SATURDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2023

Despite Economic Headwinds, Stock Market Investors Gain N11.14 Trillion in 11 Months

Positive corporate earnings, reforms driving rally Analysts express mixed reactions over impending banking sector recapitalisation

Kayode Tokede Despite the challenges confronting

the Nigerian economy, local and foreign investors continue to reap robust returns on their investments

in the stock market as the equities’ arm of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) appreciated

by N11.14 trillion in market capitalisation in the past 11 months of 2023.

Specifically, the market capitalisation increased to N39.052 trillion as of November 30, 2023,

representing an increase of 39.9 per Continued on page 5

CBN to Freeze Bank Accounts without BVN, NIN from March 2024...

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Saturday, December 2, 2023 Vol 28. No 10461

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In Line with Presidential Directive, Consent Judgement, NPA Restores Intels’ Service Boat Operation Contract...

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FG Eyes 12,000MW Additional Power Generation as Nigeria, Germany Seal Deal Tinubu, Scholz witness agreement signing Stakeholders lament country’s energy crisis

Deji Elumoye and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

History was made yesterday in Dubai,

United Arab Emirates, as President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz presided over the further signing of the Presidential Power

Initiative (PPI) agreement between Nigeria and Germany designed to ultimately add 12,000mw of electricity to the national grid.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) taking place at The Expo City in Dubai.

Managing Director of Nigeria's Power Holding Company, Kenny Anue and the Managing Director (Africa) Siemens AG, Nadja

Haakansson signed on behalf of Nigeria and the German firm, Continued on page 5

Halt Allocation of States Running LGs with Caretaker Committees, Senate Tells FG

Akpabio advocates separate electoral body for council polls Defence takes lion share as Senate releases sectoral allocation in 2024 proposed budget NASS passes N27.5tn appropriation bill for second reading See story on page 5

FRANCE-NIGERIA COUNCIL MEETING… L-R: Founder, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh; President Alliance Francaise, Abiola Williams-Otufale; Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Chairman, United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu; Group Managing Director, Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe; French Minister for Trade, Olivier Becht; Secretary General, France-Nigeria Business Council, Jean Haas; President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, President, WinWin Afrique, Regis Charpentier; Senator Daisy Danjuma, and Chairman, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, at the France/Nigeria Council meeting hosted and chaired by Wigwe…recently

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CBN to Freeze Bank Accounts without BVN, NIN from March 2024 James Emejo in Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it has become mandatory for all Tier-1 bank accounts and wallets for individuals to have either the Bank Verification Number (BVN) or National Identity Number (NIN) or both.

Owing to this, the central bank warned that effective March 1, 2024, all funded accounts or wallets without BVN or NIN shall be placed on "Post No Debit or Credit" and no further transactions permitted.

It said BVN or NIN attached to and/or associated with all accounts or wallets must be electronically revalidated by January 31, 2024.

The apex bank, stated this in a circular dated December 1, 2023, and addressed to all commercial, merchant, non-interest and payment service banks; as well as Other Financial Institutions (OFIs), and mobile money operators, which was signed jointly by the CBN Director, Payments System Management Department, Chibuzo Efobi and Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Haruna

Mustafa.

The apex bank noted that henceforth, all existing customer accounts or wallets for individuals with validated BVN shall be profiled in the NIBSS Industry Customer Account Database (ICAD) immediately and within 24 hours of opening accounts/wallets.

The circular highlighted key amendment to Section 1.5.3 of the Regulatory Framework for Bank Verification Number (BVN) Operations and Watch-List for the Nigerian Banking Industry (The Guidelines).

The central bank said the development was part of its effort in promoting financial system stability by strengthening the Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures in financial institutions under its purview.

Among other requirements, the CBN said it remained mandatory for Tiers 2 and 3 accounts and wallets for Individual accounts to have BVN and NIN. It stated that the process for account opening shall commence by

electronically retrieving BVN or NIN related information from the NIBSS' BVN or NIMC's NIN databases and for same to become the primary information for onboarding of new customers.

The CBN also ordered for the immediate implementation of the new policy, stressing that no new Tier-1 accounts and wallets should

be opened without BVN or NIN. Also, for all existing Tier1 accounts/wallets without BVN or NIN, the central bank said effectively, any unfunded account/ wallet shall be placed on "Post No Debit or Credit" until the new process is satisfied.

The CBN added that to ensure uniform and full compliance with

the new processes, the Executive Compliance Officers, Chief Compliance Officers or Heads of the Compliance Functions had been advised to acquaint themselves with Guidance Notes which becomes applicable to all institutions regulated by the CBN. The bank said a comprehensive BVN and NIN audit shall be

FG EYES 12,000MW ADDITIONAL POWER GENERATION AS NIGERIA, GERMANY SEAL DEAL respectively.

Speaking on the agreement, Anue, harped on the commitment of Tinubu to the development of power infrastructure, noting that he had reiterated time and again that infrastructure development is critical to the ongoing reforms.

He stressed that electricity and financing were at the heart of the economic reform agenda of the administration, adding that the PPI, by design, encapsulates both elements with the support of partners, Siemens Energy and the financiers that are backed by the German government.

Addressing Tinubu, Anue said: “Mr. President, with your strong

and dynamic leadership through the Minister of Power, we now seek to exploit or expedite what was already a worthwhile programme in the presidential power initiative through this accelerated agreement today (yesterday).

“Some of the things that have been achieved, erstwhile by the federal government, have been the establishment of the FGN Power Company as the special purpose vehicle for the implementation of the project.”

He said the German government had nominated the mandated lead arrangers and financiers, adding that Siemens Energy had also

successfully delivered 10 units of power transformers and 10 units of mobile substations.

Also speaking, Chairman of Siemens Energy Supervisory Board, Joe Kaeser, traced the history of the initial agreement to the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018, expressing delight that both parties have now been able to drive the process forward.

He said: “I'm particularly happy to be here tonight to witness the signing of the Presidential Initiative for Power, because in 2018 the former President Buhari wanted me to come to Abuja and explain to him what we did in Egypt.

HALT ALLOCATION OF STATES RUNNING LGS WITH CARETAKER COMMITTEES, SENATE TELLS FG Adedayo Akinwale and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate has urged the federal government to withhold statutory allocation to Local Government (LG) councils whose chief executives and councilors were not democratically elected.

This was just as the abridged version of the fiscal document released by the Senate yesterday, revealed that the Ministry of Defence got the lion share of N1.27 trillion from the 2024 appropriation bill. A copy of the fiscal document was made available to THISDAY in Abuja by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator, Solomon Adeola.

Equally, earlier yesterday, the Senate and the House of Representatives passed for second reading, the 2024 Appropriation Bill laid before the two chambers of the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.

The resolution of the red chamber to withhold statutory allocation to LGs whose CEOs were not democratically elected, was sequel to a motion by the Senate Minority Leader, who is representing Benue South Senatorial District, Senator Abba Moro.

Moro's motion was titled, "Urgent need to halt the erosion of democracy: The dissolution of elected Councils in Benue State."

The lawmakers in their various contributions, adjusted the scope of the motion by extending the sanctions to other states in the country that had put in place, unelected council executives.

They condemned the arbitrary dissolution of democratically elected local government councils in Benue and other states in Nigeria. The lawmakers urged the governor of Benue State to adhere to his oath of office by obeying the rule of law and defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, They also sought to review the governors’ dissolution of the elected councils and constitution of caretaker committees. They specifically advised Governor Hyacinth Alia, a suspended Catholic priest, to reinstate the elected council executive forthwith.

Moro, had in his motion noted that placing caretaker committees to replace elected councilors was an aberration and alien to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He said Section (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees a system of local government by democratically elected councils.

He argued that the constitutional responsibility of every state was to ensure the existence of local government councils by law.

Moro, however said he was aware that there were subsisting court rulings that had prevented the Governor, the House of Assembly, their agents and privies from tampering with the tenure of the elected councils.

He said, "The Senate is aware that neither the Governor nor the Government of Benue State has appealed the judgments and it is against the grain of the rule of law."

In his contribution, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North, said the Supreme Court had pronounced that state governors do not have power to dissolve elected local government officials.

He said he resisted pressure to dissolve elected officials of the local government when he was a governor.

He, however said no fewer than 16 state governors in Nigeria are currently running their respective councils with caretaker committees.

In his contribution, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, (APC, Borno South) described as misnomer, a situation whereby 16 states in the country run their local governments through the caretaker system.

He emphasised that the best the Senate could do was to prevail on the Ministry of Finance, using its oversight powers to stop the release of funds to local government areas operating caretaker committee He urged the Senate to prevail on the Minister of Finance not to release funds to any unelected local government officials.

Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North) said the Electoral Act should be amended to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections.

Buhari's suggestion was however amended by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the plenary. Akpabio, frowned at the establishment of multiple federal agencies but advocated the creation of the National Electoral Commission for Local Governments so that governors would no longer have overlapping influence on council polls.

Defence Takes Lion Share as Senate Releases Sectoral Allocation Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence got the lion share of N1.27 trillion from the appropriation bill.

A copy of the fiscal document made available to THISDAY in Abuja, by Adeola, showed that the Ministry of Police Affairs got N869 billion while the Office of the National Security Adviser received N199.7 billion.

The allocation of the country's

conducted, adding that where breaches were identified, appropriate sanctions would be applied.

The CBN further advised all financial institutions under its regulatory purview to apply strict compliance on restrictions on Tier1 accounts/wallets as they relate to limits on transaction values and cumulative balances.

security architecture was closely followed by that of the education sector which got a total sum of N857.3 billion; Health and Social Affairs - N672.3 billion; Ministry of Interior - N362.5 billion; Ministry of Youths - N199.2 billion; and Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation got N100.7 billion.

Others included: the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security which got a whopping N110 billion; the Presidency, N85.4 billion; Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology - N55.9 billion; and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation that was allocated N47.3 billion.

Furthermore, the fiscal document showed that while the Ministry of Justice got N48.4 billion; Ministry of Works - N39.3 billion; Ministry of Petroleum Resources - N38.3 billion and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy was allocated N20.9 billion.

The list also included, Federal

Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy - N16.1 billion; Federal Ministry of Finance - N25.5 billion; Industry, Trade and Investment - N22.3 billion; Labour and Employment - N19.1 billion and the Federal Ministry of Transportation - N18.8 billion.

It also included, Ministry of Steel Development which was allocated - N10.5 billion; Water Resources and Sanitation - N14.8bn; Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission - N13.7 billion and Ministry of the Environment - N32.5 billion.

The appropriation bill also allocated N11.6 billion to the National Population Commission; Sports Development got N11.2 billion; Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation - N10.3 billion and Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning got N13 billion.

The Ministries of Works, Finance, Defence and others got lion shares of the N8.7 trillion capital component of the budget In the proposed allocations, the

Ministry of Works got N521.3 billion, the Federal Ministry of Finance with N519.9 billion, while N308 2 billion was earmarked for Ministry of Defence.

Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare got N304.4 billion while Ministry of Education was allocated N265.4 billion in the appropriation bill.

Others were the Ministry of Power that got N264.2 billion, Government owned Entetprises - N820.9 billion, TETFund - N665 billion, Housing and Urban Development - N96.9 billion, Water Resources - N87.7 billion and Police Affairs - N69 billion.

The National Assembly under statutory transfers was allocated N198 billion; Niger Delta Development Commission - N324.8 billion; Universal Basic Education - N251.4 billion; National Judicial Council - N165 billion; North East Development Commission - N126 billion and Basic Health Care Provision Fund got N125.7 billion .

“And I said Mr. President, Egypt has 80 million (people) and we could use 14 gigawatts and Nigeria has 200 million people. So, we could actually need more gigawatts.

“Now, after five years, I'm really happy that this agreement that has the spirit of supplying energy to the greater good of Nigerian people has been taken to a new level. Thank you very much for doing that. And as we say in Germany, good things take time as we have seen tonight.”

Commenting on the project, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the target of the PPI was to add 12,000mw of electricity to the national grid.

According to him, with the signing yesterday, the process will now proceed apace to ensure constant supply of electricity to Nigerians.

He said: “Of course, we knew that there were a lot of delays between 2018 and now. That we have not really made significant achievements in terms of proceeding with the contract signed in 2018 because of a lot of factors, some were natural, some human, some were processes.

“We also had COVID in 2020 which made the execution of the project slow. But now, it shows that we are now ready to move forward with the Siemens projects.

“It shows a commitment between governments of both countries to proceed with this project, which we believe will go a long way in improving the performance of the power sector in Nigeria.

“This is an agreement that has to do with end-to-end fixing in terms of grid stabilisation of the entire transmission grid in the Nigerian power sector, which will eventually improve the power supply in terms of regularity, in terms of functionality and in terms of affordability in the years to come.

DESPITE ECONOMIC HEADWINDS, STOCK MARKET INVESTORS GAIN N11.14 TRILLION IN 11 MONTHS cent or N11.14 trillion, compared with the N27.915 trillion it closed on the last trading day in 2022.

Also yesterday, some capital market analysts expressed mixed reactions over the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) disclosure of the plan to recapitalise the banks so as to meet the federal government's $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target within the next three years.

The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) increased to 71,365.25 basis points as of November 2023, from 51,251.00 basis points when the market opened in 2022, representing an increase of 39.25 per cent or 20,114.19 basis points.

The 39.25 per cent return recorded by investors came on the backdrop of double-digit inflation rate, insecurity, low consumption power, among other macroeconomic challenges and global uncertainty.

Since the beginning of the year, the stock market segment of the Exchange has witnessed an unprecedented rally and buying interest, especially in the banking and oil & gas sub-sectors which have continued to trigger massive bargain hunting in fundamental stocks such as Dangote Cement Plc, MTN Nigeria Communication, BUA Foods Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Plc, among others.

This has pushed the key performance indices and stimulated activities in the market, a development that has led to the rating of the stock market as one of the best-performing markets

in Africa.

The All-Share Index, an index that tracks the general market movement of all listed stock on the Exchange, including those listed on the Growth Board, regardless of capitalisation crossed the 70,000 mark in November 2023, to close at 71,365.25 basis points.

The new listing on the Exchange played a significant role in the NGX ASI all-time high record as the stock market continued on a positive trajectory under President Bola Tinubu.

The likes of MeCure Industries Plc, VFD Group, Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund (NIDF) and Africa Plus Partners added to the stock market's positive trajectory in the period under review.

Sectorial performance on the Exchange was positive and leading the chart was NGX Oil/Gas sector.

For instance, the NGX Oil/Gas Index closed November 2023 at 1,046.66 basis points, representing an increase of 126 per cent from 462.48 basis points the stock market opened for trading.

NGX Consumer Goods Index came second after gaining 93.9 per cent, closing November 2023 at 1,141.95 basis points from 588.93 basis points it opened in 2023, while NGX Banking appreciated by 79.17 per cent to 748.05 basis points from 417.5 basis points it closed 2022.

Commenting on the stock market performance, the CEO, Wyoming Capital and Partners, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka, in a chat with THISDAY, said the federal government policies

and market expectations triggered the bullish market performance.

According to him, “The tempo around bullish sentiments will remain in the remaining part of the year and beyond, as more companies get listed on the Exchange and as additional shares are listed by existing companies who may wish to raise money at lower cost of capital.”

He added that the high yield environment in the fixed income space, in line with CBN's resolve to attract foreign portfolio investments with high interest rate, may cause some temporary moderation in aggressive price movement in December 2023 trading activities.

On his part, the Vice President of Highcap Securities, Mr. David Adonri, said the gain reported by the stock market in 11 months of 2023, was due to the impressive corporate earnings of listed companies.

He stated that most investors took advantage of the cheap prices of some fundamental stocks listed on the NGX. He added that the overall market performance was driven majorly by sentiment arising from the smooth handover and Tinubu’s bold economic policy on foreign exchange.

Meanwhile, capital market analysts have expressed mixed reactions over the CBN’s move to recapitalise the banking sector.

CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, had while speaking at a forum organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria

in Lagos, last week, said: “Will Nigerian banks have sufficient capital relative to the financial system's needs in servicing a $1.0 trillion economy in the near future?

“In my opinion, the answer is “No!” unless we take action.

Therefore, we must make difficult decisions regarding capital adequacy.

As a first step, we will be directing banks to increase their capital.”

Since Cardoso made the announcement, the NGX Banking Index between November 27, 2023 to November 30, 2023, has depreciated by 0.91 per cent from 754.95 basis points to 748.05 basis points it closed last month.

A check by THISDAY revealed that Zenith Bank Plc, followed by United Bank for Africa Plc. and Access Holdings Plc. had the highest total equity as of nine months ended September 30, 2023.

For instance, Zenith Bank closed September 30, 2023 with N1.9 trillion total equity, from N1.31trillion reported in 2022, while UBA declared N1.78 trillion total equity as of September 30, 2023, from the N922.1 billion reported in 2022 full financial year.

In addition, Access Holdings announced N1.64 trillion total equity as of September 30, 2023 from N1.23trillion reported in 2022.

The CBN in 2004 had directed banks to raise their minimum capital base from N2 billion to N25 billion with effect from 2005. The exercise then led to a remarkable reduction in number of banks from 89 to 24.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 2, 2023

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NEWS

News Editor Charles Ajunwa 09157401421 (sms only) Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

COURTESY VISIT. . .

