General
2023: CNPP, CSOs Give Emefiele April 21 Deadline to Resign or….
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Some political parties in the country and civil society organisations are threatening a showdown with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, over his alleged intention to contest for the post of president of the country in 2023.
There have been rumours that the CBN chief is planning to rule the country next year under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the national convention of the party last month, his campaign posters adorned the venue of the exercise in Abuja, causing many to raise an eyebrow because he should be non-partisan, increasing calls for his resignation.
Worried by the precedence his action may create, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and others have concluded plans to occupy the CBN headquarters in Abuja until Mr Emefiele resigns or denounces his purported presidential ambition and halts the activities of his support groups who they claimed are sources of distraction to his duties.
In a joint statement issued in Abuja by the Secretary-General of CNPP, Mr Willy Ezugwu and the National Secretary of the Coalition Of National Civil Society Organisations, Mr Ali Abacha, the groups noted that their “action has become necessary to save the Nigerian economy from total collapse.”
Giving reasons for the move, they said “it has become imperative to minimize the stress on the economy and to ensure that the relevant laws in the country are respected to the letter.”
According to them, “Section 9 of the CBN Act, 2007, clearly stated that The Governor and the Deputy Governors shall devote the WHOLE OF THEIR TIME TO THE SERVICE OF THE BANK and While Holding Office Shall Not Engage In Any Full Or Part-Time Employment Or Vocation Whether Remunerated Or Not except such personal or charitable causes as may be determined by the Board and Which Do Not Conflict With Or Detract From Their Full-Time Duties…”
“Evidently, the law that established the CBN had foreseen that any iota of distraction or divided attention, however minimal, can spell doom for Nigeria’s economy, particularly with the deafening level of obviously sponsored clamour by different groups urging the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele to join the presidential race. It is clear that this is a source of distraction for the Governor of CBN at this time.
“Secondly, an important institution like the CBN should NEVER be headed by politically ambitious persons and it was for this reason that the CBN Act stipulated that The Governor and Deputy-Governors shall be persons of recognized financial experience… and not politicians of recognized political experience.
“Finally, if Mr Godwin Emefiele, who is eminently qualified to run for president, wishes to pursue a political career, Section 11(3) of the Act prescribed that The Governor or any Deputy Governor may resign his office by giving at least three months’ notice in writing to the President of his intention to do so…
“The question is, has the CBN governor transmitted a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari notifying him of his intention to leave office in three months from the date of the notice?
“We, therefore, call on the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele to immediately resign or publicly denounce his purported presidential ambition and order groups causing a distraction to the performance of his full-time duties to stop forthwith.
“He should immediately authorize relevant government agencies to clean up his posters which are conspicuously displayed around the CBN headquarters, in other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and in most cities across the country.
“If these are not, by Thursday, April 21, the CNPP in conjunction with the civil society coalition will be occupying the CBN headquarters until Mr Emefiele resigns or denounces the purported distracting ongoing 2023 presidential campaign on his behalf by groups.
“It is noteworthy to state that the Nigerian economy has suffered enough stress, while the cost of living is becoming much more unbearable for the masses, and further distraction of the CBN governor’s full-time duties as stipulated by law will be strongly challenged on all fronts from April 21, 2022, since section 9 of the CBN Act 2007 (as amended) is unambiguous.
“We wish to reiterate that Mr Godwin Emefiele is eminently qualified to run for president of Nigeria but it has to be in absolute compliance with the laws of the land, especially the sections 8, 9 and 11 of the CBN Act 2007 (As amended)”, the CNPP and the CNCSOs stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Leading power management company, Eaton Nigeria, has advocated the regulation of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas usage in electrical power distribution networks.
This call was made during the company’s Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition and Conference 2022, an event that connects the Nigerian utility industry.
The event which was organised by Vertex Global services saw the participation of experts and exhibitors from over 20 countries.
The gathering enabled global stakeholders to access engaging technical discussions, on-the-spot assessment of the region’s opportunities in power generation, distribution, renewables, and water & utility sectors; as well as exhibitions from leading local and international suppliers.
During his presentation on the topic, A Call to Action on the ‘dirtiest’ greenhouse gas in clean energy, Mr Charles Iyo, Regional Sales Manager Eaton West Africa said “Sulphur hexafluoride gas which is used in the production of most switchgears remains one of the world’s potent greenhouse gases that adversely affect the environment. 1kg of SF6 is equivalent to 23,500 Kg of CO2 in global warming potential, and each unit of switchgear is estimated to use 2.5 kg of SF6 gas; which makes it devastatingly dangerous to the climate.”
“Government in Africa, especially Nigeria needs to take proactive measures such as implementing new regulations to ban the use of SF6 Gas in switchgear production. Also, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders need to collaborate and elevate industry practice and policies to implement the use of SF6 free technology thereby creating a safe and sustainable future,” he added.
