Thursday May 7 - Wednesday May 13, 2020

POLITICS P15

COVID-19 may crash African economies – GEJ

The

VOX POPULI SACRUM

BUSINESS

SPORTS

P19

Don’t reopen league, Obuh advises Buhari, Pinnick

‘Forget dollars; fire your economy with oil’

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Thursday May 7 , - Wednesday May 13, 2020

As hunger bites:

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ISSN: 2545-5869

VOL.5 No.8 N200

Ease of lockdown:

Where’re the Nbillions?

Customer surge overwhelms banks

…FirstBank beats chest with N10.03 trn e-transactions KAYODE OGUNWALE

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ommercial banks in Lagos and surrounding states pooled crowds of grumbling customers in their premises as they implement strict control measures against the spread of the dreaded novel coronavirus disease.

The banks contended with surging crowds as government relaxed movement restrictions in the states despite widespread apprehension among the people over rising number of new infection cases and spikes in coronavirus associated deaths in different parts of the country.

COVID-19: Oilserv donates medical, food supplies Page 5

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Today

Despite the crowd control challenges, First Bank of Nigeria Plc declared that its automated teller machines (ATMs), agent banks and other electronic platforms assisted it customers successfully complete transactions worth over N10.03 trillion in the weeks when Nigerians are locked in to avert coronavirus infection.

An official of one of the banks told The Oracle Today that the gradual ease of lockdown in states of Lagos, Ogun and FCT by the federal government has posed a serious challenge for workers and customers

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Reps invite Akpabio, NDDC over N40bn

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Man smashes new-born baby’s head on the floor

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

NEWS Sopuruchi Onwuka

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ivil rights and accountability groups, individuals and political activists are raising voices to demand accountability for billions of Naira provided and purported to have been disbursed to alleviate suffering associated with city lockdown directives across the country.

Already, while questions rise on the accountability and transparency matrix used in the management of hundreds of billion Naira purportedly disbursed to 11 million beneficiaries across 34 states of Nigeria, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, is pressing the National Assembly for approval to establish a N500 billion special intervention fund.

Stakeholders also raise concerns on continuous borrowing by the Buhari led government even as deaf ears are paid to cries of financial mismanagement in the system.

Suspicions over the billions of Naira appropriated for poverty alleviation became palpable following decision of the federal government to dismantle restrictions on movement and allow citizens fend for themselves at the risk of coronavirus infection.

The presidential announcement to relax movement in the states of Lagos, Ogun and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) amidst high number of infections also raises serious concerns that hopes for palliatives to keep people safe at homes were underway may have been dashed.

In relaxing the lockdown, President Muhammadu Buhari had made reference to balancing the conflicting needs for safety and protecting livelihoods of the people. He inferred strongly that the relaxation of the lockdown rules was to allow some space for people to earn some living.

However, beyond the seeming failure of the country to protect citizens from virulent plague and economic impact of city lockdowns hit families across the country, interest groups demand accountability for financial aids, donations, appropri-

Where’re the billions?

ation and loans made available to government under the prevailing coronavirus pandemic.

Since then, individuals and groups in the country have donated over N50 billion towards the cause, international financial aids, emergency loans and fund repatriations have also flown down to the government.

In inaugurating a Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 combat in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari had instructed that “all contributions and donations be coordinated and centralized to ensure efficient and impactful spending.”

A non-governmental organization, Connected Development (CODE), declared in a statement that “Now is the time for the government ministries to champion a culture of transparency, consistency and high-quality communications.”

The donations coordinated by the Central Bank of Nigeria are expected to support the federal government in rising to the challenge of providing emergency healthcare infrastructure and facilities to combat the coronavirus pandemic, as well as protecting the country’s poor masses from acute hunger following closure of markets and restriction of movements.

Public accountability group, Coordinated Development (CODE), which is trailing the donations, declared in a statement that it is holding the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to transparency standards over huge phantom spend under the prevailing pandemic.

Chief Executive of CODE, Hamzat Lawal, while pointing at billions of Naira already garnered from donations that flowed from industry groups and public spirited individuals, noted absence of clarity from the Ministry of Finance and the

Ministry of Health on proper collation and disbursement.

The Oracle Today reports that various industry groups in the country made the biggest contributions in the pool, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) coordinating largest cash hauls from players in the petroleum industry. The corporation had initially declared impressive N11 billion donation by the upstream petroleum industry.

NNPC also declared additional N10 billion donation from the industry, boosting contribution by oil companies to some N22 billion.

The cash announcements are in addition to material delivery to other agencies of government.

Since them contributions from individual and corporate players from all sectors of the Nigerian

economy, political parties, churches and international aid agencies have continued to pour into the hands of the government.

But CODE has expressed worry over the vagueness of how the donations are being managed, demanding that “Nigerians must be given comprehensive data of interventions, recipient organizations of the funds and how judiciously they are being expended.”

It also asked for breakdown of the 50% contribution by the 43 Cabinet ministers who pledged half of their March 2020 Salary to support the federal government’s effort to combat the COVID 19 pandemic in the country.

CODE stated “Citizens will be provided online tools to monitor, drive conversation to spark actions and advocate for a transparent and

inclusive approach, urging government stakeholders to make public all funds released for the fight against COVID-19 and its implementation plans.

In a separate call, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) demanded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to “provide spending details of public funds and private sector donations to provide socio-economic benefits to the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people, including details of beneficiaries of any cash payments, cash transfers, food distribution and other benefits during the lockdown in Abuja; Lagos and Ogun states because of COVID-19.”

Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Providing the information would help to address the concerns by many Nigerians regarding allegations of corruption and politiciza-

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•Banks contend with customer surge in Lagos...Wednesday.

Ease of lockdown: Customer surge overwhelms banks Cont’d from Pg 1 alike.

He said most of the customers who thronged the banks had to be kept in the premises as crowd control measures to protect front desk staff and customers from infection risks.

Survey of business reopening in the states three days after the relaxing of lockdown showed massive crowds within the premises as mainly the first generation banks with huge customer base struggled with limiting entry into banking halls to batches to five customers at a time.

Our correspondent gathered that most banks opened few branches for check clearing and customer services but were overwhelmed by the large turnout of people seeking interface with front desk personnel.

A security source at one of the braches visited by our correspondent disclosed that most of the customers at the bank because of non availability of cash at the several automatic teller machines in the vicinity while many more came with electronic scam complaints.

At other banks visited by our correspondent in Lagos most of the customers, mainly petty traders who transacted businesses

during the lockdown period, had rushed to make cash deposit or lodge complaints with customer service.

Some of the customers grumbling over the poor management of crowds at some of the banks

complained that most of the ATM machines did not dispense cash while most of retail banking agents does not have cash to back up their business.

The Oracle Today can revealed that most of affected banks are

already working hard to ease the pain of customers.

Our checks showed that Guaranty Trust Bank from Wednesday opened 40 more branches across the country to ease the pressure facing by the customers.

COVID-19: Oilserv donates medical, food supplies SOPURUCHI ONWUKA indigenous petroleum industry service provider, OilLserveading Limited, has stepped for-

ward with sophisticated medical supplies and tons of food items in support of government and communities as the country battles rising waves of coronavirus infection.

While the pipeline construction factor channels large numbers of personal protective equipment (PPE), sophisticated devices for rapid medical tests, and other medical supplies to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19; it is also supplying communities across the country with tons of foodstuff to help families cope with the pains of city lockdowns directed by government to break the chain of infection.

The company under the spon-

sorship of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation has already delivered over 3500 bags of rice and 8000 yam tubers to a number of communities in Rivers, Abia and Anambra States as it tours selected communities across the country with food palliatives for families impacted by the economic shutdown imposed by coronavirus.

The two sister organizations declared that it became necessary to rise in support of the government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the collective effort to contain the spread of the disease and also palliate the impact on Nigerians.

The intervention package from Oilserv Limited valued at over N100 million would be the biggest single donation by any indigenous oil service company in the coronavirus fight. The company

had also featured prominently in the collective contribution by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) under the guidance of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

Director of the Sir Emeka Okwuosa foundation, Hon. Azuka Okwuosa, said the company believes in the power of humanity to solve any challenge, adding that the belief is deeply rooted in commitment to impact lives positively and to support the government at this difficult time.

He pointed out that the new coronavirus disease has delivered devastating impact around the world, disrupting lives and livelihoods.

The Oracle Today reports that Oilserv Limited is Nigeria’s lead-

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According to the lender, “We are pleased to inform you that we will be re-opening more than 40 more branches across the country from Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Our banking hours have also been extended to 9am 3pm daily, so that we can attend to as many customers as we safely can.”

The bank said safety of its customers and staff is paramount and urged its customers to protect themselves when visiting a branch.

“Note that whilst we are committed to serving you in our branches, it is important that we continue to observe precautionary measures to keep all customers and members of our staff safe, it said.

“When visiting a branch, kindly protect yourself and our staff by wearing a facemask at all times.

It is also very important that you keep a safe distance when in a queue inside or outside the branch. We would also like to implore you to be patient as it might take a bit more time to serve you at our branches during this period.”

The bank also advised people

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday May 13, 2020

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION 83% of businesses may not survive Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria —LCCI

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agos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has declared that up to 83 percent of businesses in the country are at risk and will need to slash salaries and retrench staff in order to stay afloat after the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

President of LCCI, Mrs Tobi Mabogunje, who said this, Tuesday, added that policymakers and the organized private sector need to implement an urgent rescue package for businesses in the formal and informal sector.

“Although government have rolled out raft of relief measures to support businesses, we observe that these packages are tilted more towards formal establishments while micro and small-scale enterprises as well as informal businesses have been largely left out,” Mabogunje said.

On policy actions to be taken by the government, she said companies in the healthcare, hospitality, aviation and agro-processing sectors should be granted tax break for one year.

“Temporary suspension of 50 percent increase in VAT rate till year end. Also, P.A.Y.E should be suspended for the next six months.

This would help boost the purchasing power and aggregate demand, thereby stimulating the economy.

“Agro-processing companies should enjoy import waivers for the next one year; and commercial banks are implored to offer reprieve to businesses and corporates indebted to them.

“The reprieve could be in form of loan moratorium and restructuring.

We urge the CBN to review the cash reserve ratio downwards to 20 percent from the current 27.5 percent, to enable commercial banks have more liquidity to support businesses,” she suggested.

Mabogunje also urged the government to support airlines to pay for operational cost including international lease rental for aircraft and fully implement the executive order on removal of VAT from air transportation.

According to the LCCI President, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented some economic opportunities in some areas including import substitution, creativity and innovation, and the non-oil export.

She added that there are also opportunities for productivity and economic optimization abound in sectors like healthcare, agriculture and food, manufacturing, information communication technology (ICT), amongst others.

Lagos racks up 94 recoveries in 2 days, as total discharged patients hit 358

Stories by VICTOR NZE

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agos has recorded 94 recoveries from the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in two days, bringing the total number of discharged patients to 358.

The development follows the discharge, Wednesday, of another batch of 37 patients from the various isolation and treatment centres across the state, in addition to the 60 earlier sent home on Tuesday after full recovery.

A statement by the state government, Wednesday, said the 37 newly-discharged patients include; 19 females and 18 males, who twice tested negative for the disease after treatment.

Among the discharged patients also included an Indian national, according to the statement.

“37 more Covid19Lagos patients; 19 females & 18 males including a foreign national; an Indian were today discharged from our Isolation facilities at Yaba, Onikan & Eti-Osa to reunite with the society.

“The patients; 5 from IDH, Yaba, 25 from Onikan & 7 from the Eti-Osa (LandMark)Isolation Centres have fully recovered & tested negative twice consecutively to Covid19.

“With this, the number of patients successfully managed & discharged in Lagos has risen to 358,” the statement read.

It would be recalled that, state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while giving his daily update on Covid-19 situation, declared that the various treatment centres had, Tuesday, discharged 60 patients who tested negative on two occasions after treatment.

“Today, we discharged 60 #COVID19 Lagos patients; 40 males and 20 females, from our Yaba, Eti-Osa and Ibeju-Lekki isolation facilities to reunite with their families and society.

“The patients, 31 from the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, 19 from the Ibeju-Lekki and 10 from Eti-Osa Isolation Centres were discharged having fully recovered and tested negative in two consecutive readings.

“It is important that we do the right things at this time. #EasingTheLockdown is not a reason for us to rush out and eschew all safety guidelines. We must all play our part and take responsibility,” said the governor.

Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control (NCDC), Tuesday, put the total number of discharged patients of the Covid-19 at 481 persons who

have made full recoveries. Lagos accounts for over 85 per cent of total recoveries nationwide, even as it also has nearly two-third of total number national confirmed cases of 2,950 (as at Tuesday).

A breakdown of the cases per state reveals that Lagos remains in the lead as Nigeria’s COVID-19 hotspot accounting accounted for 1226 confirmed cases so far.

Kano is next with 397 cases followed by the FCT with 307 cases.

Borno has racked up 106 cases so far while Gombe has reported 98 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Katsina is next on the list with 92 cases followed by Ogun with 91.

In all, a total of 34 states and the FCT have so far recorded at least one confirmed case of COVID-19.

In fact, only two states are yet to join the list. They are Cross River and Kogi.

Covid-19: Aviation to benefit from N2trn economic injection -- FG

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•Officials of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC), led by Executive Secretary, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, during the ‘Stop-The-Spread’ exercise to financial institutions, motor parks and other public places across the metropolis to sensitise residents on the importance of hand washing with soap under running water to flatten the curve of COVID-19 in the state, Tuesday

Covid-19: NBC launches food relief intervention for families

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igerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) has commenced the distribution of food items to thousands of households across the country to help them mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and the consequent lockdown.

The beverages firm said the move was in further demonstration of its support for the COVID-19 fight and commitment to providing relief to vulnerable Nigerians.

The first phase of the NBC Food Relief Intervention will see over 2,000 households in 14 locations across the country receive essential food items, including rice, noodles and cooking oil amongst others.

The intervention, which commenced on Thursday, April 30 in Ota, Ogun State and Asejire, Oyo State, saw 300 beneficiaries receive foodstuff with an additional 150 households each set to benefit in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Makurdi, Warri, Enugu and Minna.

200 households each will also get relief packages in Benin City, Ow-

erri, Challawa and Ikeja as the NBC continues reaching out to families during these difficult times. The social interventions and volunteering campaigns is expected to run through the end of the quarter.

Receiving some of the household supplies on behalf of 150 families in Ota, Ogun State, Chairman of Nice Estate Community Development Association, Pastor Eric GbibgiJackson, commended the gesture

by NBC. “We are using this medium to thank you, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited. For these food items that you have given us, we remain deeply grateful and pray that your company will continue to grow from strength to strength,” he said.

Commenting on the intervention, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, NBC, Ekuma Eze, said the exercise was part of NBC’s commitment to support its host communities across the country.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been quite unbearable for many families. As a socially re-

sponsible organisation, we believe there is no better time to identify with these people across our communities than now,” he said.

Ekuma, who commended NBC staff who volunteered to drive the campaign, disclosed that more interventions are underway and reiterated NBC’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.

The food relief intervention is the latest COVID-19 response from NBC. The company, alongside Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, recently donated over 13 million centilitres of its beverages, including Eva premium table water and other soft drinks to provide hydration and nourishment for patients and healthcare workers at Isolation and Treatment Centres across different states in the country.

Besides, both companies have also supported the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC to develop risk communication materials for use to complement the government’s public education and mobilization initiatives for the Coronavirus outbreak.

inistry of Budget and National Planning has identified the aviation sub-sector as one of the beneficiaries of the N2 trillion economic injection being considered by the Federal Government as the industry loses almost N21 billion on a monthly basis since the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) outbreak.

The Minister, Prince Clem Agba disclosed at a webinar on; “Citizens Dialogue Session on Government Fiscal Policy Decisions to the Fall in Oil Process and the COVID-19 Pandemic,” organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and supported by Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

According to him, the injection is needed so the country’s aviation sector would stay afloat.

“We are also looking at how to support the Aviation sector.

Like you know, a lot of planes are parked, and this is causing almost N21 billion (loss) on a monthly basis. We are looking at how to provide some form of bailout support to ensure that the industry doesn’t die.

“If we put all these together, including government funding, the funds we expect to get from CBN, Bank of Industry, and other multilateral agencies as well as grants that are being received, we expect to have about N2trillion going into the economy,” the minister noted.

Agba added: “All in all, when everything is put together, both government funding and the funds we are expected to get from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Banks of Industry and other multilateral agencies and grants that we are receiving, we expect to get a stimulus of about 2 trillion going into the economy.”

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday May 13, 2020

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

Conflict in N/East renders 1.9m Nigerians homeless –UNICEF

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he conflict in the North East of Nigeria has uprooted 1.9 million Nigerians from their homes, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed.

This was made known in a statement issued by the UN specialised agency’s Communications Specialist for Nigeria, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, on Tuesday, May 5.

The UNICEF report stressed that internally-displaced children in Nigeria accounted for one of the world’s most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The agency, in the report titled Lost at Home to assess the risks and challenges facing internally- displaced children, called for urgent actions to protect them.

“In North-East, Nigeria, there are currently 1.9 million people displaced from their homes. Sixty per-

cent of them are children, with one in four under the age of five,” it said.

The report stated that globally, an estimated 19 million children, more than ever before, were living in displacement within their own countries, due to conflict and violence in 2019. “’Lost at Home’ looks at the risks and challenges internally- displaced children face and the urgent actions needed to protect them,” it said.

The UN agency said that as COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, children are among the most vulnerable to feel its direct and indirect impacts.

“Hundreds of thousands of children in North-East, Nigeria, are living in the shadow of conflict and now in the increasingly-challenging shadow of a global pandemic and its potential socio-economic aftermath.

“When a new crisis like the COV-

ID-19 pandemic emerges, displaced children are especially vulnerable and the gaps in our ability to keep them safe are even starker.

“We must urgently work together; all of us, government and humanitarian partners, to keep them safe, healthy, learning and protected,” it said.

According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic is making a critical situation for displaced children and families around the world even worse.

It said that they often lived in overcrowded camps or informal settlements, where access to basic hygiene and health services was limited, and where physical distancing was not possible.

“This is true in Nigeria’s NorthEast, where conditions pose a particular challenge to containing the

possible spread of diseases like COVID-19.

“Internally-displaced children around the world often lack access to basic services and are at risk of exposure to violence, exploitation, abuse and trafficking,” the report stated.

Assessing the challenges facing children, UNICEF explained that they were also at risk of child labour, child marriage and family separation, all of which posed direct threats to their health and safety.

The report said there are 12 million new displacements of children in 2019, with 3.8 million of them caused by conflict and violence and 8.2 million by disasters linked mostly to weather-related events, like flooding and storms.

UNICEF further said it was collaborating with its partners to protect

displaced children in the North-East through critical health and nutrition services.

Others, it said, were provision of access to life-saving WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) services through accelerated construction of facilities, and adapted solutions to continuing education, including provision of radio for distance learning, while schools were closed.

“What we really need now are strategic investments and united efforts by government, civil society organisations, private sector, humanitarian actors and the children themselves, to find solutions to the effects of displacement, especially as we face the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The efforts must also address and help mitigate the long term impacts this can have on children’s health and education,” it said

Man smashes new-born baby’s head on the floor over gender in Imo

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man who smashed the head of his newly-born baby because of her gender has been arrested by the Imo State Police Command.

The man reportedly went livid on learning of the sex of his new born baby girl, grabbed and smashed her head on the floor, killing the infant in the process.

The suspect identified as Ezekiel Anorue has been arrested by the Imo State Police Command after the incident.

A Police source revealed that the dastardly act was exposed after the wife raised the alarm; when the child stopped breathing immediately the father hit her on the floor.

It was gathered that the suspect, Anorue; was angry that his wife had lied to him that the new baby will be a male child; which was what he had longed for in the family.

The wife, who spoke in tears, disclosed that she had to lie to her husband that she will be delivered of a male child because she was threatened so badly after her third and fourth female children.

She said, “I had to lie to him so I could have peace of mind”.

Anorue, confessed to the crime, saying: “I really don’t know what came over me; I was so angry that I threw the baby on the floor. What my wife told me was different from the result of the scan she claimed revealed we would have a baby boy. ”I had to give her money to do the test at two different laboratories but she always came home with a result showing we would have a boy. ”I had already renovated our house, bought a lot of things but when I got home it was a baby girl.”

Reps invite Akpabio, NDDC management over alleged N40bn irregular expenditure

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ederal House of Representatives has invited the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio as well as Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over alleged N40 billion spent in two months by the agency.

The lawmakers said the fund was allegedly spent without due regard to the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Also to appear is the Interim Management Committee of NDDC to explain to the House, the plan of the commission to ameliorate the effect of the present economic situation on the region.

As a matter of fact, this was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion raised by Peter Akpatason (APC-Edo) during plenary.

Moving the motion earlier, Akpatason said that the NDDC was established by Act No. 6 of 2000; as an interventionist agency with the clear mandate. He said that the mandate among other things included; to undertake economic, environmental and infrastructural development toward improvement in the quality of life; economic transformation and prosperity in the Niger Delta region.

Specifically, the lawmaker said that Section 7 1(b) of the NDDC Act mandated the commission to conceive; plan and implement projects and programmes in accordance with set rules and regulations. Akpatason said the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the devastating impact on all aspects of livelihood and national economy; had occasioned a sharp decline in revenue and massive cuts in budgetary estimates especially since the past month. He said that various strategies for the containment of the debilitating effects of COVID-19 had resulted in the current suspension of

most businesses in public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Further, the legislator said the oil producing and gas processing companies from whom the NDDC was significantly funded; were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Akpatason said there was a compelling need to rise, as patriots; for the people of the region in the wake of the inevitable impact of COVID-19.

“The House Committee on NDDC is inundated with petitions from contractors, stakeholders and public interest groups; regarding alleged personnel layoffs and replacement with unqualified and inexperienced persons to man strategic offices in the commission; thereby hampering efficiency and productivity.”

Also, he referenced ‘‘the plethora of petitions and write-ups, both in the mainstream and social media outlets against the current interim management of the commission’s imprudent spending of scarce financial resources. I am alarmed by claims that the commission had spent over N40 billion in a space of two months; without corresponding effect on the region. Seventy per cent of the said amount were allegedly made on emergency projects and completion of commission’s headquarters; without due regard to fiscal governance as encapsulated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and other extant Financial Regulations.’’

Akpatason said that in the wake of COVID-19, a contract was allegedly awarded for the supply of Hilux vehicles; as well as medical consumables to the tune of N4.8bn which were in clear breach of sections 19, 25; and sections 41 and 42 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

•Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (right) addressing some Government Recognised Traditional Rulers at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, over the shutdown of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpo local government areas from Thursday

Covid-19: FG grants 2-month licence fee waiver to broadcast stations

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ederal Government has granted a two-month licence fee waiver for terrestrial broadcast stations in the country. The move is part of measures to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the broadcast industry.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this at a meeting with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).

The meeting was held on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mohammed informed the meeting that he had approved the request by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on the waiver.

Furthermore, he stated that he also approved the distribution of protective equipment to some community broadcast stations across the country by the NBC. Mohammed acknowledged the fact that BON members and other sectors of the creative industry in general; had been hit hard by the effects of the pandemic. Nevertheless, he disclosed that the government was taking a holistic approach to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the creative industry.

“Let me stress here that the Creative Industry is a very critical sector of the nation’s economy and a major plank of the economic diversification policy of this administration.

It creates the highest number of jobs after Agriculture, especially for

the youth.

“Therefore, there is no doubt that we need a collective and government-supported approach in dealing with the immediate; short and long term palliatives and initiatives for the industry; in order to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector,” he said.

Additionally, the Minister revealed that government had decided to set up a committee of industry stakeholders; to look into and advise it on the best way to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.

He said the committee’s Terms of Reference included assessment of expected impact of the pandemic on the industry in general.

Specifically, the committee is to advise the government on how to mitigate job and revenue losses in the sector; as well as to create succour for the industry small businesses. It is also to suggest the type of taxation and financing that is best for the industry; in order to encourage growth, Mohammed said.

Further, the committee will advise the government on other measures that can be undertaken to support the industry.

Mohammed said the committee is chaired by Ali Baba, a comedian, Film and TV entrepreneur; while Ms Anita Eboigbe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) is the Secretary. Other members include

Bolanle Austen Peters of TerraKulture Performing Arts; Charles Novia television independent Producer (TeenTV); and Segun Arinze, an actor and producer. Also, Ali Jita, actor and musician; Baba Agba, film director; Kene Okwuosa, cinema and film distributor; and Efe Omoregbe of record label and collective rights management are also members.

Other members are; Prince Daniel Aboki of Cool FM/WaZoBia, Chioma Ude, Olumade Adesemowo, Dare Art Alade and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim from BON. The minister said they were expecting the representatives of the Fashion, Publishing, Photography; as well as Hospitality and Travel sectors to join the committee.

He said the committee has four weeks to submit its report.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman of BON, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, who led the delegation,expressed appreciation for the federal government so far in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ohuabunwa said COVID-19 had adversely affected the revenue generation and earnings of broadcast outlets; noting that if not urgently addressed, would lead to collapse and shut down of many. He held that survival and success of any democracy lies in the existence of a robust and well-informed populace; which is achievable through the existence of the broadcast outlet.

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday 13, 2020

NEWS

Man held for beating 11- year-old girl to death In Ebonyi

BY CHINEDU NWAFOR, ABAKALIKI

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he Police in Ebonyi State said it has arrested one Ogbonnaya Daniel, for allegedly beating to death the 11-year-old daughter of his co-tenant, Miss Ukamaka Nwuzor.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),DSP Loveth Odah, said the incident was reported to the Command’s ‘B’ Division Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki by the deceased’s father, Peter Nwuzor.

According to her, the victim was rushed to Alex Ekweme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFETHA) where she was confirmed dead.

Odah said investigation was still ongoing after which the suspect would be charged to court.

She assured the Command’s preparedness to protect lives and property of residents and in a statement noted that, “following the report, detectives visited the scene of the incident and the victim was rushed to the A-E Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFETHA I) for medical treatment.

She was later confirmed dead by the medical practitioner on duty.

The corpse was deposited at the same hospital mortuary pending Autopsy.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a next door neighbour to the deceased family and there was an altercation that the deceased (little Ukamaka) poured unclean water near (Mr. Ogbonna Daniel) the suspect’s apartment and as a result he descended on her, beat her up to the point of coma, which led to her death.

“However the suspect has been arrested and investigation is ongoing after which the suspect will be charged to court.

“The Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State CP. Awosola Awotinde commiserates with the deceased family and he prays that the Lord Almighty will grant the little Ukamaka’s loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“He advise the general public to desist from unnecessary anger instead embrace peaceful resolution especially in this trying moment of COVID-19 pandemic.

“He reassured them of the command’s commitment to ensure the safety and security of the residents in the State.”

Enugu PWDs implore Ugwuanyi to offer them political positions From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

P

eople with Disabilities (PWDs) in Enugu State have pleaded with the State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to include them in the governance of the state by allotting political positions to them.

They said that such inclusion

would give them a sense of belonging and enable them to contribute their quota towards the development of the state.

They implored the governor to liaise with the state House of Assembly to establish a law that would allocate a standard ration of political positions, both elective and appoin-

tive, to them in the state, beyond the present administration.

The State Coordinator of Disability Support Forum for Gburugburu (DSFFG), Eze Jude Chuka, made the appeal during the distribution of Ugwuanyi’s COVID- 19 palliatives to PWDs at Igbo-Eze North Council Secretariat.

• Some home bound elderly persons receiving the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu COVID-19 food support to the elderly at the comfort of their various homes, in Ukwa East local government area of Abia State, Tuesday

Uzodinma hopes Adapalm can generate N3bn, employ 35,000 when operational

By COLLINS UGHALAA

G

overnor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State assured that when revived, the palm oil producing industry in the state, Adapalm, located in Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta local government areas, would earn about N3bn revenue and create about 35,000 jobs.

The Governor disclosed this Tuesday while during an inspection of the facilities, adding that his mission was to see ways the government could facilitate industrial growth, expansion and increased productivity at the facility.

He hoped that placing Adapalm in its rightful place would enhance the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, adding that the industry had a value chain that could produce not only palm oil, but other

oil-related products such as margarine, Shea butter, palm kernel oil.

He lamented the deplorable condition of the access road to the industry and appealed for time to fix the road while appealing to the youths of the area to desist from vandalizing government property and other oil installations in their area, as his administration would not tolerate rascality.

The Governor frowned at the illegal activities perpetrated on the premises of Adapalm, especially the felling of 6,000 palm trees linked to Seplat Petroleum Development Company.

He warned that the government would not take it lightly with any person or group that tamper with the economic trees and said that the state would welcome a situa-

tion where crude oil exploration could be done in a symbiotic manner to benefit both the state and oil companies.

He commended the management of Adapalm now that production had commenced once again at the industry as he assured that he was committed to bringing back the company as one of the state’s point of economic survival in a post-coronavirus pandemic era The governor said: “We are committed to bringing Adapalm back to stream. It’s one of our greatest hopes of surviving the post Covid-19 period. The economy is almost becoming epileptic but we have to look inwards to see how best we can restructure our economy, boost IGR and ensure that our citizenry are busy.”

COVID-19: Ogidi monarch adds more indigents on his stipend list

By IBE NWACHUKWU

T

he traditional ruler of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Alexander Onyido has restated his desire to ensure that all indigents and vulnerable persons in the area get a monthly stipend from him to survive the harsh economic conditions occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

Onyido, who spoke to journalists at his pharmaceutical industry, located near his palace, disclosed that he decided to add a number of indigents and vul-

nerable individuals in the community to the list of benefactors aged 80 years and above, since the COVID-19 lockdown to enable them survive.

According to the monarch, “since we survived the civil war, which lasted for about three years, I am optimistic that we will also survive the coronavirus pandemic and that was why I quickly added the list of vulnerables on my monthly payment of stipend.

“Both the aged and vulnerables usually gather here in the factory at the end of the month to collect their stipend and

I want all of them to survive the harsh economic effect of the pandemic and the nation’s dwindling economy and I hope to sustain it for as long as possible.

“The lockdown has helped to ensure that there is no clear case of COVID-19 in Anambra. I am among those advocating for the relax of the lockdown as its harsh effect has inflicted hardship on the populace.

“Here in my factory, we produce chloroquine, zinc and sulphate and if it turns out that these products are curing coronavirus, then I shall be willing to supply as much as is required to

treat those who tested positive.”

The President-General of Ogidi Union Nigeria, High Chief Jideofor Chuka Onubogu commended some illustrious sons and daughter of Ogidi for donating palliatives for distribution to the poor in the area.

Onubogu urged governments at all levels to endeavour to procure testing kits to test everybody at the borders and ascertain their status as a better option than to continue to close the borders without knowing those who are carriers and those who are not infected.

According to the coordinator, PWDs in the state were not happy that they are not represented in the governance of the state, even as when they had exhibited immense capacity in various endeavours including floating a viable support group for Ugwuanyi during the 2019 general election.

He said: “We are here to distribute the palliatives, which our governor, Ugwuanyi, has graciously allocated to PWDs in this LGA, to cushion the harsh effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that is threatening the entire world, including Nigeria and Enugu.

“We are grateful and proud of the governor for always realising that, though things are generally tough everywhere, but that when things are tough for others, it is deadly for PWDs and the vulnerable.

“That is why we are seizing this opportunity to plead with the governor to extend his political appointments to PWDs and create a special Commission to take care of PWDs. “We also appeal to him to liaise with the House of Assembly to create an enabling environment for us to attain elective positions both at the state and LGAs levels.

“We are the first to float a vibrant support group in Nigeria, we exhibited enormous vibrancy during the 2019 election campaigns in the state, and were part of all campaign outreach of the governor.

“Therefore, if we were actively effective in political campaigns, we are also good enough to participate in governance?

“We are with disabilities but it was not our making; we were all created by the same Almighty God, and we deserve to be carried along in the scheme of affairs including the decision-making levels and governance of the state.”

He described Ugwuanyi as the governor that had shown most compassion and care to PWDs in the history of the state.

He also urged the Igbo-Eze North Council Chairman to appoint a person with disability as Special Adviser or Special Assistant on PWDs and encouraged other respective council chairmen in the state to follow suit, stressing that only the vulnerable could tell where it pinches them most.

Food items, which were strictly distributed to the PWDs, who filed out from 35 autonomous communities across the council area included bags of rice, maize and millet; cartons of noodle, vegetable oil, tubers of yam and beverages, among others, were.

The governor’s largesse was also further boosted by a donation of extra bags of rice, maize; tubers of yam, and vegetable oil, among others, by the council chairman in support of Ugwuanyi’s efforts.

