness the wealth from the oil sector for the benefit of the local population.

There is need for INEC to also increase public awareness and voter education during off-season elections as it tends to receive less media coverage and public attention compared to general elections.

As a result, many voters remain unaware of the dates and candidates, further contributing to low voter turnout.

The success or failure of off-season elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa States will further shape peoples opinion about INEC still smarting from perceived failure to organise a credible general elections in February and March. While each state presents a unique narrative, they collectively reflect the enduring quest for equitable representation, good governance, and the advancement of Nigeria’s democratic ideals. As off-season elections continue to shape the destiny of these states, they remain integral to the larger story of Nigerian politics, one of twists and turns, and the enduring hope for a brighter political future.

A transparent and equitable electoral process fosters national unity by reducing tensions and grievances that may arise from allegations of electoral fraud.

Nigeria’s international reputation is significantly influenced by the transparency and fairness of its electoral processes. Fair off-season elections will reflect positively on the country, attracting foreign investments and strengthening diplomatic relations.

Off-season elections are a vital aspect of Nigeria’s democratic journey, contributing to local and state-level governance and representation. To uphold the principles of democracy, strengthen voter confidence, and ensure equal representation, it is incumbent upon INEC to address the challenges associated with off-season elections.

Transparency, fairness, and security must be prioritized to right the wrongs in offseason elections and secure the future of Nigeria’s democracy. Only by addressing these issues can Nigeria move closer to a more inclusive and thriving democratic system that serves the interests of all its citizens.

Okoronkwo, a leadership and good governance advocate, writes from Lagos and can be reached via kalu.okoronkwo@gmail.com

T H I S D AY

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023

BASHIR IBRAHIM HASSAN unveils the vision of the man in the interior ministry

There is urgent need to invest more in gas infrastructure, argues ELVIS EROMOSELE

IN HIS OWN WORDS

NIGERIA’S MISSED GAS WINDFALL

There’s never been any question of a shortage of high performers – persons with clear visions, tall ambitions and the capacity to deliver to the expectation of the Nigerian public – elected or appointed to Nigeria’s public sphere.

The trio of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello blazed the trail in the pre- and immediate Independence eras; while the Osaigbovo Ogbemudias and Audu Bakos flourished in the military era of mid-sixties to the mid-seventies. There’s no prize for guessing who the stars of the Second Republic were – the Lateef Kayode Jakandes and Sam Mbakwes.

The Olusegun Obasanjo-led Third Republic unearthed its own high performers in the Nasir Ahmad El-Rufais, Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealas, Oby

Ezekwesilis, etc. The Goodluck Jonathan regime gave us the Akinwumi Adesinas, Sarah Ochekpes, etc.

If the well of high performers appeared to have dried up in the last eight years, there seems now to be a floodgate of them. For one, there has emerged a dynamo in Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, a charismatic, outspoken, courageous and visionary minister. The young engineer that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put in charge of the Ministry of Interior is sanitizing the issuance of passports in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), one of the agencies under his purview.

Tunji-Ojo started his tertiary education at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife before moving to the University of North London (now London Metropolitan University) where he studied Electronics and Communication Engineering and graduated in 2005. He obtained a master’s degree in Digital Communication and Networking from the same institution in 2006. He holds certifications in 18 professional qualifications in ICT before he turned 24 years. He ran a leading indigenous ICT consulting company in Nigeria, Matrix IT Solutions Limited and consulted for the World Bank and several government agencies He joined politics and was elected into the House of Representatives for Akoko North East/ Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State. He was, in his first term, chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

With his performance so far, he has emerged as another right person for the job – a veritable round peg in a round hole. He’s shown a clear vision, commitment and courage in dealing with bad situations that the passport department of NIS was in. He has given Nigerians the basis to expect spectacular performances from not only the Ministry of Interior but all the Federal Ministries.

It is worthy to note that, the performance of the President is the sum total of individual performances of the MDAs where the ministers provide leadership.

Remember that, until now, the Ministry of

Interior was famously known for announcing public holidays! And this is a ministry whose equivalents are considered the most strategic in the more advanced countries of the world!

The interior ministry (sometimes called the ministry of internal affairs or ministry of home affairs) is a cabinet official position that is responsible for internal affairs, such as public security, civil registration and identification, emergency management, supervision of regional and local governments, conduct of elections and immigration (including passport issuance) matters.

In Britain, the Ministry of Home Security was established in 1939 to direct national civil defence.

In the United States, the Department of Interior (DOI) not only has organic linkages with several other departments but also has international functions that require it work with institutions of other countries. In Kenya, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration is closely linked with the Presidency in Harambe House.

Similarly, the Ministry of Interior in Nigeria has monumental responsibilities because of the wide scopes of the functions of the agencies supervised by the Ministry. These include Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), etc.

Prison breaks in Nigeria have been rampant.

Fire outbreaks occur in different parts of the country with the fire services mostly incapacitated in responding to them. Nigeria has gradually become one of the most unsafe countries to live in, with crime rates ever soaring.

On each and every one of the challenges confronting the nation, Olubunmi Tuni-Ojo has a deep perspective. On every one of the constraints confronting the agencies of government set up to respond to them under the purview of the Ministry of Interior, the minister has an antidote.

He underpins his drive by strong beliefs. On the passport issuance issue, for instance, he says, in a recent interview with BusinessDay: “Our visa and passport policy or immigration policy has a lot to do with economic development. And of course, if there is internal security; it will encourage business and development. So, the two are directly related. Without the Ministry of Interior playing its role to an optimum level, to the best of its capacity or capability, we might not be able to attain the highest level of national development.”

Tunji-Ojo elaborates on his approach and style: “We have critically created a work plan, implementable strategies, and methodology of approach, in terms of how to tackle all these issues one by one. From the issue of decongestion of our Correctional Service to skill acquisition, and even enhancement of mental health of our inmates and their psychological upliftment knowing fully well that though they are in custody, it does not make them lesser Nigerians. Their mental health is very key, and we will work to uplift them psychologically.

“We will also protect our correctional centers and provide suitably adequate and befitting facilities needed for our inmates. The fact that they are inmates does not deprive them of certain fundamental rights that they should enjoy and they should be treated as Nigerians. They are Nigerians and they have to be treated with such levels of respect that they deserve.

Hassan writes from Abuja

The Nigerian economy depends largely on hydrocarbons. Yet, in the wake of the RussianUkrainian war and the subsequent energy crisis that gripped European countries due to a reduction in gas supply from Russia, Nigeria found itself ill-prepared to seize the opportunity presented by the surge in demand for natural gas. Despite possessing more than 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, Nigeria failed to capitalize on the unprecedented rise in global gas demand. This lack of foresight and inadequate investments have significant implications for the nation’s energy sector and its economic development.

Experts are quick to attribute Nigeria’s failure to capitalize on the surge in gas demand to several factors, including poor investments, lack of foresight, and neglect of the domestic market.

The obvious first point is that inadequate investments in gas infrastructure, exploration, and production left Nigeria unable to meet the increased global demand promptly. The sad truth is that the lack of proper facilities and technologies hindered the country’s capacity to extract and export its abundant gas resources efficiently.

In addition, the country failed to anticipate the potential increase in global gas demand due

development. Promoting the domestic use of gas is a multifaceted strategy that benefits a country’s energy security, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and the well-being of its citizens. It offers a cleaner, more affordable, and versatile energy source that can contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Now, to effectively address the implications of missing out on the high gas demand windfall, Nigeria must take decisive actions.

Firstly, it must become intentional in investing in gas infrastructure. All hands should be on deck here. The Nigerian government and private sector players should invest significantly in gas infrastructure, including pipelines, processing plants, and export facilities.

These investments will improve the nation’s capacity to extract and export gas efficiently.

Secondly, there has to be a conscious effort to promote the domestic use of gas.

Yes, a laser-like focus on boosting the domestic gas market is crucial. This includes investing in infrastructure to deliver gas for power generation, industries, and households. Regulatory reforms and antisabotage measures are essential here to

to geopolitical events like the Russian-Ukraine conflict. As a result, it missed out on the windfall that could have bolstered its economy and energy sector, particularly in these dire times.

Furthermore, while focusing on export potential, Nigeria neglected its domestic gas market. The nation could have benefited from a more extensive network of gas distribution for local consumption, which would have boosted its industries and power generation capacity.

Excuses and reasons for missing out are irrelevant at this stage. There are implications, real life and far-reaching economic implications for missing out.

Number one, the failure to capitalize on the high gas demand windfall has resulted in a significant economic loss for Nigeria. The nation could have earned substantial revenues from gas exports, which would have bolstered its struggling economy in this critical time.

Also, Nigeria’s inability to meet its domestic gas demand contributes to energy insecurity within the country. Inadequate infrastructure, pipeline vandalism, and unfair regulatory practices have hindered the supply of gas for power generation and industrial use.

Moreover, overreliance on oil revenues has long been a concern for Nigeria. The missed opportunity to harness its gas reserves and diversifies its income sources and reduces dependence on oil means the concerns persist.

If this episode teaches any lesson at all, it must be this one: promoting domestic use of gas is crucial for national growth and economic

ensure a steady domestic supply.

Then, Nigeria must diversify the energy sector. It is time to say, enough of lip service.

Nigeria should diversify its energy sector by giving equal importance to gas alongside oil. This diversification can provide a more stable income source and energy security.

And most importantly, we require enhanced foresight. The policymakers must enhance their foresight and geopolitical awareness to seize opportunities when they arise. The ability to adapt to global energy trends is critical for economic growth.

Understanding the interconnectedness of the global economy is crucial to thriving today and the future.

Nigeria’s failure to leverage its vast gas reserves during the peak of global demand due to the Russian-Ukraine conflict carries significant implications for the nation’s economy and energy sector. By implementing the recommended remedies and learning from past oversights, Nigeria can position itself to take full advantage of future opportunities in the global energy market. The key lies in proactive investments, regulatory improvements, and a strategic focus on both domestic and international gas markets.

Eromosele, a corporate communication professional writes via: elviseroms@gmail.com

26 4

T H I S D AY

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

T

NOLLYWOOD AND THE LAGOS FILM CITY The film city is a good initiative

hat Nollywood has come of age is no longer in doubt. This is with regard to global impact and recognition, as well as its ambassadorial role in projecting Nigeria. It is today our nation’s most widely acknowledged cultural export and one that has become a marketing point for certain aspects of African fashion and fashion accessories. But Nollywood also needs all the encouragement it can get to expand and improve.

It is in that light that we commend the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for birthing the idea of a Lagos Film City.

At a recent groundbreaking ceremony for the $100 million project in Epe, the governor promised to promote anything that would place Lagos and the country on the world map. “This momentous and historic occasion marks a significant milestone in our journey towards creating a thriving and vibrant film industry that will not only captivate audiences worldwide but also contribute to the economic growth and cultural development of our beloved state,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“We are laying the foundation for a creative hub that will serve as a catalyst for innovation, talent discovery, and storytelling excellence.”

Furthermore, Sanwo-Olu stated that grants for the creation of short stories will be doubled. Besides the potential of showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Lagos State through cinema, the governor added that the film industry has the power to transcend boundaries and bring people together, adding that it could inspire, entertain, and educate. It will also generate many job opportunities, encourage economic growth, and attract investment. This is because it will serve as a hub for film production, post-production, visual effects, and any ancillary services related to the film-making process. The projected film metropolis will have cutting-edge amenities such as sound stages, editing suites, and

production offices, among other things.

As has been attested to by many experts, Nollywood has the capacity to create hundreds of thousands of jobs across such industry skill areas as set design, make-up, prop design and management, directing and much more. With this intervention

by Sanwo-Olu, we are likely to see more facilities for editing and post-production skills which would in turn create opportunities for development and expansion. But as laudable as the Lagos Film City initiative may be, it is important for Sanwo-Olu to find out what happened to the federal government’s $200 million intervention for ‘Project Nollywood’ under President Goodluck Jonathan. Launched in 2013, it offered the various regulatory agencies in the sector the opportunity for a rebirth. Anti-piracy and content protection measures were to be driven with contemporary tools which can be easily obtained all over the globe.

Insurance and artistes’ rights issues, including contract guarantees and the creative independence of directors were also to be taken up within a framework of civilised professionalism. Ten years after, what has happened?

However, we endorse Sanwo-Olu’s intervention and commend him for having the presence of mind to leverage this sector. We have for a long time advocated that Nollywood should have its own Movie Production Village to facilitate the birthing of brilliant projects and ideas that have been held back for years because of the limited means of their creators. But the envisaged radical rebirth of Nollywood will remain a mirage if the industry stakeholders do not quickly put their house in order, by ending the factional and other squabbles wracking some of its best platforms. A misguided scramble for dominance by the various guilds, or even renewed leadership tussles based on wrong notions about what the Lagos Film City is all about may upend the whole idea.

Nollywood should have its own Movie Production Village to facilitate the birthing of brilliant projects and ideas that have been held back for years because of the limited means of their creators T H I S D AY

EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D

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

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

LETTERS THE ABANDONED NATIONAL LIBRARY

Seventeen years ago, Nigeria embarked on a very ambitious project, to build the largest library in Africa. Located between the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical centre, the National library was to be a grand edifice in the heart of Abuja where scholars, researchers and the general public would visit to consult and refresh their faculties for nation-building and development.

Contract for this multi-billionaire edifice was awarded by the Federal Ministry of Education in 2006 to Reynolds Construction company (RCC) to the tune of N8.590. On April 6, 2006, the engines revved, and men and materials moved to site. A signpost right at the front of the imposing edifice indicates that some of the finest architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and development consultants like Oduleye International Associates, BQC Consultants Limited Ltd, TechJob Associates, Mekon Associates, Etteh Aro & Partners, McAdog Associates and Odeleye Associates were to be part of the project. Thereafter, the problems started with revision of the costs for the completion of the project from N8.590bn to N17billion, to N38billion, and now to nearly 100billion.

But while the National Mosque and the Ecumenical Centre

have been completed and have been up and running several years ago, the National Library of Nigeria is abandoned.

When we visited the complex in Abuja recently, we found it completely overrun by weeds. Various construction materials like a giant crane remains in limbo, suspended in time and space. Rain water has eaten deep into the sensitive parts of the building and it is only a matter of time before the building goes down. See link: https://youtube.com/shorts/Rls0f2Q6vYw?feature=share Word around indicates that during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, he put in a strong argument in favour of the completion of the National Library Complex.

Sources at the Federal Ministry of Education told us that it was the Education Minister who appeared slow with revving interest with the construction of the Library.

Our investigations reveal that the issues with the funding of the project range from exchange rate fluctuations, and other variables. Consequently, the project was stopped in 2013.

Our sources told us that in 2019, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said the federal government was “pursuing

alternative sources of funding, especially from special intervention funding window to complete the abandoned project”.

There has been some talk that Buhari Administration approved the take-over and financing of the multi-billion library edifice by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

Yet, as at October 26th 2023, the National Library building lies fallow, abandoned and is an eyesore on the Abuja skyline.

Libraries play a crucial role in national development. They are essential in promoting literacy, fostering a love for reading, and serving as inclusive spaces where individuals can gather, explore, and enrich their lives . With their mission to empower and educate communities, public libraries are vital pillars of lifelong learning and social development.

Role of Public Libraries in the cultural development of a Nation: Public libraries play a crucial role in the cu...

Libraries provide a network of delivery sites for government programs and services, advance digital inclusion through access to ICT, and dedicated staff to help people develop new digital skills .

Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, editor in chief, WADONOR cultural Voice of Nigeria

27

T H I S D AY • Thursday, November 9, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

N o v e m b er

S & P INDEX

8 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 to daTE

-0.07%

N795.28/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT Monday, July 24, 2023

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

Stakeholders Fret over Slide in Broadband Subscription, Penetration, Call for Accelerated Growth

Emma Okonji Industry stakeholders are worried over the slight slide in broadband subscription and penetration in the month of August 2023, calling on the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to expedite action on accelerated broadband growth across the country.

The stakeholders under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said the development became worrisome for active broadband subscriptions to drop from 96,169,176 in May

2023 to 86,993,472 in August 2023, a development, they said, also affected broadband penetration, which also dropped from 48.28 per cent in May 2023 to 45.57 per cent in August 2023.

Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, called on NCC to begin to address those indices that may have led to the slight drop in broadband subscription and penetration across the country.

According to the current statistics released on the official website of the Nigerian Communications Commission, broadband subscription reached 96,169,176 in May 2023, but

the number dropped slightly to 89,730,341 in June, and it maintained the same figure in July, before sliding again to 86,993,472 in August 2023. The situation also affected broadband penetration within the same period, as broadband penetration reached 48.28 per cent in May 2023, but dropped to 47.01 per cent in June and July, with a further drop to 45.57 per cent in August 2023.

Similarly, active internet subscription also dropped within the same period, according to NCC statistics.

Active internet subscriptions

dropped from 159,038,0228 in May 2023 to 158,475,341 in August same year. The statistics showed that in April 2023, active internet subscription was 157,667,708, before rising to 159,038,028 in May 2023, but experienced a slight slide in June same year when it drooped again to 158,944,660. It however picked up slightly in July to reach 158,982,962, but dropped again in August to 158,475,341.

The NCC statistics however showed a steady rise in the number of internet data usage from February to August 2023.

According to the statistics, in February 2023, internet data usage

was 507,307.37 terabytes, but it rose to 562,960.57 terabytes in March same year, before sliding to 556,540.42 terabytes in April.

The figure however increased again to 581,472.8 in May and also increased to 587,865.58 in June same year.

In july 2023, it increased to 615,207.39 terabytes and later increased again to 655,879.86 terabytes in August 2023.

Nigeria as a country, had always had a tall dream in achieving high level of broadband subscriptions and penetration, a development that prompted the federal government to set for itself, a

target of 30 per cent broadband penetration level in 2018 in its National Broadband Plan, which it eventually surpassed. In 2020, the federal government developed the 2020-2025 National Broadband Plan, with a target to achieve 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025.

Industry stakeholders are however hopeful that Nigeria will likely surpass the 70 per cent broadband penetration, if all factors currently militating against broadband penetration and subscriptions are adequately addressed by the telecoms industry regulator.

Telcos Groan as High Cost of FX, RoW Plod Network Expansion Emma Okonji Telecoms operators (Telcos) in the country have raised concern over the difficulties faced in expanding their network facilities beyond its current level, thus blaming the situation on high cost of foreign exchange and Right of Way charges imposed by government agencies, among others.

According to the Telcos, they depend largely on Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) to build more telecoms masts that will enable network expansion, but they however said the InfraCos that were licensed to build telecoms masts like IHS, American Towers Company (ATC), Pan African Towers, and Coloplus Limited,

among others, were no longer building telecoms masts because of rising cost of Forex, coupled with the inability to access foreign exchange.

The InfraCos who confirmed the development, said the business of building more telecoms mast has been hampered by high cost of foreign exchange, adding that the situation is also affecting telecoms operators’ network expansion, since the Telcos largely depend on InfraCos for network expansion.

CEO of Coloplus Limited, Mr. Mike Ofili, who confirmed the huge challenges faced by InfraCos in deploying telecoms masts across the country, said the telecoms mast providers must have the buying and consent of telecoms

operators, before investing in a single telecoms mast, which he said, cost between N35 million to N40 million, depending on the location.

Speaking on some of the challenges in deploying telecoms masts, Ofili said: “Nigeria imports virtually everything that has to do with telecoms tower equipment and installation. We import the towers, generating sets, batteries, rectifiers, including iron/rod used for reinforcement. The rising cost of dollar and the weak value of the naira against the dollar, coupled with the inability to access foreign exchange, have affected importation of equipment, thus slowed down network expansion, leading to

poor telecoms service delivery.

The issue of multiple regulation and multiple taxes imposed on telecoms operators by agents of governments, are also affecting the deployment of telecoms masts, which telecoms operators rely on to provide quality service to subscribers.”

According to him, with multiple regulations from state agencies, Telcos are forced to pay for Environmental Impact Assessment fee, Right of Way (RoW) charges, mast installation charges, radioactive emission charges, among other charges that amount to multiple taxes.

“Cost of maintaining Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), also known as telecoms masts, is

also very expensive. Nigeria has about 30,000 BTS installed across the country, with some decommissioned while about 30,000 BTS are still active, but with high cost of maintenance.

The cost of diesel to power a BTS is on the increase and the financial demand from non-state actors who parade themselves as social miscreants, is becoming rampant and impacting negatively on the running cost of a single BTS, and the situation is adversely affecting telecoms operations across networks,” Ofili said.

Speaking on some other challenges faced by telecoms operators, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria

(ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, said maintenance of BTS was becoming a major challenge as cost of diesel continued to rise since the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.

According to Adebayo, the operators have called for increase in telecoms tariff, but the move has always been resisted by the NCC and the telecoms subscribers. He said all other sectors of the Nigerian economy have had reasons to increase cost of service delivery because of the prevailing circumstances in the country occasioned by fuel subsidy removal, but there had always been resistance each time the Telcos talk about price increase.

M a r k e t d ata A s at w e d n e s d ay, N o v e m b e r 8 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS Description Price Yield Change Updated Time (%) ^13.53 23November 98.19 14.98 46,00 1, 2023 MAR-2025 November ^12.50 2295.52 14.91 28,00 1, 2023 JAN-2026 ^16.2884 November 10.3.85 14.78 0.00 1, 17-MAR-27 2023 ^13.98 23November 97.09 14.90 0.00 FEB-2028 1, 2023 ^14.55 26November 97.62 15.20 0.00 APR-2029 1, 2023

BILLS

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Maturity

Discount Yield

NTB 9-Nov23 NTB 7-Dec23 NTB 25-Jan24 NTB 8-Feb24

6.85

6.86

Change (%) Updated Time November 0.00 1, 2023

Maturity

7.15

7.20

November -0.01 1, 2023

7.96

7.83

November 0.01 1, 2023

7.85

8.02

November 0.00 1, 2023

NSDL CP IIA 22-NOV-23 MTNN CP V 23-NOV-23 NSDL CP IIB 23-NOV-23 VAAG CP XVII 24-NOV-23

NTB 7-Mar24

11.20

11.65

November 3.00 1, 2023

VAAG CP XVII 24-NOV-23

Change Time Discount Yield (%) November 22.87 23.17 -1,00 1, 2023 November 14.84 14.98 0,00 1, 2023 November 22.87 23.19 0,00 1, 2023 November 20.23 20.49 0,00 1, 2023 19.53

19.85

November 0,00 1, 2023

Contract Current Tenor Contract Rate ($/₦) (Month) NGUS NOV 1 – 27 2024 NGUS DEC 2 – 24 2024 NGUS JAN 3 – 29 2025 NGUS FEB 4 – 26 2025 NGUS MAR 5 – 26 2025

Date

November 1, 2023 November 1, 2023 November 1, 2023 November 1, 2023 November 1, 2023

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Thursday, November 9, 2023 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

Interview

Ogunba: Control Engineering Will Address Diverse Challenges A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Dr. Kolawole Samuel Ogunba, speaks on how Control Engineering can address Nigeria’s multi-dimensional challenges, the impact of Artificial Intelligence on economies, among other industry issues. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts: Control Engineering is a new field of study and you are confident of its positive impact on economies. What exactly is Control Engineering and how can it be applied to address challenges in the tech sector? ontrol Engineering, which is my area of specialisation, used to be a sub-discipline of Engineering that designs control systems for engineering, biological and social systems to ensure such systems obey specified command signals as quickly and efficiently as possible.