L-R: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun and Chairman/CEO of Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA), Saidu Njibba, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office…recently

Engineers Decry Declining In-country Manufacturing, Seek Ajaokuta Steel Revamp Say high interest rates, stringent collaterals hobbling funding access Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) yesterday urged the federal government to revamp Nigeria’s declining manufacturing sector, listing infrastructural limitations, access to funds, policy inconsistencies and regulatory hurdles as some of the existing challenges.

In a communique read by the President of the organisation, Tasiu Gudari-Wudil, in Abuja, the NSE stated that there was the need to recognise the potential of increased investments in technology adoption and automation to enhance manufacturing efficiency and global competitiveness.

The conference also observed the importance of embracing green technologies, circular economy principles, and ecofriendly production methods to address environmental concerns and meet global standards.

The NSE underscored the significance of human capital development to achieve sustainable growth in any economy and highlighted the gross deficit in skilled labour to meet the demands of reengineering the manufacturing sector.

“Conference observed the challenges associated with accessing funding, including high interest rates, stringent collateral and administrative bottlenecks,”

Give More Roles to Youths, Women in Politics, Says WFD Dike Onwuamaeze The Country Director of Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), Mr. Adebowale Olorunmola, has called on Nigerian political leadership and institutions to be deliberate in engendering inclusive political participation that would empower youths and women to play significant political roles in Nigeria.

Olorunmola made this call during a two-day retreat on ‘Nigeria Open Political Party (NOPP) Project: Capacity Strengthening Retreat for National Youth Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria’, which was organised by the WFD on Wednesday and Thursday in Eko Hotel, Lagos.

He said that Nigeria has gotten to a point where its citizens need to have a second look at the level of political participation in the country to ensure that all demographic groups were included and carried along.

Olorunmola stated that inclusive political participation would require deliberate efforts

on the side of the young people, political institutions and political leaders to realise in Nigeria.

He said: “On the part of the political leadership there should be a deliberate effort to ensure that they are passing on the leadership baton to the younger generation through mentorship by building their capacity through volunteering for honest tasks within political parties like membership canvassing, fundraising and election campaigns so that when they grow up they will become experts in all of these.

“On the part of the institution, the political parties should deliberately have functional youth and women wings as they exist in other climes, even in Ghana. These wings should be the living part of the party and conduct their own congresses, elect their own leaders and before you know it they have built up democratic culture. Political parties in Nigeria need to make deliberate effort to bring in the young people otherwise we are going to be having gaps in political participation.

Gudari-Wudil noted.

He further listed multiple taxes and instability in foreign exchange, as factors that hinder the growth and investment in the manufacturing sector in-country.

While acknowledging the recent efforts of the government in the rehabilitation of Ajaokuta

Iron and Steel Complex, the NSE observed that the complex requires accelerated reactivation, rehabilitation and modernisation to drive the much-needed industrialisation of the country.

The association noted that there were several favourable factors that make rural

areas in Nigeria attractive for establishing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including relatively low labour and overhead costs, favourable local market demands, as well as agricultural potential.

It recommended that government and relevant stakeholders

should as a matter of urgency embark on comprehensive review of existing policies, with focus on simplifying regulatory processes, providing incentives for innovation, infrastructural upgrade and ensure consistency to foster an enabling environment for manufacturing growth.

NCAA Lifts Suspension on United Nigeria Airline Aircraft

Chinedu Eze

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has lifted the suspension placed on the Part G operations specifications of a wet-leased aircraft operated

by United Nigeria Airlines.

The agency had last Monday suspended the airline’s Airbus when it temporarily diverted its flight NUA 0504 headed for Abuja to Asaba,Delta State.

In a letter signed by the NCAA’s

Director of Licensing and training, Captain I.B Danbazzau and addressed to the Managing Director of the airline, the agency outlined the outcome of its investigation and made recommendations. It then stated that the suspension has been lifted and the airline is required to comply with the Nigeria Civil Aviation All Operators letter (DG 15/2023) referenced NCAA/DGCA/AIR/11/16/347.

The agency said the investigation revealed the lack of adequate

liaison between the lessor’s OCC (Operation Control Centre) and lessee’s (airline’s) OCC which has also omitted appropriate flight briefing from the point of departure. It also stated that the cockpit crew and the cabin crew did not hold preflight briefing before embarking on flight.

It said the OCC flight monitoring of the airline does not monitor the aircraft in the company’s Operations Specifications Part G (Wet

Lease Aircraft) and that there was non adherence to approved filed ATC flight plan.

It then recommended that approved flight programmes sent to the lessor and the necessary briefings should be conducted with a dispatcher or lessee in attendance. That both cockpit and cabin crew should hold appropriate briefings before flight and all copies of filed flight plans should be handed to the cockpit crew via the lessee’s OCC.

We’ll Transform Edo into Nigeria’s Entertainment, Creative Hub, Obaseki Assures The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the focus of his administration is to make the State Nigeria’s entertainment and creative hub.

Obaseki said this during a panel session at the Edo State International Film Festival (ESIFF) 2.0, held at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative hub in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Speaking on the topic: ‘Aggregation of Film and Culture: Edo

State as a Case Study’, Obaseki said the role of the government is to help commence the process of transaction in the film business, noting that his administration has taken deliberate steps to stimulate the growth of the film industry in the state.

He said: “In the next five to seven years, our goal is to make sure Edo State is the hub for creativity in Nigeria. Edo people are interestingly very

creative people who through history, created and redesigned their environment.

“As a people, we have over 5,000 pieces of artwork stolen from here and you wonder the creativity in our minds.”

Noting efforts over the past seven years to transform the creative and entertainment sector, Obaseki said, “The situation we met was one that people, especially the young creative

minds wanted to run away from the State and Country.

30,000 Edo youths were trying to cross over to Libya. As an administration, we began to build and promised 200,000 jobs.

“The jobs were not coming from the government but from activities that the government created and encouraged. We focused on culture and creativity.

We created the policy, enabling the environment, institutions.

$1m Judgement Debt: Firm Asks Appeal Court to Reject Stay of Execution Wale Igbintade A financial advisory and consulting firm, Hydrocarbon Advisors Limited, has asked the Court of Appeal in Lagos to refuse an application by a judgement debtor, Accugas Limited, seeking to stay the execution of its $1,075,000 and N50 million debt.

Hydrocarbon (judgement creditor) made its objection in its written address argued by its counsel, Mr..

Seni Adio (SAN) in opposition to the Accugas’ motion for stay of execution dated September 21, 2023.

Hydrocarbon Advisors Limited and FBN Capital Limited are the 1st and 2nd Respondents in Appeal No CA/L/CV/946/2023 while Accugas Limited is the Applicant/ Appellant.

“The grounds contained in the Applicant’s Notice of Appeal do not raise substantial issues of law to be heard on the appeal, or at least

such that are capable of swaying the mind of this Honourable Court into granting the instant application.

“It is an attempt that the application is an attempt to prevent the 1st respondent from reaping the fruits of the judgment entered in its favour,” Adio said.

He added: “This Honourable Court is respectfully urged to dismiss the instant Application with costs for lacking in

merit.”Nevertheless, the SAN offered that “In the event that this Honourable Court is not inclined to refuse the instant application, this Honourable Court is urged to order that the Applicant pay the Judgment Sum into an interest yielding bank account of this Honourable Court under the authority of the Deputy Chief Registrar, pursuant to Order 4, Rule 6(1) of the Court of Appeal Rules 2021.”

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CALABAR ROUTE RELAUNCH… L-R: Chief Financial Officer of Aero Contractors, Charles Grant; Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu and Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, at the relaunch of the Calabar route at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar…recently

Gunmen Attack Residence of Kogi REC APC Calls for Arrest of SDP Candidate, Ajaka, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Gunmen in the wee hours of yesterday attacked the residence of the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Gabriel Longpet.

This is as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state have been trading blame over gunmen’s attack on the REC’s residence in Lokoja, the state capital.

The incident occurred a day after a mob besieged the state office of the commission and even after Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had complied with the order of the court by giving political parties access to election materials used in the November 11 governorship election in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the armed men engaged the security personnel in

Army Distributes Palliatives to Widows, Orphans in Rivers Communities Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Widows and orphans from communities in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have benefitted from palliatives distributed by the 29 Battalion, Nigeria Army.

The gesture is part of the army’s military-civilian cooperation aimed at curbing crime and criminality in the state in conjunction with sister agencies, community leaders and critical stakeholders.

Speaking at Ebubu Community in Eleme during the distribution of the palliatives, Commanding Officer, 29 Battalion Nigeria Army, Lt. Col Ishiaya Manga, said the initiative was part of the Chief of Army Staff, Loasheed Lagbaja’s Exercise Still Water 3 programme, aimed at cementing military-civilian relationship.

He said the army decided to appreciate communities that have supported their operation since the inception of the Exercise Still Water 3.

“It would be recalled that on 13th October 2023, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Laosheed Lagbaja flagged-off Exercise Still Water 3, the exercise is designed to get rid of criminal activities within Rivers State and other security agencies are also involved in the exercise, community leaders and other critical stakeholders are also involved.

“We have seen that using the kinetic approach would not guarantee the success of this exercise that is why the non-kinetic approach was adopted.

“The non-kinetic which involves traditional rulers, locals and other stakeholders who have supported since the commencement of this exercise has made us to identify them to show our appreciation and inline with that philosophy of the COAS, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, has directed us to select some of those less privileged homes, those vulnerable communities and extend our hands of non kinetic activities.

a gun battle for over 30 minutes shooting sporadically until reinforcement arrived.

He added that while no life was lost, properties were destroyed in the ensuing gun battle.

Oyekanmi stressed that a team of combined security personnel have been deployed to protect

SDP denies involvement

the residence.

He said: “In the early hours of today, Friday 1st December 2023, around 3.30am, gunmen attacked the residence of our Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lokoja, Kogi State.

“The armed men engaged the security personnel in a gun battle for over 30 minutes until

reinforcement arrived.”

The commission, therefore, called for a thorough investigation and enhanced security protection for its personnel and assets in Kogi State.

However, the state All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign Council has called on the police, Department of

State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to immediately arrest to arrest the 2023 governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Muritala Yakubu Ajaka and his supporters who it alleged masterminded the attack on the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner.

NHRC Vows to Ensure Bills Violating Human Rights Are Not Passed Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said it would henceforth work to ensure that bills that may likely violate the human rights of the citizens do not get passed into law.

Addressing the media on activities lined up by the commission to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Executive

Secretary of NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, said the commission is organising Legislative Forum on Human Rights, where discussions would be on the role of Human Rights Committees in advancing human rights.

Ojukwu said “the situation in Nigeria regarding human rights is complex, despite the country’s commitment to international treaties and its efforts in enacting laws to protect human rights.”

He decried that Nigeria faces significant challenges including poverty, inequality, discrimination, insecurity, and weak law enforcement leading to illegal arrests, prolonged detentions, and extrajudicial killings.”

He noted that: “The Forum which will be attended by leaders in the National and State legislatures, senior policy makers, the judiciary, human rights and legal professionals, civil society organisa-

tions, international development partners and other stakeholders, will provide a vital platform for them to engage in meaningful discussions, increase awareness, and strengthen commitment to human rights principles within legislative bodies.”

According to him, “henceforth the NHRC would support legislature that protect human rights and would not support those that are otherwise.”

Abiodun: Ogun Will Join League of Oil Producung States Soon James Sowole in Abeokuta Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that discussions are in top gear for the exploration of oil in Tongeji Island and Olokola in Ipokia and Ogun Waterside local government areas of the state respectively.

The governor, who disclosed

this on Thursday during the presentation of the Year 2024 Appropriation Bill christened ‘Budget of Sustained Growth and Development’ at the Ogun State House of Assembly, noted that the state would soon be given the frontier status and join the league of oil-producing states in the country.

The governor said: “Discussions are ongoing regarding the exploration of oil in Tongeji Island, Ipokia Local Government Area, and Olokola, in Ogun Water-Side Local Government Area, respectively. We are confident that very soon, we will be given frontier status and will soon join the league of oil-producing states.

Abiodun also disclosed that his administration in preparation for its new status as an oil producing state, has established the Ministry of Mineral Resources saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the general administration and operation of the natural resources that abound in the state.

PIND Sponsors Media Awards for Niger Delta Reporting on Development The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) will sponsor The PIND Prize for Niger Delta Development Reporting at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).

This will be the second time PIND is sponsoring this prize.

The PIND Prize rewards solu-

tion journalism reports on issues within the Niger Delta that align with PIND’s interests and focus areas which are: Reducing Poverty, Powering Coastal Communities, Nurturing Youth Employment, Fostering Stability, Empowering Local Organisations, Influencing Governments Policies, Programs

and Practices, and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI).

Following an intense judging process, a winner and two runners-up have emerged and will be awarded their prizes at the DAME awards on Sunday, December 10, 2022, at the Oriental

Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

The PIND Media Solution Journalism Innovative Grant (PIND media grants) was initiated in 2019 to share PIND’s successful development models, approaches, and lessons from its experiences and partners in the Niger Delta region.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 2, 2023

9

NEWS

BUSINESS ON THEIR MINDS ...

L-R: Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali; Head Public Sector, Africa Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Mr. Yusuf Ibrahim; Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi; CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso; Managing Director/ Global Head, Official Institutions SCB, Karby Leggett; CEO, Africa Soft Power Group, Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, and Director, Official Institutions, SCB, Adeel Ansarl, during a courtesy visit on the CBN Governor at the apex bank’s head office in Abuja…yesterday

NAF Helicopter Crashes in Port Harcourt

StarTimes Unwraps Festive Season Cheers with Rewarding Promo

In the spirit of the Christmas and New Year season, StarTimes, Africa’s digital TV operator, has It further noted that announced its annual festive Air Commodore Edward attended to at NAF Medical Gabkwet, said the incident Centre Port Harcourt,” it “incident of this nature, season promo, bringing a wave is yet, a grim reminder of of excitement and rewards for occurred at about 7.45a.m. said. ´7KH &KLHI RI WKH $LU 6WDͿ the dangers associated with its valued customers. yesterday shortly after the DLUFUDIW WRRN RͿ IRU DQ Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, PLOLWDU\ Á\LQJ DQG WKH ULVNV This year’s promo, themed ‘Japa operation against economic is currently enroute Port Har- NAF pilots and technicians for more fun’ which runs from court to assess the situation experience in their onerous November 20, 2023, to January saboteurs in Rivers State.

“Fortunately, the entire for himself and see to the tasks of defending our nation 20, 2024, is designed to shower FUHZ RI ÀYH VXUYLYHG WKH well-being of the crew and and deterring criminal ele- both new and existing subscribers crash with very minor inju- give further directives,” the ments from their nefarious ZLWK LQFUHGLEOH EHQHÀWV LQFOXGLQJ activities.” ries and are currently being statement added. bouquet upgrades and a chance

Five crew members survive crash as Air Force chief visits survivors Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, yesterday, announced the crash of a (NAF) MI-35P helicopter in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

A statement issued in Abuja by the Spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force,

13 Arrested for Vandalism of Abuja Railway Infrastructure Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

“We have been working with relevant stakeholders in the discharge of our duties and DFWLQJ RQ D WLS RͿ ZH ZHUH DEOH WR HͿHFW WKH DUUHVW RI WKHVH SHRSOH and we are ready to do more,” Adekola said.

He vowed that all the suspects would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for IXUWKHU SURÀOLQJ DQG SURVHFXWLRQ

infrastructure.

The casual workers engaged Thirteen suspects, 10 of which by the Chinese company to work were casual workers, engaged on the railways, were said to by a Chinese company have have used the opportunity to been arrested for vandalism cannibalise the facility.

The suspects were paraded of armoured cables and other associated equipment of Abuja yesterday by the Managing Director and Chief Executive of mass transit rail.

7KHLU DUUHVW ZDV HͿHFWHG the company, Segun Adekola and by a private guard company R΀FLDOV RI WKH )HGHUDO &DSLWDO 7HUcontracted to safeguard the ritory (FCT) Transport Secretariat.

Adekola said over 100 suspected vandals had been arrested by his company over the years and were promptly handed over to security agencies for prosecution.

He, however, regretted that some of those arrested in the past were released on bail, while some of them went back to the crimes for which they were initially arrested.

Tinubu Appoints Mojec’s GMD, Abdul Non-Executive Director on MOFI

Aliyu Presents N270.1bn Appropriation Bill to Sokoto House of Assembly

President Bola Tinubu has announced the appointment of Chantelle Abdul, the Group Managing Director of Mojec, as one of the Non-Executive Directors on the board of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).

The ministry is an investment vehicle of the federal government to manage investments and a diverse portfolio RI RYHU DVVHW FODVVLÀFDWLRQV including Government Owned Entities (GOEs) and Government Linked Companies (GLCs).

As a visionary leader, Abdul

has transformed Mojec into a metering empire, evolving it into a conglomerate that stands as the largest manufacturer of electricity meters in subSaharan Africa.

She has successfully led hyper-growth startups and companies across Africa, Asia, Europe, and America, demonstrating expertise in various sectors such as Power and energy, Agriculture, Mining, Real Estate, and Hospitality.

Her wealth of experience and strategic insight make her a valuable addition to the board of MOFI.

Sule seeks approval of N199.9bn 2024 budget proposal Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, yesterday, presented a 2024 budget proposal of N 270,100, 355,563.35 to the State House of Assembly.

