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Wike: G-5 Governors Still Open to Reconciling With PDP Leaders Leads colleagues to Bauchi, supports Mohammed’s re-election Ortom apologises over ‘next Fulani president’ comment Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Rivers State Governor and leader of the rebellious group of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors,

Nyesom Wike, yesterday, said he and his aggrieved colleagues were still open to reconciliation with the

leadership of the party ahead of the 2023 general election. Wike, who spoke in Bauchi after a meeting

with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, was in company with three of the rebel governors, namely,

Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Continued on page 10

Obi: We'll Return Benue to Being Nigeria’s Food Basket... Page 35 Thursday 10 November, 2022 Vol 27. No 10075. Price: N250

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74 Hospitalised, 70Vehicles Damaged as Thugs Attack Atiku’s Campaign in Maiduguri It’s a lie, nobody attacked the rally, say police PDP condemns development, says party’ll sweep polls in Borno, others Declares Tinubu, APC can’t secure 25% in 24 states Chuks Okocha in Abuja Three weeks after his campaign rally was attacked in Kaduna State,

leaving many people injured, the campaign trail of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, was

allegedly attacked yesterday in Maiduguri by suspected thugs, resulting in the hospitalisation of no fewer than 74 persons.

As a result of the attack, which party officials claimed was instigated by opponents, a total of 70 vehicles were reportedly damaged on the

way to the venue of the presidential campaign rally, which took place at Ramat Square, Maiduguri.

But despite pictures of damaged

vehicles uploaded on the various social media platforms, the police Continued on page 10

Oil Theft: Kyari Raises the Alarm, Alleges Threat to Life Says NNPCL engaged private security contractors to curb theft Declares two trunk lines restored, national oil company open to forensic auditing Country earned $741bn from oil, gas in 21 years, says NEITI N'Assembly, EFCC, ICPC seek transparency in petroleum industry to boost revenue Daily oil production records two-months high, above one million barrels in October Udora Orizu in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company

Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari yesterday said he has received several death threats from people who are not happy with efforts being Continued on page 10

ARISE Global Media Seals Deal with Korean BUHARI VISITS KING CHARLES...

Royal Majesty, King Charles III (left) with President Muhammadu Buhari, during the President 's visit to the Buckingham Palace, Cultural Centre to Promote Culture...Page9 His London....yesterday See story on Page 12

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

NEWS

PDP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN RALLY IN MAIDUGURI...

L-R: Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Deputy National Chairman of the party (North), Alhaji Umar Damagun; Vice presidential candidate and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and Governor of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri, acknowledging cheers from PDP supporters at the party’s Campaign in Maiduguri, Borno State...yesterday

Buhari to Unveil New Poverty Data Next Week, Agba Reveals Macroeconomic instability pushing more people below poverty line, says NESG boss James Emejo and Deborah Adesoba in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari would next Thursday give an update on his administration’s efforts at tackling the rising poverty in the country.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, at a media briefing on the 28th edition of the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#28) which is billed to commence between November 14-15, 2022 in Abuja.

In 2019, Buhari had said his administration planned to lay the foundation for 100 million Nigerians to be lifted out of poverty.

Speaking at a retreat for ministersdesignate in Abuja, Buhari had said the target would be achieved at the end of his eight-year term in 2023.

He said, “Our Administration’s eight years will have laid the grounds for lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years, this outcome will fundamentally shift Nigeria’s trajectory and place us among the world’s great nations.”

Also, Buhari, in April 2021, had also approved the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) to accelerate the reduction in poverty through economic growth, redistributive programs, and shared prosperity.

Essentially, the strategy is anchored on macroeconomic stabilisation, industrialisation, structural policies and institutional reforms, and redistributive policies and programmes that provide social protection as well as support Buhari’s goal of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within a decade.

However, there had been growing concerns that the president’s target

is still far-fetch, a few months to the end of his eight years in power as more Nigerians appeared to have relapsed into poverty.

However, Agba, who was asked to comment on the success of the administration’s drive towards poverty alleviation, said he wouldn’t want to pre-empt the poverty update which Buhari planned to present to Nigerians next week.

In May 2020, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said 83 million Nigerians were living below the poverty line while the poverty rate stood at 40.1 per cent.

The national poverty line is determined by adding the food poverty line and the cost of non-food basic needs.

Earlier in October 2018, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had estimated the country’s poverty index at 53.7 per cent.

Nonetheless, the minister said this year’s economic summit, with theme: “2023 and Beyond: Priorities for Shared Prosperity,” would discuss priorities for post2023 with emphasis on the policies and strategies encapsulated in the National Development Plan (NDP), 2021-2025 and the Nigeria Agenda (NA) 20250.

Agba said while the NA 2050 was designed to transform the country into an Upper-Middle Income Developing Country with a Per Capita Income (PCI) of $33,000, the NDP, 2021-2025 has the vision to unlock the potential of the country in all sectors of the economy for a sustainable, holistic and inclusive national development.

Stressing that sustained growth remained key to the eradication of poverty, the minister said that under the new development plans, the private sector will be the engine

of growth of the economy, while the government will implement policies and regulations that promote favourable business environment to achieve a high rate of investment and savings.

The investment is necessary to raise the economy to a GDP of $11.7 trillion by 2050, while structural barriers that constrain the vulnerable segment of society from realising its potential are addressed.

In this regard, the minister pointed out that discussions at NES #28 will be dimensioned into four sub-themes namely, Delivering Macroeconomic Stability for Shared Prosperity; Investing in the Nigeria Future; Unlocking the Binding Constraints to Execution; and Reframing the Agenda for Transformational Leadership.

To achieve this, Agba said the

summit would among other things identify critical factors for effective implementation of the national development plan for sustained economic development; set an economic policy agenda for accelerated economic growth, underpinned by sustainable and inclusive development; and deliberate an actionable framework for transformative political leadership and effective governance that builds the Nigerian state's capacity to deliver dividends of democracy.

Also, in his remarks, Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Asue Ighodalo, said the summit would be held within a political transition season accentuated by impending general elections, which promise to be competitive and decisive in ushering the next administration into office.

He said the country was in a

season of social discontent characterised by massive economic pressure and challenges on businesses and citizens.

Ighodalo said, “macroeconomic instability is driven by stagflation pushing more people below the poverty line. More Nigerians are multidimensionally poor than are monetarily poor. The World Bank estimates that in 2022 alone, 7 million Nigerians will go into extreme poverty”.

He said, “Our population faces significant security challenges, made worse by the devastating effects of climate change compounding already aggravated levels of humanitarian crisis. Nigeria’s Internally Displaced Persons Index 2021 shows that we had 3.2 million IDPs as of last year. This year adds an additional 1 million IDPs triggered by flooding

Presidency Defends Humanitarian Minister Over Position on Bayelsa Floods Says calls for her resignation inappropriate Pledges continued support for flood victims Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Presidency has risen in stout defence of the position of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, over the recent flood disaster that ravaged Bayelsa and other states across the country.

Farouq had last week declared that Bayelsa State did not fall among the 10 most affected states by the massive flooding in the country this year and had said Jigawa and

Kogi were worst hit.

Her position drew condemnation from individuals and groups including elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, who out rightly called for her resignation from office.

However, in a formal reaction to the issue yesterday, the Presidency in a statement stressed that the call for the Minister's resignation over her comments on the flood was inappropriate.

Presidential Spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, noted the concern of the federal government over

the flood disaster in Bayelsa and other affected states, saying it would continue to support them in overcoming the incident.

The Presidency, however, noted that the restoration of damaged property and farmlands associated with the flood are currently overwhelming disaster management by government.

The statement by the presidency read: "The scenes of flooding from Bayelsa state are deeply saddening.

The Presidency’s thoughts are with victims of, and those affected by, the

FRC Launches SME Anti-Corruption, Corporate Governance Standards’Project The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in partnership with the Integrity Organisation/Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) and the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria (UNGC Network Nigeria) yesterday announced the launch of a Small and Medium sized Enterprise (SME) Anti-Corruption and Corporate Governance Standards Project.

The initiative known as the SME Future-Forward Project is funded by the MacArthur Foundation.

According to a statement, the

project aims to set standards for corporate governance, ethics, and sustainability to guide the direction, control, and management of SMEs in Nigeria, enhance their competitiveness, and achieve longterm success and value creation responsibly and sustainably.

“It is estimated that SMEs constitute 96 per cent of businesses in Nigeria. These enterprises are largely poorly governed, making it difficult to secure the capital needed for growth.

“Moreover, Nigeria’s challeng-

that has not only destroyed lives and livelihoods but threatens food sufficiency and security.

“We live in a time of global instability, regional volatility, and national socioeconomic uncertainties that require that we now exceed our own expectations. Yes, national revenues are historically lower than they ever were. Yes, we are sandwiched between two hard-hitting economic recessions and a global pandemic.

“These are unusual times that characterise what could be described as a perfect storm scenario. These unprecedented challenges call for business unusual, governance unusual – it calls for a whole new paradigm to national socioeconomic transformation – it calls for a new level of transformational political leadership.”

ing business environment creates pressures to adopt practices where complacency, shortcuts, corruption, nepotism, and discrimination flourish.

“These practices create a cyclical effect, compromising SMEs’ ability to achieve and sustain highperformance outcomes, hobbling their ability to source funds, and eroding their capacity to compete in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and beyond.

“The SME Governance Standards Project intends to

change this narrative. Using a data-driven approach, FRC, CBi and UNGC-NN will, through this Project, develop a replicable and scalable framework to enhance good corporate governance (anticorruption, sustainability, and social equity inclusive) practices that would lead to a value creation strategy for all SMEs in Nigeria and increase their competitiveness, survival, growth, and succession,” it added.

The statement noted that during the project’s initial implementation,

participating Future-Forward Companies would receive handson personalised guidance and assistance to comply with the standards.

“Given the pivotal role SMEs play in driving Nigeria’s economic development, poverty reduction, job creation, economic emancipation, and overall well-being, the Project seeks to prove that it is possible – and profitable – for small businesses to do the right things, the right way, in the Nigerian marketplace.

floods. However, calls from some quarters for the resignation of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development are not appropriate in this climate.

Almost every state in Nigeria has been affected.

"The federal government is concerned about what has happened in Bayelsa as it is with respect to the other states. No life lost is bigger or lesser than that of the others. The challenge of bringing succour to the large number of the displaced people in Bayelsa and other states, the restoration of their damaged property and farmlands washed away have clearly overwhelmed disaster management efforts so far but that is not to say no efforts are being made.

"The huge need for everything from foodstuff to tents, blankets and mosquito nets; antimalarial and other drugs clearly indicate that more resources are needed, not only by the disaster management agencies at the center but also by those at the State and local council levels that are structurally, the first responders.”

Continues online

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ALAKIJA BAGS HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE...

L-R: Founder/Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chrisland University, Mrs. Winifred Awosika; Vice Chairman, FAMFA Oil Limited, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija; Vice-Chancellor, Chrisland University, Prof.

Chinedum Peace Babalola, and Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council, Chrisland University, Prof. Ayodeji O. Olukoju, during the conferment of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science on Alakija at the 4th convocation ceremony of Chrisland University held in Ogun state …yesterday

World Bank: Only Eight Countries in Africa Can Achieve Universal Electricity Access by 2030 Ekugbe Gilbert The World Bank has predicted that only eight African countries would achieve universal electricity access by 2030.

Also the multilateral institution stated that at current rates of electrification, over half billion people in the continent would still be without electricity in 2030, unless the current electrification pace was tripled, projecting that some African countries would take over 100 years to fully electrify.

In a statement obtained from its website, the Washington-based institution said lack of energy access

greatly inhibits green, resilient and inclusive development of many countries in the continent.

"The expansion of access through Distribute Renewable Energy (DRE) systems will answer an urgent need quickly and support climate resilience, food security, and human capital development goals," World Bank stated.

To address the challenge, the bank announced an innovative initiative to accelerate the pace of electrification in Africa to achieve universal access by 2030.

According to the statement, the World Bank, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency

(MIGA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other development agencies would promote private investment in DRE systems to electrify targeted areas quickly and efficiently.

"The Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up Platform (DARES) calls for joint action by government, private investors, and development agencies to solve Africa’s immediate needs while developing DRE solutions that can be applied globally," World Bank said.

“DRE systems generally involve a solar photo-voltaic station paired with battery storage. In rural com-

munities, these systems can serve a health care facility, for example, or a group of customers such as households or businesses in a village, operating independently from the national power grid.

“DRE systems can be easily installed, are reliable, and do not require the large investment needed to build a utility-scale power plant.

Now more than ever we need innovative solutions that close the energy access gap,” the World Bank Vice President for Infrastructure, Riccardo Puliti explained.

"Bringing together government and the private sector to support distributed renewable energy can

Ogun to Host 400,000 Litres Per Day Refinery in Tongeji Island James Sowole in Abeokuta The Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State took a major step in making the state an oil producing one as a firm, Gasoline Integrated International expressed its readiness to build a $3 billion refinery in Tongeji Island, Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

A statement issued in Abeokuta, by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin said the refinery when completed would have the capacity of refining 400,000 litres of crude oil into petrol per day.

The chairman of the company, Dr. Lukman Bolaji, who disclosed this when he led the company's directors on a courtesy call on the governor, in his office at Abeokuta, noted that the firm is into upstream and mainstream and had acquired an oil block at Tongeji Island.

The refinery, he explained, would be located at Ipokia and would refine 100,000 litres per day and other petroleum products at the beginning, and later expand to 400,000 litres per day in the future.

He said the project would sit on 800 hectares of land that had already been acquired.

He added, "We are bringing in a capital inflow of N3 billion into the state. We would have been on site by now but for the COVID-19

pandemic. With this project, Ogun State will have security and guarantee of petroleum products at all times because we intend to serve our immediate environment before taking it outside," Bolaji noted.

While also disclosing that the company would generate 110 Mega Watts of electricity, starting with 37 Mega Watts, he stated that about 10,000 direct and indirect employment would be generated, just as the project would boost the internally generated revenue of the state as well as expand infrastructural facilities and transfer technology to Nigerians.

He said though the project which would delivered in 36 months, would be powered by Chinese technology, it would be a multinational in nature featuring officials from Nigeria, Taiwan and the United States of America.

Also speaking, the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, who led the team, said the company was in the state to prospect oil and build refinery for petroleum products, saying the project would help the state to be an oil producing one in the nearest future.

Responding, Governor Abiodun revealed that Ogun and Lagos states consume about 70 per cent of petroleum products in Nigeria, saying the project was coming after the state lost similar project to a

neighbouring state.

He said his administration had created investments hubs across the zones to promote business activities, while agencies have also been created for seamless relationship between the State government and investors to promote ease of doing business in the state.

The governor stressed that the project was in tandem with Public Private Partnership policy of his administration to promote individual prosperity, saying it was a welcome

development.

Abiodun described Ogun West as an important zone that had contributed largely to the state being an industrial hub of the country, adding that his government was determined to promote industrialisation of the area by paying attention to it in line with its economic agenda.

He, however, said a team would be set up to liaise with the company for further discussions, noting that "project like this is not a walk in the park."

help extend electrification to the most vulnerable while also advancing clean energy," Pulti added.

DRE is the fastest and most cost-effective mechanism to accelerate clean electricity access on the continent. Over the last 10 years, 20 percent of all new electric connections in SSA have been through DRE systems. While DRE is now attracting private sector financing, this support is not at the scale that is needed.

DARES will leverage this positive momentum to work with governments and the private sector to expand DRE investment. The World Bank Group is well-positioned to take the lead in scaling the DRE sector in SSA, using a different approach from traditional infrastructure investments to incentivise private financing commitment.

“MIGA is in a strong position to support private investment through new and innovative risk mitigation solutions that are fit-for-purpose for the unique risk faced by investors,” MIGA Executive Vice President, said Hiroshi Matano said.

“We look forward to working with Sub-Saharan African countries to create opportunities to combine public and private investment approaches to electrify Africa in the near future," Matano added.

DARES would leverage World Bank, MIGA, and IFC expertise to create a joint cross-sectoral approach to develop innovative financial and de-risking instruments to be rolled out at a regional level.

The platform also provides for significant technical assistance for governments and the private sector and differentiated approaches consistent with unique country contexts and markets.

A key goal in this respect is to tackle barriers to private sector participation to give SSA countries the ability to mobilize DRE systems faster, while making them, greener, more resilient, and inclusive.

DARES will have five core areas: mini-grids, off-grid solar markets, systems for schools and health facilities, solar irrigation and cold chain for farmers, and innovative business models to displace diesel generation and improve access reliability.

“Investing in distributed renewable energy is one of the most efficient ways to tackle energy access challenges and to support economic activities in Africa while addressing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Emmanuel Nyirinkindi, IFC Vice President of Cross-Cutting Solutions.

“Mini-grid systems are one example of DRE and can efficiently deliver energy to cities and rural areas outside the limits of a national grid.”

The World Bank has an active portfolio of $2.7 billion for DRE access, targeting electrification of about 40 million people.

The IFC had initiated the Scaling Mini Grids Program and is building on its Lighting Africa Engagement.

MIGA has $83 million in DRE guarantees and a $400 million pipeline.

Fiscal Responsibility Commission Sensitises Govt, Citizens on Sustaining Transparency, Accountability Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has taken its sensitisation campaign to states in the north-central of Nigeria, urging government and citizens to live up to their roles in improving and sustaining fiscal transparency and accountability in states.

Addressing his audience at a three-day workshop in Jos, Plateau State, the Chairman of FRC, Mr. Victor Muruako acknowledged that some states in the federation have enacted Fiscal Responsibility

Laws, established requisite Fiscal Responsibility Commissions and duly funded the commissions.

Commending the states, Muruako added: “We also commend the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) for their peer review programmes that have helped states to upgrade their practices. Without the buy-in of states, the interventions would not have delivered on expected outcomes.”

He said the campaign in Jos was for the Commissioners of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and State Debt Management Officials,

State Auditors General, relevant Civil Society Organisations whose areas are transparency and fiscal governance, and State Fiscal Responsibility Commissions in Plateau, Adamawa, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, and Niger States.

He, however, observed that citizens across the 36 states of Nigeria were not making good use of the large and detailed volume of information on budget plans, budget execution and audit reports placed online by states of the federation, adding that “this threatens the sustainability of the gains in fiscal responsibility at the subnational level.”

He said, “In the light of the foregoing, I call on citizens and citizen groups, particularly Civil Society Organisations, Community-Based Organisations, Faith-Based Organisations, and other non-governmental organisations to take up the conversation and keep it alive: “You have been asking for transparency. Now that you have some transparency, wake up and use the data and information so liberally provided by State Governments to help them improve their own public finance decisions. Don’t let this progress roll back,” he said.

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KOREAN SIGNS MOU WITH ARISE GLOBAL MEDIA...

L-R: Ambassador of The Republic of Korea, Mr. Kim Young-Chae; Managing Director, THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Eniola Bello; Director Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, Mr. Kim Ching-Ki; Company Secretary Arise Media Group, Mrs. Fauzia Mohammed and Deputy Managing Director Arise News, Mr. Emmanuel Efeni, at the signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Korean Cultural Centre PHOTO: MUBO PETERS of the Embassy of Republic of Korea and Arise Global Media held in Lagos…yesterday

Ararume Drags Buhari to Court over Alleged Unlawful Removal as NNPC Chairman Demands N100bn compensation

Alex Enumah in Abuja Senator Ifeanyi Ararume yesterday commenced legal action challenging what he described as his unlawful removal as Non-executive Chairman of the newly Incorporated Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Ararume in the suit filed before a Federal High Court, Abuja is also demanding a whopping sum of N100 billion compensation for damages suffered as a result of his unlawful removal.

Among the issues he raised for determination included whether in view of the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the NNPC, Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2010 and the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA), the office of the non-executive Chairman was not governed and regulated by the stated provisions of the law.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/691/2022 was instituted on his behalf by a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) comprising Chief Chris Uche, Ahmed Raji, Mahmud Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, K.C Nwufor and Gordy Uche.

Amongst others, the plaintiff wants the court to determine whether by the interpretation of section 63 (3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the President

can lawfully remove him as non-executive Chairman of the NNPC for any reason outside the provisions of the law.

Besides, Ararume is praying the court to determine whether Buhari could sack him without compliance with expressly stated provisions of the Articles of Memorandum of Association of the Company, section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, 2021 and section 288 of the CAMA Act, 2020.

Also listed for determination was whether his purported removal vide letter of January 17, 2022, without compliance with expressly stated provisions of the law was not wrongful, illegal, null and void and of no legal consequence whatsoever.

Upon the determination of the issues in his favour, the plaintiff wants the court to make declaration that his position as non-executive Chairman of the NNPC was exclusively governed and regulated

by CAMA 2020, PIA Act 2021 and Memorandum of Association of the Company.

"A declaration that by the provisions of section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, CAMAAct and Memorandum of Association of the NNPC, the President cannot by will remove him from office as non-executive Chairman without following due process of the law," he urged.

Ararume therefore prayed for

an order of the Court setting aside his removal by Buhari vide letter of January 17, 2022 with reference number SGF.3V111/86.

He also sought an order of the court reinstating him forthwith and restoring him to office with all the appurtenant rights and privileges of the office of the NNPC’s non-executive Chairman.

Plaintiff is further demanding for nullification and setting aside of all decisions and resolutions of the NNPC Board made in his absence from January 17, 2022, till date and another order restraining the defendants from removing his

name as Director of the Company.

In a 75-paragraph affidavit in support of the suit, Ararume averred that upon the passage of the PIA 2021, the former Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries were unbundled to become Nigeria National Petroleum Company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission with number 1843987.

That on October 20, 2021, Buhari approved his appointment as a non-executive Chairman for a period of initial five years and subsequently, his name registered

The Chairman of Access Bank, Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika has call on financial institutions and well-meaning Nigerians to assist governments at all levels in funding the education sector so as to ease the burden of government.

Awosika made the call in a lecture she delivered at the fourth convocation ceremony of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The university which graduated 52 students awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees to the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and the Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil Ltd., Mrs. Folorunso Alakija.

Awosika in her lecture titled: "The Visible and Invisible Hands

of Development: Interrogating the Roles of Tertiary Institutions and Financial Sector in Nigeria," specifically asked financial institutions to provide more student-centered credit systems and support for tertiary education in Nigeria.

She lamented that millions of young Nigerians were out of school because of the inability of their parents to fund their education.

According to her, tertiary education remains out of the reach of many Nigeria's poorest and most marginalised and advocated for strategic and effective investments in tertiary education.

She said: "Tertiary education is instrumental in fostering growth, reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity. It benefits not

Plaintiff asserted that he was not guilty of any pre- conditions for removal and was never declared bankruptcy or adjudged medically unfit for the job.

Based on the unlawful act of the defendant, plaintiff said that the action has fueled public suspicion and rumours against his person.

Subsequently, Ararume asserted that he had suffered loss of credibility and goodwill, untold emotional, mental and psychological trauma and public humiliation, degradation and embarrassment by his purported removal by President Buhari.

ARISE Global Media Seals Deal with Korean Cultural Centre to Promote Culture Emma Okonji and Alex Enumah ARISE Global Media yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korean Cultural Centre of the Korean Embassy in Nigeria, to promote culture between Nigeria and Korea.

The MoU signified a gesture for bilateral ties in the field of cultural exchange, media interac-

tion and others and a platform for strengthening relations between both countries.

The Chairman, ARISE Global Media Limited/THISDAY Newspapers,, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, said the signing of the MoU would deepen relationship across culture, politics, media, technology, among others between Nigeria and Korea.

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Kim Young-Chae, said:

Access Bank Chairman Tasks Institutions on Funding of Education James Sowole in Abeokuta

in the Memorandum of Articles of the Company and the appointment announced to the whole world.

Based on the appointment, Ararume averred that he attended 23rd World Petroleum Congress in the United States of America but surprisingly on January 7th, 2022, Buhari, inaugurated the NNPC Board without a recourse to him while another person was named in his place.

By a letter of January 17, 2022, he was informed of withdrawal of his appointment but without any reason whatsoever to justify the purported removal.

just the individual, but the entire educational system.

"Tertiary, technical and vocational education and training can provide an effective and efficient complement to traditional university studies in providing students with skills and knowledge relevant to the labour market.

"Larger numbers of students increase the strain on publiclyfunded institutions of higher learning and many countries with limited resources are struggling to finance the growing needs of a larger student body, without compromising the quality of their educational offerings.

"Both policies and academic degrees need to be strategically tailored to fit the needs of the local society and economy. Only

then can governments realise the gains in primary and secondary attainment through tertiary education access and progression and turn these successes into increased and sustained economic and social development.”

According to her, "the benefits of tertiary education include: higher employment levels, higher wages, greater social stability, increased civic engagement and better health outcomes."

In her address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Peace Chinedum Babalola disclosed that nine students out of the 52 graduands graduated with First Class while 27 graduated with Second Class Upper Division and 14 bagged Second Class Lower Division.

“The signing is a meaningful one for the Korean Embassy and the Korea Cultural Centre and for ARISE television. Lagos is the cultural capital of Nigeria and we need to have strong presence in Lagos and ARISE TV is the right partner for us to promote Korean culture in Lagos.”

Speaking further, while acknowledging the need to have a strong presence in Nigeria, YoungChae observed that a partnership with the ARISE NEWS Television would fast track the realisation of their objectives in Nigeria.

The Director, Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Kim Chag-ki, said the promotion of culture became very important to the people of Korea, hence they have lined up a series of cultural events to be showcased in Nigeria in the next coming years.

"Promotion of culture is very important. We want to organise many events in Lagos next year and so we want to partner with ARISE Global Media to promote the Korean culture.

Responding, the Deputy Managing Director of ARISE NEWS Television, Mr. Emmanuel Efeni, described the partnership as a good gesture from the Korean Embassy, and assured of the channel's readiness to provide necessary support.

According to him, the MoU was a laudable partnership as it

affords both Korea and Nigeria to showcase their rich cultures to the international community.

"It is quite significant that the Korean cultural centre of the Korean Embassy in Nigeria is signing this agreement with ARISE Global Media.

"This is an opportunity to push the culture of both countries. For us at ARISE, all cultures matter and that is why we are taking this step to sign an agreement with the Korean cultural centre.

"We welcome this partnership with both hands because we have a lot of contents which Korean nationals would be interested in. Of course, Korea is very rich in culture; Nigerians like their culture and their food and this is an opportunity to promote Korean culture among Nigerians,” Efeni said.

Also speaking, Company Secretary, ARISE Global Media, Fauziya Ali Mohammed, said ARISE, being a global media network, would be a major vehicle for communicating the two countries cultural heritage to the world, and added that the partnership would further deepen cultural relations between Nigeria and Korean. "This is more of a handshake because both parties would benefit," she said.

The MoU is expected to assist in exploring ways of further partnerships.

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COP27: FG Makes Case for Adaptation Projects Financing UK steps up climate finance support with additional £200m for African countries Bennett Oghifo in Lagos and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja With increasing level of desertification and perennial flooding causing deaths and destruction of property in the country, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD), Sadiya Umar Farouq yesterday appealed to the developed nations to provide more funding for projects that would enable the most vulnerable persons in the society adapt.