But over time, Control itself has evolved into several disciplines beyond Engineering and has grown much bigger than Engineering, and I have had opportunity to teach several students on Control Engineering and I am passionate about it.

Control as a concept is about achieving specific objectives, and it sits at the centre of every discipline and ensures that commands are obeyed to achieve specific objectives.

Control tends to make all the sub-systems in engineering work better. It tends to improve on embedded systems, instrumentation system, power system, computer system, among others. Control is used to solve challenges in design engineering, which is about putting systems and structures together to achieve engineering objectives. In Electrical Engineering for instance, it covers control and instrumentation systems, where the instrumentation system is all about measurement.

Control Engineering can therefore be used to address several challenges in the technology sector. It can be used to address issues in medicine, communication, computing, social psychology, population census, among several other areas.

Control Engineering is key to national development, because it offers solutions to diverse challenges in the Nigerian tech space. Nigeria should lay more emphasis on Control Engineering and apply it in addressing its myriad of challenges, especially in the technology ecosystem. Some of the identified challenges that Nigeria has as a country are weak power supply, insecurity, inflation, harsh business economy, among others, but Control Engineering has a key role in addressing all the identified challenges. Of a truth, Control Engineering can address any challenge, if properly applied. We can design control systems that can locate bandits in their hideouts, that can boost electricity supply, and we can design control systems for all our fiscal and monetary policies that can address inflation and detect crude oil theft and vandalism of oil pipelines and many more.

However, despite its many benefits, little attention is paid to Control Engineering, with no support from government.

the positive aspect of AI technology to address several identified challenges, both in the Nigerian economy and global economies. AI is the reason why self-driving cars can function effectively on our roads, without human interference.

Application of AI in medicine, aviation and other sectors, is huge, and this makes AI application important for fast economic growth, despite some of its negative features like making jobs obsolete and loss of jobs.

However, I believe AI will also create new digital jobs and we need to train people to effectively handle such digital jobs.

In the area of self-driving cars, there is likely going to be a drastic reduction in road accidents, because AI-controlled vehicles have sensors that will enable cars interact digitally without friction, and such advantage is huge. Again if I have a robot that can attend to customers and meet their demands, then I do not need to hire and pay humans to do such jobs which robots that are driven by AI can do, thereby saving cost. On the other hand, new digital jobs will be created through AI technology.

Again lecturers have to evolve with technology, if we know that our students can use ChatGPT to do their assignments. So I do not think we should dismiss emerging technologies because of what they can do.

Instead, we have a duty to evolve with technology growth. So the best way to go about it is to attract the positive part of emerging technologies and regulate the negative part of the technologies.

C

How can you describe your passion for Control Engineering, and how can you involve government and the Nigerian citizens to pay more attention to Control Engineering because of its positive impact on economies?

I am so passionate about Control Engineering because of its many benefits for economic growth, but my worry is that very little attention is paid to Control Engineering in Nigeria, despite its numerous advantages. At OAU, my PhD Supervisor, Prof. Oluwafemi Taiwo, myself, and other experts, set up a control society, called the Society of Automation, Control and Instrumentation (SACIN), as a result of the gap that was discovered in Nigeria by international bodies.

I have gone for international conferences on Control Engineering where Nigerians were not represented. We had also attended a Control Conference in Orlando in the United States of America, and another one in South Africa, where Nigerians were represented, but we were told by international bodies that Nigerians do not have a Control Society, and that motivated us to create the Nigeria Control Society called the SACIN, after South Africa had formed its Control Society since 1960s.

The Nigeria SACIN is still active till date but Nigerian members find it difficult to pay their annual dues because of the poor remuneration in the Nigerian academic system.

What is your view about the dearth of skills in engineering and technology in Nigeria and how can Control Engineering be applied in addressing the skills shortage?

There is deficiency in the training of engineers, which has resulted in the shortage of people with the required engineering and technology skills.

Looking at the university system, I think the school system should be ready to train more Nigerians in the field of technology and engineering, but the challenge the school system is facing is about the shortage of the critical mass of academics among the lecturers that should train and equip the students. It boils down to the way government runs the school system, thus making the school system a less attractive place for critical skills training. Most of the lecturers in the engineering department and across other department are not motivated to teach because they are poorly remunerated and that of course affect their productivity. Lecturers are dissatisfied with the condition of service and the level

Ogunba of infrastructure at their disposal to teach, which will of course have ripple effects on the teaching of the students. So, students across most tertiary institutions are not being trained as much as they should have been trained and the development is affecting the students who are the product of the school system. Although the situation is not the same with all tertiary institutions, because in OAU where I lecture, most of the departments have standard curriculum that is of global standard and the teaching is standard, with better infrastructure.

The few lecturers in the OAU system are capable, but they are not enough to impact the right skills on the students.

In OAU, we are only two lecturers left teaching Control Engineering and the pressure is much on us to deliver, given the number of students that we attend to every year.

There is a general belief that the school curriculum for tertiary institutions, especially in the Computer and Engineering departments, should be reviewed in line with emerging technology and industrial needs. What are your thoughts on this?

The issue with curriculum review is a departmental issue because in a faculty where there are several departments, some of the departments may be running standard curriculum, while some may not. So it will be wrong to generalise that school curriculum should be reviewed across tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Let me speak to the Faculty of Technology in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), were I teach. There is a concerted effort by the faculty to always update the curriculum of all the departments under the Faculty of Technology and we have maintained that tradition for a long time now. In the Electrical Electronics Department of OAU, the department has patterned its curriculum review process after some of the very best institutions in the world.

We have people from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, United States, that constantly review and update the curriculum of the Electrical Electronics Department of OAU. In the past 10 to 15 years, the department has introduced new courses in line with the evolution of emerging technologies that are shaping the global technology space. We looked at the best university in the world and model our curriculum in line with theirs. For instance, Intelligent Control, which is a new course, has been introduced in the Electrical and Electronics Department of OAU and I teach that particular

course. Intelligent Control is another form of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is a curriculum review process that uses some of the best ideas from the best institutions in the world that gave rise to Intelligent Control as a course.

AI as emerging technology is shaping the technology space and driving teaching and learning in tertiary institutions. How have emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and Internet of Things (IoT) helped in teaching and learning across tertiary institutions?

The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and Internet of Things (IoT), no doubt, is enhancing teaching and learning in tertiary institutions. As a lecturer, I apply these emerging technologies in Control Engineering, while teaching Intelligent Control and Non-linear Control as a course. When I was taught Intelligent Control and Non-linear Control back then in my university days, there were lots of calculations that were introduced into the course, which made it difficult to comprehend, but with the application of AI, AR and IoT, it has become a lot easier to teach and a lot easier to comprehend, and that is the power of emerging technologies on education.

I am a practical person and I use emerging technologies to better explain certain engineering concepts. The Department of Computer Science in OAU is doing so well in using emerging technologies like Augmented Reality in teaching their students and they are big at that and have been able to secure grants worth millions of dollars. The Electrical and Electronics Department in OAU has gotten grant to build some AI facilities in the department.

Most tech experts are of the view that AI and other emerging technologies will make current jobs obsolete and also take away jobs from people in the next few years.

What are your thoughts?

We must admit that we are in a new phase of development where emerging technologies like AI, AR and Robotics are driving the tech space and shaping our thinking and the way we do things, but even at that, I think we should look more at the benefits of AI and look less at the negative part of the technology.

AI helps in deep reinforcement learning in schools and Control Engineering and other forms of Engineering are taking advantage of

What is your view about the rate at which Nigerians from across all sectors are leaving the country in their large numbers, including those in the academia, after acquiring the necessary digital skills?

The mass movement of Nigerians is a clear case of brain drain and those in the academia are not left out.

Before now, we used to think it was peculiar to those in the medical line, but today, almost every sector is feeling the pain of brain drain, including the school system, where lecturers are also leaving the country in search of better jobs, welfare and security.

The school system is in trouble because lecturers are retiring, several of them have died in the last five years because of poor welfare, and many are currently leaving the country for better remuneration. In the Electronics and Electrical Department where I teach Control Engineering, only two of us are left teaching the course and other departments are also facing the same challenge, which must be addressed urgently.

What is the state of infrastructure in schools and how is it affecting teaching and learning in tertiary institutions?

The state of infrastructure in tertiary institutions is nothing to write home about. Lecturers struggle to use old and refurbished equipment in their laboratories in teaching the students, because government is under-funding education.

At OAU, we still get support from students that have graduated from the university that donated some laboratory equipment to our department. OAU used to be known for producing transistors and we still have the semi-conductor laboratory in my department, but it has gone obsolete because there are no new forms of equipment.

In spite of the poor state of infrastructure in our schools, Nigerian students perform creditably well when they further their studies abroad.

What is the secret behind their sterling performance outside of Nigeria?

Nigerian students are intelligent and have the zeal to learn new things. By the time they are exposed to new environment where there is standard infrastructure, they perform better because of that zeal and resilience in them.

The typical Nigerian student is very innovative, with high entrepreneurial spirit and will do better in an environment where there is steady power and better infrastructure.

What is the level of government support for research and development in tertiary institutions and what is the impact on academic growth?

Government support for research and development in tertiary institutions is very poor, and it is impacting negatively on academic growth.

In the first place, lecturers are not well remunerated and that alone is affecting their zeal for research and development, talk less of the poor support from government for research and development. The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is about the biggest thing that government can say they are doing for tertiary institutions, but it is not available for lecturers who want to access such fund. What most lecturers do now is to get foreign grants to help in their research works.

Nigerian government should be able to fund research and development in tertiary institutions, instead of allowing lecturers to seek for foreign grants that are not easy to access.

29

T H I S D AY • Thursday, November 9, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD

Interview

Agbi: Effective Strengthening of Laws Will Reduce Tax Evasion Bayode Agbi, a Chartered Accountant and Tax Practitioner with over two decades of experience in accounting, accounting solutions and tax management is the CEO of Pillar Craft. In this interview, he bares his mind on the implication of tax evasion by big companies on the economy, fall of the naira and the way forward. Kemi Olaitan presents the excerpts results. With this context, I know that the CBN is doing a lot to stop the free fall of the naira and the result of the initiatives of CBN will take months to become evident.

Therefore, some of the initiatives I will suggest are either have been thought or turned into policy but the result is yet to be evident.

However to answer your question, I will suggest a bouquet of strategies and policies, first the CBN may need to improve transparency in foreign exchange transaction, this will help reduce market uncertainty. Secondly, export promotion by improving the ease of export

by Nigerians and stimulation of domestic production, improving the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Nigeria and reduction of the reliance on foreign or imported goods.

What is your take on the eight-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu? t is clear that the President’s eight-point agenda addresses some critical challenges facing Nigeria. I appreciate the focus on key areas of food security, poverty eradication, job creation and fighting corruption. However I would like to highlight the importance of addressing some specific challenges facing SMEs such as infrastructural development, access to energy and the need for conducive business environment. These are factors that are closely linked to economic growth and should be integrated into the broader agenda.

The agenda is a positive step towards addressing key issues in Nigeria, However the success will depend on effective implementation, accountability and involvement of stakeholders. I hope to see the tangible results that lead to improved living standards and economic prosperity for the people.

I

Do you think that the President put round pegs in round holes in terms of those put in charge of the economy?

Looking at the personalities of the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun and the CBN Governor , Yemi Cardoso, it is easy to suggest that the President has put round pegs in round hole especially with the fact that these two men have years of working together thus must have built synergy as they both are in charge of the fiscal and monetary policies of Nigeria for which it is important that they are both on the same page. But the judge of the President’s decision on the drivers of the economy will be the economic indicators and indices in the coming months.

What can the present government do to shore up its revenue through tax collection given that companies/individuals are already bleeding from too much taxes?

In truth, shoring up revenue through tax collection while avoiding over burdening companies and Individuals with excessive taxes is a delicate balance that requires planning and execution. I commend the initiative of the government with the works it started with the Presidential Tax reform Committee, it is a step in this direction of looking at our tax system including the administration, policy and system which will ultimately help in shoring up revenue. In my opinion, the critical drivers that need to be focused on to shore up

Agbi revenue will include policies and strategies of improving tax compliance – this is best achieved by use of technology in tax administration and collection, simplifying the tax system, review of tax incentives and introduction of specific sector related taxes and reforms.

For example, I have argued that government has not been effective in collection of tax in creative sector of the economy because there are no specific taxes and even administration of taxes targeted specifically at the sector.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has initiated moves to unify the exchange rates but the gap keep widening. What do you think could be done to stop the free fall of the naira?

First let me state that result of economic policy initiative takes time but I know that most Nigerians are not patient to see the

What is your view on big companies evading taxes and what can government do to change the situation?

When big companies evade taxes, it is detrimental to the overall economy and unfair to the economy, the people of Nigeria and our environment. If you consider the impact of big companies on the environment and resources, when big companies especially the multinational engage in aggressive tax evasion, it deprives government of the needed revenue or public administration. Though there is usually the argument that government officials waste these taxes even if paid, but let us focus on the steps government can take to change the situation. First is that we need to strengthen our tax laws and regulation.

It is very important that government continuously updates and strengthen tax laws and regulations to close existing loopholes that enable tax evasion. This includes addressing transfer pricing abuse, profit shifting and tax haven exploitation.

We must enhanced enforcement while tax authorities should invest in robust enforcement mechanisms including data analytics and international cooperation to detect and combat tax evasion effectively.

Promote country-by-country reporting by requiring multinational corporations to provide detailed financial information on a country-by-country basis. This transparency

can help identify profit shifting and ensure that companies pay their fair share of taxes in each jurisdiction where they operate. There is also a need to review the actions of the tax administrators at various levels. Some are active collaborators of the big companies in tax evasion schemes that shortchange government Question : How is PillarCraft helping SMEs to navigate the challenges they faced and also remain tax-compliant?

Agbi : In Pillarcraft, we are committed to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria by helping them navigate the challenges they face and remain tax-compliant.

We understand that SMEs are the backbone of the Nigerian economy and their success is vital for economic growth and development. We are SMEs-centric. The question is how do we do this? First is that we have realised that most SMEs owner are driven by passion and profit making while most of them don’t really know about tax and their tax obligation, so the first thing we ensure we do to SMEs owner is to provide tax training and education.

This we deliver through a mix of physical classes and virtual classes. The objective of the training and education is to ensure that the SMEs owners are informed of their obligations and right. We provide Tax Advisory Service by providing SMEs with expert tax advisory services. We help SMEs understand their tax obligations, including income tax, value-added tax (VAT) and other relevant taxes. Our team of tax experts assists SMEs in optimizing their tax structures to minimize tax liabilities while ensuring compliance with tax laws and regulations.

Also, we help record keeping and documentation with the use of Cloud technology. At Pillarcraft we emphasize the importance of accurate record-keeping and documentation for SMEs. We assist SMEs in establishing proper accounting systems using cloud accounting software and record-keeping practices which are essential for tax compliance and financial management. We similarly provide unique outsourced services to SMEs to ensure that they comply with relevant tax obligation through outsourced accounting, bookkeeping and outsourced tax compliant service.

Thus with our support, SMEs will concentrate on building their business while we manage tax matters for them.

Google Rolls Out Generative AI for Online Search in Africa Emma Okonji Google has rolled out its Search Generative Experience (SGE) in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region as an opt-in experiment in Search Labs, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AIpowered) experience and is available in English.

With new breakthroughs in generative AI, Google is reimagining what a search engine can do and is bringing these powerful new capabilities to Search in a bold and responsible way.

This new technology can unlock entirely new types of questions that Search could not previously answer, and transforms the way information is organised in Search to help people sort through and make sense of what’s out there.

Google General Manager for Search in Africa, Wambui Kinya, while announcing the initiative at a webinar organised

by Google, said the initiative, which is in its experimental stage, would be launched after users and advertisers have had a good feel of it and are satisfied.

“With new generative AI capabilities in Search, we’re now taking more of the work out of searching. We’re imagining a supercharged Search that does the heavy lifting for you so you’ll be able to understand a topic faster, uncover new viewpoints and insights, and get things done more easily. This Search Generative Experience is the first step we’re taking in this journey, and part of our vision to make Search radically more helpful. We’re excited to bring this to the SSA region, and look forward to receiving

feedback and iterating on the experience alongside our users over the next few months,” Kinya said.

With SGE’s generative AI capabilities in Search, people will see an AI-powered overview of key information to consider, with links to dig deeper. For anyone who has ever been overwhelmed by the amount of information online, this will help find answers more quickly.

For instance, with a question like “Does Honey ever Spoil?”

Normally, you might break

Moniepoint Restates Commitment to Financial Inclusion Emma Okonji Fintech company in Nigeria, Moniepoint MFB, has restated its commitment to driving financial inclusion through its innovative products that address payment challenges in the country.

The Head of Partnerships at Moniepoint, Efemena Ogie, stated this at a Fintech forum organised recently in Lagos by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA).

According to Ogie, the initiative is in line with the company’s commitment to enhance financial inclusion through its solutions.

According to him, this is helping businesses using Moniepoint’s PoS machines to receive instant credit alerts when their customers make transfers to their accounts. He said this has also taken the customers’ burden of waiting for merchants to receive alerts before they can leave.

Explaining the innovation, Ogie said: “We had to think outside the box to make life easy when you want to make payments. If you go to a supermarket and you forget your card and you want to make a payment, you will have to make a transfer. But at some point, you have to wait until the merchant gets

an alert before you can leave.

You can just get angry at that point because your account has been debited. We saw that there is a better way to do that, so what we did was that instead of waiting, when you do a transfer, the alert should just hit the PoS, and that transaction will be seen as a card transaction and the merchant is able to print your receipt right there.”

In his opening remarks at the Forum themed: ‘Harnessing Nigeria’s Fintech PotentialsChallenges and Opportunities’, the Chairman of NITRA, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi noted that fintech had since become the most exciting sector in the ICT

industry, and in Nigeria as a whole. He added that the focus on the sector which is seen as the engine of financial dealings, economic growth, and transactional unification, was to present and aid various other sectors from the grassroots to international business/trade.

PR Manager for MoniePoint Inc, Bemigho Awala, used the forum to share perspectives around how opportunities in Nigeria’s fintech space can be robustly captured. He cited the need for increased talent development in the industry while signposting Moniepoint NITHub initiative as an exemplar.

this question down into smaller ones, sort through the vast amount of information available, and then start to

piece things together yourself.

With generative AI, Search can do some of that heavy lifting.

NCC Underscores Role of ICT in Fighting Financial Crimes

Emma Okonji

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said effective application of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is critical in combating financial crimes by enabling real-time surveillance, regulatory compliance, and secure data processing.

NCC is also seeking multi-disciplinary and multistakeholder collaborations to address issue of illicit financial flows in the country.

Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who was a speaker at the 11th Anniversary Lecture Series of RealNews Magazine in Lagos on Tuesday, where he was also inducted into the RealNews Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding contribution as Guest of Honour at the event, said robust ICT systems remained critical for preventing and investigating financial

crimes or mitigating the risks associated with virtual assets in the financial markets.

Maida, who was represented at the forum by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, described financial crimes as “criminal activities that involve transactions, abuse, misuse, deception, or manipulation of financial systems for personal gain.” He said the crimes also include a wide range of offenses such as Insider abuse, money laundering, terrorism financing, embezzlement and all kinds of fraud.

He said while financial crimes do not only have a huge economic and social impact but can also be linked to violent crimes that lead to loss of lives, they also threaten the integrity, trustworthiness, stability, security, safety, and future of an entity such as a country, enterprise or an individual.

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Thursday, November 9, 2023 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

News

Tackling Nigeria’s Energy Crisis: Models for Managing Consumption

The Nigerian energy supply crisis is as a result of the Nigerian Power sector to adequately provide electricity to domestic households Grace Ejims

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igeria is facing an escalating energy crisis defined by insufficient electricity supply, an unreliable national grid, and rising costs of fossil fuels.

With a rapidly growing population and expanding economy, experts say that Nigeria needs innovative models to manage energy consumption efficiently.

One approach being advocated is decentralizing energy distribution by investing in microgrids and off-grid renewable systems for homes and businesses. According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency, Nigeria has huge potential for solar, wind, and hybrid mini-grid systems that can provide clean, affordable electricity to rural areas and urban settlements not connected to the national grid. The Federal government recently announced a target of deploying 5 million solar home systems across Nigeria by 2030.

Improving energy efficiency is also critical.

Study after study shows that retrofitting buildings, upgrading appliances and optimizing industrial machinery can unlock 20-30% energy savings. Nigeria must develop efficiency codes for buildings, provide incentives for Energy

Service Companies (ESCOs), and invest in the smart metering of electricity.

On the consumer side, experts recommend community-based programs to build awareness on energy conservation behaviors and technologies. Pilot programs using smart meters show that when consumers are informed about energy usage patterns, they cut back substantially. Deploying smart meters across Nigeria alongside informational campaigns can induce major residential demand reductions and this needs to be sufficiently deployed reaching the rural areas as well.

Financing emerging energy technologies remains a barrier. Here, innovative funding models like pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar home systems, crowdfunding for mini-grids, and consumer lending for off-grid appliances offer promise. To attract investment, the government must de-risk clean energy projects and nurture pioneer business models.

With the right combination of decentralized renewable energy, energy efficiency, and innovative funding, Nigeria can make meaningful progress towards universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity. The time to act is now.

• Grace Ejims-Environment & Sustainability Specialist

Cruz: Telecoms Crucial to Every Facet of Business Emma Okonji Te Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Carl Cruz, has described telecommunications as the new economy industry, as the sector transforms business and lifestyle through connectivity.

Cruz made the assertion in his presentation titled: “Breaking Barriers: The Art of Living Outside Your Comfort Zone at TEDx PAU, an independently organised TED event, which held at recently on the campus of

Lagos Business School, PanAtlantic University.

Illustrating his talk with cases from his over 3o years of business and corporate experience from multiple geographies across Africa and Asia, he discussed his inspiring transition from the Fast Moving Consumer Good (FMCG) industry into telecommunications, leading one of Africa’s largest telecoms companies.

He noted that his decision to embrace a new sector after

decades of sustained successes in a different one was a significant step out of his comfort zone, inspired by the desire to help build the future with digital connectivity.

“From having no connectivity to being able to call loved ones all over the country and improving economic inclusion by giving Nigerians a platform to be part of the African and Global stage, telecoms is what I always call ‘The New Economy Industry’. The ability to touch and transform lives inspired me,” he said.

The American Lotto Debuts with Instant Payout The American Lotto has restated its commitment to alleviating poverty by adopting new cutting-edge technology to deploy prompt payment to winners in the Nigerian market.

The company also promised to be a game changer with the launch of the gaming and entertainment brand, The American Lotto, aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians with better winning odds and faster payout.

At the launch, the firm introduced 15 new products with the largest unrivaled odds, and a chance for stakes at the biggest win in Nigerian lottery history.

