TUESDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2023

Tinubu Vows to Uphold Media Freedom, Respect Divergent Views Pledges to review extant policies affecting newspaper industry Acknowledges existing rules hindering local access to newsprint Says govt granting waivers for air, road, rail transport systems Moves to reduce price of cooking gas

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday

vowed to uphold the freedom of the media as well as respect divergent views, assuring that his administra-

tion would look into extant policies affecting the newspaper industry with a view to reworking them.

Speaking at State House, Abuja, during a meeting with members of Newspaper Proprietors’ Association

of Nigeria (NPAN), Tinubu assured that he would carefully consider the association’s request for a review

of policies affecting the newspaper Continued on page 10

Tuesday 19 December, 2023 Vol 28. No 10478. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

N'Assembly May Pass 2024 Appropriation Bill This Week

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

L-R: MD/CEO NNPCL, Mele Kyari; Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure; Professor Al-Mustapha Aliyu; Ledum Mitee; and Ekanem Okonkon Udo, all members of the new board of NNPCL, PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI addressing the State House correspondents shortly after the Inauguration ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.... yesterday

The Joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriation said yesterday that it had perfected arrangements to pass the 2024 appropriation bill before the end of the week.

The panel handed down a 48-hour Continued on page 10

Wike, Fubara Sign Tinubu's Truce, Live to Fight Another Day All court cases instituted by Fubara to be withdrawn Impeachment processes against gov dropped Amaewhule-led leadership, 26 defected members recognised Assembly to decide where to sit henceforth

Story on page 10

NPAN VISITS PRESIDENT TINUBU...

L-R: Chairman/Publisher, THISDAY/ARISE Media Group, Nduka Obaigbena; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Publisher Vanguard, Sam Amuka-Pemu; former Ogun State PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI. Governor Segun Osoba; President, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Kabiru Yussuf and other publishers, during their meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa Abuja..... yesterday

Pope Francis: Marriage is Between Man, Woman But Priests Can Bless Same-sex Couples... Page 12

2

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

3

4

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

5

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023

NEWS

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

BUA's LNG Project signing ceremony...

L–R: Director, CIMC ENRIC, Mr. Gary Peng; Founder/Executive Chairman, BUA Group, Mr. Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Managing Director of Axxela Group, Mr. Mobolaji Osunsanya during the 700 tons per day mini LNG Project signing ceremony yesterday at the BUA Group Headquarters, Lagos. ... yesterday

President to New NNPCL Board: I Won't Tolerate Underperformance

Lauds Kyari’s performance Threatens to dissolve board without notifying members if it fails to live up to expectation Warns against acts portraying sense of entitlements by members Charges board to prioritise profitability, service, special recognition to N'Delta Chairman sets 2million bpd target for 2024 Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu yesterday, inaugurated the 11-man Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) with a charge on the members to immediately get to work, warning that non-performance would not be tolerated.

Speaking while inaugurating the NNPCL Board at the State House, Abuja, the President also warned that conducts suggesting a sense of entitlement would not be tolerated, adding that the Board could be dissolved without prior notice to members over non-performance.

He said: “The challenge is corporate governance. Yes, we will improve the security situation. We are working very hard. Sincerely, the Chief Executive Office, Kyari, is doing very well, and doing all that I know.

“But you could be suddenly dissolved if there is no sustained excellence in performance. It is my honour to inaugurate this Board, which has people of great integrity.

I am honoured that we are doing this. I recognise all of you."

According to him, corporate social responsibility for the Niger Delta must be taken seriously, considering the devastating effects of oil exploration and exploitation on the environment.

His words: “Niger Delta must be seen as the goose that lays the golden egg and we must treat that region with the deserved respect and care. It is not asking

for too much to ensure quality and constant water supply, schools, medical facilities and roads.

“It is not about us. It is about the well-being of the entire country and the lifeblood of the nation.

We should care more about the environment. We will do more for security to minimise stealing and vandalisation."

Tinubu directed that more attention should be given to gas as Nigeria transitions to cleaner energy, adding: “We need to show that we are committed to the welfare of our country."

“Take a look at the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and know what the pitfalls are. The cabinet members and Board should decide what we can do differently for production increase, profitability, and governance. It is in your hands. I will work with you,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Board, Chief Pius Akinyelure, commended the President for the removal of petrol subsidy, noting that the nation would have drowned in debt, but for his decisiveness.

According to him: “Our focus is to increase production. We must address the problem of stealing and pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta. We are aware of the efforts in the past, but we will do more".

Briefing newsmen after the inauguration, the Chairman of the 11-man board set an ambitious production target of two

million barrels per day by 2024 for the NNPCL, emphasising the substantial challenges confronting Nigeria's oil and gas industry.

Akinyelure, also canvassed for a comprehensive overhaul of the national security architecture to address losses incurred through

oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

His words: "To make sure that as the key performance indicators of the oil industry in Nigeria, probably, we'll become number one in Africa and probably competing with leading oil and gas companies around the

The Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, has set machinery in motion to halt the moves by Shoprite, one of Nigeria’s prominent supermarket chains to close its only branch in Kano State.

Located at the famous Ado Bayero Mall in Kano, Shoprite last week, announced its decision

to exit the Centre of Commerce in January, blaming it on a “challenging economic situation.’’

Mixed reactions have continued to trail the decision of the outlet which debuted in Kano in March 2014.

A statement by Barau’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said the Deputy President of the Senate would meet with the company’s management

year. But to do this, we have to overhaul our security architecture so that the incidences of stealing, vandalisation of pipelines can be reduced. And this will possibly help to build up our cash flow.

And this will possibly help to build up our cash flow."

NAFDAC Unveils Database of Registered Pharmaceutical Products Destroys fake drugs worth N16bn

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a database for registered and certified drugs for sale and distribution in Nigeria.

In a bid to eradicate sale and consumption of unwholesome pharmaceutical products, the agency said its enforcement directorate destroyed 135 truckloads of fake, counterfeit and spurious seized products and damaged/expired products willingly submitted by stake holders at an estimated street value of about N16 billion.

NAFDAC's Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who

presented the database tagged ‘NAFDAC Green Book,’ at a media parley yesterday, said the list contained 6,432 registered pharmaceutical products.

The DG noted that the database would be made accessible to members of the public latest January next year.

She said members of the public could log into the website using their android mobile phone to verify any drug of their choice.

Adeyeye, who spoke on efforts that led to the recent prequalification of the Central Drug Control Laboratory (CDCL) in Yaba, Lagos State, by the World Health Organisation, Adeyeye said the agency constructed the laboratory from the scratch

Barau Moves to Stop Shoprite from Exiting Kano

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

world.

“It is not an easy task, but we know we have the challenge of oil stealing, the vandalisation of our pipelines.

"Our commitment is to produce at a rate of two million barrels per day, anytime from next

this week in Abuja over the matter.

Part of the statement read, "The Office of the Deputy President of the Senate has set machinery in motion to halt the exit of Shoprite from Kano State.

"His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin will meet with the management of the company this week where the issue will be discussed and hopefully resolved.

“Yes, it is a pure business issue, but we will see what we can do to encourage them to rescind their decision and stay in Kano.

"As we all know, there are enormous business opportunities in Kano, the commercial nerve centre of northern Nigeria.

"At a time when we are scouting for investors, we will not fold our hands and allow them to leave,’’ he said.

gulping a total of N4.5 billion.

The DG also used the opportunity to give update on the activities of the agency especially in the area of efforts to check sale of adulterated pharmaceutical products in the country.

She said that NAFDAC's Investigation and Enforcement Directorate had been busy with joint inspection/seizures and destruction exercise of banned or unregistered products.

According to her, "The Directorate destroyed 135 truckloads of fake, counterfeit and spurious seized products and damaged/ expired products willingly submitted by stake holders at an estimated street value of about N16 billion."

She also said the agency carried out several raids in the south-east and south-south across nine states, revealing that counterfeit Diageo products worth over N38 million, were recovered.

In Lagos State and Abuja, she said several places were also raided and counterfeited products worth over N200 million recovered and seized.

Adeyeye, attributed the rising menace of fake drugs to bad economy which she said was fueling production and sale of substandard products in the country.

Speaking on milestones attained by Nigeria in recent times, Adeyeye said the country has achieved 35 percent local manufacturing capacity for essential drugs.

She said with the prequalification of the Yaba laboratory and intense effort by NAFDAC to further attain the WHO Maturity level 4 before the end of next year, the country would witness a big boost in local manufacturing capacity for pharmaceutical products.

On the challenges facing NAFDAC, Adeyeye said the agency was currently having challenge with the digitalisation of its process, adding that the management resolved to seek assistance from developed countries to overcome them.

She said NAFDAC was planning to phase out production and sale of alcohol in sachet by the end of January 2024.

She said the agency needed to increase its staff strength from the current 2,000 to 12,000, adding that NAFDAC was also doing a lot in the area of training of its core professionals in order to maintain standards.

The DG further said NAFDAC was implementing a gradual phasing out of some harmful insecticides and pesticides.

6

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Award of Reputable Bank of the Year to Parallex Bank...

L-R: Heir Apparent to the Earldom of Rosse, Lawrence Patrick Parsons and Managing Director, Parallex Bank, Dr. Olufemi Bakre, during the Award of Reputable Bank of the Year on Parallex Bank at the Reputable Bank and Fintech Awards at the House of Lords, Palace of Westminster in London ... recently

FG Elated as UN Extends Nigeria's Maritime Border from 200 to 220 Nautical Miles Eromosele Abiodun

The federal government has applauded the decision by the United Nations (UN) to extend Nigeria’s continental shelf from 200 nautical miles to 220 nautical miles.

The development coincided with the recent creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which would give a boost to the Nigerian maritime sector.

The Chairman, United Nations Commission (UNC) on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), Adnan Rashid Nasser Al-Azri, disclosed the

development in a statement regarding Nigeria’s submission.

According to him, this approval allows Nigeria to redraw the territorial map of its sovereignty in the Gulf of Guinea, thereby granting the right to exploit the abundant carbon and marine resources believed to be present in the area.

Reacting to the development, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency's (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, praised the decision by the United Nations to approve a request for the extension of Nigeria's maritime territory beyond the standard 200

nautical miles from the country's coast.

Jamoh, while reacting to the development disclosed that the extension of the nation's maritime area has the potential to bring economic benefits to the country.

Specifically, he said, “To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time the United Nations has ever approved additional maritime territory for Nigeria. “We welcome this development, as it would boost our economic fortunes considerably. It is a plus for the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Administration and I extend my congratulations to our Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,

BUA Signs Landmark LNG Project Partnership with CIMC ENRIC Dike Onwuamaeze The BUA Group has signed a partnership deal with CIMC ENRIC, to establish a 700-ton-per-day mini LNG project in Nigeria.

The signing ceremony, according to a statement issued by BUA, took place yesterday at the company’s headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.

The strategic partnership marked a significant milestone in BUA Group’s expansion into the energy sector and reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable energy solutions across its business operations.

The Chairman of BUA Group, Mr. Abdul Samad Rabiu, pledged that BUA would remain dedicated to utilising cleaner, energy-efficient sources for its operations across

Nigeria in line with its short-tolong term ESG commitments and sustainability initiatives.

Rabiu further added that whilst BUA already utilises gas as a major energy source across its over 1,000MW captive power plants used for its operations across Nigeria, the mini LNG project upon completion, would enhance all-year availability of cleaner energy and support BUA’s growing industrial power demands.

He said: “We are excited about the prospects of this project and look forward to a fruitful collaboration with CIMC ENRIC.” The agreement underscored the project’s anticipated impact on the regional energy landscape in line with the Nigerian government’s

push to diversify its energy commitments.

BUA Group remained committed to investing in cutting-edge technology and infrastructure that benefits not only its operations but also the communities it serves.

BUA Group is a leading foods, mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure conglomerate in Africa with diversified interests in sectors including cement, sugar, real estate and construction, oil and gas, energy, rice, port operations and logistics.

The CIMC ENRIC is a leading manufacturer of energy equipment globally, specialising in the design, production, and servicing of equipment used in the liquid natural gas, liquid chemical, cryogenic storage and transportation sectors.

Adegboyega Oyetola.”

According to the UN, the Continental Shelf of a coastal State comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend

James Emejo in Abuja The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has directed deposit money banks to deduct and remit Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) on foreign currency (FCY) transactions going forward.

The levy is in line with the Finance Act 2020 and Stamp Act 2004, which impose an EMTL on transfer for money deposited in any financial institution on any type of account.

THISDAY learnt that in compliance with service's directive, financial institutions have already informed their customers of the latest development.

The "Notice of Remittance of EMTL on FCY Transactions" which was sent to customers by one of the major banks, intimated them of the deduction of the sum of N50 only on every foreign currency transaction with equivalent amount of N10,000 and above going forward.

It added that the sums deducted would be remitted to the relevant tax authority.

The bank further clarified that it would deduct EMTL on qualifying transactions executed from the first week of January 2021 to the last week of December 2023 will be effected.

As Alliance Hospital insists it did no wrong

Amidst raging concerns over the swelling business of organ transplant in the country, especially the recently reported cases in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Nigerian Medical Association has stepped in to find out the role being played by its members in the unfolding saga.

The move by NMA came just as the Alliance Hospital and Services Ltd, Abuja, one of the hospitals alleged to have carried kidney transplant has insisted that it performs organ transplant in best professional form, observing all legal provision.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the NMA FCT Chapter chairman, Dr. Charles Ugwuanyi, said the body decided to wade into the matter so as to ensure that the right things are done to unravel the truth.

According to him, NMA believes that medical practioners and hospitals that showed courage and expertise in venturing into the highly technical aspect of organ transplant should be protected by government and not allowed to be harassed or blackmailed to abandon the practice.

The association urged those who have any case against any doctor regarding the issue of organ harvest-

ing or transplant to ensure that they not only report to the police but file their complaint to the Medical and Dental Council Tribunal which is the appropriate professional body with the mandate to discipline doctors.

"We have always encouraged our patient, if you feel you have not been treated well, don't take to violence against us or engage in emotional and psychological attack but you should go to the medical tribunal to lay the complaint.

"MDCN has a tribunal; trust them. They do a thorough job and I think they can give fair hearing. The tribunal can sanction the doctors by seizing their professional licenses

miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance.

FIRS Directs Banks to Deduct Electronic Money Transfer Levy on Foreign Currency Transactions

NMA Wades into Abuja Organ Harvesting Saga Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin.

Also, it is a distance of 200 nautical

or even blacklisting them from practicing," he said.

He said that NMA has an internal mechanism for checkmating the conduct of doctors, adding that members of the public should avail themselves of these procedures to lay their complaints and seek justice where necessary.

While exonerating himself and his hospital of any wrong doing in the kidney transplant saga, the Managing Director of Alliance Hospital and Services Limited Abuja, Dr. Chris Otabor, said the hospital diligently followed all the law governing organ transplant in Nigeria in conducting its business.

The EMTL levy provide additional sources of revenue for the federal government and had been deducted in other economic activities including energy.

Earlier in September, the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Bello Shehu, while providing an update on remittances to the federation account, revealed that the sum of N83.02 billion accounted for revenues from the electronic money transfer levy out of which N3.32 billion was paid to FIRS as cost of collection between January and June 2023.

In August, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) unveiled draft operational rules and regulations for in-country clearing and settlement of foreign currency (FCY) fund transfers among Nigerian banks.

The move seeks to enable faster, cheaper, and more transparent FCY transfers and to create an efficient and safe operation of FCY transfers amongst Nigerian banks, and improve the efficiency of the in-country FCY transfers, leading to greater confidence in the payment system.

The central bank said the settlement of clearing balances shall be accorded the highest priority for settlement under the new regime.

The CBN said the regulation provides measures that would address some of the challenges facing the current system for switching FCY transfers among Nigerian banks including high cost associated with correspondent banking services, delay and inefficiencies with processing foreign remittances for third party including IMTOs. The bank also said the move was in exercise of the powers conferred on it under the Sections 2(d), 33 (1) (b) and 47(2) of the CBN Act 2007 to promote sound financial system in Nigeria, issue guidelines, facilitate the development of an efficient and effective payments system in Nigeria, and prescribe rules and regulations for the efficient operation of the clearing and settlement system.

The CBN, however, warned participants to adhere strictly to the bank’s policy on dollarisation, as

this is mandatory for FCY transfers.

The apex bank further pointed out that the provisions of all existing guidelines, circulars and directives on the operations of domiciliary account and FCY transactions shall apply to in-country FCY switching service.

Under the regulation, if a participant does not have sufficient fund in its settlement account during the settlement of net clearing position, the CBN shall have recourse to the bank’s collateral to settle the participant’s clearing debit.

Where a participant neither has sufficient funds nor sufficient collateral the CBN shall act as lender of last resort at a fee plus penalty.

Also, each participant shall open a US Dollar account with CBN for the purpose of settlement of its InCountry FCY funds transfers, and each participant shall be responsible for ensuring that its USD account with CBN is funded, for the purpose of pre-authorised debits and settlement of net debit positions from in-country FCY clearing system among other requirements.

The guidelines read, “A member bank shall be suspended from participation, for persistent failure to settle (three times in a week) its settlement obligations from in-country FCY funds transfers. Warning shall be sent to a participant for each failure.

“Failure to provide the requisite infrastructure to enable electronic exchange of eligible payment instrument. Failure to maintain adequate collateral as prescribed by the CBN, from time to time.

“When the bank is suspended by the Management of the CBN in the interest of the system for any other reason not aforementioned. Every suspension shall last until such a time reinstatement is approved by the CBN.” Essentially, parties to FCY funds transfer, clearing and settlement in Nigeria shall include but not limited to the CBN, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System PLC (NIBSS), Authorized Dealer Banks, International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), Customers of ADBs and any other institution as may be approved by CBN.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

7

8

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Launch of 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem...

L-R: Representative of the Commandant, Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Abeokuta, Lt. Commander Adi Idi Agbu, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi; Ogun State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Master Warrant Officer Orukotan Olumuyiwa (rtd); Governor Dapo Abiodun; his Deputy, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and the representatives of the Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta and the Commissioner of Police, Col. Legborsi Nule and DCP Bolanle Murtala, respectively, during the launching of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem at the Governor's office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta...yesterday

Customs Set to Meet N3.6tn Revenue Target in 2023, Says Comptroller General Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Less than two weeks to the end of 2023, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has assured Nigerians that it would meet its revenue target of N3.6 trillion for the year.

The Comptroller General, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, who gave the assurance in Ibadan, during the flag-off and hand -over of houses to beneficiaries of Coop Pacesetter Estate built for Customs Officers in Oyo/

Osun Area Command, said the service has continued to witness substantial increase in its average monthly collection in the second half of the year.

According to him, the commitment to meet the target was driven by the resolve to minimise the deviation from the target, especially in the light of the substantial shortfalls recorded during the year’s first half, stating that the service has resolved to key in into the Renewed Hope Agenda

of President Bola Tinubu to deliver on its mandate.

The Customs boss who maintained that boosting the morale of Customs Officers across the country was his priority, said the NCS has instituted an array of welfare programmes initiatives such as the housing project, recognition and awards to celebrate exceptional performance, dedication and achievements.

He noted that these would serve as catalyst to boost loyalty, motivation and sustained productivity among the

workforce.

Adeniyi, then announced the provision of 5,000 housing units for officers across the country to address the challenge they face while looking for accommodation.

He disclosed that in order to cushion the harmful effects of the fuel subsidy removal, he had signed a document for the payment of N35,000 award to all officers of the NCS starting from September this year.

He said, "It is a great pleasure for me to hand over the

keys of these houses to the members of the Cooperative. It is to ensure the overall welfare of the Officers.

"It is part of our efforts to prioritise the welfare of our Officers. We are focusing on mental, physical and overall welfare and wellbeing of our Officers to ensure optimum performance.

"We have institutionalised array of welfare packages to boast morale of Officers across the country. We are empowering our Officers to involve in community activities and

community services so as to foster harmonious relationship between the Customs and the public.

"In our efforts to address the problem faced by officers while looking for accommodation, we have decided to build 5,000 housing units in Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Ibadan, Giri, Masala and Port-Harcourt.

This in turn will provide a foundation of stability for our officers, allowing them to invest in their families and futures and ultimately serve our nation even more effectively."

Kayode Tokede

comprises a $100 million in longterm senior debt, $50 million of trade finance medium-term senior debt and a $25 million risk participation program.

“The long-term senior debt will enhance our capacity to finance projects in Nigeria in the key sectors of infrastructure, agriculture and related value chains, as well as manufacturing, energy, and SMEs. “The facility will be complemented with technical assistance from the Affirmative Action for

Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative to boost access to finance and technical assistance to women SMEs. “The trade finance senior debt will provide UBA with much needed countercyclical dollar liquidity to support SMEs and local corporates involved in export-import related activities in the short to medium term.”

It added that the unfunded Risk Participation Agreement aims to strengthen UBA UK’s role as regional confirming bank

and by extension expand access to international markets for largely excluded African issuing banks.

The statement added that the AfDB and UBA UK, a subsidiary of UBA Plc, would share 50/50 the default risk on a portfolio of eligible trade transactions originated

by African issuing banks and indemnified by UBA UK. Speaking after the Board approval, AfDB's Group Director General for Nigeria Lamin Barrow, said, “We are pleased to support UBA with this package, which aligns with four of the AfDB’s High 5 priorities namely Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Integrate Africa, and Industrialise Africa.”

“This intervention will address unmet demand for trade finance in Nigeria and Africa respectively by providing medium term finance to support exports² and the importation of intermediate goods required to sustain vital economic sectors.

“It will also unlock stable and affordable funding for SMEs who are the engine of Nigeria’s economic growth and employment generation, ” AfDB’s Acting Director for Financial Sector Development, Ahmed Attout said.

Also commenting, the Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA, Oliver Alawuba said, “This facility will further deepens our support, which has been very considerable, to the critical sectors of Nigerian economy and especially to Womenowned businesses and small and medium enterprises, which we consider as the engine of any country’s economic development.”

Chibok Community Celebrates Cultural Festival UBA Secures $175 Million Facility from AfDB for in FCT, Laments 87 Abducted Infrastructure, Women-own Businesses’ Support Schoolgirls Still in Captivity Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Members of the Chibok Community in Abuja celebrated the Chibok cultural festival organised to showcase the culture and tradition of the people of Chibok in Southern Borno.

Since the abduction of the Chibok school girls by terror group, Boko Haram, over a decade ago, a majority of the community had remained in Internally Displaced Camps (IDP) in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists, the House of Representatives Member representing Chibok/Damboa/ Gwoza Federal Constituency, Ahmed Jaha, at the festival organised by leaders of Chibok community in Abuja, under the aegis of Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), said a lot of people who fled the state have not returned.

He said thousands of Chibok people were living at the IDP camps and taking refuge in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Nasarawa, among other cities in different parts of the country including the FCT. “The effort of the government is highly commendable but we are human beings and the journey of 100 miles begins with a step.

Actually, we have to commend the federal government for recovering some of the Chibok girls but we still have in captivity 87.

“We are equally quite happy with the way and manner peace has

returned to some part of Chibok, but we are still working tirelessly, begging and soliciting for the federal government to provide security where security personnel are not present,” he said.

The Chairman, Chibok Local Government Area of Borno, Umar Ibrahim, commended the KADA leaders for their commitment to preserving their heritage.

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced that it has received a $175 million financial package from the Africa Development Bank(AfDB) Group.

The bank in a statement yesterday, stated that the fund would enhance its support to the private sector and financing of infrastructure development in Africa's largest economy.

According to UBA, “This facility

COP28: Edo Strengthens Collaboration with Partners on Sustainable Environmental Practices The Edo State Government has assured key stakeholders in the environmental sector that it is committed to responsible commodity production as well as the initiation and implementation of vital initiatives for forest protection and regeneration.

The resolution for sustainable practices was highlighted by the Acting Team Lead, Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), Mr. Churchill Oboh, who led the Cop28 team representing Edo State, at the Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The conference brings together various stakeholders and parties to collaboratively explore effective strategies for mitigating the

impacts of climate change and enhancing climate financing.

According to Oboh, proactive measures have been taken by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to foster responsible production of commodities, robust forest protection and conservation and a steadfast commitment to sustainable and responsible land use practices.

He said the Edo Team at the event engaged in strategic dialogues with esteemed developmental partners, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which is focused on protecting and restoring forests and supporting policy reforms for more sustainable land use.

“Others include Mercuria, a pioneering force in investing and developing innovative forms of low carbon energy, with which we share Edo's goal of encouraging lower carbon energy production and advancing sustainable transportation practices.

“The collaboration extended to Pollination, a distinguished global climate change advisory and investment firm. Standing at the forefront of accelerating the transition towards a net-zero and climate-resilient future, Pollination provides Edo State with invaluable expertise and support in navigating the complexities of climate change initiatives. This collaborative effort reinforces the region's commitment to proactive

and impactful climate action.”

He added: “We had interactive sessions with Ruth Kennedy, the Forest and Land Use Adviser to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, and another with the Head of Communication for Proforest, Ali Merifield. We emphasized the remarkable achievements and efforts made in Edo State so far which include repeal of the forestry law and setting up of the forestry commission, the success story of the Africa Sustainable Commodity Initiative (ASCI), completion of a comprehensive forest inventory, and identification of areas for forest regeneration through the Land Use and Land Cover Analysis (LULCA).”

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

9

10

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

ten

Tinubu: Nigeria Remains Top-level Destination For Offshore/Onshore Investments Nation accounts for about 10% of Total Energies investment globally Total promises $6bn deepwater production in coming years

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has assured the international investment community that his administration would ensure that Nigeria remains a top-level destination for offshore and onshore investments.

Receiving the Group Chairman and CEO of Total Energies Worldwide, Mr. Patrick Pouyanne, at the State House, Abuja yesterday, the President declared "The moment I took over, there was a clear path that we set out to pursue, and we will ensure that Nigeria remains a top-level investment choice in

the dynamics of the offshore and onshore sectors.

“We will review troublesome areas, fiscally and otherwise, to incentivize gas production in the age of transition to cleaner energy. We are ready to make a difference as a government. The good handshake that we have is for partnership and to accelerate and incentivize gas production in pursuit of the energy transition".

He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to remove all anti-investment impediments in the country.

“We are committed to removing

all cobwebs and anti-investment impediments in the oil and gas industry. We have a clear path that we are committed to pursuing.

We are ready to work with you,” President Tinubu said.

He commended Total Energies for its years of exploration and investment in Nigeria's oil and gas sector, citing the feat as evidence of the company’s commitment and confidence in Nigeria.

The President assured the delegation that his administration was determined to improve the investment climate in the country, emphasizing that the aim of the

Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is to create a favourable investment and work environment.

He affirmed his administration’s commitment to making the necessary efforts for industrial peace, harmony, and development.

Earlier in his address, Global CEO of Total Energies Worldwide, Patrick Pouyanne, informed President Tinubu that Nigeria was "very important" for Total Energies, accounting for 8 to 10 percent of the company’s worldwide total production and over 18 percent of its global investment.

Wike, Fubara Sign Tinubu's Truce, Live to Fight Another Day

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah in Abuja, and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

After weeks of brickbats, President Bola Tinubu, at a meeting with critical stakeholders from Rivers State yesterday, pushed through an eight-point peace plan to end the feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his godfather, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

But Tinubu’s intervention raised questions. Will it end the crisis? Will it bring about peace? And what manner of peace will it bring? Genuine peace or peace of the graveyard?

Time will tell.

By the presidential diplomacy, many believed both camps in the Rivers impasse might have chosen to live to fight another day.

The president, who apparently bow to pressure from across the

country, stepped into the Rivers crisis, and held a closed-door meeting with the stakeholders in the state, including former Governor Peter Odili, at State House, Abuja, where an eight-point peace deal was drafted.

Elders and leaders in the state had also appealed to Tinubu to consolidate his earlier intervention in the rift between Fubara and Wike, warning that the consequences of inaction may not only affect Rivers State, but the entire Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large.

A non-profit organisation, One Love Foundation (OLF), also expressed concern and called on Tinubu to wade in to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

But the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed the determination to defend the 27 lawmakers, whose seats were declared vacant following their defection from Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) to APC, until they were able to properly commence their legislative duties.

Meanwhile, contrary to public belief, the order of a Federal High Court halting the removal of the 27 lawmakers of Rivers State House of Assembly, which surfaced on the social a day before it was, allegedly, scheduled to be delivered, had actually been issued two days before it came into the public space.

However, the Rivers peace meeting was at the instance of the president and had in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima, Fubara, Wike, Odili, Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The meeting lasted over two hours, before ending at 8.17pm.

At the end of the meeting, an eight-point communique, titled, "Directives for the resolution of the

N'Assembly May Pass 2024 Appropriation Bill This Week deadline to all sub-committees to submit their reports on the 2024 budget. This was preparatory to the eventual signing into law of the N27.5 trillion appropriation bill by President Bola Tinubu before the end of December.

Chairman of the appropriation committee, Senator Solomon Adeola, made the assertions at the sitting of the panel yesterday.

In his opening remarks at the session, Adeola enjoined all the subcommittees to keep to the deadline to enable the National Assembly meet the January-December budget cycle.

He said, “I am appealing to all my colleagues. Please, I am ready, and the deadline is Wednesday this week, to receive all reports, all standing committees of the senate.

“By Wednesday, any agency or any committee that has not submitted their report before the committee, it is assumed that you are giving us the omnibus power to go ahead and treat your budget independently of that committee.

“So, we are appealing to all chairmen of various committees to, please, submit their reports on or before Wednesday this week.

"Today, we formally open the secretariat to all chairmen of committees and their secretariat to start the defence of their respective budgets of their MDAs before the Committee on Appropriations.

"I want to implore my colleagues, please, we are readily available to receive their reports.”

Adeola hoped the budget would be passed upon resumption of plenary by the National Assembly on December 20.

"But without this submission before the committee, there is little or nothing we can do and as you are all aware, the tradition of the National Assembly is to pass the budget into law by 31st of December of every year,” he stated.

Adeola added, "This 10th Senate cannot be an exemption. We have to work round the clock. We understand the stress everybody is going through but that is why we are here.”

From the sub-committee reports submitted yesterday, the lawmakers

raised the issue of the 136 Nigerians trapped in Ethiopian prisons.

They also spoke about the N5 billion proposed in the budget to revamp the Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State.

The Committee on Tourism, chaired by Senator Ireti Kingibe, and Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, headed by Senator Victor Umeh, led yesterday, in submitting their respective reports.

While submitting his report, Umeh said some of the 136 Nigerians serving various jail terms had sought to be transferred to Nigeria to serve out their punishment. He told the committee that the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), which was responsible for handling their matter, was handicapped due to poor funding.

Umeh revealed that the commission was given a budget of N1.2 billion for 2024, out of which N652.9 million was earmarked for capital expenditure. He said looking at the workload of NIDCOM, N4.9 billion was recommended by his committee as the agency’s capital budget.

Umeh said that would cover five new line items introduced to the budget, including addressing the plight of Nigerians in foreign prisons, organising Diaspora summits, and other projects to coordinate the activities of Nigerians living outside the shores of the country.

Responding, Adeola promised that the committee on appropriation would review the report and find a way to shore up the budget of NIDCOM, “Considering the very important work they have been doing.”

He added, “We will pay attention to NIDCOM in our reporting stage.

However, we will do a review of the five new lines and prioritise them.”

On her part, Kingibe told the committee that out of the N7.9 billion proposed as the capital budget of the Ministry of Tourism, over N5 billion was earmarked for the Obudu Cattle Ranch.

She said it was not proper in her view for one geopolitical zone to take more than half of the total

capital vote of the agency, to the neglect of other zones.

The committee replied that while her point was taken, members would investigate how the N5 billion would be spent, to be sure that it would actually go into the revamping of the Obudu ranch.

Adeola said, “We will investigate why we are spending this N5 billion in just one geopolitical zone.

“But, we have to also understand that we are still not yet there with this money allocated to tourism.

“We have to do more if we really want to drive tourism in this country.”

political impasse in Rivers State," was jointly signed by all the stakeholders in attendance.

The signatories included Fubara; Wike; Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Odu; Ribadu; Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule; PDP chairman in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka; and Rivers State APC chairman, Tony Okocha.

The communique directed that all matters instituted in the courts

by Fubara and his team in respect of the political crisis be withdrawn immediately. It also directed that all impeachment proceedings initiated against the governor by the Assembly should be dropped immediately.

The communique stated that the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Amaewhule should be recognised alongside the 27 members, who had left PDP for APC. Other resolutions of the meeting included that the remunerations and benefits of all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated immediately and the governor should no longer interfere with the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

According to the communique, “The Rivers State House of Assembly shall choose where they want to sit and conduct their legislative business without interference and/ or hindrance from the executive arm of government “The governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, shall re-present the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The names of all commissioners in the Rivers State Executive Council, who resigned their appointments

According to him: "Mr. President, we are ready to invest $6 billion in the coming years. We are looking extensively at more deepwater production and gas production opportunities across the terrain. We welcome your policies and your personal commitment to ensuring that all required fiscal incentives are provided while security issues are tackled. Everything is here. We just need to conclude with the tweaks and changes necessary to unlock the outstanding potential in both oil and gas".

Pouyanne also highlighted

because of the political crisis in the state, should be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval.

“There should not be a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State. The dissolution of the local government administrations is null and void and shall not be recognised.”

Rivers Elders Forum Wades into Feud

Rivers State Elders and Leaders Forum called on Tinubu to consolidate his earlier intervention in the rift between Fubara and Wike, and warned about the grave consequences of inaction on, not only the state, but also the Niger Delta and Nigeria, generally.

At a briefing with journalists in Port Harcourt, the forum led by a former governor of the state, Chief Rufus Ada-George, condemned the misuse of the political power of the Rivers people vested in politicians for personal gains and interest.

They also condemned the attempt to impeach Fubara barely six months into his tenure without explaining to the people of the state his offence.

They said the infractions of the law were unacceptable.

The forum further condemned every form of violence and lawlessness in the state as a result of the rift, and demanded proper investigation into the crisis, stressing that those found culpable be brought to justice.

Ada-George said, "The forum regretted that neither Governor Siminalayi Fubara nor Chief Nyesom Wike responded to our letters seeking for audience with each of them.”

On the demolition of the Assembly complex, the forum urged the

Tinubu the company's commitment to maintaining its zero-flaring position in Nigeria to both heal the environment and monetize all available gas resources in support of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.

government to expedite action on rebuilding the structure to enable lawmakers continue their legislative business in the permanent site within the shortest time possible.

The former governor stated, "The forum is aware of and, thus, rejects the news making the rounds on social media of Forum Shopping and Purchase of Legal Instruments outside Rivers State to cause crisis in the state, thereby endangering human lives and property.

"An alleged premeditated court ruling by one Justice Donatus Okorowo of Federal High Court 8 Abuja on an ex parte application secretly filled in the night by proWike former lawmakers, which the judge wants to deliver tomorrow, being Monday, where he wants to stop the declaration of their seats vacant (an action that has been done) and also give them the legitimacy to move in with DSS and police to start the illegal impeachment of Gov. Fubara."

The forum urged the judiciary and all security agencies to be wary and alive in discharging their responsibilities in order not to worsen the already tense atmosphere in Rivers State.

Others who signed the communique, aside from Ada-George, included former Deputy Governor Gabriel Toby, O. P. Fingesi, HH Anabs Sara-Igbe, Prof Dagogo Fubara, Mrs Annkio Briggs, Senator Andrew Uchendu, and Senator Wilson A. Ake. In a related development, a chieftain of APC in the state, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, condemned those blaming Fubara for the Continued on page 44

T in u b u Vo ws to Uph o l d M e dia F r e e d o m , R e sp e ct D iv e r g e nt V i e ws industry. He acknowledged concerns about existing regulations hindering local access to newsprint.

