16112022

2023: We stand Court stops 

with CAN on 

Bar Examiners in the US offer a 

Nigeria Air's 

decentralized system of Muslim-Muslim 

8 

vocational bar training that 

take off 

provide aspirants with the option ticket 

8 

to either self-study or enroll in 

•Even Supreme Court 

20 bar preparation courses with – Catholic Knights can’t stop Nigeria Air 7 

private institutions 

from flying – FG 

Rising energy cost, others pressure inflation to 17-yr high 

Kukah 7 

cautions 

supporters: 

Don't die for 

politicians 

15 

VOL. 39: NO. 9,924 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 

AT APC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN FLAG OFF 

2023’s fight to define 

5 

Nigeria’s soul — TINUBU 

•Says Nigeria won’t sink •As Buhari, Adamu, Tinubu others flag off APC campaign in 

Jos•Nobody'll deny opposition party its mandate if it wins - BUHARI Forex: Nigerians 

APC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN FLAG OFF IN JOS... 

should 14 

determine what’s 

appropriate for 

Nigeria – IMF 

NCC sets new 

5G spectrum 

license for 

35 

$273.6m, 

operators kick 

From left: Sen. Kashim Shettima, Vice Presidential Candidate, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, APC National Chairman, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu 

Presidential Candidate of APC, and President Muhammadu Buhari, at the APC Presidential Campaign Flag-Off in Jos, yesterday. 

Photo: STATE HOUSE. 

2023: Obi replies Soludo 

•Says I governed as trader, you govern as Professor 

ASUU begins 

protest against 

‘no work, no pay’ 

policy 

7 

Kyari canvasses 

flexible energy 

transition for 

Nigeria, others 

COLUMNISTS NNANNA 16 OKOH 17 FASAN 17 DEAR BUNMI 26 

7 

11 

CAN starts engagement 

with presidential 

8 

candidates, meets 

Tinubu today 

28 

Kogi wins 

World Bank’s 

fiscal 

transparency, 

revenue 

mobilisation 

awards 13 

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 — 3


2023’s fight to define Nigeria’s 

soul — TINUBU 

•Says Nigeria won’t sink •As Buhari, Adamu, Tinubu others flag off APC campaign 

in Jos•Nobody'll deny opposition party its mandate if it wins — BUHARI 

By Marie-Therese 

Nanlong 

JOS — AFTER weeks of 

preparation, the ruling 

All Progressives Congress, 

APC, yesterday, flagged off 

its campaign in style to retain 

the presidency in Jos, 

the Plateau State capital. 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari and National Chairman 

of the party, Senator 

Abdullahi Adamu, led governors 

elected on the platform 

of the party, ministers, 

National Working Committee, 

NWC, members and 

other party leaders to the 

colourful rally held at Jos 

Township Stadium. 

While handing the party’s 

flag to the presidential 

candidate, Asiwaju Bola 

Ahmed Tinubu, President 

Buhari reiterated his promise 

to lead the party's campaign 

for the 2023 presidential 

election. 

In his speech that was 

later interpreted in Hausa 

language by his running 

mate, Kashim Shettima, 

Asiwaju Tinubu praised 

Nigerians for believing in 

the APC to lead the country 

to progress after years 

of backwardness under the 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP administration, declaring 

"hope is back." 

He said the campaign 

was starting in Plateau, a 

place that properly showed 

Nigeria's vast potential. 

"One can see greater 

prosperity and jobs in an 

economy humming with 

activity. From the farmer in 

the rural area to the city boy 

in a bustling urban centre, 

each will have productive 

work to do and a decent 

home to return to. 

"One can see a Nigeria 

where all who want will be 

able to build a decent life 

from the fruits of their individual 

and collective endeavour. 

From this fine vantage 

point, we see how far 

we have come. We also see 

how far we must go and the 

road that will take us there," 

Tinubu said. 

The former Lagos State 

governor commended President 

Buhari for his presence 

at the flag-off and the 

great foundation he had 

laid for Nigeria, which his 

incoming administration 

planned to build on. 

"I am deeply honoured 

for the presence of President 

Muhammadu Buhari. 

As campaign chairman, he 

promised to lead from the 

front. A man of his word, 

President Buhari has done 

what he said and more. 

"Mr. President, you have 

provided exceptional service 

to the nation and party. 

Your contributions are both 

positive and enduring. 

When the history of this 

period is objectively written, 

it will smile upon you 

and treat you with utmost 

kindness," he added. 

He also praised Adamu 

for leading the APC and 

steadying the ship of the 

party since assuming office 

as chairman of the campaign. 

From left, Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore; Presidential Candidate of 

the Action Democratic Party, Malam Yabagi Sani; Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance 

Party, Prof. Peter Umeadi, and Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Prince Adewole Adebayo, 

at the 2nd Arise Presidential Town Hall Series held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja... on Sunday 

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 — 5 

POCKET CARTOON 

My plans for 

Nigeria 

On his plans for the 

country, if elected, Tinubu 

said his administration 

hoped to chart the course 

of progress already started 

by the Buhari administration. 

"We hereby reaffirm our 

commitment to progressive 

good governance and to 

the fruits that such governance 

can bring to this nation. 

February 2023 is 

more than an election. It is 

a fight to define the soul of 

the nation and to determine 

our collective fate. 

''Do we adhere to the ideals 

of broadly shared prosperity, 

competence, peace, 

justice and compassion toward 

all? Or do we toss 

these ideals away, shunning 

the divisive politics of 

the past or to those whose 

rantins show they cannot 

distinguish between fact 

and fantasy. 

"One party wants to take 

us back to a past that never 

should have been. Another 

party wants to take us to 

a past that resides only in 

its candidate’s head. Neither 

the old road nor the 

fantasy road is good 

enough. 

"Instead, we forged the 

wiser path toward our approved 

destination, an 

even better Nigeria. This is 

what the election is truly 

about," he added. 

To ensure overall energy 

security and resource mobilization 

for the country, 

Tinubu promised to continue 

the ongoing exploration 

works in all frontier basins 

and especially speed up the 

development of the commercial 

oil find in Gombe/ 

Bauchi states. 

Buhari’s 

achievements 

Reeling out the successes 

of the Buhari administration, 

Tinubu said there 

was massive development 

in the agricultural, infrastructure 

and power sectors 

in the last seven and half 

years of the APC government. 

According to him, these 

foundations now require 

more builders to make them 

massive structures, and 

called on all Nigerians to 

embark on the journey with 

him. 

"I thank President Buhari 

again because he has truly 

established a strong foundation 

for the things we are 

now to do. Truly, the foundation 

has been set. It is 

now time to call more builders 

forward to further construct 

the national edifice 

that will be our best home. 

We, the APC and the Tinubu/Shettima 

team, seek to 

make permanent a covenant 

of progressive good 

governance with the people," 

he said. 

He continued: "Under 

this hopeful pact, we will 

assemble the best team. We 

shall build on progress in 

the agricultural sector by 

establishing commodity 

boards guaranteeing minimal 

prices for strategic 

crops. We shall create agricultural 

and industrial hubs 

in all zones. 

"You shall also see water 

catchment and irrigation 

systems to help farming 

while mitigating the dire 

effects of drought and 

flooding brought about by 

a changing climate. 

"We will encourage urban 

employment through a national 

industrial plan that 

employs a series of measures 

including tax and 

employment credits. 

"We will deepen the 

knowledge economy. Millions 

of the tech savvy, innovative 

youth will benefit 

Continues on Page 35 

Resurgence of kidnapping in South West 

By Prudence George 

Unfortunately, the 

Lagos-Ibadan 

expressway is now a 

dangerous route for 

travelers. The situation 

must be quickly 

addressed so as not to 

restrict the free flow of 

movements, and trading, 

which may also lead to 

the rise of commodities 

in the region. 

—Duru Solomon, Civil 

servant 

The South-West 

governors should be 

more proactive and 

take necessary actions 

to beef up stable 

security before things 

get out of hand. Local 

security groups should 

also ensure that 

bandits are flushed out 

of the region. 

—Ezekiel Isaac, 

Teacher 

The kidnapping of 

travelers along the 

Lagos Ibadan 

expressway is simply 

an extension of the 

insecurity situation in 

the country. Everyone 

must join hands to 

ensure that this does 

not escalate. 

—Chinakwaeze 

Ijeoma, Student 

The governors of the 

South-west states 

should hold an 

emergency meeting 

and call the security 

agencies to order. If 

the situation is not 

addressed, traveling 

to the East will be a 

big problem this 

festive season. 

—Onyeka Cornelius, 

Trader 

Security officials 

should be 

redeployed to strategic 

points along the Ibadan- 

Lagos Expressway in 

other to ensure safe 

movement during the 

coming yuletide season. 

The situation is 

dangerous and should 

be given proper 

attention. 

—Uchena Stanley, 

Entrepreneur 

The recent 

kidnapping along 

the Lagos-Ibadan 

expressway shows that 

people in the Southwest 

region are no 

longer safe and should 

be more security 

conscious. Travelers 

should always travel 

during the day. 

—Eiwone Faith, Youth 

Corper

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 

Randy prophet 

defiles two 

sisters in Ogun 

By James Ogunnaike 

ABEOKUTA—A 30-year-old 

Prophet, Joseph Ogundeji, of the 

Cherubim and Seraphim Church, 

Ajuwon in Ifo Local Government Area 

of Ogun State, has been arrested by men 

of Ogun State Police Command, for 

defiling two under-age sisters, who are 

members of his church. 

The suspect, according to a statement 

by the command image maker, 

Abimbola Oyeyemi, was arrested on 

November 11, 2022, following a 

complaint lodged at Ajuwon divisional 

headquarters by the father of the two 

underage girls. 

Oyeyemi said the victims' father 

reported that he discovered that his 16 

year- old daughter is pregnant, and when 

he inquired to know who was responsible 

for the pregnancy, it was discovered that 

the prophet was the one who 

impregnated her. 

Following the report, the DPO, 

Ajuwon division, SP Andrew Akinseye, 

detailed his detectives to effect the arrest 

of the randy prophet, Oyeyemi said. 

"On interrogation, the prophet 

admitted that he committed the crime 

and, in the course of the investigation, it 

was discovered that the said prophet did 

not only have carnal knowledge of the 

16 years old girl, but also defiled the 

victim's 13-year-old younger sister too." 

The two victims informed the police 

that whenever they had a vigil in the 

church, the prophet who lives very close 

to the church will ask them to go and 

stay in his house after the vigil which 

always comes to an end around 3 am. 

They stated further that anytime they 

stay in the prophet's house, he used to 

give them something to lick, and after 

licking it, they will sleep off, only to wake 

up and discover that the prophet had 

had sex with them. 

When asked why they didn't inform 

their parents, the victims informed the 

police that the suspect threatened to kill 

anyone of them that let the cat out of the 

bag. 

•Ogundeji, the randy 

prophet. 

:Vanguard 

News 

:@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 

Truck crushes 2 policemen in Ekiti 

By Dayo Johnson 

Police, vigilante shoot robbers sharing loot, arrest one, recover 

guns 

By Nwabueze Okonkwo 

Acombined effort of the 

Police and vigilante 

By Ebunoluwa Sessou 

A 

lawmaker representing 

Mushin Constituency II at 

the Lagos State House of Assembly, 

Sobur Olayiwola Olawale, popularly 

known as Omititi, yesterday, 

slumped and died in Jos, Plateau 

State, after the campaign rally of the 

All Progressives Congress, APC. 

The 60-year-old Omititi was 

confirmed dead by one of the party 

members, who was on ground with 

him in Jos. 

A source in his constituency, who 

A DO EKITI—TWO 

unidentified policemen were 

crushed by a truck in the Adebayo 

area of Ado Ekiti metropolis, while 

on transit around Ado-Ifaki dual 

carriageway, in Ado Ekiti, on 

Monday. 

However, a source told newsmen 

at the scene of the incident that the 

driver of the truck fled immediately 

after the incident happened, but was 

later fished out and arrested by 

policemen. 

Confirming the deaths, Police 

Public Relations Officer, Ekiti 

Command, DSP Sunday Abutu, said 

the two policemen were going to Ado 

Ekiti on a bike, when the truck driver, 

who was allegedly negotiating a 

diversion, due to ongoing construction 

work on the road, overran them. 

“I can confirm to you that this 

pathetic event happened this morning 

(Monday) when the two policemen, 

who were coming from Iworoko Ekiti 

3 wanted terrorist kingpins killed in 

NAF strikes in Zamfara 

By: Kingsley Omonobi 

BUJA—MILITARY authorities 

Ahave revealed that wanted terrorist 

Kingpins Halilu Buzu, Yellow Kano, 

Alhaji Gana, and others have been 

confirmed killed in an air strike by the 

Air Component of Operation Hadarin 

Daji, OPHD, last month. 

It was gathered that the strike led to 

the decimation of several terrorists and 

the destruction of their logistics base at 

Maradun Local Government Area of 

Zamfara State. 

Sources said the air strikes came about 

after credible intelligence revealed that 

a prominent terrorist, Halilu Buzu of 

Sububu in Maradun LGA of Zamfara 

State, had scheduled an early-morning 

meeting with commanders and some of 

his foot soldiers in the area. 

The intelligence report had revealed 

the location and exact position of his 

group, yesterday, resulted in the 

arrest of a suspected armed 

robbery gang leader and the 

recovery of assorted weapons, in 

Ogidi, Idemili North LGA of 

Lagos Assembly lawmaker, 

Omititi slumps, dies in Jos 

also confirmed that the lawmaker 

died during the APC campaign in 

Jos, stated that he was with other 

party members, including the local 

government chairman when the 

incident occurred. 

Until his death, Omititi was the 

chairman of the Lagos State House 

of Assembly Committee on Local 

Government Service. 

As of press time, efforts were 

ongoing to either take his corpse to 

Abeokuta, Ogun State, or Lagos State, 

depending on his family’s 

arrangement. 

logistics base where he and his cohorts 

usually store their ammunition, vehicles, 

motorcycles, and other ill-gotten loots. 

Consequently, NAF aircraft scrambled 

to simultaneously strike the location of 

the meeting and the logistics base. 

A huge fireball was observed after the 

strike on the logistics base, an indication 

that the location might have contained 

some inflammable/IED substances. 

The source said: "Halilu Buzu's 

elimination comes as a relief to locals 

residing in Sububu, Anka (Bayan Daji) 

and Bayan Ruwa axis in Zamfara State 

because of his knack for terrorizing and 

torturing his kidnapped victims. 

"Already his absence has reduced the 

frequency of kidnappings, cattle rustling 

and other terrorist activities in the area." 

Similar air strikes were conducted on 

14 November 2022 at a location of a 

notorious terrorist kingpin Alhaji 

Ganai's enclave at Kidandan Forest in 

Anambra. 

The Ogidi Divisional Police 

Officer, DPO, Mr. Ahmed Sani, 

said security personnel had 

stormed the hideout of the 

•The late Onitiri. 

Giwa Local Government Area (LGA) of 

Kaduna State. 

This came about after intelligence had 

monitored, tracked, and established the 

trend of activities of Alhaji Ganai and his 

foot soldiers within the location. 

Accordingly, the Air Component 

dispatched an aircraft for the destruction 

of the enclave. 

"Overhead, the fighter jet observed and 

attacked the target in successive passes." 

DONATION— 

Nigerian 

singer, Timi 

Dakolo (left), 

and Founder 

of the Azeez 

Amida Foundation, 

Azeez 

Amida, during 

the handover 

of medical 

supplies and 

relief materials, 

donated 

by the foundation 

and 

Dakolo's 

support initiative, 

to aid 

50,000 victims 

of the Bayelsa 

State flood 

disaster, in 

Lagos. 

Police uncover 2 

decomposing bodies in Bauchi 

THE Police in Bauchi State said they 

have uncovered two decomposing 

bodies in a room in Bauchi metropolis. 

The Bauchi State Police Public 

Relations Officer, SP Ahmad Wakil, who 

disclosed this in Bauchi, said that the 

bodies were discovered on Monday, in a 

room in Rafin Tambari, a community 

within the Bauchi metropolis. 

suspected criminals, while they 

were sharing loot, following 

credible information. 

Sani told newsmen that the 

suspected criminals, on 

sighting the security 

operatives, shot at 

them, saying that in 

the ensuing gun battle, 

one of the robbers was 

shot in the leg while 

the other escaped with 

bullet wounds. 

The DPO added that 

the operatives 

recovered two guns, a 

Barretta pistol and a 

cut-to-size local gun, 

saying security 

operatives were 

already combing the 

area to arrest the 

fleeing wounded 

criminals. 

to their duty post in Ado Ekiti were 

crushed by a tipper. 

“The policemen were going on 

their lane, it was the tipper’s driver 

that was negotiating a diversion 

placed on the road by a construction 

company rehabilitating the Ado- 

Ifaki by turning to the left side, and 

overrunning them. 

“We learned the two of them died 

on the spot. The driver of the tipper 

has been arrested while the corpses 

have been taken to the morgue at 

the Ekiti State University Teaching 

Hospital,” the Command’s 

Spokesperson said. 

Also commenting on the incident, the 

Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety 

Corps, Ekiti, Mr Olusola Joseph, warned 

drivers plying all the roads in Ekiti to control 

their speed to curb the road carnage. 

He said that the Commissioner of 

Police, Alhassan Aminu had ordered a 

discreet investigation into the incident. 

Wakil said a good Samaritan, who 

resides in Government Reserved Area, 

GRA, reported the disappearance of 

his boss to the police B Division. 

"The good Samaritan came to the B 

Division in GRA and reported that when 

he went to his shop at Yelwa he 

discovered that his boss, Dele Benjamin, 

had not reported up till about 1300 

hours. 

“He went to his house at Rafin 

Tambari to check on him and found 

out that the house was locked from the 

inside. 

“He knocked without any response. 

He then jumped through the perimeter 

fence of the house where he started to 

perceive some unpleasant odour but 

could not access the room. 

“He proceeded to report at the 

Division and the detectives at the 

Division under the command of the 

commissioner of police, instructed and 

directed the Divisional Police Officer 

of the Division to swing into action,” 

Wakil said. 

He said that on getting to the scene, 

the detectives were greeted with an 

unpleasant odour. 

The spokesman said with the 

assistance of the Bauchi State Welfare 

Board, passersby and the neighbours, 

the door was eventually opened. 

He said that a yet-to-be-identified 

decomposing body of a woman was 

also found beside the man. 

Wakil said that the corpses had been 

evacuated and deposited at the Bauchi 

State Specialist’s hospital morgue.


:Vanguard News 


10TH YEAR REMEMBRANCE PRAYER: From left, Otunba Edward Ibidapo; Mr. Koye Edu; Mrs. Toyin 

Saraki; Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, 

Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, and Mrs. Tope Edu, during the 10th year remembrance prayer of Second Republic 

Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki. 

Kukah cautions supporters against dying 

for politicians 

By Juliet Umeh & 

Ezra Ukanwa 

THE CATHOLIC Bishop of 

Sokoto Diocese, Matthew 

Kukah, yesterday cautioned 

loyalists of politicians not to kill 

themselves in demonstrating 

support for their candidates. 

The cleric spoke against the 

backdrop of the banter 

exchanged by the presidential 

candidates of All Progressive 

Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, 

and Atiku Abubakar of Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, at the 

Nnamdi Azikiwe International 

Airport, Abuja, on Monday, amid 

the verbal war between both of 

them. 

Atiku was on his way to Lagos 

to deliver a lecture at the Lagos 

Business School yesterday, while 

Tinubu was apparently also on 

his way to Jos for the APC’s 

campaign rally when they 

bumped into each other for the 

unexpected meeting at the 

airport. 

Among those who were with 

the two presidential candidates 

were Senator Abdullahi Adamu, 

National Chairman of the APC 

and Mohammed Hayatudeen, a 

PDP Presidential aspirant. 

The video of the encounter 

between the two men was posted 

on Instagram by another former 

presidential aspirant-turned 

adviser to Atiku, Dele Momodu. 

Vanguard reports that the 

meeting between the two men 

came within 24 hours after PDP 

asked Tinubu to make his exit 

from the presidential contest on 

account of credibility issues 

arising from the $460,000 he 

forfeited to the US authorities on 

account of an investigation into 

a drug ring. 

The meeting between Atiku 

and Tinubu held despite the 

repeated brickbats between some 

of their most vociferous 

supporters, notably Senator 

Dino Melaye and Femi Fani- 

Kayode who have gone personal 

against each other. 

Bur reacting to the banter 

between both candidates in a 

Channels Television' breakfast 

programme, Sunrise Daily, 

yesterday, Kukah noted that the 

opposition politicians are friends 

jostling for their piece of the 

national cake and shouldn’t be 

taken too seriously. 

Kukah, who is the Convener 

of the National Peace 

Committee, said political fanatics 

should learn a lesson from the 

public exchange of pleasantries 

between Tinubu and Atiku. 

He said the message from the 

banter was that political loyalists 

of both frontline presidential 

candidates for the 2023 election 

•Describes politicians as friends struggling for 

national cake •Tinubu, Atiku bump into selves 

amid PDP, APC clash 

should be wise, eschew violence 

and not kill themselves for 

people drinking from the same 

pool. 

“These politicians are 

struggling and they’ve lived their 

lives struggling for the national 

cake which they will distribute 

amongst themselves. It is 

therefore in the interest of 

ordinary Nigerians to know that 

they have to vote to stay alive,” 

the cleric said. 

Kukah also said that 

enthusiasts of politicians “must 

understand that these politicians 

know themselves” regardless of 

their grandstanding and 

posturing. 

He, therefore, advised 

supporters of candidates all over 

the country to be “a bit more 

restrained and wise”. 

He said: “We, the ordinary 

people, must figure out how to 

manage our passion when it 

comes to politics. Don’t take 

seriously the grandstanding of 

the politicians. 

“All the things you see about 

them abusing themselves or 

quarreling, you will think they 

will never shake hands. They are 

very good friends, and many of 

them drink from the same pool. 

So, don’t go and kill yourself for 

nothing. That is what that 

message is all about.'' 

With about three months to 

the next general elections, 

political violence seems to be on 

the increase, with some recorded 

in parts of Zamfara 

and Lagos states, spreading 

fears about the safety of voters 

at the polls in 2023. 

Atiku was reportedly attacked 

by hoodlums in Borno State last 

Wednesday, as a rally of the 

former vice president was also on 

October 17, 2022, disrupted by 

thugs in Kaduna. 

ASUU begins protest against 'no work, no 

pay' policy 

By Adesina Wahab 

LAGOS—MEMBERS of the 

Academic Staff Union of 

Universities, ASUU, yesterday 

embarked on a protest to express 

dissatisfaction with the 

invocation of the 'no work, no 

pay'policy of the Federal 

Government. 

Recall that the federal 

government had said the 

lecturers who were on strike for 

eight months should be ready to 

forfeit their salaries in accordance 

with its ''no work, no pay'' policy. 

Members of the union in 

University of Lagos chapter, who 

locked down the campus by 

marching from the Julius Berger 

Auditorium to the main gate, also 

boycotted classes, as the day was 

declared lecture-free. 

They called on Nigerians to tell 

FG that any attempt to casualise 

lecturers would spell doom for the 

university system and cripple it. 

The Chairman, ASUU 

UNILAG, Dr. Dele Ashiru, who 

condemned the ‘pro-rata’ 

payment of October salary to his 

members, accused the 

government of an attempt to 

reduce Nigerian scholars to 

casual workers. 

While noting that the protest 

was to prevent any form of 

academic crisis, Ashiru said: 

"What the government did is 

against the national labour law 

and we are trying to avert the 

resumption of another ASUU 

strike. 

“The action of the union by 

suspending the strike was a 

display of manifest trust in the 

judiciary and other institutions 

and organs of government to 

always put national interest 

above all other considerations. 

This we believe as a union of 

thinkers, intellectuals, and 

patriots. 

“Sadly, the treatment meted 

out to ASUU by the government 

has demonstrated they cannot 

be trusted. As the union has 

been using every means to 

negotiate with the government 

rather they keep deploring 

weapons to frustrate us and keep 

us in abject poverty. 

"The government has starved 

us,they have breached the 

agreement entered since 2009, 

the Nimi Briggs committee 

recommendation which is 

UNESCO standard. What the 

union has requested is the 

welfare of the lecturers, funding 

of education and IPPIS.'' 

The Chairman of ASUU, 

University of Ibadan chapter, 

Prof. Ayoola Akinwole, said their 

demand to the FG was for it to 

meet the demands of ASUU by 

first making full payment of 

October salaries, paying the 8- 

month salary arrears, adopting 

the UTAS payment system, 

increasing the net salary of 

academic workers, and providing 

adequate funding of tertiary 

institutions, among others. 

“If the government really cares 

and is committed towards 

advancing the education sector, 

it would instantly meet the 

demands of workers,'' he said. 

The Co-ordinator of a civil 

society group, Joint Action Front, 

Abiodun Aremu, who 

participated in the protest, said 

the target of the government was 

to cripple the education sector. 

"The federal government 

always gives excuses on why 

they cannot fund education. But 

the same administration has 

spent billions of naira in other 

issues and allowances for many 

politicians. 

"We completely disagree with 

the president on funding of 

tertiary education. The attempt 

to commercialise education is 

one of the reasons why the 

government is fighting ASUU If 

we allow a complete 

commercialisation of education, 

it will affect the children of 

ordinary people as many working 

class children will drop out of 

school,'' he said. 

Aremu said the unions would 

join forces and declare mass 

mobilisations and strike. 

He added: . "We need to create 

a common front for all those who 

suffer under the current system. 

We need to build a mass workers 

political alternative because as 

things stand, the ruling class will 

continue to exploit and repress 

any resistance. 

''If the government is allowed 

to get away with this attack on 

ASUU, this will affect all other 

workers in every sector of the 

economy. What we need now 

more than ever is unity of 

working class against the antipoor 

policies and attacks.” 

Even Supreme Court can't stop Nigeria Air from flying 

—FG 

By Prince Okafor 

THE FEDERAL Government 

has said it would continue with 

the proposed new national carrier, 

Nigeria Air, amid ongoing suit 

challenging the project. 

It noted that aviation 

stakeholders and unions had 

sufficient time to participate in the 

process but chose to engage in legal 

suit to stall the project. 

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi 

Sirika, during a stakeholders 

appreciation forum for the 

reconstruction of Lagos Airport 

Runway 18L, disclosed that he 

personally engaged indigenous 

carriers to participate in the project. 

He said: "I contacted Air Peace, 

Azman Air and Max Air but they 

turned down my invitation because 

it was not formal. 

"I do not see the possibility of 

any court of competent jurisdiction 

Kyari canvasses flexible energy 

transition for Nigeria, others 

THE GROUP Chief Executive 

Officer of the Nigerian National 

Petroleum Company Ltd, Mallam 

Mele Kyari, has made case for 

Nigeria to be given freedom to adopt 

a more gradual and flexible 

approach to energy transition. 

Speaking yesterday, while 

presenting a paper at the 40th 

annual international conference 

and exhibition of the Nigerian 

Association of Petroleum 

Explorationists, the NNPC boss, 

who spoke on the topic, “Global 

Energy Transition and the Future 

of the Oil and Gas Industry: 

Evolving Regulations, Emerging 

Concepts, and Opportunities,” said 

that rapid demographic change will 

continue to drive up demand for 

energy services across Africa in the 

coming decades. 

Kyari, who was represented by 

the Executive Vice President, 

Upstream, Engr. Adokiye 

Tombomieye, said that oil demand 

in Africa stood at an average of 4.36 

million barrels per day in 2022. 

He said that although Africa has 

the world’s lowest levels of per capita 

use of modern Energy, energy 

demand is set to increase with 

growth in population and incomes, 

lamenting that 970 million Africans 

lack access to clean cooking gas. 

Kyari told the gathering that the 

energy mix has become more 

diverse, with Africa still dominated 

by fossil fuel with hydropower 

making the only meaningful 

renewable energy contribution. 

He said: “It is therefore our firm 

position that fossil fuel will continue 

to contribute more than 50 per cent 

National security: FG impounds 

over 20 unregistered couriers, 

logistics operators in Lagos 

By Juliet Umeh 

FOLLOWING THE suspicion of 

arms movement by unlicensed 

courier and logistics operators, the 

Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST, 

yesterday, impounded 28 

unlicensed and unregistered illegal 

courier logistics operators in Lagos. 

The operation which was led by 

the head of the enforcement team, 

Mr Banks Worimegbe, and the 

Assistant General Manager, 

Ethics, Complaint and Strategy, 

CLRD, NIPOST, took place at 

Maryland and on Victoria Island. 

Speaking to Vanguard before the 

commencement of the raid, the 

General Manager, Courier and 

Logistics Regulatory Department 

of NIPOST, Mr Dotun Sonde, 

expressed worries over all kinds of 

unethical practices by some of the 

operators, especially the 

unlicensed ones. 

Sonde, who stated that operating 

without a license is a crime against 

the state, said: "We have a bunch 

will erect a road block to the 

emergence of the national carrier. 

"I have been very transparent in 

the processes put in place to deliver 

the national carrier. If anyone wants 

to invest in a company, no one can 

stop them from investing. You can 

own a company 100 percent. If 

anyone wants to invest, why not ? 

We want foreign direct investment." 

He said it was totally 

unacceptable and unfair for 

stakeholders to claim that they had 

not been carried along on the 

national carrier project, adding that 

anybody who was parading such 

information was working contrary 

to the actualisation of the aviation 

road map. 

"Every information or document 

pertaining to the project is domiciled 

at the ministry of aviation and 

Infrastructure Construction 

Regulatory Commission which are 

driving processes leading to the 

national carrier," Sirika said. 

On the demolition of structures 

to the energy mix in Africa and 

possibly the rest of the world. 

“However, the most important 

question for this strategic gathering 

is around competitiveness of the 

hydrocarbon sources compared to 

renewal comparatives in terms of 

cost, energy contents and 

sustainability. 

“Recent happenings in the 

Russian-Ukraine crises have seen 

the resurgence for the need of fossil 

fuels and in some cases adverse 

use of high-carbon generating 

energy sources like coal, this also 

points to the fact, that energy 

transition implementation has to 

be gradual. 

“It is therefore imperative for the 

industry, NAPE and key 

stakeholders to rededicate 

ourselves towards scaling above the 

challenge posed by transition. 

“One way to scale up is by 

delivering the most advantaged 

barrels to the world while paying 

attention to environmental 

sustainability through huge 

investments in technology and 

innovation. 

“Nigeria and the rest of resource 

dependents would require oil to 

transit out of oil. However, we will 

remain sensitive to the growing 

global concerns relating to global 

warming, climate change, and the 

increased attention in national and 

international public discourse 

generally due to increasing 

environmental concerns resulting 

from the heightened concentration 

of greenhouse gases (GHG), which 

are associated mostly with fossil fuel 

combustion. 

of unlicensed and unregistered 

illegal courier logistics operators 

who are operating with impunity 

without recourse to the dictate of 

the law. 

"Nigeria is not a lawless country, 

there's a law in place that should 

be respected and the law is actually 

to create a peaceful environment 

for humanity, for business to thrive. 

"We have cases of loss of items, 

undelivered items; they cannot 

even trace the person because 

they don't know that the person 

doesn't have a license. 

"Sometimes, some carry arms 

and ammunition; some illicit drugs 

because they are not licensed, 

they won't keep to the ethics of 

the business, some even carry 

currency. 

"These are faceless operators, 

you cannot trace them because 

they are not registered, so they go 

out there to do evil, take 

advantage of the gullible, ignorant 

fellow Nigerians who feel that they 

are in safe hands." 

at Lagos airport, Sirika said there 

was no going back on the project to 

ensure Nigeria delivered State-ofthe-art 

facilities that would 

transform into an aerotropolis. 

Nigeria, he said could not short 

change itself on the global move to 

deliver world class air transport 

infrastructure as it's been done in 

other developed countries, such as 

United Arab Emirates, and 

America, among others. 

He said: "If I have my way, those 

structures from the local airport to 

Bristow will be demolished tomorrow 

and pave way for the emergence of 

a befitting airport city. Would you 

not like to see shopping mall, 

befitting car parks and other 

support facilities like you find in 

other parts of the world?" 

Sirika said he would put measures 

in place to sustain the 

achievements in the aviation 

industry during the Buhari 

administration.




CONFERENCE: From left, Aishah Ahmad, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Central Bank 

of Nigeria; Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and 

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, UNWTO, during the UNWTO 

Global Conference, at the National Theatre, Lagos, yesterday. 

2023: We stand with CAN on Muslim/ 

Muslim ticket —Catholic Knights 

•Warn politicians to shun violence 

•Deliberate roles of Churches in promoting peace 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

ABUJA—AHEAD of the 2023 

general elections, the Knight 

of Saint Mulumba, Nigeria, has 

thrown its weight behind the 

position of the Christian 

Association of Nigeria, CAN, on 

Muslim/Muslim ticket of All 

Progresives Congress, APC. 

Recall that CAN had stoutly 

opposed the issue of same faith 

ticket as adopted by the 

presidential candidate of the All 

Progressives Congress, APC, 

Bola Tinubu. 

Fielding questions from 

journalists yesterday in Abuja, 

the Worthy Metropolitan Grand 

Knight, Knight of Saint 

Mulumba, KSM, Nigeria, 

Michael Aule, said his members 

were in support of whatever 

position CAN had taken on the 

same faith matter. 

Aule also disclosed that KSM 

would at its Supreme Council 

Convention next week in Abuja, 

delibrate pn role of the Church 

in the advocacy and the 

promotion of peace, equity, 

justice and development in the 

democratic transition in Nigeria, 

which incidentally was the 

theme of the convention. 

Asked the position of the 

Catholic Knights on the Muslim/ 

Muslim ticket as adopted by the 

APC in chosing its presidential 

candidate and his running mate, 

Sir Aule said: "We encourage our 

brothers to join politics, many of 

our brothers are politicians and 

have been elected into positions. 

"The issue is that we dont 

regulate the activities of brothers 

who are in politics but we support 

100 percent the position of the 

Christian Association of Nigeria 

(CAN). We are members of the 


and we stand with what decision 

they have taken. 

"On this issue of Muslim/ 

Muslim ticket, we are also 

standing for what CAN has 

taken. The decision of the 


is the decision of the Knight of 

Saint Mulumba." 

He explained that KSM 

Conference next week would also 

discuss the Catholic Church in 

Nigeria and the growing 

challenges of supporting 

Christians and victims of religious 

conflicts in turbulent regions of 

the country. 

The Metropolitan Grand 

Knight of Abuja Metropolitan 

Council, explained that the 

Order counted on its members, 

men and women who, because 

of their education, social position 

and material resources, could 

fight a good cause with success 

for the greater glory of God, the 

Church and the progress of the 

country, using their (3 Ts) Time, 

Talent and Treasures. 

"The Supreme Convention of 

KSM Nigeria is a platform for the 

promotion of the values of the 

Order through open discussions 

on vital issues such as the 

By Luminous 

Jannamike 

A BUJA—CHRISTIAN 

Association of Nigeria, 

CAN, is set to meet with 

presidential candidates, 

including that of All 


Bola Tinubu, who chose to run 

on a Muslim-Mulsim ticket. 

This came on a day president 

of the Christian body, His 

Eminence Archbishop Daniel 

Okoh, said the country is facing 

a crisis of development and 

governance, despite efforts to 

achieve unity, peace, and 

prosperity for all. 

He blamed the challenges still 

faced by Nigerians on what he 

described as the "incoherent 

constitutional and institutional 

framework" of the country. 

The CAN President, who 

spoke during the first leg of an 

interactive session with 2023 

presidential candidates 

organised by the apex Christian 

body in Abuja yesterday, 

explained that CAN had spent 

time to review the problems 

hindering peace and progress in 

the country and had articulated 

suggestions on how best to 

improve them. 

The theme of the presidential 

dialogue is ''A Prosperous and 

Peaceful Nigeria Founded on 

Justice and Freedom for All. 

“Okoh said: "We have 

consulted with Nigerians of 

diverse religious, ethnic and 

social identities on the problems 

of the country and the solutions 

to them have been articulated 

in the strategic document we call, 

the 'Charter for Future Nigeria.' 

"The Charter for Future 

Christian faith, religious 

harmony, good governance, 

sustainable development, peace, 

unity, and equity as they affect 

our beloved country,'' he said. 

He said those expected at the 

ceremony are the Papal Nuncio 

to Nigeria, the Archbishop of the 

Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, 

all the Bishops in Abuja 

Ecclesiastical Province, the 

Bishop Chairman of Laity, the 

Secretary to the Government of 

the Federation, the Minister 

FCT, the governors of Benue, 

Nasarawa, Plateau and other 

states as well as the deputy 

governors of Kogi and Nasarawa 

states. 

He further stated that the 

convention would also be 

attended by over 350 delegates 

from the Order which will include 

the Supreme Executive Board 

members, designated Metro 

Officers and the Grand Knights 

of all the Sub-councils in the 

country. 

His Eminence, John Cardinal 

Onaiyekan will deliver a paper 

on the convention's main theme, 

while the second presentation 

will be done by the Bishop of 

Maiduguri Diocese, His 

Lordship, Most Revd. Oliver 

Dashe Doeme. 

CAN starts engagement with presidential 

candidates, meets Tinubu today 

Nigeria begins with a diagnosis 

of Nigeria’s problem and locates 

it primarily in an incoherent 

constitutional and institutional 

framework that defines 

governance and social and 

economic interactions in Nigeria. 

This incoherence is the main 

reason the country today is 

almost submerged in the chaos 

of insecurity, instability, and 

economic stagnation. 

"The document considers this 

incoherence in political, social, 

and economic dimensions. It 

makes 

genuine 

recommendations for resolving 

Nigeria’s recurrent crises that 

border on justice and fairness, 

equality of all ethnic and religious 

groups, equal access to basic 

economic and social rights, 

political freedom and an 

egalitarian and just social order." 

According to him, the essence 

of the dialogue is to ensure that 

all the presidential candidates 

clearly understand the concerns 

of Nigerian Christians and 

propose policy and programme 

to address them. 

