The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that there would be an end to the tension in the South-Eastern part of the country if the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, is released. This is coming barely a few days after the dismissal of a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Kanu over alleged inhuman treatment in detention by personnel of the Department of State Security Services. Recall that Kanu has been in detention for over two years while the region had remained under threat by gunmen identified as members of the IPOB group led by Simon Ekpa. Ekpa, who recently announced that there will be a two-week sit-at-home in the South East, issued the directives from Lahti in Finland. Speaking on the situation, the spokesperson for Ohanaeze, Alex Ogbonnia said Kanu’s continuous detention contributed to the agitation in the region, adding that the situation is a reflection of the social injustice meted on the region. He said, “We have been consistent on the release of Nnamdi Kanu. We believe that the problem of what happened to Nnamdi Kanu has contributed to the agitation. What is happening in the South-East now is the manifestation of the social injustices meted on the South-East. “Nnamdi Kanu issue will require a diplomatic political solution and not matter of charging him to court, leaving him in prison or being incarcerated; rather such will lead to more clamouring and affects the situation. When asked if the tension in the South-East would come to an end if Kanu is released, he said “If he (Kanu) is released, at least the likes of Simon Ekpa would not have anything else to say again. No person can use Nnamdi Kanu as an excuse to cause mayhem in the country

  Sunday 16 July 2023 Ministerial list: Security reports, graft allegations may knock out heavyweights Buhari failed woefully, Tinubu cannot afford to disappoint Nigerians – Baba-Ahmed ‘Tap current’: Female customers lament sexual harassment in open markets Obi accuses FG of giving national awards to looters Family Of Two-Year-Old Killed By NDLEA Officers’ Stray Bullet Seeks Justice Reps Will Work To Give Traditional Rulers Constitutional Roles, Says Abbas Tinubu Urges African Leaders To Respect Democracy, Demands Action Against Coups I Never Granted Interview Saying I’ll Run In 2027, Says Peter Obi Tinubu Promises To Protect Benin Artefacts, To Support Oba’s Royal Museum Subsidy Removal: Imo Govt Increases Minimum Wage To N40,000 Govs Versus Godfathers: All Eyes On Kano, Rivers, Delta, Sokoto Tony Elumelu to feature at Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York CBN fixes 12 years as maximum tenure for bank MDs Wole Soyinka: Why I crossed to Biafra to meet Ojukwu Sit-at-home, Killings: Igbo leaders move strongly against IPOB’s Simon Ekpa Cost of Governance: How states squander billions on overhead costs — Study Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to the African Union (AU) by making full payment of its assessed contributions for the year 2023. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, confirmed this on Saturday on the sidelines of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU in Nairobi, Kenya. He explained that the payment demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to its responsibilities as an AU member-state. Ambassador Lamuwar in a statement by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information, State House, Abuja, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for living up to expectations not only as the Chairperson of ECOWAS but also as a President who emphasized prompt payment of financial assessments.   During the Executive Council meeting, the Permanent Secretary shared Nigeria’s stance on the proposed 2024 Budget of the AU. He welcomed the consideration of the economic outlook of African countries and the execution rate of AU departments and organs, over the past three years, in the budget drafting process.   “Nigeria emphasized the importance of an austerity-driven, results-oriented budget that avoids duplication. ‘‘Accountability and prudent resource management were also highlighted to encourage other member countries to fulfill their financial obligations,’’ he said. The Permanent Secretary called for synergy and complementarity among AU organs and departments and requested that the AU Commission (AUC) reduce travel costs by hosting more meetings at its headquarters in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia. He also stressed the need for compliance with internal audit processes to ensure transparency and accountability. President Tinubu is scheduled to attend the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting on Sunday in Nairobi, where discussions on other significant matters will take place. Ambassador Lamuwa also highlighted that the ministerial-level meeting preceding the Heads of State’s participation adopted the theme of Education for the AU in 2024. He noted that this aligns well with President Tinubu’s focus on education as a priority area domestically, making his leadership in Nigeria and ECOWAS timely and beneficial. Nigeria is one of the major financial contributors to the African Union (AU), alongside four other member-states. The statement said the AU’s 2023 budget of $654.8 million is primarily financed through annual statutory contributions and voluntary contributions from development partners, as well as other miscellaneous income. It added that development partners play a crucial role in supporting the AU’s budget, covering at least 67% of the total amount while Member-states, including Nigeria, contribute to the remaining balance of the budget based on the approved scale of assessment by the Executive Council.

