BusinessDay 07 Jun 2020

School closure: Private school teachers, workers groan under backlog of unpaid salaries …Proprietors say ‘money not coming in’ 14

Edo guber: Why Obaseki’s chances are bright, despite oppositions

10

How rape, murder of 100-level UNIBEN undergraduate spark protest in Benin …And the agony 19 of a mother

Rising through the police without godfather: The story of Yunusa Ogwuche, retiring Rivers’ CP

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Vol 1, No. 315

N300

Executive Order 10: Why are governors jittery?

It is violation of Nigeria’s constitution – Executive director, CODER It’s a good step forward to promote separation of powers - Onovo Buhari should go beyond just signing the order – Balarabe Musa

See page 2

Secret burials in Bonny as ‘mysterious’ deaths spread panic in Rivers

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Featuring in Yelo Peppe was great experience – Shirley Frimpongthe 20 Covid-19 emergency has been a challenge and opportunity– CEO, FIT Magodo

Ifeanyi Okowa (l), Delta State governor; Chris Onogba (r), commissioner for Environment, and Ghassan Fiadel (middle), Site engineer, conducting the governor round the project site during his inspection of Construction/ Rehabilitation Work at Midoma/Iwerobor Gully Erosion site in Owanta, Boji-Boji Owa, Delta State.

Nigeria returns to the era of ‘Tally Number’ …As long queues of anxious customers hit banks AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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igerians who had anything to do with banks in the 80’s and early

90’s would remember the role tally numbering played in banking transactions, and that was before the advent of technology and internet.

At t h a t t i m e , b a n k

transactions were manually done and to ensure that customers are served according to how they arrived to the banking hall, a means of identification called ‘tally

number’ was provided.

Sometimes, it was a piece of plastic on which numbers were inscribed or carefully carved squareshaped piece of wood with numbers on them. At that

time, some customers, especially elderly people, went to bank clutching their mats to sleep. Indeed, some of them did sleep See page 4

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Cover

Executive Order 10: Why are governors jittery?

CHUKA UROKO, INIOBONG IWOK (Lagos) and JAMES KWEN (Abuja)

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hen on May 20, 2020 President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Executive Order 10, giving financial autonomy to the legislature and judiciary at the state level, it was clear to all close watchers of Nigeria’s fledgling democracy that the President innocently crossed the state governors’ red-line.

By reason of the Presidential system of government that Nigeria runs, there should be three arms of government- Executive, Judiciary and Legislature- with clear separation of powers at the federal, state and local government levels. But what the country has always had is a travesty of democracy with a dominant executive that has very powerful and over-bearing influence on the other two.

The Order, which political pundits say is normal and constitutional in democratic norms, has empowered the accountant-general of the federation to deduct funds for the state legislature and the judiciary from the federal allocations to the states and give same directly to them.

Executive Order, they say, is not new in world democracy and, according to Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), it is often exercised by leaders in developed nations to promote legislature, judiciary autonomy and deepen democracy.

“The President has executive powers in Section 5 to implement and execute Section 121 of the constitution; it is the responsibility of the President. The constitution guarantees the autonomy of the state legislature and judiciary and it is the responsibility of the President to make sure this is recognised,” the AGF explained.

He noted that “the powers to execute the constitution are with the President; perhaps, it calls for collaboration. It is the responsibility of both to see the enforcement of the constitution and not to mortgage or undermine it. So, the governors do not have the powers to undermine but to collaborate with the President to enforce that section of the constitution rather than oppose him.”

Oserheimen Osunbor, former governor of Edo State and a Professor of Law, agrees, stressing that the Executive Order is constitutional and would help in deepening the nation’s democracy. He wonders why the governors are opposed to the Executive Order when some of them are signing it into law in their respective states.

But the state governors do not like the development and are not ready to listen to any of these explanations. They are jittery over this development. Analysts say their worry is quite understandable because, according to them, the Order has laid the governors bare with scanty apparels round their loins. “It is, indeed, a sobering moment for them,” the analysts

Buhari

explain.

Some of the governors have fiercely criticised and opposed the order. The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), recently, asked President Buhari to allow its members work out their own modalities on financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislature at the state level.

“It is not difficult to read the minds of these governors. For too long they have carried on as if they were emperors in their respective states, wielding enormous powers, appropriating everything to themselves and giving handouts to the other arms of government, that is, judiciary and legislature,” Donatus Mama, a public affairs analyst, noted in a telephone chat with BDSUNDAY. Though some analysts argue that President Buhari lacks moral high ground to come up with an executive order for the state governors, himself being guilty of what he is preaching, Mama insists that the new Order is good for deepening democracy, adding that it is something that is useful that should come to stay because some governors have not allowed the legislature and judiciary autonomy to work.

State governors in Nigeria are more or less tin-gods who, with their political and economic powers, decide everything that happens in the state. They are jittery now because they feel that the new order will not only reduce their economic powers but also weaken their political base and influence.

Mama reasons that with the new order, the governors now know that the end is in sight for rubber-stamp legislature and subservient judiciary. “With their money in their hands, both the legislature and the judiciary can now stand up against the executive and look at the governors eyeball to eyeball.

“What we have seen all these years are a legislature and judiciary that are cowed by an over-bearing executive that dictates to them as if they were subsidiaries of a conglomerate that controls the operations of the subsidiaries from

the headquarters, in this case, the government house,” he noted.

Elsewhere, democracy is defined and practised as government of the people by the people and for the people. In Nigeria, the story is different and it is worse at the state level where governors define democracy and governance to suit their whims and caprices and also to massage their over-bloated ego.

From their imperial dispositions, the governors decide who become speakers of the Houses of Assembly. These speakers must dance to their tune or be shown the inglorious exit door that ushered them into the ‘hallowed’ chambers.

It is the same governors that select other functionaries in the house so that, at will, they can be used to deal with whoever should be dealt with including their deputies and even influential, stubborn or uncooperating speakers.

Apart from controlling their finances too, governors decide who become states Attorneys-General and judges of the state high court so that whoever dares them (the governors) is quickly charged to court and given a summary judgment. On the flipside, any charge brought against the governors or their governments, no matter how justiceable, never gets justice.

At the local government level, the governors are the general officers commanding (GOCs) and the chairmen are mere foot soldiers.

The state-local government joint account is a fraud—a conduit pipe through which money flows from federal allocation into the state coffers and then distributed piecemeal to the local governments just to enable them to settle their wage bill and run the governments.

Added to all these, it is the state governors who, in most cases, determine who become the chairmen of local government councils either through stage-managed elections or care-taker committees. They have express powers to remove those ‘elected’ or selected chairmen from office when they ‘misbehave’ or ‘disobey’ the GOCs. These and more explain why

the governors are not comfortable with President Buhari’s Order 10 which has whittled down their power and influence and also rendered them vulnerable to the unknown.

Tersoo Asongu, a Sociology lecturer with the University of Calabar, said: “Nigeria is practising the presidential system of democracy that gives autonomy or separation of powers between the three arms -executive, legislature and Judiciary. Governors are now afraid that if the judiciary and legislature are financially independent, they cannot control them to achieve their selfish interests and inordinate ambitions.”

According to the Buhari Support Organisation (BOS), South East Zone, the governors’ over-bearing influence and control of the judiciary and the legislature through their finances, is reason democracy is more or less in recession in Nigeria.

The group says the Executive Order is a constitutional issue, pointing out that the aim of the new order is for proper supervision to ensure its implementation by governors who had all this while failed to implement the provision of Section 121 (3) of the Constitution which they swore to uphold.

“Contrary to claims that the order infringes on true federalism, we believe that true federalism is better served and, indeed, actualised when you have independent legislature and judiciary at the state level,” Stanley Ohajuruka, the BOS chairman, noted.

Continuing, the chairman asked rhetorically: “Do you know why the governors are more preoccupied with political domination of their citizens with security votes than socio-economic development? Is there freedom at the state level?

Is there any law which prohibits a state from generating electricity?”

BOS is of the view that there are many positives in the new order, explaining that apart from being a wake-up call for the governors to start thinking of how to improve their internally generated revenue, the order is also a patriotic move

towards strengthening institutions at the state government level.

“It promotes Doctrine of Separation of Powers, thus making the different arms of government more independent and accountable in line with the best tradition of democracy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended),” Ohajuruka posited.

‘It is violation of Nigeria’s constitution’ Wunmi Bewaji, executive director of Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), said that the Executive Order on financial autonomy for the state legislature and judiciary was against the constitution of the country.

“Where can they point to a section of the constitution that allows the President to relate with the local government? The federation created in the constitution is between the federal and state; the local government is not a member of the federation; that is Section 2 of the constitution. Nigeria is a federal state. If governors are stealing local government money, let them go to court,” Bewaji said.

According to him, “If you go through the constitution, there are lots of sections for their independence. It is a violation of our federal constitution. The Federal Government and the state are equal partners in a federal state.

What Buhari has done is a violation of the constitution of Nigeria.

He is doing this, look at how the former CJN was removed; was it fair? What is he teaching the states about separation of powers?”

It’s a good step forward to promote separation of power Onovo Martin Onovo, an Americantrained petroleum engineer and former presidential candidate the National Conscience Party (NCP), said: “It is a welcome idea; with what we have experienced in Nigeria, where the executive dominates the legislature; I think this is a good step forward to promote separation of power and independence of the legislature and the judiciary.”

According to Onovo, “It would help in deepening democracy; we don’t want a situation where the judiciary and the legislature cannot function because the executive is depriving them of their funds. So, it is important for our democracy and would help to foster checks and balances among the tiers of government.”

Buhari should go beyond just signing the order – Balarabe Musa Speaking in tandem, Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, a former governor of the old Kaduna State, said: “I support it but that is not all; as the President of the country, Buhari should make sure that the legislature and the judiciary do not steal the money given to them.”

“Fine, the Executive Order gives them autonomy but a mechanism to monitor how they use their resources must be put in place. For me, Buhari has those two responsibilities and he must make sure that is done,” he added.

Peter Ameh, a former Chairman Continues on page 4

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BDSUNDAY 3

News 21 years of Nigeria’s democracy not favourable to the youth - Commissioner Nathaniel Gbaoron, Jalingo

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he Taraba State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Ibrahim Imam has said that the Nigeria’s 21 years of uninterrupted democratic experience has not been very favorable to the youth who are often used and dumped by political office seekers.

Imam, who said this at an interactive session with journalists in Jalingo ahead of the June 12 Democracy Day celebration, observed that while some of those who ruled the country during the military interregnum were in the late thirties and early forties, the two decades of democracy have most of the leaders in the sixties and above.

He said that even though the constitution has age restrictions on elective positions,

Ibrahim Imam

successive governments have not given the youth a fair chance in terms of political appointments for them to showcase their worth.

The youth advocate commended the state G o v e r n o r, Da r i u s Ishaku for making youth empowerment one of the

cardinal priorities of his administration and for appointing some youths in his government.

Imam also commended the governor for his efficient handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and called on the people of the state to “obey the lockdown order and observe global hygiene

protocols so as to ensure that the state stays safe from the deadly pandemic.”

Th e c o m m i s s i o n e r, who is a one-time minority leader of the state House of Assembly, said that the Executive Order 10 signed by the President would go a long way in entrenching the principles of separation of powers, checks and balances and thereby strengthen democracy in the country.

“It is good that we are celebrating 21years of uninterrupted democracy.

It has been a strenuous journey but the gains are obvious and worth the challenges. In Taraba, the youth have been fairly treated, I must say, and that is why we have to commend some political office holders like our amiable Governor, Darius Ishaku on his consistent empowerment of youths and for appointing them into offices. There is a lot to be desired but, it is a journey and not a destination yet”.

Lagos commissioner warns against illegal COVID-19 management Anthonia Obokoh

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h e La g o s S t a t e Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi has said that the state government has restricted management of COVID-19 patients to the facilities of the state or federal government and not private facilities in the state.

“COVID-19 remains a public crisis and all public crises are managed and supervised by the Lagos state government and by extension the federal government of Nigeria,” Abayomi said.

The State Commissioner for Health, who spoke at a press briefing on COVID-19 held on Friday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos added that every COVID-19 patient in the state must be known to the government for adequate data capturing. “ Ev e r y p e r s o n w i t h COVID-19 in Lagos State must be known to the government. If you are managing COVID-19 without government permission and we are not capturing you in our database, you are performing an illegal act according to the laws of

Abayomi

Lagos State,” he warned.

Ab a y o m i e x p l a i n e d that if you want to manage COVID-19 in Lagos state, we are not saying you cannot. All you need to do is to submit an application and we will visit your hospital to ensure that you have the required equipment and specialised personnel to manage COVID-19.

“If you can demonstrate that you can do all these then we will give you the approval to manage the disease and information about every patient managed by the hospitals must be made available to us so that we can record it in our database,” he said.

Th e c o m m i s s i o n e r however, emphasised on how the state is planning on private sector partnership with the government in the management of COVID-19 pandemic. He said: “We are doing this in two ways.

First, we are engaging with private laboratories that want to partner with the government to carry out the test for COVID-19.

We have identified several private laboratories that have the capacity to perform a COVID-19 test.

He stressed that COVID-19 test is very complicated and that it is not all laboratories that can do it, noting that it requires very sophisticated equipment and personnel that have specialised training; therefore it is not all laboratories that can do COVID-19 PCR test.

“It is only a handful of laboratories that have the equipment and required medical personnel that can perform the test accurately.

As a result of that, the few laboratories that have volunteered to contribute to COVID-19 testing are going through screening to see if they perform the test they are going to come up with

NRC retirees send SOS to Buhari over unpaid 14 months’ pension arrears, others UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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oncernedCitizens o f a Fe d e r a l parastatal, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to pay them their arrears of pensions running into several months.

Th e g r o u p a l s o i s requesting for the harmonisation of their pensions in tune with the present economic realities in the country.

A statement signed by Sebastine Igwe, the group’s spokesperson, and made available to BDSUNDAY in Umuahia, Abia State, said some of their members were still paid N7,000 per month as pension while some officers who retired on grade level 13 were still receiving N15,000 monthly.

The group also accused PTAD of shor t- pa y ing

some of their members’ severance packages after their mandatory retirement.

“After we had c o m p l a i n e d t o P TA D about the anomalies in our severance packages, the body promised to effect corrections but up till now nothing has been done,” the statement read in part.

The group said that presently, PTAD owes NRC retirees the following: “Balance of 33 percent arrears; minimum wage arrears as approved by President Buhari since April, 8, 2019 and 14 months’ arrears of pension.”

The group alleged that PTAD had in the past carried out verification exercise with a view to settling retirees but all to no avail. It also said that over 40percent of its members had died as a result of nonpayment of their pensions.

The group therefore, passionately appealed to President Buhari to save their souls from their present plight to avoid further deaths.

WISCAR condemns gender-based violence accurate results.

“When they have successfully gone through this processthenwewillgivethem validation and accreditation and then they can start testing on behalf of the government as private sector partners in COVID-19,” he said.

According to him, “For managing patients, we have accredi t ed t hree private hospitals. One is already admitting patients and the other two will be admitting patients any moment from now. “They have passed the biosecurity compliance test. They have made modifications to their hospitals so that their staff and other patients are not put in danger or exposed to a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

“Those private hospitals have passed the test and we are just in the process of issuing them with accreditation certificate so that they can start managing COVID-19 patients in the private sector.”

Abayomi however said: “Even if you are managing COVID-19 in the private sector, it still comes under the supervision of the Lagos State government Ministry of Health.”

…Rallies Nigerians against barbaric acts

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omen In Successful C a r e e r s (WISCAR) has condemned the rising spate of gender-based violence in Nigeria, describing the development as unfortunate.

Amina Oyagbola, founder and chairperson of WISCAR, who said this in a statement, said, “What happened to Uwa highlights the high level of violence experienced by young women and girls on a daily basis.”

“In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole country was severely shocked by the brutal rape and barbaric murder of Vera Uwaila Omozuwa,” she said.

According to her, “The fact that the attack took place in the vicinity of a church in which she clearly felt safe and enabled to engage with her studies makes it all the more disturbing. This mindless brutality by yet-unknown persons is a poignant reminder to all of us that we live in very dangerous times and recent events have been especially dire for women.”

Oyagbola further said: “We must also cry out at the seeming loss of respect

for life. This also brings to mind the highly regrettable negligence that led to the death of Tina Ezekwe which was said to have resulted from a stray bullet.”

WISCAR, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) with a focus on strategic mentoring of young women for leadership, and indeed for the overall development of our nation, firmly believes that respect for the dignity of human life must remain at the core of society.

“Every citizen should be given a chance to choose their own future and live in a safe, equitable and just world,” she added.

In fighting this menace, Oyagbolacalledonindividuals and NGOs to work with the government to develop dedicated national action plans to prevent and address violence against women, fortifying coordination among multiple actors required for sustainable action. “We express our heartfelt sympathy to the families of these young girls and hope justice is served on all perpetrators of this inhumane act,” she said.

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News

FG urged to establish independent We will sustain attention to road infrastructure in Delta - Okowa protocols for auditing gas flares Francis Sadhere, Warri

ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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he Federal Government has been urged to set up independent gas flares reporting and auditing protocols to determine the exact volume of gas flared by oil companies in the country.

Besides, the National Assembly should ensure that the volume of gas flared, attract the appropriate penalties and payment made a accordingly.

In a paper presented by Solomon Adeleye, an expert in the oil and gas industry, titled, ‘Nigerian Gas Flare CommercialisationStrategy’, during a webinar, he noted that Nigeria has over 600 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas but regretted that instead of creating value in the gas chain, the nation flares most of its gas for several reasons According to Adeleye, the country has about 179 gas flare sites which he said has disastrous impacts on the socio-economic growth, environmental and human impacts on the oil producing communities of the Niger Delta region.

He said that a percentage of the proceeds from the gas flare penalty should be used to support the communities impacted by the flares even as it called on the National Assembly to hasten the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

He equally urged government to pursue t h e Ni g e r i a Ga s Fl a r e

Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), which was initiated in Nigeria in 2016, as part of Federal Government’s deliberate policy, to bring gas flaring in the Niger Delta to a logical conclusion.

In a communiqué at the end of the programme, participants urged the Federal Government to commit to a three-year gas flare out plan, which would remain sacrosanct, to free the Niger Delta region from thehazardsofenvironmental pollution as a result of gas flaring.

Organised by African Initiative for Transparency and Responsible Leadership for journalists and civil society organisations, oil and gas operators, it noted that Nigeria could make her oil and gas industry attractive to investors by

plugging all the leakages in the sector. ‘’This would enable her generate more funds to divest from oil and also properly develop the oil producing communities.

Nigeria’s projected work force in the next 10 years is about 122 million, which is nearly as high as her current total population,” the communiqué stated.

Participants noted that for Nigeria to reverse the fortunes of the oil and gas industry post COVID-19, the government should empower Department Petroleum Resources to install its own independent automated metering systems to enable government properly assess the claims made by its operating partners with respect to volumes of gas flare and penalties owed.

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xecutive Director, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), a non-governmental orgsnisation, Joy Ezeilo, a professor, has condemned increased cases of violence against women and girls in the society since the lockdown due to Covid-19.

Speaking during a zoom briefing recently, Prof. Ezeilo noted that cases of rape, defilement and other forms of domestic violence have continued unabated.

“We live in strange times; to begin with, the coronavirus that knows no border struck the world unannounced, killing over five million people.

Before Covid-19, it has been acknowledged that violence against women and girls is

Jesse, Oghara and Sapele axis will have a much faster route and that is very good for us and our people because it connects Delta with a section of villages that are actually in Edo, and then to the Jesse end.

“The road interconnectivity is good for commerce and economic development of the benefiting communities and we will continue to construct as many roads as our finances can enable us.”

On the Owanta gully erosion and road project, the governor said that before now, the place was terrible as several homes had been lost to the erosion, but expressed optimism that with the work being done now, several homes had been saved.

“It’s actually a project of Delta State with the World Bank. This is one of the five sites in Delta and the contractor, Levante Construction, is doing well. We are happy with the work being done and he has assured us that even through the rain they will continue working to ensure that a lot of homes are saved.

Brian Tracy, George Fraser lead global leadership experts on positioning for post COVID-19 era Modestus Anaesoronye

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Buhari

WACOL condemns increased cases of violence against women, girls Ngozi OKpalakunne

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overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has restated the importance of road connectivity to economic development of the state, saying in spite of prevailing coronavirus pandemic, governance and infrastructural development of the state would be sustained.

The governor made this known while speaking to newsmen shortly after inspecting the Alihami-AgborNta-Oki road in Ika South Local Government Area, Owanta Erosion Control and road project and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Training School, Owa-Oyibu in Ika North East Local Government Area.

He said that connecting the state with roads and bridges would ensure economic growth of communities and assured Deltans of his administration’s commitment to executing projects that would impact on the people.

Okowa, who was conducted round the projects by the Commissioner for Environment, Chris Onogba and his Housing counterpart, Festus Ochonogor, said “We will continue to execute programmes and projects that will make our people to be prosperous.”

According to him, “In spite of the COVID-19 and the slowdown of so many things we are doing as a state, there was the need to go down and check the things that we intend to continue in the next few weeks. “I first visited the Alihami-Agbor-Nta-Oki road; it was a surprised visit and the contractor himself was not on site but the workers were on site and it afforded me the opportunity to have first-hand knowledge of level of work being done; a lot of drainage work has been done and some sections of the road have been stone-based.”

The governor further said: “That road is very important because when it is completed to Edo State junction, it means that those going to

one of the most surreptitious forms of violation of their human rights.

“Sexual violence and other forms of torture against women and girls have also been affirmed to be a crime against humanity, she said.

She said that since the outbreak of Covid-19, there has been spike in violence against women and girls and sexual gender-based violence when in reality one expected a decrease because of the disruptions caused by the pandemic; fear and anxiety about one’s survival and measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus like lockdowns and social distancing.

“However, on the contrary the world has witnessed a steady rise and Nigeria is no different. It has been tales of woes for

women and girls caught up in the web of the pervasive violence in public and private spaces, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic,” she added.

She regretted that the government and other stakeholders have not done enough to halt the trend of increasing gender-based violence.

“The truth is that there is low accountability to violence perpetrated against the female gender. Today, it is Uwa Omozuwa(Benin),yesterday it was Tina Ezekwe (Lagos), a year before it was Ochanya (Benue) and unaccountable others.

“In 2014, it was evidencethat was raped and murdered in Enugu and she became a body of growing evidence of the heinous crime of rape and sexual assault against womanhood.

he GOTNI Leadership Centre, Nigeria’s foremost leadership development centre, is hosting global leadership experts at the GOTNI Global Leadership Masterclass to prepare leaders to handle the challenges of the postCOVID-19 era.

Themed ‘Facing the Future without Fear: Leading in Uncertain Times’, The GOTNI Global Leadership Masterclass will be hosted via Zoom on the 29th and 30th of June 2020. It will feature global leadership experts such as acclaimed public speaker and self-development author, Brian Tracy; Leadership coach and human capital develop-

ment consultant, Linus Okorie; renowned American business executive and chairman of FraserNet, Inc., George Fraser; Executive Coach and Behavioural Change Catalyst, Lanre Olusola, and Investor and Real Estate Broker, Kristen Cripps.

Brian Tracy

Leaders and business executives will join the masterclass from across Africa, Europe, America and all around the world.

“As the world faces the challenges of a pandemic, leaders around the world are looked upon to show leadership and to chart a sustainable growth path for the future,” Linus Okorie, founder and president of the GOTNI Leadership Centre, said.

According to him, “The hallmark of great leadership is its ability to turn challenging times into opportunities.

This is why this masterclass is a must-attend for forwardthinking leaders.”

The GOTNI Leadership Centre, located in Abuja is poised to raise world-class leaders who understand the art and practice of leadership.

Executive Order: Why are ...

Continued from Page 2 Inter-party Advisory Committee IPAC, said: “The state Judiciary and the Legislature have been weakened by the governors. It has made the governors more powerful than any other organ created by the Constitution. They have become like emperors.

That kind of autonomy will definitely panic them and they would do everything to stop it.”

According to Ameh, “There is pertinent question to answer; the Con-

stitution was amended by the 8th Assembly and it was signed into law by the President, granting this autonomy to the Judiciary and State House of Assembly. So, is there need for the President to sign an Executive Order? Is there anywhere the executive order is superior to the Constitution? These are questions that are begging for answers.

“We support the President in his attempt. The governors will continue to make our people to suffer

if we don’t remove them from the caprices and the overpowering ruins of the governors because they are the ones who have made Nigeria not to move forward.

We are running a feeding bottle federalism where we come to FAC every month and collect money and the governors cannot be held accountable. They use that to control the Judiciary and the legislature. That is why you cannot see a governor who can be impeached, but a Speaker can be impeached in three days.”

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BDSUNDAY 5

NewsFeature Nigeria returns to the era of ‘Tally Number’ Continued from Page 1 before it got to their turn to either cash some money or make some deposit.

It was usual to hear customers scream on top of their voices to cashiers or security people, “Give me my tally number”. Cashiers used to overwork themselves as they laboured manually to satisfy a horde of desperate customers.

Despite the existence of online banking procedures such as Mobil banking, internet banking, Point of Sale (POS), ATM and other forms of online banking procedures that aid banking transaction compared to the 80s and 90s when technology was not fully utilised in banking business, customers are now experiencing the same setback of yesteryear.

To d a y, t h e l o n g q u e u e s have returned to the banks, not on account of slow pace of service or manual transaction procedure, but as a result of the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has necessitated social distancing and had forced businesses including banks to operate at 60 percent capacity.

These days, banks do not open all their branches at the same time such that a locality that has three to four branches of a particular bank may end up having only one out of the four open for business.

By implication, people, who used to spread themselves in all the four branches, may end up in one branch thereby blowing the number of people in one bank; and they want to be attended to at same time.

To deal with the crowd, banks have well arranged seats in their premises where customers sit to wait for their turn to be allowed inside the banking hall for their transaction. In doing this, man-hour is lost on daily basis as people spend several hours before they could be attended to, depending on the crowd in a particular branch.

“Two weeks back, I went to a branch of one of the new generation banks to pick up my debit (ATM) card because the old one I had, has expired. I got to the bank by 10:00am only for me

to meet a long queue of people outside the banking hall and I was given number 255,” said Ngozika Obiora, a business woman.

While wondering how such number of people were able to get to the bank in one hour when banks opens by 9:00am, she said that another customer, who was lucky to get a number that was a little above 60 told her that she was at the bank as early as 7:30 am only to see that a lot of persons were already on the queue.

According to her, she ended up spending close to four hours in the bank because she left the bank around 2:00pm just to collect ATM card.

“Could you imagine that my whole day was spent in the bank and my shop was left unattended to? I never knew I would spend such a long time in bank because if I knew, I would have gone to the bank on my day off but the truth was that I needed the ATM card to be able to make some withdrawals on that particular day,” she said.

On his part, Philips Umoru, a media practitioner told BDSUNDAY that he was given number 96 on the day he went to the bank to pay in a cheque into his account.

“I usually don’t go to the bank because I do a lot of online transactions but this time I was

forced to go to the bank on that particular day and it was very frustrating to spend close to three hours in the bank just to pay in one cheque,” he said.

According to Umoru, he would have left the bank in annoyance without having to do the transaction but the saving grace was that that particular day was his off day from work.

“Going to the bank nowadays is very scaring because the crowd outside the banks can put one off.”

Tina Eze, who told BDSUNDAY that nothing will make her visit any banking hall again until COVID-19 is over in Nigeria, said that if one is

My work can be delayed because when my laptop is down and no fuel to power my generator or when my network connection is poor, it becomes very difficult to meet up and request will pile up. In the office, there is usually constant power supply and strong network connection

not careful one might end up contracting the virus in the bank.

Stating that there is a long list of transactions, which people can do online using Mobil App and other internet banking platforms rather than going to the bank to queue, she said she was shocked when her brother mentioned to her that he recently went to one of the first generation banks to do banking transaction only to see long list of people that wanted to print their BVN, which they could have gotten online without the help of anybody.

“I only go to ATM machines to withdraw money but even going to ATM is also frightening because in some banks, you would see a long queue of customers that want to use the machine. The problem is that many Nigerians are yet to adapt to using online banking transaction because in some cases, you see people going to ATM machine just to transfer money that can be done online,” Eze added.

Rasheed Ade, a pharmacist told our correspondent that he had to leave the bank in anger few days back when he went to the bank to do a transaction and he was given number 48.

“I had some other things to do on that day and I couldn’t wait for my turn on the queue that was why I had to leave the bank. In fact, coronavirus has succeeded in taking us backward because this type of banking that people are numbered was only done in the 80s when technology and internet were not there. To see this repeating itself in this computer age is disheartening,” said Ade, who is in his late 50s.

Sharing her experience, Bola Demilade, a banker told BDSUNDAY that the outbreak of COVID-19 has had an adverse effect on both the bank owners and their employees.

“In my bank, I am not even on a teller rather I work under the Mainland operations. I think what our employer has been able to do, is to rotate people such that a work roaster was created for

staff. Some people work for two weeks while the remaining set work for another two weeks.

However, the crowd in banks is endless because there are limited cashiers or tellers to attend to customers, and because of social distancing, all customers are not allowed inside the banking hall at the same time rather numbers are given to them according to first come, first served,” said Demilade, who works with one of the old generation banks.

According to her, people are allowed into the banking hall in tens; however, the security personnel manning the gate put seats outside where others sit to wait for their turn to enter the banking hall, but if they have hundreds of people that is when you see a lot of people standing.

“For us in operations, we have been working from home ever since the ease of lockdown. Our systems were configured to enable us work remotely from home. I work under loan and my job is to analyse, authorise or decline any loan application that is from N1million and above. While some people’s job are to analyse loan applications from N100, 000 to N1 million,” she said.

She further said: “Working from home has its own challenges due to poor electricity supply and fluctuation of data or network connection in the country. My work can be delayed because when my laptop is down and no fuel to power my generator or when my network connection is poor, it becomes very difficult to meet up and request will pile up. In the office, there is usually constant power supply and strong network connection.”

Demilade, who noted that during the lockdown, her employer had to secure hotel accommodation for some staff to enable them have easy access to the office, said that at a point, it became very expensive for the bank because it was costing the bank a minimum of N30,000 per day and over N300,000 in one month for one person.

“But now, our employer is no longer comfortable with the cost implication that is why people are allowed to work remotely especially women with children to limit their risk of contracting the virus and transmitting to their children. Meanwhile, those cashiers that must be in the office are always encouraged to join staff buses,” she explained.

On the likelihood that things might return to normal due to the Federal Government directive that banks should resume full operations, she said her employer is yet to issue directive in that regard, and that she doubts that her bank is going to open up all the branches from this week because they are also concerned about their staff wellbeing as the number of confirmed cases continues to rise in Nigeria.

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News Feature New NNPC board urged to ensure Corporation runs professionally for Nigeria’s benefit Olusola Bello

T

he new board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is a combination of technocrats and politician that have exhibited their un-alloyed loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Their experience over the years across the civil service and businesses in their field of professional competences are expected to be deployed to shape the activities of the NNPC for the next four years. The members are: Industry operators have advised members of the new board to put aside their political toga and chart a part of progress for the corporation in particular and the oil and gas industry at large. They have been urged to ensure that the corporation is professional run without much interference.

Bank-Anthony Okoroafor

, immediate past chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) implores the board members to work with the group managing director of NNPC and Minister of state for Petroleum Resources to leverage this period of low oil price to push to pass a Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that is good for the country and the industry; support the industry so that more projects can take FID, make Nigeria attractive for oil & gas industry investments, create more credible Oil & Gas E & P Entrepreneurs using the Marginal bid round.

Diran Fawibe, chairman and chief executive officer of IESL/ Doris Joint venture, said, they should work with the group managing director of NNPC for the betterment of the industry.

The Board members Mohammed Lawal: He is a former deputy director of Buhari Presidential Campaign Council.

He continued to be on the board after serving the last term because of the trust the President

Mele Kyari

has in him.

Tajudeen Umar: He is a diehard ‘Buharist’. He is a former chairman of the Joint Development Authority (JDA), an exclusive economic zone overlapping Nigeria’s maritime boundaries and law and Nigeria’s exclusive economic zone.

Pius Akinyelure: He has been a board member since 2016. He is a renowned industrialist and businessman and has been Bola Tinubu’s close ally, dating back to their time at Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc where Akinyelure served as executive director, while the APC national leader was the accountant. He was also a pioneer vice chairman of the All Progressives Congress from 2014-2018.

Adamu Mahmoud Atta: He is one of the new members from North-Central. Atta is chief executive officer of Matad Group Nigeria Ltd. He is also on the board of Wapic Insurance Plc and member of Nigerian Business Forum. The businessman re c e i ve d a n u n d e rg ra d u at e degree from Alliant International University, a graduate d e g re e f ro m A h ma d u B e l l o University and a post-graduate degree from the University of California.

