The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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Former Minister of Power, Bart Nnaji, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ikeazor Akaraiwe, to chair the 2022 Frontier Discourse Annual Public Lecture and Awards

Nigeria’s former Minister for Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, CON, NNOM, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ikeazor Akaraiwe, will co-chair the 2022 Frontier Discourse Annual Public Lecture and Awards organized by the Southeast and Southsouth based magazine, The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine.

This was made known by the Ag. Editor in Chief of the magazine, Daberechukwu Egbo, in Enugu.

Professor Bart O. Nnaji is Chairman/CEO, Geometric Power Limited, the first indigenous private sector power company in Nigeria.

He was the William Kepler Whiteford Professor of Engineering at University of Pittsburgh, and spearheaded the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Center of excellence for E-Design and Robotics. He was Professor of Engineering and Director of Automation and Robotics at the University of Massachusetts, USA.

He served Nigeria as Minister of Power; Minister of Science and Technology; Special Adviser to the President on Power; and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power. He has also served as General Chairman of many International conferences including the World Conference on Robotics Research (1991).

His national awards include Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) by Nigeria’s President; and Nigeria National Order of Merit (NNOM) (Nigeria’s highest intellectual merit award); U.S. Secretary of State’s Distinguished Public Service Award; Distinguished Scientist Award by World Bank-IMF Africa Group; Baker Distinguished Research Award (highest research award by the International Institute of Industrial Engineers IIE), amongst others.

He has been awarded honorary Doctorates in Engineering, Science & Technology from 5 Universities.

Ikeazor Akaraiwe is a Barrister & Solicitor, Notary Public, Fellow, Chartered Institute of Mediators & Conciliators; Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitration (UK).

He is the Principal Counsel in Akaraiwe Associates (Lex Rehoboth Partners) established since 1994) with 30 (thirty) years’ experience since Call to Bar on December 7, 1985.

Ikeazor Akaraiwe was found worthy to emerge unopposed as Chairman, Enugu Branch (2006-2008) (in the NBA-designated East Zone) having been Financial Secretary (2001-2004) and Vice-Chairman (2004-2006) thereof.

He was the 1st vice-president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) (2008-2010), and has also served as the chief rapporteur of the NBA among other responsibilities. He has also written a number of law books including: Onyeama: Eagle on the Bench (biography of Nigeria’s 2st substantive judge at The Hague); 9 volumes of the judgments of Justice Oputa (Socrates of the Supreme Court); Manual on Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009; Pre-Trial Proceedings and Front-loading, and a host of other articles and journals.

He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2021.

The second edition of the Frontier Discourse Public Lecture and Awards will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at De Dome Event Center, Edward Nnaji Street, New Haven, Enugu, by 11am (Red Carpet).

The Keynote speaker is Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, mni, a Member of This Day Newspaper Editorial Board, Professor of Strategic Management and Human Capital Development and Executive Director, Development Specs Academy and he will speak on the topic “The Purpose of Power: Ambition for Common Good and Our Culture of Silence and Endurance”.

Dignitaries to be in attendance are the Chief Guest of Honor, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ken Nnamani, GCON, Former President of the Nigerian Senate and the Special Guests of Honor, Major General Obi Abel Umahi, Former General Officer Commanding of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, and Rt. Hon. Chief U.S.A Igwesi, Member, 5th National Assembly, Former Leader, Enugu State House of Assembly, and others.

The Royal Fathers of the Day are HRM Igwe Amb. L.O.C Agubuzu, OON, CFR

(Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers) and HRM Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye, Ph.D (Obioha II of Amurri), while the Spiritual Father of the Day is Most Revd. Barr. C.N Edeh, the Methodist Archbishop of Enugu.

Official partners in the event are: Selonnes Consult, Ingrace Group, Robertson Nigeria Limited, Service Accord Initiative, Human Development Centre, Steve Oruruo Foundation, Wears Africana, Games By Summer, Karover Table Water, Dream 92.5Fm, Anchor News, Journalist 101, Igbo Radio, Nani Boi Studios, CEO Media Agency and Skitech Media Agency.

