BusinessDay 30 Aug 2020

Adesina: From trial to triumph

The task before Ogunsola, acting UNILAG Vice Chancellor 13

‘If I were in power, I would definitely investigate what Mailafia has said on security’ 20

15

Knocks, kudos as Buhari proposes judiciary reform at NBA conference

14

BDSUNDAY BUSINESS DAY

Sunday 30 August 2020 www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

N300

Vol 1, No. 326

Standoff over Amotekun

South West dares federal govt Afenifere, Akeredolu, Makinde talk tough There can never be two police – DIG

No other outfit is recognised – Garba Shehu BMO hails President over N13.3bn seed fund

See page 2

Sashes by Kiki-Benjamin

17 Recurring epidemic: 51 years after, Nigeria makes little progress at breaking Lassa fever’s hold

R-L: Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State presenting made-in-Ogun Adire fabric to Ulla Mueller, new country representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) who paid him a courtesy visit in Abeokuta, recently.

28 Arteta says virus could damage Premier League season

20 days to guber polls: Desperation rides the waves in Edo As Obaseki’s MEGA manifesto provokes Ize-Iyamu’s SIMPLE agenda ADC wants to ‘change Edo story’ IDRIS UMAR MOMOH & CHURCHILL OKORO

31

E

verything is almost set for the Edo State off-season gubernatorial election slated for Saturday,

September 19, 2020.

Electioneering campaigns of different political parties are in top gear.

Th e I n d e p e n d e n t National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently mounting sensitisation programme

to get the cooperation of all stakeholders in the election.

INEC had estimated that about 20,974 of its officials would be on duty during the election, in which about 2,210,534 registered voters are expected to decide the fate of the state for the next four years beginning from

early next year.

Festus Okoye, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman of Information and Voter Education, who spoke with BDSUNDAY, said the Commission would soon convene allstakeholder meeting to address salient issues and

would also wield a big stick against those who may be recalcitrant enough to be found on the wrong side of the law before, during and after the election.

The security agencies, particularly the Nigeria

18

2 BDSUNDAY

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

News How EFCC nabbed 9 yahoo boys in Rivers, jailed others in Kebbi, Sokoto Innocent Odoh, Abuja

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its onslaught on internet fraudsters otherwise known as ‘Yahoo boys’ across the country even as the anti-graft agency has secured multiple jail terms for criminals all over the federation.

On Wednesday August 26, the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the Commission, Rivers state, arrested nine suspected internet

fraudsters, who are currently undergoing investigation after which they would be charged to court.

According to a statement issued by the Head of the Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the suspects are: Sotonye Orugbane; David Egbunugwu; Emmanuel Chinemerem; Providence OliverSamuelandEmmanuel Fidelis Nwambu.

Others are: Promise Nkwachi; Micah Nimi, Precious Ogadinma and Ebi Micah. “They were apprehended in an early morning raid on their hideout in Ozuoba by Obirikwere

Road, Choba; NTA Road and Ada George Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“Investigations indicate that the suspects specialize in love scam, online Bitcoin scam, identity theft, trading scam, among others.

“Items recovered from them include Sixteen (16) Mobile phones of different brands; one (1) HP laptop; two (2) Apple watches and two (2) Vehicles: One Lexus ES 350 with registration number Abuja KUJ 412 AT and one Toyota Camry 2.4 with registration number Abuja KWL 35 AT ,” the statement said.

Scene of the Helicopter that crashed at Opebi area of Ikeja, Lagos, Friday. Pic by Olawale Amoo

In a similar development, the EFCC, Sokoto Zonal Office on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 secured the conviction of one Jabir Yahaya , before Justice Ibrahim A. Kangiwa of the Kebbi State High Court, Birnin Kebbi.

The convict was prosecuted on one-count charge of cheating to the tune of N152, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty-two Thousand Naira).

The one count charge read, “That you Jabir Yahaya sometime in June 2019, in Birnin Kebbi within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice of Kebbi State, did fraudulently cheat one Bashir Usman by dishonestly deceiving him to collect a total sum o f N 1 5 2 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 ( On e Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand Naira) from him for the purpose of doubling and making N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) for him, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 of the Penal Code Law, CAP 89Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 and punishable under Section 322 of the same law.”

He pleaded guilty to the charge, following which prosecution counsel, S.H. Sa’ad asked the court to convict and sentence him in line with Section 322 of the Penal Code Law. JusticeKangiwaconvicted and sentenced Yahaya to three months imprisonment with N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) option of fine.

OGSG moves to boost TRACE with council traffic managers, introduces BRT services RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta

H

aving identified myriad of problems that impede traffic management and operations on various roads in the state, especially on highways, the Ogun State government has started upgrading facilities and operations of the stateowned Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) for better performance.

This becomes imperative considering the influx of vehicles from Lagos state, nation’s economic nerve centre and from Republic of Benin and West African

countries as well as other Southwest states as the state moves to expand roads network with the provision of needed traffic management and control gadgets and engagement of traffic and parks managers from 20 local government areas of the state.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop on the development of transport policy and capacity building in Ab e o k u t a , Og u n s t a t e capital on Thursday, Gbenga Dairo, the Commissioner for Transportation, declared that state government would boost the operations of its traffic managers with the engagement of traffic and parks managers from

local government councils as merger of state and local government staff in that regard would improve traffic management.

Also, the Commissioner of Transportation stated that there would extension of Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) services to border areas between Lagos and Ogun states as the state government would partner Lagos state for the transport extension services take effect.

He said, “It is important to say here that the Ministry of Transportation will also be introducing BRT services between Ota, Mowe-Ibafo and Lagos while Park and Ride services would be on the Mowe/Ibafo and Lagos

corridor,” he said.

“Ogun and Lagos States are two different places; Lagos is more or less like a city-state where everything is concentrated and the mass transit solution such as BRT fits in very well in Lagos.

“Ogun State is a large rural populace with one of two towns and cities that may have a maximum of one million people. You can’t replicate what happens in Lagos in Ogun State because Ogun has different challenges and so, it will be a different solution. “ Th e r e a r e p a r t s o f Ogun State that are more or less regarded as Lagos; people find it so difficult to differentiate between some of those communities.

Stigmatisation: Government should complement facemask, sanitiser, hand wash with antibody testing - CSOs EMMANUEL UDOM

F

orty civil society organisations drawn from the six-geopolitical zones in the country have called on government at various levels in Nigeria to complement the on-going moves to tame the spread of Covid-19 pandemic with the antibody testing, saying it is progressive and not subject to undue stigmatisation.

The call is coming as the spread of the virus has hit 53,317 with 1,011 deaths, while 40, 726 infected persons have recovered as at the time of filing this report on Friday, August 28, 2020.

H o w e v e r, B e n s o n Olugbuo, executive director, CLEEN Foundation, in a statement issued on behalf of the CSOs and made available to our correspondent, said: “It is regrettable to note based on a nationwide survey that stigmatisation is currently hampering tracing, testing and isolation of infected persons”.

The statement further

urged government at various levels to continue to educate citizens with adequate information and sensitisation programmes about the dangers of not complying with social/ physical distancing rules, calling on key stakeholders to intensify efforts at sensitising rural communities about the Covid-19 pandemic as many still believe it is an elitist disease that infects only the high-class of the society.

The coalition also called on security officers to focus on enforcement of the Covid-19 prevention guidelines rather than using the enforcement as means of public extortion, while the National Human Rights Commission should make public the status of human rights abuses documented during Covid-19 pandemic on a regular basis.

His words: “Security personnel found guilty of extorting citizens and violating human rights should be disciplined appropriately to serve as a deterrent to other erring officers.”

CNN African Voices hosts Yemi Alade, Amanda Black, Ben PoI

T

he Glo-sponsored African Voices on Cable News Network (CNN) will this week host three musicians who are making waves across the continent.

The 30- minutes programme comes up on CNN on DSTV Channel 401 on Saturday at 5.30 p.m.; Sunday at 4.30 a.m., 7.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m with a repeat broadcast on the same channel on Monday at 5.30 a.m.

The guests include Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter, Yemi Alade, South African born recording artist Amanda Benedicta Anthony and Bernard Michael Paul Mnyang’anga from Tanzania.

Yemi Alade was born on 13th March, 1989. She hit the lime light in 2009 when she won the Peak Talent Show.

Afterwards, she released three singles from King of Queens Album: “Johnny”, “Tangerine”, and “Kissing”.

Johnny subsequently became an international hit in many countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa, Liberia, Uganda and United Kingdom.

In 2015, she won the MTV Awards and All Africa Music Awards (Afrima) for Best Female Artiste in Western Africa. She was also crowned the Female Artiste of the Year

at the Nigeria Entertainment Award in 2016, in addition to Headies Awards which she won for four consecutive years Popularly known and recognized as Amanda Black, 27 years old Amanda Benedicta Antony released her first single in ‘Amazulu’ in 2016 and it became an instant success.

Amazulu earned her nominations in five categories each at the 16th edition of the Metro FM Music Awards as well as the 2017 South African Music Awards.

Also at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards. in 2017, Amanda Black got nominated for Viewers Choice, Best International Act. 30 years old Tanzanian singer and songwriter, Bernard Michael Paul Mnyang’anga, aka Ben Pol, is the third guest on the programme. Ben Pol participated in Coke Studio Africa S3 in 2015, alongside 25 top artists including Flavour, Sauti Sol and Yemi Alade. Also, his single “Ningefanyaje which featured Kenyan artiste Avril was ranked number 1 on Africa Rox Countdown, Soundcity TV and Top 10 East .

In the Tanzania Music Awards PoI won many awards including Best R&B Song for 2011 and 2012, and Best Songwriter, 2013.

BDSUNDAY

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

https://www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@Businessdayng

3

4 BDSUNDAY

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

News

Covid-19: Ehanire commissions new FMC’s Accident, Emergency Unit as PharmAccess launches monitoring app Desmond Okon

T

heFederalMinister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, on Friday, inspected and commissioned the newly built Ultra-modern Accident and Emergency Unit of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebutte Metta.

Th e m i n i s t e r, w h o also inspected other infrastructural development at the hospital said he was pleased and satisfied with what the medical team has been able to do in terms of improving service delivery and infrastructural development.

“I’ve gone round to see every department that is involved in the clinical care of patients. I’ve seen the diagnostic equipment and I’ve seen the enthusiasm in the staff. I can only say that this is impressive,” Ehanire said.

Th e m i n i s t e r, w h i l e commending the team’s cordiality, said they have been able to raise the bar in terms of quality and in terms of standard, which, according to him, is what is expected despite being in a Covid-19 pandemic period in which the tendency for routine

Ehanire

services could suffer because of the tension that has been focused on the pandemic. “ Th e r e i s a l o t o f commendation for the team, from the chairman of the board to the medical director, the staff, doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, pharmacists,” he said.

The commissioning , which heralded the minister’s visitation coincided with the launch of a Covid-19 monitoring app developed

by PharmAccess Foundation in partnership with Luscii Technologies based in Amsterdam.

The remote-screening

and monitoring mobile application, which is available on Google’s play store and IOS store was developed in a bid to support Lagos State’s response in containing the virus.

Ca l l e d ‘ Lu s c i i ’ , t h i s innovative mobile app screens users for Covid-19 symptoms and allows daily monitoring of symptoms such as body temperature, presence of cough, headaches, and others based on NCDC guidelines.

BDSUNDAY learnt that the digital service was set up in partnership with FMC whose COVID Response

Team of trained medical responders contact the app users for counselling as well as diagnostic testing in case the user falls within the high-risk category for COVID-19.

“The system monitors and assesses your risks and determines your level of risk.

At some point, depending on the measurement that you have, your inputs trigger an alert in the background where you have trained medical responders who see the measurements that have been put in the system,” said Njide Ndili, Country Director, PharmAcess.

She said the system flags the risk patients and they (the medical responders) contact them, counsel them, and in some instances, have them evacuated or tested and if they are positive, treated.

Since the service started over the last three months, PharmAcess has recorded over 12, 000 downloads in Lagos, out of which are 3, 000 active users engaging on the system. “ Th r o u g h t h e s e l f monitoring application, we have evacuated and tested 18 patients and out of which, eight have been positive, and they were treated free of charge. This is a free service,” Ndili said.

Foundation provides literary learning opportunity in remote communities Iniobong Iwok

I

n a move aimed at providing learning opportunities for children from less-privileged homes, the Special Youth Foundation has provided learning opportunities for children in marginalised communities through a literacy project.

The programme, the Foundation says, is to bridge the gap of lack of access to learning occasioned by the closure of schools due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The literacy project which commenced on June 16, in Kuchiyako Community, Kuje, Abuja utilizes an EdTech solution for remote learningThe Mavis Talking Books (an audio-visual, offline solution).

The learning procedure requires the user to simply turn on the Talking Pen and tap on the pages of the book to hear the lessons and do exercises in a fun and

engaging manner.

However, organisers say the programme was unique because it eliminates the need for a mobile device, internet connection, TV or radio and allows children to learn in the absence of a teacher. The literacy project has so far impacted the lives of over 300 children in the

Kuchiyako community by improving their literacy and learning profoundly, while baseline tests at the start of the project and further assessments during and after the project revealed the immense growth of the children.

Fo u n d e r o f t h e foundation, Seyi Akinwale,

says the Foundation’s partnership with Kazahchat School and Mavis talking books has been instrumental in the successful execution of the literacy project.

“We’ve been pleased with the results of the baseline tests which have shown improved learning from the children,” he said.

Taraba at 29: We have made steady progress - Ishaku Nathaniel Gbaoron, Jalingo

T

araba state governor, Darius Ishaku, said since its creation 29 years ago the state has been making steady progress in all facets of socioeconomic development.

Ishaku, a statement issued and signed by his Special Adviseronmediaandpublicity, Bala Dan Abu, and made availabletoourcorrespondent Friday, said his administration since assumption of office took advantage of the common heritage and the collective aspiration as one united people to create and develop opportunities that have immensely impacted on the people.

The statement stressed that the governor on the occasion of the 29th

Group moves to check gender disparity in leadership positions Iniobong Iwok

A

not-for-profit organisation (NGO), Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), has launched a capacity building programme, WIN III, to support and build the capacity of women towards attaining leadership position.

The foundation says that the WIN III programme is the third and final level of the 3-tier mentoring programme that WISCAR has deliberately and strategically developed to address the need for mentorship among midlevel professionals desiring to propel their careers from general management to top executive and leadership positions.

The programme kicked off in July 2020 with a special online induction ceremony attended by the distinguished WISCAR p a t r o n , Am b a s s a d o r,

Nozipho January-Bardill International diplomat, gender activist and former corporate executive who delivered the keynote address.

Al s o p r e s e n t w e r e WISCAR Founder and Chairperson Amina Oyagbola , WISCAR Advisory Board members, Olufunke Amobi, Habiba Balogun, Inyang Osazuwa, Omolola Esan and WISCAR Executive Secretary, Fabia Ogunmekan among other mentors.

The programme made possible by a partnership with FCMB under the bank VENTURES programme offers mentees the opportunity to participate in psychometric evaluations and coaching that would help them gain further clarity as they progress in their careers, while offering beneficiaries opportunity to be mentored by high profile, accomplished and experienced female exemplars and role models.

Covid-19: Abia rewards five frontline workers UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

F

Some of the beneficiaries

anniversary of the creation of the state felicitated with all Tarabans at home and in the Diaspora for the giant and historic strides witnessed under various administrations since its creation on August 27, 1991.

“Today, we have functional educational and health institutions that are meeting the general and specific needs of our people. We have good roads and an airport that have made travels much easier, faster and enjoyable for all of us and our visitors.

A dualised road in Jalingo with a flyover, the first ever in Taraba state, is also being added by my administration.

“Our 700 boreholes in 700 communities in all wards in the state project have profoundly addressed the problem of water scarcity,” the statement said.

ollowing the directive by the Abia State government that some frontline health workers be celebrated with honour in recognition of their sacrifices in the fight against the much-dreaded novel coronavirus diseases during the celebration of Abia at 29, the Nigerian Medical Association, Abia State branch has thanked and congratulated the state government for the recognition.

In a press statement s i g n e d by Ch i m e z i e G.Okwuonu and Robinson Ugwuanyi, chairman and

secretary, respectively, said this year’s anniversary was a unique one to members of the association as the governor had directed that some frontline workers be honoured and celebrated for their sacrifices.

“The Association perceives this uncommon directive of the governor as an honour and recognition of their selfless service which characterises medical profession. We are indeed grateful sir,” the group said.

“The leadership of NMA, Abia branch, on behalf of the entire doctors in the state heartily congratulates these gallant men and women,” the statement added.

BDSUNDAY

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

https://www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@Businessdayng

5

6 BDSUNDAY

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

Cover

Adeleye Oyebade

Garba Shehu

Seyi Makinde

Standoff!

S/West dares FG over Amotekun RAZAQ AYINLA (Abeokuta), REMI FEYISIPO (Ibadan), and INIOBONG IWOK (Lagos)

A

fter initial hiccups, it was thought that the Federal Government had acquiesced to the plan by the states in South West geopolitical zone to float the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), a community police, code-named Amotekun.

Several meetings were held, which had in attendance many representatives of the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies.

Recall that the Federal Government had stalled the plan for a central control of the outfit, leading to breaking it down to state commands.

The outfit is already operating under the law as passed by the Houses of Assembly in the geopolitical zone.

The Amotekun was inaugurated in 2019 to respond to the surge in insecurity- banditry, killings and kidnapping in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti – the states in the Southwest geo-political zone.

But recent developments appear to point to the fact that the central government may not be comfortable with any other local security outfit that is not directly under the supervision of the Federal police.

The Federal Government recently approved N13.3billion for the take-off of the community policing initiative across the country.

Last Tuesday, Mallam Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, while speaking on a television programme categorically said that Amotekun cannot operate outside the structures laid down by the police authorities.

“Whatever name they go by, Amotekun or whatever, they will be streamlined and they will be run in accordance with the structure as defined by the InspectorGeneral of Police, Shehu said.

“They can choose their own nomenclature but it doesn’t make a difference. There is a general structure for all state and local council community policing mechanisms and this should abide in the states.

“So, we are going to have a single-type structure community policing across the country and whatever is not in line with this does not have a place in the new

scheme of things.”

Th e s a m e d a y, Ad e l e y e Oyebade, deputy inspector general, Research and Planning, also on a television programme, spoke vehemently that there would be no other community police except the one being put together by Abuja.

When asked what was going to be the relationship between the community police in the works and some security arrangements (outfits) already in place in some states, which are also backed by law, Oyebade said: “I am going to tell you straightaway; by the time the community policing strategy and implementation come fully into operation, everybody will follow suit; everybody will join us, and follow what we are preaching and what we are going to practise. Be mindful of the fact that the country has only one police force and that is the Nigeria

Police.”

He emphatically said that other outfits would not operate differently, as according to him, “they will have no choice but to work with us. It is a win-win situation for us.”

The DIG further explained that the Nigeria Police was coming with a programme that is backed by the Federal Government, backed by the people, and a programme that has all that “we need to do to get the society along. By the time we have all these men in place and they are all over the country and there is proactiveness in our policing and there are issues that are resolved without them snowballing into crisis; I think people that are off the bar will have no choice but to join us.”

According to him, “The recruitment shall be guided by provisions of Sections 49 to 50 of the Nigeria Police Act. They are

special constables to be recruited as police officers. The special constables are going to be auxiliary police officers.”

The DIG also seemed to have stirred the hornet’s nest when he said that the constables to be recruited would be paid some remuneration by state governments.

The next day, Wednesday, August 26, 2020, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo State), chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, who was visibly not comfortable with the Federal Government’s position on the issue, pointedly said that Amotekun would not be subsumed into the community policing programme.

Akeredolu said Amotekun Corps would operate within the confines of the law setting it up.

On states shouldering the responsibility of the constables, the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said: “Which state governor will accept additional responsibility; are they increasing our allocation. You are saying we are the ones to fund community policing; why must you put more burden on us?”

Insisting that Amotekun has come to stay, Akeredolu said there could only be collaboration.

“Ours is collaborative not confrontational. We are determined to collaborate. We will and should collaborate with the Nigeria Police.

For us, it is to collaborate and work together. It will even be more effective for Amotekun to collaborate with the Police. We need Amotekun in our rural areas, mainly because this is where the kidnappers operate and the route by which they take away their victims, and we say if we can block this, the community police can be of assistance because our outfit is not an arms-bearing one; the armed police would handle that aspect,” the governor said.

According to him, “The Amotekun

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

Rotimi-Akeredolu

operatives are familiar with the terrain, even though they are not to be permanently in the forest; the forest is their forte. They are prepared to go into these forests and pursue these kidnappers. Amotekun has its own command but we are here to collaborate with the police initiative.

“We have so far seen in Ondo State a major cooperation between Amotekun and other security (agencies) be it the police, Civil Defence, etc. Recently, when some people were kidnapped, it was the Amotekun that went inside the bush and rescued the victims who were kidnapped. The kidnappers knew they were being pursued and they had to release the victims.”

He also urged the Nigeria Police to approach the court if they are not comfortable with the Amotekun initiative.

“It will never be accepted. We have a law that set up Amotekun.

If the DIG feels otherwise, well, there’s always a best way to ventilate it. We are not afraid of this. The Amotekun will operate under its own law that set it up.

It is not going to be subsumed under any set up. Never! There is no intimidation; we are not people to be intimidated.

“That is not the thinking and that will not be acceptable to us. If anybody feels there is any fault in the law that set it up, well he can go to court to challenge it and ventilate whatever position he holds. We have our own view.

The DIG is totally wrong; the Amotekun will not be subsumed under community police; no.”

Re-echoing Ondo governor’s assertion, Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, while addressing chairpersons of the 68 Local Government and Local Council Development Council Areas in the state at a meeting last Thurs-

day, insisted that Amotekun has come to stay in the state.

Makinde also added that the outfit would not be under the control of the federal establishments but the state, as according to him, it is impossible to achieve any meaningful development in an atmosphere of insecurity.

“We want our people to sleep with their two eyes closed. Of course, security is one of the pillars of this administration and we must do everything possible to invest in the security of lives and property. In Okeho, the other day, armed robbers went to rob and the community rose against them and apprehended them.

They combed the forests and got them.

“This is why I will continue to say it and I am saying it for the whole world to hear; Amotekun is here to stay with us. And it will

@Businessdayng

BDSUNDAY 7

not be under the control of the federal establishment. It will be under our control. Security of our people is extremely important, because nothing can take place, as far as we are concerned, in an atmosphere of insecurity,” he said.

The governor noted that the biggest challenge facing the country so far is in the area of security.

“We are getting close to the ‘ember’ months, a period in which some people who have not worked all year and want to have a Merry Christmas, commit all sorts of crimes. So, we expect that there will be a spike in criminal activities. I want to, as a matter of urgency, urge you that you all go back to your areas to set up your Security Committees. It must be done almost immediately. And I will be happy to release funds; to give approval for you to spend some money on security within your domains,” he said.

According to him, “Oyo State is very large; in terms of land size, we are more than all the states of South-East Nigeria put together. So, we have a lot to do to protect the state. We have international borders, so there is smuggling taking place. They killed a Customs Official in Saki a few weeks ago; those things are not acceptable to us.

“As the government that is the closest to the people, you have to take control of the challenges of insecurity in your various domains and you should please, once those committees are set up, any enabler that you need, let us know. We will work with the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, to make sure those enablers are provided.”

In its reaction, Afenifere, panYoruba socio-cultural organisation, faulted the Federal Government decision that Amotekun should be under the control of the IGP. Afenifere had, in a statement to the media in Lagos, Thursday, signed by Yinka Odumakin, publicity secretary of the group, said that Amotekun was a function of the law that was validly enacted by all the states Houses of Assembly in the region.

The group said that Southwest states would only collaborate with the Federal Government towards the success of Amotekun, adding that Amotekun would not be under the IGP. “The Federal Government in its power drunk blaze did an unpardonable gaffe two days ago that Amotekun regional security of the West will function under the control of IGP. “The story of the group born out of struggle for freedom against unitary command and control is well known. Amotekun exists today as a function of law validly made by Yoruba states and signed by their governors.

States are coordinates with FG and not subordinates at all,” the group said.

Afenifere also commended the efforts of the Akeredolu and Makinde for rejecting the

Federal Government suggestion, while insisting that states in the region had the right to control their internal security.

“Afenifere is very glad that the chairman of Southwest Governors, Rotimi Akeredolu, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, have both rejected the Federal Government suggestion.

“We back them and insist on the right of our homeland governments to control internal security. Enough of what has not worked,” the group said.

“We advise the Federal Government to continue patching its failed spots of the security architecture and allow regions freer hands to run their initiatives,” Afenifere added.

Meanwhile, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has hailed the Federal Government’s move to kick-start the community policing initiative with a seed funding of N13.3billion.

In a statement signed by Niyi Akinsiju, its chairman, and Cassidy Madueke, secretary, BMO said that the approval was in line with efforts to proffer solutions to the country’s security challenges.

“We see the decision as timely at a period the country is battling insecurity from many fronts, and which has recently seen state governors making a case for some sort of security bailout fund.

“It is gratifying that the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) deemed it fit to be part of an adhoc committee on Security and Policing set up by the National Economic Council (NEC), having realised that states also have a major role to play in tackling insecurity in the land,” it said.

According to BMO, “The N13.3billion approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for the take-off of Community Policing is a good starting point that is almost certain to change the face of policing in Nigeria at a time some geo-political zones are setting up regional security networks,” the group added.

BMO says it is convinced that the initiative will go a long way in ensuring that local communities take ownership of their own security, and expressed the hope that the Police authorities would speed up the process.

“We know that the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu recently told Senate President Ahmad Lawan that he had an August timeline for completing the processes for commencement of community policing across Nigeria.

