TUESDAY 20TH DECEMBER 2022

INEC: If Attacks on Our Offices Persist, Polls May Be Jeopardised Armed forces to conduct show of force across the country Vote buying: INEC, NFIU, EFCC, Police, ICPC, others read riot act to political parties, candidates Financial intelligence unit to seal up all government accounts in January CBN cash withdrawal limits must be effectively, efficiently enforced’ Chuks Okocha and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood

Yakubu, yesterday, declared that should the present state of insecurity and attacks on offices

of the commission continue, next year’s general election might be threatened.

Mahmood spoke in Abuja at a workshop on "Electoral Violence and Election Security in Nigeria",

organised by the Centre for Strategic Continued on page 10

Okupe Pays N13m Fine, Avoids Prison Sentence ... Page 35 Tuesday 20 December, 2022 Vol 27. No 10115. Price: N250

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Tinubu to Organised Labour: Atiku, Obi Can’t Be Trusted Says he’s only one in fight for good governance Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC),

Bola Tinubu, yesterday, told the organised labour that none of the major presidential candidates could be trusted with power and

leadership. Tinubu stated this at a town hall with the organised labour.

The APC candidate said he

was the most qualified of the presidential candidates to lead Nigeria, stressing that he is the only one seriously involved in the

fight for good governance.

Although Tinubu did not directly mention the names of the other presidential hopefuls,

the description he gave was a perfect march for the candidates Continued on page 10

Naira Redesign: Why Nigeria's Two Critical Institutions Must Make Peace Court stops Emefiele’s arrest Declares Buhari’s authority required to arrest CBN gov Frowns at use of court to cover for irregular procedure, 'which is unacceptable' DSS talks tough Top politicians, lawmakers, governors fingered in plot Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Some elder statesmen, eminent Nigerians and government officials last night moved to resolve differences among some government agencies that have arisen following the redesigning of some denominations of the naira and the new cash withdrawal limits introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which becomes effective January 9, 2023.

The move by the elder statesmen and prominent Nigerians followed a Federal High Court, Abuja ruling, that declined request by the Department of State Service (DSS) to arrest and detain the Governor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele for terrorism charges, saying the agency required the authority of his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, before going ahead with such request.

Essentially, THISDAY gathered that since announcement of the naira redesign policies, the DSS has been making enquiries from the apex bank, which the regulatory authority felt was impugning its Continued on page 10

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE OF NEW CONVENANT GOSPEL CHURCH...

The Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion (left) and his wife, Lady Cherry Igbinedion, at the Annual Thanksgiving Service of the New Covenant Gospel Church in Benin City on Sunday

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

NEWS

COURTESY VISIT TO THE MINISTER OF STATE...

L-R: New Managing Director, Eni SpA, Mr. Fabrizio Bolondi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and Head of Sub Saharan Africa Region, Eni SpA, Mr. Mario Bello, during the introduction of Bolondi to the Minister in Abuja... yesterday

FT: Complicated Electoral Maths May Favour Atiku in February’s Election PDP candidate says he won’t run after 2023 Discloses Buhari gave him personal commitment of free, fair polls Pledges to remove petrol subsidy in first 100 days Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The complicated ‘electoral maths' of Africa’s largest economy may count in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in next February’s general elections, a Financial Times report has indicated, quoting close aides of the politician as well as selected political analysts.

Stressing that no one in Nigeria's history has run for president more times than Atiku, with the top prize eluding him on each of the five occasions, the report stressed that in February, the former vice president will make his sixth attempt as Nigerians choose a replacement for outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It is a life-long ambition and as long as I’m alive and strong and healthy, I will continue pursuing it,” Abubakar told the Financial Times at his suite in one of Lagos’s most luxurious hotels after a campaign rally.

But he quickly suggested this would be his final act: “I’ve come to the last stage now. I don’t think after this I will run again,” FT quoted him as saying.

Amid a throng of jubilant supporters in the hotel lobby, an unnamed long-serving Atiku aide, the report said, sketched out his 76-year-old boss’s route to victory.

Atiku, he said, would give his opponents a close run in their southern strongholds and take advantage of Buhari’s absence on the ballot for the first time since 1999 to win the

vote-rich north by a wide margin.

The election will pit Atiku, of the opposition PDP, against Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and Peter Obi, of the Labour party (LP), who it said has emerged as the first credible third-party candidate since Nigeria’s return to democracy 23 years ago.

It recalled a recent poll of registered voters in rural communities in 12 of the 36 states which put Obi ahead.

Africa Director at the Eurasia Consultancy, Amaka Anku, said Abubakar had advantages that could work in his favour. “Atiku is a household name and being well known across the north and being a northerner, given the structure of Nigeria’s voter rolls, is a major selling point,” she said.

But his success is not guaranteed.

Voters may have become “jaded” by his repeated attempts at the presidency, she said.

Atiku’s party, the PDP, has been unsettled by internal divisions since he emerged as candidate in May. Five governors, including the governor of the oil-rich Rivers state, say his candidacy solidifies northern control of the party and have demanded the resignation of party chair Iyorchia Ayu, a northerner, to rebalance power with its southern base.

“Whoever wins in February faces a tough in-tray. More than 8,000 people have been killed since the start of this year by violent groups, such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West

Africa Province. Inflation has soared to more than 21 per cent, the naira currency has plummeted to record lows, and unemployment is at 33 per cent,” FT stated.

However, it added that Atiku styles himself as a pro-business candidate, promising the privatisation of the state-owned oil company and a “restructuring” of Nigeria to devolve more power to the states.

“We will look into (previous) constitutional reform reports, update them and work with the governors, national assembly and state assemblies to amend the constitution to reflect the type of federation we want,” he said.

Oil was key to turning the economy around, he said. Years of under-investment in infrastructure and large-scale theft have depressed oil production. In a year where oilproducing nations have recorded significant revenue boosts, Nigeria produces a little over 1 million barrels a day of crude, far below its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) daily quota of 1.8 million barrels.

The country is set to spend $9 billion on fuel subsidies this year, and previous presidents have shied away from reform, the FT stated.

“I will remove fuel subsidy,” he told the Financial Times. “Within the first 100 days in office, we should be able to make a decision.” He also promised to provide a “road-map” on how the money saved will be spent.

Attempts at privatising NNPC,

the state-owned oil company whose shares are owned by the federal government, were muddled, he said.

“I will have to study the so-called privatisation and see how we can review it and make sure that it conforms with our expectations which is realising as much revenue as possible,” Atiku added.

He also pledged to reform Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates with “a unified exchange rate or a maximum of two” in conjunction with the central bank.

Some $10 billion would be allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises to create jobs, money he claimed would be raised by the privatisation of state-owned refineries and savings from fuel subsidies.

With a public debt of $103 billion, he said he would have “to approach our creditors to see how

The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has expressed displeasure over the abandonment of about 56, 000 projects across the country.

The institute noted that failure to engage professionals in the construction of projects had led to their abandonments.

The Team Lead of the Practice Sub-Committee of CIPMN, Mr Inimi Stephen, disclose this during their annual general meeting, investiture, induction, DUCAP training and award in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Stephen disclosed that: "A research was done and it was observed that over 56,000 projects had been

abandoned in Nigeria. The value is worth over N17 trillion and it is still counting.”

He said cultural attitude of Nigerians towards projects’ execution was at variance with what was obtainable in other climes.

“One of the peculiarities Nigeria has is that there are so many things that occur in Nigeria that do not occur anywhere in the world. For example, let's look at our culture. If you are managing a project in America, you would work from Monday to Sunday.

"But, in Nigeria, if you are managing a project in the south and you want your workers to come to work on Sunday, they (workers) would tell you, no, they are Christians. In the same vein, when you go to the

north, on Fridays, they wouldn't want to go to work.

"Some of these projects even if you complete them now would not be used. They are already obsolete. And some of them, in order to complete them, would cost four or five times their original budget,” he added.

He said one of the mandate of the institute was to ensure that project management in Nigeria change the narratives.

"Nigeria is labeled by a lot of countries as projects management graveyard. If you drive along the roads, you see a lot of abandoned projects. It is very disheartening.

"So, we developed a methodology called DUCAP, which means Delivering Unified Contemporary

election many expected would be a close race but ended with Buhari’s re-election by almost 4 million votes, extending his margin of victory from the previous poll.

Atiku claimed the vote was stolen: “All well-informed sources believe I was rigged out,” he said. He added that this election would be harder to manipulate because of reforms, including the electronic transmission of results, by the electoral commission that have been deployed in recent gubernatorial elections.

The former vice president also said he had received personal assurances from Buhari that the polls would be free. “I’ve gotten a commitment from the president personally, because I sat down with him twice, that even if it is the only legacy he will leave, he will make sure he conducts free, fair and credible polls,” he added.

Afreximbank Launches TRADAR Club to Transform African Trade, Investments The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has operationally launched its TRADAR Club, a prestigious member-driven network aimed at empowering international businesses and executives to transform trade and investments in Africa through trusted trade intelligence and advisory services.

Over 56,000 Projects Abandoned in Nigeria, Says CIPMN Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

we can renegotiate and reschedule repayments”. He also plans to cut down on public sector expenditure, which he described as “expenditure not in favour of development”.

On crime and security, Atiku said he would increase the number of police officers and other security service personnel and “train and equip them better”. He is also considering introducing state policing, a departure from Nigeria’s centralised force.

He said he planned to form a government of national unity that would include opposition politicians.

When pressed if there could be a job for Obi, his running mate in 2019, he responded: “Why not?” Asked in what capacity, he said: “Let’s win the elections before thinking of roles people can play.”

Atiku, the report suggested, is still stung by his 2019 defeat, an

Aggregated Project. This methodology was developed by professionals who came together and developed a methodology that would work for Nigerian projects,” he added.

In her remarks, the Chairman, Governing Board of CIPMN, Dr. Victoria Okoronkwo, said the institute hosted the event in Port Harcourt, so that people in the zone would know that project management was no longer business as usual.

She said the institute was equipping its members through training, to enable them to overcome challenges that might confront them while executing projects.

"People should look at project management as what would help us develop this nation," he added.

A statement disclosed that the initiative was launched in Cairo.

According to Afreximbank, TRADAR Club would deliver innovative digital tools and networking opportunities, helping members to discover new markets; grow their business; save time; access dedicated expert support; post and respond to new business opportunities; network; meet business/trading partners; and more.

The statement explained that TRADAR Club was anchored by Afreximbank’s Trade Intelligence Solutions unit.

“The unit was conceived to address one of the key barriers to intra-African trade – the lack of comprehensive African trade and investment information. Afreximbank’s Trade Intelligence Solutions is an end-to-end, integrated trade intelligence offering - supporting clients that are seeking to enter new markets in Africa or expanding into the continent.

“The TRADAR Club and the Trade Intelligence Solutions it champions represent the single authoritative resource and forum for trade and investment related insight on the African continent.

“Afreximbank described TRA-

DAR Club as the primary gateway through which exporters, importers and investors will access curated trade intelligence and advisory services to support their market expansion decisions and network with other businesses.

“TRADAR Club membership is open to global industry leaders, African and foreign businesses, intergovernmental organisations, policy makers and other influential stakeholders committed to the shared objective of unlocking growth and development in the African continent,” it added.

It noted that the TRADAR Club offers four membership packages, including a free Basic membership.

“The Standard, Gold and Platinum memberships packages attract annual membership fees.

Further details about TRADAR Club can be found at www.tradar. africa “The operational launch event featured a high-level panel discussion on ‘Why better African trade data is needed to deliver enhanced decision making and growth for businesses.’ A free six-month trial membership was extended to all participants who attended the operational launch,” it added.

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NEWS

THE ACCESS POLO DAY...

L-R: Adamu Atta; Jo Bronn; Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Corporation, Herbert Wigwe; a Model; Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Charl du Plessis; Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna; and Tom de Bruin, during the Access Polo Day held at the Val de Vie Polo Club, Cape Town, South Africa ...recently.

BPE Directs Banks to Sell Their 60% Shares in DisCos to New Investors

NCP approves release of N1.3bn for payment of 13 year-old outstanding entitlements of SAHCO workers Osinbajo receives RMAFC delegation Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has issued guidelines to banks and other lenders for the sale of their 60 per cent shares in the power distribution companies (Discos).

Also, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has approved

the release of N1.371 billion for the settlement of outstanding redundancy benefits owed workers of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO).

The latest move by government in SAHCO was aimed at providing succour and ensure prompt payment of the 13 year-old entitlements of ex-workers of the aviation ground

handling service provider.

These were part of the highlights of the sixth meeting of the Council presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja.

Director-General of the BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh, had presented a memo to Council seeking its approval for the payment of the sum due to

ex-SAHCO workers He also informed the Council of the notice of “peaceful protest” received from ex-workers of SAHCO, who were also members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), on account of the non-payment of

NOGASA: Importation, High Dollar Charges Raising Fuel Prices, Worsening Scarcity Says local refining will crash prices Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) an umbrella body of suppliers, stakeholders and practitioners in the nation’s oil and gas distribution service chain, yesterday insisted that the importation of petrol as well as dollar charges in the industry were causing high prices and scarcity.

Speaking in an interview with journalists in Abuja, National President of the body, Bennett Korie, stressed that local refining will reduce pump prices markedly and enhance product availability.

“We are selling over the regulated price because before now, it was from refineries in the country, but now we get it from the depots, whether private or from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC),” he argued.

According to him, because the product is imported, it would need to be offloaded into smaller vessels, thereby costing as much as $85,000 per day to bring it to the depots from the foreign vessels. “All these are paid in dollars,” he added.

He pointed out that while the NNPC may be selling from a N148 depot price, the calculation from the depots to the filling stations also constitute an additional cost which will be borne by the consumers.

The NOGASA chief stated that if the association downs tools because of the high price and additional charges, the entire country will suffer, prompting it to add the

costs incurred, noting thats it’s members were owing banks.

Korie also blamed the bad roads nationwide for some of the challenges of product supply, stressing that big potholes on the roads were destroying vehicles owned by members of the association. “If you fix these roads, it will help this so-called dollar problem that we have, because that contributes 95 per cent of the costs that we bear,” he added.

According to him, stakeholders like the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), among others collect charges in dollars, thereby skyrocketing the prices Nigerians get the product. “Everybody keeps blaming the marketers. How do you buy a product for N150 and then spend N70 to bring it to the filling stations,” he queried.

However, he stated that there are assurances from the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva as well as from the NNPC that by January one of the refineries in the country will begin operation, thereby cutting off some of the costs.

“Before now, you go to a refinery and load, but now you pay for vessels for 10 days to go and load offshore and it will spend 14 days, for something that’s supposed to spend one day. Who pays for that?

“We are suffering. But somebody asked that if we are suffering, why do we continue in business. But I say we are contributing our own

quota. We are sacrificing ourselves doing this business. “ How many depots have fuel?

Which bank will take that risk? So, we are suffering to help Nigerians,” he posited.

With all the associated costs borne by the marketers, he stated that the landing cost should not be less than N280, stressing that it’s not a pricing problem, but a distribution issue.

He explained that the reason independent marketers may be selling higher than the major marketers is because the latter get directly from the NNPC, while independent marketers pass through long processes to get the product, including buying from the key marketers.

He argued that although the intervention of the Department of State Service (DSS) which issued the stakeholders a 48-hour ultimatum to make products available recently, helped, it has not succeeded in eliminating the expenses incurred by the marketers. “ Again, the major cost is diesel.

This is because we use diesel or AGO to carry the petrol. The ships also use diesel. The depots use diesel. The filling stations use diesel to operate their facilities.

“So, it’s very clear that until you fix diesel supply and cost, things will not change. If you bring it back to N170, the way it used to be, we can even sell for you at N100 or N90 because the diesel is cheap. So, if they want to do subsidy, let them do it on AGO,

not petrol,” he posited.

Korie stated that as it works on its transition, the NNPC was also encountering delays in its processes, further compounding the problem.

He argued that prices continue to fluctuate, stressing that Nigerians should be happy that the product was being subsidised, because the cost of repair of the vehicles used by the marketers because of bad roads was adding to the cost of doing business.

He further added that the 60,000 barrels local production expected soon will generate several products including jet AI, noting that it will affect prices of flights to the benefit of Nigerians.

their outstanding severance entitlements after the disengagement of the workers from the company following its privatization in 2009.

After deliberating on the matter, the NCP gave the approval for the outstanding severance entitlements of the ex-workers to be paid.

The Council also received an update on the development of a 1,650 Mega Watts Hydro Power Plant in Makurdi, Benue State, particularly the inauguration of the Project Steering Committee and the proposed publication on the Expression of Interest for the engagement of a Transaction Adviser for the project.

On the concession of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant, the Council was informed that Requests for Qualification (RfQs) were received from 11 Consortiums, out of which three (NSP Consortium, Mainstream Energy and Africa Plus Partners) were shortlisted to present proposals for the concession.

On the restructuring of the Kano, Benin, Kaduna, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt DisCos, Council was informed that the notifications of change of Directors for all the DisCos had been filed at the Corporate Affairs Commission, while the BPE had issued guidelines to the banks/lenders for the sale of their 60 per cent shares in the assets.

The NCP also received updates on the sale of five NIPP Power Plants, particularly the engagements with the Nigerian Governors Forum on the NIPP transaction, and the

resolution by the governors to constitute a committee to review the transaction and revert to the Bureau.

The Council expressed satisfaction with the BPE’s handling of the engagements with the governors on the sale of the NIPP and the federal government’s 40 per cent interest in the Aba Ring-fenced area.

NCP members that attended the meeting included Ministers of Power, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed; Director-General of the BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh; representatives of Federal Ministry of Justice, heads of relevant MDAs and other senior government officials.

In a related development, Osinbajo played host to the management of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) led by its Chairman, Mohammed Bello Shehu.

In his remarks, Shehu appealed to the vice president to support the commission’s drive to digitalise its operations, particularly the efficient allocation and disbursement of revenues to the three tiers of government in accordance with the Act setting up the commission.

The Chairman noted that paucity of funds was affecting the commission’s oversight on revenue generating government agencies and general migration from manual to digital operations, while he also outlined the implications of the development on the revenues of the federation and the economy.

Buhari Expresses Gratitude to Well-wishers on His 80th Birthday Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed appreciation for the many cards and well-wishes he received on his 80th birthday anniversary.

The president, however, said in a jocular manner yesterday, that his wish for a quiet day was denied by the staff, adding that: “I fixed the return journey from America on the day to avoid the celebration.”

Addressing the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and a handful of

other personal staff who gathered at the Residence in the morning, “to make the president’s birthday an occasion to remember,” Buhari said a birthday was no more than just another day in the office.

In a fitting tribute on behalf of the personal staff, the Chief of Staff read aloud the card signed by them which stated thus: “On behalf of the entire staff of the personal staff and my own self, we say ‘Happy Birthday’ to a worthy leader, father of the nation and our own father.

“Your Excellency was a star at the recently-concluded American-

African Leaders Summit- recognition by your own peers and the leader of the international community.

“We are proud of Your Excellency and grateful for the opportunity to serve Your Excellency with respect and abiding loyalty.”

Buhari waded across the room, reading one card after the other and thereafter ordered everyone back to office: “Back to Work,” he said, as he led the way to his office building.

The president thereafter participated in meetings and other duties throughout the working hours in the office.

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NEWS

TEACH FOR NIGERIA GRADUATION CEREMONY...

L-:R: Chief Executive Officer, Teach For Nigeria, Folawe Omikunle; Okukenu IV, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; winner of the most outstanding Be the Change award, Omotoyosi Idris; Representative of Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Ade Bayo; and Board member, Teach For Nigeria, Mrs Alero Ayida Otobo, at the Teach For Nigeria Graduation ceremony held in Ogun State ...recently.

Ship Owners Seek Ajegunle Residents' Relocation to Upgrade Apapa Port Say NPA losing $41bn daily Sunday Aborisade in Abuja President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, Mkgeorge Oyung, yesterday called for the relocation of the residents of Ajegunle, a suburb in Lagos, with a view to enhancing the value of Apapa Wharf.

He stressed the need for the federal and Lagos state governments to recreate the Apapa Port by relocating Ajegunle city, to build a modern logistics city.

Oyung stated this in Abuja, yesterday, at a public hearing of a bill: ‘Nigerian Economic Diversification Bill 2022.”

He noted that NPA was making a total of $2 million (N890,000, 000) instead of $43 billion (19,135,000,000,000) as daily revenue He insisted that the only way to save Apapa port was to relocate Ajegunle by paying compensation ranging from N25 million and N45 million to house owners in the place.

He said, "We can build a proper logistics city as it is located and have on 24 hours trailers loading and moving out of the ports.

"What we have now is Ajegunle port! And the Lekki port is turning out to be the same thing. And we

can do the same thing at Lekki.

“Nobody builds a port in the city. Go to Ajegunle anybody that has a Bungalow takes N25m and anybody with a story building takes N45m and you will get back the ports,” he said The SOAN boss said the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was losing a whooping sum $41billion (N18,245, 000, 000,000) daily due to poor management of the maritime sector.

He noted that shipping was the biggest business in the world; hence, Nigeria should pay attention to it.

He said, “Shipping is 90 per cent of global trends and as far as

the world is concerned, nothing moves, and nothing goes on without shipping, and without shipping, there is no shopping.

“NPA makes $2 million a day by their revenue, whereas it is an industry where it can make $43 billion a day; $1.8 billion an hour and $30m a minute.

"NPA is making $2 million a day, which means something must give way and my suggestion is that we should relocate Ajegunle.”

The SOAN president also noted that the ports were functional, adding that its poor management and lack of diversification had continued to

inhibit the optimisation of NPA. Talking about the functionality of the ports, Oyung said, “All ports are functioning; the constraints of the ports are a matter of congestion due to poor port management of the port."

He added, "I am not trying to indict anybody but the fact that you have to manage the ships that come and make sure that the ships that come are producing and discharging and you don’t delay them at the port because the ship comes to the port, it doesn’t dwell.

“It is supposed to be very controlled, however in our port,

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), its Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami have been dragged to a Federal Court in Awka over the implementation of the naira redesign policy.

The redesigned currencies N1,000, N500 and N200 went into circulation on December 15, 2022, and would finally displace the old notes by the end of January 2023.

But the Incorporated Trustees of a non-governmental organisation and the African Initiative against Abuse of Public Trust had filed a suit on behalf of over 50 million Nigerians in rural areas who have to bank account, to stop the CBN from implementing the policy.

In the Suit marked FHC/AWK/ CS/195/2022 filed by Mr. N. D. Agu, on behalf of the plaintiff, the court had on November 30,

He added, “If somebody imports a car, there’s really no reason why he should clear it in Lagos. If the car is taken to Port-Harcourt or Warri or Calabar, and cleared there, a person can drive back to Kaduna, Imo, Maiduguri or other states. So, when every car comes to Lagos and we diversify and say that some ports are for the exports, rail road, cars and some ports for minerals, that will help the economy.”

Onyung noted that one of the ways to save the situation, particularly in Lagos was to relocate the Ajegunle community in other to save the ports.

IPPG Forecasts Defining Moments for Oil, Gas Sector in 2023 Pledges continued partnership with stakeholders Peter Uzoho The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) has said 2023 promises to be a defining moment for Nigeria as a country and the nation's oil and gas industry owing to the general elections and

a number of changes expected to happen in the petroleum sector.

The group, however, pledged to continue to partner with relevant industry stakeholders towards the growth and development of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The Chairman of IPPG, Mr.

Abdulrazaq Isa, stated this during the Group’s 2022 Annual Dinner which was held recently in Lagos.

Isa said the Nigerian oil and gas industry had evolved over the last two years with the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), large divestment announcements by the

Court Summons CBN, Emefiele, AGF to Defend Suit Challenging Naira Redesign Policy Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

especially Apapa port, it is so congested that the roads are not only the problem and of course what needs to be done, I have suggested.

On other ports, they are bound by infrastructure decay, they are bound by the fact that they are not being utilised.”

He further advised that the Apapa and Lekki ports, “particularly be feeder ports where when the goods arrive and it has a two put of 3,000 containers a day, we don’t see the possibility of all of that being able to leave that port. So, we have other ships that will take them to other ports.”

2022, delivered a ruling granting the application in part and gave an order for the defendants to be served with the motion ex parte dated November 18, 2022, but filed on November 29, 2022.

But the court presided over by Hon. Justice H. A. Nganjiwa directed the plaintiff to put the defendants on notice to compel them to appear before it and show cause why the plaintiff's prayers should not be granted.

An Aba-based lawyer, Chief Musa Tolani, the counsel to the three defendants told journalists yesterday at the commercial city of Aba that the plaintiff's prayers were for the court to order an interim injunction stopping the policy implementation.

According to the plaintiff, the policy on redesigned naira should not be implemented until, "a clear policy (is put in place) on how to accommodate over 50 million Nigerians without bank accounts."

The plaintiff, therefore asked the

court to issue an order restraining the defendants, particularly, the CBN and Emefiele, either by themselves or their proxies or agents, "from taking any step to enforce the implementation of the policy without protecting the interest of unbanked Nigerians.”

The reliefs sought by the plaintiff included granting accelerated hearing and determination of the substantive originating summons, granting the claimant leave to serve the defendants with the court processes by substituted means by posting or courier services.

They also prayed the court for an, "order of departure from the rules by abridging the time within which the Defendants may file their respective Counter Affidavit to substantive Originating Summons to a period of five days from the date of service of the processes."

After the counsel informed the court that both the CBN and Emefiele had served the plaintiff with

their responses to the originating process, Justice Nganjiwa granted the relief to the plaintiff to serve the third defendant, Malami with the originating summons.

However, citing, "the nature and far reaching effects," of two of the reliefs sought, the court refused to grant an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants, especially CBN and its governor, from implementing the naira redesign policy.

It also refused to bar the CBN and Emefiele, "from taking any steps to dissipate, discountenance or in any other manner inhibit over 50 million Nigerians without bank accounts from using alternative means and or physical means to exchange old notes with the redesigned notes."

The court said that it, "finds it very difficult to grant the said reliefs wiithout hearng from the other side" and adjourned the matter to January 19, 2023 for hearing of motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

international oil companies (IOCs) and Nigeria’s commitment to 2060 net-zero aspirations.

He said this meant that a holistic re-positioning of the nation's oil and gas industry had become necessary.

“The year 2023 promises to be a very important year for our industry; not only will our dear country be witnessing a political transition come May 2023, but we shall begin to see numerous changes across the entire oil and gas value chain”, Isa said.

He also commended the two industry regulators, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), for their diligent implementation of the PIA and their adopted approach of engaging all stakeholders in this regards.

He said the tangible effects of the PIA implementation, conclusion of this IOC divestment phase and the emerging dominance of the indigenous players across onshore and shallow water space; implementation of the decade of gas policy; and the expected deregulation of the downstream sector would all jointly set the tone and direction for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry in the years to come.

The IPPG chair restated that the body has an important role to play going forward and are best placed to ensure the optimal development of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources as its members have demonstrated financial and technical capability to

develop the country’s hydrocarbon resources, with proven appetite for supporting the government’s energy security vision through building a broader value-adding midstream and downstream businesses.

“It is therefore imperative that our advocacy effort in 2023 should be focused on creating collective support and deliberate collaboration with the Government, Industry Regulators and Nigerian Financial institutions, working in concert, to optimise the numerous growth opportunities available across the industry,” Isa said.

He reiterated that the group’s priority as an industry, in the short to medium term, “must be to rapidly exploit our hydrocarbon assets for the socio-economic transformation of our country.

‘To this end, IPPG will continue to work closely with the Government to achieve all its aspirations for the industry which is primarily centred on energy availability, affordability and security for all Nigerians now and in the coming years”.

In his lecture at the occasion, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, in his presentation entitled, "The Outlook for Financing the Energy Sector in Nigeria in the Light of the Energy Transition”, noted the funding challenges confronting the industry, outlook for the industry in terms of financing and insights on how to ensure sustainable financing solutions for the development of the nation’s hydrocarbon resources are defined.

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Pressure Mounts on Shell, ExxonMobil, BP, Others to Set Stringent 2030 Climate Targets Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A group of investors has tabled resolutions urging four of the world's top oil and gas companies to set broad climate targets for 2030, reviving pressure on the sector after a year that saw governments shift their focus to energy security.

Activist group, Follow This, said it had co-filed the resolutions with six major institutional investors managing $1.3 trillion in assets ahead of the annual general meetings of BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil and Shell next year.

In the resolutions, Reuters said, the investors called on the companies to set targets to reduce by 2030 greenhouse gas emissions including those from fuel sold to customers, known as Scope 3 emissions, which account for the vast majority of the sector's pollution.

Investors have in recent years ramped up pressure on the oil and gas sector to help tackle climate change, and the Follow This

climate-related resolutions have drawn growing support among shareholders.

However, the report said that last year the efforts largely sputtered as investors turned their focus more to higher energy prices and energy security following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

BP, Shell and Chevron have all set some 2030 greenhouse emissions reduction targets that include Scope 3, though Follow This said they are not aligned with the United Nations' ambitions to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Exxon, which does not have Scope 3 targets, Reuters added, has said the way they are calculated is flawed. The methodology has the unintended consequence of passing carbon footprint to someone else, it says - for example, when companies are punished for producing more natural gas that would replace coal, a more polluting fuel.

Chevron said it values input

from shareholders and will evaluate any proposal received. BP did not respond to requests for comment.

Shell said it believed its targets are aligned with the UN climate targets.

"Follow This has consistently proposed shareholder resolutions that are simplistic, unrealistic and against the best interests of Shell. We remain committed to constructive engagement with our investors," a Shell spokesperson said.

The group of investors co-filing the resolutions includes Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management, Degroof Petercam Asset Management and Achmea Asset Management.

Follow This did not provide the names of the other backers.

"We recognise Shell has made tremendous improvement in its climate targets. Nevertheless, it still lacks an absolute 2030 (emission reduction) target," Jean-Philippe Desmartin, head of Responsible Investment at Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management told Reuters.

TINUBU TO ORGANISED LABOUR: ATIKU, OBI CAN’T BE TRUSTED of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi. Tinubu, in a statement by his Media Office, signed by Tunde Rahman, urged the labour unions to support him in the 2023 presidential election, saying he has the track record of good governance. He identified the problems of unemployment, lack of credit system to help workers own houses, poverty, challenges in the education sector, and weak industrial base as some of the things he was coming to address as President of Nigeria.

Tinubu stated, “Today, the questions you all must ask yourselves are these: who can be trusted to accomplish all of this? The man who has done it before, or the man whose most lasting achievement as Vice President is the corrupt sale of national assets to his friends and cronies?

"Who has the better plan? The man whose blueprint guided the emergence of Lagos State as fifth largest economy in Africa or the man whose greatest pride is the amount of money he managed to bury in sand while his state’s infrastructure decayed and its workers suffered endless hardship?

“The choice is yours. But permit me to now talk a little about myself and my vision.

“I have always been and will continue to be a progressive democrat. In my worldview, government has a cardinal responsibility to work, not only with business, but also with labour to ensure that all constituent parts of our society are afforded their fair share of rewards without taking on undue hardship."

The former governor of Lagos State stressed that just like the labour leaders, he had been at the forefront of the fight for good governance all his life, a venture for which he had been detained and eventually forced into exile.

According to him, “As organised labour, you have been at the forefront of the workers’ rights movement in Nigeria, championing economic fairness and the welfare of the average person, the weak and the forgotten.

“You have also been involved in the struggle for democracy and political rights. Your collective efforts breathed life into the democratic rights and economic ideals enshrined in our constitution.

I can speak fondly of your impact on our nation, because of my personal history on the frontlines of the social justice movement.

“I may be running for president now, but I was not always in this position. Long before I started running for the presidency, I was running away from military dictators angered by my important role in protests against them and their efforts to vanquish our democratic aspirations."

Tinubu said the defining moment of his public life came during

Nigeria’s struggle for democracy and his membership in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).

He added, “I have dedicated my entire being to that cause. I was detained, then was forced into exile, because of my refusal to accept anything less than a government based on the proposition that the will of the people is sovereign and should reign over armed might and imposition.

“I believe that those assembled here today share the same ideals of progressive and democratic good governance. I have spent my political life advocating for the rights and interests of ordinary Nigerians as you also do. We have long been fellow travellers on the same road. I hope that we shall continue as friends and brothers.”

On his plans, if elected, Tinubu said his administration would make the fiscal and monetary policies work for the workers and Nigerians so they could have a good life. He added that he would ensure the country was massively industrialised to give more people better paying jobs, while also opening doors to more emerging sectors that the younger ones could harness.

Tinubu promised to foster a closer partnership with the organised labour, where dialogue on major policy issues and cooperation would become the order of the day.

Responding to a question on corruption, Tinubu said his administration would implement a zero-tolerance corruption policy by strengthening the anti-corruption agencies.

On crude oil theft, he said if elected he would ensure maximum deployment of technology to monitor, protect pipelines, and block theft. He condemned those receiving stolen crude, stating that if there is no receiver, there wouldn't be supplier.

Deputy Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, noted that Tinubu's Action Plan would bring back dead industries, like Kaduna Textile that once employed over 4,000 workers.

Oshiomhole told the labour movement and civil society that the basis for their support for a presidential candidate should be who among the candidates had social and economic policies that would make life better for the working families in Nigeria.

President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, presented the workers' charter of demands to Tinubu, which included a total war on corruption.

Ayuba said corruption had almost destroyed the social and economic fabrics of Nigeria across the private and public sectors, stressing that it is the reason the country is not making the desired progress.

He said, "In Nigeria, our problem

is people problem and we must have a government that will prioritise the fight against corruption.

This is a key demand of labour.

We also need government that will make social and economic justice a priority."

Earlier, former Deputy President of NLC and Director of Labour Directorate of the APC PCC, Comrade Isa Aremu, set the tone for the engagement, when he told the labour leaders and workers that the choice before them and Nigerians in next election was who among the presidential candidates was truly committed, tested and trusted to protect workers and the poor, and who was ready to industrialise the country to bring back decent jobs and good pay.

At the town hall were vice presidential candidate of APC, Senator Kashim Shettima; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara); Secretary of the PCC, Hon. James Faleke; and Festus Osifo, among others.

Shell, BP and European peers including TotalEnergies and Eni have set out strategies and targets to slash emissions to net-zero by 2050 by reducing oil and gas output and growing low-carbon and renewable energy businesses.

"The focus on Scope 3 by 2030 leaves the oil majors no wiggle room for smokescreens about 'net

zero emissions by 2050'," Follow This founder Mark van Baal said.

In the United States, 2022 saw a wave of efforts driven

by Republican politicians and right-leaning investors to focus executives' attention away from environmental, social or governance (ESG) themes.

Activist investor Strive Asset

Management, for instance, is seeking a shareholder vote at the springtime meeting of Chevron to reverse a Scope 3 emissions reduction mandate.

Exxon and Chevron have in the past successfully blocked attempts to file climate resolutions with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NAIRA REDESIGN: WHY NIGERIA'S TWO CRITICAL INSTITUTIONS MUST MAKE PEACE independence as the Service kept on inviting central bank officials over the process, currency printing and minting, among others. All these the central bank resisted and that resistance led to the DSS doubling down and decided to approach an order to arrest.

However, some elders and senior government officials have waded into the matter, with a view to making peace.

The new financial policies introduced by the CBN, appeared to have disrupted some political parties’ vote-buying strategies, leading to plans to fight back and circumvent the CBN newly introduced policy.

But some human right lawyers, chairmen of political parties, civil society organisations, ethnic youth leaders and Arewa youth consultative movement, under the auspices of Coalition of National Interest Defenders (CNID), yesterday, raised the alarm over secret plot to disrupt the CBN plan for a policy that could enhance the credibility of the electoral process.

According to them "part of the plan was to incriminate Emefiele and get him out of the way, at least, before next year’s general election."

However, the plot against Emefiele blew into the open, when the CSOs addressed a press conference on the matter, sending shock waves across the country.

The CNID revealed that the suit filed by the DSS to implicate Emefiele, arrest and detain him for allegedly funding terrorism was declined by the Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court.

A Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling delivered on December 9, 2022, by Tsoho, and obtained

by THISDAY yesterday, revealed that the motion ex parte was filed

on behalf of the DSS by one US Gambarawa on December 7, 2022.

The CTC, which was dated December 13, and signed by a staff of the Court, one Mrs. N.A. Priscilla read: "Upon perusal of the documents that constitute the Applicant's Motion Ex parte dated and filed on 7/12/2022, I am constrained to make the following vital observations.

“1, The entire affidavit depositions, especially, as per paragraph 4 of the supporting affidavit, purport that preliminary investigation has revealed various acts of terrorism financing, fraudulent activities perpetrated by the Respondent and his involvement in economic crimes of national security dimension.

"These are, no doubt, grave allegations, but which the Applicant has not presented any concrete evidence to support. The Applicant should have taken the court into confidence while seeking the exercise of its discretion in favour of granting the application.

"It is my respectful opinion that the ipse dixit of the application standing on its own, is not sufficient evidence upon which to deprive a person of his liberty."

While the judge observed that the respondent in the application was named "Godwin Emefiele", it stated that the applicant refused to disclose his status or position in the affidavit in support of the exparte, leave.