The event on will be streamed live across social media networks; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube, and interested attendees can reserve their seats through https://forms.gle/Vot1qCtw2neeeN1v7

October 21, 2022
CBN completes sale of Polaris Bank to Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL) for N50bn

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) on Thursday confirmed the sales of Polaris Bank.

This followed the completion of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the acquisition of a 100 percent stake in Polaris Bank by Strategic Capital Investment Limited (‘SCIL’).

The House of Representatives had on Wednesday okayed the sale of the bank, noting that the acquisition followed the laid down procedure and the relevant presidential approval.

The Chairman of the House ad-hoc Committee investigating the sale of Polaris Bank, Henry Nwabuba, told journalists that 35 companies bided for the bank.

Nwabuba’s revelation came a few days after Nigerians criticised the CBN for planning to sell Polaris Bank for N50 billion.

The amount raised eyebrows given that over N1.2 trillion have been spent by AMCON to revive the bank.

In a statement issued by its Director of Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi, the CBN said that SCIL has paid upfront of N50 billion to acquire a 100 percent stake in Polaris Bank

The apex bank added that SCIL accepted the terms of the agreement, including the full repayment of the sum of N1.305 trillion as the value of the bonds when the licence of the former Skye Bank Plc was revoked in 2018 to assume its assets and certain liabilities.

The statement read: “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) are pleased to announce the completion of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the acquisition of 100% of the equity in Polaris Bank by Strategic Capital Investment Limited (‘SCIL’).

“Polaris has been operating as a bridge bank since 2018 when the Central Bank of Nigeria intervened to revoke the licence of the former Skye Bank Plc. and established Polaris Bank to assume its assets and certain liabilities. As part of the CBN intervention, consideration bonds with a face value of N898 billion (future value of N1.305 trillion) was injected into the bridge bank through AMCON, to be repaid over a 25-year period.

“These actions were taken to prevent the imminent collapse of the bank, enable its stabilisation and recovery, protect depositors’ fund, prevent job losses and preserve systemic financial stability. SCIL has paid an upfront consideration of N50 billion to acquire 100% of the equity of Polaris Bank and has accepted the terms of the agreement which include the full repayment of the sum of N1.305 trillion, being the consideration bonds injected.

“The CBN thus received an immediate return for the value it has created in Polaris Bank during the stabilisation period, as well as ensuring that all funds originally provided to support the intervention are recovered. The sale was coordinated by a Divestment Committee comprising representatives of the CBN and AMCON, and advised by legal and financial consultants. The Committee conducted a sale process by ‘private treaty, as provided in Section 34(5) of the AMCON Act to avoid negative speculations, retain value and preserve financial system stability.”

(Ripples)

October 21, 2022
Kanu’s lawyer petitions US legislature to sanction Buhari, Malami

Mr Bruce Fein, United States-born Special Counsel to the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has petitioned the US Senate and House of Representatives Committee Chairmen, seeking sanctions against President Muhammadu Buhari; and the Attorney General of Nigeria, Abubakar Malami, for the continued detention of Kanu against court judgement.

The letter was csptionef: “RE: Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act: Recommending President Joe Biden to impose sanctions against Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerian Attorney General Abubakar Malami for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights against Biafran leader Nnamdi Kanu, including kidnapping, torture, and prolonged arbitrary detention to retaliate for exercising internationally recognized rights to freedom of expression and association.”

Kanu’s lawyer specifically urged the affected Committee Chairmen of both chambers, to prevail on President Joe Biden, to impose severe sanctions on Buhari and Malami for flouting both the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Opinion, and the Nigerian court judgement ordering immediate release of Kanu.

