THEWILL NEWSPAPER, May 05, 2024

Digital

Nigeria is known as the economic powerhouse of Africa and is setting herself as an admirable force in the fintech industry. Recently, there has been a rise in fintech startups in the country. This is due to several factors, including understanding consumer needs. These fintech startups are experts in several sectors, including payments, personal finance management, and blockchain. A significant reason for the growth of fintech companies in Nigeria is the need to solve the common person’s problems in his financial transactions.

Scroll to pages 8 through 10 to read some of the fintech companies we have highlighted.

The colour of furniture you choose can transform a room from boring to vibrant. One of the simplest ways to add colour to your house is to select pieces of furniture in striking colours to act as focal points. Read all about how to infuse vibrancy into your home on page 7.

Butter yellow is a must-have this season. The colour is making a statement, and you don’t want to be left behind. There are several ways you can incorporate butter yellow into your outfit. I’ll let you read the ways on pages 4 and 5.

This week in Downtown Confidential, we discuss the dos and don’ts of manually stimulating her. You’ll be shocked at the simple things you must do to stimulate your partner properly—head to page 15.

Remember to click on the instructions below the QR codes on page 16 to download our playlist. You’ll love the music selection.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

WITH BATTLE LINE DRAWN

Again, Labour, FG Lock Horns Over Liveable Minimum Wage

The stage for heightened expectations was cleverly set in such a way that even the discerning leaders of organised labour fell for it. Maybe they could not help it because the date chosen for the deal was May 1, an occasion of significant importance to workers all over the world.

So, on March 23, 2024, a month and a half before the Workers’ Day celebration, an unidentified government source who was quoted in media reports titled, “Tinubu May Announce New Minimum Wage on Workers’ Day,” said the National Minimum Wage Committee would meet to collate and consider reports from the zonal town hall public hearings and give President Bola Tinubu an idea of what to announce on Workers’ Day.

“Our target is to ensure that Mr President announces the minimum wage by May 1, which is Workers’ Day, for it to take effect from April. So, we are working to meet the timeline,” the source was quoted as saying in many of the reports on

radio, TV and newspapers as well as online publications.

In another instance, another government official was quoted as saying, “I don’t think the government will be able to wait until May 1 before announcing the minimum wage. The law says it should be concluded by early April.

“If the parties agree, why do they have to wait to make the announcement? Because they are negotiating and the law says negotiations should be completed by April.”

Everything appeared set. The 37-member Tripartite Committee comprising representatives of federal and state governments, the private sector and labour which was inaugurated by the Vice President in January 2024 had gone about their work. Zonal public hearings were held in Lagos Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa and Abuja, where workers in the North-West requested N485,000; North-East, N560,000; North-Central, N709,000 by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC,

and N447,000 by the Trade Union Congress, TUC; South-West, N794,000; South-South, N850,000; and South-East, N540,000 by the NLC and N447,000 by the TUC.

So confident was the NLC that it warned that governors who failed to implement the new minimum wage when it becomes a law would be committing an offence.

Alas, it was not to be. The picture of things that came out on the eve of the Worker’s Day, was a sad reflection of reality: The new story was that the Federal Government had approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases for civil servants across various consolidated salary structures. At the current wage of N30,000, this new salary increase raises the new wage to N47.250.

To make it legal and official, the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission, made the announcement through its Head of Press, Mr Emmanuel Njoku. He said the increments had taken effect from January 1, 2024.

COVER

...Horns Over Liveable Minimum Wage

According to him, the new increase applies to the six remaining consolidated salary structures, namely the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure, Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure, Consolidated Police Salary Structure, Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure, Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure.

Also, approved for augmentation is the pension of retirees enrolled in the Defined Benefits Scheme within the aforementioned consolidated salary structures from 20 per cent to 28 per cent, effective from the same date.

THEWILL recalls that the Federal Government had increased the salary for sectors such as tertiary education and health, encompassing structures like the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure, Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure, Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure, Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure, Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure.

A government source who spoke to THEWILL in confidence said that it would be unfair to blame the government aide and source quoted by the reports for either misinformation or for acting politically correct because they were acting from their view of the subject rather than the larger picture which was available to their superiors.

WORKERS’ DAY PICTURE

Whatever be the case, the picture of things became clearer on the May Day celebration in Abuja; the wool appeared to have fallen from the eyes of labour leaders. While the Federal Government never uttered a word about the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage increases but rather expressed regret that the new minimum wage was not ready before this year’s Workers’ Day, Labour described the new increase as “mischievous.”

Mr Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC accused the government of failing to reconvene the meeting that was adjourned.

According to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage was yet to finalise negotiations. There was nothing to fear, she promised workers, adding that the enforcement day of the new minimum wage remained May as the minimum wage had expired legally in April 2024.

Announcing the rejection of the new wage increase, Ajaero said the living wages the President promised to pay workers could be put at N615,000, following the post-subsidy removal realities in the country. This comprises housing and accommodation at N40,000; electricity of N20,000; utility that is about N10,000; kerosene and gas that is about N25,000 to N35,000; food for a family of six, at about N9,000 in a day and 30 days, that is about N270,000; medical at N50,000; clothing at N20,000; education, N50,000;

sanitation of N10,000, and transportation at N110,000 because of the cost of petrol.

NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM REACT

Reacting to the new wage increase, the 36 governors under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, parted ways with the Federal Government. It held a meeting after the government announced wage increase and issued a statement signed by its Chairman, Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State.

While the NGF celebrated with workers “for their dedication to service and patience,” it reminded all parties to the wage dispute: “While we acknowledge the various initiatives adopted of recent by way of wage awards and partial wage adjustments, the 37-member Tripartite Committee inaugurated on the National Minimum wage is still in consultation and yet to conclude its work.”

Interestingly, the Forum disclosed that individual fiscal policies and their impact would determine “an improved minimum wage that we can pay substantially.”

This obviously knee-jerk response looks overtaken by events because some state governors had announced a new wage on Workers’ Day. For example, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, whose government had been paying the highest minimum wage in the country at N40,000 since 2021, N10,000 more than the national minimum of N30,000 announced an increase to N70,000 on May 1, 2024. Obaseki’s Ebonyi counterpart, Francis Nwifuru added N10,000 salary increase for civil servants in the state. And during the zonal hearings Adamawa governor, Umaru Fintiri and

“With the various competing interests and reactions from major stakeholders, it is hard to see a satisfactory end to the ongoing dispute. Sources say the wage increase announced by the National Wages and Salaries Commission, NWSC, on the eve of Workers’ Day is a pointer to the Federal Government’s attitude to the matter

his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed had suggested a new minimum wage of N45,000.

BATTLE AHEAD

With the various competing interests and reactions from major stakeholders, it is hard to see a satisfactory end to the ongoing dispute. Sources say the wage increase announced by the National Wages and Salaries Commission, NWSC, on the eve of Workers’ Day is a pointer to the Federal Government’s attitude to the matter.

They say that in July 2023, the same NWSC, had argued in favour of N200,000 as minimum wage at a Federal Executive Council meeting, where it made a presentation. The basis for NWSC’s argument was that the new forex regime policy of the government and savings from the subsidy removal would make cash available for sharing between the tiers of government. Governors who were also eyeing a bigger revenue from the earnings under the monthly revenue distribution kicked against it on the grounds of sustainability.

Subsequently, a committee was appointed and placed under the leadership of Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State to look into the matter. Nothing substantial came out of the committee until the NWSC released a new wage increase last week.

NLC GIVES MAY 30 DEADLINE

Pointing to government policies as the cause of inflation at 34.5 per cent, food inflation at 49.1 percent and worsened poverty rate at 38.8 per cent, the NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, have drawn the battle line with the Federal Government. They have set a May 31, 2024, deadline to embark on an indefinite strike should the government fail to bring a reasonable end to the wage issue.

The duo argued that the last minimum wage of N30,000 expired on April 18, 2024, and by May 1, discussions ought to have been concluded and a new national minimum wage announced.

According to them, the Federal Government through the National Assembly legislated on it, saying the discussion was inconclusive because the Federal Government refused to reconvene the meeting that was adjourned.

“We think the announcement appeared mischievous because there was no agreed minimum wage. We at the NLC and TUC are worried about this,” they said.

At a pre-Worker's Day webinar hosted by Labour friendly stakeholders and attended by THEWILL, participants called for a more united front between NLC and the TUC to avoid the divisions of the past and provide leadership in the mobilisation of workers across the states “for solidarity action to prevent a situation, like the one in Imo State, where the NLC president was attacked, because the demand for a living wage of N615,000 cannot be won without a fight.”

Principal Partner, Grant Thornton Nigeria, Mr. Orji Okpechi; Managing Partner/CEO, Dr (Mrs.) Ngozi Ogwo; 59th President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Dr. Innocent Okwuosa; and Vice President of ICAN, Chief Davidson Alaribe, during a corporate visit to Grant Thornton Nigeria recently.

FG Adds 625MW to National Grid

The Federal Government has added 625MW of power to the national grid, increasing the grid’s wheeling capacity to 4800MW.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this at the inauguration of the 63 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA), 132/33 Kilo Volt (KV) mobile station at Ajah, Lagos and at the inauguration of 60MWA, 132/33KV Power Transformer in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

In a statement on Friday, Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communications to the Minister, said the pivotal project is a testament to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu towards transforming the power sector in the pursuit of reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure for a better Nigeria.

