WEDNESDAY 13TH MAY 2020

Seasoned Diplomat, Gambari, Becomes President’s Chief of Staff New presidential aide seeks dialogue, unity to tackle Nigeria's challenges Emir of Ilorin hails appointment Hammed Shittu in Ilorin and Peter Uzoho in Lagos Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has been appointed the new Chief of Staff to

President Muhammadu Buhari, replacing Mallam Abba Kyari, who died last month of COVID-19.

THISDAY gathered that Gambari, who was Buhari’s Foreign minister and confidant

as military Head of State in 1984, met with the president about 8.00 a.m. yesterday at the State House in Abuja.

The new Chief of Staff, presidential sources said yesterday, would be unveiled

today during the Federal Executive Council meeting.

Gambari, as foreign minister, played a key role in quelling the diplomatic uproar generated by the failed attempt to forcefully remove the

former Minister of Transport, Mallam Umaru Dikko, from the United Kingdom by the Buhari military government in 1984.

A scholar and seasoned diplomat, the new principal

aide to the president was once Nigeria’s United Nations Permanent Representative and was later appointed by former United Nations Secretary Continued on page 9

Report Projects $520bn Annual Tax Revenue for Africa... Page 5 Wednesday 13 May, 2020 Vol 25. No 9165. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

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Buhari Expresses Excitement at THISDAY’s Donation of COVID-19 Treatment Centre SGF advocates collaboration in fight against pandemic Emefiele challenges Nigerian scientists on vaccine Facility a demonstration of extraordinary commitments, says Ehanire Obaigbena: It’s our responsibility to deal with current crisis It’s celebration of humanity, says Shonubi 146 new cases, six fresh deaths raise tally to 4,787 infected, 959 discharged, 158 dead PSN kicks against Madagascar herbal mixture Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Olawale Ajimotokan, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, and Idowu Sowunmi, Martins Ifijeh in Lagos President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday appreciated THISDAY Media and Technology Group, and its main partner, Sahara Group, for donating the world-class THISDAY Dome COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Treatment Centre in Abuja to the federal

government as part of their contribution to the effort to tame the pandemic.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, conveyed the president’s appreciation at the inauguration of the centre, saying the pandemic had brought a reawakening to both the government and the private sector to collaborate Continued on page 9

DMO Releases Borrowing Guidelines for FG, States, FCT, Others Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

Debt Management Office (DMO) yesterday released the 2020 Revised External and Domestic Borrowing Guidelines for the federal and state governments, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as their agencies.

The guidelines, which

stipulate how the various tiers of government could secure domestic and external borrowings, are derived from provisions from legislations and approved documentations, notably the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Debt Management Office Continued on page 9

WORTHY CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY...

L–R: Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Ms. Sadiya Farouk, during the inauguration of THISDAY Dome COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Treatment Centre in Abuja…yesterday godwin omoigui

UN: North-west Violence Forces 23,000 Nigerians into Niger Republic... Page 8

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UN: North-west Violence Forces 23,000 Nigerians into Niger Republic To relocate 7,000 away from border communities Ejiofor Alike The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has said the ongoing violence in Northwestern Nigeria forced some 23,000 Nigerians to seek safety in Niger Republic in April.

This brings the total number of refugees from the North-west in Niger to more than 60,000 since the first influx in April last year.

UNCHR spokesperson, Mr. Babar Baloch, at a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva yesterday, which was published on commission's website, noted that since April 2019, people had fled relentless attacks by armed groups in Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina states, adding that most of them became refugees in Niger Republic’s Maradi region. “Fearing and fleeing the same insecurity in the border areas, an additional 19,000 Niger nationals have become displaced inside their own country,� he added.

According to him, the UN refugee agency is concerned about deteriorating security in Nigeria and the risk of armed incursions spilling over into Niger. “The latest influx of refugees, mainly desperate women and children follows

attacks in Nigeria’s Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states during the month of April.

Several villages in several local government areas were attacked by gunmen.

"The deadliest attack claimed 47 lives in Kankara, Danmusa and Dutsinma Local Government areas of Katsina State and prompted airstrikes by the Nigerian Armed Forces,� he added.

He explained that the fleeing Nigerians complained of extreme violence unleashed against civilians, murders, kidnappings for ransom and pillaging and looting of villages.

Baloch said the refugees were allowed to seek protection in Niger Republic despite border closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He added that the new arrivals are in urgent need of water, food and access to health services, as well as shelter and clothing, noting that many were barely able to carry anything in the rush to save lives. “Many have also been caught up in the clashes reported being blamed on farmers and herders of different ethnic groups as well as vigilantism. Some 95 per cent of the refugees have come from Nigeria’s Sokoto State, rest from Kano,

Zamfara and Katsina states. “We are working closely with authorities in Niger to relocate at least 7,000 refugees to safety in villages 20 kilometres away from the border where water, food, shelter, access to health and other essential assistance can be provided. This will also enable us to ease the pressure on host communities in border areas where basic infrastructure and services are lacking,� Baloch explained.

He noted that UNHCR has been present at the onset, adding that the emergency response focused

on protection and lifesaving activities, including registration, protection and border monitoring, education, health, shelter as well as water and sanitation. “UNHCR needs to continue biometric registration of refugees to better assess their needs and lead the humanitarian response.

Discussions are also ongoing with the authorities to recognise on a prima facie basis the refugees fleeing Nigeria and arriving in the region. “The violence is not directly linked to armed groups

operating in the Lake Chad and in The Sahel. It, however, adds Maradi to other areas in Niger struggling with insecurity, including in Diffa, Tillaberi and Tahoua, further straining humanitarian actors’ financial resources and their capacity to respond,� he stated.

Banditry in the North-west has forced the governors in the geo-political zone to encourage amnesty for bandits who unleashed a reign of terror on many of the seven states in the zone.

Thousands of people have either been kidnapped or

killed in the states by nonstate actors who have seized control of communities and invaded villages, farmlands.

Worst hit by the insecurity in the region are Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Sokoto states.

The governors from the zone and the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, had in August 2019 resolved to grant amnesty to the bandits to pave the way for dialogue for peace to reign in the region, but the measure has failed to restore permanent peace in the zone.

EFCC Arrests Two Chinese for Offering N100m Bribe to Zonal Head

FROM THE VALLEY OF DEATH...

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (left), and Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Folorunso Olabode, during the visit of the commissioner, who has just been released by kidnappers, to the governor in Ado-Ekiti‌yesterday

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two Chinese, Mr. Meng Wei Kun and Mr. Xu Koi, for offering N100 million as bribe to its Sokoto Zonal Head, Mr. Abdullahi Lawal.

EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said in a statement yesterday that the suspects were arrested on Monday in Sokoto.

The bribe was allegedly offered in a desperate bid to compromise ongoing investigations of a construction company, China Zhonghao Nigeria Limited, handling contracts awarded by Zamfara State government, totalling N50 billion, between 2012 and 2019.

The zonal office of the commission is investigating the construction company, in connection with the execution of contracts for the construction of township roads in Gummi, Bukkuyun, Anka and Nassarawa towns of Zamfara State and also the construction of 168 solarpowered boreholes in the 14 local government areas of the state.

According to the statement, alarmed by the consistency and professionalism of investigation being conducted, the company reached out to Lawal with a N100 million offer to “bury�

the matter.

The statement added that in a grand design to trap the Chinese, Lawal played along and on Monday, two representatives of the company - Meng Wei Kun and Xu Koi offered him cash totaling N50 million in their office in Sokoto as part payment. “The cash was offered as a first installment. The suspects were promptly arrested with the cash as evidence. Investigation of the construction company was informed by an intelligence on alleged conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, embezzlement, official corruption, abuse of office, stealing and money laundering obtained against Zamfara State Government through inflated and uncompleted contracts awarded to the company,� the statement said.

EFCC alleged that China Zounghao Ltd has so far received payments of over N41 billion from Zamfara State Government, out of which about N16 billion, equivalent to over $53 million, was allegedly diverted and traced to some bureau de change operators.

The agency added that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Lawal paraded the suspects before journalists at the commission's zonal office in Sokoto yesterday.

Ozekhome Seeks Constitution Amendment to Validate Courts’ Virtual Sitting Uchechukwu Nnaike Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, yesterday sought a review of the constitution to give legal backing to virtual proceedings by courts.

He also backed the Supreme Court ruling upturning the conviction of former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and others by Justice Mohammed Idris.

Ozekhome described the summary punishment of some violators of the lockdown in Rivers State by Governor Nyesom Wike as illegal and unconstitutional.

Ozekhome, who was a guest on the Morning Show on Arise Television, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, warned that many cases that were heard using virtual technology are going to run into troubled waters later.

He urged the National Assembly to amend the constitution.

"Section 36 of the constitution is clear, that

when you are hearing a case, particularly criminal cases, the people must be physically present, have their rights determined and using a lawyer of their choice and the decision, judgment, hearing and proceedings must be done in an open court in the presence of everybody," he added.