The minister made the appeal at the ongoing 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

She said leaders of the developed world should use COP27 to implement the Paris Agreement, particularly funding of adaptation projects in developing countries, as determined at COP26 in Glasgow, last year.

The minister charged global leaders, “to move beyond rhetoric to real action,” painting a grim picture of how the impacts of climate change caused untold devastation across the country in recent years, particularly in 2021 and this year.

She said, “While appreciating the efforts of stakeholders and partners, the question still remains how can we speedily, effectively and efficiently mobilise multi-sectoral stakeholders and partners to locate themselves in the humanitarian crisis caused by climate change in developing nations?

“How committed are we to the Glasgow Climate Pact that called for doubling of financial commitment to help developing nations to become more resilient and adapt to the impact of climate change?

“How committed are we to supporting developing nations to effectively and efficiently implement humanitarian principles as it relates to climate change mitigation, resilience and adaptation strategies

in a timely manner?”

Farouq said these were some of the areas for real and sincere focus in COP27, stating that she was deeply alarmed that, “because the most at risk is the most affected. When it comes to effects of climate change, the most vulnerable are the poorest of the poor, migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, the elderly, women and children. These groups bear the most devastating effect of climate change yet they are the least contributors to climate change malpractice.”

She recalled how, last year, “climate change-induced hydrological and drought-induced hazards, coupled with insurgency, ethnic and religious crisis devastated and caused unprecedented humanitarian crisis across the country, leaving behind huge humanitarian disasters translated in loss of lives and properties, forced migration and precarious health emergencies and deadly food crisis.”

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom

(UK) government has announced that it would provide additional £200 million to support African countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The UK government made the pledge at the ongoing COP27 in Egypt, which it said would help deal with severe drought and floods across the continent.

UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, in a statement issued yesterday, said the funds would be made available to the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Climate Action Window (CAW) to countries most affected by the impacts of climate change.

The CAW is a new mechanism set up to channel climate finance to help vulnerable countries adapt to the impacts of climate change, from severe drought in the Horn of Africa to floods in South Sudan.

Cleverly said: “Climate change is having a devastating impact on countries in Sub-Saharan Africa facing drought and extreme weather

patterns, which have historically received a tiny proportion of climate finance.

“This new mechanism from the African Development Bank will see vital funds delivered to those most affected by the impacts of climate change, much more quickly.

“Lack of access to climate finance for the world’s poorest countries was a central focus at COP26 in Glasgow.

This £200 million of UK funding is helping us to make tangible progress to address this issue.”

On his part, the President of the AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina commended the UK for the additional funding.

He said, “I applaud the UK government for this major contribution towards the capitalization of the Climate Action Window of the African Development Fund, as it seeks to raise more financing to support vulnerable low-income African countries that are most affected by climate change.

"This bold move and support

of the UK will strengthen our collective efforts to build climate resilience for African countries. With increasing frequencies ofnnyym gn nmg droughts, floods and cyclones that are devastating economies, the UK support for climate adaptation is timely, needed, and inspiring in closing the climate adaptation financing gap for Africa.”

Adesina noted that he came to COP 27 in Egypt with challenges of climate adaptation for Africa topmost on his mind, adding that the support of the UK gave him hope.

The Glasgow Climate Pact included a commitment from donors to double adaptation finance in 2025 from 2019 levels.

The Prime Minister on Tuesday had announced the UK would surpass that target and triple adaptation funding from £500 million in 2019 to £1.5 billion in 2025, saying the funding package provided to the AfDB would be part of this commitment.

terminal. Therefore, at the peak of production, you lose over 200,000 barrels per day.

“But once companies discover this production won’t get to the terminal they will terminate it. So we are losing up to 700,000 barrels of opportunity. Its opportunity lost,” Kyari added.

“Can government companies make profit? Yes, I can share data with you, also published in our statement of account. Dealing with multinational oil companies, the strength of any agreement is the capacity of active members who negotiate these contracts.

“Partners do take advantage of their partners, it happens. But there’s a common rule in the oil and gas industry that when you take advantage of your partner, you will come to realise it years later and it pay back at you."

On why fuel subsidy payment was necessary, the GCEO said, "We need to understand what this subsidy means, today. When petrol comes into this country, we transfer to the marketers at N113 for us to realise the price of N165 per litre. This is reality. So, that means whatever is the cost, anything after that value is subsidy.

So, someone has to pay for it. So every difference between 113 and that value is subsidy."

Kyari also said the NNPCL was open to forensic auditing. This, he said would enable Nigerians know what the national oil company was doing.

"Revenues not delivered to the

federation account, why won’t institutions deliver revenue to federation account? You cannot eat your cake and have it. NNPCL by law is required to ensure energy security particularly making sure petroleum products are available to the country. “When I give you an invoice you cannot settle it; therefore, you have no way of settling this except through fiscal obligations. What fiscal obligation does NNPCL have? Taxes, royalties, dividends. You cannot deliver these fiscal obligations and be able to deliver import products and sell at sub-market price.

“What we are doing now is that we will give credit loan to Federal Inland Revenue Service, upstream, downstream regulators.

But the fiscal obligation we can’t do it. Also submit a debit note to the Ministry of Finance so that they will settle us. So we are open to forensic auditing, we are inviting it so that Nigerians will know what we are doing.

"Some developed countries are taking out taxes on PMS, that’s another name for subsidy. No matter how they try to put it it’s subsidy. Countries are doing something to bring down the cost of energy. These common conversations you’re seeing in the media - NNPCL has not gone to FAAC since January – it is a misplaced expectation because our value should go to the tax authority and therefore Nigerians must get used to seeing NNPCL off those transactions.

“We are not able to meet our fiscal obligation of tax reality because of the subsidy regime," Kyari declared.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Ogbonnaya Orji, disclosed that between 1999 and 2020, Nigeria has earned $741.74 billion from oil and gas alone.

He, however, lamented that the data was not being properly used, urging the National Assembly to debate the report laid before the parliament at plenary.

This, he said would, “help in forum like this to be speaking from data and from a point of knowledge.”

Orji said, "NEITI annually, engage the companies to establish what exactly have they paid the government in terms of taxes, royalties, rents, concessions.

“We look at the agreements and purposes that underpinned those transactions. We also look at how much oil is Nigeria produced in a given year, and we design a template that suits those who received the revenue and those who pay. The companies declare what they have paid, and the government agencies declare what they have received.

"From our records, between 1999 and 2020, Nigeria has earned $741.74 billion from oil and gas alone. From the solid mineral sector, we have already counted

OIL THEFT: KYARI RAISES THE ALARM, ALLEGES THREAT TO LIFE made by the federal government to ensure increased transparency, accountability as well as an end to crude oil theft which has seen country recording severe revenue losses.

The revelation by Kyari came just as Nigeria's oil production has started rebounding as production rose above one million barrels per day (bpd) for the first time since July this year, with daily output for October standing at an average of 1,014,485bpd.

Kyari who made this known while delivering his keynote address in Abuja, at a special summit on legislative transparency and accountability organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-corruption, lamented that Nigeria was losing up to 700,000 barrels of crude daily to oil thieves.

The GCEO at the event which had as its theme: "Enhancing

transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector," spoke on several key issues bedeviling the petroleum industry.

On crude oil theft, Kyari lamented that the scale of theft was enormous and that the NNPCL had taken down thousands of illegal refineries in the past 45 months.

“Lastly, this industry is in shortfall of a change. I have several death threats to myself. This is the cost of change, when people walk away from things they are used to, to something that’s new, something that will take away value and benefit from them, they will react,” he said.

He, however, said they have been able to restore two trunk lines and have also involved private security contractors who are complementing government security agencies to curb the menace.

On the NNPCL returning to profitability, Kyari explained that in

2018, the company made a loss of N803 billion, which was reduced to N1.3 billion by 2021 and a profit of N687 billion same year.

He said, "The issue of crude oil theft, what we discovered, was not expected; we didn’t know that this is happening. But the scale is enormous, we have seen pipelines taken from our main trunk lines to abandon platforms.

“We have thousands of illegal refineries that we have taken down in the past 45 months. We have seen over 295 illegal connections to our pipelines. Many of them have been there for years. That you have a situation where your production came down to 1.1 million barrels, from 1.8, the reason is that not all of them are stolen.

“Let me clear the misconception that the remaining balance is stolen.

Companies will stop injecting oil into the pipeline the moment they discover it can’t get to the

WIKE: G-5 GOVERNORS STILL OPEN TO RECONCILING WITH PDP LEADERS Ikpeazu of Abia State, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was said to be in the United States at the time.

The rebel governors had since after the PDP presidential primaries in May requested that National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, should resign. They said the resignation of Ayu, who hails from Benue State in the North-central, and his replacement with a southerner would help to ensure a sense of balance between the north and south in the party, whose presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is from Adamawa State in the North-east.

But PDP maintained that the eve of a crucial general election was a most inauspicious time to change its national chairman.

The demand of the five governors unsettled the main opposition party, especially after the governors pulled out of the PDP presidential campaign council.

However, raising the possibility of reconciliation, Wike told journalists in Bauchi, “I have stated severally that we are here for reconciliation.

We have never closed the door for reconciliation. All we are calling for is equity, fairness, and justice.

“In fact, that is the hallmark that PDP stands for. We have never closed the door and we would not close the door. All we are saying is, ‘look, let the right thing be done.’ If the right thing is done, the whole country would know that the election is over.

“This G-5 you are seeing is the bedrock of the party, so, we would not close the door for reconciliation; we are open for reconciliation any day, anytime.”

Wike’s visit to his Bauchi State counterpart followed a meeting between Atiku and Mohammed in Abuja, after the latter had threatened to leave the presidential campaign council over allegations by the governor that some Bauchi

State politicians loyal to Atiku were working against his re-election bid Wike said whatever affected Mohammed also affected them as a group, "the reason we resolved to reach out to him with support for his second term bid.

"We came here in solidarity with our friend, the governor of Bauchi State. We know that he is running for a second term in office and what we are doing to our friends is to find out how things are with them, how the elections are going. This period is a period to identify with your friends.

"Luckily, four of us that are here are not running for a second term in office, even though they are running for senate, I'm the only one, who is not running for election after I failed at the (presidential) primary (election).

"Everybody knows that I lost the presidential ticket of the party but I defeated Senator Bala Mohammed, so we are here to fraternise with him and discuss issues of synergy and support him. If there is any area we can help and advise, because what affects him also affects us."

Mohammed expressed delight over the governors’ visit and pledge to support his second term bid, saying he is still connected with the rebel group.

He stated, "Today, I am very, very happy to receive my brothers, the governors of the G-5. They call themselves the Integrity Group. I am supposed to be with them but they ex-communicated me for some reasons best known to them, but I am highly connected with them.

"Each and everyone of them, there is hardly a day I don't call them, because in politics, you go with the people with whom you share something in common.

“This presidency that we ran, which my brother (Wike) lost and he defeated me, has brought us very close and, of course, at the governors’ forum.

"One thing I appreciate with them is that they are concerned with your challenges, though all of them are not running for a second term, they are always worried, their own particular ideas may be slightly different from my own but expectedly I bear and feel their pains as much as they do in my own pains, we share so much in common.

"They know that I have challenges in Bauchi, challenges of anti-party, challenges of undercutting and mischief, of course, politics is about all these. But when you know that you have people behind you, of that stature, calibre, you feel secured, because there is hardly anything we can do better than what we have done before.

"Especially for those that are not going for a second term, for me, I feel that I have done well for the people, I am not the only one created on the surface of the earth from this area in Bauchi, I have left legacies and landmark.

Now that they are here, I will have the opportunity of confiding to the people I believe I can confide in, some of my worries, my fears and that of my state.

"So, I am happy that you came, because some of those things cannot be said on the phone but as PDP members from the same family, I see you as my fellow comrades in this journey of life.

“Thank you most sincerely for taking the time to come for a show of solidarity."

Meanwhile, following the backlash in some parts of the north over his recent remarks about not supporting another “Fulani President” after President Muhammadu Buhari, Ortom, yesterday, apologised to Nigerians, who might be offended by the comment.

Ortom, who spoke while responding to a question by a journalist, said, “I want to say, that was not what I meant when I was captured saying that.

Continued on Page 36

74 HOSPITALISED, 70 VEHICLES DAMAGED AS THUGS ATTACK ATIKU’S CAMPAIGN IN MAIDUGURI in Maiduguri described the alleged attack on the PDP members as a hoax, saying no such thing happened. The police said they were on hand to protect Atiku and his people.

Nevertheless, Atiku held the rally in the Borno State capital, during which he promised to dredge Lake Chad and continue crude oil exploration in Lake Chad if elected president next year.

But the PDP leadership condemned the alleged attack, boasting that the party would sweep Borno State and other states of the federation during the general election. It said the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, would not be able to secure 25 per cent of votes cast in 24 states at the 2023 poll.

Vice presidential candidate of PDP and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, told PDP supporters to not just go out and vote, but also stay back and protect their votes against theft after voting.

Eyewitnesses told THISDAY that people suspected to be political thugs attacked PDP members and supporters going to the venue of the presidential campaign at Ramat Square.

One eyewitness said, although the police barricaded the Ramat

Square from a distance, they could not stop the thugs from attacking some PDP members and supporters.

The eyewitness said, "The police tried but the thugs overwhelmed them. They were far from where the police were stationed. But others coming towards the square were attacked. The thugs attacked many of them in PDP colours.

"Some of the thugs were carrying dangerous weapons, like daggers, while the smell of weed (marijuana) was all over the streets." He added that several vehicles on Atiku’s convoy were vandalised.

One of the PDP presidential campaign spokespersons, Senator Dino Melaye, said at the last count, about 74 persons were injured and some hospitalised, while 70 vehicles were destroyed in total.

Melaye told THISDAY that the aim of the thugs was to stop people from attending the PDP presidential campaign rally and give the impression that the state was a no-go-area to any other political party, except APC. "They failed, because the crowd that attended the campaign rally was unprecedented. The crowd was a huge one, never like in the history of the ancient city of Maiduguri," he said.

PDP reported the attack to the

police, but no arrest was made.

It was the second time since campaign for the 2023 general election started that the PDP presidential campaign would be attacked.

The campaign was attacked first in October in Kaduna during the second presidential campaign rally.

Attack on campaign rallies of political parties is against the spirit of the peace accord signed by all the political parties, organised by the National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto State, Matthew Kuka.

Police spokesman in the state, ASP Kamilu Shatambaya, told journalists that the allegation of attack on PDP was baseless and had no truth in it, describing the report as mischievous.

Shatambaya said the PDP allegation was fake, a hoax and an attempt by some unguided people to incite disturbances and disrupt peaceful coexistence of people of the state.

He stated that the rally was conducted successfully under tight and adequate security coverage.

Shatambaya said, “The candidate was accompanied to the Shehu of Continued on Page 35

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COURTESY AND APPRECIATION VISIT TO FASHOLA...

L-R: Emir of Suleja, Alhaji Mohammed Awwal Ibrahim; Minister of State in the Ministry of Works and Housing, Hon. Umar El- Yakub, and Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, during a courtesy and appreciation visit by the Emir to discuss developmental issues at the Ministry of Works and Housing Headquarters, Mabushi, Abuja...recently

FG Okays Committee to Sell, Repurpose Abandoned Properties Approves N31.854bn for FIRS, Customs, Aviation building projects Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government has approved the setting up of a committee to review, repurpose, privatise or transfer ownership of abandoned and uncompleted government buildings across the country.

This was one of the resolutions arrived yesterday, at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in Abuja and was presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, who said he presented four memoranda on behalf of agencies

under the Ministry, pointed out that two of the memoranda were on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, both targeted at making the work environment conducive for officers and men of the service.

He said the team to assess the abandoned properties, known as Council on the National Capital Projects Information System, would be chaired by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

According to him: “The memo I presented had to do with approval for the creation of a database of National Capital Projects Information System of Government and what this project seeks to take care of is

the increasing number of abandoned and uncompleted projects that we have all over the place, which is turning out to be a major drain of funds and represent a waste of the nation's budget and scarce resources.

“So Council approved the setting up of a team; Council on the National Capital Projects Information System, which involves the key infrastructure ministries. This team will be headed by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

“They are to look at and prioritise funds selected projects on a yearly basis for completion. Look at the possibility of maybe privatising some of the projects or transfer of

ownership to either state or local government, how to repurpose the projects for alternative use, or completely abandon or dismantle the project and treat those as a sunk cost,” he further explained.

The federal government also approved over N14.8 billion for the construction of a new office block and parking lot for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Speaking on the new office for FIRS, the Minister of State said when completed, the office complex, which would be located at 17b, Awolowo Road, Lagos, would save the service about N4 billion that it pays on rented property.

He revealed that the 12-storey

Switzerland Commits $756,000 as Humanitarian Support to Flood Victims Massive flooding in Bayelsa forces NCDMB to move Nigerian content conference to Uyo Emmanuel Addeh, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Swiss government has said it would support Nigeria with the sum of 750 000 Swiss francs (approximately $756 000) to support the humanitarian response to cushion the devastating floods that swept 34 states of the country, claimed at least 600 lives and displaced over 1.5 million people.

The assistance was in response to a recent emergency appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

It was expected that the contribution routed through IFRC and the Nigerian Red Cross Society would complement efforts of the federal government to respond to the crisis by providing the victims of the flood with multi-sectoral assistance to meet their immediate basic needs.

The relief would include temporary shelter, rebuilding of houses, delivery of multipurpose cash assistance as well as health, water and sanitation measures to prevent a further spread of the ongoing cholera outbreak.

The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Nicolas Lang, yesterday expressed satisfaction that Switzerland was able to support Nigeria and its people to overcome

the crisis.

“This contribution to the IFRC’s emergency flood appeal is fully in line with Switzerland’s longstanding and sustained collaboration with Nigeria, including on providing humanitarian assistance to crisis-affected populations,” Lang said.

He expressed confidence that the IFRC and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, using their wide network of volunteers throughout the country and working in close collaboration with the government agencies coordinating the response would provide an effective and locally-led response to the immediate needs of thousands of Nigerians whose lives have been tragically impacted by the floods.

Meanwhile, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has sympathised with traders and victims of the multi-million naira Onitsha Drug Market, popularly known as Ogbo Ogwu in Anambra state.

The market was gutted by fire on Tuesday, following an explosion at the Chemical/Surgical Line of the market.

Drugs, pharmaceuticals and other items worth millions of naira were said to be destroyed, several persons were also said to have suffered various degrees of burns.

Farouq expressed sympathy to the people and government of Anambra state over the incident which she described as disturbing.

She said the disaster would definitely affect the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of not only the state, but the nation’s economy.

Massive Flooding in Bayelsa Forces NCDMB to Move Practical Nigerian Content Conference to Uyo In the meantime, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced the movement of its flagship annual Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) conference to Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, citing the massive flooding in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the programme's usual venue.

The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, made the announcement in an email to the agency's staff and other stakeholders to confirm that the event would still be held on the scheduled dates, 5th – 8th December, 2022, and would attract major stakeholders in the oil and gas industry from across Nigeria.

Wabote explained that the change in venue for the conference was due to the unprecedented flood situation that has ravaged 31 states in the country and its impact on the scheduled conference.

He said: “We are saddened to

come to the realisation that the event is now threatened due to the unprecedented flooding that affected 31 states in the country, including Bayelsa State with most parts of the state seriously affected, including Yenagoa, the state capital and host city for the event.

“While we acknowledge that the flood has begun to recede, it is doubtful that significant recoveries would be made from now to the date of the event, which is about six weeks away.”

The NCDMB boss further noted that the East-West Road, which is one of the major arteries to the state had been badly impacted, making it difficult for human and vehicular movements.

He pointed out that facilities on the ground in Yenagoa for the hosting of the PNC 2022, had also been heavily impacted, including hotels, eateries, small businesses and service providers to partners, logistics support among others.

"Most of our operational vehicles that would provide logistic support to the PNC team are also stuck either in Port Harcourt, Rivers State or Warri, Delta State due to the state of the East-West Road.

“In view of the foregoing, I am constrained to write to inform all staff of the movement of the venue of the PNC 2022 from Yenagoa to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to hold on the same date.” Wabote said.

building would also alleviate the traffic problems that the old FIRS office causes in the area.

His words: “I also presented a memo to Council for which we obtained approval for the award of contract for the construction of a new Federal Inland Revenue Service office, with parking lots, at 17B, Awolowo Road in Lagos.

“This contract was awarded in favor of Messrs. CCBCC Nigeria Limited, at a total cost of N14,880,887,805.80, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT, with a completion period of 24 months.

“The construction of this building will save the Federal Inland Revenue Service about N4 billion yearly rent that they have been paying and it will also help the Lagos state government to reduce traffic congestion along Awolowo Road and the adjoining roads.

“The building is to be sited in the premises already owned by FIRS, so there is no purchase of land involved. The property measures 11,857 square meters,” he said.

On the memoranda presented on behalf of the Customs Service, Agba said “one of the other memos I submitted had to do with the Nigeria Customs Service and there was approval for the award of contract for the purchase of property at Mumbai Estate, which is on Plot 21 Cadastral Zone E 23.

“This has to do with the welfare of the Customs officers. Provision of residential accommodation, like you know, is a major incentive for

officers and men towards improving their efficiency and productivity.

Some of these officers are currently residing in hotels, some stay back in their offices and we think that that is not too good enough.

“So, the service intends to purchase an asset consisting of 274 housing units, which are categorized as follows: 128 units of three bedroom flats, 96 units of two bedroom flats, and 50 units of three-bedroom terrace duplexes and this is in favor of Messrs. Mobi Estate and Properties Limited, to the sum of N14.40 5 billion.

“The last memo for which we obtained approval, again was also for Customs and it’s in favor of three companies; Messrs. Perkins Engineering Limited, Cosgrove Investment Limited and Tranquil Energy Limited and these are basically for purchase of laptops for training and CBT examinations for the Customs Cadets, construction of two numbers 30 rooms, male cadets hostels and one number 30 rooms, female cadets hostel at Customs Training College in Kano and for the supply of 703 laptop computers, with mouse for the training school,” he said.

The Minister of State put the figure for this at N1,568,494,555.

FEC also approved the procurement of medical equipment and furniture for the ongoing construction of one of the prototype Aviation Medical Centers at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.

Buhari Meets British King Charles III at Buckingham Palace Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday evening met with the British monarch, King Charles III, at the Buckingham Palace in London, the United Kingdom.

Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, Tolu Ogunlesi, confirmed the meeting with pictures of President Buhari and his host, King Charles III. In a tweet on his verified Twitter handle @toluogunlesi, the presidential aide wrote "President @MBuhari today met with His

Royal Majesty King Charles III, at Buckingham Palace."

Although there was no official statement from the Presidency on the meeting, it was believed that Buhari was on courtesy visit to the palace.

The president has been in London for a routine medical check-up since November 1, 2022, and was expected back in the country in a matter of days, as his schedule, as at the time of departing Nigeria last week, said he would be back in the second week of November.

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POLITICS

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

Adeyeye: Afenifere Endorsed Tinubu Since April, 2022 A former Spokesman of Pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, who is now National Chairman of SouthWest Agenda for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, speaks with Sunday Aborisade, on issues surrounding the forthcoming 2023 general elections and the endorsement of Tinubu by Afenifere

W

hat is your reaction to the appeal by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, urging northerners to vote for him because the Yoruba or Igbo candidates could neither effectively satisfy their interest?

Atiku’s statement is extremely dangerous to the unity and peace of Nigeria. Trying to whip up ethnic sentiments in his desperate attempts to gain political support or advantage, cannot advance the unity and cohesion of a diverse country like Nigeria. Atiku, who had served as the vice president of Nigeria, ought to know better and he ought not to have made that kind of statement,which I consider, very unfortunate.

This is because it is likely to generate ethnic tension and drive a lot of people back to their ethnic shelves. This is rather unfortunate, happening at a time that all of us had agreed as a nation that the unity of Nigeria is extremely fragile due to a lot of centrifugal forces that had been trying to pull the nation apart. Atiku Abubakar needs to apologise formally to the entire Nigerians for making such a sensitive statement at this time.

has shown that he is not a pan Nigerian leader, who cannot represent the interest of everybody.

God forbids he wins the election, he would come with a baggage, with a feelings among Nigerians that he was going to serve a regional and ethnic interest. Right now, Nigerians can disqualify Atiku in their minds because he had demonstrated the fact that he could not serve the interest of all Nigerians.

As a former spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party, what is your reaction to the current arrangement in the party which concentrate power in the hands of northerners?

Beyond the party’s constitution, there was a gentleman arrangement among the political class in this country that in the interest of peace and unity of Nigeria, power should rotate to the South in 2023 because a whole area seems to be dominating power at the moment.

This is to give a sense of fairness, inclusion and participation to all Nigerians. This is also not to create an impression that some people had been born to rule. This gentleman agreement was being obeyed by the general political class in Nigeria since 1999. That was why, in 2007, the PDP, under President Olusegun Obasanjo, decided that power should go to the North after he, being from the South, had spent eight years in office. There were a lot of very strong candidates like Peter Odili, Donald Duke and others from the South as at that time who were even stronger than northern aspirants then.

Yet, the party, in the interest of peace, unity and cohesion agreed that power should shift to the North.

Hence, the late president Umaru MusaYar’Adua, emerged as the candidate of the PDP and invariably won the election. Yar’dua was meant to spend eight years but unfortunately, he died two years after he was elected due to ill-health. That was how former president Goodluck Jonathan, the vice president then, had to step in to complete Yar’Adua’s first term.

After that, he contested for another term and he won. So, in 2015, there was a general concensus among the political class that power should rotate to the North because the South had held on to power since the advent of democracy in 1999. That was what ultimately culminated in the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nigerians are extremely sensitive to these matters and it is there in the constitution of the PDP that power should rotate between the North and South. I believe that since power has been in the North for quite some time, it should now go the South. Even the PDP leaders recognised this fact during their party’s convention to elect new national working committee members, they decided to zone the chairmaship to the North in anticipation of the fact that the presidential candidate will come from the South.

Unfortunately, it was a big surprise at the primary when the party threw away its constitution and failed to respect its gentleman arrangement being religiously followed since 1999 and instead again, decided to zone the presidency to the North. That is the major cause of a very serious crisis rocking the party at the moment because some people felt what Atiku did was not fair enough to all the section of the country.

Being a strong member of Afenifere having served as its spokesperson over 20 years ago, are you saying that Baba Adebanjo did not consult Pa Fasoranti before coming out to publicly endorse Peter Obi, an Igbo man?

I can authoritatively confirm to you, based on the investigation I conducted that there was not such consultation. Don’t forget that I was a national publicity secretary of Afenifere in the hey days of the pan Yoruba social, political and economic organisation. I was speaking for the Afenifere at its greatest moment in life. I know the inner workings of Afenifere so well.

To the best of my knowledge, Pa Fasoranti has not been consulted. Other important leaders of Afenifere that I inquire from, had also said they were not consulted. That is not how Afenifere used to operate. It had never been a one man show. I do not know those who he claimed took the decision with him before he made that statement.

The Afenifere, a panYoruba social cultural organisation and Ohanaeze Ndigbo had endorsed the candidature of Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Will this not affect the chances of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming presidential election?