Adelabu said the mobile substation being inaugurated was a strategic deployment aimed at improving the transmission capacity constraints by over 1300mv across the nation. He spoke on the significance of the project and other equipment undergoing installation under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).

He commended the collaborative efforts of the FGN Power Company, the German Government and Siemens Energy whose partnership has facilitated the production and installation of the substations.

The minister also announced the remote inuaguration of a 60MVA power transformer at Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi .

“Together, these equipment will boost our transmission wheeling capacity by 123mw, thereby paving the way for enhanced electricity supply for all Nigerians. I urgyall Nigerians to safeguard these vital installations against acts of vandalisation and sabotage," he said.

Adelabu called on the management of the Power Company and all stakeholders in the power sector to work with determination to ensure that the timelines set for projects delivery are achieved.

“Together, we will embark on a journey towards a brighter future for Nigeria, one powered by innovation, resilience and collective determination”, he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Kenny Anuwe, Managing Director of FGN Power Company said,”as Nigeria continues its journey towards energy sufficiency and economic prosperity, initiatives like the PPI. This underscores President Tinubu’s unwavering determination to deliver adequate electricity towards unlocking Nigeria’s full economic potentials".

Anuwe assured of FGN Power Company’s commitment in driving progress and delivering tangible improvements in electricity access for all Nigerians in this transformative era in Nigeria’s power Sector.

CP Ifeanyi Uche Emerges Chairman INTERPOL Africa

Heads of Cybercrime Units

Nigeria’s Commissioner of Police (CP), Ifeanyi Uche, has emerged Chairman, INTERPOL’s African Heads of Cybercrime Units.

CP Uche emerged after a week-long meeting of the cybercrime heads across the world in Abuja, on Friday.

While delivering his speech, Uche said: “Cybercrime poses a significant threat to our societies, economies and security and it is imperative that we work together, to address this growing challenge. As Chairman, I am committed to lead from the front, fostering the much desired collaboration among our member units to enhance our collective ability to prevent and investigate cybercrimes effectively in Africa.

“I consider this as call to champion the enthronement of a new charter of technological renaissance and homegrown cybersecurity ethics in Africa and a paradigm shift from absolute dependence on external solutions to African nurtured technological initiatives, adaptive to our sociopolitical ecosystem. This is achievable by harnessing and leveraging our inherent collective expertise, and resources through a common political will.

“we can make significant strides in combating cybercrime and creating a safer digital environment for all Africans. Together, we can stay ahead of the evolving threats posed by cybercriminals and protect our citizens from harm.

“With the Fourth Industrial Revolution and emergence of Al and IOT, the undeniable reality is that the global cyberspace is undergoing profound and rapid changes, given the penetration of new technologies and growing interconnection of the system. Although this evolution offers opportunities for innovations, diversification and cost optimisation, it also carries with it, increased exposure to a new and devastating risks of imminent cyber-attacks. These attacks permeate and affects the entire global digital ecosystem equally with no exception to geographic belts hence we, but affects businesses of all sizes both in public and private sectors in all regions at a breakneck speed.”

On his part, the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said: “Having over 120 participants across 54 African countries and beyond, engaging for over five days is not only commendable, but also inspiring because it gives us hope and confidence in the safety of Africa’s digital space and the prosperity of our nations and citizens.

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has given security agencies in the assurance that his government will provide more support to them so as to enhance their performance for a secured Yobe state.

He gave the assurance in Damaturu on Friday, when presented with an award won by the "Operation Haba Maza" security outfit as the best Police patrol outfit in Nigeria, by the Nigeria Police Force.

Buni established Operation Haba Maza in 2020 as an emergency support to the conventional security agencies in the state.

He said the head of the outfit, CSP Muhammad S. Shehu, was carefully selected to ensure delivery. "I am never disappointed, Shehu has done us proud by living up to our expectations and winning this award."

Governor Buni commended security agencies in the state for the synergy and teamwork, which has grossly reduced the crime rate across the state.

The Commissioner, Yobe State Police Command, Garba Ahmed, commended the governor for establishing the Haba Maza outfit.

"The outfit has remained a strong pillar of security in Damaturu, the state capital and its environs.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has ordered the full implementation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024.

A statement issued by Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, said the directive for the implementation was in an effort to strengthen counter-terrorism in Nigeria.

The NSA also directed the operationalisation of the National Cybersecurity Fund by all regulators and businesses specified in the second schedule of the Act.

"In view of the need to secure Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), counter terrorism and violent extremism, strengthen national security and protect economic interests, this notice calls for the full implementation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024, including the operationalisation of the National Cybersecurity Fund by all regulators and businesses specified in the second schedule of the Act,” he said.

NEWS

Reopen Corruption Investigation Against Matawalle, Zamfara APC Group Urges EFCC

Dozens of protesters from Zamfara State operating under a group, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akida Forum, have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reopen investigations of alleged corruption against Bello Matawalle, the current Minister of State for Defence.

THEWILL reports that Matawalle is the immediate past governor of Zamfara State. The group, led by its chairman, Mallam Musa Mahmud, while protesting at the Headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja, called on the anti-graft agency to investigate all petitions against Matawalle, including the alleged contract diversion up to the tune of N70 billion during his tenure as governor of the state.

A letter signed by Mahmud on behalf of the group reads in part: “We formally request the Commission reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the State Minister for Defense.

“This call comes amidst growing concerns about corruption in Nigeria and the bold steps taken by our APC administration in recent decisions regarding government officials suspected of embezzlement, including former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, among others.”

The group recalled that on May 18, 2023, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), through its thenDirector, Media and Public Affairs, Osita Nwajah Nwajah, said that the EFCC is investigating Matawalle over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion.

“According to the EFCC, the money, which was sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank, purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.

“The Commission’s investigations revealed that over 100 companies had received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state,” the group said.

"We are appealing to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to continue investigating Matawalle’s alleged mismanagement of public funds during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State and his involvement in the famous arms deal scandal.

Tinubu to Inaugurate Three Gas Infrastructure Projects

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to inaugurate three important gas infrastructure projects being carried out by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its collaborators.

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement on Friday, said the implementation of the projects is in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to significantly leverage gas to grow the economy, adding that the projects support the federal government’s effort to grow value from the nation’s gas assets while eliminating gas flaring.

"The administration has expedited the completion of projects since the beginning, aligning with the overarching goal of enhancing the availability of domestic gas as a crucial factor for economic growth", he added.

The projects scheduled for commissioning comprise:

The AHL Gas Processing Plant 2 (GPP- 2)

The plant has a capacity to process 200 million standard cubic feet per day.This expansion project pertains to the Kwale Gas Processing Plant (GPP - 1), which presently meets the gas demands of the domestic market with approximately 130 million standard cubic feet per day. The processing facility is engineered to handle 200 million standard cubic feet per day of high-quality gas and transport lean gas via the OB3 Gas Pipeline.

This enhanced gas provision will bolster the ongoing swift industrial development in Nigeria. The establishment of the AHL Gas Plant is being spearheaded by AHL Limited, a joint venture entity jointly owned by NNPC Limited and SEEPCO.

ANOH Gas Processing Plant (AGPC) - 300MMscf/d

The ANOH gas facility is a comprehensive gas processing plant with the capacity to process 300 million standard cubic feet per day of non-linked gas extracted from the Assa North-Ohaji South field in Imo State. This gas plant is currently under construction by ANOH Gas Processing Company, a jointly owned entity by NNPC Limited and Seplat Energy Plc, with both parties having an equal share in ownership.

ANOH-OB3 CTMS Gas Pipeline Project

The project consists of designing, acquiring and building the 36”x23.3km ANOH-OB3 Project. It is estimated that around 600 million standard cubic feet of gas per day will be produced from two independent gas processing production trains with capacities of 2 x 300MMscf/d each, operated by AGPC & SPDC JV.

Upon completion, the projects will enhance domestic gas supply by around 500 million standard cubic feet per day, fostering a favorable investment environment and advancing overall economic development over time.

FG Bans Importation of Foreign Syringes, Needles

The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to stop issuing licences for the importation of foreign-manufactured needles and syringes into the country. Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, issued the directive in a circular addressed to all CMDs and MDs of Federal Teaching Hospitals of tertiary institutions.

The circular mandated the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) to procure needles and syringes solely from NAFDAC-approved local manufacturers.

The Minister said the directive was aimed at boosting domestic production and shielding the country’s manufacturing sector from the influx of foreign goods.

“Mr President has directed that this must stop. We all agreed to take the necessary steps to immediately remedy this sad situation.

“Pursuant to this, NAFDAC has been mandated to stop issuing licences for the importation of foreign manufactured needles and syringes.

“It is also to de-list companies involved in the importation of these products going forward,” he said.

POLITICS

Playing Politics With Minimum Wage?

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Workers’ Day announced a minimum wage of N70,000 for workers in the state. In fact, he made the disclosure on Monday, April 29, two days earlier during the commissioning of the newly built ultra-modern Labour House for labour unions in the state, named after his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole currently representing Edo North as Senator at the National Assembly.