“And now that a take-off fund has been approved for the initiative, we invite Nigerians to acknowledge how the President is keen on overhauling the security architecture as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in the country.

“We have no doubt that community policing will foster closer ties between the Police and local communities, especially as locals are expected to be recruited to form the core of operatives in their respective domains,” the BMO said.

8

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

Editorial Publisher/Editor-in-chief

Frank Aigbogun

editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja MANAGING DIRECTOR Dr. Ogho Okiti EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, INNOVATION & PARTNERSHIPS Oghenevwoke Ighure ADVERT MANAGER Ijeoma Ude 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

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 Konyin Ajayi

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

comment is free

Send 800word comments to comment@businessday.ng

ECOWAS spirit and Nigerian traders in Ghana

F

or Nigerian traders in Ghana, it has been endless days of travails as they have become mere toys in the hands of Ghanaian government authorities to whom it is a pastime to just wake up, move to town and lock up shops owned by Nigerians resident in the country.

The action of the Ghanaian authorities is explained by the ‘Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 865’ Section 28, sub-section 2 which states that “a person who is not a citizen (of Ghana) may engage in a trading enterprise if that person invests in the enterprise not less than one million United States dollars in cash or goods and services relevant to the investments.”

The Nigerian traders, many of whom are retail buyers and sellers, say the charge is as insensitive as it is practically unaffordable, arguing that there would have been no need for them to cross over to Ghana if they had that kind of money back home.

Individuals and institutions alike have condemned the action of the Ghanaian government, describing it as draconian and insensitive. We cannot agree more, especially as the clamp down on the shops has happened repeatedly, putting businesses on hold and subjecting the owners and their family to needless hardship.

The Nigerian government, reacting to the incident, threatened to drag the Ghanaian authorities to the community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court) if it’s found to have breached the sub-region’s Protocol of free movement of peoples.

Much as we appreciate the concern that the Nigerian government seems to have shown, we are nonetheless miffed that that concern appears to have ended at that level of expression, compelling us to wonder if the government really cares for lives and livelihoods of its citizens in foreign land.

Like most other Nigerians, we are yet to hear of any discussion between authorities of Nigerian government and those of Ghana on how to end this impasse that is tending to break the mutually beneficial relationships the two neighbouring West African countries have enjoyed over the years.

Again, we are yet to hear of an on-going investigation by the Nigerian government to find out if the action of the Ghanaian authorities breaches the ECOWAS Protocols. This overt complacency, in our view, smacks of leadership failure and nonchalance.

It is pertinent to point out that Nigerian traders’ shops had been

put under lock and key for eight months before, reopened only when Nigerian embassy was demolished by a Ghanaian national and the country was looking for ways possible to placate Nigeria and its citizens.

These repeated incidents make it imperative for Nigerian government to take decisive steps aimed to end, once and for all, this assault on its citizens which, by extension, is an affront on the country.

But we hold the view strong that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Nigeria must do self-introspection with a view to finding out where it may have got it wrong with its neighbours or breached the ECOWAS Protocols so that it won’t be seen to be playing the ostrich.

People are, increasingly, beginning to see a nexus between the plight of Nigerian traders in Ghana and the 12-month closure of Nigerian land borders which, in more ways than one, is hurting the economy of some West African countries including Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana.

Ghana is alleged to be reacting to the border closure by closing shops owned by Nigerians across their country, amid intimidation. Concerned citizens expect Nigeria to play a ‘big brother’ role by opening the border and encouraging

her neighbours to breathe and accommodate her own citizens too.

Though agencies of government claim that the policy has resulted in some economic gains for the country, we share the view that the citizens are paying dearly for the gains in many ways. The plight of Nigerian traders in Ghana is one. High inflation-induced cost of essential food items is another.

Hameed Ali, the comptrollergeneral of Customs, says the Service has been recording between N4.7 and N5.8 billion as daily revenue higher than what it used to make before the border closure. But, on the flipside, food prices are spiking to incredible levels.

Painfully, Nigerians are now paying N19,000 for a 50kg bag of local parboiled rice, which was sold for N17,500 before the lockdown, indicating a 9 percent price increase. Similarly, a 50kg bag of foreign parboiled rice, which was sold for N22, 000 before the lockdown now sells for N27,000.

All these, in our opinion, are not only unsustainable, but also unacceptable to a people smarting from the ravaging impact of a global pandemic that has pushed most household income to zero-level.

We urge government action NOW.

Enquiries NEWS ROOM 08169609331 08116759816 08033160837

} Lagos Abuja

ADVERTISING 01-2799110 08033225506 SUBSCRIPTIONS 01-2799101 07032496069 07054563299 DIGITAL SERVICES 08026011296 www.businessday.ng The Brook, 6 Point Road, GRA, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria.

01-2799100 Legal Advisers The Law Union

Mission Statement To be a diversified provider of superior business, financial and management intelligence across platforms accessible to our customers anywhere in the world.

OUR Core Values

BusinessDay avidly thrives on the mainstay of our core values of being The Fourth Estate, Credible, Independent, Entrepreneurial and Purpose-Driven.

• The Fourth Estate: We take pride in being guarantors of liberal economic thought • Credible: We believe in the principle of being objective, fair and fact-based • Independent: Our quest for liberal economic thought means that we are independent of private and public interests.

• Entrepreneurial: We constantly search for new opportunities, maintaining the highest ethical standards in all we do • Purpose-Driven: We are committed to assembling a team of highly talented and motivated people that share our vision, while treating them with respect and fairness. www.businessday.ng

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

https://www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@Businessdayng

BDSUNDAY 9

Perspective Fani-Kayode’s vainglory and ruling class tyranny OLUDAYO TADE Dr. Tade, a sociologist, sent this piece via dotad2003@yahoo.com

...Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish (Robert Green, The 48 Laws of Power)

T

he crass disregard for people in the lowest rung of the stratification system defines the character of the Nigerian society. It is a system of subordination where might makes right and the seeming ‘worthlessness’ of the masses or common man is shamelessly uttered by those who have benefitted and extracted benefits from the system and are responsible for the state of quagmire which the society has been plunged into. Whether using ‘umbrella’ in rainy or sunny times or busy ‘sweeping’ monies into their deep pockets, very few of the ruling class regard their people; majority are exploitative in their talks and domineering in their social relations. Their communications are laced with arrogance,

threat and intimidation; all oriented towards silencing unfavourable tunes. Forgetful of the system of government in place, they silence through their antidemocratic laws and cramp active voices into detention. These parasitic elites whose milking of the common patrimony is the only credentials they can portray are sad to see anyone bring them to accountability. This is the sad tale in the viral video of a former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK) where he hurled insults on the Daily Trust Journalist, Eyo Charles for daring to give him an opportunity to clear the air on the motivation for his project inspection in certain parts of the country and who ‘bankrolled’ the trip and in what capacity. He lost the opportunity given to him to state his own side of the story.

He lost the moment to shine with egoistic vituperations, vainglory and unsound response.

Nigeria’s ruling class have little or no regard for their people and are ready to unleash this reckless character anytime. The tool of intimidation deployed by FFK was that he was a former Minister with political history from 1990, former Senior Special Assistant and a lawyer. In and out of office, his trips show he still holds the levers of power and enjoy the ideological state security apparatus and are ready to intimidate anyone who dares to ask him to what honour do we owe his project evaluation trips. Someone who is happy to appear before the press for them to listen to him is unhappy to be answerable and turned it to what

the late Fela Anikulapo called roforofo fight with a harmless journalist. Robert Green’s 48 laws of power counsels the powerful to “always say less than necessary” because “the more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish”. Unfortunately, FFK dared to speak live thinking everyone would be unreflective in their assessment of the ethical expectations of someone of his calibre. Apparently lacking meaningful response, he showed his helplessness by resorting to use his erstwhile political position (Do you know who you are talking to? Bankroll who? a former Minister; a lawyer?), his relationship with media owners (“I will report you to your publisher”) and economic status (“I am not a poor man, I am not poor and I will never be”) to intimidate everyone to silence. Unfortunately, he was not appreciative of the fact that a “soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15: 1) because whoever keeps his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble (Proverbs 21:23). Indeed, only a man of little knowledge talks more than necessary because “whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:27).

While no human being can tame the tongue because it is a restless evil that is full of poison (James 3:8), it is advised we are quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19).

FFK’s “do you know who you are talking to?” dramaturgy re-

minds us of similar performance of a former labour leader-turned politician, Adams Oshiomhole who ought to appreciate people’s suffering but with power, he lost the empathy and asked a poor widow in the city of Edo to “go and die”. He also described someone as “stupid”. The ‘slapping Senator’, Elisha Abbo could not have a lowly placed store attendant talk to him anyhow and must humiliate her with ‘dirty slaps’. He also stated that the lady was “very stupid”. Notwithstanding the economic and social power Yinka Ayefele commands, a former governor of Oyo State, the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi still dressed him down owing to disability after the demolition of his music house. To him, Ayefele ought not to get preferential treatment because he was an employer of labour because ‘thieves also employ people’. Just like his forerunners were treated with public condemnation and associated backlashes, FFK was also not spared for directing a ‘very stupid’ movie.

This ‘bigmanism’ is what poor people have reproduced in “I better pass my neighbour”, a character of showing superiority over another person or making life difficult for them. This tyrannical conduct of disrespect is not only in the political realm but has strong presence in the family where might makes right culture is nurtured to produce disrespectful, uncouth characters and unsympathetic citizens who lord it over people whether in Church, Mosque, Media house,

Educational institutions, organisations among others. What FFK’s low ethical public conduct unveils is how the fourth estate of the realm is being stifled to do the bidding of the ruling class — an industry largely controlled by the political class and their business friends. Good enough, Daily Trust management stood behind their man.

Unfortunately, it is not only FFK’s conduct that is condemnable but those of journalists present at the press briefing who saw no need to write a story on the assault on their profession and intimidation of one of them. Some of them were even blaming the man who asked the question. This is why it took more than 72hours for another media house to release the visual because the event was ‘bankrolled’ and they might have been begged to ‘kill’ that part while their colleague’s esteem and journalism is assaulted.

Those who fail to challenge their oppression will continue to be subordinated and intimidated.

The powerful will continue to use the instruments of the state to perfect the intimidation of the masses unless they are challenged. Tyrannous characters are in every social institution but if we dread them, we become slaves for life. From the public condemnation and the battered ego which greeted the vainglorious Femi Fani-Kayode, we are all counselled to respect everyone no matter their social status and appreciate the wisdom in being quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.

Unemployment, education and the fate of the Nigerian youth CHINASA (‘NASA) KEN-UGWUH

T

he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently published the unemployment rate for 2020 and below are some of the insights gleaned from Nairametrics.

Nigeria’s youth hit the hardest by unemployment with over 13.9 million people aged between 15 and 34 years unemployed.

Graduates and postgraduates combined made up about 2.9 million of the total Nigerians that are unemployed.

Of the 35.5 million Nigerians that are fully employed, 22.2 million did not attain tertiary education and 6.29 million of them never attended school.

Vast majority of fully- employed people in Nigeria (13.2 million) have only Senior Secondary School certificates.

In conversation with my friends, Temi and Akanimoh (Akay) – we decided to discuss the possible drivers of youth unemployment in our dear country.

Akay and I were on the same side of the fence, arguing that our poor education system is a major contributor to the growing youth unemployment rate.

Temion the other hand, argued that she didn’t think education was a key driver. After all, she completed her entire studies in Nigeria as did Akay, and they are both climbing successfully through their career ladders in corporate Nigeria.

According to her, rather, the problem is the unavailability of jobs due to poor macro-economic conditions and unfair labour laws that tend to favour

expatriates over local talent.

Temi was not wrong about this, but she assumed that she was representative of the average Nigerian graduate. Myself and Akay argued that, while there may not be a plethora of job vacancies as we would like, it doesn’t’ change the fact that there is a skills mismatch in the demand and supply of employment due to poor quality of education.

From the insights noted above, it’s unclear if the high number of unemployed graduates is a result of the mismatch of skills or unavailability of jobs. However, the number of fully employed people with no education and no tertiary also begs the kinds of jobs that are largely available.

According to the Corporate Finance Institute, there are four types of unemployment: 1. Demand Deficient Unemployment: When there is a reduction in the demand for employment due to macroeconomic factors

2. Frictional Unemployment: when macro-economic conditions are stable, and workers are moving between jobs 3. Structural Unemployment: when there is a mismatch in skillset or limited geographical mobility 4. Voluntary Unemployment: when an employed person leaves their job for various reasons such as inadequate financial reward Based on the above definitions, suffice to say that, myself, Temi and Akay were right. It would appear that the main types of unemployment in Nigeria are Demand Deficient and Structural Unemployment based on the poor macro-economic conditions and skills mismatch in demand and supply respectively.

With the disturbing statistics, the big question is, which of these interventions should come first to change the youth unemployment trend or at

least curb it?

1. Create more unskilled jobs for a poorly educated youth population?

2. Invest in the education sector (secondary and tertiary as priority) to curb the trend of mismatched skills?

3. Invest in capacity building interventions to address the current human capital deficiency in the labour market?

If we truly are to earn the dividends of our youthful population in this country, then it cannot be business as usual.

As I noted in my last article – “If your country won’t do it for you, then do it for yourself and the future of your country”.

But late Nelson Mandela put it even better “Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in future as future leaders.”

IG: @with_nasa LinkedIn: Chinasa Ken-Ugwuh

10 BDSUNDAY

www.businessday.ng

https://www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

Perspective KENNEDY ONYENMA

I

n 29 years of Abia existence as a state, different leaders have come and gone. While some came as Military administrators, others came as democratically elected governors. Undoubtedly, these men did their best. How good their bests are will be a discussion for another day.

Fast forward to 2015, through a keenly contested election, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu came on board. From inception, he premised his mission on a clear-cut realistic agenda that will enable its actualisation. In fairness, Ikpeazu has covered reasonable milestones given obvious encumbrances. He can still do more though. Yes, he will!

How would Abians remember Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu? What place, in Abia history, will Governor Ikpeazu occupy?

Firstly, as a man full of grace and unprecedented favour, like the biblical David, Ikpeazu remains a man after Gods heart irrespective of his human frailties.

His many victories and his divine deliverance are clear testament to that fact.

Dr. Ikpeazu was the least likely, to emerge, candidate for the position of a governor prior to the 2015 election. There were top contestants for the position, however, providence located him. In the electoral contests that later ensued, Dr. Ikpeazu floored his opponents in spite of their seemingly robust sociopolitical contacts.

It will be captured in history that Governor Ikpeazu, especially, in his first term, had more court cases than any other governorship nominee. He won over 11 cases in his first term alone.

Those were obvious distractions that history has noted. The good news remains that he was never deterred.

The victory of Ikpeazu, in 2015 and 2019 respectively, placed him, in history, as the ever first Governor of Abia State from the Ngwa extraction.

To the peaceful, there shall be peace. Abia has witnessed peace and security since 2015. Who is surprised to hear that? Like the governor recently mentioned, there has not been any record of bank robbery, in Abia State, since he became governor. That isn’t an ordinary achievement considering the critical place of security as development enabler and the height of insecurity in the recent past.

Equally on peace, Ikpeazu made it pointedly clear that he has zero percent penchant for vendetta and needless “war”.

From the onset, he embraced everyone and forgave all. He believes so much in the words, “mercy and forgiveness,” to the extent that he once preached a sermon about mercy and forgiveness in the church.

Ikpeazu believes so much in peaceful coexistence. As such, all efforts, by political marauders to instigate a fight, against his real and imaginary enemies, have proved futile. He has de-

Abia @ 29: The place of Ikpeazu in history

liberately, though, strategically, resisted confrontation with anyone, even, in the midst of obvious provocation. He once said, to my hearing, that the greatest problem of man is unforgiveness.

According to him, though we all pray for forgiveness we are however, reluctant to forgive our offenders.

History will therefore, remember Governor Ikpeazu as one whose milk of human kindness transcends beyond petty human considerations.

History will also remember him as one governor whose tenure enjoyed peace and relative tranquility. An Ambassador of peace you may call him.

Abia State between 1999 -2015 witnessed unfortunate political gangsterism. The rancour, diatribe, in-fighting and malice arising from incessant impeachments and counter attacks were so profound that factions were created, even within the party, between the Abuja-based politicians and the home-based politicians. Resulting from the rancor, some politicians were branded Abuja politicians.

For 16 years, Abia State was infamous as one state that churned out six deputy governors within a short period of time. The fight was not only for the Executives, even, the legislators were not left out. Speakers were replaced at will.

The peace enjoyed today is not an indicator of absence of misunderstanding but an evidence of a leader with humility, tolerance and deep understanding of the dynamics of power as well as the basic tenets of human relationship. Definitely, history shall remember him.

Ikpeazu’s philosophy about life typifies an in-depth understanding that to “Jaw jaw” is preferable to “war war”. He recognises the fact that democratic dividends can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and unity, whereas infighting negates progress and remains inimical to development. Disunity is therefore, diversionary and a fertile ground for retrogression. Those values are indeed not common with ordinary men!

Presently, there are no visible

intra party conflicts. There are no Abuja factional politicians!

In fact, even across party lines, there is peace and understanding! It is common to see an APC chieftain attend a PDP function with ease and commendable sense of comradeship. If peace and unity are enablers for development and progress then, one can confidently say that, Ikpeazu “sabi the work” and therefore, should be accorded a place in history.

The dearth of infrastructure in Abia State, has been of great concern to well-meaning Abians. It leaves an uncanny feeling. When Orji Kalu came, he made some marks especially in sports development and little in infrastructure. Theodore Orji, his successor, also tried his best, at least, he has some signature edifice, like the Secretariat and others, to his credit.

On the other hand, Governor Ikpeazu has evenly impacted, positively, almost all the sectors of the economy: From Education to infrastructure, Agriculture, health, trade, Commerce and more. No doubt, the people are expectedly asking for more. It is their right to ask, anyway.

By the way I never heard of the Rigid Pavement Cement technology until Ikpeazu adopted it, albeit its attendant cost variables.

Ikpeazu was unlucky. He inherited huge socio-political deficits. Both the assets and liabilities of his predecessors were his to manage. Resulting from that, the general despondency, when he took over, was rife. It was not surprising that his emergence triggered a lot of rage and resentment. Till today some persons have remained cynical about the sincerity of Ikpeazu’s administration to leave a positive mark.

His magnanimity to tolerate and forgive unprovoked, but insidious, tantrums is a quality that posterity will certainly remember.

Regardless of the distractions that bedevilled Ikpeazu’s Government, especially in his first tenure, the governor brought to the table the historic five-pillar development agenda plus some

enablers.

He considered Education, Agriculture, Infrastructure, trade and Commerce as well as Oil and Gas as key development set paces of his administration.

He will therefore, come in history as the first governor with a clear blueprint that succinctly captures the peculiarities of Abia Politico- economic trajectory. He has a vivid interpretation of the obscured yearnings of an average Abian: her passion for trade and Commerce, Agriculture and Industry.

His deep introspection saw to the scaling of, Education, Agriculture, SME vis-a vis capacity development as priorities for development. No sooner he took the reins of governance, than he created a Ministry that takes charge of the affairs of emerging entrepreneurs (SMEs). He called it the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED). Gladly, the ministry has been able to interpret his dreams to a great extent. Now, the SME bank is conceived, in addition to some critical incentives, as needful exigencies for the business of governance to thrive.

Capacity development has therefore, occupied an enviable space in the Ikpeazu’s social contract with Abians. His passion for Commerce and Industry stems from the backdrop that an average Abian is endowed with basic skill, either in trade, Commerce or in craftsmanship. It was therefore, a burden, well relieved, to superintend the transformation of hitherto obscured endowments into a veritable means of livelihood.

He has indeed gone a long way to accomplishing his dreams for SME development. For instance, he has trained over 10,000 youths in different set skills both in Nigeria and overseas. Worthy of mention are the 30 artisans he sponsored to China for training on Shoe making, the several trainings by E4E and many others. Today some of them have bagged one national award or another. Just recently, an automated shoe factory was built and equipped to enable those trained and others to have a place to practise and commer-

cialise their skills.

He has equally championed the promotion of made in Aba products. Today some products from Aba, like the well-designed clothing, safety shoes and so much more, have been exported outside the shores of Abia State and Nigeria. The confidence of an average Aba entrepreneur is reinforced. Thanks to the interventions of Governor Ikpeazu.

The Enyimba Economic city is another ambitious, though gigantic, project initiated by Ikpeazu that history can’t flip through. Although the project has not been achieved 100% its actuation, it represents the visions and intellectual depth of the “Scholar in Government.” The project is not only timeless, it also captures the industrial destination of a 21st century man. It is more than an Industrial hub. It is an Industrial haven! When completed, Enyimba economic city, which seats on 9,803 hectares of land, will have the potential to create over 700,000 jobs.

Contrary to the unsolicited projections of nay Sayers, EEC will definitely come through. It is a long-term sustainable venture, so Ikpeazu may not be the one to complete it but his inputs, so far, shall form the basic framework for future activities.

Without yielding to an urge to repeat the array of infrastructural investments made so far in Abia State, I will however, spare a mention to the seemingly intractable Ife Obara debacle that resisted every previous effort to bring lasting cure to. Today the Osusu, Ama Ogbonna axis of Aba as well as the Faulks roads have succumbed to the superior technological prowess of Ikpeazu and his team.

Someone may think that I will skip the ongoing Osisioma project sorry I won’t. The flyover is a signature project of this administration that must be completed.

When completed, it will stick, in history, as the first flyover to be constructed in Abia State.

Though the completion has lingered for reasons the Government has repeatedly explained, but one should, regardless, salute the courage of the Governor to have, even, initiated such an ambitious project considering Abia peculiarities.

Will the limitations of space allow me, I would have mentioned the Osikapa Abia rice revolution, the Tenares Palm discoveries, the Poultry clusters, the Tele-health care facility and other germane economic milestones that were never thought of, never imagined and never ever seen in Abia State.

Ikpeazu is a pace setter and a trail blazer.

Onyenma is of Agudo Services Limited 54 Aba Road Port Harcourt Mobile Line:234-0-703-4918035 234-0-803-310-5084 Office:234-84-793869 Email:agudo Services@yahoo.com WEB SITE:www.agudoservices.com

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

11

Feature Anger of the Niger Delta elders and plot to recall arrowhead of Chinese loan probe IGNATIUS CHUKWU

I

Introduction tlooksliketheplatformthrough which the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government won some respite in the Niger Delta is about to disintegrate.

After the crash of the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2015, the people of the oil region went wildly angry by feeling deprived; and threats grew huge. Soon, the elders were made to come together and this birthed the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) headed by the former minister, Edwin Clark from Delta State, with the likes of Alagbo Tonye Graham-Douglas (alos a many times former minister), Anabs Sara-Igbe, Alfred Mulade (coordinating secretary), Olorogun Vincent O. Oyibode, Henry George, andmanyothers.Thisgroupworked mostlywiththeVicePresident,Yemi Osinbajo.

According to the Kalabari-born Alagbo in an October 2017 press briefing, the emergence of PANDEF helped to communicate the anger of the natives in a 16-point demand (later expanded to 24), and some of them were quickly addressed, all to allow oil flow in the Niger Delta. Recountingthegains,Graham-Douglas stated then; “The Acting President made trips to the region. Committees are reviewing our demands, Maritime University in Okerenkeko has been restored and N2Bn released to start it. The FG is giving listening ear to our demands. Now, the 24 points are being discussed by the FG committee. It has been reduced to three broad areas.

“Development is not bought in a supermarket; we are no more where we were last year (when the demands were submitted).

Government attention is now on us. Restructuring is now on the front burner. The Niger Delta now speaks with one voice unlike in the past when it was difficult to speak to the region because of many fronts with different demands. The boys know our line of action and a platform to dialogue for the entire region is on course. Bonny Road is a significant outcome, N120Bn.” Another major gain to the region may be the resolution of the Kula oil crisis which pitched the people against Shell and FG on one hand; against Belemaoil against the Rivers State government and Shell on the other. At last, a win-win solution was achieved in 2019 and peace and oil resturned to Kula, all due to the intervention of the FG and the NNPC. Things fall apart?

Theremayhavebeenmanygains in the region but it does not look like these are being conveyed through the PANDEF. Now, the elders seem unhappy.

First, a section of the elders have developed other ambitions, demanding for return of presidency to the south-south. Sara-Igbe particularly resigned from his position in PAN-

Edwin Clark DEF (publicity secretary) to go for the presidency.

Next, the leader of PANDEF, Clark, fired a warning letter recounting failure of the FG to the resolutions and neglect of the forum in dealing with the region.

Clark accused Osinbajo of such acts. He recalled that the VP asked all oil companies to relocate to the region but none adhered to it; the VP did nothing.

An official in the VP’s office had rather gone round the oil region trying to create awareness on need for peace and security to attract investments. When confronted on failure ofoilcorporationstoobeytheFG,he said the insecurity in the area would not allow them to relocate.

Next, there emerged signs that the Amnesty Programme may have come to an end. This caused fresh consternation in the region. Many groups began to threaten fresh attacks and breakdown of order in the oil region, something the FG could ill-afford, not minding the fact that the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration that initiated it on June 26, 2009, intended it to end after about 24 months, after the initial 60 days disarming period. It has progressed till over 12 years due to threats each time the FG contemplates ending it, with over 15,000 benefitting from it at the rate of about N60Bn per year.

The anger of the Niger Delta elders can be measured in the way they rejected the naming of a modern railway station after Goodluck Jonathan.

Clark fumes EdwinClark,elderstatesmanand leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, described the naming of the railway complex in Agbor, Delta State, after ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, as an insult. In July, President Muhammadu Buhari had approved

Rotimi Amaechi the naming of railway stations after some “deserving Nigerians.”