  The family of two-year-old Ivan Omorhiakogbe is seeking justice over the death of their son allegedly hit by a stray bullet from the guns of the men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during a raid in the Okapanam Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. Ivan’s brother, who was also injured during the incident on Thursday, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. Narrating the incident, the grieving father of Ivan said his son was looking forward to his graduation ceremony in school scheduled for next Tuesday but all that has been cut short following the unfortunate incident. He insisted that justice be served on the matter. According to reports, the two-year-old boy was hit by a “stray bullet” and his younger brother was also injured in the eye during an operation by NDLEA officers in the state last Thursday. Both brothers were rushed to the Emergency Ward of the Federal Medical Centre Asaba for treatment but unfortunately, Ivan could not make it. Ivan’s brother, who was injured in the eye, has been moved to an eye clinic for treatment. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori called on the NDLEA and the police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the boy and injury to his brother, with a view to bringing the culprits to book and avoiding a future occurrence. The police have since called for calm, hinting that it has launched an investigation into the matter. Also, the NDLEA also said the matter is being probed. “We’re in touch with the family to provide necessary assistance while we conclude our investigation of the incident. We will like to assure the family and members of the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary action(s),” the anti-narcotics agency said in a statement on Saturday.

  The Police in Anambra have arrested one Ukamaka Udugbo from Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state for allegedly beating her 75-year-old mother under her care. The Divisional Police Officer of Abagana Police Station, SP Ifeanyi Umeh confirmed the arrest when an NGO, 50-50 Action Group of the WomenAid Collective visited him on the incident. Umeh said that the police station was informed about how the suspect had been physically assaulting her septuagenarian mother and immediate action was initiated which led to the arrest of the accused. Umeh said that after investigation and documentation, the case would be transferred to the police command in Awka. The leader of the delegation, Mrs Ify Unachukwu thanked the police for the prompt response and urged the force to see that the incident was given due attention to serve as a deterrent to others. Unachukwu described the act as “very unfortunate” for a daughter to beat her aged mother and discouraged young minds from emulating such bad conduct. The NGO also visited the Mrs Nkiru Okpata, the President General (women wing) of the Abagana Community, on the incident. Okpata said that her attention was drawn by a community member to a video trending on social media on Friday which showed that the action happened in her community. She said they commenced an investigation in the community and it was confirmed to be true. “I am very shocked because Udugbo is one of the women leaders in the community both in the church and her village.is confirmed to be true. “I am very shocked because Udugbo is one of the women leaders in the community both in the church and her village. “She attends the general meeting where we preach against violence against women. “We are going to strip her of all her positions in the church and the community because she went against our rules and regulations,” she said. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a video went viral of a woman in her 50s, Ukamaka Udugbo beating her aged mother, Mrs There’s Nwaokaka of Obe-Orofia while bathing her in Obeagu Umudun in Abagana. NAN gathered that Nwaokaka has been living in her daughter’s home where she was being taken care of. The victim’s son, Mr Emeka Nwaokaka, expressed shock at his sister’s behavior saying that their mother had been staying with the sister for a long time. Nwaokaka said that his sister was remorseful since the incident broke out to public attention and described the act as “confusing”. The chairperson of the kindred where Udugbo hails from, Mrs Eunice Anagor assured the group that they would take care of the victim who was receiving treatment at a hospital. The Community President General, Mr Ben Okongwu said that the issue had been reported to the Divisional police station and justice would be served. “We do not want to take laws into our hands so the incident was reported to the police as the video clip was confirmed,” Okongwu said. (NAN)