The American Lotto debuts with first of its type fastest cashless payout in the history of gaming in Nigerian and Sub-Saharan Africa, leveraging cutting-edge technology to ensure winners are paid instantly instead of the traditional remittance of winnings by old gaming companies.

Speaking at the official launch in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer and President, The American Lotto, Dr. Mafi Izekor, said the company would be offering gaming activities as part of its vision to meet the yearnings of

Nigerians and empower Small Businesses while making over 7,000 Nigerian millionaires, weekly, through its daily draws that holds four times at 11:00am, 4:00pm, 8:45pm, and 9:00pm.

Further to its mission of transforming the industry and leading with exciting gaming innovations, the Chief Operations Officer of the company, Joshua Akinbanjo, also expressed optimism at the impact that The American Lotto would make in the lives of Nigerians and Africans stalkers who have yearned for a truly rewarding gaming system like The American Lotto.

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T H I S D AY • Thursday, November 9, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD

Interview

‘Rising Cost of Diesel, Others Continues to Hurt Businesses in Nigeria’ Lilian Famadewa is a lawyer turned businesswoman and CEO of Elboogie Boutique. In this interview, she listed multiple taxation, rising cost of fuel, diesel, electric tariffs and naira instability as some challenges business owners face. She adds that if the aforementioned are tackled, the business environment will do better. She spoke with Kuni Tyessi.

What is the motive and inspiration that has led you into business, more so, the business of fashion? am a lawyer by training. So, I worked briefly in Nigeria before moving to the United Kingdom, where I also worked briefly in a law firm. However, I always felt the need to express my potentials by working to turn money around. From my school days, I never felt comfortable waiting periodically for pocket money from my parents.

So, I started using my pocket money to acquire and sell things that students needed. So, I sometimes sold drinks and even groceries from my fridge to fellow students. My love fashion and entrepreneurship, which started in the university, where I used to sell clothes, gold as well as costume jewellries and other commodities from my room, took the better of me, and I decided to face business fully.

It may interest you to know that Elboogie, was my nickname in school because of my love for fashion. The name is a coinage of letter “L” for Lilian and boogie. So, while I was in the United Kingdom, I started seeking wholesale suppliers in and bringing clothes to sell in, what I can call, a mobile store in Nigeria. Seeing the success at that time, I decided to return to Nigeria and continued selling from my apartment in Abuja. I gradually saved up to open the first Elboogie store at the then 411 Plaza in Wuse 2, in 2006. It was a small shop that gradually grew, and I added more space in the same plaza. We continued to grow, and we explored supply chains in other countries such as United States, Turkey among others. In a nutshell, I believe the love to make my own money and my love

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Famadewa and vision to see people well dressed, led me to the fashion business.

Would you say the Nigerian business environment is conducive and sane to have a thriving business?

The business environment is not a bed of roses anywhere in the world. The post-Covid 19 period has witnessed a lot of businesses shut down all over the world.

I have seen many businesses reducing their sizes in different cities of the world.

I recently walked to bank branch close to my residence in the UK and discovered that they had closed down the branch.

This and several others happened with the many palliatives, support and incentives that the various countries provided to cushion the effects of the pandemic. Such is the experience that businesses have everywhere and periodically. Nigeria is not any different. As a fact, the business environment in Nigeria is affected by more factors than similar businesses in other climes. Factors such as poor infrastructure, for example, power, increases the cost of business.

The rising price of diesel to power generators, which is almost a necessity, and electricity tariffs, continually hurt businesses in Nigeria. What of multiple taxation, some of which you do not even understand the purpose. For our line of business, the instability of the Naira to the dollars and other currencies we trade is a huge problem. For instance, you acquire some merchandise at one dollar to 750 naira and you price it as such.

However, the dollar rises to 1000 naira by the time you are going to restock, and you have apparently lost your income from the first sales if you do not want to experience shrinkage of your business size. These and many others make the business environment in Nigeria relatively hostile.

Kindly share some of the challenges you face in your choice of business

and how you have risen above them?

Elboogie has had its own share of nature of the business environment in Nigeria.

One major issue is the decline of the Naira, which has greatly affected our pricing, as we cannot increase our prices in the same proportion as the rise in foreign exchange.

So, we must become innovative and strive to reduce cost of business by adjusting a lot of our operations even the minutest details. For example, we adjust cost of power by using energy efficient appliances. You can see that our new branch, which by the way is a property of Elboogie, was built to maximise natural lighting, therefore reducing energy cost. We used plants to reduce glare and the need for much cooling.

Also, we continually explore new sources of our items that have competitive prices but without compromising quality. We also manage our pricing to minimum profit margin, so that our customers will be able to afford our products and give us the advantage of quick turnovers. We are also exploring a reduction in the dependence on foreign clothing items by developing our bespoke line known as “Prestige”. Although, this is also affected by the foreign exchange because the materials are imported, the line is currently doing well, and we are working towards improving the efficiency in production. We are also working in partnership with Titoms Atelier in developing the local content aspect of our business.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY • Thursday, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

Health & lifestyle

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

Private Sector as Catalyst for Resilient Health System

Experts at the recently concluded Future of Health Conference organised by the Nigeria Health Watch in Lagos State spoke on the importance of the private sector as a catalyst in building a resilient health system in Nigeria. Sunday Ehigiator reports

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ccording to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) health system building blocks, a wellfunctioning system requires suitably skilled human resources for health.

Nigeria is facing the problem of the international migration of healthcare professionals, also known as a ‘brain drain’. This undermines the nation’s ability to attain universal health coverage and the health-related sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Notwithstanding, the private sector is driving efforts to reverse the trend, providing much-needed expertise and investments to provide Nigerians with quality care.

Health services are increasingly being provided through mixed health systems that include both public and private providers, with the private health sector serving as an essential source of health-related products and services, particularly those for the poor.

According to the MSD, more than 40 per cent of women in low and middle-income countries, including women in the lowest income quintiles, receive antenatal, labour and delivery care and family planning services from private health providers.

To improve access to quality and affordable healthcare, the private sector must be integrated into quality improvement initiatives, with strong governance structures, ensuring stronger alignment with public healthcare systems.

Hence the Nigeria Health Watch’s ‘2023 Future of Health Conference’ (FHC), lent itself as one of the platforms which sought to promote improved involvement of the private sector in building a more resilient health system in Nigeria.

The Conference Discussions at the conference which was held in Victoria Island Lagos, premised on how best to harness the private sector’s capacity for investments in healthcare, innovation, and efficient resource management for improved public sector healthcare delivery.

It was held in partnership with MSD for mothers, CEPI, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, PharmAccess, MSI Nigeria, SCIDar, MacArthur Foundation, and Policy Innovation Centre.

Other partners include TY Danjuma Foundation, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Riders, ECEWS, acioe Associates, Sydani Group, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, and Healthcare Federation of Nigeria.

In her opening remarks, the Managing Director, of Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, noted that the reality in Nigeria is that we have a mixed health system, which makes patients navigate for healthcare between the public and the private sector.

“This demands better strategic integration between public and private providers. This year, our focus centres on ‘The Private Sector as a Catalyst for a Resilient Health System’ as a theme that resonates deeply with the complex dynamics of healthcare delivery in our country.

“We recognise the indispensable role of the private sector, not just as a provider of services, but as a catalyst for transformative change. By leveraging the innovation and expertise within the private sector, we need to strengthen our healthcare system, ensuring its resilience in the face of challenges.

“We in this room all know and must acknowledge that we must accelerate progress to improve health outcomes in the country, our stats are just moving in the wrong direction.”

She said the objectives of the conference were to curate profound insights into the private sector’s role in healthcare, initiate learning by bringing diverse sectors together, and explore opportunities for fruitful publicprivate partnerships.

“We seek to create a platform where ideas converge, and strategies emerge, bridging the gap between potential and action. Moreover, we will aim to outline actionable steps for the government, crowding in different perspectives and amplifying these discussions.”

Health as Human Rights In her keynote address, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas said the health of Nigerians is a “fundamental human right and a matter of national security that requires a resilient health system to ensure the provision and maintenance.”

“At the time of deployment, the NLCC was the first to install a linear accelerator in Nigeria and remains the centre with the highest number of linear accelerators in West Africa.

“Over the three years of their operation, the centres have recorded unprecedented success in terms of exponential growth in client patronage, ground-breaking partnerships on education with internationally renowned healthcare education and research organisations, participation in world-class quality assessment schemes, and publication of research material.”

L-R: Nigeria Director, MSD for Mothers, Iyadunni Olubode; Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Director, Duchess Hospital, Dr Tokunbo Shitta-Bey; CEO, mDoc, Nneka Mobisson; Medical Director/CEO, Tabitha Medical Center, Dr Chito Nwana; and Girl and Women’s Empowerment (GWE) Senior Specialist at the World Bank Group Health, Nutrition, and Population Global Practice, Dr Amaka Momah Haruna, at the 2023 Future of Health conference, recently held in Victoria Island, Lagos State According to her, the government is greatly investing in the health sector but there has to be an active involvement of the private sector to secure the coverage and sustainability for sensible national growth, development and progressive prosperity.

She said the attainment of the healthrelated Sustainable Development Goals of ‘health for all’ based on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) using the continuum-ofcare model where no one is left behind “is not possible without prioritizing and positioning the health sector to be resilient and more responsive to the needs of the people.

“This administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritized engagement of stakeholders especially the private sector to achieve the desired goals for the health sector’s growth and development.

“With over 70 per cent of private expenditure on health as a share of the total health spending in the country, having strategic and meaningful partnerships and collaborations between the public and private sectors is key towards unlocking the huge potential and improvement of the overall health sector in the country.

“Consequently, by leveraging on the existing opportunities and possibilities of public-private partnerships, Nigeria can make substantial progress towards achieving UHC, advancing healthcare delivery, improving access, ensuring financial protection and having a resilient health system for all Nigerians.

“However, this will require crucial reforms that establish clear roles and responsibilities with robust governance frameworks, transparent and accountability mechanisms to ensure the interests of both the public and private stakeholders are safeguarded.”

She therefore concluded that “achieving a resilient health system requires a multisectoral and multifaceted approach where public and private sector collaborates and synergize to accelerate progress towards this goal.

“With this, Nigeria can have the right policy space, enhance healthcare infrastructure, and requisite manpower, deploy appropriate technologies, guarantee pharmaceutical supplies with supportive logistics, improve service delivery, mobilize additional resources and promote equitable access to quality healthcare for all its citizens. \“This is in line with the Renewed Hope mantra of this administration of inclusivity and partnership especially between the public and private sector for developmental

growth that leads to national prosperity.”

Private Sector Financing for Health Systems Strengthening Speaking on strengthening the health systems to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by leveraging private sector financing, the Managing Director, of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Dr Tolulope Adewole, said, “Since inception, healthcare has been designated a focus sector for investment through the Authority’s Nigeria Infrastructure Fund (NIF).

“The sector is characterized by numerous challenges including but not limited to poor and inadequate infrastructure, inaccessibility, insufficient financial investment, poor customer service, substandard pharmaceutical products and fake drugs, brain drain and a dearth of skilled/adequately trained personnel.

“NSIA Healthcare Development and Investment Company (NHDIC) were thus established to invest in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. The company sets out to catalyze private sector investment to address the infrastructure gap in the healthcare sector, improve manpower and improve key health indicators of the country.”

Adewole revealed that there is a lack of adequate diagnostic capability in Nigeria. “Intervention in the diagnostics space (secondary care) is thus required to support tertiary care. “ He also noted that investments in pharma and vaccine manufacturing are currently insufficient to ensure product scale and quality. He said it is also insufficient to ensure Nigerians’ drug and vaccine security.

“60 per cent of the funds spent on medical tourism relate to four specialities requiring tertiary care: Oncology, Orthopedics, Nephrology and Cardiology.

“In keeping with its strategy, NHDIC has executed three demonstration projects in the healthcare sector in Nigeria.

“NSIA deployed several leading-edge medical equipment including three linear accelerators, a brachytherapy system, a 1.5 tesla MRI, a 128 slice CT scanner, a mammogram, digital X-rays, ultrasound scanners and laboratory pathology systems in the country.

“We recognize the indispensable role of the private sector, not just as a provider of services, but as a catalyst for transformative change. By leveraging the innovation and expertise within the private sector, we need to strengthen our healthcare system, ensuring its resilience in the face of challenges”

Private Sector Partnerships to Sustain Diaspora Brain Gain Speaking on leveraging the private sector partnership and collaborations to sustain diaspora brain gain, the Country Director, of PharmAccess, Nigeria, Njide Ndili, said Nigeria’s Health systems are constrained by a vicious cycle of poor demand and poor supply creating an obstacle to achieving UHC. “Only 20 per cent of PHCs are estimated to be functional. Secondary facilities account for an average of 61 per cent of total expenditure receipts between 2010 and 2017. 15 per cent of radiology providers are standing alone.

60 per cent of X-ray equipment is obsolete, aged 10+ years.

“50 million diagnostic X-ray examinations are carried out annually. Health Insurance penetration remains at 10 per cent and is projected to hit 70 per cent coverage by 2030.

Nigeria’s UHC service index is currently rated 44 as against the global average of 67” Ndili said Nigeria still grapples with 99 per cent of its medical devices still being imported and valued at 4186 million and $202 million in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

“Also, health revenue is projected to hit $315.2 million and $704 million in 2022 and 2027 respectively at a CAGR of 17.42 per cent. Health user penetration is to hit 13.4 per cent and 19.2 per cent in 2022 and 2027 respectively, according to Statista.

“Medical tourism expenditure hit $1.9 billion in 2019 with oncology, orthopaedics, nephrology, and cardiology as leading drivers.

Nigeria pharma accounts for 60 per cent of the market in the ECOWAS block.

“OTC medicines account for a significant share of the Nigeria pharmaceutical market.

Prescription ethical pharma and OTC pharma products are valued at $500 million and $900 million respectively.

“There are 132 licensed pharma manufacturers in-country. There are 5,795 licensed pharma distributors and 350 importers. For every $1 pharma export, Nigeria imports $99 worth, while OOP accounts for 75 per cent of healthcare financing in Nigeria.”

Also speaking, Executive Medical Director, Regions Healthcare, Dr Benjamin Anyanwu, harped on how private healthcare institutions can collaborate with skilled healthcare workers in the diaspora to introduce advanced medical treatments and technologies, such as in the field of neuroscience that might not be readily available locally.

He said addressing brain gain requires collaboration beyond the private sector.

“Healthcare organizations like Regions Stroke and Neuroscience Hospital need to work with government bodies and policymakers to address policy gaps that hinder the effective integration of diaspora healthcare expertise.

“Also, collaborations with diaspora healthcare professionals can significantly improve patient outcomes and healthcare services.”

Earlier while speaking, President, of the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NiMSA), Ejim Egba Clement said, that the sustainable development of Nigeria’s healthcare sector lies largely with private partnerships and collaboration.

“One key way to harness this is through a valuable resource I’d like to call ‘Diaspora Brain Gain’ “Also, PPPs and collaboration hold the key to sustaining the Diaspora Brain Gain in the Nigerian health sector. Leveraging the skills and expertise of Nigerians in the diaspora, along with the resources and capabilities of the private sector, can transform the country’s healthcare landscape.

“As Nigeria continues its journey toward achieving universal health coverage and addressing the challenges plaguing its health sector, the synergy between diaspora professionals and private sector entities will play a pivotal role in ensuring a healthier and more prosperous nation.”

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T H I S D AY • Thursday, november 9, 2023

news

OvercomingAdversity:ACleftPalateSurvivor’sJourneytoaNewSmile The journey to a new smile may be utterly challenging for some. However, 26-year-old Opeyemi Bankole, a dental technician, is a perfect example that with the right support and determination overcoming adversity and achieving one’s dreams are possible.

Rebecca Ejifoma details her inspiring experience following her surgery for cleft palate

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t was a Monday evening of October 2, 2023. A large part of Lagos mainland was lit up at sunset, thanks to the numerous generator sets giving residents much joy but with the inevitable noise pollution. Many Lagosians were inevitably snoring the night away after a busy Monday workload and round-the-clock business hours. But Miss Opeyemi Bankole couldn’t help but chat about a few of her favourite things.

First, it was about her love for meeting people. Then from expressing her drive to learn new things, and relishing all kinds of music to her unquenchable desire for all foods, it was a no-holds-bar for Bankole.

“Every food is my favourite,” she says.

Amid this cheerful girly chit-chat moment, Bankole recounted how at age 21 she realised all the bullying, and teasing that damaged her confidence would soon go with the wind, having been born with a cleft palate.

According to Smile Train, a nonprofit organisation and charity providing free and holistic corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates, clefts are serious medical conditions affecting millions of people globally. And one in 700 babies are born with cleft lips and or cleft palate.

Her Pre-surgery Journey Going through life in the Ketu area of Ojota, Lagos, Bankole narrated her ordeal before the surgery. “My experience before the surgery isn’t something I always want to remember anymore because it wasn’t easy.

Should I talk about those bullies, mimicking, jestings, and all sorts?” she lamented.

While acknowledging the role of developing thick skin, the 2018 Pogil College of Health Technology graduate continued, “I had a whole lot of experience even at a younger age, of course, had low self-esteem and was always scared to talk in public. Gosh, it wasn’t easy at all.”

So when Bankole’s uncle initiated the conversation of Smile Train providing surgeries for clefts and palates, “I was just eager and happy to have it done as fast as possible,” she expressed excitedly.

Journey to Recovery After the surgery, “The recovery process was faster than I expected. And I’m glad I recovered well. I’m grateful to my uncle who initiated the conversation of surgery for her cleft palate,” she acknowledged.

Bankole got all the support she needed to live her best life. The surgeons, therapists, doctors and her family emboldened her to work hard to develop her speech and communication skills. “I received all the best support and love. My parents, especially, were scared but I stood my ground. I told

says Bankole.

Opeyemi Bankole them I was going to have it done no matter what. They succumbed to my decision,” she emphasised. “There were no unexpected challenges nor complications during and after the process.”

Coping After Surgery While expressing excitement so far after the surgery, the dental technician admitted that although some people still find it difficult to hear me, “I don’t care anymore like I did before”, she said.

It has impacted me in a very positive way because I raise my head so high you know— And the moment I stopped caring about what people would think about me was the end of it.

“Your opinion about me doesn’t define me” Despite the travails, Bankole chose

to never let her condition limit her potential. Like a warrior, she underwent surgery in 2019 to repair her cleft palate courtesy of Smile Train.

In Africa, Bankole is one of the 170,000 beneficiaries of the Smile Train surgery since 2002 while over 1.5 million surgeries have been achieved globally since 1999.

She lends her voice to other warriors As a strong believer that fortune favours the brave, Bankole has crafted soothing words for others living with cleft palate or cleft lips, encouraging them to chin up. “I will say to everyone having or going through this same experience – remember you’re the architect of your life. You can always win like other people do. Don’t forget you have a brighter future ahead,”

Importance of Surgery The World Health Organisation sees surgery as often the only therapy that can alleviate disabilities and reduce the risk of death from common conditions. It says that yearly, many millions of people undergo surgical treatment, and surgical interventions account for an estimated 13 per cent of the world’s total disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

Taking a cue from WHO, Smile Train has recommended that it should be treated within the first three to six months after birth.

Cleft palates typically can be operated on between eight and twelve months. Most children with clefts undergo a series of surgeries as they grow and develop.

According to Consultant, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University College Hospital Ibadan, Dr Adeola A. Olusanya, when a cleft palate surgery is done properly and the palate is functional, it is a whole new world for the patient. “An infant born with a cleft palate is challenged by two main impairments stemming directly from this anomaly; feeding and speech challenges.

“With age, the affected individual can adjust (to a degree) to the feeding difficulties but the speech is amenable to surgery primarily.”

Speech, says Olusanya, is an essential tool a person uses to interact with society. Therefore, she pointed out that speech impairment can predispose to social isolation, depression and several psychosocial problems.

The maxillofacial surgeon, however, is confident that an adequately repaired palate can mitigate these challenges. “After a palatal repair, feeding can be as the individual wishes as the nose is now separated from the mouth and the patient does not need to avoid some food types like spicy foods.”

Giving a word for parents of children with cleft palate conditions who are considering surgery, the surgeon, who boasts of 15 years of active practice, recommended that parents and guardians should identify a centre known for their good outcomes. “The first palatal surgery is the best chance for a good speech and subsequent optimum quality of life.”

Her counsel is to help every Nigerian living with a cleft lip or cleft palate to have their smiles back again just like Bankole.

Truly, it was a roller coaster of emotions for a very long time. When Bankole’s joy came, she persevered and emerged with a beautiful smile and a positive outlook on life.

Indeed, she is a testament to how cleft palate warriors can overcome all odds and realise their full potential. For Bankole, it isn’t just a whole new world, there is a new horizon to pursue.

MD Advocates for Provision of Accessible Mental Health Services Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto A Medical Director of Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH) Kware, Sokoto State Prof. Shehu Sale, on a recent Thursday, called on governments and stakeholders’ in the health sector to fast track provision of accessible, quality and affordable mental health services in the country.

Sale made the call at a public lecture in commemoration of 2023 World Mental Health Day (WMHD) organised by the hospital.

He described the 2023 WMHD

theme ‘’ Mental Health is a Universal Human Right ‘’ as apt and timely, urging Nigerians to ensure that human rights of persons with mental health conditions are not violated.

He explained that mental health is an integral part of people’s overall health and wellbeing, which needed to be protected at all times.

The Psychiatrist decried that many people with mental health conditions are being violated and deprived of their rights in the society because of their health condition.

He further explained that with increased cases of substance

abuse, drug dependency rates and associated disorders, Federal Government constructed Women and Children Drug Dependent Treatment Center in the hospital.

Sale, who is a Master trainer for United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) and International Certified Addiction Professional, said the center is first of it kind to cater for patients in northern parts of the country.

The Medical Director added that women involvement in substance abuse and related disorders also affected their children including infants and needed experts remedies which

necessitated the introduction of the treatment centers.

According to him, the hospital at present provided integrated healthcare services to the people besides psychiatric care which will reduce stigma being associated with mental health treatment. ‘’ Treatment of all forms of illnesses, medical tests, and other services are being provided at all times in the hospital. “ The hospital has worldclass equipment such as mobile digital x-ray machine, mobile ultrasound machine, ultrasonography machine, digitalized

medical and diagnostic records system, occupational therapy equipment and modern laboratory tools, he stated.

He said Federal Government has constructed and equip an intensive care unit, a molecular laboratory, an isolation center, and other needed facilities in the hospital.

He noted that total bed space and staff strength have been increased including experts in different fields, while the restoration of full accreditation status to the Post-Basic Psychiatric Nursing School at the hospital had been ensured.

In his presentation on a topic

‘’ Reducing Mental Health Risks through Drug Abuse Awareness and Prevention ‘’ Dr Shamsudeen Shehu, led participants on standard prevention and treatment modalities.

Dr Umar presented available remedies of mental health disorders, substance abuse, rehabilitation and reintegration techniques to be provided in a health facility.

He dwelled on the chain of services for psychiatric patients care, different abnormalities and level of medical attention to be provided from Primary Healthcare centers to tertiary health institutions.

advanced that being an enrollee of the Agency, either on individual or family package, would enable beneficiaries not to spend out of pocket on health issues.

