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Newsweek
Chris Smalls Taunts Musk, Says 'Disgruntled' Employee Wants Help Unionizing
"Let's see how their freedom of speech will be heard," the labor organizer tweeted at the Tesla CEO.
THISDAYLIVE
Yobe North: Appeal Court Affirms Machina APC Senatorial Candidate
Alex Enumah in Abuja
The Court of Appeal, Abuja, has affirmed Hon. Bashir Machina as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Yobe North Senatorial District election slated for February 25 next year.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision upheld the judgment of a Federal High Court in Damaturu, Yobe State, which sacked Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, as candidate of the APC in the said senatorial poll.
The judgment delivered by President of the appellate court, Justice Monica Dongban-mensem, agreed with the trial court that Lawan did not participate in the May 28 primary, recognised as the authentic primary for the selection of the party’s candidate in the forthcoming senatorial election.
The three-member panel of the appellate court further declared as invalid, the primary election conducted by the APC on June 9, which produced the Senate President, describing it as a breach of the constitution.
The judgment noted that contrary to the provisions of the law, INEC did monitor the primaries of June 9 that produced Lawan.
The APC had approached the appellate court for an order setting aside the judgment of the Federal High Court in Damaturu, Yobe and another order declaring Lawan as its candidate for the Yobe North Senatorial District election.
However, Justice Dongban-mensem held that “the appeal is unmeritorious as it fails in its entirety,” adding that the appellant (APC) should pay the sum of N1 million to Machina as cost.
Machina had emerged victorious at the party’s primary election for senatorial election, while the Senate President lost the presidential ticket to former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu.
However, the party conducted a fresh primary for the Yobe North Senatorial seat on June 9,which was won by Lawan and his name subsequently forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as candidate of the APC for the said senatorial district election, an action which resulted in the current litigation.
But the electoral umpire refused to accept the nomination of Lawal as candidate of the APC in the election.
Lawan had in September stated that he would not appeal the judgment of Justice Fadimatu Aminu of the Federal High Court Damaturu, which had on September 28, 2022, declared Machina winner of the primary election organised by the APC in May this year.
THISDAYLIVE
2023: South West Muslims Will Deliver Tinubu, Says MURIC
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
The Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof. Isiaq Akintola, has assured the South West that Muslims in the region would deliver the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.
Akintola, who gave the assurance yesterday while speaking with journalists at the sideline during a send-forth and book presentation organised by the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), in honour of a former Executive Secretary of the organisation, Prof. Daud Noibi, held at the University of Ibadan, said they would support the former Lagos State governor because he was one of them.
The MUSWEN, in a statement by its President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, had long endorsed the APC standard bearer.
Akintola, while supporting the position of MUSWEN, said Muslims in the South West havdno reason not to support Tinubu as he was the only leading presidential candidate from the region.
He lamented that Muslims in the region have been suffering for decades, stating that those who have either been President or Vice President from the region were Christians.
“MUSWEN endorsed the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and I want to affirm that MUSWEN has no other choice. They don’t have any other alternative. MURIC has said it earlier that we are supporting a Muslim presidential candidate from the South West.
“Because, the Yoruba Muslims have suffered for decades. All those who have been either President or Vice President are Christians. From Obasanjo to Diya to Shonekan and now to the current Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, all of them have been Christians.
“At this time, we are supporting MUSWEN for endorsing Tinubu. MURIC has said it earlier that we want a Muslim presidential candidate and since Tinubu has emerged as the APC candidate, the South West Muslims have no other choice than to support him.”
THISDAYLIVE
FG: Standardisation Key to Reaping AfCFTA Benefits
James Emejo and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Maryam Katagum yesterday said the role of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) remained critical in helping the country’s manufacturing sector to fully benefit from the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The minister said the assurance of adherence to internationally accepted standards which the organisation upholds would eliminate technical barriers to trade making to make locally produced items more competitive globally.
Speaking at the 50th-anniversary celebration of SON in Abuja, Katagum said one of the goals of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was to ensure that the country takes advantage of emerging trade opportunities across the world, adding that adherence to quality standards was however critical to achieving its objective.
The minister particularly commended SON for the positive role it has played in promoting the growth of the manufacturing sector and the economy at large, adding that its, “activities especially through the MANCAP scheme have contributed immensely to the increased acceptability of Nigerian-made products in the international market achieved by this administration.”
She further assured the organisation of the government’s continued support towards achieving its primary mandate.
The minister said, “In acknowledgment of its consistent implementation of reforms aimed at making its services more easily accessible to the public, SON has been ranked first in the Ease of Doing Business by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
“In addition, the organisation recently received an Award from the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for Ease of Doing Business in the Information Technology Sector. These two recognitions are no doubt fitting anniversary gifts which will no doubt challenge the organisation to keep up its good work.”
She added that the accomplishments of SON over the past 50 years could not have been possible without the strong support of successive governments especially the various ministers of industry and trade.
Katagum also admitted that her ministry had also benefitted immensely from the strong support of Buhari and the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who remained a strong advocate of the growth of MSMEs.
