Within minutes of the release of the video of President Bola Tinubu signing the students’ loan bill into law, it was trending on Twitter as was the name of Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, who sponsored the bill in his former life as Speaker.

Apart from the Nigeria Maritime University which was charging N81,500 per semester in 2019 – the highest in a federal university – the average tuition is about N45,000. State universities charge between N60,000 and N120,000, while polytechnics and colleges of education charge less of course, but only slightly less than federal universities.

Strangely, the word, “tuition,” does not exist in the bills of public universities. In the make-believe world of officialdom, tuition is “free,” in the sort of way that salvation is free, but the message is delivered at a cost. Universities still charge under sundry headings like acceptance fees, departmental charges, course registration, result verification and so on, but shy away from calling it tuition.

Private universities are in a class of their own. A number of them charge fees almost comparable to those in schools in neighbouring countries, particularly Ghana, a favourite destination of middle-class Nigerian families.

But the bulk of higher education students — in fact, about 90 percent according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) — are in public schools. Out of the 110 private higher institutions, only about two or three, particularly Covenant and Afe Babalola universities, are able to fill their quota. The rest are struggling.

If public institutions of higher learning are charging about N90,000, a fraction of what even those below middle class pay for their children in private secondary schools (increasingly the place of choice for Nigerians across income levels), it would seem rather awkward, if not ridiculous, that they’re unwilling to pay more for higher education.

In an article in ThisDay last September 23, former pro-chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Lawson A. Omokhodion, said he believed that a typical public university could survive on tuition fees of N250,000 per session, whereas universities currently receive only about one-third of that as fees.

How, therefore, can students’ loans be justified under this unsustainable cost structure? I think it can, but not at the scale contemplated by the new law. And certainly not within the existing structure of the public university system. With a few exceptions, the public university system is no longer fit for purpose. The system is retrograde, stifling and underperforming. 

Pouring resources into the system as it currently is, whether directly, or indirectly through infusion of students’ loans, is throwing good money after bad. I’m aware that long-established systems are difficult to dismantle. But the present economic difficulties make it foolish to turn a blind eye to structural changes for temporary political benefits.

Nigeria has 49 federal universities, 59 state-government-owned universities and 110 private universities. The first two categories are underperforming and overwhelmed. It’s difficult to say exactly how much of it is a funding or management problem.

For example, federal allocations to Nigeria’s top 10 federal universities in 2023 range from N25.84 billion to Ahmadu Bello University, to N22.37 billion to the University of Lagos; and from N19.28 billion to the University of Ibadan to N14.31 billion to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Yet, the bulk of these sums can hardly cover overheads, a malaise that tends to highlight corruption and sheer lack of imagination.

A number of private universities are glorified secondary schools. On top of the pie sits the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), a federal bureaucracy that struggles to find its left from its right. Except the system is fixed – and quickly – the students’ loan would at best be a waste or at worst an enabler for producing more garbage. 

Students’ loan is not new in Nigeria, and is quite different from bursary which is still provided by a number of states for indigenes, and is not repayable. Some states even provide scholarships for students in specific areas of need. The students’ loan board was set up by Yakubu Gowon’s government in 1974 to provide loans to students repayable after 20 years of graduation. At the time, the loans were disbursed to students through the universities.

Beneficiaries of state or federal government bursaries were excluded from the loans, which targeted the poorest of the poor. But then there were only six federal government universities with an estimated total student population in 1970/71 of about 16,000. 

In 1993, the military promulgated a decree to establish the Nigeria Education Bank and eight years later the university autonomy bill was passed, which was supposed to unleash the creative capacity of the schools, but sadly this has not been the case.

The state of our universities reminds me of what Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, once told university administrators at a time when he had to tackle Israel’s backwardness and unleash its innovative and creative spirit. 

“Even though I have the utmost respect for the study of humanities,” he said, “If I had to share government shekel between Tibetan poetry and microelectronics, I would have no hesitation putting the money in the latter.” Nigeria’s institutions of higher learning, especially public universities, have lost their way, led astray by the military, politicians, and sadly, university administrators, too.

For a start, the federal university system has to be dismantled and reduced to only two or three per zone, at least one of which should be devoted to STEM, the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The rest can be taken up by either state governments who wish to do so and can afford it or may reorganise into autonomous units for teaching special skills. It’s only after such a restructuring that students’ loans can make any significant long-term impact. And the loan cannot and should not be for all courses, as is contemplated in the current law.

It should be restricted to only students in any of the STEM courses rather than making it an all-comers affair. Also, as it was in the Gowon era, and for wider coverage, beneficiaries of bursary should be excluded and universities must start charging tuition and betting on outstanding STEM students and innovators. 

The financial threshold for the students’ loans should also be adjusted from applicants/families earning less than N500,000 yearly to those earning N720,000 or less. Over time, schools with a demonstrable capacity to attract higher endowments could get slightly more than others.

