The committees of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) focusing on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Political Affairs, Peace, Security, and the African Peer Review Mechanism (MAEP), along with Legal and Human Rights, and Trade Customs and Free Movement, have advocated for the elimination of the residence permit requirement among member states.

Naija News understands that the joint committee presented their recommendation to member states and the ECOWAS Commission on Thursday in a draft report following their delocalized sessions in Banjul, The Gambia.

The ECOWAS Residence Permit, commonly referred to as the ECOWAS Residence Card, is a document provided to citizens of member nations who intend to reside in another ECOWAS country for an extended duration for purposes such as business, employment, or personal matters.

The establishment of the ECOWAS Residence Permit system was part of the ECOWAS Treaty, signed in May 1975.

The treaty aimed to foster economic integration and collaboration among West African nations, including provisions for the unrestricted movement of individuals within the region.

Nevertheless, the joint committee believes that the residence permit system hinders the free movement of citizens across the region.

The report, which would still go through plenary approval, stated in part that “the issuance of residence permits should be completely abolished in the region in conformity with the Community Text. “

The parliamentarians had previously expressed concerns about the failure to implement the ECOWAS free movement protocols at borders throughout the West Africa region.

In their recommendations, the joint committee has also advocated for the organization of comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate citizens and pertinent government officials about regional agreements, including the Protocol on Free Movement.

“The Free Movement Protocol should be made available to all Immigration Officers, especially at the border posts.

“All training programmes of Immigration and Customs officials should include training on the relevant Community Texts,” the draft report said.

The parliamentarians have also called for the assignment of officials at border posts to monitor, document, and report incidents of extortion and other forms of misconduct.

Furthermore, the report urged the ECOWAS Commission to ensure that their respective Member States effectively execute all Community Texts ratified by Heads of State and Government.

It emphasized the necessity for full adherence by Member States to the implementation of the ECOWAS Biometric Identification Card.

Additionally, the parliamentarians requested that the ECOWAS Commission and Parliament undertake review processes of all ratified Community Texts at the national level to reduce discrepancies between regional Texts and national legislation.

Earlier in the week, the joint committee facilitated a town hall meeting with stakeholders and an interactive session with border officials in The Gambia and Senegal to assess the degree of implementation of the ECOWAS free movement protocols and to identify the challenges obstructing their complete execution.

[NaijaNews]

Nigerians paid N1.048 billion as ransom to kidnappers between July 2023 and June 2024, a report has shown.

The report, released yesterday by the SBM Intelligence, showed that 7,568 people were kidnapped across the country within the period.

SBM Intelligence is an Africa-focused market/security intel gathering consulting firm. Information from its website said it is Nigeria’s leading geopolitical research consultancy outfit, which is “particularly strong in the area of primary data gathering, and analyses of data that provides clarity relating to political, economic and social issues in Nigeria and West Africa”.

According to the report released yesterday by the firm, though abductors demanded N11 billion as ransom within the period, only N1.048bn was paid.

The report, titled ‘Grim Reaping’, highlighted the complex security situation and the rise in kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria.

According to the report, some of the security issues confronting the country include Boko Haram’s resurgence in the North East, armed gangs in the North Central and the North West, secessionist violence in the South East and gang-related issues in the South West.

The report also blamed the rising kidnapping for ransom on economic stagnation, noting that kidnappers increasingly target a broader range of people, starting with high ransom demands that are eventually lowered to what families or social organisations can afford.

It said ransom paid reflected the purchasing power of Nigerians rather than the negotiating skills of the victims’ families.

It further pointed out that amid these diverse threats, kidnapping for ransom had emerged as a pervasive and unifying concern.

The report said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded the highest ransom demands in the country, with Lagos and Kaduna closely trailing.

An analysis of geopolitical zones showed that the South East leads in both the amount of ransom paid and the rate of successful collections.

It further highlighted a new form of payment demanded by kidnapper-in-kind payments from victims’ families, which vary by region.

In the South, these demands often include food, drinks and cigarettes; while in the North, motorcycles are frequently requested.

The report said: “Also, between July 2023 and June 2024, our research uncovered that at least 7,568 individuals were abducted in 1,130 incidents across Nigeria. The states of Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina reported the highest numbers of both incidents and victims. Zamfara experienced 132 incidents with 1,639 victims, Kaduna had 113 incidents involving 1,113 victims and Katsina recorded 119 incidents with 887 victims.

“These states also recorded the highest number of civilian deaths. Over the past year, kidnapping has become increasingly lethal, resulting in 1,056 deaths across 1,130 reported incidents. On average, every attempted kidnapping now results in a fatality,” the SBM Intelligence report pointed out.

“In that same period, kidnappers demanded at least the sum of N10,995,090,000 (approximately $6,871,931) as ransom but received N1,048,110,000, a mere 9.5% of the money demanded, indicating that kidnappers have become less targeted in their victimology.

“Of the 1,130 reported kidnapping cases, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina have the highest numbers of incidents and victims”, it further revealed.

The report also said that Zamfara recorded the highest incidents with 132 cases and 1,639 victims.

“Zamfara recorded 132 incidents with 1,639 victims, Kaduna had 113 incidents with 1,113 victims, and Katsina reported 119 incidents with 887 victims”, it said.

“These three states also have the highest number of civilian deaths. In the year under review in this report, kidnapping has become more lethal, with 1,056 people killed in 1,130 reported kidnap incidents. On average, someone is killed each time there is an attempted kidnap”, it added.

Gombe also recorded the lowest incidents with one case, Jigawa two cases, Bayelsa 3 cases, Kano recorded 4 cases, while Osun state had six cases.

The SBM researchers also said women are more often targeted for kidnapping than men. While the South has witnessed only a modest increase in kidnapping incidents from 2022 to 2024, the North has seen a sharp escalation.

Trend dangerous – Former DSS director

Meanwhile, in an interview with one of our correspondents last night, a retired director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, described development as “dangerous for Nigeria’s economy”.

Ejiofor stressed that even though the lives lost during the period that ransom was paid were more important than the money, it was time for the president to declare a state of emergency on insecurity.

According to him, manning Nigeria’s land borders properly will go a long way in checking the cross-border movement of the kidnappers and other criminals engaging in the activities.

“If that report is anything to go by, that is very dangerous, both for our economy and for our other spheres of life. It is a danger that must be checked.

“Money raked in is not even the problem, what about the numbers of lives lost? We should not be talking about money but the numbers of lives lost first. It is high time the government did something quickly.

“The way forward is the citizens’ participation. People must be involved. We shouldn’t be waiting for our security agencies alone to do it.

