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AfDB approves $15m loan for Nigeria’s infrastructure financing gap

Ehime ALEX
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AfDB approves $15m loan for Nigeria’s infrastructure financing gap

THE African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $15 million subordinated loan to Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited (InfraCredit) to strengthen its capital base in the country and help Nigeria close its infrastructure financing gap.

In a statement it issued on Thursday, May 18, the bank explained that the financing would enable InfraCredit to leverage domestic capital markets to bolster access to long-term local currency infrastructure financing in the country.

It also complements a 2019 investment that AfDB and other partners made in InfraCredit to help unlock domestic institutional capital for infrastructure.

According to the World Bank, it may take Nigeria 300 years to bridge its infrastructure gap with the current rate of expenditure allocations, adding that the country’s physical infrastructure gap would likely reach $3 trillion in the next 30 years.

In February 2021, the Federal government launched the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria Limited (InfraCorp) project to tackle its infrastructure deficits.

A N15 trillion project, InfraCorp officially commenced operation in April 2022 and was focused on addressing weak and dilapidated infrastructure, with yearly funding of N1 trillion. 

Not much, if any, has been heard of its operation.

According to the AfDB, InfraCredit is a specialised Nigerian credit guarantee company that mobilises long-term capital from institutional investors, including pension funds and insurance companies, to support infrastructure projects.

The loan comes at a time when InfraCredit is seeking to raise capital to finance an additional $375 million in infrastructure over the next few years, primarily by leveraging private-sector financing.

“The African Development Bank is pleased to continue to support an innovative financial institution – InfraCredit –which has objectives that align closely with our priorities to mobilise institutional financing for the delivery of infrastructure for Nigeria in key sectors including transport, energy, water, agriculture and infrastructure,” the bank’s country director-general, Lamin Barrow, said.

InfraCredit’s chief executive officer, Chinua Azubike, said, “This second round investment will strengthen our guarantee issuing capacity and bring AfDB’s total investments in InfraCredit to $25 million, which is a strong signal of commitment to the long-term growth of InfraCredit and the Nigerian economy.”

The intervention also prioritises delivering infrastructure for transport, energy, water and sanitation, agriculture, industry and social development.

It aligns with the National Development Plan, which envisages strong private sector resource mobilisation and participation in the plan’s priorities, including investment in infrastructure, promotion of the financial sector and capital market development in the country.

ICPC secures conviction of two for duping Korean with phony crude oil deal

Bankole ABE
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ICPC secures conviction of two for duping Korean with phony crude oil deal

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a seven-year conviction of two fraudsters, Aso Adasa Morrison and Frank Biobarakuma, who duped a Korean with a phony crude oil deal.

They were convicted on May 10, 2023

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday, May 18 and signed by the spokesperson of the Commission, Azuka Ogugua.

According to the ICPC, the suspects were first arraigned in March 2013 before Justice B. A. Georgewill of Rivers State High Court 16 on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.

“The court was informed of how the convicts and others at large between the month of March 2012 and February 2013 in Port Harcourt, fraudulently obtained the sum of $260,000 and $402,300 from one Mr Jung Yongmin, a South Korean, under the pretext of selling Nigerian crude oil to him.

“Their actions were contrary to Sections 1 and 8 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2004 and Section 467 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004.

“The convicts had earlier entered a ‘not guilty’ plea when the charges were brought before them and that set the tune for a long legal battle,” the Commission stated.

The ICPC said the trial judge, Justice S. C. Amadi, Chief Judge of Rivers State, who inherited the case after the elevation of Justice Georgewill to the Court of Appeal, eventually found the convicts guilty on all 17 counts.

The anti-corruption agency added that in their submission, the defence counsel pleaded that the convicts were first-time offenders with children to cater for and that the court should consider a non-custodial sentencing which was not granted.

“Handing down judgment, Justice Amadi sentenced the duo to 3 years in prison for counts 1-4, 7 years in prison for counts 5 & 6, 3 years in prison for count 7-17 without any option of fine.”

The sentences are to run concurrently.

The court further advised that the South Korean Embassy (the petitioners) be informed of the judgment, which is a consequence of their petition to ICPC.

Nigeria risks loss of revenue from foreign airlines over $717.4m trapped funds

Harrison EDEH
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Nigeria risks loss of revenue from foreign airlines over $717.4m trapped funds

THE Nigerian government risks losing revenue from foreign airline operators if it fails to resolve the crisis of $717.4 million funds belonging to the airlines but trapped with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to available data, the aviation industry generally contributes 4 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) with about 200,000 jobs.