I find it difficult to understand the rationale for having the Education Bank branches in all 36 states of the country as proposed by the law, if the loans will be disbursed through the schools to the students. With a strong ICT backbone, the country does not need more than two branches of the bank at this time. 

Boards of the numerous parastatals, MDAs and commissions are some of the major public sector waste pipes. We don’t need another 12-member board with all the costs attached to compound our misery.

I understand the temptation among politicians to milk every opportunity, including this one. The branches would yet be fresh dumping grounds for incompetents dispatched by politicians either to fill quotas or to settle IOUs. The danger in multiplying branches, however, is that they would also multiply bureaucracy, inefficiency and sooner than later, we might be spending funds set aside for students’ loans to service overheads.

The bank board should be leaner. I honestly do not know what the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are doing there, whereas the National Association of Nigerian Students is excluded. It doesn’t make sense.

The law is a good start but needs to be saved from the surrounding ruins to be useful to students and serviceable to the schools.

** Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP

Getting ahead in today’s competitive world means striving for excellence. In order to achieve excellence, a work culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and high standards must be fostered intentionally. Wiaht...

Getting ahead in today's competitive world means striving for excellence. In order to achieve excellence, a work culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and high standards must be fostered intentionally.

Wiaht that said, here are the key steps to building an organization of excellence.

1. Clarify your vision and values.

Building a culture of excellence begins with establishing a vision. Why is that? Having a clear vision and understanding of your own values will motivate your employees and encourage a more productive workplace.

Moreover, this vision should be accompanied by a set of requirements for employees' behavior and attitude. Additionally, communicate this vision and values consistently to all of your employees.

Is there a way for you to clarify your vision? Keep these pointers in mind:

Your vision shouldn't be a destination, it should be a series of small steps that will lead you there.

Focus on a simple vision. Ideally, you should be able to convey your company's vision in less than 100 words.

Visions shouldn't include unachievable goals. You will be disappointed when you don't reach your goals, which is demoralizing for you and your employees. Instead, establish realistic objectives.

You should set very specific goals for employees and yourself.

As your vision evolves, you should reflect that in your vision statement. Review your progress and distance from your targets every few months.

2. Take the lead.

Inevitably, the leaders of an organization shape the culture of the organization. Leading by example is the best way to demonstrate your values and behaviors. A leader sets high standards, demonstrates excellence in their work, and demonstrates self-discipline.

As Albert Schweitzer said, "The three most important ways to lead people are:… by example… by example… by example."

In short, when leaders strive for excellence, an organization can achieve excellence.

3. Hire the right people at the right time.

Even though it may seem obvious, I cannot stress enough how important it is to hire the right people for your team. That means hiring employees who care about your startup's mission and who will engage at work is ideal. As a result, these people will be your top net promoters and will sustain your growth.

According to Marc Benioff, Founder of Salesforce, "the secret to successful hiring is this: look for the people who want to change the world."

In addition, hire only the people you need. Another way to put it is to avoid over- or under-staffing. To keep them on board, make sure you have the budget to do so. After all, the idea of job insecurity is not appealing to anyone.

If you hire one person to do the work of two people, do not overburden them with responsibilities. You'll lose them if you don't.

4. Growing fast increases your employee turnover rate.

A company experiencing rapid growth may experience instability and uncertainty. Often, the original team becomes managers as they are split up, and new teams are formed.

The result? The workload is larger and more complex. Eventually, this can lead to feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Using anxiety to your advantage is possible, such as helping you solve problems. When it becomes prolonged and intense, it interferes with daily life.

5. Make learning a priority.

Continuous learning should be encouraged. For example, you can enhance your team's professional development through online courses, in-person workshops, or mentorship.

It is also possible to provide them with challenging opportunities and guide them as necessary. In addition, instead of viewing mistakes as failures, promote a learning environment. Collaboration, feedback, and knowledge sharing are also important components of the process.

When you value learning, you generally encourage innovation, creativity, and excellence.

6. Provide your employees with flexibility.

There is no greater importance than family and health. Flexibility with work schedules is important to take care of both. An astounding 94% of employees want flexibility in their work schedules, according to a Slack survey.

An example of this might be giving someone the benefit of the doubt if they have to work from home to care for a sick child. You may also give your team the option of working from home two or three days a week. Or, you could let them set their own schedule.

7. Let go of your small ambitions.

Being a leader is more important than being a boss. In addition, cultivate leaders by giving them credit and rewarding them. And make sure you build up the right individuals so that your team can surpass you.

When a leader is generous, innovation and creativity thrive.

8. Remove "not in my job description" from their vocabulary.

There are times when employees are forced to do things that aren't part of their responsibilities. A true team player, however, is one who is able to roll up their sleeves and pitch in when a task requires teamwork.

There is no doubt that each person should have a specific responsibility. There are, however, times when these neat boundaries cannot be maintained.