“Government should also prioritise or declare an emergency on security, and give proper funding, training, among others to security agencies, and collaborate with other foreign interests and groups because what is going on now is that, we have this trans-border crimes and trans-border movement.

work. It is painful and a disgrace for any government to admit it is paying ransom. It is an abnormality we are going to live with for sometime. We need to invest more and restructure our intelligence architecture”, he said.

[DailyTrust]

Of the 14 intervention cohorts of the new tribe eight of the cohort leadership teams have been quite active pre-inauguration scheduled for October 1 2024. A report on the goals and activities of these cohorts present a sense for the state of the motherland.

The cohorts of Values Proselytization; Healthcare; Skills and Education, Ubuntu Community intervention, the Diaspora for national renewal cohort, Elections Reform, Public Accountability, Public policy and economic growth, and Infrastructure, have been the most actively engaged in evaluating the state of the motherland and options of interventions that will bring renewal.

A summary of the kernel of discussion on the platforms of these cohorts constitute a report on the state of the motherland on the subject area of cohort interest..

Healthcare

The six co-chairs of healthcare cohort and the eight others in the leadership council continue for healthcare constitute a model to cheer about with 4 Women and two men, four physicians, one pharmacist, and one celebrated Nurse practitioner, located in Atlanta, Georgia; Los Angeles, California, The UK, Abuja ,  Kano and South Florida they point proudly to one in their 14 member leadership council who this year established medical support outsourcing now employing more than 100 professionals in Lagos servicing  US Medical Centers in an outsourcing model that plans to expand the Nigeria call Centre to more than 1000 employees by next year with consequential inflow of US dollars to service Nigerian operations.

The co-chairs are led by Atlanta based Cardiologist Dr Abiodun_ Olatidoye  and include Dr Acho Emeruwa, Dr Zainab Bagudu, Dr Lorretta Oduwa Ogboru-Okor, Zahrau Ibrahim, and Dr Tonia Agbanufe.

The cohort recognizes that progress without strong healthcare is improbable , pointing to the work of Princeton University Nobel Prize winning economist who wrote The Great Escape – Health Wealth and the origins of inequality.

Great development initiatives the cohort recognizes will come to nothing if those driving it face debilitating challenges. The cohort is therefore committed to canvassing new approaches to advancing primary healthcare, massive public education on both communicable and non-communicable disease burdens and the use of telemedicine to bring to the people both altruism driven charity care and affordable care. It also plans rotation of world class caregivers in the Diaspora using international standard facilities on ground in the motherland.

The cohort laments the return of Cholera and Malnutrition is major concerns of now in the motherland and urges more support for the agenda of the policy team at the Center in Nigeria even though it recognizes that decentralization and the principle of subsidiarity is key to getting healthcare strategy effectively implemented.

The cohort commends one of its own Dr Ben Okwara for the Call Centre initiative and other Doctors in the Diaspora commuting routinely to Nigeria to offer care as part of giving back. It praised the commitment of Diaspora to Medical Missions and committed to helping structure missions  to be able to offer continuing care beyond the luck of  running into a mission surgery that alleviates a life- threatening condition.

Values and Progress

The cohort on Values proselytizing staying true to thenewtribe mantra that values shape human progress regrets that  the values crisis in the land in which corruption is pervasive, merit is given scant consideration as nepotism reigns

The cohort notes that the near collapse of culture manifests itself iin the disconnect between state and the people as evidenced by the poverty capital of the world title being reinforced by food price inflation dragging many into abject poverty while the presidency is ordering new Presidential Jets, Luxury Yacht and building new luxury mansions for government officials.

It notes the need for a revitalization of the National Orientation Agency to prioritize personal integrity, the work ethic, inclusion and regard for the dignity of the human person as core values in the consciousness of citizens.

The cohort plans to canvas the upgrade of civics education at primary and secondary schools levels and a revival of leadership development initiatives like the Boys Scout, Girls Guide and Man’O War.

Public Accountability

The cohort is sad that many presume the failure of institutions of transparency and public  accountability are designed to malfunction and then or function with little care for justice.

It called for a forensic audit of the accounts of the NNPC. It also called for a reward system celebrating honest service that promotes accountability and desires that civil society specialize in monitoring particular agencies.

Infrastructure

The leadership of the cohort which parades people who have had senior executive positions in the biggest political infrastructure firms in North America such as Dr. Engr Adiele Nwankwo and Soji Tinubu,in Atlanta, Arc Philip Njowusi in Washington DC, and in Abuja Dr Eng Halimat  Adediran and Dr (Arch) Peter Agada with Engr Ajiri Aluta in Port Harcourt has offered a comprehensive plan which is on the platforms of thenewtribe for gra nular discussions

The Policy team in its deep probe into  the current chaotic state of policy points us to the essence of citizenship

1. Prof. Pat Utomi

2. Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi

3. Mr. Salvation Alibor

4. Mr. Obi Ajuga

5. Hon. Rea Agazuma

6. Engr. Olohimal Juliet

7. Mr. Chidozie David Okonkwo

8. Dr. Tony Agbonasevbaefe

9. Mr. Cheta Nwanze

10. Eshomomoh Ogene

11. ⁠Abdulkarim Ibrahim

12. ⁠Nasser Sidi Alli

deserve our acknowledgment for their work in the policy team

CONCLUSION

The ferociously non-partisan movement that is people rooted and service cultured but  partisan for the citizen declares the nation is in poor health. Just like the conscience is an open wound that only truth can heal we know our country is challenged and only citizen action can reclaim it for the people.

Since he assumed office on the 29th of May, 2023, Governor Peter Mbah has done tremendously well in touching all sectors in line with his disruptive innovation mantra. Many of these achievements are known and felt, while some are felt but not widely recognised. One of the sectors that forms part of the latter is the justice sector.

It is well known that without a viable legal framework, businesses will not thrive, as investors will lack the necessary confidence to invest. This could hinder the state’s vision of exponentially growing the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, hence, the significance of the governor’s effort in  laying the groundwork for sustainable growth through the justice sector.

To begin with, the administration’s first success in this sector starts with Mbah’s deep knowledge of the justice sector as a senior lawyer himself, coupled with the choice of Dr. Kingsley Tochi Udeh as the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice complemented by Osinachi Nnajieze as Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters. This triumvirate has seen to the palpable revolutionalisation.

In the last one year, the administration has facilitated and presented over 18 groundbreaking executive bills to the Enugu State House of Assembly, 15 of which have been passed into law. This proactive legislative agenda underscores the governor’s commitment to enhancing legal frameworks and promoting good governance within the state. The passing of these bills represents a significant milestone in ensuring that Enugu State’s legal and administrative structures are robust, responsive, and reflective of contemporary needs.