Fein likened Buhari and Malami to Russian President Vladimir Putin; Chinese President Xi Jinping; and Saudi Arabian Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, urging the Congress leaders and ranking members not to allow them get away with their rascality and lawlessness.

Some of the addressees of the letter dated October 20, 2022 include: Robert Menendez, Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; Jim Risch, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; and Richard Durbin, Senate Committee Chairman on the Judiciary.

Others are Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on the Judiciary; Pat Leahy, Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriations, Richard Shelby Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Appropriations; and Honourable Sherrod Brown, House Committee Chairman on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

The letter was also addressed to Pat Toomey Ranking Member, Senate Committee Chairman on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Gregory Meeks, House Committee Chairman on Foreign Relations, among others.

Below is a full text of the letter made available to the reporter by Kanu’s Special Counsel in Nigeria, Aloy Ejimakor.

“I represent Biafran leader Nnamdi Kanu.

“Mr. Kanu has been illegally detained in solitary confinement in cramped quarters for sixteen (16) months without adequate access to needed medical care or to counsel by Nigeria’s State Security Services controlled by President Muhammadu Buhari and Attorney General Abubakar Malami.

“Mr. Kanu’s detention followed his kidnapping, torture, and extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021 to retaliate for advocating a Biafran independence referendum modeled on the United States-brokered 2011 referendum for South Sudan. Mr. Kanu opposes the use of force with the sole exception of self-defense.

“On July 20, 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an Opinion finding Nnamdi Kanu’s detention in violation of sixteen (16) international human rights guarantees. The Opinion ordered his “immediate and unconditional release,” Opinion, paragraph 107. (See Attachment A). President Buhari and Attorney General Malami have ignored the directive for nearly three (3) months with no indication that compliance will ever be forthcoming.

“In January 2022, following the extraordinary rendition of Mr. Kanu, a Nigerian High Court judgment impliedly exonerated him from the Nigerian government’s Orwellian claim that he had jumped bail in evading its notorious attempted assassination.

“On October 13, 2022, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, Holden at Abuja, decreed that Nigeria’s detention of Mr. Kanu was illegal because of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in violation of international and state laws. (See Attachment B). The Court ordered dismissal of all charges against him. Again, President Buhari and Attorney General Malami have flouted the Court’s orders and kept Nnamdi Kanu illegally detained.

“The Opinions of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Court of Appeals of Nigeria speak for themselves. They are crystal clear.

“Accordingly, I would respectfully urge you individually and collectively to recommend to President Joe Biden that he impose sanctions against President Buhari and Attorney General Malami for gross violations of Mr. Kanu’s internationally recognized human rights under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, 22 U.S.C. 2656 note, The sanctions should include ineligibility for a visa to enter the United States and blocking of all transactions in properties of Mr. Buhari and Mr. Malami in the United States.

“What Nigeria has done to Mr. Kanu is indistinguishable from Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman sending thugs abroad to poison, murder, torture, silence, and intimidate dissidents to their dictatorial regimes. They are a threat to international peace and security and subvert the rule-based international order championed by the United States.

“To permit President Buhari’s and Attorney General Malami’s thuggery to escape with impunity would be unacceptable.”

(Vanguard)

October 21, 2022
Release Nnamdi Kanu, South East senators appeal to Buhari

The South East Caucus in the Senate has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to obey the Appeal Court ruling that ordered the release of leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, having not found him guilty of treason charge brought against him.

The caucus, in a statement, yesterday, advised the Federal Government against appealing the ruling at the Supreme Court.

It implored the Presidency to utilise the opportunity presented by the Appeal Court and consider a political solution to the lingering problems associated with the IPOB leader’s incarceration in the interest of the country’s unity and peaceful coexistence.

It cautioned that resorting to the Supreme Court would ignite varied interpretations, which it said would be injurious to the unity and corporate existence of the country.

“We should be mindful of our diversity and the strengths we as a country derive therefrom. This is the time to show magnanimity and statesmanship. The Appeal Court has provided the leeway for the authorities to walk the talk as ones desirous of preserving Nigeria’s unity and respect for her diversity.