She noted that the leadership provided by the president and his vice had helped to position the ministry to provide SON with the support that has resulted in its achievements in the recent past.
The minister also pointed out that the current Director General of the agency, Mallam Farouk Salim, alongside his management team had demonstrated innovation, resourcefulness, and commitment in his leadership of the organisation, and, “I have no doubt that SON is in safe hands.”
She also reassured SON of the ministry’s continued support and guidance as it looks forward to the next 50 years of existence.
The minister said, “Fifty years is a long time in the life of an organisation in Nigeria especially given the fact that our existence as an independent country is only 12 years longer.
“SON must, therefore, be one of the oldest government institutions in Nigeria. This anniversary is therefore undoubtedly a milestone worth celebrating.
“In addition, the steady growth of the Organisation from its humble beginnings to becoming the Apex Standards Body in Nigeria with constitutional responsibilities is also remarkable and worth celebrating.”
THISDAYLIVE
Lawmakers Summon NIA, DIA over Contract Awarded for Construction of Presidential Lodge in Ethiopia
Udora Orizu in Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Account has summoned the Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and that of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over their roles in the financing of contracts awarded by the Nigerian High Commission in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
This was just as the Acting Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Janet Oliseh and two Financial Attaches that served in the Mission during the time the controversial contract was signed in 2013, were made to explain their roles in the payment process.
The Office of the AuGF had raised an 8-point query on the Addisa Baba Mission project also bordering on funds’ embezzlement, non-compliance to public procurement provisions in contract award, payment to contractors without required certificates as well as not following due process in virtually all stages of the contract award.
The lawmakers at the Investigative Hearing got to know that the award of contract for the construction of a presidential lodge and guest chalets to serve the Nigerian delegation to the annual AU conference in the Ethiopian capital, at the instance of then President Goodluck Jonathan’s pronouncement was exclusively financed by the two major external-related security agencies, DIA and NIA.
“From records I met upon my recent resumption as the director overseeing the PS office in the ministry, the bank account from which the project was financed untill an order came for its stoppage was controlled by the DIA and NIA, with the Foreign Affairs Ministry not having any say or control over it”, Oliseh said
She said this explained the first part of the query raised by the Auditor General of the Federation AuGF that the Nigerian Mission in Ethiopia was denying it access to financial documents in its investigation on the projects costed at over N220 million.
Though the acting PS initially denied and tried to give explanations to issues raised in the Auditor’s query, she later upon facts presented by the committee, asked for more time to review the reply submitted by the ministry before her assumption of office, with a view of getting to the heart of the matter and providing additional information and documents as requested by the committee.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Wole Oke had earlier frowned at the manner both Ambassador Lulu and his predecessor in office at the Addisa Baba Mission Ambassador Adeoye had handled the long-lasting issue to drag on till now without resolving it.
Oke noted that in as much as much of the Committee’s work was post-mortem in nature, the mission contract issue since 2013, was allowed to drag on for two long with none of the personalities involved exhaustively exploring the available windows of resolution.
The committee chairman noted that the committee was pressed for time to turn in its reports on audit queries and granted the acting PS two weeks instead of the six weeks she asked for to get her acts together for reappearance.
THISDAYLIVE
Oloye, a Colossus Nigerian Leaders Must Emulate, Say Lumumba, Sultan
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Kenyan intellectual and rights activist, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, yesterday, implored Nigerian leaders to not only memorialise the life and times of former strongman of Kwara politics, the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, but also exhibit his “basket of good deeds”.
Similarly, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad, described Saraki’s style of politics as worthy of emulation.
Lumumba and Sultan spoke during the 10th memorial lecture for the politician, who died in 2012.
Lumumba, who was guest speaker, said, “Saraki was present on this earth. He had his time and he is gone. We are all gathered here today to remember him and his basket of deeds. It would appear to me that his baskets of good deeds outweighs his basket of bad deeds.”
Lumumba imagined that Saraki in heaven was now asking Nigerians, “it is 10 years since I left, where are the leaders? How have they served and is also asking Nigerians how have you been served?
“The great Saraki is asking the followers, have you demanded and the followers whether they have been served, just as he asked for the unity of those who are seeking to do good.”
The don, known for his oratory skills, while telling the story of the shepherds leading and protecting their cattle from elements, said leading human beings is entirely different.
“You may mislead them, but remember that there is the day of reckoning. History has demonstrated that men can rise when they are misled,” he said.
Lumumba recalled with nostalgia the enthusiasm that heralded independence in Africa and how African leaders, like Obafemi Awolowo, Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda, Samora Machel, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Abdel Nasser, denied themselves of material gains and fought for independence. He regretted that this was no longer the case with many leaders of Africa and Nigeria today.
“Kaunda had only $5,000 dollars when he died. That is what current politicians spend on breakfast. We are suffering from deficit of leadership,” he said.
Taking a tour of Africa, he quoted Chinua Achebe’s “The Trouble With Nigeria,” and asked whether the continent was at peace and quiet.
