NNPC Sells N267bn Crude Oil, Maintains 1.42m bpd Output Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja a document presented to the Similarly, crude oil export cut in 1Q21. The overall while feedstock valued at from miscellaneous sources, Federation Account Allocation revenue received in March NNPC crude oil sale valued at $66.43 million was sold to the including gas and ullage (the The Nigerian National Committee (FAAC) at its April amounted to $93.37 million, N267.59bn (export & domestic Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas amount of empty space in a Petroleum Corporation 20-21 meeting, has shown. equivalent to N35.72 billion, crude) in February 2021 is Limited (NLNG) during the cargo ship's hull or in an oil (NNPC) sold crude oil worth The value of the crude, representing a 204 per 97.71 per cent higher than period, out of which $63.79 terminal tank) fees as well N267.59 billion in February, both export and domestic cent increase compared to N134.35 billion recorded in million was received during as interest income received while its total daily production for February, was 97 per cent February’s receipts. January 2021,” NNPC stated. the month. in March. stood at 1.42 million barrels per higher than that of January “Nigeria maintained 1.426 Domestic gas receipts in In addition, $2.22 million day in the first quarter of 2021, which was N134.35 billion. million bpd OPEC production the month were N5.75 billion, was classified as receipts Continued on page 8
Stock Market Rallies to N418bn Gain in April... Page 6
Tuesday 4 May, 2021 Vol 26. No 9521. Price: N250
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After 27 Years, Bill Gates and Wife, Melinda, End Marriage...Page 5 FG Moves to Curb Small Arms Influx, Establishes Control Centre Bauchi raises the alarm over Boko Haram threat to four LGAs National Security Council reconvenes today Deji Elumoye, Kingsley A statement yesterday by Nwezeh in Abuja and Segun the Office of the National Awofadeji in Bauchi Security Adviser (ONSA) and signed by Head, Strategic The federal government Communication, Mr. Zachari yesterday intensified itsUsman, said the centre would efforts to curb the rising be headed by Maj. Gen. influx of small arms and light A.M. Dikko (rtd) as pioneer weapons into the country, a coordinator. phenomenon believed to be This comes as the Bauchi responsible for the worsening State Government raised the insecurity in the polity. alarm that bandits and people It established the National displaced by Boko Haram Centre for the Control of Small insurgents in the neighbouring Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). Continued on page 8 Bandits Threaten to Kill Abducted Greenfield University Students Today Suspected herdsmen kill 17 in Benue John Shiklam in Kaduna and In an interview with the George Okoh in Makurdi Voice of America (VOA), Hausa service, one Sani Jalingo Bandits who abducted who claimed to be the leader some students of Greenfield of the abductors, warned that University in Kaduna have if the state government or threatened to kill the remaining parents of the students fail to ones still in captivity if their pay a ransom of N100 million SECURING THE FEDERAL CAPITAL... demand for ransom is not met Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello (left), and Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison, Maj. by today. Continued on page 8 Gen. Preye Fakrogha, during the army top brass’ visit to the minister in Abuja...yesterday
PDP Demands State Police, Power Devolution, Border Protection Council ...Page 5 2 TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 • THISDAY TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 • THISDAY TUESDAY, ͼ˜ͺͺ˾THISDAY 5
Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike NEWS Email [email protected], 08066066268 PDP Demands State Police, Power Devolution, Border Protection Council Chuks Okocha in Abuja Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited The Peoples Democratic Party (NIGCOMSAT), established (PDP) yesterday advocated many years ago by a PDP the creation of state police, administration, was designed border protection council for this purpose and others. and devolution of powers It recommended that the to address the spike in states where matters of insecurity in the country. national security challenges In a speech titled: ‘Nigeria that originated or existed must not fail,’ read at a world should be invited to the press conference in Abuja, National Security Council the National Chairman of the meeting for deliberation and PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, problem-solving interactions. said the main opposition "We call for the creation party also recommended of National Boarders the immediate upscaling Protection Force to secure our of the personnel strength of borders. This will include an the military and paramilitary integrated border protection organisations as well as the system that will draw provisions of the kinetic personnel and equipment instruments of war and law from existing armed service enforcement. and immigration. He said: “Our armed "We cannot continue to forces should be adequately watch while terrorists and equipped and their welfare bandits continue to levy war a top priority." on our nation, through our PDP said efforts should porous borders. This border be made towards partnering force should be equipped foreign governments and with reconnaissance, miscellaneous entities to help intelligence gathering, Nigeria combat insecurity. prevention, and enforcement. "The situation in our It should, therefore, have air, IN THE SERVICE OF GOD... country is not normal and sea, and land capability,” L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye; and his wife, exceptional steps should PDP said. Motunrayo, during the opening of the 34th Synod of the Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion) in Lagos...yesterday be taken to restore it to The party also called for normalcy. The PDP, as a body, synergy and cooperation "He should address it said. over the delay in the passage President Goodluck Jonathan is willing to give a helping among the armed services the nation on the various It raised the alarm that of the new electoral law administration, leading to hand in this direction," the both strategically and issues escalating tension in the country is bleeding ahead of the 2023 general the successful conduct of party added. operationally. the land and pushing the economically, adding election. elections of 2015, have since The PDP called for the According to the party, nation farther to the tips of that the operations of the It stated: "It is worrisome boldly reasserted themselves establishment of state police. there is no reason a theatre a precipice. Nigerian National Petroleum that the report of the National and are now taking territories "We call on all citizens to commander should not "It is serious political Corporation (NNPC) must Assembly Joint Committee in five local governments of support the quest for state have within his control the malpractice, for Mr. President be investigated and oversight on INEC, which finished its Niger State, which is only police as is the tradition in deployment of the air force, to stand aloof, say nothing, by the parliament. work since February 2021, two hours from Abuja. other federations. Mindful the army and the navy in do nothing and simply "The topsy-turvy situation is yet to be laid in the two The party said it was also of the current plethora of his operational area. wish that the problems where Mr. President, who is chambers of the National important to note that the vigilante in various parts It added: "All culprits, will somehow go away. It the Minister of Petroleum, Assembly. Governor of Kaduna State, of the country, which have who have levied war on is a great disservice to the approves oil wells only to "We are aware that the Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who not been enabled to carry Nigeria, should be brought to Nigerian people for Mr. reverse himself in a matter work of the committee, which by his position, is armed with out all the elements of book. It is unfathomable that President to abandon his of weeks as demonstrated also benefitted from the Joint credible intelligence, raised effective policing, we call several mass kidnappings presidential duties to two in the case of Addax and Technical Committee on the the alarm that terrorists and on the governors of the 36 have been successfully media handlers who resort Kaztech/Slavic consortium Repeal and Re-enactment of bandits were making inroads states, the leadership and staged with the culprits to issuing meaningless and (OMLs 123, 124, 126 and 137) the Electoral Act comprising into the towns in Kaduna members of the National not being held to account. annoying press statements in and others like that should select members of the State. Assembly, the speakers of It is a shameful irony that a the name of an amorphous be investigated," it said. National Assembly, INEC, “Also, noteworthy is the the state Assemblies, relevant few bandit leaders that have and questionable organisation The party blamed the the civil society, and other alarm raised by the Governor agencies of government, been taken out were killed called ‘The presidency’. tension and current separatist experts made far-reaching of Nasarawa State, Sule to occasion a summit for by rival gangs and not our Enough of trivialising agitations threatening the recommendations that would Abdullahi, that Boko Haram a one-stop-shop regarding security agencies. governance and trifling with corporate existence of Nigeria benefit our electoral system was occupying territories in the creation, structure and "If Sheik Gumi could detect the lives, livelihoods and on what it described as the and democracy. his state. A strategic and management of state police,” and engage the bandits, we wellbeing of the Nigerian perfunctory management "This includes early intelligent interpretation of PDP stated. do not understand why our people,” PDP stated. of diversity by the federal primaries, such that if these is that Nigeria’s Federal The party also called for security agencies cannot The party called on the government. approved by the National Capital Territory (FCT) is the deployment of technology track, arrest, and prosecute federal government to stop "Worse still, instead of Assembly and signed by the surrounded. Presently, the in the fight against terror, them." borrowing. engaging Nigerians, this president, INEC is expected nation has witnessed an banditry, and other crimes. It called on the “Our future generations administration resorts to to call for nominations in upsurge of kidnapping in The PDP demanded administration of President are being mortgaged and harassment and intimidation February 2022, while political the FCT, further giving that all culprits should be Muhammadu Buhari to shed railroaded into an avoidable of voices of dissent,” the parties will have until July vent to the assertions of brought to book, stressing weight on arrogance, lack of debt trap. APC should do party added. 2022 to conduct primaries the governors,” the party that the apparent failure of respect for Nigerians and its away with their nepotism In calling for devolution and submit a list of their added. intelligence to track attacks pretense of being an island and hire experts that will of powers, the party said: candidates.” The party alleged that no by bandits and follow up on of integrity. help creatively navigate "We call for the devolution PDP added that it was fewer than 741 Nigerians them was a clear failure of PDP said Buhari should the nation through the dire of more powers to the states unimaginable that terrorists, were murdered by bandits the intelligence community. begin to engage the citizens economic challenges they and local governments.” who had been pushed and terrorists between The party noted that the directly. have led the nation into,” PDP expressed worries out to the fringes by the January and April. After 27 Years, Bill Gates and Wife, Melinda, End Marriage Vanessa Obioha made the decision to end our chairman and became chief The couple created the has "enabled people to lead accused of using vaccines to marriage," read a statement software architect. Bill and Melinda Gates healthy, productive lives." depopulate Africa. American business magnate signed by him and his wife. He is one of the richest Foundation in 2000 by At the peak of the Gates noted that they and co-founder of Microsoft Gates co-founded Microsoft people in the world, worth combining three family COVID-19 pandemic last year would continue to work Corporation will be ending with a childhood friend, Paul an estimated $124 billion foundations. The Foundation the couple was among the together at the Foundation his 27-year marriage to his Allen, in Albuquerque, New according to Forbes. was identified by the Funds leading figures in the fight but "we no longer believe wife Melinda. Mexico. It went on to become He married Melinda French for NGOs company in 2013, against the deadly virus. In we can grow together as a The philanthropist took the world's largest personal on a golf course on the as the world's wealthiest Nigeria, however, Melinda's couple in this next phase of to his official Twitter handle computer software company. Hawaiian island of Lanai on charitable foundation, with comment on the pandemic our lives." yesterday to make the Gates led the company January 1, 1994. Their union assets reportedly valued at would impact developing The couple is the latest announcement. as chairman and CEO until produced three children: more than $34.6 billion. countries, particularly Africa power couple to end their "After a great deal of stepping down as CEO in Jennifer, Rory and Phoebe The statement added during a CNN interview marriage. Amazon founder thought and a lot of work January 2000, succeeded by which Gates acknowledged that the Foundation which didn't augur well with Jeff Bezos ended his marriage on our marriage, we have Steve Ballmer but he remained in his tweet. works all over the world many. The Gates were falsely to his wife MacKenzie in 2019. 6 TUESDAY, ͼ˜ͺͺ˾THISDAY NEWS Stock Market Rallies to N418bn Gain in April Goddy Egene He said: “Both bonds a downside risk to equity risk appetite of both retail stimulating capital flow to the price recovery in April 2021. and equities benefited from offerings and they continue and institutional investors. private sector. “More so, probable sell-off The Nigerian stock market the declining incidence of to rebalance clients' portfolio Notably, the search for a higher "For instance, the 364-day from local investors, some of rebounded from the losses COVID-19 pandemic and to reflect their proactive view return on investments, which treasury bill printed at 9.75 per who are renowned for their it suffered in February and increasing rate of vaccination. on the different segments of stimulated capital flows into cent discount rate at the last preference for cash dividend, March, gaining N418 billion in "The increasing confidence the market and broader macro equity market late 2020 and auction is some 75bps higher may be influenced by the fact April on the back of impressive generated by this event has outlook, they remained buyers early 2021, especially from local than the last auction and an that they have qualified for 2020 full-year results and already given impetus to of equities. pensions and traditional asset incredible steep rise when most corporate actions declared positive 2021 first-quarter International Monetary Fund “Albeit we are very selective managers, is gradually easing, viewed from the perspective on the back of 2020 full-year corporate earnings. (IMF) to revise Nigeria's Gross in our stock options and this given the considerable rise of near-zero rate on treasury earnings season, with no major The market had declined in Domestic Product (GDP) is perhaps one of those times in the yield on fixed income bills in the second half of 2020. dividend attraction in sight the two previous months due forecast for 2021 from 1.5 per when it is clinically important securities, which have seen "The increasing appetite of until late-third quarter (Q3) to profit-taking and shift to cent to 2.7 per cent. for portfolio managers to average of 550 basis points investors for high yield risk- when a few banks should fixed income market following "The investors’ confidence ensure investment decisions rise year-to-date,” Rasaq said. free asset is well expressed declare interim dividends. a sudden uptick in yields. that this vote of confidence can on discretionary portfolios According to him, inflation- by the 2.75x subscription Nonetheless, Nigerian equity However, when companies generate, is likely to propel are strictly aligned with client adjusted return on a fixed level at the last treasury bill remains a great asset class began to release their 2020 Nigeria's capital market to profiling, which is one of our income securities is still auction. This is a phenomenon for both local and foreign full year results, showing great height this year, save fundamental guiding principles negative given the 50-month- that was also evident at the investors, as it trades at unexpected impressive for crippling insecurity and in either advising clients or high headline inflation rate of last OMO auction when the discount to peer frontier and performance, many investors hyperinflation.” managing their wealth. 18.17 per cent. 348-day treasury was issued emerging market equities, as realised that the balance sheets On her part, the Executive "The rising yield He added that compared at 10.1 per cent, saliently reflected by the valuation of of companies withstood the Director, NOVA Merchant environment also reinforces to the average 14.1 per communicating probable shift comparable MSCI Indices. devastation of COVID-19 Bank, Mrs. Funke Okoya, the call of NOVA Merchant cent yield on the 30-year in monetary policy authority's Interestingly, dividend pandemic. said the positive return on the Bank's investment banking benchmark bond, the year- stance in maintaining an yields on a number of value- The high demand for NGX ASI in April reflected the subsidiary for corporate to-date rise in interest rate accommodative policy aimed counters on the NGX remain stocks lifted the Nigerian appetite of investors for cash clients to accelerate their debt (using the Sovereign yield at steering the economy out compelling, with a number Exchange Limited's (NGX) dividend declared in 2020 full capital plans and execution, curve as a proxy) is likely of recession and perhaps a of tier-1 banks and mid-cap market capitalisation from year earnings season, especially to take advantage of the yield to undermine cash allocation signal that the Central Bank of stocks trading at double-digit N20.429 trillion to N20.847 as local investors remained environment, which has seen to equities, especially as Nigeria (CBN) may again have dividend yields and incredibly trillion, which translated to the providers of liquidity in a steep rise over the past four institutional investors may prioritised its preference for low earnings multiples. a gain of N418 billion. the equity market, as foreign months,” she said. become concerned that naira stability over the appetite "Given the strong oversight Similarly, the NGX All-Share investors' participation remains. A financial analyst, Abiola higher inflation and relatively for low interest rate, especially of the CBN on banks, it is quite Index (ASI) rose by 2.0 per “That being said, the strong Rasaq, said the earnings weak economic recovery may as rising core inflation also surprising that some large and cent from 39,045.13 to 39,834.42. performance of equities in season and more importantly weaken corporate earnings presents a new constraint on mid-sized banks are trading at This is an improvement on the April, despite the rising corporate actions from major growth in the near term. the erstwhile policy stance.” discount to their book values, 1.9 per cent decline recorded yield environment which bellwether stocks triggered the He said: “Double-digit However, Rasaq stated that an attractive valuation, which in March. would have to undermine risk appetite of local investors for return on risk-free sovereign it is pertinent to also note should hopefully drive alpha Contrary to apprehension by appetite for equities, reinforces stocks in April. notes may unfortunately likely profit taking by some return for long-only investors investors that the COVID-19 the capacity of the local “Nonetheless, with the undermine some progress active equity traders, whose with appreciable investment pandemic might impair the investors and the need to build rising yield on a fixed made over the past 18months, hedge-fund-like investment horizon, as the long term profitability of companies, a self-sustaining local investor income market, investors when the lower interest rate strategy may justify a sell-off return on these stocks should and hinder them from base that can progressively and may be reducing exposure to environment partly helped in on stocks that are in-the-money, compensate for the near term paying dividends, some sustainably fund a private equities, a phenomenon that reducing the crowd-out effect following the bull-run seen on nuances and price volatility leading companies did not sector-led economic resurgence may reflect the moderating of public sector borrowing in stocks in 2020 and the modest on the stocks,” Rasaq stated. only end 2020 better but also and provide liquidity in the recommended dividends that secondary markets. further spurred the positive "Clearly, Nigerian equities sentiments witnessed in the remain cheap and attractive market in April. at current valuation, thus Commenting on the reinforcing the potential return performance of the market, to investors, especially over a securities dealer, Mr. David the long term. Whilst rising Adonri of Highcap Securities yield may undercut the rally on Limited, said all sectors equities in the months ahead, were lifted up by favourable the discounted valuation on sentiments. stocks is an opportunity for He stated: “The equities passive investors to build market was lifted up by the portfolios, capable of delivering surprisingly good full-year superior returns over the long results released by several term. companies. Investors’ "This is why Nova Merchant confidence soared fromBank continues to explore the realisation that the balance synergy between our securities sheet of companies withstood trading and asset management the devastation of COVID-19. subsidiaries in providing end- "Apparently, the heightened to-end wealth management insecurity that brought the suite of offerings to local rural economy to a standstill HNIs and foreign clients did not, in general, affect in ensuring they maintain the bottom line of most diversified portfolios, actively companies.” managed by an experienced He added that the excess team of analysts and portfolio monies from failed application managers, based on diligent for Federal Government of research, on-the-ground Nigeria (FGN) bonds, which knowledge, best execution CHAMPION GOES TO OSOGBO... inundated the equities market and client-centric philosophy,” L-R: General Manager, Daily Champion Newspaper (Publications), Mr. Thomas Imonikhe; Group Managing Director/ Editor- might have also contributed she said. in-Chief, Mrs. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa; and Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, during the visit of the newspaper’s to its impressive performance Okoya stated that as much in April. as the rising yield presents executives to the governor in Osogbo...yesterday Senate Leadership Meets Buhari This Week Over Worsening Insecurity Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Buhari. include the Deputy President The Senators decision was set up Ad-hoc Committee on According to him, for It was gathered that the of the Senate, Senator Ovie sequel to the adoption of a Security, and declared every almost seven years Niger East The leadership of the Senate will meeting would have been Omo-Agege; Senate Leader, motion of urgent national support at bringing an end Senatorial District has come this week meet with President fixed for Monday but for Senator Yahaya Abubakar and importance, titled, 'Need for to the persistent insecurity in under constant and sustained Muhammadu Buhari over the the public holiday declared Senate Minority Leader, Senator federal government to deploy our nation, yet insecurity has multiple deadly attacks by myriad of security challenges by the federal government Eyinnaya Abaribe. troops and other security continued to elude the nation. heartless and venomous Boko facing the nation. to mark this year's Workers' Lawan will at the meeting apparatus to immediately These repeated attacks, Haram terrorists who are always The Senate had at last Day which informed why it formally present to President bring an end to the menace according to him, are taking heavily armed with assorted Tuesday's plenary mandated had to be pushed forward to Buhari the upper chamber's of insurgency and terrorism place amid an absence of sophisticated and dangerous its leadership to rub minds with later this week. resolution on the need for the in Niger state and other parts slightest hindrance, resistance, weapons unleashing their horror President Buhari on a possible The meeting, according to Executive to take urgent steps of Nigeria,' moved by Senator or confrontation from the on the innocent populace. solution to the mounting sources, will hold at short notice to end the security skirmishes Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger authorities concerned. He noted that about 42 security problems facing the "and it may be on Tuesday or across the country. East). Musa called for a total communities across the two country. any other day but definitely The Senate had last Tuesday Moving the motion, Musa review of the nation's security local government areas of Sources told THISDAY that this week". expressed concern over the lamented that the activities architecture, adding that if Shiroro and Munya Local the leadership of the upper Those to accompany the deteriorating security situation of bandits and Boko Haram this menace is not drastically Government have so far fallen legislative chamber has gotten President of the Senate, Dr of the country, and mandated its terrorists in Niger state has addressed, the attacks will under the Boko Haram control across to the Chief of Staff to the Ahmad Lawan to the closed- leaders to meet with President taken a dangerous dimension continue and the danger is that with about 5,000 villagers President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari door meeting with the President Buhari to discuss the issue and He recalled that the Senate they may escalate further to already displaced in the last to get a possible date to see at the State House, Abuja, proffer lasting solutions. have made several resolutions, other communities. three days. TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 • THISDAY 7 8 TUESDAY, ͼ˜ͺͺ˾THISDAY PAGE EIGHT Delta Optimistic as FG Expects £4.2m Ibori Recoveries Soon Banking documentations delaying return of funds Davidson Iriekpen in Lagos appreciated the efforts of the option ‘B’ will mean that you "Sometimes when a country returned by the UK under utilisation of such recovered and Alex Enumah in Abuja federal government to see that are faithless. We are very transfers funds, it may take the UK-Nigeria MoU entered assets for the benefit of our the funds are repatriated. convinced that the federal a little bit time more than in 2016. deserving citizens." Delta State government has He stated that the state is government will do the right expected due to some Ibori had in 2012 pleaded Malami stated that the restated its optimism that the also looking forward to the thing and we don't think they documentation." guilty to money laundering federal government had £4.2 million recovered from return of the remaining money. will do otherwise. There's no He, however, added that and other charges in a UK provided the required mutual associates of a former governor He said: “We are quite need to begin to say we will the public would be informed court and was consequently assistance and back-up to the of the state, Chief James Ibori, optimistic that the federal consider other options.” once the money is received. sentenced to 13 years British authorities while the would be returned to the state. government will do the The Delta State government "Documentations with the imprisonment. prosecution of Ibori lasted in The state government needful and then make the has been clamouring for the banks in different countries Some of his associates were London. expressed the optimism funds available to Delta for return of the money, or in often take longer than convicted and also sentenced The AGF had said that in following a statement the purpose of executing the alternative, it should be anticipated. We anticipated to prison over similar charges. consonance with the existing yesterday by the Attorney- projects.” expended on projects in the two weeks but we are not However, the federal framework engaged in the General of the Federation When asked if the state state. in control of the banks," he government in the 2016 MoU management of previous (AGF) and Minister of Justice, government is exploring However, earlier yesterday, said, adding that the federal has been pursuing the return recoveries, the Federal Mr. Abubakar Malami, that other options if the federal Malami had said the funds government is working to of the assets in the UK to Executive Council (FEC) had the federal government would government refuses to remit would soon be returned to make sure that the transfer Nigeria. directed that the repatriated soon take possession of the the money to the state, he the federal government. goes through successfully. The AGF had described funds should be deployed recovered money. said: “That's still in the realm He blamed the delay on "There is neither the signing of the MoU as towards the completion of Reacting to the of speculations because we some documentation relating complacency nor any delay "another major milestone in the Second Niger Bridge, announcement, the Delta don't believe that that is going to international financial as efforts are being made to our determined quest as a Abuja-Kano Expressway and State Commissioner for to happen. In this instance, transactions. ensure successful transfer of nation to attain full recovery the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Information, Mr. Charles we hope and believe that Malami in the statement the looted funds," he said. of all looted assets, prevent under the coordination of the Aniagwu, told THISDAY the federal government will signed by his media aide, The money would be the abuse of recovered assets Nigeria Social Investment that the state government act right because having an Dr. Umar Gwandu, said: first of seized assets to be and also to ensure optimal Authority (NSIA). FG MOVES TO CURB SMALL ARMS INFLUX, ESTABLISHES CONTROL CENTRE Yobe State have infiltrated institutional mechanism for Africa and Nigeria. the United Nations and He was also a Military from the defunct presidential four local government areas policy guidance, research and "As one of the measures in ECOWAS plans of action Adviser, United Nation Office committee originally set up in the state. monitoring of all aspects tackling this threat, the new on the control of SALW. for West Africa, Director for the same purpose. However, as part of of Small Arms and Light centre will be fulfilling the "The centre will maintain Peacekeeping Operations A former Director of State efforts to finetune strategy Weapons (SALW) in Nigeria. requirements of the ECOWAS international cooperation and Defence Headquarters, Security (DSS), Mr. Mike at combating insecurity, the It added: "This decision Moratorium on Import, also operate zonal offices in Commander Operation Last Ejiofor, said the federal National Security Council is part of the ongoing Export, and Manufacture the six geo-political zones Hold as well as Commander, government should have (NSC), headed by President restructuring of Nigeria’s of Light Weapons as well to ensure quick response Operation Lafiya Dole. applied the funding in Muhammadu Buhari, will security architecture to as the UN Plan of Action and effective mobilisation However, security analysts procuring arms instead of reconvene today in Abuja address emerging threats to prevent, combat and of resources," it added. have criticised the federal creating another bureaucracy to proffer lasting solutions and strengthen the regional eradicate the illicit trade The ONSA said the pioneer government’s action, saying for diversion of funds. to the security challenges mechanism for the control, in SALW." National Coordinator, Dikko, the establishment of the He stated: "What is there? facing the country. prevention and regulation It said the centre would had served in various centre without a strategy for There was a committee on The ONSA statement of SALW. serve as the national capacities in and outside the control of the influx of small and light weapons that said the new centre, to be "The impact of the focal point on SALW in Nigeria. arms through the nation's was in place before. There domiciled in the Office of the proliferation of SALW across Nigeria and lead a multi- He was a course director at porous borders and the should have been an audit National Security Adviser, national borders in Africa stakeholder process involving the Kofi Annan International application of technology of the one there before to see would replace the defunct and the Sahel region has government Ministries, Peacekeeping Centre and to monitor the movement the successes and failures. Presidential Committee resulted in terrorism, human Departments, Agencies Chief Instructor of the of arms will make the centre It's just another source of on Small Arms and Light trafficking, organised crime, (MDAs) and the civil society Nigerian Army Peacekeeping become another bureaucratic Weapons and serve as the and insurrections in West in implementing all national, Centre. arrangement not too different Continued on page 10 BANDITS THREATEN TO KILL ABDUCTED GREENFIELD UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TODAY and provide them with 10 new the late Emir of Zazzau, to prove that the state and contacted. launched the attack on Tse speculations that security Honda motorcycles by today, Alhaji Shehu Idris, whose the federal governments had Efforts to get the reaction Angbeghe, killing 15 people agencies had compromised the remaining students would name was given as Hamza. failed. of the university authorities while 26 others sustained in their assignment. be killed. He stated that the families Jalingo described himself as were unsuccessful as the injuries. An indigene of the local This is coming as no fewer of the abducted students had a “food seeker,” when asked mobile phone of the registrar, The attackers also blocked government and a journalist, than 17 villagers were feared already paid N55 million, but if he is a terrorist. Mr. Bashir Mohammed, was the Naka Nagi Agagbe road Mr. Francis Ugbede, said killed in a fresh attack by they had spent the money He also warned security switched off. killing two people on a the herdsmen had taken suspected herdsmen in Benue to feed the students. agencies against planting motorcycle while four others over seven council wards State. “You are speaking with trackers on the motorcycles, Suspected were injured. of Sengev , Gaagev/Tongev, The Kaduna students, the abductors of Greenfield as his members don’t go to The attack prompted a Saghev/Ukusu, Tough Ateer/ numbering about 22, were students. We heard the towns, stressing that arresting Herdsmen Kill 17 peaceful protest in Naka town Ijaha, Gaambe Ushin and abducted on April 18 when comments of the Kaduna them would be difficult. People in Benue by the Christian Association Mbachohon Avihijme. the hoodlums invaded the State governor that he will One of the abducted of Nigeria (CAN), Gwer West He called for increased school about 8:30 pm. not pay ransom to bandits students, Abigail Usman, also Meanwhile, no fewer than Chapter. security patrols in the local They were said to have to purchase additional arms. spoke during the telephone 17 people were feared killed A pastor in the area, Mr. communities. demanded N800 million “If they fail to bring N100 interview, calling on the yesterday by suspected Sule Sunday, on behalf of Meanwhile, security ransom for the release of million and 10 brand new government and parents herdsmen in Tse Angbeghe the Christian community, personnel have been drafted the students. Honda motorcycles known to pay the ransom “so that Udam Aondoana and Agbanu expressed sadness over to the area to prevent further However, while as Boko Haram by Tuesday, I they will not kill us.” Seghev/Ukuse in Gwer West the persistent attack on the attacks. negotiations were still can assure you they will use Kaduna State police Local Government Area of communities. According to the state ongoing, five of the students trucks to evacuate the bodies spokesman, Mr. Mohammed Benue State. He called on the Police PRO (DSP), Ms. were killed. of the remaining students,” Jalinge; and the state According to Mrs. Felicia government to intervene. Catherine Anene, the police Jalingo said 17 students, Jalingo was quoted as saying Commissioner for Internal Anor, who survived the A resident pastor in the are aware of the incident. comprising 15 girls and two in the interview. Security and Home Affairs, attack, the herdsmen came area, Rev. Shamange, urged She, however, could not boys, were in his custody, He said five of the Mr. Samuel Aruwan did not through Akpachi in Otukpo security operatives to go after confirm the number of people including the grandson of abducted students were killed respond to inquiries when Local Government Area and the attackers to disclaim the killed. NNPC SELLS N267BN CRUDE OIL, MAINTAINS 1.42M BPD OUTPUT The corporation’s value loss between the landing cost of According to the document, while for gas infrastructure project consumed N83.3 balance of $1.54 billion. due to payment of subsidy petrol and the ex-coastal price the landing cost for the 36 development, out of the N5 million. In terms of production as revealed last week in in the month of February vessels that brought in the billion earmarked, N2.4 The document also losses, N1.63 billion worth a letter to the accountant 2021 affected the revenue product into Nigeria ranged billion was released. indicated that N1.8 billion of petrol was lost on three general of the federation accruable to the federation. from N155 to N170, while the Crude oil pre-export was spent on security and pipelines, namely: Atlas was also reflected in the “The corporation, being ex-depot price remained at inspection agency services pipelines maintenance in Cove/Mosimi, Mosimi/ document obtained by the sole importer of petrol, N128 and the loss per vessel gulped N462 million. December last year, while Ibadan and Ibadan/Ilorin THISDAY, although it wasn’t awaits the outcome of ranged from N347 million to Frontier exploration strategic holding was N1.86 segments the month under clear what gave rise to the the engagement between N3.4 billion, based on the consumed N2.2 billion, billion, totalling N3.6 billion. consideration. difference in the sums which government and relevant 1.74 billion litres imported renewable energy On Joint Venture (JV) February total crude oil was N112 billion in the letter stakeholders to establish during the month. development was N137 repayment agreement, the exports payable in March was to the AGF while it reflected an appropriate petroleum For the NNPC’s funding million, pre-export financing NNPC noted that till date, $93.3 million, while February N60.4 billion in the FAAC products pricing schedule, out of the N6.7 gulped N10 billion, N8.3 it has paid $3.1 billion out domestic crude oil payable in document. methodology in a deregulated billion budgeted for national billion was spent on refinery of the total negotiated debt May in line with the 90-day “The shortfall of N60.4bn environment,” the NNPC domestic gas development, rehabilitation while the of $4.6 billion owed its JV payment terms was N231.8 arising from the difference added. N6.1 billion was released, Nigeria-Morocco pipeline partners, with an outstanding billion, the corporation said. TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 • THISDAY 9 10 TUESDAY, ͼ˜ͺͺ˾THISDAY NEWS Editors Seek Release of Detained Journalists, Review of NBC Code Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Day, noted that journalists “In Nigeria, several while others were fined for NGE further called for the frontline of Covid-19 across the world face grave journalists have suffered airing dissenting opinions. a review of the national pandemic coverage as well The Nigerian Guild of challenges while some have harassment, some detained The guild condemns very broadcasting code and as those charged with the Editors (NGE), yesterday paid the supreme price arbitrarily while some were strongly these attempts at all other media statutes, responsibility of reporting called for the release of because most governments murdered in cold blood by muzzling the media,” NGE to bring them in tune crime and security, at a journalists who are still still perceive journalists as unknown assailants. stated. with democracy and the time when the nation is in detention across the intruders into the public “In 2020, alone, no The guild urged promotion of free speech. struggling to contain the country, urging media space. fewer than 60 journalists governments at all levels in The body of editors urged scourge of insecurity. owners, the private sector Quoting data from the in Nigeria faced life and Nigeria to value information the Nigerian government to, World Press