For a state that is under electioneering, which will end with an governorship election in September 21, 2024 and a governor who is aiming to secure victory for his favoured aspirant and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming election, Asue Ighodalo, the increase seemed designed to score political leverage in the race to Dennis Osadebey House among the frontline political parties, namely the governing PDP, the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Labour Party, LP.

Expectedly, the governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo, criticised the increase, describing it as political blackmail.

“Civil servants deserve a better deal from the state government and not a Greek gift to blackmail them to vote for a party that has failed the people of Edo State. There are no good schools, hospitals, roads, or housing for civil servants. These are the real issues. Obaseki has failed by every standard and I am sure Edo people, especially the civil servants, know this,” he said.

Analysts support this view. They say that the increase would apply only to workers at the lower rung of the, leaving out senior staff. According to this view, a N70,000 wage increase from the previous N40, 000 would mean a 75 per cent increase. Taking for example the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure, CONPSS, for a grade level 8 worker, step 2 at N74,664, this increase would mean N74,644 plus the 75 per cent increase of N55,995 equals N130,000.

“Ironically, workers with a school leaving certificate are paid a salary of N24,000, Ordinary National Diploma holders receive N56,000. This situation highlights the inconsistencies and challenges in the state’s employment and compensation policies,” said an analyst who spoke under anonymity.

Efforts to get a response from the Special Media

“In 2022, 12 states did N17b total IGR collection. Thus, Governor Obaseki’s economic reforms and investment drive has propelled Edo economy to grow by the value of what 12 states struggled to collect

Adviser to the governor, Crusoe Osagie failed as he would neither answer calls to his phone nor respond to messages.

Investigation, however, shows that Edo State has been paying N40,000 as minimum wage, N10,000 more than the National Minimum Wage of N30,000 since 2021. In fact, Edo is the only state in the country that pays its workers more than the minimum wage, which it has sustained by this new increase. So, this is the second time that Governor Obaseki has increased the minimum wage in the state.

Indeed, Economic Confidential, a susidiary of PR Nigeria in January 2024 declared Edo as one of the seven economically viable states in Nigeria, alongside Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kaduna, Kwara and Oyo.

Assistant Editor of EC, said the report was compiled from figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC.

He said the figures for 2022 showed that “a total Internally Generated Revenue of N1.5trn from the seven most viable states was almost twice the total

IGR of 29 states together that merely generated about N650bn. A breakdown showed that while Lagos received N370bn from FACC, the state generated N651bn; Ogun received N113bn and generated 120.5bn; Rivers received 363.4bn and generated N172bn; Kaduna received N155bn in federal allocation and generated N58bn; Oyo received N181bn and generated N62bn; Edo received N147bn and generated N47.4BN and Kwara received N99bn and generated N35.7bn.”

Confirming this revenue profile for Edo State, Chairman of Edo State Task Force on Internally Generated Revenue, Osagie Igbinedio, said recently that state’s IGR for 2024 grew from N45 billion in 2023 to N67 billion in 2024, sourced only from the formal sector through withholding tax collection, revenues generation by MDAs and Pay-As-You-Earn tax contributions.

He said, “In 2022, 12 states did N17b total IGR collection. Thus, Governor Obaseki’s economic reforms and investment drive has propelled Edo economy to grow by the value of what 12 states struggled to collect.”

Explaining further that reduced cost of governance and tax collection through digital platforms has enabled the state to sustain and increase its revenue base, he dispelled any fears of insolvency and incapacity to meet financial obligations. Whatever is the case, Governor Obaseki declared May 1, 2024 as the cut-off date for the payment of the new minimum wage, which is five months’ payment or default period before the polls.

Besides, he was not the only governor that announced a wage increase on Workers’ Day. His counterparts in Ebonyi and Cross River States, Governor Francis Nwifuru and Governor Bassey Otu, respectively, also announced a wage increase for workers on Workers’ Day, though with N10,000 increment, making it N40,000.

With inflation rising to 33.20 percent as of March 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report and the harsh realities of the country's economic woes impacting negatively on workers, a responsible and responsive government, as well as employers of labour in general, should know that workers, really, deserve a living wage

Living Wages For Nigerian Workers

The hullabaloo over the issue of minimum wage for Nigerian workers is not only unfortunate but quite worrisome as another battle line has already been drawn.

With inflation rising to 33.20 percent as at March 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report and the harsh realities of the country's economic woes impacting negatively on workers, a responsible and responsive government, as well as employers of labour in general, should know that workers really deserve a living wage.

It is, however, sad that rather than confront the issue with all the sincerity it deserves, most employers and the government, especially at the federal level, have resorted to playing smart and turning a very sensitive matter like the minimum wage into politics.

While it was not difficult for the Federal Government to arrange mouth-watering and juicy incentives for political appointees and National Assembly members, and within a very short notice too, it has been playing games with the issues of minimum wage for workers.

On May 1, the Federal Government approved between 25 and 35

percent salary increases for civil servants across various consolidated salary structures, thus raising the new wage from N30, 000 to N47.250 and saying the increments had taken effect from January 1, 2024.

But the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the so-called wage increase, describing it as ''mischievous.'' NLC President, Joe Ajaero, accused the government of insincerity for failing to reconvene the meeting of the 37-member Tripartite Committee inaugurated on the National Minimum wage that was earlier adjourned.

Ajaero, who had estimated the living wages promised to Nigerian workers by President Bola Tinubu to be about N615,000, following the post-subsidy removal realities in the country, has therefore drawn another battle line with the Federal Government with May 31 as deadline.

We however commend some state governors who have been courageous enough and demonstrated sincere commitment to their workers' welfare by announcing a new wage for the workers.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, deserves every commendation as he had been leading the way with the payment of the highest minimum wage of

N40,000 since 2021 which he has now increased to N70,000 on May 1, 2024.

While his Ebonyi State counterpart, Francis Nwifuru, has also added N10,000 increase for civil servants in the state, Adamawa State governor, Umaru Fintiri and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, had, during zonal hearings of the Tripartite Committee, suggested a new minimum wage of N45,000.

Only recently, the 36 governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, also adopted a different position on the issue from the Federal Government.

While congratulating the workers for their perseverance and diligence to duties, NGF maintains that despite recent wage adjustments, "the 37-member Tripartite Committee inaugurated on the National Minimum wage is still in consultation and yet to conclude its work.”

Although we acknowledge the fact that the demand for a living wage of N615,000 cannot be won without a fight, we want to join other labourfriendly stakeholders in calling for a more united front between NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in achieving a common goal.

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OPINION

Moribund Port Harcourt Refinery: NNPCL and Its Diversionary Co-Location Agenda

When will this country mean more to us than individual selfish greed? Imagine that as we are still talking of the confusion called rehabilitation at the Eleme site of the Port Harcourt refinery complex, the NNPCL is coming up with another agenda which could best be described as diversionary. How come Nigerians, even the best learned amongst us, are being taken for granted like this?

The announcement that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), last week, signed a contract with African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited (ARPHL) to build a new 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery within the Port Harcourt Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Rivers state, would have been an obvious welcomed development in the nation’s efforts to refine its crude oil but for the now familiar character trait of the nation’s apex oil concern which borders more on deception and half-truths.

THE TRAGEDY OF THE CURRENT NIGERIAN DOWNSTREAM SITUATION IS THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO COULD HAVE BEEN DEFENDING OUR COLLECTIVE NATIONAL INTEREST IN THIS MATTER IS DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE ONGOING RACKET, EITHER DIRECTLY OR BY PROXY

First, is it not awkward that the NNPCL’s most preferred platform to announce to Nigerians this ‘critical project’ decision was the national oil company’s X (formerly Twitter) handle that indicated the Executive Director, Downstream of the NNPC, Dapo Segun, signed on behalf of the company?

On its website, ARPHL described itself as “the special purpose vehicle incorporated for the specific purpose of co-locating the 100,000 bpd crude oil refinery in Nigeria.”

“Under the aforementioned MoU, we entered into an agreement with NNPC, whereby ARPHL will own and operate the 100,000 bpd refinery on 46 hectares of vacant land adjacent to the PHRC’s refinery complex, where we will benefit from direct crude supply from NNPC and access to other shared services, e.g. security, electricity, water, storage, jetty,” it added.

We may need to ascertain the real ownership of the space the co-locator is referring to as vacant. Who actually owns the 46 hectares of ‘vacant’ land adjacent to the site of the Port Harcourt Refinery – the NNPC or Eleme/Okrika communities of Rivers state? This clarification is very crucial so people like us can appropriately take side(s) when the land dispute starts.

It would be recalled that the Port Harcourt refinery was shut down in March 2019 for the first phase of repair works after the government secured the service of Italy’s Maire Tecnimont to handle the scoping of the refinery complex, with Italian oil major Eni appointed technical adviser.

In 2021, NNPC Limited said repairs had started after FEC approved $1.5 billion for the project.

We still remember that the duo of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri and the NNPCL boss, Mele Kyari, told Nigerians in the third quarter of 2023 that “the Port Harcourt refinery would begin operations before the end of 2023, specifically in December. The Warri refinery, which is also being renovated, would begin refining crude oil to churn out petroleum products in February 2024 and then, Kaduna will come on stream towards the end of next year (2024).”

