Former Super Eagles striker Victor Anichebe has waded into the never-ending drama that has overtaken Nigerian football by demanding the disbandment of the ‘clueless’ and ‘leaderless’ Nigeria Football Federation( NFF).
Finidi George has quit as Super Eagles coach, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has openly disrespected the former national team coach as Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are in shambles.
The NFF have also made an about-turn to appoint a foreign coach just weeks after they announced that they went with the yearnings of Nigerians for a local coach to head the Super Eagles.
Former Everton striker Anichebe, who won 11 caps with the Super Eagles and featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, laid the blame squarely with the NFF.
“…the whole federation is a complete and utter mess, completely clueless, lack foresight, no clue about football,” he said on social media. “What was their hiring process? Foes anyone even know? Nepotism at its finest.
“How can results be achieved with a leaderless bunch at the helm.
“The whole organisation needs to be disbanded and started again.”
Anichebe also said Osimhen was wrong to go on social media and castigate former Super Eagles coach Finidi George.
“VO (Victor Osimhen) was wrong with coming out publicly, I’m sure he understands this now, but in the heat of the moment it’s difficult,” he maintained.
“This could have been done in private even though I fully understand he doesn’t want anyone to tarnish his image and commitment that he has worked tirelessly to maintain.”
Foremost football analyst, Barrister Godwin Dudu-Orumen , along with other stakeholders in Nigerian football have accuse both the leadership of the Ministry of Sports Development and Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) over the sorry state of the Super Eagles in the race towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Languishing in Group C of with three points from their opening four matches,the Super Eagles are fifth on the six-team table with three points while Rwanda, South Africa and Benin have seven points respectively and Zimbabwe two points.
As Nigerians agonise over the fate of the Eagles, Super Eagles coach Finidi George resigned on Saturday amid social media rant by striker Victor Osimhen much to the chagrin of concerned experts as the NFF set to hire a foreign coach.
Barrister Dudu-Orumen, said Nigerian football is in turmoil, adding the NFF has displayed nothing but crass incompetence.
“The NFF has displayed high level of incompetence,” Dudu-Orumen said matter-of-factly.
“ Football is more than the 90 minutes we see on the pitch because so much planning and preparation must go into it.
“It is funny that the ministry and the federation are putting the blame on Finidi and the technical committee but we all know the NFF takes all the decisions.
“The situation we find ourselves could have been averted if the NFF had acted fast in employing a coach without sentiments.
“The foreign coach decision should have been taken much earlier.”
A club owner who pleaded anonymity questioned the commitment of the players even as he lampooned the NFF for ‘joking’ with Nigerian football, adding the current board is still under the control of a powerful former boss of the NFF.
“The NFF is playing politics with our football and the soccer loving populace are suffering for it after investing their time and emotions. It is a shame. I can confirm to you that the technical committee already submitted a proposal in March tipping the same coach they are trying to engage now,” he said.
Meanwhile , a former Nigerian International who prefers anonymity argued that the coach George, was ‘programmed’ to fail without obvious support from both the Ministry of Sports Development and NFF.
“We all saw the situation. The NFF waited for over three months before the decision on Finidi. The body and the ministry did not offer enough support in terms of preparation and motivation of the players,” he added.
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah , has congratulated the Rangers International Football Club of Enugu for winning of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League title with a game to spare following their 2-0 victory over Bendel Insurance Football Club at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, yesterday.
A 33rd -minute goal by Kenechukwu Agu and 65th -minute by Chidiebere Nwobodo handed the Fidelis Ilechukwu-tutored lads their eighth league title and their second since 2016, as their closest rivals, Remo Stars and Enyimba Football Club lost their match-day 37 fixtures 2-1 each against Sunshine Stars and Sporting Lagos, accordingly. This left the Flying Antelopes with an insurmountable 67-point lead with a game to go.
Governor Mbah said Rangers’ title win and the display on the pitch were clearly the reenactment of the greatness Enugu State was known for as he reiterated government’s plans to commit more resources towards sports development in the state.
“I can tell you that we are very excited. The Government and the people of Enugu State are very excited. What we have witnessed here this evening is the reenactment of the greatness that Enugu is known for. So, we have again witnessed that greatness here
“Part of what I said to the players before the match started was that they had the weight of history on their shoulders because they were walking the path where legends had walked and that it was incumbent on them to deliver; and I’m so excited again that this has happened.
“Indeed, our tomorrow is here. It is again part of connecting the dots; connecting the dots in the sports sector. As you already know, we want to be the number one in everything we do. So we have zero tolerance for failure or mediocrity and our work ethic is impeccable.
“Therefore, that also shows in what these young players did in the pitch. You could see them working extremely hard and I’m so excited because it feels like any world-class football tournament. “
“You can see that what happened here shows that you don’t wish success into existence. Success requires painstaking planning and hardwork. And that is essentially what you have seen here today.
“We are going to continue on that trajectory, making sure that we have a superb reward system, we motivate our players and they go out there and bring back the trophy,” the elated governor stated.
On sports infrastructure, he said, “Of course, you would attest to the fact that getting our pitch back in shape immediately we assumed office to enable Rangers to play their home matches here at The Cathedral was a huge motivation for the players.
“But I want to assure Ndi Enugu that they have not seen anything yet. As you are aware, our goal is a total turnaround of the sports industry in the state, and that includes the sports infrastructure – building world-class facilities and upgrading existing ones to world-class also.”
