Barely 10 months after a court overturned $11 billion damages against Nigeria in the controversial Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) deal, the federal government is facing another legal battle involving a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, which is seeking to enforce a $70 million arbitration award against Nigeria. 

But does the federal government stand a chance of emerging as the victor in the current case? 

Seasoned analysts weighed the odds in what they described as a mismanaged deal in separate interviews with Weekend Trust on Friday. 

Zhongshan recently got an order from a court in France to enforce the award following an aborted contract between the company and the Ogun State Government, which was initiated in 2007. 

The order, which authorised the seizure of the three presidential jets under maintenance in France, has since been validated by a United States court, dismissing Nigeria’s sovereign immunity defence to the enforcement of the $70 million award.

The Ogun State government and Zhongshan have been at daggers drawn over the management of an export processing zone in the Gateway state.

In 2010, Zhongshan Fucheng, through its parent company, Zhuhai Zhongfu Industrial Group Co. Ltd, acquired rights to develop a free trade zone in Ogun State, Nigeria.

In 2011, Zhongshan established Zhongfu International Investment (NIG) FZE, to manage the project with the Ogun State government’s permission.

In July 2016, Zhongshan accused the Ogun State government of attempting to terminate its appointment and install a new manager for the free trade zone. 

Zhongshan initiated an investment treaty arbitration against Nigeria under the bilateral investment treaty between China and Nigeria (China-Nigeria BIT).

The arbitrators ruled in favour of Zhongshan, awarding approximately $70 million in compensation. In January 2022, Zhongshan sought enforcement of the arbitration award.

In addition to the seizure of the presidential jets, a court of appeal in the US has authorised the Chinese company’s final charging orders over two residential properties owned by Nigeria.

The development worsens a crisis that the Nigerian government has been attempting to manage in Europe and prevent from spilling to other jurisdictions. 

Nigeria had pleaded state immunity against the arbitration but was denied by a United Kingdom High Court judge, Sara Cockerill, who noted Nigeria’s abuse of the timeframe for appealing arbitral awards. 

In the majority judgement issued by Patricia Millett and Julianna Childs, the US court held that the final arbitration award is enforceable under the New York convention since the dispute is between “persons” that share a legal commercial relationship. 

The court ruled that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) arbitration exception stripped Nigeria of sovereign immunity in the arbitration award case.

However, in the dissenting judgement, the third judge, Gregory Katsas, argued that when the New York convention was drafted, the word “persons” did not include a sovereign nation.  

Katsas held that the action of Ogun State cannot be attributed to Nigeria, adding that the arbitration award “arises solely out of Nigeria’s sovereign acts governed by public international law.” 

Meanwhile, the Presidency had accused Zhongshan of attempting to take over Nigeria’s offshore assets through subterfuge. 

“The Presidency is aware of the various failed attempts by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, to take over offshore assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria through subterfuge. 

“The Federal Government is not under any contractual obligation with the company. The case in which Zhongshan is trying to use every unorthodox means to strip our offshore assets is between the company and the Ogun State Government,” a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday read in part.

Also speaking on the development on Thursday, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said Nigeria has initiated both legal and diplomatic steps to ensure the release of three seized presidential aircraft in France and Switzerland. 

In the statement by his spokesperson, Kamarudeen Ogundele, the Attorney-General said its efforts were grounded in the principle that the aircraft are sovereign assets, used exclusively for sovereign purposes, and therefore immune from attachment.

“The Offices of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney-General of the Federation, have already set in motion both legal and diplomatic steps to ensure the discharge of the inappropriate orders against the aircrafts, which are covered by sovereign immunity,” it said.

The government also maintained that the interim orders against the aircraft were inappropriate, given their status under sovereign immunity.

Trade zone dispute mismanaged – Lawyers 

Some lawyers have criticised the handling of the dispute with the Chinese firm that resulted in the confiscation of the country’s presidential aircraft. 

Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) bemoaned Nigeria’s tendency to breach international agreements of this nature, urging the federal government to opt for a settlement. 

He said, “If there is a dispute and one side has evinced a view for settlement, I think it is important to explore that option, irrespective of the court or arbitration panel that heard the matter. 

“The more reason we should opt for settlement is because they are producing what we cannot on that land mapped out for the FTZ.” 

In his view, Nkem Okoro Esq, called for a thorough investigation and the prosecution of officials involved in the mishandling of the contract to show that the government of Nigeria is not complicit in the breach and to avoid soiling its image further. 

“The only honourable thing for the Nigerian government to do now is the payment of the sum awarded against it by the arbitration panel. At least this way, Nigeria can reassure would-be international investors of the safety of their investments in Nigeria. 

“Nigeria breached the agreement it had with the Chinese company; an arbitral award was made against Nigeria, and Nigeria has refused to do the most honourable thing: pay and atone for your shortcomings.