Also, yesterday, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, presented his 2024 budget proposal of N199.9 billion to the State House of Assembly for approval.

In Sokoto, the appropriation

bill was christened, ‘Budget of Hope and Resilience’ which the governor said was being done in an atmosphere of both “hope and uncertainty.

“Of the proposed revenues, statutory allocation coming from the federation account are estimated in the sum of N138,929,550,974:00 only.

Internally generated revenues are estimated in the sum of N37,085,037,053:63 Kobo only.

This makes the total revenue stands at 176,014,588,027:63 Kobo.

to win exhilarating prizes.

“As a brand committed to providing quality family entertainment, StarTimes is thrilled to celebrate the festive season with our esteemed customers. This year’s promo is a testament to our appreciation for their unwavering support and our dedication to enriching their holiday experience with a basket full of captivating content,” Abosede Adewara, Marketing Director, StarTimes Nigeria said.

Wema Bank Partners FG on Training 2mYouths, 1m MSMEs

Ugo Aliogo

Wema Bank in partnership with the federal government, has commenced the virtual training for two million youths and one million owners of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the FGN/ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme for MSMEs. Launched in September 2023, the programme, which started on 27th November, has witnessed hundreds of

thousands of business owners, aspiring business owners, working-class professionals and jobseekers expressing keen interest in developing their digital skills, enhancing their employability and deepening their business management skills.

The FGN/ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme for MSMEs aims to train two million youths and one million owners of MSMEs, with a diverse range of digital skills.

ALX Nigeria Partners 9mobile to Reward Young Innovators Tech accelerator, ALX Nigeria and telecoms company, 9mobile yesterday celebrated young digital innovators at WKH ÀUVW HGLWLRQ RI WKH 3LWFK Your-Business Competition held at the ALX Costain Hub, Lagos.

The event which was organised to encourage youths to embrace technology starred QLQH ÀQDO FRQWHVWDQWV GUDZQ from current learners at the

GLͿHUHQW $/; SURJUDPPHV and hubs.

In her welcome address, Head of Public Relations, 9mobile, Chineze Amanfo, expressed her gratitude to ALX Nigeria for consistently equipping young Nigerians with world-class tech skills that prepare them for job employment and entrepreneurship in the technology landscape.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 2, 2023

10

NEWS

GLAD TO MEET YOU ...

President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah (left) and the Founder, CLG Securities, Niran Aderogba, at the Commonwealth Business Forum in London ... recently

In Line with Presidential Directive, Consent Judgement, NPA Restores Intels’ Service Boat Operation Contract Peter Uzoho

Lagos Port Complex, Charles Okaga, which was sent to all In compliance with a presi- shipping companies. dential directive and the consent The Authority explained that judgement of the Federal High the directive was in line with the Court, Lagos, the Nigerian Ports terms of the extended contract Authority (NPA) has extended contained in the Managing the Service Boat Operation Agency Agreement conveying Contract existing between it the scope of services, in addition and Intels Nigeria Limited, to the obligations of the Agent.

GLUHFWLQJ WKH ÀUP WR UHVXPH NPA therefore directed all the service immediately. shipping companies to ensure The NPA disclosed this in that Intels Nigeria Limited was a November 30, 2023 circular allowed unrestricted access to signed by the Port Manager, information on Pilotage Move-

ments and provide it with the necessary assistance to successfully commence operations as its Managing Agent on Service Boat operations in Lagos Pilotage District (LPD).

The circular read: “This is to kindly inform you that sequel to the Presidential Directives dated 18th August 2023 and the consent Judgement of the Federal High Court, Lagos, dated 21st of September 2023, the Authority has extended the Service Boat Operation Contract between it

and Intels Nigeria Limited.

“Further to the above and to support the Authority’s and Federal Government’s drive to increase revenue generation from the Service Boat Operations, Messrs. Intels Nigeria Limited has been directed to resume services immediately. This is in line with the terms of the extended contract contained in the Managing Agency Agreement conveying the scope of Services, in addition to the obligations of the Agent.

Afegbua Joins Edo Guber Race Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Special Adviser (Media) and Commissioner for Information Ahead of the Edo State and Orientation to former 2024 Governorship election Governor of the state, now slated for September 21, 2024, Senator Representing Edo former spokesman to former North senatorial zone, Senator Military President, General Adams Oshiomhole, disclosed Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, his aspiration when he visited Mr. Kassim Afegbua, has joined the Correspondents Chapel the Edo State governorship Secretariat of Edo NUJ, yesterrace, saying infrastructural day, lamenting that due to the GHFD\ OHDGHUVKLS GHÀFLHQF\ present “needless squabbles and amongst others, as presently altercations among the leaders experienced in the state, made of the ruling party in our state,” him to join the race, with a view Edo people are “disoriented by the politics of pretense and high to correcting such.

Afegbua who was also handedness,” stressing that this Chief Press Secretary (CPS), shouldn’t be.

Organisations Partner to Mark World

Diplomatic Community Commends Runsewe Shettima Inaugurates Council on MSMEs, Diabetes Day, Seek Govts’ Intervention for Rebranding Nigerian Culture A non-government organisation, to diabetes and other related Urges Members to Deploy Technology The Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has been commended by the diplomatic community for contributing meaningfully to the socio-political and economic development of the country through the rebranding of the arts and culture sector.

The High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria and the Doyen of the Diplomatic Community in Abuja, His Excellency

Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahim, gave the commendation when members of the diplomatic community were hosted to a dinner during a tour of facilities at the Arts and Crafts Village in Abuja.

The Doyen was full of commendation for the National Council for Arts and Culture under the dynamic leadership of Runsewe, acknowledging the passion, drive, records and achievements of Runsewe in the arts and culture.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday, inaugurated the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) headed by him with a call on its members to utilise technology and their expertise to enhance the sector’s growth.

Emphasising President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to improving job security, Shettima, who spoke while

inaugurating the Council at the State House, Abuja, highlighted the critical role of MSMEs and younger Nigerians in driving job creation and economic stimulation.

According to him: “This Council has a pivotal role to play in rekindling hope in the Nigerian project as President Tinubu is irrevocably committed to addressing the job security situation, especially within the MSMEs and the younger population.”

FG Partners US, UNAIDS, Global

Zion City Prepares for Fund to End HIV in Nigeria by 2030 End-of-year Programme Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja In bid to address the huge challenge of sustainability control of HIV-AIDS in Nigeria, the federal government said it is working with the United States Government, United Nations United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Global Fund on an initiative aimed at ensuring country ownership and sustainability of national response beyond 2030.

The collaboration came just as

the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Senator George Akume, has said that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is committed to sustaining the initiative to treat more HIV patients annually using resources mobilised locally.

Akume, who spoke during the commemoration of the World AIDS Day held in Abuja yesterday, said the government recognised the invaluable contributions of communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Zion Prayer Movement Outreach (ZPMOM), led by Evangelist Chukwuebuka Anozie Obi, has announced the details for this year’s “Odeshi” programme.

“Odeshi”, which literally means “Does not leak or penetrate”, is a programme which XVXDOO\ R΀FLDOO\ PDUNV WKH end-of-the-year activities for the ministry located at Zion Estate, Ago, Okota, Lagos.

Speaking at the midweek Prophetic and Deliverance

programme on Wednesday, Evangelist Ebuka disclosed that “Odeshi” would be held next weekend, December 9 and 10, beginning from 10 a.m. each day.

He stated that the programme is to seek divine protection for all those who would be travelling during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, as well as to prepare followers of the ministry at Zion City and millions who follow online for God’s special blessings and favour for 2024.

Health Matters Incorporated, has teamed-up with local and international partners to raise awareness around diabetes care and prevention in commemoration of 2023 World Diabetes Day. This is with the intention to prevent avoidable deaths due

Imagine Foundation Partner Tech4Dev to Train Tech Talents Imagine Foundation, a *HUPDQ\ EDVHG QRQ SURÀW WHFK training and job placement organisation, has partnered with the Technology for Social Change and Development Initiative (Tech4Dev) to train tech talents on how to secure global market jobs.

The training, which took place in Lagos, attracted a diverse pool of talented individuals from various levels of experience, all united by their desire to pursue full-time tech careers outside of Nigeria.

The workshop themed: ‘Tech Careers 360: A Deep Dive into Succeeding in the Global Job Market’, provided valuable tips on how to secure a dream job in Europe, with strategies that are applicable worldwide.

ailments, as well ease access to healthcare in the country.

Speaking at an event to mark the occasion in Shomolu community of Lagos, recently, Executive Director/Founder of Health Matters Incorporated, Peter Ujomu, emphasised constant grassroots and community engagements for HͿHFWLYH DZDUHQHVV HͿRUWV VWDWLQJ that many have died of the disease due to ignorance.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 2, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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DECEMBER 2, 2023 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

ѡџђюњіћєȱ юџњѠȱ ћёȱ ѓџќяђюѡѠȱ ђѠѠќћѠȱ ќџȱ ієђџію We have to do more ease of doing business, reckons Joshua J. Omojuwa

Y

ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ £ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȃ Ȅȱ ȱȃ £ Ȅǯȱ ȱ ȱ ǵȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¡ ę ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯ The Afrobeats music genre originating from Nigeria has got many lessons for the country itself. A largely underrated force behind the spread of Afrobeats is the advent of streaming platforms. Digital Service Providers like Spotify, iTunes, Boomplay Music, Tidal, Audiomack, etc., have helped to render the need to export music physically through containHUV RI &RPSDFW 'LVFV &'6 VXSHUÁXRXV When Reminisce Alaga Ibile released his latest album, Alaye Toh Se Gogo, he did not need to make plans for the music to be physically moved from one country to another.

It was available and accessible to any interested party, globally. The Internet, like it did with countless other things, is the ultimate democratization of the business and culture of music. Music beyond borders went from an imagination to the norm.

That is not to say that democratization ended the need for gatekeepers. Gatekeepers, contrary to what some experts say, hardly disappear, they just change form. They may not retain as much power as they once did beyond the disruptions brought about by the Internet. Rest assured though, gatekeepers continue to hold sway. There is a reason artists under big labels generally do better commercially than Independent artists for instance. When you squeeze the juice out of the why that is the case, you’d see that’s an element of the prevailing reality of gatekeepers.

The big lesson here for Nigeria is that, how do we move our products all around the world like we move our music via streaming platforms? To start with, we must start with the product itself. There are countless other emerging genres with the same access to the streaming platforms like Afrobeats, but they aren’t getting the same attention. The food that Afrobeats cooks retains the familiarity of American hip-hop with a blend of the unfamiliar, the Nigerianness DORQJ ZLWK LWV VRXQG FXOWXUH DQG GHÀQLQJ ; IDFWRU HVVHQFH They feel they’ve heard something like it before, then they are hit by the drums and the chutzpah of the Nigerian act.

There and then they know this is some sort of refreshing familiarity. If we want to sell to the world, we must start with the familiar.

7KH PHUH H[SRVXUH HͿHFW DOVR FDOOHG WKH IDPLOLDULW\ principle, means that anyone who’s familiar with American hip-hop will likely want to have some of what Afrobeats RͿHUV %HFDXVH LQWHUVHFWLRQV DERXQG LQ PXVLF VW\OH FXOWXUH and taste. It is a familiar shock at worst.

Platforms are essential. Whilst things appear to have improved, they have not improved enough. We need to do

WE HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF EXPORTING OUR BEST TO THE WORLD OF MUSIC, IT’D COME AT A GRAVE COST IF WE ARE DECEIVED INTO BELIEVING THE MEDIOCRES IN OUR MIDST ARE THE BEST OF US. STREAMING FARMS CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN, IF THEY AREN’T NIPPED IN THE BUD NOW

more Ease of Doing Business than we talk Ease of Doing Business. We need to be a competitive economy. A quick test of how competitive we are is to try exporting a similar product from Nigeria compared to Ghana. If it is easier to do that export elsewhere in West Africa, you’ve already failed the competitive test. If you can’t beat the average in a sub-region that isn’t known to be the global standard, KRZ FDQ \RX FRPSHWH DW WKH H΀FLHQF\ UHTXLUHG EH\RQG WKDW level?

That Nigerians are exploring the likes of Ghana, Benin and even the UAE for their exports speaks to the mitigating factor that exporting from Nigeria is to businesses. Cocoa remains a major export from Nigeria. What happened to having an Agro Port in Ondo State to facilitate the export of agricultural products? The Lekki Deep Sea Port and the /DJRV )UHH =RQH RͿHU D WHPSODWH IRU WKH VRUW RI HFRV\VWHP RQH FRXOG EXLOG IRU VSHFLÀF LQGXVWULHV DQG PDQXIDFWXULQJ generally.

Afrobeats has tapped into the Nigerian enterprising spirit, travelled with Nigerians all over the world and has become a global phenomenon, even as its spread continues unabated.

However, like every empire, the seed of its destruction is advancing alongside its rise. Whilst Streaming Farms are a global phenomenon, it appears to be a deeper issue than acknowledged in Nigeria. Think of Streaming Farms like doping in sports. Circumventing the system to get ahead of everyone and be perceived better than one really is. It is a play for overestimation, a combat in the acceptance of one’s mediocrity.

It can cost as much as $12,000/track. Using computer programmes, a horde of systems, phones and other platforms connected to the streaming platforms, bots help to JHQHUDWH DUWLÀFLDO VWUHDPV IRU D VRQJ WKDW WKHQ KHOSV LW MXPS on the charts. It is easier on some platforms than others.

Spotify for instance frowns at it and has been seen to yank RͿ VRQJV SHUFHLYHG WR EH XVLQJ VWUHDPLQJ IDUPV WR GRSH their numbers. :KHQ WKHUH LV D YDVW GLͿHUHQFH EHWZHHQ D VRQJ·V SRSXODUity on one major platform versus another like Spotify where spamming comes at a cost, chances are that the numbers on the former got farmed.

That is why some of the end of year rankings on some platforms are deemed more credible than others. You cannot separate the Nigerian spirit of fair competition from the success of Afrobeats. Like humans elsewhere, given the opportunity, people will try to beat the system. Whilst a sophisticated music market and culture like that of the United States can quickly spot and have such attempts punished, ours, amidst of our success, remains largely inchoate. We have done an excellent job of exporting our best to the world of music, it’d come at a grave cost if we are deceived into believing the mediocres in our midst are the best of us. Streaming Farms can make that happen, if they aren’t nipped in the bud now.

Omojuwa is chief strategist, Alpha Reach/ author, Digital Wealth

ђѣђљќѝњђћѡǰȱ ђќѝќљіѡіѐѠȱ ћёȱ ќѝюȱƀƆ

T

he COP 28 UN confab on climate ȱ ȱ Ĵ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ Şŝȱȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵ ȱ ¢ȱǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱǰȱȱ ȱ ¢ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱ ȱȱŘŖŘŚȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱǰȱ ¢ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ ȱŘŞȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ ¢ȱȱ ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ .

In his 2024 budget speech while calling for public-private partnerships to leverage ‘ private capital for big ticket infrastructure projects in energy , transportation and other sectors ‘ he admitted that Cop28 ‘ marks a critical step towards diversifying our energy mix , enhancing efficiency and fostering the development of renewable energy sources ..In line with streamlining the new budget with COP 28 ambitions he said he has directed relevant government agencies to diligently work towards securing substantial funding commitments that will bolster Nigeria’s energy transition. ‘ In this prescient and pragmatic call to action of government MDAs the Nigerian leader is saying that while we cannot afford to abandon our lucrative revenue from oil we cannot equally allow the funding

Dayo Sobowale canvasses negotiation and cooperation with the UAE at COPA 28 and environmental benefits of green energy transition and security , pass us by as well as a developing nation . It is in this regard that I expect that the Nigerian delegation at the UN- led climate conference should seek cooperation , negotiation and fruitful transition deals with the host nation UAE at COPA 28 urgently and the reason is not far-fetched .

In an article titled ‘Green Synergies; How the EU , the UAE and Africa can cooperate on energy ‘ under the auspices of the European Council on Foreign Relations , it was observed that ‘ the UAE’s expanding role in Africa’s energy’s spaces could present a challenge to Europe’s energy security de carbonisation ambitions but opportunities for cooperation also exist that could accelerate the global energy transition. ‘ The authors of the article noted that ‘ middle powers like India , Turkey and the Gulf monarchies jostle for opportunities to engage with African countries , seeing a chance to benefit from Africa’s largely untapped commercial and investment potential and its abundant energy resources . It was noted that ‘the UAE has expanded its power projection and strategic investments in north and east Africa to reach every corner of the continent , ramping up both oil-related investments and non- oil investments in countries from Tanzania to Senegal, South Africa to Guinea.

In doing so it aims to foster Emirati private companies and create new revenue streams

supported by a web of strategic infrastructure and significant financial backing from its sovereign wealth fund. ‘ The urgent need for a UAE – Nigeria energy collaboration and synergy on COPA 28 stems from the fact that while the EU is hell bent and overanxious on achieving the COPA 28 goals on energy transition and security speedily , the UAE with its huge fossil deposits is not as eager. While it is eager to be seen as supporting the goals of COPA 28 and even hosting and eagerly funding the transition, it is lamenting that the cost of transition should not be at the expense of other benefits of fossil fuel cash cow like Nigeria . On the other hand the UAE is very much involved in seeking leadership in green markets and climate diplomacy backed by an ambitious net zero target by 2050 . Which in a way tallies with the injunction on green energy funding and transition given to Nigerian MDAs by the Nigerian president in his recently presented 2024 federal budget .