In his speech, the Deputy Chairman of the LGA, Hon Ikechukwu Ogbu, thanked Ugwuanyi for the gesture, and as well appreciated him for his tradition of reaching out to the PWDs, less privileged and the vulnerable in the state.

“The governor has never turned his eyes away from them, and he has always shown enormous love and support to Igbo-Eze North and her people, since his days as our representative in the House of Representatives,” he said.

9

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday 13, 2020

NEWS Lawmaker says PDP will overcome its Cross River From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar

A • Catholic Bishop of Enugu Doicese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga (middle), Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion) Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma (3rd left), Archbishop Christopher Ede of Enugu Methodist Church Nigeria (2nd left), State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Rt. Rev. Christian Obiefuna (2nd right), Bishop Godwin Madu of Pentecostal Church of Nigeria (right), Chief Imam, Enugu State, Imam Zurqallaini Saeed (behind Bishop Madu), others, after the religious leaders met with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday.

Cleric tells Govt to procure COVID-19 testing machine for every state

By IBE NWACHUKWU and OLIVER UDEOGU

A

cleric Venerable Obiora Uzochukwu has called on the governments to establish COVID-19 testing equipment and centers in all the 36 states in the country.

The Anglican cleric said the equipment would facilitate speedy testing and treatment of those infected by the coronavirus.

Speaking to newsmen at the All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State, Uzochukwu, an Archdeacon and Sub-Dean of Anglican Diocese on the Niger noted that the only way to ascertain the actual number of persons infected with COVID-19 in every state was when the masses undergo COVID-19 test.

He said if individuals and governments could purchase brand new vehicles at exorbitant prices, nothing stops the Federal Government from establishing COVID-19 testing equipment and kits for each state.

He said: “They said there is one functional testing laboratory for the whole of South East. When there is a suspected case, samples are taken and it requires some days to travel and conduct the tests.

“Is the testing machine or kits more expensive than a brand new SUV? What is the cost that it cannot be found in every state.

“COVID-19 has exposed our inefficient health care delivery system.

This should make us see the need to embark on massive refurbishment and upgrading of our medical facilities equipping it with ventilators and testing kits.

“COVID-19 has its positive effect on Nigeria. In many years of our democracy, Nigeria is yet to boast of hospitals equipped to international standards, but in the space of three months, there has been significant improvement in our medical facilities.

“Another positive effect of the COVID-19 include families being to-

gether. It also brought to our consciousness that one day everything will stop because some people think that the world and pursuit of the things of this life will continue forever.

“Even in developed countries and those super powers who think they possess the man power and nuclear power have seen their incapacity and weaknesses in the face of the pandemic.

“The rich have relieved their cooks, drivers and gardeners and have resorted to catering for themselves because of the fear of contacting coronavirus.They value their physical lives but let them also consider that there is eternal life,” said Uzochukwu.

The cleric further urged everyone to keep implementing the preventive measures of wearing face masks, regular hand washing, social distancing as directed by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar World Health Organization (WHO).

Police arrest 41 suspects, recover sacks of ammunition in Cross River

Ex-deputy governor urges Aba landlords to waive rent for tenants

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

A

former deputy governor of Abia State, Erich Acho Nwkanma, has enlisted the support of landlords in Aba in the fight against the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Nwakanma, who is also the President of Aba Landlords’ Welfare Association appealed to landlords in the commercial city to consider waiving rent waiver for their tenants because of the economic crunch resulting from the COVID-19 lockdown.

He noted that the pandemic has placed a huge burden on everyone in the fight against the spread of the pandemic in Abia.

In a statement in Umuahia, he stated: “My fellow landlords, this situation places a huge burden on all of us as humans to strive to survive by taking all necessary steps to avoid the spread of the disease.

“But what is of utmost importance is how we react as individuals and as a concerned association in helping mitigate the realities that have emerged as a result of the disease.

“This is the time when those that have capacity must assist in any way

to ease the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of others.”

Appealing to members of the association to be humane, Nwaknama charged them as landlords, “to consider steps you can take to make the economic burden easier on your tenants such as rent waiver on humanitarian grounds because that is what makes us our brothers’ keeper.“ He enjoined the landlords to ensure that they, as well as their tenants, observe all protocols as they affect personal hygiene, use of sanitizer and wearing of personal protection equipment, among others, as issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the state government.

In the area of commerce, he listed the responsibilities of landlords towards their tenants in the COVID-19 era to include ensuring that “all activities going on in our properties do not conflict with the regulations and guidelines on COVID-19, tenants provide sanitizers and facilities for hand-washing at their places of business, encouraging business owners to avoid crowding while delivering whatever goods or services they are offering and that businessmen should apply hygienic methods such

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart and lawmaker representing Calabar Municipality in the State House of Assembly, Efah Esua says the party will overcome the crisis rocking the party in Cross River State.

He emphasized that decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) is supreme and the current crisis is a battle for the soul of the party.

Esua disclosed this in Calabar against the backdrop of the crisis facing the party, which has pitched members representing the state in the National Assembly against some stalwarts in the state led by the governor, Prof.

Ben Ayade.

The crisis also led to the suspension of the state outgoing chairman of the party, Edim Inok Edim by the ward executives in Calabar Municipality.

Esua said: “What is happening today in the party cannot tear the party because whatever is the position of the NWC will be the popular position of generality of members of this party.

“What is happening is that there seems to be a supremacy tussle for the soul of the PDP in the state

between the state government and our other brothers in the National Assembly. The party had ward and local government congresses and some members of the National Assembly are feeling that they were not carried along in that tussle. ”You cannot really say that the problem is because of the governor, because the governor can give directives but those that go along to implement those directives for whatever reason had to exclude some people.

“The party’s NWC brought a list to Cross River and that list did not favour the state party chairman and some other persons that is why they went to court to get an injunction which was belated so technically those people have taken their oath of office”, he said.

He debunked insinuations that he had been suspended by the party emphasizing that those who allegedly suspended him over the crisis have no basis to do so and the recent list endorsed by the NWC of the party remains the authentic list.

He called on all party men to close ranks in the overall interest of the party in the state and eschew tendencies that undermine the state chapter of the party.

as use of hand gloves while handling money or conveying goods during exchange.

“Goods that can be sanitized using disinfectant or soap should be subjected to cleaning before being exchanged.”

Nwakanma commended the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, for taking proactive measures that have kept infection rates very low and death rate at zero in Abia.

“The timely lockdown and curfew imposed on the state, as well as fumigation, distribution of sanitizers, introduction of social distancing, ban on public gatherings, and compulsory use of facemasks were critical steps in containing the initial spread,” he noted.

He thanked the governor for the strategic, gradual relaxation of the lockdown, which has led to the safe resumption of some socio-economic activities, saying the action portrayed him as a listening governor.

He commended the health workers and members of State Covid-19 Committee and Task Force for their “bravery, hard-work and commitment, which is evident in the records of Abia,” describing them as “our heroes standing in the front line of the battle.”

T

he Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Police has arrested 41 suspected criminals and recovered scores of ammunition in its drive to rid the state of crime.

The Police Commissioner, Uche John Anozia disclosed this at the Command Headquarters, Diamond Hill Calabar while parading the suspects alongside the ammunition recovered from them.

He said the suspects comprise 11 armed robbery suspects, 19 cultists, fraudsters, while two vehicles, eight cartridges, locally made pistols and 14 firearms were recovered.

Giving more details of the suspected criminals, he disclosed that the 41 suspects include, “a gang of six armed robbers led by one Gilbert Esoho Ekpo aka T-Boy that has been terrorizing Calabar Metropolis and its environs and were responsible for the over two million naira robbery from a bakery as well as N12 million from an office along Calabar Expressway.

The commissioner said: “In addition, three robbery suspects were arrested along Calabar – Itu Road for incessantly robbing innocent motorists and other road users of their valuables by block-

ing the highway.

“Similarly, 16 suspected cultists were apprehended as a result of the cult rivalry between Klans KK and Vikings Confraternity Cult groups within and outside the metropolis based on intelligence and have confessed belonging to various cult groups.”

He called on the residents of the state to key into the community policing concept as anchored by the Inspector General Mohammed Abubakar Adamu and admonished residents not to relent in giving useful information to the police.

He noted further that: “It is evident that the dynamics of modern society has made citizen participation in crime fighting inevitable and this is why Adamu came up with a laudable initiative to anchor Community Policing at the doorstep of the people where citizens will formally participate in policing their own environment.

“Residents are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation and not relent in giving useful information concerning the activities of men of the underworld.”

He assured that the Command is poised to deal with all unscrupulous elements or groups of persons who may want to take the laws into their hands.

10

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

NEWS Cont’d from Pg 5 tion in the distribution of benefits, improve public trust, and enhance the integrity of the entire processes and modes of distribution of reliefs/benefits to these Nigerians.”

The organization also demanded government to “disclose information on the details of implementation of the school feeding programme during the lockdown and closure of schools in several states where the programme is being implemented, including the number of children that have so far benefited from the programme and the names of the communities, since the lockdown and closure of schools, as well as the number of cooks engaged.”

SERAP called out the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Sadia Umar-Farouk, on the concerns that millions of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people have not benefited from the announced palliatives, donations, reported cash payments, cash transfers and other benefits.

The minister had declared to surprised Nigerians that her ministry had paid out N52 billion of N20, 000 each to 2.6 million beneficiaries in less than one week. Since then, several videos of physical cash disbursement to mainly northern women floated in the social media as evidence of the massive disbursement.

The spate of public outrage that greeted the incredible statement roused the leadership of the National Assembly to question the minister’s assertion and directed her to be more transparent and equitable in administration of social investment funds.

“Ensuring that relief funds and donations are used to provide much-needed benefits to beneficiaries is critical to keeping people alive, and addressing vulnerabilities and inequalities in the country,” SERAP demanded.

The group criticized the federal government for failing to make provisions for the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people, and observed that about 80 million of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people would be negatively affected.

“We request you to provide us with copies of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) and the social national registers and the lists of beneficiaries under these registers that have so far benefited from any palliatives, donations, cash payments/transfers and other benefits during the lockdown.”

“According to reports, over 11 million of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people have been identified in 35 states to benefit from the Federal Government cash transfers and other palliatives and reliefs. We urge you to publish weekly spending details on COVID-19 relief funds and donations and the list of all beneficiaries.”

Yet another group led by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, (HEDA Resource Centre) demanded federal government and the 36 states of the federation government to come forth with simple and verifiable means of funds collected and materials being distributed to poor people affected by the lockdown across many states.

HEDA chairman, Olanrewaju Suraja, stated that there has not been any clear modality that will safeguard the government’s social intervention process against corruption.

“We are concerned about what appears to be a lack of data, a pro-

Where’re the billions? cess devoid of digital dashboard that will ensure the food being distributed reaches the poorest of the poor and not vested political interests” Suraju said.

Political activist and former Kaduna lawmaker, Shehu Sani, had also on his tweeter handle condemned the management of the government’s cash palliatives to poor Nigerians. He called on President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to identify beneficiaries of the cash transfer for accountability.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed the government’s social intervention programmes as total hoax, alleging that government officials were using the programme to fleece the nation.

The opposition party stated that absence of verifiable beneficiaries of the cash transfers and the failure of the COVID-19 social palliatives to reach ordinary Nigerians show that government officials use ghost beneficiaries to siphon the nation’s resources.

PDP pointed at inclusion of school feeding programme as an expenditure line even when schools are closed following the social distancing directives, describing it as an alarming depth of corruption.

It challenged the government to

open up on the handling of palliative funds against huge allegations of fraud and diversion.

The party called on the National Assembly to immediately investigate allegations of diversion of funds in the disbursement of palliative money “by a cabinet minister and recover same for Nigerians”.

In another reaction, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) stated that it is disappointed that that the citizens have continued to endure pains and hardships, “including severe hunger,” despite purported distribution of palliative packages, including federal government’s conditional cash transfers.

In expressing his concerns over the phantom palliatives of the federal government, the Chairman of GUO Transport Company, Chief Godwin Ubaka Okeke, also called on the government to publish the names of the beneficiaries of the COVID-19 palliatives as supposedly distributed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

Okeke told newsmen at Onitsha that if the distribution of the palliatives as shown on television were authentic, there was need for the publication of verifiable names,

signatures, phone numbers and house addresses of recipients from each state, local government and community.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the stimulus packages to the initial vulnerable households and the additional N3.6 million saying that publishing the list of the millions of vulnerable households who were supposed to benefit from the largesse would make people who feel marginalized to calm down.

Okeke also called on politicians representing the citizens to ensure that the allocations meant for their constituencies get to them, adding that many people are grumbling out of frustration and hunger.

He said: “We are grateful to Mr President but let the Federal Government publish the names of those who benefited from the palliatives state by state. A lot of people are grumbling saying that they are yet to receive any palliative.

“As we see on television, we are still waiting to see the palliatives come to South East and South South. Let our politicians ensure that we are getting our own fair share.”

Attachments area

Firstbank to hold virtual SME Clinic

F

irst Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider, will host a virtual SME Business Clinic to provide insightful information on how SMEs can better manage the financial activities of their businesses.

The clinic which is scheduled to hold via Microsoft Teams by 11 am on Thursday, 7 May 2020 is entitled: “Developing a budget to keep your business afloat” and will be discussed by leading SME experts in the country; Abayomi Adewumi, Founder/Director at Global Leadership Institute and Ojiugo Ajunwa, CoFounder at Ritetrac.

Speaking on the event, Mr. Gbenga Shobo, Deputy Managing Director, FirstBank said “the roles SMEs play in Nigeria are instrumental to the growth of our economy, especially in this very sensitive time, where many countries across the world are exploring alternative avenues to sustain the viability of their economy.

The FirstBank SME clinic has been instrumental to having SMEs better informed on how to manage their businesses and we encourage SMEs to join us in the forthcoming clinic as it promises to be enriching and impactful to their business.

In line with its resolve to support SMEs with essential skills and information to stay ahead in managing their businesses, FirstBank has held three SME clinics in the course of the year. These clinics were held in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and had over 150 SMEs in attendance.

Wike blasts Buhari over almajiri repatriation

By VICTOR NZE

R

•Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Mr Chukwuemaka Nwajiobi, Minister of State for Education, Chief Timipreye Sylva, Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Mallam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director, NNPC at the ground breaking ceremony for a permanent Emergency and Infectious Diseases Hospital for the South-South Region in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

NNPC Reduces Ex- Depot Price of PMS

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Wednesday announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of petrol from N113.28k per litre to N108.00K per litre across all its products loading facilities as well as in its thruput operations.

The reduction followed instructions by the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) which also directed proportionate reduction at other depots around the country.

A release today in Abuja by the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, quoted the Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company

(PPMC), Musa Lawan, as saying that the new ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, reflects the company’s market strategy to make more sales while complying with the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency’s (PPPRA) price template.

Lawan explained that the new price regime would enable PPMC to boost its sales volumes from the billions of litres of Petrol it has in storage while providing affordable price to millions of customers.

He said the new price was arrived at after extensive review of market realities by the PPMC internal price review unit.

The PPMC MD however point-

ed out that Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise called diesel, being already deregulated, its prices are determined by market forces.

On March 18, 2020, the NNPC reviewed its PMS ex-coastal, ex-depot and NNPC Retail pump prices.

Thus, effective 19 March 2020, NNPC ex-coastal price for PMS was reviewed downwards from N117.6/litre to N99.44/litre while ex-depot price was reduced from N133.28/litre to N113.28/litre.

The Oracle Today Reports that PPPRA retains pump price at N123 per liter although most filling stations in the country keep retail prices at the upper band at N125 per liter.w

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared the complicity of the Federal Government over the issue of repatriation of the street beggers, also called almajiris, accusing the Presidency of ‘double standards.’

Wike who said, Tuesday, at the Government House, while addressing traditional rulers over the planned lockdown in two local government areas of the state, namely, the Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor councils, told the monarchs as well as the council chairmen to ensure that the borders remained closed.

The state government disclosed plans to lockdown the two local government areas so as to control the spread of the Coronavirus spread in the state.

However, Wike regretted that the Federal Government has started playing double standards with the issue of relocation of almajiris.

“When they started relocating the Almajiris in the north, the Federal Government said nothing. Immediately they heard that we have relocated some almajiris, they came up with the declaration that it is against the inter-state movement. Why this double standard?”

Wike noted that his administration has continued to work on the state’s borders to ensure that they remain closed, just as he charged Local Government chairmen to take more stringent measures to stop the influx of persons.

“Set up your own Task Force in your respective domains and implement the closure of markets, hotels and beer parlours. This Task Force is strictly for COVID-19. The State Government will support all Traditional Rulers to carry out these responsibilities.”

11

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

NEWS

COVID-19: Oilserv donates medical, food supplies Cont’d from Pg 5

ing Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) company which has contributed immensely to the development of pipelines systems infrastructure in oil and gas industry in the country.

The company also delivers infrastructural development projects that positively affect the economy of the country.

Since its inception in 1992, Oilserv has remained a major player in the forefront of indigenous capacity development in the petroleum industry.

Through Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, Oilserv has been generous with poverty alleviation programmes that deliver lasting impact on beneficiaries across the company’s host communities, industry circles and across every zone of the country.

Prominent in the company’s traditional poverty alleviation programmes are capacity building, provision of basic amenities, rural infrastructure development, scholarship schemes, and internship programmes.

In rising to the challenge raised by the coronavirus disease, Oilserv has through the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation tons of foodstuffs and advanced medical supplies including personal protective equipments (PPEs), sophisticated coronavirus test kits and distant temperature test equipment.

The Oracle Today reports that while the sophisticated medical supplies would be donated to the federal government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which coordinates industry response to the pandemic challenge, the company has already started distribution of the food supplies to communities through Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation.

The medical supplies worth over N70 million ordered for

NNPC include 6000 disposable masks, 1500 hand gloves, 80 cartons of face shields and 4000 disposable protective suits.

The digital medical tools include 1200 infrared thermometers, 250 facial and temperature monitors, and 2500 COVID 19 rapid test kits with capacity for 15 minutes result.

According to the company, NNPC is expected to deliver the medical supplies for utilization

by Rivers State, Anambra State, Enugu State and the Presidential Task Force.

To cushion the effect of the pandemic on the livelihood and health of the host communities in Rivers State as well as support other states and the federal government in the fight against the pandemic, Oilserv Limited in conjunction with the Sir. Emeka Okwuosa foundation also donated

foodstuff.

In Rivers state, Oilserv donated 350 bags of rice to four different host communities namely. Woji community received 100 bags, Rumuibekwe got 100 bags, Ogale Eleme received 50 bags and Uzuaku community in Abia state 100 bags.

Sir. Emeka Okwuosa Foundation also donated over 3,000 bags of rice and 8000 tubers of yam to families in Oraifite and Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state to cushion the effect of the coronavirus and the associated lockdown in the state.

The Oracle Today witnessed the donation ceremony at Umueshi hall Irefi Oraifite , Ekwusigo local government area, Anambra state where the Foundation yesterday distributed food items worth over N40 mil-

lion to the four quarters in Oraifite as palliatives to the needy and vulnerable.

The food items comprising 4,000 bags of rice and 8,000 tubers of yam were to cushion the effects of lockdown caused by COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world.

Aside Oraifite community and some parts of Ozubulu, others who benefited were the Nigeria police, Directorate of State Services (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) , Churches including Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church and Pentecostal church as well as the traditional institution and Town Union Leadership among others.

President of the foundation and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Oilserv Limited, Sir Emeka Okwuosa, said the food items were his widow’s mite to

•Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State performing the ground breaking for a permanent Emergency and Infectious Diseases Hospital for the South-South Region in Yenagoa - a project of the NNPC-led Oil & Gas Industry Intervention Initiative on COVID-19.

Customer surge overwhelms banks Cont’d from Pg 5

to use its ATMs and explore its electronic banking platforms for ease of transaction.

“Before visiting any of our branches, please remember that you can withdraw up to N200,000 at all our ATMs and that you can do most of your banking from the safety of your home from your phone.”

In its own, First Bank assured that stringent measures have been implemented to ensure its branches and locations across the country operate in line with the health and safety guidelines issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

Expressing the Bank’s delight at welcoming customers to its branches and locations, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, the Bank’s CEO stated that wearing face masks is now mandatory.

He also stated that maintaining social distancing by reducing physical contact by at least one meter from the next person and queue guides and markings are in

place to guide customers.

He also said that “hand washing stations and hand sanitizers have been provided.”

Speaking on the impact made by the Bank across its sub-Saharan business Dr. Adeduntan said “We are glad that our investment in technology over the years has really borne fruit as many of our staff were able to work remotely during the lock down with effective IT support to hand. We were therefore able to actively support our customers, their families and businesses through these challenging times.

“We ensured business continuity across eight countries Nigeria, Ghana; Democratic Republic of Congo; Sierra-Leone; the Gambia, Guinea; Senegal and United Kingdom. We recognize that this has truly been a trying period and are poised to continue to provide as much support as we can to our customers and communities we operate in.”

Coming back home, the Bank’s Chief explained that during this period it proactively reviewed products and services to support customers better and expressed

his appreciation to Nigerians for the whole hearted adoption and patronage of its electronic services, “as these indeed demonstrated the trust which the public repose in the Bank.”

He said “It is for this reason; putting our customers first, that our Bank working to regulatory, Federal and State Government directives worked assiduously to keep over 50 percent of our branches open across all nooks and crannies of the country.

“At the same time the call center was re-staffed in the most efficient manner and retooled as we provided even more opportunities for our customers to reach us for their banking needs”.

He further provided a snapshot of transactions carried out across First Bank’s e-banking channels during the five-week lockdown in various parts of the country: We recorded approximately 12.6 million withdrawals amounting to about N156 billion across our ATMs well placed across the country.

Nigerians with First Bank cards used them 105 million times to make payments or withdrawals

worth about N1.18 trillion as they relied on us to settle their banking needs Our customers made transfers over 106 million times with a total value of about N8.18 Trillion across our digital channels.

During this period, our 53,000 plus agents have processed over N512 billion worth of transactions We have also recorded over 275,000 new sign-ups to alternative channels covering our Firstmobile; USSD and First-Online platforms.”

As one of the leading SME banks in the country, with a drive to ensure SMEs are supported, Dr. Adeduntan also stated, First Bank has enhanced palliatives such as introduction of special waivers on repayment fees on its credit cards, and a 90-day loan moratorium on selected products across markets, to help cushion the impact of the toll on employment and livelihoods.

Our Wholesale business was also not left out as advisory services and a range of financial needs were met to the delight of our Corporate and Commercial customers.

ease the sufferings of his Oraifite people and others as a result of the lockdown.

Addressing the beneficiaries from the four quarters of Ibolo, Ifite, Ezumeri and Irefi that make up the community, Director of the foundation and former Commissioner for Works in Anambra state, Sir Azuka Okwuosa who represented Sir Emeka Okwuosa at the event, said the foundation’s intervention was to assist government in alleviating the sufferings of the people.

“The foundation has made provision for Oraifite community, others outside this community and has extended it to people in Port Harcourt and other parts of the country,” he said.

In his comments, the traditional ruler of Oraifite community, Igwe Dr Daniel Udoji, noted that the foundation has delivered Community Social Responsibility (CSR) and prayed that God would continue to bless the benefactor and Oraifite community who had produced a son like Okwuosa.

He recalled that the Emeka Okwuosa Foundation had been doing a lot to empower Oraifite people through scholarships, skill acquisition and other various means of empowerment.

In his goodwill message, the Minority Leader and Member representing Ekwusigo constituency, Anambra state House of Assembly, Right Hon Onyebuchi Augustine Offor described the Okwuosa’s as instrument of hope for Oraifite community, Anambra state and Nigeria.

He noted that the donation has no political tag as there was no name on the rice, asking God to bless the giver and receivers.

One of the clergymen and Archdeacon, Oraifite West Archdeaconry, Venerable V.C Okeke enjoined the beneficiaries to give thanks to God for giving them the philanthropist.

Ven Okeke charged others to assist the poor as much as they could like Okwuosa.

He noted that Emeka Okwuosa Foundation had continued to live by example, a gesture he said would attract more blessings to the foundation and its founder.

Hon Azuka prayed for those affected by COVID-19 and commended the efforts of healthcare workers in the front lines battling to contain the outbreak.

He made it clear that the supplies are to support government’s initiatives in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure to contend with rising cases of the disease, and also help palliate the social impact of contagion containment measures imposed by government on citizens and residents.

Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation declared that “Oilserv Limited commends the effort of Federal Government and the various state governments in their bid to not only find solution to the pandemic and treat patients that have contracted the disease, but in their daunting effort to provide palliative to the teeming populace.”

The Oracle Today reports that Oilserv had last December donated robustly equipped ultramodern school facilities and medical centers to communities in Anambra State as part of its annual community philanthropic outreach across the nation.

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday May 13, 2020

Crime

Covid-19: Police receive PPE from NCAC

D

irector General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has donated Covid 19 Personal Protection Equipment to members of the Nigeria Police Force.

This donation which is a continuation of the support of the Council to the fight against Covid 19 pandemic is to enhance the security of officers and men of the force who are in the front line in the effort to curb Covid 19 epidemic.

Making this donation, Runsewe commended the gallantry of the Police Force and their commitment to the enforcement of Covid 19 guidelines, as well as to the Inspector General of Police for directing members of the force to respect human rights citizens in the discharge of the Covid 19 duties.

He also thanked Mr. President for showing exemplary leadership and commitment to the eradication of the epidemic.

Responding, the Inspector General of Police who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations Mr. Mojid Ali, thanked Runsewe and his management team for appreciating the efforts of the Nigerian Police Force in the fight against Covid 19.

The DIG noted that the donation by the Director General of NCAC is yet another demonstration of his outstanding commitment to duty and to the development of the Nigerian nation.

The DIG appealed to other wellmeaning Nigerians to emulate the good gesture of NCAC boss by assisting the police with similar donations.

The items donated by Runsewe include locally made customized face shield, regular face masks made of local fabric and Sanitizers, liquid soap, Information and Communication materials among others.

IGP warns against unprovoked attack on personnel in Oyo

…Says 27 officers have been attacked by Nigerians since Covid-19 lockdown Stories by VICTOR NZE

I

nspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has praised the DCO II, Eruwa Police Division, in Oyo State, ASP Adeyemo Ogunyemi, for his uncommon restraint and professionalism in the face of unprovoked attack as shown in a viral video.

The video showed a woman identified as Kehinde Afolake seen assaulting the police officer unchallenged and without retaliation, while he was carrying out the COVID-19 enforcement duties at Gbolagunte, Okeola area of Eruwa, Ibarapa, Oyo State on 1st May, 2020.

“The officer, like a lamb being led to the slaughter, did not fight back but rather, maintained absolute

calm, patience and decorum even as the woman rough handled him and slapped him severally,” noted the Adamu.

According to Police Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Frank Mba, the said woman also assaulted two female police officers, Inspr. Ojola Abiola and Inspr. Queen Eguaoje and gave one of them human bite on Saturday, 2nd May, 2020 during an attempt to invite her to the police station for the earlier incident of serious assault on the DCO. “The Eruwa incident thus is a classic example of unprovoked, unwarranted and unnecessary attacks faced by police officers in the course of performing their legitimate duties. The IGP therefore

warns that this trend will no longer be tolerated by the Force.

“The IGP notes that since the commencement of the COVID-19 enforcement duties, a total of 27 police personnel have suffered series of attacks and assaults from members of the public at different times and at different locations.

“Many of these officers, he reiterates are still in hospitals receiving treatment from the injuries sustained during such attacks. These include a female police officer, PC Ngozi Nkem, in Agbor, Delta State who was seriously assaulted when a police team was dispersing a group of persons holding a birthday party in clear disobedience to the social restrictions and distancing orders.

“Apart from the attack on the person of police officers, some of these citizens have equally carried out attacks on police assets and facilities. For example, two (2) police stations and police quarters were attacked and burnt down in Katsina and Abia States while fifteen (15) police vehicles/motorcycles were also damaged,” Mba said in the statement.

The IGP has, therefore, directed the Commissioner of Police, Oyo Command to carry out a discreet investigation into the Ewura attack on the police officers and ‘ensure that justice is done.’

“The IGP enjoins the citizens to continue to cooperate with the police and other security personnel and voluntarily comply with all COVID-19 prevention orders. He reiterates that the Force shall continue to hold officers accountable and mete out commensurate punishments on any personnel who violate the rights of the citizens. He however warns against any unprovoked attack and assault on police officers while in the course of their duties as perpetrators will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Mba said.

Man sentenced to death by Lagos court via online ruling

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Lagos High Court on Monday, May 4, sentenced a man to death in the country’s first-ever virtual ruling during a five-week COVID-19 lockdown.

In the ruling conducted virtually due to COVID-19 lockdown, Justice Mojisola Dada ordered death by •From right: Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG,Operations), Mr. Abdulmajid Ali, who represented Inspector General, Mr hanging for Olalekan Hameed; a Mohammed Adamu, receiving a donation of shields, facemasks made of adire, hand sanitizers and others from the Director driver, over the 2018 murder of 76-year-old Jolasun Okunsanya, the General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), in Abuja mother of his boss.

“This is the virtual judgement of ederal Capital Territory (FCT) the court,” she said.

Police Command has reminded It was not immediately clear if Haresidents that there is a subsisting meed would appeal. suspected oil thief, Mallam Ju- day of March, 2020 in Erahwa Com- lion with two sureties in like sum. presidential directive imposing an Under Nigerian law, state goverlius Obi has been remanded in munity, in Isoko North Local GovOne of the sureties must be a Civil nors have to approve death sentencovernight curfew in FCT between 8:00pm and 6:00am daily, starting the Port Harcourt Custodial Centre ernment Area of Delta State, within Servant or a Public Offficer who es before they can be carried out. pending the perfection of a N10mil- the Jurisdiction of this Honourble must file an affidavit of means and from Monday 4th May, 2020.

Local and international rights bod“This implies that movement of lion bail granted him by the Federal Court without appropriate license their resident status verified. ies have repeatedly called on Nigeridealt in petroleum product to wit: The court allowed the defend- an authorities to expunge the death persons will not be allowed within High Court, Port Harcourt.

According to a statement by Act- crude oil and thereby committed an ant’s cousin who was in court to sentence. this stipulated time. However, essential service providers, especially ing Head, Media & Publicity, EFCC, offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) stand as the second surety and or“This spike in death sentences medical personnel who may be on Tony Orilade, Obi was arraigned on and punishable under Section 1 (17) dered that Obi be remanded in Port puts Nigeria at odds with the global duty at such hours will be consid- April 24 by the Economic and Finan- (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Harcourt Custodial Centre, pending trend towards abolition of the death cial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Act, CAP M17 of the Reverse Edition the perfection of his bail terms. The penalty,” Osai Ojigho Director, Amered.

“The Command in compliance Harcourt Zonal office before Justice (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria), matter was adjourned till the 8th nesty International Nigeria, said. with the directive, has commenced H.I.O Oshomah of the Federal High 2007 and punishable under Section and 9th June, 2020 for commence“As of today, many more counment trial. enforcement of the overnight cur- Court, Port Harcourt on one-count 1 (17) of the same Act”. tries have abolished the death pencharge bordering on illegal dealing in Obi, however, pleaded “not The defendant was arrested alty in law or in practice. Nigeria few. sometime in March 14, 2020 by of- must not be different,” he said.

“Members of the public are there- petroleum product without license. guilty” to the charge.

The alleged offence is contrary In view of His plea, the prosecu- ficers of 222 Battalion Operation fore advised to comply with the Hameed was arraigned in March presidential directive and stay at to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable tion counsel M.T. Iko prayed the Delta Safe who were on Anti-bun- last year on a two-count charge of under Section 1 (17) (a) of the Mis- court to remand the defendant in kering patrol around Erahwa Com- murder and stealing. He pleaded home within the curfew hours.

“All should note that those arrest- cellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 Port Harcourt Correctional Centre. munity in Isoko Local Government not guilty.

However, defense counsel, O.E. Area of Delta State, where he alleged for violating this directive will be of the Reverse Edition (Laws of the On Monday, all the parties to detained and arraigned at the Mo- Federation of Nigeria), 2007 and Keri urged the court to consider edly owned and runs three illegal the case; including the accused, bile Courts the next morning,” said punishable under Section 1 (17) of the bail application of the defend- oil refineries. lawyers, witnesses, and journalists ant pending before it and grant him The defendant was arrested to- participated in the session remoteDSP Anjuguri Manzah, Police Public the same Act. The charge reads, “That you Mal- bail. Justice Oshomah granted the gether with a Mitsubishi black Jeep ly from different locations via the Relations Officer, FCT Police Comlam Julius Obi on or about the 14th defendant bail in the sum of N10 mil- with registration number PF 429 SPY. Zoom application. mand Abuja.