“The seizure of Nigeria’s assets is a colossal and unmitigated embarrassment to the federation, already. To think that rather than paying, Nigeria will be looking for ways to defeat the award is also exacerbating the situation against the international image of Nigeria,” he said. 

He said there is no doubt that Nigeria is a party in the dispute because free zones in Nigeria are managed, controlled, and administered by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, which is an agency of the federal government.  

A human rights lawyer, Nkereuwem Akpan, Esq, also called for a diplomatic approach to resolving the dispute.   

He, however, cautioned that under international law, sovereign states enjoy sovereign immunity from execution, and as such, it would be improper for one state to seize the assets of another, which could lead to chaos if it leads to tit for tat.

Nigeria’s image, foreign investment drive at stake  

The Zhongshan matter brings to mind earlier cases of P&ID arbitration ruling over Nigeria tardiness in a failed gas supply and processing contract.   

Similarly, in 2019, an Irish engineering firm was awarded $9.6 billion in damages against Nigeria by a UK court over a failed gas project. The firm instructed lawyers to identify Nigerian assets worldwide that could be seized to enforce the record-breaking arbitration award. 

A former foreign Affairs Minister and professor of political science, Ambassador Bolaji Akinyemi, said there is a provision in international law which provides that where a nation is involved in commercial activities, its agency will not have diplomatic immunity—an exception to the general rule that states enjoy diplomatic immunity.

He said, “In this particular case, Ogun is not a sovereign state. It is Nigeria that is recognised, and so property belonging to Nigeria is now exposed to this exception to diplomatic immunity. 

“I don’t know who the lawyers of Ogun State were when this case came up; the last judgement we had was decided in the United States Court of Appeal. And the judges ruled by a vote of two to one that the Nigerian property does not enjoy diplomatic immunity. This is bad for our image and position internationally. It should never have been allowed to get to this stage.” 

Commenting on the development, Dakuku Adol Peterside, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the development raised fundamental issues worth interrogating.

He said, coming after the Dangote saga, this is one too many, and the global perception of our country is not good. 

“At the time we thought we are beginning to see some increase in foreign direct investment inflow, suddenly, the government is giving out false signals. We already have economic policy challenges; we have foreign exchange volatility and there is a general clout of negative perception about the strength and health of the Nigerian economy.

“Right now, there are institutional weaknesses that investors are grappling with, including the fact that our judiciary doesn’t give people a lot of confidence. Added to all these challenges is the Nigeria-Ogun-Chinese company crisis. There is no way it will not significantly impact investors’ confidence.

“It (the confidence) will weaken, and this is not good for us. Government needs to understand the place of signalling. Perception means a lot to investment. Investment will not go to where it is not safe,” he stated.

Peterside contended that the case reeked of the untidiness that has characterised Nigeria’s international contracts.

He said states and even private companies had found ways of roping in the federal government into their untidy deals.   

“In the process, our national reputation has even further cheapened,” he added.

Options available for FG 

Prof. Akinyemi urged the federal government to warn all state governors about cancelling contracts signed by their predecessors, whether the agreements involved foreign or domestic companies.

“To me, it is arrogance of power on the part of the Ogun State government. Governors come in and just decide to do anything. They have ruined a lot of domestic companies whose contracts have been cancelled like that,” he added.

Prof. Akinyemi, who is the chairman of the National Think Tank, also admonished the federal government to approach the Chinese government and Chinese companies doing business in Nigeria.  

“The Chinese government should call the Chinese company and put pressure on it to settle out of court with Nigeria. That is the important proposal, so that Chinese interest in Nigeria will not be adversely affected by what is going on,” the diplomat said. 

On the way forward, Peterside said Nigeria could not continue to be seen as a country whose transactions are opaque and not respectful of contracts, saying these perceptions could deter foreign investors from having anything to do with the country. 

Peterside, who is also a former House of Representatives member, advised that the office of the Attorney General of the federation should take a closer look at international contracts entered into by states to insulate sovereign assets from culpability. 

Nigeria has a strong case 

–Agbakoba

However, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has insisted that Nigeria has a strong defence on two grounds. 

He said in international law, there is a compelling reason to argue that attachment of property belonging to a sovereign state such as Nigeria is free from attachment under an order of court.

“In this case, evidence that the aircraft are owned by Nigeria and are strictly used for diplomatic purposes, is in my view a good ground for Nigeria to successfully recover the aircraft from attachment.  

“The second strong reason would be that the attachment of the aircraft is said to be in respect of a debt owed by Ogun State, which is a wholly different political entity from the sovereign state of Nigeria. The attached aircraft would, in those circumstances, be unjustified and I think it is reasonable to presume that Nigeria has a very good chance of success,” he stated. 

Chinese firm mulls negotiations, releases seized jet 

Meanwhile, Zhongshan has said it is open to negotiations with the Nigerian government over the matter. The company was quoted in a statement reported by Premium Times on Thursday that it only sought to assert its rights under international law and was confident in its case.  