Obafemi Awolowo, premier of western Nigeria; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Olusola Saraki, former senate leader; Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos state and Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, were among those honoured.

But in an open letter to Amaechi, the elder statesman said the gesture is“demeaning”,addingthatJonathan deserved more than that. Clark noted that rail transport is one of Jonathan’s legacies and that bestowing the same honour accorded the former president to other citizens diminishes the prestige of the expresident.

According to Clark, even if Jonathan accepts the honour because he is a gentleman and will not want to complain to Buhari”, the Ijaw people will not. “Therefore, naming the railway station in Agbor, Delta State, ‘Goodluck Jonathan Railway StationandComplex’,isamisnomer.

From the tone and running narrative in the letter, the real anger of the PANDEF is that the office of the VP has not resuscitated the regular meetings between both parties.

Worse, the VP is now engaging groups and youths in the Niger Delta outside the PANDEF. Eze Chukwuemeka weighs in: Plot to derail south-south and eastern rail projects A group loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, weighed into the matter, pointing out that there is a more urgent threat at hand.

Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a media strategist and publicist, who rallies support for the Minister and former governor, drew the attention of Clarktothefactthatsomepoliticians in the Niger Delta are eing used to destroy the chances of the region to

gainwhatotherregionshavealready gained.

Eze said; “Worry less about rail stations’ naming, join forces to save the Eastern railway corridor proposal; support Nicholas Osai’s recall for exposing himself as a true enemy of the Eastern Nigeria” Eze, who was national publicity secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), appealed to the PANDEFleadertojettisonthecallon the Federal Government to reverse the naming of the Agbor Railway Station Complex after Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Ezestressedthattheex-President issatisfiedandhasalreadyexpressed gratitudetoPresidentMohammadu Buhari and the Transportation Minister, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, for the honour done him.

In a statement made available to media houses, Eze said, if icons like Obafemi Awolowo, Alex Ekwueme and other great leaders could be named after some of the railway stations, then ex President Jonathan, a pride of the Eastern region, is eminently qualified and entitled for the honour and it will be unfair to attempt to discredit it for any reason whatsoever.

He further pointed out that in currency naming, it is faces on small bills that are regarded as more important because most people would touch and see it daily than the higher denominations. He noted that the number of people that would see Jonathan’snameperdayatarailways stationwouldbefarmorethanthose that would see it at an international airport or international hotel.

Eze also reminded the later-day towncriers for Jonathan that same Jonathanpresentedhimselfasalover

of the common people by creating a campaign brand of the boy from Otueke without a shoe, the son of a canoe man. He thus wondered what is belittling to such a boy ending up with his name inscribed in one of the key Railway Stations in Nigeria. He argued that naming him after a train station would not stop him from getting more honours as President Muhammadu Buhari has been sending him on special missions abroad, thereby ingratiating Dr Jonathan’s name in the minds of international community more than any former President of Nigeria.

The party chieftain therefore called on Clark to pay a detailed attention to more critical issues of common concern and channel his energies to mobilise stakeholders to raise a voice against the artful scheme to satanically deprive the Eastern region the divine opportunityoflinkinghertootherpartsofthe country through modern rail.

He said events have clearly revealed the existence of a cabal, a group of unconscious and conscienceless mortals, with a sworn mandate to scuttle every effort of the federal government at developing the South-South and South East regions and with a term of reference to frustrate the Eastern rail line project which he said will meaningfully impact the lives and livelihoods of the people and significantly add to the economies of states.

He wants Clark to think about why eastern ports remained dead over the decades and decide if such was a mere accident or a design by a group to ensure that the economy of the eastern region remained dead and continue to feed from anotherregion.Thestrategicreminded people of former eastern region to know that politics is another form of war with same results.

Using Niger Deltans against Niger Delta Eze lamented that more sickening is the very disturbing fact that Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, the lawmakerrepresentingthegoodpeople of Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency of Delta State and Chairman, House Committee on Treaties, ProtocolsandAgreements,hasbeen conscriptedtodothebiddingagainst his own people.

He called on stakeholders of South South and South East to rise up, lend their voices against the common adversaries and react with the timelesscreedthatsumsupthespirit of a people.

Recall that the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi had expressed shock that Ossai could be hounded on a project that would be of immense benefit to him and his constituents thus: “It was apparent that the ChairmanoftheCommittee investigating the ‘Loan from China’, Hon. Nicholas Osai, was determined to deny the people of the South-South and the South East the opportunity to be connected by rail”.

Eze said the moronic carriage of Hon. Ossai in recent times reflected in the expression of the Minister is good proof that the Delta-born lawmaker and his snooping paymasters are hell-bent on impeding the efforts of the administration of President Buhari to fulfil his campaign pledge of giving the country a durable and modern rail system.

12 BDSUNDAY

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

When bakers strike gold Daniel Obi

A

baker is only as good as his flour. The type of flour utilized in the bakery determines the quality of the output which in turn influences patronage and profitability. These 2 factors will ultimately determine whether a bakery will thrive, remain stagnant or perhaps even decline and ultimately close shop.

There are certain performance indicators which can be used in assessing the quality of flour. Characteristics of high-quality flour include high water absorption which results in high yield as well as good look, feel and taste of the final product.

Bakers prefer flour that absorbs more water because it gives higher yield than lower water absorbing flour. It is also important that the final product of the flour looks, feels and tastes good as this is what consumers experience and what will induce trial and repeat purchase.

Three prominent bakers agree that a popular flour brand, Mama Gold Flour, ticks all the boxes with regards to a flour that has the highest water absorption, gives higher yield and also looks, feels and tastes very good. These bakers should know, given their experience and the positions they occupy in the Lagos baking industry. They are Raji Omotunde---Association

A baker in her factory

Chairman; Sherifat Gbadamosi, Treasurer and; Raji Opeyemi, the Alimosho local government chairman, all of the Lagos Chapter of the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), the umbrella body for bread bakers in the country.

Omotunde described Mama Gold Flour as the most superior flour brand in the market, asserting that the product quality and packaging are exceptional. Speaking on his preference for the Mama Gold flour brand, he said: “I have noticed that the quality of Mama Gold far exceeds the quality of the other brands. This is why I usually buy only Mama Gold flour”.

Speaking further, the AMBCN president said: “When I use the

Mama Gold brand, the bread is fluffy and very attractive. The bread baked with Mama Gold flour always has a golden look. These qualities make the Mama Gold Flour a unique flour brand. Hence any baker who knows his onions in baking will most likely go for Mama Gold Flour.”

Gbadamosi also affirmed the good taste of bread baked with Mama Gold flour and its impact on the profitability of her bakery.

The AMBCN treasurer, who is also a retailer of the Mama Gold flour brand, advises existing and potential bakers to use Mama Gold flour for all their baking.

She stated: “I have been recommending Mama Gold to other bakers who, having used it, can

also attest to its quality. One of the bakers I introduced the product to has been using only it ever since I introduced it to her three years ago. She now bakes a minimum of 100 bags of flour every week in her bakery. I sell and bake only with the product. I don’t use any other brand.

I have been persuaded to buy some other flour brands, but I have always refused to do so since I am fine with Mama Gold.”

She further described the taste of her bread as top notch, adding that she frequently receives compliments for the bread. She attributes this to the fact that she uses a brand of flour that has never failed her. “Mama Gold Flour will always be my preferred choice because its quality speaks for itself.

The very unique taste it gives our bread is actually not comparable to the taste of bread made from other flour brands.”

Gbadamosi also confirmed that Mama Gold flour has helped in boosting the profitability of her bakery because it absorbs more water and gives more yield than any other available flour brand. “The high-water absorption rate translates into extra number of dough which results in extra profit per bag of flour” and there was also a time that the company ran an end-user promo that further boosted profitability for all bakers who are loyal to the brand.”

For Raji Opeyemi who has over 40 years of baking experience,

Mama Gold towers above other brands in terms of bread taste and texture, adding that it has also maintained its high quality since it was launched in 2014. He also attested to the high yield quality of the Mama Gold flour brand.

Asides being a master baker, Opeyemi is one of the biggest wholesale distributors of flour in Lagos State. He also reiterated that Mama Gold flour is the preferred brand for bakers who purchase flour from him. He said: “Most bakers who buy flour from me prefer Mama Gold Flour. That speaks a lot about the yield and quality of the brand. As a baker I use other brands sometimes just to see what the yield and product will be, and I have never regretted sticking to Mama Gold Flour in my bakery. Some flour brands claim to weigh 50kg, but actually weigh less. It will amaze you that we from time to time enjoy endusers promo. This gesture is very encouraging to bakers and should inspire other millers to do more for their bakers. The quality of Mama Gold Flour is top notch, so I expect nothing less from its yield which in turn brings profit.”

He advised upcoming bakers to conduct their own tests with Mama Gold Flour against other flour brands to confirm which brand will give them the best results. His prediction went thus: “When they compare the end product, they will know that Mama Gold is the Best in terms of yield and quality.”

Ease of Doing Business: JCDecaux Grace Lake reaffirms commitment to Lagos; expands LATIS Network across state

O

utdoor advertising company, JCDecaux S.A. in partnership w i t h G r a c e La k e Partners (GLP), is reiterating its commitment to the country by announcing an expansion of its innovative Lagos Traffic System (LATIS) with the addition of three new strategic routes across Lagos State in October, 2020.

The announcement of the company’s new investments, according to a statement, is further proof of the Lagos Government’s commitment to ensuring the state’s viability as the foremost destination for Foreign Direct Investment in sub-Saharan Africa, and will further increase the over 200 jobs created by JCDecaux Grace Lake in the state.

The LATIS project is aimed at delivering real-time information on traffic, through digital traffic arches at key junctions across Lagos which will help to ease traffic flow in the city by suggesting alternative routes and estimating times of arrival for travellers. The data collated from the LATIS system has proved extremely valuable

to the Lagos government, which continues to show support for the JCDecaux Grace Lake business whilst ensuring that multinational organisations are able to thrive and bring in much needed FDI. Speaking on the announcement, the Country Manager, Nigeria, for JCDecaux Grace Lake,

Dele Odugbemi, in the statement said: “The impact of COVID-19 on the global economy has been tremendous and we have seen the shattering of business across the world, in major and developing economies alike. Fortunately, with the support we have received from the Lagos State

Government, we are thrilled to announce an expansion of our investments by increasing the number of routes on our LATIS network. As Lagos is an aspiring megacity, the data and traffic support provided by our LATIS network is extremely beneficial as it provides commuters with the information they need to make decisions regarding their travel times and schedules especially when traveling through notoriously congested routes.”

The LATIS expansion announcement also comes as JCDecaux Grace Lake increases the capacity of its innovative selfcleaning automatic public toilets programme, located at Lagos’ busiest bus stations. Launched in 2018, the toilets boasted a capacity of 40,000 people freely using the services every month. With the recent announcements, the toilets’ capacity will be increased by 100 percent in October 2020, meaning that up to 80,000 people will now freely use the services every month when the toilets are re-opened in line with government mandated COVID policies.

Speaking further, the Managing Partner of Grace Lake Partners, Ladi Delano said: “The expansion of the LATIS network and increase of the public toilets’ capacity is indicative of our commitment to ensuring that we make critical investments in the communities where we operate” Martin Sabbagh, the CEO, Middle East and Africa for JCDecaux, said in the statement: “Nigeria remains an important market for our business. Lagos, being its most populated city, is the economic hub of West Africa and therefore experiences significant vehicular traffic across major routes. Our LATIS network blends our expertise in digital innovation and street furniture to provide Lagosians with the power to make informed choices. This unique blend ultimately propels Lagos towards its megacity status, making life easier for citizens and boosting the economy in many ways. JCDecaux is proud to have partnered with Lagos State and we applaud all that the Government is doing to ensure the success of foreign businesses in the State.”

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

13

@Businessdayng

Person in the News

W

KELECHI EWUZIE

hen on August 24th 2020, the Senate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, elected Folasade Ogunsola, as the acting vice chancellor of the institution, expectations were high as she will be confronted with several nagging issues which she needs to resolve fast in the limited time she has pending the outcome of the presidential visitation panel.

Ogunsola, 62, the first female to be appointed to the office in the 58 years history of UNILAG must, as a matter of urgency, attempt to bring together all the warring factions in the university to the same page so as to jointly move the university to appreciable heights.

Stakeholders in the education sector got worried, especially when the frosty relationship between Wale Babalakin, former pro-chancellor and the University management led to the sack of Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, former vice-chancellor.

The touted lack of application of due process in the sacking and appointment of acting vice chancellor, simply ridiculed the institution. The school has never had such turbulence in recent times. For whatever it will take, Ogunsola must ensure that her actions, inactions and reactions are geared towards restoring peace to the troubled institution.

Concerned stakeholders in the institution were not surprised when the visitor to the university, President Muhammadu Buhari in the heat of the crisis suspended Wale Babalakin, pro-chancellor and Ogundipe as vice-chancellor.

Ogunsola, a professor of medical microbiology and first child of Nigeria’s first professor of Geography, Akin Mabogunje, is expected to act pending the outcome of the presidential visitation panel to the university and the subsequent decision of the visitor to the university.

ASUU’s reactions and expectations The Lagos chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) while reacting to the election of Folasade Ogunsola said they would support and cooperate with her for the progress of the citadel of learning.

Dele Ashiru, chairman ASUU, UNILAG’s chapter commended the Senate for standing for what he termed truth and also for giving the university a new vice-chancellor in a hitch-free electoral process.

Folasade Ogunsola

The task before Ogunsola, acting UNILAG VC Ashiru described the election of the acting vice-chancellor of the university by its Senate as a major step by the Federal Government to arrest the crisis in the school.

ASUU called on the acting vice chancellor to run an open and transparent style of management urging her to steer the institution away from the past controversies which were mainly political in nature.

To ASUU, Ogunsola should carry along the management staff of the institution in decision-making and avoid the temptation of doing it alone.

The acting vice chancellor is certainly inheriting a baggage of discontented staff whose loyalty and performance will depend on how she will quickly address this anomaly.

It will be a tough way to go but for her to succeed in this short time, she must act fast and timely

to raise the morale of the entire teaching and non-teaching staff, ASUU noted.

Views from students A cross-section of students who spoke to BDSUNDAY expressed optimism that the University would at least have a semblance of peace to carry out its primary academic functions.

Uche Nwaeze, a 300-level student of the University, opines that he expects the acting vice chancellor to draw a distinction between the core mandate of office of the vice chancellor and what is political.

Nwaeze insists that Ogunsola as a mother should be fair and firm in her decision-making process.

According to him, “What Ogunsola should do is ensure that the top and middle management are highly professionalised.

She must forge a close tie with

or universities, no thanks to poor motivation, a situation that has seen first-class brains being lost to other sectors like banks, Oil and gas, telecom and others.

The task ahead Ogunsola Folasade Ogunsola before her election as vice chancellor served as Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria and was deputy vice chancellor and served meritoriously.

The expectation is that she will carry this culture of academic and management excellence with her in this her new role. She should complement this with staff training and re-training. She must see her role as a manager of the human and material and nothing short of that.

She should develop strategies that would tap into the academic strength of the citadel of learning by deliberately encouraging the investment research and development while attracting investment from organisations local and international.

University of Lagos under Ogunsola should not be one that pursues internally generated revenue alone to the detriment of staff and students welfare. It is when there is relative peace across aspects of the school that investors can move in to invest.

She should make policies to be focused on development of robust academic environment which will in turn encourage and attract alumni, friends and other well-meaning stakeholders to invest in the economic progress of the University First Choice and the nation’s pride.

Ogunsola’s profile

the Governing council and university senate and policy coming from each must be properly harmonised”.

Akeem Balogun, a 400 level student of the school noted that Ogunsola is a respected figure in medical and academic fields and this will help. She recognises the need to strengthen proactive programmes and activities that enhance quality education and offer knowledge, skill and values for staff and students to enable them to compete globally.

“I strongly believe that only what is required from acting vice chancellor is to make available resources that can be used for the development of human capital so we can have good peace in this great citadel of learning”, Balogun said.

He further called on Ogunsola to reverse the trend where academics no longer go back to classes

Folasade Ogunsola is the former Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. She studied Medical Microbiology from the College of Medicine, University of Wales, Cardiff. She is the first female Provost at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos in its 50 years of existence.

She specialises in disease contro l , p articu l arl y HI V/AI D S. Her research areas have been centered on the regulation and management of viral diseases, particularly HIV. She is the principal investigator at AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) at University of Lagos.

She has also been the chairman of Infection Control Committee of Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Additionally, she is the chairman of the National Association of Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria.

due registration and license with appropriate authority, brought into Nigeria Territor i a l Wa t e r s Ba r g e No r a h 3 , in that process deprived the Federal Government of Nigeria of the revenue and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 of Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabot a g e) Ac t No. 5 2 0 0 3 La w s of the Federation of Nigeria , 2004 and punishable under

section 40 of the same Act”.

The company pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the p r o s e c u t i n g c o u n s e l , K . W. Chukwuma-Eneh to ask the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

Justice Sani consequently convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N500,000.

EFCC: Court convicts firm over oil theft EMMANUEL UDOM

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal office on Tuesday, secured the conviction of BlueMalc Limited, for illegally bringing a barge to lift adulterated Automotive Gas Oil in Nigeria without Licence.

Dele Oyewale, head, Media

& Publicity for the agency in a statement stated that the barge, Nora 3, was arrested by men of the Nigerian Navy ‘’NNS Pathfinder ‘’ on 22nd April, 2020 around Agip Waterfront, in Rivers State with unspecified amount of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. According to him, the offence runs contrary to Section 22 of Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act No.5 2003

Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 40 of the same Act. The one charge brought against the defendant before Justice I. M. Sani of the Federal High Court Port Harcourt, reads: “That you BlueMalc limited on or about the 22nd of April, 2020 around Agip Waterfront, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did without

14 BDSUNDAY

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

NewsAnalysis Knocks, kudos as Buhari proposes judiciary reforms at NBA confab Iniobong Iwok

P

r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari’s proposal for the reform of the nation’s judiciary has continued to elicit reactions among lawyers and Nigerians.

Buhari, who spoke at the virtual 60th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) last Wednesday, with the theme, ‘Stepping Forward,’ had proposed several adjustments to the law among which is that the judiciary should put a 12-month time limit on the hearing of criminal cases from the High Court to the Supreme Court, while all civil cases should be concluded within 15 months.

According to him, “At the end, I lost all three cases.

I wondered then, why it needed to take so long to arrive at a verdict and if I had won the case, someone who did not legitimately win the election would have been in office all that time.

“In 2019, I was no longer petitioner; I had now become a respondent in the case of Atiku and Buhari and the whole process took barely six months; just over six months.

What was the difference?

“The law had changed since my own in 2003, 2007 and 2011. You had now introduced time limits for election petitions. Everything must be done within a six to eight-month period. My question then is why can’t we have a time limit for criminal cases?

Buhari

”Why can’t we have a rule that will say a criminal trial all the way to the Supreme Court must not exceed 12 months? And why can’t we do the same for civil cases? Even if we say that civil cases must not go beyond between 12 and 15 months. I think that for me is stepping forward.”

There is no doubt that the Nigerian judicial system has been one of the most vibrant and respected on the African continent, having demonstrated exemplary courage in delivering landmark judgments that have changed the judiciary, political and economic landscape of the country.

Ho w e v e r, i n r e c e n t times, the Nigerian judiciary has come under increased scrutiny from the public. Recent events and judgments from the courts and performance from the bar leave-much-to be desired and have further dented the credibility of the judiciary and

Apata

judicial officers.

Th e s e a r e f u e l l i n g agitations for a reform of the sector, especially the time frame for justice delivery in Nigeria.

Also, in recent years, lawyers have continuously questioned the method used in appointment of judges by the National Judicial Council (NJC), which they say, perhaps, was the first step in sanitising the judiciary.

There is the belief in some quarters that the image of the judiciary arm of government is at its lowest ebb.

In recent times also, reports of corruption acts among judges have become r i f e , w h i le co n f l ic ti n g judgments in some cases have not helped matters.

Just like President Buhari said, a recent example is the different judgments and interpretations given by some law courts in t h e Al l P r o g r e s s i v e s Congress (APC) national chairmanship tussle. The

kangaroo judgments being procured against some Nigerians, politicians and their parties have not helped the image of the judiciary.

Recall that in an attempt to check corruption acts in the judiciary in 2016, the state Security Service raided the homes of some senior Nigerian judges in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Gombe, Kano, Enugu and Sokoto States.

The DSS had said the operation was ordered after months of investigations, during which the secret police established credibly that the affected judges were involved in questionable financial dealings.

Lawyers have continuously questioned the method used in appointments of judges by the National Judicial Council (NJC), which they say, perhaps, was the first step in sanitising the judiciary.

However, stakeholders are of the opinion that President Buhari’s

suggestions are not new as these proposals have been canvassed at several fora without any concrete move to pursue the judicial reform and enthrone the administration of justice in the country.

“I have called for a reform of the NJC through a constitutional amendment that will remove all serving and retired judges from the council as the presence has only ensured that they have now privatised the judiciary by making it a family institution.

“It is far easier to be a judge without a day’s experience in legal practice if your father or mother was or is a superior Court judge.

“If you do not have that qualifying privilege, you may be the best practising lawyer with the passion of being a judge and still remain an applicant until you are frustrated out of that bid. The room for the rest of Nigerians in the appointment of judges is usually very small just to make it look like a fair game,” Silas Joseph Onu, Esq, former publicity secretary of the Abuja chapter of the NBA said recently.

Senior lawyers have, however, urged President Buhari to move beyond lipservice and put machinery in motion for holistic reforms of the judiciary if there is to be any meaningful change.

Speaking in an interview with BDSUNDAY, lawyer and activist, Idowu Omolegan expressed doubt in the willingness of President Buhari to carry out tangible reforms, saying that he has not shown the willingness

since he assumed office.

Ac c o r d i n g t o h i m , “Buhari’s speech to me is like a dog barking without doing anything. Our criminal justice system has been there for a long time, he met it, all the delays in Courts.

The problems have been there and the President has been there now for over five years now since he assumed office, he is just calling for reforms, and it should have been one of his cardinal projects.

“If Buhari is serious about what he said, let him make legal changes to implement those policies, not because you are invited to an NBA programme and you are saying it to suit people.

“He is not sincere enough.

He should tell us what he is going to do, tell us how he is going to implement them and make changes”.

This view was, however, challenged by John Bayeshea, lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who thinks the President had shown enough desire for reforms and changes in the judiciary, stressing that much of the work lies with the National Assembly and the NBA. “It is good in the sense he is calling for judiciary reforms and how long cases stay in Court. The practicality of the issue is the problem but the general content of the address is very good.

“They should bring bills, I believe the President would sign; the areas he has input is the appointment of Justices; I know there are a number of recommendations on his table he has forwarded them to the Senate.”

News Ikeja Viva L’amour Lions Club empowers Nigerian students ...Donates sewing machines, gardening tools, others IFEOMA OKEKE

I

keja Viva L’amour Lions Cl u b h a s r e s t a t e d its commitment to empowering youths across Nigeria with its recent training on skills acquisition and donations to students of Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. The Club, which donated three sewing machines, face masks, gardening tools and trained the students in soap making, said the donations and training were to help empower students with skills that could help them become self employed.

Speaking during the training and lecture on ‘Skills Acquisition and its Importance,’ Ademola Adesoye, District Governor of District 404B2 Lions

Club International, said the month of August is a month of youth empowerment and the club has decided

to donate empowerment vocational equipment like sewing machines, gardening tools, face masks and other

things that could be useful to the youth, especially youths that have undergone training in that regard.

L-R: Jane Akinbi, the activity chairperson Ikeja Viva L’Amour Lion Club; Olawale Oluwo, executive board representative; Scholastica Onyeyiri, president of Ikeja Viva L’Amour Lion Club; Bisi Akanni, principal of the School; Theresa Ashiru, Charter President of the Club Lion and some students of the school during the presentation.

Adesoye said the club was empowering these youths, lecturing them and sensitising them on how to be self employed in a bid to solve the problem of the country.

“Today, many people are still waiting for white collar jobs and we know that the country has gotten to a level where a lot of people will have to be involved in vocational activities to survive especially at this pandemic era. This is an annual event and we will continue with it. In Lion Club, we hold these programmes every year,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Scholastica Onyeyiri, president, Ikeja Viva L’amour Lions Club in District 404B2, said the club chose to donate to and train students in Government Technical College, Agidingbi to help the students whose parents

may not be able to afford the training and machines.

“This is a government school and most times some of the people that attend government schools are students whose parents are not really buoyant. In a private school they can afford it but in a school like this, after they have acquired a lot of training, they may not be able to get the materials and everything they will need to start off on their own.

“For instance, they don’t havemuchmachinesforthose interested in learning how to sew. So, we felt donating sewing machines to them will enable more students learn how to properly sew. For instance, we have a student in the school who is sewing for the school but when he finishes in the school, he doesn’t have his own personal machines to sew with.

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

15

News Feature

Adesina: From trial to triumph OBINNA EMELIKE

O

n August 27, 2020, many embittered interests and blocs sheathed their swords when the board of directors reelected Akinwumi Adesina, as the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), for another five-year term.

Observers noted that all have been well in his first five-year term early this year, when he declared interest for running another term, citing many reasons, especially the need for unity to enable the continent to pull together and stay focused on the goal of fighting the effect of the pandemic on Africa’s economy .

That declaration in early this year by Adesina, a former Nigerian minister of Agriculture, amounted to declaration of war by blocs opposing his reelection, especially Germany and the United States of America, non-regional members who control 7.4 percent and 5.5 percent rights holdings respectively in bank.

As expected, the blocs went further in their opposition of Adesina’s reelection by filling many allegations. It would be recalled that a group of concerned staff of the bank sent a petition containing 16 allegations against Adesina to the ethics committee of the board of directors of the continental bank.