Encourage your team to pull together and reward them for their efforts. Create a culture of helping others rather than standing back and watching the chaos unfold.

9. Establish clear expectations for performance.

Make sure all employees know what is expected of them. You can develop measurable goals and objectives aligned with the organization's vision and values. In addition, provide constructive feedback to employees regularly about these expectations.

And, again, encourage employees to strive for continuous improvement by rewarding achievements that demonstrate excellence.

10. Ensure accountability.

Accountability is crucial to achieving excellence. That means you should encourage your employees to take responsibility for their work and results. Build an accountability culture in which individuals take responsibility for their actions.

How can you accomplish this? You must hold employees accountable for meeting their commitments and delivering quality work. You should provide support and resources to help your employees understand the consequences of failing to meet expectations.

11. Be careful not to micromanage.

Don't micromanage your employees. Instead, trust them by granting them autonomy.

Basically, it means giving employees the flexibility to work in the way that works best for them. In your organization, this might mean allowing them to choose their work hours or setting their own deadlines for projects and tasks.

As a result, they will become more creative and productive. Additionally, you will have more time to devote to the things that are important to you or the business.

12. Don't just stand there…take action.

To be a great leader, one must grow personally and professionally. In the absence of vision, stagnation occurs.

Leading involves prioritizing and ensuring everyone on her team is on the same page. Remember, as a leader, you are always moving forward.

For instance, maybe you just read a book that helped you improve your communication skills. You could pass this information along to your team.

13. Communication and collaboration should be emphasized.

A culture of excellence requires an environment that is collaborative and open. Engage in cross-functional collaboration, and encourage knowledge sharing among team members. In order to communicate concerns, ideas, and suggestions by employees, they should be given a channel.

Also, actively listen to their feedback to involve them in the decision-making process. The higher the employee's sense of worth and empowerment, the more likely they will give their best effort.

14. Celebrate your successes.

The accomplishments of the team and the individual should be recognized and celebrated. By publicly recognizing and appreciating employees for their exceptional contributions, employees will feel pride and achievement.

In addition to celebrating individual achievements, an organization should also celebrate its collective achievements. To encourage others to do the same, sharing success stories and best practices regularly is important.

15. Be a pioneer.

You cannot build a culture of excellence if you settle for mediocrity. By doing this, leaders can create something unprecedented, break records, and achieve results that have never been achieved before.

In order to accomplish this, Eric Christopher suggests in Entrepreneur that you do the following:

Add a unique perspective to a product or service. "Meaningful innovation does not need to be based on outright invention," says innovation and strategy development expert Gabor George Burt. "Rather, there is an exhilarating shortcut. It is based on bold, new combinations of already existing components that simultaneously unlock heightened levels of consumer value and reduce costs."

Introduce a new industry in your area. It is highly likely that others will follow a successful business when it serves a new demographic or geographic area. It is generally these early pioneers who prioritize these underserved markets who achieve significant brand loyalty and achieve the greatest level of success.

Invest in sustainable business practices. Sustainable business practices have become many entrepreneurs' key tenant, or even the primary focus. In the startup world, everything from the Internet of Things devices for homeowners to pay increases to food delivery drivers who use electric or hybrid vehicles is being addressed.

FAQsWhat is company culture?

Company culture is a set of shared values, attitudes, behaviors, and standards. Basically, it's about people's work experience and how that aligns with the external brand and messaging.

Ultimately, a company's culture determines what it's like to work there every day. As a result of good company culture, employees are engaged, committed, and excited to come to work every day. This includes new employees and leaders alike.

Cultures with clear expectations are healthy. Teams are expected to behave in certain ways, such as how they approach work, why it's important, and how they treat one another. Furthermore, the company's values and vision align with how they manifest in the workplace.

Why is company culture important?

For your business to thrive, you must first, ensure that your employees are happy. The culture of your company is crucial to ensuring a positive employee experience and a successful business.

A happy workforce. Those who feel closely aligned with the culture of their employer are likely to be more comfortable and happier at work.

Employees have a sense of belonging. Creating a sense of belonging within a company comes naturally when employees share similar beliefs, so a company's culture shouldn't dictate how a company hires.

Teams are more productive. A motivated and productive employee is one who shares the company's goals and values.

A good working relationship between employees and managers. Cohesive company cultures reduce conflict and increase collaboration by bringing managers and workers together.

Keeping employees on board. It is less expensive to hire and train new employees if employees feel a strong sense of belonging at a company.

Increased opportunity to attract qualified employees. You are more likely tofind qualified employees who share your core values if your company's core values are more specific.

How do you build a company culture?

Would you like to improve the company culture in your organization? Start with your employees from the ground up. According to employees, a great workplace culture consists of six essential elements:

Purpose

Opportunity

Success

Appreciation

Well-being

Leadership

We call them talent magnets because they attract people to your organization and inspire them to do meaningful work. A thriving company culture can be built by focusing on these six areas and doing them well.