On the Supreme Court ruling upturning the judgment of Justice Mohammed Idris on the trial of Kalu and others, Ozekhome stated that the Supreme Court was right.

He explained that jurisdiction is so important that the Supreme Court defined it as the spinal cord of any adjudication and that no matter how well proceedings are taking place if eventually it's found that there was never jurisdiction in that case, those proceedings would be set aside no matter how beautifully concluded.

He said the law stated clearly that one could not be a judge of two courts.

"You cannot be a justice of the Court of Appeal and at

the same time come down to the Federal High Court to still continue a matter that you have been hearing before you were elevated to the Court of Appeal," he added.

On the claims that Kalu was not the applicant so the ruling does not apply to him, Ozekhome said: "The Supreme Court has said in several cases that where there is a joint trial with similar evidence, the same witnesses, the same exhibits, then all the parties must enjoy the fruit of that trial. So, whatever applied to Udeogu also applied to Kalu. Though it was Udeogu who actually appealed to the Supreme Court, you cannot separate the two."

Speaking on how Wike is enforcing lockdown in Rivers State, Ozekhome said when the governor found people violating the lockdown, he should have handed them over to security agencies.

"The police have a right to deal with anybody and also to prosecute people who violate the law. Surely,

the government cannot themselves prosecute people, but they have the power to hand over people who are violating the law to law enforcement agencies.

"Even any other Nigerian, apart from the police under Section 4 of the Police Act and apart from the DSS or security agencies, any Nigerian who sees any other person committing a crime is also empowered by law to arrest such a person and hand him over to the police, and then the police take it from there.

Anything beyond that will be illegal and unconstitutional," Ozekhome said.

Offering his advice to those whose buildings were demolished in Rivers, he said: "I believe that everything we do in this country, in spite of all the difficulties we are having should be done according to the rule of law and due process. Anyone whose right has been violated should also immediately seek legal remedies against whosoever violates such right in a court of law."

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PAGE NINE DMO RELEASES BORROWING GUIDELINES FOR FG, STATES, FCT, OTHERS (Establishment, Etc.) Act, 2003; the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007; Investments and Securities Act, 2007, and the Fiscal Sustainability Plan: Fiscal Framework for Sub-National Governments in Nigeria.

DMO explained in the introductory note of the guidelines published on its website that given the new developments in the fiscal operations of government over the years, especially in the area of public debt management, it became imperative to review and update the 2012 edition of the Borrowing Guidelines.

According to the new guidelines, to borrow externally, the federal government and its agencies

are required to prepare a National Debt Management Strategy for the approval of the Federal Executive Council

(FEC).

This is to be handled by DMO in collaboration with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Projects to be funded are also to be identified with the preparation of proposed borrowing requests to be submitted to the finance minister.

Such requests are to include documents on the projects to be funded, consistent with national development priorities and 'Creditor’s Partnership Strategies.'

The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National

Planning is also required to collate requests for funding and conduct appraisal of projects to be financed with the borrowing to ascertain conformity with 'National Priorities, Cost-Benefit Analysis, showing the economic and social benefits of the intended borrowing.

The ministry, in collaboration with the Budget Office of the Federation, is also required to prepare an annual budget, which specifies the financing gap, and the amount to be borrowed.

This is followed by the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and presentation to the National Assembly.

The ministry is also

to obtain Resolution for External Borrowing from the National Assembly just as the minister is mandated to provide guarantee on behalf of any government in the federation for external borrowing after approval by the parliament.

The guidelines also stipulated that the external borrowing proposals of the state governments, the FCT and their agencies for the next fiscal year must be submitted not later than four months preceding that year to the minister for incorporation into the Medium-Term External Borrowing Plan.

All states and the FCT, wishing to contract external loans, must secure the

approval of the State Executive Council or the FCT Executive Committee, for the borrowing proposal, which should include the amount, purpose of the loan and the repayment plans, including source of repayment for the loan.

The approval of the State Executive Council should also be evidenced in writing and duly signed by the Secretary to the State Government.

In addition, the Resolution of the State House of Assembly, duly signed by the Clerk should be provided.

In the case of the FCT, the approval by the Executive Committee duly signed by the Secretary and FCT Minister. States and the FCT

should equally ensure that their total loans, including the proposed loan, do not exceed 250 per cent of their total revenue for the preceding year.

The borrowing proposal must be submitted to the minister for consideration, the guidelines added, noting that the proposal should include the purpose for which the borrowing is intended and its link to the developmental agenda of the government; cost-benefit analysis, showing the economic and social benefits of the intended borrowing as well as cashflow projection of the project to ascertain its viability and sustainability, among other requirements.

country to understand and manage their differences to enable them come together to form a common front.

According to him, “When you talk at each other instead of to each other, then the opportunity to have a common ground to build a common understanding becomes even more difficult.�

He said everybody had a role to play to achieve the desired cohesion in the country, pointing out that leadership was critical in driving peace and unity in the country.

Gambari recalled that the unity and understanding shown by the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Sir Ahmadu Bello during the struggle for independence gave them victory.

He said such feat was possible because they agreed to understand and manage their differences, saying that kind of understanding was what Nigeria needed at the moment to make progress.

He narrated: "There was a story during the period of the early years of the nationalist movement that the Northern leader, Ahmadu Bello, who was the Sardauna of Sokoto was meeting with Chief Awolowo, and they were

having a meeting with Dr. Azikiwe, and Azikiwe made a point that: 'let us forget our differences, let us build this nation, Nigeria, let us fight together for independence.'

"But Sardauna was supposed to reply. He said: 'No, let us not forget our differences, let us understand our differences, then let us, out of those differences, whether it's ethnic, religious, let's forge a common ground.'

"And if you look at the history of the country, I am glad that history is being restored in our curriculum.

It was unfortunate that it was omitted. Out of that, they formed a common consensus and a common ground; it was through the common ground that they got independence. It was through a common ground that they settled for a federal structure of our country which remains till today."

Gambari maintained that differences among people would always remain, hence the need for wanting to make peace with friends; saying: “You make peace with people whom you have differences with: ideological differences, political differences, economic differences and philosophical differences.�

SEASONED DIPLOMAT, GAMBARI, BECOMES PRESIDENT’S CHIEF OF STAFF -General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and the chairperson of the African Union Commission, as Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur in 2010.

He also served as Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Issues for the UN SecretaryGeneral. Prior to that, he served as Under-SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations for the Department of Political Affairs (DPA).

The new chief of staff, an Ilorin prince, was born on November 24, 1944.

His brother, Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, was the first to congratulate him yesterday even as official announcement was awaited.

He praised the president for the appointment.

In a statement in Ilorin by his media aide, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, the monarch described the appointment as a great honour to the entire people of Ilorin Emirate and residents of the state at large.

He said the choice of the former diplomat would be justified by his outstanding contributions, administrative experience, scholarship and excellence, which he would inject into the Buhari-led

government towards ensuring good governance, democratic dividends as well as shared prosperity in the nation.

While congratulating Gambari on the new appointment, the monarch wished him a successful tenure in office even as he expressed confidence in his ability to justify the confidence reposed in him by Buhari.

The Emir said: "He will surely bring to fore his wealth of experience as an academic, former minister, former diplomat, former University Chancellor, prince of the renowned Alimi Dynasty, family man and community leader of high repute.�

Gambari is the Wambai of Ilorin Emirate.

Meanwhile, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) has also lauded Buhari for the appointment.

The union, in a statement issued in Ilorin last night by its National President, Alhaji Aliyu Uthman, described the appointment as a welldeserved one considering the wealth of experience of Gambari.

The statement also described him as one of the nation's most resourceful and stainless

diplomats.

Gambari Seeks Dialogue, Unity to Tackle Nigeria's Challenges Meanwhile, the new chief of staff has emphasised the need for the restoration of unity and peace through national dialogue as the dominant condition for the development of the country.

Gambari said the COVID-19 pandemic, which has put the whole world into crisis, should be an ample opportunity for Nigeria to unite and find solution to its challenges.

The diplomat spoke at the Fourth Webinar Series of the Emmanuel Chapel on COVID-19 pandemic, with the theme: "Unity and Faith; Peace and Progress."

He said Nigeria needed a common ground to be able to win its battles.

The session was aimed at identifying the main religious and socio-cultural challenges that had hindered Nigeria's cohesiveness as a people, as exposed by the divisive comments and responses from Nigerians since the emergence of COVID-19, and to encourage and interface dialogue in search of solutions.

He said: "I think a number of world leaders have regarded this COVID-19 as a war. I think our own president said this is not a joke; certainly it's not a joke. If you take the analogy of a war, you don't win a war except by understanding the enemy; and two, you don't win a war except you are united and you mobilise your entire resources.

"So, I think this COVID-19 is an opportunity for us to unite, or how do we mobilise our resources, human and material, governmental, religious, civil society to in effect remove all the obstacles that prevent us from mobilising our resources to fight the common enemy or to promote a common national agenda.

"And to me, what is very dear to my heart is really how to achieve a common ground and how to have a common understanding of what it is that needs to be done and the nature of the enemy.