Freedom and the government, to International Federation of career-threatening challenges as a public good and treat at all times, strive to protect Day was proclaimed provide special protection Journalists (IFJ), the largest in the form of intimidation, the conveyors of information the media, stressing that is by the United Nations for journalists, as most of global body of journalists arrest and detention. Three as partners, instead of only then that ‘Information General Assembly in them are often neglected from over 140 countries, journalists were killed seeing them as enemies. as a Public Good’ would December 1993, following and exposed to sundry the NGE stated that 66 within the same period, one Describing the media become relevant. the recommendation challenges. journalists were murdered by security forces during a as a partner and a critical “The guild aligns with of UNESCO’s General According to the guild, in 2020 alone while more protest in Abuja and two stakeholder in the national the UN and other world Conference. these challenges do not than 1,000 journalists have by unknown gunmen in project, the guild noted bodies in calling for the The day was inaugurated only impair the ability of died from covid-19 in 73 Adamawa and Nasarawa that journalists played a release of all journalists to act as a reminder to journalists to discharge their countries since the start of states. major role in the struggle in detention. Nigeria, and governments, of the need duties, but also imperil their the pandemic. “Attacks on journalists, for independence and indeed the world, needs to respect their commitment lives, culminating, in some Also referencing the their offices were not enthronement of democracy. a free press to promote to press freedom and places cases, in untimely deaths. Committee to Protect spared. Several media It noted that the democracy, effectively a responsibility on media A statement jointly signed Journalists (CPJ), the outlets were attacked harassment of the media by report the pandemic and professionals to reflect on, by the NGE President, organisation disclosed that and torched by irate mob the National Broadcasting other issues threatening and adhere to the principles Mr. Mustapha Isah, and 274 journalists were jailed during the #ENDSARS Commission (NBC) the human existence, including of best practices that General Secretary, Mrs. Mary in 2020 for doing their job protests, with four media police, Department of State insecurity,” it said. promote professionalism, Atolagbe, on the occasion of treating information as outlets fined for their Service (DSS) and other state The NGE particularly ethical reporting and of World Press Freedom a public good. coverage of the protests actors should stop forthwith. celebrated journalists in public-spirited advocacy. International Law Firm Elects First Nigeria-qualified Partner Leading international law Nigeria-qualified lawyer Oladosu, a graduate of and a partner at Templars, His experience includes Regional Managing Partner firm, Clifford Chance,to be elected to the global the University of Ibadan, Nigeria's pre-eminent full- advising on some of the for Africa, Mr. Anthony yesterday announced the partnership of a Magic attended the Nigerian Law service law firm. most complex and market- Giustini, extended his election of Mr. Olamide Circle firm. School. He specialises in energy leading transactions in the congratulations to Oladosu. Oladosu as a partner. A statement issued by He was called to the and infrastructure with region, including advising Giustini noted that The new appointee is also the firm disclosed that his Nigerian bar and was a focus on the African the sponsors of the Azura Oladosu's election is part of a global cohort of 29 election was being celebrated subsequently admitted as continent and is based in power plant project in a recognition of his new partners drawn from all across the industry as a solicitor in England & the firm's London office. Nigeria and the lenders exceptional legal expertise of the firm's market-leading yet another example of a Wales. In addition to his fee- to the Tema LNG project and business acumen practices and every region. Nigerian excelling at the Oladosu was previously earning work, Oladosu leads in Ghana. and illustrated the firm's With his election, highest professional level the general counsel at Rand Clifford Chance's practice In a statement released eagerness to promote and Oladosu becomes the first on the global stage. Merchant Bank Nigeria in Anglophone West Africa. by Clifford Chance, its nurture African talents. FG MOVES TO CURB SMALL ARMS INFLUX, ESTABLISHES CONTROL CENTRE diversion of funds to me. borders, it won't work. rather more about how to favour a whole new the Boko Haram militants, the area in preparation for "As I said we need to Bureaucracies cannot manage create new opportunities for bureaucracy to undertake there has been an influx of an attack," he stated. restructure and we need borders without technology. patronage rather than well law enforcement work. The people into the state through state police. I don't think they A drone technology that will thought through initiatives NCCSALW, like the Counter four LGAs in the northern National will achieve any results. Are be able to see who is coming that address the issues". Terrorism Centre, will serve part of the Bauchi State. This you going to force people in through the borders to In his contribution, a the purpose, coordinating influx of the displaced people Security Council to bring their arms without monitor who is bringing in Principal Officer of the other security agencies has put the state under Reconvenes Today the existing structure, the arms", he said. International Society for Civil to effectively tackle the security threat; our facilities security agencies?" According to him, the Liberties and Rule of Law proliferation of SALW. are now overstretched and The National Security He added that the funding borders in the North are (Intersociety), Mr. Emeka "Recall that the Border we are not comfortable with Council (NSC) headed by for the centre would have almost unmanageable and Umeagbalasi, said security Closure Swift Response the development," he said. President Muhammadu been deployed in the a free for all situation. challenges confronting the Exercise became Joint He, however, said the Buhari will reconvene today procurement of arms. Also, Executive Director, nation at the moment might Border Patrol Team in government had taken in Abuja to proffer lasting "That is a diversion and Rule of Law and Advocacy render the centre ineffective. which Nigeria is working steps to ensure that the solutions to the security still aimed at wasting our Center (RULAAC), Mr. He wondered if the with neighbouring countries threat did not turn into challenges facing the country. resources that would have Okechukwu Nwangwuma, centre would deal with all in several areas including an attack, adding that The council, which had been used to purchase said the government’s components of the country on small arms and light "profiling of all the people met last Friday, could not armament," he said. strategy to counter the threat fairly in its operations. weapons. coming into Bauchi State, conclude deliberations on A retired security of terrorism was ineffective. He said: "The question is "The new centre will now particularly in the four the security position of the personnel of the equivalent He stated: "The responses how will the policy or centre have personnel drawn from affected LGAs, will be done nation and had to adjourn rank of major general, who adopted by the government work? Will it be evenly or other services to provide in order to discover those till today to come with a spoke on the condition of are replete with flaws. The unevenly implemented? the technical input and with dangerous weapons holistic position on the anonymity, described the counterterrorism efforts of "How do you recover undertake the work of and demonise them." security crisis. centre as another duplication the government of Nigeria arms from Boko Haram, mopping up illegal arms," The SSG assured the THISDAY learnt that of bureaucracy, stressing that are mainly centred on ISWAP and herdsmen who he added. people that the state the meeting will hold at bureaucracies would not be military action and not have already taken up arms government would ensure the Conference Hall of the able to manage borders. guided by the national against the state?" that the joint operations of First Lady by 10 am with Bauchi Raises the Buhari presiding as usual. "It's a duplication of strategy (National Counter- He stated that if the centre Alarm over Boko the security agencies would bureaucracy. Whatever they Terrorism Strategy) released intended to mop up arms, be intensified, particularly Those expected to attend try to do is a waste of time in 2014. it would require "mobilised Haram Threat to air surveillance around the the meeting include Vice if the necessary things are "Even the NACTEST has disarmament" at peacetime Four LGAs affected LGAs. President Yemi Osinbajo; the not done. been found to be fraught which he said was better He added that the people Secretary to the Government “They need a drone with gaps that question organised by international Meanwhile, the Bauchi State were not camped in a of the Federation (SGF), Mr. capacity that works 24 hours, its suitability as a policy agencies. Government has raised the particular area but moving Boss Mustapha; the Chief of seven days a week. document for countering According to him, alarm that bandits and around the four LGAs and Staff to the President, Prof. "If they are serious about terrorism in Nigeria. NCCSALW would be more people displaced by Boko were harboured by residents Ibrahim Gambari and the mopping up arms, the "It is absolutely necessary effective when the country Haram insurgents in the of the communities, saying National Security Adviser centre will need strong to emplace a people-centred is seen as one. neighbouring Yobe State that security agencies would (NSA), Major-General vehicular and air platforms strategy for countering "In summary, it is a fire have infiltrated four local fish them out. Babagana Monguno (rtd). (helicopters) to be able to terrorism in Nigeria. Such brigade approach and a governments of Dambam, Others are: Chief of The government also Defence Staff (CDS), General respond quickly when arms a strategy must employ smokescreen," he added. Gamawa, Darazo and Zaki said that five of the bandits smugglers are cited. That is both government and non- Offering further in the state. Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army who reportedly destroyed Staff, Lieutenant-General where the work of such a governmental approaches. clarification, a source The Secretary to the State the MTN mast in Gamawa centre is located," he said. "I truly don't see where at ONSA said six zonal Government (SSG), Mr. Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of LGA in their bid to facilitate Naval Staff, Vice Admiral He stated that if the the establishment of a centre coordinating offices were Mohammed Baba, raised their nefarious activities had centre would not be able to for small and light weapons being set up. the alarm yesterday while Awwal Zubairu; Chief of been arrested. Air Staff; Chief of Air Staff, manage porous borders and control comes in within the “The presidential addressing journalists after "Some bandits have been apply drone technology in existing strategy. Experience committee (defunct) an emergency security Air Marshal Ishiaka Oladayo arrested for vandalising the Amoo and the Acting monitoring borders, it would shows that many people didn’t have an institutional council meeting in Bauchi. MTN installation in Gamawa not be successful. in government saddled mechanism because currently, "Following the overrunning Inspector-General of Police LGA with the intention of (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba. "If it cannot monitor the with responsibilities think the disposition does not of Geidam in Yobe State by blocking communication in TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 • THISDAY 11 12 TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 ˾THISDAY NEWS Military Rejects Call to Take over Power, Declares Loyalty to Buhari Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja so, saying the full wrath of the law to a statement purported to have “The Nigerian Military wishes administration and all associated firmly loyal to the President, would be brought upon them. been made by one Robert Clark to dissociate itself from such anti- democratic institutions”, it said. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed The military authorities yesterday The declaration of loyalty to (SAN), suggesting that the current democratic utterance and position. The Defence Headquarters Forces of the Federal Republic of rejected a call by a Senior Advocate the president followed a comment political leadership should hand Let it be stated categorically that the maintained that: “We shall Nigeria, President Muhammadu of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Robert attributed to Clarke, calling on over power to the military for the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains continue to remain apolitical, Buhari and the 1999 Constitution Clarke for it to take over power government to hand over to purpose of restructuring. fully committed to the present subordinate to the civil authority, as amended. and declared loyalty to President the military for the purpose of Muhammadu Buhari and the restructuring Nigeria. Nigerian Constitution. A statement issued by the Director, It also restated its commitment Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier- to democratic rule. General Onyema Nwachukwu, said The military authorities further the loyalty of the military establishment issued a stern warning to military was irrevocable. personnel contemplating any “The attention of the military treasonable act to desist from doing high command has been drawn Army Confirms Killing of Scores of Insurgents, Two Soldiers in Borno Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja away with various degrees of gunshot injuries while the The Nigerian Army has disclosed gallant troops are on their chase. that many insurgents and two Unfortunately however, two soldiers were killed during a personnel paid the supreme FINAL RESPECT…. fierce encounter in Ajiri town price in the resulting encounter”, L-R: Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; award-winning writer, Mrs. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; and her husband, Dr. in Konduga Local Government he said. Ivara Eseghe, during the funeral of Adichie’s mother, Mrs. Grace Ifeoma Adichie, at their home town of Abba, Anambra State…weekend. Area of Borno State. In a related development, An update issued by the troops of the newly reinvigorated Nigerian Army Headquarters said Operation Hadin Kai, thwarted NDLEA Raids Eateries in Plateau, Enugu, troops engaged the insurgents terrorists’ attempt to infiltrate in a fire-fight after the terrorists Rann, the capital of Kala Balge Recovers Cocaine, Cakes Baked with Drugs killed many of the residents and LGA of Borno State on May 1, Student nabbed for selling drugs on campus burnt nine houses. 2021. “The terrorists having reached The update said the terrorists in Operatives of the National Lamingo road and another branch grammes; Exol-5, 30kg; Diazepam capital where a 28-year-old part of the town, initially burnt their numbers attempted to disrupt Drug Law Enforcement Agency along Mining Quarters, Rantya Low 2.5kg and Pentazocine 1.5 kg, lady, Odo Ndidiamaka was nine houses and killed some the peace that was enjoyed by the (NDLEA) have raided some Cost estate, as well as Tuscany totalling 48.726kg. The Plateau arrested with 80.23grammes innocent residents before they border town but were met with eateries in Jos, the Plateau State Lounge on Azaki Ave, all within Commander, Ibrahim Braji of cocaine and 3.81grammes were engaged by the troops stiff resistance as the troops in the capital where freshly baked Jos metropolis. disclosed that five persons of methamphetamine. The deployed in the area. area engaged them in a fire-fight cakes made with cannabis sativa Beside the drugged cakes called have so far been arrested in state Commander of NDLEA, “The retreating terrorists went which lasted about an hour. were recovered in addition to brownie recovered from the three connection to the seized drugs. Mr. Abdul Abdullahi said the 48.726kilogrammes of assorted eateries, psychotropic substances also In the same vein, Enugu Command remained committed psychotropic substances. seized from there include: Barcadin State Command of the agency to unraveling other members Police Arrest Suspected Some of the drug joints raided Codeine 14kg; Flunitrazapem equally at the weekend raided of the drug cartel in the Kidnappers Who Kill Victim include: KNL Lounge located along 355.5grammes; Tramadol 370.1 the Nsukka axis of the state state. after Collecting Ransom Sanwo-Olu Vows to Make Lagos Safe John Shiklam in Kaduna The police spokesman said after collecting the ransom, the Following the high rate of Sanwo-Olu assured that Lagos that conversation because we remains safe and secure. The Kaduna State Police Command mastermind of the criminal act, insecurity in different parts of the would be a state that everybody know how critical this state is “In this month of May, you will has arrested four suspected Mohammed Nazifi, said to be country, Lagos State Governor, Mr. would be proud of, adding that to the nation. see extensive pronouncements in kidnappers who killed their victim, the neighbour of the victim, upon Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday his administration would deliver “This is the melting point for that regard. You will see extensive Mohammed Kabiru, a six-year-old sensing the possibility of the boy vowed that his administration on all the THEMES six-pillars our nation where anybody can policies and far reaching support boy after collecting N1 million revealing his identity if released, would stop at nothing to ensure developmental agenda for ‘Greater come in with a lot of aspirations that would be given out to all our ransom. decided to strangle him to death and that Lagos remained safe and Lagos.’ and do well. Lagos is a state that security operatives so that it is not Parading the suspects yesterday concealed the body in a drainage secure for all. He said: “Talking about security, gives hope to a lot of Nigerians. just a talk show and film show; in Kaduna, the spokesman of the system at the outskirts of Kano Speaking at the 3rd Session of we can say Lagos is relatively Lagos is a state that gives hope it is something we are committed state police command, Mohammad Municipal, Kano State. the 34th Synod of the Diocese better but I sit on it and I know to all of Nigeria. So, we cannot to and we will continue to make Jalige, said Kabiru was abducted “We are here today Monday, of Lagos, Church of Nigeria what we are doing and the things afford anything to happen here. I sure that our Lagos remains safe, on April 24 at the Badarawa area, May 3, 2021 to parade these (Anglican Communion) held at we need to do. We know we have can assure you with every sense of secure, prosperous and a place Kaduna. suspects for the offence of Criminal Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, issues to deal with as a country commitment that we will stop at where all of you would truly be He said the suspects demanded Conspiracy, Kidnapping and Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, and Lagos will certainly be leading nothing to make sure that Lagos proud off.” N30 million for the release of the Culpable Homicide, which the boy, pointing out that after series of Command diligently investigated negotiations, they agreed to collect and unraveled the identities of the Senate Queries NOA over N2bn Cash Advances to Staff N1 million, which was delivered suspects involved leading to their to them. arrest,” Jalige said. Deji Elumoye in Abuja of staff instead of paying the Auditor-General of the Federation amounting to N108.4 million was money direct into their accounts as (AuGF), which is being considered recorded, thereby bringing the The Senate Committee on Public stipulated in federal government by the committee. total to N2 billion. We Now Have over 40m Accounts has queried the National circular on e-payment Ref No. The first query read: “The “The practice of not retiring Orientation Agency (NOA) for TRY/A8&B8/2008 OAGF/ following observations were advances granted to staff Members, Says APC allegedly failing to retire N2 billion CAD/026/VOL.11/465 dated made: (a) A sum of N1.9 contravened the provision of paid as cash advances to some October 22, 2008. billion being cash advanced to Financial Regulation 1405 which Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja board, we lost ground. Under members of staff of the agency. The Senate committee chaired some members of staff of the stipulates that accounting officers his leadership, we have regained The committee also expressed by Senator Mathew Urhoghide, agency, was left unretired as are responsible for ensuring prompt The All Progressives Congress what we lost and gained more. dismay at the payment of N129 based the two queries issued the at December 31, 2014. In 2015, repayment of all advances by (APC) has revealed that the party We had a membership strength million cash to some members agency on the 2016 report of the additional outstanding advances installments or otherwise. has over 40 million members of 12 million. I want to inform following the completion of you, your excellencies, under his the party’s registration and leadership the APC has moved Rainstorm Destroys over 50 Houses in Plateau Communities revalidation exercise. to about 40 plus million today. The National Secretary of the “Since the creation of this Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and lasted till the early hours of Mathias Yengoet Dajan, said that sympathised with the victims, Caretaker Committee, Senator party, we have never enjoyed yesterday, was accompanied by management and residents of admonishing them to accept John Akpanudoedehe, stated the peace and tranquillity that Over 50 houses and other a heavy windstorm that blew Quaan-Pan Local Government the incident as an act of God. this yesterday when the party we are enjoying. He has brought properties worth millions of off roofs of several houses Area were devastated by the Abdulmalik assured leadership received non-career in some kind of calmness. We naira have been destroyed by and rendered many families level of destruction. that the Local Government ambassadors at the party’s are blessed to have him. He is rainstorm in communities in homeless. The statement added that Authority will take necessary secretariat in Abuja. accessible. He read your speech Qua’an pan Local Government Chairman of the council, the Chairman had personally steps to attract support from He said: “We are blessed before you came and he granted Area of Plateau State. Hon. Abdulmalik Yusuf Haruna, gone round some of the affected government agencies and to have a focused and gentle everything you requested. That is Residents said the rainstorm, in a statement signed by his structures to ascertain the private hands to rebuild the chairman. When he came on the kind of Chairman we have.” which started on Sunday night Senior Assistant on Media, Mr. level of damage and had affected communities. TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 • THISDAY 13 14 THISDAY • TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA COMMENT Email [email protected] SAD CHAD: CRY FOR A VIOLENT BACKLAND The legacy of anchoring power on violent ethnic security tools undermined European immigrant regimes in Africa, writes Okello Oculi
n 1893 French invaders forced Sultan Abd Rahman 1990, arrests targeted government officials. to surrender the imperial ambition of Baguirma and Like French and British colonial officials, Tombalbaye and become a “protectorate’’. In April 22, 1900 a defeated Habre would ensure that their ethnic groups monopolised Rabih Az Zubayi saw Tchad descend into depths of power in intelligence and political administration sectors. underdevelopment. Just as France and the United States aided Idriss Debby’s ouster of Hissen Habre, it is being speculated that France IFrance, like Britain planted future conflict by denying the engineered the military coup against him. development of human and infrastructural development in Idriss Deby’s 30 years in power was marked by his the Muslim north, while it “managed to govern effectively wrestling control of oil revenues but critics assert that only in the South’’. Until 1920, it was governed from Braz- Deby did not pursue development for the people of Chad. zaville on the Atlantic Ocean end Congo River. By 2020 the United Nation’s Human Development Index The South became a source of able-bodied cheap labour ranked Chad 184 out of a total of 184 countries. exported to grow cotton in Niger. Its people became the first Debby bought French and American support by using to provide colonised troops which joined World War Two oil revenues to equip and support a military force which in attacking Southern Libya on August 26m 1940. Germans fought Islamist terrorists across West Africa. By 2013 he was dropped bombs on Ndjamena on January, 1942 in a case of supporting 2,250 troops in Mali. He had joined forces with Africans dying for their oppressors. Nigeria, Niger and Cameroun in fighting Boko Haram. He War veterans and Chad’s small educated groups formed a was killed after he visited Nigeria’ president, Muhammadu political party which demanded progressive change, including Buhari a few days to his presidential election. self-rule. After all, France had appointed a black man, Felix There have been claims the Deby supported Bozize to Ebue from the Caribbean, as the governor of Chad. organise a coup from Ndjamena in 2003 but sent Chadian Colonial dictatorship neither bred democrats; nor build troops to assist Michel Djotodia, leader of the Seleca coali- institutions and democratic attitudes. Little wonder that the tion of militias. President Bozize had been photographed first Chadian politician to head government by ‘’Chadian inspecting a Guard of Honour in China. Both Chad and Progressive Party’’, Francois Tombalbaye, behaved like a Central African Republic are rich in strategic minerals, colonial oppressor. In January 1962 he banned all other including Uranium, gold, oil and diamonds, and the political parties. That included Chadian Democratic Union prospect of China’s companies getting official access must created by French officials to link local aristocrats, French have irritated Deby’s Euro-American friends. Likewise, business interests and ethnic groups in the north-east and the President Buhari’s disapproval of tenure elongation by border with Libya. Quattara in Ivory Coast. Tombalbaye imprisoned critics in thousands and by 1966 Deby himself had signed contracts with several Chinese provoked the emergence of a National Liberation Front of companies. It is not clear if he lost favours with his NATO Chad which, like similar movements in Algeria, Mozam- friends. His highest recent diplomatic achievement included bique and elsewhere, chose military struggle to remove a keeping the ‘’International Community’’ silent over his dictator. Support by Libya precipitated the military’s killing violent repression and extension of his tenure up to 2033; and of Tombalbaye on April 13, 1966. Chad had entered legacies achievements in 2017 and 2021 getting his Zhagawa ethnic of a colonial-type politics of: government torture, repression, kin Moussa Faki Mahamat elected Chair of the African Union slaughter of protesters, and armed quest for ‘’regime change’’ Commission. His ‘Oil-For-Security’ diplomacy was severely including killing the incumbent ruler. stretched to achieve victory after NINE rounds of voting. The rebels introduced Hissen Habre into Chadian politics. Suspicious of his duplicitous Euro-American friends He rejected being ruled by a southerner between June7, BOTH CHAD AND CENTRAL AFRICAN betraying him and denying his military son, Deby Mahatma 1982 and December 1, 1990, he supervised arrests of 12,321 REPUBLIC ARE RICH IN STRATEGIC MINERALS, Itno, succession to his throne, he probably sought to feel safe victims; killed 1,208. During ‘’Black September’’ in1984, INCLUDING URANIUM, GOLD, OIL AND by placing Moussa Faki Mahamat within range for a novel ‘’villages were pillaged, burned, while ‘’educated Chadians DIAMONDS, AND THE PROSPECT OF CHINA’S Zhagawa civilian President of Chad. from the south were systematically arrested and executed’’. COMPANIES GETTING OFFICIAL ACCESS The legacy of anchoring power on violent ethnic security In 1987, his political police targeted the Hadjarai ethnic tools undermined European immigrant regimes in Algeria, group for repression. In 1989, 40 localities of Zhagawa ethnic MUST HAVE IRRITATED DEBY’S EURO- Kenya, and Southern Africa. Cry beloved Chad. group were attacked and ‘’hundreds were killed’’. In August AMERICAN FRIENDS
PARENTING AND CHILD MARRIAGE Bidemi Nelson writes that parents should not consent to child marriage, and speak out against the practice
hild marriage is not a new the damage is usually done and irreparable. children from child molesters but helps children out of proportion due to their active or passive phenomenon. Reports show that Child marriage is equally the motivating factor make timely and reasonable decisions about their support for the practice, they can also be the needed it is quite common in regions for the rise of pedophilia in our societies. Pedophiles bodies and sex matters. Children who are given agents of change to stymie it. What then is to be like Africa, Asia and South are people who have a strong sexual attraction for relevant, age-appropriate and timely sex education done? Parents should blatantly refuse to support or America. Child marriage is children and may molest children if given the op- are better informed on issues of sex and will consent to child marriage and actively speak out also very ingrained in customs, portunity. Child marriage simply provides a formal most likely, not increase the statistics of teenage against the practice in their communities. Voices Ctraditions and religion because it has been platform for pedophiles to bring their fantasies to pregnancies. The lower the occurrences of teenage are such potent weapons of change when they are practised from generations to generations. life at the expense of innocent children. It is only a pregnancies, the lower the chances that children will many, focused and amplified. These Voices are also This strong affiliation of child marriage pedophile who will accept the hands of a young girl be given off in child marriage as a remedy. critical to reducing the incidences of children being with institutions of traditions and religion in marriage and make every necessary arrangement Parents are also disturbingly involved in in non-formalized sexual relationships with adults has made it a tenacious societal problem to legalize it. perpetuating harmful cultural and religious and can be a good basis for community interven- with very bright future prospects. Sadly, the Parents are critical stakeholders in the war against practices. When parents are more concerned about tions against child marriage. The results may not girl-child remains the one with the higher child marriages. When a parent is knowledgeable, the preservation of age-long and harmful traditions, be immediate as such parents may be stigmatized risk of being exposed, exploited and violated emboldened and resolute about achieving positive customs and religious practices such as child mar- for their choices and actions to stand against within the confines of child marriage. outcomes for his or her child irrespective of difficul- riage at the expense of their children’s well-being deep-seated but harmful cultural and religious Child marriage is when a child is forcefully given ties, it is likely that the child’s interests and rights and safety, then such parents have become security practices (and they will be). However, the options away in marriage before his or her age of consent. will be protected. Similarly, parents are equally threats to their children. When a parent is more of media support, legal actions and even relocation While this age may vary from place to place, major contributors to the rise of child marriage, concerned about the negative perception of society are available for parents who are willing to stand up the common age of consent is usually 18 years. globally. Even though culture, religion, illiteracy, that is committed to harmful cultural and religious to end the victimization of children through child Alarmingly, female children who can be as young as poverty and weak law enforcement are typically practices than the promotion of his or her child’s marriage. 12 or less are increasingly considered more suitable blamed as catalyst for increased child marriage in interests and rights, then such parent is quite unfit Parents who are challenged by issues of poverty as “prospective brides-to-be”. While child marriage the society, parents play a pivotal role to aid these to be called a “parent”. should seek other sources of respite instead of that may also be promoted by factors such as poverty, factors and the practice of child marriage. Sadly, one very common cause of child marriage of child marriage. For instance, parents can take conflict and teenage pregnancies, it still does not A case in point is the reluctance of parents to which is subtle yet glaring and is linked with advantage of the opportunity of Free Education in favour the cause of children. The negative issues that plan their families even when they know that they parental consent is what is called “Parental Pimp- public schools for their children, which reduces the stem out it are still the same and may worsen if the have limited resources to cater for them. When ing”. This occurs when parents actively prostitute cost of education, significantly. Family planning also, practice is not stopped. The fact that child marriage parents refuse to plan their families and continue to their children or give their approval to illicit sexual is a foundational way of eliminating child marriage. violates some of the objectives of the Sustainable give birth to children that they cannot provide for, relationships between their children who are below Parents should actively seek out this service and ask Development Goals (SDGs) that pertain to children they are simply preparing those children for lives the age of consent and adults, who supposedly can questions. Family Planning Services are available has made it a culprit in the rise of the violation of woes. A good instance is child marriage. Having provide for the needs of these parents through their at Family Planning Centers and hospitals. Parents of Children’s Rights. For instance, child marriage unplanned children in high numbers may increase children. It is important to note that children in this should not forget to make Sex Education a priority increases health challenges for children. Asides the poverty levels in families. Poverty in this regard is kind of relationship are not necessarily married for their children. Information on Sex Education can fact that children are likely to be raped on their evident in the inability of parents to provide food, but will likely co-habit with the adults in question, be solicited for at schools, hospitals and relevant first copulation acts within the marriage, several education, housing, clothing and security for their giving rise to a form of child marriage that is not Non-Governmental Organisations, among others. reproductive challenges trail them as they grow into children, forcing these children to seek these things formalized yet exhibits all its traits. Child marriage is a fundamental violation of their formative years and beyond, including the elsewhere at a high price. Parenting is a call of providence. It involves being several Children’s Rights. It has been aided by dangers of being infected with sexually transmitted Parents can also be complicit in the practice of committed to the well-being, safety, rights and parents but it must end now. diseases. Sadly, these children never get qualitative child marriage when they withhold sex education interests of children, biological or not. While parents Nelson is CEO, Shield of Innocence Initiative health care services on time and even when they do, from their children. Sex education not only protects are the very reason child marriage is sky-rocketing Ibadan, Oyo State THISDAY • TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021 15 EDITORIAL THE SCOURGE OF MODERN SLAVERY
Nigeria could do more to eliminate present-day slavery
new journal paper, ‘Gender and highest number of enslaved people in sub-Sahara Africa. modern-day slavery in Nigeria: The breakdown of that sum shows that majority of the A critical analysis of baby factory affected persons are forced into domestic, industrial and and terrorism’ in the May/June commercial labour, marriages or are simply given out to 2021 edition of ‘ScienceDirect’ relations under innocuous circumstances. Not surpris- has drawn global attention to ingly, the shameful Nigerian profile is a reflection of the one of the social issues hardly severity of the scourge across Africa. Various relevant discussed by the authorities organisations have identified the continent as home to in Nigeria. While the malaise of modern slavery cuts the largest prevalence of slavery on earth, with more than acrossA gender, the report concludes that in Nigeria, “the seven per cent of every 1000 people as victims, according disproportionate economic and power relations (such as to the 2017 ILO report, a situation that has not changed. inequalities, poverty, social exclusion, exploitations, and obnoxious cultural practices)” has engendered a situation hat makes the Nigerian condition more in which women “serve as economic-slaves, sex-slaves, worrisome is its ignoble recognition procreation-slaves, and money-ritual-slaves.” The article as one of the world’s leading culprits confirms recent estimates by the International Labour in three critical areas of source, transit Organisation (ILO) which place Nigeria and Democratic andW destination as well as the continued abductions of Republic of Congo high on the list of countries where women and girls by Boko Haram and bandits, especially modern slavery is still prevalent. in the North. For the past two decades, Europe and The Slavery Convention of the League of Nations North Africa have continued to benefit from the growing adopted in 1926 defines slavery as, “The status or incidence of emigration among Nigerians in search of condition of a person over whom any or all of the powers the proverbial greener pastures. But instead of actualis- attaching to the right of ownership are exercised. It ing their dreams, many of them end up being sexually refers to the situation exploited - one of the most widespread forms of present- ONLY CONCERTED EFFORTS of exploitation that a day captivity - or trapped in other ways. Sadly, not even AIMED AT EMPOWERING THISDAY person cannot refuse EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI stories of the tortuous and precarious journeys through THE POPULACE AND or leave because of DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN, the Sahara to Libya and, then, less frequently to Europe MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO RESTORING THE DIGNITY threats, violence, DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE have been able to dissuade our young men and women OF THE CITIZENRY CAN coercion, decep- CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI from gambling with their lives. Consequently, many of tion, and/or abuse EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN them have caused themselves harm, brought sorrow to EFFECTIVELY CURB THE MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE CURRENT MANIFESTATIONS of power.” By this their relations and further tarnished the nation’s already OF SERVITUDE classification, someone battered international image. In the case of Boko Haram, does not have to be THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED their targets have always been women and girls who are in chains and ferried EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA usually deployed as sex slaves. across the Atlantic Ocean or Sahara Desert to be a slave. GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, The abundant presence of these evils in Nigeria today ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI They become slaves when transaction is made with them DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, requires bold, well-designed and executed government in the community they live. While no human being ANTHONY OGEDENGBE interventions which could hopefully serve as catalyst for DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI deserves to be a slave, millions of people across the world SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH more productive involvement of the private sector in this are in one form of bondage or another. ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO campaign. Only concerted, collaborative efforts aimed at The case of Nigeria is particularly pathetic and needs CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI empowering the populace and restoring the dignity of DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO greater attention than it attracts at the moment. Like HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA the citizenry can effectively curb or eliminate the current its general population, the country is also host to the TO SEND EMAIL: first [email protected] manifestations of servitude.