Last year, Emirates Airlines announced the suspension of all its flights in and out of Nigeria over its funds trapped in Nigeria.

According to the airline, its inability to repatriate its earnings led to the suspension of its operation in the country indefinitely, starting September 1, 2022.

Commenting on the implications of the trapped funds, an aviation consultant, John Ojikutu, told The ICIR of the fear that foreign airlines operating in the country might leave if their trapped funds were not addressed.

Ojikutu said, “The wider implication is services withdrawal by the foreign airlines, resulting in the reduction of their flights and subsequent reductions in our forex earnings, which form over 70 per cent of our earnings in commercial aviation.

“If there is such reduction, there would be subsidies or intervention for sustaining the local operations. Should there be a scarcity of dollars for the exchange of the foreign airlines’ trapped monies? Capital no!”

He further said that foreign airlines pay in dollars for services rendered by government agencies like the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigeria Air Management Authority (NAMA), and private services providers like caterers and fuel marketers.

The revenues accruing from these services are estimated at about $2.5 billion annually.

Worried, the Senate had urged the CBN to release the trapped funds to the owner airlines.

National Assembly Complex
National Assembly complex

The Senate had also asked the CBN to allocate $25 million to airlines operating in Nigeria at its bi-weekly dollar auction.

The resolutions were sequel to the consideration and adoption of a motion titled, ‘Current Issues on Airlines Blocked Funds in Nigeria’, sponsored by Biodun Olujimi, chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation.

Moving the motion, the vice chairman of the committee, Bala Na’Allah, who represented Olujimi, informed that since January 2021, Nigeria has been the most challenging country in the world for airlines in repatriating funds to support their operation.

He said, “In February, Nigeria alone accounted for 44 per cent of total airlines blocked funds in the entire world.”

“The total airlines blocked funds in Nigeria as of March 2023 amounted to $717,478,606, comprising matured bids that the CBN is yet to deliver, bids yet to mature and cash balances in airlines’ accounts for repatriation.”

“The matured bids not delivered by the CBN amounted to $186.5 million, amounting to 26 per cent of total blocked funds, while three stakeholders (IATA, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines) accounted for 57 per cent of total blocked funds.”

He stressed that a review of airlines’ blocked funds in Nigeria in the last six months showed an average month-on-month increase of $49.3 million.

“The consequence of these blocked funds is that cheap tickets are not available in Nigeria because taxes and inflation would have eroded the profit when the funds are kept for a very long time,” Na’Allah said.

He added that trapped funds would make tickets very expensive and limited while neighbouring countries would get the tickets cheaply as they pay airlines promptly to enable them to repatriate their funds on time.

In their contributions, the senators supported the motion and voted to approve the prayers when they were put to voice vote by the Senate president, Ahmad Lawan.

They called on the Federal government to address the protracted problem of trapped airline funds in Nigeria.

They also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, to release the funds to the affected airlines, and appealed to the airlines operating in the country not to withdraw their services while efforts are ongoing to resolve the issue.

LP leadership tussle: Abure returns as national chairman

Vincent Ufuoma
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LP leadership tussle: Abure returns as national chairman

THE National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has said his position as the leader of the party has been restored by a ruling of Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.

Abure and three other leaders of the party – the General Secretary, Farouk Ibrahim, National Organising Secretary, Clement Ojukwu, and the Treasurer, Oluchi Opara – were suspended by an Abuja Federal High Court in April.

The court, presided by Justice Hamza Muazu, gave an ex parte order that the officials should remain suspended, pending the hearing and determination of a suit challenging their continued stay in office over allegations of corruption brought against them.

The plaintiff, James Onoja, had alleged that the affected national officers had forged multiple documents from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, using them to carry out unlawful substitutions during the 2023 general election.

Following the court order, the party’s South-West chairman, Lamidi Apapa, announced himself as the acting national chairman of the party.

Apapa’s declaration was vehemently rejected by the 36 state chairmen of the party, who declared their support for Abure as the party leader.

At the resumed hearing of the suit on May 13, the court ruled that it has jurisdiction to entertain the matter after the defense lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, argued that the judge does not have the power to entertain the suit.

The trial judge held that it was no longer the law that the court cannot adjudicate in political parties’ matter, saying if the party had been at peace with itself, there would not be any need for the court to interfere in its affairs.