“If Nigeria is not at peace, Africa will never be at peace,” he emphasised.
Lumumba said although the country had some of the best professionals in the world, it was tainted with the e-fraud syndrome of “yahoo boys”, adding that Nigerians are present everywhere in the world.
“Can it, with its billion dollars investment capability, which can afford a trillion dollar gross domestic product (GDP) realise its potential?” he asked.
Lamenting the continent and Nigeria’s mortality rate, hunger, failing institutions, educational backwardness, and dearth of amenities, he submitted that the politics and economies of Africa “is controlled by others from other civilisations.”
Suggesting that true and reliable leadership must have a knowledgeable followership, he said, “Instead, African leaders have now assigned the question of educating their citizens to NGOs financed abroad and other civilisations.
“He who pays the piper pays the due. African followership is built from outside. Africans will never realise their potential until those in leadership instil what is right in the minds of the citizens, shun ethnicism and religious bigotry.
Lumumba stated, “I look forward to when leaders and followers in Africa will realise that it is not for us to fight for God but that the nature of the God they serve fights for us.
“Exorcise the ghosts of ethnicity, poverty, ignorance and selfishness. Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
He added, “Nigerian leaders must be in front to serve and never to be served.”
He said the country was blessed with a critical mass of followers, whom he insisted must be [...]
THISDAYLIVE
FG Seeks Collaborative Efforts in Addressing Skewed Int’l Tax Rules
•Harmonisation of tax systems will plug revenue leakages, says Nami
James Emejo and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed yesterday called on the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) to join forces with Nigeria in insisting that the skewed international tax rules be straightened for the good of all.
The minister insisted that the current international tax rules were skewed against some countries, particularly developing nations, including Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening of the 42nd Annual Technical Conference of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) with the theme: “Tax Administration in the Digital Era,” in Abuja, the minister stressed that taxation was a matter of domestic law, pointing out that disputes arising from the interpretation of domestic legislation should only be resolved within those domestic legislations and by people properly schooled to interpret them.
Ahmed said Nigeria was committed to working with other jurisdictions and international bodies to achieve a win-win solution in the contentious matter.
She said, “Painfully, the skewness in the current international tax rules is again influencing the two-pillar solution of the Inclusive Framework.
“We have observed, for instance, that “Amount A” profit meant for market jurisdictions is progressively being chipped away in favour of jurisdictions where the multinationals are resident.
“Another example of skewness of the ‘Amount A’, rules are the requirement for jurisdictions to surrender domestic tax disputes to the mandatory and binding ruling of an arbitration panel composed and sitting outside the legal system of the respective jurisdictions.
She said the “discussion to change the rules must start now; the world must rework the profit allocation rules used for transfer pricing and the sharing of taxing rights by tax treaty partners.
“Nigeria is of the view that CATA is that organisation that is best placed to start this dialogue. Nigeria is committed to working with other jurisdictions and international bodies to achieve a win-win solution.
“The ‘Amount A’ proposal being developed by the Inclusive Framework is not achieving consensus because it is founded on win-lose principles. Only rules that promote a win-win situation can achieve the support of all.”
The minister said countries must cast aside their differences or individual self-interest to jointly develop a workable, simple, and fair solution to the challenges confronting taxation.
She identified other problematic areas of taxation including digitalisation of tax administration, fair international tax rules, capacity development, and nomad workers.
She also urged delegates and experts at the conference to use the opportunities presented by the conference to speak frankly on the issues confronting the international tax system and come up with an actionable communique that will help the government in formulating appropriate policies.
Also, in his remarks, the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Muhammad Nami, noted that harmonisation of tax systems was on the front burner of the fiscal conversations in many jurisdictions, adding that it is a reform that must happen for the governments to plug leakages and shore up revenue.
He said, “Some jurisdictions have achieved this, and they testify to its advantage over the fragmented system. Others need to learn how, why and what jurisdictions that have harmonised their tax systems have to share.”
He also noted the upsurge of disruptive technological innovations in the business environment in recent times, adding that these have triggered peculiar issues that tax authorities are grappling with.
He said the business world was i[...]
e inception, this administration, in line with its commitment to promoting the rule of law, has accorded top priority to the funding of the judiciary.
“Hence, we have ensured a progressive budgetary allocation to the judiciary which has seen an increase from N73 billion in 2015, to over N130 billion in 2022. A further increased sum of N150 billion has been proposed for 2023.
“In addition to the foregoing, we have provided special intervention when the need arises, particularly, in meeting the huge cost of running election tribunals”, the AGF said.
He therefore enjoined stakeholders to note that their collective efforts are indeed needed to attain desired levels of good governance and development.
“Since law and development are interwoven, then positive changes in the judiciary will by necessary implication serve as precipitating factors for the much-needed developments in our national polity. Therefore, we continue to solicit the support and cooperation of the judiciary in this regard,” he added.
and the appellation of Osun as “State of the Virtuous” remained legal, as they were backed by relevant laws.