“Not appealing the matter and resorting to political solution will in no way question the enormous powers of the Federal Government, rather it would enhance its prestige as a government in love with all segments of the Nigerian society.

“Accordingly, we as a caucus and stakeholders in the Nigeria project appeal to Mr President to remember the promise he made to a delegation of elders of Igboland sometime ago and release Nnamdi Kanu, especially now that the Appeal Court by that ruling removed the burden of interference from him. Going on Appeal would ultimately negate that kind gesture,” the caucus said.

(Sun)

October 21, 2022
$41.8million: Chimaroke Nnamani denies embezzlement allegation

CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa/NEPAD, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, representing Enugu East senatorial zone under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has again denied the allegation that the sum of $41.8million dollars grew wings under him as the state’s Chief Executive Officer.

In a statement yesterday, the former Governor of Enugu state said: “ I never met or inherited the sum $41.8million as Governor. Enugu State from 1999 to 2007 did not have $41.8m dollars to be stolen or embezzled.

”It is a mere imagination of my accusers and it is at best a beer parlour gossip because nothing of such happened under my watch as Governor of Enugu state”.

”I maintain a residence in America and just came back after five weeks. The FBI is not looking for me and no assets of mine have ever been seized in the United States”.

Nnamani who clarified that what his accusers were quoting was the EFCC complaints to the Department of Justice associated with usual Interim Forfeiture after such complaints, said, “the Interim Forfeiture was discharged after Investigation and Judicial Review”.

He told his accusers to do something positive because accusing him falsely will not add value to anyone, adding, “If my recent political activities make some people uncomfortable, they should know that democracy is a matter of choice. It is an open field, you choose your lane to play. Everyone has a choice, I deserve the right to choose my lane. I do not expect people to infringe on my right of choice.”

Senator Nnamani counselled that the politics of 2023 should be played with every sense of responsibility and loyalty to the nation without bitterness pointing out that “all we strive for is a better Nigeria.”

(Vanguard)

October 20, 2022
Obasanjo laments dreadful condition of Nigerian roads

A former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has lamented the deplorable condition of the Nigerian roads.

Obasanjo described the deplorable state of the Nigerian roads as capable of impeding successful business movements.

The former President spoke on Thursday, at a lecture delivered by a Legal Icon, Chief Mike Ozekhome(SAN), titled: ‘The Place of Education in a crisis-ridden Nigeria’ , marking the 10th convocation ceremonies of the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti(ABUAD).

Obasanjo who was late to the event, explained his lateness to the convocation lecture in his brief speech at the occasion, the former President said; “kindly accept my apologies for coming late to this ceremony.

“I thought if I leave Abeokuta at 4.30 am I will get to ABUAD at 10 am. But when we got to the middle of the journey, the conditions of our roads were bad.

“We started asking which was the best route to take to get to Ado Ekiti . It was tough before we could get here, kindly pardon me”.

The former President commended the university’s founder, Afe Babalola(SAN) for replicating and surpassing in ABUAD, what he did at the University of Lagos, when he appointed him the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, saying; “I am proud to associate with ABUAD”.

(Vanguard)

October 20, 2022
BREAKING NEWS: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

Liz Truss has resigned as Britain’s prime minister after a disastrous six-week tenure.

Truss is set to become the UK’s shortest-serving leader ever, with another Conservative leadership election due to take place within a week.

Her announcement in Downing Street came hours after Suella Braverman, Truss’ home secretary, dramatically resigned with a blistering attack on the PM’s leadership.

Truss fired her finance minister just last week after a disastrous and since-ditched financial plan caused turmoil on the markets.

How Truss destroyed her own premiership within weeks

Liz Truss’s resignation brings to an ignominious end her catastrophic tenure in Downing Street, which appeared doomed ever since Truss’s flagship economic agenda sent markets into panic and led to a fall in the value of the pound.