Stephen Dike: He is a new comer to the board. He is from the South-East. Dike is a product of West Virginia University, with an MBA from the institution. He is also founder of Westcon Inter-

national Ltd. Dike currently is chairman of Advanced Management & Technological Solutions.

He is also on the board of Niger Insurance Co. Plc and Enugu Electricity Distribution Co. Plc. In his past career Dike held the position of chief executive officer at Westcon International Ltd.; Manager-Risk Management at Coyanosa Gas Services Corp. and Chairman at Nigerian Educational Research & Development Council.

Magnus Abe (South-South): He is a seasoned politician from Rivers State. A trained lawyer, he has served in different capacities in his home state. He was the state’s Assembly Minority Leader, Commissioner for Information and Secretary to the Government. At the national level, he represented Rivers South-East in the Senate before moving to the APC in 2014.

There are other statutor y members, including the minister of Petroleum who is the chairman of the board; group managing director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, and the permanent secretary Ministry of Finance.

Children in painful nostalgia recall how they missed May 27 fun Ngozi Okplakunne.

M

ay 27 of every year is marked all over the world as Children Day. It is a day set aside to remember and appreciate the young ones who are the leaders of tomorrow.

The day is usually characterised by a lot of activities which include track and field e v e nt s, ma rc h p a s t, a m o ng o t h e r s. S c h o o l c h i l d re n i n both primary and post primary schools converge on designated centres either at local government or state levels for such activities.

Mouth-watering prizes are usually given to schools that emerge best in many activities that normally feature. Individual prizes are also given out to children who represent their institutions well at such events. Such occasion offers opportunity for the children to bond with their colleagues and make new friends with those from other schools.

During this day, also, a lot of corporate organisations, nongovernmental organisations and philanthropists usually organise one programme or another in order to put smiles on the faces of these future leaders. Gift items are also given out to the children.

This time around, none of these featured. Instead, children were holed-up in their parents’ houses. The day came a n d p a s s e d by w i t h o u t t h e usual funfair.

The children missed the fun.

No thanks to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic currently r av a g i n g t h e e n t i r e w o r l d ,

(L-R): Jo Elphick, education manager, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation; Nigeria representatives and students of Caleb British International School- Betty Nnokwute, Tomiwa Amowoyagi, and Chizaram Nwaobi; Karen Botha, chief executive, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, and Olusegun Adeniyi, Art educator, Caleb British International School, at the Global Canvas Children’s Art Competition 2020 held at the Natural History Museum in London where Caleb British International School won the David Shepherd Award 2020.

necessitating a lockdown to contain its spread.

Following the outbreak of the virus in Nigeria, the Federal Government ordered all schools to close down. Since March 27, 2020, there have been no physical activities in schools across the country.

Telling their stories, how badly they missed the fun, a cross section of children in Lagos metropolis spoke with BDSUNDAY. David Ewuzie, a Senior Secondary School (SS3) student of Merc y Evelyn Group of S c h o o l s, Su r u l e re, sa i d t h e 2 0 2 0 C h i l d re n ’s Day w ou l d always be a day to remember with mixed feelings.

Describing the 2020 Children’s Day as “quarantined

one”, he prayed that the entire world should never again experience such pandemic as, according to him, it has disrupted a lot of things.

It is his wish that the pand e m i c w i l l q u i ck l y b e c o n tained and eradicated from the surface of the earth so that school children can all go back to school to continue with their studies.

A Senior Secondary School (SS1) student of Baptist Bowel Secondary School said he was not happy celebrating the day at home, adding that May 27 of every year is a day he always looks forward to.

“Children’s Day has always been an interesting day for me; it is a day to participate in different sports activities; it is

also a day to make new friends.

But, this year is s omething else. We have to stay at home in orde r n o t to b e i n f e cte d with the virus. It is better to stay at home in order for one to be alive to continue with one’s education. We can always have another Children’s Day celebration. But it is painful, I must say,” he lamented.

Mary Lois Michael, a Senior Secondary School (SS2) student of Sanya Senior Grammar School, said she badly missed the Children’s Day this year.

“This year’s celebration is nothing to talk about and l am not happy. Besides going to the National Stadium, my church also normally organises interesting programmes for the children. But, this year, there

was nothing like that. I was at home doing nothing. I pray that l will not have any cause to celebrate subsequent Children’s Day at home while I still remain in secondary school,” she added.

On how the Covid-19 has impacted her life, she said: “Before the Covid-19, l used to make some savings from school transport fare given to me by my parents. But now, l do not have any money because l have not been going to school. I pray that God will stop the spread of this disease so that we will go back to school.”

Speaking in the same vein, a Senior Secondary School (SS2) student of Mercy Evelyn Group of Schools, Josephine O n y e b u kw a, d e s c r i b e d h e r stay at home during the last Children’s Day celebration as an experience she would not forget so soon.

“It has always been a day of excitement and joy, a day to make new friends. But, there was nothing like that this year.

I was at home throughout. No place to visit. It was not interesting. I do not wish to experience such a situation in my life again,” Josephine said.

For a Junior Secondary School (JSS3) student of Aguda Community Junior Secondary School, Lilian, this year’s Children’s Day celebration did not worth the name because the activities that should make a children’s day indeed were missing.

“We were all home, nothing to celebrate and nowhere to go. l know things will be better next year ; by then, Covid-19 would have become a thing of the past,” she said optimistically.

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Inside Lagos

7

Restarting Lagos economy with a focus on job creation, food security

L

Hope Moses-Ashike

agos State Government recently announced a proposal to revise the state’s 2020 budget and plans to restart its economy post COVID-19, which has been presented to the House of Assembly for consideration.

COVID-19 started in Wuhan, China and has spread globally with adverse effects on world economies. Governments across the globe took proactive measures including locking down their economies to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The lockdown as being witnessed across the world started much earlier in places like China and Europe where factories, shops, schools and other businesses were shut down. Nigeria is an import-dependent country; its manufacturing sector immediately began to slow down because the supply chain was slowing down.

Another impact of COVID-19 was a slowdown in movement around the world with the attendant sharp drop in demand and prices for crude oil.

Overall, the combined effect of all of these was that the Nigerian economy slowed down. Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.87 percent (year-onyear) in real terms in Q1 2020, according to the first quarter (Q1) GDP report recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

International Monetary Fund (IMF) had predicted a negative growth of -3.4 per cent for Nigeria in 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on December 31, 2019 signed the 2020 Appropriation Bill of N1.168 trillion into law.

However, the size of the state’s budget is going to change largely due to external pressures that have now become internal pressure, arising from the coronavirus

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

pandemic.

“There is really nothing that would change in our broad objective. It is just that certain aspect of it has now been heightened.

For example, the actions that we would be taking on health, are same actions. It is just that now; we must accelerate it because we did not think of COVID-19 when the budget was being planned,” Sam Egube, Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, said.

In its first quarter review, things still looked quite firm and despite the challenges, somehow, Lagos was still able to come out with a positive variance on its revenue – about six per cent more than our target. The state achieved 106 per cent of the expected outcome on its revenue. Its recurrent expenditure was at 80 per cent target, but its capital expenditure which has to do with projects largely was at 41 per cent of expectation. That was so largely because the first quarter was a little bit slower.

“Even though we expected a capital to recurrent expenditure of 61:39, what we saw was 44:56.

And because we had the monies waiting to meet those projects, we had a surplus of N119 billion instead of our planned deficit of N24 billion,” Egube said.

However, to move forward, three things were

clear to the state. Firstly, it needed to maintain a very strong pandemic response. Secondly, it needed to restart the Lagos State economy and thirdly, it needed to re-imagine the way Lagos operates.

“So, there is going to be a shift and we are proposing to the state House of Assembly, a reduction in our budget from N1.168 trillion, to N920 billion, which is a 21 per cent drop,” he said.

On how this will affect Lagosians, he said, “The GDP is what affects us a lot in Lagos. When you look at the correlation between GDP and unemployment, you are then able to put your finger on how GDP affects unemployment. Generally, the income distribution of Lagos is about N46,000 per average for about six million people that are working. That begins to tell you how revenue would be impacted. And once you do the analysis you will

see that federal transfer is going to be impacted by about 30 percent. But that is 18 percent of our source of revenue. We would lose another 5 percent of the capital receipt and that is because a portion of that capital receipt has to do with things we already have in our hands. When you blend all of this together, what you find is that the real effect on our revenue is 24 percent drop and a 21.2 percent drop on the expenditure side”.

To cut personnel budget means to sack people but the commissioner made it clear that the state doesn’t intend to sack anybody. “This is not the time to sack people, but the time to intervene with people. So, you have to keep people on their jobs.

Even if you send them away, you will still need to be sending palliatives to them wherever they are.

So, we didn’t touch our personnel cost. Overhead is to come down by 20 per

This is not the time to sack people, but the time to intervene with people. So, you have to keep people on their jobs

cent”.

In re-imagining the way Lagos State would operate going forward, one of the responses for the state is on food supply looking at things around food production. The state is also going to look at how to take care of the vulnerable.

“Now, in restarting the economy we feel the focus should be on job creation,” Egube said. Jobs stimulate consumption and consumption is what makes production possible. There are sectors that are heavy in terms of job creation, such as SMEs. Construction is also strong and it has several characteristics.

It can employ people and provide a platform for tomorrow’s growth. He said the state would be looking a lot at agriculture to support and retrain its people. “Let’s face it, the way people work would change and so we all need skills that would help us work in the new environment that COVID-19 has created”.

On other sectors of priorities, he said, “there are a few things that are going to be important going forward. We are aggressive in our health response. We felt we needed to support business and the idea was to use the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) to do some support. But in the meantime we are going to allow filing extension so that people would not be under pressure in filing their taxes and then working capital for SMEs. But going forward, we need to take a very strong approach to the crisis and we need to restart the state economy.

So, our safety commission is doing a lot of work to try and codify what living with COVID-19 in the workplace should look like. Lagos is a service centre and the things that make Lagos bubble are our hotels, our bars, night clubs, restaurants. Now, if that sector is challenged globally, then you are looking at a challenge in the economy”.

Furthermore, he said “when you go through a shock, you tell yourself that you won’t let it hap-

pen again. So, one of the things we are doing in the proposed budget is to create a Stabilisation Fund of one per cent of our internally generated revenue, that would help us cope with shocks as we go on and hopefully we would have legislation around how this Fund can be assessed. So, in this proposal that is going to the House of Assembly, there is a line for the Stabilisation Fund that is required”.

Responding to issues on IGR expectation, amid businesses facing challenges because of the COVID-19, the commissioner said, “First understand that where this economy was going was 1 trillion and we have now said 250 billion may not come, so we have moderated it downwards. But we did not wake up and just moderate it, we did a lot of analysis. We have information coming from the federal government regularly as to how things will go. We have access to analysts across the world who tell us where crude is likely to be and ranges of what prices will be. We have expert traders who sit and tell us their forecast for crude. We have estimated what consumption will go to and I will try to explain to you the counter balancing of consumption as it concern exchange rate also. So the fact that exchange rate is going down means, what one dollar is now is more naira. Even though consumption comes down it means VAT should have gone down. But exchange rate went up meaning the naira consumption, will counter balance it. That is why we are seeing only a 5 percent net decline in that area. But there are also declines around your PPT taxes and all of those other things. So when we played this into our model we felt the range of drop on revenue will be between 21 percent and 31 percent. Now we also then went into LIRS to see what they have done from January to March and we see that they were not over turned. You can see from our first quarter report that we are ahead of budget as for March”.

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Comment

comment is free

Addressing rising cases of rape

Frank Aigbogun

editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, INNOVATION & PARTNERSHIPS Oghenevwoke Ighure ADVERT MANAGER Ijeoma Ude FINANCE MANAGER Emeka Ifeanyi MANAGER, CONFERENCES & EVENTS Obiora Onyeaso BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (South East, South South) Patrick Ijegbai COPY SALES MANAGER Florence Kadiri DIGITAL SALES MANAGER Linda Ochugbua GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (North)

Bashir Ibrahim Hassan

GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (South) Ignatius Chukwu HEAD, HUMAN RESOURCES Adeola Obisesan

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Send 800word comments to comment@businessday.ng

Publisher/Editor-in-chief

MANAGING DIRECTOR Dr. Ogho Okiti

@Businessdayng

Tayo Ogunbiyi Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

O

nce again, the unpleasant reality of the appalling issue of rape in our society has been brought into the fore as Vera Uwaila Omozuma, a 22-year-old university student in Edo State, was recently found dead in a church after being allegedly raped.

Vera, who went to study in a church at Ikpoba Hill area of Benin City, on May 27, 2020, was allegedly raped and assaulted by assailants.

It was gathered that the men forced their way into the church, where they raped and struck her in the head with a fire extinguisher (Oh my God!).

Vera’s sad episode is just one out of many such sordid rape tales that have come up of late.

For instance, on May 30, in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, 11 suspects were arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl (name withheld).

The suspects were apprehend-

ed after the police received a complaint that one of the suspects, aged 57 of Ma’ai village was seen at Limawa market in Dutse LGA, trying to lure the victim. During the course of interrogation, the victim listed names of 11 men who had sexual intercourse with her at different times on many occasions.

Similarly, last April, 18-year-old Jennifer was allegedly attacked and raped by a gang of five men in Narayi, a small community in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Her assailants were said to have carried out the dastardly action on the teenager after giving her a liquid content — said to be a mixture of alcohol and drugs — to drink. Two of the suspected rapists have been apprehended while the remaining three boys are currently at large.

In a manner that suggests the demon in charge of this reprehensible act is on the loose, 18year Barakat Bello, student of the Federal College of Animal and Production Technology, Moore Plantation, Apata, Ibadan, was recently raped and killed in Ibadan.

The ugly incidence took place at her home in Akinyele, Ibadan and the corpse found near the house.

Though a global phenomenon, the appalling side of rape in our clime has to do with recklessness of the perpetrators, lackluster response of justice administrators and absence of institutional supportive system to help the victims.

Rape victims suffer a sense of abuse that goes beyond physical

injury. They may become skeptical of men and experience feelings of embarrassment and disgrace.

Victims who suffer rape trauma syndrome experience physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, and fatigue.

They may also develop psychological disturbances related to the circumstances of the rape, such as intense fears. Fear of being raped has social as well as personal consequences. For example, it may prevent women from socializing or traveling as they wish while worried and un-enlightened parent can use it as excuse of limiting educational progress of girl-child.

Rape takes away from the victim, human rights such as right to life (as it led to death in some instances), right to dignity of human person, right to personal liberty and security of person and right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It is a crime against basic human rights and it also violates the victim’s most cherished of the fundamental rights - the right to life.

Sadly, occurrence of cases of rape calls to question not only our sense of justice but our civilization as a people. Now, let’s attempt to examine why some men engage in the heinous crime of rape.

According to experts, rape mostly occurs as result of a violent craving to control the victim rather than an attempt to achieve sexual fulfillment. They deem rape an act of violence rather than mainly a

sexual encounter.

Beside the desire to control, rape also underscores the sorry state of mind of the perpetrators. The blatant way rape is often committed shows that perpetrators still operate in a distorted mindset of women as assets to be used and dispensed with at will.

Many Nigerians believe that women/girls invite trouble on themselves by being careless.

Mothers often chide daughters for wearing provocative clothing, in most cases a sleeveless garment or a pair of hip-hugging jeans.

Though one isn’t an advocate of indecent dressing, but it could not be a justification for raping. Come to think of; is indecent dressing a ‘rapeable’ offence?

The weak stance of the law towards rape needs to be seriously addressed. Women and girls who are raped in Nigeria have little hope of obtaining justice and reparation. Victims are sometimes pressured into withdrawing the case or parents of victims prefer financial settlement out of court to a criminal prosecution.

Sadly, perpetrators of rape have continued to enjoy the crime because the onus of proof lies only with the victims. A lot has to be done if we must achieve a rape/ sexual abuse-free society.

Recent upsurge in rape cases questions our sanity as a people.

We need to make stronger laws against the shameful act. Rape is too horrific a crime to be treated lightly.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Imo Itsueli Mohammed Hayatudeen Afolabi Oladele Vincent Maduka Opeyemi Agbaje Amina Oyagbola Bolanle Onagoruwa Fola Laoye Chuka Mordi Mezuo Nwuneli Charles Anudu Tunji Adegbesan Eyo Ekpo Wiebe Boer Paul Arinze Boye Olusanya Ayo Gbeleyi Haruna Jalo-Waziri Clement Isong

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9

Personality Rising through the police without godfather: The story of Yunusa Ogwuche, retiring CP

T

IGNATIUS CHUKWU he Nigeria Police is often described as the worst centre of corruption, brutality and injustice as well as the place where no officer can rise an inch without a godfather. Yet, on the day Yunusa Ogwuche signed off at the rank of Commissioner of Police and the Eastern Port Commissioner, many officer gathered to point at him as a model for true policing and sample of success without a godfather.

Many pointed to him as an evidence of leading without shouting, without rancour and without acrimony.

Born May 23, 1960, at UnyiOgugu in Olamaboro LGA of Kogi State (formerly in Benue State), he schooled in Ugbokolo town for his secondary school and University of Calabar and graduated in 1984 (Education Science). He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 1986.

Since then, he attended many local and international professional courses such as International Humanitarian Law and the Law of Armed Conflict (UN Institute for Training and Research); and Executive Intelligence Management Course. He served as DPO in 14 Divisions, DCO in two Divisions, O/C State Intelligence Bureau in Minna, Niger State, Oc Anti-Fraud Section, State CID, Port Harcourt, and AC in three states.

He is a Fellow of the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja. On his retirement date, a day before his 60th birthday, the police facility at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in Port Harcourt witnessed presence of top officers in the Police, Customs and top manager of the NPA who said they will never miss the event as long as Ogwuche was concerned.

The NPA MD was represented by the Rivers Ports manager while the Commissioner of police was represented by the deputy (operations), Yomi Oladimeji. The MD of PTOL was on hand, Port Manager, Onne was represented, Port Manager, Calabar, was represented by the DPO, Calabar, Customs Area Controllers Area 1, Onne was on hand and the GM of BUA was represented.

The DCP Ports made sterling remarks on Ogwuche: “You are able and healthy, that is the biggest retirement gift. It is a remarkable one, a journey of a sword; to enlist, serve, and retire in peace and good health (meritoriously). There is no iota of challenge. You can become a senator. It is good to retire in good health.

“He even objected to a ceremony, to show his level of simplicity and humility. He is a servant leader.

He is a rare type in the Nigeria Police.

He never shouted at any police officer. He has proved that you effectively lead Nigerians without shouting them.

You were able to wax peace and

‘Possible to lead the police as CP without shouting’

Ogwuche harmony between the police and Customs as well as other agencies.”

The NPA MD: Hadiza Bala Usman (represented); “I am happy with you but shocked to hear you are leaving. It is however one thing to start a career and another thing to end it and in good health. You are leaving a good record in the eastern ports. The eastern ports are some of the most notorious due to youth issues and numerous crises but there has been no single complaint in any part under your command. This is very good. Your going out shall be better than now.”

The Manager, Port Harcourt Port: Yunusa Ibrahim Anji; “I met Ogwuche in 1977 in secondary school which formed rugged training in life. Now, I met him again. He served the environment well. He is a true servant-leader.”

MD: PTOL, Denrick Moos: “This

is a CP that never raises his voice.

We blended as a family. Wherever you may go, let goodwill follow you.”

The Rep of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers: “I met him first in Borno where he was deputy commissioner (admin) and I was OC CID. He took matters effectively until positive result was achieved.

He is a team leader, and does not hoard information. His leaving will definitely be to greater heights.”

Onu Ignala: Rivers, Audu Isa Jibrin: “This is just stepping aside, You are very strong and energetic.

I will miss you here.

Port Manager, Onne (Ismalia Abubakar): “He has good skills of a team leader. To be DPO in so many stations is significant. Your years in Onne were peaceful.

Customs: Awwal Muhammed: “We are celebrating an icon. You

have attained the highest promotable rank (CP) in the Police, and it’s an honour to not just retire as a CP but with a command. The zone under you has been calm. It shows that someone was busy and active.

BUA Rep; “My GM asked me to come and honor him. He moved us emotionally when he came down to see us and find out how we were doing. He is really a fine man.”

Yunusa Ogwuche!

Today is a very happy for me. This morning during prayer, we were just dancing to God. If you look back for what god has done for me, you will dance forever. Today I am retiring as a Commissioner of Police (CP), but nobody believed I could go to school, let alone get to this point.

I came from a polygamous family and my mom was the third, and the only male child. I was the one chosen to stay at home and look after my dad. The meaning in Igala culture was that you will not think of going anywhere but to serve at the footstool of your father. The highest I could aspire would be a good tapper or so.

Something happened one day.

My maternal uncle living in Oturkpo was passing and my mom went to greet him (because our home was on the road). I followed her. The man called out my mom, ‘Onyeche, you have no sense!’. My mom said; what did I do? He said, ‘you have only one male child, and your mates have many, and only yours is chosen to stay home and attend to his father’.

I was amazed at this statement. I thought about it. I met another boy of same fate, and I raised the topic.

We decided to go to school and let the worse happen. One day, we went to school.

After school, when I was coming back, because my father was the chief of the community, to come back home was an issue. Where was I going to enter? Towards evening, I came out from hiding and came home. I greeted him but surprisingly, he responded. Wao, so? Sometime later, it was time for

L-R: Yunusa Ibrahim Anji, Port Manager, Rivers Ports; Yunusa Ogwuche, retiring CP; Awwal Muhammed, Customs Comptroller Eastern Ports; and Rivers Deputy Police Commissioner (Ops).

school fees. I was apprehensive.

Who will pay for me? I asked him, and he gave me. Wao again. That was how my schooling started till the university.

Enlistment: We were all in Benue State by then. We went to Kaduna for interview as Cadet Assistant Superintendents (ASP). They were looking for five persons and we were 120. It was though. As we gathered for syndication, people started bringing out long letters given to them by prominent personalities (VIPs). They asked me about my own letter. I said nobody gave me letter oh. Everyone burst into laughter. They said, people came with long letters and you did not, why did you bother to waste your transport? So, I said, well, let me try my luck. At the end, I was number three from Benue. Applause.

That one passed. Cadet Officers used to be trained at Police College in Jos. Our own became an issue.

They said they were going to give us senior inspector, not cadet not Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) again. So, they pushed us to Police College in Ikeja. When we got there and were told of our rankto-be as mere senior inspectors, we said we were interviewed for cadet ASP, that instead, we would go.

Then, one fateful morning, the Inspector General of Police (IG, Etim Inyang) came and after addressing us, he said; my children, don’t worry, I am going to give you people your stars. Eh, jubilation! That was how it started.

The course commenced but the huddles continued. The so-called quota system that has paralysed the Nigeria police started with us. It was now according state of origin. It was very painful because the quota system can keep you on one rank while others are flying. Those of us that suffered most were from Kogi, Edo, Delta and Imo, up till now.

When we were DSP, our coursemates were already AC, waiting for DC. One day, a friend from Road Safety Corps said; what are you doing there, if I were you, I would quit. I said; let me wait for God’s time. When we reached a point, they cancelled the quota system and we started jubilating that things would be better. We continued like that until we got to DC. It continued until a regime came and promotion was no longer on seniority. A person could come from behind. Hope was almost lost, but as God would have it, the present IG (Mohammed Adamu) came in, our amiable IG, I remove my cap for you. I pray for you that God will lead you to the very end.

He came in and said, no, due process must be followed. I said, hei! It was that same week that I was promoted to CP. In the police ranking, CP is the ceiling; any other one is political. For God to have helped me to reach the ceiling, I am so happy. So many of us that started with us are no more alive, many dismissed, so many on sick bed, cannot use their limbs, but today, here I am, hale and hearty. I am so very happy.

Some mornings when I jog with my children, they should, oh daddy, you don’t get tired?

I have every cause to thank God for what he has done in my life. Help me thank God.

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Sunday 07 June 2020

Politics Edo guber: Why Obaseki’s chances are bright, despite oppositions ZEBULON AGOMUO

S

ince the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rolled out the timetable for the Edo State off-season gubernatorial election, the media have been awash with stories on whether Governor Godwin Obaseki would be allowed to re-contest It is not about whether or not he has done things that should merit him a second term. The Edo electorates seem not to be factored into all these as regards their roles in selecting who governs them. It is about, ‘Will Adams Oshiomhole allow him? Will Ahmed Tinubu allow him? And the answer according to many analysts is, Why not? The thinking in many quarters is that Governor Obaseki deserves a return ticket from his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and by implication, an overwhelming confidence vote of Edo people on the election day.

Obaseki, founder and former chairman, Board of Directors of Afrinvest West Africa Limited (formerly Securities Transactions & Trust Company Limited (SecTrust), resigned his position in 2016 to join the murky waters of Nigerian politics. He contested the gubernatorial election of that year and emerged winner.

He succeeded Adams Oshiomhole, who governed Edo State for eight straight years.

Obaseki heeded the call by many concerned Nigerians, who over the years, had clamoured for more private sector players to go into elective positions in order to change the flavour of politics in the country.

Since the return of Nigeria to civil rule in 1999, the political space has been dominated by career politicians, whose whole lives are woven around politics, without a second address.

The consequence has been that they see politics as an avenue to amass wealth to the detriment of the people. While they flourish as individuals, the country continues to grow leaner and leaner.

Over the years, they have changed the meaning of democracy to be ‘government of the few, by the few and for the few, as against the original definition, “government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

As a technocrat in politics, his stomach rumbled on seeing how a few individuals were appropriating the wealth that belonged to the state. He was said to have been more disturbed as former political office holders instituted all

Godwin Obaseki

manner of levies on hapless market women and small businesses. These illegal tax and levy collectors were said to be answerable to some political lords who are not even residing in the state, but in Abuja. It was gathered that these former “this and that” in the state established a parallel government. Not only that the state government was losing money, small businesses were not allowed to operate peacefully. It was a reign of chaos. BDSUNDAY reliably gathered that it was in his effort to block avenues of revenue leakages that pitted him against some interest in the state.

An official of the Edo State government said thatthere used to be wrong pricing in procurements and even in the award of contracts in the old order, resulting in loss of huge revenues.

Obaseki believes that there was so much inefficiency in the system, which made the state to suffer huge financial losses. Moreover, there was also the allegation of “stepping on toes.”

Some powerful individuals who believed they were untouchable and above the law, considered it an insult band an affront when asked to follow due process in whatever they do in the state. “They found it difficult to come to the simple realisation that a new Sheriff is in town,” that is a major plank of the issue, BDSUNDAY gathered.

“Some people who felt they were owners of the state empowered some boys who were going about collecting all manner of levies. They made life very difficult for market women and

indigenes doing small businesses to eke out a living. Even in Government Reserved Areas (GRAs), they were very powerful; wielding so much power, extorting people all over the state.

Some of them were said to have their counting machines in their homes. They impoverished the state by their activities,” a politician from the state said, on condition of anonymity.

The politician also said that the state had drastically cut the cost of building roads.

“We can build three roads now with even lesser cost than they used to build one road in the past. If there is no economic growth, we get stuck. Oil has run out. We must do things that could help us create wealth. As you cannot make an omelet without breaking an egg, there is no way we can build a new Edo without dismantling those negative things that hampered the progress of the state in the past. There are entrenched interests that are being dislodged and they are fighting back. Don’t forget that our governor is a private sector person, he cannot help but see that Edo is run and run very well,” an official of the state government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also said.

The official further said: “There was this thinking in some quarters that those boys that went about collecting illegal levies were the backbone of government, but Governor Obaseki said no; it is not possible. He told them that they have created non-state actors and that they have become a threat to democracy.

So, he decided to dismantle such illegal struc-

tures and the masters began to cry out. I must tell you that the well being of our people were threatened by the activities of these boys. If you want to change an old, negative order, you have to fight. To get peace, you have to go to war. That is the story of Nigeria today, and that is the crux of the matter in Edo today.”

Observers said that in order to engage the governor in an attrition war, some of the elements that felt wounded by the reforms instituted by the Obaseki administration tried to ambush him at the inauguration of the elected members of the state House of Assembly.

“They plotted to hijack the Assembly and use the members to impeach the governor. But their plot was uncovered. That was responsible for the crisis at the state House of Assembly following the inauguration of a few members on June 17, 2019. If they succeeded in taking over the Assembly, Governor Obaseki would have since been impeached, but for providence sake,” the official said.

Speaking on the campaign and alleged plan

by Oshiomhole to deny the governor a return ticket, a big player in the oil industry, at a meeting recently, wondered why politicians always see themselves as a thin god.

“Some time ago, we were looking for private sector people that should go into politics.

Obaseki left his flourishing business to contribute his quota in the development of Edo on political platform. Now, people are saying they do not want him to complete eight years, for no just reason other than that he does not allow them and their cronies to continue to plunder the state. It is really annoying. Nobody is saying, Obaseki has not performed well, but that he doesn’t allow them to chop. That is nonsense,” the private sector player said, asking not to be named.

According to him, “I don’t get it when people say Obaseki cannot get a second term unless he sees this and that person; does it mean the electorates no longer have a role to play in who gets victory at elections? If they are people of integrity as they trumpet, they should allow a level playing field and let people compete on equal footing.

“They are simply afraid of him. They fear that four more years would be brutal for them.

So, they want to claw onto power in the state by all means. But I think their plots will fail. I am aware that people know what is good for them; they can no longer be hoodwinked.”

Lawal, Lagos Agric commissioner, emerges Oniru-elect

T

he Lagos State Executive Council, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, having satisfied all legal requirements, Friday approved the nomination and appointment of Gbolahan Lawal as the new Oba-elect of Iruland (the Oniru-elect of Iruland).

A statement by Gboyega Akosile, chief press secretary to the governor, stated that Lawal’s appointment as the Oniru-elect, which takes immediate effect, was made during the State’s Executive Council meeting, where final ratification was made on his nomination.

Lawal succeeds the late Oba Idowu Abiodun, former Oniru of Iruland, who passed on in year 2019 at the age of 82.

According to the statement, Gbolahan Wasiu Lawal born on July 24th 1970 to the late Chief T. A. Lawal-Akapo, the Ojora of Lagos (1977-1993) and Olori M. A. Lawal-Akapo.

Gbolahan, is a Lagos Prince from the Ojora, Aromire, Shokun and Abisogun branch of Oniru Royal families of Lagos State.

He is a seasoned administrator with over 25 years postgraduate experience with an in-depth knowledge of the workings of the Public Sector. He is driven, focused, steadfast and passionate. Prince Lawal’s excellent leadership, communication, collaborative

and organizational skills have over the years sharpened his ability to identify, analyse and proffer strategic transformational change.

Lawal holds an Executive MSc in CITIES (LSE, Cities) from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He also obtained an MSc in Violence, Conflict and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies [SOAS], University of London in 2008; a BSc Hons in Botany from the University of Port-Harcourt in 1992 and a product of the famous St. Gregory’s College, Lagos.

In addition, he has completed several courses and programmes amongst which are the International Housing Finance Program (IHFP) in 2018 and Advanced Management Programme (AMP) from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA in 2015. He is also a product of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the World Bank Institute, Washington D.C. In the last 8years, he has been on the board of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

Prince Lawal started his career as a Scientific Officer with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council at the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in 1994. He later joined The Nigerian Police Force and was commissioned as a Cadet Assistant Superin-

tendent. While in the force, he held several duty posts amongst which was serving as an Aide-de-camp [ADC] to the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He retired voluntarily from the Nigerian Police in 2008 as a Superintendent of Police.

Prince Gbolahan Lawal was a Senior Special Assistant on Special Projects to a former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). In this capacity, he coordinated the Agriculture-Based Youth Empowerment Scheme (AgricYES). The success of the innovative Agric-Yes paved way for his appointment as the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives in Lagos State in 2011.

His impeccable public service record and his ability to address urban challenges also led to his appointment as the Honourable Commissioner for Housing by former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State in October 2015, a position he held until May 2019.

A lot of programmes and landmark projects were achieved under his watch as the Honourable Commissioner such as the Rentto-own home ownership program, Master Craftsman program, Lagos Affordable Public Housing (LAPH), and The 4-IN-14 days bungalow housing development.

In 2019, Gbolahan Lawal was reappointed as the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State by the current Governor of the State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu essentially based on his sterling performance and quality leadership he provided in his first stint in the office. Suffice it to say that during his first reign as the Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives in Lagos State, Gbolahan was the brain behind programmes and projects such as the School Agric programme, the Agric-YES summer school for senior secondary schools and the Eko Rice Mill, Imota.

During his second spell as the Honourable Commissioner, he has brought to bear his previous experience and expertise in the field.

He came up with the idea of an Agricultural Stakeholders Summit in furtherance of the efforts of the State Government to make Lagos a 21st century economy with the agricultural sector playing a vital role in sustainable food security and diversification of the economy.

Essentially, the Summit developed strategies that will ensure the State attains sustainable food security, improved nutrition, generate employment and create wealth through a combination of business and development platforms in partnership with the private sector.