According to a statement issued by the president’s media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu said his administration would always uphold media freedom and respect opinions, whether they were adversarial or complimentary.

The statement quoted the president as telling the NPAN members, "I care about what is going on in the country.

I thank you for your support and opinions, even the criticism of our government. Without the support of some of you, I will not be standing here as president.

"You have held our feet to the fire, and we will continue to respect your opinions, whether we agree or not. One thing I must say is that I read every paper, various opinions and columnists.”

Speaking on the challenges faced by travellers during the festive season, the president said the federal government was taking measures to alleviate the high cost of transportation by granting waivers to operators in the air, road, and rail transportation systems.

He also said steps were being taken to reduce the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), otherwise known as cooking gas.

Tinubu said his administration would remain steadfast in, "Reinvigo-

rating, retooling and re-engineering the economy," citing the decisions of his administration to end the petrol subsidy regime and initiate the ongoing unification of foreign exchange rates.

The president stated, ''I promise you a very transparent government.

We will try our best to draw water from a dry well and create a good economic environment that will serve the people.

“The future of our country is clear with committed investments in health, infrastructure, transportation, and education, among others. We have to take care of the poor. If we invest in our own children and leave the children of the poor, the children of neglect will attack your investments.”

Earlier in his remarks, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, reiterated the federal government’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and responsible media landscape in the country.

Idris said, “Our democracy thrives on the principles of transparency, accountability, and the free flow of information. The role of the media, particularly the newspapers, is paramount in upholding these principles.”

He commended NPAN for providing a platform for national discourse and for diverse voices/ Idris implored the association to collaborate with the Tinubu

administration through effective dialogue, advancing shared values, and addressing challenges confronting the country.

NPAN President and Chairman of Media Trust, owners of the Daily Trust Newspapers and Trust Television, Mr. Kabiru Yusuf, congratulated Tinubu on his election victory and Supreme Court affirmation.

Yusuf raised pressing concerns facing the newspaper industry.

He said, "Our particular concern is the newspaper industry, which employs thousands of Nigerians: journalists, marketers, distributors, administrators and accountants.

Newspapers are also part of the building blocks of democracy and reliable sources of information in a world that is overwhelmed by fake news."

Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, the information and national orientation minister said NPAN members were at the seat of government to see the president for the first time collectively since he was inaugurated.

According to him, the media remains important in the development of democracy, especially in Nigeria.

He added, "The president thought that it was important that he also met with them. They had a very frank conversation about the future, especially of the newspaper industry and how government can support.

"He also solicited for the cooperation of all media practitioners towards the renewed hope agenda and members of NPAN were also very forthcoming. They heard from the president first-hand, they will reconvene to see how they can give further support to the actualisation of his view of making Nigeria a prosperous nation.”

On specific interventions of the president, the minister said, "Specifically, there is this high cost of newsprint, newsprint is the most important part of publishing. We are looking at that and we will see what can be done.

"The president is also looking at what can be done so that the newspapers will continue to thrive."

Those on the NPAN entourage included Chairman of THISDAY Newspapers, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Chairman of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba; and Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers, Eniola Bello.

Others were Managing Director of The Nation Newspaper, Victor Ifijeh; Vice Chairman of Leadership Newspapers, Azubuike Ishiekwene; Managing Director of Businessday Newspapers, Frank Aigbogun; Managing Director of New Telegraph Newspapers, Ayodele Aminu; and Executive Secretary of NPAN, Feyi Smith.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

11

12

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

THE TAX REFORMER...

L-R: Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele with Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the committee’s courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Marina, ... yesterday

Pope Francis: Marriage is Between Man, Woman But Priests Can Bless Same-sex Couples Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document released yesterday explaining a radical change in Vatican policy.

It insisted that people seeking God's love and mercy shouldn't be subject to "an exhaustive moral analysis" to receive it.

"One should not prevent or

prohibit the Church's closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek God's help through a simple blessing," the document from the Vatican's doctrine office said.

However, the shift in policy doesn't change the church's position on marriage, CBS News reported.

The new document elaborated

on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn't confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.

The document repeated that rationale and elaborated on it,

reaffirming that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman.

It stressed that blessings should not be conferred at the same time as a civil union or even with the clothing and gestures that belong in a wedding.

But it said requests for such blessings should not be denied

Petrocam Boss Urges FG to Address NNPC's Wide Margin Advantage over Competitors in Petrol Marketing Says VAT removal on LPG price not yet implemented Company opens new filling station along Lagos-Ibadan expressway Peter Uzoho The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Petrocam Trading Nigeria Limited, Mr. Patrick Ilo, has called on the federal government to urgently address the wide margin in petrol prices being enjoyed solely by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to the disadvantage of its competitors in the business.

The oil marketer made the call yesterday, at the inauguration of Petrocam's new retail outlet located within the neighborhood of the popular Redeemed Camp, along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.

He spoke against the background of the continuous yearning by petroleum marketers for full deregulation of the petrol marketing business and total abolition of subsidy regime, revealing that the implementation of the removal of Valued-Added Tax (VAT) on imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) was yet to happen.

He argued that government needed to be more concerted in ensuring that there was a better level playing ground that grants all the operators, both NNPC and the private players equal opportunity in the industry.

He further argued that a situation where NNPC was not coming clean and clear about their pricing method when it was in the same market with others was not acceptable.

Although, President Bola Tinubu had announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, which led to the surge in prices from then N185 to the current N617 and above, the pump price still falls below the actual international market price.

Industry players and analysts had

repeatedly posited that the current petrol price in Nigeria when factored against the landing cost and other market fundamentals could rise to between N700 to N800 per litre.

In its latest Nigeria Development Update released on December 13, 2023, the World Bank, which hailed the fuel subsidy removal as a key policy that would drive economic growth in the country, had however, suggested that fuel pump price should be N750 per litre as opposed to the current N617 per litre.

But speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the company's retail outlet opening, the Petrocam boss called for the resolution of the undue price margin, which he argued NNPC had over other players.

Ilo stated, "Government needs to actually be more concerted. There should be a better level playing ground. A situation where NNPC is not coming clean and clear about how they are doing their pricing while we are all in the same market is not acceptable.

"We are in a commodity market. Price differences between competition A and B should just be marginal. Where there is a much larger margin between what A and B sells, then there is no transparency.

Government should come clear.

Government should not compete in a way that will undermine private sector. We are borrowing from the banks.

"Our bottom line is important and if we make losses, we all go down. Government is not in the business of doing business. And the best they should do is to get out of business. They should be regulators and not business people."

On the issue of removal of VAT on imported LPG, popularly known as cooking gas, he said that was

yet to happen.

Ilo, maintained that the policy still exists, saying as a policy statement they hoped it would soon be implemented by government, arguing that once done, the policy could lead to the crash of LPG price.

"And I am so sure, after a period of time, we are going to pass all this to customers. Prices are coming down. We want people to live a better life. Cooking should be a good experience.

“Nobody in this country should go hungry. And we are part of it in making sure we do our best in making sure that we roll down prices all the time. And that's where we are," he noted.

While sharing his assessment of the downstream sector for 2023, Ilo stated that the petroleum marketing business was in an undulating period like any other business.

He explained that the stakeholders were actually catching up with new policies, pointing out that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had just started and everybody was adjusting to it.

He said the industry was vibrant and that things were going to happen differently.

Adding that government was doing its best to reposition the sector, the oil marketer stated that they were going to plug into the beauty of what government's initiatives, forecasting that the industry would be more super in 2024.

"There is going to be a level playing ground for everybody and competition will be strengthened and the best is for the customers.

We are here for customers. I would like to see an increase in the pump price. It can increase.

It can decrease because it has to leverage on international market price", Ilo stated.

Speaking on the new retail outlet strategically built by Petrocam to serve teeming commuters on one of Nigeria's busiest expressways, as well as residents of the community, Ilo said the multi-mega station has the facilities needed to serve many customers at a time.

With 18 pumps in the outlet, he said each terminal dispensing pumps could fill two cars at a time, adding that products ranging from petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG and lubricants were available at the station.

full stop. It offered an extensive definition of the term "blessing" in Scripture to insist that people seeking a transcendent relationship with God and looking for his love and mercy should not be subject to "an exhaustive moral analysis" as a precondition for receiving it.

"Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God," the document said.

"The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live.

"It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered," he added.

The Vatican holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman. As a result, it has long opposed same-sex marriage.

And in 2021, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said flat-out that the church couldn't bless the unions of two men or two women because "God cannot bless sin."

That document created an outcry, one it appeared even Francis was blindsided by even though he had technically approved its publication.

Soon after it was published, he removed the official responsible for it and set about laying the

groundwork for a reversal.

In the new document, the Vatican said the church must shy away from "doctrinal or disciplinary schemes, especially when they lead to a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism whereby instead of evangelising, one analyses and classifies others, and instead of opening the door to grace, one exhausts his or her energies in inspecting and verifying."

It stressed that people in "irregular" unions — gay or straight — are in a state of sin. But it said that if shouldn't deprive them of God's love or mercy.

"Thus, when people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it," the document said.

The Rev. James Martin, who advocates for greater welcome for LGBTQ+ Catholics, praised the new document as a "huge step forward" and a "dramatic shift" from the Vatican's 2021 policy, according to the report.

The new document "recognises the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God's presence and help in their committed relationships," he said in an email.

"Along with many Catholic priests, I will now be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex marriages," he said.

Adamawa Guber: APC's Binani Loses Appeal against Fintiri's Election Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Monday, dismissed the appeal filed by Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the election of People's Democratic Party (PDP's), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, as governor of Adamawa State.

The appellate court in a unanimous judgment dismissed the appeal for being incompetent and lacking in merit and subsequently affirmed the declaration of Fintiri as winner of the March 18 governorship election in Adamawa State.

According to the lead judgment prepared by Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awoture, the appellant did not prove their petition as required by law at the tribunal and the lower tribunal was right in dismissing the said petition.

It was the findings of the appellate court that the appellant's brief was incompetent, having

being filed prematurely.

The appellate court also held that the record of appeal used in challenging the judgment of the tribunal was incomplete thereby making the appeal incompetent, adding that the appellant abandoned the petition at the lower tribunal and presented inconclusive evidence to prove allegations of non-compliance.

While faulting the appellant for dumping documents before the court, the appellate court held that the witnesses called by the petitioners/ appellants were not only inappropriate but not relevant.

The appellate court subsequently upheld the judgment of the tribunal affirming the election of Fintiri as governor of Adamawa State.

It slammed a cost of N500k against the appellant in favour of the 2nd and 3rd respondents.

The Adamawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had in a judgment delivered by Justice T. O. Uloho, dismissed the petition of

Binani and the APC on the grounds that it, "woefully failed to establish their allegations of non- compliance with the electoral act and prove their case with cogent, credible and satisfactory evidence.”

INEC Returning Officer, Muhammed Mele, had declared Fintiri of the PDP winner of the governorship poll, after polling, 430,861 votes to defeat his major counterpart Aisha Binani of the All Progressives Congress who polled 398,788.

The tribunal further held that the court is an adjudicator and not an investigator, saying that all the petitioners’ witnesses came with documentary hearsay and failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.

Dissatisfied, Binani and the APC had approached the appellate court to set aside the judgment of the tribunal and declare them as authentic winner of the Adamawa State governorship election.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

13

14

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

15

16

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

17

18

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

19

20

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

21

22

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

23

T H I S D AY TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 24 TR

UT H

& RE A S O

Tuesday December 19, 2023 Vol 27. No 10476

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

THE BENDE DECLARATION: A NEW APPROACH TO PEACE IN THE SOUTH EAST

The Peace in the South East Project is out to redress society from bottom up, and direct community towards more ethically correct purposes, writes DELE OLOWU

See page 25

HATS OFF TO LEEMON Lee Engineering group is standing tall and counted through courage, hard work and faith of founder Leemon Ikpea, writes SUNNY IKHIOYA

See page 25 EDITORIAL

STILL ON DEATH ROW INMATES

26

1

Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Waziri of Ilorin, is the most daring, disciplined and dedicated Senate President, writes YUSUPH OLANIYONU

THE SENATE’S ‘MOST DEPENDABLE, DISTINCTIVE’ PRESIDING OFFICER

The phrase with the inverted comma in the headline was borrowed from the statement issued by former US President, George W. Bush, in his statement on the death of former US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser, Prof. Henry Kissinger, at the age of 100 late last month.

The phrase aptly describes the rating of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki who turned 61 today in the history of Nigeria’s Senate. In the four action-filled years that Saraki spent as the President of the Eighth Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he appears to have set such a high standard that his predecessors and successors are judged by the achievements that his leadership recorded between 2015 and 2019.

The period of the 8th Senate continues to evoke mixed feelings among two groups of Nigerians. The first is the Buharists who still feel aggrieved that Saraki prevented their group from exercising limitless, absolute, and uninhibited control. For this group, Saraki is loathed, undesirable, and intolerable.

The second group are the ordinary Nigerians who yearn for a true democracy with the presidential system being practiced in its truest form. This latter group sees Saraki as a symbol of the real separation of powers as canvassed by Baron de Montesquieu in his book, Espirit de Lois (The Spirit of Laws), with the three branches - legislature, executive, and judiciary functioning as independent, but cooperating, arms of government whose individual focus is to better serve the electorate and the generality of the people.

Saraki knew that in the manner he emerged as Senate President, he had no option but to pitch his tent with the latter group. It was clear to him that the establishment would continue to assail him and plot his fall from the top legislative chair. It was also clear to him that what could retain him in the seat was his close relationship with his colleagues with whom he could drive a legislative agenda that would serve the interests of the people. He was determined to convince the people that the legislature was the most representative of the people among the three arms of government.

As Senate President, Saraki, in his trademark style of leaving any place he got to better than he met it, was convinced that the people were unnecessarily too distanced or detached from the legislature. He theorized that this gap must have been created because, among all the three arms of government, the legislature is the one with the least number of years of existence in our polity.

With every military intervention in the nation’s political leadership, the legislature was suspended while the military governed with just the executive and judiciary arms of government. Thus, the legislature is often misunderstood. The people seem to have grown not only far from the institution, but they have become accustomed to being

suspicious of all moves made by the lawmaking body and its members.

Saraki’s strategy then was to introduce innovative ideas, interventions, and positive exchanges which constantly created avenues for engagement with the people. The 8th Senate in its Legislative Agenda chose to focus on three broad areas: Improving Livelihood, Improving Governance, and, Improving Business. Thus, the 8th Senate became the first to hold public hearings on the passage of the budget and held Roundtable dialogues on pressing national issues like security, drug abuse, illegal migration, and education reforms. These engagements were held outside the legislative complex. For example, the one on drug abuse was held in Kano while that on the issue of illegal migration was held in Benin, as well as that on security which was held at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja.

In the same way, the Senate under Saraki held meetings with stakeholders on education, youth unemployment, and health.

Also, the Senate repositioned and restructured its committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions such that it became a veritable mediator between members of the public whose rights were breached by government ministries, departments, and agencies as well as other private sector establishments. Most of the affected individuals who resorted to the Senate committee could not afford the cost and time needed for litigation in courts.

The 8th Senate made sure its committee on the public petition was in a position to help such people seek redress and get justice. Till today, the 8th Senate under Saraki treated, investigated, and completed work on the highest number of petitions ever in the history of the Nigerian Senate.

The 8th Senate also had passed landmark bills some of which were direct responses to the yearning of the people. Two instances that demonstrated how the Senate responded promptly with appropriate legislation to address issues plaguing the people were the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Act and Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Act. These

two laws were a direct response to immediate situations that reflected ugly trends in society. Also, the passage of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Act which was aimed at rebuilding, reconstructing, and rehabilitating the insurgency-ravaged zone of the country as the war waged on the people and their environment by the Boko Haram was creating refugees or displaced people in its wake.

To further strengthen the security system in the country, the 8th Senate initiated the Police Trust Fund Act which was to help fund the activities of the police and equip the personnel. Also, the Police Reforms Bill was introduced to remove impediments in the way of creating modern policing system in the country.

The Senate also tackled corruption through the passage of Bills like the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency Act to separate the former NFIU from the EFCC in compliance with international best practices, the Federal Audit Services Commission Act, the Whistleblowers Protection Bill, and the Witness Protection Programmes Bill.

Specific Bills were also passed to help the recovery of the national economy. The same rejuvenation was done to the constitution which witnessed the lowering of age qualification for key public offices. That new provision was nicknamed the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ law. It was a law that excited the youth who now constitute a critical segment of the populace. Another constitutional amendment introduced by the 8th Senate granted Financial Autonomy to State Houses of Assembly and local government councils.

The Buhari presidency refused to give assent to many of the bills. To the government, depriving their so-called ‘enemy’ of the credits for bringing about these lofty initiatives outweighed the benefits that the country could have gained from these laws.

Yet, Saraki was able to rally his colleagues to work hard and get Nigerians to see the potential of having a strong legislative institution. The 8th Senate was one in which transparency, accountability, and openness were consciously promoted by the leadership.

The details of the budget of the National Assembly became public during that era.

Plenary proceedings were streamed live for the public. Key major confirmation hearings for nominees of the executive were aired live on television.

It is for these and many reasons that the performance of Senate Presidents who came after Saraki has been measured with and against that of the 2015-2019 era. Also, that is why Saraki’s name featured in the run-up to the election of the two senate presidents after him.

Olaniyonu is head of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office, Abuja.

T H I S D AY

3 25

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023

The Peace in the South East Project is out to redress society from bottom up, and direct community towards more ethically correct purposes, writes DELE OLOWU

Lee Engineering group is standing tall and counted through courage, hard work and faith of founder Leemon Ikpea, writes SUNNY IKHIOYA

THE BENDE DECLARATION: A NEW APPROACH TO PEACE IN THE SOUTH EAST

HATS OFF TO LEEMON

Those who have enough sense of history will be confused by the new narrative which holds out the south east region of Nigeria as the epicenter of criminal conduct and insurrection in our nation. .

Not so long ago, Onitsha was the hub of commerce for the entire West African subregion; Aba was a parable for the creative manufacturing spirit, while the East as a whole served as a spring board for popular iconic music and musicians, in a way that anticipated Nigeria’s current overlordship in world music. The east alone, or indeed, Onitsha alone produced such icons as Rex Lawson, Celestine Ukwu, King Sunny Brown, G. T. Onwuka, David Bull and Frank Shine.

These bands feasted on the technical opportunities provided by Nigerphone , Tabansi Records and Rochas Studios. Aba on its own offered the famous Atomic 8, a leading national contender in the highlife music stakes. The insecurity trend is a new challenge and well- meaning citizens of the jurisdiction will reject it as a crown of thorns! Policymakers and patriots will on their part be anxious to inaugurate a new dawn. Now outside the remit of jurisprudence, there has been a growing consensus that the Kanu matter and the insecurity it has stamped on the South East can be resolved politically. A new peace initiative is in the offing and is expected to bring in new levels of harmony. The civic engagements of the PISE-P. Peace in the South East Project, also called the Bende Declaration is an earnest thrust to redress society from bottom up, energize people with honest offerings and direct community towards more ethically correct purposes. The project enjoys the full support of a cross section of our top political players including Hon Dr. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. The project enjoys the endorsement of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Dr Kalu has led a delegation to the National Security Adviser. The project which also focuses on infrastructural renewal has received endorsement from the National Security Adviser and a chunk of our political elites. Historically south eastern Nigeria was considered the safest geopolitical zone in Nigeria. The five component states - Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo had recorded the least amount of violent attacks in comparison to other parts of the country. In a 2019 security report, Nigeria Mourn reported that the South East recorded the least number of reported killings with 94 deaths , while the South West recorded 157 deaths ,followed

by South South with 341 deaths . North Central recorded 469 deaths , the North East had 1009 while North West led the pack with 1,118 deaths.

Security has degenerated in the south east owing to a conflation of factors. Some of it is due to customary disgruntlements found among the urban mass in the African continent; some derive from settler herders conflict; some flow from political opportunism while others have been shaped by the response to the detention and trial of Nnamdi Kanu. The launch of the Eastern Security Network by IPOB has stirred the pot somewhat. Whereas IPOB maintains that the ESN purports to provide security against violators of their property rights, Government has remained in disbelief and this gulf in understanding has been responsible for a significant part of the unrest in the South East today. Nnamdi Kanu has been the arrow head of this turmoil. There is enough blame to be served up, amongst the contending parties; decaying infrastructure, narrowing unemployment opportunities, heavy handed militarism, relatively ignorant youths and insincerity on all sides. Kanu was arrested in Lagos and detained for more than a year, despite various court orders calling for his release. On April 2017, Kanu was released on bail for health reasons. He jumped bail and fled abroad and in his absence IPOB was declared a terrorist group. The separatist clamor reached a crescendo at

this time. The Orlu area in Imo State became more insurrectionist placing more violent challenges on governments in the jurisdiction. In June 2021, Kanu was arrested by Interpol in Kenya. But the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja termed the rendition illegal and dropped all terrorism charges against Kanu by the federal government. He was discharged and his abduction was declared unlawful. The Kanu case has in its aftermath produced a big bag of mixed emotions. The appeal to the Supreme Court by the federal government, some say has heightened tensions. Nnamdi Kanu consists a greater danger inside detention than outside. Detention, retains for Kanu, the prospect of martyrdom. It also continues to allow suggestions of persecution to fester and for opportunistic challengers of federal authority to make hay. Jobless, and with limited vision, these cause-mongers jump on the agitation bandwagon and muddle up the political space. However many of them are genuine lovers of peace and country. These are among the throng who looked with hope and expectation to the verdict from the Supreme Court on Nnamdi Kanu. Former Governor of Anambra, now late , Chukwuemeka Ezeife was one of them.

Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife , had thrown himself into several struggles , all of them with similar ideological intensity. He was one of the nation’s outstanding June 12th combatants and it is not always difficult to determine ethical correctness from the position he adopts. He surprised none when recently he made a loud demand calling on the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu , leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Now , by some touching irony , Ezeife himself joined the Saints on December 15 , the same day upon which the Supreme Court ruled that the detained leader of IPOB , Nnamdi Kanu must face trial for the criminal allegations made against him by the federal government. This was a shock as many had expected that the Supreme Court would uphold the verdict of the Court of Appeal which in October 2022, had ordered the release of Kanu and also quashed the terrorism charges against him. The Supreme Court for its part ruled that although the federal government had been reckless and had unlawfully renditioned Kanu from Kenya, such an unlawful act could not absolve Kanu from being tried for his own subsisting violations. The Supreme Court further stated that Kanu’s remedies could only be the result of a civil litigation and that he would require to face his own criminal charges. This new peace project targeted at the South East zone is intended to rid the demography of the clamor which has over the years threatened to asphyxiate its economic and social life. The traditional structures of state have tried and failed; some of them have tried and have themselves become part of the problem. New voices require to be heard. It is important that they have begun to make the right noises. Our country is hungry for new perspectives and for people who would be ready to break the mould. We may have reached that moment when men and women of service, taking the leap of faith will enable us arrive at a new dawn.

The south eastern zone must be assisted to enable it reclaim the glory years.

Olowu is a Veteran Journalist

Chief Leemon Ikpea and his Lee Engineering Group are well known in the Nigerian business circle, especially in the oil and gas sector.

Most are familiar with his thatch house to Castle story, but what many do not know, are the innate qualities that have enabled him to survive the shark infested Nigerian business environment, all these years. For those who know, doing business in Nigeria is not a piece of cake, the obstacles on the way are enough to discourage any lily-livered entrepreneur but not Leemon. Getting to the top is not the issue, but consistently remaining there is a big deal, not only in Nigeria but all over the world. It is not luck or inheritance thing, it is only attained when preparation meets opportunities and consistently remaining so.

Recently, the company, Lee Engineering and construction company limited celebrated 32 years in existence and this is what Leemon has to say on the occasion; "For us, integrity is not a concept. It is who we are. With integrity, every business partner, client, supplier, or vendor looks for you because they trust you.

Who will do business with you if you are not trusted? Integrity is our watchword". Indeed, it is the bedrock, foundation and basis upon which Leemon Ikpea and all of his businesses stand on. That is why most of us who know him and have been following his trajectory were not surprised when he received a letter of commendation from the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The letter, as published by major national newspapers reads; "The Senate Committee on gas writes to commend you on your activities in the oil and gas sectors in Nigeria. The Committees investigation revealed that you have invested hugely in the oil and gas industry...We found no infraction associated with your company. The committee commends you for your patriotism and pledge to support you in adding value and creating wealth for the nation." it is hoped that the Senate and indeed the federal government will follow up on this pledge, because patriots like Leemon Ikpea needs such backings to lead this country to a producing nation. Where did the whole thing start from?

First, we must go back to the beginning of his working life. At just 17 years of age, he had two job options; one at the popular Nigerian Ports Authority, which used to be the reigning company in Warri at that time, with a better pay option. Matched this against a small private establishment that was offering him lesser pay. With this dilemma he went to his father to seek for advice. His father advised him to take the lesser pay option. The rest, as they say, is history. The lesson there: it is not all that glitters is gold. For a beginner, the money or what you get should not be the primary focus, first concentrate on adding value and other things will come. Secondly, when he started work, his bosses in their own wisdom, chose to entrust him with a lot of cash. He was neither the accountant nor the treasurer, but his bosses seem to have faith in him. To their satisfaction, Leemon will always return the monies in cash, exactly the way it has been entrusted to him.

That also, opened the window of trust for him from his bosses and subsequently throughout his paid working career, Leemon will never have cause to apply for job again in his life. As one boss was leaving, he is handed over to another, with better pay and career prospects until he finally decided to establish his own firm. So many colleagues at his place of work tried unsuccessfully to make him stay behind but his mind was made up. This is

where courage and faith come in; he was courageous to dare and had faith in his ability to deliver. So behind that cool mien is a strong will to dare. Now, notice the trajectory again; at every crucial point in his life career, he had always known when to make the necessary transition. He realised that he has not done this alone, he has recognised the contributions of his brothers, key staff and other family members to the progress of his company. That is why, instead of being mere employees, some of them have become official shareholders and partners of the company. A very selfless gesture that is not common in our business climes of today. I quote him here again, in his 32nd anniversary speech; "We run an honest business, with a dedicated staff who have ensured that the company keeps going.

I have used my exemplary life of honesty, hard work, integrity and transparency to demonstrate to them how invaluable those values are. They share the dreams and run with it." We will continue to tell his story, not to sound his trumpet but as lessons for upcoming entrepreneurs desirous of getting to the top, that integrity truly pays. We have also dwelt on resilience and persistence as part of his success story. Let us hear him

again; "In all these years which have passed, we have seen it all; successes, failures, highs and lows, celebrations and crises, everything. One thing which we never did was to give up."

He has never given up and is already working on a three decade-30years plan that will see succession actualisation in his company, with the ultimate goal of placing the company in the capital market, by public listing of its shares in the stock market.

According to him, the new board is currently developing and focusing on strategic plans that would help the Lee Engineering Group businesses to grow, which will also involve the introduction of innovations and new technologies in running the business. That is how he is setting up his company for the future, that will guarantee sustainability for generations to come.

Chief Leemon Ikpea is a man of faith, it is his belief that behind the series of successes he has achieved in life, is the unseen hands of the heavenly Father. "My unwavering faith in God and belief in core human values of trust, integrity and team work, as well as commitment towards the company are the factors that have brought us this far", he said.

Today, we are celebrating Leemon Ikpea for his contribution to the growth of Nigeria's indigenous technology and for humanity in general. As he celebrates his birthday, we wish him the best of the wishes, that he has craved for himself, business and family.

Sunny Ikhioya www.southsouthecho.com

26 4

T H I S D AY

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

W

STILL ON DEATH ROW INMATES Governors should either commute judicial sentences or order speedy executions

prolonged solitude is not only detrimental for the ith no fewer than 4,000 death psychology of death row inmates but also negates row inmates in various the international treaties, declarations and other custodial and correctional documents to which Nigeria is a signatory. institutions across the country, It is an inherent violation on their rights and the use of capital punishment dignity to keep people interminably on death row, as the ultimate deterrence for especially for cases that have been concluded by crimes is replete with unresolved moral questions. the Supreme Court. Some of these condemned Those who insist on its efficacy argue that the fear persons have spent years waiting to die in the of death is man’s highest nightmare and that those hands of the law. They live in uncertainty on a daywho know that their crimes will attract the death to-day basis. Excuses for the delay in executing the sentence would think twice before killing another death sentences range from shortage of hang men person. Those with contrary viewpoint insist that to the lack of will on the part of state governors hardened criminals will not be deterred by the who have the ultimate power to confirm, commute fear of death because of their criminal acts. The or ameliorate the death sentences. knowledge that the consequence of their homicidal The growing population of those whom the crime is predetermined state says must die is death could in fact make an indictment of our such criminals more mechanism for wielding It is an inherent violation on their rights and dignity to keep people brutal. the ultimate power of life This latter argument interminably on death row, especially for cases that have been and death which is the goes further to indicate highest moral definition that the state, by concluded by the Supreme Court of sovereign power. Our resorting to capital state governors must see punishment, risks this situation as a serious being guilty of the challenge requiring same killing for which T H I S D AY urgent but delicate exercise and action. The options it is punishing those condemned to death for EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU are within reach. Depending on the gravity of the crimes involving the loss of lives. If the state kills DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE offence, governors should consider exercising MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO the condemned murderer, the argument goes, it the prerogative of mercy to commute some death DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU reduces the population by two instead of one.

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI sentences to life or order speedy execution of those Moreover, the state ought to exercise greater moral EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN who must die. restraint by presenting a more humane, forgiving THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE In the latter instance, state authorities should and corrective disposition even towards those who explore different options to alleviate reliance on kill others. Therefore, the moral conundrum of the the ancient and gruesome recourse to hangmen capital punishment argument encumbers the state using mechanical guillotines. Governors should with a huge burden. Should the state kill those who not be shy to go to their respective state houses T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D kill or spare them to exemplify a higher morality?

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA of assembly to seek approval for other modes of This debate continues to rage among sociologists, GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, authorised but dignified execution of qualified moral philosophers and jurisprudence experts ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI death row inmates. Some of these options should without the prospect of an easy resolution. In DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, include firing squads, lethal injections, the electric the interim, Nigeria has an urgent crisis in its ANTHONY OGEDENGBE chair or poison pills.

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI burgeoning numbers of inmates on death row. At There is of course no pleasant way to take human SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH the Kirikiri maximum security custodial Centre ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI life by sovereign authority. But of all the powers in Lagos alone, 353 inmates are on death row CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI conferred on leaders, that over life or death is the for crimes ranging from murder, armed robbery DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO most sacrosanct and sobering. to treason. Whatever may be the justifications, TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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

LETTERS ENDING THE RIVERS STATE CRISIS The political tempest in Rivers State, Nigeria, has been churning for weeks, leaving a trail of accusations, controversies, and unanswered questions. At the heart of it lies Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his relationship with his predecessor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

The narrative often casts Fubara as the ungrateful successor, his alleged betrayal fueling the escalating crisis. But is this a simplistic framing of the situation, or a tip of a much deeper and complex political iceberg? The flames of discord in Rivers State were fanned when shortly after taking office, Fubara reportedly distanced himself from Wike’s legacy and governance style. Allegations of deliberate disregard for Wike’s projects and policies swirled, adding fuel to the fire of simmering resentment from Wike’s loyalists. This perceived ingratitude sparked accusations of Fubara undermining Wike’s support base and threatening his political influence.

While complexities abound in the ongoing umbrage in Rivers State, a closer look at the actions of the Governor shortly after assuming office, reveals a disturbing pattern of choices that appear to prioritize personal ambition over the stability and well-being of the state.

First, the haste with which the Governor moved to bite the fingers that fed him by dismantling Wike's legacies, stands as a potent

symbol of discord. Just a few months after assuming office, projects initiated by Nyesom Wike, the man who paved the way for Fubara's ascension, were reportedly neglected or abandoned. This perceived disrespect not only sowed seeds of bitterness within Wike's loyalists but also raised questions about Fubara's commitment to the development projects that brought him to power.

Furthermore, Fubara’s political maneuvers clearly demonstrated by his shifting in allegiance within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) further muddied the waters. His reported distancing from Wike's camp and alleged courting of rival factions within the party created an atmosphere of distrust and instability. This shift in allegiance, suggests a prioritization of personal power consolidation over party unity and collective progress for Rivers State.

Another issue in point is the communication chasm on the part of the Governor in the face of the ongoing crisis. Governor Fubara's communication strategy appears shrouded in opacity with the lack of clear explanations for his decisions and alleged policy departures from Wike's administration. This communication gap has fostered an environment ripe for misinformation and manipulation, further exacerbating the already tense situation.

At the heart of the crisis also is a trail of broken promises and

lost trust, which has promoted a sense of betrayal among Wike's supporters. The natural feeling in Wike’s camp is that the man they helped elect has turned his back on their champion and the promises made on his behalf. This erosion of trust is a heavy burden for any government to bear, and it has significantly hampered the ability to govern effectively.

The rivers crisis demands nuanced understanding and a commitment to constructive solutions. While Governor Fubara's actions undeniably contribute to the ongoing crisis, attributing sole responsibility to him would be simplistic. The path forward necessitates a shift from finger-pointing to genuine reconciliation and constructive dialogue.

Leaders within the PDP, including Fubara and Wike, must engage in sincere dialogue and seek mediation to understand each other's perspectives and work towards a common ground. Governor Fubara must address the concerns of Wike's supporters headon, by openly explaining his vision for the state and seeking common ground in a clear and transparent manner in order to rebuild trust.

Danladi Akilu, Kabusa Village, FCT, Abuja

27

T H I S D AY • TUESday DECEMBER 19, 2023

politics

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

Despite Inaccuracies in MDAs Budget Estimates, N’Assembly Moves to Pass 2024 Appropriation Bill

Sunday Aborisade reports that various Inaccuracies discovered in the budgets of ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government will not prevent the passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill before the end of the year by the National Assembly.

Tinubu

P

resident Bola Tinubu’s 2024 “Budget of Renewed Hope,” was laid before the joint session of the National Assembly on November 30, 2023 and the fiscal document was passed for Second Reading two days later and referred it to the Committee on Appropriation.

The amendments of the parliament rules to accomodate the first and second reading on same day was in response to the observed time constraint of barely one month to the end of year 2023.

The leadership of the apex legislative institution also sought the understanding of their members to uphold the task of sustaining the January to December Budget Circle.

Knowing fully well that the need to pass the Bill within record time had become imperative, the debate on the General Principles of the 2024 Appropriation Bill commenced in earnest in the two chambers.

In the Senate, the Majority Leader of the Chamber, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi (APC, Ekiti Central) led the debate which lasted two days before progressing to next legislative stage.

Speaking on the Bill, Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West) said the Upper Legislative Chamber has set up a template for the speedy consideration and passage of the 2024 Money Bill.

He added that the 10th National Assembly intended to make the budget impactful.

Adeola disclosed that his Committee had a preparatory meeting with the Senate Committees Chairmen on the consideration and expeditious passage of the Bill.

He noted that the Senate Committees along with their counterparts in the House of Representatives would have joint deliberations and engagements on Budget defence by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in order to reduce time wastage and hasten up the passage of the Bill.

On his part, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, explained that the National Assembly would pass the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N27.5tn on Tuesday, December 19, before the lawmakers would embark on their Christmas and New Year break.

The federal lawmakers during the debate on the general principles of the fiscal document, applauded President Tinubu for his good intentions for the country, but some lamented the failure of the executive to provide the details of the budget.

Attempts by Senator Sumaila Kawu to stop the debate on the budget proposal was ruled out by the presiding officer.

Kawu had come under a point of order to draw the attention of his colleagues to the fact that they would not be able to contribute meaningfully because details of the money bill were not made available to the lawmakers.

Akpabio The decision of the presiding officer to rule Kawu out of order, fuelled speculations that President Tinubu laid an empty box before the parliament.