Akande, however, said since there was a judgement on the matter relating to reverting to Osun State, as against “State of Osun,” the legislature would wait till all legal means were exhausted before stating its position on it.
Akande explained that the state would continue to be referred to as the State of the Virtuous (Ipinle Omoluabi), because the decision was an enactment of law and not by choice.
He stated, “The usage of the State Anthem, Crest, and Flag is an enactment of law and as such, its usage is a matter of law and not choice.
“The enactment ‘State of Osun Anthem, Crest and Flag Law, 2012’ assented to on the 18th of December, 2012 contained in Schedule I, II, III, IV and V, which carefully details every component of this law is not in ambiguity.
“Schedule I is the State Anthem, Schedule II has to do with the State Crest, Schedule III is the symbolic significance of the symbolic significance of the elements in the flag.
“Lastly, while we are aware of a court judgement in effect recognising ‘Osun State’, the Assembly, pending the determination and exhaustion of all legal means, would not be drawn into this matter. However, the state shall and will continue to be described as the State of the Virtuous (Ipinle Omoluabi).”
Meanwhile, APC, in a statement by the State Deputy Chairman, Sooko Taju Lawal, said the ostensibly premeditated attacks in Osogbo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Iwo, Ila-Orangun, Ijebu-Jesa, and other towns in the state, which erupted immediately after the swearing-in of the new PDP governor was an indication that the Adeleke administration was not capable of constitutionally protecting life and property in the state.
Lawal stated that the attacks on innocent members of the public by the PDP hoodlums was inhuman, inconsiderate, barbaric, and pungently oppressive.
According to him, there are reports indicating that a number of people were attacked and wounded, with vehicles either burnt down and innocent people being harassed within 48 hours of the existence of the PDP administration in the state. He said the development was an indication that the helmsman of the new administration was putting on the proverbial oversized shoes.
The state APC chief implored the police authorities and other security agencies in the state to intensify their efforts to secure life and property. He regretted that the Osun PDP and Adeleke had chosen wilful injection of hostility and violence as the hallmark of their new administration, where innocent people were needlessly attacked and harassed.
THISDAYLIVE
Emmanuel: No Candidate Matches Atiku’s Capacity
•Says PDP going into 2023 election to win
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, says there is no candidate in the race for presidency in 2023 with the kind of capacity and knowledge of national issues that the candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has. Emmanuel stated this in an exclusive interview with THISDAY.
The governor said he was confident the main opposition party was going into the 2023 presidential election to win.
He said, “I’m not boasting, but among those contesting today, there is no candidate with the same capacity, knowledge and understanding of the problem and what to do for Nigeria like Atiku. There is none, not even one. I’m not being biased at all; I’m giving you a very objective opinion.
“There is none. So, that is why you see me following, because I love my country. I love my people. I want this country to get better, and even in terms of the assemblage of good people with genuine intentions, give it to Atiku; he can put a square peg in a square hole and get the result.”
The Akwa Ibom State governor added, “I started by saying I’m very, very optimistic. But I don’t think the issue is about any party. The issue is about Nigerians, because, you see, Nigeria is a peculiar country, and we are a peculiar people, too: suffering and smiling, like Fela said. You don’t need anybody to tell you this.
“If you’re feeling the heat of the sun outside and it is left for you to come under an umbrella and basically you refused, then what do you want God to do for you? Even God Himself said, ‘I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me and open, I will enter.’
“So, God has given you the willpower to get out of the storm and come under the umbrella. PDP provides an umbrella, and you refused to come under the umbrella. Nobody can force you. So, the issue is not about the party.
“The issue is about Nigerians, who have the power to say, ‘Hey, I am tired. You guys took over power, when the exchange rate was N186. Today, it is almost N900. You guys took over power, when a bag of rice was N6, 000. Today, it is N42, 000. You guys took over power when corruption wasn’t even anything to go by. But today, it is on a very large scale — when fuel was this and today it is this.’
“Our economy’s growth rate was almost double-digit, and today we are on a minus. Every single index in this country is on a negative trend. There is no Nigerian, beginning from the least to the highest level, that is not feeling the pain. You don’t feel the pain, because you have food to eat. What about those who stop you by the way every time?
“They say you don’t have a good heart. If you have the heart of the people, by the time you see some people on the main road, you go back home and won’t be able to sleep. So, everybody is feeling it; it is left for people to just rise and say, ‘Hey, let us go back to what we knew worked well.’
“And this is not even the case of the children of Israel, who wanted to go back to Egypt and be faced with hard labour. In this case, there was no hard labour. It was actually a paradise you ran away (from). All you need to do is go back to paradise, and paradise is with those who have the capacity.”
Regarding his thought on the 2023 polls, Emmanuel said, “I say I’m not looking at any permutation. I’m going into this with optimism, because if I’m going with permutation, it means I shouldn’t be the chairman of the campaign council. I’m going with optimism. I would not have accepted been the chairman if I was not optimistic that I’m going to win. So, we are in the race to win. There’s no permutation in this case at all.