Sunday 07 June 2020

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11

Politics To save our democracy, citizens must ensure right people are elected into power - Bewaji Wunmi Bewaji is pro-democracy activist and executive director of Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER).

He is also former minority leader in the House of Representatives. In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he speaks on democracy in Nigeria, significance of June 12, electronic voting, among other issues in the polity. Excerpts:

firstly, the power must derive from the constitution or a legislation. Secondly, it must be within the province of the Federal Government. Where can they point to a section of the constitution that allows the President to relate with the local government? The federation created in the constitution is between the federal and state, the local government is not a member of the federation; that is Section 2 of the constitution. Nigeria is a federal state. If governors are stealing local government money, let them go to court.

If you go through the constitution there are lots of sections for their independence. It is a violation of our federal constitution. The Federal Government and the state are equal partners in a federal state. Malami should be an AttorneyGeneral of the Federal Government and not for all the federation in a proper set up.

What Buhari has done is a violation of the constitution of Nigeria. He is doing this, look at how the former CJN was removed; was it fair? What is he teaching the states about separation of powers?

In a few days time, Nigeria would celebrate June 12, Democracy Day; what is your assessment of progress so far? e have had our success and our failures; democracy is a process and not an event. Yes, we have our challenges, but that does not mean that it should be all rosy. You can see in developed nations the challenges they have been having for some months now; the handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Also, in the United State, the manner the protest resulting from the killing of the black man is being handled. Imagine American policemen and security agencies using teargas on protesters; when you see that here, you begin to wonder; yet, there are times that policemen are sacked for maltreating citizens, here in Nigeria.

We have our challenges and we would continue to identify the challenges and correct them and keep making progress.

W

But some Nigerians would say there is little to celebrate, looking at the resources of the country. It appears that successive administrations have not delivered on their promises?

There is a difference between democracy and good governance; democracy does not guarantee good governance, there are lots of things we ourselves need to do that we are not doing. What democracy guarantees is that freedom of choice for the people to choose their leader; but we are held up by religious and tribal sentiments.

You know that a person is not qualified for a position, but because he is from your tribe regardless of competence, you vote for him. Merit and competence would take us there; in the last 21 years what we have had is this primordial sentiment even at the local government level. So, until we give credence to competence and merit we would continue to miss it.

Are we ever going to move away from this point?

Yes, it is possible, when we start integrating national issues, knowing what we want to solve. If we say this health sector crisis, is it a Nigeria problem or a Yoruba problem? When we identify it as a Nigerian problem we look for the solution as Nigeria problem not as Yoruba solution or Igbo solution. So, until we get to that stage, when we actually start looking at the issues that we have to tackle from the lenses of Nigeria as a nation rather than a tribe then we would make progress. Until we develop a national preservative to our problems, the people come in regardless of their tribe, purely on competence and merit rather than on primordial sentiment.

What is the significance of June 12 to Nigeria’s history?

June 12 is significant, the significant is because it was the moment that we

Wunmi Bewaji

discovered as a nation that we loved democracy. Yes, some people were playing with military rule and other forms of government, but on that day, we decided that we want democracy. Secondly, June 12 was the moment we discovered that we are not as polarised as people think, that we are even more united. We saw MKO defeating Tofa in his state and polling units. We disclosed that we can work together as a people.

Abiola was honoured by this administration. What does it mean to the June 12 struggle?

It is significant. You know Babangida had plenty of opportunity to undo the wrongs he did to Nigeria with that annulment, but some people said no it would project weakness being that they were military men. But the greatest strength as a man is to recognise your mistake and correct it. And recognising Abiola; giving him that award is to recognise that effort and declaring June 12 Democracy Day is significant for our democracy.

Are there lessons to learn for Nigerians?

For me, the lesson is that never again as a nation should we allow under any circumstance, anyone who is not democratically elected to rule us. Not even the so-called benevolent dictator should ever rule us.

And then we should also be able to guard against this civilian dictatorship. Internal vigilantism; we must make sure no matter what, and the individual, we must keep them on their promises. For example, we hear Buhari signed the Executive Order

recently; it would go down in history that we start allowing civilian dictatorship to undermine our democracy. They are in control of the government, he has the legislature, the majority in both houses, and there is nothing he wants to do that he can’t do. But there are some pseudodemocrats behind Buhari signing the Executive Order. But I can tell you that it undermines the power of the National Assembly. It is a shame that the National Assembly has not done anything; posterity would not forgive them.

But the AGF said Buhari was just exercising his constitutional powers?

No, Executive Order has two limitations;

The country was not moving on the right direction; the level of banditry and terrorism was high when he was about coming in such that the country could have disintegrated now

Some scholars have said democracy is failing globally; do you agree?

Democracy is not a silver bullet; there are several things that go with it to work. A lunatic can be elected to be the president of the most powerful country in the world.

It is left for the citizens to make sure the right people are elected. So, there is no alternative to democracy.

INEC says electronic voting would be used from 2021; what is your take?

Is good; we must also ensure that we back it up with the paper system we’ve been using. In advanced society; that is how it is done. We must also back it up with an independent audit of INEC. There are so many benefits of electronic voting but the dangers are catastrophic; we saw that in Florida in the US in 2000.

I have always been an advocate of it but we must do it with sense. I would have loved to test it in some elections before 2023.

Buhari is five years in office, how do you rate him?

He has fulfilled his mandate, he promised change and he has delivered. The country was not moving on the right direction; the level of banditry and terrorism was high when he was about coming in such that the country could have disintegrated now. Whether he has performed in terms of provision of this and that is another question. Buhari to me is not the messiah; he just came to stop the stealing going on during the PDP rule. We now have this interregnum; it is not going to be an administration that would be remembered for any big programme, but we can take a big breath for eight years and then we can decide. Is just like someone coming on a long and tedious journey.

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Sunday 07 June 2020

Politics Ondo guber: Aspirants battle to get APC, PDP tickets KORETIMI AKINTUNDE, Akure

W

ith the recent visit of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to President Muhammadu Buhari to lobby for second term ticket ahead of the October 10, 2020 governorship election in Ondo State, political fortune may likely smile on him to clinch the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which is being eyed by many other aspirants.

Recall that Governor Akeredolu on Monday ran to the President seeking his support and endorsement in order to continue his administration for another four years in spite of armies of opposition groups within the party trying to send him out of Alagbaka Government House in Akure.

While other aspirants within the APC and other opposition parties are saying no to the incumbent governor, his loyalists are optimistic that he would surmount all political hurdles to win victory.

Besides, the so-called ‘Unity Forum’, a group within the APC that consists of arch political adversaries to Akeredolu, according to views of citizens, has failed the good people of Ondo State in their bid to present a credible, reliable and trustworthy candidate that will confront Akeredolu at the poll and wins hands down.

As said by many political readers, the failure of Unity Forum to successfully present a consensus candidate may likely give the incumbent governor an opportunity to fly his reelection bid in good colour.

It became more dramatic on 14th of last month, the Unity Forum announced Olusola Oke as its candidate to face the incumbent governor, Akeredolu for the party’s governorship primary in the state.

The announcement by its Leader, Ali Olanusi, a former Deputy Governor and Board of Trustee (BoT) member of the party, irked other nine aspirants jostling to emerge as the consensus candidate of the group.

All the 10 Aspirants are, Segun Abraham, Olarewaju Kazeem, Bukola Adetula, Dapo Adelegan, Adelami Olayide Owolabi, Akintunde Akinsewa Awodeyi, Jumoke Anifowose, Chief Olusola Oke, Ife Oyedele and Jimmy Odimayo.

Jegede showing off expression of interest form in PDP

Rotimi Akeredolu and Adams Oshiomhole

Also, the pioneer state chairman of the party, Isaac Kekemeke, is in the race, but he ditched the Unity Forum on the grounds that the group may likely collapse due to some undemocratic tendencies of some leaders and members.

However, the Secretary to the selection committee, Sola Ehindero, without mincing words, faulted Olanusi’s report on announcing Oke as the candidate of the group, describing it as fake.

Since Olanusi declared Oke, who contested with nine other aspirants as Unity Forum’s candidate, each of the other nine aspirants has defied the unity of the group and decided to contest no matter how is it.

While another indication has shown that the incumbent governor is now moving from one place to another within the state and outside to beg and persuade those that he might have offended one way or the other so that it wouldn’t be a stone of delay on him at the poll.

On the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as said by many political observers, Eyitayo Jegede may likely clinch the ticket of the party.

Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is seen as only formidable aspirant in the party, remains committed and anxiously awaits the October 10 gubernatorial poll since he lost in the last 2016 governorship election in the state.

Other aspirants jostling with Jegede

within the party are Eddy Olafeso, the National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Banji Okunomo, Olusola Ebiseeni, Bamidele Akingboye, Saka Lawal, Boluwaji Kunlere, John Ola Mafo, Dayo Fadahunsi.

Also, in the race is the founder of the Achiever University Owo, Bode Ayorinde.

Ayorinde was a House of Representatives member between 2015 and 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress but ditched the party ahead of 2019 general election when he lost APC return ticket to Timilehin Adelegbe, prompting his defection to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

But, the political permutations on ground seem to be in favour of Ayorinde since the former National Assembly member is from Owo, the local government of incumbent Akeredolu and he is expected to deploy his influence to garner large number of votes for PDP and by so doing he might be given a House of Representatives return ticket in PDP or be given a Senatorial slot.

Besides, it was gathered that the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is set again to support Jedege’s candidature, his personal lawyer, to win the election as he did in the last 2016 governorship election before APC eventually won the poll.

Although, there are agitations concerning the rotation of the governorship ticket of the PDP in which some members are

arguing that the ticket should be moved to the Southern region of the state which may not favour Jegede.

At least, over seven aspirants in the contest under the opposition party are from the South and have begun some consultations among themselves to ensure they raise a sole aspirant from the region to battle in the race.

Also, the speculations that the Deputy Governor of the State, Agboola Ajayi, who is no longer on the same page with his boss, Akeredolu, is planning to defect to the PDP, has rattled the aspirants in the party, considering his political clout.

Although two of the aspirants, Jegede and Banji Okunomo who both have obtained their expression of interest forms in PDP, showing their readiness to contest in the party’s primary, it is not sure that the poll will be an easy ride for both of them as some others are said to be warming up to obtain expression of interest forms.

Jegede, who was at the PDP Secretariat alongside his supporters, said the main opposition party is united to unseat the APC government being led by Governor Akeredolu.

He said that Akeredolu had not been able to leave to up the expectations of the people of the state in the last three years in government, hence the need to change the leadership baton for more purposely governance.

Major reasons President Buhari will not read Col. Umar’s letter Continued from back page

Buhari to write a history of Nigeria that would favour Buhari. Umar advised that Buhari could achieve that through his actions.

With only three years to go, Umar sees only misty hopes of a better Nigeria from Buhari. He should know that presidential panjandrums would consider his advice attacks on their individual contributions to the making of the Buhari presidency. Mrs. Lauretta Onochie has said that Umar’s interjection was a product of dependence on fake news. She is paid to say such things. Media reports have appeared with statistical inferences that Buhari’s appointments favoured

the South, and not the North.

Umar has made his contribution aware of his relationship with Buhari. He matters of that nature to deter him. When he resigned his commission in 1993, it was unimaginable that a serving officer would do so. He did.

Thereafter he spoke out against the President Ibrahim Babangida administration, and General Sani Abacha after him.

Who will bring Umar’s letter to the President attention? Was Umar, as a Major, not among those who abridged Buhari’s military regime on Tuesday 27 August 1985? Who has forgotten that?

Moreover, the President is a slow reader.

President Buhari said so during a joint

briefing with South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa in Abuja on Tuesday 10 July 2018. He was explaining delays in Nigeria signing the Continental Free Trade Agreement, CFTA. “I was presented with the document; I am a very slow reader maybe because I am an ex-soldier. I did not read it fast enough before my officials saw that it was all right for signature. I kept it on my table. I will soon sign it.”

If Umar needs answers to why the President would not read his letter, he has them.

In addition, there are no officials who would approve that letter for the President’s perusal. They would not join Umar in denying their contributions to the overwhelming

successes of the Buhari administration.

A small advice for Umar: Next time use cartoons. Presidential spokesman Mr. Garba Shehu in a series of tweets on the night of Wednesday 25 August 2016, told Nigerians that the President’s preferred media form was cartoon.

Shehu tweeted: “The President enjoys cartoons and likes sharing them. The ones he enjoys most are the ones that caricature him. When he picks up a paper, the first page he goes to is the cartoon page. He laughs and laughs.”

Sadly, Umar does not have a message that would make the President laugh and laugh.

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13

Feature Secret burials in Bonny as ‘mysterious’ deaths spread panic in Rivers

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IGNATIUS CHUKWU very day in the past two weeks, secret burials t ake pl a ce in Bon n y Island in Rivers State.

Deaths are also being hushed on the island as most leaders and the local council authorities fear a lockdown from Governor Nyesom Wike if all the truth about mystery deaths is told.

Hospitals look normal but doctors now have over 1000 percent surge in home calls by families refusing to take their sick persons to hospitals. They rather invite doctors at home to treat their loved ones. This is the life in Bonny Island today; panic and fears plus apprehension over unknown cause of deaths.

Sources in Bonny told BDSUNDAY on Friday, May 29, 2020, that the deaths have continued unabated but that only the deaths of very important personalities are being mentioned.

Little fellows are dying daily and are being secretly buried, a youth official told our correspondent.

It was gathered that the victims have been adults, mostly bread winners, not children. This has added anger and anguish to the sad tale. A doctor was said to have confided in his friends that whereas he saw an average of five emergency cases per day in the past, he now sees over 50 emergencies per day, but at homes. Death toll is rising.

Doctors said most patients have same symptoms: Malaria, fever, loss of smell, loss of taste.

Some recover, many die.

The Bonny local council health team including the Environment Health desk intervened early in the crisis and confirmed that Coronvirus may not be the cause. The team also reported that those given careful treatment recovered but selfmedication arising from fears of COVID-19 led to more deaths.

The report called for more investigations on the quality of air on the island.

The Rivers State government

…Various groups begin investigations

Governor Nyesom Wike

says it has also intervened. The Commissioner for Health who was in Bonny early in the week to inspect the COVID-19 facilities set up by the NLNG also visited other health facilities on the invitation of doctors on the Island to inspect other places.

Governor Nyesom Wike said government had begun the investigation of the mysterious deaths after about 11 persons were confirmed dead of same symptoms.

Wike said this Wednesday that his administration was investigating cases suspected to be linked to coronavirus.

Speaking in a broadcast, Wike said he had ordered an investigation into the sudden deaths, adding that medical personnel led by the Commissioner for Health had visited Bonny Island

and collected samples from suspected cases.

He noted that the state would launch an immediate intervention after the results of the samples collected were out.

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had earlier in the week said it had also intervened by obtaining samples for tests. Later, the Centre said none of the deaths so far had to do with Coronavirus. This seems to douse fears on one side but heightened it on the other.

There is bigger fear about what the cause of death should be: malaria, typhoid, loss of taste, loss of smell.

There is huge caution against de-marketing Bonny Island that is a gas centre of global sensitivity. The authorities and the chiefs

are said to be greatly concerned about this, but the youths are breaking free to cry out.

By noon of Friday, May 29, 2020, the Bonny Development Forum (BDF) held a meeting to examine the situation and according to Gift Hart, the group called for independent inquiry into the cause of deaths.

He said by their experience over the years, something must be fishy, insisting that the symptoms were gas-related. “There is need for proper professional tests because this did not start today. Fishes have been dying, aquatic lives have died, now, humans are dying,” Hart said.

He further said that most residents and indigenes heard of gas leaks on the island and called for investigations. “We want tests’, he stated.

Another Bonny man and public relations officer (PRO) at the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Anderson Hart, told BDSUNDAY that silence on the part of the authorities was causing speculations and assumptions.

He mentioned the deaths of vibrant personalities such as Fubara Banigo and Pallen Banigo as very traumatic. One of them is a popular choirmaster and the family cannot be consoled.

“These are top breadwinners and vibrant citizens”.

He went on: “The NCDC says it is not COVID-19, the state government says it’s not the virus, so what is killing our people?” he strongly believes there is toxic industrial hazard in Bonny.

“There is heavy business interest in Bonny and they do not want people to talk, they fear de-marketing the island, but we can no longer keep quiet. The big people wear masks but what about the ordinary people? Let there be answers, else, assumptions will take over,” he added.

A Bonny-based publisher, Godswill Jumbo, said many are afraid of getting to hospitals.

“There is a surge in outpatient numbers. The bigger fear is the unknown cause of deaths instead of COVID-19.”

Many have pointed to the global glut in gas and crude oil that resulted in busting storage around the world. Many fear that the failure to convey gas out of the island may have resulted in a surge back and eventual leakage in one of the trains.

The NLNG however, seems to react. A statement issued on Wednesday said: “Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has disclosed that there was an operational trip at its six-train plant on Bonny Island on 14th May 2020, which resulted to the temporary loss of power at the plant.”

According to the company, there was no injury or damage to asset. The company added that power was restored within two hours of the outage by its engineers following laid down protocols and strict adherence to the safety goal of zero harm to people, zero damage to assets, no spills and no process safety incidents.

The statement signed by Eyono Fatayi-Williams, the general manager, External Relations, went on: “NLNG also stated that relevant authorities and stakeholders were duly informed as part of protocol for managing such operational trips. The company reiterated that as a good corporate citizen, it remains committed to its vision of “… helping to build a better Nigeria”.

More deliberations are going on in Bonny but across the larger Rivers State, deaths due to COVID-19 have also hyped fears. The death of a director in the Ministry of Finance, the one of a local council boss and that of an executive director in the NDDC have also caused panic in the oil-rich state.

Yet, rumours of more deaths have emerged Friday morning, increasing the panic.

Sexual abuse: Reps to prevail on state legislature to domesticate Violence Against Persons, Child’s Rights Acts

T

JAMES KWEN, ABUJA he House of Representatives is to immediately write Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly to domesticate the Violence Against Persons and Childs Rights Act as a measure to curb the incessant cases of sexual abuses and other gender violence on women and children, especially rape.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila who gave the indication while receiving a delegation of 12 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in his office on Friday in Abuja, stressed the need to tighten the laws on rape particularly as regard to consent.

Gbajabimila said the 360 mem-

bers of the House would engage State Houses of Assembly Speakers through a conference on the urgent need to domesticate these Acts to tackle menace of sexual abuse in the country.

“I am aware that over 20 states are yet to domesticate the Child Right Act and the Violence Against Persons Act. “Next week, I shall have a zoom meeting with all the speakers and I hope that at the end, these Acts will be domesticated across the 36 states,” he said.

The Speaker emphasised that the 9th House of Representatives was seriously concerned about rape and all other forms of abuses in line with its Legislative Agenda, stressing that all the 360 Houses

of Assembly were solidly behind the fight against rape.

He further said that the bar on sexual harassment was very low in Nigeria as compared to developed countries, noting that “In some countries, just complementing a woman could be sexual harassment depending on how she feels but here you can even stroke her hair”.

The former Majority Leader of the House also said for some women who are not so strong, rape was like a death sentence as they live with the scar for the rest of their life.

Gbajabiamila who directed the House of Representatives Clerk to write to the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to commence

aggressive awareness against rape, said the House would ensure that police officers handling rape related issues are well trained in the technicalities required so as to secure convictions in court.

In her remarks, the leader of the delegation, Chioma Aguegbo decried that many years after the Child Right Act and the Violence Against Persons Act were passed, only about six states have domesticated them.

Aguegbo, while lamenting the rising cases of rape in the country, said the CSOs had compiled a list of 100 reported rape cases across the country from January to date and solicited the support of the House to help tame the rising wave of abuses.

On her part, Dorothy Njemanze, executive director of Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, called for the criminalisation and prompt prosecution of gender-based violent cases regardless of family factors such as dropping rape cases because of fear of stigma.

“I have suffered sexual violence; I have suffered domestic violence; I have suffered different kinds of violence and today I live my life doing things to help victims of sexual violence.

“We have not seen the progress that we are supposed to see. We want deliberate criminalisation so that family members who engage in sexual violence will be criminalized,” she said.

14

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Feature School closure: Private school teachers groan under backlog of unpaid salaries KELECHI EWUZIE

T

he uncertainty over the actual date for school resumption in Nigeria, have thrown a good number of teachers in private schools across the country, particularly in Lagos State into lamentation mode.

Some who spoke with BDSUNDAY are lamenting over the economic crunch that has visited them over unpaid salaries, while confirming that they have not received their salaries since March.

They pointed out that not only do they have to battle with loads of pressing financial needs, some also said that although they are currently providing online lessons for their pupils, they only receive paltry sum of money as allowance.

A teacher in one of the private secondary schools in Lagos, who pleaded anonymity, decries the insensitivity of the federal and state governments to the plight of teachers and other workers, due to the continues closure of school which is forcing their employers not to pay salaries and other benefits.

The teacher, who also pointed out that aside from those in the teaching profession, school bus drivers, cleaners and other sundry workers are also lamenting and appealing to the managers of the economy to open schools, especially private ones, so that their proprietors can be able to generate funds to offset the owed salaries, in order to reduce the agony and hunger they have endured in the last three months.

Stakeholders observe that payment of salaries is one peculiar challenge that confronts private school proprietors especially with the continued closure of schools which is their main source of revenue generation.

With academic activities halted in the traditional brick and mortar space, many private school owners are wondering how to go about paying staff salaries, aside from taking care of other necessities.

A cross-section of teachers and, school owners told BDSUNDAY in a separate chat that with lack of vaccine or cure for the coronavirus, as well as government hesitation to re-open the educational institutions across all levels, indeed these are trying times for them.

Chijioke Amadi, a Biology teacher in one of the private secondary schools in Egbeda Lagos, told our correspondent that since Covid-19 forced the government to shut down brick and mortar academic activities in March, he had not received any form of salary from his employer.

Narrating his ordeal, Amadi

…Proprietors say ‘money not coming in’

who is also a father of three children, said with the increased pressure on family budgets owing to the lack of income, he was forced to make a private teaching arrangement for students preparing to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) where he gets money to sustain his family pending when the government decides to re-open schools.

He observes that the worsening economic situation has made it difficult for private school owners especially those with fewer students population to keep to pace with salary payment given that there are other needs contending with a meager fund that comes as income even before the advent of the coronavirus pandemic.

Amadi is not alone in this woes narration, as Tonile Wahab, a mathematics teacher with a private school in Lagos pointed out that purchasing power has dwindled consistently and spending every naira has come with serious deliberations and considerations within families.

Wahab opines that last three months has been challenging, adding that uncertainty over when school will resume had even made things tougher.

According to him, “With no vaccine for Covid-19 yet and the unreliable state of government, nobody knows when the government will decide to reopen school and this is really frustrating”.

He said since the government took the issue of coronavirus pandemic serious and closed the schools, management of the school where he works asked all teachers, cleaners, school bus drivers to stay at home.

Commenting on how he has been surviving with no salary

in sight, Wahab notes that he is engaged in-home lessons for students for a fee as a way of survival.

According to him, “It has not been easy engaging students especially those whose parents are also struggling. Again, I also see going to students’ houses to teach them as part of the risk, especially with the fear of contracting COVID-19”.

“With this private teaching especially those preparing for WASSCE, I received weekly pay from some of the parents that I teach their children, it is through this that I am able to earn money little by little to be able to feed my family,” he said.

Non-payment of staff salaries especially since the enforcement of school closure due to the outbreak of coronavirus is an aspect

“With this private teaching especially those preparing for WASSCE, I received weekly pay from some of the parents that I teach their children, it is through this that I am able to earn money little by little to be able to feed my family”

of running a quality education that Segun Ayo, principal, New Covenant School, Lagos find frustrating.

Ayo told BDSUNDAY that things are equally difficult for him as a school owner, adding that there is no way he can force parents to pay school fees for their children and wards.

According to him, if the parents are not paying their children school fees which account for over 90 percent of income, it means the school is not generating revenue, meaning that it is almost impossible for them to pay salaries.

He opines that the reality on the ground is that the situation of things is going to be like this for a while before a solution to the COVID-19 is found. “Even if other things in the country go back to normal, parents may not pay up school fees on time.”

According to him, “Experience has always been that at resumption, parents do find it difficult to pay school fees until examination period, when the schools make it compulsory that “no fees, no examination.”

Another private school owner, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said she had been unable to pay salaries because of paucity of funds.

She complained that even before the outbreak of the coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown, many parents did not pay school fees.

According to her, even before the coronavirus outbreak, it has not been easy running the school.

“At times we pay salaries from other family sources and that is how we have been running the school since inception. At times, some parents owe for two terms and when you send their children

home, they take them to another school without paying you what they owe you.”

The foot-dragging by the government to provide detailed guidelines on when schools would reopen have also drawn the wrath of the association of private school owners.

They observed that the Federal Government apparent posture on continued closure of schools in the country without the necessary palliative to this strategic sub-sector is not only portraying the Federal Government as being insensitive but could also be taken to mean a lack of concern for the investors, staff and stakeholders in the private education sub -sector.

Yomi Otubela, president, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Nigeria (NAPPS) in a press statement states that Federal Government cannot continue to shut down schools without providing much needed palliatives to bail out private education sub-sector which seems to be on the brim of collapse due to the COVID -19 pandemic.

Otubela opines that with the arrival of the pandemic and the recognition of its virulence and mode of transmission, closure of all the educational institution was not only apt but sensible by any government worldwide and we are not denying that fact.

According to him, “The Federal Government’s action of safeguarding the public health through the lockdown obviously was the right steps to curtail the spread of the virus.

“But the same Federal Government needs to be reminded of impact the continue closure of schools could have on mental health of individuals who earn their living from this subsector and also private school investors whose multi- billion naira investments in the sub- sector are presently under threat of collapse”.

He further notes that the request for palliatives has become imperative given the strategic position of the sector which has not only been providing succor in meeting the educational needs of a significant number of the Nigerian learners but also employers of labour to a vast number of the Nigerian populace who work as teaching and non-teaching staff.

“This is in addition to a lot of jobs indirectly provided through services rendered by school contractors, suppliers etc. Moreover, government can take a cue from the support system of some countries like Germany, to cushion the effect of this pandemic on both their citizens and businesses,” Otubela said.

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15

Issue

Column Title: Social Conscience with ‘Nasa Is the world White and Male? The myriad of Social Injustices that pervade our societies

I

am a Nigerian mother (so I’m Black-African and Female) raising two daughters of the same profile. With these facts, I’m forced to confront the realities that face me in light of the recent racism and rape injustices in America and Nigeria respectively.

First is -I worry about the threat of feeling marginalised in my own country because I’m female and therefore myself and my daughters are susceptible to a myriad of

sexual atrocities that our system has failed to protect us from or effectively address. Deep-rooted patriarchal norms still stifle and preclude women from exploring and achieving their potentials because of their gender.

Second is - the stark realisation that I do not have access to a fair playing field of opportunities outside my country because of my racial profile. So, it’s almost like a double whammy of unfairness owing to factors I have no

control over.

You would understand then, why my friend Temi, who is also a mother of two girls says to me “Should we leave the world – as it is apparently White and Male”. Her statement resonated strongly because even I was discombobulated knowing that in 2020, my deep-seated fear, anger and sadness from watching Alex Haley’s Award-winning movie – Roots, in the early 90s, and other such movies growing up, have

really not remained that– history movies. Then, hearing stories of young females being gang-raped in different parts of my country, made me question the kinds of humans being bred in today’s world.

To me, racism and rape have two common denominators– inequality and control. It must be a sense of superiority and entitlement that makes a person inflict pain over another without any sense of remorse. For me, such faulty mindsets are enabled from the family units and the system only precipitates it.

For instance, in Nigeria, all sorts of traditional belief systems have existed for decades and remain the basis by which children are raised while precipitating gender inequality in various homes. Such belief systems deepen the patriarchal norms that give the male child an unfounded sense of entitlement while subduing the girl-child. It is the sense of entitlement given to the male child that makes him think even as a man, it’s his right to have his way with a female against her will for all sorts of excuses ranging from being his wife, a sex-worker, a friend etcetera.

Conversely, a child born in America to parents who have always believed that their skincolor affords them access to

better opportunities, will only pass on the same beliefs to their children.

What is sad is that, in both situations (Nigeria and America), the institutions that are meant to protect all individuals irrespective of race and gender have failed to do so. It has thus become a hydraheaded issue that requires a collective effort to address sustainably, starting from the family unit.

If parents would evolve and do away with traditional beliefs and employ a balanced and objective approach to raising children, teaching them empathy and that respect or anything else is to be earned and not demanded, the world would be a lot better for it.

More now than ever, it is clear that the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Reduced Inequalities, Gender Equality, Peace & Justice Strong Institutions are all critical for the true development of our societies.

I’ll end with this reminder from one of the most transformational leaders of our times- “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest,” Nelson Mandela.

Author: Chinasa Ken-Ugwuh Email Address: chinasacolins@ yahoo.co.uk Follow on Instagram: @with_nasa

COVID-19: e-Commerce offers opportunities for businesses to thrive and explore new territories SEYI JOHN SALAU

S

ince the announcement of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 has no doubt impacted a combination of health, economic, financial, supply and logistics, human resource and operational challenges on virtually all aspects of our life, especially businesses.

Businesses in Nigeria, however, must begin to rise and tap into the new opportunities and potentials that COVID-19 presents, especially amidst the resolve by the government to allow more sectors to return to business by easing the lockdown.

As the world settles down into the new normal that the pandemic has foisted on humanity, implementing a recovery and business continuity plan/ strategy is most paramount for businesses to stay afloat.

Therefore, as government continues to reel out measures on easing the lockdown; the need to encourage personal responsibility and enforce compliance of citizens with physical and social distancing protocol that has become part of the new world order, is therefore, an imperative for businesses to begin to think and act smart.

In China and elsewhere, businesses have started adjusting to

the new reality by rethinking and repositioning their operations and catering to the new needs of consumers.

By taking time to understand the new market realities, smart businesses are now making COVID-19 the main propeller for new growth and activating dormant potentials especially by moving from the traditional brick and mortal ecosystem to the online space, powered by the eCommerce ecosystem.

Nigeria cannot be an exception as COVID-19 has come with lots of opportunities and potentials for businesses – micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and large corporations, to rebound into profitability.

Much more, for those that can transition from brick and mortar businesses to online by leveraging

e-Commerce backbone provided by viable platforms like Jumia, the sky would be the starting point of rebound and returning to profitability.

Examples of the sectors that businesses can tap into include agriculture of which food is a major segment; healthcare, education and services such as hygiene and sanitation, fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs), sports and gaming, entertainment, IT/ technology and electronics/ electrical appliances. For government business continuity, egovernance is a new opportunity to leverage.

Food is man’s number one existential need and agriculture is the domain of food production and food security. During lockdown, Jumia logistics bridged the supply and logistics challenges that hampered people from ac-

cessing agricultural produce especially groceries due to the poor enforcement of inter-state and inter-boundary movement bans.

In spite of the fact that coronavirus has disrupted farming activities this year, surge in demand for food such as fresh groceries, meat and poultry products remains a major trend. In order for consumers to get constant supply of these essentials, it means more storage facilities are needed.

Due to poor power supply in Nigeria, many families, for example, are unable to stock perishable groceries for a longer period. MSMEs can therefore take advantage of this need and invest with e-Commerce operator like Jumia marketplace and logistics serving as the pivot for them.

As more people work remotely from home, demand for essentials including food, water, cooking ingredients, toiletries and appliances will continue to increase. Hence, there is opportunity for FMCGs manufacturers on the Jumia marketplace to push their inventories and put their products in the hands of millions of consumers.

Demand for healthcare and technology-driven products and services will continue to rise, and this also opens a new vista for businesses. Pharmaceuticals, supplements, medical devices, personal protective equipment (PPE), telemedicine, smart hospitals, online consultations, digital medical assistants, apps and miniapps and self-diagnosing medical

devices are all opportunities to extend business frontiers.

“Small businesses can also key-in to Jumia Contactless Delivery to provide contact-less systems and enhance delivery of services to their customers. For non-essential goods; as more people are encouraged to work from home, they are likely to do more home chores such as washing of dishes and laundry, make orders and pay online on JumiaPay for electrical appliances such as dishwashers, washing and sterilisation machines,” said Juliet Anammah, chairwoman, Jumia Nigeria and group head, Institutional Affairs at Jumia Africa.

According to her, Jumia agents in protective kits can deliver the appliances to them at home under strict no-physical contact protocol.

Similarly, as businesses reduce the number of employees that can converge in line with social distancing rules, there are cost reduction opportunities that organisations can benefit from. They can cut down on office rent or redesign office space and let out a part, build remote work systems, leverage software platforms like Zoom and cloud-based solutions for internal and client meetings.