In another petition, other interests alleged that Adesina cannot seek reelection because he breached the bank’s code of conduct, including “unethical conduct, private gain, an impediment to efficiency, preferential treatment, and involvement in political activities.

However, Adesina was given opportunity by the ethics committee of the board of directors to defend himself, of which he did and even submitted confidential memo.

Having gone through the allegations and reviewed them, on May 5, the ethics committee of the board of directors of the continental bank said in its report that Adesina

Akinwumi Adesina

was not guilty of any of the 16 allegations contained in a petition brought before it.

Takuji Yano, head of the committee and AfDB’s Japanese executive director, described the allegations as spurious and unfounded claims and that Adesina did not violate the code of conduct of the Bank.

But the U.S. government was not happy with the outcome, and was deliberately pushing for a fresh probe of allegations of impropriety and fraud against Adesina.

Few days after the committee’s clearance, Steven Mnuchin, secretary, Department of Treasury, United States of America, wrote and faulted the committee’s decision to totally exonerate Adesina of all allegations.

At this point, it became obvious that the West does not want Adesina back on the elevated seat.

The reason, according to some experts, may be linked to the presumed pro-China stance of Adesina. Adesina has welcomed Chinese investment and partnerships with banks such as the Export-Import Bank of

China, China Development Bank, and Agricultural Bank of China, alongside other initiatives such as Chinese-financed special agro-industrial processing zones across Africa.

For the US, the pro China move is against its newly formed International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which the US is seeking to use to play an increased development finance role in Africa, amid signing a memorandum of understanding with the AfDB in November 2019 to mobilise private capital to support Africa’s development.

Of course, Nigeria did not leave her own.

There were campaigns across the country and to friends of the country for their support in reelecting Adesina. There were many meetings, consultations at Aso Rock and other places to build pressure against the opposition.

Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian president, also expressed his support for the reelection on severally. He even took to his

Ogun leverages on largest industrial hub status to reduce imports of raw materials Initiates collaboration with RMRDC to save foreign exchange RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta

F

or Ogun state to have attracted over N1.6 trillion of foreign direct investments out of a total of N3.3 trillion worth of investments that came to Nigeria between 2014 and 2019, it is better to create means by which imported raw materials and wholly foreign technology will be drastically reduced in favour of manufacturing and relevant services.

This has prompted Ogun State Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to have begun consultations and partnerships on the invention and promotion of locally- made raw materials and technology that will substitute the imported ones, thereby reducing capital flights, creating wealth and improving ease of doing business.

Consequently, the Ogun State Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has partnered the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to work towards increasing production, promotion and use of

locally-sourced raw materials among manufacturers as well as invention and promotion of locally-made technology for industrial growth.

Speaking during a working visit to RMRDC Resource Centre in Abeokuta recently, Kikelomo Longe, the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, declared that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Government is ready to collaborate with the RMRDC and other relevant organisations to increase the production and use of locally-sourced raw- materials as reliable substitutes to the imported ones, saying the present global economic challenges are making it expedient for import substitution.

She explained that the mission would be achieved through a robust partnership with the Raw-Materials Council in ensuring the Ogun State Raw Materials Resource Centre is upgraded for more innovations while the patented innovations and made-inOgun, Nigeria mantra are adequately promoted.

She however lauded Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), National Association of

Small-scale Industrialists (NASSI) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), for supporting the present administration’s efforts at boosting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state, just as he pledged that the Ministry will facilitate access to various government interventions which would aid various Business Membership Organisations (BMOs).

Longe also assured that the government would support the SMEDAN in the actualisation of its “One Local Government One Product” plan stressing that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration remains focused on creating enabling environment for businesses in the State to thrive Responding, Kayode Abiola , the State Co-ordinator, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), noted that the Council is focused on promoting industrial development in the state based on available resources, adding that the body has been identifying raw materials which can be used as substitute for imported raw materials.

twitter account @MBuhari to express his support saying; “Nigeria stands solidly behind @akin_adesina in his re-election bid as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). We will work with all leaders, and stakeholders in AfDB, to ensure that he reelected, on the strength of his achievements during this first term”.

Despite the allegations and fierce opposition, on Thursday August 27, 2020, Adesina was reelected for another five-year term at AfDBs’ 2020 Annual Meeting, amid an election, which took place electronically.

Meanwhile, the embattled Adesina, who survived whistleblowers and allegations, emerged victorious by collaborative efforts of African countries and his laudable feats in the first term.

Of course, Nigeria, which is the biggest rights holder in the bank, used it voting power to influence things in Adesina’s favour.

Like president Buhari rightly pointed out, Adesina was truly reelected on the strength of his achievements during this first term.

On assuming office, he implemented the five strategic goals for Africa’s development, called the “High 5s, enabled 18 million Africans to have access to electricity, 141 million people benefitted from improved agricultural technologies for food security, 15 million people have access to finance, 101 million people have access to improved transport and 60 million people have gained access to water and sanitation.

During his first term, the bank launched a $10 billion Covid-19 Response Facility to support African countries, and a $3 billion social bond on the global market – the largest US dollar-denominated social bond ever in world history.”

Now that he is back on the job for a second term, Nigerians are urging Adesina to do more. Well, they repose confidence in him judging by his excellent performance as a minister during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and the laudable feats of his first term.

It is time to do more, and your time starts now Adesina!

Kalu embarks on large farm settlement in Abia UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia.

M

aduka Okoro, special assistant on Media to Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Abia North Senatorial Zone and the chief whip of the upper chamber of the National Assembly, has said his principal has embarked on establishment of large farm settlement at Ugwueke in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

Okoro, who disclosed this while speaking with select newsmen in Umuahia, the state capital, said while Kalu was being incarcerated in prison, works were ongoing in the large farm settlement.

Chinedum Okoro, founder and president of Total Freedom Foundation (TFF) an NGO, said as an Abian, he would use his Foundation to touch the lives of Bende people in particular and Abians in general in the areas of Education, Health and Agriculture, among others.

“As a card-carrying member of APC, I want to contribute to the new transformation being embarked by OUK. We will support the ideals and philosophy of OUK. A lot of senators had occupied the position but there was nothing to show during their stay in office. We want to partner with OUK to better the living conditions of Abia North People. Very soon we will unveil the Total Freedom Foundation. We are presently focusing on Bende,” Okoro said.

16 BDSUNDAY

www.businessday.ng

MY POINTS...

My points...

Exactly!

EXACTLY! My love for babies though...

KEMI AJUMOBI

R

ight from my years of growing up, I have always loved babies.

There is just something about them that makes you want to do the wubaduba on their cute tummy or plant a kiss on their cheeks…then the way they smell is so nice that you want them to remain in your arms for as long as they can or even till they fall asleep.

Kemi Ajumobi Associate Editor, BusinessDay kemi@businessdayonline.com TEAM: Desmond Okon Osaromena Ogbeide Designed by Aderemi Ayeni

Back then, when I went to church, once I got in, I loved to sit near a baby and the mother so that I could carry the child. I usually felt extra cool when for instance, the baby is crying and as soon as I carry the baby, the crying stops. It made me feel on top of the world. Interestingly, as I entered adulthood, dearly beloved, the love did not go away.

In fact, it has increased, so much that I actually have a hashtag on

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020 Sunday 30 August 2020

Sunday 30 August 2020 Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

SASHES BY SashesKIKI-BENJAMIN

by Kiki-Benjamin

S

ashes is a Fashion house owned by Nkiru Nkechika, bas ed in Abuja w ith stockists spread all over the country and abroad.

They make clothes that stand out for women of all sizes and shape.

They make both couture and ready to wear pieces, ranging from simple everyday dresses to highly couture pieces that make you stand out.

Their flagship showroom is located in Maitama Abuja.

The ability to combine choice fabrics and churn out the most amazing and stylish pieces that flatter and boosts the confidence of the wearer is what the brand is known for.

Nigerian born Nkiru Nkechika. ( Kiki-Benjamin ) is a fashion designer and business woman who is the Founder, Sashes couture. A fast growing fashion brand. She is a mother of 4 who studied Law at the

Instagram that most of my followers know me for #Kemilovesbabies.

You won’t believe that several people daily send me different baby pictures or even tag me. I call the babies Pampers People and follow it up with some words. Recently, I found out that while posting the pictures just for the fun of it, it actually brings smiles to the faces of different people who have sent me messages asking me not to stop, or sharing with me how a particular baby picture or video shared made their day.

Recently, I got a message from someone who started following me on Instagram not quite long and often commented or liked the #Kemilovebabies collections. She has such a positive vibe that I would always notice when she made a comment.

Now, here is the shocker…wait for it…are you ready? Here goes…

If you do not believe in miracles, I will suggest you end reading this article here but if you do, then get ready because you are about to be blown away.

At almost forty years of age, after she already had her ovarian cyst removed, one ovary with fallopian tube gone, had pituitary surgery which is a tumour from the base of her brain removed, failed hormonal boost, no ovulation, no eggs, irregular menstrual cycle, failed IVF, miscarriages and never ending prayers, almost died several times from different surgeries... after 7 years of waiting, she recently just had a bouncing baby boy through natural conception with JUST ONE OVARY AND ONE FALLOPIAN TUBE!!! What do you call that? You said whaaaat??? Did you just scream “Miracle!!!?” well, you can increase the volume of your shout, and like is often said “So that the people behind can hear you”.

When she sent me the names: BEZALEEL (In Exodus 31:1-6 ; 36-39, was the chief artisan of the Tabernacle and was in charge of building the Ark of the covenant)) ERI-ODODOOLUWA (meaning the proof of the faithfulness of God) , ERI-ILERIOLUWA (the proof of the promise of God), DURODEOLUWA ( Wa i t o n G o d ) , O L A D U N N I (meaning Wealth is good to have), I could easily tell her story through the names of her son.

I was so excited and happy for her.

So much that she asked me to share her story. At some point, I thought she just wanted to share the story with me but she said to me “Please share my story, I am not ashamed to say that God did this for me”.

Nothing truly compares to the joy of motherhood, her joy is beyond words, her husband is beyond ecstatic. There is nothing like truly enjoying the blessings of marriage, which includes children too.

It i s m y h e a r t ’s d e s i re t h a t anyone who wants such amazing story of being parents will also experience this sometime soon. I can’t wait to add your baby to my #Kemilovesbabies collections. May it be unto you as you wish!

This THISpandemic PANDEMIC OSARENNOMA OGBEIDE

H

e re I a m reminis cing on how life used to b e, h ow it was to have a family, a real family. Meredith was all that I had after the tragic death of her mother. Her mother was a quintessential personality crowned with her indefatigability, if only death didn’t snatch her away from my hands.

Meredith’s fortitude was what gave me courage for a better future. Her smiles could light up the world or even save a life. Although she was just eleven years old, she was indomitable. Watching her grow up was one of the best things any father could ask for. Having long walks on the beach with the sun smiling down at us, pushing her on a swing, watching her play and above all, her determination to become a doctor just like her father were all memories now.

I was fast asleep when I felt an unusual urge to check on Meredith. My heart skipped a beat as I tiptoed along the hall. The hoots of owls and the whistling of the wind only made me more agitated in the silent house. All of a sudden, I heard screams from the kitchen and shattering of glass. My hearing didn’t fail me, the screams grew louder and louder until they suddenly became faint. I moved further towards the kitchen only to see blood and broken glass on the floor. It was too late. Amidst the blood and glass was Meredith’s rosary. I was right, someone did break in. Meredith was gone.

I sat amidst the mess, wondering how and why the unspeakable had

happened. How are kidnappers operating even in this lockdown?

I quizzed myself with endless questions and choked on the fact that I didn’t have a palatable answer to any of them. All these happened in seconds but it seemed like time was still, still enough to bounce me back into reality.

My feet moved faster than my thoughts, I was running through the streets hoping to rescue my daughter from the clutches of those that took her not even bothering to take a weapon to protect myself from any possible combat. My journey was fruitless.

I made way back to my house, treading every step lifelessly until my blurry eyes identified a picture piece. It seemed familiar. “No,no, it can’t be, Noooo!”

It all made sense to me. One of the patients I had been treating a week ago begged me to save his life at all cost. He showed me a picture he shared with his son, that same picture, telling me his only son won’t take it lightly if he didn’t survive the deadly virus. My senses couldn’t clarify if that was a plea or a threat. The man died later that week, his age and immunity were too weak to keep fighting.

Now they’ve taken Meredith. They blame me for the deed of the virus.

This was more than a pandemic, it was tragedy.

I immediately jumped back into reality with beads of sweat competing for a position on my face. It was a dream. My heartbeat was irregular as I skimmed through the house for Meredith. When I got to the kitchen, it finally hit me.

“I don’t even have a daughter” I blurted.

university of Nigeria Enugu campus.

As a young lady growing up in the cool coal city of Enugu, sewing was second nature to her. No formal training, just by watching her beautiful mom who was a Lawyer come back from work, attend to them and pull out her sewing machine in the evenings, something she always enjoys.

“She made her own clothes and rocked them to weddings and church and got many compliments.

Aschola-Show as she was called then, she was and still is a Fashionista.”

Nkiru said.

Nkiru started making clothes right from when she got back from school.

“I will pull out the sewing machine.

It was a passion and I so enjoyed doing it. I made clothes as a young girl in secondary school, with no formal training, I would use my mother’s machine, make my own

@businessDayNG

dress, cut colourful leather fabrics and make sandals, create a matching hat and wear them to church and that got me a lot of compliments!” she revealed.

Nkechika got married between her 2nd and 3rd year in the university and started having kids while still schooling. Being a very creative and family oriented person, she knew even while schooling that she was going to own her own business.

“I have always wanted to do my own thing, I made my own hats, fascinators, sandals beads accessories…name it, back then as a teenager. I knew I had so much in me that the world needed to see.” she explained. Truly so, till date, her stunning outfits truly shows that she indeed has so much for the world to see.

@Businessdayng

BDSUNDAY 17

MASHED POTATOES Mashed potatoes NOTES

1. Boil potatoes starting with cold water 2. Tr y not to over work the potatoes so they don’t become gluey 3. The best way to mash potatoes is by hand because using a h a n d m i x e r, i m m e r s i o n blender can overwork the potatoes and release starch increasing the chances of making the potatoes gluey.

4. The only time I use a blender or hand mixer is when I make mashed potatoes without peeling the skin of the potatoes MEALS TO ENJOY

BY CHICHI UGURU INGREDIENTS FOR POTATOES • 2 1/2 lbs Yukon gold or Russet Potatoes (peeled or unpeeled, then cut in quarters) • 2 Tbsp Salt (for cooking) • Flavoring • 4 Tbsp Butter (room tempor melted) • 3/4 cup milk or cream (warmed) • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper • 1/2 tsp onion powder (optional)

HOMEmade MADEFrench FRENCHToast Home TOAST An easy no churn mango ice cream recipe for mango lovers and nonlovers alike. Quit searching for the best mango ice cream near me on the web. Get your tools together and let me show you how to make this easy fruit ice cream with no ice cream machine needed.

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •

4 Large eggs 1/4 cup milk 5 tsps sugar 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 4 Tbsp butter.

Pinch of salt 8 to 10 slices of bread. See notes.

TOPPINGS • Some more butter • Maple syrup • Powdered sugar and some berries.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, cinnamon pinch of salt and vanilla extract till well combined.

TOPPINGS AND GARNISH • Butter • Chopped chives or parsley (preferably fresh)

2. Melt a Tbsp of butter over medium heat in a griddle or skillet then dip bread into egg batter flip to dip the second side.

3. Serve immediately with or store for later.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Put quartered potatoes in a pot, add enough cold water to cover the potatoes, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to boil.

2. Boil till fork tender about 15 mins 3. Drain completely with a colander and return to pot.

4. Add butter, half of the milk and other flavorings to the potatoes and mash. Add the rest of the milk and more to loosen up the consistency if you like. Try not to overwork the mash.

5. Transfer to serving bowl, make some swirls with your spoon if you like, then top with melted butter and chopped parsley.

NOTES 1. The nutritional info doesn’t include the various toppings.

2. The batter can be used for 8 to 10 slices of bread. If you use 10 slices of bread you would have 5 servings which will have 200 calories.

18

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

Politics

L-R (on the podium): Candidate of the PDP and Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki; ex-APC Vice Chairman, Nosa Aigbedion; Chairman of the Edo State PDP Campaign Council, Dan Orbih addressing supporters of the party, during the governor’s campaign rally in Iguoshodin Community, Ovia North East LGA of the state.

R-L; (APC), Governorship Candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Party Chieftain, Sufiyanu Igbafen and Former, National Chairman, All Progressive Congress, (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomole at the Simple Agenda Rally in Warake town, ward 11 Owan East Edo State

20 days to guber polls: Desperation rides the waves in Edo Continued from Page 1 Police, are also perfecting plans to ensure the exercise is violence-free.

The election will be contested by candidates of 14 political parties. There are 14 male and two female candidates; the exercise will take place in 192 registration areas/wards, in 2,627 polling units across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Of the 14 political parties, the candidates of which are jostling for the top job in the state, two parties can be said to be really in the race in a true sense of the word. One of these parties is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on the platform of which the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki is seeking re-election. The other is the All Progressives Congress (APC) that is being represented by Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

In the past few weeks since the two major parties launched their campaign, the polity appears to be overheated by the manner of their electioneering and the rhetoric that has caused some goose pimples.

Alarmed at the level of apprehension in the state, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II last week, urged politicians to place life above ambition.

The Benin Monarch, who said no life is worth the election, appealed to Edo people to eschew election-related violence, and not to sacrifice their lives for greedy politicians.

“All those who want to turn the state into a battleground, the law of karma will visit them one by one, he added.

Why Edo election is interesting The way the candidates of the two most powerful parties in the state emerged makes the election interesting. The two candidates swapped positions. Whereas Obaseki who contested on the APC platform in 2016 now bears the PDP flag; Ize-Iyamu who was the PDP candidate then is now the APC standard bearer.

Moreover, supporters and arch-rivals have also changed positions, starting with Adams Oshiomhole, who now sells the same project he had variously described as fake in 2016.

When the last gubernatorial election held in Edo, PDP saw Obaseki as an unqualified person to govern the state; they projected Ize-Iyamu and swore that he would be the best thing that could happen to the state if he won. It was with the same eyes that the APC supporters then saw Obaseki and vested their goodwill in him. Today, the candidates have swapped parties, the leadership of the parties and their supporters are singing new songs.

Huge crowds, name-calling and fingerpointing at campaign venues As expected, the two candidates have contin-

ued to draw supporters, with huge crowd at campaign venues. Various groups have also lined up behind the aspirants. As it is also usual in politics and in the spirit of the game, there are many professed supporters, who indeed play double-standard roles- they declare allegiance to Obaseki in the day, but at night they dine and wine with Ize-Iyamu, revealing all the secret strategies of the PDP candidate, and vice versa.

The state is already charged with threats, allegations and counter allegations of planned violence and certain electoral malfeasance.

The INEC and the security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police, have been put on notice. Several groups have tasked parents on the need to prevail on their children not to yield themselves as cannon fodders to politicians and their political parties.

Reports of violent skirmishes have been widespread since the commencement of the state-wide electioneering campaign. The state is so charged at the moment that there are all sorts of interpretations, misinterpretations and imputations of motives; even on sincere and innocuous motives.

Statements made yesteryear are now serving as campaign jingles, and billboards are being made of campaign rallies of 2016 where what was said yesterday, testimonials, endorsements and gyrations have been latched on to shame the opponent and friends of yesterday that have become political arch-enemy today. Edo is on political fire, and what matters most is not integrity but the trophy. The unfortunate principle of “The end justifies the means” appears to be the mantra at the moment. Saturday, September 19 is a deciding moment.

Obaseki vs Ize-Iyamu’s manifestoes Beyond the tough talks and finger-pointing, Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu are however, wooing

Mabel Oboh

the electorate with their individual policies aimed at improving the lots of Edo people.

In 2016, the political manifesto of the incumbent governor, then, on the platform of APC was, ‘Let’s Together Take Edo Further’ while that of Ize-Iyamu was ‘The SIMPLE agenda’. Today, Governor Obaseki’s manifesto has changed to ‘Making Edo Great Again (MEGA), while that of his opponent still remains, ‘The SIMPLE agenda’.

At the unveiling of his programme for his second term bid titled, ‘Making Edo Great Again’ (MEGA) in Benin City, Governor Obaseki said that his second tenure would prepare the state for a post-coronavirus (Covid-19) while focusing on improving governance to transform the lives of the people.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ize-Iyamu on the other hand, described his ‘SIMPLE agenda’ acronym as a manifesto of hope which represents Security and Social Welfare, Infrastructural Development/Urban Renewal, Manpower Development and Training, Public Private Partnership (PPP), Leadership by example and Employment Creation and Social Empowerment Scheme.

In his 12-point agenda crystallised into MEGA, Obaseki said his blueprint for “Making Edo Great Again” is a development-oriented programme of progress for Edo State with an eye on the future.

The governor said the MEGA manifesto is a public declaration of policy for the progress and sustainable development of Edo State.

“I am confident that my re-election for a second-term as the Executive Governor of Edo State from 2020 to 2024 will consolidate the transformation of the state through policies, projects and initiatives aimed at making Edo State an investment hub,’ he said.

According to Obaseki, “This policy document is my present declaration to consolidate

the foundation of my first term as Governor from 2016 to 2020 in providing leadership and vision for engagement and consensus building in planning, executing and evaluating state development initiatives and their outcomes.

“We would ultimately create a system that would, at the end of eight years, imbue a strong, indelible Governance Culture that will stand the test of time and make our people proud of their state once more.”

The governor outlined his 12-point MEGA Agenda thus: Social Sector (Education, Healthcare System, Pension and Social Security, Housing, Lands and Surveys), Critical Infrastructure and Energy, Economy and Industralisation, Trade and Investment, Environment and Public Utilities, Peace and Security, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Public Service, Public Finance and Public Revenue, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, Law, Judiciary and Legal Reforms, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Arts and Culture, and Transport.

Social Sector, Education: To ensure that the EdoBEST policy continues to concentrate on training and retraining of teachers in equipping them for effective learning management systems, which addresses the needs of our children from early childhood up to the Junior Secondary School level. To continuously provide and maintain existing facilities for enhanced teaching and learning in our educational institutions. To continuously encourage science and technology education, including information and communication technology and entrepreneurship, to continue to provide the enabling environment for cutting-edge innovations and technology. Build more technical colleges, and develop and promote technical vocational education to create skills for the emerging Edo State trade and industry. To continuously encourage private sector investment in education at all levels, and the standards for enhanced quality will be maintained by government’s policy.

Healthcare system: The governor pledged to provide world-class medical services infrastructure to make Edo State a medical tourism destination, and continuously improve and expand access to basic primary healthcare. To consolidate on quality and affordable healthcare for all Edo citizens through Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EHIS).

Pension and Social Security: We will embark on: Continuous alleviation of the plight of pensioners through prompt payment of pension, retirement benefits and gratuities; sustenance of the existing prompt data-capturing of retirees into the pension group; strengthening the existing contributory pension scheme and guaranteeing quick payment after disengagement from the Edo

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

19

Politics State civil service; promoting and sustaining the social welfare of our retirees through social intervention as senior citizens of the state, and sustaining the on-going special interventions to support the vulnerable groups (people with physical disabilities and special needs in the society).

Housing, Lands and Survey: Development of industrial park, logistic ms park, housing estate, leisure centres across the three Senatorial districts of Edo state. Development of affordable modern housing and increasing access to financing and promoting a residential mortgage market in Edo state. Sustaining and improving the on-going digitalisation in the use of land (EDO’GIS).

Proper mapping and survey of community lands to forestall conflicts between communities.

On Critical Infrastructure and Energy, the PDP candidate, said: “In line with the vision to ensure sustainability of our priced hard infrastructure assets, we would empower the Edo State Facility Management Agency, which was recently set up, to maintain the facilities and ensure that they retain their structural integrity for a long time to come.”

He also promised to facilitate industrialisation through strategic infrastructure of the Benin port, Gelegele sea port and industrial park. Massive and continuous improving of the network of urban and rural roads across the state. Creating access to clean and safe water supply (as demonstrated in the Uromi water project). Provide access to electricity as seen in the on-going 55MW Ossiomo power project and the 450MW Edo Azura Power Plant.

The governor’s plan on the Economy, Industrialisation, Trade and Investment, is to focus on providing support for the development and growth of local industries; continue to vigorously promote micro, small and medium-scale enterprise through low-priced loans and financing; provide special focus on the ICT sector and aggressively marketing Edo as an outsourcing destination. He also wants to deepen relations with development partners, portfolio investors and long-term investors for the overall transformation of the state, and also attract mass investments in electricity and alternative energy solutions.

Environment and Public Utilities: Intensify awareness and sensitisation of Edo citizens on environmental pollution and clean environment for everyone. Tackle flooding and erosion across the state through legislation and executive order. Beautify and remodel our environment and public space.

Develop and build capacity in waste management and facilitate alternative sources of energy and recycling of waste. Conserve public utilities, create amusement parks across the 18 local governments of the state.

Peace and Security: To continue to foster culture of peace by promoting and creating convivial milieux that accommodate our religious, ethnic and cultural preferences/diversity. Continue to tackle insecurity in all rural and urban areas through community watch/ policing. Continuously Safeguard lives and properties through upgrade and effective fire service delivery. Sustain and improved Edo State Security Trust Fund to keep up and respond to current security challenges. Guarantee the continuous protection of the vulnerable (women, children, senior citizens and the physically challenged). Boost citizens’ confidence by clamping down on extortion and harassment by law enforcement agents and members of the state-sponsored security agencies. Sustain and expand Wabaizigan, with a state-wide Central Closed-Circuit Television Unit (CCTV) installed to ensure a more robust approach to policing.