According to reports ‘ the UAE poured 23.8 billion dollars into Africa between 2016 and 2020 making it the largest bilateral investor in the continent- alongside US and behind only China. Again UAE imports and exports with Africa was at 70 billion dollars in 2021, almost the same as that of the US . In essence most African nations share UA E ‘s preference for a gradual reduction in the use of fossil nations rather than the

rapid and strict phase out of the present US government and the EU . The UAE has made immense investments in many African nations on energy transition and security and Nigeria should not be left out as the Nigerian president has directed. Undoubtedly the UAE is rivaling the EU in terms of influence and developmental goals on COPA 28 . It is a welcome development for African nations in that they can still enjoy the benefits of their natural resources for sometime while buying into the concepts and goals of COPA 28 ‘ on energy transition and security .

In addition, the UAE and the rich gulf states provide a more welcome and accommodative investment window of opportunities to African nations that do not buy into the so called EU and US values and beliefs on marriage , family, same- sex marriage and LGBTQ rights . This was stoutly resisted by QATAR and FIFA in the last FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia . The recent success of the Saudi soccer league and the influx of leading world soccer giants like Ronaldo and Benzema into Saudi Arabia and the maintenance of Saudi values on marriage, alcohol abstinence and LGBTQ ban in that nation has shown that cultural values should not be tied to developmental projects at the expense of developing nations who are beneficiaries of such funding for development and growth .

Sobowale is a news analyst with Arise News

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SATURDAY DECEMBER 2, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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SATURDAY DECEMBER 2, 2023 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY DECEMBER 2, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 2, 2023

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TECH HUB

AYODEJI AKE 07056085642

Commences Akintunde: Why We Must Address Low Google Deleting Inactive Accounts Technology Adoption in Agric Sector While unsophisticated irrigation systems, climate change among others are classified as some of the challenges stunting development in the agriculture sector, experts have also highlighted low technology adoption by farmers as a major obstacle. In this exclusive interview, the President of one of the foremost commodities exchange platforms, AFEX Nigeria, Mr. Akinyinka Akintunde, harped on the need for increased access to technology and capacity building for farmers on how to use modern agricultural technologies.

Ayodeji Ake brings the excerpts: that allow multiple market participants to play in the commodities market with all the data and information that they need at their fingertips. Data continues to be a significant gap and one big way that technology can have an outsized impact. The availability of data would allow us to plan interventions better as a country and manage risks better in our day-to-day operations.

How has AFEX been able to maximise technology to foster the growth of the commodity market?

F

or us, technology is an important aspect of building a thriving commodity market for Africa, particularly because of its role in increasing market participation and improving efficiency. The creation of a technology-enabled trading platform, a step ahead of the traditional physical trading floor, creates an efficient marketplace for buyers and sellers of commodities, allowing users to place orders, view market data, and execute trades electronically. Beyond wealth creation for more investors as a direct consequence of digital trading, leveraging technology for the commodity market has also increased market access for farmers in rural areas, and at the end of the exchange, increased liquidity for the market.

Can you share with us the technological tools developed to assist small-scale farmers in Nigeria?

We believe in the importance of merging technology and physical infrastructure, and we created a technology stack that meets the needs of the value chain across farmers, processors, retail and institutional investors. The stack features two products: WorkBench and Africa Exchange.

WorkBench is primarily a digital Business-toBusiness (B2B) platform that connects farmers, traders, and agri-businesses to input financing, aggregation, inventory, payment, warehouse management, storage, and logistics services.

WorkBench enables seamless interaction across the agriculture value chain, eliminating supply chain inefficiencies, while delivering maximum benefits to farmers and other parts of the value chain. Africa Exchange is a digital platform facilitating the trade of securitized commodities backed by a vast physical market, creating access to formal markets for farmers and eliminating the inconsistencies of the informal market. A salient feature of the digital trading platform is access to fair and transparent prices that enable farmers to negotiate equitable contracts even in the informal market. In prioritising the application of digital technology, we are building the infrastructure for the seamless integration of the physical markets with the financial market.

What are some of the effort by AFEX to empower African farmers with AI and provide market access to them through the CODE CASH CROP (CCC) initiative?

Code Cash Crop (CCC), as a platform was created in response to gaps in the market across consolidation of technology and finance to grow the agriculture industry. At the foundation of Code Cash Crop is really the sensitisation of these relevant industries to increase interest and investment in the agricultural sector, whether this be financial investments, technology or physical infrastructure, which directly contributes to improving the livelihood of farmers and other stakeholders involved in food production. This year, for instance, we focused on scaling market-led innovations and at the ag-hackathon level, we invited solutions that directly addressed market challenges across data, extension, and logistics, three core areas where we see immense untapped potential to transform our agriculture economy and the commodities market. One of the solutions that was pitched at the ag-hackathon stage, tried to deploy some aspects of AI to build an extension platform for farmers with various simplified education modules. The bulk of solutions directly or indirectly addressed issues of market access

Akintunde

by proposing solutions to logistics challenges or larger infrastructure challenges that limit access to the market on the continent.

In this new dispensation of digital transformation, how has technology accessibility to farmers aided in combating food insecurity?

The way we think about food insecurity, which then snowballs into how we tackle it, is predominantly from a food production perspective.

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), highlights reduction in food availability as one of the major contributors to food insecurity.

At AFEX, we are tackling this by working to increase farmers’ productivity, and we have integrated technology into this process first by creating WorkBench that allows us to disburse and manage input financing. Through the platform, farmers can get access to quality seedlings and fertilizers, as well as access to storage, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing agricultural productivity. In addition, we are tackling major problems across farmer identification, data aggregation, and financial inclusion through the E-Warehouse receipts system, which helps build creditworthiness for farmers. AFEX’s ComX has served over 80,000 investors in Nigeria and facilitated trades worth over USD 200 million since it was launched in 2020. The platform delivers impact to farmers and investors alike by enabling finance to be unlocked for the agricultural sector while allowing investors to build wealth. We have launched a new trading platform – Africaexchange, that replaces the ComX platform, filling the same gap in the market and providing more real-time data and information for commodity market players.

Early this year, the United Nations forecasted that 25 million Nigerians could face food insecurity. What role can technology play in addressing this situation?

While there are technology frameworks that could be potentially leveraged to solve food insecurity, this problem is primarily and predominantly a structural challenge. Nigeria faces chronic food insecurity and by very definition, the FAO points out that chronic food insecurity is borne out of structural gaps that prevent people from accessing food. For 2024, we are focused on expanding some of our structural operations such as building smart warehouses and investing in machinery to drive up production, processing, and export capacity, essentially creating a solid infrastructure foundation for technology to thrive. Speaking of technology, we are doubling down on building platforms

But low technology adoption is one of the challenges the sector is facing. How do we deal?

We need to look at the agriculture sector from the smallest unit and then upwards. Farmers make up 80 per cent of food production in the country, and a majority of these farmers have little formal education and are disconnected or excluded from digital services such as the Internet, network service, personal digital identification etc. The ripple effect of poor infrastructure has kept technology adoption in the agriculture sector at 25 percent as of 2022. Dealing with this requires joint efforts across public and private partners to increase access to technology for the value chain by investing in adequate extension services, capacity building for farmers on how to use modern agricultural technologies, building infrastructure, such as roads and electricity, in rural areas, and promoting market specific Research and Development (R&D) of adoptable agricultural technologies.

Aside from Low technology adoption, what other challenges do you see in the sector and how do you think they can be solved?

Other challenges within the sector cut across high post-harvest losses, limited financing, poor access to markets, unsophisticated irrigation systems, climate change, and global events.

On agriculture financing alone, the World Bank estimates that the value of the financing gap is worth $65 billion. Low financing in agriculture means that farmers do not have the necessary inputs, seeds, and fertilizers to produce enough to match demand. The ripple effect is that people are not able to access the necessary nourishment to stay healthy, and in the case that they can access food, they do so at incredibly high, unsustainable rates. Regardless of these challenges, we have witnessed growth in the sector and more interestingly, a growing interest in Agriculture from individuals and the government. However, we also believe that there’s much to be done to fully transform agriculture into a thriving sector and this requires first and foremost, long-term patient and innovative capital pumped into the sector, policy coordination at the level of the government alongside heavy infrastructure development to support technology advancements.

Do you feel some policies should be developed and implemented by the government to support technology development?

Technology of course cannot exist in a vacuum; it needs a suitable political environment that eases implementation processes. In the past couple of months, we have seen the current administration prioritize growing the agriculture sector through a number of initiatives. More recently, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture through the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro Pocket (NAGSAP), provided subsidized inputs for farmers and AFEX built the technology to enable seamless execution of the input redemption process.

In a bid to address security threats, Google has commenced deleting inactive accounts to prevent spam, phishing scams, and account hijacking. The tech company noted that inactive accounts for a period of time can be compromised despite heavy protection.

“Forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised, haven’t had two-factor authentication set up, and receive fewer security checks by the user.

“Our internal analysis shows abandoned accounts are at least 10 times less likely than active accounts to have 2-step verification set up. Meaning, these accounts are often vulnerable, and once an account is compromised, it can be used for anything from identity theft to a vector for unwanted or even malicious content, like spam,” Google said.

To this effect, a six-month notification was done before the commencement date.

DCSL Set to Launch Innovative Boardroom DCSL Corporate Services Limited, a leading corporate service firm is set to celebrate a decade of professional excellence and launch an innovative boardroom app - “The DCSL e-Connect App” on Friday 8th December 2023.

Managing Director of DCSL, Bisi Adeyemi, reflected on the significant milestones achieved in the past decade and reiterates the Company’s commitment to delivering unparalleled professional services across its bouquet of offerings to diverse sectors of the economy.

“Our ten-year journey has been propelled by an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional professional service to a diverse range of corporate and individual clients across various business sectors. The introduction of the DCSL eConnect app marks a pivotal moment, as we embark on a new era of transformative possibilities, reinforcing our dedication to innovation and precision in communication and collaboration within the boardroom,” a statement quoted him to have said.

This celebration marks not only a milestone in our journey but also a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation in the corporate services landscape”.

The DCSL eConnect App was designed to elevate boardroom communication, collaboration and redefine efficiency. The innovative App will empower Boards and c-suite executives to efficiently manage meetings, streamline access to and retrieval of documents, facilitate approvals, conduct polls and performance evaluation, all while ensuring compliance and tracking company plans.

Expert Hails AI Code for PR Practice President of the Business Education Exam Council (BEEC), Mike Okereke, has expressed support for the adoption of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Code for Public Relations Practice.

Speaking at a three-day 30th edition of the Meet the Media program bringing together under one umbrella - Media Relations and Strategic Public Relations experts, Okoreke said the development would trigger intellectual leadership.

“The recently announced Artificial intelligence (AI) Code of Ethics for Public Relations (PR) practice is consistent with the mission of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) to provide intellectual leadership. IPRA has launched a set of AI Code of Ethics,” he said.

Charging the practitioners, he stressed that “a key part of the AI Code of Ethics is openness and honesty. We must ensure truth and accuracy are the pillars. The code guidance insists that AI content is fact-checked by humans.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 2, 2023

Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

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Bolanle Ninolowo, Damilola Adegbite Relish Romance Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 2, 2023

IMAGES

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t was a time to dance and rejoice when Mrs Carol Akintunji celebrated seventieth birthday amidst funfare where familes, friends and well-wishers gathered to witnessed the occasion in Lagos recently.

Photographs by ABAYOMI AKINYELE below show the personalities that attended the ceremony Celebrant, Mrs Carol Akintunji and her, husband, Dr Akinsefunmi Akintunji

L-R Professor Bola Akinterinwa; Chief Abiodun Akiselire, his wife, former governor of Lagos State,Mrs Adejoke OrelopeAkinselire

L-R: Jakun of Ile-Oluji Kingdom, Oba Dr Adetimehin and Olori Adetokunbo Adetimehin

L-R: Chief Akintoye Andy and Mrs Moji Akintoye

L-R: Pastor Benson Akintunji, Engr. Sam. Adegboyega and Mrs Stella Adegboyega

L-R: Mr Martins Awofisayo, Mr Sunday Olanrewaju Omole and Mr Olalekan Oladejo

Pastor Amos Akintunji and Pastor Mrs Mercy Akintunji

L-R: Dr Richard Ikiebe (l) and Dr Victor Oladokun

L-R: Mr Ebeneer Akintunji and Mrs Comfort Akintunji

L-R: Pastor Tayo Akinbisola and Pastor Mrs Diwura Akinbisola

L-R: Mr Ganiyu Badmus, DIG Jubril Adeniji (rtd), Mrs Ayo Adeniji and Mrs Ojuoape Akinrodoye

L-R Mr Akintola Olumide, Mr Demola Adebola, Pastor Benson Akintunji, Dr Wole Omogunseye and Mr Yemi Akinseye

Pastor Tomide Akintunji and Mrs Kunbi Akintunji

L-R: Mrs Clara Akinwotu (l) and Mrs Bolanle Akinwotu.

Prince Adelowo Adeniji and Princess Temitope Adeniji

L-R: Mrs Idowu Adewakun, Mr Bayo Adewakun and Mrs Bunmi Akinwo

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 2, 2023

Social Media Bit

The visit by his royal majesty, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II last week to Lagos State, where he met with the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and congratulated him on his re-election, elicited several reactions, especially after he stated that the Benins founded Lagos.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the week strongly condemned the rendition of the campaign tune (On Your Mandate We Shall Stand) of then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), now President Bola Tinubu, that was sang in the National Assembly during the presentation of the 2024 appropriation bill to the legislature on Wednesday.

President Bola Tinubu presented the 2024 appropriation billion of N27.5trn to the National Assembly in Abuja.

Singer Orezi left heartbroken after fire gutted his Lagos home

Big Brother Nigeria (BBN) Shippers (Relationship Matchers) left heartbroken as BBN’s Pere revealed he and Mercy Eke are no longer together.

Marlian Music record owner, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, and Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, known as Sam Larry, have made their first public appearance following their release from custody. This was revealed in videos shared on TikTok on Tuesday night by Sam Larry.

In the videos which have now gone viral, the two of them were seen in the company of another singer on the record label, Oniyide Azeez, aka Zinoleesky, and others. The duo were in October arraigned and remanded over their alleged involvement in circumstances surrounding the death of a musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Nairametrics Founder, Ugochukwu Obi-Chukwu, shares the scary story of how he was forced to pay N60,000 ‘road tax’ to area boys after his car tyres packed up on Third Mainland bridge, in Lagos.

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SUNDAY EHIGIATOR 07064693603

Actor Sylvester Madu was reportedly arrested in Cameroon over the shooting that claimed four lives. Police operatives have reportedly detained Nollywood actor Sylvester Madu in Bamenda, Cameroon. The actor was arrested alongside four others over the fatal shooting of four people at a beer parlour on Saturday, November 23, 2023.

Billionaire American businessman, Charlie Munger, died at 99. Billionaire American businessman and investment guru, Charlie Munger, has passed away at the age of 99, on November 29, 2023

Man in shock after sympathisers met a woman and her children eating barely 10 hours after her husband passed away.

Four friends were crushed to death while waiting for a towing van in Abuja

20

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 2, 2023

AUTO WORLD

Bennett Oghifo 07052343083 Email:bennett.oghifo@thisdaylive.com

TIPS OF THE WEEK Cold Start: How it Impacts Engine When Starting Cars You have rented a car to go on an excellent road trip with your friends. You probably go to the rental site, book the vehicle yourself, and set forth. Now, as soon as you are starting the car, boom! The engine makes noise. It could be a cold start if you’re wondering what just happened.

Cold starts are one of the most common situations that we come across. Usually, when we leave our cars without operating them for some time, the engine develops more elevated revolutions than the usual rate. It simply means that the machine is in an unconscious state, below the temperature that it should be to run thoroughly. Since the vehicle prepares itself for a ride by executing some noise, it might worry some people and give them a wrong impression of the vehicle’s condition.

Jetour Automobile

Affordable Luxurious Jetour Auto Now in Nigerian Market

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uto patrons are in for good times, as Jetour Automobile, a new brand launched

by Chery Holding in response to the market trend, aimed at consumer demand, has been unveiled in the Nigerian market. Standing tall to the meaning of its name, which translates to ‘Convenient Tour’, it connotes that clients ZKR ZRUN KDUG VKRXOG HQMR\ WKH EHQHÀWV of their happy lifestyles. Unlike some other brands from China, Jetour is no joker, as it comes with heavily packed core Technologies.

According to the company, the brand is equipped with reliable technologies like the “electronic control unit, vehicle controller and other Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) -related core technologies. Intelligent driving, intelligent networking, Vehicle to Everything (V2X), Al, big data and electric systems and other technologies are widely XVHG LQ -HWRXU $XWRPRELOH ,W RͿHUV WKH 1.6TGDI engine with a rapid heating thermal management system, having a completely independent intellectual property right. The

ÀUVW RI D &KLQHVH EUDQG LWV GLUHFW LQMHFWLRQ gasoline engine meets China VI emission regulations.