Businesses can also reduce cost of operations with apps for accounting and HR as well as digital solutions that can minimise paperwork, physical contact and promote the growth of an infinite number of contactless environments.

16 BDSUNDAY

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IT’S A NO TO RAPE IT’S A NO TO RAPE AND NO MEANS NO! AND NO MEANS NO!

KEMI AJUMOBI KEMI AJUMOBI t’s becoming ‘regular’ in recent times. Back to back, t’s becoming ‘regular’ in recent Back to back, the newstimes. of rape floods our the news rapemedia floodsand our timelines onofsocial on How socialdid media and intimelines the dailies. we get in the did we get here? We are dailies. battlingHow a pandemic here?COVID-19; We are battling a pandemic called we are not even called COVID-19; we How are not done with it…and this? do even you donefrom withait…and this?to How do It’s you move killer virus rape? move from a killer virus to rape?

It’s like someone having a cut on his like someone having a cut on his finger and you are preparing the fingerfor and you are preparing the person chemotherapy…what is person for chemotherapy…what is the connection? the connection?

COVID-19, and next is rape? How and next is rape? is COVID-19, rape a lesson learnt from How the is rapepandemic? a lesson learnt from the ongoing How do some ongoing pandemic?

How do some barbarous individuals in this nation, barbarous individuals in this nation, after spending weeks at home after spending weeks at home (for our own safety), suddenly (for our own safety), suddenly begin to think rape is the next begin to think rape is the next thing on the agenda? Even if there thing on the agenda? Even if there are states where COVID-19 hasn’t are states where COVID-19 hasn’t been detected, when something been detected, when something happens in a state, because the happens in a state, because the expected reaction is that, as a family expected reaction is that, as a family inin the same the samenation, nation,you youshould shouldbe be bothered about what your bothered about what yourfellow fellow ‘family’ members ‘family’ membersare aregoing goingthrough through inin other states.

This is so other states. This is sopainful painfultoto write about, nevertheless, write about, nevertheless,I Imust. must.

Let Letme metake takeyou youthrough through the the unpalatable unpalatableplatter platterofofrape rapecases casesI I have heard and seen have heard and seenininrecent recenttimes times (only (onlybecause becauseit itwas wasmade madeopen), open), making makingme medaily dailywonder wonderwhy whyititisis hard forfor some people hard some peopletotounderstand understand that being a girl/woman that being a girl/womanisisaablessing blessing and andnot nota a‘project’ ‘project’for formisuse misuseby by

II

some ill-informed individuals.

Vera Omozuwa, the 100 someUwaila ill-informed individuals. level University of Benin, Verastudent UwailaofOmozuwa, the 100 was andofmurdered she levelraped student Universitywhen of Benin, was raped and to murdered when went to church read. How do she you went to church read. Howact do you perpetuate suchtoappalling and perpetuate such and seal it up with theappalling gruesomeact killing seal it up witha the killing by smashing firegruesome extinguisher on by smashing fire extinguisher on her head? Thea sight of the cut and herlifeless head? The sight the cutstains and her body withofblood her lifelessisbody with stains all around, not one toblood be forgotten all aaround, be forgotten in jiffy. is I not am one stillto wondering in a jiffy.

I am still wondering the audacity to perpetuate such the audacity to aperpetuate such ferocious acts in ‘sanctuary’…

The ferocious is acts in a ‘sanctuary’…The effrontery baffling! effrontery is baffling!

Then, another shocking tale, the Then, another rape of Jennifer,shocking the youngtale, girl,the by rape of Jennifer, young girl, 11 men.

How 11 the grown men feltbyit 11 men.

11 grown men felt it was okay How to have sex with a minor was okay to have sex with a minor is inexplicable. What is it about a is inexplicable. What is it about a child that is sexually beguiling? How child that is sexually beguiling? How do the words ‘child’ and ‘sex’ even do the words ‘child’ and ‘sex’ even dare sit on the same sentence? It dare sit on the same sentence? It is in the news that the pedophiles is in the news that the pedophiles have been arrested but how many have been arrested but how many more are out there? When will they more are out there? When will they be apprehended? be apprehended?

Watching mother Watching Bello Bello Barakat’s Barakat’s mother narrating the ordeal that led to her her narrating the ordeal that led to daughter’s be properly properly daughter’sdeath death cannot cannot be expressed she said said expressed in in words. words. When When she “How can you as a mother be alive “How can you as a mother be alive to ached. tobury buryyour yourchild?” child?” my my heart heart ached.

Barakat of IAR&T, IAR&T, Barakat was was aa student student of Oluyole, home was was Oluyole, Ibadan.

Ibadan. Her Her home attacked Report attacked by by armed armed robbers. robbers. Report has rape and and hasititthat thatshe she resisted resisted the the rape was wasstabbed stabbed to to death. death.

SSttiillll iinn IIbbaaddaan , A d e j u m mookkee Oluwaseun’s watched Oluwaseun’s video video that I watched

EDITOR EDITOR Kemi Ajumobi Kemi Ajumobi Email: kemi@businessdayonline.com Email: kemi@businessdayonline.com TEAM: TEAM: Desmond Okon Desmond Okon Osaromena Ogbeide Osaromena Ogbeide Designed AderemiAyeni Ayeni Designed bybyAderemi

was certainly another heart breaker.

Thecertainly man sheanother marriedheart (after she lost was breaker. her man husband to the (after cold hands The she married she lostof death), who brought her hands to Ibadan, her husband to the cold of death), who brought was sleeping with her herto9 Ibadan, year old was sleeping with year old child.

Now wait forher the 9shocker.

He child.

Now wait for the shocker.

He had been sleeping with the child had child rightbeen fromsleeping when thewith childthe was 6. right from when the child wasJumoke 6.

Frustrated by the situation, Frustrated the situation, Jumoke decided tobyspeak up. Though late, decided to she speakfound up. Though late, but glad her voice. but gladconfronted she foundhim her about voice.it.

Jumoke Jumoke confronted him about it.

His nonchalant and contemptible His nonchalant and contemptible attitude towards Jumoke and her attitude Jumoke and her child is towards aggrieving and inhumane. child is aggrieving and inhumane.

He sent them out of the house, He out ofthat the help house, butsent I amthem convinced will but I am convinced that help will come her way soon and justice come way to soon and justice will beher served the reprehensible will be served to the reprehensible perpetuator. perpetuator.

That is not all. I was in pain listening That is not all. I was in pain listening to this 4 year old girl, sitting on her to this 4 year old girl, sitting on her mother’s laps, slowly and painfully mother’s laps, slowly and painfully narrating what her teacher did to her narrating what her teacher did to her as press men and women asked her as press men and women asked her to share her story. “He wide my legs, to share her story. “He wide my legs, he covered my mouth and asked me he covered my mouth and asked me to shut shutup…he up…hewill willput putme meononhis his to laps…it’s uncle…his name is Elias laps…it’s uncle…his name is Elias Oyeke…Iam amininnursery nursery1”1”She Shespoke spoke Oyeke…I slowly and in fear, her description slowly and in fear, her description washeart heartwrenching, wrenching,but butshe shetried tried was her best bestto tosay saywhat whather herstrength strength her could permit, permit,and andeach eachtime timeshe she could struggled to say a word, I felt pain struggled to say a word, I felt pain allover overme…” me…” all Hermother, mother,Ayele AyeleEsther, Esther,stated stated that Her that everytime timeshe shewent wenttotoschool schooltoto pick every pick herup, up,her herdaughter daughterwas wasthe thelast lastinin her classand andshe shewould wouldbe besweating. sweating.

She class She saidshe shebegan begantotosuspect suspectsomething something said waswrong wrongbecause becauseshe shewas wasoften oftena a was fastwriter writeratathome. home.When Whenshe shetook took fast her her home, home,she sheobserved observedthat thather her vagina vaginawas wasruthlessly ruthlesslybruised. bruised.After After persuasion, persuasion,the thelittle littlegirl girlopened openedupup and andtold toldher herthat thatevery everytime timeshe shewas was dropped droppedininschool, school,Elias Eliaswould wouldtake take her herto tothe theback backofofthe theschool schoolwhen when the theothers otherswere wereplaying, playing,and andwould would take takeadvantage advantageofofher, her,she shenarrated narrated

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Sunday 07 June, 2020

in details as a child could and it was We aren’t happy it took that long such a horrible thing to watch and but like I said, no matter how long inhear. details as aspare childyou could it was aren’t happy it took thatit long I will theand gory details Wethe truth seems buried, will one such horrible thing to watch and butday likesee I said, no matter how long thatafollowed. the light of day. hear.

I will spare youwith the gory details theAccording truth seems buried, 31 it will one Furthermore, uttermost to Section (3) (a) of the that followed. see theRights light ofAct day.2003, the age of disgust, I watched Babatunde dayChild’s Furthermore, withyear uttermost 31 (3) (a) of“Where the Adeyeye, the final student of According consenttoisSection 18. It states that disgust, I watched kissing Babatunde Rights Act 2003,with the an ageoffence of LASU ‘passionately’ a minor Child’s a person is charged Adeyeye, the finaltoyear student of consent is 18. Itsexual states that “Where who happens be his ‘younger (of unlawful relations with a LASU ‘passionately’ kissing a minor charged an offence sister’ . Watching him make a video a person child)isunder thiswith section (31 of the who happens saying to be his unlawful sexual relations with a the of ‘apology’ he ‘younger never knew (of same act), it is immaterial that sister’ . Watching himand make a video he child) underbelieved this section (31 of the it would go viral, promising offender the person to be of ofwould ‘apology’ saying never act), itthe is immaterial that the never do it he again wasknew indeed same or above age of eighteen years.” it sore wouldtogothe viral, and promising he offender believed the person to be of that eyes. I am wondering There have been some reports would it again was we indeed agebut of eighteen years.” whatnever else isdo going on that do not or above it is 11the years before you debunk sore to the eyes.

I am wondering There have been some reports know. If the video didn’t go viral, it as fake and untrue, howthat do you what else is going on that we do not it is 11 years but before you debunk would he be ‘remorseful?’ what explain the raping of children going know. If the video didn’t go viral, it as fake and untrue, how do you else has he done that we do not on back-to-back in recent times? would he be ‘remorseful?’ what explain the raping of children going know? How far has he gone that we So the Acts says 18 on paper, my else has he done that we do not on back-to-back in recent times? cannot tell? question is, in reality, in the Nigeria know? How far has he gone that we So the Acts says 18 on paper, my Also, The Kogi state’s Commissioner that you and I live in, is it the case? cannot tell? question is, in reality, in the Nigeria for Water Resources, Abdulmumuni Isn’t it far from a lie and surely the Also, The Kogi state’s Commissioner that you and I live in, is it the case?

Danga was accused of assaulting truth? for Water Resources, Abdulmumuni Isn’t it far from a lie and surely the and raping Elizabeth Oyeniyi. She truth?

In section 7 of the Sexual Offences Danga was accused of assaulting made the horrid reveal saying Danga Bill, having sexual intercourse and raping Elizabeth Oyeniyi. She In section 7 of the Sexual Offenceswith assaulted her over a Facebook post anyone between the ages 0 to 18 made the horrid reveal saying Danga Bill, having sexual intercourseof with she made on her page anyone is punishable by life imprisonment. assaulted herabout over ahim Facebook post between the ages of 0 to 18 onmade the 29th of March.

So, let’s agree that the legal age to she about him onWhat her was pageher is punishable by life imprisonment. offence?

She alleged she published have consensual sex is 18, let’s on the 29th of March. What was her So, let’s agree that the legal age to talk a post requesting Commissioner about consent.sex Even if the offence?

She allegedthe she published have consensual is 18, let’sperson talk is to be generous his immediate about 18 and above, and sheperson says “No” a post requesting thetoCommissioner consent.

Even if the is it family, same way he does with the must be respected.

When a person to be generous to his immediate 18 and above, and she says “No” it public.

Elizabeth this triggered says and you goaahead, family, same way hesaid does with the must be “No” respected.

When person it is the Commissioner she alleged saysrape. you know that public.

Elizabeth said who this triggered “No”Do and youeven go ahead, it is if a organized some men to take her to rape. married woman isn’t in theif mood the Commissioner who she alleged Do you even know that a his residence hetake scourged to have sex with husband organized somewhere men to her toher married woman isn’ther in the mood and later raped her. is reported he insists, andher ends up having hisand residence where heHe scourged her to to have sex with husband and his belater in police it and is rape? know and rapedcustody. her. He is reported to he way, insists, endsDo up you having his that occurrences even two consenting adults agree beThe in police custody. are endless. I way, it isifrape?

Do you know that The occurrences endless.

I even twosex consenting adultssays agree mentioned theseare ones to give you to ifhave and one party “stop” mentioned to give you sex and one party “stop” an idea ofthese what ones is going on, of how to have somewhere along thesays line, and the anrape ideacases of what going on,by of the howday somewhere along the it line, and the areisescalating person continues, is rape? rape cases are escalating by the day continues, it is permission rape? in Nigeria and how we cannot afford person Consent means for into Nigeria and how we cannot afford Consent means permission for be silent. something to happen or agreement toSimilarly, be silent. have you observed the something to happen or agreement to do something.

Meaning, if one Similarly, have you observed the to do something.

Meaning, one pattern in recent times? Victims are party isn’t in agreement atifwhatever pattern in recent times? isn’tthey in agreement whatever beginning to speak upVictims and inare some party stage are in theat‘activity’ , once beginning speak expected up and in some in the , once of thosetocases, actions stage shethey saysare “STOP” , it ‘activity’ is what it is: STOP! ofagainst those cases, expected actionsare sheWe saysare “STOP” , it is what it is: STOP! the evil perpetuators ‘dealing’ with 18 right? against the evil perpetuators are We are ‘dealing’ with right? , in being taken. Sadly, only those who We have agreed that18 ‘officially’ being only those who have agreed that ‘officially’ havetaken. gone Sadly, through it and are alive, WeNigeria, the consenting age ,isinfrom have through it to and alive, the consenting from andgone found courage doare so can truly Nigeria, 18 right?

Good! Butage doisyou know and found courage to do so can truly 18 right?

Good!

But do you know speak up. Many are not alive to tell that one in four girls are sexually speak Many are not alive to tell one in four girls are theirup. story or share their side of the thatviolated before 18?

Dosexually you know their story or share their side of the violated before 18? Do narrative. that 31.4 percent of you girls know who had narrative. that 31.4 percent of girls who had One other thing happening is that, their first ever sexual encounter One other thing happening is that, their first ever sexual encounter past rape occurrences are currently was through rape? Do you know past rape occurrences are currently was through rape? Do you know coming up again. The abused is that 6 out of 10 children in Nigeria coming up again. The abused is that 6 out of 10 children in Nigeria finding her voice and making it experience sexual, emotional or finding her voice and making it experience sexual, emotional or known with proof. They are telling physical abuse before 18? So, to get known with proof. They are telling physical abuse before 18? So, to get their stories and the populace is rid of this horrendous behavior, the their stories and the populace is rid of this horrendous behavior, the helping them shed awareness sexual offence bill must be enforced, helping them shed awareness on on sexual offence bill must be enforced, their plight hands of the State must be reviewed because their plight in in thethe hands of the evilevil State lawslaws must be reviewed because perpetuators.

Cases that seemed some of these men hide under perpetuators. Cases that seemed some of these men hide under it to it to forgotten because abuser commit their atrocities. forgotten because thethe abuser is is commit their atrocities. ‘connected’ coming again.

I was happy learning finger ‘connected’ areare coming upup again.

It It I was happy learning thatthat finger tells me that matter how long prints extinguisher tells me that nono matter how long youyou prints on on thethe firefire extinguisher attempt hide truth, it cannot used used on Vera helped attempt to to hide thethe truth, it cannot on Vera helped givegive awayaway the the stay in the dark for long.

One day, it culprits, I am however hoping stay in the dark for long. One day, it culprits, I am however hoping that that will burst out and consequences such measure be prominent will burst out and consequences of of such measure willwill be prominent in in taking advantage vulnerable investigations investigations in Nigeria because I taking advantage of of thethe vulnerable in Nigeria because I will be reaped. haven’t heard that in a long while. will be reaped. haven’t heard that in a long while.

Speaking consequences, a man ThisThis made perpetuators Speaking of of consequences, a man hadhad made perpetuators walkwalk hasrecently recently been sentenced again I said earlier; has been sentenced to to freefree butbut again likelike I said earlier; it it deathinin Kaduna murder. is longer no longer going tothe be norm. the norm. death Kaduna forfor murder.

HeHe is no going to be rapeda a 2 year death. Recently, Recently, President of the raped 2 year oldold girlgirl to to death. thethe President of the was sentenced Justice Kabir Senate, Senate, Senator Ahmad pushed HeHe was sentenced by by Justice Kabir Senator Ahmad pushed Dabo of of thethe Kaduna State High court tauter consequences for rape in in Dabo Kaduna State High court for for tauter consequences for rape sitting inin Dogarawa Sabon Gari in in Nigeria which he believes will will deterdeter sitting Dogarawa Sabon Gari Nigeria which he believes Zaria.

The pedophile admitted he he perpetuators.

I conclude withwith a a Zaria.

The pedophile admitted perpetuators.

I conclude rapped child forfor 40 40 minutes from himhim “We“We havehave to save our our rappedthe the child minutes quote quote from to save which ledled to to herher death. future, andand these girlsgirls andand women which death. future, these women Worthy is is that this thethe future of this nation” Worthyofofmention mention that this areare future of this nation” happened butbut justice, happenedin in2015 2015 justice, though delayed, gave way in 2020. though delayed, gave way in 2020.

Sunday 7 June 2020 Sunday June, 2020 2020 Sunday07 7 June

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BDSUNDAY 17

Mother reunites Mother reunites with son 32 years with sonquitting 32 yearsher after after quitting her job to find him job to find him

her life.

Her husband came back from work her life. and met her in her pull of blood. She had slit her wrist but sent a message Her husband came back from work her and metto her inhusband her pull ofbefore blood.she Shedid and it readwrist “Since will be no more, I hope had slit her butIsent a message your happiness will full” to her husband before she didbe and it. read “Since will be noher more, I hope again She Ihad lost pregnancy your happiness be full”. wouldn’t stop and herwill husband She hadabusing lost herher pregnancy again She was emotionally. and hertired husband wouldn’t and thought to stop end life. No abusingone herknew emotionally.

She was she was going through all tired and to end Aside life. No shethought went through. working in one knew was she going through all school theshe bank, was a Sunday she went through. working in wanted teacher andAside everyone always the bank, Sunday school to she be inwas heraclass. teacher She and everyone wanted was suchalways a happy woman (so to be in they her class. thought) who other couples She waswould such a make happy reference woman (so to. Her they thought) who other husband was the couples choir leader, so would in make reference to.one, Hera banker the eyes of every husband was the choir leader, so teacher who is also a Sunday school in the eyes of every one, a banker and a businessman doubling as a who is also a Sunday school teacher choirmaster was certainly the ‘right and a businessman doubling as a couple’. choirmaster was certainly the ‘right By the time her husband rushed couple’. to the scene, her pastor arrived at By the time her husband rushed the same time. She had sent him a to the scene, her pastor arrived at good-bye message and as he called the same time. She had sent him a to find out where her husband was, good-bye message and as he called he was also onhusband his way home, to find out where her was, so they arrived few minutes apart. he was also on his way home, so theyThey had to force the door arrived few minutes apart.open They and had met her passing out.met her to forcealmost the door open and She wasout. rushed to the hospital and almost passing thank God shehospital survived.

She was rushed to the andAfter she wasshe discharged, they both thank God survived. After she began counseling andboth gradually was discharged, they beganhe began to change.

Three months counseling and gradually he begandown the line,Three she realized she was to change. months down thepregnant whenshe due, shepregnant had a bouncing line, sheand realized was baby boy.

Her younger brother and sister were KEMI AJUMOBI and when due, she had a bouncing She would often share her story doing brother well in and their own endeavor. baby boy.

Her younger sister were KEMI AJUMOBI when opportuned and often orothy is the first lost their parents in 3 years.

She would often share her to story doing They well in their own endeavor. advise couples trulyoften honour their born thefirst familyThey of lost Firsttheir to pass on wasinher mother, after when opportuned totoand orothy is of the parents 3 years.

DESMOND OKON 1980s, according to the statemen vows and ensure they seek help that child battle withher stroke and the third advise couples to truly honour their born 3. ofShe the isfamily of that First toapass on was mother, after DESMOND OKON 1980s, according to the statement from Xi’an officials. ensure they seek help 3. Sheevery is thatparent child that a battle with third vows and when needed because keeping such prays for. year, herstroke fatherand diedthe too. from Xi’anPolice officials.

Chinese woman, tracked down Mao and late when needed because every Loving, parent prays for. and year, her died too. experience to keeping yourselfsuch is indeed a respectful Shefather took responsibility for the family Chinese Lwoman, down Mao i J i n g z h iPolice h a stracked confirmed heand waslater the abducte to for yourself is indeed a Loving, and She took responsibility forfor theher, family disaster.

God fearing.

Sherespectful studied Accounting and ‘fortunately’ sinceexperience her recipe L i J i n gb zh confirmed he was abducted e ie nh arse u n i t e d son of LitheJingzhi after a DN disaster.

God fearing.

She studied Accounting and ‘fortunately’ for her, sinceshe herdidrecipe Beyond her smile and efficiency at and came out with a second class siblings were abroad, not for b e e n r with e u n i her t e d son son of Li test.

Jingzhi after a DNA who Mao’s adoptive parents ha her smile and efficiency at hid her and came a second class siblings were abroad, she about. did not Beyondwork and church, Dorothy upper.out Shewith enjoyed her job and did have much to worry with her was son abducted who test. adoptive him parents asMao’s a renamed Gu had Ningning, an work and church, Dorothy hid her upper.

Sheatenjoyed and to worry about. pain behind her smile…don’t hide No one knew she was having well it. She her wasjob such a did breathhave of much was32 abducted renamed him Gu up Ningning, toddler years agoasataa Chinese he grew without and any knowledg pain behind smile…don’t hide well at it. She a breath of her No one knew she having until yours,her seek help. fresh air was and such everyone around challenges in was her marriage toddler 32 yearsafter ago athe a Chinese he grew without anyparents knowledge hotel was tracked by upof his birth or that he ha yours, seek help. freshloved air and everyone around her challenges in year her when marriage her. the 7th she until almost took hotel after he wasusing tracked of his birthbeen parents or that he had authorities facialby recognition abducted. loved her. the 7th year when she almost took authorities using facial recognition been abducted. technology.

The Police used the “aged”, one o technology.

Thetwo PoliceMao’s used the “aged”, one of as a mod Her son, Mao Yin was just childhood photos Her son,when Mao Yin wassnatched just two outside Mao’s achildhood photos as a model he was to scan the national database an when he hotel was snatched a Shaanxi to scan thefound national database and accordin in Xi’an outside in central close matches, hotel in Xi’an in central Shaanxi found close matches, according province in 1988 and sold to a to the state broadcaster CCT provincechildless in 1988 couple and sold a to the state CCTV. in to neighbouring Thebroadcaster now 34-year-old had a tearfu childless Sichuan couple in province neighbouring The now 34-year-old hadhis a tearful who raised reunion with birth parents wh Sichuanhim province whoown raised reunion with hisnever birth given parents as their son, Xi’an’s had upwho the search fo

BY CHEF EBUNOLUWA JAMES him as their own son, Xi’an’s had never given up the search for

BY CHEF EBUNOLUWA JAMES public security bureau said in a their missing boy. public security bureau said in a their missing boy. statement.

“I would like to thank the tens o his is a nice and statement.

“I would like to thank the tens of his is a nice and After the incident, Li launched a thousands of people who helpe refreshing way to get After the incident, Li launched a thousands of people who helped refreshing way to get search for her son and did not give us,” said Li Jingzhi. “This is the be the children eating their search for her son and did not give us,” said Li Jingzhi. “This is the best the children eating their up until he was recently found by gift I have ever got.” fruits all season long… up until he was recently found by gift I have ever got.” fruits all season long… the authorities who acted on a tip- Child abduction and traffickin yogurt can be added the authorities who acted on a tip- Child abduction and trafficking yogurt can be added that in a person in area a certain area been a in problem for children that aren’t lactose off that a off person a certain have beenhave a problem China in Chin for children that aren’t lactose of Sichuan had bought a child in for decades.

Although intolerant. of Sichuan had bought a child in for decades. Although there are there ar intolerant. the late 1980s. officialdata records, data on Bab the late 1980s. no officialno records, on Baby She told Chinese media (CCTV) Come Back Home website state Making 6 popsicles She told Chinese media (CCTV) Come Back Home website states Making 6 popsicles aftertaken, he was that14, there are 14,looking 893 posts lookin that afterthat he was shetaken, quit she thatquit there are 893 posts her job over 100,000 missing and 7, 411 lookin INGREDIENTS her job and sentand oversent 100,000 for missingfor boys and 7,boys 411 looking INGREDIENTS flyers to officials and appeared on for girls. flyers to officials and appeared on for girls.

• 2cups approx big mangoes • 2cups approx 4 big 4mangoes several TV channels for estimated It was estimated that 20, 00 several TV channels to appeal to forappeal It was that 20, 000 (cherry preferably) (cherry preferably) his return. children were being abducte his return. children were being abducted • C•o c oCnoucto nwuatt ew r aot er r f roers hf r e s h In 2007, shevolunteering started volunteering year China in 2015. In 200 In 2007, she started each year ineach China in in 2015.

In 2009, pineapples pineapples with called a group called “Babythe Come theMinistry ChineseofMinistry with a group “Baby Come Chinese Public of Publ Back , to help other parents Security set up a DNA databas A handful of mint Back Home” , toHome” help other parents Security set up a DNA database • A•handful of mint their children. missing children. since to fin look for look their for missing which haswhich since has helped to helped find 6 popsicle • 6 •popsicle moldsmolds past three decades, 6,000 missing children Over theOver pastthe three decades, more thanmore 6,000 than missing children.

PS: 2tbsp Add 2tbsp for a creamy PS: Add yogurtyogurt for a creamy Li had followed falseAlso leads Also in May 2016, the ministr Li had followed 300 false 300 leads in May 2016, the ministry to see if they were her missing launched a system called Reunion to see if they were her missing launched a system called Reunion, rich textured rich textured pop. pop. son, andson, in the process which brought than more 4, 000than 4, 00 and in the helped process helped whichmore brought reunite 29reunite missing to people their to children to their families by families b 29people missing their back children back to their families while herwhile son remained June 2019.June 2019. families her son remained PREPARATION PREPARATION freeze freeze for 4-5for hours, preferably bottom of the mold in warm water 4-5 hours, preferably bottom of the mold in warm water in abducted.

“I don’t want him want to leave in abducted.

“I don’t himme to leave m 1. Measure out allout ingredients into into 1. Measure all ingredients But in late April, police in police Xi’an inanymore.

I won’t letI him leave But in late April, Xi’an anymore. won’t let him leav overnight. and release popsicle from mold. overnight. and release popsicle from mold. were tipped that aoff man me anymore,” Li said as she heldas she hel wereoff tipped thatina man in me anymore,” Li said a blender and blend till smooth a blender and blend till smooth Sichuan Sichuan provinceprovince had bought onto her son’s at thehand reunion 3. To remove from mold, had bought ontohand her son’s at the reunio 3. To remove from lower mold,the lowerEnjoy the frozen.

Enjoy frozen.

2. Fill2. up molds and and a child from Shaanxi the latein the event, Xi’an police.

Fill popsicle up popsicle molds a child from in Shaanxi lateorganised event, by organised

by Xi’an police

Behindthe the Behind smile… smile…

DD

AA

MANGOMINT MINTPOPSICLES POPSICLES MANGO

TT

16 BDSUNDAY

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IT’S A NO TO RAPE IT’S A NO TO RAPE AND NO MEANS NO! AND NO MEANS NO!

KEMI AJUMOBI KEMI AJUMOBI t’s becoming ‘regular’ in recent times. Back to back, t’s becoming ‘regular’ in recent Back to back, the newstimes. of rape floods our the news rapemedia floodsand our timelines onofsocial on How socialdid media and intimelines the dailies. we get in the did we get here? We are dailies. battlingHow a pandemic here?COVID-19; We are battling a pandemic called we are not even called COVID-19; we How are not done with it…and this? do even you donefrom withait…and this?to How do It’s you move killer virus rape? move from a killer virus to rape?

It’s like someone having a cut on his like someone having a cut on his finger and you are preparing the fingerfor and you are preparing the person chemotherapy…what is person for chemotherapy…what is the connection? the connection?

COVID-19, and next is rape? How and next is rape? is COVID-19, rape a lesson learnt from How the is rapepandemic? a lesson learnt from the ongoing How do some ongoing pandemic?

How do some barbarous individuals in this nation, barbarous individuals in this nation, after spending weeks at home after spending weeks at home (for our own safety), suddenly (for our own safety), suddenly begin to think rape is the next begin to think rape is the next thing on the agenda? Even if there thing on the agenda? Even if there are states where COVID-19 hasn’t are states where COVID-19 hasn’t been detected, when something been detected, when something happens in a state, because the happens in a state, because the expected reaction is that, as a family expected reaction is that, as a family inin the same the samenation, nation,you youshould shouldbe be bothered about what your bothered about what yourfellow fellow ‘family’ members ‘family’ membersare aregoing goingthrough through inin other states.

This is so other states. This is sopainful painfultoto write about, nevertheless, write about, nevertheless,I Imust. must.

Let Letme metake takeyou youthrough through the the unpalatable unpalatableplatter platterofofrape rapecases casesI I have heard and seen have heard and seenininrecent recenttimes times (only (onlybecause becauseit itwas wasmade madeopen), open), making makingme medaily dailywonder wonderwhy whyititisis hard forfor some people hard some peopletotounderstand understand that being a girl/woman that being a girl/womanisisaablessing blessing and andnot nota a‘project’ ‘project’for formisuse misuseby by

II

some ill-informed individuals.

Vera Omozuwa, the 100 someUwaila ill-informed individuals. level University of Benin, Verastudent UwailaofOmozuwa, the 100 was andofmurdered she levelraped student Universitywhen of Benin, was raped and to murdered when went to church read. How do she you went to church read. Howact do you perpetuate suchtoappalling and perpetuate such and seal it up with theappalling gruesomeact killing seal it up witha the killing by smashing firegruesome extinguisher on by smashing fire extinguisher on her head? Thea sight of the cut and herlifeless head? The sight the cutstains and her body withofblood her lifelessisbody with stains all around, not one toblood be forgotten all aaround, be forgotten in jiffy. is I not am one stillto wondering in a jiffy.

I am still wondering the audacity to perpetuate such the audacity to aperpetuate such ferocious acts in ‘sanctuary’…

The ferocious is acts in a ‘sanctuary’…The effrontery baffling! effrontery is baffling!

Then, another shocking tale, the Then, another rape of Jennifer,shocking the youngtale, girl,the by rape of Jennifer, young girl, 11 men.

How 11 the grown men feltbyit 11 men.

11 grown men felt it was okay How to have sex with a minor was okay to have sex with a minor is inexplicable. What is it about a is inexplicable. What is it about a child that is sexually beguiling? How child that is sexually beguiling? How do the words ‘child’ and ‘sex’ even do the words ‘child’ and ‘sex’ even dare sit on the same sentence? It dare sit on the same sentence? It is in the news that the pedophiles is in the news that the pedophiles have been arrested but how many have been arrested but how many more are out there? When will they more are out there? When will they be apprehended? be apprehended?

Watching mother Watching Bello Bello Barakat’s Barakat’s mother narrating the ordeal that led to her her narrating the ordeal that led to daughter’s be properly properly daughter’sdeath death cannot cannot be expressed she said said expressed in in words. words. When When she “How can you as a mother be alive “How can you as a mother be alive to ached. tobury buryyour yourchild?” child?” my my heart heart ached.

Barakat of IAR&T, IAR&T, Barakat was was aa student student of Oluyole, home was was Oluyole, Ibadan.

Ibadan. Her Her home attacked Report attacked by by armed armed robbers. robbers. Report has rape and and hasititthat thatshe she resisted resisted the the rape was wasstabbed stabbed to to death. death.

SSttiillll iinn IIbbaaddaan , A d e j u m mookkee Oluwaseun’s watched Oluwaseun’s video video that I watched

EDITOR EDITOR Kemi Ajumobi Kemi Ajumobi Email: kemi@businessdayonline.com Email: kemi@businessdayonline.com TEAM: TEAM: Desmond Okon Desmond Okon Osaromena Ogbeide Osaromena Ogbeide Designed AderemiAyeni Ayeni Designed bybyAderemi

was certainly another heart breaker.

Thecertainly man sheanother marriedheart (after she lost was breaker. her man husband to the (after cold hands The she married she lostof death), who brought her hands to Ibadan, her husband to the cold of death), who brought was sleeping with her herto9 Ibadan, year old was sleeping with year old child.

Now wait forher the 9shocker.

He child.