On the Executive Secretary’s entourage were Director of Programmes, Pharmacist Olasunkanmi Sunmonu;

Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Adebisi Olalere; Director, Standard and Quality Assurance, Dr. Adesina Igbalaye; Director of Admin. and Supplies: Mrs. Funmi Jerry-Adetoro and Director of Finance and Accounts: Mrs. Olabisi Olajubu, among others.

New OHIS ES Promises Continuity, Innovation in Osun Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The new Executive Secretary of the Osun Health Insurance Agency, Dr Akintunde Akindele, has assured that the good works done by his predecessor, Dr Niyi Oginni will continue while new in-

novations shall be introduced to ensure that the agency is improved upon in line with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s policy statement to expand its scope.

Akindele said this while fielding questions during a special programme on a radio station in Osogbo meant to keep the

general public abreast of the new leadership in OSHIA. In his words of admonition to the Management and Staff of the State Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA), Dr.Akindele said love, unity and cooperation is essential to collectively improve the operations of the Scheme adding that success can

only be achieved in a conducive atmosphere where unity, love and cooperation operate.

He therefore used the opportunity to appeal to the general public, who are yet to enroll into the scheme to do so, alerting, that nobody knows when sickness would come.

The medical doctor further

34

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023 •T H I S D AY

35

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 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 07Nov-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 284.10 287.78 50.10% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 8.53% Nigeria International Debt Fund 341.57 341.57 13.87% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 109.28 109.28 5.47% 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 N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 181.27 183.62 25.06% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.23 1.23 -0.07% 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 29.27 30.16 33.40% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 643.60 663.00 23.48% ARM Ethical Fund 53.21 54.81 17.94% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.17 1.17 3.55% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 -9.71% ARM Money Market Fund 1.15 1.15 9.03% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.06 1.06 1.93% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 101.33 101.33 11.47% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,119.36 1,119.36 4.53% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% Paramount Equity Fund 24.58 25.05 41.96% Women's Investment Fund 195.07 198.08 40.80% CHD Nigeria Bond Fund 100.83 100.83 12.48% CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund 1.02 1.02 11.13% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.23% Cordros Milestone Fund 158.93 159.98 23.86% Cordros Fixed Income Fund 105.98 105.98 10.07% Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund 108.23 108.23 11.43% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 113.46 113.46 6.19% 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 9.74% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.43 1.45 25.89% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.36 1.36 0.45% 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 1.00 1.00 12.63% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 9.80% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.25 1.25 26.13% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 106.45 106.45 5.65% 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 1520.84 1520.84 11.53% FBN Balanced Fund 255.13 257.30 38.45% FBN Halal Fund 131.19 131.19 12.77% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.17% FBN Dollar Fund 122.59 122.59 7.44% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 231.17 234.10 53.18% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 110.19 110.19 9.19% 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 7.95% Legacy Debt Fund 3.56 3.56 -0.51% Legacy Equity Fund 2.61 2.66 30.45% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.32 1.32 4.50% 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 5,354.01 5,394.16 31.97% Coral Income Fund 3,949.94 3,949.94 7.52% Coral Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.04% FSDH Dollar Fund 1.19 1.19 5.85%

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 1.75 1.78 9.86% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,192.27 1,192.27 9.01% 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 16.80 16.93 43.96% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.51% 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) 102.91 102.91 11.85% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.54% Norrenberger Dollar Fund (NDF) ($) 102.49 102.49 11.20% 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 2.11 2.15 33.76% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.91 12.10 7.30% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.54% PACAM Equity Fund 2.17 2.19 52.35% PACAM EuroBond Fund 128.46 131.38 15.25% 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 148.04 152.65 17.76% 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 4,692.35 4,730.24 38.42% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 255.13 255.13 8.30% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.93 1.96 54.37% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 348.75 348.88 11.40% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 365.73 370.14 56.58% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.66% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 17,235.04 17,447.70 57.87% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.45 1.45 12.14% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 127.07 127.07 8.69% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 124.30 124.30 16.85% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,936.81 4,936.81 16.05% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 5,020.98 5,083.33 80.59% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 5,140.22 5,154.33 34.95% 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 1.26 1.27 37.74% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.74 1.75 34.08% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.34 1.35 25.09% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.16 1.16 11.07% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.93 1.93 6.84% United Capital Eurobond Fund 123.35 123.35 5.58% United Capital Global Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 8.33% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.66% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 18.06 18.26 30.34% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 21.57 21.81 36.54% Zenith Income Fund 25.16 25.16 6.82% 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 7.16 7.26 77.56% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 11.43 11.53 94.81% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 25.32 25.52 42.95% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.69% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 28.13 28.33 40.57% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 147.83 149.83 -6.26%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

127.24 55.72 101.33 9.88

11.81% 5.09% -13.49%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

20.80 436.00 528.00 22.06 30.62

22.99 436.00 528.00 22.16 30.72

41.07% 238.72% 423.55% 50.91% 81.52%

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.

36

THURSday, NOVEMBER 9, 2023, 2023 T H I S D AY

business/MOnEYGUIDE

GuarantCo Provides N20.23bn Counter-guarantee for Lagos Free Zone Company Oluchi Chibuzor GuarantCo, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), has provided an NGN 20.23 billion ($25 million) counter-guarantee with a twenty-year tenor in support of Lagos Free Zone Company’s (LFZC) three guaranteed infrastructure bond issuances totalling N 53 billion ($65.5 million).

Speaking on the transaction, the Chief Finance Officer of Lagos Free Zone, Ashish Khemka, said: “We value our partnership with GuarantCo and Infracredit towards the common goal of realizing enabling infrastructure projects in emerging markets like Nigeria. Lagos Free Zone and Lekki Port projects are a testament to our commitment to changing the paradigm of the ease of doing business in Nigeria, and

we appreciate the critical role played by credit guarantee programs run by GuarantCo and Infracredit in enabling our access to long-term credit required for such projects.”

CEO of GuarantCo, Layth Al-Falaki, said: “We are delighted to have counterguaranteed the bond issuance of Lagos Free Zone Company to the benefit of the economy and local people in Niger West Africa. This is also our first joint transaction with InfraCredit, which we and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority helped set up in 2017. We are very happy to see the impressive progress that InfraCredit Nigeria has made in the past six years and this joint transaction will be an important pathfinder for GuarantCo’s relationships with other local Credit Enhancement Facilities, including InfraZamin in Pakistan and

others in the pipeline, that our parent company PIDG, with the support of its companies, has or is planning to set up.”

Chinua Azubike, CEO of InfraCredit, said: “One of the key strategies of InfraCredit towards addressing the significant infrastructure financing deficit in Nigeria is to expand our guarantee capacity through risk sharing partnerships with development finance institutions, by leveraging their capacity to share our long-term risks. The Counter-Guarantee provided by GuarantCo to support the Lagos Free Zone Company will strengthen our capacity to underwrite larger infrastructure projects and mobilise more domestic credit from local institutional investors to support impactful infrastructure projects in Nigeria that will support more jobs and accelerate economic growth.”

L-R: Secretary to Ogun State Government , Tokunbo Talabi; Registrar and Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Josiah Akerewusi; President, Oluwole Adeosun ; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ist Vice President , CIS, Oluropo Dada and Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor , Dapo Okubadejo during the courtesy visit of CIS’ Leadership to Governor Abiodun on CIS 2023 Annual Conference in Abeokuta yesterday

MARKET INDICATORS

UBA Restates Commitment to Financing SMEs Across Africa United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has expressed its unflinching commitment to help small and medium scale businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria and across Africa to succeed and contribute meaningfully to their economies and the continent as a whole.

The bank’s management made this pledge at the official opening of the 37th Lagos International Trade Fair (LIFT) 2023, organised by the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) with the theme, ‘Navigating Economic Challenges, Forging a Path to Prosperity’ held in Lagos State.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Managing Director, UBA, Mr Muyiwa Akinyemi, commended LCCI for its visionary leadership in consistently hosting the trade fair as well as it continuous efforts at creating a veritable platform for businesses in Nigeria and Africa to thrive and prosper.

He took time to recognise the priceless role that SMEs

play in advancing the success of economies all over the world, adding that, “We have continued to not only pull our weight behind the fair, by consistently retaining headline sponsorship for this all-important event, but have also provided far reaching expert advice that empower SMEs to go ahead and become global champions as we have seen with many success stories of businesses that have participated in this fair at any point in time.”

“Also as a leader in African trade, we have identified this fair as a veritable avenue for both domestic and international exhibitors to promote their businesses through product launches, sales opportunities, and business-to-business meetings with government agencies while fostering international trade partnership deals across borders,” Akinyemi stated.

UBA’s Group Head, Retails Products and Sales, Prince Ayewoh, who also spoke at

the event, said the LCCI has done well to transform the fair to become one of the major attractions of trade in Africa when it comes to SME attendance across the continent.

Ayewoh explained that SMEs typically contribute around 50% of GDP and 60% of employment in national or local economies while evidence suggests they contribute only about 30% of exports and even less of international investment.

He noted that it is on this premise that the UBA, which has an extensive spread across Africa and other major economies of the world, is always on the lookout for partnership opportunities that will benefit the business environment and the economies where we operate.

“To this end, UBA has aligned its commitment and dedication to carrying every single stakeholder along in its objective of lifting businesses in Africa to unprecedented heights,” Ayewoh said.

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

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage)

Customs Generates over N5billion Revenue in Six Months

Month

August 2023

Inter-Bank Call Rate

3.89

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara State Command has disclosed that, it had generated a total sum of over N5billion as revenue in the last six months of the year in the state.

The command also warned smugglers who wanted to use the forthcoming Christmas and New year period through border areas to perpetrates their nefarious activities to have a rethink saying anyone caught would be death with in line with the rules and regulations of the country.

The Customs Area Comproller, Kwara State Command, Comptroller Kehinde Ilesanmi made the disclosure in Ilorin on Tuesday while speaking with journalists on the activities of the command between June and October 2023.

According to him, “From June to October 2023 the command has generated the sum of N5,992,300,562.73. which

surpasses what was generated same period last year 2022 with N307,517,623,49. Three suspects were also arrested during the period under review and the Duty Paid Value of the seizure is N11, 149, 636, 49.

“Also from June to October 2023, gentlemen of the press, I want to use this medium to inform you that, the command has recorded fifteen(15) seizures.

These include 352 bags of foreign par boiled rice of 50kg each and 1, 875 liters of PMS of 25 liters each in 75 Jericans”.

On the smugglers planning to embark on their illegal activities during the forthcoming yuletide at borders posts, Ilesanmi stated that, command has been further equipped to thwart their efforts.

He warned smugglers on the sideline of four additional Hilux vehicles that have been given for

operations, to stay away from the state or be prepared to meet their Waterloo..

According to him, “No smugglers will escape from us in Kwara , particularly as we have been given four additional vehicles to increase our operations to man border areas I expect the beauty and functionality of these four brand new operational vehicles to start depreciating in the next couple of days,if not then we are not working.

“We have been given these vehicles for further work and we will follow smugglers to any ditch or gully and anywhere they go, to arrest and recover illegal items from them. So, I want to warn those who want to use this yuletide period to make money by snuggling prohibited items to think twice as our officers have continued to dominate our areas of operations with aggressive patrols to deny smugglers freedom of action.”

• Source - CBN

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

• Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

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 •THURSday, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

37

mARKET NEWS

Udani: Mecure Industries to Actualise Expansion Plans Amid Listing on NGX

KayodeTokede

The Chairman, Mecure Industries Plc, Mr. Samir Udani, yesterday disclosed that the Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals company aimed to actualised its expansion plans with the listing on the Nigeran Exchange Limited (NGX).

He disclosed this during the listing ceremony of 4,000,000,000 ordinary shares on NGX by introduction at N2.96 per share that was commemorated with

a Facts Behind the Listing event.

Speaking to the journalists at the closing gong ceremony on the floor of NGX, he expressed that the listing is a significant move by the company’s management, stating that a family-run business now in the eyes of the public.

He noted that the listing is going to get Mecure Industries more visibility and bring responsibility, and accountability to shareholders and general stakeholders of the company.

P R I C E S MaiN Board

F O R DEALS

Udani disclosed that 30 per cent of the company’s products are locally made, while the remaining proportions are imported into the country, stressing that there is a lot of scope for local producers to expand and grow amid foreign exchange challenges.

He said assured the investing public of the company introducing new innovations.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola stated listing ME

S E C U R I T I E S Market Price

quantity traded

Cure industries is a welcome development as healthcare companies are missing from the bourse.

According to Popoola, “If you look at our Exchange today, one of the things that is notably absent is the number of healthcare companies that investors can invest in our Exchange.

“To have a company that sits at the intersection of manufacturing on one hand and manufacturing towards the

T R A D E D

value traded ( N )

MaiN Board

A S O F

healthcare sector, we welcome that very much. It broadens the scope of investable assets for us at the Exchange. It also demonstrates what I call the core value that the capital market brings.

“Healthcare, of course, we can t overemphasize the importance to our country and to find a company that is manufacturing healthcare-related products, that has the opportunity through the capital market to raise capital,

to amplify its visibility as an example and to help build more sustainable businesses is one that certainly does gladden to our hearts.”

Speaking to the capital market community at the company’s “Facts Behind the Listing”, Chief Financial Officer, Mecure, Mr. Ifedamola Oluwasegun said the company’s principal business includes manufacturing, distribution, and sale of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products.

N OV E M B E R / 8 / 2 3 DEALS

Market Price

quantity traded

value traded ( N)

38

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2023 • T H I S D AY

thirty-eight

FG Begins Probe into Extension of Discos’ Licences, Says Full Cost-reflective Regime May Raise Unit Cost to N140

Admits political exigency, empathy holding back planned increase in prices May review franchise areas of distribution companies Nigeria yet to resume power supply to Niger Republic, says Adelabu Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government yesterday said it was investigating the purported extension of the operating licenses of Distribution Companies (Discos) by a previous administration and a former management of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who stated this during an interactive session with energy reporters in Abuja, noted that the federal government had declined to implement the cost-reflective price regime on the basis of political expediency and empathy.

While the licenses were expected to expire and due for renewal by 2023, information from NERC had indicated that it was extended to 2028 without any public hearing or sensitisation.

Adelabu noted that he had never opposed full cost-recovery in the sector, but had always considered the impact on poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

“I said it should have been

executed months ago. But for political reasons and for empathy, you cannot impose additional burden on Nigerians.

“We are just talking about petrol subsidy removal, exchange rate is skyrocketing, we are talking about galloping inflation and the hardship that comes with it. So, Mr President is trying to ameliorate the hardship.

“If it must be cost-reflective, it must double. We are at N63 or N73 per kilowatt now, but it can never be less than N130 or N140 if we must implement cost-reflective tariff at the exchange rate of today.

“Because part of the reasons for escalated tariff is the price of gas.

It is priced in dollars and today, 75 to 80 per cent generation is still from gas. Even now, it is even at a concessional price,” he added.

Adelabu also kicked against the wholesale privatisation of the power sector, stating that left to him, he would commercialise the sector.

According to him, most countries of the world that have used power to drive their economy did not hand it over to the private sec-

tor, but recognised the inputs of professionals in the power sector through collaboration.

Stressing that it’s mostly government that can drive the kind of long-term investment in the power infrastructure, Adelabu explained that the federal government may review the franchises of the Discos so that they can better manage their jurisdictions.

“If we had done commercialisation at that time, it would have been better than what we have now. But we can still work around it. Today, government owns 40 per cent of the Discos.

“I have talked about territorial coverage for the Discos. I feel that some of their territories are too large for them to effectively monitor. So what we can do is to probably do a review around the coverage, creating mini-Discos,” he stated.

He stressed that the government’s new strategy may take the Enugu Disco pattern wherein a mini-Disco was separated from the bigger one.

He listed for instance, Ibadan Disco which has Oyo, Ekiti, parts of Ogun,

among others as its franchise area, maintaining that it’s difficult to oversee.

According to him, if anything, the state governments, given the new law in the sector can come in through the distribution sector to ensure it is expanded, explaining that he believes in decentralisation of the sector.

Maintaining that government will increase the tariff at the appropriate time, Adelabu noted that there will be lots of sensitisation and communication with the general public before any increase, adding that it must be followed by regular supply. '’I don't have problems about increasing the tariff. My fear is when increased, are you assured of a regular increment in power supply? That's the issue,’' he said.

He added that the government was shifting to improving the distribution segment of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) as part of efforts to boost power supply to homes and businesses.

“What we want to adopt is

a bottom-up approach which is delivery focused. The little we generate, are we able to get it to consumers? So we are starting from the customer's end. People always say there are three segments in the value chain but I see it as a five-segment value chain.

“It is from gas producers to generation plants, to transmission, to distribution, and then to customers.

This is because customers have issues that we have to resolve.

“Number one issue is the meter gap that we have to close. If you do not supply meters, you cannot measure and if you cannot measure, you cannot bill. If cannot bill, you cannot collect.

“The collection is too poor for this. Liquidity is a major constraint.

And the blood that you need in the system is liquidity,” he added.

Adelabu further stated that Nigeria was awaiting the directive of the Economic of West African Countries (ECOWAS) to restore power to Niger Republic before doing so. The country had recently cut supply to Niger Republic as a

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu result of the unconstitutional takeover of power in that country.

He stressed that the industry also needs to tackle power theft and vandalism of power infrastructure, saying those caught would be made to face the law.

The minister further stated that the government was looking at whether the processes embarked upon before the expiry of Discos’ licenses aligned with the law.

He further disclosed that the 700MW Zungeru Hydropower in Niger State was ready, saying it will come on stream before the end of November, to add to the existing power capacity.

48 Hours to Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo Polls, Tension Heightens, Abdulsalami C'ttee Preaches Peace

at Beland (Swiss International) Hotel, Owerri, was attended by nearly all the 17 political parties endorsed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the election.

But the leading governorship candidates – Governor Hope Uzodimma of APC, Senator Sam Anyanwu of PDP, and Senator Athan Achonu of LP – all sent their parties’ state chairmen and deputy governorship candidates. But they were turned back, as one of the rules of engagement is that only the governorship candidates can sign the accord, not their proxies.

Earlier, before the actual signing ceremony began, Anyanwu showed up, but when he noticed that his counterparts from APC and LP were absent, he left the venue.

In his remarks, General Martin Luther Agwai, who represented the NPC chairman, said the candidates that shunned the exercise had till Friday, the eve of the elections, to visit the office of the NPC and sign the document.

The exercise was witnessed by Deputy Inspector General of Police Frank Mba and INEC National Commissioner for South-east, Mr. Kenneth Okeagu.

"By Friday, Imo people would know those who are interested in conducting a peaceful election, but we are optimistic that with the over 98-99 per cent attendance recorded, the candidates are interested in peace, we will announce on Friday those interested in Imo having a peaceful election," Agwai told journalists.

The former Chief of Defence Staff noted that though the day was his birthday, he took time off to attend the event. He said the birthday gift he was asking from the candidates was a peaceful, free, and fair election in Imo State.

During the signing ceremony, Uzodimma’s running mate, Chinyere Ekomaru, and Achonu’s running mate, Tony Nwulu, were not allowed to sign, but their state chairmen, Macdonald Ebere of APC and Callistus Ihejiagwa of

LP, respectively, signed their own parts of the agreement. The running mate of the PDP candidate, Jones Onyereri, was also stopped, but the state chairman was absent at the event.

Other candidates present included Tony Ejiogu of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Uche Ben Udunze of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNP), Jack Ogunewe of Action Alliance (AA), Okere Johnjude of Accord Party (AP), Okoroma James of Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Uzo Kachi Nwoga of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Clinton Chibuike of APM, Bright Obinna Ekwebelem of Social Demotic Party (SDP), and Emmanuel Ifeanyi of AAC. Mba, who is leading the police contingent for the election in Imo State, assured that the police would be politically neutral, non-aligned and provide the enabling environment for the people to vote.

The ceremony was witnessed by heads of security agencies, including the State Comptroller of Immigrations,

Tinubu Signs N2.1tn 2023 Supplementary Appropriation

the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Chairmen of the Appropriation Committees in the Senate, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, and the House of Representatives, Hon. Abubakar Bichi; as well as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji.

Giving a breakdown of the supplementary budget, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said the newly approved expenditure for defence and security was about 30 per cent, while 35 per cent was dedicated to the provision of critical infrastructure to be allocated to the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Bagudu explained that 32 per cent of the supplementary budget was allocated to the new Wage Award for treasury-paid federal workers to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, in addition to cash transfers to vulnerable persons, and support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among other considerations.

The Senate had last week approved the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget for the

2023 fiscal year, as proposed by Tinubu.

However, the House of Representatives scrapped the budgetary allocation of N5.095 billion for the purchase of a presidential yacht in the 2023 supplementary budget.

At the red chamber, Akpabio had announced the approval after majority of the senators supported it through a voice vote at plenary. The supplementary budget was earlier considered and approved at the Committee of Supply before it was passed at plenary.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Solomon Adeola, had submitted the report on the appropriation budget for consideration.

Unlike their counterpart at the House of Representatives, the Senate was silent on the controversial N5 billion for the purchase of the presidential yacht.

In his presentation, Adeola had recommended that N18 billion be approved for Statutory Transfers, N1.3 trillion (N1,033,471,162,373) for Recurrent (non-debt) expenditure and N1.1 trillion (N1,125,320,123,660) as contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending.

He had listed the ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government that would benefit from the supplementary budget as INEC, Ministry of

Defence, police formations and commands, and Office of the National Security Adviser Other beneficiaries included the Department of State Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Housing, and Federal Capital Territory Administration. The senate president subjected the committee’s report to a voice vote and majority of the senators supported its approval.

Nkechi Eze; Kingsley Njoku of the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCS); and Chairperson of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the state, Mrs Marjorie Ezei.

In Bayelsa State, the governorship candidates of PDP, Governor Douye Diri; APC, Chief Timipre Sylva; and the others were present at the ceremony. The event had many stakeholders in attendance, including Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, and INEC National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu. Though the candidate of LP was conspicuously absent, flagbearers of other political parties were present, including top security operatives from the police, army, civil defence, Immigration, and others.

The immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Sylva, was one of the early birds at the event. He was there when the ceremony started. Diri, who came after the national anthem was sung, headed straight to where Sylva was and they exchanged pleasantries and later had a warm handshake to the admiration of the people in the commodious Lady Diami events centre in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Convener of the National Peace Committee and Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Kukah, who stood in for Abdulsalami, set the ball rolling by advising candidates of the various political parties to ensure that the governorship poll on Saturday was free, fair and credible.

Kukah urged the contestants to behave themselves and give the right

directions to their faithful to ensure that the poll was devoid of violence.

Kukah stated, "The contestants know themselves, know their communities, because they grew up among themselves. So, we should look at it as a family event.

“Bayelsa is not a very big state, Bayelsa is a community, eating almost the same food, with the same traditional dances, same language, and almost same culture.

"So, ordinarily this event should be a celebration of who we are and our trust in democracy. So on behalf of the chairman of the National Peace committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who is unable to be here physically, we have to sign the peace accord to show we are committed to this election.”