“Zhongshan has for a long time been ready to enter serious negotiations with the federal government of Nigeria to settle this case and still awaits an indication that the government is equally willing,” the statement said. 

On Friday, the Online Newspaper quoted a Zhongshan spokesperson as saying that the company had released one of the confiscated aircraft. 

“Zhongshan has consistently sought to act reasonably and fairly in the course of a legal dispute with Nigeria which was not of its making. 

“It (Zhongshan) has now been made aware that an Airbus A330, currently detained in France as a result of a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to travel to a scheduled meeting with President Macron of France early next week. 

“As a gesture of goodwill, Zhongshan has lifted the seizure of that aircraft immediately. This will allow it to be used for the President’s trip. 

“Zhongshan remains committed to talks with representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, this time serious and substantive on both sides, with a view to reaching a reasonable compromise settlement rapidly,” the official said.

[DailyTrust]

The ousted Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has accused former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi of planning to hijack the party in the state to fight President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Okocha, however, vowed never to allow Amaechi and his alleged stooge, Emeka Beke have their way against Tinubu.

He spoke to journalists in Abuja while reacting to the court judgment that sacked his committee on August 15.

A High Court in Port Harcourt had sacked the Okocha-led caretaker committee while reinstating Emeka Beke as the APC Chairman.

However, Okocha said: “We imagine how a person of low academic qualifications can preside over a meeting that some of us would attend but the APC leader then said they wanted somebody who had a street boy mentality.

“But the truth was that he wanted a surrogate, a stooge who would do his bidding. We fought but the APC leader was then a minister and his vestiges were here as leaders of the party.

“At the presidential primaries of the APC, Beke was the person who led the Rivers delegation of 56 delegates to vote for Rotimi Amaechi. That was how they scored 56 from the state.

“There is an intention to throw up Amaechi’s man and then he (Amaechi) becomes the APC leader and then uses the APC to fight Mr President in 2027. We will never allow that.”

[DailyPost]

The Police Command in Benue said yesterday that  no fewer than 20 medical students from University of Jos were kidnapped in Otukpo on Thursday evening.

Benue Police Public Relations Officer Sewuese Anene told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday by telephone that the incident happened at 5.30 pm.

Anene said that the students who were traveling to Enugu for their annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students convention were ambushed and kidnapped in Otukpo.

“A report was received that medical students from Jos were on their way from Jos to Enugu and were kidnapped around Otukpo.

“No fewer than 20 students were ambushed and kidnapped around Otukpo. They are coming from Jos,” she said.

[TheNation]

It’s typical for the average Igbo man to think his life is incomplete without a male child.

Read this man’s message to me on the matter:

“A friend of mine is in a mess. His problems started when his wife left him. They had been having issues because, according to him, the woman was cantankerous, and he often dreaded their bedroom because she had a habit of stripping herself naked to lay curses on him and those she claimed were enabling him to break their home.

“She would do this while walking around with flaming-coloured candles in hand. It got so bad that he rented a small apartment where he often stayed to relax. In no time, he found himself a companion in a young lady he had assisted in the past.

“Meanwhile, his wife had to travel to her hometown with their son (who has special needs). Some days later, he was told that the boy (aged 15) accidentally drowned in a swimming pool.

“His wife came back, accused his lover of being behind their son’s death, packed her belongings, and left their matrimonial home. The boy was their only son; the others are girls.

“The lady now occupying his rented apartment had been pregnant for him a few times but had miscarriages. One day, the same lady returned from a prayer outing and told him it was revealed to her that due to the curse his wife placed on him, he would never be able to get any woman pregnant again.

“He said he was so disturbed (because he truly wanted a son) that he took a break from the lady for a while. Around that time, he met another woman (a one-night stand) but found himself really drawn to her, and in no time, he rented an apartment for her.

“The long and short of it is that this new lady became pregnant around the same time he realised his other lover was also pregnant. Both women have since given birth. The second lady had a baby girl, but the one living with him had a boy. He is planning to marry her, but he doesn’t have the support of his family.

“According to them, the person his wife accused of killing their brother’s son shouldn’t become part of their family. He actually likes the second lady more but is grappling with guilt concerning the other lady.

“He claimed she has gone through a lot trying to give him a son. Otherwise, he has a lot of complaints about her. For example, he said she nags as much as his first wife.

“And their space has become a home to her lazy siblings and their mother. Almost all of them live in that house now, and all they do is eat and watch television daily, as none of them work.

“He also said this lady does not work, yet she has very expensive tastes. According to him, none of the hair she buys is less than N350,000. She also defrauds him by inflating household expenses.

“He said it’s actually in the space of the other lady that he finds a semblance of peace, coupled with the fact that she is very clean and a good cook. What’s your advice to him? He is an Igbo man.”

From Oby

If male children were destined to play more important roles in your life, life would have given them to you. But if all you have are daughters, know they are the ones you will need in your life.