Now wait for the shocker.

He had been sleeping with the child had child rightbeen fromsleeping when thewith childthe was 6. right from when the child wasJumoke 6.

Frustrated by the situation, Frustrated the situation, Jumoke decided tobyspeak up. Though late, decided to she speakfound up. Though late, but glad her voice. but gladconfronted she foundhim her about voice.it.

Jumoke Jumoke confronted him about it.

His nonchalant and contemptible His nonchalant and contemptible attitude towards Jumoke and her attitude Jumoke and her child is towards aggrieving and inhumane. child is aggrieving and inhumane.

He sent them out of the house, He out ofthat the help house, butsent I amthem convinced will but I am convinced that help will come her way soon and justice come way to soon and justice will beher served the reprehensible will be served to the reprehensible perpetuator. perpetuator.

That is not all. I was in pain listening That is not all. I was in pain listening to this 4 year old girl, sitting on her to this 4 year old girl, sitting on her mother’s laps, slowly and painfully mother’s laps, slowly and painfully narrating what her teacher did to her narrating what her teacher did to her as press men and women asked her as press men and women asked her to share her story. “He wide my legs, to share her story. “He wide my legs, he covered my mouth and asked me he covered my mouth and asked me to shut shutup…he up…hewill willput putme meononhis his to laps…it’s uncle…his name is Elias laps…it’s uncle…his name is Elias Oyeke…Iam amininnursery nursery1”1”She Shespoke spoke Oyeke…I slowly and in fear, her description slowly and in fear, her description washeart heartwrenching, wrenching,but butshe shetried tried was her best bestto tosay saywhat whather herstrength strength her could permit, permit,and andeach eachtime timeshe she could struggled to say a word, I felt pain struggled to say a word, I felt pain allover overme…” me…” all Hermother, mother,Ayele AyeleEsther, Esther,stated stated that Her that everytime timeshe shewent wenttotoschool schooltoto pick every pick herup, up,her herdaughter daughterwas wasthe thelast lastinin her classand andshe shewould wouldbe besweating. sweating.

She class She saidshe shebegan begantotosuspect suspectsomething something said waswrong wrongbecause becauseshe shewas wasoften oftena a was fastwriter writeratathome. home.When Whenshe shetook took fast her her home, home,she sheobserved observedthat thather her vagina vaginawas wasruthlessly ruthlesslybruised. bruised.After After persuasion, persuasion,the thelittle littlegirl girlopened openedupup and andtold toldher herthat thatevery everytime timeshe shewas was dropped droppedininschool, school,Elias Eliaswould wouldtake take her herto tothe theback backofofthe theschool schoolwhen when the theothers otherswere wereplaying, playing,and andwould would take takeadvantage advantageofofher, her,she shenarrated narrated

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Sunday 07 June, 2020

in details as a child could and it was We aren’t happy it took that long such a horrible thing to watch and but like I said, no matter how long inhear. details as aspare childyou could it was aren’t happy it took thatit long I will theand gory details Wethe truth seems buried, will one such horrible thing to watch and butday likesee I said, no matter how long thatafollowed. the light of day. hear.

I will spare youwith the gory details theAccording truth seems buried, 31 it will one Furthermore, uttermost to Section (3) (a) of the that followed. see theRights light ofAct day.2003, the age of disgust, I watched Babatunde dayChild’s Furthermore, withyear uttermost 31 (3) (a) of“Where the Adeyeye, the final student of According consenttoisSection 18. It states that disgust, I watched kissing Babatunde Rights Act 2003,with the an ageoffence of LASU ‘passionately’ a minor Child’s a person is charged Adeyeye, the finaltoyear student of consent is 18. Itsexual states that “Where who happens be his ‘younger (of unlawful relations with a LASU ‘passionately’ kissing a minor charged an offence sister’ . Watching him make a video a person child)isunder thiswith section (31 of the who happens saying to be his unlawful sexual relations with a the of ‘apology’ he ‘younger never knew (of same act), it is immaterial that sister’ . Watching himand make a video he child) underbelieved this section (31 of the it would go viral, promising offender the person to be of ofwould ‘apology’ saying never act), itthe is immaterial that the never do it he again wasknew indeed same or above age of eighteen years.” it sore wouldtogothe viral, and promising he offender believed the person to be of that eyes. I am wondering There have been some reports would it again was we indeed agebut of eighteen years.” whatnever else isdo going on that do not or above it is 11the years before you debunk sore to the eyes.

I am wondering There have been some reports know. If the video didn’t go viral, it as fake and untrue, howthat do you what else is going on that we do not it is 11 years but before you debunk would he be ‘remorseful?’ what explain the raping of children going know. If the video didn’t go viral, it as fake and untrue, how do you else has he done that we do not on back-to-back in recent times? would he be ‘remorseful?’ what explain the raping of children going know? How far has he gone that we So the Acts says 18 on paper, my else has he done that we do not on back-to-back in recent times? cannot tell? question is, in reality, in the Nigeria know? How far has he gone that we So the Acts says 18 on paper, my Also, The Kogi state’s Commissioner that you and I live in, is it the case? cannot tell? question is, in reality, in the Nigeria for Water Resources, Abdulmumuni Isn’t it far from a lie and surely the Also, The Kogi state’s Commissioner that you and I live in, is it the case?

Danga was accused of assaulting truth? for Water Resources, Abdulmumuni Isn’t it far from a lie and surely the and raping Elizabeth Oyeniyi. She truth?

In section 7 of the Sexual Offences Danga was accused of assaulting made the horrid reveal saying Danga Bill, having sexual intercourse and raping Elizabeth Oyeniyi. She In section 7 of the Sexual Offenceswith assaulted her over a Facebook post anyone between the ages 0 to 18 made the horrid reveal saying Danga Bill, having sexual intercourseof with she made on her page anyone is punishable by life imprisonment. assaulted herabout over ahim Facebook post between the ages of 0 to 18 onmade the 29th of March.

So, let’s agree that the legal age to she about him onWhat her was pageher is punishable by life imprisonment. offence?

She alleged she published have consensual sex is 18, let’s on the 29th of March. What was her So, let’s agree that the legal age to talk a post requesting Commissioner about consent.sex Even if the offence?

She allegedthe she published have consensual is 18, let’sperson talk is to be generous his immediate about 18 and above, and sheperson says “No” a post requesting thetoCommissioner consent.

Even if the is it family, same way he does with the must be respected.

When a person to be generous to his immediate 18 and above, and she says “No” it public.

Elizabeth this triggered says and you goaahead, family, same way hesaid does with the must be “No” respected.

When person it is the Commissioner she alleged saysrape. you know that public.

Elizabeth said who this triggered “No”Do and youeven go ahead, it is if a organized some men to take her to rape. married woman isn’t in theif mood the Commissioner who she alleged Do you even know that a his residence hetake scourged to have sex with husband organized somewhere men to her toher married woman isn’ther in the mood and later raped her. is reported he insists, andher ends up having hisand residence where heHe scourged her to to have sex with husband and his belater in police it and is rape? know and rapedcustody. her. He is reported to he way, insists, endsDo up you having his that occurrences even two consenting adults agree beThe in police custody. are endless. I way, it isifrape?

Do you know that The occurrences endless.

I even twosex consenting adultssays agree mentioned theseare ones to give you to ifhave and one party “stop” mentioned to give you sex and one party “stop” an idea ofthese what ones is going on, of how to have somewhere along thesays line, and the anrape ideacases of what going on,by of the howday somewhere along the it line, and the areisescalating person continues, is rape? rape cases are escalating by the day continues, it is permission rape? in Nigeria and how we cannot afford person Consent means for into Nigeria and how we cannot afford Consent means permission for be silent. something to happen or agreement toSimilarly, be silent. have you observed the something to happen or agreement to do something.

Meaning, if one Similarly, have you observed the to do something.

Meaning, one pattern in recent times? Victims are party isn’t in agreement atifwhatever pattern in recent times? isn’tthey in agreement whatever beginning to speak upVictims and inare some party stage are in theat‘activity’ , once beginning speak expected up and in some in the , once of thosetocases, actions stage shethey saysare “STOP” , it ‘activity’ is what it is: STOP! ofagainst those cases, expected actionsare sheWe saysare “STOP” , it is what it is: STOP! the evil perpetuators ‘dealing’ with 18 right? against the evil perpetuators are We are ‘dealing’ with right? , in being taken. Sadly, only those who We have agreed that18 ‘officially’ being only those who have agreed that ‘officially’ havetaken. gone Sadly, through it and are alive, WeNigeria, the consenting age ,isinfrom have through it to and alive, the consenting from andgone found courage doare so can truly Nigeria, 18 right?

Good! Butage doisyou know and found courage to do so can truly 18 right?

Good!

But do you know speak up. Many are not alive to tell that one in four girls are sexually speak Many are not alive to tell one in four girls are theirup. story or share their side of the thatviolated before 18?

Dosexually you know their story or share their side of the violated before 18? Do narrative. that 31.4 percent of you girls know who had narrative. that 31.4 percent of girls who had One other thing happening is that, their first ever sexual encounter One other thing happening is that, their first ever sexual encounter past rape occurrences are currently was through rape? Do you know past rape occurrences are currently was through rape? Do you know coming up again. The abused is that 6 out of 10 children in Nigeria coming up again. The abused is that 6 out of 10 children in Nigeria finding her voice and making it experience sexual, emotional or finding her voice and making it experience sexual, emotional or known with proof. They are telling physical abuse before 18? So, to get known with proof. They are telling physical abuse before 18? So, to get their stories and the populace is rid of this horrendous behavior, the their stories and the populace is rid of this horrendous behavior, the helping them shed awareness sexual offence bill must be enforced, helping them shed awareness on on sexual offence bill must be enforced, their plight hands of the State must be reviewed because their plight in in thethe hands of the evilevil State lawslaws must be reviewed because perpetuators.

Cases that seemed some of these men hide under perpetuators. Cases that seemed some of these men hide under it to it to forgotten because abuser commit their atrocities. forgotten because thethe abuser is is commit their atrocities. ‘connected’ coming again.

I was happy learning finger ‘connected’ areare coming upup again.

It It I was happy learning thatthat finger tells me that matter how long prints extinguisher tells me that nono matter how long youyou prints on on thethe firefire extinguisher attempt hide truth, it cannot used used on Vera helped attempt to to hide thethe truth, it cannot on Vera helped givegive awayaway the the stay in the dark for long.

One day, it culprits, I am however hoping stay in the dark for long. One day, it culprits, I am however hoping that that will burst out and consequences such measure be prominent will burst out and consequences of of such measure willwill be prominent in in taking advantage vulnerable investigations investigations in Nigeria because I taking advantage of of thethe vulnerable in Nigeria because I will be reaped. haven’t heard that in a long while. will be reaped. haven’t heard that in a long while.

Speaking consequences, a man ThisThis made perpetuators Speaking of of consequences, a man hadhad made perpetuators walkwalk hasrecently recently been sentenced again I said earlier; has been sentenced to to freefree butbut again likelike I said earlier; it it deathinin Kaduna murder. is longer no longer going tothe be norm. the norm. death Kaduna forfor murder.

HeHe is no going to be rapeda a 2 year death. Recently, Recently, President of the raped 2 year oldold girlgirl to to death. thethe President of the was sentenced Justice Kabir Senate, Senate, Senator Ahmad pushed HeHe was sentenced by by Justice Kabir Senator Ahmad pushed Dabo of of thethe Kaduna State High court tauter consequences for rape in in Dabo Kaduna State High court for for tauter consequences for rape sitting inin Dogarawa Sabon Gari in in Nigeria which he believes will will deterdeter sitting Dogarawa Sabon Gari Nigeria which he believes Zaria.

The pedophile admitted he he perpetuators.

I conclude withwith a a Zaria.

The pedophile admitted perpetuators.

I conclude rapped child forfor 40 40 minutes from himhim “We“We havehave to save our our rappedthe the child minutes quote quote from to save which ledled to to herher death. future, andand these girlsgirls andand women which death. future, these women Worthy is is that this thethe future of this nation” Worthyofofmention mention that this areare future of this nation” happened butbut justice, happenedin in2015 2015 justice, though delayed, gave way in 2020. though delayed, gave way in 2020.

Sunday June, 2020 2020 Sunday07 7 June

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BDSUNDAY 17

Mother reunites Mother reunites with son 32 years with sonquitting 32 yearsher after after quitting her job to find him job to find him

her life.

Her husband came back from work her life. and met her in her pull of blood. She had slit her wrist but sent a message Her husband came back from work her and metto her inhusband her pull ofbefore blood.she Shedid and it readwrist “Since will be no more, I hope had slit her butIsent a message your happiness will full” to her husband before she didbe and it. read “Since will be noher more, I hope again She Ihad lost pregnancy your happiness be full”. wouldn’t stop and herwill husband She hadabusing lost herher pregnancy again She was emotionally. and hertired husband wouldn’t and thought to stop end life. No abusingone herknew emotionally.

She was she was going through all tired and to end Aside life. No shethought went through. working in one knew was she going through all school theshe bank, was a Sunday she went through. working in wanted teacher andAside everyone always the bank, Sunday school to she be inwas heraclass. teacher She and everyone wanted was suchalways a happy woman (so to be in they her class. thought) who other couples She waswould such a make happy reference woman (so to. Her they thought) who other husband was the couples choir leader, so would in make reference to.one, Hera banker the eyes of every husband was the choir leader, so teacher who is also a Sunday school in the eyes of every one, a banker and a businessman doubling as a who is also a Sunday school teacher choirmaster was certainly the ‘right and a businessman doubling as a couple’. choirmaster was certainly the ‘right By the time her husband rushed couple’. to the scene, her pastor arrived at By the time her husband rushed the same time. She had sent him a to the scene, her pastor arrived at good-bye message and as he called the same time. She had sent him a to find out where her husband was, good-bye message and as he called he was also onhusband his way home, to find out where her was, so they arrived few minutes apart. he was also on his way home, so theyThey had to force the door arrived few minutes apart.open They and had met her passing out.met her to forcealmost the door open and She wasout. rushed to the hospital and almost passing thank God shehospital survived.

She was rushed to the andAfter she wasshe discharged, they both thank God survived. After she began counseling andboth gradually was discharged, they beganhe began to change.

Three months counseling and gradually he begandown the line,Three she realized she was to change. months down thepregnant whenshe due, shepregnant had a bouncing line, sheand realized was baby boy.

Her younger brother and sister were KEMI AJUMOBI and when due, she had a bouncing She would often share her story doing brother well in and their own endeavor. baby boy.

Her younger sister were KEMI AJUMOBI when opportuned and often orothy is the first lost their parents in 3 years.

She would often share her to story doing They well in their own endeavor. advise couples trulyoften honour their born thefirst familyThey of lost Firsttheir to pass on wasinher mother, after when opportuned totoand orothy is of the parents 3 years.

DESMOND OKON 1980s, according to the statemen vows and ensure they seek help that child battle withher stroke and the third advise couples to truly honour their born 3. ofShe the isfamily of that First toapass on was mother, after DESMOND OKON 1980s, according to the statement from Xi’an officials. ensure they seek help 3. Sheevery is thatparent child that a battle with third vows and when needed because keeping such prays for. year, herstroke fatherand diedthe too. from Xi’anPolice officials.

Chinese woman, tracked down Mao and late when needed because every Loving, parent prays for. and year, her died too. experience to keeping yourselfsuch is indeed a respectful Shefather took responsibility for the family Chinese Lwoman, down Mao i J i n g z h iPolice h a stracked confirmed heand waslater the abducte to for yourself is indeed a Loving, and She took responsibility forfor theher, family disaster.

God fearing.

Sherespectful studied Accounting and ‘fortunately’ sinceexperience her recipe L i J i n gb zh confirmed he was abducted e ie nh arse u n i t e d son of LitheJingzhi after a DN disaster.

God fearing.

She studied Accounting and ‘fortunately’ for her, sinceshe herdidrecipe Beyond her smile and efficiency at and came out with a second class siblings were abroad, not for b e e n r with e u n i her t e d son son of Li test.

Jingzhi after a DNA who Mao’s adoptive parents ha her smile and efficiency at hid her and came a second class siblings were abroad, she about. did not Beyondwork and church, Dorothy upper.out Shewith enjoyed her job and did have much to worry with her was son abducted who test. adoptive him parents asMao’s a renamed Gu had Ningning, an work and church, Dorothy hid her upper.

Sheatenjoyed and to worry about. pain behind her smile…don’t hide No one knew she was having well it. She her wasjob such a did breathhave of much was32 abducted renamed him Gu up Ningning, toddler years agoasataa Chinese he grew without and any knowledg pain behind smile…don’t hide well at it. She a breath of her No one knew she having until yours,her seek help. fresh air was and such everyone around challenges in was her marriage toddler 32 yearsafter ago athe a Chinese he grew without anyparents knowledge hotel was tracked by upof his birth or that he ha yours, seek help. freshloved air and everyone around her challenges in year her when marriage her. the 7th she until almost took hotel after he wasusing tracked of his birthbeen parents or that he had authorities facialby recognition abducted. loved her. the 7th year when she almost took authorities using facial recognition been abducted. technology.

The Police used the “aged”, one o technology.

Thetwo PoliceMao’s used the “aged”, one of as a mod Her son, Mao Yin was just childhood photos Her son,when Mao Yin wassnatched just two outside Mao’s achildhood photos as a model he was to scan the national database an when he hotel was snatched a Shaanxi to scan thefound national database and accordin in Xi’an outside in central close matches, hotel in Xi’an in central Shaanxi found close matches, according province in 1988 and sold to a to the state broadcaster CCT provincechildless in 1988 couple and sold a to the state CCTV. in to neighbouring Thebroadcaster now 34-year-old had a tearfu childless Sichuan couple in province neighbouring The now 34-year-old hadhis a tearful who raised reunion with birth parents wh Sichuanhim province whoown raised reunion with hisnever birth given parents as their son, Xi’an’s had upwho the search fo

BY CHEF EBUNOLUWA JAMES him as their own son, Xi’an’s had never given up the search for

BY CHEF EBUNOLUWA JAMES public security bureau said in a their missing boy. public security bureau said in a their missing boy. statement.

“I would like to thank the tens o his is a nice and statement.

“I would like to thank the tens of his is a nice and After the incident, Li launched a thousands of people who helpe refreshing way to get After the incident, Li launched a thousands of people who helped refreshing way to get search for her son and did not give us,” said Li Jingzhi. “This is the be the children eating their search for her son and did not give us,” said Li Jingzhi. “This is the best the children eating their up until he was recently found by gift I have ever got.” fruits all season long… up until he was recently found by gift I have ever got.” fruits all season long… the authorities who acted on a tip- Child abduction and traffickin yogurt can be added the authorities who acted on a tip- Child abduction and trafficking yogurt can be added that in a person in area a certain area been a in problem for children that aren’t lactose off that a off person a certain have beenhave a problem China in Chin for children that aren’t lactose of Sichuan had bought a child in for decades.

Although intolerant. of Sichuan had bought a child in for decades. Although there are there ar intolerant. the late 1980s. officialdata records, data on Bab the late 1980s. no officialno records, on Baby She told Chinese media (CCTV) Come Back Home website state Making 6 popsicles She told Chinese media (CCTV) Come Back Home website states Making 6 popsicles aftertaken, he was that14, there are 14,looking 893 posts lookin that afterthat he was shetaken, quit she thatquit there are 893 posts her job over 100,000 missing and 7, 411 lookin INGREDIENTS her job and sentand oversent 100,000 for missingfor boys and 7,boys 411 looking INGREDIENTS flyers to officials and appeared on for girls. flyers to officials and appeared on for girls.

• 2cups approx big mangoes • 2cups approx 4 big 4mangoes several TV channels for estimated It was estimated that 20, 00 several TV channels to appeal to forappeal It was that 20, 000 (cherry preferably) (cherry preferably) his return. children were being abducte his return. children were being abducted • C•o c oCnoucto nwuatt ew r aot er r f roers hf r e s h In 2007, shevolunteering started volunteering year China in 2015. In 200 In 2007, she started each year ineach China in in 2015.

In 2009, pineapples pineapples with called a group called “Babythe Come theMinistry ChineseofMinistry with a group “Baby Come Chinese Public of Publ Back , to help other parents Security set up a DNA databas A handful of mint Back Home” , toHome” help other parents Security set up a DNA database • A•handful of mint their children. missing children. since to fin look for look their for missing which haswhich since has helped to helped find 6 popsicle • 6 •popsicle moldsmolds past three decades, 6,000 missing children Over theOver pastthe three decades, more thanmore 6,000 than missing children.

PS: 2tbsp Add 2tbsp for a creamy PS: Add yogurtyogurt for a creamy Li had followed falseAlso leads Also in May 2016, the ministr Li had followed 300 false 300 leads in May 2016, the ministry to see if they were her missing launched a system called Reunion to see if they were her missing launched a system called Reunion, rich textured rich textured pop. pop. son, andson, in the process which brought than more 4, 000than 4, 00 and in the helped process helped whichmore brought reunite 29reunite missing to people their to children to their families by families b 29people missing their back children back to their families while herwhile son remained June 2019.June 2019. families her son remained PREPARATION PREPARATION freeze freeze for 4-5for hours, preferably bottom of the mold in warm water 4-5 hours, preferably bottom of the mold in warm water in abducted.

“I don’t want him want to leave in abducted.

“I don’t himme to leave m 1. Measure out allout ingredients into into 1. Measure all ingredients But in late April, police in police Xi’an inanymore.

I won’t letI him leave But in late April, Xi’an anymore. won’t let him leav overnight. and release popsicle from mold. overnight. and release popsicle from mold. were tipped that aoff man me anymore,” Li said as she heldas she hel wereoff tipped thatina man in me anymore,” Li said a blender and blend till smooth a blender and blend till smooth Sichuan Sichuan provinceprovince had bought onto her son’s at thehand reunion 3. To remove from mold, had bought ontohand her son’s at the reunio 3. To remove from lower mold,the lowerEnjoy the frozen.

Enjoy frozen.

2. Fill2. up molds and and a child from Shaanxi the latein the event, Xi’an police.

Fill popsicle up popsicle molds a child from in Shaanxi lateorganised event, by organised

by Xi’an police

Behindthe the Behind smile… smile…

DD

AA

MANGOMINT MINTPOPSICLES POPSICLES MANGO

TT

18

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Analysis

Banking, finance, economic activities and pandemics T

FG urged to establish independent protocols for auditing gas flares

ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

A

OSA VICTOR OBAYAGBONA

recent finding by a University of Cambridge department that examines systemic risks revealed that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) could cost the global economy up to $82 trillion over the next five years. A base case projection they give is around $26.8 trillion, or 5.3percent, of global GDP in the coming five years.

This is notwithstanding efforts by regulators across the globe, including Nigeria, to support banks and other financial institutions from the onslaught of the COVID-19.

However, the reality is that lenders will face significant pressure on their asset quality, capital liquidity, and will have to come to terms with the new norms post-pandemic.

As many businesses take the heat, banks are not guaranteed immunity.

Economists, who are counting the cost, say even best efforts as seen in Europe where banks and their regulator, European Central Bank, attempt to stabilise the banking system by freezing dividend payments, cutting bonuses to managers, rolling out a massive bondbuying programme and providing cheap loans are tentative.

In a similar manner, Fitch Ratings notes that forbearance measures announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will help the flow of credit into the economy and “support reported asset quality metrics in the short term (the average Stage 3 loans ratio for Fitch-rated banks was 5.7% at end-2019) but asset quality could deteriorate significantly depending on the duration and severity of the oil price shock and coronavirus turmoil.”

Fitch recently downgraded three Nigerian banks’ Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) to ‘B’ from ‘B+’ and placed all 10 Nigerian banks’ Viability Ratings and IDRs on Rating Watch Negative.

The risks to Nigerian banks were also outlined in a recent report by the Nigerian unit of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which says the economic slowdown from the novel coronavirus outbreak intensifies risks to the Nigerian banking industry.

One of the premises of that outlook is the fact that banks’ loan books are exposed to some of the sectors that are the worst-hit, like the oil sector and hospitality.

The oil and gas sector represented around a third of Nigerian banks’ gross loans, and if history serves any guide, oil price downturn (and currency devaluation) makes it harder for bank customers to meet their obligations especially dollar-based loans.

The banking industry also faces risks from a reduction in fee and

trading income as well as on net-interest income, while cyber-security breaches, operational constraints of keeping employees safe and meeting customer expectations and deterioration of IT and other support services because of internal challenges or vendor problems that will plague banks, according to PwC. Banks, like other businesses, will have to re-adjust to these new realities. Even in the most optimistic scenario, lenders will have to change their modus operandi and make critical IT investments to help (further) transit from brick and mortar to a digitally-driven model.

The new social-distancing culture emerging will result in fewer customers in banking halls, and most transactions would be done via means that limit the need for physical interaction.

In this era where efficiency is sine qua non, banks will have to redirect their investment from brick and mortar banking to digitally-led banking solutions or they simple lose their customers and phase-off.

The implication for banks as businesses is that there must be organisational and business operational restructuring with the possibility of fewer on-ground resources at work stations.

This is the natural short-run outcome of the decision many other businesses in the economy

will also take and have already implemented.

Economists saystructuralunemployment will arise as businesses digitalise processes but ultimately, the very survival of that businesses and consequent improvement in its efficiency will lead to better growth and create more jobs in the long-run.

A disservice to customers, shareholders and the economy would be for lenders to approach the threat to banking in a dismissive way, as sociology and health experts have now come to warn that the coronavirus will leave a lasting mark on the way people live their lives.

With so many banking jobs now threatened due to impact of the virus on the scale of their operation, lenders may have no choice but to join other businesses in the economy in implementing cuts as the only logical solution to keeping their business from going under completely.

One of the best ways to do so would be to take the humane approach lenders like Access Bank took by implementing a progressive cut, with its CEO taking a 40percent salary cut while staff down the ladder took much smaller cuts.

The bank’s move to reduce its operating cost will ensure that no staffer is laid-off.

Post-lockdown, banks will also have to invest more in technology and AI to guide in understanding

customers better. One advantage of digital-inclined banking is that it becomes much easier to understand customer need and gaps in the market.

As businesses move online more, there would be the need to invest in cyber-security systems that would ensure that there is no data breach and customers are safe.

As banks accept the new culture of remote working and operations, human resource re-skilling & retooling will make take-off of the new era seamless. Banks will have to pinpoint those activities that are top priority and plan around them carefully investing in processes and people that ensure their viability.

According to PwC, protecting one’s people and planning one’s workforce requires identifying the critical work which delivers banks’ P&L, the workforce that does this and the capacity of the organization to move labour to sustain those critical activities.

While traditional banking is not going to completely phased off, the emergence of a new generation of bankers, i.e. digital bankers will be necessary to complement the traditionally skilled resources for enhanced service delivery.

To reduce cost, there might be a need to retrain and reassign existing teams to new tasks that support migration to digital banking. This, however, is not dismissive of the fact that banks may still have to resize their workforce appropriately.

On the brighter side, the coronavirus outbreak could result in a net benefit for Nigeria, especially for the country’s financial inclusion goal.

According to Financial Inclusion Insights (FII), banking leads the way to financial inclusion in Nigeria with nearly three in ten adults (29percent) having bank accounts.

The reduced need for brick and mortar means banks can do more without rolling out more branches across the country to capture the unbanked.

E-banking will accelerate the integration of more Nigerian into the financial system; Mobile applications like the AccessMore app can help take banking to the customers instead of waiting to bring the customers to the bank.

Overall, the outbreak of the coronavirus is a major economic, social and health event that will alter the course of event and usher in a new era – one where challenges have to be squarely faced and issues dealt with pragmatically.

For the banks, it means they have to honestly assess their vulnerability and act accordingly because of the key role they play in the stability of the economy.

Understanding what trends are taking shape and taking appropriate steps will help the Nigerian banking industry and the economy as a whole turn the crisis into a blessing.

he Federal Government has been urged to set up independent gas flares reporting and auditing protocols to determine the exact volume of gas flared by oil companies in the country.

Besides, the National Assembly should ensure that the volume of gas flared, attract the appropriate penalties and payment made a accordingly.

In a paper presented by Solomon Adeleye, an expert in the oil and gas industry, titled, ‘Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Strategy’, during a webinar, he noted that Nigeria has over 600 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas but regretted that instead of creating value in the gas chain, the nation flares most of its gas for several reasons According to Adeleye, the country has about 179 gas flare sites which he said has disastrous impacts on the socio-economic growth, environmental and human impacts on the oil producing communities of the Niger Delta region.

He said that a percentage of the proceeds from the gas flare penalty should be used to support the communities impacted by the flares even as it called on the National Assembly to hasten the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

He equally urged government to pursue the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), which was initiated in Nigeria in 2016, as part of Federal Government’s deliberate policy, to bring gas flaring in the Niger Delta to a logical conclusion.

In a communiqué at the end of the programme, participants urged the Federal Government to commit to a three-year gas flare out plan, which would remain sacrosanct, to free the Niger Delta region from the hazards of environmental pollution as a result of gas flaring.

Organised by African Initiative for Transparency and Responsible Leadership for journalists and civil society organisations, oil and gas operators, it noted that Nigeria could make her oil and gas industry attractive to investors by plugging all the leakages in the sector.

“This would enable her generate more funds to divest from oil and also properly develop the oil producing communities.

Nigeria’s projected work force in the next 10 years is about 122 million, which is nearly as high as her current total population,” the communiqué stated.

Participants noted that for Nigeria to reverse the fortunes of the oil and gas industry post COVID-19, the government should empower Department Petroleum Resources to install its own independent automated metering systems to enable government properly assess the claims made by its operating partners with respect to volumes of gas flare and penalties owed.

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Crime Watch

How rape, murder of 100-level UNIBEN undergraduate spark protest in Benin CHURCHILL OKORO, Benin

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ears rolled down their eyes like a stream; eyelids were swollen from nonstop crying; their lips trembled and for a long time they could not utter a word.

The mother of the deceased, Jane Omozuwa breathed heavily and rapidly, and when she was about to speak, she burst into tears, and when her husband, Johnson Omozuwa tried to console her, his own eyes became misty.

She sobbed inconsolably and with a trembling voice, her first words were, “Oh God! Why allow this to happen to our daughter? So, we will be dancing at our daughter’s grave”.

This was the mournful story of the parents and loved ones of the 22-year-old Uwaila Omozuwa, who was allegedly raped, and later died from the sustained injury and trauma inflicted on her by her assailants.

Uwaila, a first-year student of the Department of Microbiology, University of Benin (UNIBEN), till her sudden demise, kept her head high up and was determined to achieve set goals that would set her on the path to future accomplishments.

Little did she know that the burning desire to accomplish remarkable things would be extinguished and her future tragically cut short.

The young lady; an avid reader, never knew an untimely death was lurking around when she went to one of the parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), to study like she always did.

On that fateful day, she carried her books to the Pentecostal church sited along Ikpoba Hill axis of Benin City, to study, when her assailants pounced on her, raped her and savagely smashed her head with a fire extinguisher.

The 22-year-old who lay unconscious on the floor in a pool of her own blood was rushed to the hospital; sadly, she could not pull through.

“We rushed her to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH); they conducted test but the doctors said this is head injury and there is no assurance of survival (meaning it is 50/50). However, they promised to do their best and which they did.

Unfortunately, I lost her on Saturday,” Joy Omozuwa, mother of the deceased, mumbled.

The 49-year-old mother who said the late Uwaila was the second daughter, described her as the most decent and intelligent child in the house.

“What happened to my child is very painful because I never expected she will die this way. For the past five years, she always went to the church to read. My daughter liked reading and didn’t want to get carryover. So, on that day, she packed her books like the way she normally did, and left for church, where she normally read.

…And the agony of a mother

ohnson Omozuwa, the late Vera Uwaila’s father.

Joy Omozuwa mother of the late Vera Uwaila Omozuwa

this matter; I don’t want my daughter to die in vain,” he said.

“I saw my daughter in a pool of her own blood and I ran to the police and the police refused to go with me.

“I was the one that went to report the matter to the police that night but police refused to go with me to the scene of the incident till the following day. Neutral team should be sent by the police to investigate this matter,” he said.

The death of Uwa has led to protest with the hashtag “JusticeForUwa” in Benin City and stirred reactions from activists and notable figures, especially Nigerians on social media, seeking for justice and demanding a stop to rape in Nigeria.

Receiving the group of protesters, Ayoola Ajala, deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, assured them that investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to her death was ongoing and arrests had already been made in connection with Uwaila’s murder.

More so, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has ordered immediate transfer of the investigation to the Force Headquarters, Abuja following preliminary investigation from the team of forensic experts earlier deployed to help the state command.

Sequel to her death, the National Assembly called for stiffer penalties for rape offenders in the country and

Uwaila Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), protesting against the murder of Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100- level Microbiology student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN). Pixs by Churchill Okoro.

IGP-Mohammed-Adamu

was told they used fire extinguisher to hit her head.