7KH EUDQG·V UHOLDELOLW\ LV FRQÀUPHG E\ WKH more than 15,000 hours of bench testing, which is equivalent to more than 10 years of user experience, and over 2 million kilometres of vehicle testing. Due to its success and user experience, the engines used in Jetour are currently used in over 80 countries and regions worldwide.

With the Industry leading ultimate fuel SRZHU H΀FLHQF\ WKH HQJLQH LV SRZHUHG E\ Jetour Kunpeng 2.0TGDI engine and can achieve 100 km,’h acceleration < 8 seconds.

Jetour says “More than 1,000 people worked on the Kunpeng 2.0TGDI engine, which is based on Chery’s 23 years of positive engine development skills: a solid product developPHQW V\VWHP DQG DQ DGYDQFHG YHULÀFDWLRQ system, that relies on three main Research and Development (R&D) facilities in Europe and China (Wuhu, Shanghai). The team’s ÀYH DGYDQWDJHV DUH VXSHU HQHUJ\ XOWUD FOHDQ ultra-quiet, ultra-solid, and ultra-light, which took 48 months to develop. It has a maximum

power output of 187kW and a maximum torque output of 390N m, and the power reserve is comparable to one 3SL V6 engine.

On manufacturing strength, Jetour says “Stamping, welding, painting, and general assembly are the four key procedures covered. The intelligent factory incorporates automation, informatization, intelligentisation, FXVWRPLVDWLRQ ÁH[LELOLW\ VFDODELOLW\ DQG environmental conservation.

But who is the Jetour brand meant for?

The company says the brand users are such an uncompromising group of individuals, unwilling to settle for mediocrity. They are certain that brilliance is gained through action rather than waiting.

The models available in the Nigerian market DUH WKH ; /LEHUW\ ; 3OXV (OHJDQFH ; Plus-Cruise and Dashing.

Based on 23 years of production experiences, Chery Holding Group has sold over 8.5 million cars, exports exceed 1.6 million cars, and it has ranked number one in China’s passenger vehicle export 18 years in a row.

Jetour has a worldwide development strategy and a global development Vision.

Toyota Re-introduces Land Cruiser “70”in Japan

What Should Be Revolution Per Minute Scale?

Revolutions per minute (RPM) refers to the range of the motor’s temperature, which rises more than average. An increase in temperature over more than 2000 raises the chance of a cold start. Despite the hike, the engine is set back to perform normally once the temperature comes back to its usual range.

What’s the Solution?

If you own or are hiring a vehicle that is an older model, you can leave it on a cold start until the temperature rises and set off the car in a normal operating mode. Likewise, suppose you have a newer version of a vehicle. In that case, you can skip warming up your engine because the model is designed with high tolerance power, which injects fuel electronically to the car’s moving parts.

(Source: Speedy Drive)

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oyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced that it has re-introduced the Land Cruiser “70” in Japan on November 29.

A car that inherits the universal values of the Land Cruiser Originally launched as the Toyota BJ on August 1, 1951, the Land Cruiser series is now 72 years old. Immediately after its ODXQFK LW EHFDPH WKH ÀUVW YHKLFOH WR FOLPE WR WKH sixth station of Mount Fuji. From that time, it KDV IXOÀOOHG LWV PLVVLRQ RI GHOLYHULQJ VDIHW\ DQG security to all types of people in places that can only be reached in the Land Cruiser. Developed DQG UHÀQHG EDVHG RQ WKH DFWXDO XVDJH VLWXDWLRQV RI global customers, it provides reliability, durability, DQG RͿ URDG SHUIRUPDQFH WKDW DOORZV SHRSOH WR JR anywhere and everywhere and return safely. This concept has been passed down and evolved. With cumulative sales of about 11.3 million units*1 in approximately 170 countries and regions around the world, it has supported the lives and livelihoods of people everywhere.

Since its launch in 1984, the 70 Series has continued WR HPERG\ WKH UHOLDELOLW\ GXUDELOLW\ DQG RͿ URDG performance that comprise the universal values of the Land Cruiser. Put to diverse uses in the harshest of environments around the globe, the vehicle has continued to support local communities and the

Effects of a Cold Start Let’s put it together: cold starts are not bad for your vehicle. If you live in a more frigid region, your engine oil will likely cool out, which might initiate a cold start. According to one of the most trusted firms for monthly car rental in Dubai, a cold start allows your engine to regain its temperature by heating the oil and further lubricating it to the operating parts of the vehicle. When you leave your car in your parking lot at night, which has a comparatively colder surrounding, you might expect a cold start in the morning when starting your vehicle.

Cold Start allows the oil settled at the base to pump up, which results in increasing the engine’s temperature, and that’s how your car starts back as usual.

Furthermore, the rate at which the vehicle’s temperature rises depends on its viscosity. If the temperature is a bit cold, the lubricating oil might become thicker, limiting the flow of the oil, thereby restricting the function of the operating parts in your car. However, if the vehicle is kept in a cold start mode for a considerable time, it will allow the lubricant to warm up, thus increasing its flow and your vehicle’s function.

Over 30 Models of Automobiles Nominated for NAJA Awards

The Land Cruiser “70” livelihoods of people everywhere.

As of the end of September 2023. Both the cumulative numbers include the Lexus LX and GX. Main features of the Land Cruiser “70” :LWK LWV DXWKHQWLF RͿ URDG GHVLJQ WRXJK IUDPH outstanding basic performance, and simple component

structure, the Land Cruiser “70” has drawn on the series’ intrinsic features to support the livelihoods of people everywhere. The latest iteration of the vehicle has built on the unique properties of the 70 Series so that it can further support local communities and the livelihoods of people everywhere.

Over 30 models of automobiles have been nominated for this year’s awards organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).

The 2023 Nigeria Auto Awards will take place on December 14 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos and will feature automobiles which cut across several segments of the auto industry, as well as auto showrooms and vehicle assembly plants in the country.

2Q WRS RI WKH OLVW DUH 6X]XNL (VSUHVVR Honda HR-V and Changan Eado and they will battle for the coveted Car-of-the-Year, while Sino Truck Dangote, Shacman and JAC will go head-to-head in the Truck-of-the-Year category.

In the category for the Assembly Plant-ofthe-Year, Lanre-Shittu Motors, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing and Mikano Motors are on the card, while Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Range Rover will compete in the LuxuryBrand-of-the –Year category.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 2, 2023

21

PERSONAL FINANCE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

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22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 2, 2023

POLITY

Health Concern as Unbranded MSGs Flood Markets Dike Onwuamaeze

A

ll over the world, health is considered a major issue. The health of any nation or the society stems from the kind of foods residents of such society consume. This aptly demonstrates how significant the food we eat is critical to our health.

Given the level of sensitisation created by health experts and nutritionists over the last few years, one is safe to conclude that people are increasingly becoming conscious of what they take in and how it can impact their growth or health. But in the face of hunger ravaging many developing countries such as Nigeria, food consumption is now seen more as a survival than quality intake.

In Nigeria, food is consumed mostly for survival. Like other developing countries, there is little or no attention paid to the nutrient constituents and the impact of food on health. According to the United Nation, an estimated 9.2 million Nigerians constitute six per cent of the global population with food consumption gaps and depleted livelihoods with Nigeria currently ranking 103 out of 116 countries assessed with a Global Hunger Index of 28.3 per cent with at least five per cent of the global burden of under-nutrition and more than 14 million malnourished children. This reason, alone is responsible for why Nigerians mix ingredients just to survive.

It is frustrating to note that every fast selling goods or product, counterfeiters would produce something similar without regards to specification or standards. Beyond the fact that counterfeiting discourages investment, it is worrisome that sub-standards are becoming a source of concern for the health of citizens.

A visit to nearby market would leave one shell-shocked at the frightening volume of substandard products across the food chain, bearing various brand names. More often than not, these kind of products lay claim to being superior as renowned brands than those we already know. Just as we have witnessed imitation and influx of substandard products in the food chain, infiltration is also being replicated in the pharmaceutical industry. A case in point that comes readily to mind is Panadol. This was what necessitated the memorable advertising campaigns against fake products in the pharmaceutical industry back then, which ended with ‘if e no be Panadol, e no fit be like panadol’. Not only did the advert raised the consciousness of Nigerians against buying fake brands of Panadol, it also boosted in its sales, simultaneously dispelling claims of the drug’s efficacy.

Nevertheless, there is no doubting the fact that regulatory agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, have taken the battle against the criminals in the bid to curb the menace of substandard and fake products in the market. They have been doing this in their regulatory roles with a focus on quality, distribution, sales and use of products. Over the years, these agencies have embarked on advocacy campaigns and market storms that had resulted into the apprehension of

Unbranded MSGs some producers of these sub-standard or fake products.

As we already know, purchase of substandard goods constitute health risks to consumers. In 2021, a tragic event occurred in Kano which left three persons dead after consuming an adulterated flavoured drink.

Several tests conducted by NAFDAC on the adulterated drinks showed that the addition of dangerous chemicals as additives to the flavoured drink was responsible. Further findings by the Agency also revealed only two of the five flavoured drinks identified in the unfortunate incident were registered in NAFDAC’s database, the other three were not.

In light of these happenings, it has become imperative for every Nigerian to become more vigilant by ensuring that they take critical look at the products they are buying for NAFDAC approval.

Though, one may be tempted to buy cheap product and in large quantities, it is important to remember that you may be compromising your health in the process. For this reason, it is pertinent to verify important details such as date of production, expiry date, brand name, NAFDAC approval, among other vital information.

In recent times, Kaduna and some parts of the North have been heavily infiltrated with unbranded and substandard monosodium glutamate (MSG), which health experts have begun to raise alarm over the impending health implications.

“Monosodium Glutamate” (MSG) is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, a flavour enhancer which has been used effectively for over a century to bring out the best flavours in food. The food culture of the North being an age-old tradition of spicy and seasoned delicacies that fill the environment with an inviting aroma is a match made in palatability for the

adoption of monosodium glutamate in their cooking.

Little wonder, it remains the biggest market for this brand of seasoning. As delicious as this combination may sound, there is danger in the abuse of the market with unbranded monosodium glutamate by merchants who are hell-bent on forcing unhealthy foods into the bodies of people. These unbranded monosodium glutamates are sold in the open from uncovered sacks and in measurements to unsuspecting buyers who have chosen quantity over quality. Unlike leading brands like Ajinomoto, Vedan which are packed in sachets, NAFDAC approved, and sold in healthy sizes, these unbranded types are the opposite. The alarming part is that their manufacturers cannot be traced to check for their authenticity.

More worrisome is that they are sold on the cheap which could be a signifier of their being substandard and unhealthy for human consumption.

As stated earlier, the responsibility does not belong to NAFDAC, SON and other regulatory bodies alone, every Nigerian must look out for themselves and their fellow citizens to avert this looming health hazard. Food vendors should be conscious of the health of their customers by using standard branded products in their cooking, same goes for households- wives, and housekeepers should not play games with the health of their family members. If we all could imbibe the saying “You are what you eat” whenever we visit the market, we would save many from serious health issues by shouting down the merchants of unbranded monosodium glutamate, the sellers of fake/ substandard drugs, the sellers of adulterated flavoured drinks, bottle water among other items that serve as refreshments.

Revamping Nigeria’s Creative Sector Justina Uzo

and creative economy.

In the same vein, she wants stakeholders to lend their Culture stakeholders in the country have expressed support to government. a rare mood of optimism following the just-concluded “Each one of us, with our creativity and passion, is an roundtable hosted by the Ministry of Arts, Culture indispensable part of this narrative,” she said. Everybody and Creative Economy in Abuja. was concerned about the contribution of the culture sector For them, the role of culture could change whereby to the nation’s economy which is insignificant. the sector would be able to contribute immensely to The National Bureau of Statistics put the GDP of culture the nation’s economy. and tourism to the economy at about two per cent day for Culture Minister, Hajiya Hannatu Musawa, gave many years. overview of the Ministry’s vision and agenda for the Generally, the culture practitioners said the new drive creative sector during the event held at the presidenwould have to change the perception of Nigeria culture and tial villa, Abuja, where she addressed key players in entertainment. the industries.

It is important Vice President Kashim Shettima is backing The event, according to her, aligns with the the ministry to foster public-private sector involvement. federal government’s Destination 2030 plans to create Shettima said the Bola Tinubu administration is set to inclusive, sustainable jobs, especially for youths in the make real its promise to turn the Nigerian creative sector.

“Nigerian creative industry into a critical segment of the With the theme, “Destination 2023, Nigeria Everyglobal economy,” he added. where Initiative,” the minister said she was projecting This, a Lagos-based artist, Mr. Seun Babalola, said makes to have N100 billion revenue from the creative sector. sense pointing out that already the perception of culture is The roadmap includes giving accurate data which changing. would foster economic growth.

“People used to see culture as mere music and dance.

Musawa added: “We want to position Nigeria as the Dancers come together and entertain people during festiworld’s culture, creativity and entertainment capital of vals, they clap and go. Not anymore,” he said. the world.”

Adelana, expressed satisfaction on the ministry’s effort, The minister is not alone on this. The Head, saying during her visit to the Minister (Art, Culture and Tourism and Creative Art Sector, Sterling Bank, Mrs. Creative Economy), after the event she understood that Abiola Adelana, said they were committed to making since she assumed office some months ago, “she and her it a reality. dedicated team have been working relentlessly on a multi“We (Sterling Bank) truly believe that Nigeria’s tude of initiatives across various work streams.” cultural influence should transcend borders,” she said.

Quoting the Special Adviser to the Culture Minister, Mr. Adding, “Collaboration between government and Imam Faiz, Adelana said the five key pillars upon which stakeholders is necessary for the growth of the arts, the vision of the ministry rests include Policy, Legislative, culture and creative industry in the country.”

Regulatory and Intellectual Property Reforms, Cultural Plan Adelana, urged government to leverage financial and Economic Plan, Private Sector Engagement and Destinaexpertise of banks in collaboration in order to propel tion 2030. the growth and sustainability of Nigeria arts, culture,

Head, Tourism and Creative Art Sector, Sterling Bank, Mrs. Abiola Adelana (left) and Minister of Art, Culture & Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa in Abuja…recently

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 2, 2023

23

NEWSEXTRA Rabiu, BUA Chairman Rejects Appointment into APC Committee The Chairman of the BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, has rejected his appointment into a standing committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement yesterday, BUA Group extended appreciation to the APC for considering its Chairman as a member of the finance committee of the political party.

It explained: “This acknowledgment reflects the recognition of his commitment, and that of BUA Group, to economic prosperity and the development of our dear nation, Nigeria.

“However, it is important to note that our Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu and BUA Group have consistently adopted an apolitical stance over the years. This approach

is integral to the nature of our business and aligns with Mr. Rabiu’s focus on fostering economic growth through BUA Group’s initiatives and philanthropic efforts through ASR Africa.

“With respect to this, we wish to inform the publishers, our partners, stakeholders, and the general public that Mr. Rabiu has decided to graciously decline the nomination/appointment.

“This decision is made in light of the fact that he was not previously consulted regarding his inclusion in the list and his inability to commit time due to his demanding schedule. Our Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, is a firm believer in leveraging business acumen and philanthropic activities to

drive development and positive societal change, independent of political participation.”

It stated that Rabiu’s primary contributions to Nigeria’s advancement would continue to be through strategic investments in the economy and philanthropy, rather than through political affiliations or roles.

“He however remains committed to supporting governmental policies that foster the desired development as partners in progress. We trust this statement provides clarity on the matter and reaffirms our Chairman’s dedication to Nigeria’s progress in the roles he is most suited for—those of an entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist,” it added.

Afreximbank: IATF Exceeded Targets,

Recorded Deals worth $43.8bn Dike Onwuamaeze The The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) yesterday, announced that the third IntraAfrican Trade Fair (IATF2023) held in Cairo last month witnessed the conclusion of business deals and transactions valued at $43.8 billion.

In final tallies released in Cairo, the organisers of the continental event said the amount represented the value of 426 deals concluded in 21 sectors covering 52 countries.

At a press conference to announce the results, the Executive Vice President (Intra-African Trade

Bank) at Afreximbank, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, also announced that 130 countries participated in the trade fair, which attracted 1,939 exhibitors and 28,282 participants who attended physically and through the IATF virtual platform.

According to her, one of the notable transactions included the Export Agriculture for Food Security Framework executed by several African countries (as Origin Countries) and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, Arise IIP (as Anchor Investor) to which Afreximbank committed US$2 billion to

boost production, processing, and intra-African trade in agricultural products and to provide African farmers and agribusinesses with opportunities to access larger markets across the continent.

Awani, also said the IATF successfully established itself as the premier trade and investment event in Africa, with the unique capacity to increase intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.