  Tragedy struck again on Saturday, when a tanker crushed to death a highway egg hawker in a multiple auto crash involving a truck, and three vehicles at Otedola Bridge on Lagos-Ibadan-Expressway, amid a terrible gridlock. This came three days after two persons sustained injuries in a multiple auto crash involving a truck, tanker and a commercial bus on same Otedola Bridge.   Today’s accident, which occurred at about 3.20p.m., left some people with various injuries, besides the dead egg hawker. Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, explained the incident scene. “It was discovered that a tanker fully laden with deisel [60,000 litres] was found to have crushed a female pedestrian, egg hawker on Otedola Bridge inward Berger. “Further Investigation conducted by the LRT revealed that the articulated truck with number plates GME 483XD suffered a mechanical fault (brake failure) and rammed vehicles (Suzuki, EPE 302HR; Toyota Camry, MUS242HM, and Avalolon AYE 453SF) damaging them. “The LRT, alongside Nigeria Police, Lagos State Ambulances Service, LASAMBUS, Federal Road Safety Corps, FSC, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA officials, Rapid Response Squad, RRS, were on the ground to ensure the security of lives and property, as well as maintenance of law and order in the axis. “Vehicular movement was later restored after the affected vehicles were removed the access roads.” Meanwhile, motorists and other road users continued to groan as gridlock persisted along the axis as a result of the ongoing reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by the Federal Government, which has been causing untold hardship to citizens. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Gbolahan Toriola has assured motorists of adequate deployment of men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA to the area to ensure free flow of traffic and prevent total standstill situation. Toriola, therefore, called for patience and understanding on the part of motorists as the construction is “geared towards a better transportation system and improved economic activity.” He appealed to the citizenry to shun indiscriminate stopping, waiting and parking along the road in order not to compound the situation. Also, the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Olukorede Kesha, has assured residents that the project “is at the final stage and will not be delayed any further to restore sanity to the axis.”

  Mr Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate, Labour Party in the 2023 elections has dismissed media reports that he said he is looking forward to run for office in the 2027 presidential elections. The presidential candidate also denied commenting on appointees of the Federal Government. Obi, who is also a former governor of Anambra, made this known in a statement on his official Twitter handle in Lagos on Saturday. The presidential candidate described both reports as bogus, regretting that Nigerian politics had sunken to the level where manipulation of the media space was now a trade. He said: “I have noticed with dismay, an emerging pattern, where fake media reports and news items are predicated on interviews and press remarks I never granted. “Two recent instances relating to my saying that I am looking forward to running for office in 2027 on a supposed Arise TV interview. “This never took place and the other, about my reaction to prospective appointees into the current Federal Government,” he said. The presidential candidate said he would not allow fake news to distract his focus for a new Nigeria which he insisted, was possible. Obi said his focus and that of the ‘Obidient’ Movement that he leads, would not derail from the original mission of creating a new Nigeria which they believed was possible. He said for him, he would continue to speak on topical national issues via recognised news and media outfits but certainly would not concern himself with cheap distraction. Obi also said the focus of his followers had never been on political appointments and positions. “Our emphasis has never been on political positions or personal aggrandisement but on putting the nation on the right footing and deepening our democracy by helping to elevate and empower the downtrodden in our society.” Obi so aid that was the reason their messages during the electioneering campaigns were all issue-driven. (NAN)

  The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved a new code of corporate governance which specified that the tenure of a bank’s managing director or chief executive officer (CEO) can only last for a maximum of 12 years. The CBN made the disclosure in a circular dated July 13, 2023, and signed by Chibuzo Efobi, director, financial policy and regulation department. In February, the apex bank had ruled that executives can only serve a cumulative tenure of 20 years across the banking sector. But in the circular, the CBN said the new rules supercede all previous codes, circulars and related directives on corporate governance issued by the CBN. According to the financial regulator, the implementation of the new rules will come into effect by August 1, 2023. The CBN said the new code fixes the tenure of deputy managing directors and executive directors (ED)of a bank at a maximum period of 12 years. The apex bank directed that when an executive director becomes a deputy managing director, a cumulative tenure of 12 years applies and shall not be extended.   The code also specified that the minimum and maximum number of directors on the boards of commercial, merchant and non-interest banks (CMNIBS) shall be seven and 15 , respectively. However, for a payment service bank (PSB), the minimum and maximum number of directors on the board shall be seven and 13. The CBN said the board, subject to its approval, is to appoint the MD/CEO, executive directors as well as senior management staff. “Where a DMD/ED becomes an MD/CEO of the same bank, his/her previous tenure as DMD/ED is not included in computing his/her as MD/CEO,” the circular reads. “Remuneration of MD/CEO, DMD, and EDs shall be linked to performance and structured to prevent excessive risk taking. “The board shall approve a succession plan for the MD/CEO, other EDs and senior management staff, which shall be reviewed at least once every two years.” The new policy added that not more than two members of an extended family shall be on the board of a bank. “Only one member of an extended family can occupy the position of MD/CEO, chairman or ED at any point in time,” the circular reads. “Where a merger, acquisition, take-over, or any form of business combination involves the appointment of a director from the board of the legacy institution, the length of service of such director shall include both the periods served pre and post combination.” The CBN informed banks and financial holding companies to take note of the responsibilities imposed on their boards by the new rules.

