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NDDC: We Shall Recover Every Stolen Kobo, Vows Buhari Restates few people squandered region's fund in over two decades Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Okon Bassey in Uyo President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to recover all misappropriated funds of

the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Buhari also emphasised the readiness of his administration to prosecute all culprits indicted in the NDDC forensic report

currently being reviewed by the federal government.

Speaking yesterday, during the virtual inauguration of the NDDC Prototype Hostel at the University of Uyo, the

president declared, "The serial abuse, lack of delivery and what had become an entrenched institutional decay, was the reason why I called for the forensic audit.

“Therefore, going forward, we shall ensure every recoverable kobo is recovered for use in service of the people of this region and those found culpable shall face the law."

He regretted that a few people had squandered the special development fund for the region for more than 20 Continued on page 10

Report: At 55 Years, Every Lagos Resident Will Spend Over Six Years in Traffic... Page 5 Friday 31 December, 2021 Vol 26. No 9762. Price: N250

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FG Outlines Administration’s 100 Achievements in 2021

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

AWE GRADUATION CEREMONY IN ILE IFE...

L-R: US Exchange Alumna and Programme Partner for Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), Inya Lawal; US Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard, and Nollywood Actress and AWE mentor, Joke Silva, during the 2021 AWE graduation ceremony in Ile Ife, Osun State ... yesterday

The federal government, yesterday, presented the scorecard of President Muhammadu Buhari, citing 100 core achievements of his administration in 2021.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who listed the Continued on page 10

Kukah Adds Voice in Support of Buhari’s Veto of Direct Primaries Likens it to how teams select their players

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto In what may come off as a shock, even to the presidency, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kukah, who has long been a thorn in the flesh of the government, threw his weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, on his decision to withhold assent to the

Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The withholding of assent to the bill had drawn the ire of many across the country, including civil society organisations and prominent individuals and groups. But Kukah, a fearless critic of the administration, said Buhari’s reason for declining assent, especially, regarding the Continued on page 10

Edo: APC’s Call for State of Emergency GOOD TO SEE YOU ONCE AGAIN...

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan (L) being welcomed by President Muhammadu Buhari to his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday Should be Directed to FG... Page 12

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

COURTESY VISIT TO THE VILLA...

L-R: Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; President Muhammadu Buhari and CEO, Enyimba Economic City Development Company, Mr. Darl Uzu, during the Governor's visit to the GODWIN OMOIGUI Presidential Villa, Abuja ...yesterday

Report: At 55 Years, Every Lagos Resident Would’ve Spent Over Six Years in Traffic Says high debt service cost to raise FG spending in 2022 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Every Lagos resident would have spent over six years in traffic by the time they clock 55 years, a new report by the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, has indicated.

The state has one of the worst traffic gridlocks in the world, as commuters spend hours on the road, losing a significant part of their productive time before arriving at their destinations.

FDC, led by Nigerian economist, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, also highlighted in its latest report published this month the economic outlook for 2022. The Lagos-based research and investment firm stated that while Lagos residents spent 1,080 hours in traffic a year, residents of London, which is said to have the highest congestion in the world, spent about 148 hours.

The report stated, “Lagosians are spending approximately 1,080 hours a year in traffic, compared to 148 hours in London, the city with the worst traffic jams in the world (excluding Nigeria and Egypt).

“This comes to 12.5 per cent of the time in a year. It also translates to 6.76 years in a life expectancy of 55 years.”

According to the report, compared to Lagos’ 1,080 hours, residents of Paris spend 140 hours in traffic, Brussels (134), Palermo (109), Moscow (108), Rome (107), Chicago (104), Lyon (102), New York (102), and Bucharest (98).

Despite efforts by successive governments to solve the traffic challenge in Lagos, there has been no major breakthrough, as residents

languish for hours in the intractable hold-ups, wasting several man-hours.

Research organisations, like SBM Intelligence, had suggested an upgrade of the infrastructure in the water transport sector to encourage commuters to patronise boats and ferries to reduce the perennial traffic congestion in Lagos.

Other studies had advocated a mass movement mode of transportation, like the rail system, to move people in one of the world’s most populated cities.

In other issues, the FDC report stated that economic policy vagueness and “regulatory autocracy” plagued the Nigerian economy for most part of 2021.

It stated, “It was a year best described as ‘in like a lion, and out like a lamb'. But in reality, it was almost the opposite because of mixed signals.

“The economic growth maintained a slow and steady path as was expected but could be threatened by a rude interruption of the Omicron variant and the spectre of precision lockdowns.

“This notwithstanding, Nigerians are still frustrated with data that shows falling inflation in an environment of higher prices.”

In the Christmas edition of the monthly report, the FDC further extrapolated possible exchange rate scenarios based on oil price sensitivity, giving an external boundary of N610/$ and an optimistic scenario of N530/$.

Stressing that some of the economic imponderables were becoming clearer, the firm noted that just as the US fed was determined to

increase interest rates three times in 2022 and the Bank of England had pushed up its policy rate to 0.25 per cent per annum, the implication of higher dollar interest rates was an excruciating external debt service burden for Nigeria, compounded by the subsidy overhang.

On the oil market, the FDC projected an optimistic oil price of $70-$75 and a $60 to $65 negative scenario for the first half of 2022, while oil production would hit 1.55 million barrels per day in a positive scenario and 1.3

million barrels per day in a negative scenario.

It predicted that fuel subsidy removal by the second quarter would take the price of the product to between N320 and N350 per litre while government spending on imports of petroleum products could taper from the last quarter of next year.

It also predicted a positive balance of trade at -$1.90 billion and a negative scenario of -$9 billion, while external reserves would increase to $42 to $43 billion for a positive

projection and $35 billion in a pessimistic analysis.

According to the report, while government revenue was estimated to increase in 2022, on the back of improved tax revenue and proceeds from subsidy removal, fiscal deficit would narrow to 2.8 per cent in 2023 from 3.7 per cent in 2020.

However, the FDC stated that high debt servicing costs, large public wage bill and security expenses would keep government spending elevated throughout the period.

With public finances

remaining in deficit on lower oil revenues, FDC projected that this would negatively impact the implementation of capital infrastructure projects, like rail and roads, even as debt-servicing costs to revenue will stay above 75 per cent.

In addition, it stated that inflation would remain stubbornly high, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will remain positive while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will be more intentional about exchange rate reforms and increasing foreign exchange supply.

NIPC Generated N11.91bn IGR in Five Years, Remitted N5.82bn to Consolidated Revenue Account Raked in N3.06bn in 2020 James Emejo in Abuja The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) generated a total of N11.91 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between January 2016 and June 2021, it disclosed in a recent report.

The report also showed that of the amount realised in the past five and a half years, a total of N5.82 billion had been remitted into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) within the review period.

Interestingly, the feat was recorded under the tenure of the immediate past Executive Secretary of the agency, Mrs. Yewande Sadiku. This was same woman that some staff of the agency wrote all sorts of phony petitions against primarily because she was trying to institute reforms and raise the profile of the NIPC.

Led 213 MDAs on transparency

However, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, in a letter dated December 16th, 2021, and addressed to the CEO, NIPC, had cleared Sadiku of all the allegations levelled against her and the ICPC closed the case.

Furthermore, the 2020 audited accounts of the NIPC posted on its website showed that the remittances to the CRF represented 49 per cent of the total IGR generated during the period.

The commission also disclosed that its N3.06 billion recorded in 2020, represented a 108 per cent increase over the year’s budget of N1.47 billion and 92 per cent higher than the 2019 IGR of N1.59 billion.

Its highest IGR of N5.59 billion was recorded in 2018, a result of the backlog from the lifting of the twoyear suspension on the administration of the Pioneer

Status Incentive (PSI), it stated.

The PSI service charge accounted for 96 per cent of NIPC’s IGR in the period covered by the report, while average annual IGR was N1.99 billion.

The report further stated that the commission between January to June 2021, generated N1.41 billion as IGR, which was seven per cent more than the budgeted IGR of N1.32 billion for the entire year.

Also, the sum of N602 million was remitted to the CRF in 2021, representing 43 per cent of the generated IGR during the first half of the year.

It explained that since its addition to the schedule to the Fiscal Responsibility Act in November 2016, NIPC had been subjected to the remittance of 80 per cent of its Operating Surplus to the CRF. The reported noted that,

"As part of its commitment to better governance, proactive compliance and transparency and accountability to stakeholders, the NIPC makes quarterly remittance of its dues to the CRF and makes proactive disclosure of material financial, legal, procurement, personnel and operational information."

Meanwhile, the NIPC was during the period ranked first among 213 ministries, departments and agencies of government (MDAs) on transparency and compliance award.

The assessment was based on proactive disclosure, responsiveness to request for information and level of disclosure.

NIPC is the most consistent and improved MDA, moving 89 places up in five years. The agency was ranked second in the 2018 and 2019 assessments.

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REMEMBERING FALLEN SOLDIERS...

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Ogun State, Master Warrant Officer Orukotan Olumuyiwa decorating the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun during the launch of the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abeokuta … yesterday

Inadequate Terminal Facilities, Upsurge in Passengers Cause Delays at Airports Chinedu Eze Domestic flight operations may have recorded the highest passenger traffic during the 2021 yuletide season than at any other time in the history of air transport in Nigeria, analysts have said.

Findings by THISDAY also showed that the terminal facilities were stretched to breaking point, thereby causing delays as they provided services to more than the number of flights they had ever served in the past.

It was also gathered that facilities at the two domestic terminals at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos: the Terminal 1, known as General Aviation Terminal (GAT) and Terminal 2, known as MMA2, were

overstretched with passenger and baggage congestions.

Also, there were congestion at the Check-in counters, baggage conveyor belts, security processing bays, waiting halls, boarding gates and on the ramp.

On December 21, 2021 MMA2 suffered carousel (conveyor belt) breakdown, leaving passengers waiting for a long time before collecting their luggage.

The GAT was so congested that passenger movement was at standstill and two X-ray machines for security screening were so inadequate that it was difficult to screen travellers within the ideal one minutes, 30 seconds, as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO).

It was same experience at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International

technology in the classroom, and raised awareness of illegal wildlife trafficking,” it added.

According to the statement, the alumni led projects were selected for their strong sustainability plans, adding that many would continue past the grant period through volunteer work and other funding sources.

US Consulate Public Affairs Officer, Stephen Ibelli praised the US alumni commitment in working to improve the lives of community members through sustainable projects.

According to him, the Consulate’s alumni focused grant projects was part of the US government’s efforts to support Nigeria’s economic development, improve livelihoods, and strengthen communities.

“We are proud to work with such an immensely energetic and creative community of alumni-led organisations and individuals committed to strengthening communities and empowering fellow Nigerians,” Ibelli added.

Reflecting on the outgoing year, Ibelli noted that seven new American spaces were opened in southern Nigeria, including a flagship American Corner in Ikeja, as part of the US Consulate efforts aimed at bolstering its public engagement efforts.

The Director of Engineering, Ibom Air, Lukeman Animaseun, while speaking with THISDAY, confirmed the difficulty in luggage facilitation at the MMA2, saying it caused delays in flight take-off.

“There was luggage delays, which affected take off time of flights. There were tons and tons of luggage waiting for screening at MMA2 but the conveyor belt was bad and this problem has become persistent at the terminal.

“It was similar problem at the GAT, from the feedback I got from Air Peace, which operates there.

Also we have been experiencing ramp congestion at MMA2 and

it is becoming a serious issue,” Animaseun told THISDAY. The Managing Director of Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo also expressed disappointment over the terminal facilities at the airports.

He said most of the delays during the Christmas period was not caused by airlines but by infrastructure limited at the airports.

“The airport infrastructure failed to develop with the population and traffic growth over the years and that’s what should be addressed. Even with the infrastructure we have presently, we can do better by

improving internal efficiency of passenger flow rate within the terminals and airplane flow rates within the terminal airspace, especially with two runways in Lagos.

“If you look at these two parameters critically, you will agree that airlines are the victims of airport and airspace operations,” Boyo said.

Also the Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, told THISDAY that all the terminal facilities at most airports in Nigeria become inadequate during peak flight periods like the yuletide season.

OGIRS Reads Riot Act to Tax Law Violators James Sowole in Abeokuta

US Consulate Awards $1.02m to Nigerian Civic Organiations The United States has stressed that it is a steadfast partner of Nigeria, working together to improve health, security, economic growth, human rights, democracy, and education throughout the country.

It disclosed in a statement that from January 2021, the United States Consulate General in Lagos awarded $1.02 million to civic organisations to implement projects across the 17 states in southern Nigeria.

“The funded projects addressed the themes of bolstering outreach to underserved communities, promoting respect for human rights and transparency in government, empowerment of women and youth, and teacher training and STEM education. “Other themes included entrepreneurship, media literacy, combatting misinformation as well as fostering a robust alumni network,” it added.

It revealed that the Consulate supported United States’ exchange alumni efforts to utilise the skills, knowledge, and networks gained through their exchange program experiences to address challenges faced by communities across southern Nigeria.

“Our exchange alumni organised clean-up campaigns, taught others job skills, marched to show support for combatting gender-based violence, promoted

Airport, Abuja, where flights were delayed for hours because the processing of passengers was slow from December 20th to 28th, THISDAY gathered.

The same congestion was experienced at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, The Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, the Margret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

THISDAY also learnt that besides passenger congestion at the terminals, it was also very difficult to move baggage, especially at MMA2, at GAT and at Abuja domestic terminal.

The Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) has read riot act to those contravening the state’s tax laws, threatening to sanction any organisation that failed to file its annual tax returns.

Consequently, the OGIRS has directed all employers of

labour in the public and private organisations to file their annual tax feturns for the Year 2021 on or before January 31, 2022, to avoid penalty.

The directive was contained in a statement by the Office of the Executive Chairman of OGIRS, Mr. Olugbenga Olaleye.

Olaleye emphasised that, "all employers of labour were

statutorily obliged to file in annual tax returns, both Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Withholding Taxes in line with the provision of section 8 (1-3) of Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 as amended, Paragraph 10 of 2002 PAYE Regulations and withholding Tax returns of sections 41, 69-72."

The chairman stated that any

employer who contravened the provisions of the law would be liable on conviction to pay N500,000 for corporate body and N50,000 in case of an individual.

While appreciating all taxpayers for previous transactions, Olaleye enjoined them to log in to OGIRS website.

Senate Investigates NPA over Alleged Irregularities in Award of N7.5bn Contract Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abujai The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has launched investigation into alleged irregularities in the award of contract for shore erosion control work at Akipelai, Ayakoro and Otuoke in Bayelsa state.

The Committee chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide hinged its action on the 2017 Auditor General of the Federation's report submitted to the Senate for consideration.

According to the report, the erosion control contract was awarded in March 2012 with 14 months completion period by November of the same year, while N4.2 billion had been paid to the contractor which represented 56.61 percent of the contract sum.

It also stated that the review of quantities (BOGs) under Norevealed that mobilisation fee of

N1.1 billion paid to the contractor was supported by conditional bank guarantee from Zenith Bank Plc with validity for 365 days which expired on the 2nd March, 2013, contrary to the Provision of section 35 '1' of procurement Act 2007 and Financial Regulations 2933 "1" (2009) which only provide for submission of an unconditional bank guarantee or insurance bond.

The report further discovered that the sum of N19.5 million was paid for Toyota Hilux Double cabin petrol engine while there was no evidence to confirm that these vehicles were purchased.

The Auditor General (AuGF) also observed that N128 million provided for insurance against damages to persons and properties, was certified and paid with no evidence that any insurance was undertaken.

The AuGF query against NPA read in part: "A contract for Shore Erosion Control Works at Akipelai,

Ayakoro and Otuoke towns in Bayelsa State was awarded at a contract sum of N7,503,344,599.00, vide award letter Ref. No.: HQ/ GME/CP/CON/R.16/067 dated 22nd March, 2012, with 14 months’ completion period. As at 11th November, 2015, four (4) payment certificates and an advance payment totalling N4,247,938,353.26, representing 56.61 per cent of the contract sum, had been paid to the contractor.

"Review of documents and the Bill of Quantities (BOQs) under Bill No. 1 (General) attached to these payments revealed that: Mobilisation fee of N1,125,501,659.85 paid to the contractor, was supported by a conditional bank guarantee from Zenith Bank Plc. with a validity period of 365 days which expired on the 2nd March, 2013, contrary to the provisions of Section 35 ‘1’ ’a’ of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and Financial Regulations 2933

’i’ (2009) which only provide for submission of an unconditional bank guarantee or Insurance bond.

“More than four years after expiration of the bank guarantee, the contractor fails to renew it and the balance of unrecovered advance payment stood at N539, 452,959.95.

"The sum of N19, 500,000 was paid for the purchase of three Toyota Hilux double cabin petrol engine vehicles; however, there was no evidence to confirm that these vehicles were purchased. The sum of N13,500,000 was made for annual running cost of the project vehicles, in which N6,750,000.00 was certified and paid to the contractor, but there was no evidence to show what the amount was used for.

The sum of N11,250,000 certified for compensation of properties to be affected by the project and paid in Certificate No. 3, had no records on how the money was utilized nor the beneficiaries involved.

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PAGE TEN F G O U T L I N E S A D M I N I ST R AT I O N ’S 1 0 0 AC H I E V E M E N T S I N 2 0 2 1 achievements, said they were despite dwindling revenues, COVID-19 pandemic, and insecurity in several parts of the country induced by insurgency and banditry.

Mohammed, who addressed the media in Lagos, said government’s economic recovery plan remained on a steady path throughout 2021. He said the country’s domestic growth in the first three quarters of 2021 was positive, recording real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 0.51 per cent in the first quarter (Q1), 5.01 per cent in Q2, and 4.03 per cent in Q3.

The minister said the record was a departure from the declining performance in the first three quarters of 2020, which led to economic recession, put at 1.87 per cent in Q1, -6.10 per cent in Q2, and -3.62 per cent in Q3.

He said the economic performance in 2021 was a reflection of steady improvement in growth over the last three quarters of 2020, arising from government’s policies and strategies, such as the Economic Sustainability Plan and the N500 billion COVID-19 crisis intervention fund, among others.

Mohammed stressed that under the Buhari administration, the rate of inflation had continued to decline on a year-on-year basis since April 2021. He said from the trend, a decline was recorded, from 17.93 per cent in May to 17.01 per cent in August, 15.99 per cent in October and 15.40 per cent in November 2021.

He disclosed that the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning generated N1.53 trillion from Value Added Tax (VAT), while N496.4 billion was generated from VAT in the first three months of 2021, the highest in nine years.

The minister also said crude oil export improved considerably at N10.03 trillion, compared to N6.92 trillion.

This represented a growth rate of 44.93 per cent, despite the fact that real growth showed poorer performance in 2021, recording 2.21 per cent (yearon-year) in Q1 2021, -12.65 per cent in Q2 2021 and –10.73 per cent in Q3 2021, from stronger growth of 5.06 per cent in Q1 2020, -6.63 per cent in Q2 2020, and -13.89 per cent in Q3 2020.

According to Mohammed, “The recovery of the economy remained on a steady path throughout the year 2021. As you are aware, gentlemen, many countries around the world face unprecedented challenges, starting from 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Nigeria is no

exception.

“The Nigerian economy was hit by the pandemic in mid- 2020, and the economic disruptions led to a recession.

The poor performance of the economy during the COVID-19 era affected output growth, trade, household welfare and livelihood.”

He said the federal government recovered from the dire conditions by rolling out effective fiscal and monetary policies as well as health plan designed to control the spread of the pandemic and mitigate its negative effects on the economy.

The minister disclosed that non- oil export grew by 21.17 per cent, from N1.19 trillion to N1.44 trillion over the same period. He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) carried out various operations across the country to enhance security.

He said the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, covering the restive North-east, neutralised over 1,000 terrorists, rescued 2,000 civilians, and superintended the surrender of over 22,000 terrorists, including their families.

Mohammed said during the period under review, the Nigerian Army procured 160 MRAPS, 150 trucks, and

60 APCs to improve its equipment holding. Various kits were equally provided for troops.

He said over 1,500 persons were recruited into the Nigerian Navy during the year while the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) took delivery of 12 Super Tucanos and 3 JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft and other platforms with which it conducted several air interdictions, provided close air support to ground troops, and destroyed several illegal structures and equipment belonging to terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements.

Other achievements of the Buhari administration, according to the minister, included passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA); incorporation of NNPC Limited under CAMA; entrenchment of Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) in NNPC; posting of N287 billion profit by NNPC, the first time it will record such profit in 44 years; and the Final Investment Decision on $3.6 billion integrated methanol and gas project in Odioma, Brass Island, Bayelsa State, which was scheduled to come into operation in 2024 and was expected to produce 10,000 tons of methanol daily.

Ohers were the $260 million Funding Agreement for ANOH Gas Processing Company Limited (AGPC), a project that would deliver 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day and 1,200 megawatts of electricity to the domestic market, and the launch of Nigerian Upstream Cost Optimisation Programme (NUCOP) to drive down the cost of crude oil production in the country and make Nigeria competitive in the global market.

Mohammed also listed the award of $1.5 billion contract for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Refinery to Tecnimont SPA of Italy; construction and rehabilitation of 21 roads under the federal government’s Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme; construction of KanoMaiduguri Road Section II (100.08 kilometres, (ShuwarinAzare) in Jigawa and Bauchi States, Kano-Maiduguri Road Section III (Azare-Potiskum) 106.34 kilometres in Bauchi and Yobe states, VandeikyaObudu Cattle Ranch Road Phase I and II (24 kilometres) in Benue and Cross River states, Sokoto-TambuwalJega-Kontagora-Makera Road (304 kilometres), 360-metre bridge at Ikom in Cross

River State, which had been completed and now awaiting commissioning, 400-metre border bridge between Nigeria and Cameroon, which was also completed and awaiting commissioning, and Second Niger Bridge, now 78 per cent complete and expected to be ready in November 2022.

Mohammed also cited the designation of four international airports in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, and Port Harcourt as Special Economic Zones, aimed at encouraging business/ investment, the procurement of two mobile control towers in Lagos and Abuja airports, and the provisional approval, which the Ministry of Aviation received for the establishment of Aerospace University in Abuja.

He also listed the flag-off of the commercial operation of Lagos-Ibadan rail line in June 2021 and the signing of the MoU with Portuguese company, Mota-Engil Group, for the construction of $1.959 billion Kano-Maradi standard gauge railway lines, as well as the ground-breaking ceremony for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the 2,044-kilometre Port-HarcourtMaiduguri Eastern Narrow Gauge Railway project and Bonny Deep Sea and Railway

Industrial Park, in addition to the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kano-Kaduna Standard Gauge Rail-line Modernisation project.

The minister said 12 dams were completed in a bid to maximise dam infrastructure, while 96,000 hectares of irrigation land were developed in 2021. He noted there was a review of the Expatriate Quota fees, which ensured generation of additional revenue for the federal government.

He praised the Buhari administration for approving Legal Notices, which allowed local governments to conduct Statutory Marriages sequel to compliance with regulations by the Ministry, in line with the Marriage Act of 1958 as amended. He also commended the president for approving the National Action Plan to end statelessness in Nigeria, as required by the UN, the launch of the new visa policy reclassifying the visa categories from six to 79, and processing of visa on arrival to holders of passports of African countries.

The minister also credited the administration for the Passport Issuance Reform, which ensured the clearing of a backlog of 96,083 passport applications between January and September this year.

The president noted that the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, had on his behalf commissioned the Special Protections Unit Base 6 Barracks in Omagwa, Rivers State, which was built and donated to the Nigeria Police by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

He said, “Firstly, and as stated at that occasion, the complex is part of a crucial component of the major reform we are undertaking with the Nigerian Police Force. While we are working to increase the number of police personnel, within set yearly targets, and reequip personnel, both in personal gear and hardware, accommodation remains an important feature of that reform.

“Indeed, it showed that we can alleviate the accommodation challenges of senior security personnel in order to enhance security in the region.

“Secondly, this singular intervention demonstrates that NDDC understands the importance of government’s effort at improving the lives and livelihoods of our police officers, in line with my directive that building of barracks for men and women of the police force should be

done in collaboration with the Special Housing effort of the Family Home funds.”

Earlier in his speech, Akpabio said the completion of the NDDC headquarters complex and other projects clearly showed the president’s commitment to improving the livelihood of people in the Niger Delta.

He added, “President Buhari is focused on development of Nigeria and the Niger Delta. The president wants to ensure that by the time he leaves office, the NDDC is repositioned to live up to the expectations of the founding fathers."

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who was represented by the Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development, Dr. John Etim, praised the president over the completion and commissioning of the hostel.

Speaking also, Sole Administrator of NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa, thanked the president for honouring the institution by commissioning three projects in a year.

“The three projects have one thing in common, they were all abandoned before the forensic audit,” Effiong added.

that he would be 70 years old next year, said if he could not be cowed when he was younger, it was not now that he would be afraid of speaking the truth.

He stated, "In a developed country, when you speak the truth, you will be celebrated. Look at how people are celebrating late Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu.

But here, people tag you as an enemy of government."

Asked how he intended to accomplish his pet project of lifting 50,000 Nigerians out of poverty, the cleric explained that he had mapped out empowerment programmes that would soon commence.

Kukah explained, "I intended to buy tricycles to give to the transporters, who cannot afford it. When l give you, I will tell you to pay back the money so that we will give another person. It would be in a circular form.”

He also said he had an ongoing scholarship scheme.

Kukah said as a Reverend Father, he only had sisters and brothers as his immediate family, stressing that he is being fed, sheltered, and clothed by the church. He said any money he got from friends and individuals was for charity.

NDDC: WE SHALL RECOVER EVERY STOLEN KOBO, VOWS BUHARI years, leaving many in penury.

The president stated, “The Niger Delta Development Commission needs to demonstrate that it can achieve the objectives it was conceived for and make its impact felt all over the Niger Delta Region.

“The lives of the people of the Niger Delta could be so much better, if the funding received by this commission since its inception, in billions of naira over the last 20 years, have been judiciously deployed in service of the people.

“Consequently, I want to use the opportunity of this commissioning to direct all statutory contributors to the NDDC to remit all outstanding funds to the Commission, and to ensure this is done transparently and according to laid down procedure and process.”

Buhari also directed that all abandoned projects that directly impacted the livelihood of the people should be revived and completed.

He explained, “When I directed the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to institute a forensic audit of the commission, after many representations by major stakeholders in the Niger

Delta, I had also directed that all viable projects, which had been abandoned, but which would impact positively on the lives and livelihoods of the people, be immediately revived and completed” The president noted that the contract for the building of 1,050 capacity hostel for male and female students was awarded in 2004, saying like many others, it was abandoned.

According to him, “This prototype university hostel consists of 1,050 bed spaces, 525 each for males and females, and is furnished to meet the needs of a university student. The complex also boasts of significant hard and soft infrastructure to ensure its sustainability and durability.

“The completion of this structure is equally in recognition of the importance government attaches to providing quality housing and improved education for all Nigerians.

“It is, therefore, another important proof that this administration is committed to satisfying the needs of the people, throughout Nigeria, and fulfilling their expectations. Government must continue in its efforts to serve the people, by providing amenities,

as well as the enabling environment for scholarships, investments across all sectors, for sustenance of the environment, and overall growth of the economy.

“Significant part of this success story is that it could easily not have happened.

The contract for this hostel was awarded as far back as 2004. It was one of many projects abandoned across the Niger Delta region, but which I directed the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to expeditiously complete and put to use.”

Furthermore, Buhari said across many public universities and institutions of higher learning, students faced accommodation challenges, while private investors took advantage of the gap to provide accommodation, unfortunately, tasking the resources of parents and guardians.

He said, “Many of them are located far away from school premises and come with their own peculiar challenges. It is good that such an infrastructure gap is being addressed, by providing accommodation for students that would be affordable, well built, and in a secure environment.”

KUKAH ADDS VOICE IN SUPPORT OF BUHARI'S VETO OF DIRECT PRIMARIES contentious direct primaries, was right.

Kukah said he was not against the government of Buhari, as being speculated in some quarters, but was only not pleased with the way the president handled appointments and the issues of national security and unity.

The bishop, who made the disclosures while fielding questions from newsmen at St. Barkitha Catholic Secretariat, Sokoto State, further described his relationship with the president as cordial. He chided those he described as sycophants for misconstruing

and exaggerating his views on the Buhari administration.

Buttressing his support for Buhari for withholding assent to the electoral bill, Kukah maintained that the president was right on his explanation that the issue of direct and indirect primaries should be left to the political parties to decide.

"For instance, if Manchester United are playing against Arsenal, it is left for them to choose who makes up their team. What they are interested in is winning. You can't tell them the mode of selection,” the bishop said.

He advised the National Assembly to expunge the

section on mode of primaries and return the electoral bill to the president to assent in time.

Kukah also addressed other critical national concerns, particularly, security, saying, "Ours has become a house of horror with fear stalking our homes, highways, cities, hamlets and communities, as bandits and insurgents maim lives at will.”

The cleric accused the president of lopsided appointments, stressing that such disposition has caused divisions and agitations in the country.

But he maintained that

he was not bothered about which region or religion produced the president, but was only interested in good governance.

Kukah said he had a cordial relationship with Buhari. He accused sycophants of trying to sow a seed of discord between him and the current administration.

He stated, "If I pick my phone and call Mr. President now, he will pick. The other time he missed my calls, he called me back and we greeted, but you know some people cried more than the bereaved.”

The priest, who stressed

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

DISCUSSING MINING...

Executive Secretary, Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative, PAGMI , Hajiya Fatima Umar Shinkafi (L) and the Minister of State Mines & Steel, Uche Ogah, at the briefing of the GODWIN OMOIGUI President by the Steering Committee on Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...Wednesday

CAN Mourns Desmond Tutu, Recalls His Role in Anti-apartheid Struggle Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has described late South African Bishop, Desmond Tutu as a potent voice against oppression.

In a condolence message, CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said the revered South African Anglican Bishop and theologian, was known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist.

He commiserated with the government and the people of South Africa over the demise of the Bishop.

"We thank God for a life well spent by His great Servant who used every given opportunity to speak a potent voice against the defunct apartheid system of racial segregation and white minority rule in South Africa.

"He was also the first African Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then

Persisting Insecurity Fueling Hunger, Poverty, Says Kaigama Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama has lamented the destructive impact of insecurity in the country, saying it was dragging more people into penury and degrading poverty.

In his New Year message to Nigerians released yesterday, Kaigama said the period of transition offered opportunity for a sincere reflection on the outgoing year and to express gratitude for graces well used and for times well spent.

Speaking on the challenges facing the country, Kaigama said despite efforts at addressing insecurity, the problem had continued unabated leading to rising hunger and poverty.

"The ever worsening security situation kept people away from the farms and now famine stares us in the face.

This is largely responsible for why even staple foods have now gone beyond the reach of average families.

"If we are ever going to get a handle on the deadly orgy of violent crime, this must be mitigated and very quickly.

Political leaders across the board must do more than merely repeating their intention to lift the populace out of poverty," he said.

Kaigama expressed concern that the challenge of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and ethnic

separatist agitations presented a perfect scene tilting the nation towards a disastrous end of apocalyptic proportions, adding that government, "has failed to arrest the further decent of more of our people into penury and degrading poverty".

According to the Bishop, Nigeria had wobbled along, deeply divided but still remained one country.

"Although we are still a long way from that perfect harmony built on justice and equity, we still have God to thank for saving us from a catastrophe that seemed so inevitable only months ago.

"Furthermore, on the part of governance, there seems to have been a fledgling effort to build and renovate critical infrastructure at both the federal and state levels. While we know that a lot still needs to be done, realising how vital this can be to our development as a nation, we need to appreciate the very little achieved so far and encourage our leaders to do more.

"However, our greatest asset remains our people.

While building much needed infrastructure, the people must never be forgotten. Their hope must be sustained to live into that better future.

"We are all in grave danger should more and more young people take to rebellion by embracing violence as the only way to be noticed as we are already witnessing," he said.

Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996. He was also known as a theologian who sought to fuse the Black Theology with African Theology.

"We recalled with nostalgia when from 1978 to 1985, Tutu was the General -Secretary of the South African Council of Churches. That was when he emerged as one of the most prominent opponents of South Africa's apartheid system of racial segregation and white minority rule.”

The CAN leader, in the statement added: “Although an activist yet he was an advocate

of non-violent protest and foreign economic pressure to bring about universal suffrage.

"In 1985, he became Bishop of Johannesburg and in 1986 the Archbishop of Cape Town, the most senior position in southern Africa's Anglican hierarchy.

“In this position, he emphasised a consensusbuilding model of leadership and oversaw the introduction of female priests."

Ayokunle said Tutu played prominent roles that led to the release of the foremost anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela from prison in

1990, and they both led the negotiations that ended apartheid and introduce multi-racial democracy.

According to CAN, after the 1994 general election resulted in a coalition government headed by Mandela, Tutu was appointed the chairman of the historic Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate past human rights abuses committed by both pro and anti-apartheid groups. This Commission was used to heal all the wounds of apartheid inflicted on both the Whites and the Blacks.

“Tutu will always be

remembered for his strong support of Palestinians in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict especially his strong belief in Israel's right to exist. His strong criticism against the perceived anti-people policies under the South African Presidents of Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma further made him a respected voice of the voiceless.

“Our hearts go to his immediate family, the South African Churches and the common man of that country who saw him as their advocate and protector," the association added.

AuGF Indicts National Assembly over N9.4bn Unexplained Expenditure Udora Orizu in Abuja The Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (AuGF) has indicted the management of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission for embarking on an unexplained expenditure amounting to N9.424 billion in the 2019 financial year.

The query which was contained in the AuGF’s annual report on non-compliance, internal control weaknesses issues in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government, had about N5.521 billion of such expenditure credited to the House of Representatives in five different audit queries; N3.595 billion credited to the Senate in seven audit queries; while N307.676 million was credited to the National Assembly Service Commission in two audit queries.

The report with reference AuGF/AR.2019/02, addressed to the clerk of the National Assembly and dated September 15th, 2021, was signed by the AuGF, Adolphus Aghughu.

It stated that the sum of

N2.550 billion was granted to members of the House of Representatives as running costs between July and December 2019, without evidence to show what the funds were used for, neither was the money retired.

It also stated that the sum of N258 million was given to 59 staff of the House, while another N107.912 million was given to two staff for repairs and maintenance of unspecified residential quarters, denying government the statutory Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax (WHT) of 10,791,296 accruable if the work had been awarded to contractors.

The AuGF report also stated that the sum of N1,594,807,097.83 was paid to revenue authorities between February and December 2019, as PAYE (6 members), car Ioan (5 members) and Housing loan (6 members) without acknowledgment receipts from the relevant revenue authorities.

It also queried the payment of N1, 010,598,610.97 from the salary account of the House without payment vouchers as required by law, while asking it directed the Clerk of the

National Assembly to provide explanation for the irregularities and ensured that the amount involved was returned to government treasury.

On the other hand, it indicted the National Assembly Service Commission for failure to retire about N31.927 million cash advance granted to 59 staff of the commission as well as failure to remit one per cent stamp duty amounting to N276, 749,014.68.

It said further that about N219.645 million deducted as housing loan from some Senators were not remitted.

The report stated: "The sum of 219,645,567.08 was deducted from one hundred and seven (107) Senators' salary arrears between July and December 2019 as housing loans, and there was no evidence to show that the above amount was remitted to the treasury.

“The sum of N123.320 million and N176.267 million deducted from Senators salary arrears between July and December 2019 as vehicle loans and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) from staff salaries respectively were remitted to the appropriate

authority. “The sum N277.411 deducted as VAT and WHT from services rendered were not remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Services, while the office of the Clerk failed to present payment vouchers amounting to N1,718,130,630.24 for audit verification.

"N657.757 million was paid for the supply of vehicles and other office equipment in 16 payment vouchers that were not cleared by Internal Audit as required by law before such payments were made, while another N423.370 million was paid for the supply of utility vehicles and production of National Assembly Logo between August and November 2019 from the Capital account with no relevant document."

The House Committee on Public Account has however summoned the Clerk of the National Assembly, Amos Ojo, to appear before the committee to respond to the audit queries.

Chairman of the Committee Hon. Wole Oke, had before the House went on the yuletide break, said the Clerk should appear before the committee to respond to respond to the AuGF’s queries.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

SIGNING OF BAYELSA APPROPRIATION INTO LAW...

L-R: Governor Douye Diri; Clerk of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Edward Owudogu; the Speaker, Abraham Ingobere, and Deputy Speaker, Michael Ogbere, during the signing of the 2022 Appropriation Bill into law at the Governor's Office, Yenagoa, ... yesterday

Edo: APC’s Call for State of Emergency Should be Directed to Federal Govt

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Government, has said the call by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a state of emergency in the state should be directed to the federal government, which the party superintends, and under whose rule, Nigerians were being slaughtered and maimed on a daily basis across the country.

Commissioner for

Communication and Orientation, Andrew Emwanta, in a statement, responding to a press conference by the Edo APC, noted that the issues raised about governance and development by the party were not only a slap on the faces of citizens of Edo State, but a sign of selective amnesia.

According to him, “Edo State, as of today, is perhaps the most peaceful place to live in the entire country with incidences of crime

As Barkindo’s Tenure Winds Down, Kuwaiti Tipped to Take over at OPEC

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

After successfully managing some of the most challenging times in the global oil and gas industry, Nigerian-born Sanusi Barkindo, would around July 2022, step down from his current position as the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), THISDAY learnt yesterday.

By the rules, Barkindo would have fully completed his two three-year terms as secretary general, the maximum officially permitted by the organisation.

The former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is mostly reputed to have during his time helped with the creation of the OPEC+ alliance in late 2016.

In addition, his deft management of the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the oil and gas industry aided the relatively stable outlook of the critical oil market today.

However, a Kuwaiti candidate has been tipped to take over as the organisation’s top diplomat and was said to have widespread support from the group’s members, delegates told Bloomberg.

The executive at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Haitham

al-Ghais, was said to have the backing from a number of nations to succeed Barkindo as secretary-general, the delegates, who asked not to be identified discussing an internal matter.

The global oil producers’ group would vote on the selection on January 3, and the chosen candidate would take over the job in July, THISDAY gathered.

Al-Ghais is currently the only nominee for the role after Iraq, which had planned its own nominee, decided not to proceed.

Delegates said al-Ghais is widely respected by member nations, having served as Kuwait’s liaison to OPEC a few years ago.

“He’s very smart, and a good analyst,” Bloomberg quoted Johannes Benigni, Chairman of Consultant JBC Energy Group in Vienna as saying.

While OPEC secretary-generals don’t set the organisation’s production policy, they do act as an intermediary seeking compromise between the group’s often-fractious members.

The OPEC+ pact brokered by Barkindo brought in non-members such as Russia, revitalising OPEC’s fading influence in world oil markets, and has stabilised supply and demand for the past few years.

and criminality in the state, over the last three months nearing almost zero, and the APC dares to call for a state of emergency in the state, when it superintends over a federal government under which Nigerians are slaughtered and maimed on a daily basis all across Nigeria.”

“Can Edo APC not see that their call for a state of emergency should be more appropriately directed to a federal government, which they lead, that has reduced the value of Nigerian lives to near nothing?

“In Nigeria today, under the leadership of the APC, which their shameless and ragtag Executive Committee (EXCO) in Edo, who addressed the press conference represents, you cannot travel from Abuja to Kaduna; Abuja to Keffi; or from Abuja to Minna, by road, without a seventy per cent chance of being attacked, kidnapped or killed by bandits. And yet these palace jesters gather in the safety of Benin City, provided by the excellent leadership of Governor

Godwin Obaseki and mouth nonexistent chaos.

“The APC wants a state of emergency declared in a state that did not only pay salaries and pensions of state government workers by 14th of December, but also released funds to the local governments to ensure that their employees are also paid salaries in time for the yuletide celebrations, while the APC-led federal government was struggling to meet their FAAC obligations for the end of the year.

“Does the party want a state of emergency in a state, where every flight, or bus coming into the state is fully booked with air carriers and road transporters jostling to keep up with the pressure of travellers trooping into the state?”

Identifying some landslide achievements recorded under the Governor Godwin Obasekiled administration in the state, Emwanta queried, “They want a state of emergency where investments are rolling in large

numbers with consortiums setting up tech parks, establishing malls, processing factories, coupled with the expansion of the real estate sector, which are creating job opportunities for youths in the state?

“In Nigeria, it is common knowledge that the level of fidelity and honesty expected from the ilk of politicians that these APC jesters represent is extremely low. It is rather shameful for old men – grandfathers, for that matter – to sit comfortably, look into the camera and tell bare-faced lies about the Edo State Judiciary, the state legislature, the newly reconstructed Government Science and Technical College (GSTC), street-lighting project, Edo Tech Park, Edo Innovation Hub, among others.

“It is now apparent that the Edo APC are stuck in the past, refusing to accept the reality that government has evolved and no longer dwell on the anachronistic ideas they are used to when they

were in government. Today, the advances in technology deployed in public service administration, basic education reform, youth empowerment, and other areas of technology intervention are too sophisticated for them to comprehend, which is why they have elected to launch these futile attacks.

“We are not surprised by this outburst as it is their stock in trade.

Hence, we advise the public to be wary of the antics of the APC, their stale lies and baseless propaganda.”

“The PDP-led government in Edo State has and will continue to put the interest of the people over and above the interest of all others. Our programmes, reforms and initiatives are targeted at improving the quality of life and placing them at the centre of our politics. The vituperation of APC and their minions will never in any way derail this sacred mandate given freely by the majority of Edo people in September last year,” the statement added.

The PUNCH Petitions IG over Alleged Brutal Attack of Staff by SFU Operatives Chiemelie Ezeobi The Punch newspaper has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, over the attack on one of its Lagos staff, Toni Ufor, by policemen attached to the Special Fraud Unit (SFU).

The journalist was said to have been attacked and harassed, while his phone and identity card were seized by the policemen.

In a statement made available to THISDAY by Editor, The Punch, Mr. Ademola Oni, the media firm described the attack as barbaric, unwarranted and provocative.

"I wish to draw your attention to the unwarranted, provocative, uncivilised, crude and barbaric attack on a correspondent of The Punch newspaper by some policemen

attached to the Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, December 29, 2021.

"Ufoh had been duly assigned to cover the case of some tenants allegedly defrauded by a developer, Adewale Tunde, at the Milverton Office of the SFU in Ikoyi.

"The reporter’s offence was that he had the audacity to conduct interviews with the victims allegedly defrauded by the developer in front of the premises of the unit.

"The power-drunk policemen descended on the helpless reporter, accusing him of recording the SFU office. After he was made to identify himself as a journalist, the overzealous policemen arrested the reporter, deleted all the interviews he had conducted on his telephone set and went ahead to seize the set

and confiscated his ID card.

"These cops equally threatened to lock up the journalist when he demanded the return of his set and card, which are his lawful property.

"The intervention of one of the crime reporters on the Metro Desk of the newspaper failed to assuage the flaming impunity of these policemen, who ensured they frustrated the coverage of the assignment for reasons best known to them,” the statement reads in part.

He further lamented that, "Attacks on Punch reporters by officers of the Nigerian Police Force have become a recurring decimal, from Lagos to Imo, from Enugu to Kaduna in the recent past.

"I have the authority of the management of PUNCH Nigeria Limited to request that you use your

good offices to direct that the errant policemen return the telephone set and the ID card of Ufor to him at the corporate head office of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, PUNCH Place, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Magboro before 6pm today, December 30, 2021 to ensure fairness.

"We also demand that these overzealous policemen be punished for taking the laws into their hands by attacking an innocent Nigerian, obstructing a journalist from carrying out his lawful duty, and dragging the image of the force in the mud through their crudeness and brazen display of their self-imposed power.

"Kindly accept the highest regard of the PUNCH management as we both continue to work towards a better nation."

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021

COMMENT

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

THE OLD MEN’S FIGHT OVER RESOURCE CONTROL Bolaji Adebiyi argues that the conversations around resource control should shift from ownership to impact

T

he altercation between the nation’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, and former information minister, Edwin Clark, over the ownership of oil resources beneath the ground of Niger Delta earlier this week roused a dormant debate which unless resolved quickly would continue to be a sore point in the nation’s conversations on the control of its mineral resources.

Although both old men raised no fresh issues safe to advance the existing divide on the matter, their passion even at their age reinstated the seriousness and the continuous danger the irresolution of the contention posed to the prospect of the nation remaining one and indivisible country.

Clark fired the first salvo when he accused Obasanjo of being a Niger Delta hater for the reason of the former president’s insistence that the oil-rich region could not exclusively appropriate the ownership of the black gold simply because it is located under its soil. The Ijaw leader only echoed the widespread belief in the region that it ought to control the exploitation of the oil resource and pay tax to the federal government. This proposition has the sympathy of many politicians, policy analysts and academics from the southern part of the country.

Its other name is resource control, a component of the much-touted but controversial restructuring.

Obasanjo’s response denied hating anybody or group, stating for the record that his position has the backing of the 1999 Constitution as altered and the laws regulating the control and exploitation of mineral resources generally, including oil. To ground his contention, he cited Section 140 of the 1963 Constitution which implied ownership and control of mineral resources was in the hands of the federal government but established the derivation principle. Subsequent grundnorms have adopted this provision. His citation seeks to correct the popular notion that it was the military that hijacked the control of mineral resources from the states for the federation.

Without a doubt, Obasanjo’s position is robustly grounded in the constitution and the law. And none of his trenchant critics, including Mike Ozekhome, learned silk and social activist, has been able to successfully argue with the former president’s tenacious hugging of the strictly legal and constitutional point, which incidentally is largely supported by northern politicians, policy analysts and academics.

Put simply, Obasanjo argues the law while Clark’s case is essentially a proposition for the review of it. Ordinarily, these two are not mutually exclusive and it was in the realisation of this that they had been the source of hot debates at every post-independence constituent assembly and constitutional conference in the country. Yet despite the heat at the meets, there had always been a middle ground. The challenge was the implementation of the consensus. There are three main issues: ownership, control and distribution of benefits from mineral resources.

The constitution and mining rights laws placed all three in the hands of the federal government but established the derivation principle by dedicating a percentage of the financial resources derived from mineral exploration and exploitation to the state where the resource is located.

The derivation principle speaks to the sense of social justice which seeks to ensure that a mineral-bearing entity derives equitable benefits from the resource located in its soil and environment.

The case for federal control is that Nigeria being a federation, its resources must be preserved and used for the benefits of the entire unit in order that no part of the whole is left behind in terms of economic

THE WAY FORWARD TO HEMMING THE AGITATIONS IS TO SHIFT THE CONVERSATION MORE TOWARDS NOT ONLY THE EQUITABLE APPLICATION OF THE DERIVATION PRINCIPLE BUT ALSO A JUST DISTRIBUTION OF THE BENEFITS OF PROCEEDS OF MINING RESOURCES

and social development. The regionalists do not necessarily disagree with the federalists on this but make the point that regional ownership and control would not deprive the rest of the federation of the benefits of the resource since taxes from proceeds would be paid to the centre.

These positions were canvassed at the three post-independent constitutional conferences in 1994, 2005 and 2014 and the matters were resolved in favour of federal control with compromises on derivation.

Although the regionalists, having lost the argument for control, asked for a return to the 50 per cent derivation principle enshrined in the 1963 Constitution, not less than 13 per cent was approved in 1994, up to 17 per cent in 2005 while the 2014 conference advised that a technical committee be set up to advise on the percentage to be allocated to derivation.

Somehow, safe for the 1994 recommendation that was eventually incorporated into the 1999 Constitution as altered, the follow-up conferences’ recommendations were never implemented. It is the frustrations arising from the none implementation of the latter conferences coupled with the lack of positive impact of the subsisting 13 per cent derivation principle on the oil-bearing communities as well as the inequitable application of the principle across the board that has continued to generate tension in the oil-bearing region and communities.

The frustrations are two-fold. Despite the application of the 13 per cent derivation, most communities in the oil-bearing states are still steep in poverty and underdevelopment with the oil-bearing communities worst off. Youth restiveness and agitations for a better deal manifested in the militancy in the region forcing the federal government to deploy enormous security assets to calm the region. When this failed, pacification policies, including the establishment of development intervention agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission and Amnesty Programme were deployed. That too would appear to have failed to mitigate the abject poverty and under-development of the oil-bearing communities.

The other level of frustration is the inequitable application of the derivation principle. Whereas the federal government has enforced its control of the oil resource in the Niger Delta and other littoral states, including Imo, Anambra and Lagos, it has been unable to exert the same control over the mining of rich mineral resources including gold in most part of the North, particularly Kebbi and Zamfara States, with the effect that individuals and the state governments have been exploring and exploiting those benefits for their exclusive benefits. Salt was added to injury sometime last year when the Central Bank of Nigeria bought some gold bars from the Zamfara State government. It is this type of double standard that has continued to fuel the resource control debate and agitation. The way forward to hemming the agitations, therefore, is to shift the conversation more towards not only the equitable application of the derivation principle but also a just distribution of the benefits of proceeds of mining resources in such a way that it maximally impacts the resource-bearing communities in particular and the generality of Nigerians in general. From what we have seen so far, the impact on both the host communities and the generality of Nigerians has been abysmally low with the outcome that the nearer you are to the rich resource the more poverty-stricken you are. This, therefore, is the substantive issue, and the inequity and social injustice cannot persist without dire consequences for the polity.

Adebiyi, the managing editor of THISDAY Newspapers, writes from bolaji.adebiyi@thisdayonline.com

NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL MASTER PLAN 2021-2025 Chuks Akamadu writes that the fourth master plan will address the evolving drug situation in a comprehensive manner

I

n recent times, the media – both conventional and new – had been awash with tales and grisly videos of young men hooked on Mkpurummiri (Crystal Methamphetamine), the ice-like synthetic street drug that has hit the South-Eastern part of Nigeria with growing rage! Whilst other harmful substances such as Colorado and Flakka cause involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision, increased heart rate, bizarre behaviour, paranoia, agitation and delusion of superhuman strength, among others, Mkpurummiri, cheap and accessible, is an extremely potent and addictive stimulant that wrecks the central nervous system and alters one’s judgment. Worse still, Mkpurummiri walks about with a yoke of death sentence which is the fact that there is currently no approved treatment for its addiction.

Apparently aware of the present and worsening danger this epidemic portended for their collective survival, communities had in separate instances risen in unison to object to and proactively roll back the emergent trend that was rapidly bringing their youths under its vice grip. The spontaneous community action which included having addicts tied to beams and trees and beaten mercilessly had received both applause and knocks – the latter for its human rights and jungle justice dimension. There was even a reported extreme case of an addict who was burnt alive by the youth of his community for killing his father in order to take the deceased’s N50,000 just to buy Mkpurummiri.

As the South-east groaned, there also was no respite for other parts of the country. Amid all

this was news of growing number of seizures, arrest, prosecution and convictions recorded by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Heightened concerns were raised by well-meaning Nigerians as regards the institutional capabilities of state actors to contain the hydra-headed drug scourge with its far-reaching health, security and socio-economic implications.

Then came the soothing balm of December 6, 2021: the official launch of the long-awaited National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2021-2025.

The first had happened in 1999. The second was the 2008-2013 Plan whilst the third and immediate past was the 2015-2020 Plan. To be fair, the Interministerial Drug Control Committee that developed the document in partnership with European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) did an exhaustive job. All the stakeholders led by the NDLEA deserve commendation, for a careful reading of the new plan clearly shows that the authors took full benefit of credible research studies, drug use surveys, gaps in previous plans and invaluable report of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA).

Notable among the key issues adequately addressed by the 2021-2025 Plan are inclusiveness and coordination. This fourth NDCMP, we are told, “represents a continuity and advancement in the Government of Nigeria’s effort towards addressing the evolving drug situation in a comprehensive, integrated, multi-disciplinary and inclusive manner”.

This is something to cheer about and deserves the

buy-in of every well-meaning Nigerian and group.

For all practical purposes, the 2021-2025 Plan is rooted in broad-based consultations among partners and stakeholders and harmonized with the existing international and regional conventions, lessons learned and global best practices.

The central objective of the plan is to improve health and security for everyone resident in the country – a legitimate aspiration that is anchored on four key pillars namely: Drug Supply Reduction; Drug Demand Reduction; Access to Controlled medicines for Medical and Scientific Purposes; and Governance and Coordination. With each of the relevant MDAs being alive to its well-defined, streamlined, respective responsibilities, the Supply Reduction Strategic Pillar is expected to significantly reduce production and supply of illicit drugs whilst Drug Demand Strategic Pillar is designed, chiefly, to build on the sensitization, advocacy, prevention and treatment programmes carried out in the previous NDCMP cycle, among others.

Similarly, the plan envisages that Strategic Pillar on Access to Controlled Medicines for Medical and Scientific Purposes would address the issue of lack of availability of controlled medicines for genuine patients and its severe impact on the health and wellness of Nigerians. On its part, the Governance and Coordination Pillar seeks to synchronize the efforts of relevant MDAs for effective implementation of NDCMP 2021-2025. This no doubt smells nice.

It even smells nicer when President Muhammadu Buahri in his published endorsement of the plan stated thus: “On my part, I assure you of this

administration’s commitment in providing the required resources for the effective and implementation of NDCMP 2021-2025”. However, where the real challenge rests is in the willingness and enthusiasm of all concerned to comply with Mr. president’s crucial charge: “I strongly encourage all partners and stakeholders to wholeheartedly embrace this plan; align their interventions with the intended objectives of this document, and contribute to improved health, well-being, development and security of all Nigerians.” As the arrowhead of this drug control effort, I’m afraid the NDLEA has to accept the additional responsibility of encouraging and promoting compliance amongst stakeholders and partners for better coordination and optimal outcomes. This document can only be as good as its implementation.

When history would have a duty to appraise the 2021-2025 plan’s performance, it wouldn’t bother itself with its fine letters, elegant language or wellintentioned goals; rather, it would focus strictly on the level of implementation and impact on the health and security of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Arise O’ Compatriots and recognize the NDCMP 2021-2025, rightly, as our shortest route to victory over Mkprummiri, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, diazepam, cough syrup, tramadol Colorado, Flakka, etc. With this “victory”, our land would be secure, our youths in good health and the future guaranteed for sustainable development. Let’s seize the moment. No effort should be spared.

Chuks Akamadu, M.IoD President, Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Nigerian Youths

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021

EDITORIAL MENACE OF PLASTICS IN NIGERIA The authorities could do more to protect the environment

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cientists have raised global concern that plastics pose unimaginable danger to humanity and may reach crisis level unless deliberate actions are taken to reverse the trend. The warning is particularly important for Nigeria since it is believed that plastic bags that are used daily can take between 10 to a thousand years to decompose, while plastic bottles can take 450 years or more. Yet, because single-use plastics are light, strong, can be shaped easily and cheap to produce, they litter the entire national landscape. And as hazardous as that is for the future of our country, nobody seems to be paying attention.

According to experts, the process of manufacturing plastics and its disposal through burning is harmful to workers. Also, studies show that single-use plastics are harmful to the environment and have suggested that manufacturers of plastics can switch to reusable products because single-use plastics’ waste can take up to a thousand years to decompose in NIGERIA SHOULD TAKE dumpsites. Eighty per A DRASTIC ACTION IN cent of litters, acORDER TO CONTAIN cording to the United PLASTIC POLLUTION IN Nations Environment THE OVERALL INTEREST Programme (UNEP), OF OUR PEOPLE AND are plastics, and they FUTURE GENERATIONS may constitute more of foreign materials in the sea than marine mammals by year 2050, and this would eventually lead to the destruction of sea life, and adversely alter the ecosystem and human race.

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) believes the disposal of plastic waste needs to be handled with urgency and that everyone has a critical role to play in mitigating the issue at the household, national, regional, and global levels.

With worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment, there is an urgent need

Letters to the Editor

for government at all levels in the country to trigger actions that would control the production and use of plastics that are not reusable or cannot decompose.

Nigeria’s environment is indeed polluted by all manner of plastics–from the straw for sipping beverages to those used for packaging and storage. The nagging question that keeps cropping up is, what can be done about the menace that neither the society nor the authorities seem to be paying attention to?

E T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 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 (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

NASRDA SPACE TV LAUNCH

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he introduction and launch of the first African Satellite television by the National Space Research and Development Agency is a thing of joy. Indeed, the director general of NASRDA Dr Halilu Ahmad Shaba needs to be commended for achieving this milestone, the first of its kind in Africa.

The space television station which is an online television station is broadcast by satellite with simulcast over the internet.

Local cable television providers across the country and amateur television repeaters may carry this particular online television station created by NASRDA at their own discretion as the created content is considered a work of the agency and it is within the public domain. The NASRDA television is unique because it is particularly available via various cable, satellite and over the top media services around the world. This network was created and launched on Wednesday to provide NASRDA’s managers and engineers with real video of missions. The NASRDA’s television is operating this service for archival purposes and in order to provide media outlets with video footages.

The television station launched is expected to air a large amount of educational programming and provides live coverage of an array of manned missions, robotic missions, domestic and international launches. The network is digitally transmitted.

The satellite links uses the DVB-S systems for transmissions.

The important thing that is unique about this satellite and online television is that it is actually three accessible digital channels. It has the NASRDA public transmission in HD, features coverage of NASRDA’s missions and events plus documentaries, archival and other special programming. This

verybody in either a household or office or neighbourhood in the country has various types of plastics that are not recycleable and which at end-of-life are littered on the streets, caught in fences and trees, dumped in drains, rivers and lagoons, the ocean, and all manner of places where they cannot decompose. This is where the problem lies. The federal government, we understand, only made a feeble attempt to ‘mark’ the World Environment Day at the Presidential Villa in Abuja but not even a whisper of what was discussed got out of the four walls of the room where the meeting took place. Naturally, no event took place in all the offices of the Federal Ministry of Environment in the states for undisclosed reasons.

The federal government needs to take concrete actions to protect the environment and rid it of plastics as some African countries have done by placing a ban on plastic bags, which are the most used form of plastics. Some of the African countries that have banned plastic bags include Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Morocco, Mozambique, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Madagascar, Senegal, Gabon, The Gambia, GuineaBissau, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Kenya while Botswana and South Africa introduced high levies on plastic bags. This has led to many retailers charging a fee on plastic bags and consequently a reduction in its use in both countries.

Nigeria should also take a drastic action in order to contain plastic pollution in the overall interest of our people and future generations.

is the NASRDA’s television most often carried by cable and satellite. The NASRDA educational is expected to provide programming to schools, educational institutions and science museums. The NASRDA media is to provide coverages in HD of news conferences and relevant video and audio materials to national and international news gathering organisations. The NASRDA television created programmes are streamed on the web.

All we need is access to the computer and the NASRDA TV public media and educational channels. The channels are basically free to air, meaning your cable or satellite services provider can carry each at all cost. What the viewer needs is to contact his local and satellite service provider about carrying any NASRDA’s TV channels. The creation of this television channels underscores the agency’s and the governments realisation and importance of the potential of space technology and explorative activities in addressing real life challenges and improving the conditions of living of its citizenry.

The management of NASRDA, ably led by the ebullient Dr Halilu Ahmad Shaba must be commended for living up to the expectations and demands of Nigeria. Since it came on board, the management of the agency has achieved many firsts. Today, the space television is again the first television station created by a space agency in Africa.

The greatest joy in the space television launched by NASRDA is the fact that it has one hundred percent local content. This development has gone to show that the can-do-Nigerian spirit is at work at NASRDA. Musa Wada, Abuja

THE ELECTORAL ACT 2010 (AMENDMENT) BILL

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ollowing the President’s decision to decline assent to the Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, Nigerians are currently waiting, with bated breath, for the next move of the National Assembly. The options available to the National Assembly are legion. There is the power to override the President’s veto, as per Section 58 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which last happened in 2000 during the debacle on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), where the lawmakers vetoed the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who had rejected the bill which was earlier transmitted to him after passage.

There is also the option of reworking the bill, with a view to removing the contentious provision(s), and transmit same to the President for his assent; there is the further option of jettisoning the bill in its entirety. The state of affairs has clearly lit the blue touch paper on the debate on the appropriate procedure of overriding the President’s veto. There is, for example, the position that it could be done by two-third majority of the members present and voting. Yet, scholars of constitutional law are simply dazed or confused by this position, pointing to Section 59 (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires a two-third majority of members of both houses at a joint meeting for a bill to become law. This would require 240 members of the House of Representatives and 73 Senators in the Senate.

The Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill is, clearly, a very fundamental piece of legislation with a vast array of innovations that can advance Nigeria’s democratic process which, to say the least, has been in tatters since the return of democracy in 1999. This is, therefore, not the time for the National Assembly to chicken out or stick to the status quo. On the contrary, this is a moment in history when they have a chance to move the dial and change the narrative from the ashes of uncertainty and despair to stability and hope. There is not just the responsibility to do it, there is now the opportunity. Nigerians are watching.

Kesiena Igho Oghoghorie, Abuja

FRIDAY DECEMBER 31, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Gunmen Attack Health Centre in Anambra, Kill Policeman, Injure Patients

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Unidentified gunmen attacked a health centre in Eziama-Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State on Wednesday, and injured patients who had gathered for a medical outreach.

A source said the medical outreach was being organised by a group, Uli Global Ambassadors for Development Initiative (UlIGADI), and that patients who besieged the centre were already receiving treatment when the gunmen invaded the facility.

The source said the gunmen invaded the facility, shooting sporadically while patients who came for the exercise and the administrators of the medical outreach scampered for safety.

An official of ULIGADI told journalists that one police man was killed while a second police man was found still breathing when the gunmen left, but a third has not been found.

He said: “I don’t have much

to say at the moment but I will discuss with the chairman to advise the house.

“One officer died after the unfortunate incident. The second officer is at the hospital receiving medical attention.

“We are looking for the third officer who has since left Eziama. The recovery team is underway to rescue him from the community.”

Meanwhile, a source told THISDAY that the policemen attacked were from 19 Police Mobile Force (19 PMF). The dead policeman was identified Inspector Ezekiel Aliyu while the name of the injured police officer was not ascertained, but said to have bullets lodged in most parts of his body, and was already recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.

When contacted, the Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP. Toochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, saying that the command was already working to unravel the identity of the attackers.

He said: “What happened

at Eziama Uli yesterday (Wednesday), is an example of the sacrifice we pay as police

officers in service to the nation and humanity. The details of the incident are still sketchy

but it involved police personnel providing security services.

“Police Operatives have

cordoned off the area and operation is ongoing. Further details shall be communicated.”

WORTHY NETWORKING…

United States millionaire and philanthropist, Mr. Joseph Nantomah (left) and former Aviation Minister, Mr. Osita Chidoka after a dinner hosted by Chidoka in America…recently

Four Burnt to Death in Fatal Ekiti 2022: APC Youth Group Endorses Bamidele for Governor during his consultation tour the state among the aspirants legislative and judiciary strata, Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Accident in Rivers to Emure, Ilejemeje and Moba parading themselves for the we believe that he has the experience , the exposure and As the race for the January 22 Local governments, described coveted seat.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Four persons including an eight-month-old baby have reportedly burnt to death in a fatal motor accident that occurred yesterday along Rukpokwu - Igwuruta road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It was reported that the dead victims were occupants in a Highlander Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), that went up in flames after an accident occurred at the aforementioned area.

THISDAY gathered that the driver of the SUV was trying to avoid hitting another vehicle when he suddenly skid into the median of the road that caused a chain crash.

A mini commercial bus driver who pleaded anonymity said the car and the occupants burnt before help came. However, the Public Relations Officer, Federal

Road Safety Corps( FRSC), Julian Eni, has confirmed the incident.

She said: “The burnt vehicle and carcass of the victims have been evacuated from the scene of the accident.”