"So, for me, therefore, it is about dialogue; and I feel very strongly that in our country and in many times in conflict situations that I have been privileged to try to mediate, people don't talk to each other, they talk at each other."

He noted that there was a need for the people of the

BUHARI EXPRESSES EXCITEMENT AT THISDAY’S DONATION OF COVID-19 TREATMENT CENTRE in the injection of the muchneeded investment into the country’s health care system.

He also extended President Muhammadu Buhari’s sincere appreciation to the Chairman, THISDAY Media and Technology Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, and all his partners, including the Managing Director, Sahara Energy Group, Mr. Tope Shonubi.

However, 146 new confirmed cases of the virus yesterday brought total infections to 4,787.

Although 959 persons have been discharged, 158 deaths have been recorded in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The 146 new cases are reported from 20 states, including Lagos 57, Kano 27, Kwara 10, Edo nine, Bauchi eight, Yobe seven, Kebbi four, Oyo four, Katsina three, Niger three, Plateau two, Borno two, Benue two, Sokoto two, Gombe one, Enugu one, Ebonyi one, Ogun one, the FCT one, and Rivers one.

At the event, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, challenged Nigerian scientists at home and in the Diaspora to go back to their laboratories and develop a Nigerian vaccine as part of remedies

to COVID-19.

Aligning with Emefiele, Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, called for all hands to be on deck to tackle the ‘’worst single public health emergency’’ of the generation.

Speaking before the centre was handed over to the Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mustapha, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, said the disease had totally overwhelmed even the best of health systems in the world, describing it as a powerful notice to all developing nations to wake up. “Today, we are witnessing the realisation of the synergy with the commissioning of this facility, which is designed to accommodate 300 beds and is scalable to 500. The speed and the commitment demonstrated by the partners that developed this infrastructure is a call to other private sector entities to also get involved in the development of public interest facilities. “The PTF advocates strongly that lessons to be drawn from COVID-19 should, therefore, revolve around development, future planning, consensus building, collaboration and partnerships. Government

cannot always do it alone.

We must all be involved,�

Mustapha said.

He also expressed happiness that the centre is one of the facilities, which is capable of providing care for persons living with disabilities who might get infected with coronavirus in addition to an intensive care unit for the treatment of the most severe cases of COVID-19 particularly levels 1 and 2 categories.

The SGF reiterated the appeal of PTF to all Nigerians to continuously comply with the guidelines especially in observing physical distancing, regular washing of hands, wearing of face masks/ coverings, obey the curfew, avoid large gatherings and stay at home.

In his speech, Emefiele commended the management of THISDAY Newspapers and its partners for putting together the team that set up the magnificent care centre, which encompasses testing, tracing and treatment to help in boosting Nigeria’s capacity to adequately contain the spread of COVlD-19.

Praising the Buhari administration for taking measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, he described the impact of the virus on the global economy as an

unprecedented effect.

He said: ‘’Institutions like IMF has pronounced that the effect on the global economy will be akin to the slowdown experienced during the Great Depression. Global growth is expected to contract to three per cent in 2020, down from a positive growth rate of 2.9 per cent in 2019, which is effectively a six per cent contraction. ‘’In Nigeria, our economy is exposed to triple shocks: a supply shock, a demand shock and a revenue shock.

Permit me to state that we are currently faced with public health and economic crisis of unprecedented proportions, driven primarily by the 55 per cent drop in crude oil prices between January and May 2020. ‘’This unparalleled shock requires that the federal and state governments along with the organised private sector work together to address these challenges in order to preserve lives and restore economic activity and reset the economy of our dear country."

According to him, in a bid to cushion the effects of COVID-19 on the economy, CBN implemented initiatives such as the intervention facility for small and medium

scale enterprises affected by COVID-19, in addition to the N1 trillion facility for firms operating in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

He said the apex bank was working with financial institutions to enable the continuous flow of credit to viable businesses, while putting in place provisions such as moratoriums and restructuring of loans under CBN intervention funds provided to businesses.

He explained that the measures are to cushion the effects of the slowdown in economic activities on businesses, while putting them in better stead to help resuscitate economic activity in the country.

He said: ‘’I wish to acknowledge, however, that our ability to restore the growth of our economy is dependent on how we address the public health crisis brought on by COVID-19. It is in the realisation of this fact that CBN recently launched a N100 billion healthcare intervention fund. ‘’Practitioners in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors will be able to access finance at single digit rate through this fund. Our objective is to improve the capacity of our health system

to address emerging public health challenges.’’ Emefiele added that CBN is developing a framework under which grants and long term facilities would be provided to researchers, science institutions and biotechnology firms to develop the Nigerian vaccine.

He warned that if Nigeria is to wait for foreign countries to develop its own vaccines, it would be the last in the queue to receive curative remedies for its teeming population. ‘’The Central Bank of Nigeria today challenges Nigerian scientists at home and in the Diaspora to go back to their laboratories and develop a Nigerian vaccine. ‘’Once validated by the health authorities, CBN will step in and do the needful for the sake of over 200 million Nigerians now confronted by COVID-19,’’ he stated.

He said the THISDAY Dome Testing, Tracing and Treatment Centre represents a part of the support being provided by the CACOVID alliance, adding that the measures would result in the addition of close to 4,000 hospital beds nationwide and would serve as a significant boost towards the country's efforts at containing the spread of COVlD-19.

Continued on page 10

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House Seeks Review, Cancellation of Chinese Loans Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives has demanded a review or outright cancellation of the latest China loans to Nigeria on the principle of 'force majeur' in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic which started in China.

The lawmakers added that since the National Assembly had been put in the dark on how most of the Chinese loans were taken and

utilised, despite the fact that it appropriates, an investigative committees should be set up by the House to look into all extant China-Nigeria loan agreements since 2000 with a view to ascertaining their viability, as well as regularising and renegotiating them.

The decision of the House followed the adoption of a motion on the need to review and renegotiate existing ChinaNigeria loan agreements,

which was moved by Hon. Ben Igbakpa at the plenary yesterday.

The House resolved that: "In the light of the COVID-19 which started in China, the House Committees on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements, Finance as well as Debt Management is mandated to liaise with the Ministry of Finance and the Debt Management Office (DMO) to seek review or outright cancellation of latest China

loans to Nigeria on the principle of force majeur.

"Henceforth, loans should be in tandem with statutory obligations as prescribed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act." Earlier in his lead debate, Igbakpa said there was widespread global concern about the alleged fraudulent, irregular and underhand characteristics of Chinese loan contracts with African countries, which has resulted in a new form of

economic colonialism foisted

by China.

The lawmaker insisted that there was an urgent need to subject all subsisting Nigeria/China contractual loan agreements to forensic fiscal scrutiny and review.

He noted that records from DMO revealed that China emerged Nigeria’s major creditor under the bilateral deals, with $2.3 billion out of $3.3 billion, adding that EXIM Bank of China is Nigeria's

BUHARI EXPRESSES EXCITEMENT AT THISDAY’S DONATION OF COVID-19 TREATMENT CENTRE The SGF said the task force Giving details of the facilities, scientists from the shame of working tirelessly would ensure Demonstration he stated that the centre has having to import and try herbal would consult the authorities the contagion is defeated. of Extraordinary “But the FCT Administration four branches: a facility where remedies when local alternatives in those areas to review their Commitments, Says enforcement strategies. is leaving no stone unturned to citizens can test, treat and fix, are available.

Ehanire He charged governors He said: "While in principle, ensure the safety of all residents and a 54gene testing laboratory Ehanire commended all the partners of the centre who demonstrated such extraordinary commitments in joining hands with the federal government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which he likened to more than a war. ‘’This handing over ceremony of the THISDAY Dome Treatment and Isolation Centre to the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Capital Territory Administration is a landmark achievement in collaboration between public and private sectors to fight a common enemy and rescue our country and people from the grip of the raving coronavirus disease. ‘’The case for all hands to be on deck to tackle the worst single public health emergency of our generation has been well made. The nature of this virus makes the identification and isolation of infected persons and their contacts a public health imperative, the importance of which cannot be overemphasised and an expedient measure in the fight against the highly infectious pathogen,’’ the minister added.

Bello: FCT Close to Target of 1,000 Bed Spaces The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Mohammed Bello, expressed excitement about the inauguration of the centre, adding that the addition of the facility has now brought the territory to the target of 1,000 available bed spaces for the treatment of COVID-19.

He described the delivery of the centre as timely, coming a day after the FCT and its partners completed the isolation centre at Idu with capacity for about 500 beds. ‘’With this facility, the FCT has almost reached the target of 1,000-bed spaces. Within the FCT, we have in existence three treatment isolation centres, one of which was just handed over to us yesterday at Idu boasting of a 500-bed capacity,� Bello said.

He thanked Mustapha, members of his task force and all the partners for bringing to fruition the THISDAY Dome centre.

Outbreak Will Strengthen Nigeria, Says Aliyu FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, described the outbreak of COVID-19 as a worrisome development but an experience that would strengthen Nigeria.