Tsoho explained that it was, therefore, left to speculation if the respondent mentioned by the applicant was the same person as the current serving CBN Governor.

"The Respondent in this application is named ‘Godwin Emefiele’ without disclosure of his status or position anywhere, not even

in the affidavit. It is then left with speculation if the “Godwin Emefiele” is the same person as the serving Governor of the CBN. “If it is, then, he is unarguably a high ranking public official in Nigeria and occupies a sensitive position as one of the key drivers of the nation's economy. Therefore, an application of this kind should have evidence of the approval of the respondent's boss, that such measures are authorised to be taken.

“I, however, do not find such evidence in this instant application, whereas it is a necessary in the observance of the rule of law," the judge held.

According to the court, there was no evidence that the president was in the know of what the applicant was doing, because Emefiele was seen having an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari, noting also that, the DSS had a practice of arresting suspect before going to court for permission to detain such persons.

"It, therefore, seems that the applicant intends to use the court, as a cover for an irregular procedure, which is unacceptable. In the light of the forgoing reasons, I decline to grant this application exparte. If the applicant believes that the evidence available to it is so far sufficient, then, it can as well arrest and detain the respondent even without the order of this court.

"If, however, the applicant desires to still pursue this application, then, it should place the respondent on notice, considering the sensitive public office that he occupies. The application as presently constituted is refused," the judge held.

But in reaction, the DSS, yesterday, Continued on page 34

INEC: IF ATTACKS ON OUR OFFICES PERSIST, POLLS MAY BE JEOPARDISED Research and Studies of the National Defence College, in collaboration with African Global Empowerment and Development Network.

But to try to reassure citizens of its commitment to security during the polls, the military announced a plan to conduct a show of force across the country as a warning to criminal elements seeking to truncate the elections.

Commandant of the Nigerian Defence College, Rear Admiral Murtala Bashir, called for concerted efforts of stakeholders to rid the electoral system of fifth columnists.

At another workshop on, “Addressing the influence of money on the 2023 general election,” held yesterday in Abuja, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and INEC warned political parties and politicians against votebuying, saying if caught they would face the full weight of the law.

Speaking at the workshop, Mahmood said the spate of attacks on INEC offices might affect the coming elections.

He stated, "The commission is preparing and preparing well for the 2023 general election. We recorded some reverses in some of the states of the federation in relation to attacks in some of our facilities due to the destruction of ballot boxes and voting cubicles and permanent voters’ cards. We have the capacity to recover.

"Since the 2019 general elections, up till 2022, we have recorded 50 attacks in 15 states of the federation, but the ones we recorded in 2022 are

the ones we consider as systematic and coordinated and these are the ones that are targeted at derailing the preparations of the commission from conducting a free, fair, transparent and credible elections.”

The INEC chairman explained, "In our Abeokuta South Local Government office in Ogun Sate, we recorded so much losses, we have moved to a new location. In Izzi in Ebonyi State, we are moving to a new location.

"In all these attacks that have taken place, we have the capacity to recover, we are going to recover, because we are already replacing the permanent voters card, voting cubicles and ballot boxes that were already lost and also trying to rent offices for the ones we cannot repair."

Mahmood, who was represented by the INEC Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, asserted that if the spate of violence continued until February next year, the electoral umpire might not recover from the attacks.

He said, "But if these attacks go into January and February, it may be difficult for us to recover from these attacks. This is because if you look at section 134 of the Constitution, it has threshold that a candidate must meet before that candidate can be declared winner of any election.

“So we do not want this attacks to continue, we don't want them to persist but we have the assurance of various security agencies that they are going to dominate the environment and neutralise some of these attacks we are having and that it will not continue.

"We need a safe environment; we need a secure environment to conduct a secure election. The Nigerian people want a secure election, they have embraced democracy, they want a technology-driven election and we are going to conduct an election driven by technology. The Nigerian people want a credible winner to be declared.

"We are going to declare only those, whom the Nigerian people elect. So we do not want any distraction and that is why we have made it very clear to the National Assembly that all INEC offices shall and must be declared priority areas that need adequate protection and safety."

The military authorities said the armed forces would conduct a show of force across the country as a stern warning to criminallyminded elements that might intend to disrupt the elections.

In his submission at the workshop, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, said, "The Nigerian Army would conduct a show of force with other agencies, conduct stop and search operations, mobile patrols in vulnerable areas, escort INEC officials, if need be, and do all that is required to ensure peaceful conduct of the election."

Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, stated that all hands must be on deck to mitigate election violence.

"We must join hands to ensure that factors that give rise to electoral violence are contained," Baba said.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, said the situation required concerted effort.

Gambo said, "The military needs to organise a show of force. It

will serve as a note of warning to criminals and give confidence to voters to come out and vote."

Commandant of the Nigerian Defence College, Bashir, called for greater synergy among stakeholders to rid the electoral system of subversive elements.

Bashir said, "We must flush bad elements out of our electoral system in order to maintain sanity, credibility and public confidence in our electoral institution. Thus, we must be prepared and be willing to use all appropriate legitimate instruments of national power to confront our political and electoral challenges in a proactive and strategic manner.

"Consequently, all hands must be on deck to support INEC in this critical national assignment so as to place our country on the path of democratic advancement for enhanced national security and development."

Vote Buying: INEC, NFIU, EFCC, Police, ICPC Others Read Riot Act to Political Parties, Candidates

Meanwhile, INEC, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) warned politicians against vote-buying. They all gave the warnings at a workshop on, “Addressing the influence of money on the 2023 general elections,” held in Abuja, yesterday.

The Nigeria Police, Advertising Practitioners Regulations Council of Continued on page 36

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INAUGURATION OF SOUTH EAST PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL...

L-R: Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Hon. James Falekein and others, during the inauguration of South East Presidential Campaign Council Office in Owerri, Imo State....recently

NCDMB Disburses N32.8bn of $300m BoI-managed Intervention Fund to 61 Oil Firms Declares N1.78bn income growth from NCI Fund Peter Uzoho The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) said it has successfully disbursed a total of N32.8 billion out of its $300 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) managed by the Bank of Industry (BoI) to 61 companies in the Nigerian oil and gas industry as at November 2022.

The General Manager, Nigerian Content Development Fund and Treasury, NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ofili, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos, at the capacity building workshop for journalists, with the theme: "Enhancing Media Competencies

to Support Nigerian Content in a Gas Economy".

Ofili also revealed that the board's NCDF growth from the NCI Fund income amounted to N1.78 billion, equivalent to $33.79 million.

"Disbursements so far is $293.26 million and N32.85 billion. Total balance with BOI is $31.5 million and N3.11 billion as at November 2022. Hence, total money creation by loan disbursements so far amounts to about $25 million and N34 billion," he said.

On the ratio of loan approval to applications under NCI Fund, the general manager explained that total applications received by the BOI from

169 companies was $868.8 million and N77.6 billion as at end of third quarter 2022.

According to him, successful application closure in dollars stood at 34 per cent while 42 per cent was recorded for naira applications.

On the performance matrix of the intervention funds, Ofili said total applications received by the BOI from 169 companies amounted to N77.6 billion or $868.8 million; total disbursements to 61 beneficiaries stood at N32.8 billion or $293.3 million while the NCDF Growth from NCI Fund income was N1.78 billion, equivalent to $33.79 million.

He disclosed that money creation

through NCI Fund loans was $25 million or N34 billion while the NCDF Growth from the fund managed by the Nigerian ExportImport Bank (NEXIM) income stood at $1.234 million.

While 61 beneficiaries emerged from the fund managed by BOI and four beneficiaries recorded in the NEXIM Bank-managed fund cumulating to 65 beneficiaries, Ofili maintained that 18 beneficiaries were recorded in the NCDMB's equity investments in private companies.

Noting that NCDMB has catalysed a number of private establishments in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, particularly in manufacturing, he said

Concerns Over Multi-million Dollars Cargo-tracking Contract Controversy Ogheneuvede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The presidency is considering reviewing the multi-million-dollar cargo-tracking contract as a result of the huge controversy the issue has generated, especially within the diplomatic circle in the past few days.

A presidency source told THISDAY in Abuja, that the action of the Ministry of Transport, which allegedly ignored due process, a court order and awarded the cargotracking contract recently to Antaser, a Belgium-based company not to have been registered in Nigeria for doing business, was not in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s transparent way of awarding contract.

An insider said the contract was awarded to Antaser, alongside four Nigerian companies, allegedly to be owned by some influential persons in government, who pushed for the award, while flouting a court injunction, legal advice of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, and against an executive order of President Buhari.

The President was said to have on May 10, 2021 directed the Federal Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to commence the immediate implementation of the said Advanced Cargo Declaration (ACD)/Cargo Tracking Note (CTN), which had lingered since 2011.

In a document made available to THISDAY, consequently an

Executive Order was issued from the Office of the President and Commander-in-Chief on May 10, 2021, directing the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMoF) together with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (FMoPR) to commence the immediate implementation of the Advanced Cargo Declaration (ACD)/Cargo Tracking Note (CTN).

"On July 29, 2021, a consultancy proposal was submitted, alongside technical presentations, by Donnington Nigeria Limited and her technical partners, Vortexa UK, and DP World UAE, to the Federal Ministries of Finance, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigeria Custom Services.

"This was followed by a joint request from the FMoF and FMoPR to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for a No Objection certificate in order for them to proceed with the award of the single-source contract to Donnington Nigeria Limited, in view of the national security issues involved,’’ the senior presidency official stated.

The BPP was said to have responded that the Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) had made a request for a similar, “No Objection” certificate on the same services, and to avoid what they saw as possible “duplication,” the bureau had advised the FMoF and FMoPR to request for legal clarification from the FMoJ on the issue.

On January 7, 2022, the FMoPR was said to have formally sent a letter to the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMoJ) requesting clarification

and validation of the Presidential Executive Order as well as the mandate for the FMoPR. ‘’The Ministry of Justice promptly responded on January 11, 2022, with a clarification that only the Federal Ministry of Petroleum has the mandate to implement Crude Oil Services.

"And that the Federal Ministry of Finance has the mandate for Container Cargo Tracking,’’ the source added.

In the letter seen by THISDAY, which was signed by the Attorney – General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, he had further advised the BPP to proceed in accordance with the request from the two ministries.

Investigations revealed that following this clarification and validation from the FMoJ, the FMoFBP and FMoPR, the Petroleum and Finance ministries jointly and separately submitted request to the BPP to be granted a certificate of no objection to retain the services of Messr. Donnington Nig. and her technical partner Vortexa UK. However, the BPP replied to the request for no objection on March 1, 2022, and raised few observations from the submission by the Petroleum ministry, requesting for additional documentation from Donnington Nigeria Limited. ‘’Following that, the additional documents demanded were sent to BPP on the 21st March 2022. But in spite of the earlier clarification and validation by the Attorney-General, the BPP, obviously acting the script of some influential members said

to be interested in the contract, proceeded to solicit further clarification from the presidency.

“The same people have now influenced the Transport Ministry to award such a sensitive security contract to Antaser, notwithstanding the fact that there is a court injunction and not minding the fact that this unknown company, is not registered in Nigeria and will not pay a dime as tax to the Nigerian.

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the board's investments catalysed local refining, citing the Waltersmith 5000 barrels per day modular refinery in Imo State.

Ofili explained that the board's investments were at various stages of implementation and that most of them were yet to commence yielding dividends.

He said NCDMB's equity investments in private companies span over 16 states of the Nigerian Federation, saying equity investments have instigated local industrial activities in areas hitherto not in Nigeria, such as Base Oil, Industrial Paints and Pipes.

He further said the NCI Fund compliments equity funds availed by NCDMB to bridge gaping financing gaps in critical ventures and that they were expected to spread to several others in the near future.

According to him, the variants of the NCDF included the $300 million NCI fund domiciled at the BOI; the $50 million NCDMB Research and Development Fund with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); $30 million Working Capital and Capacity Building Fund with NEXIM Bank; and the $20 million Women in Oil and Gas Fund with NEXIM Bank.

Ofili further explained that there was also the $50 million NOGAPS Manufacturing Fund also with the BOI. He disclosed that NCDMB Direct Interventions through Equity Investments stood at $181 million or N3 billion.

Describing the federal government as the winner in the board's successes, he explained that NCDMB, an agency of the federal government deploys highest standards of passion, dedication and integrity in the execution of its responsibilities.

He added that the board operates as a hybrid public sector institution regulating the private sector.

Earlier in his remarks, the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, NCDMB, Dr Ginah O Ginah, said NCDMB's collaborations and stakeholder engagements including with the media constitutes one of the four enablers of the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap.

He said the agency has recorded huge achievements in the implementation of the roadmap since it was launched in 2017 when Nigerian Content performance was at 26 percent.

"Just two weeks ago at the Practical Nigerian Content Workshop held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, our Executive Secretary, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote announced that Nigerian Content performance for 2022 has increased to 54 percent, surpassing the 42 percent target that was set for the year. Our statistics also reveal that the average Nigerian Content performance in the last five years is 44 percent, which is also beyond the set targets", Ginah stated.

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WILAN Unveils TV Show to Promote Women Inclusion in Politics Sunday Ehigiator

Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN), a non-profit organisation advancing women's leadership in Nigeria has unveiled the first season of its TV show titled: ‘The Leading Woman Show: Election Series.”

According to a statement by the organisation, the show which was the first in the series of many, was focused on the 2023 general elections and produced with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

“Ahead of the elections, the show aims to shape the perception of the Nigerian populace on the importance of women’s leadership to the nation’s development,” it said.

It added that it would bring

together political leaders, culture shapers and nation-builders to promote public discourse on the barriers and benefits of women's political inclusion.

“Among some of the topics to be discussed on the show are; Too Cool for Politics, Women as Custodians of Patriarchy, Are Women Running but Going Nowhere?”

The show which started on December 18, 2022, airs on Sundays at 7 pm on News Central available on DSTV Channel 422, and Startimes Channel 274.

The channel would also be available on Youtube at WILAN Global and on R2TV which is available on GoTV Channel 112.

Some of the guests that would be featured on the show would be Dele Farotimi, a legal practitioner;

Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi, a former Social Democratic Party presidential aspirant, Sandra Ezekwesili, a media personality and Ndi Kato, a human right activist.

Others are Fuad Atanda-Lawal, executive chairman of the Ikoyi/ Obalende Local Council Development Area, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, a lawmaker representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, ‘Yemi Adamolekun, executive director of Enough is Enough, Segalink, a human rights activist and Alero Ayida-Otobo a transformation strategist.

“Women’s underrepresentation in politics and leadership is a deep-rooted issue fueled by years of patriarchal practices that continues to impact on women’s ability to aspire, run and get elected into political office,” it said.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2022

POLITICS

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

In Anambra, Atiku Seeks Ndigbo’s Support As the 2023 presidential poll draws close, David-Chyddy Eleke writes that the presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has begun moves to woo the Igbo people of the South east to support his bid to rule Nigeria.

Atiku

Okowa

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ormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar, last week flagged off his presidential campaign in the South East, starting with Anambra State. The crowd at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, venue of the rally, the personalities and bigwig politicians who joined him to the state, and the quality of the interaction he had with the people of the state, all point to a successful attempt by Atiku to woo the Igbo race to his ambition.

Atiku had pledged to give Ndigbo a new lease of life if elected president in 2023. He said he would improve the South east geo political zone through improved security of lives and property, economic boom, and guaranteed infrastructural development. He specifically pledged to dredge the River Niger to help boost trade and economic growth of the commercial people of the Southeast, activate the Onitsha Port and embark on massive construction of roads in Anambra State and other parts of the geo political zone.

Atiku said: “I promise to vote $10billion towards enhancing Small and Medium Scale Businesses as well as empowering millions of unemployed youths. We will give adequate attention to the issue of insecurity that has given

Nigerians cause for worry across the nation. I urge Ndigbo to cast their votes for me, and the party in next year’s polls for a purposeful leadership in the country. I want to appreciate the party leadership, members and supporters for the massive turnout. I urge them to replicate the gestures with their permanent voters cards (PVCs) to vote for the PDP.” Vice presidential candidate of the party and governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who also spoke at the rally ground urged the people to work hard towards ensuring that the party emerges victorious in next year’s polls.

Though two presidential candidates for the election hail from Anambra State - Mr Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) and Prof Peter Umeadi of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) - Atiku seems to have prepared adequately to win the state. This is because despite being a member of an opposition

Soludo

party, he was received by the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, while also being received by the traditional rulers in the state, and other stakeholders, with whom he held separate meetings.

Soludo while receiving Atiku and his running mate, Okowa, emphasized that Nigeria is bigger than any political party and the business of building the country is bigger than any politician.

“In this business of building Nigeria, Anambra and Igboland should be an open place for anyone.

Just give us your proposition and tell us how you will fix the country. I am very glad you are here to canvass for votes and I believe our people will listen carefully to every word you have to tell them.

“Our orientation is to have a level playing field for everyone. Politics is about development and we want the South East to feel this development. Reconciliation and Reconstruction is what we haven’t come to terms with. The federal highways constructed in the Shagari era are no longer motorable. My administration is already spending few billions on federal roads.

The bottom line is that we want to change the life of the average citizen. Our people are all ears. We pray for you, for Nigeria and wish

you the very best of luck,” Soludo concluded.

In his response, Atiku maintained that the visit was to pay a courtesy call on Governor Soludo as the APGAGovernor in Anambra State.

He said his relationship with Governor Soludo is beyond partisan politics but a commitment to undertake reforms in the Nigerian economy.

“This is beyond party politics. There should be a consensus on how we move forward and I consider Governor Soludo as a partner in that respect. It is my singular respect and honour for him to receive me in the state. In spite of our different political affiliations, there should be some core values we should agree to, towards the development of our country. I thank Governor Soludo for going beyond party politics. He didn’t shut the gate against us. We are all partners in our reform agenda as far as Nigeria is concerned.

The Governor personally told me he was not available in the state but had to find a way back to receive me. I thank him for the opportunity and wish for God’s blessings upon his life and upon Anambra State,” Atiku prayed.

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

Where is Buni in APC Presidential Campaign Train?

One name that has been synonymous with All Progressives Congress in not too distant time at the national level is Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state, who was called upon to pilot the affairs of the party when it was almost going under. One would have expected him to have assumed a bigger role on the presidential campaign train, but little is seen of him, making many to ask where is Buni? Michael Olugbode writes.

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lectioneering and elections bring intrigues and toes are stepped on, but after victory is achieved everyone is expected to bury the hatchets, embrace the winner and plan as a family to manage the victory successfully, for the victory is no more for an individual neither a group but for the entire congregation, in this case the party.

There was bitter competition for the soul of APC before and during the presidential primary of the party, the jostling for power it is believed predated the appointment of Mai Mala Buni as

Buni

the National caretaker chairman, it is said that this was what consumed the Adams Oshiomhole’s executive and it did a lot to even consume Buni’s led caretaker council but for resilience that made him touch the finishing line with the successful handing over to Abdullahi Adamu who now administer the party and successfully conducted the presidential primary that was not an easy task.

The jostling for the presidential

ticket of the party is long over and the campaign to win the February 2023 election is now top priority and a gigantic campaign committee with various sub-committees have been instituted, and with work beginning in full force with both predecessor and successor of Buni having been seen to have taken superlative position on podiums during the campaign tours; they have come out to market the party and it’s candidate with vigor and they have all buried the hatchets and work as a team. But one man is not consistent enough on the campaign tour and that name is

Mai Mala Buni.

Many may want to push the thought of something happening on the excuse that Buni has his re-election as governor to handle; but all know that Buni’s re-election as governor of Yobe State is long concluded as a walk in the park as there is no major challenge to the APC winning almost all positions for grab in the Northeast state.

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

TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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INTERVIEW

Shehu: No Public Officer Should Earn Above the President The Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mr. Mohammed Bello Shehu believes it is an anomaly for any public servant to earn salaries above that of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or a Governor at the state level. In an exclusive interview with James Emejo, he said his administration will initiate steps through stakeholders’ engagement to review the trend. The revenue mobilisation boss also said the current public outcry over the bogus remuneration packages of political officeholders is largely exaggerated. He spoke about the failure of revenue-generating agencies to remit operating surpluses to the federation account and vowed that the Commission will take a hard stance against such practices going forward. Shehu, among other things, shared his vision to strengthen the commission to deliver on its primary mandate, and why the commission is canvassing for fiscal autonomy. Excerpts.

You have been making a case for fiscal autonomy for the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). How would you defend this?

Well, I think it is very important because the commission was conceived as a federation commission and not a commission for the Federal Government of Nigeria or a commission for the state governments, or a commission for the local governments. If you read the evolution of the commission from when it was conceived and how it was created by Decree 89 and the amendment that followed around 1989; then the commission became one of the 14 independent commissions to serve the federation – not to serve the federal government – but the federal, states and local governments. Just like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Population Commission (NPC) – all these ones are commissions for the federation. So also, the Revenue

Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission is not to allocate to the federal government alone… but allocate to all the tiers of government. If you look at what our constitutional responsibilities are, it is to monitor accruals and disbursements to the ensure federation.

Secondly, is to also review from time to time, the revenue allocation formula. The constitution says after five years, we have the right to go and look at it and see if it needs amendments based on the prevailing reality within Nigeria – that is a national assignment that affects every tier of government. And thirdly, is to advise the federal and state governments on fiscal efficiency and methods through which they can increase their revenues and that’s also a national assignment that covers all tiers of government. And then to determine the remunerations appropriate for political officeholders including the president,

governors, national assembly, advisers, speech writers, and every political appointee - director generals. And then when you look at Sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution, there’s another added responsibility concerning the judicial officeholders including the chief justice of the federation, chief judge of the high court, and judges all across Nigeria and so, that is a huge responsibility and then it says any other function(s) conferred on the commission by an Act of the National Assembly.

In addition, we also monitor agencies, we have the right to request any information from any agency of government but specifically, it mentions NNPC, DPR, Customs, FIRS and all the revenue-generating agencies by implication. And so, that’s why it is very important for us to have that independence and where there’s a dispute between the state and the federal government, we should be able to take an independent decision not based on the influence

of either the Governors’ Forum or the influence of the president which of course, in the past we have had cases that you can see a little bit of tilting this way or that way – and so, that’s why that independence is very important.

Have you seen or recorded any instances of compromise by your staff as a result of the continued lack of autonomy for the commission so far?

No, I don’t see that and we would always try to be as objective as possible but we feel that financial autonomy is key to that and as a commission, we don’t want to rely on what the federal government gives in the budget – this envelope system – we think we are going to work very hard to make sure that we have some level of financial independence. That Continued Continuedon onpage page21 19

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INTERVIEW

RMAFC Has Recovered over N120 Billion from Agencies will be better for everybody but as it is, we don’t compromise, we look at the issues objectively based on what the law says, and we take appropriate action all the time. And on my watch, this current leadership in the commission, that’s what I would strive for and that’s why I was sworn in with a Holy Quran – in all my activities in life, this is the first time that I took an oath with that Quran… that’s a huge burden and so, I don’t see myself favouring anyone over another.

Some have argued that your commission has not contributed significantly to economic development and is not a revenue-generating agency to warrant a place on the First Line Charge or be allowed financial autonomy – how would you react to this?

Well, RMAFC has contributed tremendously to the growth of the Nigerian economy since its creation. We have consistently over the years worked with other agencies in the monitoring of accruals into the federation account and the disbursements and that disbursement is a huge responsibility year in, year out unfailingly. And you just saw a couple of days ago where the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike was praising Mr president for giving them all their 13 per cent derivatives based on what the constitution says - this is the commission responsible for calculating the indices and meeting at FAAC and agreeing to what the amount is and if there were mistakes, they come back and we look at it…that shows you continuity over the years and we have been doing that.

If for any reason we now say we are not able to do this, some of the states cannot pay salaries and so that’s a huge contribution. On the diversification of the Nigerian economy, the commission had organised and done seminars across Nigeria over the years calling on governments at the sub-nationals to diversify the Nigerian economy.

We look at what the states produce, where they have a comparative advantage, we look at it and we get experts and we give them the roadmap on how they can exploit those resources for them to be able to increase their internally generated revenue and that’s just that. In 2008, we had this remuneration package for judicial and political officeholders which is the current law in operation and we do sometimes put our views nationally on the economy in general so we can have better economic activity across Nigeria.

So, the commission has done a lot and we are still doing that – with all the challenges that we face, the commission has done tremendously well and I think when we have that financial independence, the commission will do more, we would train the staff more and expose them to other parts of the world on how we can advise on getting more revenues for the federation. We do sometimes send in forensic experts to go and look into some of the books of some of these agencies and you’ll find that sometimes after FIRS and the accountant general’s office had finished their work, we recover monies.

And we’ve just recovered over N120 billion from agencies and that money would have been lost forever – it was the commission that got the permission of the president and the economic council and sent consultants and some of this money was recovered. And it is still an ongoing exercise. You can imagine if we had that level of independence, training our workers to become like forensic accountants or auditors – that would be huge.

In recent times, revenue-generating agencies have failed to remit operating surpluses to the federation account as required by law. How does your administration intend to handle this breach?

I think we would request the National Assembly to either amend the Acts of those agencies where they make huge amounts of money like N200 billion, N250 billion and then some of them would spend like 95 per cent of that money and then they remit just about five per cent. I think we have to find a system whereby those Acts are amended and make the constitution supreme above their local laws; because the constitution says remit revenues to the federation account – they now counter and say our laws allow us to spend this money and whatever remains is what we remit to the federation. And you can see from every indication that the agencies just try to create a way to spend money not for the good of the system but for the good of that organisation.

So, I would want the National Assembly to really find a way to checkmate this by making the Constitution superior to the laws establishing government agencies – even if it means amending the laws of these organisations – and then make it mandatory for those big sharks like NCC, NIMASA, NPA, Shippers’ Council, as examples - to be remitting whatever they get directly to the federation account, and not to allow them free rein whereby they can be spending that money. And I am not averse to even encouraging them by giving them collection fees and I have spoken about that in the Senate just as you give FIRS. When you collect, we encourage you, we give

“And we’ve just recovered over N120 billion from agencies and that money would have been lost forever – it was the commission that got the permission of the president and the economic council and sent consultants and some of this money was recovered” you a collection cost – a fee you can deduct. I am not averse to that, if that is workable, the commission would love to do that.

Also, traditionally, we never had any enforcement powers but thank God that now the National Assembly in the new proposed Amendment to the Constitution, there is a provision for some enforcement powers that will come to RMAFC. My vision is that just like you see EFCC, everybody starts to shiver; that’s eventually what I want to see when agencies see RMAFC in a new jacket that we have come to either get information from you or to shut you down because you have not done this or that. This is my vision on how we can do this to encourage agencies to comply or even find a way whereby if you fail to remit any amount, we must criminalise it if within 12 months you do not remit that to the federation which is really wrong and I think we have to talk to stakeholders and come to an agreement and the commission is always open to that.

There had been growing public outcry and support for the review of the so-called “bogus” remuneration packages for politicians and other public officials amid fiscal challenges and widespread poverty in the country. Will your leadership attempt to assuage the concerns of Nigerians in this direction?

No, I tell you it’s not true. This is just misinformation and misperception and just like a rumour. The money is not much – look at what the president earns in a month, you would laugh when you look at it. The president’s basic monthly salary is just about N300,000 and the annual gross salary is about N14 million.

And that is for a whole president of Nigeria – and that translates to N1.17 million monthly and that is the highest public officeholder in Nigeria. Ministers earn about N620,000 – if you add a few allowances for their Personal Assistants (PA), they get about N900,000 monthly. And so also the heads of agencies of government like chairmen of the commission, and director general; of course, with the exception of NPA, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, and CBN Governor – those ones have a different structure altogether. When a president is leaving office, the severance that he will get for serving Nigeria is N10.5 million and that is all he goes with. Yes, you can argue that he is given some pension and then you have some states that do their own packages with their own state assemblies. But, if you are running a federation, you cannot say Lagos State should

not have a package for an outgoing governor, and you cannot compare Lagos State to a state like Zamfara or Yobe. Maybe Lagos is endowed with so many resources and their package may be bigger than that of Yobe.

And even the Senate President, how much does he earn? He also earns about N9 million and that is his basic salary annually, and then his severance is about N7.5 million.

So, Nigerians have to have some understanding of these issues. There is a difference between what they earn and what the National Assembly Commission provides for the upkeep of their entire structure from their constituency to their national office. If you look at places like the US and Malaysia, and some of these other countries, those structures are built-in as an institution but Nigeria did not go that route; Nigeria monetises that and gives that package to either a Senator or a member of the House of Representatives. In other words, all the constituency offices that you have, from the ward of the person who won the election, all the way to the national stage…it is monetised and then given to that particular legislator and that has nothing to do with the commission – it’s not part of the law but their own norm.

So, if Nigerians are averse to that, they can call for a system whereby a proper institutional structure can be put in place. If you win the election, you have nothing to do with those people, you bring the aides and they enter into the payroll and they continue to do the work and when you lose elections, somebody comes in and also inherits that structure without a dime coming to you for that and you continue to get your things. Believe me, the salary of even a member of the House of Assembly is about N9 million annually and you can see that of the judiciary, it is nothing to write home about. The package for the Chief Justice of Nigeria – the severance package is also about N10 million when he leaves office.

And the reason we are reviewing this is not so much because we want to increase; review means you take a holistic look; you look at the prevailing situation, what has happened in the past; are there any groups that you have not captured? It doesn’t mean we want to increase, reduce or leave it the same way but we look at it holistically. Like the judges for instance, when they are appointed judges, they’re given a house – the 300 per cent that is factored in as their housing allowance. The government takes

it – once you enter into a government quarter, you can be a judge for 20 years or 30 years, and you will never have the money to build your own house. Is that fair? So, these are the issues. The appointees of the president, ambassadors, non-career ambassadors, and some of these former deputy governors, chief of army staff…what they earn is the salary of a special adviser which is equivalent to a deputy director in the ministry of foreign affairs. And that is what it is today. So, those are the things that we are going to look at. And there is this special outcry, especially that of judicial officeholders – there was even a lawsuit where some group took the government to court and the judge ordered that a judge should earn about N10 million a month or so…that cannot be implemented but it is a court order. But, prior to that, the EFCC chairman in 2018 had a sort of retreat with judges on their own remuneration and other things, and based on that they recommended to Mr. President through the Attorney General; the president had the report and so after the lawsuit came, the president directed some people to look into it. They packaged their own report and sent it to Mr. President but Buhari being a due process person, agreed in principle and he directed us to see the possibility of us implementing that review. So, as we embark on this, that of the judicial officeholders will be the first to come up. The rest is going to come subsequently maybe after the demise of this administration. So, that is the point I want Nigerians to understand. You and I know that somebody in CBN as a director, you don’t even know his salary and he will never tell you; somebody in NCC – you have a middle-level officer earning over N1 million in NCC. I know of workers who work in CBN and the end-of-year package for a middle-level officer is about N5 million to N6 million and every year they get that. So, these are things we need to look at holistically and see how we can bring them in line. I don’t want any Nigerian in the public sector earning above that of Mr. President or Governors.

Like people say that governors have security votes and that means you now sanction whatever they do with security votes at their own discretion – and you’re busy crying and saying these people are corrupt. You want us to allow this system to continue like that and I say no, it is not good for us and I think we should look at it holistically. And we are going to engage a lot of Nigerians from labour to pressmen and to ordinary Nigerians. We will engage them to make sure they come and contribute and look at this.

There are also agitations by the sub-national governments for a review of the current sharing template among the tiers of government. Prior attempts by the commission to alter the template hit brick walls. Would you also be looking at this as well? And what are your chances that another exercise will sail through?

Well, we believe that it will sail through. President Muhammadu Buhari is a due process person and he does not have other ulterior interests other than governing Nigeria. And if you look at his trajectory, he is truly a democrat. This revenue allocation formula that you talked about has not been amended for 30 years. And the current revenue allocation formula that we operate was from a modification Act and at some point, it was discovered that even the FCT cannot be paid because FCT is not a state even though it is mentioned as a Federal Capital Territory. So there had to be an amendment out of the 52.26 per cent of the federal government, some funds were set aside – one per cent ecological fund, natural resources development fund which is 1.68 per cent, stabilisation fund 0.5 per cent and FCT 1 per cent- and that’s how FCT gets their payment. And then the states and the local governments.

There had been two attempts, and now we did the third one last year. We went all around and I was the secretary of the commission that time; we went around the country and collected views, we spoke to governors, we had zonal and state hearings and we opened it to the public. And after we did that, we compiled our reports, we went for a retreat and after we compiled, we then sent the report to Mr. President and that’s what the law says, for onward transmission to the National Assembly. Mr. President graciously accepted the report and commended us for doing that and he also promised that he would transmit it to the National Assembly but waiting for the conclusion of the review of constitutional amendments; looking into the concurrent list and exclusive list in the constitution whether it would go up or down. Concurrent list are things that federal, state, and local governments can do and the exclusive list are those items in the constitution that are the exclusive preserve of the federal government.

Once that amendment is done, the president then promised that he would look at it and either agree or call for whatever amendment and transmit it to the National Assembly.

However, some people are of the opinion that maybe the constitution needs to be amended so that this type of submission can just go directly to the National Assembly and it can work it over, and then give it to Mr. President to assent. That is where we are but we have done that part in April this year and we forwarded the report to Mr. President.

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20 T H I S D AY TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2022 TR

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Tuesday December 20, 2022 Vol 27. No 10115

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

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THE KIDNAPPED AND THE KILLED Judges and lawyers are increasingly becoming endangered species, writes CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU

See page 21

EARLY WARNING SIGNALS ON 2023 GENERAL ELECTION The election is vulnerable to manipulations, writes MOSHOOD ISAH

See page 21 EDITORIAL

INSECURITY AND THE GRASSROOTS

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The Presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu, needs help, reckons TUNDE OLUSUNLE

BALABLU-BLU BLU-BULABA AND OTHER INCANTATIONS For his famous zeal, stamina, energy and verve, Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo had to learn when to draw the brakes. There were those times his spirit was willing, but his body weak. He had to succumb to the body clockwork to catch some rest. If he still desired to drag his body, he was tactfully restrained by his aides. I know a bit about Obasanjo. I served as his campaign PHGLD R΀FHU D MRE , ZDV HQOLVWHG LQWR HYHQ before his formal declaration to contest for the nation’s top job. He threw his hat in the ring at his famous Otta Farm, his primordial resort in Ogun State, November 1, 1998.

I had been previously introduced to him by my respected senior professional colleague and mentor, Onyema Ugochukwu. I served under Ugochukwu, beginning from the glorious days of the Yemi Ogunbiyi restoration and revolution of the Daily Times. I’ve attempted to capture my perceptions and impressions about the works and persons of Ogunbiyi and Ugochukwu, in separate, selfauthored, full length academic essays. Both have been published in reputable journals, in 2017 and 2022 respectively. I also accompanied Obasanjo to the State House, Aso Villa, Abuja and served his administration for eight years.

Obasanjo thinks, talks, eats, drinks, walks, sleeps Nigeria. Even as a presidential aspirant before he won the ticket of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP) to run for the SUHVLGHQF\ 2EDVDQMR·V XQFRPPRQ DͿHFWLRQ for Nigeria and desire for its growth and development, was intensely unassailable.

There were regular pre-campaign preparations, and campaign post-mortems. Obasanjo’s VW\OH LV SHFXOLDU EXW UHÁHFWV KLV GLVSRVLWLRQ towards his country and his determination to FRQWULEXWH VHOÁHVVO\ WR LWV SURJUHVV +H FRXOG begin a discussion with members of his core team in his bedroom, be reminded he was running behind schedule for appointments, jump into the bath dragging his co-discussants along, and continuing the argument. The world is eagerly waiting for the memoirs of Ugochukwu and Ad’Obe Obe, both former colleagues in the now rested London-based ‘West Africa’ magazine in the 1980s, who were reunited by the Obasanjo project.

During his years as president, the pathologically stubborn, somewhat nonconformist Obasanjo, found himself managed in many ways. From his chief personal physician, Olusegun Ajuwon; to the state chief of protocol, Oluwole Coker; to his aide-de-camps, Solomon Giwa-Amu and &KULVWRSKHU -HPLWROD DQG FKLHI VHFXULW\ R΀FHU Kayode Oduneye, Obasanjo had professional minders. Of this list, only Amu, unfortunately, is no more with us. They found ways to “ground” him from time to time, albeit for him to get power-naps. If he was proving a handful, Abdullahi Mohammed, Obasanjo’s chief of VWDͿ DQG IRUPHU PLOLWDU\ FROOHDJXH VWHSSHG forward to chaperone him away from his desk or meeting, as the case may be. Obasanjo

pocketed his recalcitrant streak when the need DURVH IRU KLV JRRG DQG 1LJHULD·V EHQHÀW I could feel the agony of Kashim Shettima, running mate of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Bola Tinubu, at the rally held in Minna, the other.

I saw the discomfort in the faces of Abdullahi Ganduje and Adamu Abdullahi, Kano State governor, and national chairman of the APC, as Tinubu took the microphone at the Minna event. As has become famous with Tinubu, he ÁRXQGHUHG LQ JUDQG VW\OH ZKLOH UHFLWLQJ ZKDW was easily the simplest preamble to a Muslim prayer! Public revulsion was spontaneously manifested by loud murmurs and grumbling as Tinubu called *Allah* (father) in his prefatory chants! This in Islam, is an act of polytheism, a condemnable and actionable act.