Rangers International FC of Enugu have emerged as the champions of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season with a game to spare following their 2-0 home win over Bendel Insurance in a Matchday 37 tie played in Enugu.
The Flying Antelopes won the coveted trophy yesterday after goals from Augustine Kenechukwu and Chidiebere Nwobodo in the 33rd and 65th minutes ensured they cannot be overtaken by other teams in the race for the league title.
The match was watched by the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah whose support has been massive for the team.
Prior to their penultimate game of the season, Rangers needed a win and a draw in last two matches to take home the trophy for the second time in eight years irrespective of other results but following results from other centres which went in their favour, they have been crowned champions with a game to the end of the league season.
Rangers currently top the league table with 67 points from 37 matches while their closest rival, Remo Stars have 62 points from same number of games.
The league triumph has put Rangers just a league title behind Oriental Brothers, Enyimba with their eighth league trophy. Enyimba got their ninth title last season and are the most successful club in the country
By the virtue of their victory, Rangers will represent the NPFL at the 2024-25 CAF Champions League.
Rangers last played continental match in the 2019- 20 season where they crashed out in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
In the other games played, Bayelsa United brightened their topflight retention hope with a late 2-1 home win over Shooting Stars who played most part of the game with 10 players following the red card given to Adeleye Aniyikaye in the 26th minute.
In Lagos, Sporting Lagos rekindled their faint hope of remaining in the elite division beyond this season following a 2-1 home win over Enyimba.
Sporting Lagos are 17th on the log with 46 points and must secure an away win in Ibadan against Shooting Stars on Sunday while also praying results from other centres go in their favour.
Sunshine Stars kept their topflight status for another season after a 2-1 home win over Remo Stars. It was their first win over the Sky Blue Stars in the league. Nwosu Chinadu’s double in the 60th and 80th minutes helped the Owena Whales to the three points. Ahmed Akinyele’s 72nd minute strike from the spot did level up the game momentarily for Remo Stars.
The Owena Whales have confirmed their topflight with 49 points while Remo Stars remain in second spot with 62 points.
Abia Warriors defeated Akwa United 2-0 through Sunday Megwo’s double to keep Abia Warriors topflight status with 51 points from 37 games. The Promise Keepers must beat Rivers United in Uyo on Sunday to preserve their place in the elite division.
In the earlier game played: Rivers United thrashed Gombe United 6-0, Heartland FC pipped Niger Tornadoes; Plateau United and Kano Pillars played out a 1-1 draw; Katsina United defeated Doma United 2-0 while Lobi Stars edged Kwara United 4-3 in a seven goal thriller.
Throughout the electioneering period and even up to the period in which he was sworn into office, the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has identified agriculture as one of the most viable sectors that the state needs to be proud of.
This sector has, therefore, remained indelible in the heart of the governor; prompting its transformation from peasant farming to a vibrant business. He has also called for multi-faceted efforts. It is pleasing to hear the governor stress that “we don’t have oil but we have the soil.”
This, therefore, underscores the greater importance the governor attached to the task of reviving the state’s agricultural sector.
On several occasions, the governor lamented that despite the popularity of the appellation of being the Food Basket of the Nation, Benue farmers could not still guarantee food security. Hence, they had no wherewithal to produce optimally.
Consequently, it dawned on him to take very urgent and responsible steps towards revolutionising the sector in a manner that it becomes a sector that generates wealth for the state and lift the population out of poverty.
Recall that, while unveiling his manifesto Christened “Strategic Development Plan for a Greater Benue,” Governor Alia said he would take deliberate steps to structure the manifesto around seven priority pillars on which he will develop the state. In the manifesto, agriculture featured prominently.
“We all, as stakeholders, have a responsibility to ensure that the state does not only exist but the state lives to its fullness. For now, we are no near to that and that is why we had to do everything it takes to bring better prospects and to renew the good of our great state. Benue is too rich to be poor and to do anything less is not appreciating what God has made of us,” he said.
He explained that the document is structured around seven priority pillars with the acronym “SACHIIP” which stands for “Security of lives and property, Agriculture and rural development, Commerce and Industry, Human capital and social development, Infrastructure and Environment, Information and Communication Technology, (ICT) and Political and Economic governance.”
Bearing in mind that the hoe and cutlass approach through which agriculture is practised is no longer tenable in the 21st Century, the governor said he would encourage mechanised agricultural practices in the state through the resuscitation of state agricultural agencies such as Agricultural Development Company, (ADC), Benue Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BENARDA) and Benue Tractor Hiring Agency (BENTHA), among others.
He has made agriculture a top priority in Benue State, an action aimed at revolutionising the sector and making it a key driver of the state’s economy. The government has implemented various agricultural policies, programmes and initiatives to support farmers and improve productivity in the sector. Some of the initiatives implemented by the government include the provision of inputs and subsidies to farmers. Under this, the government would always buy and distribute fertilisers at subsidised rates, improved seeds, and other inputs to farmers to boost crop yields and quality.
Again, the governor mapped up innovative strategies towards empowering women and youth in agriculture. Under this, targeted beneficiaries are to be mopped up and dedicated training programmes, financial support, and other forms of assistance will be extended to them. Already, the benefits of these initiatives are springing up.