She won support from Conservatives members by promising low-tax, pro-growth policies – derided by her critics as a lurch towards trickle-down economics – but within weeks of coming to power she disavowed the plans in a humiliating pivot, firing her Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and ditching virtually all of the fiscal agenda in the wake of a market backlash.

It came after investors rejected an announcement by the Truss government in late September that it would slash taxes while ramping up borrowing in a bid to produce faster growth, citing concerns that the plan would push up inflation just as the Bank of England wants to bring it down.

Fears also crept in about the sustainability of government debt at a time of rapidly rising interest rates.

The pound crashed to a record low against the US dollar, while bond prices slumped, sending yields soaring. That pushed mortgage rates much higher, and brought some pensions funds to the brink of default.

The Bank of England was forced to announce three separate interventions to avoid a full-scale meltdown in the UK government bond market.

Truss meanwhile failed to regain control of an increasingly mutinous Conservative Party, and her Home Secretary Suella Braverman launched a blistering attack on her leadership after leaving the role on Wednesday.

A final chaotic display saw Truss allies accused of manhandling lawmakers to force them to vote against a fracking ban on Wednesday evening.

Truss departure plunges Britain deeper into chaos

Liz Truss’s departure ensures a fresh power struggle within the ruling Conservative Party, which has hemorrhaged public support for the past year and has now overthrown Boris Johnson and Truss in the space of a few months.

A trickle of Conservative MPs called on her to go and Truss ultimately bowed to the pressure on Thursday.

Britain now faces the prospect of a third different leader entering office since its last general election, an unprecedented scenario in modern peacetime that will lead to serious questions about the mandate of the government and increase a growing clamor for a fresh vote.

It is a spectacular fall from grace for a party that won a landslide victory under Johnson in a December 2019 election that was won on the then-leader’s promise to deliver Brexit.

A new leadership contest will take place on an expedited timetable soon, with Truss saying a new leader will be chosen within a week. Figures who could be in the running include Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor who lost to Truss during the summer race; Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the Commons who was second in the leadership contest behind Sunak until Truss overtook them both in the final round of voting; and Jeremy Hunt, the current finance minister who Truss turned to after sacking Kwarteng on Friday.

And a potential return to frontline politics for Boris Johnson has not been ruled out, with some of Johnson’s allies in the Commons claiming in recent weeks that moving to remove him was a mistake.

Liz Truss will become Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister ever

Liz Truss said outside Downing Street that she “set out a vision for a low-tax, high-growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of Brexit.”

“I recognise though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party,” she said.

Truss said she has tendered her resignation to the King, and a leadership election will take place within a week.

That timeline would make her, by some distance, Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister ever.

Liz Truss is set to become Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister ever, after announcing her intention to resign just six weeks into a disastrous term.

Downing Street to make statement

Liz Truss is expected to give a statement in Downing Street amid calls for her to resign as Britain’s prime minister after a disastrous six-week tenure.

Truss earlier met with the chair of the 1922 Committee of the backbench Conservatives, Graham Brady, Downing Street said on Thursday, according to PA Media. The group decides whether to call a vote of no confidence in the prime minister.

Truss’s government was earlier told it had “12 hours” to “turn the ship around” by Conservative lawmaker Simon Hoare, after a vote on whether to ban controversial fracking for shale gas descended into chaos.

Lawmakers reported that aides for Truss manhandled MPs into the voting lobby to force them to vote against the ban. The government initially presented the vote as a confidence motion in Truss’s government, but confusion remains about whether it was. A Downing Street spokesperson said on Thursday that Conservative lawmakers who didn’t participate in Wednesday evening’s vote will face disciplinary action, PA Media said.

(CNN)

October 20, 2022
There’s no political party that doesn’t rent crowds for rallies –Kaduna APC Chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State, Samuel Yohanna, says there is no political party that does not hire crowds for rallies.