In addition to these new laws, five forward-looking Executive Orders have been promulgated, which provide the necessary legal backing for various government policies and initiatives. By issuing these Orders, Governor Mbah has demonstrated an adept understanding of governance nuances and the importance of swift and decisive actions in addressing the state’s developmental challenges. These Orders have laid the groundwork for several key initiatives, enabling the government to respond promptly to emerging issues and ensuring that the state’s machinery operates smoothly.

The Governor has been aggressive in attracting business, investment, and developmental partnerships, which have been followed by speedy drafting of transaction documentation and closing of numerous deals in record time. Thus, this government has signed and is implementing hundreds of agreements and memorandum of understanding geared towards the development of all sectors and sections of the state. Little wonder work is going on at every nook and cranny of the state, in the city and rural areas. People have observed that Enugu has literally turned to a construction site. Much more is still in the works. The legal frameworks and transaction instruments made by the administration are deliberately of international standard, fair, and protect the interest of all parties involved.

The digitalisation, digitisation, and automation of the justice sector have been prioritised in an effort to modernise the state’s judicial processes. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, reduce case backlogs, and improve overall access to justice. By leveraging technology, the administration is streamlining various judicial processes and making it easier for citizens to access legal services and information. The automation of the judiciary ensures that cases are processed faster, records are kept more accurately, and judicial officers can perform their duties more effectively. This is a testament to Governor Mbah’s vision of a modern, efficient, and transparent judicial system.

In line with his manifesto, the governor laid the groundwork for the creation of specialised courts for unimpeded access to justice for all. These courts will be presided over by experts in the specialised areas, to optimise the quality of the determination of issues, the speed of dispensation, and the wholesomeness of outcomes. Some of these specialised courts are the Small Claims Court for quick dispensation of cases involving claims of One Million Naira or less; Commercial Court, which deals with Commercial, Contracts, Revenue, and Fast-track matters); Probate and Family Court, dealing with probate, matrimonial causes, and family matters; Criminal Court, which is responsible for criminal cases involving sentences above 14 years, including life and death sentences; and Lands (or Real Estate) Court.

Training of legal officers on law reporting and legal drafting has been another cornerstone of Governor Mbah’s justice sector reforms. These training programmes are designed to enhance the skills and competencies of legal officers, ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle the complexities of modern legal practice and match the demands of the current innovative administration. This initiative improves the quality of legal services provided to the public and fosters a culture of excellence and professionalism within the Ministry of Justice.

In collaboration with the Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse, Governor Mbah is sponsored a training programme on mediation skills for law officers. This training equips legal officers with the skills and techniques necessary for effective mediation, which is a critical component of alternative dispute resolution. It is noteworthy that with the concurrence of partners and contractors, most agreements and other transaction documents executed by this administration have mediation as their dispute resolution option. By promoting mediation, the administration is offering a viable alternative to litigation, which can be time-consuming and costly. Mediation provides a more amicable and efficient means of resolving disputes, thereby reducing the caseload of the courts and fostering a more harmonious society. This initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to innovative and practical solutions to business and social problems.
The establishment of a virtual hearing centre at the Ministry of Justice, in addition to the boosting virtual hearing capabilities of the High Court is a groundbreaking achievement. The virtual hearing centre is particularly significant coming from the recent experience of COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated the adoption of remote working arrangements. By embracing digital transformation, Governor Mbah administration has ensured that the wheels of justice keep turning, even in challenging circumstances.

A holistic revision of the entire laws of Enugu State is currently ongoing. The last time this was done was over 20 years ago. The revision is aimed at ensuring that the legal framework is up-to-date, coherent, and responsive to contemporary needs. This comprehensive revision involves scrutinising existing laws, identifying areas for improvement, proposing necessary amendments, consolidating laws and their amendments scattered in various legislation, harmonising conflicting provisions, publishing the laws as a set of compendium of laws, etc. This initiative ensures that the Laws of Enugu State are aligned with best practices and capable of addressing the evolving needs of the society.

The successful prosecution of cases, both civil and criminal, has been a notable achievement of the administration. Securing favorable judgments and decisions for the government not only reinforces the rule of law but also contributes to the state’s developmental trajectory and security drive. Many of these successful cases have been achieved ADR and consent judgments, which are less adversarial and more collaborative. This approach expedites the resolution of disputes, while maintaining good working relations with investors and other stakeholders. The administration’s success in this area underscores its commitment to justice and fairness.
The administration is equally committed to ensuring that law students of Enugu State origin are encouraged and supported to excel. In June this year, Governor Mbah approved bursaries in the sum of N44.1m to 294 indigenes of the state currently studying at the seven campuses of the Nigerian Law School across the country.

•Nwanjoku writes from Enugu

Residents of Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, have lamented the continuous rise in the pump price of premium motor spirit as the price of the product continues to skyrocket daily.

Residents were seen trekking to work as commercial bus drivers, especially Keke bus drivers, temporarily halted their services within the metropolis in protest over the continuous rise in the price of fuel in the country.

The development came on the heels of the further hike in fuel prices in parts of the state from N850 to between N900 and N1000 per litre as of Monday this week.

People were seen in the rush hours of yesterday morning trekking to work in their numbers along some of the popular roads in the metropolis, as only a few commercial buses were seen plying the road.

This was the case along the busy Owerri-Okigwe Road and Wetheral Road, among others.

DAILY POST learnt that the high price of fuel compelled commercial bus drivers to further hike fares for various destinations in the city of Owerri and parts of the state.

Some residents who spoke with DAILY POST revealed that the hardship caused by the hike in fuel pump price is affecting every sector in the state.

Chinedu Ofoha, a bus driver, said that they don’t feel happy increasing the price of transportation but that it became inevitable due to the increase in the price of petroleum products.

“It became worrisome when the fuel price started rising on a daily basis. Some filling stations are selling between N850 and N900 and some are selling at the price of N1000. Still when you go to some of the stations,

they will tell you that they are not selling,” he lamented.

DAILY POST learnt that it is only NNPC filling stations that are selling at N600 per litre. As a result, there are always long queues of motorists at every NNPC station.

“Sometimes we sleep at the station to be the first person to attend to when they reopen the next day,” Ofoha further said.

A fruit seller at World Bank Market, Rosemary Emenike, said that fruit sellers are experiencing low patronage from buyers because of the changes in their prices as a result of the increase in transport fares.

“When we go to the rural markets to purchase the fruits, conveying them to town becomes a problem as drivers charge us beyond what we can afford. When you ask why, they will tell you, are you not in the country? So for us to meet up, we increase the prices of the fruits,” she said.