This is because Benue State, like many of the states in Nigeria, shares in some of the numerous challenges, including but not limited to, high poverty rates, a fragile environment, conflicts, degradation o f natural resources, low agricultural productivity, climate-related risks, limited access to modern technology and weak institutional capacity, which calls for concerted efforts across various sectors, to address the multifaceted challenges.
During the launch of the Implementation Support Mission of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), specifically tailored to bolster institutions and implement activities that mitigate the environmental impacts of climate change, including supporting efforts aimed at landscape management, improving community livelihoods and resilience, and strengthening institutional frameworks, Governor Alia, reaffirmed his commitment to providing the necessary support for the ACReSAL project to thrive. He said his ambition is to rejuvenate the agricultural sector, elevating Benue to unprecedented heights in food production.
At the event, visitors from the World Bank team, led by Dr. Joy Agene, Task Team Lead (TTL) and the Federal Project Management Team, headed by Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, State Project Coordinators from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, and the 19 ACReSAL states, whose relentless efforts have been pivotal in driving the success of the ACReSAL project, in their respective states, also graced the occasion, to support the passion of the Governor towards revolutionising agriculture.
The current joint initiatives between the State Government and the ACReSAL Project, according to the governor include Establishing fully functional plant nurseries and greenhouses in Otukpo, Makurdi and Vandeikya local government areas, Setting up an Agroforestry Centre for Research at Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yandev, Gboko and the College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Undertaking reforestation and afforestation of degraded forest reserves, and establishing agroforestry models and food forests in several LGAs including Otukpo, Ohimini, Ogbadibo, Oju, Gboko, Vandeikya, Konshisha, and Gwer East local government areas, respectively. Others are introducing drought-resistant Tenera palm and coconut (Cocos nucifera) in degraded farmlands across the state, implementing restoration interventions in riparian areas around river Benue to mitigate perennial flooding, designing stormwater and gully erosion control structures in various local government areas, including Ogbadibo, Gboko, Vandeikya, Makurdi and Otukpo, councils, provision of water harvesting facilities for 1,700 households across the Benue’s three senatorial districts.
High-priority ACReSAL Project activities in the state also encompass rehabilitation of dilapidated dams such as Adoka-Icho Community Dam in Otukpo and Naka Dam in Gwer West local government areas, provision of drilling trucks with rigs and backup vehicles for installing solar-powered boreholes to meet community water needs, procurement of specialised swamp buggy vehicles for diverse environmental management activities, renovation and upgrading of agricultural produce warehouses/agro hubs across all 23 local government areas, distribution of solar-powered irrigation pumps to farmer groups in Benue’s senatorial districts, among others.
Governor Alia further revealed that the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) Scheme, which was presented to farmer groups across the state, at the occasion, is an investment fund rather than a grant. The sum of $250,000 in naira value of N380 million, was distributed to the farmer groups, designed to revitalise agricultural practices among them and households, to undertake climate-smart agricultural activities in the state, under the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) scheme of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) scheme. The selection process was done transparently, to ensure only the most deserving beneficiaries received the funds, which will circulate within communities as repayments are made.
The governor, who has already paid the sum of N1 million as a counterpart fund for the ACReSAL programme, urged all beneficiaries to exercise diligence and prudence in managing the resources.
Furthermore, the food shortages experienced across the country and globally, which have had widespread repercussions, driving some individuals towards crime and other vices in the State, is another major concern for the governor to tackle, he said, the provision of tractors by his administration, to promote farming activities, would spur the youths’ interests in the sector, to rekindle them, as the criminal tendencies hitherto in them, that formed a barrier for their productivity, are completely curbed. 33 new tractors were also inaugurated at the Implementation Support Mission of the ACReSAL, and over 33,000 households are expected to benefit from it annually with the anticipation of the governor that the machines will be well-maintained and used for their intended purposes to maximise their impact.
Those indigenous to Benue, through the governor, appeal to the World Bank through ACReSAL, to facilitate the construction of access roads linking farmers to markets, to reduce post-harvest losses, connect the rural farmers to buyers, and expedite the delivery of goods and services across the state.
Governor Alia thanked ACReSAL for their continued support to the state, and reaffirmed his commitment to support ACReSAL to have a friendlier environment to work more effectively, and announced that the state government would create an agency for ACReSAL, for sustainability.
Governor Alia presented cheques of the $250,000, distributed to the farmer groups at the occasion, and tasked them to make judicious use of the money, for effective implementation of the aims and objectives of the support, saying that: “Benue is the food basket of the nation. So, we need everyone with the thinking and with the actions that can help us to move from grace to grace in terms of food and food security, and basic state security.”
The Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank Nigeria Office, who also doubles as the Task Team Leader for the ACReSAL project, Dr. Joy Iganya Ajene said the team was in the state to assess, support and look at the challenges of the programme, but discovered that no challenges were found, and attributed the development to an indication that the programme has so far recorded tremendous success in the state.
She commended the governor and the ACReSAL team for playing their respective roles, saying that Benue State stands to gain more from the programme if the government continues to strengthen the needed institutions to keep gaining more benefits.
The ACReSAL programme seeks to address the challenges of land degradation and climate change in Northern Nigeria on a multi-dimensional scale, increase agricultural production, reduce poverty and improve the standard of living with financing from the World Bank, even as the project became effective in June 2022 and will end in March 2028, covering 19 Northern states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with Governor Alia providing an environment conducive to the team to work, and supporting the community farmers in the State, as a deliberate mandate of the component “B” of the ACReSAL project, to enhance the resilience of communities, to improve their livelihoods.