We believe that with this kind 

of respectful and sincere 

conversation, we will find lasting 

solutions to these crises. 

"The overriding concept in this 

transformation is ‘democratic 

citizenship’, which should be the 

focus of governance at all levels 

in Nigeria in promoting the 

socioeconomic well-being of 

every Nigerian citizen, 

irrespective of religion, ethnicity 

or social pedigree," he added. 

Speaking at the meeting, the 

presidential candidate of Action 

Alliance, AA, Major Hamza Al- 

Mustapha, who identified 

insecurity and economic 

sabotage as major teething 

challenges that would confront 

the next administration, said 

Nigeria didn't need an unreliable 

leader who had a fragile grip on 

reality come 2023 and beyond. 

"You don't need fragile 

leadership. You don't need a 

leadership that will compromise 

all of your country. 

"That leadership must join the 

international community's 

ambition in returning the 

country to the mainstream of the 

attainment of security and 

economic prosperity," Al- 

Mustapha said. 

THE COLLABORATIVE efforts 

of the Federal Government 

with the private sector and a civil 

society group, Convention on 

Business Integrity, CBI, to curb 

corruption at the sea-ports has 

earned international praise and 

won the first ever "Outstanding 

Achievement in Collective Action 

Award" of Switzerland-based Basel 

Institute on Governance. 

Specifically, because of the joint 

efforts of the Federal Government 

agencies, including Shippers 

Council, ICPC, DSS and the 

Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, the 

Technical Unit on Governance & 

Anti-Corruption Reforms, TUGAR, 

alongside the CBi, through the 

Maritime Anti-Corruption 

Network, MACN; the cost of a ship 

berthing in Nigeria, often 

aggravated by unreceipted 

extortions, has now drastically 

reduced from $150,000 per vessel 

that arrives in the country to about 

Court stops Nigeria Air's take off 

By Ojelu Henry & 

Prince Okafor 

A 

FEDERAL High Court sitting 

in Lagos yesterday granted an 

interim order restraining the 

Federal Government from selling 

the shares of Nigeria Air to 

Ethiopian Airlines. 

The temporary injunction was 

given in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/ 

2159/2022 and filed by registered 

trustees of the Airline Operators in 

Nigeria, AON, Azman Air Services 

Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air 

Limited, United Nigeria Airline 

Company Limited, and Topbrass 

Aviation Limited, the plaintiffs. 

Listed as defendants in the suit 

are Nigeria Air, Ethiopian Airlines, 

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, 

and Attorney General of the 

Federation, AGF Abubakar 

Malami. 

In the enrollment order date 

November 15, Justice A. Lewis- 

Allagoa granted an “order of interim 

injunction restraining the federal 

government from executing the 

proposed or draft agreement of the 

establishment of a national carrier 

between Ethiopian Airlines and 

Nigeria”. 

“An order of interim injunction is 

granted restraining the defendants 

either by themselves, agents, 

privies, principals or any other 

persons whosoever from executing 

the proposed or draft “National 

Nigeria, CSO win international award for 

tackling corruption at ports 

$20,000. 

This was disclosed when a 

delegation of the CBi paid a 

courtesy call on Vice President 

Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the 

Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. 

According to Mr. Olusoji 

Apampa, CBI Co-Founder, who 

disclosed this, the success recorded 

is now attracting international 

reviews as countries such as Egypt, 

Ukraine and India are planning to 

adopt the "Nigerian miracle" model 

to produce similar gains in their 

own ports’ operations. 

The international award 

recognised the work of the 

Nigerian MACN, which created a 

real time-based help desk to resolve 

complaints and concerns of 

shipping companies as soon as 

they berth at the ports. 

The Swiss-based international 

body recognized the initiative for 

the collective action where 

government, business and civil 

Carrier Establishment and 

Agreement Between the Federal 

Government of Nigeria 

(represented by the third and fourth 

defendants) and the strategic 

equity partner or giving effect to and 

or suspending the sale and transfer 

of the shares and operations of the 

first by the second defendant 

pending the determination of the 

Motion on Notice. 

“That an Order of Maintenance 

of Status Quo by all the parties in 

this suit from taking any further 

step(s) in relation to the subject 

matter of this suit pending the 

determination of the Motion on 

Notice is granted.” 

FG not aware of 

suit —Sirika 

Speaking yesterday in Lagos 

during a stakeholders’ appreciation 

forum for the reconstruction of 

Lagos Airport Runway 18L, Aviation 

Minister, Hadi Sirika insisted that 

he was not aware of any suit 

seeking to stop Nigeria Air 

operations. 

He said: “I am not aware that 

anyone is in court. I don’t have any 

court papers; otherwise, I am not 

interested. I cannot see any rational 

court that will say that I am stopping 

somebody from establishing a 

company because Nigeria Air is a 

limited liability company known to 

the Nigerian laws in the corporate 

affairs commission.“ 

FG Vs ASUU: Court orders service 

of suit on CONUA, NAMDA 

•Adjourns case till Dec 13, as FG counters 

ASUU's preliminary objection 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—THE 

National 

Industrial Court, NIC, sitting in 

Abuja, has fixed December 13 for 

continuation of hearing on the 

protracted dispute between the 

Federal Government and 

the Academic Staff Union of 

Universities, ASUU. 

Recall that alleged refusal of the 

federal government to comply with 

an agreement it earlier entered into 

with ASUU, which is the umbrella 

body of university lecturers in the 

country, led the union to embark 

on a strike that lasted eight months. 

Based on a referral made to the 

court by the Minister of Labour and 

Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, 

the vacation judge, Justice Polycarp 

Hamman, on September 21, ordered 

the striking lecturers to return to 

the classroom, pending the 

determination of the suit FG 

entered against their union. 

The interlocutory order of the 

Industrial Court was further 

reinforced by the Abuja Division of 

the Court of Appeal, which in a 

ruling it delivered on October 7, 

made it mandatory that ASUU must 

call off the strike before it could be 

allowed to lodge an appeal to 

challenge the restraining order 

issued against it by the NIC. 

Though ASUU had since 

complied with the orders, both 

parties on Tuesday, returned to the 

NIC. 

At the resumed proceedings, FG's 

lawyer, Mr. James Igwe, told the 

court presided over by the NIC 

President, Justice Benedict Kanyip, 

that ASUU served him with a 

preliminary objection it filed to query 

the jurisdiction of the court to hear 

the substantive suit 

marked NICN/ABJ/270/2022. 

He said the government also 

filed its own counter-affidavit and 

written addresses, seeking the 

dismissal of ASUU's objection to 

the suit. 

While confirming the 

development, counsel to ASUU, 

Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, who 

joined the proceedings virtually, 

said he was ready for the 

processes to be heard. 

society have worked together for 

change. This was made possible 

by the establishment and success 

recorded by the first ever, real-time 

Anti-Corruption Help Desk in 

Nigerian Ports, which instantly 

reports and resolves corruptionrelated 

issues. 

The CBi presented the 

international award to the Vice 

President during the courtesy call 

on Monday and said to him, "this 

would not have been possible 

without your interventions. 

“Receiving the delegation and 

the award at the Presidential Villa, 

the Vice President praised the CBI 

and the MACN, commending 

them for their efforts alongside FG 

agencies, noting that the Buhari 

Administration will continue to 

support initiatives that improves 

the business environment and 

economy in general. 

"This is cheery news on our anticorruption 

efforts," a delighted VP 

said adding that what is required 

is to stay focused in the fight against 

corruption.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 — 9 


:@vanguardnews 

Social Media Conversation 

•The razed warehouse, after the fire. 

Fire razes warehouse in Kano 

market 

•N100m goods destroyed —Operators 

as biscuits and chewing 

By Bashir Bello 

KANO—AN early 

morning fire, 

yesterday, razed a storey 

building used as a 

warehouse, in Kano 

commodity market, 

popularly known as 

Kasuwan Singer. 

At the time of filing this 

report, the cause of the 

incident could not be 

ascertained, but traders in 

the building attributed the 

cause to an electrical spark. 

An accountant, who 

works in the warehouse, 

known as Mumza House, 

Abdulkarim Ibrahim, said 

goods worth over N100 

million were destroyed by 

the fire. 

He said the warehouse 

was filled with goods such 

gum. 

Another trader, 

Muhammad Sani Danlami, 

whose shop is along a 

corridor upstairs, said the 

fire started from upstairs 

and it was a result of an 

electrical spark. 

He said he lost 

everything in his shop as 

he could not rescue 

anything from the shop. 

"The fire started from 

upstairs. It razed the 

warehouse completely. 

Unfortunately, it was just 

last week that five trailers 

of goods were offloaded in 

the warehouse," Danlami 

said. 

Confirming the incident, 

the spokesperson, Kano 

State Fire Service, Saminu 

Yusif, said it got a distress 

call about the fire outbreak 

and quickly deployed its 

men to the scene. 

"We received a distress 

call on Tuesday morning at 

about 09:00 am from one 

Abubakar Muhammad. 

Upon receiving the call, we 

deployed our men to the 

scene of the incident where 

it was discovered that a 

storey building was 

engulfed by fire. 

"The fire razed the goods 

in the upstairs part of the 

warehouse. But we were 

able to control the fire from 

escalating to other 

neighbourhood shops." 

No life was lost nor injury 

recorded. 

The Vice Chairman of the 

singer market, Bashir 

Yusuf commended the 

prompt response of the fire 

service, neighbours and 

good samaritans which 

prevented the fire from 

spreading to other nearby 

shops in the market. 

By their colours you'll know them! 

Even at home, we're ‘chained'! 

There's hope, even in court! 

Dwindling self-esteem!



NASENI tasks NUC, NBTE to 

review entrepreneurship curriculum 

IN ORDER to address 

unemployment of graduates, 

the Executive Vice Chairman and 

Chief Executive of the National 

Agency for Science and 

Engineering Infrastructure, 

NASENI, Prof. Mohammad 

Haruna yesterday asked the 

National Universities Commission, 

NUC, the National Board for 

Technical Education, NBTE, and 

the National Commission for 

Colleges of Education, NCCE, to 

review the curriculum for 

Entrepreneurship courses. 

He said graduates are jobless 

because of misalignment between 

products of our tertiary institutions 

and the limited job market. 

He said the ongoing building of 

skill acquisition centres nationwide 

was aimed at tackling youth 

unemployment and industrial 

development. 

Haruna made the plea at the 

groundbreaking of the permanent 

site of NASENI Skill Acquisition 

Centre in Gwantu Kurmi in Sanga 

Local Government Area of Kaduna 

State by the state’s Deputy 

Governor. Hadiza Sabuwa 

Balarabe. 

He said: “May I use this 

opportunity to reiterate and call 

on the National Universities 

Commission, NUC, the National 

Board for Technical Education, 

NBTE, and the National 

Commission for Colleges of 

Education, NCCE to overhaul the 

curriculum used in teaching 

Entrepreneurship courses. 

“Most tertiary institutions in 

Nigeria have no qualified lecturers 

and enabling environment to 

teach entrepreneurship. 

Entrepreneurship is a practical 

course taught only by practicing 

entrepreneurs. 

“Experts in management 

sciences and marketing with no 

training in entrepreneurship are 

not qualified to teach 

entrepreneurship courses. 

“NASENI Skill development 

centres across the nation will 

collaborate with willing tertiary 

institutions in their catchment 

areas to bridge this gap.” 

Badagry residents protest land 

grabbers' abduction of 

community leaders 

•We're investigating the matter —Police 

By Esther 

Onyegbula 

SOME RESIDENTS of 

Ishaaga in Osun Egbado 

community in Mowo, Badagry, 

Lagos, on Monday, protested 

alleged Invasion of their 

community by land grabbers and 

abduction of some community 

leaders. 

Contacted, the Lagos State 

Police Public Relations Officer, SP 

Benjamin Hundeyin, said the 

Lagos Police Command is aware 

of the incident and the case is 

under investigation. 

The protesting residents 

blocked Badagry Lagos 

expressway causing gridlock on 

the road. They carried placards 

with different inscriptions such 

as "Save us from Land grabbers 

in Unity Estate Osun Egbado, 

Mowo;" "They came with many 

hoodlums and they have 

kidnapped our traditional rulers," 

"Gov. Sanwo-Olu, please come 

to our aid." 

One of the protesters, Mrs 

Oluwatosin Lawal, said that the 

Umoh for 

burial Dec 2 

THE REMAINS of the late 

Chief Micah Tom Umoh, a 

community leader and retired 

civil servant who died at the age 

of 99, will be interred at the family 

cemetery at Odiono Isutibe 

village, Ete, Ikot Abasi LGA, 

Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, 

December 2, 2022. 

A statement by the family, 

signed by Dr. Akpan Micah 

Umoh, a former member of the 

House of Representatives for 

Ikot Abasi federal district, said 

funeral service will be conducted 

by the Deeper Life Bible Church 

as the deceased was a member 

of the church. 

•Late Umoh 

land grabbers came into the 

community around 10:00a.m on 

November11, calling all 

residents to come out. 

"I was in my room when I had 

them calling everyone to come 

out. They asked us not to take 

pictures or record anything. They 

said they are owners of the land 

and they have come to demolish 

all the houses in the community. 

"They said we should remove 

the roof of our houses and leave 

the area. No fewer than 400 

thugs started destroying our 

property. They called on the 

traditional chiefs to come and 

have meeting with them but 

when the chiefs came, they 

grabbed them and forced them 

into their bus and took them to 

an unknown destination," she 

added. 

Lawal said that the attackers 

said that they were coming back 

to demolish all the houses in the 

community. She said that since 

Friday till yesterday, the 

abducted community leaders had 

not returned to the community. 

Mr Samson Irelegbe, a 

landlord said he bought his land 

in the community in 2005 from 

the land owner. When I was 

building my house there was no 

problem. Now they have come 

about 17 years later claiming that 

the land belonged to another 

person. 

"Our children cannot go to 

school, our wives can't go to 

market and we are all stranded 

here. We are appealing to the 

government to come and rescue 

us and address the matter 

because we don't know these 

people," he said. 

Mr Ibrahim Opeyemi, another 

resident of the area said one 

Mutairu Owoeye, brought 

another set of land grabbers to 

the community on Tuesday 

afternoon, beating and abducting 

some residents. 

"They came with earth moving 

equipment, threatening to 

demolish over 600 buildings 

erected in the area. We can't 

move around, the land grabbers 

are everywhere in the area, 

beating people and destroying 

property. 

"We are appealing to the 

government to come to our aid, 

we borrowed money from banks 

to build our houses, we didn't 

know anybody except the people 

that sold the land to us and they 

have abducted them," he said. 


GROUNDBREAKING: From left, The Executive Chairman, Sanga Local Government Area, Bisalla 

Mallam; Suleiman Ibrahim, representing Administrative Officer to the President, Abubakar Maikano; 

Commissioner/Administrator, Kafanchan Municipal Authority, Mrs. Phoebe Sukai Yayi, representing 

the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe; and the Executive Vice Chairman 

and Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, 

Prof. Mohammad Haruna, during the groundbreaking of the permanent site of NASENI Skill 

Acquisition Centre in Gwantu Kurmi, Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NASENI 

KIDNAPPING: IGP tightens security on 

Lagos-Ibadan highway 

By Kingsley 

Omonobi 

ABUJA—THE Inspector- 

General of Police, IGP 

Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered 

an immediate restructuring of 

the security architecture on the 

Lagos-Ibadan expressway to 

provide adequate deployment of 

officers and assets to ensure the 

protection of lives and property 

along the expressway and 

forestall kidnappings and other 

ugly incidents. 

Force Public Relations Officer, 

CSP Muyiwa Adejobi said this is 

"consequent upon the briefs of 

the security situation on the 

Expressway from the 

Commissioners of Police in 

charge of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo 

State Commands. 

"The IGP similarly 

emphasized that the Police 

Authority is not insensitive to 

the prevailing security 

challenges on the Lagos/Ibadan 

Expressway, but has rather been 

engaged with charting a path 

towards decimating the security 

issue and strategically 

eliminating the threats along 

the expressway. 

"Hence the on-the-spot 

assessment of the black spots 

By James 

Ogunnaike 

ABEOKUTA—OGUN State 

government, yesterday, 

flagged -off its school de-worming 

programme with a plan to de-worm 

one million school children in 

public and private schools in the 

state, under its Neglected Tropical 

along the way by the CPs Ogun 

and Oyo on the directives of the 

IGP for enhanced safeguard of 

the expressway. 

"The IGP therefore, pledges 

adequate operational support in 

form of technology-based and 

tactical operational assets for the 

Commissioners of Police in 

charge of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo, 

•Says we're not insensitive to security 

challenges along Expressway 

and Heads of tactical operational 

units in the area to combat the 

current trend of crimes and 

criminality on the Lagos/Ibadan 

Expressway. 

"In the same vein, the 

Inspector-General of Police has 

therefore called on well-meaning 

Nigerians, particularly road 

users, hunters, community 

leaders, and other stakeholders 

who ply the route to constantly 

expose known criminals who 

terrorize innocent Nigerians 

along the route and within 

adjoining communities to the 

Police and other security 

agencies for immediate arrest 

and prosecution." 

Journalists' Estate, Arepo gets health facility, 

ambulance 

By Kingsley 

Adegboye 

OGUN STATE Governor, 

Dapo Abiodun, on Monday, 

approved the establishment and 

immediate construction of a 

world class Family Health Centre 

at Journalists Estate, Arepo, in 

Obafemi-Owode Local 

Government Area of the state. 

The governor's approval came 

following request by the former 

chairman of Nigeria Union of 

Journalists, Lagos Council and 

first chairman, Journalists Estate 

Resident Development 

Association, JERDA, Mrs Funke 

Fadugba, while speaking on 

behalf of landlords of the estate, 

during a media parley with 

•Abiodun commissions 2.35 kilometres dual 

carriage way 

Abiodun as guest organised by 

the residents. 

Fadugba, who thanked the 

governor for fulfilling his promise 

to give Arepo community a stateof-the-art 

road, also told the 

governor the hardship Arepo 

residents were subjected to due 

to lack of medical facility in the 

area. 

In his response, Abiodun gave 

an express approval with an 

assurance that the health facility 

will be completed within the next 

four months and to be supported 

by a well-equipped ambulance. 

He instantly directed his Works 

and 

Infrastructure 

Commissioner to commence 

action on the project as early as 

possible. 

Abiodun, who also approved 

the completion of Journalists 

Civic Centre under construction 

by journalists, said he is 

impressed by the proactive 

approach of journalists in the 

estate on developmental 

projects to complement 

government's efforts in providing 

good governance. 

He subsequently called on the 

Commissioner for Works and 

Infrastructure to immediately 

commence work on the bill of 

quantity that will make the Civic 

Centre a world class facility. 

The governor had earlier in the 

day commissioned the 2.35 

kilometres dual carriage 

Journalists Estate Road, Arepo 

with street light. 

DE-WORMING: Ogun targets 1 million children, 400,000 adults 

By Etop Ekanem 

LAGOS—AS part of efforts to 

promote peace in the world, the 

Lions Club International District 404 

A1 recently held its 2022 Peace 

Poster Contest, where Lekki 

Admiralty Lions Club won first and 

second positions, while the third 

position went to Ikorodu Metro 

Lions Club, out of about 25 entries, 

which took place at District 

Secretariat in Alagomeji, Yaba, 

Lagos. 

Speaking at the event, with the 

theme: 'Lead with Compassion', 

District Governor, Lion Anogwi 

Anyanwu, said the Peace Poster 

Contest is one of the programmes 

Diseases, NTDs, programme. 

It added that it had trained no 

fewer than 2,500 teachers, 1,067 

community distributors and 400 

health workers to ensure it meets 

the one million target. 

The State Commissioner for 

Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, who 

disclosed this at the flag - off 

ceremony of the exercise at Owu 

Lions Club holds peace poster 

contest 

instituted by the club "to encourage 

our children to be aware of the need 

for peace in the world, so that 

through arts and arts competition 

our children will, from a young age, 

begin to learn about the need for 

peace in the world. 

"Every year, Lions Club 

International comes up with a 

theme where children are supposed 

to give their imagination as 

creativity in such a way that they 

can impact our lives. With this year's 

theme, we are encouraging our 

children to think about how to live 

with compassion, and also to let the 

children know that leadership is 

bigger responsibility and for 

leadership to bring peace, the leader 

must lead with compassion." 

Baptist Primary School, Ita Iyalode, 

Abeokuta, said that no fewer than 

400,000 adults in the state's 

endemic communities would also 

be de-wormed. 

She revealed that the biennial 

exercise would be carried out in 

4,223 public and private schools 

spread across 13 local government 

areas of Abeokuta North, Ewekoro, 

Ijebu East, Ijebu North, Ijebu North 

East, Ikenne, Imeko-Afon, Odeda, 

Ogun Waterside, Remo North, 

Yewa North, Ipokia and Ijebu Ode. 

She urged residents of the 

affected areas, parents and 

caregivers to ensure their wards 

were de-wormed on any of the deworming 

days this November. 

She commended the Federal 

Ministry of Health, Ogun State 

Ministry of Education, Science and 

Technology, State Universal Basic 

Education Board (SUBEB), our 

ever-supportive Partner- Evidence 

Action and WHO for their 

commitment in the fight against 

NTDs. 

Coker identified these soil 

transmitted helminthes and 

schistosomiasis as two common 

worms prevalent in 14 and 18 local 

government areas respectively in 

the state. 

According to her, the diseases 

occur in areas with poor hygiene, 

poor environmental sanitation, 

inadequate or lack of portable water 

and poor housing conditions. 

She said children living under 

such conditions come across these 

worms through their every day 

interaction with soil (Soil 

Transmitted Helminthes) and one 

of the worms acquired by wading 

through water bodies 

(Schistosomiasis). 

The consequences of these 

worms, she said, include abdominal 

pain, enlarged liver, shortage of 

blood, liver fibrosis or bladder cancer, 

malnutrition, poor mental and 

cognitive capability among school 

age children. 

She also warned that untreated 

infection 

with 

Schistosomahaematobium 

acquired through contact with 

contaminated fresh water bodies 

used by rural communities, 

particularly women and girls could 

lead to a gynecological condition 

known as Female Genital 

Schistosomiasis, FGS, with risk of 

untimely death over time.




AWARD: Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State (middle), displaying award on Exemplary Leadership 

for keeping his promise of reconstructing and commissioning Arepo-Journalists Estate Road. Deputy 

Governor, Mrs. Noimot Oyedele (second left); NUJ, Lagos Council Chairman, Mr. Leye Ajayi (left); 

Former Lagos NUJ Chairperson, Mrs. Olufunke Fadugba; Chairman, Journalists Estate Resident 

Development Association, Phase 1 Arepo, Mr. Jide Oke and Ogun State Commissioner for Information 

& Strategy, Waheed Odusile, during the Governor’s media interaction with journalists and residents in 

the estate. The award was presented by the Journalists living in the estate. 

2023: Obi replies Soludo; says I governed 

as trader, you govern as Professor 

•Says I'm a trader, he is the Professor 

•Soludo itching for limelight —Obi-Datti Campaign organisation 

•Comments on Obi, product of selfishness, jealousy, says LP 

•We stand with Soludo — Anambra Integrity Group 

By Innocent Anaba, 

Vincent Ujumadu, 

Nwafor Sunday & 

John Alechenu 

THE 

PRESIDENTIAL 

candidate of the Labour 

Party, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday 

replied Governor Charles Soludo 

of Anambra State, asking him to 

govern as a professor, since he 

governed the state as a trader. 

Obi spoke as spokesperson of 

The Obi-Datti Presidential 

Campaign Organisation, Ndi 

Kato, also hit at Governor Soludo 

over his the recent article which 

derided the LP presidential 

candidate, describing the article 

as a desperate attempt by Soludo 

to grab the limelight. 

Kato said this yesterday in a 

written response to Soludo. 

Similarly, the National 

Chairman of LP, Julius Abure, 

described Governor Soludo's 

comments as a product of 

selfishness and jealousy. 

However, Pro-Soludo group, 

the Anambra Integrity Forum, 

AIG, said it is fully in support of 

Governor Soludo for his 

submissions on Obi ahead of the 

2023 presidential election 

Recall Soludo had during a 

recent interview programme on 

Channel TV, alleged that the 

investment of Obi in Anambra 

Statewas worth next to nothing 

today. 

The Governor had also in an 

article on Monday, said Obi 

knows that he would not win the 

2023 presidential election. 

But speaking yesterday at the 

2022 Lagos Business School, LBS, 

Alumni Conference in Lagos, the 

former Anambra governor said 

he had done his bit as governor, 

noting that Soludo should do 

more as a professor 

His words: "I am glad to be back 

to the Lagos Business School. I 

am deeply grateful for the kind 

invitation extended to me to 

speak at the 2022 Lagos Business 

School (LBS) Alumni 

Conference. I have been asked 

to speak on the theme: "Creating 

an Enabling Environment for 

Business Nigeria." 

On Soludo, he said: "He 

(Soludo) remains my brother, we 

are very close. I remain prayerful 

for him. For other things which I 

didn't succeed (as governor of 

Anambra), God has given him 

the opportunity to do it and 

succeed. 

"So, if there is anything 

pending, governance doesn't 

finish, people are still in 

government even in America. So, 

you stop where you will stop, 

other people will continue from 

there. I have done my little part 

as a trader, now the professor is 

there, he will do his part as a 

professor. 

''The schools I didn't roof, he 

will roof them, that's how 

government goes. The one they 

said is worthless, we invested 

N3.5 billionin International 

Breweries, that facility is there 

employing directly and indirectly 

over 10,000 Anambarians. The 

shares are at a time being sold at 

N50, today the shares is about 

N5 or so. 

"When you spread your 

investment, some will go up some 

will come down but overall, the 

company is still there, the 

company is still doing well, it is 

still part of the global chain and 

everything. I needed to explain 

it not because I am defending 

comments by my brother." 

On his programmes and what 

he intends to do if he emerges 

the President in next year's 

election, Obi said: "I am aware 

that many are called to serve and 

many are aspiring to this position. 

However, in the fullness of time 

and based on our leadership 

needs, I pray and hope that I will 

be given the opportunity to lead 

Nigeria at a critical juncture in 

her history. 

"My desire is to begin, with all 

Nigerians, who share this same 

conviction, is to turn things 

around, so that we will bring to 

an end, the incongruity of 

Nigerian citizens fleeing their 

richly endowed country or living 

in it in penury or in fear. 

"The overall goal of the Obi- 

Datti administration, therefore, 

shall be to streamline 

governance, make it more 

responsive, transformative, 

effective, less transactional, and 

therefore efficient and costeffective. 

"Although agriculture remains 

Nigeria's largest and most important 

sector and employs 60 percent 

of Nigerians, and contributes 

an average of 24 percent to 

the nation's GDP, presently Nigeria 

is incapable of feeding her 

population fully; talk less of exporting 

agricultural produce. 

"We will diversify the funding 

for our national surface 

transportation system (roads, 

rail, bridges and mass transit) and 

programmes with the creation of 

the Highway Trust Fund 

Accounts. This account will be 

funded jointly by Federal 

Government. 

"As a nation, Nigeria must look 

beyond oil. We, therefore, intend 

to leapfrog Nigeria from oil to the 

Fourth Industrial Revolution by 

expanding physical 

infrastructure through marketdriven 

reforms that will unleash 

"We will deploy properly 

manned, equipped and 

technologically driven security 

system with emphasis on refocusing 

the military on external 

threats, border protection, illegal 

migration and porosity; and the 

police on internal security 

threats, 

"First, our focus will be on 

agriculture and productioncentered 

growth for food security 

and export, with more emphasis 

on exporting finished products 

instead of commodities and raw 

materials. This relates to mainly 

food and textiles. 

"Thinking through 2023 and 

beyond, we must think seriously 

about a leadership that is imbued 

with competence, capacity, 

credibility and commitment. 

Accordingly, we will pursue 

intangible assets of good 

governance, rule of law, security 

of lives and property. 

"As a nation, Nigeria must look 

beyond oil. We, therefore, intend 

to leapfrog Nigeria from oil to the 

Fourth Industrial Revolution by 

expanding physical 

infrastructure through marketdriven 

reforms that will unleash.'' 

Obi-Datti 

Campaign 

Organisation 

Reacting to Soludo's comments, 

spokesperson of Obi- 

Datti Presidential Campaign 

Organisation, Ndi Kato, berated 

the governor for deriding the LP 

presidential candidate, 

describing the article as a 

desperate attempt by Soludo to 

grab the limelight. 

Kato in a written response to 

Soludo, said: "We read with 

amusement and dismay, a very 

lengthy and belaboured treatise 

of an article, written by Professor 

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of 

Anambra State, focused on our 

presidential candidate, Peter 

Obi. 

"It seems obvious that 

Professor Soludo is itching for 

limelight, in this election season, 

perhaps fired up by possible 

understanding or alliance with 

our struggling political 

opponents. 

"While we note the glaring 

fallacies, misrepresentations, 

personal insinuations and signs 

of personal vendetta in that long 

write-up, neither Peter Obi, The 

Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign 

Organisation, nor the Labour 

Party, for that matter, has any interest 

in an extended engagement 

with Prof Soludo this critical 

time when there is a bigger 

fish to fry. 

"Peter Obi has his work well 

cut-out for him, this campaign 

season. Primarily, he is 

accelerating his reach-out and 

influence to all Nigerians, rural 

and urban, in all areas, regions 

and states; and firmly engaging 

them, on his critical and visionary 

plans to take the country from 

consumption to production." 

A product of 

jealousy 

Also, reacting, national 

chairman of LP, Julius Abure, 

described Governor Soludo's 

comments as borne out of 

selfishness and jealousy. 

Abure said : "You can see the 

comment is born out of 

selfishness, the comment is born 

out of self centeredness, is born 

out of desperation, it's born out 

of envy and jealousy. 

"For somebody who was 

Central Bank Governor who 

should know the importance of 

investments which has been 

acclaimed by all governors to be 

one of the best that has been 

done in Anambra State, for such 

a man to demean such an 

investment will tell you that he 

is acting from a selfish point of 

view. 

"Soludo does not have control 

of the majority of the people of 

Anambra State. Even Soludo 

rose on the legacy of Peter Obi 

because Peter Obi was the first 

Governor that rose to power 

through the platform of APGA.'' 

We stand with 

Soludo —Anambra 

Integrity Group 

Meanwhile, Anambra 

Integrity Forum, AIG, has said it 

is fully in support of Governor 

Soludo for his submissions on the 

2023 presidential election. 

National coordinator of the 

forum, Evaristus Nwokoye, and 

the secretary, Mrs. Chinwe 

Ifediba, in a statement in Awka, 

yesterday, said Soludo's verdict 

on Peter Obi's presidential 

ambition was not an indication 

that he was not a patriotic Igbo 

man or that he hated Peter Obi. 

The statement read: "In the 

history of Nigerian politics, the 

South East and Ndigbo in general 

are disposed to support any 

political party of their choice. 

Even among the South West, 

South- South and the entire 

Northern Nigeria, politicians 

choose to belong to parties of 

their choice and there has never 

been any reason whatsoever to 

bully those who oppose one 

another. 

"APGA is the third largest 

political party in Nigeria and 

Labour Party is a party that has 

played substitute roles for 

aspirants who failed to secure 

nominations in the frontline 

parties as rightly stated by 

Soludo. 

"It is on record that Soludo had 

severally urged Peter Obi to 

return back to the party that 

made him, which is APGA but 

he turned down the offer. 

"At this stage, there is no way 

the All Progressive Grand 

Alliance, APGA, presidential 

candidate; Justice Umeadi, would 

step down for Mr. Peter Obi of 

the Labour Party. 

"Soludo's appeal to Peter Obi 

to return back to APGA was with 

a belief and aim to create a strong 

political base, to bargain at the 

centre and negotiate its share 

on the table of tribes and 

geopolitical zones in the country. 

"In the history of politics in 

Nigeria, the number of votes so 

far pulled by the South East, with 

the least registered voters, has 

never been enough for any 

presidential candidate to win or 

lose a presidential election. 

"Ndigbo, as a people, should 

use APGA as a platform to build 

the strong force that would take 

them to the presidency just like 

Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu 

used the Alliance for Democracy 

(AD) to carry the South West into 

the presidency. 

"Against this backdrop, it will 

be difficult if not a near 

impossibility for the South East 

alone to deliver Peter Obi as 

President. We should also not 

lose sight of the fact that other 

regions have homogeneity that 

cannot be compared with what 

we have in the South East." 

According to the group, the 

continuous "internet mob action" 

against the person of Soludo is 

uncalled for and very unreasonable. 

It added that it was time to 

"urgently discuss on our collective 

plans to advance the aspirations 

of the Southeast zone." 

DSS official arrested for inflicting machete cuts 

on Abia PDP campaign DG 

By Ugochukwu 

Alaribe 

UMUAHIA—An official of the 

Department of State Services, 

DSS, identified as Agboeze Alex 

Nnamdi, has been arrested by the 

Police in Umuahia, for allegedly 

inflicting machete cuts on the 

Director-General of the Abia State 

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 

governorship campaign 

organization, Chinedum Elechi. 

Vanguard gathered that trouble 

started when Elechi allegedly 

scratched the red Toyota Sienna 

car belonging to the DSS official 

attached to Ebonyi command, 

along Azikiwe road 

The incident was said to have 

occurred at about 3pm on Sunday 

when the campaign DG attempted 

to navigate his way on the busy 

road. 

As Elechi moved to park his car 

by the roadside to ascertain the 

level of damage, the DSS official 

was said to have blocked him at 

the junction linking Azikiwe road 

by BCA road and attacked him with 

a machete. 

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard 

that the DSS official jumped out 

of his car and inflicted deep cuts 

on the head of the campaign DG. 

The security official also 

allegedly inflicted another deep 

cut on Elechi's hand as he was 

covered with blood from the first 

attack. 

The development was said to 

have caused tension in the area 

as road users who witnessed the 

incident were said to have 

attempted to attack the DSS 

official, but he was saved by a 

patrol team of the Abia State Police 

Command. 

"What happened was that the 

Azikiwe road is usually a busy road. 

There was confusion and 

everybody was trying to drive 

through the area. The campaign 

Director was also trying to drive 

out of the heavy traffic. He 

scratched a red Toyota Sienna car. 

I think he wanted to park his 

vehicle and see the level of damage 

done to the Sienna car, but the 

owner was impatient, he blocked 

the Campaign DG's car and came 

out brandishing a machete which 

he used to inflict a cut on the head 

of the campaign DG. He gave him 

another cut on the hand when 

the man was still covered with 

blood from the cut on his head. 

That was when somebody who 

recognized the campaign DG 

moved to attack the man whom 

we didn't know is a DSS official. 

He would have been lynched but 

was saved by the police," the 

eyewitnesses said. 

The DSS official was arrested 

and taken to the police station 

while the campaign DG is 

currently receiving treatment at 

an undisclosed hospital in 

Umuahia. Police Public Relations 

Officer, Aba State Command, 

Geoffrey Ogbonna was yet to 

respond to calls and text message, 

sent to his handset. 

However, a senior police officer 

who preferred anonymity 

confirmed the incident and said 

the DSS is currently in police net. 

Ikpeazu orders 

investigation 

Reacting to the incident, 

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia 

State, condemned the attack and 

ordered for full investigation. 

Ikpeazu, in a statement by his 

Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi 

Ememanka, praised the courage 

of the member of the public and 

men of the Nigeria Police who 

assisted to overpower the assailant 

and recovered the instrument of 

attack. 

He said "The Governor hereby 

demands a thorough investigation 

into this inexplicable display of 

murderous barbarism and charges 

the Commissioner of Police to 

ensure that the assailant is made 

to face the full weight of the law. 

Governor Ikpeazu is grateful to 

God for sparing the life of Elechi 

and wishes him safe recovery."


:Vanguard 

News 


SEMINAR—From left: Vice President, World Association for Medical Law, Laolu Osanyin; 

MD/CEO, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi; Judge, Delta State High 

Court, Justice Flora Azinge; Mr. Hamid Oyenuga, representing the Attorney-General of 

Lagos, and 2nd Vice President, AFRH, Mrs. Abiola Adewusi, during the inaugural one-day 

hybrid seminar, by the Nigerian Bar Association, on Legal Practice, in collaboration with 

Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, yesterday. 

Exec Order 22: Wike outlaws opening 

of campaign offices without approval 

By Egufe Yafugborhi 

PORT HARCOURT— 

GOVERNOR Nyesom 

Wike of Rivers State has 

banned the use of premises, 

buildings and sundry 

structures in residential areas 

as campaign offices by 

political parties in the state, 

without government 

approval, with effect from 

November 11, 2022. 

Wike, in an Executive Order 

22 he signed in Port Harcourt, 

yesterday, said the new 

condition for political 

campaigns, which also 

prohibits posting of bills, 

posters or related materials in 

unauthorised places, is 

intended to back enforcement 

of Rivers State Outdoor 

Signage and Advertisement 

Akpabio heads to S'Court over sack by 

Appeal Court 

By Harris Emanuel 

U YO—FOLLOWING 

the judgment of the 

Appeal Court, sitting in Abuja, 

which sacked Senator 

Godswill Akpabio as the 

senatorial candidate of the All 

FG flags off GVG, GEEP 

programme in Delta 

By Festus Ahon 

ASABA—THE Federal 

Government, yesterday, 

flagged off the disbursement 

of the Grant for Vulnerable 

Groups programme, GVG, in 

Delta State and roll-out of the 

Government Enterprise and 

Empowerment Porgramme, 

GEEP. 

It also announced the 

release of 105 metric tons of 

maize, 88.7 metric tons of 

sorghum and 98.7 metric 

tons of garri for victims of 

flood disaster in Delta State, 

as part of efforts to ameliorate 

their sufferings. 

Minister of Humanitarian 

Affairs, Disaster 

Management and Social 

Development, Sadiya 

Farouq, disclosed this during 

her visit to Asaba to 

commiserate with the 

government and people of 

Delta State over the recent 

•He has no such powers —APC 

Law. 

The governor condemned 

incessant defacement of 

costly property, particularly 

in Port Harcourt, through 

indiscriminate posting of 

handbills, banners, posters 

and all sorts of unauthorized 

materials. 