TO OUR READERS Letters to the Editor 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 [email protected] . 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 (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to [email protected] along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer. BABA IJESHA AND THE LIMIT OF JOKES
atching or listening to comedy is one of my the gangling actor ostensibly committed the shameful act against his is the fact that not much is being done in respect of strengthening our most exhilarating hobbies. I love movies that are benefactor’s foster daughter. weak law to incisively deal with perpetrators of rape. spiced with comedy. Comedy makes me have Could the story be true of the Baba Ijesha that brought so much Rape victims suffer a sense of abuse that goes beyond physical good laughs. Of course, laughter is medicine laughter into many homes via his comic act? How did such a injury. They may become skeptical of men and experience feelings to the soul and body. That is why I love respected comedian transit so rapidly into a menacing monster? of embarrassment and disgrace. Victims who suffer rape trauma comedians. These are puzzles that only the law could unravel. They are syndrome experience physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep WI have quite a few favourite comedians, both local and foreign, beyond the capacity of unlearned folks. Yes, only our learned disturbances, and fatigue. particularly the ones with irresistible and compelling vibes. However, compatriots could either nail or absolve Baba Ijesha. The allegation According to experts, rape mostly occurs as result of a violent I admire every comedian and could make do with anyone. In as appears mind boggling. But his accusers claimed they have quite craving to control the victim, rather than an attempt to achieve sexual much as the end result-laughter- is achieved. convincing evidence against him and they are aiming for the jugular. fulfillment. Hence, rape is considered as an act of violence, rather In my romance with comedy, one local actor cum comedian that Quite understandably so, Baba Ijesha has been under immense than sexual gratification. I have come to appreciate, over the years, is Olanrewaju James criticism since April 22, 2021, when the Lagos State Police Command No doubt, rape underscores the sorry state of mind of the Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha. His jocular mastery of my native arrested him for sexual assault. According to the State Police Com- perpetrator. The blatant way rape is committed shows that perpetra- language, Ijesha, in his comical act, usually thrills me. Watching him mand, “the suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by tor operate in a distorted mindset of women being assets to be used doing his stuff is always a delight. a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.” An unconfirmed and dispensed. These are, however, no laughing times for Baba Ijesha as it seems source equally added that “the CCTV footage revealed that the Many Nigerians believe that women/girls invite trouble on he has taken his comedy too far for once. Suddenly, the one who accused kissed and fondled sensitive parts of the body of the girl”. themselves by being careless. Mothers often chide daughters for used to make people laugh has become a butt of cruel jokes across As I put down this piece, over 7,500 people have signed a petition wearing provocative clothing, in most cases a sleeveless garment or a the land. As much as he tries, it appears Baba Ijesha can no longer to avert the release of the actor. The petition, which was initiated by pair of hip-hugging jeans. Though one isn’t an advocate of indecent make his fans laugh. His jokes have precipitously become wry and the Aunt Landa’s Bethel Foundation, on behalf of Princess, was titled, dressing, but it could not be a justification for raping. Come to think ludicrous. ‘Olanrewaju James Omiyinka must not be released in Nigeria for of; is indecent dressing a ‘rapeable’ offence? What exactly could be the matter? How did the joker abruptly defiling a seven years old girl’. The Baba Ijesha’s incident should be seen to its logical conclusion. become the joke? Well, the story is long. But the meat of it is that Though a global phenomenon, the appalling side of rape in our The law must be made to take its course. No one, no matter how Baba Ijesha has been accused of sexually defiling a minor. Ironically, clime has to do with recklessness of the perpetrators, lackluster highly placed, must be allowed to circumvent the course of the law. his accuser is popular comedian, Damilola Adekoya, aka Princess. response of justice administrators and absence of institutional If his guilt is eventually proven, Baba Ijesha must be made to pay for Certainly, these are trying times in the nation’s house of comedy. supportive system to help the victims. this cruel joke. According to Princess, the immoral act was purportedly committed More worrying is that a good number of suspected rapists move Tayo Ogunbiyi is Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of right in her house when Baba Ijesha came to her for help. Painfully, freely on the streets after committing the heinous act. Also worrisome Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos 16 TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 ˾THISDAY NEWS Kano, Gombe Govs Urge Journalists to Promote Peace, Good Governance Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and Speaking on the occasion of In a statement issued yesterday media should always be mindful ‘Information as a Public Good’, Press Freedom Day, Yahaya Segun Awofadeji in Gombe the United Nations’ World Press by the state Commissioner for of the laws guiding the conduct serves as a call to assert the paid glowing tribute to media Freedom Day celebrated on May 3 Information, Malam Muhammad of their constituted responsibilities importance of savoring information professionals in the state for Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi yearly, Ganduje urged journalists to Garba, the governor noted that in their reportage. as a public good. “their resilience and commitment Umar Ganduje, and his Gombe be resolute in upholding accuracy, as stakeholders, journalists should “It is important to ensure that On his part, Gombe State in enlightening and sensitising State counterpart, Mr. Muhammad objectivity and professional ethics exercise their duties within the accurate and factual reporting Governor, Yahaya, has pledged the citizenry on government Inuwa Yahaya, have tasked in the line of duty to help deepen realm of the law and journalism is part of the code of ethics his continuous partnership with policies and programmes” as journalists to promote peace and good governance rather than profession. guiding the journalism profession the media to entrench transparency well as updating the public good governance in the country. heating up the polity. Ganduje further stated that at anywhere in the world.’’ and accountability in governance. on developments around the this critical period when Nigeria is The governor stated that In his goodwill message world through their reportage Nigeria Needs Free Press facing myriads of challenges, the this year’s observance theme: to mark this years’ World and editorial contents. for Democratic Devt, Says US Consul-General Davidson Iriekpen, Yinka webinar as ‘Frontiers of Health Olatunbosun and Oluchi Chibuzor Reporting: New Insights, Fresh Perspectives,’ Pierangelo said: The United States yesterday “The United States government disclosed that Nigeria needed press will continue to emphasise freedom for the development of the value of promoting and her democracy. protecting a free press, because the It tasked the Nigerian media on media plays such an essential role the need to live up to its expectations in preserving democracy and, as we as a bridge-builder between the can witness these days, in providing government and the governed. information that saves lives. The US Consul General, Claire “We all know that a free press is Pierangelo stated these in his essential to a healthy democracy. The opening remarks in a webinar news media can be a powerful force event to the 2021 World Press for change. It can effectively fulfill Freedom Day. the roles of watchdog, gatekeeper, CONSULTATIVE VISIT… She said there was a need for and agenda-setter. It can improve L-R: Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John Akpandoedehe; the Nigerian media to continue to governance by raising citizen Chairman, APC, CECPC/Yobe State Governor, Mr. Mai Mala Buni and Ambassador-designate to Zambia, Nwannebuike Ominyi, during put politicians on their toes in the awareness of social issues, enabling the visit of non-career ambassadors to APC national secretariat in Abuja …yesterday ENOCK REUBEN discharge of their responsibilities citizens to hold their governments as representatives of the people to account, curbing corruption, and who are expected to strengthen creating a civic forum for debate. I Lagos to Deport Foreigners who Violate COVID-19 Protocols the country’s democracy through challenge you to continue to play an meant for the benefit of the people. effective role in amplifying important The Lagos State Government has may be subject to deportation the protocol just announced by the Lagos State from an impending Identifying the theme of this issues that affect citizens. warned foreigners against disobeying “Lagos State is set to take steps to federal government will be adopted third wave. guidelines put in place to curb the prevent another wave of COVID-19, for every inbound person which “Anyone found to have either spread of COVID-19 in the state. following the flattening of the second includes banning entry to non- broken this rule or supplied a fake CDHR Faults Buhari’s Planned In a statement issued yesterday wave. Nigerian passengers who have phone number or address in a bid to by the Lagos Commissioner for “The trigger for the third wave in been in Brazil, India or Turkey in escape the laid down protocols will be Invitation of American Troops Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos is likely to be the importation of the last fortnight due to concerns identified and made to mandatorily Peter Uzoho of Nigeria’s sovereignty at this state threatened to forward the new COVID-19 strains from inbound over the spread of coronavirus in isolate at any of our government or stage of the country’s history was passports of the defaulting indigenous travelers. those three nations. Public-Private Partnership isolation The Committee for the Defence a betrayal of the labour of the passengers to appropriate authorities “On the authority of Mr. Governor, “I have hence instructed that all centres or identified hotels for 10 of Human Rights (CDHR) has country’s past heroes, who he for deactivation. who is the Incident Commander, these protocols would be made more days at their cost, in addition to a berated President Muhammadu noted fought the Anglo-Nigerian It also said defaulting foreigners immediate measures to fully enforce stringent to protect the residents of stipulated fine. Buhari for requesting the relocation Defence Pact immediately after of the headquarters of the African independence. Commission (AFRICOM) CDHR in a six-page statement AAC: DSS Can’t Intimidate Nigerians into Forced Patriotism from Germany to Africa as an entitled: ‘In These Critical Times intervention to the nation’s current in Nigeria, Sycophancy is a The African Action Congress offices could threaten Nigerians. chasing after protesters and critics Buhari regime is incapable of security crisis. Disservice,’ which was signed (AAC) has told the Department The party reminded the secret while empowering, protecting and running a democratic and highly The group argued that such by its National President, Dr. of State Services (DSS) that it can’t police that Nigerians had passed defending terrorists,” AAC said. effective government guided by call was an invitation of American Osagie Obayuwana, taunted intimidate Nigerians into forced a vote of no confidence on what The party said it was evident the rule of law. It is our position troops to Nigeria and by extension, Buhari’s government for woefully patriotism in the absence of social it described as the tyrannical that the DSS needed a course on at the African Action Congress the handing over of the country’s failing to consolidate the unity justice. and anti-people administration democratic tenets and principles that the rights of Nigerians to sovereignty to the United States. and integration of Nigeria and In a statement issued yesterday, of President Muhammadu Buhari. and how people’s rights to disagree freely assemble, organise and CDHR described such request Africa –the government’s historical the National Publicity Secretary of “For a country that now ranks must be respected. express themselves without any by the president as an act of assignment, and now believed AAC, Mr. Femi Adeyeye said it was third- most terrorised nation in It argued that the act of drawing intimidation must be fully respected. desperation not properly thought that American soldiers will come unfortunate that the DSS that was the world, it is rather pathetic a red line to people’s rights must We reiterate for the umpteenth time out, aading that the handing over to its rescue. incapable of fishing out terrorists, that instead of addressing this be condemned by all and sundry. that patriotism cannot be forced on bandits and the unknown gunmen ridiculous ‘feat,’ the regime concerns “As a party, we have long a people who have been denied on the streets and inside government itself with a misplaced priority of come to the conclusion that the social justice,” the party explained. NUJ Honours ARISE NEWS Channel, CBN, Kyari, Others Family of Slain Akwa Ibom Job Seeker Demands Justice Okon Bassey in Uyo Mr. Ukeme Umoren made the the State Government (SSG), Iniubong was waiting for her Oluchi Chibuzor Chinedum Orji, among others, call yesterday when the state Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said call up letter to proceed for were selected for the award as The family of the slain job Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel Iniubong was the youngest of national youth service, before The Nigeria Union of Journalists Distinguished Friends of the seeker in Akwa Ibom State , paid an unscheduled visit to the children of the late Ephraim her untimely death. (NUJ) has concluded all Media, “after sifting through the late Miss Iniubong Umoren, commiserate with the family Umoren. He appealed to the state arrangements to bestow on ARISE many nominations received has appealed to the state in Ndot village in Oruk Anam He lamented that they lost their government to ensure that NEWS Channel its Press Freedom from journalists and members government to ensure that Local Government Area of the parents while in secondary schools perpetrators of the heinous Platform Award. of the Nigerian public.” those behind the murder of state. and struggled on their own to get crime were brought to book, The award presentation which According to the NUJ, for their sister were brought to Umoren, who welcomed education to university level to adding that it would serve holds in Abuja on Wednesday, the Defender of Press Freedom book without delay. the representative of the ensure a better tomorrow. as the only succour to the according to a statement signed by Awards, Chairman, The Whistler Elder brother of the deceased, Governor and Secretary to According to him, the late family. the Assistant National Secretary, Communications Limited, Chief Midat Joseph, would also involve James Ume; Chairman, Senate the union’s 2020/2021 Press Committee on Appropriations, FCT Minister, Military Parley over Security of Abuja Freedom Lecture and Award Senator Jibrin Barau; and Night, as part of activities to Managing Director, Rock Global Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja minister assured the Nigerian accompanied by Army HQ Garrison communities in neighbouring celebrate this year’s World Press Investment Network Ltd, London, Armed Forces and all other security Commander, Maj. Gen. Sanusi Niger State by some Boko Haram Freedom Day. Dr. Samson Agada Omale, scaled The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) agencies of the readiness of the FCT Dahiru; Commander, Naval Unit insurgents. The statement revealed that through the nomination process. Minister, Malam Muhammad Administration to collaborate for Abuja, Navy Commodore Sulaiman The minister, however, reiterated House of Representatives Speaker, Gbajabiamila will deliver a Musa Bello has held a security the continuous security of the FCT D. Ibrahim and Commander, 053 that Abuja has been secure due Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor lecture on ‘Press Freedom, meeting with the delegation and the safety of its residents. HQ, NAF Camp, Abuja, Air to the close working relationship of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri; Democracy and Good from the Defence Headquarters He held the security meeting Commodore Christopher Akpa. between the heads of the various Group Managing Director, NNPC, Governance,’ while Barau Garrison on the security of the with the Commander, Defence There has been concern about military formations and other Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari; Speaker, will be the Chairman of nation’s capital. Headquarters Garrison, Maj. the security of the FCT in the security agencies in the FCT Abia State House of Assembly, the event. During the meeting, the Gen. Preye Fakrogha, who was light of the infiltration of some over the years. TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 • THISDAY 17 18 THISDAY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021
Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG POLITICS Email [email protected] (08114495324 SMS ONLY) Struggling Under a Crushing Weight of Debts Vanessa Obioha writes that the rising debt profile of Nigeria brings a scrutiny on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which is arguably, the only government that has borrowed more than any in the new democratic dispensation — and perhaps the only administration that has recorded two economic recessions
Buhari Zainab-Ahmed
igeria’s economy, like and caused quite an uproar such that evident but visible. For instance, the ($25 billion), Ethiopia ($13.5 billion), most nations in the world, the DMO had to release a statement Idu – Kaduna Rail Line has become a Zambia ($7.4 billion), the Republic of contracted due to the un- to clarify facts. It stated that the total major source of transportation between Congo ($7.3 billion), and Sudan ($6.4 precedented Coronavirus borrowing by Nigeria from China was Abuja and Kaduna. Also, the new billion). In total the Chinese have loaned pandemic last year. The “USD3.121 billion (N1,126.68 billion at International Airport in Abuja has US$143 billion to African governments globalN crash in oil prices forced the USD/N361). This amount represents improved air transportation for the and state-owned enterprises between country to suspend the external com- only 3.94% of Nigeria’s Total Public populace, while the Lagos – Ibadan rail 2000 and 2017. mercial borrowing as indicated by the Debt of USD79.303 billion (N28,628.49 line when completed, will ease traffic However, the rising debt profile of Ni- Minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed. billion at USD/N361) as of March 31, on the busy Lagos -Ibadan Expressway. geria has called for scrutiny on President Ninety per cent of the country’s foreign 2020. Similarly, in terms of external The projects also have the added benefits Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. exchange earnings and about 60 per sources of funds, loans from China of job creation, not only by themselves It is arguably, the only government that cent of its total revenue are from the accounted for 11.28% of the External but through direct and indirect service has borrowed more than any in the oil sector. Debt Stock of USD27.67 billion at the providers, a number of which are small new democratic dispensation — and As of March 2020, Nigeria’s total public same date.” and medium enterprises. perhaps the only administration that has debt was N28.63 trillion, about a 15 It argued that China wasn’t the main It is widely accepted that investment in recorded two economic recessions. From per cent increase from a corresponding source of funding for the Nigerian infrastructure is one of the most effective the beginning of this administration in period in 2019, according to the Debt government while giving a breakdown tools for countries to achieve economic 2015 to December 2020, the country’s Management Office. By June 2020, the of the projects funded by China’s loan. growth and development. Using loans external debt profile increased from total public debt was N31.01tn. The “The USD3.121 billion loans are from China to finance infrastructure is $9.7 billion to $27 billion. third quarter recorded $31.9 billion in project-tied loans. The projects, ( 11 in thus in alignment with this position,” During President Olusegun Obasanjo external debt. By last December, the number as of March 31, 2020), include it explained. tenure, Nigeria which was at the time total public debt was N32, 915 trillion, the Nigerian Railway Modernization But the concerns still grew since one of the most indebted nations in about 21.61 per cent of Gross Domestic Project (Idu-Kaduna section), Abuja China has been criticized for debt- the world was able to offset the Paris Product (GDP). The public debt includes Light Rail Project, Nigerian Four Airport trap diplomacy, even though there are Club debt that enabled Nigeria to pay the debt stock of the federal and state Terminals Expansion Project (Abuja, reports that vindicate China from such most of its overall debt of $36 billion governments, as well as, the Federal Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt), Nigerian practices. In the last two decades, China with just only $3 billion external debt Capital Territory. Railway Modernization Project (Lagos- has been seen as a lifesaver by most owed. The late Musa Yar’Adua who This rising debt has put a lot of pres- Ibadan section) and Rehabilitation and African countries that seek to end their took over from him left a slight increase sure on the government’s resources as Upgrading of Abuja – Keffi- Makurdi dependence on IMF and World Bank. from that amount before his demise. it spent $1.69 billion (N609,13 billion) Road Project. African countries with the largest When President Buhari assumed office, to service its domestic debt in the first “The impact of these loans is not only Chinese debt as of 2020 are Angola the country’s total public debt profile quarter of 2020 alone. was $10.316 billion. The Debt Management Office (DMO) That figure is a far cry from Nigeria’s in a statement in March said that the As of March 2020, Nigeria’s total public debt was standing debt profile today. One of the borrowing of 2020 pushed Nigeria’s major concerns is that while the total debt to N32.9 trillion, although it N28.63 trillion, about a 15 per cent increase from a debt spikes, the total factor productivity pointed out that new borrowing to growth plummets. finance budget deficits had declined corresponding period in 2019, according to the Debt Nigeria is not the only economy that between 2017 and 2019. But this trend suffered the effects of the pandemic. was adversely reversed last year as the Management Office. By June 2020, the total public The United States, a developed nation pandemic and its resultant effects pegged that had a worst-case scenario of the the new borrowing in the revised 2020 debt was N31.01tn. The third quarter recorded $31.9 pandemic saw its national debts rising Appropriation Act at N4.20 trillion. billion in external debt. By last December, the total last year. According to New York Times, The agency, however, noted that most the country’s debt stood at $20.53 trillion of its new borrowings were concessional public debt was N32, 915 trillion, about 21.61 per by the end of the second quarter of 2020. loans from the International Monetary African countries like Angola and the Fund (IMF) (USD3.34 Billion) and other cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The public Republic of Congo are experiencing multilateral and bilateral lenders. high levels of debt. They both have Since this administration began in debt includes the debt stock of the federal and government debt of 120.3% and 104.5% earnest infrastructural and developmental of GDP respectively. projects to boost the fragile economy, state governments, as well as, the Federal Capital It is expected that the various initia- the debt stock has been on a rise. Most tives of the Federal Government to of these loans are from China, which Territory. This rising debt has put a lot of pressure increase revenues such as the Strategic is concessioned to handle some of the on the government’s resources as it spent $1.69 Revenue Growth Initiative and the infrastructural projects, mainly the Finance Act, 2020, should help shore railway network. billion (N609,13 billion) to service its domestic up the government’s revenue and Nigeria’s debt to China was a major reduce the debt service to Revenue cause of concern to citizens last year debt in the first quarter of 2020 alone Ratio, according to DMO. THISDAY ˾TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 19 POLITICS Dissecting the Election Offences Bill The Election Offences Bill currently before the two arms of the National Assembly prescribes various penalties culpability ranging from monetary fines to jail terms, writes Chuks Okocha
Lawan Gbajabiamila Yakubu
he proposed Election Offences Bill has in those laws. than the ballot paper which he is authorised ing or becoming a candidate or to cause him prescribed offences and punishment For instance, it said, that “Where national by law to put in; or without due authority to withdraw if he is already a candidate, or for any political party or individuals officers or executives of any political party takes out of a polling station any electoral preventing a person from being nominated. that contravenes the bill. violate sections 221, 225(1), (2), (3) and (4) and document or is found in possession of any In clause 20, the bill states that a corrupt The jail terms or fines ranges from 227 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic electoral document outside a polling station; or perversion of Electoral Justice, “A judicial officer N1T million or six months imprisonment or jail of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), punishment is a without due authority destroys, takes, opens or or officer of a Court or Tribunal who corruptly term of 30 years. term of imprisonment of at least five years or otherwise interferes with any ballot box, ballot perverts electoral justice before, during or after The public hearing of the bill took place last a fine of at least N10 million or both” paper or packet of ballot papers or electoral an election by any money, gift, loan, property, week, where the Independent National Electoral The bill further states, “Any person who documents in use or intended to be used for valuable consideration, office, place, employment or Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood – (1) knowingly makes any false statement the purposes of an election. appointment, or a promise of personal enrichment Yakubu called for a speedy passage to ensure on or in connection with any application to According to the bill that has undergone a is punished by imprisonment for a term of at a smooth journey to the 2023 general elections. be placed on the National Register of Voters public hearing, it is an offence without due least 20 years without an option of a fine. A copy of the bill obtained by THISDAY kept by the Independent National Electoral authority to print any electoral document or On Clause 21, the bill states that “Election specifies jail term or fine to offenders including Commission; or (2) forges or fraudulently defaces ballot paper or what purports to be or is capable officials, security personnel not to cause influence. political parties or fraudulently destroys any document for the of being used as an electoral document or ballot This clause prohibits election officials, and From the provisions of the bill, “Where purpose of nomination for an elective office, or paper at an election; or for the purposes of an security personnel from influence influencing the national officers or executives of any political delivers to the Independent National Electoral election, manufactures, constructs, imports, has in outcome of an election, except through lawfully party violate sections 221, 225(1), (2), (3) and (4) Commission or a State Electoral Commission his possession, supplies or uses, or causes to be casting their votes, adding that “Punishment and 227 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic any document for the purpose of nomination. manufactured, constructed, imported, supplied imprisonment for a term of at least 15 years or of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), punishment is a This clause provides for punishment for or used, any appliance, device or mechanism a fine of at least N30 million or both. term of imprisonment of at least five years or offences listed with imprisonment for a term by which a ballot paper or results of elections On Clause 22 which is prohibition or Disturbing a fine of at least N10 million or both” not exceeding 15 years. It also punishes offences may be extracted, affected or manipulated after Public peace, it states that directly or indirectly Sections 221, 225 and 227 of the 1999 constitu- relating to election administration by the State having been deposited in a ballot box during the disturbing public peace, from three hours prior tion as amended states in Article 221, by the Independent Electoral Commission. polling at any election; or not being authorized to the commencement of an election to the way stated that “No association, other than a It also states that it is a punishable offence if to do so under the provisions of this Bill, makes completion of the election on the day of an political party, shall canvass for votes for any any one forges or counterfeits or fraudulently any mark on any ballot paper issued to any election, is criminalised. Such disturbance of candidate at any election or contribute to the defaces or fraudulently destroys any electoral person other than to himself. public peace could be through using loudspeakers, funds of any political party or to the election document or the official perforation, stamp or The bill further states that voting at any election megaphones or similar devices, expenses of any candidate at an election. mark on any electoral document issued by the when he or she is not entitled to vote, shall “Punishment is imprisonment for a term of While Article 225 states, that (1) Every Independent National Electoral Commission be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, on at least 6 months or a fine of at least N100,000 political party shall, at such times and in such or a State Electoral Commission; or without conviction, to imprisonment for a term not or both, while Clause 23 prohibits damaging manner as the Independent National Electoral due authority supplies any electoral document exceeding 15 years. of character Commission and publish a statement of its assets issued by the Independent National Electoral The clause on impersonation at any election is It states further, “No person acting for and liabilities. (2) Every political party shall Commission or a State Electoral Commission criminalized and the penalty is to imprisonment himself or on behalf of any organisation or submit to the Independent National Electoral to any person; or sells or offers to sell any for a term of not more than one year. political party or candidate or his agent or other Commission a detailed annual statement and electoral document issued by the Independent While punishment for impersonation is person shall, with an intention of prejudicing analysis of its sources of funds and other National Electoral Commission or a State Electoral imprisonment for a term of not more than the result of any election, damage or defame, assets together with a similar statement of its Commission to any person or purchases or one year under this clause, clause 19 makes in any manner, the character of any candidate expenditure in such form as the Commission offers to purchase any electoral document from the punishment imprisonment for a term of in an election or his family member. may require. (3) No political party shall (a) hold any person at least 15 years. Punishment is imprisonment for a term of at or possess any funds or other assets outside It further states that it is an offence if not On undue Influence, the bill states that a least 10 years or a fine of at least N10 million Nigeria; or (b) be entitled to retain any funds being a person entitled to be in possession of person is guilty of undue influence where or both or assets remitted or sent to it from outside any electoral document which has been marked he directly or indirectly, by himself or by any In Clause 24, Restriction on Election Campaigns, Nigeria. (4) Any funds or other assets remit- with any official perforation, stamp or mark of other person acting on his behalf, makes use of it states that under this clause, election materials ted or sent to a political party from outside the Independent National Electoral Commission or threatens any force, violence or restraint, or shall bear the name and address of the political Nigeria shall be paid over or transferred to or a State Electoral Commission has any such any temporal or spiritual injury, damage or loss, party, aspirant, candidate or person to whom/ the Commission within 21 days of its receipt electoral document in his possession; or or any fraudulent device, trick or deception, which they belong. with such information as the Commission may puts into any ballot box approved by the or social boycott, calamity of any kind, fear The clause prohibits writing on any religious, require. (5) The Commission shall have power Independent National Electoral Commission or promise, or by boast, coercion, blackmail archaeological or historical buildings, monuments to give directions to political parties regarding or a State Electoral Commission anything other or intimidation to prevent a person from vot- or structures for the purpose of elections. It also the books or records of financial transactions prohibits affixing any private house, shop, wall which they shall keep and, to examine all such or other structure without the permission of books and records (6) The powers conferred On undue Influence, the bill states that a person the owner thereof, etc. on the Commission under subsection (4) of Punishment for violation is imprisonment this section may be exercised by it through is guilty of undue influence where he directly or for a term of at least five years or a fine of at any member of its staff or any person who least N10 million or both. is an auditor by profession, and who is not a indirectly, by himself or by any other person acting Clause 25 is the prohibition on campaign member of a political party. on his behalf, makes use of or threatens any force, against national interest. This clause prohibits Also, Article 227, states “No association shall any campaign that undermines or is capable retain, organise, train or equip any person or violence or restraint, or any temporal or spiritual of undermining the independence, sovereignty, group of persons for the purpose of enabling territorial integrity, or unity of the federation. It them to be employed for the use or display injury, damage or loss, or any fraudulent device, also prohibits campaigns that promote feeling of physical force or coercion in promoting any trick or deception, or social boycott, calamity of any of enmity or hate on the basis of any religion. political objective or interest or in such manner community, caste, tribe, language or territorial as to arouse reasonable apprehension that they kind, fear or promise, or by boast, coercion, blackmail region. are organised and trained or equipped for that Punishment for violation is imprisonment for purpose. or intimidation to prevent a person from voting or a term of at least 20 years without an option On the offences arising from violating of a fine existing laws, the bill states that violation of becoming a candidate or to cause him to withdraw the Electoral Act No. 6., 2010 (as amended) if he is already a candidate, or preventing a person NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the or any other law on or regarding elections is online edition on www.thisdaylive.com criminalized and attracts sanctions as provided from being nominated 20 THISDAY ˾Ͳ, 2021
Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi FEATURES Email [email protected], 07010510430 Repositioning NNDC to Holistically Fulfil Mandate The Niger Delta Development Commission has for some time now come under serious criticisms over alleged financial impropriety, poor performance and derailing from its mandate. Worried by this development, stakeholders recently held a workshop/retreat on how to reposition the interventionist agency, Okon Bassey reports