“Instantly, I went to the hospital and saw blood stains on her body and the dress she wore. She was bleeding from the ear, nose and there was a big cut on her head. I could not bear it and started crying.

I carried handkerchief and cleaned the blood in her body; while she was breathing slowly.”

The father of the deceased, Johnson Omozuwa, called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate and fish out those behind the death of his daughter, Uwaila.

“I want the authorities and security agencies to dig into the root of

“So, I waited till the time she normally comes home because we agreed that she would always come home early because she had an eye defect which didn’t allow her to see properly at night.

“On that day, I called her at about 5pm to come home to eat, but it wasn’t successful. Later that day, I saw three missed calls on my phone from a friend that resides close to the church. Immediately, I returned the call and she told me to come as soon as possible that something bad had happened,” she recalled in tears.

According to her, “On reaching there, they told me they had already loosed what they used in tying her but she made a snap with her finger to signify she was still alive, and she had been moved to the hospital. I

Protesters at the Edo State Command of the Nigeria police, Benin City protesting the murder of Vera Uwaila Omozuwa

Barely 24-hours after the news of her death went viral, protesters, including Uwa’s siblings, students of the University of Benin, friends of the deceased and members of the public stormed the headquarters of Edo State Police Command to seek justice for her.

The protesters, wearing black attire and carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘Justice for Uwa’, ‘Say no to rape’, ‘Enough is Enough,’ marched from the King’s Square area of Benin City and terminated at the state police command headquarters.

urged State Houses of Assembly to amend the criminal and penal codes to ensure adequate punishment for perpetrators of the heinous act.

They also condemned increased violence against young girls in the country and called for immediate investigations into the case.

Today, rape is gradually becoming an insoluble problem to every girl child in Nigeria; perhaps, this will change once the state legislative houses heed to the advice.

As part of the government’s efforts to stem the tide of rape and other forms of gender-based violence, Edo State government says it is collaborating with consultants in domesticating a sex offenders’ register.

Chairperson, Edo State Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team (SGBV-RT), Yinka Omorogbe said the state government remains committed to its zero-tolerance stance for any form of gender-based violence.

She further said that the Governor Obaseki administration was working assiduously to ensure that victims of gender-based violence could find safety and information needed to seek redress, as well as to make sure perpetrators are tried and convicted.

While condemning the killing of Omozuwa, the deputy commissioner of police said: “We will not

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Featuring in Yelo Peppe was great experience – Shirley Frimpong

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ward winning actress, Shirley Frimpong Manso has said directing Nestle’s drama series, Yelo Peppe, was a very great experience in her career.

In a zoom press conference to launch the second season of the drama series, the Ghanaian actress said she was grateful to the Nestle team for giving her the opportunity to be a part of this project.

“This is the first time you will watch real drama in a cooking series. The food is good, it is prepared well and you also get comedy. This is what Yelo Peppe is all about.”

Talking about her experience while directing Yelo Peppe, Shirley said it was all fun.

“We have actresses from different parts of Africa in the series.

It wasn’t so easy but we had to get it right. It was a challenging experience. I have never written

anything like this. It’s an eye-opening experience. It was fascinating watching the scenes written in French and how the actresses delivered it.

“I learnt how to use different spices for different dishes. It was very informative. We paid attention to every detail. I am happy we got it right.”

Yelo Pèppè brings together five womenfromfivecountriesacross CentralandWestAfrica,eachwith a different relationship to cooking and food, in a series combining engaging storytelling with nutrition and cooking guidance.

Talking about the drama, Domnic Allier, Business Executive Officer for Culinary at Nestlé Central & West Africa, who oversaw the Yelo Pèppè campaign said, “Maggi is all about promoting healthy home cooking using local produce, and this series allowed us to bring Maggi’s brand purpose to life in an engaging way.

Season One was a hit. Season 2

Tiwa Savage, Tubaba, others thrill at Hope for Africa Concert

Davido, Simi battle for NET Honours People’s Choice Award

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opular Nigerian arties including Tubaba, Davido, Falz, Flavor, Tekno and Tiwa Savage, alongside Other African stars thrilled so many viewers last weekend for the Hope For Africa Concert.

MultiChoice and the One Africa Global Foundation collaborated to bring the Hope for Africa Concert, which was broadcasted across over 49 countries around Africa.

The concert, aimed to bring Africans together in solidarity, and also raise funds to help medical practitioners in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, featured

the artistes dishing out their popular songs.

Explaining why Multichoice partnered with One Global Africa Foundation to broadcast this Hope For Africa concert, the Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe said: “As Africa’s biggest storyteller, we are committed to giving back to the communities where we operate. We are passionate about the development of the African continent as we continue to use the power of entertainment to give hope, enrich lives, and bring people together especially during these uniquely difficult times.”

After his performance, Tubaba who delievered his One Love track, encouraged people to donate generously towards this cause.

“One love to everybody.

COVID has come to us but we will rise together to fight this. Donate to the foundation, do your bit, nothing is too small,” he said.

Award-winning soul singer, Praiz, who also performed, also said he was glad he was a part of the concert.

“I am proud to be a part of this. I hope this would go a long way to help. I encourage a lot of people to be a part of this so we all can join hands and heal the world of this scourge,” he said.

Comedian, Bovi, also lent his voice towards the cause as he also encouraged Africans to unite and stay strong during this pandemic.

“There is no battle we cannot win as long as we stay together,” Bovi said.

Other entertainers who were part of the concert include, Alternate Band, BM from Congo, Ammara from Zimbabwe and Nandy from Tanzania.

All proceeds from the Hope For Africa concert will be used as special interventions for accessible, functional medical equipment, COVID testing stations and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to minimise exposure to the virus.

will be great as well. It was shot before the pandemic so we could see the actors playing regular roles.”

Apart from announcing the second season of Yelo Peppe, Allier also said Maggi has a new website.

Taking about the website, Akua Kwakwa, Nutrition, Health and Wellness Manager for Nestlé Central and West Africa said, “The website highlights the importance of including nutritious diets in our daily lives with wellknown family favourites; people across the globe now have easy access to traditional African recipes we know and love.”

“For people who are more concerned about sodium, saturated fat and added sugars, the website features the unique ‘MyMenuIQ™’ guide that illustrates how nutritionally-balanced each recipe is. The higher the score, the more balanced the meal is,” she added.

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s the fourth edition of the NET Honours People’s Choice Awards draws near, so many celebrities, including Davido, Simi, Teni and Tubaba have been listed to slug it out in different categories.

NET Honours, a property of marketing, media and technology company, ID Africa, is an annual recognition of top performers in the entertainment industry and public sector, based on audience data from ID Africa’s network of media channels. NET Honours focuses on recognising achievers in entertainment and related industries through a thorough analysis of global audience search, interaction and trends on ID Africa’s media channels.

Built upon audience engagement from a database of over eight million users who interacted with Netng, Neusroom, Orin and 234Star content across websites, social media and email newsletter channels between April 2019 and March 2020, the award celebrates musicians, actors, comedians and public personalities who rank high in consumers’ list of most interesting topics for the year under review.

The fourth edition of NET Honours, which is set to hold as a virtual event, sees celebrities and public figures of interest in Nigeria feature prominently across 20 categories such as Most Popular Male Musician, Most Popular Female Musician, Most Popular Actress, Most Popular Actor, Most Popular Couple, and many more.

According to ID Africa CEO,

Femi Falodun, “NET Honours is a one-of-its-kind platform where we recognise and celebrate some of Nigerians’ favourite celebrities and public figures, strictly based on data and insights from our network of media platforms and social channels.

Over 90percent of the audience on our media properties, Netng, Neusroom, 234Star and Orin are Nigerians below the age of 40. This means that NET Honours as a platform provides useful insights into the people, events and pop culture interests that greatly appeal to Nigeria’s digital natives and entertainment content consumers.”

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Arts For Majek Fashek, it’s goodnight and so long ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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sauntered into the main bowl of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos which was a stone throw from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) where I was on afternoon shift. It was a bright Sunday afternoon and the National Theatre then used to be a beehive of activities on weekends.

A little over ten years since it was inaugurated, it was the centre of arts and culture, drama and Sunday shows.

Close to it was the Centre for Black Arts and Culture. From NAN to the National Theatre, there were an array of snack bars and kiosks for people around to have a munch of freshly baked meat pie with a variety of drinks and enjoying the afternoon events that include dramas, live shows and musicals.

It was at NAN that I met great friends from all parts of the country and it is always a pleasant memory recalling those good days.

One of those Sunday afternoons , Majek Fashek, the rainmaker crooner and reggae star was performing at the National Threare. As I entered the main hall, it was bursting and I had to strain my neck to have a good view of the audience and the stage.

Top personalities were already seated including members of the then military junta that had toppled Muhammadu Buhari, who was then a Major General, in a bloodless coup.

Majek was the rave of the moment then after releasing his hit song ‘Send down the rain.’ That song was played on almost every radio station, his voice was sonorous and his dance steps on the stage were electrifying. He wore

no shirt, fair-complexioned and his hairstyle was a kind of dreadlocks. He was young, energetic and he held the audience spellbound.

Two songs that he sang that day gave him the niche and sent the audience asking for more. First, a song titled ‘Let righteousness cover the earth’ which had the following lyrics, ‘let the righteous take over the earth, let the righteous take over this wicked world, let all workers of iniquity be chased out of creation, oh Lord, yoh righteousness, oh jah jah, your true righteousness’.

But analysts often point to the fact that Majek appeared on the music scene when there was despondency in the polity, the military had taken over power and draconian laws were introduced, the impact of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) said to have been forced on Nigerians by the International Monetary Fund was hitting Nigerians

hard and Majek was one of the few youths who used music as a platform to speak to the military junta.

In one of his songs he played that day, though the lines were about freeing Mandela, the jailed South African leader, he was able to change to lines to ‘free Nigeria’ and the audience went wild with it. In the audience was Augustus Aighomu, then, a rear admiral who was Ibrahim Babangida’s chief of staff. He probably represented him at the event.

So, when he turned the lines to ‘Babangida free Nigeria’ it was a moment the audience had waited for and it went well with them and indeed Nigerians.

This was followed by another song, which became a mega hit, ‘ Send down the rain.’ The audience clapped and danced and young girls giggled their waists to the rhythm of the music while old men tapped their feet. It was an afternoon well spent.

It is not clear why that song became such a huge success. This was a simple song but it struck an accord, which has not died down over the years. Was “Send down the rain”, ironically telling the military to lessen the hardship Nigerians were made to go through then?

Majek belonged to a generation of Nigerian musicians who sent clear messages in their songs. In those good old days, musicians like the irrepressible Sonny Okosun, reggae superstar Raskimono and many others were like prophets in that they had messages for the people. They were messages that spoke to individuals, groups and even government. One cannot easily forget the campaign for the abolition of apartheid in South Africa through songs

by Okosun. Songs like “Fire in Soweto” and “I want to know who owns the land” which triggered the demand for justice and freedom against

the repressive regime in South African then and other societal ills.

Now, do we have musicians who use their songs to send clear messages and draw government’s attention to prevalent decadent issues in the society? What we rather have are songs about ‘ I want to be a billionaire, N30 billion in my account’ and many more that appeal to the youths just for them to put on their dancing shoes but without any significant message.

Music critics blame the overwhelming influence of technology on how music is perceived and produced today with so much reliance on sounds and effects, as well as, the urge for commercial success without attention being paid to underlying messages.

This has become the bane of secular musicians. One critic who recently listed the top female musicians that are her favourites did not include a single Nigerian musician.

When reminded by top Nigerian female singers, she did not budge.

S a d l y, M a j e k o d u n m i Fasheke, popularly knowns as Majek Fashek is gone. He died last Monday in New York creating a vacuum that would be difficult to fill. An iconic legend of the music industry, tributes have come from friends, music lovers, associates and politicians. His fighting spirit is captured in the tribute by Victor Esiet of The Mandators fame.

According to Esiet who also took the music scene by storm, it hurts to see Majek leave like this and too soon, saying there is still work to be done.

“As hurtful as it is for me to say goodbye, I have no choice than to say fare thee well my brother, “Dread” Fashek, as I usually called you. Though physically you might be gone, your spirit and your work will continue to live with mankind till the end of time.

“I am comforted by the lyrics of your song in ‘Holy Spirit,’’ your said, “I can see humanity living inna harmony. I can see brothers and sisters sharing love together now. I can see new heaven and a new earth Lord let Holy Spirit come take over the world and all over me”, Esiet said.

From the album ‘Prisoner of Conscience’’ which he released in 1988, containing most of the songs, Majek set out to create an indelible mark in our consciousness and he succeeded doing so convincingly leaving no one in doubt.

It is painful to say good night to a musician and song writer who gave Nigerians so much to cheer about. It is so long and too long from one of your songs.

Adieu The Rainmaker! We will all miss your voice when it matters most.

Artists, curators, dealers launch initiatives to support Black Lives Matter Movement

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s protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd by policemen in Minneapolis have continued to rock the United States, many in the art world have gotten involved. Earlier this week, artists, curators, and dealers began unveiling initiatives intended to garner financial resources for Black Lives Matter–focused efforts through the sales of artworks and promises to match donations.

On Tuesday, Arts.Black, a publication founded by critics Taylor Renee Aldridge and Jessica Lynne, sent an email newsletter that provided what was described as a “very, very short” list of initiatives to which readers could donate. “It is by no means comprehensive,” Aldridge and Lynne wrote of a list including bail funds for Brooklyn, Hawaii, Pittsburgh, and Seattle, as well as centers

and foundations that would accept donations—among them artist Lauren Halsey’s Summaeverythang Community Center in South Los Angeles and the Okra Project, which offers meals and resources to Black trans people.

Around the same time, a few artists said they would use transactions involving their work to help support similar organizations, funds, and initiatives. A group of art workers and designers launched the Art for Philadelphia Community Bail Fund, which allows users to buy $300 works by seven artists based in the city, including Tiona Nekkia McClodden, Alex Da Corte, and Jonathan Lyndon Chase. Proceeds will go to the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund. Among the works available are a photograph by Mark Maddox of protesters destroying a since-removed monument to a former Philadelphia

mayor who espoused racist views and a Sharon Hayes print depicting Shirley Chisholm in a magazine spread. Almost all the prints available on the website are already sold out.

Meg Onli, an associate curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art Philadelphia, said that she came up with the idea for the Art for Philadelphia initiative on Sunday after seeing the Maddox photograph, and helped realize it with a group of friends by Monday afternoon.

“Larger cultural institutions have failed to respond,” she told ARTnews, referring to what she identified as various museums’ shortcomings, including the lack of people of color in leadership positions and under-acknowledgment of Black artists. “This isn’t a time to wait,” she said. “This is a time to act.”

Paul Mpagi Sepuya, whose work appeared in the 2019

Whitney Biennial, said on Tuesday that he would offer prints of one of his photographs to those who sent receipts for donations of $250, $500, $1,000, and more to a select list of funds. By Wednesday, Sepuya announced on Instagram that he had raised $30,000. He wrote, “30K raised in a day direct to front line foundations for Black lives, queer lives, housing, bail… LOOK AT THAT!!”

Art spaces across the country have been criticized for their response to the George Floyd protests, or the lack of it.

Many museums waited until Monday or Tuesday to post statements in support of Black Lives Matter, and were pilloried as a result. And some institutions’ statements proved controversial because they did not directly name the movement, Floyd, or other Black Americans who have been killed,

such as Ahmaud Arbery, David McAtee, and Breonna Taylor.

The Getty in Los Angeles was among those to issue an apology following a social-media outcry.

By Wednesday afternoon, a few New York galleries had announced initiatives that would see the enterprises matching donations to select organizations. One was Galerie Lelong & Co., which said it would match $5,000 in donations to the Bail Project and the Equal Justice Initiative. Within two hours, the gallery had maxed out its goal and chosen to continue its pledge.

“We are living through history,” Mary Sabbatino, a vice president and partner at Galerie Lelong & Co., said in a statement to ARTnews.

“Inspired by the commitment of those marching for justice and the artists of the gallery who have spent their lives

examining these issues and mindful of our privilege, we looked for a way to support the movement. I chose two of many organizations doing extraordinary work for the short and long term, with related missions.”

Gladstone Gallery, which has locations in New York and Brussels, said its promise to match donations of $100 to organizations including Black Lives Matter, the Black Visions Collective, and Community United Against Police, had seen so much interest that the gallery decided to up its cap for donations. Initially, the gallery had planned to match $10,000 in donations; within 24 hours, that figure rose to $15,000.

Following Gladstone’s lead, one of the gallery’s neighbors, Metro Pictures, also said it would match $100 donations.

Courtesy of artnews.com

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Travel Nigeria’s tourism industry reopening in jeopardy without safety protocols

the industry with safety protocols as government would likely closedown hotels on flouting safety protocols, which it did not put in place.

In the same vein, Michael Atumah, a tourism practitioner, urged governments to be proactive in order to save hoteliers from waste and poor decisions, considering that hotels have been under lock and key for a long time.

“As the federal and state governments lifts ban on travel restrictions and social gatherings, life and business will go on, hostels will start welcoming guests. But it should not be as usual because the virus is still very much with us”, Atumah urged.

Citing instance with some countries that are serious with

their tourism, James Ozoka, a tourism destination expert, said Spain has released guidelines highlighting certain safety protocols essential for the safe reopening of the tourism industry. The guidelines were prepared by the Spanish tourism authority in coordination with the Spanish Ministry of Health to ensure the safe reopening of the tourism sector.

The guidelines include safe service, cleaning, disinfection, maintenance, and risk management. It also includes instructions and recommendations for travel agencies, hotels, and tourist apartments, hostels and camping sites, tourist guides, information offices, restaurants, spas, museums, golf courses as well as rural accommodation and active tourism.

Most countries in the world has done same ahead of the reopening.

But it seems Lagos Sate is the only state that is taking safety seriously before opening businesses, probably because the state is the epicenter of the virus in Nigeria.

So far, there seems to be a working safety guideline for operators of restaurants, eateries in the state, but it has to include the whole industry in view of the reopening.

For would-be guests, it is safety first. But the fear is that how would one ascertain to the standard of safety in a place if they are not monitored and updated regularly.

However, with the slow action is releasing safety guidelines, experts advised that people should still keep safe as the virus is still with us.

the UNWTO Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism”.

The document, according to him, outlines roadmap and priorities for the sector in the challenging months ahead, from providing liquidity for vulnerable businesses

to opening borders and coordinating new health protocols and procedures.

“At the same time, we continue to promote innovation and sustainability. These must no longer be small parts of our sector, but instead must be at the heart of everything we do. This way, as we restart tourism, we can build a sector that works for people and planet.

Governments and businesses are increasingly on our side as we work to build this new tourism. UNWTO is also working to make sure that tourists too share in this vision”.

He noted that UNWTO’s partnership with CNN International would take its positive message to millions of people around the world.

“The #TravelTomorrow message, embraced by so many, is one of responsibility, hope and determination. And now, as we do get ready to travel again, we remind tourists of the positive difference their choices can make.Our actions can be meaningful and highlight the road ahead, travelling again to restart tourism”, Pololikashvili concluded.

Obinna Emelike

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s several countries around the world, including Nigeria are starting to ease lockdown and restrictions on travel, hope shines for the restarting of life and the economy.

But for a quick and sustainable recovery of businesses and the economy at large from the deadly impact of coronavirus (Covid-19), there has to be safety protocols, which must be strictly adhered to as the virus is till ravaging.

While countries are now releasing safety guidelines for work and doing business in the post coronavirus era or the new normal, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has also offered new safety measures for reopening tourism across the world.

Speaking on the need for the safety protocols, Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary general, UNWTO, explained that it is the new normal and that adhering to it would restore confidence, build and trust, which are essential foundations for recovery.

Sadly, the Nigerian economy is about opening up fully, yet safety measures seem not to be in place as most businesses and organizations do not have standard safety measures to follow.

One of such businesses is hospitality.

As much as the hospitality industry is the worst hit by the pandemic and have stayed longer in the lockdown and counting huge losses, it is imperative to ensure safety before reopening the industry because of its

potential to spreading the virus if safety is not adhered to and strictly monitored.

Currently, small hotels are replacing earlier notices of closure with bold signs of open for business, while big and international branded hotels are waiting to finetune their safety protocols.

But industry stakeholders are querying the Federal Ministry of Culture and Information, the supervisory ministry of tourism, for not re l e a s i n g u n i f o r m s a f e t y protocols to guide hotels and tourism outfits on reopening business in the post pandemic era.

While the lack of proactive measures worries most tourism stakeholders, the sad situation also points to the

questions: who regulates the industry and which specific agency in the ministry is responsible for tourism affairs?

T h ey l a m e n t e d f u r t h e r that it was the same lackadaisical attitude that made states to start registering hotels amid revenue sharing and other issues.

“The Federal Ministry of Culture and Information should be in charge, it should harmonize and release uniform safety protocols now for the hospitality and tourism industry. It should be n ow t h a t t h e i n d u s t r y i s about reopening”, Kolade Falade, a hotelier, urged.

He noted that instead of the controversial coronavirus impact review committee, the minister should help

UNWTO set to restart tourism

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t both local and global levels, the coronavirus crisis, which the global tourism industry has faced has shown the importance of making the right decisions at the right time.

Though crisis has affected everyone, at every level of the tourism sector, with many making sacrifices, personally or professionally to stay afloat.

However, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has stated that it is time to restart tourism, on the back of many weeks of hard work and commitment.

But in the spirit of solidarity that defines tourism, the industry is united under UNWTO’s leadership to share expertise and abilities, acknowledging that ‘Together, we are stronger’.

Bearing this mind, Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary general, UNWTO, said that the cooperation would be essential as tourism move onto the next stage.

“Our research shows that several countries around the world are starting to ease restrictions on travel. At the same time, govern-

ments and the private sector are working together to restore confidence build and trust – essential foundations for recovery”, he said.

According to the secretary general, in the first stage of the crisis, the UNWTO united tourism to assess the likely impact of COVID-19,

mitigate the damage to economies, and safeguard jobs and businesses.

“Now, as we change gears together, UNWTO is taking the lead again.

Last week, we convened the fifth meeting of the Global Tourism Crisis Committee. Here, we launched

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BDSUNDAY 23

Travel

Some dream holidays to take after lockdown Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

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ream holidays take you to the breathtaking places you’ve seen in magazines and on social media but have always wanted to experience for yourself.

They allow you to witness rare events, like wildlife encounters that you can’t even imagine, and take you to heavenly destinations across the world, while ticking new things off of your travel bucket list.

While the current travel restrictions (read the latest government advice here) mean you can’t put your holiday dreams into action, you can still dream! We thought we’d help inspire your post-lockdown travels by telling you about some of the exclusive, dream holidays we think you’ll like.

Our carefully curated selection are one-of-a-kind, exclusive and allow you to travel with like-minded Good Housekeeping readers - as well as a few of your favourite celebrities.

Greek islands

From seeing Japan during the picture-perfect cherry blossom season to riding through Scotland’s Hollywood-worthy countryside, these are the places to tick off your holiday wish-list. Check out the dream holidays to take when things are back to normal.

Witness the Northern Lights in Norway The Northern Lights are one of nature’s phenomenons that you need to see to believe. With easy access to the natural light display that other parts of Europe don’t offer,

Northern Lights in Norway

Norway is our top pick for a remote Aurora-hunting holiday, where you can search for the mysterious green lights on a cruise around the Lofoten Islands, Tromso, Bergen and the North Cape. What’s more, you can experience the incredible sight in the company of TV star Carol Kirkwood this year.

Sail the Caribbean’s turquoise waters in style A water-based journey around the Caribbean’s most stylish islands is a must-have on everyone’s bucket list. From St Kitts to Barbados and Martinique to Bequia, you’ll want to get to know the flavours, scenes and relaxed vibes of these idyllic islands. If you’re after something royal-worthy, Bequia’s the spot as the perfect alternative to Kate and William’s favourite holiday destination Mustique - but more of a secret (and more fun).

Marvel at magnificent Petra When it comes to historical wonders, Jordan has a few that are so incredible they’ve caught the eyes of Hollywood producers. Petra and Wadi Rum are two you must visit to

feel like you’re part of a scene from Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars or Indiana Jones. Carved directly into sandstone, the ‘lost’ city of Petra was the capital of the Nabataean empire between 400 B.C. and A.D. 106 and is a UNESCO-protected site you need to see to believe.

Soak up the romance of Venice One of the world’s most romantic cities, Venice is a classic European hotspot. The enchanting destination is one every Italophile needs to visit at least one. There’s St Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace and Rialto Bridge to explore, plus more. Foodies will be in their element, with a visit to Rialto’s food markets, and if you’re looking to get out of the centre, you can venture to the islands of Burano and Murano to discover their colourful architecture.

Make like Harry Potter in the Scottish Highlands If you’re looking for a staycation like nothing else, a trip to Scottish Highlands offers all the goods. Here, you can take to the spectacular 21arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was a location of the Harry Potter films and take in the impressive sight of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, as you ride the Jacobite, one of the greatest railway journeys in the world.

Take in the beauty of the cherry blossom in Japan A natural wonder that only occurs for a few weeks each spring, the Japanese cherry blossom is a seriously big deal and a must-have on your travel bucket list for its sheer beauty you can only truly appreciate by being there. Tokyo’s parks offer many cherry blossom viewing opportunities, while you’ll want to get out of the capital to see

the flowers in bloom.

Get to know the locals in the Cotswolds One of the prettiest places in the world, the Cotswolds is home to honey-hued villages and miles of heavenly countryside. It’s a fabulous spot for nature and wildlife lovers, with gorgeous gardens at Hidcote Manor and Rodmarton Manor to explore.

Glide through the Swiss Alps on the Glacier Express If you don’t have the time or capacity to travel halfway across the world to experience a dream holiday, there’s good news - you don’t have to! Just a short hop away in Switzerland, you can ride an iconic red train that makes its way through snow-covered forests, Alpine valleys and over stunning bridges.

Be wowed by Holland’s worldfamous tulips You won’t find a better time to visit the Netherlands than spring, when tulip season arrives, bringing colourful fields full of the blooming flowers. It’s when you can visit the magnificent Keukenhof Gardens to witness the seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths which cover the attraction. The canals, windmills and streets of Amsterdam are also at their most beautiful.

Taste the flavours of the Greek islands With their olive groves, golden beaches and white-washed villages, the Greek islands will never lose their appeal. They might be loved for their sparkling sea and sunkissed sands but Greece’s islands are great for foodies too. The likes of Milos, Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos each offer their own delights for those who like fresh, seasonal food.

Virgin Atlantic announces plan to return to passenger flying July 20th

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irgin Atlantic has announced its plan to restart passenger flying, with services from London Heathrow to Orlando, Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York JFK and Los Angeles set to resume from 20th and 21st July 2020.

As countries around the world start to relax travel restrictions, Virgin Atlantic will resume some routes on 20th July, while steadily increasing passenger flying throughout the second half of 2020, with a further, gradual recovery through 2021 in line with customer demand.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic commented: “As the Covid-19 crisis stabilises and demand slowly returns, we are looking forward to welcoming our customers back onboard and flying them safely to their favourite destinations.

To ensure the health and safety of our customers and our people, we’re introducing new measures at every point in the journey to

offer peace of mind when taking to the skies with us.”

“Our planned first flights will be to Orlando and Hong Kong on the 20th July, however, we are monitoring external conditions extremely closely, in particular the travel restrictions many countries have in place including the 14 day

quarantine policy for travellers entering the UK. “We know that as the Covid-19 crisis subsides, air travel will be a vital enabler of the UK’s economic recovery. Therefore, we are calling for a multi-layered approach of carefully targeted public health and screening measures, which

will allow for a successful and safe restart of international air travel for passengers and businesses.

We are planning to announce more destination restart dates in the next two weeks for the month of August.”

To ensure the health and safety of its passengers, Virgin Atlantic is implementing additional measures to offer peace of mind in the airport and when taking to the skies.

These include enhanced and thorough cleaning practices at check in, boarding gates and onboard including the use of electrostatic spraying of high-grade disinfectant onboard in all our cabins and lavatories, ensuring no surface is left untouched.

Safe distancing will also be adhered to wherever possible, particularly at check-in and boarding and where not possible, masks will be required.

The airline said it will provide a personal Health Pack for the wellbeing and comfort of all our

customers, which will contain medical grade face masks as a requirement to be worn onboard, surface wipes and hand gel.

In the short term, the airline will also be offering a simplified hot food service onboard to minimise contact, enclosed from preparation in a Covid-safe, monitored environment directly to our customers’ seats.

Corneel Koster, Chief Customer Officer, Virgin Atlantic commented: “Our teams have been working tirelessly to ensure that the health and safety of our airport and onboard experience offers peace of mind to our customers when travelling with us.

“Our medical experts are working closely with all relevant U.K. and international health and aviation authorities to ensure we adhere to, and on many occasions exceed the guidance they are offering, whilst continuously reviewing and updating the measures we have in place to keep our customers and teams safe.”

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Sunday 07 June 2020

CapitalMarket

Japaul Oil rides on asset disposal to post N40bn profit in 2019

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TELIAT SULE apaul Oil and Maritime Services ended 2019 in profitability following the N43.8 billion it made outside its main operations and regarded as other income last year. The oneoff income came in through asset disposal. After deducting the necessary expenses, Japual Oil earned N40 billion as profit after tax in the last financial year as against a loss after tax of N6.59 billion in 2018.

Regarding how the income was made, Japual Oil and Maritime stated it was due to the disposal of assets.

“During the year, land and buildings, marine and survey equipment pledged as collateral securities for various loans obtained by the company from Access Bank have been forcefully taken over to settle all obligations to the bank based on duly executed terms of settlement before the Federal High Court directive on suit no: FHC/L/ CS/1222/2018”, Japual Oil said.

For the entire year, revenue from the main operations was N725.5 million, a far cry from N936.3 million it earned as revenue in 2018. Disaggregating the 2019

Source: NSE Fact Sheet Q1 2019 and 2020.

revenue based on business segments, dredging services generated N85.9 million; offshore services earned the firm N512.9 million while quarry services generated N126.68 million.

Compared with 2018, the highest decline in revenue came from dredging services where the company only made N85.9 million in 2019 as against N368.9 million in 2018. The other two segments

witnessed some improvements because in 2018 offshore services generated N458.1 million while quarry services generated N109.2 million compared with the aforementioned segments’ revenues in 2019.

Direct cost remained high at N1.67 billion in 2019, but 29 percent lower than N1.96 billion incurred in 2018. The company’s income tax expense skyrocketed

Directors’ resignations and appointments in May 2020 TELIAT SULE

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n May 2020, a number of board appointments and resignations took place as announced by listed companies through the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

International Breweries announced the retirement of Michael Daramola, who served the company for 15 years and retired as an executive director. His resignation was effective March 31, 2020, and occasioned by the attainment of the requirement for retirement from the company.

Africa’s global bank, the United Bank for Africa, announced the resignation of Abdoul Aziz Dia, an executive director, from the board of the bank effective from May 6, 2020. Also, the board of NCR Nigeria announced the resignation of Olufunke Hussian, an executive director, from the company’s board effective August 22, 2019.

Mayer Plc announced the exit of Devashish Nath and Jane Ijegbulem from the board of the company effective May 13, 2020 and May 27, 2020 respectively. Nath was the managing director while Ijegbulem was the company’s secretary.

As replacements, Meyer announced Rotimi Alashe, who was until recently, the company’s chief

finance officer, as the new managing director of the company in acting capacity, effective May 14, 2020.

Marriot Solicitors is to act as the company secretary effective May 28, 2020.

Also in May 2020, Total Nigeria announced the appointment of Lucile Badaire as a Non-Executive Director of Total Nigeria Plc with effect from the May 13, 2020. Badaire is a graduate of Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris and is an Engineer of the Corps des Mines.

She began her professional career in 2003 and held various positions in French ministries and public administration covering Digital, Market Regulation and Public Policies Reforms. From 2010 to 2012, she was appointed Advisor to the Minister of Industry. In 2017 she became Supply, Pricing & Hedging Director (Marketing & Services) based in Paris and in 2020 was appointed Supply & Logistics Director for the Africa division (Marketing & Services).

Dangote Sugar Group announced the appointment of Ravindra Singh Singhvi as an executive director. He joined the company as the Chief Operating Officer in August 2017. He has over 39 years of proven experience in leadership

by 972 percent from N10.4 million in 2018 to N111.5 million in 2019.

Available records show that the company has been having a serious legal battel with Access Bank through facilities extended to it which resulted in different court cases between the two parties.

Aside Access Bank, in February 2018, Japaul Oil announced it was entering into a $350 million equity financing with Milost Global Inc.

However, due to the media spotlight on the transaction, by May of the same year, the deal was cancelled in a non-prejudicial manner.

Japual Oil and Maritime Services was one of the top trades on Wednesday June 3 2020. Investors traded 23.1 million shares worth N5.9million that day. Its share price has gained 40 percent year to date as it presently trades at N0.28 per share.