FCT police commence enforcement of curfew

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EFCC arraigns suspected oil thief in Port Harcourt

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POLITICS The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday May 13, 2020

13

As testing of Nigeria’s cure for HIV/AIDS begins, Ezeibe demands transparency After foot-dragging for many years, the Federal Government has commenced verification of claims by Prof. Maduike Ezeibe that his Medicinal Synthetic Aluminum Magnesium Silicate medicine cures HIV/ AIDS. BONIFACE OKORO reports from Umuahia.

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HE Federal Government has commenced the testing of the Medicinal Synthetic Aluminum Magnesium Silicate (MSAMS) medicine, invented by Maduike Ezeibe, a Professor of Clinical Virology, and the Dean, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, for curing HIV/AIDS. According to Ezeibe, MSAMS is an antiviral medicine, which cures HIV/AIDS. In the last three years, further researches have shown that MSAMS could be also used to treat Cancer, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Ebola, Measles, Lassa fever, Mad Cow disease, amongst others, and could also be used to potentiate other medicines.

The breakthrough stirred up controversy when the Federal Government accused Ezeibe of breaking protocols in announcing such invention. But he appealed to the authorities to overlook the issue of protocol and investigate his claims first. In private, he held his ground that he abided by the ethical demands of such research.

He disclosed that when he made public his invention in February 2017, he was done with the laboratory and toxicity tests of the drug and wanted the Federal Government to fund the clinical trial of MSAMS on the required percentage of HIV/AIDS patients, and the cost ran into billions of naira.

The Federal Government was adamant.

He took his medicine to regulatory bodies, requesting them to test his drug. He was unsuccessful. Ezeibe went to the Senate where the lawmakers, in a resolution, urged the Executive to investigate his claims.

The Federal Government set up a joint committee of experts drawn from the ministries of health, and science and technology.

At the end of its investigations, the Committee recommended that Ezeibe should be assisted with funds to complete his research work. The Committee offered to apply to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TERTFUND) on behalf of Ezeibe in the hope that it would enable him access the fund quicker. It is not certain what finally happened there.

The Federal Government later, with a cash prize honoured Ezeibe as an innovator. In March, 2020, Ezeibe participated in a show organized by the Federal Government tagged Innovations, Science and Technology Exhibition in Abuja, and his entry was adjudged the best; he came first in that exhibition.

When it was beginning to seem as if nothing was being done in the area of testing the medicine, the Director-General of Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof.

Babtunde Lawal Salako, on May 2 disclosed that the institute was verifying Ezeibe’s claims that his drug cures HIV/AIDS. In response to a question of whether Ezeibe had made a presentation, the DG said: “Government has directed NIMR to look at it, and we are doing that. We have been doing that now for the past three months, and soon, we will come out with our conclusions.”

An indifferent Ezeibe said he has been working with NIMR since November last 2019 and they have been testing his drug

•Ezeibe

without the institute telling him that they were doing so on the directives of the Federal Government.

He commended the Federal Government for finally acceding to his request for the verification of his medicine but complained about what he called a secret trial since he wasn’t aware of the verification, insisting that the exercise of testing his drugs should be transparent.

In an exclusive interview with The Oracle Today, Ezeibe said: “Research is not done secretly. You cannot call a researcher and you wouldn’t tell him what you are doing, just like you cannot call a patient and give medicine without telling him what is involved.

“Is it not funny that while Federal Government was calling some people, let me use Agbalaka, (am sorry to mention his name) you accused him of not bringing his medicine for trial and this is another person saying, come and test mine, you said

you won’t come.

“Now that government has directed NIMR to verify the medicine, why wouldn’t government tell me to submit my work to them. They didn’t tell me.

“Whatever they want to do, I have submitted my medicines to them to do what they want but I don’t like the secrecy.

“How can you call a professor without telling him government sent you, is it fair?

But if you will not tell the inventor, who is researching with you, why did you tell the Press?You have told the public and yet the person involved didn’t know. The government didn’t tell me, the agency didn’t tell me.”

Ezeibe had noted further: “I can confirm that I am working with NIMR on HIV. But I was never told that the government asked them to investigate me.

“I have been going round Nigeria, begging people to come and test my medicine.

I have been to Nigeria Academy of Science

and NIMR for many years, asking them to test my medicine. I am unlike others who claim they have a cure, but when you ask them to give their medicine, they run away.

“When November 2019, NIMR called, I was happy. They said they wanted to verify my medicine, I said, okay.

“I even gave them a bill because nobody is sponsoring me. I told them I will give one dose for N1; they said they have no money.

Since they said they have no money, I had options, I could also say I have no money also but because I was interested in people confirming what I have invented, I agreed to sponsor the trials.

“I sent them the medicine and I go there occasionally. We started this trial in December and we have completed five months.”

According to him, NIMR has verified the toxicity of his drug by testing it on animals and found it was safe before they started testing it on human beings.

“They (NIMR) have sent me results for four months. The fifth month has not come. So within these four months, the first two months, the viral load, that is the level of infection, went up. I told them that was would happen.

“The Nigerian medicine is better than any medicine because it unmasks those hidden HIV infections. Why HIV is incurable is because HIV goes to hide in some cells medicine cannot reach. That is why they talk about sanctuary cells, which means no matter what you do, you cannot reach the sanctuary cells.

“I have been telling people that my edicine is able to destroy the sanctuary cells, unmask HIV and bring it out. So, for the first two months, the viral load went up by 97.25 per cent. In the second two months, that is the third and fourth months, the load came down by 71 per cent. They have not given me the fifth month,” Ezeibe said.

In appealing for transparency, Ezeibe said: “what we have done for these for months, let them bring it to the open, so that people can contribute. Let us make the medicine better for the service of Nigeria and the whole world.

“I have been very transparent in my work. I report to the university about all my experiences so that every other scientist in the university can contribute.

“MSAMS is Nigeria’s project, I want every scientist in Nigeria to be part of it, so it should be open. I am calling on NIMR to make their report open so that every Nigerian scientist can contribute.”

After the HIV/AIDS testing, he hopes to delve into clinical trials of the MSAMS on coronavirus.

He said: “If my drug can cure HIV, it will cure coronavirus and Nigeria. Our economy is down and if we can establish that we have cure for coronavirus, it will lift Nigeria.

“I am calling on the media to ask the NIMR to release interim report on what they have done on HIV, so that we can start the clinical trials on coronavirus because COVID-19 is easier to cure,” Ezeibe added.

With MSAMS on trial now, the world is waiting for NIMR’s verdict: Has Nigeria truly found a cure for HIV/AIDS or will the hopes raised by Ezeibe would be dashed.

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The Oracle Today ThursdayMay 7 - Wednesday May 13, 2020

POLITICS Ex Majority Leader, State House of Assembly hails Church on development projects

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

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HE former Majority Leader, Anambra State House of Assembly described a project embarked upon the Church of Nigeria Anglican communion, Nnewi Diocese Anambra, as a noble initiative and called on spirited individuals to support the church financially in its efforts in giving back to the society.

The Church of Nigeria Anglican communion, Nnewi Diocese Anambra state has embarked on the construction of a multi-million road beside the Cathedral Church of St Mary, Uruagu, Nnewi.

The Church had to demolish its three storey building, housing a secondary school of the church in order to make the road project a reality since some families were not cooperating with the church.

According to His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi it was in line with the culture of corporate social responsibility of the Church and a practical demonstration of the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ as well as complementing the efforts of Anambra State Gov-

ernment.

The Church embarked on the multi million naira road construction project to ease the challenges faced by commuters and residents of the community.

The ongoing construction work which includes an Asphalt road which spans 130 Meters, 260 meters of reinforced concrete 900mm drainage on both sides of the road and 160 meters of design fence with metal grills to provide a composite Cathedral environment devoid of vehicular traffic, are being handled by an Engineering Company: Chartech Logistics Services Ltd and supervised by Hon. Engr. Humphrey C. Nsofor , a Civil engineer, member of the Cathedral Special Committee and former majority leader of Anambra State House of Assembly.

While speaking to newsmen in Nnewi after an oversight supervision of the ongoing road project on Saturday, 2nd May 2020, the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, His Lordship, Rt. Hon. Ndubuisi Obi described the project as the Church’s corporate social responsibility and its way of giving back to the community for welcoming the church with open hands

Nnewi Anglican diocese demolishes 3 storey building to construct Multi Million Naira Road in Uruagu

By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

hurch of Nigeria Anglican communion, C Nnewi Diocese Anambra state has embarked on the construction of a multi-mil-

lion road beside the Cathedral Church of St Mary Uruagu Nnewi.

The Church had to demolish its three storey building, housing a secondary school of the church in order to make the road project a reality since some families were not cooperating with the church.

According to His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi it was in line with the culture of corporate social responsibility of the Church and a practical demonstration of the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ as well as complementing the efforts of Anambra State Government.

The Church embarked on the multi million naira road construction project to ease the challenges faced by commuters and residents of the community.

The ongoing construction work which includes an Asphalt road which spans 130 Meters,260 meters of reinforced concrete 900mm drainage on both sides of the road and 160 meters of design fence with metal grills to provide a composite Cathedral environment devoid of vehicular traffic, are being handled by an Engineering Company: Chartech Logistics Services Ltd and supervised by Hon. Engr. Humphrey C. Nsofor , a Civil engineer, member of the Cathedral Special Committee and former majority leader of Anambra State House of Assembly.

While speaking to newsmen in Nnewi after an oversight supervision of the ongoing road project on Saturday, 2nd May 2020, The Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, His Lordship, Rt. Hon. Ndubuisi Obi described the project as the Church’s corporate social responsibility and its way of giving back to the community for welcoming the church with open hands since its inception.

He expressed satisfaction on the spate of work at the project site noting that the Cathedral bypass road is a pivotal but capital intensive project which runs Into several millions of naira and very dear to the heart of the diocese.

He opined that the access road is aimed

at ending the challenges that commuters and residents of the community usually experience during its regular church service as they find it difficult to access the major road: Oba -Okigwe road, due to the closure of the Micheal Mbonu road Uruagu at the Cathedral end during church service.

He further revealed that the Church financially compensated and relocated the families whose landed property is very close to the church and needed to give way for the access road to be a reality while the three storey building, housing a secondary school that was built by the church was equally pulled down and evacuated as some families refused to sell their land to the church to give way for the Cathedral bypass road.

On the efforts of the church in combating COVID19, His Lordship stated that the church had embarked on several measures to complement the effort of the government in sensitising the community on how best to stay safe amidst the pandemic outbreak.

The Bishop further advised the government to channel its palliatives measures through the church, as the church is an institution with Integrity which will ensure an equal distribution of the palliative materials to the intending recipient, he recalled that during the Nigeria Biafra war, that the red cross and other organization channeled its palliative measures through the church as they are close to the people.

In his own remarks, Ven Nelson Emeonu (JP) Archdeacon, Cathedral Church of St. Mary Nnewi showered encomium on his Lordship, The Bishop of Nnewi Diocese for his foresight, commitment and determination in supporting the project and ensuring that the church affects the community positively. He also eulogized Hon. Engr.

Humphrey Emeka Nsofor for his uncommon efforts in seeing that the project becomes a reality.

Hon. Engr. Nsofor the former majority leader, Anambra State House of Assembly described the project as a noble initiative and called on spirited individuals to support the church financially in its efforts in giving back to the society.•Senator Ifeanyi

Araraume, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Uche Nwosu, Hon. Chike Okafor

since its inception.

He expressed satisfaction on the spate of work at the project site noting that the Cathedral bypass road is a pivotal but capital intensive project which runs into several millions of naira and very dear to the heart of the diocese.

He opined that the access road is aimed at ending the challenges that commuters and residents of the community usually experience during its regular church service as they find it difficult to access the major road: Oba -Okigwe road, due to the closure of the Micheal Mbonu road Uruagu at the Cathedral end during church service.

He further revealed that the Church financially compensated and relocated the families whose landed property is very close to the church and needed to give way for the access road to be a reality while the three storey building, housing a secondary school that was built by the church was equally pulled down and evacuated as some families refused to sell their land to the church to give way for the Cathedral bypass road.

On the efforts of the church in combating

COVID-19, His Lordship stated that the church had embarked on several measures to complement the effort of the government in sensitising the community on how best to stay safe amidst the pandemic outbreak.

The Bishop further advised the government to channel its palliatives measures through the church, as the church is an institution with Integrity which will ensure an equal distribution of the palliative materials to the intending recipient, he recalled that during the Nigeria Biafra war, that the red cross and other organization channeled its palliative measures through the church as they are close to the people.

In his own remarks, Ven Nelson Emeonu (JP) Archdeacon, Cathedral Church of St. Mary Nnewi showered encomium on his Lordship, The Bishop of Nnewi Diocese for his foresight, commitment and determination in supporting the project and ensuring that the church affects the community positively.

He also eulogized Hon. Engr. Humphrey Emeka Nsofor for his uncommon efforts in seeing that the project becomes a reality.

•His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi

•St Mary Uruagu Nnewi road constructed by Anglican diocese of Nnewi

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The Oracle Today ThursdayMay 7 - Wednesday May 13, 2020

POLITICS GEJ warns African countries could collapse because of COVID-19 T HE Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) has warned that most African countries faced the prospects of collapse in the wake of the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the continent.

The Executive Director of GJF, Mrs. Ann Iyonu, stated this in a communiqué at the end of the first edition of a three-part series of its flagship programme Policy Dialogue Series, held recently.

The webinar, which focused on “COVID-19, Peace and Security in Africa: Impact, Risk and Mitigation,” was part of the discussion to create awareness on what the African continent faces in the wake of the global pandemic.

According to the GJF, a foundation set up by former president, Goodluck Jonathan, the long history of failure of governance in Africa will be the reason for the heavy impact of coronavirus on the continent.

In the communiqué, the foundation called on African leaders to go beyond rhetoric and start leveraging on their comparative advantage, while they look inwards to de-

velop country specific, original and organic solutions that speak to peace and security issues.

It stated that, “the COVID-19 pandemic is exposing the long history of failure of governance in the continent and if this is not addressed, it may lead to the collapse of many African states.

“There is tendency for African leaders in their attempt to ending the cycle of infection of the virus to shift focus or be blind to the peace and security issues facing the continent,” as the pandemic exposes the vulnerability of many communities and places citizens at a high risk of recruitment by extremist groups.

The foundation faulted the shutting of tertiary institutions during this period of crisis “as counterproductive to the growth and development of the continent as the pandemic presents an opportunity for African leaders to leverage on technology and ensure that learning continues.

“The current approach of city-wide lockdowns and movement restriction denies citizens access to their safe spaces and other

forms of human rights.”

It called on governments to train law enforcement agencies on disaster preparedness and emergency policing, while it urged “law enforcement agencies to adopt a human rights-based approach in the enforcement of lockdown and other COVID 19 measures.”

“It increases reported cases of GenderBased Violence (GBV) in the continent as the needs of women, youth, and other vulnerable groups are often neglected in emergency response situations as posed by the current pandemic.”

Noting how “economic concerns are beginning to take priority over the health, peace and security of citizens,” the communiqué tasks leaders across the continent to develop a robust database and clinical evidence about the pandemic in Africa, which will help in developing the right approach in tackling the impact of the health crisis.

Participants were drawn from Kenya, Gabon, Uganda, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

•Jonathan

Africa does not need saving during this pandemic

In fact, Africa and the Global South can teach the rest some lessons

By ROBTEL NEAJAI PAILEY

I

t was inevitable that racism would rear its ugly head. Having previously documented the long and shameful history of unethical drug testing on communities of colour across the globe, I was not surprised earlier this month when two French doctors proclaimed on national television that Africa would be the most appropriate location for a coronavirus vaccine trial. Never mind that this continent has the lowest recorded number of cases regionally.

For bigots who operate under the appalling assumption that black, brown, and other non-white bodies are easily expendable during times of crisis, COVID-19 presents the perfect storm. Yet, instead of expending energy on denouncing the doctors’ asinine comments, as so many have already done, we should be reflecting on what Africa and other regions of the so-called Global South have to teach the world in this collective moment of reckoning.

Call me naive in the heyday of apocalyptic projections about infections and deaths to come, but I prefer to focus on the silver lining. This is in some ways why I have been rolling my eyes at countless doomsday commentaries published by Western media outlets in which so-called Global North “experts” have argued that Africa, a continent of 54 diverse countries rumoured to be the final frontier of coronavirus, desperately needs saving. My response? Puh-lease!

Ordinary Africans, and their counterparts in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, are not navel-gazing or waiting around for the “mighty” Global North - itself in the bullseye of the virus - to come to the rescue. Even in the midst of constraints unheard of in Europe and North America, Global South folks are exemplifying the kind of ingenuity, generosity, solidarity, empathy and civility from which we all must learn.

We should be borrowing from this playbook, not casting it aside.

Let’s start with my own country, Liberia, once destabilised by a 14-year intermittent armed conflict in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

During the deadliest ever Ebola outbreak of 2014-2016, which killed more than 11,000 in West Africa alone, 22-year-old Liberian student nurse Fatu Kekula single-handedly treated three family members at home when they fell ill. She transformed rubbish bags into aprons, gloves and masks which

•A health worker checks the temperature of a traveller as part of the coronavirus screening procedure at the Kotoka Airport in Accra, Ghana on January 30, 2020 [Reuters/Francis Kokoroko] became her very own retrofitted personal protective equipment (PPE) - a technique that resource-strapped healthcare workers in Europe and North America are now replicating.

Indeed, the Global South has both exported innovation and disseminated much needed “staff, stuff and systems”. While critiques abound, Cuba’s late March deployment of 52 medical workers to Italy was a stark and important exemplar of “South to North” medical humanitarianism. Once vilified for its socialist leadership and harshly sanctioned by the West, this island nation has a long history of dispatching health missions in times of calamity and tranquillity.

In keeping with Cuba’s efforts in Italy, Somalia followed suit by sending 20 doctors to aid the southern European country. Lest we forget, this Horn of Africa nation is recovering from protracted warfare, including current threats from al-Shabab armed fighters, which makes its intervention all the more admirable.

Though the United States has tightened sanctions against conflict-affected Iran and slammed crisis-prone Venezuela with narcoterrorism charges, countries across the Southern hemisphere have extended olive branches of support while the pandemic nears its peak.

Having faced virulent forms of Sinophobia as the initial epicentre of coronavirus, China has begun a global campaign to distribute medical supplies and expertise to African countries such as Algeria and Nigeria, with plans to deploy personnel to Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf in due course. Although not without controversy, such is the beauty of “South-South” cooperation.

Whereas others parroted early on the racist edict that COVID-19 was exclusively a Wuhan epidemic, Chinese philanthrocapitalist Jack Ma, of tech giant Alibaba fame, was one of the first billionaires to spring into action when he pledged $14m in late January to develop a vaccine to tame the virus. Regional heavyweight South Korea also proved its mettle by getting ahead of the curve with nation-wide testing and quarantining, earning international plaudits in the process.

In the likeness of South Korea’s proactive approach to virus prevention, Zimbabwe’s universities have shown that necessity is the mother of all inventions. As the country battles a chronic economic recession, including hyperinflation, with healthcare workers striking across the country, universities are manufacturing gloves, masks and hand sanitizers amidst a 21-day lockdown. Farther east, a factory in Kenya now produces 30,000 surgical masks a day to meet height-

ened national demand.

South Africa also has important lessons to impart. Because of the country’s experience researching and testing for HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases, it has started developing locally-made COVID-19 tests and will embark shortly on a clinical trial for a vaccine.

It has been said a disease transported by upwardly mobile jet-setters - who have the wherewithal to huddle at homes and the resources to practice physical distancing when necessary - is now killing the poor and sedentary, who do not.

Yet, Global South traders in the so-called “informal sector” have defiantly dictated that one-size-fits-all coronavirus prevention measures will not work everywhere, that they hurt vulnerable populations in lowincome countries, and that “top-down”, militarised lockdowns cannot be imposed on poor people without advanced warning or social protection schemes.

While some leaders in the Global South have unleashed physical brutality against their citizens under the guise of battling COVID-19, or blindly borrowed protocols from the North without understanding that context must drive policymaking, others, like Nigeria’s senators or senior members of Rwanda’s executive branch of government, have donated portions of their salaries for relief to poor households.

As Global North leaders jockey for power, undercutting each other in a bidding war over respirators, the Global South is unassuming in its instructions about the necessity of civility. Because whether rich or poor, black, brown, or white, young or old, man or woman, we are all in this existential catastrophe together.

And while some of us may be more equipped than others to tackle it, the virus’ visa-free obliteration of borders and orders proves that no one is exempt from its ferocity.

Africa and other regions of the Global South have already demonstrated that they are far from passive centres for medical experimentation. Rather, they are the sites of home-grown solutions which should be transmitted globally.

As the celebrated Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy reminds us, coronavirus has not only exposed nature’s wrath against the crudeness of capitalism, but also forced us to imagine a better world beyond flattened curves, and, might I add, racist vitriol.

• Called from aljazeera.com

16

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday May 13, 2020

Feature

•Simbi Wabote

By HANNINGTON OSODO, Nairobi, Kenya

I

n April 2010 Nigeria enacted a new piece of legislation that changed the country’s oil and gas industry and possibly the country’s wider economy forever.

The Act, known as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Local Content Development Act or the NOGICD Act, was enacted to change decades of foreign domination of Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar oil and gas sector.

Oil has driven Nigeria’s $600 billion economy since it was first discovered in the Niger Delta region in the 1950s and commercially exploited. Despite more than 50 years of extraction, the real benefits remained elusive to average Nigerians with doors to the industry shut and closely guarded by the international oil and gas giants.

Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), is convinced that the Act will transform the oil and gas sector - the biggest foreign exchange earner in Africa’s top oil producer – and be an example across the continent for other resource-rich countries to emulate.

An engineer by training and a former director of Shell Nigeria, Wabote leads the board that is overseeing the implementation of the Act. “Our aim is that by 2027, based on our strategic plans, we will be at 70% of local content. We are working at it to see that we get there, hoping that all the variables including power, road infrastructure and the continuous growth and investment that we expect in the oil and gas sector remains stable and grows,” he said.

“Before the enactment of the Act, all production activities were in the hands of the International Operating Companies, the IOC’s, they managed the operations, the Shells, Chevrons, Exxons…” he added.

Together with a highly competent team, Wabote has been responsible for the remarkable transformation in the oil and gas sector that now sees Nigerian companies providing cutting-edge services and equipment to the IOC’s and also to local companies.

•Amy Jadesimi

Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Local Content Act - A roadmap for Africa’s resource rich countries “All engineering design - conceptual, front end, detailed design, were done outside the country. But today as we speak, eighty percent of all engineering design is done in the country, which is an amazing achievement. Can you imagine the capital flight when we did all those kinds of designs outside the country?” said Wabote.

On April 22, this year, amid the global coronavirus lock down, the Nigerian oil and gas industry marked a decade’s worth of achievements and a record transformation not seen anywhere in Africa.

The implementation of the NOGICD Act, has opened opportunities for Nigerian companies such as AITEO, AVEON, DELTAFRIK, LADOL, OILSERVE, NESTOIL and many others that today constitute a block of indigenous companies that contributes to the bulk of oil and gas related services in the country.

“Before the act was enacted the local content percentage in the local industry was less than 5%, so between 2010 and 2015 we moved it to about 25% in terms of the growth of local content, but today it’s about 30%,” said Wabote.

From ship building, oil rig fabrication and maintenance, oil well drilling to the laying of giant oil pipes in swampy terrain or in the sea, these companies have proven their excellence to the IOC’s.

Many Nigerian companies now own drilling rigs and ownership of sea going vessels has jumped to 40% from near zero a few years ago.

Momentous flagship projects since the enactment of the NOGICD Act in 2010 include Egina, a multi-billion-dollar giant complex Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel - FPOS. Egina’s hull and other primary parts were assembled at the Samsung Heavy Industry’s Yard in South Korea, but the rest of the cutting-edge fabrications and installations were carried out in Nigeria by Nigerian companies among them LADOL and AVEON. Dr. Amy Jadesimi, the Managing Director Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base – LADOL, said the new Act has been a resounding success.

“It’s been a triumph for local content, and we have created 3,000 jobs so far.

Going forward we expect to create 50,000 jobs directly or indirectly due to the multiplier effect of what we do at LADOL,” she said.

Today, a total of five cutting-edge welding yards operate in Nigeria fabricating about 60,000 metric tons per annum.

The NCDMB aims to create more than 300,000 direct jobs through its activities and also retain as much as $17 billion incountry of the $20 billion of the estimated annual industry spend.

Before the Act - Taking the bull by the horns.

However, even before 2010, without the full support of the law, a few Nigerians had forced their way in into the oil and gas industry. Many had first-hand experience working with IOC’s and recognized the vast potential the underserved Nigerian industry represented.

One such group formed by Nigerian oil and gas executives looking to build Nigerian capacity was PETAN or the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, led by Bank-Anthony Okoroafor based in the commercial capital Lagos.

“Most of us worked for multinational companies all over the world, so we came up together… let’s do same service for Nigeria, for the betterment of Nigerians, to help Nigerians create more entrepreneurs, retain more value in-country and create more employment and opportunities for Nigeria. That’s why more than 20 years ago, we set up PETAN,” said Okoroafor.

But despite the best efforts by these pioneer firms, the vast majority of service operations remained firmly in the hands of IOCs until the NOGICD act came into law.

“By the time we set up, in total, more than 380 billion dollars hadwalked away from the country,” said Okoroafor.

17

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday May 13, 2020

Feature

Augustine Avuru

Another executive who also had firsthand experience providing services to IOCs in those early days is Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, popularly known as Obijackson. He founded Nigeria’s foremost indigenous oil and gas company, Nestoil.

“It was a question of who the IOCs like.

If they like your face, they give you the job. They don’t like your face, you are gone,” he said.

Today, Nestoil is one of the companies laying one of the biggest pipelines in the country for Shell Nigeria. Their success has already won them the title: “kings of the swamps.”

Overcoming early challenges Although 10 years later the NCDMB is riding on a high note of success, it would be misleading to assume the transformation in the Nigerian oil and gas sector happened overnight.

One of the biggest challenges that indigenous firms faced in the initial stages was lack of trust by IOCs. “The biggest challenge was a question of trust and perception on the ability of a Nigerian-owned yard to provide the kind of services that were needed,” said Tein George, Chairman Aveon Offshore.

Dr Emeka Okwuosa, Group Chief Executive Oilserv concurred.

“First, there was a narrative that Nigerians could not do it, second there was a narrative that oh…you guys, some of you have worked with the companies, we know you have capacity individually but you don’t have a system in place, we cannot entrust delicate operations to the hands of untested companies,” he said.

Ernest Nwapa, a former Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, also remembers some of the malpractices by certain IOCs operating in the Niger Delta at that time.

“Oil companies used to give people work and tell them to go and sit at home. So, they would come and claim that ‘I’ve employed 20 people from the community, but we don’t have space for them to work, so we just pay them at the end of the month’…that is damaging to humanity,” he said.

“ “

•T.A.Orji

All engineering design - conceptual, front end, detailed design, were done outside the country.

But today as we speak, eighty percent of all engineering design is done in the country, which is an amazing achievement. Can you imagine the capital flight when we did all those kinds of designs outside the country?

It was automatically clear something more substantial had to be done to correct the situation.

Engineer Wabote said it took a lot of skillful negotiations and convincing for the world’s giant oil corporations to comply with, not only to the letter but also to the spirit of the transformative NOGICD act.

“One watchword in the implementation of the local content is PRAGMATISM, you have to be pragmatic in your approach and not be dogmatic about it…if you read the act like a holy book, you’re probably not going to make any progress,” he said.

“I think it was a jolt for them. When we told them listen, there’s a law you have to abide by the law and some of these thing you have to do in the country, they were a bit taken back because as you know, there are those people who are always afraid of change, especially when there is so much uncertainty. So that uncertainty really upset them a bit,” he added.

As the NCDMB progressed in its transformative work, some of the challenges required that the board to step out beyond the oil and gas industry, reaching out to other sectors, including academia.

“We have launched a 10-year roadmap for R&D, we’ve set up a research and development council which will be substantial enough to support the academia because we’ve become the nexus of be-

tween the industry and academia,” said Wabote.

The board has also set aside a $200 million fund to assist Nigerian entrepreneurs bridge any financial gap that may arise in their projects.

Moving forward A trip down to the various busy expanse fabrication yards and docks in the oil hub of Port Harcourt Lagos and Yenagoa clearly confirm that the local content Act has had a huge impact on Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

But in the face of weakening oil prices, a move to cleaner energy in some parts of the world and as the Nigerian oil basin matures, where will the country go from here? Will the IOCs continue to support the local content Act? Those in the Nigerian oil and gas industry say the situation is challenging but far from bleak.

“For Africa, it’s going to take time for us to get into that fully fledgedgreen energy, so our oil and gas will continue to be relevant. I believe gas will be more relevant because it is cleaner,” said Aki Adumakinde, Chief Executive Deltafrik.

Ojunekwu Augustine Avuru, Chief Executive Seplat, sees more opportunities in the maturing Nigerian oil basin should the IOCs decide start cutting back on their investments.

“The difference is that, Nigerian inde-

pendents are available to fill the gap, rather than for the country to wait for other multinationals to come in. So, the future of oil and gas industry belongs to Nigerians and Nigerian independents,” he said.

Lessons for the rest of Africa.

Historically, resource rich countries in Africa have been associated with high levels of corruption, poverty, violence and low growth.

Nigeria might be a long way from clearing some of these hurdles and empower its people. But plans are already under way to further the influence of the transformative NOGICD Act into all sectors of its economy.

“Already there is a push for a law to expand the scope of local content to other major sectors of the country,” said Timipre Sylva, Nigeria Minister of Petroleum.

Nigerian indigenous companies are proud to be associated with the NOGICD Act and hail it as being unique to Nigeria.

“Look around Africa, apart from national companies that you may find thriving in part of North Africa, there is nowhere else in Africa you see the depth of indigenous participation both in the upstream in terms of actual exploration, development and production of gas and crude oil. Nowhere in Africa would you find what you find in Nigeria,” said Ojunekwu Augustine Avuru CEO Seplat.

“The Nigeria content Act is the pride of Africa, frankly, we have perhaps the most certain local content regulations in Africa. The laws are very clear, the board has done an outstanding job, they’ve enforced the law, they’ve been pragmatic, they’ve been fair, they have been reasonable,” said Tein George Chairman Aveon Offshore.

Empirical evidence on the ground today shows that if the transformative Nigeria’s oil and gas industry local content Act is allowed to run its course successfully, it could provide a roadmap for other resource rich African countries to also transform their economies.

18

The Oracle Today ThursdayMay 7 - Wednesday May 13, 2020

Covid 19

NCDMB donates N70m to PTF on COVID-19 T

he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday donated N70 million to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the Coronavirus Virus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr.

Simbi Kesiye Wabote handed over a letter communicating the donation to Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha in Abuja.

Wabote explained that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, who is also the chairman of the NCDMB Governing Council is passionate about the oil and gas industry’s support to the fight against COVID 19.

He noted that despite the Board’s recent donation of ambulances and medical supplies to its host states of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers, to support its response against the

...Pandemic an opportunity to promote Local Content-SGF pandemic, the Governing Council still considered it necessary to approve additional support to the national effort.

In his response, the SGF thanked the NCDMB for the donation and assured that it will be used judiciously in furtherance of the national response. He added that medi-

cal equipment and relief materials were required in all states of the country.

He regretted that COVID-19 had become the biggest health challenge of our generation and every available resource will be required to contain it.

Mustapha charged Nigerians to take per-

Hopeful coronavirus researcher shot dead

A

medical researcher said to be on the “verge of making very significant” coronavirus findings was found shot to death over the weekend in Pennsylvania, officials said.

Bing Liu, 37, a researcher for the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, was found dead Saturday inside a home in Ross Township, north of Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner said.

He had been shot in the head and neck, the agency said.

An hour after Liu’s body was discovered, a second person, Hao Gu, 46, was found dead inside a car less than a mile away, the agency said.

Ross Township Police Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp told NBC News that the men knew each other. Investigators believe that Gu killed Liu before returning to his car, where he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Kohlhepp said authorities are still investigating their relationship and a potential motive for the killing.

Liu, who earned a PhD in computational science from the National University of Singapore, worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University before becoming a research associate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

In a statement, the University of Pittsburgh described him as an excellent mentor and prolific researcher who had coauthored more than 30 papers. His work focused on systems biology.