xternal and internal stakehold- ers of the nine Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) catchment states namely Edo, Delta, Rivers, EBayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia, Imo and Ondo including government representatives recently met in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital to fashion a way on how to ensure the NDDC lives up to its mandate. The three-day retreat held between April 15 to 17, 2021 at the Ibom Icon Hotel & Golf Resort and Watbridge Hotel and Suites all in Uyo was tagged “NDDC Strategic Capacity Building Workshop/Retreat”, and had as its theme: “Collaborating, Planning and Re-strategising for a better Niger Delta Region.” Papers presented by eminent person- alities included, “Establishing a culture of integrity, ethics and organisational citizenship behaviour in the workplace and how to resolve the dilemma of political patronage culture"; “Effective budget presentation to the National Assembly"; “Driving Corporate Gov- ernment for maximum productivity”; The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, (2nd left) with the NDDC Interim Administrator of the Niger DeltaDevel- “Effective collaboration between the opment Commission, NDDC, Mr. Efiong Akwa, (1st left) during the three-day Strategic Capacity Building workshop/Retreat for directors Executive and Legislature for smooth of the Commission at Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. From right are the Chairman of the Senate Committee running of Government Organisations”, on Public Accounts, Senator Mathew Urhoghide and the Ag. Chairman National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Mr Ekpo Nta and “Planning for sustainable and relevant NDDC against the backdrop go a long way in helping NDDC shed of the petroleum industrial Bill (PIB)"; the undesirable toga and appellations and the repeal and re-enactment of that have been its unfortunate lot in the NDDC Acts,” among others. the past. NDDC was established in 2001 about “Above all, this retreat provides an 20 years now under the NDDC Act of opportunity for us to co-create a new 2000 for the development of its catch- trajectory for the NDDC and the Niger ment states. It appears since NDDC Delta region in these increasingly chal- came on board as an interventionist lenging times of dwindling resources agency to resolve the developmental amidst heightening expectations of our problems of the region, the opposite people.” had been the case, as the people rather “I am aware that many stakeholders continue to seek solutions on how of the NDDC have not been satisfied to make the commission perform its with its performance over the years. responsibilities as enshrined in the You have been accused of not carrying Act establishing it. them along”, he said commending the A capacity building workshop with interim administrator and manage- critical stakeholders drawn from the ment for embarking on a journey of National Assembly, the state govern- reawakening and renewal. ments of the region, the oil companies, In his remark tagged “NDDC, born the traditional rulers, civil society again to collaborate” the interim ad- organisations, the youth and NDDC ministrator of the NDDC, Mr. Efiong management preceded the retreat proper. Okon Akwa, beckoned on stakeholders In the soul-searching gathering, vari- The Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Efiong to come, reason and work together to ous speakers opened up their minds Akwa, (in white) arriving for the two-day Strategic Capacity Building workshop/Retreat create common way forward for the on the positive and negative aspects for directors of the Commission at Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort in Uyo, Akwa Ibom benefit of the people. of the commission’s activities in the State. First left is the Director NDDC Ondo State Office, Mr Fasusi Adegoke David “We are here today to work towards past 20 years. creation of commonalities among The Minster, Ministry of Niger Delta the commission’s mandate. a strong, unvarnished response, one stakeholders for speedy, development Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio “In fashioning this roadmap, in which will help trigger the kind of of our beloved Niger Delta Region.” described the retreat as a “family establishing the protocols for effective development we all seek and work Remarking, the Chairman Senate meeting” called to realistically rub and efficient strategies for sustainable for, ”Akpabio declared. Committee on NDDC, Senator Peter minds, and to find ways to help the development, we must be bold on The Minister of state, Ministry of Nwaoboshi, said there was need for commission fulfill its vision. many fronts, to tackle factors which Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Omotayo all stakeholders to work together to “Twenty years of the establishment had continued to negate important Alasoadura in a remark tagged “NDDC ensure that the Niger Delta moves of NDDC, I believe our discussion work of implementing development shall not walk alone” said the gathering forward. ought to have been on the successes strategies and policies”. manifests a collective resolve to turn He commended the NDDC interim achieved, and how we can strengthen Akpabio identified some of the things around for the long-suffering administrator for realising the need it achieve more for the Niger Delta drawbacks of the commission to include Niger Delta region, positing that the for cooperation between the National and our people. corruption, governance, lack of proper retreat, was the second of two clear Assembly and the commission saying, “Sadly, we are still interrogating consultation and engagement with manifestations of an emerging new “In the past we had assisted the NDDC, the commission’s setback and lost communities and state governments, NDDC. to get the oil and gas companies to opportunities” he said; adding that in transparency and accountabilities in He recalled the month of March meet their statutory obligations to 65 years of discovering oil, the region performance, organisational behaviour 2021, the new headquarters complex the commission. We amended the law is still looking for a better strategy to and implementation issues, non- exis- of the NDDC in Port Harcourt was and today the NLNG is paying their usher in the kind of development that tence of monitoring and evaluation of commissioned by President Muhammadu dues to NDDC. We must always work sustains the people’s livelihood and projects and programmes captured in Buhari, “Today, we are here to rub towards cooperation and discussion fulfills our shared dream of a better the budget among other challenges. minds with a vast array of stakeholders for the good of every one.” Niger Delta Region. “And if we must find answers to on collaboration and re-strategising In a similar vein, the Chairman He said, this time, there should these venerable questions, then we for a better Niger Delta region.” House of Representatives Committee on be a stronger commitment to restore must positively change the fortunes “These two events, coming back-to- Niger Delta, Hon. OlubunmiTunji-Ojo, collaboration among stakeholders, of our people. If we must facilitate a back, hold enormous promise for the said the cordial relationship with the in fashioning a common roadmap to region which addresses our people’s Niger Delta people and all who have NDDC had facilitated some progress development noting that top managers longstanding, yearning for a society stakes in the development of the region. in amending the NDDC Act. of the commission would agree on the that fulfills their expectations and These two events have the potential to He gave credit to the interim admin- strategies required to ensure collabora- provides for their needs, then we who boost the service delivery capabilities istrator for the progress, describing tion and effective implementation of are gathered here today must offer of the NDDC. These two events will him as one of the best choices this THISDAY ˾Ͳ, 2021 21 FEATURES
The National President of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, and the paramount ruler of Ibeno, Owong Effiong Archianga (2nd left), speaking during the one-day capacity building workshop at Watbridge Hotel and The Minister of State in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, Suites in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. From right are the Chairman of the Abia State Traditional (right) rubbing minds with the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr. Efiong Akwa, (left) during Rulers Council, Eze Joseph Nwabeke and the President of the Host Communities Organisa- the interactive session at a three-day Strategic Capacity Building workshop/Retreat for tion in Nigeria, HOSTCOM, Dr Benjamin Tamiararebi directors of the Commission at Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State government had made. “I am very proud In his remarks, the National President to the audience. mission’s annual budget should of you and the National Assembly is of the Host Communities Organisation On his part, the Permanent Secretary be appraised holistically, to ensure proud of what you are doing. We will in Nigeria (HOSTCOM), Dr Benjamin in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, continuous fiscal transparency and give you all the support you need,” Tamiararebi, commended the NDDC for Dr. Babayo Ardo maintained that the accountability; he assured. organising the stakeholders’ engage- take-off of the physical verification “That the commission should create a He added his voice to the call to ment, stating that it was fundamental phase of the audit marked a milestone culture of budget realism, by eliminat- review the Niger Delta Master Plan, to have such discussions. in the effort to reposition NDDC for ing moribund items, ensuring clarity, adding that the NDDC should also He said such meetings were long effective service delivery. harmonisation, stakeholder participation, think of generating income for the overdue; noting that, oil-producing He said: “The audit of the head- effective monitoring and evaluation, Commission. “We need to harness all communities deserved a special atten- quarters has been completed, we are and post-implementation audits; available funds to get NDDC projects tion from interventionist agencies such now starting the second phase of the “That the Niger Delta Regional done". as NDDC, to ensure the sustainable exercise, and we will go round all the Development Master Plan shall be Tunji-Ojo remarked that one of the development of the long neglected nine states to inspect the over 12,000 reviewed and updated, with clear goals best things that had happened to the region, stating: “Our people deserve projects that have been identified by and roles for all stakeholders set out, NDDC was the setting up of the forensic to be consulted in all development the NDDC.” as the under-girding framework and audit, which he said would help to programmes designed for the oil- Speaking on the forensic audit, the compass for future budget preparations; clean up the Niger Delta. producing communities". interim administrator of the NDDC, Mr. “That the commission should auto- A resource person from the National In his paper titled “Establishing Akwa stressed that the exercise was a mate and upgrade all its operations Assembly, Mr Gideon Jock, said the a culture of integrity, ethics and serious and deliberate act which made and ensure advanced leveraging on the budgeting process in Nigeria was a organisational citizenship behaviour it necessary for the physical inspection automation of its Project Monitoring monumental task laden with chal- in workplace and how to resolve the of project sites in the mines of the & Supervision (PMS) Directorate. lenges but noted that with all hands dilemma of political patronage", Col Niger Delta. “That the mode of selection of on deck, “the process will, be more of Wilson Ijide (Rtd) of the Department According to him, wherever the Executive Management of the com- a technocratic rather than a political of Psychology, University of Ibadan over 12,000 projects are located, the mission should be reviewed, with a process". observed that the inability of NDDC to committee had been mandated to visit view to giving greater emphasis to Traditional rulers from the region facilitate rapid, even and sustainable them as security team had been put in competence and professionalism, and applauded the commission, for building development of the region to its desire place to escort the committee members less on political considerations; the capacity of stakeholders and engag- end and state was associated with the and ensure their security. “That the roles of the Executive ing them in the budgetary processes human factor element of organisational For the lead auditor, Mr. Joshua Directors of the commission should aimed at developing Nigeria’s oil-rich performance. Basiru, the forensic audit set-up in be properly spelt out in the enabling region. “Human factor akin to organiza- 2019 is as a result of alleged huge Act, and that the requisite qualification The National President of the Tradi- tional culture of impunity is deemed gap noted between resources invested for executive positions should also be tional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing responsible for the present state of and the infrastructural, human and clearly stated in the Act; Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, affairs at NDDC, therefore requires economic development recorded by “That the commission should be and the paramount ruler of Ibeno, a strong culture that places integrity, the commission. included in the list of Statutory Owong Effiong Archianga, stressed ethics and organisational citizenship “It is our collective responsibility to Protected Boards in the Constitution. the need to carry stakeholders along behaviour.” ensure that this forensic audit exercise This will reduce the high Board and in budget preparation and monitoring. On the much talked about forensic is successfully executed, in a bid to Management turnover, as well as the “Since in budgeting, funding is very audit of the NDDC, the Minister of reposition the commission in terms of frequent policy changes, with their critical, I call on this august assembly Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio effectively delivering on its mandate, attendant costs and inefficiencies; to take a critical look on section 14, 2a strongly disabused the minds of as well as improving transparency and “That there should be a halt on of the NDDC Act of 2000 as amended," stakeholders that the forensic audit accountability in NDDC.” foreign scholarships, with greater he said. The section, he said, stressed was a ploy to continue with NDDC “We must not allow this project to be focus on local scholarships, which that the federal government would interim administration. scuttled by those who have benefited have the potential of reaching a wider contribute the equivalent of 15 per He revealed that July ending, 2021 in the past, or those who are currently spectrum of beneficiaries, in view of cent of the total monthly statutory has been set as deadline for the conclu- benefitting unjustly from the current the COVID-19 pandemic and its travel allocations due to the member states sion of the forensic audit ordered by loopholes in the commission’s policies restrictions; of the commission from the federation President Muhammadu Buhari; asserting and operating procedures as well as the “That the commission should support account. that the audit was part of the internal profligacy exhibited by the previous tertiary institutions in the region to The TROMPCON President said the reform of NDDC, he said already 16 management teams to the detriment improve their capacities to impart the provision was ambiguous and should fields auditors have been assembled of the vast majority of the Niger Delta necessary knowledge and competencies; be reviewed to enable the federal to commence physical verification of people, and therefore do not like to “That the commission should review government contribute directly to projects across the Niger Delta region. see change coming to NDDC.” its projects in order to streamline the NDDC. Akpabio explained that the physical The workshop/retreat addressed major them, by ensuring effective funding Archianga posited that NDDC project verification is a serious exercise because concerns facing the commission and and completion of critical projects, monitoring committee should include the results of the exercise might lead came up with salient recommenda- and terminating contracts that bear traditional rulers because most of the to the prosecution of the contractors tions and key action points, whose no relevance to the Master Plan. projects were done in their various who abandoned their contracts without implementation to improve efficiency “That projects handled by the com- domains. “In fact, they should be completing them. in, and repositioning of NDDC. This mission in the past that have direct consulted when projects are to be “It is the considered position of presents a potential and far-reaching positive impact on the poor of the executed in their areas,” he said. President Muhammadu Buhari that opportunity for a brand new chapter in region, such as free medical outreaches, The royal father said in future, for us to have a properly constituted the delivery of the NDDC mandate to should be revisited and reactivated; NDDC budgets “should focus on youth board for the NDDC, we should first rapidly improve the quality of life of “That while there should be less employment and not just empower- take a look at what has happened to the people of the Niger Delta Region. emphasis on undertaking new projects, ment, so as to create a better future the commission since inception. There A communiqué issued at the end owing to budgetary constraints in for the teaming young graduates in was nothing our detractors have not of the workshop/retreat tasked the relation to outstanding obligations the region". done to stop the forensic audit and commission to improve its communica- and the ongoing forensic audit, the Also speaking at the occasion, the this has led some people to be left tions strategy and implementation, as commission, being the foremost Chairman of the Abia State Traditional wondering if the forensic audit has well as its interface with the National interventionist agency of the region, Rulers Council, Eze Joseph Nwabeke, been aborted. Assembly, Ministry of Niger Delta should continue to intervene to cut harped on the need for NDDC to “The president is resolute that he Affairs, state governors and other the infrastructural deficits in the continually engage stakeholders at the cannot leave the Niger Delta and stakeholders, through regular statutory region, and in other areas of urgent local level to be able to get their buy-in the NDDC the way he met it. As a meetings, town hall meetings and other need, such as was done at the height and ensure that they participated in demonstration of this commitment, he forms of communications, particularly of the COVID-19 pandemic,” among monitoring the commission’s projects is funding the forensic audit from the concerning projects and programmes. other resolutions as contained in the in their areas. budget of the president”, Akpabio said It was also resolved that the com- communiqué. 22 TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 • THISDAY LAWYER 04.05.2021 A WEEKLY PULLOUT
IBRAHIM ISIAKA AMAO LUCKY IRABOR AWWAL ATTAHIRU GAMBO
ESCALATING INSECURITY:A NATIONAL MALAISE 2/DASHBOARD 04.05.2021
The Applicable Law LAWYER in Customary Land 04.05.2021 A WEEKLY PULLOUT Transactions IBRAHIM ISIAKA AMAO LUCKY IRABOR AWWAL ATTAHIRU GAMBO PAGE 4
Agbakoba ESCALATING Announces New INSECURITY:A Managing Partner NATIONAL MALAISE and Creates Worldwide Synergy QUOTABLES PAGE 5 ‘There is no political will. None of us here, can say we know the process that this Government intends to use to battle insecurity.’ –Senator Abiodun Olujimi, Senator representing Ekiti Baba Ijesha: Lagos South Senatorial District, Deputy Minority Whip, 9th National As- Domestic and sembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria Sexual Violence
‘Any government that cannot pro- Team Takes Over tect its citizens, whether it is Local Case Government or State or Federal, has lost its legitimacy.’ – Senator Ike PAGE 5 Ekweramadu, Lawyer, Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, 9th National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Sorry State of Judiciary Budgets and Judges’ Salaries PAGE 6 04.05.2021 /3
Insecurity, Blame Game and Emergency Rule GLO With Pride! Obasanjo has become famous for his penchant for for all, bearing in mind that we have multi-faceted I decided to start my piece today on a positive note, letter writing to this administration, the contents security challenges based on different causative since this administration believes that many of us, of which the latter does not particularly care for; factors, requiring different methods of solution. especially the media, thrive on harping only on and I can imagine that we may have been regaled Would the declaration of a state of emergency the negatives in Nigeria. Last week, I mentioned with another letter containing Lai Mohammed’s achieve this purpose? the fact that many foreigners except the Chinese, life history - the good, the bad and the ugly, if Two pertinent questions to ask at this juncture are divesting and leaving Nigeria. This is true, Alhaji Mohammed had attempted to lay this on (maybe they may even be rhetorical questions), in but, I failed to take cognisance of the fact that General Obasanjo (as he then was)! response to those who are not favourably disposed there are still Nigerians who have invested just as to a declaration of a state of emergency because of much as the foreigners in our dear country, and State of Emergency on Security the fear of the imposition of martial law to replace have done well in showcasing the fact that we Nigerians are excellent at coining buzz words and the Constitution, are whether Government, constantly do have successful industries and conglomerates phrases, and they become so catchy very quickly; observing the provisions of the Constitution in in Nigeria. They are doing their bit to harness for example, ‘change' and 'next level, 'bandits' and their breach with little or no regard for the rule of the resources of the nation, create employment ‘banditry' (a replacement for the stigmatisation saga), law, does not already amount to authoritarianism and promote national prosperity. Telecoms giant, and most recently, people calling for a declaration of and therefore, the denial of some of our rights? Globacom Limited aka GLO, founded in 2003 by a 'state of emergency on security or on the security And, secondly, whether some of our rights are not Dr Mike Adenuga GCON, is one of them. GLO sector'. A declaration of a state of emergency on the already in abeyance, as a result of insecurity?! In is a brand Ambassador for Nigeria, as it has security sector, is meaningless. Or do they mean a fact, Section 45(2) upholds our rights, mandating spread its operations to other African countries national emergency on security? Because, it’s either that they can only be interfered with in a state of like Ghana, Republic of Benin and Ivory Coast. that or a state of emergency simpliciter. emergency, if it is reasonably justifiable to do so. In a country that is grappling with an alarming The Collins Dictionary defines a state of emergency In the case of Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari v rate of unemployment, GLO employs thousands as "a condition declared by a government, in which Federal Republic of Nigeria 2007 LPELR-958 across Nigeria and the African sub-region. martial law applies, usually because of civil unrest (SC) per Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad JSC (now I urge Government to facilitate an even more or natural disaster". A state of emergency can Chief Justice of Nigeria): “Once the security “IS OUR FAILURE TO enabling environment for Nigerians to flourish, so be limited or restricted to a particular locality or of this nation is in jeopardy and it survives that like GLO, we can contribute our own quota area, not necessarily a whole country. According in pieces rather than in peace, the individual’s DEFEAT THE INSURGENTS, to the attainment of a dynamic and self-reliant to Black’s Law Dictionary, a national emergency is liberty or right may not even exist”. This is spot economy, as Section 16(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution “a state of national crisis; a situation demanding on. Presently, even though no state of emergency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in immediate and extra-ordinary national or federal has been proclaimed, this nation’s security is in ONLY DUE TO A LACK OF 2018)(the Constitution) mandates Government to action”; in this scenario, currently, the condition serious jeopardy, and some of our fundamental do. And, one key element that is essential to the of Nigeria’s security is a national crisis, which rights already seem almost non-existent. For one, CAPACITY BORNE OUT attainment of a burgeoning business climate, is demands immediate and extraordinary national, our right to freedom of movement as provided in security, which Government must provide (Section and even international action. Section 41(1) of the Constitution has been greatly OF A PAUCITY OF FUNDS 14(2)(b) of the Constitution). Section 305 of the Constitution which provides curtailed, because of insecurity. Many can no for state of emergency, does not provide for a state longer go to their farms for fear of being attacked, AND TOOLS TO FIGHT Alhaji Lai Mohammed v Late General Murtala of emergency on security. It provides for a state raped, murdered or kidnapped, and consequently, Ramat Muhammed of emergency in the Federation (Section 305 (1)); have no means of livelihood contrary to Section Last week, social media was awash with forwards or in a State or locality, where a Governor can 17(3)(a) of the Constitution. As most Nigerians THE WAR, OR IS THERE questioning the mental capacity of the Minister request the President to make a proclamation for a cannot afford the luxury of air travel, and the of Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, state of emergency therein (Section 305(4)); or the roads are unsafe, people are constrained to stay AN ELEMENT OF LACK when he ridiculously and outlandishly attempted President may do so in a State or locality within a put in one place - hopefully, rail travel will assist to lay the blame for the unprecedented level of State, if the Governor fails to request for one when in this regard. The right to freedom of the media OF WILL OCCASIONED insecurity which Nigeria is experiencing today it is required (Section 305(5) of the Constitution). and that of expression provided in Sections 22 & on the military regime of late General Murtala The conditions which empower the President to 39(1) of the Constitution respectively, have been Muhammed, whom he claimed failed to continue proclaim a state of emergency are mentioned in brought under threat with Government and the BY A COUNTERMINE General Yakubu Gowon’s regime’s policy of Section 305(3)(a-f) of the Constitution - inter alia, National Assembly trying to use contraptions compulsory free education for those born after when the Federation is at war, or we are in imminent like the National Broadcasting Commission and ON THE PART OF SOME January 1970! Pray tell, has this administration danger of invasion or a war; or if there exists a the Hate Speech Bill amongst others, to gag us. continued the education policy, when we know that break down of public order and public safety or Our right to life guaranteed by Section 33(1) of SABOTEURS WITHIN currently, Nigeria has one of the highest out-of-school clear and present danger of it, and extraordinary the Constitution, is also being threatened on a children numbers in the world? When President measures are required to restore peace and security, daily basis, as Nigerians are being killed in their THE FORCES AND Obasanjo stepped down from office in 2007, we either to the nation or to the State or locality where numbers. Many have been deprived of their right had about 6.5 million out-of-school children; when there is trouble; or if there’s a natural disaster within to liberty by reason of kidnap, contrary to Section President Buhari came into office in 2015, they had a State or the whole country. 35(1) of the Constitution. These are just a few GOVERNMENT.....?” increased to about 10.5 million; today, UNICEF To be candid, today, most of the conditions examples of our constitutionally guaranteed rights, puts the number at over 13.5 million. Surely, if highlighted above (aside from that of natural disaster), that have been adversely affected by insecurity this administration is implementing such a good which empower the President or Governors to and the prevailing state of the nation. Also see the of the North East, and they ‘technically’ defeated education policy, should the numbers not have declare or proclaim a state of emergency, are very case of Attorney-General Plateau State & 3 the insurgents, chased them out and took down decreased? much in existence in several parts of the country, Ors v Hon. Chief Anthony Goyol & 15 Ors their flags. Today, we hear that not only are the How can one sink this low, in order to pass if not the whole, but the jury is still very much 2007 LPELR-12875 (CA). Boko Haram flags back up in the North East, the the buck and escape responsibility and liability, out as to whether a nationwide state of emergency Niger State Governor confirmed that they have making false and derogatory remarks about the would be welcome. In our so-called democratic Conclusion or Questions? been hoisted within his State in Kaure Village, dead, who even though he doesn’t need to defend dispensation, the people are already disgruntled My dear colleagues, what are your thoughts on Shiroro (North Central). himself on this, is not here with us to do so? Alhaji that some of our fundamental rights guaranteed the declaration of a state of emergency, even if it Senator Ali Ndume believes that a large amount Mohammed being a Lawyer, must be aware of by the Constitution are being trampled upon by is restricted to only a few States? Is it required? of funds must be injected into the Armed Forces Section 36(1) of the Constitution - the right to fair Government, and it would be akin to adding fuel Or is it more important for us to see some traction forthwith, to achieve better results. Is it all about the hearing - ‘Audi alteram partem’. How can he to the fire to declare a state of emergency, since such and action, instead of dwelling on constitutional ‘Benjamins’ (funds) alone? And, must this injection blame someone who was in office for less than a declaration may have the effect of suspending processes? To move from this stagnation or regres- of funds not be accompanied by transparency and seven months almost 50 years ago, for the security the Constitution and imposing martial law - many sion, and bring in innovation and whatever else accountability? With allegations of misappropriation predicament that Nigeria is facing today? As we Nigerians do not want this. is required to empower our Armed Forces to of funds allocated for the purchase of weaponry say in Hausa, “Ina ruwan ungulu da kitso?” secure our nation? Yes, I say regression because etc during the time of the former service chiefs (what’s the business of the vulture with plaiting Has Insecurity Not Already Suspended Provi- the Presidential spokespeople shouted themselves and their predecessors flying around, naturally, of hair?) - we are all aware that the vulture is sions of the Constitution? hoarse with pride (rightfully so) on the fact that Nigerians have trust issues, and want to be sure bald, and consequently, has no hair to plait - in What is required, is for Government to take decisive when this administration assumed office in 2015, that this is not yet another scam to relieve us of short, what does the present unprecedented level action to tackle and defeat this insecurity once and there were Boko Haram flags flying high in parts our extremely scarce resources. of insecurity that Nigeria is experiencing (which Let me leave you today with this parting shot this administration that Alhaji Mohammed is - I watched a videoclip of Hon. Kazaure Gudaji, the mouthpiece of, has failed to quell) have to member of the House of Representatives from do with late General Muhammed? Nothing! General Jigawa State, in which he stated that one time, Muhammed was not even in office for up to one allowances for the soldiers were being transported academic year. Alhaji Mohammed’s allegation is to them by an Army convoy. The convoy was beyond farcical, it is thoughtless and witless. intercepted and attacked by Boko Haram, all the A couple of weeks ago, I did say that this blame money (about N100 million cash he said) was game/buck passing, this ‘yawo’ (wandering) stolen. Hon. Kazaure’s conclusion (a logical one would not end until we reach the amalgamation too) was that there are Boko Haram members, of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914, or pos- sympathisers or informants within the ranks of the sibly pre-colonial times. I beg to correct myself - it Army and Air Force (Armed Forces). He asked may get to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ or the how they knew the convoy was coming, and the time of Adam and Eve! It may be because Cain route it would take? killed Abel, that Nigeria is experiencing insecurity Is our failure to defeat the insurgents, only due today! I only wish Alhaji Mohammed had tried to a lack of capacity borne out of a paucity of funds to lay the blame on the living General Olusegun and tools to fight the war, or is there an element Obasanjo aka President Obasanjo, who took over of lack of will occasioned by a countermine on as Head of State when General Muhammed was the part of some saboteurs within the Forces and assassinated on February 13, 1976, and was in Government, or a combination of both? This is office for three years. It would certainly have been certainly food for thought. The more you look, extremely interesting and entertaining. President (Used with the permission of Business Day) the less you see! 4/LAW REPORT The Applicable Law in Customary Land Transactions Facts aggrieved branch of the Respondents’ family to commence In 1970, a dispute arose within the Oluwa Chieftaincy Family of an action for recovery of possession of the land, acquired Lagos and Apapa, over the number of branches that constitute under the Deed of Lease in 1975. the family. This led to the institution of Suit No. LD/828/70 Negating the position of the Appellant, Counsel argued on at the High Court of Lagos State. In 1975, and while the behalf of the Respondents that the conclusion reached by the suit was pending, the Appellant acquired a leasehold over a Court of Appeal was “orthodox and correct”. He submitted portion of land at Industrial Road, off Kirikiri Road, Apapa, that the claim of the Respondents was for possession of land belonging to the Respondents’ family and took possession held under Native Law and Custom, and provided for under following the transfer of the property by the then Head of Section 68(1) of the Limitation Law of Lagos State. Counsel Oluwa Chieftaincy Family and six principal members of the argued further that by the relevant provision, the phrase three branches of the family. The said lease was duly registered used is “in respect of any matter” and that the said provision in the Register of Deeds at the Land Registry, Ikeja, Lagos. does not make reference to “cause of action”. Hence, it is the Judgement in Suit No. LD/828/70 was delivered on 15th underlying nature of the matter that must be considered, and May, 1987. Therein, the court held that there are five branches not simply the cause of action. He submitted further that in of the Oluwa Chieftaincy Family namely – (i) Asalu; (ii) Odofin; construing provisions of a Statute, clear and unambiguous (iii) Idewu; (iv) Faro; and (v) Amore. The appeal lodged words must be given their natural and ordinary meaning, save at the Court of Appeal was dismissed for want of diligent for where it would lead to absurdity or injustice – AMOBI prosecution, and the decision went on appeal to the Supreme v NZEGWU (2014) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1392) 510. Counsel Court, but the appeal was withdrawn and dismissed on 26th reasoned that since the claim of the Respondents is on a September, 1992. matter regulated by Customary Law, then Section 68(1) is Following the appointment of the First Respondent (from applicable in the instance. the Odofin branch) as the new Oluwa of Lagos and Apapa by the Lagos State Government on 25th November, 2004, he Court’s Judgement and Rationale constituted and inaugurated a fresh executive of the family Deciding the main issue, Their Lordships highlighted the with members drawn from the five branches, in line with provisions of Section 16(2)(a) of the Limitation Law of Lagos the decision of court. Thereafter, the Respondents requested State, which provided for a twelve-year limitation period a meeting with the Appellant in respect of the lease granted for an action for recovery of land, and Section 68(1) thereof, to it in 1975, but the Appellant refused to honour the invita- Honourable Amina Adamu Augie, JSC which provides that the limitation law shall not apply to tion. The Respondents therefore, filed an action by way of actions in respect of any matter which immediately before the Origination Summons dated 22nd September, 2011, at High commencement of the law, was regulated by customary law. Court of Lagos State, seeking to recover the piece of land The court noted that the purpose of limitation laws, expressed the family leased to the Appellant. The Appellant countered in the Latin phrase – interest rei publicae ut sit finis litium, that the Respondents’ action, was statute barred. The trial is that litigation shall be automatically stifled after a fixed length of time, the merit of the case notwithstanding. Another court raised suo motu, the issue of whether the lease of the In the Supreme Court of Nigeria land to the Appellant was created lis pendens, and invited factor is the need to prevent Plaintiffs from prosecuting stale Holden at Abuja demands, and protecting Defendants from disturbance after parties to address it on the issue. In his decision, the learned On Friday, the 18th day of December, 2020 trial Judge held that from the date of the decision of the a long lapse of time after being accustomed to their position, or lost the evidence to defend it – AMADI v INEC (2012) Supreme Court in 1992, the coast became clear for anyone Before Their Lordships in the Respondents’ family to challenge the disposition of LPELR-7831(SC). the family land based on the three branches representation, Olabode Rhodes-Vivour The issue in contention between parties in this case, is whether and which was upturned by the High Court in favour of Musa Dattijo Muhammad the action filed by the Respondents is statute barred because five branches. The court held that, by the provision of Section Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun the cause of action arose from the Deed of Lease which is 16(2)(a) of the Limitation Law, the Respondents ought to Amina Adamu Augie governed by General Law, or that the action is not statute have filed the action within twelve years from the date of Ejembi Eko barred because the claim was for possession of land held under the decision of the Supreme Court in 1992. The trial court Justices, Supreme Court Native Law and Custom. Under the Nigerian Law, transfer of concluded that the action was statute barred, and afortiori, SC.636/2015 land can either be under (i) Customary Law; or (ii) Received incompetent. On the issue of lis pendens, the court held that English Law. There is also the need to distinguish the nature Suit No. LD/828/70 was neither about the sale of any real Between under which land is held (the Respondents’ land is held under property nor recovery of possession or declaration of title; Customary Land Law), and the nature under which the said thus, the doctrine of lis pendens did not apply. OTERI HOLDINGS LIMITED APPELLANT land is transacted (either in a lease, tenancy or alienation). In The decision above was successfully challenged, at the Court And this case, the land devolved on the Respondents as descendants of Appeal. The appellate court, in upturning the judgement of of Amodu Tijani, but the transaction was executed under the trial court, reasoned that the trial court failed to read the 1. CHIEF MUKAILA KOLAWOLE OLUWA General Law as shown in the Deed of Lease. It is trite that provisions of Section 16(2)(a) together with Section 68(1) of the (The reigning Oluwa of Lagos and Apapa) requirements guiding the transaction of customary land, are Limitation Law of Lagos State, to determine the Respondents’ 2. DR. AKEEM OSENI (Odofin Branch) distinct from that under general law – ABIOYE v YAKUBU customary rights to the land in dispute. The court held that in 3. MR. JAIYE OLUWA (Odofin Branch) (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt. 190) 130. view of Section 68(1) thereof, the Respondents are not debarred 4. ALHAJI IMAM ISHOLA AKAPO (Asalu Branch) The root of title to the Appellant’s possession of the land, is from claiming their customary rights to the land, and that 5. ENGINEER WAHEED BAKARE OLUWA (Asalu Branch) traceable to the transaction under General Law. It is not the the action was not caught up by the Statute of Limitation. 6. CHIEF NASIRU OLUWA (Idewu Branch) case of the Respondents, that the transaction was executed Regarding the issue of lis pendens, the Court of Appeal held 7. PRINCE BABAJIDE SUMONU (Idewu Branch) otherwise. The reference of the Respondents to Customary that the Claim of the Respondents being recovery of land, is 8. MR. ABIODUN TIJANI OLUWA (Amore Branch) Law relates only to the holding of the land, and not the a claim to real property and not personal property; therefore, 9. MR. SALISU OLUWA (Amore Branch) transaction with the Appellant. It follows that the applicable the doctrine of lis pendens applies. 10. ALHAJI AKEEM OTOTO (Faro Branch) law, is the General Law. A follow-up issue is when did the The Appellant, who was aggrieved by the judgement of 11. DR. MONDIU BABATUNDE SARUMI(Faro Branch) RESPONDENTS cause of action accrue, having established that the General the appellate court, appealed the decision to the Supreme Law is the applicable law. (For themselves and on behalf of the Oluwa A cause of action is the bundle or aggregate of facts, which Court, while the Respondents filed a Cross-appeal on the Chieftaincy family of Lagos and Apapa) decision about lis pendens. gives the Plaintiff a substantive right to make the claim for the relief sought. In this case, it is clear that the cause of action (Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Amina Adamu Augie, JSC) Issue for Determination is not founded on the ownership or devolution of the land Two main issues were formulated for determination of the to the Respondents. The disagreement over the number of court. However, the Supreme Court adjudged the second branches of the Oluwa Chieftaincy Family was the subject of issue as academic, after consideration of the issue below: the 1970 suit, and the transaction in dispute here was entered Whether the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal were into with the Appellant by the three branches of the family right in holding that the provisions of Section 68(1) of the then, before the subsequent judgement of court to the effect Limitation Law of Lagos State is applicable to the Deed of “...... REQUIREMENTS GUIDING that there are five recognised branches of the family. Thus, the Lease dated 31/12/1975, executed under the general law by cause of action in relation to the Respondents, challenging the head and principal members of the Respondents’ family. THE TRANSACTION OF the Deed of Lease executed by a fraction of the Respondent’s family, further to the decision of the Apex Court in the matter, Arguments CUSTOMARY LAND, ARE DISTINCT accrued in 1992 upon the dismissal of the appeal of the Oluwa Counsel for the Appellant argued that the Court of Appeal family. However, the Respondents slept and woke up from wrongly applied the provisions of Section 68(1) of the Limita- their slumber only in the year 2011, to file the action leading tion Law of Lagos State, and that for the said provision to FROM THAT UNDER GENERAL to this appeal. be applicable, the transaction in question must be regulated The action was filed in contravention of Section 16(2)(a) by Customary Law. Counsel submitted that the framers of LAW...... THE REFERENCE OF THE of the Limitation Law, having been filed after a period of the said Section 68(1) could not have intended that owners nineteen years. The Respondents’ suit was statute barred by of land held under Native Law and Custom, cannot for all RESPONDENTS TO CUSTOMARY Section 16(2)(a) and so, their claim became extinguished and purposes, transact outside Customary Law; and that it will unenforceable. amount to an absurdity if the said provision is construed to LAW RELATES ONLY TO THE mean that customary land owners are denied the right to Appeal Allowed; Cross-Appeal Struck Out. transact outside Customary Law. He relied on the authority HOLDING OF THE LAND, AND NOT of A-G, ADAMAWA STATE v A-G, FED. (2014) 4-6 SC Representation 127, in support of his position that three conditions must come to play in determining whether an action is caught by THE TRANSACTION WITH THE I.A. Ovbagbedia for the Appellant. a Statute of Limitation. Counsel contended that the cause of action in this case, was not in respect of any customary APPELLANT. IT FOLLOWS THAT Adebayo Oyagbola for the Respondents. tenure between the parties, but arose from the Deed of Lease, which is governed by the general law. Thus, the cause of THE APPLICABLE LAW, IS THE Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of action accrued on 26th February, 1992 when the Supreme the Nigerian Monthly Law Report (NMLR)(An Affiliate Court in Appeal No. SC.253/1991, paved the way for an GENERAL LAW” of Babalakin & Co.) 04.05.2021 NEWS/5 OAL Announces New Managing Partner and Creates Worldwide Synergy