Within 17 minutes, Tinubu was spirited away from the rally. Bayo Onanuga his campaign media adviser, would subsequently LVVXH D VWDWHPHQW WR WKH HͿHFW WKDW KLV SULQFLSDO was overwhelmed by the mammoth numbers DW WKH UDOO\ DQG KDG WR UXVK RͿ IRU RWKHU engagements. It emerged later, however, that a three-pronged development necessitated Tinubu’s ferrying to safety. First, the call-andresponse interaction with the crowd, showed they plan to vote the APC governorship candidate, Mohammed Umar Bago, and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, at the presidential polls.

Secondly, purported security reports indicated there was a plan to attack Tinubu at the end of the rally, for the heresy he committed against Allah in his earlier remarks. The third reason was connected to the urgent imperative to manage a pressing health situation related to him.

7KH 0LQQD ÀDVFR ZDV QRW 7LQXEX·V ÀUVW public stutter, even before the blast of the starter’s shot for the commencement of the presidential campaign. If we were circumspect, Tinubu’s foibles began to manifest years ago. And we should have known he was disaster waiting to unravel. At a colloquium commemorating his 69th birthday last year, KH SURͿHUHG WKDW WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW should recruit 50 million youths to enhance national security. He assured they will be fed on “cassava, agbado (maize) and yam.”

Tinubu’s media adviser, my longstanding

friend and brother since several decades back in our university days, Tunde Rahman, had the unpleasant task of issuing a rejoinder.

Rahman was called to work shortly after DJDLQ ZKHQ KH KDG WR FOHDQ XS 7LQXEX·V JDͿH while advising a group which visited him, to renew their expired permanent voter’s cards, (PVCs)! At a November 26, 2022 meeting with his supporters in Lagos, Tinubu admonished them to get their *APVs* in place of PVCs!!

It has indeed become “one day, one goof” for him on the campaign trail. The audience was bemused last October, when Tinubu at the Seventh Edition of the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit, (KADInvest), serenaded Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna State, a miracle worker. He described him as an administrator who can change “a rotten situation to a bad one!” He wrongfully referred to the director-general of his campaign organisation and Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, as Simon *Dalong.* His response to a question about climate change, HOLFLWHG D PRVW LQFRQFHLYDEOH RͿ WDQJHQW response from him. His answer that it “is a question of how do you prevent a church rat eating a poisoned holy communion!” Weeks ago in Imo State, Tinubu struggled with the word “hullabaloo,” representing it as *Bala Blu, Blu, Bulaba!* Skits and memes of that outing have been variously represented in the social media. Such has been the manifestly worrying carriage and presentation of the APC presidential candidate.

One doesn’t want to play back Tinubu’s outing at the APC presidential primaries in June. Cameras trailed on him beginning from when he was disembarking from the *VIP* cubicle, showed him missing his steps and almost tripping down the stairs as he alighted from that reserved section of *Eagle Square.* The lenses were also beamed on him as he VWUXJJOHG ZLWK WUHPEOLQJ ÀQJHUV WR ÁLS RYHU the sheets of the prepared speech he read at the event. You wonder if anyone has to go through such regular public torture and humiliation, if it is truly all about altruism and service to fatherland. You truly wonder if this obsessive nightmare will ever end.

Tinubu urgently needs help, he has to be restrained in spite of himself. Videos of the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit peeing on himself in public, made the global rounds recently. That is bad advertisement for leaders who want to die “executive deaths” LQ R΀FH :KDW KDV EHFRPH YHU\ FOHDU LV WKDW 7LQXEX·V FKDSHURQHV DUH FRQÀUPHG ZD\R people. They are intent on selling to us, “by IRUFH E\ ÀUHµ DV SHQWHFRVWDOV ZLOO VD\ D holistically defective product. It is worse than a junk *tokunbo* contraption, which people up north describe as *gura-gura.*

Olusunle, PhD, is Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to Atiku Abubakar, GCON, presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party

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TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2022

The election is vulnerable to manipulations, writes MOSHOOD ISAH Judges and lawyers are increasingly becoming endangered species, writes CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU

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TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

INSECURITY AND THE GRASSROOTS The local councils deserve adequate attention and protection

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carnage? Why is life in the countryside becoming he scope and intensity of the violence is increasingly dangerous, short, and brutish? worrying. Of all the 774 local government Nigeria’s lowest tier of administration is the most areas in the country, only 176 have not GHSULYHG ÀQDQFLDOO\ DQG LQ WHUPV RI DGPLQLVWUDWLYH experienced serious security breaches, liberty. The councils act as mere appendages of the according to a leading indigenous state governments, unable to perform their role LQWHOOLJHQFH RXWÀW %HDFRQ &RQVXOWLQJ of sustaining the rural-economy, human capital %HWZHHQ -DQXDU\ DQG WK 'HFHPEHU VRPH development, participatory governance, provision of local governments were breached by non-state actors. infrastructure and empowerment of the rural people. $ WRWDO RI VHFXULW\ LQFLGHQWV ZHUH UHFRUGHG OHDGLQJ Even though close to the people, they are prostrate, WR WKH GHDWK RI DERXW SHUVRQV DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ XQDEOH WR SURYLGH DPHQLWLHV WKDW ZLOO PDNH WKH FLWL]HQV ZKLOH ZHUH NLGQDSSHG 7KHVH VWDWLVWLFV DUH PRUH enjoy the so-called dividends of democracy. A good troubling because the violence and breaches are being PDMRULW\ RI ZRUNHUV DQG TXDOLÀHG SURIHVVLRQDOV DW WKH held up as major obstacles to the forthcoming election. local government levels Not surprisingly, local have been made redundant.

JRYHUQPHQWV LQ %RUQR The rate of unemployment State, home to the more is astronomical. The few There is need to upgrade our security surveillance system to one that WKDQ D GHFDGH ORQJ %RNR who are employed hardly Haram insurgency, are the get their emoluments on is more technology-enabled, capturing expansive territories 24/7, and PRVW D΁LFWHG 9LUWXDOO\ DOO time, resulting in mass WKH FRXQFLOV UHFRUGHG initiating necessary action poverty. And poverty and serious security breaches unemployment contribute ZLWK QR IHZHU WKDQ to frustration and anger GHDWKV DQG DERXW which can result in many abductions during the T H I S D AY WDNLQJ WR FULPHV period. In Zamfara State, where insecurity is a daily EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU The local government system is crucial in the H[LVWHQWLDO WKUHDW VHFXULW\ KDV EHHQ EUHDFKHG DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA GHYHORSPHQW RI UXUDO DUHDV ,W FDQ WDFNOH WKH JURZLQJ WLPHV ZLWKLQ ORFDO FRXQFLOV OHDGLQJ WR WKH GHDWK RI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO level of insecurity if allowed to function properly.

SHUVRQV DQG WKH DEGXFWLRQ RI .DGXQD 6WDWH DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU With helpless and hopeless rural dwellers submitting CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI which has been under siege recorded 317 breaches to payment of taxes and levies just for their lives to be EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN LQ FRXQFLOV ZLWK DW OHDVW NLOOHG DQG DQRWKHU MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI spared by non-state actors, the line between governance NLGQDSSHG 1LJHU 6WDWH ZKLFK LV EOHHGLQJ GXH THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE and anarchy becomes blurry. And as sundry criminal WR YLROHQFH KDV FKDONHG D WRWDO RI LQFLGHQWV LQ cartels mastermind destructions of lives and property FRXQFLOV ZLWK NLOOHG DQG NLGQDSSHG in the rural parts of the country, the hope of victims in (YHQ WKH )HGHUDO &DSLWDO 7HUULWRU\ )&7 ZLWK DOO the government wanes.

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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 NIGERIA AND NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FUND 2QH RI WKH PDQ\ OHJDFLHV RI WKH 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ RQ ZKLFK WKH VLJQLÀFDQW FKDQJHV LQ WKH DJULFXOWXUDO sector are hinged, is the establishment of the National AgriculWXUDO 'HYHORSPHQW )XQG 1$') The President signed the Act establishing the Fund in OctoEHU *LYHQ LWV SRWHQWLDO WR HQKDQFH RXU QDWLRQDO IRRG VHcurity, one suggests that the Fund should come to life without any delay.

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JLHV µ $QG VLJQLÀFDQWO\ LW VKRXOG ´SURYLGH IXQGV IRU RQ OHQGLQJ WR IDUPHUV DQG FRUSRUDWH ERGLHV WKURXJK ÀQDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQV LQFOXGLQJ PLFURÀQDQFH EDQNV FRRSHUDWLYH VRFLHWLHV RUJDQLVDtions, farmer groups and institutions on appropriate soft terms.”

If all the functions were implemented patriotically and with a practical desire to achieve the purposes of the Fund, there will surely be a boost in agricultural activities which will raise SURGXFWLYLW\ DQG XOWLPDWHO\ GHHSHQ IRRG VHFXULW\ IRU RYHU million Nigerians. ,W LV KRSHG WKDW RQH RI WKH EHQHÀWV RI WKH 1$') ZLOO EH WDNLQJ WKH ÀQDQFLQJ IRU DJULFXOWXUH RͿ WKH EXGJHW F\FOH RI -DQXDU\ WR 'HFHPEHU ,W OHDGV WR UHOHDVLQJ PRQH\ WR HYHU\ 0LQLVWU\ RI Agriculture in the country long after the wet season has ended.

Funding for dry season farming is similarly late. This anomaly should be discarded.

If used judiciously and in the way it was conceived and enYLVDJHG LQ WKH $FW WKH 1$') ZLOO VXUHO\ KDYH YLVLEOH LPSDFW on the Nigerian agricultural sector in the same way the TertiaU\ (GXFDWLRQ 7UXVW )XQG 7(7)XQG FRQWULEXWHV LQIUDVWUXFWXUH and extends other supports to the tertiary segment of the public education sector in Nigeria.

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For instance, the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative has ended our costly national habit of importing fertilisers. It has led us to VHOI VX΀FLHQF\ LQ WKH FRPPRGLW\ 1LJHULD QRZ KDV D FDSDFLW\ WR produce seven million tons of fertilisers. This was achieved by reactivating moribund fertiliser blending plants and the establishment of new ones. From net importer of fertilisers, Nigeria has become an exporter of top grade urea fertiliser to the UnitHG 6WDWHV RI $PHULFD ,QGLD $UJHQWLQD %UD]LO DQG 0H[LFR 7KH IHUWLOLVHU H[SRUWV ZLOO QHW LQ 86' ELOOLRQ RU RQH WULOOLRQ 1DLUD yearly, while saving our country’s foreign reserves.

-XVW OLNH RWKHU VHULRXV FRXQWULHV 1LJHULD LV VHW WR EHQHÀW IURP the Hand-in-Hand Initiative of the Food and Agricultural OrJDQLVDWLRQ )$2 Salisu Na’inna is a retired Federal Director of Information

23

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Dutch Leader Apologises for Netherlands’ Slave Trade Role Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologised Monday on behalf of his government for the Netherlands’ historical role in slavery and the slave trade, despite calls for him to delay the long-awaited statement.

“Today I apologise,” Rutte said in a 20-minute speech that was greeted with silence by an invited audience at the National Archive. Rutte went ahead with the apology even though some activist groups in the Netherlands and its former colonies had urged him to wait until July 1 of next year, the anniversary of the abolition of slavery 160 years ago. Activists consider next year the 150th anniversary because many enslaved people were forced to continue working in plantations for a decade after abolition.

“Why the rush?” Barryl Biekman, chair of the Netherlands-based National Platform for Slavery Past, asked before the prime minister’s address.

Some of the groups went to court last week in a failed attempt to block the speech.

Some even went to court last week in a failed attempt to block the speech. Rutte referred to the disagreement in his remarks Monday.

“We know there is no one good moment for everybody, no right words for everybody, no right place for everybody,” he said.

He said the government would establish a fund for initiatives to help tackle the legacy of slavery in the Netherlands and its former colonies.

The Dutch government previously expressed deep regret for the nation’s historical role in slavery but stopped short of a formal apology.”

Court Rules Britain’s Plan to Send Asylum Seekers to Rwanda Legal

Britain’s High Court ruled Monday that the government’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is legal.

The British government has reached an agreement with Rwanda to deport migrants who arrived in Britain illegally on a one-way trip to Rwanda, a country with a questionable human rights record, to have their asylum claims processed.

Under Britain’s agreement with Rwanda, applicants granted asylum would be eligible to remain in Rwanda but would not be eligible to return to Britain.

Britain had to cancel the first flight to Rwanda in June after the European Court of Human Rights blocked the move, saying that the plan carried “a real risk of irreversible harm.”

Human rights groups say Britain’s pact with Rwanda is inhumane and the African nation does not have the capacity to process the claims.

Politicians say the plan would deter the influx of migrants into Britain. .

Taliban Announce New Round of Public Floggings

Afghanistan’s Taliban have announced fresh public floggings of convicts, both women and men, in defiance of renewed United Nations calls for the Islamist rulers to halt the practice immediately.

The Taliban’s supreme court said Monday a group of 22 individuals, including women, was flogged in a crowded sports stadium in Sheberghan, the capital of the northern province of Jowzjan.

Each was given between 25 and 39 lashes for alleged crimes, including adultery, gay sex, running away from home, drug trafficking and theft, the statement said.

The court also reported on Sunday that 11 men and a woman were flogged in central Ghor province for committing similar crimes.

The de facto Afghan authorities had carried out floggings of more than 130 men and women in crowded sports stadiums in several provinces and the capital, Kabul, since mid-November, when the Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, ordered the judiciary to implement Islamic law or Sharia-based punishments. The order also led to the first public execution of a convicted murderer since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Rights Monitor: More than 500 Killed Since Iran Protests Began

At least 500 people have been killed in Iran since protests began in mid-September, according to US-based rights monitor HRANA. The Human Rights Activists News Agency said the dead included 69 people under 18 and that authorities have arrested more than 18,400 people.

Protests continued Sunday with union workers participating in demonstrations, including firefighters and workers at a cement company in Tabriz.

Filmmakers gathered in front of Tehran’s Evin prison to protest the arrest of actress Taraneh Alidoosti, who had expressed support for the protests and posted a photo of herself holding a sign with the slogan “Woman, life, freedom.”

The protests began in response to the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained for violating Iran’s strict dress code.

Demonstrations have also included broader antigovernment complaints.

US Warns of Rise in ‘Sextortion’ Schemes Targeting Teen Boys

Teenaged boys in the United States are increasingly becoming ensnared in online financial “sextortion

schemes,” impacting at least 3,000 victims and leading to more than a dozen suicides so far, U.S. Justice Department officials warned on Monday.

FBI and Justice Department officials told reporters in a briefing they are actively investigating thousands of tips, and they have already seen a tenfold increase in reported financial sextortion schemes in the first half of 2022 compared with the same time period last year.

In a so-called sextortion scheme, a person is coerced into providing sexually explicit images and then later extorted for money.

Many of the cases, they said, are originating on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram, and once the contact is made, the predators move over to using other messaging applications such as Snapchat or Google Hangouts.

Young girls have often been the target of online sextortion schemes, but the recent rise in incidents has involved teenage boys between the ages of 14 and 17, officials said. Some boys as young as 10 have also become victims.

Kyiv: Drones Shot Down Amid Russian Attack

Ukraine reported a fresh round of Russian drone attacks Monday, with much of the focus on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his calls for allies to help boost Ukraine’s air defences in its battle against Russia’s invasion.

Ukraine’s military said it shot down 30 of the 35 self-exploding drones that Russia launched.

Kyiv’s city administration said on Telegram that 23 of those drones targeted the city.

According to preliminary information, authorities in Kyiv said there were no reported casualties.

While Ukraine’s energy operator Ukrenergo said it would be conducting emergency shutdowns in the Kyiv area following the drone attacks.

Russia has repeatedly used drones to attack Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, often targeting critical infrastructures such as power and water facilities.

Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Sunday that air defence is a “constant priority” for his administration.

Australia Appoints First Woman to Lead Foreign Spy Agency

A former senior public servant is the first woman to be appointed to lead Australia’s foreign spy agency. Kerri Hartland will become the directorgeneral of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) in February.

Hartland has recently been overseeing the reform of the workplace culture in Australia’s federal parliament following a string of scandals and allegations of sexual assault.

She is an experienced public servant and a former journalist.

She is the first woman chosen to run ASIS. Hartland does not have the traditional armed forces

or foreign affairs background as her predecessors.

But Hartland was the deputy director-general of the domestic spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, between 2011 and 2017.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement earlier this month that she would bring “excellent strategic, operational and people leadership” skills to her new role..

Finland’s Defence Chief Takes Paternity Leave Amid Security Crisis Amid the biggest regional security crisis in decades, as Finland waits to join NATO, the defence minister has chosen to claim nearly two months of parental leave from his job.

And Finns aren’t batting an eyelid. Ditto their Nordic neighbours, who are used to family-oriented social policies and work-life balance.

Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen, a 48-yearold father of two, makes a stirring argument for taking parental leave starting January 6 to dedicate mainly to his 6-month-old son.

“Children remain small only for a moment, and I want to remember it in ways other than just photos,” Kaikkonen tweeted, assuring that Finland’s security “will be in good hands.”

He later told the Finnish news agency STT that “although ministerial duties are very important to me, you’ve got to be able to put family first at some point.”

The five Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden — have made gender equality a top priority in their policies, and that includes encouraging dads to spend more time with their children.

In Sweden, both parents together receive 480 days of parental leave per child, with each parent able to use half — 240 — of those days, which are also transferable.

Police: Five Killed in Toronto Shooting

Five people were killed and another wounded Sunday in a shooting in the suburbs of the Canadian city of Toronto, police said.

The suspect also died after an exchange of fire with law enforcement, local police chief Jim MacSween told reporters, saying the shooting occurred in an apartment building.

The injured person was taken to hospital, and their life was not in danger.

Police were called to the site early Sunday evening.

“Once the officers arrived, they were met with... a horrendous scene where numerous victims were deceased,” MacSween told reporters, according to Canadian media.

Police were investigating the motive and whether there was a connection between the victims and the male suspect, who has not been named.

The suspect allegedly acted alone.

The victims were found in different apartments in the building, located in Vaughan, in the suburbs about 30km (20 miles) north of Toronto.

Ramaphosa Re-elected Head of Ruling ANC

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa won a battle for the leadership of his African National Congress party (ANC) on Monday, beating his only rival by a large margin.

Re-elected as leader of the ruling party by more than 4,000 ANC delegates at a party congress in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa is now in a position to contest a second term as South Africa’s president at national elections in 2024.

The former trade unionist and multimillionaire politician, once a favourite of former President Nelson Mandela, beat Zweli Mkhize — a former health minister who was forced to resign after corruption allegations surrounding misuse of COVID-19 funds.

Former President Kgalema Motlanthe announced the ballot results to a packed hall as delegates erupted in cheers and ululations.

“For comrade Mkhize, Zwelini, his total is 1,897, and for comrade Ramaphosa, Cyril, his total is 2,476,” said Motlanthe.

Ramaphosa’s victory comes in the wake of a scandal surrounding the theft of a large amount of money hidden in a sofa at his private game farm. The president, a keen prize buffalo breeder, says the money came from the sale of animals and denied any wrongdoing.

Brussels Urges Belgians in Iran to Leave Over Arrest Risk

The Belgian government called on Sunday for Belgians in Iran to leave the country, mired in a violent crackdown on nationwide protests, because of the risk of arbitrary detentions.

“All Belgian visitors, including (dual) nationals, are at high risk of arrest, arbitrary detention and unfair trial. This risk also applies to people who are simply visiting Iran for tourism,” the government said in a statement.

“In the event of arrest or detention, respect for fundamental rights and the safety of individuals are not guaranteed.”

Officials said on Wednesday that Iran had imposed a 28-year jail term on a Belgian aid worker, stirring an already bitter debate over a stalled prisoner exchange treaty.

Olivier Vandecasteele was arrested in February and is reportedly being held in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, in conditions that Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne described as “inhumane.”

24

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

This Week In Tech 08097710984

nosakhare.alekhuogie@thisdaylive.com

Nosa

Alekhuogie

Tech Top 5 News VENTURES PLATFORM CLOSES PAN-AFRICAN FUND AT $46M

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an-African VC firm, Ventures Platform, has announced the final close of its early-stage and intercontinental fund at $46 million. Surpassing its initial $40 million target, the oversubscribed fund from one of the continent’s most prolific investors sees new participation from global investors with an array of top-tier commercial banks, corporates, DFIs, global institutional investors and HNIs, including Standard Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and others.

The new fund will see Ventures Platform double down on backing a cohort of categoryleading companies across the continent and will also allow for follow-on investments for portfolio companies up to Series A. In a bid to better support the companies it invests in, Ventures Platform has also established an innovative “platform and networks” practice that will provide scalable and world-class post-investment support and value creation to its portfolio companies.

Since the fund’s first close late last year, the early stage “discovery” venture capital fund has deployed new capital and follow-on capital into companies across various verticals and regions on the continent, such as Remedial Health, Moni Notto, and Chargel.

In addition to the close of the fund, Ventures Platform has made a series of strategic team additions at the partnership and senior management levels. The VC firm has added an investor and former Principal at pan-African VC firm, Novastar Ventures, Dr Dotun Olowoporoku, as a managing partner.

In addition, Ventures Platform has appointed another notable new member to enhance its expert network further as it brings onboard renowned technologist and investor Desigan Chinniah as a Venture Partner.

Founder and General Partner at Ventures Platform, Kola Aina, stated, “We are honoured to have the breadth of both local and global investors who have bought into our vision and who equally are bringing immense value to our portfolio. This is a crowning close to an eventful year in which we made substantial advancements both in the tactical and the proprietary interventions that catalyse our portfolio companies.”

According to William Sonneborn, IFC’s Global Director of Disruptive Technologies and Funds, IFC is the largest global development institution focused on boosting private sector investments in emerging markets. He stressed that championing tech innovation, digital talent, and connectivity is key to succeeding in “our mission.”

“We are also one of the largest tech investors in Africa,” added Sonneborn.

TWITTER BANS JOURNALISTS ON ITS PLATFORM Twitter has suspended the accounts of several journalists at major news organisations who have covered Musk or tweeted critically about him.

Elon Musk claimed that the bans resulted from “endangering his family.” In a separate tweet, he also claimed that “they posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service.”

According to reports, there is no evidence the journalists endangered Musk or his family in any way.

The journalists, however, share a common thread of critical coverage of Musk and his management and policy decisions following his October takeover of Twitter, including a recent controversy over Twitter shutting down an account that tracked Musk’s private jet.

Musk announced that any instances of posting real-time location data would be treated as a form of doxxing and result in a suspension of the account.

Musk also joined Twitter Spaces chat dedicated to reporters suspended from Twitter.

Tech Personality of The Week OLAMIDE OLOWE

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his week’s tech personality is the founder and Chief Executive Officer at Topicals, Olamide Olowe.

Olowe is the youngest Black woman ever to raise more than $2 million in venture funding.

Recently, Topicals skincare announced a $10 million financing round led by CAVU Consumer Partners.

Topicals appeals to Gen-Z consumers through its TikTok and Instagram marketing, eye-catching packaging, and mental health advocacy.

Founded in 2020, Topicals saw revenues increase three-fold in 2021. In 2022, the company sold one product every minute.

Topicals is on a mission to end the stigma around these skin-related conditions. The company has reimagined how consumers can treat flare-ups by developing products that contain ingredients and herbals scientifically proven to work by third-party, peer-reviewed clinical studies.

Topicals will harness the CAVU funding to expand the company and fuel brand awareness.

The company is also committed to raising awareness about the connection between mental health and skin conditions. Topicals has donated more than $50,000 to support nonprofits providing mental health resources to marginalised communities. Now the company will be able to launch a 12-month accelerator program to support non-profits in the mental health space.

Olowe was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2022 for her previous fundraising of $2.6 million.

“There is not going to be any distinction in the future between journalists and regular people. Everyone’s gonna be treated the same. You are not special because you are a journalist. You are a citizen,” Musk said during the live discussion.

“So, no special treatment. You dox, you get suspended, end of story, that is it.”

MICROSOFT, VIASAT TO DELIVER INTERNET ACCESS TO 5M AFRICANS Microsoft and Viasat have announced a partnership to help deliver internet access to 5 million people across Africa.

Viasat, a global communications company, is the first satellite partner to work with Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, and together they will deepen Airband’s work in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States, making it 10 million in total .

The plan is to also prioritise expanding the program to Egypt, Senegal and Angola to deliver much-needed internet connection.

Microsoft’s Airband is a collaborative effort across local and regional internet and energy access providers, telecom equipment makers, non-profits, and governmental and non-governmental organisations, to advance access to affordable internet and relevant digital skills worldwide.

This first-of-its-kind global partnership for Airband is a key step in reaching the Initiative’s expanded goal of delivering internet access to a quarter of a billion people worldwide, including 100 million people on the continent of Africa, by the end of 2025.

The companies will combine expertise and assets to help enable telehealth, distance learning and education,

precision agriculture, clean power, and other services to reach new areas through the transformational provision of power and connectivity. The companies will collaborate to provide and pilot technologies including, but not limited to, satellites (both Geostationary Orbit and Low Earth Orbit [LEO]) and fixed wireless.

APPLE TO ALLOW THIRD-PARTY APP STORES ON IPHONES Apple is planning to let users install alternative app stores on iOS. The shift would be a remarkable change for the company, as iPhone users could start seeing and having access to third-party app stores.

The plans are being spurred on by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which is meant to enact “rules for digital gatekeepers to ensure open markets” when its restrictions become a requirement in 2024.

With the launch of iOS 17, Apple users worldwide can download apps without using the App Store.

The law means that Apple will have to allow third-party app stores and sideloading, where users can install software downloaded from the web.

Apple executives have previously called the ability to sideload software “a cybercriminal’s best friend” in response to the act.

In a recent update from Apple reporter Mark Gurman, the App store may be in the process of new development.

The EU has laid out a complex schedule for complying with the law, which involves companies potentially affected by it notifying regulators and a commission determining whether they will have to make changes.

The latest date gatekeeper companies will have to comply with the act is March 2024.

The company is considering “mandating certain security requirements,” verifying outside apps in some way and potentially charging a fee. Apple has not decided whether it will let developers install thirdparty payment systems in apps, which it is supposed to do under the DMA. It also has not decided how it will make iMessage interoperable with other services, another condition of the DMA, and could open its Find My network to more location accessories like Tile.

KLASHA INTRODUCES MENSTRUAL LEAVE POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES E-commerce startup, Klasha, recently introduced a menstrual leave policy for female employees in a bid to promote self-care opportunities during their menstrual cycles.

This five-day leave doesn’t include the annual, sick, and other leaves employees are entitled to. As revealed in the startup’s intention, implementing this policy will encourage inclusiveness for female employees, encourage workplace diversity, and demystify misconceptions about menstruation.

The company also stated it would subsequently evaluate the policy’s effectiveness and modify the number of leave days.

Speaking on its new policy, CEO of Klasha, Jess Anuna, stated that the leave policy is to challenge gender stereotypes in its workplace, and empower its female workforce, who make up to 50 per cent of its permanent team.

She said, “At Klasha, we understand that we must make room for women’s biological needs as a part of everyday business.”

The new policy is also a sustainable strategy for a company. Inclusive employee policies attract and retain talent, and happier employees are more productive.

LAWYER TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

IN THIS EDITION

Whether Court Can Rely on Retracted Confessional Statement to Convict Page IV

Abuja to Host 2023 NBA Annual General Conference Page V

QUOTABLE ‘Today, a total of 1,838 pre-election cases were filed in the court, out of which 1,295 cases have been disposed of…..It represents an account of the additional burden that was suddenly thrust on us, besides an already overbearing workload of the regular cases.’ - Honourable Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court

COLUMNIST DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, CON, SAN, FCIARE, PH.D. LLD Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which political and governmental power, is defined, limited and shared by a grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and balances.

This column seeks to fiercely discuss constitutional, legal and political issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the plenitude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour.

The writer of this column, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Notary Public and Motivational Speaker. He co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria’s pioneer human rights league, on October 15, 1987, the Universal defenders of Democracy (UDD), in 1992, and with Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others in 1998, the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), to push out the military. In his early days, he lectured at the University of Ife. Dr. Ozekhome is an author of many books. He is also a Special Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

LAWYER

Kudirat Abiola’s Children Drag Buhari before ECOWAS Court Page V

Ex-Military Chief Loses Bid to Nullify Sale of Property by Landlady Page V

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE: EDITOR, JUDE IGBANOI: DEPUTY EDITOR, PETER TAIWO, STEVE AYA: REPORTERS

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022

APC and the Farce Called Constitution Amendment APC & the 9th NASS’s Constitutional Amendment Exercise: A Ruse hen someone told me that nothing would come out of the 9th National Assembly’s (NASS) constitutional amendment exercise, I argued, and obviously, rather blindly too, that the exercise was real, and it couldn’t be a ruse. Aside from the agitation from different quarters for a total overhaul of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2018) (the Constitution) which had reached a crescendo, one of the APC’s main campaign promises was that it would restructure Nigeria - an exercise which would require a massive amount of redrafting of the Constitution, or even the making of a whole new document.

The APC had set up a Committee on Restructuring headed by Governor El Rufai of Kaduna State, which garnered over 20 issues for determination, and subsequently, made about 12 recommendations based on what their sample groups across the country had said, inter alia including devolution of powers to the State and Local Governments; sharing with the States about 10 items which had previously been on the Exclusive Legislative list, that is, transferring them to the Concurrent Legislative List, like Police (Federal, State & Community), Oil & Gas, Mineral Resources, Minimum Wage and some other items; States being able to operate their Judiciaries up to an appellate level, that is, State Court of Appeal. Governor El Rufai had rightfully concluded that while he did not believe that restructuring was a magic wand that would solve Nigeria’s myriad of problems, devolution of powers would “rebalance our Federation for better governance…..it will help solve some immediate problems, and provide a platform for future leaders to resolve the medium and longer term issues”.

Absolutely. I took Governor El Rufai seriously on this restructuring and constitutional amendment issue, until it became patently clear that APC had gone back on its word and jettisoned the idea of restructuring, that is, if APC had truly intended to make good on that campaign promise in the first place. It seems that from the get-go, APC didn’t really have any intention of doing any serious restructuring, and only told the people what they wanted to hear, to secure their votes.

Deadline dates were given by NASS, for the public to submit their proposals for amendments to the grundnorm which they desired. I believe that the amended Constitution was meant to be completed, passed and transmitted to the President for his assent by mid-2021. As we say in Hausa “Ina”! (translated to pidgin English to mean “for where”!) Alas! Nothing of the sort has happened to date. All the call for memoranda from the public, debates, public hearings etc were nothing more than what we refer to in Yoruba as “gba, jé kin simi” (“take, let me rest”) - a situation where you give someone something or something to do, simply to keep them quiet or busy to get them off your back!

It is apparent that neither APC (who made the campaign promise to restructure), nor the Legislature (where APC has the highest number of representatives in both legislative chambers; well even when PDP had the majority, they also didn’t overhaul the Constitution) could care less about restructuring and constitutional amendments, and only orchestrated that elaborate exercise to keep the constitutional amendment agitators busy and get them off their back. They did not really intend to do anything worthwhile, about the Constitution.

Even though the Senate set up a Constitution Review Committee headed by the Deputy Senate President, the House of Representatives also seemed to be up and doing in that regard, and issues that needed attention were identified, there was no sincerity of purpose. The issues included the heaviness of the Exclusive Legislative List, Devolution of Powers, Revenue Allocation, Fiscal Federalism, Creation of State Police and the Country’s Security Architecture, State Creation, Local Government Autonomy & Funding, Judiciary & Funding, Gender Equality, Electoral Reform amongst others. Of course, apart from Electoral Reform (the Electoral Act 2022

W

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

The

Advocate “I believe that the amended Constitution was meant to be completed, passed and transmitted to the President for his assent by mid-2021. As we say in Hausa“Ina”! (translated to pidgin English to mean“for where”!) Alas! Nothing of the sort has happened to date” was enacted) which was dear to the heart of the Legislators, since it directly concerned them and their 2023 re-election bid, nothing else seems to have been achieved.

Going to Town on Constitutional Amendments!

I looked at the various methods to be used to make the Constitution a people-centred one, so that the Preamble “WE, THE PEOPLE ….” does not continue to be a falsehood.

Whether we should convene a Sovereign National Conference or a Plebiscite or Referendum. My first submission was that the Constitution should be amended to include all three options (each option serves its own purpose), and the process by which they should be carried out.

As far as the constitutional amendments are concerned, I went to town! I pointed out many areas which I felt needed attention. Space constraints only permit me to mention a few of my suggestions here. For instance, the issue of what I perceived to be the unconstitutionality of declaring elections inconclusive, having regard to the fact that the Constitution has already set its parameters for when candidates are duly elected. For example, in the case of a gubernatorial election, Section 179(2)(a) & (b) of the Constitution clearly provides for what a candidate requires to be duly elected (see Section 134 of the Constitution for Presidential election). I had discussed this issue in 2019, when I disagreed with the decision of INEC to hold supplementary elections in Osun State, after Senator Ademola Adeleke had already satisfied the provisions

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan

of Section 179(2)(a) & (b) of the Constitution, to entitle him to be declared the duly elected Governor of Osun State. I concluded that no matter how well-intentioned inconclusive elections may be in some circumstances, the concept is not accommodated within the Constitution, and a constitutional amendment is required for it to comfortably become a part of our electoral process.

I asserted that even though Nigeria is supposed to be a Federation, by virtue of the Constitution, we are operating a Unitary system which is unsuitable for a nation as diverse as ours. This is evident from the 68 & 30 items on the Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative Lists respectively, while some irrelevant matters are left for the State Houses of Assembly. I suggested that in order to realise true Federalism, the Exclusive Legislative List should be purged, while State Constitutions which will be extensive and tailored to needs of each State should be considered. I talked about the fact that the Northern regions put together have more representation in NASS than the Southern regions, the issue of State creation and the fact that the zones do not have an equal number of States thereby giving some zones an unfair advantage over others, and the need to address these anomalies in the interest of equity and fairness.

Strictly upholding Section 10 of the Constitution and the secularity of Nigeria and its State, has always been a matter close to my heart, and I called for its reiteration, while amending the Constitution which only confers civil jurisdiction on Customary

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai

and Sharia Courts (see Sections 262, 267, 277 & 282), to restate unequivocally that criminal jurisdiction is not conferred upon Customary or Sharia Courts.

I also suggested an urgent review of the provisions regarding Judiciary funding, which seem to be inconsistent and contradict themselves. On this, see for example, Sections 81(3)(c), 84(2), (4), (7), 121(3)(b) and 162(9) of the Constitution, and Part I Paragraph I National Judicial Council Section 21(e) Third Schedule to the Constitution. See the case of JUSUN v NJC, AGF & 70 Ors Suit No. FHC/ABJ/ CS/668/13 Judgement delivered on 13/1/2014 per A.F.A. Ademola J. The absurdity of equating a Primary Six School Leaving Certificate inter alia with a Secondary School Leaving Certificate or Grade II Teacher’s Certificate in Section 318 of the Constitution when they are clearly not the same, was another aspect which I touched upon as being not just bizarre, but constitutionalising a blatant falsehood. The qualifications are certainly not the same, and it is ridiculous for the Constitution to seek to equate them.

These were just some of the aspects of the Constitution, which I examined. Like me, others also wasted their valuable time studying the Constitution, and commenting on amendments that should be made, even submitting them to NASS. Conclusion The other day, someone asked me why I had written on this page a few weeks ago that for the first time in decades, it is unlikely that I will vote in the next elections. Is the aforementioned constitutional conundrum not off-putting enough?

The so-called constitution amendment exercise, turned out be a farce. A situation where the foundation of the country is shaky, the Constitution forming a part of that faulty, quivering foundation; and, those who are seen as the election front runners are not that interested in strengthening the wobbly foundation, by showing their deep commitment to holistic constitutional amendment as part of their manifestos; where candidates simply engage in nothing more than ‘motivational speaking’, with absolutely no intention of making good on their campaign promises - why would one be eager to vote, when there isn’t sufficient evidence to show that anything will change for the better when a new administration is sworn in 2023?. Unlike those who seem to be having ‘election fever’, just like in 2019 (only to end up being disappointed), I’m suffering from ‘election hypothermia’, because again, I’m just not encouraged by what I see or hear.

While the PDP has been unable to unify its own party, let alone unify the country which this APC government has contributed in no small measure to divide, APC shouts down everybody that seems to criticise its administration or asks pertinent questions. Nigerians have been going through untold hardship, queuing to buy fuel for the past few months, and not much has been been heard from the Minister of Petroleum or the Minister of State of Petroleum on the issue. If we ask why we should vote for APC come the next election given the sad state of the nation, we will be accused of bias for asking such a question!