To start with, I want to find out from you, which Afenifere are you talking about? Is it the Afenifere under the leadership of Chief Ayo Adebanjo who is in acting capacity or the leadership of Afenifere under Pa Reuben Fasoranti? Fasoranti is the substantive leader of Afenifere and he is still alive. He merely delegated parts of his responsibilities to Chief Adebanjo because of his advancement in age and challenges regarding his health. The authentic leader of the Afenifere is Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

Adeyeye People believe that the North produce both the chairman of the party and the presidential candidate. It does not matter that the election has not been held. What matters now is that the two prominent faces that people would be seeing in the PDP now, are northerners. That is the argument of some of their governors who are saying that the presidential ticket had been hijacked by Atiku, there was the need to reverse the arrangement put in place during the convention by allowing a southerner to be the chairman.

Don’t you think that the northern leaders could be more at peace with an arrangement that would produce one of their own as president again for eight years?

Northerners are fair minded people. I am saying this because

I worked for the election of the late Chief MKO Abiola in 1993. He won with a landslide and even swept all the votes in the North because northerners are ready to vote for the best candidate from any part of the country not considering ethnic or religious sentiments. Atiku, having realised that the vast majority of the northern elders had realised that his candidature was not appropriate for this time, is now trying to whip ethnic and regional sentiments to get acceptability.

He had tried religious sentiments and it did not work. I believe that is too desperate of an Atiku who is referring to himself as a unifier.

No leader who genuinely wanted to govern Nigeria should attain such level of desperation.

Why do you think that the northern elders are not speaking out to condemn the step taken by the PDP to throw up Atiku from the North as the party’s presidential candidate?

It is not only for the northern leaders to speak up, it is also the responsibility of all Nigerians to condemn Atiku’s action. Mere uttering that statement before the northern elders, Atiku

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu visited Pa Reuben Fasoranti-led Afenifere in April this year in his Akure country home.

Major leaders of the group were in attendance on the occasion. Chief Olu Falae, Chief Seinde Arogbofa, and others were present there. On that occasion, Asiwaju Tinubu made his intention to contest for the position known to the leaders and sought their blessings. They gave him their words, endorsement, blessings, prayed for him and wished him success. It was then agreed at the occasion that if by providence, he wins the primaries, he should come back to inform the leaders and seek further blessings

What is the implication of Obi’s endorsement by Chief Adebanjo on behalf of the Afenifere?

The action taken by Chief Adebanjo was capable of causing a division within the Afenifere and create a very great wedge among the leaders of Afenifere and by implications, among the Yoruba people at large because many of them are definitely dissatisfied with the statement of Chief Adebanjo. That is not how Afenifere used to operate?

How does Afenifere operate in this type of situation?

Before the Afenifere would take such an important decision, there would be wide consultation. The matter would be reviewed.

Afenifere used to have a think-tank. People would study the situation and come up with a position. It is not that one person would rush to the Press and decide for the entire Yoruba.

You can not unilaterally take a decision that could have implications on the unity, progress and the development of the country.

What the Afenifere stands for is the protection of the interest of the Yoruba people. We are not saying that the candidate at the centre must be a Yoruba person. We are concerned about the dividend that would come to the Yoruba people under any leader, either from the North or the South. Afenifere had never been parochial in saying that a particular person must be the President. Our leaders are always looking for the person who would best serve the interest and the core values that had already been established by the Afenifere for the Yorubaland.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2022

POLITICS

Onyejeocha: I Have People’s Mandate to Return to House in 2023 Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives and fourth time member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency in Abia State, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, in this interview with Emameh Gabriel, speaks on her chances in the 2023 poll and her strive towards nation-building and good governance

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Delegation would lay its reports on the floor of the National Assembly for deliberations and follow-up actions. I can summarily say, ACP-EU is a platform for the betterment of our countries.

ecently, you were a recipient of a national honour. Nigerians saw it as well deserved. What does this mean to you as a politician and an individual?

Let me correct an impression. The award came to me as a surprise, but not a surprise at the same time. I can say I’m not surprised because I’m doing my best. I have dedicated myself to the service of my Constituency.

They know who I am and what I stand for.

It has gotten to the level that, if they request anything from me and I say I can’t do it, they will insist that I make a promise. By the time I insist to know why, they always tell me because you keep your promises.

I entered politics by accident but I think nothing happen by accident. In my political engagements, I have continued to uphold God’s principles because politics will come and go but all flesh will return to the creator to give account of it’s deeds. That’s why I don’t pretend. If I make promise, I keep it because it’s a debt and a sin not to keep your promises.

A time comes in this country when people are looking for who to trust. Some civil society groups, clerics and individuals wrote, recommending me for national honour.

The Prelate Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde of the Methodist Church Nigeria and other clerics wrote in my favour. In fact, I got to know about the award from the public.

You mean you had no knowledge of the award and you didn’t attempt to influence it like others would have done?

People talked about the National Assembly list, I told them, my name wasn’t included. I’m not who I am because I’m a Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives. I can boldly beat my chest to say, if there’s anything like Community Service, that’s what earned me a National Honour, not because I’m a Deputy Chief Whip.

Look, I built like four Churches. I do medical outreach every year. This year was my 15th year. At a time I was doing it in collaboration with the Nigerian doctors, until few years ago, I started partnering with Living Hope. Together, we were bringing in about 40 medical doctors from the United States, every year. Though COVID interrupted at a point but we are on cause. Every year, we perform at least, 150 surgeries absolutely free of charge. People come from different states for medical help during the outreach.

Sometimes, I walked into the arena and people will be telling I’m not from Abia but Anambra, Enugu, Imo etc. I keep assuring them that the programme is for humanity and does not discriminate where one comes from. As you offer these services without discrimination, people take note of it. You don’t know who’s going to say what.

One striking thing is that I’m not a conventional politician because the term “politician” has come to connote somebody who steals, lies, cunning, etc. So, it makes me skeptical to say I’m a politician. I prefer to be called “Servant of the people”, Servant of men because I serve my People. Before I became a Commissioner in my State, I had many people under my scholarships programme for indigent students. In fact, it was because of my philanthropic gesture that the traditional rulers in my local government nominated me for Commissioner representing my local government.

From that background, I’m not a regular politician. When I was appointed, there was protest that I was not a card-carrying member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Their grouse was that representatives from my local government had disappointed before and that they need ‘black horse’, who will help to drive votes. I didn’t understand

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

what they meant because I knew little about politics.

While in US, my traditional ruler, Igwe Emeka Ogwuru, Araka of Ngodo Kingdom called me back that I should host the governor. That’s the background I’m coming from.

For the award, it’s not because I’m a fourth term member of Housw of Representatives. It’s not. I can say this anywhere. If it’s about that, the Speaker would have nominated me because I know where I’m coming from and what I have done. But somehow, people who are feeling the positive impact of my work stood for me.

The lesson in the whole of these is that, wherever you found yourself, even where you are unknown, put in your best, be your best. Someone may be watching you. Positively or negatively, the reward will cer-

tainly come. Like I said during the award, it calls for more prudence, diligence and dedication in your work because at some point, the result will come. This national honour conferred additional responsibility because I have become societal role model.

You were at the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly recently with other parliamentarians to represent Nigeria, what were the key issues raised during this year’s summit, and if you don’t mind, what are the take home?

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) is a unique and permanent democratic institution which brings together an equal number of elected Members of Parliament from the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states and members of the European Parliament. The Ambassadors of various countries attend our sittings also.

We discuss contemporary issues that pose existential threat to humanity like Climate Change, Women Participation in politics, flooding, terrorism in Sub Saharan Africa.

At the end of our deliberation, the Nigerian

One striking thing is that I’m not a conventional politician because the term “politician” has come to connote somebody who steals, lies, cunning, etc. So, it makes me skeptical to say I’m a politician. I prefer to be called “Servant of the people”, Servant of men because I serve my People. Before I became a Commissioner in my State, I had many people under my scholarships programme for indigent students. In fact, it was because of my philanthropic gesture that the traditional rulers in my local government nominated me for Commissioner representing my local government

Talking about women in politics.

You have been a strong advocate of women inclusion in politics. We all saw the data released by INEC recently showing that only 13 percent (3,163) of candidates that contested for different positions in the 2019 general election were women, leaving the balance of 87 percent (21,190) for men, in a total of 24,353 contestants.This shows a drastic decline compared to 2015. Are you not bothered about this and what would you say could be the reasons for this drop?

At the recent meeting, the European Union, Pacific delegations blasted Nigeria for lack of commitment to women inclusion in politics.

I sponsored a bill tagged Additional Seats Bill. I was able to get the Speaker to co-sponsor and over 100 male lawmakers as signatories that include the 12 women Parliamentarians. I have collaborated with the then First Lady, Patience Jonathan and Speaker, Hon Dimeji Bankole to see how to create/reserve special seats to increase women participation in politics.

The opposition from men is glaring. Question is who are you going to displace? Each time I raise this issue on the floor of the House, our male counterparts will raise constitutional point of order, section 42, which forbids gender discrimination. All the bills I passed, I sponsored them myself.

But the Citizen Bill, 35 per cent affirmative action Bill, Additional Seats Bill were all shutdown.

The solution to the whole of these is, Nigeria needs a president who is committed to affirmative action for women. A president who will order political parties to include certain percentage of women for elections. This is not rocket science.

Cameroon, Rwanda and Kenya did it. In 2021, the proportion of seats held by women in the national parliament of Rwanda stood at 61.25 percent.

In fact, in the recent election in Kenya, seven women were elected governors. What the women did was to extract commitment from one of the presidential candidates, Williams Ruto, who publicly signed an agreement to allocate specific number of Parliament seats to women. But the men fought it vehemently.

I was with the Deputy Speaker of Kenya Parliament, she told me that before this election, she asked the presidential candidate that the only way you could have their support is to promise them that you are going to give certain number of seats to women in the parliament. And that he must signed that agreement in the public. That is what they did. The man said he doesn’t have a problem with women in the parliament or having women in government.

The men started fighting the presidential candidate and the man said look, women are mothers. So why won’t I encourage them. So he signed a commitment to women that he would give them certain percentage of seats in government. So by this, he gingered women and they voted for him massively. That’s why they have seven female governors.

Look at the only one we have in Nigeria, she was not protected. I know the Azikiwes, the Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello and others won’t do that. They would have ensured that she is protected.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

FEATURES

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

Bridging Burgeoning Housing Deficit in Nigeria As part of its commitment to bridge the burgeoning housing deficit, Richygold International Ltd recently unveiled the 96-housing unit estate in Abuja. Rebecca Ejifoma reports that beyond this, the company is committed to building affordable housing for Nigerians

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helter is one of man's most basic needs and as Maslow puts it, represents the human physiological needs as the base of a triangle to show that meeting these needs are the most important in our lives.

Therefore, housing deficit, when left unabated, could lead to increase in crime, outbreak of diseases, unaffordable house prices, poor standards of living as well as high mortgage payments.

Due to this, the United Nations (UN) advocated for the adoption of Goal 11 globally. Goal 11 was targeted to capture a holistic perspective of the housing sector, with a view to achieving quality and affordable housing units for all by 2030."

Shelter is one of man's most basic needs and as Maslow puts it, represents the human physiological needs as the base of a triangle to show that meeting these needs are the most important in our lives

Nigeria's Housing Deficit Undoubtedly, the housing deficit in Nigeria has been a recurring conversation in the past couple of years. Over the years, individuals and corporate organisations have ventured into real estate to bridge that gap.

Give or take, real estate in Nigeria is serious business and lately, the industry has become a gold mine. Little wonder many have tapped into it and are making profit, as well as bridging the huge housing deficit.

This is because Nigerians are always in need of either residential buildings, office spaces, as well as complex for commercial purposes. This perhaps explains why the real estate industry has been ranked as the fifth largest contributor to the GDP. Sticky Situation When the nation’s economy got stuck in a sticky situation owing to inflation, floods and the pandemic, the housing sector became threatened even more.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had foreseen this outcome in 2021 when it drummed up the private sector to bond with the federal government to solve the 22 million housing gap.

This appeal follows its findings that the burgeoning housing deficit may continue to grow and plunge Nigerians into untold plight.

Affordable Housing Since its gripping calls to nip this gap in the bud, several organisations have mapped out measures to ensure affordable housing trickles down to the masses. One of such organisation that has risen to the occasion is Richygold International Limited, an import firm. It is putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians in need of affordable housing, reaching one family at a time.

The firm is not only bridging the housing deficit in the country, but it is also taking into consideration the role that serenity, a healthy environment and security play in addressing this need.

This played out during the recent unveiling of the Richygold International maiden estate in Abuja in line with the promise of its CEO, Mr Richard Agbapuru, to furnish Nigerians with convenient and affordable houses. The estate comprises 96 housing units which are 90 per

Agbapuru cent ready in the Apo District area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the CEO, access to decent, affordable housing is key to critical stability for these families. “The idea of the estate was conceived in 2012 and by 2014 investors were already consolidating arrangements for a take-off. They never relented despite obvious challenges that tried to stall construction work at some stages.”

Although Agbapuru insisted that there was no access road initially, he frowned at how various government and non-governmental bodies demanded different kinds of taxes when construction kicked off. “The community members or the indigenes of the area were asking for outrageous bills for economic trees and so on."

The realtor, however, outlined that this encounter posed serious hiccups in actualising the aim. However, owing to their resilience and

tenacity, the Richygold boss alongside his team was not ready to back down in its quest to build modern-day residential apartments. Rather, the team saw the challenges as a motivating factor towards realising their dream.

Its newly unveiled estate in Abuja, which is sited less than three kilometres from the city centre, has houses and apartments from N25 million to N80 million with world-class facilities such as supermarkets and children’s playgrounds.

“The ambience is lively with good provision for constant water supply and steady electricity from public electric distribution companies which invariably makes it less expensive for residents who would have easily resorted to the use of personal electric generating sets,” he emphasised.

The New Beacon Academy located in

the estate gives it an extra touch for residents.

The estate is a top-grade primary and secondary school that caters to the educational needs of children.

According to the industrialist, parents are thrilled to enrol their children in the school.

Owners of the estate were not unmindful of the security needs of the residents at a time like now when insecurity knows no big or poor man.

With this laudable initiative, there is then no gainsaying that Agbapuru has made his mark in the pharmaceutical sector enough to lease hope to Nigerians following his company’s modest achievement so far in the real estate sector.

Despite the serene environment, impressive edifice and glorious interior, the firm isn’t oblivious to the security challenges ripping the nation. Hence, Agbapuru expressed, “Interestingly, the adequate security arrangement in place is one of the unique selling points that attract residents in addition to good facilities maintenance and management”.

Richygold International went a step further to construct an open drainage system to keep mosquitos and other dreadful insects at bay.

“The peaceful environment and a feedback mechanism put in place seamlessly allow the house owners, facility managers and residents to communicate regularly.

While expressing their fulfilment in delving into the property market, the management highlighted its unwavering quest to do more in Abuja and other viable places in the country.

Commendation At the unveiling, one of the guests and National Commissioner and Chairman, of Information and Voter Education of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Festus Okoye commended Richygold International for joining the real estate sector with the chief aim to provide affordable stateof-the-art apartments to Nigerians.

Women Seek More Participation in Governance Mary Nnah Nigerian women who have distinguished themselves in various sectors of the economy have bemoaned low participation of women in politics and governance as women's participation in governance is estimated to be at 6.7 per cent for elective and appointed positions.

Delivering a paper at the 2022 Class of MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame induction ceremony and purple symposium with the theme, “Women Arise in Leadership, SMEs Development and Port Efficiency in a Multi-Port”, the Chairperson, Zoe Maritime Resources Limited, Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore pointed out the abysmal statistics.

While stating that the global average of women participation

in governance is 22.5 per cent and the African continent rated 23.5 per cent, Edodo-Emore stated that Nigeria’s 6.7 per cent participation is worrisome when compared to the West African sub-regional average of 15 per cent.

The Guest Speaker, who referenced a report by Gender Strategy Advancement Initiative, noted that there are only seven women out of the 109 Nigerian senators and 22 of the nation’s 360 House of Representatives members are women.

However, she identified some of the factors limiting the advancement of Nigerian women in politics to include; stigmatisation, poor girl-child education, ungodly meeting hours, religion, and son of the soil syndrome, among others.

The event organised by

MMS WoFHoF Initiative, a non-governmental organisation took place in Lagos recently.

The female participants were unanimous about the gender gap in leadership representation and urged the Federal Government and political players to begin the process of genuine distribution of leadership power between the male and the female gender in the promotion of gender balancing.

According to the Chairperson of MMS WOFHOF Board of Trustees(BOT), Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi, while Nigerian women far outweigh men in the ratio of electorates, women should encourage one another and deploy their numerical strength the support women political candidates in the future.Orakwusi, who also chaired the event, expressed

delight at the advancement of women in the maritime sector, businesses and corporate governance.

While maintaining that women should show more interest in a leadership positions in the political and governance system, she commended the MMS WOFHOF Initiative for its commitment to women’s recognition, even as she eulogized the 2022 Hall of Famers and urged them to help in advancing the cause of women, both in empowerment and leadership pursuits.

On her part, the President of Women in Mining (WIMIN), Engr. Janet Adeyemi said women can achieve as much and even more than men, in a fair and even distributed workplace situation, and described the induction/ symposium as an ideal place to do an audit

of women in managerial space across various sectors of the nation’s economy.

She noted that women's emancipation in any skewed gender society is usually a tough situation that has taken lots of struggle towards correcting any perceived gender balance. She urged women in leadership to encourage and mentor others to attain skills and be able to aspire.

Adeyemi averred that oftentimes, some of the greatest drag on women's emancipation is caused by gender pulldown syndrome, and urged women to free their minds from tendencies that promote narrow mindsets.

She said, “We have to strengthen this assembly to have a viable group even as we recall those top women today aren’t at the zenith because

they are more educated or more beautiful, but because someone paid the price.

“Some women threaded these parts in the past and paid the price for more women to have the platform we have today. We should be able to give back by creating a more enabling environment for younger women to thrive.

“We should be able to ascertain how many women are in management positions across critical sectors, study and analyze the gaps in skills,” Adeyemi said.

Also speaking, one of the inductees, Mrs. Augustina Igbokwe, who is the Managing Director of Tyse Oil and Gas, informed the gathering that countries governed by women perform better; in all yards of evaluation.

17

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

#THISISNIGERIA -Adeolu Adekola

Flooding, Climate Change and the Number 7 as Nigeria Decides in 2023

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n arguably one of the most successful Nigerian albums released in 1989 and making waves all through the nineties titled Ace by afro-juju creator Sir Shina Peters, the number seven was projected as a lucky number. On many fronts also, the number seven is believed to be unique and magical. There are seven continents, seven days a week, seven colours make up the rainbow and so on.

Nigeria’s 4th republic which started in 1999 will see citizens go to the general polls for the seventh time in 2023 to elect the President, federal legislators, governors in 28 States and state legislators in 36 states. This is the 2nd time in all the election cycles the incumbent President will not run for office because he would have completed two terms of four years each. This, therefore, makes the election an important one owing to the current state of affairs of the nation. With public campaigns by political parties officially commencing according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a few weeks ago, voters have a chance to listen to the plans of candidates on a host of issues.

Top on the agenda is insecurity and economic matters. For instance, data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) shows that Nigeria recorded 12,665 security-related attacks between 2015 and June 2022 with 32,694 deaths - the highest ever recorded under any dispensation.

Although Nigeria improved in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) ranking as the sixth country most impacted by terrorism having occupied the fourth position since 2017, it can be argued that terrorism is just one area of concern when dealing with insecurity.

The September 2022 inflation rate according to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) hit 20.77% making it the highest since September 2005 with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasting it to rise to 22% due to the rise in food and energy prices.

Several factors contribute to the issues citizens have grappled with and now is the time to ask relevant questions from the candidates vying for elective positions both at the federal and state levels. The climate change topic is not usually given priority during campaigns and election debates. So, it was interesting to see the response of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the Arewa Joint Committee Interactive Session with Presidential

Candidates generating reactions based on his metaphor of ‘preventing a church rat from eating a poisoned holy communion.’

A video clip of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has also surfaced online where he stated ‘we can’t be talking about climate change when people are taking cover from bombs.’ This clearly shows that the political class is somewhat disconnected from the realities of the climate change subject. It is instructive that both comments are connected to Nigeria’s economic status as a developing country and the heightened insecurity issues that have overwhelmed authorities.

Every stakeholder in Nigeria – politician, policymaker, media and citizen – must understand the issues affecting the country today have some roots in years of inadequate proactive response to the impact of climate change. Lake Chad in the 1960s was one of Africa’s largest freshwater bodies and a source of livelihood for about 30 million people.

The water body has dried up by 90% since then due to overuse and climate change effects. Inadequate planning and alternatives led to the loss of farmlands in Nigeria and so farmers are becoming less and less able to have a means of livelihood. With the absence of vegetation, herders also began moving away from the core north for grazing purposes.

This was where farmers/dwellers and herdsmen clashes began in north-central Nigeria. When the loss of livelihood of northern farmers intersected with forced child marriage and a high birth rate, it was only a matter of time before Nigeria’s poor infrastructural development over the years caught up with a population that increased by 161 million between independence and 2020. It was only a matter of time before out-of-school children grew up to become a massive and willing recruitment pool for terrorists and bandits. We need not mention that reduced production of food crops economically means the country has to import most of what the population will consume thereby weakening the naira.

Year after year, flooding, which is one of the many results of climate change due to rising sea levels, has repeatedly occurred. The recent episode in 2022 that has ravaged 31 states, killed over 700

people and displaced over 1 million citizens reminds us that more needs to be done to adequately adapt to climate change.

When COVID-19 became a pandemic, some world leaders were vocal about holding China responsible because if it managed the outbreak better locally, it would have not turned into a global crisis. While this debate was ongoing, countries rolled out plans to ensure the pandemic was contained.

The use of face masks, observing social distancing, lockdowns and so on were activated globally before vaccines were approved. So, climate financing for developing countries, on one hand, is rightly a top issue in the climate change conversation but on the other hand, adapting to the impact of climate change relies on proper government policies and leadership. In a nutshell, waiting for the global north to take responsibility for financing climate change mitigation and adaptability alone cannot be the strategy of a presidential candidate on climate change.

According to the United Nations (UN), climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, mainly caused by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas generate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures. The top 5 emitters of Carbon dioxide (CO2) , one of the GHG emitted and the primary driver of global climate change globally - China, the US, India, Russia and Japan - account for 58% of the total emissions. Also, while the top 10 GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emitters contribute over two-thirds of global emissions, the 54 African countries contribute less than 4% of global emissions. Therefore, the world cannot successfully fight climate change without significant action from the top 10 emitters. We must hold the nations responsible for emitting GHG in quantum numbers, but it goes beyond this.

According to the World Bank Groundswell reports, by 2050, Sub-Saharan Africa could see as many as 86 million internal climate migrants (move within their countries’ borders) in the absence of urgent global and national climate action to mitigate it. At the 2021 United Nations

Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, President Buhari pledged that Nigeria will attain NetZero (zero carbon emissions) by 2050. The question of ‘how’ must be asked towards the elections because 85 million Nigerians do not have access to grid electricity. This represents 43% of the country’s population and makes Nigeria the country with the largest energy access deficit in the world according to the World Bank.

Those on the grid suffer from epileptic supply and grid collapse with a large population depending on petrol and dieselpowered generators. Coastal communities in Nigeria are suffering from the impact of climate change. In some cases, contracts awarded under the shore protection and erosion control programmes, never saw the light of day with several billions of naira disappearing. The Ayetoro community and Abari community in Ondo and Delta states are case studies reported in the media. If the global north shows up with finance, what will the funds be used for? How is Nigeria implementing the revised Nationally Determined Contribution document submitted to the UN in 2021 sub-nationally?

How is Nigeria responding to drought, and desertification which contributed to the insecurity and insurgency in northern Nigeria? How is waste disposal being treated sub-nationally and what are the steps taken to nip in the bud sand mining and illegal logging activities leading to deforestation?

These and much more are the burning issues tied to the climate change subject.

The current administration had a 3-point agenda when canvassing for votes in 2015 - security, building a sustainable economy and fighting corruption. It is ironic, therefore, that climate change is interwoven with all three. The sooner the right questions are asked and political office seekers come up with actionable plans on climate change towards the seventh general election cycle, the better for Nigeria to mitigate and adapt to its impact. t"EFPMV "EFLPMB BO BDUJWF DJUJ[FO XPSLJOH BSPVOE BDDPVOUBCJMJUZ JO HPWFSOBODF DJWJD FOHBHFNFOU BOE JOWFTUJHBUJWF KPVSOBMJTN JT UIF 1SPKFDU .BOBHFS 0QFO $MJNBUF 3FQPSUJOH *OJUJBUJWF 0$3* PG UIF $FOUSF GPS *OWFTUJHBUJWF +PVSOBMJTN -POEPO ] 5XJUUFS !5IFZPMV ]] -JOLFEJO "EFPMV "EFLPMB

18 T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2022 TR

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Thursday November 10, 2022 Vol 27. No 10075

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

GOD, SONGS AND PLAY

UMO ENO kicks off his gubernatorial campaign in a carnival-like ambience, writes B.J. Ikene

See page 23

IN SEARCH OF THE RIGHT LEADERS

JOSEF OMOROTIONMWAN argues that there is power in a good campaign

See page 23

EDITORIAL THE BANE OF ILLEGAL MINING

See page 24

1

The crises in the public universities should have been better handled by the government, argues MONDAY PHILIPS EKPE

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Umo Eno kicks off his gubernatorial campaign in a carnival-like ambience, writes B.J. Ikene JOSEF OMOROTIONMWAN argues that there is power in a good campaign

GOD, SONGS AND PLAY

IN SEARCH OF THE RIGHT LEADERS 1RW ORQJ DJR *RYHUQRU 8GRP Emmanuel made a pact with his fellow citizens. They should hold him to account, KH VDLG LI KLV SDUW\·V JXEHU SLFN IDLOV WR perform if he ascends the throne as the next JRYHUQRU RI $NZD ,ERP 6WDWH 7KH 3'3 JRYHUQRUVKLS FDQGLGDWH 8PR (QR JDYH ZKDW PD\ EH D IRUHWDVWH RI KLV VWHZDUGVKLS ZKHQ KH NLFNHG RͿ KLV FDPSDLJQ 7XHVGD\ 1RYHPEHU WK LQ 8\R The event had a carnival air. It was a spectacle of colours, white, blue, purple, grey, green, red, yellow and more. Groups RI GLͿHUHQW VWULSHV DQG YRLFHV RI GLͿHUHQW parts of the state coalesced in a stunning kaleidoscope. It was part a church crusade, part a party campaign, part a cultural fest.