He added, “We also have members of the Peace Committee in Imo and in Kogi states. Please, vote to stay alive, vote to see a great Bayelsa and a great Nigeria. It is always tragic for anyone to lose his child or for you to be in hospital while the celebration is going on.

“Let’s conduct ourselves in a way and manner that will finally make the judiciary and lawyers out of the job. And the only way is to conduct free, fair and credible election.”

But the candidates of PDP and APC in Bayelsa State, while speaking with journalists, after signing the peace accord, accused each other of stoking violence in Nembe and Kolokuma/Opokuma local government areas, home local councils of both major players.

Sylva said the programme was a very good initiative.

He stated, "The APC today has come to demonstrate that we are committed to peace in Bayelsa. But we must say that we are not very comfortable with the disposition of our opponent. There has been a lot of violence perpetrated by the PDP in Kolokuma/Opokuma and this morning I was told that they were causing violence in other places.

“But I am hoping that the peace accord will, at least, make all of us to do the needful to avoid violence and reduce tension during the poll and after the election. We will certainly abide by the peace accord, as we are not a violent party."

Diri appreciated the committee for the exercise, but lamented that many politicians saw the peace accord as a mere election ritual, because they usually failed to keep it. He said, "A lot of politicians do not keep to it, so it's just a ritual we come and sign and then the bad politicians among us will continue the violence.

“I have just been informed that the former governor of the state whom you interviewed has accused me, Douye Diri, of stockpiling arms in Kolokuma/Opokuma.

"That is, indeed, the fattest lie of the year and that shows that this peace accord is going to be ineffectual.

“It's going to be ineffectual because if a man chooses to be telling lies even in the face of this peace accord then something is wrong in our polity.

"I was really very embarrassed when I got that information. Everybody knows in this state those who are given to violence and the Continued on page 43

Court Releases Emefiele to His Lawyers, Says There Must Be End to Detention without Trial led by Mathew Burkaa, SAN, who must produce him in court for arraignment on November 15, or any other date.

Adeniyi also ordered that Emefiele should transmit and deposit his travel documents to the court's registrar pending the hearing of the motion on notice or his arraignment before Justice Hamza Muazu of the same FCT High Court.

Emefiele had on October 31 filed an enforcement of fundamental human rights suit against the federal government, Attorney General of the Federation, EFCC and its chairman, as first to fourth respondents, respectively.

The suit was sequel to his continued detention by the federal government.

Recal that the DSS had on October 26 transferred Emefiele from its custody, after over four months, to the EFCC. Miffed by the DSS' action, Emefiele approached the court

to challenge his continued detention.

Besides, he had brought an ex parte application praying the court for his unconditional release pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

After listening to the submissions in the ex parte application marked: M/122/2023 in a Motion on Notice with the number, FCT/ HC/CV/040/2023, Adeniyi, on November 2, ordered the EFCC to immediately release Emefiele or produce him in court on November 6.

However, at Monday's proceedings, Emefiele was not produced in court, prompting the court to reiterate its order and adjourned to yesterday, for the federal government to comply with the order.

As promised on Monday by EFCC's lawyer, Farouk Abdallah, the commission produced Emefiele in court yesterday.

The former CBN governor, who

wore a gold colour kaftan and a brown cap, was brought into the court at 12.45pm.

When the matter was called, his lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, urged the court to admit him to bail, and said his continued detention was in breach of his fundamental human rights as well as the constitution.

Burkaa argued that the federal government had no reason to keep Emefiele in custody, adding that all agencies of the government have concluded their investigations and have already filed charges against him.

Both the federal government and EFCC lawyers opposed the granting of the bail, stating that releasing Emefiele would jeopardise his arraignment next week on criminal charges.

Besides, the federal government and EFCC lawyers argued that they had obtained an order of a Magistrate Court in Wuse, Abuja, to

detain Emefiele till November 10.

They, therefore, asked the court to refuse the bail application pending Emefiele's arraignment next week.

But Adeniyi disagreed with the respondents, pointing out that "there must be an end to detention without trial". He ordered the immediate release of Emefiele to his lawyers.

Emefiele had been in the custody of the federal government since June 10, when he was first arrested in Lagos and then transferred to Abuja.

The DSS, which initially arrested him, refused to release him on bail, despite the order of court. He was later arraigned on alleged unlawful possession of firearms in Lagos, and alleged corruption charges in Abuja, before he was handed over to the EFCC two weeks ago.

He was arrested shortly after his suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu and had been in custody since then, despite a court order.

39

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2023

NEWS

WHAT'S ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Executive Chairman, FIRS, Mr. Zach Adedeji; Honourable Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; and Airtel Nigeria CEO, Carl Cruz; after their meeting in Abuja ... yesterday

Kukah Faults Attack on NLC President, Urges Nigerians to Hold Politicians Accountable Says its unbelievable what former ministers say of Buhari

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Emma Okonji Following yesterday’s commencement of the organised labour union’s strike in Imo State, with threat to extend it nationwide by next week, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah has condemned the attack on the president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.

He insisted that Nigerians must always hold politicians in government accountable at all times.

Kukah, who said this yesterday, on ‘The Morning Show’ on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, explained that the promises that politicians make were subjected to all kinds

of circumstances and conditions, which include checks and balances.

According to him, “When political parties sign peace accord, Nigerians should be given the opportunity to know what exactly the peace accord entails to enable them to remind the politicians each time they tend to deviate from the agreement signed in the peace accord.

“Nigerians think that after elections are over, they could relax and go play golf, without putting the necessary checks and balances on the politicians that they voted for.

“There is a need for robust engagement with elected officials in government and I commend the media, especially ARISE News Channel for doing that effectively.”

He further said: “We must

collectively as a people continue to hold the feet of politicians to the fire in order to keep politicians on their toes. All over the world, polls have shown that politicians are the least trusted categories of human beings.

“The United Nation’s polls for instance, showed very clearly that the most trusted categories of people are medical doctors, followed by hair stylists. So I see the peace accord between political parties as symbolic, but the fulfillment of the peace accord is in the hands of the masses.”

Kukah advised the NLC president not to allow politics of violence to take over the people of Imo State, but to defend the people and their rights at all times.

Kukah, however advised the NLC not to use the situation in Imo State to stop the people from voting in the gubernatorial election slated for Saturday this week in the state.

“It will be a tragedy if the health condition of Ajaero is used as a strategy to prevent election from holding in Imo State this week Saturday, as planned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“NLC’s position that election will not hold in Imo State on Saturday this week, will not be in the interest of the good people of Imo State. The people of Imo State did not join in the attack of the NLC President and they should therefore not be disenfranchised of their voting rights, come this week Saturday,”

Senate to Probe Admission Racketeering in Tertiary Institutions To partner NDLEA to fight drug abuse, trafficking

Michael Olugbode and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate yesterday, set up a panel to investigate allegations of admission racketeering in tertiary institutions across the country.

This was sequel to a motion by Senator Onyeka Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) at plenary.

Nwebonyi, had alleged that staff of tertiary institutions conspired with officials of Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) to carry out the unwholesome practices for financial gains.

JAMB is a statutory body charged with conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for admission to all Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions.

The Senate therefore directed its committees on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND as well as Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to probe the allegation of admission fraud in tertiary institutions.

Nwebonyi, said authorities of tertiary institutions, in cahoots with some JAMB officials, have reverted to the practice of provisional admissions into prized professional courses like medicine and surgery, pharmacy, law, engineering, nursing science, with view to shortchanging some students already offered admission in exchange for gratification.

He said, "The travails of one Miss Chinyere Ekwe and 290 others who

were admitted to study medicine and surgery at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) but had their admissions truncated on the order of JAMB for no plausible reason, after they had completed the admission processes and resumed lectures.

"Miss Ekwe, in particular, scored 291 in the 2019 UTME and 300 in the university’s post UTME, which qualified her for the course and was subsequently admitted by the university.

"The said Chinyere Ekwe was transferred to the department of medical laboratory science on the ground that if her cumulative grade point is up to 4.5 points after the first year, she would be transferred back to medicine and surgery.

"However, despite the fact that she surpassed the 4.5 threshold, her admission status is still not yet certain as to whether she is duly admitted in the department of medicine and surgery or medical laboratory science.

"The provisional admission practice is being used as a malicious tool to exploit and frustrate intelligent young Nigerians who are children and wards of ordinary people who seek admission into Nigerian universities."

Such unwholesome practices, he added, put the country’s educational system in jeopardy, cause apathy on the side of ordinary Nigerians.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, stressed the need to give fair hearing to the

accused parties, saying JAMB and UNN were known to be reputable institutions.

He said, "We are shaving the head of a man behind his back.

The university of Nigeria has a reputation that spans decade and respected internationally. And JAMB has its own reputation.

"So discussing and particularising it could tend to give the international community that something is questionable about the certificate from university of Nigeria which we all respect. It has given birth to so many universities including the one I went to which is the university of Calabar.

"Let the other side be heard, so that we can do a holistic job and even invite the Minister of Education to find out whether this kind of practice is occuring in the tertiary institutions. So let us do a holistic job. I think it is important we correct any wrong that we see."

Also yesterday, the Upper Chamber expressed willingness to partner and support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in the task of ridding Nigeria of drug menace.

The Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics while commending the leadership of NDLEA for its unrelenting war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, said it was prepared and committed to partner and support the agency to succeed in its onerous task of ridding Nigeria of the drug menace.

The assurance was given after the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) briefed the Committee on the activities, challenges and achievements of the agency in the last 34 months at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

Kukah said.

Speaking about election violence in Nigeria, which had become a re-occurrence decimal in the history of Nigerian politics since Independence in 1960, Kukah said the issue of election violence had eaten deep into the political fabrics of Nigeria and would take some time to be completely eradicated by law enforcement agents.

He said Nigeria must promote strong institutions that would not support election violence across the country. He also said there must be a national conference where civil society groups would have to debate with National Assembly members on the way forward for the Nigerian democracy that would lead to amendment of some laws that support election violence.

Assessing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kukah said one of the biggest challenges that the Tinubu administration was facing from May 29, 2023, was in the area of effective communication and the strategy in communicating with Nigerians.

“The quality of decisions taking by the Tinubu administration since its inception, has brought untold hardship to the people of Nigeria,” Kukah said.

He advised Tinubu to articulate his decisions before throwing them out on Nigerians in order not to

add to the existing hardship that Nigerians are facing.

He however advised Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu’s government, since the Supreme Court has affirmed his presidency.

The clergy said that it was unbelievable and shocking what former ministers that served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s were saying about him and his government.

He reiterated that he had nothing personal against the former president.

According to Kukah. “I’m talking to ministers now who served in that government; I cannot call names.

I am shocked to hear the kind of things people are saying about those who served in that government; that is for another day,” He added, "There was nothing I said about President Buhari that was personal.”

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese explained that the former president made Nigeria more vulnerable and succeeded in splitting the country.

Accosting to Kukah, “Buhari has served his term. He also knew, and I respect him for that, that there was nothing I was saying that was personal. I imagined poor Adesina (Femi) and his team had a job to do and they needed to do that job even though there was nothing to say.

Governor Eno Launches One Project Per LGA Scheme in Eket Senatorial District Okon Bassey in Uyo

In line with his ARISE Agenda blueprint, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has launched the One Project Per Local Government Area initiative.

The scheme started with the flag off of the construction of Model Government Primary School, Idung Offiong in Eket Local Area under Eket Senatorial District of the state.

At the ceremony in Eket, Eno said the initiative was part of his commitment to rural development, stressing that various projects would be replicated across the 31 Local Councils of the State.

The Governor said projects under the initiative were based on specific needs and as requested by stakeholders of each LGA, adding that each project would be completed within the period of six months for a new round of projects to commence.

According to him, the new

school would be equipped with solar power, security gate, perimeter fence, staff quarters and modern learning facilities while also ensuring the provision of school uniforms, books and shoes for the students.

The Governor said the exercise represented the official flag-off of all projects that would be done in Eket Senatorial District, while similar event would be held for Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts.

"This is the first of the projects that will delivered in all 31 local Governments of this State. As part of our rural development drive, we have given the opportunity for communities and Local Governments to do a needs assessment, align it with what we have and deliver to the people.

"This project was chosen by Eket Local Government Stakeholders and they want a school built here.

“We are here today to use this as our point of contact to flag off

all the projects that will be under the initiative in the Eket Senatorial District. When we leave here, we will do Uyo Senatorial District and later, go to Ikot Ekpene.

"We will do 31 projects across the State, and those 31 projects, I believe should be ready in six months, and then we will take on another 31.

"So if you have a school this time, you may have a hospital next time and if you have a hospital next, you may have markets later. That way, we will touch every part of the state with various quality projects,” he said.

He added: "We have a budget, and we will stay within that budget.

Our father, the Paramount Ruler has talked about a school established in 1905, I think we will look at that school and make sure that we make that school a model school. 1905 is a long time, and we would not like such a legacy school die."

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courtesy visit to governor ABIODUN...

L-R: Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi; Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his deputy, Engr.

Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the Commander of the Nigeria Navy Secondary School, Beecroft, Lagos, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, during a courtesy visit to the governor in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta... recently

NAF Boss Canvasses total Military Radar Coverage, AI to Combat Insecurity Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, yesterday, declared that positioning the Nigerian Air Force to meet the airpower demands of national security was critically hinged on its ability to monitor Nigeria’s airspace through the implementation of military total radar coverage of Nigeria.

Total radar coverage is designed to capture, identify aircraft within the airspace and assist air traffic controllers in guiding aircraft safely to their destination.

He said the application of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in modern-day military operations will enable the air force to harness the power of technology and determine its success in ensuring the highest levels of operational effectiveness and efficiency.

The air force chief spoke at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Air Force Communications Information Systems (CIS) Conference held at NAF Headquarters in Abuja.

He said for NAF to ensure the security of its communications, it must seek out ways to improve its investment in state-of-the-art encryption and cyber-security measures.

"A deep focus on artificial intelligence can revolutionise how we process data, analyze information and make informed decisions in real-time, thereby giving us the edge we need to excel in theatres of operations around the country", he said.

Speaking at the conference themed “Exploiting Emerging CIS Technologies for an Agile and Resilient NAF to Effectively Meet National Security Imperatives", the air force boss said it aligned with his command philosophy, "to transform the NAF into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the airpower demands of

national security in all operational environments".

He called for deliberations to be guided by the theme in order to come up with innovative solutions. He said "positioning the NAF to meet the airpower demands of national security was critically hinged on NAF’s ability to monitor Nigeria’s airspace through the implementation of military total radar coverage of Nigeria".

Air Marshal Abubakar stressed the essential role of CIS in enabling commanders to make informed decisions, coordinate forces and ultimately achieve mission objectives.

He underlined NAF's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, aligning with one of the key enablers of his command philosophy of "prioritising R&D, leveraging cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and lessons learned."

He added that the conference underscored the NAF's dedication to staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of modern warfare through the effective use of emerging CIS technologies.

He asserted that the presence of experienced senior officers as resource persons underscored the conference's significance and encouraged participants to see the forum as an opportunity to positively impact NAF's capabilities.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Communication and Information Systems (CCIS), Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, affirmed that the 2-day Conference was aimed at exploring innovative CIS that would enhance NAF's operational capabilities in addressing pressing national security imperatives.

He said the theme of the conference was carefully selected after diligent consideration of the daunting security challenges bedeviling the nation and bearing in mind that

the resolution of these challenges required innovative solutions.

He stressed the importance of evolving novel CIS technologies in the prosecution of military operations on land, sea, air or cyberspace environments.

He also added that the core derivative of the conference was geared towards improving the

capacity of CIS personnel as well as reinvigorating CIS-based procedures with a view to enhancing NAF operational effectiveness.

The CCIS also listed some achievements recorded by the CIS Branch in recent times including the receipt of approval for the establishment of Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Maintenance

Segun James Following the abysmal loss of the party in the last general election, the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George has called on the leaders of the party to change methodology in order to remain relevant and prepare for future elections.

George gave the advice during a press conference in his office at Ikoyi, Lagos, noting that the party has deviated from the methodology adopted by the founding fathers, adding that this was responsible for the loss by the party in the 2023 election.

The former Ondo State military governor also advised President Bola Tinubu to make use of the country's resources judiciously, noting that this was what he owed him since his party had lost at the poll and the Supreme Court had made a pronouncement.

George had earlier promised to make his position known after the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi's petitions were dismissed at the Supreme Court.

The apex court affirmed the ruling of the Presidential Election Tribunal which had earlier upheld the election of President Tinubu.

George said, "We are not perfect, when it happened that we had an uppercut, the most reasonable to do is to go back and do an in depth analysis and cleanse the Augean stable and reposition the party.

"To put things under the carpet is not the best way. We have to set up a committee of knowledgeable, loyal and dedicated leaders and go round the states to get their inputs.

They can bring the report and we will discuss it. I think we will benefit a lot if we do that.

"The problem we had continued to resurface at every electoral period. It is a monumental crisis. I don't want to undress our party in public. The way the founding fathers founded the party, they altered it. That is the major issue plaguing the party. You created the mayhem at the base of the party. A divided house is a defeated party."

He advised that, "We have to be very careful and be honest with ourselves so that we don't go the way of ANPP. Those with personal ambitions should keep it

Barr. Kamorudeen Ajisafe nominated National Vice Chairman, South West

The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and his Oyo State counterpart, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, hosted members of the Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

Also at the meeting nomination of Barrister Kamorudeen Ajisafe as the National Vice Chairman of the party (South West), to replace late Adagunodo who was from the state was done.

It was equally resolved that the nomination will be sealed at

the enlarged meeting to be held in Ibadan at a later date.

However, Governor Makinde who was in Abuja, joined the meeting that was chaired by Governor Adeleke virtually, as the two leaders agreed on moving the PDP forward in the Southwest zone.

In his welcome address, Governor Adeleke acknowledged the commitment of the Southwest PDP Excos in making the party strong in the zone, assuring them that he has the understanding of his counterpart in Oyo state, Governor Makinde, to improve the fortune of the PDP in the Southwest.

effectiveness and future CIS practices.

Some of the stakeholders represented at the conference include the National Information Technology Development Agency, National Space Research & Development Agency, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd and Nigerian Communications Commission.

Change Strategy to Remain Relevant, Reposition for Future, Bode George Tells PDP

Adeleke, Makinde Host Southwest PDP Meeting Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Workshop at 441 CIS Group Kaduna as well as successfully midwifing the implementation of the NAF Digital Correspondence System in NAF headquarters for efficient handling of correspondences.

The two-day conference serves as a platform for CIS practitioners and stakeholders to discuss critical issues, seeking to enhance operational

Governor Adeleke who said the meeting with the managers of the PDP in the Southwest is to strengthen the party, noted that the party has a lot to benefit in unity.

"We are all brothers," the Governor pointed out, adding that "We, the two leaders, have decided to forge ahead in the interest of our party."

Governor Adeleke maintained his commitment to the progress of the PDP in the Southwest zone, saying his door is always open to whatever will aid the growth of the party.

Joining virtually, Governor Makinde said he's on the same

page with Governor Adeleke on building the Southwest PDP, assuring those at the meeting of the resolve of both leaders to unity.

Governor Makinde urged the PDP Southwest Excos to contribute to making the party strong by ensuring unity, disclosing intention of convening an enlarged meeting of leaders of the party in the zone in Ibadan.

He however said he is on the same page with his counterpart in Osun, Senator Adeleke, on the replacement of the late National Vice Chairman of the party, Hon. Soji Adagunodo.

to themselves. We have to change the methodology.

"The Iroko tree is standing and our tap root is still strong, we will bounce back. Having spent ten good years at the national secretariat, the mistake should have been corrected before the elections but nobody listened."

Speaking on the Supreme Court judgement on presidential election, the PDP chieftain disagreed with the ruling.

His words: "I disagree with the judgement on two areas. On the status of Abuja. Abuja is not a state.

The constitution says you must have 25 percent in two third of the states and Abuja.

"On data transmission - why did former President Muhammadu

Buhari spend so much money in bringing equipment but the INEC chairman said there was a glitch at the umpteenth time. How? He needs to go back to his inner chamber and ask for God's forgiveness."

He however stated, "It is now time for governance but what is the state of the economy. The fiscal, monetary policies and basic needs of the people must be addressed. You see people scavenging for survival."

While condemning the distribution of conditional cash transfer by Buhari administration, he added, "That is the fastest way to jail. The woman in charge will have to account for the money. There are better ways of alleviating poverty, not distributing cash."

Edo State: Asuen Ighodalo Denies Governorship Ambition

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State’s alleged support of the governorship aspiration of Mr. Asuen Ighodalo has become foggy as Ighodalo, Wednesday, declined to confirm his game-plan for the governorship position.

Ighodalo who is the Chairman, Board of Directors of 'Alaghodaro', a body set up by the governor to incubate ideas on how to develop the state in all facets, made the denial when he was asked to declare his stand on his speculated ambition while addressing journalists on the activities of the 7th edition of the annual Alaghodaro Summit which he said, would commence with a Women Conference in Benin City.

Ighodalo evasively replied that, "It's only God that can answer that question," concerning his governorship ambition Ighodalo, also Chairman of Sterling Bank and Nigeria Brewery Plc in his private capacity, said he was proud of the work and the achievements of the board of Alaghodalo in the last seven

years, maintaining that the outfit is a fantastic innovation of governance that brings alternative views by way of recommendations.

Pointing out that while a substantial part of its policy recommended to the state government have been implemented or are being implemented, he stressed that "for countries to develop there must be consistency of policy and implementation.

According to him, "The only way to maintain the current momentum of development in the state is for the incoming government to ensure continuity of the Alaghodaro programme.

Fielding questions from journalists, the Board Chairman assured that Governor Obaseki was committed to fulfilling his campaign promise of rebuilding several burnt markets in the state before the end of his administration.

Giving a rundown of this year’s Alaghodaro programme, Ighodalo stated that it will showcase most of the achievements of the Obaseki's administration in past seven years, including two panels discussion.

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Briefing on the 17th Edition of Culturati...

L-R: Media Coordinator, Culturati 2023, Nogosa Oghobaghase; Head of Brand & Communication, Funmilola Ojo; Lead Project Coordinator, Tiwashayo Odugbesan; MD/CEO, GMH Luxury, Ayoolanrenwaju Kuyebi; Executive Assistant to the Convener, Titilayo Oyinsan; Chief Operating Officer, GMH Luxury, Modupe Sonola and Executive, Culturati Food Court, Moni Oluwaninu, during a press briefing on the photo; Abiodun Ajala 17th edition of Culturati 2023 in Lagos...yesterday

Afenifere Faults Supreme Court Judgement Upholding Tinubu’s Victory Accuses NASS of ostentatious life, insensitivity to Nigerians’ plight

Fidelis David in Akure The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has berated the recent Supreme Court Judgement which upheld President Bola Tinubu's election victory, bringing to an end a legal challenge brought by his two main rivals, who argued that his victory was marred by irregularities.

This trails the group’s recent assertion that the federal government must restructure the country and enthrone true federalism as was originally entrenched in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions, stating this will end the nation's problem of grappling with double-digit inflation, foreign currency shortages, a weakening naira, widespread insecurity and crude oil theft.