“We are thoroughbred politicians and we’ve been in this game for a very long time. We understand how this thing goes.

“There is no political party that does not hire crowds. It is just that the level each political party hires, sometimes 25 percent, sometimes 10 percent, sometimes 99 percent,” Yohanna said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday.

Yohanna, a former Assistant Organising Secretary for the APC in Kaduna, described himself as a “pragmatic person” and alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party failed to fulfill its part of the bargain with “hired crowds” hence the disruption of the rally of PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Kaduna on October 17, 2022.

“When they (hired crowds) found out that it was PDP’s usual way of deceit, they knew that this money was not going to come and the next thing is to vent their anger on innocent Nigerians that came there for appearance because as far as we are concerned in the APC, PDP is no match to us and 99% of the crow you saw there that day came there on an appearance,” he alleged.

However, a PDP chieftain, Mark Jacob, who spoke alongside Yohanna on the programme, debunked the APC chieftain’s claims, saying that the PDP has no money to hire crowds.

Jacob, who is the Chairman, Venue Committee for PDP Presidential Rally in Kaduna, said it is unfortunate that an official of the APC on national television admitted that the ruling party normally hires people to normally attend its functions.

“The PDP does not have that capacity. The sitting government goes to hire millions of people because they have sources of funding. The PDP in Kaduna has been out of government since 2015 and we don’t have a minister, we don’t have a commissioner that will give us money to hire a crowd,” he said.

(Channels TV)

October 20, 2022
FG Reverses 10% Tariff Increases on Data, Voice Services

The Nigerian Communications (NCC) has ordered the reversal of the implementation of the newly approved 10% hike in tariff for voice and data services.

While noting that the tariff increase was due “was in line with the mandates of the Commission as provided by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and other extant Regulations and Guidelines,” the implementation has been halted.

“Furthermore, even though the tariff adjustment was proposed and provisionally approved by the Management, pending the final approval of the Board of the Commission, in the end, it did not have the approval of the Board of the Commission. As a result, it is reversed,” the NCC’s Director, Public Affairs Reuben Muoka said in a statement Wednesday.

“The Honourable Minister, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has maintained that his priority is to protect the citizens and ensure justice to all stakeholders involved. As such, anything that will bring more hardship at this critical time will not be accepted. This was also why he obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the suspension of the proposed 5% excise duty, in order to maintain a conducive enabling environment for the telecom operators. Much as there is an increase in the cost of production, the provision of telecom services is still very profitable and it is necessary that the subscribers are not subjected to a hike in charges.

“In view of the above, the Commission, through a letter sent on the 12th of October 2022, has already directed the affected Mobile Network Operators to reverse the upward tariff adjustment. The Commission will carry out further consultations with all industry stakeholders on the best approaches that will protect and uphold the interest of both the consumers and the service providers.”

Read the full statement below:

PRESS STATEMENT

FG Directs Network Service Providers to Reverse Unilateral Upward Tariff Adjustment

The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has been drawn to media reports of unilateral implementation of the recently approved 10% upward tariff adjustments for some voice and data services by the service providers, on their networks.

The consideration for 10% approval for tariff adjustments for different voice and data packages was in line with the mandates of the Commission as provided by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and other extant Regulations and Guidelines, as this was within the provisions of existing price floor and price cap as determined for the industry. The decision was also taken after a critical and realistic review and analysis of the operational environment and the current business climate in Nigeria, as it affects all sectors of the economy.

Furthermore, even though the tariff adjustment was proposed and provisionally approved by the Management, pending the final approval of the Board of the Commission, in the end it did not have the approval of the Board of the Commission. As a result, it is reversed.