Agriculture and Natural Resources: To sustain and expand the aggressive agriculture and agribusiness development programme that has provided over 150,000 jobs for Edo citizens. Replace crude oil with oil palm and make Edo State an oil palm hub in the country

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman

Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, IGP

and beyond. Further explore our vast forest and solid mineral resources.

Public Service, Public Finance and Public Revenue: To improve public service delivery through continuous civil service reform.

Increase commitment to revenue drive and judicious utilisation of tax payers’ money.

Pursue professionalism through training and retraining of our civil service.

Women, Youth and Sports: To continue to encourage the participation of women and youth in governance by increasing the number of appointments made to women and youth in government. Improve access to microfinance for women and youth. Encourage girl learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.

Continue to engage the youth in meaningful and productive ventures.

Law, Judiciary and Legal reforms: To continue to strengthen the Criminal Justice System with initiatives targeted at promoting a workable system for the interpretation of the law, determination of disputes and punishment of offenders. Continue to give priority to the welfare and well-being of our judges/judiciary to facilitate and enhance speedy dispensation/delivery of justice. Continue to create conducive work environment for judges and judicial workers. Continue to support the strengthening and implementation of the law for crimes against women and girl-child including domestic violence and other legal commitment for social justice.

Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs: To continue to promote cordial relationship between government and traditional institution. Continue to support traditional councils and empower them to carry out their functions in the formulation of general proposal by way of advice to the government, and assisting in the maintenance of law and order. Harmonise the activities of the traditional councils to support preservation of our heritage. Support and assist traditional institutions in promoting local traditional festivals so as to revive the culture of our people. Build on the cooperation and support we have enjoyed from our religious and faithbased organisations in the past four years for continued pace and prosperity for Edo people Arts and Culture: To continue to promote the development of arts and crafts and raise our artists and craftsmen to international recognition. Conserve cultural heritage sites, reintroduce culture clubs to public schools and advance plans for the development of the Benin Royal museum. Attract and support investors in the development of culture and tourism for the benefit of host communities Transport Sector: Action on the Benin Central Bus Terminus would be expedited and the accompanying paraphernalia installed to make for a truly modern transportation network. The centrally channelled traf-

fic would ensure that traffic management is well coordinated, even as other forms of transportation are explored for their workability in the state. Comprehensive overhauling and revamping of the Edo transport system. Remodelling and repositioning of the Edo State transport service for efficient service delivery, and building of travel plaza in strategic locations within the state.

Obaseki explained that the post-Covid-19 economy will task his government’s resolve to restart the economy even as he push for economic stimulus package to resuscitate businesses, sustain livelihoods and hold the economy together.

He further explained that under the post-Covid-19 economy, focus would be on supporting businesses with low interest loan facilities; strengthening the productive sector by prioritising the Edo Production Hub Initiative and pursuing more impactful policies in the agricultural sector.

Ize-Iyamu’s SIMPLE agenda Ize-Iyamu, who said he has never hidden the fact that the primary objective why people are in politics is to access government for the benefit of the people, noted that the people of Edo State are confident that the APC offers the best platform to represent them in a bid to pursue and actualise their interest.

The APC candidate said having analysed the current challenges facing the state, consulted widely across the 18 Local Government Areas, and on the basis of the party’s manifesto, he decided to come up with a robust blueprint to launch Edo State on the path to sustainable prosperity and holistic development.

According to him, “Ours is a genuine road map to transform our state from its present unacceptable condition of underdevelopment to an attractive state with a vibrant economy. We have a blueprint, code-named the ‘SIMPLE’ Agenda.

“Any government that intends to bring real development and prosperity to its citizens must focus on a comprehensive and sustainable development that encompasses several aspects including improvement of infrastructure, health, education, human resource development, job creation, industrialisation, agriculture, security and improvement of municipal services such as the provision of water and electricity.”

Ize-Iyamu further said: “We shall use the ‘SIMPLE Agenda’ to bring economic and social justice to all, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic inclinations.”

He emphasised that the ‘SIMPLE’ policy and programmes are projected to create over 70,500 jobs within a period of four years, noting that if elected governor, the jobs would be created in education, agriculture and rural development, housing, electrification, fire service, industrialisation, waste management

system, employment creation and social empowerment, and water supply sector.

The governorship candidate gave the breakdown of the jobs to be created in each sector to include 2,000 direct jobs in electricity-dependent industries and assistance in creating over 1,000 new businesses in rural areas.

He said in water supply, not less than 10,000 new construction jobs would be created and over 3,000 jobs safe-guarded over a four-year period while over 3,000 new jobs would be generated from fire service and 5,000 existing jobs would be safeguarded in the sector.

He posited that in the housing sector 10,000 additional new construction-related jobs are projected to be added to the state economy and 10,000 sustainable new jobs in the education sector.

He further added that a total of 3,000 additional direct jobs and the sustenance of over 5,000 related jobs projected to be added to the state economy through resuscitation and revamping of state-owned moribund industries.

Ize-Iyamu explained that over 10,000 physically challenged and economically disadvantaged persons would be empowered in the first one year in the micro credit scheme to be set up by the government.

On employment creation and social empowerment programme, the APC candidate said over 3,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs are projected to be generated by service providers in the waste management system under the Public- Private Partnership industrial schemes.

According to him, the goal of SIMPLE agenda is to generate jobs from programmes, projects and activities in each of the 18 local government areas.

“For the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) industrial schemes in each of the senatorial districts, it is reckoned that each of the clusters should be capable of accommodating up to 10 separate industrial firms and would give direct employment opportunities to well over 3,000 persons and another 5,000 persons indirectly, providing the raw materials, goods and services across the state.

“It is also planned to attract over 5000 persons to the Farm settlement, while at the same time, Youth Empowerment through Agricultural and Farmer’s Support Programme (YETA-FSP) will be established to support 500 youths from each of the 18 LGAs every year.

“Our government will partner with stakeholders, banks and financial institutions to resuscitate and revamp the state-owned industries including the fertilizer plant, Auchi, Cassavita industry, Uromi, Ava cement factory, Akoko-Edo, fruit juice factory, Ehor, Bendel Brewery, Benin City and Ewu flour mill among others,” he said.

He added that in addition to the over 70, 500 jobs, his government will partner with financial institutions, banks, agencies of government and stakeholders to create and support a minimum of 5,000 new Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) in the economy yearly and 20,000 over a period of four years.

The candidate however, promised to review the Benin Storm Water project to ensure its completion within a reasonable period, to address the problem of perennial flooding in the state capital.

ADC wants to ‘change Edo story’ Mabel Oboh, one of the two female candidates, is contesting on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In her manifesto, tagged, ‘Change Edo Story’, she is promising massive industrialisation; Education; massive job creation through investment in Agriculture; youth and women development; healthcare reform; infrastructure development; security- community policing, and culture, creative arts and tourism.

20

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

StateOfTheNation ‘If I were in power, I would definitely investigate what Mailafia has said on security’ Leonard Umunna, founder and presiding Bishop of Bible Life Church, and a commentator on socio-economic and political affairs, in this exclusive interview with ZEBULON AGOMUO, Editor, speaks on the state of the nation. Excerpts: The insecurity situation in the country is getting worse and worse. Recently, Obadiah Mailafia, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigerian (CBN), warned that civil war was in the offing. There is apprehension in society as people are being killed on a daily basis. What is your take on these? hatever I say now is my own opinion and not that of the church or any other person. Concerning the general insecurity in the country, it has been there for some time now. When Boko Haram started to deal with Nigerians and somehow trying to present it as if they were against the education system in the North; I think some notable Nigerians said something that seemed to support them, and any attempt to correct this, they said you were killing the people of the North. When a child is throwing tantrums and the parents are paying deaf ears, the result will be that that child will grow up to become a bully or stubborn or even a social deviant. You have to strike the iron while it is yet red hot. General Ibrahim Babangida himself said it while in office that if there is any anomaly, a big challenge military-wise in the nation, if it is not quelled within a given period, they should blame those in authority, or simply put – that the government has a hand in it. So, that tallies with what Obadiah Mailafia has said; whether he is quoting someone or whatever- he said that there is plan for war hanging on. We can now see that this insecurity has escalated in all parts of the country. It is a time bomb. I warned years ago that they should look into our constitution and change of name, and make sure that they deal with the situation decisively; just like I advised that they should take care of Covid-19 early by looking for our own indigenous drugs; that’s what the Western World and Russia have worked on now, taking advantage of their ability to reason and do what is right without pandering to whether it is from this tribe or that tribe.

That is what Nigeria is not ready to do. I think Chinua Achebe said it all; that the problem of Nigeria is leadership; whether it is cursed or is caused by our leaders’ penchant for avarice, unbridled lust for wealth or corruption, the whole thing rises or falls on leadership. That is the reality; nobody can tell you tomorrow that this thing cannot lead to war; going by the way things are going now. It has become hydra-headed both in terms of economy, religion, even the government aspect. People no longer believe in elections in the country. The real way of choosing leaders in a democracy is gone; it is no more working in Nigeria.

Nobody should tell you that these abnormalities cannot result into a full blown war. What we need to do now is to take drastic measures; call a spade a spade; tell ourselves the

they look for another way to score a cheap goal. But that goal being allowed shows or indicates that there is a bad referee. We must keep religion separate. Nigeria is a secular state. Let us continue with that.

Government must not because of a few bad examples on the pulpit – for instance, a huge sum of money that cannot be defended has been found in the personal accounts of some pastors. Government can single such people out and try them in accordance with the laws of the land; but should not judge all church leaders on that basis; or tar everybody with the same brush. That will be my sincere view on the CAMA issue for now. Religious leaders should sit down with the relevant authorities- the National Assembly and others- and iron out the matter.

W

Leonard Umunna

home truth. We should look into the Goodluck Jonathan’s Constitution Amendment. Look at what is happening in Mali; I don’t support violence though, and I do not support coup, but what I am trying to say is that those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable. If you refuse to bring down your hand over what belongs to a child, I think by and by, your hand will begin to pain you, and you will be forced to bring it down.

That’s what the situation is pointing to; but God forbid that there should be war. We must put our heads together now and solve this insecurity problem – kidnapping here and there; mindless killings and blood-letting; assassination, banditry, and insurgency. We are seeing the situation that was written in the scriptures that there was a time in Israel everybody was doing what was right in their sight because there was lawlessness all over the place. If, I were in power I would definitely investigate what Mailafia has said and not necessarily calling him for questioning here and there. Perhaps, there is big truth in it; and deal with it appropriately; so, that other people will come up to expose more. We must not make innocent people who are bringing information on how to get out of the insecurity situation to regret their actions. Don’t call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The situation calls for drastic measures. In summary, what I am saying is that there is injustice in the land, nepotism and the feeling of marginalisation is everywhere; everybody says I’m marginalised. That’s what is causing all these things.

People are wondering why CAN is waking up late to condemn the CAMA 2020. Were relevant stakeholders not consulted during the public hearing or everything was done in secret?

I can only approach this question of yours from X-ray point of view. The reason is that there are many ‘yes, sir; yes sir’ church goers in government or in the corridors of power.

We do not have real Christians in power that government can see as true representatives of the church.

If such people are consulted, they will think, well, the church has spoken. Severally, I have spoken up against some so-called church leaders that go to government people for ‘prayer money’; ‘incense money’, hobnobbing with them.

If they consult such people, they will say all is well; go ahead. They don’t take it into consideration that church is a spiritual affair. This is the way I reason with this matter. The other time when they wanted to fix the age of general overseers of churches; when they made it public; there was fire everywhere. I think somebody lost his job. So, if the people who heard or knew what happened at that time; this time around made it a covert activity so that nobody would know about it; and now all we hear is that it has been signed into law; well, I tell you that I heard about this when I saw some secular analysts on the television analysing the CAMA 2020; then they raised this issue; I said ‘what? Now, if myself, who is the Overseer of Bible Life Church heard it from a TV Channel, what would you say of others? Some people appear to be saying and asking the question, ‘Is CAN now a toothless barking bulldog?’ Thank God that CAN still came out forcefully to attack the development. I advise everyone that holds diverse views on this issue to travel between their shoulders and take another look at the constitution and what it says on the rights of every citizen and the secular state of Nigeria. The church should look into what the Bible says is the obligation of church leaders to their secular leadership.

This is necessary so that no one will infringe upon the constitution or go against what the Bible demands Christians to do for their leaders whether they are wrong or otherwise. I have pointed out that there may be some people who are out to settle scores; when they came out with the overseer’s age ceiling, but could not succeed and now

From the latest report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria faces another recession.

What are your worries about the state of the Nigerian economy?

If I tell you that I feel fine about the state of affairs I would be telling a lie. There is no stratum or segment of Nigeria’s people or community that is not hurting terribly except our top leaders – water they have the best; electricity – they have it on everyday; they don’t use their roads; they fly. They even charter aero plane and put it on standby, but when it comes to election they promise you heaven on earth; but once they enter into office they give people hell. Anybody who wants to draw their attention to their promises will be eliminated as an enemy of the state. These are the days of ban this, ban that. One should be very careful. The Bible says in those days the prudent shall keep quiet; else you will be branded an enemy.

With our economy that is not just on its knees, but lying prostrate for years now, somebody is telling us that we are going into a recession. I ask, is the fellow living in the second heaven? We have been in this economic recession for years; have we come out of it at all? I don’t believe the figures they are bandying. Go to ordinary Nigerians, they will tell you that it is now a fight between the richest and the poorest. There is no middle class again. Everything is politicised. You either smile because you are in government or you cry because you are out of government. Nothing is working again; it is only government officials and their cronies that are enjoying the country. Companies are dying; manufacturing has collapsed; factories have shut down long ago because those who produce here are not breaking even, the market has been taken away by those who have government’s approval to import all manners of things from outside. We have been in recession. All my businesses have either shut down or struggling. Corruption has ruined everything in the country and there is no pro-active measure to remedy it. Whether it is in the law court – corruption; in

the market – corruption; go to state House – corruption; whether it is in the church, mosque or any other religion - corruption. It is really serious. I want to say that the economy is more than bad; attention is now being diverted to politicising and monetising the church; things are bad. Look at insecurity everywhere, kidnapping, banditry, Boko Haram insurgency – people have been chased out of their businesses and farming activities have been affected. How can the economy thrive? Our main stay – the oil- is no longer bringing the dollars. We are now borrowing and staking our sovereignty. If those who fought for independence could wake up today from the grave to see what is happening now; they would be shocked. Nobody in the country is safe at the moment; so, how can the economy thrive? It is unfortunate that while we are complaining of abject poverty in Nigeria, some people are living in Eldorado in the same country. They see the type of quality life people live overseas but as soon as they land at our airport upon their return, they forget; another spirit will take over them.

Ahead of the gubernatorial election in Edo; some people are already expressing fears of possible violence in the state. What may be your advice to INEC, security agencies, politicians and the people?

They all know what is good to do.

The scriptures say he that knows to do good and fails to do it, to him it is sin; and the punishment will always come at least. The Electoral Act was crafted but not signed; they said certain things should be amended; up till now, nothing has been done about it. How are you going to rule people without laws? Or what happens when the law is having too many loopholes that anybody can exploit? Violence-free election in Edo is only possible if Oshiomhole and Obaseki’s parties are caged by whatever security agency that will do so; and if such agency is allowed free hands to do their job. We all know that a fish begins to rot from the head. I am also appealing to Professor Mahmood Yakubu that he should do everything possible to conduct election that will be seen to be free and fair. In the past elections; some people were feeling that INEC was not really independent.

They should clear their name now.

If the trend goes that in Edo, people may not take it. The Edo youths must realise that it is their future that is at stake. They must not allow anybody to use them as thugs and dump them after election; thereby mortgaging their future. Security agents, INEC and everybody associated with the election must be allowed to do their job without pressure and undue interference; so that the people can see that truth has prevailed. Nigeria is already sitting on a keg of gun powder, further violence (electoral violence; rigging and day light change of figures) can lead to something else.

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

21

Politics NDDC: ‘A situation where a senator or Rep influences over 50 contracts in a year is worrisome’ Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, president and founder of Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative (CQTI), in this interview with INIOBONG IWOK, speaks on the findings of her group on recent developments in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Senate probe, the media and other national issues. Excerpts:

W

Your NGO has been in the news lately; what are you up to? ell, we are an advocacy group. We are more or less focused on leadership. We focus on leadership and try to use it as a standard so that others can follow that path. I think the bane of the country has been bad leadership. We have the resources, we have everything but unfortunately, we lack the right leadership and I think the reason is because we have not taken time to assess those who should be in positions of leadership. We have also not taken time to identify those who serve creditably and even honour them.

Unfortunately, those we look at are those who have money to throw around and use them as a standard. If we continue like that, things will not go the way we want.

Secondly, we also look at news reportage, the fake news syndrome because lots of the stories you read are either adulterated or aimed at tarnishing somebody’s image.

We are interested in searching for the truth. That is why we go in there to verify the claims to enable us and ultimately the society know the truth. Even though we have the Freedom of Information Act, it is not yet well implemented because a lot of public servants don’t want to release information, so we go in there to get such information to the best of our ability. That is basically what we do.

Why the interest in issues affecting the NDDC? We are not particular about the NDDC. We are not registered to focus on a particular region. We are focused on working in Nigeria for Nigerians. We are also allowed to partner with donor agencies, but we must have a starting point. They say charity begins at home, so for some of us, where we come from should come first. We are barely one year and I can assure you that we have recorded lots of successes.

What has been your experience regarding the NDDC? I live in Niger Delta, I come from the Niger Delta, but I never knew that this kind of rot existed in the NDDC. I have never done any job with the NDDC, I only hear of the things happening there. Having come closer, I think it is not a delight for anyone at all. The stories are not palatable at all.

A lot has gone down. The government over the years has not been fair to the people of Niger Delta. How can you give out so much to cater for the people and fail to check whether the amount of work done is in commensurate to the funds given out? It is not enough to sack the NDDC boards over allegation of corruption. You need to find out whether anybody has been jailed from mismanaging such funds.

How come people serially and severally accused of corruption have not been

Nigerians should be worried. We expect the EFCC, NFIU to trace the movement of funds from the account of contractors some of them allegedly nominated to see where the monies ended up because as a public officer you cannot nominate your company to do contracts. The National Assembly needs to make the probe of members accused as transparent as possible. It is very easy to do if they have the political will do so. But if we continue to dance around, trying to shield some people from probe, while shielding others then, we are yet to start the much anticipated journey.

Obiaruko Ndukwe

prosecuted? But thank God that today we have a president who has said no, we have to do things differently. We cannot keep doing the same thing over and over again.

That is where we are. I can tell you that many vested interests do not want the forensic audit ordered by the president to succeed. Whatever drama you are seeing is just to scuttle the forensic audit, nothing more. For us as a group, the forensic audit ordered by the president has to go on, but even in doing that, development of the Niger Delta must continue. We have an Interim Management Committee supervising the commission, for as long as they last, six months, one year, two years, I don’t know, but they should be allowed to continue with the development of the region. Why are you saying you want to check the books and you stall the development of the region? We are still looking at them and I can tell you that we have a board that is transparent. They are helping us with information and you know information is key. In the past, nobody will do that. For now, I rate them eighty percent in information dissemination. We have a lot of documents and we have asked them a lot of questions on allegations raised.

They have given us their responses. Not only that, they have given us documents to back those information.

But the National Assembly is saying something to the contrary?

When you are an interested party in a

matter, what do you think the judgment will be like? The budget of NDDC is harmonised by the same National Assembly by the two committees on NDDC. Of course, there are vested interests. For the first time, the NDDC board and the supervising minister told us that members of the National Assembly, past and present, have been involved in the sleaze. If they are involved, it means that somebody is protecting them or they are protecting themselves and denying Nigerians access to the truth. While we support their looking into the books, they should also allow those who have been accused to be probed. Before the notion to probe the so-called missing 40 billion naira in NDDC, did they have enough evidence because one of them claimed that the information supplied by the minister was not enough to probe anybody? If the minister has accused past and present members of the National Assembly in the looting of NDDC, it behooves the leadership of National Assembly to ensure such people are made to face the law. The IGP should move in and begin to investigate these people based on available documents. I don’t want to believe the minister was joking.

He has made available the documents and some of us have managed to get these documents. A situation where a Senator or House of Representatives member is influencing over fifty contracts in a year is worrisome. I think

What is your reaction to the allegations of lack of transparency against the Minister and NDDC by its former MD on the issue of palliatives?

Even though I have my reservations against the report of the Senate Committee on NDDC because we were first told it was N40billion, later it was N1.5 billion, and at the end of the probe, they said they were looking for N4.9billion, and they alleged that N2.9billion was paid for Lassa fever without following due process. That was the period when the former MD was there. They said N4.9billion that was paid for palliatives should be refunded. For crying out loud, they are querying monies for Covid-19 for members of staff. What does the law say? Sections 42 and 43 of the constitution say they can spend without following due process during a pandemic, then when the pandemic is over, they can now retire what was spent. Anybody, talking about money spent on Lassa fever and Covid-19 at this time has lost it. It means that person does not know what the constitution says. Out of over N80billion they claimed was missing therefore, it means nothing is missing, so, what are we talking about? That is the report of the Senate Committee, on the allegation by the chairman of the palliatives committee, the issue is that he raised the issue after the Senate probe had been concluded; so, it was an afterthought.

The fact remains that governors of the Niger Delta insisted that they were not going to allow palliatives to be shared by anybody other than the governors.

Of course, they needed the support of the governors to get these things to the people. Don’t forget that there was a lockdown moving these palliatives and medicals became an issue, so, the NDDC had to bend to the governors and even gave them money. Some states got N100million, some got N75million each.

No governor has denied collecting the money. Why have the governors not accused the NDDC of lying? Where did the chairman get information that the money was mismanaged? He is inadvertently accusing the governors of mismanaging the monies. If anybody should be investigated, it should be the governors of the nine states?

22 BDSUNDAY

C002D5556

Sunday 30 August 2020

SundayBusiness About farmers delight’s organic fertilizer Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

E

very farmer would naturally want bumper harvest for the crops planted, either sown as seeds or planted as seedlings. The farmer wants value for the money, efforts and precious time invested in the cultivation, sowing, weeding and nurturing the plants to fruition. But the truth of the matter is that soils hardly have sufficient nutrients for the crops to reach their full potential yield. There comes in the need for the application of fertilizers.

But what are they, their nature/ characteristics and functions to the plants?

According to Wikipedia , “fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to

the growth of plants. Many sources of fertilizer exist, both natural and industrially produced”. While inorganic fertilizer, also known as mineral fertilizer is mined from mineral deposits or manufactured from synthetic compounds, organic fertilizers provide nutrients in organic forms. These are derived from biological materials of plant and/or animal origin, often byproduct materials. Organic forms of nutrients have to be converted by natural processes in the soil into plant-available forms.

Examples of inorganic fertilizers include anhydrous ammonia, urea and urea-ammonium nitrate solutions. Others are triple superphosphate, ammonium phosphates, and muriate of potash (potassium chloride). Compound fertilizers are made by chemically or physically combining the straight materials.

On their part, examples of organic fertilizers are one meal, blood meal, feather meal, and fish meal that are not soluble in water, so they leach slowly as they are digested. Amino acids are examples of organic materials that are soluble in water, so they can leach rapidly.

Organic fertilizers contain slower releasing and less soluble forms of nitrogenandphosphoruscompared with most synthetic fertilizers and may release only 25% to 60% of their nitrogen content (Prasad et al., 2004) .

Organic fertilizers usually contain plant nutrients in low concentrations. They don’t make a crust on the soil as inorganic fertilizers sometimes do. They improve water movement into the soil and, in time, add structure to

the soil. Organics feed beneficial microbes, making the soil easier to work.

In their extensive research work titled: ‘Use of organic fertilizers to enhance soil fertility, plant growth and yield in a tropical environment’

by Amjad Ahmad, Theordore Radovich, Hue Nguyen et al(2016) they cautioned against applying organic fertilizers without prior knowledge of their properties.

This may cause yield decline under low application or pollute the environment with excessive application. Understanding the nutrient variability and release pattern of organic fertilizers is crucial to supply plants with sufficient nutrients to achieve optimum productivity, while also rebuilding soil fertility and ensuring protection of environmental and natural resources”.

The piece of good news is that here in Nigeria there is a company that has come up with some innovations in nutrient-rich organic fertilizers called SUPER GRO. So far, it has proved to be a wonderful natural liquid fertilizer which has ensuredtheenhancementofseveral crops and agricultural productivity both in quality and quantity. In fact, the natural fertilizer has been proved to increase agricultural yield more than three times of what you do obtain from that of synthetic or chemical fertilizer that Nigerian farmers are used to.

In specific terms, SUPER GRO is a 100% organic liquid fertilizer, made from poultry droppings and sea bird guano. Being made from organic matter with absolutely no chemicals added to it, it is 100% safe to use on any vegetables and

How the new DStv and GOtv payment option is enhancing customer experience Anthony Nlebem

G

iving your loyalty to a brand should also ensure you get the best service without being subjected to a hectic process, shouldn’t it?

Yes. Ease and convenience are nonnegotiable.

With this in mind, MultiChoice Nigeria recently introduced a new option that helps customers take full control of how long they want to access the DStv and GOtv package. Without experiencing any interruptions when it truly matters, customers can now pay and renew their subscriptions automatically for as long as they want to stay connected.

It is not unusual to forget when a DStv or GOtv subscription would expire. After all, if couples can forget their partners’ birthdays and wedding anniversaries, payTV subscription expiry dates could be the least of their worries, right?

Running through your daily routine is enough reason to lose sight of other important dates.

For pay-TV subscribers, the disappointment of seeing your TV screen go blank usually comes

when you are relaxed and settled to watch an important football final like the Champions League or a favourite show. Then, the message we all hate to see on TV pops up - “E16 error code”, a reminder that one has forgotten to renew the cable subscription.