God knows what He is doing, and what He is doing is something that only time will reveal. It took my parents’ old age for me to understand this Igbo adage, “nwanyi bu nwa” (a daughter is worth it).

At a certain point in a parent’s life, it won’t matter which child is male or female. What will matter is which child cares.

So, the child life has given you is exactly who you will need in your life.

If this man conducts a DNA test on those newborns, he may be shocked that one or even both do not belong to him because he is dealing with desperate women who see him as a meal ticket and would do anything to latch onto him for economic survival.

I hope he has done a complete check on his health status!

The Management of the National Youth Service Corps, says it has demobilised 54 illegally mobilised graduates of the University of Calabar, to prevent the award of Certificates of National Service to unqualified persons.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Scheme’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, on Friday night.

The Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed disclosed this in Abuja on Friday, adding that the illegal graduates would be prosecuted accordingly.

He said of the 54, nineteen of them initially registered online for mobilization, have been prevented from service, while four (4) Certificates of National Service for other culprits, were not produced by the Scheme. 

Recall that the NYSC had earlier on Monday, invalidated the Certificates of 101 illegally mobilised graduates of UNICAL, who were part of the scheme between 2021-2023.

Following the invalidation of the certificates, the Pro-Chancellor of the University, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (retd.), commended the Scheme for exposing fake graduates who were fraudulently mobilised, pledging to take action against staff involved in the mobilisation of fake graduates from the institution.

The NYSC DG disclosed that a bread seller had been illegally mobilized from the University, while commending the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, for hinting the NYSC about the illegal mobilisations.

“The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar came here to report that she observed some names appeared on the institution’s list and they ought not to have been there. She checked the list the school gave us and I told her that their certificates would be invalidated. I give kudos to the Vice-Chancellor.

“Previously, a bread seller was mobilised on the graduation list from the same institution, there are bad eggs in many places that generate matriculation numbers and courses for their candidates”, the DG said.

He stated further that the Scheme would intensify its collaboration with Heads of Corps Producing Institutions and relevant stakeholders in the country to stop the menace.

Ahmed added that any failure in the mobilisation process from any school falls on the integrity of the management of such an institution, stating, “Those who are responsible for imputing the data of graduates should be people of integrity.”

He called on all employers of labour in the country to verify the authenticity of Certificates of National Service being presented for job placement from the NYSC.

[Punch]

Cacophony fills the Nigerian sports space. 

From the ashes of the country’s participation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games springs the shrill of anger and condemnation. In the past one week, Nigerians have collectively vented their anger and frustration at those they perceive to have caused the country’s failure to return from Paris with a single medal. They are baying for the blood of sports officials, especially that of the Sports Minister, because the buck of the calamitous ‘failure’ of the athletes stops at his desk. They ask: How can a country of over 200 million people that expended N12 Billion Naira fail to win a single medal? 

Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Movement, will be quivering in his grave: since when has winning medals become a matter of size of a country, or population, or amount of money spent on the eve of the event, or wishful thinking, or unearned expectations? 

Fundamentally, every country goes to the Olympics with all the athletes that achieve the qualifying standards through pre-Olympic competitions, and not on their likelihood to win medals. That’s why Nigeria went with 82 qualified athletes. Of this number, how many, realistically, were expected to win any medal? 

In Paris there were 10,500 athletes from 205 countries. How many can win the 329 medals at stake? Are the other over 10,000 athletes failures? 

To win any medal is not a stroll in the park. It is earned on the fields of competition. To even get to the Olympics is a painstaking ‘journey’. The 100 metres finals will last only 10 seconds. What is required to get to that point is training hard for 6 to 9 hours every day for several years; surviving health, fitness and unforeseen challenges; competing against hundreds of the best athletes around the world for those many years; securing funds to train, hire personnel and compete in high level events; securing the services of experts to successfully navigate the athlete through the treacherous terrain leading to ultimate success; to be self-motivated and to be favoured by the elements. Which of these did Nigeria do to prepare its sprinters and earn the right of expectation to win a medal? 

At the end of all the above, those that successfully navigate the minefields and win medals, hardly ever do so coming from the blues, or by accident. They pass through the crucible of fire. 

Sentiments aside, in all facets of life, including sports, Nigeria should be one of the leading lights of Africa, providing leadership that will steer away from under-development into the bright light of success. The evidence of this possibility has always been there, a musical tune that has been played for decades in the corridors of international sports. It is only unfortunate that successive Nigerian governments have been deaf to the lyrics of the song. 

Meanwhile, we must not confuse the little incidents that happen during every Olympic Games to all teams as any measure of their success or failure. Administrative lapses will always occur. Without accepting or embracing them as normal, what we should never do is use them as a basis to throw away the baby with the bath water, or to smear the performance of the athletes with that tar. These issues must be separated, each bearing its own responsibility. We have history to take lessons from. 

In attending the 1980 Olympics, Nigeria went with the best set of sports administrators in the history of the country – a Sports Ministry and an NSC complete with Isaac Akioye and that whole generation of stakeholders and seasoned administrators. 