How Nigerian bourse fared in Q1 2020 based on NSE Factsheet TELIAT SULE positions in manufacturing and processes in sugar, petrochemicals, cement, textiles products industries in India.

Singhvi is a Chartered Accountant with background in company secretarial practice and management, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in B. Com (Hons) and Law(I) from the University of Jodhpur, India.

Prior to joining Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Singhvi was the Managing Director & CEO of NSL Sugar Limited, Hyderabad, India; managing director, EID Parry (1) Limited, Chennai, India, one of the top three sugar producing companies in India.

The Board of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc is confident that the wealth of knowledge and experience he brings will be a great addition to the company.

Further, the board of Ekocorp Plc announced the appointment of Joyce Modilim as the company secretary/legal adviser in acting capacity effective May 24, 2020.

She belongs to many foreign professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA UK); Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACIArb), UK; Fellow, Chartered Institute of Public Administrators, England and Wales, among others.

I

n less than 30 days, the second quarter of 2020 will come to an end. As usual, every market participant will take stock of the developments that defined the second quarter of this year. Before then, BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit (BRIU) is here to present the insights gained from the NSE Fact Sheet for the first quarter of 2020 when compared with that of the first quarter of 2019.

The market capitalisation of the equities listed on the premium board increased by N175.14 bn to N5.40 trillion from N5.23 trillion in Q1 2019. The increase was as a result of the listing of additional stock as eight equities were listed on the premium board in Q1 2020 whereas the number was seven in Q1 2019.

The number of equities listed on the main board fell to 141 in Q1 2020 as against 147 in Q1 2019. Expectedly, the market valuation of this sub sector fell by N738.97 billion to N5.67 trillion from N6.42 trillion in Q1 2019.

Nine equities listed under ASeM in Q1 2020 as was in Q1 2019. However, the sector’s market capitalisation lost N692.11 million to end the quarter at N7.04 billion compared with N7.73billion in Q1 2019.

Equities categorised as real estate investment trusts-REITS and closedend funds remained at nine units

in both quarters but worth N23.69 billion in Q1 2020 as against N31.14 billion same period last year. Exchange traded products increased to ten in the first quarter of this year worth N6.19 billion compared with nine that were listed same period last year worth N5.66 billion.

FGN bonds increased to 87 units in Q1 2020 worth N12.66 trillion as against 72 in Q1 2019 worth N9.81 trillion. Twenty seven corporate bonds were listed in Q1 2020 worth N378.82 billion in contrast to 25 that were listed in Q1 2019 worth N305.20 billion. The number of state and municipal bonds fell to 20 in Q1 2020 whereas 22 were listed last year March. Another noticeable difference is that the state and municipal bonds were worth N369.70 billion in Q1 2020, far less than N515.27 billion in Q1 2019.

Only one supranational bond was listed in both quarters, but with marked difference in market capitalisation. This bond was worth N3.24 billion in Q1 2020 which as 60 percent less than its market capitalisation of N8.09 billion in Q1 2019.

Fifty one memorandum listings made it to the NSE Fact Sheet in Q1 2020 valued at N999.91 billion whereas there was nothing of such in corresponding quarter in 2019.

Overall, the number of equities, bonds, and other instruments listed on the NSE rose to 359 in Q1 2020 as against 297 in Q1 2019.

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BDSUNDAY 25

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Covid-19 creates fundamental shift in Africa’s consumers

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he Covid-19 pandemic has given rise to a new kind of African consumer who is already displaying fundamental shifts in consumption and purchase behaviour driven by factors such as heightened health awareness, a focus on quality and safety, a renewed desire to stay at home and a tight wallet squeeze.

As a result of this a recent Nielsen industry webinar navigating the New Normal discussed the realities and effects of this rapidly evolving outlook. Speaking during the webinar, Nielsen Africa MD Bryan Sun outlined the consumer evolution since the onset of the pandemic and the fact that crisis-buying patterns have accelerated the adoption of permanent behaviour change.

“As the prospect of looming lockdowns first hit, consumers realised they needed to stock up which saw a spike in store visits, stockpiling of shelf staples and growing basket sizes. However, as restricted living became more common place, there

was a change in behaviour with consumers seeking out products without putting their health at risk.

“We have therefore seen growth in online shopping, declining store visits and a rise in out of stocks. Supply chain challenges have also driven consumers to be less price sensitive on high demand packaged goods or those that guarantee hygiene standards,” explained Sun. The expectation is that once quarantines lift and consumers return to “business as usual” they will continue to operate with a renewed consciousness about health, which will remain for a long time. There will also be shifts in the way consumers perceive products with the increased importance of safety and efficacy claims, and a willingness to spend more on hygiene needs and healthy foods.

Global perspective The webinar also presented findings on Nielsen’s recent COVID-19 syndicated online survey which was conducted in over 70 countries across the globe and produced interesting

comparative data and insights for Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Nigeria & South Africa) as compared to the rest of the world.

The study revealed that 75% of SSA consumers are now more concerned about their families versus the global average of 48%.

In addition, 83% said they were following information multiple times a day - significantly higher than the global average of 75%.

Looking at the impact of the severe limitations on out of home activities; 51% of SSA consumers said they were cooking more at home versus 39% globally, and significantly more said they worked more at home versus the global average.

In terms of the impact of the epidemic on their out of home and shopping activities, 46% SSA consumers said they are visiting malls less often versus the global

average of 32%.

Despite perceptions that Africa lagged behind in terms of online behaviour it has in fact seen incredible behaviour changes with major increases in the use of social networking, online reading, listening to music and video streaming.

Future mindsets As countries move from restricted living to precautionary living, Nielsen has also created an in-depth view of current and future SSA consumer mindset and purchase patterns based on learnings from other markets: Heightened health awareness will drive consumers to be less price sensitive on high demand packaged goods or those that guarantee hygiene standards as food safety becomes paramount to consumers.

The renewed desire to stay at home and the preparation of home meals might require brand extensions and a need to address declining store visits, growth in online and proximity shopping.

As consumers are impacted by less income and

smaller purchasing wallets, value for money offerings and more aggressive promotions – over that of just in-store promotions - are needed. eCommerce growth has reached double digits in many countries with Italy at 82%, China 50%, and Korea 30% where older shoppers are trying eCommerce for the first time. Technology catalysts are driving behavioural change and will penetrate the market despite previous scepticism around this platform.

Looking to the future, Sun commented that the path to recovery means retailers must urgently look at factors such as pricing mechanisms and brand relationships in order to maintain and strengthen consumer trust in their brand.

“Successful retail regeneration across the continent, following the impact of COVID-19 on the African consumer and retail landscape, will rely on an agile and innovative response that sets the groundwork for a future unlike any we have ever known.” Report by MediaInk Communications

Lagos lifestyle has not been the same since lockdown

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nce upon a time, all we wanted was to just stay indoors and not go anywhere. We were sick of traffic, tired of our overbearing boss, and having to see those annoying colleagues every day. Now that our wishes have become reality, we would give nearly anything to have our old lives back.

Here are some of the things we missed the most since the lockdown: Eating out Who else is tired of eating their own cooking? The lockdown has reminded us that cooking really is a survival skill, but no one mentioned how boring cooking could get. Even though we can get food delivered to our homes in the lockdown, it would mean a lot if we could just visit our favourite restaurant and eat something we did not have a hand in cooking.

For now, you can only sit in your house and reminisce about that great tasting ewa agoyin you used to buy on your way to the office and the amazing suya you’d buy on your way back home.

Seeing other people If you live alone, your voice may have gotten rusty from lack of use by now. Or maybe you’ve even forgotten what it sounds like? At this point, we can imagine that you can’t wait for things to get back to normal. Sitting in traffic with the music of car horns blaring and angry conductors yelling must be better than this constant silence, right?

Whichever way, the lockdown has reminded us that we all need some human interaction to thrive as humans, even if it’s just in small doses.

The office After complaining about work, the commute, your boss, and your colleagues, aren’t you surprised to discover that you actually miss it? If you’re working from home, you’ll definitely miss the Wi-Fi and the constant power supply in the office.

By now, you’ve decided that going to the office every day isn’t so bad. Even though you used to complain about the okada ban, right now, it’s possible that you’re bored enough to

walk to the office.

We miss school You may have completed your education a long time ago, but if you have any school-aged children living in your home, then you’d definitely understand. Due to the lockdown, schools have been closed and children have to stay stuck at home with parents who have to work from home.

Bored children have been driving their busy parents up the wall.

To put it mildly, this is not a great combination. For parents, anyways.

Going to the gym Keeping fit and working out is a lot more fun when you’re doing it with others, but in a world of COVID-19, lockdown, and social distancing, the morale to work out really has dropped.

Maybe that’s why a lot of us are gaining some ‘lockdown weight’.

Having a regular routine Remember when you

had to wake up really early to go to work? We bet you miss that now. These days, you can sleep whenever you want and wake up when you like, but the honest truth is that you really miss your regular routine and knowing for sure what day of the week it is.

Playdates with your kids The lockdown is affecting everyone, even the little ones. Children can’t go to school, visit their friends, go to the cinema, or even step out of the house. No wonder they’ve become mini whirlwinds in the house.

They miss their own prelockdown life as well.

Hanging out with friends Do you remember making excuses so you wouldn’t go for the hangout you had promised to attend with your friends? Now, we can see your posts on social media where you promise never to miss another TGIF hangout.

Attending owambes Th e r e a r e n ’ t m a n y events that can compete with a Nigerian wedding.

The great music, the fashion, and of course the party Jollof! Owambes are usually an opportunity to connect with family, friends, and simply have a good time.

Of course, there are no owambes in a lockdown - it’s against the law. But you can reminisce with old photos and look forward to enjoying another one when all of this is over.

Having a proper birthday celebration What’s worse than having a lockdown birthday?

We don’t have an answer, but we know it’s not quite how you planned to celebrate your birthday. Everyone who has celebrated a birthday in lockdown will definitely miss the freedom of going out and having a good time with friends and family.

The threat of coronavirus is still quite real, but we can combat it by observing social distancing, and ensuring that we wash our hands thoroughly and frequently.

Also make sure to check out covid-19Facts.com and not fall for fake news. Stay safe!

Report by Bhm.

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Sunday 07 June 2020

Sunday Business

I am a lawyer, but I want to diversify into agro-business

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Dear Startup Doctor, t is evident that the economy has taken a plunge, and this period has afforded me the opportunity of reevaluating my financial strategy. I am a lawyer by profession, but I am also a firm believer in economic diversification and the creation of multiple streams of income. I am presently thinking about the Agro sector, in particular, palm oil production. What do you think about such an idea in present-day Nigeria?

Anonymous Dear Anonymous, Diversification is Good!

I agree with you on the need to have multiple streams of income because it comes with numerous advantages. I have been preaching this sermon for many years now. When you create multiple streams of income, you can make much more money than what you currently earn from your fulltime job and also find security during an economic downturn. Creating an alternative source of income in the event of a financial turmoil such as Covid-19 is definitively a smart move.

However, you cannot diversify into a new business sector without carrying out indepth research on your industry of interest.

Please, note that the right business for you is not just the one that makes money. It is the one you understand, have the resources to invest in and will provide a timely return on your investment.

Since your interest is leaning toward agriculture, you need to be sure you fully understand how this sector works. A great way to start would be to arm yourself with the knowledge of the cost requirement, requisite technical expertise for the business or hire a reliable partner that will ensure the smooth running of the operation without your full involvement.

Viability of Agro Business in Nigeria Oil palm production is a long term investment with a gestation period of four to five years. However, the gestation period depends on the quality and type of seedling.

However, it keeps on giving value throughout its life cycle of over three decades. But first, before we dive deeper into this conversation, you need to check how realistic it would be for you as a practising lawyer to get into that line of business. Combining the long hours required in legal practice with running an Oil palm business, especially if you are thinking about the entire valuechain might be highly demanding. However, this should not stop you from starting this business. I believe that where there is a will, you will find a way!

As at today, Indonesia is the largest palm oil-producing country in the world with Malaysia and Thailand closely following,

with Nigeria coming as the fifth in world production with 1.5percent metric tons of the world’s output. In Nigeria, the oil palm is in high demand and will always be since it is used daily in almost every home for nearly every meal. According to the World growth index, palm oil production globally is expected to rise by 32percent by 2020. The oil palm is nature’s blessing in terms of its economic viability and versatility. Oil Palm is not only cut out for domestic use. It is also an active input to such as industrial products like beauty, pharmaceutical, renewable energy, and food industries also buy and use it in large quantities as one of the significant ingredients for their production. There are also export opportunities in the red oil, bleached oil, and kennels to international markets. Needless to say that this is one business you can make a crazy profit in if you are patient.

A Bloomberg report, states that Nigeria plans to invest $500 million to boost palm oil production which shows that the government is serious about increasing the volume of oil production locally to decrease how much dollars the country spends yearly to import it into Nigeria. According to the report, the government said, “Our policy objectives over eight years (between 2019 and 2027) will see that we locally produce 100percent of local crude palm oil demand by 2027.” This statement clearly shows that investing in oil production is a step in the right direction. Especially as the Federal

Government is also heavily leaning towards economic diversification by strengthening the non-oil sector through capacity development, loans, grants, and partnerships.

Oil Production Value Chain Palm oil production has a relatively long value chain that goes through several phases between land acquisition, preparation, nursery, planting and decline. It starts from the palm tree planting, waiting for the gestation period, which takes upwards of four years to commence increasing and gradual harvest. Then comes the harvesting, processing, storing, packaging and distribution phases. The yield cycle of palm oil can take between three to four years between planting, first harvest and maturity season before it plateaus and declines.

You don’t have to be involved in all these to be able to profit from this sector. You can just pick one that you are comfortable with to begin your investment journey.

This statement is premised on the fact that investing in oil palm from the beginning to the end of the value chain, will place more demands on your time, much more than you can spare from your legal practice. If you have the means and human resources and capacity to manage them effectively, you can also hire a trusted and competent Agro consultant to be fully involved.

Benefits of starting an Oil palm business?

•The versatility of the oil palm assures that every of its product is sellable.

•Government is favourably disposed to

helping with agrarian ventures.

•Opportunity for exports •The demand is insatiable.

•It has a lifetime yield.

Challenges of the Oil palm business?

•It is capital intensive •It requires constant care especially during the early years •It is dependent on heavy rain and sunshine (weather dependent) •It is vulnerable to bush burning •It is vulnerable to theft as it is usually in remote and difficult to reach places.

What do you need to start the Oil palm business?

•Capital •Land •Trusted source for seedlings (NIFOR is recommended) •Palm nursery •An agro consultant and an experienced team and •A massive dose of patience Below are the different take-off points you might consider: •Buy hectares of land.

•Hire an agro consultant to source for seedlings from the trusted source plant and nurture palm trees for you.

•Buy already processed palm oil from producing communities who sell the oil produced from their ancestral palm trees. You can repackage and re-sell to manufacturing companies. This strategy will require that you recruit staff who will help you go to the markets in remote areas and buy from the subsistence producers.

•You can equally buy palm oil processing machine and buy palm nuts from farmers and undertake the processing. This method saves you the hassle of having your plantation, yet gives you control over the production process. Although this might be more work than envisaged, the good thing is that there is hardly any waste in palm nuts. You can re-sell the byproducts of your oil production to augment your production cost.

•Buying the machinery and the human capacity to run it may be financially demanding. If you cannot foot the bill, you can apply for loans and grants such as the NIRSAL Microfinance Loan. Please, write to the Startup Doctor on ask@startupdoctor.ng to know more about the training required before you can access this loan.

Government is generally favourable to Agro MSMEs. Therefore, my team and I can help you develop a bankable business plan and assist in the grant or loan application. If you can convince the government or banks, they will back your idea.

Final Thought It is ok to diversify your income source, but you must do it right. Following your interest in palm oil production is a good one and can attract loans and grants from the government. Like I earlier stated, the oil palm business is one that assures continuous yields, especially if you place your expectation horizon for the longer term and not immediate. Remember that oil palm production is not an instant trading outfit. You cannot go wrong if you decide to venture into the oil palm business. It will thrive in the Nigerian market. Just ensure that you set up a structure that can guarantee an efficient and sustainable operation so that it doesn’t distract you from your legal practice. If you need help doing this, our ‘Corporate Structure for Profits and Sustainability’ is the plug you need. In it, you will learn how to build the right system and structure to make your business run even when you are not around.

Sign up to our newsletter on www. startupdoctor.ng for more real-life business solutions. Don’t forget to send your business questions to ask@startupdocor. ng, let us solve them together right here on the Startup Doctor Business Clinic every Sunday. I would love to read from you.

To your continued success.

Keep sparkling!

Muna Onuzo

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BDSUNDAY 27

SundayBusiness The appealing features of APPEALS Project Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

W Introduction

ith the policy shift to sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999, there is an increasing need to take a closer look at Agencies that provide productive partnerships for the economy to grow. That is more so, to breathe life into the federal government’s diversification policy, especially now that the COVID-19 challenge has worsened revenue flow from crude oil sales.

One of such is the AgroProcessing , Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support – (APPEALS). Propelled by the desire of not a few Nigerians to get more involved in agriculture, yours truly

reached out to Mrs. Aishat Onusi, the National Communication Specialist of APPEALS Project to let the public know much more about it.

Stated below is her response to some questions, with regards to the aims and objectives, the rationale behind its setting up, the focus on the value chain and of course, the vision and mission statements that drive its processes.

APPEALS is a Project of the Federal Government of Nigeria, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and supportedby the World Bank.TheProjectwhich is an Investment Project Financing (IPF) was approved by the World Bank Board on March 23, 2017 and became disbursement effective on May 24, 2018to be implemented for 6 years. The project is expected to close by March 2023. The APPEALS Project is being implemented in six participating states, namely: Cross River, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi and Lagos states.

Aims and Objectives The aim of the Project is salutary as it was set up to support Small and Medium scale farmers in the six participating states.

Indeed, it is specifically focused at demonstrating possibilities and opportunities along eleven selected priority agricultural Value Chains.These include Rice, Wheat, Cassava, Cocoa, Cashew, Aquaculture, Poultry, Maize, Dairy, Ginger and Tomato.The Project broadly aims to support the Federal Government’s efforts with regards

to strengthening Food Security, Export Potential and Livelihood Improvement.

The number of project’s direct beneficiaries is estimated at 60,000 individuals (i.e. 10,000 beneficiaries per state), and 300,000 farm household members as indirect beneficiaries. Interestingly, it is anticipated that 35 percent of direct beneficiaries (or 21,000 individuals) will be women. By design, the project has a dedicated sub-component to benefit women and youth that will allow them to develop agri-businesses that are expected to create jobs and improve their livelihoods.To cut across a wide spectrum of the society, 5percent of the Women and Youth beneficiaries will be People with Disability and Special Needs.

The project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and information system includes a gender tracker to ensure adequate documentation on different categories of projectbeneficiaries.

The Project is built on five Components namely: 1. Production and Productivity Enhancement 2.

Primary Processing, Value Addition; Post-harvest Management and Women & Youth Empowerment 3. Infrastructure Support to Agri-business Clusters 4.

Technical Assistance, Knowledge Management and Communication and 5. Project Management and Coordination.

The rationale for setting up the APPEALS Project Al t h o u g h Ni g e r i a h a s a distinct comparative advantage

Land Use Act: New initiatives underway to manage unintended consequences

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ousing sector analysts are in agreement that the consequences of the obsolete Land Use Act on housing and mortgage, which are largely unintended, can hardly be quantified in many respects.

The Act, which was passed by a decree in 1978 and inserted into the 1979 constitution, has seen multiple attempts aimed to review it and make necessary changes, but the process has been too cumbersome to succeed. The provisions of the Act can only be changed through a constitutional amendment, requiring two-thirds majority of both the federal and state legislatures.

The analysts are of the view that this Act has been the major reason for the low investment in the housing sector; it is also the reason mortgage finance is difficult to access because of its high cost and cumbersome processes it entails.

According to them, housing finance by public authorities in Nigeria is about 10 percent; mortgage banks contribute about 2 percent, while contribution from banks and other institutions is insignificant.

In a comparative analysis of what obtains in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa, Sonnie Ayere, CEO, Dunn Loren Merrifield, notes that in South Africa, mortgage contributes about 40 percent of housing

finance while in Ghana, the contribution is about 3 percent.

Ayere, who spoke at an economic forum in Lagos, explained that the low mortgage contribution to housing finance in Nigeria was due to the cumbersome and unfriendly land administration in the country, pointing out that Nigeria ranks highest in property registration and construction permits.

Before now, there were altogether 16 stages and 60 steps to getting a property registered in Lagos, eight stages and 30 steps for each of the lender and the borrower which explains why it is difficult to get mortgage for housing finance.

To deal with these challenges, the federal government, through its agencies led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has come up with some initiatives, believing that an enabling environment in which a sustainable mortgage market can thrive must be created.

One of these initiatives is the Nigeria Housing Finance Programme (NHFP). Another is the Mortgage Foreclosure Law (MMFL) being put in place to grow the housing market.

NHFP is being implemented by the federal government through its relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and this is supported by the World Bank

International Development Association (IDA). The objective of the programme is to increase primary and secondary mortgage markets.

The MMFL is a draft bill designed to make delinquency in mortgage repayment unattractive to mortgagors and reduce losses from mortgage loans. It is expected to create a more attractive and vibrant environment, thereby attracting investors providing long term, low cost and more available capital to the market. Its main strategy is to encourage the use of administrative procedures to address some of the most negative provisions of the Act. For property investors, this is a good development. But, according to Hakeem Oguniran, CEO, Eximia Reality, in addition to these efforts, developers also owe it as a duty to themselves to be creative in managing the limiting impact of Land Use Act. He advised that developers should de-emphasize the traditional way of raising development finance, explaining that they should go to the capital market to raise funds by floating bonds which offer much cheaper rates at longer tenor.

To address further the problem of mortgage market growth, the CBN has also come up with an initiative known as mortgage guarantee programme which is mortgage given to a borrower by a lender

in agriculture with increased c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e G D P, productivity in the sector remains low. The agriculture sector of Nigeria is characterised by low productivity; little and untimely access to inputs; lack of seed funds for establishing agro-processing plants by producer cooperatives; lack of access to supportive infrastructure; challenging business environment; limited access to markets; low level of technology adoption; weak quality control mechanism; and low capacity at all levels. The production system has not developed in terms of significant value addition or processing and has remained a producer of mainly staple crops.

Following the government policy thrust of promoting value chain approach to achieve the Agriculture Promotion Policy goal, the APPEALS project intervention is designed to tackle key constraints, which hinder the development of thevaluechains,andpreventgreater inclusion of small and medium scale farmers in agribusiness supply chains. The project will scale up the Business Alliance model, successfully implemented under the closedWorld Banksupported Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP).

The Project believes strongly that promoting higher agricultural p r o d u c t i v i t y, e s p e c i a l l y i n smallholders farming, can help set off strong rural dynamics.

The APPEALS project aims at supporting the transition of small subsistence farmers’ production

system(farming1-5ha)toamarketoriented agricultural undertaking and supporting middle size farmers (5-10 ha) to address constraints in enhancing their productivity as well as effective participation in valuechains.

Selection of the Priority Value Chains: The project support is focussing on priority value chains as identified in Nigeria’sAgricultural Promotion Policy, APP (The Green Alternative 2016-2020).Priority value chains selected from the APP long list for the purpose of project support are: (i) staples with quick returns and benefits; (ii) products with potential for immediate improvement of food security; (iii) value chains to enhance the national production of crops (rice, maize, cassava and wheat); (iv) products with a potential for export and foreign currency earnings (cocoa and cashew); and (v) short-cycle, quick income generating high value products for livelihood improvement, particularly suitable for women and youth businesses such as horticulture, poultry and aquaculture.

Additional Information from Poverty Matters Blog with support from Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 07068638066

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) where an identified third party will take responsibility for the loan if the borrower defaults. Expectation here is that this will push up housing affordability because, with the new programme, once a borrower defaults, the third party receives a claim from the lender, pays the lender off, and assumes responsibility for the mortgage.

“A quality mortgage guarantee programme is used to provide credit loss protection to lenders in case of borrower default”, explained a CBN official who did not want to be named.

“Mortgage guarantee products incentivize lenders to accept loans with lower down-payments, thus increasing affordability”, she added.

The implication of this is that borrowers who, ordinarily, would not have qualified for mortgage loan by reason of their low income, can now obtain loans which enhances their affordability.

Babatunde Fashola, minister for works and housing, is of the opinion that one of the surest ways of making housing affordable and also

growing the housing sector is by industrializing the development by laying greater emphasis on locally produced building materials.

Industrialising the sector, in the opinion of the minister, will not only drag down the cost of construction, material wise, but also create jobs for those involved in the housing value chain including input manufacturers, professionals and artisans.

“The housing market behaves in a particular way; it gravitates where there is effective demand.

Government should recognise that the weakest demand comes from the low end market and so should direct regulatory system towards that end with policies to address that problem”, says Femi Adewole, CEO, Family Homes Fund.

Adewole says government should adopt the zoning system through which it will discover areas where housing need is highest and the type of housing needed, just as it should impose heavy tax on houses that are unoccupied to discourage further development in that area.

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SundayBusiness Covid-19 emergency has been a challenge and opportunity – CEO, FIT Magodo Seyi John Salau

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hereas m a n y businesses in Nigeria a n d elsewhere have either gone under or are struggling to remain afloat as a result of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic, Jane Amuta, a former staff of Fidelity Bank, who now runs FIT Gym, Salons and Spa- a state-ofthe-art health and wellness facility- located in upscale Magodo GRA in Ikeja , Lagos, says it has not been a totally negative story for her business.

She told BDSUNDAY that with gyms and personal care facilities closed for two month plus, she has discovered the immense potentials in the digital world.

Although she has been delivering her workout and counseling sessions online at no charge all through the lockdown period, she sees the digital medium as a new frontier for businesses that do not require constant physical contact. She is now able to reach a wider constituency in the areas of fitness and nutritional counseling.

“People can avoid traffic hassles and still meet their fitness goals through our

online classes while those in proximity can come and use the gym…Unfortunately, you cannot get a haircut, a pedicure or spa therapy through your smart phone,” she said.

The CEO, FIT Magodo said that throughout the Covid-19 lockdown period in Lagos, she ran a free online fitness programme on Instagram Live at 7.15 every morning.

A c c o r d i n g t o h e r, “Thousands of enthusiasts joined the classes on @ bodybyjane from across the globe for a 40-60-minute

workout session. This is usually followed by online and telephone counseling tips on healthy living, dieting and general wellness with our clients and followers.

These sessions are marked by lively exchanges between me and our numerous followers, fans, clients and enthusiasts.”

“In fact, they reached out to us from across the globe.

While our followers and fans in Africa and continental Europe found the morning sessions convenient, some in faraway places like Canada and the United States braved

the unusual hours to join the sessions. At other times, they playback Instagram videos of the workout sessions just to catch up on the day’s routines,” she said further.

On how her journey into the fitness and healthy living industry began, she said it was initially mere “passion” that metamorphosed into a thriving business for her.

“Looking back now, my dream for the business started as far back as my N Y S C d a y s i n Ok e n e , Kogi State when I used to assemble fellow corps members into fitness squads and took them for morning runs as a way of encouraging them to share my passion for fitness. Even when I took up banking as a career, I continued with my fitness routines in gyms after work and on weekends,” she recalled with excitement.

Six years ago, she decided to venture into private business as a fitness, health and beauty entrepreneur.

Today, FIT Magodo, a onestop superstore for health and wellness enthusiasts, has become a leading brand in the industry.

Amuta has a holistic approach to fitness, health and wellness: “The essence of health is all what you do without needing to see a doctor. If you keep fit through regular exercise and

I

have struggled with loving myself for a long time, constantly seeking validation. Maybe because I was sexually abused growing up, maybe because I had been told I wasn’t good enough, maybe because I was raped by the first man outside my family who I loved so much and trusted with my heart.”

Her voice shaky, she continued, “Chioma I feel broken.

Whenever I think about my life, I feel dirty, empty and worthless. I feel like I would amount to no good. I know you’ll ask if I have forgiven myself, I have tried everything in my power to forgive myself but I don’t think it is working.”

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, healing means to make and become

healthy or well again. Healing from emotional or psychological trauma may be difficult but doable. You may be struggling with trauma from a past or present event, which might cause you to develop upsetting emotions, frightening memories or a sense of constant danger. You may feel disconnected and unable to trust other people etc.

If you struggle with the effects of trauma, the first step to healing is accepting that you are traumatised and struggling. The next step is to lay down all the emotions you feel about the traumatic incident truthfully, write them out if you have to; for example sadness, anger, pain etc. Ask yourself why you feel each of these emotions and answer sincerely. This is the time to face your ‘Demons’.

Allow yourself to feel every emotion that comes during this cathartic process, cry, scream, curse; don’t hold back.

When this is over, breathe, take ten minutes to meditate or pray. Asking God, the universe or whatever you believe in for forgiveness.

Forgiveness for times you were mean to yourself, times you blamed yourself. Reach deep to your spiritual being; ask the universe to give you the strength to forgive yourself truly and wholly.

This process can be done multiple times until you begin to see results, remember to seek the help of a professional like a therapist if you can, to help you through this phase. In addition to meditation activities like exercising, journaling, joining related support groups

therapists and professional chefs. She treats her work force as family but insists on near military discipline in the work place. She insists that the Nigerian work force can compete with their peers anywhere else if given the incentives, work environment and necessary training.

She is quick to admit the challenges of entrepreneurship in t h e Ni g e r i a n b u s i n e s s environment.

“For an industry that requires power supply 24/7, the energy cost can be a challenge. There is also the difficulty of capital support by the banking sector which is usually reluctant to extend support to new sectors outside trading, manufacturing and, of late, agriculture. Nonetheless, my passion for what I do has sustained my enterprise over the years with the loyalty of our patrons,” she said.

On how she surmounts the challenges, she proudly said: “When you enjoy what you do for a living, the challenge becomes exciting.”

She is also able to sustain and expand her client base by insisting on best practices and international standards in an industry that prides itself in professionalism, hygiene and commitment to customer satisfaction.

News God’s appointment is not like secular one - Anglican cleric

MindBody & Soul

with Chioma Nwosu I’m hurt! How can I heal? “

maintain a healthy diet, your chances of living a healthy life are improved greatly.”

To e n s u r e t h a t h e r clients do not have to go wandering in search of aspects of a healthy living, she has conceived FIT Magodo as an integrated world class facility. There is a well-equipped gym, a professional spa, a nail studio, hair salons for women, men and children as well as a café dedicated exclusively to a healthy food culture.

One segment of her clientele particularly excites her. This is her customised fitness training programmes for several celebrities- in the music and entertainment industry. For her, this is a cultural and generational challenge. She believes that the cult of celebrity is mostly an image one. “You cannot be a celebrity when you are out of shape. It goes with great discipline… You have to train hard and eat right to fit into the right roles. There is no short cut,” she said emphatically.

The appeal of her facilities for her celebrity clients is the high premium she places on their privacy.

As an entrepreneur in the small to medium enterprise bracket, her outfit employs close to 30 young Nigerians ranging from certified gym trainers to hair stylists, nail technicians and spa

UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

N and growing a strong support system might be effective in helping you through this healing process.

Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives. Remember, we repeat what we don’t repair.

Chioma Nwosu is a mental health/positive psychology advocate, speaker and founder of Olamma Cares Foundation an NGO focused on encouraging the social acceptance of developmental disabilities and mental disorders, finding and implementing long term solutions of these conditions through training, capacity building, advocacy and intervention.

Email: cnwosu@olammacares.com Instagram: _olamma_

elson Amaihe, a cleric,hasreminded Christians that unlike worldly appointment where a round peg is wittingly fixed in a square hole, each job assigned to a Christian by God has a tool to accomplish it.

Am a i h e , w h o i s t h e Chaplain of Balm of Gilead Diocesan Hospital Chapel, Umuntu-Ahiaukwu, Olokoro North Archdeaconry, Diocese o f Um u a h i a , An g l i c a n Communion stated this in a sermon titled, ‘The Pentecost Experience’ drawn from the Bible book of Acts of the Apostles chapter 1 verses 4 to 8, said God assigned His ministers to serve and not to be served, as Pentecost means power for service.

He reminded the Christian faithful that God does not call one to do whatsoever he or she likes, rather His call is for a purpose and He empowers His ministers with specific instruments required to fulfil the specific task.

The Clergyman pointed out that the main purpose of

the Pentecost experience was to grant power for Christian service, adding, “Pentecost experience is a definite experience occurring after salvation whereby the Holy Spirit comes upon the believer to anoint and empower him or her for special service”.

Amaihe further said: “The Holy Spirit is not a spirit of confusion but of orderliness.

Every particular job God assigns to His ministers, He releases tools needed to fulfil that specific task. We don’t need to sell the gift of God because it was freely given to us by God and you don’t serve God because of the reward you will receive from men”.