L-R: Kogi State Governor-elect, Ahmed Ododo; Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi and Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello during a courtesy visit by Umahi to the state... recently

L-R: Principal Consultant, Sirocco, Deji Shobowale; Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Olatokunbo Emokpae and Direct of Event, Sirocco, Olatunji Dania, during the Press Briefing in commemoration of the Year 2023, Lagos Food Festival, at the good beach Oniru Lagos... recently

L-R: Comptroller of Immigration in charge of Abuja, Tony Akuneme;Senator Osita Izunaso; Special Assistant, Diaspora to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Hon Aloy Nnawugo and Soke Administrator, Oru East Local Government Area, Imo State, Hon Nnamdi Onyeaka during a retreat in Abuja on how to foster peace and Security this Yuletide season and beyond... yesterday

L-R; President, Carpenters and Furnitures Makers of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, Muideen Adegbola; Managing Director, Hafshelline Interior Design, Hafsat Shelleng; Managing Director, Atlantic Exhibition, Ayo Olugbade; and Admin Manager, Pemjolab Paints and Chemical Ltd, Kadiri Joseph during the opening of Homex Home exhibition in Lagos...recently

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 2, 2023

24

FEATURES

UBA: Raising Generation of Champions Charles Ajunwa writes that the recently concluded 2023 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition discovered talented young students whose educational pursuits got lifetime boosts

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta; 3rd Prize winner, 2023 UBA National Essay Competition and Student of Queens College Yaba; Chukwuma-Okoh Naomi; 2nd Prize winner and student of Sweet Haven High School, Khadijah Abdulhameed ; Grand Prize winner, and Student of Fountain Heights Secondary School, Adaeze Onaro Chukwuzolem and Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, during the grand finale of the 2023 UBA National Essay Competition among senior school students in Nigeria at UBA House, Lagos...recently

T

he United Bank for Africa (UBA) has defied all odds and continues to invest heavily in education through its Read Africa project and the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition. These programmes apart from helping to build human capacity, they nurture and mentor students in secondary schools to compete favourably with their peers from all parts of the world. The bank’s commitment to education is total and has come to stay.

The UBA Foundation showed exemplary courage and resilience amidst the challenges that affected the continent, including the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, by giving students in senior secondary school the opportunity to participate in the National Essay Competition and showcase their writing skills through a dedicated digital platform.

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 that year, Chief Executive Officer, UBA Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta, had given reasons why the foundation sustained the educational programme.

“As a foundation, which is the CSR arm of the United Bank for Africa – a fully digitalised bank – we are driven by the mantra to always innovate and adapt to our constantly changing environment.

“This year (2020), we thought hard about how to ease the pains that everyone is feeling. Students have not been able to go to school and there has been a lot of anxiety in families trying to ensure that educational gaps do not emerge. It is imperative for us at the UBA Foundation that our impact programmes do not wane.

“We also need to design them to be

as inclusive as possible so that those students who don’t have easy access to computers can still participate in the competition with a chance to win grants towards their tertiary education,” she explained.

With COVID-19 no longer a global threat, the organisers of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition approved physical presence at this year’s grand finale. Essay topic: Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) take over Human Intelligence? What should students do to ensure AI doesn’t override but enhance their ability to learn through research?

From nearly 12,000 entries from Senior Secondary School students across Nigeria, only 12 finalists were initially selected.

Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre in UBA House, Lagos, venue of the grand finale was filled to capacity last Tuesday.

Apart from excitement from the 12 successful finalists, their colleagues, parents and other invited guests exchanged pleasantries. However, palpable tension was written in the faces of the finalists in the hall.

The silence in the hall was suddenly broken by shouts of “Yes!!! I won!!

I did it!!!” when 15-year-old Onaro Adaeze Chukwuzolem, a student of Fountain Heights Secondary School, Surulere Lagos, was announced as

the overall winner beating the 11 other finalists.

Chukwuzoem’s elation and gratitude were evident as she expressed, “This opportunity has changed my life, and I really appreciate the UBA and the UBA Foundation for this.”

Following the second essay written by the 12 selected finalists, Chukwuzolem emerged winner and secured a prestigious scholarship worth N5 million to pursue her studies in any African university of her choice, along with a modern laptop and other prizes.

The UBA Foundation’s commitment to fostering education and transforming lives was further underscored through constant mentoring that Chukwuzolem will receive throughout her educational journey.

Other winners are Abdulhameed Khadijah Husna of Sweet Haven High School, Kano State, who clinched the second prize with a N3 million educational grant, a laptop, and additional prizes. While Chukwuma-Okoh Naomi from Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, secured the third prize, which included a N2.5 million grant and a brand-new laptop.

The remaining nine finalists, which included two boys, were not left empty-handed, as they received brand new laptops and consolation prizes.

A highly excited UBA’s Group

The National Essay Competition has become a pivotal platform for promoting education, literacy, and critical thinking among Nigerian youth, making a positive impact on their lives and society at large

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, apart from appreciating the participants, emphasised the bank’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment.

“UBA is proud to be associated with this event. Annually, we put aside a percentage of our profits to change lives, and we are committed to doing this annually,” he said.

“The National Essay Competition has become a pivotal platform for promoting education, literacy, and critical thinking among Nigerian youth, making a positive impact on their lives and society at large,” Alawuba said.

The Managing Director/CEO of UBA Foundation, Atta, who commended the winners for their exceptional brilliance, encouraged those who did not secure top positions to view it as a challenge for improvement.

Atta, highlighted the Foundation’s dedication to extending this impactful competition to other African countries, reinforcing its commitment to socio-economic betterment through initiatives in Education, Environment, Economic Empowerment, and Special Projects.

“It is important to note at this point that this same competition is being replicated in some other African countries where UBA operates such as Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Senegal, Uganda, Cote D’Ivoire. Other countries like Zambia, Gabon, Chad and Benin Republic have plans to conduct the NEC in the first quarter of 2024,” Atta added.

It is expected that the financial institution through this intervention in the education system and many more would continue to contribute towards building generation of champions.

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 2, 2023

FEATURES

Nollywood’s ‘Afamefuna’ and Optiva Capital’s Tourism Boost Optiva Capital Partners, one of the leading investment immigration companies with a demonstrated commitment to supporting the growth of destination tourism in the country recently announced its sponsorship of a Nollywood movie, writes Oluchi Chibuzor

I

nlinewithitscommitmenttosupportthe growth of the nation’s entertainment industryandtherebyboostdestination tourism, leading investment immigration wealth management company Optiva Capital Partners recently announced its sponsorship of a new epic movie from the Nollywood stable entitled “Áfàméfùnà: Nwa Boi Story.” Áfàméfùnà is acclaimed to be the first feature-length film on the Igbo apprenticeship system and how it has revitalised the community’s economy through a unique mentorship schemebysuccessfulIgbobusinesspeoplewho nurture apprentices and pass on their specific business and trade skills to apprentices, support them with start-up funding, and thereby perpetuate the cycle of wealth creation.

According to the Executive Director of BusinessDevelopment,OptivaCapitalPartners,Ms. Amaka Okeke-Lawal, Nollywood which is the nation’svibrantfilmindustry,playsasubstantial role in boosting tourism in the country through what she describes as “destination tourism, cultural promotion, destination marketing, and film festivals.”

She stated that the industry’s portrayal of Nigeria’s culture, landmarks, and traditions, as in ‘Afamefuna’ attracts both domestic and internationaltourists,andalsobenefitstourism by improving infrastructure and services.

Optiva Capital Partners has been a partner in the development of the nation’s tourism industry. It recently announced its sponsorship of this year’s Eko Hotels and Suites Tropical Christmas Wonderland, an annual event that creates a destination of choice for family getaways.

According to the CEO of Optiva Capital Partners Limited, Ms. Jane Kimemia, the collaboration with Eko Hotels reaffirms its commitmenttorecognisingexcellencebecause withOptivaCapitalPartners’support,“welook forward to families having an unforgettable holiday experience that gives them all the fun and excitement they get traveling abroad.”

Not long ago also, Kimemia advocated the adoption of a holistic value proposition for tourism development that addresses funding, and how to create the enabling environment to be able to actually execute.

At a Policy Dialogue on “the Economic Impact of Tourism in Lagos” where she was a key discussant, Kimemia tasked participants to identify how to tackle the challenges, and

how to start identifying tourism as one key economic driver.

Kimemia, cited the example of Kenya, which shesaidisverybigontourismandwasbuiltover the years because there is clear intentionality in“attractingvisitors,indefiningwhatthevalue proposition is, and what visitors are coming to see.”

Consequently, she opined that participants and industry players have to be clear about, “who are we, what is the culture, because it is truly about defining that at higher levels of government, in terms of policy, framework, infrastructure, the entire eco-system, then afterthatwhoaretheindividualplayersbecause these are the key components.”

Today, Optiva Capital Partners prides itself as the largest provider of investments immigration services not only in Nigeria but across Africa, and also the largest employer of labour in the investment immigration subsector with 17branchesdistributedacrossNigeriaandover one thousand full-time employees.

Inpartnershipwithitsreputableinternational affiliatesthecompanyhashelpedmanyfamilies withtheirimmigrationandglobalaccessneeds over the years and “has always done this with utmost diligence and professionalism.”

Some of Optiva Capital’s investment immigration opportunities it assists Nigerians to be part of include the USA EB, Residency by Investment, which not only accelerates wealth creation but also open doors to a promising future, offering the opportunity to become a green card holder; citizenship by investment programs for which acquiring a passport from any of the countries on their menu provides visa-free access to more than 143 countries, all without the need to meet any residency criteria before obtaining them.

For Canada, a Nigerian can become a global businesspersonbyinvestinginCanadaFederal Start-up program, migrate to Canada with a 3-year open work permit, while the person’s permanent residency is prioritized as an investor.

Reputed for its effective delivery of wealth management offerings, Optiva Capital easily standsoutininvestmentimmigration,providing professionalimmigrationservicesforindividuals seeking to obtain alternative citizenship or residency in any of the countries that it serves, which are numerous. In addition, the company provides investment advisory, and wealth management services.

Kimemia

According to Amaka Okeke-Lawal, oneofOptivaCapitalpartners’success stories is its ability to develop partnerships with strong and well recognised reputable institutions.

One of them is Stuart Financial with headquarters in Montreal, Canada, a global company with offices in many countries. They are the financial intermediaries to the Quebec government, and they are members of the investment regulatory Council of Canada. As its only African partners Optiva Capital is engaged with them in Greece, Portugal, and of course here in Africa,forFederalStart-upprogramme in Canada. There is also Green and Spiegel, which is Canada’s oldest and largest immigration law firm based in Toronto, specialising in corporate and personal immigration services. They have offices in five countries including theUSA,andOptivacapitalistheironly Africanpartners.ThereisalsotheHeng Sheng Group, which is another global groupwithfootprintsinmanycountries like USA, China, Singapore, Grenada.

They have the largest investment in the Caribbean right now, a $2.4 billion investment. They are building the Grenada National Resort and Optiva capital is reputed to be their only African partner because prior to the relationshipwiththemtheyhadpockets of relationship but as soon as Optiva Capitalsignedupwiththemeverything was subsumed into the relationship.

Also a partner to Optiva Capital is Range Developments, an awardwinning developer of luxury resorts offering Citizenship By Investment programmesinGrenadaandtheCaribbean. Anchor Capital, easily the largest trading investment banking group in SouthAfricawithAssetUnderManagement of over Seven Billion US Dollars is also another reputable partner of Optiva capital Partners.

Other global partners of Optiva Capital include AIL, an international insurance group, TIW Capital Group, a global asset management company in South East Asia with offices in Singapore, India, and UAE, and CTP in Tampa, Florida, USA, which develops

and manages over 760 old peoples’ homes.

The story of Optiva Capital Partners cannot betoldwithoutreckoningwiththeenvironment.

Ithasbeenachallengingbusinessenvironment withpoliciesthathavemadeitdifficultinterms ofoperatingenvironment,butoneofthethings Optiva Capital has prioritised as a company has been to recognise its staff, and then the customers.OptivaCapitalhasbeenaboutstaff and customers. So by selecting the best in the market and motivating them, and creating greater opportunities for employees, training and incentives, to create and develop loyal staff because that loyalty is key to progress.

According to the Executive Director, “where we are able to channel everybody’s eye to the goal and creating an environment that is conducive for growth that has been key to our progress.Whenyouhavehighlymotivatedstaff then they are able to deliver on your promises to your customers. So we have developed a culture where the staff are constantly seeking to give more to the client, which is our goal.”

Optiva Capital Partners prides itself as the undisputed market leader in investment immigration, investment advisory, wealth managementandinsuranceservices.Itsmission is to improve lives by protecting, enhancing and optimising clients’ wealth through a rich network of global partners, experience, and integrity of its process.

Optiva Capital Partners has been around since 2010 and has provided investment immigration services for thousands of families with a hundred percent success rate. With a staff strength of over one thousand full paid employees, it has also extended its tentacles across seventeen strategic locations and still growing.

Talking about end to end service delivery, Okeke-Lawal enthuses that, “we have dedicated document specialists who are there to work with you throughout the entire process, such that we have launched Optiva Plus which is a complementary thank you service for our clients. We also go beyond our service to do visa resolution, we do student admission for our clients’ kids, and we also help with passport renewals. Then our elite global partnerships through which we help our clients with extensive, superior opportunities andoptionstohelpmaximisetheirwealthacross jurisdictions and across asset classes. We are capableandhavetheabilitytodowhatwehave promised.”

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 2, 2023

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

‘Consensus Opinion’ Incorrect

EBERE WABARA

J

UST before December: “…it was a soothing balm.” What else do balms do apart from soothing?

“It is however a consensus opinion that the home, that is parents, should bear the prime responsibility of introducing the subject.” For grammatical sanity, jettison ‘opinion’ from the extract.

“The occasion was held in Victoria Island.”

Get it right: on Victoria Island.

“The accused policeman was said to have actually demanded for N10,000 before he was….” Simply delete ‘for’ from the excerpt.

“Bishop advocates for more states” ‘Advocacy’ in the verbal context does not take ‘for’.

“Two arrested over heroin seizure at Lagos Port” Very soon, I will arrest THISDAY editors for (not over) juvenile mistakes. “…she opens up on how she gained entry into the world of make-belief….”

Grammar is not make-believe. “…the food situation in the continent….”

Classical writing: on the continent “Conspicuously absent at the wedding reception was former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and his children….” Three issues: ‘Conspicuously absent’ is sheer illiteracy! (Absent at the….).

‘Military president’ can only come from a confused head. We can talk of military leader or military ruler (not the contradictory and vexatious extract). Finally, IBB and his children deserve plural treatment (were, not was).

“Producing ice-blocks without tears” (English without tears: ice cubes (not blocks).

“Unfortunately, the reality in Nigeria today is: who will throw the first stone?”

The hard fact: cast the first stone.

BY

“Customs intercept tanker load (what happened to the hyphen?) of drugs” The Nigeria Customs Service is an entity. So, NCS intercepts…

Did you know that ‘write me’ as contained in the Saturday PUNCH of November 25 is American English, while the formal (standard) form is ‘write to me’?

“Round-the clock news from around the world” (StarTimes Full-page advertisement from the above medium) Adjectival entry: Round-the-clock news Daily Independent of November 19 contained an avalanche of mistakes starting from the following watery headline to its views and editorial pages and other equally wobbly departments: “Katsina PDP: Why late (the late) President Yar’Adua’s close associates are defecting to APC” “It is in the interest of the nation (Nigeria is a country—not a nation, by the way) that the press should at all time (times) expose corrupt officers….” “…to the consternation of majority (a majority) of the citizens who look up to such businesses to serve public needs.”

“Administrator advocates more scholarships for indigents” When did ‘indigent’, an adjective, become a noun?”

“People who cannot read or write and who have never seen the four walls of a secondary school….” Education Today: the walls (not four walls)!

Lastly from Daily Independent of November 19: “Right sizing the civil service: A more realistic approach” Spell-check: rightsizing “Man remanded over (for) alleged killing of wife” THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAGAZINE of November 5 disseminated just two solecisms: “…in this piece pays tribute to one of Africa’s notable poet (poets)

as he enters the winter of life.”

“Small business start ups tips” Get it right: start-up tips. Also applicable: startup.

“Its (It’s) been 7 years since you left us but memories of you lingers (linger) in our hearts.” (Full-page advertisement, The PUNCH, December 6)) “Congratulations…for (on/upon) participating in the National Growth Challenge September to December 2023…sponsored

by Unilever” Daily Trust of December 4 comes next: “Borno reviews 24hrs (sic) curfew” and “Igbo community in Kano elects new officers” This way: 24-hour curfew/24 hours’ curfew.

The community elected officials (not the otiose ‘new’)—if they were old officials, you re-elect!

“Japanese diplomat arrested over (for/ in connection with) fire at DRC embassy” “Torching (Touching) lives of orphans through sports” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of November 19 disseminated this infraction: “Campaigners accuse Shell over (of) weapons” THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER, of November 18 also circulated four blunders: “FG hands tanker drivers 48hrs (48 hrs’) ultimatum to relocate from MMIA” By the way, what difference would it have made spelling out ‘hours’?

“In its stead comes a mind-blowing display of opulence that has suddenly taken a firm root among the elite and nouveau riche….” Singular: nouveau riche; plural: nouveaux riches “Before now, weather forecasts from NIMET were never taken serious (seriously) because….”

Lastly from THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER: “As part of the build up (build-up) to the event….”

The PUNCH of November 16 published

Memorialising Wale Olomu (1964 - 1994)

F

rom Saturday next week, on TopRadio 90.9 FM, aboard the ‘The Vintage Talkshow’, we shall be hosting the first in a three-part series of the Wale Olomu Memorial Awards and Roundtable (WOMA-R). The awards are set up in the memory of a young Nigerian journalist who, until his death at the age of 30 in 1994, embraced with a crusading tenacity the reportorial philosophy that was uncommon and remarkable amongst his peers. His philosophy was driven by a fervent desire to unearth, appreciate and promote the talented works and great efforts of people least recognised nor appreciated by the vast majority of the Nigerian entertainment reportorial corps of his day.