Speaker, House of Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Whether Court Can Rely on Retracted Confessional Statement to Convict Facts The deceased had a shop where he sold goods. PW5, who is the younger brother of the deceased, worked in the shop. On 31st May, 2009, at about 11.00pm, the deceased collected the money made from the sales of the day which he kept in his car trunk/boot,e and left for his house. PW5 subsequently left the shop to go home as well. However, as he approached the house, he saw some people flashing torch at him, who introduced themselves as thieves. PW 5 started shouting and made to go to the scene, but the thieves threatened to shoot him. He watched as they beat the deceased who attempted to run away, with blood oozing from his body. While running away, the deceased hit a wall and fell. At this point, people had come out to rescue the victims and as they were trying take the deceased to the hospital, they noticed the car trunk was opened and the money inside taken away. The deceased died on the way to the hospital.

Upon report of the incident to the Police, the case was investigated, leading to the arrest of the Appellant who was on the run, having been implicated by his co-accused.

The Appellant made statements (Exhibits 1a and b) admitting to the crime. The Police also recovered from the scene of the crime, items belonging to the Appellant, his coaccused and others at large (Exhibits 3, 4a & b and 5). The Appellant was subsequently charged along with his co-accused, on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit culpable homicide punishable with death, punishable under Section 221(b) and Section 79 of the Penal Code; and conspiracy to commit armed robbery punishable under Section 1(2)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The Appellant and his co-accused, pleaded Not Guilty.

At the trial, the Appellant and other accused persons denied making Exhibits 1a and b, as well as ownership of items recovered at the scene of the crime (Exhibits 3, 4a & b, 5). The Prosecution called seven witnesses, while the Appellant testified for himself. Of the Prosecution witnesses called, counsel for the Appellant cross-examined only two of the witnesses (PW 2 and PW 3). At the conclusion of trial, the court struck out count one of the Charge, on the basis that it would amount to double conviction if the Appellant and his co-accused were convicted on both counts.

The court convicted the Appellant on count two for armed robbery. The Appellant and his co-accused were accordingly sentenced to death, subject to the prerogative power of the Governor of Katsina State.

Unhappy with the conviction, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, which court dismissed the appeal and affirmed the decision of the trial court. The Appellant further appealed to the Supreme Court.

Issue for Determination The Appellant formulated two issues for determination, while the Respondent posed a sole issue. The court adopted the sole issue of the Respondent, as sufficient for determining the appeal thus: Having regard to the facts of this case and the quality of the evidence led by the Prosecution at the trial, whether the Court of Appeal was not right in disallowing the appeal and affirming the conviction and sentence of the Appellant for the offence of armed robbery.

Arguments In his submission, counsel for the Appellant

Honourable John Inyang Okoro, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, 1st day of July, 2022 Before Their Lordships Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun John Inyang Okoro Abdu Aboki Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa Tijjani Abubakar Justices, Supreme Court SC.64/2016 Between Ibrahim Abdullahi …

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And

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Appellant

FThe State…

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Respondent

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(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable John Inyang Okoro, JSC)

argued that considering the totality of the evidence presented by the Prosecution before the court, the trial court and the Court of Appeal erred in law by holding that the Prosecution proved the offence of armed robbery against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt.

Relying on the provisions of Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, he argued that the Prosecution must prove, not only that a robbery has been committed by the Appellant, but that the Appellant was armed with a firearm or any other offensive weapon at the time of the incident. Further, the weapon or firearm must come within the meaning of Section 9 of the Act. These ingredients must co-exist, to ground a conviction. Counsel also faulted the reliance of the courts, on circumstantial evidence without corroboration. He emphasised the attitude of court which is to examine circumstantial evidence narrowly and with care – OPARA v STATE (2006) 9 NWLR (Pt. 986) 518.

Counsel argued further that the only other evidence linking the Appellant to the crime, were the alleged confessional statements in Exhibit 1a & b, which were retracted during the testimony of the Appellant in court. He posited that though the court is at liberty to convict an accused person on a retracted

“The law is that, mere denial or retraction by an accused person of a confessional statement during trial does not make such statement inadmissible, or stop the court from relying on it to convict, if it is shown to be voluntarily made, direct, positive and unequivocal as to the admission of guilt by the accused person”

confession, the court must evaluate the confession, the accused person’s testimony and all the evidence available and that Exhibit 1a & b did not pass the six-way test outlined by the court in DEMO OSENI v STATE (2012) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1293) 219 at 440.

Counsel reiterated that the Prosecution must prove its case, on the strength of his evidence. Even where an accused person elects not to lead evidence in proof of his innocence, the court ought to look at possible defences available to the accused person, even where he fails to raise them.

Responding to the submissions above, counsel argued for the Respondent that proof beyond reasonable doubt, is not proof beyond all shadow of doubt; it only means establishing the guilt of the accused person by compelling and conclusive evidence, as done by the Respondent – AKINLOLU v THE STATE (2016) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1497) 503. Counsel submitted that the Prosecution can prove the guilt of an accused person, in any of the ways highlighted in ITODO v STATE (2020) 1 NWLR (Pt. 1704) 1 at 28-29. Since the Appellant did not cross-examine PW5 and PW 6, their testimonies remain unchallenged, and the court could act on their evidence which corroborated the retracted confessional statement in Exhibit 1a & b. More so, the appeal is against concurrent findings of the trial and appellate court, which the Supreme Court will not disturb, except where the Appellant is able to show that the judgement is perverse. He argued that the Appellant had not shown that the findings of the courts below are perverse.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the issue, the Supreme Court held that to secure a conviction for the offence of armed robbery, the Prosecution is under duty to prove

the ingredients of the offence as stated by the law, beyond reasonable doubt, as every person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty – Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). The Prosecution must prove that: (a) there was a robbery; (b) that the accused person committed the robbery and was armed with offensive weapons; and (c) that at or immediately before or after the robbery, the accused person wounded or used personal violence on any person – SANI v STATE (2015) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1483) 522 at 540. Each of the listed ingredients must co-exist, and be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Further, to discharge the burden of proof, the Prosecution can: (i) tender the confessional statement of the accused person; (ii) provide evidence of eyewitness(es); and (iii) provide circumstantial evidence – ADEYEMO v THE STATE (2015) LPELR-24688(SC).

In this case, the Prosecution provided evidence on the three elements highlighted above, though it is only bound to establish the guilt of the Appellant by one of the three ways listed. Exhibit 1a and b, the confessional statement of the Appellant, were made by the Appellant admitting to commission of the offence as contemplated under Section 28 of the Evidence Act, 2011. When the Exhibits were tendered, the Appellant denied making the statements. The law is that, mere denial or retraction by an accused person of a confessional statement during trial does not make such statement inadmissible, or stop the court from relying on it to convict, if it is shown to be voluntarily made, direct, positive and unequivocal as to the admission of guilt by the accused person – PEDRO v STATE (2018) LPELR-44460(SC).

Also, different persons testified for the Prosecution and their testimonies showed that the confession of the Appellant is true, as he was implicated by his co-accused, he had the opportunity to commit the crime, and his confession is consistent with other facts as testified by the Prosecution witnesses. More so, the Appellant did not cross-examine PW5, who gave the eyewitness account, just as he did not cross-examine other witnesses for the Prosecution. Their evidence, therefore, remains unchallenged, and the court is entitled to act on it or accept those facts as established, provided they are not manifestly untrue – OFORLETE v STATE (2000) 12 NWLR (Pt. 681) 415 at 436.

The Supreme Court concluded that, considering the confessional statement of the Appellant, together with the unchallenged or uncontroverted testimonies of the Prosecution witnesses, it is obvious that the Prosecution was able to prove all the ingredients of the offence of armed robbery against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt. The trial court was thus, right in convicting the Appellant based on the evidence before it, and the Court of Appeal was right to affirm the decision of the trial court. More so, the Supreme Court does not make a habit of disturbing the concurrent findings of facts by both the trial court and the Court of Appeal, unless it is shown by the Appellant that such findings of facts are perverse, not according to the record or laid down principles of law, or has occasioned a miscarriage of justice – AYENI v ADESINA (2007) NWLR (Pt. 1033).

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation J.D. Gusen, Esq. for the Appellant.

Shehu Wada Abdullahi Esq. for the Respondent (with the fiat of the AttorneyGeneral, Katsina State).

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

V

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN

Late Mrs Kudirat Abiola

Air Commodore, Ademola Onitiju, (Rtd)

Abuja to Host 2023 NBA Annual General Conference Stories by Steve Aya The 2023 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will hold in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The decision was taken by the National Executive Committee of the Association, at its National Executive Council meeting which held last week.

The meeting, which was chaired by the NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, deliberated on issues affecting the Bar

and the Nation in general.

The National Executive Council, NEC, resolved that the next Annual Conference of the Association will hold in Abuja from Friday, 25th August to Friday, 1st September, 2023.

NEC also considered the alleged creation of a parallel Lawyer’s body in the country, with members moving a motion to penalise the members sponsoring registration of the parallel association.

The meeting climaxed with the ratification of all the names

Ex-Military Chief Loses Bid to Nullify Sale of Property by Landlady Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile of the Lagos High Court has dismissed the "frivolous and vexatious" suit filed by a retired Air Commodore, Ademola Onitiju, challenging the sale of a 4-bedroom Duplex in Dolphin Estate, Lagos by the landlady of the property. Onitiju, who was a yearly tenant in the house sued the landlady and three others for selling the property to another person, after he had been informed in writing that the property had been sold.

Defendants in the suit are Mrs Theodosia Olabisi Ogunnaike, Omo Ogunnaike, Colonel Samuel Aboyemi Dare (Rtd) and Lagos State Development Property Corporation (LSDPC) as first to fourth defendants, respectively.

The Claimant had prayed the court to declare that the sale of the property to a third party, be declared null and void and of no effect. He also asked the court to declare that, he was entitled to the statutory right of occupancy.

In addition, Onitiju prayed the court to make an order setting aside the sale, called for specific performance of contract of sale between him and the 1st Defendant, and a perpetual injunction restraining

the 1st and 2nd Defendant from transferring or executing documents to transfer the title of the property to the 3rd Defendant.

But, the 1st Defendant in her response stated that she's a widow and retired businesswoman, who was managing the property on behalf of her daughter.

She explained that when the decision to sell the property was reached, the 1st and 2nd Defendant first offered the Claimant the opportunity to buy it, but he didn't have the money to do so, adding that there is no contract of sale between them.

On the claim that he was not provided Bank details to transfer the money, the 1st Defendant argued that he had every opportunity to pay the purchase price of N135 million others were willing and ready to pay into the account number, which he had always paid his rent, but he failed to do so.

Consequently, counsel for the 1st and 2nd Defendant, as well as that of the 3rd Defendant, respectively, prayed the court to dismiss the suit with substantial cost for being vexatious, frivolous, baseless and mischievous.

of NBA representatives sent to the Body of Benchers, including the name of the immediate past President of the NBA, Olumide Akpata.

Aside adoption of various

committee reports, the NEC meeting also co-opted 150 Lawyers as members of NEC. Notable names on the co-opted list includes the immediate past Attorney-General of Ekiti State,

Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, the Registrar General of Corporate Affairs Commission, ICPC Chairman, DG Legal Aid Council, and Chairman of Lawyers With Disability.

The NBA Conference Incident Investigation Committee, also identified the faces of the persons alleged to be lawyers who vandalised and looted conference materials.

Gender Violence: ‘Watch Each Other’s Back’, Nneji The immediate past Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs Philomena Nneji, has urged women to "watch each other's back". She made this remark, following the end of the 16 days activism against gender based violence. Nneji said that the 16 days activism should serve as much as possible, to amplify the voices of women against all forms of violence and abuse.

The 16 days activism is an

international event held between November 25 to December 10, to "walk" against vices, such as domestic violence and any form of abuses against women and the girl child.

The campaign theme for the 2022 16 days activism was tagged "Unite Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls".

According to Nneji, as the 2022 event has come to an end, women must now ensure that

they sustain the tempo of the campaign, so as to put an end to gender abuses.

"We must not stop being a collective voice; but, rather, amplify our voices especially on the issue of gender violence.

"The struggle continues, and definitely, we will not loose out; so for our women, we must continue to say something when we see something especially watching our sister's back on this issue of violence.

"This is one of the ways to ensure that cases of violence are reduced to the barest minimum.

"By the time we are a voice and show support for our fellow women, then we could save someone on death row."

According to Nneji, it is alarming to note that even some women in the Police Force also experience cases of violence, adding that, a continuity of the struggle is important to rescue the gender.

Kudirat Abiola’s Children Drag Buhari before ECOWAS Court Seek $10 million compensation The children of the late wife of the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola GCFR, late Mrs Kudirat Abiola, have dragged the Muhmmadu Buhari administration of Nigeria to the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, over the unlawful killing of their mother. Khafila Abiola, Moriam Abiola, and Hadi Abiola are suing for themselves and on behalf of the other children of Kudirat.

The suit number ECW/ CCJ/APP/62/2022 was filed on their behalf by their Counsel, Femi Falana, SAN. In the suit, the children are challenging the “violation of the fundamental human rights to life and dignity of human person of their mother, late Mrs Kudirat Abiola”.

The children are arguing that, “the failure or refusal of the Defendant to protect the life of late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola in the Republic of Nigeria, amounts to violation of Articles 1,4,5,18 and 23 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights.

According to the Plaintiffs, “The combined effect of the said provisions of the African Charter and the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria is that, States will be held responsible if they fail to act with due diligence to prevent violations of the rights or are actively involved in acts which amount to the violation of the Plaintiff’s rights (as in

this case), and for providing adequate compensation.”

The Plaintiffs are also arguing that, “under the combined provisions of Articles 1, 4 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Federal Republic of Nigeria is a signatory, the Respondent has infringed on the right of the deceased to life, dignity of her person

and security.

The suit filed on Thursday December 15, 2022, read in part: “The Applicants aver that late Mrs Kudirat Abiola was married to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, a Nigerian and community citizen. Chief M.K.O. Abiola contested and won the Presidential election held in Nigeria on June 12, 1993. The election which was

PHOTONEWS

This Day Lawyer Reporter, Peter Taiwo, called to the Bar earlier this month

#upjudicialsalaries “At our meeting of 21st June, 2022, we inaugurated a Judiciary Advisory Committee, charged, amongst others, with the responsibilities of constantly interfacing with members of the Bench, in order to….put in place, an acceptable package, salary and welfare-wise for Judges of our superior courts of record, comparing such package with what operates in some similar jurisdictions.”- Chief Wole Olanipekun CFR, SAN, Chairman, Body of Benchers

VI TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY COVER ...THE CHRISTMAS 2022 SPECIAL EDITION

What Does Christmas Mean to Lawyers?

All work and no play, makes the Nigerian Lawyer a dull one. Nigerian Lawyers work in a very strenuous and tough environment, with humongous challenges and crazy work schedules, nightmarish traffic, epileptic power supply, insecurity and an infuriatingly slow paced justice delivery system. The yuletide therefore, provides one rare opportunity to unwind, with some making trips to their hometowns or holiday spots within the country and abroad. In this Special Christmas Edition, THIS DAY LAWYER asked a cross-section of Lawyers what Christmas means to them, and how they will spend this festive season which will usher in the new year. We wish everyone a very merry Christmas Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, former NBA President – “I’ll Pray for Peaceful Election” Christmas is a special season to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a special season to be with Family, and review the outgoing year 2022. We give thanks to God for seeing OAL

through a most challenging year.

We pray for a peaceful credible election process, that will usher in a good new year.

Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, former Attorney-General, Lagos State – “I Will Make Resolutions for a Vibrant Year Ahead” Christmas and New Year is usually a time to take stock of what happened over the year, and make resolutions for a more prosperous

"Christmas is essentially, the season of love. It presupposes the willingness to expend oneself on behalf of, and for the benefit of others and the larger community"

and vibrant New Year.

It’s also time to exchange gifts, and to appreciate those who have supported you in your various endeavours, both personally and in business. It gives you an opportunity to reach out to the needy, who always require support to make ends meet.

2022 has been a mixed bag of joy and sadness, ups and downs; but we continue to thank Almighty God for his mercies, while praying for the best in the New year.

I will principally be spending time with family and friends, because those are the people who typically support you during your successes and challenges.

I wish all the stakeholders in the legal profession and Nigerians

in general, a Merry Christmas and a more prosperous New Year.

Mike Igbokwe, SAN – “I’ll Celebrate Christmas and its Meaning” Christmas means to me, the time to remember and celebrate the birth(day) of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour, and thank God for sending Him to save me (and the world), and giving me eternal life because of His love for the world.

I will spend my Christmas celebrating this it’s meaning, with relations and friends. I will spend New Year’s Eve in my church program called ‘Heaven on Earth’, worshipping God, praying till new year’s day and thanking God for sparing my life to see the new year, and for all He has done for my family and I

VII COVER

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

What Does Christmas Mean to Lawyers? in previous years.

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, former NBA General Secretary – “I’ll Spread Love” The sounds of jingling bells ringing, the intensifying of the weather, the movements of birds to the south, and simultaneous movement of humans; especially Nigerians, to their respective hometowns - The Yuletide season.

Christmas is essentially, the season of love. It presupposes the willingness to expend oneself on behalf of, and for the benefit of others and the larger community. Just as Christ, the reason for this season, readily gave Himself for the betterment of mankind.

Personally, Christmas to me means more than the end of the year; it is indeed, a season where most people - by no coercion, but by sheer inspiration - feel the pressing freedom to give back to society. A season where the Christmas spirit - a willingness to share substance and happiness alike, blooms. Christmas renews hopes of togetherness. Families reunite from all over the world.

The celebration of the birth of our Lord, a time for sober reflection, but of course, also, gifting, in celebration of the gift humanity received.

Christmas is a time of gratitude and giving. A time to be grateful for life, and the opportunities that came with it over the year. It is a time to reflect on our blessings, and bless others who might not have as much; to me, it means a time to catch up with loved ones, and take stock of my personal growth over the year.

There is no better way to celebrate Christmas and New Year, but amidst family and friends. Take out time to reflect on the past year, the blessings and the lessons learnt. And, more than anything else, spread love abroad.

Sam Zibiri, SAN, Abuja – “I’ll Share God’s Love” For me, the verse found in the Book of John, Chapter 3, verse 16, which reads, "For God so loved the World that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have life

eternal", best describes Christmas.

Christmas commemorates the glorious birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, which is God's greatest and most perfect gift ever given to mankind. It affirms God's unending love for the world, and reiterates His promise of eternal life to anyone who would believe in Him. Christmas serves as a reminder that, just as Christ loved us by giving His life as atonement for our sins, so too must we love one another by doing good deeds, being generous, and sharing the good news of God's love with others.

Therefore, in keeping with the essence and purpose of Christmas, I will celebrate with family and friends and share God's love with everyone in my sphere of influence. I would also take some time out to reflect on how I can better fulfil my part, in God’s great Commandment to love one another unconditionally.

Mia Essien, SAN – "A Time to Reflect" Christmas commemorates the birth of our Lord and Saviour,

"A time to show kindness to the less privileged and widows, and put some laughter on their faces"

Jesus Christ.

For me, it's also a time for reflection. I will be spending it, with my family and friends.

Ayodele Akintunde, SAN – “Less Privileged on My Mind” Christmas is the time of the year when we remember the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is a special time for me to celebrate and roll out the drums, to show and tell my family that I love and appreciate them. For me, it is a time to generally make people happy, by sharing gifts and showing kindness. A time to show kindness to the less privileged and widows, and put some laughter on their faces.

I will be spending my Christmas and New Year, with my family. We will be sharing gifts and showing kindness to as many people as we can, like we do every year through our Foundation (Yinuola and Abegbe Foundation). Christmas day this year is extra special, because it falls on a Sunday, so we will be worshipping in Church on that day by God’s grace. We will also be attending several charity events, birthdays, and weddings. We will visit family and friends, and plan for the new year as a family. We will join many Nigerians to pray for peaceful elections in 2023, and

the overall peace and prosperity of our great nation.

Osaro Eghobamien, SAN, Lagos – “For Me, it will be Work and Leisure” I always spend my Christmas in Benin City, and I will be doing the same this year. Even though my parents were originally the attraction, we the children and the in-laws, intend to continue the tradition.

Christmas is obviously a time for family members to get together, and appreciate one another. Being together enables family members to tell many stories about the family, as this was the custom of my late father. So, there were always massive celebrations with extended family members and my mum’s orphanage. I intend to travel to Benin to maintain this culture, even though my parents are now of blessed memory.

This self-assured identity reinforces the strength of the family, enabling it to open itself to strangers and not feel threatened.

So, in Benin, the house is open to friends, families, and cousins to celebrate the season.

I also take a lot of time out, to catch up on my legal work. This often creates some offence, as I am often isolated and accused of being anti-social. The absence of my parents, means there is cont'd on page VIII

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COVER What Does Christmas Mean to Lawyers? cont'd from page VII

no hiding place. That said, it has been an extremely eventful year, and I am looking forward to a well-deserved break.

Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN – “I Love Christmas!”

Christmas means greater joy and family reunion to me. Christmas season is so special to me, because it's the only time of the year, you hear and sing the melodious, evergreen Christmas carols, and put up your Christmas tree and props. I love Christmas season, as

I look forward to giving out and receiving Christmas gifts, hampers, greeting cards, e- Christmas cards, et al. Christmas is the season of fireworks and parties. Old and new friends come together to share sumptuous meals, and great times together. It is also that time of the year, when families come together to hold meetings, share great moments and take beautiful pictures as one beautiful family. Above all, I love Christmas, because it's that time of the year, you watch the children go to the grotto for Santa Claus, the big shops, streets, houses and the entire neighbourhood are well lit and decorated with glistening lights and props.

I must not forget to add that Christmas is the time you hear your Pastors preach the old, ageless story of the birth of Christ! The reason for the beautiful season called Christmas!

I will be spending my Christmas with my family, staff and friends, wining, dinning, dancing and going to the movie houses. I will also be spending my Christmas attending parties with fellow learned friends of the Silk, and cooking for my family.

It's loads of fun and party time, this Christmas. I'm spending it all here in the great, fun packed city of Lagos, Nigeria.

Same is applicable for the new year, 2023 with a rider that I will spend my new year’s eve in Church, as

it is my family tradition. Need to have some time for sober reflection, to thank God for the gift of life, and pray for greater grace and blessings.

Professor Abiola Sanni, SAN - “Beyond its spiritual dimension, it promises to be a crowded fun-filled family day” Christm a s means everything to me spiritually, Christianity being the foundation of my faith. It is the remembrance of the birthday of Jesus Christ, who was born to die for the redemption of our sins. It is still symbolic, even if the 25th of December may not be his actual birthday.

I like the buzz during the festive period, the red colour, the decorations, different colours of Christmas trees, glittering lights, among other things. This particular Christmas, falls on a Sunday. I will attend the Church Service with my household, and return home to receive few guests. We will generally lounge around the home, eat,

"I love Christmas season, as I look forward to giving out and receiving Christmas gifts, hampers, greeting cards, e- Christmas cards, et al"

drink, watch films, play table tennis and of course, watch the World Cup final. By the grace of God, beyond its spiritual dimension, it promises to be a crowded fun-filled family day. We are not likely to retire to bed, earlier than midnight. In a twinkle of an eye, Boxing Day is here.

Benson Igbanoi, Abuja – “I’ll Show Love in Gift Giving” To me, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is about how God demonstrated His unconditional love to mankind, which includes my humble self, thereby giving me the gift of redemption and salvation, full and free. In that process, God gave me love, joy and above all, hope.

Therefore, Christmas offers me an opportunity to show the love of God to fellow human beings, and the less privileged. In that regard, it goes beyond exchange of gifts, eating and drinking. The critical issue is, of what use is Christmas to me if I fail to understand and appreciate the Christ behind the

mass. My joy at Christmas comes from a deep and personal reflection, on the reason for the season.

Jesus (Christ) is the reason for the (mass) season. That message does not change, from year to year.

My Christmas will start with a sober reflection, on the very essence.

I spend time and resources to reach out to others, not just through giving of gifts and material things, but through sincerely thinking about others, spending selfless quality time where we forgive, take stock of what is important, and graciously endeavour to become a better version of myself. I will in my own small space, let others come to the knowledge of the saving grace and power of the person we are celebrating His birthday. For that reason, on Christmas day and New Year’s day, I will observe a fast in a personal retreat to enable me achieve the goals aforementioned.

Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN – “It’s a Season of Loving and Giving” I consider Christmas, to be a season of loving and giving. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who was "given" to us by our Father because He "loved" us. So, we reciprocate this gesture by loving and giving to people.

Therefore, Christmas is the season to remind those that I love that, indeed, I truly and deeply love them, and to do so by spending quality time with them and giving thoughtful gifts.

Additionally, Christmas is a season for charity to people who require cont'd on page IX

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COVER What Does Christmas Mean to Lawyers? cont'd from page VIII

and deserve a helping hand.

The Christmas and New Year holidays, will be spent with my family. They afford the opportunity to catch up on all the moments I have missed, because of the nature of my job.

Merry Christmas, and a prosperous new year to everyone.

Ikechukwu Uwana, NBA Lagos Chairman – “Looking Forward to Christmas Carols” Christmas is a time for me to reflect on God’s love for mankind. Christ took the flesh of man, to ensure that mankind is redeemed from sin and the ploy of the devil. Essentially, this is what Christmas means to me.

I look forward to taking the time off the busy work schedule of 2022, to spend quality time with my family and loved ones. My wife and daughter, are waiting for this time out. I am also looking forward to the Christmas carols, and other events that herald this season.

Nosa Francis Edo-Osagie, Chairman, NBA Benin Branch-The Lion Bar – “Heading to Calabar with My Family” Christmas means a whole lot to me, beyond the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer.

It connotes a joyful season of love, forgiveness and hope. The whole world looks forward to Christmas, a period and moment that ignites a very different feeling of excitement usually characterised by visits, travels, exchange of gifts and of course, pure merriment, which is peculiar to not only the days preceding the 25th of December, but goes into the new year. The common cliche that "every day is not Christmas", aptly describes the unique moment only for the unique occasion. Succinctly put, its 'Joy to the World'.

Myself and family had planned to spend the Christmas in England where my adult kids reside, but the inclement weather this time around obliterated all of that. Our hotel booking has been concluded for Calabar

our Christmas destination this time around, we have been there some years past though.

Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Abuja – “I’ll take Time Off Work” Christmas is a period we Christians, celebrate the birthday of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is a period of sober reflection, when I examine how I fared and impacted lives throughout the year.

I intend to spend the festive season, which provides an opportunity to take some time off work, pause and reflect, to spend quality time with my family.

It is a period of Thanksgiving to the A l mighty, f o r sparing our lives, and praying for peace to return to our land. I will also seize the opportunity of the work break, to plan, re-strategise, and set goals for the new year.

Here's wishing all my friends, fans, followers, and well wishers Merry Christmas celebrations and a prosperous new year ahead.

Jefferson Uwoghiren, Benin City – “I’ll Have a Massive Barbeque” Christmas means different things to different persons. It means more than I can express, because it is both spiritual and

filial.

On the spiritual side, it’s about redemption and hope for humanity.

It’s also about thanksgiving; giving thanks for the unceasing beneficences and benevolence of God in our lives, and of different persons God used and is using to add value and blessings upon our lives. Springing from this awareness, feeling and appreciation, is the roll call of joy. In it, is the contradictory ambivalence of missing and mourning my late father, and thanking God for the joy of having my siblings and kids around me, in good health and in grace.

When I was young, I joyously looked forward to the usual Christmas rice and chicken, because my share of the family meat is usually big and inflated. Then, I dreaded the sun setting and heralding the end of Christmas festivities, because of the inexhaustible family visits we embarked upon around the city.

Today, I give God all the glory for making everyday glow like Christmas. So, this Christmas I’m going to have a massive barbeque for my family and friends, with some of the more Ethnic and Chinese culinary delights. I’m going to, God willing, spend time to celebrate with my children, and thank them for being good.

Ike Okpaluba, London, UK – “It’s My Lazy Time to Break Away from Work” Christmas is a special time of the year, when I spend time with my

wife and kids.

Christmas is also my lazy time with a break away from work, and I spend time planning for the next year, and taking stock of my achievements for the year.

Jay Jones, Benin City – “A Time to Take Stock” Well Christmas means a whole lot to me: A time to take stock of how I fared all through the year and plan for the year ahead, not forgetting that it's a period to take a break from my ever busy schedule, and spend more time with family and friends.

I will most definitely be spending it with my family and friends, resting and hanging out sometimes.

Chioma Kate Unini, Publisher, thenigerianlawyer – "A Time to Celebrate the Homeless" Christmas is a special season to celebrate. It is a period to share love, with those around us. It’s also a time the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home, and we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.

Christmas holds all time together.

X

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Ethics and Discipline in Law: Akin to Waiting for Godot (Part 6) Introduction egal practitioners, as guardians of the law, play a significant role in the preservation of society. As a result, it is the obligation of legal practitioners to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct. The fulfilment of this role requires an in-depth analysis by legal practitioners, of their relationship with and their function in our legal system. Today, we shall continue our discourse.

working environment, mosques and churches.

Why are we not in a state of disorder, conflicts and instability? It is because from these social units, we learn to share and respect common values, norms, goals and aspiration based on daily interaction and relationships. This enable us to share common set of meanings and symbols, together with the feeling of unity, solidarity and a system of mutual obligations to group.

Why is there a need for discipline in society?

Discipline is very essential to society, because it serves important functions. It makes society able to avoid complex situations of chaos, instability, unrest and other forms of violence.

It provides positive orientation to members, and provides a means of collective mobilisation for societal development. Discipline makes it possible to predict individual and group behaviour, in different situations. It also helps society to check activities of deviants and other law-breakers, in society. In general, ethics and discipline have the advantage of ensuring proper and effective functioning of the individual, within definite and defined societal goals and aims.

L

Ethics in the Legal Profession: History, Nature and Meaning of Ethics (Continues) Man was thereby ejected from the cherished garden for not keeping to the ethics attendant thereto, and that to his chagrin. This constitutes the first sanction, for failure of ethics. In ancient Rome, they talked about exadiligentia, especially when it involves the business of others. Ethics demands exatadeligentia in regard to everything. It could not be less for it to be ethical. Ethics consist of what ought to be – deferenda. It is objective, as against its subjective counterpart “What is” – de lata. What ought to be, also deals with common sense ethics vis; what do we expect will be done in the circumstances?

Ethics in its wider sense affects princes, and slaves alike; it has neither physical nor class boundary, it is universal. It postulates that, no man is an island of himself entirely. Ethics may be defined simply as the performance of excellence, doing the right thing, at the right time, be it in business, profession or even in ordinary day life.

Ethics demands a round peg in a round hole, and will have nothing to do with a square peg in a round hole. However, ethics, within which the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 is concerned about, crystallises in the good, positively rejecting the bad and the ugly, and dwelling on the mores in the acts or actions of lawyers in all they do. With ethics, there is no partiality, no scapegoat and no sacred cow. Ethics generally craves for honesty, decorum, reliability, trust and reliance to deserve the appellation – ethics.

Ethics indeed, deals with ideal human conduct.

What is Required of a Professional in Ethics The legal profession is ideally not open to all manner of persons, because in the words of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of N.B.A v OHIOMA, it was stated thus: “Legal practice is a very serious business that is to be undertaken by serious minded practitioners, particularly as both the legally trained minds and those not so trained, always learn from our examples.

We therefore, owe the legal profession the duty to maintain the very high standards required in the practice of the profession in this country.”

Ethics demands from a Lawyer, that his client must have absolute confidence in him.

Ethics demands that he knows his duty to the court. On these issues, Honourable Kayode Eso enunciated two commandments: a. A Lawyer shall never be rude, insolent or insulting to the court. The above commandment however, imports respect to Judges, but not a commandment for Lawyers to fear Judges or be intimidated by them. This is because, part of the qualities a Judge expects from an advocate is: i. Simplicity of presentation, that is, lucidness. ii. Selectivity, that is, ability to separate the relevant from the irrelevant.

iii. Straight forwardness – ability to go straight to the point. Avoiding being garrulous. iv. Brevity. v. Candour (Court detests deceitful counsel). vi. Resilience (ability to argue with conviction) vii. Proper presentation (court must perceive you as thorough in your presentation) viii. Courage, but not recklessness.

In the case of ETIM v OBOT the Court of Appeal deprecated counsel’s use of the words ‘strange’ and ‘mysterious’ in describing the judgement of the lower court as not only inappropriate, but also inconsistent with high ethical standard of the profession. a. Secondly, a Judge shall never be rude, even as a result of, or over-sensitive to remarks made about or against him in the court. In this respect, it is the ethics of the legal profession that insults are better treated with disdain. The legal practitioner’s duty to the court, is higher and more important than his duty to his client. Therefore, misleading the court to obtain a judgement for a client, is seen as a miscarriage of justice. General knowledge of almost all aspects of practice is advocated, while pomposity is to be eschewed. The dress a legal practitioner wears in and out of the court, is a reflection of his state of mind. A legal practitioner in Nigeria is expected to be tidy, respectable and sober, not necessarily flamboyant. Lateness to court is unethical. A legal practitioner is expected to wait for the court, and not the court to wait for him. The responsibility of a legal practitioner to his client and the court, extends to knowing the facts of his client’s case, relevant laws, statutes, rules of court, case law, strength and weakness

“In general, ethics and discipline have the advantage of ensuring proper and effective functioning of the individual, within definite and defined societal goals and aims”

of a client’s case, and trying as much as possible to avoid mistakes.

It is ethical for a legal practitioner to know his Judge. The rule is that, no two human beings are the same. By extension also, no two Judges are the same; each Judge has his or her own sensitivity, peculiarities of approach and attitude.

One must therefore, learn how to adapt.

It is unethical, to allow or encourage a client to disobey a court order. It is part of the ethics of the legal profession in Nigeria, for Lawyers to accept briefs pro-bono public (for public good), that is without charging any professional fees.

It is part of the ethics of the legal profession, for Lawyers working in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, whether at the State or Federal Level, to be guided by the “SHOWCROSS DOCTRINE”, and not to allow external influences or politics or money considerations to influence their decisions in “whether or not to prosecute”. Yielding to any of these considerations, may have a catastrophic effect.

Judges in Nigeria are required to be impartial unto dismal, and even unto death. Honourable Justice Kayode Eso remarked as follows: “... It is the duty of every Judge, after his appointment, conscientiously, to stand clear of all odium. In this sense, he gives no cause whatsoever to be suspected of a process to anything that is shady. He, like linen, remains stainless but more so he guards against stain...“ Discipline The issues of the ethics and discipline in society, are the study of the problems of peace, order and stability. No form of social grouping can be maintained, without the solid foundation of ethics and discipline.

They are derived from the normative and value systems of society. They enhance group dynamism, social cohesiveness and solidarity among members.

Let us consider the above in the way we live and grow in different groups/ units such as home, school, market places,

Discipline and Indiscipline Explained Discipline can be generally defined as a set of rules for conduct. It is acknowledged in every society. Its character is defined by different social and cultural contexts and time dimension. It is moralistic and ethical.

Discipline also refers to training, especially of the mind and character, to produce self control, and habits of obedience. In sociological terms, a disciplined person is therefore, a socialised individual. The above is made possible/impossible, successful/unsuccessful through the process of socialisation. According to Paul B. Horton and Hunt, socialisation is the process whereby an individual internalises the norms of the group, so that a distinct “self” emerges that is unique to this individual and conscious of social rules and regulations.

Indiscipline is the opposite of discipline. It consists of the perverse or debases activities.

It means lack of discipline, or the growing of or increase in indiscipline over time. In Nigeria, activities that are considered as indiscipline include; Rigging and other forms of electoral malpractices, succession bids by politicians, bribery, corruption and perversion of the administration of justice, flamboyant demonstration of individual’s materialistic possessions in the midst of social poverty, forgery, drug abuse, child abuse, child and female trafficking, financial misappropriation, all forms of dubious deals like advance payment/ fee fraud and (149) activities.

Forms of Indiscipline The causes of indiscipline are as varied as the types of indiscipline that we have. These can be categorised under five distinct areas or typologies:Political Indiscipline: this means any form of perversion of the political process in general, or electoral process in particular.

Examples are rigging, bungled registration exercise, or failure to conduct elections where and when it is supposed to, use of a touts to manipulate election, etc.

Economic indiscipline: This involves the use of and manipulation of institutional regulations by those in positions of authority, to hasten or shorten organisational procedures for their personal benefits, for friends and associates. Examples are manipulations of foreign exchange, award of contracts, and any use of one’s official position for profit motive.