Over the years, the challenges of renewing subscriptions have made customers miss important moments on TV. With the introduction of the auto-renew option, there is no doubt that entertainment will become seamless.

Prior to the introduction of the option, many DStv and GOtv users would go through the hassle of long queues when they visited branch offices to make payment.

We cannot rule out how this new option will allow customers to maintain physical distancing, which has become our new normal, no thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has altered the way we used to live before the lockdown, and we are finding new ways to adapt to it.

The auto-renew option is no doubt the game-changer needed to navigate these times of physical distancing and enjoy uninterrupted entertainment, but of course, the benefits of using this payment op-

tion are not ephemeral, as it transcends protection from COVID-19.

As one of the key private sector players at the frontline of the campaign and sensitizing the populace on the pandemic, MultiChoice Nigeria takes compliance with COVID-19 rules as a top priority.

The ABC of how it works The auto-renewal option gives customers - all active and inactive, on both platforms the option to be billed automatically monthly, quarterly, or annually for their subscriptions, with the choice to cancel at any time. This is further made possible by downloading either MyDStv or MyGOtv App, and then following the instructions when they log in.

Explaining why MultiChoice Nigeria introduced the unique option, the Chief Customer Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said: “Our customers have spoken, and we have listened.

It is our responsibility to ensure that our customers are given the most convenient service.”

He added “Also putting into consideration the health of both our customers and front-facing staff, this will encourage people to make a conscious effort in physical distancing.”

of course, can also be applied in poultry and ponds, livestock and fish farming. It can be applied to any plant, tree, vegetable and even grasses that require fertilisation.

The product’s coming on stream can be traced to about fifteen years ago on the West Coast of South Africa. Its main ingredient being seabird guano gets collected from eight different sites under supervision of the South African Nature Conservation. This is to ensure that all of the birds and their nesting sites stay protected with minimal disturbance.

After the guano is dried, tests done on this product reflect the following composition of macro and micronutrients. The macronutrients are nitrogen 72g per litre, phosphorus (P) 45g per litre,potassium (K) 30g per litre, sulphur (S) 15g per litre,calcium (Ca) 9g per litre and magnesium (Mg)7gperlitre.Themicronutrients come in form of iron, 5mg per litre, iodine 3mg per litre, marine salt 1mg per litre and zinc1 mg per litre.

The advantages of Super Gro natural liquid fertilizer over the chemical fertilizer are numerous.

Since crops and plants depend so much on water, Super Gro is meant to improve the quality and quantity of water as required by these crops for growth and production. This is done by adding the essential nutrients they require for that purpose. It improves the absorption of nutrients.

Super Gro belongs to surfactants that are wetting agents AND are used in several ways. These include acting as emulsifiers to disperse oils, as wetting agents, to lower surface tension and as dispersing agents, to

reduce adhesion between particles of chemicals. This means that they spread and remain mainly in solution longer.

Since Super Go has been specifically formulated to be effective, economical and versatile, it is easy to use. Besides, it has long shelf life, tolerates extreme temperature variations, safe to use indoors and outdoors and it is non-toxic, non-caustic and nonflammable. It has been proved to increase soil penetration and retention. Also, it is biodegradable as it leaves no harmful residue on the products of the crops and plants.

According to George Silva, of the Michigan State University ExtensionServices, US in his research work on what organic fertilizers mean to the plants and soil back in May 8, 2018, they guarantee improved soil structure. They also ensure a season-long supply of nutrients, and an increased waterholding capacity. The fundamental process of nutrient absorption by plants is well established.

Irrespective of whether nutrients originate from organic or inorganic sources, plants are only capable of absorbing nutrients in certain forms. For example, nitrogen is only absorbed as nitrate (NO3-) ions or ammonium (NH4+) ions and potassium only as K+ ions. Thus, plants do not differentiate between nutrients derived from organic and inorganic fertilizer sources.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 07068638066

‘Private investors invest $350m to boost Ondo economy’ KORETIMI AKINTUNDE, Akure

B

oth foreign and local investors of varied interests have in the last three-and-half years of All Progressives Congressled Administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, invested a total of $350 million (approximately N135.2 billion) in the state economy, BDSUNDAY has learnt AlexAjipe,theManagingDirector, Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub in Ore, in Ondo South Senatorial District, gave the disclosure in Akure on Thursday while speaking with the members of Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council.

Ajipe, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Klick Konnect Networks International Limited, noted that the achievements were recorded as part of promises made by the governor to change the narrative of the state from been the civil servant state to industrial.

According to him, over 95 percent of MoU signed by previous administration did not see the light of the day said that under the Akeredolu led administration 95 per cent MoU signed had been implemented.

“Before the advent of this present administration in 2016, there was no public industry in Ondo state that was functioning like OluwaGlass, Ifon Ceramic, Ile-Oluji Cocoa plantation are all disappeared because of mismanagement and lost of focus which make the state away from industrialisation and tag as civil servant state.

“As at last count, we have over $350million of foreign direct investment that has been imported into the state apart from the one converted to structure and has confirmed by the Ministry of Trade and Investment.

“We actually have 15 different companies that are coming into the phase one of Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub at the moment but 7 companies has been commenced operations, so, we still have 8 to go.

“Some of company are truck assembly plant, textile industry that producing thread that use to produce lace fabric and now we are installing machine to produce Ankara fabric. Also, we have MDF factory which is the first and only type in Nigeria and ethanol factory.

“We are still going to see battery, plastic, cooler, polythene factory and others coming to the state which will help create employment and empowerment to the people of the state.

www.businessday.ng

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

BDSUNDAY 23

SundayBusiness Why mortgage sector counts when economy wobbles

F

or inexplicable reasons, mortgage is not considered as a growth enabler in Nigeria unlike other economies of the world where its contribution to gross domestic product is quite significant.

Apart from the commendable efforts of Lagos State government to improve access to housing which led to the setting up the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LagosHOMS), governments in Nigeria at both federal and state levels don’t invest in the mortgage sector.

Questions are frequently asked as to what role mortgage as an industry can play in the efforts to revitalize an ailing economy or when efforts are being made to diversify a mono-economy in distress.

The answer experts have always given is that mortgage does not only count, but is also an economic growth enabler. This means that when a country like Nigeria wants to diversify or revitalize its economy, mortgage should be factored into its calculations.

In Nigeria today, diversification is a major economic discourse where agriculture and manufacturing come handy as low hanging fruits.

Perhaps, other growth sectors are also being considered, but not mortgage, not even real estate which is the fulcrum around which the mortgage system revolves.

Unlike advanced economies

where the mortgage industry makes significant contribution to economic development, Nigeria seems to be unsure of the industry’s growth potential. This, perhaps, is the reason mortgage, as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), remains low at 0.5 percent till date.

This leaves Nigeria several steps behind other economies such as Mexico, Malaysia and South Africa where mortgage contributions to GDP are as high as 10 percent, 25 percent and 29 percent respectively.

Experts advise that Nigeria and its economic managers should begin to see the potential in the mortgage industry to stimulate the economy, pointing out however that, for them to do that, all obstacles to the growth of the industry have to be taken away.

The relative ‘newness’ of the industry, lack of understanding of its dynamics and operational models by many Nigerians, and poor appreciation of the need and the ultimate benefit of keeping money in a mortgage bank are just a few of the militating factors.

The experts are of the view that a flourishing mortgage banking industry is an effective tool in the hands of the government as the industry will help in pushing the economy in the desired direction.

Presently, the federal government is talking about diversification

of the economy to stir it away from the current challenges, but attention doesn’t seem to be paid to the mortgage sector. If government really wants to stimulate the economy, a reduction in the interest rate on mortgage loan will help because more people take mortgage loan to buy houses which will increase in construction activities.

Because of the identified obstacles, many primary mortgage banks (PMBs) are going through very difficult times, such that some are still unable to meet up with the capital requirements in the industry.

“If government pays a closer attention to the PMBs by removing some of the obstacles that they have such as the drawbacks of the Land Use Act of 1978 which essentially vests land ownership in state governors; the right to easily foreclose on delinquent borrowers, ease of creating a legal mortgage and perfecting titles and the ease of falling back on their collateral to recover bad loan etc, this sector will surely improve significantly,” a mortgage operator explained.

The operator, who did not want to be named, insisted that until all these issues are resolved in a way that encourages the mortgage banks, the sector will not grow as desired.

He hopes that when these obstacles are removed, mortgage suppliers will allocate more funds towards the provision of home loans while

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) home buyers will better appreciate the implication of prompt interest and capital repayments as well as ensure discipline on the part of the people.

A realtor who also pleaded anonymity noted that the capital base of the PMBs was inadequate, dismissing the idea of a fixed capital base for mortgage institutions. “The idea that a mortgage institution should have a fixed base of, say N10 billion, is wrong because that amount is not enough, not even N100 billion, given the size of projects they finance. The federal government needs to come in, look at what is happening in other civilised world and do the same”, the realtor advised.

In the civilised world, according to him, there is secondary market for real estate financing where commercial banks or individual brokerage banks lend money to people and thereafter sell the securitised certificate to the secondary market and come back again to lend to individuals.

Given the size of Nigeria as a mortgage market, the growth of this industry is possible if the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) plays the role of a regulator while

the federal government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), empowers the PMBs more.

The Nigerian mortgage industry needs more well established and well funded PMBs. 10 in each state of the federation is not too much and Meckson Innocent Okoro, an estate surveyor and valuer, explains that this is to discourage the concentration of these institutions in urban centres.

When this is done, access to housing finance will be increased; the PMBs must be positioned to champion the whole issue of affordable or social housing for the low income earners in the country. Anything the country wants to do without a functional mortgage system that can guarantee homeownership for a good number of people will not succeed.

Talking about mortgage is talking about housing which is capital intensive and so must have capable institutions to finance it. Increased homeownership will, one way or another, contribute to the country’s GDP which translates to economic growth that diversification seeks to foster.

PWAN Group unveils premier build and sale estate in Lekki, Lagos …Urges independent marketers, partners to become apartment owners Lawrence Ike

P

roperty World Africa Network, otherwise known as PWAN Group, a real estate network marketing firm, has unveiled its maiden build and sale exquisite estate, on the upscale Lekki axis in Lagos State.

Max Court, as it is called is the Group’s answer to all the questions that house owners are asking for, said PWAN Group’s Chairman, Augustine Onwumere at the ground opening of the estate held recently at Oko Addo, Lagos.

Onwumere explained that Max Court is a unique blend of 39 apartment housing units consisting of Studio houses, one bedroom, two bedroom flats; and 55 semi-detached three bedroom terrace duplexes and the flagship four bedroom terrace duplexes with BQ. D e s i g n e d t o accommodate 84 families Max Courts sits on a little over two hectares of dry land, at Oko Addo, one of Lekki’s prime location, where

flooding is a not an issue and located about three minutes drive from Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos.

Perfecting the ground o p e n i n g c e r e m o n y, Onwumere, described Max Court as comfort redefined.

“We have taken into consideration everything to make residents enjoy the unique ambience of Max Court and live comfortably.

We have fantastic road

network,drainages,topnotch security and automated gates. We understand that living is not just being in your house, but how you interact with the environment and how relate to the people around you,” he said.

Ac c o r d i n g t o h i m , “Our independent power plants for round-the-clock electricity supply and sewage treatment plant are all located away from residential

area. A specious green area has also been provided for maximum relaxation of Max Court residents in addition to recreational facilities as well as commercial centers or shopping malls. Your kids also can ride their bikes within the estate without the danger of being knocked down by traffic within the estate.”

The giant players in the real estatesector,whichisreputed for having exceedingly very

large bank all over Nigeria, hopes to sale out the entire 84 units within four months.

Addressing marketers and PWAN partners at the occasion, Onwumere said: “It’s gives us great joy to be in front of you today, to do a ground breaking exercise in this estate call Max Court.

It is historic in the sense that videos and pictures will always point back to today, when in two years time all the

Augustine Onwumere, chairman (4th from left), PWAN Group; Jayne Onwumere, group managing director, (5th from left) and PWAN Max squad at the ground opening ceremony of Max Court estate, at Oko Addo, Lekki, Lagos recently.

houses here will be fully built

by God’s Grace.”

“Our vision is that within four months, the whole 84 units will already have Landlords that have been committed to pay for their choice of housing units in installment, because the estate is in a good location.

Ta k e p i c t u r e s ; c r e a t e awareness; this land has Certificate of Occupancy and it’s secured. I believe that your coming here is not in vain, PWAN has given you a new product, a new life in selling Land and developing it. We have a new light in our business, this estate is declared open,” he added.

Invariably there is an added incentive to excite prospective buyers.

“We are not just offering beautiful houses in a serene environment, but we are also offering the means to own them by providing mortgage facilities through our partners, Home Base Mortgage and a host of others.

“Now I think that makes a whole lot of sense; and we want to make a lot of noise about it because that seems to be the issue with home ownership.

24 BDSUNDAY

C002D5556

Sunday 30 August 2020

SundayBusiness Sterling Bank supports business growth with PayOn Seyi John Salau

W

ith the growth of small a n d medium enterprises in Nigeria , contributing about 48percent to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 and accounting for over 96percent of businesses as reported by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Small and Medium Development Agency (SMEDAN), the need to provide seamless and reliable platform to help businesses accept payments locally and globally has become a priority.

In view of current global realities businesses are concerned about the ease of accepting payments, real-time visibility into payments received, ease of reconciliation and more.

Payment acceptance issues for businesses stem from several factors - payment failures, fund seizures, human error and more. These challenges impact service delivery, placing even more importance on operational ef f i c i e n c y t o im pr o v e competitiveness and profitability, making it critical for home-grown businesses to adopt efficient payment acceptance solutions.

PayOn, Sterling Bank’s payment gateway service, makes it possible for Nigerian businesses to

accept payments from their local and international customers with ease. With PayOn Nigerian businesses are positioned for growth and are able reach a large coverage of customers who can make payments using their debit or credit cards and other electronic channels – including the paywith-USSD, and pay-withBank features designed to make payments easy and seamless. It is worthy of note that this digital solution offers transparency and security, as well as reduces risks and errors to the barest minimum, empowering businesses with full control over payments received.

Commenting on t h e s o l u t i o n , Ye m i Odubiyi, executive director, Corporate and Investment Bank Sterling Bank Plc, says, “PayOn is positioned to enable b usi ne sse s wo rry l es s

about accepting payments from their local and international customers round the clock in a secure and timely way.”

Ac c o r d i n g t o h i m , “PayOn is designed for any kind of business entity from small enterprises or start-ups, to medium sized supermarkets or stores, to large organisations including educational institutions, hotel or airline reservation companies and other large enterprises with thousands of daily transactions. With PayOn, businesses receive value in next-to-real-time with no delays, whether or not they have a website. This solution is deployed to merchant at no cost to their businesses.”

With Sterling Bank’s PayOn solution, a significant improvement has been made in processing turnaround times, giving

succour to previously unsatisfied business owners seeking better services and a sharper competitive edge with their business operations.

While encouraging Nigerian businesses to register with the bank for the service, Odubiyi noted that: “Businesses can also receive payments from any card (local or international), as well as through other payment options including Pay-with-Account and Pay-with-USSD, and enjoy automatic invoicing for payments received, and all these are done round-theclock with customer service support while registration for PayOn is online and stress-free.”

Sterling Bank continues to be a first mover in the adoption of technologies that ease payments and remittances for businesses, allowing for more efficient transactions for retail, corporate, institutional, and commercial banking customers across the country.

With PayOn, businesses of any size has real time visibility into the payments received which eliminates the concerns with cash handling and reconciliation as funds are deposited straight into the designated bank accounts. This is clearly a significant boost for Nigerians enterprises who are endlessly seeking a level playing ground with accepting payments like their counterparts in other parts of the world.

MOD: Novel entertainment outfit debuts in Lagos, unveils new artiste Desmond Okon

T

he Nigerian music industry received a boost with the recent unveiling o f Mo m e n t s On Di s k (MOD), a multifaceted entertainment outfit that is poised to inject revolutionary management into showbusiness in the country.

Davies Den, CEO, Den Management, which handles talent and business part of MOD, explains that the outfit has three parts: MOD Studios, MOD Records and MOD film production outfit.”

“We have platforms where we encourage new and emerging artists. We encourage talents. We do partnership with brands.

We are fully ready for the industry,” he discloses.

Speaking on what makes the new outfit different, he said MOD is a full entertainment outfit with a five-in-one studio that can be utilised as dance studio, visual studio, recording studio and for live rehearsal and mini comedy event.

The studio is equipped with top class equipment, including cameras, lighting and sound equipment with cutting-edge technology, according to Den. “We have a top-notch digital studio and we have our work ethics intact. We deliver what we promise.

We are here to change

the game and change the narrative,” Den said about the studio’s ample recreational space and VIP section Meanwhile, MOD is has shown that it is on a face pace to seize the industry as it hit the ground running with the signing of J100 as the first official artiste under its record label.

The emerging artiste, born and bred in Lagos, is acclaimed for his versatility in multiple genres including rock and pop, but prefers to describe his style as Afrosticks.

J100 has been active in the music scene for a number of years. His album is reportedly in the works and MOD is working towards an imminent release.

“J100 is our first official artiste. He is an all-in-one talent. His songs would be released soon. We are presently gathering materials,” affirms Khlo, the A&R for MOD, who expressed hopes that the album would be a hit.

The new music c o m p a n y ’s m a r k e t i n g executive, Arthur Paul reiterated the outfit’s resolve to make its entry into the music industry count by raising standards and boosting quality.

“The world at large should expect the best from MOD. We have something different to offer. We are and we are prepared,” Paul said.

LG Electronics launches industry’s first compact VRF solution using R32 refrigerant

A

major player in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry, LG Electronics (LG) has recently launched a compact variable refrigerant flow (VRF) solution using R32 refrigerant, the Multi V S, marking the first in the industry.

With its key characteristics of environment-friendliness and compact size, Multi V S nevertheless posts high efficiency.

Choosing an air conditioner, the efficiency, load, design, etc. are all factors that one cannot overlook; but firstly, it has to fit. As being experienced from the pain points of major contractors and installers in and around the globe, as more and more VRF solutions, are being used even in relatively smaller buildings, finding a product that allows flexibility in terms of installation is the key.

Especially for residential buildings, condominiums, and small offices where any small space to use is precious, space for the unsightly variable refrigerant flow (VRF) solution will be something you would not be able to spare.

The volume only at around 0.26m3, the dimensions are 834 x 330 x 950

(height x depth x width), much smaller than that of existing VRFs among the same class. This was made possible with the newly adapted single-fan structure, with not only the volume but the weight, was also reduced by around 23%.

As an outdoor unit, VRFs are usually placed at the outdoor balcony or spaces

should have been spared for the placement. Now, with the reduction in size, installers and building consultants have greater flexibility starting from the building designing to installation stage. Also, considering the striking difference in the height of the product, Multi V S can easily be camouflaged from external view as it is about the height of the balcony railings, posting better external view.

Though the structure has been changed from double to single-fan, the efficiency of Multi V S is even higher than most existing 4-6HP VRFs due to the use of R32 refrigerants and the R1 compressorTM. As a low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant, the GWP of R32 is around 675, compared to 2,088 of the most widely used R410A. With the industry’s regulation on f-gas emission becoming tighter and

tighter, R410A-applied products will need to be phased out by no longer than 2025 as compared to R32 refrigerantapplied products.

Naturally, size is of no use if performance is lost during the reduction in size. This is where LG’s revolutionary R1 compressors comes in.

Unlike any other conventional compressors, the R1 compressor is a totally new type of compressor that integrates the strong points of the two distinctive compressors, rotary and scroll type.

The R1 compressor has a shaft-through structure with the compression system at the bottom, which solves the tilting issue commonly connected to scroll types but still delivers enhanced efficiency.

With the R1 compressor newly adapted to Multi V S, the two main indices that can represent the efficiency of cooling and heating perfor-

mance, the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and the seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP), have been proven to be higher than the previous model with double-fan structure.

One step ahead of the game, LG Sales Manager of Air Solution Division, Saheed Adeyemi emphasized, “The new Multi V S can provide much more flexibility in terms of installation with its compact size and light weight but does not fail to offer high efficiency,” saying, “We believe the Multi V S will see increase in demand as it is the optimal option not only for residential buildings but also for small offices and condominiums with limited space.”

Known for its original technologies, LG will continue to strengthen and innovate its research and development to lead the overall HVAC industry.

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

25

Focus Abiru’s footprints on Polaris, as banker bows out in style ZEBULON AGOMUO

I

n life, the dream of everyone is to have a sweet ending in all endeavours. It is not the beginning that matters, but the end thereof. Those who have had smooth trajectory on their career path have every reason to give glory to their Maker, for as the scripture says, “It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”

This can be said to be the lot of Tokunbo Abiru, group managing director/chief executive officer, Polaris Bank Limited.

Abiru, who has put in over three decades in the banking sector, and successfully carried out a transformation plan that changed the fortunes of the bank, will officially be bowing out tomorrow, August 31,2020, from Polaris.

Polaris, it would be recalled, inherited a lot of liabilities of the defunct Skye Bank, but through the doggedness of the out-going GMD, the bank was brought from insolvency to profitability. And looking at where the bank is today, the future is bright.

News about Abiru’s retirement as the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Polaris Bank Limited, made the headlines last Monday. Those who have followed his activities as a banker, attest to the fact that the last four years were perhaps, the most defining part of his career. The reason is very simple. His joining Polaris at the point he did was tantamount to a “crown of thorns.”

He was head-hunted in July 2016 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to go and perform a magic, as it were.

He was pointedly saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the defunct Skye Bank Plc was led out of insolvency. Realising the need to work as a team with other professionals on the board, and as team player he has always been, Abiru delivered on the mandate, by successfully leading the transformation of the defunct bank to become a thriving Polaris Bank in four years.

In his testimonial that was in the form of a synopsis he sent out in a short note that announced his plan to bow out of the bank, he gave some hints on how he performed the magic of transformation at Polaris Bank. “With the support of the Board and Executive Management of Polaris Bank and

by God’s grace, I have delivered on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s mandate to stabilise and establish the Bank on the path of sustainable profitability,” Abiru said.

“Polaris Bank is today a digitally enabled, customer-friendly and forward-looking enterprise, which has secured its rightful place in the vanguard of Nigeria’s banking industry. What remains outstanding is the divestment of

government ownership from the bank to suitable investors in order to further solidify the journey on the path of continuous growth,” he had announced cheerfully.

According to his personal account and the bank’s financial statements, Abiru has no doubt put Polaris on a good standing, placing it amongst the core of strong, leading Tier 2 banks in Nigeria. Evident from verified financial statements and other bank documents, the bank is now not just profitable and stable, but also poised to compete effectively with the established competitors in the Nigerian banking industry.

Transformation: It took some sweat!

Without result-oriented management, Polaris would not have been able to transit from liability to profitability, only in four years of its transformation. This perhaps justified the decision of the apex bank to appoint Ahmed as the Chairman of Polaris Board; Abiru as its GMD/CEO and other reputable professionals as executive and non-executive directors to pull the bank from the brink of outright collapse.

At its takeover, a failure of corporate governance was one of the bank’s major problems. This was evident in what the new management described the bank’s high level of non-performing insiderrelated loans. By implication, its funding structure and risk asset portfolio mix signified improper risk management exposing it to policy and currency risks.

Also, reports of forensic audits, which reputable accounting were engaged to conduct, revealed significant infractions under the bank’s previous managers. As a result, Polaris suffered significant deposit attrition. Customers, depositors, shareholders and institutional partners alike doubted its future until the apex bank announced its take-over on July 4, 2016.

Under Abiru, however, the new management managed the bank’s grievous challenges, which culminated in reduction of deposit loss, restoration of customer confidence and stabilisation of the bank. Also, it settled many matured trade and bilateral obligations and restructured outstanding balances with the relevant institutions and counterparties.

Abiru’s team, substantially, addressed the challenges of loan security inadequacy and improper collateral documentation in the legacy portfolio of the bank. It equally cleaned up loan and collateral documentation on most of the high value facilities, thereby putting the bank in a stronger position to enforce its rights as a lender.

With its aggressive loan recovery drive, the bank recovered over N60 billion of outstanding bad loans within Abiru’s first year in office. Under Abiru’s leadership,

Tokunbo Abiru records showed, loan recovery rose to N100 billion at the end of the second year. Also, it reached settlement and restructuring agreements with many of the chronic bad debtors resulting in substantially improved payments and prospects of future recoveries.

Abiru, likewise, pursued other initiatives to restructure and reposition the bank based on its mandate including cost management and optimisation and divestments to improve the institution’s financial position. Among others, cost management initiatives include branch rationalisation, review of service contracts and cash management operations all of which have resulted in hundreds of millions of financial savings.

Brighter future: Nothing to worry about With its profit before tax standing at N27.83 billion at the end of the 2019 financial year, Abiru and his team have returned Polaris to profitability in line with the mandate the apex bank set for the new management. Now on a strong foothold, the bank has been repositioned as a major player in Africa’s biggest economy with over 370 branches nationwide.

Already, the bank has been restructured for sustainability. At the beginning of the 2020 financial year, Abiru reeled out future plan for the bank in a note to its staff members nationwide. He wrote in part: “2018 was pivotal in the

life of the bank with the transition from Skye to Polaris. 2019, however, is even more important as we commence the journey of truly building a bank and brand we will all be proud of in years to come.”

“I am confident our bank has indeed stabilised and is now headed towards our purpose which is to become a top retail bank” in Nigeria. This was demonstrated by our collective and sustained performance trajectory in 2019.

Our prudential ratios-capital adequacy and liquidity ratios are now in full compliance with stipulated regulatory requirements.