Justice Muazu, who held that the plaintiffs’ case was justiciable contrary to the submission of the counsel for the plaintiffs, Alex Ejesieme, said when there is no crack on the wall, there would not be the need for an outsider to come in to mend it.

He noted that the plaintiffs were equally right to have instituted the case through originating summons.

On the issue of locus standi of the plaintiffs to bring the matter before the court, the judge held that being members of the LP, they have the locus standi to institute the case.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) had submitted that the matter before the court bordered on the internal affairs of the LP, adding that criminal allegations made by the plaintiffs in the case, could not be ventilated in an origination summon.

He added that the eight plaintiffs that brought the case before the court were not members of the party’s NEC and as such lacked the locus standi to institute the case.

However, at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, May 18, Abure officially announced the return of all suspended national executive members to the party secretariat.

He said that their return followed a motion for stay filed at the Court of Appeal.

Emphasising the unity within the party, Abure clarified that the Labour Party had no factions, dispelling speculations suggesting otherwise.

He reaffirmed that the National Working Committee (NWC) led by himself, constituted the sole leadership of the party.

“Having appealed and file a motion for a stay which has been served on the judge, I and my colleagues have now fully assumed our constitutional responsibilities as National Officers of the party,” he said.

“It has become imperative for me to address this press conference to properly put the legal issues surrounding the leadership of the party in proper perspectives.

“It is pertinent to state categorically that Labour Party has no faction. It has only one leadership and that leadership is the National Working Committee led by myself, Barrister Julius Abure.”

Abure expressed concern over the burglary that occurred at the party secretariat, which he alleged was orchestrated by the Apapa-led group.

He criticised aggrieved party members for their impatience, pointing out that they had appointed themselves as national officers of the party without waiting for the final judgment of the court.

There was a melodrama on Wednesday, May 17, as the Apapa-led faction clashed during the pre-hearing of the petition filed by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

The clash occured between the acting national chairman, Apapa, and Akin Osuntokun, the director general of the party’s presidential campaign committee.

Apapa had sought to sit in the seat designated for Abure, the suspended national chairman, but the move was rejected by members of Abure’s faction, led by Osuntokun.

When the petition was summoned, Apapa and the party’s National Women’s Leader, Dudu Manugu, attempted to appear on behalf of the Labour Party.

However, the Tribunal rejected their requests.

Assault: Seun Kuti to remain in custody until next week – Lawyer

Vincent Ufuoma
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Assault: Seun Kuti to remain in custody until next week – Lawyer

AFROBEAT singer Seun Kuti is set to be detained until Monday, May 22, following a court order obtained by the Lagos State Police Command, according to his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika. 

Olumide-Fusika, in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, May 18, revealed that the police approached the Magistrate’s Court in Yaba to request a variation of the bail previously granted the musician.

He said Kuti’s legal team was unaware of the police’s court appearance, and as a result, he was not represented during the proceedings.

Olumide-Fusika, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), expressed dismay at the development, stating that by the time he arrived at the court, the decision had already been made.

While the police had applied for a variation of the bail conditions, the lawyer said the Magistrate declined their request but extended Kuti’s detention until Monday, May 22.

The ICIR made several unsuccessful efforts, including phone calls, to the state police spokesperson, Ben Hundeyin, for comments.

Meanwhile, the police have said they discovered suspicious items during a search of the home of the Afrobeat singer on Wednesday, May 17.

Hundeyin disclosed this in a tweet while responding to criticism on how the police are handling the musician’s ongoing case of assault against a policeman.

Nairaland founder, Seun Osewa, accused the police of harassing Seun Kuti’s family by allegedly ransacking their home and seizing his wife’s phone.

“You are making people who were sympathetic to the police because Seun Kuti’s behaviour was despicable to remember why they hated the police before. This is bad Public Relations (PR) for the police,” Osewa tweeted.

In response, Hundeyin said, “In the course of our investigation, we stumbled on certain suspicious things that needed to be proven/disproved beyond reasonable doubt.

“We, therefore, applied for and duly got a search warrant from the court which we have executed. Investigation continues.

“No law restricts the police to investigating only the initial crime. World over, Police Departments stumble on other crimes while investigating an initial crime. We are duty bound to investigate them in line with our mandate of detecting and investigating crimes.”

Seun, son of Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti was seen in a viral video slapping a policeman in Lagos State.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman, according to a statement from police spokesman, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, thereafter ordered the arrest of the musician.