Ultimately, a great company culture is one that invests in its employees' success, happiness, and well-being. In addition to feeling better at work, the investment can also help employees advance in their careers.

What is a culture of excellence?

When you create a culture of excellence, you aim for excellence and do not settle for average results. By breaking records and achieving unprecedented results, we can create something that has never been created before.

To achieve this, leaders should prioritize the following characteristics:

Create a sense of meaning and purpose for employees.

Motivate employees to perform well.

Clearly define your goals.

Be open to growth, challenges, and change.

Embrace the pioneer mentality.

Entrepreneur

Suspended chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has submitted himself for interrogation by Nigeria’s secret police, the State Security Service (SSS).

This followed an earlier “invitation” of Bawa by the SSS a few hours after President Bola Tinubu suspended him on Wednesday.

“The invitation relates to some investigative activities concerning him,” Peter Afunanya, Public Relations Officer of SSS, said in a statement.

The SSS’ statement, which was tweeted via the agency’s Twitter handle at 10.48 pm on Wednesday, said Bawa “arrived for interrogation a few hours ago.

Bawa presumably honoured the invitation at the SSS headquarters in Abuja from where Afunaya issued his statement on Wednesday.

It came about two weeks after a confrontation between SSS and EFCC over their shared building in Lagos.

SSS operatives blocked EFCC staff members from resuming work in the building in the hours-long stand-off on 30 May.

It took the directive of Tinubu, who was barely a day old as president, for SSS operatives to allow EFCC staff to access the building.

Earlier on Wednesday, office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) had said in a statement signed by Willie Bassey, Director of Information, said the EFCC boss’ suspension resulted from “weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.”

Without giving details of the allegations against Bawa, the statement said the anti-graft official needed to step aside “to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.”

According to the statement, Bawa has been directed to “immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the office of the Chairman of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation.”

The specific allegations that Bawa is being investigated cannot be confirmed yet.

Last month, immediate-past governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, accused Bawa of demanding $2 million as a bribe from him.

But the EFCC denied Matawalle’s allegation.

The anti-corruption agency in May revealed that Matawalle was being investigated by it for a N70 billion fraud.

Leadership succession at the EFCC since its inception in 2003 has always been steeped in controversies.

In 2021, Bawa took the helm at the commission under similar circumstances after his predecessor, Ibrahim Magu, was suspended from office by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, over allegations of corruption.

Bawa became the second major appointee of former President Muhammadu Buhari to be suspended by Tinubu.

PT

Naira plunged to a record low as officials look set to phase out currency controls that have distorted Africa’s biggest economy for years.

The naira slid 21% to be indicated at 600 per dollar, in the biggest decline since a devaluation in 2016, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The stock market and government bonds surged as investors welcomed the prospect for the latest in a series of reforms by President Bola Tinubu.

A discussion on letting the currency trade more freely is ongoing at the central bank, a senior banking official told Bloomberg on Wednesday, asking not to be named because the deliberations were private. Directives on the currency could be issued later today or at the latest tomorrow, the person said.

The central bank didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Supply & Demand

Local banks are already being told that going forward, the naira’s exchange rate against the dollar will be determined through supply and demand rather than by the central bank, another senior banking official said. The bankers had said they were expecting a strong depreciation of the naira at the official spot window.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the authorities would let the currency move entirely freely or usher in a more limited move via devaluation with some controls remaining in place. All the same, analysts greeted the report as heralding another step in the right direction for the economy since Tinubu’s election.

“This is absolutely the right decision and a reality check that the country needs, highlighting how the new leadership means business,” said Simon Quijano-Evans, chief economist at Gemcorp Capital Management in London.

Nigeria’s government bonds extended gains, having already surged earlier this week after the surprise weekend ouster of central bank Governor Godwin Emefiele. Emefiele’s removal was adding to signs that Tinubu is moving quickly to reset policies blamed for crippling the economy. The notes maturing in 2051 gained 2 cents on the dollar to 74, compared with around 70 last week. 

Nigeria’s benchmark stock index rallied more than 3%. The potential changes in economic policy should help boost output in the longer term by freeing up budgetary resources and making the economy run smoother, Quijano-Evans wrote in a note.

Black Market

“Mid-term, the increase in efficiency should also help revive growth if the government is able to tackle corruption,” Quijano-Evans said.

Liberalization of the naira under a new presidential administration was expected, but the depth of the drop on Wednesday was surprising, said Mark Bohlund, a senior credit research analyst at REDD Intelligence. 

“My expectation was for a smaller downward shift now and for the naira to end up closer to NGN750/USD by the end of the year,” Bohlund said. “The devaluation will help the federal government to better balance its books as it is still highly dependent on USD-linked oil revenue while spending is in naira.”