Recall also that the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, had on March 28 this year, told the Senate that the Port Harcourt refinery would begin to deliver refined petroleum products in two weeks, just as he assured Nigerians that the rehabilitation of the refineries would be completed on schedule.

He said the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery had been completed, having passed its “completion mechanical procedure. The Mechanical Completion means that you are done with your rehabilitation work, now you are to test if this completion is okay.”

Brethren, It is now over four weeks going into the fifth week since the deadline elapsed and yet the Port Harcourt Plant has not started processing crude at whatever level.

Truth be told, the flare start-off ceremony at the refinery by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) was a ruse. Quote me! It was performed to give the indication that the NNPC met its promised deadline to restart the plant.

This special purpose company also stated that by virtue of having the “most complete package” (whatever that means), it was declared the winning bidder for the Port Harcourt co-location project. *Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

The Tragedy in Rivers State: A Missed Opportunity For Akpabio to Intervene

After a period of relative silence, I am compelled to address the recent tragedy that unfolded in Rivers State, prompting me to speak out once again.

During my online vigil with a particular church, I came across a distressing video on WhatsApp. In the video, a young man, his voice filled with pain and desperation, called out to the Governor of the state for help as vehicles, both commercial and private, went up in flames.

The incident occurred around 8:45 pm on a Friday, leaving behind a scene of devastation – charred remains of people, vehicles, and goods. Tragically, more than five individuals, including a pregnant woman, lost their lives in the blaze. Over 100 vehicles were consumed by fire, with many others sustaining injuries and requiring hospitalisation. The scale of the loss is truly staggering.

Among the victims were individuals on their way to or from funerals, social gatherings and work, as well as those eagerly anticipating payment for goods and services. Some may have narrowly avoided the tragedy if they had listened to their instincts and chosen not to embark on that ill-fated journey.

This was an unforeseen accident, yet one that could have been prevented. The drivers of the two utility vehicles involved had the opportunity to exercise patience and avert the catastrophe. It is regrettable that such a tragedy occurred, especially given the potential for intervention that was missed.

As we mourn the lives lost and the extensive damage caused, it is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and responsible behavior on the roads. Let us strive to prevent such senseless loss in the future.

While everyone blames the drivers of the truck ladened with PMS and the one that carried Cows from the North, many have not asked why the road that leads in and out of the soon-to-be ready NNPC Port Harcourt Refinery; Eleme Petrochemicals and Indorama Company should be in such a deplorable state.

What about the Onne Sea Port even though it’s yet to operate at maximum capacity? A Trunk, a road popularly known as “East-West” Road in the oil and gas rich Niger Delta region. Yes, it’s the same road that leads to the Bonny-Bodo road, to the commercial city of Bonny that houses the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas company. It’s the shortest route to Akwa Ibom and Cross River States through Rivers State. This is the road that has been left yearning for completion since the beginning of Democracy in 1999. The road links the nine South South States in the Niger Delta which produces oil and gas, the mainstay of the Nigerian economy

How could such an important road descend into such a deplorable state? The oil and gas industry, the cornerstone of the Nigerian economy, stands as a crucial sector deeply intertwined with the nation’s prosperity. Yet, the goose that lays the golden egg is left in the dark.

I am particularly incensed by this tragedy, where blame must be redirected from the desperate and helpless drivers and commuters to the successive governments that have failed the people. Sometime in 2019, an NGO founded by me, Citizens Quest For Truth Initiative had a embarked on a Citizens Advocacy to ascertain the level of under development of the Niger Delta region despite the billions pilloried through the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) and the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs ( MNDA).

Our advocacy led us to the uncompleted section of the East West Road, from Bayelsa to Cross River State. We found out that the three multinational construction companies responsible for the project were being owed so much for several years and that slowed down construction works as they all pulled out of site. It was SETRACO for the Bayelsa to Eleme junction of the road, RCC for the Eleme-Akwa Ibom section while GITTO was handling the Cross River section which at the time was the worst of the three sections.

Without boring readers with the contract details and figures, I am going to speak on the politics that led to the tragedy which we just witnessed. Space and time may not permit for a detailed piece but I will expose the unseen hands that frustrated the efforts of the then Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio in completing the Eleme-Aleto section of the road where the carnage occurred.

OUR ADVOCACY LED US TO THE UNCOMPLETED SECTION OF THE EAST WEST ROAD, FROM BAYELSA TO CROSS RIVER STATE. WE FOUND OUT THAT THE THREE MULTINATIONAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROJECT WERE BEING OWED SO MUCH FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THAT SLOWED DOWN CONSTRUCTION WORKS AS THEY ALL PULLED OUT OF SITE

Following a series of deliberations, the President issued an order for the project, which had been transferred to the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), to be returned to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA). The MNDA had successfully completed the Edo/Delta sections of the road. The road was redesigned from the initially approved four lanes to six lanes in order to better accommodate the significant volume and type of heavy traffic, especially on the Aleto bridge.

Akpabio had foreseen the impending tragedy several years before it tragically unfolded. Unbeknownst to those intent on thwarting his efforts, Akpabio had secured an interest-free loan of about 10 billion Naira through the SUKUK Bond. Despite his proactive measures, he found himself entangled in a political quagmire that ultimately led him to transfer the project to the Ministry of Works as demanded by his critics at the presidential villa, reportedly under the directive of President Buhari.

As the saying goes, “the internet never forgets.” I have brought to light what many may not be aware of or may intentionally overlook. It is imperative that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu holds accountable those who are truly responsible for this senseless destruction and irreparable loss.

•Ndukwe is President/ Founder, Citizens Quest For Truth Initiative.

As deposit money banks scamper for resources to meet up with the new capital base requirement announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has taken proactive measures to checkmate possible industry disharmony that might erupt from the exercise. Apparently taking a cue from the challenges that occurred during the last recapitalisation exercise in 2002, which left some financial services institutions in ruins, posing a huge threat to depositions, the NDIC recently announced substantial increases in maximum deposit insurance coverage for various categories of deposit-taking financial institutions licensed by CBN. Effective immediately, the maximum deposit insurance coverage for depositors of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) has increased from N500,000 to N5,000,000; Microfinance Banks (MFBs) from N200,000 to N2,000,000 and Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) from N500,000 to N2,000,000.

Others are Payment Service Banks (PSBs) from N500,000 to N2,000,000 and subscribers of Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) from N500, 000 to N5,000,000 per subscriber, aligned with DMBs’ coverage level.

Fuel Crisis: Hard Times Ahead as Uncertainty Grows Over Moribund Refineries

NIGERIA'S PETROL IMPORTATION 2016-2022

ASource; NBS *Jan - Sep

s Nigeria continues to rely solely on refined imported petroleum products, especially the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, there are strong indications that the recent fuel crisis that engulfed parts of Nigeria is a prelude to harder times ahead, while the oil sector grapples with a myriad of challenges.

These include dwindling investment outlay, divestment by the oil majors, high cost of production, low output, depleting foreign reserves, hidden subsidy payment and expensive moribund refineries among others.

After some period of “stability” the nation’s oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), experienced supply hitches that led to weeks of petrol scarcity in some parts of the country, especially the major cities where the product is in higher demand,

This pushed the citizens, households and businesses into further hardship that worsened an already tough situation. During the period, petrol sold for as high as N1,000 per litre in some areas leading to increase in transportation, high cost of goods and other services while some businesses had to shut down.

0il marketers had blamed the fresh scarcity of petrol on the lingering supply challenges from NNPCL, the sole oil supplier. According to the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harr, the supply challenge has remained unresolved even though NNPCL continued to play down on it, blaming it on “logistics issues”.

“As for us, PETROAN members, we can tell Nigerians for real that if we have petroleum products delivered to us upon payment for those same products, we will supply to Nigerians,” Gillis-Harr said while featuring on a Channels News Television programme.

He added, “We do not have any reason not to serve the public and we are willing to serve the public. All that is required is for us to have petroleum products delivered to us from NNPC and we will make sure that our retail

outlets are open, some of them are even open for 24 hours. The challenge of logistics is only relevant to the NNPC retail outlets.”

Some stakeholders and industry experts maintain that NNPCL was being economical with the truth regarding the cause of the scarcity which crops up from time to time during which they merely caution the public against indulging in “panic buying”.

Giving a deeper insight into the matter, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) explained that NNPC was having serious challenge sourcing petrol from European refineries which are currently undergoing scheduled maintenance.

The Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, who revealed to Journalists that the product was currently unavailable in the country due to challenges in sourcing caused by ongoing maintenance at refineries in Europe, explained that the scarcity was expected to take around two weeks to resolve.

He said, “The situation is that there is no product. Once there is a lack of supply or inadequate supply, what you will see is scarcity and queues will emerge at filling stations.

“On the part of NNPCL, which is the sole supplier of petroleum products in Nigeria, they have attributed the challenge to logistics and vessel problems.

“Once there is a breach in the international supply chain, it will have an impact on domestic supply because we depend on imports. I also have it on good authority that most of the refineries in Europe are undergoing turnaround maintenance, so sourcing petroleum products has become a bit difficult.