It was God, songs and play, with rhetoric from the big names, including the sitting governor and the prospective one. It was a blend of hope for the next term and joy of the moment. %XW LWV PXVLF ZDV KHDGOLQHG E\ WKH WKURDW\ YRLFH RI 0HUF\ &KLQZR VWLUULQJ all to their feet and wiggle, including *RYHUQRU (PPDQXHO DQG ZLIH 0DUWKD 3DUW\ FKLHIWDLQ DIWHU SDUW\ FKLHIWDLQ URVH WR speak at the podium, including the director general of the governorship campaign, the PDQ ZLWK WKH SRHWLF QDPH $PEDVVDGRU

$VVDP $VVDP 7KH KLJKOLJKW ZDV 8QR KLPVHOI WKH reason for the event. He, a pastor, started RͿ RQ D VSLULWXDO QRWH ´*UHDW LV \RXU IDLWKIXOQHVV µ ZDV WKH ÀUVW WXQH DQG KH IROORZHG LW E\ EHOWLQJ DZD\ ´<RX DUH *RG DOO E\ \RXUVHOI µ He started by tapping into his own biography saying that he started small, and if he could rise to this height, no one should give up hope. He reminded the crowd that he “crawled my way up from helplessness to be the second largest employer of ODERXUµ LQ WKH VWDWH ,W PHDQV KH HPSOR\HG only less than the state itself, nesting about 2000 workers in the oil-rich state. “Where \RX DUH WRGD\ µ KH TXLSSHG ´LV QRW WKH HQG RI \RXU OLIH µ He also paid tribute to Governor Emmanuel who had the courage to follow the current of his revelation to throw him up as governorship candidate. “We shall QRW WDNH WKH JUDFH RI *RG IRU JUDQWHG µ KH said. &ODG LQ D JUHHQ RXWÀW IHVWRRQHG ZLWK 3'3·V XPEUHOOD KH SOHGJHG KH ZRXOG run an issue-based campaign, without blackmail or propaganda. His speech was DQ LPPHUVLRQ LQWR KLV $5,6( DJHQGD WKDW PHDQW $JULFXOWXUH 5XUDO GHYHORSPHQW infrastructure, security and education. He applauded Emmanuel for making the state a reference point for governance in the federation and outside, and praised him for

how he applied resources with prudence and imagination. He also pointed out one RI WKH JRYHUQRU·V VLJQDWXUH DFKLHYHPHQW ,ERP $LU QRZ UHJDUGHG DV WKH QDWLRQ·V EHVW airline. He announced that it would soon become a foreign exchange earner as the JRYHUQRU KDV RUGHUHG EUDQG QHZ %RHLQJ aircraft that will make it an international carrier, breaking into the west coast of $IULFD DQG RWKHU SODFHV 8QR LQWHQGV WR extend it by creating a cargo part of the FDUULHU·V EXVLQHVV E\ LQVWDOOLQJ D WHUPLQDO He spoke of peace a number of times, invoking the fact that Gov. Emmanuel brought peace to a state that was a scare to most of its citizens. He recalled the spectre of death on the streets, even in churches.

'HDWK KDXQWHG WKH LQQRFHQW DQG SHUFHLYHG enemies of state.

He also said he would continue with the infrastructure work of the governor and H[WHQG LWV UHDFK WR WKH IDU ÁXQJ SDUWV RI WKH VWDWH·V XQGHUEHOO\ +H ZDV DOVR WKULOOHG WR say that the state had developed quite a few business ventures, a thing that showcases 8GRP·V EDFNJURXQG DV D PDQ RI FRUSRUDWH Nigeria who was executive director of one of the marquee banks of the federation.

8QR QRWHG WKDW $NZD ,ERP LV QR ORQJHU the civil service state many called it before Emmanuel took charge. He referred to the FRFRQXW IDFWRU\ ÁRXU PLOOV DPRQJ WKH PDMRU LQGXVWULDO RXWÀWV KH EURXJKW WR WKH state. Reeling out comforting cacophonies, 8QR VD\V WKH HOHFWLRQ LV DERXW FRQWLQXLW\ about character, about competence, about compassion and about integrity. He said, “it is about servant leadership, not about a UXOHU µ He went back to his own personal story, about a business he started in 1977 after he prospered in the corporate world. He ran a hotel business that still employs next to the state government. He said no one should play down the virtue of running a hotel business. He referred to *RYHUQRU (PPDQXHO·V IUHTXHQW VD\LQJ that “if one cannot run a kiosk, he cannot UXQ D PXOWLQDWLRQDO µ +H DOVR TXRWHG WKH bible, “see a man who is diligent in his business, he shall appear before kings and QRW EHIRUH PHDQ PHQ µ +H DQVZHUHG KLV critics. “Some people may say to run a hotel EXVLQHVV LV QRW WKH VDPH DV UXQQLQJ D VWDWH µ KH VDLG +H SRVHG D SRLQW $ PDQ WKDW FDQ provide meals for 2000 people a day for 25 years must have a touch of genius.

He said the job of succeeding Emmanuel should not fall on “unsteady and shaky KDQGV µ EXW RQ VWHDG\ DQG VDIH KDQGV 4XRWLQJ 'RXJODV 0F*UHJRU KH SOHGJHG to run a state from the human side of HQWHUSULVH +H VDLG KH ZRXOG PDNH $NZD ,ERP WKH ´SHUSHWXLW\ FDSLWDO RI 1LJHULD µ +H PDGH WKH VSHHFK ZLWK DͿHFWLQJ eloquence and empathy, generating URDUV RI DSSODXVH DQG EUHDNLQJ LW RͿ WR acknowledge an adoring audience. The governor took over, dancing and swinging KLV VWDͿ +H VFRUHG 8QR SHUFHQW for his oratory and content, echoing his SUHVXPSWLYH VXFFHVVRU·V SRLQW DERXW SHDFH and prosperity, and not returning the state to the former life of banditry and insecurity.

He invoked a church song to emphasise the point. He warned against those he likened WR -XGDV ,VFDULRW ZKR ZLOO VHOO RͿ WKH VWDWH because they seek after “our treasure.

Ikene writes from Uyo

Government is about human needs, the VDWLVIDFWLRQ RI ZKLFK LV WKH VROH MXVWLÀFDWLRQ of government. Representative government recognizes that much as it would have been necessary for every citizen to be present at the seat of government, it is clearly impossible because of the burgeoning population.

That is why the country is broken into small units, with each unit sending a representative WR $EXMD 7KHVH UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV DUH FKRVHQ IRU D given period in the process of an election.

7KH +RO\ %RRN LV UHSOHWH ZLWK WKH IDFW WKDW D fruit tree that does not produce fruits would be FXW GRZQ DQG XVHG DV ÀUHZRRG RU LW FRXOG EH

VDZQ LQWR SODQNV IRU WKH FDUSHQWHU·V XVH 6R LW LV that any representative that is not able to give a good account of his stewardship is withdrawn while a better representative is sent.

The process of re-election or replacement comes in the form of a very serious campaign.

It involves the candidates and their political parties travelling across their various constituencies, pleading with the electorate to give them their votes. $W WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI WKH FDPSDLJQV IRU past elections, we told the candidates and their parties to be of good behaviour and to make their campaigns issue-based, devoid of mudslinging, character assassination, insinuations, inuendoes and all that. We are departing from that because it is really not our duty.

Rather, as they do in other climes, it is the duty of anyone contesting an election to know the rules of engagement. In fact, if his campaigns are not issues-based, he simply loses the election.

Secondly, if he chooses to toe the path of mudslinging, character assassination and the GLUW\ SROLWLFV RI \HVWHU \HDUV WKHUH DUH VX΀FLHQW laws in the books to take care of him such that LQVWHDG RI ODQGLQJ LQ R΀FH KH ODQGV KLPVHOI LQ prison! $JDLQ WKHUH DUH WKLQJV WKDW DUH LPSRUWDQW LQ the advanced democracies but in Nigeria, they IULWWHU LQWR LQVLJQLÀFDQFH $OWKRXJK GHEDWHV DUH not constitutionally demanded at any election, they have become very important in other climes. In those places, elections are won and lost at the debates.

The debate is such an important issue that no candidate should have a choice as to whether to take part in it or not. The debate is more than the exchange of words. It easily takes the place of the medical test of the candidates that we have been asking for. It is the only opportunity the people have to see the man who will be representing them at the World stage. It is the only opportunity you have to see if he can stand up for 90 minutes, with a short break RI DERXW ÀYH PLQXWHV ,I KH LV D΁LFWHG ZLWK 3DUNLQVRQ·V GLVHDVH WKDW JODVV RI ZDWHU PD\ fall from him in an attempt to have a sip. How

many times does he sip from that water?

In the debate, how you say something is even more important than what you say. So, it is not something that should be avoided. Look at it this way: It is free to the candidate. Somebody is paying and asking you to come and sell yourself free of charge. Why should you run away? No reason at all! In fact, if you cannot stand the smoke, you should get out of the kitchen!

7KH 2΀FH RI D FRXQWU\·V 3UHVLGHQW RU WKH Governor of a State is not for the weakling but for the strong. These characteristics show up in debates.

In Nigeria, we have treated the debates with levity; thus making it look like there is an inverse relationship between partaking in the debate and winning the election.

In 1999, Gen. Olushegun Obasanjo stoically avoided debating with Chief Olu Falae. Obasanjo won the election. In 2007, 3UHVLGHQW 0XVD <DU ¶$GXD ZDV DOUHDG\ WRR frail and too feeble to look at any debate. In the end, he won the election. In 2015 and 3UHVLGHQW 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL UDQ away from anything called debate. He won both elections; and those who took part in the debates lost at the elections.

Even if these elections went against the run of play, the importance of a debate cannot be overemphasised. This is perhaps one way of explaining the fact that over the years, we have only succeeded in dumping RQ RXUVHOYHV 3UHVLGHQWV ZKR KDYH EHHQ KDOI DOLYH DQG KDOI GHDG ³ 3UHVLGHQWV ZKR would spend half of their tenure at home and the other half in Europe and Saudi $UDELD VHHNLQJ PHGLFDO DWWHQWLRQ The campaign should not provide us with just the opportunity to exhibit our ODWHVW LQ ´%DEDULJDµ DQG RXU ODWHVW GDQFH steps. Serious candidates should do something new, instead of continuing to do WKH VDPH ROG WKLQJV DQG H[SHFWLQJ GLͿHUHQW results.

Our campaigns since pre-Independence till today have remained at the level of mud-slinging and nothing more. No innovations except in rigging techniques.

Only two politicians have been innovative in their approaches. Late Chief 2EDIHPL $ZRORZR DQG &KLHI 0 . 2 $ELROD ,Q WKH (OHFWLRQV &KLHI $ZRORZR DQG KLV $FWLRQ *URXS $* KDG been told they dare not come into Eastern Nigeria, a region dominated by the NCNC. They did not know they were dealing with a man with an iron determination. $ZRORZR WUDQVFHQGHG WKH ERUGHUV RI the Western Region; and penetrated the Eastern and Northern Regions.

2QH IDWHIXO PRUQLQJ DW DERXW 2·&ORFN we were in the class in Onitsha. Suddenly, WKH VNLHV EHFDPH WRWDOO\ GDUN $ZRORZR and his people were in their helicopters, hovering around the whole place; dropping heaps of campaign materials, exercise ERRNV SHQFLOV UXOHUV Á\HUV VSUHDGLQJ WKHLU proposed free education and free health, if HOHFWHG DQG LQGHHG WKH SURPLVH RI /,%(57< )25 $// $1' /,)( 025( $%81'$17 $OO VFKRROV PDUNHWV DQG R΀FHV LQ Onitsha burst loose! Everywhere was scattered! The same thing was happening simultaneously in major cities in the East.

Needless to say, the NCNC campaign was destabilised.

Omorotionmwan writes from Canada

24 4

T H I S D AY

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

THE BANE OF ILLEGAL MINING The authorities could do more to significantly reduce incidence of illegal mining

T

he recent arrest in Kwara State by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives of a Chinese national for alleged illegal mining has brought to fore a problem that remains potent to our economy and national security. The male suspect, 29, was caught in possession of crude minerals without authority. A truck load of minerals, suspected to be lepidolite, sometimes called the “peace stone” was recovered from him, according to a statement by EFCC. The arrest validates the 2018 Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) solid mineral sector report which highlighted the prevalence of illegal mining activities in the country. The comprehensive audit explained that except for isolated cases of registered cooperative societies, the sector is largely challenged by illegal miners.

Principally, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector is private sector driven. Through a cadastre like system, the government allocates mineral titles to investors and subsequently provides oversight functions through policy direction and regulations. The country’s law in WKH VHFWRU DOVR VSHFLÀHV ZKR FRXOG EH LQ SRVVHVVLRQ RI RU purchase minerals in Nigeria and establishes Minerals Buying Centre (MBC) which according to NEITI are currently 103 across the country. But from Osun to Zamfara and elsewhere, illegal mining is now the name of the game though this has a long Pan-African background and Nigeria must learn lessons from other countries.

In the mid-1960s, Senegalese and Malian small-scale miners were arrested on the Congo-Uganda border with FR΀QV DFFRPSDQLHG E\ ZDLOLQJ ZRPHQ 7KH FR΀QV ZHUH said to be carrying dead bodies for burial among relatives.

These ‘dead bodies’ crossing the border were however wraps containing diamond and other precious metals.

In the Central African Republic, Seleka militants were reportedly receiving AK47 guns from Indian traders in exchange for diamonds and uranium dug from locations in which village communities had been slaughtered

and dispersed. Similar accusations have been made DJDLQVW 5ZDQGDQ DQG 8JDQGDQ PLOLWDU\ R΀FHUV ODQGLQJ helicopters in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following their defeat by Zimbabwean, Angolan and Namibian troops defending the independence of post-Laurent Kabila’s DRC. A recent report commissioned by Global Rights blamed the federal government for the challenge in the mining sector. Lead researcher, Nana Nwachukwu listed factors promoting illegal mining activities in the country to include poverty, high cost and cumbersome criteria required for formalising operation, and the lucrative nature of the illicit business. While artisanal mining makes up about 80 per cent of all mining activities in Nigeria, that aspect of the sector is not properly GHÀQHG ´7KHUH LV D ORW RI confusion in the industry about what is illegal mining, unregulated mining and informal mining. Those are terms that have come up overtime and it is really about what level of responsibility the government is willing to take for itself,” said Global Rights executive director, Abiodun Baiyewu.

The spate of illegal mining activities in several states, especially in the northern part of the country has already thrown up security challenges, with widespread cases of armed banditry, kidnapping and community unrest.

No reasonable country should allow such brazen challenge of its territorial authorities. But we must also acknowledge some of the reforms initiated by the current administration. These include improving mobility IRU ÀHOG R΀FHUV DQG RUJDQLVLQJ DUWLVDQDO PLQHUV LQWR cooperatives, etc.

The challenge of the moment is how to sustain these HͿRUWV DQG LPSURYH RQ WKHP WR VLJQLÀFDQWO\ UHGXFH WKH incidence of illegal mining in the country. There should also be more focus on how to properly organise the sector to attract local and foreign investors. This will help to ensure proper value-addition, rather than just exporting the raw minerals. Experience from the oil and gas sector should provide a useful guide.

There should be focus on how to properly organise the sector to attract local and foreign investors. This will help to ensure proper valueaddition, rather than just exporting the raw minerals 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 MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI 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, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, 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

HOW YOUTHS ABUSE TRAMADOL, RUFINOR, CODEIN IN NIGERIA 7UDPDGRO 5XÀQRU 6ZLQRU DQG &RGHLQH DUH KLJKO\ addictive narcotic drugs. These drugs work by reducing pain in the body, while also producing calming effects that make users feel good or even euphoric.

Although these medications are used to treat shortterm pain in adults and older children, they may be habit-forming and should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor. $FFRUGLQJ WR UHVHDUFK WUDPDGRO UXÀQRU VZLQRU and codeine are prescription opioid drugs commonly abused in Nigeria by youths and teenagers because of WKHLU QDUFRWLF HͿHFW WKDW FDXVHV VWXSRU DQG JLGGLQHVV But when taken in high dosages, these drugs become lethal causing coma and eventually death.

There has been an increase in the abuse of codeine and tramadol in Nigeria as more youths are reportedly abusing the drugs and other opioids to get ‘high’.

In Nigeria, codeine tablets are sometimes crushed to produce a concentrated powder that can be snorted or

LQMHFWHG WR H[SHULHQFH WKHLU HXSKRULF HͿHFWV &RGHLQH is an opiate used as an analgesic, cough suppressant and sedative, with the tablets legally available over the counter in pharmacies throughout the country. <RXWKV KDYH QR VSHFLÀF DJH DQG FDQ EH LQ WKHLU V RU even older, but they still call themselves youths. These youths abuse tramadol and codeine because they take these drugs in the hope of feeling great, and good.

Here are some of the many reasons why Nigerian \RXWKV DEXVH WUDPDGRO UXÀQRU VZLQRU DQG FRGHLQH drugs. According to investigation, these drugs are now being sold to underage by pharmacists in the rural areas while also being sold by aboki in the urban area most especially under a bridge in Lagos. A victim who says he has been into drugs for years said “without gainsaying, if I had saved the money used for drugs, I could have built an apartment in the village.”

Efe Onodjae, Lagos

GONE MAYBE There are reports that Elon Musk KDV ÀUHG SHRSOH IURP WKHLU Twitter jobs, about half of the total VWDͿ $SDUW IURP WKH ÀUVW IRXU VHQLRU VWDͿ VDFNHG E\ 0XVN LW LV XQlikely he would have any idea of who the others are or what this will do to their lives. He has stopped their internal email accounts, so they won’t have the opportunity to tell him what they think.

It seems odd that they are being told by email, couldn’t they just receive a message via Twitter, or doesn’t he trust it enough? Most SHRSOH JHW ÀUHG RQ VLWH SRVVLEO\ too time consuming if he has to meet, greet and exit 3,700 people.

The other option, a bit more cowardly was to send a letter by mail although this might take a while

to get through and as he has just spent US$44 billion, he might not have enough left for the stamps and envelopes.

As one of the few people in the world that doesn’t use social media, I am unsure what the magic of twitter is and from what I read Facebook usage is declining. Maybe my old Myspace site is still there although I haven’t checked it for a decade or so.

I think we all need to go outside DQG VPHOO WKH ÁRZHUV RU VHH ZKDWHYHU QDWXUH LV RͿHULQJ LQ \RXU RZQ local area. It will make your day a bit better or worse depending on where you live but at least it will be real.

Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

25

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 E R

S & P INDEX

9 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Nigeria’s Active Domain Name Users Increased from 180,162 in July to 181,275 in September

Emma Okonji Again, the number of Nigeria’s active .ng domain name users picked up, even though slightly from 180,162 in July to 181,275 in September 2022, according to the recent statistics released by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the body responsible for managing Nigeria’s country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD).

The statistics, which THISDAY obtained from the official website of NiRA, showed that in July

2022, total registration, renewal and restoration was 180,162, but the figure increased in August to reach 181,278, and maintained the increase in September, with a slight difference to reach 181,275, which is the current number of active .ng domain name users in the country as at September 2022.

The increase in figure came from the active 2nd level domain name users, which rose from 70,115 in July to 73,084 in August, before rising again to 75,875 in September 2022.

From the statistics, fresh

registration of .ng domain name in July was 5,920, renewal was 4,781, while restoration was 156.

In August, fresh registration of .ng domain name was 6,756, renewal was 5,226, while restoration dropped to 130. In September, fresh registration of .ng domain name was 6,9781, renewal was 4,837, while restoration was 153.

The .ng domain name figure had dropped in June 2022 to 178,813, showing a decrease in the total number of active .ng domain name users in June this year.

Details according to the released statistics, showed 5,926 domain name registration, 4,936 domain name renewal, with 127 domain name restoration in June this year, while the active third level domain name was 111,351, and the active second level domain name was 67,462, which brought the total number of active domain name users in June 2022 to 178,813, which is a decrease from the 179,420 active domain name attained in May this year.

The latest statistics however showed an increase in the number

of active domain name users in July, August and September 2022.

The ccTLD .ng domain name is Nigeria’s identity in cyberspace, which has the .ng at the suffix of every official email address that originates from Nigeria. In the United Kingdom, all official email addresses end with .co.uk, in United States of America, they end with .com, while in South Africa, official email addresses end with .co.za.

In Nigeria, NiRA has carried out several campaigns to sensitise Nigerians on the need to populate

.ng domain name, which is Nigeria’s identity in cyberspace.

Reacting to the increased number of active .ng domain name users in the months of July, August and September this year, the President of NiRA, Mr. Mohammed Rudman, told THISDAY that Nigerians were beginning to understand the need to identify with .ng domain name for every online transaction and communication.

According to Rudman, “It feels good to look back at what we Continued on page 26

Despite Global Market Steady Growth, Nigeria Loses N120bn Annually in Advertising Revenue Raheem Akingbolu Despite fears of a recession, the global advertising market is still on track to grow 8 per cent in 2022, unfortunately, Nigeria still loses over N120 billion annually to the production of advertising, advertisement and marketing communication materials outside the

country, data from media agency, Zenith has revealed.

According to Zenith, global advertising spend is on track to grow by 8 per cent in 2022, buoyed by mid-term election activity in some parts of the world and major sporting events, especially 2022 World Cup. In contrast to this possible global

boom, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), has disclosed that the local industry is declining in revenue as a result of foreign infiltration.

Its Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, stated this in a signed statement titled, “ARCON to compel minimum of 75 per cent cumulative local content in advertisements

targeted at the Nigerian market.

He said: “This has continuously led to loss of jobs in the industry, retarding the growth and development of the Nigerian advertising industry. The current efforts of the Federal Government aimed at job creation, inclusive growth and development of various sectors of the economy are

negatively affected by this trend which if not regulated, will lead to continuous decimation of the Nigerian Advertising Industry.

“In line with Section 8[1][1] of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022 which empowered the Council to ensure the preservation of Nigerian local content and

use of indigenous skills as an important element in advertising, advertisement and marketing communication materials and for such services directed at the Nigerian market, ARCON will commence implementation of a policy to ensure a minimum Continued on page 26

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 9 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

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

Yield

98.83

15.14

98.04

14.51

94.22

14.80

105.26

14.60

97.32

14.71

Change Updated Time (%) 3, 0.69 November 2022 3, 0.00 November 2022 3, 0.00 November 2022 3, 0.00 November 2022 3, 0.00 November 2022

MATURITY NTB 10Nov-22 NTB 26-Jan23 NTB 9-Feb23 NTB 9-Mar23 NTB 27-Apr23

Discount 8.00

8.01

10.85

11.13

8.32

8.51

8.96

9.24

Change Updated Time (%) November 3, -5.13 2022 November 3, 0.00 2022 November 3, 0.00 2022 November 3, 0.00 2022

8.37

November 3, -0.01 2022

8.05

Yield

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS MATURITY DLMG CP IV 11-NOV-22 FDHP CP III 17-MAR-23 VHPL CP III 1-APR-23

Change Updated Time (%) November 3, 21.76 21.86 -0.01 2022 November 3, 15.24 16.14 0.03 2022 November 3, 19.28 20.93 0.04 2022

Discount Yield

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CONTRACT TENOR Contract (MONTH) NGUS NOV 30 1 2022 NGUS DEC 28 2 2022 NGUS JAN 25 3 2023 NGUS FEB 22 4 2023 NGUS MAR 29 5 2023

Current Rate Updated Time ($/₦) November 3, 454.73 2022 November 3, 456.93 2022 November 3, 459.12 2022 November 3, 461.32 2022 November 3, 463.51 2022

26

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Building Economic Resilience through Sustainable Investments To fast track economic development and prosperity of Africa, economists and public policy experts are calling for increased sustainable investment. The advice formed the crux of the discourse at the Africa Investment Forum, in Abidjan recently. Ugo Aliogo who attended the event reports

T

he future of the African economy is one that would be driven by huge investments, not aid from the West. The era of aid from the West is fast becoming a mirage. Therefore African governments should increasingly canvass for investments across all sectors of the economy rather than going cap in hand to the West to beg for aid.

On a positive note, statistics show that Africa has shown resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foreign direct investments in Africa declined from $47 billion in 2019 to $40 billion in 2020 because of COVID-19. The continent recovered in 2021, as Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) rose to $83 billion, doubling the flows in 2020. By 2050, Africa will account for over one quarter of the world’s population. The continent has the largest sources of renewable energy in the world. She has 65 percent of the uncultivated arable land left to feed the world. The future of electric cars in the world depends on Africa because it has the largest sources of cobalt in the world, with massive sources of lithium in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Ghana, Mali, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

At the 2022 African Investment Forum, in Abidjan, Cote D’ Ivorie, the need for African governments to drive more investments into their economy and tap opportunities into new opportunities was highlighted.

This time, member countries were urged to seek new opportunities for investments in Africa, to prospect, to identify, and to invest in bankable projects.

President of the African Development Bank Group, (AfDB) Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, had said at a virtual Africa Investment Forum held in March this year that the bank secured $15.6 billion in investment interest for the construction of the Lagos-Abidjan Highway.

He also stated that the highway, which carries 75 per cent of trade in the West Africa region, would help unleash greater growth, trade, and investment across the region.

Speaking at the forum, he stated that the forum was known for delivering amazing investments for Africa, adding that in four years since its commencement in 2018, it has helped to mobilize $110 billion in investment interests to Africa.

He further explained that the $600 million securitized finance to support the cocoa board of Ghana, has helped Ghana to grow its cocoa production by one million metric tons, with infrastructure for warehousing and cocoa processing.

Adesina remarked that Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Africa declined from $47 billion in 2019 to $40 billion in 2020 because of COVID-19, noting that Africa however recovered in 2021, as FDI rose to $83 billion, doubling the flows in 2020.

According to him, “The African Continental Free Trade Area is the largest free-trade zone in the world connecting economies worth $3.3 trillion. So, Africa cannot be ignored.

“If you are not investing in Africa, think again! Africa is the investment frontier in the world – today and in the future. Invest in Africa today, benefit from its great future.

“The Africa Investment Forum is the Africa’s premier investment marketplace which helps to connect investors to Africa. Four years ago, we began a journey together which the African Development Bank, the Africa ImportExport Bank, the Trade and Development Bank, the Africa Finance Corporation, the Development Bank of South Africa, the European Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and Africa 50, when we

established the Africa Investment Forum.

“The landmark $24 billion Liquefied Natural Gas Project of Mozambique which was structured and closed at the Africa Investment Forum, is the largest ever foreign direct investment in Africa.

It will turn Mozambique into the third-largest exporter of natural gas in the world and add $66 billion to its economy.

“In the next 72 hours, we will have curated several investment ready projects for you as investors. These range from renewable energy hydropower, gas infrastructure, railways, roads, and water transport. They include agriculture, health, mining, fertilizer manufacturing, port infrastructure, and urban green transport. They include sports, urban housing, and private equity feeder funds.”

Transparency in Infrastructure financing,” Adesina said.

The AFDB President stated that there is need for more transparency, accountability and efficiency in the management of public loan infrastructure financing in Africa, stating that the bank does not encourage countries using their natural resources to back up infrastructure loans.

He also stated that all public infrastructure financing should be competitive, while pricing should be done in such a way that it gives value for money to those countries, adding that there must be transparency and efficiency in the use of public resources for infrastructure.

Adesina expressed concern that rising public debts due to unsustainable public infrastructure financing plans would mortgage the future of those countries.

According to him, public financial efficiency and financing are important, adding that the focus should not be on financial commitments deployed into infrastructure, but the efficiency of the expenditure.

The AFDB president further explained that the bank and its partners have embarked on three major areas of priority which he said would promote the economic transformation of the continent. These are Agriculture, Electric car manufacturing and Renewable energy.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Adesina disclosed that in the area of agriculture, the bank would work collectively with its partners to support the various Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones [SAPZs] across Africa, adding that they are doing a lot in that regards.