“We returned to profitability on a month-on-month basis throughout 2019.Ourcost-to-income ratio is also in line with industry average.

We aggressively pursued our IT infrastructure refresh with a view to replacing and upgrading the aged, obsolete and sub-optimal performance IT equipment. The impact on efficiency, effectiveness, transactions and customers’ experience will become noticeable from the end of the first quarter of 2020...”

With this impressive performance, therefore, Abiru laid out strategic initiatives for the bank’s future growth. He cited the bank’s digital transformation, which had begun with recruitment of professionals and set up of structures and systems. He cited the bank’s agency banking platform, an initiative designed to provide banking services to the unbanked and under-banked, especially in

locations where the bank is not present.

Confident of taking the bank to an enviable status in the nearest future, Abiru reaffirmed his resolve to execute its corporate transformation plan, which according to him, was designed to provide direction for the bank into the future and define its corporate and strategic aspirations.

A peep into Polaris Indeed, the last two years have been noteworthy in the transformational history of Polaris Bank, a bridge bank the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) established September 21, 2018 to manage the assets and liabilities of Skye Bank.

The apex bank resorted to this option on three related grounds.

First, as revealed in its records, Skye Bank, the defunct precursor of the bridge bank, had about 80percent non-performing loans far above the regulatory standard.

Second, other prudential and adequacy ratios of the defunct bank abysmally performed much below the thresholds of the apex banks.

Third, the owners of Skye Bank failed to recapitalise the bank.

Altogether, these grim realities shaped CBN’s decisions first on July 4, 2016 and afterwards on September 21, 2018. On the former date, the apex bank announced the takeover of Skye Bank. With Abiru as GMD/CEO, consequently, the CBN appointed a 16-member Board of Directors under the chairmanship of Mr. Muhammad Ahmad for the defunct bank.

Also, on the latter date, the apex bank established Polaris to assume the assets and liabilities of Skye bank in consultation with the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), a statutory body set up to protect depositors and guarantee the settlement of insured funds. That decision marked the second phase in the history of the troubled bank in which both customers and investors practically lost confidence.

Obviously, the rationale behind the strategy of the apex bank was pure and simple. As designed then, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele explained, the strategy is for the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) to capitalise the bridge bank and begin the process of sourcing investors that will eventually buy out AMCON. Return to profitability From the abysmal records of its precursor, Polaris has come out stronger under its new management, now performing impressively and lucratively as much as other banks that are not in crisis.

The bank’s first audited report bears witness to the positive change a management structured around sound corporate governance can bring about.

Under his leadership, undoubtedly, Abiru has changed the narrative of Polari Bank from pessimism to optimism, more aptly from liability to profitability. In its audited report, Polaris posted N27.35 billion profit after tax in the 2019 financial year. In terms of profits after tax, relatively, Polaris performed much better N660 million posted by EcoBank; N7.13 billion

by Sterling Bank; N10.66 billion by FCMB; N16.35 billion by Union Bank; N5.03 billion by Wema Bank and N2.95 billion by Unity Bank.

26 BDSUNDAY

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

TheWorshipper CAMA 2020: We do not have problem paying tax - Bishop Orire Since the signing into law of CAMA 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari, some sections of the country, including the church have spoken against it. Bishop Jide Orire, founder and general overseer of Save and Serve Family Church, Abanla, Ologuneru, Ibadan, speaks on the law and other national issues as they affect the church. Excerpts by SEYI JOHN SALAU Recently, the Federal Government signed the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 into law, and it this has been trailed by all manner of reactions. What is your take on this? f they say we should pay tax, there is no problem because the scripture says when Peter met Jesus while he was alone and Jesus asked him ‘From whom do the king of the earth take tribute or tax; from others or from their own children?’ Peter replied by saying from others. Jesus now said, the children are free. Give to Caesar what is Caesar and to God what is God’s; so, if they say we should pay tax I don’t see any problem in that, so far the money collected will not be embezzled; so far the tax collected will be used for developing the nation.

What then is your advice to the Federal Government on the CAMA issue?

The Federal Government should stop this CAMA of a thing. They must reverse the reversible. Since 1960, out of all the ministries, which one have they handled successfully? Is it the Ministry of health, transport, industry, education, etc? Our leaders travel abroad whenever they have any health problem for treatment just because they did not take care of the health

I

Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

info@yomikasali.com

I

have been meditating on Friendships lately and I remember a fellowship I created several years ago called, The Friendship Centre (TFC). Thinking about the Word ‘Friend’ has been thought provoking and got me in a reflective mood

sector.

Roads are in a sorry state.

When last did the Nigeria Airways fly? What about the railway? What have they been able to do concerning the killings in Southern Kaduna? They said they will suspend Church trustees and others, who are the people that endorse the law, the National Assembly? They don’t have the moral right to say that. They should withdraw the CAMA law.

Were they the one that sourced the money to establish the church? And I know maybe it’s because they know some churches have money they too want to come to the church again so that they can embezzle the church money. We are talking about corruption and they said they want to control the church.

The church they did not establish; the church they did not build, they want to control it because some of our fathers have private jets.

If not because churches are praying for them, what do you think would have happened? If the churches were not praying for the nation, what happened in Somalia, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq would have happened in Nigeria.

We pray for these people so they should leave the church alone. The Special

Bishop Jide Orire

Adviser on Social Media to President Muhammadu Buhari does not speak politely. It’s not everyone that hates Buhari. Personally, I love Buhari because in 1983, I would have become a bad boy but when he took over the government, he implemented War Against Indiscipline (WAI) and that made me to be disciplined, but the way his Special Advisers on Media go about things is not good.

When you advise the government, the next thing they do is to abuse the person.

One day, President Buhari will leave because he cannot be there permanently. The way the social media people defend the government makes people to hate the government more.

It’s not as if am fighting them, but I want to advise them to speak softly and politely in the course of defending the government and not

just abusing the pastors that are old enough to be their father. Even, this CAMA of a thing, if they had come out to say it politely, people would have reasoned with them.

Do you think it’s possible to do away with corruption as a country?

Corruption is everywhere. Corruption is also in the church. Corruption has eaten deep into every sector of the economy. The only thing we can do is to continue praying and prosecute anyone found wanting. Our judiciary wastes time in prosecuting people in Nigeria. The court should not prolong the time of executing their judgment.

Edo State gubernatorial election is by the corner and the chairman of the state’s chapter of CAN was alleged to have endorsed a particular candidate. What is your view about this?

Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. That is his own personal opinion and I don’t have the prerogative order to say whether he is wrong or right. But is he going to follow the pastors to the polling booth? Politics is more than that. You don’t know your friend until the election result comes out.

Reports about defilement of minors by some so-called pastors have been spreading; what really do

you think is responsible for such act?

All I know is that, among twelve disciples there would always be a Judas. It does not concern the pastors alone because there are some clerics that are not pastors that do such thing. For instance, when one of my daughters in the Lord was kidnapped by ritual killers, we prayed and they did not succeed in using her. Out of the four of them that were kidnapped, she was the only one that escaped. Those people you said are pastors are not. They are ritualists. They want game; they want money. Who is a pastor? A pastor is someone who is born again; who is heavenly-minded; who is having the fear of God and that has the central desire to make heaven on the last day. The Bible says ‘among my people, I found wicked people’. They are wicked people. They are not pastors.

So, tell us; how has the journey into ministry been?

It has been good but there are so many challenges.

There are two sides to it. The Bible says ‘He daily loaded us with benefits’. There are benefits on the right hand side. The Bible again said ‘Redeeming the day because the days are full of evil’. So, challenges from one side to the other side. But the Lord has been so good to me.

Who is your friend? because of an experience that happened to someone last week.

The Person that he called ‘Friend’ backstabbed him twice in a week on a very sensitive reputation threatening matter; the fellow just didn’t stand up for his friend and refused to back him under pressure. He felt distraught and heart broken, and I had to encourage him as best as I could.

The Bible says too many things about Friendships but one or two of my best verses are here quoted: ‘Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but kisses of an enemy are deceitful’ (Prov 27 v 6) ‘A Friend loves at all times and a Brother is born for adversity’ (Prov 17 v 17) ‘Iron Sharpens Iron, So does a man sharpens the countenance if his friend’ (Prov 27 v 17) The above verses are stimulating to the mind and refreshing to the soul because true friends are one of the biggest gifts from heav-

en. It takes years to develop Friends and true friendship is always Tested by Situations and Crisis. It was the hatred of Saul towards David that tested the Friendship between Jonathan and David.

The prince stood with his friend against his father the king and was willing to lose the throne because of the love he had towards David.

7 Tests of true friendship Speaks the truth always: True friends don’t flatter themselves but speak the truth to nurture their friendship without breaking it. The wounds of a friend in words are faithful than the kisses of the enemy.

Stands with you in trouble: There are fair weather friends and true friends. The former only stand with you when all is rosy and good while the latter will never depart from you even when the going is tough and rough.

So many people deserted Jesus at the Cross, but John stood by Him. Adds value to each other: This is indeed very debatable but I ‘Iron Sharpens Iron’ hence friends should add value to each other and make themselves better not worse.

Your friendship with someone should sharpen you and make you better morally and in other areas.

Loves you unconditionally: I had to break off with one of my friends some years ago because I found out he was only friends with me for what he could benefit from me even though I ‘longed’ for his presence always. ‘A Friend Loves At All Times...’, unconditionally and most sincerely.

Defends you in public: This is a major factor that breaks marriages, spouses who are true friends and lovers always defend themselves in public and not expose themselves. After all, Love Covers Multitude Of Sins.

Your presence is never boring: This is another test of true friendship, even though I don’t see one of my sweetest friends always but whenever we see each other, we spend hours talking and playing, we are never bored and always look forward to the next time we shall see ourselves.

Forgiveness of errors: This is the last on my list of Tests of True Friendships, how quickly and easily we forgive ourselves reveal if we are friends.

I hope you have discovered who Your True Friends are from the above Tests of True Friendship, the list is not exhausted so I’m open to additions, kindly send me a mail and let me know your thoughts.

Many blessings.

Drop me a note of acknowledgment and encouragement and also follow me on my Social media handles below: Instagram: @yomi_ kasali Twitter: @yomi_kasali Facebook: www.facebook.com/revyomikasali Youtube: www.youtube. com/revyomikasali Be Inspired!

Rev Yomi Kasali is Senior Pastor, Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA), Surulere, Lagos.

Sunday 30 August 2020

27

C002D5556

Travel

How T.B. Joshua became Israel’s Goodwill Tourism Ambassador …after filling 40,000 capacity Mount Precipice’s amphitheatre with pilgrims Stories by Obinna Emelike

I

t has been over a year since Prophet T.B. Joshua, the founder and senior pastor of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), held a hugely successful evangelistic outreach in Israel, which was aptly tagged, ‘Nazareth Meeting with T.B. Joshua’.

Excited at the feats achieved with the outreach, Prophet T.B. Joshua recently marked the one year anniversary of the event by releasing a video of the outreach.

The two-day event was held on June 23 and 24 of last year.

It was an event that showed the followership the tele-evangelist attracts as he preaches Christ.

Though Nazareth is a renowned destination because of its religious significance to Christians, the Meeting with T.B. Joshua attracted thousands of tourists for the two-day programme.

The laudable feat led to his being honoured with a Goodwill Tourism Ambassador by the Israel government.

While honouring Joshua, Yariv Levin, the Israeli tourism minister, disclosed that, “TB Joshua, on the occasion of your

Some of the pilgrims during the event visit to Israel, I am honoured to recognise you as a true friend of Israel. Thank you for your support and solidarity, which are deeply appreciated. It is my pleasure to name you as a ‘Tourism Goodwill Ambassador for Israel”.

Prophet T.B. Joshua had mobilized thousands of religious tourists from more than 50 countries for the two-day meeting at the historic Mount Precipice, at the entrance of the

ancient city of Nazareth. The mountain was where, according to the Bible, an irate mob attempted to throw Jesus Christ down the cliff.

For the two days, the ancient town of Nazareth, with majority Muslim population was agog as people from more than 50 countries of the world toured Nazareth and other parts of Israel on the occasion of the Christian religious programme tagged Nazareth Meeting with

Prophet T Joshua, the popular Nigeria pastor. The event was held at the newly constructed amphitheatre on Mount Precipice.

More than 50 luxury and sprinter buses were put to use conveying people to and fro the mountain. Tens of police personnel and private security providers were also on hand to ensure there was no breakdown of law. Vehicles were parked kilometres away from

Mount Precipice while every visitor assessed the mountain using the bus shuttle. Due to well-organized logistics, there was no breach whatsoever.

Built and donated to the town by Prophet TB Joshua and his EmmanuelTV partners, the Mount Precipice amphitheatre offers a huge sitting capacity of 40,000 guests.

Ironically, before the event held, it was fiercely criticised by local religious figures and nearly faced cancellation due to the intensity of attacks then.

A protest was organised with hundreds trouncing through the city in Northern Israel with placards decrying the coming event and people shouting: “Let this witch get away from us!”

Despite the ‘noise’ surrounding the event, it was held successfully with Joshua preaching a message on love and ministering “healing and deliverance in Jesus’ name” to the large crowd that gathered.

The Mayor of Nazareth, Ali Sallam, has touted the economic benefit derived by Joshua’s visit in an interview with local Arabic media, stating the region of Nazareth would accrue up to $1,000,000 as a result of the influx of tourists.

Stakeholders design new roadmap for domestic tourism development

A

s efforts to develop the Nigerian tourism sector into a thriving business and sustainable means of diversifying the nation’s economy continue to gather momentum, a new move has emerged with selected stakeholders developing a new roadmap for the development of domestic tourism.

According to the group, the roadmap, which was unfolded recently during a webinar conference, is expected to serve as the fulcrum for growing the vast and diverse potential of the sector into a money spinner. The group said tourism can only develop through the concerted efforts of the private sector hence the new move, which enjoys the support of one of the leading banking institutions in the country.

Members of the group, which is made of some of the most experienced and successful tourism entrepreneurs and marketing professionals, include; Olawanle Akinboboye; founder/ CEO, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, who heads the team, Isaac and Nneka Moses; founders, Goge Africa Worldwide Limited, Efetobo Awhana; founder/CEO, Nigeria Travel Week, Mohammad Adamu, founder, Bauchi Friends, and Brian Ebden, strategic director/brand consultant, TEOO Universal Concepts, as well as, Sterling Bank, the financial institution backing the project.

The group in its document,

Efe Awhana

Nneka Isaac Moses

‘Collaborative tourism practitioners’ roadmap for development of domestic tourism in Nigeria,’ noted that Nigeria as a country is blessed with diverse potential dotting the 774 local government areas, spanning 923, 768 square kilometers and supported by over 200 million population made of a growing middleclass and vibrant youth force, which makes the country a rich market to be explored by both investors and tourists.

It also noted that for meaningful development to take place in the sector, a bottom to top approach mechanism must be adopted and that Nigerian do-

mestic scene must also aligned with what obtains in the international tourism scene by adopting a central theme or focus for which the country’s international tourism, including the domestic market, should be known for.

Based on that, Akinboboye, chairman of the group, disclosed that the central theme for Nigerian tourism as recommended by the group should be Cultural and Heritage Tourism, on which other sub themes revolve. The central theme, according to the chairman, is informed by the many unique and pristine cultural diversity and heritage across the country.

According to Akinboboye, ‘‘That is our strength, we want to

be known as the cultural capital of the world as no other country has such abundant and unique cultural heritage as we do. So, we need to build our destination on that central theme and then other aspects would evolve around it.’’

He further stated that it is only when this is done and Nigeria becomes noted for its cultural heritage like the East Africans are noted for safari and wildlife (Ecotourism), that real development and marketing of the tourism sector can be achieved.

Therefore, he said that the group has developed a tourism roadmap for the development of domestic tourism in Nigeria, adding that anybody is welcome to participate in the new move as the document, which has been made public, is expected to form the basis for participation and investment by interested entrepreneurs and stakeholders.

As a result of the adoption of the central theme, the group in taking a holistic view of the global tourism ecosystem and has listed some of the tourism products that can be developed in tandem with the central theme and other sub – themes in order for the country tourism to fit into the global tourism ecosystem.

The document further stated that Nigerians should focus more on developing tourist destinations as opposed to tourist attractions, because attractions

are not what ignite the interest of the tourist in a country but the destinations, which offer the tourists the opportunities to explore and spend money on the activities generated by the destinations.

On that score, the group in the document recommended the creation of destinations across the six geo – political zones of the country based on the peculiarities, cultural affinities and other elements of states within the zones. To set the ball rolling for others to follow, they outlined the creation of destinations such as: Destination Oodua, Destination Arewa, Destination Kwenu and Destination Carbd.

It would be recalled that Sterling Bank had earlier made N5 billion seed fund available for investment in tourism. Following this, investors with bankable proposal are expected to benefit from the initial disbursement of between N250, 000 and N500, 000 funding for approved projects. The funding is expected to be increased as the project progresses.

Already, the project has attracted the support and participation of some of the state governments, with Bayelsa, Osun, Nasarawa and Lagos states signing up. As well, Solomon Sonu, senior special assistant on Tourism to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor, has been made a member of the group’s steering committee.

28

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

Sunday 30 August 2020

Sunday Magazine Recurring epidemic: 51 years after, Nigeria makes little progress at breaking Lassa fever’s hold Since Nigeria recorded its first Lassa fever case about 51 years ago in Lassa, a town in Borno State, the country is yet to find a lasting solution to the scourge that has claimed millions of lives. In this report, Anthonia Obokoh creates further awareness on the scourge with a survivor’s story, while assessing government’s efforts at tackling the virus.

T

he ignorance of how deadly Lassa fever is has left a scary experience for Ikenna Ahaotu. The 38-year-old, who resides in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, lies in his hospital bed and watches people who look stronger than him being taken out of the ward lifeless.

The gory scene often makes him to think of death.

“Lassa fever is serious. I was bedridden in the hospital for five weeks and I saw people dying.

One pathetic case was a family of six that was admitted for contracting the fever”, Ikenna says.

Before regaining consciousness, which doctors say is a miracle, Ikenna, who is the first Lassa fever patient at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, has been in coma for two days and unconscious for about two weeks.

Within these critical periods of his illness, he had convolution, bled in the nose and, doctors feared he may not survive because he had just 20 percent survival chance.

Recalling how he contracted Lassa fever, Ikenna, who buys and sells rice in wholesale, says he often visits rice mills in Abakaliki to place purchase and delivery orders for his rice. In such visits, he usually chews rice grains at the mill to know if they are good or not.

A week after one of such visits, he starts experiencing fever, severe sore throat, weakness and confused at a point.

Later, he got treatment for malaria and typhoid, yet did not get better. He also sought help from a private hospital but nothing improved. It was at this point he visited the Lassa Centre at the University Teaching Hospital Abakiliki, where doctors confirmed him positive for Lassa fever after about 12 hours of tests.

“I thought it was stress, I felt much worse. The aches were joined by chills, a high-grade fever, vomiting and weakness. The tests confirmed that my symptoms were not for stress or malaria, but for Lassa fever,” says Ikenna.

Now cured, Ikenna is happy, but grapples with the after-effect of the treatment.

Narrating his story, Ikenna says, “It is not Lassa fever that kills people, but the complications.

Awareness should be created more on Lassa fever because a lot of people do not know the symptoms. Some feel it is a normal fever and they will die from wrong treat-

ment. Some people are scared of going to hospital because of being quarantined and they have wrong information that once they are quarantined, they will die at the hospital. It is not true. I was there and I came out alive,” he enthuses.

Truly, Lassa fever is a very serious case. Over the years, less attention has been given to its fight and awareness in the country. An estimated 100,000 to 300,000 infections of Lassa fever occur annually, with approximately 5,000 deaths.

The fever is transmitted by Mastomys Natalensis, a species of rat, which spreads the virus through their feces and urine. The

fever is prevalent in dry season, and is contagious. Considering the shattering pain it causes, the Lassa virus spreads to the pancreas, kidneys, eyes and brain, as well as, causes diabetes, psychosis and kidney failure.

According to medical experts, the virus comes and goes when treated, but the complications remain. The danger lies in the fact that people often contract Lassa fever without realising they have it, and in some cases, it can lead to shock and even death.

The fever’s yearly outbreak and increasing death toll are obviously distressing. Sadly, 51 years after two sisters became the index case

of the fever in Lassa, Borno State, the disease is still poorly understood, challenging to diagnose and treat in Nigeria.

The challenges have sustained the prevalence of the fever in Nigeria. This year, Nigeria recorded the highest Lassa fever outbreak in recent times. The vicious toll taken by the disease, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Lassa fever situation report, in 33 weeks has no fewer than 5,527 suspected cases of Lassa fever recorded in 2020, while 1,061 confirmed cases and 222 deaths.

“Lassa fever is endemic; and it is relatively common in West Africa, including the countries of Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Edo, Ondo and Ebonyi states are more prevalent with the outbreak”, says Rosemary Audu, virologist, director of research and head, Microbiology Department, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Lagos.

“Many of Nigeria’s population may have been exposed without getting ill because 80 percent are asymptomatic and it is only 20 percent of those infected with Lassa fever show symptoms, when it becomes severe and requires management,” Audu further said.

According to her, more awareness needs to be created and individuals are expected to play their roles in personal hygiene.

“I urge Nigerians to take precautions and to protect themselves against Lassa fever. Starting with Covid-19, for instance, we are talking about washing hands and hand hygiene and it is important not only for Covid-19, even for Lassa”, she said.

For the virologist, it is very important to keep the environment clean because rodents feed on garbage. “If we keep waste around our home, it will attract these rodents into our homes. So, let us dispose of our waste properly and, I also advise health workers to be on the infection prevention control. Do not use your eyes, because you cannot tell with your eyes who has Lassa or who does not have it. Use appropriate tools,” she counseled.

Accessing government’s efforts The re-emerging of the Lassa virus offers insights not only into Nigerians’ hygiene level and precautions, but the state of the country’s health security, particularly as it concerns epidemic preparedness.

In response to the increasing number of Lassa fever cases across states in the country, the NCDC activated a National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and in addition, five laboratories in Nigeria have the capacity to diagnose the disease.

Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Owo and Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki are three main treatment centres for Lassa fever and epidemiological studies that will provide data to guide research and response activities.

Meanwhile, the UK Department for International Development initiated funding for two projects to help with future Lassa fever outbreaks in Nigeria. The funding is about £500,000 over three years to World Health Organisation (WHO), to support the Nigerian government to lead the research response.

The funding support projects will also help in creating a mechanism for coordinating research efforts related to Lassa fever, and also ensuring that standardised lab tests are available to support response and research efforts. It will also enhance oversight capacity for research in Nigeria through the National Regulatory Authority and the Ethical Research Committee.

Also, the African Coalition for Epidemic Research, Response and Training (ALERRT) set up a clinical research response in Nigeria with the £90,000 with the goal to strengthen case management of Lassa fever patients by supporting Nigerian clinicians in standardised collection of clinical assessment, outcome and laboratory data across multiple health centres.

Funding requirements and search for Lassa fever vaccine Experts say the way and man-

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

@Businessdayng

29

Sunday Magazine ner Africa’s largest economy is tackling the ailment with the collective inconsistency of health and economic development, Nigerian government cannot afford to relegate diagnostics in epidemic due to low epidemic preparedness level.

According to Audu, “We are concerned that Lassa fever keeps reoccurring and that, because the fever is only endemic in West Africa. I want to believe that there are more labs that can do molecular testing for Lassa fever.

“We need funds. The kit is very expensive and there is not much support for necessary research within Nigeria. Here, the government does not invest too much in research, there is little that could have been done before now. The resurfacing of the outbreak is our problem, if we do not bring money to do the research, then the fever remains with us.”

The virologist expressed concerns, thus: “There are no clinical trials yet for a Lassa fever vaccine in Nigeria. We are still trying to develop vaccines and the virus is also very difficult in sequencing because of its genetic pattern.

So it is difficult to get the strain and there are about seven main strains. The ones that they have even worked on are not even the ones that are common in our

environment.

“What we have are strains in Senegal, those are the ones that they have even developed one candidate vaccine for which is still even being tried and it has not reached clinical trial level yet.” The medical expert pointed out that, because of the biosafety issues involved, it is very challenging.

“The drug (Ribavirin) being used for Lassa fever is just being repurposed for it. So, it is not as if it is specifically the drug. This was not even developed specifically for treating Lassa fever but it is just being repurposed, and the drug is only effective if treatment starts early.

“The drug must be used in the first six days, or thereabout. Due

Experts advocate reskilling of workforce to meet digital transformation post-Covid-19 KELECHI EWUZIE

C

oronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has had unprecedented impact on organisations and industries the world over as digital transformation has presented a call to action to entire industries to upskill and reskill its workforce.

Management professionals in a webinar theme Skilling Roundtable Nigeria organised by Microsoft, acknowledged that COVID-19 have impacted the jobs of up to 80 million people., adding that as economies slowly start to reopen, jobs that were impacted and lost at the start of the global lockdowns, may now not exist.

The roundtable, one of the first in a series developed to provide a continental answer to youth employment and skill promotion brought together thought leaders and decision makers from the private sector, IGOs, Government Agencies and Academia.

Akin Banuso, country manager, Microsoft Nigeria observes that COVID-19 has dramatically accelerated the pace of digital transformation and as a result of this, digital skills are required immediately.

Banuso pointed out that a research by Microsoft indicted that by 2025 digital job capacity will mean the creation of 149 million new jobs, adding that 800 million people will be required to learn new skills to fully execute their jobs by 2030.

According to him, “As the economy in Nigeria starts to slowly

reopen for business, we anticipate the return to an economy with different needs and certainly one were a new challenge presents itself in terms of skills.”

Off the back of the recent global skilling initiative announcement to aid 25 million job seekers worldwide to acquire the skills required to survive in the new digital economy.