Jude Igbanoi VROH SURSULHWRUVKLS WR 0UV (]HNLHO¶WKH HFLHQW SUDFWLFH :H RYHU IRXU GHFDGHV ÀUP WKULYHV RQ IRXU DUHQRZPRUHIRFXVHG 7KH ODZ ÀUP RI DJRKDVRYHUWKH\HDUV NH\SULQFLSOHV([FHO- JHDUHGWRZDUGVH[HFXW- 2OLVD$JEDNRED/HJDO JURZQ WR LWV SUHVHQW OHQFH3URIHVVLRQDOLVP LQJ WDUJHW JRDOV DQG 2$/ ODVW7KXUVGD\ IRUP ZLWK RFHV DW ,QQRYDWLRQDQG&RP- PD[LPLVLQJSRWHQWLDOV DQQRXQFHGWKHDSSRLQW- $SDSD ,NR\L DQG PLWPHQW (3,& 2XUV\QHUJ\SDUWQHU- PHQW RI 0UV This opportune article by Ahuraka Yusuf Isah at a time when the JUSUN Staff have been on strike for approximately one month on the issue of the funding of the Judiciary, discusses the concept of the independence of the Judiciary, the third arm of Government, vis-a-vis its underfunding, particularly with regard to the inadequate salaries and allowances paid to our judicial officers, whom despite the fact that they have one of the busiest dockets in the world, are so poorly paid. Worse still, our judicial officers have not had an upward review of their remuneration packages in at least 13 years, in spite of the inflation and devaluation in currency that Nigeria has experienced, especially over the last six years Why Lawyers Want 5% of Annual Budget billion, and review it upward. We must all for the Judiciary agree that the Judiciary is the custodian of rule of law, and as such, the safeguard of his opportune article by Ahuraka democracy’’, Alegeh said. Yusuf Isah at a time when the Asiwaju Awomolo: “The nation’s Judiciary JUSUN Staff have been on strike under President Buhari’s watch, has not been for approximately one month on accorded its rightful place as an independent the issue of the funding of the arm of Government. The Judiciary has always Judiciary, discusses the concept of been at the short end of the stick. It has the independence of the Judiciary, not found favour at all, under the current the third arm of Government, vis-a-vis its dispensation”. Tunderfunding, particularly with regard to the According to Ahamba, ‘’The CJN can inadequate salaries and allowances paid to draw the attention of the NBA to the sad our judicial officers, whom despite the fact trend and development in which Judiciary that they have one of the busiest dockets in is treated as pariah third arm of Govern- the world, are so poorly paid. Worse still, ment, by allocating N110 billion to it in our judicial officers have not had an upward four consecutive years. review of their remuneration packages in at ‘’It is unheard of that the Judiciary would least 13 years, in spite of the inflation and submit N18 proposal, only to be allocated devaluation in currency that Nigeria has with N110 billion. NBA can react and protest experienced, especially over the last six years on behalf of the Judiciary before the NASS, Like Judges’ salaries, the annual budgeted and ask it to change the tide. It is part of amount to the Judiciary has remained static the function of NBA to defend the Judiciary for years. The same N110 billion budgeted against oppression from the other arms of for the Judiciary in 2018, was repeated in Government’’, Ahamba said. 2019, 2020 and 2021, making four consecutive However, Ismaila said, ‘’No one can believe years despite the spiralling inflation and that Judiciary used to receive N150 billion skyrocketing exchange rate in the country. budget approval in this country. Budget Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad The last time salaries of Judges were allocations to it have been declining in reviewed, was by virtue of the ’’Certain quantity and percentage share of the nation Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders Daudu said, ‘’One of the hallmarks of severely hampered from discharging their budget. While the 2010 allocation of N95 (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) the Judiciary as an independent arm of functions or duties. A cash strapped Judiciary billion to the Judiciary represented 2.2% Act 2008’’ that came into force on February Government, is its ability to remain not will always be at the mercy of the arm of of that year’s budget, in 2011, 2012, 2013, 1, 2007. In other words, Judges’ salaries have only impartial in the discharge of its core Government that controls its purse strings, 2014 and 2015, the nation’s budget shares remained static for 12 or 13 years, and still duties, to wit adjudication, but to hold on and this is contrary to the requirements of the for the Judiciary were N85b (1.8%) N75b counting. Since pensions are predicated on to its independence jealously. A Judiciary Constitution which expects the Judiciary to (1.7%), N67b (1.3%), N68b (1.3%) and N73b salaries, Judges who retired within the same that is starved of funds, is not independent. be neutral in the discharge of its duties which (1.6%) respectively. The N70 billion budgeted period have been receiving same pension This is because its personnel will be, or are is to all citizens, even if the determination of for the Judiciary in 2016 (out of the N6.08 amounts too. their civil rights and obligations is between trillion total proposals) is 1.1%. them and Government or vice versa. ‘’The 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Observations and Views of Senior Lawyers “In the past 4 years, the economy has suffered budgetary figures for the judiciary have Towards the end of last year, some senior a serious downturn, the value of the Naira been declining to below 1.0% just as that Lawyers in the country including Dr Olisa has depreciated by at least 60%. By pegging of the 2021 fiscal year budget of N110 billion Agbakoba, SAN, J.B.Daudu, SAN and Au- the budget of the Judiciary for the past 4 out of a total budget of N13.08 trillion is gustine Alegeh, SAN, Chief Mike Ahamba, years at the same amount of N110 billion 0.84%; which is because, while the nation’s SAN, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, per annum, and that does not mean that the total budget increases that of the third arm Alasa Ismaila and Celestine Offia questioned budgeted amount is the released amount, of government remains constant at N110 the rationale behind budgeting same amount “...... THE SALARIES AND the Judiciary is only getting 40% of what billion’’, he said. of N110 billion to the Judiciary, for four it was getting four years ago in the face of Offia said, “It is understood that the consecutive years. ALLOWANCES OF NIGERIAN crippling inflation and damming devaluation. Judiciary had, in its 2021 budget estimate The Lawyers who separately spoke to What this means is that the Judiciary is it submitted indicated that it would appoint newspaper reporters on the subject-matter, JUDGES AT THE FEDERAL barely able to discharge its functions. The about 60 Judges for the Court of Appeal and stated that the allocation of the same amount Judiciary must not be brought to its knees. the Federal High Court, beside the eight to the Judiciary for four years running cannot AND STATE LEVELS, HAVE “Both the Executive and Legislature must newly appointed Supreme Court justices be justified with any economic parameters come to the realisation that, despite their and others to follow. or explanation, because the value of Naira REMAINED STATIC FOR exposure to political cases, the Judiciary is ‘’These Justices being appointed or to be has depreciated by over 60% in the last OVER TWELVE YEARS TO not manned by politicians and no amount of appointed require spaces for their offices, four years. arm twisting by financial emasculation can which must be equipped with books, equip- While taking turns to lament over the yearly DATE. BESIDES, FINDINGS bring the Judiciary to its knees. In future, the ment aside aides and logistics, and that’s declining Judiciary budgets, the Lawyers Judiciary may have to explore the option of money’’. observed that the Judiciary appears to be HAVE ALSO SHOWN THAT litigation to compel Government to improve ‘’It has to be inserted in the constitution particularly worse off under the President its funding’’, Daudu stated. that judiciary budget must not fall below Buhari administration. They asked the NJC THE TOTAL NUMBER OF Alegeh said, ‘’The truth is that the Judiciary 5% of the total annual budget of the country, to obey the judgement of Justice Mohammed is not being treated on equal terms or as and so also in the states. Judiciary had Mohammed of the Federal High Court in JUDGES AT THE FEDERAL another arm of Government by the Execu- at certain time used to get N150 billion Abuja in Olisa Agbakoba v AGF, NJC & AND STATE JUDICIARY tive and Legislative arms of Government. budget for a year when the total budget of NASS, which ordered the Council to assert Otherwise, it isn’t proper to submit budget the country is not up to a quarter of what its constitutional authority to get its funding SERVICES IN THE ENTIRE estimate of N187 billion, only to be handed it is today’’, he said. directly from NASS, and not the Executive. down with N110 billion. According to Agbakoba, ‘’the NJC needs COUNTRY WHICH STOOD ‘’How do they want the Judiciary to make Malami Insists Judges’ Salaries Will be to assert its constitutional authority to up for the big differences, when it indeed, Reviewed Soon get its funding directly from the NASS and AT 1062 IN 2015, ONLY based its proposal on the number of Judges Over a year ago, the Minister of Justice not the Executive as confirmed by Justice to be appointed, number of courtrooms to and the Attorney-General of the Federation Mohammed sitting as a Judge of the Federal MOVED TO 1067 IN 2019, be built, and so on? (AGF), Abubakar Malam, SAN, disclosed High Court in Olisa Agbakoba v AGF, ‘’I advice the Executive and the Legislature NJC & NASS’’. AND 1071 IN 2021” to reconsider Judiciary’s 2021 budget of N110 cont'd on page 7 04.05.2021 /7 The Sorry State of Judiciary Budgets and Judges’ Salaries cont'd from page 6 “THIS LAW WHICH that the Federal Government had constituted REPEALED A SIMILAR a Committee to review the salaries and other benefits of the judicial officers in the country. ACT OF 2002 TO Precisely, Malami stated this in the speech he delivered at the special session of the INCREASE JUDGES Supreme Court to mark the beginning of the new legal year and conferment of the BASIC SALARIES, rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria held on Monday September 23, 2019. According to ALLOWANCES AND Malami, the setting up of the Panel came after the meeting he had with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko FRINGE BENEFITS IN Muhammad, on the review of judicial salaries and conditions of service. 2007 HAS NOT BEEN The Committee, the AGF said would consult with the heads of courts and other stakeholders, REVIEWED, AND AS in order to come up with recommendations to ensure that the welfare of judicial officers SUCH JUDGES HAVE reflect current realities. Although the AGF didn’t disclose when the Panel was set up BEEN EARNING THE and who are its members, he added that the report of the Committee was expected SAME TAKE HOME PAY to be turned in and concurrently used to upwardly review the Judges’ salaries, as SINCE 2007” soon as possible. ‘’Similarly, based on a presidential mandate and a meeting held between My Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN Lord, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the $1300 of estacode each. Others get between Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation, the earning the same take home pay since 2007. The Court of Appeal in the same 2015 $600 and $1100 estacode each. Committee on the Review of Judicial Salaries It has to be understood that there is no appropriation got N11.10 billion, which was Judges’ retirement benefits from CJN down and Conditions of Service was constituted. senior, junior or probating Judges within made up of N1.214 billion consolidated the line, are based on scheme of service. ‘’In coming up with its recommendations the same court of coordinate jurisdiction. salary of Justices of the Court of Appeal, These earnings are however, according to to ensure that the welfare of our noble Judges are only promoted from a lower to N2. 699 billion personnel, N4.699 billion the Act, exclusive of tax. judicial officers reflect the current realities, a higher court, like from the High Court Overheads (including Election Tribunal) and By the time the basic salary, allowances the Committee consulted with all Heads of to Court of Appeal and to the Supreme N2.496 billion for capital expenditure. These and fringe benefits are posted, the CJN and Courts and other stakeholders. I can assure Court if there are vacancies occasioned by are the patterns of disbursement with the other Justices of the Supreme Court receive this noble gathering, that the efforts of the retirement, resignation, removal or death. Federal High Court, Federal Capital Territory monthly salary alerts of N480,766.89 and Committee will soon materialise for the good Hence, a judicial officer who was elevated High Court, National Industrial Court and N751,000.00 in their bank accounts, respectively. of our dear country’’, AGF stated. to the Supreme Court Bench in 2008, has Customary Court of Appeal (FCT) that got The CJN’s net monthly salary is even lower Meanwhile, the AGF reiterated on April been earning same salary amount since then. N12.1 billion, N7.0 billion, N5.6 billion and than that of his brother Justices, because of 12, 2021 that the salaries of Judges and other N3.05 billion respectively. judicial officers across the country, will soon Breakdown of Judges’ Salaries and deductions made on account of other monetary and material provisions such as food items, be reviewed. He made this known during Allowances Comparison with Other Jurisdictions which are provided to him by the Federal an interview with newsmen, at the com- By virtue of the ‘’Certain Political, Public It also goes without saying, that the salaries Government. missioning of Sokoto State High Court of and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and and purchasing power of Nigerian Judges Contrary to media reports speculating Justice Complex Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008’’, and their counterparts abroad and in some various figures the nation’s Judicial Officers “Regarding the welfare package of our CJN’s annual basic salary is N3,353,972.50 (or African countries, are wide apart by great earn annually, but based on NJC records, noble judicial officers, I must make reference N279,497.71 monthly), while other Justices margins. Judges all over the country at the Federal to the Presidential mandate given in that of the Supreme Court and the President of In the United State of America, while the and States’ Judicial Service earn a total of regard, and I am glad to inform you that the Court of Appeal receive N2,477,110.00 as Chief Justice, John Roberts, earns $255,500 N8,654,954,541.97, approximately N8.7 billion. several meetings have been held, as a result basic annual salary or N206,425.83 monthly. (or N118, 807,500) per annum, the eight A total of 1071 Judicial Officers, both at of which the Committee on the Review of Justices of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge Associate Justices earn a healthy pay raise the Federal and State levels, are on the pay Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of to $244,400 (N113, 646,000). The current roll of the National Judicial Council (NJC). was constituted, to ensure that welfare of the FCT High Court and President of the salary for Supreme Court justices in US, is While N2,256,351,435.33 (that is, N2.3 billion our judicial officers reflect current realities of Industrial High Court, Grand Khadi of State significantly higher than the average salaries approximately) was paid to the 252 Federal our time. I am to assure this noble gathering, and FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, President earned in related occupations. Judicial Officers including the Chief Justice of that the efforts of the Committee will soon FCT and State Customary Court of Appeal The President of the Supreme Court, Nigeria in 2019, a sum of N6,398,303,106.64 materialise for the good of our dear judicial earn annual basic salary of N1,995,430.18 Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, (N6.4 billion approximately) was paid as officers and our country.” each. In addition, Judges of the Federal, State Lord President of the Court of Session and salaries and allowances to 819 State Judicial and FCT High Courts, National Industrial Master of the Rolls, make up Group 1.1 of Officers. In other words, both the Federal Current Judges’ Salaries Court, Khadi Sharia Court of Appeal in FCT the scale on £214,165 (N128,070,670), below and State Judicial Officers earn the sum of From all indications, the salaries and allow- and State; and FCT and State Customary only the Lord Chief Justice of England and N8.7 billion as salaries and allowances per ances of Nigerian Judges at the Federal and Courts also earn annual basic salary of Wales, who earns £239,845 (N143,427,310). annum in Nigeria. State levels, have remained static for over N1,804,740 each. In South Africa, according to the latest A further breakdown shows that the 252 twelve years to date. Besides, findings have The Act also dictates the allowances and report of the Independent Commission for Judicial Officers comprise of the Chief Justice also shown that the total number of Judges fringe benefits payable to the judicial officers the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers, of Nigeria, other Justices of the Supreme at the Federal and State Judiciary Services at the Federal and States’ levels, which are chaired by Judge Willie Seriti, Judges in the Court, President of the Court of Appeal, other in the entire country which stood at 1062 predicated on the annual basic salaries on High and Labour Courts earned annual Justices of the Court of Appeal, and Justices in 2015, only moved to 1067 in 2019, and a percentage basis. The law names such salaries of R1.4 million (or N46.9 million). of the Federal High Court, Federal Capital 1071 in 2021. The record also shows that allowances to include accommodation, utili- Judge-Presidents (heads of court) pocket Territory High Court, National Industrial the 1071 Judges in the country, are made ties, domestic staff, entertainment, medical, R1.6million (N53.6m) a year, Constitutional Court, Sharia Court of Appeal and Customary up of 248 and 819 Federal and State Judicial security, furniture, personal assistance, motor and Supreme Court Judges get R1.7 million Court of Appeal and their heads. At the Officers (Judges) respectively. These were vehicle loan, severance gratuity and retirement (N56.9m) and the Chief Justice earns R2.3 same time, the 819 State Judicial Officers the existing figures before the appointment benefit. Others are leave allowance, motor million (N77.0m).The package of the President are made up of 70 heads of court (that is, of four additional Judicial Officers to make maintenance and fuel, hardship, newspaper, of the Supreme Court is just over R2-million 36 Chief Judges, 17 Grand Khadis and 17 up Supreme Court Bench to 20 Justices. It estacode duty tour, outfit and special assistant a year. When they retire, Judges are entitled Presidents of Customary Court of Appeal); should be borne in mind that appointments allowances. to continue drawing their salaries and other and 744 Judicial Officers. of Judges, whether at a court of first instance The Act says the accommodation, medical, benefits, which continue to qualify for an Take for instance, in 2015; N7.00 billion or appellate courts, are made pursuant to security and special assistance allowances annual increase. vacancies often created due to retirement, and benefits won’t be paid, but provided was appropriated for the Supreme Court by the National Assembly. Out of that, death or otherwise. by NJC. Conclusion N304,137,542.21 was budgeted for the ‘’con- The last time salaries of Judges were Furniture allowance is paid every four years, It is time that Nigeria takes a leaf out of the solidated salary of Justices’’ of the Supreme reviewed in the country, was by the ’’Certain while the leave allowance is earned once books of some of these jurisdictions, and as Court, N1,122,909,366.76, N2,795,953,091.03 Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders in a year. The car loan facility is optional; a matter of urgency, addresses this crucial and N2,777,000,000.00 were budgeted for (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) it is a benefit noticed more in the papers issue of inadequate Judges’ remuneration the Supreme Court staff salary, overhead Act, 2008’’ which came into force on February than the beneficiaries, according a serving forthwith. With the ongoing JUSUN strike, and capital respectively. In other words, the 1, 2007. This law which repealed a similar Judge who doesn’t want to be mentioned. this is as good a time as any, to resolve the Supreme Court staff salary appropriation Act of 2002 to increase Judges basic salaries, While the CJN gets $2000 estacode when outstanding issues holistically. allowances and fringe benefits in 2007 has not he travels, other Supreme Court Justices and was almost four times that of the Justices been reviewed, and as such Judges have been the President of the Court of Appeal get of the Apex Court. Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, Abuja 8/COVER 04.05.2021 D I S C O Escalating Insecurity: The nation’s insecurity is worsening, the challenges are humongous, and the solutions have been elusive so far. The recent escalation of clashes between security agencies and local insurgents in the South East, have heightened the calls for Government to urgently rethink its strategies for combatting the security challenges in Eastern Nigeria and other hotspots like Benue State, where there are killings almost on a daily basis. The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, was not left out, as there was an attempt to assassinate him earlier this year in March, while seven internally displaced persons taking refuge in a Camp in Abagena, Makurdi were murdered last week. Policemen and other security personnel, have also not been spared, as several of them have lost their lives in the violence. At least five Policemen were killed about two weeks ago in Okigwe, Imo State, while others suffered the same fate of death in Rivers State. Norrison Quakers, SAN, Professor Andrew Chukwumerie, SAN and Jide Ojo interrogate the multifarious issues, and proffer suggestions on how to end the crisis Quelling the Security Crisis in Eastern Nigeria Norrison I. Quakers, SAN Background he term - ‘Security’ is a crosscutting and multi-dimensional concept associated with safety and survival and has been subjected to different definitions, however, there is a consensus that the Government is theT only institution on which lies primary responsibility and power New Service Chiefs; Ibrahim Attahiru, Isiaka Amao, Lucky Irabor, Awwal Gambo for the safety of its territory and its people. Hence, it is expressly declared a worrisome peak. This ultimately is banditry bedevilling different parts Of note, though every Nigerian in Article 2(1) UN Charter, vis - ‘The the causative factor of the agitations of our polity particularly in the citizen, by virtue of Section 40 of the Organisation is based on the sovereign by ethnic minority communities and South-East, the Region under focus. Constitution, is free to communalise equality of its members’. This is also other presumably disadvantaged In all the reactions of the Federal by joining other persons to form as- deeply embedded in the conceptual groups. Further, a broad look at the Government so far, the fundamental sociations for the purpose of pursuing structure of international law. socio-economic and political realities and immediate causes of these mani- and protecting their interests, such in Nigeria confirms that the corollary festations are yet to be adequately associations must not violate any Central Security Framework Under of this is security challenges, including addressed. extant law. Nigeria’s Constitution but not limited to the terrorism and Sections 33 to 35 of the Constitution of The Pursuit of a Safe Haven by For Peace in Eastern Nigeria the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 Regions There has not been a synergy between (as amended) grants to every Nigerian The magnitude of insecurity problem, ‘Eastern Security Network (ESN)’ and citizen the right to life, dignity of has exceeded the coping capacity ‘Ebube Agu’ in the Eastern Region, human person and personal liberty. of the conventional security outfit which has led to a series of conflicts Whilst, Section 214(1) of the Constitu- in Nigeria. The South West Region that has worsened the security situ- tion provides as follows: “There shall “GOVERNMENT SHOULD has birthed Western Nigeria Security ation of the region. Consequently, be a Police Force in Nigeria, which Network (WNSN) codenamed- ‘Op- the community policing initiative shall be known as the Nigeria Police DEPLOY FUNDS, FOR A eration Amotekun’. The Coalition which many have patiently waited Force, and subject to the provisions of Northern Groups (CNG) had to berth, to no avail amid the incessant of this section, no other Police Force TECHNOLOGICAL AND earlier unveiled Northern Nigeria threat posed to the overall security shall be established for the federation security outfit code-named 'Operation of the region, has now turned into or any part thereof.” MANPOWER BOOST Shege-Ka-Fasa'. The fast-deteriorating the nightmare of the region. Section 217 of the Constitution OF THE SECURITY security situation in the Southeast The recent killing of members of provides - “There shall be an armed states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, the militia group - Eastern Security forces for the Federation which shall INFRASTRUCTURE. FOR Enugu, and Imo led to the unveil- Network (ESN) linked to the pro- consist of an army, a Navy, an Air ing of the security outfit codenamed scribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra force and such other armed forces of THE EXTANT SECURITY ‘Ebube Agu’ meaning - fear of a lion (IPOB) including Ikonso, the ESN unit the federation as may be established in Ibo with its headquarters in Enugu, commander by a tactical team of the by an Act of the National Assembly.” FRAMEWORK, THERE and the responsibility to checkmate Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, and rising unrest in the region; albeit, Department of State Services (DSS) has The State of the Nation IS NEED FOR AN the Eastern Security Network (ESN) already dealt a blow on the Biafran A peek into our fatherland today, which is a non-State regional force separatist organisation in Nigeria. when extrapolated against the recent IMPROVED SECURITY affiliated to the proscribed Indigenous Whilst some in the region regard the hike in prices of products that form People of Biafra (IPOB) that earlier deceased Ikonso as a villain, others the fulcrum of basic amenities of life, BUDGET, EQUIPMENT sprung up, had insisted that there is see him as a hero. Notwithstanding will reveal that poverty has reached AND TRAINING” no security outfit that can be floated these contending perspectives, what in the region aside from it. remains to be settled is the antidote 04.05.2021 COVER/9 U R S E A National Malaise for the recent phenomenal wave of cordingly, legislate for State security political assassination, murders, outfits to bear arms, since Item 2 of armed banditry, kidnapping and the Exclusive Legislative list of 1999 general eruption of insecurity in the Constitution of the Federal Republic region; this is the succour expected of Nigeria confers on the National by the average resident of the South Assembly, the powers to legislate for Eastern part of Nigeria, whether a the whole nation concerning arms, pro-IPOB agitator or not. ammunitions and explosives. Government should deploy funds, Checkmating Insecurity through for a technological and manpower State Police boost of the security infrastructure. The brutish and bestial state of For the extant security framework, politicking by elected representatives there is need for an improved security in Nigeria, who are self-acclaimed budget, equipment and training. - ‘servant leaders’ in addressing the disasters crippling our individual Norrison I. Quakers, SAN, FCArb, natural right to be happy, and chal- Constitutional and Human Rights lenging the narrative of opinionators Lawyer, Lagos that have described the Nigerian State as - ‘predatory, propaganda tilled, parasitic, patrimonial, decadent, Norrison Quakers, SAN South East Security criminalised, chronic, venal, irrational, Crisis: A National kleptocratic and impotent’, has left those on the other side of the fence Approach To Growth. Today, the sole are often too quick to puncture this ambition of the average Nigerian, is Problem much to be desired. argument. But, judicial notice has to elope in pursuit of happiness in In the pre-independence era, the Na- Professor Andrew Chukwume- tive Authorities were in direct control even been taken of this. Uwani Musa other climes. Our teeming younger of their domains. The helplessness Abba Aji (JSC) in KURE v C.O.P. generation are apparently confounded, rie, SAN It is all over the country. I think one of the centrally controlled Police in (2020) VOL. 301 LRCN PG. 105 hence resort to despicable immoral of the sources of the problem is the Nigeria today is such that has led to @ 135AF noted- and illegal conducts to practically fact that though the State Governors the inability to checkmate the surge “The Police have muzzled the stay alive. There is also disaffection are recognised by the Constitution in the rate of sophisticated crimes in rights and freedom of Nigerians, amongst patriots. and the laws as the Chief Security the Eastern Region and other parts even where cases are clearly Whilst divergent reasons have been Officers of their States, the same of the country. outside their jurisdiction, power adduced for the state of insecurity Constitution and laws deny them Under the current dispensation, or corridor. If this is not curbed, ravaging the country, and in particular, the power and reality of being the the sole institution responsible for everybody including the judicial Eastern Nigeria, in resolving the Chief Security Officers of their States. enforcement of law is the centralised officers will suffer always from nagging issue, there is need for a While a Governor may instruct the Nigeria Police Force, as captured by floodgates of civil matters be- proactive leadership to check the rising Commissioner of Police, for instance, Section 214 of the Constitution. How- ing hijacked by the Police and spate of poverty. The Governments on a security issue in his State, the ever, a cursory appraisal of Section transmuted into crimes. If this of all States, including those in the Commissioner may well ignore 2(2) of the Constitution, will lead to is not tackled, everybody would Eastern Region, should deploy means the instruction from the Governor the infallible conclusion that State have suffered in the merciless hand of uplifting the standard of living and wait for confirmation from the Police accords with the principle of of the police who has become a of Nigerians. Good leadership is Inspector General of Police, or by Federalism on which Nigeria fashions law unto itself in this country” important; for instance, the State extension, the President. In the same her Constitution. Governors who are duly entitled way, the Governor cannot instruct The recommendation of State Police Way Forward/Taking Cue from to certain amounts of allocation as the GOC or other equivalent of the into the Nigerian policing system, Global Best Practices security votes, should render proper armed forces like the Navy or Air as a solution for the curbing of the In 2015, the United Nations launched account. Force. incessant security conundrum in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to There is also an urgent need to country, once more comes to fore since make people's lives happier. On July checkmate lopsided political appoint- The Way Forward Nigeria is a Federation. Regrettably, 19, 2011, the United Nations General ments, to stem agitations by ethnic The way forward is to make the the Nigeria Police Force is structurally Assembly passed UN resolution nationalities. Governors the Chief Security Officers deficient as at today. Remarkably, in 65/309, Happiness Toward A Holistic In the face of the deploring security - the decentralisation of the nation's the United States of America whose situation confronting the nation security architecture. I have not been template of federalism is theoretically at this time, there is definitely a a fan for State Police but with the similar to ours, there are Federal, need for re-conceptualisations of way things have gone, State Police State, County and Municipal Police. national security; advocating for now appears attractive and inevitable. Interestingly, the major opponents non-recognition of any State security It may have its drawbacks, but for of State Policing have always relied outfit in Nigeria is not in the best effective policing in the country, State on the likelihood of abuse of power interest of the country, in view of Police involving community policing by the respective State Governments, the principle of true Federalism. “..... NIGERIANS MUST should be embraced. however, this challenge is not pecu- State Police should be considered Another way forward, is the liar, since as of today, wherein the and Vigilante groups established for BE DELIVERED FROM restructuring of the country. On this, operational control of the Nigeria the protection of lives and property, it seems to appear that several parts Police Force is centralised, being in TRIBALISM AND as guaranteed by the Constitution. of the country are at one, at least the hands of the Inspector General of Police must operate within the ambit in theory. Whilst some parts of the Police Force, who in turn, is answer- SECTIONALISM. THAT IS of the law. country seem very serious about able to the President of the Federal There must be collaborations NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN restructuring, some parts seem to Republic of Nigeria, Police rascality between States and the Federal is common knowledge. Regrettably, BE LEGISLATED UPON” Government on security matters; the National Assembly should ac- cont'd on page 10 10/ COVER 04.05.2021 Escalating Insecurity: A National Malaise cont'd from page 9 ment Area of the State, was said to have pay lip service to it. The end result been razed down by the suspected is that, there are several meanings herdsmen. The rice farm, according and interpretations of restructuring. to the Farm Manager, Kena Iordzua, In my view, restructuring must be covered about 250 hectares of land, along the lines of the six geopolitical with the burnt rice estimated at over zones now existing in the country. It N100 million. The farm Manager told seems that the old regional arrangement The PUNCH correspondent that the is hardly acceptable now, as people in herders came to the farm with a large the South-South can hardly accept to number of cattle during the day, and set it on fire at three different points. come under a regional government, or Iordzua said the inferno could not be its equivalent, in the South-East. The put out due to the wild nature of the restructuring must, of course, involve fire, as a result of the harmattan. The finance and revenue. Along with, a farm Manager added that security panacea for most of the problems facing agents were mobilised to go after the the country, is for the adoption of place herdsmen, who shot sporadically in of residence in preference for place the air as they retreated towards the of origin/extraction. If somebody has Nasarawa State border. lived in a place for five years, nothing should stop him adopting that place as Was Ortom the only Governor to his place of origin. Finally, Nigerians be attacked in Nigeria? must be delivered from tribalism and At least nine people were reportedly killed in northeastern Nigeria on Sat- sectionalism. That is not something urday, November 21, 2020 when Boko that can be legislated upon. Unless Haram terrorists targeted a convoy we are delivered from tribalism and Professor Andrew Chukwumerie, SAN belonging to Borno State Governor. sectionalism, whatever else is out in Governor was able to escape because According to local reports, members place may just fail. former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, also promptly of a slight technical communication of the terrorist group attacked the ordered an investigation into the attack. error. It claimed Ortom has been leading convoy of Gov. Babagana Zulum on Prof Chukummerie SAN writes the campaign against Fulani interests, the Gajiram-Monguno road, killing from Owerri. FUNAM Claims responsibility in the North. The group said it has seven soldiers and two civilians. Zulum On March 20, 2021, in a press state- operatives in all Southern States. It escaped uninjured, but, it was the third Samuel Ortom: When a ment signed by Umar Amir Shehu, a warned collaborators working against time he had been attacked by Boko group known as The Fulani Nation- Fulani people across Nigeria, of dire Haram terrorists, a report by Anadolu Governor Has to Flee! ality Movement, (FUNAM) claimed consequences. It stated clearly that Agency (AA) said. Zulum’s convoy responsibility for the attack. The group any State or individual that opposes was reportedly attacked twice along Jide Ojo said it had genuine reasons, as it acted RUGA or ranching, will be confronted. the Baga Highway in September 2020. on behalf of millions of Fulani people It said FUNAM will carry out attacks Also, former Governor of Benue Introduction in 15 countries. FUNAM said it is a on strategic human and material as- State, George Akume in March 2004 On Saturday, March 20, 2021, Samuel case of vengeance against an infidel, sets of States and non-State groups or escaped assassination, after his convoy Ioraer Ortom, politician, farmer, former who has used his time and money individuals, known for their anti-Fulani was attacked near Nasarawa-Eggon, Minister of State for Trade and Invest- in destroying the Fulani values and campaigns. Nasarawa State on his way to Kaduna ment, and now Governor of Benue inheritance. According