According to him, “Everywhere we are, we want to turn around agriculture into a wealth sector. We will change the face of rural agriculture and we have committed ourselves to that. We will put our technical resources together to make electric cars in Africa a reality. On the issue of renewable energy, the bank and its partners would be making $20 billion dollars investments to generate to 10,000 megawatts of solar power across 11 countries that would provide electricity for 250 million people in Africa. Presently, we have already started that. We will manufacture our own solar panels in Africa and this is a different way of working together.”

In his remarks, the President and Chairman of Board of Directors, African Export-Import Bank, (Afrexim), Professor Benedict Oramah, said the recurrent global shocks, currently unleashed by the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ongoing Ukraine crisis and the intensification of geo-political tensions are reshaping the world in a way not previously imagined.

He also stated that although shocks have adverse ramifications for African economies, they can also serve as a springboard and present enormous opportunities for Africa to rethink, reimagine and re-write their stories in a positive manner that would endure.

Oramah, who spoke on the theme: ‘Trade and Investment – How can Africa be More Competitive in a Global Context’ said at the height of the pandemic downturn in 2020, the continent’s average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by only 1.6 percent against world average of 3.3 percent, with several of its economies recording positive growth.

He further explained that notwithstanding the observed resilience and robustness of its economies, it is sad to note that over 56 percent of African countries rated by at least one of the major global rating agencies, were downgraded, compared to 9.2 percent in Europe and 28 percent in Asia.

The Afrexim bank president remarked that the effect of the inexplicable mass downgrade was to precipitate far-reaching economic crises as African bond prices crashed and made it difficult for most, if not all, to access the international debt capital markets, pointing out that most ended up at the doors of International Monetary Fund (IMF), with their heads bowed and unsure of how to manage mass anger at home.

Continuing, he added: “It appears that Africa is once again on the path to the dark days of the lost decade of the 1980s, only that this time, it appears to be a victim of excessive trust on what it neither understands or controls. As we work at providing an authentic narrative of the continent, trade and investment are important elements of Africa’s growth story. Despite Africa’s trade reaching about US$1 trillion from low levels of less than USD300 billion in the 1990s, the continent continues to account for less than 3% of global trade. The low level of Africa’s trade relative to the world, is to a large extent attributed to the colonial legacy – where most African colonies were set up to produce raw materials to feed industries in the metropolis.

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

NIGERIA’S ACTIVE DOMAIN NAME USERS INCREASED FROM 180,162 IN JULY TO 181,275 IN SEPTEMBER have achieved in disseminating information about the growth of .ng domains and providing insight as to the impact of our

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

work on the nation at large. The overall thrust of our efforts has been to increase the adoption of .ng domain names. Without a

doubt, we still have a lot to do this year, but we are closer to the achievement of our strategic goals than we have ever been.”

“This last quarter of the year will be particularly busy for us as we collaborate with various associations such as the Nigeria

Bar Association and the Nigeria Medical Association to inform members about the value of .ng domains, “Rudman added.

DESPITE GLOBAL MARKET STEADY GROWTH, NIGERIA LOSES N120BN ANNUALLY IN ADVERTISING REVENUE of 75% cumulative local content of all advertising, advertisement and marketing communication materials with effect from January 1, 2023.”

While revealing ways of implementing the policy, ARCON said: “The policy on a minimum of 75 per cent cumulative local content will be applicable to all advertising, advertisement and marketing communication materials directed at the Nigerian market. The following guidelines will apply: model and voice-over artist shall be Nigerian citizens, production of advertising, advertisement and marketing communication materials must be done in Nigeria, ambience should reflect Nigeria as much

as possible.’’

“Production crew may include foreigners. However, Nigerians and Nigerian organisations must partake in the production and post production may be done at any location [within or outside Nigeria). The new policy is to enable Nigerians and the Nigerian economy to benefit from an industry that has benefitted tremendously from Nigerians as consumers and the Nigerian economy.

“Annually, this policy will create over 500,000 new job opportunities within the advertising industry with a positive multiplier effect on the economy. Current job holders will be protected as the Nigerian advertising ecosystem

will witness progressive growth.

The new policy will also attract investment to the industry.

“The leakages and capital flight being experienced in the industry as a result of foreign production of advertising campaigns will be discouraged, “he said.

Meanwhile, Zenith’s latest Advertising Expenditure Forecasts report puts the global advertising growth forecast at 8.0 per cent for 2022, down slightly from the 9.1 per cent it predicted at the end of 2021, but still healthy.

Head of Forecasting at Zenith, Jonathan Barnard, said: “Price inflation is also a factor in revenue growth; television advertising has seen cost increases of between 11-13 per cent. This has in turn

pushed advertisers toward digital alternatives. Online video prices – up by just 7 per cent – have attracted attention and online video and social media spending are forecast to grow by 15 per cent annually to 2024. Online video is steadily narrowing the spending gap with television, and it had been predicted that it would be half as large as television by 2024.”

Reacting to the Nigeria’s advertising regulatory body, the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN), expressed its excitement over the policy by critical stakeholders compelling a minimum of 75 per cent cumulative local content in advertisements targeted at the Nigerian market.

According to a statement signed by the National President of ITPAN, Adeyinka Oduniyi, ITPAN had long been an advocate and campaigner for urgent and critical policy interventions to save the practice and business of advertising in Nigeria.

“We are very glad that the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, the National Assembly and the DG of Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON have finally and jointly decided on a more effective regulatory framework to guide and protect the practice of Advertising and its ancillary businesses in conformity with the best practices within the global advertising community,’’ the ITPAN statement stated.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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BUSINESSWORLD

BRANDS

HIFL as Brand Building Platform Raheem Akingbolu writes on sponsorship and place of Sports in brand building, citing the Nigeria’s Higher Institutions Football League, (HiFL) as a case study

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ollegiate sports in the United States of America remain the biggest platform for the scouting of talents and recruitment by professional sports teams. Today, collegiate sports have grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Back home, the Higher Institutions Football League, (HiFL), has created an ecosystem for college football to boost their skills. Although the HiFL brand kicked off in 2018, it is the fastest-growing franchise in Nigeria. Brand awareness has improved since its inception in 2018 and it has continued to attract the attention of the university community.

Considering the opportunities available, the competition provides the right platform for anyone passionate about working in the sports industry, particularly for investors that desire to have reasonable and stress-free returns on their investments.

The fact that the HiFL’s primary target is University undergraduates makes it exceptional as it is the same target market for innovative brands looking at the collaterals of the foremost league in just five years of its existence.

COMPETITIVENESS

Four different institutions have won the four editions of the HiFL to underscore the fact that no team has dominated it. UAM Tillers from the University of Agriculture Makurdi made history as inaugural champions after beating UNICAL Malabites from the University of Calabar on penalties. Both sides met again at the final of the second edition, in 2019, as UNICAL Malabites dethroned their former conquerors, UAM Tillers. It was sweet revenge for the UNICAL Malabites.

Both institutions couldn’t return to the finals in 2021

as two new finalists emerged with UNIMAID Desert Warriors from the University of Maiduguri the title after defeating the AAUA Luminaries from Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba. After penalties produced champions in 2018 and 2019, the 2021 finals were decided during regulation time. Both sides couldn’t make it to the Super Four in 2022 following their Round 16 exit.

The 2022 final was a battle between KSU Steelers from Kogi State University, Anyigba and Federal University Oye-Ekiti Dazzlers. After 90 minutes, KSU Steelers entered the history books as the first State University to claim the prestigious title.

Interestingly, KSU Steelers was responsible for the shock exit of Nigeria Universities Games Association football champions, UNILORIN Warriors from the University of Ilorin, to further confirm the competitiveness of HiFL.

PHENOMENAL GROWTH

From 16 Universities in 2018, the just concluded 2022 edition attracted no fewer than 60 institutions.

This is a clear indication of the brand awareness of the competition. Back in 2019, 32 teams contested for the title and 40 teams in 2021. There has been a steady increase in the number of schools participating from 2018 through 2022.

Sixty Universities participating in the HiFL present a pool of talents for ambitious scouts from clubs.

Top HiFL stars have been scouted after posting impressive outings in previous editions to confirm the quality of the tournament.Robert Odu, fondly called “Jaguar” is the biggest product from HiFL and the first to play abroad. Odu had a stint at

Remo Stars from UNILAG Marines. After playing in Hong Kong and Spain, Odu now plays in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Qilwah Club.

Kano Pillars grabbed Ebuka Odenigbo from UAM Tillers and threw him into the Nigeria Professional Football League as well as the CAF Champions League. Another UAM Tillers star, Asen Shater, is already scoring goals for the NPFL side, Lobi Stars. Fans of Nasarawa United have since fallen in love with Emmanuel Ogbole, who is another product of UAM Tillers. Bendel Insurance has since turned to University of Benin Royals star, Imade Osarenkhoe for goals.

NEW BUSINESS

HiFL continues to unearth fresh business opportunities for students who can think outside the box. The pool of talent available has to be properly managed as such the need for talent management agencies becomes imperative.

Merchandising creates an opportunity for fans to connect with their favourite teams and mine this perfectly. HiFL jerseys have become ubiquitous across the country. With Twitter Accounts for participating teams, it is also creating a chance for undergraduates to kick start a new vista in Social Media management. Proper management of these accounts can boost persona branding, not only for the players but also for the managers of these accounts.

Coaches and players take centre stage, but the platform can cater for many associated professionals.

These include managers, sports psychologists, doctors, and more.

FACILITY DEVELOPMENT

The importance of football facilities cannot be overemphasized. Teams that are serious about their participation in the league will focus on developing their facilities. For students who become volunteers, this is an opportunity to boost their CVs. The competition now contributes largely to local entertainment in institutions across the country. Prematch, match day and post-match have added to the match day experience for fans. Ultimately, this contributes to the development of the entertainment industry in different institutions and provides opportunities for up-and-coming talents. It is more than football.

Like the African Cup of Nations which was conceived to enhance unity in the continent, HIFL has the potential to kick start the same initiative amongst undergraduates. This initiative will also boost social impact which ultimately contributes to the development of the larger society.

Truth be told; not every college footballer will turn professional. However, sports instill the skill of team building and conflict resolution which largely helps in bringing a positive change in society.

Conclusively, the Higher Institution football league - HiFL is a standing proof point of what can be achieved when talent meets vision and the right level of Cooperation and collaboration in the private and public sectors.

In the views of sports marketers and analysts, the league has come to stay, the genuine hope of the platform is to garner the required interest and partnership to scale and be celebrated as one of the most successful sporting platforms in Africa.

Strategic Leadership for Success inVolatile Times From November 21 to 24, world renowned Ambassador Charles Crawford (pictured above) will leverage TEXEM’s proven and tested methodology while joining other TEXEM’s illustrious faculties, such as Harvard’s Founding Director of Maximise your Board programme to deliver TEXEM’s upcoming programme. Other TEXEM’s faculties delivering this programme include Professor Paul Griffith, the World’s first Professor in the area of Management to lead a team to launch a rocket into space and Gerald Baldwin, CEO of Cadbury World. In addition, during this programme, participants will include senior executives of different organisations attending TEXEM UK’s upcoming Strategic Leadership for success in volatile times programme taking place at Jury’s Inn, Birmingham (The city that recently successfully hosted the world to the Commonwealth Games), UK. The University of Oxford alumnus Charles Crawford shares insights into how organisations can deploy Strategic Leadership for Success in Volatile times especially via Influencing and Negotiating. He also explains why executives should attend the forthcoming TEXEM programme. employees during periods of business uncertainties?

Best not to mention Arsenal to a Tottenham supporter! When in doubt, be honest. If jobs have to be lost, make that clear in broad terms and explain how and when it is going to be done as fairly as possible. Give people a chance to jump before they’re pushed. And if it finally comes to letting people go, don’t come across as nervous or unhappy. It’s part of your job to make and then take tough decisions. Do it with conviction. It’s also important to convey confidence that these hard times can be survived and perhaps end up making everyone stronger and wiser. But don’t overdo it and raise false hopes. As my journalist friend used to tell me, ‘The truth is usually the best story’. Upon attending TEXEM’s forthcoming programme on Strategic Leadership for Success in Volatile times, you will learn how to communicate strategically and influence effectively.

What are the specifics with respect to what leaders and followers actually need from each other? ig question! A typical answer is Trust.

But maybe Trust depends on Honesty.

And honesty is hard. How far does a leader really want his or her team to be honest about the leader’s performance, or things that are going wrong or opportunities being missed? Do a team of followers want their leader to be honest in telling them that they’re lazy and not trying hard enough? These are subtle things.

But good organisations talk about them in a smart way. It boils down to any organisation’s culture. Is that culture based on Excellence? Or on Excuses?

Attend TEXEM’s forthcoming programme to glean more insights.

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In what ways could leaders apply smart questions when involved in the negotiation process?

One key part of any negotiation is working out what the other side really wants from it. And the other side might not be clear on that. So, you need to explore the issues, and that means asking smart questions in a smart manner. A lot of technique comes into play here. Another aspect is learning how to sum up well, so that you keep the issues together in an organised way. The Texem sessions we run draw on professional mediation skills that combine active listening (and active watching) with subtle questioning skills that help get people talking and so (all being well) reveal their deeper motivations.

And, if all goes well, that leads towards negotiated outcomes that are not just a dull ‘win-win’ but something much richer than that.

In what ratio should silence and speech be applied by leaders to ensure better results and influence while involved in negotiation?

Speech is like music. Music is not mainly about the notes – it’s about the space between the notes. The phrasing and emphasis. So, with speech. There’s what

Griffith you say – and what you can convey without actually speaking. Gestures. Tone. A sense of confidence. Basically, less is more. Don’t be afraid of silence. Let it do some of the heavy work. But you also have to train yourself to be good at listening to those silences. What aren’t they saying? What have they avoided saying?

What have they avoided doing?

What are the best communication arsenals leaders should apply while addressing

Kindly enumerate specific leadership strategies that heads of organisations could use to revive such organisations in periods of recession.

Hard to say: it’s bound to be very organisationspecific and sector-specific. One good profound question that always needs answering is: What business are we really in these days? Maybe the current storms can compel a much-needed tough-love reorganisation and re-focus that looks at opportunities and customer service in quite different (and much better) ways.

Likewise, have a searching look at what the organisation really does well and what it does not so well. Honesty again. Cut out the not-so-good things and put more effort into the really good things. Most organisations these days have mountains of junk processes. Try to reduce those mountains! That’s hard when so much IT and digitalisation push a lot of

processes into over-restrictive rules that take away individual responsibility and initiative. But there should be scope in all that for bringing back plenty of ‘human touch’ that makes customers feel pleased and grateful and so wanting to return for More.

That is why TEXEM’s forthcoming programme on Strategic Leadership for success in volatile times is very topical and relevant.

What are the best tactics a leader could deploy in controlling a meeting or negotiation successfully without appearing too assertive?

Nothing wrong with being assertive. If it’s done well. There’s a thin line between confidence and over-confidence or assertive and obnoxious!

Assertiveness isn’t just about coming across as rather noisy and self-confident. It can come from not saying much but making sure that everything you say has authority and helps move things along.

All in all, SLOW DOWN. Give yourself time to THINK about what you’re doing as you go along and to adjust if things are not on track. But you also have to know what track you want to be on.

That means before a meeting or negotiation starts having a test of success and a test of failure. If you don’t know what success looks like, don’t start the meeting!

What benefits are there for chief executives attending TEXEM UK’s programme on Strategic Leadership for Optimised Organisational Performance in an Era of Uncertainty?

You’ll learn a lot of highly practical specific ideas and skills that will help you be a far more subtle and thoughtful (and therefore effective) leader immediately. The programme will also leverage TEXEM’s tested and proven methodology that has helped over 4000 executives and their organisations to win and makes learning fun, impactful, engaging, stimulating and fun. Not many courses achieve that.

I look forward to welcoming many senior executives to this programme.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Ladipo-Ajai: Retailers Can Optimise Online Stores on Black Friday Regional Manager, West Africa, Infobip, Mr. Olatayo Ladipo-Ajai, speaks about the opportunities in Black Friday shopping, startup growth and how Nigerian businesses can leverage Infobip’s platform to enhance customers’ experience. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts: How will you rate some of the business decisions taken by various companies during COVID-19 that are still being practiced today? hen talking specifically about organisations that are retail and/or e-commerce focused, I will say the pandemic has changed the way that we do business. Looking at this sector of businesses, you see that many of them had to enhance their functionalities and features on the customer engagement channels/platforms, solidifying the need to look for ways to make their customers more comfortable. The pandemic has also enabled businesses to look for ways to become more competitive in the customer experience arena and to meet customers’ online shopping expectations since the pandemic restricted shopping in physical stores.

Again, there is an increase in consumers moving towards online shopping, and subsequently needing products to be delivered directly to their homes. The retailers that didn’t have an online presence prior to the pandemic, such as supermarkets that were predominantly dependent on physical foot traffic, had to then create ways for customers to make purchases without having to physically visit their stores.

As a result, some stores in Nigeria started using media channels, such as WhatsApp, to communicate with their customers. The customer can simply send their shopping request via WhatsApp, by sending a list and pictures of what they want to buy. Should the customer need to contact a customer care agent, they can also communicate their queries via this platform too. It’s as simple as that.

In a nutshell, what the pandemic has proven to the retail sector is that organisations must have an online presence alongside their physical presence in order to remain relevant and competitive.

is reliant on traffic to your website via the likes of YouTube, Facebook, and other social media platforms, it would make sense to offer subsidised data for your customers, because you ultimately want them to consume your adverts/content.

As a retail organisation, for a period like Black Friday, I touch ed on the incentives that etailers could employ.

Furthermore, businesses can include engaging features on their platforms, f or example, we have the Web RTC, like a web video. This is a situation where your website can offer a video call that is free and when your customers want to talk to someone, a video pops up and they can engage and ask questions.

There’s also Request for Calls, you can just click a button and you get a call from a customer care centre. Everything connects seamlessly and the call is toll-free.

There are also alert features used by websites whereby a customer clicks on the button and requests to be alerted when a particular product becomes available. The organisation then calls the customer when the product is in stock.

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Do you have solutions that are tailored towads SMEs and Startups, s i n c e s o m e c a n ’ t a f f o rd e x p e nsive solutions?

Aside from servicing ezheir products to customers.

Ladipo-Ajai

How can retailers stay ahead of the curve without losing out in the market?

This requires a shift in mindset in realising the customers’ position in the retail ecosystem.

The introduction of certain features such as ‘click-to-buy’, speaks to the ‘customer is king’ ideology. Manufacturers and retailers are looking for ways in which they can help the customer make decisions faster and with ease to try entice their purchase. At the end of the day, the customer is looking for a seamless purchase process.

Click-to-buy, as an example, requires the customer to pre-register their payment details on a specific platform or on the retailer’s website, so that the customer can select an item and pay for it seamlessly in a matter of moments. This eliminates the customer having to input their payment details each time they are looking to make a purchase, and therefore eliminates them potentially abandoning their cart.

Click-to-buy is a classic customer-centric feature that allows customers to spend less time thinking about a purchase. This in turn has a positive impact on customer engagement, the customer experience and the overall customer psychology attached to the process. This shopping feature makes purchasing so easy and efficient that it can even promote impulsive purchases – something which retailers certainly won’t complain about.

Aside from being entirely customer-conscious, another way for retailers to stay ahead of the curve is to continuously innovate, and work towards constantly improving the customers’ experience and by proving them with the right tools that enable them to make faster purchasing decisions, which in turn should lead to a quick checkout process.

want to be engaged on. So, retailers have to be available via phone, website, a mobile app (if relevant), WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

Organisations now need to understand that because the customer is in the centre of the engagement process, the communication structure must be a complete cycle. That means that the communication needs to be bi-directional so that the organisation can in turn communicate with the customers as well. Ultimately, there must be an avenue for a conversation exchange.

Retailers also need to ensure that their social media channels are active, as this can be a tool to help attract customers to their websites or platforms.

Customer feedback and reviews/ ratings are another powerful means to attract new customers to a business’ website, as potential customers will often look to the experience of an existing customer before deciding to purchase.

To enhance the customer experience, retailers need to understand how to suggest to customers what other customers purchased while they were on your site. This will encourage them to shop more by showcasing a range of products that complement one other.

On the topic of Black Friday, retailers need to ‘jump on the bandwagon’ or risk being left behind. To entice customers to shop, retailers can employ various tactics such as supplying free items to complement a purchase, supplying free delivery of items, or else having an uncomplicated return policy to accommodate shoppers who may end up with buyer’s remorse.

Elements like this can set a retailer apart from their competition.

How has Infobip helped financial institutions in their customer acquisition quest, and retailers in attracting buyers to their sites especially during Black Friday?

We can look at this situation twofold: firstly, looking how retailers can engage customers better, and secondly, ensuring that customers actually buy from them. At the end of the day, retailers’ primary focus is about ensuring that customers buy, and that they do so repeatedly.

It is crucial to have a communications strategy that encompasses multiple customer engagement touch points, and customers need to have a choice on which communication platform they

What can retailers do to drive sustainability, and what kind of service/ solution can Infobip offer them?

Since COVID-19, many Nigerians have had to change their mindset in terms of how they buy. Prior to the pandemic, many Nigerians typically wouldn’t buy items online without seeing it, yet today, shopping habits have changed drastically and many Nigerians are prioritising online shopping, which has led to the rise of ecommerce and subsequent delivery platforms.

Interestingly, there’s now more trust

in the online retail ecosystem.

In order to look at what’s required to help optimise our customers’ platforms or websites, there are a multitude of engagement strategies to employ, especially when Black Friday is on the horizon.

I’ve touched on a few strategies earlier, but just to recap: retailers need a sound communications strategy, they need to fully understand their market and customers, and they need to be able to engage the customer, if need be, on their preferred platform.

When talking about Black Friday, the question on everyone’s mind is: how do I sell? For starters, one way to lose out on sales is with a website crash, so this needs to a consideration.

As a retailer, the website must have sound security, adequate bandwidth, and a strong capability to handle the high volumes of traffic.

Furthermore, to entice Black Friday shoppers to online store, retailers need to heighten their social media presence.

Technology has enabled businesses to optimise their websites or retail platforms and to ensure that there’s a golden thread between the various purchase channels.

For example, there’s a good chance that a customer may call your contact centre and ask about a particular deal in your Black Friday promo page that sits on your website. So, when the customer calls, are they able to make a payment there and then, or be sent automatically to a purchase page?

In terms of incentives for customers, what advice would you share with businesses or retailers?

In terms of incentives, there’s no limit to what can be done, however, it depends on what your business is all about. If your business

Are your services paid in Naira?

Infobip is a Nigerian company, and we don’t operate through third parties.

We are registered in Nigeria and collect payment in Naira.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY ͯͮ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

IMAGES

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

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Mr. Ernest Mpi (left), presenting a plaque of appreciation to the Managing Director, SystemSpecs Technology Services Limited, Mr. Demola Igbalajobi (right), after the latter delivered a lecture titled: ‘Leveraging HR Technology Tools to Enable and Sustain Business Performance’, at the CIPM’s 54th International Conference and Exhibition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State…recently

L-R: Chief Experience Curator/Officer, MPXM, Nana Milagrosa Utomi Biyang, receiving ‘Experiential Marketer of the Year’ awards from Chief Executive Officer, Eden Organics, Ronke Ogunbufunmi, while Chief Operation Officer, MPXM, Francis Atafiri, looks on, at the 16th edition of Nigeria Media Nite-out Award in Lagos...recently

L-R: Niger State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Hon Hamaru Bago; APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, at a town hall meeting with Agro and Commodities groups in Niger State...recently

L-R: Brand Manager, Sunlight, Unilever Nigeria, Kolade Oluwapelumi; Founder, OSC Group, Sola Babatunde; Brand Manager, Omo, Unilever Nigeria, Chinonyerem Opara; and Category Manager, Homecare, Unilever Nigeria, Oladapo Oshuntoye, during the SHF Prism by Sunlight workshop at the Lagos Fashion Week with the theme: ‘Positioning Fashion Business for Success’, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos…recently

L-R: Director, Nigerian Exchange Group, Patrick Ajayi; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Temi Popoola; Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Oluwole Adeosun; Chairman, NGX, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN); Chief Executive Officer, Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, Haruna Jalo-Waziri; and Chief Executive Officer, NGX Regulation Limited, Tinuade Awe, during the closing gong ceremony to commemorate CIS 30th anniversary and the re-opening of NGX trading floor at the Exchange building in Lagos...recently

L-R: Programme Manager, Global Initiative for Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), Ibrahim Joseph; Programme Manager, Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI), Precious Kpenember; Team Leader, GIFSEP, David Terungwa; Finance Manager, GIFSEP, Pauline Jingali; and Bureau Chief, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Radio, Kevin Akoje, at a press briefing on the ‘Effects of Climate Change on 2023 General Election’, in Abuja…recently

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Championing Effective Pain Management for Sickle Cell Disorder In a bid to educate the general public, caregivers and those living with Sickle Cell Disorder in Nigeria on how best to manage pains suffered by those living with Sickle Cell, Sickle Cell Health Initiative in conjunction with Xcene Research, Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative, SAMI and Nirvana Initiative recently held the first edition of Pain Management Summit, themed ‘Effective Pain Management for Sickle Cell Disease. Sunday Ehigiator reports

Program Manager Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI), Tobi Olaitan; Sickle Cell Disorder Program Manager Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Abosede Wellington; Director Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Rotimi Agbolagorite; Covener and ED Sickle Cell Health Initiative, Ibitayo Ayeni; ED SAMI, Toyin Adesola; CEO of CrimsonBow, Timi Edwin; Representative of Nirvana Initiative, Bamidele Oyewunmi and Clinical Haematologist, Dr Olufunto Kalejaiye

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ickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a hereditary red blood cell disorder of public health importance globally with Nigeria as the epicentre zone in Africa. It is one of a group of inherited disorders known as sickle cell disease. It affects the shape of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body.

Red blood cells are usually round and flexible, so they move easily through blood vessels. In sickle cell anaemia, some red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons. These sickle cells also become rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow thereby causing excruciating pains for the carriers.

Pain (often called a pain crisis) caused by the sickle-cell disease can be acute, chronic or a mixture of the two. The acute pain of tissue infarction, in skeletal or soft tissue, tends to be sudden, unpredictable in onset and intense.

After the resolution of the sickle-cell crisis, it usually stops.

Statistics According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 5 per cent of the world’s population carries trait genes for haemoglobin disorders, mainly, sickle-cell disease and thalassaemia. The percentage of people who are carriers of the gene is as high as 25 per cent in some regions.

Haemoglobin disorders are genetic blood diseases due to the inheritance of mutant haemoglobin genes from both, generally healthy, parents.

Over 300 000 babies with severe haemoglobin disorders are born each year.

In a report from the WHO, 24 per cent of the Nigerian population are carriers of the mutant gene and the prevalence of sickle-cell anaemia is about 20 per 1,000 births.

In countries such as Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana and Nigeria, the prevalence is between 20 to 30 per cent while in some parts of Uganda, the prevalence is said to be as high as 45 per cent.