She expressed optimism that health workers and all stakeholders who have been

A partner in the centre and Managing Director of Sahara Group, Shonubi, described the centre as a celebration of humanity.

He acknowledged all Nigerians who gathered together in this period to feed the less privileged.

He noted that COVID-19 at the beginning was just first, a Chinese and later American problem before it became a global crisis.

He said he gained inspiration in pursuing the mission in March, after he was quarantined on his return from a business trip to Germany.

Shonubi praised Obaigbena for being unperturbed in the challenges to serve humanity.

He noted that they were rejected by many people they contacted on the project, who perceived COVID-19 as a thing that could destroy their businesses. “But Nduka said it does not matter, this is for humanity.

Today, we celebrate humanity.

I also want to thank the FCT minister, who made this possible because everywhere we marched together looking for where we will put something.

As time went on, we got to meet the people that mattered.

I want to thank the Minister for Health, the NNPC,� Shonubi said.

with state-of-art molecular laboratory equipment which is ready to go.

The laboratory could handle 200 tests per day scalable and it does about 50 tests at the same time and because of paperwork and other documentation, it produces a result within 24 hours, he added.

He said: “We have the tracing App, which has been developed by our technology team. As you know, THISDAY is not just a newspaper outfit only; it is now a technology company. So, we have developers in Europe and Nigeria who have come out with this tracing App together. ‘’When you are tested, we can trace all your contacts with App and if you have requirements for isolation and treatment, there is Sahara ward and intensive care unit for you there. We have ICU beds, ventilators, medical waste incinerators; it has everything you need. ‘’So in this one facility, you can solve all the problems of COVID-19; and we thought that we should work with the federal government by making it available at no charge.’’ In his remarks, CCECC Managing Director, Mr. Michael Jiang, stated that the CCECC is committed to helping the federal government defeat the virus.

He noted that since the outbreak of COVID-19, CCECC has made donations to the federal government, adding that only yesterday, the company donated a 500bed isolation facility in Idu area of the Federal Capital Territory.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva; Minister of State for Education, Dr. Emeka Nwajiuba; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora; and Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari.

Obaigbena: It's Our Responsibility to Deal with Crisis at Hand

PSN Kicks against Madagascar Herbal Mixture

In his welcome address, Obaigbena said the centre was borne out of the efforts of all the partners in solving the current existential crisis created by COVID-19. ‘’THISDAY Dome has been here for many years. So, we thought we should make it available to fight this pandemic and we partnered with Sahara Group to put together a coalition which was led by CACOVID, NNPC, CCECC, CBN and others. ‘’We put together a collective effort to join hands with the federal government to deal with the crisis at hand," he said.

Meanwhile, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has kicked against the importation of herbal medicine from Madagascar for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, describing the federal government’s decision as distasteful and disgraceful.

PSN President, Mr. Sam Ohuabunwa, in a statement yesterday expressed disbelief that the Buhari administration could jettison various attempts by scientists and researchers in Nigeria only to settle for Madagascar drugs.

The society urged the government to save Nigerian

in the FCT. We are also not stopping at that. Besides, the rules and regulations being given, the administration will continue to intensify its advocacy, especially in the rural communities,� she said.

She urged the FCT residents to realise that their safety is guaranteed by staying at home, warning that a community could be infected if one person within that community contracts the virus.

It’s Celebration of Humanity, Says Shonubi

we would not mind the Nigerian government importing any new drug that is proven to cure COVID-19 or indeed any other disease for which we have neither the capacity nor the technology to produce locally, we are totally appalled that Nigeria is about to spend scarce foreign exchange to import ‘coal into Newcastle.'

"Even if we are not going to pay for this, it is thoroughly disgraceful that a country that should be the leader of Africa, with the largest GDP will allow itself to be dragged this low. Nigeria has about 174 universities (43 federal, 52 state and 79 private), 20 Faculties of Pharmacy and about 69 federalfunded research institutes (including National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development and the National Institute for Medical Research), while Madagascar has only six universities, one Faculty of Pharmacy and nine research centres!

"Nigeria has some of the best scientists (pharmaceutical, medical, biochemical, biological etc.) in the world who have done so much work on natural and herbal medicines. Nigeria has developed a pharmacopoeia of natural and herbal products and has one of the richest flora and fauna - potent sources of phytomedicines.

"Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, a number of them have raised their voices that they have herbal and natural products that can be used to treat or manage COVID-19.

Some have patents. Many herbal companies and producers have announced specifically that they have herbal formulations that can do what this ‘invention’ from Madagascar can do."

He challenged the federal government to give local formulations a trial.

FG Condemns Widespread Violation of Social Distancing Order The federal government yesterday condemned the widespread violation of guidelines to contain the spread of COVID-19 across the country, particularly the social distancing order.

Speaking at the daily briefing by PTF, Mustapha noted that one of the primary responsibilities of the government is the protection of lives.

He said the citizens also owed it as an obligation to collaborate with the government and shun actions that would endanger lives.

He said he had seen visuals on social media where people in many areas violated the social distancing order.

to align their actions and enforcement measures to the guidelines stipulated by the federal government.

He reiterated the position of the federal government that states should stop the repatriation of the Almajiri because it violates the ban on interstate movements.

FG Warns against Danger of Sharing Masks Mustapha also warned the public against the health hazards posed by sharing face masks or outright picking of masks for recycling from dump sites. “It is very risky to share masks as the virus is capable of remaining on surfaces for several hours and you could get infected. “The unhealthy practice of picking up disposed masks for whatever purpose is harmful to both the individual picking it and whoever procures it later,� he said.

The National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr. Sani Aliyu, lamented that large movements of people across state, borders were frustrating efforts at containing the pandemic.

Aliyu appealed to security agencies to stop interstate movements except for essential services.

According to him, PTF would review performances at the end of the week to know the next steps to consider.

FG Investigates Unexplained Deaths in Bauchi Ehanire, at the press conference, said the ministry had sent a team to Azare in Bauchi State to investigate the causes of unexplained deaths in the place.

He explained that the ministry has activated a total of 25 laboratories for COVID-19 tests nationwide.

He added that his ministry has printed the mandatory institutional quarantine guideline and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) crew kit for returnees from the diaspora.

He also said the Benue State’s index case, Mrs. Susan Okpe, had insisted that she would only allow her samples to be taken by officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the results sent to the United Kingdom for verification.

The minister said he had instructed the response team sent to Bauchi to invite pathologists from the affected states such as Sokoto, Bauchi, Katsina and Jigawa to come to Kano for training on how to proceed with the investigation of the similar occurrence of

biggest bilateral creditor in nearly two decades, having lent the African largest economy $6.5 billion (or N1.9 trillion) since 2002.

Igbakpa stated that based on separate Freedom of Information (FoI) replies by the Finance Ministry and DMO, published by a national daily in November 2019, Nigeria has obtained 17 Chinese loans to fund projects across different sectors since 2002. strange deaths in their area.

"They are to develop protocols on how to carry out the medical investigation in the areas where the report has been made. As I speak to you, the team is in Azare, Bauchi State looking into the causes of unexplained deaths there," he said.

Ehanire also gave an update on the NCDC team expected to visit Cross River State to help understudy the situation in the state, which currently has no reported case of COVID-19.

The minister said he had reached an agreement with Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, on how the response team would collaborate with state health officials to carry out its assignment.

On the ongoing investigation of strange deaths in Kano State, Ehanire said the exercise was proceeding well, adding that stringent scientific procedures are being adopted to eliminate any margin of error in the outcome.

WHO Meets African Traditional Medicine Experts WHO yesterday said it had met with 70 traditional medicine experts from Africa in a bid to find a cure for the pandemic.

WHO Africa Region, in a tweet yesterday, said an agreement was reached with the herbal medicine experts on clinical trials of their remedies.

The meeting is coming days after Madagascar said it found a herbal remedy capable of curing the disease. @WHOAFRO tweeted: “70 traditional medicine experts from countries across #Africa held a virtual meeting with @ WHO on the role of traditional medicine in the #COVID19 response. “They unanimously agreed that clinical trials must be conducted for all medicines in the region, without exception.�

Madagascar President, Mr. Andry Rajoelina, had criticised WHO and other international organisations for allegedly scorning local “remedy� for COVID-19. “If it wasn’t Madagascar, and if it was a European country that had actually discovered this remedy, would there be so much doubt? I don’t think so,� he told French media in an interview.

Before the meeting, WHO had repeatedly warned that the COVID-Organics infusion, which Rajoelina has touted as a remedy against the deadly virus, has not been clinically tested.

WHO also stated yesterday that some treatments appeared to be limiting the severity or length of the COVID-19 disease and that it was focusing on learning more about four or five of the most promising ones.

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WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVID -19 UPDATE...

Yobe’s 471 Deaths Not Caused

By Pandemic, State Govt Insists Michael Olugbode in Damaturu Yobe State Government has revealed that majority of the death recorded in the state recently was not caused by COVID-19.