to the group, The PM News on March 21, 2021, to attend a meeting of the Governors escaped death by whiskers when “Our courageous fighters carried out first published the FUNAM press of the 19 Northern States. His friend assailants suspected to be herders this historic attack to send a great statement. The newspaper reported and former Managing Director of the waylaid him on his way back from message to Ortom and his collabora- further that in 2018, the group had Nigeria Airways, Engineer Andrew his farm. According to Ortom, about tors: Wherever you are, once you are triggered some furore in Nigeria when Agom and a security guard, Sergeant 15 herders who were dressed in black against Fulani long term interest, we it claimed the Fulani are the owners John Ngam, died in the attack. outfits ambushed him and his security shall get you down. This is a clear of the Nigerian territory, from Sokoto personnel. In his words “…. I went to warning. We hope those who take us to the Atlantic. The Sultan of Sokoto, General State of Insecurity in my farm along Gboko road. And, on for granted, will get the indisputable His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa'ad Nigeria our way back, we started hearing some message”. Abubakar, CFR, the spiritual head Such is the general state of insecurity in gunshots and we discovered people FUNAM claimed 11 of its operatives of the Fulani, reportedly doubted the Nigeria, that traditional rulers, political who were dressed in black, and from were involved in the attack' and that the authenticity of the group and disowned office holders and persons considered as experience, we now discovered that its statement as reckless. The group Very Important Personalities, have been these are Fulani militias and I did allegedly has made several incendiary targeted for attacks by unknown armed not want to take things for granted statements thereafter, without any groups. In November 2020, bandits shot because, few days ago, the media consequence. According to the PM a prominent First Class traditional ruler were awash with statements from News, in February 2020, the group in Ondo State, Oba Israel Adeusi who MACBAN who met in Yola, the same in a statement by its president, Badu was the Olufon of Ifon. Ifon is located place they met in 2016 where they Salisu Ahmadu, claimed a special Fulani in Ose Local Government Area of the decided that they will take Nigeria, Strike Force was responsible for the State in South-West Nigeria. Oba Adeusi and that every other person is a slave; killing of 23 people in Plateau State was said to be returning to his town that was when they started infiltrating in late January 2020. It is hoped that from Akure, the Ondo State capital, the entire country”. the fact that a group has owned up where he went for a meeting with According to the Governor, “I ap- “IT IS HOPED THAT THE to have perpetrated the assassination other frontline traditional rulers in the preciate the security men attached to attempt on Ortom, should put paid State. In December last year, unknown me. They were able to repel them, and FACT THAT A GROUP HAS to speculation that the Governor gunmen attacked the convoy of the the gunmen could not have access to orchestrated or stage managed the Emir of Kaura Namoda in Zamfara me. And I thank God for my fitness, OWNED UP TO HAVE attack on himself, in order to draw State, Alhaji Sanusi Muhammadu Asha, to have run for more than one and PERPETRATED THE sympathy. killing three Policemen, and five of his a half kilometres without stopping. guards and aides. It means that God has given me ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT Ortom’s Rice Farm Razed on strength, and I am grateful to God.” December 31, 2018 Ortom’s Spat with Governor Bala Ortom, who has been a vocal critic ON ORTOM, SHOULD PUT The recent attempt on the life of Mohammed of Bauchi State of open grazing of cattle, reportedly PAID TO SPECULATION Governor Samuel Ortom, was not the In February 2021, Governor Bala impounded over 200 cows for violating first to make him pay for supposedly Mohammed of Bauchi State engaged the anti-grazing law the State passed in THAT THE GOVERNOR opposing Fulani interest. According to in a word of words with his Benue 2018. The attack on the Governor has The PUNCH newspaper of January 2, State counterpart on his handling of the been widely condemned by President ORCHESTRATED OR STAGE 2019, suspected armed Fulani herdsmen herders/farmers conflict. Mohammed Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian MANAGED THE ATTACK on New Year’s eve stormed the rice blamed Ortom for his 'lack of foresight', Governors Forum, Northern Governors farm belonging to Samuel Ortom, and for the negative perception of Fulani Forum, the Peoples Democratic Party, ON HIMSELF, IN ORDER TO set it ablaze. The rice farm, located in herders in the country. Speaking on and as well as many other groups. The Gbajimba in the Guma Local Govern- DRAW SYMPATHY” cont'd on page 11 04.05.2021 COVER /11 Escalating Insecurity: A National Malaise cont'd from page 10 “THE KANO STATE the theme "The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace and Unity in Nigeria", GOVERNOR, ABDULLAHI which marked the closing ceremony of 2021 Correspondents' Chapel Week GANDUJE, AND INDEED, organised by Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bauchi THE NORTHERN State Council, the Governor lamented that the herder/farmers crisis was poorly GOVERNORS FORUM handled by Benue State Governor. The Governor further lamented that HAVE COME OUT pastoralists in the country, particularly Fulanis, are being maligned even though TO SAY THAT OPEN most of them have become victims of cattle rustlers who have dispossessed them of their commonwealth, and they GRAZING IS NO LONGER ‘have no option than to carry AK47 because the society and the Government FASHIONABLE AND are not protecting them’. On Friday, February 12, 2021, Ortom’s SUSTAINABLE IN Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase issued a statement on the matter. He NIGERIA, AND THAT said inter alia that “the most shocking part of Governor Bala Mohammed’s THE BEST WAY TO GO IS statement was where he defended herdsmen for bearing arms. “I wonder RANCHING” which section of the law the Bauchi State Jide Ojo Governor cited to support herdsmen’s free movement around the country with felons have turned our forest reserves been able to stem the tide of banditry, sophisticated weapons. I recall that it into hideouts for keeping victims of by establishing a ranching culture in was the same Governor Mohammed kidnapping, negotiating for ransom and the State. He said, “We are building who once said on national television, carrying out other criminal activities. a RUGA settlement in Sambisa for- that a Fulani man is a global citizen, and As the Chief Law and Security Officer est, our border with Katsina, and we Muhammadu Buhari, secured the grant therefore, does not need a visa to come of the State, it is my constitutional have succeeded in curtailing the effect from the Dutch Investment Agency, to Nigeria, and that the forests belong obligation, to do everything lawful of banditry in that area. So, we are RVO, after approval of the grant, which to herdsmen. I wonder if my friend and to protect the lives and property of building many houses, constructing a Buhari signed a Memorandum of colleague in Bauchi State knows a thing all residents of the State. In light of dam, and establishing cattle artificial Understanding, during his visit to the or two about the horrendous activities the foregoing, the following orders are insemination centre. We are establishing Netherlands. The States for the NLTP of herders in parts of the country, to hereby issued: a veterinary clinic and already, we have include Nasarawa, Adamawa, Plateau warrant the emotional defence and 1. All Forest Reserves in the State started building houses for herdsmen.” and Gombe. The statement by the Senior justification that he has repeatedly are to be vacated by herdsmen within Ganduje advocated for the proscription Special Assistant to the President on put forward in their favour”. After the the next seven days with effect from of nomadic herding which features the Agriculture, Dr Andrew Kwasari, who brickbat, the Governor of Rivers State, today, Monday 18th January, 2021. transportation or trekking of herdsmen, was accompanied by members of the Nyesom Wike and his Adamawa State 2. Night-grazing is banned with from the North to the middle belt and FMARD-PACE Team on a two-day counterpart, Ahmadu Fintiri, invited immediate effect, because most farm Southern part of Nigeria. “There should visit to the Nasarawa State Livestock the two feuding Governors to Port destruction takes place at night. be a law that will ban it, otherwise, Transformation Office to ensure that the Harcourt and settled the rift. 3. Movement of cattle within cities we cannot control the conflicts between State Livestock Transformation team and highways is prohibited. herdsmen and farmers and cannot control was fully aware of the requirements Resolving the Herders/Farmers 4. Under-aged grazing of cattle is the cattle rustling which are affecting for successful implementation of the Crisis in Nigeria outlawed. us greatly”, he said. pilot, said the €400,000 covered 50% From all indications, it will seem the “Our resolution to guarantee the The Northern Governors Forum of the cost of the pilot start-up of genesis of the crisis for which the life safety of lives and property within the headed by Plateau State Governor, Simon NLTP model in Nasarawa State for of the Benue Governor is being sought, State shall remain utmost, as security Lalong, also met on the herders/farmers 30 pastoralist households, with a start is over the 2018 anti-open grazing law agencies have been directed to enforce clashes. In a communiqué issued on date of March, 2021. in the State. It should be recalled that the ban. In its usual magnanimity, our Tuesday, February 9, 2021 after their this law was a ‘child of necessity’ and administration will give a grace period virtual meeting the previous day, the Final words a last resort, after years of attack by of seven days for those who wish to forum noted as follows: “The current The Federal Government is right on supposed herders on the farmlands of carry on with their cattle-rearing system of herding mainly through open track with kick starting the National Benue indigenes, especially in Agatu business, to register with appropriate grazing, is no longer sustainable, in Livestock Transformation Plan, under and Guma Local Government Areas. authorities”. view of growing urbanisation and which it intended to establish ranching. The two LGAs were the epicentre of It is the herders/farmers clashes population of the country. Consequently, However, it has to also sponsor an the 2018 New Year’s Day massacre, that that have also led to a non-State actor, it resolved to sensitise herders on the executive bill to ban open grazing left close to 80 persons dead. It was Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as need to adopt new methods of herding, nationwide. Despite the purported a pogrom that shook the entire State. Sunday Igboho, to similarly give a quit either by ranching or other acceptable ban of open grazing in the Federal Governor Samuel Ortom has pledged notice to Fulani’s in Igangan in Ibarapa modern methods. It appealed to the Capital Territory by the Federal Capital not to repeal this anti-open grazing law. area of Oyo State, and the forceful Federal Government to support States Territory Administration, herders are Other States such as Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo ejection of Seriki Fulani of the town, with grants, to directly undertake pilot still going about their business without have also passed similar legislations. Abdulkadir Saliu. Similarly, members projects of modern livestock production let or hindrance. All forest reserves in In fact, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) that would serve as a springboard for Nigeria also have to be wired with Ondo State on January 18, 2021 incurred recently captured and handed over to the full implementation of new methods Closed Circuit Television cameras, the wrath of some Northern groups, the Police, Isikilu Wakili, a prominent of livestock production. The Governors drones and satellite surveillance, in when he gave a quit notice to all herders Fulani herder in Ayete area of Ibarapa, called on political leaders to isolate order to expose criminal herders using who are illegally rearing their cattle who was fingered in many kidnapping criminality and social groups in their the forests as hideout for kidnapped inside the Ondo forest reserves. and rape cases in the town. domains, with a view to treating victims. All apprehended criminal The Governor issued a statement The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi criminals like criminals”. elements should be prosecuted and which read: “Today we have taken Ganduje, and indeed, the Northern A February 24, 2021 report in Van- made to serve their punishments, major steps at addressing the root Governors Forum have come out to guard newspaper reported that, the rather than offering them nebulous cause of kidnapping, in particular, say that open grazing is no longer Federal Government, on February 23 amnesty which has so far proved and other nefarious activities detailed fashionable and sustainable in Nigeria, announced securing €400,000 grant to counterproductive. Lastly, attackers of and documented in security reports, and that the best way to go is ranching. kick off National Livestock Transforma- Samuel Ortom must be fished out and the press and debriefings from victims Sometime ago, as published in Business tion Plan, NLTP, in four States. In a prosecuted, in competent court of law. of kidnap cases in Ondo State. These Day of Saturday, March 27, 2021 while statement by the Federal Ministry of unfortunate incidents, are traceable to fielding questions from journalists in Agriculture and Rural Development, Jide Ojo, Development Consultant, the activities of some bad elements Katsina, the Kano State Governor and Project for Agricultural Coordina- Author, Columnist and Public masquerading as herdsmen. These disclosed that his administration has tion and Planning, PACE, President Affairs Analyst 12/ 04.05.2021 When Emperor Nero Roosts in Nigeria Introduction a legitimate government and marauders. That is one big In governance style and body language, President Muham- sign of a failed State. madu Buhari appears to be the Roman Emperor Nero of There is absolutely no leadership; no governance at Nigeria. They are two of a kind. The same six and half all. No one appears to be in charge, at all. By the way, a dozen. The same Hamlet and the Prince of Denmark. where is the famed cabal? Gone with the wind? We are The same beans, akara and moinmoin. He fiddles while fast drifting to the precipice. Inexorably. Asphyxiatingly. Nigeria burns. To fiddle is to spend time in aimless or Bleedingly. There may be no country called Nigeria in fruitless actions. It is quite clear now that, Nigeria is not the foreseeable future, if someone does not wake up working. The fault lines are widening and deepening on President Buhari from his deep slumber and self-denial. a daily basis. Into gullies, canyons. Our Federalism has The man is a recluse, ascetic, reticent, dodgy, taciturn and been unitarised. The Federal Government is the king. The cocooned in his false world of illusion and delusion. He is States are vassals. Can someone (Yinka Odumlakin and impervious to Nigerians' moans, complaints and groans. Innocent Chukwuma who just transited) help us here, by Nigerians who are gnashing their teeth, are accused of being waking up Lord Lugard from his grave, shaking him up “Wailing Wailers”. Though most unfair, Buhari relishes vigorously, and asking him one all-important question: this tag. But, hiding behind a finger as he is currently why did he on January 1, 1914, forcefully rail-road and doing, in the wishful thinking that he will one day wake weld together, unwilling, disparate, and virtually mutu- up and suddenly discover that the insecurity challenges ally exclusive peoples and ethnic Nationalities who were have vanished into thin air, is not possible at all. It is a already set in their ways, and used to their sovereignty tall dream. He needs to urgently wake up to his call of and independence in their various geographical and duty, walk the talk of his Electioneering Campaign ethnic domains? Why did Lugard force them into one Promises, and think outside the box. An Immediate unworkable contraption called Nigeria? Declaration of a National State of Emergency on Yinka and Innocent, go about out in the spirit world, Insecurity Must Be Activated Now. Otherwise, Nigeria capture Lugard and help us torment this man who had may be consigned to the vehicle of historical oblivion, married Miss Flora Louisa Shaw (the young British Journalist or the dustbin of history. The clock is ticking very fast. who gave Nigeria her name after the Niger River-“Niger There was a country!!! (Thank you sir, Chinua Achebe). Area”, in an article she wrote in the Times of London on January 8, 1897. For the record, Nigeria was formerly Remembering Buhari as Emperor Nero called the “Royal Niger Company Territories”. Miss Shaw Does President Buhari want to be remembered as the (later Mrs Lugard) felt this name was too long, to be used infamous Emperor Nero of Nigeria? Do not permit this as a name for Real Estate Property. After all, Nigeria had tag, Sir. PMB, Let me refresh your memory Sir, because been sold to the British for £865,000 only in 1899, as a mere President Muhammadu Buhari I know none of your handlers or Advisers will dare tell commodity. Flora coined the name “Nigeria” in preference you the truth. They only genuflect, kneel, bow, prostrate to others such as “Central Sudan”. To her, Nigeria was and roll before you on their obsequious tommies. They an “agglomeration of pagan and Mohammedan States”. of fresh and caked blood. Blood of Nigerians congealed fondly call you “Baba”. They idolise and deify your age Hold Lugard by the neck, until he provides reasonable and by afternoon baking sun. The terrorists even now collect and position, instead of competence. Let me tell you about cogent answers. There is today in Nigeria, anger, anguish, taxes, rates, and give identity cards and passes to indigenes Nero, Sir. Nero was the 5th Emperor of Rome. He was blood, sorrow, pains and pangs everywhere. Even those to enable them enter and exit from their own homes proclaimed Emperor Nero (AD 54) at the age of a mere who had initially ethnicised, parochialised, nepotised, and farms. Because they are in absolute control. They 16. Nero was very ambitious. linguisticalised, religionised and tribalised Nigerians' cry for represent the absolutist Sheriffs in town. Nero, Sir, is a metaphor employed to deprecate the redemption, have now backslided and retraced their ignoble Governors who desire to reach Mr President to complain unconscionable acts of a person who engages in trivial or steps. The ruling party hawks, the Buhari supremacists, and ask for succour and respite, are degradingly stone- irresponsible past times, in an otherwise state of emergency. the pretenders, fawners, bootleggers, bootlickers, money walled, totally ignored, despised and ignominiously left to The story has it that Nero was infamous for his impulsiveness, bags, sycophants, government contractors, power and lick their oozing wounds. They are forced to preside over tyranny and persecution of Christians. He even murdered influence purveyors and historical revisionists are now solemn dirges, and burial ceremonies of their hopeless and his own power-hungry mother. There was said to be a suddenly silent, gaping, and wallowing in misery. They hapless citizens. Chaos and anarchy now reign supreme. great raging fire, which started in the merchant shops are undecided about how and where to hide their primi- Nigeria is fast disintegrating. She now possesses all the around Rome’s Chariot’s Stadium (“Cirus Maximus”), on tive acquisitions, loot and our stolen common patrimony. ingredients and signs of a FAILED STATE. There is now July 1964 AD. The fire burned for a total of nine days in Because, the chicken has finally come home to roost. The balance of power and instruments of violence, between this city of two million people, destroying two-thirds of rich also now cries. Even long time pioneer ardent critics Rome-10 out of Rome’s 14 Districts. The 800 year Temple (like me) of this clueless, rudderless, compassless and of Jupiter Stator and the Atrium Vestae (the heart of the anti-people government, have been given a break. My Vestal Virgins), were completely destroyed. Emperor Nero, constant highlighting of this Government’s shortcomings who was said to be idling away in his villa in the cooler and serial acts of nepotism, favouritism, prebendalism, city of Antium (35 miles away), merrily playing the fiddle, cronyism, religiosity, corruption and tribalism, are now was said to have blamed the fire devastation on the Jewish being vindicated on a daily basis. Nigeria has become a Christian religious community. He therefore, initiated the huge joke; a country of one scandal per day everyday. Roman Empire’s first persecution of Christians. Citizens Nigeria, we hail (wail) thee. were prevented from fighting the fire, with threats of torture and death. He mercilessly and savagely crucified Our President is Missing in Action many of them. Some pundits even suggested that Nero Nigeria has become a country where the Government had deliberately ordered the fire so as to bypass the Senate, defends Service Chiefs, Ministers and aides who are accused clear space for a new sprawling palace, and rebuild Rome of corruption and show sympathy for deadly terrorists to his taste. There seems to be logic in this thin king, (some of the Herdsmen). Yet, there is supposed to be a because Nero built the Domus Aurea, series of majestic President. He is President Muhammadu Buhari. But, Buhari villas and pavilions set upon a landscaped park and a is glaringly missing in action, cocooned away in Aso Villa man-made lake, in the very wake of the blazing inferno. from his electors and the Nigerian people. He is like a The palaces were known as NEROPOLIS. Sir, do not let struggling pupa and larva, refusing to metamorphose into yourself be remembered like Nero. Please, Sir, avoid it. a caterpillar, and then into adulthood. Buhari's capacity “BOKO HARAM INSURGENTS Nero is bad history. Pull yourself out of ignoble history. for governance, has been tested over a period of six years. Try to use your remaining two years well Sir. Time is But, Buhari has woefully and roundly failed Nigeria and HAVE SINCE TAKEN OVER not on your side Sir. Nor is age. Nor is strength. Nor is Nigerians, as he once did between December 31, 1983 capacity. Nor is vision. and August 27, 1985, before General Badamasi Babangida Whatever be the case, for now, I cannot honestly overthrew his despotic Government. LARGE SWATHS OF LANDS differentiate between Emperor Nero and Major General Boko Haram insurgents have since taken over large swaths Buhari; or between Nigeria and the Rome of AD 54. Or, of lands in Niger, Kaduna, Benue, Plateau, Borno, Zamfara, IN NIGER, KADUNA, BENUE, can you? Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara, Jigawa and Adamawa, States. Boko Haram operates comfortably and confidently, planting PLATEAU, BORNO, ZAMFARA, THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK their blood-stained flags of sovereignty and sozereignty “We've seen over time that countries that have the best on the very soil of some of these States, and their local economic growth are those that have good governance, and government areas. In a supposedly sovereign and independent YOBE, GOMBE, BAUCHI, KANO, good governance comes from freedom of communication. nation! Having overrun the entire Northern hemisphere, It comes from ending corruption. It comes from a populace the Boko Haram, insurgents have since turned the South NASARAWA, KEBBI, KATSINA, that can go online and say, 'This politician is corrupt, this East and South West zones into their new theatres and administrator, or this public official is corrupt”.(Ramez odeons of deadly operations. Naam) The insurgents and merchants of disintegration spread SOKOTO, TARABA, KOGI, KWARA, A government big enough to give you everything and spill blood, carnage, rape, fear, death, melancholy, you want, is a government big enough to take from you poverty and conquest. Nigeria is today, a sprawling field JIGAWA AND ADAMAWA, STATES” everything you have. (Gerald R. Ford) 4.5.2021 /13 14/ 4.5.2021 4.5.2021 /15 16/ 4.5.2021 THISDAY ˾Ͳ˜2021 23 Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email [email protected] BUSINESSWORLD 08152447875 RATES AS AT APRIL 30, 2021 MONEY MARKET REPO S & P INDEX S & P INDEX EXCHANGE RATE OVERNIGHT 27.75 CALL 24.50 INDEX LEVEL 512.20% 1/4 TO DATE -8.33% N379/1US DOLLAR* OBB 27.50 1-MONTH 26.50 1-DAY -0.15% YEAR TO DATE -23.58% ̩ 3-MONTH 26.50 MONTH-TO-DATE -8.33% Quick Takes SKLD to Reward Loyal Customers The SKLD Integrated Services through its retail unit, SKIT recently announced the launch of a campaign to reward its customers with over N6 million worth of discount, vouchers and gift items. The promo tagged, ‘SKLD Reward Promo,’ commenced in April and will run till Friday, May 24, whilst draws will be held every Friday from the 23rd of April physically and virtually in order to select the six lucky winners. The SKLD reward promo which seeks to reward six back-to-school shoppers every Friday for five weeks with N30,000 SKIT shopping vouchers would also comprise of back-to-school supplies such as, bags, school uniforms, shoes and all sort of stationeries. Speaking on the initiative, General Manager Commercials, SKLD Integrated Services, Seun Ogunjimi, said the initiative is the company’s value proposition to customers. “We remain determined towards building value for all of our stakehold- ers thereby, ensuring that our consumers have one less thing to think STOCK-TAKING about when it comes to their children’s education, we are currently Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (left) and the bank’s Chairman, Mustafa Chike-Obi, during the bank’s 33rd aware of their difficulties, especially as a result of the pandemic, and Annual General Meeting held in Lagos…recently we want to help alleviate them. “The SKLD Reward Promo was created as a result of this. For 5 weeks during the promo, we will be rewarding 30 skit customers with over N1 million in discount, vouchers and gift items. “We also, identify with the challenges of running a business in this FG to Revamp Task Team on Prompt environment, as such, we are rewarding school owners 20 per cent discount on school uniform purchases in our Marcel Hughes early bird campaign,” she said. In his remarks, Brands and Marketing Manager, SKLD Integrated Implementation of Audit Reports Services, Wale Disu, said the reward scheme represents one of the organisation’s core values, saying it is customer- focused. Stories by Emmanuel ECONOMY we also have an oversight office has carried out in terms Addeh in Abuja function on revenues coming of payment systems that have Tesla Under Scrutiny in China to government, not just the been automated. This has Electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc., facing scrutiny in China over safety The federal government has “This is part of the col- federal government but to the reduced very significantly and customer service complaints, is boosting its engagement with said that it is set to reinvigo- laboration. We are always entire federation and that is issues of corruption. That is mainland regulators and beefing up its government relations team, rate the Inter Ministerial Task supportive of what NEITI is also what NEITI is doing,” why NEITI finds the office a industry sources said. Team (IMTT) set up to ensure doing and they are equally he added. very useful partner. According to Reuters, Tesla’s change of strategy leading to more prompt implementation of collaborating with us. We While welcoming the “When we look at NEITI’s behind-the-scenes interaction with policymakers in Beijing compared findings and recommendations will put heads together to nation’s chief accountant, industry reports, we are to relatively little previously showed the seriousness with which the in industry audit reports of the make sure that whatever is NEITI’s Executive Secretary, encouraged by the responsive- US automaker views the setbacks in its second-biggest market. Nigeria Extractive Industries due to government by way of Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, said he ness of the office to NEITI’s It also comes at a time when China is trying to regulate large and Transparency Initiative (NEITI). revenue, royalty, fines and so would continue to ensure that remedial issues,” Orji added. powerful private companies, especially in the technology sector, on Accountant General of the on, do come to government. the job of tracking government The NEITI boss regretted concerns about their market dominance. Federation (AGF), Mr Ahmed “We are supportive hundred finances in the extractive that in the last five years, the Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Idris, who chairs the commit- percent of what NEITI is doing industries is done effectively. IMTT has not been very active Monday, a public holiday in China. tee, while speaking during and we will assist them to “We want to work with but pointed out that the com- As they do elsewhere, regulators in China, the world’s biggest auto a visit to NEITI secretariat, achieve their objectives,” Idris all agencies that either take mittee will be resuscitated to market, discuss industry policies and standards with global and local said he was at the agency’s assured. custody of government funds, reduce to the barest minimum companies, industry associations and think tanks. headquarters to fashion out the He explained that NEITI warehouse or manage them the chances of NEITI quar- Manufacturers typically join such meetings in China, but unlike rivals modalities and the framework was working in the areas of because most of these funds relling with sister agencies including Toyota Motor (7203.T) and General Motors Co (GM.N), Tesla for the new panel. curbing corruption and plug- come from the extractive on the pages of newspapers. officials were largely absent from the closed-door gatherings, according “The Inter - Ministerial ging leakages in the extractive industries and the office of to four people familiar with the matter. Task Team (IMTT) will now industries, stressing that the the accountant general of “This is because from be resuscitated, it will come visit showed the importance the federation is the nation’s inception the concept of the Online Retail Sales Jumps to 19% back to life and will continue his office attaches to NEITI’s treasury house, so the office IMTT by government was to Online sales accounted for nearly a fifth of total retail turnover last to discharge the very objectives job of scrutinising revenues has enormous responsibilities ensure inter-agency discus- year as lockdowns to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic for which the government set and ensuring that such rev- in that regard. sion and dialogue on NEITI fuelled a boom in e-commerce, a United Nations study released on up that committee to achieve. enues are fully accounted for. “I am very much encour- remedial issues with a view Monday showed. Online sales accounted for 19 per cent of overall retail The result will begin to come “We have a lot in com- aged by the massive reforms sales in 2020, up from 16 per cent a year earlier, according to estimates very soon. mon because as a treasury, that the accountant general’s Continued on page 24 from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) based on national statistical offices in major economies. Reuters quoted the report to have revealed that South Korea reported the highest share at 25.9 per cent, up from 20.8 per cent …Plans Nuclear Plant for Power Generation the year before. China had a 24.9 per cent share, Britain 23.3 per cent and the United States 14 per cent. To curb the perennial ENERGY environment and property to exploring the opportunity Global e-commerce sales rose four per cent to $26.7 trillion in 2019, electricity supply challenges from the harmful effects of for research and fellowship according to the latest estimates available, UNCTAD said. This included in the country, the federal ionising radiation. provided by the UNESCO business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sales, government has said that it that all avenues were being Idris added that the NNRA for Nigerians. and was equivalent to 30 per cent of global economic output that year. is exploring opportunities in explored to ensure that Nige- has over the years worked In his comment, the Secre- The pandemic led to mixed fortunes for leading B2C e-commerce nuclear power generation. ria’s power supply problems closely with the International tary General of UNESCO, Mr. companies in 2020, according to the report. Director General/Chief Ex- are quickly resolved. Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Olagunju Idowu, appreciated ecutive Officer of the Nigerian “Nigeria is working towards on the aspect of regulation, the team for encouraging Nuclear Regulatory Authority developing a nuclear power stressing that the relationship partnership and affirmed that (NNRA), Dr. Usman Idris, who plant for electricity generation has been cordial and fruitful. UNESCO’s focus is to ensure spoke when the organisation and therefore, there is need He disclosed that the visit was that citizens benefit from its “You have to maintain paid a courtesy visit to the for the NNRA to explore all part of the commission’s effort enormous opportunities. national commission, United opportunities for capacity to build capacity of staff in He assured NNRA of the your aircraft and without Nations Educational, Scientific building,’’ he stated. the regulation of nuclear organisation’s readiness to a standard globally and Cultural Organisation Idris reiterated the mandate technology development, with collaborate with it in the (UNESCO), stated that the and activities of the NNRA, a view to enhancing the overall interest of the nation. acceptable maintenance move will considerably starting from regulating the competence of the NNRA staff. Meanwhile, the NNRA organisation here you reduce the power deficit in possession and use of radioac- He noted that the agency has restated its commitment will still need to take the country. tive material in the country was strengthening relation- to ensuring safety in the The DG/CEO NNRA, who throughout the entire value ship with other government workplace, in commemoration aircraft out” was represented by the General chain. He said the sole aim of bodies for capacity building of World Safety Day with the Manager, Radiological Safety, the entire regulatory process of staff in order to enhance CEO, Belujane Konsult, Dr. Isa Sambo, explained was to protect human life, their competence in addition Continued on page 24 Chris Aligbe 24 THISDAY ˾Ͳ˜2021 BUSINESSWORLD NEWS FG TO REVAMP TASK TEAM ON PROMPT IMPLEMENTATION OF $1.3 Zungeru Power Plant Reaches 88% Completion AUDIT REPORTS Stories by Emmanuel Addeh now been put at 88 per cent, In addition, he stated that over While expressing excitement “Unfortunately, we were to resolving them. in Abuja dam civil works have reached $1 billion has been paid till date, over the project, Mamman said unable to deliver this project in “It was quite impactful in 98 per cent and electrical as well of the entire $1.293 billion contract the work started in 2013, while December 2020 as planned due the past and that is why we The $1.3 billion Zungeru as hydro-chemical works have being executed by Mssrs CNECC the overall completion was set to the global pandemic which are going back to that task hydroelectric power located in hit 75 per cent. Sinohybrid Consortium. for December 28. meant workers on site had to team with the support and Kaduna State, has now reached He disclosed that the project Still on the financing of the “I am excited to announce be away for the better part of collaboration with the office 88 per cent completion, with was being funded by a coun- project, the minister said that a that we will be injecting about last year. of the accountant general of December 2021, set as the date terpart financing mechanism, loan of $984.3 million was taken 700MW of electricity into the “President Muhammadu the federation”, the NEITI for its inauguration. with the federal government from the Exim Bank of China national grid by December 2021 Buhari is committed to complet- Chief said. Minister of Power, Mr. Sale having paid up its entire share to rev up the country’s power from the Zungeru Plant barring ing all inherited and initiated Meanwhile, NEITI is to Mamman, who made the of $309,250,000. infrastructure. any unforeseen developments. projects,” Mamman assured. sign a memorandum of disclosure in an infographics understanding with the updating the country on the Nigeria Financial Intelligence extent of work, stated that 700 Unit (NFIU). MW would be injected into the The MoU is to define national grid by the time the modalities for deepening the project becomes functional. engagement with the NFIU Designed to generate about in the areas of information 2,630GWH annually, Mamman and data sharing in financial stated that the project comprises corruption in the extractive a composite dam with roller industries. compacted concrete, asphaltic The executive secretary of core rockfill dam, diversion work, NEITI, explained that the spillway and plunge pool, power measures were designed intake and penstocks as well as to ensure that those who tall race channels. take compliance to NEITI In addition, the Zungeru processes for granted will works, he said, has 330/132 face the consequences. transmission lines evacuating power to the existing grid connecting Jebba and Shiroro power plants as well as the STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT …PLANS NUCLEAR Tegina substation and further L-R: Second Vice President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria(CIBN), Prof Deji Olanrewaju; President, Dr. Bayo Olugbemi; Chairman, PLANT FOR POWER consists of four Francis turbine Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); Prof Bolaji Owasanoye; Registrar/Chief Executive, CIBN, Mr. GENERATION units. Mamman stated that while Seye Awojobi; Member, ICPC, Mrs. Olubukola Balogun; and National Treasurer, CIBN, Mr. Dele Alabi, at the CIBN stakeholders’ engagement Association for Occupational the overall progress of work has with the Commission in Abuja recently Safety and Health of Nigeria (OSHA). OSHA is an independent academy and professional FG Seeks Curb Advance Rent Payment institution with global and regional chapters dedicated The federal government has on Lands, Housing and Urban of its communique, a legislation ability and accessibility to housing housing initiative at the federal to supporting individuals urged private developers and Development Meeting held in Jos, that limits payment of rent in in the country. government level, describing it and corporate organisa- individuals to consider limiting Plateau state, Minister of Works advance and add sanctions for “My recommendation for as a flexible scheme in terms of tions around the world in the practice of collecting rent and Housing, Mr. Babatunde violation. improving access and affordability design, leveraging members to achieving zero accident at in advance, especially for long Fashola, argued that the govern- “It is therefore my candid to housing in the Covid-19 era get group discount for purchase the workplaces. periods. ment has a limited role to play recommendation to this council is for private companies and of building materials as well as Speaking after the inaugura- The government maintained in the provision of affordable to consider intervention by way individuals to give back some engagement of contractors. tion of committee members that during renewal, private housing to Nigerians since houses of recommending a legislation of what they control to citizens in In his remarks, Governor of from various ministries, landlords should give back by are mostly built by individuals that limits advance payment for the way the federal government Plateau State, Simon Lalong told private organisations, health accepting monthly, quarterly or and private companies. renting an accommodation,” he has given back to citizens some the participants to come up with and safety advocates and half- yearly rent instead of one Represented by the Minister of stated. In addition, Fashola urged of what it controls,” he said. tangible solutions to tackle the ambassadors to help push year, two or three years rent in State, Works and Housing, Mr. the council to consider cooperative He stated that the Federal Mort- challenges of land titling affecting for maximum safety in the advance. Abubakar Aliyu, Fashola enjoined housing as part of their discourse gage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) affordable and accessible housing society, NNRA Manager, Speaking at the ninth Council the council to recommend, as part and recommendations for afford- had been driving the cooperative in the country. Information and Protocol , Mrs Ekaette Bassey, stated that the agency would continue Nigeria Asks WAPP Members to Offset Pending Dues to ensure protection of life, health, property and the Nigeria has requested members ensure regional power system economies have been negatively “He commended member sues were being addressed and environment from the harmful of the West African Power Pool integration and realisation of a impacted by the COVID-19 utilities that have paid their commended the secretary general effects of ionising radiation. (WAPP), a specialised institution regional electricity market and is pandemic, there was the need dues for the year 2021 despite for the successful negotiation with The event focused on of the Economic Community of made up of public and private to build resilience to enable the the effects of COVID-19, and WAPP technical and financial promoting safety conscious- West African States (ECOWAS) generation, transmission and pool achieve its goals. equally encouraged others who partners on the financing of a ness in workplaces, homes, to pay up their pending dues in distribution companies involved A statement by the General were yet to do so, to endeavour significant number of projects. schools, markets and other order to ensure smooth operation in the operation of electricity in Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, to do so.” Some of the projects include the public places with the ultimate of the regional power group. West Africa. Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, explained: Nigeria expressed satisfaction Cote d’Ivoire – Liberia – Sierra goal of achieving significant Aside Nigeria, other members Speaking at WAPP’s 49th Ex- “The Chairman while welcoming over the implementation status of Leone – Guinea interconnec- reduction in the occurrence of the group include Benin, Côte ecutive Board meeting in Cotonou, members of the board to the WAPP priority projects which it tion line (CLSG) project, the of accidents and fatalities in d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Republic of Benin, Chairman, Mr. meeting, stressed the need for said show that the projects were L’Organization pour la Mise the country. Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Sule Abdulaziz, who also doubles member utilities to pay their progressing despite the pandemic en Valeur du Fleuve Gambie Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, as the acting Managing Director dues promptly, to enable WAPP and its disruptive effect. (OMVG) loop project, and the Sierra Leone and Togo. of the Transmission Company of to continue to discharge its duties It stated that related challenges International Coordination Centre The body was created to Nigeria (TCN), stated that though to member states. such as Right of Way (RoW) is- (ICC) project. ‘How TCN is Reducing National Grid Collapses’ The Transmission Company of and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) due to our commitment in TCN, being 5,801.60 MW to distribution power is made more available Nigeria (TCN) has stated that grid Jos, visited him in Abuja, the transmission grid disturbances load centres nationwide,” said to Nigerians. Group Business Editor collapses throughout the country Acting Managing Director of have been reduced to the barest Abdulaziz. In his remarks, Chairman of the Obinna Chima have reduced considerably due the TCN, Mr. Sule Abdulaziz minimum; grid capacity has also The TCN head further noted NIPSS study group, Rear Admiral Capital Market Editor to recent efforts by the company. said the present management of increased. that the company has continued E.O. Jaiyeola, said the course Goddy Egene Speaking when participants TCN was vigorously pursuing “Within the first quarter of to collaborate with the Genera- was to prime the participants Comms/e-Business Editor of the Senior Executive Course its grid maintenance, expansion, this year, TCN efficiently wheeled tion Companies (Gencos) and on developing strategic and Emma Okonji 43, for the year 2021 of the and rehabilitation programme. successive all-time peak genera- the Distribution Companies specific policies for national Asst. Editor, Money Market National Institute for Policy “I am glad to inform you that tion without a hitch, the latest (Discos) towards ensuring that development. Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent ËÒÏÏ×ÕÓØÑÌÙÖß(Advertising) Report: Nigeria, Others to Fuel Asia’s Growth with New Oil, Gas Projects Correspondents Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Nigeria and other African Quoting secondary sources, it was 1.3 per cent. The report and Nigeria, 1.2 per cent. at stake. “Nigeria is targeting ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏÌÓÙÎßØ(Maritime) nations are becoming a major stated that Africa accounted for released recently, indicated that “Keen to add to its reserve marginal fields for the first time James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) investment magnet as new 8.8 per cent of the world’s oil Africa contributed 6 per cent to base, Nigeria is preparing a new in 20 years as the country looks Chineme Okafor (Energy) discoveries position the continent production in 2019, while Nigeria the world’s natural gas production Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and not only to boost its revenues but Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) as a guarantor of energy security was Africa’s top oil producer at in 2019, with Algeria ranking as the government has provisionally also to raise local participation Reporters to emerging Asian nations, a 2.2 per cent; Algeria was next at the continent’s top gas producer awarded tenders to develop 57 in the oil sector from indigenous ÙÝËÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ(ICT) report by the Journal of Petroleum 1.6 per cent; then Angola, 1.5 per at a global share of 2.2 per cent marginal oil fields, with $500 companies, which typically work Peter Uzoho (Energy) Technology (JPT) has indicated. cent while Libya’s production followed by Egypt, 1.6 per cent, million in signature bonuses these marginal fields. THISDAY ˾Ͳ˜2021 25 Examining FG’s Solar Solution for Schools, Hospitals In the next one year, the federal government intends to electrify Nigeria’s 104 Unity Schools and over 200 healthcentres in the country. In this report, Emmanuel Addeh undertakes a preview of the scheme hichever way one looks at it, en- suring universal access to energy services in Nigerian schools and health facilities remain an essen- tial requirement for improving Wthe overall well-being of learners in the country as well as patients who go for treatment in health centres all over the nation. But over the years, despite the obvious link between the provision of electricity and patients’ hospital experience and well as students’ educational achievement, access to sustainable sources of energy has been mostly far-fetched. Since reliable electricity has become essential to enhancing the general standard of living, it makes sense therefore to assert that the lack of it is also capable of creating considerable impediments towards escaping poverty and is a major contributor to a lower standard of living, which education seeks to eradicate. According to the World Bank and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), roughly four out of every five primary and secondary schools in African countries lack access to electricity. In the same vein, quite a number of primary health facilities in the country, especially in rural communities have limited access to energy and still rely heavily on traditional and outdated energy sources. President Muhammadu Buhari Mamman In areas where they exist, power supply is usually erratic, which adversely impacts the Speaking on the topic: “Light up, Light in: and ease the learning process in our schools, as of Covid-19 in the economy of the nation. provision of healthcare services and has over Interrogating the Nexus between Electricity and well as to facilitate uninterrupted healthcare Jedy-Agba enthused that the mass solar electrifica- the years frustrated medical professionals out Basic Education in Nigeria,” Kallon said that of services to our rural communities. The lighting tion projects will create jobs and facilitate energy of the country. the billions of people who lack access to electricity programme is also expected to enhance the security access to unserved and undeserved areas in line Indeed, the Nigerian Medical Association globally, a huge number is resident in Africa. arrangements around the schools.” with federal government’s plan to have 30 per (NMA) estimates that out of the 75,000 doctors “But the facts have shown that students who The minister added that the programme is cent of its total electricity supply from renewable registered in the country, about 40,000 practice have access to electricity have been confirmed being handled by the Rural Electrification Agency sources, especially solar power by 2030. outside Nigeria, emigrating to countries like the to perform better because they have access to (REA), and will create jobs and provide energy The minister emphasised that the federal UK where it is projected that 12 doctors from modern facilities,” he stated. access to the unserved or underserved communi- government initiative is to strengthen and close Nigeria are registered every week, owing to issues Although in the past, there have been various ties across all the geo-political zones under the the energy gap in the health sector through the as basic as power supply. efforts at minimising the impact of these shortcom- federal government’s plan to achieve 30 per cent deployment of solar-hybrid captive power solutions Without doubt, lack of access to modern forms ings, but the recent initiative by the ministry of renewable energy sources by 2030. to secondary and tertiary health facilities which of energy or what is now commonly referred to power to ensure the electrification of unity schools Recall that the REA is currently implementing have also served as isolation and treatment centres as energy poverty, has both direct and indirect in the country and primary health centres in the the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Nigeria across the country in the Covid-19 scourge. harmful effects on health and medical care facilities next one year, appears to be one of the programmes Electrification Project (NEP), Energising Educa- He stated that the mass solar electrification in Nigeria and by extension in sub-Saharan Africa. with most impactful potential. tion Programme (EEP), Grid Extension (Capital initiative will strengthen the functionality of health The impact of lack of electricity supply to The federal government noted that through projects), Energising Economies Initiative (EEI) centres, unity schools and communities that were hospitals, especially primary healthcare centres the programme, its is implementing an off-grid and Solar Power Naija Programme. in the past faced with the absence of electricity. can be quite devastating as doctors and other electrification for the deployment of solar elec- The agency is responsible for creating an enabling He admitted that primary health centres and medical staff struggle to provide services, especially trification projects in the hospitals, schools and environment for private sector-led projects which secondary schools in the country have gone through at night. Depending on paraffin lamps, candles households in vulnerable off-grid communities include conducting pre-feasibility assessments, energy difficulties in providing electricity to strengthen or torches that provide low quality light, give off across the country. audits, enumeration, data analysis, identification their capacities, but said the intervention strategy harmful fumes and, in some cases, present a fire Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, said the federal of qualified private sector developers, and project of the present administration has changed the hazard, ultimately, these present more expensive government will set up solar mini-grids in all the stakeholder engagements. narrative of lack of access to electricity. and costlier options in the long run because of 104 unity schools across the country, stressing Mamman reiterated that the scheme will involve The minister noted that before now, the Buhari their negative effect on livelihoods. that the renewable energy project is expected to the deployment of mini-grids in 200 PHCs and administration had formulated relevant policies to While life-saving treatments cannot be performed improve security in the schools. provision of solar street lights to adjoining com- extend the minimum use of electricity in secondary without good lighting, conducting medical Aside enhancing students’ learning experience, munities, distribution of Solar Home Systems (SHS) schools and primary health institutions in the examinations, invasive surgeries or childbirth, bandits have in the last few months ramped up to 104 unity schools and provision of solar street country. with poor lighting unsurprisingly pose additional attacks on public schools across the country in lights within the campuses. However, the power sector reforms, he main- risk to the patient. the cover of darkness, one of the challenges the “In addition, the processes are in advanced tained, became a reality when government opted Even before the added impact of Covid-19, government is hoping to halt. stages for World Bank financing under the to provide clean and renewable energy first in vaccines, medications were expected to be stored Mamman added that mini-grids will also be Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) to further selected federal universities and is now being in proper conditions, especially vaccines which provided in 200 primary health centres (PHCs) close the energy gap in the health sector through extended to secondary schools and primary health protect against preventable diseases and can lose across the country to improve healthcare services. the deployment of solar-hybrid captive power centres across the nation. their effectiveness when not refrigerated properly. He said: “The federal ministry of power, under solutions to 100 secondary and tertiary health The primary health and secondary schools In remote villages, even small health facilities my watch, is embarking on a programme to electrify facilities which have also served as isolation and electrification project, he stated, is carefully designed will need to communicate with specialists, which 200 primary health centres and all the 104 unity treatment centres across the country. by government to empower communities and will be almost impossible without energy to power schools in the country. “Through these programmes, health centres, unity drive the process of development in the two major basic gadgets like communication devices which “The mini-grid is also designed to provide solar schools and communities will be strengthened with sectors of national life. are necessary to ensure that there is sufficient powered street lights to the immediate communities reliable power to deal with health cases, provide Through these projects, the federal government support during emergencies and enable better of the PHCs and within the environment of the a conducive environment for quality education stated that artisans, skilled and unskilled workers treatment decisions by connecting to specialists Unity Schools. delivery and an improved standard of living. would be engaged, creating more jobs for the from referral hospitals. “We took this extraordinary step, to revolutionise “In line with global best practice, all components youths. The most routine procedures, even in cases of and interventions being driven under the ESP “Government policy thrust is to reduce deaths childbirth require medical tools that are impossible of the federal government of Nigeria have been and worsening conditions of the health of our to use without a reliable power source, as access deliberately designed to optimise the best in renew- people as mostly seen where primary health to power supply can increase child survival rates. able energy technologies, mitigating the impact of centres cannot make use of small and medium Furthermore, it is not uncommon to see health the COVID-19 pandemic while closing the energy scale equipment because of the absence of electricity, centres deploying generating sets, with its attendant The federal ministry gap across the nation,” the government added. incessant shortages of water supply and other emission of greenhouse gases which are harmful to On his part, the Minister of State, Power, factors that require power to function effectively. already sick patients and exposes them to carbon of power, under my Goddy Jedy-Agba, who directly supervises the “Secondary school students are faced with the monoxide poisoning. watch, is embarking on REA, said that the project will cut across the six high spate of kidnap, yet only few schools have In the education sector, the challenges are not less a programme to electrify geo-political zones under the Economic Sustainability capacity to provide electricity through generating prominent. In 2017, The United Nations Resident Programme (ESP). plants in their local institutions. Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward 200 primary health According to him, the presidential initiative, “With the advent of this programme, adequate Kallon revealed that about 65 per cent of the 74,280 centres and all the 104 which is expected to be completed in 12 months, security in secondary schools can be assured as public primary and junior secondary schools in tagged, “Energy for All- Mass Rural Electrification”, movement of people can be monitored at night. Nigeria lacked electricity, and as a result cannot unity schools in the is geared towards supporting the country’s economic Besides, students will have long hours to study,” guarantee technology-based education. country recovery and growth plan to mitigate the impact the ministry noted. 26 THISDAY ˾Ͳ˜2021 Orjiako: Corporate Governance, Key for Organisational Performance Recently, SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc emerged as the Most Profitable Company (Oil & Gas: Exploration and Production), while its Chairman Dr. ABC Orjiako was awarded the Board Chairman of the Year at the Nigerian Investor Value Award (NIVA). In this virtual interview, Orjiako speaks on the feat and other salient issues. Obinna Chima presents the excerpts: hat do you think these recognitions mean to the company? Thank you very much. For me, I must say that I am veryW delighted and happy that SEPLAT won the award as the most profitable oil and gas company. It is indeed very gratifying. I would like to give a lot of credit to the management team. We always pride ourselves as having one of the best and most experienced, most hard-working, most focused management team and staff. The credit goes a lot to them. Another thing we are happy about is the way our company is governed. Once you have the right governance in place, a lot of things will then definitely fall in place. So, what we’ve done is to make sure that when we speak about corporate governance; it is not just about ticking the boxes. It is in our DNA and everything we do in making sure that company is properly governed. This has manifested itself in the way and manner with the profitability of the company and how it has continued to grow upwards despite the challenges in the way. Can you take us through the company’s clear performance that informed the recognitions? First of all, one of the things we have always said in SEPLAT is that from inception, we have been very clear, and have well defined who we are as a company, where we are going with a defined roadmap. That is what we have been following and that is why within four years of existence, you found us listing on the London Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). And, in doing that, we were very clear that to start with, we needed a very strong board, a board that is made up of with people with the right expertise, the right diversity, the right experience, both in the business we do and also in the financial world. So, Orjiako our board does not just have quite a lot of experienced people, but also members because we promised them that we are in everything that we do. So our corporate confidence in the company. And once you do with diversity across geographies. And with going to continue to give returns to them social responsibility programme is one of the this, we make sure that the board continues that, supported by a strong management every year. And we have also made sure best you can find in the industry and every to have the right policies around it, and we team and professional staff, we then hit the that the management staff are well looked business. So, all of these, put together, has empower the Independent non-executive ground running focusing on our vision. Our after so that we can retain the best talents given rise to the profitability that we have directors to actually be the true representa- vision to build a world-class company that in the organisation to continue to deliver on enjoyed over the years. And of course, has tives of the shareholders in the company such focuses on stakeholders’ values. The company what we set out to do. So overall, it’s been a now culminated in the awards that you are that the majority shareholders do not lord it obviously from its oil and gas business is combination of hard work following focused seeing today. over everyone else. We also make sure that now translating to the energy business. We vision and mission for the company. Also, there is proper separation of duties between immediately championed the acquisitions from maintaining very high level of integrity and What has been your guidelines for the board and the management, between the international oil companies. We saw that ethical practices is our core values. So, all of leading an effective board? the chairman and the CEO. We make sure as the future of the indigenous growth in the these put together is what has sustained the I spoke about this earlier on. I think ev- that as a non-executive chairman, we have oil and gas business. We championed that profitability we have maintained over the years erything revolves around strong corporate oversight functions, but we do not do the and we are happy to say that we have led and also the good returns we made to not governance. At SEPLAT, one of the things company running day-to-day. All of these from the front in that regard. But of course just the shareholders, but all the stakeholders. that we emphasise is not just enough to bring healthy checks and balances in the way to grow the kind of independent company I am sure you are all familiar with what we comply to rules and regulations, we go over the company operates. And in doing that we that is a leader in the sector, we felt that it have done in communities where we oper- and above that and set, very high standards provide the required support for management is important to situate the company where ate? We make sure that we engender mutual around what we do. And we do this through to deliver on the promises we made to the you have the wider global scrutiny from respect for these host communities and we the right policy framework. So, we set up shareholders and stakeholders. And of course, the investor community. And following have enjoyed a win-win situation with them our board dynamics, and position it towards going forward, we are properly in tune with our listing on the two exchanges, which high performance. And that starts from the what is happening globally. In our industry of course you recall, was the biggest IPO constitution of the board, if you take time today it becomes clear that the industry is in sub-Saharan Africa in oil and gas. And and look at the people who make up the shifting from just pure oil and gas company, ever since then, what we have done is to SEPLAT provides 30 board of directors of SEPLAT, you will find to being an energy company. So at SEPLAT, deliver on the promises we have made. We that these are talents that are very difficult we are always proactive. Today we speak have also since our existence distinguished per cent of gas to power to replicate. And, of course, if you have also about an energy company that provides energy ourselves from peers, distinguished ourselves in Nigeria, it is because followed what we have done over the years, solutions and going forward, we make sure from the kind of corporate governance that our board starts with very experienced people, that we are completely aligned with what we have put in place, distinguished ourselves of the deliberate effort but from time to time, we also refresh this the global environment is looking at with from the level of efficiency we brought to we have made to align board. As you may have seen, we refreshed respect to climate change, ESG and the rest of bear in our project delivery system, and by ourselves with the the Board recently, where both the independent them. And coming back home, we know that making sure that our unit operating cost non-executive directors were replaced. The providing Energy Solutions means making sure remains one of the lowest in the industry, gas revolution that very strong hands we had in the persons of that we play our role in closing the energy if not the lowest. So, in every regard, we the government has Mr. Michael Alexander, who was a senior gap. That is why when you hear today, that ensured that we grew revenue year-on-year, independent director, got replaced by Mr. SEPLAT provides 30 per cent of gas to power we grew profitability year-on-year and at been pursuing. And we Xavier Rolet, a former CEO of the London in Nigeria, it is because of the deliberate effort the same time we ensured that the total strongly believe that once Stock Exchange. It is not easy to attract this we have made to align ourselves with the shareholder return was guaranteed. Initially we provide the power kind of people to the board. But they have gas revolution that the government has been when we started, we were focusing also on confidence in what we are doing. You also pursuing. And we strongly believe that once capital appreciation for shareholders until infrastructure, it then would have seen Arunmah Oteh, who joined we provide the power infrastructure, it then the capital market took a dive southwards. becomes the platform us. She is a very well respected lady globally becomes the platform for diversification of But in compensation for that, we maintained in the marketplace as well as in the regulatory the economy which the government is also regularity and consistency in paying dividends for diversification of the space and sustainability world. So, to attract talking about. So all of these put together to our shareholders and that has paid off economy people like this means that there is quite some are what propels our success. THISDAY ˾Ͳ˜2021 27 Power Minister Allays Fears of Electricity Tariff Hike Oluchi Chibuzor managing headwinds from was a routine procedure. He said of the federal government”. newspapers”. consideration in January 2021,” foreign exchange and inflation. the review planned by NERC is The minister said Section 76 “The Multi-Year Tariff Order the statement said. The Minister of Power, Engr. The clarification came amidst in accordance with Section 76 of of the Electric Power Sector (MYTO) per NERCs regulation Mamman, said the Buhari Sale Mamman has dismissed reports of possible major increase the Electric Power Sector Reform Reform Act of 2005 provides clear obtains inputs from operators in administration remained faithful to rumours of a major hike in in the price of electricity that has Act of 2005. guidelines for the periodic review the market every 6 months to the adopted resolutions from the electricity tariff. dominated the public space. According to him, “the tariff of tariff (based on market data perform minor reviews and a Joint FGN-NLC/TUC Technical In a statement in Abuja on Mamman, explained that the for customers on service bands and submissions from licensees). major review is required every Committee on Electricity Tariffs Thursday, the minister said order issued by NERC on the 26th D & E (customers being served The guidelines include the 5 years. “Thus, as in January which makes recommended for, instead of significant hike in of April 2021 titled, “Notice of less than an average of 12hrs of provision that the Commission a minor review will occur in “NERC to conduct an extraordinary electricity tariff, Nigerians should Minor and Extraordinary Review supply per day over a period of shall give notice of activities June. Given the timing for the review of the MYTO to further expect an increase efficiency in of Tariffs for Electricity Transmis- one month) remains subsidised related to tariff “in the Official extraordinary review has also review factors and align them the sector to reduce tariffs while sion and Distribution Companies” in line with the policy direction Gazette, and in one or more elapsed, a review will occur for with current evolving realities.” Aladdin Digital Bank Launches App to Enhance Customer Satisfaction Hamid Ayodeji rians with legitimate endeavours giving you the tools you need Store as of March 2021, and has App provides a user-friendly Nigerians who own and operate they do for a living. to save, borrow, make payments been described as a revolutionary platform for customers to process a smartphone. Aladdin Digital Bank has According to a statement, while selling your products and app by leading experts in the transactions such as paying bills, However, Onyeagoro added launched its digital App - Aladdin Aladdin Digital Bank, which services to other members on Fintech industry. buying airtime and data, and that the bank, through its, “Alad- Finance - that will cater for the is powered by PurpleMoney the platform.” According to the Co-Founder/ transferring money to any bank din Economy,” also provides an banking needs of a wide range Microfinance Bank, “seamlessly The Aladdin App, which was Chief Executive Officer, Alad- in Nigeria. avenue for customers who do of customers, including young combines banking and commerce, launched recently, and had over din Digital Bank, Darlington The launch of the Aladdin not have smartphones to access professionals and ordinary Nige- and supports your hustle by 10,000 downloads on Google Play Onyeagoro, the Aladdin Finance Finance App is targeted at its services. 28 THISDAY ˾Ͳ˜2021 ‘Growing Interest in Crowd Funding VAT Consideration for Casino is Boosting Mechanised Agriculture’ Operations in Nigeria Nana Abu By product category, the global betting market can be broadly segmented into lottery sports, casinos and games and online betting. Due to the high popularity of lotteries globally, this was the largest segment of the market in 2018 as it had about 46 per cent of the market share during the period. Casino activities have witnessed growth over the last decade due to technology advancement, digitisation and the relaxation of laws guiding their operations across various countries. There has also been an increasing demand for online betting due to increasing number of youths in the population, digital revolution, live sports betting and ease of access to betting platform on mobile applications. This trend is expected to lead to market penetration and significant growth of this segment. Adegoke In Nigeria, the most popular form of these wager activities are sports betting (football league and services and zero rated goods and services). promotions, the pools etc.), the lottery and slot The amendments to the VAT Act by the Finance machines. Other segments of the Nigerian Gaming Act 2020 appears to have put some clarity to this industry include gaming machines, scratch cards in the definition of a service for VAT purpose. The and interactive games, promotional lotteries run by Finance Act 2020 has defined service to mean: various companies. It is expected that technology a) anything, other than goods, or services will continue to play a key role in developing provided under a contract of employment; and and shaping the industry in Nigeria. b) includes any intangible or incorporeal property (product, asset or property) over which Adegoke Regulatory Framework in Nigeria a person has ownership or rights or from which At the federal level, the industry is regulated he derives benefits and which can be transferred Bennett Oghifo “Government should invest in the purchase of by the National Lottery (Amendment) Act 2017 from one person to another, excluding interest in farm machinery that we can hire. They can even and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission land and building, money or security. The use of venture capital alone in financing get the original equipment manufacturers to set (under the National Lottery Regulation, 2007 while From (a) above, anything that is not a good or agriculture in Nigeria and most of Africa is being up their factories here to build the machines and at the state level, it is only Lagos state that has services provided under a contract of employment augmented by crowd-funding and this is attract- these will be cheaper for farmers in the country to the Lagos State Lotteries Law 2008 (LLL). Other can be classified as a service. Further, in so far ing mechanisation with support from traditional hire and to purchase by those that can afford to.” states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, as the service does not fall within the category human labour. He said this would embolden the nation’s Abuja are yet to enact any lottery laws. Therefore, listed in the First Schedule to the Act, then it is This is seen as a good thing, because it makes farmers to grow more types of food, stating these regions rely on the provisions of the National liable to VAT. On this basis, the argument that investment in agriculture more interesting, if “Even in Nigeria now, you see people growing Lottery (Amendment) Act 2017 (the Lottery Act) gaming activities in casinos should not be considered practiced correctly. Apples and other seedless Grapes, which in the and the National Lottery Regulation 2007 (the VATable may no longer be tenable. The crucial shot in the arm that spurs modern past looked impossible. Regulation). However, the Lottery Act introduced a special tax farmers to be dedicated is crowd funding, a financial “Someone did research on the possibility of The Lottery Act defines “Game” as pari-mutuel regime for lottery companies in Nigeria. Specifically, arrangement with great appeal for those who growing Strawberries in all the 36 states of the and fixed odds and any other lottery that has the section 35A (1) and (2) of the Lottery Act provides desire to invest in farming through trusted parties. country and it worked. One just needs to know nature and character of the game. Further, Lottery that there shall be imposed and charged a tax to “We are employing venture capital and crowd how to do it, regardless of the fact that it could is defined in the Lottery Act to include any game, be known as the Lottery Companies Income Tax funding in our farm. I was pleasantly surprised be more stressful, but the good thing is that it scheme, arrangement, system, plan, promotional (lottery tax) at the rate of seven per cent on the at the speed with which it was accepted by those is achievable.” competition or device for the distribution of prizes net proceeds of the licensee at the end of each we approached with the idea,” said the Managing Adegoke said they have also been able to innovate by lot or chance, or as a result of the exercise of assessment year, to be administered and managed Director of Skapomah Global Limited (SGL) Farms, in their operations, “from repairing burst tractor skill and chance based on the outcome of sporting by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Mr. Seun Adegoke. tyres with special sealants that have proven to be events or any other device which the President Where a licensee has been assessed for lottery The SGL Farms is spread across 5,000 acres (2,000 very effective, as the sealant casts the tyre from may be notice in the gazette declare to be lottery tax in any year, the licensee shall be exempted hectares) of flat ploughable land located about 40 within.” and which shall be operated according to a licence. from the provisions of the CIT Act and the Value minutes’ drive towards the Owode border town, They deal with other stress-inducing additives This article focuses on the VAT considerations Added Tax Act (VAT Act). specifically at Anigbado, Abeokuta–Imeko Road, like machinery fluids, diesel, engine oil, brake oil, for Casino operations in Nigeria in light of the From the above, Casino operators may be Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State. which prices increase without notice. Finance Act 2020 and National Lottery (Amend- faced with multiple taxes as the provisions in The target is to cultivate rice in over 70 per “We also pay heavily for transportation to bring ment) Act 2017. the Lottery Act contravene those of the VAT Act cent of the land, leaving the remaining stretch in the machines/tractors and others. The last time It is worthy of note that the Casino (Licensing) (as amended). While the Lottery Act specifically with a sprinkling of maize, cassava, tomatoes, we hired three cranes to offload a machine from Law 1964, which was the first attempt to legalise exempts VAT from casino operators, the VAT Act cucumber, water melon, and yams. a low bed truck. We transported a bulldozer from and regulate the industry, defined a Casino to has defined services to be widely encompassing The variety of rice cultivated is Faro 44, recom- Ekiti to this place with N750,000. A vendor brought mean any building in respect of which a license and therefore the casino operator may have to mended by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture a tractor here and couldn’t get it to start because has been issued and to which members of the comply with the provisions. and they are almost ready for harvest. Through of a fake spare they bought for even N1.5 million. public authorised by the licensee, have access for Further and to buttress the above, the FIRS irrigation, the farm intends cultivating rice at least But if we have an assembly plant in the country, the purpose of playing prescribed games of chance. during a stakeholders’ meeting organised in twice a year. we wouldn’t suffer to get parts for the machines. The Finance Act 2020 and VAT Considerations conjunction with the National Lottery Regulatory The farm plans year round cultivation through In fact, it would come with warranty.” for Casino Activities Commission in 2019, stated its plans to charge VAT channeling water for irrigation and effective soil Adegoke also wants the government to engage Gaming houses (for instance, Casinos) earn on gaming activities and automate VAT collection management. in research on behalf of the nation’s farmers for revenue on gaming activities by: from operators in the industry. Given that the The farm, according to Adegoke, is lucky there are sustainability. 