Under Emefiele, Nigeria’s central bank offered the US dollar through several windows at tightly controlled rates, with little liquidity, to businesses and individuals. 

That forced many to the black market, where the dollar traded more freely but at about a 60% premium to the official rate. 

Wale Edun, an influential member of Tinubu’s advisory board, told Bloomberg by phone on Monday that the unification of exchange rates was “imminent.” Folashodun Shonubi, a deputy governor in charge of operations at the bank, has been acting as governor since Emefiele’s ouster on Friday. 

Bloomberg

The biting scarcity of dollars may force some airlines to shut down operation any time from now, Daily Trust can report.

Though the scarcity has always crippled airline operations, it got worse recently with many airlines finding it extremely difficult to continue operations as they are unable to source for dollars to pay for aircraft maintenance.

No fewer than 10 aircraft belonging to local operators are in different maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities abroad as they are unable to source for dollars to pay for the cost of maintenance.

An average C-check costs $1m (about N750m at N750/$) and it could be more depending on the extent of the check to be carried out on an aircraft.

One of the operators who spoke with our correspondent yesterday said at least one or two airlines may suspend operations soon if the forex crisis did not subside.

Checks by our correspondent yesterday revealed that Azman Air had suspended most of its domestic routes as its aircraft were undergoing maintenance and they are yet to arrive owing to the scarcity of dollars.

The source said, “I can tell you many airlines are facing acute dollar shortage. We can’t access dollars to buy spare and fulfil other obligations. Airlines are currently grounding operations because we feel it is better to ground operations than to compromise safety. Safety of passengers is very paramount and this is also the advice of the regulatory authority, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).”

Our correspondent learnt that the current development may lead to further increase in air fares.

“Airlines are already paying more to get forex at the black market for spare parts and maintenance. Now that the naira has been devalued and coupled with this unified exchange rate, we only hope we would have more access to dollars but imagine paying over N700 for one dollar, it means the operation cost of airlines would go up again.”

Another operator who spoke with our correspondent stated that several requests to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for dollars could not be met.

Speaking with our correspondent yesterday, Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Ado Sanusi stated that while airlines had been managing the scarcity, the industry has become extremely hit by the forex crisis in recent times.

“You know dollars cut across a lot of variables in aviation- the Jet A1, the spare parts, the leasing, and MRO and sometimes even payment of salaries to expat staff. So there is a lot of things that have affected the profitability of airlines in Nigeria because of this dollar.

“But we are happy with this unified dollar exchange as the banks are free to trade as we are reading. We hope that by the time this is fully implemented, it would actually assist us in getting some relief. You know we are dealing with availability and the pricing.”

Daily Trust

Nigeria's banking index surged 23% to a more than 20-year high on Wednesday, as investors snapped up financial firms for the second day following last week's suspension of central bank governor Godwin Emefiele, who oversaw restrictive policies.

Nigeria's top 10 banking index jumped 134.8 points to 706.86 points by 1008 GMT to lift the All-share index up 1.86%.

Sterling Bank gained the maximum 10% allowed on the bourse. UBA and Access Corporation climbed more than 9%.

Reuters

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Nigeria data protection bill into law.

Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), announced the signing of the bill at a workshop in Abuja on Tuesday.

The legislation allows for the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to replace the NDPB.

The commission is expected to protect citizens’ private information and be independent.

The legislation will be headed by a national commissioner with the responsibility of regulating the processing of personal information.

The legislation allows Nigerians to seek redress from any form of data breach.

The law stipulates that citizens’ personal data is “processed in a fair, lawful and accountable manner”.

On April 4, former President Muhammadu Buhari asked the national assembly to consider and pass the bill.

The former president had premised his request on section 58(2) of the constitution.

“Pursuant to section 58, sub-section 2 of the 1999 constitution as amended, I forward herewith the Nigeria data protection bill for consideration and approval of by the senate,” Buhari had said in the letter.

The  Cable

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, informed the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja that INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, has been evading service of a subpoena on him.

Obi wants Yakubu to testify before the five-member panel of the court concerning his petition challenging President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the 25 February election.

His claim that Yakubu was evading service of a subpoena came barely 24 hours after the lawyers to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also signaled that they would be bringing the INEC chair to testify in court on the subpoena. Yakubu was scheduled to testify in their case on Thursday.

Obi’s legal team, led by Livy Uzoukwu, has been at loggerheads with Nigeria’s electoral commission over their inability to access electoral documents to aid their case.

The presidential candidate and his party, the Labour Party, in their joint petition, urged the court to nullify Tinubu’s victory owing to INEC’s alleged fraudulent activities during the disputed presidential election.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Obi’s lawyer, Livy Uzoukwu, said the office of the electoral umpire’s chairman declined to accept a subpoena served on Yakubu to produce some documents before the court.

Uzoukwu’s disclosure came about after Obi’s legal team exhausted electoral documents it was tendering before the court.