Executive Order 22 also 

prescribes that “any political 

party, association or body of 

persons, however, called or 

described that wishes to use 

any premises, building or 

structure situated in a 

residential area in any urban 

area of Rivers State as 

campaign office must obtain 

permission from the Rivers 

State Commissioner for 


for Akwa Ibom North West, 

the former governor of the 

state said he is heading to the 

Supreme Court to appeal the 

decision. 

A three member panel of 

justices, led by Justice 

flood disaster, and to flag off 

disbursement of grant for 

vulnerable groups and 

government enterprises 

empowerment programme. 

Farouq said: "President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

approved the release of 

12,000 metric tons of assorted 

food commodities from 

National Strategic Reserve 

for distribution to victims of 

this flood disaster in the 

country as a way of assuaging 

their suffering. 

"Out of this, 105 metric tons 

of maize, 88.7 metric tons of 

sorghum and 98.7 metric 

tons of garri are to be 

distributed to the victims of 

flood disaster in the State. In 

addition, there are relief 

materials and other 

interventions that have been 

provided since July 2022 by 

NEMA, an Agency under the 

Federal Ministry of 

Humanitarian Affairs. 

Urban and Physical 

Planning." 

In dissent to the order, 

Darlington Nwauju, 

spokesperson, All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in Rivers 

asked, "Does the governor of 

Rivers have powers to make 

such orders that are not under 

purview of the Rivers State 

House of Assembly? 

"Laws and orders must be 

made in overall interest of the 

society. Let it be known that 

both Executive Orders 21 and 

now 22 are ultra vires in the 

constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria, as no 

state governor or state 

Assembly has the power to 

legislate an area not on the 

Danlami Senchi, on Monday, 

upturned the judgment of 

the lower court, saying that 

Akpabio, who participated in 

the APC presidential 

primary, could not 

participate in the valid 

primary in the state, held on 

May 28 and monitored by 

the Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, which produced 

Udom Ekpoudom as the 

senatorial candidate of the 

party for the district. 

Akpabio in a statement on 

Monday night, urged his 

supporters to remain calm 

and law abiding, assuring 

that he would get back his 

mandate at the Supreme 

Court 

By Samuel 

Oyadongha, Emem 

Idio 

Y GOVERNOR ENAGOA— 

Douye 

Diri of Bayelsa State has again 

called for effective support 

from the Federal Government 

and well meaning 

individuals and organisations 

to come to the aid of the state 

over the recent flood disaster. 

Receiving the Minister of 

Humanitarian Affairs, 

concurrent legislative list. 

"We refer the Rivers State 

governor to Session 5 (2b) of the 

1999 Constitution as amended. 

Is it not laughable for the 

governor to tell the world that 

he wants his political opponents 

to come to him for approval before 

rallies, conferences or meetings 

could be held. 

"We draw attention of the 

international community to the 

shameless manipulation of the 

political space in the oil capital of 

Nigeria, and attempt by the 

incumbent governor of Rivers 

State to turn this once peaceful 

state into a police state. Attempts 

at stifling the opposition keep demarketing 

Rivers as a state 

under draconian rulership." 

He said: "My attention has been 

drawn to the judgment delivered 

by the Court of Appeal, Abuja 

Division, directing INEC to delist 

my name from their list as the APC 

senatorial candidate for Akwa 

Ibom North West senatorial district 

in the forth coming 2023 elections. 

"It is instructive to mention that 

I was not a party in the said 

appeal, though orders were made 

against me and my interest. 

"Whilst awaiting a copy of the 

said judgment to be made 

available to me and any other 

interested party, it is important 

to state that I am a lawyer by 

training and a law abiding citizen 

of this country and I am bound 

by our laws and judgments 

emanating from our courts." 

2023: Oborevwori takes 

campaign to Ibori's hometown 

Flood: Diri receives Humanitarian Affairs Minister, 

recounts losses 

Disaster Management and 

Social Development, Dr. 

Sadiya Farouq, and members 

of her entourage, yesterday, in 

Yenagoa, the governor said the 

visit to the state was long 

expected, especially when the 

flood was at its peak. 

Diri, who spoke through the 

Deputy Governor, Senator 

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, 

pointed out that initially, the 


Bayelsa State were not 

pleased with some remarks 

credited to the minister about 


ASABA—DELTA State 

Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, governorship 

candidate for the 2023 

general elections, Mr. Sheriff 

Oborevwori, has taken the 

ward to ward campaign to 

Oghara, home town of former 

governor, James Ibori in 

Ethiope West Local 

Government Area, with a 

promise of a better deal for 

all Deltans. 

Speaking on the campaign, 

Oborevwori said: "I am a Pan 

Deltan, a unifier, and a man 

with excessive local content. I 

am determined to take the 

ongoing ward-to-ward 

campaigns to the 270 wards 

in the state. 

"I want to connect with all 

Deltans in the 270 wards and, 

at the end of it, the campaigns 

will be taken to the local 

headquarters. I am coming to 

Ibom Air conceived, executed 

by Gov Emmanuel —AG 

By Chioma Onuegbu 

UYO—AKWA 

Ibom 

State Attorney- 

General and Commissioner 

for Justice, Mr. Essien Udom, 

yesterday, said the idea of 

Ibom Air was conceived and 

executed by Governor Udom 

Emmanuel of the state. 

Udom, in a statement in 

Uyo, while reacting to a short 

video, being circulated on 

WhatsApp groups and social 

media platforms, where one 

Akan Udofia claimed that the 

idea of setting up Ibom Air was 

his, stressed that it became 

necessary to notify Akwa 

Ibom citizens and the public 

that Udofia, who had in the 

the flood disaster in the state, 

that Bayelsa was not among 

the 10 worst affected states in 

the country. 

He informed that the flood 

rose to over 4.5 metres above 

its normal level and caused 

unprecedented devastation, 

hence the news that Bayelsa 

was not among the worst-hit 

states was unsettling and 

worrisome to its people. 

His words: “We are happy 

and elated that you have 

finally visited to commiserate 

with us. The flood disaster is 

actually nobody’s fault but it 

is an issue of climate change. 

serve Deltans and so, there 

must be a connection between 

me and the people." 

Soliciting votes from the 

people, he promised them a 

better deal if elected governor 

in 2023. 

He also told the people to 

vote for Ighoyota Amori for 

Senate, Chris Onogba for 

House of Assembly to 

represent the people of 

Ethiope West State 

Constituency and Mrs. 

Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu for 

House of Representatives, 

Ethiope Federal Constituency. 

Oborevwori who is also the 

Speaker of the Delta State 

House of Assembly, said it is the 

first time a governorship 

candidate is embarking on wardto-ward 

campaigns in the state, 

adding that the governorship 

campaigns had always be 

taken only to local 

government headquarters in 

the past. 

PIPELINE SECURITY: Akinyemi-led 

group ignorant —CHURAC 

By Emma Amaize 

CENTRE for Human 

Rights and Anti- 

Corruption Crusade, 

CHURAC, has said the 

Academy of International 

Affairs, AIA, led by Prof. Bolaji 

Akinyemi, which criticised the 

Nigerian National Petroleum 

Corporation Limited, 

NNPCL, for awarding oil 

pipeline surveillance contract 

to private security companies, 

was ignorant of the reality in 

the country. 

The group, in a statement by 

its Chairman, Alaowei Cleric, 

said those who condemned the 

contract awarded to private 

firms, including Tantita 

Security Services Nigeria 

Limited, TSSNL, operated by 

ex-militant leader, 

Government Ekpemupolo, 

alias Tompolo, despite it's 

glaring achievements within 

a short space of time, were 

the real enemies of the 

country. 

The group said: "We take 

strong exception to the claim 

by the Academy of 

International Affairs, led by 

Bolaji Akinyemi, which said 

that it was failed governance 

that made NNPCL to award 

oil pipeline surveillance 

contract to PSCs. Akinyemi 

and his group are just being 

ignorant of the reality. 

"Nigeria is not the only 

country in the world that 

engages private security firm 

to secure oil pipelines. 

Countries such as Cambodia 

and Mexico are doing it and 

it has been successful there. 

"It is not necessarily because 

the security agencies have 

failed in their responsibility 

of securing lives and property. 

The job that TSSNL is doing 

is only to complement the efforts 

of the security agencies." 

past also claimed that some 

of the aircraft in the fleet of 

Ibom Air belonged to him, has 

no proprietary interest 

whatsoever in any of the 

aircraft in the fleet. 

His words, "It has been 

brought to the notice of the 

office of the Attorney 

General that one Akan 

Udofia claims in a short 

video, circulated on 

WhatsApp groups and 

social media platforms 

that the idea of setting up 

of Ibom Air was his. 

"The said Akan Udofia, 

we are told had in the past 

also claimed that some of 

the aircraft in the fleet of 

Ibom Air belonged to him." 

For record purposes, our 

meteorological department 

in the Surveyor General Office 

and Ministry of Environment 

monitored the flood and from 

records available it showed that 

the flood rose by 4.26 metres. 

"And that is why, for the first 

time, almost the entire state was 

submerged in water. The 

NEMA South South 

representative can attest to the 

level of damage caused by the 

flood this year. 

"I also want to use this 

opportunity to thank the Federal 

Government for setting up a 

relief emergency committee."




INTERACTIVE: From left, Osasuyi Dirisu, Deputy Director, Policy Innovation Centre; Hamid Bobboyi, 

Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission; Omowale David-Ashiru, Director, NewGlobe 

Nigeria; Maryam Uwais, Senior Special Advisor to the President on Social Investments, Country 

Representative, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, during an interactive panel on ‘Eradicating 

Learning Deprivation’, organised by the Policy Innovation Centre, PIC, at the 28th Nigerian Economic 

Forum, NES 28, in Abuja, yesterday. 

Why states need more funding 

—Tambuwal 

By Fortune 

Eromosele 

ABUJA—CHAIRMAN of the 

Nigeria Governors Forum 

and Governor of Sokoto State, 

Aminu Tambuwal, has said states 

will need more funding to address 

the brain drain in the health 

sector as well as curb the rapid 

migration of medical personnel. 

Tambuwal spoke yesterday 

during an interactive panel 

session with the theme: 

"Universal Coverage and the 

Basic Healthcare Funds," 

organised by the Nigerian 

Economic Summit Group, NESG, 

in Abuja. 

He said the allocation of one 

percent from Consolidated 

Revenue Funds, may not be 

enough for states, adding that an 

increase to about two or three 

percent would go a long way in 

addressing many issues like 

underfunding. 

According to him, "The 

challenge we face as states, is first 

funding and secondly human 

resource. We've been witnessing 

recently, a very drastic movement 

or drain of our brains out of this 

country to where they can attain 

greener pastures. We have to work 

hard to improve the welfare and 

packages of our medical 

personnel to address the brain 

drain. 

"But funding has remained a 

constraint and the basic health 

care provision fund that has come 

to the rescue of the PSCs is doing 

well. But most governors believe 

that if you can make it a 

performance-based kind of 

support it will be better. If we make 

it performance based, it will go a 

long way in ensuring the program 

succeeds. 

"Since the Basic Health Care 

Producing Fund Act says at least 

one percent of the Consolidated 

Revenue Fund should be 

allocated annually, we can rely 

on that provision that says at least 

one, and maybe increase it to two, 

three percent? That is of course 

the solution to the constraint of 

funding. 

"We are going to present it at 

the next National Economic 

Council meeting to be presided 

over by the Vice President, where 

the Minister of Finance will be in 

attendance and all the state 

governors are expected to be in 

attendance. The consensus of 

both the Governors and NEC, I 

believe will come into force." 

On insecurity, he said it was a 

collective effort and that the 

Federal government along with 

the states were doing their best 

to stem the tide. 

In the same vein, Secretary of 

the Oversight Committee of the 

Federal Ministry of Health for 

BHCPF, Dr Chris Isokpunwu, 

said an "accountability 

framework" would help in showing 

transparency when funds have 

been disbursed to states, adding 

that the process of developing a 

framework, has begun already. 

Army reviews strategies to defeat 

terrorists, others —CoAS 

By Ndahi Marama 

MAIDUGURI—THE Chief of 

Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Farouk 

Yahaya, has said the Army will 

continue to review strategies to 

overwhelm and defeat the 

terrorists and other criminals in 

the country. 

According to him, the 

strategies comprise techniques 

and military procedures to 

secure the country in protecting 

people's lives and property. 

Unveiling the security 

strategies, yesterday, in 

Maiduguri, at a seminar tagged: 

"Intensifying Warrior Ethos and 

Regimentation in the Nigerian 

Army," Yahaya disclosed that the 

Army is using both kinetic and nonkinetic 

means in securing people's 

lives and property across the 

nation. 

Yahaya, represented by the 

Theatre Commander, Operation 

Hadin Kai, OPHK, Maj-Gen. 

Christopher Musa lamented that 

the nation is witnessing a very 

challenging time in its history with 

myriads of complex security 

challenges bedeviling the country. 

Besides, he added that there is 

enormous responsibility of the 

Nigerian Army. 

He reiterated President 

Muhammadu Buhari's directive 

that the adversaries of Nigeria 

must be defeated decisively. 

General Musa thanked 

President Muhammadu Buhari for 

providing resources for them to 

carry out their duty effectively. 

"Our complex security 

environment is replete with acts 

of insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, 

ethno-religious conflicts and 

banditry from Non-State Actors, 

N-SA", he said. 

According to him, the N-SA 

includes Boko Haram, Islamic 

State West Africa Province 

(ISWAP), Indigenous People of 

Biafra, IPoB, among others. 

General Musa noted that the 

troops have continued to record 

successes against the adversaries 

to the nation, tasking commanders 

at all levels to live up to the 

expectations, take charge and 

work towards changing the psyche 

of troops. 

"The troops' psyche change was 

He said, "Accountability is our 

major focus and we have even 

mobilised resources for that. One 

step that we are taking for 

accountability, is that the fund is 

audited as at when due, secondly 

every disbursement we make to 

states are published in the 

national newspapers and in our 

social media platforms, so that the 

people will know that the monies 

have been disbursed to the states. 

to develop a winning posture at all 

times," he declared. 

On the regimentation of 

commanders' troops, he said that 

it could be achieved through 

innovative thinking with critical 

approaches to strategic 

implementation of the Army vision. 

"This seminar seeks to rekindle 

the warrior spirit and 

regimentation of commanders and 

their troops," he said, noting that 

the performance of any formation 

or unit reflects the level command 

and leadership of the commanders. 

According to him, regimentation 

creates the bond and discipline 

required for various military 

operations. 

He said this cannot be achieved 

without discipline in the fulcrum 

of military regimentation. 

Gen Musa urged the 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—THE Federal High 

Court sitting in Abuja has 

nullified the governorship primary 

election the All Progressives 

Congress Primary, APC, held in 

Taraba State. 

The court, in a judgment that 

was delivered by Justice Obiora 

Egwatu, invalidated the primary 

election that produced Senator 

"We are also working with civil 

society organisations to ensure 

that they follow and 

independently verify 

implementation at the state level. 

Right now because of lack of 

awareness, funds are also being 

mobilised to create awareness, let 

the people know that the basic 

health care provision fund is 

actually functional in the health 

care centre that is closest to them. 

participants to expressed their 

views for cross fertilisation of ideas 

"Let me tell you since the Mr 

President gave us marching order 

to deal ruthlessly with the enemies 

of the country there is no hiding 

place for terrorists and insurgency 

he added . 

On the challenges of 

regimentation, Brig-Gen. Hassan 

Lai (rtd) said that leadership in the 

military units, is critical while 

enforcing "regimentation and 

documentation" with 

administrative control to achieve 

efficiency. 

Besides enforcing regimentation, 

he added that unit establishment, 

weak enforcement of military 

discipline, inadequate knowledge 

base and maintenance of morale 

to ensure confidence among 

troops; are however the challenges 

to be overcome. 

Taraba: Court sacks APC candidate, nullifies 

governorship primary 

Ayanfeoluwa 

THE BOARD of Directors of 

Hope Payment Service Bank 

Limited, has announced the 

appointment of Mrs. Ogechi 

Altraide as the bank's Managing 

Director/Chief Executive Officer, 

MD/CEO. 

The appointment is subject to 

approval of the Central Bank of 

Nigeria. 

Altraide who holds a B.Sc. in 

Management and an MBA in 

Banking and Finance both from 

the University of Nigeria, Nsukka 

Emmanuel Bwacha as candidate 

of the APC for the 2023 

gubernatorial election in the state. 

It held that the primary election 

which the APC held on May 26, 

was a nullity as it was not done in 

substantial compliance with 

provisions of both the Electoral Act 

and the Constitution of the party. 

Justice Egwuatu ordered the 

party to conduct a fresh 

governorship primary in Taraba 

state. 

The judgment followed a suit 

Kogi wins World Bank's fiscal 

transparency, revenue 

mobilisation awards 

KOGI STATE in North Central 

Nigeria has won the World 

Bank's Awards of Excellence in 

three categories - Fiscal 

Transparency 

and 

Accountability, Debt 

Sustainability and Domestic 

Revenue Mobilisation. 

The awards were conferred on 

Kogi State at the Federal 

Government of Nigeria/World 

Bank States Fiscal Transparency, 

Accountability and 

Sustainability, SFTAS, Dinner 

with Governors/Award Night, 

held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja 

on Monday evening. 

The objective of the World 

Bank's State Fiscal Transparency, 

Accountability and 

Sustainability Programme is to 

promote focus and attention of 

Nigerian States towards 

improvement of their PFM 

systems, processes and 

institutions, a statement on 

Tuesday, signed by the 

Commissioner for Information 

and Communications in Kogi 

State, Kingsley Fanwo, said. 

The Auditor-General of Kogi 

State, Yakubu Okala, who spoke 

to journalists after the award 

ceremony attributed the 

celebrated success of the state in 

the areas of fiscal transparency 

THE ESTU Nupe and 

Chairman of the Niger State 

Council of Traditional Rulers, 

HRH, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, 

has commended the 

management of Kanaz 

Entertainment, for its decision to 

establish a tuition free 

entertainment academy in state. 

The monarch who played host 

to the founder of Kanaz group, 

Mr. Nnabueze Kanife, and 

veteran Nollywood actor, Mr. 

John Okafa (Mr. Ibu), in his Abuja 

residence recently, described the 

gesture as a welcome 

development. 

While expressing joy over the 

siting of the academy, the royal 

father promised to rally prominent 

citizens from the state to support 

the project, assuring the people 

and accountability to selfdiscipline, 

as well as the 

institution of a transparent and 

accountable governance system 

by Governor Yahaya Bello from 

the inception of his 

administration. 

"The State is blessed with an 

incorruptible Governor who also 

provides leadership from all fronts, 

a professional to the core that 

has surrounded himself only with 

persons that have the capacity 

to deliver. 

"The philosophy of the 

Governor of the State, His 

Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, 

is making every single kobo 

available work for the entity of 

the State, hence he has 

instituted self-discipline, as well 

as transparent and accountable 

governance system from day one 

of his administration. 

"He does not condone any 

form of abuse or misuse of the 

state's resources at the disposal 

of every responsible officer," the 

state AuG said. 

SFTAS is aimed at 

strengthening fiscal 

transparency to help build trust 

in government, facilitating 

accountability in public resource 

management and ensuring 

sustainability in the participating 

states. 

Estu Nupe lauds Kanaz Academy 

over free training center in Niger 

that was lodged before the court 

by the Senator representing 

Taraba Central, Yusuf A. Yusuf. 

A Federal High Court in Jalingo 

had also sacked Bwacha from 

contesting the impending 

governorship election as APC 

candidate. 

The court also ordered the 

conduct of a fresh primary election 

by the APC, after it upheld a suit 

that was instituted against Bwacha 

by an aggrieved governorship 

aspirant in the party, David Sabo 

Kente. 

Board appoints Altraide MD/CEO Hope Payment 

Service Bank 

By Providence 

portfolios including Agent 

is a Certified Management 

Consultant, a fellow of the 

Chartered Institute of Bankers of 

Nigeria and a subject matter expert 

in retail sales and campaigns. 

With over 25 years experience 

in banking, she has worked in 

different banks which includes: 

Ecobank, Diamond Bank and 

United Bank for Africa where she 

was a Deputy General Manager 

until her current appointment as 

Managing Director/CEO of the 

foremost payment service bank in 

Nigeria, Hope PSB. 

She held several roles including 

Group Head Personal Banking, 

Head Retail Banking, Group Head 

Direct Sales, Head Sales, Regional 

Manager and Branch Manager, 

and even managing different 

Banking, International 

Remittances, SME, Customer 

Acquisition and Retail Growth and 

also a Non-Executive Director of 

UBA, Tanzania. 

Chairman of the Board of 

Directors of the Bank, Alhaji 

Shehu Abubakar, made the 

announcement in a statement, 

explaining Altraide brings to the 

Board and the Bank over two and 

a half decades of unbroken 

experience in Nigeria's dynamic 

banking industry and will provide 

valuable insight to the board and 

the management of the bank from 

her wealth of experience. 

especially the youths of a new 

dawn. 

Earlier, the founder of Kanaz, 

Mr. Nnabueze Kanife, said the 

project which was the first of its 

kind in Niger State and Nigeria, 

would train about 4,000 

entrepreneurs annually. 

This, according to him, would 

promote and showcase the 

culture, language and talents of 

the people to the world, while 

reducing all forms of vices such 

as cultism, prostitution, drug 

abuses, etc, amongst youths. 

He disclosed that the 

organization is partnering with 

the Police Fights Against 

Cultism, Crime And Other Social 

Vices, POCCACOV, represented 

by the National Coordinator, 

Ebere Amaraizu. 

Also speaking, the Nollywood 

legend, John Okafor, thanked 

the Estu Nupe for accepting the 

proposal to build the academy 

and his interest in Niger State's 

youths and assured the 

traditional ruler of cooperation 

from his celebrity colleagues. 

35th year 

re-union 

anniversary 

union of 

Fakunle '87 

set 

THE 35th year re-union 

programme of Fakunle '87 set 

will hold on Friday and Saturday, 

November 18 and 19,, 2022. 

The Co-ordiator, Pastor 

Ayodeji Oyinlola, who disclosed 

this in a brief statement, said on 

Friday , there would be project 

commissioning at the school 

premises, Fakunle 

Comprehensive High School, 

Osogbo, Osun State, by 9am. 

He said there would also be a 

lot of attraction and fun, such as 

Gala Night, free medical checksup, 

aerobics, jogging, with 

exercise kit. 

According to him, the main 

events will come up on Saturday 

at Royal Continental Suites & 

Apartments, Osogbo, by 12noon.


Forex: Nigerians should determine 

what’s appropriate for Nigeria — IMF 

*Says Ways & Means borrowing necessary but… 

*Says CBN should take final decisions on Monetary Policy 

NIGERIA ECONOMIC SUMMIT: From left, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of 

Kaduna State; Mr Adedotun Sulaiman (MFR), Chairman, Parthian Partners Limited; Mr Oluseye Olusoga, 

MD/CEO, Parthian Partners Limited and other top government functionaries during the opening ceremony 

of the 28th Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja. 

Emma Ujah, Abuja 

Bureau Chief 

THE Resident Represen 

tative of the International 

Monetary Fund (IMF) in 

Nigeria, Mr. Ari Aisen, has 

said that Nigerians should determine 

the foreign exchange 

regime most appropriate for 

Nigeria. 

He however stressed that the 

exchange rate policy adopted 

by any country should be 

determined by the priority and 

competitiveness of the country. 

He spoke, in Abuja, yesterday, 

at an interactive panel 

on Monetary Policy Management 

in Challenging Times, 

at the Nigerian Economic 

Summit. 

According to the Rep who 

called for a clear autonomy 

for the Central Bank of Nigeria 

(CBN) to be able to decide 

monetary policies in the country, 

issues around foreign exchange 

regimes are usually 

complex and decisions of the 

type to adopt by a country 

should depended on its priorities, 

competitiveness and the 

trade-offs each country was 

ready to accept. His words, 

“The Central bank should be 

autonomous to take final decisions 

on monetary policies. 

On Ways and Means it is important 

to realise that if the 

government wants to provide 

services, health, education, 

pay salaries. 

“To do that the government 

has to mobilise revenue. If you 

do not have revenue, then you 

will borrow to meet the obligations. 

If you don’t have the 

money available at the market, 

then you need to go to the 

central bank. If you go to the 

central bank, the debt is monetized, 

meaning printing 

money to finance your deficit. 

That in itself creates liquidity 

problems. If you can’t 

mop up the extra liquidity that 

the central bank has injected, 

then it leads to inflation and 

creates another problem. 

“I hope with that sketch, I 

was able to demonstrate the 

relationship between fiscal 

and monetary policies and 

revenue mobilisation to 

achieve macroeconomic stability 

and for inflation to be 

low. “It is a very difficult question 

and there are many tradeoffs 

about the choice of the 

exchange regime, there are 

pros and cons about any exchange 

regime. Typically, a 

fixed exchange rate regime 

would stabilise prices in a way. 

That may be welcome in a way 

but you must have the foreign 

reserves sufficiently large 

enough for you to defend the 

exchange rate that you have 

fixed. 

“On the other hand, you 

could have a floating exchange 

rate regime where the 

market decides the value of 

the currency. That does not 

put pressure on reserves because 

you do not need to intervene 

in determining the 

exchange rate but it is much 

more volatile because the exchange 

rate can fluctuate a 

lot. 

“That has consequences for 

importers, exporters, and economic 

activities because of the 

FG to disburse last tranche of $1.5bn 

to states — Finance Minister 

Emma Ujah, Abuja 

THE Federal Govern 

ment has said that it will 

soon disburse to the 36 states 

the last tranche of the World 

Bank funded $1.5 billion 

States Fiscal Transparency, 

Accountability and Sustainability 

(SFTAS) Programme 

for Result. 

The Minister of Finance, 

Budget and National Planning, 

Mrs. Zainab Ahmed disclosed 

this at an event to celebrate 

the achievements of the 

SFTAS Programme on the 

sidelines of the 28th Nigeria 

Economic Summit, NES. 

Her words, “Your Excellences, 

I am pleased to inform you 

that in the next few weeks, your 

volatility. In between these 

two difficult opposed policies, 

you could also have a hybrid 

in which you could intervene 

but you allow the exchange 

rate to fluctuate a little. So 

what is appropriate for Nigeria. 

“First Nigerians will determine 

what is appropriate for 

Nigeria because every country 

has to take its decisions 

depending on its trade off and 

priorities and the competitiveness, 

as well as, the demand 

and supply of foreign exchange. 

It is a complex issue 

but for the ideal regime, we 

leave it to the country to decide 

based on its preferences. 

Focus on attracting FDI 

In his view Mr. Oluseye Olusoga, 

Founder of I-Invest, said 

that Nigeria should target 

more Foreign Direct Investments 

(FDIs) that are meant 

to be deployed in the productive 

sector, rather than portfolio 

investment. He argued 

that portfolio investments hurt 

the nation’s economy as they 

only provide temporary relief, 

leaving the economy with 

more problems, as the capi- 

states will receive the last 

tranche of performancebased 

grants including the 

sum of N1 billion withheld 

by the CBN through naira exchange 

deficit thus bringing 

to a close, the Performance for 

Results Grant even though the 

technical assistance component 

will continue to be delivered 

by implementing agencies 

and partners till June, 

2023 when the programme 

will finally wind down. 

What each state would receive 

is being determined, as 

disbursement is usually based 

on the performance level of 

each state government in fiscal 

transparency. 

The minister disclosed that 

the next disbursement “is 

tal and interest would always 

leave the nation, and usually 

unceremoniously. 

His words, “We have to be 

careful with the kind of money 

that we want to attract to 

the economy. We were taught 

in school that when you issue 

bonds you are taking money 

from the system. But when 

portfolio investors come in 

and invest in (government) 

bonds, they actually make 

more money available to the 

government to spend, thereby 

increasing the volume of 

money. 

“These investments will 

yield interests and when they 

want to repatriate their money, 

you will need more foreign 

exchange than what they 

brought to give them to repatriate 

both their capital investments 

and interests. They 

provide us short-term relief 

but leave us with bigger problems.” 

Olusoga urged Nigerians in 

all sectors to place more priority 

on production, as according 

to him, with more 

productivity and especially 

for export, the nation would 

be able to earn more foreign 

bringing to a close, the Performance 

for Results Grant 

even though the technical assistance 

component will continue 

to be delivered by implementing 

agencies and partners 

till June, 2023 when the 

programme will finally wind 

down”. 

So far, N471.9 billion has 

been released to the state governments 

under the SFTAS 

programme. The $1.5 billion 

is a World Bank loan to the 

federal government which in 

turn is given to the state governments 

as a grant to encourage 

them to adopt fiscal transparency 

and accountability. 

SFTAS seeks to encourage 

states to significantly improve: 

Fiscal Transparency 

NES#28: It’s unconstitutional 

to spend state funds on 

religious pilgrimage, worship 

centres — Dozie 

…As NESG calls for removal of subsidy 

…Sets agenda for incoming administration 

‘Winner takes all democracy’ 

not good for Nigeria — Fayemi 

FORMER governor of 

Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode 

Fayemi, yesterday said that 

the ‘winner takes all’ currently 

practised in the country 

is not good for development. 

He spoke, yesterday, at a 

breakout session at the ongoing 

28th edition of the annual 

National Economic 

Summit, NES28, organised 

by the Nigeria Economic 

Summit Group, NESG summit 

in Abuja, where he also 

cited the unfair reward system 

as well as the bureaucracy 

of the civil service as obstacles 

that must be tackled in order 

achieve shared prosperity. 

His words, “We need to address 

the reward system 

across the board. Level 10 

worker in CBN/NNPC earns 

more than a governor who 

earns N560,000 a month.” 

The former governor noted 

that shared prosperity was 

elusive in the country because 

of lack of shared vision. 

He regretted that despite 

PIONEER chairman of 

the NESG, Dr. Paschal 

Dozie yesterday said it is unconstitutional 

for the government 

to sponsor religious 

events and fund construction 

of religious buildings stressing 

these contradict the custom 

as a plural state, as enshrined 

in the constitution. 

Dozie, who was keynote 

speaker at the event spoke on 

the topic: The Nigeria We 

Need. 

He said from the beginning, 

the founding fathers had very 

lofty dreams for the country 

but successive leaders led by 

the military derailed it, turning 

the dreams into a mirage. 

He lamented that the sovereignty 

of the people resides 

with the state and not with the 

people, which has helped to 

fuel bad governance. 

He called for democratically 

and institutional policies 

duly negotiated and 

agreed upon by the peoples;’ 

representatives. 

Beyond bad leadership, he 

blamed Nigeria’s under-development 

on the 1978 Land 

Use Decree that later became 

an Act and called for a review 

of the law to allow people to 

take back ownership of their 

ancestral lands for competitive 

and speedy development. 

In his opening speech, the 

Chairman of the Nigerian 

Economic Summit Group, 

Mr. Asue Ighodalo on Monday 

lamented what he called 

the difficult times Nigerians 

are going through and called 

for creative and practical solutions 

to the challenge. 

He called on the Federal 

government to revisit the issue 

of subsidy removal before 

it leaves office in May next 

year. 

The chairman of the NESG, 

Asue Ighodalo, said the government 

cannot sustain the 

payment in the face of 

Nigeria’s current economic 

situation. He made the remark 

in his opening speech 

at the ongoing 28th edition of 

the Nigerian Economic Summit 

tagged #NESG28 held in 

Abuja. 

The Federal government 

has earmarked N3.6 trillion 

for subsidy payments in 2023, 

even when it has proposed to 

borrow N11 trillion to fund 

the 2023 budget deficit. 

Ighodalo said, though, 

some of the causes of the economic 

challenges are globally 

induced, but insisted that 

“we must have the cushioned 

capacity to weather and absorb 

them. 

He said, “We must think 

through ingenious ways of fixing 

and easily come to mind. 

We must effectively address all 

areas of exchange earnings 

and enhance livelihoods –oil 

and gas nation that does not 

take itself seriously will cry out 

year after year for power, but 

continue to fritter away a resource 

that can simultaneously 

and most urgently, we 

must continue to tackle temperament 

of those of us who 

work in these institutions.” 

“A prosperous Nigeria cannot 

produce enough, for ourselves 

and can’t produce for 

the waste, leakage, theft or 

graft. Gas flaring must stop. 

Only strengthening our institutions; 

paying particular. attention 

to and decisively 

good intentions of politicians, 

their visions were often truncated 

bureaucracy. 

According to him, “Effectively, 

a governor has only two 

years to work. There must be 

a stake in government if you 

win 5% of the votes you get 

5% of the government. 

“We have to dress with a 

majoritarian mentality where 

a winner takes all. We need a 

merit based bureaucracy. 

Under my predecessor they 

rolled dice to determine who 

becomes Perm Sec.” 

Prof. Tunji Olaopa, Executive 

Vice Chairman of/ Ibadan 

School of Government and 

Public Policy called for restructuring 

of the country, 

stressing, “If we don’t restructure, 

Nigeria cannot go anywhere. 

No diversification can 

support what we have.” 

He also called for the elimination 

of “the Nigerian factor,” 

urging a balance between 

doing the right thing 

and doing it well.


Rising energy cost, others pressure inflation 

to 17yr high •As analysts see further rise to 21.5% for Nov 

ECONOMY 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

Analysts in the financial sec 

tor, yesterday, projected a 

further pressure on inflation 

rate to 21.5 percent in November 

2022 after the National Bureau 

of Statistics, NBS, yesterday, 

announced 21.09 per cent 

for the month of October 2022. 

They cited the rising cost of 

energy and flooding, which affected 

many food producing 

states, coupled with the depreciating 

naira and rising airfare 

prices. 

They expected a moderate 

Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, 

hike at the next Monetary 

Policy Committee meeting by 

around 25 basis points. 

According to the NBS’ Consumer 

Price Index, CPI, the October 

2022 inflation figure 

which rose by 0.32 percentage 

point from 20.77 percent recorded 

in September, represents 

a 17 year high and 11th 

consecutive month-on- month 

increase. 

NBS, also stated that food inflation 

increased to 23.72 percent 

from 23.34 percent in the 

corresponding Month last year. 

The Bureau attributed the rise 

in food inflation to an increase 

in the price of cereals and 

bread, potatoes, yams, and 

other food items. 

On food inflation, NBS 

stated: "The food inflation rate 

in October 2022 was 23.72 percent 

on a year-on-year basis; 

which was 5.39 percent higher 

compared to the rate recorded 

in October 2021 (18.34 per- 

cent). 

"The rise in food inflation was 

caused by increases in prices of 

bread and cereals, food products 

n.e.c, potatoes, yams and 

other tubers, oil and fat. 

"On a month-on-month basis, 

the food inflation rate in October 

was 1.23 percent, this was 

a 0.21 percent decline compared 

to the rate recorded in 

September 2022 (1.43 percent). 

"This decline was attributed to 

the reduction in prices of some 

food items like tubers, palm oil, 

maize, beans, and vegetables.” 

Commenting on the development, 

analyst at CowryAssets 

Management Plc said:" Our 

headline inflation outlook remains 

elevated when we take 

into account the recent flooding 

which affected many food producing 

states; the rise in energy 

costs which is reflective of the 

increases in fuel prices (diesel 

and kerosene) coupled with the 

depreciating naira and rising 

airfare prices. 

“For the MPC, there is little 

room for another rate tweak at 

its next meeting on Monday 

and Tuesday after an already 

400bps rate hike this year in the 

bid to tame inflationary pressure, 

following this marginal 

acceleration. 

"Thus, we expect a moderate 

rate hike at the next MPC meeting 

by around 25 basis points. 

That being said, we project 

headline inflation to hit 21.5 

percent in November." 

AGREEMENT - From left: Principal Partner, AKKO Global Tech., Mr Gbenga Abiodun; Vice 

Chairman, Onigbongbo LCDA, Mrs Olufunke Hassan; Managing Director/CEO, AKKO Global 

Tech., Mr Adewale Adewunmi; Chairman, Onigbongbo LCDA, Mr Oladotun Olakunle; and 

Council Manager of the LCDA, Mr Hakeem Disu, during a partnership agreement between 

AKKO Global Tech and Onigbongbo LCDA on technology driven skill acquisition for youths 

in Lagos. 

InfraCredit mobilises £10m climate financing for 

rural electrification in Nigeria 

By Peter Egwuatu 

InfraCredit, an infrastructure 

credit guarantee institution, 

has announced the credit enhancement 

of Darway Coast 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US 

DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

RAND 

Danish Krona 

2,498.00 -20.00 

19.84 +0.20 

93.53 -2.46 

86.15 -2.81 

440.83 441.33 441.83 

518.7247 519.313 519.9014 

453.7463 454.261 454.7756 

460.4931 461.0154 461.5377 

3.1605 3.1641 3.1677 

0.6487 0.6587 0.6687 

565.2753 565.9179 566.5606 

61.9622 62.0329 62.1036 

117.242 117.375 117.508 

25.5221 25.551 25.58 

59.0766 59.1438 59.211 

CBN Exchange rate as at 14/11/2022 

Nigeria Limited’s green debt 

issue, under a co-financing 

arrangement with the £10 million 

Climate Finance Blending 

Facility funded by the United 

Kingdom, UK, Foreign, Commonwealth 

and Development 

Office (UK-FCDO), an initial 

transaction under 

InfraCredit’s clean energy 

funding 

programme. 

The programme seeks 

to aggregate, de-risk and 

unlock domestic institutional 

investments to support 

eligible clean energy 

projects in Nigeria to contribute 

towards meeting 

the country’s universal 

electrification goal by 

2030 and the SDG 7 target 

of ensuring access to 

affordable, reliable, sustainable, 

and modern 

energy for all, whilst putting 

the country on a path 

to achieve net zero emissions 

by 2060. 

According to a statement 

made available to 

Vanguard, the initial 

transaction under the 

programme, was financed 

with the UKfunded 

Facility through a 

blended instrument enabling 

domestic institutional 

investors to directly 

invest in a 7-year fixed 

rate local currency debt 

financing for the project, making 

it the first-ever certified 

blended local currency green 

debt issue for a solar mini-grid 

project in Nigeria. 