Through these initiatives and achievements, the governor is working assiduously to make Benue State a leading player in the agricultural industry in Nigeria.”
Manufacturers are still over the recent increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers. Even after government buckled under pressure by aggrieved Nigerians and re-adjusted the tariff downward, and also sought to justify the higher tariff by citing the reduced electricity subsidy from about N3 trillion to N1 trillion, manufacturers are not swayed. To them, only an outright suspension of the tariff hike will suffice, given what they consider as its negative trickle-down effects on the economy, especially the manufacturing sector. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA looks at some of the arguments put forward by manufacturers in favour of a reversal.
Even before protesters, Wednesday last week, stormed the Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos, demanding among other things, a reversal of electricity tariff hike, members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS), particularly manufacturers, had been unrelenting and unequivocal in their demand for the immediate suspension of the implementation of the recent increase in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for Band A customers.
The obviously riled manufacturers had kicked their heels in, insisting that the over 230 per cent increase in electricity tariffs at this difficult time is not business friendly. According to them, it would exacerbate the already high-cost operating environment, leading to closure of many private businesses, increase the rate of unemployment and of course, insecurity in the country. They also pointed out that the exponential tariff increase in the face of inadequate electricity supply is inimical to the competitiveness of Nigerian products and businesses.
Sometime in April this year, the Federal Government, through the NERC, drew the ire of manufacturers and indeed, electricity consumers across the country when it announced a huge increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A category, from the initial N68 per Kwh (kilowatt hour) to N225 per Kwh. Although, Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), backed by NERC, in exchange, dangled a 20-hour minimum daily supply of electricity to Band A customers, the 240 per cent increase was not well received by manufacturers and other members of the OPS, including Nigerians.
However, it took sustained opposition by manufacturers and aggrieved Nigerians to force the hand of the Federal Government to approve a downward review of the electricity tariff for Band A customers from N225/Kwh to N206.80/Kwh. And perhaps, to justify the recent increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, last week, said the move reduced the electricity subsidy paid by the Federal Government from about N3 trillion to N1 trillion.
Adelabu, who spoke at a public hearing on electricity tariffs in Abuja, organised by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Power, Commerce, National Planning, and Delegated Legislation, said without the tariff increase, the expected electricity subsidy would have been about N3 trillion. He insisted that government could no longer afford to bear the cost of N3 trillion in subsidies, arguing, however, that even with the tariff increase, the cost of electricity is still cheaper compared to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, and diesel.
The Minister also said Nigeria offers the cheapest electricity tariff in sub-Saharan Africa. His words: “We are still about the cheapest, even in sub-Saharan Africa, in spite of the tariff. Our neighboring countries pay higher. So, the price isn’t comparable. Band A is cheaper compared to other sources of generating power. It is almost 50 per cent cheaper to connect to band A of the national grid than to run on fuel and diesel. So, when we complain about the higher tariff, it is cheaper for any business to pay for a grid connection than to individually generate power.”
However, Adelabu’s arguments in favour of the tariff increase did not hit the right chord in the ears of many Nigerians, with angry protesters riding on the platform of the 2024 Democracy Day to once again re-echo their disapproval of the tariff increase. Even before the protesters took to the streets on Wednesday, June 12, manufacturers, who appear to be worst hit by the unsavoury impact of the latest tariff increase had mounted intense pressure on the Federal Government to pull the breaks on the implementation of the new electricity tariff.
Manufacturers, under their umbrella body, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), said based on feedback and numerous complaints from member-companies on the implications of the astronomical increase in electricity tariff by the NERC for Band A customers, “This sudden exponential increase in the face of inadequate electricity supply is inimical to the competitiveness of Nigerian products and businesses and will further aggravate the cost of production.”
The occasion was the recent bi-annual presentation of Q1 2024 MAN CEO’s Confidence Index (MCCI) report at MAN House, Ikeja, Lagos, were MAN DG Segun Ajaiyi-Kadir said, for instance, that as an immediate impact of the outrageous increase in electricity tariff, a medium-sized company using 700Kw will need to pay about N1.4 billion per annum for electricity. He, however, lamented that in China, a similar medium-sized company will pay a little over N725.8 million.
“Obviously, the new electricity tariff is inconsiderably very high when compared with the going rates in countries with significant manufacturing performance,” Ajaiyi-Kadir kicked, pointing out that “In the US, UK, Germany, France, China, India, South Africa and Ghana, prevailing electricity cost per kilowatt hour are $0.1545, $0.3063, $0.53, $0.089, $0.068, $0.0999 and $0.123 respectively. The conversion values of the afore-mentioned electricity cost in naira are N205.49, N407.38, N704.90, N76.21, N188.37, N90.44, N132.87 and N163.59 respectively.”
Apparently drawing strength from the fore-going comparative analysis, the MAN DG said: “Clearly, with the new tariff of N225/Kwh (i.e. before the slight reduction to N206.80/Kwh), Nigeria now ranks third after Germany and UK on the list of selected countries with high electricity cost. What is most worrisome with the Nigerian case is the fact that the electricity supplied is inadequate, in the face of macroeconomic instability, infrastructure deficit, as well as other supply side constraints limiting the productive sector’s performance.”