He said the team would have loved to continue with tendering of more documentary evidence but for the refusal of Yakubu’s office to accept a subpoena served on him to produce some documents.

They blamed the INEC boss for hindering the progress of their suit.

INEC denies Obi’s claim

Reacting to Uzoukwu’s claim, INEC’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, asked Obi’s legal team to stop blaming the electoral commission for its tardiness in conducting the case.

Pinheiro said it had become Uzoukwu’s strategy to blame respondents in the petition for their inability to prosecute their case diligently.

“It has become a habit. Whenever they want to seek an adjournment, they look for somebody to whip. It cannot be true that the office of the INEC Chairman refuses a subpoena.

“Don’t use INEC as a whipping boy. If they have nothing else to do today, they should just stay so. It is their day. It is not correct that the office of INEC Chairman refused to accept a subpoena,” Pinhero told Uzoukwu.

Background

Since the court began substantive hearing of Obi’s petition against Tinubu’s victory on 30 May, his lawyers have largely tendered documentary evidence as exhibits to support their case.

The evidence so far comprised electoral documents like results sheets and Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines reports, amongst others that were used in the conduct of the presidential election.

During the pre-hearing session of the court, which lasted two weeks, Obi indicated that he would call 50 witnesses to substantiate his claims of electoral malpractices against INEC and Tinubu.

But Obi has only called two witnesses as the 23 June deadline for prosecuting his case inches close.

The court gave him three weeks to assemble witnesses and tender documents to prove his case/

Afterwards, the court adjourned further hearing in the suit until Thursday.

PT

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Medvedev sees option of Russia destroying Western communications cables on Atlantic seabed

Given the West’s involvement in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, Russia should have a free hand to destroy Western seabed communications cables, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warned on Wednesday.

"Now that the Western countries’ complicity in the sabotage of the Nord Streams has been proven, there should be no constraints, even moral ones, on us to prevent us from destroying our enemies’ seabed communications cables," the senior politician wrote on his Telegram channel.

Nord Stream sabotage

On September 27, 2022, Nord Stream AG reported unprecedented damage that occurred the day before on three strings of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 offshore gas pipelines. On September 26, 2022, Swedish seismologists registered two explosions on the pipeline routes. The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office launched a criminal case in connection with the incident based on charges of international terrorism.

On February 8, US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh published an article claiming, citing anonymous sources, that US Navy divers had planted explosive devices under the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines under the cover of the BALTOPS naval exercise in June 2022, and that the Norwegians then activated the bombs three months later. According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers.

The White House has categorically denied the claims. The New York Times reported earlier, citing American officials, that a certain "pro-Ukrainian group" had the intention of blowing up the gas pipeline running from Russia to Germany.

Nord Stream probe

Russia has repeatedly complained that no probe into the incident is actually taking place, with Moscow being kept away from any investigation.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier demanded "a transparent and urgent international probe," which he said was not currently happening. He insisted that no doubt remained that the sabotage was deliberate.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said the United States has been staying mum on the Nord Streams because Washington itself is involved in extremist and criminal activities and that every word could be used against it.

** Kiev loses about 7,500 troops in attack in three directions — Russian top brass

The Ukrainian military has lost about 7,500 troops killed and wounded since June 4 in its attempts to attack in the south Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Donetsk areas, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Wednesday.

During the last 24-hour period, Ukrainian troops made unsuccessful attempts to attack in the south Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Donetsk directions and continued sustaining heavy losses among personnel and military equipment, the general told a briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine.

"In all, Ukrainian troops have lost about 7,500 personnel killed and wounded at the frontline alone since June 4, without counting soldiers destroyed in strikes by Russia’s long-range precision weapons and aircraft deep into Ukrainian territory," Konashenkov said.

Russian forces hit Ukrainian army reserves, mercenaries’ sites by precision weapons

Russian forces delivered precision strikes by seaborne and airborne weapons targeting Ukrainian army reserves, mercenaries’ deployment sites, foreign arms and equipment depots in the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"At night, Russian forces delivered multiple strikes by seaborne and airborne long-range precision weapons against the amassment areas of the Ukrainian army’s reserves and foreign mercenaries, and also foreign-made ammunition, armament and military equipment depots. All the designated targets were destroyed. The goal of the strikes was achieved," the spokesman said.

Russian forces neutralize three Ukrainian subversive groups in Kupyansk area

Russian forces neutralized three Ukrainian subversive groups and destroyed roughly 30 enemy troops in the Kupyansk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kupyansk direction, the activity of three Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance groups was thwarted near the settlements of Sinkovka, Berestovoye and Artyomovka in the Kharkov Region by strikes of attack and army aircraft, artillery fire and active operations by units of the western battlegroup. As many as 30 Ukrainian troops, an armored combat vehicle, two motor vehicles, a US-manufactured M109 Paladin motorized artillery system and a Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery gun were destroyed in that direction in the past 24 hours," the spokesman said.