House of Representatives debunks Claim Spokesperson for the House, Hon Akin Rotimi (APC, Ekiti) insisted that the President presented the hard copies of the budget, contrary to the claim made by Yusuf Galambi, a member of the lower chamber.

Rotimi said, “Of course, what else would be inside? Do you think the president would bring empty papers?

How do people make grievous allegations?

“So this is a calculated attempt to discredit the system and to make people lose confidence in the system.

It is considered a serious thing,” the legislator said.

The red chamber began the budget consideration, a day after the president’s presentation.

The breakdown was however, not available for deliberation.

The development was, however, a deviation from the previous budget considerations in the parliament.

Senator Sumaila Kawu, shortly before the debate said, “We are representing interests here. Where are the budget details? We need to have the bill. We don’t have any idea on the sectoral allocations and what our constituents will be getting. It is very strange in the parliament.”

Also, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo said lawmakers’ contributions on the budget would be limited because there were no details of the proposals except what the president presented penultimate Wednesday.

Abass Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe, who also cautioned against rushing the budget consideration, said the two supplementary budgets earlier passed by the parliament were not thoroughly scrutinised due to inadequate time.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, however, faulted the submissions of his colleagues, saying the Senate had all it needed to proceed with the budget consideration.

According to him: “During second reading, it is only the merits and demerits of a bill that are debated, not the details.

“The president had talked about the merits and demerits of the 2024 Appropriations bill and what we have before us is the entire speech made by the president yesterday (Wednesday).

“By virtue of our rule 79, we have all it takes to conduct the second reading of the bill.”

Other senators during their contributions to the debate, praised Tinubu for the budget proposals, but sought the allocation of capital projects to their constituencies, which they claimed were neglected by the federal government.

“Convert palliatives to capital projects and we will sort ourselves out. Humanitarian and palliatives be converted to roads construction,” said Senator Garba Maidoki.

The conclusion of the general principles debate and eventual passage of the bill for second reading, opened the floodgate for massive budget defence by the various committees who attended to heads of the MDAs that appeared before them.

Both chambers however adopted a joint defence approach to shorten the time for such engagement.

First to appear for budget defence session, was the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who last Monday, lamented that his Ministry only got releases for capital expenditure in the 2023 budget on the 1st of December 2023, less than 30 days to the end of the fiscal year.

Making similar lamentation of inadequate

The red chamber began the budget consideration, a day after the president’s presentation. The breakdown was however, not available for deliberation. The development was, however, a deviation from the previous budget considerations in the parliament. Senator Sumaila Kawu, shortly before the debate said, “We are representing interests here. Where are the budget details? We need to have the bill. We don’t have any idea on the sectoral allocations and what our constituents will be getting.

It is very strange in the parliament.”

funding during budget defence session last week, was the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Haliru Nababa, who told the National Assembly Committee on Interior that monies spent on dogs, are more than those spent on inmates.

He told the committee chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North), that while an inmate is fed on N750 per day, dog is fed with N800 daily.

“The Nigeria Correctional Service has severally written the Minister of Interior requesting for the review of the amount we are using to feed the inmates from N750 per day, to N3,000 per day but still waiting for approval”, he lamented.

In a similar lamentation at another session, the Director General of Micheal Imodu National Institute for Labour Studies, Comrade Issa Aremu, told the labour committee that the N1.4 billion projected for the Institute for the 2024 fiscal year, was inadequate.

He said, “This budget is very small, and it’s consistent with what the ministers have said. N2.6 billion was our proposal, but this is what they are giving us, N1.4 billion.

“It’s surprising that the parent ministry itself has a budget of N10 billion, out of a national budget of N27.5 trillion. How can the ministry perform?

“The only way we can assist the President (Bola Tinubu) in its job creation agenda, is for us to be properly funded.”

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, also appeared before the appropriations committee.

He specifically lamented the high rate of illegal connections on oil pipelines in the country by illegal refiners, which according to him, has affected the functionality of the over 5,000 kilometres oil pipelines across the country.

He said: “As it is today, about 4,800 illegal connections are made on the over 5,000 oil pipelines across the country.

“The illegal connections on oil pipelines in the Niger Delta is so rampant that within 100 kilometres of the affected pipelines, 300 insertions are made on them, which eventually made the pipe to be weak to the point of not being able to hold pressure of oil pumped, let alone, delivering it to targeted destination.

“Additionally, it is abnormal to engage non – state actors to protect critical assets like oil pipeline. We have however responded abnormally and getting results, because unlike as it was in July 2022 when less than 1.2million barrels of oil were produced by day, it has been 15million barrels per day within the last two to three months”.

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

28

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

LAWYER TUeSday, december 19, 2023

A TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

weekly pullout

YEAR 2023 IN REVIEW

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

II

TueSday, december 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

In this edition

Condition Precedent to the Exercise of General Powers of the Court of Appeal Page IV

Quotables ‘All the forward contracts that the Government has entered into, will be honoured. The framework has been put into place, to make sure that legitimate obligations are met in due course’ -HE, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

‘The National Assembly should pass a law, so that I do not have to depend on the Chief Justice of Nigeria if I want to become a Judge. The law will state the criteria, to become a Judge.

You will see a change’ -Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association

lawyer

onikepo braithwaite: editor, jude igbanoI: deputy editor, peter taiwo, steve aya: reporters

III The advocate

T H I S D AY • TueSday, december 19, 2023

Nnamdi Kanu Revisited Let me start by thanking you my beloved readers, for your readership throughout the year. I wish you all a merry Christmas, and a happy and prosperous 2024 and beyond. Amen.

N

Background namdi Kanu was abducted in Kenya, and forcibly brought back to Nigeria in June 2021, without being lawfully extradited to face terrorism etc charges.

He and his co-Defendants had pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge, and Kanu was granted bail on April 25, 2017, before he jumped bail and ran for dear life in September, 2017. We saw that the system of ’extraordinary rendition’ which simply means abduction, that failed when Major General Buhari’s military regime attempted to abduct Alhaji Umaru Dikko from London and repatriate him to Nigeria in 1984, was finally perfected! In Udeozor v FRN 2007 15 N.W.L.R. Part 1058 Page 499 at 522 per Monica Dongban-Mensem, JCA (now PCA), the Court of Appeal held thus: “Extradition is the process of returning someone upon request, accused of a crime by a different legal authority for trial or punishment - Page 170 Dictionary Law by L.B. Curzon, 6th Edition 2002”.

In Kanu’s case, the process of extradition should have been followed, since Section 2(1) of the Extradition Act 1967 (EA) makes the process of extradition binding on all Commonwealth countries including Nigeria, Kenya and UK (Kanu is also a British citizen and was travelling on a British passport); the three countries are also members of INTERPOL (The International Criminal Police Organisation).

By law, the three Governments should have been involved in Kanu’s extradition process, but the British were unaware, while the Kenyans feigned ignorance of his arrest, claiming no involvement in it! And the truth is that, even when the world became aware of Kanu’s illegal arrest, the British and Kenyan Governments didn’t seem particularly concerned, nor did they seem to take umbrage at his extraordinary rendition!

The point must however, be made that, Nnamdi Kanu didn’t just wake up and decide to jump bail; he ran to save his life when the military descended on his country home, which resulted in some deaths.

Litigation Immediately upon his return, Kanu’s 2015 case at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division before Nyako J. (FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015) resumed, and in April 2022, the trial court retained seven counts of an Amended Charge against him. On appeal to the Court of Appeal (CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022), in the lead judgement delivered by Oludotun Adefope-Okojie, JCA, the charges retained by the trial court were terminated and struck out, the judgement of the trial court was set aside, and Kanu was discharged. This decision, was based upon the illegal way and manner in which Kanu ended up in Nigeria. Kanu was however, not acquitted, meaning that he had not been set free from the charges of his alleged offences by a verdict of the court. The case had not been heard on its merits. The matter was akin to being struck out. See the case of Chief of Air Staff & Ors v Iyen (2005) LPELR-3167 per Niki Tobi, JSC. A further appeal was filed to the Supreme Court, and last Friday, the Apex Court set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal, and ordered that Nnamdi Kanu’s trial at the Federal High Court be resumed.

Pertinent Questions and Answers Provided by the Supreme Court Judgement In my piece of 25/10/22 - “ Kanu: Untangling the Court Orders”, I had asked some pertinent questions that I believed would be answered by the Supreme Court, the first being whether the fact that Kanu was unlawfully/illegally repatriated to Nigeria, had any bearing on the court proceedings against him. It appeared that the Court of Appeal believed that it did, and somehow shared the same opinion as the trial Judge in the American case of Mr Lanre Shittu, who, with the connivance of the Nigerian and American Governments, instead of being properly extradited, and while extradition proceedings were ongoing in court, was forcibly taken to America to face money laundering charges in December 2000. The District Court in New York freed Mr Shittu, on the ground that it lacked jurisdiction to try him, because Nigeria and USA had violated their Extradition Treaty by using the method of extraordinary rendition to get him to America. Extraordinary Rendition is contrary to several Protocols and Conventions which Nigeria has ratified, like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment (also see Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution).

Even though the Supreme Court denounced the

onikepo braithwaite onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com onikepob@yahoo.com Twitter: @TheAdvocate

The

Advocate “While the right to self-determination is certainly a legitimate right…. when it escalates to violence, killing, maiming and disruption of normal daily activities of the people and the State by intimidation and outright force….. it goes beyond the clamour for selfdetermination to criminal offences like insurrection, terrorism, assault, murder…” way and manner that Kanu was brought back to Nigeria as illegal (it was the same way Mr Shittu was taken to USA), and counselled against using this type of unlawful means to repatriate people, going forward, the Apex Court didn’t go as far as the New York Court to decline jurisdiction, and the charges against Kanu were reinstated. The Apex Court held inter alia that: the extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu didn’t rob the Federal High Court of jurisdiction to entertain his trial, because under Nigerian law, illegally obtained evidence is admissible. In short, to answer the first question, unlike the USA, the Supreme Court more or less ruled that the illegal way in which Kanu was brought to Nigeria, didn’t have any bearing on the case. With all due respect, the position of the law in USA and that of the Court of Appeal seems more tenable, as it is hard to justify the building of legality (resumption of trial) upon an illegal act (extraordinary rendition).

I had also asked whether the Court of Appeal could have ruled that Kanu be returned to Kenya (as Mr Shittu was returned to Nigeria), so that proper extradition proceedings which he would be able to fight, would be lawfully instituted against him there. And, indeed, a Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia per Anyadike J., sometime in October 2022, had ordered that Kanu be returned to Kenya, adding that the Federal Government of Nigeria should pay N500million in damages to Kanu for the violation of his rights. Obviously, the Apex Court didn’t share the view of returning Kanu to Kenya, but held that there are civil remedies available to him for the violation of his rights, I suppose like the damages awarded

by Anyadike J. against the Government.

Conclusion Igbo Elders requested that there be a political solution/alternate dispute resolution, in Nnamdi Kanu’s matter. The jury is definitely still out, on that suggestion. While the right to selfdetermination is certainly a legitimate right recognised under international law (also see Sections 38(1), 39(1), 40 & 42(1)(a) of the Constitution), when it escalates to violence, killing, maiming and disruption of normal daily activities of the people and the State by intimidation and outright force (for example, the weekly Monday-sit-at-home order that has been unlawfully enforced by the proscribed IPOB for the past few years), it goes beyond the clamour for self-determination to criminal offences like insurrection, terrorism, assault, murder, to mention but a few. In the event that Nnamdi Kanu is granted bail, there must be conditions attached thereto, which include but are not limited to a public renouncement of the Monday-sit-at-home order and violence in the South East, and calling Finland based Simon Ekpa to order, which must be strictly adhered to, failing which his bail shall be revoked. Infact, Nigerians are wondering why the Government hasn’t extradited Mr Ekpa, to come and face his own terrorism etc charges here.

Dear Editor Re: The Military, Law and the Tudun Biri Tragedy Dear Editor, In response to your article “The Military, Law and the Tudun Biri Tragedy”, it is crucial to acknowledge the vital role of the military

in safeguarding national security. The tragedy at Tudun Biri, while deeply unfortunate, is a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in modern warfare. It is important to view such incidents within the broader scope of military operations worldwide, which often involve high-stake decisions made under extremely challenging circumstances. This incident should be understood as part of a larger pattern that reflects the inherent risks and challenges of military operations, not as an isolated failure.

Modern warfare is marked by its complexity and unpredictability, as evidenced by various international incidents. For example, the United States has faced significant challenges with drone strikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where efforts to target militants have sometimes led to civilian casualties. Similarly, the Saudi-led coalition’s airstrikes in Yemen, have tragically impacted civilians. These examples highlight the difficulty in distinguishing between combatants and civilians, particularly in conflict zones where militants are embedded within local populations.

The Russian military’s actions in Syria and the Israeli Defence Forces’ operations in Gaza further illustrate these complexities, demonstrating the global nature of this challenge.

The response of military organisations to such incidents, is critical. The public acknowledgment and apology following the Tudun Biri incident by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), reflects a commitment to transparency and accountability, mirroring international practices. For instance, NATO’s response to the accidental bombing in the Kosovo War involved similar acknowledgments.

These steps are significant in understanding and improving military operations. They demonstrate a willingness to learn from mistakes and enhance operational protocols to prevent future tragedies. This approach aligns with global military practices and is a crucial aspect of maintaining public trust, winning hearts and minds, as well as operational integrity.

Balancing the critique of military actions, is essential.

While accountability is crucial, it is equally important to maintain a perspective that appreciates the challenging conditions under which militaries operate. The Israeli Defence Forces’ operations in densely populated areas of Gaza and similar situations worldwide, highlight the inherent difficulties of urban warfare and engaging with non-State actors. These scenarios underscore the complexity of military decision-making, where distinguishing between military targets and civilian areas can be exceptionally challenging. Understanding these complexities, can foster a more nuanced and informed discussion about military operations and their implications.

The importance of proper training and resource management in military operations, cannot be overstated. The concerns raised in your article about training and equipment are valid, and resonate with challenges faced by militaries globally. Continuous improvement in training programmes and the efficient management of sophisticated equipment are essential, to enhance operational effectiveness and minimise the likelihood of errors. This need is reflected in the practices of AFN and other international military forces, where ongoing efforts are made to refine training and ensure personnel are well-equipped and prepared to handle complex and high-risk operations.

Finally, it is vital to recognise and respect the sacrifices made by military personnel. Operating often in highly stressful and dangerous conditions, these individuals risk their lives to protect national security and maintain stability. Their dedication and service are paramount to the nation’s security, and should be acknowledged and honoured. Similar sentiments of respect and recognition for military sacrifices can be found in various countries worldwide, highlighting the universal respect for the challenging role of military personnel.

In conclusion, the Tudun Biri tragedy is a poignant reminder of the challenges and risks inherent in military operations. It underscores the need for continuous improvement in aspects such as training, equipment management, and operational protocols. These efforts are critical in minimising civilian casualties, and enhancing the effectiveness of military operations.

The military’s role in ensuring national security and stability is indispensable, and their efforts, despite occasional setbacks, are a key component in maintaining peace and safety in the nation and beyond.

Rear Admiral KB Ati-John (Rtd), National Security & Maritime Operations Analyst Dear Admiral, Thank you for your insight, into the matters arising from the Tudun Biri Tragedy. We hope that beyond a public apology, the Military will do the needful by taking steps to prevent the occurrence of such an unfortunate incident, and in terms of compensating the people of Tudun Biri for their losses, so that they can start to rebuild their lives.

Nnamdi Kanu

Editor

IV law report

TueSday, december 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

Condition Precedent to the Exercise of General Powers of the Court of Appeal

Facts The Appellant and the 1st Respondent contested the primary election of the 2nd Respondent, for the nomination of its candidate to contest for the Udi/ Ezeagu Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections. At the time the 1st Respondent purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Form and participated in the primary election, he was holding office as a political appointee in the capacity of Chief of Staff to the Governor of Enugu State.

The 1st Respondent won the primary election with 99 votes, while the Appellant came second with 8 votes. The Appellant however, took the view that the 1st Respondent was still in office as a political appointee by virtue of his holding office as the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Enugu State, and did not resign his position before purchasing the Expression of Interest and Nomination Form as required by the 2nd Respondent’s Electoral Guideline. It was also her case that the 1st Respondent contravened the Electoral Act, 2022 which forbids a political appointee from voting or being voted for in the Convention or Congress of any political party, for the purpose of nomination of candidates for any election. The Appellant, thus, commenced an action at the Federal High Court wherein she raised questions for consideration, including the validity of the 1st Respondent’s participation in the primary election of the 2nd Respondent. She thereby, sought a declaration that the 1st Respondent’s participation at the 2nd Respondent’s primary election while still holding office as a political appointee, is in contravention of the PDP Electoral Guidelines and Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022. She also sought a declaration that having come second at the said primary election, she is the candidate of the 2nd Respondent for the general election. She also sought orders voiding the 1st Respondent’s nomination. and directing the 3rd Respondent to delist the 1st Respondent as the 2nd Respondent’s candidate for the general election.

In reaction, the Respondents filed their respective counter-affidavits in opposition to the Appellant’s Originating Summons, and Notices of Preliminary Objection challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court to entertain the suit.

After hearing counsel for the parties, the trial court delivered its judgement wherein it upheld the Preliminary Objection of the 1st Respondent, and held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter as the action was statute barred. The basis of the court’s decision was that the timeline for the purchase of the Expression of Interest Forms of the 2nd Respondent was between 17/3/22 and 14/4/22, while the 1st Respondent filed the action on 3/6/22 which was outside the 14 days provided by Section 285(9) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Dissatisfied, the Appellant lodged an appeal against the part of the decision of the trial court, that the suit is statute barred. At the Court of Appeal, the Appellant posited that the trial court had determined the substance of the issue of legality or otherwise of the 1st Respondent’s participation in the primaries. She thus, urged the Court of Appeal to exercise its general powers, to make consequential orders granting the reliefs sought in the Originating Summons.

The Court of Appeal, after hearing arguments of parties, reasoned that the Preliminary Objection was erroneously upheld, and the suit was not statute barred. The court consequently set aside the decision of the trial court that the Appellant’s suit is statute barred. However, the Court of Appeal disagreed with the Appellant, on her contention that the trial court had resolved the substantive issues in the Originating Summons. The appellate court refused to grant any of the reliefs sought in the Originating Summons, on the ground that it could not invoke Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act to resolve substantive issues and grant the reliefs, as the 180 days allowed by Section 285(10) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) for the trial court to resolve substantive issues had lapsed.

Aggrieved, the Appellant appealed to the Supreme Court, while the 1st and 2nd Respondent crossappealed. The parties submitted their respective issues before the Apex Court.

Honourable Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 17th day of March, 2023 Before Their Lordships John Inyang Okoro Uwani Musa Abba Aji Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju Adamu Jauro Tijjani Abubakar Justices, Supreme Court SC/CV/127/2023 Between MRS ADANMA ODE APPELLANT

And 1. F.S.A. UZOR 2. PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY 3. INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) RESPONDENTS (Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC) Issue for Determination in Main Appeal The Supreme Court, after reading the record and arguments of Counsel, crystallised the following sole issue for determination of the substantive appeal: Whether the Court of Appeal was right when it held that the trial court did not pronounce on or determine the substantive matter and therefore, refused to make any Consequential Order as urged by the Appellant.

Issue for Determination in the Cross-Appeal Whether the Court of Appeal was correct in holding that the cause of action in the suit crystallised on the 22nd of May, 2023, when the primary election was conducted.

Arguments Arguing the main appeal, Counsel for the Appellant submitted that the trial court fortuitously resolved and pronounced on the issues as to the applicability of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act in the circumstance of the suit before it and the invalidity of the 1st Respondent’s purchase of the 2nd Respondent’s nomination form whilst still

“A condition precedent to the exercise of the power under Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act, is that the lower court from which the appeal came, has or still has jurisdiction to deal with the matter"

holding office as a political appointee, when it held that the Supreme Court having not struck out Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 in the case of PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA & ANOR v NATIONAL ASSEMBLY & ORS in Suit No. SC/CV/504/2022, it means that said Section is still operative. The Respondents posited otherwise.

In respect of the Cross-Appeal, it was the contention of Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Respondent, as Cross-Appellants, that the findings of the Court of Appeal that the Appellant’s cause of action crystallised on 22nd May, 2022 when the primaries were conducted was tantamount to saying that the said cause of action, although arising from the 2nd Respondent’s purchase and submission of the form, was inchoate until the 2nd Respondent participated and won the primary elections on 22nd May, 2022.

He submitted that the cause of action arose on the date the 2nd Respondent purchased and submitted the Expression of Interest and Nomination Form.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale In its determination of the issue, the Supreme Court reiterated its admonition in most cases and particularly in election cases, that the trial court must, after determining the issue of jurisdiction, determine also the substantive issues brought before it, as it helps to oil the wheels of justice and reduces delays occasioned by appeals decided by the penultimate court being remitted for retrial on the merits. The court held that in this instance, although the trial court found that Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act is still operative, it never made a specific finding or determination of the rights of parties on that point, before it struck out the Appellant’s suit. Had it been

that the trial court made a definitive finding, it would ordinarily have been the duty of the court below, having found that the action is not statute barred, to utilise its powers under Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act to determine the substance of the issue in contention between the parties.

The court held further that even if Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act was to be invoked, the following conditions must exist: (1) The lower court or the trial court must have the legal power to adjudicate in the matter, before the appellate court can entertain it; (2) The real issue raised by the claim of the Appellant at the lower court or trial court, must be seen to be capable of being distilled from the grounds of appeal; (3) All the necessary materials must be available to the court for consideration; (4) The need for expeditious disposal of the case, must be apparent on the face of the materials presented; (5) The injustice or the hardship that will follow if the case is remitted to the court below, must be clearly manifest.

The Supreme Court also referred to WAKILI v CHAIRMAN APC NATIONAL PRIMARY ELECTORAL COMMITTEE, NIGER STATE (2019) LPELR-48475 (CA) where the Court of Appeal held that “A condition precedent to the exercise of the power under Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act, is that the lower court from which the appeal came, has or still has jurisdiction to deal with the matter.” In this case however, by the time the appeal was heard at the Court of Appeal, the Court of Appeal which was to step in the shoes of the trial court to do what the trial court ought to do but failed to do, pursuant to its powers under Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act, could do nothing simply because the trial court had lost its powers to act as the 180 days within which the trial court could determine the matter had lapsed. The suit was filed at the trial court on 3/6/22 and determined on 17/11/11 and by 19/1/23 when the judgement of the court below was delivered, the trial court had lost its jurisdiction. The Court of Appeal was thus, right to have struck out the suit. The Supreme Court held further that where the lower court lacks jurisdiction to entertain or continue to entertain the matter, the Court of Appeal is also without jurisdiction to hear and determine the merit of the matter, pursuant to its powers under Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act. Determining the Cross-appeal, the Apex Court held that a cause of action accrues when the cause of action becomes complete, so that an aggrieved party can begin and maintain an action. Relying on its decision in JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC v R. I. OMOGUI (2001) LPELR – 1638 (SC) 19-22 F-A, the court held that there may be more than one good and effective cause of action arising out of the same transaction, and the cause of action accrues on the happening of the latest of such facts.

The Court agreed with the finding of the Court of Appeal that, at the time the 1st Respondent purchased the form without first resigning his political appointment, no cause of action accrued in favour of the Appellant.

Their Lordships held that the Appellant had not suffered injury at that time, because the 1st Respondent, upon purchase of the form, may be disqualified by the party, withdraw his candidacy, or participate in another Congress.

Therefore, it would have been premature for the 1st Cross-Respondent to approach the court on that basis alone, as the narrow window provided for aspirants to ventilate their grievances by Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022 had not opened. The Court of Appeal was thus, right, that the cause of action arose on 22/05/2022 when the 1st Respondent participated in the primary election.

Appeal and Cross-Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Ken C. Ikonneh with B.I. Attamah and Nike Okejimi for the Appellant.

A.J. Offia, SAN with Ikechukwu Onuoma and Daniel Aloh for the 1st Respondent/ Cross- .lAppellant.

A. I. Ani, SAN with Eromosele Eharie for the 2nd Respondent/Cross-Appellant.

Alhassan A. Umar, SAN with Ibrahim S. Mohammed, M.A. Umar and N.N. Dankogi Iknonne for the 3rd Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

V cover

T H I S D AY • TueSday, december 19, 2023

2023 in Review

Another year has come to an end, and for THISDAY LAWYER, 2023 was a mixed-bag of the good, the not-so-good and the bad. For the Bar and the Bench, it was a redefining year, given the multifarious challenges that presented themselves, especially as it was an election year. In this last edition of the year, we present a holistic kaleidoscopic review of all the covers in all our editions of the year 2023, which made the headlines

T

January 3 he year opened with the first edition, an interview with the immediate past AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN headlined 'Those Waiting for Clean Politics, Will Wait Indefinitely' The office of State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, is one delicate job that only the best of Lawyers should hold. Olawale Fapohunda, SAN is a two-term Attorney-General of Ekiti State, a trail blazer who introduced many innovations to the Justice Sector of his State, left uncountable, progressive legacies which will hopefully endure, especially in one of his key intervention areas - capacity building in the Ministry of Justice - and be built upon by his successors-in-office.

In a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, the well respected and renowned Administration of Justice Sector Reform Activist, whose reputation goes beyond the shores of Nigeria, shared his vast experience in Justice Sector reforms, and his vision for a better regime of justice administration in Nigeria, including his altruistic quest for better conditions of service for judicial officers.

January 10 Our first female interview personality of the year was Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN ‘Who is the Practitioner, Without a Teacher?’

The coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is the very pinnacle for any Lawyer in Nigeria. But, Lawyers in the Ivory Tower, are made to walk the toughest road towards attaining this prestigious rank. Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, Professor of Public Law, Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, walked that rough road to SANship and was elevated to the rank in December 2022. In a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, she spoke about her passion, providing succour and free legal services to women, children and the underprivileged through her NGO Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), which recently turned 25 years old. She also discussed the worrisome issue of human trafficking, her concern about continued Police brutality which has continued to claim lives, and with her endless list of accomplishments, confessed that she feels fulfilled, both personally and professionally.

January 17 In preparation for the elections, we examined the crucial issues of insecurity

Insecurity and the 2023 Elections With just a few weeks to the 2023 general elections, the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC) in a statement by its National Commissioner on Voter education, Festus Okoye, expressed apprehension about the effect the insecurity in the various parts of the country, including the attacks on INEC Facilities, may have on the Commission’s preparations for the forthcoming elections.

Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Chairman of the Board of Electoral Institute (BEI), representing the Chairman of INEC at an election-security training program, also warned that the growing spate of insecurity in many parts of the country may lead to a cancellation or postponement of the 2023 general elections. Although, INEC’s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has reiterated the Commission’s determination to go ahead with the elections as scheduled, speculations are rife that the Commission may have no option in the face of heightened insecurity. Femi Falana, San, Dr Kayode Ajulo, Jide Ojo and Dr Emeka Ejikonye examined the issues and implications, should INEC have decided to postpone or cancel the elections. Luckily, it did not come to that!

January 24 In this edition, we reported on the unprecedented act of selfless philanthropy by the doyen of the legal profession, Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN when he built and donated an ultramodern court to the Ekiti State Judiciary. Olanipekun: Giving Back to the Judiciary and Legal Profession In an act of selfless philanthropy, one of Nigeria’s foremost legal titans, Chief Wole Olanipekun CFR, SAN built and donated to the Ekiti State Judiciary, an ultramodern High Court Complex in his hometown, Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, which was commissioned on Thursday, January 19, 2023.

Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi who were present at the epoch-making ceremony, reported.

January 31 Judges’ Salaries and Allowances: NBA’s Radical Proposal to RMAFC The issue of judicial remuneration has been a matter of concern for justice sector stakeholders, certainly since the return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999. There is a consensus that any discussion on justice sector reform, must necessarily include consideration of judicial salaries and allowances.

It is almost unbelievable, that judicial officers in Nigeria have been on the same salary scale for

about 15 years and counting. Compared to the other arms of government, the Judiciary appears to suffer some of the worst conditions of public service. Yet, successive governments since 1999, have glossed over the issue. To an objective observer, it would seem like a contradiction in terms for Nigeria and Nigerians to desire a world class judicial system, and yet, saddle a key enabler of that system with poor conditions of service. This was the position until recently, when President Muhammadu Buhari directed RMAFC (Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission) to commence the review of remuneration of judicial officers. In a 144 paged memorandum jointly signed

by Yakubu Maikyau, OON, SAN, President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, Alternate Chairman, NBA Working Committee on Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service, the NBA made a compelling case for an urgent radical review of Judicial Remuneration. The Memorandum proposed an ambitious 200% increase (a figure that has since the then been overtaken by events with inflation) in the basic salaries of all Judicial Officers. also noteworthy, is the total overhaul of what currently consists of judicial allowances.

Perhaps, the most radical proposal yet, is the recommendation of removing judicial office holders from the purview of RMAFC, and the establishment of a separate Panel to oversee matters concerning Judicial Salaries and allowances. There is no doubt that, this Report has set the framework for a vigorous debate on the issue. RMAFC has, by this memorandum, been presented with an agenda to engage justice sector stakeholders. Without prejudice to the desirability of a consultative process, it must be said that debates on this issue should be time bound. It is time to recognise the invaluable role of the Judiciary, in consolidating our democracy. Nigeria cannot, at this time of her existence, afford to carry the burden of a demoralised Judiciary. In acknowledgment of the importance of this issue, THISDAY LAWYER reproduced the Report in this edition.

February 7 For this edition, we visited Aare Afe Babalola, CON, SAN at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti for a comprehensive interview.

‘1999 Military Constitution: The Root Cause of Nigeria’s Problems’ The legal profession in Nigeria has had its

fair share of brilliant practitioners, who have left their footprints in the sands of time. But, it is not often that a true legal titan, emerges from a constellation of legal luminaries. Aare Afe Babalola, CON, SAN, has in the past six decades, distinguished himself as primus inter pares (first amongst equals), in many respects.

He has trained over 100 Lawyers, and mentored 23 Senior advocates of Nigeria and counting. In addition to these unrivalled achievements, he painstakingly built a world-class tertiary institution, the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) founded in 2010, which has been ranked as the Number 1 university in Nigeria out of 220, and Number 321 in the world. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi paid the revered legal colossus a courtesy visit at the sprawling and expansive campus of the University, which in the past few years has diversified into farming and food processing, and were indeed, astounded by the expansive facilities on the campus, including a 150-room hotel where Parents of Students and Guests can lodge. He told the THISDAY LAWYER team that these achievements do not come without enormous challenges, as he recounted the modest story of the establishment of the University and its Teaching Hospital, complete with state-of-the-art equipment and cutting edge medical technology, and a Law faculty with 21st century facilities. Aare also shared his views on other issues, including the retirement age of Supreme Court Justices, the jettisoning of the 1999 Constitution, the need for true federalism in Nigeria, and the state of the nation.

February 14 CROSSFIRE! Who has jurisdiction over deadline of Naira change?

Does the Supreme Court Have Original Jurisdiction Over Naira Deadline Case?

The epic battle over the retention or ban of old Naira currency notes in the 200, 500 and 1,000 denominations shifted to the Supreme Court a week before this edition, when the Attorneys-General of three States, Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara approached the Apex Court on the issue of the deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for them to cease to be legal tender, by virtue of the directive of the President for same. The Attorney-General of the Federation promptly joined the fray, by challenging the jurisdiction of the Apex Court to entertain the case. Although, the Supreme Court in a considered ruling, issued an interim order restraining the Federal Government either by itself or acting through the CBN, Commercial Banks and others from banning the use of the old Naira notes on February 10, 2023 pending cont'd on page VI

VI cover

2023 in Review cont'd from page V

the hearing and determination of the motion on notice adjourned February 15, Femi Falana, SAN, Sylvester Udemezue, Sam Kargbo, SAN and Inibehe Effiong in this Special Edition, share their different views on the exercise of the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in this matter.

February 21 The edition was on The Politics of Naira Redesign and Its Attendant Implications Nigeria has in the past, had reasons to change, redesign and re-denominate its currency; but, never, in the annals of the nation’s political history, has such an exercise brought so much hardship, confusion, apprehension, rancour and despondency, like was witnessed and experienced this time. Perceptible disobedience to the order of the Supreme Court, pitching States against the Federal Government, and gradually descending to the masses against the Federal Government, resulting in unimaginable angst, expressed in wanton destruction of properties of financial institutions, and even loss of lives. All this coming a few days to the nation’s general election, was predicted to undoubtedly have consequences on the polls. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, Chief J.B. Daudu, SAN, Chief Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN, Dr Monday Ubani, Dr Sam Amadi, Kede Aihie and Jide Ojo interrogated the complex issues surrounding the present political, executive cum judicial quagmire Nigeria found herself.

February 28 It was a down-to-earth interview with Human Rights Lawyer, ‘BVAS Wasn’t Properly Tried, Before the Presidential Election’ Nigerians went to the polls on February 25 for the seventh time in the Fourth Republic, to elect the next President and National Assembly Members, in what many have described as the most critical and controversial election that has held since 1999.

Given the various challenges that Nigerians were contending with prior to the election - particularly insecurity, fuel shortage, and Naira scarcity, some believed that the elections wouldn’t hold or would be postponed. But, despite all odds, the first leg of the elections held, albeit amidst some allegations of electoral malpractices and rigging, pockets of thuggery and violence. Professor Chidi Odinkalu in a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi discussed the electoral exercise, its integrity, the likely challenges the next President may face, and matters concerning our nation’s Judiciary.

March 7 CROSSFIRE! Is 25% of FCTVotes Required to Win a Presidential Election?

The nation went through a somewhat complex and controversial Presidential election on February 25, 2023, and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was issued his Certificate of Return. It has become the norm, that practically every election in Nigeria is contested in court. The 2023 Presidential election, is no different. Two of the other leading candidates in the contest, proceeded to court to commence the process of challenging Tinubu’s victory at the polls. The present debate amongst legal pundits, is whether a Presidential candidate must score at least 25% of all the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT), aside from the other two conditions precedent, to be declared winner of an election. INEC’s declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the Presidential election, clearly evinces the fact that the electoral body doesn’t believe that 25% of the votes cast in FCT must be secured to win. The Crossfire in this Special Edition, was on the interpretation of Section 134(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which makes provision for this issue. Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Femi Falana, SAN, Distinguished Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN; Dr Sam Amadi, Kingsley Idahosa and Osigwe Ahmed Momoh crossed fire, as they gave their various interpretations to the aforementioned constitutional provision, and their answers to this burning question.

March 14 The edition was an effort at setting an agenda for the new administration in the justice sector.

Justice Sector Reform: Expectations from the Incoming Administration The vast majority of Nigerians sent one clear message to politicians, through their votes in the February 2023 Presidential elections. They are displeased with the way Nigeria is heading. The fact that only 24 million Nigerians (out of an estimated 87 million registered voters) even bothered to vote, must for discerning observers, tell a story of a people burdened by a lack of faith in the ability of the political process to respond to their concerns. This displeasure cuts across all facets of Nigeria’s socio-economic and political lines. The economy and state of our nation’s security are twin concerns that have, among others, led to the daily exodus of our brightest and best. More serious, is the issue of rampaging terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, that has led to an alarming number of deaths of our citizens, in both rural and urban Nigeria. The Buhari administration promised improved security, economic growth and strong anti-corruption measures. To be

TueSday, december 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

fair, it would be uncharitable to insist that no progress has been made. There has undoubtedly, been progress.

The reality however, is that the quantum of progress made has simply not been able to meet up with the expectations of Nigerians. One of the sectors where this gap is so glaring, is in the area of administration of justice. Truth be told, such is the state of the justice sector today, that it will take a brave person to argue that Nigeria has made significant developments in this sector. Citizens’ cynicism about justice administration, trumps any political statement or government reports to the contrary. One of the authors of this piece has, since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999, consistently drawn the attention of successive governments, to the urgent need to focus on reforms of the justice system.