“We are trying to take the right step. That’s why you are asking about a few issues in our party, and I said, of course, we are making progress.[...]
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Newsweek
King Charles III Makes First Address to the Nation—His Remarks in Full
The new monarch made his first public address as sovereign from Buckingham Palace on Friday, paying tribute to his mother and dedicating himself to his duty.
THISDAYLIVE
CBN Outlines Policy Initiatives to Accelerate 95% Financial Inclusion Target
THISDAYLIVE
Police Arrest, Detain NNPP Financier in Kano
•Party’s candidate wants APC chair arrested, may boycott peace accord
Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and Juliet Akoje in Abuja
The Kano State Police Command, has arrested and detained the Kwankwasiyya major financier, Ambassador Yusuf Imam, popularly known as ‘Ogan Boye’.
The influential NNPP chieftain was picked up at his Nasarawa residence Sunday night.
His arrest came on the heels of a drumbeat of war by both leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the New Nigeria People’s Party ahead of the 2023 general election.
Abdullahi Abbas, the Chairman, All Progressives Congress fired the first salvo at Gaya at the flag off the party governorship campaign last week where he boasted that the ruling APC would capture Kano “by hook or crook” during the forthcoming elections.
It could not be established as at press time reasons for his arrest by the police as top senior officers connected to the arrest and detention of Ogan Boye maintained sealed lips.
But the gubernatorial candidate of NNPP in Kano, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Kano state APC chairman Abdullahi Abbas, for instigating and perpetrating political violence in the state, threatening to boycott peace accord entered into if this was not done.
However, the chairman of NNPP in Kano, Umar Hudu Doguwa, has also responded to the development, saying, “We have accepted Abdullahi Abbas’ challenge, and wish to assure him that we are equal to the task.”
Spokesperson of Kano NNPP gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Sanusi Bature, told reporters that “Ogan Boye’s arrest and detention was a calculated move by the ruling party in Kano to intimidate the NNPP. “
He however, assured their supporters that, “We will never succumb to cheap blackmail.”
But Yusuf in a press statement by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, called on the security agencies in the state to swiftly swing into action to arrest Abbas to curtail the ever-increasing political violence as the election approaches to ensure the safety and security of lives and properties of Kano state citizens, residents, and visitors.
According to the statement, the APC state chairman was publicly aiding and actively supporting violent attacks on NNPP supporters and campaign properties throughout the city.
“Recently, Abdullahi Abbas directed his biological son Sani Abdullahi Abbas (popularly known as Ochi Dandaba) and his closed aide Junaidu Abdulhamid in company of over fifty (50) thugs to attack the family house and Ward’s campaign office of the NNPP governorship candidate in Chiranchi quarters and injured supporters of the opposition party in the area on Saturday, 12th November, 2022,” he said.
According to him, the suspects were allegedly supplied with dangerous weapons by the said son of Abbas while Rayyanu, a police personnel from Gwale Division, allegedly provided them with security cover to perpetrate the evil act.
“The NNPP Gubernatorial candidate is therefore demanding the immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution of Abbdullahi Abbas, his son Sani Abdullahi Abbas and other suspects that were involved in the attacks, inciting statements and other atrocities that have been perpetrated on our supporters and innocent citizen of the state that are capable of destroying the relative peace in the state.
“We also want to state in clear terms that if the utterances of Abdullahi Abbas toward political violence are not squarely addressed, we will be left with no other option than to boycott the forthcoming signing of peace accord initiated by the National Peace Committee under the able Leadership of the Former Head of State, Gen. Abdussalam Abubakar and any other inter-party agreements toward 2023 elections as doing same may not guarantee the protection of lives and properties of the good people of Kano State,” he stated.
THISDAYLIVE
Court Fixes December 8 for Judgment on APC Ogun West Senatorial Ticket
James Sowole in Abeokuta
The Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday fixed December 8, 2022, for judgment in the suit filed by four persons against the candidacy of the Senator Solomon Adeola as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ogun West Senatorial District.
Adeola, who won the Ogun West APC Senatorial District Primary, is the serving senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.
Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik fixed the date after listening to Counsels to both plaintiffs and defendants in a suit that arose from the conduct of the May 28, 2022 senatorial primary of the APC in Ogun West.
While Mr. Seni Adio represented the plaintiffs who are Johnson Akindele, Babalola Oluwasaanu and Akanbi Orobiyi; Mr. Bode Olanipekun represented the defendants, who are Senator Adeola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly.
In the suit, the plaintiffs sought the interpretation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) , the Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress to determine the validity of Adeola’s nomination by the APC to contest the party’s primaries and the 2023 General Election, on the platform of the APC in Ogun West Senatorial District while still a sitting and serving senator representing Lagos West in the National Assembly.
The plaintiffs were canvassing that Adeola fragrantly contravened and infringed upon the Provision of Section 65(2) (b) of the Electoral Act 2022 and article 9(1) and 20 of the APC Constitution with the party parading himself as the APC’s nominated candidate for the office of senator for Ogun West while he remains a sitting and serving senator simultaneously representing Lagos West Senatorial District.