In another development, a 25-year-old man was stabbed by members of a suspected rival cult group around Mile One Diobu axis of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of the State It was learnt that the victim simply identified as Omemma, was a member of a notorious cult group in the area.

THISDAY further gathered that Omemma’s death was a reprisal for an earlier attack by his group against the rival group.

The incident THISDAY observed, grounded activities at the market for a while as both traders and commuters scampered for their lives in fear of falling victim to stray bullets from any of the group.

governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State gathers steam, a political body under the acronym ‘Coalition of Youth Support Group ‘, has endorsed Senator representing Ekiti Central in the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, for governor.

The group, which passed a vote of confidence on Bamidele

the Chairman, Southern Senators Forum, as the most experienced and competent APC aspirant to fly the party’s ticket for the forthcoming poll.

The coalition’s Coordinators in the councils, Ajiboye Boboye and Aina Folajimi, appealed to APC youth across the state to back Bamidele’s aspiration, branding him as the best for

Boboye, who described the senator as a loyal party chieftain, said: “For the continuity agenda of Governor Kayode Fayemi to continue, Senator Bamidele remains the best man to sustain this legacy. Any disconnection may affect the development focus of our dear state.

“With his experience spanning over 30 years across executive,

right connections to take Ekiti to a higher pedestal banking on what Governor Fayemi has done as a springboard.”

In all the council visited to seek the party’s support, the frontline governorship aspirant, disclosed that God has anointed him to turn around the fortunes of the state if accorded the leeway to occupy the governorship seat.

Lawmaker Promises More People-oriented Projects The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development, (NDDC), Olubunmi Tunji Ojo (BTO) has promised that the NDDC is committed to delivering more people oriented projects in the NDDC mandate areas.

The House of Representatives member, representing Akoko North East/North West Federal

Constituency stated this while commissioning the 1050 bed space hostel by President Muhammadu Buhari at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, with the commissioning of the project, the NDDC is renewing the confidence of Niger Delta in the government’s seriousness to bring development to the communities.

He stated that the project was necessitated as a result of the need of the people to put up a conducive structure and atmosphere for the students to thrive and be nurtured in their academic pursuit as they are the future of the nation.

Ojo appreciated President Buhari for his support, which he explained has done a lot to help the commission achieve its true purpose.

He also stated that while the commission cannot deny that there are no pending issues and challenges, he assured that the commission is focussed to providing succor to these problems.

In his words:”I can assure you that with our continual synergy and cooperation, we will continue to collectively birth more developmental projects in the mandate areas”

Party Accuses Bauchi Govt of Ugwuanyi Signs Enugu 2022 Budget into Law Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of of international standard”.

The Speaker said that critical made to the people of Enugu State.

Violating Minimum Wage Act Governor Enugu State yesterday assented He pointed out that 38 per cent sectors such as education, “Your Excellency, the budget Segun Awofadeji inBauchi The Bauchi State Chapter of People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has accused the Bauchi State government of violating the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, saying that it is giving the government a seven days ultimatum to send a supplementary appropriation to the State House of Assembly.

This was contained in a press statement jointly signed by the party State Chairman, Ahmed Umar Farouk and the State Secretary, Kala Ibrahim.

According to the release, Governor Bala Mohammed recently signed into law the 2022 Bauchi State Appropriation Act, but did not synchronize it with the requirement of the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019.

The party said that section 3(1) of the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 mandated all employees of labour, including all state

governments to pay a minimum of N30,000 per month to every employer under its establishment, pointing out that the Bauchi State government has not complied with the requirement nor implemented it as required by the Act. “It will interest you to know that Bauchi State has been running it’s budget since the coming into force of this Act without any appropriation for the minimum wage requirement.This is total illegal, null and void. One wonders where the labour leaders are, that pride themselves as the protectors of Nigerian workers. We view their silence as compromise and charge them to wake up to their responsibility before it is too late to cry.”

“If the attitude of the union leaders looks more of a compromise, that of the State Legislators who symbolize the difference between democracy and military rule, is the least despicable.”

to the 2022 appropriation bill of N186,635,135,582.00 passed by the State House of Assembly on Wednesday, December 29, 2021.

Presenting the appropriation bill to Gov. Ugwuanyi for assent, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi disclosed that the budget proposal was not contentious, stressing that “it was a very wonderful budget

recurrent expenditure and 62 per cent Capital Expenditure contained in the budget met international standards.

Hon. Ubosi explained that all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were invited to appear before the various committees to defend their budget estimates, adding that they all complied accordingly.

health, agriculture, works and infrastructure and water resources got robust allocations to ensure that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration continue to improve the living standard of the people of the state.

“Looking at the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure which is about N36 billion, it shows that you (Ugwuanyi) are prepared to fulfill the campaign promises you

was well packaged and we must commend you and members of your executive for that wonderful budget”, he said.

Assenting to the budget bill, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed gratitude to the members of the State House of Assembly for their commitment and dedication to legislative duties as well as the development of Enugu State.

PDP Expels Nine Members, Suspends Five Others over Anti-party Activities in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Adewole ward of Ilorin West Local Government has expelled four of its members and suspended five others over alleged anti party activities.

The development, according to THISDAY checks, might not be unconnected with the next elections in the state.

However, their expulsions and suspensions were contained in a letter dated December 27, 2021 and signed by the ward chairman and secretary, Alhaji Abdulkadir Issa and Alhaji Saad Agbabiaka respectively and made available to journalists yesterday in Ilorin.

According to the letter titled “Approval for Suspension and Explosion of Disgruntled

Members”, the party’s action followed a letter of complaints which recommended disciplinary actions against them by their respective ward’s party organs.

The expelled members are: Mr Nureni Omoyooba, Yakubu Agodi, Alao Hakeem and Tunde Muhibudeen, while those suspended included: Musbau Agodi, Tunde Odo,

Tunde Khalifa, Alagbon Fatimoh and Moshood Elere.

“The nine members after being tried at their respective ward levels were found guilty of gross misconducts, crude and disparaging commentaries against the party especially on several radio stations and disrespect to constituted authorities of the party among others offences.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY DECEMBER 31, 2021

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POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

Highlights of Achievements of the Buhari Administration in 2021

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed showcases the success of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in various sectors

D

espite the enormity of the security challenge, our military has continued to live up to their billing.

We owe them a debt of gratitude for their patriotism and sacrifice. We just can’t appreciate them enough.

Fight Against Insecurity To keep our country safe, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has set up various operations across the country. These include the Joint Task Force (JTF) Northeast, tagged Operation Hadin Kai covering the North-east region; the JTF SS, tagged Operation Delta Safe covering the South-south region; the JTF NW, known as Operation Hadarin Daji covering the North-west region; Operation Safe Haven covering Plateau, parts of Kaduna and Bauchi states; Operation Whirl Stroke covering Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states; JTF SW, referred to as Operation Awatse and covering Lagos and Ogun states; Operation Thunder Strike covering Abuja-Kaduna Highway and Operation Whirl Punch covering parts of Kaduna State.

In the North-east zone under Operation Hadin Kai, a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic operations, coupled with a review of strategies, led to the neutralization of over 1000 terrorists, rescue of 2000 civilians and the surrender of over 22,000 terrorists including their families. Many arms and ammunition were also recovered. This is in addition to destruction of several IED/bomb making factories of the ISWAP/BHT. Under Operation Hadarin Daji in the North-west, the conduct of offensive clearance operations, raids and air operations resulted in the neutralization of about 427 bandits, arrest of 257 bandits, rescue of 897 civilians and recovery of 3,087 livestock. Similarly, Operation Whirl Punch covering parts of Kaduna neutralized about 215 bandits, arrested 133 bandits, rescued 296 civilians and recovered 136 livestock, while Operation Thunder Strike neutralized 36 bandits, arrested 74, rescued 296 civilians and recovered 136 livestock. In the North Central, raids and clearance operations conducted

by Operation Safe Haven neutralized 91 criminal elements, arrested 155 suspects, rescued 159 civilians and recovered 3,259 livestock. For its part, Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 158 criminals, arrested 151 suspects and rescued 183 civilians.

Operation Delta Safe in the South-south destroyed about 1,520 illegal refineries, confiscated 5,315 storage facilities and impounded 617 boats, amongst other items.

Additionally, about 74,297,425 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), 41,971,693 litres of crude oil and 88,350 litres of PMS were recovered. Furthermore, 174 trucks and 13 vessels were impounded while 755 illegal oil bunkerers were arrested and 153 assorted weapons recovered. In the South West, patrols and clearance operations by troops of Operation Awatse led to the arrest of 46 persons for various forms of criminalities while several vehicles, jerricans, motorcycles and electricity generators used for illegal bunkering were seized..

The effectiveness of the military was enhanced by the leadership provided

by President Muhammadu Buhari and the unwavering commitment of the armed forces and its leadership. The procurement of modern platforms for the armed forces has also gone a long way in raising the level of their operational readiness and efficiency, in addition to boosting their capabilities. During the

period under review, the Nigerian Army procured 160 MRAPS, 150 trucks and 60 APCs to improve its equipment holding.

Various kits were equally provided for troops. This is in addition to the provision of accommodation for troops and the recruitment of over 10,000 personnel into the Army. The Nigerian Navy (NN), for its part, commissioned the Falcon Eye Maritime Domain Awareness Capability, the third locally-built Seaward Defense Boat, one helicopter, 4 inshore patrol boats and 90 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats.

Over 1,500 personnel were recruited into the Navy during the year. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) took delivery of 12 Super Tucanos and 3 JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft and other platforms with which it has conducted several Air interdictions, provided close air support to ground troops and destroyed several illegal structures and equipment belonging to terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria has also contributed immensely to International peace and security efforts with its robust participation in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the regional initiative, the ECOWAS Military Intervention in Gambia (ECOMIG). The Nigerian military’s continued participation in these Missions has ensured their viability and sustenance towards achieving their military and political goals.

Overall, the good news is that the military, in spite of its achievements, is not resting on its oars. The Military has assured that it is also poised, in fulfillment of its constitutional duties, to address the myriad of evolving contemporary threats, particularly as the 2023 elections draw nearer.

Still on the fight against insecurity, the implementation of the community policing initiative of the current admin-

istration has led to the training of 25,000 constabularies in several police colleges across the country. The successful officers who were trained on basic police duties, modern intelligence gathering techniques, rule of law, etc. were deployed to their local governments of origin to aid in intelligence gathering and improve police visibility in their communities. Also, in an effort to improve the police/citizens ratio, 418 cadet officers of regular course 3 were successfully graduated in June 2021 and deployed into the operational asset of the Nigeria Police Force. Through the Police Trust Fund, 200 Buffalo branded vehicles, bulletproof vest, protective helmets, drugs, and medical equipment as well as arms and ammunition, riot control equipment, and combat equipment were procured for the Police Special Weapon and Tactical Squad (SWAT).

The Ministry of Police Affairs has also entered into a contract agreement for the supply of police Anti Riot Equipment with Poly Technology of China through a Government-to-Government arrangement at a cost of 44 million U.S. Dollars.

These equipment will go a long way in boosting the capacity of the police to control civil unrest in the most efficient and civil manner.

Economy The recovery of the economy remained on a steady path throughout the year 2021. As you are aware, gentlemen, many countries around the world face unprecedented challenges, starting from 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Nigeria is no exception. The Nigerian economy was hit by the pandemic in mid- 2020, and the economic disruptions led to a recession. The poor performance of the economy during the COVID-19 era affected output growth, trade, household welfare and livelihood. However, this led to a quick response by the Federal

Government with the rolling out of effective fiscal and monetary policies as well as health-related policies intended to curb the spread of the pandemic and mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on the economy. This has yielded considerable results. For example, the country’s domestic growth in the first three quarters of 2021 was positive, recording real GDP of 0.51 percent in Q1, 5.01 percent in Q2 and 4.03 percent in Q3 2021, This was an improvement from a declining performance in the first three quarters of 2020 (which led to economic recession) put at 1.87 percent in Q1, -6.10 percent in Q2 and -3.62 percent in Q3 2020. Nevertheless, the fourth quarter 2020 recorded a slight improvement of 0.11 percent, ushering in positive growth rates in the three quarters of 2021. This economic performance in 2021 shows a steady improvement in growth over the last three quarters of 2020, and this can be attributed to government policies and strategies such as the Economic Sustainability Plan; the N500 billion COVID 19 Crisis Intervention Fund etc.

In the oil sector, real growth shows poorer performance in 2021, recording 2.21% (year-on-year) in Q1 2021, -12.65% in Q2 2021 and –10.73% in Q3 2021, from stronger growth of 5.06% in Q1 2020, -6.63% in Q2 2020, and -13.89% in Q3 2020.

However, oil production in million barrel per day continued to decline in 2021, from 2.07mbpd in Q1 2020,1.81mbpd in Q2 2020, 1.67mbpd in Q3 2020 to 1.72mbpd in Q1 2021, 1.61mbpd in Q2 2021 and 1.57mbpd in Q3 2021. Non-oil sector indicated better performance of 0.79% in Q1 2021, 6.74% in Q2 2021 and 5.44% in Q3 2021, compared to 1.55% in Q1 2020, -6.05% in Q2 2020, and -2.51% in Q3 2020.

In Foreign Trade, Nigeria witnessed dwindling performance in 2020, arising from trade restrictions on accounts of COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions of trading activities driven by the pandemic further weakened the balance of trade witnessed in Q4 2019 in the subsequent quarters. Consequently, total imports in the first three quarters of 2021 rose by 57.13%, from N13.97 in the corresponding quarters of 2020 to N21.95 trillion. Similarly, total exports grew by 40.62%, which was N13.12 trillion in the first three quarters of 2021, compared to N9.33trillion in the corresponding period, an indication of improved trading activities although with a deficit position. Over the same period crude oil export improved considerably at N10.03 trillion, compared to N6.92 trillion, showing a growth rate of 44.93%, while Non-oil exports grew by 21.17% - from N1.19trillion to N1.44trillion over the same period. Inflation rate has continued to decline on a year-on-year basis since April 2021 when 18.12% was recorded.

Looking at the trend, a declining rate was recorded from 17.93% in May to 17.01% in August, 15.99% in October and 15.40% November 2021. It is projected that proper implementation of the proposed 2022 project of N17.13trillion, and MediumTerm Expenditure Framework & Fiscal Strategy Paper 2022-2024 are likely to improve the performance of the economy..

Also, judicious implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act will likely improve oil production/sales stability; relatively high oil prices will enhance revenue performance and budget implementation, while strengthening security will improve output growth of the economy.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY DECEMBER 31, 2021

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PERSPECTIVE

That Self-serving Letter to Northern Leaders by Senator Jarigbe

Goodbye to a Tansformative Priest and Leader Chido Nwangwu pays glowing tribute to the exemplary life of one of the icons of the struggles against apartheid in South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu who passed on recently

A

rchbishop Desmond Tutu earned his progressive credentials and global recognition as one of the world’s great moral leaders of the 21st-century and the 20th century.

He earned it from his life of fighting, dedicated struggles and opposition to the evil of the theology and military police state called apartheid in South Africa.

He earned it by being opposed, like Nelson Mandela, to all forms of discrimination and bigotry.

He earned it by living a life that was transparent.

He earned it by being manifestly modest without all the embarrassing corruption, shameful waste of resources and some of the criminal indulgences exhibited by some of the so-called “brother comrades” in the struggle and fight against apartheid — especially within the recent African National Congress (ANC).

The man spoke in opposition to the lifestyle and corruption of some of his old friends and colleagues in the struggle.

Let me contextualize Tutu, additionally, in the prism and preserve of history. While Mandela lived as the catalyst and most important political and militant leader of the African National Congress, the first black Archbishop of Cape Town, Tutu, in terms of moral persuasion and establishment of the globally faith-based alliance of churches and worship heritages effectively networked key, principled leaders around the world.

The first time I saw this great man of faith and conciliation, Archbishop Tutu, was on March 26, 1998 in his beautiful city of Cape Town when former President of the United States Bill Clinton made history as the first U.S. President to visit South Africa. Mandela was President; democratically elected from the countries first multi racial election.

Clinton who addressed South Africa’s first democratically elected Parliament, and in paid part tribute, respect and appreciation of the sacrifices and efforts made by Mandela, Desmond Desmond Tutu,

the Mbekis, Bikos, and freedom fighters in the country, remarkably, said: “The courage and imagination that created this new South Africa inspire all of us to be animated by the belief that one day, humanity all the world over can at last be freed from the bonds of hatred and bigotry,” I was inside that parliament in Cape Town as part of the U.S White House accredited press corps who traveled with Clinton to South Africa. Some of these events are analyzed and reported in my 2022 new book titled ‘MLK, Mandela & Achebe: Power, Leadership and Identity.’

The priest, Tutu, was on the frontlines of the vanguard and movement engaged in confronting, especially, the theological falsehoods and propaganda whereby the White racists in south and southern Africa claimed “superiority” over the African people and the socalled “colored people” of South Africa.

Finally, as his 90 years old body and significations lie in state at the St. George’s Cathedral (his former Cape Town parish), ahead of his funeral on New Year ’s Day January 1, 2022, I pray and wish this simple but great man of lucidity, empowerment and compassion; this unique man of traditions and change, an active witness for Christ here on earth, the inclusive champion and anti-apartheid icon, the peoples’ Archbishop Desmond Tutu, eternal rest in the glory and grace of God! -Dr. Nwangwu serves as Founder and Publisher of the first Africanowned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com

The priest, Tutu, was on the frontlines of the vanguard and movement engaged in confronting, especially, the theological falsehoods and propaganda whereby the White racists in south and southern Africa claimed “superiority” over the African people and the so-called “colored people” of South Africa

Inyali Peter condemns the combative posture of Senator Jarigbe Agom, representing Cross River North against Governor Ben Ayade

J

arigbe Agom, the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District has become the latest Cross River leader to subscribe to the state’s culture of petition/letter writing against themselves.

A day after the news of the Christmas visit of Northern governors, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Mohammed Abubakar of Jigawa State to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State made it way to the mediaspace, Agom wrote a letter, sponsored in national dailies and some local blogs disparaging Ayade and asking northerners to practically avoid his own governor.

Although, in the entire letter, Agom was unable to coordinate his thoughts into any specifics on why northern politicians should not relate with Ayade but he still dedicated considerable part of the letter to paint Governor Ayade as a deceitful leader that should not be trusted by northerner especially ahead of 2023.

It’s an open secret that the Governor and Agom have been having what is increasingly becoming an irreconcilable political differences that but many did not contemplate that it’ll degenerate into a point where Agom joins the old culture of writing such an unspiring letter which doesn’t seek to serve the state’s interest but his individual political interests.

No doubt, Cross River State has been one of Nigeria’s leading states in petition and letter writing. In fact, as far back as 1978, the former Vice Chancellor of the University Calabar, Prof. E. A Ayandele, in a speech in response to the protest that followed the appointment of Professors from Oron; O. E. Uya, S. M. Essang, and U. K. Enyenihi, described the state as “an atomistic society that’s perpetually at war with itself.”

Petitions have been the most constant variable in Cross River politics. There’s hardly any federal appointee in the country that receives less petition than anybody from Cross River. This trend has cost the state a lot of opportunities at the federal level to the point that the younger generation have been taking some deliberate steps to discourage such habit.

Unfortunately, it what is now a major blow, Agom who should ordinarily belong to the generation that are advocating an end to the culture of petition writing has joined the old fashion.

It’s an open secret that the inspiration behind the letter was the Governor’s rumoured presidential ambition. Seeing the Governor romancing with the President and having powerful Northern Muslim Governors pay him Christmas visit was too heavy for Agom to bear hence, his decision to take up the old traditional of pen war against his own brother.

But whose interest was he protecting?

Cross River State is like the only state in Nigeria without a recognized national leaders that indigenes of the state can rally on for opportunities in the national. Perhaps, this explains why the state has one of the least numbers in the fedeal civil service. Other states within the South/South region have people like Rotimi Amaechi, Godswill Akpabio, Goodluck Johnathan, Adams Oshiomhole, Sen. OvieOmo Agege, Chief Edwin Clark, etc to make case for them.

When these people talk, the nation listens.

But who do Cross River have in this mold?

Even the Senate which has become a retirement home for former Governors, no former Governor of Cross River State has succeeded in finding his way there.

Donald Duke and Bola Ahmed Tinubu were governors around the same period but look at who Tinubu has become in National politics today? Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki is a former Governor like Liyel Imoke but his influence in National politics today cannot be compared to Imoke.

Former Senate Leader, Sen. Victor NdomaEgba who was building national alignment with growing influence in national politics

was forced out of office by Imoke in 2015.

Other states former ministers are still very influential in national politics but there’s no former Minister from Cross River that still count in national politics. Edwin Clark and Dr. Peter Ogbang from Cross River are contemporaries and were federal Commissioners (what is now called Minister) around the same time. But Ogbang has been on political oblivion for more than ten years while Clark is still very influential in national politics.

The current Minister from the state, Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR have a wide range of national network but it’s important to note that he didn’t build his relationship with national leaders when he joined active politics in 2015.

The big question then is, what are others doing differently to become relevant in national politics that Cross River politicians are not doing? The simple answer is relationship. Cross River leaders spend all their energy concentrating in fighting themselves while others build bridges across board.

Perhaps, this is what Ayade has identified and he’s trying to do whether under guise of running for the office of the President or not.

The state’s lack of national figure with influence has come with grave consequences. The President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration favoured people from the state with so many appointments but like leafs of a dead tree, most of them have all withered away because they don’t have anybody to make case for them at the national.

Walter Onnoghen former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Winifred Oyi-Ita, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Chief Okoi Obono-obla, former Chairman, Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Properties, Chief Akin Ricketts, former Chairman, Nigeria Ports Authority, etc have all been removed from office unceremoniously. Maybe, if they had a strong national figure they could rally on or that recommended them for the positions, some would have still been in office.

Nigeria system is a man-know-man system where even if you succeed in getting at the top, you need to know somebody to sustain yourself there.

There are so many opportunities in the national alluding the state because there’s nobody from the state who sits in the boardroom with those who decide the politics of this state. Even in terms of project attraction to the state, there’s need for someone with influence in the centre to pull some through.

So, if the governor is trying to fill this gap which those who came after him clearly neglected, rather than being castigated because of local political differences, he should be encouraged. Tinubu’s influence in national politics today is more than 10 Senators put together. So, Agom should not destroy what the governor is doing that will be beneficial to the state because of his bitter battle with the governor for Senate.

-Inyali Peter writes from Abuja NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021

23

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

3 0 , 2 0 2 1

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OBB

9.00%

CALL

4%

INDEX LEVEL

564.02%

1/4 TO DATE

5.82%

N413.03/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

10.75%

1-MONTH

6%

1-DAY

–0.17%

YEAR TO DATE

– 15.85%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.19%

Despite Endemic Challenges, Goods Worth N4.669trn Exported, N4.439trn Imported via Apapa Port in Q3

SOURCE: NBS

Eromosele Abiodun Despite the numerous challenges that has made life unbearable for port users, Apapa port has remain the leading port of operation in the country as goods worth N4,669.64 billion exited the country through the port while N4,439 worth of goods were imported via Apapa port in the third quarter of 2021.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics Q3 2021 report, the next leading port of operation was Port Harcourt (3) through which goods worth

N307.38billion were shipped to partner countries.

Tin can Island port according to the NBS was also very active during the period under review as goods worth N103.77billion exited the country through the port.

“Other active ports in operation during the period were Muhammed Murtala International, Sokoto Area Command, Port Harcourt (1), Seme Border Post, Calabar Port, and others. Similarly, goods that entered Nigeria through Apapa Port were valued at N4,439.78 billion, Tin can Island at N1,238.76 billion and Port Harcourt (3) at N865.95

billion, respectively, “the reported stated.

The report stated that Nigeria’s Merchandise Trade grew as imports increased significantly and showed a marginal growth in export, resulting in an unfavorable trade balance in Q3, 2021.

According to the NBS, “Total Trade increased by 10.43 per cent in Q3, 2021 compared to Q2, 2021 and 58.59 per cent year-on-year. Total Imports value stood at N8,153.79 billion in Q3 2021 was 17.32 per cent higher than Q2 2021 and 51.47 per cent higher than Q3 2020. The value of Imported Agricultural

goods was 21.01 per cent higher than the value recorded in Q2, 2021 and 56.74 per cent higher than Q3 2020. The value of Raw Material imports was 9.08 per cent more than Q2, 2021, and 29.06 per cent more than the value in Q3 2020.

“Solid Minerals imports in Q3 2021 increased by 10.93 per cent compared to Q2 2021 and 53.42 per cent compared to Q3 2020.

Energy goods imports in Q3 2021 were 408.51 per cent more than Q2 2021 and 24.14 per cent per cent more than Q3 2020.

“Manufactured goods imports value was 13.98 per cent higher in

Q3 2021 than the level in Q2 2021 and 42.73 per cent more than Q3 2020. Oil products imports value was 34.60 per cent more than in Q2 2021 and 113.18 per cent higher than Q3 2020.”

The NBS added that the value of Total Exports stood at N5,130.30 billion in Q3, 2021 representing an increase of 1 per cent over Q2 2021 and 71.38 per cent over Q3 2020.

“Agricultural goods export value in Q3, 2021 was 5.9 per cent lower than Q2 2021 but 31.0 per cent higher than Q3 2020. Raw Material exports value increased by 135.2% in Q3 2021 against the

level in Q2 2021 and 1,241.1 per cent higher than Q3 2020. Solid Minerals exports value in Q3 2021, increased by 22.7 per cent compared to Q2 2021 and 222.8 per cent compared to Q3 2020.

“Energy goods exports value in Q3 2021 was 58 per cent lower than Q2 2021 and 34.5 per cent lower than the value in Q3 2020.

Manufactured goods exports were 39.4 per cent more than the value in Q2 2021 and 121.6 per cent higher than Q3 2020.

“Crude Oil exports in Q3 2021 Continued on page 26

Air Travellers Groan over Outrageous Airfares, Fear Trend May Continue into New Year Chinedu Eze It is the belief of many air travellers that 2021 may have recorded the highest airfares during the Christmas holiday season in the history of Nigeria, as the prices of air tickets hit the ceiling from the first week of December.

There are also indications that the high prices may not abate in the New Year despite the fact that low season always follows the Yuletide period.

THISDAY investigations revealed that by late November, cost of tickets

was going up to N60, 000 to the shock and amazement of travellers.

THISDAY checks revealed that a Dana Air flight from Lagos to Enugu and Lagos to Owerri that used to cost between N30, 000 and N35, 000 in November and early December now cost N80, 000 for an economy class ticket, while passengers who used to pay between N35, 000 and N40, 000 or even less for an economy ticket on Air Peace from Abuja to Asaba, now pay as much as N60, 000.

For Arik Air, Lagos to Port Harcourt that used to cost between N35, 000 and N40, 000 for an

economy seat, now cost much more.

Price list from the airline’s website showed that the same ticket now sells for N68, 604 and a minimum of N57, 871 depending on when the passenger was travelling.

During the period, those who preferred to travel with Dana from Abuja to Port Harcourt paid about N69, 000 during the second week of December.

A passenger who is based in Lagos, Mr. Fred told THISDAY that he paid N80, 100 for a one-way Dana Air economy ticket from Lagos to Owerri on December 10

for his colleague and N93, 000 for a two-way United Nigeria Airline economy ticket from Lagos to Owerri on December 17 for himself, while another passenger, Mrs. Umeh told THISDAY that she booked a flight from Lagos to Enugu on December 28 and paid N68, 000 for a one-way economy ticket on United Nigeria Airlines and paid the same amount for her son.

Another passenger, who identified herself as Mrs. Peace, told THISDAY that she paid N49, 000 for a one-way economy ticket on Air Peace from Calabar to Lagos on December 18

but that her friend paid N70, 000 for the same ticket on December 21 for Air Peace from Calabar to Lagos.

A travel agent, Moses Eket, said even though it was normal for the cost of transportation to increase during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the cost of flying this year was far more than it was last December.

“Last December, we didn’t sell economy tickets for N81, 000.

Most of what we sold were N60, 000 and N65, 000 but this year, it has skyrocketed and I think it is because people are afraid to travel

by road, so they don’t mind the cost,” he said.

THISDAY spoke to the Director of Engineering, Ibom Air, Lukeman Animaseun, who stated that although the cost of tickets would come down two weeks into the new year because airlines would face low season but warned that it would not be like in the past, suggesting that comparatively, cost of tickets would still be high.

“The high prices will not continue.

After two weeks in the new year the Continued on page 26

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 2 1 FGN BONDS DESCRIPTION 7.144 FGNSB 15-JAN-2022 13.125 FGNSB 16-JAN-2022 16.39 27-JAN2022 5.910 FGNSB 12-FEB-2022 13.050 FGNSB 13-FEB-2022

Price

Yield

BILLS Change (%)

MATURITY

OTC FX F U T U R E S

Discount Yield

Change (%)

100.14

3.90

0.00

NTB 13-Jan-22

3.69

3.70

0.00

100.42

3.90

0.00

NTB 27-Jan-22

3.85

3.86

0.00

100.93

3.89

0.00

NTB 10-Feb-22

4.00

4.02

0.00

100.24

3.88

0.00

NTB 24-Feb-22

2.45

2.46

0.00

NTB 10-Mar-22

2.98

3.00

101.11

3.88

CONTRACT TENOR (MONTH) 1

Contract

Current Rate ($/₦)

NGUS JAN 26 2022 421.18

2

NGUS FEB 23 2022 422.61

3

NGUS MAR 30 2022 424.04

0.00

4

NGUS APR 27 2022 425.46

0.00

5

NGUS MAY 25 2022 426.89

C Ps MATURITY

Discount Yield

Change (%)

CMBL CP XVI 7-JAN-22 CTIL CP I 10JAN-22 MREP CP XXXX 10-JAN-22 MREP CP XXXV 14-JAN-22 UBNP CP IX 14JAN-22

7.84

7.86

0.00

6.04

6.05

0.00

12.70

12.75 0.00

7.81

7.84

0.00

8.60

8.63

0.00

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Azeez: Nigeria’s Investment Climate Holds Favourable Promise In this interview with Ugo Aliogo, the Key Account Manager, CHINT Central West Africa, Sulaiman Azeez, speaks about the company’s desire to drive innovation in the Nigeria power sector, the potential of the market and other issues. Excerpt: ceremony, we called for collaboration with key stakeholders as we believe that with the right initiatives, support and collaboration with key players, the Nigerian energy sector would drive economic prosperity and sustainability.

Can you give an overview of CHINT Electric?

HINT Electric Co, Limited is a subsidiary of CHINT Group Corporation, the reliable player in the LV and HV Electrical equipment, manufacturing and EPC services in power generation, transmission and distribution. CHINT Electric has supplied its products and EPC services in over 140 countries and regions, including more than 90 national power utilities, renewable energy users, oil and gas users, metallurgy users, railway users, among others.

CHINT Electric Co Limited offers power/auto transformers, distribution transformers, gas insulated switches (GIS), circuit breakers, disconnectors, insulators, earthing switches, surge arresters, voltage transformers, current transformers, to name a few.

CHINT’s presence cuts across countries in North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, including Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, Russia, U.S.A, Ukraine, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, and a host of others.

C

What should Nigerians expect, following the launch of CHINT Nigeria?

The launch of CHINT Electric in Nigeria heralds a new era of technological advancement as one of our goals is to empower the country through our innovative electrical solutions. Electricity as you know is an essential component of any nation’s development process. Its use and access largely correlate to economic growth; hence its impact on the livelihood of citizens cannot be overstated. It is on this premise that CHINT Electric is looking to empower Nigeria through the provision of world-class electrical solutions. We offer our customers with high quality products and professional services by integrating electrical resources. The company has been focusing on industrial electrical manufacturing for 33 years and is known for the durability of its products.

CHINT offers EPC customers with on-demand products and services through innovative integration, and over the years, we have increasingly grown to become a reliable partner for many major international EPC contractors in the field of New Energy, Power Transmission and Distribution, among others. These are what we have in stock for Nigerians and Nigerian market.