“Bing was on the verge of making very significant findings toward understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie SARS-CoV-2 infection and the cellular basis of the following complications,” the school said. “We will make an effort to complete what he started in an effort to pay homage to his scientific excellence.”

•Bing Liu,

sonal responsibility and obey all the guidelines issued for the easing of the lockdown.

He stressed that countries that had overcome the virus had achieved the feat through the active cooperation of their citizens.

Speaking further, the SGF hinted that the pandemic had provided the perfect opportunity for Nigerians to promote Local Content in all facets of the economy.

He noted that all countries of the world were scrambling for ventilators, test kits and other medical consumables, thereby spiking the cost of the items.

This development he said underscored the urgency to focus on the local production of all critical items we need as a nation.

He added that focusing on Local Content in key sectors of the economy will also help to stop capital flight and create much needed jobs locally.

The SGF confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had begun to introduce a number of funding packages that are designed to promote medical, pharmaceutical and hospitality businesses that would depend on what we produce, manufacture and consume locally.

Africa50 donates US$800,000 to help fight COVID-19 A

frica50 the pan-African infrastructure investment platform, has announced its COVID-19 Relief Support Initiative, which aims to support the continent’s fight against the pandemic. Under this initiative, Africa50 is providing US$800,000 to help contain the spread of the virus and minimize its impact. Given the likely longterm effects of the pandemic, Africa50’s COVID-19 Relief Support Initiative will have three phases, as follows: The first phase focuses on helping countries deal with immediate public health needs through in-kind and cash donations.

It comprises a US$300,000 grant to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which will be used specifically for the purchase of test kits and other medical equipment and to mobilize frontline responders, as highlighted in the Africa Joint Continental Strategy for COVID-19 led by the African Union, through Africa CDC. In addition, Africa50 is donating

US$500,000 to fund other targeted infection control and prevention activities in several African countries.

The second phase will focus on technology-enabled solutions that help address the unprecedented demand for digital health innovations, which was triggered by the pandemic. To that effect, Africa50 will support the deployment of digital solutions, as part of its Innovation Challenge, an initiative launched in 2019 to increase internet connectivity access in under-served areas in Africa.

The third phase will concentrate on medium to longer term solutions to support economic recovery and stabilization, including the implementation of major infrastructure projects.

On the occasion of this announcement, Mr. Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50, said “We stand in complete solidarity with all African nations and all our stakeholders around the world during these uncertain times. Beyond the tragic loss of human lives, the pandemic

is projected to result in a decline in Africa’s GDP growth between 3 and 8 percent.”

He underlined Africa’s vulnerability to this new, rapidly evolving environment and stressed the need for diligent, impactful responses and continental cooperation.

“Governments, the private sector, development institutions, and civil society have acted quickly, both to limit the spread of the virus and to prop up economies. Africa50 will play its part.”, he said.

“If we work together, we can limit the damage of the pandemic. This crisis underlines once again the urgency of improving the continent’s infrastructure to ensure that people can enjoy productive, happy, and healthy lives. We must therefore also continue to develop our project pipeline and evaluate new ones, as we prepare to support the continent’s recovery”, he added.

COVID-19 lockdown risks 1.4 mn extra TB deaths: study he global lockdown caused by COV- disease killer,” said Lucica Ditiu, executive rial.

Ttuberculosis ID-19 risks a “devastating” surge in director of the Stop TB Partnership.

“Lockdowns and other measures cases, with nearly 1.4 million “COVID has hit us very hard. The more against coronavirus are affecting these additional deaths from the world’s biggest infectious killer by 2025, new research showed Wednesday.

TB, a bacterial infection that normally attacks patients’ lungs, is largely treatable yet still infects an estimated 10 million people every year.

In 2018, it killed around 1.5 million people, according to the World Health Organization, including more than 200,000 children.

Since effective medication exists, the world’s TB response is centred on testing and treating as many patients as possible.

But as COVID-19 forces governments to place populations on lockdown, new disease models showed that social distancing could lead to a disastrous rebound in TB infections -- the effects of which are set to persist for years.

This is because social distancing will make it impossible for health care workers to test vulnerable populations and for patients to access ongoing treatments.

“In spite of having drugs and treatment... we are not yet close to ending it and TB remains the biggest infectious

people we have not diagnosed and treated the more problems we will have in the coming years.”

Models developed in partnership with epidemiologists at Imperial College London used TB response data from three high-incidence countries: India, Kenya and Ukraine.

They showed that a two-month global lockdown and a rapid recovery in response programmes could lead to more than 1.8 additional TB infections globally over the next five years, and a predicted 340,000 deaths.

But if countries fail to quickly reimplement their testing and treatment, the models showed things would get much worse.

For example, a three-month lockdown followed by a 10-month “recovery” period could lead to an additional six million infections and 1.4 million TB deaths by 2025.

“TB is actually curable with affordable drugs. So a lot of control efforts in recent decades have really been focused in diagnosing cases as quickly as possible,” said Nimalan Arinaminpathy, associate professor in mathematical epidemiology at Impe-

systems for managing tuberculosis. In fact (in the models) it takes several years for this elevated TB burden to come down to pre-lockdown levels.”

The research did not look at the comorbidity between TB, an acute lung infection that leaves even survivors’ lungs compromised, and COVID-19, a viral infection that often leads to lung problems.

Cheri Vincent, head of TB division at USAID, said several studies were looking into how TB puts an individual at higher risk of getting sick with COVID-19.

“As that information becomes available we may be looking at a much more dire situation,” she said.

Suvunand Sahu, deputy executive director of Stop TB Partnership, said there was significant concern over the millions of people living with the infection as COVID-19 spreads.

“We know that TB does create damage in the lungs, so when your lung capacity is limited adverse outcomes of COVID would naturally be expected to be higher,” he said.

19

BU$IN£SS The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

•Energy •Finance

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

N

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

‘Forget dollars; fire your economy with oil’

•Tourism

ENERGY Seplat declares strong profitability despite low price cycle P23

Insurance Covid-19: Sanwo-Olu doubles life insurance cover for frontline Lagos health workers

P27 e-Platform

• President Buhari with R-L: Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachukwu, New Secretary General of OPEC, Dr Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo and Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim

mestic markets, APPO disagreed on depending on oil income to drive diversification.

Dr Farouk Ibrahim called on Nigeria and other African countries to draw lessons from the prevailing realities of global economic recession to rework their growth programmes along the line of firing up industrialization.

He said the imperatives of domestic utilization of petroleum resources to fuel industrialization has been amplified by the prevailing weakness of the commodity in fetching revenues urgently needed to swim through the looming global economic recession.

According to him, the traditional plans to diversify the Nigerian domestic economy from oil have failed mainly because successive administrations of the government adopted the deceitful strategy of using oil income to develop other streams of the economy.

Dr Ibrahim who is versed in petroleum industry issues argued that African countries have become reference cases for resource curse because governments of producing countries have always relied on cheap resource export income to support national fiscal spends.

CBN Exchange Rates FEBRUARY 23, 2020 Currency Buying(NGN) Central (NGN) Selling(NGN) US DOLLAR 306 306.5 307 POUNDS STERLING 396.117 396.7643 397.4115 EURO 330.6636 331.2039 331.7442 SWISS FRANC 311.609 312.1181 312.6273 YEN 2.7346 2.7391 2.7435 CFA 0.4842 0.4942 0.5042 WAUA 415.9771 416.6568 417.3365 YUAN/RENMINBI 43.5107 43.5823 43.6538 RIYAL 81.5761 81.7094 81.8427 SA RAND 20.2452 20.2783 20.3114

In pointing at the current fiscal quagmire in Nigeria as a result of oil demand destruction inflicted by global city lockdowns and coronavirus pandemic, Dr Ibrahim declared that time has come for the country to activate gradual and phased withdrawal of Nigeria’s crude oil from the international market.

According to him, the failure of successive administrations of the federal government to process and utilize her petroleum resources for internal industrial consumption is the cause of the sprawling poverty in Africa’s biggest oil producing country.

In pointing at the pressing need for Nigeria to optimise value from petroleum resources despite the supply glut and associated price slump in the export market, Dr Ibrahim made it clear that the market adversity was coming at a time of internal stakeholders’ demand from midstream industry development.

Accordingly, he proposed, government has little option than to begin phased recovery of Nigeria’s crude production from the international markets, beginning with 50 percent domestic processing across

“The economic diversification will continue to fail because the whole idea of diversification so far is that you still use oil money to diversify other sectors. No. It shouldn’t be.

And also when you talk of resource curse it is the same thing; because resource curse is producing this oil, exporting it and bringing in cheap money.

“Our position at APPO is that we will continue to produce this oil. We do not target to export oil.

We should produce it, refine it, use it and do petrochemicals with it. When you are able to do this them there will be no question of resource curse because the whole procedure of processing it and doing petrochemicals keeps adding value. And that in itself ends what is called reso8urce curse.

“When you do that, automatically you diversify your economy.”

He pointed out that African oil producers would not achieve economic freedom and development if they continued focusing on oil export revenue. He stated that the full value of the commodity lies in its application as means of production.

igeria must immediately review its resource management strategies to ensure that petroleum resources deliver full growth catalysis in the domestic economy, create the needed jobs for the people and heal the country of poverty.

President of the Africa Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), Dr. Farouk Ibrahim, said time has come for the government to discontinue its revenue focus in management of her petroleum resources and spark the highly awaited industrial revolution needed to boost productivity in the domestic economy in the short term and also export revenue in the long term.

According to African Energy Chamber, the current COVID-19 and oil prices crises have demonstrated that African oil-producing nations are still not economically diverse despite repeated actions taken by governments over the past decade.

The chamber projected economic crises in African oil producing countries to reach double digit economic recession in the year as countries like Nigeria, Angola, Gabon, Congo or Equatorial Guinea deal with unprecedented lows in oil prices and struggle to keep their economies afloat.

It argues that the current downturn could propel these economies prioritize diversification in their economic policies in order to use of oil revenues to fuel other sector of the economy, build a stronger industrial base and create jobs.

African Energy Chamber also posited that economic diversification strategies would entail diversifying national hydrocarbons output and increasing production, monetization and valorization of natural gas.

“In fact, for many African oil producers, successful economic diversification depends on their abilities to increase hydrocarbons production and make better use of flared and associated natural gas to generate power for industries, produce fertilizers for farmers and manufacture petrochemicals for their growing domestic markets,” the chamber posited.

While agreeing on the need for African petroleum producers to develop midstream sections that would churn out fertilizers for farmers and manufacture petrochemicals for their growing do-

•Stock

Covid-19: Infinix donates infrared head thermometers, face masks, others to Lagos Govt P28 AVIATION

Reps, AON berate FG for engaging foreign airlines in evacuation of Nigerians abroad P31

Money Market

ARM Life Records N588.6m Loss in Q1 2020

P33

Continued on P 25

STOCK MARKET REPORT AS AT FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2020

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP Five Top Trades S/N ZENITHBANK UCAP FCMB FLOURMILL UBA

27,388.62 4,423.00 421,275,510.00 N5,552,493,905.14 N14,268,247,277,020.90 N13,484,039,928,748.50 N0.00

5 Top Gainers

Symbols Last Close JBERGER N22.5 UBN N7.1 ZENITHBANK N19.4 BUACEMENT N36.05 CUSTODIAN N5.45

Current N24 N7.6 N19.85 N36.45 N5.65

Change 1.5 0.5 0.45 0.4 0.2

%Change 6.67% 7.04% 2.32% 1.11% 3.67%

5 Top Losers Coy (By Volume) 112,476,440 64,835,942 59,748,555 50,078,001 34,840,741

Value (N) N2,242,752,012.25 N231,251,833.95 N113,531,200.52 N1,150,862,483.35 N261,598,400.00

NESTLEN NB UACN ACCESS SKYAVN

1242 N51.5 N9 N9.7 N2.91

N1130 -112 N48.45 -3.05 N8.4 -0.6 N9.4 -0.3 N2.62 -0.29

-9.02% -5.92% -6.67% -3.09% -9.97%

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday 13, 2020

ISSN: 2545-5869

The

EDITORIAL

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Today

20

VOX POPULI SACRUM

Time to challenge local inventors

T

he prevailing novel coronavirus pandemic which appears to have thrown the government into total confusion is indeed an opportunity for the country to look inwards and explore innate potentials.

Apart from all the initial errors that led to easy berthing of the dreaded SARS-COV-2, the pathogen that caused coronavirus disease, also called COVID-19, in the shores of the country, government has been grappling with fundamental strategy flaws in managing the health, social, security and economic crises accompanying the virus.

The coronavirus plague is currently and challenge which tasks governments to position their health institutions in the global collaboration in search of full understanding of the nature and invasion modus of this tough and deadly germ.

Across the globe, scientific research collaborations are in progress to pool knowledge, technology and industrial processes in evolving medicines, vaccines and non-medi-

cal methods of taming this wild bug. the disease which is claiming lives And nothing is neglected or denied across the full spectrum of the Nigeriin the race for any quickest remedy an social strata. The innovation letharthat might save the next life from the gy actually exists only in government, fangs of the invading microbes. as there are local inventors whose From Israel to Germany, China to United cries of discoveries have remained States, London to Antananarivo, muffled. many drugs and potential solutions Among Professors Maurice Iwu, Ezeibe to the standing medical challenge are and a host of other indigenous medibeing put to test. cal inventors, government is expected As President Donald Trump of the Unitto provide a platform for cultivation ed States summed it up, “the world is of medical research. The current at war against invisible enemy.� And global medical quandary over the from existing medicines as common coronavirus pandemic amplifies opas chloroquine to several antiviral flu portunities for intrinsic innovation. shots and even convalescent blood The benefit would be to Nigeria first plasma, shiny nose leads are pointing ahead of any other nation. at hopes of eventual success and vic- It is therefore in the foreground of the tory over the common enemy. above that we strongly enjoin all But while the world waits for the urinstitutions responsible for health gently needed silver bullet, the virus sciences, medicine, technology and reaps large numbers of men, women, research at all levels of government to children and elderly with the tick of immediately activate exploration and every passing second. harnessing or local talents in seeking The rising number of new infections resolution to the raging coronavirus and COVID-19 associated deaths impasse. across the world, the collapsing Madagascar is a perfect African exglobal economy, the looming poverty ample. across developing countries and posOur Vision sible disruptions in social TO BE among the top five newspapers in Niorder all ring the alarm geria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; to be a newspaper of records that effectivethat time is running out. ly caters to the information needs of all segIt is therefore in the full and sections of the Nigerian society context of the prevailing ments as well as all social classes and cultures. Essituation that nations sentially, we want to be a responsible corpoare all in the race for self rate citizen, a commercially viable, properly survival. And Nigeria organised media business, which meets its obligations to society, government and the must not always wait to workforce. be helped out.

From health infrastrucMission ture and facilities; testWE INTEND to contribute to the developing devices and personal ment of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a protective equipment view to getting rid of the dark sides of our (PPE); through economic national life (slothfulness, greed, corruption, nepotism, totalitarianism, etc); to continually and social palliatives; engender and sustain national debates that lockdown and contawould ultimately lead to the enthronement gion containment proof healthy national values--hard-work, justice, grammes; disinfection equity and fairplay, transparency, good govand sterilization of public ernance, resulting, in themselves, the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream. We will facilities; to exploration and evolution of medical give voice to the voiceless and at all times, remedies for the disease; strive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful and fair to all sides; so that through The our government has so Oracle Today, our people, the Nigerian peofar displayed little capacple can see a bright light at the end of what ity for innovation. has been a very dark tunnel. And we shall do There appears to be little all this in absolute trust in God who blesses or no in-country attempt good intentions. at evolving remedy for

21

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday 13, 2020

OPINION The impacts of COVID-19 pandemic

By LIVY-ELCON EMEREONYE

P

lanning is not immunity against failure, knowing that certain things are outside human abilities and capabilities but among other things, proper planning can equip one to see stars in and within the bars thereby reducing certain cost and consequences to barest minimum.

The assertion that those who fail to plan, plan to fail captures my psychology of COVID-19 pandemic from inception till date - and the dawn of each day confirms my fears but lays much credence to my hope - an audacious hope with the propensity to turning problems into prominence factors as it is only the challenge(s) one overcomes that can make one a champion. And to be a star, one must gather momentum having along with it good shock absorbers. It pays to prepare for the worst.

More than a catalyst, COVID-19 has quickened a lot of things - the good, the bad and the ugly, bringing to the fore, to the earnest seekers, the salient powers of self re-evaluation needed for self rediscovery, self-realization for risk taking and self-actualization and fulfillment.

Certain things that were thought to be impossible were made possible courtesy

of coronavirus. Yes, a lot of dogmas were challenged with many false assumptions and half truths tested. It is like a turning point with a total turn around for good, bad and ugly to some people but depending on one’s school of thought, belief, class and status. Everyone is involved.

Yes, those who are not infected are affected directly or indirectly.

The psychology of COVID-19 will take time to deal with and the associated psychological paralysis, emotional emptiness and unexpected effects will last longer than anticipated. People, nations and indeed the world cannot wish it away... It put a very big question mark on world politics in particular and humanity in general. The world view was challenged and radically distorted.

The real essence of life was redefined likewise the act of living and the things held dear therein. More like a leveler, status symbol, class difference and ideological belief were challenged and made of no effect as fear, absolute fear gripped people regardless of age, sex, religion and race – everyone has only one desire – the desire to live, confirming the age long belief that the greatest fear of man is the fear of death yet we live to die.

Without our consent and approval, every passing second takes us closer to the

grave - the place of aloneness and loneliness! Being a trying moment and a very tough one at that, the responsibility and irresponsible, the responsiveness and irresponsiveness albeit unresponsiveness of those in position of authority became too prominent for everyone to see and make informed judgment.

True leaders displayed the stuff they have while the rulers showcased their real traits, leaving no one in doubt. While some tirelessly talked and worked with the sole purpose of giving hope in the face of hopelessness even with placebos for psychological wellbeing, some maintained grave silence that worsen the pains of death. Anyway, every man gives what he has in abundance.

The science world was been taken unawares and unprepared, leaving the window of guess work wide open - and claimants (real and fake) jumped in from every direction, claiming to have cure even without knowing what they are talking about. It is ludicrous that some people who are claiming to have a cure for COVID-19 don’t know what a virus or even microorganism and pathogen is!

In a frenzy of idiocy but out of the desire to make quick money, some people went as far as negotiating for contract manufacturing of one or more of the

molecules purportedly believed, in some quarters, to cure coronavirus infection without clinical trial and scientific backing, thereby putting our value system and the things we hold dear into question.

The mad rush to make quick money from the pandemic created some chaos that sent some people early to their grave and put some businesses into extinction.

The world has not been hit by anything as hard as coronavirus in the recent past.

With an estimated loss of some trillions of US dollars, the associated pains would last longer than expected. Regrettably, hopelessly and helplessly, more people will suffer beyond measures and thereafter starve to death. The stage is already set - and the copy cats will have themselves to blame!

On bended broken knees, the world shed tears from eyes of fire stained with blood that refused to clot, having seen the hopelessness of humanity and bragged super powers... Take heart, my beloved as we nurse our pains and count our losses for however one looks at it, we are all involved in one way or the other.

Yes, those who are not infected are somewhat, somehow, affected! Therefore, rejoice and be glad for the gift of life.

In the final analysis, we survived by His grace not by our might and precautions.

--

Rescuing and safeguarding the future of journalism in Nigeria (2)

By MICHAEL OWHOKO The Council was an imposition by the military junta in 1992. Government has no business in a Council charged with media monitoring and compliance. The Council should be solely managed by senior members of the profession who should be responsible for ethics, standards and discipline.

Third step is to keep a record of journalists. Journalism has become a free-forall profession. Interlopers flourish in the profession today because of the space created by the absence of a single rallying body forpractitioners. A profession should have a register of its members updated from time to time.

I recall the attempt made to keep a Register of all practicing journalists in 2003by NUJ under Smart Adeyemi as President.

It was entitled, “A compendium of Journalists in Nigeria”. My number on that

“

The fifth step is to put an end to delay or non-payment of salaries. A dangerous culture of irregular salary payment is being enthroned in the journalism profession. This has almost become a norm. Most media houses no longer meet salary obligations on due dates and, this is putting journalists under unwarranted pressure and temptation. The labourer deserves his wage. I had gone through this route, having worked for 10 months without salary, so, I feel the plight of journalists under this condition.

Register is 2928. It might not be perfect but was a brilliant initiative. Is it being updated?When you do not know your members, you make way for counterfeit.

The fourth step is to put an end to recognition awards. Giving awards to people under your reportorial jurisdiction is illogical and unprofessional. Media houses and journalists have no business organizing ceremonies to present awards to politicians, businessmen and government officials, a people whose activities the media is constitutionally responsible to highlight.

Why giving awards to people for carrying out their responsibilities? This practice undermines the integrity and credibility of journalism, exposes journalism to ridicule, damages the reputation of the profession and indeed, a betrayal of public trust. Similar practice in other climes does not make it right. The motive and the back-end dynamics of these awards are ethically weird and the media risks being branded hire-purchased journalism or cash-and-carry journalism. This should be left for NGOs and the like.

The fifth step is to put an end to delay or non-payment of salaries. A dangerous culture of irregular salary payment is being enthroned in the journalism profession. This has almost become a norm.

Most media houses no longer meet salary obligations on due dates and, this is putting journalists under unwarranted pressure and temptation. The labourer deserves his wage. I had gone through this route, having worked for 10 months without salary, so, I feel the plight of journalists under this condition.

Some journalists mitigate this circumstance by trading valuables for survival.

An example is the Journalists’ Estate at Arepo acquired by NUJ under Funke Fadugba. All plots of land were originally allocated to journalists but today, many of

these properties have been sold to nonjournalists, who are now the new majority.

The only reason the estate is still under the control of journalists is because of the bye-laws making it mandatory for principal offices like Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer to be held by journalists.

Thethree-man committee appointed by NUJ to draft the bye-laws hadenvisaged journalists would one day become minority in the estate, and therefore addedthe clause to put the management of the estate firmly in the hands of journalists. The committee was made up of Gbenga Adefaye, Michael Owhoko (my humble self) and Agatha Edo. Expectedly, the non-journalists are embittered over this clause and are currently pushing for it to be expunged from the constitution to enable them take control of the estate. If they succeed, then the efforts of NUJ to establish a home for journalists would have been in vain, as they are likely to erase all traces of journalism in the estate. This is the price of financial incapacitation induced by unstructured salary scheme.

I commend those few media houses that have made it a duty to pay their workers on due dates. If the working condition of the average journalist is not right, how do you encourage younger generation to take up journalism as a profession? There is so much disincentives and disenchantment that most young professionals are opting out of journalism to take up career in other fields. This is a big threat capable of leading to dearth of skilled personnel.

Lastly, there is the need to encourage journalists to become owners of media.

A group of journalists can pool resources together to establish own media. When politicians and businessmen set up media, they influence, dictate and interfere with editorial judgment, making editors lame dock. Even columnists in such me-

dia are unable to anchor objective opinions for fear of losing their jobs or hurting the interest of their employers. This should not be.

Let’s rescue and safeguard the future of journalism in Nigeria.

•Michael Owhoko is a journalist, author and public relations consultant who has mostly worked in the banking, oil and gas, and media industries. He is the author of The Language of Oil and Gas; Career Frustration in the Workplace; Nigeria on the Precipice: Issues, Options, and Solutions; The Future of Nigeria; and Feminism: The Agony of Men. He is also the publisher of Media Issues, an online newspaper that can be found at www. mediaissuesng.com.

THE GROUP Ag. Managing Editor/COO Sopuruchi Onwuka Ag. Chairman Editorial Board Odogwu Emeka Odogwu Political/Production Editor Kodilinye Obiagwu Ag. BDM Kelechi Nze Ag. Head, Graphics & Designs Peace Akpan Circulation Manager Felix Oti

“

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23

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

ENERGY

COVID-19: NLNG hands over Bonny Holding Centre

N

• Dr. ABC Orjiakor, Chairman, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited

Seplat declares strong profitability despite low price cycle

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

I

ndigenous oil and gas exploration and production firm, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, has declared that it would continue to drive profitable operations under the prevailing low price cycle imposed by demand destruction.

Managing Director, Mr Austin Avuru, stated in operations report that whereas the company has already remained cost band below the prevailing market return rates, the management would now drastically enhance cost efficiency to solidify its viability status.

In posting an outlook for the year, Seplat declared that COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020 and pressure on oil prices in March have prioritized low-cost production, robust cash management, strong balance sheet and focused investment in high-return projects for sustainable future growth.

“At present we are targeting 2020 production of between 47-57 kboepd, including Eland production of 6-10 kbopd, subject to continuous evacuation being possible.

“Seplat has been tested in previous adverse conditions and we are confident that the stronger and more diverse business we operate today will be even more resilient against these unprecedented market events,” Mr Avuru stated.

He assured that the company’s increasing revenue from gas, low oil price hedging and good cash standing provide strong resilience to the current oil price volatility.

Mr. Avuru stated that “the business is hedged against low oil prices and a significant proportion of our revenues now come from gas, which offers further protection from oil price volatility. The Company has low production costs and can remain profitable even at lower oil prices.

“We have significant cash resources available and will continue to manage our finances prudently in 2020, expecting now to invest US$120 million of capital expenditure across the year, including two new gas wells and associated infra-

structure.”

“Against the twin crises of significantly reduced oil demand and the price war, Seplat continues to demonstrate its resilience because of its ongoing philosophy of prudent financial management, the careful mitigation of risk and a keen focus on managing factors of the business that are within our control.

“We have the benefit of longterm contracted gas revenues that are insulated from oil market volatility. We are achieving substantial cost reductions from our suppliers and managing our own costs even more carefully in this unprecedented and challenging period. We are in constant dialogue with partners on monies owed and are pleased to report that our cash flow remains robust and we have significant cash in reserve. This, coupled with the majority of our debt repayment obligations extending beyond 2021, gives us confidence that we can continue to operate comfortably within the covenants on all lines of debt.

“To assist with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have provided medical and food donations as part of our ongoing commitment to our local and state communities and we will continue to do whatever we can to support those upon whom we depend for our business.

“The challenges before us remain significant, but through our extensive scenario planning, we are confident that the resilience and discipline of our business will help us through this unprecedented time and strengthen our position as Nigeria’s leading independent oil and gas producer.”

In advancing the company’s low operating cost profiles, Mr Avuru declared per capita production cost of S$7.7 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe) with potential to further drive down cost in the face of the prevailing market realities.

Company spokesman, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, also clarified that the company’s cost cutting initiatives were now in force.

Seplat said that its working interest production has also remained within guidance at 48,491 barrels of

oil equivalent per day (boepd) with liquids production of 33,368 barrels of oil per day (bopd).

The company gas production, according to Mr Avuru, stood at 88 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd).

In standing with government and people of the country against the raving novel coronavirus disease, the company stated that it has delivered substantial support for local communities, and made donations of medical and protective equipment and food.

Seplat stated that the contagion spread has not affected its operations, adding that business continuity plan was working successfully with oilfield operations improving from 14 days rotations to 28-day rotations with regular health checks.

Revenue for the period is $130 million while non-current asset impairment provision of US$146 million in line with IAS 36 COVID-19 impact assessment. The impairment provision, according to the report, reduces non-current assets from $2.34 billion to $2.20 billion.

The company’s total capital expenditure stood at $46 million while cash flow from operations was $65 million.

Seplat expects average production of 47-57,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboepd) including about 8000 boed from acquired Eland assets for full year, subject to market conditions.

The company stated that it hedged 1.5 million barrels per quarter at $45 per barrel for the year, adding that it also has significant cash balance available.

Mr Avuru stated that the company would remain in the profitability pathway despite the falling oil prices, explaining that Seplat was pulling cost input down with operations efficiency.

Low cost of production enables profitability at levels below current oil price, he stated.

The company also raised it capital expenditure for 2020 by $20 million from $100 million to $120 million, with two additional gas wells and related infrastructure

igeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has handed over a 10-bed Holding Centre which it donated to the Bonny Zonal Hospital as part of its support to its host community to fight the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

This handover is coming closely on the heels of the donation of two vehicles, medical and other materials to the Rivers State Government in Port Harcourt.

The company had earlier revealed that it was committing over one billion Naira to various interventions in the State.

Handing over the facility to the Hospital, Tony Attah, NLNG’s Managing Director, represented by Godson Dienye, the company’s Manager, Community Relations, said the sustained resolve to actualize NLNG’s vision of “helping to build a better Nigeria” continues to inspire the company’s passion to establish a healthy society.

He said: “This has been the thrust of all of Nigeria LNG’s socio-economic intervention programmes in the community and I am happy to note that our efforts are well received and are impacting Bonny and our other host communities positively.

While receiving the facility, Rivers State Commissioner of Health, Professor Princewill Chike, represented

by The Medical Officer in charge of the Zonal Hospital Bonny, Dr. Babep, said that the Holding Centre will be efficiently managed to promote good health and secure the safety of residents of Bonny Local Government Area, just as the Bonny Community Health Insurance Programme (BCHIP), a partnership between

NLNG and the state government, is already doing.

He added that “NLNG has consistently proven to be a reliable development partner through its numerous corporate social responsibility initiatives which have had direct bearing on the well-being of the masses. Only recently, the company demonstrated once again that it is a friend to Rivers State by its donation of medical equipment worth over $500,000 dollars to the state government to manage the coronavirus pandemic.

The company also pledged an intervention at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital worth $1.0 million.”

Other items donated by NLNG for use on Bonny Island include one oxygen bank consisting of five bull nose cylinders, 10 drip stands, 10,000 one-fit N95 health care particulate respirator and surgical masks, 25,000 surgical masks, 50,000 nitrile gloves, 12,500 hooded coveralls with boots, 70 respirators, 5 suction machines, 3single air conditioners for consulting rooms, 5 split air conditioners for wards, wall mounted hand sanitizers and 10 patient monitors.

NLNG‘s other programsto boost the healthy well-being of people onBonny Island include the Bonny Malaria Eradication Programme instituted in 2019 to cut malaria-related mortality among women and children under-five to zero and make Bonny Island Nigeria’s first malariafree zone.

NLNG stated that its contribution to the fight against the pandemic is in line with its vision of “…helping to build a better Nigeria”.

NNPC leads construction of 200-bed hospital in Yenagoa

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)-led Oil & Gas Industry Intervention Initiative on COVID-19 over the weekend began the third phase of their support programme with the ground breaking ceremony for a permanent Emergency and Infectious Diseases Hospital for the South-South Region in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

A release by NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that the event flagged–off the plan by the intervention group to deliver lasting medical infrastructure across the sixgeopolitical zones in the Country.

Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources who spoke at the event affirmed that the project was part of the Nigerian Oil Industry Coalition initiative led by the NNPC to support the nation’s efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

He reiterated that the Oil Industry was contributing about N21billion worth of support provided through internal procurement processes of contributing companies.

Chief Sylva said that Bayelsa State was considered a suitable site for the project given its pioneering role in the history of Oil and Gas in the Country and its current contribution of about 40 per cent to onshore crude oil output.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, who spoke through the corporation’s Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), who is also the coordinator of the initiative in the Petroleum Industry, Mr. Bala Wunti, disclosed that the corporation was working with its Joint Venture

partners across the Upstream, Midstream and Downstream sectors to support the Health Sector.

He said that the NNPC-led intervention had allocated the N21billionworth of support to various International Oil Companies, Indigenous operators with Joint Venture stakes across the oil sector.

He explained that the infectious diseases hospital to be sited on a 1,586 square metre-space would serve as zonal isolation centre for COVID-19 and would serve as a referral hospital for communicable diseases after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Lorenzo Fiorillo, Managing Director, Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) stated at the event that the outbreak of COVID-19 disease had put a lot of strain on healthcare systems and personnel globally.

Mr. Fiorillo who spoke through Mr Macwon Jitubo, Head of Community Relations, (NAOC,) said that the company remained sympathetic to help navigate the threat posed by COVID-19 pandemic, which he explained, had resulted in millions of deaths worldwide.

He said the project being delivered in Bayelsa State would engender a valuable medical asset to the South South region of the Country.

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who earlier applauded Sylva for attracting the project to the state, performed the ground-breaking ceremony in company of other dignitaries including Mr Chukwuemaka Nwajiobi, Minister of State for Education, who represented the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to Government of Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha at the occasion.

24

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

ENERGY Oil industry asserts influence on global economy

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

T

he petroleum industry which has been under evaluation in the emerging global energy demand shift appears to be generating more serious concerns about its role in the global economy and world’s financial markets.