1 either charging the punters / patrons /bettors Finance Act 2020 also provides for the automation no challenges with pest birds. There are, however, “There is need for more investment in agricultural an entrance fee, commission for entry or to place of the FIRS system with the taxpayers’, via the challenges from herdsmen who encroach on the research. For instance, in some nations, it is possible a stake, or a fee for using the gaming facility or deployment of technology and process automation, farms with their animals. to attain 12 to 14 tonnes of rice per hectare. Here 2 earn revenue from the positive difference it is necessary for the FIRS to communicate clearly There are more contentious obstacles, such we attain about four tonnes on research fields. between the amount staked and the patrons/ the modalities for the collection /remittance of as land preparation which is a major challenge “Unfortunately, most of us, as farmers, cannot bettors’ winnings. the VAT due on gaming activities. in farming, said Adegoke, who called for the invest in research. It has to be the government While it has been a long-standing debate on Also, it is important that there is juxtaposition government’s direct involvement or support in coming in to help. It is important that government whether the casino activities are by their nature between the various legislations and regulations land clearing and preparation. shoulders research because of the long term goal services and therefore the applicability of VAT guiding the affairs of the gaming houses. This Although this activity is crucial to effective and of benefitting the people. has been called to question, some countries have will ensure that the operators clearly understand efficient agriculture, but it is frustrated by absence “There also has to be some sort of subsidies deemed this a supply by virtue of their extant their tax obligations and minimize dispute with of farm machinery, particularly for hire (it is not available for farmers. For us, the subsidy can provisions (for instance, South Africa). the tax authorities. often cost-effective to purchase some), and the come in the form of machinery. It is important to It is often said that patrons of Casinos derive disappointing services provided by private sector have installmental payment packages available. It some form of social amusement from the gaming Conclusion farm equipment hiring firms. would make farm financing easier if the schedule activity, thus, “entertainment” in the form of lottery While there is no doubt that gaming activities A tour of the farm revealed thousands of hectares of payment is convenient,” he added. and gaming services are provided by the Casino also contribute to the growth of the economy, it already cultivated with rice and other crops, Farm On the government’s recent closure of the nation’s operators. The VAT Act defines “entertainment” to is necessary for the government to ensure the machinery and accessories such as John Deere borders to protect local rice farmers from unfair include any exhibition and performance in which appropriate regulatory and fiscal framework is tractors with air controlled cabins and accessories competition from foreign rice, which has since the admission of people is subject to payment by put in place to regulate and derive tax revenue like ploughs, harrows, planters, and boom sprayers been re-opened, Adegoke said, “Actually, I don’t such persons albeit some specified exceptions. from the activities of this growing sector. Also, it are stationed strategically on the farm where they personally believe in border closure. I believe that Based on the above, key questions that comes to is important for the government to provide clarity can come into use within seconds. There are also market forces should dictate. mind include: a) Could the gaming houses be said on fiscal obligations of the gaming house, such fertilizers heaped in two barns. “If we produce more at less cost, we will counter to be supplying a service? b) Where the gaming that the government plugs potential tax leakages However, mechanised farming shill has its the low cost of foreign rice. The problem is that house/ casino does not charge an entrance or and prevents these gaming houses from suffering challenges and Adegoke believes the government cost of production is very high in this country. admission fee, would VAT be applicable? multiple taxes. can come into play and make them go away If local rice is affordable and are good in quality, Section 2 of the VAT Act as amended by the for serious farmers to produce the food that the foreign rice will disappear to oblivion. If we have Finance Act 2020, provides that the tax shall be t"CV JTBNBOBHFSJOUIF5BY3FHVMBUPSZ nation needs. “The government should make eyes on a philosophy of stimulating increased local charged and payable on all supplies of goods 1FPQMF 4FSWJDF %JWJTJPO JO ,1.( /JHFSJB access to machinery for mechanised agriculture production through less stress in production, we and services in Nigeria other than those listed in 5IF BVUIPS DBO CF DPOUBDUFE BU OBOBBCV! readily available. would be better for it.” the First Schedule to the Act (i.e. exempt goods OHLQNHDPN JE TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 • THISDAY 29 30 THISDAY ˾TUESDAY MAY 4, 2021 PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Govt Must Consider Price Control in Building Materials Market, Says Adeyemi Bennett Oghifo in dilemma. We also have this needs of life, after food and challenge with steel/iron rods. clothing. People must have roof he federal govern- “The government needs over their heads and one of the ment has been to take a look at this ugly essential and non-negotiable advised to intro- situation critically. In the real materials that is required for duce price control sense, I think we need to have the kind of construction we policy in the nation’s a price control policy within do in this part of the world, Tbuilding materials market to the building and construction which is wet construction, is stabilise rising cost. materials market, the essential cement. So, the government There are two basic build- materials, like cement, rein- will have no choice than to ing materials –cement and forcement, which are iron look into the pricing control rods- that have proven to and steel.” mechanism. I feel the market have very unstable prices On the part of the manufac- has been monopolised and the recently, according to the turers, he said, “If we feel the government needs to break Chief Executive Officer of major components required this monopoly.” Sterling Homes Limited, to make these materials are He said the federal govern- Dr. Kunle Adeyemi, stating not locally available, then we ment, in the past, succeeded that the government should should explore importation in breaking the monopoly in intervene to curb impending of the building materials. the textile industry when it homelessness. Although I know that we placed a ban on importation. Adeyemi, who is also the have most of these essential He lauded the government’s Secretary-General of the Real principal components in efforts to control quality in Estate Developers Association abundance, I’m aware we the built industry, but said, of Nigeria (REDAN) South- have them in some places in “I foresee a doom, because west, said his company, this country. So, we shouldn’t some developers may be forced Sterling Homes has an ongoing even be found selling cement to compromise standards or project and that within two at a ridiculous price. Importa- quality, in terms of going for days of trying to restock ce- tion of cement may not be substandard materials in a bid ment, they got a shock that necessary if the government to meet up with the surply, the product’s cost had risen creates an enabling environ- because the inflation has from N3,450 to N3,800. “This ment for the manufacturers to eaten up the profit margin. is just within 24 hours.” function properly. I also know So, they will think that the only Worse still, he said cement there is hindrance created by way they can hedge against Adeyemi is being hoarded to justify the bureaucracy in the mining inflation is to subscribe to rising cost. “It is the same thing industry that could make substandard materials.” The quality of steel has been our construction methodol- should be deliberate about with steel, meaning within difficult for those who can Adeyemi said safety should compromised, and we are sure ogy built to suit our target their designs because it affects the first quarter, prices have extract these materials locally. not be compromised in hous- that some even have the SON populations.” costs. “Our construction meth- increased over 70 per cent, and If they can relax or eliminate ing construction, explaining certification, maybe forged. He said the problem in mov- odology encourages waste. If it is still increasing. In fact we these bureaucracies that make that this was guaranteed by SON raided some factories ing building materials from you go to construction sites, now have some dealers who it easier for these materials to adherence to standard practice recently, we know.” factory to construction sites is you’ll see colossal waste of are hoarding and not ready be locally sourced, instead of and use of quality materials, He said, to get around this caused by poor infrastructure. building materials-steel, iron, to sell, because they are sure importation, because if it is among others. If these two problem, they test some of “When the road networks are cement, blocks, all wasted. that before next week (this importation, then the prevail- are jeopardized, it will cost their critical materials in the not in good shape and the Developers must eliminate week), One of them prophesied ing forex rates and duties will lives, from building collapse, laboratory to ensure the right railway is not functioning, waste in construction for the it will get to N5,000 per bag also come into play.” structural failure because some quality is being used. “You’ll there is bound to be high nation to be self-sufficient in very soon. So, the dream of He said it would be developers will not adhere to be shocked to see some materi- costs of materials, because housing.” an average Nigerian to own foolhardy to equate the standard practice like ratios als with SON certification not transporting them from Lagos Sterling Homes contributes a home is slim.” building industry with that of in materials’ mixing, because passing the test, and these are to Maiduguri or elsewhere will to the nation’s housing stock, The inflation, he said has petroleum where government of the drive for maximisation, the stuff that have flooded be very expensive with poor using “Our cutting edge affected them adversely, stating insists market forces should which is essential for business’ our markets.” infrastructure since the cost construction methodology “even us, we are because we control prices. “The petroleum survival. Government should He recommended that implication will be factored and our unique tailor-made have put our homes on sale and built industries are two check the materials being developers should change into the street price.” designs to help us to cut down at a particular price, but now separate industries. Shelter is imported like rods/steel, their designs and become Another recommendation on waste and maximise profit,” with what is going on, we are considered one of the basic because they are substandard. innovative and “to consider he made was that developers Adeyemi said. IoD is Building N10bn, 15-floor Fully Commercial Edifice in Ikoyi Fadekemi Ajakaiye IoD House, will be completed IoD, Chief Chris Okunowo, of the Institute of Directors and/or buyers; 3-bedroom library, business centres in 36 months, and is located stated that the edifice which Nigeria. apartments of minimum and seminar rooms. It also The Institute of Directors at number 8, Temple Road, will be built on a land area “It is an unparalleled 242sqm; 4-bedroom apartments has a spacious ground floor, (IoD), Nigeria, is building Ikoyi, Lagos State, where a 3,237.716sqm and with a net residential and office project of minimum 280sqm, studio which has a restaurant and a 15-floor fully commercial ground-breaking ceremony floor area of 3340.40sqm, will that will become the corporate apartments of 72sqm each, and banqueting area. edifice in Ikoyi, Lagos at an was held recently. be a standout building in the headquarters of the Institute of two penthouses, all designed “The IoD House, a corporate estimated cost of N10 billion. The President and Chair- heart of Ikoyi and will become Directors Nigeria (IoD Nigeria), to create an immeasurable and residential edifice will be The edifice, to be known as man of Governing Council, the corporate headquarters by the grace of God, within luxurious and comfortable a landmark development, the next 36 months,” he said. experience,” he said. not only in Ikoyi and Lagos “Our Governing Council, “This project is estimated but also in the national and in November 2018, approved to cost the Institute the sum international real estate space. the new design of the IoD of N10 billion. Our team of The structure would meet all House as a 15-floor edifice and experienced members, in sustainable and environmental a fully commercial property, the IoD House Committee, certifications in its design which was expected to host came up with plans for the strategies,” he said. only offices and business financing of the project. A The Architect of the Project, concerns. However, we had levy of the sum of N150,000 Arc Olusegun Ladega stated to rethink our strategy in the for all members of the Institute, that the edifice is a mixed-use year 2020, when the advent others include donations, development that is composed of the dreaded COVID-19 equity and loan; with loan of residential, commercial, and pandemic taught us all new being a last resort,” he said. leisure facilities. A single-stop, lessons in our business and He stated that the Com- where you can live, work, private lives,” he said. mittee would be offering and play. The building has He stated that, as a dynamic the various residential flats been designed based on the organisation, the Institute available in the edifice for sale, current healthcare situation resolved to review the design off-plan, at highly subsidised to have flexible buildings of the IoD House and decided rates, when compared with that are easily adaptable to to have a mix-use property, similar developments in Ikoyi. all kinds of circumstances, also which would accommodate He stated that the edifice designed to meet all the new both residential and com- which has “Green credentials” stringent planning regulations mercial usage. also boast of 151 space ample and exceeded all expectations L-R: Member, IoD House Committee, Otunba Lekan Belo; Past President, IoD, Ms. Benedikter Molokwu; “Seven (7) out of the car park integrated into the of the planning regulations, Director General/CEO, Mr. Dele Alimi; Second Vice President, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo; President/Chairman 15-floors of the edifice offer building, a recreational floor designed for efficiency use of of Council, Chief Chris Okunowo; First Vice President, Dr. Ije Jidenma; Immediate Past President, Alhaji several luxurious residential comprising amenities like energy and focused on creating Ahmed Rufai Mohammed; and Chairman, IoD House Committee, Mr. Ernest Ebi, at the groundbreaking of apartments of choice. The meeting rooms, swimming a building that achieves green the IoD edifice...recently building offers investors pool, gymnasium, sauna, certification level,” he said. ˜ͼ˜ͺͺ˾THISDAY 31 Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email [email protected] TUESDAYSPORTS 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY Africa’s Six Top Women’s Football Nations for Aisha Buhari Cup Duro Ikhazuagbe their intention to participate in tournament. on the benefits of sports to with direct reference to the place tournament as dress rehearsal for the competition,” revealed the “Apart from the football on national development. It will of the girl/child in our society. the CAF Women’s Champions Africa’s best six women football NWPL chairperson who is also the pitch, there will be other also address issues affecting Female football aficionados League, which will begin later playing countries have been listed a board member of the NFF. activations to sensitise Africans women in developing countries are already looking at the this year.” to participate in the inaugural Falode admitted that the Aisha Buhari Invitational tournament “is a direct effect of Tournament scheduled to hold the election into the FIFA Council in September in Nigeria. of Nigeria Football Federation’s The six countries include; hosts (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, who is particularly interested in Ghana, Mali and Morocco. the development of women Speaking on the invitational football in the continent.” tournament yesterday, Falode further assured Chairperson of the Nigerian football stakeholders that the Women’s Premier League tournament “will be a festival (NWPL), Aisha Falode confirmed of women football with some that the country’s First Lady, of the biggest names in world Aisha Buhari has endorsed soccer expected to be in Nigeria the tournament as one of the to witness the matches and also events aimed at inspiring the participate in some of the events girl/child in the continent. lined up alongside the games.” “As I speak, South Africa, Already, friends of the First Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco Lady are expected be at the event and Mali have already signified to support her throughout the Victor Moses Named Man-of-the-Match in Spartak NFF President, Amaju Pinnick (left) presenting Nigerian jersey to Ambassador Herrero during his courtesy visit to the Sunday Moscow Win at Arsenal Dankaro House secretariat of the federation...yesterday Former Super Eagles winger, league appearances for Spartak Victor Moses, 30, appears to Moscow this season. have rediscovered himself in Domenico Tedesco’s side the Russian topflight league as occupy second position on Argentina’s Ambassador Wants Stronger he inspired Spartak Moscow the table with 53 points from with double assists for his team 28 games. to pick all three points against Football Ties with Nigeria Arsenal Tula. The Ambassador of the at our expense and we have won and fostering the building of that Nigeria has also made The former Chelsea wingback Republic of Argentina to one at your expense.” a virile football industry – areas immense impact in world who set up Aleksandr Sobolev Nigeria, Alejandro Herrero, has In a buoyant and relaxed in which Argentina has some football, from youth tournaments for the first goal in the game advocated the streghtening of atmosphere, the Ambassador knowledge and experience. to the Olympics and the FIFA in the 21st minute was named footballing ties between Argentina said he would particularly be “Our mission is to build a World Cup. Now, we seek to buoy the Man of the Match for the and Nigeria, insisting that there delighted to see regular games sustainable football culture for our football industry to become game played on Workers’ Day. are compelling commonalities between nine –time African our country, and eventually have the big business that it should Arsenal Tula however between the two countries in the champions, Super Falcons and a robust football industry that be.” Pinnick also mentioned equalised following Ilya realm of the ‘beautiful game’. the Argentina Women A team, as will not only sustain itself but the maiden edition of the First Kutepov’s own goal on the During a courtesy call well as exchange programmes and also contribute significantly Lady of Nigeria Invitational stroke of half-time. on the President of Nigeria meaningful collaboration between to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Tournament being planned for Moses teed up Jordan Football Federation and FIFA the football federations and clubs Product (GDP). Argentina is a later this year, and hinted that Larsson for the winning goal Council Member, Mr Amaju of both countries. country where the football culture both countries could explore 14 minutes from time. Melvin Pinnick at the NFF In his response, NFF President is fully entrenched. Our teams the possibility of Argentina The former Super Eagles Secretariat, Abuja on Monday, Pinnick said he was excited clash all the time at the FIFA Women A team joining the player who is on another loan Ambassador Herrero recalled by the possibility of closer World Cup, at the Olympics, fray. trip to the Russian club after several instances of on-pitch collaboration and stronger at youth tournaments and in With Ambassador Herrero long spell of loan sojourn at Victor Moses displaying his Man- skirmishes between the two footballing ties between friendly matches and both have to the Sunday Dankaro House Inter Milan, now have three of-the-Match award in the Russian countries, saying that Nigeria Nigeria and Argentina, as this had their victories. NFF’s secretariat were Victoria goals and four assists in 17 topflight...yesterday and Argentina “always clash at would benefit the NFF in its “We have immense respect Budic (Deputy Head of Mission) the FIFA World Cup with narrow drive to accomplish its mission for what Argentina has been and Fernando Lacabanne (Head wins for Argentina but you have of building a sustainable able to do in football, but of Economic and Commercial Barcelona Eye Super Eagles’ won one Olympic gold medal football culture for Nigeria you will agree with me Section). Star, Ndidi, at Nou Camp CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Femi Solaja with agency report since imposed himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in Guardiola Unfazed by City’s Advantage Going into Strong indications emerged Europe. yesterday that Nigeria Ndidi has made 171 appearances Tonight’s Clash with PSG international, Wilfred Ndidi, may for the former Premier League Manchester City will treat play to win the game. This at the end of this month. won six in a row: Manchester end up in Laliga following report champions, with nine goals to today’s Champions League is all we are going to do.” “The number one team on United (1965-66), Leeds United that Spanish giants, FC Barcelona his credit and 10 assists. semi-final Clash with Paris St- City have no fresh injury our Euro Club Index (www. (1969-70) and Arsenal (2005). are reportedly weighing up the Considering his stature within Germain “like another game”, concerns, with Guardiola euroclubindex.com) is estimated PSG progressed from possibility of going for Wilfred the English top-flight, Ndidi was Manager Pep Guardiola resting Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin to have 87% chance of finishing their last Champions League Ndidi, who is valued at around last season a target of Real Madrid, insisted yesterday. de Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, the job of knocking out Paris knockout tie when losing €50 million by Premier League PSG and Manchester United but of The Premier League leaders Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, St-Germain and 57% chance the first leg, recovering a 2-1 club Leicester City. all the big power houses in Europe, carry a 2-1 advantage into Ruben Dias and Phil Foden of winning the competition.” first-leg deficit against Borussia According to a report the Spanish outlet explained that their second leg at Etihad for City’s 2-0 victory over FACTFILE Dortmund in last season’s last by Spanish outlet El Gol Barcelona seems to be ahead of Stadium as they bid to reach Crystal Palace on Saturday, Manchester City are unbeaten 16 to progress 3-2 on aggregate. Digital,Ndidi is the subject of others going by the recruitment their first Champions League PSG may be without star in all four previous European However, in their major interest from the former UEFA policy of the new hierarchy of final. forward Kylian Mbappe after meetings with PSG (W2 D2), European history, the French Champions League winner over the club. “We arrive in a good the World Cup winner missed winning their last home match side have never progressed a possible move in the future. Reports also linked the moment and I said to the the French champions’ 2-1 win against them in April 2016 in after losing the first leg of a The Catalan giants have Blaugranato the likes Georginio guys, ‘Don’t think too much over Lens with a calf injury the second leg of that season’s knockout tie at home. identified the Leicester City Wijnaldum from Liverpool and to win the game’,” said on Saturday. Champions League quarter-final. Should Manchester City midfield powerhouse as immediate Adrien Rabiot from PSG but team Guardiola. But Guardiola expects the PSG have only faced AC progress, they would reach replacement for Segio Busquet who seems to be closer to landing the “It is the same message of 22-year old to feature. Milan (four times) more their first European final for had held the central midfield Nigerian because of his physical the last six months.” “(Mbappe) is going to play often without winning in the 51 years, since winning the 1970 position since 2009/10 season. ability and versatility of playing Guardiola, 50, won the - and I am looking forward to Champions League than they Cup Winners’ Cup final against Few seasons ago, Barcelona other roles as he used to do with competition twice with him playing, for the football have against Man City (three). Gornik Zabrze. This would had N’Golo Kante, whose €60 his present club, Leicester City. Barcelona but this is the and the game itself,” he added. Man City have won their past break the record for the longest million valuation was then Leicester City are believed to furthest he has got in five Simon Gleave, head of sports six Champions League matches gap between appearances in “unaffordable” on the radar. have slapped a €70 million price attempts with City. analysis, Nielsen’s Gracenote: and victory here would see European finals, currently held The Nigerian star joined tag on their prized 24-year-old “We approach this game “After winning 2-1 in Paris, them break the record for the by Sporting Lisbon (41 years Leicester City a year after the defender and it is unlikely that like another game,” he added. Manchester City now have well longest ever winning run by an between 1964 Cup Winners’ club won the English Premiership Barcelona will be able to afford “We start with a small over 50% chance of lifting their English team in European Cup Cup final and 2005 Uefa Cup in 2016 from Genk. Ndidi has the sum this summer. advantage but we have to first Champions League trophy history. Three other sides have final). T RU N Tuesday May 4, 2021TH & REASO Price: N250 MISSILE NLC to El-Rufai “The public service of the state with less than 100,000 employees and their families) cannot be consuming more than 90% of government resources, with litt le left to positively impact the lives of the more than 9 million that are not political appointees or civil servants” – President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, faulting Governor Nasir El-Rufai for describing workers as micro minority. TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI [email protected] r Ejike Mbaka, Spiritual DirectorFr. of Mbaka’slectures on the state of the nation. Sin They have style is also probably environmentally determined. the Adoration Ministry, Enugu attracts learnt to leave him alone. Nobody accused him He has received words of encouragement from controversy the way fl ies are attracted to of bringing contractors to the Presidential Villa. Nnamdi Kanu of the Independent Peoples of dung. He is completely unfazed about Fr. George Ehusani is another prominent Catholic Biafra Organisation (IPOB). Ohanaeze Ndigbo it. He comes across as a priest who does Priest. He succeeded Kukah as Secretary General of has also publicly supported him. Nnamdi Kanu notF mind what Pope Francis once referred to as the Catholic Secretariat. He is not afraid to express even said Mbaka also has the right to change “the sin of scandal”. Last week, Fr. Mbaka stirred his mind. He is consistent and blunt. He sings. his mind like Sheikh Isa Pantami! In Nigeria, the hornet’s again when he announced to his He preaches. He runs a public-spirited NGO on religion and ethnicity provide ready cover-ups congregation that he had changed his mind about Leadership. Nobody has disturbed him because he for anything. President Muhammadu Buhari, or perhaps he does not phone politicians or government offi cials Mbaka represents an emerging face of the had received another message from God to the to ask for favours. In Ewu, Edo State, there is Church, a living embodiment of the rise of effect that if Nigeria’s President Buhari does not Fr. Anselm Adodo, the Benedictine Monk who utilitarian capitalism in the Church of Christ, resign for failing to fi nd a solution to Nigeria’s is pushing the frontiers of Alternative Medicine and the confl ation of priesthood with hedonism. problems, he should be impeached. This came as and Epidemiology at the Pax Herbal Clinic and Catholic priests were known ordinarily as persons a rude shock to many. Fr. Mbaka was a staunch Research Laboratories. Fr. Anselm is so busy with who had taken the Oath and dedicated their entire supporter of President Buhari and the ruling All research, he probably does not know where the life to service and prayers. They disconnect from Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 and 2019 Government House of Edo State is. To go higher earthly pleasures. Riches do not mean anything general elections. He used his pulpit to campaign within the hierarchy, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has to them. They are happy to commit to the task for the APC. In 2015, he openly opposed then been in the business of speaking truth to power of salvation. It is therefore most shocking that a incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and before Mbaka gained admission to the seminary. priest like Reverend Mbaka as far back as 2016 his wife, Patience Jonathan. He would later claim Nobody has ever accused him of drinking tea was described in one report as the owner of a that an attempt was made on his life. Mbaka with a cup belonging to the Nigerian government. Ministry within the Catholic Church, the Adoration wields enormous infl uence in the Eastern Region Fr. Mbaka There is also Ignatius Ayua Kaigama, former Ministry, which he runs as a personal “business”. of Nigeria. He runs a personal ministry, more of a Day statement that was issued by the Presidency Archbishop of Jos who is now the Archbishop of When he was asked to move from Christ the King personal business which he calls Adoration Ministry yesterday, May 3, while expressing commitment Abuja. No contractor, white or black, would ever Parish, Enugu to Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, which deploys a combination of the Scriptures, to free speech and the freedom of information, dare ask him to wear his cassock to go and lobby Emene, his main concerns were the assets of the combined with faith healing, theatrical, spell-binding condemned licentious freedom, and gave a small for contracts. But Mbaka is truly different. He is the Adoration Ministry and the fact that he would tactics, metaphysical hallucinations and a bit of lecture on responsible journalism. And it does priest of “reward mechanism”. His public persona “suffer.” This new tendency of priests who do shamanism to hypnotize an attentive audience. not matter whether you were once a friend like is that he is a Catholic priest of election seasons. not want to suffer, who would rather choose the In a country where poverty is widespread and Fr. Mbaka, the priest or Eedris Abdulkareem, He is a one-man Electoral Commission that can hedonistic life, explains the new character of the the people are looking for Salvation on earth and the artist. The other week, Eedris Abdulkareem predict election results or anoint Gubernatorial Church. Priests no longer get enough fi nancial in the hereafter, anyone who is able to offer a dared to criticise the Minister of State for Labour candidates. In 2015, he reportedly rejected money support. Priests now want to own estates. They combination of these elements is bound to be a and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN in a new that was donated to the Adoration Ministry by the drive exotic cars if they can. They want to travel celebrity. And Mbaka is. He is a celebrity. Something album. Keyamo promptly released text messages Jonathan administration. One of his proclaimed First Class too. They argue that even St. Paul of a Rock Star! But where and when did he and between him and Eedris in which the musician achievements is that he correctly predicted that had a business on the side that gave him extra his APC friends part ways? He did not really say begged the Minister for money to pay hotel and Senator Hope Uzodinma would become Governor income. Hence Mbaka can tell the Presidency: “... anything earth-shaking or original, but coming hospital bills, in exchange for his support for the of Imo State through the Supreme Court. But do they know how many people I feed?” We are from him, a Buharideen and an APC apologist, Buhari administration. This may be a new tactic. now, Uzodinma no longer picks his calls. He was in the age of billionaire priests who run business the weight of his new revelation attracted the Nobody should be surprised if one of these days also once a friend to former Governor Chimaroke empires. With the offertory no longer generous, right measure of attention. state offi cials release images of some vocal critics Nnamani. It didn’t take long before they quarrelled since members of the congregation are mostly In the past few days, we have been treated eating jollof rice and fi sh bone as Nicodemus and the Oracle of Adoration began to see new poor, and in need, some enterprising priests can to a tit-for-tat between the Presidency and their guests at the Presidential Villa. visions. In December 2018, former Governor of no longer rely on their meagre stipends. They Enugu-based star-gazer. Presidential Spokesperson But Fr. Mbaka is taking it all as they say, on Anambra State, Peter Obi apparently did not are creating businesses and opportunities in the Garba Shehu did not allow the saliva in Mbaka’s his chest. He is practically making a mockery understand the meaning of “reward mechanism” name of God to live well, and to support others mouth to dry up before issuing a statement to of the reactions to his statements. He says it when he attended an annual harvest and bazaar and whenever they can, take care of the Bishops state that Mbaka, the Catholic priest is not what is stupid “to be attacking a messenger of God” celebration at the Adoration Ministry. He was too. They have forgotten that the Lord Jesus was he projects himself to be. Shehu gave an account and that yes, he took three white men who are accused of being “stingy.” Mbaka attends road born in a rented manger. He was buried in a of how Mbaka once visited Aso Villa to see the contractors, who asked for his assistance, to the commissioning ceremonies. Only the God he borrowed tomb. President with three contractors in tow. He wanted Villa, so what? They were asking for security worships knows how many contractors he has Where is the Church? In November 2014, Pope contracts from the Federal Government of Nigeria. contracts for themselves, not for him, and they taken around the South East in search of contracts. Francis gave an interesting homily on this same But the President directed that due process must be didn’t get the contracts, so what? He accuses The Diocese of Enugu, to which Fr. Mbaka subject at the Saint Martha Guesthouse at the followed. Garba Shehu, an experienced spin-doctor the Buhari government of not having “ä reward belongs has often disclaimed his remarks as his Vatican. His focus was the Gospel of Luke. He thus used Mbaka to score three quick points: (1) mechanism”: “All the people they have been giving personal opinion. The Catholic Bishops Conference said that “there are two things that the people of that Mbaka is a businessman in priestly garment contracts, are they better than me? Am I begging has also always warned against the promotion God cannot forgive: a priest attached to money and and an infl uence peddler; (2) that his so-called them, do they know how many people I fed? of partisan politics in the context of Mass. But a priest who mistreats people. This they cannot prophesies are at best personal opinions depending Fortunately, they reported that they denied me Mbaka appears untouchable. Reno Omokri, who forgive! It is scandalous…” Quoting the Gospel of on his calculations of likely benefi ts and (3) Mbaka of the contract – which contract? …They have is himself a preacher of the word, has reported Luke, the Pope recalled how Jesus turned tables should be grateful that when he visited the Villa, shown that they don’t have what we call reward Mbaka to Pope Francis. But Mbaka is thoroughly and drove away people who were selling inside the Presidency was kind enough not to expose mechanism. If Shehu is a human..I don’t even amused. He tells his critics: “Ïf Rome hears that the church: a sacred place of prayer which had him by publishing his photographs. know who the Shehu is. He should be apologising Father Mbaka is challenging evil governance, Rome been turned into a business place. He added: “Ï Garba Shehu was not alone. Yekini Nabena, the that they have not come down to say Nagode will clap for me, so quickly go to Rome…” He is think of how our attitude can scandalize people Deputy National Secretary of the APC also found Allah for surviving what they are passing through. probably amused because he knows that those with unpriestly habits in the Temple: the scandal it necessary to advise Mbaka to desist from making The last person this administration should fi ght is rushing to the Vatican may not know how the of doing business, the scandal of worldliness…It statements that could destabilise the country, and Father Mbaka talking here because if they speak Catholic church system works. The Pope does is scandalous when the Temple, the house of God if he fails to do so, he would be reported to the against me, the anger of Heaven will be upon not get directly involved in the disciplining of becomes a place of business…” The Bishop of Vatican. Nabena even quoted the Bible to remind them and their end will shock everybody…” priests. Under the Code of Canon Law, it is Rome has certainly not yet heard of the Nigerian the Catholic priest of his priestly obligations and This is really a different kind of priest. It is the responsibility of the Congregation of the phenomenon. Everyone who has had cause to the Example of Christ. Beyond the Villa and the not beyond him to rain down curses like confetti Doctrine of Faith which deals with crimes of an comment on the Federal Government and Fr. APC, other Nigerians waded in, including Reno at a wedding! I fi nd his response naïve and ecclesiastical nature committed by priests. But the Mbaka’s saga, including Yekini (!), has been quoting Omokri, the self-confessed “Buhari Tormentor” contradictory, and strange, given the fact that Rules stipulate that the local church must take the the Bible. Let me add this passage from the Gospel who accused Mbaka of hypocrisy and further sent the Catholic Church traditionally provides their fi rst step in disciplining a delinquent priest, and of St. Mark, Chapter 11: 15-17: “An Open Letter to Pope Francis” to draw his priests the benefi t of a sound education and clerical outcomes of investigations and conclusions can “Then Jesus went to the Temple and began attention to the delinquency of one of his priests training. He is not the fi rst Catholic priest to be then be forwarded to Rome. Omokri’s petition to drive out those who bought and sold in the in Nigeria. The Department of State Services has controversial or outspoken in recent times. Recently, will be referred to the local church in Nigeria. temple, and overturned the tables of the money also since reminded religious and political leaders Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Will the local church act? Does Mbaka’s Bishop changers and the seat of those who sold doves. to eschew divisive politics, because the Nigerian Catholic Diocese pointedly accused the Buhari see anything wrong in what he does? Is his And He would not allow anyone to carry wares state will not hesitate to defend the country against government of nepotism. The government and its Adoration Ministry so rich and so supportive through the temple. Then He taught, saying to all forces of destabilization. agents hemmed and hawed. There were threats of the Church that not even the Catholic Bishops them: Is it not written, my house shall be called Clearly, the Nigerian government is embattled that Kukah will be expelled from Sokoto. But Conference can apply the essential norms? The a House of prayer for all nations? But you have and it is not ready to tolerate additional pressures in the end, nothing happened. Kukah has since problem is probably not Mbaka, but the Catholic made it a den of thieves.” This is the word of from any quarters. Even the World Press Freedom then delivered more stinging homilies and public Church of Nigeria and its leadership. Mbaka’s God to us. May the Lord bless His Word... Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: [email protected], [email protected]. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: [email protected]