The state Commissioner for Health and Vice Chairman of the COVID 19 Committee in the state, Dr. Mohammed Gana, told journalists in Damaturu yesterday that the preliminary report of the investigative response team constituted by the state government has confirmed that 90 per cent of the mass death could not be traced to coronavirus.

The commissioner said the team came to the conclusion after very meticulous, verbal autopsy carried out by interviewing relatives of the deceased and medical personnel of those who died in the hospital or had documented medical history.

He disclosed that the team recorded 471 deaths from last week of April to the second week of May in four affected local council areas, including Potiskum, Nguru, Gashu’a and Damaturu, the state capital.

The commissioner said: “Fifty seven percent of the total deaths had

underlying chronic illness which included fever, hypertension, diabetes, renal disease maternal mortality and accident victims.”

He revealed that 57 per cent of the total mortalities were older people within the aged of more than 50 years, with majority of them males.

Gana said: “16 of the 471 deceased relative revealed that someone with similar symptoms, and all 16 were investigated and referred to some facilities. Out of the number, three out of the 16 met case definition of COVID-19.”

32-year-old Evacuee from Dubai Dies of Pandemic in Lagos Patient gives birth in LUTH

Martins Ifijeh A 32-year-old Nigerian recently evacuated from Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE), has died of COVID-19 in Lagos.

This is coming as a 37-yearold patient has given birth to a baby boy at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), IdiAraba.

Announcing the death yesterday, the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi said the unfortunate incident brings to 34 the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the state.

He said: “The deceased recently returned from Dubai with severe underlying health conditions following evacuation of Nigerians in foreign countries by @DigiCommsNG. Total COVID-19 related deaths in Lagos is now 34.

“I urge Lagosians to remain committed to rules guiding COVID-19 infection prevention regardless of relaxation of lockdown,” he said.

The federal government had on May 6 evacuated 256 Nigerians from the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, a 37-year-old COVID-19 patient has given birth to a baby boy at the LUTH,

Idi-Araba.

A statement by the hospital said the patient gave birth last Saturday through a caesarian session.

The statement reads: “A team of LUTH doctors, anaesthetists and nurses delivered another woman diagnosed with COVID-19 of a baby boy (birth weight: 2.6kg).

The mother and baby are doing well.

“We celebrate our committed frontline staff for this achievement.”

The hospital had in April delivered another COVID-19 patient of a baby girl.

We Have Lost over N5bn to Pandemic, Says Miyetti-Allah Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACABAN) yesterday revealed that its members across the country have lost over N5billion to the COVID-19 pandemic that is currently ravaging the world.

A former chairman of the association, Alhaji Yakubu Bello, made the claim yesterday while reacting to the allegation that the Fulani community in Oyo State was shielding their kinsmen who sneaked into the state from the North against the inter-state border restriction made by the federal government.

Bello said contrary to the allegation, his members were law-abiding and peaceful.

He stated that although the current realities were challenging as Miyetti Allah had not had it so bad in the past, efforts were made to ensure that the restriction orders were adhered to.

He said Fulani cow traders and herdsmen across the country had been warned to stay off Oyo State until the restriction order on interstate movement was vacated.

According to Bello, the Miyetti Allah in Oyo State had cautioned its members from the North on the need to obey the restriction order.

“We have heard of cases of people that were arrested for defying inter-state lockdown order, whether they were coming from the North or anywhere from Nigeria, but I can tell you that nothing of such has happened

from here.

“The moment the government announced the lockdown order, we have sent a strong warning to our people in all the states of the nation not to come to Oyo State for business or visit till this trying period is over.

“It is really a difficult period for our people as they have never experienced such restriction before.

I can tell you that we have lost over N5 billion to the rampaging Coronavirus disease.

“This place used to be a beehive of commercial activities; people will come from all over the country to buy and sell. People sell not just cows and other livestock, but personal items and household materials here. It is now like a ghost town.”

Chairman of Independent Democrats Defects to APC Chuks Okocha in Abuja The National Chairman of the Independent Democrats (ID), a political party that is registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Madu Edozie, yesterday announced he has defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC), for the overall interest of Nigeria Edozie said that no administration has impacted on the lives of Nigerians more than the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC government since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.

He said: “Having been the National Chairman of two different

political parties in Nigeria, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and the Independent Democrats (ID) where I emerged as its candidate for the 2019 Presidential election, I have come to the conclusion that the time is ripe to join hands with fellow progressives in moving the nation forward.”

Edozie stated that the APC’s government has been taken bold and difficult steps in setting the nation on the right path since 2015.

He explained that various federal government initiatives such as the Anchor Borrowers Programme, Trader and Market Money, the provision of funds for cotton farmers by the Central Bank

of Nigeria, the ban on importation of foreign rice that led to increase in local production and the ongoing agricultural revolution in the country have emerged as visionary interventions.

According to him, “politics, as they said, is local. The unprecedented infrastructural development going on in the Southeast such as the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, the EnuguOnitsha and Enugu- Port Harcourt expressways, the rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu and many other Federal Government projects in the South-East are some of the reasons behind my defection.”

12

WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020 •T H I S D AY

13

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

A N A LY S I S

Wike Strikes Hard Again Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha write that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has entered another round of controversy over his shocking action on COVID-19

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or most part of Sunday, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Executive Order to demolish buildings of businesses that flout his lockdown order dominated the microblogging site Twitter. Depending on which side you are on, you can either be aggravated, indifferent or pleased by the torrent of tweets.

As has become his custom since the pandemic started, strutting the streets of his state in search of defaulters to boost his towering ego, Wike on Sunday visited Eleme and Onne where he supervised the demolition of Prudent Hotel and Etemeteh Hotel respectively.

The reasons for his actions were clear.

He had signed an Executive Order prohibiting hotels from operating during the lockdown on May 4. Before he placed his signature on that order, he claimed to have consulted the traditional rulers and council chairmen, not necessarily to seek their advice but to intimidate them in ensuring the compliance of his law.

To avoid misinterpretation of his actions as a political attack on the opposition party in his state, All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike was quick to point out that one of the owners of the hotels is a member of his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Wike must have deluded himself that by using a party member as a scapegoat will exonerate him from vitriolic comments.

Far from it, the criticism he received on Twitter was acerbic, except for his acolytes whose eyes are perhaps covered by wool such that they only see Wike as a spotless lamb.

Former presidential candidate and Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili described his actions as anarchic and encouraged the hotel owners to sue him.

The Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project, (SERAP) also condemned the act on their official Twitter account, and pledged to take legal action on the governor for the perpetration of human rights violations.

But the President of Igbo Youth Movement, Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko thinks otherwise. He said, “Social media seems activated deliberately to descend on Wike.

Reason: The Governor ordered the demolition of two hotels in Rivers, over their disrespect to the lockdown ordered by the state government.

Our position on the matter is simple.

Whereas demolishing an hotel seems and sounds both brash and high handed, and not a few people will disagree that the punishment appears too hard for the offense, we however submit, that the well organized and carefully choreographed attack on Governor Wike seems even more brash, unfair and unmindful of present realities on hand.

Governor Wike has been at the receiving end of a well coordinated affront by ‘the owners of Nigeria’ for five years now.

This brazenly selective central government, has not hidden their dislike and disdain for Wike and his God-given abilities to aggressively improve the lives of his people.

The hostility Wike has received from the centre in the past five years are enough to cow any state governor and frighten him off.

The open nepotism of the central government turned Wike into the hero of all the oppressed in Nigeria, the brazen intimidation, he is forced to endure from Abuja heightened his anthena to note that he is standing gloriously, to the anger and disappointment of adversaries.

Some people want Rivers state over-

Wike whelmed by COVID- 19 pandemic. Rivers is an oil and gas environment harbouring lots of expatriates. Port Harcourt is a port city. Proximity to the commercial city of Aba exposes Port Harcourt to mega trading activities that would make COVID-19 explosion there, a major calamity.

Wike rightly knows his adversaries do not wish him well. He knows they want to make him cry by all means. He also knows that they are not too happy that he has been patrolling about blocking every scheme and plot to forcefully export almajiri into Rivers by night.

He has successfully contained every plan by unscrupulous persons to infiltrate Rivers and upset the social equilibrium, either through breaching the lockdown that has successfully checked the spread of the virus or disrupting the government hold on the situation.

Wike understands perfectly well, that Rivers people and future generations will hold him responsible for any outbreak or failure. He also understands that the enemy will gleefully watch him roast and sink if the virus descends on Rivers state. He knows they will not rush with aid on the double as they rushed to help Governor Ganduje of Kano State or grant him N10 billion, like they hurriedly gave Governor Babajide Sanwolu of Lagos State.

He knows he is not their favourite. He knows he is not their man. He knows he is on his own. He knows they will only

be too glad to watch him cry.

So when he frantically protects Rivers, it’s because he knows he is on his own. All the measures he has put in place so far are working very well. Yet some people keep him busy every night checking trailers trying to smuggle in people into Rivers, in breach of the lockdown.