With prices succumbing to pulls from the global energy demand crash, governments across the globe have begun to raise concerns about the transferred impact on jobs, equity market capitalization, overall global productivity and government budgets.

Besides, the falling contribution of oil revenue receipts in supporting the fiscal projection of oil dependent economies has sparked fears that prevailing demand crash and associated low price cycle will inevitably translate to worsened living standards and aggravate hunger across developing countries.

From industrialized nations of United States, Canada and Mexico through sheikdoms in Middle East and emerging economies in coastal Africa to North Sea and industrial Asia; the reverberation of the current oil price crash and the threat to commercial operation of companies is shaking economies.

Before now, industrialized nations with high appetite for fuel energy were polarised against oil dependent countries under the aegis of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) over continued use of fossil fuel in fuelling global society and industry.

Whereas OPEC members have traditionally applied supply control measures to support high prices and guarantee accruable revenues, the oil importing countries gathered under the aegis of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) had criticized OPEC as market cartel that escalates energy cost for industries.

Even some oil producing countries outside OPEC, like Russia, have remained as observers in the market control war, reaping revenue benefits from the efforts of OPEC. The United States of America which had remained the ancient enemy of OPEC and apostle of free market has also been in the forefront of overcoming barriers at exploiting unconventional oil. And with novel fracking technology, the United States has entered the price war massive supply of oil and gas.

President Donald Trump had branded OPEC a cartel and enemy of free trade, as the American shale industry struggled with the oil economies over global oil supply control.

Logically, OECD countries have supported evolution of cheaper renewable energy alternatives to oil, and sponsored industrial innovations in development and application of renewable energy options.

Predictions have been that environmental sentiments promoted by activists and energy independence policies by European countries have persistently influenced emergence of global protocols for deliberate reduction of carbon emissions.

From Kyoto protocol, the international treaty which extends the 1992 United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that commits over 192 state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to the 2016 Paris Agreement which commits 189 state parties to greenhouse-gasemissions mitigation, adaptation to new energy options, and freezing financial support for petroleum projects.

These protocols and deliberate state policies that seek compliance laid solid rounds prevailing energy transition in which global industries tweak technologies that would switch energy demand from fossil fuels.

In the automobile industry, for instance, American technology freak, Elon Musk, leads Tesla brand in creating significant disruption with electric cars, while ancillary industries that support emission free automobiles with high performance batteries evolve rapidly.

In the power sector, utility firms are investing heavily in solar and wind farms, optimising technologies the produce huge volume electricity generating capacity that would meet increasing demands from grid operators across the world. Already, micro-devices now come with small solar panels and rechargeable batteries to enable them function independent of grid power. Also, homes, offices, public facilities and equipments now run on solar power.

Growing innovation in the race for alternative energy solution had led analysts to project the concepts of peak oil demand as economies of the world and industry technology shift to more efficient and low emission alternatives.

The entire brouhaha over energy transition and peak oil demand had raised serious concerns over the future of the industry and petroleum dependent economies. Fears are sustained by possibilities of demand crash, leading investors to tread with caution.

However, eminent industry analysts and players have contended that rising energy alternatives would only take a share in the expanding global demand while demand for oil would maintain proportionate dominance in the global demand balance.

Managing Director of indigenous Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, Mr Austin Avuru, declared in a conference that evolution of green energy would only fill supply gaps in the world’s future energy demand.

He argued that growing global population, massive urbanization, improvement in living standards and expanding industrial sector all combine to post a robust demand

projection that would be impossible to satisfy with petroleum energy alone.

He pointed out that critical transport mediums like aviation and shipping are still far beyond the capacity of renewable energy industry, adding that it would still take decades for world’s electricity grids to be independent of gas fired generation.

Mr Avuru whose company is taking early position in the Nigeria’s growing gas sector made it clear that energy transition is a very long and slow movement that would require steady use of gas in the foreseeable future. He also made it clear that investments in infrastructure required to reposition world’s economies for switch to green energy would also not be made in a hurry.

Also, the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had at the Nigerian International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) in February postulated that demand shift from Europe and America to developing economies in Middles East, Asia and Africa would sustain the oil market in the medium to long term.

He said massive demand for oil is envisaged in the developing countries where the largest proportion of the world’s youngest population would drive economic growth in the near term future.

Whereas the peak demand and energy transition debates centred on future market competition between green energy and fossil fuel, little consideration was given to the role of the petroleum industry in stabilizing world’s economies until the novel coronavirus disease sprung from China and afflicted the entire globe.

The rapid spread of the virus, the brutal lethal blow on world population, as well as high infection and fatality rates sparked panic measures that compelled governments to lockdown world’s cities and lock in over 1.5 billion people across the

globe simultaneously. The lockdown measures entail closure of businesses and shutdown of industries.

Part of the measures which included flight bans, boundary closures and shelter-in-place orders across the world destroyed fuel demand for transportation, power generation and industry; pulled down oil prices; inflicted huge commercial losses on oil companies; and quaked global equity and money markets.

With airports deserted, urban roads abandoned, factories shut down as government’s force citizens indoor, demand for oil took a dive and pulled prices along in the fall. All crude oil grades and price reference baskets sank below $20 per barrel. WTI at the NYME temporarily went negative as storage filled out.

The price blow on oil companies and oil dependent countries reverberated across the global financial system and local economies.

Investors witnessed equity values evaporate. Banks struggled to save energy industry borrowers from bankruptcy. And governments fought to avert massive job losses in the full petroleum industry circle.

With coronavirus demand destruction plunging the petroleum industry into unprecedented commercial uncertainty, and oil dependent countries into economic recession; the full economic weight of oil and global energy factor becomes highly amplified. With every economy in the world hurting, market wars ended abruptly and there has been total convergence by all producers on the need to constrain supply forces to allow demand buoy prices.

Combined with financially forced shut-ins of wells in the US and Canada, some further output restraints

by Brazil, Norway and others, and purchases of crude by various countries to fill strategic petroleum reserves, the market could see up to 20 million b/d, or 20 percent of

“Growing innovation in the race for alternative energy solution had led analysts to project the concepts of peak oil demand as economies of the world and industry technology shift to more efficient and low emission alternatives.”

global supply, removed over the next two months, officials said.

In a policy twist, leaders of world’s most powerful oil producers including President Donald Trump of the United States, President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Saudi crown prince all ignored diplomatic, economic and political divides to collaborate in supporting the petroleum industry heal from demand destruction.

While President Donald Trump engaged Russia and Saudi Arabia at the top political level, several US senators from oil producing states, facing a wave of layoffs and bankruptcies, also held a tense phone calls with senior Saudi officials, including energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on the need to reach a deal that would save the American petroleum industry from collapse.

After a production spar between Russia and Saudi Arabia, all oil producing blocs in the world supported an agreement to wipe over 10 million barrels per day of supply from the export market to address market forces.

Under the new deal, OPEC leader Saudi Arabia cuts production quota from 12 million barrels per day (mbd) to 8.5 mbd; Russia comes down from10.5 mbd to 8.5 mbd.

After the deal was reached President Donald Trump demanded deeper oil supply cuts to 20 mbd, saying the move would restore the energy sector faster. His tweet came after many analysts projected an oversupply of at least 20 mbd in the coming months as oil storage options dwindle.

Russian energy minister Alexander Novak said the two-year length of the deal was to see through the coronavirus pandemic’s peak and then an eventual economic recovery.

Whereas pundits argue that physical market would still suffer from the prevailing supply glut in the short future, the production cut is determined to be the biggest coordinated supply contraction covered by an international deal.

The Oracle Today reports that the striking fact emerging from the prevailing global collaboration to rebuild oil demand and also support prices is the key role the industry plays in global equity markets, finance institutions, job markets and industrial supply chains. It is now clear that apart from providing available energy to the global economy, the petroleum industry controls a string which pulls the pillars of the world economy.

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

BUSINESS Covid-19 lockdown: Fidelity Bank adjusts operational hours Stories by VICTOR NZE

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idelity Bank Plc has announced that owing to the recent announcement by the Federal Government to gradually ease the lockdown directive, it would open its branches from 9am till 2pm from Monday to Friday.

This was stated in a notice released, Monday, which noted that: “As announced, the Federal Government has begun the phased and gradual easing of the lockdown directive in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos, Ogun and other states effective May 4, 2020, with the exception of Kano.”

It stated that in response to the relaxed movement restrictions, it has opened its branches and offices location nationwide to its customers.

It added that its customers can ac-

cess available branches nearest to them by clicking on – https://www. fidelitybank.ng/branch-locator/ “Please note that our offices are open on Mondays to Fridays from 9.00am to 2pm daily,” the bank said.

Fidelity Bank also called on its customers to capitalise on its digital platform to make its transaction so as to avoid crowding banking halls during the period.

“We encourage you to leverage the Fidelity mobile app, online banking, instant banking (*770#) and ATMs which are available 24/7 for all your banking needs.

“Kindly visit Android or iOS app stores to download the Fidelity Mobile app if you have not already done so,” the bank, which is one of the dominate forces in the retail space, said.

Access Bank denies sacking staff, shutting down branches

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from the pandemic.

“We recognise that the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic is still out there and whilst we will do all that is required to ensure the safety of all our branches in line with the protocol advised by the health authorities, we urge our customers to leverage more of our digital channels for their transactions. We have made significant investment to ensure their availability throughout this period and beyond,” the statement said.

While commenting on the rumoured downsizing of its workforce, Access Bank stressed that, “We deny in its entirety the baseless and twisted speculation that the bank is sacking 75 percent of its workforce.

“This is malicious and a distraction from a genuine and compassionate plan to protect our staff and help keep jobs in the unfolding macroeconomic environment.”

“We state that based on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we do not expect that all our branches will be fully opened for in-branch services until later in the year. This has made it impossible for many of our outsourced workers to perform their duties as usual,” it added.

Access Bank stated that, “Based on the above-mentioned circumstances, we have commenced engagement with various stakeholders with a view to ensuring that they provide the relevant services and optimum manpower as may be required by the Bank on an on-going basis.”

“As we navigate the new normal occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, we wish to assure all our esteemed stakeholders that in our traditional manner the Bank will continue to ensure that its actions and decisions are guided by fairness, justice, equity and good conscience,” the statement concluded.

Covid-19: Comply with FG, NCDC directives, safety guidelines -- NAMA MD urges staff

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anaging Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, has urged staff of the agency to comply fully with the directives and safety guidelines by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on COVID-19 preventive measures.

These preventive measures include: social distancing, regular washing of and/ or sanitizing of hands and wearing of face mask.

Akinkuotu stated this in a May Day message to staff of the agency, Friday.

“While the health and wellbeing of workers is of utmost importance to management, a lot needs to be done by staff themselves to ensure they remain safe in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic which is still very much in our midst,” Akinkuotu noted.

He assured workers that the agency had put in place procedures and measures that would guarantee their safety in the work place, stressing that “the battle against Covid-19 is a collective one and we must all join hands with the Federal Government to triumph at the end of the day.”

Polaris Bank celebrates first year of operation, declares N27.8bn profit

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olaris Bank Limited released its first Audited IFRS 2019 compliant financial result posting a profit before tax of N27.8billion.

The result which posits a compelling narrative in the history of Nigeria’s banking industry followed from the turn-around initiatives undertaken by the leadership of the Bank led by the MD/CEO Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru.

According to the Bank’s first full year financial result released during the weekend, Polaris Bank Limited posted a gross earnings figure of N150.8bilion and a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N27.8billion within the first full year of operations. The remarkable achievements coming in the first year of operations of the institution is a clear validation of regulatory induced interventions in the nation’s history.

The Bank also closed the 2019 financial year with Total Assets of N1.1 trillion and Shareholders Funds of N83 billion.

The result shows that Polaris Bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (14 per cent) and liquidity ratio (81 per cent) are well above regulatory requirements demonstrating strong prudential compliance and strong capital buffer, careful liquidity management and resilience.

This result is coming amidst the highly challenging business environ-

ment which forced many businesses to cut down on their operating expenses.

The bank’s customer deposits stood at N857.9billion even as the Bank continues to focus on stable, low-cost deposits and well-diversified portfolio devoid of high concentration. Likewise, the loan book stood at N261billion providing the Bank with the desired headroom to accommodate required growth in risk assets to support the nation’s economic growth.

The bank equally recorded a Return on Equity (ROE) and Return on Assets (ROA) of 33.0 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively for the year ended December 31st 2019.

Commenting on the Bank’s performance, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Polaris Bank Limited, Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru said that: “the emergence of Polaris Bank on September 21, 2018, has heralded a new dawn as it laid the foundation for institutional competitiveness and service innovation in the nation’s challenging banking space.”

Expressing satisfaction with the bank’s new corporate governance regime, the Chief Executive Officer stressed that; “We shall continue to run an ethically governed bank, upholding sound risk management practices and proactively taking measures to mitigate the impact of the ad-

verse business environment while the Board and Management continues to guide the Bank towards a path of sustainable growth.

“Polaris Bank’s performance has assured a strong positive outlook for earnings, margins, and profitability improvement in its cautious pursuit of loan growth, a sustained strategy for operational efficiency, funding cost optimization, and efficient deposit mix. The headroom for loan creation no doubt presents an opportunity for improved margins.”

Going into the year 2020 and despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, the bank assured that it is poised to reap the benefits of its investment in both the capacity of its employees to improve service experience as well as in critical infrastructures that will support the digitization of its operations.

Polaris Bank is a future-determining financial institution committed to the delivery of industry-defining products, services, and digital platforms across all the sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Bank is a member of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), which seeks to engage the private sector and the global financial sector to help create a financial sector that serves people and the planet while delivering positive impact.

Lockdown: Nigerian banks activate full...

ccess Bank Plc has described reports making the rounds that it has closed over 300 branches across the country, in addition to sacking staff, as ‘untrue.’

In a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Mr Sunday Ekwochi, the bank said media reports that it was downsizing its workforce by 75 percent are totally false.

The financial institution said the closure of a bank branch in the country requires the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stressing that it has not approached the regulatory bank for such.

“The bank has not applied for nor obtained the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria for the closure of any of its branches as widely speculated.

The bank has only suspended operations in some branches following the directive by the CBN,” the statement explained.

Explaining further, Access Bank said at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, it suspended in-branch operations at different locations as directed by the CBN and in line with business continuity plans at vulnerable spots, it provided financial services through its alternative digital platforms.

“Beyond complying with the regulatory directive, this action was taken to ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees,” it said.

It further stated that, “In line with the phased re-opening of the economy effective May 4, 2020, following the presidential directive, we will be resuming in-branch services in some of our affected branches in a programmed manner to ensure the health and safety of our employees and customers. This is also necessary to provide relevant contingency should there be any incident arising

• (From left): Assistant General Manager, Human Resource, representing the Chairman of Nigerian Insurers Association, (NIA), Mr. Iyiola Saraki; Acting regional Director, West Africa, Africa Re and the President of Chartered Insurance Institute Of Nigeria (CIIN), Temitope Akinowa, and MD/ CEO Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Eddie Efekoha, during the recently-concluded Africa Re Marine Insurance and the Liabilities Underwriting Claims Training in Lagos

Continued from P 19

He called on Nigeria and other oil producers in the continent to begin gradual utilization of their petroleum resources in driving domestic industrial and commercial activities as the only path to sustainable economic development.

“Resolve that at first, 50 percent of our oil should be exported. The other 50 percent should be processed in-country. In the next five years maximum export should be reduced to 25 percent of production, the other 75 percent must be processed in-country. Then, in another five to 10 years a maximum of about 10 percent should be exported while the remaining 90 percent should be processed in the country.

“When you do that, you get your white products, you get petrochemicals, you get fertilizer for agriculture, you get plastics, you also get a host of other products. The multiplier effect is very huge.

“Really to us at APPO, this is re-

ally a big wakeup call. If Nigeria had been processing about 85 percent of her oil, the global lockdown impact would have been temporary and domestic demand for oil would bounce back as soon as lockdown is lifted.

“But now that we are sending everything out, even if the global lockdown is lifted it will take for a while for global factories to start working to demand our oil.”

Dr Ibrahim stated that APPO is currently focusing on policy advocacy across Africa’s producing countries to encourage them derive full economic benefits from their resources.

“At APPO, our concern is to see how we can make African countries that produce oil process their production in their own countries. The aim is to limit export of crude oil as commodity and encourage local processing in spurring economic diversification and job creation.

“Again, to do all these would require a lot of money. So, APPO is

encouraging collaboration among African producers to drive joint industry infrastructure projects across borders and spread the benefits on a larger scale.”

Managing Director of Shoreline Natural Resources, Kola Karim, stated in a podcast last week that Africans embrace economic diversification to evade economic adversities that now defines oil dependence.

He stated that Africa needs to get used to a post-COVID-19 world where $50 per barrel is the new $100, and where diversification needs to be the key priority in order to create a new hedge and natural buffer against future downwards cycles.

“Diversification needs to become our new reality. This pandemic should afford us all the opportunity to view our countries from an internal point of view and prepare ourselves and our economies for the next big crisis,” he warned.

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

BUSINESS Air transport workers reject pay cuts

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he Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has declared that it would not accept the unilateral and arbitrary cutting of its member’s salaries and declaration of unpaid leave, vowing to confront what it termed as ‘assaults’ upon resumption.

ATSSSAN’s reaction came on the heels of the 80 per cent pay cut the management of Arik Air agreed to implement in April for its workers and also for them to proceed on leave without pay until further notice beginning from today May 1.

It would be recalled that Azman Air had also sent its staff on compulsory leave without pay, following the outbreak of the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

ATSSSAN position was made known in its May Day message titled; “60 Years of Nationhood: Insecurity, Wage, Poverty and Future of Work in Nigeria,” jointly signed by the National President Comrade, Ahmadu Ilitrus and the Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Frances Akinjole.

The President said that while the association is using this day to empathise with every player in the aviation industry, including the workers, who have been in one way or the other traumatised by the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, he added that ATSSSAN is ‘not unaware of the various regrettable assaults some employers are ignorantly directing against the innocent workers in their employment.’

“While we genuinely remain accessible to every willing employer for constructive engagement to mutually address the negative impact of COVID-19, towards finding a win-win solution out of this present situation, we shall NOT accept this regime of unilateral and arbitrary cutting of our members’ salaries and declaration of unpaid leave. We are prepared to confront these assaults upon resumption with every vigour in us. This is not an empty threat.”

He noted that it was also important to inform that in understanding and appreciating the enormous dangers the COVID-19 disruption poses to the survival of the aviation sector, ATSSSAN in conjunction with the National Union of Air Transport Employees(NUATE),National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) quickly wrote a passionate letter of appeal to the Federal Government for special intervention in the aviation industry, of which all business operators shall be the greatest beneficiaries.

He commended every frontline workers, among which aviators and the media for their monumental sacrifice in the fight against COVID-19, enjoining ATSSSAN members to comply strictly with the usage of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) now and when operations fully resume at the various airports.

Wabote charges OGTAN on new strategies

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ompanies handling trainings in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry have been advised to reposition themselves and redesign their training modules to overcome the challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic and crash of crude oil prices.

Executive SecretaryNigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote gave the advice on while speaking in a webinar organised by the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) entitled “Challenges, Opportunities, and New Re-

alities for O&G Trainers.”

Warning that the twin challenge of COVID-19 pandemic and low price of crude oil might remain for a considerable time, Wabote rued that oil and gas training would be negatively impacted because most face to face programmes will no longer hold and there will be delayed learning interventions, loss of businesses, revenue and jobs.

He said most oil and gas trainings would likely take place in virtual classroomsand will require virtual machines, simulators and dongles.

He added that such trainings would

demand high cost of set up,but the operational cost would be lower over time and learning costs would become cheaper.

The Executive Secretary admitted that virtual learning models might lead to lower assimilation by the trainees and reduced profitsfor the companies at the onset.

He listed critical requirements for oil and gas training in this regime to include “expanded spacesfor ongoing trainings, reduced number of students per classroom, increased cost of instructors, face masks, hand sanitizers, hand gloves, soaps and water.

• Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal ( second left) receiving some Covid-19 relief materials from the General Manager, Intercontinental Distillers Limited (IDL), Mr. Umoren Akpan (second right) who represented the Managing Director, Chief Engr. Patrick Anegbe, at the Lagos State Food Bank at Oba-Akran, Ikeja, Monday

Unions sound alarm on mass sack in oil industry

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ignals by oil and gas companies in the country to lay off staff is getting resistance from the workers’ unions which warn that using the global coronavirus pandemic and its impact on oil industry fortunes to sack staff was unacceptable.

National leaders of both the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) stated in a joint release that some multinational and indigenous companies were making attempts “to exploit the current unfortunate COVID- 19 situation and the slide in the global Crude Oil prices to rationalize, downsize, sack, introduce precarious/ indecent work system or reduce salaries and allowances of workers in the industry.”

The statement signed by National President of NUPENG, CComrade Williams Eniredonana Akporeha; President of PENGASSAN Comrade Ndukaku M. Ohaeri; General Secretary of NUPENG, Comrade Afolabi Olawale; and General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa; warned against sack of workers as a way out of the current

industry downturn.

“While the leadership of the Union and Association empathize with the employers over the negative impacts COVID-19 is having on the industry, business operations and earnings, we still feel very strongly that taking the routes of arbitrary sack, termination or introduction of precarious/indecent working conditions laden with flagrant and unprocedural behaviour should be avoided at all cost, as they would not bring anything good to anyone in the short, medium and long terms.

“The leadership of NUPENGASSAN condemn these moves and vow to resist them with all our might, as the moves are seen as unfair to the selfless and patriotic services of the Nigerian Oil and Gas workers to these Companies and the Nation over these past highly productive years and even when these workers are still fully participating in the frontline of the struggle against the pandemic rendering essential services.

“These moves if not properly checked and managed by relevant authorities whose guidelines are being continually disobeyed by these Organisations will further complicate

the already impoverished state of Nigerian Oil and Gas Workers, their immediate family and others depending on the workers incomes, for a living.

“We therefore, call on the Federal Government and all its relevant Agencies saddled with the responsibilities of managing and regulating the industry to urgently nip these ugly trends in the bud to avoid many untoward and damaging consequences of the actions and reactions that may follow.

“The Federal Government and all its relevant Agencies are further put on notice that NUPENGASSAN might be forced to precipitate an action that will affect drastically the entire industry if this ugly trend is not halted and erring Organisations called to order.

“However, we earnestly implore these Companies that in the same manner and spirit they are making donations for the fight against COVID-19, they should also spare some kind thoughts for their Workers and strive to keep them alive and on the job so as not to create social upheavals that would be more devastating than the COVID- 19 pandemic. Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong.”

Delta Air Lines mandates passengers, crew to wear face coverings across travel

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elta Air Lines employees and customers will experience an extra layer of protection starting May 4, as the airline requires all customers to wear a face mask or appropriate face covering when traveling with it.

Aligning with best practice guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, this move comes on the heels of our announcement earlier this week requiring employees worldwide to wear face masks if they are unable to maintain six feet of distance with customers or each other. This requirement for our people helps set the example for our customers to follow as well.

“This action is one more way we are working to protect our people, our customers and doing our part in the broader community to help slow and stop the spread of the virus. This action is one more way we are working to protect our people and customers, as well as doing our part in the broader community to help slow and stop the spread of the virus.

“Other measures include: New temporary requirements for employees to wear masks or face coverings when within six feet of others while at work, starting this week; Employee temperature checks; Enhanced cleaning measures implemented in airports

and on aircraft; Expanding electrostatic spraying procedures, which disinfect employee work and break areas, to more locations.

“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our people and our customers,” said Bill Lentsch, Chief Customer Experience Officer, adding: “While we remain committed to our new standard of clean and to providing more space for our customers when they travel, we take seriously the CDC guidelines for adding this extra layer of protection. We believe this change will give customers and employees some additional comfort when traveling with us.”

He identified the negative impact of the prevailing circumstance on OGTAN members to include “stoppage and cancellation of training programmes, delay in payments, reduction in the number or trainees and higher cost of administering programmes.” Othereffectsmight include “abandonment of physical classroomsdespite huge investments already made, need for new capitalisation to acquire infrastructure, absence of high speed internetand need for retraining of faculties.”

He also warned there would be shortage of training opportunities because the oil industry was suffering from no new projects and crash in oil price, hence no funding for trainings, competitive rivalry and lack of certainty in training opportunities.

Speaking further Wabote said the new regime of virtual training would attract new and global competitors, some with advanced technologies.

He advised local players to explore collaborations, international accreditations, quality, cost and differentiation.

For ongoing trainings, the Executive Secretary advised OGTAN members to implement COVID- 19 safety measures, redesign time table and number of trainees per class, provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and redesign On the Job Trainings (OJT) and labouratory events.

For medium term plans, he charged training firms “to redesign hands-on classes and leverage technology, move majority of theoretical trainings online, retrain faculties for virtual training and provide infrastructure.”

Other strategies are to expand themarket place, advertise online, get international students and include trainings required in the other sectors of the economy in their offerings. He also recommended for training companies to consider partnerships, consider jointly establishing a global virtual university with hubs around the world and mergers and acquisition of smaller players.

Dwelling on interventions from the NCDMB, Wabote hinted that the Board wouldprovide tablets or laptops in future virtual trainings and would consider a special funding for the acquisition of training technology.

He confirmed that a special ELearning Centre will be established in the Board’s Specialised Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and a new trainees’ handbook and new Human Capacity Development Guideline will be launched.

He assured that NCDMB will continue the payment of trainees’ allowances and will provide for data allowances for participants in new trainings.

While confirming that the Board will also provide PPE for trainees on Direct Intervention trainings, he said majority of such trainings will go online, even as first consideration will be given to Nigerian Trainers.

On their part, training companies would be expected to provide world class quality of learning modules and ensure that the participants acquire the right competences and certifications upon the completion of their programmes.

The NCDMB boss said the Board would also expect value for money and positive benchmarks with similar trainings offered by global competitors.

He added that training opportunities will be driven by categorisation of OGTAN members and there must be assurance of safety for trainees during face to face events, laboratory instructions, field visits and OJT.

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

INSURANCE & PENSION

PenCom hands over First Guarantee Pension to reconstituted Board

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• Staff of the AIICO Insurance Plc distributing relief materials and foods to less-privileged persons in Lagos communities as part of its ‘Feeding Relief Programme’ amid the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) lockdown

Covid-19: Sanwo-Olu doubles life insurance cover for frontline Lagos health workers

…Raises employees’ RSA to 10% from 7.5 Stories by VICTOR NZE

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overnor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced, Friday, that the State Government has procured additional life and health insurance for all frontline health workers to cater for the hazard they face in the ongoing battle against coronavirus, bringing it to two-level protection.

This disclosed this at the State House in Marina, where the Lagos State Government and leaders of organised labour unions held a low-key event to commemorate the 2020 Workers’ Day that the additional life and health insurance is in addition to the approval of increment in the hazard allowance of frontline emergency workers.

“I should also mention that we have put in place additional health and life insurance for all our frontline health workers in the state to ensure that they are adequately insured.

This gives them insurance protection on two levels.

“As part of the ongoing efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Lagos, we approved a 400 per cent increment in the Hazard Allowance of Health Officers in the State for the month of April. We have also introduced a COVID-19 Allowance for all our frontline workers, which is a very generous amount that takes cognizance of the heightened risks of the jobs they have to do. All these are intended to appreciate the dedication of all our Health Officers in the fight against COVID-19,” he stated.

Sanwo-Olu used the opportunity of the May Day anniversary to appreciate frontline health and emergency workers, whom he described as heroes, for sacrificing their personal wellbeing for the efforts at combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Governor said the commemoration of Workers’ Day should be a reminder to stakeholders that the concept of development must be far-reaching and inclusive for it to benefit the society in general.

Describing labour force as “a critical stakeholder” in good governance and “engine-room” of the economic growth, Sanwo-Olu said his administration, since inception, had prioritised payment of new minimum wage to workers as a demonstration of his Government’s commitment to

improving their welfare.

He also said his administration had continued to assist families of workers who die in the line of duty, adding that the State had not relented, despite COVID-19 pandemic, in paying 418 pensioners for their pension bond arrears.

“It is only fitting that I dedicate this year’s commemoration of the Workers’ Day to celebrating the true heroes of this season, which are the health workers on the frontline of the battle against Covid-19. Since this virus started to ravage our communities and disrupt our lives, these heroes have not just been going to work daily, they have been going to war daily against this unseen enemy.

“Workers across public and private sectors, who are represented by various Labour Unions, are the engine-rooms of our economy, and the nucleus of wealth generation.

My administration will always seek harmonious relationship with workers for the progress and prosperity of our State. The prompt approval and payment of the new minimum wage is a proof that we care about the welfare of our workforce,” the governor said.

With effect from last January, Gov. Sanwo-Olu said his Government had increased the employers’ contribution to employees’ Retirement Savings Account (RSA) from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent. This, he said, complemented employees’ contribution of 8 per cent, bringing it to a total of monthly contribution of 18 per cent.

Sanwo-Olu said his administration had also approved the monthly release of a pension bail-out fund to the tune of N1.083 billion.

He reiterated his commitment to workers’ welfare, stressing that his Government had expanded the opportunity of training and capacity building for the Lagos workforce.

Sanwo-Olu said there was nothing that better amplified his Government’s devotion to the growth of the workforce than the launch of a knowledge-sharing platform tagged: “A Disruptive S.H.i.F.T”, which rewarded an outstanding public servant, Seun Ogunmola, with accelerated promotion from Grade Level 08 to 10.

He said the initiative reflected his administration’s resolve to harness the creativity and innovativeness of public servants to positively change the face of the State’s Public Service, with a view to achieving the vision of making Lagos a 21st century economy.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) chairman in Lagos, Comrade Agnes Sessi, said despite the ravaging pandemic, the contribution of workers to the development of the State could not be undermined.

She prayed for all emergency and health workers on the frontline, stressing that the ravaging virus had affected many workers in all spheres.

She praised the Governor for the increment of hazards allowance from 5,000 to 25,000 for health workers, saying the gesture would truly serve as motivation for the frontline workers.

Her Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Gbenga Ekundayo, hailed the Governor for upward review of salaries and allowances for workers.

ational Pension Commission (PenCom) on Monday said it has handed the management of First Guarantee Pension Limited over to a reconstituted Board of Directors under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Imam with Hon. Tsegba Terngu, Hon. Ahmed Salik, Dr. Pat Asadu, and Hon. George I. Ozodinobi as members.

A statement by the commission’s spokesman, Peter Aghahowa, noted that concurrently, the Commission has dissolved the Interim Management Committee it appointed on 12 August, 2011.

“The Commission wishes to inform stakeholders in the Nigerian Pension Industry and the general public that its regulatory intervention in First Guarantee Pension Limited (the PFA), which resulted, among other things, in the appointment of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to superintend over the affairs of the PFA had been concluded. The intervention was undertaken in August 2011 based

on the findings of the Routine and Special examinations carried out by the Commission.

“The conclusion of the intervention was as a result of the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Thursday, 30 April, 2020, in the three Appeals filed by the Commission, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the PFA, against the judgment of the Federal High Court that nullified the Commission’s regulatory measures. The Court of Appeal’s decision upheld the Appeals, thereby setting aside the judgment of the Federal High Court in its entirety.

Thus, the judgment of the Court of Appeal validates the regulatory actions taken by the Commission in 2011.

“The Commission assures all clients of the PFA that the company has been returned to normality, stressing that it is alive to its responsibility of ensuring the safety of the pension industry at all times,” it said.

Mutual Benefits pays N399m as claims amid Covid-19 lockdown

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utual Benefits Assurance Plc said it has continued to meet claims obligation to individual and corporate clients despite the COVID-19 lockdown across the country.

A statement by the firm says that payment which is in excess of N399million was ‘a demonstration of the value they place on the needs of its customers at times, such as these.’

It added that during the lockdown, it leveraged on technology to enable its customers to carry out their business transactions with them unhindered.

The statement added: “We have

also activated our Mobile App; inline with our strategic plan on IT transformation across our businesses operations; to provide our customers with speedy, accessible, efficient service delivery at their convenience.“ The company, therefore, reassured its customers of the financial stability of its group and the resilience of its businesses.

“We are also committed to fulfilling our obligations to our esteemed customers. We remain optimistic that when this pandemic is over, our Nation will emerge stronger and better.”

Finally, Thomas confirmed as Commissioner for Insurance/CEO

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has finally confirmed the appointment of Mr. Sunday Thomas as the substantive Commissioner for Insurance/Chief Executive Officer, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) nearly one full year after.

Thomas replaced immediate past commissioner for Insurance/CEO, Mallam Mohammed Kari, as Acting Commissioner for insurance/CEO of the National Insurance Commission in July 2019.