Speaking on the transaction, 

Managing Director of Darway 

Coast Nigeria Limited, Mr. 

Henry Ureh, stated: “For minigrid 

developers, access to long 

term affordable local currency 

finance is critical for 

sustainability and scale, which 

is why we are extremely excited 

about the possibility of 

participating in such a milestone 

transaction. That minigrid 

developers like us can 

now access patient green capital 

in naira from domestic institutional 

investors, to construct 

off-grid infrastructure for 

renewable energy access to 

un-electrified rural communities 

in Nigeria for productive 

use, is unprecedented. “ 

The CEO of InfraCredit, 

Chinua Azubike, said: “According 

to Nigeria’s Integrated 

Energy Planning Tool, 

it is estimated that up to US 

$16.4bn of funding will be required 

to finance off-grid infrastructure 

for solar minigrids 

and stand-alone solar 

systems that will electrify 

621,000 unserved communities 

not connected to the grid, 

which represents 98% of the 

identified settlements without 

energy access.’’ 

Q3’22: NB’s board recommends 

N3.29bn interim dividend 

By Peter Egwuatu 

The Board of Directors of Ni 

gerian Breweries, NB Plc, 

has announced an interim dividend 

of N3.29billion payable to 

shareholders at 40kobo each 

per ordinary share of 50k. 

Nigerian Breweries, the foremost 

brewing company in Nigeria, 

also recorded revenue of 

N393.336 billion for the third 

quarter (nine months) ended 

30th September 2022 representing 

an increase of 27.2 % as 

against N309.22 billion recorded 

in the corresponding 

period in 2021, Q3’21. 

In a statement the Company 

Secretary/Legal Director, Nigerian 

Breweries Plc, Uaboi 

Agbebaku, stated that revenue 

growth in the quarter was 

driven by pricing but was offset 

by higher input cost arising 

On-demand deliveries now dependent 

on dispatch riders — Red Ridge boss 

The Chief Operating Officer of 

Red Ridge, Mr. Osaro Jackson, 

has said that the on-demand 

delivery sector, amongst other 

things, is dependent on the dispatch 

riders who move goods 

around cities. 

Red Ridge is a logistics and 

support company that provides 

on-bike training, digital and customer 

service training and rideroutsourcing 

to third party logistic 

companies. 

Osaro, while fielding questions 

from newsmen, insisted that 

training and retraining of these 

riders on both soft and technical 

skills is the way to go, adding, 

"We have been able to train about 

150 riders within the last year.’’ 

Speaking on the company's 

plan to train over 300 dispatch 

riders across Lagos in partnership 

with the VET Toolbox initiative, 

he stated: "We are trying 

to redefine the quality level 

of dispatch riders in the on-demand 

delivery sector. This quality 

will be centered around safety 

from increased rate of inflation 

and higher energy costs. 

Analysis of the results revealed 

that cost of sales rose significantly 

by 20.2% to N238.92 

billion during the period under 

review in 2022 from N198.75 

billion in 2021. 

Marketing, Distribution, and 

Administration expenses also 

grew by 40.1% to N120.95 billion 

in 2022 from N86.33 billion 

in 2021. 

The statement added, “Despite 

the volume and cost challenges 

in the third quarter, the 

strong performance recorded in 

the first half of the year ensured 

that operating profit grew by 

44% while Profit after Tax went 

up 80%. The Board has therefore 

announced an interim dividend 

of N3.29billion payable to 

shareholders at 40kobo each 

per ordinary share of 50k.’’ 

ECONOMY 

while riding, transferable skills 

like financial and digital literacy 

and their customer service approach." 

VET Toolbox is a partnership 

of five European development 

agencies to support demanddriven 

and inclusive vocational 

education and training. 

It is co-funded by European 

Commission and by the German 

Federal Ministry for Economic 

Cooperation and Development 

(BMZ). In Nigeria, it is implemented 

by Deutsche Gesellschaft 

für 

Internationale 

Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. 

Asked how it would help the 

economy, Osaro said: "the more 

people are engaging the 

economy, the more local benefit 

is generated. Socio-economically, 

this program also would 

help reduce crime rate as young 

people now have other viable avenues 

where they can make a living."


Send Opinions & Letters to: 

opinions1234@yahoo.com 

Judges as partisan usurpers 

IN our democracy, the three arms of gov 

ernment – the Legislature, Executive 

and Judiciary – have their respective roles 

as clearly spelt out in the Constitution of the 

Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as 

amended. The concept of Separation of Powers 

is the foundation of the Presidential System. 

Though cooperation is called for, every 

branch should stay within its turf to ensure 

checks and balances and limit impunity. 

But, in our corrupt system, you often see 

the Executive wanting to make laws 

(through the Executive Orders). The National 

Assembly and State Assemblies try their 

hands on executive functions (the constituency 

projects), while the Judiciary often 

changes or imposes leaders through the impeachment 

process and the Election Petition 

Tribunal verdicts. 

Indeed, the constitution has wittingly or 

unwittingly, given the Judiciary a role that 

encourages judges to arrogate to themselves 

the power to manipulate the supreme wishes 

of the electorate and impose leaders other 

than the ones chosen on primary or open 

election days. Many governors who lost elections 

or did not go through the entire constitutionally-prescribed 

processes have governed, 

or are governing states through judicial 

largesse. 

The third estate 

By CYAN FRANK- 

HANACHOR 

A 

SMELL hit me in the 

corridor. I had refused to 

look into our rather cramped living 

conditions. That foetid odour 

reminded me of that monstrosity that 

fed off Nigeria's almost nonexistent 

housing system - the living quarters 

of the "face me, I face you." I detested 

the uglyness of it. That rabbit warren 

of cubby holes was peopled by a 

horde of trudging Nigerians intent 

on perpetuating the mirage of 

survival amidst the never-ending 

dream of being at the top of the pack. 

Snug in a country with no plan for 

the finer things in life, save for 

electoral promises of a utopia that 

never materializes, aside from the 

non-evidential blueprint for 

providing a sound and qualitative 

education in our public schools, the 

biggest issue is the drift of 

government influence in our 

communities. Hear now, the private 

school system in Nigeria as we know 

it is mostly bankrupt, devoid of all 

the connotations of service delivery: 

qualitative and quantitative 

education in a sanitary and secure 

environment. 

Another dream I fear has receded 

into the oblivion of the horizon is 

affordable and well-planned 

accommodation for the poor in 

society. Good, strong houses in a 

background nurtured by a desire to 

do better than the nondescript, cheap 

contraptions that we have been 

passing off all these years as the 

government’s latest contribution to 

the betterment of the masses. Those 

cheap deathtraps are glossed over 

by the most modern building 

technology, as evidenced by the 

massive deterioration that sets in 

once the building is commissioned. 

We are no pessimists, but the almost 

constant spate of building collapses, 

which I fear is going to get 

progressively worse, is indicative of 

our drift into a morally bankrupt 

society. Housing for the poor should 

be a prerogative of the government. 

Aside from the glaring issues of 

poverty, crime, inflation, corruption, 

unemployment, environmental 

pollution, and degradation, there is 

a persistent, prevalent dearth of 

affordable housing for those 

struggling to make ends meet in the 

midst of a driven and career-oriented 

economy. It is no secret that the 

bourgeoisie and the upper class have 

corralled a sizable chunk of the 

economy and government, which 

they recycle among themselves 

(these clowns who go to sleep in one 

party and wake up active in another 

party) and their cronies, as validated 

by the most recent revelations of the 

present administration. They are 

plagued with stupendous wealth, 

corrupt enrichment, and a mindless 

and fundamental lack of perception 

in the execution of policies that 

would serve the needs of us all. 

Each successive administration 

has only succeeded in displaying a 

flagrant lack of sensitivity and 

perception to execute policies that 

would cater to the large percentage 

of the population that is 

economically challenged, thriving 

on the proceeds of a meagre 

financial base. I just hope a zealot 

somewhere does not come back with 

the government’s welfare palliative 

post–COVID-19 pandemic. Cut off 

from the machinery of government 

because of the self-serving and 

corrupt officials that were "elected" 

(read : foisted on us) to represent our 

interests, I am still desperately 

searching for a way to access mine. 

Sorry, folks, the poor exist among 

us, not poor in spirit, but poor due to 

the unfriendly economic 

environment in which we live. 

Poverty is so strident, it binds your 

lips and fists with manacles of 

pained longsuffering. A World Bank 

Poverty Assessment Report quoted 

from an online source reported that 

the number of poor Nigerians is 

projected to hit 95.1 million in the 

last quarter of 2022. No selfrespecting 

man agrees to bear that 

name anymore in an attempt to 

conceal the reality of his existence. 

Like the Biblical Job, they have 

adopted the golden rule of survival: 

manage. They vociferously refuse to 

answer to a name they find 

derogatory and demeaning and 

would attack any attempt to pin that 

name on them. 

Try it. So they are most definitely 

not poor in spirit, but poor due to the 

circumstances in which we live. 

Poverty is real. It is merely 

convenient to close our eyes to the 

fact that people in poverty are in our 

midst. The benchmark for our 

economy is driven by the premise that 

the middle class is the bottom-line 

for economic survival. The pricing 

of the basic necessities of life - 

housing, clothes, goods in the 

market, fees in the better managed 

public and private schools - bares us 

out. The core of this generation is 

right there at the bottom of the value 

Nigeria is bereft of 

policies that will 

effectively cater for this 

percentage that is bursting 

at its seams; it is 

unbelievably difficult to 

cope with living in Nigeria 

chain, hidden away from a 

conscience that is long dead. Away 

from the discerning technocrat intent 

on mending fences to eliminate the 

eyesores that cling to the poor's 

shelters. They live in those shanties 

(in Port Harcourt it is called "bacha") 

at the periphery of each community, 

which we associate with street 

hustling, crime, cultism, and every 

malaise of the underworld. The 

underdog is the man who though he 

attended secondary school could not 

continue to that bastion of Nigerian 

civility - the university. Hence, in the 

fine lines of class distinction in the 

lower echelon of society, we glibly 

Judges who go beyond the 

red line should be reported 

to the National Judicial 

Commission, NJC, for appropriate 

sanctions 

The names that easily come to mind are: 

former Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers 

State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Bello 

Matawalle of Zamfara State, Douye Diri of 

Bayelsa State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo 

State, and others. Perhaps, many of these 

cases were or are understandable because 

the politicians themselves brought them to 

the Judiciary. Many judges seize this opportunity 

to feather their nests at the people’s 

expense. When some supposed officers in 

the temple of justice flagrantly go out of 

their ways to impose themselves on cases in 

a manner that suggests special interests, they 

abuse their offices and foster loss of faith in 

the system. The issue that catches my attention 

today is the case between two contenders 

for the Abia State governorship election 

on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, 

APC: Chief Ikechi Emenike and Dr. 

Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah. 

Emenike won the governorship ticket of 

the party at the indirect primaries held on 

May 22, 2022. The primary was duly monitored 

by the Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, as prescribed by 

law, and the Commission has Emenike’s 

name on its website as the party’s candidate 

for Abia State. Ogah had organised a parallel 

primary and also started parading himself 

as the party’s candidate, a claim which 

the party at state and national level has severally 

debunked, even in court. 

In an apparently well-choreographed 

gambit, Ogah approached the Federal High 

Court in Umuahia presided over by Hon. 

Justice E.A. Anyadike, to declare him the 

gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the 

state. Just as Emenike and his cohorts were 

getting ready for the legal fireworks, they 

heard that Ogah had applied for and succeeded 

in getting the case transferred to the 

Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. 

The Chief Judge of the Federal High 

Court, John Tsoho, had assigned the case to 

Hon. Justice Binta Murtala Nyako. Emenike 

and his cohorts were caught by surprise 

because they were not given a chance to 

contest the application for case transfer, 

which they were entitled to. It breached Section 

36(1) of the Constitution which guarantees 

the right to fair hearing. So, they applied 

before Justice Tsoho for the return of 

the case to its original jurisdiction at Umuahia, 

in line with Rule 8(1) of the Federal 

High Court (Pre-election) Practice Direction, 

2022, which provides as follows: “All 

suits wherein the cause of action arose in a 

judicial division and the relief seeks a declaration 

or to compel or retain person(s) 

natural or legal within that judicial division, 

with no consequence outside it, shall 

be filed, received or heard only within that 

judicial division”. This provision makes 

sense, even to a lay person. What is the idea 

of transferring a case arising in Abia State 

where all the parties to it live, to a branch of 

ignore this nonentity, the faceless 

mass, because of their perceived 

ignorance at the importance of 

education, turning up our upper class 

noses around this "dreg". The upstart 

that upped and left the village for 

the big city and just never made it 

"big" or into a conventional career 

in spite of his constantly banging his 

head against doors firmly shut in his 

face by each progressively unfriendly 

policy that says: "5000 teachers to 

be employed by the Government, 

Police Recruitment Nationwide, 

Resident Doctors on Strike 

Nationwide." 

The jobs driven by the modicum 

of good luck that sent you through 

the hallowed gates of the "ivory 

tower" in spite of the same odds that 

battened this human "excrement" to 

hang around street corners to beg, 

hawk and peddle articles on a tray. 

They are that cleaning woman who 

speaks almost impeccable English 

when I allow her, that cobbler at the 

street junction, and the ice-cream 

vendor at my kid’s exclusive school. 

These narratives are old but very 

much still ours. Incredulous? They 

mostly possess a Secondary School 

Certificate from some far-flung 

secondary school in the back-of-thewoods 

that threw up a sometime 

Federal Minister of Education, the 

present Councillor of his ward, a 

former crony of the "self-made" man 

and yet, since secondary school, his 

efforts have been as consistent as the 

rich pillars of society though 

admittedly not as "accomplished" as 

these stalwarts of society. In Nigeria, 

we acknowledge only those who like 

us have the best education even if we 

started off at Nkike Community 

Grammar School, 4 Points, Balange 

Local Government Area. Those 

technocrats toasted by each 

successive administration as 

seasoned administrators, the World 

Bank Representative with quick fixes 

on how to turn the economy round - 

are the baseline we allow for 

educational indices. None has gone 

searching among the murky waters 

of development implementation for 

the court in Abuja if not for sinister, mischievous 

or possibly corrupt motives? More 

importantly, why did Federal High Court 

Chief Judge, John Tsoho, and Justice Nyako, 

insist on ruling on the case despite strident 

calls for Nyako to recuse herself, having 

shown undue personal interest in it, in 

violation of the law? Emenike and his group 

rightly felt that Justice Nyako was determined 

to foist a governorship candidate on 

the Abia chapter of the APC when the judge 

refused to release the casefile to the Registrar 

of the Appeal Section for onward transmission 

to the registry of the Court of Appeal 

for expeditious hearing. 

So, the verdict of Justice Nyako awarding 

the governorship ticket of the party to Ogah 

on November 11,2022, was an already predicted 

charade. The constitutional intendment 

is for the political parties to pick candidates 

of their choice to represent them at 

the polls. Emenike has strong, deep roots in 

the APC, unlike Ogah who jumps from one 

party to the other in the desperate quest to 

be governor. Emenike has a party pedigree 

that earned his wife, Uzoma Emenike, a 

prestigious presidential posting as Nigeria’s 

Ambassador to the United States of America. 

Political parties should be allowed to 

choose their candidates because only they 

know those who are capable of winning elections 

for them. I 

t is an act of impunity and a denigration 

of the rights of political parties for the courts 

to deign to impose candidates on them, for 

whatever reason. The court should only ensure 

that the laws of the country and the 

rules of the parties are complied with. They 

should restrict themselves to ensuring that 

justice is done in all cases referred to them, 

rather than play the role of partisan usurpers. 

Judges who go beyond the red line 

should be reported to the National Judicial 

Commission, NJC, for appropriate sanctions. 

the "lost" generation. Those 

intelligent with equally good 

potentials who never made it to the 

university. Those poor and unfulfilled 

Nigerians whom the unforgiving, 

ignorant society brands "failures, 

illiterates, dropouts"…mostly, should 

be our baseline for humanity.“ 

In the street economy, they 

typically choose to eschew crime, 

pursue respectability through 

perseverance in an unfriendly 

economic clime, to ensure the cloak 

of poverty is flung far from them. 

Those are the ones truly deserving of 

our consideration. In each society 

they mostly exist at the borders of 

respectability, plying their trade 

quietly with scraps of confidence 

from the constant attacks by the 

insensitive, career-driven mass who 

sneers at their efforts and mock their 

attempt at battering poverty in the 

secondary labour market. Shelter 

is the basic need of each creature - a 

stake in the land- somewhere to 

hibernate and bloom in solitude. 

Nigeria is bereft of policies that will 

effectively cater for this percentage 

that is bursting at its seams. It is 

unbelievably difficult to cope with 

living in Nigeria. Nigerians ever 

class-conscious arrived in the 21st 

century with a demarcation between 

housing for the bourgeoisie and the 

poor. The shyster of a landlord has 

priced houses - even the 

substandard variety which they 

almost always are - beyond the 

reach of the poor. Whole slums have 

sprouted in most of the states we have 

visited. The government bungles on 

like there is no housing problem in 

Nigeria. Affordable housing will 

reduce the prevalent crime rate, 

encourage education in the long run, 

promote our confidence in a 

government that betrays us every 

opportunity it gets. 

Continues online: 

www.vanguardngr.com 

•Frank-hanachor., a writer, 

consultant,early childhood education, 

youth development advisor, 

wrote from Port Harcourt, 

Rivers State.

How security agencies sabotage the 

fight against crime 

IT has become customary for Nigerian 

security agents and agencies to pass off 

what should ordinarily be classified 

information as routine news release. Each 

time some of these security units and their 

operatives engage in this unwholesome breach 

one is reminded of how far many of them have 

fallen in their knowledge of what is 

appropriate information to be shared with the 

public and what is best kept secret. Many of 

them don’t appear to have been trained. And 

if trained, they do not come off as having 

learned the right lesson. They look grossly raw 

and inexperienced but sometimes we are 

talking about some of the most senior persons 

in the military and paramilitary agencies. If 

one could overlook the thirst of a freshly 

employed agent of one of our secret police 

going on Facebook to announce their presence 

or glibly letting the information about their 

professional background drop in a crowded 

environment- if one could try to understand 

the craving for attention that leads to such 

careless disclosure, what should one make of 

apparently very senior and highly-placed 

officers committing the same error? 

Since optics have taken the place of 

substance, security agents who before now 

would be content to remain in the shadows as 

they go about their work; detectives and 

undercover agents who would be willing and 

eager for anything except doing that which 

could potentially blow their cover, these now 

compete for photo-ops in a manner that would 

give any politician campaigning for public 

office a run for their money. People who at a 

time took pride in the silence that attended the 

execution of their job today angle for attention 

and strain both to be heard and seen by all. 

They pay no heed even if they ruin what they 

should be protecting by the very fact of the 

unnecessary publicity they bring to it. Since 

spokespersons of some of our security units 

now posture as celebrities, dressing and 

commenting loudly on every passing event, 

should we be surprised that we are making 

only backward progress in our so-called fight 

against crime? Professionalism just doesn’t 

seem to count anymore. It is now the era of 

social media influencers garbed in immaculate 

police and military gear and, sometimes, 

display the looks to go with it. Nothing more! 

There are, perhaps, not many Nigerians or 

other followers of Nigerian news elsewhere 

that are not aware of the fact that the Nigeria 

Police have recently acquired three unmanned 

aerial vehicles, aka drones. They were, 

according to the Force, acquired to help in the 

fight against crime. The Inspector General of 

Police, Usman Baba Alkali, was himself in the 

vanguard of those sharing this information. 

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police public 

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 —17 

bandits and unknown gunmen our personnel 

are ranged against in battle are better 

equipped. When these officers and men go onto 

the battle fronts, they are virtually on suicide 

missions. It is for this reason that some of them 

end up with self-inflicted injuries, just to stay 

off the war front. We are not talking here of 

very obvious cases of sabotage when military 

commanders and the top hierarchy of other 

paramilitary agencies turn funds appropriated 

for official use to private ends. 

After years of griping over the need for 

modern equipment and we finally got the 

Super Tucano Jets, what happened next? We 

went about bragging about their capability, 

announcing to the bandits and insurgents all 

over the north that there are new equipment in 

town. We were only short of telling them when, 

where and how the fighter crafts would be 

deployed. I guess that must have been taken 

care of by the fifth columnists we are told work 

from inside these organisations. During the 

last Independence celebration in Abuja, there 

was an announcement by one of the presenters 

that suggested that the Super Tucano jets were 

to be displayed. I remember the concern I felt 

knowing the fiasco that was the performance 

of some paratroopers training as part of the 

display for the independence celebration days 

before. 

What is leading our security agencies down 

this slope of self-destructive unprofessionalism 

where they make so much song and dance of 

matters that ought to be kept confidential? 

What madness leads to this? Just about two 

weeks ago, the EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed 

Bawa, announced to Nigerians that three 

governors planning to pay state workers in 

cash following the planned redesigning of the 

naira were on their watch list. What crimefighting 

skills justified this announcement? Was 

it to warn the governors to cover their track? 

Abdulrasheed Bawa it was who deployed 

operatives dressed in reflective jackets that had 

the EFCC logo embossed on them to the venue 

of the presidential convention grounds of 

political parties. Which party official would 

be stupid enough to bribe voters in such 

circumstances? What’s the cure for this type of 

foolery? 

relations officer, was quick to let the public 

know how the task of fighting crime has been 

enhanced by the acquisition of the drones. And 

like a child enjoying the thrill of trying out a 

new toy, officers of the police force have been 

gleefully putting on test flights their newlyacquired 

object. It would seem like they want 

the world to believe that these drones are the 

be-all and end-all of fighting crime. They are 

the final nail in the coffin of criminals of 

whatever shade and in whatever location. 

This is nothing if not foolishness. The 

question to ask is, for whose benefit is all the 

noise about the acquisition of new drones? Is it 

the harassed public or the seasoned bandits or 

insurgents in Sambisa Forest? Where does the 

confident joy come from that three drones 

could do what hundreds of thousands of trained 

personnel have not done for many years? Even 

the bit that the drones can do is already being 

eroded and compromised by these reports of 

their acquisition. Where lies the element of 

surprise in all of this? What is left for the 

criminals out there, be they insurgents, known 

and unknown gun men and women; bandits 

and kidnappers or just plain Boko Haram 

What is leading our security 

agencies down this slope of selfdestructive 

unprofessionalism 

where they make so much song 

and dance of matters that ought 

to be kept confidential? 

operatives- what more is there for them to worry 

about when they can already see and know 

specific details of the latest equipment that are 

to be deployed to take them out of business? 

Which professional military or paramilitary 

organisation does this? 

Increasingly, one is almost persuaded that 

some of our security agencies are led by 

saboteurs and not committed officers. Or how 

else can one explain a pattern of behaviour 

that seems to aide crime and criminals at the 

expense of the people and properties to be 

protected? It is a known fact that a lot of the 

equipment being used by our overstretched 

military are obsolete. The so-called insurgents, 

IN moments of soaring 

confusion, some salient but very 

troubling issues may just develop 

unnoticed. Life goes on while those 

issues could build into a broth that 

could trouble the body in future. 

Especially in businesses where every 

Naira invested is of major interest 

to the investor, such things could 

either help the image of the business 

environment or deter investors to 

scram with their funds. As Nigerians 

waded through the flood in recent 

months, slept on the road for days 

while trying to connect one part of 

the country to another, or stay 

overnight at the filling stations, 

especially for those who live in Abuja, 

a small story sprouted out of Rivers 

State and has gained traction in 

Abuja, of which a final denouement 

could reverberate into the future of 

broadcast businesses across the 

nation. 

Standing on the pillars of the 6th 

Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting 

Code, a small broadcast operator in 

Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers 

State, Metro-Digital, initiated a 

David versus Goliath fight, when it 

took Multichoice to court with a 

prayer that the biggest pay TV 

operator in Africa, sub-license some 

of its channels to the Port Harcourt 

broadcaster. Quite innocuous. So it 

seems. But the wheel of justice grinds 

slowly and the patient one would 

usually take the fat bone arising 

from such odyssey. On July 13, 2022, 

08055069060 (SMS Only) 

For broadcasting, an early 

celebration of the death of monopoly 

an Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, 

ordered the broadcast regulator, the 

National Broadcasting 

Commission, NBC, to address the 

programming sublicensing 

complaint filed against Multichoice 

Nigeria Limited by Metro Digital 

Limited, by bringing the disputing 

parties to the round table. In setting 

aside the judgment of the lower 

court, the Appeal Court gave the 

following consequential order: “An 

order of mandatory injunction is 

issued to compel the 2nd respondent 

to issue directives on the appellant’s 

complaint against the 1st respondent 

pursuant to the Nigeria 

Broadcasting Code, 6th Edition (as 

amended). The 2nd respondent shall 

initiate the process for the 

determination of the dispute 

between the appellant and the 1st 

respondent within 21 days of the date 

of this judgment, under the auspices 

of the NBC Act, the 6th edition of the 

NBC Code and its addendum.” 

This was my observation on this 

development on July 27, 2022. “For 

me, the broadcasting industry is 

getting very interesting as the 

resolution of this case could go a 

long way to determine how business 

is done in the industry. It will affect 

the depth of competition. It will 

affect content development and 

ownership. It will teach us to watch 

out for mischief and act very 

spontaneously once a document is 

being done, and some smart fellows 

are throwing in some hidden traps. 

In fact it will add some accoutrement 

to the definition of deregulation in 

the business dictionary.” Dear 

friends, we are there right now. The 

regulator did not act within the 

window given, until it was goaded 

into action, this writer has gathered. 

Instead of calling a round table 

meeting between the disputing 

parties, the regulator with just some 

subtle pressure, has issued a directive 

to Multichoice to sublicense its 

channels to a competitor in the 

industry. Now the other party is over 

the moon, and those around are 

trying to restrain his flight or at least 

constrain him to the reality of the 

earth. Such is victory that can be so 

sweet but sometimes not too far way 

from ashes in the mouth. 

Irrespective of the 

developments, I still hold 

fast to my little opinion 

that pay TV and premium 

programming are 

inseparable but very 

challenging to achieve 

Part of the NBC letter addressed to 

the leadership of Multichoice, 

Nigeria, reads: “You are hereby 

directed to comply with the 6th 

Edition of the NBC Code as amended 

pursuant to Metro-Digital’s request 

for channel sublicensing as ordered 

by the Federal Court of Appeal.” 

According to reports, Chief Executive 

of Metro-Digital, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwafor, 

is overjoyed that the regulator has 

finally agreed with the court order 

and has equally expressed 

appreciation to the Federal 

Government, especially the Minister 

of Information and Culture, Alhaji 

Lai Mohammed, and the judiciary. 

“We are glad to announce today 

that NBC has complied with the order 

of the court. The end of monopoly in 

Nigerian broadcasting industry will 

enhance competition, innovation 

and quality of service delivery. The 

industry will enjoy rapid growth and 

consumers will benefit form 

competitive pricing that follows,” he 

was quoted to have said. You really 

have to accommodate the 

excitement of Dr. Nwafor and really 

encourage him to pitch his tent close 

to reality. Some contents of the Code 

really gave his spirits verve. For 

instance, Chapter 6 of the Code 

focuses on Sports Roghts, 

Acquisition, and, in fact, how an 

owner should treat his own products 

apropos the attitude of competitors 

in the market. 

For instance, the Code says in 6.2.5: 

To ensure fair and effective 

completion to all platforms at an 

agreed fee, rights owner, operators 

or exclusive licenses to Live Foreign 

Sporting Events shall offer rights to 

Broadcasters on the different 

platforms inclusive but not restricted 

to the platforms stated below - 

Satellite, DTH, Multipoint 

Microwave Distribution System, 

MMDS, Cable, Fibre Optics, DTT, 

Terrestrial, Internet, Mobile, Internet 

Protocol Television, IPTV, and Radio. 

The only problem, however, is that 

there is no closure on this case yet as 

Multichoice has proceeded to the 

Supreme Court, the highest court in 

the land, asking for relief and 

protection. I have no knowledge to 

ask whether the action of the 

regulator in issuing that directive is 

fit and proper. Such conjecture 

belongs to the learned ones in our 

midst but I can hint here that the 

journey ahead may be long, windy 

and rough. 

The only other intervening factor 

here is that sublicensing will be 

subject to a business decision between 

owners of contents, including sports, 

and those who want to be 

sublicensed. It may interest you that 

content owners may not want to sell 

at a loss no matter the content of the 

Code. It is first a business before those 

who hide behind patriotism to take 

what others have built up over time. 

Apart from the action already taken 

by the regulator, I am of the opinion 

that the entire broadcast ecosystem 

- the operators, including the parties 

in dispute, the regulator, the Ministry 

of Information and Culture, and 

even the invisible drummers who are 

playing for the little bird to dance on 

the road, will be waiting with bated 

interest to hear the pronouncement 

of the Supreme Court on this matter. 

Perhaps, just perhaps, we may be 

approaching a lasting peace in the 

broadcast industry. 

Irrespective of the developments, 

I still hold fast to my little opinion 

that pay TV and premium 

programming are inseparable but 

very challenging to achieve. It is 

expensive and it demands for people 

to wear their thinking, creative cap 

always. An operator that has 

achieved a niche in the sector can be 

accused of monopoly practices. 

Unfortunately, for me, I have been 

in some meetings where industry 

monopolies are discussed. 

Sometimes, I am in the minority 

when I point out that monopoly can 

spring from the greedy appetite of 

some industry players but, often 

times, it is fuelled by the laziness of 

other operators who are either too 

lazy to innovate, too petrified to dare, 

or simply do not have the funds to 

compete fairly. 

All of the above are at work in 

Nigeria. The broadcast industry has 

been challenged for a long time, 

leaving most of the operators to 

point at the direction of one operator 

who seemingly has stolen their beef. 

It is worse if such unfortunate 

reasoning bears the imprimatur of 

some fellows in government. But it 

is never too late to purge an idea 

whose emergence is tragic and 

unfortunate. The Supreme Court 

may provide a cushioning but 

cautionary resolution of a 

supervening uncertainty. 

Meanwhile, let’s say a celebratory 

orison for the death of monopoly in 

the nation’s broadcast industry!


SINCE February 25, 2022 when he 

assented to the Electoral Act 

Amendment Bill, President 

Muhammadu Buhari has continued to 

project an upbeat determination to 

deliver a free, fair and credible 

transitional election come February 

and March 2023. 

A president who had, in January this 

year, said he had a preferred 

candidate, suddenly allowed the Al 


presidential primaries to take place 

without interference. 

This was contrary to his predecessor, 

Olusegun Obasanjo, who influenced 

the emergence of most of the People’s 

Democratic Party, PDP, Governors 

and handpicked Umaru Yar’ Adua as 

presidential candidate as well as 

Goodluck Jonathan as his running 

mate in 2007. 

Buhari has also seized every handy 

opportunity both at home and abroad 

to harp on his commitment to credible 

elections. His assurance that there is 

Buhari’s upbeat 2023 soundbites 

no plan to remove Chairman of the 

Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood 

Yakubu, has also calmed frayed 

nerves. 

The Coalition of United Political 

Parties, CUPP, had alleged of plans to 

remove the INEC Chairman as part 

of conspiracies against the 2023 

elections. 

The public is particularly reassured 

by the Presidency’s affirmation that 

the proverbial “federal might”, used 

by incumbent ruling parties to rig 

elections in favour of their preferred 

candidates, will not be made available 

to anyone. 

On its own part, the INEC has been 

at the forefront of the push to digitise 

our voting process by adopting the 

electronic accreditation of voters 

through the Bimodal Voter 

Accreditation System, BVAS, and the 

electronic transmission of results from 

the polling unit to the Commission’s 

central server. 

The system has been tested in several 

off-cycle election in Anambra, Ekiti 

and Osun State where they produced 

credible and acceptable results. 

At least so far, the Buhari 

government and the INEC under it 

appear to be on the same page and 

marching together towards a hitchfree 

credible general election. We 

hope they continue in that accord until 

we cross the finish line. 

Buhari owes Nigeria a debt of 

gratitude for giving him his much 

sought opportunity to serve as an 

elected president after ruling the 

country as a military officer. 

He has a patriotic duty to carry aloft 

the banner of free and fair election 

which enabled him to defeat an 

incumbent president in 2015. If what 

we have seen so far of the 

preparations for the elections are 

anything to go by, we are likely to have 

better quality general elections come 

next year, and Buhari will take the 

credit for it. 

This can only happen if Buhari resists 

the temptation of being a party man 

instead of a statesman. His 

administration failed to deliver a lot 

of its campaign promises to the 

people. If he bequeaths free, fair, 

peaceful and acceptable elections as 

he promised, he will still be well 

remembered. 

Analysing three candidates 

By SUNNY IKHIOYA 

INTERESTINGLY, we have started on the 

journeyman's, ‘follow-follow’ walk again. 

We know what to do, but for religious, ethnic, 

and other sentiments, we are refusing to accept 

the realities of the situation. People are fighting, 

killing, and abusing each other, both on social 

media and on the ground. For all of us who are 

taking sides so passionately, as if our lives 

depended on it, have we taken time to analyse 

our situation? Are we doing things truly 

because we want our country to move forward, 

or because of what we can appropriate to 

ourselves? 

If we have truly done this rethinking, then let 

us look at these candidates one by one. Before 

I go any further, I must state that whoever 

emerges from the three candidates will 

perform better than this incumbent, that is, if 

he chooses to depart from the disastrous path 

that we have taken in recent years, he must 

depart from a cronyism and ethnic view of 

Nigeria. 

The first six months of Buhari was used to 

eliminate perceived obstacles and impose the 

kind of people he wants to work with, using 

permanent secretaries and directors of 

government controlled ministries and 

organisations. Secondly, it was very obvious 

that the influx of strange faces, after the Buhari 

victory at the 2015 elections, was a recipe for 

trouble. Some of us did point it out at that 

time, but we were waved aside as wailers. 

The governor of Bauchi State, Bala 

Mohammed, even went as far as claiming that, 

Fulani from all over the world are Nigerians 

and so, do not need any visa to come into the 

country. These, fired by religious and ethnic 

bigotry, have now dug deep inside our forests, 

causing untold hardship on poor and innocent 

Nigerians, minding their businesses in our 

country sides. 

Some of them do not bother to come into the 

towns and cities, they are contented in staying 

inside the bushes and forests, disturbing farmers 

of their legitimate source of living. They are 

untouchable, no matter the gravity of offence 

they commit, the law enforcement agents are 

powerless, as the body language from the top 

is vague to them. So, if any of the lucky 

candidate can remove these from the forests, 

with decisive actions, the country will be 

assured of an improvement in food supply. 

Also, the same body language from the top 

enabled some top investors in the country to 

make a 'japa' with their funds. Foreign direct 

investment went directly south, during that long 

six months of Buhari government without a 

cabinet in place, the new government could 

not guarantee continuity of policies and 

agreements put in place by previous 

government, so, activities took a nosedive and 

the economy even went into recession before 

the COVID-19 pandemic showed it face. 

Agreements reached with indigenous firms 

to secure our pipelines were also ruthlessly 

abrogated, and it became an open sesame for 

oil thieves to operate in the dimensions never 

witnessed before in this country. We are still 

struggling with the cumulative effects of all of 

these today and our first class economic experts 

have been experimenting with theories, both 

known and unknown, to put a halt to our naira 

free fall and inflation. 

Our solution is simple: just do the right 

OPINION 

things, and you will see what positive changes 

it will bring to the lot of Nigerians. The work 

of the incoming President is well cut out and 

straight forward, unless he choses the route of 

wastage that the outgoing government is 

presently bedeviled with. 

One thing that characterises Atiku 

Abubakar of PDP, Bola Tinubu of APC and 

Peter Obi of Labour Party is that, they are all 

cosmopolitan gentlemen, conversant with 

modern ways of living, with good exposures to 

people of different backgrounds and culture. 

When you can accommodate the individual 

intricacies of people and their cultures, you 

are better placed to run a country like Nigeria. 

The different crises that 

engulfed this country, both 

natural and man made, 

requires a leader that will be 

on ground at the shortest 

notice 

Do the above three people have the 

characteristics to govern Nigeria as a country 

of justice, equity and fairness? I believe they do 

have it but, do they have the political will to 

make this possible? That is what we should 

interrogate in each of them, because, it is one 

thing to know what to do and another, to have 

the political will to execute it. 

Buhari's focus and target is to properly settle 

his Fulani brethren, and you can see that he 

has demonstrated strong will and capacity to 

execute this. Despite the killings and protests 

all over the land, he has not wavered from that 

focus. 

Will any of these three be capable of returning 

us to the track of true nationhood, as dreamt 

by the founding fathers of this nation? Who 

Send Opinions & Letters to: 

opinions1234@yahoo.com 

among these three will you choose? As it is, it is 

not going to be an easy task for anyone coming 

as next president of Nigeria, the people have 

become so alienated from leadership that they 

have lost confidence. 

It requires an energetic, focused, ingenious, 

detribalized, secular, charismatic, shrewd, 

dispassionate and empathetic leader to lead 

us through the next phase. The different crises 

that engulfed this country, both natural and 

man made, requires a leader that will be on 

ground at the shortest notice, to have a feel of 

what the people are experiencing, direct and 

not through second hand information, like we 

see now with the flood disasters and other 

killings and massacres, which of these three 

will be able to play this key demanding role? 

Luckily for us again, these three have 

antecedents; we have seen Tinubu as governor 

of Lagos State, action packed, vibrant and fire 

spitting, ready to confront challenges and 

always leading from the front, with capable 

and equally agile young men beside him, but 

is he the same Tinubu today? Atiku at the height 

of PDP glorious years, was the poster boy of 

the party, interconnecting and reaching out to 

everyone. Shrewd in business, articulated and 

unifying, but does he still have that power, 

strength and charisma? 