DAILY POST recalls that fuel price has risen astronomically since President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of subsidy on fuel on May 29, 2023, during his inaugural speech as president.

Many Nigerians have blamed the persistent rise in fuel price and high cost of goods and services in the country on the president’s hasty removal of subsidy on fuel, given the country’s dependence on imported fuel.

Nigerian high jumper and national record holder Temitope Adeshina talks about her journey into athletics and the pains of missing out on the final of the event at the Paris 2024 Olympics in this interview with ABIODUN ADEWALE.

How did you begin your journey into athletics, and what inspired you to focus on the high jump?

My journey into the high jump started with the Baba Ijebu Inter-School Athletics Championships around 2014 and 2015. I made it from the inter-school level to the district level, where I was second behind Esther Isa. That was also where and when my coach, Kola Adebayo, discovered us. He said we were tall and asked if we were interested in training with his athletes. He gave us his number then, but unfortunately, I lost my phone and couldn’t reach him. After the competition, everyone went back to their schools, and I began to go to the stadium. I schooled in Badagry, Lagos State, so I only went to the stadium on weekends. I was training in the evening, and unknown to me, coach Kola Adebayo was training in the morning. In the absence of coach Kola, I met coach Adu, Ruth Usoro’s coach, and started sprint training with him. However, I was a bit lazy in that, and he told me he was going to introduce me to a high jump coach who turned out to be coach Kola. That was how I reconnected with coach Kola, and I began to train specifically in the high jump. From there, I went to more school competitions, and gradually, I started competing at meets and national events in Nigeria.

 The Olympics have come and gone. What’s the greatest lesson you learnt from your first outing at that level?

 The Olympics have taught me not to wait for anybody. You just have to do what you need to do because eventually, nobody celebrates failure. If you win, that is when you will be celebrated. Nobody wants to roll with a loser. That’s the greatest lesson I got from the Olympics, even though the will to merely make it there is what most of us take as solace. But for me, it’s one thing to be an Olympian; it is another thing to be an Olympic medallist. So, we go again next time in LA 2028.

What was on your mind when you stepped out to compete?

When I first stepped onto the purple track inside the Stade de France, I was like, ‘Wow, this is a dream come true.’ Of course, there are still many other dreams, but that was special. From the time that I qualified, throughout my camping and eventual journey to Paris, I had nursed the feeling of becoming an Olympian, and I felt it the moment I stepped out to compete.

The bronze medal-winning mark was 1.95m, and your season’s best, which qualified you, was 1.97m. How did you feel about that, having not made the final of the event?

 After the qualifiers, I felt bad that I couldn’t reach the final. And believe me, I gave it my all. During the final, when I saw that the bronze medal winning mark was 1.95m, I felt bad all over again because my season’s best, which qualified me for the Games, was 1.97m. I got to my room that day and cried. Honestly, I tried my best because I had a very long season.

Overall, Nigeria returned without a medal, and some Nigerians will blame the athletes for the poor outing. How disappointing was that for you?

 As much as people demand from us as athletes, we demand more from ourselves too. I push myself beyond limits. The Olympics come up once every four years, and it’s not even easy to qualify in the first place. No athlete will take the sacrifices involved for granted. It was a low moment for me and all of us.

How did you prepare for the games, and what were the challenges you faced?

I prepared so hard because it was a dream I wanted to fulfil. Before the NCAA nationals, I checked the rankings, and I saw that I was Paris-bound, being in 25th place in the world. So, I was like, ‘Let me give myself a breather from competing and focus on training for the Olympics.’ Weeks later, my ranking had dropped from 25 to 33. When I called coach Kola Adebayo, then he said if I qualified by rankings, Nigeria would not register me for the Olympics, so I needed to pick an automatic qualifying ticket so I would be sure of going to the Olympics. That woke my spirit, and there were just three competitions left before the end of the season; I was almost giving up on qualifying for the Olympics. So I went for the NCAA nationals, and the big jump (1.97 m) came, and it got me straight to Paris and became a new national record as well.

How does it feel to hold the national indoor and outdoor records in the women’s high jump?

Holding both records feels great. Coach Adebayo usually said if I believed in myself, it would happen, and it did. I was so excited because I wasn’t expecting the results to come so soon. I always knew the results would come too, and I am proud of my achievements so far. Last season is one to remember for me, and I always want to look back to my first season in the NCAA and derive the inspiration to aim higher. Thanks to God, that is how it has been, all thanks to my sports mother, Doreen Amata, and my coaches in Nigeria and college as well.

How is your relationship with the former national record holder, Doreen Amata?

 Dorren Amata has been like a mother to me since I started the high jump. She bought me my first high jump spikes as well. From the first time I met her, she has always monitored my progress. She was very sad about my performance at the Olympics and called me on the phone as soon as I finished my event.

How has it been combining academics with competition, and how is the NCAA impacting your career?

It’s not easy. I leave the house as early as 7 am and am at school before 8 am for classes, practice, assignments, exams, and competitions. I almost gave up the idea of studying. The impact of the NCAA has been immense. Aside from when I was discovered in Nigeria, joining the NCAA is another big step in my career because back home, there is little or no facility. The high jump bed I used in training in Nigeria is like what they use in the room. Imagine landing badly on one of those; you will feel your body touching the ground. So, coming here is a big step that has improved my career. To God be the glory, I won about four awards in my first season as well, and I’m ranked 18th in the world. By the time I start competing again, the only way is up.

You once competed in the 100m hurdles. Why did you leave the event?

I didn’t abandon the 100m hurdles, but I had to stick to the high jump in school. My school even wanted me to run the 400m as well.

What are your targets for next season and other major competitions ahead?

Going to the Olympics is a great experience, and my target at the World Championships next year is to return with any type of medal. Any medal would do. The long-term plan is also to be at the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and the next Olympics as well, of course, as a medallist. In terms of performance, I had hoped to jump 2m before the end of this season, which ended with the Olympics, and I wish I did that on the global stage too. The target is to jump 2.05 m. I have 3 cm more to make 2m, and I will double the effort to jump 2.05m.

[Punch]

• President has given approval, says minister

Relief is on the way for tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals reeling under huge electricity bills.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 50 per cent subsidy for electricity used by these institutions.

To benefit are Federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The various teaching hospitals will also enjoy the subsidy regime.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, broke the news yesterday in Kaduna.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has magnanimously approved 50 per cent electricity subsidy to all public hospitals and universities, polytechnic and colleges of education,” he said.

Dr. Alausa said the Ministry of Power is already working out the subsidy payment modalities.

Tertiary institutions have been complaining about astronomical electricity bill increases.