  Some northern leaders have said the only way there can be a lasting solution to the problem of insecurity in the country is to clear the forests of bandits. They argued that it will be foolish for the government to think of negotiating with the bandits as suggested by the former governor of Zamfara state, Mallam Sani Yerima in view of the past negotiations with the bandits which they refused to respect. They therefore called on President Bola Tinubu to take the fight against insecurity in the country to the door step of the bandits in the forests.   Sufficiently motivated, well trained and equipped security personnel needed — Anthony Sani Elder statesman and former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony N Z Sani,said, “any thought of negotiation with terrorists is derived from the adage that if you kill one person you would be charged for murder; if you kill ten people you would be examined for insanity. But if you kill hundreds of people, you would be invited for peace talks in Geneva not because the comity of nations likes the killings but in order to stop further killing. I am not sure Nigeria has reached that level that would make negotiation necessary. All the government needs to do is to set its priority and have enough number of well trained and equipped security personnel, sufficiently motivated to take the fights to the door step of the bandits in the forests and secure the nation. I am not sure if negotiation with bandits can be productive and helpful, considering the fact that bandits do not have common leadership and central command structure across the country. The groups are independent of each other. As a result, any resolution or agreement reached cannot be binding on all the different groups of bandits”. Clearing our forests of bandits, the only development project we need — Malam Ruwangodiya Former Special Adviser to the immediate past Katsina state governor, Malam Bashir Usman Ruwangodiya, on his part said the people of the area have been left between the devil and the deep blue sea. According to him, “the only development project we need particularly in the northwest region now is for President Bola Tinubu to clear our forest of bandits, whichever way he deems fit, to bring a lasting solution to our neighbourhood. Our major problem in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna is this insecurity. If we can have this banditry wiped away, I think that will be the best we can say democracy has done for us. There are over 1001 groups of bandits in the forests, which among them are we going to discuss with? That is one of the problems we have in Katsina. If you discuss with one camp, another one will tell you they are not part of that group, therefore, you can not trust these people. If you say government should go for dialogue and amnesty, you have to consider the past. Several attempts by different state governments were made in the past including Katsina state, we negotiated with them for about three times. The same thing was done in other states, but these people are still operating, they have refused to stop. So, if you now say you want to repeat the same thing, it will look foolish. But even if it will be done, then there is need to change the strategy as no special strategy was applied in previous negotiations. So, if the president can initiate something different, my appeal is for the government to do the needful. They have all the security apparatus at their disposal; they have the strategies; they have the manpower and the resources. So, they know what to do. Concerns of victims, terrorists must be addressed to ensure lasting peace — Ibrahim Katsina   On his part, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Katsina, who a former Special Adviser on Security Matters in Katsina state said the Federal Government should adopt a multidimensional approach to end banditry. Katsina said: “In a security situation of this nature, you have to look at both the victims and the terrorists. If you give amnesty to the terrorists what about the victims? Whatever the government plans to do must be multidimensional. The concerns of both the victims and the terrorists have to be addressed to ensure lasting peace. So, it is not the issue of amnesty that matters, it is about doing the right thing that will end the problems. First and foremost, they have to look at the factors that led to the crisis. That is what the government should address first. The factors that led to why we are fighting today must be looked at. So, if you grant amnesty without addressing those factors, we will go back to square one. That was the mistake we did before. You don’t even require any amnesty if you address the factors. But if they are not addressed, whatever is done will end up increasing the symptoms responsible for the crisis.