The world was embroiled in a crisis that rendered the Moscow Olympics one of the worst in history. Nigeria did not even qualify in many sports but were invited to take part at the last minute. 

The country did not win a single medal despite having a crack number of great athletes in several sports that were to blossom in latter years. 

Yet, what dominated the media on return to the country was a ‘sex scandal’ that never happened, an imaginary relationship between an athlete and an official of the National Sports Commission created by a journalist gathering information from the Olympic Village through the telephone from his hotel room in Moscow. 

That report fuelled the anger of Nigerians and was attributed for the country’s failure to win any medal. The country went into a frenzy, calling for heads to roll. 

Heads eventually did roll. A judicial panel of enquiry was set up headed by a respected legal luminary. Many innocent administrators were fired and the whole sports architecture of Nigeria, well-founded and running well, were dismantled and destroyed. 

Till date, Nigeria has not found its feet again in sports administration for proper sports development.

Since then, Nigeria has been groping, unable to pick the pieces of that moment of madness, seeking answers to the perennial failure, since then, of the sports sector. 

Forget 1996, the glorious year of Nigeria at the Olympics. The victory of that campaign was not deliberate or earned by any deliberate policies, or program. People forget easily that even the ‘Dream Team’ that mesmerised the world and created Olympic history went to the Games in administrative shambles. That team was the assembly of some of the most gifted footballers in Nigeria’s history. That’s why they eventually won. 

Nigeria’s first ever individual Gold medallist came from the blue, in a totally independent pursuit by a lady wronged and condemned by the system and the country. Chioma Ajunwa was not a product of Nigeria’s successful program. 

Nigeria’s sprinters of that generation, both male and female, had for years been demonstrating individual capability on the international circuit prior to the Olympics – Onyali, Ogunkoya, Olopade, Alozie, Egbunike, Ezinwa Brothers, Sunday Uti, and several others, talented athletes that came through the web of Nigeria’s limited development programmes, hinged mostly to training in America, through self-help or federal government scholarships. 

Nothing was properly structured before and after 1980 to produce a steady stream of the best sprinters embedded in our genes. That’s why 2012 in London was another perceived ‘failure’. Nothing had changed. 

That’s why, as a bona fide member of Nigeria’s pool of Olympians, over 700 strong throughout the country’s history, I appreciate how only a handful have Olympic medals around their necks to show for their place in history. Yet, we all lay claim to being ‘successful’ Olympians. 

We must be humble and appreciate all Olympic athletes. Even on the Nigerian Olympians platform, I read strident condemnation of officials and athletes considered ‘failures’ as a result of administrative lapses. These are distractions from the main issue, clouds that hide the real culprit of Nigeria’s failure – a country that does not take sports as seriously as it should. Throwing money at the last minute without a solid development program, not making sports a priority area for the government’s attention, and just hoping that medals will be won, are wishful and unproductive.

Lets step back from what happened at Paris 2024, look again at where the country stands in the area of producing a rich and consistent line of world class athletes, encourage the great performances (even without medals) that some of the athletes put up in some of the sports (recognised by the rest of the world but not Nigeria), do the things we should have done that we know but lack the courage to confront, stop the lamentation and move on to the next steps along the path to deserved success.

The Nigerian government must wake up and take sports very seriously. 

The country must demonstrate this by declaring a State of Emergency in the sector. 

The President should sign the bill that brings back the National Sports Commission immediately, separating the Ministry of Sports Development from the Commission with clearly defined roles. 

A board of the Commission should be constituted comprising tested, experienced and qualified stakeholders, technocrats and private sector players. 

Amongst other things, the National Sports Lottery initiative should be re-jigged as a major means of raising funds for Nigeria’s sports development. 

The constitution of Sports Federations should be amended under the supervision of the Sports Development Ministry to reflect Nigeria’s best sports interest and needs, with a clear and achievable development agenda. 

Nigerians are angry. They have a right and justification to be, but they should not vent their angst against the wrong persons, or for the wrong reasons. 

Quote: Forget 1996, the glorious year of Nigeria at the Olympics. The victory of that campaign was not deliberate or earned by dint of any deliberate policies, or program

Chelsea’s new coach Enzo Maresca has a Premier League baptism of fire when champions Manchester City visit on Sunday as the Italian scrambles to form a cohesive team from another chaotic transfer window for the Blues.

In keeping with Chelsea’s transfer policy since a takeover two years ago, fronted by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, the London club have embarked on a spending spree focusing on promising young talent.

Winger Pedro Neto’s £54 million ($65 million) move from Wolves is the standout from nine new arrivals for an estimated £160 million.

But after splashing well over £1 billion on signings over the past two years, Chelsea’s website lists 43 first-team players and over 50 are still contracted to the club when those on loan are included.

Many have been sidelined from Maresca’s pre-season training to focus on finding moves before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

“At the moment if I start to think I have 43 players it is not a good thing,” Maresca said on Friday.