We have argued that the system inherited from years of military rule cannot, by any stretch of imagination, be fit for the purpose of a democracy. In very simple words, we argued that the justice system is the pillar on which a democracy system rests. It will be wishful thinking to imagine that aside from law and justice, goals of good governance, economic growth and security can be achieved, without an effective and efficient justice system. We said in several write-ups, that what is required, is a holistic and radical reform of all aspects of our justice system. It is depressing that in 2023, more than two decades after the first publication on this issue, we are still writing about the same issues. Again, there have been developments.

Progressive laws have been enacted, administrative measures have been undertaken, and there have been no dearth of policy statements and directives.

The problem as identified in our many editorials, is that these interventions are ad-hoc and suffer from a combination of limited political will, including government’s poor understanding of what needs to be done. The lack of merit-based appointments to leadership positions of key justice sector institutions, and the appointment of persons without subject-matter appreciation or passion for reform, have proved to be important stumbling blocks towards achieving reforms in this sector. Moreover, many of these interventions fail to take into consideration the need for a national approach that recognises the necessity of a national consensus, including effective cooperation between the Federal Government and States in matters of justice administration. This limited collaboration between the Federal and State Governments, is a problem. The problem of leadership. With no one institution in the Federal Government setting an agenda for best practice, many State Governments have filled the leadership vacuum by running ahead with their different ideas of justice sector reform. With no standardisation and quality evaluation, any wonder then, that for vast majority of Nigerians, Government’s interventions in the justice system are a mirage. The incoming administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, again provides another opportunity for change. The present day challenges confronting the sector are without doubt, intimidating. Two decades of lack lustre interventions in the justice sector, must necessarily have consequences. The President-elect should know that, Nigeria cannot afford another round of quick and dirty interventions in the manner she administers justice. The goal for a Tinubu administration is self-evident - take the administration of justice system in a different direction, a direction never seen in the history of Nigeria. One that leads to building a justice system which is affordable, efficient, independent, transparent, professional and accountable to Nigerians. One that ensures the rule of law and the observance of human rights, and contributes to reclaiming the trust of Nigerians and the International Community in our Justice system. The building blocks, are already in place. There is nothing that needs to be said or done about reforming the justice sector, that has not been a subject of national discourse since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. Several high level committees have been set up by successive administrations, to review specific institutions within the justice sector. every aspect of the infrastructure of our justice system, has undergone fundamental rethinking.

There is a national consensus that our approaches to policing, adjudication, imprisonment and access to justice for the poor and indigent, needs change in significant ways. What is now required is to put these blocks together in an achievable, time-bound and costed plan. Justice sector reforms stand a better chance of success, when the Government has a clearly stated plan setting out the official vision of the reform objectives, and committing Government to specific interventions necessary to realise that vision. This is an important reference point, for any strategic approach to any justice sector development plan. To be sure, the strategic reform of the justice system will be a process, not an event. it must be properly planned, carefully managed and the process must be consultative and inclusive of all Federal and the States justice institutions.

Nevertheless, change must be accelerated to keep up with the expectations of Nigerians, particularly those of the poorest and most vulnerable communities. Today’s special edition, is a call to action. The President-elect should not wait until May 29, before he begins to identify and articulate his plans for the justice sector.

It is time to respond to those who firmly believe that the situation of our justice system is a basket case, and that nothing good can come out of it. If there is any sector that needs reinvention of the President-elect’s track record as Governor of Lagos State, that sector is the Justice Sector. Immediate Past Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN and Editor of THISDAY LAWYER, Onikepo Braithwaite, have summarised our many write-ups on this issue, with lots cont'd on page VII

VII

T H I S D AY • TueSday, december 19, 2023

cover

2023 in Review cont'd from page VI

of repetition for emphasis. We propose various legal, policy and administrative interventions for managing the transformation of key justice institutions. This is by no means, an exhaustive memorandum. The things-to-do list, is a long one. The thematic areas of interventions, are as important.

March 21 2023 Election: The Way We See It The 2023 general elections may have ended in misgivings, mistrust and castigations against the electoral umpire, Independent National electoral Commission (INEC).

While recriminations continue to be traded by all parties in the election, INEC has so far, received the larger share of the umbrage. THISDAY LAWYER sought the views of the spokespersons of the Presidential candidates of the three leading political parties in the election, All Progressives Congress’s Festus Keyamo, SAN, People’s Democratic Party’s Dr Daniel Bwala and Labour Party’s Valentine Obieyen, and they spoke their minds to Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi in answering the questions which were put to all three of them on different aspects of the election.

March 28 Does Nigeria Need a Constitutional Court?

For every election cycle in Nigeria, hundreds, maybe even over a thousand or more petitions go to the Election Petition Tribunals set up in all the 36 States of the country and FCT, to be adjudicated upon, not forgetting pre-election matters that travel through the various levels of the courts as well - all of them time-bound. The 2023 general election cycle is no different, and this has seen the State Judiciaries empty and practically grind to a halt, short-staffed, as many Judges get drafted to election petition duty to sit on these Tribunals, with the resultant effect that justice delivery gets annoyingly slowed down to almost zero.

Ordinary Litigants constantly get the short end of the stick, and suffer the consequences of the avoidable delays caused by election matters. Some have suggested that as election petitions continue to arise from virtually every election in Nigeria, the creation of a Constitutional Court manned by Judges strictly appointed for that task, is what is required to stop Judges of the State Judiciaries from being taken away from their already overloaded dockets. In this discourse, Chief Ferdinand Oshioke Orbih, SAN, Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN, Stephen Kola-Balogun and Dr Sam Amadi examined this idea of a Constitutional Court, and suggested how best Nigeria can take advantage of this novel proposition.

April 4 This edition featured Hon. Justice Jumoke Pedro of the High Court of Lagos State.

‘LMDC is the First Court Connected ADR Centre in Africa’ Lagos, as the most populous and most cosmopolitan city in the West African Sub-Region, has the largest Judiciary which expectedly, comes with numerous and complex challenges. With Magistrates and Judges saddled with overloaded case dockets and its worrisome impact on justice delivery, the State came up with an ingenious and novel method of settling disputes outside conventional litigation. This birthed the Lagos Multi-door Courthouse (LMDC) in 2002, to settle disputes through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism. The steady growth of the LMDC has seen over 58,000 cases pass through the system, with a good success rate. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi sought out the Chairman of the LMDC Governing Council, Honourable Justice Jumoke Pedro, who gave deep insights into its origin, workings of the ADR Court House, and its achievements so far.

April 11 ‘Land Use Act: A Failure in Legislative Drafting’ At 90, Alhaji Lateef Olufemi Okunnu, CON, SAN can be described as a privileged nonagenarian. With a sharp retentive memory, undiminished intellect and an uncanny recall of critical events of national import, the Learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing in the General Yakubu Gowon administration, went down memory lane in a rare and interesting interview with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, reminiscing about politics of the old days, how, once upon a time, Nigerian politics was devoid of ethnicity and religious biases; that they must not be allowed to divide us now. He also spoke about his expansionary Road Programme as Works Commissioner, and the origins and failings of the Land Use Act 1978, amongst other things.

April 18 A Special Edition paying befitting tribute to late World Court Jurist, Prince Bola Ajibola KBE, SAN, CFR. A Legal Titan Goes Home The Nigerian and International legal communities last week, witnessed the passage of one of their very best, Judge Prince Abdul Jabbar Bolasodun Adesumbo Ajibola, KBE, CFR, SAN at the age of 89. Only a few have had the privilege of achieving so much in the legal profession, both nationally and internationally. He was everything any Lawyer could possibly aspire to be – Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague, and Founder

of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State which has a thriving Law Faculty. The Body of Benchers represented by its Secretary, Daniel Manasseh Tela, Esq, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria also represented by its Secretary, Olumide Sofowora, SAN, and Notable legal practitioners, former President of Nigerian Bar association, Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, Awa Kalu, SAN, Dr Adesegun Akinjuwon Akin-Olugbade, OON and Mutiu Ganiyu paid glowing tribute to this Legal Titan. May Allah rest Prince Bola Ajibola’s soul in eternal peace, forgive him his shortcomings and admit him into the highest level of Jannah.

April 25 An exclusive chat with Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN. ‘I Have No Regrets’ When the history of the Nigerian legal profession is written, Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, will undoubtedly occupy an enviable position in it. In his almost five decades at the Bar, he has left indelible imprints on the profession. He was Attorney-General of the old Ondo State in the military era, as well as President of the Nigerian Bar Association (2002-2004), leaving impactful legacies in both places. As he successfully concluded his tenure as the 50th Chairman of the Body of Benchers on March 30, 2023, the blazing advocate opened up to Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi on his exciting journey through the labyrinths of a rather enchanting legal practice, his passion for education and uncommon philanthropism, as well as other topical issues.

May 2 Kidnappings and Killings: Lawyers’ Lives Matter In the past few years, a considerable number of Lawyers have either been kidnapped or outrightly murdered, and the figures seem to be escalating.

Magistrates, junior and senior Lawyers, and even Judges, have been kidnapped in different parts of the country, or murdered. In February, while Presiding, the President of Ejemekwuru Customary Court, Imo State, Justice Nnaemeka Ugboma was dragged out of the court and shot dead by gunmen. In 2013, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and one of the nation’s most outspoken human rights activists, Chief Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN was kidnapped in Edo State, and spent several harrowing days in the hands of his captors. However, the kidnap of a past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Okey Wali, SAN, two weeks before this edition, howbeit for the second time, having been kidnapped in October, 2014, elicited a nationwide outcry. Things have never been this bad for members of the legal profession, and the threat is palpable and inexplicable. Are Lawyers now targets of kidnappers and murderers? Is the profession being profiled? Why Lawyers? What must Government do, to secure the lives and property of Nigerians? A kidnap survivor, Chief Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN, recounts his ordeal in the Kidnappers' den, while Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN, Nosa Edo-Osagie, Kunle Edun and Major Ben Aburime (Rtd) examined the issues, and proffered solutions to this growing monstrous national malaise of insecurity.

May 9 Still on judicial officers’ welfare, a proposal for upward review of retirement age.

Judicial Officers New Retirement Age Bill: Matters Arising In April, the Senate directed the Clerk of the National Assembly, to transmit the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth alteration) Bill No. 20 of 2022, to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent, in line with the provisions of the Authentication Act. The Bill sought to ensure uniformity, in the retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers of all superior courts of record. It sought to extend the retirement age of Judges, from 65 to 70 years. so that judicial officers of the various superior courts of record listed in Section 6(5)(c)-(i) of the Constitution will have a synchronised retirement age of 70 which only the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Justices previously enjoyed, instead of the 65 yºears that currently obtains. What purpose would this serve, in the justice delivery system of the country? Would it improve the efficiency and output of judicial officers, in the hierarchy? What are the pros and cons of this synchronisation? Stephen Kola-Balogun, Dr Akpor Mudiaga-Odje and Bayo Akinlade did an in-depth scrutiny of the matters arising from this issue.

May 16 A day with the Works and Housing Minister.

‘We have Improved in Many Places’ He has bestrode the Nigerian polity like a colossus.

First, as Governor of Nigeria’s most populous State, Lagos, with an outstanding performance which earned him the sobriquet ‘Action Governor.’ Then, as Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, CFR, SAN (BRF), has distinguished himself as a quintessential ‘Poster Boy’ of success in the Buhari administration. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in all humility, doesn’t think he is extraordinary, but a good team player. In a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi in his ultramodern office in Abuja, he recounted his challenges as Minister for eight years and some of his modest achievements, including cracking the hurdles on the path of and advancing cont'd on page VIII

VIII cover

TueSday, december 19, 2023• T H I S D AY

2023 in Review cont'd from page VII

the delivery of the country's most difficult projects like the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos- Ibadan expressway, the Abuja- Kano Road and installing a 1.5 mega watt solar power system, the first and the biggest in any public building in Africa, in the headquarters of the Works and Housing Ministry.

May 23 ‘My Appointment as CSAT President, Announces Nigeria’s Legal Profession Worldwide’ The nation came into international legal recognition, when for the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT), a Nigerian, the first Black person and first African was appointed as the President of CSAT. His Excellency, Judge (Professor) Epiphany Azinge, OON, SAN, was first appointed into the Tribunal in 2015. His recent elevation and assumption of office as President of the Tribunal, has raised Nigeria’s profile in the international legal community. In a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, the former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), gave a deep insight into how the Tribunal works, its composition and the benefits Nigeria stands to gain by his appointment. He further condemned the vexatious ease, by which Nigerian Lawyers challenge arbitral awards in court.

May 30 Justice Adefope-Okojie retired from Court of Appeal.

Encomia as Oludotun Adefope-Okojie, JCA Bows Out at 70 Her looks, graceful carriage and agility, belie the fact that she is 70 years old. Honourable Justice Oludotun Adebola Adefope-Okojie, JCA retired from the Bench on May 17, 2023, amidst a colourful Valedictory Court Session which was held in her honour on May 16 at the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal. Her Lordship who has been described as “a sterling example of a jurist in the finest traditions of the Bench”, is known for her brilliance, diligence, forthrightness and being courteous. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi who attended the ceremony, reported.

June 6 Special Edition President Tinubu: ‘Focus on Security, Economy, Infrastructure and Judiciary’s Independence’ Against all odds, and even as the Presidential Election Tribunal continued sitting, Senator Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, GCFR of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was sworn in as the 16th President of the Federal Republic on Nigeria on May 29, 2023.

What are the earnest expectations of Nigerians from the Tinubu administration? How realistic are these expectations? Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi sought the views of a cross-section of Nigerian Lawyers in this Special edition.

June 13 CROSSFIRE! The Fuel Subsidy Controversy President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s swearing in on May 29, 2023, left many Nigerians reeling from shock, with the announcement of the removal of fuel subsidy in his Inaugural Speech. This was not cheering news to hapless masses, who were already groaning under economic hardship and escalating inflation.

Not surprisingly, a few Lawyers expressed differing opinions as to the desirability, legality or otherwise of the fuel subsidy removal vis-à-vis the way and manner it was done. While Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN, Dr Akpo Mudiaga-Odje appeared to be in favour of the fuel subsidy removal, and offered advice on what steps Government can take to ease the hardship being suffered by Nigerians and spend the savings from its removal gainfully, Emmanuel Onwubiko thoroughly condemned it, and Dr Sam Amadi, while looking at the Pro-Subsidy removal arguments, gave cogent reasons for his opposing stand, one being that it appeared to run foul of Chapter II of the Constitution.

June 20 GBV, Affirmative Action: Female Gender Rights in Need of Defence The escalating incidents of Gender Based Violence (GBV) is one that must be addressed frontally by the authorities now, otherwise the body count will continue to rise. A week before this edition, a video of the wife of the Edo State Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, visiting a victim of domestic violence in hospital made the rounds. The victim was shot in her left arm, which subsequently had to be amputated, by her husband for not preparing his meal on time! On a daily basis, spouses lose their lives, due to domestic violence. Of course, the female gender is predominantly at the receiving end of this avoidable domestic violence, either as wives, girlfriends or domestic servants.

Even infants and little girls, aren’t spared from sexual gender based violence (SGBV). Meanwhile, the much mouthed ‘affirmative action’ appears to be a toothless bulldog, as the number of women occupying elective and Governmental positions continues to dwindle annually, instead of increasing to at least 35%, in line with the National Gender Policy (NGP) which was formulated in 2006, but has never been properly implemented. Would President Bola Tinubu form his cabinet in accordance with the NGP? What is the panacea for ending this discrimination against

women and GBV? Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, OON, SAN, Mandy Asagba and Uju Peace Okeke, tackled these worrisome issues which have continued to go unresolved.

June 27 Welfare of Judicial Officers in focus.

Judicial Salaries and Allowances: A Needful Upgrade The issue of the purported increase in salaries and allowances of political office holders, has generated a lot of public discussion over the past week. The overwhelming sentiment of most Nigerians, is against the proposed increase. Many understandably, see any increase as insensitive to current realities, especially given the effect of the removal of the petrol subsidy on living conditions. There is certainly an urgent need for a national conversation on the state of wages for all workers in Nigeria, including political office holders.

The daily increasing high cost of living, in many ways challenges the Tinubu administration to find a robust, practical and affordable solution, taking into consideration the unsatisfactory state of our economy. It is however, important to stress that, RMAFC’s proposals for salary increment is what it says it is. It is simply a body of recommendations, for the consideration of the Federal and State Governments. It is not true that any approval has been given, either by Mr President or the National assembly. In the midst of all the hullabaloo, the matter of judicial officers’ salaries and allowances seems to have been mixed up, especially with that of political office holders. Judicial Officers are not, and should not be placed in the same category as political office holders.

It is to avoid this mix up, and in recognition of the independence and uniqueness of the Judiciary, that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in its memorandum to RMAFC, recommended that Judicial Officers should be remunerated according to an independent salary scale, to be known as the Judicial Service Pay Scale (JSPS).

This will further enable judicial salaries to be subject to regular reviews, that are distinct from those carried out in respect of political and other public office holders.

They also proposed a separate legislative scheme for salaries, allowances, conditions of service and retirement benefits for Judicial Officers. Including a Judicial Office Holders entitlements Bill’ to create a Judicial Office Holders Entitlements Panel, to replace RMAFC as it relates to the determination of salaries and allowances of Judicial Officers. THISDAY LAWYER has been in the forefront of the campaign, for an urgent review of Judicial Salaries and allowances. As we have stated on multiple occasions, appointment to the Bench should not be an invitation to penury. It is unacceptable that Judicial Officers in Nigeria, have remained on the same salary for about 15 years. Penny-pinching should have no place, in the way we administer justice in Nigeria.

RMAFC’s recommendations on the review of judicial remuneration, are undoubtedly well thought out. It is however, our respectful view that the recommendations fall short of expectations. Having waited for close to two decades for this review, it goes without saying that the recommendations must be groundbreaking in every sense of the word. In this special edition, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, Alternate Chairman of the NBA working Committee on Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service and THISDAY LAWYER re-emphasise the urgent need for the upward review of judicial remuneration. We compare and contrast the RMAFC Recommendations on the reviewed remuneration package for Judicial Officers, with that of the NBA proposals for the review of remuneration of Judicial Officers. We have highlighted additional areas, that require further attention. In all, it must be said that the Tinubu administration should avoid being enmeshed in unhelpful debates, on whether or not the time is appropriate for a review of judicial remuneration. The inability of successive governments to make progress on the issue of fair and reasonable judicial remuneration, has dampened the morale of the Judiciary. Judicial Officers across Nigeria are struggling with everyday challenges, brought about by poor conditions of service. This state of affairs is not good for the administration of justice, and the sustainability of our democracy.

July 4 OCJ Okocha at 70 In a country where life expectancy is barely 52, turning 70 seems almost like a rare privilege that is not available to too many. Born with a silver spoon, Onueze Chukwujinka Joe Okocha, OFR, SAN, JP, DSSRS (OCJ), by sheer determination then propelled himself into greatness. As the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) turned 70 last Thursday, June 29, 2023, friends, colleagues and family gathered at the NBA Port Harcourt Branch Secretariat on Friday to celebrate the septuagenarian at a Public lecture. The august occasion was also used to unveil his autobiography, ‘The Moon Also Shines’. His friends Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Awa Kalu, SAN; and his Royal Highness, David Serena-Dokubo Spiff join the sons of OCJ Okocha, Ogbonda and Dr Orowhuo Okocha in showering encomia on him.

July 11 Interview with Human Rights Activist Extraordinaire, Femi Falana, SAN. ‘Corruption Waxed Stronger Under Buhari’ Long after many Nigerian human rights’ defenders have abandoned the cause, Femi Falana, SAN still cont'd on page IX

IX

T H I S D AY • TueSday, december 19, 2023

cover

2023 in Review cont'd from page VIII

remains in the trenches. He continues to soldier on, in the defence of the plight of the masses. In a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, he delved into his raison d’etre of his unending battles against the Federal Government and its agencies. He also volunteered quality advice to the Tinubu administration, against the background of President Buhari’s failings, and fighting insecurity and corruption.

July 18 Preparations for the flagship event of the Nigerian Bar Association!

2023 NBA-AGC: A Convergence of Ideas From August 25 to September 1, 2023, Lawyers from all the nooks and crannies in Nigeria will converge in the Nation’s capital, Abuja, for the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Unarguably, this is the world’s largest gathering of Lawyers. This year, NBA's flagship event held at the M.K.O Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Already, over 14,000 Lawyers had registered, and many more were expected to register on site at the Conference venue. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi sought out the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning, past NBA General Secretary, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN and Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya to determine their level of preparedness for the upcoming Conference, to which other Bar Associations from other countries were expected to attend.

Funding and Remuneration This article by Onikepo Braithwaite, is a monograph which was written in 2021 about the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) Strike that year, and its main demand for the financial autonomy of the Nigerian Judiciary, in order to achieve the independence of the Judiciary. The inconsistencies in the Constitutional Provisions with regard to the funding of the Judiciary are highlighted in this work, as well as the poor remuneration of judicial officers. As the Breakout Session on the Presentation of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Memo to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on Judicial Remuneration and Allowances at the NBA 2023 Annual General Conference held today, it was apposite that some of these relevant issues were also taken into consideration simultaneously.

July 25 Palliatives for Whom? NASS or the Masses?

While Nigerians were still grappling with the crippling effects of the pump price of N500 per litre fuel occasioned by the subsidy removal, they were slammed with a further unexpected increase in petrol to N617 per litre. Amidst all the wailing and groaning, many were aghast when news came that members of the National Assembly (NASS) were being given a whooping N40 billion for luxury cars, including bullet-proof vehicles for the NASS leadership, and a further N70 billion for furniture and repairs in the Lawmakers’ offices.

Where does this leave the hapless masses? Dr Sam Amadi, Dr Akpo Mudiaga-Odje, Jide Ojo and John Aikpokpo-Martins, in this discourse, delved deeply into the conundrum to tease out the issues and proffered feasible solutions.

September 5 2023 NBA Conference: The Verdict The flagship event of the Nigerian Bar Association, the NBA Annual General Conference held in Abuja from August 25 - September 1. The 6-day event was the 63rd in the Association’s history, and as expected, it was a motley of events and activities. Onikepo Braithwaite who moderated one of the sessions, and Jude Igbanoi gave a blow-by-blow account of the weeklong Conference, while Lawyers gave their verdict on the event.

August 1 DSS v NCS: Desecration of the Temple of Justice In Gestapo style, Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) forcefully rearrested the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele right within the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos, where he is standing trial on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm. The altercation that ensued between Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) and DSS Operatives after the Judge had granted the embattled Emefiele bail, left many aghast and disgusted. Legal pundits and many Nigerians see this a desecration of the very institution that guaranties freedom, and protects democracy. For many, this impunity typifies a throwback reminiscent of the highhandedness of the despotic rule of military oligarchy of the 1990s. Norrison Quakers, SAN, Chief Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN and Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani examined the worrisome issues in the unfortunate incident.

September 12 PEPT: Tinubu Clears the First Legal Hurdle At long last, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) finally delivered its much awaited judgement in the epic legal battle over the February 25, 2023 Presidential election. After what appeared to be an interminable legal process, the PEPT, without dissent from any of the five learned Justices of the Court of Appeal, declared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner of the election, in a judgement which many found to be sound, and some others, not so sound. Legal pundits George Oguntade, SAN, Norrison Quakers, SAN, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, Joseph Otteh, Kenneth Ikonne and Felix Eghie Sugaba give their critique of the judgement, which the opposition parties immediately indicated that they would exercise their constitutional right and challenge at the Apex Court.

August 8 Agenda for Incoming AGF After a two-month wait, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu finally presented his Ministerial nominees, who were currently being screened by the Senate.

From this list will emerge, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF). The consensus was that, at this critical time in the nation’s ‘Lego’ political history, only a thorough-bred Lawyer, well-grounded in law and the nuances of the rule of law and governance, can do justice to this portfolio.

Though Ministries are yet to be attached, out of all the Lawyer Ministerial nominees, the one whom this cap seemed to fit the most, is Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. What should be the focus of the new AGF, when he assumes office? How will he overcome the hitherto, less than pleasant perception of that office, and enhance its image? Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, Awa U. Kalu, SAN, Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, and Oluwaseun Abimbola, SAN, all former Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice of their respective States, set an agenda and roadmap for the incoming AGF in this discourse.

August 15 The Chinwe Aguma Annual Memorial Lecture.

Chinwe Aguma, SAN: Forever in Our Hearts Like a star, he shone brightly in the legal firmament. Sir Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, KSC acquired a good education, arming himself with degrees from two British Institutions. He bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and International Studies from Warwick University, and subsequently, a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Sheffield. This, amongst other things, prepared him for a successful career in law, culminating in his being elevated to the rank of Senior advocate of Nigeria, and appointed as the Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in 2015, a position he held until he passed away on August

September 19 West Africa: Too Many Coups for Comfort In the last 48 months, several West African countries have found themselves under military regimes. While some of these army interventions received cheers from hapless masses who may have agonised under perceptibly corrupt and inept civilian administrations, some believe that military in governance remains an aberration and retrogressive. What has caused this wind of military coup d’états to blow in West Africa?

Is there any justification for military coup d’états under any guise? Is this trend, referred to by some as the ‘Francophone Spring,’ exclusive to Francophone West African Countries alone, or can it spread? Hannibal Uwaifo, Mandy Demechi-Asagba and Fep Sugaba probed into this bothersome shift, proffering solutions to curb the trend.

10, 2018 at the age of 57. Sir Aguma also served as both the Secretary and Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch. In recognition of his unalloyed service, the Rivers State Government, under the erstwhile Governor, Nyesom Wike, instituted an annual Lecture in his honour. Last Thursday, the 6th Annual Memorial Lecture/Public Discussion themed “The Decongestion of the Correctional Centres: The Role of the Various Stakeholders” held at the NBA Bar Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, details of which were discussed by the Advocate in this publication, as the event was attended by Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, who also reported on what Lawyers had to say about Sir Aguma, five years on.

August 22 ‘Nigeria’s Energy Industry is Dysfunctional and Outdated’ At 70, Mr Soji Awogbade was set to retire from Aelex, a law firm that he co-founded with four other Partners in 2004. He was in the saddle as Head of the Energy Sector of the firm from the inception of the firm, and also served as Managing Partner for a number of years. In a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, he shared his thoughts on Nigeria’s challenges in the energy sector, the business of law, the secret of successful partnerships, and his next steps after his exit from the firm.

August 29 Financial Issues in the Nigerian Judiciary:

September 26 Augie, JSC: A Judicial Amazon Raps Her Last Gavel From the Magistracy to the Apex Court, Honourable Justice Amina Adamu Augie, JSC (Rtd), CFR, distinguished herself as a judicial officer with sterling qualities in the discharge of her duties, for four and half decades. She also tenaciously applied herself to her first love, teaching, as she impacted judicial knowledge to students at various institutions, from the Ahmadu Bello University (where His Lordship pursued her Master’s Degree) to the Nigerian Law School and subsequently, the University of Sokoto, even while sitting on the Bench as a Chief Magistrate and later, as a High Court Judge. Bowing out from the Supreme Court, was for many, received with mixed feelings, as they desired that His Lordship stay on.

But, the Constitution specifically provides that 70 is the retirement age of Justices of the Appellate Courts, the age which His Lordship attained on September 3, 2023. cont'd on page X

X

TueSday, december 19, 2023• T H I S D AY

cover

2023 in Review cont'd from page IX

Onikepo Braithwaite, Jude Igbanoi and Alex Enumah who were present at the colourful Valedictory Session which held in the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court, reported, while Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Kemi Balogun, SAN and HRH Sir David Serena-Dokubo Spiff paid tribute to His Lordship.

October 3 CBN: The Task Before Yemi Cardoso’s Team Behold, there is a new Sheriff in the Nigerian banking and financial sector, Dr Olayemi Cardoso, who was billed to take over as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Along with his Deputies, Dr Cardoso successfully passed through screening by the Senate last week. Being a CBN Governor at a time when the nation’s economy seems to be in disarray, is not a tea-party. With spiralling inflation, a high rate of unemployment, rising prices (Stagflation), the Naira at it lowest ebb, foreign investors fleeing from Nigeria, what magic can the Cardoso-led CBN do, to stabilise Nigeria’s economy and infuse cutting-edge monetary policy at this time, to turn things around? Adetilewa Adebajo and Dr Sam Amadi examined and analysed the challenges ahead of CBN’s new team, and proffered possible ways to surmount them.

October 10 ‘There’s No Splinter Body in the NBA’ Some are of the view that the Nigerian legal profession, is over-regulated. It has several bodies and several layers of regulatory authorities, including the Body of Benchers, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee, General Council of the Bar and the Council of Legal Education.

But, despite all this, the profession perceptibly still seems to be in need of regulation. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi encountered the Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Asiwaju Solomon Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, and he holds the strong view that the legal profession in Nigeria is not over-regulated.

He also asserted that there is no rivalry between the NBA and the newly floated Law Society of Nigeria, while he recommended the creation of a Constitutional Court for Nigeria, to decongest the Supreme Court and to timeously dispose of election petition cases.

As for the appalling salary of the nation’s judicial officers, the former Attorney-General of Osun State, advocates an immediate upward review.

October 17 The third female interview personality, Mrs Adetoun Adebiyi of the Nigerian Law School.

‘We Don’t Need More Law School Campuses’ It was quite an engaging weekend with the longest serving Lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, former Deputy Director General & Head of Lagos Campus, Mrs Adetoun Adebiyi. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi discussed with her, several crucial issues about the Nigerian legal education system, and her responses were frank, honest and bold, including issues of creating more Law School campuses, the Law School curriculum, quality of Lawyers being called to the Bar, splitting the profession into Barristers and Solicitors, an overview of how the Law School has fared in its 60 years of training Lawyers for the nation, and the need for Nigeria to implement a good gender affirmative action policy, to show commitment to gender inclusiveness, especially in leadership positions where there seems to be a paucity of women.

October 24 Peace in the Middle East in Focus.

Let There Be Peace in the Middle East!

From the first week of October, the world has known no peace, as Hamas and Israel unleashed unprecedented violence against each other, costing colossal loses on both sides, including thousands of human lives. The conflict which was precipitated by an unprovoked surprise attack by the Islamic fundamentalist group, Hamas, on October 7, giving rise to revenge action by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), within a matter of days, resulted in at least 1,400 Israelis and over 4,000 Palestinians killed, about 2,000 people being treated in hospitals in critical condition, and the count is on the rise. Undoubtedly, the consequences of this belligerence and its global implications can only be imagined. Chukwuemeka Eze, Gozie Francis Moneke, Felix Eghie Sugaba and Jefferson Uwoghiren gave their perspectives on the potentially volatile situation in the Middle east, and the possible impact on Nigeria.

October 31 Has Nigeria been finally let off the hook?

P & ID: A Conspiracy Against Nigeria Sometime in 2017, the Nigerian Government found itself in a petrifying quagmire of a humongous $6.6 billion judgement delivered against it (which ballooned to $11.2 billion as at October, 2023, as a result of the interest accrued thereon), from an arbitral award resulting from arbitration proceedings involving the Process & Industrial Developments Limited aka P & ID and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in London.

The embarrassing award was, to say the least, very unsettling for Nigeria, who proceeded to challenge the award, at the High Court of England and Wales.

In the judgement which was delivered on October 23, 2023, Hon. Mr Justice Robin Knowles, CBE, found in favour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, holding that the arbitration proceedings and award were fraudulent. Even the British Lawyers that represented

Nigeria in the arbitration proceedings were found to have been compromised, making classified Nigerian documents which P & ID were not entitled to see, available to them. Has this put an end to the anxiety of the Nigerian Government? Going forward, what lessons must Nigeria learn from this outing? How can this level of grand corruption in the Civil Service be eradicated, to ensure that Nigeria never falls into this type of trap again? Dr Gbenga Oduntan, Sam Kargbo, SAN, Chukwuemeka Eze and Kede Aihie, examined the salient points and knotty issues in the case.

November 7 Our fourth female interview personality of the year, Nneka Akudolu KC. ‘Female Lawyers, Be Fearless!’

The journey to the top in any profession is always tough and tortuous, and for the legal profession it is doubly tedious, especially for women. For Nigerian Lawyers in the United Kingdom, the challenges of rising to the peak of the profession are quite daunting, but obviously not insurmountable, because by a dint of hard work and obstinate determination, a few Nigerian Lawyers have worked their way to the pinnacle of their careers by being elevated to the rank of King’s Counsel in the UK, the most recent being Nneka Akudolu KC. The Learned Silk, in this riveting interview, shared her story with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi.

November 14 Uzodinma v NLC: Nigeria’s Human Rights on Trial While the Buhari administration didn’t rate high on the Human rights index, the Tinubu administration doesn’t seem set to improve on this record either.

Across the country, there have been complaints about human rights violations, gagging the media and impunity by some State executives. The recent brutal attack on the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero by State-sponsored security operatives in Imo State, is confirmation of the fact that indeed, SARS, which many were not convinced had been disbanded as a result of the nationwide #EndSARS Protests in 2020, is still alive and kicking.

As at the time of going to press, plans were said to be afoot to fly Comrade Ajaero abroad for medical attention. Dr Sam Amadi, Emmanuel Onwubiko and Okechukwu Nwanguma raised some pertinent issues about the Imo State imbroglio, Governor Uzodinma’s highhandedness and the overall human rights record of this administration.

November 21 The off-cycle elections edition.

Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Governorship Elections: A Post- Mortem The quest for free and fair elections devoid of violence seems to be a chimera as far as Nigeria is concerned, especially since the return of democratic governance in 1999. Nigeria’s elections have been trailed with corruption, violence, rigging, and manipulation, which often lead to lengthy and unpredictable judicial outcomes in the ensuing legal battles. However, many Nigerians have high hopes and expectations that the nation will eventually get it right, in subsequent elections at various levels. The recent off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States were a litmus test by Nigeria’s election umpire, the Independent National Election Commission (INEC). But, was INEC able to prove to Nigerians that off-cycle elections can be conducted successfully, in the face of the attendant challenges that usually plague our elections? Anthony Aikhunnegbe Malik, SAN, Clement Nwankwo, Jide Ojo and Ed Malik Abdul in analysing these recent elections, expressed their views in this discourse, though they all seemed to agree that there’s still plenty to do, to get the Nigerian electoral process up to scratch.

November 28 The judgement that will hunt the Judiciary, for a long time.

Periscoping the Kano Judgement, Apex Court Appointments in Focus While Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the unfortunate judgement of the Court of Appeal, on the Kano State Gubernatorial Election Petition which dismissed the appeal and at the same time, set aside the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal, the nation’s Judiciary has been put to a litmus test, not only about the integrity of our Judiciary, but that of the recruitment process of Judicial Officers, which has come under scrutiny in recent times. Femi Falana, SAN; George Oguntade, SAN, Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu and Joseph Otteh dissected the issues surrounding the Kano judgement which has left the jury divided, as some believe the contradictions in the judgement are simply clerical errors that could be corrected under the auspices of the “Slip Rule”, while others believe that the errors go beyond clerical errors, and instead, are a matter for appeal to the Supreme Court whose final pronouncements will correct the errors and lay the controversy to rest.

They also give their perspectives, on the ongoing selection process of appointing Justices to fill the vacant positions at the Supreme Court.

of a stabilising factor, in Nigeria’s democracy. But, in recent times, this role has been questioned by the public, on account of a few pronouncements, especially by the appellate courts. For precedent setting judgements, law reporting is an absolute requirement. Lawbreed has since 1999, published quality reports of Supreme Court judgements, and other law publications. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi caught up with Chief Layi Babatunde, SAN, the Editor-in-Chief of the Supreme Court Reports published by Lawbreed Limited and author of “Dark Hearts”, a compilation of short stories based on actual court cases. In this interesting interaction, the learned Senior Advocate spoke about a myriad of issues and challenges in the publishing sector, and also his concerns about the polity.