Wike has been an outstanding Governor.

Success breeds envy and jealousy. His guts offends those who believe they own Nigeria. They replace his police commissioners, like you change your shirt.

They deny him his dues because they can’t defeat him at the polls.

So when everybody starts attacking Wike, we, his admirers are forced to say enough. We know millions of people who wish they had a governor like Wike.

Wike is no angel or saint. He is our main man. We remain proud of his strides. He clearly raised the bar in governance in this season. Those shining at Wike’s expense over the demolition of a hotel, should remember that Wike remains the star of this dispensation. He remains our main man. He is doing all he can, to protect his people,” said Ugochukwu-Uko. In his defense, the governor claimed that his actions were necessary because the hoteliers had earlier attacked members of the Task Force who went to enforce the law.

Like in many parts of the world where the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus has left many confused

So when everybody starts attacking Wike, we, his admirers are forced to say enough. We know millions of people who wish they had a governor like Wike. Wike is no angel or saint. He is our main man. We remain proud of his strides. He clearly raised the bar in governance in this season. Those shining at Wike’s expense over the demolition of a hotel, should remember that Wike remains the star of this dispensation. He remains our main man. He is doing all he can, to protect his people

and devastated, leaders are burdened with the responsibility to enact laws and measures that will prevent further spread in their region. While shutting down businesses and ordering people to stay at home seemed the easy way out and the most practised around the globe, it also has its shortcomings such as hunger, unemployment and depression, thereby resulting in a disregard of lockdown orders. In the United States of America where the number of cases are yet to deplete, there have been calls for states to reopen, and sadly, these actions are sometimes encouraged by the man in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump.

The fear and ignorance of the pandemic will drive people to break the rules and this is where the main headache lies for leaders. How do they force the horse to drink water?

In Kenya, citizens who disobey the lockdown orders are taken to a compound where they are quarantined. Though they stand a chance of getting infected.

To escape such punishment, they have to pay for their freedom. In some Asian countries, governments monitor the movement of people through a mobile app.

While these measures are not laudable, none is as extreme as demolishing the buildings of businesses. It reeks of hostility and inhumanity.

Does the governor of Rivers State know the number of people who depend on the hotels for their livelihoods? Does he know the number of people who depend on the employees of those hotels for survival?

Does he know the sweat it took the owners to erect such properties? In Lagos State, where residents partially disobey the social distancing rules, no one has been given such treatment. If Wike was to be in control of the populous state in the country, the residents should imagine a worse fate.

In his effort to paint a strict leadership image to the public, Wike instead projected the persona of a dictator like the Kim Jong-Uns and Vladimir Putins of the world. A persona his image launderers would have a hard time cleaning.

Wike’s actions since the pandemic started in Nigeria begs for scrutiny.

First, when Lagos state which is still the epicenter of the virus in the country received donations from the Federal Government, Wike was the first to kick against it, demanding that his state should be given priority if he was to allow expatriates into the oil rich state.

To make good of his threat, he arrested pilots of the Caverton Helicopters for disobeying his rules on flights.

With his recent actions, Wike is showing his dictatorship style and if nothing is done, Rivers state will be a sad tale soon. His demonstration of power is synonymous to an inebriated fellow who in that blissful state thinks he can beat a madman.

Despite the blatant violation of human rights by the governor, the incident will sadly be viewed with a political lens.

The ruling party which has not been in the good books of the people seizes the opportunity to rubbish the image of PDP, while some PDP faithfuls compare Wike’s actions to that of governor of Nasir ElRufai of Kaduna who demolished houses of political opponents.

Truly, the pandemic is a test on leadership character and if Wike was to go through a litmus test, the result will definitely be acidic.

As much as his actions are reprehensible, the wrongdoers should not be lauded. They have learnt the hard way.

14

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍąËœ 2020

COMMENT

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

ISSUES IN KANO COVID-19 FIGHT

The Kano State government needs all the support to successfully battle the Covid-19 pandemic, writes Auwal Garba Tarauni

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s nations continue their relentless battle to rescue their people and economies from the rampaging coronavirus pandemic, states or regional governments have also emerged at the forefront of the fight. In Nigeria, though Kano State is not the epicentre of coronavirus and was originally not in the picture of the pandemic, the Northwestern state has now become the newest arrival, literarily threatening to assume the centre stage of the crushing public health emergency.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria was announced on February 27, 2020, when an Italian citizen in Lagos tested positive for the virus while the second emerged on March 9 when a second case was reported in Ewekoro, Ogun State by a Nigerian citizen who incidentally had contact with the index case. But it was not until April 11, a month ago, that Kano entered the pandemic fray. The state recorded the first COVID-19 death on April 17 following which Governor Abdullahi Ganduje imposed a total lockdown on the ancient state.

Since then, the numbers have increased and Kano is now trailing Lagos on the dark log of the pandemic statistics. The state has also unarguably become the centre of the pandemic in Northern Nigeria.

Indeed, as of Monday, May 11, official figures released by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) revealed that Kano had recorded a total of 602 cases of coronavirus, out of which 526 are active cases. Some 50 persons have been discharged, and 28 fatalities. Perhaps overshadowing all of these are the causes of some mysterious deaths in recent times of some influential persons in the state.

According to Governor Ganduje, these deaths had no links with COVID-19. His view was partly corroborated by the NCDC, which said the deaths were partly related to coronavirus, contrary to unhelpful reports by a section of the media which erroneously reported the NCDC official as saying the mysterious deaths were fully COVID-19 related.

Now, although media reportage of the COVID-19 fight and the strange deaths in Kano have been skewed in such a way as to present and portray the Governor Ganduje administration as incompetent and incapable of handling the health crisis and perhaps even insensitive and unresponsive in the face of the developments happening in rapid succession, we must be mindful of certain salient facts. What precisely are these facts?

One, Kano is a heterogeneous society and easily the most densely populated state not only in the Northwest, but also in the entire country.

This large population is not helped by the Almajiri system that operates in the state like most states in the North. As many would readily admit, this kind of population becomes ready fuel to power the spread of a contagious disease like coronavirus, particularly the moment it enters the local community.

Secondly and most worrisome is the fact that successive administrations in Kano failed to erect structures and institutionalise frameworks for the fight against highly infectious or contagious diseases that would have guided the state going forward in combating similar diseases like COVID-19. This, for instance, is not the case with Lagos State, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic. Indeed, notwithstanding the widely-acknowledged and commendable efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the effectiveness and efficiency of Lagos in prosecuting the COVID-19 battle, there is little doubt that the state has been helped in this campaign by the structure and culture of fighting such a

THE GOVERNOR IS NOW BEING CONFRONTED WITH A SITUATION WHERE THE AVAILABLE HEALTH FACILITIES ARE BEING OVERSTRETCHED TO ADDRESS THE PRESENT EMERGENCY

dangerous disease that have been put in place by successive governors of the state from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to Babatunde Raji Fashola and perhaps Akinwunmi Ambode. These structures and architecture were effectively and successfully deployed in battling Ebola during Fashola’s time in a way that saved the entire country from the scourge. It is such structures and frameworks that Governor Ganduje is struggling to emplace even while waging the war against coronavirus.

Additionally, the ongoing pandemic has exposed the poor state of the public healthcare system in Kano, just as is the case in other states of the federation. Truth be told, the parlous state of public healthcare in the state cannot be entirely blamed on Governor Ganduje’s administration to the exclusion of successive governments in the state.

The governor is now being confronted with a situation where the available health facilities are being over-stretched to address the present emergency. Until now that Ganduje has struggled to increase the test centres, coupled also with the intervention of the Dangote Group, which brought a mobile testing machine, only one test centre was available in Kano.

Now, the isolation centres are nearing 10 namely, the 80-bed Kwanar Dawaki Hospital, 110-bed Muhammad Buhari Specialist Hospital Giginyu, 100-bed old Daula Hotel, Abubakar Imam Urology Centre; another 100 beds, 300-bed Karfi Sports Institute and CACovid Sani Abacha Stadium Isolation Centre with capacity for 300 persons, which is yet to be operational, among others.

Indeed, the situation in the state is neither about lack of capacity on the part of the governor nor lack of genuine efforts and initiatives on the part of the government to battle the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. It is that the government needs all the support it can muster to successfully battle COVID-19. In this wise, the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, deserves commendation. The billionaire businessman provided a mobile testing machine with a capacity for handling 200 samples at present but expected to be scaled up to 1000 before month’s end. He also donated 10 ambulances.

Conversely, however, the statement by Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on the request of Kano State for financial support from the federal government is unhelpful.

Speaking recently via telephone on Wazobia FM, Kano programme, ‘As E Dey Hot,’ Adesina gave the impression that Kano might not get the N15 billion it requested from the federal government because it had not justified the demand in fighting the coronavirus scourge. That statement seems a poor diagnosis of the Kano coronavirus response-strategy and initiative. It is also a great disservice to the strenuous efforts of Governor Ganduje to contain a global pandemic in Kano.