We have also seen Peter Obi, as governor of 

Anambra State, his record is an open book, 

both in business and politics. We have seen his 

drive and sincerity to take the country back to 

its rightful course. We have also seen his energy, 

passion and cry for Nigerians to vote based 

solely on competence and nothing more. Those 

who have eyes to see and ears to hear, let them 

do the right thing for the sake of Nigeria 

•Ikhioya wrote via: 

www.southsouthecho.com

15 Nigerians make 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices cohorts 


At least, 15 Nigerian content 

creators and 25 others from 

South Africa and Kenya will be 

part of 2023 #YouTubeBlack 

Voices creators and artistes' 

cohorts. 

Online video sharing and social 

media platform, YouTube, on 

Tuesday, said the expansion was 

part of its efforts to support more 

content creators and to support 

the creative economy in Africa. 

It explained that grantees will 

receive $20,000 and $50,000 as 

seed funding, dedicated partner 

support for six months and have 

the opportunity to participate in 

programmes including bespoke 

training, workshops and 

networking programmes spread 

out through the year. 

It said: "Forty creators from 

Sub-Saharan Africa will be part 

of the 135 #YouTubeBlack Voices 

Creators selected globally who are 

enrolled into the cohort. Among 

the 23 #YouTubeBlack Voices 

Artists selected for the programme 

are African fast-rising musical 

artists, Gyakie from Ghana, 

Kamo Mphela from South Africa, 

Asake from Nigeria, and BNXN 

from Nigeria. 

"The cohort will also include 

Hip Hop producer MashBeatz 

from South Africa and Nairobibased 

producer Ukweli, who will 

be joining 17 #YouTubeBlack 

Voices Songwriters and Producers 

•L-R: Peter Oluka and Chike Onwuegbuchi, both Co-Conveners, Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTech); Dr. 

Austine Nwaulune, Director, Digital Economy, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Senator Ihenyen, 

President, Stakeholders in Blockchain Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) and Mr. Kelechi Nwankwo, Head, 

Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management, NCC, during the presentation of awards to the Commission 

at the 2022 AfriTech forum held in Lagos recently. 

Poor network: Punish culpable 

operators by porting out, 

NCC tells subcribers 


Following the constant 

complaints by Nigerians on 

poor services by telecom 

service providers, the Nigerian 

Communications Commission, 

NCC has urged Nigerians to 

change their networks when they 

feel dissatisfied. 

Responding to a questions on 

bad network by service , at NCC 

DAY event held at the just 

concluded 36th Lagos 

International Trade Fair, Director, 

Consumer Affairs Bureau, CAB, 

NCC, Mr Efosa Idehen said the 

Commission has taken care of the 

issue of bad network a long time 

ago by introducing mobile 

number portability. 

Idehen said: "Consumers are the 

king anytime, but the challenge 

we face in Nigeria is that 

consumers want us to mandate 

one particular service provider 

they like to do their best even when 

others are doing better than their 

preferred service providers. 

"When you don't like the service 

of your service provider, punish 

him by leaving. All you just need 

to do is to port to the best network 

that you feel is better. 

Ask them that you want to come 

to the network and then they will 

give you form and 

you type port to 

3232. 

"You have only 30 

days to stay with that 

network, if you don't 

like it, you can port 

to another one. The 

reason we did this is 

to ensure your 

number goes with 

you everywhere you 

go," he added. 

Responding 

further to 

contributions of the 

Commission to 

achieve seamless 

connection, he said: 

"For us in NCC, we 

are a technology 

n e u t r a l 

environment. What that means is 

that we really don't tell the 

technology the service providers 

will use but 5G is becoming a 

worldwide phenomenon; it is the 

one that can connect all things. 

NeüRMS sets pace for retail business 

management in Nigeria 

By Prince Osuagwu 

nnovation-driven ICT firm, 

ISoftStructures Limited, is setting the 

pace for effective retail distribution, and 

hospitality business management in 

Nigeria . 

The firm which recently introduced a new 

management solution called NeüRMS, 

says it's a game changer in the Nigerian 

and African business landscape. 

The solution provides a clear view of all 

business operations to help users make 

appropriate and timely decisions. 

The CEO of SoftStructures Limited, Mr. 

Lanre Olaniyan, while speaking at the 

launch said, "Some of the most critical 

features that apply to our business 

environment are unavailable or 

unaffordable. Sometimes, the software 

packages need help to understanding 

your stock. Some solutions are not 

We want to 

make it 

possible for 

service 

providers to 

be able to 

deliver 

services 

seamlessly 

in Nigeria 

and then to 

make 

Nigeria ns 

also enjoy 

intelligent, and users have to input many entries 

manually. For example, they have limited live carts 

and cannot attend to multiple customers. 

"What you now see is that despite the huge 

amounts spent on these retail management 

solutions, businesses still revert to Excel 

spreadsheets or other old computer-based tools 

to run their operations. However, they eventually 

discovered these methods are too timeconsuming, 

prone to errors, exposes them to theft 

and manipulations or point-blank too expensive 

or overly complex for SMEs to afford." 

Having identified these existing problems and 

critical business challenges, SoftStructures 

Limited, a wholly Nigerian tech solutions firm, 

developed NeüRMS to provide cost-effective and 

sustainable solutions for businesses to maximize 

their potential. 

Recently launched in Lagos, NeüRMS is already 

adopted by business owners across different 

sectors, including online and social media-based 

merchants seeking safer and quicker ways to sell 

and meet customers' needs respectively. 

The developers said it was fast emerging as a 

"You will be able to do a lot of 

things, such as Augmented Reality, 

AR, robotics and several other 

things that are necessary for the 

internet of things. 

"So, we are also going 

further to license the 

remaining spectrum for 5G. 

We want to make it possible 

for service providers to be 

able to deliver services 

seamlessly in Nigeria and 

then to make Nigeria to also 

enjoy the benefits of 

telecommunications. 

Speaking on why NCC 

was at the 2022 Lagos 

International Trade Fair, the 

36th edition, Idehen said 

NCC uses the opportunity of 

the trade fair to get to 

consumers, both corporate 

and individuals. 

He said: "It's an 

opportunity for consumers to 

understand what NCC has 

been doing in the telecoms space 

to ensure that life is better for the 

consumers because we consider 

the consumers the king of 

whatever we do. 


globally. 

MD, 

Emerging 

Markets,YouTube EMEA, Mr. Alex 

Okosi, said: "We are excited about 

the creators, musical artists and 

producers from Africa joining 

others from across the world in the 

2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices 

Fund. The initiative is dedicated 

to equipping up-and-coming 

Black creators and artists with the 

resources to succeed on our 

platform. 

"The artists, songwriters, and 

producers joining the 

#YouTubeBlack Voices Music 

Class of 2023 will be required to 

set goals, develop content 

strategy, and engage with their 

fans on YouTube, with the 

assistance of a YouTube partner 

manager. 

"There will be networking 

opportunities with other artists, 

songwriters, and producers 

included in the #YouTubeBlack 

Voices Fund, and a chance to 

maximise the impact of their 

channels as they provide 

catalogue-development 

opportunities. 

Sanwo-Olu, Tek Experts discuss 

modalities for developing more 

tech talents in Nigeria 


agos State governor, Mr. Babajide 

LSanwo-Olu and one of the 

leading technology companies, Tek 

Experts, are already chatting way 

forward to developing more tech 

talents in Nigeria to nip the braindrain 

epidemic plaguing Nigeria in 

the bud. 

Discussing in a meeting held at 

Tek Experts office in Lagos, Sanwo- 

Olu said technology and innovation 

are critical components of his 

administration's T.H.E.M.E.S 

agenda which is the framework for 

policy and project implementation. 

He said: "With Tek Experts' 

outlook, there may be grounds for 

solid partnership in the relevant 

areas of our policy agenda." 

He added: "As an enterprise, Tek 

Experts actively promotes Nigeria as 

a competitive location for global 

companies to meet their technical 

talent needs. The company believes 

this is crucial to reversing the braindrain 

epidemic plaguing Nigeria." 

Also, Tek Experts' Country 

Manager Nigeria, Mr. Olugbolohan 

Olusanya, said: "Our Company is 

dedicated to redefining the tech 

industry. We pride ourselves on our 

technical expertise to support 

technology companies by 

transforming their technical support 

and services function into a strategic 

value creation engine for growth. 

"Through our partnership with 

the Nigerian government and some 

of the world's largest technology 

brands, we have been able to source, 

skill, and scale local talent for the 

ICT industry. 

"Awareness about the negative 

effects of brain-drain on the local tech 

industry and the Nigerian economy 

is the motivation for Tek Experts' 

global advocacy and concerted 

efforts at dispelling misconceptions 

held about Nigeria's political stability, 

infrastructure and talents. 

"Specifically, the company 

promotes Nigeria's tech capabilities 

in addressing the global talent 

shortage and the country's meteoric 

rise as a dynamic outsourcing and 

offshoring location." 

Olusanya added: "Accordingly, 

Tek Experts' Lagos office has 

sourced over 1,800 technical experts 

locally to service and support their 

regional and global clients." 

...As Ogundare emerges Tek 

Experts Marketing Lead for Africa 


s part of efforts to advance the 

Apositioning of tech talents across 

Africa, Tek Experts has appointed 

Mrs. Modupe Ogundare as its new 

regional marketing manager for the 

African continent. 

The company said that her 

appointment will ensure the 

delivering of highly-skilled tech 

experts to global organisations across 

Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and 

North America. 

Prior to this development, 

Ogundare, who is a marketing and 

product leader with over seven years 

of industry experience within the 

marketing communications 

ecosystem, led the marketing team 

at Vetifly, a mobility-tech company. 

There, she demonstrated 

exceptional leadership, creativity, 

and strategic business decisionmaking 

skills to implement effective 

marketing campaign strategies. 

Commenting on the appointment, 

the Global Head of Marketing for 

Tek Experts, Katrina Busch, 

expressed her optimism that 

Modupe's extensive years of 

experience across the marketing 

ecosystem is poised to set the 

company on a novel ride to success 

in Africa. 

Busch said: "As Tek Experts 

continues to evolve and grow, we 

preferred solution because payment can be made in local 

currency, saving them the cost of paying in dollars or other 

foreign currencies. 

NeüRMS is a secure, subscription-based, and easy-to-use 

integrated retail management solution that reduces the 

mundane workload of running a retail, distribution, or 

hospitality business. 

•From left: Founder, NeuRMS, Lanre Olaniyan; Relationship 

Manager, NeuRMS, Mizpeh Solomon; Communication 

Manager, NeuRMS, Bolanle Ogunfowoke and Chief 

Technology Officer, Moses Emmanuel at the official Launch of 

NeuRMS retail management software and app in Lagos recently 

are focused on increasing awareness 

and driving leads for our service 

offerings. This is because we are 

confident that Africa holds great 

opportunities for us and having a 

strong marketing professional in 

Nigeria will help us deliver on our 

growth strategy. As such, we are 

confident that Modupe's strong 

experience in driving business 

growth through innovative 

marketing strategies will positively 

impact our desire to provide enabling 

Internet group 

announces 2022 

business clinic 

solutions for startups 

By Cynthia Alo 

he Nigeria Internet Group, a body 

Tset up to establish, guide and 

promote Internet use in Nigeria has 

announced its 2022 business clinic 

targeted at encouraging growth of 

startups in Nigeria. 

In a statement signed by the 

President of the council, Mr. Destiny 

Amana, called on both individuals 

and organizations intending to start 

or grow their businesses to actively 

participate in the 2022 internet 

business clinic which will hold 24th 

November 2022. 

According to the group, the Clinic 

will provide professional consulting, 

training services among others. 

The statement said: "Thought 

leaders will make presentations on key 

topics and illustrate how solutions are 

impacting various Internet 

Businesses, while IT firms, web 

hosting companies among others, 

exhibiting latest cutting-edge 

innovations in Internet trend impact 

and technologies as well as answers 

to customers numerous issues." 

The group also noted that there will 

be Web hosting companies, IT 

Support Businesses, Developers, and 

Bloggers who would be showcasing 

their products and services as well as 

to also proffer solutions to their 

numerous and would-be customers 

questions on various issues affecting 

the customers and new customers 

getting registered.






Abuja central law school for Nigeria - archaic (3) 

LAST week, I examined the practice in En 

gland, India and Canada. In this edition, 

I will deal with the practice in USA, Australia 

and Kenya. 

The United States of America: Similar to 

the practice in England and Canada, there is 

no central “American Law School” where all 

law graduates converge for 12 months for vocational 

bar training and examination. Although 

licensing requirements vary from one 

State to the other, in all States in the United 

States of America, the traditional route to become 

a lawyer is to first get an undergraduate 

degree in any discipline, then take the Law 

School Admission Test, LSAT, to be admitted 

to study law, obtain a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B, 

or Juris Doctor, JD, degree from an American 

Bar Association approved faculty of law, and 

then pass a bar licensing examination administered 

by a state bar. In the State of New York 

for example, the New York State Bar Exam is 

administered twice a year by the New York 

State Board of Law Examiners. This standardised 

bar examination is based entirely on selfstudy 

and is designed to test knowledge and 

skills that every lawyer should have before becoming 

licensed to practice law. The examinations 

are often administered in-person at 

licensed test sites. 

All applicants who pass the bar examination 

must then take and pass the Multistate 

Professional Responsibility Examination, 

MPRE, administered by the National Conference 

of Bar Examiners, NCBE, before they may 

be admitted to practice law. Candidates selfprepare 

for the Bar examination and the MPRE 

by reviewing the curriculum and materials 

provided by the examiners, and then undertake 

the prescribed tests. A bar aspirant that 

has passed the Bar exam and the MPRE, completed 

the 6–9 month articling (pupillage) 

term and satisfies good character and fitness 

requirements, is deemed eligible to be called 

to the Bar. The bar licensing system in the United 

States enables aspirants to self-prepare for 

bar examinations without the need to attend 

any central institution. Rather than incurring 

the additional costs of building and maintaining 

a central law school, Bar Examiners in the 

US offer a decentralized system of vocational 

bar training that provide aspirants with the 

option to either self-study or enroll in bar preparation 

courses with private institutions such 

as KAPLAN and BARBRI that lessons and practice 

materials for those who require coaching 

and can afford the associated costs. 

Australia: Similar to the practice in England, 

Canada and the US, there is no central “Australian 

Law School” where all law graduates 

converge for 12 months for vocational bar 

training and examination. Although licensing 

requirements vary from one State to the other, 

in all States in Australia, the traditional route 

to become a lawyer is to first obtain a Bachelor 

of Laws degree, and then complete a prescribed 

Practical Legal Training, PLT, course 

conducted by a licensed PLT service provider 

accredited by the Board. 

The accredited service providers run the PLT 

course for three months (full time) or eight 

months (part-time) and then conduct assessment 

examination for candidates. Alternatively, 

a law graduate may satisfy the PLT requirement 

through supervised legal training in a 

workplace for a period of not less than 12 

months, under a training plan approved by 

the Board, which the Board determines adequately 

provides for the trainee to satisfy the 

requirements of legal training. Upon satisfying 

the PLT requirement and meeting the good 

character and fitness requirements, an aspirant 

is deemed eligible to be admitted as an 

Australian lawyer by the Supreme Court of a 

state in Australia. 

Upon being admitted as an Australian lawyer, 

the lawyer must then seek a practising certificate 

to practice as a barrister from the Bar 

Association or as a solicitor from the Law Society. 

The core requirements for the issue of a 

practising certificate for solicitors are: to have 

in place professional indemnity insurance, to 

undertake and complete mandatory continuing 

legal education for the year, and to produce 

a declaration that the applicant is a fit 

and proper person. Newly licensed solicitors 

typically receive a restricted license which 

makes it mandatory to work under a principal 

for the first two years of being admitted. This is 

to prevent a situation in which new lawyers, in 

their initial two years of practice and with no 

knowledge of practice, will rush to set up their 

own practice without a period of supervision 

and training. An Australian lawyer willing to 

practice as a barrister goes through a different 

licensing system. After being admitted as a 

lawyer, an aspiring barrister must pass the prescribed 

Bar Examination (with a mark of 75 

percent in the two exam papers governing practice 

and procedure, ethics and evidence) and 

then enrol in the Bar Practice Course, a 4-6 

weeks practical vocational training course 

which is administered on a full time basis by 

the respective Bar Association. 

The Bar Practice Course is held twice per 

year and it emphasises the advanced advocacy 

and mediation skills required to practice 

as a barrister. In the first year of receiving practising 

certificate, a barrister must undertake a 

“reading period” during which the new wigs 

may not appear in court alone without a principal. 

The barrister becomes eligible to receive 

an unrestricted practicing certificate from their 

second year onwards. It is clear from the foregoing 

that the streamlined and decentralized 

licensing system in Australia enables aspirants 

to prepare for, and complete PLT examinations, 

by selecting any of the licensed PLT centers 

of their choice based on cost, reputation, 

Bar Examiners in the US 

offer a decentralized system 

of vocational bar training 

that provide aspirants with 

the option to either selfstudy 

or enroll in bar 

preparation courses with 

private institutions 

and geographical location of the preferred 

training center. Also, rather than incurring the 

additional costs of building and maintaining 

a central law school, the Bar Associations play 

the role of a regulator that accredits and maintains 

rigorous standards for private licensed 

centres to ensure that the vocational training 

provided are of the highest quality. This approach 

not only reduces the logistical challenges 

associated with moving to different 

parts of the country for the purpose of vocational 

training, it also encourages competition 

in the provision of legal education services 

by the accredited PLT centres. 

Kenya: Earlier this year, Kenya joined the 

league of countries to license private service 

providers to conduct the bar training programme, 

known as the Advocates Training 

Programme, ATP, when the parliament recently 

passed the Legal Education (Amendment) 

Bill of 2022. Prior to the Bill, all law graduates 

in Kenya had to enrol in a one-year ATP course 

offered solely by the centralised Kenya School 

of Law, KSL. However, space, infrastructure, 

and funding constraints, coupled with the 

dearth of qualified teachers, that bedevilled 

the Kenya School of Law over the years saw 

many law graduates being unable to gain admission 

to complete their bar training courses 

which delayed their admission to the Bar for 

several years. To address this problem, Kenya 

decided to reform its bar licensing system to 

reduce the sole control of the Kenya School of 

Law in administering the ATP. 

Kenya’s Legal Education (Amendment) Bill 

of 2022 now makes it possible for the Council 

of Legal Education in Kenya to accredit other 

legal education providers and private institutions 

to offer relevant training, courses and 

examinations required for the purpose of licensing 

of the Advocates Training Programme. 

The Council’s role is to set and enforce standards 

relating to the accreditation of legal 

education providers for the purposes of licensing; 

curricula and mode of instruction; mode 

and quality of examinations; harmonization 

of legal education programmes; and monitoring 

and evaluation of legal education providers 

and programmes. This reform has been 

widely hailed in Kenya for widening access to 

high quality legal education and for opening 

up competitive opportunities that will ensure 

that private service providers offer innovative 

and technology driven legal education to aspiring 

lawyers in Kenya in line with international 

best practices.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022— 25 

Up-skilling, engine 

of wealth creation 

in business 

—Bose Abisagboola 

EVENT School London Graduate, Bose Abisagboola is the 

Senior Creative Designer of 2A’S Events Ltd. She is the 

coordinator of delegates to IMEX America an international 

gathering of professionals in the event industry. 

An expert in events decor and creative skill acquisition with local 

is an associate member, Women in Management, Business and 

Public Service, WIMBIZ. 

A member of Builder Initiative, STEP’s Entrepreneurship 

Development Program, EDP and ALUMNI; LEAP AFRICA as well 

as Business Leadership Program BLP. A convener, Creative Hands” 

“Summer skill up” an event decor and management training 

program among others. She is currently the Public Relations 

Director of Association of Professional Party Organizers and Event 

Managers of Nigeria, APPOEMN. 

Event planning and 

management has taken a new 

dimension, how has this affected 

your business? 

Positive and in many ways. For my 

business, it’s first the push to be 

innovative and see growth 

opportunities in every challenging 

time which gave me the insight to 

optimize our brand, strength to focus 

on them in order to navigate through 

the new dimensions relevant to scale 

up and even birth new frontiers for the 

business. 

The challenging times have also 

helped us to explore technological 

approaches to innovate and maintain 

significantly the relevance of our brand 

with existing clients and new ones. It 

Bose Abisagboola 

has also helped us to access upgraded 

trends and new tools available to 

execute event’s needs. Other ways this 

has affected our business is the 

trimming down of staff strength to 

embrace skill set experts as team 

partners (contract staffs with needed 

skills to achieve excellence 

consistently for each event service we 

render which is one of the core values 

embedded in our vision and mission 

statement). 

In some ways it’s been quite 

challenging with the pressure of 

economic situations of the country 

having its toll on various repeat clients 

and new ones who have a certain 

budget to fund their big dreams, 

projects or events. We are so 

constrained with increasing costs due 

to inflation and down times in the 

economy. We have been toughened 

and become more resilient to push 

beyond the limits, challenged to look 

inwards to build great teams as business 

partners to continue to strengthen our 

value-oriented brand promises to our 

clients. However, I believe things will 

get better as we sail courteously, 

gaining more knowledge through 

training and doing business with these 

new dimensions to enhance growth and 

stability no matter the times we are in. 

What ideology are you exploring 

to carve a niche for yourself in the 

industry? 

Our ideology is innovation, 

Innovation and Innovation. We stick 

to our values despite the challenging 

times. We refuse to compromise on 

delivering quality services. We 

continue to be innovative, achieving 

great feats using creative minds to come 

up with events and bring our clients 

into that experience that lingers. 

Basically, our ideology is found in our 

slogan. “Creating ambience that 

becomes an experience”. 

Challenges of meeting new 

clients and retaining old ones, has 

that taken a toll on your business 

and what benefits has this 

brought to your business? 

I will say we have been blessed with 

loyal clients who have remained with 

the business through our growing years 

and the consistency of the brand vision 

opens us to new clients . We enjoy good 

referrals as we take one event at a time; 

bring each client to experience our 

brand which never leaves them the 

same. For each satisfied client, we are 

rewarded with referrals. 

They are excited to spread the word 

about their experience within their 

network which results in new clients. I 

personally love seeing beautiful, wellorganized 

cities or places that inspire 

me, consequently I inspire my team in 

return and we influence our clients’ 

special events or occasions with that 

exposure. Also attending relevant 

networking events and being a part of 

business communities gives us the 

opportunity to meet new people who 

turn out in some 

cases 

as new 

Despite the 

challenging 

economy, 

Nigerians celebrate 

life daily 

regardless! But the 

economic power to 

do so has 

drastically 

changed 

clients or refer 

us to 

new clients. Creating the time for 

networking is sometimes challenging 

but definitely worth it. 

Given the economic situation of 

the country, would you say the 

sector is thriving? 

Right now, it’s a struggle, the economy 

isn’t helping. The sector has a huge 

capacity to grow the economy, which 

it still does to some great extent, but 

things can be better. Our country is 

arguably touted as one of the happiest 

people on planet earth. We celebrate 

everything and anything. Despite the 

challenging economy, Nigerians 

celebrate life daily regardless! But the 

economic power to do so has drastically 

changed, nevertheless we still celebrate, 

and this helps the economy greatly. 

This attitude is what has made the sector 

continue to thrive regardless of the 

harsh economy. Imagine how many 

vendors and collaborators that are 

involved in planning and executing an 

event every weekend. (a whole lot that 

I would like to leave to your 

imagination). This has a great impact on 

our GDP, and I believe this should 

attract the attention of our government 

and encourage them to create a more 

conducive environment for this sector 

to thrive even more. 

Who are your targets and how do 

you intend to maintain your 

standards looking at the reality 

on ground? 

As I said in my last answer, 

Nigerians celebrate. So, every 

Nigerian, individuals or an 

organization who appreciates 

value and intends to have an 

experience with their events. 

Those are our targets. We 

intend to maintain our 

standards 

through 

innovations, exposure to 

strategic training and 

networking activities within and 

outside our shores. We must as 

an organization continue to 

evolve, change our strategies, 

acquire new skills, explore new 

ideas and innovations, and improve 

through learning and exposure to 

global standards. All of these we bring 

into our events and that has consistently 

helped us to stand out from the crowd. 

Where do you hope to see your 

business in the next five years? 

A Global marketable Events business, a 

World Class organization. Breaking the 

code of doing events business efficiently 

not just locally but to a global clientele 

& audience. 

Do you intend to have an academy 

to train intending event planners? 

YES! More of a career school for building 

capacity for event professionals.

26 — 

VANGU 

ANGUARD, ARD, WEDNESDAY, , NOVEMBER 16, 2022 

He has moved on and it hurts 

Dear Bunmi, 

MY boyfriend of 

almost a year has 

walked out on our 

relationship. It was a 

rocky one, to say the least 

and I’d even called things 

off a few times. But we 

always got back together. 

This time around, he says 

he’s had enough of the 

whole thing. I’ve pleaded 

with him to give me another 

chance, but he won’t. I’m 

absolutely gutted. 

Can we ever become lovers? 

Dear Bunmi, 

I 

HAVE this male 

colleague at work and 

we are very friendly. We 

see and chat with each 

other every day. We’re 

both single and so far, the 

relationship has been 

purely platonic –except for 

once or twice that we have 

kissed when slightly tipsy. 

Lately, I’ve been having 

fantasies about him. I’m 

not sure he feels the same 

way and I’m worried an 

affair might ruin our 

relationship. How do I 

make the first move without 

Imabong, by e-mail. 

Dear Imabong, 

I won’t be gutted if I were 

you. I’d be delighted. 

Your boyfriend has finally 

decided to call a halt to a 

problem situation. I say 

good riddance! 

You’ve both been unsure 

about the relationship from 

the start. And you’ve 

made each other very 

unhappy. You’d be mad to 

think you have a future 

making a fool of myself. 

Doyin, by e-mail. 

Dear Doyin, 

Friendship is believed to 

be the best possible soil in 

which love can take root, 

grow and flourish. By 

contrast, an affair, which 

begins like a bolt from the 

blues, bums out fairly 

quickly when passion dies 

and the couple suddenly 

realises that they have very 

little to offer each other 

beyond intimacy. 

It is a good thing you 

bonded well with your male 

He doesn’t care for us 

Dear Bunmi, 

I 

AM a single mother 

with a partner that is 

highly unreliable. In spite 

of having a young 

daughter, we don’t see him 

for days on end. He 

doesn’t phone to see if we 

are alright though a lot of 

his friends see and hear 

from him regularly. 

I haven’t seen him for 

close to two months now 

and when he eventually 

answered my call, he said 

I should stop pestering 

him. Am I crazy for 

expecting him to keep in 

touch? 

Labo, by e-mail. 

Dear Labo, 

You’re crazy alright for 

putting up with a man like 

him. He’s treating you 

appallingly. It’s obvious 

he doesn’t care for you or 

want to be with his child. 

There’s also the question of 

where he stays when he’s 

away from home. Is he 

playing away? You need to 

make a decision – either turn 

this relationship around by 

asking your man outright 

what he really wants or walk 

away and find someone who 

really cares. 

together. 

I’m sure you are not upset 

about losing the relationship 

– what’s there to miss about 

it? But you are obviously 

upset the man is rejecting 

you. You’ll do anything to 

get him back and so prove you 

are not a total failure in love. 

Seriously though, you 

should let him go. There are 

plenty more men out there, 

most of whom have a much 

better chance of making you far 

happier than your current man has. 

friend and he probably 

depends as much on your 

support as you do on his. 

Someone who know you at 

work knows the real you; 

the way you react under 

pressure. And you know 

him just as well. You are, 

therefore, lucky to have 

found someone who is such 

a soul mate and whom you 

also find attractive. 

When it comes to love, 

women often call the shots 

through body language and 

subtle come-ons. As many 

men are terrified of 

rejection, you must be the 

one to make a move. If you 

don’t you’ll always regret it, 

wondering what might have 

been. And if you keep him 

at arm’s length, he may one 

day turn up with a girlfriend. 

I’m sure you’ll find this 

devastating judging by how 

you now feel about him. So 

when next you go out together 

in the evening, stay alert for 

any signals that his interest 

in you is not really platonic – 

and make sure booze is not 

high on the menu. 

Try flirting a little to see if 

he’s willing to follow your 

lead. At the end of the 

evening, you may invite him 

for a proper drink. If he 

doesn’t respond as you would 

like, you won’t have harmed 

your friendship. 

I need to break off from this older lover 

Dear Bunmi, 

I 

MET my boyfriend 

when I was 18 and 

we’ve been together for five 

years. The problem is, 

we’re always arguing but I 

know we love each other. 

Unfortunately, I’ve 

started sleeping with a 

married friend of my 

uncle. He’s much older 

than I am and I don’t know 

how it happened or why I’m 

doing it. 

He gives me a lot of gifts 

and money but I don’t love 

him at all. All I know is 

that if his wife, my uncle or 

my boyfriend finds out 

about this relationship, 

there will be a lot of 

trouble. How do I get out? 

Lape, by e-mail. 

Dear Lape, 

You’ll have to be strong 

and tell your lover the affair 

is over. Don’t blame 

yourself too much – he’s 

behaving badly and you are 

clearly vulnerable. 

Arguments are always upsetting 

and although you 

and your boyfriend love 

each other, there are 

pressures upon you – 

especially from this dirty 

old man who thinks he can 

buy your affection with 

money. 

Very few relationships 

begun at 18 stand the test 

of time – people change as 

they grow up. 

If there’s someone you 

can talk to, then ask for 

their support in making 

your relationship work. 

I wish he were lots younger! 

Dear Bunmi, 

IAM in my mid-20s and 

have known my current 

partner for over three years. 

He’s in his late 40s and a 

widower. He is bald and 

certainly looks his age. My 

friends say I can do better 

than what I’ve got. I really 

care for him as he’s been very 

supportive financially but 

there are times I look at him 

and wish he were 20 years 

younger. 

Kemi, by e-mail. 

Dear Kemi, 

You care for your man and 

want to be with him but the 

message that people close to 

you convey with cruel jibes or 

kindly meant advice is that, 

by being with this man, you’re 

throwing your life away. 

Even though your man gives 

you a great deal of what you 

need, recognise that you may 

find yourself attracted to 

younger men and that this 

man may not be the one who 

one day will become your 

husband and father your kids. 

Have you talked this over 

with him? The thought that 

you can be friends and lovers 

and not life-long partners 

might ease your current 

discomfort. There are 

marriages that have thrived 

where the husbands are much 

older. But you don’t even 

seem happy with the man you 

have and wishing he were 

younger wouldn’t change 

anything. 

Why is he always texting in 

the toilet? 

Janette, by e-mail. 

Dear Bunmi, 

I 

CURRENTLY live with 

my boyfriend of 10 

months and I never thought 

he would cheat on me – I 

know we love each other 

deeply. But he recently came 

back from a three-week course 

where he said he got friendly 

with a female delegate from 

another company. 

I thought nothing of this but, 

one night, I caught him in the 

toilet sending a text message. 

He flushed the toilet to 

distract me, but when I looked 

at his mobile when he was 

having a bath, I saw he’d just 

sent a suggestive text to this 

woman. 

When I confronted him, he 

swore nothing happened 

between them – he’s even 

keen on going ahead with our 

wedding plans. I feel as if I 

can’t ever trust him again. 

Dear Janette, 

The only way you can trust 

your man again is if you can 

be sure he’ll never misbehave 

again. And the only way to 

be sure he doesn’t is to find 

out why he misbehaved in the 

first place and make sure 

those reasons don’t come up 

again. So, why did he text 

this course mate? Was he 

bored? Feeling trapped? 

Was he flattered by her 

attentions? Or maybe he 

panicked that he isn’t 

attractive to women apart from 

you! 

You need to have a heart-toheart 

with your man and not 

one where you scream at him! 

Listen to him. Find out 

what’s really going on in his 

mind about you both. Then 

you’ll know whether you can 

create a relationship in which 

he’ll be faithful in future. 

Must I have a boyfriend? 

Dear Bunmi, 

IN my 26 years on this 

earth, I have only had a 

casual relationship with a 

man I met at the university 

but we were not intimate. I 

don’t really fancy the idea of 

having a boyfriend but my 

family and friends are at my 

back to have one and are 

always matchmaking. I have 

a good career and I don’t 

mind being single. Is this 

normal? 

Nkechi, by e-mail. 

Dear Nkechi, 

It doesn’t matter if your 

views are normal or not, they 

are yours, so stick to them. 

You don’t need to get 

irritated with your family and 

friends. They match-make 

because they are concerned 

about you. In the meantime, 

take another look at your 

views on relationship. I bet 

that deep down, you must 

have a bit of anxiety about it 

all. Maybe you worry you 

would have to compromise 

too much. Or is it because 

you have seen a lot of 

relationships turn bad and 

want none of it? 

You are right not to want to 

settle for an unhappy life, 

but you can choose a partner 

who respects your space and 

have a relationship that 

works for you. A lot of women 

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By Anayo Okoli, Vincent 

Ujumadu, Chimaobi Nwaiwu, 

Nwabueze Okonkwo, 

Ugochukwu Alaribe, Steve 

Oko, Chinedu Adonu, 

Ikechukwu Odu & Emmanuel 

Iheaka. 

ENUGU—WHEN Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar, the presidential 

candidate of People’s 

Democratic Party recently visited South 

East zone to meet party stakeholders, 

he was quoted to have told them that 

the best guarantee for the zone to get 

the presidency of Nigeria is to wait for 

him to win and serve out his tenure. 

Atiku’s promise drew the anger of 

people of the zone who see it as an insult 

and insensitive of him as the zone had 

contributed so much to PDP. 

Former Minister of Finance, Kalu 

Idika Kalu dismissed Atiku’s advice, 

saying the former vice president should 

not arrogate to himself the position of 

God who anoints kings. He said that it 

is the people and not Atiku, that 

determine when a South Easterner 

becomes President of Nigeria. 

“It is for the Nigerian people to 

determine who succeeds President 

Buhari to continue our democracy, 

restore peace with security and 

judicious equity. No one person, not even 

my friend and Turaki Adamawa can 

change this”, Kalu Idika said. 

Abia monarch reacts, says it's selfish, 

insensitive of Atiku. The Paramount 

ruler of Abiriba Ancient Kingdom, Abia 

State, Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu, 

Enachioken Abiriba said it was very 

insensitive of Atiku Abubakar to suggest 

that Ndigbo should wait after his tenure 

before trying to become President of 

Nigeria. 

“I don't understand what he means 

by that. I can't join issues with him. But 

this is the height of selfishness and 

insensitivity on the part of Atiku”, the 

revered monarch said. 

He, however, blamed South East PDP 

stakeholders who listened to Atiku 

without responding appropriately to his 

comments. 

“What really matters at this point is 

what the stakeholders told him after 

hearing from him. What is the 

assurance that the Igbo nation can ever 

produce a president with the North 

known to shift the goal post as it pleases 

them? It is now clear that certain people 

have shared this nation among 

members of their exclusive club. They 

move the goal post without recourse to 

equity, fairness and justice. We can only 

watch and pray. 

“I love Atiku. I would have preferred 

that he supports an Igbo man to lead 

Nigeria after which he can come and 

he will be voted by the Igbo nation as a 

hero. It is insensitive for him to ask Igbo 

to wait until after 8 years to be 

president”, the monarch said. 

Igore him, Atiku does not keep 

promise-Ndukwe. 

A PDP chieftain, Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe 

said Atiku is not serious, saying that he 

is a man who does not keep promises. 

Ndukwe, a former Deputy Speaker of 

Abia House of Assembly and one of the 

THE TEAM 

SUPERVISING EDITOR: 

Chioima Gabriel, Lagos. 

(08052201257) 

REGIONAL EDITOR 

Anayo Okoli, Enugu. 

(08034046839) 

Vincent Ujumadu- Awka 

Dennis Agbo- Enugu 

Chinedu Adonu-Enugu 

Chidi Nkwopara- Owerri 

Chinonso Alozie- Owerri 

Emmanuel Iheaka- Owerri. 

Peter Okutu-Abakiliki 

Chimaobi Nwaiwu-Nnewi 

Nwabueze Okonkwo- 

Onitsha 

Ugochukwu Alaribe- Abia 

Steve Oko- Abia 

Ikechukwu Odu-Nsukka. 

•Igbo Leaders 

Presidency: Would Igbo 

wait for Atiku before taking 

turn? 

•Atiku can’t determine when South East gets President-- Kalu 

Idika Kalu. •It's insensitive of Atiku, North always shifts goalpost 

--Abia monarch •No Southerner should vote for Atiku—Ezeife. 

•Just mere political statement; Atiku doesn't keep promises 

—Ndukwe. •Unfortunate, Atiku has courage to insult the 

sensibilities of Ndigbo--Imeobi Igbo. 

PDP presidential aspirants for 2023 

elections, said what Atiku told PDP 

stakeholders during his visit was a mere 

political statement. 

“The statement by Atiku was political 

statement. Has Atiku ever kept his 

words? The statement would have been 

taken seriously had it been that he is a 

promise or covenant keeper, or if he is a 

personality that stands by his words. 

“This is just a political statement. This 

is what I call crowd chasing for him to 

get what he wants. Just like other 

politicians, they can kneel and speak 

good grammar and make promises 

that they don't keep. 

So, I don't consider this statement 

something serious”, he noted. He 

cautioned Atiku not insult Ndigbo by 

assuming the position of God and 

Nigerian electorate who alone will say 

who becomes President. 

Don’t vote for Atiku-Ezeife urges 

South Easterners. 

Angered by Atiku’s statement, elder 

statesman and former Governor of 

Anambra state, Dr. Chukwuemeka 

Ezeife advised Southerners not to vote 

for Atiku Abubakar in 2023 

presidential election. He described 

Atiku’s position as an affront to the Igbo. 

“The North has taken before. The 

South West has taken. The South South 

has taken and the North is presently in 

power. So, why can't the South East 

take? 

“I was chairman of power sharing 

committee some time ago when it was 

agreed that power should rotate 

between the North and the South but 

Atiku, as a Northerner, wants to take 

over from a Northerner. Atiku, as a 

Muslim wants to take over from a 

Muslim. Atiku, as a Fulani wants to 

take over from a Fulani. I think he is 

the real enemy of Nigeria. 