Bureaucratic Indiscipline: This forms the most popular form of indiscipline. Generally, it means the use of any illegitimate governmental process in the conduct of public office. Examples are bribery and corruption, lack of probity and accountability. (To be continued).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “In just about every area of society, there's nothing more important than ethics”. (Henry Paulson)

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IMAGES

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

L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, DKK, Temitope Jemeribe; Sales Director, Reckitt subSaharan Africa, Mustapha Bugaje; Marketing Director, Reckitt sub-Saharan Africa, Tanzim Rezwan; and Group Managing Director, Media Seal, Mr. Ayo Oluwatosin, at the Brandcom Awards presentation to ‘Dettol’ as the “Most Outstanding Disinfectant Brand of the year held in Lagos…recently

Marketing Manager, Red Star Express Plc, Adeola Ogunlabi (left), and Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Segun Asenuga (right), during a presentation of an award to Red Star Express as the GPN Most Outstanding Indigenous Logistic Company of the Year, at the second year annual conference and award night of the Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria in Lagos...recently

L-R: Area Technical Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Enugu State, Ayodimeji Olowookere; state Regional Security Head, Airtel Nigeria, Fabian Onoh; state Regional Enterprise Head, Airtel Nigeria, Ogochukwu Amaefunah; state Regional Retail Head, Airtel Nigeria, Kenneth Uchechukwu; and Enugu North Area Sales Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Umoinyang Nkanga, during the presentation of 1,000 food packs at Enugu North LGA secretariat on the Airtel ‘5 Days of Love’ yuletide programme in Enugu…recently

The acting Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Christy Uba, being welcome at the Quarter Guard reception during her visit to Sokoto State Orientation Camp in Wamakko…recently

L-R: Founder/Group Managing Director, Primera Africa Group, Boye R. Olawoye; Director, Hartleys Supermarket and Stores (HSS), Oluseyi Oladapo; Chairman, HSS, Yewande Zacchaeus; Director, HSS, Subulade Giwa-Amu; and Director, HSS, Mahmoud Tabaja, at the official launch of fifth Hartleys Supermarket and Stores in Victoria Island, Lagos…recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Personal Assistant to Group Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mr. Victor Ayetoro; Head of General Studies, Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Dr. Boye Ola; Chairman, Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria/Photo Editor, THISDAY, Abiodun Ajala; Group Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Limited/GPN Most Outstanding Personality In Business Investment awardee, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; Nigerian Documentary Filmmaker/Speaker and GPN Lifetime Achievement in Photography and Content Production awardee, Mr. Femi Odugbemi; Secretary, Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria, Tayo Odusanya; members, Sunday Adigun; Segun Bakare; and Assistant Secretary, Anthony Eguaye (behind), during the second annual conference/exhibition and award night of Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria in Lagos...recently PHOTO: GPN

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TUESDAY, ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Why The Yoruba Are Successful Wherever They Go T

oday, the most influential Nigerians on Earth are not President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo. They are Wally Adeyemo, who is Deputy Secretary of the Treasury in the cabinet of President Joe Biden, and Kemi Badenoch, who was almost Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and now is that country’s Secretary of State for International Trade.

Both in Nigeria and abroad, people of Yoruba descent are the most successful Nigerians. For example, since 1999 to date, a Yoruba man has either been President or Vice President, except for the five years between 2010 and 2015. And outside Nigeria, the highest ranked diaspora Nigerian politicians have been of Yoruba origin (Wally Adeyemo and Kemi Badenoch).

In business and industry, four out of the ten wealthiest Nigerians within Nigeria are of Yoruba origin. Outside Nigeria, the top two wealthiest diaspora Nigerians are Yoruba, in the persons of Tope Awotona and Adebayo Ogunlesi.

Not only do they have the highest adult literacy in Nigeria, they have also produced The first African military ruler to have successfully and voluntarily handed over to civilians: Olusegun Obasanjo, the first African Nobel laureate: Professor Wole Soyinka, the first Nigerian Pulitzer winner: Dele Olojede, and Nigeria’s first four Grammy Awards winners, including, Sade Adu (1986), Babatunde Olatunji (1991), Sikiru Adepoju (1991) and Seal (1996).

So, if you want upward mobility in life, you are well advised to study the Yoruba. What are those unique cultural markers that set them apart and ahead of other Black Africans?

I am extremely well-travelled and Black Africans are the only people I know, who take pride in speaking a foreign language with a perfect accent, even when they can’t speak their native languages.

But the Yoruba are different. Very different.

The Yoruba in Nigeria and the diaspora tend to be more tied to their language and culture than to any European languages or cultures.

And they do this in a very in-your-face way.

It is not that they cannot speak English in that crisp British accent, or in the twang of an American accent. They can. But they will rather choose to enter a London bus loaded with people, get a phone call, and answer it speaking in Yoruba as loudly as they can. I have travelled to every continent on Earth. And the Yoruba are the only Black African people I know who do this.

Can you imagine the level of confidence in your culture it takes to do that? Imagine the guts it takes to contest for power within the UK Conservative party with a name like Kemi.

In my opinion, and I could be wrong, most other Black African females would have changed Kemi to Kiki, or some other nonsensical, but aesthetically pleasant name.

I was shocked out of my reverie when I watched Sade Adu correct an interviewer, telling him that her name is Sade (pronounced Shá-dè) and not Sade (pronounced like the word made). That is such a quintessentially Yoruba thing to do.

The Yoruba have kept their culture, and their culture has kept and is keeping them.

The Yoruba will never feel too big to use sir, or ma, to address someone older than them, or even someone younger than them, who is in a position of power, or authority. And that is why authorities usually prefer them. Because they stoop to conquer. Whereas, some others may meet an older person in authority and approach them with a request using only their first names. Such an abrasive culture!

And when such people see the Yoruba succeed easily, where they failed forcefully, they often start to call these Omoluabi sycophants. Many people mistake courtesy for sycophancy. Courtesy is the application of good social skills, etiquette, and politeness to lubricate social interactions.

For example, amongst the British people, you are considered ill-bred and rude if you use a person’s first name to address them in

Wally Adeyemo a situation where there is no intimacy between the two of you, and when you have not been given that privilege by the person.

As a people, the Yoruba naturally honour this concept. It is second nature to them. Just like the nature of not starting a conversation with anyone, younger or older, except you have first greeted them.

For example, a Yoruba man may be seriously pressed to use the bathroom to urinate, but no matter how pressed he is, he is unlikely to meet a stranger, and say ‘where is the toilet’.

They will still greet you with a ‘good morning’, or afternoon, or evening, before asking you where the conveniences are.

And it is such social graces that make them such upwardly mobile people that you just want to get along with and honour them.

The Yoruba have embraced both Christianity and Islam, but unlike others who have allowed Jewish or Arabic culture to overwhelm their own culture as a result of accepting those Abrahamic faiths, they retained their culture.

A Yoruba Christian or Muslim is more likely to be baptised or settled in Islam with his Yoruba name. And even if he or she embraced a Hebrew or Arabic name, such names will be given a Yoruba slant.

For example, Bashir becomes a Yorubised Bashiru, while Abraham and Ibrahim become Braimoh.

And another major misconception in Nigeria is the false belief that the Hausa-Fulani are at the top of the power pyramid in Nigeria. This is not true at all, and it is easy to dismantle this myth using facts. In fact, I do not know why the fallacy has persisted this long.

Let us look at the facts. In the last 23 years, two Northerners have been President. They are Umaru Musa Yar’adua, of Tuareg origin, and Muhammadu Buhari of Fulani-Kanuri origin.

The fact is that both of them only became President through the efforts of individual

Kemi Badenoch Yoruba men.

President Yar’adua did not have the clout to even emerge as a leader in Northern Nigeria, let alone the whole nation. At the time he was Governor, both Waziri Atiku Abubakar and Muhammadu Buhari had stronger claims to Northern preeminence than he did.

He rose to power only because God used a sitting President Olusegun Obasanjo to almost force him on Nigerians. Yes, he was a nice man.

But he was rather anodyne. He did not have the alpha male abilities needed to dominate the Nigerian political sphere.

His weakness in that regard was compensated for by President Obasanjo, who has enough testosterone for three men.

In fact, it was even hard to know who was really contesting in 2007 between Obasanjo and Yar’adua.

And then there is the incumbent. Instead of trying to analyse how he rose to power, let me quote the words of Emilokan. Of course, I would be translating from Yoruba to English.

“If not me that led the war front, Buhari would not have emerged. He contested first, second and third times, but lost. He even said on television that he would not contest again.

But I went to his home in Katsina, I told him you would contest and win, but ‘you would not joke with Yoruba matters.”

From the above, it is very clear that whereas the Hausa-Fulani-Kanuri dominated in the 16 years of military rule between 1983 and 1999, the Yoruba have risen to the top post 1999.

Some of my readers may point to former President Goodluck Jonathan. But I tell you that God used former President Obasanjo to smoothen his way to power. And the same President Obasanjo was part of the gang up that led to the exit of that greatest of Nigerian Presidents from power.

And that is why I laugh when people say that we cannot go from 8-year tenure of one

Fulani President to another Fulani President.

Or that the Southeast is the most marginalised part of Nigeria.

Not true at all. The most marginalised part of Nigeria, and resultantly the poorest part, is the Northeast. The Northeast has been shut out of power longer than any other region.

By January 15, 2023, the Northeast would have been out of power for exactly 57 years.

While the Southeast would have been out of power for 56 years. If we are talking about equity, justice and fair play, then the time for the Northeast is 2023.

Just as the Jonathan Presidency placated the Niger-Delta, a Northeast Presidency will pacify the region and bring peace to Nigeria.

And to those who argue that one Fulani cannot hand over to another Fulani, I am not sure that argument is factually and historically accurate.

Tinubu himself boasted that he is the power behind the throne. The last eight years have not been just a Buhari affair. By Tinubu’s admission, it has been a joint project. Tinubu brought the Vice President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and many ministers.

Reno’s Nuggets Harry Kane took two penalties for England.

He scored one. He missed the other. But all people remember is the penalty he missed.

Very little or no reference is made to the one he scored. In life, you can do 99 good things for people. But all they will remember is the one you did not do. Therefore, stop pleasing people. Please God. Then please yourself.

Because no matter how much you try to please people, they will find one thing to be displeased about with you. If Yeshua, who was a perfect Man, could not please everybody, what makes you think, you, an imperfect man, can? #RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu

XV

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY DECEMBER 20, 2022

FEATURES

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

Ortom Digitises Land Administration in Benue as Legacy Project Tunde Olusunle

S

amuel Ioraer Ortom's name without doubt, is one of the most well-known in Nigeria's subsisting democratic dispensation. The Benue State helmsman is something of a "comrade governor," who is well-spoken, vocal and activist. He is never shy of baring his mind on issues of fairness, equity and justice. He reminds you of Adams Oshiomhole, the hitherto khaki-wearing trade unionist, turned governor of Edo State. His voice was recognisably loud and clear in the ears of the public and the government at the centre, even when he was chief executive of his home state. I can't forget the scene of the near fisticuffs Oshiomhole engaged with Mohammed Adoke, SAN, attorney-general and justice minister under the Goodluck Jonathan presidency, sometime in 2012.

Oshiomhole's beloved principal secretary, Olaitan Oyerinde, also a foremost unionist, was murdered in his home in Benin City, early May 2012. The investigation process seemed to drag forever and Oshiomhole angrily confronted Adoke, the nation's number one law officer months later, about the snail-pace of the interrogation. Attendees at the chambers of the federal executive council in the State House where the incident happened, had to come between both men.

Watching Ortom fume at airforce officers at Airforce Base in Makurdi last February for denying him access to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was transiting through the facility to Wukari, Taraba State, re-echoed the Oshiomhole/Adoke saga.

Much as you will hear Ortom's voice on developments in politics, governance and administration nationally, there is a reticent streak about his noise levels, concerning his own endeavours. His background as a multitasking business man and entrepreneur, has taught him requisite shrewdness which he applies to the business of governance.

He does a mental aggregation of the cost of staging a ceremony to inaugurate a completed project, and checks what other pressing need can be addressed with the vote for such fanfare. He has therefore opted for informed conservatism on matters related to self-promotion, preferring to work quietly and deliver on his developmental vision.

The visit of Ortom's "G-5" colleagues to Benue State early November 2022, opened the astonished eyes and astounded lips of the world to certain accomplishments of his administration, in his seven and half year stint in office.

Except you were a wary, circumspect resident of Makurdi the Benue State capital, the dominant, self-introducing structure which was sprouting on the immediate outer circumference of Government House, would have passed for just another building.

Located to the right, en route "Makurdi Waterworks," the building sits with uncommon elan, its backside overlooking the "Benue River" in the proximal distance. The complex retained its mystique even when its name, *BENGIS Service Centre* was plastered on its forehead. Frenetic completion works, installation of kerbs, grassing, cleaning, test running of equipment, red-carpeting, in days preceding Monday December 12, 2022, gave insights into the place of the project in the grand vision of the Ortom administration. The "Benue Geographic Information Service Centre," (abbreviated BENGIS), had been birthed! The state had thus joined select Nigerian states and entities which have subscribed to the deployment of digital instruments for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in land administration.

These include: the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT); Lagos, Niger, Bauchi, Cross River, Edo, Gombe, Kaduna and Nasarawa, among others.

The colourful commissioning of the project was transmitted on live television to underscore how much value the Ortom administration places on the BENGIS initiative. Benue State commissioner for lands, survey and

Benue Geographic Information Service Centre

Governors Ortom and Wike at the inauguration solid minerals, Bernard Aondoaver Unenge, recalled the groundbreaking of the project September 30, 2000. He explained that the concept deploys information communication technology, (ICT), through digital platforms and software for seamless management of land administration. He noted that the technology will accelerate the processing of certificates of occupancy, (C of O); efficient land recertification; regularisation and registration of titles and warehousing of documents in soft copies and hard copies.

Unenge equally noted that the new technology will automate transparency in revenue generation, by eliminating leakages at various junctions. He announced to the delight of the audience at the inauguration of the new facility, that the duration for the receipt of certificates of occupancy, (C of O), will henceforth be between 30 days and 60 days. The project he noted, is fitted with "high-tech state-ofthe-art-facilities, comparable to the most up to date anywhere in Nigeria. He expressed delight that in spite of delays occasioned

by COVID-19 and the prevailing economic situation, the Ortom government remained focused and committed to the conclusive completion and operationalisation of the project. He saluted Ortom's vision in the holistic reformation of land management in Benue State.

Ortom while delivering his speech, said the delivery of the project could not have come at a better time, given the increasing importance of land assets in the

socioeconomic development of the people of the state. He noted that feedbacks he received during the test run of the facility, suggested that the challenges encountered by his constituents on land management, had been largely reduced. According to him: "Since the commencement of the BENGIS Project, the land digitisation initiative has greatly improved improved urban planning, infrastructure development and environmental management. Investors are also increasingly encouraged." Gone are the days of rat-eaten, rain-worsted, oil-soiled files and land folios, gathering dust, moisture and cobwebs in the shelves of government offices.

There will no more be incidents of files growing wings and spiriting into space!

The Benue State governor observed with utmost delight, that: "With the commissioning of the historic project, we have achieved global best practices in land administration.

I am optimistic that this project will attract the World Bank's grant of USD 2.5 million, through the "States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability, (SFTAS) Programme. This will be diligently applied to developmental projects in the state." Ortom who noted that a princely sum of N6.5 Billion was expended on the project, said that BENGIS will operate throughout Benue State, as it will have additional service points in important towns in the state, notably Gboko, Otukpo and Adikpo. He admonished owners of all residential and commercial properties in the state capital, Makurdi, and sociocultural headquarters like Gboko and Otukpo, to subject to recertification of their titles within six months.

Leader of the "G-5" governors who have subsisting issues with the main opposition party, the Peoples' Democratic Party, (PDP), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, was the special guest of honour at the programme. He commended Ortom's vision and consciousness in the conception and comple-

tion of the project, despite the generally unfriendly national economic situation. He observed that whereas some of his governor colleagues were perennially bemoaning the insufficiency of monthly allocations and accruing resources, Ortom was practically squeezing water out of stone to serve his people. Wike reminded the audience that the people of Benue North West have requested Ortom to proceed to Abuja to serve them as their Senator, upon the completion of his gubernatorial assignment. He counselled that all Ortom's opponents from other political parties contesting the senatorial position with him, should drop their ambitions. Ortom, according to him, has done very well and should be unanimous supported in his senatorial bid.

For an administration in its final months, the commissioning of BENGIS attracted several dignitaries including royalties, parliamentarians, (from the federal and state legislatures), members of the state executive council and political leaders. The *Tor Tiv,* James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, (a respected professor) was represented, while the *Och'Idoma,* John Elaigwu Odogbo, (hitherto a revered clergyman) attended the event. Deputy Governor of the state, Benson Abounu; senator representing Benue South, Patrick Abba Moro; and members of the House of Representatives including: Bem Benjamin Mzondu; John Dyegh; Robert Aondona Tyough; Ottah Francis Agbo, were present. Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chris Adaji; Secretary to the State Government, Anthony Ijohor; Head of Service, Veronica Onyeke; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Tivlumun Nyitse, attended the event. Benue State Secretary of the PDP, Bem Zoho and Information Adviser to Ortom, James Uloko, graced the event.

Facilities in BENGIS include: the arrival hall/reception desk; conference rooms; equipment and hardware rooms; offices, among others. The outfit will, in addition to the aforementioned benefits, assist with the digital area mapping of the state; identification of solid mineral resources; elimination of land speculation and boosting the real estate sector. It will also enhance the identification and collection of revenues and dues, including ground rents, C of O fees and other land charges. BENGIS will facilitate the computerbased decentralisation of land management, courtesy of the establishment of zonal centres.

Importantly too, it will be useful in locating and classifying swathes of land based on their suitability for crop cultivation, forestry, mining and other uses. Individually and collectively, these will enhance sustainable development and economic and budgetary planning, among others.

-Tunde Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, scholar and author, is a Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

XVI

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2022

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT New AfDB, WWF Study Calls for Urgent Attention, Increased Investment in Africa’s Biodiversity Bennett Oghifo

T

he African Development Bank and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), have launched a regional report on the performance of African countries under the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

According to a statement issued by the AfDB, the report highlights the important role that multilateral development banks can play in meeting biodiversity targets by providing advisory services, capacity building, market research, and linkages with other relevant partners.

The assessment, launched on the sidelines of the UN Biodiversity summit (COP15) in Montreal, Canada, is based on the 6th National Reports on biodiversity submitted by African countries in 2018 -2020.

Prof. Kalemani Jo Mulongoy, President and co-founder of the Institute for Enhanced Livelihoods and former Head of the Scientific, Technical and Technological Matters Division of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, presented the findings of the report.

He said, “For Africa, it is critical to adopt a framework with targets that will not only curb the loss of biodiversity

but will enhance opportunities to improve the lives of many Africans, especially those depending on biodiversity for their survival, bearing in mind Africa‘s biodiversity priorities.”

The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 outlines a framework for action by all countries and stakeholders to safeguard biodiversity and the benefits it provides to people.

Conclusions from the synthesis of the 6th national reports on biodiversity underpin Africa’s stance in negotiations over the post-2020 GBF. The reports shed light on the status of biodiversity in Africa regarding implementing

national biodiversity strategies and action plans. This information will serve as a baseline, together with Africa’s biodiversity priorities and the Bank’s High Five objectives, which will guide negotiations over the post-2020 global biodiversity targets.

Innocent Maloba of WWF said, “the immediate goal after the adoption of the GBF is to update NBSAPs to ensure they reflect the ambition of the GBF ambition as well as to start developing national biodiversity financing plans.”

He also called for a multi-sector approach to biodiversity conservation to achieve the post-2020 GBF goals.

Vanessa Ushie, Acting Director of the African Development Bank’s African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre, said: “There is a unique opportunity to finance the implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in Africa, if we invest in natural capital and build an asset base of nature-sensitive investments that protect, restore, and make sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources.”

During the country panel conversation, Jeanne Ntain, Cote d’Ivoire CBD focal point, highlighted the importance of raising awareness of the decision-makers on biodiversity

issues and on the implications of implementing the next GBF: “Otherwise, what we are doing here at COP15 has zero value”.

Ousseynou Kasse, African Group of Negotiators Chair, thanked the African Development Bank for its continuous support of the African negotiating team.

Arona Soumare, Principal Climate Change and Green Growth Officer at the African Development Bank, insisted on the opportunities to scale up public and private finance for biodiversity and the need to achieve ambitious GBF, in line with the development priorities of the countries and using all existing financial instruments.

Engineering Academy Urges Politicians to Focus on Nigeria’s Manufacturing Capacity Fadekemi Ajakaiye The President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Prof.

Azikiwe Onwualu, has tasked new leaders in the incoming administration to focus more on putting the nation on the path of active manufacturing of goods and promoting the engineering profession.

He said this during a public forum entitled:”Engineering as the key facilitator of national development policies and strategies for the incoming administration,” organised by the Academy in Lagos.

The President lamented that after decades of development policy formulation and

implementation, Nigeria is still challenged with dysfunctional infrastructure, and it appears that no section of the economy is operating at an optimal level.

He said: “In Fact, we are all aware of the situation where some of the challenges have been so bad that the existence of the nation, Nigeria, was under threat. We are preparing for a general election in a few months’ time. it is imperative that we get it right this time.Our approach in solving the problem is to provide evidence, data and knowledge-based advice on how the incoming administration can redirect Nigeria towards the path of progress.”

The Senior Special Adviser

to the President of African Development Bank (AfDB) on industrialisation, Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinkan, has advised political leaders in the new administration to focus more on manufacturing, industrialisation and engineering development.

He stated that incoming leaders must realise that engineering and manufacturing are at the base of all wealth creation, adding that whatever happens in the micro-economic space like inflation, wages, interest rate, and employment starts at the factory level.

According to him, countries make progress because they build factories, produce goods,

add value to their raw materials and employ a huge number of people.

“In a country where there are no factories that is producing and adding values, you will necessarily have unemployment because where will you generate wealth from?. In any country where oil has become the dominant production idea or the only export Nigeria derives its foreign exchange from, they always run into fiscal crisis and volatility. When oil prices fall, they are down and when the prices go up, leaders steal the money.”

He emphasised that Nigeria should go back to the foundation of wealth creation by

strengthening the engineering domain of economic life, promoting and employing young people into engineering based sectors.

Former President of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Otis Anyaeji, said the incoming administration must boost Nigeria’s manufacturing capacity and enforce active manufacturing of products across the country.

Anyaeji, who is also the Obi of Obahu Okija in Anambra State, said sustainable industrialisation requires that the country develop the capacity to produce the necessary industrial machinery and equipment with components, and “make

machines that make other machines.”

He said to achieve this would necessitate the establishment of engineering infrastructure to create a technological base. “Benefits to drive include stopping the excessive outflow of resources to other countries, increase of agriculture produce due to availability of food processing and storage capability. High capacity utilisation of existing industries due to local availability of their essential industrial raw materials, industrial machinery and spare parts. Ability to readily establish home grown small and medium scale industries at affordable costs.”

Ace Real Estate Unveils Eco-Friendly Vision City Ace Real Estate Development Limited, one of the fast-rising real estate firms in Lagos with a mission to provide Nigerians with worthwhile real estate investment and make property acquisition safe and affordable has unveiled the Vision City project.

Vision City located in the new Lagos city of Epe is an ecofriendly estate enmeshed in an entirely greenery environment designed to mitigate climate challenges with the goal of creating zero carbon emissions.

The vision City is sandwiched in close proximity to advanced and modern development by both government and private corporations including

Africa Film and Media City, Lekki-Epe international Airport, Augustine University, Africa’s Largest Food Logistics Park among others.

Facilities in the estate are carefully created and curated to surpass the needs and expectations of residents and business entities. As a smart and environment friendly modern estate, it will be equipped with top-notch facilities including, round-the-clock smart security, solar power energy, paved roads, treated and constant water supply, modern drainage system, recreational facilities, green areas and much more.

The Vision City will boast of schools and study centres,

hospital and mobile clinics, a technology city, resort and spar services, a commercial zone for business activities and many more.

Ayobami Akindipe, Chief Executive Officer of Ace Real Estate Development said about 50 percent of the Vision City is expected to be fully built by 2025 and urged Nigerians to take advantage and key into the project.

He said, “Our vision is to build a functional city for residential living, commercial purpose and investment worthy and we urge Nigerians to be part of this incredible vision.

Plots are available from 150sqm to 1,000sqm at affordable prices

for Nigerians to be part owners of this lifetime dream project.

“We are all set to begin construction of the Vision City in the first quarter of 2023 with lands continuously allotted to

owners accordingly. This is a big opportunity for Nigerians to become property owners with payment plans spread across 12 months, Ayobami advised.

Ace Real Estate Development

Limited is an award-winning and value-driven real estate company that also provides Property Development and Management, and Construction services.

NSE Egbin Inaugurates Chairman, Inducts Members Funmi Ogundare The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Egbin branch, recently inaugurated its 11th chairman of the society, and induction of new members, where experts reminded engineers

of their role in delivering sustainable energy solutions for the society.

Speaking at the programme, held recently, the President of the society, Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, who was represented by a former NSE National South-west

exco member, Mr. Charles Akintola, appealed to them to continue to practice the engineering profession by applying relevant codes and standards while also thinking about ensuring maintenance and sustainability in designs and construction.

Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Egbin branch, Mr. Sunday Akinbode flanked by his mother, Mrs Modupe Akinbode (left) and his wife, Oluwakemi (right) and past chairmen, representative of the NSE President, the Branch chairman and other guests at the inauguration of 11th chairman of NSE Egbin branch, held recently Participants at the unveiling of the Vision City Project

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022

25

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

D E C E M B E R

S & P INDEX

1 9 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Nigeria’s Oil Rigs Count Slumps 50% in Three Years

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The latest Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has revealed that Nigeria’s oil rigs count fell from 16 to eight between 2019 and 2022, underscoring the magnitude of challenges the country has faced in producing its OPEC monthly allocation.

The MOMR showed that while the average rigs count was 16 in 2019, it fell to 11 to 2020, and then further to

seven in 2021.

In the first quarter of 2022, the count was eight, it was 11 in the second quarter of the year, and again fell to nine in the third quarter this year, according to the OPEC data.

In September this year, the total number of rigs were seven and although it rose by one, to eight in October, it was still half the number Nigeria had in 2019 when the industry hadn’t been hobbled by production issues. OPEC had not released November figures for rigs at the

time of going to press.

During the period, Algeria’s also fell from 45 to 32, Angola’s grew from four to nine, while Libya’s rigs count slumped from 14 to six.

For world rigs count, outside OPEC, the United States rigs fell from 944 to 768 in October, while the UK’s fell from 22 to 15. The global West led

by America has been shutting down many of their facilities in preparation for the gradual adoption of renewable energy. OPEC rigs count was 394 for the period even as non-OPEC was

pegged at 1,985.

The rigs data for October was released amid a marginal increase of 77,000 barrels per day oil production, during the month and a further rise to 171,000 barrels per day in November.

But the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has put current production at 1.6 million bpd, although traditionally OPEC and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) release production figures.

The production was still about

700,000 barrels per day less than Nigeria’s quota for the month, which in the last few months has been pegged at 1.8 bpd on the average. In total, Nigeria’s output was 1.186 million bpd in November.

The figure, the OPEC report indicated, were far less than what they were in 2020, regarded as the Covid-19 year, when Nigeria produced 1.493 million bpd and in 2021, when it averaged 1.323 million bpd.

The rise in the oil rigs in October was however about 14.2 per cent when

put side by side the September figure, which was pegged at a low of seven.

In recent times, the country’s active rigs have progressively decreased, but was made worse after Nigeria began shutting down many of its offshore platforms as oil prices took a downward slope and the producers’ group embarked on production curbs to stabilise the market in 2020, following the upsurge of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Continued on page 27

Airlines Call for Upgrade of Airport Infrastructure to Curb Flight Delays Chinedu Eze Domestic carriers have called for the upgrade and expansion of airport infrastructure, attributing most of flight delays to inadequate facilities like limited spaces at the airport terminals, inadequate x-ray machines

and attendant personnel that man passenger facilitation at the airports.

Speaking on behalf of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) at the launch of the book, “Air Transportation In Nigeria: The Lingering Expectations,” the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace,

Allen Onyema said that as the festive season approaches, influx of passengers would likely outstretch facilities at airports, especially Abuja where only a few check-in counters are available in a small hall for processing hundreds of passengers.

He said such situation naturally

FOOD

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N23,000–N25,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N22,000-N25,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N23,500-N25,000

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

LAGOS

50KG

RIVERS N23,000–N26,500

50KG 50KG

causes delays, as passengers who interface with airlines do not know the root cause of the delays, which begins with capacity of check-in halls, the number of check-in counters, the delay in the screening of passengers and also the capacity of departure halls.

SIZE

PRICE

STATE

100KG JIGAWA

NAME OF COMMODITY

N9,000

C O C OA

BENUE

N8,500

100KG

KADUNA

N8,500

50KG

ENUGU

N23,000

50KG

LAGOS

N17,000

SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000

100KG

DELTA

N23,000

N17,000–N20,000

100KG

ABIA

N23,000

EDO

(NCAA) is alive to its duties of regulation, safety is assured but in other areas, the airport authority has some questions to answer, ”Onyema said.

Speaking particularly on Abuja Continued on page 26

T O D AY

PRICE

100KG

N23,000–N26,500

While exonerating airlines over flight delays, Onyema said 95 percent of the circumstances that usually lead to delays is beyond passengers’ and airlines’ control. ”Airlines are prepared, they have the means, we also know the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

1 TON

ONDO

N740,000 – N760,000

1 TON

OSUN

N730,000 – N750,000

1 TON

EDO

N720,000 – N740,000

1 TON

CROSS RIVER

N700,000 – N720,000

1 TON

AKURE SOUTH, ONDO

N730,000 — N755,000

26

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L–R: Group Company Secretary/Executive Compliance Officer, FCMB Group, Mrs. Funmi Adedibu; Chief Executive Officer, Primrose Development Company, Mr. Jide Balogun; Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun; Sister of Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, Mrs. Ronke Atere; Founder, FCMB Group, Otunba Balogun; his wife, Olori Abimbola Balogun; Managing Director, First City Monument Bank, Mrs. Yemisi Edun and Executive Assistant to Otunba Balogun, Mrs. Olubusola Adekusibe, during the presentation of the award of ‘’Role Model for Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Governance’’ on Otunba Balogun by Hallmark of Labour Foundation at the Foundation’s Role Model Awards Ceremony held on December 17, 2022 in Lagos.

IEA: Global Coal Consumption to Reached All-time High in 2022 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Global coal consumption is set to rise to an all-time high in 2022 and remain

at similar levels in the next few years if stronger efforts are not made to move to a low-carbon economy, a report by the International Energy

Agency (IEA), has said.

High gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and consequent disruptions to supply have led some

countries to turn to relatively cheaper coal this year.

Heatwaves and droughts in some regions have also driven up

electricity demand and reduced hydropower, while nuclear generation has also been very weak, especially in Europe, where France had to shut down nuclear reactors for maintenance.

The IEA’s annual report on coal forecasts said global coal use is set to rise by 1.2 per cent this year, exceeding 8 billion tonnes in a single year for the first time and a previous record set in 2013.

It also predicts that coal consumption will remain flat at that level to 2025 as falls in mature markets are offset by continued strong demand in emerging Asian economies.

This means coal will continue to be the global energy system’s largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions by far.

The largest increase in coal demand is expected to be in

FG Inaugurates Phase One of Housing Programme in Kwara Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government has inaugurated the phase one of the National Housing Programme (NHP) in Asa Dam, Ilorin, Kwara state .

President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on the occasion, stated that the housing project was important to his administration.

He said that the completion of the project was part of the fulfilment of the promise of change to improve the human condition made by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He disclosed that the micro, small and medium businesses that drive the economy were given the contract to build the houses, adding that through them, the value chain of business activities witnessed a tremendous boost in the area.

The Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who was represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Aliyu Muhammadu, in his remarks, acknowledged the positive effect the project was having in terms of job creation and general economic benefits to the people of the state.

“There is therefore no doubt about the unprecedented investment of the president in critical infrastructure across every part of Nigeria such as roads, bridges, housing, railways, water, education, power, energy and

health infrastructure which all progressive minds will ever remain grateful for,” the governor stated.

Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who was represented by the Director, Public Buildings and Housing, Solomon Labafilo stated that the federal government through his ministry had

delivered housing projects in 35 states of the federation.

The minister, in a statement by the ministry’s Director of Press, Blessing Lere-Adams, said the design of the houses was determined by the outcome of a national survey, which revealed the prevalent need for bungalows in the North and flats in the South.

IFC: 80% African Start-ups Have Funding Challenges Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The World Bank’s private investment arm, the International Finance Corp (IFC) has said that 80 per cent of African start-ups have funding challenges which the organisation can intervene to reduce markedly.

The IFC said it sees huge potential to boost investment in Africa

and help support entrepreneurship and digital transformation on the continent.

United States President, Joe Biden, last week, hosted a threeday summit attended by 45 African national leaders that was aimed at bolstering trade ties between the United States and Africa after years of inroads by rival China.

PALM OIL

SIZE

STATE

and Gombe airports, he said it is unimaginable for about 10 airlines’ passengers to occupy a small space with only four check-in counters, adding that rather than for authorities to rally round and support them, they prefer to de-market them. ”Nigerian airline operators are the most patriotic citizens of Nigeria because of the environment. People blame us for late departures but airlines are not responsible for delays, passengers need to know the truth but those are supposed to protect us are de-marketing us.

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N25000 25CL

PH

“AON has written to the Ministry and FAAN on the issue of Abuja check-in counters. It is crazy, nine or 10 airlines in a very small space is not encouraging, but a few days ago, the Managing Director of FAAN spoke to me that they are going to do something about it, what we are asking for is expansion, the old international terminal is lying fallow, some airlines can be asked to move there to create more room for us, a situation where we are given few counters and we have thousands of people checking in

N19,500 – 25,000

NAME OF COMMODITY

TOMATOES

25CL

IMO

N21,000–N24,500

25CL

EDO

N19,000–N21,000 N19500- N25000

will cause delay.

“I have said it that passengers should stop blaming airlines for delays, they should look at the main cause, no airline plans to delay flights deliberately. Although, this government has done a lot for aviation, the Minister and the President have done a lot, a very passionate man, we need to do something about infrastructure especially at the Abuja airport, it is causing delays for airlines because once you take off from Lagos, you must experience delays in Abuja

COMMODITIES SIZE

STATE

40KG BENUE

PRICE

N15,000

40KG

KADUNA

N5,000

40KG

ABIA

N18,000

25CL IBADAN N18,000-N22,000

25CL ABUJA

IFC Managing Director, Makhtar Diop, told Reuters the IFC was working with African countries to help match up entrepreneurs with urgently needed financing to support economic growth and job creation across the continent.

“Africa is buzzing with innovative tech solutions that can transform people’s lives for the

better. We’ve seen a surge in new business models and platforms in everything from health-tech to fintech. Yet over 80 per cent of African start-ups report difficulties in accessing funding,” he said.

IFC’s Global Director of Disruptive Technology, William Sonneborn, said Africa, with a population of 1.4 billion under the age of 18, was

home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

“Africa is the market of the future for US products and services, and so, if (the United States) is not active, it will miss out on a huge opportunity,” Sonneborn said, citing what he called an “economic pivot” to focus on key new markets.

AIRLINES CALL FOR UPGRADE OF AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE TO CURB FLIGHT DELAYS

FOOD NAME OF COMMODITY

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Bashir Alkali, represented by the Ministry’s Director of Survey and Zonal Director Housing, North Central, Pemi Temitope, revealed that over 1,200 building contractors had been engaged under the three phases of the programme since its inception in 2016.

India at 7 per cent, followed by the European Union at 6 per cent and China at 0.4 per cent, a Reuters report said.

“The world is close to a peak in fossil fuel use, with coal set to be the first to decline, but we are not there yet,” said the IEA’s Director of Energy Markets and Security, Keisuke Sadamori.

Europe’s coal demand has risen due to more switching from gas to coal due to high gas prices and as Russian gas has reduced to a trickle.

However, by 2025 European coal demand is expected to decline below 2022 levels, the report said.

Global coal-fired power generation is set to rise to a new record of around 10.3 terawatt hours this year, while coal production is forecast to rise by 5.4% to around 8.3 billion tonnes, also an all-time high.

25KG LAGOS 40KG DELTA

N9,500 N17000

PRICE

because of the check-in difficulties, there is no conveyor belts. ”Gombe is one place we like flying to. The governor has been very supportive, Air Peace loves the place but their safety is important.

The problem is not insurmountable, we made the report about the faulty scanners but I think they are doing something about it, I am sure all the authorities have been informed about it”, he added.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the sector have honoured and praised the authors of the book, which captures

all segments of the industry in the country.

Present at the occasion were the Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Arumemi Ikhide; former Managing director Arik Air, Chris Ndulue; Dr. Alex Nwuba, Mr. Richard Aisubeogun, former and current country managers of British Airways, Mr. Kola Olayinka and Mrs. Adetutu Otuyalo; Mr. Abayomi Agoro, president, Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers Association; former and current editors of Newspapers, Mr. Rotimi Durojaiye; Mr. Don Okere, among others.

T O D AY

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N25,000

100KG

KANO

N10,000

100KG

BENUE

N27,000

100KG GOMBE

N12,000

100KG DELTA

N21,000

100KG LAGOS

N25,000

100KG ENUGU

N15,000

100KG

ABIA

N29,000

NAME OF COMMODITY

MAIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N9000

100KG ENUGU

N24000

100KG DELTA

N15000

100KG ABIA

N14000

50KG LAGOS

N13500

SIZE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022

27

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Manufacturers: Trudging Despite Perennial Challenges A review by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria showed that the Nigerian manufacturing sector trudged through the first half of 2022 with minimal success in spite of debilitating challenges, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

T

he Nigerian manufacturing, like every other economic activities in the country and across the world, suffered adverse shock in the first six months of 2022. No thanks to the war between Russian and Ukraine.