With already well-established presence in other countries across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, why has CHINT chosen to enter the Nigerian market?

Nigeria is undoubtedly one of Africa’s largest economies and we are highly optimistic about the potentials the country holds. While CHINT Electric ranks as one of the leading global players in the energy sector, with presence in over 140 countries, we strongly believe Nigeria is a nation that holds bountiful potentials for economic prosperity, and technology is one of the greatest catalysts to achieve this. There can be no technological advancement without first-rate electrical solutions; hence the establishment of operations in Nigeria. Also, we are very proud that Nigeria is the first subsidiary company of CHINT Group in Central and Western Africa, and the first in the whole sub-Saharan Africa.

You are entering a market with lots of competitors, what are your strategies to take your brand to a leadership position?

As a leading player in the global energy sector, CHINT has already positioned itself as not only an innovative brand but one with the capacity to meet the demands of customers in any geographical region. With up to 13 manufacturing bases in China,

Are your products certified with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and how affordable are they?

Yes, our products are certified with the Standards Organization of Nigeria and affordable. We have also received certification from other global standards organizations to ensure our products meet the best standards. Other certifications include KEMA, CESI, PCT(GOST) and TUV. Do you have plans to set up a manufacturing plant in Nigeria in the nearest future?

Of course, yes. We have engaged in high-level discussions in the past few months with some notable stakeholders in the power industry to set up a meter factory in Nigeria. We are still open to collaborations with others who are interested and share the same view with us in developing Nigerian energy sector with our innovation and smart solutions

Azeez Thailand, Egypt and Germany as well as 17 international subsidiaries, 32 logistics centers and 2,300 sales companies, we are capable of maintaining the leadership position our brand has grown to be known for over the years.

However, we also believe one of the most viable ways of expediting development and progress in any market is through strategic collaborations with key industry players. So, we look forward to collaborating with other leading industry players in offering innovative electrical solutions.

What are your thoughts on Nigeria’s investment climate?

With a population of over 200 million, Nigeria is a hotspot for economic activities and this makes it an attractive consumer market for traders and investors. While there have been some reforms enacted to help boost Nigeria’s position in the World Bank’s annual Ease of Doing Business rankings, the investment climate has experienced some setbacks with Foreign Direct Investment in recent years, and this can be largely attributed to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration leaning towards prioritizing diversification of the economy beyond oil and gas, with goals of building a competitive manufacturing sector and capitalizing on the nation’s existing innovative opportunities, we believe the investment climate for Nigeria holds favorable promises.

Adulteration remains a challenge eating deep into profit margins of established brands.

How secured are your brands to protect it from adulterators?

At CHINT Electric, we pride ourselves in quality; hence our products have gone through a variety of extensive important tests by the appropriate organizations to ascertain and maintain the high standards we are globally known for. Consumer safety is incredibly important to us, and every product we currently manufacture is certified and meets the global standards.

Are there any future plans to collaborate with stakeholders in your industry?

Certainly. During our recent official opening

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is key to every organisation. Does CHINT Electric has plans to empower communities through CSR initiatives?

As a socially conscious organization, CHINT Electric is always seeking avenues and creditable platforms to uplift members of the communities we operate in. We are always inspired to promote corporate philanthropy and sustainability while seeking to encourage other entities as well as wellspirited individuals to join hands in improving our society. As part of our CSR initiatives, we announced a strategic collaboration between CHINT Electric and the University of Lagos to offer best performing students of the Electrical and Electronics department annual internship programme.

In addition to the robust and extensive training, which will be gained during the course of their internship, our student beneficiaries will also receive financial benefits. I believe this serves as a glowing testimony to CHINT Electric’s goal to not only empower Nigeria but provide credible platforms for young Nigerian talents to flourish and excel. We are committed to creating value for customers, seeking development for employees and taking responsibility for the society.

Where do you see your brand in the next five years?

We see CHINT as a brand of choice and household name in Nigeria electricity industry in a few years’ time. The more customers that identify with your brand, the more loyal they become to it and the more resistant they are to any attempt made by competitors to lure them away.

We have always set our priorities and today, I can say that those priorities have helped us achieve various things. Those decisions have rewarded us with the opportunity to host captains of industry, technocrats, academicians and our valued customers.

It is almost certain that we have set up priorities for the upcoming years. We look forward to working with major stakeholders in power industry to attain new heights in the manufacturing industry whilst our remaining committed to customer satisfaction. The five years that lie ahead can be marked with milestones of progress for us in our organization.

DESPITE ENDEMIC CHALLENGES, GOODS WORTH N4.669TRN EXPORTED, N4.439TRN IMPORTED VIA APAPA PORT IN Q3 were 1.3 per cent lower than the value recorded in Q2 2021 but 66 per cent higher than Q3 2020.

Other oil products exports in Q3

2021 were 3.6 per cent more in value than in Q2 2021 and 57.8 per cent higher than Q3 2020.”

The report also revealed that

Nigeria imported used vehicles worth N531.7 billion between January and September 2021.

Other items imported by the

country as of September 2021 included premium motor spirit (petrol) which amounted to N2.52 trillion, wheat which was worth

N898.2 billion and gas oil which totalled N499 billion.

The report revealed that antibiotics gulped N481 billion;

machines guzzled N348.28 billion, while motorcycles and related vehicles were imported at N329.6 billion.

AIR TRAVELLERS GROAN OVER OUTRAGEOUS AIRFARES, FEAR TREND MAY CONTINUE INTO NEW YEAR fares will come down. Ticket prices will come down from the middle of January but I don’t see the low season fares of the past returning because people are getting more comfortable flying. There are other factors that will keep the cost of ticket high and these include the cost of aviation fuel which has been on the increase since few months now,” he said.

Also the former Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, said that there are high indications that the fares would not come down to the old prices during the low seasons because demand still outstrips supply and there are other factors that would inevitably keep the fares high.

“There are many factors that will ensure that airfares will continue to

increase. There are a lot of demands but the supply of aircraft seats is not meeting this demand. There is the issue of security challenges, which have forced those who hitherto travel by road to resort to air travel. We could see that capacity has also reduced and there are no new entrants into the market.

The number of airplanes owned by Nigerian airlines, which were ferried

out for checks are not back, so the natural tendency is that the fares could continue to increase because the demand is higher than supply.

“Another problem is the high exchange of the dollar. As long as the exchange rate is high, fares will continue to increase because airlines are spending more on spares, maintenance, training and other expenditure, which are all

dominated in dollars. Finally there is a high fuel price. It was from N180 to N200 and now it has risen to N300 per dollar. All these are recipe to high airfares,” he said.

Sanusi said the solution to the problems was the deliberate intervention to increase capacity and bring down the exchange rate and also make dollar available to airlines.

“So there should be deliberate efforts to address the forex problem and high cost of aviation fuel; although we know that when Dangote’srefinery comes on stream there will be stability in supply, if it would refine aviation fuel. Then airlines can hedge fuel,” Sanusi who is also the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), said.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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BUSINESSWORLD

AIR WATCH

Seymour Insists Car Park Facility at Lagos Airport is Safe Chinedu Eze The management of Seymour Aviation Mulit-level Car Park has insisted that the facility is still the safest place to park vehicles at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (MMIA).

The company was reacting to reports that the car of a user of the facility was vandalised while parked at the place.

In the statement signed by the company’s management and made available to THISDAY, Seymour Aviation Multi-level Car Park said it regretted the thefts of spares of vehicles parked at the facility.

“Our attention has been drawn to reports making the rounds in both social and traditional media concerning an incident of loss of the mirrors of a car parked at our multi-level lot located at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. We consider this incident quite regrettable for several reasons. First is the discomfort and inconvenience caused the owner of the car by such a loss. Second is the fact that many people use our facility trusting that they would be protected from such ugly experiences. An incident like that happening to them is therefore paradoxical and does not

inspire confidence in a system,” the company said.

The company also stated that it was pained by the incident because in over four years “of our operation, this kind of security breach has not occurred.”

“When the car owner reported this incident, we quickly played the CCTV and confirmed that the car (a Lexus 460 SUV) actually arrived with its two mirrors intact. The CCTV camera, however, could not pick the criminal, as the car was parked at a blind spot. We are immediately reviewing our surveillance system to forestall future occurrence and to ensure the comfort and convenience of users of the facility,” Seymour said.

It also explained that some reports made due to the incident was wrong and alleged that some interest groups were pushing an agenda against the company, latching on the incident and promised that it would continue to strive to provide secure place for people to park their cars.

“Over the years, we have received commendations from users of our facility and the general public regarding security and safety of people and their property. On several occasions, our operatives have found and returned valuables worth millions of naira, including hard

currencies to the owners for which we have received commendations in various media. Both the company and our staff have also received commendations from both public and private sector organizations, including the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The crowning glory was in August 2018, when the President himself, sent a commendation for the integrity of our staff and urged the populace to emulate them. Even today, the 29th of December 2021, our staff have just reported that they found a foreign passport, with some foreign currency and other valuables possibly forgotten or misplaced by a facility user,” the company said.

Seymour said it would like to continue to operate at that level of integrity and safety its users and security for their items.

“Though our CCTV cameras are working perfectly (and that is why we were able to easily verify that the said SUV arrived with its mirrors intact) we are reviewing the entire surveillance system and introducing other measures to boost the confidence of our users,” the company also said.

Ethiopian Airlines to Resume Flight with Boeing 737 Max in February Chinedu Eze with agency report Ethiopian Airlines has announced that it plans to resume flying Boeing 737 MAX planes on its fleet starting February 1, 2022.

The airline Group Chief Executive Officer, Tewolde Gebremariam, who disclosed this said, “Safety is our top most priority at Ethiopian Airlines and it guides every decision we make and all actions we take. It is in line with this guiding principle that we are now returning the B737 MAX to service not only after the recertification by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA),

Transport Canada, Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), ECAA(European Common Aviation Area) and other regulatory bodies but also after the return to service by more than 34 airlines around the world,” Gebremariam said in a statement.

The Ethiopian carrier grounded its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets as an “extra safety precaution” following the 2019 crash of flight ET 302 that killed all 157 people on board.

The flight had just departed Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa to Nairobi when it reported technical problems and asked for permission to turn back. It fell from the sky shortly afterwards.

The crash was the second such incident involving a new Boeing aircraft.

In October 2018, a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight fell from the sky over the Java Sea, killing all 189 people on board.

“In line with our initially stated commitment to become among the last airlines to return the B737 MAX, we have taken enough time to monitor the design modification work and the more than 20 months of rigorous recertification process and we have ensured that our pilots, engineers, aircraft technicians, cabin crew are confident on the safety of the fleet,” Gebremariam noted.

Red Star Express Plc Rewards Customers with Instant Gifts Red Star Express Plc, a foremost logistics company in Nigeria recently announced its “Ship & Win Promo” initiative to reward esteemed customers who send parcels from their retail outlets with instant gifts.

The promotion, which runs from November 29, 2021, to December 31, 2021, aims to reward retail customers.

According to Victor Ukwat, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, “The promotion is not

only limited to clients in Lagos but is also available nationwide. As the Yuletide season approaches, satisfying all of our large networks and numerous consumers becomes a requirement.”

The Group Managing Director, Dr. Sola Obabori, emphasised the importance of the company’s efforts to give back to its valued customers.

“Red Star Express Plc is delighted to give back to our customers through the Ship & Win

Promo, which is also a delightful opportunity to continue providing exceptional service,” he added.

Red Star Express Plc is a licensee of Federal Express (FedEx) Corporation, the world’s largest provider of delivery solutions. It has over 150 offices in Nigeria, as well as international offices in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Benin. Its network includes over 1,500 communities in Nigeria and 214 countries around the world.

SAHCO Wins Ground Handling Company of the Year Award Skyway Way Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) has been adjudged the best company in that category as it carted away the Aviation Ground Handling Company of the year award 2021.

This award was presented to SAHCO by Air Transport Quarterly Magazine in recognition of SAHCO’s consistent quality service deliveries to her numerous clients.

Speaking during the award presentation, Editor in Chief of Air Transport Quarterly, Supo Atobatele praised SAHCO for

constituency in ensuring topnotch services to clients by investing in modern GSE and always rendering services that are of international standards.

While accepting the award, Managing Director/CEO, Basil Agboarumirestated SAHCO’s commitment to always delivering quality services even in the face of challenges.

He thanked the Management of Air Transport Quarterly for finding SAHCO worthy of the award.

In addition, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO)

PLC, has been awarded The Best Passenger’s Support Service company of the year 2021 in recognition of the company’s excellent performance in delivering a safe and efficient air transportation services.

This award was presented to SAHCO during the 11th Nigeria Aviation (NIGAV) Awards 2021.

The event, which was well attended by the crème-la-crème of the aviation industry, is aimed at hosting the industry to celebrate the end of year aviation development success.

A I R WATCH ‘Right Pricing for Aviation Handling Services Will Guarantee Sub-sector Sustenance’

Dr. Fadeni, NAHCO Plc Chairman Chinedu Eze Aviation handling companies play very critical roles in air transport because they process the passengers and cargo and without them flight operations could be jeopardised.

But there has been a debate over the right pricing of their services and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) knowing the important role they play in flight facilitation and even air safety, gave them approval for their new price rating.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, Dr. Seinde Fadeni, gave an insight recently into the challenges facing the handling companies and why industry stakeholders and the airlines, which are their major customers, should support the new pricing regime.

He said that despite the devaluation of the naira over the years, the increasing prices of handling equipment, the threshold rate for handling services remained the same. Now that there is effort to reflect the pricing to the current realities, some stakeholders are resisting it.

“The truth is that since 1986, there has been no increment in the handling rates in the sub-sector and it is unbelievable that between then and now, we have seen the way the naira fluctuates against the dollar. Naira has been so devalued over the years and the truth of the matter is that we don’t even collect the money for our services in dollars; we collect it in naira. That is even the sad aspect of it.

“It is quite unfortunate that the two major organisations which are in the forefront of ground handling in Nigeria; the Nigerian Skyway Aviation Handling Plc (SAHC0) and NAHCO, we keep on fighting, shortchanging and backbiting ourselves in order to have clients, which is very sad and at the end of the day, we are shooting ourselves in the foot, we are the big losers because the airlines will always come and play on our intelligence and stupidity, but we are the ones that will lose at the end of the day.

“Unfortunately, the handling companies and the airlines, go to the same market to purchase equipment in foreign currency and that is why when this idea of right pricing was brought forth, I put in whatever I could as the Chairman of NAHCO to support the project. I believed in it from the beginning and I knew we were going to have some challenges. Thank God for the media, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, leadership of the Aviation Ground Handling Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) and everyone in the sector that supported us during the period,” the NAHCO Plc Chairman said.

Fadeni expressed confidence that the efforts to implement the new pricing threshold would not be sabotaged by handling companies due to competition because they have realised that at the end of the day everyone loses when there are ridiculously low charges for their services.

“On expected sabotage of the implementation of

the new rates, personally, I don’t envisage it. As I said earlier, we will be shooting ourselves in the foot and they will take advantage of us. For instance, NAHCO lost handling British Airways just because of pricing. Even, the price we were charging British Airways was even lower when you compare it to whatever we were taking from Delta Air Lines and even Virgin Atlantic Airways that came from the same United Kingdom as British Airways. In fact, it is almost double, but unfortunately, everyone was trying to reduce cost,” he explained.

NAHCO Plc Chairman said that what the handling companies got wrong in the past was to use pricing as competing tool; instead of using services they render to their clients, noting that using prices as competing tool left everyone poorer.

“You see, the ground handling sub-sector is an industry I believe the competition should be in service, not in prices. The prices should be cast in stone; it shouldn’t change and let the clients make their choices. The point is that if we are able to keep to this, we will still make something. Even, as a handler, if you are doing one or two services, it’s better than doing five handlings at ridiculous law rates. For instance, if a wide-body aircraft is supposed to be done at $3,000 and I do one of it and you are doing five at $400 each, then, it makes sense for me to do one and keep my head up,” he remarked.

Fadeni said that when the new threshold prices are implemented government would also collect its 5 per cent annual turnover from the new prices set for handling each aircraft. This would enable each handling company not to go below the given appropriate pricing.

On procurement of new equipment he said, “Right now for the past two to three years, we have invested over N6 billion in equipment and for the next one year, we are thinking of investing another almost N7 billion. So, what we try to do is to be a bit strategic. We have done some forecasts of where we need the equipment. There is no need to buy equipment that you won’t need. So, what we are trying to do is to look at the obsolete equipment, take them away and we will bring new ones to replace them. It is not everywhere that needs equipment and more so, the strategies are even changing.”

The strategy he noted is that in the past cargo planes carry cargo but recently airlines have adopted a new strategy whereby they carry passengers in the cabin and load cargo in the belly of the aircraft.

“Until now, nobody carried cargo inside passenger planes, but now, you have almost 70 to 80 per cent of cargo that come into Nigeria through Ethiopian Airlines. We need to buy another set of equipment to ease the burden off our workers unlike the way we used to do it in the past. So, we are strategically bringing in equipment almost every day, but right now, we have equipment for the next two years that will be coming almost every month.

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Olorunyomi: Government Needs Private Sector Collaboration to Grow Aviation Industry Chief Executive Officer, Copterjet International Limited, Captain Toluwa Victor Olorunyomi, said collaborative efforts between government and the private sector would expand airport infrastructure, boost services and bring to fruition state of the art airport facilities. He also spoke of his company’s many offerings for the sector. He spoke to Chinedu Eze. Excerpts: We can help the airlines optimise, if there is a need for expansion, some might need to shrink why some needs to really expand. So, the airlines have not been looking at mergers and acquisition.

It might be also a way to go as well too. Because it depends, you look at why you went into the business? If it is not just to fulfill social gratification by having an airline, if it is for business prosperity, owners and entrepreneurs need to begin to look at the direction of mergers and acquisitions that can enable them to grow their balance sheet, strengthen their working capital, and then put them in a position to be able to harness cheaper alternative kind of financing. Because nobody is going release money to a struggling airline, without a reputation to pay back. But if the necessary consolidation is in place, they will be better positioned. So there are wide arrays of programs that we have developed to ensure that the industry remains strong, much stronger post COVID19 and then position the industry on the part of growth. So we are coming to partner with all stakeholders. That is why our emergence statement was a collaborative framework. So we are calling on global, local collaboration between governments, private entities to jointly work to drive the industry for economic prosperity. As we all know, aviation is an economic catalyst, and it is needed if we really want to get the economy to the part of quick recovery.

Now that government is in the process of giving out some major airport facilities for concession, how will your company come in? e can come in different ways. This is a private public partnership initiative that the government is putting in place, which is where we stand. And so we are open to opportunities in that area in terms of local capacity development support and also infrastructure mobilisation of investment capital and upscale of these assets.

Because travel has changed since the advent of COVID-19 and there is a need for infrastructure planning now.

If you get to major airports in the Western world now, you don’t see regular check-in process; it is all automated check-in system. So it means some of our infrastructure needs to be upgraded. So, we are available to deploy our strategies in place to ensure that we contribute our own quota in that regards.

And then in terms of knowledge support, project management and consulting and advisory as well, we also have necessary competencies to drive that.

What we have done is to build a wider collaborative structure, global collaborative framework, such that we can review, look at the extent of a project and draw on the necessary strategic partnership and collaboration that we have globally to undertake the kind of project that needs to be undertaken.

So for the concession, definitely we are positioned to be able to harness the opportunity in regard, which is not limited to just asset management. It could be training development, advisory consulting, infrastructure upgrade, expansion and growth. There so many things that still needs to be done in terms of infrastructure.

W

In terms of skills acquisition, there is real challenge in the industry. Is your company also focusing on that in terms of training?

Our focused training is not as an approved training organization, as per the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) giving us certification for that, but in terms of consulting competencies, yes we have. And if there is a need to look into that, as opportunities emerge in that direction we will set the necessary mechanism in place to offer that services. But in terms of capacity, we do have capacity locally, but of course, it’s important that we continue to develop that local capacity to meet the global competencies. So things are changing by the day. I talked about smart airport system and all of that, which means there will be new infrastructure being deployed, some new information technology infrastructure and security infrastructure in the airport system. So all of these things require trainings and retraining. So we can come in that regards to offer some specialised and focused training solution and also provide necessary synergy that is needed to attain that level of standard.

Given the scenario that played up sometime ago, where some airlines reneged on leasing agreements, how will you facilitate easy leasing for Nigerian airlines?

Thank you. I think that is one of the areas that we also provide services, aircraft and leasing programmes. So, what we have done is to look at the problem with some of these airlines that have been able to meet their leasing obligations. Reneging on such agreements does not provide good national industry reputation. So we are coming to correct those anomalies, which is to ensure that there is proper financing to match with the correct business framework. So because you get it wrong from the beginning, there is one thing to want to set up an airline but there is another thing to have the right blend of financing framework and business model.

So we are coming to serve and provide financial gatekeeping services to financial institutions and some of those leasing firms to ensure that we able to perfect the leasing process.

We will be able to ensure that we guide these airlines with the right leasing framework and also appraised their model to ensure that it fits into the right financing and leasing arrangement that is in place. This is because if they stack up and then they don’t have these correct structures in place, it is only a matter of time, they will go down and that has been the trend.

So for us, we want to see that trajectory changing with us coming into the industry by ensuring that there is correct financing march with the right operational framework to achieve business sustainability. That is when the airline can thrive and remain sustainable

Olorunyomi and the leasing firm too can be happy that they are getting a return for their investment.

Because the infrastructure gap is huge in the market and we need them. And this is a form of infusing foreign direct investment into the industry. They may not come directly in terms of cash but they could come, in terms of asset and financing. So we need that because the airlines cannot cope with the cost of capital here locally. So they need that foreign backing.

We are here to provide the platform, the link between the global leasing entity and then the operators as well; and also the financial institutions, banks, and insurance companies, private equity firms. So, we are fully here on ground. At some point, we look at the market dynamics and the foreign exchange stability and at some point, maybe some of these assets needs to be domesticated for ease of accessibility, for the airline to quickly take off with or if they need to have an operational expansion quickly in the time that there are so much air traffic volume and then they want to key into that. So they can easily work and say, oh we want to meet temporary capacity growth in the short time or in the medium term.

Do you share the view that, if Nigerian airlines are able to access aircraft using dry leasing, they will operate more profitability compared to buying their own airplanes?

It depends on the business model, but it can work. It is always a very prudent approach to start by way of leasing, because it provides easy entry and easy exit. So it is a very good strategy. However, at some point depending on operational requirements and what is the objective, the medium-term and long-term objective of the operator is, and the viability, they might be looking at newer aircraft. This is because leasing comes with its pros and cons as well. New aircraft, you have less maintenance challenges and all of that. You have manufacturer’s spares backing for maintenance programs and all of that. So as much as new aircraft costs much to acquire, but overall in terms of operating costs, it might be more prudent. But of course,

for a fresh airline that is just coming up, it cannot afford to deploy such magnitude of capital into aircraft acquisition. So it needs to build a robust cash flow, the most prudent way to go into it would be via leasing. But that leasing arrangement needs to be well, cleverly negotiated, then potentially structured to ensure that the right match of arrangement with the airline’s operational framework.

Currently Nigerian airlines suffer under capacity and that explains the reason for higher airfares. Based on the services you offer, what advice do you have for Nigerian carriers?

A number of things contribute to the reason why airfares are high. So many things will be looked at, aviation fuel, foreign exchange because these spare parts, they bring them in and then it cost the airline so much to get forex to meet their maintenance needs. So, so many things are involved. And now that takes us a bit into the infrastructure part. We are looking at driving initiative as part of our core services. In infrastructure we are also looking at the area of large investment in MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility in Nigeria and in Africa to meet the African marketplace and Nigerian market place. So that it can reduce pressure on the foreign exchange demand for the airlines and they can achieve their maintenance locally and they can achieve that robust maintenance program, access them without much exposure.

So we coming in to help airlines to review their processes and if there is a need for temporary or short to medium term credit injection into their system, to also enable them to establish that framework, make that arrangements in place.

We can restructure their leasing arrangements, we can look at other programs that can match them to be able to grow and harness the capacity gap that is there in the industry. So, that is enough revenue line for them, which they are not optimising.

With our buckets of services they are sure to be able with us, as a very reputable and experienced, knowledgeable business development partner.

You said you were looking at establishing a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre locally to help the airlines. Will you be willing to partner with a ready known local airline to build MRO? Oh, definitely, we are open up to sustainable partnership in the area of local capacity development infrastructure, new infrastructure in MROs. We are open to joint venture arrangement with people that have shared values with us. That is why we don’t see anybody as a competitor because our objective, vision, is to be the leader in the development and transformation of aviation business in Nigerian and Africa. So anyone who is on that part is our partner. Because the objective we know, we cannot do it alone, we cannot achieve it alone. So we need collective efforts, all hands on deck. So if there are serious entities out there who are willing to look into the direction, we will look at it and look at the prospects and then definitely work to collaboratively see that coming to reality. And even if it is from the government side, why not, as long as it provides infrastructure support for the operators. So even if we cannot build the carrier itself, if it is the maintenance hand that we can work collaboratively to develop to support the local operators and then it provides incentives for them. And then it would definitely help them to grow.

In the area of asset management and development, what exactly do you do?

Asset management could either be in terms of aircraft equipment, it could be real asset, which could be airports and then it could be other infrastructure that supports the aviation industry. So, it is on the broad scale, it could also be privately owned assets that could be put on under that to manage, matching the right maintenance programs. Because there is a whole lot of things involved. I mean if you want go own an aircraft now, there is a whole lot of processes and procedures, and all that needs to be done from pre-acquisition, to post acquisition, regulatory requirement, ensuring the crane, ensuring maintenance programs, our plan, fuelling. There are so many logistical details that involve and to keep the aircraft airworthy. So managing and over seeing that to ensure that all of these intricacies are put in place and undertaking for smooth, safe, flying condition for the private owners. A private owner may not be willing to buy an asset, or does not have the necessary capacity to keep the asset running.

In the area of business aviation, (private jet charter), what services can you provide in that area?

Okay, we can help facilitate that as well, while we can also help individuals, entities to also have access to their own assets at the least cost possible.

Also help them to design fractional ownership structure and a fractional leasing structure as well.

So there are various approaches depending on the budgets of the individual. So we can match our various travel needs to the individual or entities’ budget. We have series of programmes to cater for different levels.

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Assessing Buhari’s Anti-corruption War With the year 2021 gradually coming to an end, Ugo Aliogo in this report examines the anticorruption fight of President Muhammadu Buhari in the year under review

I

n 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari rode into office on the wave of popular expectation of fighting corruption in the country especially among the elites.

However, in 2021, which is six years after, there are fears in some quarters especially from the opposition party that the anti-corruption fight is targeted at political enemies of the administration.

Some Nigerians are of the view that six years after, the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari has not impacted the Nigerian economy.

In a recent anti-corruption report on Buhari’s Six Years in Office by Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), it was revealed that with the 2023 election season already ramping up, and Buhari’s hands-off governing style largely unchanged, his government’s anti-corruption track record is set to go down in history as one characterised by missed opportunities and, in some respects, outright hypocrisy.

The report further explained that President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2016 promise to demonstrate zero tolerance for corrupt practices remains largely unmet, adding that some of the shortcomings of the administration includes Buhari’s willingness to appoint individuals of questionable integrity to key positions, his tendency to shield political allies from investigation and prosecution, his disinterest in how the ruling party funds its election campaigns, his failure to make key petroleum sector reforms, and his corruption-prone economic and fiscal policies. Many of these challenges remain largely unaddressed.

The report also examined President Buhari’s anticorruption record through the lens of three recent strategic developments facing Nigeria: the global pandemic, rising insecurity and democratic backsliding. Damaging in their own right, these challenges have also hindered anti-kleptocracy efforts and created new corruption opportunities for unscrupulous officials and their enablers.

There is also an argument from some quarters that despite various promises and commitments by the administration on anti-graft activities, corruption remains a menace crippling Nigeria socio-economic development including the fast-falling educational standard, dilapidating healthcare, bad roads, rising unemployment that precariously breeds social vices like crimes, vandalism, banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping, and youth agitation, poorly motivated security personnel, youth under-development, bad governance, and the eroded public services.

PUBLIC VIEWS

To deepen the scope of the discourse, THISDAY spoke to some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) CDD and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) who have been monitoring the Buhari’s anti-corruption journey since 2015.

In his argument, the Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, stated that there were many commitments and campaign promises made by the present administration to combat corruption in all ramifications without fear or favour, noting that it is quite disturbing that official corruption is deeply embedded, “and fast becoming a permanent fixture whose subculture melts seamlessly into the public servants’ daily life.”

Rafsanjani remarked that the administration’s emerging dwindling capability to constructively and conclusively handle high profile corruption cases, gives chances to culprits to walk freely on the street and positive signal to potential culprits to freely engage in corruption.

He observed that the manners in which systemic corrupt practices are encouraged and celebrated, especially in the public sector, if not rapidly addressed would ultimately erode citizens’ trust and confidence in governance and eventually backpedal the gains and recorded progress from anti-corruption in the country.

According to him, “As recovering stolen assets became paramount to Nigeria, given the extent of decades of looting of public funds carried out by corrupt leaders and officials, one of the prime promises of the then incoming President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2015 has been to recover at least some of the stolen assets from abroad and domestically. President Buhari himself repeated the message to world leaders and domestically that Nigeria would continue to call for speedy and unconditional recovery of illicit assets stashed abroad.

“The anti-corruption summit in London in 2016 prompted the government to make specific commitments in regards to asset recovery like strengthening of the asset recovery legislation through the passage of the Proceeds of Crime Bill to provide for transparent management of

administration adopts majorly legal and institutional approaches in the fight against corruption, which includes creation of special committees to fast-track progress and impact, adding that the previous administration leveraged basically institutional strategies.

Idayat stated that when examining the anticorruption fight between both administrations what is important to note is that the Buhari administration have had consistent message, which is backed up by strong anticorruption stance, “it doesn’t matter if it is not been matched with actions, everybody knows that Mr. Buhari is against corruption, and beyond that they have also used a lot of innovation compared to the Jonathan administration.”

ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCIES

returned assets and non-conviction-based approach to asset recovery.

“However, delayed passage of key enabling legislative framework like the Proceeds of Crime Bill (2014) constitutes a major impediment to accountable, efficient coordination and management of recovered assets. Also, given the amount of resources concentrated within the area of asset recovery, anti-corruption agencies fight for juicy mandate to claim leadership in the coordination of the recovery effort.

“The Nigerian public and international community are worried over re-looting of recovered assets if internationally accepted policies and guidelines are not implemented by a competent institutional arrangement.

Lack of transparency and progress in this regard backpedal progress in seizing proceeds of corruption. Hitherto, there is no independent, and comprehensive review of how many assets could be repatriated by all agencies with the power to seize assets.”

On her part, the Executive Director, CDD, Idayat Hassan, stated that with the President Buhari anticorruption fight over six years now, the consistent factor has been a very strong anticorruption message by the president.

She also noted that at every occasion, the President has always spoken about his anticorruption stance or zero tolerance corruption, adding that the very important point is that it has improved financial centralization.

According to her, “The strict implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) by President Muhammadu Buhari, though proposed in 2012 by the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration has been able to plug the financial leakages in the financial system itself, which is accompanied with the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information Systems (IPPIS). The IPPIS have been extremely useful in the fight against corruption. Some notable achievements are the strong anti-corruption appointments he made with the appointments of the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owansanoye, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ibrahim Magu and the current EFCC

Abdulrasheed Bawa. I think some of these are also very important.”

She argued that earlier in his tenure, the president created two adhoc temporary audit committee to investigate the spending of the monumental fraud that happened under the former National Security Adviser, (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki.

She commended the administration for the creation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, (PACAC) a government Tin tank, adding that the Special Presidential Investigative Panel on public property and others have been useful as well, “the administration has been able to introduce plea bargaining to tackle corruption in Nigeria.”