The rise in power costs followed subsidy reduction in the sector.

Some of them have been disconnected by the Distribution Companies (DisCos).

In some instances, students have protested against the attempt by the authorities to alternate electricity supply to reduce costs.

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan disagreed with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over an accumulated N400 million bill.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria cried out over a monthly bill of N300 million which will make it indebted to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KADCO) to the tune of N3.6 billion annually.

Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) disconnected the University of Lagos this week for owing over N1 billion. The varsity said it had paid N180 million.

The annual electricity budget for 10 varsities is estimated at N247.7 billion.

The 10 public institutions with the highest budgets for this year, according to a publication by the Electricity Hub, are University of Nigeria Nsukka (N36.6 billion), University of Calabar (N29.5 billion), ABU (N29.2 billion), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (N26.3 billion), University of Benin (N24.2 billion), University of Ibadan (N23.4 billion), University of Maiduguri (N22.3 billion), University of Port Harcourt (N19.6 billion), University of Lagos (N19.4 billion) and Obafemi Awolowo University (N17.1 billion).   

However, analysts are asking many questions, such as: “Why can’t the experts and professors in relevant disciplines in the universities develop alternative power supply?

“Instead of relying on power supply by the DisCos, why can’t the experts develop other sources of power generation, such solar, wind and hydro, among others?

“What has happened to the initiative for power supply to some of the leading universities during the Muhammadu Buhari Administration as launched at different times by then Minister for Power Mr. Babatunde Fashola?

“How relevant is the research in the universities to the society at large if the institutions cannot generate power?”

Minister inaugurates medical facilities in Kaduna

Dr. Alausa, who spoke during the inauguration of the National Ear Care Centre and other critical health sector projects in Kaduna, said they align with the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) to provide affordable and comprehensive healthcare to Nigerians.

He described the newly-launched facilities, including an auditorium, student hostel, oxygen plant, molecular laboratory and others as crucial.

The minister also addressed the ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector, particularly the impact of the Japa syndrome.

He spoke of the ongoing efforts to increase training quotas and improve remuneration for healthcare workers to discourage them from jetting out in search of better welfare.

Dr. Alausa further outlined the Federal Ministry of Health’s plans to implement a national electronic medical system to revolutionise patient care and data management.

He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to revamping all the sectors of our economy, especially in the health sector where he is giving us all we want.

“Our country is in the right direction and I want to implore the citizens to be patient with this president. He knows what he is doing.

“Every promise he made to Nigerians, he will fulfil them and he’s already fulfilling a lot of his promises.

“Our country is on the right trajectory now and I want to implore fellow citizens to be positive about our country.

“This is the only country we have and this negativity must stop.”

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, represented by Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, commended the leadership of the President in the provision of the National Ear Care Centre.

She assured the Centre of continued support from the Kaduna State Government to maintain its status as a leading institution in ENT care and research.

Dr. Balarabe said: “Together, we can work towards ensuring that all Nigerians have access to high-quality healthcare services and that the National Ear Care Centre remains a beacon of excellence in the field of ENT.”

The Centre’s Medical Director, Dr. Mustapha Yaro, outlined the newly completed projects, which are part of a broader effort to enhance healthcare infrastructure and services.

He added that among the key projects unveiled were a 200-capacity auditorium and a one-storey student hostel for the School of Post-Basic ORL Nursing.

[TheNation]

AFTER what could be described in local police lingo as “two fighting”, Nigerians have, typically, moved on from the Professor Pat Utomi and Senator Ibikunle Amosun rhumba, having concluded, to borrow another jargon, this time from the Nigerian sporting dictionary, that it is “a one-one goalless draw”.

And who will blame them? Why dwell on an “if you Tarka me, I will Daboh you” kind of scandal for too long in a country where salacious scandals break at the speed of light?

For those who may be too young to know what the “if you Tarka me, I will Daboh you” phrase is all about, the story needs a retelling.

In the twilight of the General Yakubu Gowon military junta, two sons of the Middle Belt – Joseph Tarka and Chief Godwin Daboh Adzuana – were embroiled in what the music maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti called roforofo fight.

Tarka, who was Minister of Transport and later Communications, had called on Nigerians to report corrupt government officials as a way to stem the pervading corruption at the time. Daboh, with whom he had fought a supremacy battle in the defunct United Middle Belt Congress, UMBC, and whose first foray into politics was in 1957, took up the challenge.

On July 8, 1974, Daboh alleged that Tarka had used his office to enrich himself by setting up a company, KEATAR through a proxy to execute multimillion contracts awarded by his ministry. It was an earth-shattering allegation. Daboh further claimed that Tarka had assigned a dedicated government telephone line to his mistress who wasn’t a government official.

The activist National Union of Nigerian Students, NUNS, issued a statement demanding probe and the University of Lagos Students Union also issued a statement through its General Secretary, Wole Olanipekun, who is now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, threatening street protests if Tarka was not sacked. On July 13, 1974, Daboh upped the ante by swearing to an affidavit at the Lagos High Court on his allegations.

Commissioner of Police Sunday Adewusi, who later became Nigeria’s inspector General of Police, got involved and muddled the investigation. But by this time, the scandal had become too hot for the Gowon junta to handle. He kept mum while his Minister of Information, Chief Anthony Enahoro, warned journalists not to ask questions about Tarka.

This standoff lasted for three weeks. As the debate over Tarka’s fate raged, Daboh released tape of a telephone conversation of Tarka and a contractor in which he was heard demanding six per cent kickback. Cornered at a time when Nigerian politicians still had honour, Tarka resigned as minister on August 3, 1974.

It was his spirited effort to exact his pound of flesh rather than clearing his name that gave rise to the phrase, “If you Tarka me, I Daboh you.”

Back to the Utomi, Amosun tango. In the wake of the soured business relationship between Ogun State government and a Chinese firm, Zhongshan, which led to the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets in France, Utomi alleged that he was also a victim of Amosun, the man who as governor revoked most contracts signed by his predecessor, Otunba gbenga Daniel.

In a post on his X handle on Sunday, August 18, Utomi said Amosun disregarded a contractual agreement he had with the Daniel administration like he did to the Chinese firm, leaving him with huge debt.

“So it was Gov Amosun’s violation of contract terms signed by his predecessor that brought the shame of seizure of jets from the Presidential fleet. I hope he is happy with his achievement. The whole matter is Karma at work. The Chinese were not the only victims. One prominent Ogun indigene allegedly committed suicide with similar Amosun action. I too was a victim. I had leased OPIC land in Lagos in a BOT agreement under Gov. Daniel. Amosun stopped all such on being sworn in,” he wrote.