December 5 Our last interview personality for the year is Chief Layi Babatunde, SAN. ‘Electorate Shouldn’t be Made Onlookers in Election Outcomes’ The Judiciary has undoubtedly played the role

December 12 Looking back at 2023 and looking forward to 2024.

Bar and Bench: Review of 2023 and Hopes for 2024 The Nigerian Bar and Bench had quite a challenging year in 2023, and the events that made it

so, are disconcerting and curious, such as the 2023 general elections from which pre-election matters and election petitions arose. As 2023 draws to an end, THISDAY LAWYER sought the views of a cross-section of Nigerian Lawyers on what they think about the 2023 legal landscape, and what their postulations for 2024 are.

Epilogue The year 2023, challenging as it was, has indeed come to an end and the issues that made THISDAY LAWYER headlines, were as interesting as thought provoking. Engaging interview personalities, front burner national issues in discourse, Crossfire on some topics and contemporary Supreme Court judgements.

We left no stone unturned in presenting a myriad of topics, that made the year 2023 what it was.

For the Bar and the Bench, we look forward to a better year in 2024, and count on your continued readership. Thank you. From All of Us at THISDAY LAWYER, here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year in advance! See you in 2024, God willing! Happy Holidays.

19.12.2023

XI

XII

19.12.2023

19.12.2023 XIII

XIV

FEatures

T H I S D AY • TUESday DECEMBER 19, 2023

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

Commitment to Ending Child Poverty in Nigeria

‘Nigeria Gives’, a non-profit organisation committed to ending child poverty in Nigeria, in collaboration with Prothro Family Wines, recently gathered Austin’s local elite and raised a glass to transform the lives of children in Nigeria and end child poverty. Sunday Ehigiator reports

Children undergoing medical screening and care in Nigeria during a recent medical outreach event organised by ‘Nigeria Gives’ in collaboration with GB Foundation

U

nited Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), describes child poverty as when a child is raised with limited access to or, in some cases, no access to, the essential resources they need to survive and live well.

It says children who've grown up in poverty often suffer compared to others because of the lack of food, sanitation, healthcare and education they need to thrive.

Global Indices According to UNICEF, an estimated 685 million children around the world live in poverty. It revealed that “one in 10 people live on less than £1.50 per day. 15,000 children and 800 mothers die of preventable causes. Children spend over 200 million hours every day collecting water.

Nigeria Situation According to the Multidimensional Child Poverty Analysis in Nigeria, and Monetary Child Poverty in Nigeria, prepared by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning in collaboration with UNICEF in 2022, revealed that approximately 54 per cent of children in Nigeria are multi-dimensionally poor facing at least three deprivations across seven dimensions of child rights including nutrition, healthcare, education, water, sanitation, adequate housing, and information.

It revealed that “Multidimensional poverty in children is more prevalent in the rural (65.7 per cent) than urban areas (28.4 per cent). There are also high state disparities ranging from 14.5 per cent in Lagos to 81.5 per cent in Sokoto.”

The monetary child poverty report also showed that 47.4 per cent of children face monetary poverty by living in households with expenditures less than N376.5 a day, which is the national poverty line.

“Slight differences are observed between boys (47.98 per cent) and girls (46.8 per cent) while there are high geographical and state disparities, from 6.5 per cent in Lagos to 91.4 per cent in Sokoto.”

In Nigeria, according to the report 24.56 per cent of children face extreme poverty by living in households that spend less than $1.90 a day. The analysis indicates that the country would need as roughly as N1 trillion to lift children out of poverty.

The Situation Analysis indicates that the child poverty rate is highest among children aged 16 to 17 years and least

L-R - Friend and donor, Katherine Drew Phillips; Founder, Nigeria Gives, Olamide Okpara; and Donor, Liza Edebor, at the recently held wine-tasting event in Austin-Texas, USA, targeted at raising funds to tackle child poverty in Nigeria

among children aged 0 to 5 years.

It notes that children are most affected by poverty because they are vulnerable and that poverty has long-term impacts on the well-being of children, even into adulthood.

Nigeria Gives Commitment It was against the backdrop of changing this unfavourable index, that Nigeria Gives decided to show commitment to ending child poverty in Nigeria, by hosting a curated wine-tasting fundrais-

Approximately 54 per cent of children in Nigeria are multi-dimensionally poor facing at least three deprivations across seven dimensions of child rights including nutrition, healthcare, education, water, sanitation, adequate housing, and information

ing event in collaboration with Prothro Family Wines in Austin, Texas.

The event brought out the best of Austin’s society to support transforming the lives of children in Nigeria and toast to investing in Nigeria’s future one child at a time.

The event also doubled as the official launch of the ‘Nigeria Gives’ in the United States following a successful outreach trip to Nigeria in June 2023.

With beautiful views and premium, handcrafted wines from well-regarded vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast, guests heard about what sets Nigeria Gives apart from other organizations.

Speaking about the event, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Gives, Olamide Okpara, said, “The time is now to transform the lives of children in Nigeria through honest giving and transparency. Our mission is to help end child poverty in Nigeria by partnering with non-profit organizations and doctors globally to achieve our goals.

“We are constantly exploring new ways to impact the lives of children in Nigeria, and we are proud to work with partners who share our vision for a better future.

“Nigeria Gives is a non-profit organisation committed to ending child poverty in Nigeria. With a mission to become Africa's leading non-profit transforming the lives of children in Nigeria.

“We promote honesty and transparency in support of those most in need by collaborating with non-profit organisations and medical doctors.

“In a recent trip to Nigeria, we provided necessary community support in collaboration with GB Foundation, providing free medical screenings, medical consultations, and health advice to the indigenous people of Agungi.

“Over 100 people received care from skilled physicians ranging from ages one to 97 in Lekki, Lagos. Nigeria Gives has distributed over 1,000 medical supplies to communities in need.

“Also, at the Austin event, guests donated generously by purchasing several dozens of bottles of wine, where a portion of the proceeds will go toward furthering the organisation's mission and aid in donating clothes, books, and food to support its cause.”

Among the attendees were Medical Director Dr. Okem Okpara and Prothro Wine owners Bruce & Rhonda Prothro.

Their presence further underlined the commitment to Nigeria Gives and their cause.

XV

T H I S D AY • TUESday DECEMBER 19, 2023

features

African Hub Status Within Nigeria’s Grasp as Country Embraces Anthology With promises of immersive engagement with the globally acclaimed Anthology education technology, EdTech, learning experience, Precious Ugwuzor writes that the African Hub Status is within Nigeria's grasp

S

tudents of over 250 tertiary institutions in Nigeria are raring to get on board what promises to be an immersive engagement with the globally acclaimed Anthology education technology (EdTech) learning experience.

Online learning is becoming the standard way of learning in other climes and Anthology’s learning management system is a critical element toward progress on a more connected learning approach which many Nigerian students, unfortunately, hare still grappling to become fully acquainted with.

Sequel to the choice by the Tertiary Education Fund, (TETFund), of Anthology’s Learning Management System – Blackboard Learn – to provide access to online academic resources in universities and other tertiary education institutions in Nigeria, the EdTech space has been abuzz with predictions from industry players, scholars, administrators, and others as to the bandwidth of possibilities to expect from the engagement.

One conclusion drawn by many is that Nigeria’s sheer numbers in terms of students, schools, and its general population vis a vis the country’s acknowledged tendency to churn out brilliant and easily adaptable students, is bound to turn the tide, in quick time, in Nigeria’s favour and make it the African hub for Anthology.

For many who wonder why the excitement about Anthology’s entrance into Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, the answer should come in the reason behind TETFund’s selection of ‘Blackboard Learn’ by Anthology. The selection was part of measures deemed necessary in order to bridge the digital skills gap in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria.

That divide is quite a wide one as a good number of Nigerian students get into school with nothing more than a basic relationship with the digital medium. They are more conversant with the traditional ways of learning. Incidentally, the name Blackboard harks back to those times, when a white chalk (made from limestone) was wielded by the Almighty teacher in a physical classroom setting, and the notes and sums were written on the blackboard. Woe betides the unfortunate ill-prepared student who gets called to the blackboard to answer a question!

In that closed-in material space, which is yet the lot of a majority of Nigerian students, quick learners tend to excel. Slow learners learn to sit at the back where they can more easily avoid the risk of being summoned to the blackboard, except for when a particular teacher is determined to ‘put them to the sword’. This, as everyone who’s been through school knows, does not in any way engender confidence.

One must give kudos, therefore, to TETFund (and the Nigerian government by extension) for going this route which enables Nigerian students the competitive muscle to vie with their peers from everywhere else in today’s knowledge economy. Our teeming mass of students have shown the desire and capacity to embrace without equivocation the digital skills that define the age. What had been lacking was policy and executive enablement in that regard. And now they have it.

The company behind Blackboard Learn has been supporting students around the world for more than twenty years. The Anthology of today is leading provider of education solutions that support the entire learner lifecycle. The company was created through the merger of four of the world’s leading education technology companies: Blackboard, Campus Management, Campus Labs, and iModules. This fusion of technologies and peoples enables Anthology to provide dynamic, data-informed experiences to the global education community so that learners and educators can achieve their goals.

Speaking last year, after Anthology won multiple prizes at the Platinum Campus Technology 2022 New Product Awards, J. D. White, Chief Product Officer at Anthology remarked that "Over the past year, the Anthology team has made significant investments and worked tirelessly to ensure our products meet the evolving needs of students, instructors and institutions." He further stated, "This recognition demonstrates the significance our products have in positively impacting institutions of all types and learners at every step of their journey in higher education."

Speaking during a recent courtesy call on him by Anthology’s senior executives, a

L-R: Country Director and Head of Business, Pole Global Marketing, Anthology’s Channel Partner for Nigeria, Adedeji Michael Ladipo; Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia and Pacific, Anthology, Oleg Figlin; President and Chairman, Anthology, Mr. Joe Belenardo; Executive Secretary, TetFund, Sunny Echono; Minister of Education, Mamman Tahir SAN, and Senior Vice President in Charge of Africa, Anthology, Nicolas Albouze, during a visit to the office of minister in Abuja...recently delighted Education Minister Prof.

Tahir Mamman said: “We are very happy to have Anthology here on this very important project. I am a very firm believer in technology.

Our hands-on President Tinubu is in a hurry for progress, and education is the bedrock of development. We are very proud of TETfund which is one of the very efficient national institutions.”

TETfund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sunny Echono reiterated that ‘Blackboard Learn’ by Anthology will “Not only promote uniformity of learning across the country but also drive global standards. It will leapfrog our educational ecosystem.

Indeed, we envisage that excess capacity will be extended to private institutions. Our benefitting institutions are very enthusiastic about Anthology’s ‘Blackboard Learn’.”

Anthology’s Chief Revenue Officer Joe Belenardo was also very enthusiastic following the meeting. “Our mission is to help learners and educators achieve their goals. We believe that LMS technology has a fundamental role to play in helping higher education provide quality learning experiences for students of all backgrounds,” said Belenardo. “We expect this important partnership to expand over the coming years and become a true competitive advantage for TETFund’s beneficiary institutions and the larger Nigerian education community.”

Oleg Figlin, Anthology’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director EMEA & APAC, said “We are deeply honoured to collaborate with the TETFund in bringing a robust and user-friendly Learning Management System (LMS) to its educational landscape. The deployment of Blackboard Learn

by Anthology will play a key role in bridging the geographical and digital divide for millions of students.”

Adedeji Michael Ladipo, Country Director and Head of Business, Pole Global Marketing (PGM), Anthology’s Channel Partner for Nigeria, added

“Blackboard Learn will onboard 2.2million Nigerian students when it goes live. In addition to aiding teaching, it will also ease the mode of learning. Additionally, we see Nigeria as a potential hub, and so envisage the citing of a world class Online Learning research centre.

We also are looking forward to a TETfund educational tech fair which will be a first of its kind here. This will produce national champions to join other winners in the next edition of our global EdTech fair in the United States of America in 2024.”

One may ask “Why learning management systems?” The digital environment of a Learning Management System may share similar features with traditional teaching and learning, however, the LMS has distinctive attributes that make it convenient and even superior to traditional classroom sessions in today’s world.

To the observant, the migration of learning in academic circles worldwide to the digital platform mirrors the migration of social interaction (individuals and communities) to the digital platform as well. While there are social issues observable with absentee individuals who ignore people in their physical orbit, preferring rather to interface with others who are miles away in physical distance, digital learning has been configured such that students and their teachers are in the present, so to speak, depending on what is suitable and prescribed for greater learning efficiency. This works out to the advantage of both parties.

And that is why many institutions around the world are accelerating their digital journey, to ensure they reap the immense benefits it holds. Anthology foresees an increase in this transformation over the coming years and the certitude of it becoming a competitive advantage to those, like the TETFund beneficiary institutions and the larger education community who plug in and stay plugged into it.

Traditionally, tertiary educational institutions have delivered their flexible teaching programmes to students with the aid of print-based course materials and with limited information technology support such as email and electronic discussion lists.

However, with recent advances in digital technology, institutions are increasingly exploring the potential to use information and communication technology (ICT) to facilitate, on a wider scale, their flexible teaching needs.

That is why many institutions around the world are accelerating their digital journey, to ensure they reap the immense benefits it holds. Anthology foresees an increase in this transformation over the coming years and the certitude of it becoming a competitive advantage to those, like the TETFund beneficiary institutions and the larger education community who plug in and stay plugged into it

Flexible approaches aim to provide learners with greater choice over when, where and how they learn by adopting various flexible delivery strategies such as distance education, online learning, and mixed mode delivery, self-paced or self-directed learning strategies.

It is this has given rise to the adoption of Learning Management Systems (LMS) by many institutions globally as they help instructors deliver materials to students, administer tests and other assignments, track student progress, and manage record-keeping. Such systems which are ICT interventions that aid teaching and learning, also help students to interact with General Administration, faculties, e-libraries, their tutors, fellow students and in other cases, interdepartmental collaboration with the adaptive tool to minimize plagiarism.

Anthology is one of the largest education technology companies in the world, with 150 million students across over 4000 universities across 80+ countries. That’s a lot of experience under its belt sourced from a multiplicity of cultures and learning environments.

Blackboard Learn by Anthology is a modern, intuitive Learning Management System that leverages pedagogical best practices to create flexible and inclusive online learning experiences.

This includes market-leading communication tools, assessment functionalities which reduce stress, features which foster self-expression and embedded insights for continuous optimization.

The solution creates a supportive learning environment that empowers every student to pursue their goals and maximize their potential.

Through a best-in-market mobile experience, consistent course navigation, a test experience that reduces stress, and inline insights to keep them on track, Learn Ultra puts learners first and drives student success.

Blackboard Learn Ultra provides a mobile experience that makes it easy for students to jump in and access their courses whenever and however they want. By prioritizing mobile-first design principles and designing our LMS with accessibility in mind, we’ve created a learning experience which is consistent across all devices and browsers, with regular testing to ensure performance.

Instructors across Nigeria will also benefit from the learning management system. With intuitive course design, enhanced assessment options, flexible grading, in line insights on student progress, and powerful integrations with hundreds of their favourite teaching tools, Learn Ultra provides all the functionality that instructors need to support great outcomes for their students.

Instructors are supported to both create new content and re-use or re-purpose existing material, saving time and improving efficiency.

It is no wonder, therefore, that prestigious institutions worldwide, including University of Leeds, Northern Illinois University, Durham University, University of Northampton, and Cardiff University are just a few of the premier institutions that rely on the features and benefits of the Blackboard learning management system from Anthology.

XVI

19.12.2023

29

THI S DAY • Tuesday, December 19, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

D e c e m b er

S & P INDEX

1 8 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 to daTE

-0.07%

N795.28/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT Monday, July 24, 2023

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

NERC: Discos Collected N267.6bn, Achieved Billing Efficiency of 79% in Q3 Cross-border customers fail to make remittance in three months

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) operating in the country collected N267.6 billion from customers in the third quarter of this year, achieving a billing efficiency of 79 per cent in the process, the Q3 quarterly report of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has indicated.

According to the report, the total energy received by all Discos during the period was 7,184.45GWh, while the energy billed to end-users

was 5,682.11GWh, representing a decrease of 2.44 per cent compared to the 81.53 per cent billing efficiency recorded in 2023/Q2.

“The total revenue collected by all Discos in 2023/Q3 was N267.61 billion out of N349.55 billion billed to customers. This translates to a collection efficiency of 76.56 per cent, which represents an increase of 1.02 per cent when compared to 2023/Q2 of 75.54 per cent.

“The increase in collection efficiency can be attributed to the implementation of various collection campaigns for improved

remittance by post-paid customers,” the NERC report stated.

Nigeria’s power sector’s performance remains largely underwhelming, supplying just about 4,000mw to over 200 million citizens to power their homes and businesses.

The government recently admitted that as much as 40,000mw is currently generated by individual Nigerians through the deployment of generating sets, which further pollute the environment.

Generally, a lack of investment, sector illiquidity, non-cost reflective

billing regime, gas-to-power supply disruptions, among others, have been blamed for the unenviable situation of the industry in the country.

According to the latest report, Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) loss, which provides the position of how much revenue a Disco has collected, relative to how much it should have collected based on the volume of energy sold to customers, was 39.45 per cent during the quarter.

The ATC&C is also a critical parameter for the computation of

allowed Disco tariffs used to adjust for the “efficient losses” that they are expected to incur for energy distribution and provision of supply services to end-user customers.

“The ATC&C loss in 2023/Q3 was 39.45 per cent comprising technical and commercial loss of 20.91 per cent and collection loss of 23.44 per cent. The ATC&C loss increased by 1.04 per cent compared to 2023/Q2 of 38.41 per cent,” NERC added.

According to the regulator, in 2023/Q3, the average energy offtake

by Discos at their trading points was 3,253.83MWh/h, which was an

increase of 0.08 per cent compared to the 3,251.31 MWh/h recorded in 2023/Q2.

“During the quarter, all the Discos recorded higher ATC&C losses than efficient loss targets in 2023/Q3. Consequentially, each Disco’s revenue collection in 2023/ Q3 fell short of what is required to finance sustainable long-term operations while also providing reasonable returns for investors,” the document stated.

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

FG: Value Addition in Non-oil Exports Key to Nigeria’s Competitiveness in Global Trade Dike Onwuamaeze

The federal government has emphasised the urgent need for value addition on Nigeria’s non-oil exports to enhance the country’s competitiveness in international trade.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Doris Uzoka-Anite, stated this during a Trade Dialogue with the theme, “Trade as a Catalyst for Economic

Diversification,” held in Abuja to identify common objectives, explore avenue for collaboration and collectively address the barriers that hinder prosperity in the country’s trading environment.

This urgency for enhanced value addition was amplified by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report on the second quarter of 2023, which showed that non-oil products contributed only 9.82 per cent of Nigeria’s total exports

during the period under review.

Meanwhile, the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Francis Meshioye, has warned that much emphasis on trade without corresponding attention to manufacturing would be counterproductive.

Uzoka-Anite said: “There is an urgent need for value-addition on our non-oil exports to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in global

Food

trade, as well as, increase foreign exchange earnings for the benefit of our economy. Nigeria’s favourable demographics with energetic and tech-savvy young population of 25 years of age and below, representing over 60 per cent of the population, is of great advantage.”

The Trade Minister also pointed out some of the key regulatory advancements the federal government has achieved within the trade sector, which included the

Commodities

name of commodity

Size

State

Price

name of commodity

Rice

100kg

Abuja

N35,000 – N45,000

Sorghum

50kg

oyo

50kg

Plateau (Jos)

Price

reviewed and approval of Nigeria Trade Policy document for 20232027 and Nigeria’s updated model for bilateral investment agreements that balanced investors’ rights and obligations while providing investment facilitation.

The minister noted that the establishment of the National Quality Council (NQC) for effective implementation of the Nigeria National Quality Policy is aimed at ensuring that Nigeria’s products

meet international standards.

Other achievements, according to her, included, “substantial investments in infrastructure, including rail, road, and aviation sectors. Nigeria’s recognition by the IMF in 2021 as one of the most improved countries in the ease of doing business in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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

T o d ay

State

Price

name of commodity

Size

State

Price

100kg JIGAWA

N30,000

B EAN S

N35,000 – N45,000

Benue

N32,000

Maidu guri

N22,000 – N30,000

100kg

50kg bag

N32,500 – N42,000

100kg

Kaduna

N32,000

100kg Lagos

N36,000

50kg

kwara N24,000–N27,000

50kg

Enugu

N24,000

100kg

Kano

N35,000

50kg

Lagos

N35,000 – N45,000

50kg

Lagos

N26,000

50kg

rivers N36,500 – N46,500

Delta

N36,000

Delta

N35,000

100kg

100kg

50kg

sokoto

N60,000 – N70,000

100kg

Abia

N36,000

100kg

Abia

N35,700

Size

30

• Tuesday, December 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

News Food

name of commodity

Palm oiL

C o m m o diti e s

Size

State

Price

name of commodity

Size

Location

Price

100KG Kano

N20,500

ONIONS

100kg

Ibadan

N60,000

MAIZE

100kg

Oyo

N10,000

N24,000 – N35,000

100KG Benue

N27,000

100kg KANO

N30,000

100kg Enugu

N16,500

25cl Ibadan N22,000 — N35,000

100KG Lagos

N32,000

100kg BENUE

N65,000

100kg delta

N14,000

100kg Plateau

N45,000

100kg

Abia

N11,000

100kg DELTA

N50,000

50kg

Lagos

N9,000

Price

25cl Lagos N20,000-N35000 25cl

PH

25cl

IMO

N24,000 – N36,500

25cl

Edo

N20,000 – N35,000

State

Groundnut

T o day

Price

State

Size

P r ic e

name of commodity

Size

name of commodity

25cl Abuja N25,500 – N35,000

100KG Delta

N34,000

100KG

Abia

N27,000

100kg LAGOS

N60,000

100kg Kano

N9,400

100KG Enugu

N23 000

100kg ENUGU

N45,000

50kg

N6,000

Benue

FG Commits to Boosting Livestock Production in Nigeria Gilbert Ekugbe The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has reaffirmed its commitment to boost livestock production.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, stated this at an event to distribute agricultural inputs and animal feeds by the ministry to flood affected livestock farmers in the Federal

Capital Territory (FCT).

Represented by the Director, Special Duties, Mrs. Fausat Lawal, he said the ministry would not relenting in its efforts to work out interventions to address the plight of livestock farmers.

Umakhihe said that the ministry would up its ante in an effort to revitalise the agricultural sector, improve farmers’ livelihood and

enhance the country’s food and nutrition security.

He pointed out that the distribution was aimed at cushioning the effect of climate change, increase production as well as address the high cost of animal feed in the country.

He said: “The ministry will remain passionate when it comes to improving the productivity of the smallholder farmers who are mostly

women and youth, we will continue do everything in our capacity to encourage livestock production in the country.”

In his remarks, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Secretariat, FCT, Mr. Kolo Geidam, who was represented by Mrs. Onyeji Edith, described the programme as timely and commended the ministry’s commitment towards

Maigandi, Fashola Emerge New IPMAN Leaders, Pledge Adequate Fuel Supply Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has elected a new national executive, with the leaders pledging to ensure adequate petroleum products supply during the holiday season.

On the sidelines of the event, which took place in Abuja, the newly-elected President of the group, Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, said he would work with all independent marketers to create the enabling environment to grow the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

Shettima, who took over the leadership of the association from Chinedu Okoronkwo, said the group would work with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to ensure that its members are adequately supplied products during the season.

“We will contact the Group

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

Chief Executive of NNPC to make sure that independent marketers are supplied with all the petroleum products to ensure that we wet all the filling stations,” Maigandi promised in response to the current shutdown of some

private filling stations.

Also speaking, the IPMAN’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Aminu Abdulkadri, who lauded the members of IPMAN for the successful election and handover to a new set of executive, described the event

as historical since it marked a peaceful change of leadership.

He explained that as the group with the largest number of petrol stations across the country, creating a united front nationally was critical to the growth of the business.

CSO Seeks Greater Transparency in Nigeria’s Extractive Sector Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Divine Era Development and Social Rights Initiative (DEDASRI) has called for greater transparency in the oil and gas industry as well as in mining and other extractive sectors.

Executive Director of the group, Ogechukwu Enwelum, who spoke during a consultative meeting on the “Disclose the Deal Campaign Nigeria Project “in Abuja, explained that although some progress had been made, there was need to build on the existing foundation.

In this connection, she stressed that Nigeria has made progress in implementing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) standards by publishing annual reports that provide detailed information on payments made by companies and revenues received by the government.

“However, it’s important to note that there are still challenges in fully ensuring transparency in Nigeria’s extractive sector. There continue to be a huge corruption factor that hinders transparency in the extractive sector.

“Often, contracts are awarded in secrecy with shoddy arrangements that do not allow the government and the citizens have a good knowledge of what is going on.

“Efforts made to address issues such as incomplete data, lack of comprehensive reporting, and limited access to Information such as active contracts, contract amendments and annexes have not yielded much results.

“The government and civil society organisations continue to work towards improving transparency and accountability in the sector,” the group added.

enhancing farmer’s income and livelihood.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Director, Animal Husbandry Services, Mrs. Winnie Lar Solarin, said that

the event was an opportunity to share ideas, keep in touch with farmers and acquit them with modern technologies to improve their farming practices.’’

Food Crises to Dominate Global Outlook for 2024 FAO Warns Gilbert Ekugbe

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has stated that food crises would continue to dominate the global outlook for 2024.

According to the United Nations Food body, further funding squeezes are expected, while extreme weather events driven by the climate crisis, intensifying conflicts and economic instability would pushing more people into hunger.

To address this situation, it is soliciting a total of $1.8 billion within the Humanitarian Response Plans to assist 43 million people next year to produce their own food as part of its efforts to combat acute global hunger.

The announcement by FAO was made as part of the United Nations’ large-scale humanitarian appeal, which was launched on behalf of more than 1,900 humanitarian partners and covers 72 countries impacted by crises, both directly and indirectly.

Throughout 2023, humanitarian needs remained unacceptably high, with approximately one in every 33 people, about 258 million people in 58 countries and territories facing acute hunger driven by armed conflicts, economic shocks, climate extremes, poverty and inequality. Concurrently, humanitarian budgets began tightening, leaving millions without assistance.

On average, two-thirds of

those experiencing acute food insecurity rely on agriculture for their survival. In humanitarian contexts, emergency agriculture interventions that enable people to produce their own food – often in combination with direct food distributions and cash transfers – can be the most efficient way to meet critical humanitarian needs while maximising the impact of every single dollar provided.

Yet only 4.0 per cent of total humanitarian funding going to food sectors is allocated to emergency agriculture assistance.

By the end of November, FAO had assisted more than 30 million people experiencing food crises in 2023, despite funding cuts.

Last year, at a cost of just $598 million, FAO’s emergency crop and vegetable production support alone enabled 23 million people in 29 countries to grow their own food and meet their family’s cereal needs for an average of 11 months.

Overall, the crops and vegetables produced had a value of $2.75 billion. That represents an average return on investment of $6 for each $1 provided to FAO. With this level of agricultural assistance, combined with food assistance and cash transfers, the number of rural Afghans suffering from high levels of acute food insecurity has started to fall, decreasing from 47 percent of the measured population in March to May 2022 to 40 per cent in April 2023.

LEAD-P Will Ensure Efficiency in Civil Service, Says VP Shettima Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Vice President, Kasim Shettima has described the Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme (LEAD-P) as an initiative that will ensure efficiency and reposition the civil service.

He stated this recently at the graduation ceremony of 106 graduands of LEAD-P programme in Abuja.

The Vice President was represented by the Special Adviser on Economic Affairs in the office of the Vice President, Mr. Tope Fasua.

He noted that the programme, which was a training course for civil servants in Grade Level 1014, would help to address

longstanding challenges facing the federal civil service.

Shetima said he believed that with the rigorous training on leadership that the graduates passed through over the months, the country now boasts of a public service and civil service that is a ready cohort of game changers and change ambassadors “This marks a further turning point in the fortunes of the public service and the civil service in Nigeria and the astute work that has been done that continues to be done in requisitioning the service.

I assure you that it’s a new dawn.

“The idea behind training a select few is for them to infect in a good way the

vast majority with what they have learned and to replicate themselves everywhere. The task will not be easy. The world is watching and your job is cut out for you,” the vice president said.

He stressed the critical need to reposition public service to enable the country to begin to attain the levels seen in many countries around the world and to walk away from a reputation of redundancy and inefficiency.

In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described LEAD-P programme as a vital pillar of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025.

The SGF, who was represented by the permanent secretary, General Services Office, OSGF, Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, said the knowledge and skills the LEAD-P graduands acquired were not merely their own; but a torch entrusted to them to illuminate the path forward for the civil service, and ultimately, for Nigeria.

“To the 107 graduates, your journey through this program has been one of intellectual rigor and personal transformation. You have been challenged, stretched, and molded into the leaders our nation needs. Therefore, I charge you to deploy your intellect with conviction, your skills with purpose, and your

leadership with integrity,” Akume said.

Also speaking, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, stressed the need for human capital for nation building, describing investment in human knowledge and skills as an urgent necessity for development.

“This is because people are the main engine for growth and without skills or knowledge and personnel, it’s not possible to achieve the growth, development and advance rates that nations aspire to,”Yemi-Esan said.

The guest speaker at the ceremony was the Founder and Chairman Fate Foundation, Mr Afolabi Adeola.

31

T H I S D AY • Tuesday, December 19, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD

Interview

Uro: AI Tools Will Replace Some Human Skill Sets in Advertising Four years after launching Sharebeta with clear ambition to transcend old and traditional advertising and provide digitally-driven marketing solutions, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sharebeta Limited, Mr. Martin Uro, believes the firm has recorded extraordinary performance and wild innovations. Dike Onwuamaeze brings the excerpts: wanted something different and more scientific that is not just about geo-targeting. So we created a proprietary tool using geo-fencing technology and GPS, and linked it up with Opera ads to alert people around that geographical location during their lunch break to go try out their best seller and in four months their sales quadrupled and human traffic also increased by 67 per cent. Some customers were bold enough to ask the client how they knew the exact times they were hungry and when they were preparing for lunch break

Let us begin this conversation by asking you to introduce yourself and your role at Sharebeta? y name is Mr. Martin Uro. I have almost two decades of experience in marketing communications and audio-visual productions. I am the MD/CEO and co-founder of Sharebeta Group. I’m excited about the achievements of the organisation so far and the future is ours to grab. I provide leadership to my team in the most convenient manner that enables them to effectively deliver value and results from any part of the world.

I have a growth mind-set and a vertical thinker. I intend to build one of the most sorts after creative hubs in Africa with our well-nurtured digital natives. I rely on my very young and innovative team to navigate through creating marketing solutions for our amiable clients.

M

Can you briefly describe Sharebeta and the services it offers?

Sharebeta is a multidisciplinary, digitally driven creative agency. We offer through-the-line marketing solutions for products and brands in Nigeria and across the globe. We have Sharebeta Limited, which handles through-the-line campaigns- traditional advertising, brand identity, corporate branding/acculturation, digital marketing and experiential marketing. We also have our production arm that creates powerful content and brand assets in videos and stills. We also produce films, documentaries and animations including managing talents. Finally, we have Sharebeta Tech that caters for everything Tech like IDDM, UI/UX, Cyber security, DevOps engineering, artificial intelligence, online advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing etc.

Uro their expectations, we seek clients’ feedback, we stand for quality results, and we seek to beat our personal best so we are wired not to see competition but to keep beating our previous records. Finally, we have a unique team of young digital natives who operate from all over the world and we give them the liberty of working on briefs from their comfort zones our results have been phenomenal.

How has Sharebeta used digital technology to create a successful advertising campaign?

So many exciting examples but I will talk about the brief from a premium restaurant/lounge that

What are the unique selling propositins that differentiate Sharebeta from other advertising agencies?

We go the extra mile to satisfy our clients beyond

Can you explain how important user experience (UX) is for advertising?

UX is all about how a person feels when interacting with a system, like a website, mobile app, or even a physical product. In advertising, good UX means creating campaigns or platforms that are easy, enjoyable, and effective for the audience to interact with. If the audience finds an ad confusing or hard to navigate, they’re likely to lose interest quickly. The same goes for user interface (UI) that refers to the specific elements that people interact with on a digital platform such as buttons, screens, and icons. In advertising, UI plays a crucial role in making sure the ad is visually appealing and easy to use. The colours, layout, and typography all contribute to catching the viewer’s eye and making the information clear and accessible. In today’s digital age, where so much advertising is online, both UX and UI are crucial. They ensure that advertisements are not only attentiongrabbing but also provide a positive and seamless experience to the audience. This increases the likelihood of the audience engaging with the ad, understanding the product or service being advertised, and ultimately making a purchase.

How does Sharebeta stay at the forefront of innovation in the advertising industry?

Sharebeta is one of the leading forces when it

comes to futuristic innovations and global evolution of the industry in Nigeria. Apart from our style of storytelling, we are aware that the advertising industry will be 85 per cent automated, immersive and above all personalised in the future. This awareness keeps us focused on the aspirations of the consumer to hack into their emotions when we tell our stories.

Mention some of the latest trends in advertising that Sharebeta is excited about?

We are extremely excited about the rapid technological advancement and evolution that is now available in advertising like IDDM, SEM, SEO, AI tools like ChatGPT, geo-targeting of ads, geofencing, programmatics and social listening. These are smart tools that complement traditional advertising but we must remember that smartphones are fast replacing every home and mobile gadget. The sad news is that some AI tools will replace some human skill sets in advertising.

What does the future looks like for Sharebeta in the advertising industry?

Sharebeta is the hope and future of advertising in Nigeria. The ambition is clear; to transcend old and traditional advertising and provide digitally-driven marketing solutions with native advertising and the roadmap is moving from zero to one on a vertical progression … (laughs).

What are your thoughts on the advertising industry’s future in Nigeria and Africa?

Nigeria’s creative industry is super blessed with the smartest brains in the world and the advertising industry that leads today’s marketing will continue to make significant progress both in Nigeria and globally. However, this progress can only come to fruition for companies that are awake to take those massive opportunities.

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

Ojo: Why Soft Skills are Imperative to Foster Innovation Adeyemi Ojo is the Business Development Manager, BIC, Nigeria. In this interview with Funmi Ogundare, he explained why soft skills are considered crucial for innovation and problem-solving in today’s complex and dynamic society. Excerpts all about nurturing a creative, innovative, and solution-oriented mindset; creating a generation of leaders.

Your organisation recently hosted the ‘Canvas of Change’ masterclass initiative for teachers in Lagos, Nigeria, why do you intend to expand the initiative into the wider West and Central Africa region? t BIC, we have a global commitment to improve learning conditions for 250 million students by the year 2025. We have various initiatives globally, relevant to the various regions we operate in. In Africa, and in Nigeria more specifically, we follow a holistic approach to education where we elevate learning conditions for students inside the classroom and in educational facilities, help students unleash their creativity through art, and support them all the way through university and as they enter the professional world through internship and mentorship opportunities.

Our plans are rolled out in our flagship markets in Africa in the aim of impacting more students and teachers in line with our global commitment, under our sustainable development programme; Writing the Future Together’, aims to enhance our societal and environmental footprint.

A

In your view, how significant are in-demand skills, and how well-prepared do you think young individuals are for the job market, enabling them to actively contribute to innovation and proffer solutions to the complex problems in today’s society?