Convinced that the Ist-3rd defendants erred, the plaintiffs sought some orders against them to achieve their aims.
They sought, “an order of mandatory injunction directing the second and third defendants to recognise the candidate who came second (runner up) against the 1st defendant in the primary conducted on May 28,2022 in the Ogun West Senatorial District as the 3rd Defendant’s validly nominated candidate.
“A further order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st defendant whether by himself or his privies, officer or agents from parading himself as the 3rd Defendant’s validly nominated candidate to contest in the 2023 General Election in constituency of Ogun West Senatorial District.
“And for such further order or orders as the honourable court deem just to make in the circumstance of the case.”
At yesterday’s hearing, counsels to the two parties, adopted their final written addresses, which made the Judge to fix the judgment date.
While speaking with journalists, counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Seni Adio said the matter was a constitutional matter and the two parties, have given their final submission and waiting for the judgment of the court.
THISDAYLIVE
FG Mulls Regional Summit on Farmers-Herders Conflict Dec. 12
•Advises Nigerian travellers to US, Europe to be cautious of thieves
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The federal government has said it was planning to hold a regional summit in Abuja on December 12 to adopt a common approach to addressing the farmers-herders conflict.
This is as the government has issued a new travel advisory, warning Nigerian travellers in the United States and the UK, some of whom were dispossessed of their belongings at high brow shops, particularly, in the high street of Oxford to take extra precaution and avoid being robbed of their belongings.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the fifth edition of the ‘PMB Administration Scorecard 2015-2023 Series’.
He described ranching as the easiest way to containing the farmers-herders’ clashes in the country, adding the federal government was doing everything possible to contain the perennial farmers-herders strife that has often resulted in the loss of lives and property.
He said the federal government had embarked on an advocacy, strengthening Agro-Rangers and effective synergy among other security agencies to create a conducive environment for farmers in the rural communities.
Abubakar said President Muhammadu Buhari had also signed into law the National Agricultural Development Fund 2022, which would provide additional source of funding for the agricultural sector apart from budgetary allocation.
The minister, therefore, called on farmers in rural communities to form cooperative societies and approach the ministry for support or intervention.
In his opening address, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, noted that the advisory on theft was imperative given that Nigerians were often robbed of their belongings especially money and international passports in Europe and the US.
He lamented that the incidents had reached an increasingly high rate and therefore, the need for the advice.
“We have, therefore, decided to advise Nigerians travelling to Europe and the United States to take extra precaution to avoid being dispossessed of their belongings. This is not your typical travel advisory.
“Issuing such is the prerogative of our embassies/high commissions as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is merely a piece of advice to Nigerians, who may be visiting the affected parts of the world,” Mohammed said.
THISDAYLIVE
Oil Prices Tumble to One-year Low, Begins Recovery After Rumoured Planned OPEC Cut
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Oil prices yesterday tumbled to the lowest level since December on the back of rising unrest in China, the world’s biggest crude importer and consumer, clouding the outlook for energy demand.
West Texas Intermediate sank toward $74 a barrel following three weeks of losses, while Brent traded around $81 earlier in the day.
However, it turned positive later in the day, recovering after falling to close to the lowest this year, as rumours of an Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production cut offset concerns about street protests against strict COVID-19 curbs in China.
At the time of this report, WTI crude had risen 48 cents, or 0.1 per cent, to $76.76 , after touching its lowest since December 22, at $73.60.
Also, Brent crude, Nigeria’s oil benchmark, rose 14 cents, or 0.2 per cent, to trade at $83.77 a barrel having slumped more than 3 per cent to $80.61 earlier in the session for its lowest since January 4.
Both benchmarks, which hit 10-month lows last week, have posted three consecutive weekly declines, Reuters reported.
“The word on the street is there’s rumour that OPEC+ is already starting to float the idea of a production cut on Sunday,” said Matt Smith, lead oil analyst at Kpler. “That’s helped reverse losses that were caused overnight by Chinese protests,” he added.
OPEC and allies including Russia, a group known as OPEC+, will meet on December 4, to decide the next line of action, but in October, the group agreed to reduce its output target by 2 million barrels per day through 2023.
China has stuck with President Xi Jinping’s zero-COVID policy even as much of the world has lifted most restrictions, although recent events have now shown that the people are getting tired of the lockdowns.
Protests over harsh anti-virus curbs erupted across the world’s largest crude importer over the weekend, including demonstrations in Beijing and Shanghai, spurring a broad sell-off in commodities as the week opened. The rare show of defiance is raising the threat of a government crackdown.
The unrest is coming after a sharp pullback in the oil market as the risk of a slowdown in China looms and the European Union floated a price cap on Russian crude that looks set to have minimal impact on trade.
Speculators have been forced to markedly reduce bullish bets, posting the sixth-largest reduction in net-long positions on record for Brent last week.
In Nigeria, the federal government continues to battle to increase production and meet its OPEC allocation of roughly 1.8 million barrels per day, although the country can barely drill 1 million bpd.