Utomi mourned: “If this happened to a friend, I wondered what enemies were going through … I lost my weary South Africa partners who owned a successful regional chain across Southern Africa and Asia. I licked my wounds and slaved to pay off the loans. The Chinese had better leverage. They took it and all are shamed.”

But Amosun, who apparently read Utomi’s account of what transpired on TheNiche platform sent me a statement which he personally signed rebutting Utomi’s claims. Stating that the professor of political economy and management expert was still sulking because he refused to feed what he described as his entitlement mentality, Amosun added that the Ogun State House of Assembly had already declared Utomi an enemy of the state as a result of his predilection for shoddy business deals in the state even before he became governor.

“Before I came into office, the Ogun State House of Assembly had passed a persona non grata on Utomi, and put its resolution in the state’s black book. So, I was curious when I became governor and called Utomi to ask what the issue was. This was entirely at my discretion and not because he reached out to me. But I reckoned that as one with some degree of name-recognition, that should not be, and I wanted to know what happened.”

Claiming that he served Ogun State passionately with all his strength, the chartered accountant turned professional politician said: “Utomi knows his case did not even have any legs to stand on. He is not different from Zhongfu International Investment FXE. He knows he cannot lay claims to any lawful damage done to his investment. All he has tried to do is a ‘me too’, which is very disgraceful.”

An obviously horrified and affronted Utomi was alarmed when I told him what Amosun said. Short of calling the senator a liar, he wrote: “Accountants are supposed to be men of integrity. I am therefore sad at the many false indications of his reaction.”

Utomi said there was absolutely no reason for the Ogun State House of Assembly to declare him a persona non grata.

“I have just heard that for the first time today,” he lamented. “First, besides being invited to give a lecture at the state government retreat about 20 years ago and being asked to give the inauguration lecture for Governor Abiodun about five years ago, the only activity that has brought me in contact with Ogun State government is this 15-year BOT lease. So, on what account would the Ogun House do that?”

Beyond these statements which both Prof Utomi and Senator Amosun sent to me personally, I spoke to both men phone. Utomi on the one hand is distraught that Amosun deliberately smeared him as a counter punch to his allegations. Amosun on the other hand is sticking to his gun. And Nigerians, caring less, have moved on, waiting for the next scandal.

“It is their business. All of them are the same,” many insist and don’t see why they should bother when two elephants are fighting.

I beg to disagree. Nigeria has remained the way it is with leaders acting with impunity while in office because they know there are no consequences even out of office. Leaders should be held accountable rather than resorting to red herring and name-calling whenever they are called out. Rather than dismissing the Utomi-Amosun tango as a case of “two fighting,” it will be good to know who is telling the truth.

Amosun said the job Utomi did was not more than N35 million or at most N50 million even as he was claiming N200 million. Yet, he gifted him N100 million, a man that had allegedly been declared an enemy of the state by the lawmakers as a result of his predilection for shoddy business deals. Why did he decide to reward fraud?

Amosun also claimed that after declaring Utomi a persona non grata, the Ogun Assembly put its resolution in the state’s black book. Could he make that document available?

Ogun people should insist on knowing the truth about what their former governor did on their behalf. And unless he is able to provide these vital documents to nail the “entitled” professor, his response to Utomi’s expose on his alleged indiscretions in office is nothing but an “if you Tarka me, I Daboh you” parody.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, gave a month’s notice to traders and other market stakeholders involved in exploitative pricing to crash the prices of goods.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, gave the order at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on exploitative pricing yesterday in Abuja.

According to Bello, the commission will begin enforcement after the expiration of the notice.

He said the meeting was to address the growing trend of unreasonable pricing of consumer goods and services and unwholesome practices of market associations.

Bello said: “The issue of critical national importance of the day is the growing trend of unreasonable pricing of consumer goods and services across the country, and the unwholesome practice of market associations engaged in price fixing.

‘’As a responsive organization, we have carried out discreet market surveys extensively across the country in the past few weeks. Our findings are quite disturbing, to put it mildly. Therefore, our gathering here today (yesterday) is to underscore the gravity of the situation and the urgency of the need to work together to check this unwholesome development.

“As a statutory body whose mandate is to cater to consumer rights, we cannot allow this unhealthy trend to continue. To be sure, we quite recognize that an unfavourable exchange rate has negatively impacted the cost of production in local currency. However, the margin in pricing goods and services is unreasonable or excessive in a few cases.

‘’We have observed, for instance, that the margin in the prices of imported goods are very disproportionate in many cases; and in the case of locally produced goods, excessively inflated. This is an untenable situation, particularly in the retail segment, where we have identified patterns of price fixing perpetrated by some market associations, price gouging, and other anti-consumer practices.

Widespread price fixing

‘’For proper understanding, price fixing refers to an unholy agreement between competing businesses to set prices at a certain level. This can be done either explicitly or implicitly, and it prevents healthy competition that is otherwise expected to drive prices down and improve quality.

‘’Price gouging on the other hand occurs when sellers significantly increase the price of goods or services during a crisis or a period of economic challenge. This practice takes undue advantage of consumers.

‘’To illustrate, let me give you some glimpses of our findings. For instance, our check just two days ago at a popular supermarket chain in Texas, United States, revealed that a fruit blender called Ninja, is displayed on the shelf at $89 (roughly N140,000), just two days ago.

‘’Meanwhile, the same product was displayed at a popular supermarket on Victoria Island in Lagos for N944,999 on the same day and at the same hour. This represents more than 500 per cent inflation of the cost.

‘’Interestingly, when our undercover officer visited the same supermarket two weeks earlier, this same blender was on display with the price tag of N750,000.

‘’The question then arises: what is the basis for this arbitrary hike in the price of the blender, compared to the United States? What business principle can justify this level of profiteering?

‘’Perhaps, I should cite a few more of the unpleasant discoveries we made during our investigation. In some notable supermarkets surveyed discreetly in Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Lagos, we also found that prices were arbitrarily jerked up from time to time without any justifiable reason.

‘’In one particular big supermarket in Abuja, for instance, consumers were being charged N2,600 for an imported toilet soap at the payment point as the price tag was not displayed as earlier mandated by FCCPC. The same toilet soap was displayed for sale at N1,950 at a popular supermarket in Lekki, Lagos, the same day. That already constitutes a double offence.

“From our findings, the penchant to hike prices arbitrarily is also common among sellers of food items and transport operators. When the foodstuff sellers were engaged, their common response was that the cost of transportation had increased.

‘’But how justifiable is it for the tomato seller to double the price of a basket of tomatoes simply because they paid higher transport fare? Whereas the price of the same basket of tomatoes was far cheaper at another market within the same jurisdiction surveyed by our field officers. Now, the question: did the seller who sold at a lower price not also pay the transport fare?