Meanwhile, a study published in The Lancet, shows that “Nigeria has the highest birth prevalence of sickle cell disease in the world, with an estimated 150,000 annual births of babies with sickle cell anaemia, the most common form of sickle cell disease.”

2014 WHO report revealed that “at least 100,000 babies die from the disorder in Nigeria every

year,”, especially before the age of five.

Managing Pains Needless to say that the survival of an under-five child living with the genetic disorder largely depends on how well-equipped the caregivers and parents are in managing the pain.

Hence the summit was one targeted at not only educating the carrier but likewise, their parents or guardian, caregivers, including Doctors, Nurses and every other stakeholder necessary in the management and care for a sickle cell patient suffering any pain crises.

Speaking at the event, Consultant Pain Physician at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Dr Niyi Ogundipe described the pain as an unpleasant feeling, such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache, which makes the body uncomfortable.

“Pain in people with sickle cell disease could be short term, which we call acute or long term, which we call chronic.

“In managing it, first we must recognise the fact that they are prone to pain, be able to adequately assess or measure the amount of pain, and adequately tailor our medications, drugs, and therapy to that level of pain they have. We should also not put a stop to mobilising all resources to achieve that aim.

“There are five pain management approaches.

First is the use of medication-based treatment whereby caregivers must ensure that medications are safe and appropriately disposed of.

“Second approach is restorative therapy.

Caregivers must understand that no one patient is the same, hence no one approach fits all. This second aspect has to do with more physiotherapy.

“The third approach is the behavioural approach. It has to do with understanding the cognitive behaviour of the patient. You need to understand the patient’s psychology, and surgical and social behaviours to be able to diagnose effectively.

“The fourth approach is complementary and integrating therapy. This is necessary for stability. The fifth approach is the spiritual aspect, by divinely connecting to the spiritual by exercising the body, having self-reflecting moments or doing yoga.”

Ogundipe said pain management in persons living with sickle cell disorder is not an easy task as it requires huge resources and connects to other forms of well-being such as emotional and psychological well-being.

He however said it could be easy if there are enough resource mobilisation and good training of those living with the disorder on how to manage pain crises especially when help is far-reaching.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, said it was time to get to work and mobilise resources and also understand things that trigger a crisis and how to manage the situation.

Olowojebutu opined that pain could mean a lot of things to different people, as not having enough money in their pockets could also be seen as pain by some people. He also called for collaboration between agencies of government to provide quality healthcare services to the people.

Sickle Cell Health Initiative In her opening remarks, the Convener, and Founder, of Sickle Cell Health Initiative, Ibitayo Ayeni, noted that understanding what sufferers of the disease go through would make those close to them be able to empathise better with them and take good care of them as well.

According to her, “Pain is a common problem for people with sickle cell disease.

It happens when the sickle-shaped blood cells that cause the condition act stuck

Nigeria has the highest birth prevalence of sickle cell disease in the world, with an estimated 150,000 annual births of babies with sickle cell anaemia, the most common form of sickle cell disease

in small blood vessels and block blood flow.

“That can cause a very painful episode or crisis. It starts suddenly, usually in the lower back, arms, legs, chest, and head. The essence of the summit is just to educate everyone on pain management for people living with the disorder.”

SAMI In her submission, Executive Director of Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI), Toyin Adesola, said the event focused on the pain that people living with sickle cell disease go through.

According to her, “We found out that in a country like ours, managing sickle cell pain can be challenging both for the medical practitioners and persons living with sickle cell.

“So we decided to bring together all the stakeholders involved in managing pain to be able to discuss and find solutions and better ways of managing this pain so that people with sickle cell can live exceptional lives. That’s the whole idea. Living positively and living a fruitful life.”

Xcene Research Initiative Speaking on behalf of Xcene Research, the organisation’s Executive Director, Adebukunola Telufusi, said the discussions at the summit highlighted key issues about pain suppression, due to the inherent conditioning of patients to suppress and manage pain rather than expressing it.

“The key focus by thought leaders was on identifying a multi-disciplinary approach known as PLWSCA to tackle sickle cell patients’ pain mostly brought about by the Vaso-occlusive crisis.

“Due to the genetic make-up, medications borne from trials out of Africa are less effective, and this calls for clinical trials conducted closer to home - in Africa and for Africans.”

Nirvana Initiative Executive Director of Nirvana Initiative, Modupe Babawale in her part said as an organization, “we are committed to providing an enabling environment for all sickle cell warriors and advocates using our platforms and sustainable initiatives.

“We are glad to be part of this dialogue between sickle cell warriors, healthcare providers, and caregivers and we hope to see improvements with healthcare providers in how they manage pain for warriors.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

NEWS

FERTILITY

With Dr. Kemi AILOJE drkemi@lifelinkfertility.com www.lifelinkfertility.com +2348033083580

Fitness Enthusiasts Treated to ElectrifyingPerformancesatVerve Post-Coital Bleeding (Part 1) Life, Africa’s Biggest FitnessParty In a bid to continue to blaze the trail and inspire Nigerians to a lifestyle of fitness and wellness, Africa’s leading payment technology and card brand - Verve, organised the grand finale of Africa’s biggest fitness event on Saturday November 5, 2022, at Landmark Events Center, to meet the lifestyle aspirations of its customers.

Introduced in 2017, the VerveLife fitness event which is organised annually has grown into a thriving platform, attracting thousands of fitness enthusiasts from Nigeria and beyond.

According to the firm, the event is held to stimulate in Nigerians the need to keep a healthy lifestyle through fun and engaging activities.

Speaking on the Verve Life fitness event grand finale, Cherry Eromosele, Group Executive Vice President, Marketing and Communications at Interswitch Group, said that the Verve Life initiative is a testament to the brand’s long-term commitment to fitness, wellness, and healthy living.

“We have run the VerveLife

Fitness event for the past 5 years with this being the fifth edition. Each edition has been an improvement of the previous one. The events have grown bigger and better each passing year, evolving from one event in Lagos to several events across the country. This year, we had nine satellite events across Nigeria and debuted in Nairobi. Today, we are all here to witness the biggest VerveLife Fitness event yet.

Just like we keep innovating on the payment solutions we provide, we will keep improving on the VerveLife events. Sustaining the event this long confirms Verve’s commitment to supporting the healthy lifestyle habits of its cardholders while also providing innovative payment solutions to our cardholders and Nigerians in general.”

This year’s grand finale featured some of Africa’s biggest musical acts, Niniola, Crayon, and the dance queen, Kaffy, alongside other Nigerian celebrity fitness experts such as Kemen, IsokenUwaifo, IhuomaNwigwe, Enoyong and Trebla.

Kenyan fitness coach, Alvin Lee, and South African favourite, Queen Fitness, among others, were also in attendance to thrill fitness enthusiasts to invigorating exercises, alongside the music performances

by Alternate Sound.

Apart from invigorating warm-up routines, and exciting workout sessions led by fitness experts, exciting gifts were also handed out.

Fitness apparel, healthy meal options and snacks were also made available at discounted prices for attendees who paid with their Verve cards.

Eromosele said; “Other than meeting the payments needs of our customers, this fitness event is aimed at motivating Nigerians to push themselves, work out regularly, keep fit and refuse all excuses that people often give for keeping sedentary habits.

Partners of this year’s edition include global sportswear brand, PUMA, Amstel Ultra, Techno Gym, Hygeia HMO and Aquafina.

With VerveLife, the goal is to never stop taking fitness to the next level.

Fitness enthusiasts

UDUTHMedicaland DentalConsultants DisownAttackon VC,Minister of Labour Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Medical And Dental Consultants’ Association Of Nigeria (MDCAN), of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) has distanced themselves from the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) Usmanu Danfodiyo University chapter press statement against Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

The response came in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the union, Dr. B. Jibrin and Dr. L. G. Ango, respectively, and made available to newsmen over the weekend in Osogbo.

They clarified that the union in line with the provisions of the ‘Labour Act’ had wrote and sought the intervention of the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity to ensure the payment of their salaries, saying the union has never been favor in anyway as it is alleged by the ASUU-UDUS leadership

in their press statement.

They said, MDCAN is often compelled to step in to protect the rights of her members who are also university staff, adding that ASUU can legitimately fight for its lawful rights without trampling on the rights of others.

The statement read in part, “The MDCAN UDUTH chapter has noted once again with dismay the recent press statement issued out by the ASUU-UDUS Branch on Wednesday 2nd of November 2022 calling to question the integrity of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. (Sen) Chris Ngige, the Vice Chancellor of UDUS and the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, UDUS in carrying out their lawful duties.

“It has become necessary to set the records straight for the benefit of the general public, to protect the validity of the degrees of our students and for posterity.

“We strenuously dissociate ourselves from the said statement. We are all aware that Nigeria is facing the worst brain drain in her history. “ Nigeria today has a ratio of doctor to patient 1:10.000 as against the recommended 1:600. The few doctors left are experiencing the worst burnout in recent history.

“The College of Health Sciences, UDUS is the only fully accredited institution for training medical doctors in the former Sokoto State comprising of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.

“Any disruption of medical training will further worsen the already acute shortage of medical doctors within the subregion.

“Realizing this emergency situation in the subregion worsened by emerging public health threats, the medical lecturers in UDUS decided to continue the academic activities during the ASUU strike to save our health care from total collapse.

WHAT IS POST-COITAL BLEEDING (PCB)? ost-coital bleeding (PCB), commonly referred to as “after sex bleeding,” is a vaginal bleeding that occurs after sexual activity and may or may not be painful. Women who are still menstruating occasionally experience PCB. It is considerably more prevalent in postmenopausal women and consists of spotting or bleeding that happens during or after a sexual encounter but is unrelated to menstruation.The quantity of post-coital bleeding after sex might vary from a few tiny spots to a large, bright red puddle that soaks a sheet/pad. According to research, about 9 percent of menstruating women will experience vaginal bleeding after intercourse.

Studies also shows that hormonal changes that impair the suppleness of vaginal tissue causes between 46 and 63 percent of postmenopausal women to experience dryness, itching, discomfort, or bleeding during or after sex.

While the majority of these causes of bleeding are unimportant, bleeding may occasionally signal a more serious issue.

P

CAUSES OF POST-COITAL BLEEDING Some of the causes of post-coital bleeding include the following: First Time Sex If a female has just had sexual encounter for the first time, bleeding could happen. This may occur as a result of the hymen rupturing during first sex. Thehymen tears off during the first sexual experience when the vagina comes into touch with the penis, which may result in bleeding during or after sex.

Douching This may irritate and dry vaginal tissues which may lead to bleeding.

Vaginal laceration These are vaginal tears or tears in the skin and muscles surrounding the opening of the vagina that develop as a result of direct trauma to the vaginal wall during childbirth. Typically, the bleeding is bright red and can be quite heavy.

Vaginal dryness When a vagina is not adequately lubricated or is penetrated before arousal, the friction and abrasion that results from the penetration may tear the vaginal wall resulting in bleeding.

Breast feeding Estrogen levels are particularly high during pregnancy. However, because estrogen may interfere with breast milk production, they begin to decline nearly immediately after delivery.

When estrogen is absent or insufficient, the vaginal walls shed off with light rubbing, which may result in bleeding.

Atrophic vaginitis This is a condition that post-menopausal women frequently experience. This happens as a result of declining estrogen levels, which thin down, break, bleed, and create less moisturizing mucus in the vaginal walls. It is also linked to burning and itching in the vagina.

Medications that interfere with estrogen or dehydrate the body Some drugs, including anti-estrogens, antivirals, sedatives and steroids, a number of antidepressants, and calcium or beta channel blockers, may cause vaginal dryness.

Ovary damage or removal The body’s main source of estrogen is the ovaries. The body loses its main supply of

estrogen when they are damaged by severe events that harm them or illnesses that require their removal, which may cause vaginal dryness.

Contraception If a person starts using or switches the type of contraception, it may cause bleeding to happen during sex because the lining of the cervix is altered and made more sensitive.

Vaginal trauma Vaginal trauma may be a reason for bloodshed after sexual activity. When a lot of force is used during penetration, it could happen.

Particularly when the partner has piercings or implants, vaginal penetration techniques include inserting sex toys or a foreign item.

Sexual abuse Sexual abuse of both genders within the home is a significant public health issue. Victims may suffer serious genital harm, depending on the severity of the abuse. The vaginal tissues can be severely damaged by forceful penetration, which can lead to cracks and bleeding.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) If a person is infected with a STI, such as chlamydia, syphilis, genital herpes or gonorrhea, post-coital bleeding may also happen after intercourse. Pelvic pain, itching, dryness, and vaginal discharge are all symptoms that these illnesses are strongly linked to. Each illness has its own set of signs and could even lead to bleeding. Open sores from syphilis and genital herpes may bleed when agitated.

These pores often form on the outside, but occasionally they can form inside the vagina and go undetected until they bleed.

Pregnancy During or after intercourse, spotting or bleeding happens in 15% to 25% of pregnant women. This is because the cervix develops more blood vessels in the early stages of pregnancy,making it more likely for friction to damage them and cause bleeding during sex. Ectopic pregnancies, which happen when the pregnancy develops in a fallopian tube, can also result in early pregnancy bleeding.

This may be quite harmful.

Cervical or Endometrial Polypsor Fibroids Fibroids and polyps are very small noncancerous growths. They frequently develop on the lining of the cervix or uterus, especially in women who are menstruating, and may result in pain and bleeding both before and during periods.

Cervical ectropion This is a benign condition in which the cells that lines the inside of the cervix protrude outside through the opening of the cervix. The cervix’s blood veins are already delicate, and in this situation, they may become dilated and irritated, making them more prone to bleeding during sexual activity. This ailment is frequently described in pregnant women with softer-than-normal cervixes and in females using birth control tablets. Usually, this problem goes away on its own, although it can occasionally result in vaginal bleeding and spotting.

Endometriosis This is a condition that occurs when the uterine lining extends outside of the uterus.

Inflammation could result from this, mainly in the lower abdomen and pelvic area. The main signs of cervical endometriosis include painful orgasms, unpleasant sexual encounters, and post-coital bleeding

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

32

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

AFEX, NG Clearing to Unlock $500m Commodity Derivatives in Nigeria Oluchi Chibuzor AFEX Commodity Exchange, and NG Clearing Limited, have signed an agreement to develop the infrastructure that would facilitate trading and central clearing of futures contracts for commodities such as cocoa, paddy rice, maize, and soybean in Nigeria.

To achieve this goal, AFEX emphasised it looks to introduce products that de-risk the sector and drive financial inclusion for rural communities and the commodity markets worth over $500 million.

The signing ceremony, according to both firms, formalized the commencement of a partnership aimed at transforming the agricultural value chain in the country.

Equally they maintained the partnership is coming at a time

when unlocking value in Nigeria’s agricultural sector is at the front burner of government initiatives.

In their speech, the CEO of AFEX, Ayodeji Balogun, and the CEO of NG Clearing, Mr. Tapas Das, noted that the agreement was a precursor to the development of technological infrastructure and the introduction of commodity futures in Nigeria.

Balogun highlighted the significance of the agreement in light of AFEX’s mission of being a reference point for commodities in Africa.

According to him, “we share a drive with market regulators and other players in Nigeria’s capital market to deepen the market and unlock financing options and alternative investment classes for players in the commodities ecosystem. This collaboration with NG Clearing is a new leap for the

financial market in the country that further opens opportunities for generating shared prosperity through the commodity market.

We believe that this would further position the country as a preferred capital destination with a viable path of effectively managing risks in key sectors of the economy.”

Reacting, Das said that the partnership would unlock the untapped potential of commodity derivatives in Nigeria.

He stated, “As the central counterparty, we bring confidence and trust to the market as we will be guaranteeing the execution of the trades through our resilient collateral management processes.”

The AFEX boss said that current trading commodities such as cocoa, maize, paddy rice, and others are limited to the spot and OTC markets.

L-R: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE), Akin Akeredolu-Ale; Chairman, LCFE, Chief Onyenwechukwu Ezeagu; Lagos State’s Special Adviser on Agriculture ( Rice Mill) , Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola and LCFE’s Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Fatima Lawal, during factory visit to Imote Rice Mill, Ikorodu, Lagos, by LCFE... recently

Purple Real Estate Records N4.7bn Gross Earnings Kayode Tokede Purple Real Estate Income Plc has announced gross earnings of N4.7 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2022 indicating and increase 157.5 per cent over the N1.8 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021.

The company’s audited results showed net revenue of N984.6 million, q 57.1 per cent year-on-year increase over N626.8 million earned in 2021.

Also, total other income rose by 14.0 per cent to N779.8 million year-on-year (H1 2021 N684.1 million). Its net operating income grew by 34.6 per cent to N1.8 billion as against N1.3 billion in H1 2021.

The company’s adjusted operating expenses grew by

46.9 per cent to N469.8 million compared with N319.7 million in H1 2021.

It recorded EBITDA of N1.3 billion, up by 30.5 per cent yearon-year from N1.0 billion in H1 2021. Profit before tax stood at N938.1 million, up by 47.6 per cent from N635.4 million earned in H1 2021.

Profit after tax went up by 39.3 per cent to N744.7 million from N543.5 million recorded in H1 2021. Commenting on the performance, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Laide Agboola, stated: “Building on the momentum we achieved in 2021, we made significant progress during the first half of 2022 and reached several milestones as we expanded our client reach and

developed more properties.

This was accomplished despite a background of considerable geopolitical instability made worse by the conflict in Ukraine.

This war has had a big influence on consumer spending, supply chains, overall inflation, exchange rate and energy prices.

“We remain committed to providing solutions that cater for the needs of our environment and young and vibrant population. The aim is to diversify our revenue streams through our real estate and lifestyle development businesses. Our focus is on strengthening growth through technology and partnerships, as well as improving our capital base. We look forward to progressing further during the year.”

Parallex Bank Emerges ‘Challenger Bank of the Year’ In what looks like a serial award-winning journey, Parallex Bank Limited, the young but fast-rising commercial bank in Nigeria, emerged as the Challenger Bank of the Year 2022 at the Businessday Banks and Other Financial Institutions Awards held in Lagos on Saturday. Parallex Bank won the award over Alat by Wema Bank and Lotus Bank, which were co-nominees in the award category.

The Publisher of Businessday Limited, Mr Frank Aigbogun, said the BAFI Awards is supported by the BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit (BRIU), and nominations for the award are the culmination of

a rigorous review process. According to him, Businessday Media Limited has a thorough understanding of the happenings in Nigerian banks and other financial institutions and based on rigorous assessment, there were nominations and winners were carefully selected.

In his acceptance speech, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Parallex Bank, Mr Olufemi Bakre, said the award is a further testament that Parallex Bank is on the right path. According to Bakre, Parallex Bank only set out from the beginning to be a bank, with the difference, offering customers a limitless

banking experience and connecting with their customers at the core of their banking needs and pain points.

This, according to him, made the bank not do banking the usual way by offering customers the freedom to choose their NUBAN Account number, offering them free transfers to other banks, and not charging a monthly account maintenance fee on their accounts.

Bakre said it is gratifying to note that just by staying true to the company’s core values of professionalism, innovation, excellence, customer centricity, and collaboration, Parallex Bank was adjudged the challenger bank of the year.

NPA Receives President of World Maritime University The Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko has reiterated the authority’s resolve to leverage its relationship with the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden in driving talent development.

Speaking when he received the President of the World Maritime University, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry who led the WMU delegation to the NPA Headquarters, Bello Koko said “we have been tapping the knowledge of our employees who are alumni of the World Maritime University in the implementation of our ongoing

efforts at deepening efficiency in our operations by getting them to cascade skills and competencies gained to organizational advantage. For instance, the Ballast Water Management Desk we established is headed by an alumnus of the WMU.” Koko commended the WMU for the support being accorded the Authority under the Western and Central Africa Port Security (WeCAPs) project, which is a crucial part of the University President’s itinerary whilst in the country. “Our relentless efforts at improving channel security in the Eastern Ports which are achieving

results evidenced by growth in cargo throughput at Onne Port and vessel calls in Calabar Port have benefitted from the insights of the WeCAPS team, and our doors remain open to more ideas and partnership that will enable us optimize those strategic national assets.”

Responding, Cleopatra who incidentally is the first female to occupy the university’s presidency expressed delight at the number of the authority’s employees who are alumni of the WMU and pledged her institution’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with the Nigerian Ports Authority.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 24 OCTOBER, 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $92.17 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.09 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

33

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

MARKET NEWS

Investors’Interest in Dangote Cement Lift Stock Market by 0.04% Kayode Tokede Trading on the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) edged a positive performance in yesterday’s session, as the All-Share Index rose marginally by 0.04 per cent over investors renewed interest in Dangote Cement Plc and 10 others.

The All Share Index (ASI) rose by 15.88 basis points or 0.04 per cent to close at 43,477.48 basis

points from 43,461.60 basis points it opened for trading.

Accordingly, investors gained N9 billion in value as market capitalisation went up to N23.681 trillion from N23.672trillion it closed the previous day.

The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Dangote Cement, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), United Bank for Africa (UBA),

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

Royal Exchange and Champion Breweries.

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was slightly positive, as 12 stocks gained relative to 11 losers. Unity Bank recorded the highest price gain of 9.09 per cent to close at 48 kobo, per share. Linkage Assurance followed with a gain 7.69 per cent to close at 42 kobo, while Royal Exchange went up by 7.32 per cent to close at 88 kobo, per share.

S E C U R I T I E S QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Chams went up by 4.35 per cent to close at 24 kobo, while Mutual Benefits Assurance appreciated by 3.85 per cent to close at 27 kobo, per share.

On the other hand, Honeywell Flour Mills led the losers’ chart by 9.09 per cent to close at N2.00, per share. Prestige Assurance followed with a decline of 8.70 per cent to close at 42 kobo, while Presco went down by 6.15 to close at N120.50, per share.

Jaiz Bank lost 6.00 per cent to

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

close at 94 kobo, while Oando shed 4.41 per cent to close at N3.90, per share.

The total volume traded declined by 46.6 per cent to 133.405 million units, valued at N1.811 billion, and exchanged in 3,078 deals. Transactions in the shares of FBN Holdings (FBNH) topped the activity chart with 30.381 million shares valued at N303.740 million. Oando followed with 16.770 million shares worth N64.167 million,

A S O F

while Zenith Bank traded 13.473 million shares valued at N268.151 million.

UBA traded 9.845 million shares valued at N69.024 million, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) transacted 8.966 million shares worth N157.715 million.

According to analysts at InvestmentOne Research, “The equities market closed up today due to the gains recorded in the Industrial and Banking sectors.

0 9 / 1 1 / 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

THURSDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

CONDOLENCE VISIT TO DAVID MARK...

Presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (left) with former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, during the condolence visit of Atiku on Mark

AMCON Committee to FG: Don't Patronise Debtor-contractors Senate appeals to judiciary to comply fully with provisions of AMCON Act

Deji Elumoye in Abuja The inter-ministerial committee set up by the federal government to recover debts owed the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has advised the federal government not to extend patronage to contractors indebted to the federal government.

This was just as the Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Uba Sani has decried the fact that some obligors of AMCON still have the audacity to shamelessly face Nigerians to seek positions in public office in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, after their failure to meet basic financial commitment, whilst others are busy displaying their wealth with audacity believing that it would take long before anybody would touch them.

The inter-agency committee set up on the recovery of debts owed to AMCON yesterday submitted its report to the federal government with a call for strict implementation of relevant laws including the AMCON Act, that ensures that chronic debtors cannot benefit from government contracts and projects except with due diligence clearance from AMCON. The Committee led by its Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasonoye, who is also the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) stated this while submitting its Interim Report to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the State House, Abuja.

Specifically, the Committee

proposed an advisory to the federal government that going forward, “all AMCON debtors must not be allowed to transact business or enjoy patronage with any government agency whatsoever, except clearance is obtained from AMCON on the debt status of such obligors."

Owasonoye added that between 2020 and 2021, AMCON made significant recoveries which was highlighted in the report.

According to him: "Within the period under review, AMCON witnessed 10 per cent growth in the recovery performance across various asset classes.

“For instance, in 2020, the sum of N146 billion was recovered, while in 2021, the sum of N161 billion was also recovered. The recovery outlook for 2022 is also looking positive and the Committee will not relent in its effort in engendering more recoveries.”

He added that the, “Committee will continue its assignment with the institution of bankruptcy proceedings, tax infraction, inquiry as well as other strategies to ensure the obligors are brought under the recovery net of AMCON.” The Committee Chairman further noted that the Committee immediately commenced work upon inauguration, but the advent of the COVID-19 global pandemic inevitably slowed down the pace of activities and enforcement measures.

Speaking while receiving the report, Osinbajo said government would review the committee's report and act accordingly, observing that the issue of AMCON debtors doing

further business with government agencies is a due diligence matter and there would have to be compliance with the requirements of the law.

The mandate of the Committee, which was inaugurated in September 2019, included the review of status of debt owed to AMCON, collate information relating to respective debtors and their current status, deliberate on practical, legal and other strategies for the recovery of the outstanding debt, among others.

Members of the Inter-Agency

Committee consist of representatives from various government agencies including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria; Federal Ministry of Justice; Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency; Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation; Central Bank of Nigeria; Department of State Services; and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Meanwhile, Sani who was addressing his colleagues and management and top officials of AMCON in Abuja, said the Senate

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Katsina State government has trained 60 junior and senior secondary school science teachers on climate change.

The UNICEF Focal Person, State Ministry of Education, Hajiya Binta Abdulmumini, while addressing the participants said the essence of the training was to enlighten the teachers on climate change and its relevance to education.

She charged participants to step-down the training to at least

100 students and other teachers in their respective schools in order to mitigate the negative effects of climate change in the state.

She added that the teachers were selected across six UNICEF's intervention local governments of Kankara, Ingawa, Baure, Jibia, Kankia and Rimi as part of efforts to mitigate the effect of climate change in the state.

According to her, "The ultimate goal for this training is for these teachers and their students to be able to live with climate change: know how to adapt and how to be innovative to bring about their own mitigation measures."

impunity must stop in the interest of the country, adding that the Senate would continue to work with both the management of AMCON and the judiciary to ensure that it leaves a legacy that would enable agencies of the federal government to deliver on their mandates without hitches that negatively affect the already challenged economy.

He therefore appealed to the Judiciary to kindly comply fully with the provisions of the AMCON Act, which has been crafted to effectively deal with these recalcitrant obligors within a reasonable time.

NTDC Launches ‘Tourism Hackathon Nigeria’ The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has launched Tourism Hackathon Nigeria (THN).

The initiative is essentially to proffer digital solutions to the challenges and bridge the gaps in the sector.

In his remarks during the launch of THN, which took place recently in Lagos, the Director General, NTDC, Folorunsho Coker said the initiative was to accelerate the growth of the nation’s tourism industry.

Coker noted that across the world, tourism had evolved to become one of the fastest-growing industries being driven by the deployment of advanced technology and increased holiday culture.

“The fact is that the opportunities embedded in tourism are enormous. However, to fully

utilise the potential of tourism for economic growth, we realise that we cannot revert to the old ways of working.

“There is an urgent need to reflect and rethink what we do and how we do it. This is why we have identified the need to deploy technological solutions for sectoral growth across the tourism value chain in Nigeria with the launch of Tourism Hackathon Nigeria.