The war destabilsed global commodity prices and supply chain, international financial flow, global logistics, etc. with huge negative implications on manufacturing production in Nigeria, especially as the perennial challenges such as limited energy supply, limited production of local raw materials, poor administration of national ports, etc., persisted.

The review, which was authored by the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, noted that consequently the country’s manufacturing output growth in the first two quarters of 2022, though positive, oscillated from 5.80 per cent recorded in the first quarter of the year down to 3.0 per cent in the second quarter of the year.

Even at that, the Nigerian manufacturing sector recorded a 5.70 percentage increase in the first half of 2022. This was the verdict of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria’s (MAN) “Executive Summary of First Half Year 2022 Economic Review” that was published this month.

MANUFACTURING CAPACITY UTILISATION

The review said that “capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector increased to 57.9 percent (yearon-year) in the first half of 2022 from 52.2 percent that was recorded in the first half in 2021; thus, indicating 5.7 percentage point increase over the period.”

The review noted that “notwithstanding the challenges in the period, more capacities came up in the cable sub-sector with the commencement of optical fibre production by Coleman Technical Industries, the first of its kind in the whole of ECOWAS region.”

MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION VALUE

The review stated that the manufacturing sector’s factory output value increased to N3.99 trillion in first half of 2022 (year-on-year) up from N3.66 trillion recorded in the same half in 2021. This indicated N.33 trillion or 9.0 increase over the period.

It also increased by N0.26 trillion or 7.0 per cent (half-on-half) when compared with N3.73 trillion achieved in the second half of 2021.

But “production was strongly hampered by shortage of foreign exchange for importation of raw materials that were not available in the country for all the manufacturing sectorial groups, safe for the food sub-sector that has undergone a significant level of backward integration,” the review stated.

It, however, noted that the N10 excise duty on each litre of non-alcoholic drinks grossly affected production in that segment of the sector.

Also, the sector is enduring bureaucratic bottleneck associated with the implementation of the migration of National List to Chapter 99 of ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET), which is “perverse with bureaucracy and complexities among government agencies, leading to delay in getting raw materials to factories.”

Another sectorial group of MAN, namely the basic metal group, was heavily challenged by the lowering of duty to Annealed Cold roll to 5.0 per cent from

the previous 45 per cent, which made domestic manufacturing of the product uncompetitive.

Also, activities in the motor cycle assembly sub-sector were severely affected following the suspension of motor cycles in some areas across several states in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos.

Moreover, the increase in the duty of paper from 5.0 per cent to 20 per cent adversely affected productivity in the paper products sub-sector in the period under review.

solid minerals such as limestone (233.3 per cent), marble (33.3 per cent), laterite (33.3 per cent), clay (25 per cent), Shale (20 per cent), Gypsum (20 per cent) and clay (100 per cent) by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development during the period under review had adverse consequences on the needed private sector investment in the development of solid mineral in the country.

LOCAL RAW-MATERIALS SOURCING

In the line with the outcomes of surveys that were conducted by the association since 2013, the total cumulative direct jobs created in the manufacturing sector was estimated at 1,679,984 as at the end of the first half of 2022.

Specifically, 8,543 jobs were created in the first half of 2022 compared to 7602 jobs that were recorded in the first half of 2021 and 8,508 in the second half of 2021. The marginal increase in jobs created in the sector during the period under review was due to positive and continuous adjustments in manufacturing activities to accommodate the current economic hardship and sustain production by manufacturers.

The review also showed that the Nigerian manufacturing sector’s utilisation of local raw materials decreased to 52 per cent (year-onyear) in the first half of 2022 from 53 per cent it recorded in the first half of 2021. This indicated 1.0 percentage point decline over the period.

However, it increased by 2.0 percentage points (half-on-half) when compared with 50 percent recorded in the second half of 2021.

The reviewed noted that the “manufacturing sector is generally faced with limited investment in domestic production of raw materials for utilisation in most of the sub-sectors, which is as result of limited funding and policy incentives in the country.”

For instance, the Basic Industrial Chemical Sub-sector faced severe inactivity in the first six months of 2022 due to lack of domestic production of basic chemicals. This, therefore, demanded for the need to resuscitate the local refineries to encourage investment in petrochemical development in the country.

UNSOLD INVENTORY OF FINISHED PRODUCTS

Inventory of unsold finished products in the manufacturing sector dropped from N214.83 billion recorded in the first half of 2021 to N187.08 billion (year-on-year) in the first half of 2022.

This signified N27.75 billion or 12.9 per cent decline over the period. However, it showed an uptick of N17.33 billion or 10.2 per cent when compared with N169.75 billion recorded in the second half of 2021.

Yet, the review stated that the inventory of unsold manufactured product remained high in the period under review due to high commodity prices occasioned by high cost of product and low level of income among firms and households.

MANUFACTURING INVESTMENTS

Manufacturing sector investment grew to N178.39 billion (year-on-year) in the first half of 2022 from N144.14 billion recorded in the corresponding half of 2021, which was an indication of N34.25 billion or 23.7 percent increase over the period. However, it increased by N17.51 billion or 10.8 percent (half-on-half) when compared with N24 billion recorded in the second half of 2021.

The review attributed the marginal increase in investment to inflationary effect as investment was grossly affected by shortage of foreign exchange and limited funding in the period under review.

In addition, the increase in royalty rates on all

MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO INDUSTRIES

Electricity supply from the national grid to the sector degenerated in the period under review.

Although, average daily supply to the sector increased to 12 hours in the first half 2022 from 11 hours of the second half of 2021, the average number of outage per day increased six times from three times recorded in the preceding half, which more than off-set the increase in supply in the period.

The poor power supply from the grid fueled self-energy generation among manufacturers as expenditure on alternative energy source soared to N67.77 billion in the first quarter of 2022 (yearon-year) up from N32.18 billion recorded in the first half of 2021 and N45.04 billion of the second half respectively.

COST OF FUNDS TO MANUFACTURERS

Average lending rate to the sector from the commercial banks increased to 23.5 percent (yearon-year) up from 19 percent of the corresponding half in 2021, but declined by 0.5 percentage point when compared with 24 percent interest charged to manufacturers in the second half of 2021.

The growing lending rate in the economy is underscored by among others the upwards review of the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 11.5 percent to 13 percent by the CBN in May 2022 even though the asymmetric corridor at +100/-700 around MRP; Credit Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 27.5 per cent and Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent remained unchanged; and the rising global interest rate due to the Russian-Ukrainian face-off.

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The review stated that current performance of the manufacturing sector suggested that

it is not yet ‘Uhuru’ and emphasised the need for a more proactive, broad and sector focused measures to address both the recent challenges thrown up by the Russian-Ukrainian war and the perennial ones.

It recommended an improved level of foreign exchange allocation to the productive sector, including manufacturing, from the high and sustained crude oil prices in the international market.

It also recommended that more investments should be made in the electricity value chain and with commitment to add 10000MW to the current electricity distributed in the country. This could be achieved by embracing and supporting significant development of energy mix, especially from renewable energy sources where the country has huge potentials for solar and wind energies.

The MAN called for restriction of “the exports of maize, cassava, wheat, food related products and other manufacturing inputs.” It also called on the government to “suspend the 15 per cent charges on imported wheat and encourage growth in domestic investment in agriculture.”

The review also called for incentive on “investments in local development of raw materials by giving attention to domestic production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and basic chemicals.”

It urged the government to refocus on backward integration and resource-based industrialization and the reversing of the duty for Annealed Cold roll back to 45 per cent from the new five per cent.

The MAN also called for the review of “the gas price for domestic consumption to be in tandem the with the export price, which is about $3.25 per cubic meter.”

It also demanded that the list of approved harmonised taxes and levies for the manufacturing sector by the Joint Tax Board (JTB) should be published to address the issues of multiples taxes and levies and the full implementation of the Steve Oronsanye Report on the reduction and re-alignment of government agencies and parastatals in order to streamline the number of taxes, levies, fees and administrative charges The review said: “Invest significantly in ports infrastructure including scanners, etc.; Resuscitate the moribund rail tracks leading from the ports to industrials areas; government agencies operating at the ports should work harmoniously, particularly in the implementation of the recent migration of National list to ECOWAS CET Chapter 99; implement the single window platform to eliminate significant human inference in the ports clearing system; Improve the time taken to clear machines and raw-materials at the national ports while making the link road accessible.”

Other recommendations included the “Strengthening of the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to adequately provide liberal finance for the manufacturing sector; avail to the productive sector the CBN non-oil export stimulation facility with liberal term and condition “Allow industrial policies in the country to gestate with proper monitoring and evaluation rather than jettisoning or altering them unduly frequently. Monitor the implementation of Executive Order 003 to ensure compliance by MDAs so as to boost activities in the manufacturing sector.

NIGERIA’S OIL RIGS COUNT SLUMPS 50% IN THREE YEARS Furthermore, there has also been massive underinvestment in the sector, leading to depleting oil rigs.

Despite the remarkable recovery in global crude oil demand, Nigeria had been unable to ramp up production, following massive theft of the resource in the Niger Delta as

well as shutdowns due to frequent equipment failure.

In the oil and gas industry, the rig count is a major index for measuring activities in the upstream sector.

While for instance, 26 rigs were in operation, on both onshore and offshore terrains, in 1997, Nigeria as

at January this year had just about 12 active oil rigs, with about half of them not even in use.

Last week, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) revealed that in the period spanning between 2009 and 2020, Nigeria lost as much as 619.7 million

barrels of crude oil valued at N16.25 trillion to oil theft.

The losses were from theft and sabotage, based on information and data provided by an average of eight companies covered by NEITI process over the years, the organisation said.

A breakdown of the losses, it said,

shows that in 2009 when NEITI commenced reporting of crude oil theft, Nigeria lost 69.49 million barrels valued at $4.31 billion.

It added that the figures for 2010, 2011 and 2012 revealed that 28.31 million, 38.61 million and 51.58 million barrels which were valued at $2.29

billion, $4.39 billion and $5.82 billion were lost respectively.

According to NEITI, its oil and gas industry reports for 2013 to 2020 also showed that the losses to crude oil theft did not abate as 78.30 million barrels valued at $8.55 billion were lost in 2013 alone.

28

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

AGRICULTURE

Agric Sector: Assessing Abubakar’s Reign One Year After It has been over one year since the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Mohammad Abubakar, took over the mantle of leadership at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Gilbert Ekugbe takes a cursory look at how the nation’s food sector has fared under him

D

espite the potentials to be Africa’s food basket and even a net exporter of food to the rest of the world, Nigeria is still struggling to feed itself. Sadly, the nation’s food import bill has continued to surge despite different financial interventions from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other multilateral institutions.

According to reports, Nigeria’s food import bill currently stands at $22 billion annually, which could have been channeled to other sectors of the economy begging for development.

Although the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its latest report stated that Nigeria’s agriculture sector grew by 1.20 per cent year-on-year in real terms for the second quarter of 2022, the sector recorded a decrease of 1.96 percentage points from the preceding quarter which grew by 3.16 per cent. It also decreased by 0.10 percentage points from the corresponding period of 2021.

Capital importation into Nigeria’s agriculture sector increased by 3,161 per cent from $1.76 million in the first quarter of 2022 to $57.41 million in the second quarter of 2022. This meant that there was a 3,161 per cent growth within three months.

This was contained in the Nigerian Capital Importation report for Q2 2022 released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The agriculture sector grew by 13.83 percent yearon-year in nominal terms in Q2 2022, showing an increase of 7.47 percent from the same quarter of 2021.

On the flip side, the value of foreign investment in the sector tumbled 99.23 per cent from $237.83 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2021 to $1.76 million, according to the latest Nigerian Capital Importation report for Q1 2022 released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as local and foreign investors blamed insecurity for the nosedive of investments from both local and foreign investors.

Data from NBS show that $59.17 million of capital was imported into the agriculture sector in half-year 2022, down 74.9 per cent from $235.87 million in the same period of 2018.

In the first three months of 2022, foreign investments in the country’s agricultural sector stood at $1.76 million, a 98.7 percent decline from $130.90 million in the same period of 2018.

In spite of the growth rate recorded in the sector, the impact is yet to be felt by Nigerians as food prices continue to rise with more Nigerians dropping into the hunger net on a daily basis.

Food prices have continued to hit the roof and expectedly, with the yuletide, Nigerians have continued to lament as the purchasing power of consumers continue to dwindle pricing food items out of the hands of poor Nigerians.

For instance, the prices of staple foods like rice,

beans, wheat, sorghum, yams and potatoes.

The price of a bag of rice has continued to soar as food inflation increased to 23.72 per cent in October 2022, from 23.34 per cent in September according to NBS’ Consumer Price Index (CPI)

ABUBAKAR’S POLICIES AND INITIATIVES

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), under his watch launched the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) 2022-2027, a document that was articulated to guide sectorial activities for ensuring food and nutrition security in the country.

The five-year policy is premised on 10 thematic areas of stakeholders synergy and alignment, knowledge creation and transfer, rapid mechanisation, establishment of agricultural development fund, revitalization of extension service delivery and livestock development.

Other area of focus included strengthening priority crop value chain, fisheries and aquaculture, marine and inland fisheries development, market development as well as agricultural lands and investments partnership. The policy document also covers the crosscutting areas of digital and climate-smart agriculture promotion, rural infrastructure development, nutrition, and exports standardisation.

Also covered are agricultural lending and insurance, data and information management, and quality agricultural inputs access, agricultural land and water resources usage, women and youth in agriculture, cooperatives revitalisation and national food reserve and food security.

The ministry inaugurated the committee on the implementation of the policy to mainstream gender into climate change for people with disabilities and access to input for women and translating the National Gender Policy in local languages for

the domestication of the policy in some states.

Also, under the ECOWAS Agro-ecology Programme designed to provide support to family farms in an agro-ecological transition that strikes a balance between economic performance, food security, strengthening of resilience, preservation of the environment and the health of the population, the ministry sought partnership deals with relevant organisations to promote agro-ecology in the country.

He also introduced new set of incentives targeted at improving high-level private sector participation in Nigeria’s food production and processing industry. Some of the incentives included tax and duty-free holidays for a period of five years for agricultural production and processing in Nigeria; tax-free agricultural loans with a moratorium period of over 18 months and repayment period of not more than seven years; and zero-tariff rates on the importation of agro-chemicals.

To address the longstanding agricultural mechanisation problem, the minister launched the Green Imperative Programme. The aim of the programme is to ensure adequate supply of tractors and other implements to farmers on a public-private partnership arrangement.

The model adopted is sustainable and would ameliorate the low production challenge due to lack of sufficient machinery.

FOOD INSECURITY STILL A THREAT

The AFEX, Nigeria’s leading commodities market player, expressed concerns over the incessant floods that have continued to ravage farmlands, predicting that flooding would escalate the problem of food insecurity in the country.

It made this disclosure in its 2022 wet season crop production report released recently in Abuja as the report projected an average decline in production

of up to 11.5 per cent across commodities like maize, paddy rice, sorghum, and cocoa.

It, however, forecasted that soybeans and sesame would experience about 6.5 per cent increase in production levels.

The company noted in its report that Nigeria’s most consumed grains are currently faced with declining food balance sheets as consumption levels rise than production levels, thereby worsening food insecurity.

The report tracked data from six key commodities and their performance in the preceding season. The commodities are maize, paddy, soybeans, cocoa, sesame and sorghum.

It stated that price and market changes across maize paddy, sorghum, soybean, cocoa and sesame have been affected both by predictable seasonal effects and activities in the agricultural value chain as well as larger macroeconomic and events.

Presenting the reporpt’s findings, AFEX’s Head of Market Data and Research, Mr. David Ibidapo, stated that higher prices were forecasted across all commodities in the report.

Specifically, he said, maize which faced a projected decline in production levels of up to 14 per cent is subsequently projected to reach a higher average price point ranging between N214.980/MT and N220.000/MT by end of Q4 2022 compared to an average price of NGN210.229/MT in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Also, he said, soybean price is projected to rise by six per cent by May 2023, adding that the projected price hikes across commodities in the report were also tied majorly to incidence of flooding resulting from incessant rainfall in key producing regions.

This, he added, is expected to heighten the gap between production and output levels by farmers.

He also said that the effects of the Russia-Ukraine crisis is still being felt in the local agricultural commodity market especially because of the hike in the price of fertilizer.

The report forecasted that paddy will be the most susceptible to production and output pressures, facing close to a 22.47 per cent in production volumes this year in the wake of the crisis-induced fertilizer price hike.

The report reads in part: “In the last three to five years, Nigeria’s journey towards achieving food security has been confronted with major global shocks, climatic changes and more, with implications for food affordability, availability, and accessibility. Nigeria’s most consumed grains are currently faced with declining food balance sheets as consumption levels rise faster than production levels, worsening food insecurity.

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

Corporate Resilience: Economic Recovery from Unforeseen Pandemics in a Vuca Business World Bismarck Rewane

T

he business world has evolved over the past few decades, a change fast-tracked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many corporates were unprepared and as such the shock was significant and its reverberating effects linger. The “VUCA” acronym is a term best used to describe the current state of the global landscape. It stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity, and is used to accentuate the challenging and unpredictable nature of the contemporary business environment. The leadership theories of Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus were the basis for the development of the “VUCA” acronym in 1987. It highlights the need for organizations to be adaptable and agile to navigate an environment that is constantly changing and full of uncertainty.

This new normal requires businesses to be prepared for a wide range of potential challenges and opportunities and to be able to respond quickly and effectively to a complex and often ambiguous environment.

WINNERS OR LOSERS – THE DIFFERENCE IS RESILIENCE

Corporate resilience is an integral part of corporate strategy building. As McKinsey & Company observed, amid the storm of disruption and crises, “some companies freeze and fail while others innovate, advance, and even thrive. The difference is resilience.” The unpredictability and dynamism of external shocks to businesses call for proactiveness. In other words, a business that does not innovate, evolve, and develop corporate resilience is bound to freeze and fail. Thus, organizations should leverage the key learnings from the pandemic to form the basis of their strategic decisions as one cannot wish away future pandemics As the world struggled with the impact of the pandemic and many businesses collapsed, some companies were able to take advantage of the situation and increase their profits. The pandemic also created opportunities for new brands to emerge, particularly in the telecoms and social and

BismarcK Rewane digital spaces. Companies like Microsoft, Zoom, Netflix, Shopify, T-Mobile, PayPal, and Facebook were among the winners during the pandemic. These companies were able to leverage the situation to expand their business and improve their bottom line.

The aviation sector was among the hardest hit, along with hotels, restaurants, and leisure businesses.

Energy equipment and services, speciality retail, and the automotive industry also suffered. Generally, the most successful companies were those that were able to quickly adapt, identify the changing needs of consumers and design products to meet those needs.

Since 1914, the world has experienced several global shocks. Over the course of several decades, beginning with the world wars and continuing through the great depression, all facets of society have been impacted

in increasingly negative ways. To prepare for these uncertainties and promote economic recovery, businesses should focus on building corporate resilience.

equations and a citizen-centric approach is becoming the new political order.

COVID EXPERIENCE AND ITS LESSONS

FIVE PROACTIVE SCENARIOS FOR CORPORATES – PLANNING AHEAD OF SHOCKS

Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted business operations, turnover, capacity utilization, and workforce dynamics. However, the depth, breadth and duration of pandemic-induced business disruptions could differ across countries, industries, and business structures. Everyone has a role to play, policymakers, investors, consumers, producers, & politicians all hands must be on deck to ensure buffers are created to prepare every facet for unforeseen future pandemics.

Therefore, policymakers should be well prepared for any pandemic in terms of human & financial costs and consider the longer-term implications of policy measures taken during the pandemic (Inflation, High debt levels, etc.). Also, policymakers must understand that the world is now more interconnected which increases the risk of the country being easily prone to global shocks.

For investors, their focus should border on portfolio diversification, building portfolios with a longer-term view and embedding risk transfers in their investment choices. Producers should create buffers for upcoming shocks by making provisions for emergency funds. They should also consider diversifying their revenue sources, investing in supply chain digitization and development, and strategic integrations, especially M&A and backward integration. Also, the interconnectedness of the business world implies that no business thrives in isolation. This reinforces the global call for corporates to promote equitable recovery. To achieve this, corporates must focus on being net positives by prioritising ESG. To be proactive for consumers would mean their income stream should be diversified, maintain a strong saving culture, and acquire new skills. Meanwhile, with the events that trailed the lockdown, politicians should learn that anger and resentment can change political

Corporate resilience will be fortified with the implementation of the following five proactive scenarios which could cushion the effect of future shocks regardless of the magnitude or nature: r 3FUPPMJOH ZPVS CVTJOFTT NPEFMT TUSBUFHJFT UP SFGMFDU economic realities & looming risks from global & regional perspective r *ODSFBTFE JOWFTUNFOU JO XPSL GSPN IPNF GBDJMJUJFT and communication tools r *ODSFBTFE JOWFTUNFOU JO UFDIOPMPHZ BOE JOGPSNBUJPO infrastructure r &OIBODJOH UIF TVQQMZ DIBJO OFUXPSL UISPVHI increased digitization r *OWFTUNFOU JO CBDLXBSE JOUFHSBUJPO UP QSPUFDU businesses from exogenous shocks To build strategic resilience, corporates would need to focus on business-model innovation, risks mitigation and adoption of the ESG (environment, social & Governance) approach to corporate governance.

Historically, the disruption associated with economic shocks is a precursor of fundamental shifts that could pose an existential threat or offer a new frontier to businesses. It is followed by a recovery phase that rewards those who are resilient and flexible but penalizes the unprepared.

It also offers new opportunities for those who are proactive and innovative. Corporates and great economies, if they take the lessons therein and leverage the same, often turn the tide, and find themselves back on track. As George Santayana succinctly put it, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it”, it is imperative for corporates to learn from the lessons of shocks and to understand how to manage it in future.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022

29

BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Extending Solar Energy to Nigeria’s Vulnerable Emmanuel Addeh writes that the decision of Azura, an independent power producer, to provide solar power to some of the most vulnerable Nigerians in both Edo and Abuja, may be worthy of emulation by other corporate entities in the country.

N

igeria still struggles with the provision of basic public utilities like electricity for its people. For most Nigerians, they have become their own ‘NEPA’, as it were, investing in their own power ‘infrastructure’.

Basically, Nigeria has become a dumping ground for generators, ranging from the most basic ones generally called ‘I better pass my neighbour’, usually purchased by the poor and then the more expensive ones used by businesses, the middle class and the upper class.

While those in those classes have managed to provide their own power, there’s a group of people, Nigeria’s most vulnerable, the underprivileged children in many of the orphanage homes littered all over the country, who do not have access to this basic amenity.

It was in recognition of this group of Nigerians that Azura Edo, recently said it began the investment to provide solar power for selected orphanages in the country. In the first instance, this has taken it to its host state, Edo and then its administrative headquarters, Abuja and even Maiduguri in Borno.

To this end, Azura Power, West Africa Limited, operators of the Edo Independent Power Producer (IPP), in the beginning of the year, announced that its annual financial deployment for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) throughout its areas of operations, has now hit $1 million.

Speaking in Abuja , the Managing Director of the company, Edu Okeke, stressed that the interventions are structured in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are geared towards improving health, education and the general livelihood of its communities.

Okeke, who spoke at one of the ceremonies during which Azura Power, presented a solar power facility to Facado Orphanage Home located in Apo, Abuja, stated that members of staff of the firm were also fully mobilised to celebrate the underprivileged children in the spirit of the festive season.

“In terms of the charter of the company, we devote $1 million yearly for these kind of activities.

So, this is something that has been going on since inception and will continue for as long as this company is in existence,” Okeke added.

He noted that the event was going on simultaneously in Abuja and Benin where a a similar power

facility was also presented to the Eghosa Orphanage home, stating that it will help the orphanage save the cost of diesel which he said now sells for as high as N800 per litre.

“It will save them the heavy cost of diesel used in generating power,” he explained.

“Some of us are parents and when we look at what is happening here, it is not an easy job for the proprietors, because it’s difficult taking care of kids.

But our prayer is that among them, very soon some of them will be Azura employees. So we going to have fun today and make the kids happy,” Okeke added.

In her remarks, the Founder and Director of the Facado Orphanage Home in Abuja, Ngozi George, said the electricity facility will improve the education of the kids as well as their health.

She stated that the joy of the children has been uncurbed since the solar power was installed, explaining that the orphanage never wrote to the firm before they decided to make enquiries and install the facility on their own volition.

“Now the cry that they can’t see their books and the lack of electricity which has also been a major cause of mosquitoes around here will also disappear. So, it will improve their health, education, even their entertainment,” she stated.

While commending Azura for the kind gesture, she said

that it will be a boost to the quality of life which she said will automatically improve.

Azura-Edo power station, a natural gas-powered open cycle electricity generation plant, with a current operational capacity of 461 megawatts, located in Benin City in Nigeria.

The children, several scores of them could not hide their joy.

Jesusboy Wealth, a nine-year-old boy, at the orphanage lauded the initiative, noting that children now have better lighting in the facility to read and be creative as the grid-connected power is epileptic.

In Benin City, the Azura team was at the Eghosa Orphanage Home where a 4kw solar power system was also installed as well as a snicker game held for the 58 children there to add to the fun.

The Chief Operating Officer, Nonyerem Obibuaku, who is also a former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Azura Power West Africa Limited, representing the Managing Director at the event, noted that it was in line with the company’s commitment to giving back to the society.

“We have installed a 4kw solar panel for the home so that they can have light when there is power outage and use their appliances. As you can see, there is no electricity but they have electricity in this place,” she stated.

Azura said the intervention strategy in the key areas of the

country’s national development is to integrate and give hope to the vulnerable persons in the society.

The orphanage’s proprietor, Eghosa Ikhueabor, commended the company for the donations and the impact of the stable electricity they now have.

The proprietor said: “We are very happy because of the solar power.

For two days, there has been power outage but we are watching television while the fans, freezers and other appliances are still working.”

It wasn’t the first time and the activity was not one-off. Before then, Azura approved and implemented projects with provision of a learning centre tagged living and learning facility for displaced orphan children in Borno, amounting to $300,000 to supply solar power to vocational centres.

It had also upgraded the Ihovbhor primary school and employed qualified teachers with the objective of sending kids to tertiary institutions in partnership with Azura/ Nathan American Academy for $320, 000.

Azura has further provided free eye surgery to host communities in Abuja and Edo at $100, 000 for 1,000 eye surgeries and set up the Gashaka National Park non profit organisation to ensure best practices in ecotourism and nature conservation in West and East Africa.

In an effort to develop life skills and raise awareness on issues such as HIV and malaria for underprivileged children using football as vehicle.

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022

30

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Sugar Sector Yields $3bn Investments in 10 Years, Says Adedeji James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, has said that the sugar sub-sector had attracted investments worth $3 billion within the last 10 years through the faithful implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP).

The NSDC boss also said the sector currently has five investors who have signed into the Backward Integration Programme (BIP) component of the master plan.

He spoke at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Saro Africa Group and the Nasarawa State government for a sugar project to be domiciled in Doma and Nasarawa Local Government Areas of the state.

The Saro Africa Group, which is the fifth investor in the sector had announced that the project would seat 15,000 hectares of land for the first phase and other phases to follow in due course.

Adedeji, however, underscored the strategic role the sugar sector plays in the economic diversification agenda of the federal government with agriculture as its key driver.

Adedeji said the MoU further underscored the confidence President Muhammadu Buhari has in the sector, which led to the extension of the master plan for another 10 years, beginning from 2023 to 2033, known as the NSMP Phase 2.

Adedeji, in a statement, Head, Public Affairs Unit, NSDC, Mr. Abdullahi Yunusa, said, “Today’s event is both historic and memorable for us both as regulators and operators of the sugar sector. This clearly demonstrates the confidence both government and the organised private sector have in the sector.

On his part, the Group Managing Director, Saro Africa Group, Mr. Rasheed Sarumi, who hinted that his company is desirous of contributing to the economic development of the state through the siting of its

sugar and ethanol businesses in the state, thanked the governor for creating the enabling environment for private sector players to come in.

Sarumi said, “The governor has provided the vision, and our business as investors is to turn this vision into action.

And this is the commitment I’ve made today. Saro Africa has been in Nasarawa state for years. We started the Saro transformation in 2017, which is to move from trading to a heavy agro-industrial value chain to be able to see the future. This will be our third project. The first we did was the sweetener value which cost us 45 million dollars and will be ready for commissioning in the first quarter of 2023.

“This investment in Nasarawa state is dear to us. We know from the history of the two projects I mentioned earlier there is a long gestation period and we are ready for the journey.

Our readiness for the journey means that we will be totally embedded in the community.”

Skymark Partners Redeems N1.2bn Series 3 CPs in N5bn Programme Skymark Partners Limited, a private investment company focused on investing and creating wealth in critical growth sectors of the Nigerian economy, has announced the maturity and successful redemption of its Series 3 Commercial Paper (CP) under its N5billion Commercial Paper Programme.

According to a statement, the N1,184 million 182-day Series 3 Commercial Paper which was issued and quoted earlier in June this year on the FMDQ Securities Exchange, matured on the 19th of December, 2022.

In line with best practice, the Exchange has been informed of the repayment.

Commenting on the successful redemption, Chairman of Skymark Partners Limited,

Mr. Egie Akpata said, “We are pleased to have fully repaid all the investors in the Series 3 issuance. We thank all the institutional investors for their participation and reiterate our commitment to be a counterparty that can be counted on for the long term.”

Furthermore, Akpata stated, “This third CP redemption reflects Skymark’s capacity to meet its financial obligations as at when due, irrespective of market conditions. We intend to remain an active issuer in the commercial paper market.”

The continued growth trend of revenue and profits in FY 2021 resulted in DataPro affirming Skymark’s long term rating of A and short-term rating of A1. The rating remains valid

till June 2023. Unaudited accounts as at September 30, 2022 show strong growth of all key financial metrics of Skymark Partners Limited.

Skymark Partners Limited is a principal investment company with interests in financial services, technology, and real estate amongst others. Skymark Partners was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Lagos.

Skymark Partners N5bn Commercial Paper Programme was admitted onto the FMDQ Securities Exchange platform in February, 2022.

Series 1-6 CPs issued under the programme have raised N5.4billion for working capital financing. Series 1, 2 & 3 CP maturities have repaid N2.3billion.

Autochek Gets NBLA Recognition for Auto Financing Support Autochek, the automotive technology company has been recognised for making car ownership more accessible and affordable across Africa.

The company has been named the Mobility Finance Platform of the Year at the 2022 Nigerian Business Leadership Awards (NBLA).

Commenting, Senior Vice President for West Africa at Autochek, Mayokun Fadeyibi, said, “we are excited to receive this award on behalf of the Autochek marketplace and Autochek Financing Services

as recognition of the work we are doing to drive the penetration of automotive financing in Nigeria and across Africa.

“We believe there is a great opportunity to catalyse more prosperity in our automotive sector and we look forward to enabling more of these opportunities for consumers, vehicle manufacturers and other stakeholders in the sector.”

Launched in 2020, Autochek is driving the penetration of auto-financing across Africa, enabling more consumers

and businesses across North, West and East Africa to access financing solutions to purchase their desired vehicles.

In less than two years of operations, the company has worked with more than 70 financial institutions and more than 2,000 dealerships to process more than 80,000 car loan applications. Leveraging the vast reach of its online marketplace, the company originates auto loans powered by data analytics that makes it easier for financial institutions to offer credit to consumers.

NBTE Grants Charkin Maritime Academy Accreditation Sunday Okobi The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has given Charkin Maritime Academy (CMA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the accreditation to run two programmes in the award-winning premier maritime training institution in Nigeria.

The two programmes, which are to run in two streams of 40 students each, are Marine Engineering Technology and Nautical Science.

The accreditation, which was conveyed to the institution in a letter addressed to the Provost of CMA, took effect from October 1, 2022.

A copy of the letter, which was sighted by journalists, showed that the accreditation of CMA was sequel to the accreditation visitation carried out by NBTE from October 30 to November 3, 2022.

The letter signed by the Director, Montechnic Programmes, Sama’ila Tanko, for NBTE

Executive Director, and dated November 22, 2022, said the programmes will be due for another accreditation in 2027.

Apparently elated by the development, the Chief Promoter of CMA, Sir Charles Wami, expressed delight that the institution met the stringent requirements for the NBTE accreditation.

He called for the support of all stakeholders to ensure that the purpose of setting up CMA is actualiSed for the benefit of Nigerians in the years ahead.

From Left: Independent Non-Executive Director NPF Microfinance Bank, Mrs. Rakiya Shehu; Chairman NPF Microfinance Bank,Mr. Azubuko Udah; Managing Director/CEO, Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), Mrs. Chizor Malize and Managing Director, NPF Microfinance Bank,Mr. Akin Lawal during the bank’s board retreat held in Victoria Island, Lagos

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ͰͲ ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $92.17 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.09 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

31

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY, Ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

Buy Interest in BUA Foods, 13 Others Lifts Stock Market KayodeTokede Opening for trading this week, the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) extended last week positive performance as the benchmark index closed 0.20 per cent stronger on investors’ buy interests in BUA Foods Plc and 13 others.

The NGX All Share Index (ASI) rose by 98.67 basis points, or 0.20 per cent to close at 49,414.96 basis

points, while investors gained N54 billion in value as market capitalisation went up to N26.915 trillion.

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was positive, as 14 stocks gained relative to 10 losers. Thomas Wyatt Nigeria recorded the highest price gain of 8.77 per cent to close at 62 kobo, per share. International Breweries followed with a gain 5.81 per cent to close at N4.55,

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

while Pharma-Deko went up by 5.00 per cent to close at N2.10, per share. LivingTrust Mortgage Bank went up by 4.90 per cent to close at N1.50, while Caverton Offshore Support Group appreciated by 3.45 per cent to close at 90 kobo, per share. On the other hand, PZ Cussons Nigeria led the losers’ chart by 7.26 per cent to close at N11.50, per share. Chams followed with a decline of 4.35 per cent to close at 22 kobo, while UPDC

S E C U R I T I E S QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Real Estate Investment Trust (UPDCREIT) went down by 3.33 to close at N2.90, per share.

FTN Cocoa processors lost 3.23 per cent to close at 30 kobo, while Africa prudential shed 2.73 per cent to close at N5.35, per share.

However, the total volume traded declined by 26 per cent to 76.749 million units, valued at N1.326 billion, and exchanged in 3,262 deals. Transactions in the shares of GTCO topped the activity

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

chart with 16.606 million shares valued at N352.214 million. United Bank for Africa (UBA) followed with 7.589 million shares worth N55.944 million, while Chams traded 4.152 million shares valued at N914,632.

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance traded four million shares valued at N2.440 million, while Zenith Bank transacted 3.776 million shares worth N90.676 million.

A S O F

Projecting the market performance this week, analysts at United Capital Plc anticipated profit booking activities from short-term investors as they seek to close out positions in strong- performing stocks in the past weeks as bullish momentum shows signs of stuttering, saying “lso, portfolio rebalancing is another key activity to watch out for from investors as we approach the end of the year.”