Ajaiyi-Kadir lamented that Nigeria currently ranks among countries with the lowest access to electricity as only 59.5 per cent of its population has access to highly unstable electricity, far below the 100 per cent access in African countries like Egypt and Morocco. “Therefore, frankly speaking, over 65 per cent of private businesses, especially manufacturing concerns and Small and Medium Industries (SMIs) will be forced to close down due to the high electricity tariff,” he warned.
The thing is that the Federal Government, through the NERC, may have justified the tariff hike to address mounting debt and ensure the continued functioning of the power sector. But in doing so, many Nigerians who weighed in on the matter expressed fears that SMIs and MSMEs will hold the short end of the stick under the current high tariff regime. According to them, many of the small businesses might be forced out of business due to higher utility bills resulting from the tariff hike.
MAN represents the interests of over 3,000 manufacturers (small, medium, large and multinational industries) spread across 10 sectors, 76 sub-sectors and 16 industrial zones. And manufacturers are heavy users of electricity in Nigeria and this explains the Association’s keen interest in all electricity related discourse and development, particularly electricity supply and tariff.
Also, the manufacturing sector employs over five (5) million workers directly and indirectly with 8.93 per cent contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The sector also dominates export trade in the West African region, generates foreign exchange, and contributes substantially to government revenue and human capital development in Nigeria.
Based on these, MAN President Otunba Francis Meshioye said it is therefore imperative that the sector’s performance is enhanced through a pro-manufacturing policy that will encourage scale and lower unit cost of production rather that throwing fiery darts that will worsen its performance. He said top on the list of challenges confronting the sector is the issue of inadequate electricity supply and this has been largely responsible for the sector’s lackluster performance for some decades now.
Meshioye said in fact, electricity related expenses of a manufacturing concern constitute about 40 per cent of the production overhead in some sub-sectors. “This is not growth friendly and is antithetical to competitiveness,” he charged, pointing out that the astronomical tariff increase itself was against the Multi-Year Tariff (MYTO) Order referenced NERC/2023/05, which, according to him, valued the cost-reflective tariff at N114.8/Kwh (determined using exchange rate of N919.39/$1.
He also argued that it does not reflect the current exchange rate reality that has seen the naira appreciate by 30 per cent from N1, 900 in February to N1.330 in April 2024, for instance. “The recent hike failed to comply with the customer consultation requirements. Ideally, electricity consumers should be given notice of intention to carry out a tariff review. NERC should publish a consultation paper, which can be downloaded from its website for review by stakeholders and all electricity consumers to a public consultation among others,” the MAN president added.
Furthermore, he accused the NERC and DisCos of failing to explain and justify how increase in tariff for Band A customers will lead to substantial increase in electricity generation and supply when the installed capacity hasn’t been fully utilized due to the limited capacity of Electricity Generating Companies (GenCos) and DisCos to generate and distribute adequate electricity supply nationwide.
Ajaiyi-Kadir, while pointing out that about 30, 000 MW of electricity is required to sufficiently meet the growing electricity demands by businesses and households in the country, said the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) data show peak power generation of slightly over 4, 600 MW between March 6-13, 2024, which is far below all known benchmark for national industrial or socio-economic development.
The MAN DG insisted that the explanation by DisCos supported by NERC that consumers on Band A enjoy 20 hours minimum daily supply of electricity needs to be clarified and verified. “In addition, it is of essence to consider the number of outages due to in sufficient and inefficient infrastructure of electricity transmission and distribution as frequent outages/interruptions wreaks havoc in terms of production losses for manufacturers,” he said.
Stakeholders in the maritime industry have decried the duplications in the Nigeria Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, labeling it as a contradiction of the presidential policy specifically aimed at reducing cost of governance. In this report, OLUWAKEMI DAUDA looks at how the bill that has passed through second reading in the House of Representatives may affect the implementation of the Oronsaye Report and the mandates of NPA and NIMASA.
• Core responsibilities of NPA, NIMASA affected
Stakeholders, experts and port users in the maritime industry have decried the duplications in the Nigeria Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, labeling it as oppressive and anti-people because it is a contradiction of the presidential policy specifically aimed at reducing cost of governance, implementation of the Oronsaye Report and make life better for millions of Nigerians.
The House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Services and Related Matters, one of the stakeholders and maritime lawyer, Dr Dipo Alaska alleged that the Committee, had on Monday, May 27, this year, held a one-day hearing to gauge public feedback and input on repealing the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) Act (Cap N133, LFN 2004) as prelude to enacting the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill.
The Bill, findings revealed, has passed its second reading.
According to him, “the Nigeria Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, in its present form, is a contradiction of the presidential policy specifically aimed at reducing inflation and increase the purchasing powers of masses through proper and adequate reduction in the cost of governance and subsequent reduction in the cost of doing business at port.”
Other stakeholders who spoke with The Nation in separate interviews insisted that the Bill is being sponsored at a time when the Federal Government is reducing cost of governance and implementation of the Oronsaye Report, which recommended mergers of agencies whose functions overlap and constitute duplications.
“Entrenched interest,” a maritime expert and analyst, Yusuf Idris said, “are looking for mundane opportunity to sabotage the laudable efforts of President President Bola Tinubu with the Nigeria Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill.”