In its desperation to achieve success in the COVID-19 fight, the governor had even moved to revamp some federal government facilities so it could come handy for use at this difficult time. Among other things, the governor, for instance, repaired the road leading to Dala Orthopedic Hospital, Kano, and constructed a new gate for the hospital, which is a federal government facility, to aid its possible deployment for the coronavirus fight. Joining hands with the federal government and private institutions in the fight, the governor also donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), cartons of hand sanitizer, boots, face masks, pump buckets, and soaps, among others, to the various facilities in a bid to tame further transmission of the disease in the state and promote safer working environment for health workers.

Tarauni wrote from Kano

NDDC AND NEEDLESS DISTRACTION

Roy Nwabu Umezinwa writes that those criticising the interim management committee are mischievous

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he recent spurious corruption allegation against the interim management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) can be seen for what it is: it is nothing but the case of corruption fighting back those put in place to fight it. Those who have read Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s seminal book: Fighting Corruption is Dangerous; will be conversant with the difficulty of fighting corruption in Nigeria and indeed any other place in the world.

Therefore, anybody willing to fight corruption and wrestle it to the ground will be ready for a rough fight. He must be ready to be called names, utterly blackmailed and have insults hurled at him for his audacity and even temerity to venture to ask relevant questions that will uncover past corrupt practices in the commission. This is unfortunately the burden the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio and those currently in charge of the NDDC will bear for carrying out a national assignment to oversee the forensic probe of the activities of the commission as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari some months ago.

The recent vehement and orchestrated media attacks against the person of Akpabio and the NDDC Iterim Management Committee (IMC), Chairman, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, clearly illustrate how corruption fights back. The sponsors of these media tirades want to create confusion by tarring those in charge of the commission in black colours and make them unclean to sit in judgement

against them.

Being masters of deceit, mischief and subterfuge, they will stop at nothing to drag the IMC of the agency in the mud. Their inordinate motive is to ensure that the hunter becomes the hunted so that they won’t have the strength to fight them. That is why they have deployed commissioned write-ups in the various newspapers and advertorials to make people believe their warped and disjointed tales of corruption and meddlesomeness in the management of the NDDC. Their allegation of corruption against the current management of the NDDC is diversionary. It is a subtle manner to frustrate the ongoing forensic probe of the agency which they see as a cash cow and even their ATM. The smear campaign is specially devised to buy time and undue attention.

It is also devised to create maximum confusion and distract those probing their nefarious activities in the agency.

There is no doubt that those engineering the propaganda cannot be different from those whose dirty transactions with the NDDC are being investigated. Because they want to deceive the unwary public, they are willing to dish out lies and fabrications garnished to look as truth to cover their evil deeds. They also believe that if they dish out the lies steadily that Nigerians will soon begin to believe them.

Apart from dominating the print media and the social media with their propaganda, they have also recruited some youths in the Niger Delta region

to demonstrate and create media attention in their favour. Because of their huge war chest, they have seized the media space and social media in a frenzy and in a mood that suggest that they are saying everything but the truth. Their plan is to make sure that the ongoing probe is disrupted and even derailed.

Their agenda is to make sure that the IMC is sacked thereby making it possible for their surrogates to come in and be in charge. Once their aim is achieved, they will ensure that the forensic probe ordered by President Buhari will no longer see the light of the day. No doubt, they have the money and resources to really distract the interim management of the agency as well as derail the ongoing forensic probe as ordered by the federal government.

That is why the presidency should disregard their antics and campaign of calumny against the interim management of the NDDC. The presidency should disregard their shouts of corruption that cannot be proved and treat them as interlopers and mischief makers. What these hawks are doing is not novel. It has never been a hidden fact that the NDDC has for long served as a conduit pipe for easy money for many of them.

Therefore, they are vehemently bent to do anything possible to return to the status quo and continue their financial malfeasance in the commission. But since the change in the management of the commission, they have been restless and cashing every straw like a drowning man. Knowing

that they will soon fall, they don’t want to fall alone. They are striving to ensure that some people fall with them. That is why they won’t like their dirty deeds to see the light of the day or become public knowledge.

Having made so much money from corruption, they still want to cover their evil deals with plenty lies and propaganda to discredit the new management of the commission and put it in bad light. As masters of deceit, their intendment is to seriously intimidate and psychologically harass those at the helm of affairs at the NDDC at the moment. The public is very much aware that their grand desire is to truncate the ongoing forensic probe through buying time and causing a lot of media distraction that will lead to nowhere.

The interim management committee of the NDDC should remain focused and disregard the antics of these distracters. They should not bother about these intruders who feast in fomenting trouble and finding faults where none exists. The ongoing forensic probe should not be derailed as planned by these distracters. Those who are used to opaque nature of things in the NDDC in the past are the ones sabotaging the forensic probe.

They are the ones attacking the minister of the Niger Delta Affairs as well as the current interim management of the commission. Good enough, Nigerians are clever to be deceived by these charlatans masquerading as whistle-blowers and anti-corruption activists.

Umezinwa wrote from Abuja

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2020

EDITORIAL RESTRICTIONS ON INTER-STATE MOVEMENT The Covid-19 pandemic has further exposed the gross indiscipline in the law enforcement system

O

ne of the drastic steps taken by the federal government in containing the COVID-19 pandemic was the lockdown of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory, which were the epicentres of the pandemic. For five weeks, socio-economic activities were grounded as residents of these states and Abuja were forced to stay at home. Sadly, the gradual relaxation did not signify an abatement of the scourge in any way.

In fact, the lockdown was relaxed amidst spiking figures, and in a clear response to socio-economic pressures, as Nigerians were getting restive due to what many christened “hunger virus”. Even President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged this “very heavy economic cost” of the lockdown, in his speech to ease the lockdown.

However, with the prevailing potency of COVID-19 in mind, the president has also ordered a nationwide overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am and a ban on non-essential interstate passenger travels until further notice. This was predicated on the fact that cessation of movement, physical ACCUSING FINGERS distancing measures ARE POINTING IN THE as well as prohibition DIRECTION OF THE of mass gatherings SECURITY AGENCIES remained the most WHOSE PERSONNEL HAVE efficient and effective ADOPTED A PAY-AS-YOU- way of reducing the transmission of the GO POLICY FOR NONESSENTIAL TRAVELLERS virus. It is therefore worrisome that these measures are not yielding the desired results. Apart from exposing the underbelly of our cratered economy, broken health system, and yawning social welfare gaps, the COVID-19 pandemic has also exposed our weak law enforcement and the gross indiscipline within the system.

Not only have there been poor compliance with government ordered lockdowns and precautionary measures, the security agencies have been accused of aiding and abetting the breaches.

Nigerians are daily inundated with reports and

trending videos of truckloads of people, mostly teenagers and youth, moving in droves from one part of the country to the other. For instance, a truck full of people from Kano State, the epicenter of Coronavirus in the north, was recently intercepted at Ojodu-Berger in Lagos State.

The same has been witnessed in Kaduna State where they were personally apprehended by Governor Nasir el-Rufai as well as in Enugu State where another batch of human cargoes were intercepted during a monitoring and enforcement drive by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on the Enugu-Benue and Enugu-Kogi borders. For these breaches, accusing fingers are pointing in the direction of the security agencies whose personnel have adopted a ‘pay-as-you-go’ policy for non-essential travellers who ordinarily should not be on the road.

I T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA

t is indeed instructive that apart from the two index COVID-19 cases that came into Enugu State from the United Kingdom before the initial lockdown, the rest eight cases were people who found their way into the state from Lagos, Plateau, and Bauchi States despite a subsisting shutdown ordered by the state.

In fact, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has raised the alarm over what it described as “increased level of interstate movement, worsened by the dubious concealment of people in food-carrying vehicles”, while the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has equally raised serious concerns over the same palpable breaches.

Apart from worsening the spread of COVID-19, this free flow of people across states could be exploited by sundry cartels of criminals, misguided zealots and predatory bandits to penetrate other parts of the country and build new cells for their nefarious activities. We therefore enjoin President Buhari to call the Inspector-General of Police, Commandant-General of the NSCDC, and all heads of the security agencies whose personnel are responsible for the enforcement of the ban on non-essential interstate travels to order. Importantly, we call on Nigerians to comply with the presidential directives on interstate travels and other advised protocols for their own good.

This is one war which could consume the nation if poorly handled. It is one war we cannot afford to lose.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

Sadiya And Buhari Food Palliatives

A

s Nigeria continues to battle the sweeping impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, all eyes are on Sadiya Umar Farouk, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. This is so because, Sadiya is now the ‘link’ between the President Muhammadu Buhari government and the masses, in particular, the vulnerable ones. Sadiya’s Ministry has a mandate to develop humanitarian policies and to provide effective coordination of national and international humanitarian interventions; ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response; and manage the formulation and implementation of fair focused social inclusion and protection programs in Nigeria.