Russian forces eliminate Ukrainian saboteurs in Krasny Liman area

Russian forces eliminated a Ukrainian subversive group in the Donetsk People’s Republic in the Krasny Liman area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the area of the settlement of Grigorovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, a Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance group was eliminated," the spokesman said.

Aircraft and artillery of Russia’s battlegroup Center inflicted damage on the enemy units near the settlements of Nevskoye and Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Terny and Torskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Serebryansky forestry, the general specified.

"As many as 60 Ukrainian personnel, an infantry fighting vehicle, two pickup trucks, a Gvozdika motorized artillery system, a D-20 howitzer and a Grad multiple rocket launcher were destroyed in that area in the past 24 hours," he said.

Russian forces destroy over 205 Ukrainian troops in Donetsk area

Russian forces destroyed over 205 Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"During the battles, the Ukrainian army’s losses amounted to over 205 personnel, two armored combat vehicles, seven motor vehicles, and two D-20 howitzers," the spokesman said.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army’s 45th artillery and 57th motorized infantry brigades near Seversk Maliy and Chasov Yar in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the general reported.

Russian forces repulse Ukrainian attacks near Vremevka in DPR

Russian forces repulsed attacks by two Ukrainian motorized infantry companies at the Vremevka salient in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"At the Vremevka salient near the settlement of Makarovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the attacks by two Ukrainian motorized infantry companies supported by four tanks and 11 armored combat vehicles were repelled by self-sacrificing and professional actions of defending units from the battlegroup East, air strikes and artillery fire. Four enemy tanks and seven armored combat vehicles were destroyed in the battles," the spokesman said.

Near the settlement of Prechistovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian forces successfully repelled attacks by two Ukrainian company tactical groups. The enemy’s losses amounted to five tanks and five armored combat vehicles, the general reported.

"In areas near the settlements of Rovnopol in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Levadnoye in the Zaporozhye Region and the Oktyabr state farm, Russian forces destroyed five enemy tanks," he said.

Kiev loses over 800 troops in Zaporozhye, south Donetsk areas in past day

The Ukrainian military lost over 800 troops, 20 tanks and two US-made howitzers in the south Donetsk and Zaporozhye areas over the past day, Konashenkov said.

"In all, the enemy’s losses in the south Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions in the past 24 hours amounted to over 800 Ukrainian personnel, 20 tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, 15 armored combat vehicles, two US-made M777 artillery systems, a Msta-B howitzer, a D-30 howitzer and a Grad multiple rocket launcher," the spokesman said.

Russian forces thwart Ukrainian army attack in Zaporozhye area

Russian forces thwarted a Ukrainian attack in the Zaporozhye area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Zaporozhye direction, strikes by assault aircraft foiled an attack by units of the Ukrainian army’s 128th mountain assault brigade near the settlement of Zherebyanki in the Zaporozhye Region," the spokesman said.

Near the settlement of Novoandreyevka in the Zaporozhye Region, an artillery ammunition depot of the Ukrainian army’s 65th mechanized brigade was obliterated, the general reported.

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian air defense radar in Zaporozhye area

Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian air defense radar in the Zaporozhye area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"Near the city of Zaporozhye, a P-18 aerial target detection and tracking radar was destroyed," the spokesman said.

Russian forces destroy 50 Ukrainian troops, artillery gun in Kherson area

Russian forces destroyed roughly 50 Ukrainian troops and a motorized artillery system in the Kherson area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kherson direction, as many as 50 Ukrainian personnel, nine motor vehicles and an Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system were destroyed in the past 24 hours as a result of damage inflicted by firepower," the spokesman said.

In the past 24 hours, operational/tactical and army aircraft, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groupings of forces struck 107 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, manpower and military equipment in 137 areas, the general said.

Russian air defenses intercept two Storm Shadow cruise missiles in Ukraine operation

Russian air defense forces intercepted two Storm Shadow cruise missiles, four rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and shot down 20 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"During the last 24-hour period, air defense capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces intercepted two Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles and four rockets of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system," the spokesman said.

In addition, Russian air defense systems destroyed 20 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in areas near the settlements of Sladkaya Balka in the Zaporozhye Region, Zhovtnevoye in the Kharkov Region and Valeryanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the general reported.

Russian forces cripple over 5,100 field artillery guns in Ukraine operation

Russian forces have destroyed over 5,100 Ukrainian field artillery guns and mortars since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, the general said.

"In all, the following targets have been destroyed since the start of the special military operation: 442 aircraft, 238 helicopters, 4,605 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 surface-to-air missile systems, 9,982 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,124 multiple rocket launchers, 5,111 field artillery guns and mortars and 10,947 special military motor vehicles," Konashenkov reported.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russia steps up aerial strikes on Ukraine, killing at least 6 amid Kyiv counteroffensive

Russian forces fired cruise missiles at the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa and shelled the eastern Donetsk region early Wednesday, killing at least six people and damaging dozens of homes, regional Ukrainian officials said.