“With over 147 million active internet subscriptions and a tele-density of almost 97 per cent, we have a readymade and vast domestic market for tourism development locally.

“This is why we have come up with Hackathon to provide unique and innovative solutions to identified challenges and gaps across the tourism value chain in

Katsina, UNICEF Train Science Teachers on Climate Change Francis Sardauna in Katsina

would do whatever it takes to frustrate such obligors through the instrumentality of the law.

He promised that the legislature would work hand-in-hand with the judiciary by ensuring full compliance to the AMCON Act. He said it was frustrating to the Senate as well as the federal government that some of the obligors that owed AMCON huge sums in debt still fly around in private jets and even approach both the federal government and other agencies of the government for business.

The Senator said this sort of

The Resource Person for the training, Dr. Ummi Khalthum Mohammed, called on the participants to include climate change in their school curriculum and effectively teach children about its implications.

She said if children who are mostly vulnerable to climate change were educated on how to bring innovations and sustainable ways of living with climate change, they could fit comfortably into the environment.

Consequently, she urged the state government and all stakeholders to provide an enabling environment for "these children

so that they can learn effectively in their respective schools."

She added: "If the children are effectively equipped about climate change when announcements are made on whether we are going to have extreme temperatures or heavy rainfall already, they are prepared to deal with it.

"So, unnecessary deaths, diseases or calamities can easily be avoided especially when it has to do with the welfare of the children. It will also sensitise the government and all stakeholders to provide enabling environment for these children so that they can learn effectively."

Nigeria, using digital tools that will be developed at scale within the next 18 to 24 months,” Coker added.

According to Coker, some of the identified challenges burdening businesses within the ecosystem revolved around proper pricing, safe payment channels, access to the market, customer service and retention as well as bookings and reservations.

“As a corporation, we launched ‘Tour Nigeria’ as the strategic vision to market domestic tourism across the country in 2017 and we also designed an ambitious plan to reinvent the tourism industry through the CHIEF PLAN, which is an acronym that stands for Corporate Governance, Human Capital Development, Infrastructure Development, Events and Financing.

“However, with THN, our goal is to improve the country’s ranking on the World Economic Forum competitiveness index by harnessing the growing popularity of digital technology to solve prevalent problems across the tourism value chain in Nigeria.

“We want to be able to imagine a future in which a tourist’s journey experience is fully enhanced by the digitisation of all support activities – from the pre-booking stages until the destination experience, with more digital interactions supported by data shared in a customised, secure and private way between the different players within the tourism ecosystem.

“To achieve this desired objective, we are looking for ideas that are scalable and sustainable on a

use-case basis. Ideas such as smart integration of information (Smart City), multimodal mobility services, customised route optimisation with sustainability in mind, and virtual and augmented reality.

“The opportunities are limitless through technology, which is why we’re reaching out to the tech community to come up with new ideas for the sector,” the DG further said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Bycep, one of the partners for the actualisation of the initiative, Mr. Ayo Gbadebo, explained the modalities.

Gbadebo noted that the hackathon would be done during the forthcoming United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Conference scheduled to hold in Lagos, from November 14th to November 15th.

He said the initiative would engage interested individuals to rethink tourism in a digital technology space, saying an application portal had been opened.

“These individual will be engaged to develop technological apps, for instance like Uber, travel advisor and all, the idea is that whatever application developed should be such that will aid tourism growth.

“For the days, these individuals will be accommodated to work properly, and application is opened to everyone in the tourism space, from the six geo-political zones of the country,” he said.

The National President, National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Mrs. Ime Udom welcomed the initiative.

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FEDERATION OF TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS OF NIGERIA...

L- R: President, Nigeria Association of Travel Operators (NATOP), Ime Udo; National Financial Secretary, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr. Yinka Ladipo; Founder/ CEO, Storm 360, Obi Asika; Chief Executive Officer, Bycep, Mr. Ayoola Gbade-Bello; Director General Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Folorunsho Coker; Director International Tourism promotion and Cooperation, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Dorothy Duruaku, and South-west Coordinator, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) Mr. Tunde Kolade in Lagos...yesterday

Obi: We'll Return Benue to Nigeria’s Food Basket Says nation bleeds because it’s run by mediocre Emameh Gabriel and George Okoh Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, yesterday, promised voters in Benue State that his government, if elected president next year, would return peace and security to the state and restore its status as the food basket of the nation.

Obi, who was joined by his wife, and his running mate, Datti AhmedBaba, said the Nigerian economy

collapsed, because “we have people in government who don't know anything about government and they are just wasting people’s time.”

At the rally, a former House of Representatives member, Hon. Herman Hembe, accused the PDP government in Benue State of promoting the anti-grazing law, which he claimed was originally designed to tackle herders menace in the state, but turned out to be one that has caged the people of the state.

Addressing thousands of his supporters at the IBB Square in Makurdi, Obi said he had made a pact with the people of "Nigeria to hold him accountable to every promise he made during his campaigns.

"I want you to put it down today that this is what I said I am going to do if I become president. I will come back to you. I will come to Benue. You will come to Abuja, I will come to you myself and give you the support you need.

"I assure you, I will restore peace in Benue. IDPs will go back home.

Farmers will go back to their farms and we will ensure that we support them to produce more food for the country. Agricultural activities in the states and across the country will return to normal. We will secure a united Nigeria. Benue is not civil servants town.

"We have the opportunity to make Lagos a financial hub, we have opportunity to take advantage from the oil from the South-south

INEC: BVAS Machine is Secured, Can’t Be Hacked Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has reassured Nigerians that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) could not be compromised, because it was secured and could not be hacked.

Speaking in a televised interview, yesterday, the commission’s Deputy Director of ICT, Lawrence Bayode, explained that the electoral com-

mission has put measures in place to ensure the BVAS was safe.

He however, stated that some people would try to hack into the system, but they would not succeed as every surface attack on the BVAS had been taken care of.

“I want to say again that we have done everything to ensure that the BVAS is not compromised. The data on the BVAS will be secured.

After the poll, when the data is

transmitted to our backend server, the data in transit will be secured and by the time the data gets to our backend server, the data will also be secured there.

“We have looked at the machine and we looked at a lot of things.

As I said, earlier, you cannot build such a system and you won’t fortify the system to solidify it. Whether we like it or not, people will try a lot to beat this system. But the

more they try, the more they meet a brick wall.

“I can say categorically that we have taken care of every surface attack vulnerability on this system, and we have also tried our best to ensure that the system cannot be hacked into on election day. And I can say again that BVAS cannot be compromised. When fingerprints fail, it turns to the face, and when both fail, you can’t vote,” he added.

and the land in the north for food security but we failed because we have people who don't know anything in government and they are just wasting people’s time.

"Nigeria will not continue like this. We will start building a new Nigeria, where there is love and peace. Federal Government of Nigerian under Obi-Datti will support all states to become productive. Our youths will be part of our government and we will make them productive. That's why I said you will not come to Abuja, we will come to you.”

He also told his supporters to collect any money offered by the PDP and APC during their visits to the state, saying, “If they give you money collect it. It’s your money.

Collect it but vote for our party.”

Meanwhile National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure, who earlier addressed party supporters, advised them to begin a house to house campaign to win more supporters to the party.

He said not only had PDP and APC failed Nigerians, they had

also become "expired products".

Abure stressed, "We tested PDP, they failed us, we now said let us try APC, they have proven to be worse. They will come back in 2023 to lie to you again. They can't fool Nigerians any longer. We have given them notice to leave Aso Rock.”

Hembe described the anti-grazing law in the state as anti-people, saying the policy, which was supposed to be a solution to the herders’ crisis in the state, turned out to be a nightmare for the citizens.

He stated, “There is an antigrazing law that is to prevent herders from destroying people's crops. But unfortunately, it is our people that are in cages. Our biggest problem in Benue is insecurity. We work to make sure that it does not continue.

“We have to end these killings. We will make sure that we vote them out. We vote out this government of deceit, government of criminality and killing. Vote Labour Party to kick out deceit,” he pleaded.

74 HOSPITALISED, 70 VEHICLES DAMAGED AS THUGS ATTACK ATIKU’S CAMPAIGN IN MAIDUGURI Borno’s palace after which he was accompanied to the Ramat Square, where he addressed his supporters.

“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdu Umar, was also at the venue to ensure that things went on well. However, one Danladi Abbas (32) was arrested on Airport Road, Maiduguri, for throwing stones at the motorcade of the presidential candidate.

“Abbas and other hoodlums attempted to disrupt the motorcade, but they were chased and luckily one of them was arrested and taken away for questioning.”

Shatambaya stressing also that nobody reported any case of attack to any police station within Maiduguri and Jere “We also went round hospitals to ascertain the claim that more than 74 persons were hospitalised, but no such patient was found,” he added.

Atiku, who spoke in Hausa, and later in the English language, told the crowd of supporters that before coming to the square, they had visited the Shehu of Borno, who made certain requests, which PDP promised to fulfill if elected into office.

Atiku stated regarding Shehu’s requests, "First, that we’ll restore peace and orderliness in Borno

State and throughout the country.

Secondly, he requested of us to make sure that we reactivate Chad Basin Development Authority so that our farmers can go back to farm, so that we can produce food for our people, so that we can also reduce unemployment and we promised him that.

"He requested that we should make sure the local governments are supplied with power or electricity, which we promised we will do. Again, he requested that we should reactivate the exploration of oil and gas in the Chad Basin, which we promised we are going to do by the grace of God." The PDP presidential candidate also said, "We thank you very much for this reception, for this support. We look forward to the day you will vote for PDP, enough of hunger, enough of insecurity, enough of unemployment, enough of suffering, enough of too much taxation. We will make sure that you are exempted from exorbitant taxation. Thank you very much and God bless you all."

The PDP vice presidential candidate, said,"The problem of Nigeria today is just too much and the only person that can handle it and make sure that our children are happy again is Atiku

Abubakar. We cannot allow the APC anymore, a day after May 29, 2023. So, they must go.

"But we have a lot of work to do and that work is for all of us, who are here. You must come out to vote, you must bring your brothers, your sisters and you must defend that vote after voting, we don’t want them to steal your votes anymore.

"In southern Nigeria, the Southsouth, South-east and South-west, we are going to vote for Atiku Abubakar. We want to show to them that Nigerians are wiser, we cannot afford to give anymore day after the eight years of APC, because they have taken us into a very deep hole but Atiku Abubakar will bring us out and show us a new light.

"He will ensure that you don’t go to bed hungry, that there is food in the family. Our women will be able to provide for their children and men will be able to provide for their children and our children can go to school and will have jobs.

"That is the Nigeria we are looking forward to, that is the Nigeria that Atiku Abubakar is going to provide for us. It is time for new Nigeria and that new Nigeria we are talking about, it is only Atiku

that can provide it" In a statement by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party said Atiku and Okowa would record a sweeping victory in Borno and other states of the federation in the 2023 general election.

PDP asserted that it would be a hard task for the presidential candidate of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to secure the statutory 25% votes in most states of the country and, particularly, in Borno State, despite being the home state of the APC vice presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

The PDP statement said, "This is because, while Asiwaju Tinubu is not on ground, being no match for PDP’s more popular and much-loved Atiku Abubakar, the APC vice presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, has since lost face with the citizens following his abysmal failure as governor of the state.

"Since the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of PDP, APC, particularly, in Borno State, has been disconcerted, confused and disorganised by the mass exodus of APC members into the PDP across the nooks and crannies of the state in support of Atiku Abubakar and the PDP.

"Reports from Borno State show that in the last one month, the PDP has recorded over a million new entrants. These are mostly members of the APC and other well-meaning Nigerians, who have rejected the failed APC to support the PDP and Atiku Abubakar in the mission to rescue their state and Nigeria at large from the stranglehold of the APC.” Condemning the attack in yet another statement, by Ologunagba, PDP said, "Our party has information about how agents of certain APC leaders mobilised the thugs with the aim to escalate violence in Maiduguri and prevent the PDP from holding its presidential campaign rally in the state.

"Nigerians witnessed with horror how hundreds of APC’s armed thugs stationed at major roundabouts and intersections in the city of Maiduguri unleashed violence on the PDP Presidential Campaign convoy and innocent citizens going about their lawful activities in a gruesome attack that left over 70 persons gravely injured and hospitalised.

"This attack is consistent with APC’s habitual resort to violence in the face of rejection by the people as also witnessed in the attack on the PDP presidential campaign rally in

Kaduna State on October 17, 2022.

"APC’s barbaric and anti-social behaviour is contrary to the Peace Accord it signed on September 28, 2022 and constitutes a clear and present danger to democracy, our electoral process and the 2023 general elections.”

The opposition party further stated that, "Our party is not daunted and cannot be deterred by cowardly attacks by the APC as Nigerians are already connected with PDP’s issue-based campaign in the mission to rescue, rebuild and redirect our nation from the asphyxiating misrule of the APC." PDP called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police to take immediate action to arrest the constant incidence of violence being unleashed by on PDP campaign activities, because a continuing violence by the APC could result in a situation, where other parties might be encouraged to resort to self-help.

"Once again, we call on President Buhari, as a matter of urgency and consistent with his Oath of Office, to call the members of his party, the APC, to order in the interest of the nation, our democracy and the electoral process. Enough is Enough!"

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COURTESY VISIT TO THE OLU OF WARRI...

L -R: Prince/General Overseer, Solution Family Worldwide, Christian Shola; Chief Clement Maleghemi; Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III; Chief Eddy Eyitemi Olley and Prince Victor Uroye, during a courtesy visit to His Majesty in Warri... recently

Amaechi to Rivers APC: Be of Godly Conduct for 2023 Victory Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Immediate past Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has cautioned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State against illicit acts that could distance them from God. He therefore, urged the APC members to be more dedicated to God in prayer and abstain from

all appearances of immorality, including fornication, adultery and strong drinks if they actually wanted to hear from God. Amaechi, who spoke yesterday, during the unveiling of manifesto and inauguration of the campaign council of Mr Tonye Cole and Dr. Innocent Barikor’s joint governorship ticket in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, said their victory in the 2023 general election was assured

if they adhered to the advice.

Recalling his political struggle in 2006, which compelled him to flee the country to Ghana, Amaechi encouraged his party members to remain faithful to the party and pray more for God to give victory to APC in the 2023 governorship election.

“I have succeeded politically without travail. Anytime I kneel down to pray, God will tell me,

forgive. Stay away from women and alcohol, set aside ten days to fast to hear from God,” Amaechi admonished, saying there was nothing more that PDP would do for Rivers people again, adding that the state was on a free-fall due to bad governance.

According to him, the governorship of Rivers was in the hands of the members of the party, adding: “You must go out there and sell our programmes to the Rivers people. We will win the election.”

In his speech, the Chairman of

APC in the state, Emeka Beke said the essence of the ceremony was to let the world know that their party was not only prepared for the election but was more resolute to winning the election.

Cole, on his part, explained that the present administration in the state has brought untold hardship to the oil-rich state with a high propensity of unemployment despite the abundance resources accrued to the state.

"We will ensure citizen participation in policy-making, create

feedback mechanism to enable us feel the pulse of the people and make ourselves and our appointees accessible on the people.

“We will prioritize spending, ensure proper management and minimize waste, while pursuing economy policies that will bring long term benefit. We will apply resources to provide sound training and state-of-the-art equipment to support the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to combat crime and ensure law and order," Cole said.

2023: IG Orders Clampdown on Non-state Actors, Deploys Drones Sanwo-Olu: Elect Leaders That’ll Take Advantage Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja In a bid to contain criminalities ahead of the 2023 general election, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Buba, yesterday, ordered the deployment of three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) otherwise known as drones across the country for improved armed surveillance operations to checkmate criminal activities in the country.

The IG also ordered a total clampdown on non-state actors and criminals in Nigeria just as he warned criminal elements across the country to steer clear of crimes and turn a new leaf or face the full wrath of the law.

A statement by the Force Headquarters said, the newly acquired drones would assist the police in

monitoring active crime scenes, coordinating response operations and providing armed aerial support to officers on reconnaissance operations.

The three newly acquired UAVs are rotary wing aircrafts capable of flying up to an altitude of 1000ft with high operational endurance and capacity of firing at acquired threats and targets from reasonable distances.

It said the Nigeria Police Airwing had also concluded trainings for the operators of the drones in partnership with foreign experts, who have been consulted for trainings and maintenance of the drones.

The statement read: "The IGP has directed the immediate, and strategic deployment of these drones based on necessity, while noting

that three more UAVs of the same specifications are still expected at the shortest possible time.

"The IG, while reiterating the constant deployment and judicious use of the drones, ordered total clampdown on non-state actors and criminals in Nigeria, and similarly warned criminal elements across the country to steer clear and turn a new leaf, else, the environment would not be conducive for them and they may meet their waterloo soonest," it said.

The police chief also reemphasised the determination of his administration to continue to explore the use of technology in the fight against crime and criminality while seeking full cooperation from members of the public on intelligence gathering and vigilance.

of Our Rich, Diverse Cultural Heritage

Charles Ajunwa, Segun James and Yinka Olatunbosun Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called Nigerians to elect leaders, who would take advantage of the nation’s rich, multicultural heritage and language diversity to unify the country come the 2023.

Sanwo-Olu, who made the appeal at the 35th Edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture tagged: “Eko NAFEST 2022”, said due to some leaders' actions and choice of language, the nation has become more polarised than ever before According to him, "The decision to host this year’s edition was borne

out of the desire to further support and showcase our arts, our crafts, our entertainment, our nightlife our people, our disposition, and the aquatic splendour of our dear state.

“A lot of effort has gone into the preparation of this national event including a major facelift of the National Institute for Sports, a venue which was carefully picked for its historical value and importance.

Equally, this Stadium, the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly known as Onikan Stadium, the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, is the oldest stadium in Nigeria.

"Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture co-opt other relevant sister Agencies to ensure the event goes on without

OIL THEFT: KYARI RAISES THE ALARM, ALLEGES THREAT TO LIFE in Naira, N624 billion has been earned. In forum like this should be strengthened with data and that is where NEITI will continue to insist that we work with the National Assembly. The National Assembly needs information on what is paid, what is received and what the money is used for, and NEITI has that data."

Also, the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was represented by the Commission's Head of Operations, Michael Wetcas, lamented that the complexities in the operations of the oil and gas industry renderers it vulnerable and highly susceptible to money laundering.

According to him, the petroleum industry is characterised by several players and dealers in the supply chain, thus creating avenue for fraud and distortions.

The EFCC Chairman while urging the National Assembly to extend oversight function on the increasing crude oil theft, said

the commission was engrossed in the investigation of allegations of crude oil theft in addition to fighting corruption.

He urged government on instituted measures aimed at enhancing transparency in the oil include full disclosures of NNPC Joint Venture arrangements and established clear institutional responsibilities for revenue assessment, collection and report.

On his part, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, was of the view that poor governance structure in the sector has over the years fuelled many anomalies including the menace of Illicit Financial Flows in the sector.

He therefore recommended, "consistent and transparent audits, review and update of contract negotiation practice.

More importantly we must discard completely confidential clauses that forbid operators or government from disclosing terms negotiated

with parties.

“Given the fact that these agreements are about natural resources being public patrimony and assets confidential clauses that fuel corruption and abuse should be totally outlawed and to strengthen transparency we need legislation for statistical reporting for all oil, gas, and mining companies to publicly disclose revenue received and paid."

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan said the initiative by the House committee on Anti-Corruption was a welcome development in the light of recent experience where revenues from oil have been declining because of the lack of transparency Lawan, who was represented

by Chairman Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Suleiman Kwari added that it has become even more worrisome given the place of oil and gas in the nation's revenue earnings; theft of oil has been alarming, resulting

in inability to meet our production quota.

On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila said due to theft and various acts of economic sabotage, the country has been victim of bad actors determined to achieve great personal wealth at collective expense.

Gbajabiamila therefore said the summit is particularly important for legislators and policymakers to gain valuable insights into the issues and achieve clarity on the actions to take to achieve greater transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry.

Nigeria’s Daily Oil Production Records Two-months High, Rose Above One Million Barrels in October

Meanwhile, the expected rebound in Nigeria's oil production has started coming to pass as production rose above one million barrels per day (bpd) for the first

time since July this year, with daily output for October standing at an average of 1,014,485bpd.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) disclosed this in its October Crude Oil Production Report.

The last time Nigeria’s crude oil production output averaged more than one million bpd was in July, when production recorded at the time stood 1,083,899bpd.

According to the report, daily production for October was 1,014,485 compared to 972,000bpd in August, and 937,000 in September.

The NUPRC had earlier stated that the production output from 13 out of Nigeria’s 29 crude oil terminals declined drastically between July and September 2022, which contributed to the falling numbers.

The declining production output was due to the massive oil theft in the Niger Delta, resulting to many of the oil companies shutting down production.

a hitch: LASAMBUS, LASEMA, our combined Security apparatus made up of LNSC and the Armed forces Force, our Traffic officials, and Safety Commission were all engaged to ensure a successful event.

"Our efforts ensured that the state met and surpassed the criteria set by the National Council for Arts and Culture for hosting this event. We have put our own delegates through rigorous rehearsals to ensure that we not only host, but host to win in the competitive events, including the just concluded parade in which our contingent, glamorously dressed in our typical ‘Eko for show’ manner, paraded with so much pomp and pageantry.

"Lagos State has participated actively in past editions of the Festival held in other states and we have come tops in several of the activities. I am, therefore, confident that we shall no doubt perform the feat at home.

"As we all know, this is the campaign season as our nation’s general election has been scheduled to hold within the first quarter of next year. As political officeholders continue to engage the electorate during this period, it is important to re-echo the message of unity and peaceful co-existence, which NAFEST platform provides.

“Rather than seeing the differences in our language and culture as a dividing factor, I implore us to see it as one of our greatest resources to be embraced, celebrated and used to our collective advantage.

"As we celebrate the Nigerian heritage and cultural diversity here today, my clarion call is that we take this an opportunity to elect leaders, who will recognise and take advantage of our rich, multi-cultural heritage and language to unify us as a people and as a nation which was the intention of our founding fathers."

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NEWS

SMALL BUSINESSES PROMOTION ON THEIR MINDS…

L-R:Managing Director/CEO, Mydeslynks Partners Limited, Mr. Tumi Adeyemi; Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), Mr. Lekan Fatodu; Special Adviser to Governor on SDGs and Investment; Mrs. Solape Hammond; Director, Legal, Office of SDGs and Investment, Mrs. Senami Oke, and Founder, Frandis Forum, Mr. Tayo Adedugbe, at the press briefing on the launch of the Lagos SDGs Grant Competition and Franchising for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) held in Alausa, Lagos… yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Troops Kill Three IPOB Members, Lose One Soldier as Army Searches for Missing Personnel in South-east Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Army Headquarters said yesterday that troops neutralised three members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra

(IPOB) while one soldier was killed during a fierce encounter even as it launched a search and rescue operation for a missing soldier in the South-east.

It also warned that criminal

2,000 PDP Supporters Defect to APC in Kogi Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, political alignments and re alignments have commenced in Kogi State as no fewer than 2000 supporters of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) from Adankolo, Ward A of Lokoja Local Government have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ceremony to receive those who defected was well attended by both the leaders and members of the APC yesterday.

According to the defectors, the massive infrastructural development seen all over the state, including Adankolo, has endeared them to the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello and the APC. Dignitaries at the occasion include the Kogi State Commissioner of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Mr.

Abubakar Bashir Gegu; The Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Council, Hon. Muhammad Dan Asabe Muhammad; APC’s ward and local government chairmen, women and youth leaders, top government officials and many other personalities.

Prominent among the defectors is a Renowned Political Activist, Mr. Muhammed Ibrahim Aro, who was the coordinator of the incumbent Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Shaba Ibrahim (PDP, Lokoja/Kogi).

Gegu, who welcomed the defectors to the fold of the APC on behalf of the Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, congratulated them over their freedom from slavery and forced labour for the comfort of PDP leaders.

He said that the new comers have taken the wisest political decision to dump the PDP.

acts of attack and abduction of service personnel remained an act against the state which will not go without consequences.

The army also denied reports that troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army invaded Amagu Community in Abia State.

It said troops launched a search and rescue operations following

the abduction of a soldier, Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan, who was officially on leave pass and was abducted along Okwu-Ebem Ohafia Road in Abia State.

A statement issued by Army Spokesman, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops acting on credible intelligence report, embarked on a search

and rescue operation at Amangu Village/Forest.

“The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to some publications making the rounds on social media and some mainstream media alleging that troops of Headquarters 82 Division NA invaded Amangu community in Abia state.

Considering the weighty nature of the allegation, the Nigerian Army deems it necessary to clear the air on this atrocious incident.

“On November 2, 2022, a soldier named Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan, who was officially on leave pass, was abducted along Road OkwuEbem Ohafia in Abia State.”

23 INEC Staff Members Caught in Illegal Voters Registration

Ahead of 2023 general elections, Kwara State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Attahiru Madami has disclosed that about 23 staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been caught in illegal voters registration.

Already, he said that, the commission has set in motion process towards making them face the appropriate sanctions.

Madami, who disclosed this

at INEC stakeholders’ forum in Ilorin yesterday, however, refused to elaborate more on it.

“23 INEC staff members were involved in illegal registration and will be sanctioned”, he said.

However, the Public Relations Officer of INEC in the state, Mr. Bolaji Abdulkadir, when asked for clarification said that the figure given by REC was national and was not limited to Kwara state alone.

The stakeholders meeting was attended by political party representatives, security agencies and members of the Civil Society organizations (CSOs.) The REC said that the forum became necessary as first step to ensuring hitch free elections next year.

“I want to tell stakeholders that that we are ready to protect the electoral process by conducting free, fair, transparent, peaceful

and credible elections which will acceptable to Kwarans,” he said.

Madami, however, decried poor response of the people of the state to collection of permanent voters cards (PVCs) saying that the Commission had between 2011 to 2019 had a total number of 233, 856 uncollected PVCs, adding that “out of this only 20,752 were collected as at October this year leaving over 193,000 uncollected.

Nigerians Urged to Vote Out APC over Insecurity and Economic Woes George Okoh In Makurdi The Director, Election Management, Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Campaign Organisation, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher has urged Nigerians to vote out the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the 2023 general election over the party’s

failure to safeguard the lives of Nigerians. He said in Benue state the People Democratic Party(PDP) can hammer the nail to the APC coffin by latching on the collective failure of all APC leaders who have strayed from democratic ethos by refusing to toe the democratic imperative of law and order.

Professor Hagher, who stated

this in a statement, noted that most of the APC primaries were conducted in the breach of the new INEC laws for the conduct of the Nigeria elections.

He said: “Benue State is a poster child, of the Nigeria insecurity agenda and a testimonial of colossal APC failure to secure the lives of Nigerians. In Benue the PDP

can hammer again on the nail to the APC coffin by latching on the collective failure of all APC leaders who have strayed from democractic ethos by refusing to toe the democratic imperative of law and order. Most of the APC primaries were conducted in the breach of the new INEC laws for the conduct of the Nigeria elections”.

in the construction of 4,128 km Trans-Sahara Gas pipeline Project (TSGPP).