1 6 / 1 2 / 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32

TUESDAY, DEC ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

Monday, December 19, 2022

dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ /ŶĚĞdž 'ĂŝŶƐ Ϭ͘ϭϴй dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ŝŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ϭϴďƉƐ ƚŽ Ϯ͕Ϯϯϲ͘ϳϴ ŝŶĚĞdž

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ 'd K ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ ^^ KZW ;нϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ h ;нϬ͘ϳйͿ͘ ƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ĨŽƌ ϴ͘ϴй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

Current Price

Ticker

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

>ŽĐĂů ŽƵƌƐĞ KƉĞŶƐ tĞĞŬ WŽƐŝƟǀĞ͘​͘​͘ ^/ ƵƉ Ϭ͘Ϯй

Price Previous Current Price Change Change Price Index to Weighting YTD Change Date

2236.78

0.18%

1,488.00

0.0%

42.5%

ROE

ROA

P/E

20.6%

123.7%

25.0%

4.6%

55.8%

-14.1%

18.3%

6.4%

4.4x

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

P/BV

0.8x

6.2%

14.0%

1.5%

214.00

0.0%

8.1%

8.6%

-7.0%

162.9%

15.4%

12.5x

18.0x

6.7%

8.0%

97.75

0.0%

dŚĞ ďƵůůƐ ƵƐŚĞƌĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĞǁ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ǁĞĞŬ͕ ĂůďĞŝƚ ŽŶ Ă ƐŽŌ

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC

8.9%

45.8%

36.0%

23.3%

12.1%

36.7x

8.3x

3.0%

2.7%

21.60

3.3%

4.8%

-16.9%

5.4%

20.5%

3.1%

3.5x

0.7x

14.2%

28.6%

24.00

-0.4%

ŶŽƚĞ͕ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ ŝŶĚĞdž ƌŽƐĞ ϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϰϴ͕ϴϵϵ͘Ϭϴ

5 Zenith Bank PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC

5.0%

-4.6%

10.6%

20.7%

2.6%

2.9x

0.6x

12.9%

34.2%

262.30

0.0%

4.0%

2.1%

-4.6%

34.5%

12.8%

15.1x

5.5x

7.7%

6.6%

22.45

0.0%

ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͕

ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ

7 Lafarge Africa PLC 8 FBN Holdings Plc

2.7%

-6.3%

-15.0%

14.0%

10.3%

6.5x

0.9x

9.0%

15.3%

10.85

-0.5%

2.7%

-4.8%

-6.5%

24.6%

2.2%

1.9x

0.4x

3.2%

51.3%

980.00

0.0%

;нϭ͘ϵйͿ

9 Nestle Nigeria PLC 10 SEPLAT Energy PLC

2.0%

-37.0%

-30.0%

122.7%

13.7%

16.7x

18.8x

5.3%

6.0%

1,050.00

0.0%

2.3%

61.5%

-19.2%

8.6%

4.4%

8.9x

0.8x

4.3%

11.2%

ŽŶ

ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ E/d, E<

ďƵLJ ;нϭ͘ϲйͿ͕

& E,

ĂŶĚ : / E< ;нϵ͘ϮйͿ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ƌŽƐĞ ƚŽ ϭϰ͘ϱй ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ͗ ϭϰ͘ϰйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ʬϵ͘ϯďŶ ƚŽ ʬϮϲ͘ϲƚŶ͘ DĞĂŶǁŚŝůĞ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ŝŶƚĞŶƐŝͲ ĮĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϭϯϰ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ ϭϮϬ͘ϭй ƌĞͲ ƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ƚŽ Ϯϯϲ͘ϲŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ ʬϮ͘ϱďŶ͘

WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ŽƵƌ ƉƵƌǀŝĞǁ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ Ϯ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͕ Ϯ ůŽƐƚ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ &ZͲ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ

ĐůŽƐĞĚ

14 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 15 Ecobank Transnational Inc

8.55

1.2%

2.2%

-8.1%

-8.1%

19.2%

1.5%

1.7x

0.3x

2.3%

58.5%

7.35

0.7%

1.8%

-8.7%

-1.3%

16.5%

1.4%

2.0x

0.3x

13.6%

50.6%

38.00

0.0%

1.3%

-5.0%

-19.2%

10.9%

3.8%

19.8x

2.1x

3.4%

5.1%

167.50

0.0%

1.2%

18.0%

-22.8%

52.7%

30.7%

7.8x

4.2x

1.3%

12.8%

11.20

0.0%

1.5%

28.7%

5.7%

19.9%

1.1%

2.2x

0.5x

6.0%

45.8%

16 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 17 International Brew eries PLC

30.80

0.0%

1.3%

-14.4%

-8.2%

19.6%

2.5%

5.0x

1.1x

11.5%

19.8%

4.55

5.8%

0.9%

-8.1%

-27.8%

-5.0%

-1.7%

18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 19 Fidelity Bank PLC

27.60

0.0%

0.9%

-2.6%

-15.1%

13.2%

3.2%

4.8x

0.6x

7.8%

21.0%

4.25

0.0%

0.9%

66.7%

24.3%

15.5%

1.3%

2.6x

0.4x

2.4%

37.8%

20 Guinness Nigeria PLC 21 Presco PLC

69.30

0.0%

0.6%

77.7%

-23.4%

16.7%

7.1%

10.6x

7.1x

10.3%

9.5%

120.50

0.0%

0.4%

37.2%

-27.0%

52.3%

18.6%

5.6x

3.1x

1.7%

17.8% 44.1%

22 FCMB Group Plc 23 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 24 United Capital PLC

DŝdžĞĚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

/ d

11 Access Holdings PLC 12 United Bank for Africa PLC 13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

ŇĂƚ͘

dŚĞ

ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ

'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƌŽƐĞ ϭ͘Ϭй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ h &KK ^ ;нϮ͘ϱйͿ͕ /Ed Z t

25 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 26 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 27 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

3.40

0.0%

0.5%

13.7%

-1.7%

11.9%

1.1%

2.3x

0.3x

5.9%

1.80

-1.6%

0.4%

-22.4%

-10.0%

3.6%

1.0%

8.4x

0.6x

3.3%

11.9%

13.50

0.0%

0.5%

36.4%

5.9%

46.0%

2.6%

6.2x

2.7x

11.1%

16.1%

0.0%

0.4%

-10.9%

-4.9%

23.8%

7.9%

6.0x

1.3x

6.4%

16.7%

1.14

0.0%

0.3%

18.8%

-7.3%

17.6%

4.1%

2.9x

0.4x

1.8%

34.0%

11.50

-7.3%

0.3%

88.5%

19.8%

29.2%

9.7%

4.1x

1.1x

8.8%

24.2%

11.20

0.0%

0.2%

27.3%

-35.1%

11.6%

3.5%

12.0x

1.4x

4.5%

8.3%

10.35

0.0%

0.2%

8.9%

-6.8%

1.2%

0.6%

52.2x

0.7x

6.5%

1.9%

193.00

0.0%

0.2%

-13.0%

-17.7%

37.1%

6.2%

4.1x

1.4x

2.1%

24.4%

21.20

0.0%

0.1%

-5.1%

-20.0%

18.6%

2.1%

4.6x

0.7x

11.4%

21.5%

5.45

1.9%

0.1%

-31.0%

-22.1%

18.2%

5.2%

3.3x

0.6x

9.2%

30.5%

4.2x

0.6x

7.3%

23.7%

1.1x

4.2%

-1.1%

6.8x

1.3x

4.6%

14.7%

9.2x

0.7x

2.3x

0.3x

32 Custodian and Allied Insurance 33 Wema Bank PLC 34 Unilever Nigeria PLC 35 Jaiz Bank PLC

3.30

0.0%

0.2%

358.3%

3.4%

15.6%

0.9%

11.80

0.0%

0.1%

-18.6%

-20.3%

3.1%

1.8%

0.87

0.0%

0.1%

55.4%

-4.4%

19.8%

1.5%

36 Oando PLC 37 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 38 Sterling Bank PLC

;нϱ͘ϴйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ h ;нϬ͘ϳйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ D E^ Z ;Ͳ ϭ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ d ZE ;ͲϬ͘ϯйͿ ƉƵůůĞĚ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ Kŝů Θ

-5.6%

15.50

28 Cadbury Nigeria PLC 29 UAC of Nigeria PLC 30 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 31 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

0.9x

39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

3.90

0.0%

0.1%

-11.8%

-31.2%

6.35

0.0%

0.1%

7.6%

3.3%

1.37

0.7%

0.1%

-9.3%

-9.9%

62.50

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

6.25

0.0%

0.0%

16.2%

0.0%

-21.5% 4.1%

-17.7%

-230.5%

0.4%

-4.1%

10.9% 7.3%

1.8x

44.0% -1.0%

1.0x

1.1%

'ĂƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽǁĞƌ ďLJ ϱďƉƐ ĂŶĚ ϭďƉ ƐĞƋƵĞŶƟĂůůLJ͘ T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o lu m e

T o p 10 G a in e r s

T ic k er

P rice

T H OM A SWY

KƵƚůŽŽŬ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ͕ ǁĞĂŬͲ

ǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ ϭϬ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϴϯ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ƐƵďƐĞƋƵĞŶƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ůŝŶŐĞƌ͘

T ic k er

Vo lum e

8.8%

GT C O

16.6

3.3%

7.6

0.7% -4.3%

IN T B R EW

4.55

5.8%

P H A R M D EKO

2.10

5.0%

CHA M S

4.2

3.4%

C H IP LC

4.0

3.4%

3.8

-0.4%

9.30

C A VER T ON

0.90

3.4%

Z EN IT H B A N K

C H IP LC

0.61

3.4%

A C C ESSC OR P

2.9

1.2%

2.8

0.0%

GT C O

21.60

3.3%

N GXGR OUP

B UA F OOD S

65.00

2.5%

J A P A ULGOLD

2.8

0.0%

FB NH

2.6

-0.5%

F ID ELIT YB K

2.1

0.0%

C UT IX

2.04

2.0%

C UST OD IA N

5.45

1.9%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a lu e

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er PZ

P rice

P rice C hg %

11.50

-7.3%

CHA M S

0.22

-4.3%

UP D C R EIT

2.90

-3.3%

T ic k er

Value

GT C O

352.2

P rice C hg % 3.3%

N EST LE

187.7

0.0%

M TNN

131.8

0.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

90.7

-0.4%

F T N C OC OA

0.30

-3.2%

A F R IP R UD

5.35

-2.7%

A IR T ELA F R I

75.2

0.0%

VIT A F OA M

21.00

-2.3%

B UA F OOD S

74.2

2.5%

1.80

-1.6%

N GXGR OUP

68.0

0.0%

FB NH

10.85

-0.5%

UB A

55.9

0.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

24.00

-0.4%

WA P C O

28.4

0.0%

6.05

-0.3%

FB NH

28.0

-0.5%

M A N SA R D

ET ER N A

st W e v frin A st a e fricL A

d te im

P rice C hg %

UB A

F ID SON

ĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘Ϭϰdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘Ϭϴdž ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝŽƌ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϭϯ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚͲ

0.62

P rice C hg %

t M se A t m ge n a

In stm e v R rch sa e

^

^

^

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^

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33

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 • 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 16Dec-2022, 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 182.15 183.30 9.14% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 10.93% Nigeria International Debt Fund 321.87 321.87 16.17% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 107.05 108.20 8.47% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.54% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.66 3.72 7.95% 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 141.40 142.97 1.55% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.22 1.22 6.30% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.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 21.53 22.18 110.90% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 499.98 515.05 121.32% ARM Ethical Fund 42.99 44.29 119.96% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 102.33% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.06 1.06 110.28% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.35% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 94.53 94.53 -8.05% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,105.72 1,105.72 3.78% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.08 2.08 1.32% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.27 2.31 4.39% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.04 1.04 8.17% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.44% Cordros Milestone Fund 135.19 136.16 8.48% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 112.63 112.63 5.03% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.11% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.21 1.20 -3.73% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.37 1.37 -4.08% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.17% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.06 1.06 8.82% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.04 1.04 2.68% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 104.79 104.79 3.01% 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 1462.31 1462.31 11.53% FBN Balanced Fund 195.90 197.20 11.78% FBN Halal Fund 122.37 122.37 12.53% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.22% FBN Dollar Fund 119.92 119.92 6.65% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 156.88 159.06 4.51% 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 12.50% Legacy Debt Fund 3.57 3.57 -10.83% Legacy Equity Fund 1.93 1.97 11.03% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.26 1.26 4.44% 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 Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

4,101.66 3,699.50 100.00

4,129.92 3,699.50 100.00

5.54% 6.88% 14.60%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.13 1.13 0.00% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 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 1.70 1.73 19.32% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,178.83 1,178.83 9.18% 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) 102.31 102.31 8.96% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 13.01% 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 1.56 1.59 -0.94% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.61 11.77 4.45% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.55% PACAM Equity Fund 1.41 1.43 -0.44% PACAM EuroBond Fund 118.62 122.00 4.38% SCM CAPITAL 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 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 1.09 1.09 11.00% 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 3,582.34 3,610.44 5.67% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 244.64 244.64 3.85% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.38 1.40 10.32% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 331.81 331.81 5.97% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 255.38 258.49 9.35% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.33% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,761.00 11,895.07 7.68% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.36 1.36 5.39% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 120.73 120.73 3.27% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 114.60 114.60 7.73% 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 0.93 0.96 5.30% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.33 1.35 1.70% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.15 1.16 11.25% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.10 1.10 7.21% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.95 1.95 6.27% United Capital Eurobond Fund 125.09 125.09 5.76% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 15.97% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.69 13.81 3.80% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.56 15.64 6.20% Zenith Income Fund 23.50 23.50 7.07% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.57% 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 4.10 4.20 2.11% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.51 5.61 -5.61% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 18.10 18.30 2.33% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.48% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 23.89 24.09 19.46% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 141.34 143.34 -10.35%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

121.79 52.78

7.35% 3.72%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

15.26 127.84 100.17 N/A N/A

15.36 130.09 101.89 N/A N/A

9.05% 0.19% 0.18% N/A N/A

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes 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

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name

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.

34

TUESDAY, ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

TINUBU MEETS ORGANISED LABOUR AND CIVIL SOCIETY...

L-R: APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; Director-General of Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council and Plateau State Governor, Hon. Simon Lalong; Ambassador Sola Iji; TUC National president, Festus Osifo, and President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, during an engagement of the APC presidential candidate with the Organised Labour and Civil Society in Abuja...yesterday

LP, Middle Belt-Southern Caucus Adopt APGA for FCT Senate Cede two FCT reps slots to LP Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Members of Labour Party in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and leadership of the Middle BeltSouthern Caucus, yesterday, agreed to work together to win the three FCT National Assembly slots for both parties.

They have also adopted presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, as the sole candidate for the 2023 presidential election, just as they have reserved the two House of Representatives seats of FCT for Labour Party, saying the move was part of its strategy to sack the Peoples Democratic Party representatives at the National Assembly.

Members of both parties from the six local government areas of FCT joined by leaders of Middle Belt-Southern Caucus, a body with the composition of Labour Party and APGA, including other fringe parties, yesterday, gathered at a press briefing convoked at the Nigerian Union of Journalists Secretariat, Abuja, to express their resolve to deliver candidates adopted by the group.

Speaking during the briefing, Olisa Uzoewulu Wulus, Chairman, Middle Belt-Southern Caucus, said there must be a paradigm shift from "voting political party to voting credible and competent individuals."

He explained that the decision

was informed by "the fact that the Labour Party as presently constituted does not possess the commensurate spread but the momentum of the Peter Obi national phenomenon essentially, driven by the critical youth and aging strata of society".

According to him, "Since the commencement of the existing democratic dispensation 24 years ago, the three elective National Assembly positions specific to the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja (FCT), the Senate and two House of Representatives have never been interrogated.

"They are the highest elective positions available to the residents of the FCT and it's incongruous that nobody, political or cross sectoral peoples' formations ever sat down with our representatives to find out the actual duties, functions, strengths, available options or the gamut of operations of our representatives.

"On the basis of the foregone analysis, we the Middle BeltSouthern Caucus that constitute the Majority Voters' Bank have decided that 2023 shall come with a difference. The Concourse which is essentially a political union between the Middle Belt and Southern Peoples formations in the FCT are insisting that in order to earn our votes and support, the candidates must subscribe to a Social Contract of fair, equitable and inclusive representation, which mainstreams all the vote banks in decision making

and policy formulation in legislative governance.

"We the Middle Belt and Southern Concourse hereby resolve and it has been resolved to make the following under listed declarations and adoptions as follows. We reiterate and reemphasize as before our

absolute total unalloyed support and loyalty to the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi and resolve to deliver all voters for him on the Labour Party Platform given the national imperative and desire for a positive change in the national

According to him, “This year’s International Migrants Day presents another opportunity to review efforts to promote and ensure safe and regular migration globally, ensuring the protection of the dignity and rights of these migrants who deploy their skills and expertise to contribute to economic growth and development.

“As a government, we understand the need to promote and encourage safe migration and are discouraging illegal migration and making it unattractive by creating better opportunities for youths in the state.

“We are paying critical attention to the education sector, prioritising our basic education level, making

and adoption of Mr Chinedu Obika for the house of representatives in the AMAC/BWARI Federal Constituency and Mrs Joy Ohiomora for the Abaji/ Kuje / Kwali and Gwagwalada Federal Legislative Constituency, both of the Labour Party.”

NAIRA REDESIGN: WHY NIGERIA'S TWO CRITICAL INSTITUTIONS MUST MAKE PEACE explained that one of its roles was the investigation of matters of national security dimension, adding that it has always discharged the responsibility in the overall interest of Nigerians.

But owing to the allegation, human right lawyers, members of the opposition political parties, civil society organisations, ethnic youth leaders and the Arewa Youth Consultative movement, stormed major streets of Abuja, yesterday, to protest the alleged move by the DSS. The aggrieved protesters under the auspices of the CNID alleged that the suit was filed by the DSS to implicate Emefiele for funding terrorism.

The protesters marched to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, where they submitted a petition against the action of the DSS, and a similar letter to the office of the president, that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the office of the Inspector General of Police, among others.

Armed with the posters containing various inscriptions, the protesters vowed to resist any attempt to implicate Emefiele.

Some of the inscriptions read: ‘We will resist those who want to destabilise Buhari's economic and monetary policies’; ‘Supporters of Buhari's economic agenda want DG DSS sacked for attempting to frame CBN Governor for terrorism’; ‘Shocking: DSS Court action to frame CBN Governor for terrorism uncovered. Suit No. FHC /ABJ/CS/2255/2022 Between State Security Service (Applicant) and Godwin Emefiele (Respondent).’

They alleged that the DSS embarked on the plot to remove the CBN governor for political reasons.

During the media briefing, the Convener also alleged that the DG DSS and his allies in the plot had already promised someone else, the office of CBN governor on the agreement that the cash withdrawal limit policy would be immediately suspended.

The protesters further claimed that the plot of labeling Emefiele a terrorist was to undermine the president, usurp his powers to hire and fire and remove Emefiele from office on the strength that they would get an order to detain him for at least

Obaseki: We’re Building Capacity of Edo Youths to Encourage Safe, Regular Migration The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said his government as part of efforts to encourage safe and regular migration was building the capacity of youths in the state, equipping them with the requisite skills and knowledge to become globally competitive.

Obaseki said this in his message to commemorate the 2022 International Migrants Day, marked yearly by the United Nations and its sister agencies to promote safe and regular migration.

The governor, while highlighting the roles of migrants in economic development, called for increased action among global stakeholders to protect the rights of legal migrants.

leadership in our nation Nigeria.

“For the critical position of senator of the federal capital territory, we have declared our unalloyed and total support and adoption for the candidate of the APGA, Dr. Anthony Chike Ezekwugo.

"We equally declare our support

sure that every child who goes through our educational system learns from a very early age and is confident and globally competitive.

“We are training our youths and equipping them with technical and vocational skills. The state government, in these past six years, with the help of our partners, has continued to empower our people in different areas of endeavours, including technology, agriculture and healthcare, among others so that they have globally sought after skills to travel to any part of the world and earn a decent wage.”

Restating the need for world leaders and other stakeholders to respect laws and conventions that protect the rights of migrants, the governor

commended countries across the world that have shown uncommon kindness in accommodating those fleeing from conflict and creating the space for people from other countries to live and ply their trade in their countries.

According to the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, “Migrant rights are human rights. They must be respected without discrimination – and irrespective of whether their movement is forced, voluntary, or formally authorised.

“We must do everything possible to prevent the loss of life – as a humanitarian imperative and a moral and legal obligation. We must provide for search and rescue efforts and medical care.

60 days to impose another person as the Central Bank Governor.

They specifically said the DSS had approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the secret suit under Section 66 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022 to demand a court order for Emefiele’s detention for 60 days in the first instance.

The group accused the DSS of not informing the President of the investigative report, which allegedly revealed that Emefiele was a terrorist.

The CNID also wondered why the DSS allowed Emefiele to travel out of the country with the president and have unrestricted access to him, when they claimed that they had a damning report against him.

It challenged the veracity of the claims of the DSS and noted that if truly Bichi believed his claims, he would not have allowed Emefiele anywhere near the president.

The group said by allowing Emefiele to travel with the president, it showed the DG DSS did not believe that the CBN boss was indeed a terrorist.

As a result of this, the CNID said the claims of the DSS in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022 between State Security Service and Godwin Emefiele was made with the sole purpose of forcefully and wrongfully removing the CBN Governor from office.

The group, therefore, called on President Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to set the process in motion to immediately suspend, arrest, investigate and prosecute the DG SSS. Part of the speech read: "On the 7th December, 2022 just 24 hours after the CBN officially announced the cash withdrawal deposit policy, a barrage of coordinated actions were taken, all targeted at ensuring that the Mr. Godwin Emefiele was removed from office or ceased to be the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

"These activities included activating the filing of cases against the Mr. Emefiele to ensure he ceases to be in office as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria latest

by the end of the year as they resolved. We believe that the plot further included carrying out of activities, which would have put the life and person of Mr. Emefiele in grave danger.

"The coincidental travel of Mr. Emefiele to the United States of America with President Muhammadu Buhari may have stalled this aspect of the plan. It has taken us some time, diligent and careful monitoring and resources to discover that on the said December, 7, 2022, a Motion was filed in the FCT High Court with the major target of getting the CBN Governor out of office. The Motion had suit number M/294/2022.

"On the same 7th December, 2022 another Exparte application was secretly filed at the Federal High Court Abuja this time directly by the State Security Service. The suit is between the State Security Service v Godwin Emefiele. Our intelligence which discovered this shocking development showed the suit was filed at the court without disclosing the full identity of Mr. Emefiele to the Court.

"They are working on the premise that the court would grant an order for the Service to arrest and detain Mr. Emefiele for a minimum of 60 days hiding under section 66 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. The State Security Service, an agency of federal government, secretly approached the Federal High Court Abuja, and filed an ex parte application against Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, where they accused him of being a terrorist.

"It is utterly shocking and shameful for the SSS to fabricate such bogus charges only in a bid to force an innocent man out of office. We have with us the suit number which at this moment, I will read it out, so that Nigerians and Mr. President can send their people to rush to the Federal High Court to get their copies and see this evil with their own eyes, the suit number is FHC/ABJ/ CS/2255/2022," Ohazurike added.

Continues online

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TUESDAY, ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

THE MUCH VAUNTED FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE...

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and his daughter, Anna Titilayo Mustapha, doing the ritual of father/daughter dance at her wedding in Abuja...weekend

Okupe Pays N13m Fine, Avoids Prison Sentence Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Ijeoma Ojuwku of the Federal High Court Abuja, has sentenced, Dr Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, to two years imprisonment for accepting cash transaction above the N5 million threshold approved by the Money Laundering Act. The court, however, gave an option of N13 million fine, which should be paid before 4.30pm yesterday, which he has since paid and avoided passing the night in prison.

He was to pay the sum of

N500,000 for each of the 26 counts he was convicted for, totalling N13 million, while the sentences were to run concurrently.

The judge handed down the sentence after witnesses including former Anambra Governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Mohammed Idi-Farouk, former Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Okupe's wife and son testified to his good character.

Justice Ojuwku earlier found him not guilty on counts 1 to 33 which bordered on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption.

The Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission (EFCC), had in January 2019, arraigned Okupe and two firms; Value Trust Investment and Abraham Telecoms on a 59-criminal count charge bordering on money laundering and fraud to the tune of N702 million.

The three defendants were accused of receiving the said funds from the alleged illegal and unlawful activities of the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd).

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and Okupe was admitted to bail in the sum of N100 million with one surety in like sum.

Sanwo-Olu: Ikpea Using His Life to Serve Humanity, Develop Nigeria Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the Chief Executive Officer of Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited, Dr Leemon Ikpea, as a patriotic Nigerian, who used his life and businesses to serve humanity and for national development.

Sanwo-Olu stated this yesterday in a statement congratulating the Lee Engineering CEO, who was recently honoured with the national honours of OON by President Muhammadu Buhari, and just turned 66 years old.

"On behalf of my family, government and people of Lagos state, I rejoice with you on this occasion of your 66th birthday celebration.

Sixty-six years is no mean feat, and to be celebrating it in good health and surrounded by an outpouring of the love of family, friends, and associates, is truly remarkable and worthy of utmost gratitude to the Almighty God," said Sanwo-Olu. The Lagos governor said Ikpea's life was "well-lived in service to humanity," noting that,"the humblest of beginning," the Lee Engineering CEO, "built a commercial empire that traverses both the oil and gas and power sectors of the Nigerian economy."

According to Sanwo-Olu, Ikpea surmounted great obstacles and triumphed over many odds, "and in so doing, have secured your place in the roll-call of Nigeria's most accomplished business leaders.

"Just as outstanding as your business vision has been, so also have your generosity and dedication to philosophy. As we celebrate you today, we also celebrate the giant footprints of the Agbonjagwe Leemon

Ikpea Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to alleviating the challenges of the less privileged and indigent in society."

Sanwo-Olu said in Lagos, "We are proud to celebrate you (Ikpea) as a supporter of our development agenda and an outstanding creator of value to our economy, as Lee Engineering and Construction Company continues to positively impact and contribute to our economic growth and development."

On Sunday, President Muhammadu Buhari, had also praised Ikpea for contributing to the oil and gas industry.

"President Buhari is delighted that Lee Engineering and Construction Company, of which Chief Ikpea is Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, is one of the home-grown investors in the oil and gas industry, with the company recently marking 31 years of existence and landmark records," said a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity). The president commended the Adolor of Ewato Kingdom and Odonlagbon of Warri for his philanthropy, describing him as a reference to Nigerian youths venturing into manufacturing and other enterprises.

Delivering judgment in the matter after the parties had argued for and in defence of the allegations, the court freed him from 33 of the charges on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt those allegations bordering on money laundering and corruption.

According to Okupe, former President Jonathan had approved the setting up of an office in Asokoro area of Abuja, saddled with the responsibility of laundering his image and that of the administration.

The former SSA further maintained that the funds, which were approved by the former president and released through the office of the NSA, were used in payment of staff salaries, daily running of the office and media activities.

Justice Ojukwu in her judgment, however, observed that the prosecution failed to prove that the activities of the former NSA were unlawful and illegal, adding that the allegation of criminal breach of trust and corruption were not established, because Jonathan and Dasuki, who were major actors in the matter were not called as witnesses.

The judge contended that, since the defendants mentioned the sources of the funds in their extrajudicial statements, the prosecution should have called them to testify.

"Prosecution did not show that the NSA acted on its own without authorisation by the president," the court held.

While also blaming the defendants for also failing to call the

president or NSA in the matter, the judge stated that, "It is foolhardy for any defendant to wait for the prosecution to call a witness that is relevant to his case", adding that their testimony would have shown whether the defendants received money illegally or without authorisation.

Accordingly, she held that the defendants were not guilty on counts 1 to 33, which borders on money laundering and criminal breach of trust and corruption.

The judge further held that the first defendant, Okupe, was guilty, when he received on several occasions cash sums above the N5 million threshold provided by the Money Laundering Act. She held the view that the testimonies of witnesses and vouchers from the office of the NSA proved that Okupe, for months, collected the sums of N10 million cash in violation of the Money Laundering Act which put a ceiling of N5 million for individuals and N10 million for corporate organisations.

The judge held that, "there is no evidence that the money passed through a financial institution."

While stressing that the NSA was not a financial institution, Justice Ojukwu added that even if the president was said to have authorised the funds, he did not say that the money must be paid in cash in violation of the money laundering law.

Consequently, the court held that, "I find the first defendant, Dr Doyin Okupe guilty in count

34, 35, 36...... 59.

In counts 34 to 59 upon which Okupe was convicted, he was accused of receiving various sums ranging from N10 million on different occasions from 2012 to 2015, when he was SSA to president Jonathan.

The said sum, according to him, were expended on running the office, payment of staffs and image laundering of the former president and his administration.

But the court maintained that receiving such amounts in cash violated the Money Laundering Act. Shortly after his conviction, his lawyer Mr Francis Oronsaye, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy on the grounds that the defendant was a first time offender, a family man, who is also advanced in age and having health challenges, that he was currently treating in Nigeria and outside the country.

Oronsaye, citing Section 310 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, urged the court to stand down the matter to enable him call witnesses that will attest to the good character of Okupe.

Lawyers to the second and third defendants also lend their voices in the plea for mercy, adding that the convict was a mere victim of circumstances.

Although the request was opposed by prosecution lawyer, Mr Audu Ibrahim, the judge however stood down the matter to enable the defendant call his witnesses before handing down her sentence.

Nsukka Traditional Rulers Hail Ugwuanyi on Infrastructure Devt Back PDP guber candidate, others in 2023 polls Traditional rulers of the nine autonomous communities that make up Nsukka Town, yesterday said Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State was the first leader in the history of the state to bring modern amenities such as street and traffic lights, township stadium and good road networks, among other numerous development projects to the area.

The royal fathers said Ugwuanyi, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District in the 2023 general election, went further to establish in Nsukka Zone, a specialised medical university and second university exclusively owned

by Enugu State Government, the State University of Medical and

Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State.

In a statement, they expressed gratitude to Ugwuanyi for showing Nsukka the light of the day in spite of the state’s limited resources coupled with the nation’s economic and security challenges, assuring the governor that the people of the town would deliver him overwhelmingly in the forthcoming general elections to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

The traditional rulers also assured the governor that the people of Nsukka Town would massively deliver the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, his running mate, Ifeanyi Ossai, the party’s candidate for Nsukka/IgboEze South Federal Constituency, Vita

Abba, and the candidates of the PDP for Nsukka West and Nsukka East constituencies, Hon. Amos Amadi Agbo and Mrs. Christiana Onah, respectively.

Speaking when Nsukka Town people organised a grand reception for their son who is the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Walter Ozioko, the traditional ruler of Owerre Nsukka Autonomous Community, Igwe Felix Emeka Ugwu, on behalf of the monarchs, stressed that what Ugwuanyi, who graced the event did for their people were numerous.

Ugwu said Ugwuanyi, “gave us street lights, traffic lights, good roads and a new befitting stadium which no past governor in Enugu did for us.

“And we are saying that Nsukka will give you bulk votes; we will deliver you in Owerre Nsukka; we will deliver you in Ihe, we will also deliver you in Nkpunano; we will deliver you in Nru and other places.”

In his welcome address, the President General of Nsukka Town Union, Chief Ishiwu Joe Onyeke, who reiterated the endorsement of the people of Nsukka Town to vote massively for Ugwuanyi, Mbah and other candidates of the PDP, disclosed that they honoured the Chairman of Nsukka LGA, Ozioko “in recognition of his giant strides in the development of the council area.”

Other speakers at the event including the representative of the Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Festus Onogwu; former Commis-

sioner for Finance, Enugu State, Mrs. Vivian Eze; former leader of Nsukka Legislative Council, Celestine Ogbu, the President of Nsukka Youth Association, Onyekachi Omeje, Amadi and Ozioko, all spoke in the same vein, re-echoing Ugwuanyi’s numerous laudable achievements in Nsukka zone and beyond and reassured him that their people will vote for him, Mbah, and other candidates of the party in the state.

They maintained that Ugwuanyi had garnered rich legislative and executive experience as a former ranking member of the House of Representatives and serving governor, stressing he will bring more remarkable developments to Nsukka Zone if elected as a senator in 2023.

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NEWS

WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY...

L-R; Deputy State Coordinator, Ebonyi State, United Nations POLAC Foundation, Enene Fonne; Area Head of Fiscal, Trade and AIT Engagement, British American Tobacco, West and Central Africa (BAT WCA), Ruth Owojaiye; Director, External Affairs, British American Tobacco, West and Central Africa, Odiri Erewa- Meggison and Director, Projects and Women Affairs, United Nations POLAC Foundation, Dr. Cynthia Obiora, at the commemoration of the 2022 World Human Rights Day and the Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Human Rights, in Abuja ... recently

Death Toll Rises to 39 in Kaduna Fresh Attacks Gunmen attack two communities, raze houses

John Shiklam in Kaduna The death toll in the recent attack on Malagum 1 and Sokwong communities of Kagoro Chiefdom, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have risen to 39 following the discovery of 11 more corpses.

Earlier reports had put the number of deaths at 28, with several people reportedly missing.

But a source in the area said, the 11 corpses were discovered in bushes while others died of injuries sustained.

It was learnt that among those killed, were a man, his wife and son, while several others said to be missing and many houses reportedly burnt.

A community leader in the area told THISDAY in a telephone chat that the attack occurred on Sunday at about 11pm and lasted for over an hour, noting that, there was serious tension in the communities as angry youths were insisting that they be allowed to go into the bushes to search for those missing.

The community leader, who pleaded anonymity anonymity, said he earlier counted eight corpses, when he visited Malagun 1 in the morning.

“I personally saw eight corpses myself this morning in Malagun 1. I also counted up to six burnt

houses before some youths started to protest and I left immediately, because I didn’t want to be caught in any fracas.

“But the report that is reaching me now is that 21 corpses were picked in Malagun 1, some people are still missing. Nobody knows where they are. It is possible that they could have run to some other houses or to the bushes for safety.

“Women were crying following the killing of their children or husbands. I know somebody whose father, mother and brother were killed,” he said, adding that the police and operatives of the joint task force had been deployed to the affected places.

According to agency reports, the Chairman of Kaura LGA, Mathias Siman, confirmed the incident but could only confirm the killing of seven people in Sokwong community.

The attacks came barely five days after three people were killed in a similar manner in Malagum 1.

The council chairman said almost all the houses in Sokwong Community were completely razed down by the terrorist, adding that he was yet to confirm the killings in Malagum 1.

He called on residents of the areas to remain calm as security agencies were being deployed to carry out investigation in to the

attacks.

Speaker of Kaura I Legislative Council, Atuk Stephen, also confirmed that 22 people were killed, while eight were said to have been killed in Sokwong.

Atuk, however, described the killings as barbaric and called on the federal government and security agencies to redouble their efforts in curtailing renewed killings in the area Meanwhile the Kaduna State

chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has condemned the killings.

State chairman of the association, Joseph Hayab, described the action as barbaric and a strategy to scare the people from exercising the rights, and therefore urged the government to ensure that those who committed the evil must be fished out and brought to justice.

The statement stated: “The Christian Association of Nigeria

(CAN) Kaduna State Chapter is mourning the death of over 28 innocent defenceless people of the Mallagum community in the Kagoro area who were brutally slaughtered last night.

“This massacre has further proven that the killers of the Southern Kaduna people have not yet been neutralised as claimed. The federal government and the security agencies must not let the killers escape. Those

who committed this evil must be fished out, arrested, and brought to face justice.

“These renewed killings may be a strategy to scare the people from exercising their rights and to further increase fear and impoverish them,” he said, condemning the act in the strongest terms, even as he appealed for calm, calling on the government and security to rise to the duty of protecting lives and property.

Tallen: FG Working Towards Leah Sharibu’s Release Olawale Ajimotokan Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has said the federal government was doing all it could to ensure the return of Dapchi school girl, Leah Sharibu, who was abducted in March 2018.

Tallen, who made the remarks yesterday at the 13th edition of the “PMB Administration Scorecard” in Abuja, however, called on all hands to be on deck as security issue should be seen as everyone’s concern rather than a responsibility of the government alone.

Tallen, who said she had visited Sharibu’s parents and

had reached out in support to them, added: “If you come to my office, you will see photographs of where I have visited Leah Sharibu’s parents and I have reached out to support them.

“Anything I put forward to Mr President’s desk, concerning them, he approves. You can also see in one of the photographs, the helicopter and the security personnel Mr President approved for me to go to Chibok and I have gone there three times.

“Leah Sharibu’s parents are not in Chibok but the military made arrangements for me to see them at the Airforce Base in Yola due to security concern.”

She, therefore, urged Nige-

rians to be sincere enough to support the military with the right information for them to secure the release of the Chibok and Dapchi girls still in captivity.

Her words: “I am touched as a mother and I know that this is a season that we should show love at everyone including those in captivity. Our prayers are with them and I know that very soon, God will release these children,” even as she lamented that party politics at the high hierarchy was skewed against the women folk.

“If you are not within the party structure in the party secretariat, you will be phased out. So, a lot of women that are qualified,

who bought the form, whom we sensitised, mentored years before the election, but when it comes to election time, they buy the forms and they are phased out. In our country, the men are so domineering and self-centred, they don’t want to give space to women.”

She, however, appealed that Senator Aisha Binani, be supported in her bid to clinch the governorship seat in Adamawa State, while other women seeking elective positions be supported.

“If we don't have women at the decision table, there is no way our laws can be better, that would suit the family,” she warned.

the likelihood of election violence due to a ‘win at all costs’ mentality among contestants who would have invested a fortune in election.

“Surely, election is not a business venture for profit. Instead, it is an application to serve the people with the understanding that they may prefer someone else on one occasion.

“But then, there would be an opportunity to reapply after four years. Citizens’ choices must never be subverted by the negative use of money.”

The INEC chairman said many Nigerians had demanded to know from the commission what it was doing about the deleterious influence of money in elections, particularly the diabolical purchase of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from voters ahead of the election and vote buying at polling units on election days.

He added, "Over the years, we introduced a number of measures, including the slight reconfiguration of our polling units to bring the

ballot boxes closer to the voting cubicles to discourage the exposure of the marked ballot papers by voters to vote buyers.

“We also banned the use of smart phones and photographic devices by voters in the voting cubicles.

Yet, these measures have recorded limited success.

"Today, we commence yet another initiative to sanitise and strengthen our electoral process. We believe that in dealing with the corruption of our elections by money, the commission cannot do it alone. To succeed, we must mobilise every relevant national institution to support our effort.

"We must rely on the professional and other capacities of cognate agencies in our determination to improve electoral administration in Nigeria. That is why we appreciate the collaboration with the Police, the ICPC, the EFCC as well as the regulatory bodies, such as the NBC and ARCON.

INEC: IF ATTACKS ON OUR OFFICES PERSIST, POLLS MAY BE JEOPARDISED Nigeria (APRCON), and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) also condemned hate speech by politicians and reeled out actions to tackle it during and after the 2023 general election.