Afenifere’s position was contained in a communique issued after the monthly meeting of the group held at the residence of its leader, Ayo Adebanjo, at Isanya Ogbo, in Ogun State.

The communique made available to journalists in Akure, by the Secretary General of Afenifere, Sola Ebiseni, explained that the group viewed with dismay, the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which "ratified the brigandage with respect particularly to the Presidential Election.

"Unfortunately, by the Supreme Court decision the electoral reforms achieved through the agitations of Nigerians for quality control through technological devices and the billions of Naira spent on the infrastructures in that regards is now wasted."

It noted that the 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.

"Afenifere remains committed to the ideals and principles of true federalism. We are proud of our decision and efforts on the 2023 Presidential Election and remain convinced that it was the right step towards a united, secured and prosperous Nigeria and its continued corporate existence," the communiqué further said.

On restructuring, the group said, Nigeria is a federation of entrenched ethnic nationalities which has failed to evolve into a nation because of the deviation from the foundational principles of federalism.

It stated that, "Except Nigeria is ruled on the basis of true federalism which guarantees inclusiveness, fairness, egalitarianism, justice and a sense of belonging to all its constituent groups, it will remain a mere geographical expression with no sense of common nationalism and patriotism.

"In this connection, the only way forward is to change the militaryimposed constitution now and re-enact a constitution in line with the foundational federal principles.

Except this is done now and quickly all the errors that occasioned the type electoral shenanigans witnessed during the 2023 General elections and the technical judgement by the Supreme Court legitimising same will fester ad infitum."

Information Minister, Idris, Pledges Commitment to Take-off of New UNESCO Institute in Nigeria The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to the timely establishment of a UNESCO Category 2 Institute for Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in Nigeria.

The minister stated this during a bilateral meeting with the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, on Tuesday , 2023, on the sidelines of UNESCO’s 42nd General Conference, in Paris, France.

Nigeria’s pledge to establish and host the Institute emerged from the 2022 UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week, hosted

by Nigeria, in October 2022, in Abuja,

and was endorsed by a Resolution of the 216th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board, in May 2023.

Affirming Nigeria’s commitment to the vision and ideals of UNESCO, Idris highlighted the fact that while the country is preparing to step down from the Intergovernmental Council of UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), after six years on the Council, it is at the same time making a bid for election into the Intergovernmental Council of the Information for all Programme (IFAP).

He expressed his determination to ensure that Nigeria benefits from all existing opportunities in the UNESCO Communications and Information

Sector, including the development of community radio, which is one of UNESCO’s ongoing priorities.

The minister said: "I’m very pleased that my trip to Paris has been very productive, with this meeting. This is a sector that I am deeply passionate about,.“I have always said that when I am done as minister, I will be returning to the media space, which is my home.

I therefore, have a responsibility to make it better, and UNESCO will get my full support and cooperation.”

The minister disclosed his vision of restoring trust and credibility to government communications in Nigeria, while also kickstarting a national conversation about Nigerian values

BHOSA USA Builds Baptist High School Benin's First Biology Lab The Baptist High School Old Students Association (BHOSA) USA Branch has inaugurated its multimillion-naira, ultra-modern biology laboratory built and equipped for their alma mater, Baptist High School, Benin, the first in over 50 years.

The inauguration was held on October 31 at Baptist High School, 5 TV Rd, Benin City, Nigeria. BHOSA chairwoman, Lady Anne Damisa, announced this in a statement.

Damisa revealed that for over 50 years, the Baptist High School Biology students did not have a

laboratory until BHOSA USA helped build their first biology lab for their alma mater.

According to Damisa, the donation of the lab by BHOSA USA to Baptist High School, Benin, supports the Edo government's efforts to salvage the educational infrastructural deficit in the state.

"At BHOSA USA, we understand that the collapse of education is the collapse of a nation. And the antidote to poor education is the availability of rich learning resources. Hence, we gave the greatest gift," Damisa said.

She added, "The gift of education

to Nigeria’s future leaders. Donating the BHOSA-USA Biology lab to our alma mater is a testament that we are living up to the Baptist High School motto 'EDUCATION FOR SELFLESS SERVICE'."

Amongst the dignitaries who attended the lab inauguration were the representative of UNIBEN’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lillian Salami; representative of the former Head of Service of Edo state government, Mrs. Gladys Idahor; Benin High Court Judge, Justice Helen Adesuwa Courage-Ogbebor; and former Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Eki Igbinedion.

and identity, as part of a national reorientation campaign, which he said is a priority for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration.

Idris expressed gratitude to Ambassador Hajo Sani for her diligent representation of Nigeria’s interests at UNESCO, and the key role she played in facilitating Nigeria’s hosting of the 2022 UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Week, and the plans for Nigeria to host the first UNESCO MIL Institute in the world.

Responding, the UNESCO Assistant Director-General, Dr. Jelassi, commended Nigeria’s active participation in UNESCO, and pledged to continue to support the country to take full advantage of all opportunities for the development of its information and communication space.

He outlined UNESCO’s ongoing work in various areas, from promoting press freedom around the world, to supporting the development of community radio, and the ongoing work to harmonize national efforts to fight misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.

He disclosed that UNESCO has just launched a report titled, ‘Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms’, which emphasises a multistakeholder approach to safeguard freedom of expression and access to information.

He also stressed the need for Nigeria to follow up on the Abuja Declaration, describing it as a very significant opportunity for the country.

Afenifere, therefore, called on the civil society and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands in ensuring that the federal government immediately set the necessary modalities in motion in this regard.

It stressed: "That Afenifere further endorsed the Resolutions of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum to which Afenifere belongs, on the need to restructure Nigeria using the Reports of the 2014 National Conference and the APC/ El-Rufai Committee on Federalism as the irreducible template.”

Besides, the group lamented that Nigeria is becoming increasingly ungovernable, following the increasing state of insecurity across the country.

It stated that, "Afenifere observed the alarming resurgence of insecurity occasioned by the activities of armed cattle herders terrorizing farmers, killing, maiming the people and raping women for whom some of the host communities are no longer comfortable living with the killer guests.

"While Afenifere appreciates the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to live in any part of the country of his/her choice, it is important to stretch and ensure that such citizens live in peace with their hosts and respect their culture and economic prosperity.

"Afenifere reiterates our opposition to open grazing of animals and reaffirms preference of ranching as the world’s best practice of animal husbandry. State governments should be allowed to play greater roles in the security of their states by establishing their internal policing mechanism."

On the decision of the Senate to buy Special Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for members amidst current economic hardship in the country, Afenifere accused the leadership of the NASS of not being sensitive to the plights of Nigerians whom they represent.

Chiding the national parliament, it stated that, "Afenifere refuses to appreciate the calls for more sacrifices from Nigerians by government which members continue to maintain obscene and ostentatious life styles.

Construction Work Begins on Sagamu -Papalanto-Ilaro Road James Sowole in Abeokuta Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has disclosed that construction work has begun on the Sagamu-Papalanto-Ilaro Road under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement between Ogun State, the Federal Government and Dangote Group.

Abiodun, who disclosed this at the commissioning of the Abeokuta branch of Providus Bank at OkeIlewo, said the dual carriage way, which would be made of concrete, represents a successful story of how PPP could be used for the good of the people.

According to the governor, when completed the road would ease traffic on the Abeokuta -Siun- Sagamu road, which is currently providing a link from the Ota axis to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

He also said the influx of industries and other forms of investments to the state is a clear indication that the PPP vision of his administration is yielding positive results.

The governor noted that the various policies and programmes put in place by his administration through the ISEYA pillars and the

buy-in by the private sector show that public private partnership could work if properly harnessed.

He said: "Ogun is blessed with mineral resources in abundance; two-thirds of our land is sitting on limestone. The gas pipelines that crisscross our state and the conducive environment have brought a lot of industries and businesses to our state.

"Ogun State is the largest producer of cassava in the world, number one producer of poultry and eggs in Nigeria. We are the industrial, religious, and educational capital of Nigeria.

"We have more universities than 3-4 states combined, which means that we are constantly incubating more students than any other state.”

He said the state would soon commence the construction of a Dry Port at Kajola to enable manufacturers import their raw materials and route them directly to the state, saying this would increase the State's ranking on the ease of doing business index.

"This administration has been very deliberate by turning the push factor to pull factor. We will continue to provide the enabling environment for people to come, live, work, and play in our State," he added.

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Petroleum Gas Association 13th conference and Exhibition...

L-R: President of Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association, Felix Ekundayo; Director, National Gas Expansion Programe, Dr. Muhammed Ibrahim; Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperipe Ekpo; and Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Ahmed Galadima Aminu, during the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE 13th conference and Exhibition in Abuja ...recently

FG Adopts Inter-Ministerial Approach to Tackle Nigeria's Health Challenges Cancer care: NAMP tasks Tinubu, legislators on medical physics bill

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Bassey Inyang in Calabar

The federal government yesterday inaugurated a Steering Committee tagged, "National One Health Steering Committee to ensure speedy and effective response to existing and emerging health challenges in Nigeria.

According to the government, the initiative which aligns with the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and was meant to be functional at the national level and subsequently fill gaps at the sub-national levels would promote collaboration across all sectors.

It was also meant to identify, assess, manage and reduce risks from zoonotic diseases by addressing their root causes.

Speaking while inaugurating the body headed by the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Ifedayo Adetiba, in Abuja, yesterday, the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, said the measure was meant to help the county prevent, prepare and also respond to health crisis that cuts access human and animal boundaries.

Pate said: "There is constant interactions between pathogens that cause diseases in animal health and health of human beings and the environment. That interrelationships we see daily, whether it is the case of Lassa fever, or monkey pox or even Ebola.

"The re-emerging pathogens,

we need tackle them. We need to think about health in a wholistic manner. The idea of One Health approach and the inauguration of the steering committee is to guide in the context of the renewed hope agenda of this government, how Nigeria is able to prevent, prepare and also respond to health crisis that cuts access human and animal boundaries," he said.

In addition, the Minister said the initiative was meant to begin to tackle the issue of antimicrobial resistance that most often cause havoc in human health.

"So this approach is meant to bring all stakeholders together under one platform to tackle emerging health challenges in the country," he said.

Explaining further, the Minister said the Health Ministry was focusing its energy on the implementation of appropriate health systems, strengthening of surveillance systems and advocacies, adding that "the Ministry of Agriculture will be speaking to those who are either pasturalists, herders or trying to deal with rabies and other infectious diseases that can spill over to human combinations".

The minister also expressed belief that the One Health approach could prevent and minimise the impact of pathogens of destructive origins that could cause havoc to human health.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Medical Physicists (NAMP) has urged President Bola Tinubu, and the National Assembly to

support the promulgation of the Medical Physics Regulatory Council (Establishment) Bill, 2022.

The call was made in Calabar, Cross River State during the association's weeklong 2023 Annual, Scientific Conference and Workshop which ends on Friday.

Speaking at the official opening

of the conference with the theme, "Medical Physics: Creating Innovation for Safe Radiation Medicine Practice," President of NAMP, Prof.

Fatai Balogun, said the bill seeks the promulgation of a law that would lead to the establishment of a Medical Physicists College, and a regulatory body to check the

activities of academic and clinical medical physicists.

He said if the bill was passed and signed into law, it would enable the nation train those who want to go directly to clinical studies and would encourage more people to study Medical Physics.

Chairman Nigerian Medical As-

Lukman: APC Becoming Despotic Organisation Under Tinubu Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

A former National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Salihu Lukman yesterday lamented that the ruling party was fast emerging as a despotic organisation under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Lukman in a statement in Abuja, noted that the expectation of many party leaders and members was that the emergence of Tinubu as the successor to former President Muhammadu Buhari would enable them to reform the party and return it to its founding vision of becoming a progressive party.

Sadly,he explained that instead of reforming the APC to return it to its founding vision, it was

consolidating and emerging as a despotic organisation.

Lukman stressed that APC was completely in contempt of its own rules, adding that none of the organs of the party is currently functioning in line with the provisions of the constitution.

He recalled that issues of lack of accountability and refusal to allow structures of the APC to operate in line with provisions of the APC constitution were the main disagreements members had with Senator Abdullahi Adamu when he was the National Chairman between April 2022 and July 2023.

The former Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) noted that the issues were again rearing their ugly heads under the leadership

of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

He said beyond the issues, there were also the problems of funding facing the leadership of Ganduje, saying that at a personal level, he had tried to present recommendations to him, including a funding proposal for the party.

"Painfully, I am not able to convince him and the leadership of the party to consider some of the recommendations and proposals.

Or, at least, I am not able to get any feedback that my proposal is worthy of consideration. “ As things are, it is also very clear that access to Ganduje is becoming narrower and narrower.

In the circumstance, one is left with no option but to conclude that I am only being tolerated," Lukman stressed.

Shettima: N'Delta to Witness Monumental Development under Tinubu

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday emphasised President Bola Tinubu's commitment towards the overall development of the Niger Delta as well as other parts of the country.

Shettima who represented Tinubu at the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship rally in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, ahead of Saturday's election noted that Bayelsa State, like every other state in Nigeria, remains dear to the visions and developmental focus of the Tinubu administration.

He revealed that a holistic plan

for the development of the Niger Delta and all parts of Nigeria in terms of infrastructure, technological advancements, education and harnessing of the bountiful resources have not only been mapped out but is being gradually laid out.

"My principal, our president is a man filled with vision, willpower and total commitment to the Nigerian project. He is unwavering and in a rush to ensure the speedy development of the Niger Delta and all other parts of the country.

"What we owe him is our support and loyalty for him to succeed. This is the more reason why all Bayelsans must come out on Saturday and

sociation, (NMA), National Cancer Committee, Dr. Samuel Otene, said the relationship between Clinical Oncologists and Medical Physicists was strong and symbiotic.

Otene, said while cancer care was a multi-disciplinary endeavor, its challenges still remains its high cost of treatment globally.

rally round our party and candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, who is your own and known for his tenacity for excellence. It is high time the people of Bayelsa State joined the government at the centre. The opportunity is here and the time is now," he said.

Also speaking at the rally, National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, described Sylva as a refined technocrat and politician who is committed to transforming and redefining the political, economic and developmental landscape of Bayelsa State.

On his part, the Bayelsa APC governorship candidate, Sylva, said

given his track record of excellence and commitment to service, his blueprint is meticulously tailored towards total revamping of the fortunes of Bayelsa State.

Sylva, who pledged transparent utilisation of resources of the state, said when elected, each and every part of the state will witness a transformation never imagined before, just as indigene and community participation in governance would be optimally held.

The vice president was earlier received on arrival in the state by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, and some members of the Bayelsa State Executive Council.

In company with Sylva, Shettima later proceeded to pay homage to Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers' Council and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom in Yenagoa local government area, King Bubaraye Dakolo.

The vice president was accompanied by the APC National Chairman; APC National Secretary, Senator Jibola Bashiru; Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya; APC Deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Bukar Dalori; Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, and former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, among others.

He admitted that somehow, many people close to the leaders consider him an antagonist, largely on account of many of the provocative recommendations he had made.

"At a time when it was convenient for many to do sitdown-look, some of us rose to the occasion and campaigned for the removal of Adamu and Senator Iyiola Omisore from the leadership of the party.

“Speaking for myself, I did so not based on any expectation of being rewarded. In fact, if anything, I thought the leadership of President Asiwaju Tinubu would prioritise returning the party to its founding vision of becoming a truly progressive party," he said.

Lukman pointed out that events since the resignation of Adamu and Omisore on July 17, 2023, suggested that Tinubu’s priority might be different and might not include returning the APC to its founding vision.

He said having openly expressed his disagreement about some of the decisions taken, including the emergence of Ganduje as the APC National Chairman, he didn't expect everyone, including Tinubu to support all my actions..

"Therefore, let it be known, blocking access to President Tinubu, or his refusal to be accessible will not end the struggle for the reform of APC. Both the president and all his appointees must recognise that, indeed, reforming the APC is an integral part of the struggle for the development of Nigerian democracy," he added.

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2023

NEWS

Souvenir for Mbah...

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah (left), receives a souvenir from the Country Representative, World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Walter Mulombo (right), during a meeting with Dr. Mulombo and his team in Abuja... recently

48 Hours to Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo Polls, Tension Heightens, Abdulsalami C'ttee Preaches Peace flashpoints in this state. Kolokuma/ Opokuma has never been a flashpoint and I think that the candidate of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, may have stockpiled arms in Kolokuma/ Opokuma.

"And I call on the security agencies to immediately swing into action to see if Timipre Sylva is bringing the devilish actions he has been taking in Nembe, where he has disallowed the people of Nembe to participate in democratic electoral peaceful processes and we in Kolokuma / Opokuma will never accept that from him.

"I am one person that all of you will attest that the peace in this state is because the body language of the governor is peaceful, the body language of the governor is security and so the issue or question of my commitment does not arise here. I am ever committed to peace and security."

In her remarks, Agbamuche-Mbu reiterated the commitment of INEC to a free, fair, credible and violence free election in Bayelsa State come Saturday. She reassured all political parties and candidates of the commission’s neutrality and called on all Bayelsans to feel confident that their votes will count.

Agbamuche-Mbu said, "We, therefore, call on political parties and candidates to eschew violence and disruptive behaviours. As has been repeatedly said, without peace, our deployment plans, result management, the safety of voters, election duty personnel, observers and journalists, logistic arrangement, and, ultimately, the credibility of the polls, will be undermined.

"I would like to appeal to all parties, candidates and other actors to play their part in supporting the peace accord.”

Similarly, in Kogi State, Abdulsalami urged all stakeholders in Saturday’s governorship election to play by the rules to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible election.

Bishop Cardinal John Oniayekan, who represented the former Head of State, made the appeal while speaking at the signing of the peace accord in the state.

Oniaiyekan explained that the people, citizens, and the electorate play critical roles in an election, appealing to them to play their part without fear or favour. He tasked the contestants to fear God, stressing that elections should not be a do or die affair. He urged them to warn their supporters to desist from acts inimical to peace and security of the state before, during and after election in the state.

Oniaiyekan called on INEC to allow a level-playing ground for all participants. He explained that the reputation of INEC was very low, noting that the electoral body must

use the forthcoming election to regain the confidence of the generality of Nigerians.

The National Peace Committee urged the security agencies to do their duty of securing the social environment, stressing that they must be guided by high professionalism in their job.

Oniaiyekan also urged the judiciary to settle disputes arising from the election without biases.

The highlight of the occasion was the signing the peace accord by the 18 candidates contesting for the governorship seat in the state November 11.

APC Ends Campaign in Bayelsa as Shetimma Canvases Votes for Sylva

Bayelsa State chapter of APC yesterday ended the governorship election campaign for its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, with Vice President Kashim Shettima calling on the people of the state to rally behind the party and vote in the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources in order to connect the state to national politics.

Shettima, who was in Yenagoa for the grand finale of the APC governorship campaign, yesterday, said President Bola Tinubu was ready to work with Sylva to tackle youth unemployment.

He urged the people to vote massively for Sylva to continue the good works he had started in the state during his first term as governor and later federal minister.

The vice president reiterated Tinubu's commitment towards the overall development of the Niger Delta as well as other parts of the country. He noted that Bayelsa State, like every other state in Nigeria, remained dear to the visions and development focus of the Tinubu administration.

Shettima said, "My Principal, our President is a man filled with vision, willpower and total commitment to the Nigerian project.

He is unwavering and in a rush to ensure the speedy development of the Niger Delta and all other parts of the country.

"What we owe him is our support and loyalty for him to succeed. This is the more reason why all Bayelsans must come out on Saturday and rally round our party and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, who is your own and known for his tenacity for excellence. It is high time the people of Bayelsa State joined the government at the centre. The opportunity is here and the time is now.

“The people of Bayelsa should allow themselves to be connected to the centre, President Bola Tinubu will work closely with the incoming governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, to

address the problems of development, the problems of youth unemployment.”

National Chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, described Sylva as a refined technocrat and politician committed to transforming and redefining the political, economic and developmental landscape of Bayelsa State.

In his remarks, Sylva said given his track record of excellence and commitment to service, his blueprint was meticulously tailored towards total revamping of the fortunes of Bayelsa State. He promised to transparently utilise the resources of the state, when elected, adding that every part of the state would witness a transformation never imagined before.

Atiku Drums Support for PDP in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of PDP in the last general election, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, said despite the shortcomings of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the last elections, when democracy wins, the people invariably wins.

In his message to Nigerians, Atiku said the elections, which were classified as off-cycle, would be the first set of polls to take place after the 2023 general election in the country.

According to Atiku, "Although there is a groundswell of dissatisfaction and resentment about how INEC walked back on the promise of transparency in the last general election, but that shortcoming is not enough reason for us to give up on democracy.

"Despite our disappointments, I urge us all to derive wisdom in the immortal saying of former US President James Monroe that ‘the best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil’.

"Our objective of defeating antidemocratic elements in our polity cannot be successful if we refuse to go out en masse to cast our ballot on election day."

Atiku said, "That is why I am appealing to the good people of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to come out in large numbers this Saturday to vote for candidates of the PDP in those respective elections.

"In Bayelsa State, Governor Duoye Diri has given a good account of himself as a leader who is directly responsible to the people. His giant strides in the areas of infrastructure and social development speak volumes about how his government has been able to touch the lives of the people positively.

"In Kogi, Senator Dino Melaye has shown great capacity to stand on the side of the people and, by

so doing, using every opportunity available to him to drive speedy development to his constituents.

Electing him governor will afford him a bigger platform to do even more.

"In Imo State, too, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu has a rich profile of a political leader who is not only in touch with the grassroots but is committed to protecting the interests of his constituents. Senator Anyanwu is a political leader who I believe has what it takes to take Imo State to a higher pedestal in good governance."

The former vice president added, "While our great party, the PDP, has put forth visionary leaders whose main objective is to serve the people, it is a different story altogether with our main rival, the APC. "In Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo, candidates flying the flags of the APC are known to be stooges of some godfathers within or outside of those states."

According to him, "It is important for the people of Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states to come out in large numbers to vote for the PDP and to reject the APC that has brought us untold hardship and misery.

"These elections are more about the fortunes of the common people, and it is my firm belief that when the people vote and stand to protect their votes, democracy wins."

Ododo Urges Security Agencies to Release APC Supporters in Captivity

The governorship candidate of APC in Kogi State, Usman Ododo, called on the security agencies to release chieftains of the party who were arrested in Kogi East on Tuesday.

Ododo said APC chieftains that were arrested were noble people with no questionable character, and had no reason to engage in thuggery or other vices. He said the raid on their residences and destruction of property were a source of concern for the party.

He stated, "Just this morning, again, about seven of my members were picked from my community.

I don't breed thugs because I don't condone criminality. The security agencies should carry out their investigations and release our people with immediate effect."

Ododo, who spoke to journalists in Lokoja, said from all pointers and with all the laudable achievements of the current administration, which the people of Kogi State had attested to, victory was sure for APC. He added that those who already knew they would lose were the ones stoking violence and levelling baseless allegations.

He called on the security agen-

cies to be fair to all and ensure the security of lives and property before, during and after the governorship election.