“NNPC Group CEO has assured us that there will be improvement in the supply chain because their vessels are arriving. Once that is done, normalcy

BUSINESS WEEKLY

...Uncertainty Grows Over Moribund Refineries

will return. This is because once the 30-day supply sufficiency is disrupted, it takes two to three months to restore it.”

...Insurance Coverage Guarantees Financial System Stability

Stakeholders maintain that as long as Nigeria’s domestic refineries remain dormant and the country depends entirely on imported petroleum products, the economy will be in a dire state

Stakeholders maintain that as long as Nigeria’s domestic refineries remain dormant and the country depends entirely on imported petroleum products, the economy will be in a dire state.

An energy and financial expert, Bala Zaka, said Nigeria lacks the strong economic base to continue to rely on imported petroleum products to operate its domestic economy as it has negative impacts on the nation’s reserves while the moribund refineries remain idle yet consuming huge resources. He maintained that the removal of fuel subsidy was a grave error that would “consume the people”.

“Bad leadership is at the heart of our problem. Nigeria has been seriously misgoverned and the economy badly managed. They don’t want to tell Nigerians the truth: that the economy is in deep trouble and I wonder when and how it will recover.

“I said the only thing keeping the people going was petrol since the government cannot give them energy. If you remove subsidies, you will finish the people,” he said in a chat with THEWILL.

Bala lamented the exit of major oil companies from Nigeria due to hostile business environment which has led to a decline in investment in the oil and gas sector, thereby impacting the nation’s revenue outlay.

“You saw how the last government talked excitedly about the refineries, energy transformation … Where are the refineries today? What happened to the resources invested in fixing them?”, he asked. But the “removed” petrol subsidy has returned. Industry key player and CEO of Rainoil Limited, Gabriel Ogbechie, disclosed recently that the federal government has resumed the payment of the controversial fuel subsidy following the devaluation of the naira in the foreign exchange market Ogbechie who made this statement during the Stanbic IBTC Energy and Infrastructure Breakfast Session held in Lagos, pointed out that with Nigeria’s daily fuel usage at 40 million litres and the foreign exchange rate at N1,300, the government’s subsidy per litre of fuel falls between N400 and N500, culminating in a monthly total of approximately N600 billion.

Paying petrol subsidy while oil production is on decline and foreign exchange not favourable is a sure way of walking the tight rope, especially when the nation’s oil production is sliding and fuel importation constitutes a drain on the foreign reserves.

Industry experts observe that Nigeria’s high-cost oil industry is declining and that it will leave a gaping hole in exports and public finances, the Economist said in March.adding, “A chief economist at Shell once described Nigeria as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the oil major’s empire. Yet in recent years the jewel has lost its lustre”.

THEWILL had reported that after several failed promises to get the facility working, it becomes necessary to ask what happened to the billions of Naira already expended in fixing the four refineries since 2015?

Nigeria’s four refineries in three locations – Port Harcourt (2), Warri and Kaduna – with a combined refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, are idle – the state they have been for about 15 years. Meanwhile, businesses and citizens are languishing in pains of hardship arising from high cost of fuel and deteriorating standard of living.

The precarious state of the economy which the moribund refineries contributed to, does not offer the desired spate of optimism to the citizens.

The MD/CEO of NDIC, Mr. Bello Hassan who made the announcement at a press conference in Abuja Thursday, said the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Corporation approved the revised maximum deposit insurance coverage during its 18th meeting held on April 24th and 25th, 2024.

According to him, the decision is in line with the Corporation’s commitment to enhancing depositors’ protection, bolster public confidence, financial inclusion, and stability of the financial system

In arriving at the new coverage levels, Hassan said the study considered factors, such as deposit distribution, impact of inflation, per capita GDP, and exchange rate among others, using statistical models.

He explained that the new coverage for DMBs now covers 98.98 per cent of total depositors and 25.37 per cent of total deposits while that of MFBs covers 99.27 per cent of total depositors and 34.43 per cent of total deposits. For the PMBs, the coverage covers 99.34 per cent of total depositors and 21.04 per cent of total deposits while for Payment Service Banks (PSBs) 99.99 per cent of total depositors would be covered which makes up 43.10 per cent of total deposits.

Hassan stressed that, the revised deposit insurance coverage has balanced the NDIC’s goals of deposit protection and financial system stability with incentives for depositors to practice market discipline and prevent banks from unnecessary risk-taking and moral hazard.

He added that consideration was given to ensure that the coverage was limited but adequate enough to protect a large number of depositors and credible enough to prevent the destabilizing effect of bank runs, he stated. On funding, the NDIC boss disclosed that the adoption of the revised maximum deposit insurance coverage is supported by the Corporation’s current funding represented by the balances in the various Deposit Insurance Funds (DIFs), expected annual premium collection, enhanced supervision that would reduce the likelihood of bank failures, effective bank resolution frameworks and other funding arrangements provided by the NDIC Act No. 33 of 2023.

By this development, in the event of a financial institution’s failure and the revocation of its license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the NDIC will reimburse eligible depositors up to the maximum insured amount of N5 million in Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and N2 million in Microfinance Banks (MfBs) and Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs).

The Corporation sells the assets of failed banks and collects debts owed to them so that depositors whose claims exceed the maximum insured sums can receive liquidation dividends on a pro-rata basis

The liquidation dividend is the amount paid to depositors by the NDIC after a bank is liquidated if the depositor’s amount exceeds the insured amounts. Payments to creditors and shareholders are made from the proceeds after all depositors have been repaid from the assets of closed financial institutions.

GTCO Holdings Posts Impressive Results in Q1 2024

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) released its Q1-24 unaudited financial statements on Friday, reporting a whopping 696.1% y/y rise in earnings per share (EPS) to N16.24 for the period under review as against N2.04 in Q1 2023.

The impressive growth in the Holdco’s earnings was driven primarily by the fair value gain on the group’s financial instruments: N331.55 billion compared to Q1-23: loss of NGN99.00 million, coupled with expansion in its funded income line which rose by 170.6% year-on-year. Interest income advanced by 170.6 percent year-on-year to N281.65 billion, boosted by higher income from loans and advances to customers which recorded (a 91.0 percent rise year-on-year), investment securities (grew by 307.5 percent year-on-year) and cash and balances with banks (+265.9% y/y).

“We note that the Holdco's earning assets increased by 104.3% YTD to N10.18 trillion as the high yielding environment also supported growth in core income.

“Sequentially, interest expense rose by 147.9% y/y to NGN54.35 billion, primarily driven by the higher interest paid on customer deposits (+141.0% y/y) as the group’s deposits surged to NGN9.20 trillion (YTD: +87.3%).

“We however note that the Holdco recorded a slight deterioration of its funding mix (CASA as at Q1-24: 88.3% vs FY-23: 88.6%). Accordingly, the Holdco recorded a 176.7% y/y increase in net interest income”, said analysts at Cordros Securities.

Following higher charges for loan impairments (which rose by 291.8 percent y/y), the net Interest income (ex-Lifelong Loan Entitlement) settled to N213.81 billion, translating to a 171.7 percent y/y growth.

GTCO witnessed a remarkable 666.4% y/y increase in its non-interest income to N394.86 billion, majorly driven by the N331.55 billion fair value gain recorded for the Holdco’s financial instruments (Q1-23: loss of N99.00 million) as income from net fees and commission (+74.5% y/y) and FX trading (+48.9% y/y) also increased. Elsewhere, we highlight that the group recorded a higher FX

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PROVENZANO

The

Master Perfumer

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

What it Takes to Become a Perfumer – Christian Provenzano

Christian Provenzano is one of the most sought-after niche perfumers in the world. Fondly called the 'Master Perfumer,' he is responsible for creating three out of the nine exquisite Clive Christian range of perfumes as well as Agent Provocateur and many others. He speaks with IVORY UKONU about his 53-year journey in the niche perfume business. Excerpts:

What inspired you to start a career in perfumery?

I entered the fragrance industry in 1971 purely by accident. To be honest, I had no idea that this industry even existed. I joined a Dutch company in Amsterdam as a laboratory technician, compounding fragrances. Several months after working in the laboratory, the head of perfumery discovered that I had a good sense of smell and encouraged me to join their perfumery school where I trained for 18 months. After I completed training, I was taken on as a ‘trainee perfumer’and mentored by a highly qualified perfumer who helped me a lot to develop my career.

Four years on, I moved to England to join a British company as a junior perfumer, working on all types of fragrances, such as soap, detergent, shampoo, etc. I was then approached by another UK company who offered me a position as perfumer. This is where my career started to become more interesting, working on all types of projects including fine fragrances. In 1989, I joined CPL Aromas as a senior perfumer, creating fragrances for numerous brands like Penhaligon’s, Boadicea the Victorious, Sospiro, Nishane, Clive Christian, Electimuss, Jo Malone to name a few. Recently, I was given the title of ‘Master Perfumer,’ leading a team of 30 perfumers worldwide.

What is it about fine fragrances specifically that has captured your imagination?

Fragrance is a powerful entity. Certain scents can transport us to another place and bring you back to memories from your childhood, your mother’s cooking and a holiday. It also can change your mood and evoke emotions due to the ability to influence your brain.