“(Co-sporting directors) Paul (Winstanley) and Laurence (Stewart) they are there in charge of finding solutions for these kind of players. I’m not the guy in charge of finding solutions for loan players, otherwise they have to pay me double!”

To add to Maresca’s task he has to win over a discontented fan base.

Many in the Chelsea support were craving some stability as Mauricio Pochettino turned around a poor start to finish strongly and climb up to sixth in the Premier League.

Instead, the club’s hierarchy had more change in mind as Pochettino departed after just one season in charge.

Supporters are also unhappy at seeing players that have come through the club’s youth system sacrificed to balance the books.

Conor Gallagher is not available for selection on Sunday despite the collapse of his move to Atletico Madrid.

Maresca has been handed a five-year contract following his success in leading Leicester back to the Premier League in his only season at the King Power.

– A ‘double squad’ –

The 44-year-old’s only other senior managerial role was a short-lived stint at Parma in 2021, but his time working alongside City boss Pep Guardiola was also crucial in helping him land the Chelsea job.

“All the managers need time,” said Guardiola on Friday.

“I don’t know if Chelsea is the place to do this but give him time and it will work.”

Despite working at some of the world’s richest clubs, Guardiola’s preference has always been to work with a smaller squad to maintain harmony among his players.

And he has sympathy with the situation Maresca inherits.

“When you see a double squad, yeah it’s a lot!” Guardiola added. “But the reason why they do it is not my business.”

The last time Chelsea beat City was in the 2021 Champions League final.

Just over three years on and only Reece James and Ben Chilwell remain from the Chelsea team that night in Porto.

Maresca believes the Blues are now on the right track to eventually get back to challenging City for the Premier League title.

“The big difference in this moment between us and other teams that are dominating English football, is just a matter of time,” he said.

“Clubs that have worked with the same manager nine years, eight years. We’re working with the same manager for one month.

“For sure with time, we are going to close the gap. Hopefully it can happen very soon.”

The question looming over Chelsea’s season, though, is whether Maresca will get that time to come good given the club’s history of trigger-happy owners.

[Vanguard]

In recent time Hon Justice Sylvanis Oriji of the FCT High Court has been subjected to unwarranted censure following his prudent decision to restrict the End Bad Government protesters to the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja. This calumny, often instigated by some agents and surprisingly some lawyers, grossly misrepresents him as inimical to the populace. In reality, Justice Oriji was assiduously discharging his judicial duty to maintain public order while respecting the rights of citizens.

Judicial Responsibility and Public Safety

The judiciary bears the sacrosanct responsibility of balancing the right to peaceful assembly with the government's obligation to maintain public order. While peaceful protests are a cornerstone of democratic liberties, enabling citizens to voice dissent and hold the government accountable, they may also present risks to public safety. Hon Justice Oriji's ruling ought to be viewed through this lens. By designating a specific area for the protest, he was not inhibiting dissent but rather creating a controlled space allowing citizens to express their grievances without provoking chaos or violence.

A Call for Support and Recognition

It is essential for us to rally behind both Hon Justice Oriji and the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, in recognition of their commitment to public safety. Their actions reflect an acute awareness that chaotic protests can lead to perilous outcomes. Indeed, the court's order likely averted significant harm. Therefore, I implore President Tinubu to confer a National Honour upon Justice Oriji, acknowledging his judiciousness in this critical matter.

Balancing Rights and Responsibilities

This predicament underscores the delicate balance that must be maintained between rights and responsibilities. While it is vital that citizens be permitted to protest, the implications for our democracy hinge significantly upon how such assemblies are managed. Restrictions must be reasonable and proportionate; overly broad measures could encroach upon democratic freedoms, while targeted actions prioritising safety are indispensable.

Learning from Other Approaches

We can draw valuable lessons from Governor Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, whose approach exemplifies constructive engagements with stakeholders in Ondo State in ensuring that the State is at peace before, during and after the protest. His Excellency’s administration emphasised open communication and collaboration with citizens, striving for mutually agreeable solutions while safeguarding public safety. He also encourage the Office of the Attorney-General of Ondo State, to set up a 24-hour Interventionist Unit, Citizens Rights and Advisory Bureau, CRAB, in which the people of the State come with their complaints and enquiries through our dedicated phone lines and other electronic devices to get across to the governor and his aides.

Advice for Future Protests

For the benefit of future demonstrations, I would tender the following recommendations:

1. Careful Planning: Organisers should proactively engage with relevant authorities to discuss logistics and safety protocols.
2. Effective Communication: Utilising media platforms to articulate clear, concise messages will ensure the protest's objectives are effectively communicated.
3. Commitment to Peace: Emphasising non-violence will help safeguard the protest from being co-opted by malicious elements.
4. Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Cooperation with authorities can cultivate a safer environment, ensuring that the rights of all parties are respected.
5. Seek Alternatives: Prior to embarking on protests, engaging with the government to explore alternative resolutions is crucial.