The governorship candidate lauded the security agencies for the good work they had been doing in the state, promising that he would always be available to honour their invitations, as he has always done, if they need clarifications on the activities of the party or any of the campaign chieftains.

Ododo stated, "As a law abiding citizen, and as somebody that has worked on the field, somebody that carries out investigation, as Auditor General for Local Governments, I know what it takes to manage human beings. The people of Kogi State are looking up to the security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.

"My members have been arrested, some of my leaders, even in my community, this morning, they have picked, not less than seven of my members. I allowed them to do their work. I will not interfere with their investigation. I believe by the time they are done with their investigation and none of them is found guilty, they will be released.

I have been invited severally by security agencies, I have been honouring their invitation, not once, not twice, and I'm ready to honour their invitation any point in time. I don't breed thugs. I have advised my followers not to engage in any criminality because I don't condone it.

"My members that they have picked, I still base it on allegations.

Let them do their investigations and I believe they will do that without bias. As soon as they are done, they will be released.

"But in a situation where security agents are harassing and detaining my members without saying what offence they have committed, I want to call on them to release them and face those criminals that went to Kotonkarfe to kill an APC supporter and get them arrested.

"That is what they should focus on and not the law abiding members of our party. So I call on them to hasten their investigations and release our members with immediate effect."

On allegations of witch-hunt by the opposition, Ododo said, "If you see somebody jumping from one TV station to the other desperately every day, leaving where he is supposed to be doing groundwork and courting voters, you should know that if nothing is chasing him, then he is chasing something. They know they don't have a chance. They are just engaging in fruitless propaganda.

"As for us in the APC, we know we are winning. Governor Yahaya Bello has done the people proud and it is time to reward the party.

The reward of hard work is more

work and we are ready to serve again. We won't join issues with losers who have only ethnic agenda and violence in their dictionary. The APC government has served all the zones equitably and there are ample results to show for it. We are coming to serve them even better."

He urged his supporters to come out en masse on Saturday to vote for APC, saying a vote for APC is a vote for unity, peace and progress of the state.

IG Orders Probe of Kogi Killings

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday, ordered an investigation into the invasion and killings in Anyangba, Kogi State. Egbetokun gave the order when he convened a meeting with key stakeholders in Kogi State.

He said the meeting was part of his commitment to a peaceful and secure electoral process during the November 11 off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.

The meeting, which was held in the state capital, brought together various stakeholders, including political leaders, representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, electoral officials, traditional and religious leaders, youth leaders, and security agencies.

At the meeting, the IG reacted to a trending video of an incident in Anyigba, where it was alleged that some armed men attacked the residence of a key official in one of the political parties. He charged the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to take over the case for thorough investigation in order to ascertain the level of involvement of all parties concerned and ensure justice.

The IG reiterated that the police was committed to impartiality and neutrality throughout the electoral process, saying the Nigeria Police will take decisive action against any person who engages in any form of misconduct or violence.

He also charged candidates and their followers to embrace peace, as the police and other security agencies would not spare anyone caught fomenting trouble during the electioneering process.

The primary goal of the meeting was to engage in constructive dialogue, share information, and strategise on measures to guarantee a free, fair, credible, and peaceful electoral process in the state.

The IG also encouraged political leaders to help in promoting a culture of non-violence among their supporters and ensuring that the electoral process was conducted without intimidation or coercion.

thursday november 9, 2023 • T H i s d ay

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NEWS

PROMOTING FINANCIAL LITERACY...

L-R: Head, Strategic Brand Management, Union Bank, Alvin Agorom; Students of Ajigbeda Girls Senior High School,who are the overall winners, Yellow Cowries Quiz Competition; Head of Programmes, Yellow Cowries, Ibeleye Paulotu, and representative, Co-curricular Services Division, Lagos Ministry of Education, Seun Awojumobi, during prize presentation ceremony at Yellow Cowries Financial Literacy Quiz in Lagos…recently

Court Sentences Five to Death by Hanging in Benue Remands ex-council boss in prison in Rivers

George Okoh inMakurdiand Blessing Ibunge inPort Harcourt

A Makurdi High Court yesterday sentenced five men to death by hanging for culpable homicide. In a judgement presided by Justice T.A Kume,the men, Terna Zwave, Jonathan Gbajime, John Bur, Gabriel Ianna and Kwaghgba Zaki, who lived at Anchoha Village, Gwer-East Local Government

Area of Benue, were charged before a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court in 2021.

In a similar development, a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has remanded a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Sunny Bekanwa, in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre for alleged sponsorship of cultists

Tongeji Island Belongs to Ogun State, Says Abiodun JamesSowoleinAbeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday said that Tongeji Island belongs to Nigeria as the Republic of Benin is not contesting the ownership of the oil-rich enclave.

Abiodun disclosed this when he received the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan, who paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan,

Abeokuta.

According to the governor, the island and its people have been part and parcel of Ogun State and have no connection with any other country.

He said: “Tongeji Island is an area that has been under our radar.

Sadly, I have not been able to visit. I have slated to visit several times. The former Chief of Naval Staff at a point in time wanted us to go with the former Flag Officer Commanding, but something happened that day, and we could not go.

‘Tender Unreserved Apology for Trading with Tiv People’

Igbawase Ukumba inLafia

An umbrella body of the Tiv people of Nasarawa State, Tiv Development Association (TIDA), yesterday demanded unreserved apology from its former president, Mr. Boniface Ifer, for trading with the Tiv people of Nasarawa State for selfish reasons.

There was a malicious publication designed to blackmail and bring the immediate past President of the TIDA and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Affairs to Governor Abdullahi Sule, as well as the Government of Nasarawa State to disrepute by some members of the Tiv

community in the state.

Consequently, in a statement jointly issued by Mr Solomon Chunku and Mr Emmanuel Tseem, TIDAPresident and Secretary respectively cautioned Boniface Ifer against dragging the name of Tiv community in the mud for selfish gains.

The statement read: “Ordinarily, this show of envy and petty jealousy against an innocent and promising young man coming from a former president of the TIDA, Boniface Ifer and his script writer, both of whom are men of questionable characters within the Tiv community deserves no response, however, it has become necessary.

Oladapo Named first Nigerian CEO of Godrej, W/Africa In a strategic move to accelerate growth and bolster its presence in the thriving West African market, international conglomerate, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, has appointed Kayode Oladapo as the new Business Head of its West African operations, which includes Nigeria, Ghana and other markets in the sub-region.

With a profound background

in business leadership and a track record of driving success in diverse brands, Oladapo is well-equipped to steer Godrej’s operations in West Africa towards greater heights.

His appointment is pivotal as Godrej seeks to expand its economic footprint and deepen its commitment to the dynamic West African region through acquisitions and expansion of its manufacturing facilities.

that led to the murder of two prominent sons of Ogoni in the area.

The five persons sentenced

to death in Benue State were charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief and culpable homicide punishable

under sections 97, 349, 329 and 222 of the Penal Code, Laws of Benue, 2004.

The prosecution said on

October5, 2021 that the men conspired, trespassed on land belonging to one Oliver Jato and cut down trees to make charcoal.

House C’ttee Queries Irregular Registrations of NIPOST Subsidiaries, Withdrawals of N10bn

JulietAkojeinAbuja

The House of Representatives Committee on Finance yesterday queried the irregularities in the registration of subsidiary companies under the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

The Chairman of the committee, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke (APC, Lagos) issued the query when the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) alongside other agencies appeared before the committee for an interactive session on the 20242026 Medium Term Expenditures

Framework/FSP. Faleke, while speaking during the session, noted that documents before the committee showed that two subsidiary companies under NIPOST were registered under individual names as shareholders instead of the Federal Government,

wondering why that was so since NIPOST is a federal government asset.

He added that the registration of the two subsidiary companies namely, NIPOST Property Company Ltd and NIPOST Logistics were done with individuals as shareholders.

Kaduna Set to Resettle Displaced Victims of Bandits to Ancestral Homes John Shiklam in Kaduna

by bandits to their ancestral homes.

Governor Uba Sani disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists shortly after the state security council meeting in Kaduna.

Sani said the state government

was ready to provide all logistics necessary to resettle the displaced communities to their ancestral homes.

He added that the government would assist the displaced victims to rebuild their destroyed homes where the need arises.

The governor said: “Fighting insecurity is the number one agenda of this administration because we believe, without resolving the security challenges, we might not be able to achieve all the development agenda of our government.

Ahead the governorship election in Bayelsa State on Saturday, a former member of the House of Representatives representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola and Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Hon. Abiodun

community in the state to continue to support Governor Duoye Diri.

Similarly, a group under the auspices of Grassroots Engagement

by Concerned Bayelsans for Good Governance, has canvassed support for Diri and his Deputy, Sen. Lawrence Eghrudjakpor’s re-election.

made available in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said the present administration in Bayelsa State, has made positive changes through its human development programs, policies and activities, which have shown in social infrastructural, healthcare development, youth-

empowerment, among others that have put the state ahead of its peers in Nigeria.

He then called on the Yorubas living in the state to cast their votes for Diri so as to consolidate on the developmental strides of his administration.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State yesterday assured American and other global investors that the state is safe for investment given government’s recent deliberate policies aimed at enabling the ease of doing business and strengthening of institutions.

Mbah, who urged investors to consider investing in Enugu’s huge

promise for high returns during his address, to a global business audience in Houston, Texas, United States, at the Second edition of “Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC)”, organised by Fidelity Bank Plc and the City of Houston, Texas USA. In his a speech titled, “Enugu

Opportunities and her Compelling Competitive Advantages”, the governor said his administration had already set the trajectory that would make the state the most attractive environment for both local and foreign direct investment in motion.

Represented by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer,

Authority (ESIDA), Dr. Sam OgbuNwobodo, Governor Mbah disclosed that policies that would make the business environment most friendly in terms of transparency, accountability, traceability and liberalisation had been activated, adding that more investors had started indicating interest in the state.

According to a Press release issued by the Bauchi State Police Command and made available to Journalists yesterday, “on the 31/10/2023 at about 0830hrs, information was received from the officer-in-charge of the Bursali Police Outstation under Zaki Division that

one Danladi Ya’u aged 28 of Damaiwa village via Bursali ward Zaki LGA, Bauchi State, a native doctor had committed the offence.

The PPRO, SP Ahmed Wakili stated that the suspect, and three other accomplices now at large, went to Damaiwa bush with the

sole aim to test a Gun medicine on one Muhammadu Murtala Ali aged 43 of the same address.

According to him, while on the process, the said Muhammadu Murtala Ali was unfortunately shot at with a locally made gun by one Danladi Ya’u and the bullet penetrated him.

The Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with the military security outfit, Operation Save Heaven (OPSH), has concluded arrangements to resettle Southern Kaduna communities displaced

Bayelsa Guber: Former Lawmaker, Stakeholders Solicit Support for Diri Olasupo, yesterday, urged the Yoruba Olasupo in a media statement based focus programs, women KemiOlaitaninIbadanand SylvesterIdowuinWarri

Enugu Safe for Investment, Mbah Assures American Investors, Others investment opportunities with State is Ready to Deal: Investment Enugu State Investment Development

Bullet Proof Charm Testing Fails As Victim Gets Killed Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

A 43-year-old man, Muhammadu Murtala of Damaiwa village in Zaki LGA of Bauchi State has lost his life as his move to get a bullet proof charm went soar when the bullet fired at him penetrated his body.

20m Children Covered by Malaria Intervention Programme in Nigeria, Says NGO

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Amidst current efforts to address Nigeria’s poor health indices, the United Kingdom-based Malaria Consortium (MC), a non- governmental organisation engaged in monitoring and evaluation of malaria intervention projects has said that about 20

million children in the country have benefited from the malaria prevention programmes.

The organization, which operates in Nigeria as Malaria and Public Health Nigeria Limited (MPH-Nigeria) said it also engaged in the provision technical leadership, coordination and harmonisation.

Speaking at a programme to mark the Consortium’s 20 years anniversary in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Dr. James Tibenderana, said that MC has so far reached vulnerable population of mainly children and women with prevention and treatment of malaria and

other communicable diseases in Nigeria, with 22 states and the Federal Capital Teritory (FCT), covered at different times.

He said that said that despite the persisting poor health indices, Nigeria is making progress in addressing the malaria scourge through the implementation of various Intervention projects.

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thursday november 9, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWSxtra

ENHANCED E-PASSPORT IN ROME UNVEILED...

L-R: Immigration Attache, Nigeria Embassy, Rome, Larai Zakari; Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Wuraola Adepoju; Ambassador of Nigeria to Italy, Mfawa Amini Abam, and Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Passports, Hassan Sadat, during the unveiling of the enhanced E-passport in Rome, Italy… yesterday

Group Rejects A’Court’s Judgment Sacking PDP National Assembly Members Alex Enumah in Abuja

A civil society group, the Coalition for Justice in Africa (CJA) have rejected the judgments of the Court of Appeal, ordering the sack of some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the National Assembly on

the basis of pre- election matters.

The group through its Convener, Daniel Okwa, at a press conference in Abuja, described the action of the court as a rape on democracy.

The group argued that since pre-election matters are decided before elections, there is no locus

Niger to Get Ethanol Plant, Signs MoU with NNPC Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Niger State Government is to set up an Ethanol plant and has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) for the realisation of the project.

To also ensure the ethanol plant is not in short supply of raw materials, government said it is to cultivate over 100,000 hectares of maize, sugarcane, and sweet sorghum with an estimated harvest of 500,000 tons of the crops.

The MoU was signed

by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government, while the NNPC’s Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye as well as its Managing Director, New Energy Limited, Kanayochukwu Odoe signed for the company.

According to the MoU, the project will also among other things bring about the development of a “Greenfield Hydroelectric Power Project, Solar park in institutions, home solar systems for 250,000 households”.

FG Launches Climatefriendly Stove in Enugu Gideon Arinze inEnugu

The federal government yesterday launched a climate-friendly Cook Stove as part of efforts to curb deforestation and protect women from the health implications of over-dependence on firewood.

Speaking during the launch of the device known as Save80 clean Cookstove, in Enugu, the Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, Salisu Dahiru, said deforestation remains one of the ways through which Nigeria contributes to climate change because many households depend on firewood for cooking and charcoal.

He said: “We cook in our homes daily and the methods we use to cook affect our health as a result of smoke inhalation as well as the pollution of the environment. We depend on charcoal, firewood which come from the bush, and depletes the environment, apart from the health implications.”

The director explained that although the Cookstove is a product of Atmosfair, a German non-profit organisation that actively contributes to CO2 mitigation by promoting, developing and financing renewable energies, it is being produced by a Nigerian subsidiary of the company, Atmosfair Climate and Sustainability Limited.

standi under the law for it to be used to form a judgment.

He said: “Ironically, this played out during the Appeal Court judgment that removed from office

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Usaini Gumel, has said the protection of human rights remained sacrosanct to the law enforcement agencies in the state.

Gumel disclosed this during the second edition of a one-day training workshop organised by the state Police Command in collaboration with the state branch of the Magistrate Association of Nigeria (MAN).

According to him, “As law

enforcement officers from diverse agencies, let us be reminded that it is our solemn duty and responsibility to uphold the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) to effectively implement its principles during the course of performing our law enforcement duties.

“We are saddled with by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is pertinent to note that a thorough understanding of this law is crucial in ensuring that justice is not only served, but is also seen to be served.”

of the Supreme Court”.

Okwa said the CJA was at a loss as to how and why an internal party affair should be in the interest of another party

and on which basis a judgment was passed. It is disturbing and distressing that the revered justices of the Appeal Court would turn the law against its head, he added.

Kwara Poly Rector Raises the Alarm over Threat to Security on Campus

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Dr. Abdul Jimoh Muhammed, yesterday, raised an alarm over threat to the security of lives and property of the institution in view of the alleged illegal occupation of the institution’s land.

Towards this end, Dr. Mohammed appealed to the state governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to come to the aid of the institution so as to avoid any unforeseen situation in the institution.

Mohammed stated this in Ilorin during a press conference to herald the 29th convocation

ceremonies of the institution where about 8,350 students of the institution would be graduating.

He said that, “Entrance through the main gate of the Polytechnic presents a worrisome sight with unauthorized structures emerging on both sides of the road.

“The presence of these illegal structures poses a great challenge to the security of the institution”.

Mohammed added: “The management, though, appreciates the state government’s effort but we wish to appeal to the government to do more on stopping the menace of selling properties”.

off pensioners’ enrollment for the Health insurance Scheme held in Osogbo yesterday.

He said the government is registering all the pensioners in Osun State in line with his electoral promises to the good people of the state.

He said:” Today I demonstrate

in clear terms my commitment to the wellbeing of our retired citizens. “These are men and women who meritoriously served the state. They deserve all the support now that they are out of service.

“Our administration conducted a situational review of the living

conditions of our pensioners. We discover that the critical problem is not just unpaid pensions. Even when paid regularly, the bulk of the fund goes into managing health challenges. Our report concluded that almost eighty percent of pensioners’ problem centers around health questions.

Adeleke Enrols 23,000 Pensioners into Insurance Scheme

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

No fewer than 23 ,000 pensioners in Osun State will be enrolled into the Health insurance Scheme put in place by Osun State Government.

Governor Ademola Adeleke dropped this hints while flagging

Etukudoh: All Hands Must Be on Deck to Improve Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The Provost of the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology (FCMLST), Jos, Professor Sunday Etukudoh, has reiterated the need for all stakeholders in the health sector to come together

to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria, noting that it is only by collaborative efforts that significant impact can be made.

Etukudoh made the call yesterday during the inauguration of elected executives of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the college.

He commended the executives of the union for their positive approach to issues when it comes to making their demands, adding that their persuasive approach to issues has allowed for a peaceful atmosphere for work and studies in the college. This, according to him, has led to greater all-round

achievements.

Etukudoh stated that he hoped NASU would continue to lend solidarity and make meaningful contributions toward the growth of the college while inculcating the positive virtues of sincere appreciation to the management of the college.

Bauchi Govt Hands Over Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Airport to FG

SegunAwofadejiinBauchi

The Bauchi State Government has announced the official handing over of the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport to the Federal AirportAuthority of Nigeria (FAAN) for effective management and

economic development of the state.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after a meeting with the FAAN management held at the Government House, Bauchi yesterday, the Deputy Governor, Mohammed Jatau said the deal had been completed and the facility

now fully handed over to federal government.

Jatau, who received the FAAN management on behalf of Governor Bala Mohammed, expressed optimism that the handing over of the airport to FAAN will engender more development for the state and

the Northeast sub-region.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of FAAN, Kabir Muhammad, said already the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved some substantial amount of money as a refund to the Bauchi state government.

BSUTH to Investigate Why Expensive Equipment are Abandoned by Past Mgt George Okoh in Makurdi

Protection of Human Rights Remain The management of Benue State Teaching Hospital Sacrosanct, Says Kano CP University Makurdi has constituted an

Ahmad Sorondinki inKano

some members of the PDP in the National Assembly. It is indeed worrisome that the judgment of the justices of the Appeal Court was in contradiction of the position

investigation committee headed by Prof. Michael Agbir, charged with the responsibility of investigating and coming

out with reasons surrounding the abandonment of some very expensive, vital and highly sophisticated medical equipment procured by the immediate-past administration.

According to the new Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital, Dr.

Stephen Hwande, yesterday in Makurdi said some of these abandoned medical equipment are: Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) machine worth three to four hundred million naira.

He added that the magnetic resonance imaging or MRI is a

noninvasive medical imaging test that produces detailed images of almost every internal structure in the human body, including the organs, bones, muscles and blood vessels.

MRI scanners create images of the body using a large magnet and radio waves.

LASEPA Boss Tasks Club Owners on Noise Pollution Prevention

Funmi Ogundare

The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr. Tunde Ajayi, yesterday called on club owners to soundproof their walls so as to prevent noise from coming out from where

they operate.

Ajayi, who made this call at a one-day stakeholders’ parley on ember month noise pollution in Lagos, expressed concern that on the list of complaints made by the people, noise pollution was the highest and its effect on health is debilitating.

According to him, “Noise is a problem in Lagos, especially on the Island, because some people own clubs and they have not complied with government regulations. They need to ensure a sane environment.”

He explained that the essence of the parley was to conduct

an advocacy drive, inform and educate participants in the night life industry, who bring about noise pollution particularly on the island, on the impact of their noise on the people and ensure they comply with the state regulations so that they can live a better life.

46

GamingWeek

Thursday, November 9, 2023 • T H I S D AY

Edited by Nseobong Okon-Ekong | ikotibok@gmail.com | Tel: 08114495324

Combatting Money Laundering, Terrorism in Gaming: KYC Insights from Industry Experts TR

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Iyke Bede writes that the recent National Lottery Regulatory Commission’s biennial International Gaming Conference at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island Lagos proffered solutions to the NLRC in a panel session tagged ‘Money Laundering/Terrorism Financing and KYC in Relation to Players and Customers in the Industry’

Panelists at one of the sessions

W

ithin 17 years, between 2007 and 2023, the National Lottery Trust Fund generated N22 billion in revenue. The cumulative figure is reflected in a progression that rose from less than N200 million in 2007 to a ballooned figure of N3.7 billion in 2023, reflecting the growth of the gaming industry that contributes 20 per cent of proceeds to the body. Numerous factors have driven this growth, such as a burgeoning population with a demand for entertainment, rising disposable incomes, greater acceptance of gambling, increased internet accessibility, economic opportunities, and various other elements.

However, the most crucial

factor lies in the pivotal role played by identity verification and risk assessment through the implementation of ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) procedures, as mandated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

As marked in every growing sector, compliance in many aspects is often circumvented. In the gaming sector, operators do not fully adhere to laid down rules. Oftentimes, they fall short of full compliance in the face of pressure from their competition, thus bending some rules for immediate gains, although they eventually guide their customers to complete the KYC process after significant wins.

This existing partial compliance presents a hydra-headed situation where it encourages money

A cross section of discussants and facilitators laundering and terrorist financing by individuals who exploit loopholes in the system, as well as transforming the sector into one where underage gambling and problem gambling go unchecked. As it stands, substantial revenue is also lost as partial compliance continues to create more socioeconomic and cultural issues in society.

Taking note of this growing trend among operators, experts and stakeholders were recently pooled at the NLRC’s biennial International Gaming Conference (IGC) held at the Eko Hotel and Suites to proffer solutions to the Commission in a panel session tagged ‘Money Laundering/Terrorism Financing and KYC in Relation to Players and Customers in the Industry’.

The session was chaired by five

panellists: Head of Department, Communication Industry, Lottery Promotion and Adverts, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Lucy Onwuka; Director, Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), Daniel Isei; Head of Legal Enforcement and Regulation, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Babatunde Bamigboye; Senior Legal Adviser, Head, Legal and Compliance Department at KC Gaming Networks Ltd (Bet9ja), Adewale Akande; and Managing Partner, WYS Solicitors, Olafadeke Akeju.

The panellists acknowledged challenges in implementing industrywide compliance, leading to each operator adopting a different KYC procedure to suit its business model.

N exa l G a m i n g C o m p a n y : S t o r y o f Perseverance in African Esports Ecosystem Bakare Paul-Bernard

From a small network of gamers with a vision to a wellfunctioning firm managing several programmes, The Nexal Gaming Company(NGC) has grown from a small community of gaming enthusiasts to a well-structured firm in the Nigerian gaming and Esports scene whilst still retaining its vision to impact and deliver value in the scene.