Prof Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji of the Federal University of Technology, Minna and a member of the Institute raised the alarm during their national stakeholders’ conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

About 1,037km of the construction project are said

to be in Nigeria while 841km is in Niger Republic and 2,310 km is in Algeria.

Final agreement was signed in 2019 while actual construction has started in Nigeria. Many European companies and countries such as Russia’s GASPROM, India’s GAIL, France’s Total S.A, Italy’s Eni-SpA and Shell have asked to participate in the project expected to create

another gas supply route to Europe by delivering over 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year.

Construction work starts in Warri in Nigeria to run through Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano to Niger Republic from where it is expected to get to Hassi R’Mel in Algeria and connect to the existing Trans- Mediterranean, Maghreb-Europe, Medgaz and Galsi pipeline.

C &F Porter Novelli Appoints Tony Ajero as MD/CEO Welders Kick over Exclusion in Trans-Sahara $13 bn Gas Pipeline Project Leading strategic communications firm, C&F Porter Novelli, has announced the appointment of the Rev. Canon Anthony Ajero as its managing director and chief executive officer(MD/CEO) effective November 1, 2022.

A consummate professional, Ajero has more than three decades of post-graduation experience both on the agency and client sides with a specialization in public relationsled integrated marketing communications.

Commenting on the appointment, Chairman of C&F, Mr. Nn’emeka Maduegbuna, said: “The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Canon Ajero, with his wealth of experience to lead the management and staff of our premier and evolving consultancy. He takes the helm at an inflection point when the agency’s new thinking coalesces Public Relations, Reputation

Management, and Purpose.”

According to Maduegbuna, the board looks forward to an even more glorious season for their multiple award-winning consultancy.

Also commenting, Supervising Director of the firm, which serves as the hub for West Africa in the 60-nation Porter Novelli network, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, said: “For obvious reasons, our choice of MD/CEO was painstaking.

Coming at this time when C&F is celebrating the global network’s 50th anniversary, we are building upon the firm’s acclaimed leadership position in the industry.”

“With this appointment, the strength of our global network, our proven strategic tools, and talented team, clients and partners worldwide can expect even more impactful contributions to the multiple bottom lines,” Nwosu added.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Members of the Nigerian Institute of Welders (NIW) have raised the alarm over exclusion in the Trans-Sahara $13billion Gas Pipeline Project. The late President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, had pumped huge sums into the project, but foreign welders are said to have taken over

CSR: BUA Cement Expends N360m in Sokoto in 2022 Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto In discharging its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the BUA Cement Company has supported some host communities in Sokoto with N360 million worth projects and payment of scholarship to indigent students.

The Managing Director

and Chief Executive Officer of BUA Cement, Mr. Yusuf, disclosed this yesterday while handing over a completed solar motorised boreholes and installation of 500KVA transformer to the community of Gagi and Gidan Baduwa of Sokoto South and Wamakko Local Government of the state.

Yusuf, who was represented

by Director Health, Community Safety and Environment, Mr. Tukur Lawal Binji, said that being Nigerian owned and very proud of its indigenous roots , BUA group is keenly aware of its CSR and frequently gave back to its host communities through donations, sponsorships, various initiatives as well as

people oriented projects.

He said: “BUA believes in complimenting government’s efforts in the provision of basic amenities to its host communities.”

He noted that within 2022, the company has provided similar projects at Gidan Gamba (borehole), Hunde Cibuwa (500KVA transformer).

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

38

NEWSXTRA

CRAWFORD UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION CEREMONY…

L-R: Member, Board of Trustees (BoT), Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, L.U.O Olowoshile; Secretary/member, BoT, Mr. Olajide Yesufu; Chancellor/Proprietor, Dr. Isaac Adigun; members, BoT, Prof. Matthias Bamigbola, and Paul Ajetunmobi, at the 14th convocation ceremony of the university in Ogun State…yesterday

House Committee Queries NPC over N1.9bn Expended on Summit, N118m on Website Juliet Akoje in Abuja The House of Representatives Committee on National Population yesterday queried the National Population Commission (NPC) for spending the sum of N1.2 billion to host a one-day

stakeholders’ summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

This was disclosed during the budget defence session of the Commission by its Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, who was represented by a Federal Commissioner, Bala Banye.

The Committee also asked for details of the mock trial of the census that the Commission provide the expenditure pattern of the N5.2 billion spent on the mock census, detailing it state by state.

The Committee which was headed by Hon. Mohammed Lawan also rejected the

2023 budget proposal of the Commission for several discrepancies in the 2022 budget proposal it presented.

Hon. Chudy Momah had demanded details of how the sum was expended on the summit which was held at the Presidential Villa in August.

The Director Census, Arinola

Olanikpekun, who was mandated to respond to this by the Kwara’s representative however said the sum was N1.9 billion.

She said the money was not just for the event that was held at the villa, but also for similar stakeholder meetings that were held in the 36 states of the country and the Federal

Capital Territory.

She added that the sum of N129, 520, 000 was spent for the villa event, while the rest was for the states.

The Director, Finance, Benjamin Fagbemi of the agency, who spoke on oath agreed with Olanikpekun on the sum spent on hosting the event at the villa.

20 other villagers were said to have been hit by bullets.

The gunmen that carried AK47 rifles rode on motorcycles with no fewer than three on each of the vehicles.

On their arrival in the town, according to a report, the gunmen started shooting sporadically and caused confusion and panic

among the people.

“The town is almost deserted as people have gone into hiding” one of the villagers who escaped to Minna told THISDAY, adding that “the police station is vacated, we don’t know the where about of the policemen.”

Contacted, the Commissioner for Internal Security and

Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umar, confirmed the story.

“We are addressing the situation,” Umar told THISDAY in a telephone chat.

In recent days there has been heightened level of insecurity in parts of Niger State resulting in loss of lives and property.

Otti Pushes ahead with Planned Campaign Flag-off Two Dead, Scores Injured as Gunmen Sack Niger Community Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Alex Otti has brushed aside the hurdles created by the Abia State government, saying that his campaign flag-off slated for Thursday (today)would go ahead as planned.

Otti’s resolve to proceed with his campaign flag-off was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the State Coordinator of the The Alex Otti Campaign Council, Hon Iheanacho Obioma to clear the

dust raised by government’s hysteria.

“The government’s false alarm and the negative publicity it is giving to our planned rally is a well thought out fraudulent strategy aimed at causing confusion amongst our supporters with the intention of scaring them away from the rally,” Obioma said.

The choice of Ngwa High School Aba as venue for the rally had sparked hysteria in government circle with led to uncoordinated response as two commissioners issued statements with different degrees of intensity.

Dundee Varsity Nigeria Alumni Association Holds Annual Event The University of Dundee Alumni Association will be holding its annual event on Saturday, 12th November, 2022 in Lagos. This event is organised to include a seminar, an annual general meeting and elections for the new executive, and a gala dinner night.

The Chairman of the Association’s Organising Committee, Professor Bayo Adaralegbe, in a statement said efforts have been made to have a very successful event as the COVID-19

Pandemic denied members the opportunity of coming together physically since 2020. According to him “We are very lucky to have eminent personalities like Mr. Austin Avuru a leading voice in the petroleum industry, Mr. Roger Brown, Managing Director of Seplat Energy Plc and Mr. Osten Olorunsola, former Director of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources as speakers at this event,” he said.

Alaghodaro 2022: Tax Reforms, Investment Promotion, Tech Innovation, Others Top Discourse at Edo Summit The Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Saratu Umar; the Executive Vice Chairman, Signal Alliance Technology Holdings Limited, Collins Onuegbu and Head Transitions, MasterCard Foundation, Ukinebo Dare are among panelists expected to speak at this year’s Alaghodaro Investment Summit, scheduled to

take place in Benin City between Friday, November 11 and Sunday, November 13, 2022.

The 2022 edition of the summit has the theme: “Edo’s Transformation: Partnerships, Resilience, Impact,” and will rally private investors and captains of industry towards bolstering the government’s efforts at making Edo State the most investmentfriendly sub-national in Nigeria.

Laleye Dipo in Minna

In broad day light yesterday, bandits stormed Kaffinkoro town in the Paikoro Local Government Area (PLGA), Niger State, and sacked the entire community.

Unconfirmed reports have it that not less than two corpses were seen on the ground while

Physically Challenged Persons Protest Non-Signing of Disability Bill in Osun Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Members of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD) yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the Osun State Governor’s Office in Abere, Oshogbo, to demand the signing of the disability bill in the state.

The physically challenged persons in their numbers carried placards with different inscriptions: ‘Show Commitments to Disability Rights’; ‘We Are Not Second Citizens in Our Country, We Have Equal Rights’; ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’; ‘Disability Inclusion is Essential To Good Governance’, among others.

While speaking, the Secretary of the group, Sunday Smith, said Persons With Disability from different clusters staged a peaceful and well-coordinated protest to demand the signing of the Disability Bill into law in the state.”

Smith said the essence of protest was not to attack the

present government but to see how the bill of PWD would be signed into law.

He further noted that when the bill is signed into law, the members would leverage on it, saying unemployment, education, social attention, and social discrimination will be aborted.

Nigeria Seeks Collaboration amongst African Countries on Drug War MichaelOlugbode inAbuja

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), has said seamless exchange of intelligence and strengthened collaboration among African countries will help the continent

surmount the daunting challenge of illicit drug trafficking and abuse on the continent.

Marwa made the position at the ongoing 30th Conference of Heads of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies Africa (HONLEA) in Nairobi, Kenya.

The agency boss, while briefing the meeting, which seems to

support his call for collaboration on the gains so far recorded by Nigeria in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, said there was the need for all to put in place a national coordination mechanism that will ensure coordinated action against the menace.

According to him, “The starting point is the harnessing of all the

stakeholders by the national drug focal agency. Through this national coordination and collaborative effort, Nigeria has steadily made significant efforts in tackling drug challenges, and has between January 2021 and August 2022 recorded unprecedented arrests in the region of 21,302 suspected drug traffickers, including 28 drug barons.”

Police Deny Kidnap of Delta CP in Nasarawa IgbawaseUkumbainLafia

The Nasarawa State Police Command yesterday denied the purported kidnapping of the Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ari Muhammed, in Nasarawa State.

There was a report making the rounds on social media recently that

the serving Delta State Commissioner of Police Muhammed, was kidnapped near the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

But, the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Muhammed Baba, while briefing journalists in Lafia, debunked the

news publication was false and misleading.

He said: “Contrary to the news making the rounds on social media that the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Ari Muhammed, was kidnapped near the SCID in Lafia, the Command wishes to state that this news publication is false

and misleading.

“The alleged kidnapped CP is a son of the state. I spoke with him yesterday and he confirmed to me that these are enemies of progress at work. He never came to Nasarawa State, but was speaking to me from his office. There is no such thing that happened in Nasarawa State.”

NDLEA Nabs Eight Suspects with Illicit Drugs in Ondo VictorOgunjeinAdoEkiti

Ekiti State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested eight suspects with 1,465 kilogrammes of substances suspected to be Indian

Hemp.

The agency also destroyed five hectares of cannabis sativa farmland, where the psychotropic weed was planted in Ire Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti.

Addressing newsmen after

the destruction of the farm and arrest of the planters in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, the Deputy Commandant of NDLEAin Ekiti, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, said the suspects were arrested through intelligence gathering by his operatives.

According to Ibrahim, who led NDLEA to the farm, “ 1,465 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa of substance popularly known as Indian hemp was recovered during the operation, while eight suspects were arrested.”

39

THURSDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

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

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Mixed Fortunes for Nigeria as Rivers Utd Qualify for Group Stage, Plateau Utd Crash out CAF CONFEDERATION CUP Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria’s league champions, Rivers United FC qualified for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup last night following the 1-1 they played against Libya’s Al-Nasr Benghazi. They won the first leg 5-0 at home in Port Harcourt last week thus booking the ticket to the lucrative group stage on 6-1 aggregate.

Nigeria’s other representatives, Plateau United squandered their 4-1 advantage from the first leg in Abuja last week to lose 3-0 to another Libyan club Al Akhdar yesterday and crash out on the away goal rule.

After a goalless first half, Plateau United capitulate to the Libyans, conceding three goals in 28 minutes.

The NPFL runners-up spurned several chances to score in Libya.

However, in the typical North African fashion, both Nigerian teams were subjected to humiliating intimidation by fans of the two Libyan club sides.

An official of Rivers United tweeted last night that they were under attack at the Benin’s Martyrs Stadium. “ Our General Manager has been hit and his phone taken. Our Media Officer slapped. Unfortunately, the police men here are collaborators,” claimed the Rivers United official.

France’s usual suspects apart from injured Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante are in the 26-man squad released last night by Head Coach Didier Deschamps

Deschamps Lists Crack 26-man Squad for Cup Defence Manchester United's Raphael Varane has been included in defending champions France's World Cup squad even though he is still recovering from injury.

Centre-back Varane, 29, left the pitch in tears after suffering a leg injury in United's 1-1 draw at Chelsea on 22 October.

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will play in his fourth World Cup. Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema and Paris St-Germain

QATAR 2022 striker Kylian Mbappe have also been named.

Defenders William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate, of Arsenal and Liverpool respectively, have also earned call-ups to Didier Deschamps' squad.

Deschamps has only named 25 players despite being able to pick 26 and his side will begin their title defence on 22 November

Delta Prepares 1000 Athletes for 21st National Sports Festival Host, Delta State, is preparing a contingent of about 1,000 athletes, the largest number ever witnessed in the history of the National Sports Festival.

The 21st edition of the fiesta tagged Delta 2022, will run from November 28 to December 10.

Team Delta began her final phase of camping for the Games yesterday with about 1000 athletes scattered across all sports.

Head of Delta State athletics team, Coach Seigha Porbeni disclosed yesterday that track and field athletes are using the Sapele Stadium as preparatory ground, and will relocate to Asaba on November 26, a few days to the opening ceremony.

“We have about 950 to 1000 athletes at the moment preparing in the final phase. Series of construction work is ongoing at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, which is the main venue of the Games.

But luckily for us, Delta State has so many sporting facilities.

“The former College of Education in Asaba is now a technical college for secondary school students. It has two big outdoor halls, court for basketball, handball and volleyball. Our swimmers are operating at Obiaruku pending when they will move to Asaba. Our cyclists are preparing at Agbor, while our combat sports including wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, kickboxing and boxing are busy with their daily activities. Our table tennis team, football and other teams sports are doing well. In Delta, we always give our athletes the best of preparation ahead major event. Our governor wants the best for Delta 2022 National Sports Festival and our aim is to get the best result,” Porbeni stated.

Meanwhile, the Main Organising Committee (MOC), has called on journalists wishing to cover Delta 2022 to submit their accreditation form through the prescribed channel.

against Australia in Group D, which also includes Denmark and Tunisia.

Paul Pogba is not involvedafter suffering a knee injury in July, having not played for Serie A side Juventus since rejoining from Manchester United this summer.

N'Golo Kante was ruled outwith a hamstring injury, while Manchester United striker Antony

Martial, who has a back injury, also misses out.

FRANCE Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Rennes) Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris St-Germain),

Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United) Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot

(Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Jordan Veretout (Marseille) Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig).

Bayelsa Queens Fall as Sundowns Ladies, AS FAR Qualify for Final Bayelsa Queens failed to qualify for the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League following their 1-0 defeat by hosts AS FAR Ladies in the second semi final last night.

Lone strike for AS FAR

by Jraidi decided the clash in favour of the Moroccans who will now meet defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns who survived a

C A F C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E scare to reach the final of the Women's African Champions League with a similar 1-0 win over Simba Queens of Tanzania.

Boitumelo Rabale curled in a first-time shot from 20 yards out with 14 minutes left to round off a slick passing move

by the South African club.

Tanzania's Simba offered a stern test for Sundowns, who lacked the fluency and confidence from their groupstage performances in Morocco.

Asha Djafari came close to opening the scoring for Simba eight minutes after the break in

Rabat but saw her effort from inside the box smothered by Sundowns goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.

After Lesotho international Rabale broke the deadlock with her third goal of the tournament, Djafari almost equalised with a swerving long-range effort which squirmed under the hands of Dlamini and went narrowly wide.

Cohesion Football Tourney Unveils 16 Grassroots Teams for Season 4 Rebecca Ejifoma

Cohesion Football Tournament, an annual football competition engaging at-risk children across Lagos, has unveiled 16 community teams to participate in this year’s tournament billed from December 16 to 17.

This was announced at the launch of the 2022 tournament held on Tuesday at Filmhouse Cinemas in the Surulere, Lagos, where an additional four teams were introduced to make up the 16 for this season.

According to the organisers, the aim is to equip them with

the core values, knowledge and skills needed to realise their full potential as leaders of the next generation.

The competition is targeted at the development of underserved pre-teens between the ages of nine and 13.

The tournament is also designed to productively engage the children and steer them away from crime, substance abuse and other social vices.

The Convener of Cohesion Football Tournament, Damilare Obagbemi expressed excitement at the inclusion of four more teams, noting that it signifies growth for

the initiative and hope for more children across Lagos state.

"More teams are participating this season; this simply means we are extending the excitement and joy of the competition to more children as some of them will be experiencing Cohesion Football Tournament for the very first time," Obagbemi said.

He emphasised that the competition's primary objective is talent development for ‘at-risk’ children who should be engaged positively.

"Last year, we hosted 500 children who went home smiling.

It truly takes a village to make the community a better place

and we are invested in impacting children through football," says the convener.

On his part, the General Manager of Cool FM, Wazobia FM and Nigeria Info, Femi Daniels commended the organisers for keeping hope alive for many kids through the competition.

The 2022 edition of the Cohesion Football Tournament is powered

by Rite Foods, Dios Dlite, Olam, Nestle, Shuttlers, The Boys Brigade Aguda and Dano Milk.

Media partners include Olorisupergal Media, TheCable Newspaper, Femi and The Gang, and Nigeria Info.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

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Bala Mohammed to Atiku Abubakar “While Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his political cohorts insist that I must be ‘punished’ for contesting against him during the presidential primary of our party, the self-acclaimed ‘kingmakers’ around the Wazirin Adamawa want a pound of flesh from me because I have refused to capitulate to their unbridled sense of entitlement, which is pregnant with selfishness and dictatorial tendencies.”—Bauchi State Governor threatening that he may not support the PDP presidential flagbearer

OLUSEGUNADENIYI Thou Shall (Not) Sleep on Duty!

THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

O

n Tuesday, the Mail of London reported that ‘Tik Tok stars who mocked a government official in Nigeria have been sentenced to be whipped 20 times under Sharia law.’ In the video that sparked the official outrage, according to the report, the duo of Mubarak Isa Muhammed and Muhammed Bula “mocked Mr Ganduje for alleged land grabbing, corruption and sleeping on the job.

Their action was ‘capable of disturbing public peace’ according to prosecution lawyer Wada Ahmed Wada, who said they had defamed the governor.”

While a Magistrate rather than a Shariah court convicted the duo, it is no surprise that the news made international headlines. According to the police First Information Report (FIR), the two men alleged on their Tik Tok account, ‘Unique Pickin’, that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje is a greedy land speculator who also sleeps a lot. The Principal State Counsel, Kano State Ministry of Justice, who prosecuted the case applied for summary trial that was granted.

At the end, the comedians “will receive 20 lashes each, to be administered in the public.

They should also sweep and wash the toilets of Justice Aloma Mukthar Court Complex in No-man’s-land” for 30 days, the trial judge ruled.

Before I proceed, let me first commend Ganduje for approaching the court for redress where others would have taken the law into their own hands. “The man Ganduje is not trusted by the people of Kano and is someone who can use eye to see any parcel of land he will sell,” Muhammed and Bula said in their TikTok video which assails the character of the Kano governor. “The qualities of this Ganduje are as follows: He is a governor that loves to sleep.”

Meanwhile, it is important to understand that sleeping on duty usually involves an unintended, most often involuntary, act of dozing off. It is also generally regarded as gross misconduct that could lead to termination of work. Nobody is expecting Ganduje to lose his job on account of the allegation and to the credit of the skit makers, they did not advocate that. In any case, since most Nigerian politicians spend their nights attending meetings on how to capture or retain power, only few of them are ever fully conscious during the day. In Kano, there has always been talk about Ganduje’s penchant for sleeping at public functions. And there are several photographs of him online that suggest (or confirm) this allegation.

Apparently incensed by this unflattering reputation, Ganduje once went public on it by saying that what people ‘mistake’ for sleeping in public was actually a habit of him ‘pretending to sleep’. Ganduje then threw a challenge at his critics. “My opponents always complain that I sleep at public functions, but I want them to try and differentiate between sleeping and pretending,” the governor said on 1st May 2017 in Kano.

To be sure, Ganduje has a point about the difference between sleeping and pretending to be asleep. The Yoruba even have a name for someone who pretends to be sleeping. Such a person is described as an ‘Aperoro’. And there is a saying that it is always difficult to wake an ‘Aperoro’ from pretended slumber.

So, to the extent that a little nudge often rouses Ganduje to consciousness whenever

xx he ‘pretends to be sleeping’ at public events, the governor is a qualified ‘Aperoro’. Even at that, Ganduje is in good company when it comes to ‘pretending to sleep’.

In June 2014, NTV Uganda was banned from broadcasting presidential events after the channel was accused of a “lack of professionalism and biased coverage” for releasing footage of President Yoweri Museveni deep asleep during a debate in parliament.

A government official, David Katungi, said Museveni (who has been in power since 1986) was not asleep, “he was simply meditating.”

Evidently, Museveni and his ministers enjoy taking power naps at official functions and there are several memes about that online. But Museveni’s spokesman, Tamale Mirundi, was more concerned about the media house that had the temerity to broadcast the ‘presidential meditation’: “The president is the fountain of honour, and he must be respected; under no circumstances can the president of the republic be depicted in such a manner.”

Instructively, on the same day that the Kano magistrate convicted the two Tik Tokers for mocking Ganduje, an Area Court in Jos, Plateau State, sentenced a security guard, Abubakar Haruna, to six months imprisonment for actually sleeping on duty. Haruna was said to be fast asleep when thieves came to steal a generator, bundle of roofing sheets and 25 pieces of iron rods at his duty post. A panel of judges made up of Malam Sadqi Adam and Mr Hyacenth Dolnanan, sentenced Haruna after he pleaded guilty to the offence of sleeping when he ought to be watchful.

Of course, we cannot compare a security man with a governor. When you are in power, sleeping on duty is simply an act of ‘meditating’ or ‘pretending to be asleep’ while the work goes on. And because the Kano Tik Tokers failed to understand that; they will now receive 20 strokes of the cane each, (hopefully not to be administered by Ganduje) and they will also spend the next one month washing public toilets. Perhaps the Judge believed that experience would offer them good material for ‘content’ on their platform.

On a serious note, there are several publications on how too much or too little of sleep can impact public policies. In his book, ‘The Politics of Sleep: Governing (Un) consciousness in the Late Modern Age’, Simon

J Williams, a professor of sociology at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, raised pertinent questions. “Why and how has sleep become increasingly politicized in contemporary society? Is a politics of sleep either possible or desirable? What light does sleep shed on the governance of bodies and the management of everyday/night life?”, the author asked. “Sleep is not simply a political matter, it is also increasingly politicized, from the bedroom to the boardroom, the classroom to the clinic, the laboratory to the law courts, even the military battlefield. In an increasingly time-squeezed era, the future of sleep becomes increasingly contested or uncertain: something to be defended, downsized or even perhaps done away with altogether.”

The charge against Ganduje is not that he sleeps but that he sleeps at the wrong time and in the wrong places. Same can be said of many politicians in Nigeria and may be responsible for the state of affairs in our country. But that is not where I am going today. Lampooning the foibles of the highly placed has always been a legitimate area of the comic art. We laugh at them because they are human, just like the rest of us. Regrettably, the lighter side of public life has over time been diminished by our penchant to treat even comics with needless seriousness. The artists who draw our attention to the human frailties of those who rule us should not be subjected to harsh reprisals of the law. Strokes of the cane should not be the reward for merited public entertainment.

Yes, Ganduje is entitled to the occasional public snooze. But the Tik Tok boys should also be entitled to the artistic license of freely picking their subjects without fear of intimidation.

I therefore make a plea that the Kano State Governor should exercise the prerogative of sublime mercy by complimenting the comic temerity of the Tik Tok boys with an equally humorous state pardon!

Between Ortom and Atiku O n Monday, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State gave reasons why he would not support the presidential aspiration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer, former Vice President Atiku Abaubakar. “My people are being killed and you want me to be quiet; you want me to be slave to a Fulani. It’s better I die. Anybody supporting Atiku in Benue is an enemy of the state,” said Ortom while hosting the visiting governors of Enugu, Abia, Oyo and Rivers who together with him form the PDP G-5 now at loggerheads with their party leadership. “I will never support a Fulani man to become president.

If there is another person, who is ready to work with me and ensure the security of my people, I will work with him.”

Although Ortom has not hidden his displeasure with the outcome of the PDP presidential primaries and the role played by the national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu whose resignation is being demanded, linking his opposition to Atiku’s aspiration to Fulani heritage is reckless and opportunistic. For those who may have forgotten, prior to the 2015 general election, Ortom was a Minister under President Goodluck Jonathan. Denied the PDP gubernatorial ticket in Benue State, Ortom moved to the then opposition All Progressives Congress

(APC) whose presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari he knew to be a Fulani man. After securing the APC gubernatorial ticket in Benue, Ortom was one of those who helped Buhari to defeat Jonathan at the 2015 presidential election.

However, by the 2019 general election, Ortom had moved back to the PDP. As it would also happen, his party’s presidential candidate whom he now berates is equally a Fulani man. Ortom saw nothing wrong with Atiku’s aspiration at the time. Indeed, at his re-election campaign rally in Katsina/Ala on 10th January 2019, Ortom was effusive in praising Atiku. He said while President Buhari was canvassing for cattle routes, Atiku had been establishing ranches for his cattle and even proceeded to build feed-mills. “Besides, Atiku has a long-standing relationship with the Benue people who conferred a chieftaincy title on him years back and he also believes in the corporate existence of Nigeria,” Ortom said.

Three weeks later on 30th January 2019, Ortom visited the Hausa and Ipusu communities in Makurdi, the state capital where he told them: “The late former President Shehu Shagari and late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, (both Fulani) gave people of Benue lots of appointments. Atiku will do more, hence, the need to vote for him massively during the election. He is a friend of

the people of the state, and he will sustain the relationship even as the president of the country.”

On 8th February 2019, just two weeks to the election, at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Makurdi, this was what Ortom said about Atiku: “The APC-led administration has neglected the Benue people, especially in the area of placements.

I want Benue to vote Atiku for president because of his sound economic knowledge. I am confident that he will deploy this knowledge into initiating policies that will create jobs. Atiku has the capacity to deliver and will not subject his presidency to the whims and caprices of a cabal.”

The question now is, if Ortom did not see anything wrong in Atiku being Fulani four years ago when he was also the PDP presidential flagbearer, and they were working together, why should that be a problem now? As a member of the five governors who feel aggrieved about the outcome of the presidential primaries, Ortom has a right to be angry about the defeat of his friend and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

I have no problem with that. It is also within his right to vote for any presidential candidate he chooses at the general election in February next year. But it is not right for the governor to peddle ethnic bigotry just because of petty political differences.

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