Kuti on Monday turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja accompanied by his lawyer and family members.

The 40-year-old musician was subsequently arrested and moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Panti.

On Tuesday, he was arraigned before Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun of a Magistrate’s Court in the Yaba area of Lagos State.

The Afrobeat singer was, however, granted bail but according to his lawyer, he is expected to meet his bail conditions within 48 hours.

Preparations for 2023 census gulps over N200 billion

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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Preparations for 2023 census gulps over N200 billion

THE National Population Commission (NPC) says it has sent over N200 billion on preparations for the 2023 national housing and population census.

The Commission disclosed that the money was mostly spent on printing of census materials and training of adhoc staff, among many other miscellaneous expenses.

Speaking during a meeting with media executives on Thursday, May 18, the Chairman of the Commission, Nasir Isa-Kwarra, stated that N800 billion was budgeted for the census but the Federal Government allocated N224 billion for the exercise.

Isa-Kwarra stressed that the N200 billion spent was the initial release by the Federal Government.

“What we’ve been able to expend is about N200 billion. So the N800 billion is a budget and that budget covers the cost of conducting census in Nigeria. It is not that government has given us N800 billion but it is a budget and we believe that we may spend up to that or we may not spend up to that.

“To be straightforward, the Federal Government has actually provided N224 billion which we have utilised for the census so far.”

Isa-Kwarra further assured Nigerians that the 2023 census would be credible, adding that counting and numbering would be conducted in serene and secure environment despite security challenges in different parts of the country.

Also speaking at the event, the Federal Commissioner representing Oyo State in the Commission, and Chairman Public Affairs Committee, Eyitayo Oyetunji, explained that the census was postponed to allow the incoming government oversee the process.

“The census process continues. Even though it has been postponed and rescheduled, we want to make a statement that it has not been cancelled, the process is continuing.

“When President Muhammadu Buhari announced the postponement, he also charged us to continue activities while allowing the incoming government to become part of the process and own the process.”

The ICIR earlier reported that the National Population Commission (NPC) assured that the data generated from the 2023 population census would be used to address Nigeria’s problems.

Speaking to the Southern Kaduna Journalists Forum in Abuja on May 5, an NPC commissioner, Abdulmalik Durunguwa, said most of the country’s challenges would be addressed with the thorough conduct of the census.

Durunguwa stressed that the exercise would reveal Nigeria’s problems.

“The data that is required is more about where you reside and not your village or state because the essence of the data is to solve people’s problems wherever you are.”

He also noted the census would provide the government with a working document that would be used to respond to peculiar challenges affecting people residing in different parts of the country.

“Most of the population data currently in use in Nigeria is estimated. We need to know the actual number of poor among us, the number of out-of-school children, the poverty level and other indices.”

The ICIR also reported that security analysts noted that uncontrolled borders can undermine the credibility of 2023 census.

Speaking with The ICIR, the Head of Agent-X Security Agency, a security startup in Nigeria, Timothy Avele said poor border management can affect the census.

“Illegal migration can affect the outcome of the 2023 population census,” the Avele saud, noting that the Commission might be unable to identify peoples: nationality, which could result in inaccurate figures.

“The National Population Commission can end up with the wrong population figures. They currently do not have an effective method of identifying real Nigerians and non-Nigerians.”

Police link IPOB to attack on US embassy convoy, arrest 2 suspects

Vincent Ufuoma
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Police link IPOB to attack on US embassy convoy, arrest 2 suspects

THE Anambra State Police Command has announced the arrest of two suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in connection with the attack on a convoy of United States (US) Embassy officials in the state.

It was initially reported that four persons were killed in the attack, by latest figures released by the police indicate that seven persons were killed in the incident, which occured in the Amiyi/Eke Ochuche axis of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State on Tuesday night.

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, announced the arrest of suspects during a press briefing in Awka on Thursday, May 18.

According to Echeng, the suspects were apprehended during a joint operation conducted by security forces, including police tactical teams from the Command, Nigerian Army troops, and the Nigerian Navy.

He said that the operation took place in a camp located near the Ugwuaneocha community in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

The commissioner described the camp as a hideout for the assailants, suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He said two persons of interest were arrested and had been assisting the police investigation into the attack that claimed the lives of seven persons.

“Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shootout, but they escaped through a nearby forest. On May 17, 2023, joint security forces comprising police tactical teams from the command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy raided a camp in the Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants but discovered that it had been deserted. The criminal camp was razed down by the joint security team.”

How US Embassy convoy was attacked

Contrary to earlier reports, the police boss said seven individuals lost their lives, including three consulate officials and four mobile police escorts during the attack.

Continuing, the commissioner of police said: “The preliminary investigation conducted by the Command, following the incident, revealed that five male officials of the USA consulate and four armed Mobile Police escorted from Lagos on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA were travelling in a convoy of two vehicles when they suddenly came under attack by armed men who targeted them with gunfire and set their vehicles ablaze.

“Regrettably, seven persons including three of the consulate officials and four Mobile Police escorts were murdered during the attack while two other officials of the consulate are yet to be found.”

Murdered US Embassy officials named

Echeng disclosed the names of the US Embassy officials killed in the attack. The victims were identified by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“Information from the USAID authority disclosed that five of their staff and four policemen involved in the attack are Jefferson Obayuwane (Retd. DSS personnel), Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila and Avwuvie Kaye Monday,” the police commissioner said.

He added that the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and placed in a morgue.

He further disclosed that his men in conjunction with other security agencies and the Anambra State government, are intensifying efforts to locate and rescue some of the missing officials kidnapped by the assailants.

Echeng urged members of the public to provide any information they may have regarding the identities and whereabouts of the perpetrators.

He also extended his condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, as well as to the US Consul, and called on members of the public to assist the police with relevant information.

The ICIR had reported that officials of the US embassy were killed in the attack, which occured in the Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State on Tuesday night. The diplomatic delegation, which was on a humanitarian mission, came under fire as they were passing through the area.

President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal and Anambra state governments have issued various statements to condemn the incident even as they asked security operatives to bring the perpetrators to justice.

No indication that gunmen targeted US Embassy officials — Secretary of State Blinken 

Speaking on the incident in a statement on Wednesday, May 17, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said the convoy was carrying a total of nine individuals, including five employees of the US embassy and four members of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said that the officials were travelling to a US funded flood response project in Anambra when the incident occurred.

He noted that there were no indications suggesting that the assailants specifically targeted the US embassy.

“We do not yet know the motive for the attack, but we have no indications at this time that it was targeted against our Mission,” he said.

“The assailants killed at least four members of the convoy, and US Mission personnel are working urgently with Nigerian counterparts to ascertain the location and condition of the members of the convoy who are unaccounted for.”

While condemning the act, Blinken added that the US will stand united with Nigerian law enforcement agencies in their quest to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.

“The United States has no greater priority than the safety and security of our personnel. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the attack, and pledge to do everything possible to safely recover those who remain missing.

“We deeply value our relationship with our Locally Employed Staff and our partnership with Nigeria.

“The United States reaffirms its commitment to the people of Nigeria to assist in the fight against violence and insecurity.”

The South-East part of country has been experiencing a rising spate of violence and insecurities in recent times occasioned by gunmen suspected to be IPOB members.

A report by The ICIR, in May last year, shows that at least 287 people died within the region between January and May 2022 due to insecurity.

Broadcasting Awards: ARISE wins Television Station of the Year

Itoro ETUKUDO
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Broadcasting Awards: ARISE wins Television Station of the Year

ARISE News emerged ‘Television Station of the Year’ at the maiden edition of The Nigerian Broadcasting Awards (TNBA), held on Wednesday, May 17, at Eko Convention Center, Lagos.

The Nigerian Broadcasting Awards was  initiated by the the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON), the umbrella body of broadcast stations in the country, with the primary aim of acknowledging, commemorating and bestowing recognition upon outstanding professionals within the nation’s broadcasting industry.

At the unveiling of the awards last year, BON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, said the initiative is aimed at igniting the passion of aspiring talents and motivating broadcast professionals to elevate their efforts in the industry.

He added that the awards will provide an avenue to honour distinguished individuals who have made substantial contributions to the field, by acknowledging their remarkable impact.

“The awards will recognise and reward the talents that abound in the Nigerian broadcasting industry, spur them to be better and inspire up and coming professionals to excel in the knowledge that they will someday be recognised and celebrated.

“Broadcasting in Nigeria has come a very long way and it is time we started celebrating broadcasters for their sacrifices,” he said.

Having been nominated in multiple categories, Arise News Channel won three awards including the biggest award of the night, ‘Television Station of the Year’.