We’ll resolve all issues. You can’t let anybody go in an election; every vote matters.
“Every single person is important in politics, not to talk of when you’re talking about very big men. Small men like us will go and prostrate ourselves before them: please oh, big men, don’t let us down. I’m into this game to win. I don’t think anybody will get to this point and be doing permutation. What kind of permutation?”
Emmanuel spoke on the group of five aggrieved PDP governors, G-5, saying, “But they are not unhappy with me as Udom Emmanuel. Did they tell you they were unhappy with the party? Four of them are candidates of the party. They hold tickets of the party. They’re members of the party; you are getting it wrong.
“Even spoons and plates hit themselves and create a lot of noise; that doesn’t mean they’ve broken. It doesn’t mean they’ve broken. I think that is the situation here. For the fact that people are unhappy, it is inevitable, definitely inevitable, with a large party like PDP. It is the largest party in the whole of Africa.
“So, certainly, we all make mistakes. I must also confess as a party, we’ve made mistakes, and as individuals, we’ve made mistakes. But these mistakes, I can assure you, will not break us. We are trying to come back, review and then reappraise and see how we can move forward, and I can assure you, we’ll do that.”
THISDAYLIVE
CBN Outlines Policy Initiatives to Accelerate 95% Financial Inclusion Target
•Agent banking channels hit 1.4 million in October
Obinna Chima
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that it is assiduously working towards achieving its 95 per cent financial inclusion target by 2024, with the recent launch of its Revised National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS 3.0) and a number of other important policy frameworks.
It listed the other initiatives to help ensure 95 per cent of Nigerians have access to financial services to include the National Strategy for Leveraging Agent Networks for Women’s Financial Inclusion; National Fintech Strategy; Nigeria Payments System Vision 2025 (PSV 2025); Nigerian Financial Services Maps (NFSMaps); the CBN Regulatory Sandbox as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria – Central Bank of Egypt Fintech Bridge.
The CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability Directorate, Mrs. Aishah Ahmad, disclosed this in a speech she delivered at the recently held 2022 Financial Inclusion Conference, in Abuja, a copy of which was made available to THISDAY yesterday.
According to Ahmad, “notwithstanding these successes, some of which were spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, certain segments such as youth, rural dwellers, women, north-east and north-west regions and MSMEs/Farmers remain relatively excluded [11%, 24%, 8%, 32% (NW) and three per cent (access to formal loans) respectively] compared to the national averages. Progress in credit, insurance and pensions have also been slow. These segments are the key target priority areas for the NFIS 3.0.
“Agent banking network growth was significant, increasing from 38,416 agents in December 2018 to 1.4 million by October 2022, primarily driven by the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facility (SANEF) initiative of the CBN and the Bankers Committee.
“This expansion of agent network is an important lever to expand the number of financial access points per 100,000 of the population – thereby boosting access to affordable financial services by those in the more dispersed rural areas and certain urban centers. The growth in agent networks which has been significant also in the North-East (67% in 2020) will be important for improving financial inclusion in the north.
“Whilst the 2022 A2F survey is being awaited, it is anticipated that the financial inclusion rate would have improved by another 5 percentage points, drawing on the momentum on Digital Financial Services spurred by COVID-19 pandemic, and leveraging the myriad of financial services solutions in the dynamic financial system.”
Furthermore, she listed future priorities for accelerating financial inclusion for the CBN to include consolidating interagency and policy – innovation collaboration; deepening digital financial services penetration in excluded segments through the e-Naira offline solution; enhancing and harmonising digital identity for financial inclusion; and leveraging NIN foundational ID for further financial inclusion.
Others are implementing full cashless policy nationwide; implementation of the Nigerian Domestic Card project; gender mainstreaming in financial services; expending agent network penetration in underserved areas and further development of a robust payment system infrastructure.
Ahmad pointed out that financial inclusion remains an important policy goal for countries and central banks, given its role as a key driver of poverty alleviation and economic growth.
She noted that when individuals have access to financial services that are varied, affordable and meets their specific needs and circumstances, it enhances their economic opportunities, financial resilience and wealth prospects thereby boosting national productivity and inclusive growth and development.
“Global alliances for financial inclusion such as the Financial Inclusion Global In[...]
THISDAYLIVE
NDIC Disburses N113.2bn to Insured, Uninsured Depositors
Nume Ekeghe and James Emejo in Port-Harcourt
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Mr. Bello Hassan has stated that the corporation has cumulatively paid N11.83 billion to over 443,949 insured depositors and over N101.37 billion to uninsured depositors of all categories of banks in-liquidation.
This brings the total amount to N113.2 billion.
He noted that the updated figures captured the 49 deposit money banks (DMBs) in liquidation as of June 2022.
He said this yesterday, in his opening remark at the 19th edition of NDIC Workshop the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) and Business Editors with the theme, “Boosting Depositors’ Confidence Amidst Emerging Issues and Challenges in the Banking System.”