She further explained that the administration has made more corruption convictions than other previous administrations, stating that irrespective of the challenges, it is also important to note that the prosecution and conviction of Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang and Taraba State Governor, Jolly Nyame, are very high-level convictions, which has not been seen in a long time.

Continuing, she added: “Also, the number of assets recovered by the Buhari administration has been very incremental at every point in time, in the last six years plus.

But beyond this, there are still challenges that are important to point out. One of the challenges is the questionable senior appointments the government continues to make. The administration turns a blind eye to political corruption. If you look at the questionable appointment, one will not expect that president Buhari will appoint a Godswill Akpabio in his cabinet, considering the fact he is facing corruption charges before the EFCC. He made several of those questionable appointments and even some people that are caught red handed have not been able to immediately respond at every point in time. He has even turned his face to political corruption, we saw him campaigning for the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, irrespective of the fact he was accused of stuffing dollars earlier on.”

ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGIES

Rafsanjani revealed that the current

Rafsanjani commended the anti-corruption agencies for the role they have been playing in the anticorruption fight, but expressed displeasure that there is a lack of operational independence of the various anti-graft institutions that make their efficiency extremely difficult, “This is largely due to the system of appointments depending mainly on the presidency.”

He stated that there is also a general culture of the perceived right of those in power to use state institutions for power preservation and personal enrichment, noting that until this is changed, no law or policy would dramatically improve the chances to fight corruption.

He said: “Sincere anti-corruption efforts must prioritise and maintain total political distance.

Independent of the anti-corruption commission must be ensured in terms of selection and appointment of leadership and staff. This will enhance high impact, efficiency and accountability in their operational activities. For workability and sustainability, the independence must reflect in other spheres like legal, financial, human resource, detection and investigation, prevention and outreach, accountability and oversight.”

The CDD Executive Director stated that at every point in time the antigraft agencies continues to develop and innovate in various ways to tackle corruption in the country.

In her words, “Presently, I think the zeal among the anticorruption agencies is increasing. They have come to see the anticorruption fight as part and parcel of the president Buhari agenda.

Every agency is trying to collaborate as much as possible in this. The anticorruption agency seems to be very powerful.

“The administration is not using the anticorruption fight to witch-hunt it’s opponents.

Although, at every point in time we know that any government in power will go after the opposition. But we have seen the anticorruption agencies bring to book those who have run foul of the law, when you look at the constituency projects by the ICPC, it has targeted law makers from every divide both from the All-Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other smaller parties.”

MEASURES TO ADDRESS CORRUPTION

The CISLAC Executive Director, expressed confidence that federal government can progress in the area of endemic through sincere implementation of various international commitments without fear or favour which includes the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)-the only legally binding international anti-corruption multilateral treaty, “which contains general provisions promoting and strengthening measures to prevent and combat corruption more efficiently and effectively.”

He added: “The convention also provides how member nations can promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the prevention of and fight against corruption, including in asset recovery as well as integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and public property.

“Deliberately delayed full implementation of these provisions continues to widen existing loopholes, create major setback and expose Nigeria to more dramatic situation as we are currently experiencing in our anti-corruption efforts with weak institutions.”

Idayat added: “Yes we can, but addressing corruption in Nigeria is a collective approach, it is that of a behavioral change where we as a people, we will stop encouraging corruption, all forms of corruption are bad be it petty, and ground scale corruption. It needs both the sanction change approach and the behavioural approach where citizens will come together collectively to shun corruption and work with the government to deal with corruption in the country.”

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 31, 2021 •T H I S D AY

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

Femi Odugbemi

Mo Abudu

Chioma Onyenwe

Obi Asika

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430

In Their Words: The Year in Creative Industry

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͯ, ͰͮͰͯ

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COVER

In Their Words: The Year in Creative Industry For many stakeholders in the creative industry, 2021 was the comeback year. The year they turn the uncertainties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic to opportunities. As the year wraps up, a select group of stakeholders reflect on the changes and trends in the industry and share their expectations of the coming year.Vanessa Obioha reports Mo Abudu: Founder EbonyLife TV and Films 021 has been a tough year for most, including the film industry. COVID-19 has created many disruptions for productions, not to mention the loss of work and income for many filmmakers. Even the recent travel bans on certain African states, due to the Omicron variant, has resulted in a loss of work as international companies have had to cancel their productions in Africa.

COVID-19 and the many lockdown restrictions have forced EbonyLife to rethink how we do things and trigger a relentless pursuit of exploring alternate avenues on getting the job done. Fortunately for us, we continued filming Netflix’s ‘Chief Daddy 2’, ‘Blood Sisters’ and the film adaptation of ‘Wole Soyinka’s ‘Death and the King’s Horseman.’ We also released ‘Castle & Castle’ season 2 on Netflix.

Many production companies will have focused on development this year, and it’s been a good period for EbonyLife Media in this regard, seeing us signing international production deals with the BBC, Lionsgate TV and Starz, Will and Jada Smith’s Will Packer Productions and a first-look deal with Sony Pictures.

Being able to give Nigerian and African filmmakers opportunities on the global stage is a cause that is core to our being at EbonyLife.

This year we launched the Sony Alo Writer’s Initiative, giving African writers an opportunity to realise their stories, as well as the EbonyLife Creative Academy (ELCA), a film school for Lagos residents, supported by Lagos State Government and Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative (LACI). We also engaged in a series of panels at the American Film Market (AFM) to discuss how Black and other diverse stories can reach the global mainstream.

I am personally very proud to have been listed in this year’s Forbes list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 202, for my work in the media sphere. I’m equally so excited to be counted amongst the Variety500 2021, the benchmark of influencers shaping the global entertainment industry.

We are also deeply honoured that EbonyLife TV, a Pan-African entertainment channel we launched in July 2013, was selected as a case study for Harvard Business School, this year. Anything that enables getting African filmmakers on a global stage, is a move in a positive direction for the African film industry.

COVID-19 has also made many businesses pivot in the last two years, seeing a rise of new opportunities. In our instance, EbonyLife Place, a luxury resort in Lagos, reopened its doors in December 2020 tailoring our spaces for a niche of smaller and more intimate events. We have hosted some of the biggest industry and corporate events and our restaurants and hotel continue to attract patronage from both Nigerian and international guests.

Also, EbonyLife Cinemas has seen the reemergence of a cinema-going culture with the release of both Nollywood and Hollywood films.

Lastly, I would sincerely like to say that my heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones or have been affected by COVID-19 this year in one way or another. I wish you strength and comfort, and please know that nothing ever lasts forever. Soon, we will get past this and we will once again be able to connect with one another and live normal lives.

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Femi Odugbemi: Filmmaker 2021 was a year of recovery for the industry given how devastating the COVID-19 pandemic was to the entertainment sector. At the height of the containment protocols of lockdown, distancing etc, the industry was really badly hit as many shows and productions were either cancelled or suspended. Ironically, it was also a time when our population needed the entertainment industry the most to lift the atmosphere of depression and despair that the pandemic created. So 2021 was the gradual return to work and to storytellers braving the odds to produce films and produce shows to bring new entertainment content to audiences.

We also came to terms with a new normal.

Producing content in the time of a pandemic has meant higher costs and longer production hours as we have to observe public health safety guidelines. So it is kudos to all our entertainers, producers, content creators, actors and distributors for all the work done this year. It definitely was a year of difficult processes to get a film or a TV series done.

This year I was able to create and produce a very topical drama series ‘Movement-Japa’ that airs every Monday on Africa Magic Showcase. I

Bimbo Daramola also co-produced a feature documentary ‘Unmasked’ which explored Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Both projects were produced under the unusual challenges of these times and I am so proud of our cast and crew who showed extraordinary commitment to create these projects. It is really a showcase of the passion and commitment that drives the creative industries in Nigeria.

2021 will also be remembered for the emergence of many international online streaming distribution opportunities for Nigerian content. The lockdown of the year before really heightened the engagement of Nigerian viewers with online content. And going forward it is clear that engagement will sustain and in fact grow, which really makes the future interesting in terms of the variety of platforms online streaming Nigerian content and also the internet penetration that tail-gates our growing access to smartphones and data.

The year also saw quite a few critical industry activities like film festivals, award ceremonies etc re-emerge either as virtual events or as hybrids of partly virtual and partly physical. This is interesting as we found a way to use the Zoom app and other virtual meeting platforms to create a different content experience that will certainly sustain in some form going forward.

So in reflection, the year 2021 was full of challenges and opportunities for the entertainment industry in a unique way that has encouraged us to embrace a new normal and to find new ways of telling our stories and connecting to our audiences.

More than ever before, the entertainment and creative industry is a priority sector to keep our population happy and hopeful in these uncertain times and I hope the new year ushers in a more safe and stable public health environment for us to keep thriving.

Obi Asika: Creative Industry Entrepreneur The sounds of Nigeria continue to globalize with bigger tours and bigger records, new artists continually pushing the envelope and established leaders raising the bar.

We are seeing momentous moments in the globalization of Afrobeats as it enters mainstream pop culture and brings along with it the dances, the fashion, attitude and energy that is connecting our music to the entire world.

What we are witnessing is the deepening of Nigerian soft power led by the music industry which is providing the soundtrack that is powering the attitude and intentions of the new techpreneurs across fintech, education, payments and more. In 2022, we look to see more collaborations and a deepening of the touring market in Nigeria; a connection of local markets to provide the hard power, product and merchandise that our soft power needs to create monetisation.

Idris Olorunnimbe The largest opportunity remains our domestic market and our global footprint will continue to grow but we must focus on our domestic and regional opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the laid out policies in the national development plan.

Chioma Onyenwe: Filmmaker and CoFounder Artdey Africa This year, the film industry news was dominated by the streamers Netflix and Amazon; there was concern if cinemas would survive, and it paid to already have a slate of films as that determined if you were more. And the world opened up beyond that; many other filmmakers are charting different paths, from festivals to web series to equally rewarding documentaries.

I’m curious to know if the Return on Investment (ROI) for Netflix is as the subscriber growth might make them reevaluate their plans, hoping that we get more originals that chart globally. With the success of ‘Juju Stories’, more minor information asymmetry and more direct access to international producers, a lot more independent filmmakers will shoot for the stars in fiction and documentaries. It’s opened the door to other players, though, so it will still be a hectic year for film production.

We need to continue to grow skills across the board to compete.

There was also a global expansion in the arts, with Rele Gallery opening in LA and Art X Lagos recording its highest sales online and in person.

Artdey Africa is a Universal Studios vendor, and we provide original art for their shows.

Online galleries got a considerable boost overall.

2022 NFTs will dominate the conversation with the metaverse, and there will be a ton of cross over for film, art, music as Nigerian excellence finds its way to the top.

Pretty Okafor: PMAN President The Nigerian music industry has grown in a geometrical process this year. It has been confirmed that the industry is the third-largest in the world. The collective management organisation has been able to adopt the technology of GoCreate Africa on monitoring the usages of musicians work, so as to close all the loopholes.

A couple of Nigerian musicians are doing very well without government support, even better than government workers. So you cannot compare talents to politics. This shows how far we have come to monetize our content and distribution.

This same music industry can sustain the digital economy and generate revenue for our countries GDP to reflate our economy. I predicted this over six years ago and now it’s happening. We can match any music industry in the world, in concerts and record sales.

We are very hopeful that the best is yet to come in the Nigerian music industry, so we are gearing for an out of box breakthrough

Pretty Okafor in 2022.

Idris Olorunnimbe: Group Chief Executive, The Temple Company The COVID-19 pandemic has shown little signs of abating. However, it has created some new opportunities in entertainment and a chance to converge and repurpose old strategies.

At Temple, we have had to renew our focus on the end-users, taking a more nuanced and experiential approach to customer engagement.

We expect this trend to be accelerated in 2022 and resultantly will be placing a strong emphasis on content creation and development. We are also proud, alongside Balmoral Group, to launch LIFE (Lagos Independence Festival of Excellence) which is a user-driven festival of heritage, culture, diversity and entertainment debuting on October 1, 2022.Across the board, I expect the entertainment industry to adopt new strategies that can enable their business agility and continue to cement our global relevance. The only way to do this is from within; to create content and experiences for ourselves that the world can emulate and not the other way around.

Bimbo Daramola: Convener Nigeria Skits Industry Festival and Awards Many things happened in the creative sector.

From Nollywood to music to the skit Industry. But this year has been particularly unique, arising from the lockdown year of 2020. A lot of transformations have gone into the skits industry to show that there is consistent growth which is one of the factors that typifies an emerging industry. You see a lot of people going into it.

And the growth is not just horizontal and vertical, it is lateral to the extent that people are beginning to widen the scope of collaboration.

People are leveraging strategic advantages. Recently Remote had something with Ayefele which is a good example of lateral growth because it transcends the skits sector, bringing other creatives into the field. There is also the horizontal growth where a lot of young people are beginning to look at the possibilities of exploring their skills and they are doing that so well.

The vertical growth is seeing how these young people are producing skits in their own languages.

Apart from that, you see that a lot of them are adding professionals to their talents. They acquire professional cameras, going beyond their mobile devices so production is intense. From what the African Polling Institute said, about N200 million comes from the skits industry.

Looking back in the past when they used to look for validation, nowadays, there is a structural approach to getting recognition which is where the Nigeria Skits Industry Festival and Awards comes into play. We have taken it to a level where people see skit making as a profession and bringing them the deserved recognition. We believe that going into 2022, we believe there will be a dramatic turnaround on perceptions about them. We hope more corporations will use them beyond promoting products and services on social media. 2022 will see more meaningful messages and productions from the skits makers.

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Hamlet Apartments in Ibeju Lekki to Offer Luxury Stories by Mary Nnah Luxury real estate development company, Kerae Homes Limited, is poised to bring exclusiveness and luxury to home owners as it recently launched another housing estate, Hamlet Apartments in Ibeju Lekki.

The aim of this new addition, the company said is to address the severe housing deficit around the Lekki Free Trade Zone as the company intends to offer thousands of employees, small and medium enterprise investors the opportunity to own a luxury home or apartment in the Ibeju Lekki, now dubbed the new Lagos.

Speaking during the launch and ground-breaking ceremony, Kerae Homes Director of Marketing, Nigel Ojji said, “What we are doing are expressions of luxury. Our projects portray luxury from the spaces, quality and the smart features we put in all the estates we are building.”

Ojji said: “There is a serious housing deficit in IbejuLekki Lagos, so that is why we stepped in to build the Hamlet Apartments as a stop-gap for people looking to feel the luxury and exclusivity which

Kerae Homes is known for.”

The company, he noted, doesn’t just build because others are building, rather the real estate company adds value by providing luxury and exclusivity, adding that the choice of Ibeju-Lekki is strategic because that is the new Lagos in terms of infrastructure.

Benefits of owning an apartment at Hamlet Ojji said include tax breaks and deductions, financial security, value appreciation, steady income and lease income.

“Our shared interdepartmental network of skilled artisans, engineers and surveyors has deep insight into the future and they have the ability to project that which is clear to the most resonant chambers of the mind giving us an epitome of a beautiful home,” he added.

Speaking at the event also, the Managing Director, Kerae Homes, Peter Elendu, said Hamlet Apartments is one of the first estates in the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) area and will remain one of a kind in luxury. He noted further that the new addition to the Kerae family is a perfect display of elegance; luxury and comfort.

He noted further that the company pays attention to details as it explores the

Hamlet Apartments in Ibeju Lekki ... One of Kerae Homes Esates, Bijou Estate virgin path of in-home creation, adding that the Hamlet Apartments is in close proximity with Dangote refinery, deepest seaport, Pan Atlantic University and Free Trade Zone, among

others.

Elendu assured further that the company is committed to delivering quality building projects, sales of lands and homes with authentic verifi-

able documents, and top-notch customer service to all clients.

“Our keen interest in providing sustainable business practices and excellent results is what makes us exceptional.

“We advise individuals and corporate investors locally and internationally on real estate investment opportunities by focusing on projects that we are undertaking,” he said.

Lions Club Installs Rukevwe Origho-Nwoye as New President Lion Rukevwe Origho– Nwoye was recently installed as the 4th president of Lagos Mainland Legacy Lions Club, District 404B-2.

She is taking up the mantle of leadership for 20121/ 2022.

Speaking during the Investiture/Fund Raising ceremony held at St. Peter Clover Catholic Church Hall,Ajao Estate, Lagos, the guest speaker, LionAdetope Tychus, a past council chairperson and past area leader and also an International Director Endorsee, said the beauty of service only radiates when one serves from the heart with small and continuous acts of love and kindness. Represented

by Lions Clubs International District 404B2 Nigeria, Media and Public Relations Chairper-

Lagos Mainland Legacy Lions Club members during the installation ceremony son, Lion Blessing Umebali, the speaker, who noted that one can serve humanity from any position of leadership and from any economic standpoint, used the opportunity to call on guests and Lions present to support Lagos Mainland Legacy Lions Club to enable them to

do more charitable work for nation building. Delivering her acceptance speech, the new president, Lion Rukevwe Origho–Nwoye said the mantle of leadership was given to her on a silver platter, noting that as one of the youngest, she did not expect she would be given

the opportunity to serve.

She however assured that with the help of God, support of the board members and her fellow club members, she will do her best to meet their expectations.

She noted further that the main focus during her tenure will be restoring of sights and that this will include cataract surgery. Following this, she said will be the youth empowerment programmes, which is centred on youth development and empowerment, childhood cancer, diabetes and relieving of hunger, renovation of a government secondary school library. ‘‘Service is what we do, it is who we are as Lions and we are able to achieve our purpose not only from tasking ourselves but

also through financial support of corporate and individual sponsors” the newly elected president noted.

She noted that with these projected activities, ‘‘it is our utmost desire to bring joy and relief to every individual we are able to reach across as we engage in our projects.

“We can only achieve this with your continued support and kind donations. As the theme for this year is, service, our way of life, I call upon each and every one of us to find the philanthropic spirit in us and help our club achieve these set goals this year by acts of service to humanity. “ I appeal to my distinguished guests, Lions leaders, fellow lions, ladies and

gentlemen to assist my club and I carry out these projects through your generous donations”.

Multiple Council Chairperson, Lion Idowu Omolola Anobili expressed joy, saying that lions club are community-based and therefore renders services to humanity, hence occasions like the investiture / fundraising ceremony meant that the club was ready to raise funds that would be used to impact on communities positively.

The immediate Past President of Lagos Mainland Legacy, Lion Uchechukwu Esejo, expressed gratitude to as many members of the club who were ever available to strategise and brain-storm with her during her tenure.

Kalabari Indigenes in Lagos Celebrate Music, Culture in Grand Style Rotary Cautions Students on Excessive Use of Social Media The Kalabari based in Lagos recently got together to celebrate their culture, music, food and traditional attire in a grand style.

During the event those in attendance were tasked with the need for Kalabari parents in Lagos to teach their children their dialect and also emphasised the use of the dialect as a secondary means of communication in the home in order to prolong the life cycle of the dialect.

Speaking during the event, the Convener, Rev. Asoliye Douglas-West said that migration induced by globalisation and urbanisation appeared to be fuelling the threat of extinction of dialects spoken by some minority ethnic groups.

“The threat of extinction is real as there is a steadily declining population that can fluently speak the Kalabari dialect realising that the Kalabari language does not form part of the linguistic curriculum of the educational system”, he noted.

The cleric disclosed further that the essence of all Kalabari gathering in Lagos

Kalabari Indigenes Convener, Rev. Asoliye Douglas-West especially during the festive mood of the yuletide season is to reinforce the bond of concord and camaraderie and this event occurring at the end of the year reflects the mood of the yuletide season to demonstrate charity and friendship.

He further noted that there were multiple channels that can be explored and employed to preserve the Kalabari cul-

tural heritage.

From the routine informal scheduled community meetings, other organised platforms and instrumentality such as exhibitions, dance drama and colloquium could prove to be very useful and result-oriented.

Douglas-West disclosed that as a way of strengthening the togetherness of the Kalahari people residing in Lagos that those who are strong and capable should be willing and magnanimous to lift and support the weak, adding “those who have created and earned success and are in the commanding heights of their enterprises, vocations and professions should teach others who are willing how to fish”.

The convener added the internet is an information technology revolution that has opened up frontiers of opportunities for imaginable and outlandish thinking and thought processes.

“One way of preserving stock of knowledge is documentation and codification.

The Rotary Club of Anthony Golden has called on stakeholders in the education sector to enforce limits and boundaries for social media usage by secondary school students, as its excessive use is seemingly affecting their academic performance.

This was disclosed by the club Secretary, Rotarian George Nwibo, one of the facilitators at the Basic education and literacy campaign held at Ajao Estate Junior Secondary School, Anthony-Lagos, with the theme: “Social Media Influence

on the academic performance of secondary school students.”

Nwibo said spending lengthy hours on social media has a negative effect on the reading culture and performance of the students.

“Social media addiction is a huge problem, on students’ academic performance, so stakeholders need to contend that this development could lead to very poor learning outcomes.”

He added that staying connected to global trends, making friends, and getting news as it

breaks are all great aspects of social media, but who really knows the true impact it has on students academically.

“The Internet poses a threat to our students, as they no longer read novels, playlets, and poems in the traditional media i.e. the book form.

“They do not enjoy the synchro of the page any more. They prefer to go online, not to read the e-copy of these books, but they are more interested in the snippets, summaries or spark notes than reading the whole book.”

Firm Refutes Reports on Source of Products Teruke International, the manufacturers of Teruke Foods, has refuted the reports claiming that its products are produced, licensed, and imported from China, describing such reports as attempts by unscrupulous characters to damage the reputation of the foods product giant, fake news.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Jim

Omaraye said, “Our attention has been drawn to some online publications claiming that our products are produced, licensed, and imported from China. “This is massive misinformation and an attempt to embarrass the management of Teruke International and smear our reputation as a fast-growing force in the Nigerian economy’s food sector, a reputation we have garnered through many

years of hard work, dedication and contribution to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.

“Consequent upon the publications which have been making rounds on social media in the past couple of days, the management of Teruke International wishes to state unequivocally that these reports are fake news and should be disregarded.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

2021: A Year in Reality Television Shows The events of 2020 influenced by the capricious COVID-19 brought about major shifts in the lifestyle and livelihood of millions across Nigeria. More specifically, it greatly impacted TV viewing culture. Vanessa Obioha and Iyke Bede take a look at the TV shows that ruled the airwaves, made a fierce comeback, and those that didn’t show up

Whitemoney is the Winner of Big Brother Naija Shine Ya Eye Edition

DJ Obi at Turn Up Friday

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or the first time in a long while, there were more eyeballs than usual seeking to be thrilled out of their boredom during the global lockdown of 2020. But as simple as the law of demand and supply sounds, it was not an easy task for most production companies to meet the demands of viewers who anticipated high quality shows tailored to their specific needs.

Amid these struggles, especially those that concerned proper monetisation of content, a few shows keep the reels rolling, continuing the culture into 2021, with some others realising market potential and leveraging it for a comeback many years after it last aired.

As we bid farewell to 2021 today, we look at some of the shows that managed to maintain their air streak, some that rose from the hiatus ashes, and others that failed at their attempt to lift off.

The Show Must Go On

Despite the raging coronavirus, these shows went above and beyond to entertain Nigerians. So far, it maintained its stance in 2021.

Big Brother Naija: Shine Ya Eye

With COVID-19 guidelines enforced, many were convinced that the fifth edition of the show would be stalled for a later air date, or better still, scrapped entirely until the COVID-19 situation was resolved. But the organisers were resilient and amid criticisms, the reality TV show aired, becoming the biggest companion to many Nigerians during that period.

With this strengthened bond, it managed to achieve new viewing and voting records. But that was just the start. 2021 had greater plans for the show.

For the sixth edition, a bigger show offering N90 million (up from N85 million)

to winner Hazel Oyeze, aka Whitemoney, smashed the previous voting record of 900 million votes.

With over one billion votes, no other show topped the interest and conversations it generated.

Turn Up Friday and Owambe Saturday

How do you get the attention of Nigerians? Throw a party with good music as a backdrop.

It was no gainsaying that COVID-19 halted this party lifestyle of millions of Nigerians. To fill the void, the Africa Magic team of MultiChoice Nigeria birthed Owambe Saturday and Turn Up Friday.

Both shows brought the party to the screens of millions of Nigerians at a time when it wasn’t possible to hold a physical meeting.

Infusing elements of Nigerian parties, Owambe Saturday mirrored the rich ceremonies observed each Saturday across various ethnic groups while Turn Up Friday became a staple for millennials, Gen Zs, and the young at heart to experience the nightclub life without leaving the comfort of their homes.

Although the COVID-19 health guidelines were relaxed, both shows remained a huge part of party lovers’ lives in 2021.

Trophy Extra Special Band

Kicking off in 2020, this unusual show takes an in-depth look into sound production by instrumentalists to determine the best band based on creativity and versatility. Anchored by Bolanle Olukanni, the show’s panel of judges is a pool of the industry’s best: 2Baba, Cobhams Asuquo, and Timi Dakolo. For its second season this year, The Bandhitz took the crown.

The Comeback Shows

It is not unusual for a show to get a reboot after years of no show. 2021 became the perfect tarmac for landing for these

Kingdom Kroseide won Nigerian Idol S6

Esther Benyeogo won the Voice Nigeria S3

shows. Here are some of the television shows that made a comeback from hiatus to grab the attention of Nigerians.

Nigerian Idol Season 6

It is hard to forget the trio of Seyi Shay, Obi Asika, and DJ Sose, who each week stormed the screen of millions of viewers to either praise the singing prowess of some of the brightest vocalists Nigerian has to offer or outrightly laugh at the untalented ones off the audition podium. It was evident that all three judges understood the assignment, which further gave the show a presence that hasn’t been felt since the last time it aired five years ago.

Hotly contested, Kingdom Kroseide after edging out Atela Francis, walked away with the grand prize of N30 million.

Gulder Ultimate Craftsmanship

Search:

Age

of

Mostly driven by nostalgia, the show’s return was highly anticipated. The 12th season of what many would term the maiden reality show in Nigerian returned after it last aired in 2016 to award wildcard Odudu Otu N50 million worth of prizes.

Otu earns this after discovering the chest containing the recipe of the Akolo secret brew.

The show retained some of its traditions as well as introduced its first-ever female anchor, Toke Makinwa.

The Voice Nigeria Season 3

Last aired in 2017 for its second season, season three of The Voice returned with coach Dare Art Alade, Waje, Falz, and Yemi Alade in the rotation chairs.

Won by Esther Benyeogo, The Voice Nigeria was a showcase of an eclectic range of singers who battled it out weekly to gain the approval of their judges, and sometimes the voting audience.

It also marked the first time the show was recorded in the country.

Odudu Otu wins GUS 12 No Show

For one reason or the other, publicised shows may not grace the small screen irrespective of expectations. The shows in this category failed to launch despite the fanfare.

Love Island Nigeria

October 7, 2021, came and went with no sign of Love Island Nigeria. Expectations were high as well as a fanfare for the show when it was announced in June by Toyin Subair, calling it “the next big thing.”

Still, no one knows why the show failed to air amid calls for auditions.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire(WWTBAM)

With the increased prize money from N10 million to N20 million, WWTBAM was announced in September to return from its 4 years hiatus.

As of the time of filing this report, no air dates have been released.

Ghana Adopts GoCreate Africa Monitoring App Vanessa Obioha GoCreate Africa, a Nigerian tech company, is spearheading the drive to digitise the African creative industries by providing its music recognition technology (Go Monitor) to Collective Management Organisations across the continent.

Following its successful deployment in Nigeria, in partnership with Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN), the GoCreate App, a tracking and monitoring technology for the enhancement of copyrights administration is now available in Ghana.

GoCreate Africa co-founder Asha Gangali

The app is a one-stop-shop for managing the entire

revenue streams, from the exploitation of musical works of record labels, artistes, publishers and composers.

The technology enables real-time reporting of intellectual property usage across digital and terrestrial platforms, including offline monitoring of event venues, nightclubs and hotels.

The launch in Ghana also witnessed the unveiling of Go Distro, a DIY digital distribution service that allows artistes and record labels to self-distribute their music to over 150 digital stores globally, with free radio airplay monitoring

in key territories across Africa, including NFT and blockchain distribution with visibility to a global audience.

Speaking at the recently held Ghana Music Industry Conference hosted in conjunction with the Music Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), GoCreate Africa’s Managing Director and co-founder, Asha ‘Gangali’ Fapohunda stated that GoCreate technology has been under development for over six years before it was successfully launched in Nigeria.

According to him, GoCreate Africa’s mission is to make technology-driven

solutions and data available to all African creative industries thereby translating the creative marketplace into a digital ecosystem where all intellectual properties are properly tracked, monitored and monetized.

“The primary cause of revenue loss in Africa’s creative sector is due to the lack of data and digital solutions.

GoCreate has been able to provide the solution to these problems with the deployment of Go Monitor, a digital solution for copyright and royalty management.

Collective Management Organizations across Africa can now onboard

our Go Monitor service, which provides radio/TV airplay data including DSP reporting etc. This will enable CMOs to distribute catalogue specific royalties and close the revenue gaps in the music industries by instituting full compliance with copyright laws. This will empower African talents and secure music publishing revenues both locally and globally.”

Go Monitor, which is now available on the web, Android and IOS platforms will be deployed in Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa and several other African countries by the first quarter of 2022.

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ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Ten Unforgettable Moments for Arts in 2021 2021 is a year filled with a flurry of activities and great developments in visual arts, music, literary and popular culture, says Yinka Olatunbosun

LASG, DelYork Graduate 100 Creative Talents to Boost Entertainment Industry Rebecca Ejifoma

When Okukor was received formally

A

whirlwind of change permeated the art scene in Nigeria in 2021- and it was loved. Earlier in the year, the leading Afrofusion artist, Burna Boy broke the jinx associated with the World Music Album category at the Grammys when he won in the renamed Best Global MusicAlbum category. The award had eluded the likes of King Sunny Ade, Femi and Seun Anikulapo-Kuti. Wizkid also won the Best Music Video at the Grammys alongside American singer, Beyonce in the collaborative track titled “Brown Skin Girl.’’

Jesus College, part of Cambridge University returned the Bronze, a statue of a cockerel known as Okukor, which has been held at the College since 1905.

It became the first institution to return a Benin Bronze having presented it to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

An all-female art exhibition called

“The Invincible Hands’’ was unveiled at the Pan-Atlantic University’s Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) in Ibeju-Lekki. Featuring 40 contemporary Nigerian women artists, the 70 pieces were selected from the permanent collection of YSMA and from temporary loans by artists and collectors. The whole idea was to celebrate the contribution of underrepresented female artists in Nigeria and it turns out to be –perhapsthe longest running show of the year from August 28 to January 25, 2022 with Olufisayo Bakare as guest curator.

One of the most memorable moments for Arts in 2021 was when the Tanzanian author, Abdulrazak Gurnah was announced as the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. With the win, Gurnah became the first African to clinch the prize long after Wole Soyinka did in 1986, Egypt’s Naguib Mahfouz in 1988 and South Africa’s Nadine Gordimer in 1991. Gurnah was featured at this year’s Ake Arts and Book Festival.

The National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST 2021 was a seven-day avalanche of cultural feasting in drama,

archery, traditional board games, essay writing, workshop, merchandising which climaxed with the host state, Ekiti being declared as the overall winner.

Jelosinmi Art Centre, a first community art centre, privately owned was established in Oshodi to empower children who are out of school. For the philanthropist, artist and founder of Jelosinmi Art Centre, Abolore Sobayo, the centre is a step towards achieving his goal of reducing crime and the number of youthful street urchins in Lagos. The centre has been a hotbed of masterclasses, exhibitions, community outreach programmes and more since it resumed operations.

Film stills from the 1971 movie, ‘’Things Fall Apart produced by Francis Oladele were installed at the Madam Tinubu Square in the heart of the Lagos Business District to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movie which was screened for the first time in Nigeria this year. The screening and outdoor installations were a part of the month-long ‘Festival of Forgotten Films’ curated by Didi

Cheeka and Mareike Palmeira.