Investigation conducted by our correspondent, has shown that the clandestine moves to force the Bill through the National Assembly has resulted to a muted squabble in the maritime sector as its regulators jostle for supremacy in a power play, which Idris said, “is capable to undermine trade facilitation and afflict the nation’s maritime and shipping value chain with the unenviable status of an over regulated business environment.”
Sadly, he said, “the House of Representatives appears to be evolving as an interest group on this ill-motivated enterprise that is not good for the general economic interest of the country.”
Other stakeholders in the maritime sector have therefore, called on President Tinubu to carry on with his good economic policies and ensure full implement of the Oronsaye report to save Nigeria the huge cost of governance and make our ports attractive for business.
However, one of the bill’s sponsors and Chairman, House Committee on Shipping Services and Related Matters, Abdussamad Dasuki, quoting a gazette, said the Nigerian Shippers’ Council was made the Port Economic Regulator in 2015 by the Federal Government, a status, the stakeholders said, needs formalising through legislation before it can become effective.
“The federal government noted that the objective of the regulation is to create an effective regulatory regime for the Nigerian ports after the concession of the ports. Port does not mean the Nigerian Ports Authority alone. It also means all the stakeholders in the ports, for the control of tariffs, rates, charges and other related economic services” Dasuki said on February 14, 2024, while presenting the Bill to the House of Representatives.
But he said further that: “The Shippers’ Council’s gazette is being implemented today as a regulation and not as an Act. The Regulations provided that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council shall perform the role of interim Port Economic Regulator with the administrative backing of the federal government.”
Repealing the existing Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act, he added, is to empower the NSC to discharge its mandate as the Port Economic Regulator, adding that collation of memoranda from various stakeholders is ongoing prior to tabling a report before the House of Representatives for Third Reading.
Row over the functions of the agency to be created from the bill
Investigation revealed that there are contrary positions in various quarters, not necessarily against the passage of the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, but against misrepresentation of the agency to be created from the bill in terms of its functions and jurisdiction vis-à-vis other agencies in the maritime sector.
For example, a thorough examination of the Bill clearly indicates that the powers and functions of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have been duplicated, considering that such functions as shipping regulation, issuance of certificates, licenses, fees, charges, and levies fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. The bill failed to indicate how it would be resolved.
NIMASA, it was learnt, has argued that the bill, in its present form, is a contradiction of the presidential policy specifically aimed at reducing cost of governance and implementation of the Oronsaye Report, which recommended mergers of agencies whose functions overlap and constitute duplications. There is need for revision, the agency said.
NIMASA is not alone as other agencies under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy are also demanding for ‘revision of the existing approach of operation guiding the agencies over the years.’
For example, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), while not opposed to the bill, has highlighted the confusion that may ensue due to the combination of “Ports” and “Shipping” in a regulatory agency, and demanded for proper phrasing of the roles of the agencies to avoid encroachment and infringement. It also emphasised the need for the agency, which should be named the, “Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency,” for clarity to avoid duplicating the functions of other players in the sector.
In addition, the NPA, as the landlord of the port, is saddled with granting of concessions to the concessionaire, under the statutory regulation and monitoring of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission, meaning that the review of concessions, and indeed collection of all or part of the concession fees as in Section 28 of the bill cannot be the business of the proposed new Ports Economic Regulator.
A position paper presented by the NPA reads in part: “The intent and import of the Nigeria Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill is POLICY. It therefore MUST be driven by the sector policy arm of the executive – the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The function of parliament here is to facilitate seamless implementation of established policy by enacting the intent of the operators.”
Conflict of interests
It is worthy of note that following the port reforms programme and subsequent concession of the ports, there was consensus among stakeholders on the need to establish an economic regulator for the ports to provide a competitive and conducive environment for commercial activities in the industry.
Therefore, various versions of a bill to create this agency were developed and presented for legislative action in the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th National Assemblies. However, none yielded the desired outcome due to conflict of interests and narrow articulation.
In response, the Federal Government in 2014 signed an Executive Order that made the Nigeria Shippers’ Council an interim economic regulator for the ports pending the enactment of an Act.
Now, the process of enacting an appropriate law to streamline operational framework for the industry, particularly in port management, has become an exercise to overload the NSC with roles and powers well beyond the original purpose of an economic regulator.
Given the possibility of hitting the crossroads again arising from contradictory positions on the bill, stakeholders have suggested that the status quo should be allowed to remain, while consultations continue in order to avoid the fate of previous versions of the bill, which failed to see the light of the day.
No wonder that some of the stakeholders in the maritime industry have started to allege that personal gain, rather than national interest, underpinning the motivation pushing for the enactment of the bill in its present form.
Contrary to experts view, the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Services and Related Matters recently said the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill will curb arbitrary charges and other illegality of operators in the nation’s maritime industry when passed into law.Experts have denounced this, stating that the house needed to trash the bill as it will result to inter agency rivalry and confusion.
Speaking with newsmen after a Public Hearing on the repeal of the Nigerian Shippers Council Act, Chairman of the Committee, Abdussamad Dasuki, explained that the Committee is still collating memoranda from various stakeholders on the bill before going ahead to present the report before the House of Representatives for third reading.
According to Dasuki, the bill seeks to repeal a law preventing NSC from enforcing a presidential directive concerning economic regulation of the ports.