“In 2019, the entire South East voted 

for Atiku, he lost. But when we were 

fighting for the actualization of his 

mandate in the tribunal, he abandoned 

us and jetted out to Dubai. Now, he has 

come back to solicit for our vote again 

even when he knows that it is no longer 

the turn of the north. 

“So, my advice to him is to either 

withdraw from the race or be 

disqualified from the contest. His claim 

to be a unifier is now in doubt. Intact he 

should be called enemy of unity for 

attempting to take the power that 

belongs to the South Easterners. By my 

calculation, he has succeeded in 

destroying PDP and I believe, his time 

is up”, Ezeife said. 

Atiku’s promise lacks sense of 

justice, equity--ASETU. 

National President, Association of 

South East Town Unions, ASETU, Chief 

Emeka Diwe, dismissed Atiku’s 

promise as lacking sense of justice and 

equity and should not be taken serious. 

Diwe stated that Atiku’s promise 

implies that the PDP presidential 

candidate clearly lacks what it takes to 

convince the people of the zone to 

support his ambition. He noted that 

Atiku’s promise doesn’t follow natural 

justice as, Muhammadu Buhari, a 

Northerner will complete eight years 

in office as President in 2023. 

His words: “Atiku’s promise lacks 

foundation. It is baseless. It is too vague 

l Iove Atiku. I 

would have 

preferred that 

he supports an 

Igbo man to 

lead Nigeria 

after which he 

can come and 

he will be voted 

by the Igbo 

nation as a hero 

and lacks sound political logic. How 

sure is Atiku to win the presidency and 

hand over to the Igbo after his tenure? 

Such a matter doesn’t merit discussion 

because Atiku has shown that he has 

no sense of justice and equity. Atiku’s 

promise to the Igbo doesn’t follow 

natural justice. It is not justifiable. It 

doesn’t make any sense. Atiku doesn’t 

own Nigeria and can’t be promising 

who to hand over power to. 

“It is shocking that a presidential 

candidate of Atiku’s wants to run after 

Buhari, his brother from the same North 

is finishing 8 years tenure. This shows 

Atiku has no sense of justice. What does 

he take the Igbo for? If he loves the Igbo, 

he should drop his ambition and 

support one of the Igbo candidates”. 

It is an insult for Ndigbo--Imeobi 

Igbo Forum lashes Atiku. 

Imeobi Igbo Forum, a Pan Igbo 

socio-cultural group, said it was a big 

insult for Atiku to think Ndigbo can’t 

be president unless after him. 

"It is unfortunate that Atiku draws his 

courage to insult the sensibilities of 

Ndigbo from some unserious and 

selfish politicians parading themselves 

as Igbo elites whose slavish mentality 

is all about crumbs to pick for self and 

never for the general good. 

“The relegation Igbo are suffering 

today is because we embraced PDP 

with our whole hearts and souls. For 

rejecting APC is reason we are 

completely removed from important 

political and governmental spaces 

today. Now that it is time for Ndigbo, 

PDP jettisoned its age zoning formula 

and Atiku is contesting again to spite 

us. It is naive to think that after eight 

years of power in the North, Ndigbo 

will concede another eight years to 

please Atiku. 

The group said Atiku's promise was 

a mere promissory note which should 

be consigned to the dust bin, insisting 

that “for equity, justice and fairness, next 

Nigeria President should come from 

South East. Luckily, God has brought 

Peter Obi who stands head and 

shoulders above the other candidates 

in the race”, Dr. Mike Ikegulu, the 

National Chairman of the group said. 

Nwodo agrees with Atiku, says it is 

best option for Ndigbo. 

The former National Chairman of 

the People's Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. 

Okwesilieze Nwodo agrees with Atiku, 

saying that supporting the presidential 

ambition of Atiku Abubakar is the surest 

way for South East to produce the 

President of Nigeria as Atiku had 

always expressed his ambition to hand 

over power to someone from South East 

Nigeria should he become the 

President of the country. 

“If you follow the voting pattern in 

this country, no geopolitical zone can 

aspire to produce the president of 

Nigeria alone. We have Peter Obi 

running for the position of the President 

of Nigeria; we wish him all the best. 

But what other zones are supporting 

us? We need to score 25 percent in 24 

states. My belief is that South East 

alliance with the North is the surest way 

we produce a President of Nigeria. Atiku 

has always told some of us who are 

close to him that if he becomes the 

President of Nigeria, he would be 

succeeded by someone from South 

East”. 

It is an insult to Igbo nation, a mere 

political statement. 

The National President of Igbo 

National Congress, INC, Comrade 

Chilos Godsent described Atiku’s 

statement as an insult on the Igbo. He 

said the Igbo have had enough of insult 

from the PDP and do not deserve any 

more. 

For Comrade Kindness Jonah, Atiku 

made a mere political statement, 

insisting that only the electorate will 

determine who becomes president, not 

Atiku Abubakar. 

“Atiku is of no power to realize that 

promise even as a President. 

Nigeria is heading towards 

restructuring that will certainly curtail 

the excesses of the President to lord it on 

Nigerians. So, that statement is 

democratically irrelevant”, he said. 

Look beyond Atiku-Ozobu to 

Ndigbo. 

Prince Richard Ozobu urged the Igbo 

to look beyond Atiku’s promise. 

Atiku, he said, sounded boastful and 

disrespected to the Igbo by that promise 

which he said is a sad reminder of the 

marginalization of the Igbo in Nigeria. 

“Why must the Igbo wait for Atiku to 

be president before getting it, this is not 

the first time such a political promise 

has been made to the Igbo. So, what is 

different in Atiku’s case”, Ozobu 

wondered. 

Prominent Anambra politician and 

political adviser to Governor 

Chukwuma Soludo, Dr. Alex 

Obiogbolu, said Atiku's promise could 

amount to another deceit. 

Obiogbolu said: “PDP was founded 

on zoning, fairness and national 

patriotism. That was the reason in 2019, 

the PDP ticket went to Atiku, a 

Northerner; Igbo people supported 

him thinking that PDP will protect their 

interest at the national level. Now that 

it is time for the South East to run for 

presidency, PDP threw the slot back to 

the North. That is a big injustice”. 

Chief Marcus Nwafor, a political 

commentator, said Igbo people have 

come to realize that politicians from 

other parts of the country are merely 

taking them for a ride when it comes to 

supporting an Igbo for the country's 

highest office. 

Chief Johnson Okolo, an Onitsha 

based industrialist, described Atiku’s 

promise is an insult to Ndigbo. He 

wondered why Igbo leaders did not 

challenge him. Atiku and Igbo 

politicians working for him should be 

ignored because they are not sincere. 

“I blame South East political leaders 

for the insult the North is giving the 

Igbo. We elect them into positions of 

leadership, instead of working for our 

collective interest; they work for the 

interest of the North. The North treats 

them without respect; they behave like 

slaves to the Northern politicians, 

thinking it is the North that will give 

them President, as if they have the sole 

power to make others president of 

Nigeria. It is time the Igbo work 

together and clinch that position; it does 

not belong to any particular ethnic 

group”, Okolo said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER, 16, 2022 — 29 

:Vanguard :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 

2023: Ex-militants blast PDP, vow to support Omo-Agege 

U Association GHELLI—NATIONAL 

of Niger Delta 

Ex- Militant Leaders, Delta State 

Chapter, has said that the failure 

of the Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, to give good governance to 

the people of the state was a 

motivation to rally support for 

governorship candidate of the All 


Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and 

other candidates of the party in 

the state in the 2023 general 

election. 

The National Chairman of the 

group, self styled 'Gen' Figbele 

Joseph who stated this in a 

statement after their meeting, said: 

"the association has met today to 

critically examine the level 

governance in the state for the past 

two decades by the ruling Party, 

People's Democratic Party, PDP. 

"Having 

assessed 

developments at different 

ramifications to include, road 

infrastructure, education sector, 

Health, security of lives and 

properties, technological 

advancement among other 

sectors, in different sections of the 

oil rich state, we expressed 

dissatisfaction over the poor level 

of development in the state in spite 

of the enormous resources in the 

state. 

"The PDP in the state has done 

little or no encouraging jobs in the 

state for the past 15 years of former 

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan 

and the incumbent Governor, Dr 

Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. 

"The said administrations have 

mismanaged revenues generated 

from our God's given resources, oil 

and gas which were enough to 

development the different sectors 

of the state but what we see today 

are mere substandard projects. 

"The meeting has considered 

the failure of the PDP 

administration in the state as a 

motivation to rally support for the 

Candidates of the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in Delta State, 

particularly, her Governorship 

Candidate, Senator, Ovie Omo- 

Agege, Deputy President of the 

Nigerian Senate. 

"This decision is as a result of 

his democratic leadership style 

and achievements at the Senate 

which has attracted about 1,000 

projects, these include, Human 

Capital development/ 

empowerment, job opportunities, 

Political appointments, Provision 

of Microcredit schemes for traders 

and business entrepreneurs; and 

industrialization of Delta State for 

wealth and job creation where the 

youths will have enough jobs to 

do. 

"Others include; installation of 

Solar Street lights across the Delta 

Central Senatorial District with 

over 500 communities, Sea 

Embarkment project at Egbo- Ide 

community, Ughelli South LGA 

of the state, Construction of 

Storey Buildings in some Schools, 

Construction ICT Centres, 

Establishment of Federal 

Polytechnic and Nigerian Law 

School in Orogun among other 

developmental projects in the 

state. 

"In the light of above, the 

group with over 5000 members 

across the three Senatorial 

Districts of the state, call on 

Deltans to resist any attempt by 

the failed PDP Governments in 

the state to further seek 

continuity in the 2023 general 

elections and this should be done 

with the use of our PVCs against 

the failed system and cabal. 

INEC lists Tebite as PDP candidate for Ughelli 

North, South, Udu Fed Constituency 


ASABA—THE Independent 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, has listed Olorogun Taleb 

Tebite as the validly nominated 

candidate of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP in the 

Ughelli North, Ughelli South and 

Udu Federal constituency, 

following his victory at the 

Federal High Court, Asaba. 

Olorogun Taleb Tebite's name 

is contained in a list signed by 

INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran- 

Anthony attached to a statement 

issued by the Commission. 

According to the statement, 

"the Commission published the 

Final List of Candidates for 

Presidential, Senatorial and 

House of Representatives 

elections on 20th September, 

2022 and Governorship and State 

House of Assembly elections on 

4th October, 2022 in accordance 

with the provisions of Section 32 

of the Electoral Act, 2022 and 

the Timetable and Schedule of 

Activities for the 2023 General 

Election. 

"After the said publication, 

the Commission was served 

Orders of Court in respect of the 

nomination of candidates for 

Governorship, Senatorial, 

House of Representatives and 

State House of Assembly 

Elections. 

"By virtue of the provision of 

Section 287 of the Constitution 

of the Federal Republic of 

Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the 

list of candidates in respect of 

the affected Constituencies is 

amended pursuant to the 

Orders of Court. 

"Please note that the 

amendment supersedes the 

earlier publications on 20th 

September and 4th October, 

2022 in the affected 

Constituencies". 

It will be recalled that Olorogun 

Taleb Tebite had dragged Chief 

Solomon Ahwinawhi, PDP and 

INEC to the Federal High Court 

sitting in Asaba to challenge the 

substitution of his name with the 

former. 

The Federal High Court 

presided over by Justice F.A 

Olubanjo had in its judgment on 

October 19 declared Olorogun 

Taleb Tebite as the validly 

nominated candidate of the PDP 

in the party’s primary election 

held May 22nd, 2022 at the 

Ughelli township stadium. 

The court in the judgment, 

ordered the 1st defendant, PDP 

to replace its nominated candidate, 

Solomon Ahwinawhi with Hon 

Tebite Taleb Avwerosuo Okpako 

as its (PDP) candidate to contest 

the 2023 general elections into 

the Ughelli North, Ughelli South 

and Udu Federal constituency of 

Delta State. 

2023: Opone commits his, Tinubu, Omo-Agege, 

others aspiration to God 


SABA — COUNTDOWN to 

Athe 2023 general election, 

the All Progressives Congress, 

APC, candidate for Ndokwa/ 

Ukwuani Federal Constituency, 

Johnson Opone, Tuesday, held 

praises and prayer session for a 

peaceful conduct of the polls and 

for the victory of all candidates of 

the party at the elections. 

Opone said he was moved by 

his strong faith to ask God to 

grant the presidential candidate 

of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed 

Tinubu, Delta State 

governorship candidate, Senator 

Ovie Omo-Agege, himself and all 

other candidates of the party 

victory at polls. 

Recognising the potency of 

prayers in all human endeavour, 

he said: "I decided to start with 

prayers because I believe that 

nothing can be achieved without 

God’s approval. 

"The essence of the praise and 

prayer session is also to dedicate 

my campaign activities to God as 

well as obtain His blessings for 

the contest ahead. The 

forthcoming election may be a 

tough outing but I believe that I 

will triumph in the end. 

"We have prayed and 

committed the campaign into the 

hands of God with hope that the 

exercise will afford us ample time 

to market our development plan 

for Ndokwa nation. 

"You know, anything handed 

over to God Almighty always ends 

in praises. I thank all party 

members and leaders, the 

clergymen and all campaign 

council members who were 

present at the occasion". 

Those who spoke with 

journalists shortly after the praise 

and prayer session opined that 

the constituency should 

expect pacesetting 

developments if Chief Johnson 

Opone is elected to represent 

them at the National Assembly 

in 2023. 

They reiterated that Opone 

is determined and ready to 

make any sacrifice that would 

fast-track the development of 

Ndokwa nation in all facets. 

According to them, Ndokwa 

ethnic nationality at the 

moment needs a dynamic 

leader who will transform and 

restore the glory of the 

constituency. 

Others who joined in committing 

the aspiration of Chief Opone into 

God’s hands, commended him for 

seeking the face of God. 

The event was graced by the 

Director General of Johnson 

Opone campaign council, Dennis 

Okoh, Secretary of campaign 

council, Egbuson FN, Ndokwa 

West APC women leader, Omolara 

Eke, Izuh Robinson and Godfrey 

Achi, Ndokwa West and Ndokwa 

East LGAs coordinator 

respectively to Johnson Opone 

campaign council.


By Emmanuel 

Elebeke 

CHIEF Executive 

Officer of MTN 

Nigeria, Karl Toriola, 

says the first step expected 

of the winner of the 

2023 Presidential election 

is to appoint the 

right people into his cabinet. 

Also, the immediate 

past President of the Nigeria 

Bar Association, 

NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata, 

collaborated the 

earlier position that the 

first thing the next president 

should do is to assemble 

the right people 

to deal with the issues 

confronting the 

nation and hit the 

ground running by tackling 

the problem of energy 

headlong, in other 

to fire up the economy. 

Speaking during a panel 

session at the Nigeria 

Economic Summit Group 

conference with the 

theme: ‘2023 and Beyond: 

Priorities for 

Shared Prosperity', the 

MTN chief said there is 

not much the next president 

of Nigeria can do to 

:Vanguard 

News 

MTN sets agenda for 

incoming president 

change the trajectory in 

the first 100 days other 

than ensuring that the 

right people and the 

right leadership team 

are brought on board to 

make positive changes. 

For him, “part of the 

Immediate things to do 

by the next administration 

in the first 100 days 

in office is to improve on 

the Ease of doing business 

and stabilizing the 

Forex rate, allowing capital 

to flow freely in and 

out of the country, address 

multiple taxation. 

“The security of lives 

and property is the primary 

aim of government 

and without a secured 

operating environment, 

the private sector cannot 

achieve the goals we aspire 

have in an unsecured 

environment . The 

next president should harness 

the human capital potential 

of Nigerians and set 

up developmental and educational 

institutions that addresses 

the opportunities of 

the future and ensure consistency 

in policies. Policy stability, 

consistency and clarity 

is what the private sector 

wants.” 

We've accessed N30bn from 

N150bn bridging finance —Okowa 


A 

S A B A — 

GOVERNOR 

Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta 

State, yesterday, said the 

state government has 

accessed N30 billion out 

of the N150 billion that 

it applied for from a 

financial institution, 

under the 'Bridging 

Finance' facility. 

Okowa made the 

disclosure while fielding 

questions from 

journalists, shortly after 

inspecting the Koka 

flyover and Interchange, 

Stephen Keshi Stadium, 

the Leisure Park and 

Film Village, as well as 

the Dennis Osadebey 

University, all in Asaba. 

The governor 

explained that N25 

billion out of the N30 

billion 'Bridging 

Finance' loan already 

accessed by the state 

government had been 

deployed into some 

ongoing projects, 

adding that the 

remaining N5 billion 

was channelled into the 

payment of pensioners 

in the Bureau for State 

Pensions and the Local 

Government Pensions 

Bureau. 

Okowa, who is also the 

vice presidential 

candidate of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

however, said local 

government pensioners 

were not under the 

state's purview, 

explaining that the N2.5 

billion was given to 

them as grant from the 

state government. 

He said: "On the Bridging 

Finance, as at today, we have 

only been able to access N30 

billion of it and we have 

deployed it into various 

projects. 

"We also have directed 

that N2.5 billion from 

that N30 billion be given 

to Bureau for State 

Pension and a grant of 

N2.5 billion to the Local 

Government Pension 

Bureau to help off set 

pensioners debt." 

Ugwuanyi inaugurates PDP state 

campaign organisation 

GOVERNOR Ifea 

nyi Ugwuanyi of 

Enugu State, yesterday, 

said the state chapter of 

the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, has constituted 

a robust campaign organisation 

to ensure all 

candidates of the party 

comfortably win in the 

2023 polls. 

Speaking while inaugurating 

the PDP Campaign 

Organisation in 

Enugu State, under the 

leadership of Ikeje Asogwa, 

a former state chairman 

of the party, as the 

Director General, DG, 

Ugwuanyi congratulated 

the DG and members of 

the organisation selected 

for the onerous task, reminding 

them and all 

teeming members of the 

PDP that “we are in this 

together.” 

The governor, who 

harped on grassroots' 

campaign and mobilisation 

stressed that “we 

must campaign for our 

party in our political 

wards and communities as 

politics is indeed local,” noting 

that “When we win all the 


GRADUATION—From left: Founder, Potters Wheel Foundation, Mr. Godsown Onuzurike; 

First Lady, Enugu State, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi; Brewery Manager, Nigerian Breweries, 

NB, Plc., Peter Ani, and Corporate Affairs Manager (East), Nigerian Breweries, Mrs. Joy 

Egolum, during the graduation ceremony of the NB’s Youth Empowerment Programme, 

held in Enugu. 

Buhari orders security to fish out killers 

of Imo monarch 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A DENT 

BUJA—PRESI 

Muhammadu 

Buhari has condemned 

what he described 

the heinous killing 

of Eze Ignitus Asor, 

the traditional ruler of 

2023: There’ll be no elections if... —Okorie, 

Njoku 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu, 

Luminous 

Jannamike & Ezra 

Ukanwa 

FACTIONAL presi 

dential candidate of 

the All Progressives 

Grand Alliance, APGA, 

Chekwas Okorie, has 

said the general elections 

may not hold in 

2023, should the authentic 

APGA and its lawful 

candidates be excluded 

from the polls. 

Speaking, yesterday, at 

a briefing in Abuja, Okorie 

expressed disappointment 

over the nonrecognition 

of Edozie 

Njoku by the Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, as 

the lawful national chairman 

of the party. 

polling units in our ward, our 

ward is won; when we win all 

the wards in our local government 

area, our local government 

area is won; when 

we win all our local government 

areas, our state is finally 

won. Therefore, in reality, 

it is everybody’s business to 

sell our party. 

The governor pointed out 

that the PDP has enjoyed the 

overwhelming support and 

kind consideration of the good 

people of Enugu State in the 

past two decades, stressing 

that this demonstration of 

love, unflinching support and 

committed solidarity have 

been the wind in the sail of 

the party in the state. 

He regretted that even 

after the ruling of the 

Supreme Court, which 

reinstated Njoku, INEC 

was yet to accord recognition 

to the ruling. 

He appealed to President 

Muhammadu Buhari, 

the National Assembly, 

the National Security 

Adviser, NSA, the 

Inspector General of Police, 

IGP, among other 

authorities, to prevail on 

INEC to give recognition 

to Njoku's faction. 

It will be recalled that 

APGA has been in a long 

drawn leadership feud 

between Njoku and the 

Chief Victor Oye-led faction 

which produced 

INEC recognized Professor 

Peter Umeadi as 

APGA's presidential candidate 

in next year's elections. 

Okorie said: "I am speaking 

on my behalf, on behalf of the 

vice presidential candidate, 

Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed, 

and on behalf of all legitimate 

and lawful candidates of 

APGA who have been restrained 

and constrained by 

the unfortunate non-recognition 

of the authentic and 

supreme court recognized 

national chairman of the party, 

Chief Edozie Njoku. 

"By not obeying the judgement 

of the supreme court, 

we are unable to join others 

in the campaign and APGA 

is being put in a very precarious 

situation because any 

person parading himself as a 

candidate of APGA, even 

from 2019, has gone against 

the judgement of the court. 

"Mine is to draw the attention 

of the Federal Republic 

of Nigeria, National Assembly, 

all political parties and 

candidates who are going 

the Obudi-Agwa community 

in Oguta Local Government 

Area of Imo 

State, and others. 

The President, in a 

statement by his Senior 

Special Assistant on 

Media and Publicity, 

Mallam Garba Shehu, 

directed security agencies 

in the State to thoroughly 

investigate the 

dastardly act and ensure 

that the perpetrators face 

the full wrath of the law. 

While commiserating 

with family, friends, the 

Obudi-Agwa community, 

as well as all those 

affected by the attacks, 

the President prayed for 

the speedy recovery of 

those injured. 

about campaigning, thinking 

there will be an election if 

APGA is excluded. 

"I am drawing the attention 

of the international community 

to what is happening that 

will bring a lot of scandal to 

our country. I have consulted 

with senior lawyers, Justices 

of courts, both serving 

and retired and they all shook 

their heads in wonder of how 

President Buhari said 

he acknowledged the 

spirited efforts by the Imo 

State Government at improving 

the security situation 

and encouraged 

all Imo residents and citizens 

to robustly support 

the collective efforts of 

state actors and members 

of the local community 

to keep everyone 

safe. 

a certified Supreme Court 

judgment duly served on 

INEC by an executive bailiff 

of the Supreme Court with a 

sworn affidavit of service, will 

be practically set aside by 

mere statement of the Director 

of Communication of a 

court who took advantage of 

the court being on recess to 

make himself available to be 

so procured." 

Azeez Amida Foundation partners 

Dakolo to support victims of 

Bayelsa floods 

Y Amida ENAGOA—AZEEZ 

Foundation, a 

brainchild of Nigerian author 

and business executive, Azeez 

Amida, has partnered with the 

support initiative of Nigerian 

singer, Timi Dakolo, to 

provide relief aid to 50,000 

victims of the Bayelsa Floods. 

The recent flooding in 

Nigeria, which the BBC has 

described as an 

overwhelming disaster, is the 

worst flooding Nigeria has 

seen in a decade. 

The floods, which started 

earlier in October, have left 

over 600 people dead, 

displaced 1.3 million people, 

and destroyed more than 

200,000 homes, a large 

expanse of farmlands with 

several properties lost. 

According to the Minister of 

Humanitarian Affairs, 

Disaster Management and 

Social Development, Sadiya 

Umar Farouq, the floods 

happened because many 

states were not adequately 

prepared for the disaster 

despite warnings. 

As part of its drive, mission, 

and objectives to alleviate 

hunger and poverty in Africa, 

the Azeez Amida Foundation 

has donated to support the 

victims. Thousands of medications 

covering the treatment 

of malaria, typhoid, 

cholera, skin infections, allergies, 

and cough were donated. 

In addition, first-Aid kits and 

antiseptic supplies for improved 

living were also made 

available. 

“Nigeria’s economy has 

been through terrible 

moments in the past year, and 

inflation has affected people’s 

cost of living and income 

levels. The flooding has 

further wrecked more havoc 

on an already fragile 

economy and people, making 

living even more 

unbearable,” said Azeez 

Amida, founder of the Azeez 

Amida Foundation, 

According to him, it was a 

no-brainer to accept when 

Nigerian singer and Bayelsa 

native Timi Dakolo reached 

out to the foundation in his drive 

to support the people of Bayelsa. 

“To assist victims of this 

overwhelming disaster, we have 

partnered with Timi Dakolo on 

his support initiative to provide 

relief materials to the affected 

people. This will also be our first 

outreach as a foundation to the 

Niger Delta, so we are grateful 

for the opportunity,” Amida 

added.




TALK SHOW: From left, Remilekun Safaru (Reminisce); Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria, John 

Musunga; Chukwuebuka Okoye (Chuey Chu); Head of Business Services, Guinness Nigeria, Suzannè 

Butah, during the Guinness headquarters for the Dear Football Fans Talk Show on Guinness Internal 

Radio, Lagos. 

Pipeline Security: Akinyemi-led group 

ignorant —CHURAC 

By Samuel 

Oyadongha & Emem 

Idio 

YENAGOA— GOVERNOR 

Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, 

has again called for effective 

support from the Federal Government 

and well meaning 

individuals and organisations to 

the state over the recent flood 

disaster. 

Receiving Minister of Humanitarian 

Affairs, Disaster 

Management, and Social 

Development, Dr. Sadiya 

Farouq, and members of her 

entourage, yesterday, in 

Yenagoa, the governor said that 

the minister’s visit to the state 

was long expected, especially 

when the flood was at its peak. 

Diri, who spoke through the 

Deputy Governor, Senator 

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, pointed 

out that initially, the 


Bayelsa State were not pleased 

with some remarks credited to 

the minister about the flood 

disaster in the state, that Bayelsa 

was not among the 10 worst 

affected states in the country. 

He informed that the flood rose 

to over 4.5 metres above its 

normal level and caused 

unprecedented devastation, 

hence the news that Bayelsa was 

not among the worst-hit states 

was unsettling and worrisome to 

its people. 

His words: “We are happy and 

elated that you have finally 

visited to commiserate with us. 

The flooding disaster is actually 

nobody’s fault but it is an issue 

of climate change. For record 

purposes, our meteorological 

department in the Surveyor 

General Office and Ministry of 

Environment monitored the 

flood and from records available 

it showed that the flood rose by 

By Emma Amaize 

CENTRE FOR Human Rights 

and Anti-Corruption Crusade, 

CHURAC, has said the 

Academy of International Affairs, 

AIA, led by Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, 

which criticised the Nigerian National 

Petroleum Corporation 

Limited, NNPCL, for awarding oil 

pipeline surveillance contract to 

private security companies, 

PSCs, was ignorant of the reality 

in the country. 

The group in a statement by 

its chairman, Alaowei Cleric, said 

those who condemned the 

contract awarded to private firms, 

including Tantita Security Services 

Nigeria Limited, TSSNL, 

operated by ex-militant leader, 

Government Ekpemupolo, alias 

Tompolo, despite it’s glaring 

achievements within a short 

space of time, were the real enemies 

of the country. 

The group said: “We take 

strong exception to the claim by 

the Academy of International Affairs, 

led by Bolaji Akinyemi, 

which said that it was failed governance 

that made NNPCL to 

award oil pipeline surveillance 

contract to PSCs. Akinyemi and 

his group are just being ignorant 

of the reality. 

“Nigeria is not the only country 

in the world that engages 

2023: Oborevwori takes campaign to Ibori’s 

hometown 


ASABA—DELTA State Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

governorship candidate for the 

2023 general elections, Mr Sheriff 

Oborevwori, has taken the ward 

to ward campaign to Oghara, 

home town of former Governor 

James Ibori, Ethiope West Local 

Government Area of the state with 

a promise of a better deal for all 

Deltans. 

Speaking on the campaign, 

Oborevwori said: “I am a Pan 

Deltan, a unifier, and a man with 

excessive local content. I am 

determined to take the ongoing 

ward-to-Ward campaigns to the 

270 wards in the state. 

“I want to connect with all 

Deltans in the 270 wards and at 

the end of it, the campaigns will be 

taken to the local headquarters. I 

am coming to serve Deltans and 

so, there must be a connection 

between me and the people.” 

Soliciting votes from the people, 

he promised them a better deal if 

elected governor in 2023. 

He also told the people to vote 

for Chief Ighoyota Amori for 

Senate, Chris Onogba for House 

of Assembly to represent the 

people of Ethiope West State 

Constituency and Mrs. Erhiatake 

Ibori-Suenu for House of Representatives, 

Ethiope Federal Constituency. 

Oborevwori who is also the 

Speaker of the Delta State House 

of Assembly, said it was it was the 

first time a governorship candidate 

was embarking on ward-to-ward 

campaigns in the state, adding 

that the governorship campaigns 

had always be taken only to local 

government headquarters in the 

past. 

On their parts, Chief Amori, PDP 

Senatorial Candidate in Delta 

private security firm to secure oil 

pipelines. Countries such as 

Cambodia and Mexico are doing 

it and it has been successful 

there. 

“It is not necessarily because 

the security agencies have failed 

in their responsibility of securing 

lives and property. The job that 

TSSNL is doing is only to complement 

the efforts of the security 

agencies. Nigerians and 

indeed, the world are witnessing 

the collaborative efforts of 

Tompolo and the security agencies 

in protecting national assets. 

“This is not the first time the 

Federal Government has engaged 

PSCs to secure oil pipelines. 

During Obasanjo, 

Yar’Adua and Jonathan’s administrations, 

coastal guard security 

networks were floated at 

various times to secure the 

pipelines. 

“In fact, it was even the General 

Alexandra Ogomudia’s-led 

Presidential Committee that first 

recommended private security to 

guard the pipelines in 2002. 

“President Buhari has not done 

anything new or different from 

what previous governments did. 

Nigerians should rather applaud 

Mr. President for taken this laudable 

gesture. 

“Nigeria is indebted to Tompolo 

for taking this onerous task to 

survive our dying economy. The 

man deserves a national honour 

in recognition of his sacrifices for 

the nation,” CHURAC added. 

Flood Disaster: Diri receives Humanitarian Affairs 

Minister, recounts losses in Bayelsa 

4.26 metres. 

“And that is why, for the first 

time, almost the entire state was 

submerged in water. The NEMA 

South South representative can 

attest to the level of damage 

caused by the flood this year. 

“I also want to use this opportunity 

to thank the Federal 

Government for setting up a relief 

emergency committee and we 

are going to make suggestions 

that will ensure immediate relief 

for our farmers, fishermen and 

also cater for citizens’ health challenges 

arising from the flood. 

“Minister, if you had visited us 

at the peak of the flood, you 

would have better appreciated 

what we as a government and 

people went through. Even now 

that the flood is receding, you 

will agree with me that it’s effect 

is beyond the handling of the 

state government. That is why 

we keep calling for support from 

the Federal Government and 

other well-meaning individuals 

and organizations.” 

Earlier in her remarks, the 

minister said she and her team 

were in the state to empathise 

with the government and people 

of Bayelsa State over the 

devastating 2022 flood, which 

impacted negatively on the state. 

Farouq who commended the 

efforts of the state government 

in providing support for the flood 

victims, disclosed that part of her 

visit to the state was also to rollout 

her ministry’s economic 

empowerment packages for beneficiaries 

from Bayelsa. 

•Assures of a better deal for all Deltans 

A 

NON profit and non 

government organisation, A 

Mother's Love Initiative saddled 

with the responsibility to provide 

preventive and remedial 

interventions to individuals and 

families raising a child to ensure 

that the child is stable and 

balanced in order to make the 

child useful for self, for family and 

the community resulting in the 

rebirth of hope for a happy future 

Central, Mrs. Ibori-Suenu, PDP 

House of Representatives Candidate 

in Ethiope Federal Constituency 

and Mr Onogba, PDP House 

of Assembly Candidate in Ethiope 

West Constituency, canvassed for 

votes from the people. 

They promise that they would 

not fail the people if they deliver 

the party in the 2023 general 

elections. 

Earlier in his remarks, Delta 

State Chairman of the PDP, Chief 

Kingsley Esiso, while addressing 

the people, said that the All 

Progressives Congress, APC, has 

made Nigerians poorer and should 

be voted out in the 2023 polls. 

2023: Confusion in Edo over 

circulating INEC’s candidate’s list 

By Ozioruva Aliu 

BENIN CITY—THERE was 

confusion, yesterday, in several 

parts of Edo State as a purported 

list from the Independent National 

Electoral Commission, INEC, went 

viral, indicating that there was an 

updated list in the portal of the 

election body where all the 

candidates of the Peoples’ Democratic 

Party, PDP, for the Senate, 

House of Representatives and the 

state House of Assembly were 

those in the camp of Governor 

Godwin Obaseki. 

The said list caused jubilation in 

the camp of the supporters of 

Obaseki, who shared them in 

various social media platforms while 

the same created anxiety in the 

camp of members loyal to the 

National Vice Chairman, South- 

South of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih. 

But when contacted, the Head 

of Department, Voter Education 

and Publicity, Edo INEC, Timidi 

Wariowei said they were yet to 

receive any new list of candidates 

and if they receive that, they would 

comply. 

He said: “People should be wary 

of many of these online publications 

flying everywhere. We are not 

hiding anything, there is no new 

list from INEC as of today and issues 

are still in court, so whatever the 

court decides, INEC will act 

accordingly. If there is any court 

directive, we will comply but as at 

today, what we have is what had 

been displayed and we will also comply 

if there is any directive to carry 

out any other action.” 

There are cases in court over who 

the authentic candidates of the 

PDP are and the Supreme Court 

recently ruled in one of the cases 

that the courts have no jurisdiction 

on who the delegates and 

candidates of political parties should 

be, insisting that these issues were 

purely the internal affairs of the 

parties. 

Alleged partisanship: Bayelsa 

reads Riot Act to Odioma 

Chiefs’ Council 

By Samuel Oyadongha 

YENAGOA—BAYELSA State 

government has given 

members of the Odioma Chiefs’ 

Council in Brass Local 

Government Area of the state, the 

option to either withdraw their 

membership of political parties or 

resign outright from the traditional 

leadership council. 

This came as the state government 

constituted a six-man peace 

and reconciliation committee to 

look into immediate and remote 

causes of the communal unrest 

and insecurity threatening the 

peace of Odioma community. 

Ggovernor Douye Diri, gave the 

order at an enlarged meeting with 

the chairman and members of 

Odioma Chiefs’ Council and other 

critical stakeholders of Odioma in 

Yenagoa. 

Diri, represented by his deputy, 

Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo 

said in a statement, yesterday, said 

that his administration would not 

tolerate the breakdown of law and 

order in Odioma or any other 

community in the state. 

He advised them to live together 

in peace and avoid actions 

AMLi advocates campaign against hurried child 

syndrome 

is set with its partners to hold a 

stakeholder town hall meeting 

on the hurried child project. 

The town hall meeting with 

the theme, “The Hurried Child 

Syndrome” Implications for 

Economic & Social Development 

will take place in Abuja on 

Thursday, November 17, 2022. 

Speaking on the town hall 

meeting, the Founder/President, 

AMLi, Barrister Hanatu A. 

Enwemadu, Esq said, “the main 

objective of the Hurried Child 

—NPA 

By Efe Onodjae 

HE NSUKKA Professionals 

TAssociation, NPA, over the 

week, stated that they have sworn 

to be involved in the emergence of 

those who will govern Enugu 

State instead of watching from the 

corridors. 

Making its position known on 

Sunday in Lagos when it hosted a 

team of candidates of the Labour 

Party running for different positions 

in Enugu State, the association 

which stated that it is non-partisan 

lamented that the experience it 

had with the outgoing 

administration in the state was very 

unsavory especially when one of 

Project is to advocate for the 

abolishment of hurrying 

practices in the formative years 

among African communities. 

Starting the campaign from our 

home country Nigeria, this 

syndrome has saturated our 

homes, workplace and 

communities in a seemingly 

unconscious manner 

consequently leading to several 

topical issues facing the Nigerian 

child, youth and adult in the 

present day.” 

capable of causing a recurrence of 

the 2005 experience, when the 

military invaded and destroyed 

Odioma. 

Urging the Odioma Chiefs 

Council to remain apolitical and 

more proactive in addressing critical 

communal issues, he warned that, 

henceforth, members who belong 

to any political party should either 

resign from the chiefs council or 

withdraw their political party 

membership to enable them to lead 

the people without divided 

interests. 

The six-man Odioma Peace and 

Reconciliation Committee, 

according to the statement, has 

the Attorney-General and 

Commissioner for Justice, Mr. 

Biriyai Dambo, SAN, as Chairman, 

while the Special Adviser to the 

Governor on Security Matters, 

Akpoebi Agberebi is to serve as 

Secretary. 

Other members of the Committee, 

include the member 

representing Brass Constituency 

II in the Bayelsa State House of 

Assembly, Timi Omubo- Agala; 

the Technical Adviser on Conflict 

Resolution, Chief Boma Spero- 

Jack; the Commissioner of Police, 

Ben Okolo, and the state Director 

of the DSS. 

We've chosen to be involved in 

emergence of leadership in Enugu 

their sons was in charge of affairs. 

The event was anchored by 

Barrister Sam Otobueze with 

Engineer James Agada as 

presenter of the association's road 

map and Prince Charles Nwodo, 

President Nsukka Professionals. 

Members of the labour party 

were led by Barrister Chijoke 

Edoga, the Governorship 

candidate of in Enugu State, 

Barrister Okey Ezeah, a Senatorial 

candidate under Labour Party, 

Enugu North Senatorial Zone, 

Dennis Agbo, House of 

Representatives candidate, Labour 

Party, Igbo Eze North and Chidi 

Obeta, House of Representatives 

candidate, Labour Party, Nsukka/ 

Igbo Eze South Federal 

Constituency. 

During the event anchored by 

Barrister Sam Otoboeze with Engr 

James Agada as presenter of their 

road map, Prince Charles Nwodo, 

President of the association stated 

in an opening remark that the 

Association has chosen to ensure 

that responsible and responsive 

candidates take up the mantles as 

political leaders of Enugu State. 