‘How price-fixing happens’

‘’In a typical foodstuff market environment, this is how price fixing happens. A trailer-load of yam tubers arrives at Wuse market in Abuja from, say, Benue State. Rather than allow free trade, the market cartel then inserts themselves between the produce farmers and the retailers.

‘’They buy in large quantities from the producer at cheap rate and, in turn, sell to market retailers at much higher price. And the retailers, in turn, sell to consumers at cut-throat rate.

‘’Such price fixing is no longer acceptable and FCCPC will, henceforth, crack down on those involved in this profiteering scheme.

‘’In the case of public transportation, again how justifiable is it for the bus driver to double their fare simply because they paid slightly higher for petrol? Of course, this will only result in a spiral of arbitrary hike in the prices of other services.

‘’The landlord who pays more for transport will probably seek to double their rent as a survival strategy. The school-owner asked to pay higher rent will also likely increase fees they charge students. That way, we all end up being losers with the cost of living becoming unbearable for everyone.

‘’In view of the current situation in Nigeria, let me, however, be very unequivocal. Price gouging and price fixing are not only unethical, but patently illegal under the FCCPA. As such, the FCCPC has the will and the capacity to invoke the full weight of the law against those found culpable of exploiting consumers.

“However, our approach today is not punitive or adversarial. To start with, we intentionally resolved to withhold the names of the aforementioned errant supermarkets, believing that, after this exposition, they will turn a new leaf and adjust their prices downward to a reasonable level.

‘’This approach is borne out of our conviction that dialogue and collaboration are equally important tools in fostering a fair marketplace. We believe that through constructive engagement, we can establish a framework for reasonable pricing that benefits all stakeholders, particularly the consumers who are the backbone of our economy.

‘’Please note that this new initiative by the FCCPC aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises the welfare of the Nigerian people in all economic activities. We are determined to uphold this agenda by ensuring that market practices do not exacerbate the economic challenges faced by our citizens at this time.

‘’Good enough, as a sensitive leader who cares for the welfare of the citizens, President Bola Tinubu has already graciously taken some pragmatic steps to ease food security in the country, including the provision of fertilizer to farmers as well as removal of tariffs on the importation of selected staple food items.

‘’It is only just and reasonable that distributors and traders pass down the gains to Nigerian consumers by reducing prices in the coming weeks.

‘’As we move forward, I therefore call on all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of patriotism and cooperation. Let us talk to ourselves. The law empowers the commission to impose heavy fine for breaches and also prosecute offenders which could lead to jail terms.

‘’For instance, Section 107 (4a.) of FCCPA clearly states: “Where the undertaking is a natural person, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to payment of a fine not exceeding N10,000,000.00 (N10m) or to both the fine and imprisonment.

‘’Section 107 (4b.) also states that, “Where the undertaking is a body corporate, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 10% of its turnover in the preceding business year.

“But in the spirit of democracy, we are first exploring the option of dialogue. It is also in this spirit that we are giving a moratorium of one month (that is, September) before the commission will start firm enforcement. Let us work together to create a marketplace that is not only competitive but also fair and just.

‘’The FCCPC is committed to continuing these dialogues, monitoring compliance, and taking decisive action where necessary.’’

Why prices go up, by sellers

Some of the market stakeholders who spoke at the engagement, said high cost of transportation, insecurity, multiple taxation, among others, were reasons for the continuous increase in prices of goods and services.

Mr Ifeanyi Okonkwo, the Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Traders, FCT chapter, said charges on imported goods at the ports had also contributed to the hike in prices.

Okonkwo appealed to the commission to set up a taskforce and involve the association in its enforcement.

Mr Emmanuel Odugwu from Kugbo Spare Parts market, said the initial cost of transportation of a trailer load of tyres from Lagos to Abuja was N450,000, noting it now cost over one million naira to transport same.

Ms Kemi Ashiri, the Liaison Manager, Flour Mills, said fines by regulators need to be harmonised for businesses to thrive.

Ikenna Ubaka, who spoke on behalf of supermarket owners, alleged that banks’ interest rates to them were over 30 per cent, and that rent increments and hike in prices by distribution/ supply chains were reasons for the high cost of goods.

Ubaka also alleged that electricity distribution companies were charging supermarkets exorbitantly.

Mr Solomon Ukeme, who represented Master Bakers Association, said rapid increment of major ingredients such as flour, sugar and butter, contributed to the high cost of confectioneries.

He said a bag of flour formerly sold for N34,000, was now being sold for N74,000, noting also that multiple taxation remained the major cause for the high cost of bread.

Price reduction, a mirage unless insecurity, high transportation costs are reduced — TUC

Reacting to the development yesterday, 1st Deputy President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Dr. Tommy Okon, said until the issue of insecurity and high cost of transportation of goods and services were addressed, any talk of reduction of price within a month or more would be a mirage.

‘’Farmers pay to access their farms and also pay for transportation as well as extortion by security agencies and touts along the highways. All these are factored into the prices of goods. Until all the variables are addresed by government, there is no way prices of goods will come down..’’

‘Direct price control can create shortages’

Reacting, Clifford Egbomeade, Public Analyst and Communications Expert, said: “The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s initiative to force traders to lower prices, amid inflation and economic hardship, while well-intentioned, could have unintended consequences.

‘’Direct price controls often disrupt the natural balance of supply and demand, leading to potential shortages as traders might find it unprofitable to sell at the mandated prices. This kind of intervention risks distorting the market and may not address the root causes of inflation.

“For small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, which typically operate with slim profit margins, such controls could be particularly damaging. Many SMEs might struggle to sustain their businesses under enforced price reductions, leading to closures and job losses, which would have a broader negative impact on the economy.

‘’The informal sector, a significant part of the Nigerian economy, could be disproportionately affected by these measures.“A more sustainable approach might involve strengthening social safety nets and improving supply chains to reduce costs naturally. Supporting local production and implementing targeted subsidies for essential goods could also help mitigate the impact of inflation without distorting market dynamics.

‘’Ultimately, while the FCCPC’s efforts may provide temporary relief, addressing the underlying economic factors driving inflation would lead to more lasting solutions.”

FG has no right to force traders to crash prices- Barr Onwuka

In her reaction, a human rights activist, Barrister Charity Onwuka, said: “This is very appalling really, another mess up by the APC-led administration.

The federal government has no right whatsoever to force traders to crash prices because the traders bought the commodities or items at a very high rate. According to her, this will lead to artificial scarcity because traders will rather hoard their goods than sell at a very low rate to their detriment.