According him, “As of June 2022, the NDIC had cumulatively paid N11.83 billion to over 443,949 insured depositors and over N101.37 billion to uninsured depositors of all categories of banks in-liquidation.
“It is most profound for me to say that out of the 49 DMBs in-liquidation, the Corporation in September 2022 declared 100 per cent liquidation dividend in 20 of those institutions, meaning that the Corporation has realised enough funds from their assets to fully pay all depositors of the listed banks.”
He added as of June 30, 2022, the NDIC provided deposit insurance coverage to a total of 981 insured financial institutions.
The breakdown included: 33 DMBs made up of 24 commercial banks, six merchant banks and three non-interest banks (NIBs).
Others, he added were: two non-interest windows, 882 Microfinance Banks (MFBs), 34 Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), three Payment Service Banks (PSBs), and 29 Mobile Money Operators.
Hassan added that the corporation was determined to ensure a faster and orderly resolution of liquidated banks.
He said: “In the area of scaling up the deposit insurance framework and ensuring faster and orderly resolutions of liquidated insured institutions, in May this year, with the active participation of the relevant stakeholders, we had developed and deployed the Single Customer View (SCV) platform for the Microfinance and Primary Mortgage Banks in order to strengthen our processes and procedure for data collection.
“The platform would not only ensure availability of quality, timely and complete data to the NDIC, but would eliminate delays often experienced in reimbursing depositors following revocation of institutions’ licences by the CBN.
“The final phase of the implementation of the SCV for Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) will be achieved through the incorporation of the SCV template as part of the ongoing Integrated Regulatory Solution (IRS) jointly being developed with the CBN.”
He added that in the area of consumer protection, the corporation has strengthened its complaints resolution platforms, which include the Toll-Free Help Desk, social media handles and Complaints Desks in the Bank Examination, Special Insured Institutions and Claims Resolutions Departments, as well as our Zonal Offices, to receive and process complaints from depositors.
“The fact that the global banking landscape has continued to be defined and challenged by technological disruptions, innovations, and novelties cannot be overemphasised.
“This reality has not only put a demand on regulators and supervisors in the sector across the world to enhance surveillance, but it has also called for stronger collaborations, in order to deliver services that are laced with constantly improved values to the banking public and society at large,” he added.
THISDAYLIVE
FG Banks on Energy Transition Plan to Pull 100m Nigerians out of Poverty
•Insists delivering net-zero target requires $1.9trn spending till 2060
•EU pledges to support Nigeria’s ETP with €400m projects, programmes
Peter Uzoho
For the umpteenth time, the federal government has hinged its target of pulling 100 million Nigerians from the shackles of poverty on the implementation of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP).
The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, stated this yesterday, at the Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF2022), which was held virtually, insisting that delivering net-zero target required $1.9 trillion spending up to 2060.
Also at the forum, the European Union (EU) promised to support Nigeria in its energy transition plan by contributing some €400 million worth of projects and programmes to achieve the plan.
The minister stated that aside pulling 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, the ETP would also help to drive economic growth of the country.
“It will also bring modern energy services to the full population and managing the expected long-term job loss in the oil sector due to global decarbonisation. The plan focuses on the rapid build out of sustainable energy systems to tackle energy poverty in the nation,” Jeddy-Agba added.
He explained that in designing the plan, key targets from relevant policies and initiatives such as the 2020 Economic Sustainability Plan, the Nigeria Electrification Project, the National Decarbonisation Programme, and the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) would be met.
He said the plan had been approved by the Federal Executive Council and adopted as national policy, noting that an Energy Transition Implementation Working Group (ETWG) had been established to drive the implementation of the ETP along with key international partners.
The ETWG, he said is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and made up of several key ministers including the Ministers of Environment, Finance, Works and Housing, Petroleum Resources, Foreign Affairs, and Power.
“The Working Group and its secretariat, the Energy Transition Office, have been engaging with in-country stakeholders, development partners, financiers and the international community for the delivery of the plan,” the minister said.
He added that the ETP analysis showed that delivering Nigeria’s net-zero target required $1.9 trillion spending up to 2060, including $410 billion above business-as-usual spending.
Earlier, the Team Lead, Green Economy Co-operation Section, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Inga Stefanowicz, said Nigeria was not standing alone in this ongoing transition.
She said the EU would contribute some €400 million worth of projects and programmes to the ETP, explaining that, “This amount may seem modest when compared with the needs and the ETP estimates, but it is also the role of our funds to act as catalysers of change, reforms, private sector and international development finance investment.
“We are proud to have achieved such positive spillovers for Nigeria already and we look forward to working together more.”
The Chairman of NEF 2022, Dr. Daniel Adeuyi, said, “practical actions on project financing, people development and policy implementation must progress at pace to achieve the target of 30GW installed generation capacity by 2030 with 30 per cent share of renewable energy Nigeria.”
He said the NEF2022 webcast was focused on capacity building for energy professionals, policy makers, business leaders and consumers.
Adeuyi said that it demonstrated cross-industry collaboration and contributions towards ensuring a sustainable, just and people-centric energy transition.
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