Thomas, who has over three decades of experience in the industry as an operator and regulator, was appointed Deputy Commissioner in charge of technical matters by President Buhari in April 2017. He was formerly Director-General (DG)

of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) in 2010.

A statement confirming Thomas appointment signed by Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, the Special Adviser (Media and Communications) to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, last Saturday, also announced the approval by Buhari of two board members for Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

The appointees are; Mrs. Ya’ana Talib Yaro as the Non-Executive Director representing the North East, and Mrs. Diana O. Okonta as NonExecutive Director, to fill the slot for the South South.

The appointments take immediate effect.

to support them during this challenging period,” said AIICO’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Manager, Abimbola Shobanjo.

“The company also believes that it is one of the ways to encourage them to stay at home and to maintain social distancing to avoid the spread of the virus; the food is delivered to them at their various homes. The distribution is being done under safe and appropriate hygiene conditions to protect both the officials and the beneficiaries,” added Shobanjo.

On his part, MD/CEO, Mr. Babatunde

Fajemirokun, stated: “We are prioritizing the needs of the vulnerable and less privileged in these extraordinary times in line with our commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal on ‘Zero Hunger’.

We will continue to pursue causes and drive initiatives to ameliorate the impact of the lockdown, through this season and beyond”.

It will be recalled that the company is actively involved in collaborative efforts with other industry stakeholders in donations towards the fight against Covid-19.

Covid-19 lockdown: AIICO distributes relief items to less-privileged communities

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IICO Insurance Plc has embarked on a Feeding Relief Programme to cater to the needs of underprivileged communities in Lagos amid the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) lockdown.

The firm explained that the move is informed by the need to ‘complement Government’s efforts aimed at ensuring access to food supply while restricting movements to contain the spread of the virus.’

The company has made provisions to feed over 130 people daily for 14 days. These include women, children

and young adults. It has collaborated with DreamsFromTheSlum (a NonProfit Organization with a commitment to humanitarian causes) and Chicken Republic, a retail fast food company, for logistics and implementation.

“The movement restriction has affected the ability of these people to pursue their day-to-day livelihoods.

These are mostly petty traders and artisans in impoverished communities who now find it extremely difficult to provide for their families and dependents. We aim to provide daily meals

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Covid-19: NITDA to raise 1m jobs in ICT sector

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• Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond receiving Covid-19 relief materials donated by Infinix Mobility Limited to the State Government from Brand Representative, Mr. Opeyemi Adewunmi, Wednesday

Covid-19: Infinix donates infrared head thermometers, face masks, others to Lagos Govt

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nfinix Mobility Limited has donated relief materials worth millions of Naira to the Lagos Government as part of efforts towards the fight against the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic in the state.

Receiving the package on behalf of the State Government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond described the move as encouraging, stating that it will complement the government’s relief package.

Hammond pointed out that the donation shows the Company’s concern for the vulnerable persons in the society, acknowledging that the organisation has joined many others that have put resources together to support Lagos State.

According to her, the government is making lots of provisions to cater for Lagosians but the reality is that beyond the 10 million Lagosians who are at the poverty line, there are families who, ordinarily, have the ability to provide for their household but the lockdown has made things difficult for them.

“We have been living up to our civic responsibility and we encourage, support and appreciate corporate institutions, civil societies, organisations and individuals who

have joined the State in its stead to put an end to the ravaging virus. As we fight to break the chain of transmission by putting different measures in place, we are also aware of the socio-economic impact of these measures on residents. Therefore, Government is not relenting in its efforts to provide succour for its citizens”, Hammond emphasised.

She revealed that the fight to keep all Lagosians safe and alive is everyone’s responsibility, adding that the State welcomes initiatives that will strengthen its commitment to delivering excellence at all times.

The Special Adviser also confirmed that the State has a formalised platform for volunteering, which is open to everyone who wants to engage and support the government initiatives, inviting people to register on lsvc.ng to become part of the group.

In his remarks, the Infinix Brand Representative, Mr. Opeyemi Adewunmi submitted that the initiative is geared towards supporting the State Government’s effort to alleviate the pain of people who are suffering from the consequences of the health crisis.

“As our socially responsible brand has continued in its venture of im-

pacting society, we are confident that the partnership with the State Government will go a long way to put smiles on the faces of thousands of households”, Adewunmi stated.

The Brand Representative disclosed that each of the 2000 relief packages contains food items like; rice, beans, cassava flakes, a bottle of groundnut oil and palm oil, stressing that the protective face mask included in the package is to help convey the message to the people that their priority must be to stay safe.

Speaking further, he affirmed that, in addition to the relief package, Infinix Mobility also provided 4,000 units of face masks and 20 Infrared head thermometers to be distributed across 20 hospitals and government health offices within Lagos state.

While stating that the only weapon against the lethal virus is for residents to stay indoors, adhere to all preventive measures and maintain proper hygiene, Adewunmi enjoined other organisations to rise up to the occasion and support the government and its people in the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic in the state.

Visa, Pesapal partner to drive digital payment across Africa

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isa, in collaboration with payment service, Pesapal, have announced a strategic partnership to drive connected digital payments to consumers and businesses in Africa.

With the partnership, Pesapal will become the global digital payment systems’ Principal Member driving small business acquiring and issuing.

Pesapal has created Africa’s only payments ecosystem that offers – eCommerce, Point of Sale, and Consumer applications on one platform.

It also recruits and supports businesses to be able to digitize payment collection securely while integrating to business internal systems such as POS, ERP, Accounting, and Billing systems. By integrating businesses, Pesapal is then able to

drive consumer payments to the merchants on the same platform.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr Mark Mwongela, Founder and CEO at Pesapal said – “We are excited to partner with Visa and to become a Visa Principal Member. Small businesses form a big part of our economy and with Visa’s support, we will be able to support more businesses and offer more to consumers.”

Since its inception in 2011, Pesapal has been driving a connected payment experience for merchants and consumers. Previously, digital payments were only available to large businesses. Pesapal has changed this with Sabi – a mobile point of sale solution that enables small businesses to accept card payments securely.

“Over the last 9 years, we have benefited greatly from Visa’s ex-

pertise and platforms for payments processing and fraud management.” Mwongela added.

On the part of Visa, Mrs Corine Mbiaketcha, Vice President and General Manager for Visa in East Africa said the strategic partnership will drive financial illusion across the continent.

“This partnership reinforces Visa’s commitment to expanding payment acceptance across Africa to drive the much-desired financial inclusion in our communities.

“We are very excited to work with Pesapal and leverage our combined assets to broaden our offering to a larger number of merchants and consumers especially as governments and communities are increasingly focused on cashless and remote payments,” she said.

ederal Government has moved to back the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in raising one million jobs in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector hit by the Coronavirus disease (Cocid-19) pandemic.

Director-General of the agency, Mr Kashifu Abdullahi, said this during the virtual meeting on the submission of report from the agency’s Advisory Committee, mandated to access the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Nigeria’s technology and innovation ecosystem, also known as Tech4Covid19.

The advisory committee was constituted in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria last month as one the measures put forward by Mr Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, to cushion the impact of the pandemic on information technology ecosystem.

The committee made up of 10 members were each tasked with finding sustainable strategies to help maintain technological progress in the face of the slowdown brought about by the pandemic.

Each were tasked on different areas from provision of affordable internet access to individuals and businesses; develop a framework to facilitate access to financing for tech and tech-enabled ventures; devising modalities for encouraging the development and adoption of digital technology, as well as support policies in line with the Work from Home directive of the federal government.

At the meeting, Kashifu maintained that based on the discussion he had with the Minister, government is targeting to create or retain one million jobs in the ICT sector this year.

He said the FG was looking at many different areas in terms of startups doing agricultural value chains, empowering hubs, developing and implementing the framework of business process outsourcing and other areas, to see how thousands of jobs can be created directly or indirectly.

“I urge the committee to develop a business plan; stating facts and figures on how the IT sector will create and protect jobs.

“What I want from the committee are two things: one for example, you state that we have a 100,000 work force and if the government does not do anything to intervene during this pandemic we are going to lose the 100,000 jobs or if government intervenes by doing some certain things we are going to retain all the 100,000 jobs and create additional 30,000 jobs,” he said.

He called on businesses to approach the agency with facts and figures, stressing that government was open to intervene quickly as job creation is one of its top priorities.

“We all believe that a lot of things will change after this pandemic. As some believe that the Fourth Industrial Revolution will take place. As such, we need to unlock this hidden opportunities or identify the silver lining which are the Digital First and keep businesses up and running,” he added.

He further said, “A lot of technologies will come on board and people will embrace them. A lot of things are going to change and a lot of businesses are going to be powered by technologies.”

Concerning the recommendations, Kashifu assured the committee that NITDA and federal government will do everything possible in their capacity to see that all the highlighted recommendations in the four critical areas are tackled accordingly.

Apple’s online-only WWDC kicks off on June 22

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pple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) which will be held online, now has June 22 kick-off date.

WWDC will be hosted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the first time, it will be free for the developers. The event will be streamed live through the Apple Developer app and Apple Developer website.

In addition to announcing the

WWDC date, Apple announced the Swift Student Challenge that allows students to showcase their love of coding by creating an interactive scene in a Swift playground on the topic of their choice.

Those interested in the Swift Student Challenge have time until May 17 to submit their applications.

Winners of the challenge will get an exclusive WWDC20 jacket and pin set. You can head this way for more details about the challenge.

Windows 10X planned for single screen devices

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fter Microsoft delayed the Surface Neo indefinitely, questions about the Windows 10X development rose. After all, this version of Windows was designed to work with dualscreen devices. Well, Microsoft has now confirmed that Windows 10X is still happening but it will change its focus.

According to a short Microsoft blog post, the company is going to optimize the upcoming version of its OS for single screen devices and touchscreens, meaning laptops, tablets and hybrids.

It would “leverage the power of

the cloud”. However, no specifics have been given but it’s clear that Windows 10X will be re-purposed.

There’s also a little bit of info about the upcoming Windows 10 May 2020 update, which would optimize the user experience for touch-enabled devices. There are improvements to the desktop when in tablet mode, the Bluetooth pairing process is more streamlined and it’s easier now and there’s a new drag and drop functionality to the Eye Control feature.

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Samsung drops camera lens orders by 30% for Q2 2020

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company called Largan Precision, specializing in providing lens modules for smartphones, has revealed its financial report for April, as well as expectations for the upcoming quarter.

According to the data, the monthly decline in orders for smartphone cameras is 14 per cent, while on a yearly basis it is about 6 per cent.

The predictions for the April-June period of 2020 are not bright at all.

Samsung has reduced its orders by 30 per cent, Oppo has done the

same, while Xiaomi is sticking to “mere” 10-20 per cent reduction. In the same time, industry insiders revealed Huawei actually increased its orders by about 5-10 per cent, which is due to the stabilization of the domestic market where Huawei is the undisputed leader.

Largan revealed this will lead to revenues slipping as early as May, even if the January-April numbers account for nearly $600 million, or about 20 per cent more than last year’s four-month period.

Xiaomi celebrates 30m sold Redmi Note 8 phones

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iaomi’s affordable brand Redmi has a reason to celebrate - it reached 30 million sales of its Note 8 lineup. That includes the Redmi Note 8 (and its sibling Redmi Note 8T) and Redmi Note 8 Pro versions, and both devices made it to the Top 10 smartphones sold in Q4 2019.

The good news was announced

by Lu Weibing, brand manager of Redmi. He reminded that 1 million units were sold in one month, in the next one sales reached up to 5 million when the phone went global, the 10 million milestone was reached in a quarter of a year and it

took 5 months to reach the staggering 20 million sales.

The lineup was announced on August 29 with the Redmi Note 8 Pro becoming officially the first phone with a 64 MP camera but didn’t arrive for sale until September. Since then, Xiaomi has been pushing over 120,000 units per day, every day.

Numbers are likely to slow down in the foreseeable future, given the fact the Redmi Note 9 lineup is already selling around the world, and time will tell whether the new family will manage to beat the records of its predecessor.

Tecno Spark 5 Air unveiled with 7-inch screen, Android 10 Go edition

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hile it is billed as a smartphone, the Tecno Spark 5 Air definitely blurs the lines with tablets with its 7” screen.

The Air is pretty similar to the Tecno Spark 5 from yesterday, which also has a pretty roomy screen with a 6.6” panel. Unfortunately, the increase in screen size did not come with a bump in resolution and 720 x 1,640px is quite a stretch on 7”.

The two phones are fairly similar as both feature an 8MP selfie camera. This time it’s in a teardrop notch and the dual LED flash embedded in the top bezel puts some distance between the two LEDs, which should provide more even lighting.

The Tecno Spark 5 Air only gets a quad-core CPU to go with the 2GB of RAM and 32GB storage, so computational resources are limited.

Instead of the full Android 10, this

runs Android 10 Go Edition (with the HiOS 6.0 skin on top).

Also, despite being a larger device, the Air keeps the battery capacity the same, 5,000mAh. Still no word on fast charging, but the battery promises 11 hours of web browsing or 14 hours of watching videos.

A 3.5mm jack is available for those who prefer analog headphones.

Anyway, there is a 13MP camera on the back with an f/1.8 aperture. It has a quad-LED flash to help it take better photos in the dark. The bump is styled to look like a triple camera setup, but that’s not the case – the function of the second lens is not mentioned and the third thing is just an embellishment.

There’s also a fingerprint reader on the back, which may be a bit tricky to reach, considering the size of the “phone”. You’re probably better off using the face unlock.

• (From left): Manager, Regional Sales, 9mobile, Omolade Olajide; presenting the Grand prize of a generator to raffle draw winner, Cephas Ketah alongside Head, Region Sales, North, 9mobile, Kabiru Kazaure at the 9mobile 4G-LTE rollout funfair held at the FMA Event Centre, Kaduna, recently

Smartphone sales in Q1 2020 decline 13% globally

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or factors attributed to the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, smartphones shipments fell by 13 per cent on a yearly basis, with the total being under 300 million, a number that was last reported in 2014, according to fresh report released by Counterpoint Research, which posted its analysis of the global smartphone market for Q1 2020.

There were only two major companies that did not suffer a yearly decline in shipments - Xiaomi and Realme. All the others saw a decrease, but the overall picture remained the same - Samsung and Huawei are top sellers, Apple is comfortably third, and then plenty of China-based companies are in a battle for the last two spots on the Top 5 roster.

According to Counterpoint, the effect of the pandemic will worsen in Q2 2020, with some markets struggling more than others. The Chinese market is already recovering, so companies that are strong there, like Huawei or Oppo, will see a lesser impact of their sales, compared with Samsung - all major markets of the Korean company are under lockdown.

People with lower income and tendency to purchase devices offline would not be able to match the consumer behavior from before the pandemic, so the entrylevel segment will be hit the most in emerging economies. The midrange segment will keep driving volumes, while the premium segment is least likely to be directly affected - sales are expected to rebound once all this situation is over.

The research also disclosed that smartphone sales in China experienced the roughest quarter in recent memory, dropping by 22 per cent compared to Q1 2019 values.

As expected the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is the main reason for weak demand as shipments in February alone declined by 35 per cent YoY. At the same time, tge share of online sales grew to 50 per cent, up from 30 per cent last year.

The iPhone 11 was the best-selling device for the January – February period, marking the seventh consecutive month it reigned supreme.

Huawei’s Mate 30 5G, nova 6 series

and Honor’s 9X were the other best sellers for the period.

As a whole 5G phone shipments saw a 120 per cent increase compared last year and now account for 15 per cent of all smartphones.

Over half of all 5G phones shipped in Q1 2020 were Huawei-made.

Oppo, vivo and Xiaomi were the other leading 5G smartphone companies. Counterpoint predicts that 5G phones will account for 40 per cent of the market by the end of Q4 2020.

Similarly, another research by Canalys’ of the market performance shared in the Counterpoint position, describing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on smartphone shipments as ‘colossal.’

According to Canalys analyst Shengtao Jin, few smartphone vendors managed to withstand the impact of the global pandemic on the economic situation. Samsung, Apple, and Huawei recorded some losses, while Xiaomi managed to increase its volume 9 per cent on a yearly basis. Vivo also recorded a slight jump in sales, but this is bound to change.

Ben Stanton, senior analyst at the company, confirmed what many feared - the peak of the impact will be seen in the next quarter.

According to Stanton, some offline retailers will fail without government support, which will affect the smartphone market in general.

Cashflow will be critical in the coming months, and all major manufacturers are expected to cut back on marketing and new strategies.

However, it is vital “to strike a balance”, otherwise companies that manage to adapt quicker to the situation will win over slower competitors.

Still on the global smartphone shipments drop, analysts predict a change in consumer behavior – even after the lock-downs are lifted (which will be done gradually), people will prefer more affordable devices bought online.

5G phones proved fairly resilient to this crisis and they made up 8 per cent of all smartphones shipped in Q1 this year, up from 1 per cent during the last three months of 2019.

The percentage will grow even

higher, boosted by the upcoming sub-$300 5G phones.

Realme showed massive growth (157 per cent compared to last year), but the brand is quite young.

Established player Xiaomi was the only other brand to grow (by 7 per cent). This is because India’s lockdown came relatively late and that is the main market for both brands.

The analysts believe that the premium segment will be affected the least while shipments of entry-level phones in emerging markets will decline as their target audience faces a financial crunch. The midrange phones will be the ones driving the shipping volumes up, same as before.

Samsung remains the largest smartphone maker in the world, but its Q1 shipments suffered an 18 per cent decline year on year.

Counterpoint predicts that the Q2 decline will be even worse.

Huawei enjoyed a strong performance in China, but still fell 17 per cent YoY. As the country will be among the first to recover, brands with a large presence there (like Huawei) will also recover quickly.

Brands with little market share in China will have to wait on their key markets to recover.

Apple saw only a 5 per cent decline in iPhone shipments and 7 per cent decline in iPhone revenues, suggesting a mild shift towards more affordable models. Xiaomi went up 7 per cent thanks to growth in India, where it is the leading brand with 30 per cent market share.

This brings us the HMD and its Nokia-branded phones. Most of the volume is made up of feature phones, but they fell 34 per cent compared to Q1 last year with a total of 8.6 million shipped.

Nokia smartphones are not doing any better, showing a steady decline since Q2 2019. In the first three months of 2020, HMD shipped only 1.7 million Nokia smartphones, a precipitous 45 per cent drop compared to Q1 of last year.

While other vendors can point to the COVID-19 outbreak as the reason for the Q1 decline, the situation with HMD clearly involves other factors.

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Travel & Hospitality Covid-19: Hotels, bars remain closed – Lagos Govt Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ollowing easing of the lockdown occasioned by the continued spread of the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, Lagos Government has issued fresh guidelines on the operations of restaurants and eateries in the state, even as it has directed that hospitality establishments remain shut.

These guidelines, according to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu, are designed to provide basic summary of recommended practices that can be used to mitigate exposure to Coronavirus and return to full operations safely.

He reiterated that the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the operation of Eateries and Restaurants between 9a.m and 7p.m daily due to Ramadan subsists, stressing that their operations are restricted to take-away packs and orders only.

Bonu asserted that the State Government understands the challenges confronting the sector at this crucial period but has decided to make restaurants and Eateries operate under very strict conditions for safety, cleanliness and overall quality services to their customers, assuring that there will be close monitoring by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

He said that the Ministry has set up a Task Force to monitor, arrest and prosecute erring facilities for non-compliance, saying that comprehensive guidelines will be issued and made available to the operators.

While maintaining that hotels, bars and clubs remain shut until the State Government decides otherwise, Bonu revealed that as part of the new guide-

lines, employees of Restaurants and Eateries are now required to wear face coverings and gloves at all times, adding that such coverings must be cleaned or replaced daily.

The Special Adviser also pointed out that temperature checks must be conducted on all employees and customers, being one of the critical means of identifying sick and suspected cases of the COVID-19, warning that any operator who failed to adhere to the directive will be sanctioned.

Highlighting the sanitation procedures expected at these facilities, the Special Adviser called for adherence to all written safety, sanitisation and physical distancing protocols (specific to COVID-19) on the business premises as it affects their customers, workers and the operating environment, calling on employers to provide hand-washing equipment or sanitisers at customer entrances and in communal spaces.

Speaking on Social Distancing and Occupancy Restrictions, Bonu said the Staff of these facilities should limit the number of customers in the Restaurants and Eateries to those that can adequately stand six feet apart, insisting that the waiting area must be marked so that social distancing standards are observed.

On other operational guidelines, the Special Adviser said businesses owners must “post a sign at their entrance stating that individuals who have fever, cough, or any sign of sickness should not enter. They should also post a description of their sanitation and social distancing measures, implement staggered shifts for all workers, and whenever possible, restaurant staff should not perform multiple roles”.

Covid-19 intervention fund: Industry operators seek N150bn palliative

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mbrella b2ody of private sector tourism business owners and operators in the country, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) is seeking the intervention of the Federal Government in the industry to the tune of N150 billion.

According to the group, domestic tourism and hospitality businesses and operators should be included in the planned N500 billion Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) intervention fund and other proposed palliative measures of the government, a move it said is ‘expedient and justified.’

Speaking to news reporters in Abuja, National President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Alhaji Saleh Rabo, revealed that the adverse impact of the rampaging Covid-19 on Nigeria’s budding tourism and hospitality industry is unimaginably catastrophic.

FTAN noted that following the declaration of Covid-19 as a global pandemic in January 2020, consequent international travel restrictions, national travel bans and subnational lockdowns, have led to massive cancellations of tourism and hospitality services in destinations all over the world including Nigeria, where hotels are running on either below or empty capacity.

“Consequently, the travel, tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria have, unimaginably, taken a direct hit with attendant tales of woes including corporate bankruptcies and large-scale job losses.

“The inclusion of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry in the Federal Government’s Covid-19 economic stimulus package and palliative measures is expedient and justified, considering the enormous contributions of travel and hospitality sectors to the nation’s overall economic growth and massive

employment of labour,” said Rabo.

Rabo, therefore, called on the Federal government to, as a matter of national economic emergency provide financial intervention and other palliatives to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry.

“Federal Government of Nigeria should rapidly intervene to save our industry by implementing tourism business-friendly fiscal and monetary measures, up to the tune of one hundred and fifty billion naira.

“However, we recommend that the government, through the Economic Sustainability Committee, should apply the N150 billion intervention fund on a combination of different forms of fiscal and monetary measures and palliatives including operational tax reliefs, investments tax holidays, import duty waivers, financial grants for domestic tour operators and other struggling SMEs in the industry,” pleaded Rabo.

Continuing, Rabo said: “Aside from government’s fiscal and monetary intervention measures, Nigeria’s tourism industry urgently requires transformational tourism development policies and programs to both jumpstart and sustain exponential growth of the industry.”

The FTAN President went ahead to list some tourism development policies which could be implemented in Nigeria to promote sustainable tourism development including to Incentivize Tourism Investment, Domestic Tourism Promotion, Tourist Host Community Programs, setup of a Tourism Advisory Council, and the Establishment of a Tourism Development Fund.

FTAN is comprised of 23 tourismtrade associations and professional groups that cumulatively represent the largest number of tourism enterprises across Nigeria.

• Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) with the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede during the public presentation of the fourth edition of NIS Annual Report in Abuja, Monday

Minister lauds NIS over passport reforms implementation, others

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inister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commended the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for its significant achievements in 2019 by implementing a number of reforms in the area of border management, passport and other travel documents, visa, migration management, human resources and infrastructure.

The Minister, who stated this during the public presentation of the fourth edition of NIS Annual Report on Abuja today, commended NIS for taking the lead in changing the paradigm of how public sector should operate in Nigeria not only in terms of publication of performance report but as demonstrated in other forward-looking and creative reforms that the service has undertaken within the period under review.

Aregbesola added that all NIS Annual Reports are presented as a new means of assessment, improvement, planning, retrospection, studying and management that will engender greater transparency, better decision making and improved processes.

He stated that the report was established on three fundamental objectives which according to him are in tandem with the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari‘s administration of security; (in terms of border management, irregular migration, interception and arrest of cross-border criminals etc.), economy (revenue generation and economic growth through effective service delivery from visa, Passport and residence Permits) and transparency (openness in terms of presentation to the public).

He assured that the ministry of Interior would continue to play its part

in ensuring that all agencies under the supervision of the ministry succeed in their respective mandates.

While commending the document to Nigerians, he encouraged all to go through it, as it is very significant with a lot of important data and information which are useful for national planning, decision making, research work, education and business development.

The Minister congratulated NIS for impressive achievements recorded in 2019 and urged them to do more to surpass this record in 2020.

He also urged NIS to take advantage of the opportunities of new discoveries, creative ideas and adaptability presented by COVID-19 pandemic while urging Nigerians to stay safe and observe all guidelines provided by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to combat the pandemic.

Aregbesola added that in the year under review, the Service commissioned two additional Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Oja-odan, Ogun State and Daura, Katsina State, bringing the total number of FOBs nationwide to 12.

He also informed that the nation’s International Airports, land borders and Seaports were equipped with Border Management and Information System (BMIS).

The coverage and installation of Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), the Minister said was expanded at air, land and sea, adding that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for combating SOM was developed and validated.

The Minister for Interior added that in furtherance of internal control measures and migration management, the Service successfully

launched the Migrant e-Registration exercise in July 2019.

Also speaking, the Comptroller General of NIS, Muhammed Babandede said that in a bid to improve the quality of the passport and to ease the processes in line with the Ease of Doing Business agenda of the government, the enhanced e-passport was introduced and launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 15, 2019.

He also informed that a modern one-stop passport processing front office was commissioned at the service headquarters which would be replicated in all passport offices nationwide and that more service windows for passport and visa processing were commissioned at Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, South Korea.

On capacity building, Babandede said that NIS in 2019 conducted over 60 training and re-training programmes, seminars workshops and conferences., adding that the service also sustained its investment in infrastructural development with the commissioning of four newly constructed Command complexes, seven new Divisional Office complexes, four new Fag Houses for ACGs and Comptrollers.

He listed other achievements to include construction of access roads, new central store, main entrance gate and pavilion at NIS headquarters as well as Transit Camps at border areas and designated formations.

He revealed that works are progressing in other 50 other projects that have reached 80 per cent completion across the country including the Technology building and auditorium at NIS Headquarters.

travel industry, travel bans, limits on large public gatherings and the cancellation of events have become some of its disruptive consequences.

The Government of Canada, he said has since directed its citizens to stay home unless it is absolutely essential to go outside and if so, to practice social distancing.

The Canadian Government, he added also announced the closure of its borders to most foreign travelers – Canadian citizens and permanent residents excluded to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“In light of the unprecedented and changing global situation relating to the COVID-19 virus, we regret to make this difficult but necessary decision that 4th International Business Tourism Conference & Exhibition IBTCE would be postponed till further notice as we monitor the situation.

We have delayed this decision up till now, while closely observing events around the COVID-19. We shall continue to monitor the situation and remain hopeful that the event can still hold later this year,” Oluboye said.

4th Int’l Business Tourism Conference, Exhibition Winnipeg 2020 postponed

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resident and Group CEO Travellinks Holidays & Educational Services, Canada, Gbenga Oluboye has announced the postponement of the 2020 edition of the International Business Tourism Conference & Exhibition (IBTCE) Winnipeg, Canada.

A statement issued by Oluboye attributed the decision to postpone the event to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation and in the interest of health and safety of speakers and delegates.

He stated that with the current state of the Coronavirus pandemic and its significant impact on the international

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13,

31

AVIATION

IATA backs onboard face coverings, masks; flays social distancing for passengers

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• Covid-19 screening for arriving passengers at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja

Reps, AON berate FG for engaging foreign airlines in evacuation of Nigerians abroad

Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ederal House of Representatives Committee on Aviation and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have berated the Federal Government over its decision to engage foreign airlines in the evacuation of Nigerians abroad.

While the airline operators described the move by the government as ‘disappointing,’ the Representatives said the decision to engage the foreign carriers was ‘not only a disservice to the local airlines…but equally detrimental to our national pride and dignity.’

In separate statements issued in reaction to a planned by evacuation of Nigerians stranded in various countries by the Federal Government through a consortium of foreign airlines, the stakeholders said the move was wrongly timed in view of the crisis facing the country’s aviation sector.

A schedule released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the first batch of evacuees of 265 from Dubai would arrive Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2020, another 300 persons are to arrive from London on Friday May 10 on British Airways and on Monday, 11th May Ethiopian Airline would airlift those coming from United States of America.

Reacting to this development, in a statement signed by its Executive Chairman, Captain Nogie Meggison, AON said that Nigerian airlines ‘have the capacity to bring their countrymen and women back to their fatherland and expressed shock that despite the fact that Nigeria does not have the resources now due to low oil price and despite the fact that airlines are struggling to keep their workforce due to huge loss in revenues occasioned by the COVID-19 lockdown, a government agency would engage foreign airlines to evacuate Nigerians when the country has airlines that are capable of doing that.’

“AON is shocked and disappointed by the decision taken by the federal government to evacuate Nigerians back to our country with foreign airlines. So we are calling for government to identify those officials who took such decision. At a time government is searching for ways to boost its revenue, some officials are giving away the country’s meager resources.

“These foreign airlines are not going to create jobs for our teeming youths.

The federal government has made a

call to employers not to sack their staff in the face of the current economic crunch caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, but how can the airlines cope when the opportunity for them to make money and pay their workers were taken away and given to foreign carriers?

“British Airways cannot provide jobs for Nigerians, Emirates cannot provide jobs for Nigerians, Ethiopian Airlines cannot provide jobs for Nigerians; it is our airlines that can do that. But the support they need is being taken away by some government officials and given to foreign carriers from whom we don’t gain anything, except landing charges of about $2000,” he said.

The Chairman of AON described the action of the officials who took the decision to engage foreign carriers to evacuate Nigerians as economic sabotage.

He said that Nigeria does not have social security like countries where sacked workers receive certain amount of money for months to cushion the effect of the sack, adding that how to kick-start the airlines after COVID-19 should be in the mind of government.

“Government is putting many of us out. Government is putting money in the airlines to support their survival and somebody is giving Nigerian jobs to outsiders. How can our airlines rejuvenate their staff without money? So we are calling that government should probe those involved in this mischief because what they have done is counterproductive.

“Our rent is running, Internet is running. It is painful for government to bring out money to support aviation and some officials will be undermining government’s efforts. Azman has Airbus A340-600, which is a wide-body aircraft, Max Air has four Boeing B747 and Air Peace has three Boeing B777.

So we have the capacity to airlift these Nigerians. Just imagine how the money earned will strengthen the operations of the airlines. Each aircraft has four sets of pilots. Their action does not add up,” Meggison said.

He noted that all countries use their airlines to do evacuation, but it is ironic that despite the fact Nigeria has the capacity, it decided to engage foreign airlines.

On its part, House Committee on Aviation condemned the decision by the Federal Government to engage the

services of foreign airlines to evacuate Nigerians abroad when there are three Nigerian carriers that have the capacity to do that.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, who called on the federal government to revert to capable indigenous operators to carry out the evacuation exercise, frowned at the engagement of foreign airlines like Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways and Emirates to airlift stranded Nigerians from Dubai, London and America by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Presidential Task Force, (PTF) on COVID-19.

The lawmaker called for the immediate cancellation of the contracts and the reversal to the capable domestic operators noting that America and Britain recently evacuated their citizens from Nigerian without the use of other countries’ carriers.

“The action of those responsible for this action is not only a disservice to the local airlines which have done their best to provide patriotic service to Nigerians but equally detrimental to our national pride and dignity,” Hon. Nnaji stressed, urging the Aviation Minister to revoke the landing rights already granted the three airlines.

Nnaji who represents Nkanu East/ West Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives strongly believed that there are capable Nigerian operators with long haul aircraft that can handle the operations that should have been engaged by the Task Force.

“I am aware that Air Peace has three Boeing 777, Max Air has four Boeing 747 and Azman recently acquired an Airbus A340-600 series which can be deployed for these charters. Air Peace apart from the operations it did to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa during the xenophobic attacks last year has handled two special charters this COVID 19 period to China for medical evacuation and to Israel to evacuate Israeli Nationals out of Nigeria and Max Air has been operating in Hajj without hitches.

“Why can’t we for once begin to believe in ourselves, why must we look outside for everything? I was thinking that the lessons of this prevailing pandemic would make us change our ways of doing things. Nigerians must demand explanations for this action of the PTF”, said Nnaji.

nternational Air Transport Association (IATA) has thrown its weight behind the wearing of face coverings for passengers and masks for crew while on board aircraft as a critical part of a layered approach to bio-security to be implemented temporarily when people return to traveling by air.