She said: ‘’The government should rather have a more practical and pragmatic approach to resolve the inflation in the economy.

‘’As a citizen of Nigeria, I suggest, as is being widely advocated, that the cost of governance should be crashed to the barest minimum and experienced economic experts should be consulted to advise on the way forward, rather than compensating political faithful and family members by giving them key positions wherein they can’t make positive impacts for the good of everyone in the country!”

[Vanguard]

The issue of critical national importance of the day is the growing trend of unreasonable pricing of consumer goods and services across the country, and the unwholesome practice of market associations engaged in price fixing.

As a responsive organization, we have carried out discreet market surveys extensively across the country in the past few weeks. Our findings are quite disturbing, to put it mildly. Therefore, our gathering here today is to underscore the gravity of the situation and urgency of the need that we both work together to check this unwholesome development.

As a statutory body whose mandate is to cater to consumer rights, we cannot allow this unhealthy trend to continue.

To be sure, we quite recognize that an unfavourable exchange rate has negatively impacted the cost of production in local currency. However, the margin in pricing of goods and services is rather unreasonable or excessive in not a few cases.

We have observed, for instance, that the margin in the prices of imported goods are very disproportionate in many cases; and in the case of locally produced goods, excessively inflated. This is an untenable situation, particularly in the retail segment, where we have identified patterns of price fixing perpetrated by some market associations, price gouging, and other anti-consumer practices.

For proper understanding, price fixing refers to an unholy agreement between competing businesses to set prices at a certain level. This can be done either explicitly or implicitly, and it prevents healthy competition that is otherwise expected to drive prices down and improve quality.

Price gouging on the other hand occurs when sellers significantly increase the price of goods or services during a crisis or a period of economic challenge. This practice takes undue advantage of the consumers.

To illustrate, let me give you some glimpses of our findings. For instance, our check just two days ago at a popular supermarket chain in Texas, United States, revealed that a fruit blender called Ninja is displayed on the shelf at $89 (roughly N140,000). Just two days ago. Meanwhile, the same product was displayed at a popular supermarket at Victoria Island in Lagos for N944,999 on the same day and at the same hour. This represents more than 500 percent inflation of the cost.

Interestingly, when our undercover officer visited the same supermarket two weeks earlier, this same blender was on display with the price tag of N750,000.
The question then arises: what is the basis for this arbitrary hike in the price of the blender compared to the United States? What business principle can justify this level of profiteering?

Perhaps, I should cite a few more of the unpleasant discoveries we made during our investigation. In some notable supermarkets surveyed discreetly in Abuja, Kano, Port Harcout and Lagos, we also found that prices were arbitrarily jacked up from time to time without any justifiable reason. In one particular big supermarket in Abuja, for instance, consumers were being charged N2,600 for an imported toilet soap at the payment point as the price tag was not displayed as earlier mandated by FCCPC. The same toilet soap was displayed for sale at N1,950 at a popular supermarket in Lekki, Lagos the same day. That already constitutes a double offense.

From our findings, the penchant to hike prices arbitrarily is also common among sellers of food items and transport operators. When the foodstuff sellers were engaged, their common response was that the cost of transportation had increased. But how justifiable is it for the tomato seller to double the price of a basket of tomatoes simply because they paid higher transport fare? Whereas the price of the same basket of tomatoes was far cheaper at another market within the same jurisdiction surveyed by our field officers. Now, the question: did the seller who sold at a lower price not also pay transport fare?

In a typical foodstuff market environment, this is how price fixing happens. A trailer-load of yam tubers arrives Wuse market in Abuja from, say, Benue state. Rather than allow free trade, the market cartel then insert themselves between the produce farmers and the retailers. They buy in large quantities from the producer at cheap rate and, in turn, sell to market retailers at much higher price. And the retailers, in turn, sell to consumers at cut-throat rate.

Such price fixing is no longer acceptable and FCCPC will henceforth crack down on those involved in this profiteering scheme.

In the case of public transportation, again how justifiable is it for the bus driver to double their fare simply because they paid slightly higher for petrol? Of course, this will only result in a spiral of arbitrary hike in the prices of other services. The landlord who pays more for transport will probably seek to double their own rent as a survival strategy. The school-owner asked to pay higher rent will also likely increase the fees they charge students. That way, we all end up being losers with the cost of living becoming unbearable for everyone.

In view of the current situation in Nigeria, let me however be very unequivocal. Price gouging and price fixing are not only unethical, but patently illegal under the FCCPA. As such, the FCCPC has the will and the capacity to invoke the full weight of the law against those found culpable of exploiting consumers.

However, our approach today is not punitive or adversarial. To start with, we intentionally resolved to withhold the names of the aforementioned errant supermarket, believing that, after this exposition, they will turn a new leaf and adjust their prices downward to a reasonable level.

This approach is borne out of our conviction that dialogue and collaboration are equally important tools in fostering a fair marketplace. We believe that through constructive engagement, we can establish a framework for reasonable pricing that benefits all stakeholders, particularly the consumers who are the backbone of our economy.

Please note that this new initiative by the FCCPC aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises the welfare of the Nigerian people in all economic activities. We are determined to uphold this agenda by ensuring that market practices do not exacerbate the economic challenges faced by our citizens at this time.

Good enough, as a sensitive leader who cares for the welfare of the citizens, President Bola Tinubu has already graciously taken some pragmatic steps to ease food security in the country, including the provision of fertilizer to farmers as well as removal of tariffs on the importation of selected staple food items. It is only just and reasonable that distributors and traders pass down the gains to Nigerian consumers by reducing prices in the coming weeks.

As we move forward, I therefore call on all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of patriotism and cooperation. Let us talk to ourselves. The law empowers the commission to impose heavy fine for breaches and also prosecute offenders which could lead to jail terms.

For instance, Section 107 (4a.) of FCCPA clearly states that, “Where the undertaking is a natural person, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to payment of a fine not exceeding N10,000,000.00 (N10m) or to both the fine and imprisonment.”

Section 107 (4b.) also states that, “Where the undertaking is a body corporate, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 10% of its turnover in the preceding business year.”

But in the spirit of democracy, we are first exploring the option of dialogue. It is also in this spirit that we are giving a moratorium of one month (that is, September) before the Commission will start firm enforcement. Let us work together to create a marketplace that is not only competitive but also fair and just. The FCCPC is committed to continuing these dialogues, monitoring compliance, and taking decisive action where necessary.

Being excerpts from the keynote address on Thursday, August 29, by the executive vice-chairman/chief executive officer, FCCPC, Tunji Bello, at a stakeholder meeting on exploitative pricing.