You may ask, what is all this fuss about a dead entertainment journalist almost 30 years ago? Perhaps, a rehash of a chapter devoted to our professional relationship in my latest book, “FAME: Untold Stories…” will explain with more clarity the peculiar and admirable traits of this man whom several of his contemporaries, colleagues and objects of his preoccupation still fondly remember… even after three decades.

Here are excerpts from the chapter titled ‘Entertainment Reporting Capital’: “I believe I met Adewale Benjamin Olomu in late 1988 through Azuka Jebose Molokwu. He was working with The Republic newspapers. It didn’t take long to like and move around with him. He was just two years younger than me, but was quite respectful, and eager to excel as an entertainment reporter. He was living around Agege, and by mid 1989, I had moved to the fringes of Agege, in an area called Gengeto, Oko-Oba - from Mafoluku, Oshodi. We had sorties in my two-bedroom apartment, discussing ideas and concepts for FAME, which was still a foetus. It was given that my popular multi-columned pages, ‘FAJ’s Fantasia’ would take the usual four pages or so, but I recognized the tenacity, determination and flair of Wale in surmounting reportorial odds

and barriers with a dash of warm smiles, likable humour and remarkable honesty.

He had to get a page, or two, to actualise his own dreams too. We developed a lot of ‘technical’ reporting of areas of entertainment less glamorous, and hardly mentioned: studio engineers, cover designers, backup singers and bands men, studio editors, record companies, marketers and distributors, and many other ordinary but vital sub-frames of the Nigerian showbiz.

I found out early that Wale derived some sort of energy and satisfaction in exposing and recognizing talents in these unglamorous aspects of entertainment, and I was determined to make FAME become synonymous with the Nigerian entertainment so intricately and deeply that anyone interested in understanding the true and full nature of our entertainment industries would simply just pick volumes of the magazine, and be fulfilled…

It was during one of our weekly FAME ‘conferences’ that he introduced his lovely bespectacled girlfriend to me: Taibat Adebisi Yussuf. She was quite supportive, and fond of Wale; she later became close to my then girlfriend, Iretunde Willoughby. We often ‘tripped’ around the weekend club circuit with the two ladies providing great companionship.

While I got married about two years afterwards, Wale was still planning to settle down with Bisi... until his demise on 22 December, 1994. But I digress...

With about 30% of the new magazine devoted to entertainment, it was a pure hand-rubbing spectacle for Wale to literally dig his teeth in. We created little columns for activities and profiles of men and women buried deep at work in different recording studios, both well-known and nondescript: EMI, Polygram/Premier Records, Afrodisia/ Decca Studios, Olumo Records, Decross,

Tabansi, Sony Music, CBS Records, Mut-Mokson, etc. We dug them out - some were reluctant collaborators, wondering what was our benefit in showcasing their activities; others lapped it heavily, providing us with regular materials and insider details.

One peculiar ‘technical’ column was the monthly rundown of best selling music called ‘FAME Monthly Awards’. We agreed that Wale was best positioned to do the ‘dirty work’ of going every week to major record dealers and retailers in Mushin, Oshodi, Ebute Metta, Somolu, Agege, etc, and getting sales performance of albums and cassettes on display. This was a thanklessly hazardous and time-consuming task. To Wale, it was a joyful engagement that would truly identify the actual performance strengths of so-called popular acts whom their record companies’ A&R (artistes and repertoire) managers had hyped to high heavens with specially programmed press releases. It didn’t matter to Wale that his own younger brother, Dayo, worked for one of the more prominent companies!

We had been complaining about one of the selection criteria in the biggest award ceremony in town, the Nigerian Music Awards, NMA - namely ‘Popularity/Sales Performance’.

How did the adjudicators of the awards come about which artistes were more popular than the others beyond the media penetration and savviness of record companies and labels?

And how did they know who sold more than the others, in an environment where there was complaint galore amongst artistes of not knowing how their works were doing?

Everyone knew that most record companies were being dodgy about opening their sales records to public scrutiny.

We chose to delve into the murky mirage of actual records from the streets, at least using Lagos, and possibly Onitsha, as our field of investigation. And it worked like a charm. Every week, we collated Wale’s wealth of accessed data to make the best selling works as revealed by actual sales, without any ‘mago-mago’ - and published at the end

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

a few mistakes: “AT least one person was feared killed on Thursday morning when a 12-man armed bandits (12-man gang of bandits) struck at….” ‘Banditry’ involves the deployment of a measure of violence with sharp objects/instruments/weaponry during robbery. So, ‘armed banditry’ is sheer verbosity! Of course, robbery and armed robbery “UN condemns crack down (crackdown) on Cairo protesters” Lastly from the Back Page of The PUNCH under review: “…whereas they are kept at arms’ length.” Friday musings: arm’s length “…said that the aforementioned are (were) the younger generation of leaders who failed the nation.” (Daily Trust, August 14) Leadership of August 7 goofed three times: “State of emergency has restored normalcy in (to) North” “NIMASA alerts ships (ship owners, you mean?) on (to) danger spots” The Guardian of August 6 committed copious offences beginning from its front page; “Besides, the state government on Sunday began the fumigation and clearing of drainages in six areas of the Maiduguri metropolis….” Conscience, nurtured by truth: ‘drainage’ is uncountable.

“Bank of England’s rate policy may highten (heighten) inflation” “Maid set ablaze dies in hospital, as police pledges (pledge) justice” Now The Guardian Editorial: “They may not have triumphed in their efforts to (at) nation-building....”

“Your wise counsels and dogged commitment to the progress and unity of this nation has (have) remained exemplary.”

‘Counsel’ is a non-count noun.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08033622806- (SMS Only)

of the month the summary in different awards categories with fanfare. One week was for announcing the nominees by the two-man “FMA committee”; and the next week for the winners, sometimes including a brief explanation. The following month, the inflow of collated data would make some artistes drop off or stay up; and new ones might come in.

The first monthly Fame Music Awards was published on August 2, 1991, and it became very popular amongst music enthusiasts, and our readers. By the end of 1991, we decided to review all the editions since the beginning in July, and produce an elaborate edition in the year’s last magazine edition - a Fame Music Annual Awards. Even at that time, we were still thinking of a ‘paper tiger’ kind of intervention.

While this was going on, I had grown weary of what I considered as the failings of NMA, as earlier indicated, principally because of the levity they handled the criterion of sales performance of works that they had little or no knowledge of the true reality on ground - the pains and frustrations of the Nigerian artistes. And then the other matter of identifying an artiste’s national popularity when most of the judges, if not all, were domiciled in Lagos….” End of quote.

The special three-weekend WOMA-R event also includes a Roundtable discussion of diverse showbiz personalities focusing on issues of serious concerns to the Nigerian creatives: artistes vs labels relations, equitable royalties, accountability, etc. Expected discussants and schedules include: Tony Okoroji, Kenny Ogungbe and Paul ‘Play’ Dairo (9 Dec.); Obi Asika, Daddy Fresh, Kayode Samuel (UK) & Kenny St Brown (16 Dec.); and Laolu Akins, Orits Wiliki & Dayo Olomu (UK) (23 Dec.). The events will equally be live on Zoom, Facebook and YouTube platforms.

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

2.12.2023

NEWS

RAMPAGING REMO STARS PAGE. 27

David Odogu

Another Super Eagles Prospect?

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 2, 2023

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Odogu skipped away from an Argentine tackle

David Odogu

Another Super Eagles Prospect?

Though Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets did not qualify for the U17 World Cup taking place in Indonesia, but when the final match between Germany and France kicks off today, attention of Nigerian soccer fans will be on one of the stars of the competition - David Odogu, whose contributions helped Germany to the final. With the Super Eagles flocked with players of Nigerian descent, Odogu may in years to come join the bandwagon except he can show exceptional improvement and consistency that will attract attention of the Die Mannschaft, otherwise, the Super Eagles is always be a solace

T

he Nigeria senior national team is brimming with players who only pledged their nationality to Nigeria but not to serve the country with all their might. Little wonder when Nigeria’s national anthem is being rendered before the kickoff of a match, more than half of the players were not able to recite it because they were not born in the country, and only opted to play for the three-time African champions after failing to make the cut of the country of their birth, in spite of having played for them at age-grade levels.

The list is endless; from Leon Balogun to William Troost-Ekong; from Victor Moses to Alex Iwobi; from Carl Ikeme to Brian Idowu and to Ademola Lookman who indeed won the U20 World Cup with England to mention but a few.

The list will continue to grow in the coming years as long as there is no proper football development in the country and the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, remains a glorified Principals Cup. Though David Odogu is doing the business for Germany at the U17

World Cup presently, only time will tell if in years to come like others before him be would be switching nationality to Nigeria.

The Germany Under-17 team sealed their place in the final of today’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup after defeating Argentina via penalties.

The Germans have had a pretty solid tournament, and aside from the game against Argentina, they have kept a decent defensive record. Before the semifinal, Germany conceded only four goals in five games and a key reason for their good record is 17-year-old David Odogu. The Wolfsburg-trained defender has played all of Germany’s games at the World Cup and has proven to be a stalwart.

According to Sofascore, per game, Odogu has registered 1.7 interceptions, 3 tackles, 3.3 ball recoveries, 4.3 clearances, and 47 touches.

Odogu was born on June 3, 2006, in Germany to a Nigerian father, but he currently plays for Germany. The youngster has risen through the ranks in German football as he played for the Under-16s before playing for the Under-17 team. The decision has already started paying off as he won

the Under-17 EUROS with Germany earlier this year.

He started his football journey with Union Berlin before switching to Wolfsburg in 2020. Odogu is a traditional central defender and can play on the right or left of central defence.

Standing at 6’2, the 17-year-old has a good height for a central defender, and he is also very fast.

Also, Odogu is confident and uses the ball well when he is in possession. His attributes have placed him as one of the top talents to watch out for in German football.

He has already made 11 appearances already for the German Under 17s.

In recent years, there has been an influx of abroad-trained footballers into the Super Eagles. Leon Balogun, Troost Ekong, Joe Aribo, Ademola Lookman, and Jordan Torunarigha are some Super Eagles stars who chose to represent the country despite being eligible to play for other European countries.

Odogu could still join that train, because, according to FIFA rules, he is still eligible to play for the Super

Eagles because he is yet to play for the Germany senior team.

VfL Wolfsburg last year announced that talented German-Nigerian central defender has extended his contract. The Wolves confirmed that Odogu has put pen to paper on a long-term contract, approximately two years after he joined the club from Union Berlin.

Odogu started for Wolfsburg U19s in Premier League International Cup matches against Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers in October and December respectively, going the distance in both matches.

The then 16-year-old was capped three times by Germany at U16 level and has made two appearances for the U17s.

However, the center back keeps abreast of happenings with the Nigeria national team by following the Super Eagles on social media.

Wolfsburg head coach Niko Kovac gave Odogu minutes in a friendly against Premier League side Brentford.

However, if Odogu reaches the top of his game it is unlikely that he will decide to play for Nigeria.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 2, 2023

GLOBAL SOCCER

Remo Stars taking the shine off Enyimba at Aba

Rampaging Remo Stars Host Plateau Utd Kunle Adewale

B

uoyed by their 1-0 away win against Enyimba midweek, Remo Stars will thisweekendwelcomePlateauUnited to Ikenne for a Matchday 11 Nigeria Premier Football League.

Currently, Remo Stars is 2nd on the NPFL log with 19 points, while Plateau United is10th position with 13 points.

Remo Stars pulled off a big win when they beat Enyimba 1-0 away from home, which is something that rarely happens in the NPFL, and that’s enough reason to back the hosts to get the maximum points off Plateau Utd. Remo Stars goalkeeper, Kayode Bankole has expressed delight in his team’s victory against Enyimba in Aba. The Sky Blue Stars defeated the People’s Elephant 1-0 in the rescheduled matchday five fixture at the Enyimba Stadium on Wednesday.

Samad Kadri netted the lone goal in the game to give Remo Stars their second away victory of the season.

Bankole also expressed happiness on

recording his fourth clean sheet of the season.

“Great win away from home,” he wrote on his X handle.

“Glad to have helped my team secure a vital win and to record my 4th clean sheet of the season.” Remo Stars won three and lost two of their last five NPFL matches, including their tight but huge 1-0 win over Enyimba away from home on Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Remo Stars right-back, Ismaila Sodiq, has taken a moment to reminisce on his teammate Samad Kadri’s phenomenal strike that secured a 1-0 victory against Enyimba.

Kadiri’s decisive goal in the first half of the game showcased immense skill and precision. Expressing his admiration for the goal, Sodiq described it as “special” due to its significance in propelling the team to victory.

I am a creative player and try to create as much as possible; we have scored a lot of goals since last season, I have been blessed with the team-mates here,” he told NPFL troll.

His eyes gleaming with pride, Sodiq continued, “Samad Kadiri’s first goal was just a beauty.

He has been working really hard and what a special moment for him to score the

winning goal in front of his old fans.”

Their decent start to the season leaves them in 2nd place with 19 points after 10 matches.

Plateau United are in similar form with Remo Stars, having won twice and lost twice in their last five league matches. They lost 1-0 away from home to Doma United, but will be keen to bounce back to winning ways as quickly as possible.

However, Plateau United would be boosted by the return of the duo of Albert Hilary and Mundi Bernard, who recently returned to training.

Hilary was sidelined with malaria after serving out his one game suspension. He was sent off in Plateau United’s home win against Katsina United. The 18-year-old forward has missed the Peace Boys last three games against Akwa United, Abia Warriors and Doma United.

Meanwhile, Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede has always expressed his desire to win the 2023/24 NPFL title.

Ogunmodede said the mentality is to come out, fight and win games. “Every game we want to come and win, that’s my mentality for sure and every game we want to compete and win – win all games.”

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMIFULA OGBU THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

NPFL Craves More Slots for Homebased Players in Super Eagles The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) wants equal opportunities for home-based players in the Super Eagles.

The NPFL believes the move will stimulate the aspirations of players to stay in the country rather than seeking clubs outside.

The body also observed that it will improve the players confidence and quality of play in the NPFL. The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) wants equal opportunities for home-based players in the Super Eagles.

The NPFL believes the move will stimulate the aspirations of players to

stay in the country rather than seeking clubs outside.

The body also observed that it will improve the players confidence and quality of play in the NPFL. The plea was made as part of the high points of the communique reached at the inaugural NPFL Board and Staff retreat in Abuja.

The Super Eagles have been dominated by overseas professionals in recent years.

Goalkeepers Amas Obasogie and Ojo Olorunleke were two local players involved in Super Eagles’ last international outings against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Remo Stars finished third in the 2021/22 season and missed out on the title by virtue of goal difference last season to Enyimba and Ogunmodede believes it’s time for a title challenge and hopes to win at the end of the season.

“Of course, I’m going to go for the best, no pressure; I’m not settling for less, so I need to fight. I’m not scared to lose because of that now settle for less. I’m not a coward or do you want me to say I’m not going to win the league? I want to win the league,” the gaffer had said.

NPFL TABLE Team 1 Lobi Stars 2 Remo Stars 3 Doma United 4 Shooting Stars 5 Enyimba 6 Enugu 7 Abia 8 Bendel Ins. 9 Kwara Utd 10 Plateau Utd 11 Sunshine 12 Katsina Utd 13 Kano Pillars 14 Sport Lagos 15 Rivers Utd 16 Gombe Utd 17 Tornadoes 18 Akwa Utd 19 Bayelsa Utd 20 Heartland

P 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 10

W 6 6 5 5 5 4 5 3 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 4 3 2 2 0

D 2 1 3` 2 1 3 0 5 4 1 4 4 1 3 3 0 2 4 3 6

L 2 3 2 3 4 3 5 2 3 4 3 3 5 4 3 6 5 4 5 4

Pts 20 19 18 17 16 15 15 14 13 13 13 13 13 12 12 12 11 10 9 6

Matchday 11 Fixtures SUNDAY

Insurance v Lobi Stars 16:00 Doma Utd v Niger Tornadoes 16:00 Gombe Utd v Kano Pillars 16:00 Remo Stars v Plateau Utd 16:00 Akwa Utd v Kwara Utd 16:00 Enyimba v Sunshine Stars 16:00 Shooting Stars v Heartland 16:00 Sporting Lagos v Katsina Utd 16:00 Bayelsa Utd v Abia Warriors 16:00 Enugu Rangers v Rivers Utd 16:00

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 2, 2023

GLOBAL SOCCER

Super Eagles players celebrating their equaliser against Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo

Winners of last year’s Kidsport Charity Cup in the academy category celebrating their victory

Super Eagles to Camp in UAE for 2023 AFCON

Football Stakeholders Commit to FIFA’s In their quest by the Super Nations in January 2024. a week before the competition Eagles to put up a good perforThe 2023 AFCON is barely begins.

New Initiatives for Talent Discovery mance at the January African six weeks away, and the Super Ahead of the competition, the Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the egg heads of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, have already started making plans to ensure the team is well taken care of ahead of the biennial showpiece.

According to the NFF Media Director, Ademola Olajire, the Super Eagles will camp in the United Arab Emirates before the start of the 2023 Africa Cup of

Eagles will be gunning for a fourth African title when they travel to Ivory Coast in January.