The Nexal Gaming Company started in September 2019 as a community platform for gamers in Nigeria to interact, network and get up-to-date news on the happenings in the Nigerian gaming and Esports scene. We then rebranded into the Nexal Gaming Community in July 2021 to satisfy the informational, financial and networking needs of gamers in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

The NGC further rebranded from a gaming community into the Nexal Gaming Company in October 2023 to manage a portfolio of different companies in gaming with a mission to serve the gaming and Esports scene on a broader

scale, all this whilst retaining the name, ‘NGC’.

Our survival and evolution in the space has been nothing short of remarkable. From humble beginnings as an ecosystem aggregator to a gaming community with over 100,000 community members to a well-structured Esports firm now driving for seed funding on the African Esports scene, it takes a lot to build and manage that kind of progress and a large part of that is down to a team of talented and passionate individuals who want to see gaming and esports win in Nigeria and Africa.

As a gaming and esports firm like no other, we focus strongly on delivering value for the gamers, the gaming communities and the ecosystem operators in the Nigerian and African esports scene. As a company, we have pitched several projects at numerous hackathons and pitch events. Some aspects of our portfolio include The NGC, which already handles our news articles, communities, data reports services, tournament organisations, consultation services and marketing

programmes, ‘Esports NG’ our social networking platform, ‘Nexal Esports’ our official esports team, ‘Clutch Africa’ our esports merch and apparel corporation, ‘Nexus Hub’ for physical gaming lounges around Africa and the ‘African Esports Podcast’ (AEP) to deliver entertaining esports contents and discussions for gamers in Africa.

Still, the project which has stood out the most for us is the Esports NG platform, which is expected to serve as one of the biggest social gaming platforms in Africa when it launches in January 2024. It was a project we pitched at a Hackathon organised by ICAN and the Bank of Industry, and we emerged as one of the winners for that programme, which gives us a lot of validation for what we are building.

So for Esports NG, our social gaming platform, we discovered that gamers and gaming teams do not have a platform to display and project their successes and activities in the African gaming scene, and this is a big issue because more than 55% of monetization options in gaming and Esports are tied to sponsorships and advertising, and

gamers in Nigeria cannot access this due to a lack of visibility.

Although other big players are attempting to crack this sector, we discovered that a lot of the existing platforms have not included gaming communities and ecosystem operators as part of their program plans and event platforms. As long as the big players in the scene create programmes that are not inclusive of the unique specializations of smaller esports communities, then everyone is more or less playing themselves in the space. This is why our approach to breaking out would be to work with the smaller gaming communities that are specialised and have already mastered their arts in the games they create exciting digital and physical experiences (esports events) and the communities that they manage. Being a gaming community ourselves, we already have the leverage to make this work on a large scale level.

• Bakare Paul-Bernard is the CTO of Nexal Gaming Company

ADVISORY: +18 PERSONS UNDER 18 MUST NOT PARTICIPATE IN BETTING, GAMING OR LOTTERY ACTIVITY

Without a standardised system of data collection and verification, the trend of creating multiple accounts with fake credentials and fraudulent activities is on the increase, especially at a time when transaction volumes are high.

To counter this, Onwuka urged the NLRC to establish a standardised format for KYC through various interagency collaborations with the NFIU, SCUML, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Isei emphasised that different approaches should be adopted to check compliance levels in the online and offline/physical dichotomy that exists in the gaming sector.

“Derived from the outcome of the mutual evaluation of Nigeria National Risk Assessment, it does appear as though we are not doing too well in terms of KYC,” he noted.

“In terms of reportage from the gaming industry, especially the casinos. The outcome of the Nigerian National Risk Assessment, the casinos were rated to be of moderate high, and that means a little is still required for us to be better rated.”

If “we are doing KYC for operators who have a physical presence,” where inspectors and regulators can go check their level of compliance, “how well are we doing internet-based operators that regulators do not have the opportunity or leverage to check the level of compliance?”

Isei reasoned.

Akeju has a different perspective on this assessment. She surmised that many retail outlets don’t adhere to KYC guidelines in juxtaposition to

the online user interface that requires it at specific steps.

“For most operators, it is easier to track online transactions. They provide details,” Akeju said, noting that they are required to register.

Akeju added, “However when you take it to retail, this is an area where reporting, monitoring, and verification are actually very difficult.

Punters walk into an outlet, hand the agent their money, and in exchange, they hand them over a slip for whatever game. There is no engagement in terms of getting to know the customer.”

On his part, Akande noted that operators are judicious in providing information statutorily required of them: filing cash-based reports with SCUML and providing Suspicious Transaction Reports (STR) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR) to NFIU. He suggested that government issuing platforms for ID cards, NIN, etc, be fused with existing operator infrastructure for seamless verification of players.

With data protection in mind, Bamigboye suggested to the Commission to introduce a tokenisation of identity systems that will not only provide a means for verification but also ensure data protection of the customer.

“I think the best way to do this is to look at the possibility of tokenisation of identity,” Bamigboye explained. “I walk into a gaming shop, give them my phone number, and then it is tokenised in such a way that it is no longer the phone number that I used. It is a unique identification number. It is only known to me.”

GAMINGWEEK TEAM Nseobong Okon-Ekong ikotibok@gmail.com | 08114495324 Iyke Bede ikennabede@gmail.com | 0703 044 7714 Akeem Lasisi lasaisai@yahoo.com | 08023687884 Vanessa Obioha vaysylver@gmail.com | 08069838305 Davidson Abraham davisiano.adm@gmail.com | +971 56 744 6013

47

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2023

THURSdaysports

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

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Peseiro Rules out Osimhen, Chukwueze from Lesotho Clash

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Recuperating Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze have been ruled out of Nigeria’s squad to kick off the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe next weekend.

Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Santos Peseiro, has confirmed the absence of the two key players who suffered hamstring injuries during Nigeria’s international friendlies with

2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Saudi Arabia and Mozambique last month in Portugal.

Although both Osimhen and Chukwueze have resumed training at Napoli and AC Milan respective, the Portuguese gaffer appears to have heeded calls by stakeholders in the country’s football to allow them recover fully on the sideline.

Peseiro told an online news

medium TV Play that he was not going to risk the duo in the clashes with Lesotho and Zimbabwe to avoid injuries that may prevent them from representing Nigeria at the AFCON 2023 kicking off in Côte d’Ivoire in January.

“Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen will not be called up during the next break. We want to avoid

any risks,” Peseiro told TV Play.

“I am very sorry for their injuries, the clubs pay the players and we constantly collaborate with them,” stressed the coach who is sad that both players have not been able to play for their respective clubs after the FIFA window.

Lesotho’s Likuena will take on the Super Eagles on November 16 in Uyo and four days later in Rwanda against Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, leading newspaper

in Lesotho, the Lesotho Times is celebrating the absence of some key players for the Super Eagles.

It titled its story “Relief as key Nigerian players are ruled out of Likuena tie.”

“The Super Eagles are battling to overcome these injury concerns as they prepare to face Likuena who are eager to cause an upset at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. ”The Super Eagles are ranked

number 40 on the FIFA Coca-Cola world ranking while Likuena are ranked number 153. ”The injury concerns are threatening to disrupt Super Eagles’s coach Jose Peseiro’s hunt for a World Cup ticket after the team missed out on the 2022 World Cup,” the newspaper reported gleefully yesterday.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is expected to announce Peseiro’s squad for the two key matches any moment from today.

Copenhagen Stun Man Utd in Seven-goal Thriller CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd B’Munich 2-1 Galatasaray Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla PSV 1-0 Lens Napoli 1-1 U’Berlin R’Madrid 3-0 Braga Sociedad 3-1 Benfica Salzburg 0-1 Inter

EUROPA Ajax v Brighton Rangers v Sparta Betis v Limassol Toulouse v Liverpool Maccabi v Villarreal Rennes v Panathinaikos Slavia v Roma Qarabag v Leverkusen

Harry Maguire’s pose better explains the anguish Manchester United’s fans were in last night after Danish side, FC Copenhagen snatched a late winner in their seven-goal thriller in a UEFA Champions League Group A match

‘Super Eagles Will Work Hard to Be Champions in Côte d’Ivoire’ President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has reiterated that three-time champions Nigeria are ready to give the campaign their best shot when the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations begins in Cote d’Ivoire on 13thJanuary 2024.

Speaking while receiving in audience at the NFF Secretariat, the Ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire to Nigeria, His Excellency Kalilou Traore, Gusau praised the Government of Cote d’Ivoire for the huge investment in stadia and related infrastructure in order to be able to adequately host the continent, 40 years after the country played host to the 14th edition of the competition in 1984.

“I have been receiving regular briefings on the preparations from the President of Cote d’Ivoire Football Federation, Yacine Idriss Diallo, who is a personal friend. I am aware that the Government of Cote d’Ivoire has really invested in stadia and general infrastructure to make the AFCON a success and a huge spectacle.

“Our two teams (Super Eagles and Elephants) are in the same group at the finals, and it would be a very interesting game when we play on 18th January. We know the whole

AFCON 2023 of Africa and even the world will be focused on Cote d’Ivoire before, during and after the AFCON, and our team will be ready to do its

best. When Cote d’Ivoire hosted the AFCON in 1984, our Eagles finished second. This time, we will work very hard to emerge as champions.”

Earlier, Ambassador Traore congratulated the NFF on the fact that

Nigeria is one of the 24 participating nations at the upcoming AFCON, and used the opportunity to invite the NFF leadership to the Ivorian National Day, to be celebrated at the embassy of Cote d’Ivoire on Friday, 17th November.

Manchester United's faltering season suffered another significant blow as Marcus Rashford's red card contributed to a dramatic, qualificationdamaging Champions League defeat

by FC Copenhagen.

In a wild and wonderful contest in the Danish capital, United showed guile and grit for periods and twice looked to have claimed a crucial win before succumbing late on to a goal from 17-year-old substitute Roony Bardghji.

They were cruising midway through the first half thanks to Rasmus Hojlund's double against his hometown club - both close-range finishes from a striker knowing exactly where he needed to be and when.

But the game turned in the 42nd minute when referee Donatas Rumsas was called to the pitchside monitor to rule on a late tackle by Rashford to the ankle of Elias Jelert and responded by showing the forward a red card.

With 13 minutes added, largely as a result of an injury to United defender Jonny Evans and a medical emergency in the crowd, the home side took advantage through Mohamed Elyounoussi's finish and a Diogo Goncalves penalty - awarded for a handball by Harry Maguire.

United defied their numerical disadvantage to hold the home side at bay, before again claiming the lead through Bruno Fernandes' penalty - awarded via VAR for a handball by Lukas Lerager.

But the home side were not to be denied. Lerager made amends and drew them level with a back-post header, before Bardghji hammered home after United failed to clear.

While United are down, they are not yet out, although they do now sit bottom of Group A and face a game at Galatasaray - where they have never won - before hosting the already-qualified Bayern Munich.

54footballxBecomes Official Partner of Sporting Lagos Revolutionary fan engagement platform, 54footballx, has announced a ground-breaking partnership with energetic Lagos-based Nigeria Premier Football League side, Sporting Lagos.

This initiative by 54footballx is the first of its kind in this part of the world. 54footballx will support Sporting Lagos in the development of unique and innovative match-day content during home games.

This will enable Sporting Lagos fans have access to new opportunities for engagement and interaction with the club and enjoy new experiences.

On match-days, 54footballx will enjoy digital presence on the club’s platforms and physical branding at its home ground, the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

According to a statement from 54footballx: “We are proud to partner Sporting Lagos. With 54footballx on a mission to promote African football and enhance the passion fans have for the beautiful game on the continent, we believe there is strong alignment with Sporting Lagos in bringing the passion of the NPFL closer home for fans in Nigeria and abroad,” the statement concluded.

Sporting Lagos applauded the partnership on its social media handle: “We are thrilled to announce a community partnership with 54footballx, an economy dedicated to football fans across Africa. This collaboration will bring the passion of football closer to Sporting Lagos fans, in Nigeria and abroad,” the club said in a statement.”

1XBET Cup: Young Strikers, Panthers, Battle for Campos Conference Ticket The ongoing maiden edition of 2023 1XBET Cup Championship is gradually hitting the home stretch as finalists have emerged from the Lagos Island Conference.

It would be a titanic battle between Panthers FC who came tops in Group A and Young Strikers FC, who led Group B as they clash today for the conference's sole ticket at the Hilario Campos Mini-stadium, Lagos.

Expectedly, matches have continued to attract encouraging remarks from some retired Nigerian international players, who have been regular guests at the matches played across the five conferences of the championship.

Former Captain of defunct Abiola Babes FC, Tajudeen Disu, has been waxing lyrically about the standard of play, discipline and organisation during the championship.

"I'm very much impressed about the standards of play and the discipline levels of both players and officials. This country is indeed blessed with so many talented young players and it's exciting

to know that grassroots football is alive again in Lagos State," Disu, who is the technical director of Lagos State Football Association remarked.

Former Super Eagles striker, Victor Agali, commended the sponsors and organisers of the 1XBET Cup for giving fresh hopes to non-league players, as well as, taking grassroots football to newer heights.

"Thanks to the sponsors and organisers of this grassroots football championship.

Players and officials at the grassroots levels are now excited because grassroots football is back and alive, thanks to 1XBET and of course, the organisers, Match International Limited, for this well packaged and organised championship.

Several other ex-Nigeria international players including, Taiwo Oloyede, Edema Benson, Michael Dominic, Monday Kanu, David Apelete Dosu, Jide Oloyede, Jide Oguntuase and others, call on corporate organisations to join the fray in grassroots football development across the country.

There will be much to play for today when Panthers FC (in picture) take on Young Strikers for the Campos Stadium Conference ticket to the Final 8 of the 1XBET Grassroots Football Tournament

Thursday, November 09, 2023

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MISSILE

Matthew Kukah to Femi Adesina

“I hope that Pastor (Femi) Adesina knows that there is a Foursquare Gospel Church in Daura. I believe that the President of Foursquare Gospel Church should send him there as a Pastor so that he can be quite close to his Godfather”—The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, throwing a dart at former presidential spokesman who was very critical of his (Kukah’s) interventions when President Muhammadu Buhari was in office.

olusegunadeniyi The Posthumous ‘Benevolence’ of Abacha the verdict olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

F

or the past several years, the joke in Abuja is that whenever Nigeria encounters dire financial straits, the late General Sani Abacha looks down on us from beyond and drops a hefty sum into the national coffers. While I disagree with a friend who insists that Nigeria may have used Abacha for money rituals, more than a few were delighted last Friday when President Bola Tinubu announced that a fresh tranche of $150 million is on the way. “Thank you for the good news on the return of Abacha loot,” Tinubu told Catherine Colonna, the visiting French Minister of Europe, and Foreign Affairs, who delivered the news. “We appreciate your effective cooperation concerning the return of Nigeria’s money.”

As I wrote in my book, ‘The Last 100 Days of Abacha’, the massive loot amassed by Abacha was done mostly through crooked oil deals, debt buy-back scams, and siphoning money directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

But it says so much about us as a people that more than a quarter of a century later, no effort has been spared to interrogate why Abacha was able to take more than $4 billion from the treasury so easily. If only to learn lessons that will ensure it does not happen again. A bullion van from the apex bank delivering stacks of public money, in local and foreign currencies, to an individual, no matter how highly placed, is beyond corruption. That is what Yoruba people would call, ‘Tani o mu mi?’, which I once explained in a column as impunity writ large.

Perhaps it is also deliberate that nothing is being done to learn lessons from the past.

After all, there is nothing Abacha did that is not being done today in the Nigerian public space. The difference may be only in quantum.

Having built a system in which we have allowed individuals to overpower the state and critical public institutions, accountability now means nothing. In Nigeria today, when people are in positions of authority whether in the private or public sector, they elevate themselves (with the acquiescence of the people) to ‘Kabiyesi’ (he who cannot be questioned). And when they abuse their powers, the same people hail.

Before I conclude with why we must change that paradigm to enable our country to progress, it may be important to rehash how ‘Abacha loot’ came about. At least for the benefit of those who still do not understand the weakness of critical institutions in Nigeria. It was done mostly through the ubiquitous ‘security vote’ that is still being abused at all levels in Nigeria today. The then National Security Adviser (NSA), Alhaji Ismaila Gwarzo, would write a memo, Abacha would endorse the request, and the then CBN Governor, Paul Ogwuma would release the cash which was then laundered through banks in Switzerland, France, British Virgin Islands, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Spain, and the United States.

Having followed the Abacha case since 2000, I have written several columns on the looting and a book on his political transition programme that ended with five political parties endorsing one candidate (Abacha) for presidency.

As an aside, most of the political gladiators of today, including governors, senators and House of Representatives members were in bed with Abacha. But that is not the business of this column. Meanwhile, it was General Abdulsalami Abubakar who blew open the scandal. On 13th July 1998, five weeks after

The late Sani Abacha

Abacha’s death, Abdulsalami instituted a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to establish “cases of swindled public funds and recover same back

to the federal government coffers”. The panel was also to identify the culprits and recover all properties or assets illegally acquired by the culprits. The findings were staggering.

The whole thing started two weeks after Abacha pushed the late Chief Ernest Shonekan aside, specifically on 30th November 1994.

Gwarzo first requested $100 million to combat ‘an economy that was deflected and distorted through the black market’. As many now remember to his credit, the Naira exchange value was relatively stable throughout Abacha’s era. It was because of a peculiar (some would say primitive) ‘Abachanomics’ that you would not find in any textbook. But it worked!

As indicated in Gwazo’s memo, the dollar was to be sold through Bureau De Change dealers at the then prevailing exchange rate, with a view to mopping up the naira, and beefing up its value. Having apparently been briefed by Abacha, Ogwuma released the cash in the following sums: $95 million and £3.2 million. The transaction was indeed carried out even though the money eventually returned to the CBN was not up to what was received, according to the SIP report. However, as I concluded in an earlier piece on this issue, the import of that first transaction was the realization by Abacha of just how easy it was to directly take money out of the CBN. All that was then needed was a memo from Gwarzo seeking approval for any sum of money in the guise of ‘security’ and the CBN would

release such demand in cash!

The following are a few of the documented transactions: On 13th and 15th February 1995, Gwarzo collected $200,000 and $600,000 respectively (totalling $800,000) from the CBN. This was sequel to Abacha’s approval of his letter dated 15th February 1995 where he requested for $4 million and £2million ‘to take care of some developments in a number of areas…’ The $800,000 was part payment for the approved sum of $4 million while the balance was paid in Travellers’ Cheques. On 29th December 1995, Gwarzo collected from the CBN the sum of $5 million based on Abacha’s approval of his letter to deal with ‘situation at hand’!

By 1996, the frequency of requests had increased even though most of the funds collected from the CBN for that year were for ‘foreign operations.’ On 8th May 1996, for instance, Gwarzo collected $9 million from the CBN on behalf of Abacha. He reportedly sent $7 million to then President Matthew Kerekou of Benin Republic as ‘assistance to the country to pay outstanding workers’ salary’ with additional $2 million for Kerekou himself.

On 5th July 1996, Gwarzo collected from the CBN the sum of $8.1 million and £5.2 million based on a 14th June 1996 request endorsed

by Abacha, to support the aspiration of five presidential candidates in Niger Republic.

NOTE: Piece concluded online

Money Matters in Marrakech

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esterday’s absence of senior officials of President Bola Tinubu’s government at the opening sessions of the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) in Marrakech, Morocco, does not speak well for an administration seeking investment opportunities. While I don’t believe in the kind of foreign jamborees many of our public officials indulge in on the pretext of investment drives, an African Development Bank (ADB) engagement is far more important than the United Nations General Assembly where Nigeria featured one of the largest contingents in September.

As Nelson Okwonna, the management consultant to the Kaduna Green Economic Zone project, reminded me yesterday here in Marrakech, this is the first time Nigeria would have its citizens at the helm of three critical financial institutions on the continent and such opportunity may not come again for a long time. With Akinwumi Adesina at ADB, Samaila Zubair at African Finance Corporation (AFC) and Benedict Oramah at Afreximbank, other countries in similar position as ours would leverage on such good fortune. While ‘Market Days 2023’ (with the theme, ‘Unlocking Africa’s value chains’) has attracted an assemblage of highnet-worth investors and seasoned professionals across different fields, most Nigerians I have encountered, including President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Kaduna Governor, Nasir el-Rufai are here in their private capacities.

It is even more remarkable that in declaring the Forum open yesterday, the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, not only harped on the need for an integrated, prosperous Africa that would pave the way for the creation of regional value chains, but also referenced the economic collaboration

between his country and ours. “The MoroccoNigeria Gas Pipeline project is part of that endeavor.

It reflects my resolve to lay the groundwork for genuine regional cooperation,” the monarch said.

“The project will enable all countries along the pipeline route to have access to reliable energy supplies and to be more resilient to exogenous energy price shocks.”

Founded in 2018, the AIF was designed as a vehicle for channelling capital towards critical sectors on the continent. Incidentally, Adesina, a Nigerian and former Agriculture Minister, and current ADB President, envisioned the idea. In a brief chat with AIF Senior Director, Ms Chinelo Anohu who runs the programme, the whole idea was conceived to reject the beggarly disposition that has for decades held Africa back by leveraging on the human and material resources to seek win-win partnerships and investments from within and outside the continent. This, as she argued, would require a collaboration with all critical stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, and NGOs. Within the past five years of operation, the AIF has reportedly mobilised $143 billion in investment interest. Anohu, former PENCOM Director General under whose stewardship Nigeria recorded a geometric rise in pension assets, (from N2.4 trillion in 2014 when she took over to N6.5 trillion by the time of her exit from the commission in 2017), said the AIF is different from many of such forums where people gather just to talk, “it is a platform for mega deals for the advancement of Africa.”

In his welcome remark, Adesina said African economies witnessed a real GDP growth of 3.8% in 2022, which was higher than the world average

of 3.5%. “African economies provide some of the best investment opportunities in the world.

Do not believe me for my optimism, believe the data,” Adesina told over 2000 participants, adding that the size of the food and agriculture market in Africa will be worth $1 trillion by 2030. “The African Continental Free Trade Area presents a consolidated market size of $3.4 trillion. The future of electric vehicles in the world depends on Africa’” he said. “The size of the electric vehicles value chain is estimated to increase from the current $7 trillion to $57 trillion by 2050. That future depends on Africa.

That is because Africa accounts for the largest source of the green metals for the development of electric vehicles, including platinum (70%), cobalt (52%), manganese (46%), bauxite (25%), and graphite (21%).”

Echoing the same optimism expressed at the 7th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference attended by CEOs of Korean corporations, heads of financial institutions as well as ministers and business leaders from Africa in September, Adesina described the continent as one that cannot be ignored by investors. “Africa is not as risky as you hear.

It is a continent of opportunities, waiting to be tapped,” he concluded.

Adesina’s speech was followed by a presidential panel discussion with President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros & Chairperson of the African Union (AU), President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, and Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente of Rwanda.

The Forum ends tomorrow.

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