Recently in the job market in Africa, there has been a growing emphasis on a diverse skill set that goes beyond traditional academic qualifications such as Medicine, Accounting, and legal services. This is also reaffirmed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) report, which equates soft skills development to youth empowerment in developing countries. In line with this, employers increasingly seek individuals who possess not only technical expertise but also skills including critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and effective communication. These skills are considered crucial for innovation and problem-solving in today’s complex and dynamic society.

There is often a gap between the skills acquired

Ojo through formal education and those demanded by the job market. Many graduates face challenges in translating their academic knowledge into practical, real-world applications. This underscores the need for initiatives like The Canvas of Change Masterclass which BIC hosted in Nigeria recently.

Such initiatives essentially aim to bridge the gap by providing young individuals with the necessary tools and insights to navigate the professional landscape successfully and fill the gap by providing educators with the relevant methodologies to empower young individuals and trigger innovative and critical thinking. It’s

What is your view on the implementation of e-learning strategies in schools?

E-learning is growing at a fast rate. In Africa, e-learning is projected to grow by 12.10 per cent between 2023 and 2027, according to Online Learning Platforms Africa, resulting in a market volume of $600.10 million by 2027. With the advent of COVID-19, e-learning has also emerged as a transformative force in education, reshaping the traditional landscape and providing innovative solutions to the challenges posed by the pandemic. The closure of physical classrooms prompted a rapid shift towards online and remote learning, making e-learning an indispensable tool for continuity education.

By incorporating technology into education, it enables an interactive and engaging learning environment for students and teachers across different continents or cities.

This helps broaden students’ perspectives and exposes educators to new methodologies and learning techniques, preparing them both for a globally interconnected workforce. By combining e-learning with initiatives like the Canvas of Change Masterclass, we aim to create a dynamic blend that equips young minds for academic triumphs and for the real-world ahead. At BIC, we are keen to bring to the community initiatives that are driven towards fostering an independent and creative mindset that helps students develop confidence, build critical thinking, and learn to express themselves through different avenues.

Our creation and support of a diverse range of educational initiatives worldwide aims to inspire a lifelong love for learning in students of all ages.

In light of the prevalent youth unemployment in Nigeria, how do you

perceive the potential impact of collaboration between stakeholders in the education and private sectors on the continent’s human and intellectual capital?

In Nigeria, where the issue of youth unemployment is paramount, fostering collaboration becomes a vital catalyst for sustainable and impactful change. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics reveals a positive trend, with unemployment rates decreasing to 5.3 per cent in Q4 2022 and 4.1 per cent in Q1 2023.

However, addressing the nuanced issue of youth unemployment requires a holistic approach. Our partnership with esteemed educators like Femi Taiwo, Olasunkanmi Opeifa and Oluwaseun Kayode, is a powerful means to bridge the divide between theoretical knowledge and its practical application, specifically addressing the nuances of assessment and feedback in the learning process. These collaborations with experienced educators offer invaluable opportunities for skill development, ensuring that the teachers are not just theoretically educated but equipped with the practical tools necessary to guide their students through the complexities of the professional world that awaits them.

Our goal is to shift the mindset of teachers, creating a ripple effect that positively impacts their students in terms of both skill set and mindset thereby offering educational access that nurtures innovation, empowering the leaders of tomorrow to break new grounds in various industries and address the pressing challenges of unemployment in the country.

In your collaboration with various organisations, especially in extending your impact beyond the classroom, how do you envision the ongoing and future effects of these partnerships on students?

Our approach to education is holistic, starting from supporting the infrastructure of educational facilities to encouraging self-expression all the way to empowering youth as they enter the professional workforce.

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

32

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

33

• Tuesday, December 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Cryptocurrency: Taming Cannibals of the Naira Fred Ebomwonyi

to replace their foreign exchange stockpiles once they sell, they have perfected a method, which enables them to receive naira into a designated account at an agreed exchange rate. They use the same naira to repurchase US$ and then release the dollar they had earlier sold, thereby putting an abnormal strain on the naira.

The role USDT plays in this transaction equation is to provide them with the platform to repurchase the US dollar they have sold because the cryptocurrency is stable and not prone to the volatility seen in the other cryptos. They can then withdraw the crypto, which is lodged into a regular bank account and, again, put it into use to replace their stockpiles.

And since this platform is the main driver of the foreign exchange replacement by Nigerian currency traders, the price for USDT on the Binance platform has become the de facto determinant of the value of the naira.

T

he naira closed at a record low of N1,009.05 per dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) on Friday, December 8, 2023. This marked the most disastrous week for the forex market as the local currency posted its worst daily losses in history.

Amid this tumultuous exchange rate scenario, the parallel market fought to maintain its gap-stronghold with the naira trading at N1,250 to the dollar on the same day. Yet there seemed to be no end in sight.

While this is not good news for a country battling with diverse economic headwinds, the move by mindless cryptocurrency (crypto) traders to scuttle every step by the Nigerian monetary authorities to save and stabilise the naira is indeed frightening. What played out at the NAFEM on December 8, despite the huge intervention by the CBN, attests to this.

The situation, therefore, calls for the appropriate strategic actions and the outright ban or, at the very least, the tight regulation of crypto dealing in Nigeria, as the trading of the USDT:NGN currency pair on the Binance platform is one of the main drivers of the alarming depreciation of the naira.

Ways out

What is USDT?

The USDT, or Tether, is a crypto stablecoin that is designed to maintain a stable value Cardoso by being pegged to the US dollar (US$). It It should also be noted that the owner is often used as a bridge between traditional of Binance has just been charged for fiat currency and cryptos. money laundering in the US and has The key feature of the USDT is that it not only been fined $4.2 billion but is aims to maintain a 1-1 value with the US also going to be sentenced to a jail term. dollar and is a steady source of converting It is a shame that such an entity is what naira to US dollar without adhering to any is controlling the currency rate of a great conventional banking rules, thus making it country like Nigeria. a convenient tool for anybody to become a It would be prudent for Nigeria’s new currency trader with little or no regulation. leadership to immediately take steps to stem the tide because without a ban Why USDT thrives or, at the worst, very strict regulations As the traders need a steady supply of around this scenario, the government will the dollar, they have found a partner in the never be able to put guardrails in place Binance trading platform, which allows literally to prevent the rapid decline of the naira. anybody to convert naira to USDT and sell it.

This is because the crypto phenomenon has ensured that no matter how much the government injects into the system, or what policies are put in place, demand will always outpace supply.

To crown it up, as long as you convert your naira to USDT, you are guaranteed to make a profit. This is unacceptable as it creates artificial demand by people who do not need foreign exchange for any business or settlement purposes. It is causing a strain on legitimate businesses as well as the masses and the nation as a whole.

Because these dealers need to be able

The government should consider an immediate ban of economically harmful crypto trading, especially the USDT:NGN, through the Nigerian banking system and the introduction of stiff sanctions against engaging in it.

The CBN should consider resumption of non-deliverable forwards and freezing of accounts linked to crypto trading. Initiating a policy measure that requires submission of EDD on any company moving large sums of money within or outside the country is necessary.

If the government starves the source of this bulk of crypto and frustrates the conversion process, the needed stability of the naira could be achieved.

That way, the fluid source of artificial demand would be curtailed and the foreign exchange dealers left with no option but to source from the conventional banking channels.

This must be done urgently to forestall a fatalistic depreciation of the naira to N2,000/$ in the shortest possible time. ª Ebomwonyi, an investment banker and financial analyst, writes from Abuja

34

TUESday, DECEMBER 19, 2023 T H I S D AY

business/MOnEYGUIDE

INTELS Graduates 85 WEPSS Beneficiaries, Donates 1000 Garments to Physically Challenged Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics giant, INTELS Nigeria Limited has graduated a fresh batch of 85 beneficiaries of its popular Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS).

The women, who were trained in tailoring and fashion design, were drawn from INTELS’ host communities in Onne, Ogu and other parts of Rivers State, and the Niger Delta region.

Also, the compay donated 1,000 garments to the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD).

INTELS established WEPSS in 2013 to empower 5,000 community women over a 20-year period through training in fashion design and tailoring.

The beneficiaries are trained and empowered by INTELS in two batches every year. More than 1,800 women have so far benefited from the training.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2023 Batch B at the WEPSS Training Centre, Federal Lighter Terminal, Onne Port, Rivers State on Thursday, the Managing Director of INTELS

Nigeria Limited, Mr. Pasquale Fiore, said the scheme is part of the company’s commitment to support and empower women.

“You have demonstrated to us that promise made is promise kept by keeping to the objectives of the program through the transfer of skills, technology and employment.

This shows that INTELS is a trailblazer in showing other free zone operators the way to go in making lives better,” the INTELS Managing Director, who was represented at the graduation ceremony by Barrister Sunday Wama, said.

He said in addition to attracting businesses to Nigeria and generating revenue for the government, INTELS has made significant impact on its host communities though various empowerment programmes such as WEPSS. Mr. Fiore said WEPSS was set up to empower women in and around INTELS’ host communities to enhance their socio-economic status and to enable them generate sustainable income to support

their families.

He expressed delight that WEPSS, which is in its 10th year, has made strong positive impact in the lives of women in the host communities.

He said INTELS has taken the WEPSS training a step higher by providing starter kits for the top graduating beneficiaries and also setting up a business for the best graduating student.

The Project Manager of WEPSS, Nancy Freeborn, expressed appreciation to the management of INTELS for its commitment to the empowerment of women, promotion of Nigerian content and support for local communities.

On the donation 1,000 garments to the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), she said, “We live in a society where physically challenged people are not given the opportunities that able people are opened to, so they need a hand to assist them. Some of them are already employed

by INTELS, and giving them these garments will go a long way to support them.”

L-R: Manager, Risk Management, INTELS Nigeria Limited, Paolo Fogazzi; representative of the Managing Director of INTELS, Sunday Wama; Best Graduating Trainee, 2023 Batch B of INTELS Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS), Hannah Brown; INTELS Government and Community Relations Manager, Rexford Asaikpuka; a guest Micah Fubara and the Project Manager of

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

Money Supply (M3)

65,445,154.2

Don Canvasses Jail Term for Tax Defaulters in Nigeria

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

552,553.58

Money Supply (M2)

64,892,600.61

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

-- Quasi Money

40,870,301.28

-- Narrow Money (M1)

24,022,299.33

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,295,309.10

A University don with University of Ilorin, Kwara state, Professor Saka Muhammed Olokooba has said that, the continue evasion of taxes among taxable adults and corporate bodies has forced the Nigerian government to result to both internal and external borrowing in financing annual budget.

Olokooba therefore canvassed for jail terms to any

one caught evading payment of taxes in the country.

Delivering the 249th inaugural lecture of the institution with theme, “Withhold Ceasar’s Right and Then Cry the Beloved Country,” Olokooba stated that, “the evasion of these taxes in Nigeria have made the country to indebted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Paris Club, China and other countries of the world.”

He said that, “The Debt

Management Office in Nigeria has also revealed that, the Nigeria’s total debt for the period ending March 31, 2023 has risen to N49.85 trillion ($108.30 billion from N46.25 trillion as of December 21st 2022. Tax evasion constitutes the main clog in the nonworkability of the Nigerian tax system. This problem is becoming worrisome and despite a series of efforts to curb or eliminate it and it is disheartening to note that the problem persists.”

Moniepoint MFB Unveils Personal Banking Referral Program Kayode Tokede In tandem with the spirit of giving, generosity and goodwill that defines the Christmas season, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank has announced the launch of its latest initiative, “the Moniepoint Personal Banking Refer and Earn” program.

The Managing Director, Moniepoint MfB, Babatunde Olofin in a statement said, “at the heart of Moniepoint’s success are our valued customers, and this initiative is a heartfelt expression of gratitude for their

trust, loyalty, and transactions.

It is also about exemplifying the Bank’s mantra of powering dreams and our visionary resolve to create a society where everyone experiences financial happiness.”

Furthermore, speaking to the import of the initiative, Olofin added, “in rewarding customers for their loyalty, we want to make it possible to let customers introduce our peerless and trusted digital banking experience to their customers while earning rewards in a fun way. Our

personal banking services break the stereotype of banking services in people’s mind, and we’d like to encourage them to find joy in their financial journey.

“On the mechanics of the Refer and Earn initiative, participants have a unique referral code/link accessible through the Referral Section on the Moniepoint Business Banking app. This code/link can be shared with customers, who, upon signing up and transacting with the Moniepoint Personal Banking app, will contribute to rewards for the referrer.”

Crown Flour Mill Promises Support to Trade Partners Oluchi Chibuzor Crown Flour Mill has promised to support its esteemed trade partners.

The firm stated this as its recent customers forum held in Abuja and Lagos respectively.

The forums were aimed at expressing gratitude to the customers for their unwavering patronage and support throughout the year.

Speaking at the event, Vice President Commercial, Crown Flour Mill, Mr Bolaji Anifowose, said business operations in the last three years have been on a roller coaster.

According to him, “We have continued to have both high tides and smooth sails. We thank you that in all these seasons, you have held tightly to our side and have continued to support our brands.

“This is one of the reasons that have sustained our brands in the leadership position across all our key categories. Our flour, pasta and semolina brands remain a force to reckon with in the bakeries and retail stores across the regions - for this, we are immensely grateful to you all.”

For the Lagos event, the company not only appreciated

its southern based customers, but also used the event to launch Crown Flour Mills latest addition to their portfolio, ‘Mama’s Pride Pasta’.

Also speaking, the General Manager, Marketing B2C, Crown Flour Mill, Mrs. Bola Adeniji, said the launch was to create more smart options for Nigerian consumers.

Representing the Northern distributors, Hamisu Rabiu and representing the South West and South East distributors, Mr. Femi Areo, expressed their appreciation to Crown Flour Mill for helping them to grow their businesses in the last couple of years.

---- Demand Deposits

21,726,990.23

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,144,158.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

58,300,995.27

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

87,273,966.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

32,511,333.17

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

54,762,633.63

--Other Assets Net

13,347,376.27

Reserve Money (Base Money

19,429,603.25

--Currency in Circulation

2,660,138.92

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

16,769,464.34 428,519.21

• Source - CBN

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

August 2023

Inter-Bank Call Rate

3.89

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

18.75

Treasury Bill Rate

5.13

Savings Deposit Rate

5.26

1 Month Deposit Rate

7.31

3 Months Deposit Rate

7.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

8.30

12 Months Deposit Rate

8.13

Prime Lending rate

13.99

Maximum Lending Rate

27.59

• Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE As At 29th September , 2023

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

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

T H I S D AY •TUESday, DECEMBER 19, 2023

35

mARKET NEWS

Stock Market Up 0.02% on Buying Interest in Transcorp, Others Kayode Tokede The stock market segment of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday commenced the new week on a mildly positive footing as investors buying interest in Trancorp Hotels Plc and 17 others advanced the market 0.02 per cent The All-Share Index (ASI) gained 15.68 basis points or 0.02 per cent to close at 72,404.91 basis

points. Also, market capitalisation rose by N8 billion to close at N39.621 trillion.

Notable buy pressure in key stocks like Transcorp Hotels that gained 9.38 per cent, as Fidelity Bank rose by 2.65 per cent and United Bank for Africa (UBA) added 0.41 per cent, to drove the market’s positive performance.

Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth closed negative as 18 stocks

P R I C E S MaiN Board

F O R DEALS

advanced, while 33 declined.

Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank emerged the highest price gainer of 9.93 per cent to close at N3.10, per share. John Holt followed with a gain of 9.87 per cent to close at N2.45, while Transcorp Hotels rose by 9.38 per cent to close at N51.30, per share.

SCOA Nigeria increased rose by 8.62 per cent to close at N1.89, while FTN Cocoa Processors appreciated by 7.53 per cent to

S E C U R I T I E S Market Price

quantity traded

close at N1.57, per share.

On the other side, Associated Bus Company led others on the losers’ chart with 9.89 per cent to close at 82 kobo, per share. eTranzact International followed with a decline of 9.42 per cent to close at N6.25, while R.T. Briscoe Nigeria shed 8.33 per cent to close at 55 kobo, per share.

Sovereign Trust Insurance down by 7.69 per cent to close at 36 kobo, while The Initiates (TIP)

T R A D E D

value traded ( N )

MaiN Board

A S O F

depreciated by 6.84 per cent to close at N1.09, per share.

The total volume traded advanced by 5.6 per cent to 324.25 million units, valued at N4.40 billion, and exchanged in 6,745 deals. Transactions in the shares of Mutual Benefits Assurance led the activity with 42.082 million shares worth N20.362 billion. United Bank for Africa (UBA) followed with account of 28.716 million shares

valued at N689.913 million, while Transnational Corporations traded 24.092 million shares valued at N166.971 million.

Sterling Financial Holdings Company traded 20.215 million shares worth N85.036 million, while Zenith Bank traded 17.153 million shares worth N635.320 million. Looking into this week, United Capital said “we anticipate investors sentiments in the local equities market to remain strong.

D E C E M B E R / 1 8 / 2 3 DEALS

Market Price

quantity traded

value traded ( N)

36

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 15Dec-2023, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

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

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 303.77 303.77 61.14% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 10.18% Nigeria International Debt Fund 338.92 338.92 5.03% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 109.97 109.97 6.24% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.24% AIICO Balanced Fund 4.90 5.01 44.26% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 0.03% Anchoria Equity Fund 187.37 189.83 29.27% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.28 1.28 3.57% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 29.73 30.62 35.47% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 653.61 673.31 25.40% ARM Ethical Fund 53.76 55.38 19.16% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.17 1.17 4.26% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.16 1.16 4.57% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.74% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.06 1.06 2.83% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.06 106.06 16.45% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,149.71 1,149.71 7.23% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 2.23 2.23 9.51% CEAT Fixed Income Fund 3.00 3.07 33.93% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.05 1.05 7.86% CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CHD Nigeria Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.97% Cordros Milestone Fund 167.36 168.53 30.00% Cordros Fixed Income Fund 107.27 107.27 10.32% Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund 109.00 109.00 10.99% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 114.11 114.11 6.19% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 1.00 9.95% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.51 1.52 32.04% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.41 1.41 3.64% Coronation Fixed Income Fund EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.75% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.11 1.11 10.56% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.28 1.29 26.40% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 107.23 107.23 5.82% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1540.31 1540.31 11.96% FBN Balanced Fund 264.89 267.18 43.34% FBN Halal Fund 133.07 133.07 13.22% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.64% FBN Dollar Fund 123.59 123.59 7.72% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 241.49 244.70 59.42% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 111.43 111.43 9.49% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.86% Legacy Debt Fund 3.57 3.57 -0.04% Legacy Equity Fund 2.71 2.77 35.62% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.32 1.32 4.87% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Balanced Fund 5,625.89 5,667.46 35.24% Coral Income Fund 3,985.51 3,985.51 7.70% Coral Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.71% FSDH Dollar Fund 1.19 1.19 5.81%

GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.gtcoplc.bank; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Guaranty Trust Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Guaranty Trust Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Guaranty Trust Equity Income Fund (VEIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.81 1.84 17.41% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,210.13 1,210.13 10.52% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 104.13 104.13 11.98% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 12.43% Norrenberger Dollar Fund (NDF) ($) 103.55 103.55 11.26% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 2.25 2.30 43.10% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.98 12.20 8.08% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.12% PACAM Equity Fund 2.16 2.19 52.15% PACAM EuroBond Fund 130.96 134.04 17.54% SCM CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital The Frontier Fund N/A N/A N/A SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 4,898.57 4,941.71 44.56% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 255.46 255.46 8.44% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 2.02 2.04 61.11% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 351.67 351.81 12.33% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 367.37 371.85 57.30% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.44% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 17,623.24 17,840.96 61.43% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.46 1.46 13.05% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 127.94 127.94 9.43% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 125.48 125.48 17.96% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,991.81 4,991.81 17.34% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 5,236.89 5,302.64 88.37% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 5,214.47 5,239.10 37.04% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.31 1.33 43.86% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.80 1.81 38.32% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.39 1.40 29.09% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.17 1.17 11.44% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.94 1.94 6.89% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.04 124.04 5.53% United Capital Global Fixed Income Fund 1.08 1.08 8.56% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.23% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 18.31 18.52 32.12% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 21.74 21.98 37.61% Zenith Income Fund 25.39 25.39 7.76% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.69% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 8.57 8.67 112.28% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 11.37 11.47 93.80% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 26.08 26.28 47.22% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.29% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 26.93 27.13 34.59% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 147.83 149.83 -6.26%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A 59.27 101.79 10.04

N/A 11.79% -12.08%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

20.99 460.00 702.00 N/A N/A

23.20 460.00 702.00 N/A N/A

42.33% 257.36% 596.08% N/A N/A

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A

N/A

Fund Name

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

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

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

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

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

37

38

interview

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

Ikpea: Hard Times Only Helped Strengthen My Businesses

Dr Leemon Ikpea

Dr Leemon Ikpea beams. His fluorescent eyeballs never dim, even in tumultuous times. The business magnate’s gait is gracious, reflecting the grit and gumption with which he has set up everything around him. The chief executive officer and founder of Lee Engineering & Construction Company Limited has a spring to his feet at 67. Starting what has become a business empire from scratch, literally from a 40-foot container, the billionaire oil and gas mogul is the poster boy of inventiveness, innovation, intuition and industry. A man of the people, patriotic and perspicacious, Ikpea has an enduring devotion to God and humanity, well illustrated by his many unpublicised philanthropic gestures. Spick and span, simple and yet suave, the visionary Ikpea exemplifies the fusion of the past, the present and the future. Recently, he marked the 32nd anniversary of the company. In this interview with Emmanuel Addeh, among other issues, he talks about how the challenging climate of doing business in Nigeria has helped strengthen the company’s determination to succeed. Excerpt: Could you give us a recap of what this journey has been like? hirty-two years is a long time, but at the same time, it is a very short time for me. The journey has been bumpy and has come with many curves and ups and downs, and I’ll say today that we are very happy the company is growing. All the staff are getting to understand that the company needs to grow for them to grow. The company is doing well, and our integrity is intact, and so is our competency, which is also improving. So, the journey so far has been very good.

T

What are those rough and tough moments that you talked about?

There have been periods of high interest rates, where invoices could not even pay salaries. We passed through those moments. We have also

tried to pass other hurdles. That took us some time. It was very depressing, but it made us strong and solid. It has made us what we are today. So, today, I will say that the company is doing very well, and I am behind it.

Thirty-two years is a long time in the life of a young man. It’s no joke. So, tell us how you have been able to navigate this road.

We started with a 40-foot container, and from there, we graduated into using a bungalow, graduated from one to two to five and then from there, we moved to our own base, which is Warri in Delta state.

Today, it is about 15,000 square meters, and we have the engineering, procurement, warehouse, administrative, and several other departments. And apart from that, we are

rounding off the building of a state-of-the-art factory where we are building a lot of oil and gas infrastructure.

We are building high-pressure facilities, heaters and so many others. A lot of fabrication is going on there. We are also building the head office at the centre of Ikoyi, which is currently under construction. At the Ikeja office, it is for our aviation, travel and tours company. They are performing very well. Right now, we are carrying out reforms in all the offices in Nigeria, Italy and Houston. We are doing general reforms, reorganising the place properly for them to make profits.

Tell us, at what point did you grow into fabrication, making pipes for oil companies and all of that?

It had been in my mind right from the

beginning. I’ve been in the industry for 46 years.

So, during my learning years, working as a manager for some foreign companies in my early stages prepared me for what I am today.

I had seen this vision long ago because of the three companies I had worked for; I saw how they grew.

So, how difficult is it to stay the course?

Because you will agree with me that it is not easy to be so focused for such a long time.

I can tell you that apart from work, I don’t know what they call social life. I don’t have a social life. First of all, all I do is work and work to ensure that the company continues to move ahead. I do not want any breakages or stoppages in our operations. Lee Engineering is a company that I know will stay forever for generations yet unborn to enjoy. So, I’m building a structure and a legacy that will benefit

39

THISDAY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023

Interview

Lee Engineering Company’s Integrity, Competence and Values of 32 Years Remain Intact unborn children. A company in the class of Mobil, Shell and other multinationals in the world today. That’s exactly what I’m looking at. We’ll continue to grow to that point in the near future. So, after playing my role, by the time God calls me back, the structure would have been there, solid and strong, for it to drive itself. And with the good number of staff that we are training, including my children, who are willing to continue from where I stopped, they will take it to the next level.

So, what does it require to succeed?

To succeed, you must be a man of integrity. You must work very hard. You must be a God-fearing person. Because you cannot force yourself to succeed, you must earn it. You must work for it. You must have faith in God. And then you believe that with God, everything is possible. If you have that belief, I’m sure you’ll get to the next level. So, integrity, credibility, competence, hard work and the fear of God. Those are the things that that will take you to where you want to be.

So, what would you say is the single biggest challenge? Is it the business environment?

Have you been able to overcome these challenges?

The greatest challenge for somebody who grew up in a place where there was unity and love is that all of a sudden, things begin to change. It is strange. I was raised in Warri and am proud to say I’m a Warri man. I was raised there. In Warri of those days, you didn’t know whether you were Ijaw, Urhobo, or Itsekiri. You just knew you were a Warri man, and everybody took you as a friend. But these days, we are seeing some things that are strange. So, it’s a very big challenge.

These days, the younger generations are just doing what they like. They disturb you when you are working, and it’s something you

are doing that will benefit them and the community. But they don’t want you to do it. But we are determined because Warri is the same place where we grew up, and it is a place that I want to be when I retire. So it’s a place that we will develop to become a place that will become like New York.

So, it seems like society has changed over time in the last few years. The values that we had then during your time and what we have now are two different things. What caused this?

I think there are so many factors. In those days, there was water (a public water system) and street lights. In those days, I would drive from Warri to Eket and then from Warri to Ilorin. But can I do that today? So many things have gone wrong.

Children nowadays don’t have respect for their elders or their parents, and they want to get rich quickly and get it now. Some don’t want to work at all, but they want to get money: they’re going into fraud, 419, and so many other things, so certain things have changed.

But we pray that with the new government in place now, which is already settling down, and I’m sure that by the time they finish settling down, all these vices will change, then we can go back to our good old days where we were our brothers’ keepers, where love was given priority, where electricity worked, and there was water.

So I’m very sure, and I’m watching, and I’m waiting for this government to do it because I know very well that the person heading the government is somebody who wants to succeed. And in spite of all these troubles here and there, he will succeed by the grace of God. We are praying for him.

You’re one of the poster boys for the

success story of local content in the oil and gas industry. There has been a leadership change in that organisation, the NCDMB. What advice do you have for the new leadership?

Believe me, the discussion of local content started in my office in the early 90s and continued until we finally took it to the first legislative house in 1999. And I’m happy that it was signed into law In 2010. And then the leadership that has been handling it, one way or the other, have tried their best. I pray that the new one coming in will be able to build on this structure built by the previous ones. Actually, the last one did very well. We had several meetings where we told them they must stand by us because we are the pioneers of local content.

So, anybody coming in to be in charge of the office must remember that that office is for Nigerians. It was established for Nigerians for the growth of Nigerians in the oil and gas industry, and I’m sure the government will not make the mistake of bringing the wrong people around the place. So, I’m sure they will build on what is on the ground.

From what I have heard, the new people coming in would definitely build on what is on the ground and follow in the footsteps of the others. If there’s anything that needs to be modified, I’m sure they can modify it to suit the purpose of local content.

Looking at the general state of affairs of the country, what do you advise our politicians to do?

My advice is that we should join hands in building this country. We should join hands with the government to build this country so that things work because we don’t have any other country. I’m appealing to all the politicians to join hands with

the president to build a sustainable economy, a stable society devoid of kidnapping, armed robbery and killings. If we can do that, they will see this country grow like every other part of the world, like Europe.

Now everybody’s running to Canada, but it is because those people have organised themselves properly. Nothing stops us from organising ourselves properly so that people start coming here too. I will personally join hands with the president to ensure that things are done in a good way for the benefit of this country.

You have just marked 32 years of Lee Engineering. What’s your vision going forward?

During the last town hall meeting, where I spelt out my vision, we were looking at the next five to 10 years to do something extraordinary.

Because I’ve been in this field for so many years, I want to go back to taking the back seat and leaving the younger generation to be in the driver’s seat. Within the next five to 10 years, I will just take the position of chairman, but I will not be directly involved in the day-to-day running of the business.

I’ll be giving them guidance to ensure they don’t derail and they don’t lose focus. I will be talking with the board to strengthen the structure and make sure they are properly put in place and properly run in line with the policies of the company. In the next five to 10 years, I will move to the back seat and then let the younger generation take over. I want them to continue to grow the company because the focus is to look at the next 30 years and for them to go to the capital market, and I think by the grace of God, it will happen.

What is your advice to young people?

My advice for them is to remain focused.

They should not think of what they are going to get now. If you think that way, you may get it, but it may not last. But if you have been able to garner experience, work hard because when I was working, I think it was about N200 I was earning, but today, some people are getting N3 million every month, and they still want more because they are not satisfied. Let them just stay focused and learn on the job so they can become masters of it. It is better that way because, eventually, money will come. They should not look for money first.

They should look for experience and focus on the job first, then money will follow. If they can do that, the company will be more efficient and effective and earn a lot of respect from clients.

But if they rush, there will be problems because it will crash. So my advice is that they should know that their integrity is very important, hard work is very important, and the workers should be carried along.

Tell us, is there any moment you look back and regret?

When I look back, that would be my parents.

I lost my mother 50 years ago, and I lost my father 40 years ago, so when I look back, these are people who are supposed to get some bite of the pie, but nobody can query God because I know everything is decided by God. So, you will be 67 on the 19th. How does it feel to be 67?

I feel so happy, and I thank God because the past two to three years have been a testy period. But I thank God that I was able to cross into the present.

How will you spend that day?

That day, I will go to church to give thanks to God. Thereafter, I will receive guests, do some good reflection, and then give thanks to God for more years ahead. I will ask Him to take care of those he has put under my care, both biological and non-biological.

You give a lot of scholarships to students you don’t know.

Yes. As of today, I have trained over 40 doctors, most of whom are working in different parts of the world. Out of these 40, I don’t think I know more than five. But I don’t even need to know them. There are over 200 in other fields.

As we speak, we still have about 75 students undergoing various scholarships. So, we enrol new ones for every year.

Dr Leemon Ikpea

You look so energetic. You don’t even look 67. What is the secret?

It’s because my mind is free, and I don’t hold grudges against anybody. I eat well, sleep well, and exercise. Sometimes, I play golf and listen to music. So, really, I am so happy. It’s been very tough for the past three years.

40

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

polity Shameless Journalism Helps Oppressors Vanquish the Oppressed E Crusoe Osagie

ven though I am a member of the fourth Estate of the Realm – as we are often called – I am constrained to admit that some journalists constitute a major part of our nation’s problem.

Otherwise, how do you explain how opinions packed with deliberate falsehood are freely and recklessly published by my colleagues.

An example is an article by Igboeli Arinze titled From Edo to Rivers, it is all shameless politics.

In this article, Arinze kept saying the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is playing shameless politics. I have spent good time going through the article, looking for the premises that back his conclusion without success.

He goes on about the supposed rift between the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu and the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and then turns the spotlight to Rivers State, pontificating about the scuffle between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. All the while, he made a feeble attempt to draw false equivalence.

Shaibu has thrown his hat in the ring to run for the office of Governor in Edo and Obaseki has repeatedly acknowledged Philip’s right and freedom to pursue his dreams but none of that will save the likes of Arinze from playing the weak scripts to procure public sympathy for the Deputy Governor which I doubt that he has requested for.

After a visit to the Governor of Bauchi State on November 30, 2023, Obaseki reiterated Philip’s inalienable right to run for governor but added that being just one person, as governor, he cannot guarantee the actualisation of Philip’s dream. He then stressed that the PDP will determine the Deputy Governor’s fate. What more do you want from Obaseki?

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

Again, at a recent meeting organised by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) for Edo PDP stakeholders, Obaseki said he would support the party’s candidate in the

2024 gubernatorial. But this is obviously not enough for the likes of Arinze.

It is not enough for them because they are playing a script and the goal is to subvert the

democratic process which Obaseki is depending on to resolve the issue of who succeeds him.

Mr Arinze, please be kindly informed that Philip Shaibu is no weakling who depends on misplaced public sympathy to gain electoral leverage.

He is well positioned to square his shoulders and chase for the PDP ticket in a fair contest.

He has been a House of Assembly member, a House of Representatives member and then a Deputy Governor. If there is any possible aggressor in the Edo 2024 race, it is most likely Philip himself.

Indeed, shameless journalism helps oppressors vanquish the oppressed.

On the comparison to what is going on in Rivers State, it is curious that Mr. Arinze would toe the shameless path. Pray tell, between Wike and Fubara, who is being oppressed and who deserves public sympathy.

Wike is a former LGA chairman, former chief of staff, former Minister and a former Governor and he is in a battle of wits with Fubara, a former civil servant, who is barely 6 months old in office as Governor. Who then is the oppressor?

There is no basis to try to connect Shaibu’s fate to Fubara in a surreptitious attempt to buy him some public sympathy. Shaibu can carry his cross and doesn’t need people’s pity in his quest to become Edo Governor.

That much is clear. There is no need to parry him about or attempt to infuse him in a narrative that bears no semblance to his life’s trajectory.

Journalists should do better. Spare your ink for the truly downtrodden who need you to be their Robinhood and not the privileged who can take care of their own business.

We should be helping the oppressed not helping oppressors in getting their way and worsening the lot of the oppressed in society.

•Osagie is the Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media Projects

NEWS

SSANU Urges FG Not to Renege on Payment of Wage Award NMA gives FG January deadline to implement new salary structure

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has urged the federal government to keep to its promise to increase the salaries of university workers by 25 per cent and 35 per cent It urged the federal government

to release the N50 billion earned allowances provided for in the 2023 appropriation bill to universities and Inter-university centres.

In a communique issued at the end of the 46th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association, held on Thursday 14 – Friday 15t December, 2023 at the Federal

University Of Technology, Minna, Niger State, SSANU appealed to the federal government to pay a wage award of N35,000 to workers in its payroll effective from September 1, 2023.

It lamented that only the wage increase for the month of September 2023 was paid in the month of

November 2023. The communique was signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim.

“NEC in session recalls the approval of the government to increase the salaries of university workers by 25 per cent and 35 per cent. Though this proposal is a far cry from the salary increase demanded by SSANU,

Nigeria, Czech Sign $21.7m Agreement to Enhance Research

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Czech Republic have signed a $21.7 million agreement to implement Delta-2 projects in Nigeria by Czech institutions.

The agency also signed an agreement with an Indonesian firm, SAPUTRA Global Harvest to build a coal fertiliser plant for food security. The signing of the agreements took place yesterday at the headquarters of NASENI in Abuja.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Halilu said the agency would finance Delta-2 projects with $10 million while Technology Agency of Czech Republic (TACR) will provide the remaining $11.7m.

Halilu said he was elated that the $21.7 million funding for the Delta-2 projects aimed at enhancing research, development and innovation in Nigeria had come to fruition.

“This Delta 2 programme, launched in 2021, has been designed with the aim of funding and enabling

research, development and innovation projects in three focus areas: Agriculture, Mining, and General Manufacturing for SMEs. “Of the $21.7 million set aside to finance selected projects, TACR is contributing $11.7 million while NASENI is contributing $10 million,” he said.

He added: “The Delta 2 programme is yet another manifestation of NASENI’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate of transforming Nigeria’s technology and innovation landscape, through sustained focus on the 3Cs of Collaboration, Creation and Commercialisation.

“Ultimately, our goal is not just to produce prototypes and models, but to ensure that these are taken to market; that they are available commercially for consumers and end-users to benefit from.

“Knowing that the real value of technology lies in market usefulness and application, our vision in the new NASENI that we are building is to be valued and relevant in the market,” He also noted that the coal fertiliser plant would go a long way

in boosting agricultural production in the country.

The Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Czech Republic, Dr. Dahiru Mohammed in his remarks said: “The funds are ready and we eagerly look forward

to starting implementation in January 2024. The funding of the projects is scheduled to last between 12 to 36 months.

“The resulting technologies from these collaborations will be transferred and domesticated in Nigeria through NASENI and other research institutions and private companies as planned,” he said.

we regarded it as an award by the government and therefore expected that the award should have been implemented by now.

“NEC, therefore, demands the implementation of this wage increase, which had been captured in the budget before the end of 2023, pending the conclusion of the renegotiation with the government on the mutually acceptable salary wage.

“NEC urges the federal government to commence payment of the outstanding arrears of October and November 2023 forthwith.

“State governments are also seriously encouraged to take a cue from the federal government to endorse payment of this wage award to their workers in order to ameliorate the harsh effects of the fuel subsidy removal,’’ the organisation said.

On the issue of payment of

19 Protesters Arrested at FCTA Agency Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Joint Task Force Team of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on City Sanitation, yesterday arrested 19 protesters for public disturbance at the premises of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Wuse, Abuja.

The protest at AMMC premises followed an outcry over the demolition of a Mechanic Village in Kubwa, by the officials of the AMMC Department of Development Control.

Director of Development and Control, Mukhtar Galadima, said

19 of the protesters were arrested for violent disruption of peace in the area.

He said the protesters stormed into the premises early yesterday when the workers in the building were going about their official assignments.

“We were having a meeting in a conference hall when we heard some noises. We decided to come and see what was happening and I saw some people with protest placards.

“Some of the people were talking about Kubwa mechanic village where they own shops in the village but were demolished by Development

Control.

“But what proof do they have that they have allocations inside the area?” he asked.

He accused the mastermind of the protest of trespassing by building a mechanic village on someone’s property.

He added that Development Control ordered the demolition of the village, saying beyond building on illegal property, the action became necessary following a series of complaints of encroachment in the particular space by the rightful owners.

minimum wage arrears, the association also observed that some of her members were yet to be paid arrears of the national minimum wage, which was approved in 2018 despite the efforts of the union.

It therefore urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, release funds for payment for those omitted various Universities.

SSANU took government to task over the undue delay by the in paying the four months withheld salaries of its members, saying the money should be paid without further delay.

Meanwhile, Nigerian doctors have given the federal government till January 31, 2024 to implement the revised CONMESS and accoutrement allowance with arrears from June 2023 if it wants to sustain industrial peace in the sector.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the umbrella body of practicing medical doctors in Nigeria also appealed to the government to take urgent action to mitigate the impact of exodus of some pharmaceutical companies by creating a friendly business environment and investing in the domestic pharmaceutical industry.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday, NMA said it had: “Resolved to give the federal government till January 31, 2024 to implement the revised CONMESS and accoutrement allowance with arrears from June 2023, or NMA will not be responsible for the breakdown of industrial harmony in the health sector”.

41

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023

NEWS

INEC Meets Political Parties...

L-R: National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barr. May Agbamuche Mbu; INEC Chainman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and INEC National Commissioner, Mr. Sam Photo: Julius Atoi Olumekan, during a meeting between INEC and Political Parties held in Abuja... yesterday

TRCN Cancels Teachers’ Results Over Malpractice During Qualifying Exam Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has cancelled the results of some teachers who engaged in malpractice in the Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) it organised in November.

Also, the council disclosed that 3,963 teachers failed the examination,

which held across the country.

The Registrar of TRCN, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, told newsmen yesterday, at an interactive session that 15,753 teachers sat for the November diet.

It commenced on November 23 and ended on November 25. However, he said that of the number, 3,963 teachers failed the competency test.

He said: “A total of 15,753 sat for

the examination in 38 centres across the country. Out of this, we have 10,636 that passed. This is about 72.9 per cent.

“And those that failed are 3,963 representing 37.1 per cent. You will agree this is a very good result.

“All the cases of examination malpractices that were reported were treated accordingly all over

ECOWAS, ARMTI Partner to Curb Food Insecurity

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as well as the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, have partnered towards addressing food insecurity in the country.

Both organisations have therefore commenced training for over 150 youths below the age of 35 on how to improve food production and bring a new lease of life to the people of the country.

Speaking in Ilorin yesterday, the ARMTI Executive Director, Dr. Olufemi Oladunni, said that the training programme aimed to empower the beneficiaries drawn from six geopolitical zones of the country to be financially independent and make them employers of labour.

The ARMTI boss, who also said that the training programme would help take care of the nation's food and nutritional security, added

that large production of fish and vegetable would improve nutrition among people.

He also expressed the optimism that the beneficiaries would make their lives easier with the enterprise, with the resultant financial breakthrough, saying that almost every home in the country consumes a variety of vegetable and fish everyday.

Also speaking, the Technical Assistant to the Executive Director, Kingsley Olurinde, said that the participants would be empowered after the training programme to ensure easy take off.

"The project is a collaborative one between ECOWAS and ARMTI and the major objective is to create jobs for the unemployed youths.

"This workshop is taking care of 150 participants as the ECOWAS has provided funds while ARMTI is contributing every other dimension to make sure that the beneficiaries are empowered, adequately skilled in fish production, integrated with

market gardening.

“We hope that at the end of the workshop, they will not be job seekers again, but employers of labour.

"ECOWAS has also provided funds to empower them to some extent to ease their take office. After their opening, we hope to support them the more and move forward to become big stakeholders in the fish and vegetable industry," he said.

The institute also explained the reason behind the choice of vegetable and fish farming.

"The food and nutrition security of the nation is essential. It's like using a stone to kill two birds. So, we will be creating jobs for the youth and we want them to help solve an existing problem which is food and nutrition security in the nation.

"So, imagine 150 people producing fish and vegetables, turning the output into the nation's markets, that's a whole lot and food security is being guaranteed", he said.

the country at the management level and the results were cancelled as punitive measures. All the cases were identified or recorded because we have evidence against them.”

The registrar noted that the council had been confronted with some challenges because of the nation’s transition in power.

However, he maintained that TRCN was able to achieve its set goals for the year 2023. He added that the over N150 million debt he met when he assumed office as registrar had been cleared.

Also, inductions were carried out in over 100 institutions, and appreciable progress was made with development partners on professional standards, he said.

Speaking further, Ajiboye insisted that the teaching profession was no longer an all-comers affair or a “job

for the boys”.

He disclosed that thus far, over 2.3 million teachers had been registered, out of which over 400,000 had been fully licensed by the council.

He noted that less than 50 per cent of teachers in private institutions were not qualified. The registrar disclosed that TRCN would focus on private institutions where, according to him, a large chunk of challenges in the teaching sector was emanating from.

He further hinted at moves

by TRCN to get a fiat from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), to empower the council on enforcement and compliance through the prosecution of unqualified teachers.

He said: “We are working with the AGF to get a fiat. It will help us to prosecute, go after erring institutions because the law establishing

ACAMB Mourns Abdul Imoyo

The Association of Corporate & Marketing Communications Professionals in Banks in Nigeria (ACAMB) has expressed sadness over the passing of its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abdul Kolawole Imoyo. Imoyo, a highly regarded corporate media manager and Journalist, breathed his last in the early hours of Sunday, December 17, 2023, at First Cardiology, Ikoyi, Lagos, after a brief illness.

In a statement signed by ACAMB's President, Rasheed Bolarinwa, on behalf of the Executive Committee and entire members of Association, until his untimely demise, Imoyo served as the Head of Media Relations

at Access Holdings, “where he contributed significantly to the financial group's communication strategies and public image.”

It quoted an earlier statement released by Tunde Imoyo, representing the Imoyo family, to have stated: "It is with deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of our beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle, Abdul Kolawole Imoyo, who departed to be with the Lord in the early hours of December 17, 2023, after a brief illness.

“We are taking some time as a family to grieve over our loss at this time. We thank you for your prayers and support."

Imoyo, was known for his dedica-

Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 1700 Tactical Personnel across Ondo Fidelis David in Akure

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Ondo Command, has deployed 1700 tactical personnel within Ondo State, to ensure a crime-free yuletide season.

The State Commandant of the corps, Engr. Olatundun Olayinka who stated this on Monday, at a strategic meeting with Area Commanders and Divisional officers, said the measure was to secure the state before, during and after the

yuletide season.

Olayinka said the command under his watch has deployed counter terrorism personnel to troubled spots, anti-vandal units, agro rangers, mines and steel, anti-human trafficking and disaster management teams amongst others to collaborate with the Rapid Response Squad in securing worship centres, recreational centres, market places and malls.

"The motorized unit will patrol the streets and provide tactical as-

sistance to the units at the already identified black spots.

"For effective and seamless security coverage, the corps has also formed a joint task force with the military, police, the correctional service and Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun) who are strategically positioned within Akure metropolis."

Olatundun said the deployment is in line with the resolve of the command to ensure a peaceful environment as there will be influx

TRCN utterly gives us the power to prosecute. But we need the fiat to be able to do that.

“We are discussing with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to be able to prosecute.

And when we get that, it will not be difficult for us to be able to go after some of these institutions.

“The problem we have is that education is on the concurrent list. These private schools are not registered by the federal government, they are registered by state governments.

“We have been discussing with them to confirm the list of their teachers to ensure they are not cheaters but qualified.

“In 2024, I want to assure Nigerians that we will make sure we shift our focus with more emphasis on private schools.”

of people into the state thereby increasing economic activities and social vices.

Further according to him, "Our top priority is to protect lives and all critical national assets and infrastructure in and around the state. We shall deploy all proactive measures to ensure adequate maintenance of law and order.

“Security is a collective duty; we need to encourage the civil populace to give us actionable and timely information as they are stakeholders

and part of the security architecture of the state."

The NSCDC commandant reiterated the need for proactiveness in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure of government within the state.

Reading a riot act to the Area Commanders and Divisional officers, the Commandant said Divisional officers will be held responsible for any security breach within their domain as excuses will not be tolerated.

tion, professionalism and unwavering commitment to excellence in the field of corporate communications.

“His contributions to ACAMB and the broader corporate landscape, will be remembered and celebrated by colleagues, associates, and the entire banking community.

“With nostalgia, the Association recalls that late Imoyo played active roles in cementing the bonds of relationship between ACAMB and other industry Bodies like FICAN, CAMCAN, etc) while he was in the media.

“That he emerged the Publicity Secretary of the current ACAMB Exco was in recognition of his amiable traits, needed to wedge the critical stakeholders in the industry.

“ACAMB extends its deepest condolences to the Imoyo family and Access Holdings Group during this difficult time and expresses gratitude for Mr. Imoyo's invaluable service to the Association and the corporate sector at large.

“The funeral arrangements and memorial service details from the Imoyo family will be communicated at a later date. In the meantime, the Association of Corporate & Marketing Communications Professionals in Banks requests that the privacy of the Imoyo family be respected as they mourn the loss of their beloved member.”

42

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

UNILEVER NIGERIA CENTENARY CELEBRATION...

L-R: Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc., Tim Kleinebenne; Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (CCT&I), Lagos State, Folasade Ambrose-Medebem; Obi of Onitsha and Board Chairman, Unilever Nigeria Plc., His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, mni; His Excellency, Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR, and British Deputy High Commissioner, Lagos, Nigeria, Jonny Baxter at the Unilever Nigeria Centenary celebration held in Lagos....recently

Sanwo-Olu: Constraints in Tax Laws Slowing Down Lagos’ Revenue Growth The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the current tax revenue accruing to the state is a far cry from actual projection, noting that the state has not fully optimised its tax potential.

The governor said Lagos had the capacity to widen its tax base and enhance efficiency in collection mechanism, but noted that the

state’s efforts had been slowed down by bottlenecks put in its way by fiscal and tax administration framework whose authority is exclusively vested in the federal government.

Sanwo-Olu spoke yesterday when he received members of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms at

the State House, Marina.

The committee, led by its chairman, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, was in Lagos as part of the extended consultations with sub-national stakeholders to develop viable tax administration framework for the country.

Lagos, the governor said, is carrying governance burden that is

not commensurate with its revenue earnings, stressing that the state required a yearly budget of over N7 trillion to adequately cope with pressure on its infrastructure.

He said the highest budget the State had done was a little above N2 trillion due to constraints in national tax policies.

He said: “For us in Lagos, we

TETFUND to Spend N400 Billion on Nigerian Tertiary Institutions in 2024 George Okoh in Makurdi

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is to earmark over N400 billion for institutions within the Nigerian higher education sector for the year 2024.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the fund, Sonny Echono at the 2023 review of the performance of the fund in Makurdi

yesterday.

Echono stated that the team was in Makurdi to review the performance of the fund in 2023 and also take new bearings for what will be done in 2024.

He said the significant aspect of the retreat was to get feedback and harvesting comments that would be used in reviewing the various platforms from beneficiaries and

UNFPA, Microsoft Partner to Explore Tech in Family Planning Ugo Aliogo The United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA) has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Microsoft Teams to explore technological innovation to access increase demand for family planning solutions in Nigeria.

The event was held at the Microsoft Office King Towers, Ikoyi Lagos with the theme: "Family Planning Hackathon" saw 14 innovative ideas to access family planning in Nigeria.

Earlier in her remarks, Gender and Reproductive Health analyst, UNFPA, Esther Somefun, said that as an organisation, they were employing technology and innovations to ensure that Nigerians have something sustainable that reaches the targeted population or beneficiaries that they are designing it for.

"We are looking for things we have designed from our own experiences and things we have seen worked. We have a kind of ideas and adaptation of what can work in our society," she said.

Somefun said that the aim was to

achieve three transformation results, which were: Ending unwanted pregnancy and ending all forms of violence in Africa with traditional practice.

She disclosed that in Nigeria, the group had been able to meet the reproductive intentions of 19 per cent of married women reportedly not wanting to have anymore children.

"Access to family planning, information and services is critical and vital as case studies have shown that 3.5 million pregnancies could be avoided.

"To reach our target, even when we have funding, UNFPA has identified a 6 by 6 framework which identifies technology and innovation as a catalyst and as accelerator to reducing maternal mortality and also within our means of family planning," she said.

Also, Innovation Team Lead, African Development Centre (ADC), Microsoft Engineering Team, Nkem Nweke, said: “We want to build AI solutions that provides, helps or solve most problems in the world such as access to modern family planning and a product that is executed.”

institutions.

"We have been collating it to make it part of the issues we will be addressing at this meeting and we also went the extra mile to invite all the beneficiary institution in Benue State and they gave us direct feedbacks on what their impression about what our interventions are and areas they want us to either improve or look at," he added.

He said the fund was playing a key role in Benue, adding that the state has been a key beneficiary of Tetfund intervention with the additional institutions enlisting of the Polytechnic, Yandev.

"The position of the law is that the funds are for public tertiary institutions - universities, polytechnics and colleges of education owned by either the federal government or states government.

"Those are the limitations we have right now. The agitations are now limited to private institutions, there are so many other tertiary institutions like monotechnics, colleges of agriculture, colleges of cooperatives, research institutes and institutions being run by various other agencies even women affairs have their own institutions, labour studies in Ilorin, they have their own and so on.

“Many of them offer diplomas and even degrees. They also want to benefit from Tetfund. The only way we collaborate with them currently is in the area of research because we know that research is universal and we know that knowledge is collaboration.

“So, we are encouraging them to participate and we actually sponsor people or private individuals who have ideas,” he said.

know too well that we have capacity to do a lot from the revenue generation standpoint; more importantly, from the effective generation and utilisation of the tax.

“During our bilateral meetings in preparation to present next year’s budget, we pulled numbers up to N7 trillion based on our needs.

But we are constricted by only the amount of revenue we can generate and pegged the value at N2.2 trillion.

“This speaks to the huge gap that we have in our capacity to develop the economy quicker and faster. We can no longer continue to complain. What are those things we can do to improve our revenue stream and our ability to be able to leapfrog and take governance in a more audacious way.

“This engagement with your committee is critical at this time, as you go round States to have feelings of what the bottlenecks are.”

Sanwo-Olu said the committee’s objective was not to generate abstract and non-implementable documents, but to practically identify tax issues facing sub-national governments and eliminate bottlenecks.

Sanwo-Olu charged the committee to come up with quality intervention that would help the state attain their full potential in revenue generation and fiscal sustainability.

He said: “We all need to work collaboratively on this objective. If all constraints are attended to, we should begin to see monumental changes in our revenue projection.

“The potential is there and the numbers show the results we can achieve if fully explored, but we cannot sit back and think things will change overnight if we did not take the right approach to resolve the issues.

“We expect every member of this committee would put all your skills and mental resources into this task. I believe the committee will achieve the objectives for which Mr. President set it up.

“As a state, we are ready to give you all the support required. We will open our books and share data to learn where we also need to make changes for higher revenue performance.”

Oyedele said Lagos was the first port of call for the committee considered to visit in its nationwide consultation, noting that the state’s achievement in tax reform had been a model that had been adopted by other states.

The tax specialist said the country needed to address its revenue problems, which, he said, would involve creating a robust tax system and quality spending.

He said: “We are no longer at a point where we can continue to celebrate incremental progress in revenue generation; we need to accompany it with transformational shift in quality of spending of the generated revenue. Our spending on the ration of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the lowest in the world, we need to address this without taking attention away from the quality of spending.”

INEC Mulls Rerun, Bye-elections for February Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),has said it was contemplating conducting rerun polls and bye-elections in the first week of February, 2024.

Chairman of the commission, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at an extraordinary consultative meeting with political parties.

He said the purpose of the meeting was to brief party leaders on the commission’s preparation for the forthcoming elections to be held early in the new year, adding that the elections were in two categories.

“First, as the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals set up in the aftermath of the 2023 general election gradually wind up their proceedings, the Commission is

required to conduct re-run elections in some constituencies by court order,” he said.

Secondly, the chairman noted that the commission was also required to conduct bye-elections to fill vacancies arising from the death or resignation of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

He explained that the commission intended to combine and conduct the two categories of elections on the same day, details of which would be discussed at the meeting.

Mahmood stated: "As you are aware, re-run elections only involve the parties and candidates that participated in the general election unless a party wishes to replace a deceased candidate.

“However, bye-elections are fresh elections. Consequently, political

parties must conduct fresh primaries within the limited period of time provided by law.

"So far, the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals have ordered the Commission to conduct rerun elections in 34 constituencies made up of one Senatorial District, 11 Federal Constituencies and 22 State Assembly constituencies.

"However, the 34 constituencies constitute 2.8 per cent of the 1,191 petitions filed by litigants.

Significantly, out of the 34 re-run elections, it is only in three cases that the Commission was ordered to conduct elections in the entire constituencies. In the other 31 constituencies, elections are to be held in a few polling units," he said.

The chairman said at the end of all the litigations, including the governorship elections pending

on appeal at the Supreme Court, the Commission would present a comprehensive analysis of the petitions, including cases where the Commission was ordered to issue Certificates of Return to other candidates and the reasons for the decisions by the Courts as part of the lessons learned from the 2023 general election for the consequential reforms to improve the conduct of future elections.

Mahmood added: "The Commission is looking at the first week of February 2024 i.e. in just a little over one month to conduct both the re-run and bye-elections.

"At the end of this consultative meeting, the Commission will meet to review preparations and announce a definite date, including the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the elections.

43

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023

NEWS

10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION...

L -R: Hope Aliu; Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chukwudi Adiukwu; President, Neo Black Movement (NBM) of Africa, Lekki Zone, Chukwuma Madike; Moderator, Iziaq Olawale, and Lekki Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Sani Abdullahi, during a panel session held at the NBM of Africa Lekki Chapter, 10th Anniversary and Fundraising Event held in Lagos…recently

Tuggar: Military Takeover in West African States May Engulf Africa If…

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has warned against describing the unconstitutional change in government in West Africa as solely a regional problem, insisting that it could engulf the

entire African continent and add to the challenges of terrorism and other cross-border criminalities.

The Minister gave the warning during a panel discussion: “Resurgence of Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa: Global Outlook, Response and

Oyebanji: Bring Back Our Stolen Artefacts from Ekiti Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has called for return of the stolen Ekiti artefacts with a vow to work towards the return of other stolen works of renowned carver, Olowe Ajalemo, popularly known as Olowe of Ise back to the state.

Oyebanji, who spoke during his visit to the residence of the late carver in Ise-Ekiti, Ise-Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, yesterday, noted that the carver, who died in 1934 distinguished himself with his artistic dexterity, with his works scattered across major museums in America and European countries.

The governor accompanied by Senator Babafemi Ojudu, the Arinjale of Ise, Oba Adetunji Ajayi and other prominent leaders, promised that the government would build a museum in the house, where all his works from abroad would be retrieved and deposited to attract tourists and investors across the world.

He explained that the artefacts when returned would serve as a means of boosting the economic fortune of the state and preserving the cultural heritage for coming generations.

While soliciting the support of the residents and the community towards the rehabilitation and building of the museum, said his administration was committed to the project in the overall interest of the people and the state.

“Today, as we embark on the rehabilitation of Olowe of Ise, we have the opportunity to not only preserve and celebrate his legacy, but also to bring greater awareness to his work within Nigeria.

“Olowe's carvings are a testament to the rich cultural heritage and artistic excellence of our nation, and it is only right that we ensure his contributions are properly acknowledged and celebrated.

“Through this rehabilitation, we can create a space that not only

showcases Olowe's carvings, but also serves as a hub for artistic exchange and appreciation.

“It is our hope that by doing so, we can inspire a new generation of artists and artisans to draw upon Olowe's incredible talent and passion for their own creative endeavors.

“To achieve this, we shall do something about this house where he lived all his life; build a respectable museum here and make efforts to bring back home all his work taken away from here.

“All those pretty works of this super talented man must return home and adorn the proposed museum so that the world can find its way here to adore them and know that Olowe belongs to Ise, belongs to Ekiti and to Nigeria and Africa.”

Ojudu, who commended Oyebanji for his interest and commitment in the project, revealed that the late carver’s artistic works were generating huge amount of money for museums in America and European countries.

Implications for the A3”, at the 10th Annual High-level Seminar on the Promotion of Peace and Security in Africa: Assisting African Members of the UN Security Council in Preparing to Address Peace and Security Issues on the Continent.

At the seminar, which ended on December 18 at Oran, Algeria, the minister said it was easy to describe the military takeover in some West African countries as a problem of the region not looking at the root causes which included the proliferation of arms as a result of the war in Libya and other factors.

He said looking at the military takeover as a West African problem

was escapist and a denial of what might lie ahead.

He said: “In examining the root causes of UCG and proffering solutions. It is important to consider just not endogenous factors of governance, election processes but also important to consider the exogenous factors, some might look at West Africa and say West Africa must have a problem and that is why it is happening there.

“West Africa was not responsible for the implosion of Libya that brought out the proliferation of arms, West Africa was not responsible for failure of EU’s Sahel Strategy.

It may not necessary be responsible

In line with the resolution of the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), recently held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) plans to launch Nigerian Editors Trust Fund, which is designed to address the professional/welfare needs of media houses and editors in Nigeria.

At the ANEC in Akwa Ibom State, publishers, media executives and editors harped on the urgent need by the Guild to initiate the strategic move that will focus on the professional/welfare needs

not work.

“I think the solution would be to bring life into Africa Union body of programmes because terrorist groups and indeed other criminal gangs edging ways in border areas and West Africa has complex border areas.

“Issues of territory are difficult to man and manage and the African Union body of programmes bringing about development, bringing about infrastructure would be more coercive and more coordinated and bring development of infrastructure when we don’t give in to this military takeover on pressures from the social media.”

Ondo 'Monarch', Five Others Bag Two Years Imprisonment for Robbery Fidelis David in Akure

An Ondo State High Court, Akure, yesterday, sentenced a self-imposed traditional ruler and spiritual leader of Ayetoro, a coastal community in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, to two years in prison for breach of peace.

The presiding judge, Justice David Kolawole, found Ojagbohunmi and five others were guilty of orchestrating the violence that erupted in the coastal community in January 11, 2018.

The five people were Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi,

Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole and Segun Okenla, They were found guilty of the three of the 10- count charge preferred against them by the office of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

The convicts were accused of conspiracy conspire to commit felony to wit: malicious damage to property which is in contrary to Section 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

They were also accused of robbing Temitope Olowodasa of a sum of N270,000.00 in his house and at the time of the robbery they were

Media Sustainability/Professionalism: NGE to Launch Trust Fund Ogheneuvede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

for climate change in the Sahel and I can go on and on and on.

“The easier option is to ignore all these things or to wish them away and simply say there is something West Africa is doing wrong and try and accommodate the new military regimes, but that would be fatal for the whole of Africa because we want to get to the issue of fighting terrorism in the entire Africa, in North Africa and other parts.

“It is easy to think the solution is to accommodate these new military regimes and work with them because they are dear to you and that way you can continue to fight against terrorism but this would

of media houses and editors in Nigeria - as part of several efforts to help them to continue to discharge their constitutional duties and social responsibility to the society without necessarily compromising their ethical standards.

In a statement issued on Monday by the President of the NGE, Mr. Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the professional body of editors and media executives, stated that the initiative is a response to the increasing professional/welfare challenges faced by the highest echelon of Nigerian journalists in performing their duties.

‘’The trust fund, which is expected to be launched in the first quarters of 2024, will also address the daunting economic challenges that the media executives and editors are faced with during and after office. The fund will benefit the Guild’s members in the print, electronic and online media.

“The trust fund will be a collaborative effort among all the stakeholders in the media sector, including the public sector - aimed at addressing key challenges that affect the professionals, who are the ultimate gatekeepers in their media organisations’’, the Guild added.

armed with offensive weapons to wit: guns and cutlasses contrary to Section 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

In addition, the convicts and others at large were accused of robbing Igoli Akinlana of four Industrial Sewing Machines valued N800,000, four Plasma TV valued N448,000.00 and a cash sum of N635,000.00 in his house and at the time of the robbery they were armed with Firearms and offensive weapons such as guns, cutlasses, axes and others One of the convicts, Eyekole, was accused of attempt to murder one Olu Obolo by shooting him, contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Babatunde Falodun, told the court that Ojagbohunmi and others were brought before the court over violence that happened in Ayetoro in January, 2018 among other charges.

Reading the charges, he said, “That you Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole and Segun Okenla on or about the 11th of January, 2018 around 9.00 a.m. at Aiyetoro community, Ilaje Local Government in the Okitipupa Judicial Division did conspire with others now at large to commit felony to wit: Armed Robbery.

“Oluwambe Ojagbohumi, Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole

and Segun Okenla and others now at large on or about the 11th of January, 2018 around 5.30 a.m. at Aiyetoro Community, Ilaje Local Government in the Okitipupa Judicial Division did rob Ashogbon Omowale in his house of his laptop and a sum of N380.000.00 and at the time of the robbery you were armed with offensive weapons to wit: guns and cutlasses.”

Meanwhile, all the convicts had pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them, but the court found them guilty and convicted them of malicious damage to property contrary to section 37 of the criminal code, laws of the state.

In his judgement, Justice Kolawole, discharged and acquitted the convicts of armed robbery and conspiracy, but gave an option of fine for count six, seven and eight that related to malicious damage to property He, however, sentenced Eyekole to five years in prison with hard labour for attempted murder of Obolo in Ayetoro community.

The convict were to pay N300,000 each as value for the damaged properties and N50,000, as option of fine for the offences committed by the convicts.

The Judge also ordered that the convicts should sign memorandum of understanding to maintain peace in the community.

Justice Kolawole said the convicts would be held responsible for any breach of peace in the community if they opted to pay the fine, saying the fine would be returned in case of violation of the peace accord.

44

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Hosting Rights of the 2023 Best of Nollywood Award...

L-R: Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, receiving the Hosting Rights of the 2023 Best of Nollywood (Bon) Awards from the Executive Producer, Mr. Seun Oloketuyi... recently

Obi: My Life is Being Threatened for Refusing to Stop Fight for New Nigeria Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi, has said his life was under threat for rejecting offers made to him to stop his ‘principled fight’ for a new Nigeria.

Fielding questions on Sunday night as a guest on X Space organised by “ParallelFacts,” Obi maintained that he was “ready to go through anything” as he was not afraid of death.

Though the former Anambra State governor did not reveal the identity or identities of the individuals or

groups who made him the offers or threats, he vowed to always be on the right path.

“I can tell you the offers that I get today is mind-blowing. On the other way round, for refusing the offer, what they want to do to me is also very frightening. But I am ready to go through anything.

“As I keep telling people, when they say, ‘Peter you’re putting your life in danger,’ if I die at sixty something, I did not die a young person. Some people died in their twenties, thirties and forties. And I have kids who are now graduates and doing their own things.

“If I go today, it’s fair enough, as long as I don’t deviate from these things that I said from the day I decided to get in government. I

will always be on the right path.

“If I share what I face on a daily basis in this journey of restoring Nigeria with you, you’ll advise me

‘Why President Tinubu Needs to Intervene’

A non-profit organisation, One Love Foundation (OLF), expressed concern over the Rivers crisis and called on Tinubu to wade in to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Founder and President OLF, Chief Patrick Eholor, in a statement, pointed out, “No individual, regardless of their political influence, should play the role of a self-appointed deity within our democratic framework.”

Eholor said well-meaning Nigerians should not sit back and allow brazen impunity to go on in a volatile state, like Rivers, hence, Tinubu should intervene to de-escalate the rising tension in the state, since Wike is a serving member of his cabinet.

Eholor said on the statement, “In the face of the growing crisis in Rivers State, I, Chief Dr. Patrick Eholor, founder of the One Love Foundation, feel compelled to raise my voice in concern and appeal to the federal government, under the leadership of President Tinubu, to urgently intervene and address the escalating tensions that threaten the peace and stability of our great nation.

“Wike’s public admission that he bought tickets for the entire

Port Harcourt House of Assembly, including the governor, is a brazen violation of democratic norms.

“In an ideal society, such actions would warrant serious consequences, and Wike, in my sincere opinion, should be facing the appropriate legal repercussions. No individual, regardless of their political influence, should play the role of a self-appointed deity within our democratic framework.”

APC Determined to Defend 27 Lawmakers

The Rivers State chapter of APC expressed its determination to defend the 27 embattled state lawmakers until they were able to properly commence their legislative duties.

APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in the state, Tony Okocha, who spoke during a dedication service/ stakeholders meeting held in Port Harcourt, assured the 27 members, who defected from pdp TO APC, that the party would strongly support them in their activities.

Okocha explained that the essence of the stakeholders meeting was for the party to plan and forge ahead for greater achievements ahead of 2027. He also urged members of the party to overcome anger over whatever might have happened in the past, and collaborate in planning for a brighter and greater future for the party.

He stated, "We will not pull over anger over what had happened in the past. We are here to plan for future, which is the essence of this meeting. If that is the case, then I owe you a duty to apologise to all of us, members of the APC Rivers State. Please, accept our apologies."

On his part, National Legal Adviser of APC, Abdulkarim Kana, said

I am not fazed by all of those," the Labour party presidential standard bearer in the last presidential election stated.

Ondo Generates N900m from Tickets Sales to Motorcycle, Tricycle Operators Fidelis David in Akure

Ondo State Government, yesterday, said the state had generated the sum of N900 million as revenue

from ticket sales to motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state between January and November 2023.

It, therefore, projected over N1

Wike, Fubara Sign Tinubu's Truce, Live to Fight Another Day demolition of the Assembly complex.

Eze said, "The governor acted upon the advice of Nyesom Wike, when he was commissioning the legislative complex sometime two years ago, when he stated that the State Assembly built about 20 years ago is leaking water and in a very deplorable condition and need to be looked into, which may have caused the demolition of the complex."

to step down. I know the pains of being out when I can be in.

“And people, telling me to look away or else they’d destroy me. But

he was instructed by the president and national chairman of APC to formerly welcome the Rivers State Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, and other members of PDP to APC. Kana said the president and the party's national chairman recognised that the defected 27 former PDP members were now with APC and respected their decision to join APC in moving the country forward.

Earlier, Amaewhule, who led other 26 lawmakers, said particulars and evidence that necessitated their defection to APC had been recorded in their files and sent to the House of Assembly.

He said the “Renewed Hope Agenda" of Tinubu would expand the economy of the country, hence, the decision to join APC and support the president to achieve the agenda.

Twists as Controversial Interim Order in Assembly Crisis Delivered Since Friday

An order of a Federal High Court halting the removal of 27 lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, which surfaced on the social space a day before it was scheduled to be delivered, was discovered to have been issued two days before it came into the public space.

A draft ruling purported to be from Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had gone viral on social media.

The alleged ruling indicated that the court restrained the electoral umpire and five others from taking any steps that would affect the 27 lawmakers, who were the plaintiffs/ applicants, from carrying out their legislative functions at the Rivers State House of Assembly, because of their defection from PDP to APC.

The ruling, which, according to the court document, would have been issued yesterday, suddenly, surfaced on the social media 24 hours before delivery.

According to a copy of the ruling, Okorowo, in granting an ex parte order, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Rivers State House of Assembly, Clerk of Rivers State House of Assembly, the Inspector General (IG) of Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) from taking any steps to remove the 27 lawmakers from office over their defection.

The purported ruling in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023, was dated Monday, December 18, 2023, although it was not signed by the judge.

Besides, the purported ruling did not state who filed the suit or moved the ex parte application on behalf of the plaintiffs/applicants.

However, yesterday, when journalists visited the court, it was learnt that the ruling had been made on the evening of Friday, December 15, and the draft dated Monday, December 18, was not from the court.

A registrar of the court, who disclosed this to journalists, advised them to apply for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling to enable them compare and contrast with the viral draft ruling.

Nevertheless, a group of lawyers called for investigation of the matter, upon discovery that the said restraining order was issued on Friday by the court.

Leader of the group, under the aegis of Concerned Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, Kingdom Okere, called on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John

billion by end of December.

Chairman of the state Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS), Mr Tolu Adegbie, stated these at the occasion of the 2023 raffle draw ceremony

Tsoho, to order full scale investigation into the process that led to the issuance of the ex-parte order.

Okere stated that the investigation was necessary in order not to soil the reputation of the judiciary, especially that of the Federal High Court.

He stated, "We gathered that there is going to be a ruling by Justice Donatus Okorowo, on Monday, December 18, 2023 and that they intercepted the information.

"I know the workings of the court, the application was filed last week Wednesday and it was hurriedly assigned between the day it was filed and last Friday to Justice Okorowo and ruling is expected to be delivered today, December 18.

"One interesting thing I want the media to know is that, there is a twist to what we saw in the media. The registrar in the court of Justice Okorowo has confirmed that the application was filed and that it was brought before their court. He added that the ruling was delivered on Friday.

"The question we are asking this morning is, what is the urgency in that matter. Why will such application be filed on Wednesday, got to Justice Okorowo on Friday, and sat on same that day and deliver ruling on it?

"We have applied for the Certified True Copy of the order and paid and we are going to pursue this matter to logical conclusion.

"We are calling on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to investigate the order said to have been given by Justice Okorowo.

This Nigeria cannot be taken by politicians into their pockets."

for commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state at the Revenue House, Alagbaka, Akure, where they were gifted various items ranging from motorcycle, bags of rice, among other items to appreciate their commitment.

Specifically, he noted that the record showed that the state recorded a revenue shortfall compared to 2022 when it generated N1 billion between January and November, attributing the decline to naira scarcity experienced from the beginning of year, and removal of fuel subsidy among others.

His words: "N900 million has been generated compared to this time last year. I mean from January to November we've generated about N900 million.

“Meanwhile, this time last year, January to November, we had done N1 billion. This is for both motorcycle and tricycles but the bulk of it is from motorcycles.

"For the tricycle, they are doing roughly about N250 - N350 million, which is not much. That is why we are giving out more gifts to the Motorcyclists. We've charged the tricycle owners, even though they are fewer in number, to increase their performance."

Adegbie, however, expressed optimism that by the end of December, the revenue generated from motorcycle and tricycle owners would cross N1 billion.