Russian forces have recently stepped up aerial strikes in their nearly 16-month war, a Ukrainian military spokesman said. The country’s armed forces, meanwhile, have reported limited gains in the early stages of a counteroffensive to take back the nearly one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory that is under Russian control.

The grinding Ukrainian advance is pressing slowly ahead, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Wednesday. Western analysts and military officials say the effort to dislodge entrenched, powerfully armed and large numbers of Russian troops could take years.

Ukrainian troops have advanced 200-500 meters (650-1,600 feet) at various sections of the front line around the Donetsk city of Bakhmut and 300-350 meters (980-1,150 feet) in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, Maliar claimed. Ukrainian forces have managed to make gains despite the Russian edge in artillery and air power and large number of landmines left behind by Russian troops, she said. Maliar noted that, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s losses on the battlefield had been “incomparably smaller” than those of Russian troops.

It wasn’t possible to verify the battlefield claims.

Ukrainian forces can expect to make slow progress in what will be a “hugely difficult” fight as the counteroffensive gains traction, a Western official said on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence.

“Intense fighting is now ongoing in nearly all sectors of the front,” the official said. “This is much more than probing. These are full-scale movements of armor and heavy equipment into the Russian security zone.”

The official described the Ukrainian attacks as methodical and said that, broadly speaking, “Russian forces have put up a good defense.”

In Odesa, three food warehouse employees were killed in a strike that also damaged homes, shops and cafes in the city’s downtown, the regional administration said on Facebook. An additional 13 people were wounded.

Search teams were looking for possible survivors under the rubble of the warehouse, it said.

The attack on the port city, launched from the Black Sea, was the second in a week and involved four Kalibr cruise missiles, three of which were intercepted by air defenses, the administration said.

In eastern Ukraine, Donetsk province Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote on Telegram that at least three people died after shelling destroyed seven homes and damaged dozens of others in the cities of Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka.

Ten towns and villages along the front line in Donetsk were struck as Kyiv’s troops slowly advance, according to Ukraine’s presidential office.

A missile hit the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kramatorsk, where Kyiv’s forces are headquartered, killing two civilians and wounding two others while damaging 29 homes, the presidential office said. Russian shelling of Kostiantynivka killed one civilian, with 57 houses damaged, it added.

Andriy Kovalov, a spokesperson for the General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces, said the Russian military increased missile and aerial strikes as Kyiv’s forces intensify attacks along the war’s 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line and claim some modest gains at the beginning of their counteroffensive.

In a briefing, he said strikes on the Kharkiv, Donetsk and Kirovohrad regions, in addition to the Odesa region, involved Kh-22 cruise missiles, sea-launched Kalibr cruise missiles, and Iranian-made Shahed drones. Nine were intercepted.

Kovalov said Ukrainian forces had made advances in several sections and fighting was continuing in or near at least two Donetsk province communities.

The U.K. Defense MInistry, which has regularly issued updates on the conflict, wrote on Twitter that southern Ukraine “has often been more permissible for Russian air operations” compared with other parts of the front.

Separately, the mayor of the central city of Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown, said the death toll from a Russian strike that hit an apartment building a day earlier had risen to 12.

Ukrainian authorities continued to rescue people from the flooded areas of southern Ukraine’s partially Russian-occupied Kherson region following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam last week.

A total of 28 settlements on the Ukrainian-held western bank of the Dnieper River remain under water, and nearly 2,800 people have been taken to safety so far, the presidential office said, adding that the rescue effort was taking place under relentless Russian shelling. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General said that two volunteers were wounded Wednesday in Russian shelling of the regional capital, also called Kherson, while attempting to evacuate people.

A visit by Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on Wednesday was postponed for security reasons.

He met with Zelenskyy on Tuesday to discuss the perils facing the nuclear plant, which grew more serious after the Kakhovka Dam burst last week.

The plant has been in the crossfire repeatedly since Russia launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022 and seized the facility shortly after.

The largest nuclear power plant in Europe faces “a relatively dangerous situation,” the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian-controlled areas of the Kherson region came under artillery fire 57 times over the past 24 hours, the presidential office said.

Rumors swirled Wednesday about a relative and close associate of the Kremlin-backed, strongman leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov. The reports said that lawmaker Adam Delimkhanov had been wounded — or even killed — in Ukraine.

After Russian state television reported that the lawmaker had been wounded and Ukrainian Telegram channels suggested that he had been killed, Kadyrov published a photo showing Delimkhanov.

In a photo caption, Kadyrov said that Delimkhanov was “alive and well” — adding that he knew this “from the very beginning,” despite earlier requesting Ukrainian intelligence to provide information on what positions were hit so that he could locate his “dear brother.”

Tass/AP