According to him, that is why 

we have chosen to be involved in 

whoever emerges in the 

governance of the state. "In the 

effort to ensure the state is 

developed, we have chosen to be 

involved in the process that will 

lead to the emergence of 

governance of our state."


editor@yahoo.com 

President Buhari’s requests on 

debt relief 

How would this present administration 

go on a borrowing spree only to spend 

the proceeds on supporting another 

country whose challenges are less in 

magnitude? Recently, President Buhari 

incurred N1.145 billion on vehicles 

bought for the Niger Republic to combat 

crimes in its territory and committed N1.9 

billion to Kano-Maradi, Niger Republic 

rail projects and expected the world to 

grant his request for debt relief! What 

has the government done with the 

borrowed funds? 

What effort has the country made to 

cut its bloated recurrent expenditure 

since the economy has been in shock, 

and what has this administration done 

to block the obvious linkages in the 

public sector? How many government 

officials stealing from the public purse 

and crude oil have been brought to book? 

How would this current APC-led 

administration continue with selfinflicted 

burdens and expect the rest of 

the world to be sympathetic? 

The federal government should cut 

down on its expenditure; the president’s 

trip to New York itself is a telling 

reflection of the profligacy the Nigerian 

government is known for. With the 

retinue of aides, governors, ministers, 

and others dignitaries which is 

unnecessary show. With the level of 

hunger, poverty, inflation, and insecurity 

shows that this government has failed 

Nigerians. 

John, 08031547497 

Kogi state govt and ownership 

of Obajana cement plant 

In a two-page advertisement 

published in major national dailies, the 

Dangote Industries Ltd. provided facts 

and figures to support its hundred 

percent ownership of Obajana Cement 

Plant. The onus is now on the Kogi State 

Government to present its own proof of 

ownership to the public with facts and 

figures. Sending armed thugs to invade 

a corporate entity, for whatever reason, 

is a criminal offence under the law. 

Cement is a company quoted and traded 

daily on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, 

so, the Kogi State government should 

purchase shares on the stock exchange. 

Barr. A. Olalere, 08060782216 

Rising inflation rate in Nigeria 

Nigeria’s rising inflation rate will 

continue as long as the country continues 

to rely heavily on the importation of most 

of its consumer goods. As long as 

Nigeria is not involved in productive 

activities, the current inflation rate will 

continues to rise because we import 

practically everything which required 

foreign exchange. The federal 

government should provide an enabling 

environment for businesses to thrive by 

taking steps to encourage local 

production. 

Inflation is something that every 

Central Banks including the Central 

Banks of Nigeria, CBN and responsible 

government should be worried about and 

strive to manage and keep within 

reasonable and acceptable limits for the 

benefit of the economy and standard of 

living of Nigerians because it is 

dangerous. The masses are suffering 

due to poverty and inflation in the 

Nigeria; Inflation can destabilise an 

economy, drive out foreign investors due 

to exchange rate and hurts our 

purchasing power and make it difficult 

for people to afford basic needs. When 

will the APC’s led government delivered 

all dividends of good governance they 

promised during 2015 elections. Which 

they declared to provide for the masses? 

President Buhari and the APC should 

please change their policies for the 

benefits of the masses because Nigerians 

are at the receiving ends, the economy 

is in shamble. 

Anonymous, 08067557715 

Food shortage and high cost 

The continuous attacks and killings of 

farmers by Fulani herdsmen, bandits, 

and Boko Haram have resulted in a 

severe acute food shortage and an 

increase in food prices in Nigeria 

because farmers can no longer access 

their farmlands and the majority of them 

have deserted their homes for safety. It 

is sad that the federal government has 

failed Nigerians in terms of security and 

other policy that will be of benefit to 

Nigerians. Insecurity is the primary 

cause of high cost of food in Nigeria, 

the federal government should improve 

on security to enable farmers return to 

their farms because farmers cannot 

access their farms which addressing the 

inefficiencies in the energy supply 

chains and needs for relevant fiscal 

policy measures, such as suspension of 

the new excise duties. 

Romanus Ndehigwo, 08024209181 

Tackling food shortage 

The killings, maiming and destruction 

of farmlands by Fulani’s herders have 

really become a serious threat to food 

security in Nigeria. A good number of 

states known for massive production of 

crops are recording low harvest due to 

the activities of herders and banditry, 

which has forced majority of the farmers 

to abandon farming. The federal 

government and relevant authorities 

should tackle this problem squarely 

because it is an antidote to high cost of 

food and food crisis that the nation is 

experiencing now. Government should 

trace the root cause of insecurity and find 

a lasting solution; it is only then we can 

have solution to food insecurity. 

Barr. Anthony Obi, 08056009586 

Insecurity in Nigeria 

The lack of seriousness in tackling 

insecurity in Nigeria as seen by the deafear 

posturing of the APC’s led 

government over incessant calls by 

Nigerians of note to overhaul the 

security architecture of the nation, leaves 

one with the unpleasant conclusion that 

there is a clandestine conspiracy to 

subjugate Nigerians to the whims and 

caprices of Fulani herdsmen. 

Uba Onyekachi Esq, 08024722443 

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS 

Only a fool tests the depth of a river with both feet 

Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings 

or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. Address 

your sayings to: wwwsimade@yahoo.co.uk 

MEETING—From right: National Chairman, Peoples Redemption 

Party, PRP, Mallam Falalu Bello; Presidential Candidate of PRP, 

Kola Abiola; Vice Presidential Candidate of PRP, Haro Aziz; former 

chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and Daily Trust Chairman, 

Kabiru Yusuf, during the National Working Committee meeting of 

the party, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan 

FORUM—From left: Mrs. Bridget Gold, Company Secretary/Legal 

Adviser, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; Captain Rabiu 

Yadudu, MD/CEO, FAAN; Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation; 

Manoj Jagtiani, CEO, Merry Aviation; Mrs. Nike Aboderin, Director 

of Finance and Account, FAAN, and Honorious Anozie, Director of 

Human Resources and Administration, during the stakeholders forum 

for the reconstruction of Lagos Airport 18L runway, at the Murtala 

Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: 

Lamidi Bamidele. 

BRIEFING—From Left: Oluwaseun Oluwadare, AGM, Adire Osogbo, 

by Morakinyo Clothings Company/Head of Adire Batic Unit; Mrs. 

Alimot Liadi, Co-Staff, Adire Osogbo by Morakinyo Clothings 

Company; Mr. Ganiyu Ibikunke, GM, Adire Osogbo by Morakinyo 

Clothings Company/Head of Adire Eleko Unit; Abimbola Olowalowo, 

Cordinator, Adire Osogbo by Morakinyo Clothings Company, and 

Mrs. Bukola Aderoju, Asst Cordinator, Adire Osogbo by Morakinyo 

Clothings Company, during the press briefing on Adire Osogbo, on 

African Special Day 2022 Lagos International Trade Fair, Held on 

Friday 11-11-2022, At Tafawa Balewa Squre, Onikan Lagos. Photo: 

Kehinde Gbadamosi 

BRIEFING—From Left: Abena Annan, Head of Retail Marketing, 

Sterling Bank; Lola Shoneyin, Director of Ake Arts and Book Festival, 

and Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation, during the 

press briefing to announce the 10th edition of Ake Arts and Book 

Festival, in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Shonola.



YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21) Influential personalities within 

your business circle will initially disagree with new method you 

adopted at work but, everybody will eventually submit to the 

superiority of your argument to the betterment of your cause. 

Believe your new ideas. Take time out and have memorable 

moment with the love of your life. Be very tolerant. 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec21) Keep your brilliant new 

ideas to yourself at least for now. Opportunities to exhibit your 

brilliance will come your way very soon. Respect the law and it’s 

agents in all you do today. Say no to unsolicited advice, even if 

such come from your friends. 

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19) Friends and other important 

personalities are willing to give you what you think is the needed 

support but, unseen forces may work against the whole thing. 

Allow things to come naturally, and believe that there are good 

days ahead of you. Be friendly. 

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) Competitors will bring out the 

very best from you to the betterment of your rating and goodness 

of your business interest. Think MONEY. Be optimistic. 

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20) Another good day is here for you 

when your new ideas are capable of bringing you both expected 

and unexpected good results. It’s good to plan for your future. 

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 19) Your tried and trusted friends are 

willing to fend for you but, you will need to think more than 

twice before you will agree to go along their lines because of 

lacuna that laced the terrain. Your love life will start to radiate 

positive influence from today. 

TAURUS ( Apr 20 – May 20) There are indications that degrees 

of tensed atmosphere will start to come down, yet, you will need 

to remain as careful as you can possibly be, especially when 

handling your business affairs and management of your image. 

Luckily however, your finances are favoured ; you’ll have reason 

to smile after you must have operated under pressure. 

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) This is the wrong time to 

experiment with other person’s ideas. If you assert yourself 

positively with needed respects for the LAW and it’s agent, 

you’ll succeed. 

CANCER (June 21 – July 22) Here is a day, when you just 

have to do away with unnecessary aggressive and/or reckless 

approach, particularly when handling money related issues. 

Young-at-heart are favoured. Some of you’ll be mixing business 

with pleasure. Try to be very stable. 

LEO (Jul23 – Aug 22) Your desire to achieve much should not 

be allowed to get the better off you and become unnecessarily 

aggressive the way others will resent you. Don’t disrespect view 

of your spouse and/or very important business partner of yours. 

You will have more to gain if you take good advice from your 

tried and trusted friends. You must be moderate, 

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) Provided you take The LAW and 

it’s agents into consideration before you take important actions 

today, you will not have cause to worry. keep your secrets. 

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 22) Venus vacates Scorpio and ingresses 

Sagittarius and start to build new hope for many areas of your 

life. The more willing you are to take your social life more seriously 

the better chances to succeed you will have. Avoid gambling 

with both MONEY and LOVE. 

L E I S U R E 

TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE 

“Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you 

make makes you.” — John C.- Maxwell 

The best years of your life are the ones in which 

you decide your problems are your own. You do 

not blame them on someone else. You realize that 

you choose your own path. — Ella Randle’ 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

DUDU in “KILL POINT” 

By Kola Fayemi 

By A.O.OLAIDE 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

ASTROLOGICAL our date and place of COUNSELLING 

birth to the Astr 

tr 

Send your dat 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, Apapa, Lagos 

VIRGINIA dadadekola@yahoo.com 

TELL ME WHO AM I? 

Dear Joshua, 

Please keep my birth data secret, but I want you to analyse 

my horoscope bluntly so that I can know who am I; talking 

about my personality. Who am I ? 

Tunde, Kaduna. 

Dear Tunde, 

What you will find here under will prove useful if you 

take them seriously and utilise them. 

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/ 

PLANETARY PLACEMENT 

Aries that hosted the most important heavenly body (the 

Sun) when you were born, together with indicator of mental 

focus lens-Mercury, is known for special leadership quality 

and higher degree of positive aggressiveness. Yes you were 

endowed with leadership talents which can manifest either 

in the business world or POLITICS and probably both. 

It is true that Aries can be very aggressive, but with many 

planets placed in more mild Star signs, with less than 

50% of push-full influence, loving Venus as most 

influential planet when you were born, are indications 

that certainly degree of aggressive approach of Aries is 

greatly watered down to the minimum . That is not to say 

you are the timid type but yours is a balanced personality. 

You are gentle, honest and straight forward person. 

Preponderance of fixed and earth in your chart are pointers 

to the fact that you are the careful type who will not change 

his mind just for the fun of it. Then as peace loving Venus 

was the most influential planet when you were born, peace 

and harmony should always come first whenever you want 

to take any (important and/or) decisive action. 

Placement of mighty Sun (indicator of basic-self hood) 

the Moon (indicator of sub-conscious self/emotion) and 

the Stallion (that is more than two planets in one Star 

sign} in Aries, Pisces and Taurus respectively meant that 

basic characteristics of the three Star signs stated in this 

paragraph are highly pronounced in your inner-self. 

HOME & ABROAD 

By Lawrence Akapa


2023’s fight to define Nigeria’s 

soul — TINUBU 

Continues from Page 5 

as will our overall economy. 

Talented youth will find 

a place in our government. 

"We will bring greater 

power through natural gas 

and reasonable reform of 

the entire power sector. 

"Our government will 

continue the infrastructural 

expansion so the overall 

economy may continue to 

expand in lockstep. 

"Most importantly, I will 

give utmost priority to extinguishing 

terrorists and 

violent criminals. We shall 

augment our military, police 

and security personnel 

while providing them with 

better tactical communication 

and mobility. We will 

employ hi-tech aerial surveillance 

to track and attack 

these menaces. 

"These evil forces seek to 

destroy our democratic way 

of life. I have news for them. 

We will defeat their destructive 

way of life. They 

shall be utterly defeated 

and vanquished from our 

soil." 

Addressing the rally, Senator 

Adamu Abdullahi, the 

national chairman, and the 

Chairman, of the Progressives 

Governors' Forum, 

who is also the governor of 

Kebbi, Bagudu, commended 

President Buhari for his 

achievements, saying he 

would be leaving behind 

important legacies in democracy, 

good governance, 

infrastructure development 

and economic growth particularly 

in the area of agriculture 

and food security. 

The Director General of 

the Presidential Campaign 

Council, Simon Lalong insisted 

that history would be 

repeated in 2023, recalling 

that Jos hosted the campaigns, 

which saw the late 

MKO Abiola and former 

President Olusegun Obasanjo 

win their respective 

elections in 1993 and 1999. 

Nobody'll deny 

opposition party its 

mandate if it wins - 

Buhari 

President Buhari urged 

party members to march to 

deliver the APC candidates. 

The President, who had 

earlier visited the Gbong 

Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang 

Buba, reiterated his earlier 

commitment to ensuring 

that every vote counts. 

A statement by the Senior 

Special Assistant to the 

President on Media and 

Publicity, Mallam Garba 

Shehu, quoted Buhari as 

saying, “No election winner 

will be denied his mandate, 

irrespective of the 

party to which they belonged.” 

According to the statement, 

President Buhari 

was apparently responding 

to the Campaign Director- 

General, Governor Simon 

Lalong, who announced 

the intention to recreate the 

SDP-Moshood Abiola historic 

victory in 2023 in a 

campaign that took off in the 

same city 30 years ago. That 

election victory was annulled 

by the military. 

In handing the APC flag 

to Tinubu, President Buhari 

said the country needed 

a man like Tinubu, urging 

the party faithful to campaign 

on issues and the 

abilities of our candidate 

and his running mate, Senator 

Kashim Shettima. 

However, President Buhari 

said it is only the APC 

that can steer Nigeria to 

fulfill its historic purpose 

adding that working together 

with the leadership 

of the party, the campaign 

Naira depreciates to N446.67/ 

$ in I&E window 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

The naira yesterday depreciated to N446.67 per 

dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window. 

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative 

exchange rate for the window rose to N446.67 per 

dollar from N446 per dollar on Monday, indicating 

67 Kobo depreciation for the naira. 

However, the naira appreciated by N20 in the 

parallel market yesterday. 

Vanguard findings from black market traders 

showed that the indicative exchange rate for the 

market fell to N760 per dollar from N780 per dollar 

on Monday . 

council, and its teeming 

supporters, the goal will be 

achieved. 

Under Buhari, Nigeria 

fares better 

than some developed 

countries 

— Bello 

Also speaking, Governor 

Yahaya Bello of Kogi State 

said under the stewardship 

of President Buhari, Nigeria 

is better than some developed 

countries. 

“You have done so well in 

terms of infrastructure and 

our economy. You inherited it 

when there were recessions 

and challenges across the 

world,” he told Buhari. 

“Today in Nigeria, we are 

better than so many countries, 

including developed ones. It 

is under this wonderful APC, 

that you gave women, people 

and youth living with disabilities 

a chance to have a voice 

and belong. 

“You have done it from 2015 

to 2019, and from 2019 till 

date – you are going to hand 

over to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed 

Tinubu so he can continue to 

replicate what he did in Lagos 

and what Alhaji Shettima 

did in Borno State across this 

country.” 

From left, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu; People's Democratic Party 

(PDP) Enugu State Governorship Candidate, Chief Peter Mbah and his deputy, 

Mr Ifeanyi Ossai during the inauguration of PDP 2023 elections campaign 

council in Enugu yesterday 

NCC sets new 5G spectrum license 

for $273.6m, operators kick 

By Prince Osuagwu, Hi- 

Tech Editor & Cynthia Alo 

MORE questions than 

solutions were raised 

yesterday when the Nigerian 

Communications Commission, 

NCC, announced that 

the two remaining lots for 5G 

spectrum will be auctioned at 

the reserve price of $273.6 

million 

Although some telecom 

stakeholders took a swipe at 

it, claiming it was high, other 

issues, including whether 

MTN, which has already benefitted 

from the last auction, 

will still be eligible to bid 

7,000 contractors owe FG N5.2trn, N56bn 

recovered through Project Lighthouse 

By Elizabeth 

Adegbesan 

CORPORATE and indi 

vidual contractors are 

owing the Federal Government, 

FG, a total of N5.2 trillion 

mainly through taxes accruable 

to the Federal Inland 

Revenue Service, FIRS. 

Meanwhile the government 

has said it recovered over N56 

billion of these debts through 

its Project Lighthouse Program. 

Speaking yesterday at 

the on-going two day sensitization 

workshop on the FG 

debt recovery drive through 

Project Lighthouse Program 

for South West zone, in Lagos, 

Mr. Abraham Atteh, a Senior 

consultant to the project, stated 

that the aggregated debt 

portfolio was N4.2 trillion 

and $2.6 billion, approximately 

N5.2 trillion owed by 

over 7,000 debtors across eleven 

Ministries Departments 

and Agencies, MDAs. 

Also speaking the Director 

Special Projects, Federal 

Ministry of Finance, Budget 

and National Planning 

(FMFBNP), Mr. Victor Omata, 

disclosed this, yesterday, 

stated: "Data from Project 

Lighthouse revealed that 

Continues on Page 36 

many companies and individuals 

who owe government 

agencies, have refused to honor 

their obligations and were 

still being paid, especially 

through the government platforms 

such as Government 

Integrated Financial Management 

Information System, 

GIFMIS and Treasury 

Single Account (TSA) due to 

lack of visibility over these 

transactions. 

"We noticed that several 

companies owe tax. Some in 

hundreds of millions. Some 

in thousands, some close to 

billions but they are doing 

contracts with the federal 

government and are being 

paid. So how do we retrieve 

the debt they are owing? That 

is the essence of this debt recovery 

effort. 

"Now what have we done 

under project LightHouse? We 

identified all these companies 

that owe federal government, 

FIRS particularly. So as they 

execute the contract, at the 

point of payment they won't 

get their payment so they are 

forced to come back to us. 

"We tell them, ‘pay your tax 

and we will unblock your account’. 

That is the effort we 

have made so far. And through 

this effort, the federal government 

has raked in over N56 

billion and it is still ongoing. 

"These debts are in the form 

of debt liabilities to the Federal 

Inland Revenue Service 

(FIRS); refunds to the Government 

by companies who failed 

to deliver on projects for which 

payment had been effected, 

unpaid credit facilities granted 

to both corporate entities 

and individuals by the Bank 

of Industry (BOI) and Bank of 

Agriculture (BOA); judgment 

debt in favour of Government, 

debts owed Pension Transitional 

Arrangement Directorate 

(PTAD) by Insurance Companies 

etc." 

According to Omata, 

Project Lighthouse was designed 

to help the Ministry 

solve intractable and perennial 

problems using big data 

analytics and machine learning 

technology. 

"The system cointegrates 

and analyzes data from revenue-generating 

agencies in 

order to create insightful information 

for improved decision 

making", he said. 

Atteh had noted that 2,906 

debtors are companies not 

captured under the GIFMIS 

platform. 

On analysis of debt portfolio, 

Atteh said that corporate 

entities had the largest share 

with 96.83 percent followed 

by MDAs/subnational entities 

with 1.92 percent and individuals 

with 1.25 percent. 

According to Atteh, most of 

the past development plans 

failed as a result of implementation 

problems, lack of committed 

leadership, poor information 

sharing and enforcement, 

among other things. 

He noted that the Minister 

of Finance, Budget and National 

Planning has created 

the debt recovery unit within 

again. 

Another issue is whether 

Airtel Nigeria, which participated 

but lost in the last auction, 

would be allowed to acquire 

one of the lots at the reserve 

price without going 

through another bid process. 

Those issues raised concerns 

which the NCC promised 

to go back and review and 

come up with a position before 

the new auction. 

The additional two lots 

which NCC intends to auction 

are in the 3.5 GHz spectrum 

band. Presenting the modalities 

of auction at a Stakeholders 

Engagement Forum on 

the Information Memorandum 

(IM) for the planned second 

round of 3.5Ghz spectrum 

auction, many stakeholders 

pointed out that the 

$273.6 million, which the 

commission set as the reserve 

price, is too high and asked 

the NCC to reduce it. 

Part of the considerations for 

their request was that Nigeria’s 

forex issues and other debilitating 

economic factors 

would not give a favourable 

outlook for any telco to start 

bidding for the spectrums 

from that reserve price. 

After the presentation, Ikenna 

Ikeme, General Manager, 

Regulatory Affairs of MTN 

had made a case that his company 

be allowed to also bid in 

these lots, arguing that MTN 

entered the last auction in 

2021 with the expectation that 

it was an open market and 

would be allowed to participate 

in other auctions if the 

need arose. 

He further argued that 

MTN won the bid in 2021 

from Lot B, while what NCC 

was currently auctioning was 

Lot A and C. 

He added that the telco having 

a licence for two lots provides 

it with the necessary 

equipment it requires for ef- 

tail sales and campaigns. 

With over 25 years experience 

in banking, she has 

worked in different banks, including 

Ecobank, Diamond 

Bank and United Bank for 

Africa where she was a 

Deputy General Manager 

until her current appointment 

as Managing Director/CEO 

of the foremost payment service 

bank in Nigeria, Hope 

PSB. 

She held several roles including 

Group Head Personal 

Banking, Head Retail Banking, 

Group Head Direct Sales, 

Head Sales, Regional Manager 

and Branch Manager, 

and even managing different 

portfolios including Agent 

Banking, International Re- 

fective deployment and 

makes the cost of services 

cheaper for consumers. 

However, the representatives 

of other telcos kicked 

against it saying it will smack 

of monopoly and affect fair 

competition in the market. 

On its own part, Airtel asked 

the NCC to set aside a slot of 

the 3.5GHz Spectrum for it at 

$273.6 million which was the 

price the Commission sold the 

last 2 slots in November 2021 

considering the fact it participated 

in the said auction and 

lost. 

The NCC, however, declined 

the request insisting that 

section 124 of the Nigerian 

Communications Act has already 

set out the process to 

assign licences. 

NCC’s Executive Commissioner, 

Technical Services, 

Ubale Maska, said: “Our 

reserve price was set after necessary 

benchmarking. We arrived 

at some idea of what the 

price should be. The auction 

determined what the actual 

price should be. If we have 

only one party interested that 

will determine the price. If the 

reserve price throws up a higher 

price, that new price becomes 

the new price,” he added 

İn his opening remarks, the 

Executive Vice Chairman, 

Umar Danbatta said the 

stakeholder consultation was 

necessary and tallies with 

the Commission’s strategy of 

consulting with stakeholders 

in carrying out its regulatory 

functions. 

He said: “As a world class 

communications regulatory 

agency, we believe that our 

actions must be guided by decisions 

that take into cognizance 

the input from stakeholders 

in the industry. 

''Therefore, we seek your 

active participation in these 

Continues on Page 36 Continues on Page 36 

Board appoints Altraide MD/CEO Hope 

Payment Service Bank 

By Providence Ayanfeoluwa 

THE Board of Directors 

of Hope Payment Service 

Bank Limited has announced 

the appointment of 

Mrs. Ogechi Altraide as Managing 

Director/Chief Executive 

Officer. 

The appointment is subject 

to approval of the Central 

Bank of Nigeria. 

Altraide who holds a B.Sc. 

in Management and an MBA 

in Banking and Finance, both 

from the University of Nigeria, 

Nsukka is a Certified 

Management Consultant, a 

fellow of the Chartered Institute 

of Bankers of Nigeria and 

a subject matter expert in remittances, 

SME, Customer 

Acquisition and Retail 

Growth and also a Non-Executive 

Director of UBA, Tanzania. 

Chairman of the Board of 

Directors of the Bank, Alhaji 

Shehu Abubakar, who made 

the announcement in a statement, 

explain that Altraide 

brings to the Board and the 

Bank over two and a half decades 

of unbroken experience 

in Nigeria’s dynamic banking 

industry and will provide valuable 

insight to the board and 

the management of the bank 

from her wealth of experience. 

He further noted that the 

appointment was one of the 

measures geared towards positioning 

the bank as a leading 

payment service bank in 

Nigeria.


2023’s fight to define Nigeria’s soul 

— TINUBU 


Bello said as the youth coordinator 

in the APC presidential 

council, he would 

mobilise the youths across the 

country to vote for Bola Tinubu, 

the party’s standard bearer 

Ṁeanwhile, supporters of 

the party, who were in high 

spirits filled the over 40,000- 

capacity stadium as security 

agents had a hectic time maintaining 

order. Those who 

could not gain entrance filled 

the adjoining streets causing 

gridlock in many parts of the 

city. 

The event was briefly interrupted 

as security operatives, 

who had a hard time controlling 

the crowd, resorted to 

flogging the people with horse 

whips, forcing the Deputy 

Speaker of the House of Representatives, 

Idris Wase to 

appeal for a stop. 

After the situation was 

brought under control, Senator 

Remi Tinubu in the company 

of Hajia Nana Shettima 

and other women in the 

party assured women and 

youths that they would be car- 

Oil theft: Owners of super tanker paid Equatorial 

Guinea 2m euros for infractions – SOURCES 

•Says fine to stall vessel transfer to Nigeria •As FG takes over 

prosecution of 27-man crew for attempted crude oil theft 

By Kingsley 

Omonobi 

Aemerged BUJA-Indications 

yesterday that 

owners of the 3million capacity 

oil lifting tanker, MT 

Heroic Idun, its captain and 

crew paid the Equatorial 

Guinea authorities 2million 

Euros as punishment for 

Straying into the country and 

as a ploy to prevent transfer 

of the ship to Nigeria to face 

miscellaneous offenses 

charges. 

This is just as the Federal 

Government, through the 

Ministry of Justice, said it had 

taken over the case and filed 

criminal charges against the 

defendant, which is MT Heroic 

Idun, before Justice Turaki 

at Federal High Court 5 in 

Rivers State. 

Representative of the Justice 

Ministry, Mrs. Jones 

Nebo, who disclosed this at a 

briefing to announce the successful 

transfer of the super 

tanker to Nigeria, said there 

are 27 defendants in number, 

adding that 17 were arraigned 

in court on Monday, 

while the remaining 10 were 

arraigned yesterday in Port 

Harcourt. 

The 27 defendants (crew of 

the super tanker) comprising 

16 Indians, 8 Sri Lankans, one 

Pole and one Filipino national, 

evaded arrest by NNS 

Gongola around the Akpo 

Oil Field where it was found 

in the wee hours of August 8 

without valid papers. 

The vessel, with capacity to 

carry over three million barrels 

of crude oil at a time, had 

already (allegedly) claimed it 

was scheduled to load product 

and was awaiting instructions 

from its owners, agents 

when the Nigerian navy warship 

intercepted it. 

Upon establishing that the 

crude carrier, which had a 

crew of 27 foreigners was 

around the restricted area illegally, 

the naval warship ordered 

the vessel to alter its 

course and move towards 

ried along in governance, if 

Tinubu is elected. 

Roll call 

The flag-off was attended 

by Vice Presidential Candidate 

Senator Kashim Shettima, 

Senate President Ahmed 

Lawan and Speaker of the 

House Representatives Femi 

Gbajabiamila. 

In attendance were Governors 

Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq 

(Kwara); Abdullahi Ganduje 

(Kano); Nasir El-Rufai 

(Kaduna); Abubakar Sani- 

Bello (Niger); Yahaya Bello 

(Kogi); Abubakar Badaru 

(Jigawa); Prof. Ben Ayade 

(Cross River); Governors 

2023: Editors resolve to put political actors on their toes 

•Urge candidates to abide by issue based campaigns 

THE Nigerian Guild of 

Editors (NGE) has said 

that the media has a greater 

stake in promoting the cause 

of democracy - since its 

survival, growth and development 

are intrinsically 

linked to its sustenance, and 

therefore has a huge responsibility 

to wield its gauntlet in 

order to put political actors 

Bonny Fairway Buoy but the 

suspected ship rather fled to 

Equitorial Guinea. 

Giving more details on the 

transfer of the ship, the Chief 

of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral 

Awwal Zubairu Gambo, who 

was represented by the Chief 

of Policy and Plans, NN, Rear 

Admiral Saidu Garba, said: 

"Apart from refusing lawful 

arrest when ordered to turn 

around and follow NNS Gongola 

to Bonny anchorage, 

pending when she will be 

cleared for loading by NNPC 

Ltd as it's captain claimed, the 

ship engaged full speed southwards 

towards Sao Tome and 

Principe maritime area in a 

bid to evade arrest. 

"The captain of the vessel 

made a broadcast of false piracy 

attack call to International 

Maritime Bureau, 

IMB, Piracy Reporting Centre 

to mislead mariners that 

NNS Gongola was a pirate 

vessel and possibly concoct an 

alibi for her desperate action. 

"On the piracy alert, the Nigerian 

Navy also through international 

collaboration, 

alerted relevant piracy reporting 

centres through 

CRESMAO and ECOWAS 

ZONE F Cotonou, headed by 

Nigerian Navy officers, for 

the alert to be cancelled immediately 

which was done by 

IMB. 

''Suffice to state that Nigeria 

has not recorded any piracy 

attack in its waters in 

over one year, hence this mischievous 

act by MT Heroic 

Idun was clearly aimed at 

tarnishing the good image of 

the maritime domain of Nigeria, 

which we have worked 

very hard to achieve and sustain. 

"The Nigerian Navy therefore 

invoked the collaboration 

of neighbouring Equatorial 

Guinea through the 

Yaoundé Architecture to arrest 

the vessel. With the aid of 

the Nigerian Navy surveillance 

facility, MT Heroic 

Idun was tracked and the 

Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Abdullahi 

Sule (Nasarawa); Lagos 

Deputy Governor Femi 

Hamzat; former Bauchi 

Governor Mohammed Abubakar; 

former Ekiti governor, 

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former 

Governor of Borno, Modu 

Ali-Sheriff; and former Minister 

of Transportation, Rotimi 

Amaechi. 

There were also Senator 

Oluremi Tinubu, wife of APC 

Presidential Candidate; Hajiya 

Nana Shettima, wife of the 

Vice Presidential Candidate 

Shettima; and Dr. Ibijoke 

Sanwoolu, wife of Governor 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos 

among others. 

on their toes. 

In the face of growing divisive 

tendencies by state and 

non-state actors, the umbrella 

of all the editors in Nigeria 

also advised the media to rise 

to arrest this drift in order to 

prevent the nation from being 

torn to shreds. 

These were contained in a 

communique of the 18th All 

Equatorial Guinea Amphibious 

Ship, Captain David was 

therefore vectored to intercept 

and arrest the fleeing ship 

on 12 Aug 22. 

Pertinently, MT Heroic 

Idun was held at the Luba 

Anchorage in Bioko Island, 

Equatorial Guinea while the 

country conducted her own 

investigations owing to some 

infractions the vessel had also 

committed in the country's 

waters. 

"Whilst these were ongoing, 

a formal request was made 

to transfer the vessel to Nigeria. 

This was followed by diplomatic 

overtures and negotiations 

towards achieving 

the transfer of Heroic Idun to 

Nigeria. Suffice to add that 

both Nigeria and Equatorial 

Guinea are signatories to the 

Code of Conduct concerning 

the Repression of Piracy, 

Armed Robbery against 

Ships and Illicit Maritime 

Activity in West and Central 

Africa of 2013 commonly referred 

to as the 'Yaounde 

Code of Conduct'. 

"The Code is backed by appropriate 

UN Security Council 

Resolutions and provides 

the platform for information 


the ministry to achieve the 

goal of Project Lighthouse. 

"Today, the Honourable 

Minister of Finance, Budget 

and National Planning 

(HMFBNP) have put strategies 

in place to deliver improved 

economic development 

and recover debt owed 

to the government. One of 

which is the institutionalization 

of the debt recovery unit 

within the Ministry. " 

He mentioned that Debt 

Recovery the Ministry aim to 

recover 30 percent (approxi- 

Nigeria Editors Conference 

(ANEC), with a theme: “Political 

Landscape, Credible 

Elections And The Role of 

Editors, organised by the editors 

and held in Owerri, Imo 

State, between November 9 

and 13, 2022 and signed by 

NGE President, Mustapha 

Isah and the General Secretary, 

Iyobosa Uwugiaren. 

sharing as well as coordination 

amongst signatories. 

This includes handover of 

vessels or persons suspected 

to have committed offences 

in each other's States. It was 

based on this therefore that 

MT Heroic Idun was 

brought back to Nigeria 

from Equatorial Guinea on 

12 November 2022.“Continuing 

Rear Admiral Garba 

said, 

"The smear campaign put 

up by the ship in the media in 

a fierce attempt to rubbish the 

transfer process by falsely 

gaining international support/sympathy 

was thus 

bound to fail and perhaps an 

indication that the vessel has 

a case to answer. Accordingly, 

on 6 November 2022, the 

vessel was handed over to 

Nigeria by Equatorial Guinea. 

Subsequently, she cast off 

Equatorial Guinea waters 

under Nigerian Navy escort 

on 11 November and arrived 

off Bonny Offshore Terminal 

II on 12 November 2022. MT 

Heroic Idun is presently in the 

custody of the Nigerian Navy 

and based on legal opinion 

and analysis, the super-tanker 

could be said to have committed 

the following offences 

against the Nigerian State. 

7,000 contractors owe FG N5.2trn, 

N56bn recovered through Project 

Lighthouse 

From left: Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf; Commissioner Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. 

(Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; wife of Lagos state governor & Chief Host, and Mama 

NAFEST, Ezimako Mitchelle, representing River state, Olabeajo Precious, representing 

Ondo state and Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director General of the National Council 

for Arts and Culture, during the Wife of Lagos State Governor hosts Participations 

Children at the 35th National Festival of Art & Culture (Eko NAFEST 2022) at Lagos 

Parliament, Marina, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez. 

mately N43 billion) from corporate 

entities not listed on 

GIFMIS database over the 

next three (3) years through 

the launch of the Public (online) 

Debt Portfolio Initiative 

;Integration with E-tranzact 

and other payment platforms 

to enable ease of payment ; 

Establish Debt Recovery Unit 

for coordination of efforts 

and activities; Linking the 

global standing instruction 

(GSI) effort of the Central 

Bank of Nigeria, CBN, with 

Project Lighthouse, among 

other things. 

A total of 320 Editors representing 

print, broadcast 

and online media across the 

country attended the conference. 

Noting that the media has 

a responsibility to ensure that 

political actors abide by issue 

based campaigns, the editors 

said there is the urgent 

need by the media to play 

down on reports that tend to 

exacerbate divisive tendencies 

as part of the process of 

promoting integration of the 

different peoples of Nigeria. 

‘’The media should unequivocally 

set the agenda of 

discourse to prevent mischief 

makers from holding sway. 

Journalists must ensure that 

those who seek to lead the people 

at different levels are 

properly grilled in order to 

present the people with informed 

choices. 

‘’The media, more than any 

other institutions in the country, 

is equipped to check the 

drift towards insanity. It has 

a responsibility to wield its 

gauntlet in order to put political 

actors on their toes and 

ensure that political actors 

abide by issue based campaigns”, 

the communique 

stated. 

The editors added that because 

the media has always 

been at the heart of the struggle 

for sustainable democracy, 

it must ensure it raises the 

level of political discourse, 

and guide the people to 

make informed choices as the 

2023 General Election draws 

near. 

On the security situation in 

the country, the conference 

said that security agencies 

need to see the media as partners 

and not adversities in the 

anti-terror war; appreciate 

the work of journalists; and 

eschew intimidation, harassment 

and other acts that impede 

the work of the media. 

The conference stated further, 

‘’The media needs to 

strike a partnership with the 

security agencies on the antiterror 

war. The media need 

to exercise its immense influential 

power and agenda setting 

role with a huge dose of 

responsibility and commitment 

to the national interest.” 

The conference also enjoined 

the media to check the 

increasing resort to fake news, 

which has the tendency to 

cause panic, despair and unnecessary 

stoking of anger. 

As the 2023 general elections 

draw near, the editors 

noted the introduction of technology 

and the ushering of 

Electoral Act 2022, which 

have armed the Independent 

National Electoral Commission 

to deliver better election 

outcomes, advising the electoral 

body to resist undue influence 

and intimidation 

from the political class. 

The conference commended 

the Office of the National 

Security Adviser for promoting 

a more congenial atmosphere 

for media engagement 

and expressed profound 

and deep gratitude to the Imo 

State Government and the 

administration of Governor 

Hope Uzodimma for hosting 

the conference. 

Chaired by the Deputy Vice 

Chancellor, Paul University, 

Awka, Anambra State, Prof 

Stella Okunna, Governor 

Uzodinma of Imo State 

served as the Special Guest 

and declared the conference 

opened. 

Other guests include, the 

Speaker, Imo State House of 

Assembly, Rt Hon Emeka 

Nduka; former Information 

Minister and immediate Past 

President, Ohanaeze 

Ndi’Igbo, Chief John Nnia 

Nwodo; Senator Osita 

Izunaso, Commissioner for 

Information and Strategy, 

Mr Declan Emelumba, representative 

of the NSA, Mr 

Zakari Usman and two 

former President, NGE, Mr 

Gbenga Adefaye, also Provost, 

Nigerian Institute of 

Journalism (NIJ) and 

Malam Baba Dantiye, a recently 

retired Permanent Secretary 

in Kano State. 

While 15 senior editors 

were conferred with the Fellow 

of NGE, 35 editors were 

inducted as new members. 

NCC sets new 

5G spectrum 

license for 

$273.6m, 

operators kick 


deliberations towards the licensing 

of the available two 

(2) lots in the 3.5GHz mid 

band Spectrum for the rollout 

of 5G services in Nigeria." 