The TV channel also bagged the Best Television News (English Language) and Reporter of the Year, which was clinched by it’s News Correspondent Ovieteme George.

The Deputy managing director of ARISE News,  Emmanuel Efeni and executive director Kayode Akintemi received the award on behalf of the Chairman THISDAY-ARISE media group, Nduka Obiagbena.

In his speech, Efeni expressed gratitude to Arise News’ audience and made a commitment to uphold trustworthy journalism.

“First I want to thank the Almighty God who made this award possible, it’s an award not just for hard work but for all our viewers around the world who tune in morning, afternoon and midnight to listen to the news.

“We will continue to cover the news from everywhere around the world,” he said.

The Nigerian Broadcasting Awards had about 12 categories each for radio and television, as well awards which recognise veteran broadcasters who have made an invaluable impact on the growth of the industry.

The event was hosted by Frank Edoho, a well-known media personality. The night featured musical performances by music consultant, Ben Ogbeiwi and former contestant of Nigerian Idol, Akunna, along with other artists.

Nigeria Info FM bagged ‘Best Radio Station of the Year’, while Channels TV won in the category of ‘Best Television Station – Original Production in Business/Drama/Sports (English Language)’.

The Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to Christopher Kolade, a veteran broadcaster and former Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation; Vincent Maduka, the first Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), known for advocating for additional categories to recognise radio and TV programs; and Mohammed Ibrahim, the first Nigerian to oversee both the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

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They were honoured for their significant contributions to the promotion of the broadcast industry.

The event also honoured and remembered influential individuals who made significant contributions to the broadcast industry even after their passing.

This included the late Mike Enahoro, a renowned broadcaster, as well as Dahiru Modibbo and Kunle Olasepe. Kunle Olasepe held the distinction of being Africa’s first male face and voice on television. Their contributions were recognised and celebrated during the event.

Cross River state N600 million dubious contracts: Stakeholders calls for probe

Editorial
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Cross River state N600 million dubious contracts: Stakeholders calls for probe

By Mary Bassey

Following an International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)-funded investigation by CrossRiverWatch  which revealing a large-scale breach of the public procurement processes by the Cross River State Government in 2019 and 2020, stakeholders have called for a probe into the contracts.

The investigation (read it here) established that contracts worth over N600 million were awarded in manners that questioned the integrity of the state government.

Nine companies not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) got contracts. Three years after some contracts are yet to be completed and handed over, and legitimate companies were kicked aside during the procurement process.

The scheme was first observed in a 2019 investigation where the government awarded 40 contracts valued at over N6.9 billion to 31 companies. Of the 31, seven were illegally awarded contracts as they were not registered with the CAC, a fundamental requirement of the Public Procurement Act. Another seven benefiting companies lacked experience and expertise concerning the contract they were awarded.

The 2019 and 2020 contracts were awarded in violation of the Cross River State Procurement Law, 2020 (Law No. 9). The law was first enacted in 2007 and reenacted in 2019 by the current administration.

The investigation revealed that government and contractors did not follow due process in awarding the contracts, ghost companies receiving contracts, and flaunting of the Procurement Law among other irregularities.

The six weeks investigation was the subject of discussion on “Let’s Talk Nigeria”, a live radio program that airs on Sparking 92.3 FM Calabar. Analysts and callers said those involved should be called for questioning.

The Country Director of the International Training, Research, and Advocacy Project (INTRAP) Macfarlane Ejah, while featuring as a guest on the programme, appreciated the detailed investigation, stressing that it should not be swept under the carpet.

According to him, “Budgets are peoples’ sensitive activity, you don’t think for the people, you think with the people. If you award a contract and you’re applying for payments you need to quote where that payment is coming from, from the approved budget. Each budget has a sub-head.”

Ejah urged citizens and organizations to hold the governments at all levels accountable.

The CrossRiverWatch reporter who wrote the investigation,  Jeremiah Archibong, was called from the studio to substantiate his facts.

On how he concluded that the nine companies are not incorporated with the CAC, he said that a background check with CAC turned negative, and other journalistic methodological processes were followed.

He thanked John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting for their support in carrying out the investigation.

Callers also lent their thoughts on the program and said those found wanting should be brought to book

This report is republished from Cross river watch. 

Why CAF snubbed Abuja national stadium for AFCON qualifiers

Toyosi AFOLAYAN
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Why CAF snubbed Abuja national stadium for AFCON qualifiers

THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, for the Super Eagles next home game in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Super Eagles had previously played their first two home games of the qualification series against Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium in Abuja.