Conclusion

In summation, we must acknowledge Hon Justice Oriji's vital role in preserving public order and protecting the rights of citizens. His decision should not be viewed as an affront to democracy, but rather as a necessary measure aimed at ensuring safety. As we champion the right to protest, we must concurrently respect the judicial processes that work diligently to uphold balance within our society.

-Olukayode Ajulo, OON, SAN, PhD
Hon Attorney General of Ondo State, Nigeria.

Amnesty International says over 1,000 #EndBadGovernance protesters are in custody nationwide.

Nigerians staged a nationwide protest against economic hardship from August 1–10.

The protesters demanded a reduction in the cost of governance, return to the petrol subsidy regime, food security, and fiscal discipline, among others.

The demonstration, however, turned violent in some parts of the country, with looting and vandalism recorded in some states.

Following the protests, the police announced the arrest of perpetrators in some states.

In a statement posted on its X page on Friday, the international rights watchdog described the prosecution of 441 persons in Kano as an “unfair trial“.

The organisation called on the federal government to ensure the immediate release of all arrested protesters, while ensuring that its obligation towards upholding citizens’ right to freedom of assembly and expression is not undermined.

“The Nigerian authorities are escalating  crackdown on peaceful protesters against hunger and corruption,” the organisation said.

“Over 1000 people have been remanded nationwide. Today 441 people were arraigned in Kano, in what is set out to be an unfair trial based on trumped up charges.

“Amnesty International again calls for an immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested for exercising their right to peaceful assembly. The government of Nigeria has an obligation to uphold the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”

[TheCable]

With the current national high social temperature over inflation, exchange rate concerns and other issues, it is easy to say that this is not the time to talk about the head of any institution of State at all. But not when a book is written about the person in such a way that it is as much an account of institutional history as it is also a narrative about a man whose trajectory is being inextricably woven into the story of an institution of state as well.

I met Bashir Adewale Adeniyi the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) nearly 15 years ago, at a management retreat for senior and middle level customs officers where he was a participant. In the course of the two modules I took during the programme, I noticed how he blended into the landscape in a peculiar sort of way. Alert, unobtrusive, calmly and seemingly casual, but with a subdued air or seriousness and a friendly disposition that was also always scrutinizing the world.

He did not raise too many, or even, questions during the retreat. But he took notes. Selective notes, that is; whenever something struck him in the course of the various presentations. He was thoroughly attentive, but without seeming too absorbed like a bookworm. I said to my colleague, as I was leaving the weeklong event on the third day: “That other one with a staid and unforced composure is likely to one day become the Comptroller of Customs”. My colleague chuckled and asked why. When I replied that there was something about him that suggested such a career path, and also that he must be good at “organized engagements, without any sense, or air, of panic or trepidation”, my colleague accused me of “excessive grammar”, and we left the matter at that. 

I took notice when Adeniyi routinely outperformed many who had served as spokespersons of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) before him. I noticed when he was announced Comptroller General of the NCS. I also noticed when the Service embarked on the installation of scanners with a 200 containers clearance per hour capacity, under his watch.

I wrote about it on this page, on June 8, saying: “This will certainly address the problem of port congestion and drive efficiency, while putting an end to the nightmare (well, including daymare) of importers and clearing agents. One thing is clear in this regard: The Custom’s Trade Facilitation Programme of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, is yielding something worth looking forward to. Nigeria Customs is working in collaboration with Trade Modernisation Project Limited on this infrastructural intervention”.

Then, last week and from nowhere, Kabir Abdulsalam and Mariam Umar Na’Allah came out with a book detailing Wale Adeniyi’s responsible application of the principles of professional public relations in the management of a public organization. The book, titled, Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management, answers the following questions to a good measure: (1) Who is Wale Adeniyi? (2) How did he improve stakeholder engagement as Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service? (3) To what extent can public relations skills, experience within the system and understanding of global best practices in custom administration be brought to bear on the life of a decades-old organization in a VUCA world? (4) What difference can effective management, crisis communication skills, the lobbying of decision makers, CSR initiatives, and reputation management make in the remaking of a government agency?

Using Adeniyi as a peg, the book offers the reader detailed insights into how to be successful as a leader with a Public Relations orientation. The reader who actually uses the publication as a manual for professional success in the public relation industry will be a success story. The authors insist that Adeniyi simply deployed his training in relationship management and his grasp of the dynamics of the sector, guided by sectoral and global best practices and they gave good reasons for their submission.

While the book successfully showcases the journey of one man as well as the journey of an organization under a new vision, it also shows how what Adeniyi had learnt over the years as an insider gave him the very foundation he needed for crafting and driving sustainable organizational reengineering. He made public perception management a uniquely essential component of responsible office holding. Thus, this book of 12 chapters offers the reader valuable insights, tips and professional best practices for PR professionals, using the endeavours of a seasoned practitioner as reference.