“The bill is to repeal a law which is preventing the NSC from enforcing a presidential directive concerning economic regulation of the ports. The nation’s maritime industry is overdue for this, and we will see to its implementation,” he said.
Ruth Maclean and Ismail Auwal’s feature story with the title ‘Nigeria Confronts Its Worst Economic Crisis in a Generation’, published on June 11, reflected the typical predetermined, reductionist, derogatory, and denigrating way foreign media establishments reported African countries for several decades.
Because of the misleading slant of the report, we need to clear up some misconceptions conveyed by the reporters as regards the economic policies of the Tinubu administration that came into power at the end of May 2023.
Most significant about the report was that it painted the dire experiences of some Nigerians amid the inflationary spiral of the last year and blamed it all on the policies of the new administration. The report, based on several interviews, is at best jaundiced, all gloom and doom, as it never mentioned the positive aspects in the same economy as well as the ameliorative policies being implemented by the central and state governments.
To be sure, President Tinubu did not create the economic problems Nigeria faces today. He inherited them. As a respected economist in our country once put it, Tinubu inherited a dead economy. The economy was bleeding and needed quick surgery to avoid being plunged into the abyss, as happened in Zimbabwe and Venezuela. This was the background to the policy direction taken by the government in May/June 2023: the abrogation of the fuel subsidy regime and the unification of the multiple exchange rates.
For decades, Nigeria had maintained a fuel subsidy regime that gulped $84.39 billion between 2005 and 2022 from the public treasury in a country with huge infrastructural deficits and in high need of better social services for its citizens. The state oil firm, NNPC, the sole importer, had amassed trillions of naira in debts for absorbing the unsustainable subsidy payments in its books. By the time President Tinubu took over the leadership of the country, there was no provision made for fuel subsidy payments in the national budget beyond June 2023. The budget itself had a striking feature: it planned to spend 97 percent of revenue servicing debt, with little left for recurrent or capital expenditure. The previous government had resorted to massive borrowing to cover such costs. Like oil, the exchange rate was also being subsidized by the government, with an estimated $1.5 billion spent monthly by the CBN to ‘defend’ the currency against the unquenchable demand for the dollar by the country’s import-dependent economy. By keeping the rate low, arbitrage grew as a gulf existed between the official rate and the rate being used by over 5000 BDCs that were previously licensed by the Central Bank. What was more, the country was failing to fulfil its remittance obligations to airlines and other foreign businesses, such that FDIs and investment in the oil sector dried up, and notably Emirate Airlines cut off the Nigerian route.
President Tinubu had to deal with the cancer of public finance on the first day by rolling back the subsidy regime and the generosity that spread to neighbouring countries. Then, his administration floated the naira.
After some months of the storm, with the naira sliding as low as N1,900 to the US dollar, some stability is being restored, though there remain some challenges. The exchange rate is now below N1500 to the dollar, and there are prospects that the naira could regain its muscle and appreciate to between N1000 and N1200 before the end of the year. The economy recorded a trade surplus of N6.52 trillion in Q1, as against a deficit of N1.4 trillion in Q4 of 2023. Portfolio investors have streamed in as long-term investors. When Diageo wanted to sell its stake in Guinness Nigeria, it had the Singaporean conglomerate, Tolaram, ready for the uptake. With the World Bank extending a $2.25 billion loan and other loans by the AfDB and Afreximbank coming in, Nigeria has become bankable again. This is all because the reforms being implemented have restored some confidence.
The inflationary rate is slowing down, as shown in the figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics for April. Food inflation remains the biggest challenge, and the government is working very hard to rein it in with increased agricultural production. The Tinubu administration and the 36 states are working assiduously to produce food in abundance to reduce the cost. Some state governments, such as Lagos and Akwa Ibom, have set up retail shops to sell raw food items to residents at a lower price than the market price. The Tinubu government, in November last year, in consonance with its food emergency declaration, invested heavily in dry-season farming, giving farmers incentives to produce wheat, maize, and rice. The CBN has donated N100 billion worth of fertiliser to farmers, and numerous incentives are being implemented. In the western part of Nigeria, the six governors have announced plans to invest massively in agriculture.
With all the plans being executed, inflation, especially food inflation, will soon be tamed.
Nigeria is not the only country in the world facing a rising cost of living crisis. The USA, too, is contending with a similar crisis, with families finding it hard to make ends meet. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen raised this concern recently. Europe is similarly in the throes of a cost-of-living crisis. As those countries are trying to confront the problem, the Tinubu administration is also working hard to overturn the economic problems in Nigeria.
Our country faced economic difficulties in the past, an experience that has been captured in folk songs. Just like we overcame then, we shall overcome our present difficulties very soon.
•Onanuga is Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has continued to show responsible, compassionate, and visionary leadership since taking over the reins of affairs in the north western state. His philosophy of prioritising the welfare, security, and happiness of the people continues to resonate across the state and across all sectors.
And it was amply demonstrated yet again on the eve of the celebration of the 31 anniversary of June 12, now christened Democracy Day.
Indeed, there is hardly a better way of keeping the spirit of June 12 alive than through the demonstration of compassion, love, care, and philanthropy to all and sundry. It is therefore heart-warming that as part of the joint commemoration of June 12 and 25 years of democracy as a form of government in Nigeria, Governor Uba Sani pardoned 110 inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service Custodial Centre in Kaduna.