In November, the Smithsonian’s Museum of African Art launched its global presence in Lagos, Nigeria with an immersive art exhibition titled ‘Taste! 24 Hours of Smithsonian in Lagos.’ The collaborative interactive art experience in partnership with Art X Lagos, the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF), the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) and David Adjaye designed venue Alára brought together the international, Nigeria and African diaspora through the worlds of film, art, photography, and fashion. A meeting of town and gown was organised by Prof. Niyi Coker to commemorate the golden anniversary of Ola Rotimi’s Ori Olokun Theatre and legacy of its founding members like Peggy Harper, Akin Euba and Prof Wangboje. Art X Lagos reopened its physical venue for West Africa’s premier art fair, parading the works of renowned artist, galleries and holding talks on cultural restitution and other front-burner issues in the sector.

OMG the Musical: Spotlighting Inequality, Under-representation of Women in Leadership Yinka Olatunbosun The title, “OMG the Musical” would elicit the image of a lighthearted rom-com or coming-of-age story, at best. The show, which was supported by the MTN Foundation, was staged at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre which wore a bright new look with the enlarged photos of the cast and MTN themed-decor.

The musical is woven on the story of Gafuma, a competent and ambitious woman who works in a paramilitary organisation called the OMG - One Movement Group.

Gafuma is both qualified and desirous of becoming the CommanderGeneral of the OMG. She is keen on succeeding the current CommanderGeneral. However, Gafuma is ignored and a man – who is nowhere near her in qualifications and competence - is appointed Commander-General.

Disappointed, Gafuma confronts the former Commander-General on his decision. In a very typical misogynistic fashion, he admonishes her to be content with being second-in command.

Invariably, OMG in fact means “only men govern”. Gafuma accepts this for a while but her resolve to fight for the position is rekindled after she travels to the past and meets phenomenal women in Nigerian history who are known for their strong stance against the oppression of women - Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and Gambo Sawaba (OMG).

Yinka Davies in OMG the Musical

It was interesting to see how the themes of gender inequality and the underrepresentation of women in the workplace and the political space are stringed together in the play.

This is an age-long problem which, in many cases, cannot be attributed to the incompetence of women but the unwritten rules in society that leadership positions are primarily male.

According to a feature published by UN Women before the country’s 2019 elections, Nigeria was reported to have one of the lowest rates of female representation in the legislative arm across Africa. In global rankings, Nigeria ranks 181st out of 193 countries with a meagre 3.8 per cent women representation at the federal and state levels and only 16.2 per cent in appointive positions at the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria, despite constituting almost 50 per cent of the population.

While some argue that some progress

has been made recently through the introduction of equitable policies requiring a quota of representation for women in politics and in the workplace, women are still usually either completely ignored, appointed as figure heads or like Gafuma, made to settle for second-in-command roles.

This is tokenism at its best, which gives an illusion of progress without addressing the cultural, systemic and societal issues that sustain the repression of women. OMG the Musical doesn’t do much to address the cause of the problem but encourages women to forge ahead and “take up space” in spite of it. It does this by alluding to the stories of the champions of women’s emancipation.

Even if the principle of equality fails, the social and economic benefits of increased participation and representation of women in work and political leadership positions make it

an absolute necessity. According to a McKinsey report, Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) could grow by 23 per cent – or $229bn – by 2025 if women participated in the economy to the same extent as men. In effect, the future of the Nigerian economy lies largely in unlocking the untapped human resource potential of women.

The Producer, Ayo Ajayi, spoke on the challenges his production team faced and MTN’s role in helping them overcome, Ajayi said, “The process of bringing this musical to the stage was very challenging. The problem we have in this sector is finance... “ This production has actually brought together almost 100 youths from different fields – acting, dance, drama, light, designing, costume, amongst others. As such, without proper financing, things like this won’t happen. That’s why we really appreciate MTN for looking into this sector and they have been doing it consistently. Without organisations like MTN, this would not have happened.”

The Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, voiced MTN’s support for important stories like OMG the Musical when she said, “At the MTN Foundation, we are committed to promoting stories that are capable of positively shaping society.

“We believe that stories with messages that advance efforts towards creating a more equal and safer world for all women are very important because beyond entertaining the audience, they spark conversations on this very important issue.”

To upgrade the skills of African filmmakers and the growth of the African film industry, Del-York Creative Academy (DCA) in collaboration with the Lagos State government has graduated 100 best talents from the Academy.

The state government under the auspices of the Lagos Creative Industry Initiative (LACI) said their quest is to brace your talents with the right tools and skills for better storytelling.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. Uzamat AkinbileYussuf, expressed that creativity can proffer solutions to problems, adding that without the creative industry, there is no state.

“There is so much that can be done with creativity. That is what the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had seen and invested in seriously.”

According to the commissioner, one of the investments is to bring up the best 100 new talents that have been discovered in the state. She further commended the academy for equipping the students with skills in advertising, screenwriting, directing, editing, music video production, drone technology, sound design and film scoring among others.

In his remarks, the CEO/Founder of DelYork Creative Academy, Mr. Linus Idahosa, the creative industry has so much potential to change the life of young people and influence change in different spheres of the society.

The partnership, he continued, aims to build a new generation of creative filmmakers and broadcast journalists across the country and Africa by ensuring they have the best hands from all over the world, sharing their experiences and exchanging lessons.

Hence, he charged the graduates to be an example of what is possible and ambassadors of the school. “We also want them to use their stories to shape the lives of people around them.”

The Chairman of Choice International Group (CIG), Diana Chen, acknowledged that they have sponsored DCA in the last three years. She commended the school for imparting the graduating students with excellent training.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͯ, ͰͮͰͯ

ͱʹ

Showmax: A Treasure Trove of Nollywood Content The holiday season is upon us and with it, a multitude of content vying for our viewing time and entertainment Naira.

Whether you are in Nigeria or in the diaspora and you love Nollywood, you are most likely looking for the best in the industry. This is where Showmax comes in.

The platform created in 2015 has a plethora of Nollywood content - movies and series.

There, you can poke through a trove of brilliant programming, enough to keep you glued to your screen throughout this holiday season.

Showmax is not just delighting the local audience, it is also exporting Nigerian series and movies to an international audience, most recently, the UK. This includes the latest episodes of Africa Magic’s hit shows - Dilemma, Venge, The Rishantes, Movement Japa, Riona, Enakhe and more.

With its treasure trove of Nollywood content, it’s hard to believe that Showmax is just six years old. Year on year, the platform is innovating in so many ways, and it’s gearing up to overtake other streaming platforms to become Nigerians’ number one favourite. The year 2020 was a huge year for online streaming platforms partly due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in demand for streaming services was radical at that time and the demand is still growing.

According to PwC, time spent streaming increased by almost 75 per cent in 2020. This has given rise to plenty of innovations pledging to change the world.

In some ways, Showmax is making the lives of millions of people awesome by providing

access to on-demand varieties of movies and shows, particularly those proudly made in Nigeria. In the last financial year, Showmax’s subscriber base grew by 45 per cent.

Considering its massive investment in the Nigerian movie industry in the last decade through the MultiChoice Talent Factory and other initiatives, birthing a streaming platform in 2015 made perfect sense for MultiChoice.

The more content it produced, the more subscribers it attracted.

This, in turn, resulted in higher revenues, which meant more funding for the Nigerian movie industry in a virtuous cycle of constant growth.

The good news is that the movie streaming app is improving astronomically, in terms of movie selection and overall quality. And it cost far less, too. For approximately the price of a movie time at the cinema — about 1,200 — you can subscribe to Showmax which brings the cinema experience to you and redefines family time.

Showmax subscription which starts at 1200, costs less than a single tub of popcorn at a cinema.

It allows anyone to stream or download series, movies, Showmax Originals and kids’ shows.

On the other hand, Showmax Pro which starts at 3200 allows you to stream or download series, movies, kids’ shows, live games from SuperSport, news and more. In addition to the 3200 you layout for a Showmax Pro subscription, you will be paying for four other family and friends to have access to the pool of hundreds of Nollywood movies on the platform.

Film buffs who have a soft spot for romantic movies will find a variety of movies like The

Cleaner, Gaslight, and Where Lovers Meet to suit their needs.

Others who would rather enjoy the thrill of long-form content like series will have a field day with Baby Drama, Movement Japa, Unmarried, Hush, Unbroken and more. There’s even something for people whose biggest kink is laughing. With shows like Ghana Jollof, Three Wise Men, and Do Good, they’ll be laughing until they cry. The Influencer, Night Bus to Lagos, Just Before Dark, Atarodo, 2 Rich, 2 Poor, Hooked, Best Friends, are other out-of-the-gate hits on Showmax.

But the Nigerian content transcends beyond just movies with a plethora of Nigerian reality TV, anyone can escape the mundaneness of their life

and catch a thrill of others.

Shows like Mercy What Next, I am LAYCON, and Shoot Your Shot, will do just the trick.

As the holiday season gradually approached, Showmax also unveiled a lineup of Christmas movies available to subscribers and they rolled out every day until December 25, 2021, as the platform aims to keep its growing subscriber base engaged throughout the season.

The lineup featured magical stories, fabulous festive comedies, and award-winning films. The Africa Magic Holiday pop-up channel is also available to watch on Showmax.

As the world of film is changing, viewers now want content to be accessible, plentiful and

tailored to them. And they want to watch it from their sofa.

With the Nollywood industry growing steadily every year, it only makes sense that Showmax is tapping into it.

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) put out a report in September 2021 that the industry released 1,051 movies in the first half of the year. This accounted for 1.7 per cent higher than movies produced in the corresponding period of 2020.

In the same vein, PwC projects that Nollywood has the potential to become the country’s greatest export, with a projected annual growth rate of 8.6 per cent and a compound annual growth rate of 19.3 per cent from 2018-2023.

In a report released by the In-

ternational Trade Administration in October 2021, PwC indicated that in this year, Nigeria’s film industry has contributed 2.3 per cent and about 239 billion ($660 million) to the country’s GDP. It projects that the industry will increase its export revenue earnings to over $1 billion.

With such great estimations for the industry, along with the fact that Nollywood is widely regarded as the third-best film industry in the world, it’s hardly surprising to see Showmax making such vast investments. And if they are anywhere as smart as they’ve shown to be, they’ll continue to promote and support Nigerian content with as many resources needed to keep being a market leader.

Dennis & Justina Anih: Celebrating 50 Years of Conjugal Bliss Chiamaka Ozulumba

Marriage is an institution ordained by God for companionship between a man and woman as witnessed in the coming together of the first couple on the planet, Adams and Eve. Marriage is given primarily that husband and wife may comfort and help each other, living faithfully together in need and in plenty; in sorrow and in joy. It is also given, that with delight and tenderness, they may know each other in love, and through the joy of their bodily union, may strengthen the union of their hearts and lives.

Lastly, it is given that they may have children and be blessed in caring for them and bringing them up in accordance with God’s will, to His praise and glory,” the above quote which is usually read at the beginning of any wedding ceremony summarises the important and objectives of marriage between a man and woman.

For Chief Dennis Egbo Anih and Mrs Justina Mgbeke Anih, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary some months ago, their union, long term relationship, and living together under the same roof for almost half of a century, has shown clearly that marriage is an institution that can work if the foundation is built on love, care, trust, companionship, understanding, sacrifice, determination and fear of God. Dennis and Justina knowing the importance of a responsible man and woman, coming together as one body to raise a Godly family, got married as Catholic faithful on July 25,

Chief and Mrs. Anih

1971, and since they were joined together in holy matrimony, they have done everything within their power as Christians to keep to their marital vows and live together in unity, harmony and peace.

Having been together for 50 years without death or any challenges separating the two lovebirds, Chief and Mrs. Anih, have reasons to appreciate God for giving them the grace to celebrate their Golden Jubilee Wedding Anniversary a few months ago. Without any iota of doubt, spending 50 years together in marriage as husband and wife is worth celebrating, considering the reports of some marriages that doesn’t last a year or looking at the situation of couples who were separated by death at the early years of their marriage.

The couple who hails from Nomeh Unateze in Nkanu East Local Government Area

of Enugu State, have proved beyond reasonable doubts that marriage can work if the players are faithful to each other. In the last 50 years of their union, Chief and Mrs Anih have been able to tolerate each other and this is why they were able to live together under a roof as husband and wife for 50 years.

Chief and Mrs Anih, who worked in National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu for many years before retiring as civil servants without any blemished records, are blessed with six children - Jennifer Obi, Ngozi Okafor, Late Chibuzo Anih, Nneka Mba, Ijeoma Ocheje and Onyekaozulu Okolie Anih.

God has also made the marriage of their children to be productive as the couple is blessed with 17 grandchildren.

And to the glory of God, the children and some of the grandchildren are doing fine in different endeavours of life.

One of the legacies the Chief and Mrs Anih bestowed on their children is good education, moral upbringings and fear of God. The couple right from the early days of their marriage saw to it that all their children went to good schools, from primary till university level and that was why they graduated with good results.

The quality education the children acquired through hardwork, dedication and commitment in different schools they attended made them shinning lights to others in different places they are presently.

Apart from giving their children quality education, the couple also saw to it that the children had good home training and upbringings. This is why none of the children ever go wayward or brought shame to the family.

Chief and Mrs. Anih are

enjoying the fruits of their labour at their old age because of the huge investments they made in their children.

As people who want the best for others, the couple has also trained children of other relatives as well.

Through marriage, they have extended family relationship to many people who they were not related by blood but became family through marriage. They have in-laws at Enugwuabo and Ogbaru, both in Anambra State and people from Nomeh in Enugu State.

The couples are devoted Christians and strong Catholics. They are members of the Sacred Heart Parish of a Catholic Church in Uwani Enugu for many years and as a congregation in the church, they have contributed immensely to the spiritual and physical growth of the Sacred Heart Parish, Uwani Enugu.

Apart from being a committed Christians and Catholics, the couple has also been very active in their community, Nomeh Unateze in Enugu State. They are actively committed in several community roles and have contributed immensely to the growth and development of their community in different areas, especially in the area of peace, unity and harmony.

Chief and Mrs Anih are disciplinarians and they derive joy in helping other people.

They are very loving and caring, and these unique qualities have made them to put smiles on the faces of many people within and outside their communities.

The couple believes strongly in fairness and equality. They

are peace loving and down to earth. Chief and Mrs. Anih are happy couple, content and have tried very hard to imbibe the spirit of being content in others. This is one of the reasons why they are respected and honoured in their church and community. They have contributed favourably to community, the church and to humanity. Being a farmer, also helped them to feed their family and larger society through their farm products.

Rhoda Micheal Fashion Institute Produces 50 Graduands As unemployment situation in the country bites harder, a Lagos-based fashion institute, Rhoda Micheal Fashion institute, has graduated 50 students after a period of intensive training.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Lagos last week, the proprietor of the fashion institute, Rhoda Micheal said many Nigerians have decided to take their destiny in their hands, given the insufficiency of white collar jobs, a development she attributed to the large number of graduating students from her institute.

“There is a high rate of unemployment and dissatisfaction. Most people are now considering entrepreneurship as an option.,” she said.

The ceremony attracted notable Nollywood actors and some popular fashion designers.

The ceremony afforded the graduands the opportunity to showcase their new labels.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͯ, ͰͮͰͯ

POLSCOPE

áÓÞÒ ÎÎã ÎÓàáÜÓ ÏÎÎã˛ÙÎÓàáÜÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͸΀͸ͽ ͻ͸; ΁ͻͽ;

Rochas Okorocha: Haunted by the Ghost of Governance

Canticles….

Wishing you a Prosperous New Year

L

ong before he became the governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Anayo Okorocha had attempted to climb the tree of governance from the top.

He had, in 2003, when he was barely 41, attempted to contest to become the presidential candidate of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). I recall, as a reporter, how Rochas would ride into the crowded Eagle Square, Abuja, during the ANPP convention in an unusually long white Limousine with a customized registration plate: OWELLE. He loved the glitz and glamour of wealth and power. So he kept craving for power, having got good wealth as an astute business man. His quest for political power became almost like an infection. He literally became desperate and was seeking ways and means to secure it, even if it meant hobnobbing with all the political parties in the country at the time. With no clear leadership credential, not many people reckoned with him. His principal claim to leadership was his Rochas foundation where he offers scholarship to indigent students across the country.

He had to go back to almost the base of the tree, and in May 2011, he got elected as the governor of Imo State.

Aside the staple claim of many politicians, especially governors, of having constructed many roads, built hospitals and provided water etc. to the citizenry, Okorocha’s governorship days are better remembered for the governance oddities. What struck many people most was the moulding of several statues of local and foreign leaders in Owerri at huge cost to the finances of the state at a time many civil servants as well as pensioners and retirees in the state were being owed many months of unpaid salaries. It was a loud query on the question of priority.

The next front page exhibition of the Okorocha governance years was the creation of Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment. It was a ministry meant to generate and spread laughter, according to Okorocha, the whole essence of governance is to make the people happy.

What was more, he appointed his younger sister, Mrs Ogechi Ololo as the supervising Commissioner.

Until the Mrs Ololo was appointed commissioner, she had served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, in charge of Domestic Affairs and Food security, an arm of government that was rumoured to have commanded so much power and influence There is obviously no data to prove that Imo people became happier and more purposeful in life as a result of the creation of that ministry, which has long gone extinct.

If anything, the demolition of EkeUkwu market, the same year (2017) he created the Ministry of Happiness, in which some persons were killed by the supervising soldiers, is the memory that remains and haunts many people in the state.

Perhaps, the greatest faux pas of then Gov Okorocha, was in scheming to make his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu to succeed him. Okorocha did everything in and outside the book, to make it work, but it just refused to gel. The party, APC refused to give Uche Nwosu the governorship ticket. But Okorocha was rather desperate. Even when he remained in the party (APC), he got the son-in-law to decamp to Action Alliance (AA), so he could contest the governorship seat. It is no longer news that he (Nwosu) lost to PDP’s candidate, Emeka Ihedioha.

But in a twist of judicial manoeuvre, Hope Uzodinma, of the APC (who came fourth in the number of votes garnered), was eventually pronounced the governor of Imo State, thus sacking Ihedioha, more than one year after he assumed office.

Henry Ndukuba, Primate, Church of Nigeria

T

Crossing over to where? My brother, don’t let them keep deceiving you. We are not crossing to anywhere. We are all stuck here in this country, come rain, come shine. Those who have crossed over have left us behind and they now have better tales to tell.

Okorocha

And that began the troubles of Rochas Okorocha. Even when the duo of Okorocha and Uzodinma are from the same APC, the rivalry and raw hatred between them is worse than the one between Iran and Iraq. The spate of violence and unrest in that state may not be unconnected with this unbridled rivalry.

It is remarkable that Okorocha who had also contested to be a presidential candidate in 2015, along with now President Buhari, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso etc., eventually struggled to become a senator at the end of his governorship in 2019. His election was nearly cancelled as INEC refused to give him certificate of return, as the Returning officer, Innocent Ibeabuchi, alleged that he declared Okorocha winner of the Imo West senatorial district election, under duress. He alleged that a gun was pointed at his head with a threat to shoot him if he failed to declare Okorocha the winner.

As many things in Nigeria go, that was the end of the story. Okorocha got sworn in as a senator, and that zipped the controversy.

Perhaps in a determination to prove that he is now in charge of Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodinma has not spared any chance to rub in some pepper concentrate into the eyes of Okorocha and his ilk, justifiably or otherwise.

It is remarkable that the Imo State government under Uzodinma has been in a political duel with Okorocha, over the latter’s alleged conversion of many properties of Imo State to personal property. Several vehicles and equipment bought by the Imo State government are said to have been recovered during several raids on Okorocha’s private properties. It is not certain if it is all politics.

Several courts and panels have faulted the ownership claim of Okorocha on several properties and have consequently ordered Okorocha’s forfeiture of the properties. Some of the properties include: Eastern Palm University, Ogboko; Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments; IBC Staff quarters (meant to host Rochas Foundation College); Orlu Co -operative Office (converted to private use and leased to Market Square, Kilmanjaro eatery etc.,) etc. etc.

On one of the cases, last February, Okorocha was arrested when he broke into the premises of Royal Palm estate sealed by the Imo State government.

The property was linked to the wife of Rochas Okorocha.

It is remarkable that several landed properties and undeveloped land were seized from Okorocha , as contained in Government White Paper. Did Okorocha

oday is watch night. Are you getting ready for cross over service?

go on a property acquisition binge while serving as governor? It is remarkable that his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu was once a commissioner for Lands in the state.

The Imo State government has alleged that the Eastern Palm University was built with Imo State funds and thus cannot be a private property. Okorocha has not quite been loud in explaining these controversies.

Was it right or even expedient for a serving governor to be so deeply involved in private investments in a large scale?

The squabble between Uzodinma and Okorocha may have come to a head last Sunday, when Uche Nwosu, the son in-law of Okorocha was arrested in a gestapo manner that bespeaks of banditry. That he was arrested is not so much an issue. But why break into a church service to arrest somebody who is actually in a Thanksgiving service after the burial of his mother? If the suspect must be arrested, why did the police not wait for the service to end before effecting the arrest?

Breaking into a church was not only raw, inexpedient but also vexatious affront on divinity. Uche Nwosu should be a well-known personae in Imo State. He could have been invited by the Police if there was any urgent accusation. But deciding to violently molest him in the presence of his family and friends in a church auditorium smacks of ill intent to humiliate and maximally embarrass him.

The ultimate target is Okorocha. Uche Nwosu merely suffered a collateral damage.

It is remarkable that Nwosu was arrested and driven to Enugu Airport where a private jet was waiting to fly him to Abuja. What was all that melodrama for? Who paid for the private jet? Certainly not the Nigeria Police.

Even if the said accusation against him was true, why hand-cuff him, strip him of his clothes and photograph him? The intent cannot be noble and altruistic.

The explanation by the Imo State government that anybody can be arrested anywhere does not address the issue.

Nwosu has revealed that the paraphernalia of the vehicles used in the arrest are all from Imo State government House. The Imo State government must come clean on all these accusations. To merely deny the accusations will not suffice. Nigerians can read between the lines.

In all, Rochas Okorocha will realise that the haunt on him is most likely self-induced. Would it be right to infer that his desperation to get his son-in-law to succeed him was so that all these many ignoble acts can be covered up?

You talk about crossing over, as if we are talking about crossing River Jordan. Look, we are talking about crossing over to another year, shaking off the dust and dirt of the terrible year called 2021. The joy of crossing over is predicated on the hope and belief that the new year will be better, healthier and more prosperous.

It remains what it is: a mere wish. Every year we go through the same ritual of exercising this hope and belief. Then religious leaders will garnish it with weird prophecies, 90 per cent of which never come to pass. Go and check. In fact, the Ghanaian police have warned religious leaders not to send panic down the spine of people this year with these prophecies. Check and check again, does it really translate to a better year? Was it for nothing that the late Tai Solarin on January 1, 1964 wrote that famous article: May Your Road Be Rough? Looking back now, where are all the tons of good wishes and hope given and exchanged at the beginning of this year? Where are they? I’m asking you!

Just check the basic indices of life and living: are you better off now than at the end of year 2020?

Hmmmmm, my brother, that is the point. Only the living have the opportunity to check the basic indices of life and living. Those who have actually crossed the Jordan do not care about any form of indices. That is why you should be grateful and hopeful.You talked about whether 2020 was not better than 2021. Do you remember 2020 was the epic year of the pandemic called COVID-19?

Has that pandemic left us now? Are they not now talking of the fourth wave of the pandemic? Are they not now talking about Delta variant and now the Omicron variant? Can’t you see the world is troubled and in great despair and getting more and more decrepit as the years go by? Yet, you all keep raising the mantra of hope and great expectation. Look, even from the beginning of the 19th century, the great British novelist, Charles Dickens had known the futility of such hopes when he wrote Great Expectation.

You get it all wrong. When there is life there is hope.

Humanity is filled with hope; hope for a better tomorrow, hope for more comfort, more peace, more order and more money and more…. (cuts in) Enough of this grand delusion. If you check you will see that the global projections for next year are even harsher than we have it now. We are doubly pummeled here in Nigeria. While we face the grinding effect of an unfriendly and mismanaged economy, we are harangued by the plague of insecurity championed by Boko Haram and bandits, aka Terrorists. The more we hope and claim they have been technically (or mechanically) defeated, the more they bombard us and kill us, kidnap us, raid us, burn our homes. Years back we used to talk about annum horribilis, but today we talk about the harvest of annum horribilis. Do you know how many children have long become orphans and how many women become widows courtesy of terrorists attacks? Didn’t you hear Leah Sharibu parents say they are tired of begging President Muhammadu Buhari for the return of their daughter? Or what again would you tell the parents of unreturned Chibok girls? What hope do you want to give them? What good wishes would you use to wrap their sorrow and anguish? Do you realise that over 1,436 student and 17 teachers were abducted from Nigerian schools between January and October this year?

Hmmmm, everything you have said makes it doubly imperative for us to go for the Cross Over service, so we can go pray and pre-decree how next year will be. We can covenant with God that the thorns of Year 2022 will be submerged by the flowers thereof. Match in with hope and courage. I wish you a Prosperous New Year. Savour it!

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ DECEMBER 31, 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Agric Reforms: Edo to Launch Cluster Farm Initiatives to Boost Oil Palm Devt

Kayode Tokede

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his government plans to launch the state’s Oil Palm Development initiative and Cluster Farm initiative, as part of ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector to grow the state’s economy and achieve food security.

The governor, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, said his administration is committed to stimulating economic prosperity and improving ease of doing business to continuously attract private capital to engender sustainable development.

Obaseki further said the government will, in 2022, sustain ongoing reforms and programmes across all sectors of the state, aimed at rebuild-

ing the engine of government, creating economic opportunities for all citizens, and harnessing the potential of Edo’s culture and the creativity of its people.

According to him, “Motivated by the progress recorded with the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), we will be launching the Oil Palm Development initiative and Cluster Farm initiative, in furtherance of our aim of anchoring our economic growth on commercial agriculture while sustaining food security.”

Noting that Edo, with the cultivation of 120,000 hectares, has the largest oil palm plantation under cultivation in the country, Obaseki added, “We have put under cultivation up to 250,000 hectares of land for oil palm under our ESOPP programme.

Today, we are approaching about

120,000 hectares. We have about 70,000 and now about 45,000 hectares at the Orhionmwonaxis.”

Reassuring on efforts to strengthen the state’s economy and propel the much-needed growth to engender inclusive development in the coming year, the governor said, “The 2022 Appropriation Bill, which has now been signed into law is centred on reinforcing a sense of belonging in the citizenry and providing them with the opportunity to understand, participate and contribute to deepening governance.

“We are providing our people with an oasis of hope even with the harsh realities that confront us as a sub-national in a country that is confronted by a number of developmental challenges.”

L -R: Chief Marketing Officer, OVH Energy Marketing, Mrs. Lilian Ikokwu; Chief Executive Officer, OVH Energy Marketing, Mr. Huub Stokman; Group Executive Director, Ventures and Business Development, NNPC;, Mr. Billy Okoye;and Group Executive Director, Downstream NNPC, Mr.. Adetunji Adeyemi, at the Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) Africa Downstream Week held in Lagos recently

EdTech Startup, Teesas Closes Pre-seed Round of $1.6 Million Emma Okonji Teesas, an African-focused EdTech start-up that is delivering educational content to children aged 2 – 12 years via web and mobile applications, has closed a pre-seed round investment of $1.6m. The funding round was led

by Haresh Aswani of the Tolaram Group with participation from Olivegreen Advisory Partners, an African-focused Venture Studio, and other angel investors.

“We believe in the mission Osayi and the Teesas team has set forth on and are confident that they are best suited to crack the challenge of using technology to enhance access to quality education across Africa,” Aswani said.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Teesas, Osayi Izedonmwen, said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding just a few months after founding Teesas. It is invigorating that the funding has come from investors who understand what it takes to succeed in Africa and have backed or built fast-growing start-ups within the continent.”

Founded in 2021, Teesas is committed to delivering e-learning platforms that deliver curriculumaligned educational content via web and mobile applications.

The Teesas educational app is aimed at children in reception and primary school grades and teaches core subjects through engaging tutor-led videos and eBooks in English and local languages such

as Bini, Hausa, Ibibio, Igbo, Ijaw, Yoruba, and Tiv with plans to include French soon.

The pre-recorded videos are delivered by highly qualified tutors and uploaded unto the app across different grades with adaptation to make them fun using animation and gamification to enhance engagement and understanding.

Teesas also provides e-books and live classes to further deepen the child’s understanding and a companion app for parents called Teesas Parents that provides personalized content recommendation and real-time feedback on their child’s performance such as duration of videos watched within a course, percentage of revision quiz completed, test scores, areas of need, among others.

Maritime Arbitrators Get New Executives Sunday Okobi A new set of executives has emerged to run the affairs of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN).

The executives were elected at its 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place in Lagos recently.

The AGM, which was virtually attended by its members, culminated in the election of the new executive council that would pilot the affairs of the MAAN in the coming years.

While Mr. Bodunrin Adewole was elected as president, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN) was elected the vice president. Other

elected members of the Executive Council are Mrs. Igbeaku Evulukwu, Honorary Secretary; Mrs. Oluseyi Adejuyigbe, Honorary Treasurer; Professor Ike Ehiribe C.Arb and Sir Osuala Nwagbara.

Besides being a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, (FCIArb), Adewole is a practicing arbitrator, accredited tutor, and legal practitioner.

Prior to his nomination and election as President of MAAN, Adewole served as its Chairman Training and Ethics Committee as well as Vice President from 2016 to 2021. MAAN in a statement made available to Maritime Bits said in accordance with its constitution, its past presidents

will remain as members of the Executive Council.

They are: Mr. Adewale Jones FCIArb (immediate past President), Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour SAN, C.Arb (Founding President), Chief Gbola Akinola SAN, C.Arb (Past President) and Dr. Ogbai Omoh-Eboh SAN, C.Arb (Past President).

MAAN was founded in Nigeria in 2005 as a professional organisation to provide effective cost and efficient alternative dispute resolution of maritime disputes in Nigeria through arbitration, mediation, and all other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms.

Leadway Pensure PFA Appoints Lanre Idris as Managing Director Leadway Pensure PFA Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Lanre Idris as its new Managing Director, heralding a new era in the company’s impressive history.

A statement by the group said the appointment follows the recent retirement of Mrs. Ronke Adedeji, the erstwhile Managing Director, who steered the ship of the organisation for over a decade.

The statement noted that Idris boasts of years of managerial experience and versatility spanning various positions across different organisations and industries. It also stated that the expertise of the new managing director covers areas in leadership, information systems, governance, risk and business process management.

According to the statement, “Before his appointment as the

Managing Director of Leadway Pensure, Mr. Idris served as the Executive Director/COO of the organisation during which he was instrumental to the transformation and the remarkable growth the organisation recorded.

“He has worked with diverse teams across the country, serving in various senior management positions in leading organisations. He was formerly the General manager at Tehila Communications Ltd, a value-added services company in Lagos, before moving on to become the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Prestel Communications Limited, Benin.

“An alumnus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and the University of Liverpool, bagging graduate and postgraduate qualifications in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and

Information Systems Management respectively. In addition, his certifications and trainings in Leadership, Strategy, Finance and Investment at various local and international institutions including the Lagos Business School, London School of Economics and The Wharton College of the University of Pennsylvania at once depict his dedication to lifelong learning.

Speaking on his appointment, the former Board Chairman of Leadway Pensure PFA, Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale, said, “The board, management and staff of Leadway Pensure PFA are proud of the appointment of Mr. Lanre Idris as the new Managing Director. He is a seasoned business leader who has been an important member of our company and the industry as a whole.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7

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), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Stock Market Rebounds, Appreciates Marginally By N3.22bn Kayode Tokede Investors’ investment on the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) reverse prior day loss on renewed bargain hunting in Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust, Zenith Bank Plc, 19 among others.