The Honourable Minister, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has maintained that his priority is to protect the citizens and ensure justice to all stakeholders involved. As such, anything that will bring more hardship at this critical time will not be accepted. This was also why he obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the suspension of the proposed 5% excise duty, in order to maintain a conducive enabling environment for the telecom operators. Much as there is an increase in the cost of production, the provision of telecom services is still very profitable and it is necessary that the subscribers are not subjected to a hike in charges.

In view of the above, the Commission, through a letter sent on the 12th of October 2022, has already directed the affected Mobile Network Operators to reverse the upward tariff adjustment. The Commission will carry our further consultations with all industry stakeholders on the best approaches that will protect and uphold the interest of both the consumers and the service providers.

The Commission will continue to entrench very transparent processes and procedures for rates determination in the industry. The process is usually carried out with wide industry consultation. It is through these processes that price floors and price caps for data and voice services are benchmarked, regularly reviewed, and determined from time to time.

The Commission will continue to abide by this time-tested process and international best practice to ensure efficient pricing mechanism for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

Signed:

Reuben Muoka

Director, Public Affairs

(Channels TV)

October 20, 2022
PVC registered between Jan-June 2022 ready for collection –INEC

Those who registered for Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) between January to June 2022 can now proceed to their respective local government areas to pick them up.

Administrative Secretary, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Auwal Muhammed Mashi, stated this, yesterday, in Kaduna during a media parley with political parties, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates on electioneering campaign, organised by Centre for Communication and Social Development (CCSD) in collaboration with Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW) under We-You project.

The INEC official lamented the slow pace of collection of available PVCs by applicants who are mostly fresh and transfer applicants.

He said about 570,000 prospective voters registered within the 13 months registration window.

“The collection of the PVC is low at the local government level. I remember that an organisation took us to court in continuous registration. So, if people can demonstrate the zeal they applied during the registration, what stops them from going to collect their cards?”

He said there were lots of changes injected into electoral conduct in the country boasting that the 2023 elections would be the best, not only in Nigeria, but the whole of Africa.

“We want to call on political parties, political candidates and their supporters to embrace peaceful electoral campaigns and election in the coming days, weeks and months. We want to see winners and losers alike congratulating and embracing one another,” he said.

Project Officer, We-You, Hannatu Ahuwan said, collaborating organisations expected political parties and their candidates to mobilise young people and women to go and collect their PVCs.

Meanwhile, INEC has said over 300,000 PVCs were lying fallow, waiting for collection at its offices in Delta State.

They included a total of 244,715 from the 2019 election; 69,946 for those who registered between June and December, 2021; and 17,000 transfered PVCs.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Monday Udoh-Tom made this known while inaugurating the Delta State INEC press corps in Asaba.

Besides the uncollected figure, Udoh-Tom said another tranche of PVCs was being expected from INEC head office in Abuja for those who completed their registration between January and July, this year.

He urged voters to come forward and claim their cards to avoid being disenfranchised in next year’s elections.

(Sun)

October 20, 2022
Obajana: Kogi Govt institutes legal action against Dangote

The Kogi State Government has dragged Dangote Industries Limited to a Kogi State High Court, sitting in Lokoja over the controversial ownership of Obajana Cement Company, now Dangote Cement Plc.

In the originating summons, the state government wants the court to determine whether upon careful examination and consideration of the agreements made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002, and February 14, 2003, respectively, it is not apparent that consideration (an essential ingredient of a valid contract) is lacking?

The government is also asking the court to determine whether in view of the clear lack of consideration (an essential ingredient of a valid contract), the agreements made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003, respectively, are not null and void?

In the event that the above questions are answered in the affirmative, the state government prayed the court to declare that the agreements made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003, respectively, “lack consideration, which is an essential ingredient of a valid contract”.

The government is also asking the court to declare that the clear lack of consideration in the agreement made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003, respectively, render both agreements null and void.

The state government is also seeking the following reliefs: “A declaration that Dangote Industries Limited cannot take any benefit, interest or rights from the incompetent agreements entered into on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003 respectively, having failed to furnish any consideration to the Kogi State Government.