Fine fragrances are also the ultimate identity and confidence maker. It is playful. You can pick and choose fragrances according to our events, the season and our style for that day. You can layer, create your own scented identity. For me particularly, fine fragrances are like art, I love combining raw materials in bold ways, to create multifaceted perfumes that are meaningful to people.

Where do you look for inspiration when creating a fragrance?

Inspiration is everywhere. As a perfumer, your nose is always on standby, ready to pick up new ideas that can literally come from everywhere. A night in the desert, experiences from traveling, a wedding in India… every experience is an opportunity to feed your imagination. It comes directly from the perfumer’s personal experience.

The most powerful creations come when the vision is aligned. There is a concept, an idea, it is then imagined through vision boards, imagery and storytelling. The collaboration and dialogue between the perfumer and brand can then begin. The perfumer might need to do some research to fully understand the client’s vision to make sure he is on the right track. Special ingredients will be curated and combined and then the magic happens. Name, packaging, colors and bottle are also important factors to inspire the perfumer. These need to be consistent.

You are 53 years old in the perfumery business. What challenges did you encounter in all those years and how were you able to surmount them?

I think the market is saturated with too many launches. Consumers are getting confused with too many flankers, multinational brands copying each other. When I was younger, a new launch was always an important milestone. Today it is no longer the case. To truly stand the test of time, a fragrance needs to have something that resonates with the buyers, ultimately.

The younger generation is very savvy. They spend time on social media reading reviews and educating themselves on a scent before they buy. It is our responsibility to give them really unique scents. Another important factor to consider is our relationship with fragrance ingredients, particularly naturals. We use precious resources from nature and with climate change. These resources are more precious than ever. Formulating thoughtfully and with care is key. At the end of the day, being genuine in your perfumery is the only secret. People and brands will appreciate a high work ethic and creations that, done with care and passion, speak for themselves.

After 53 years in the industry, what is that one advice you would like to give someone seeking to enter the industry and make an impact like you have done?

My advice would be to join a perfumery school as I did, although these courses can be a bit expensive. This will help you understand perfumery raw materials. Having a degree in chemistry would also help you to understand the composition of chemicals and natural products. A good sense of smell is also important for someone who wants to become a perfumer. After your training, you should be able to identify hundreds of different raw materials, but that is just the beginning, considering that you will have almost 2,500 materials to memorise. Never stop smelling. Be curious and keep up to speed with new launches, trends, trials and error. That is the only way. There is no shortcut.

You were responsible for creating three out of the nine exquisite Clive Christian range of perfumes as well as Agent Provocateur and many others. How are you able to determine what notes to use for different perfume houses to avoid them all smelling alike and to have distinct smells. Each project has a different story. Customers’ requirements are always different and with a raw material palette of approximately 2,500 ingredients, you can make millions of different combinations. I like to build accords step by step. For example, I can start with a chypre structure and then, to add freshness, experiment with different approaches on the top notes. We can be fruity, with neo fruits like our own Alphonso mango or William’s Pear Aromaspace, that I like to use a lot in my creation. I work in tandem with the brand creators and we smell together until we get that perfect emotion or DNA they are looking for. We usually know it’s the right one when everyone around the table has that smile,that gut feeling. When you know, you know.

You are currently based out of Dubai where you lead a team of 30 perfumers worldwide from the Dubai creative centre. What is that like?

I have an excellent team of perfumers from different nationalities based in Paris, London, Dubai, Hong Kong, Germany, India, Colombia and Spain. I don’t get involved in their day-to-day work, but I am always available if they need my help. We normally meet once a year in different locations. The last meeting took place in Bulgaria where we all experienced the production of Rose Oil from start to finish.

Why settle for Dubai rather than Grasse, south of France considered to be the perfume capital of the world? Dubai is the crossroad between east and west. Influences and confluences meet and mingle. From the most traditional Arabian notes to the most prestigious niche, there is a true love affair with perfumery. I resonate with the multitudes of cultures that I find here and I feel at home with all of them. For me Dubai is the best place to live and if you love perfumes, this is the best place to be. You will find all the best brands in the world. Why go to Grasse? I think there are more fragrances and brands coming the Middle East these days than Grasse.

or three perfumes at the same time and adding a touch of Oud oil as well. It is a part of the culture and identity. There has always been a very high usage of perfumes in the region, it is only that recently, over the past 10 years, that global brands have opened their eyes on the importance of the perfumery landscape in this part of the world. And influences travel, it’s part of the globalization of the world. You can now find Oud on the streets of London, and French Lavender in the Deira souks. Niche perfumery searched for powerful and distinct identities as inspirations and found it in the Middle East.

Having been privileged to work on many areas of perfumery, why did you choose to specialise in French-Oriental and traditional Arabic fragrances?

What inspired your own brand of Christian Provenzano Parfums? After having created many fragrances for various brands, I thought it was time for me to create my own. I was a bit scared at the beginning, but I learned so much about packaging, bottling, marketing and so on. The truth is, creating for other companies is easier for me, as you have another point of view to work with.

Creating your own brand is more difficult. You never know when to stop. You keep asking yourself, 'should I do one final trial?' 'Is it good enough to launch?' 'What if people don’t like it?' These are the sort of things that go through your head. The pressure is immense. And it is my name! So I am aware of the expectations of the fragrance community which has been loyal to me for a long time, and I want to give them joy and a pleasurable experience.

There is an upsurge in the Middle Eastern perfumery market. What is responsible for this? Perfume has always been an important art form in Arabic culture. The Arabs love perfumes. It’s common for a woman to do some perfume layering, apply two

As I mentioned earlier, I worked in all aspects of perfumery before, but when I was asked to move to Dubai, I immediately fell in love with the Middle Eastern fragrances. I have been very fortunate to work with experts in Arabic fragrances, introducing me to some amazing perfume ingredients that few western perfumers are aware of. I love working on niche fragrances. No price restriction, highly concentrated perfumes and you can use the best quality of raw materials available. I have learned to work with powerful ingredients, in a way that they appeal to western taste and do not overpower the scent. It is a different way of designing scent.

As a veteran in the industry, what are the innovations that we can expect from fragrances in the near future?

Perfume trend is constantly changing. Today, we see a lot of gourmand fragrances, Vanilla, cherry, nuts such as pistachio and the latest I have encountered is Oud combined with tropical fruits. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

If you weren't a perfumer, what other career do you think you would have excelled in?

As I enjoy cooking, I would have probably opened a restaurant.

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI'S

and Frenzy band. The wedding party later morphed into an all-night disco party where the younger guests let down their hair. Some of very important personalities at the wedding were Abia State governor Alex Otti; Rabiu Kwankwaso, the candidate of the New Nigeria People Party, NNPP, in the 2023 presidential election; Kwara State governor, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman and his wife, Olufolake; Aliko Dangote, Ituah Ighodalo, Florence Ajimobi; Bola Shagaya; Maryam Shetty; Arunma Oteh; Aig Imokhuede. The groom, a graduate of Business and Management Skills from Oxford University with a Master of Science in Land Use and Management Development from University College London, is the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS). The bride is a journalist who has written for African Leadership Magazine, Mail, Guardian's Voice of Africa and The Peacock Plume. She currently runs a blog called Lavender Scented Tales, a medium through which she tells the stories of northern women who are unable to speak out and are forced to remain silent as a result of living in a patriarchal society and

ABDUL-RAZAQ ADESINA ADENUGBA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS ON THE THRONE

His Royal Highness, Oba Abdul-Razaq Adesina Adenugba, the 5th Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has been in a celebratory mood all week. He is celebrating his 20th anniversary on the throne. A weeklong celebration activity to mark the occasion kicked off on May 2 and will climax on Wednesday May 8. Before the climax, there will be a big carnival for all sons and daughters of Ago Iwoye today Sunday, May 5at the Ebumawe’s palace. Billed to entertain the audience is Apala exponent, Musiliu Haruna Ishola. The grand finale party will take place on Wednesday at the WOSAM Arena, Ago Iwoye where King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal will be on the bandstand.

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bank where he had built his sterling banking career to become the Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank United Kingdom.

Ajene comes with over 23 years of experience and expertise in the global financial services sector. He brings a strong business and commercial leadership acumen to the new role, having managed several portfolios across multiple markets in Africa, the US and the Middle East which have helped to deepen

his understanding and appreciation of the complex landscape of delivering results across diverse markets.

Until his latest appointment, Ajene, who holds a Bachelor’ Degree in Economics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard Business School, was the Nigerian CEO of Rand Merchant Bank and he is credited with leading a strong and resilient business to double-digit profit before tax growth in 2023.