Specifically, the overall market capitalisation gained

N3.22 billion to close at N21.825 trillion, while NGX All-Share Index (ASI) grew by 6.17 basis points or 0.01 per cent to close at 41,813.27 basis points from 41,807.10 basis points the stock market opened for trading.

This brought the month-todate and year-to-date outings of the NGX All-Share Index to stand at -3.32per cent and 3.83per cent respectively.

Market sentiment, as mea-

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

sured by market breadth, was positive as 21 stocks gained, relative to 12 losers. Consolidated Hallmark Insurance recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at 77 kobo, per share.

Mutual Benefits Assurance followed with a gain 9.68 per cent to close at 34 kobo, while Regency Alliance Insurance up by 9.30 per cent to close at 47 kobo, per share.

Unity Bank rose by 8.33 per

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

cent to close at 52 kobo, while Wapic Insurance appreciated by 8.16 per cent to close at 53 kobo, per share.

On the other hand, FTN Cocoa processors led the losers’ chart by 7.50 per cent, to close at 37 kobo, while Royal Exchange and Veritas Kapital Assurance followed with a decline of 4.76 per cent each to close at 80 kobo and 20 kobo respectively, per share.

Ecobank Transnational

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Incorporated (ETI) shed 3.47 per cent to close at N8.35, while Ardova depreciated by 2.99 per cent to close at N13.00, per share.

Meanwhile, the total volume of trades rose by 99.78 per cent to 359.960 million units, valued at N1.844 billion, and exchanged in 3,607 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Jaiz Bank topped the activity chart with 97.555

O F

million shares valued at N53.044 million. Sterling Bank followed with 29.447 million shares worth N43.30 million, while UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust traded 14.302 million shares valued at N56.854 million.

NGX Group traded 11.794 million shares valued at N235.823 million, while Access Bank transacted 11.505 million shares worth N104.138 million.

3 0 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021

Friday, December 31, 2021 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index fell shedby90bps 14bps The dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ ϭϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index rose by 3bps to close at

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

at 1,674.89 1,834.51 points points ondue thetoback sell-pressure of gains in onZENITH ZENITH (+1.0%), (-0.6%), ACCESS WAPCO (+1.1%), (-1.3%), and UBA (+1.3%).

(-0.7%). These stocks cumula-

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϭ͘ϵй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘ ƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϯ͘Ϯй͘

DƵƚĞĚ KƵƟŶŐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƋƵŝƟĞƐ DĂƌŬĞƚ͘​͘​͘ ^/ ŐĂŝŶƐ ϭďƉ ASI up 11bps as DANGCEM Gains 3.3%

WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĚĂLJ͕ ƉĞŶƵůƟŵĂƚĞ ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉƟĐŬ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ,KEz&>KhZ LJĞĂƌ ĐůŽƐĞĚ (+9.8%),ĚĞƐƉŝƚĞ ŇĂƫƐŚ E' D ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ ZENITH ĂŶĚ (+1.0%), & E, ACCESS (+0.7%) (+1.1%), bolstered and UBA ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶ (+1.3%). Thus, the benchmark the local index bourserose as the 1bpAllto ϰϭ͕ϴϭϯ͘Ϯϳ Share ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ indexŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ rose ĂŶĚ zd ƌĞͲ by

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1,834.51

0.03%

25.0%

83.5%

15.0%

3.5%

955.00

0.0%

34.0%

12.1%

12.1%

14.7%

5.2%

67.05

0.0%

9.4%

-13.3%

-13.3%

19.1%

11.2%

32.2x

6.1x

26.00

0.0%

7.2%

-19.6%

-19.6%

24.8%

3.9%

3.9x

1.0x

11.5%

25.4% 29.5%

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Cement Plc 3 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 4 Zenith Bank PLC 5 Dangote Cement PLC 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC

turn 11bpssteadied to 39,550.36 at േϮϭ͘ϴƚŶ points.ĂŶĚ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ ϯ͘ϴй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ zd ůŽƐƐ dƌĂĚͲ ŝŵͲ ing proved ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ to -1.8% ďŽůƐƚĞƌĞĚ while ĂƐ volume ŵĂƌŬĞƚ and ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ value traded ƌŽƐĞ rose ďLJ

10 United Bank for Africa PLC 11 FBN Holdings Plc

BANK ƚƌĂĚĞĚ (97.8m ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ units), ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй ACCESS ƚŽ (34.0m ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ units), ƵŶŝƚƐ and ǁŚŝůĞ STERLNvalue BANK ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ (30.5m ďLJ ϴϴ͘ϱй units) ƚŽ led േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ by volume The mostwhile tradedACCESS stocks ;േϯϬϴ͘ϰŵͿ͕ NGXGROUP by volume were dZ E^ KZW ;േϮϵϵ͘ϮŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ MTNN ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ & E, ;േϮϰϰ͘ϬŵͿ (11.1m led ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ by value. ĂŶĚ K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘ Mixed Sector Performance Across Bearishour Sector sector Performance coverage, performance was uneven as 3 ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ͕ Ϯ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ AFR-ICTperformance index ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ Across sectors under our coverage, was The Insurance and ĂŶŬŝŶŐ indices ŐĂŝŶĞĚ Ϯ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϱй bearish as 4 indices lost, 1 index gained ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &Z-/ d ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ D E &/d ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ ;нϵ͘ϳйͿ͕ E/d, ;нϭ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ ^^ ;нϭ͘ϭйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ er 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ Insurance indices, down 4.6% and side, Oil & Gas index dipped 0.8% driven by sell presϭ͘Ϯй the ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> (ƐƵƌĞ ;-Ϯ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ Z Ks ;-3.0%). Trailing, 9.1%),ŽŶ K E K hE/> s Z (-3.5%), >/E< ^^hZ (-6.4%), ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ E'^h' Z ;-Ϯ͘ϵйͿ͕ &dE K K ;-7.5%), and and D E^ Z (-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ t W K ƐŚĂǀĞĚ Ϭ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй Žī ing indices ;-1.0%) fell by Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůthe Consumer and Industrial Goods indices. ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K (-0.8%), E/d, (-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͘

ROE

ROA

P/E

5.0x

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

0.7x

5.2%

17.1%

1.9% 3.1%

25.00

1.0%

6.6%

0.8%

0.8%

20.9%

2.8%

3.4x

0.7x

12.0%

257.00

0.0%

6.1%

4.9%

4.9%

40.4%

16.7%

12.8x

4.9x

6.2%

7.8%

182.00

0.0%

5.0%

7.1%

7.1%

179.2%

14.1%

13.1x

19.9x

5.7%

7.6%

1,415.00

0.0%

3.6%

-6.0%

-6.0%

106.8%

15.6%

27.5x

32.3x

4.3%

3.6%

23.70

-1.0%

3.6%

12.6%

12.6%

11.6%

8.4%

8.9x

1.0x

4.2%

11.3%

9.10

1.1%

2.9%

7.7%

7.7%

17.0%

1.4%

2.6x

0.4x

9.4%

39.2%

8.00

1.3%

2.4%

-7.5%

-7.5%

2.0x

0.4x

6.9%

49.7%

11.50

0.0%

3.8%

60.8%

60.8%

4.0%

14.7%

48.00

0.0%

1.7%

-14.3%

36.00

0.0%

1.8%

-4.7%

12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 14 International Brew eries PLC 15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 16 SEPLAT Energy PLC 17 11 PLC 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

8.4%

0.8%

6.8x

0.6x

-14.3%

5.3%

1.9%

44.2x

2.3x

2.3%

2.3%

-4.7%

15.4%

2.0%

8.3x

1.3x

11.3%

12.1%

-10.3%

-3.9%

4.70

0.0%

1.2%

-21.0%

-21.0%

28.35

0.0%

1.1%

9.0%

9.0%

650.00

0.0%

1.6%

61.6%

61.6%

3.4%

0.9x

-12.1%

4.4x

0.7x

5.8%

22.9%

1.9%

15.0x

0.5x

6.3%

6.7%

10.3%

0.0% 142.00

0.0%

1.2%

56.0%

56.0%

38.8%

25.2%

9.7x

3.4x

5.2%

2.55

-1.5%

0.7%

1.2%

1.2%

12.0%

1.1%

2.3x

0.3x

8.6%

8.35

-3.5%

0.9%

39.2%

39.2%

14.8%

0.9%

2.3x

0.3x

21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 Sterling Bank PLC

16.50

-2.9%

0.5%

-6.3%

-6.3%

15.3%

6.3%

10.8x

1.6x

2.98

0.0%

0.5%

-10.5%

-10.5%

1.50

2.7%

0.3%

-26.5%

-26.5%

10.1%

0.9%

3.3x

0.3x

3.3%

24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

13.20

0.0%

0.3%

-9.0%

-9.0%

21.3%

6.9%

12.4x

2.5x

3.0%

8.1%

0.99

0.0%

0.4%

10.0%

10.0%

11.1%

2.3%

5.3x

0.6x

1.0%

19.0%

26 Presco PLC 27 Unilever Nigeria PLC

87.80

0.0%

0.3%

23.7%

23.7%

2.1x

1.2%

13.40

0.0%

0.2%

-3.6%

-3.6%

-1.3%

-0.8%

6.10

0.0%

0.2%

15.1%

15.1%

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc

28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 29 United Capital PLC 30 Guinness Nigeria PLC 31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 32 AIICO Insurance PLC 33 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 35 Wema Bank PLC 36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 37 Oando PLC 38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 39 Beta Glass PLC 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ er, up^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ 1.8% driven by price appreciaInvestor ƟŽŶ in E' D (+3.3%).

Investor ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

Price Change Index to Date

Current Price

8 Lafarge Africa PLC 9 Access Bank PLC

ϵϵ͘ϴй േϮϯ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ ĂŶĚ േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ Ϯϰ͘ϱй ƚŽ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ϯϲϬ͘Ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ േϭ͘ϴďŶ͘ JAIZ-

Previous Price Current Price Change Weighting Change YTD

Ticker

44.4% 43.5%

8.8%

9.2%

5.0%

1.2x

30.7%

-1.1% 4.0%

9.90

0.5%

0.4%

110.2%

110.2%

2.2x

7.1%

39.00

0.0%

0.4%

105.3%

105.3%

8.1%

3.8%

13.9x

1.1x

1.2%

7.2%

7.80

0.0%

0.2%

33.3%

33.3%

24.7%

7.5%

3.8x

0.9x

7.1%

26.0%

7.2%

1.1%

383.3x

0.7x 1.9%

19.8% 25.7%

0.69

-1.4%

0.3%

42.5%

43.8%

221.90

0.0%

0.3%

70.7%

70.7%

22.35

0.0%

0.2%

26.8%

26.8%

20.7%

2.5%

3.9x

0.7x

1.8%

0.79

2.6%

0.1%

14.5%

14.5%

13.7%

0.8%

3.7x

0.5x

5.1%

26.8%

-0.8%

0.0%

7.1%

0.8%

6.8x

0.7x

4.1%

14.7%

1.9x

0.3%

5.0x

4.37

-2.9%

0.1%

18.1%

18.1%

14.5%

2.6%

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-41.3%

-9.2%

52.95

0.0%

0.1%

-4.4%

-4.4%

14.8%

10.1%

5.38

0.0%

0.0%

49.4%

49.4%

4.7x

0.3x

53.1%

2.3x

-20.3%

0.6x

2.0%

21.4%

0.9x T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

C H IP LC

0.77

10.0%

J A IZ B A N K

97.8

3.5%

M B EN EF IT

0.34

9.7%

A C C ESS

34.0

1.1%

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ĮƌŵĞĚ ƵƉ to 1.8x from 1.1x as /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ Ϯϭ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϭϮ stocks lost. CHIPLC (+10.0%),

R EGA LIN S

0.47

9.3%

ST ER LN B A N K

30.5

2.7%

UN IT YB N K

0.52

8.3%

UP D C R EIT

15.5

8.0%

WA P IC

0.53

8.2%

N GXGR OUP

14.9

3.1%

MBENEFIT (+9.7%), and REGALINS ďLJ (+9.3%) gain/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ led ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

UP D C R EIT

4.05

8.0%

M B EN EF IT

13.8

9.7%

SOVR EN IN S

0.30

7.1%

FB NH

13.2

0.0%

M OR ISON

1.99

5.3%

SOVR EN IN S

11.9

7.1%

J A IZ B A N K

0.59

3.5%

R EGA LIN S

10.5

9.3%

N EM

5.00

3.3%

VER IT A SKA P

9.4

-4.8%

ers while FTNCOCOA (-7.5%), ROYALEX (-4.8%), ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ and Ăƚ VERI1.6x TASKAP (-4.8%) led ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ĮŶĂů trading session ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ stocks

T ic k er

T ic k er

of ϮϬϮϭ͕ ǁĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ Ă ŵŝůĚ ďƵůůŝƐŚ ĐůŽƐĞ ŽŶ bargainMAYbuyadvanced while 15 stocks declined. MRS (+9.9%), T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

ing.

BAKER (+9.8%), and HONYFLOUR (+9.8%) led gainers T ic k er

while ABCTRANS (-8.3%), LASACO (-6.7%), and LIVESTOCK (-4.8%) led losers. Previous day, we expect the ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ earnings season gradually winds up.

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

308.4

1.1%

F T N C OC OA

0.37

-7.5%

A C C ESS

R OYA LEX

0.80

-4.8%

N GXGR OUP

299.2

3.1%

VER IT A SKA P

0.20

-4.8%

M TNN

244.0

0.0%

ET I

8.35

-3.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

224.5

1.0%

A R D OVA

13.00

-3.0%

FB NH

149.5

0.0%

D A N GSUGA R

16.50

-2.9%

GT C O

75.9

0.0%

OA N D O

4.37

-2.9%

UP D C R EIT

61.5

8.0%

F ID ELIT YB K

2.55

-1.5%

UB A

59.2

1.3%

0.69

-1.4%

UB N

54.2

-0.8%

22.00

-1.1%

J A IZ B A N K

53.2

3.5%

A IIC O C ON OIL

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

P ric e

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu| dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

41

FRIDAY DECEMBER 31, 2021• T H I S DAY

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 29Dec-2021, 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 162.64 164.07 0.48% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 9.05% Nigeria International Debt Fund 319.04 319.04 -18.15% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 102.30 103.45 -6.64% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 7.21% info@anchoriaam.com Anchoria Equity Fund 137.95 139.66 3.71% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 -13.89% 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 20.07 20.67 10.66% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 450.16 463.74 12.44% ARM Ethical Fund 39.34 40.52 16.69% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.08 1.08 -1.72% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 -4.70% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.10% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.05 2.05 -2.50% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.18 2.23 0.62% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund Paramount Equity Fund Women's Investment Fund CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Cordros Money Market Fund Cordros Milestone Fund Cordros Dollar Fund ($) CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Coronation Money Market Fund Coronation Balanced Fund Coronation Fixed Income Fund EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-assetmanagement-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Emerging Africa Money Market Fund Emerging Africa Bond Fund

Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.04 1.04 5.90% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 100.00 16.98 139.69

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 100.00 9.72% 17.29 6.16% 141.28 4.96% assetmgtteam@cordros.com

Bid Price 100.00 131.42 110.56

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 100.00 9.45% 132.24 12.10% 110.56 6.01% investment@coronationam.com

Bid Price 1.00 1.24 1.42

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 8.24% 1.25 3.17% 1.42 -10.07% mutualfundng@ecobank.com

Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 100.00 100.00 7.67% 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 8.46% 1,180.43 1,205.81 2.75% assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com

Bid Price 1.00 1.04

Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.11 Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 104.52 FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price FBN Bond Fund 1,392.02 FBN Balanced Fund 173.91 FBN Halal Fund 115.59 FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund

122.28 147.69 Bid Price 1.00 4.00 1.69 1.21

Offer Price 1.00 1.04

Yield / T-Rtn 7.93% 3.96%

1.11 10.77% 104.52 4.48% invest@fbnquest.com Offer Price 1,392.02 175.08 115.59 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 11.32% 4.24% 9.35% 9.31%

122.28 3.95% 149.69 11.88% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Offer Price 1.00 4.00 1.73 1.21

Yield / T-Rtn 7.54% 3.45% 11.15% 6.19%

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 N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD 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 100.00 100.00 7.70% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.81 2.88 -1.48% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 143.22 143.27 -7.97% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.26 1.30 0.12% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 6.03% 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 1.49 1.51 9.03% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,161.00 1,161.00 8.74% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.57 11.66 10.32% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.34% 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) 101.79 101.79 7.67% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 9.02% 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 1.58 1.61 13.18% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.15 11.19 -8.13% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.74% PACAM Equity Fund 1.43 1.44 -9.63% PACAM EuroBond Fund 114.03 116.39 4.03% 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 127.04 129.38 5.26% 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 1.08 1.08 10.00% 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 3,383.09 3,415.49 5.28% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 235.53 235.53 4.75% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.25 1.27 6.78% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 313.08 313.08 6.25% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 234.16 237.77 7.32% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.71% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,924.37 11,081.48 4.11% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.29 1.29 5.36% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 116.90 116.90 5.24% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 106.35 106.35 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.34 1.37 4.99% United Capital Bond Fund 1.96 1.96 6.76% United Capital Equity Fund 0.92 0.94 14.90% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.14% United Capital Eurobond Fund 122.30 122.30 6.81% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.09 5.57% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.07 1.07 7.30% 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 13.07 13.19 10.16% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 14.51 14.66 9.91% Zenith Income Fund 24.87 24.87 3.61% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.16%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 54.48

10.62% 7.78%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.35 126.93 99.78 17.54 21.07

13.45 130.09 101.97 17.64 21.17

3.81% 5.56% 0.57% -4.88% 14.57%

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

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.96 5.49 17.24 1.00 19.98 157.93

4.06 5.59 17.44 1.00 20.18 159.93

5.67% -3.35% 6.56% 0.00% -2.61% -14.94%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.28

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

42

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

BUDGET OF SUSTAINED GROWTH AND CONSOLIDATION… L-R: Clerk of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Dr. Emmanuel Okey Udaya; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi, during the signing the state's N186.64 billion 2022 budget into law, at the EXCO Chamber, Government House, Enugu… yesterday

Naval Chief Warns Personnel over Collusion with Criminals, Vows Stiff Sanctions

Minister charges newly promoted officers on loyalty, professionalism CDS: December, most peaceful period in North-east, North-west

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of the Staff Naval, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, yesterday, warned personnel of the Nigerian Navy colluding with criminals to desist from such acts or face the full weight of the law.

He, however, vowed to impose stiff sanctions against such erring staff collaborating with illegal oil bunkerers and maritime criminals.

The naval chief spoke at the decoration of senior officers promoted to the rank of commodore and rear admiral.

This is as the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd) charged newly promoted senior officers of the Nigerian Army to discharge their duties professionally and remain loyal to the constitution.

Also, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, has said for the first time in a long while, the month of December was peaceful in the North-east and North-west.

The naval chief said in spite of the laudable achievements of the Navy, some personnel had continued to collaborate with maritime criminals, thereby sabotaging their efforts.

"The Navy in collaboration with other security agencies have continuously strived to protect the economic mainstay of the country through various operations to counter illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft in the country.

"While there are significant achievements in the fight against these maritime crimes, there are a pocket of personnel still colluding with criminals to sabotage these efforts.

"Let me, therefore, warn

that any act of collusion with criminals or sabotage of measures emplaced to checkmate illegalities will be met with stiff sanctions in accordance with the law of the land.

"Note that as leaders of the service, you are expected to be above board and ensure that your subordinates equally buy into the zerotolerance stance of the Nigerian Navy," he said.

Gambo called on the newly promoted officers to imbibe the quality of good leadership in the discharge of their responsibilities, adding that the armed services remained "a performance oriented organisation”, and that, “quality leadership in the armed forces is essential for the optimal realisation of its objectives.

"Notably, in the profession of arms, the optimal employment of men and materiel has direct impact on operational outcomes in the theatre and national security, as a whole. Hence, despite the huge number of annual enlistments into the military, only the most dedicated and loyal rise to the very apex of the profession.

"Indeed, it is the dream of every officer to reach the peak of his/her career in the service. However, only a few eventually realise this dream.

The ceremony today, which is the crowning glory of your hard work, total dedication and loyalty to the service and by extension the nation is no mean feat.

"I, therefore, congratulate all of you for being among the selected few that made it to this rank of your career.

Note that while it takes hard work to reach a glorious height, it takes harder work to remain up there.

I, therefore, unreservedly congratulate each of you and urge you all to justify the confidence of a proud and deserving nation," he said.

Irabor, in his remarks, said the armed forces had performed so credibly well that the North-east and North-west were peaceful in the month of December for the first time in a long time.

He stated that 2021 was challenging and that 2022 would be more challenging, while noting that the core of officers promoted in the three services were expected to

meet the challenges of 2022.

In the same vein, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, urged the newly elevated senior officers to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation.

He said promotion was a management tool deployed to motivate staff and have them do more even as he urged those, who were not promoted, owing to some factors including absence of vacancies not to give up.

Meanwhile, Magashi, has charged newly promoted senior officers of the Nigerian Army to discharge their duties professionally and remain loyal to the constitution.

The minister spoke during the decoration of newly promoted Brig Gens to substantive rank of Major General and Colonels to the rank of Brigadier General at the Army Headquarters Command Officers' Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.

He felicitated with the newly promoted senior officers, describing their elevation as a recognition for their diligence and selfless sacrifices individually and collectively

to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation in general.

He reminded the promoted officers of the enormous responsibilities that come with their promotion, adding that the country relied on their wealth of knowledge, character and professionalism to develop an enduring panacea that would completely defeat insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country.

He assured them that the federal government would continue to support the Nigerian Army especially, in the acquisition of military hardware to facilitate the conduct of its operations across the country.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, while speaking at the investiture, also charged the newly decorated officers to remain loyal to the President and constitution.

He reminded them of the current security challenges and urged them to remain focused in their effort to ensure peace and security across the country.

He expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his strategic guidance and the confidence reposed in the NA and other security agencies.

One of the newly decorated senior officers, Major General Chijioke Onwunle, who spoke on behalf of all the decorated officers, reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty to the President and the constitution.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion were Magashi, Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki; Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume; Chairman, House Committee on Army, Honourable Abdulrazak Namdas; Speaker, Kaduna House of Assembly, Hon Ysuf Zailani; Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, His Excellency, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (Rtd); Representatives of the Chiefs of Naval and Air Staff; President, Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Association, Mrs Salamatu Faruk Yahaya; serving and retired senior officers, principal staff officers from defence and services headquarters, amongst others.

Police Kill 38 Bandits, Arrest 999 Criminals in Katsina

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command on yesterday said it has killed 38 bandits and apprehended 999 suspected criminals in connection with 608 reported cases within one year in the state.

Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, who disclosed this during an end of the

year press conference, said 874 arrested suspects were undergoing prosecution in various competent courts of law in the state.

Buba, represented by the command's Public Relations Officers, SP Gambo Isah, explained that 246 suspects were also arrested in 195 reported cases of rape and unnatural offences within the period under review.

He added that 222 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers were nabbed and 208 suspects had been charged to court while four suspects were under investigation by operatives of the command.

He further averred that the command recovered four GPMG, 44 AK 47 rifles, two LAR and G3 rifles, 20 locally made guns, 689 rounds of

7.62mm ammunition of AK 47 rifle as well as 109 antiaircraft ammunition (AA).

"244 suspected cattle rustlers were arrested of which 230 suspects have been charged to court while 14 suspects are under investigation.

"In the course of this campaign, 38 bandits were neutralised in various gun battles while five police

officers paid the supreme price.

"1,243 domestic animals, which consist of 867 cows, 352 sheep, 24 goats and one donkey were recovered from the hoodlums," Buba said.

He, however, warned those he described as recalcitrant bandits and their informants to either surrender or be dealt with “according to the extant laws of the land".

FRIDAY DECEMBER 31, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

43

NEWSEXTRA

Civil Society Groups Fault Buhari for Non-disclosure of Errors in Electoral Bill Chuks Okocha in Abuja Civil Society Groups have expressed concern that President Mohammadu Buhari did not inform the National Assembly of the discovery of errors in the cross referencing contained in the electoral bill in his letter to the National Assembly when he declined to assent the bill into law.

This, they said, was because the errors in cross referencing was one of the basic reasons why President Buhari declined to sign the electoral bill into law in 2018.

The civil society groups said that the decision of the Presidency to keep silent on the errors of the cross referencing was a plot to reject the electoral bill on the ground that once the direct primary clause was removed and sent back, it would be rejected again because of the errors in the cross referencing.

Specifically, they expressed worry over the errors in section 50 of the clause that has no bearing in the bill.

For instance, “In Section 50 (2), Conduct of poll by open secret ballot Subject to Section 63 of this Act, voting at an election and transmission of results under this Act shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission.

“Section 63 was wrongly referenced in the subsection. There is no relationship between Section 50 and Section 63 of the bill “To reflect the correct cross reference, Section 63 should be replaced with Section 60 on

counting of votes and forms”, they said The civil society groups also gave a January 30 2022 deadline to the National to ensure that the bill is transmitted to the President for his assent.

CSOs, who made this call yesterday in Abuja comprises Yiaga Africa; International Press Centre (IPC); Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD), The Albino Foundation

CLEEN Foundation, Institute for Media and Society (IMS), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF).

Others are: Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), Partners for Electoral

Reform (PER),Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and Nigerian Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (NNNGO).

CELEBRATION DINNER…

L-R: Chief Magistrate, Osun State Judiciary, Mrs. Bode Ladipo; Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Osaro Eghobamien; Partner, Perchstone & Graeysand, Folabi Kuti (SAN); and Senior Magistrate, Osun State Judiciary, Abimbola Oyawale, during the Obafemi Awolowo University Law 2000 alumni association celebration dinner to mark the elevation of Kuti as SAN, held in Lagos…recently

Ijaw National Congress 241 Students Receive Orji’s N24.1m Scholarship Awards President Flays Obasanjo’s Crude Oil Claims Chiemelie Ezeobi and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has flayed faulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo for using the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria to buttress his claims that crude oil in the Niger Delta belonged to the country and not the people of the region.

Okaba, who spoke yesterday , in television programme monitored by our correspondent in Yenagoa, described Obasanjo’s position as a second-thought as it contradicts his earlier argument that mineral resources in the Niger Delta were given by God for all Nigerians.

He argued that the former president could not be relying

on a constitution that had been variously rejected and described as a fraud and a military document imposed on Nigerians.

Okaba said the unitary characteristics of the 1999 constitution which Obasanjo celebrates, had become the major reason Nigeria was collapsing on all sides as the constitution remained a faulty foundation of the country.

The INC chief said: “The Nigerian (1999) constitution, which OBJ is now relying on, is a product of unrepresentative drafting and, to a large extent, most of the provisions therein are military-driven. So the constitution is fraudulent, satanic and it has not served anybody any good.

The federal lawmaker representing Abia Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Theodore Orji, has said that the sustenance and expansion of his annual scholarship programme was aimed at building capacity of youths to prepare them as future leaders.

He stated this yesterday at the 6th edition of the annual scholarship scheme which took place in Umuahia, during which 241 students from Abia Central studying in various universities across the country were given scholarships worth N24.1 million.

Over 600 students have so far benefitted from the scheme, which has been running over the past six years with

the number of beneficiaries increasing annually.

The former Abia governor said that it was not enough to keep saying that youths are leaders of tomorrow without giving them quality education to prepare them for the future leadership role.

“We have to encourage those growing up by giving them good education. I want them to be responsible people in the

society by graduating in various professional fields, including medicine, engineering, law, among others. This is a legacy I want to leave behind,” he said.

The two term senator, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji, recalled that the scholarship scheme took off with 60 students in 2015 and has progressively accommodated more beneficiaries.

2023: Ashiru Declares Interest in Kaduna Guber Race John Shiklam in Kaduna The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State in 2019, Hon. Isa Ashiru, has said he will contest for the position again in 2023.

Speaking in an interview with journalists yesterday in Kaduna, he maintained that he won the 2019 governorship election, but was rigged out.

Ashiru said he would leave nothing to chance and would follow due processes proactively to succeed.

He said his journey into politics is to serve humanity and provide the dividends of democracy to the people.

Ashiru, who had served for two terms at the state House of Assembly and another two terms at the House of Representatives, insisted that he “intends to pursue

his ambition until success is achieved.”

In 2015, he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contested for the party’s ticket but lost to Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

He later returned to the PDP and was the party’s standard bearer in the 2019 general election, but was defeated by El-Rufai.

Ashiru said: “In politics, when you lose the first time, it is not a loss. This game is not about

me but about my people.

“I have a vision which I believe, if given the opportunity, I will transform the lives of my people for the better.

“So, I am not in politics to serve myself but to serve my people. Things have changed.

I feel I have something better to offer to improve the economic and social condition of our people that is why I am going to run again,” he said.

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, yesterday described the newly reconstructed 13.15km Ada-Igbajo road as fulfillment of another campaign promise.

Oyetola had declared in his inaugural address that his administration recognises the importance of intra and inter-city roads to facilitate

people, and would continue to muster resources to build strategic roads across the state.

The Ada-Igbajo road was part of the 54.3km span of township roads across the three senatorial districts of the state that Oyetola approved for construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation, after about three decades of their last reconstruction or actual construction.

Akindeko-Awosuru link road, via Adejumo street, with a spur to Oremeji; Akinlade Street; Adewale Street, with a loop to WAEC road; rehabilitation/ complete overlay of 25.8km Army Barracks (Ede)-Ara-Ejigbo township road; rehabilitation and complete overlay of 8.10km Moro-YakoyoIpetumodu-Asipa-Ife/Ibadan expressway junction road; and

overlay of 4.38km Ereja Roundabout-Ereguru-IsaareOke Oye-Sabo (Irojo)-Ilesa/ Akure expressway junction.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 13.15km Ada-Igbajo road, Oyetola restated his administration’s commitment to unleashing road construction on the state for its socioeconomic transformation.

Edo to Launch Cluster Farms Osun Gov Unveils Road after 30 Years of Neglect to Boost Oil Palm Devt movement of goods and Other township roads include the rehabilitation/complete Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has announced his administration’s plan to launch the state’s Oil Palm Development and other Cluster Farm Initiative, as part of the ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector that is meant to grow the state’s economy and achieve food security.

Obaseki, who stated this in Benin City, said that his administration is committed to stimulating economic prosperity and improving ease of doing business in order to continuously attract private capital to engender sustainable development.

He further said that the state government would sustain ongoing reforms and programmes across all sectors of

the state in 2022 to rebuild the engine of government, create economic opportunities for all citizens, and harness the potential of Edo’s culture and the creativity of its people.

He said: “Motivated by the progress recorded with the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), we will be launching the Oil Palm Development Initiative and Cluster Farm Initiative, in furtherance of our aim of anchoring our economic growth on commercial agriculture while sustaining food security.”

He noted that Edo State has the largest oil palm plantation under cultivation in the country with the cultivation of 120,000 hectares, adding that “we have put under cultivation up to 250,000 hectares of land for oil palm under our ESOPP programme.”

Buhari Appoints New Acting Controller-General for Federal Fire Service Michael Olugbode in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Deputy ControllerGeneral (DCG), Samson Karebo, as the new acting ControllerGeneral of the Federal Fire Service (FFS).

The acting CG, DCG Samson Karebo, in his address, thanked the president for the opportunity

to serve while recognising the forthrightness of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who ensured his emergency as the acting Controller-General.

Karebo promised to ensure that men of the operational department are motivated to be at their best in the discharge of their duty.

He called on officer and men

of the service to maintain a high level of discipline, while assuring them that he will carry everyone along to move the service forward.

The outgoing ControllerGeneral, Dr. Liman Ibrahim, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for given him the opportunity to serve, stating that the current administration of President Buhari has lifted the

Fire Service from sorry state to a world class standard.

He said his successes at the Federal Fire Service “wouldn’t have been possible without the vision of the president to protect lives and property of Nigerians.”