Mr Iyo further highlighted SF6-free alternatives that could positively combat climate change, saying the adoption of vacuum technology is considered a safe, compact and reliable alternative to SF6 gas in the production of switchgears.
Eaton has been at the forefront of advocating the elimination of SF6 gas globally. The power management company pioneered SF₆ free medium voltage switchgear production in 1960 with Magnefix, a compact solution for distribution system operators.
The various range of SF6 free switchgears are produced with environmentally friendly technology in comparison with the methods used by many other suppliers, which use SF6 as insulation gas.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Leading supplier and distributor of refined petroleum products, OVH Energy Marketing, has rewarded its top-performing lubricant distributors for their outstanding performance at a presentation ceremony held in Lagos.
During the presentation ceremony which happened at Aspamda Market, two qualified distributors who each sold over 1 million litres of lubricants were recognized in line with the management’s commitment to award deserving distributors.
Chucorl Nigeria Limited and Ade De Young Auto Limited, who met and exceeded the set target in the distribution of OLEUM lubricants, were awarded OLEUM branded trucks at the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, OVH Energy Marketing, Huub Stokman posited that the ceremony was organized to reward top-performing distributors as well as inspire others through their exemplary feats.
“Our distinctive progress as the leading downstream oil and gas company is built on the commendable dedication and support of our partners as well as the contributions of our staff. I applaud the awardees and other OLEUM distributors for their diligence and resourcefulness in making sure that the OLEUM range of lubricants remains a market leader,” he said.
“Oleum is a product made in Nigeria, by Nigerians, for Nigerians. Our dream is to formulate the best lubricant available in the Nigerian market at a very affordable price. The hard work of our partners continues to contribute immensely to the growth of the organization and for that we are thankful,” he continued.
Commenting at the presentation ceremony, Mr Lateef Adeleke, owner Ade De Young Auto Ltd., an awardee said “I appreciate the company for this initiative to reward distributors with branded trucks. Rewarding deserving distributors with the branded trucks is a thoughtful initiative from OVH Energy Marketing.”
On his part, Mr Oliver Jacob, CEO Chucorl Oil and Gas Limited said “This acknowledgement from OVH Energy Marketing is indeed an incentive to do even more. The trucks will be valuable in strengthening our supply chain and meeting our increasing consumer demand.”
In recent years, OVH Energy Marketing has embarked on diverse empowerment initiatives such as the OLEUM Academy and the Mechanic Oleum Reseller Enterprise Initiative.
OLEUM academy has impacted over 5,000 individuals nationwide through the provision of automotive mechatronics, lubrication, and entrepreneurship training.
The Mechanic Oleum Reseller Enterprise Initiative is an avenue for auto-technicians to boost their income through the sales of lubricants in their workshop.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Lamido Yuguda, has again emphasised that the current infrastructure deficiency in Nigeria can be solved with the help of the capital market.
While addressing the new executives of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) in Abuja over the weekend, he said all that was needed was for the government to partner with the private sector to bridge the infrastructure gap by approaching the capital market for funding.
“We have a huge infrastructural deficit in the country like insufficient power, lack of good roads among others. We want our country to have good infrastructure and I know this is possible with the help of the capital market and other stakeholders.
“It requires adequate planning and financing and we can achieve it as a nation. The capital market through the private sector can fund road construction while the government focuses on other issues,” the SEC DG said, appealing to the relevant stakeholders to cooperate with the agency to achieve this goal.
He also said for the capital market to attain full potential, all stakeholders need to ensure they carry out their functions with integrity and fairness in a bid to restore investor confidence.
Mr Yuguda acknowledged CIS as a key partner in the commission’s regulation of the market, assuring that the SEC would continue to provide the needed support.
“On behalf of the Board and staff. We will give you all possible co-operation you desire to make your job easy. We are here to support this market and make it the market we all desire,” he said.
The SEC boss stated that derivatives trading has commenced for people who want to manage their risk, adding that the SEC is working to increase the literacy of Nigerians so they can take better decisions.
“The future for this country is bright and we have the young population to push it. We can have a much better standard of living than we have now and we hope you will continue to give a lot to the market.
“We are committed to any initiative that will further spur the growth of the capital market. We also have a review of the ISA bill pending at the National Assembly and that bill has a lot that will revitalize this market,” he added.
In his remarks, the President of CIS, Mr Oluwole Adeosun, commended the SEC for the relationship that exists between the Commission and the Institute and thanked the Management for always supporting the organisation.
“Thank you always because you have embraced the institute and made it clear that you desire a very harmonious relationship and we are happy about it.
“You have shown this in your actions since you came into office and we appreciate you for all your efforts, we pray that investors benefit greatly from their investments in the capital market. Thank you for all your support to the CIS Bill,” he said.
The former President of CIS, Mr Olatunde Amolegbe, also thanked the DG for the efforts the management has been making to support the CIS, adding that the institute has been able to function effectively due to the support of the SEC.