Taibat Elemosho Okesanjo Shuts Down Lagos For Daughter's Wedding

I"I responded, ‘Let’s take it one day at a time’, hoping that those days would stretch into years with her. Luckily for me a decade later, she said “I DO” to a lifetime

Born on February 3, 1956 to the family of Omooba Disu Adenugba of the royal family of Okokodana of Ago-Iwoye and Olori Sabitiyu Adeola (nee Delagunren) of the Paripete royal family of Ago-Iwoye. His grandfather, Oba Akadi Adenugba, Okokodana Meji I, was the first Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye who ruled from 1931 to 1944. After the demise of Oba Lateef Adewale, Adan-bi-Ide II, the 4th Ebumawe of AgoIwoye, who joined his ancestors on January 17, 2002, it was the turn of Okokodana Meji ruling house to present the next Ebumawe to fill the vacant stool. Oba Adesina Adenugba was then chosen to become the next Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye. He had his coronation on May 8, 2004. The past two decades of Oba Adenugba reign has brought visible development to Ago-Iwoye.

t won't be wrong to consider the wedding of Adegbola Adedeji and Oyindamola Okesanjo as one of the biggest wedding parties of 2024 so far. A luxury footwear merchant, Taibat Elemosho-Okesanjo who is also a well-known Lagos society woman had begun the advertisement of her daughter's wedding, months before the actual party, visiting very prominent individuals to solicit for their support in terms of their presence. First was the mandatory introduction ceremony which is usually a low-key celebration but not Tai as she is fondly called, who went all out to make it a memorable one. She got her retinue of friends to wear her chosen 'aso-ebi' ensemble, perhaps to dazzle her in-laws. Then

two weeks after, precisely, about a week ago on the D-day, the traditional wedding engagement and reception talk of the town party was held at the Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos State. The star-studded wedding played host to top dignitaries and captains of industries across Nigeria and beyond as Tai and her husband, Abiodun Okesanjo feted their guests with choice wine, exotic food and premium entertainment by Fuji Maestro, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal aka KWAM1. Some of those in attendance were former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Osun State counterpart, Ademola Adeleke; former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, Funso; Tayo Ayinde, chief of staff to Lagos State governor; Dele Momodu; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Afro juju maestro, Shina Peters; Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe and her husband, Kazeem Adeoti etc.

TAIWO HASSAN, YINKA QUADRI END PROLONGED FEUD

Veteran Nollywood actors in the Yoruba genre, Taiwo Hassan, aka Ogogo and Yinka Quadri, both of who have not been on speaking terms for a long time, have finally ended their feud. Both actors fell out some years ago, but the cause of their bitter quarrel is still unknown. In 2020 when Actress Fausat Balogun, aka Madam Saje, hosted a party to celebrate her 60th birthday, both men, for the first time, failed to attend together. While Hassan attended the party, Quadri did not. Also, in 2022 movie producer and their mutual friend, Abbey Lanre, threw a birthday party. Although both men attended the event, they pointedly avoided each other and were never seen together, not even for a photograph, while the event lasted. It became evident that all was not well in their relationship when Quadri was noticeably absent at the wedding of Hassan’s daughter, Shakirat Taiwo, in December 2023 to her footballer husband, Lawal Yusuf. Quite a handful of movie practitioners, including Abbey Lanre, made efforts to reconcile the erstwhile friends, but in vain. Fortunately the ice was finally thawed during a birthday party and housewarming ceremony hosted by Yomi Fabiyi, their much younger colleague, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Legendary chanter, Sulaiman Ajobiewe ended the actors’ feud. Quadri had gone to the stage to spray Ajobiewe who sat on a chair. He then beckoned on Ogogo to join them. A few minutes later, Ogogo joined Quadri and together they sprayed money on Ajobiewe.

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As the actors stood together on stage, Ajobiewe chanted, “I pray God’s mercy upon you both. Whatever the issue, let it end here. We cannot live without occasionally offending one another. I implore you, in the name of God, embrace each other and let this be the end of it. I pleaded with you using my parents’ names to put this matter to rest. Let’s forgive and forget for the sake of God.”

The once close allies to the delight of other guests, hugged each other. The star studded gathering included esteemed actors and actresses such as Kareem Adepoju, aka Baba Wande, Ladi Folarin, Idowu Philips, aka Iya Rainbow, Shola Kosoko, Toyosi Adesanya and Peju Ajiboye, among others.

Kikelomo Akinluyi Passes on

Popular businesswoman and owner of Blue-Ribbon Event Centre in Lagos, Kikelomo Akinluyi is dead. Kikelomo, who was one of the early starters of marquee event venues in Lagos passed away a fortnight ago and was buried about a week ago at her private residence in Ekiti State after a commendation service at her event centre. News of her death came as a shock to her family, friends and colleagues in the event industry.

Reliable sources told THEWILL that the deceased had been

battling an undisclosed ailment in the last two years. She was said to have shown signs of recovering from the ailment at a point and her family had hoped for the best, but it was not to be. She was surrounded by her family during her last days. Before delving into the event business, Kikelomo was a Chartered Accountant at Ibile Holdings, a subsidiary of Lagos State Government. She would later resign to set up The Blue Ribbon Event Centre. In addition, she began a rental and decorating business where she hit success till her passing away. She is survived by her husband and three children.

Vincent Enyeama Donates 50 Buses to Drivers in Akwa Ibom

Kindness is where philanthropy begins, where altruism is truly born. It serves as a single thread that pulls all of us together, uniting us in our humanity, and reminding us of our inherent dignity. The inherent goodness of humankind and the kindness we show one another should remind us every day that life is worth living; if not for ourselves, then for others. This generosity found express fulfillment and manifestation when Vincent Enyeama, former Super Eagles goalkeeper, recently donated fifty brand

new buses to poor bus drivers in Akwa Ibom State as a means of helping and supporting their transportation business. Considered one of the greatest African goalkeepers of all time and the greatest of his era, Enyeama played for Ibom Stars, Enyimba, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Bnei Yehuda, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Lille and Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was also a member of the Nigeria national team from 2002 to October 2015, serving as its captain from 2013 until his retirement from international football in 2015.

Adebisi Edionseri, otherwise known as Cash Madam, has been around for many decades, throttling around the business and social circles like a colossal. A successful businesswoman, her fame is not confined to Ogun State where she resides or where she comes from, but to the entire southwest. At 89, the Ogun State-born magnate still possesses all that has given her fame and recognition all her life. She loves the good things of life, and this reflects in the clothes and accessories she wears. You cannot help but turn your head in admiration anytime you see her at any event. The octogenarian has lived her life in absolute dedication to her first love, fashion, style, beauty and merriment. She became a millionaire

THERE IS NO STOPPING THE AGELESS ADEBISI EDIONSERI

in her 30s and she has maintained that momentum and surpassed it over the years. Many musicians have benefitted from her largesse, and it is also worth noting that she got her alias, Cash Madam, from the Juju legend, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey in the 80s. She was and is still the definition of colourful and flamboyance, and no party is said to be complete without the presence of Edionseri. She rocked the social scenes to the envy of many years back then and still does. There is really no stopping her. When she clocked her new age recently, there was nothing to show that she plans to slow down as she still parties hard the way she did in her early age, still adorning the latest fashion apparels, gold and diamond accessories. Edonsieri who began her trading business at the age of 10 with 25 pence.

A holder of several traditional titles, She is the Iya Suna of Ogun State, Egbaland, Yewaland, the Iyalaje of both Egbaland and Yewaland and the Iya Suna of The Muslim Council of Egbaland. She is a matron to uncountable associations and clubs and also a humanitarian who has over the last 50 years supported various good causes like hospital projects, educational development projects and religious projects. Thousands have benefitted from her scholarship scheme.

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Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

Managing

Policewoman Who Defied Judge, Military Regime

There is a common saying in the underworld that while criminals dread the police, the police in turn tremble before judges. Testifying in court as a prosecutor or witness under the withering gaze of a bespectacled, unsmiling judge, some police officers sometimes make a mess of an otherwise iron-cast case. Expectedly, the result of any confrontation between a judge and a police officer in or out of court will most certainly tip the scale in favour of the former.

That was exactly what happened when DCP Stella Obuoforibo Okuyiga had a runin with a sitting judge of a high court in Nigeria many years ago. Not that she was a witness in a criminal trial in the judge’s court. No! Instead, the magistrate had been hauled in for a traffic offence and was to be prosecuted by the police woman.

Okuyiga was one of the pioneer female recruits into the Nigeria Police Force in 1955. If ever there was a diligent police officer, she was that person, commended by her superiors and respect, loyalty of her subordinates. For her devotion and hard work, she made it to Deputy Commissioner of Police, one of the few female officers at the time. Okuyiga had not yet reached the retirement age of sixty or the required thirty-five years of service when she was abruptly and unceremoniously shooed out of the NPF. What happened?

A traffic offender was hauled in before her for prosecution. She didn’t know the identity of the offender at first. But when she got to know the man in question was a judge, Okuyiga was all the more determined that justice must be done. Should she let the law breaker suffer for his crime? Or let someone who should be the guardian and protector of the law go scot free? The DCP opted for the former and, thus began her problem with the allpowerful establishment called the Nigerian state.

She would have none of that. As far as she was concerned, the judge should be the last person to disobey any traffic rule. So, judge or no judge, he was going to be prosecuted for it.

Apart from his position in the judiciary, the judge apparently had highly-placed friends in government, up to the Supreme Military Council when General Olusegun Obasanjo was head of state. Prevailed upon to stop the prosecution of the judge, Okuyiga refused, insisting that justice must be served to those who flout the law irrespective of their position in the society.