He decried the attitude of “Mobile Ministers”, who he accused of mortgaging the spirit of God for earthly reward, adding that many ministers today bargain for the money they would receive before performing God’s work According to him, “They (‘mobile ministers’) do not count themselves as labourers in God’s vineyard but masters who are enjoying eternal life while on earth”.

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BDSUNDAY 29

TheWorshipper COVID-19: Churches as institutions are better able to exert control of situations, says Martins

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SEYI JOHN SALAU

he Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins has appealed to the Lagos State government to reconsider its stand on the continued lockdown of religious centres across the state, stating that Churches as institutions are better able to exert control of situations and maintain discipline among their faithful than most other institutions.

“There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic is real, and we all feel concerned that the numbers are rising. However, we know also that the virus will be with us for some time and more testing will reveal more infected persons but at the same time the truth is that life must go on,” said Martins.

According to Martins, the argument that faithful can pray in their individual homes and God will hear their prayers is true; however, it is alsotrueforChristiansthatgathering together to worship is an heritage and practice arising from the bible.

“It was in the gathering of the Apostles that the Holy Spirit came down upon them (Acts.2:1); the early Christians gathered together in private homes for prayers and the breaking of the Bread (Acts 2:46) until the numbers became too large to handle in private homes and it

Alfred Adewale Martins

became necessary to have Church buildings,” Martins stated.

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos stated this in reaction to the state’s government position on the continued restriction on religious gatherings, as he called on the Lagos State Government to ease the restriction on religious gatherings in the state.

The Prelate in a statement issued by the director of social communi-

cations, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, wondered why it would seem that there is a conclusion that it is when people gather to worship that coronavirus can be spread while the spread of the virus is suspended when they cluster and huddle together in markets, motor parks and banks.

According to him, if Christians were willing to suspend their right to gather in Church buildings for

the sake of common good at a time when all gatherings of people were suspended, it is unfair and unjust for government to restrict gatherings for worship when other gatherings are being allowed.

“Anyone who argues that gathering to worship is not essential as it is to eat and get money from the bank, obviously does not understand the spiritual, emotional, and psychological soothing that Christians get from gathering together to worship,” Martins said.

Speaking further on the restriction, Martins questioned the position of those who considered it dangerous for people to gather to worship than it is to gather for banking and trading. “...if it was the case in some Asian country, that was before awareness was created and precautions began to be taken as we do today,” he stated.

He opined that the church considered the position of Lagos State government before now that it would approve a set of guidelines and monitor adherence to such as being fair and just. He stated that the monitoring is even more easily done in churches than in markets and motor parks or other places where the virus can even be more easily spread.

“This “volte face” of government gives the impression that the position of Christians is considered

secondary and of no consequence in the affairs of the state.

“The leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lagos State presented a set of guidelines for gradual restoration of public worship to government as our indication of readiness to take all due precautions and submit ourselves to be checked up for compliance.

“I wonder why the Honourable Commissioner did not state that fact but decided to state only the opinion of one imam. If people of other religions are permitted by their religious traditions to worship anywhere convenient and not necessarily in gatherings, that should not be taken as the yardstick by which all other religious traditions should practice their faith,” said Martins.

The Archbishop however, appealed to Lagos State government to take religious leaders into confidence and keep in mind that they are partners in ensuring the safety of Lagosians and are as concerned that the virus is contained.

Martins stated that the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos had gone so far as to prepare its own in-house elaborate guidelines to ensure the safety and well being of its members. He therefore, prayed for enlightenment of the Holy Spirit that the governor would take the right decision.

‘Government has taken right decision to ease lockdown on worship centres’ Emmanuel Udofia, Primate of the African Church speaks on the PTF’s directives on easing of the lockdown on religious organisations and what celebration of Pentecost portends for today’s church and believers. Excerpts by SEYI JOHN SALAU The PTF in its latest directives lifted the restriction on religious gatherings with strict advice on preventive measures to be taken; what is your view on the PTF position? want to say that the government is taking the right step in the right direction, because the church represents Christ here on earth and there is no way the church will meet, pray unto God that God will not hear. Although I am not saying that it is only in the four walls of the church that people can gather to pray; people can still pray in their homes and God still answers prayers. But, it is also recommended in the bible that we should gather together and pray. For instance, in the Acts of the Apostles when Peter was in prison; the church prayed and God arrest the situation. The same thing with Paul and Silas in Acts 15; the bible says when they were there in danger, they called upon God and God answered them; so God is a prayer answering God. Whatever happens now needs God’s assistance and divine intervention. What we are passing through now all over the world, it’s only God that can help us through it. Even the scientists that people are talking about; they do

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not have idea of their own; some of them are being inspired by God. So, if the church does not pray then it becomes a dangerous thing to behold.

How do you intend to manage the limit cap place on gathering?

That is not a difficult issue to handle. Like for us here in CrossRivers State what we are doing is that instead of holding a service, we hold two services; some come in from 7 to 9am while others come from 10 to 12 noon, that is how we manage larger congregation.

Another worrying situation is the level of anxiety among worshippers who have been away from the physical building of the church; are you going to put that into consideration?

I really don’t think there was any serious anxiety, because the church as I told you - wherever two or there are gathered in the lord’s name, God is always there.

So, the fact that they were not in the physical building called church does not mean God wasn’t there with them. Wherever any child of God is, he or she is carrying the presence of the lord. So, I think it’s a thing of joy that brothers will see brothers; brethren will see brethren. It is a joyous moment

for the church to be united again after the lockdown to the will of God. Following the directives from the PTF, worshippers will gather today for worship after so many weeks away; what is your message to believers across the country?

My message to the church all over the world is that brethren should rejoice - God never allow the pandemic to destroy our generation. Although we have lost so many souls to this pandemic; howbeit, the church should come

Emmanuel Udofia

together to appreciate God and pray for the comfort of those who have lost loved ones and members.

Also, we have to pray that God should arise and take control of the situation. The bible says if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and seek my face; and repent and turn away from their wickedness, he will from heaven hear, forgive and heal their land. So, my advice is that the church should gather to seek divine intervention to heal our land.

Last week, Christians across the world celebrated Pentecost; what does it portend for today’s church?

The Pentecost is the fulfilment of the promise of God to the church.

Jesus Christ before he left made a promise that he will send the Holy Spirit to the church. Although he will not be with the church physically, but the Holy Spirit when he come will reveal everything that we need to know unto us.

The Holy Spirit is a strengthener; he’s an intercessor, so the Holy Spirit directs the affairs of the church; he inspires the church, and so without the Holy Spirit there is no church.

Even the bible we read was inspires by the Holy Spirit. So, without the church being inspired by the Holy

Ghost, believers will not be able to understand the scriptures. Anybody who is not led by the Holy Ghost cannot understand the scripture talk less interpreting whatever is written there. So, the Holy Spirit through the word of God is being reactive by the word of God - that is why when we speak the word of God; preach the word of the Lord, what we are doing is activating and putting to action through the Holy Spirit what God has promised the church.

Any where the word of God is, and is being preached will revive the church because Jesus Christ said in the Book of John that it is the spirit that gives life; that the fresh profits nothing; He said, the word that I speak to you - they are spirit and they are life. So, the word of the Lord activates and puts to action everything that the Lord has promised the church by the grace of God. So, the word of God like I said is inspired by the Holy Ghost and each time you read the word of God by the power of the Holy Ghost, you get the revealed knowledge of God in your spirit because the Holy Ghost plays a greater role in the church - it revitalises the church, strengthens the church and gives the church a life of its own.

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Sunday 07 June 2020

Health&Science FMC- Ebute Metta, PharmAccess Foundation IVF success rate is not only about the cost partner to launch COVID19 digital service

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ANTHONIA OBOKOH ederal Medical Centre (FMC), EbuteMetta in partnership with the PharmAccessFoundation has launched Luscii - a COVID19 screening digital service.

This innovative digital service, Luscii, screens for COVID-19 symptoms and connects users to dedicated medical responders for advice on how to manage their care.

The Covid19 digital service triggers users to conduct daily checks and monitors the symptoms based on Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC)guidelines via the digital service platform, including body temperature, presence of cough, headaches, and more.

Njide Ndili, country director, PharmAccess Foundation, during her opening remarks noted that the COVID Connect digital service will help users self-monitor and connect those who fall within the high-risk category to trained medical responders at FMC Ebute Metta for counselling and triage into Lagos State

Covid response system.

According to her, benefits derived by use of the digital service include early detection of suspected cases for testing and containment, enabling home isolation and care for mild casesthus freeing up healthcare capacity for high-risk patients and allowing the State to maximize its resources for patients with more acute symptoms.

Adedamola Dada, chief medical director, FMC, expressed his enthusiasm to support the Lagos State response to contain the spread of Covid by partnering with PharmAccess by providing medical responders housed within Covid Connect Call

Center and to flatten the curve by reducing the surge of patients visiting healthcare facilities. He added that the FMC will continue to work with partners towards the containment of the virus.

Jan van Weijen, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who was present during the launch congratulated the Lagos State Government and PharmAccess foundation on the launch of the Covid Connect digital service. According to him, the digital service will help in the fight against COVID19 in Nigeria and the government of the Netherlands would continue to support the Nigerian govern-

ment in their fight against the COVID19 pandemic.

Similarly, Akin Abayomi , commissioner of Health Lagos State, during his speech added that the digital service platform could help support Lagos State’s fight against the COVID19 virus and is looking forward to reviewing the benefits with a consideration of integrating them into the State’s response system.

A live demonstration of the digital service platform and tour of the Covid Connect call center was conducted by Ademola Serrano, the Health innovations manager at PharmAccess Foundation who reiterated that this digital service has been successfully deployed in several other countries.

Serrano demonstrated the download and signup process and subsequently explained the process for triaging of suspected Covid patients identified by the digital service. Such users will be contacted by the medical responders and transported to Lagos State approved testing, isolation and treatment facilities.

80 Kwara RRT members test negative to COVID-19 mittee gets from the Governor and the understanding of our health workers.

Ev e r y o n e is on the same page to fight this

SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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ll the 80 members of the Kwara State Rapid Response Team (RRT) have tested negative to COVID-19 despite their active involvement in the movement of active cases.

According to a statement by Commissioner for Health, Raji Razaq reads “For abundance of caution, we decided to test all members of the hardworking RRT and we are glad to announce to the Kwara public that none of them is positive for the virus. This attests to the excellent adherence to

the infection prevention and control (IPC) and other safety protocols.

“By all standards, we are doing very well in the management of the pandemic.

This is due largely to the unquantified support the com-

virus. We are proud to be getting referrals from other states wanting to know how Kwara has been managing the development.”

He dismissed claims of non-availability or shortage of personal protective

equipments as unfounded, saying the government continues to supply PPEs while also ensuring the welfare of the health workers and the patients.

“Similarly, Kwara is one those few states that are conducting as many tests as possible to ascertain the status of our people and prevent community spread.

Our contact tracing and rumour management are one of the best in the country as has been attested to by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),” he added.

Nestlé launches MAGGI new website to meet its consumers digital, nutritional appetites ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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estlé brand Maggi has launched a firstof-its-kind website in Central and West Africa, offering fresh new twists to well-known African dishes.

Th e b r a n d ’s l a t e s t launches are just a few of the innovative ways Maggi is meeting its consumers’ digital and nutritional appetites, while also contributing to Nestle purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future.

Me a n w h i l e , t o g e t inspired the new Maggi website provides over 40 African recipes on an easy-

to-use platform, can help families cook balanced and nutritious meals.

“Maggi innovates once more by providing different variations of beloved African dishes that offer something for every food lover,” said Dominique Allier, Business Executive Officer for Culinary at Nestlé Central and West Africa.

According to him, “We are proud to be the first region worldwide chosen

by Maggi to launch this unique website.”

The new website, which was built in collaboration with topAfrican chefs, expert nutritionists and local food influencers, provides helpful tips in some recipes

on how to boost your iron intake and balance dishes.

“As well as highlighting the importance of including nutritious diets in our daily lives with wellknown family favourites; people across the globe now have easy access to traditional African recipes we know and love”, said Akua Kwakwa, Nutrition, Health and Wellness Manager for Nestlé Central and West Africa.

“For people who are more concerned about sodium, saturated fat and added sugars, the website features the unique ‘MyMenuIQ™’ guide that illustrates how nutritionally-balanced each recipe

is. The higher the score, the more balanced the mealis,” she added.

To help people “cook the difference”, Maggi has beenorganising local events to encourage healthy cooking, like pop-up kitchens, cooking caravans and online nutrition educationprogrammes, which have reached over 10 million people acrossthe region.

The brand also aims to boost the nutrition of families at an affordable price, by improving the nutritional profile of its bouillons and other products through reducing salt and increasing micronutrients such as iron, to help tackle iron deficiency.

CONTRIBUTOR

ABAYOMI AJAYI An unsuccessful IVF cycle can be emotionally and financially devastating, nevertheless, it is no longer an assumption that IVF success rates are higher for infertile couples that go through multiple rounds.

In Nigeria infertility affects around 1 in 4 couples and the most effective method for treating infertility Is IVF especially in the Nigerian environment where Fallopian tube factor and sperm count issues are major cause of infertility.

To treat these two the best way is still IVF. The challenge is how IVF is assessed. When you talk about the success rate of IVF, people want it to be about 80 percent, but we have to start from what we are comparing the success rate of IVF to.Look beyond the cost. Look at the number of cycles as success in IVF or natural reproduction is actually cumulative.

If we are comparing to the natural cycle, every month, it is 20-30 percent chance that a couple could be pregnant in their peak reproductive age. IVF can even give us 40 percent. It is doing better than nature, but now all over the world people have seen that there is a problem with IVF in the sense that many people do not do enough cycles in order to get the benefit of what IVF can deliver especially once there is a failed cycle.

It is not uncommon that people drop out of IVF even in places where the services are paid for or subsidized by the government and are easily accessible. This is because IVF takes a lot of psychological toll on couples. If you want to look at IVF success, you are better off looking at the cumulative pregnancy rate - not one cycle.

If you are less than 35 years of age, if you do one cycle, your realistic success rate is about 35-40 percent, but if you do three cycles your success rate goes up to about 75 percent and this is much better thanjust doing one cycle. If as a couple you don’t persevere enough, you are not going to get up to 75 percent.

So the big issue is how you can be encouraged to do enough cycles to give you a realistic chance of taking a baby home.

We know that in Nigeria where people pay out of pocket, one of the ways of encouraging multiple IVF cycles, is to have packages that would make it easier and even financially beneficial to be able to do more than one cycle.

It is not unlikely that as a couple, you would wish to save money for one cycle because you see IVF as the last resort and so once you raise money for one cycle, you go in search of the IVF proce-

dure. However, once that fails, you are likely to withdraw for some time which may extend into a year or more and not do anything again.

Success rate of IVF is dependent on age. Assuming you are 34 and you have had a failed cycle which means you are at your peak and you go home for two years to wait or to gather money, time would not be on your side as your chances for success would have further depleted.

For some reason, it may not be money alone, you may just not be emotionally ready.

You may be afraid of the failure which is not unnatural.”

One of the things fertility clinics and specialists do in addition to reducing cost is to provide emotional support.

But it is important to have enough information before starting. The more the number of cycles, the greater the chances of success, but that is like a bitter pill in a country like Nigeria in which many people do not even really understand what IVF is all about in the first place.

You need to understand how IVF works, what are the hurdles to cross in order to have success and also be prepared to do multiple cycles.

Choose a good clinic and also be realistic about your expectations. You need to know the truth about success rates for IVF. A fertility center may claim to guarantee you 70 percent success in one cycle. That is not possible. It’s not physiological. What you need to know is that IVF success rates depend on the raw materials used.

These raw materials come from you and your spouse (spermatozoa and eggs). So if you are 40, the best that you can be given is the success rate of a 40-year-old. But if you don’t choose a good clinic you might do 10 cycles and there would be no success at all.

The first thing is your initial assessment which must be done todetermine what kind of treatment exactly that you need.

The specialist may recommend donor eggs. There are couples that the women are over 40 and have never been pregnant yet still want to do IVF with their own eggs. From studies, people like that stand a better chance with donor eggs.

Once again be aware that it is the number of cycles that determine success rate. So, when choosing clinics, look at volume of cycles and the experience of the fertility specialist. Note that IVF success is not only about the cost, you should also evaluate the clinic.

Talk to the care givers, if possible go to their labs and see that they have what they claim they have before you entrust yourself to them.

Abayomi Ajayi, MD/CEO Nordica Fertility Centre info@abayomiajayi.com.ng,

Sunday 07 June 2020

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BDSUNDAY 31

Sports

Here are confirmed Premier League fixtures ahead of restart

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ANTHONY NLEBEM

head of the much talked about Premier League restart on June 17; here are details of the remaining fixtures.

Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal will be the first two Premier League games played on the resumption of the league after a revised fixture list, starting on 17 June, was announced.

The Premier League will run games on almost every day between 17 June and 2 July Runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool will resume their quest for a first league title in 30 years against Everton on 21 June, however there is still no confirmation on the venue.

The venue for the match is still unclear. It was scheduled to be played at Goodison Park, but was included on a list of matches that local forces had asked to be moved to neutral venues.

Merseyside Police said it was happy to police matches in Liverpool, and the city council’s safety advisory group will make a final decision next week.

Manchester United announced that their second match, against Sheffield United on 24 June, would be played at Old Trafford.

The match was one of those earmarked to be played at a neutral venue.

The announcement covers the first three full rounds of Premier League fixtures after the resumption, two of which will primarily be played in midweek because of the FA Cup quarter-finals on 27 and 28 June.

Every single game will be televised live, with some shown free to air.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said of the fixtures announcement: “We are pleased to provide fans with further updates on the provisional restart of the Premier League season.

“We know it won’t be the same without our loyal supporters in stadiums but, together with our broadcast partners, we are able to ensure fans can watch or listen to each match live from home.”

Wednesday 17 June 18:00 Aston Villa v Sheff Utd 20:15 Man City v Arsenal Friday 19 June 18:00 Norwich City v Southampton 20:15 Spurs v Man Utd Saturday 20 June 12:30 Watford v Leicester City 15:00 Brighton v Arsenal

17:30 West Ham v Wolves 19:45 AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace Sunday 21 June 14:00 Newcastle United v Sheff Utd 16:15 Aston Villa v Chelsea 19:00 Everton v Liverpool Monday 22 June 20:00 Man City v Burnley Tuesday 23 June 18:00 Leicester City v Brighton 20:15 Spurs v West Ham Wednesday 24 June 18:00 Man Utd v Sheff Utd 18:00 Newcastle United v Aston Villa 18:00 Norwich City v Everton (BBC) 18:00 Wolves v AFC Bournemouth 20:15 Liverpool v Crystal Palace Thursday 25 June 18:00 Burnley v Watford 18:00 Southampton v Arsenal 20:15 Chelsea v Man City Saturday 27 June 12:30 Aston Villa v Wolves Sunday 28 June 16:30 Watford v Southampton Monday 29 June 20:00 Crystal Palace v Burnley Tuesday 30 June 20:15 Brighton v Man Utd Wednesday 1 July 18:00 Arsenal v Norwich City 18:00 AFC Bournemouth v Newcastle United 18:00 Everton v Leicester City 20:15 West Ham v Chelsea Thursday 2 July 18:00 Sheff Utd v Spurs 20:15 Man City v Liverpool

Messi to start contract talks with Barcelona ANTHONY NLEBEM

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alks to renew Lionel Messi’s contract at Barcelona are set to start this month.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has started negotiations over extending the Argentine’s deal past 2021 this season, but they have been delayed for various reasons.

Now, according to Cope, the two parties could start talks over an extension as soon as next week.

These talks will only be preliminary for now, with the main bulk of the negotiations set to take place next season.

Bartomeu alongside CEO Oscar Grau will lead the club’s

negotiations, while Messi will be represented by his father, Jorge.

Messi wants to keep the option of being able to rescind his contract at the end of each season, like the system that is currently in place.

The forward will turn 33 in June and, although he’s in good shape at the moment, he wants to make sure he ends his Barcelona career in good condition.

Bundesliga: Coaches call for easing of strict health regulations ANTHONY NLEBEM

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undesliga coaches have called for some easing of the league’s strict hygiene regulations, citing the general improvement of the coronavirus situation in the country.

Coaches and substitutes have to follow social-distancing guidelines and wear masks while on the bench and players are not allowed to hug each other during goal celebrations.

Germany has been easing its lockdown restrictions in the weeks since the Bundesliga restarted in mid-May. “It’s become difficult to understand why people can again have their cappuccino in a cafe without wearing a mask, while the substitutes and us directors in the stands are forced to keepourdistance while outdoors and wearing a mask,” said Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller.

There has not been a positive case for COVID-19 in the Bundesliga since the resumption, but teams are still subject to stringent rules regarding

social distancing in hotels and in stadiums.

“It’s great that we can play again,” said Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz. “The DFL (German league) has done things very well.

“But the protocols were worked out in March, and now it is June. The best thing would be to have the right to celebrate a goal all together again.”

Paderborn coach Steffen Baumgart thinks the rules should be loosened for the media.

“Wehavecameramenwho are alone and separated by a radiusof30metreswhilewearing a mask,” he said.

“We have reporters, half of whose questions we don’t understand because they’re wearing a mask while we keep a distance of three metres.”

Integral enters partnership with Ozil’s management for Nigerian talents …Family & Football will help in identifying young footballers ANTHONY NLEBEM

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ntegral and Family & Football today announce a new joint venture partnership focused on augmenting the level of football talent identification, development and management, on the African continent.

After almost a year of planning and working, Integral, the leading African sport management company, now enhances its service offering by adding comprehensive professional talent management services to its suite of services, having sealed this strategic alliance with one of the most prominent global

football agencies, Family and Football.

Family & Football was founded by Dr. Erkut Sogut, a lawyer and registered FA intermediary, and has a foothold in many locations across the globe. The agency came into prominence by negotiat-

ing one of the most lucrative player contracts in Premiere League history for Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil whom it also represents. The joint venture partnership is a landmark achievement for Integral’s football division and the experience of Family & Football

will assist the company in providing quality, first class representation to the flood of football talent dotted all over Africa.

Earlier in the year, Integral hosted Dr. Erkut Sogut when he visited Nigeria with his close friend and associate

Misha Sher, VP Sport & Entertainment at Mediacom, who played a crucial role in forming the relationship between both companies.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Erkut Sogut said, “Nigeria, Africa and Integral are strategic partner for us.

We believe in their potential. And with Integral we will showcase African footballers in a different way because they deserve it. The continent deserves it. It has some of the best talents I have ever seen like Jay – Jay Okocha, Kanu and many more like them. But our ties extend beyond football. I am passionate about education and I see the quality of people

here; desirous of learning, of leaving a positive impact in the world. So together (with Integral) we will support them with our work”.

On his part Abimbola Ilo, Managing Director of Integral, commented thus: “We are extremely excited to be working fully now with Erkut and his team, joining forces together to become an even more dominant force in football representation, management and player trading.

Importantly the scope of the joint venture extends beyond just the representation side of things and involves education and charity too which are equally important to us.”

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Lessons from Adesina’s trials and triumphs

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or the first time in a long while, former presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr.Goodluck Jonathan as well as the current president, Muhammadu Buhari decided to pursue a common cause, irrespective of political differences. They took it upon themselves, individually to throw their weight behind one man, a Nigerian who was recently embattled with allegations of foul play in his onerous duty to the continent and the world.

Furthermore, they deployed their vast influence to ensure that 15 other African presidents got battle ready to stand by this same man. They knew that his traducers had something up their sleeves. They smelt a rat!

Unperturbed, they rallied round him and he did not disappoint them as he was eventually cleared of all the allegations. So, who could this man be?

He is none other than Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, whose professional pedigree and political trajectory one has followed with close and keen interest for about two decades. He is a patriot, who one can proudly say that the God of Nigeria has adequately prepared to lead this nation to greatness. He is the current President, African Development Bank (AfDB). Before then, he was the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources under the Jonathan-led administration. Ever since, Jonathan has not hidden his immense respect for the man he considers as one of the best technocrats he has ever worked with. Even before that, he had also received accolades when he was the Vice President (Policy and Partnerships), Alliance for a Green Revolution, Africa (AGRA).

It was one rude shock therefore, when the recent call for him to step aside and be investigated on ethical charges as made by a whistle blower, with the tacit support from the United States came to the public sphere.

It raised some burning questions: Why must the image of one of the best minds Nigeria can offer the world be rubbished right before our eyes? Why must it be at this crucial time, when he should be ready for a second term as the president of AfDB? What are the implications for Nigeria in the comity of nations, should the masterminds and mischief makers have both their say and their way?

“ Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds’’.

-Albert Einstein.

That was the worry.

But the relief came from the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank, Mrs. Niale Kaba who is the Cote d’Ivoire’s Minister of Finance. According to her, the fraud allegations brought up against Adesina have been investigated by the ethics committee and the noble Nigerian was given a clean bill of health!

It would be recalled that the first time Nigeria made an attempt at the presidency of AfDB through one of its Vice Presidents, Dr. Bisi Ogunjobi, that ambition was cut short by the same America! The exercise was inconclusive, right there in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

It was that sordid and scandalous stalemate that paved the way for the emergence of Rwanda’s Dr. Donald Kaberuka. It was after his two terms that Dr. Adesina took a wellaimed shot at the plum post and succeeded.

It is worthy of note that Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Nigeria’s Finance Minister and a member of the Board of AfDB had written a letter to the Chairman, warning that any other probe outside that known to the establishment was unacceptable to the country. But let us take a closer look at the defence made by Adesina in response to the allegations on appointments.

On the appointment of Mrs. Chinelo– Anohu Amazu he said: ‘’She was recruited through a globally advertised and competitive recruitment process. The search process was carried out by a top-notch external recruitment firm Russel Reynolds of the U.K. She was one of the two candidates (women) recommended to me as president to consider for appointment by the panel.

But I can state it categorically that the allegations made against her are untrue and defamatory.’’

In a similar vein, on the appointment of Mr. Martin Fregene, he debunked the erroneous allegation that he is his brother-in-law

and went further to list his qualification was squarely based on merit. He is an internally renowned genetist who worked earlier at CIAT, Colombia one of CGIAR centres. And subsequently, as the Director at the Danforth Plant Science Centre, regarded as the second largest private agric research centres in the United States.

He also dismissed the allegation of the appointment and promotion of Mrs. Maria Mulundi, who according to him was part of his transition management.

And in his words, “all Presidents of the Bank are allowed to bring in and appoint their own Chief of Staff.”

Furthermore, on the allegation that the TAAT programme was mismanaged, he cleared the air. ‘’TAAT is an initiative of the Bank developed to help take agricultural technologies to the scale of millions of farmers across Africa,” he said. He admitted that though ‘’some mistakes were made in the procurement process and the issue was being investigated,’’ he noted that ‘’the bank does not get involved in contractual issues’’.

And on the querulous issue of one Mr. Ezinwa, a Nigerian accused of sexually molesting a colleague during the probation period and yet getting his contract confirmed, he said that as the President of AfDB he does not know the person so accused and does not get involved in the appraisal done by the Vice President. Besides, the HR Director, David Ssegawa evaluated the allegation and the accused was absolved of any criminal act.

Also, on the laughable accusation that he, Adesina introduced a Nigerian Country Directorate, he reminded his haters that the decision was taken and the implementation began under his predecessor, Dr.Kaberuka. But they were not done with him just yet.

They came up with a more ridiculous accusation that the costs of the prestigious international awards he won were borne by AfDB. He had to tell them the truth and in the process brought out the rare gem in him. Said he: ‘’I received the World Food Prize ($250,000) and the Sunhak Peace Prize ($500,000) in

AYO OYOZE BAJE Baje is Nigerian first food technologist in the media and author of ‘Drumbeats of Democracy’

recognition of a life of accomplishments in the field of agriculture.

“Although they were individual prizes, they brought great credit and prestige to the AfDB. I brought further credit to myself and the bank by donating these two cash awards for the establishment of the World Hunger Fighters Foundation.’’ Interestingly, these currently fund the Borlaug Adesina Fellows Fellowship for young African Agribusiness Innovators.

It should be noted that the bank, established in September, 1964 is owned by 81 countries, 27 of which are outside Africa.

The membership is global. The ownership structure is 60percent African and 40percent non-African. Nigeria, with 9.28percent share is the highest shareholder in AfDB. USA has 6.563percent, Japan 5.494percent and Egypt 5.379percent.

The hard lessons to learn include the fact that Africa should never allow to be dictated to by the US or any other country for that matter, when it comes to internal issues such as that of AfDB. Given the shoddy handling of COVID-19 pandemic and that of the brutal killing of George Floyd, the Donald Trump-led US should realise that the time for throwing herself about as the policeman of the world has come to a halt.

On a personal level, it always pays to be the best at one’s professional calling and exhibit integrity in policies and processes, no matter the odds. That is what Dr. Adesina has come to represent in and outside Nigeria and should serve as a lasting lesson for all.

Major reasons President Buhari will not read Col. Umar’s letter

IKEDDY ISIGUZO .Isiguzo is a major commentator on minor national issues

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f retired Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar had been following the precedents of President Muhammadu Buhari, he would not have invested 1,533 words – excluding the salutations - in convincing the President that he was headed in the wrong direction. The President is cocksure about his divine mission to rescue Nigeria and he would not be deterred by the likes of Col. Umar whose idea of Nigeria does not align with the President’s.

Umar started his annoyingly-written letter with a Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio quote that should upset the President of a most peaceful Nigeria. “One of the swiftest ways of destroying a Kingdom is to give preference of one particular tribe over another or show favour to one group of people rather than another. And to draw near those who should be kept away and keep away those who should

be drawn near.” What was the purpose of this quote?

The President is in his fifth year of unleashing unprecedented changes on Nigeria. Celebrations are all over the land. Drums are pelting sounds of our happiness over the great progress that our country has made in these five years. Our people have never known a better time than in the last five years. All that Umar hears are sounds of war. Was he not an armoured officer? Must he blame Buhari for what he chooses to hear?

If Umar did not set out to annoy the President, knowing he was “neither a rabid supporter nor a fanatical opponent of yours,” why did he tell the President things his rabid supporters would not tell him? He claims he is exercising his rights as a citizen of Nigeria. Is he the only citizen?

The thrust of the Umar interruption is the lopsided appointments that Buhari has justified since 2015 with the explanations that he would appoint those who voted for him. He told an international audience so in 2015. Being a man of his words, Buhari has not relented in making appointments that would ensure he kept his words.

Umar in one line calls Buhari a man of integrity. In the next line he suggests that Buhari should compromise by making appointments to reflect constitutional provisions? Is he unaware of Buhari’s aversion to the Constitution, and his complaints about the strictures they have imposed

on him? Umar is concerned the about composition of the security agencies and judiciary as key examples of the President’s lopsided appointments.

He had examples of Nigeria of yore: In February 1965, the Federal Government had to appoint the first Nigerian Army General Officer Commanding, GOC. Four most senior officers were nominated - Brigadiers Aguiyi Ironsi, Ogundipe, Ademulegun and Maimalari. The first three were senior to Maimalari but he was deemed to be more qualified as he was the first Sandhurst regular trained officer in the Nigerian Army. Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu and the Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, both Northerners, and Muslims like Maimalari chose Ironsi, a Christian Igbo.

On 13 February 1976, the Commander-in-Chief, General Murtala Muhammed, was assassinated in a failed coup. General Olusegun Obasanjo, his deputy, and the most senior officer at the time, was sworn in as his successor. The Chief of Army Staff, General T.Y Danjuma, a Northern Christian, was next in line to succeed Obasanjo as the Chief of Staff, SHQ and Deputy Commander in Chief. General Danjuma waived his right to a much junior officer, LtCol. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua who got

double promotion to Brigadier and was appointed Chief of Staff SHQ and Deputy Commander-in-Chief. Lt-Col. Muhammadu Buhari was appointed Minister of Petroleum.

Both the Chief of Staff, Mr. Sunday Awoniyi, and the Personal Physician Dr. Ishaya Audu to the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, a direct descendant of Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, were Christians.

In 1979, nine years after the Civil War, President Alhaji Shehu Shagari picked an Igbo, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, as his running mate. They enjoyed a truly brotherly relationship as President and Vice President. Shagari’s Political Adviser, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo and National Assembly Liaison Assistant, Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe, were both Igbos. His Economic Adviser, Prof. Emmanuel Edozien and his Chief of Personnel Staff, Dr. Michael Prest, were of Niger Delta extraction. Remarkably, all his military service chiefs were Christians with the exception of his last Chief of Army Staff, General Inuwa Wushishi under whose tenure Shagari was removed in a military coup.

Umar expected the President to follow the same examples. His concerns are that Buhari’s appointments were not in the interest of the country. He had at a press briefing, after the President won a second term early last year, spoken of the need for

Continues on page 12

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