In his presentation at the event, John Edokpolo, director, corporate, external and legal affairs, MEA emerging markets for Microsoft noted that one of the key objectives of the webinar was to gain a better understanding of the available models, approaches and best practices in employment as the country edge closer to the recovery phase of this crisis.

Edokpolo opines that the global skills initiative is set to use data to identify in-demand jobs and provide free access to learning content by investing in free access to in-demand skills training, discounted tests that provide industry-recognised certifications, and free connections to employability tools.

According to him, “In so doing, pull together every part of the holistic brand that encompasses Microsoft, LinkedIn, and GitHub to integrate these offerings to meet job seekers’ and the economy’s needs”.

“As we continue to see organisations of all sizes drive efficiencies through this new accelerated digital transformation we anticipate seeing the rise of what is called a ‘hybrid economy”, Edokpolo said.

to late presentation by infected people, the drugs are being used late and that is why we see high mortality even in the hospital,” Audu said.

Omomoh Emmanuel, a former senior scientific officer in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, who is now working with NCDC, said: “We are not at the stage of getting a vaccine yet.

Even in other countries, there is no vaccine for Lassa fever.

“The government has given an opportunity for international collaborators to come in to help develop or find a search in developing vaccines and make it ready.

A lot of these collaborators are also collaborating with other countries like Liberia and Senegal.”

“They bring their wealth of ex-

perience and also lessons learned from other countries to Nigeria and also, lessons from Nigeria to other countries to implement and see how it will work there,” Emmanuel further said.

Audu thinks partnerships and collaborations can help. “For us in Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIRM), we are working with Institute Pasteur Senegal in Dakar. Last year, some of our staff were at Dakar to do some research with them, but somehow because of this Covid-19, we were not able to complete it, but we have a Memorandum of Understanding of research partnership with them”, Audu said.

Epidemic preparedness: Need for political will This year, the Federal Government allocated N1, 673, 486, 127 to the NCDC for epidemic preparedness, detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies for over 200 million Nigerians.

The government, policymakers, and the public often fail to understand that epidemic preparedness is crucial for maintaining a disease-free nation but are also cost-effective for the Nigerian economy.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, director

general, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has constantly advocated for attention on national health security, as well as, increased funding. This implies that one area of healthcare in Nigeria most flopped by this lack of political will is epidemic preparedness.

“Government needs to increase funding for epidemic preparedness and awareness. States in Nigeria need to demonstrate the serious impact of the disease and the governors should also provide adequate funds for sensitive disease surveillance and response system,” says Oladoyin Odubanjo, former chairman, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), Lagos Chapter.

However, preparedness for pandemics and health emergencies has a high return on investment, it is estimated at $2N7 impact for every $1 committed.

As it stands, Nigeria’s epidemic preparedness is not sound and also has greater potential for catastrophic economic impact.

Therefore, it is crucial to put measures in place and early enough to avoid another financial crisis for disease outbreak as experienced in Lassa fever and even Covid-19 this year.

30

www.businessday.ng

www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@businessDayNG

Sunday 30 August 2020

@Businessdayng

Arts Onobrakpeya: Celebrating grandmaster artist at 88 Stories by OBINNA EMELIKE

H

urry to Bruce Onabrakpeya, Nigeria’s living legend and foremost artist, who clocks 88 years old today, August 30, 2020.

Born on August 30, 1932, Onabrakpeya is truly a very rare talent with overwhelming impacts on the development of the art scene across the country.

But what surprises visual art stakeholders, his followers and, especially the new generation artists is that at 88 years, the visual art grandmaster is still unleashing greater creativity.

A definitive work on the art of Onobrakpeya will have to be an intense exercise in order to capture the true essence of this foremost Nigerian artist.

Going by his commitment, attention to details, innovation and discipline over the years, it is no surprise that at 88 Onobrakpeya’s creative ingenuity still shines. Of course, the feat is after many years of breathtaking works and it baffles the new generation artists, who see his works continually linking the old with the contemporary.

However, highlighting a few of his epochal pieces will help in appreciating what influences the artist’s

works and his response to various scenarios within the Nigerian socio-political milieu.

A look into specific periods in the artist’s studio practice, which spans a period of 50 years, is more revealing than anyone can imagine.

The first segment is the Mythical Realism (19571962), which represents paintings and lino cut prints that depict folklore themes, and northern landscapes (Zaria). This is the period of his early development as an artist, which also coincided with Nigeria’s independence.

The idea of projecting the African personality was of major importance to the artists of this period, and was also at this time that

the Zaria Arts Society, forerunner of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), was formed and accompanied by the propagation of the concept of “natural synthesis.”

Works in this category include the paintings of Awhaire & the Bird, Hunters Secret, A Tree in Northern Landscape, Lino Cut Prints Zaria Indigo, Two Faces, Boli Woman and Awakening (Negritude).

The second segment focuses on the artist’s workshop experiments and his Bronzed lino relief series otherwise known as the Sunshine Period (19621967). This is the period he started to attend various workshops, which culminated in some of the popular works of this period:

Leopard in a Cornfield (Iino print), Scarecrow (silkscreen) and Man & Two Wives (silkscreen).

The Mask and the Cross (1967-1978) series represents the period when the artist executed several Christian themes commissioned by the Church, such as Nativity /I (Iino engraving), The Last Days of Christ (plastocast), Obara Ishoshi (bronzed Iino relief) and Pope John Paul (metal foil), as well as the Plastography Period. A time when Onobrakpeya developed a lot of ideas he conceived in Zaria in the late 50s and early 60s such as Travellers II, Songs of Life, and Rain & Cry at Otoragba.

Th e f o u r t h s e g m e n t represents the historical vignettes. These are pic-

tures known as the Symbols of Ancestral Groves (1978-1984), which depict historical figures, mostly royalty from the Benin Kingdom such as Oba Aka. Other works in this period include Eghrighri and Ibiebe.

The Sahelian Masquerades (1984-1988) were pieces created to highlight the destruction of the environment, works that focus on the cultures of the Sahelian regions. Works in this period are also loaded with a lot of political undertones such as Horns Of Freedom, and Edjo Aton (principles of good governance), which draws a lot of attention to the role of government in relation to the issues of desertification.

The Mask Series (19901995) represent the development of images, which inspired depictions of masks treated in different print media that bring emphasise philosophies of the people.

They also address the subject of change. Social Unrest (1995-1999) is the period of strife within the society. This is represented by large paintings, which are prayers for divine help against military dictatorship and political instability. There are drawings and pictures, which focus on the murder of Ken Saro Wiwa.

On the front burner are the ecological and socio-

economic problems, where you have works of Ekugbe (Unity), Nude & Protest and Smoke from the Broken Pipe.

Finally, the Installations Period (1995 - Date), which is the period Onobrakpeya embarked on installations as an art form. These works are characterised by the arrangement of different discarded materials to create works of art.

These installations were essentially to draw attention to the importance of protecting the environment.

Works in this category include Animals of Eve, Adjene, New City III and Voices of silenced Voices.

Clearly, the nuances of the artist and how his works have been closely tied to the Nigerian condition can be seen. Working over a period of up to five decades, the art of Onobrakpeya has gradually transformed from isolated personal view points to more nationalistic depictions as seen in Nude & Protest and Smoke from the Broken Pipe that have now become a fountain of socio-political and historical reference points from which all are free to share.

With these great works that have become reference points and more than a gallery, Onobrakpeya, the elder arts statesman, is really happy and most importantly strong at 88.

Venice Biennale to award Posthumous Golden Lions to Okwui Enwezor, others

T

he Venice Biennale, an art organisation based in Venice, Italy, is set to award its top prize to four former, now-deceased, artistic directors.

The move, which many art stakeholders described as rare, is as well special and likely a one-time version of the prestigious award.

The recently deceased artistic directors, who would be honored in a symbolic ceremony this September, are: Germano Celant, a curator; Maurizio Calvesi, an art historian; Vittorio Gregotti, an architect, and Okwui Enwezor, a foremost Nigerian curator.

The Golden Lion prize, which is usually awarded to an artist within one’s lifetime in relation to their works on view during a biennial, will be bestowed posthumously on these artistic directors, who while alive, made particularly

course-changing exhibitions during the Venice Biennial’s history.

An award ceremony will take place on September 1, 2020, after the opening of a large group exhibition focused on the biennial’s history. Speaking on the posthumous awards, Cecilia Alemani, a curator and artistic director of the next Venice Biennale, which has now been postponed from 2021 to 2022, noted that the four symbolic prizes represent an extraordinary event in the history of the Biennale.

The four awards will accompany an unprecedented archival exhibition that has been curated by all six department heads of the Venice Biennale’s various artistic arms. It opens on August 29 at the Giardini, and Alemani, is among the curators.

Speaking further, Alemani said the awards are a way of recognizing some of the pro-

tagonists who have shaped the history of the Biennale itself, and who are admired and recognized worldwide, and whose memory the organisers of the biennale want to preserve.

Okwui Enwezor, while alive

“What they have in common, besides being artistic directors of previous editions of the visual art sector of the Biennale, is that they were able to shape history in real time,” Alemani added.

“In this time of emergency and transformation, we want to salute these incredible curators, architects and art historians who taught us to interpret culture and history in all their manifestations.”

Germano Celant, a major figure in the art world who was known as the father of the Arte Povera movement, died this spring from complications with coronavirus after a trip to New York for the Armory Show. Last year, Nigerian curator Enwezor died after a long battle with cancer. Both had curated seminal exhibitions for the Venice Biennale, in 1997 and 2015, respectively.

Calvesi, an Italian art critic and art historian, had helmed the 1984 and 1986 Venice Biennales and was a three-time member of the organization’s international jury. He died at age 70 this July. Gregotti, who died this spring of coronavirus, had

curated the first architectural biennale in 1975.

The decision to hand out four posthumous awards was made by the Venice Biennale’s board based on a recommendation of the group exhibition’s six curators, who each helm the biennial arts departments.

Hashim Sarkis, artistic director of the architectural biennale that has been postponed until 2021 due to the pandemic, and Alemani spearheaded the efforts to award the prizes. Sarkis’s biennial “How will we live together?” was originally set to open this summer.

Such an award has been handed posthumously before. In 2005, esteemed curator Harald Szeemann, who helmed the 48th and 49th editions of the art exhibitions in 1999 and 2001, was awarded with a special golden lion on the year of his death.

Sunday 30 August 2020

www.businessday.ng

https://www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@Businessdayng

BDSUNDAY 31

Sports

Eze completes £19.5m move to Crystal Palace

Arteta says virus could damage Premier League season Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, fears the spike in Premier League players contracting coronavirus is a sign the forthcoming season might be damaged by the pandemic.

Several top-flight players have tested positive for COVID-19 since returning from holiday ahead of the Premier League campaign’s opening matches on September 12.

Manchester United star Paul Pogba and Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele were left out of the France squad after positive tests this week.

Arteta was the first Premier League figure to get the virus in March, just days before the 2019-20 term was halted until June.The Spaniard recovered fully and led Arsenal to FA

Cup final victory against Chelsea.

But, talking ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield clash with Liverpool, Arteta warned the season could be put at risk if cases continue to climb.

He believes clubs will have to plan for losing players to the virus in the coming months.

Asked if the increased positive results were a sign the season is on a knife-edge, the 38-year-old said: “Yes, and I think we are going to have many more cases in the future unfortunately.

“You are just planning to do something and then that player tests positive, and that positive was a false positive.

“We are trying to get used to it, get around it, and try to manage the situation as well as we can.

“There is not much we can do and we know that there are some uncertainties we cannot control at

C the moment.”

It is understood the Premier League is not expecting there to be any need to delay the start of the 2020-21 season.

Should clubs feel there is an issue with fulfilling a fixture due to a virus outbreak, the protocol is that they should approach the league’s board concerning a possible postponement, and issues will be dealt with on a case-bycase basis.

The number of positive cases since the season resumed in June were minimal given players had been training and operating inside of a bubble.

That is different this time round as players travelled abroad on holiday in the off-season before reporting for pre-season duties, the hope being now squads are reassembled, the number of cases will once again drop off.

rystal Palace have completed the signing of Eberechi Eze from Queens Park Rangers on a five-year-deal.

The 22-year-old, who was also a target for London rivals West Ham as well as newly promoted West Brom, is the club’s most expensive signing under manager Roy Hodgson, who has been calling for more than just the free transfers and loans he has been backed with in recent years.

Pa l a c e h a v e p a i d Q P R around £14.5million up front in a deal which could rise to almost £20million after add-ons.

Speaking after agreeing his move to the Premier League, Eze said: “As a football club, I feel like there are great players here and it’s a brilliant opportunity for me to come and be with these players, to link up with them and to really push on.”

The Eagles, who have already secured 19-year-old right-back Nathan Ferguson this summer, have been tracking Eze since the start of last season and saw an approach knocked back by Rangers in January this year.

Hodgson is desperate to add youth and creativity to his squad, while chairman Steve Parish wants to draw on the rich talent in south London to drive the club forward.

“Eberechi is a player whose development we have followed closely,” said Parish. “We are delighted he has chosen to sign for us over the other clubs that were interested and we feel that this is the right club for him to continue his development.

“With our Academy recently securing Category 1 status, this further illustrates our focus on youth as we look to consolidate and improve upon our position as a Premier League club.”

I joined Chelsea to challenge for titles- Thiago Silva

T

Klopp rules out move for Messi

J

urgen Klopp said there is no chance of Liverpool signing Lionel Messi, but the German admits the unsettled Argentina star would be a great addition to the Premier League.

Messi has told Barcelona he wants to leave after growing unhappy with the club’s problems on and off the pitch.

Messi has been linked with a move to Manchester City, where he could link up with his former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.

Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and Juventus have also

been mooted as potential destinations for Messi if he gets his wish to quit the Camp Nou. Klopp insisted he would love to have Messi, but made it clear the 33-year-old would not end up at Anfield.

“Interest? Who doesn’t want to have Messi in their team? But no chance,” Klopp told reporters.

Liverpool finished 18 points ahead of second placed Man City last season as they won the English title for the first time since 1990.

And Klopp conceded Liver-

pool’s bid to retain the Premier League crown would clearly be under threat if Messi joined City.

But the former Borussia Dortmund boss believes it would be a significant coup for English football to have one of the world’s greatest ever players in the Premier League.

“It would obviously help Man City and make it more difficult to beat them,” Klopp said.

“For the Premier League it would be great, but I am not sure the Premier League needs that boost.”

hiago Silva says he joined Chelsea to challenge for honours as Frank Lampard continued his summer spree with the capture of the former Paris Saint-Germain captain.

The Brazil centre-back has completed his free transfer move to Stamford Bridge just days after falling short in the Champions League Final.

He has signed a one-year contract with the Blues, with the club holding the option of adding another 12 months.

Silva’s addition will help manager Frank Lampard restructure his defence and follows Wednesday’s £45million capture of England left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester.

The 35-year-old said: “I am so happy to be joining Chelsea. I am delighted to be a part of Frank Lampard’s exciting squad for next season and I’m here to chal-

lenge for honours. See you soon Chelsea fans, I look forward to playing at Stamford Bridge very soon.”

Silva’s eight years in France ended with PSG’s 1-0 defeat

by Bayern Munich on Sunday, and the Blues have since moved quickly to tie up a deal for the 89-cap Brazil international.

“We are delighted to be able to add a player of Thiago Silva’s proven world-class credentials to our squad,” said Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.

“Having performed at the highest level for many years, we have no doubt his experience and quality will complement the many exciting talents we already have here.

“Thiago will be an excellent fit and we hope he can add some new trophies to his impressive list of honours.”

BDSUNDAY

NEW YOU CAN TRUST

I

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST 2020

www.businessday.ng

https://www.facebook.com/businessdayng

@Businessdayng

Implications of arms proliferation in Nigeria

T

he signs are ominous, terrifying and horrifying as well. One is talking about the current dire insecurity situation in Nigeria, of course. Life has become so worthless to the blood-sucking vampires and their heartless sponsors that hardly a day passes by without one torrid tale or the other of the wanton wasting of the unprotected lives of the innocent citizens.

In fact, how did we descend so low to the Hobbesian state of nature of “war of all against all,” with some Nigerians constantly seeking to destroy one another in an incessant pursuit for power?

So dastardly the acts of mindless killings of priceless human lives by Boko Haram terrorists, fully armed Fulani herdsmen and bandits have become that the Aare OnaKakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has called for the possession of firearms for Amotekun security outfit. And Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, is asking the Federal Government to grant licences to responsible citizens to “carry sophisticated weapons such as AK-47 to deter criminals from attacking innocent and helpless Nigerians”.

Add these to the recent alarm raised by Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, revealing that attacks by Boko Haram insurgents was on the increase.

The senator narrated how Boko Haram terrorists killed 75 members of his community in Gwoza Local Government Area in one night!

Ndume said: “There was a time in my home town that about 75 elders, most of whom I know personally, were dragged

by Boko Haram to the town’s abattoir and slaughtered like animals. Only two persons survived because their bodies were covered with other people’s’ blood and the assailants thought they were dead.” This, to say the least is a horrendous spectacle that should belong to the realm of mindbending nightmares or a midnight horrorfilm. But it is all real, here in Nigeria!”

What about the recent ping-pong blame-game between Governor Godwin Obaseki of the PDP and the APC stalwarts in Edo State over the importation of arms and ammunition, as well as political thugs from the neighbouring states, with the aim to cause mayhem during the forthcoming

“Only desperate and corrupt politicians can use rigging, thuggery, vote buying, violence, trouble, assault, propaganda and lies to win an election and take over power by force.”

Bamigboye Olurotimi governorship election in the state?

Over the years, we have been regaled with nerve-tingling tales about several armed robbery attacks, hideous ritual murders, inter-community crises, terrorists, bandits and of course, the killings by paid political thugs. But the question remains-who have been arming the killers in Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Zamfara, Enugu, Oyo and Southern Kaduna? How come, that the insecurity challenge has degenerated to this deplorable level that some leaders are suggesting self-help?

One would recall that sometime in 2010 a top-notched Texas-based armoured vehicle manufacturing company asked a thought-provoking and pertinent question: “Are Nigerians preparing for general elections, or are they getting set for war?” He was worried about the high level of demand for armoured cars by many few Nigerian politicians. That was prelude to the 2011 general election and unfortunately a similar issue re-echoed in 2014/2015. Now, it is getting even more scary.

For instance, on May 24, 2017 there were newspaper reports of the seizure of 440 guns of various sizes and designs shipped from Turkey to Lagos, Nigeria.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Monday Abueh, said that “On opening the container, we discovered that they used POP powder to conceal the importation but based on intelligence report, we were able to know that the container was laden with arms.”

Subsequently, the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) uncovered a container with another cache of arms imported from Turkey. This discovery came barely a week after the command intercepted a 20-foot container laden with 1,100 pump

action rifles. The container with number, CMAU189817/8 had about 475 sets of pump-action riffles reportedly belonging to the same importer of the previous one.

The recurring escalation of illegal arms importation each time we are supposed to be preparing for general election is not only worrisome but demeans our definition of democracy and the quest for political power here in Nigeria. If the motive of politics is to serve the interest and meet the needs, and aspirations of the citizenry; in the pursuit of the common good why must we acquire it by brute force?

One is concerned because the situation has been on for years and there seems to be no permanent solution to it. Caches of yet unidentified arms are still in the hands of restive, mostly unemployed but misguided youths used by vested interests to cause chaos and terror. The government is still battling with the Boko Haram insurgency, the armed Fulani herdsmen are still on rampage while the recent killing of some IPOB members by some policemen in Enugu may become another trigger on a gun powder waiting to explode, anytime! Surely, we cannot go on this way.

It would be recalled that on November 20, 2012, JTF raided Kwanar Shahada, JushinCiki, Zaria, Kaduna, where a bomb-making factory was uncovered. The joint security team also arrested a sixty-year-old man, Umaru Mohammed within the raided premises and recovered Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs at stage one state of readiness to be used for bomb attack.

And on May 28, 2013 a combined team of the JTF involving the NA of the 3rd Brigade in Kano and the Kano State DSS conducted a thorough search of a house located at No 3 Gaya Road off Bompai Road Kano. It belonged to one Abdul Hassan Taher Fadlalla, a Lebanese national. The search team uncovered an underground bunker in the master’s bedroom where large quantities of assorted weapons of different types were buried. Thereafter, on May 26, 2013, one Talal Roda, also

AYO OYOZE BAJE Baje is Nigerian first food technologist in the media and author of ‘Drumbeats of Democracy’

a Lebanese with Nigerian Passport was arrested in this same house.

If both the Police and Customs Services have been able to impound so much illegal arms and ammunition, how many out there have found their way into private homes and hideous hideouts? They should not rest on their oars. Thorough Investigations into the activities of the mindless arms importers should get to their logical conclusion, to fish out those behind these activities and bring them to speedy justice. Only this would serve as a deterrent to those who may be nursing similar blood-letting politicking.

So, where do we go from here? From all indications, governments at both the federal and state levels have continued to fail in the fulfillment of their mandate as enshrined in Section 14, Sub-section 2(b) to guaranteed security for the defenceless citizens. If the politicians value the irreplaceable lives of fellow Nigerians why would they resort to arming misguided youths in the bid to get into office, instead of providing jobs for those same malleable minds?

The President Muhammadu Buhari administration should in the national interest, allow for a holistic restructuring of this country, as promised by the APC before the 2015 general election. Community policing is the way to go. The situation that has Aare Onokakanfo and Governor Ortom calling for self-help in the face of swirling waves of crimes and criminality portends grave danger for the peace and unity of this country. Nigerians do not want guns and bullets but dividends of democracy.

Between your hands and your health TAYO OGUNBIYI Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

O

ne of the most enduring lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic is the relationship between our hands and our health. It is simply amazing how an act as simple as hand washing could be a panacea to such a dare-devil pandemic.

Prior to now, many don’t really care what they do with their hands. In our society, while it is not unusual for people to engage in hand washing before eating and after visiting the toilet, it is not really a tradition to do same with soap.

Ironically, it has been scientifically proven that filthy hands remain one of the easiest channels of spreading life infectious diseases. Bacteria and viruses spread easily and quickly through touch.

For instance, if someone with the flu covers his mouth when sneezing and simply wipes his hands afterwards, rather than washing them, germs would still be present.

These germs would likely spread to any surfaces he touches and could transmit to anyone who has contact with the surface.

This explains why health educators often advocate for simple behavioural changes, such as hand washing with soap and water.

Medical experts refer to hand washing with soap as a do- it – yourself vaccine that averts infections and save lives.

Unknown to many, soaps remain one of the most expedient and essential hygiene tools for mankind. Most soaps have two main components - animal oils or fats and alkaline solution that enable the process of saponification. In contemporary time, technological and scientific breakthroughs have made soaps become more valuable, especially in terms of its medicinal uses.

According to data, many children below five years die from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, considered as the two top killers of children in the world. The two account for almost 3.5 million child death annually.

But then, it has been established that hand washing with soap could prevent about 1 out of every 3 cases of diarrheal infections and almost 1 out of 6 episodes of respiratory infections like pneumonia.

Furthermore, this modest, cheap, handy action can, according to research, reduce the rate of mortality from these diseases by almost 25 and 50 percent, respectively and can dramatically cut the number of young children who get sick.

Also, water plays a very important role in the maintenance of personal and physical hygiene, such as hand washing and en-

vironmental sanitation. According to UNICEF, hand washing with soap, alone, has the highest impact on reducing disease transmission, including diarrhea, lowering the condition by about 47 percent. Sadly, awareness about the importance of this is abysmally low.

Currently, as the world battles the monstrous COVID-19 pandemic, frequent hand washing has become the in- thing. This further attests to the medicinal effectiveness of hand washing.

Ironically, as simple as it is, and with all its health benefits, many rarely practice hand washing. This could be largely due to ignorance and carelessness. With the current global pandemic situation, it has, however, become imperative for all and sundry to fully embrace this simple but necessary habit.

The truth, according to health experts, is that regular hand washing with soap will save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention.

According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, there are two methods to ensure good hand hygiene. These are ‘Hand Rubbing’ and ‘Hand Washing’.

Hand rubbing method should be used if you do not have any visible bodily or other infectious fluids or matter on your hands and does not include the use of water. For this, hand sanitizers are recommended. Hand washing is to be used

if you have visible bodily or other infectious fluids or matter on your hands. Using either one of these methods will ensure you are free of germs.

It is important that more stakeholders come on board the campaign for hand washing and related matters. Though the targets of such campaign should be all segments of the society, but children should be given utmost priority. The reason for this is quite simple. Children are the most potent agents of change. They are eager to learn; they retain what they learn and are veritable instruments of instilling and promoting positive behavioural changes among their peers, in families and communities.

Children are the most vulnerable and fragile of human beings. Right from birth they need the care and guidance of adults, and because of their fragile nature they are most vulnerable to infections and diseases, hence the need for them to grow in a safe, healthy and hygienic environment.

Hence, it is important for all health stakeholders to give more considerations to children while planning their health outreaches.

This is a major way forward towards ensuring and enhancing a virile health culture.

As the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the path to victory is not as complicated as the pandemic. A simple hygiene habit of regular hand washing with soap and clean water remain a potent way of staying safe.

Published by BusinessDAY Media Ltd., The Brook, 6 Point Road, GRA, Apapa, Lagos. Ghana Office: Zion House, Shiashie, OIC-Galaxy Road, East Legon, Accra.

Tel:+ 233 243226596, +233244856806: email: bdsundayletter@businessdayonline.com Advert Hotline: 08033225506. Subscriptions 01-2950687, 07045792677. Newsroom: 08054691823 Editor: Zebulon Agomuo, All correspondence to BusinessDAY Media Ltd., Box 1002, Festac Lagos. ISSN 1595 - 8590.