Speaking at the occasion, Director General of NFIU, Modibbo Turkur, who commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its policy of limiting cash withdrawal and redesigning the currency, revealed that NFIU would seal up all government accounts in early January 2023.

The NFIU boss explained that many of those who engaged in vote buying did so because of free funds at their disposal.

He stressed, “We will also activate our flag up action on all politicians and the accounts of political parties.

With the activation and flag up of the accounts, any withdrawals will be alerted and the report will be sent to the relevant agencies for action.

"We don't arrest, but be rest

assured that we will monitor all withdrawals of huge of funds done within the period of the elections.

We will also activate flagging of accounts of the candidates of the political parties and others under our radar.

"We will also strengthen the policy of the CBN and with the non-cash banking economy, there would be no going back on our flag up on cash withdrawals and the early warning system."

He said the financial intelligence unit was investigating over 15,000 transactions on governments’ accounts, adding that all efforts would be made to stop vote-buying in the country.

In his speech, Chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hadiza Gamawa, said all instituted measures against vote buying would be applied during the election period.

The EFCC chairman stressed the need for effective collaboration by all security agencies, while calling on

political parties and their candidates to be aware of the provisions of the Electoral Act for four to 14 years jail term on conviction.

He called for full disclosure of all funds meant for political campaigns by the political parties.

On his part, Chairman of ICPC, Bolaji Awansanya, commended the CBN for its new limits on cash withdrawal as well as the new currency redesign policy, explaining that if effectively implemented it would go a long way in checking vote buying during elections.

In his contribution, Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Operations, Bala Ciroma, said anyone seen moving with huge sums of money during the election period would be arrested.

He also said plain clothes police officers would be deployed during the elections, while covert and overt operations would be used to the ensure that vote buying did not

take place Speaking at the occasion, the chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, lamented the implications of vote buying, saying that it robs the country of capacity to elect credible leaders.

According to the INEC chairman, "The negative role of money in elections goes to the very heart of our democracy. It destroys the very basis of democratic elections, which is that citizens should freely choose those who exercise power on their behalf.

“It renders the emergence of the right candidates for positions extremely difficult, undermines fair electoral adjudication and destroys the professional and independent conduct of INEC officials and other public agencies involved in elections. Even more worrisome is the high prospect that criminal money may find its way into our elections through money laundering.

"Above all, the pernicious use of money tremendously increases

Continues online

TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

37

NEWS

MAX-MIGOLD GET ISO CERTIFICATION..

L-R: Founder and Director Refin Homes Limited, Mr. Kazeem Owolabi; Faculty Member, Max-Migold Limited, Mr. Osi Egbeahie; Director, Management System Certification, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Felix Nyado; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Max-Migold, Mr. Paul Erubami; General Manager, Performance Management Operation Excellence , Max-Migold, Mr. Iniobong Charles, during the ISO certification of Maxi-Migold in Lagos...recently ABAYOMI AKINYELE

Police Neutralise 12 Bandits in Bauchi Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

In a daring joint operation, Bauchi State Police Command neutralized no fewer than 12 bandits including their Kingpin known as Madaki Mansur, responsible for terrorising Alkaleri Local Government of the state and other neighboring states of Taraba, Plateau and Gombe.

This was disclosed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil in a Press release yesterday to

newsmen Monday in Bauchi.

According to the release, “On the 19th December 2022 at about 0230hrs, a joint operation of security operatives engaged suspected bandits/kidnappers in four different hideouts, Mansur, Digare, Gwana and Dajin Madam in Alkaleri forest.

“Following the hot exchange of superior fire-power by the operatives which left 12 of the kidnappers neutralised while others were subdued, dislodged, and scampered in disarray into the nearby bushes with possible gunshot wounds and abandoned

NGO Rallies Support for Gov Sule’s Re-election Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia A non-governmental organisation, Diana Development Initiative (DDI), yesterday began the mobilisation of support for the re-election bid of Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, in the 2023 general election.

Consequently, the Executive Director of the group, Mrs. Jerusa Dennis Yakubu, inaugurated the ‘Diana Voice Activities for Governor AA Sule/EA Akabe Re-election Project’, in Lafia, the state capital.

When inaugurating the project, the DDI executive

director said the initiative is a voice aimed at canvassing support for the state governor and his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe, in the forthcoming general election.

She noted that the prompt payment of workers’ salaries constantly as and when due was one of the reasons the organisation was supporting the re-election of the governor and his deputy.

Yakubu added: “In the governor’s first four years of administration, he had strategically provided and maintained adequate security for peace and order to prevail across the state and beyond.

Group Lauds FG on New Language Policy Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city A socio-cultural organisation, the Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI), has lauded the federal government over the new National Language Policy which makes it compulsory for the teaching of indigenous languages at the first six years of a child‘s education-that’s primary one to six.

The group noted that the policy underscores the basis of its agitation for urgent intervention on the threat of extinction afflicting the Esan language, spoken largely by the people in the Edo Central senatorial zone, which had gone unheeded by successive administrations, including that of Governor Godwin

Obaseki, and the authorities of the 40-year-old Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State.

Commending the federal government for this policy which it contends may breathe new life to the language of many of the over 500 ethnic groups in the country that are presently threatened with extinction, the group in a statement issued in Benin-city and signed by its President, Mathew Egbadon, and its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tony Iyare, said the government’s move to also ensure that the indigenous language is taught along with English at the first three years of secondary school (JSS1-3) is redeeming.

their camp” “Consequently, weapons and operational motorcycles were recovered during the operation.

Meanwhile, the Command is intensifying efforts to apprehend

the fleeing members of the syndicate,” the PPRO said.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the attack on Malagum 1 and Sokwong communities of Kagoro Chiefdom, Kaura Local

Government Area of Kaduna state has risen to 39 following the discovery of 11 more corpses.

Earlier reports had put the number of deaths at 28, with several people reportedly

missing.

A source in the area said the 11 corpses were discovered in bushes while others died of injuries sustained during the attack.

N800m Drilling Pipes: Rivers Court Grants N100m Bail to Ex-Anambra Guber Aspirant

Blessing IbungeinPortHarcourt

A Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has granted bail in the tune of N100 million to a former governorship aspirant in Anambra state, Walter Ubaka Okeke, over alleged stealing of oil drilling pipes and many heavy duty equipment worth over N800 million.

The former gubernatorial aspirant is facing a trial in suit number PMC/884c/2022, before

Chief Magistrate, A. O. Amadi-Nna. The embattled ex-Anambra guber aspirant, Okeke, have been in detention for over one month in the Port Harcourt correctional centre following an order of arrest by the court.

When the matter was mentioned yesterday, the Chief Magistrate ruled on the application for bail and the objection raised by the prosecution led by Godday Amadi, and granted the accused bail with the like sum of N100 million.

Okeke hails from Enugwu village of Nanka in Orumba North local council area, but lives in his own compound at the Trans-Amadi area of the Garden City where the complainant, Sir Ifeanyi Amaonye, allegedly stocked the oil drilling pipes and other heavy industrial equipment.

Other conditions by the magistrate include that the surety must be up to Grade level 14 in the Rivers State Civil service

who must have landed property within the Court’s jurisdiction.

The property documents must be verified by the prosecution.

Also, an affidavit of means from a Grade Level 14 officer of the Rivers State Ministry must be deposited (original copy) with original copy of his appointment letter with the court. Each of the parties must deposit two of their passports and an affidavit of means which must be present and available.

Makinde: My Administration ‘ll Continue to Improve Educational System Kemi Olaitan inIbadan Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has said his administration will continue to do everything necessary to improve the standard of education in the state, noting that this commitment was behind the decision to declare the sector as one of the major pillars of the government.

The governor stated this while speaking at the 2022 Christmas Carol Service with the theme “Joy to the world,” held at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, adding that his administration will continue to commit resources to improve the education sector, while the pace of development in other sectors will also not reduce.

He maintained that his administration has laid the foundation to ensure the continuous improvement of the human development index of the state.

The governor also used the occasion to announce that the state government would pay the 13th month salary to workers in the state on or before 31 December as it has

been doing since the inception of the administration in 2019.

On some of the strides recorded by the administration , especially in the education sector, Makinde said with the upgrade of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education to a University of Education, the state now has a state-owned conventional university and two specialised universities.

Enugu PDP Campaign Organisation Warns Opposition against Spreading Falsehood Gideon Arinze in Enugu

The Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Organisation in Enugu state have warned opposition parties to refrain from assassinating the character of the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election,

Peter Mbah.

The organisation also warned opposition parties to desist from what they described as campaign of calumny intended to bring down the reputation of incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Director of communication

and spokesperson of the PDP Campaign Organisation, Barr.

Nana Ogbodo, who gave the warning yesterday, said that although parties in the state did not engage in any kind of peace accord, it is supposed to trickle down from the national level where it was signed.

He explained that the state has been inundated with clearly malicious jingles and sundry content conceived with the devious intent to malign the reputation of Mbah, especially since the beginning of campaigns for the forthcoming elections.

Wike Urges Judiciary to Explore Alternative Prosecutor to Accelerate Family Court Cases

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Governor Nyesom Wike has called for legal audacity that will accelerate cases before the Family Court even when prosecutors develop a cold feet over such cases.

Governor Wike advised the judiciary when he inaugurated the Rivers State Family Court at the High Court Complex in Port Harcourt yesterday.

The Rivers State governor also unveiled the “Family Court Rules, the Guide,” and the book is titled “The Child, Ethics

and the Law: A Simplified Law Guide for Children and Young Persons.”

Governor Wike noted that often, prosecutors clandestinely withdraw prosecution of child’s rights abuse cases, which frustrate the case, and justice to the child denied, eventually.

He said to stop such situation, the judiciary should do everything possible to achieve the essence of establishing the Family Court, which he said is to engender a child friendly justice system that treat children with dignity and fairness.

Ondo APC Primary: Ategbole Drags Ex-Ondo Gov’s Son to Court

FidelisDavidinAkure

The controversy surrounding the election of Adegboyega Adefarati, the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akoko South East/Akoko South West federal

constituency in the forthcoming general elections has taken a new dimension.

One of the aspirants, who participated in the fresh party primary, Dr. Victor Olusegun Ategbole headed to the Federal High

Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, seeking nullification of the result of the fresh primary conducted on November 29, 2022.

He alleged that the party’s leadership at the state level doctored the delegates’ list used for the

primary that held at St. Patrick’s Secondary School, Iwaro, Oka Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area , Ondo State, replacing 17 delegates on the list without recourse to Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

38

NEWSXTRA

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ACTION…

L-R: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Whitefield Foundation, Funmi Johnson; Deputy Governor, Anambra State, Dr. Onyeka Ibezima; Director, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe; Vice-Chairman, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Chief Paul Odenigbo; State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ihejiofor, during the donation of relief items to communities in Awka, Anambra State…recently

Setback for Enugu APC as Party’s Chieftain Collapses Structure for PDP Guber Candidate The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Enugu State has suffered a huge setback as thousands of its card-carrying members from Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state declared support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Peter Mbah, saying they had taken over the ownership of the project.

Members of the party who converged on Enugu, on Sunday under the aegis of Ezeagu Igbudu Movement said they believed Mbah has what it takes to move the state forward by giving the citizens a new socio-economic outlook.

Speaking at the venue, the convener of the group and former commissioner in the state, Chief Joe Mmamel, was quoted in a

Gombe Gov Promises Sustainable Devt as APC Rounds off Kwami Campaign Rally Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has promised that his administration will continue to take measures that will improve the lots of the people and provide opportunities that will engender human capital development for sustainable growth of the state.

The governor gave the assurance during a campaign rally in Kwami West axis of Kwami Local Government Area of the state yesterday.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign train traversed through the LGA where it was greeted by supporters in the area.

The campaign team held rallies in Bojude, Gadam, Komfulata

and Kwami Wards and also visited more than 10 communities in western Kwami LGA. The governor also cited the 1000-hectre Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park project being undertaken by his administration and the recently inaugurated Kolmani Integrated project as part of measures put in place to absorb the teeming youths of Gombe State and bringing economic prosperity to the people.

At the event, Yahaya said: “Our resolve is for our people to live a well secure life with prosperous economy and social security. We shall continue to bring development to the doorsteps of the common man.”

statement to have described himself as a staunch member and chieftain of theAPC who had decided to lead members of the party and other professionals to give maximum support to Mbah’s governorship project.

According to him; “Dr. Peter

Mbah is the project we are discussing currently in the state, and we in Ezeagu believe that the PDP gubernatorial flagbearer is the right person we can partner with for the state’s transformation.

“This movement is a movement for development and we want to

partner with you. Ezeagu has 20 political wards, and our members here are experienced in delivering elections. So, we are promising you our support.”

Mammel, a former elected chairman of Ezeagu local government area, appealed to Mbah

to create more employments for his people by resuscitating the defunct Ezeagu Premier Cashew industry, build more access roads, focus on human capital development and youth employment, and build on the existing security architecture in the state.

Ekiti PDP National, State Assemblies’ Candidates Reject Presidential Campaign Council Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Another crisis seems to have rocked the Ekiti State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as all the National Assembly and House of Assembly candidates have rejected the composition of Ekiti State PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Campaign

Management Committee.

A press release that was jointly signed by all the candidates alleged that some members of the campaign council were also members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), particularly those that were appointed as directors of campaign for the central and north senatorial districts.

The aggrieved candidates, who included Mr. Lateef Ajijola Fayose, son of former Governor Fayose and others, expressed fear that the composition of the campaign council would definitely work against their chance of coasting to victory.

Part of the release reads: “Our attention has been drawn to Presidential Campaign Council

and Campaign Management Committee for Ekiti State, as released by your good self, being circulated on various social media platforms.

“Particularly, the persons appointed as directors of campaign for the central and north senatorial districts are members of Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Oyetola’s Aide Hits at Fasure over Osun’s Debt Profile The media aide to former governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, Ismail Omipidan, has described as reckless and unguarded, the statement on Osun loans’ liquidation credited to Mr. Sola Fasure, media adviser to a former governor of Osun and current Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

This is as he challenged Fasure to produce records of the purported liquidation of the loans Aregbesola

incurred, when he was governor of the State.

Responding to the claim by Fasure that loans Aregbesola incurred from 2013 to 2017 had been liquidated, Omipidan, who described the claim as unfortunate said, this was not the first time Fasure would be dishing out lies on behalf of his principal, insisting that he lied with reckless abandonment.

“Fasure should know that the EFCC is a responsible agency and

a discerning one at that. Therefore, they know facts from fictions.

They will know, who did what and when. This is where I find his call on the EFCC as not only irresponsible, and unguarded but reckless.

“Fasure and his co-travellers are merely trying to exploit the raging political reality to spew lies to the public. His statement has further confirmed our position that they are working in cohort with the

Adeleke and the PDP. This, further explains why the PDP government cleverly avoided publishing the dates the loans were procured.

“I challenge Fasure to publish details of how the loans were purportedly liquidated for the members of the public to analyse.

Again, I want to reiterate that we never took any loan before or after the July 16 governorship election as being alleged by Fasure and the PDP.

Members of the South-south zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its readiness to present its agenda to the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, during a town hall meeting slated for Calabar, Cross River State, today.

of the campaign visit of Tinubu and Shettima to the state, the Deputy Director, Media and Publicity Committee of the Local Organising Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Julius Okputu, said while the zone is expected to place their agenda at the table of the party’s joint presidential candidates, the APC in the state

would expect of the candidates if elected into office next year.

According to him, “We are fully prepared for Asiwaju’s visit to Calabar for a town hall meeting with people of Southsouth Nigeria.

“Preparations are on top gear to give a warmth welcome to our presidential candidate, Ahmed Tinubu, who will join us on

with the people of South-south.

“The state has so much to put in place for the incoming president to implement, especially in the area of agro-industrialisation, job creation, robust manufacturing and sustained innovation, establishment of a national security architecture to obliterate terror, banditry, kidnapping among others.

Edo Group Hails Appointment South-south APC to Present Agenda to Tinubu/Shettima of Ogbuku as NDDC MD Bassey Addressing journalists ahead has already arrived at what they Tuesday in a town hall meeting Inyang in Calabar

Sunday Okobi

A sociopolitical group based in Edo State, Edo Grassroots Ambassadors (EGA), has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The commendation was made when the group held its national convention in Benin-city, the state capital, recently.

In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr. James Okeati, the group said the nomination of Ogbuku by President Buhari was evidence of the president’s determination to overhaul and enhance the operations

of the commission to meet the objectives that informed its establishment.

The statement said: “Dr. Ogbuku’s appointment as part of the 15-member board

by President Buhari to direct the affairs of the NDDC is a reassuring indication of the president’s determination to revamp and refocus the NDDC to meet its founding objectives.

“It is an important contrast to previous practice in which important leadership positions of the commission are doled out to unknown quantities whose consequent incompetence forced many to call into question the relevance of the commission given that its results have not matched the investments poured into it.

Youths Launch Campaign for Sanwo-Olu, Target Three Million Votes Ayodeji Ake

The Lagos State youths yesterday launched the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Youth Professionals Support Group (BOSYOPS) to secure three million votes for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term bid. The group also

launched a virtual platform giving free internet access for accessibility.

Addressing newsmen after the launch, the Convener of BOSYOPS, Bisola Olusanya, noted the group aimed to ensure youth-inclusive and total support for Sanwo-Olu for another four years, adding that the virtual

platform is for transparency of activities. “The reason for the group is to say as youths, we need a transparent platform, that we can drive and where our voice can be heard.

It’s for us to come together to make a uniform decision on who will run for the next four years and here we are devoting our

support for Governor SanwoOlu to continue the affairs of the state for a greater Lagos.

“The group is for the youths, by the youths, and of the youths.

No man is an islander. Governor Sanwo-Olu needs our support which is why we are coming together to garner support for him,” she said.

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TUESDAY, ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

DURO IKHAZUAGBE Reporting live

Following his success with Argentina in the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Captain Lionel Messi has backtracked from his initial plan to quit international duties for the South American nation.

He insisted on Sunday night that he was still going to be around the Albiceleste "a few more games being world champion.”

Messi and Argentina after Sunday's spectacular final that saw Kylian Mbappe hit a hat-trick for France but still end up on the losing side.

A 4-2 victory on penalties after a 3-3 draw gave Argentina their third World Cup success, after lifting the trophy in 1978 and 1986, and means Messi's final appearance on the biggest stage of all ended in a fairy tale manner.

It was the trophy he had been

Sponsored by:

Messi Makes U-Turn on Decision to Retire from Argentina striving to win before the end of his career, and the 35-year-old finished the tournament with seven goals and three assists, becoming the first player to score in every round and the group stage.

He took the Golden Ball award as the best player, but Mbappe pipped him to the Golden Boot with eight goals.

Messi told Argentine TyC Sports: "Obviously I wanted to close my career with this, I can't ask for anything any more. Thank God, he gave me everything. Closing almost my career like this, it's incredible."

Messi knows his career is winding down, and he put in the work to make sure he was in prime shape for one last shot at the World Cup. His emotional reaction after the final whistle, kissing the trophy

at the first opportunity, reflected how dearly Messi wanted this moment.

A double in the final meant Messi became the highest-scoring South American player in major international tournaments with 26 goals - 13 in the World Cup as many in the Copa America. That took him one goal ahead of Brazil great Ronaldo, who previously held the record.

"After this, what will there be? I was able to get the Copa America, World Cup… It came to me almost at the end," Messi said "I enjoy being in the national team, the group, I want to continue living a few more games being world champion.

"It's every little kid's dream, I was lucky to have achieved everything and what I was missing is here."

Ecstatic Argentines Prepare to Welcome World Cup Winners Today Argentina Captain, Lionel Messi, poses with the trophy on board as the team depart Qatar yesterday ahead of parade in Buenos Aires today

World Cup-winning Argentina players including Lionel Messi are expected to fly into joyous celebrations in Buenos Aires this morning from Qatar where they survived a dramatic shootouts with France to win their third title.

The Albiceleste left Doha

Benzema Quits Les Bleus after ‘Spat’ with Deschamps Current Ballon d’Or winner, and Real Madrid forward, Karim Benzema, has announced his retirement from international football after missing France's run to the World Cup final.

Benzema was sent home on the eve of the tournament after picking up an injury, but there was some speculation that he could have returned for the final after playing in a friendly for Real Madrid.

However, he reportedly rejected the opportunity to go back to Qatar after falling out with manager Didier Deschamps, and has now taken to social media to confirm that he has decided to call time on his international career.

“I made the effort an mistake it took to be where I am today I’m proud of it! I have written my story and ours is ending,” Benzema wrote on Instagram yesterday afternoon.

Benzema rejected an offer from French President, Emmanuel Macron, to take his personal private jet to Qatar for Sunday's final.

That followed his 'I'm not interested' message ahead of the final as he strongly hinted he would snub any call-up.

He did, however, post a good luck message to his team-mates that read: “It's time… all together.

Vamonos. Come on Les Bleus.”

Deschamps is planning to hold talks with the French Football Federation in the new year over his future, but Benzema has opted to not wait to see how those discussions play out and has quit the national team.

Benzema finishes his France career with 37 goals in 97 caps, but his journey with the national team has

been far from smooth since his debut 15 years ago.

Benzema made his international debut against Austria in March 2007 and scored during his substitute appearance in the second-half.

He was selected for France's Euro 2008 squad but was criticised for his performances in the group stages of the tournament as the team crashed out early.

Despite playing regularly during the qualification campaign, Benzema was left out of France's squad for

the 2010 World Cup, though coach Raymond Domenech insisted it was due to his club form with Real Madrid rather than his alleged involvement in a sex scandal at the time.

Benzema would play at Euro 2012 and World Cup 2014 but his part in the sex tape blackmail plot involving France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena led to a five-year absence from the international fold, which included their victorious 2018 World Cup campaign.

He returned to the France squad for Euro 2020 last year and scored four goals during the tournament to end up as the third-highest goalscorer.

After impressing in the UEFA Nations League finals, Benzema won the first trophy of his time with the national side.

Following an excellent year in which he won the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or, Benzema had expected to be a force in the French attack at the World Cup until his injury intervened.

yesterday with the World Cup trophy in tow at 5am Argentina time and refuelled in Italian capital city Rome, before flying on to Ezeiza in Buenos Aires. They are expected to land at dawn this morning (Tuesday).

The picture posted by Messi, the best player of the tournament on social media site, Instagram, had amassed 11.8million likes one hour after being sent and is already the second-most liked photo in the website's history.

Fernandez commented saying: 'GOOD MORNING. Going like this we celebrate ALL TOGETHER.' Meanwhile the disappointed France players became the last team to leave Qatar yesterday and were somehow confused over their plans agreed to go and greet their fans in central Paris.

French Sports Minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, said the team planned to go to the Place de la Concorde in Paris after their plane

touches down.

But within hours, the chief of France's football federation (FFF), Noel Le Graet, contradicted the minister, saying the players just wanted to go home.

"When you don't win you don't feel like wandering down the Champs Elysees or anywhere else," Le Graet told the BFMTV broadcaster, in reference to the glamorous avenue running from Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.

However, the French Federation said Le Graet had returned earlier than the team and had not been aware of their decision to meet with the fans.

France coach Didier Deschamps rued the failure to become the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.

"I don't want to take any merit away from Argentina but there were lots and lots of emotions and it was cruel at the end because we were so close," he said.

Access Bank Backs S’Africa’s Child Education with R2.6m

In keeping with its commitment to making a difference in society through philanthropy, Access Bank PLC, last Saturday, hosted the second edition of the Access Bank Polo Day in South Africa at the famed Val de Vie Polo Club in Cape Town.

Organised in partnership with Fifth Chukker, the Polo Day once again delivered on some commendable fundraising accompanied by plenty of polo.

The event saw Access Bank raise over R2.6 million to bolster the education of underprivileged children in South Africa through the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

In his address, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Corporation, Herbert Wigwe, stressed the need to pay more attention to child education while reiterating the financial institution’s pledge to give underserved children access

to quality learning.

“One of the greatest problems we find on the continent is that we don’t pay enough attention to child education and there are different studies that have highlighted the increasing number of South African children who drop out of school at early stages due to different reasons including poor performance, lack of funding, among others. Nonetheless, we must recognise the importance of child education to nation-building and play our part to ensure hope is restored to our children, our communities, South Africa and indeed, the entire continent.”

Wigwe maintained that 12 years ago, the Access Corporation decided to act and positively impact the lives of underprivileged children in Africa, and the project that started with impacting 400 children in Nigeria has seen financial institutions

change the lives of over 14,000 in underserved communities.

In May 2021, Access Bank PLC formally flagged-off its operations in South Africa as a strategic step in the organisation’s vision of delivering a robust banking operation that connects key African markets.

The event was graced by several dignitaries from across the continent including the Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje AigImoukhuede and his wife, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede; Chairman, Access Bank PLC, Dr Ajoritsedere Awosika; Chief Executive, Matad Group Nigeria Ltd, Adamu Atta, Doreen Wigwe among others.

The first edition of the Access Bank Polo Day raised the sum of R360,000 for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Trust Fund (NMCF), while additional funds generated from the sale of artworks at the event went to the Foundation.

L-R: The Access Bank team made up of Adamu Atta, Jo Bronn, Charl du Plessis and Tom de Bruin, emerged the winner of the 2nd edition of the Access Bank Polo Cup 2022 which held at the Val de Vie Polo Club, Cape Town, South Africa...recently

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

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Agbakoba to EFCC

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for example, plays a very strong role in the anti-corruption strategy of Nigeria, but they are also one of the institutions most guilty of breaking the rule of law. Is it their business how Kogi State spends their money? What the EFCC is currently doing is turning itself into a one-man Robin Wood riot gang. That must not be allowed and that is the impunity that I refer to “ --Former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, accusing the EFCC of unwarranted media trial of the Kogi State government.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

FIFA World Cup 2022: A Review T

he 2022 World Cup is over and what a World Cup that was- 29 days: November 20 – December 18 of pure passion, nail-biting, knife-edge matches, records made, myths broken, pure, contagious, joy in a tournament that has been truly adjudged as one of the greatest ever of its kind, since the World Cup began in July 1930. No one gave the government and the people of Qatar a chance: there were issues about human rights, the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers, the non-consumption of alcohol, and Qatar’s insistence on the inviolability of its cultural and conservative values. Many questioned why the tournament was awarded to Qatar in the first place and predicted it would turn out to be the dullest World Cup in history.

The objections were probably 12 years late. Over a period of 12 years, the government of Qatar engaged over 26, 000 workers to build seven new stadiums, 100 hotels, apartments, villas, estates and tents. The host country also built a completely new metro rail system and major highways to facilitate transportation within the 54 km radius within which all the 8 stadiums used for the tournament are located. A fleet of 4,000 buses were made available, with about 49, 000 security personnel, both public and private, on duty to provide security. It was the first time the World Cup would be hosted in the Middle East and by an Arab nation which does not even have a record of any outstanding performance in football as firmly indicated eventually by the fact that Qatar turned out to be the first host country, granted automatic qualification in line with FIFA traditions, that would lose all its matches in the group stage.

But in the end the country put up a spectacular performance, it invested a total of about $220 billion – clearly the most expensive World Cup ever held.

Attendance was over 3. 4 million, 64 matches, played by 32 teams, scoring 172 goals – the highest in the history of the tournament. Thus, Qatar defied all the odds to stage a World Cup that would be remembered for long as a great achievement for both Qatar and the entire Arab world. It is not for nothing that Qatar is now making a bid to host the 2036 Olympics Games.

It can do so having shown its capability to host the entire world and do so successfully. The big point is not about the money spent, but leadership, focus, vision, the fact that rules work when enforced, and those are precisely the key points those seeking lessons from Qatar and the World Cup should consider. The people and government of Qatar deserve a standing ovation.

This was also Africa’s best outing at the World Cup with the Atlas Lions of Morocco achieving the feat of a fourth place, losing to Croatia, 2 - 1 in a third place play off, after losing to France in the semi-finals. In a tournament in which the Three Lions of England were tamed by arch-rivals France, in the quarter-finals, the Atlas Lions of Morocco kept roaring beyond the semi-finals. They may have lost to Croatia, but they did Africa proud and sent a strong message to the world about the growing maturity of football in the continent. The world will remember that Morocco did not concede goals, except an own goal during the group stage, until the semi-finals against France.

Morocco in the course of the tournament proved to be a giant slayer beating Spain to reach the quarterfinals.

The celebration of this feat was so loud that when Moroccan women trooped to the streets in Ceuta, Spain to celebrate, Spanish policemen turned on them with truncheons. Morocco had in fact defeated Belgium and Portugal too. The Moroccan wins generated violent attacks in Europe (Antwerp, Brussels, Rotterdam, Amsterdam) and the Hague) and also in Israel. When Morocco made it to the semi-finals against France, the referee was so obviously unfriendly.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation had to petition FIFA over the performance of referee Cesar Ramos. But it no longer matters, Morocco has made history that is good for it and also for African football.

Senegal’s national team, the Lions of Teranga, may have lost in the group of 16 knock-out stage to the Three Lions of England, 3-0, but they didn’t do badly either.

Even without Sadio Mane, the Senegalese talisman,

Lionel Messi

Kylian Mbappe

the world witnessed at closer range the creativity of Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Ismaila Sarr who gave a good account of themselves. Tunisia may not have gone beyond the group stage, but the team pulled off one of the greatest shocks in the tournament beating defending champion, and eventual runner-up, France, 1- 0. Cameroon and Ghana, the two other African representatives did not make it beyond the group stage too. But overall, the world will not forget Africa’s performance at the World Cup 2022. It was a pity that Nigeria was not there. However, African football associations as Sunday Oliseh, a member of the FIFA Technical Crew has pointed out, need to develop the local leagues at home, and that is a message that Nigeria needs to note carefully.

Once upon a time in this country, the local Nigerian league produced stars. Sunday Oliseh, himself is homemade: from Saint Finbarr’s, Akoka, he played in the Principal’s Cup and was a star in the Nigerian League, as player with Julius Berger before he went abroad and subsequently became a legend. The Nigerian Football Federation has failed to build on past glories.

The Nigerian League is in shambles. Many Nigerians would rather watch European football. Many do not even know that once upon a time in this country, Nigerians were excited watching clubs like Stationery Stores. BCC Lions of Gboko, IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, ACB Lagos, Mighty Jets of Jos, Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri, Abiola Babes, Leventis United, Concord FC, Bendel Insurance, Enugu Rangers, Sharks of Port Harcourt and others. Football in Nigeria is in a state of “arrested development” for the want of a better phrase. This year, we were left with no option but to console ourselves with the role of spectators and commentators. Our only bright moment perhaps was the appearance of Davido on the closing day, singing “Hayya Hayya” (Better Together) alongside Trinidad Cardona, and Qatari singer, Aisha. Davido made us proud, reiterating the importance of the creative arts as veritable tools of diplomacy, branding and international relations and the limitless value of individual talent. Morocco did not just make history, it has now been chosen as the host of the Club World Cup in February 2023, a tournament it had the honour of hosting previously in 2013 and 2014. No one should be surprised if some day in the future, Morocco is chosen to host the FIFA World Cup. Watching the 2022 World Cup, it is difficult even after the teams have all departed, to forget some of the historic moments: Saudi Arabia defeated the eventual winner - Argentina, 2-1, Tunisia handed France a 2-1 defeat, and as if these were not enough, Japan walloped a presumably formidable German side, 2 -1.

Japan also beat Spain, 2 – 1, South Korea humiliated Portugal, 2-1. Canada scored its first, historic World

Cup goal against Croatia, but despite losing and crashing our early, that was more than exciting for the Canadians. This was one World Cup where every team was determined to stand out and refused to be taken for granted. There was no fear in the eyes of the co-called underdogs who fought valiantly. The World Cup is about glory and the thrill, although some people have observed that money is also a factor. But that cannot possibly be the main motivation for the great individual and team performance that we saw on display. What we know however is that for just qualifying at all, each team got 1.2 million pounds, teams that got to the group stage - £7.5m, Round of 16 - £11m, Quarter-finals - £14m, Fourth place - £21m, Third place - £23m, Runners-up - £25m, Winners - £35m, not to forget the fact that the players were entitled to 30% share of the prize fund. FIFA itself made 7.5 billion, more than the originally anticipated profit. But what we saw on display was patriotism, self-belief, confidence, human capacity, and the determination tot excel.

The tournament was so electrifying, even the fans switched camps and supported the teams that they found impressive. There were sad moments though. Three journalists died: Grant Wahl, American Sports journalist, Al Kass TV photo-journalist, Khalid al-Misslam, and Roger Pearce, ITV Sports technical director. A 62-year-old supporter of Wales, Kevin Davies; a security guard at the Lusail Stadium, John Njau Kibue from Kenya, and Alex, a Filipino working at the training resort used by the Saudi Arabian team, also died. May their souls rest in peace. The bigger story is that even before the tournament began, a total number of migrant workers over the 12-year cycle between 2,000 to 6, 500 died, including suicides.

This was one World Cup haunted by “ghosts” and there have been talks about corruption as far away as Europe and sheer criminality with regard to the management of the tournament. Will anyone be held liable at all, now that the game has been won and lost and everyone else has moved on? Will anyone ever admit the other truths about deaths and cover-ups at Qatar 2022? FIFA fined Croatia and Serbia for inter-ethnic incidents at the World Cup. But the same FIFA could not touch the United States which altered the Iranian flag. Also, the family of a Qatari Whistleblower, Abdullah Ibhais who raised concerns about the mistreatment of migrant workers has accused FIFA of “callous indifference” and for ignoring his case. Ibhais was detained, accused of fraud, tortured and thrown into solitary confinement in prison. Ibhais was a member of the Supreme Committee of the Qatar World Cup team. FIFA has been silent.

The role of referees was also a major issue in this year’s World Cup. Morocco complained about the

referee in the France vs Morocco semi-finals. Lionel Messi and Emi Martinez were openly furious with referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz in the Argentina vs Netherlands quarter-finals. The Spanish referee dished out an incredible 18 yellow cards and one red! Lahoz was sent packing by FIFA. Argentine referees - Fernando Rappallini and Facundo Tello were also accused of conflict of interest. The female referees seemed to have fared better. Stephanie Frappart became the first female referee to officiate a match at the men’s World Cup when she took charge of the Group F match between Germany and Costa Rica. Out of a total of 36 referees selected for the World Cup, six were women, Stephanie Frappart (France), Karen Diaz Medina (Mexico), Neuza Back (Brazil), Salima Mukasanga (Rwanda), Kathryn Nesbitt (America) and Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan), paving the way for a whole generation of female referees, with their professional outing at the World Cup. FIFA referee Chairman, the legendary Pierluigi Collina had the honour of overseeing the referees, but certainly there would be need for a further look at the refereeing process and the deployment of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

This year’s World Cup was a sort of ending for some of the stars: Cristiano Ronaldo whose team, Portugal simply failed to shine, losing to Morocco and South Korea, even if they managed to beat Switzerland 6-1. Ronaldo himself was treated shabbily by his own coach -Fernando Santos who has now been sacked by the Portuguese Football Federation (PTF). It was Ronaldo’s last World Cup as he now retires, from international football. Other players who may not participate in the 2026 World Cup include Lionel Messi (Argentina), Neymar (Brazil), Karim Benzema (France), Eden Hazard (Belgium), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Gareth Bale (Wales) Luka Modric (Croatia) and Thiago Silva (Brazil). Out of this list, the marvellous Messi of Argentina stands out for ending his international career with glory, applause and distinction having led Argentina to its Third World Cup trophy in Doha, Oatar.

Football has produced many great players: Pele, Diego Maradona, but the World Cup 2022 is the moment of Messi. He played in his fifth World Cup, surpassing the four of Diego Maradona and Mascherano. He also scored in every game in which he appeared in Qatar, scoring seven goals, with two assists. He has also made a record 26 appearance in World Cup matches. More importantly, he won the Golden Ball Award and finally achieved his dream of lifting the World Cup trophy – the Holy Grail.

The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad, gave him a black, golden tunic, the Beshth, a gesture of honour and high appreciation. The last time Argentina won the World Cup was 36 years ago. This was sweet victory for Argentina and Latin America and glory for Lionel Messi who is now effectively, at just 35, in the pantheon of legends. What a career! What a man, in whom fortune and destiny are both so well mixed. In that final match between Argentina and France, the tension was so high, the sequence was so hard, anyone could have had a heart attack depending on their health. But in the end, Argentina won. Emi Martinez saved two of the spot kicks by France. Argentina won after the regulation time and extra time and the penalties. That was a special moment not just in football, but life itself.

The agony of losers could be seen on the face of the French team. If France had won, it would have repeated the feat of Italy which won the World Cup back-to-back in 1934 and 1938, and Germany in 1958 and 1962, but this did not happen. Nonetheless, Les Bleus were not disgraced. They fought until the end.

And those two goals within 95 seconds by Kylian Mbappe which cancelled out the initial two-goal lead

by Argentina would forever be etched in people’s memory. The game was so intense, football began to look like magic. Those who talk about exits and Messi/Argentina’s glory must also remember how this particular World Cup signposts promise and hope: Kylian Mbappe, who turns 24 today, and winner of the Golden Boot Trophy with eight goals is a symbol of that hope and future.

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