This is just as the airline body stated that it does not support mandating social distancing measures that would leave ‘middle seats’ empty, adding that evidence suggests that the risk of transmission on board aircraft is low. Mask-wearing by passengers and crew will reduce the already low risk, while avoiding the dramatic cost increases to air travel that onboard social distancing measures would bring.

According to IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, “The safety of passengers and crew is paramount. The aviation industry is working with governments to re-start flying when this can be done safely. Evidence suggests that the risk of transmission on board aircraft is low. And we will take measures—such as the wearing of face coverings by passengers and masks by crew— to add extra layers of protection.

We must arrive at a solution that gives passengers the confidence to fly and keeps the cost of flying affordable. One without the other will have no lasting benefit.”

On measures to reduce the already low risk of onboard transmission, IATA stated that it recommended mandatory facecoverings for passengers and masks for crew as one of several actions to reduce the already low risk of contracting COVID-19 on board aircraft.

It said that in addition to face coverings, these layers of temporary bio-security measures being proposed include: Temperature screening of passengers, airport workers and travelers; Boarding and deplaning processes that reduce contact with other passengers or crew; Limiting movement within the cabin during flight; More frequent and deeper cabin cleaning; as well as Simplified catering procedures that lower crew movement and interaction with passengers.

IATA said that when proven and available at scale, testing for COVID-19 or immunity passports could also be included as temporary bio-security measures.

IATA said that it does not recommend restricting the use of the ‘middle seat’ to create social distancing while onboard aircraft, as the agency contended that evidence, although limited, suggests that, the risk of virus transmission on board aircraft is low even without special measures.

An IATA informal survey of 18 major airlines identified, during January-March 2020, just three episodes of suspected in-flight transmission of COVID-19, all from passengers to crew. A further four episodes were reports of apparent transmission from

pilot to pilot, which could have been in-flight or before/after (including layover). There were no instances of suspected passenger-to-passenger transmission.

According to the aviation body, a more detailed IATA examination of contact tracing of 1,100 passengers (also during the January to March 2020 period) who were confirmed for COVID-19 after air travel revealed no secondary transmission among the more than 100,000 passengers in the same flights.

“Just two possible cases were found among crew members,” it said.

IATA, further posited that there are several plausible reasons why COVID-19, which is spread primarily by respiratory droplets, has not resulted in more on-board transmission and why air travel is different from other modes of public transport.

The reasons according to the agency, include the fact that: “Passengers face forward with limited face-to-face interactions; Seats provide a barrier to transmission forward or in the cabin; Air flow from ceiling to floor further reduces the potential for transmission forward or aft in the cabin, moreover, air flow rates are high and not conducive to droplet spread in the same way as in other indoor environments; High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters on modern aircraft clean cabin air to hospital operating theater quality, further assisted by high levels of fresh air circulation.”

IATA, therefore, submitted that “even if mandated, keeping the ‘middle seat’ open will not achieve the recommended separation for social distancing to be effective, pointing out that most authorities recommend 1m-2m while the average seat width is less than 50 cm.

“The cabin environment naturally makes transmission of viruses difficult for a variety of reasons. That helps explain why we have seen little occurrence of onboard transmission. In the immediate term, our aim is to make the cabin environment even safer with effective measures so that passengers and crew can return to travel with confidence. Screening, face coverings and masks are among the many layers of measures that we are recommending. Leaving the middle seat empty, however, is not,” said de Juniac.

On economic impact, IATA stated that calls for social distancing measures on aircraft would fundamentally shift the economics of aviation by slashing the maximum load factor to 62 per cent and that it is well below the average industry breakeven load factor of 77 per cent.

IATA said that with fewer seats to sell, unit costs would rise sharply, adding that compared to 2019, air fares would need to go up dramatically, between 43 per cent and 54 per cent depending on the region just to cover costs.

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

EQUITY & Capital Market

Shareholders commends Access Bank’s 2019 performance at AGM

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• From Left: Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari at the presentation of medical equipment to the Kano State Governor, HE Abdullahi Ganduje in Kano on Saturday..

Investors urged to explore opportunities in Capital Market as COVID-19 rages

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s the coronavirus pandemic ravages the world, and businesses and individuals suffer, Nigerians have been urged to look to the Capital Market as an avenue to create wealth.

The Acting Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Mary Uduk, who stated this, said the Commission is aware of the economic implications of the virus and that is why the Management of the SEC has ensured that the market remains open for trading.

The SEC Boss stated that while the lockdown and its partial easing has had tremendous negative impact on Nigeria’s economy and lives of citizens, she however urged Nigerians to remain resolute and explore opportunities available in the capital market.

According to her, “we must continue to make the best we can of the situation. As a regulator, we have put measures in place to ensure our market does not shut down, trade is presently going on at the various exchanges that make up our market.

The NSE is continuing with trading, the FMDQ and all the exchanges are actually continuing and everything is going well.

“We are leveraging technology to continue our activities. Initially, people were afraid that technology would have bad effects like loss of jobs, but right now it has become a

saving grace.

“So most of us have put our Business Continuity Plans (BCP) in process. Staff are working, we are interacting with market operators who are also working, and our market is open.

“We released three circulars concerning actions against COVID-19.

One of them was to request Capital Market Operators and organisations we regulate to send us reports on their Business Continuity Plans and processes (BCP) and as you can see the market has been trading as everyone activated their BCPs. “We have also requested public companies to continue to send out information to ensure investors are informed. They are to give out information on how COVID–19 would affect them, and if possible, make forecasts and outlooks to let investors know how they expect the pandemic to affect their operations and profitability”.

She said that before the partial easing of the lockdown, both the SEC and stakeholders in the market were all working remotely adding that these were done in a bid to ensure there is no shut down.

Uduk expressed satisfaction with the way the market is going during these challenging times and urged investors to continue to invest as the market is safe.

On investor confidence in this pe-

riod of COVID-19, Uduk said the Commission has many measures in place to improve market confidence.

She described investor protection as one of the major mandates of the SEC, which is viewed seriously knowing that investors will not come to the market in the absence of adequate protections for them.

She said, “one of the ways we protect investors is the e-dividend system we have put in to ensure investors get their dividends directly.

Dividends do not have to be routed through stockbrokers any longer.

We also have the Direct Cash Settlement, Complaints Management Framework, Transmission of shares among other initiatives to protect investors.

“We also have continued to educate investors on how to approach the market, we have continued to ensure improvement of market conduct, and we are working to deepen the market to ensure there is improved confidence. We are optimistic that confidence in the market will continue to improve.”

The SEC boss added that another form of investor protection the Commission continues to offer is to ensure that market conduct is at its best, as the SEC ensures that registered capital market operators treat investors fairly and obey the rules of the market.

Wapic Insurance Plc offers health workers 15% rebates on new policy

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ollowing its recent announcement giving premium refunds to customers with active motor vehicle policies during the lockdown period, Wapic Insurance, one of Nigeria’s leading underwriters, has gone further to offer health workers across Nigeria a 15% discount on new policies taken up in 2020 to help cushion financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rebate to health workers covers Personal Accident, Householder Insurance and Motor Insurance and is for the tenor of the policies; in line with regulations, discounts do not apply at renewal.

According to the Managing Director, Mrs Adeyinka Adekoya, “this

corporate gesture is in appreciation of the noble effort of our health workers, who are in the frontline of the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Last week, the insurer announced a pioneering initiative costing millions of Naira in premium revenue that will give refunds to its motor insurance policy holders.

The offer from Wapic Insurance ensures that customers with active policies are automatically credited with refunds based on the lockdown period.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Wapic Insurance has been at the forefront of Insurance sector contributions towards the fight

against Covid-19. The company has contributed N40 million to the Federal Government’s Covid-19 response effort and is also one of the Insurance Companies underwriting free health cover for Nigeria’s 5000 health workers.

Most importantly the company is demonstrating its commitment to sustainable business practices by fighting the pandemic through its core underwriting products and services.

Wapic Insurance is committed to rolling out more socially responsible and development focused initiatives using its capital, products and services during these challenging times.

t was commendation galore at the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Access Bank Plc held in Lagos as shareholders hailed the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the Access Bank for the highly impressive performance for the 2019 financial year.

The meeting, which was held by proxy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had three leaders of various shareholders’ association present.

Sir Sunny Nwosu of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr. Owolabi Peters of Integrated Shareholders Association of Nigeria and Mrs. Bisi Bakare of Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, said despite the challenging operating environment, Access Bank Plc did not only record improved results, but also rewarded shareholders with good a dividend that is very timely given the difficulties created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For instance, Nwosu said Access Bank Plc had a good foresight by merging with defunct Diamond Bank Plc, noting that “the professional and seamless manner with which the integration was done should be commended and shareholders appreciate the board and management.”

According to him, the future remains very bright for all shareholders, considering the synergy the merger has brought to the Bank and the expertise the management and staff continued to deploy to ensure Access Bank maintain a leading role in the retail banking space.

Nwosu also commended efforts of Access Bank in the private-sector led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), supporting the Federal Government to fight the pandemic.

Mrs. Bakare said unlike some of its competitors, Access Bank has recorded increased profits in the past three years, noting that shareholders have confidence in the board and management to deliver improved performance.

The Group Managing Director/ CEO, Access Bank Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, said the Group delivered a 26 per cent increase in gross earnings of N666.8billion from N528.7billion in 2018, comprising interest in-come growth of 41 per cent from previous levels to N155.9billion despite declining interest rate environment.

He said further: “The effects of an enlarged loan book contributed significantly to the interest income growth of N155.9billion (+41 per cent y/y), leading to strong bottom-line figures. The net effect on operating income resulted in strong profit before tax (PBT) of N115.4billion as against N103.2billion in 2018.

“The strength of the performance reflects a growing franchise supported by digital capabilities and improving customer service touchpoints.

The retail business gained momentum, leveraging opportunities in key sectors to consolidate market share dominance through our digital loans.

“The wholesale business also continued to soar in the year, following intense marketing drive and continued investment in the sector to deliver stronger synergies.”

The Bank ended the year with profit after tax (PAT) of N97.509 billion, up from N94.981 billion and paid a final dividend of 40 kobo to

• Wigwe

bring the total dividend to 65 kobo per share.

Wigwe said the merger with Diamond Bank produced a truly diversified institution with remarkable retail presence and solid wholesale market share.

According to him, “this has propelled us towards achieving our fiveyear strategic objectives to create the largest bank in Nigeria by total assets as well as largest in Africa by customer base with over 36 million unique customers across the network.

“Using an agile approach and with strong dedication, we have achieved a significant milestone in financial services on the continent whilst delivering the fastest and most seamless customer Day 1 integration globally.

“With the emergence of the new entity, the bank is well- positioned to cater to the retail business through a broader reach and product offerings tailored to individual customer needs and delivered efficiently. Access Bank is now a tier one retail banking franchise with strong digital payments capabilities and benefiting from a diversified business mix.”

Wigwe said the bank is already addressing the issue high operating expenses and taking drastic measures to ensure that expenses are reduced significantly, adding the effect would be felt mostly in the second, third and final quarter of 2020.

Speaking on how Access Bank is running its business in the COVID-19 period, the GMD assured that the Bank has put in place a robust business continuity process enough to sustain the bank’s performance going forward.

“Access Bank was well prepared for the COVID-19 early enough and created ways of working from home and working with our customers. We set up links with our customers and many ways of reaching out to our customers three or four times in a day. This happened even before we started working with the larger society and enabled us to start fighting this pandemic. So Access Bank has put a system in place and now working with CACOVID to make sure that everyone knows what he is doing,” he said.

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

MONEY Market ARM Life Records N588.6m Loss in Q1 2020

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RM Life Plc, completed the first quarter of the year recording a loss after tax of N588.6 million.

According to the interim returns of the company for the period ended March 31, 2020, the loss posted in the period was in contrast to the profit after tax of N1.1 billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2019.

In the results filed to the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange, where it trades its equities, the firm said a loss before tax of N588.6 million compared with N1.1 billion pre-tax profit in the same time of last year, while its earnings per share (EPS) stayed flat at 11.41 kobo.

On its top line, the company recorded a Gross Premium Written (GPW) of N4.03 billion, lower than N11.19 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2019.

The gross premium income reduced to N3.6 billion between January and March from N9.6 billion in the comparative period of last year.

ARM was left with a net premium of N3.4 billion for the period versus N9.2 billion after a reinsurance expenses of N131.2 million in Q1 2020 as against N397.4 million in Q1

2019.

From January to March of this year, ARM Life Plc incurred underwriting expenses of N3.2 billion from re-insurance recoveries, gross benefits and paid claims, acquisition expenses for the period, and increase on annuity contract liabilities. This was in contrast to N12.8 billion used for the same purpose between the same period of last year.

The firm recorded an underwriting profit of N251.9 million in the period under review compared with an underwriting loss of N3.5 billion in the corresponding time of 2019.

The net income in Q1 2020 was at -N220.7 million compared with N2.8 billion in Q1 2019, while the administrative and finance cost amounted to N367.9 million versus N1.6 billion.

The balance of ARM Life Plc, which has remained the most active stock at the NASD Exchange this year, showed that total assets for the period stood at N34.4 billion as at March 31, 2020 in contrast to N32.9 billion as at December 31, 2019.

The company’s liabilities during this period stood at N29.9 billion from N27.8 billion in FY 2019.

Zenith Bank records improved gross earnings of N166.8 billion in Q1 2020

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enith Bank Plc has announced its unaudited results for the first quarter ended March 31 2020, with gross earnings rising by 6 percent from N158.1 billion in March 2019 to N166.8 billion.

From the unaudited statement of account which was presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, this top-line growth was driven by the 43 percent expansion in non-interest income from N32.7 billion in the prior-year period to N46.6 billion in March 2020.

The Bank’s profit before tax also rose 3 percent from N57.3 billion in the prior-year period to N58.8 billion in March 2020. The increased profits benefited from the twin effects of continuing top-line growth and focused cost-of-funds optimisation.

Cost of funds declined significantly from 3.0% in March 2019 to 2.6 percent in the quarter, translating to a 10 percent decrease in interest expense dropping from N36.3 billion in March 2019 to N32.8 billion in the quarter.

Despite this drop, the current low yield environment necessitated the repricing of interest-bearing assets which in turn resulted in a 13 percent compression in net interest margin, decreasing from 8.9 percent in March 2019 to 7.7 percent in the current period.

Zenith Bank has continued to gain customer acceptance, with customer deposits increasing by 5

• Zenith Bank GMD, Ebenezer Onyeagwu

percent from N4.26 trillion in December 2019 to N4.46 trillion in Q1 2020. The Bank’s customer deposit mix rebalancing remains on-track as the Group added N150 billion in savings account balances in Q1 2020, supported by its retail drive.

The Bank’s total assets increased by 12 percent growing from N6.35 trillion in December 2019 to close at N7.13 trillion in Q1 2020. Gross loans grew by 11 percent from N2.46 trillion in December 2019 to N2.74 trillion in Q1 2020

• Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State during visit to the Government House for the presentation of medical equipment to the State

First bank sustains positive impact, welcomes back customers

Stories by KAYODE OGUNWALE

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irst Bank has thanked its customers for their continued patronage during the COVID-19 lockdown, whilst assuring the larger public that stringent measures have been implemented to ensure its branches and locations across the country operate in line with the health and safety guidelines issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

While welcoming customers to its branches and locations from Monday, May 4, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, the Bank’s CEO noted that the safety measures include ensuring personal protection, as wearing face masks is now mandatory; maintaining social distancing by reducing physical contact by at least one meter from the next person and queue guides and markings to guide customers; as well as enhancing the practice of personal hygiene as hand washing stations and hand sanitisers have been provided.

Speaking on the impact of the Bank across its sub-Saharan business Adeduntan said, “we are glad that our investment in technology over the years has really borne fruit as many of our staff were able to work remotely during the lock down with effective IT support to hand. We were therefore able to actively support our customers, their families and businesses through these challenging times.

“We ensured business continuity across eight countries – Nigeria, Ghana; Democratic Republic of Congo; Sierra-Leone; the Gambia, Guinea; Senegal and United Kingdom. We recognize that this has truly been a trying period and are poised to continue to provide as much support as we can to our customers and communities we operate in.”

He explained that during this period, it proactively reviewed

products and services to support customers better and thanked Nigerians for their patronage of its electronic services, as these indeed demonstrated the trust, which the public repose in the Bank.

He said: “It is for this reason of putting our customers first that our Bank, in obedience to directives from Federal and State governments, worked assiduously to keep over 50 percent of our branches open across all nooks and crannies of the country.

“The call center was restaffed in the most efficient manner and retooled as we provided even more opportunities for our customers to reach us for their banking needs”.

He provided a snapshot of transactions carried out across First Bank’s e-banking channels during the five-week lockdown in various parts of the country, saying: ”We recorded approximately 12.6 million withdrawals amounting to about N156bn across our ATMs well placed across the country.

“Nigerians with FirstBank cards used them 105 million times to make payments or withdrawals worth about N1.18 trillion as they relied on us to settle their banking needs.

“Our customers made transfers over 106 million times with a total value of about N8.18 trillion across our digital channels.

During this period, our 53,000 plus agents have processed over N512bn worth of transactions.

“We have also recorded over 275,000 new sign-ups to alternative channels covering our Firstmobile; USSD and First-Online platforms.”

As one of the leading SME banks in the country, with a drive to ensure SMEs are supported, Adeduntan, also stated that First Bank has enhanced palliatives such as introduction of special waivers on repayment

fees on its credit cards, and a 90day loan moratorium on selected products across markets, to help cushion the impact of the toll on employment and livelihoods.

Our wholesale business was also not left out as advisory services and a range of financial needs were met to the delight of our Corporate and Commercial customers.

On community impact, the Bank partnered with other organisations in the private sector to collectively help those most impacted by this pandemic. It has contributed N1billion and several volunteer staff towards the efforts of the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) to meet the intervention objectives in the key areas of health; testing, provision of much needed health infrastructure, isolation units and raising public awareness and where needed providing food to the most vulnerable.

This is a time when we all must step up and do our bit by our people and our communities.

In addition, First Bank, in keeping with its long standing tradition and focus on educational support and talent development has partnered with several organisations in a bid tohelp 1 million students access e learning.

Adeduntan said, “it is important in all this not to forget the children whose needs can so easily be overlooked at a time such as this. ‘’ As the lockdown is lifted nationwide, we will continue to provide seamless services to our customers ensuring the highest levels of support whilst operating as efficiently as possible, ensuring safety of all is paramount and empowering our staff to drive these goals. We will do these with three things in mind: ensuring you are staying safe; supporting your business; and safeguarding our future.”

34

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday 13, 2020

NEWS Extra

Oba women demonstrate against land usurpers in Anambra

By OGE ONYEANUSI, Nnewi

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ver 200 women, at Mbana Okuzu community, Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State staged a peaceful demonstration against alleged land grabbers in the area.

The women, most of them in their 50s, insisted that no portion of the community’s land must be touched again by suspected grabbers who

allegedly included their community leader.

The Women Leader of the Oba community, home branch, who was the spokesperson for the protesting rural women, Lolo Ngozi Ibeto, said there were almost no more parcels of unsold land at Mbana Okuzu because one of their community leaders masterminded the land deals in the area.

She said that since five years ago when the ugly trend started, she and

her fellow women and men in the community had not ceased to cry out but most of them were only beaten up for daring the land grabbers.

She said: “One of community leaders and his cohorts have sold all our lands and there is imminent famine in our community because we no longer have farmlands to cultivate.

A measure of garri, which used to be N600 in our community is now sold at N1,500 because we can no longer

cultivate in full capacity.

“I have even been dispossessed of my own personal plots of land by the land grabbers who have continued to apply violence to silence anybody who dared to challenge them.

“Our community leader and others use the youths to attack us and our husbands who have been inflicted with various degrees of injury. We want government’s intervention to save us from the danger we are fac-

Life returns to Nnewi as markets reopen after lockdown

Ikpeazu embarks on N27.4 billion flood control project in Aba

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From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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he Abia State government has signed an agreement with the World Bank for the execution of a flood control project in Aba, which will gulp N27.4 billion.

According to the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Solomon Ogunji, the scope of the project include construction of 2.65km of underground tunnel from Uratta Pond (Uratta by Port Harcourt Road) through Port Harcourt Road to Ngwa Road by Obohia Road, construction of 6.5km underground tunnel from Umuagbai Pond (Burrow pit) at Owerri- Aba to pass along Obohia Road to Ngwa Road and joining of the tunnels from Uratta and Obohia would proceed along Ngwa Road to the Aba River.

The project also include total reconstruction of Obohia Road with side drains that discharge into the tunnel, total reconstruction of Ngwa Road with side drains, total reconstruction of sections of Uratta Road and Port Harcourt Road from Uratta Junction to Ngwa Road junctions and full bioremediation of the inlet areas of Umuagbai and Uratta Ponds.

It was gathered that the project would be fully funded by State Government and the World Bank The State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Friday announced the start of the project during a meeting with stakeholders in the Government House, Umuahia.

He said: “The Ministry of Environment and the State Government have signed an agreement with the World Bank for the commencement of the N27.4 bn project in Aba and we expect ground breaking to take place any moment from now.

“The project includes the most ambitious watershed management project ever done in the history of our State with Ngwa Road and other areas expected to be fixed.”

The Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, had said in an interview in March that the project was expected to provide permanent solution to flood problems in Aba, the commercial hub of the state.

He described it as the biggest ever flood control project in Aba and “part of that project is billed to look at flood water management around Ndiegoro area; Ngwa Road, Obohia, Ohanku, Uratta, Port Harcourt Roads, all that area.

“If we construct any road there without first channeling water properly, it is a waste of the people’s money. This administration will rather not do any project than to do a project that will not last.”

ing now.”

The leader of Okuzu Mbana women, Mrs Ngozi Muorioku, who corroborated the submissions of the women leader, said if nothing is done urgently, the entire community would be engulfed in crisis.

She said that it is only the timely intervention of the state governor, Willie Obiano that would save the already bad situation.

• The inauguration of the COVID-19 of the Onitsha Main Market TaskForce was performed by the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Wealth Creation and Revenue Mobilization, Uchenna Okafor, at Bright Street Onitsha.

Oba community leader backs Ibeabuchi over FCC appointment

By Oge Onyeanusi, Nnewi

T

he President General of Aboji Akanano community in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nze Dozie Okeke, has thrown his support behind Rev. Uche Ibeabuchi, to push for his appointment as a member of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

Okeke noted that those kicking against Ibeabuchi’s nomination as a member of FCC representing Anambra and Imo states were not bonafide sons and daughters of Oba. Wondering how any one from Oba town would oppose the appointment, Okeke asked the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, to disregard the call by one Edwin Obiabumuo on the President of the Senate to deny Rev. Ibeabuchi

confirmation.

“As the President General of Aboji, the largest community in Oba, I know we don’t give holigans position in Oba. Ibeabuchi is the President of Okuzu village in Oba. So whoever said that he is a cultist is a pathological liar. He has never been a businessman nor a contractor. He has all his life been a servant of God, taking care of the flock”, said Okeke.

Some people in the town had used the name of the President General of Oba, Chief Clifford Elendu, to oppose the appointment of Ibeabuchi, accusing him of being high handed and selling community land without being accountable.

But describing the accusation as fallacy, Okeke asked the Inspector General of Police to arrest Obiabumuo and his cohorts for false infor-

mation and impersonation.

He asked what was strange in Ibeabuchi having court case, stressing that many people have court cases but that doesn’t imply that they are convicts and therefore this cannot prevent them from holding appointments.

He said nobody can use a case pending in the court to deny Ibeabuchi the appointment given to him by the President Muhammadu Buhari.

The community leader lauded Buhari for appointing their son as a FCC member, which is a clear indication of his love for them.

He also commended Buhari for the work on the second Niger bridge and the Enugu - Onitsha expressway as well as the way he is managing COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria

ommercial activities have resumed in the industrial town of Nnewi, Anambra State following the reopening of markets, with traders seen as early as 7 a.m., Monday, taking positions to implement the directives on the state government.

There was an increase of vehicular movements and government offices were also opened but with a reduced presence of workers.

The chairman of Fairly Used Motorcycle Dealers Association (FUMDA) Mr Eloka Ubajekwe, who was set to enforce the Covid-19 protocols said that anyone without a face mask will not be allowed into the market.

Ubajekwe said everyone is expected to put on their facemasks while transacting business in the market and that a special Taskforce has been put in place to apprehend offenders.

He appealed to business men and women in Nnewi to embrace the directives of government in the wake of Covid-19.

A businessman, Tochukwu Ejiofor said that the lockdown was a difficult time many people, traders inclusive as he assured of the readiness of the business community to abide by their commitment to the rules of engagement with government for reopening the market.

“The government has trained some of our members on the COVID-19 protocols before the markets were opened . We will cooperate with the trained officers and ensure that water, soaps and sanitizers are placed at strategic locations. The social distancing directive would also be implemented,” he said.

Lockdown: Youths commend Obiano for palliatives

By THEO RAYS

Y

ouths from Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State have commmended the state governor, Willie Obiano for his welfare packages to them and the elders in Onitsha to cushion the effects of the lockdown.

Obiano distributed to youths and 70-year-olds and others various foodstuffs including 200 bags of 10kg rice in each of the 181 communities in Anambra, and 400 10kg bags of rice to youths also in all the communities in the state.

Speaking before distributing the rice at Chuba Ikpeazu stadium, the Chairman Onitsha North Local Government Area Agha Mba commended Obaino for his gesture, noting that most of the beneficiaries are the inhabitants of Onitsha, which includes youths in Onitsha irrespective of tribe or religion as they included youth

from the North and South West and other tribes.

The chairman urged the youths to reciprocate the gesture of the government by complying with government directives of social distancing and ensuring the use of face masks.

He urged them to be of good behavior by avoiding anything that will put them in trouble with the law especially during this difficult moment.

Some of the benefactors thanked the governor for the gesture. One Ibrahim Musa said he was elated at the magnanimity of the governor for extending the palliatives to nonindigenes.

Another beneficiary Amaechi Mba said it is only peculiar that Anambra is the only state that remembered youths adding that the governor and Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha deserve high commendations for their concern for the youths and the • Gov Obiano aged.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday April 10, 2019

NEWS

Ikpeazu rewards corps members for fabricating hands washing machine

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

T

wo members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Abia State have fabricated and donated machines for hand washing to the state government as contribution to the fight against COVID -19.

Babatunde Dolapo Dayo and Sebe Godspower Oghenemaroh, fabricated and donated the machines for sanitising and washing of hands to the State to assist government in maintaining the safety protocols against COVID -19.

The machines are operated with the feet as the user does not have to touch the sanitizer, the liquid soap or even the tap for running water.

The two corps members said the machines were fabricated with locally sourced materials, and would ensure a healthier way of hand washing.

Presenting two pieces of the machines to the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, at Government House, Umuahia, Tuesday, the producers said it was their own way of supporting the state government in its efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus in Abia.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, who received the machines on behalf of the governor, pledged N500,000 as cash gift to the fabricators.

The Governor also directed the SSG to purchase the machines in large quantity, which, according to him, would be placed at strategic places for public use.

Ikpeazu commended the fabricators for their ingenuity and urged them to mass produce the machines to enable the government procure and deploy them to schools and government offices in the state.

He said: “While the global community is reeling from the negative socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, I see opportunities for those who are willing to think outside the box to solve problems.

“Our people in Abia have long taken advantage of the outbreak of the disease to produce high quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and as youth corps members serving in our state, you have keyed into the message and philosophy of our hard working people.”

• Gov. Ikpeazu

Market leader laments loss of members to hunger, prays against lockdown

By OGE ONYEANUSI, Nnewi

A

s markets in Anambra reopened for business after one month lockdown occasioned

by COVID-19, a market leader in Nnewi, lamented the loss of some members to hunger and pleaded with the state governor, Willie Obiano not to impose another lockdown.

The chairman of Old motor Spare Parts, Nkwo, Nnewi, Mr Chinedu Enyeribe begged government not to contemplate another lockdown.

He disclosed that his association lost members to hunger during the lockdown and noted that “the kind of hardship the traders were exposed to that time is better imagined than experienced.”

As the traders have returned, he

said that the traders were doing their best to observe all the safety measures as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the state government in order to stay safe and remain in business.

It was, however, observed that the traders and their customers were finding it difficult to maintain social distancing in the markets.

In the markets in the industrial community, members of the Taskforce, authorized by market leaders, were seen at major entry points to the markets to enforce safety measures.

The Chairman of Agboedo New Motor Spare Parts at Nkwo Nnewi, Dennis Ikegwuonu said Obiano had earlier in a meeting in Awka directed the traders to observe strict safety

measures as a condition for easing up the lockdown.

He said: “We are grateful to Obiano in the first place for looking into our plight as he eased up the lockdown. We strictly observe the safety measures as directed by the governor.

“We have water, soap and sanitizers at the entry points to our market and we make sure that all customers and traders wear their face masks before being allowed to enter the market. We are strict about that.

And our stalls are spaced out to enable traders and customers observe social distancing.”

He explained that the leadership of the market opened only two major gates to the market for the taskforce to keep traffic properly.

• Members of the land Peace Committee drawn from the communities.

Ex Majority Leader, State House of Assembly hails Church on development projects

By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

T

HE former Majority Leader, Anambra State House of Assembly described a project embarked upon the Church of Nigeria Anglican communion, Nnewi Diocese Anambra, as a noble initiative and called on spirited individuals to support the church financially in its efforts in giving back to the society.

The Church of Nigeria Anglican communion, Nnewi Diocese Anambra state has embarked on the construction of a multi-million road beside the Cathedral Church of St Mary, Uruagu, Nnewi.

The Church had to demolish its three storey building, housing a secondary school of the church in order to make the road project a reality since some families were not cooperating with the church.

According to His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi it was in line with the culture of corporate social responsibility of the Church and a practical demonstration of the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ as well as complementing the efforts of Anambra State Government.

The Church embarked on the multi million naira road construction project to ease the challenges faced by commuters and residents of the community.

The ongoing construction work which includes an Asphalt road which spans 130 Meters, 260 meters of reinforced concrete 900mm drainage on both sides of the road and 160 meters of design fence with

metal grills to provide a composite Cathedral environment devoid of vehicular traffic, are being handled by an Engineering Company: Chartech Logistics Services Ltd and supervised by Hon. Engr. Humphrey C. Nsofor , a Civil engineer, member of the Cathedral Special Committee and former majority leader of Anambra State House of Assembly.

While speaking to newsmen in Nnewi after an oversight supervision of the ongoing road project on Saturday, 2nd May 2020, the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, His Lordship, Rt. Hon. Ndubuisi Obi described the project as the Church’s corporate social responsibility and its way of giving back to the community for welcoming the church with open hands since its inception.

He expressed satisfaction on the spate of work at the project site noting that the Cathedral bypass road is a pivotal but capital intensive project which runs into several millions of naira and very dear to the heart of the diocese.

He opined that the access road is aimed at ending the challenges that commuters and residents of the community usually experience during its regular church service as they find it difficult to access the major road: Oba -Okigwe road, due to the closure of the Micheal Mbonu road Uruagu at the Cathedral end during church service.

He further revealed that the Church financially compensated and relocated the families whose landed property is very close to the

church and needed to give way for the access road to be a reality while the three storey building, housing a secondary school that was built by the church was equally pulled down and evacuated as some families refused to sell their land to the church to give way for the Cathedral bypass road.

On the efforts of the church in combating COVID-19, His Lordship stated that the church had embarked on several measures to complement the effort of the government in sensitising the community on how best to stay safe amidst the pandemic outbreak.

The Bishop further advised the government to channel its palliatives measures through the church, as the church is an institution with Integrity which will ensure an equal distribution of the palliative materials to the intending recipient, he recalled that during the Nigeria Biafra war, that the red cross and other organization channeled its palliative measures through the church as they are close to the people.

In his own remarks, Ven Nelson Emeonu (JP) Archdeacon, Cathedral Church of St. Mary Nnewi showered encomium on his Lordship, The Bishop of Nnewi Diocese for his foresight, commitment and determination in supporting the project and ensuring that the church affects the community positively.

He also eulogized Hon. Engr. Humphrey Emeka Nsofor for his uncommon efforts in seeing that the project becomes a reality.

Perm Sec warns Diri against merging Bayelsa tertiary institutions From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa

T

he Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Bayelsa State, Walton Liverpool has urged the state governor, Douye Diri to shun those seeking the merger of state owned tertiary institutions.

Bayelsa has six tertiary institutions - Niger Delta University, (NDU), Amassoma, University of Africa, Toru Orua, (UAT), Bayelsa Medical University, (BMU), Bayelsa Polytechnic, Aleibiri, Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, and the School of Health Technology.