This happened during a visit to the Correctional Centre in Kaduna, in the company of fiery pro-democracy and human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, and other senior government officials, on Tuesday, 11th June 2024. But the people’s governor did not just stop there. He additionally made available to the released inmates a token of N30,000 each for transportation.
Now you get the picture of the kind of governor and leader Senator Uba Sani is. To those who merited the prerogative of mercy, he did not withhold it from them.
After the door of freedom was flung open, he made provision for their comfort in transiting from point A to B. For those too young to know, 31 years ago today, Nigerians trooped out enmasse on an election day to participate in what has been historically referred to as the freest and fairest of all elections ever conducted in Nigeria. It has also been described as a political watershed.
Expectedly, the date has come to occupy a special day of immense significance in Nigeria’s political history. Governor Uba Sani, who about two weeks ago marked his one year in office, has demonstrated sublime leadership qualities in the last one year.
Both in moments of crisis and periods of stability, as a true leader, Governor Uba Sani has shown courage, give hope, and spread empathy where necessary. For instance, his swift response to the unfortunate incident of Tudun Biri has validated the claim that his competence and capacity as a true leader during challenging times is unparalleled.
Mr Sani’s immediate and decisive action following the incidents in Tudun Biri reflects his commitment to the welfare of the affected families and the community at large. Sani swiftly stepped in, providing a ray of hope to those affected.
His prompt response demonstrates his ability to prioritize the well-being of the people he governs.
On December 2, many residents of Tudun Biri in Igabi LGA of Kaduna were killed in an “accidental airstrike” said to be targeted at terrorists. The villagers were reportedly commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad when an Air force jet dropped a bomb that led to the deaths of many people, which according to multiple reports put the death toll at over 120 while scores were left badly injured. Speaking on the incident, Sani commended the unity exhibited by the people of Kaduna in bringing succour to the survivors and families of the deceased. In his words: “The promises made by the federal government, national assembly, Nigeria Governors Forum, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians are being gradually fulfilled. “We shall effectively monitor the execution of the intervention programmes for the Tudun Biri community.” While on the one hand, he was busy trying to find succour for the victim, he was on the other hand initiating a comprehensive investigation into the incident. That act could only have been a pointer to one thing: dedication to ensuring justice is served. By taking that step, he did not only show his commitment to holding accountable those responsible for the tragedy but also ensuring that adequate compensations were paid.
This intentional act of prioritising the support and request for compensation for the victims of such a collateral mistake, provides a viable lifeline to the affected families, helping them to rebuild their lives and recover from the tragedy.
Furthermore, his commitment to rebuilding the community also attests to his open-mindedness of not discriminating between North or South Kaduna, Muslims or Christians, or rich and poor.
For him, everyone is equal and deserving of the government’s attention. Governor Uba Sani’s level of religious tolerance has been the talk of town for some time now. For the traumatised people of Southern Kaduna, though not yet uhuru in terms of religious discrimination and violence, Governor Uba Sani’s disposition and body language has brought considerable turnaround in perception and mutual suspicion that have generally pervaded the state before his coming to power.
Governor Uba Sani’s efforts at promoting and ensuring interreligious tolerance and harmony as a springboard for peace and harmony and development in Kaduna State dates back to his sojourn as a Senator of the Federal Republic.
And his approach has been well known – unending interactive sessions rather than mere rhetoric.
And this may be partly because of his pro-democracy activism than anything else. It is also exactly in the spirit of that democracy and freedom that many walked free in Kaduna on Tuesday. Governor Uba Sani’s business unusual style has brought one thing to the fore – that is his determination to do the needful by his administration to continue to frontally tackle the challenges of insecurity and widespread poverty in the state. He was quoted to have once told a gathering that: “We are having problems.
That is why I told you that there is a poverty crisis in the rural areas; 80 percent of our people there are living below the poverty line.
That is the fact of the matter”. Uba Sani may be in the running for the Governor of the year if he continues on this trajectory of putting the people far above selfish and whimsical interest, a rarity among his peers.
The retiring personnel comprised 534 from the Nigerian Army, 165 from the Nigerian Navy and 26 from the Nigerian Airforce , respectively.
Speaking at the Passing Out of NAFRC Trainees Course 01/2024 , the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, described the successful completion of the course as a testament to the trainees determination , commitment and discipline, which he said were attributes of what they acquired in the course of their active service to their fatherland. He explained that the Trainees’ Pre-Retirement Course was to give the retiring personnel the requisite rudiments for a successful reintegration into civil life, after a meritorious service to the country.
Expressing optimism that they would enjoy their post-service life and apply the knowledge and skills they had acquired during their service years, Ogalla who was the Special Guest of Honour, reminded the trainees that “you will from now on take full charge as planners and executors of your personal daily activities.
“This may sound exciting and promising but beware; you need to properly manage your freedom in order to be successful.
The society will expect a high moral standard and discipline from you. “You will also be required to always prove your worth after passing through a highly disciplined system like the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
As our ambassadors, I believe you are all capable of excelling in your future endeavors and positively influence your environment for the economic, social and political benefits of our dear country.
“It is equally necessary for me to inform our discharging colleagues that Post-Service life has its peculiar challenges. Some of these challenges you may encounter would include but not limited to management of resources especially, retirement benefits, influences from friends and family members, management of both mental and physical health as well as integrating with the civil society.