In his address, the Acting Governor of the State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Transportation, Tobi Ogunleye, assured the operators of his administration’s commitment in creating the enabling environment for their operations within the state.

Earlier, the Special adviser on Special Duty and Strategy, Doyin Odebowale, revealed that when the present government came on board, commercial motorcyclists collection in the state was about N400,000 in a month and N4.8million in a year, but in 2018, Akeredolu's administration was able to generate N350 million.

TUESday december 19–, 2023 • T H I S D AY

45

NEWS

NDLEA, Military to Strengthen Synergy on Drug War Michael Olugbode inAbuja

The Nigerian military has promised to strengthen its synergy with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to curtail the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

The assurance was given yesterday by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gusau, when he paid a courtesy

visit to the Chairman/Chief The anti-narcotics czar Executive Officer of NDLEA, emphasised the significance of the Brigadier General Buba Marwa partnership between the military (Rtd) at the agency’s National and the NDLEA, and said that Headquarters in Abuja. substance abuse is at the root of Marwa, in his remarks, crimes and criminalities across the commended the Nigerian Armed Forces under the leadership of the CDS for their loyalty, sacrifices and hard work to keep the country safe. Ugo Aliogo He also thanked the military for supporting the agency in terms The Minister of Budget and of logistics and training.

Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has stated that one of the goals of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration, especially in the area of debt servicing, is to increase debt to Projects/Partnerships at PHD Nigeria, Henry Ononiwu; Director Digital/Media (CWAR) at Publicis Groupe, Muyiwa David-Chyddy ElekeinAwka Aleshinloye; Head of Digital Marketing at Olam Nigeria The Chairman of United Nigeria Limited, Dotun Babatunde; Airline, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Creative Director at Ogilvy has decried the lack of love among Nigeria, Joloi Awala; Director, Ndigbo.

Okonkwo, who spoke at the Client Services at Kantar (Insights Division), Akinola Afere, and end of year get together of an Commercial Director, Dolapo Igbo socio-economic and think Otegbayi.

Speaking on the forthcoming summit, Publisher/CEO of Marketing Edge Magazine and the summit’s convener, AdibeEmenyonuinBeninCity Mr. John Ajayi, disclosed that the quarterly summit series is A socio-cultural group, Edo Political designed to set agenda for the Agenda (EPA), has called on political entire Nigerian marketing and actors especially in the Peoples advertising eco-system

by Democratic Party ( PDP) to come regularly initiating contemporary up with the truth on the agreement, issues and challenges affecting if any, reached between Governor businesses in the sector.

Godwin Obaseki and legacy group led by the party National Vice Chairman, South-south, Chief Dan

As the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) prepares for its election on Monday, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), has called for free, fair and credible polls even as it notes the importance of the election to the democratic process and development of Nigeria.

Chairman, Transition Morning Group (TMG)/Executive Director Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Mr. Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), in a statement in Abuja, stated that as the umbrella body of all the registered political parties in Nigeria (IPAC) is a critical platform for the promotion and sustenance of free, fair, credible, transparent, acceptable, inclusive and peaceful electoral environment in Nigeria.

Yet, Nigerians, he said are not unaware that this critical aim of the conference of political parties

The Niger State Governor, Mr. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced a new dress code for all categories of civil servants in the state with immediate effect.

The governor has also dropped his traditional attire and opted for the same mode of dressing announced for his workers.

Bago, who gave the directive in Wushishi at the weekend during the presentation of land development and preparation equipment at the Brains and Hammers Rice City, said that the new dress code of jeans and tee shirts should be won from Monday to Thursday while the traditional attire can be won on Friday, which is the normal day that Muslims go to the mosque for the Jummat service.

He said that the dress code would make the workers “smart” to show that they have

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio to 18 percent in the next five years.

He also stated that Nigeria is one of the countries with one of the lowest revenues to GDP ratio in the world, because the country collects less than most countries.

Bagudu, who disclosed this

yesterday in Abuja during Public Finance Management Academy for Africa (PFMA) Dialogue on Debt Management Capacity Development with Africa Debt Managers, organised by the African Development Bank Group (AFDB), said part of the Renewed Agenda of the current

administration is the setting up of a presidential committee to examine how the government can simplify Nigeria’s tax code, and even without increasing the tax rate, the government would be collecting more through efficient collection and digitalisation, “so that we capture our potential tax payers.”

tank group, the Aka Ikenga, said that most of the problems of some prominent Igbo sons have been traced to their fellow Igbo indigenes, who work hard to pull them down.

Okonkwo, who was recognised by the group with an award as “Enabler of Ndi-Igbo Vision,

Strength, and Resilience,” said that many Igbo sons use social media to undermine their brothers because of lack of love among themselves.

He said: “The problem is no longer what outsiders are doing to us, ndi Igbo, but what we ourselves are doing to each other.

“We have spoken about what

others have done to Ndi Igbo, without addressing what we Igbos are doing to ourselves. The spate of hate is too much among many Igbo brothers and sisters, who, instead of collaborating, see themselves as competitors and strive to pull others down rather than working together and showing solidarity.

Orbih before Obaseki entered the party in 2020.

The group said that its quest follows unconfirmed rumours of cash exchanges and assertions that the national leadership reached a quiet agreement to accommodate the interests of one of the leading candidates in 2020 in the 2024 election.

In the statement issued by

National Coordinator, EPA, Imman Ekpeneru, the group said that clearing the air will help to give a direction to the unfolding quest for the 2024 governorship ticket of the party.

The group said: “As a body with the interest of Edo State at heart and being at home with political actors from the state, we are now sufficiently bothered by the rumours

that there was an agreement reached with some stakeholders over the 2024 ticket of the party.

“We do not have any proof of the claim of a cash exchange, but we are sufficiently bothered by increasing rumours of an agreement in 2020 to accommodate the interest of a particular frontline aspirant at that time after he was persuaded to step down for Godwin Obaseki.

Edo 2024: Group Urges Obaseki, Orbih, Aziegbemi to Clarify Alleged PDP Abuja Agreement

have remained a mirage.

According to Rafsanjani, this important council must not be allowed to become another appendage of some political merchants and corrupt ruling class just as other independent bodies including election management bodies and the judiciary has appeared to become in Nigeria.

He said: “It is in this light that TMG wishes to draw the attention of the public to the IPAC election, and to state categorically that it is not oblivious of attempts by some desperate political elite especially from the ruling party to plant candidates into the leadership of the council of political parties in the country.

“This unending desire to plant loyalists and people with lack of integrity in every institution of democratic development in Nigeria is damaging to the quality of democracy in the country.

Niger Governor Announces Dress Code for Workers Laleye Dipo inMinna

1,057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed and 8,350 offenders were convicted while 29,400 drug users have been counseled and rehabilitated within the same period.”

Okonkwo Decries Lack of Love among Ndigbo, Calls for Unity

TMG Calls for Free, Credible IPAC Election

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

cut access and availability of these illicit drugs.

“As a result, in about three years we have arrested 42,105 drug offenders, including 46 barons; seized 7,500 tons of drugs;

FG to Increase Debt to GDP Ratio to 18% in Five Years

Marketing Edge Unveils IMC Trends that ‘ll Shape 2024 Marketing Edge, leading marketing and advertising magazine, has concluded plans to host its 4th quarterly virtual summit to, December 19, 2023.

Themed “IMC Trends to Watch Out for in 2024,” a virtual summit to be conducted on Zoom (http:// bit.ly/ME-QuarterlySummit23), promises to unravel the anticipated trends in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) for the upcoming year.

Leading the conversation at the all- inclusive industry event is Consultant, Strategy/Marketing at Stragmar, Baba Awopetu, among an impressive line-up of speakers poised to analyse and discuss the IMC trends that will shape 2024.

Other distinguished speakers and renowned professionals are: Managing Director of Starcom Media Perspectives, Mr. Jude Odia; Head of New Business

country.

He said: “The criminal elements rely on drugs to carry out their criminalities and that is why we have been very ferocious in our offensive action against them to

imbibed the spirit that all workers should own a farm as part of the government policy to boost food production.

Bago said: “You see that I am always in jeans and trouser to show that I am ready for work,” Meanwhile Governor Bago has said that his administration would procure N500 billion worth of agricultural equipment and implements intended to create over one million jobs in the state, adding that the administration would adopt the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements to realize the target.

He said that the state’s agricultural revolution is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for agricultural development and food security in the country, adding that state government is on the right track to establish the “Niger State Strategic Food Reserve” and also protect land from encroachment.

Contractors Urge DESOPADEC to Allow Variations of Contracts for Fairness Sylvester IdowuinWarri

Contractors handling Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) have urged the state government to allow variations of their contracts to demonstrate fairness.

They hinged their stance on the depreciating value of naira and the continued delay in adequate

funding of projects by previous administrators of the commission.

The Chairman of DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum, Ogie Samson, made the appeal last weekend during the body’s Thanksgiving/end-of-year party held at Jeddo near Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

He said members were facing

serious challenges in the execution of projects due to astronomical increase in prices of materials, and stressed the need for the commission to allow for review of contracts.

Ogie declared: “We the indigenous contractors are pleading with the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to

allow for contract variation where cogent and verifiable reasons are adduced because of inflation, since the commission owes contractors heavily.”

Although, he said the forum had received some favourable response, he, however, urged the management of the commission to keep to promise as from January next year.

tuesday december 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

46

NEWS xtra

Police Confirm another Case of Abducted Children in Abia

The Abia Police Command yesterday confirmed Saturday’s alleged abduction of four under aged children in Umuahia by their unidentified female neighbour.

The incident happened barely three weeks after the alleged disappearance of four school children of the same parents in Umuda Communuty, a suburb of Umuahia.

The command’s Public Relations

Officer (PPRO), ASP Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the latest abduction in a statement issued in Umuahia and made available to newsmen.

Chinaka stated that the command had arrested some suspects in connection with the Saturday’s incident.

She explained that one Mrs Ifeanyi Udoma-Ibe, a resident of Ubakala Street/Ossai Road,

Umuahia, had on Sunday reported to the command that she left four children in the care of a new female tenant in their compound.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that Udoma-Ibe, who visited her sister, also a tenant in the

Leaders in Edo South senatorial district yesterday expressed dissatisfaction with political appointments made so far by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, which they said did not favour them.

The leaders, who met at the GRA, Benin-city residence of the former Governor of Edo State and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Odigie Oyegun, said their goal is to forge a common front for the interest of the zone in the state and Nigeria in general.

The meeting has in attendance political leaders across party lines, businessmen, intellectuals and representatives of the traditional institutions, include the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; former Governors, Chief OdigieOyegun and Chief Lucky Igbinedion respectively.

Others are the Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG),

Osarodion Ogie; Labour Party (LP) governorship aspirant, Olumide Akpata; former Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Benin, Prof Gregory Akenzua, among others.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Odigie-Oyegun said the meeting was called to consider Edo South interest in the Nigerian environment, which involves political appointments among others.

According to him, “We are comparing notes; we are looking at the level of appointments, we are looking at the Edo State unfolding political equation, and at the end of the day, we ask ourselves what is indeed for Edo South?

“Basically, at the end of the day, we can say that we are not happy with the appointments that have been made so far. From the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), the National Population Commission and others.”

This he said would afford them the chance to add values to the socio-economic and

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State yesterday assented to the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N592.2 billion.

At a brief ceremony after signing the bill into an Act at the Government House, Owerri, Uzodimma said that the success of the budget would depend on the prudent implementation of the items contained in the document.

He assured the people of the state that the budget would act both as a stimulus and catalyst for the growth and development

of Imo in line with the theme: “Budget of Renewed Economic Growth.”

“In the history of Imo, there has not been an annual budget with a capital expenditure of over 82 per cent, meaning when implemented, the result will make Imo the envy of other states,” he said.

He commended the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly for the uncommon synergy and conceding to his request to give the bill accelerated hearing and passage.

The governor, who

A Niger Republic-based Coalition of Civil Liberty Organisation (CODDAE) in Maradi State has faulted the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) fresh sanctions on their troubled country.

The coalition said ECOWAS got it all wrong in its strategy

inmate population in the facilities.

She also commended the Controller of Corrections, officers, and men of the Command for the neat environment of the Custodial Centres, lauding the healthy physical appearance of the inmates.

In his address, the Controller of Corrections, Akwa Ibom State Command, Julius Ezugwu, on behalf of the Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, thanked His Lordship and the judiciary in the state for the robust synergy with the Command and for coming to the aid of

The Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District, Plateau State, Senator Diket Plang, has facilitated the empowerment of not less than 100 women from his constituency.

The empowerment, which held at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Gwolong, Plateau State, was

congratulated Imo people as the ultimate beneficiaries of the synergy between the executive and legislature, promised prudent implementation of the budget.

He urged everyone working for government to do the same.

He also promised to sustain the cordial relationship and synergy that existed between the three arms of government.

He, however, called for all hands to be on deck to raise the revenue proposed in the budget to enable his administration ensure total implementation and achievement of the budget target.

the inmates, stressing that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.

The controller also expressed deep gratitude to the CJ not only for granting mercy and pardon to inmates but also for going the extra mile to provide relief items and welfare packages, including mattresses, drugs, toiletries, and others to the various centres inspected to cater to the inmates.

He advised the freed inmates to be of good behaviour, desist from crimes, and make good use of the skills they have acquired in the facilities.

Niger University of Education May Commence Academic Work Next Year

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The New Niger State University of Education is to commence academic exercise in the 2023/2024 academic session.

This was announced in Minna by the Chairman of the Implementation Committee, Professor Mohammed Kuta Yahaya, at the weekend while conducting officials of the National University’s

Commission round projects and facilities in the university.

Yahaya said that “with the structures on the ground, we are ready to take off,” adding that the state government has shown serious commitment to the project which has led to N20 billion being committed to it in the 2024 budget.

“The final green light for the university to take off rests with the NUC but on our part we

political development of the state.

AbdulRazaq said quite a large proportion of the young population have proven their worth in governance and corporate world, thereby requiring every support to fulfill their life dreams.

AbdulRazaq stated this

in Ilorin yesterday at the Kwara Youths Symposium, a programme that seeks to discuss issues bordering on the interests and prospects of youths in the state.

Organised by the state Ministry of Youth Development, the theme for this year was, “ The Legacy and Ideology

of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq: A Model for Youth Inclusion and Empowerment in Nigeria.”

The event was graced by cabinet members, academics and successful entrepreneurs including the NigerianAmerican professor and media scholar Prof Farooq Kperogi.

in Niger, insisting that the regional economic bloc was rather inflicting more economic pain and hardship on the citizens instead of resolving the leadership crisis.

The group, while expressing worries over the overbearing diplomatic policies being brought to bear by the regional union against Niger Republic, insisted

that ECOWAS should have push forward better options to mutually resolve the military invasion in the country.

ECOWAS, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, in its resolution, imposed fresh sanctions on the junta in Niger Republic.

The regional bloc had earlier given the military seven days

to reinstate President Bazoum or risk sanctions, including possible military action.

Leading hundreds of Nigeriens on a peaceful public protest at Tribune public arena in Maradi, the coalition leader, Abdu Dan Neito, said ECOWAS is inflicting more economic pain and hardship on the citizens rather than resolving the leadership crisis.

Legislator Empowers 100 Women with Sewing, Grinding Machines

KuniTyessi in Abuja

Jail Delivery: A’Ibom Chief Judge Pardons 57 Inmates A total of 57 awaiting trial inmates have been released from correctional facilities in Akwa Ibom State by the state Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ekaette Fabian Obot.

In the jail delivery exercise, the Chief Judge reviewed all the awaiting trial cases in the four Custodial Centres in the state, and released 57 inmates with Ikot Abasi four, Eket six, Ikot Ekpene 14, and Uyo 33.

He appreciated the Nigerian Correctional Service for the good job of providing safe, secure, and humane custody for the teeming

She gave the names of the children as Joy Ufuoma (Female – three years), Ogbonna Udoma (Male – six years), Chioma Kingsley (Female – five years) and Miracle Ikechukwu (Female – five years).

Coalition Faults Tinubu, ECOWAS’s Measures on Niger Republic

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Uzodimma Assents to 2024 Appropriation Bill Tony Icheku in Owerri

the children.

The PPRO quoted Udoma-Ibe to have reported that two of the children were hers and that the other two belonged to her sister and another family in the compound.

AbdulRazaq Vows to Accord More Youth Inclusion in Governance in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has Edo South Leaders Decry Unfavourable Kwara his administration would Tinubu’s Political Appointments said continue to accord more youth inclusion in governance.

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city

compound, left the children with the tenant to fetch water within the neighbourhood, taking her sister’s son along.

She was said to have returned to the compound to discover that the tenant had moved out with

have demozre not losing sleep over what we expecting from you,” Yahaya said.

He noted that the Niger State College of Education, which is transiting to a university with all its facilities and staff has provided support, pointing out that with their visiting professors and those on sabbatical on ground, we have really shown that the university is ready to go.

organised by the National Productivity Centre in conjunction with Ojidoe-Ligne Engineering Company Limited.

Beneficiaries who were empowered with brand new sewing and grinding machines respectively, were drawn from the five local governments including Bokkos, Mangu, Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Sebastian John described Senator Plang as a hardworking man that loved his constituency.

John said: “A man that all the time wipes the tears of his people. He is a man that is from the grass root, from councilor to Chairman and even House of Assembly level. He has held so many positions in the state, from

adviser to several governors to commissioner and so on.

“This man loves us so much and I can assure you that based on what he has told me, what he has promised to do for his constituents, he has not started. He is a person who wants to wipe the tears of the poor, which is why he has pleaded over what has happened to the five local governments affected.”

47

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023

TUESdaysports

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

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Holders Man City to Face Copenhagen, Arsenal v Porto C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E L AST 1 6 Holders Manchester City will play Copenhagen in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, while Arsenal face Porto.

Danish champions Copenhagen, who finished above Manchester United in their group, reached the knockout stage for the first time since 2011.

The first legs take place on 13-14 or 20-21 February and the second on 5-6 or 12-13 March.

City and Arsenal are seeded, meaning they will play the second leg at home.

Record 14-time winners Real Madrid meet RB Leipzig, while Inter Milan - runners-up last season - play Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich face Lazio.

The final takes place at Wembley on 1 June.

Premier League leaders Arsenal, who topped Group B but have never won the Champion League, beat Porto 5-0at Emirates Stadium the last time they met in 2010.

L-R: President Romanian FA who is also a UEFA/FIFA Council Member, Razyan Burleanu; FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and CAF Executive Committee and FIFA Council Member, Amaju Melvin Pinnick at the recent FIFA Council Meeting in Zurich

Nigeria's Eniola Wins Gold, Qualifies for 2024 Paralympics

Nigeria's Eniola Bolaji Mariam won gold at the 5th Pazza Dubai Para Badminton Championship and also qualified for next year’s Paralympic Games in Paris

Nigeria's Eniola Bolaji Mariam has continued her dominance in para badminton by qualifying for the the Paralympics in Paris next year.

Eniola won the gold medal in women’s single at 5th Pazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023 by defeating women's world number five, three and one in the Women's Singles of the SL-3 category of the championship.

Bolaji, who created a stir winning the Spanish Open Para Badminton International on her first international debut in 2021, has been unbeaten in 2023 winning the Uganda International 2023 before clinching three gold medals at the Africa Para Badminton Championships in Kampala, Uganda.

Eniola continued her impressive run at the Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023 beating World number one Syakuroh Qonitah from Indonesia 21-7, 13-21, 21-11 (2-1) to the gold medal in the Women’s singles SL3.

Enroute the final, Eniola in the First Round of the championship, beat Emoma Ivanovna from Bulgaria 21-10,21-8(2-0) to proceed to the Second Round where she succeeded in subduing Mandeep Kaur from India 21-16,21-17(2-0) to book her place to the quarter final At the Quarter Final, Eniola beat Manasi JOSHI also from India 21-13, 21-11 (2-0) to secure a berth in the Semi-Final of the category. There, she prevailed on Zuxian XIAO from China 21-13,20-22,21-15 (2-1) to book her place into the final.

This success recorded by Eniola has also qualified her for the Paralympics in Paris next year.

While hailing the strings of achievements recorded by the player, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih said given the determination and willpower of

the athlete, it did not come as a surprise that she won.

He further asserted the resolve of the Federation to support all athletes competing and carrying Nigeria’s flag at any level.

Orbih expressed his delight at the development and congratulated the player on this momentous success.

In her reaction, Eniola expressed appreciation to the Federations for their support.

“I am very thankful to Badminton Confederation of Africa and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria who have supported me and sent me to Spain,” she re-acted after her victory.

Runners-up in Portugal's Primeira Liga last season, Porto won four of their six Group H games to finish level on points with Group H winners Barcelona.

City won Group G with a 100% record, while Copenhagen, who lost 1-0 at United before beating them 4-3 at home,were runners-up to Bayern in Group A. City have progressed from the last 16 in the past six seasons.

Last-16 Draw Porto Napoli PSG Inter PSV Lazio Copenhagen Leipzig

v Arsenal v Barcelona v Sociedad v Atletico v Dortmund v B’Munich v Man City v Real Madrid

FIFA’s Club World Cup 2025 in USA to Feature 32 Teams FIFA announced on Sunday that its revamped Club World Cup, to be held for the first time in 2025, will feature 32 teams and will be played from mid-June to mid-July.

Following are details of how the tournament will work: – The United States will host the 2025 edition of the expanded event, which will be held every four years thereafter.

– The tournament will have eight groups of four with the top two teams from each group going through to the knockout stages — the same format as the World Cup. – The current version of the FIFA Club World Cup — an annual competition with seven teams — will be discontinued after the tournament now being hosted

by Saudi Arabia.

– Clubs will be ranked based on sporting criteria

over four seasons to secure qualification for the Club World Cup. – Teams will get three points for a win, one point for a draw and three points for progress to each stage of their confederation’s premier competition.

– In Europe, UEFA’s club coefficients system will be used, with teams getting two points for a win, one point for a draw, four points for qualification for the group stage, five points for qualification for the last 16 and one point for progress to each stage of the competition thereafter.

– Confederation champions from 2021-2024 will be eligible to play in the new Club World Cup, meaning Chelsea, Real Madrid and last season’s Champions League winners Manchester City have qualified from Europe.

55th Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup Enters Knockout Stage Femi Solaja

The 55th edition of Nigeria’s oldest sports competition, Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Cup began yesterday with preliminary rounds as top seeds hit the knockout stage in the men’s and women’s singles of the championships taking place at Teslim Balogun Stadium Top seeds, Muiz Adegoke and Bose Odusanya began their title defence with easy rides to the knockout stage. At the same time, former champions Rilwan Akanbi and David Fayele also progressed to the crucial stage of the competition.

For this year’s tournament, eight events – men’s and women’s singles and doubles as well as para class 1-5 (men and women) and para class

6-10 (men and women) will be competed for at the three-day tournament which serves as trials for the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA) to select their team for the 2024 National Sports Festival.

However, Akanbi who won the tournament in 2021 but a finalist in 2022 is eager to wrestle the title from Adegoke.

“I know that everybody is eyeing the title this year being a milestone event and I want to reclaim the title I surrendered two years ago. Undoubtedly, all other players are looking up to us but I am ready to become champion again. Having competed at the 3rd Quadri Aruna tournament and making it to the final in the men’s singles where I narrowly lost the title to Amadi Umeh, it is clear that I am one of the

favorites for the title and I am looking forward to competing in the final come Wednesday December 20,” Akanbi vowed.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of LSTTA, Tunji Lawal, has hailed the family of the late Molade Okoya-Thomas for deeming it fit to stage the tournament this year amidst the economic challenges ravaging the whole world and Nigeria.

“I am happy that we have another chance to test the abilities of our players through this tournament and this is a preparatory competition for next year’s quarterly league that the association will organise. There is no doubt that some players are coming through the ranks and we hope we can identify more young players from this kind of competition,” Lawal said.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE

NAAT to Federal Government

“With the exit of federal tertiary institutions from IPPIS, National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) is curious to seek for clarification from government on the way forward as nothing can exist out of nothing. We hope government will not use this exit to shy away from its responsibility of proper funding of education at all levels as enshrined in 1999 Constitution as amended.”

--NAAT, cautions against underfunding of tertiary institutions in the country.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Wike vs Fubara: One Day, One Trouble I

n 1973, writer and dermatologist, Professor Anezi Okoro published a novel for young adults titled “One Week, One Trouble.” It tells the story of Wilson Tagbo, a secondary school student, who from the first day he got enrolled until he got to senior secondary 3 grade, had one trouble or the other in what was clearly a process of becoming and self-discovery. “One Week, One Trouble” made it to the Nigerian school curriculum, and has further become a ready reference for the reckless manner in which Nigerian politicians are drawn to controversies like flees to nectar. Accordingly, we have had cause to use this phrase to describe the reign of impunity, ego and chaos that has now overtaken the oil-rich Niger Delta state of Rivers. If Wilson Tagbo got into trouble on a weekly basis, the situation in Rivers is worse. For the past three months, Rivers has been experiencing trouble on a daily basis, creating a situation that is best described as “One Day, One Trouble” in a two-hander plot featuring Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and his successor, the incumbent Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara. The conflict and the drama are a classic stuff of godfather-godson relations in Nigerian politics.

As it was in the past, so it is now, and so shall it be in the future, except Nigeria de-monetizes its politics, emphasizes the integrity of the people’s vote and insists on transparency and accountability of processes, and institutions. More than 24 years after Nigeria’s return to civilian rule, the pervasive opinion is that democracy in Nigeria is putative. What usually happens is that a Godfather with too much money or influence, acquired through control of state resources which he can deploy at will, as in the case of incumbent Governors seeking to cover their backs, by installing a successor through whom they can continue to rule, even after leaving office as constitutionally mandated, or the Godfather may be a man of influence whose political weight is built on the widely acknowledged assumption that he has direct control of critical institutions of state and that his will could override the people’s wish. Godfathers in Nigerian politics are genetically delusionary. One after the other we have seen them exhibiting a Messianic complex until they are either reminded that they are human, all too human, or they succeed in removing the recalcitrant anointed godson. Between the two polarities is a lot of melodrama, the type we are now witnessing in Rivers State, and as we saw before in Enugu state between Jim Nwobodo and Chimaroke Nnamani, in Anambra State, Chris Uba vs. Chris Ngige, in Oyo Sate, Lamidi Adedibu vs. Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, in Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje vs. Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole vs. Godwin Obaseki, in Delta, James Ibori vs. Ifeanyi Okowa, and in Lagos, Bola Tinubu vs. Akinwunmi Ambode.

The sociology of godfatherism in Nigerian politics is a complex power game, and it is not restricted to anointed Governors. Even lawmakers and local government chairmen owe their emergence in public positions to the dexterity of Godfathers. This may involve the anointed godson being asked to enter into a covenant to hand over a percentage of state resources to the Godfather and his wife every month – in Lagos, they call it “Baba ke e pe”. The exponent of Amala politics in Oyo state fell out with Rasheed Ladoja because having assumed office, the latter did not see why he should continue to hand over 15% of state resources to Adedibu on a monthly basis. Occultism is also involved. Chris Uba took Chris Ngige to the Okija shrine stripped to his under-wears, to pledge that he will always be loyal to the master. When Chris Ngige reneged and began to assert himself, Chris Uba released photos from the dreaded Okjja shrine. Chris Ngige did not deny but he said he went to the shrine with his Bible – his own talisman! This is the level of decay and rank opportunism in Nigerian politics. People would do anything to be in power without working for it, and that is why there are so many dumb persons in the top most corridors of power.

We do not yet know what pact, Satanic or Godly that Sim Fubara entered into with his Godfather. Was he also taken to a shrine? Did he sell his soul to become Governor? What agreements did he reach with Wike?

Wike

Fubara

What code of honour did they both agree to which is now causing trouble? What can be established is that Fubara is a political creation of Nyesom Wike, who made him Government House Accountant, Permanent Secretary, Government House, and later Accountant General of the State. As his eight-year tenure came to a close, Wike decided that Fubara who had always been in charge of the Rivers state’ accounts should be rewarded with the biggest diadem, the Governorship of the state. During the campaigns, not many people knew Fubara, other than that he was the man Wike wanted to make Governor. Wike was all over the place campaigning for him. And he put him in office as a PDP successor, despite his own defiant relationship with their party at the National level. When opposition parties challenged Fubara’s election at the tribunal, Wike again stepped in. He must have trusted Fubara so much. The big mistake he made though is that he is a poor student of history and human nature, now projecting himself as a victim of his own contradictions.

His critics have had cause to remind him that it is Karma at work. Even one Eze Eze who would never have dared to talk back at Wike in his glorious season as Rivers Governor is now talking. Wike used to tell traditional rulers to shut up publicly, and they would literally shut up and say “Yes sir,” on top of it.

Relationships between Godfathers and their anointed candidates have not always been rosy. In the aforementioned cases, the Godsons always managed to get the Godfathers off their backs. Ladoja fought all the way to the Supreme Court and he was reinstated. Obaseki watered down Oshiomhole’s influence. Ganduje clamped down on the Kwankwasiyya Movement and drove Kwankwaso out of Kano. The latter’s attempt at a return is currently the cause of trouble in Kano State. The only Godfather that seems to have survived would be Bola Tinubu of Lagos. He is probably the most ruthless of all the Godfathers. He has been described as a man who knows how to identify and groom talents, but when the same persons try to assert themselves, he crushes them without batting an eyelid. Babatunde Raji Fashola as Governor and Tinubu’s successor had ideas of his own, and he was making tremendous impact and taking credit. He had to be reminded that he could not outshine the master. Somehow, he survived.

Akinwunmi Ambode, a Fulbright scholar, first class brain, who succeeded Fashola was not so lucky. He was denied a second term because the Godfather got tired of him. Nigerian Godfathers are not looking for scholars and first-class brains. They want slaves and yes boys and girls. For example, when Umo Eno, the incumbent Governor of Akwa Ibom State became Governor, he, 59, knelt down before Udom Emmanuel, 57, to pledge his allegiance. In Kogi State, after the November 11 off-cycle Gubernatorial election in the state won by

Ahmed Usman Ododo, Governor Yahaya Bello’s anointed candidate, he and his elected Deputy took their certificates of return to the Governor, knelt and bowed before him in a show of gratitude. Nobody knows what the relationship would be tomorrow in Kogi and Akwa Ibom states between the Godfathers and their “anointed successors”. The whole idea of anointment is a mockery of Nigeria’s democratic process.

Where are the people?

The catalyst for the trouble in Rivers state is perhaps because Fubara showed his hands too early. Within six months of assuming office, hell had been let loose, and he had burnt the bridge that brought him to power.

Is there a lesson here about the character of godsons in Nigerian politics? When they want power, they are every shade of humility. Ganduje was so humble and loyal, Kwankwaso could never have suspected him. In Fubara’s case, pro-Wike actors in the conflict allege that a certain unnamed woman is the one pushing Fubara to fight the Godfather and assert himself. Nigerian politics is the strangest theatre of the absurd, worse than what Martin Esslin who wrote a book on the subject taught us. Whatever that woman brings to Fubara’s table must be very strong indeed! However, Fubara’s supporters argue that there is trouble, not because Fubara, an ordinarily obedient person, wants to burn bridges, but because as they say in street parlance, Wike’s own is “too much”. He is accused of breathing down too hard on Fubara’s neck. It is alleged that all the appointees in the Rivers government are direct appointees of the Godfather with express instructions to spy on Fubara and checkmate him. Wike, it is further alleged even as former Governor still approves projects and expenditures. Fubara as Governor is not allowed to travel out of the state without Wike’s permission.

His wife is also not allowed to attend functions. State vehicles bought with tax payers’ money are all controlled

by Wike from Abuja. In the wake of the crisis, nine commissioners have since resigned from the cabinet, reportedly on Wike’s instructions, and just take a look at the portfolios: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Works, Finance, Special Projects, Transport, Housing, Environment, Education, and Social Welfare and Rehabilitation. Who else is reporting directly to the Governor? The trouble reached a turning point over the weekend when Hon. Boma Goodhead, representing Asari Toru/Akuku Toru Federal Constituency publicly accused Wike of making away with state resources to the tune of about $300 million that came from Shell, and for fleecing the state of N9 billion monthly. Goodhead has called on the Department of State Services, the EFCC and the Police to do the needful and arrest Wike. She has also called on President Bola Tinubu to call Wike, his Minister to order.

The Wike-Fubara: “if you Wike me, I will Fubara

you, dey your dey, nobody worry nobody” saga has polarized Rivers state along ethnic and political lines.

Even if the dust settles, the effect will linger. Those who once argued that Fubara was Igbo have now all queued up behind him as a symbol of the Ijaw nation, with the Ijaw Youth Council, and the Ijaw National Congress threatening that any attempt to remove Fubara from office would amount to an assault on the Ijaw nation. Professor Benjamin Okaba has boasted publicly that Ijaws are not scared of Wike and if he tries anything against Fubara, there would be fire. Similarly, the Rivers Council of Leaders and Elders, and the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief E. K. Clark have issued statements asking Tinubu to call Wike to order. Hon. Goodhead accuses Wike of having everybody in his pocket: the judiciary, the security agencies, INEC, the Chief of Staff and the President himself. Wike’s pocket must be very big indeed. I am surprised how he still manages to walk around, with that much heavyweight under his control. He says however that he is only protecting his political structures, and Fubara who never bought a form to become Governor must stop hobnobbing with his enemies in the state. Fubara says he is Governor and he wants to be respected.

And yet Wike was not always like this. I knew him as Minister of State for Education, and later substantive Minister in the Goodluck Jonathan administration. The Wike of those days cut the picture of a perfect gentleman.

I used to visit him at home in his Asokoro residence, we lived in the same neighbourhood. He was a great, affable host. There was always something to eat and chew by the pool side or in his main living room.

“Olorun sa maa je ki won fi eran dindin ati peppersoup gbe mi lo o!” The moment Wike became Governor in Rivers state, the reports about him in the public domain, the controversies that he generated and the Hitlerite manner in which he rode roughshod over the state can only be explained off as what too much money and power does to people. He also became powerful beyond Rivers. He took over the control of the PDP. The party having lost power at the centre in 2015, Wike was the only surviving Governor who took it upon himself to finance the party and kept it alive. Other PDP Governors couldn’t be bothered.

In 2022/3, Wike decided to call in his goodwill, only to be resisted by other stakeholders in the party.

He promised that having not allowed a Southerner to be the party’s Presidential flagbearer, by which he meant himself, the PDP would lose the 2023 Presidential election. He divided the party, openly hobnobbed with the APC, and he had his way. He has been rewarded

by President Tinubu for this with the portfolio of the Minister of the FCT. His own party has been very quiet about his brazen anti-party activities. He has dared the party to whip him into line if it can. In the present instance in Rivers, it is said that he is the main author of the trouble that has led to the reported plans to impeach Governor Fubara, the division of the state House of Assembly into two factions: Fubara group of 5, vs. the Wike group of 26, with the former arguing that with the latter defecting to the rival APC, they are automatically no longer members of the House.

Today, there is a lawyer on every street corner of Port Harcourt interpreting Section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution and quoting precedents from FEDECO vs.

Goni to Abegunde vs. Ondo State House of Assembly.

The judiciary has also been dragged in with reports of forum shopping, leaked judgments and ex parte orders. The State House of Assembly has since been demolished by the Fubara government. Perhaps the crisis will be resolved, in the long run, at the law courts if commonsense does not prevail.

Certainly not by President Tinubu. Badly-behaved politicians should stop calling on President Tinubu to come and help them solve problems that they have created in their states. He is President, not a Headmaster or Supervisor. He intervened in Ondo state twice, but the problem was resolved only when the rule of law was obeyed. Rivers people should leave him alone.

Kano people should stop bothering him. Go and put your house in order. Do not turn Tinubu into a dictator and then, return later to complain that Nigeria is a federal system.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. Email: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. Telephone Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com