Part of what the authors set out to achieve in this book, and which they achieved in the first chapter, was to show the importance of stakeholder engagement and how the new CG of Customs adopted this approach as a tool for trust building and border community engagement. The authors also showed how this same tool and method eventually became instruments for the strengthening of regional relations under the new CG.

The PR lesson from this, especially the CGs endeavour to strike a balance between national security and trade facilitation speaks volumes about his capacity for strategic engagement while at a very sensitive duty post. The summary of those lessons is captured for the reader in this paragraph in chapter 1: “Effective stakeholder engagement positively influences organizational, outcomes, such as innovation, learning, sustainability practices, and other accomplishments”.

Chapters two and three of the book deal with media relations and press releases, as leadership, communication and organizational branding tools. The authors drew from history, and from the experiences of other nations, to drive home the relevance, significance and impact of media relations, including Adeniyi’s deployment of media visitations as a leader. Anyone who wishes to draw useful lessons about speech writing, rejoinder writing, feature/opining articles and more to look more closely at this chapter.

Chapters 4 and 5 x-ray for the reader the meaning of event management and event design, such that an essential point about the subject matter of the chapter is captured thus: “PR and event management require creativity, communication, coordination and context awareness”. And chapter 5 drives home some vital lessons on building an online persona, among other things. One of the vital lessons here, especially with regards to the positive impact of PR on NCS under Adeniyi, is captured thus in chapter 5: “…the NCS has achieved remarkable milestones in its digital presence and public engagements…”.

The sixth chapter, which deals with crisis communication, has these to tell us: (1), Get a clear understanding of what the issues are, their scope and likely impact, before you engage; (2) Secure management and/or leadership approval before taking any issue into the public domain; (3) Build trust through transparency and empathetic interpersonal relations; and (4) Ensure that there is a designated spokesperson who is trained, responsible and accessible, to handle all public engagements.

Chapters 7 and 8 deal with lobbying and CSR, respectively. Chapter 8 is important for anyone who wishes to garner useful insights into CSR as a strategic imperative and the role of CSR in community relations, especially what is written there about the “Three Categories of Good Neighbours” and the shift from CSR to responsible business strategy.

Chapter 9 of Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management, gives you practically everything you wish to know about reputation, reputation management, and how NCS used the pillars of reputation asset to make so much difference under its current CG. The tools for this include the inhouse publications circulars, official website, Nigeria customs broadcasting network (NCBN).

Here is the authors’ submission about the impact of these publications on NCS: “The strategic function of in-house publications within the Custom Service has transformed the organization’s communication landscape, fostering internal cohesion, building transparency, and trust in the public, showcasing achievements and innovations, humanizing leadership and engaging various stakeholders”.

The questions thrown up by this book, and answered for the reflective reader who sees beyond the mere narrative about the CG of Customs, include the following: (1) How does a PR professional take up hard core leadership and management position and function seamlessly in this new capacity? (2) What lines of action are open to an innovative leader who meets the pressures of the moment armed only with good ideas about love for country and knowledge of his sector? The answer to these questions lies in the book we are presenting here today.

That answers lies at the very core of what Adeniyi started, and is still doing, at NCS. Good intentions will always have a bumpy ride when the terrain is made up of competing, diverse and even dangerously domineering interests and orientations. The authors have taken us through one man’s personal journey, as well as his experiences; guided by his own competence, his resilience and his creative imagination. They have also shown how this one man’s journey has become the journey of an organization in the company of an organization.

Kabir Abdulsalam and Mariam Umar Na’Allah’s Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management, offers measurable and verifiable assertions about various aspects of PR, management and public administration. The book gives those who wish to travel on this road a road map and a guide. The observations, insights, and suggestions in the book are not at variance with the submissions of industry players and stakeholders in both the public relations profession and the regulatory agencies subsector.

The major submissions of the book are easily relatable and experience-confirmed independently. The book is, at once, an account of the trajectory of the CG of NCS and also a good profiling of what to do in an organization to make a difference; using professional PR principles and sectoral and industry knowledge. 

The compact book, Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management, should be put out in the public domain for PR students and practitioners. Well-meaning individuals and organizations should purchase and generously donate as many copies as possible to faculties of mass communication, business and public administration. The book should also be considered a useful and relatable literature for the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Administrative Staff college of Nigeria (ASCON), the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) and other high calibre human capital development and leadership institutions and organizations.

I consider this book a good self-advertisement for the authors and the publishers and I congratulate them for it. Their capturing of the essential PR lessons at the end of every chapter of the work is a novel and arresting encapsulation of the vitals of every segment of the book. The book shows how to lead by relating in a sustainable way

QUOTE

it is easy to say that this is not the time to talk about the head of any institution of State at all. But not when a book is written about the person in such a way that it is as much an account of institutional history as it is also a narrative about a man whose trajectory is being inextricably woven into the story of an institution of state as well.