Some indigenes of the state have made a case for the merger of some of the institutions for greater efficiency and funding, given the epileptic funding of the institutions by the former state administration under Seriake Dickson.

But Liverpool defended the establishment of two additional universities and one polytechnic by the Dickson administration.

Describing Bayelsa as one of the educationally disadvantaged states in the country, Liverpool, who is the immediate past Executive Secretary of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said the establishment of more tertiary institutions only underscored the premium attached to education by the government.

He hopes that Diri’s administration, which he described as a continuation of the last government, would not truncate the educational efforts made by the previous administration where he actively played a part.

He said: “Those calling for the merging of our universities are enemies of progress. The Medical University, Yenagoa, for instance, is a university of its own, having dealings with medical students only.

“The University of Africa, Toruorua, is an institution of its own with so many faculties and departments. The two are not the same institutions to be merged. If anybody is calling for the schools to be merged, that person is an enemy of Bayelsa.

“I don’t think the present administration is having that kind of idea. This present administration is a continuation of the former government. So, it can’t do that kind of a thing. I don’t think anybody is mooting that kind of idea in the present government”.

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wednesday 13, 2020

NEWS Extra Onitsha traders strengthen measures against coronavirus in markets

By THEO RAYS

T

raders in Onitsha markets are strengthening measures to halt the spread of coronavirus in the markets to keep their part of the agreement with the state governor, Willie Obiano, following the reopening of the markets after four weeks of lockdown.

Our correspondent who visited some of the markets in Onitsha reports that the traders had so far faithfully complied with the directives and guidelines given to them by the State Government as condition for reopening of the markets.

At the Building Material International market in Ogidi, the traders mounted tight measures right from the entrance gates with a bucket of water and soap and hand sanitizer and health workers taking the temperature of everybody going into market.

The traders and their customers also put on face masks and there are also buckets of running water, soap and hand sanitizers in each line and each shop in the market.

The President General of the markets, Chief Jude Nwankwo said the traders were well prepared to return to the market to restart business and the right measures put in place proves that they were battle ready to wage war against the spread of coronavirus in Anambra.

He said, “first of all we thank God for keeping Anambra safe and secure from the spread of coronavirus. We thank the governor for his efforts in halting the spread of coronavirus in the state.

“As president general of this market, I am doing my best to ensure full complaince of the directives.

First, we hired private health workers who take the temperature of everybody coming inside the market at the gate.

“Secondly, everybody has to put on face mask, then we stationed buckets of water, soap and hand sanitizer at the gates and inside the market each shops has a bucket of water, soap and hand sanitizer. We marked the lines to create the right space enough for physical distancing.

“The same measures are put in place at Bakery Market and New Motor Tyre and Tube market as well as New Author Spare Parts Nkpor respectively.”

The President of Bakery Market, Chief Ben Ezeneme said that traders have to fully adhere to the guidelines agreed upon,”because they were asked to either adhere or stay at home, but they choose to adhere.

“We don’t have option, we have to do what we were asked to do and as president of this market, I will ensure that Bakery Market will be ranked first in keeping to the guidelines.

“Everybody coming here must put a face mask, have their temperature checked, wash their hands with soap and sanitizer and keep the required distance.”

The President of New Tyre Hon Okey Atueyi assured that the traders in the market are on top of the situation adding that New Tyre is known for discipline, peace and law abiding and so doing all the traders will continue to implement the guildlines against the spread of coronavirus.

When asked to count the loses of lockdown, the market leaders said in one tone that life is more important than material things and that staying at home to be safe is more important than making millions in a danger zone, where life is not guaranteed.

Anambra community inaugurates land peace panel

By IBE NWACHUKWU

A

boji Akanano village of Oba Community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State has inaugurated a Land Peace Committee that would broker peace and propose plans to foster development.

The committee has a membership of six persons from Umuokokpa, Umumpama, UmuAwi and Umuezeani quarters unanimously selected with few appointees from Aboji Akanano Union Executive.

The President, Nze Dozie Nweke lamented the wanton manner lands were being sold by land speculators, saying it was causing untold problems.

He said: “Land is gold. Some people want to sell land whether it belongs to them or not, use the proceeds to buy cars and lavish the rest on women.

“We need to stop all litigations and the cases at the police; resolve our problems and stop indiscrimi-

nate sale of land so that our grandchildren will have a place to live.”

He advised youths only interested in land grabbing and speculation to embrace hard work and diligience in other to achieve good success in life.

Nweke charged members of Aboji Akaknano village to support and cooperate with the committee, adding that everyone should say their grievances and allow peace, unity and progress to reign.

Inaugurating the committee, Chairman Umuokokpa quarters, Ejike Mmadunagu charged them to avoid bias and carry out their reconciliatory assignment with sincerity and for posterity saying that development is everyone’s duty.

In his response, Chairman Okpunoetiti and committee member, Chimezie Ibe expressed the hope that Aboji Akanano people would allow them carry out the noble assignment saying that they would do their best without fear or favour

CORRECTION OF NAME I OKOYE ONYEDIKA ONYX wish to state that OKOYE ONYEDIKA ONYX and OKOYE ONYEDIKA EMEKA is same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as OKOYE ONYEDIKA ONYX. All former documents still remain valid. Banks and General Public please take note.

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

• The protesting Oba women marching through the community

GUO tasks Government over list of beneficiaries of palliatives

By IBE NWACHUKWU and OLIVER UDEOGU

T

he Chairman of GUO Transport Company, Chief Godwin Ubaka Okeke has called on the Federal Government to publish the names of the beneficiaries of the COVID-19 palliatives as supposedly distributed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

He also urged both Federal and State governments to improve the COVID-19 financial allowances of the security agents on duty at the inter state borders to stop them from the alleged bribery and corruption reported at the borders, if the fight against the spread of the coronavirus would be successful.

Okeke told newsmen at Onitsha that if the distribution of the palliatives as shown on television were authentic, there was need for the publication of verifiable names, sig-

natures, phone numbers and house addresses of recipients from each state, local government and community.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the stimulus packages to the initial vulnerable households and the additional N3.6 million saying that publishing the list of the millions of vulnerable households who were supposed to benefit from the largesse would make people who feel marginalized to quieten down.

Okeke also called on politicians representing the citizens to ensure that the allocations meant for their constituencies get to them, adding that many people are grumbling out of frustration and hunger.

He said: “We are grateful to Mr President but let the Federal Government publish the names of those who benefited from the palliatives state by state. A lot of people are grumbling saying that they are

yet to receive any palliative.

“As we see on television, we are still waiting to see the palliatives come to South East and South South. Let our politicians ensure that we are getting our own fair share.

“Relaxing the lockdown is more work for the law enforcement agents. Most importantly is the feeding of those security officers at the front line. You can feel the scorching sun, once they don’t see money to drink water they become frustrated and that implies frustration of the entire exercise.

“These security agents are not stupid, if they are monitored and given allowances they will do their job because their own lives are also in danger. You cannot keep people for hours in the sun without provision for even water, they would be tempted because no one is above temptation.”

Onitsha traders strengthen measures against coronavirus in markets

By THEO RAYS

T

raders in Onitsha markets are strengthening measures to halt the spread of coronavirus in the markets to keep their part of the agreement with the state governor, Willie Obiano, following the reopening of the markets after four weeks of lockdown.

Our correspondent who visited some of the markets in Onitsha reports that the traders had so far faithfully complied with the directives and guidelines given to them by the State Government as condition for reopening of the markets.

At the Building Material International market in Ogidi, the traders mounted tight measures right from the entrance gates with a bucket of water and soap and hand sanitizer and health workers taking the temperature of everybody going into market.

The traders and their customers also put on face masks and there are also buckets of running water, soap and hand sanitizers in each line and each shop in the market.

The President General of the markets, Chief Jude Nwankwo said the traders were well prepared to return

to the market to restart business and the right measures put in place proves that they were battle ready to wage war against the spread of coronavirus in Anambra.

He said, “first of all we thank God for keeping Anambra safe and secure from the spread of coronavirus. We thank the governor for his efforts in halting the spread of coronavirus in the state.

“As president general of this market, I am doing my best to ensure full complaince of the directives.

First, we hired private health workers who take the temperature of everybody coming inside the market at the gate.

“Secondly, everybody has to put on face mask, then we stationed buckets of water, soap and hand sanitizer at the gates and inside the market each shops has a bucket of water, soap and hand sanitizer. We marked the lines to create the right space enough for physical distancing.

“The same measures are put in place at Bakery Market and New Motor Tyre and Tube market as well as New Author Spare Parts Nkpor respectively.”

The President of Bakery Market,

Chief Ben Ezeneme said that traders have to fully adhere to the guidelines agreed upon,”because they were asked to either adhere or stay at home, but they choose to adhere.

“We don’t have option, we have to do what we were asked to do and as president of this market, I will ensure that Bakery Market will be ranked first in keeping to the guidelines.

“Everybody coming here must put a face mask, have their temperature checked, wash their hands with soap and sanitizer and keep the required distance.”

The President of New Tyre Hon Okey Atueyi assured that the traders in the market are on top of the situation adding that New Tyre is known for discipline, peace and law abiding and so doing all the traders will continue to implement the guildlines against the spread of coronavirus.

When asked to count the loses of lockdown, the market leaders said in one tone that life is more important than material things and that staying at home to be safe is more important than making millions in a danger zone, where life is not guaranteed.

37

The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

SPORTS

COVID-19: Don’t reopen league, Obuh advises Buhari, Pinnick Storis by MADUABUCHI KALU

F

ormer Flying Eagles and Sharks of Port Harcourt sweat merchant, Coach John Sam Obuh, has advised the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government and Amaju Melvin Pinnick led Executive Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not to succumb to pressure coming from different quarters to reopen the country’s football leagues.

According to the Ohaofia Aba State-born coach, despite the fact that some countries in Europe are planning to resume their suspended leagues following the devastating effects of global pandemic, Nigeria should trade with caution because the virus is real and cure has been found so far.

He explained that reopening the country’s leagues when there is no existing vaccine or drug is available will jeopardize the already suc-

•Says “we ‘re not organise, discipline”

•Buhari

•Obuh

•Pinnick

cesses already achieved in the fight against the pandemic.

Obuh explained that his opposition to the reopening of the league at the moment is hitched on the fact life moe more precious than

any other consideration saying God forbid, if the spread is more than it is at the moment, the country is not likely going to cope with it since there are scarcity of testing kit and reagents in the country.

Coach Obuh stated his position on the pandemic in relation to the proposed reopening of the Nigerian Leagues in line with what is happening in othe parts of the world especially in Europe in exclusive

La Liga:We‘re set to return to training –Chukwueze

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

S

uper Eagles’ pact winger, Samuel Chukwueze has disclosed that Villarreal players are set to return to training after undergoing a compulsory Coronavirous test.

It is recalled that La Liga had earlier in the week confirmed that Spain’s footballers will go back to training this week.

The 21-year-old former FIFA U-17 World Cup winner had been training at home under the strict regimen provided by his club.

“Our club would most likely resume training on Thursday because we have done all our medical tests and we are expected to observe all the rules against

COVID-19, especially the use of mouthguards during the trainings,” he told NationSport.

Chukwueze went on to explain that his side would fight their way to secure a spot in the Champions League for next season.

He said he was really looking forward to scoring more goals when the Spanish top flight resumes to help his team achieve their goals.

“We are on the right track before the Laliga was suspended and we are going to continue where we stopped when we resume,” the 21-year-old added.

Chukwueze won the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medal with the Super Eagles in Egypt.

FIFA $500,000 not COVID-19 palliative for Nigerians – Pinnick

T

he President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has declared that the $500,000 due to the country’s football body from FIFA is statutory allocation, not Coronavirus (COVID-19) palliative as some people have speculated.

The NFF President made this

known in a series of tweets on his official Twitter page on Tuesday.

Pinnick tweeted: “As part of our efforts to remain transparent with financial dealings and because I have seen a few inquiries about FIFA’s release of funds to member associations, I feel I must update on how things stand.

“Every year, there are statutory allocations that federations receive from FIFA, for the smooth running of football in different alliances.

“However, these funds come with legislative specific areas of obligations. In other words, if FIFA gives you money for youth development, you cannot use that mon-

ey for anything else.

What FIFA has done now, though, is to release funds that were meant to be released later in the year, earlier.

“This is part of FIFA’s plans to help improve the hardships that this novel coronavirus has and will cause. It is not palliative, as some have speculated.”

interview with Oracle Today Sports “Well, my position on the proposed reopening of the Nigerian League if rumours making the round is anything to go by is that the federal government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led

by Amaju Melvin Pinnick should not listen and succumb to pressure to reopen the league,” Obuh began.

“As far as I am concerned, I believe it is too early for anyone to be thinking about reopening the league now.

“Of course people should realise that there is nothing to compare with life. It is life first before any other thing. It is only the living that plays football and other things and here we are talking about threat to life.

“We should realise that we are not disciplined and organised in this part of the world. As we speak, some people are yet believe that Coronavirous is real. Some will even tell you to show them who is suffering from the virus despite hearing on daily basis the number of people that have been hurriedly sent to their maker by the virus.

“For those who argue that many countries in Europe have concluded plans to reopen their leagues following the suspension of their leagues as a result of the devastating effects of the pandemic. We should realise that the pandemic started over there in the first place, hence the closure of their leagues.

“These people or countries some of us are using as yardstick are organised and disciplined unlike us. So, if they have deemed it necessary to reopen their leagues, having considered everything at their disposal, we should not say because they are about reopening their leagues therefore, we should follow suit because are not same.

“Okay! Tell me, if you reopen everything, how will an alarm seller observe social distance with her customers. Even if she tries to enforce social distancing will her customers do same?

“Just take look at what is currently happening at our various banks and other public places due to the partial freezing of the lockdown. If you were at bank, you would have observed that people are not observing the social distancing and some will remove their face masks.

“Even, most people wouldn’t even agree to get the tally numbers that banks are sharing to enable them attend to customers in batches as a part of effort to ensure the containment of the pandemic in the country.

“Therefore, imagine what the situation would be like the league is reopened. So, as far as I am concerned, we should tarry a while to enable know the situation is going to pan out. We should not be in a hurry to reopen our league, that is my position,” Obuh explained.

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

SPORTS

Pinnick, Chukwu, others mounn Chidi Ofo Okenwa Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

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Member of the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation and Chairman of the Nigeria National League, Hon. Chidi Ofo Okenwa, died on Tuesday morning at the age of 50.

Okenwa, also the Chairman of the Enugu State Football Association, had been diagnosed as having leukemia, and was said to have been restless throughout the night and slumped in the early hours before being rushed to a private hospital in Enugu, where he was confirmed dead.

A devastated President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, paid glowing tributes to Chidi Ofo Okenwa, who was part of a meeting of the NFF Executive Committee held via video conferencing penultimate Friday. It was that same day that Okenwa celebrated his 50th birthday.

“This is a huge shock. Each and everyone of us on the NFF Board is in absolute grief. Chidi (Okenwa) was a loyal soldier of Nigeria Football and was a leading member of

our intellectual wing. This is a terrible blow.

“He was one man you can always rely on to give candid advice. We bounced ideas off him regularly and picked his brain on many issues because of his wide knowledge and decades of experience in football administration. We will sorely miss him,” Pinnick said.

Reacting to the demise of the veteran football administrator, former national team captain and coach, Christian Chukwu told the Oracle Today Sports that death of Enugu State Football Association chairman came to him and the people he worked closely with as a rude shock.

The former Enugu Rangers captain and coach explained despite knowing that Okenwa was sick he wasn’t expecting the ill-health to be the one that will take his life.

“We have been in shock after the news filtered in that we lost Chidi Ofo Okenwa on Tuesday morning.

As I speak with you, I am yet to come to terms with the reality that Chief Okenwa is no more “Yes, I must admit that I am aware that he wasn’t well and that he was being attended to, but the

COVID-19: Club doctors kick against resumption of EPL matches

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t least four Premier League club doctors have expressed concerns about the resumption of games, ahead of Monday’s crucial meeting between shareholders, Sky Sports reports.

The Premier League presented its proposals to all 20 clubs last week and asked doctors for any concerns and feedback.

Four doctors have since sent in questions, which will be answered at the league’s next shareholders meeting on Monday, a day after the UK government gives an update on lockdown restrictions.

The proposals include a plan to test players twice a week.

Testing will be paid for by the Premier League and privately sourced, so it does not take any resources from public health needs.

The chairman of FIFA’s medical committee, Dr Michel D’Hooghe, said last week: “The world is not ready for competitive football. I hope this can change very quickly.

Today you need more patience.”

•Chidi Okenwa

truth remains that no one expected the ill-health to be the thing that will terminate his life.

“It’s so sad and most unfortunate that we lost him to the cold hands of death on Thuesday morning. He was a very intelligent and humble fellow.

“His death has robbed us an excellent and passionate football administrator not only in Enugu but in the country at large. May his gentle soul find peace in the bosom of the lord,” Chukwu prayed.

Brilliant, humble, eloquent, witty, thorough and committed to the development of Nigeria Football at all levels, Hon. Okenwa evinced capacity, zeal and fervour, and gave his all for the good ending of any project or assignment in which he found himself.

The remains of the late Chidi Ofo Okenwa has been deposited in a mortuary in the city of Enugu and the NFF is in contact with his family with regards to a decision on the date of the final burial rites.

jkaard asking me to stay on the left and then when Pep [Guardiola] arrived, Pep is an amazing coach first and foremost, but he’s very demanding, very intense and it’s almost like you play chess with

him.”

Between 2007 and 2010, Henry scored 49 goals from 121 outings for Barcelona, helping the Catalan side to two La Liga titles and the Champions

It’s easier to play for Arsenal than Barcelona –Thierry Henry

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ormer France and Arsenal captain, Thierry Henry has revealed that his status at Arsenal made it easier for him to represent the Gunners over playing for Barcelona.

While Henry enjoyed success with both clubs, the Frenchman is best known for his legendary career in North London, where he contributed 226 goals from 369 appearances in all competitions.

Speaking to Sergio Aguero via a video call with PUMA Football, Henry has paid credit to his former teammates for allowing him to have such an impact at the Premier League club.

The ex-forward said: “At Arsenal, I could go wherever I wanted. It was much easier for me at Arsenal because I had either [Dennis] Bergkamp or [Nwankwo] Kanu. They liked staying in the middle which allowed me to drop back, move on the right side, left side.

“I was at Arsenal, I never thought I was going to leave but I did. I went to Barcelona, a different type of game, a different type of style to relearn how to play the game because at Arsenal, Dennis was there,

Kanu was there and I could move everywhere upfront, come in the middle, get the ball, go on the right and the left.

“Then suddenly you arrive at Barcelona and I had [Frank] Ri-

‘My husband joined Man Utd because of money’

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orgelina Cardoso, the wife of Paris Saint-Germain forward, Angel Di Maria, has claimed that her husband only joined Manchester United in 2014 because of the money.

Di Maria moved to Old Trafford in 2014, after Man United splashed out £60million to sign him from La Liga giants, Real Madrid.

The Argentine international played only one season (2014-2015) for the Red Devils before he left the Premier League giants for PSG. During his one year at Man United, Di Maria was made one of the club’s highest earners with a deal worth £175,000-a-week salary.

The winger was also handed the legendary number 7 shirt, previously worn by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona.

I remember Angel coming up and saying, ‘an offer from Manchester United has come in. Maybe we will be a little more financially secure,’ Jorgelina told Los Angeles de la Manana.

“We fought about it. I told him, not a chance, he could go on his own. ‘No, come on. Let us go’, he replied.

“There was a lot of money involved, and afterward, the Spanish were calling us money grabbers.

And they were right.

“If you are working for a company and the competition comes along and offers to pay you double, you take it.”

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The Oracle Today Thursday May 7 - Wenesday May 13, 2020

SPORTS

Tennis break will benefit Serena Williams –Billie Jean King

T

Akpejiori envisages fight against Joshua

By MADUABUCHI KALU

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igerian born British heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, now has a Nigerian rival in Raphael Akpejiori, who targets world title bout against the boxing heavyweight rave of the moment, Anthony Joshua on the continent.

Akpejiore has already visualised how a world title fight with Anthony Joshua would bring his nation to a standstill.

“I can guarantee that the whole country would be tuned in. I can guarantee that the whole of Africa will be tuned in,” Akpejiori tells Sky Sports.

“I’ve actually thought about the prospect of that, I still have a lot of work to do.”

The unbeaten 29-year-old wants his name to resonate in boxing’s top division after his imposing 6’8” frame and athleticism brought him from Lagos to Florida.

He has already excelled in college basketball at the University of Miami, where he also bolstered the ranks of their American football team with his strength and size.

But Akpejiori quickly reveals: “I actually always loved fighting. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, but when I was in secondary school in Nigeria I fought like every other day.”

Years on from hurling fists in a schoolyard, he has opted to trade brutal punches with the biggest men in boxing.

His raw credentials caught the eye of trainer Glen Johnson, the battle-scarred Jamaican, who famously toppled Roy Jones Jr to become IBF light-heavyweight champion.

Since then, he has acquired six professional victories all by knockout, with only one opponent reaching the second round. Had Akpejiori easily earned the approval of Johnson?

The fledgling fighter had made a similarly destructive entrance into the amateur ranks, swatting aside a string of opponents in his 14 bouts, with just a solitary defeat. If he had expected an exuberant speech from Johnson about conquering the world, he was wrong.

“He saw my amateur tapes and kind of thought I was terrible,” recalled Akpejiori.

“He has such high standards, because you know as a champion, you see things from a championship perspective, and I was the second ever boxer that he was training.”

There would be no competitive fights for a year as Akpejiori received his harsh lecture from Johnson about graduating at the highest level.

Akpejiori’s weekly tutorial would be sparring sessions with a succession of accomplished fighters, instead of quick and easy amateur wins.

World amateur champion Bakhodir Jalolov and Olympic bronze medallist Ivan Dychko were among the esteemed sparring partners, along with Filip Hrgovic, Croatia’s ruthless contender.

But Akpejiori was quick to dismiss any suggestion that he might be daunted by hurtful sessions with Hrgovic.

“It’s boxing man. If you can’t box, that’s when you’re going to say somebody is mean. If I’m sparring guys like Dychko, or Jalolov - world championship guys, guys that we’re going to fight in the future for money.

“If I’m sparring those kind of guys on a weekly basis, I can’t come here and be complaining. I have goals to see them in the future.”

Every hopeful heavyweight has their eyes currently fixed on Britain’s two world champions Tyson Fury, the newly crowned WBC champion, and Joshua, the unified title holder.

Joshua has paid homage to his African heritage on a recent trip to Nigeria, even venturing into

Makoko, a floating slum in the Lagos lagoon, to draw inspiration following his stunning first professional loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. An outline of Africa is etched onto Joshua’s right shoulder and he has spoken openly about boxing in the continent.

“For the next fight, Africa is not the right time.

But at some point, he 100 per cent wants it,” J For Akpejiori, who was raised in Surulere, a short drive from Makoko, the prospect of a future showdown with Joshua on Nigerian soil is a serious ambition, although he recognises that he will not be challenging for the WBA, IBF and WBO belts in the near future. Obviously I want to fight Anthony Joshua tomorrow,” admits Akpejiori.

“If he has the belts at that time, I’m going to collect the belts from him at that time.

“Fighting Joshua is not just about having a great record, or whatever. There’s a business side to it that I have to accomplish too.

“I have to get my name out there. I’m going to have to show some quality, in my boxing. I’m going to have to present myself to the public and to promoters as this is a fight that needs to happen.

“But if that happens, it would be a great fight for the country and for the continent. That could happen in Nigeria, that can happen in Lagos, Nigeria, that can happen in Abuja, Nigeria, that can happen in Calabar, Nigeria.”

Having achieved his initial aims in basketball and American Football, Akpejiori has set himself a target of two years to reach world title contention.

He expects to resume his climb up the rankings in September, with a fight in Miami.

“The quality of my boxing itself tells you I’m here to mean business. I don’t need my record to tell you that I mean business. If you stand in front of me, you will get knocked out. That’s how it’s going to be for the next 50 fights, or for the next how many more fights I go to.

We’re still studying Rohr’s reply on new contract –Sanusi T he General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, has disclosed that the football house is in receipt of Gernot Rohr’s reply with a view of signing a new contract to continue to tinker with the Super Eagles.

Sanusi said both parties were yet to reach an agreement despite report suggesting that the German tactician had gotten the nod to continue with his job.

He said the federation would take the final decision on the contract issue after due consultations with the relevant authorities including the leadership of Ministry of Youth and Sports Development,

adding the federation could not make any public pronouncement on the reappointment of the coach without the approval of the executive board of the NFF. “Contract is not what you rush in to, “ Sanusi told NationSport.“ We have given our own conditions which he has responded to; but for now, the leadership (of NFF) is looking into what he returned to us.

“Contract is an agreement between two parties and in the contract, there is need for both parties to agree or disagree.

“Technically, Rohr has not been reappointed and at the right time and when the agreement is reached, the public will know.

“The football house wants the

best for our national team players.

“Rohr is a good coach and for four years he has restored confidence in the senior national team (Super Eagles).

But the Federation is looking beyond qualification for championships and NFF needs a coach who can win trophies and we believe he (Rohr) can do better if both parties agreed on a new contract, ” explained Sanusi.

Pressed on when NFF will make a pronouncement on Rohr, Sanusi said such decision will be made as soon as possible once both parties (NFF) and Rohr finalize the new engagement.

welve time Grand Slam champion and founder of WTA Tour, Billie Jean King, has spoken about her legendary compatriot, Serena Williams’ future in the women’s game.

The American will be turning 39 this September and since her return to the circuit as a mother, Williams is on a quest for her 24th Slam.

King feels the tennis layover amid the coronavirus might positively impact Williams’ tennis career.

“I think you have to look at it as a positive in that you have to figure out what you need to do. The one thing when you’re an older player is you have to be more fit than you ever thought possible. I played until I was 40,” King told CNN. She played singles tennis until the age of 40, later, she continued to play doubles tennis till the time she turned 46.

Meanwhile, King has extolled her compatriot saying she is amazing.

In 2020, Serena Williams snapped her title-less streak since January 2017 as she won a title in Auckland.

Later, at the Australian Open, she lost in the third round to China’s Wang Qiang.

Billie Jean later explained how Serena can turn around her tennis during the break, build her game, and then bounce back to winning ways once the circuit resumes.

“If I were Serena with this time off I would enjoy my baby daughter and my husband but I would also be, absolutely just from a physical point of view, driving myself and being absolutely disciplined to be so fit.”

“So when the tournaments start up again you definitely can be ready. But I think that’s the most important thing for Serena because once she starts playing matches, she is amazing,” King added.

With Williams putting in a bit more effort in her game, she can definitely pull off big achievements once again in her career

THURSDAY May 7 - WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020

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COVID-19: Where’s Nigeria in drugs, vaccines?

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rom the United States comes good news for the global community wracked by infections and deaths from coronavirus, as the first of registered clinical trials for treatments and vaccines was announced on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

Barely 48 hours after, on Friday, May 1, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug, ‘Remdesivir’, for emergency treatment of the “sickest patients” in hospitals.

Produced by Gilead, remdesivir, first developed as a failed therapy for Ebola, but being “repurposed”, was reported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), as having the potential to shorten the time of recovery by patients.

Though he admitted that the drug wasn’t a complete “knockout” in the study of 1,063 patients, yet, NIAID’s director, Dr Anthony Fauci, said, “what it has proven is that a drug can block this virus.”

While he likened the drug to the discovery of AZT (azidothymidine) as “a weapon” against HIV in 1984; U.S. President, Donald Trump, described it as “a very positive event.”

As reported by politico.com, Dr Fauci, a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, announcing the NIAID study, told reporters that: “The data shows that remdesivir has a clear-cut, significant positive effect in diminishing the time to recover.”

Going by the report: “Trial participants, who received remdesivir, recovered in an average of 11 days compared with 15 days for patients in the control group, who received a placebo (ordinary care). Eight percent of remdesivir patients died during the trial versus 11 percent in the placebo group.”

Gilead, a California-based pharmaceutical company, is one in several countries in the rush to get treatments for COVID-19, with reporting on their outcomes expected in weeks or months.

Besides remdesivir, the following are drugs under experiment: Favipiravir, Tocilizumab, Baricitinib, Acalabrutinib, Convalescent plasma, Steroids, and Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine.

Five companies carrying out experimental vaccines are: Moderna (jump-started trials on humans) (United States); CanSino Biologics and Beijing Institute of Biotechnology (China); Johnson & Johnson, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre and BARDA (United States); Pfizer and BioNTech (American-German partnership); and Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline (France and England).

Where’s Nigeria in these experiments for drugs and vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? Are Nigerian researchers in the race? Or “we stand aside and look,” in the words of the reggae maestro, Bob Marley, in ‘Redemption song’?

Surely, in line with its mantra of the ‘Giant of Africa’, it’s time for Nigeria to redeem

GUEST COLUMNIST

Ehichioya

EZOMON

•To tackle the new coronavirus, scientists are accelerating the vaccine process

and acquit itself among the leading nations of the world. It should be a giant in action, rubbing shoulders with the big players in finding solutions to COVID-19.

Putting this reality in perspective on May 1, the Director General of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, craved for Nigerian homegrown treatments and vaccines for the novel coronavirus.

It’s noteworthy, though, that Maurice Iwu, a Nigerian Professor of Pharmacognosy, has claimed the development of a compound that could treat the disease.

On March 2 in Abuja, Prof. Iwu, the Chief Executive Officer of Bioresources Institute of Nigeria, led his team of researchers to brief the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnanya Onu and the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.

He said having identified and patented the possible coronavirus treatment in 2015, the institute needed government’s support to “translate the compound into a drug.”

Due to the interest the revelation gener-

ated, Dr Onu clarified that Prof. Iwu hadn’t found a cure for the virus, but that his initial compound against SARS was being tested in the U.S. “to confirm whether it could be a cure for COVID-19 or SARS.” Yet, Iwu iterated his claim that three of the compounds developed in 2015 “were active against coronavirus/SARS.” In an interview, he said when COVID-19 occurred, “we notified the (Nigerian) authorities that we do have compounds that are active against them (virus) and they are being developed into a drug.”

“It was necessary to inform the authorities, to fast-track the development, which we were able to do. National authorities do that when the need arises, and all those things are being considered. So, we have a compound that is active against coronavirus. And the idea is being developed as we speak,” he said.

However, Iwu described his team’s remedy as “repurposing”: “The use of something for a purpose other than its original intended used,” in this case, using the compound

to treat a different disease.

“It is a well-known compound that is used for a different purpose, but we believe that it can be used for this purpose,” he said.

“Very soon, the developmental aspect will be completed. We are following the due and normal process,” he added.

Is this drug one of several tested in the U.S., awaiting authorisation of the FDA? Is it among the nine drugs listed above? If so, what’s its name, and at what stage is its reporting: weeks or months?

There’s also the testing of chloroquine, announced by the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), and the urgent production of chloroquine, as ordered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The Director-General of NIMR, Prof. Babatunde Salako, said the institute would commence clinical trials on the “efficacy of chloroquine on people, who tested positive for COVID-19 and those showing symptoms but not confirmed yet.”

In an interview, Salako said: “We are hoping to do it very quickly, to see if we can provide information for the health sector for them to use it on patients. We are starting in a few weeks because there are processes, ethical approvals involved.

“We have to get the drugs but we are already close to the ethics approval. So, within the next few weeks, we should start. We will also let Nigerians know when we start.”

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof.

Mojisola Adeyeye, said since chloroquine has shown to be effective in controlling the virus, it’s necessary to manufacture more stock “in case more people become exposed and infected.”

Adeyeye said NAFDAC is giving expedited provisional approvals for the manufacture of any commodities: sanitisers, drugs or medical device “that could be used for the clinical trial, testing and treatment of COVID-19.”

Her words: “The Agency had reduced the 120 working days for approval to 10 days due to the crisis. The products should have been previously reported for clinical trial treatments in reputable scientific journals or technical literature as safe and effective.

“Other researchers in France, U.S. have used the drug for clinical trial treatment of COVID-19 and they reported effectiveness of the drug. Lagos State will be starting a clinical trial on chloroquine to evaluate the effectiveness,” she said.

A positive start! But while Nigeria strives to develop treatments and vaccines for coronavirus, timely reports on experimental trials are imperative, as Nigerians need to know about the efficacy and danger of chloroquine and other drugs, to avoid the Kano scenario where a fake “COVID-19 Vaccine” is hawked.

•Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

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