Ibrahim appreciated officers and men of the Service, while calling on them to give the acting CG maximum support to succeed.

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NDLEA Arrests Three Fake WORLD OF ISLAM Security Agents, Others Questions in the Grave: with Drugs in Borno, Abuja Mother of All Exams (1) NEWSXTRA

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Three drug traffickers wearing uniforms of security agencies to escape scrutiny have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with over 427 kilograms of illicit drugs in Borno State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi in a statement yesterday explained that a certain Yakubu Kotri, who was posing as a military officer was arrested on Wednesday, 29th December.

The suspect was driving a gulf car loaded with Cannabis

Sativa weighing 208 kilograms, he was on his way to Bama in Borno State.

Another suspect, Salisu Mohammed, who adorned the uniform of another security agency to traffic Tramadol to Bama, was also nabbed by narcotics officers on patrol along the route that same day.

According to Babafemi, although the pictures of the arrest of Yakubu Kotri in uniform have been trending on social media since Wednesday, the NDLEA has distanced itself from claims suggesting he is a serving military personnel.

He said Kotri’s standing is yet to be determined, and what is certain remains that he was caught in possession of illegal items.

Meanwhile, Babafemi asserted that a third impersonator, Dada Adekunle was on Wednesday arrested along with his 60-yearold accomplice, Usman Isa, in the Abaji area of FCT. The individual was apprehended with 15.843kg of cannabis, while 20kg of the same drug was seized from one Alfred Aminu who was intercepted at Gwagwalada on the same day.

Banditry: Christian Group Urges El-Rufai, Security Agencies to do More in Kaduna A group of Christian leaders under the aegis of United Pastors for Change has called on Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and the security agencies to redouble their efforts in ensuring adequate security in the state and other parts of the Northern region in the new year.

While reacting to the deteriorating security situation in the north, the group

through its president, Apostle David Adeniran, said though the government and security agencies are doing their best to tackle the menace of banditry and kidnapping, much more needs to be done to ensure the protection of lives and property of the people.

At a conference organized by the group, Apostle Adeniran assured that the clergymen will continue to lend support to Governor El-Rufai

to ensure his administration succeeds in the areas of delivering good governance and collective peace to the people of Kaduna State.

Adeniran enjoined politicians to maintain decorum and promote peaceful coexistence amongst Nigerians, just as he also said that the religious leaders must preach tolerance, unity, and peace, and not misinform their congregations at any level.

Diri Signs N314.4bn Appropriation Bill into Law Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, yesterday signed into law the state 2022 Appropriation Bill, which was passed by the state House of Assembly.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as DANIEL CHIGOZIRIM UKAEGBU now wish to be known and addressed as DANIEL CHIGOZIRIM DAVID All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWATUNMISE MARY ADEBAJO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLAYINKA OLUWATUNMISE MARY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS REGINA OHIWEREI , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS REGINA FRANKLIN ISEGHOHIMEN. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as SOLOMON MICHAEL, now wish to be known and addressed as SALAMI MUJAIDU AJIBOLA and correct date of birth is 25th May 1970. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NNAH AMARACHUKWU VICTORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS VICTORIA AMARACHI NNAH-NNAMDI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

We the family of late Chief UGWU NNAMCHI GODWIN formerly known and address as UGWU’S FAMILY now wish to be known and address as NNAMCHI family. NNAMCHI CHIDIEBERE LEONARD, NNAMCHI OBIANAUJU PARTRICIA, NNAMCHI CHUKWUEMEKA GODWIN, NNAMCHI CHUKWUNONSO BENJAMIN, NNAMCHI IFEANYICHUKWU STEPHEN. All formal documents remain valid.

Diri assented to the bill in the Government House in Yenagoa in the presence of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; his deputy, Michael Ogbere; the House Leader, Monday Bubou; other principal officers of the Assembly and top government functionaries.

The governor had in October presented to the Assembly the bill tagged: ‘Budget of Sustainable Growth’, of N310,717,608,362.

Speaker of the Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, however, explained that the original figure was increased by N3, 747,410,619.

The governor expressed happiness that the budget was speedily passed by the Assembly

within the 2021 fiscal year.

He stated that his administration was working towards moving away from dependence on federal allocations by improving the state internally generated revenue.

Diri charged those entrusted with the responsibility of collecting revenue to do more to increase the state revenue profile from N1 billion naira to N1.5 billion monthly.

He appreciated the Assembly for its commitment, and called for more collaboration between both arms of government for the development of the state.

According to him, “The budget was laid on the floor of the Assembly on October 20, 2021.

Lagos Upgrades AOCOED to University of Education Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education will now be called Lagos State University of Education. The change of the Institution’s status was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Education (Tertiary Institutions), Hon. Ajani Owolabi.

The statement was titled, ‘Second allocated day for report of the Committee on Education (Tertiary Institutions) on a Bill for a Law to provide for the establishment of The University of Education, Lagos, (UNEDLAG) and for connected purposes.’

It read in part, “You would recall that the House at its Plenary Session of Thursday, 1st July 2021, considered the report of the Committee on Education on “the University of Education, Lagos Bill, 2021” after which a second allotted day was given to the Committee to resolve the grey areas observed

by the House.

“Consequently, the Committee met and recommends as follows: “(1) The definition of ‘UNEDLAG’ be deleted and replaced with “LASUED’ to mean ‘Lagos State University of Education’. “(2) Clause 39 (1) be redrafted to read: ”The University shall operate a Multi-Campus system with the Main Campus in Adenran Ogunsanya, Otto/Ijanikin and its Annex at Micheal Otedola, Noforija, Epe and any other locations as may be determined by the Visitors or Council from time to time.

“The Committee expresses its gratitude to Mr Speaker and Members for the opportunity given it to carry out this assignment. We also appreciate the Acting Clerk of the House and the Secretariat for the support at ensuring the timely completion of the report.”

By: Spahic Omer/IslamiCity Almighty Allah as the Absolute Originator, Creator and Fashioner created life and saturated it with an ultimate purpose and meaning. He then created man as a foremost component in the web of creation. He made him the vicegerent on earth to whom everything in the heavens and on the earth had been subjected. In his capacity as Allah’s vicegerent, man is bidden to responsibly inhabit the earth, interact with the rest of life’s realities, and gratefully avail himself of the infinite blessings and bounties spread out by his Creator.

All this is intended to innately demonstrate, as well as attest to, the greatness, benevolence and providence of the Creator. In addition, while discharging his vicegerency mission, man is to generate a legacy that will consciously and by design confirm the same ontological actualities.

That legacy is what the substance of each and every Islamic cultural and civilizational expression should be.

If the creation of man – and the creation of the worlds – is the outcome of Allah being the active Originator, Creator and Fashioner, then the nature of the operational procedures of man on earth – and of all other beings – is the outcome of Allah being the Most Merciful, the Most Kind, the Equitable, the Guardian, the Owner of all Sovereignty, the Supremely Exalted, and the Lord of Majesty and Generosity.

Hence, Allah created man in His own Image (Sahih Muslim). It means that man has been endowed with many qualities as Almighty Allah’s, such as life, knowledge, power of hearing, seeing, understanding, etc. However, the features of man are fundamentally different from those of Allah. Only the names are the same, as there is no comparison between the Creator and His creation, and between the Master and His servants. The Qur’an declares: “There is nothing like Him…” (al-Shura, 11). That is why the biggest and most common misdeed committed by man is either deifying himself or anthropomorphizing (humanizing) God. In other words, via both passive and active engagements, man is to spend his life on earth searching, discovering, absorbing and living the truth. Only that way will man become true to himself, his existential purpose and his Creator and Master. Life is at once a test and a gift.

The test is to be passed and gift enjoyed, both with distinction.

Almighty Allah is the Ultimate Truth. Life and man are unmistaken manifestations and proofs of that Truth. Man’s presence and role on earth signify a fine thread that connects all the primary and secondary physical and metaphysical aspects of life - and of the truth. Man is as much a target as an active protagonist in the world. He originated from the Ultimate Truth; he exists surrounded by endless portents and displays of the truth; he himself is a truth; and, finally, everything he conceives and does ought to authenticate and support the very truth.

A brief journey Man is sent to this world for the short term. He and everything he has are owned by his Creator and Master. Man is here for a purpose. He has a mission to accomplish, that is, to realize and through his entire being personify the truth. At the end of his brief journey, man returns to his Creator and, expectedly, is held accountable for what he has done to the earthly test and opportunity. He is examined about his overall performances, the exam signifying the threshold of the Hereafter. Indeed, for man, death is not the end; it is the beginning. Thus, man should not live to die, but rather, live to live.

The exam in question is instantaneous and in the grave. It happens in barzakh (the period between a person’s death and his resurrection on the Day of Judgment). It is the mother of all exams, in the sense that it is the most important and most consequential assessment for man and his impending destiny. It denotes a watershed in his continuously unfolding life journey.

If man passes this exam, he is bound to pass all subsequent exams. But if he fails or does badly, he is bound to fail and do badly in all succeeding exams, including the one on the Day of Judgment. The exam, therefore, is the origin and cause of all exams and anxieties of man, one way or another. It is his raison d’etre.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The grave is the first of the stages of the Hereafter; whoever is saved from it, whatever comes afterwards will be easier for him, but if he is not saved from it, what comes afterwards will be worse for him.” The Prophet also said: “I have never seen any scene

but the grave is more frightening than it” (Jami’ al-Tirmidhi).

It is reported that the companion ‘Uthman b.

‘Affan (RA) did not weep by dint of remembering Paradise and Hell, but used to do so if he stood by a grave. When asked why he was doing that, he would quote the above hadith (tradition) of the Prophet.

The Prophet (SAW) used to pray and seek refuge with Allah “from the tribulation of the grave and the torment of the grave” (Sahih al-Bukhari).

For man, death is as real and compelling as life. Everything ends with the former. All roads lead to the depth and darkness of the grave.

This is the reality of life, regardless of whether man was willing, or was ready, to accept and live with it.

As soon as a person (believer) is interred in his grave, there come to him two angels who make him sit up and they ask him the following questions: Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is this man who was sent among you (Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him)?

What did you do (while in this world) so you were made aware of all this? (Sunan Abi Dawud)

Who is your Lord?

A person is asked about his Lord first because his life was supposed to be a series of undertakings whereby Almighty Allah should have been acknowledged as the Creator, Owner and Sustainer of all things. Man should act only as a creation and servant. To answer properly this question, a person needs to constantly learn about his Lord, possess a right worldview about himself and existence as a whole, and to work on enhancing his relationships with Allah and everything that is His. A person is to live and die, learn, work, love and thrive only in the name of, and for, his Lord.

Man is created weak, ignorant and disposed to submit to and worship a deity. All his capacities man is to channel into the finding of the truth and the worship of Allah as the Absolute Truth.

If not, in order to satiate his inborn susceptibility, man will end up worshipping something else, often his own fantasies and his own idols of the mind and soul. It follows that man’s task on earth is as much to affirm and accept Allah as to discredit and destroy the phony idols and deities that may be harboured by his ego, greed, self-centredness and false aspirations as well as hopes.

This is critical, in that all other things and life aspects depend exclusively on what a person chooses as his deity and lord. Rightly answering this first question affirms everything else, whereas doing so wrongly disaffirms and negates all the rest. And it will be a person’s total being, deeds and legacy that will answer. The validity of earthly communication modes will be over.

What is your religion?

A person will be asked about his religion because he was created to worship Almighty Allah and to do so only within the spiritual and ethical framework of Islam as the only religion and the only way of life.

Islam is the only acceptable religion with Allah because it accounts for the truth, which is also one and constant. No other alternatives and life systems, adopted in lieu of Islam, will be accepted. Islam and the truth are twins. There can be no multiple faiths just as there can be no multiple truths.

Islam is Allah’s religion. He gave it to human beings as a gift and a means to reach out to Him and so, to the whole goodness. For that reason, was Islam (submission to Allah as the only certainty) revealed to each and every prophet in human history. Many of the current world religions and philosophies stand for the distorted versions or pale remnants of such revelations.

Rejecting the authentic Islam means rejecting Allah as Lord and the Source of all authority and legitimacy. What comes next is the devising of alternative ideologies and life systems, thereby ascribing all authority and legitimacy to man and his cognitive abilities. Such basically becomes an act of tipping man against God – the main legacy of Renaissance humanism and all its contemporary offshoots, such as modernism and postmodernism.

Allah says: “Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam” (Alu ‘Imran, 19).

“If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good)” (Alu ‘Imran, 85).

To Be Continued

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Osimhen Contracts COVID a Second Time, Pulls Out of AFCON

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has contracted Coronavirus a second time and Nigeria Football Federation sources have also confirmed that he has pulled out of the Africa Cup of Nations starting in barely ten days.

The 23-year-old who is Nigeria has reportedly cancelled his planned journey to his base in Naples, Italy for checkups on his cheekbone injury before flying into Cameroon for the tournament.

In a terse statement issued by Napoli yesterday, Osimhen was told to self-isolate in Nigeria while his scheduled check up has been rescheduled for another time.

"Consequently, the local authorities have ordered that Osimhen self-isolate and the check-up will be rescheduled after he has tested negative and his period of isolation ends," Napoli said in the statement that also stressed that Osimhen is asymptomatic.

With all the back and forth drama over his release to Nigeria for the AFCON in Cameroon, a Nigeria Football Federation source hinted THISDAY yesterday that Osimhen decided to pull out of the tournament to end the club-country row.

“He has spoken with interim Coach Austin Eguavoen, President Amaju (Pinnick), and even the Sports Minister (Sunday Dare) on his decision to pull out. They all understand the situation and have accepted his position. Victor (Osimhen) is a very dedicated player.

Some other players in his shoes would have feigned recovering from the cheekbone injury and turn their backs on Nigeria,” observed the top football source yesterday.

There was however another source that insisted that the federation was going to have a meeting today to try and convince Osimhen not to shut the door completely. “I he gets cleared by the surgeon in

Italy, he can still return to the squad dispute missing the opening game on January 11”, the source stated.

Until this second Coronavirus positive test, Osimhen was planning a return journey to Naples to play the Juventus match on January 6.

Osimhen was included in Eguavoen’s final 28-man squad after declaring himself fit to play in the continental showpiece event.

He was initially thought to be out for three months when he suffered the facial fractures after a clash of heads with Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar on 21 November.

The former Under-17 World Cup winner with the Golden Eaglets at Chile in 2015 required titanium plates and screws to be affixed to his cheekbone and eye socket.

Napoli doctor Gianpaolo Tartaro who operated the forward said the recovery date for him still remains 90 days making him unavailable to play for Nigeria at the tournament.

“For the formation of the callus bone, according to world protocols, it takes from 60 to 90 days. Unless a biological miracle,” the plastic surgeon told Top Italian news outlets Corriere Dello Sport,as per Tutto Napoli.

“If he does not do the CT scan, we will not be able to dissolve the prognosis. Reduced fractures must consolidate: I repeat, for the formation of the callus, you have to wait two or three months unless a Christmas biological miracle: but biology is not a fan.”

He however returned to training two weeks ago wearing a protective mask, giving him a chance of making the AFCON with the Super Eagles.

Before his injury, he recorded nine goals and two assists for Napoli this season as well as four goals for Nigeria in the 2022 World Cup qualifying series.

There is no official statement yet from the NFF on whether Osimhen would be replaced in the squad.

Akpeyi, Awoniyi, Four Others in Eagles’ Camp Super Eagles camp at Bolton White Apartment in Abuja swelled to six players as at press time last night with the arrival of Kaizer Chiefs’ Daniel Akpeyi.

Before Akpeyi ‘s arrival, those in camp include, UD Almeria (Spain), Olisa Ndah of Orlando Pirates (South Africa), John Noble Enyimba (Nigeria), Taiwo Awoniyi of Union Berlin (Germany) and Chidera Ejuke of CSKA Moscow (Russia).

More players were being expected to troop into camp later yesterday.

Apart from those whose seasons are still on like England and Spain, most of the Invited players are already in town but like several others before them, they are enjoying the Yuletide with family and friends instead of honing skills ahead Nigeria’s opening AFCON clash with Guinea Bissau on January 11.

NFF TO NEW EAGLES COACH:

Qualify Nigeria for World Cup or Get Sacked Newly appointed Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has been given the ultimatum of qualifying Nigeria for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar or get sacked.

After the near catastrophic relationship with German Gernot Rohr, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has insisted it is now strictly business. any coach who fails to deliver on his mandate will get sacked henceforth.

The 61-year-old was in charge of the Venezuela national team until August and has also coached Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, and Al Ahly of Egypt.

NFF Vice President, Shehu Dikko, speaking with ESPN yesterday, said that if he (Peseiro) fails to qualify Nigeria for the 2022 World Cup, the situation will be reviewed and a decision taken.

“If he does not qualify us for this World Cup, we will review the situation objectively and make a decision based on that,” Dikko said.

Nigeria will discover their World Cup play-off opponents on January 26.

The three-time African champions could face any of Congo DR, Egypt, Ghana, Mali or Cameroon for a place at Qatar 2022.

Victor Osimhen... tests positive for Coronavirus a second time. Self-isolating and has opted out of Nigeria's AFCON squad

NPFL: After Defeat at Aba, Finidi Rallies Enyimba for Kano Pillars Fisayo Dairo On a day goals were few and far between in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Ishaq Rafiu's 51st minute strike from 25 yards proved decisive for the Rivers United in inflicting the first loss of the campaign on Enyimba under new coach Finidi George.

The in-form attacker Rafiu netted a sublime effort early in the second half to give Pride of Rivers a shock 0-1 win away to arch rivals Enyimba on Wednesday.

But George had some

explanation for his team's performance in the loss and emphasised that their focus is already turned to the next game.

"Our aim is to look at the next game. This is a disappointing result for us at home and I think the boys will not be down and we will go out there to fight," said George.

It was his third league game in charge of Enyimba, having won the two previous fixtures against Abia Warriors and Rangers International respectively On the performance, the former Super Eagles winger, had this to say; "I've always said that

we're not going to win every game and I think that all through we didn't play our football. We played too many long balls which is not the way we play and I think that affected us.

"We lost a couple of balls in midfield and that gave them the strength to push so I think we should do better on it and we will work on it. We will see how we can go to Kaduna and get a victory", he concluded Enyimba had secured a priceless away win over Rangers International in Nnewi on Sunday and had hoped to make it three wins out of three

in the league but met a sharper, hungrier and more determined side in Stanley Eguma's Rivers United.

The game also marked a return to Aba for former Enyimba Head Coach, Fatai Osho, who left the club at the end of last season to take up an assistant role at Rivers United. Indeed, Osho's imprint was very evident in Rivers United's display on Wednesday.

Rivers United will now return home to face Sunshine Stars on Sunday in MatchDay 4 while Enyimba make a long trip to Kaduna to face Kano Pillars.

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SPORTS NIGERIAN SPORTS YEAR REVIEW... NIGERIAN SPORTS YEAR REVIEW...

A Mixed Bag of Fortunes for Nigerian Sports in 2021 Duro Ikhazuagbe The year 2021 rounding up at midnight today, was a mixed bag of some sort for Nigerian sports. However, the silver and bronze medals won by Blessing Oborududu and Ese Brume in the women’s Wrestling and Long Jump events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games respectively remain the high points of a year the country was more in the news for the wrong reasons!

The year effectively kicked off with the much postponed National Sports Festival hosted by the Edo State government.

It was a refreshing departure from previous games in terms of exquisite facilities provided by the Obaseki/Shaibu administration in the state. The facilities were good enough to host any multi-sports global competition. At the end of the games, Delta State walked away with the overall winners trophy.

Delta won 158 gold, 116 silver and 110 bronze medals, totalling 384 medals. Host, Edo State came second with 129 gold, 104 silver and 108 bronze medals, while Bayelsa State with 56 gold, 55 silver and 58 bronze medals finished third on the medals table. Bayelsa State was indeed the surprise of the pack as they dusted the likes of Rivers, Lagos and Kano states to the podium.

Before Oborodudu’s feat, Odunayo Adekuoroye was the poster girl of Team Nigeria and

L-R: Ese Brume; Sports Minister, Sunday Dare; and Blessing Oborududu, shortly after the Olympic Games in Tokyo was expected to deliver the gold in her event. But unfortunately, a technical error cost her returning from the Far East with any medal.

Brume on the other hand, dominated the long jump and even went as far as erasing Chioma Ajunwa’s Atlanta Olympic’s 7.12m feat in the event before proceeding to Tokyo 2020 with a 7.17m. It was not a question of if she was going to medal. It was the colour of the medal that was not clear before

the track & field event started. Her bronze was, in the local parlance, ‘a Golden Bronze’.

Blessing Okagbare’s blistering track and field career however ran into troubled waters as World Athletics’ Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) jolted the world with the news of her failed dope test.

Okagbare who had qualified for the semi finals of the sprint event was handed a suspension for testing positive to Human

Growth Hormone substance. She was eventually handed a ban after confirmation of B sample.

Despite all the embarrassment caused the nation not only by the news of the dope and the disqualification of several other athletes due to non compliance with required out-of-competition tests and their protests, Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare still celebrated the outing. Reason was that it was the country’s best

performance in about 13 years.

There was no medal at London 2012 and a solitary bronze was all that we had to show for Rio 2016. Dare’s Adopt-an-athlete initiative was the clincher working well to revive the sector while his Adopt-Facility-for - Renovation brought in both Aliko Dangote and Adebutu Kessington (Baba Ijebu) into helping to restore life back to both the Abuja National Stadium and the Sports City in Lagos.

In Football, the king of sports in Nigeria, Super Eagles qualified for the 2021 AFCON as well as the 2022 World Cup Playoffs.

However, it was the below-par quality displayed by Super Eagles that sent German Gernot Rohr packing from the Nigerian job.

Austin Eguavoen was therefore appointed on interim basis to lead the team to AFCON in Cameroon.

Although Portuguese Jose Peseiro’s appointment as Nigeria’s substantive gaffer has been confirmed, he is to remain on the sideline for Eguavoen to finish the AFCON duty.

Both Nigeria’s male and female teams failed to qualify for the Olympic football team events.

In the senior women’s football section, the Super Falcons were not impressive under Randy Waldrum.

At this year’s Summer Series – a Four-Nation Tournament involving Jamaica, Portugal and host, the USA women’s teams, Falcons suffered two losses and drew one.

Even at the Maiden Aisha

Buhari Cup hosted here in Lagos, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, rubbed in our faces the slide in the game in Nigeria, spanking Asisat Oshoala and her colleagues inside the refurbished Onikan waterfront renamed Mobolaji Johnson Arena on the Lagos Island. The Under-20 team however redeemed the country by qualifying for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Costa Rica next year.

The much attention and hope played on the country’s male and female teams to Tokyo 2020 however ended in despair. As the only African country to present both the male and female teams at the Olympics for the first time, the mostly America-based players gave so much hopes. Nigerians had reasons to expect so Uche from the male basketball team, D’Tigers in particular. They recorded some earth-shaking results against Argentina and the USA in a preOlympic exhibition tournament held in the Las Vegas. But at the games proper, they team lost all their matches but still showed a lot of promise. Same for the female team, D’Tigress.

Only D’Tigress salvaged the country’s image in the game in the continent. The Nigerian girls won the AfroBasket for the consecutive third year running while the male team failed .

The infighting in the NBBF however has caused an interregnum in the running of the basketball body. No elections held to elect Ahmadu Kida’s successor.

Friday December 31, 2021

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MISSILE Ex-VC to Nigerian Universities “Academic staff in Nigerian universities are overburdened. The ratio is over 30 students to a lecturer. The ratio in universities like Harvard, Oxford, is 1 to 5 students. The class that has the highest students will be 20. So, why will they not know their students? What we need to do in Nigeria is to follow the pattern” – Former UI VC, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, blaming the low ranking of Nigerian universities on poor lecturers to students’ ratio.

KAYODEFAYEMI GUEST COLUMNIST

The Nigeria Agenda N

o country in the world and in human history was created as a fully and permanently united entity from the outset. This is as true for multi-ethnic and multi-religious countries as it is true for those that are thought to be more homogenous. Indeed, in every country in our world, the task of managing diversity and difference in order to forge a common purpose and vision around which to rally the citizenry is a permanent condition of life - and a constant demand on leadership. Unity is never given ab initio or permanently; it requires to be nurtured and worked at constantly and on an on-going basis. And it is for this reason that governments and citizens alike cannot afford to take unity for granted or imagine that it is offered on a platter or acquired as an automatic given.

One of the imports of my observation that leaders and citizens have a duty to invest in and grow unity as a full time vocation is that those of our compatriots who, out of a modestly understandable frustration, often say that the Amalgamation of 1914 was a “mistake”, will do well to keep in mind that most countries in the world today are indeed the products of an involuntary and/or compelled mergers of peoples who, once brought together under the same roof had to work to forge bonds of unity among themselves. The important point which we must always remember is that unity anywhere and everywhere is an outcome that is generated out of initial conditions that are not by any means perfect. There is, therefore, no bypassing the hard work that leaders and governments must put in to build, sustain, and renew unity. And it is that hard work that we must call upon ourselves to undertake, doing so in faith and hope, with patience and patriotism, and an abiding commitment to the common history and humanity we share.

In the same way that unity is not an automatic given that can be taken for granted, so also is disunity not a fatalistic inevitability into which we are locked in perpetuity. No people are condemned to a life of permanent and perpetual disunity. Imperfections and failings in any union manifest themselves in various forms and shapes.

Differences and disagreements exist alongside cleavages and contradictions. We must learn as a people to accept that these are hard facts and features of any polity. Properly handled, they may be turned into important drivers of a socio-political dynamic that propels countries forward in their march of progress. Mismanaged and compounded, they may fester and become threats to stability and togetherness. Disunity of the kind that goes behind difference and divergence and which threatens violent collapse is, therefore, a mark of failings in governance, not the inevitable fate to which a people are condemned.

In going to some length to dispel popular misconceptions about unity and disunity, I do not by any means wish to deny or downplay the fact that as a country, we in Nigeria are faced with some of the most severe tests of our nationhood since the end of the civil war of 1967 to 1970. Rather, what I seek to convey, drawing on global comparative experiences, is to remind us that the choice of striving to build and sustain a united country belongs entirely to us. We can either opt to exercise that choice

Buhari or forfeit it. All things considered, I believe that most of us will easily and effortlessly opt to be part of and live in a united Nigeria as long as it can be made to work for us in equity, justice, inclusivity, and harmony. I submit that the duty of ensuring that type of a united country belongs to all of us collectively even if leaders at all levels and from various walks of life also carry a special responsibility.

For a people who have been in interaction with one another through commerce, migrations, diplomacy, religion, and inter-marriages centuries before the onset of colonial rule and the Amalgamation of 1914, it is clear that innumerable webs of inter-connection and inter-dependence have been woven over the ages that have served as important glues in the fabric of the country.

Indeed, based on the evidence of history and the contemporary sociological patterns of our country, it is incontestable that we have at least as many ties - if not more - that bind us together as differences that arise from time to time to pitch us against one other. For those commentators who have often wondered aloud how and why in the face of recurrent episodes of adversity, the Nigerian centre still manages to hold where in

Unity is not an automatic given that can be taken for granted, so also is disunity not a fatalistic inevitability into which we are locked in perpetuity

other countries faced with far lesser and fewer challenges they buckle precipitously and even flounder, they may wish to look more closely at the many tangible and intangible ties that form the strong underlying bond that holds the country together.

Two immediate implications flow from the foregoing. The first is that in the face of challenges, we must all learn to more effectively put the thorny matters that confront us into better perspective. Robust debate, principled disagreement, and honest scepticism are not in and of themselves bad for a polity; in fact, they comprise some of the main ingredients that make for a healthy system of governance and a thriving pluralism. What is bad is when divergences in opinion and interest are too hastily and opportunistically loaded with unhelpful baggage that play on structural divisions and stir up negative emotions as to turn any and all disagreements and difference into zerosum encounters in reckless brinkmanship or irresponsible populism. We must all learn to be charitable with one another at all times and stem the temptation to impute the most sinister motives to the pronouncements and actions of those with whom we find ourselves locked in disagreement.

The second implication of the foregoing is the imperative of paying much closer attention to the many things that unite us and ensuring that they inform our pronouncements and actions. There once was a time when these factors of cohesion and communion featured prominently in the efforts at nation-building and the construction of a national identity into which we were socialized after independence in 1960. Unfortunately, over time, these efforts were abandoned or severely diluted, and no longer feature in citizen and leadership training that are still on offer. As a matter of urgency, the efforts need to be restored, updated, and expanded at all levels, beginning with our educational curriculum and extending to the myriad of bodies such as the National Orientation Agency and the National Youth Service Corps.

Success in doing so will provide a much needed corrective to the tendentious narrative that we are a group of incompatible aliens corralled and compelled against our will and wish to live under the same national roof. It will also help to place difference and disagreement in a proper and broader perspective.

To be sure, unity cannot endure where injustice, exclusion, inequity and marginalisation are embedded in the practice of governance.

That is why as leaders, we must pay attention at all times to ensure that as we work to deliver on our mandate, fairness and equity are made our watchwords at all times. Our commitment to these values must not simply be minimalist - doing only the barest minimum required of us by the constitution - or token just for the sake of playing to the gallery - or even rhetorical - through the paying of lip service. Our commitment must be robust, consistent, and demonstrable so that citizens have absolutely no doubt about the important place they occupy in our policy and political priorities. As leaders, we must not only embody the ideals of national unity but also be seen to be their active torch bearers at all times. This way, we build popular trust in our actions and erase doubts about our intentions.

In the face of some of our recent challenges, I have often shuddered at the spectacle whereby some among us who have been entrusted with leadership responsibility very easily slide into the role of ethno-regional champions, xenophobes, and zealots. While it is normal that leaders must have their ears to the ground and feel the pulse of the people who have elected them - imbibing, reproducing, and spilling out raw and crude bile and pushing scorched earth solutions crosses the line of representation to become an exercise in the shirking of responsibility. Unlike the bulk of their followers, leaders are positioned and privileged to know that in matters of nation- and state-building, the world is far more complex than the simple and many at times simplistic binary divisions that are frequently deployed to oppose black and white. Leaders must truly lead by using the broader, more complex, and better nuanced understanding they have to help moderate and modulate seasons of deep division in the polity, rather than becoming the ones who add fuel to a raging fire.

Fostering unity in a context of multiple diversities no doubt requires fulsome attention to equity, justice, fair play, and merit. But we should also be clear that unity benefits considerably from vertical and horizontal solidarity as a key building block, lest we end up with a tyranny of meritocracy. We know from the best experiences in history that solidarity cements a sense of shared destiny among the peoples who make up a country. Contrary to popular claims that have been deployed to make the case for disintegration and separatism, solidarity does not negate merit or downplay professionalism. Instead, it serves as a political and ethical basis for engineering the structures and processes of forging a sense of oneness. Solidarity in this regard must be understood in all its dimensions: inter-group, inter-gender; and inter-generational. It offers hope to all citizens that no one will be wilfully excluded or sidelined whilst strengthening faith in the fact they belong to a country that cares.

I also believe that we should mark the start of a people-driven and mass-based effort to reaffirm the foundations of our unity. To this end, it may be worthwhile to consider birthing The Nigeria Agenda for Unity, Progress and Prosperity. Doing so will be our way of sending out a clear message that it is now time out to and a red card for agendas that do not emanate from a place of unalloyed commitment to advancing our unity in our forward march to greater heights.

I encourage the patriots organised under the banner of the National Prosperity Movement (NPM) to work with other like-minded bodies and redouble efforts towards the launching of The Nigeria Agenda and strive to make it the platform on which we should invest our efforts at stabilising the country on an even keel.

Finally, let us remember the important reminder which the late Ali Mazrui, foremost political scientist, shared with us as Africans: We are the people of the day before yesterday and the day after tomorrow. Let us dig deep into the lessons of our history and the comparative experiences of others in order to claim tomorrow as ours in our journey of national rebirth and progress.

•The above are excerpts from a statement made recently by Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State, at a National Unity Summit in Abuja

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