Nigeria are one of the favourites to claim the crown because of the quality players at coach Jose Peseiro’s disposal. As usual, the AFCON coincides with the European season, but players would have to leave their clubs at least

NFF have revealed that Nigeria will be camped in the UAE. “The Super Eagles camping details are not out yet, but they will camp in the UAE,” the NFF media director has said.

The Super Eagles are in Group A of the AFCON, alongside Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Guinea-Bissau. They kick off their AFCON campaign on the 14th of January against

Ola Aina Running for Nottingham Forest’s Goal of the Month Nottingham Forest have compiled a shortlist of the five best strikes across all levels of the club, with Nigeria international, Ola Aina making the cut for his effort in Forest’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa at the City Ground.

Aina gave Nottingham Forest the lead inside five minutes, finding the bottom corner with an excellent first-time finish from 25 yards after he was picked out

by Harry Toffolo.

It was his first goal in Nottingham Forest colours in what was his eighth appearance for the club following his summer transfer from Torino.

The five-goal shortlist also includes efforts from Anthony Elanga, B Team duo Ateef Konaté and Jack Thompson and Women midfielder Niamh Reynolds.

Aina netted his first goal as a Nottingham Forest player after

logging 475 minutes spread across eight games in the Premier League. The Chelsea Academy product has three career goals to his name in the Premier League, including two during a loan spell at Fulham in 2020-2021.

Aina has also been nominated for Nottingham Forest’s Player of the Month, along with Taiwo Awoniyi and seventeen other players.

Everton Make Formal Appeal over 10-Point Deduction Everton have appealed against the decision to dock them 10 Premier League points for financial rule breaches.

The Toffees were handed the punishment - the biggest in Premier League history - by an independent commission.

The club have lodged their appeal with the Premier League’s judicial panel, and an appeal board will now be appointed to hear the case.

The club admitted the breach but said they were “shocked and

disappointed” at the severity of the punishment.

The appeal will be heard and concluded before the end of this season.

“Everton Football Club has today lodged with the chair of the Premier League’s judicial panel its appeal of the decision by a Premier League commission to impose a 10-point deduction on the club,” Everton said.

BBC Sport understands the club have not been told how

the figure of 10 points was reached by the independent commission which decided the sanction, and feel a sporting penalty for breaking financial limits is unjust.

The appeal will go before a panel which will review the ruling of the commission, assessing the process and whether, in its opinion, the penalty issued was fair or not.

The points deduction dropped Everton from 14th in the Premier League table to 19th.

Gift Orban Leads UEFA Europa Conference League Scorers KAA Gent forward, Gift Orban, has emerged as the top scorer in the UEFA Europa Conference League after netting against Zorya Luhansk.

The Nigerian star has had a slow start to the 2023-24 season campaign compared to when he moved from Stabaek Fotball during the winter transfer window.

Orban’s goal in the Buffalo’s 4-1 victory over the Ukrainian side

silenced his critics and propelled him to the top of the scorers’ chart, joined by Nygren from Nordsjalland with five goals, followed by Marmoush in third place.

Orban capitalised on an excellent cross into the box, smashing the ball into the right post to secure Gent’s third goal at the KAA Gent Arena. This impressive strike has also earned him a nomination for the Goal of the Week accolade.

As the Africa Cup of Nations approaches in less than two months, Orban, who previously missed an invitation after his call up for São Tomé and Principe clash, is now eyeing a potential selection following his recent outstanding performance.

His resurgence in form poses a challenge for coach Jose Peseiro, especially with doubts looming over Taiwo Awoniyi’s availability for the tournament.

Red Devils Dare Newcastle, City, Spurs Live on GOtv Manchester United’s bid to extend their three-match winning streak in the Premier League will come under pressure at the hostile St James’ Park when they take on Newcastle United. The match will be broadcast live on GOtv. After climbing the top of the league last week, attention will be on Arsenal as they host Wolverhampton at

home. The Gunners famously led the previous campaign for 248 days before succumbing under pressure. It would be live on SuperSport Premier League (ch 66) at 4pm today.

Tomorrow, Tottenham Hotspur will look to end their three-match losing streak against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium live on SuperSport Premier League

(ch 66) at 5:30pm.

In Italy, Champions Napoli will play host to Inter Milan at the Diego Maradona Stadium on SuperSport Select 1(ch 63) at 8:45pm on Sunday.

In Spain, Barcelona will face a tough test at home against Atletico Madrid on SuperSport La Liga (ch 62) at 8:30pm on Sunday.

There was palpable enthusiasm and avowed commitment to new initiatives on talent discovery and nurturing as a stakeholder workshop on FIFA Talent Development Scheme took Nigeria’s federal capital, Abuja by storm on Thursday.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi opened the workshop by expounding on the theme, saying the FIFA Talent Development Scheme was designed to discover football talents from the grassroots, which is truly a key component of the vision

of the Ibrahim Musa Gusauled NFF administration. “This is a welcome development for Federations like our own that are interested in growing the game from the grassroots.

This workshop has the objective of enlightening all stakeholders on the scheme and to let them know the various aspects in which they have to support the Federation and where the Federation will support them.”

Dignitaries and stakeholders included a representative of

Sports Development Minister, Senator John Enoh; Director General of the National Institute for Sports, Professor Olawale Morounkola; Member of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Aminu Balele Kurfi; President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau; NFF’s two vice presidents Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu and Gbenga Elegbeleye; Chairman of NFF Technical Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa; former NFF Board Member, Emeka Inyama.

Black Tito, Olowu, Iwatt to Headline GOtv Boxing Night 30 The 30th edition of the premier boxing event, GOtv Boxing Night, will take place on Tuesday, December 26, at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, with a sub-regional and national title bouts listed among the six scheduled for the night.

In the big bouts of the night, national female cruiserweight champion, Bolatito “Black Tito” Oluwole, will square up against Blessing Abisoye in a national challenge bout.

The fierce ‘Black Tito’ won the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy awarded of the best boxer at GOtv Boxing 29 in September.

Another big action on the

night will see Taiwo “Gentle Boy” Olowu, slug it out with top Ghanaian boxer, Michael Ansah, in a West African Boxing Union (WABU) super welterweight title bout. In the other title fight, swift puncher, Sifon “Best” Iwatt, will battle Saheed Azeez, for the national super flyweight title.

According to the event organisers, Flykite Productions, the festive edition will also feature live music performances by A-list Afrobeats artists. “The December editions of GOtv Boxing Night have always been a carnival of music and Boxing. This year won’t be an exception, as we will be having

musical performances by some top afrobeats artists at the venue.

The artists will be announced once the deals are sealed,” said the Chief Executive Officer of Flykite Productions, Jenkins Alumona.

Also scheduled for the night is a national bantamweight challenge bout between Arabambi Ojo and Ibrahim “Golden Boy” Opeyemi. In the national light welterweight category, Ayanfe Adeoye will face Ahmed Ganiyu, while Abdulafeez “Big Name” Osoba and Christopher Ucheji, will trade punches in a national super welterweight challenge fight.

Over 100 Storm Abeokuta for Beginners Golf Championship All is now set for the second edition of the Beginers Golf Championship scheduled for the lush green Abeokuta Golf Club in the Ogun State capital.

Scheduled for December 16, 2023, no fewer than 100 golfers will be participating in the event, an initiative of a PGA of Nigeria player and “golf-business’” manager, Mubasiru Sanusi, who believes it would be a worth memorable event.

The Championship which debut in December 2022 at the Abeokuta Golf Club is a game designed for handicap 28-36 who will compete among themselves, alongside the sponsors and professionals; it is a novel event in the country and gradually taking a firm foundation.

Winners prizes range from, Men - 1st, 2nd and 3rd; Veterans 1st and 2nd; Ladies, 1st, 2nd and 3rd, while overall Best Net (Male

or Female) will pocket a N100,000 as star prize.

Sanusi commenting on the championship in an interview with SOKOnnect recently said, “I want to emphasise that golfers will experience a mind-blowing championship this time around; this is because the success of the first edition has encouraged us to improve on the second edition; but one can only feel it, by experiencing it.”

Orphanage Homes Storm Campos Stadium for Kidsport The Campos mini-Stadium on Lagos Island will be a beehive of activities as Season 13 of Kidsport Charity Cup holds today.

Founder and coordinator of Kidsport Charity Cup, Mrs. Bukola Alabi says this year event promises to be glamorous with array of sponsors supporting the sports event which will feature series of sporting activities such as football, Basketball E-sports, Sac-race, Scrabble and other side attractions.

“With sponsor like KingMakers on our side, we are expecting a bigger event that will be well

organised more than previous editions,” Alabi said.

The participating orphanages in the football event are Street 2 School, SOS Isolo, SOS Owu, Project Friendship Initiative, Habitation of Hope, and Citadel of Grace.

The academies include Dazzle FC, The Future Academy, Alimosho FC, Right 2 Smile Academy, Varsity FA, Whitelions Academy and Ablaze Basketball Academy, while the schools are AISL Juniors, Princeton Schools, Ftec Akoka and Zumuratyl Islamiyyah School.

Alabi is upbeat with the success of Season 13 of KidSport Charity

Cup, adding that “We are looking forward to this year’s event with high hope of its success, and I am upbeat that this competition has pulled in sponsorship from different corporate bodies. I need to thank our supporters for their underpins towards this year’s edition and I accept that this year would live up to expectations.”

“This competition has bound together the kids of the participating orphanage homes since we began it a long time back and it gives me delight to see these kids showcasing their God-given talent.

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FG on Opaque Tax Waivers “The revenue generated by the Federal Inland Revenue in 2021 was just barely N6 trillion. And then you give that amount away in tax waivers and incentives” –Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele

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OKEYIKECHUKWU Anatomy of Incestuous Scholarship EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

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his year’s UNESCO World Philosophy Day presented a good occasion to talk about knowledge and learning, especially with regards to those species of intellectual shadowboxing and fraudulent pretensions to learning that have been usurping the name of serious scholarship for decades now. It is not new, though. But it has become the norm in many places. More than we all realize, and more than we car to admit, our collective future depends more on the people we choose to believe to be purveyors of wisdom and knowledge today on anything else. Our very identity and future possibilities as humans rest on certain non-negotiable epistemic paradigms.

But, wait a moment, what really is our future as human beings in today’s world?

Are we still real human beings, not walking shadows who are held together and held in place by hollow titles, feigned identities and much worse? Are we fast becoming visitors, tourists and migrants in a world where technology and its offerings are the indigenes? The future of humanity and the humanity of the future cannot be discussed without recourse to such fundamental questions as (1) What is man? (2) What is the purpose of human existence? (3) What really happens after physical death? Etc. The curious thing here, really, is that the creature asking the question is the very one that the question is about. Strange is it not? What you are is different from what you have (Property and Belongings). What you are is very likely different from what you think of yourself (Self-Assessment).

What you are is also very likely different from what people say about you (Public Opinion); and different from all of the above put together. So, here is the question: Do you know yourself? Do you now see why Socrates went all over Greece saying: MAN KNOW THYSELF? Can any field of study answer the question: What is Man? How about Biology? How about psychology? How about genetics and biochemistry? Any help from nuclear physics and Artificial Intelligence? Certainly not.

Can all the disciplines and branches of knowledge, put together, take anyone nearer to an answer to the question? I suppose not. And that is another paradox. We claim to know so much, and to have conquered everything through science and technology.

Yet Friedrich Nietzsche’s statement about the general aspect of our collective humanity rings true: Of themselves, they are not knowers.

Fact: man cannot be captured and exhaustively defined by the things we can learn about him through observations and intellectual scribbling. He is a creature, or a product. The seeker is looking for his makers manufacturer’s manual.

But let us proceed to our subject matter,

UNESCO DG, Audrey Azoulay

as captured in the title of this article, and thence to what transpired on the occasion of the 2023 UNESCO World Philosophy Day. First, check out the following two scenarios, which have something to do with some aspects of incestuous scholarship.

A student graduates from a university, performs National Youth Service in his department, or elsewhere, but returns to his parent department for a Masters Degree.

Years later, he obtains a Doctorate Degree from the same department. His general exposure and sphere of learning in his academic growth is limited to his encounters with basically the same persons, the same syllabus or learning materials, as well as the same physical and human environment.

He lacks the type of academic and sociopsychological exposure that would make it safe for us to let him loose to stand before people’s children as their teacher. And let us check out a second scenario.

A university teacher, ordinarily of questionable academic standing, became a lecturer with a weak first and second degrees. He obtains a Ph. D, after plodding on, and plodding about, in sundry and recondite corners in the name of research and scholarship. As a lecturer eager to climb the academic ladder, he writes several articles in his departmental, or faculty, journal.

These are often vetted by inhouse teams of persons who know and aid each other. He can also have a few papers thrown in from such external quarters as sister universities, to show that it was not all an incestuous engagement. Promotions and assessments are then procured based on these. Everyone so circumstanced goes prancing around as a seasoned scholar. Afterall, they new titles to show for it.

For the record, there are many lecturers with this sort of background who are sound academics and scholars by any stretch of

the imagination. So, the submission here does not amount to a blanket, statement one way or another. But I believe the essence an import of incestuous scholarship and the anger it has become to out universities, learning and knowledge are easy to see. the Concerning the 2023 UNESCO World Philosophy Day which occasioned this piece, the Philosophy Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa, chose “The Human of the Future and the Future of the Human” as its theme for the Occasion.

As the Guest Speaker, I chose “Anatomy of Incestuous Scholarship: A Treatise on Man, Knowledge and the Future of Mankind” as my topic.

It was a full university auditorium of students, special guests and principal officers of the institution. It kicked off with a telling Keynote Address by the Labour Party presidential candidate in the last Presidential Elections, Mr. Peter Obi. But that is a matter for another day.

The Department of Philosophy did a good job or organizing the event, complete with online streaming. The Vice Chancellor was not content to just attend an opening ceremony and leave, as has become the norm in almost all our universities. He sat through the entire programme, engrossed in the issues that were thrown up in the unfurling discourse. From reactions during and after my presentation, it was quite possible that some people had no idea what they were asking for when they invited me to play such a role on the UNESCO World Philosophy Day. For the record, UNESCO World Philosophy Day is a day set aside to remind us that: (1) Philosophy is the mother of all academic disciplines, the queen of the sciences and, perhaps, the last custodian of that innate disposition to seek knowledge that is captured somewhat nebulously as the love of wisdom; (2) Philosophy still has some value as the best foundation for learning and self-development; (3) Philosophy and its impact on the development of the political orientation of all peoples can only be overlooked to our peril; (4) Philosophy, more than any other academic discipline, tends to incline the average person more towards reflection, greater rationality and what makes him more human and (5) Philosophy remains relevant in determining the future of mankind.

Several convoluted issues were thrown up by the very theme of the event. In speaking of “The Human of the Future and the Future of the Human”, we are presuming to still have a clear idea about what makes us truly human beings. But do we? With the global gender crisis, can we go on to discuss the universal when the particular is open to question?

So, can philosophy help us out? Perhaps not. Remember the words of Will Durant in his book, The Story of Philosophy, where he said that philosophy somehow found itself overwhelmed by its self-assigned task of trying to make sense of everything and

ran off “…to hide in narrow lanes, timidly secure from the issues and responsibilities of life”?

While it is true that a philosopher seeks knowledge of first principles, as foundation; while it is true that he wants “justification” for holding a particular belief, or taking a particular action, it is also true that he is essentially a seeker. Socrates captured it thus: “The unexamined life is not worth living”. This means that the rational thing to do at all times is to do nothing at all, or be sure that what you are doing is the right thing to do. In sum, if a man cannot find rational reasons for a line of action, he should not embark on it.

It therefore follows, from the foregoing that philosophy, or the love of wisdom, is not wisdom itself. It is only the love of it, boiling down to a pursuit of something, perhaps a little undefined, but which never stops tugging at the soul. Aristotle’s observation in his work, The Metaphysics, and other works, that man “by nature” feels the urge to know says it all. A lover of wisdom, being a seeker, is circumspect about what beliefs to accept or live by. He may write down and share the results of his own thoughts, reflections, conjectures and speculations.

But never forget this: a philosopher’s written works, no matter how insightful, brilliant and novel, contain largely his personal insights, opinions and conclusions.

You may or may not agree with some, or all, of his conclusions, observations an” claims. This submission calls to question the fanatical loyalty of some scholars who swear by one ISM or the other; and who forget that no philosophy, or philosophical work, is the Word of God. It is perhaps against the background of the foregoing that the study of philosophy in the university does not, automatically, make anyone a philosopher. Neither does the teaching of academic philosophy by one who has studied the thoughts of philosophers and can reproduce them in every detail. See what Karl Popper, the German physician-turnedphilosopher, ha to say about philosophy: “As the realization overcame me that there was no true philosophy to be found in the universities, I felt that even he who was too weak to create his own philosophy had the right to hold forth about philosophy: to declare what it once was and what it could be”. So, what could it be?

To save us from incestuous scholarship, et all, we must refocus our society and the academia to understand how the following factors affect our humanity and the overall quality of a nation`s human capital factory: (1) The condition of the “factory” (The home, school, societal norms, socialization and role models); (2) The competence of the “factory workers” (Parents, teachers and leaders); (3) The “factory tools” (Information, knowledge, skills and character); and (4) The “Quality of processing” (Teaching methods, learning outcomes and grooming through mentorship.

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