According to a press release by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday, May 15, the Abuja national stadium will not host Nigeria’s last home  game as it was not among the approved stadiums.

What happened?

Dangote Group of Companies in December 2021, handed over to the Federal Government, an Abuja national stadium which had a refurbished football field and new computerised scoreboards.

The renovation of the Stadium by Dangote Group was funded through the Adopt-a-Pitch Initiative, which sought to use private partnerships to improve the development of athletes in the nation.

Ten months after the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abuja, was turned over to the Federal Government by the Dangote Group of Companies, the stadium’s renovated football field had returned to its previous pitiful condition.

When the Super Eagles defeated Sierra Leone 2-1 in an AFCON qualifier played in June 2022, the rough field prevented free movement of the ball, and the grass in some areas had already vanished.

Fast forward to July 2022, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development completed the revamping of the football pitches at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium in Abuja.

The actors speak

But Super Eagles bemoaned at the state of the pitch when they surprisingly lost to Guinea Bissau in an AFCON qualifying match in March 2023.

The Super Eagles loss to the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau was allegedly caused by the poor playing surface of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, according to Everton and Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi.

The Super Eagles were shockingly defeated one nil by Guinea Bissau, one of the lowest-ranked nations in the world. Iwobi and his colleagues had trouble expressing themselves as freely as they did in earlier games on the field.

Nigeria’s head coach, Jose Peseiro, also said that the September 24 Stadium in Bissau had a better field than the one in Abuja following the reverse fixture, which the Super Eagles won by a solitary goal.

Iwobi agreed with the coach, saying the Super Eagles will be tough to beat if they play on a good pitch.

“If we had that in Nigeria, I feel like it would be difficult to beat us. I am confident enough to say that not many teams can beat us,” Iwobi said in an interview with The Beautiful Game Podcast.

“Having a good pitch, if we have that, I feel like we’d be unstoppable. Just a pitch with grass, no crops”.

Renowned Sports Writer and former Nigerian star, Segun Odegbami in his column for COMPLETE SPORTS Newspaper revealed that he admonished the ministry to adopt a feasible way of maintaining the MKO Abiola Stadium pitch but deaf ears were turned to his words and the rest is history.

“What the Super Eagles and Nigerians are passing through now, playing at home and looking like the visiting team, is a consequence of not doing anything about the state of the playing surfaces,  not installing the right grass fields, drainage systems, watering systems, and not training groundsmen on modern technology of nursing real grass turfs.

“I pointed this out to the outgoing Minister of Sport when the 10-year Masterplan Committee for Nigerian Football visited the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abuja when the latest work on the ground was going on over a year ago. I challenged the contractors handling the project to ensure that the highest standards of construction were adhered to because grass field management had failed severally in the country and needed extra-special handling. They took my challenge very poorly even as they assured the Minister that they knew what they were doing and would deliver a world-class grass field.

Nigeria forward Sadiq Umar (L) and Sierra Leone’s Emmanuel Samadia vie for the ball during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers between Nigeria and Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abuja, on June 9, 2022.

“The rest is history. It may be a grass field alright by normal standards, but to have the best playing surfaces to help our calibre of players in the Super Eagles today who do not have the luxury of training for a long time on the poor fields and getting familiarised is a great setback for the team and the country. 

“Since the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abuja was opened for use as the home ground of the Super Eagles last year, everyone can now see that one of the main hindrances to great performances by the national team on that ground is the relatively poor state of the playing turf.”

Super Eagles return to Uyo

The Super Eagles will be making a return to the the Godwin Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, known as the ‘Nest of Champions’ following the latest announcement by CAF. The senior men’s national team last played at the stadium in 2019. The Uyo stadium first hosted a Super Eagles match in 2015.

Former Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr had previously stated that the players prefer the Uyo stadium.

 

“But my players like Uyo because of the facilities, because of the stadium,” Rohr had told ESPN.

The Super Eagles’ next game in the qualifiers is an away clash against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone on June 18, 2023. The game will be played at a neutral venue as no stadium in Sierra Leone was approved by CAF.

The Super Eagles will then host Sao Tome and Principe in their final match of the qualifiers in Uyo in September.

Jose Peseiro’s side top Group A of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers with nine points and need a point from their next game against Sierra Leone to secure a place in Cote d’Ivoire.

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