“An order nullifying the agreements entered into on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003 respectively, for lack of consideration.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining Dangote Industries Limited, any of its agents or assigns from further utilizing and or taking any benefit(s) from the agreement dated July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003 between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited.”

In an affidavit in support of the originating summons deposed to by the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, she said that Obajana Cement Company was solely registered in 1992 by the Kogi State Government.

According to her, the sole purpose of establishing Obajana Cement Company was to mine the huge lime stone deposit in Obajana and consequently produce cement for the economic benefit of the people of Kogi State.

She confirmed that the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited entered into two agreements on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003 for the purpose of producing cement for the economic benefit of the people of Kogi State.

However, she noted that no benefit by way of consideration passed from Dangote Industries Limited to the Kogi State Government.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

(Sun)

October 20, 2022
Why CBN denies Abia, Benue states loans – Wike

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has accused some unnamed political power brokers of inducing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) denial of states loans to Abia and Benue states because the governors of both states to stand with him (Wike) in calling for the resignation of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Sen Iyorcha Ayu.

Wike, at the 58th birthday celebration of Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu in his country home at Umuobiakwa, Obingwa Local Government Area, threatened to name those behind the perceived punitive action of the apex bank against both states.

He said, “Money meant to come to Abia for my friend (Ikpeazu) to use to develop the state was stopped recently by those who think they own this country, who think Ikpeazu did not support them. Because Ikpeazu supported me, they went and stopped Abia State from getting the money they are supposed to get to develop Ariara Market.

“Okezie Ikpeazu is just governor of Abia. He is not the owner of Abia State. He is just a symbol of Abia State. Anybody who fights Abia, you’re not fighting Okezie, you are fighting the people of Abia. Abia and Benue states were denied money every state had gotten from the CBN. I got it. And anybody who dares to stop my money, know, I will not take it from them.

“You see how people are wicked, they are not in office yet, but they are fighting people, stopping States’ money. Even as we have criticised President Muhammadu Buhari, he has never stopped our money day, never. Why would some people think some of us are not Nigerians, some people think some of us are slaves. We would never be slaves. I will never be a slave to anybody.

“I have told Ikpeazu to continue to be quiet and be a Professor of proverbs. When we went to London, he told the person who called us to the meeting in London, you see this thing happening to PDP now is like that ship that wanted to capsize carrying Jonah.

“So, as the ship was going down, they went to Jonah, who said it’s me, it’s not the ship, and they took Jonah out of the ship. Jonah did not die. The ship stabilised. So, why not throw this Jonah out so that the ship can stabilise.”

In honour of Ikpeazu and his foresight in establishing a library to serve as a resource centre for scholars, Governor Wike inaugurated the library with a support donation of N200 million.

“Part of the problem we have in our country is no documentation. We don’t document events. Like he (Gov Ikpeazu) said, if he does not tell his story, some other people will tell it in a wrong way. So, let him rather tell the story”, Wike stated.

The celebrant and chief host on the occasion, Dr. Ikpeazu expressed joy that on his 58th birthday, he was able to formally inaugurate a library in honour of his late father who he named the library after.

Pa Ishmael Ikpeazu Library, he explained, contains the Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Scientific Leadership Institute which has kick-started the enrollment of 50 students on fellowship, and a small family museum that has a collection of relics of the family’s blacksmith heritage.

“Here, today, I am standing before the Pa Ishmael Ikpeazu memorial Library. This library is supposed to reflect the ideals of my late father who was a teacher, and said it is good to provide books for children as toys. If they read them, it’s okay. If they tear some in the course of play, no problem, but always keep a book in the environment of the growing child”, a fulfilled Governor Ikpeazu explained.

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, who was in the company of Wike, noted how enduring the library built by governor Ikpeazu is because it will stock records of knowledge of the past and serve as center for research while connecting people across generations.

(Vanguard)

October 19, 2022