Here was a clear case of wrongdoing by the judge and DCP Okuyiga insisting on prosecuting him, possibly as a deterrent to others. But then, the judge had the SMC solidly behind him. The military junta not only wanted the prosecution stopped but the woman in question sacked from the police force without her entitlements. The case dragged on, pitting and polarising the rank and file of the military against the police.

Of course, it was blindingly obvious to all who was at fault. But, as they say, life can be unfair. With military fiat, the SMC decided that the prosecution of the judge be stopped. The DCP insisted on seeing the case to a logical conclusion and, possibly, indicting and convicting the magistrate. Feeling slighted by a mere police woman, the male-dominated SMC instructed the Inspector General of Police at the time, Adamu Suleiman, to sack the woman so as to forfeit all her benefits.

Last week, a photo-op of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, with 94-year-old retired DCP Okuyiga went viral on social media for many reasons. It was a first-of-its-kind photo session in the sense that a serving senior police officer would be seen with another who retired many years ago. It is comparable to a student paying homage to a teacher at his residence. Two, the visit would have made the DCP’s day who would never have imagined that after years of neglect and unmerited punishment, someone will come to reassure her of the rightness of the action she took many years ago. There was also the fellow-feeling in the photo-op, of a sense of belonging, of comradeship, of mutual loyalty, espirit de corps often demonstrated by those in uniform.

Though it happened a long, long time ago, the story of DCP Okuyiga versus a sitting judge of a Nigerian court has been making the rounds these past days, especially after the said photo-op with CP Disu. The unnamed judge was pulled in for a traffic offence. Apparently, he would have bragged that as a judge, he should be let go. The police officer was unimpressed.

A traffic offender was hauled in before her for prosecution. She didn’t know the identity of the offender at first. But when she got to know the man in question was a judge, Okuyiga was all the more determined that justice must be done

Good man that he is Suleiman did not dismiss her subordinate. Rather, he asked her to resign. She did and has been in relative obscurity from then till last week when CP Disu sort of resurrected her.

How or why CP Disu decided on the visit to a forgotten colleague has never been fully explained. But it is a commendable act, commendable beyond measure. Even the woman herself was overwhelmed at the unexpected courtesy call.

“When I called the CP to appreciate him and pray for him,” Okuyiga said after the visit, “I couldn’t control myself but I burst into tears of joy for this unique and singular Godly act of CP Disu that is not known in the recent past in the Force because in the recent past, police officers both high and low treat their retired colleagues like leper.”

CP Disu’s visit has demonstrated that their senior female colleague was never a pariah at any time but was deeply appreciated for her actions that got her into trouble with the military dictatorship of that time. As for the judge, he would certainly be the unhappiest of men reading about CP Disu’s visit to the courageous female officer forced to early resignation because of his transgression. That is if he is not dead!

Overcoming Visa Hurdles: A Collaborative Approach to Supporting Nigerian Athletes

The recurring visa denials faced by Nigerian athletes have become a significant barrier to their participation in international sporting events. This issue has affected various sports, from athletics to football, and has raised concerns about the future of

sports in Nigeria. It is imperative that the relevant authorities, including the Sports Federations, the Ministry of Sports, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, collaborate effectively to address this challenge and ensure that Nigerian athletes are given the opportunities they deserve.

The visa denials have had far-reaching consequences for Nigerian athletes, hampering their ability to compete at the highest levels and potentially stunting their growth and development. For instance, the case of Ese Brume, the reigning Commonwealth Games and African long jump record holder, highlights the detrimental impact of these visa denials. Brume was denied a visa by the Chinese Embassy in Lagos, preventing her from competing in the Diamond League in Suzhou, where she had hoped to reach the 6.86m mark required to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This setback came after she had earlier been denied a visa to the UK, further compounding the challenges she faced.

Similarly, in football, the friendly match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Albiceleste of Argentina was cancelled due to visa issues, depriving the Nigerian team of a valuable opportunity to test their skills against one of the best teams in the world and the current world cup holders. The Nigeria Under-15 team, the Future Eagles, also faced a similar predicament when they were denied visas by the Spanish Embassy, preventing them from participating in the UEFA U16 Development Tournament – a significant disappointment for the young players who had looked forward to the event. These incidents are not isolated; Nigerian athletes have frequently encountered visa-related obstacles, hampering their ability to compete and exhibit their talents on the international stage. It is crucial that the relevant authorities take proactive steps to address this issue and ensure that Nigerian athletes are not denied the opportunities they deserve.

The Sports Federations, such as the Nigerian Football Federation and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, play a crucial role in supporting their respective athletes. They must work closely with the athletes and their coaches to ensure that visa applications are submitted well in advance of the scheduled events. This involves meticulous planning and coordination, ensuring that all necessary documentation and requirements are

may have regarding Nigerian athletes. For instance, if security or overstaying concerns are a factor, the relevant authorities should work to provide reassurances and address these issues through diplomatic channels and enhanced security protocols.

Furthermore, the Nigerian government should consider providing additional support and resources to the sports federations and athletes. This could include dedicated visa assistance teams or liaisons who guide and support athletes throughout the visa application process. Additionally, the government could explore establishing bilateral agreements or memoranda of understanding with host countries to facilitate the visa application process for Nigerian athletes.

Fake News, Cybercrime, Cyberbullying: Which Way Nigeria?

In the digital age, the rapid spread of misinformation has emerged as a pernicious threat to society. The phenomena of fake news, cybercrime and cyberbullying have become pressing issues in Nigeria, with far-reaching consequences. Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Nigerian Government has taken decisive action through the implementation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act. This comprehensive legislation provides a legal, regulatory, and institutional framework to combat cybercrimes in the country.

The scourge of fake news has targeted highprofile individuals and institutions alike.

The Ag. Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, was falsely accused of financial impropriety, including the alleged purchase of an extravagantly priced vehicle. The NCAA vehemently denied the spurious allegation, describing it as an attempt to tarnish Najomo and the agency's reputation.

Another prominent victim of fake news is Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President. Despite his distinguished career in public service, false narratives and accusations have been circulated about him, particularly after his statement on the need to regulate social media to curb misinformation.

Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the pioneer Vice President for Upstream Operations in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has also been subjected to unfounded criticism and accusations fueled by the spread of fake news, despite her impressive track record and contributions to the company.

Also, Dr Tinuade Sanda, the Managing Director of EKEDC, who is presently taking bullets in the shareholders fight at the Lagos-based power utility company, has had her sterling reputation tarnished in blogs and social media with false and outlandish claims about her academic record.

Sadly, these blogs, who are too eager to publish whatever they are given for a fee, either out of ignorance or greed, may not even realise the quantum of damage they do to people. These instances amongst tons of others underscore the urgent need for all stakeholders, especially the media, to uphold their responsibilities. The media must make a clear distinction between reporting news and engaging in cyberbullying. It is imperative for journalists and media outlets to verify information before publishing, conducting thorough investigations and cross-checking facts to ensure accuracy.

It

Moreover, it is the responsibility of every citizen to verify information before sharing it as news, to avoid inadvertently contributing to the spread of fake news and cyberbullying. The dissemination

of false information can lead to misinformation, with serious consequences such as defamation, loss of reputation and even physical harm.

The government's efforts to address these issues through the Cybercrimes Act are commendable, but enforcement of the law is crucial. The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Amendment Act 2024, directed by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, is a significant step in this regard. It includes the operationalisation of

the National Cybersecurity Fund by all regulators and businesses specified in the second schedule. This move follows a high-level international counter-terrorism meeting held in Abuja in April, underscoring the crucial role of cybersecurity in countering terrorism, violent extremism and protecting national security and economic interests. Nigeria's ratification of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime in 2022 further aligns the country's cybercrime and cybersecurity laws with regional and international standards.

The enforcement efforts target the operationalisation of the National Cybersecurity Fund, which aims to collect 0.005 percent of all electronic transactions by certain businesses patronised by most Nigerians. This fund will provide resources for combating cybercrime and enhancing cybersecurity measures.

However, the fight against fake news, cybercrime and cyberbullying is a collective responsibility that extends beyond government efforts. The media plays a crucial role in combating these issues by verifying information and distinguishing between news reporting and cyberbullying. Journalists must uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, ensuring they do not inadvertently contribute to the dissemination of fake news. Furthermore, individuals must cultivate a culture of critical thinking and fact-checking, scrutinising and verifying information before sharing it. Social media platforms, while powerful tools for rapid information dissemination, pose significant risks when used irresponsibly.

By working together – government, media, civil society, and individuals – we can build a society where truth prevails and the malicious spread of false information is effectively curbed. It is a daunting task, but one essential for preserving our democratic values, protecting our citizens, and promoting a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

In the face of the escalating menace of fake news, cybercrime and cyberbullying, it is imperative that we address these issues head-on. The recent decision by the Nigerian government to enforce the Cybercrime Act is a commendable step towards combating the spread of false information and the abuse of social media platforms. However, the fight against these menaces is a collective one, and we all have a role to play. Let us stand together for a safer, more responsible digital Nigeria.

is the responsibility of every citizen to verify information before sharing it as news, to avoid inadvertently contributing to the spread of fake news and cyberbullying. The dissemination of false information can lead to misinformation, with serious consequences such as defamation, loss of reputation and even physical harm