He said following the successful 

auction of the initial 

two lots in December 2021, 

the commission had received 

requests to administratively 

licence the available lots at 

the previous auction fee. 

However, the Commission, in 

line with its powers under the 

Nigerian Communications 

Act 2003, has decided to licence 

the available lots in the 

3.5GHz band through the 

Auction Method which is a 

transparent and efficient approach 

that can open up opportunities 

for new entrants as 

well as deepen competition in 

the industry.

Vanguard, NOVEMBER, 16, 2022 — 37 

CHANGE OF NAME 

ADEBANJO 

I, formerly known and addressed as 

ADEBANJO TOLULOPE 

YETUNDE, now wish to be known 

and addressed as ADEBAYO 

TOLULOPE YETUNDE. All 

former documents remain valid. The 

general public should please take 

note. 

OMAFUAIRE 

I was formerly known and called 

Miss Omafuaire Loveth Akpherhe I 

now wish to be know and address 

as Mrs Onorievu Loveth. All former 

documents remain valid. The 

general public should please take 

note. 

JUSTICE 

In my National indentity 

management system card ( NIMC) 

my name was wrongly written as 

Justice Jessica Ugbomor instead of 

Justice Jessica Ogbemudia my true 

and correct name is Justice Jessica 

Ogbemudia all former documents 

remain valid general public please 

take note 

BELLO 

I, formerly known and 

addressed as Mrs BELLO 

OPEYEMI GRACE, now wish 

to be known and addressed as 

Miss ONORIODE OPEYEMI 

GRACE . All former 


general public should please 

take note. 

AREBUN 

The general public is hereby 

notified that Juliet Ibhagbemien 

Ighedo, Juliet Arebun and Juliet 

Arebun .I. are one and the same 

person. Henceforth, l now wish to 

be known as Mrs Juliet 

Ibhagbemien Ighedo. Former 

documents remain vaild.General 

public please take note 

UMEH 


addressed as MISS IFEOMA 

ABIGAIL .JIBULU now 

wish to be known and addressed 

as MRS IFEOMA 

ABIGAIL UMEH . All 

former documents remain 

valid. NYSC, General public 

take note. 

REJOICE 

I formerly known, called and 

addressed as UWHUSEBA 

REJOICE RUTH, now wish 

to be known, called and 

addressed as UWHUSEBA 

OGHENEFEGO RUTH. All 


valid. General public please 

take note. 

MANU 

I formerly known and 

addressed as MANU 

CHRISTIANA, now wish to be 

known and addressed as 

THANKGOD CHRISTIANA 

ONYINYE. all former 

documents remain valid, 

general public please take note 

OGUNBAMBI 


addressed as MISS 

OGUNBAMBI IFEOLUWA 

OLUBUKOLA, now wish to be 

known and addressed as MRS 

OYEBANJO IFEOLUWA 

OLUBUKOLA. all former 

documents remain valid, 

general public please take note 

KALU 

I, formerly known as KALU 

ONYEMECHI IKPO which is 

on my BVN. Now wish to be 

known and addressed as IKPO 

ONYEMECHI KINGSLEY as 

it is in my NIN. All documents 

bearing my former name 

remain valid. General public 

take note. 

MATTHEW 

I, formerly known and addressed 

as MICHAEL MATTHEW, 

MATTHEW MICHAEL 

respectively, now wish to be known 

and addressed as OKEH 

MATTHEW MICHAEL. All 

former documents remain valid. 

General public please take note. 

OJI 


addressed as OJI LOVETH 

CHIKA, now wish to be 

known and addressed as MRS. 

OBI-OJI CHIKA LOVETH. 

All former documents remain 

valid. The general public should 

please take note. 

TEDDY 


addressed as Miss Ememerura 

Oghenevwede Agnes, now 


as Mrs Teddy Oghenevwede 

Agnes . All former documents 

remain valid. The general 

public should please take note. 

URHO 

I, formerly known, called and 

addressed as MISS URHO 

CAROLINE ONOME now wish to 

be known, called and addressed as 

MRS. BENJAMIN CAROLINE 

ONOME. All documents bearing 

former name remains valid. General 

public, please take note. 

ENOMAYO 


addressed as miss OBASOHAN 

ISOKEN ANNABEL, now 


as Mrs ENOMAYO ISOKEN 

ANNABEL . All former 



take note. 

ONUKOGU 


addressed as Miss Chidinma 

Blessing Onukogu now wish to 

be known and addressed as Mrs 

Chidinma Blessing Maduewesi. 


valid. General public take note. 

OGBOKOH 


addressed as Ogbokoh Mary 

onyeisi now wish to be known 

and addressed as Ekhoegbe 

Mary Onyeisi . All former 

documents remain valid. 

General public take note. 

IKENNA 

I formerly Known and 

addressed as IKENNA 

EMMANUEL EMMANUEL, 

But now wish to be known and 

address as IKENNA 

EMMANUEL, All former 

document remain Valid, Bank 

and general public take note 

CHARLE 

This is to confirm that ODIGIE 

CHARLE OMOGBERALE And 

OMOGBERALE CHARLE is the 

same person, henceforth i wish to 

be addressed as ODIGIE CHARLE 

OMOGBERALE. All former 

documents remain valid the general 


OKECHUKWU OT 


addressed as Okechukwu 

Onyinyechi Eseosa, now 

wish to be known and 

addressed as Isere Eseosa. all 


valid, general public please 

take note 

ARUBASA 

I, formerly known as ARUBASA 

JOY OGHENEMINE. Now wish 


MRS. ETINAGBEDIA 

ARUBASA 

JOY 

OGHENEMINE. All documents 

bearing my former name remain 


NDERNEN 

I, Formerly known and addressed 

as Ndernen Ephrian Aondohemba, 

Ndernen Ephraim Michael Iwambe 

and Ndernen Euphraim Michael 

Iwambe now wish to be known and 

addressed as Ephraim Aondohemba 

Ndernen. All former documents 

remain valid. General public take 

note. 

IDUNG 


addressed as IDUNG IKWO 

ITA, now wish to be known 

and addressed as MRS. 

ONYEDI EVELYN IKWO 

ITA. All former documents 

remain valid. The general 


OKWUONU 

I, formerly known as MISS 

OKWUONU ETHEL 

AHUNNA, now wish to be known 

and addressed as MRS 

AISAGBONHI ETHEL 

AHUNNA. All former documents 

remain valid. General public please 

take note. 

OKEH 

I, formerly known as MISS. 

OKEH DORIS ELO, now wish 


OKOLIE DORIS ELO. All 



take note. 

OBASUYI 


addressed as Mrs Obasuyi 

Ifueko Courage, now wish to 

be known and addressed as 

Miss Iyangbe Ifueko Courage 

. All former documents remain 



OFEGA 


addressed as ARHUEREMU 

OFEGA , now wish to be 


ARHUEREMU JACENTA 

OGHENEFEGA . All former 



take note. 

FELIX 

I, formerly known as Felix 

Louis, now wish to be known 

as Umoru Louis Ekhenagbor . 


valid. The general public 

should please take note. 

CHRIS 



ORISHEDERE, JENNIFER 

UFUOMA now wish to be 


CHRIS, JENNIFER UFUOMA. 



take note. 

MADU 

I formerly known as 

CHUKWU FIDELIA 

CHIDERA, now wish to be 

known as MADU FIDELIA 

CHIDERA. All former 


General public take note 

BELLO 

I formerly known and addressed as 

BELLO GRACE SIDIKATU, 

BELLO GRACE SIDIKAT and 

BELLO GRACE S, now wish to 


SHITTU GRACE SIDIKAT. All 

former documents remain valid, the 

general public, take note. 

AJIRI 

My full name is OGHENERUEMU 

AJIRI PRAISE. My name appear in 

my bank account as 

OGHENERUEMU AJIRI. I now 

wish to add PRAISE to my account 

details and be known as 

OGHENERUEMU AJIRI PRAISE. 

All documents bearing any of the 

names remain valid. Bank, General 

public take note. 

OMOTE 

I, Formerly known and 

addressed as Omote Andrew 

now wish to be known and 

addressed as Omote Million. 



NWAGBUMIME 


addressed as NWAGBUMIME 

SAMUEL KAOBIMDL, now 


as EBOH SAMUEL 

KAOBIMDL. All former 



take note. 

AYAH 


CHRISTIANA PETER AYAH, 


addressed as MRS 

CHRISTIANA PETER 

ANWANA. All former 


General public please take 

note. 

OJEIKERE 

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND 

ADDRESSED AS MISS OJEIKERE 

JENNIFER NKECHINYERE NOW 

WISH TO BE KNOWN AND 

ADDRESSED AS MRS JOHN - 

OMOLAIYE JENNIFER 

NKECHINYERE. ALL FORMER 

DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. 

THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO 

PLEASE NOTE. 

OSAYANDE 


addressed as Mr Osayande 

Kelvin, now wish to be known 

and addressed as Mr 

Illenikhena Kelvin. All former 



take note. 

ANETOR 


addressed as MISS RUTH 

ANETOR, now wish to be 


MRS.RUTH OZIEGBE . All 




OKOJIE 

I formerly known and addressed as. 

MISS OKOJIE ONAOSEMEN 

ESTHER. Now wish to be known 

and addressed as. MRS VITOESSI 

ONAOSEMEN ESTHER. Call 


Authority concerned and general 

public to take note. 

EVI 


addressed as OKACHUKWU 

FAITH now wish to be known 

and addressed as JOSEPH 

FAITH EVI. All former 



note. 

NWAFOR 


addressed as Miss NWAFOR 

IKWUETO 

JANE 

OGOCHUKWU now wish to 

be known and addressed as Mrs 

AKABUOGU JANE 

OGOCHUKWU. All former 


General public please take note 

MOSADONI 

I, formerly known and called 

NENUWA OLUWATOSIN 

MORAYO, now wish to be 

known and called 

MOSADOMI OLUWATOSIN 

MORAYO. All former 


General public should please 

note. 

EZE 

I, formerly known as MISS. 

EMEM 

MARIAM 

CHINENYE. Now wish to be 


EZE CHINENYE CHIOMA. 

All documents bearing my 

former name remain valid. 


AGOGHENE 

I, Formerly known and 

addressed as Oghenevwegba 

Elizabeth Oghenemado now 


as Oghenevwegba Eugenia 

Agoghene. All former 



2023: INEC has ended ballot 

box stuffing, snatching with 

BIVAS — Suswam 

THE New Nigeria Peo 

ple's Party (NNPP) gubernatorial 

candidate for the 

2023 election in Kaduna 

State, Senator Suleiman Othman 

Hunkuyi has said that 

he made a mistake in 2015 

campaigning and bringing 

the All Progressive Congress 

(APC) to power in Kaduna 

state. 

But the All Progressives 

Congress Campaign Council 

ONIFADE 

That my name was mistakenly 

written as Onifade Bisola 

Temitope during BVN 

registration instead of Onifade 

Olubisi Temitope. That I now 

want it to be corrected as 

Onifade Olubisi Temitope, the 

general public should take note 

EGEDEGBE 

I formerly known as 

EGEDEGBE EMMANUEL 


addressed as EGEDEGBE 

E N A M E G U O N O R 

EMMANUEL. All former 

documents remain valid any 

authority it may concern and 

general public to take note. 

RITA 

I formerly known as MISS 

U R U N M A T S O M A 

TREASURE OJORSIN now 


as MRS PROSPER RITA 

URUNMATSOMA. All former 

documents remain valid any 

authority it may concern and 

general public to take note. 

UBUH 


UBUH ENAKENO JULIET 


addressed as MRS BOBI 

ENAKENO JULIET. All 


valid any authority it may 

concern and general public to 

take note. 

By Peter Duru 

MAKURDI — The 

lawmaker representing 

Benue North-East 

Senatorial District, Gabriel 

Suswam said the Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, has 

checked the menace of ballot 

box stuffing and snatching 

during elections with the 

introduction of Bimodal 

Voter Accreditation System, 

BIVAS. 

Speaking in Adikpo, 

Kwande Local Government 

Area, LGA, of Benue State 

at the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, flag off of the 

Benue North East Senatorial 

campaigns, the lawmaker 

said it would be an exercise 

in futility to engage in 

such acts during elections. 

He advised politicians to 

dedicate time and energy to 

canvass for votes in their 

various polling units rather 

than engage in acts that 

could jeopardise the electoral 

process. The former Governor 

said: "the era of ballot 

box and other electoral materials 

snatching is over. If 

you snatch a ballot box you 

are wasting your time. All 

you need to do is to man your 

polling units with your Permanent 

Voters Card, PVC, to 

ensure victory for our party. 

He advised politicians to 

engage in issue based campaign 

and refrain from 

campaign of acrimony and 

insults. 

Addressing the mammoth 

crowd Governor Samuel 

Ortom expressed optimism 

that the PDP would overwhelmingly 

win the 2023 

general elections. 

"I make bold to say that the 

Benue North West and 

Benue South Senatorial 

Districts are the strongholds 

of the PDP. And come 2023 

it will be PDP all the way. 

Our party will sweep all the 

positions," he said. 

Governor Ortom also assured 

that members of the 

party would continue to 

work together for the good 

of the state and PDP, stressing 

that he believed in the 

unity of purpose existing 

among members. 

Also, the PDP governorship 

candidate in the state, 

Mr. Titus Uba who was represented 

by his running 

mate, Sir John Ngbede, advised 

the people to remain 

united and supportive of the 

party, stressing that their 

unity would guarantee victory 

for the party. 

Kaduna 2023: I regret bringing 

APC to power in 2015 

— Hunkuyi 

By Ibrahim Hassan- 

Wuyo 

in Kaduna State has replied 

Hunkuyi, saying he was a self 

acclaimed godfather who 

never won an election since 

he became chairman of 

Makarfi Local Government 

Area during the Babangida 

regime, but rode on the 

Malam Nasir El Rufai’s popularity 

to be elected Senator 

in 2015. 

The State APC Campaign 

Council in a statement by the 

Director of Strategic Communication, 

Ibraheem 

Musa,said the APC Gubernatorial 

candidate of Kaduna 

State, Senator Uba Sani will 

not only defeat Hunkuyi but 

will nail his final political coffin 

in the 2023 governorship 

election. 

Senator Hunkuyi who 

spoke at an interactive session 

with representatives of the 

Nigeria Labour Congress 

(NLC) in the state, said that 

apart from working for APC 

at the state level, he also 

worked relentlessly for the 

party at the national level in 

2015 to ensure Buhari's victory. 

"It's not something to regret 

about, because every human 

being is bound to make an 

error in life," he said. 

According to Hunkuyi, "The 

socio-economic situation in 

Kaduna State is not palatable, 

but we don't have any other 

State that belongs to us than 

Kaduna State...I didn't want to 

pursue politics beyond 2019 

because personally I wanted 

to do something else. And also 

dedicate attention and time to 

my little children and my 

extended family. I did not want 

to be part of 2023 politics." 

"But for so many reasons, 

among them, one, nobody get 

up and become honest without 

taking antecedent by the 

current administration of APC 

in Kaduna State and in 

Nigeria without possibly 

bringing in the name of PDP."

38 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 

DIKE 

EYEFIA 

NWEBO 

I, formerly known as I, formerly known and I formerly known and 

STEPHEN EJIKE DIKE, addressed as MISS EYEFIA addressed as NWEBO 

now wish to be known and STELLA KESIENA, now JUDITH OLUCHUKWU. 

addressed as STEPHEN 


Now wish to be known and 

as MRS. ADJESATOR 

EJIKE MBA. All former 

STELLA KESIENA. All 

addressed as OBI JUDITH 


former documents remain OLUCHUKWU. All former 

general public should take valid. The general public documents remain valid 

note. 

should please take note. general public take note 

TANINOWO OB 

PAUL AHAMEFUNA 

I, formerly known and addressed I, formerly known and I, formerly known and addressed 

as TANINOWO BUKOLA addressed as Miss PAUL, as Miss AHAMEFUNA 

BOLA, now wish to be known PREYE JIM, now wish to be KELECHI MERCY, now wish 

and addressed as ODEDAME known and addressed as Mrs. 

to be known and addressed as Mrs. 

EGULE 

PREYE 

BUKOLA BOLA. All former 

BINALAYEFA. All former 

AKHAGBEMHE KELECHI 


documents remain valid. MERCY. All former documents 

general public should please take General public please take remain valid. General public please 

note. 

note. 

take note. 

OLOFINJANA 

ESSIEN 


as Miss Olofinjana Oluwaseun 

Caroline, now wish to be known 

and addressed as Mrs. Alaba 

Oluwaseun Caroline. All former 

documents remain valid. General 

public please take note. 

NWEKE 

REUBEN 

EMETU 

GENESIS 

I, formerly known as Ugbem 

Genesis Ebiale, now wish to be 


Vincent Bamidele Genesis. All 



should take note. 

ATIMATI 

I, Formerly known called and 

addressed as Miss, Atimati 

Lauretta Onovughe. Now wish 


Mrs. Ayoro Lauretta 

Onovughe. All former 

document remain valid general 


BRUME 

I Formerly known and 

addressed as BRUME. 

ROBERT. TEJIRI Now wish 


BRUME—ROBERT. 

TEJIRI. All former documents 

remain valid general public 



addressed as Miss Essien 

Ruth, now wish to be known 

and addressed as Mrs. Ruth 

Ovie Williams. All former 



note. 

FREDRICK 


as Fredrick Emmanuel, now wish 

to be known and addressed 

as Ujaegbe Fredrick 

Emmanuel. All former documents 


take note. 

ILOH 

KOMORI 

I, formerly known as Miss 

Osarenkhoe Patience, now 


as Mrs komori Patience. All 




ATIMATI 

That i was formerly known 

as Mrs. Eruke Agatha 

Oloruntimehin. Now wish to 

be known called and addressed 

as Miss Eruke Agatha Atimati. 

All document bearing my 

former name remain valid 


take note. 

ARUBI 


RACHEAL TESIMI ARUBI, 


addressed as MRS RACHEAL 

TESIMI OMAGBEMI. All 


valid general public please take 

note 

CHIKOGU 


addressed as Miss Benedicta 

Ishioma Chikogu, now wish to 

be known and addressed 

as Mrs. Benedicta Ishioma 

Eboh. All former documents 



IZEGBUE OJO CHIME 


as Miss Izegbue Blessing, now 


as Mrs. Omefe Blessing. All 




as Nweke 

Mascot 

Chibuodogwu, now wish to be 

known and addressed as Chinedu 

Mascot Chibuodogwu. All former 




as Reuben Oluchi Joy, now wish 


as Ojiakor Ruby Oluchi. All 



I, formerly known as EMETU 

EZINNE KALU, now wish to be 

known and addressed as Mrs 

EZINNE PAUL IKPOR. All 


The general public should take 

note. 


as Miss Ojo Oluwadamilola 

Christiana, now wish to be known 

and addressed as Mrs. Almona 

Oluwadamilola Christiana. All 




as Miss Chime Kanebi 

Chukwumuanya, now wish to be 

known and addressed as Mrs. 

Oritsemoyogbemi Chime 

Chukwumuanya. All former 



UDEMBA 


as Udemba Nneamaka Jovita, now 


as Onyejiaka Nneamaka 

Jovita. All former documents 


take note. 

PROSPER 

I, formerly known as 

MORRISON PRAISE 

PROSPER , now wish to be 


OGHENEKEVWE PRAISE. 




UWADIA 



ONOKURHEFE RACHAEL 


addressed as MRS UWADIA 

RACHAEL. All former 

documents remain valid 

general public please take 

note. 

FRANK 


addressed as VICTORY 

IJEOMA FRANK now wish to 


IJEOMA MICHAEL 

IHEMEJE. Former documents 


take note. 

ONUOHA 


addressed as MISS MMEKA 

CHINENYE LOIS. Now wish 


MRS ONUOHA CHINENYE 

LOIS . All former documents 

remain valid general public 

take note 

AGBADA 


AGBADA 

IMITI 

OGHALEOGHENE PROSPER, 

IMITI OGHALEOGHENE 

PROSPER and AGBADA 

OGHALEOGHENE PROSPER, 


addressed as IMITI OGHALE 

PROSPER. All former documents 


take note. 

ASUQUO OD 


addressed as Miss Asuquo Udo 

Regina, now wish to be known 

and addressed as Mrs. Edem- 

Solomon Regina. All former 



note. 

ISAAC OD 

IGWE 

UWAIFO EMEM AZEBIRI-VICTOR 

This is to confirm that the names 

Uwaifo Amenze, Uwaifo Amenze 

Uwaila Eva, Uwaifo Eva Amenze, 

and Uwaifo Amenze Eva refer to 

one and the same person. I now 


as Uwaifo Amenze Eva. All former 



I, formerly known as ILOH 

REJOICE CHIDINMA, now 


as MRS OTUESIEME REJOICE 

CHIDINMA. All former 


general public should take note. 

My correct name is Henry Glory 

Emem, but my name was wrongly 

captured in my BVN as Umoh 

Glory Chidimma instead of Henry 

Glory Emem. All former 



OKORO 

I, formerly known as OKORO 

PRINCE CHRISTMAS, now 


as OKORO PRINCE 

ODUNDIWEI. All former 




as Miss Isaac Divinefavour 

Chineye, now wish to be known 

and addressed as Mrs. Cyril 

Divinefavour Chineye. All former 




as Igwe Onyema Terry, now wish 


as Joseph Onyema Terry. All 



My correct name is Azebiri-Victor 

Eguonor Racheal, but my name 

was wrongly captured in my BVN 

as Azabiri Eguonor instead of 

Azebiri-Victor Eguonor 

Racheal. All former documents 


take note. 

OKWENDI 


MISS OKWENDI KATE 

NWAKAEGO, now wish to be 


PUPU KATE NWAKA. All 

former documents remain valid 

general public please take note. 

IKECHUKWU 

I formerly known as IKE-MBA 

SANDRA SOCHIMA now wish 

to be addressed as Mrs 

IKECHUKWU SANDRA 

SOCHIMA. All former documents 

remain valid. The general public 


AKPOVIRI 


addressed as: Akpoviri Eunice 

Okpako Now wish to be known 

and addressed as: Fidelis Eunice 

Okpako. All former 

documents remain valid 


note. 

EZE 


addressed as EZE ISREAL 

NDIDIAMAKA NWAORIMA 


addressed as EZIAHA 

N D I D I A M A K A 

NWAORIMA. Former 



ANUONYE 


MISS MBAHAOTU 

NKWACHUKWU, Now wish to 

be known and addressed as MRS 

ANUONYE NKWACHUKWU. 

All former documents remain valid 

general public take note 

KALABAYE 

ONYEKE 

JEREMIAH 


addressed as JEREMIAH 

PRINCESS, now wish to be 


OKPANEFE SUZY. All 



note. 

OPOROMO 

I formerly known as MISS. 

OPOROMO LUCY now wish 

to be known and address as 

MRS. IGHEDI LUCY. All 




SHANKA 


addressed as MISS SHANKA 

DORCAS Now wish to be 

known and addressed as MRS 

HAMADU DORCAS. All 



note 

UZOGO 


addressed as MISS EZINNE 

LOVELY UZOGO now wish 


MRS EZINNE LOVELY 

AHUMIBE. Former 



OMENOGOR 


Jennifer Ngozi Omenogor, Now 


as Omenogor-Aboho Jennifer 

Ngozi. All former documents 

remain valid general public take 

note 

ODIAUA NWOSU EG CHUKWUEMEKE 

The Correct Spelling of my Name I formerly known and 

is ODIAUA JOSEPH addressed as Chukwuemeke 

AYEMERE not AYEMHENRE Ebiemon Evelyn now wish to 

ODIAUA JOSEPH as wrongly be known and addressed as 

spelt in some quarters.The Idiakheua Evelyn Ebiemon. 

GENERAL PUBLIC should All former documents remain 

please take due note of this valid general public please take 

correction. 

note. 

OBI-NWOKO 

EROMOSELE 

I, formerly known and I, formerly known and 

addressed as Miss Obi-Nwoko addressed as Miss Eromosele 

Annabel Awele, now wish to be Loveth Omonsikian, now 

known and addressed as Mrs. wish to be known and addressed 

Ochei Annabel Awele. All 

as Mrs. Orughele Loveth 

Omonsikian. All former 





take note. 

note. 

OSEMEKE 

NWEKE-CHINEDU 


as Miss Osemeke Florence 

Nkewalo, now wish to be known 

and addressed as Mrs. Osemeke- 

Odor Florence Nkewalo. All former 




as Kalabaye Urinrinoghene, now 


as Uwameiye Glory 

Urinrinoghene. All former 


public and To Whom It May 

Concern please take note. 

My correct name is Onyeke 

Othuke, but my name was wrongly 

captured in my BVN as Onyeke 

Othuke Best instead of Onyeke 

Othuke. All former documents 


take note. 


as Nweke-Chinedu Princess 

Chioma, now wish to be known 

and addressed as Chinedu Princess 

Chioma. All former documents 


take note. 

OJIEH 


as Ojieh Happy Anwuli, now wish 


as Edemenya Happiness 

Anwuli. All former documents 


take note. 

BAMIDELE 


as Bamidele Gideon 

Oghenewede, now wish to be 

known and addressed 

as Ekwuomagbe Gideon 

Oghenewede. All former 



UCHENNA 


as Uchenna Eric Chugbo now wish 

to be known, called and addressed 

as Ucheyeshua Eric Chugbo. All 


The general public, banks and 

concerned authorities should take 

note. 

MOSES 


ESIOBOPHREMU THERESA 

now wish to be known and address 

as MRS MOSES 

CHRISTOPHER THERESA 

OGHENEGARE. All former 



ADEBAYO 

I, Formerly known called and 

addressed as ADEBAYO 

DAMILOLA RACHEAL. 


addressed as UKUSARE 

OYOVWE RACHEAL. All 

former document remain valid 


note. 

ONYEKWUMNAZU 

EZEDOM 


as MISS ONYEKWUMNAZU 

OGOCHUKWU NWABUNDO 


addressed as MRS CHUKWUJI 

OGOCHUKWU NWABUNDO. 


valid. General public please take 

note.

Full House in Lisbon as Super 

Eagles dare Ronaldo, Portugal 

H 

ead Coach José Santos Peseiro has the full compliment of in 

vited players as three-time African champions Nigeria get set 

for what could be a fiery international friendly with Portugal in Lisbon 

tomorrow. 

In camp are goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye and 

Adebayo Adeleye, defenders William Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem, 

Kevin Akpoguma, Calvin Bassey, Tyronne Ebuehi, Bruno 

Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ebube Duru, as well as 

midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Frank Onyeka, Alex 

Iwobi and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo. 

There are also forwards Moses Simon, Cyriel Dessers, Terem Moffi, 

Paul Onuachu, Emmanuel Dennis and Ademola Lookman. Forward 

Samuel Chukwueze was being expected on Tuesday night. 

tomorrow's encounter at the 50,000 -capacity Estádio José Alvalade 

in Lisbon is the first-ever full international between both countries, 

and it promises fireworks with Portugal heading to the FIFA World 

Cup finals in Qatar the following day and Nigeria eager to blood a 

Gusau visits ailing Nwosu, assures 

him of NFF’s support 

The President of Nigeria Football 

Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa 

Gusau on Tuesday visited former 

Nigeria captain Henry Nwosu at the 

Federal Medical Centre, Asaba 

where the legend has been receiving 

treatment for an undisclosed ailment 

for some weeks now. 

Nwosu, the youngest player in the 

Nigeria squad that won the Africa 

Cup of Nations title on home soil in 

1980, had been in the hospital for 

some time now, with top politicians, 

captains of industry and football 

chieftains all showing interest in his 

health status. 

“I can assure you that all Nigerians, 

from our political leaders to business 

gurus and all football people, 

are interested in seeing you recover 

from this illness. Everyone, within 

Nigeria and in the diaspora, is praying 

for your recovery and eventual 

recuperation,” Gusau told the legend 

in the hospital located in the 

Delta State capital. 

Nwosu, a formidable force in the 

Senior Men National Team of Nigeria 

in the 1980s, played in three Africa 

Cup of Nations finals (1980, 1984 and 

1988) and was one of the best players 

of the 1984 and 1988 editions, 

both of which Nigeria lost to 

Cameroon in the Final. 

He scored a stellar goal against the 

Indomitable Lions in the 1988 Final 

in Morocco, disallowed by 

Mauritanian referee Idrissa Sarr, and 

that incident remains of the evergreen 

talking points in the 65-year 

history of Africa’s flagship football 

championship. Cameroon went on 

to win by the odd goal scored from 

the penalty spot in the second half. 

“The NFF will continue to monitor 

Osimhen is 

not injured 

—Italian media 

Contrary to claims by the Nigeria 

Football Federation, Napoli 

striker Victor Osimhen is not suffering 

from any physical injury. 

Super Eagles head coach Jose 

Peseiro had included Victor Osimhen 

in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 

international friendly with Portugal 

on Thursday, November 17. 

But the NFF, in a statement released 

on Twitter on Monday, announced 

that Osimhen was injured 

and that Cremonese forward Cyriel 

Dessers had been called up as the 

23-year-old’s replacement. 

However, Italian newspaper 

La Gazzetta dello Sport, reports that 

Osimhen has no physical problem. 

“The former Lille lad only snubbed 

the Portugal friendly to avoid taking 

risks that could endanger him in the 

friendly encounter. 

Osimhen has been crucial to 

Napoli’s charge for a first Serie 

A title tilt in three decades, with 

the Nigerian forward scoring 

nine goals for the Neapolitans. 

Osimhen is Nigeria’s most valuable 

player in the world, with a 

career-high market value of €70 

million. 

•Eagles 

corp of new frontliners after narrowly failing to 

make the train to Qatar. 

Top scorer Victor Osimhen is out injured but 

Peseiro can still call on on-fire Belgium-based 

Onuachu, the nifty Dessers, dependable Moses 

Simon, France-based Moffi and the Italybased 

winger Lookman. 

•NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau with Henry Nwosu 

during his visit 

your situation and will be ready to their support for you to return to your 

offer whatever support it can while healthy self to act in the nation’s interest,” 

Gusau told also calling on all those who can lend 

Nwosu. 

Man Utd eye blockbuster 

Mbappe, Osimhen bid 

ANCHESTER UNITED are 

Mlining up a blockbuster bid for 

•Osimhen 

Kylian Mbappe, with Victor 

Osimhen also in their sights. 

That’s after United said they are 

ready to rip up Cristiano Ronaldo’s 

contract after his explosive interview 

with Piers Morgan. 

The Portuguese superstar, 37, 

stunned United with his shock 

outburst on Sunday night, slamming 

the club’s infrastructure and 

ambition while adding he has “no 

respect” for boss Erik ten Hag. 

The Red Devils are now considering 

their next step, and one option 

is to tear up Ronaldo’s contract 

to make him a free agent. 

That would see United need a 

new striker to lead the line in 2023. 

Ten Hag has already turned to 

Mbappe as his top option. 

The French forward, 

23, is believed to still 

be unhappy at Paris 

Saint-Germain after 

demanding to 

leave last 

month. 

It’s reckoned Mbappe saw red after 

the Ligue 1 champs failed to 

pay him part of his salary in September. 

And United are now putting together 

a potential £150million offer, 

as well as a contract worth an 

initial £500,000-a-week. 

Mbappe’s numbers show he is 

worth it, having scored 19 goals in 

20 games this season. 

But whether PSG will sell is another 

story, having handed 

Mbappe a new deal just six months 

ago. 

That means United are also looking 

at other options, and one of 

them is thought to be Napoli’s 

Osimhen. 

The Nigerian ace, 23, has 

emerged as one of 

Europe’s top 

strikers and has a 

host of admirers. 

And Osimhen 

has looked sharp 

this season with 

10 goals in 14 

games. 

•Mbappe 


WORLD CUP COUNTDWON! WORLD CUP 

COUNTDOWN!! WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN!!! 

Infantino calls for ceasefire during 

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 

•Infantino 

IFA President Gianni Infantino has 

Fmade a direct plea to world leaders 

gathered in Indonesia for the 17th 

Group of Twenty (G20) summit to call 

for ceasefire during FIFA World Cup 

Qatar 2022 and to begin dialogue as a 

first step to bring the conflict in Russia 

and Ukraine to an end. 

Addressing assembled heads of 

state at the intergovernmental forum, 

which comprises of 19 countries and 

the European Union, the FIFA President 

said: “Football is a force for good. 

We are not naïve to believe that football 

can solve the world’s problems. 

We know that our main focus as a 

sports organisation is and should be 

sports, but because Football Unites the 

World, this particular FIFA World Cup, 

with five billion people watching it, 

can be a trigger for a positive gesture, 

for a sign or a message of hope.” 

The FIFA President’s speech recognised 

the current uncertainty in the 

world, and identified countries involved 

in current conflict. “Russia 

hosted the last World Cup in 2018, 

and Ukraine is bidding to host the 

World Cup in 2030,” the FIFA President 

said, when identifying their 2030 

bid together with Portugal and Spain, 

among other bidders. “Maybe, the 

current World Cup, starting in five 

days, can really be that positive trigger. 

So my plea, to all of you, is to 

think on a temporary ceasefire, for one 

month, for the duration of the FIFA 

World Cup, or at least the implementation 

of humanitarian corridors, or 

anything that could lead to the resumption 

of dialogue as a first step to 

peace. You are the world leaders; you 

have the ability to influence the course 

of history.” 

World Cup fans BANNED from baring 

shoulders & midriffs 

LAM World Cup fans risk be 

Ging slapped with huge fines 

or even put behind bars if they 

flash their shoulders or midriffs 

in Qatar. 

The tournament promises to 

be like no other with strict laws 

governing Qatar that could come 

as a shock to visitors. 

Temperatures are set to soar 

towards a scorching 50 degrees - 

but fans must remember to keep 

their kits on and dress appropriately. 

Despite the sweltering conditions, 

female supporters must be 

•Fans 

particularly careful about their clothing choices in the strict Muslim country 

- or they could face a hefty punishment. 

According to Qatar's legal code, things considered harmless in the UK like 

public displays of affection or wearing revealing clothes can be grounds for 

arrest. Fifa has already warned fans that shoulders must be covered in 

public - and Qatar has its own set of strict rules for women in public places in 

the country. 

Although non-Qatari women don't need to wear the abaya - the long, 

black robe - their tops must cover their midriff and shoulders, and skirts, 

dresses and trousers must cover the knees. Women travelling in Qatar are 

also banned from wearing any tight clothing, or flashing any cleavage. The 

World Cup website states: "People can generally wear their clothing of choice. 

"Visitors are expected to cover their shoulders and knees when visiting 

public places like museums and other government buildings. 

"Swimwear is allowed at hotel beaches and pools. 

"Fans attending matches should note that the removal of shirts in the 

stadium is not permitted." 

It means blokes must remember they will not be able to go bare chested 

when the temperature becomes too much. 

Messi: Argentina can't 'fall into trap' of WC hype 

L 

ionel Messi says Argentina can't believe the hype that they are among 

the favourites for the World Cup if they want to win the competition for 

the first time since 1986. 

Argentina ended a 28-year trophy drought in 2021 when they beat 

Brazil in the Copa America final and they qualified for this 

month's tournament in Qatar undefeated. 

Lionel Scaloni's side are now unbeaten in 35 games -- dating 

back to 2019 -- a run which has seen them picked by many 

to go all the way at the World Cup, which starts on Sunday 

when hosts Qatar play Ecuador. 

"All national teams are tough to play against these 

days," Messi told Universo Valdano when asked about 

Argentina's chances. "Every team [at the World Cup] 

will be difficult to beat. 

"We have not had many games against European 

teams [in our unbeaten run], although they don't 

like playing against us either -- playing against South 

American teams is tough as well. "We are in good 

form going into the finals, but we can't fall into trap of •Messi 

believing the hype that we are favourites and will win 

it. We have to be realistic and go step by step." 

Qatar orders beer tents to be hidden away at World Cup stadiums 

udweiser has been told to hide its beer stalls at World Cup stadiums after Qatar’s 

Broyal family wanted alcohol to be less visible. 

The Muslim-majority nation agreed to sponsorship from Budweiser when it 

launched its bid for the World Cup, which kicks off on Sunday. 

Alcohol is allowed in hotel bars, restaurants and other places that are away from public 

view but these restrictions have been relaxed 

for tournament. The installation of beer stations 

outside eight stadiums has been 

underway for most of the last month. But late 

last week a senior Qatari royal asked for the 

beer concessions to be moved to less visible 

sites, the New York Times reports. It’s understood 

the order came from with Sheikh 

Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the 

brother of Qatar’s ruler. 

A 

Qatar 2022 squads confirmed 

ll 32 teams' 26 players now avail 

able. 832 players confirmed they 

will feature at the finals. 

With the 2022 FIFA World Cup 

Qatar just four days away, the full 

squads for all 32 teams can finally be 

confirmed as anticipation for kick off 

cranks up another notch. The announcement 

of the 26-man lists confirms 

the sporting dreams of 832 players, 

who will all head to the 22nd 

edition of the finals, which are set to 

kick-off when hosts Qatar face Ecuador 

in Al-Bayt Stadium on Sunday 

20 November. 

•Players

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 

Sudoku 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

How to Play Sudoku 

C 

M 

Y 

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER 

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two 

of the same number). 

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine 

lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block 

(nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means 

that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. 

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or 

multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION 

ACROSS 

1 Speed up (10) 

7 Cherished (8) 

8 Jokes (4) 

9 King of beasts (4) 

10 Greedy eater (7) 

12 Concur (3,3,2,3) 

14 Respire (7) 

16 Put away for storage (4) 

19 Stinging insect (4) 

20 Lack of strength (8) 

21 One who looks after children (10) 

DOWN 

1 Spring month (5) 

2 Violent windstorm (7) 

3 Facial expression (4) 

4 Unhesitating (8) 

5 Blotto (5) 

6 Cold-shoulder (6) 

11 Incidentally (2,3,3) 

12 Story in instalments (6) 

13 Defunct (7) 

15 First Greek letter (5) 

17 More judicious (5) 

18 Indian dress (4) 

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