Presently, Sadiya is faced with the effective, efficient and transparent distribution of the Buhari government’s palliatives to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown. The big question is: is the Minister achieving the goal to reach the most vulnerable Nigerians? Critics of the Minister who are invariably the critics of the President are criticizing the implementation of the palliative programmes. While some have valid points, others are just playing politics. Nonetheless, Sadiya and her team have continued to implement the programme the way they think is most efficient and impactful.

On May 7, 2020 Sadiya handed over a truck of rice, 50 bags of Sugar, 200 cartoons of macaroni and three bales of wrappers to the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline

Tallen, for distribution to vulnerable women. On April 28, the ministry delivered 110 trucks of food items to the people of Kano.

On April 24, three trucks of rice and one truck of vegetable oil was delivered to the Kogi State Government. On April 22, 10 trucks of rice, two trucks of vegetable oil and grains, was handed to FCT administration to be distributed to the poor, vulnerable and people living with disabilities. On April 22, Adamawa State received four trucks of food items. While on April 11, over 11,000 vulnerable citizens who are already faced with humanitarian crisis in Gajiganna Town, Borno State received food items. On April 18, Katsina State received three truckloads of rice. On April 8, Imo and Ebonyi States took delivery of some COVID-19 relief food items. On April 7, the minister handed over 6,000 bags of 50kg rice and two trucks of vegetable oil to the Lagos State government. Ogun and Oyo States also received the palliatives. Minister Sadiya have also launched a scheme to visit People with Disabilities (PWD) in their communities and clusters all over the country and shall be visiting to provide them with Covid-19 food palliatives including hygiene kits.

Distributing palliatives to Nigeria’s large poor pupation is an intricate task. In fact, reaching the poor of the poorest is a challenge globally. Recently thousands of people formed a 4km-long queue for food parcels amid a COVID-19 lockdown in the South African city of Centurion. Nigeria’s state governors have requested that they are allowed to oversee

the distribution of the palliatives. Public scrutiny will now be directed at them. Given the state control of final distribution of the food commodities, it is a good move. However, state governors must realize that the palliatives are meant for the poor.

The distribution should be free from needless politics and poverty-induced-corruption. But what should the governors do to ensure that the palliatives reach intended targets?

Governors should design a locally feasible and adaptable sharing mechanism devoid of politicians’ control and interference. Ward heads and community leaders -notwithstanding their political affiliations- should be co-opted into the sharing mechanism. This will guarantee effective community participation and monitoring. Some aspects of the distribution such as logistics, delivery and transportation should be handled by specialized local couriers and logistics firms including the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

This will ensure speedy and efficient tracking while also reaching the target.

Critics of the food palliative programme would continue to express their opinion. Minister Sadiya and team may have done their best to implement the programmes to the letter.

The ball is now in the courts of state governors who will do the final distribution. However, it can only be successful when it is free from politics and knowledge-based approaches are applied.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State

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WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020 •T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020 • T H I S D AY

17

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍą, 2020

18

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 08038901925

UBA's Investment in Safety Banks are not known for their expertise in putting out fires but after a fire broke out at Obalende area of Lagos, a UBA fire truck was instrumental in preventing further spread and destruction.

Charles Ajunwa writes that the feat was recorded because of the bank’s investment in safety

O

n May 1, as Lagosians observed Workers Day amid the COVID-19 lockdown, a driver lost control of his tanker while navigating a bend in the Obalende area of the state, leading it to crash into an Oando Filling Station, empty its content on the streets and resulting into a massive fire outbreak.

But, as quickly as it happened, fire service personnel from the Lagos State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service, arrived at the scene. There was, however, a third arm of the emergency response team - the United Bank for Africa's fire service - which, in no small way, helped in preventing the fire from engulfing more properties and lives. “The pressure of the water (from government fire trucks) was not strong despite it being so close to the fire," one Twitter user who identified as Josh said. �It was shocking that the fire truck of UBA that was far away put out the fire in no time. If not for the bank’s truck several buildings would have been gutted by the fire. “The feat carried out by the bank in putting out the fire is indeed a grand one and must be commended.�

But banks are not known for their expertise in putting out fires. So how did UBA come about what seemed a world-class fire-truck?

Investing in Safety In line with global safety standards, UBA, which is one of the most ubiquitous banks in Africa, acquired a state-of-the-art fire fighting truck, capable of fighting fire incidents in all conditions in 2010.

The vehicle, acquired by the bank, among other advanced fire fighting machines, was another demonstration of its commitment to ensuring a safe and conducive working environment at all times, a press release said at the time.

The then Group Director of Resources, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, who is now the bank's CEO, said during the testing of the equipment in Lagos in 2010 that the NAFFCO Fire truck machine, a 6 x 4 wheel drive Mercedes Benz Actross 3332, is equipped with auxiliary shift for easy manoeuvring in all conditions.

"Although we will deploy the truck for our internal use, it will, however, be available to complement the services of public fire fighting agencies in Lagos and its environs," he said.

"As often demonstrated in our various safety in our workplace initiatives, including our regular fire drill services, this new acquisition will strengthen our capacity to respond to emergencies,� Uzoka explained.

UBA's Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Anthony Ezeani, listed features of the truck to include; delivery outlets and an output of 8000 litres per minute, equipped with RME 200 Hale, an American centrifugal type with normal pressure. The vehicle, according to Ezeani, has the capability to use water and foam to fight a fire. Foam is the only fire extinguisher that can fight combustible liquid like diesel, kerosene and various industrial oil with little or no health hazard.

Other features designed to guarantee the safety of the firemen and people trapped during a fire outbreak, according to him, include a monitor with which the driver can engage high rise fire, even without the assistance of firemen since it can cover 270 degrees; a searchlight that can illuminate any dark vicinity caused by smoke, thus making fire fighting very easy, even in obscured scenes; several life-support firefighting equipments like breathing apparatus, fire suit, headgear, eye protection goggles and leather safety boots.

True to form, the UBA fire service has been instrumental, not just to the bank, but its community. According to a UBA spokesman, Nasir Ramond, since the purchase of the Fire Truck on March 13,2010, it has

The UBA ďŹ re truck

Elumelu

Uzoka

fought more than 200 fire outbreaks. "The Fire Service has in recent past intervened with its world-class equipment to put off fires in Balogun Market, Transcorp Office and many others."

Other fire outbreaks stopped by UBA fire truck, were at Isa Williams Street Beside UBA BO, 22B Idowu Taylor Street Victoria Island, Eco Bank Head Office No. 21 Ahmadu Bello Way Victoria Island. Lagos, HBO, 1662 Oyin Jolayemi in Victoria Island, CMS Bookshop.

Onitana Road in Ikoyi, UBA Raymon House along Broad Street, No. 15/16 Abibu-Oki Street, Off Kingsway Road Ikoyi, Transcorp Lagos Office, 43 Martins Street Lagos, AMU Building Material Market at Mushin, and Martins Street Lagos Island.

Foundation, the bank's nonprofit arm, invests heavily in literacy schemes and regularly distributes palliatives to thousands across West Africa through its food bank programme.

UBA performs all these social functions while maintaining a sound pedigree as an institution that helps millions across the continent meet their financial goals.

Many have noticed the bank’s dedication to excellent service.

Late last year, the Banker Magazine, a magazine owned by the UK Financial Times, selected the United Bank for Africa (UBA) as the ‘African Bank of the Year 2019’. It was the second time UBA had clinched the prestigious award, the first being in 2017.

Also, six UBA subsidiaries - UBA Benin, UBA Tchad, UBA Gabon, UBA Congo, UBA Cote D’Ivoire and UBA Sierra Leone - won the ‘Best Bank Category’ for their respective regions. The unprecedented wins marked the first time ever in the history of the Banker Awards; no other bank, previously, had won six regional awards in one year.

The Middle East and Africa Editor for The Banker, John Everington, said the aim of the award “is to highlight industry wide excellence within the global banking community.

Culture of Excellent Service The UBA fire truck's socially responsible activities are only another example of UBA's decades-long commitment to improving the lives of, not just its customers, but in societies in which it operates.

Under the leadership of Tony Elumelu, the bank has participated in the empowerment of thousands of African entrepreneurs, through the Tony Elumelu Foundation. UBA

The winner is selected from participating banks in each of the countries from which entries are received for the competition.�

According to some sources, the “Bank of the Year Awards� are widely regarded as the Oscars of the Banking Industry. For over 90 years, The UK magazine has positioned itself as the world’s leading monthly journal for the banking industry.

At the awards ceremony, which took place at the Sheraton Grand, Park Lane in London, UBA was represented by its CEO, UBA Africa, Mr. Victor Osadolor, who received all seven awards on behalf of the bank. “UBA group will continue to innovate and lead in all our business segments, whilst delivering top-notch operational efficiencies and best-in-class customer service. We are beginning to realise early gains from our ongoing transformation programme and I am excited about the days ahead,� Mr. Osadolor said.

UBA’s CEO, Uzoka, also expressed delight over the recognition from The Banker. “The recognitions come as a reassurance that we are on track in consolidating our leadership position in Africa, as we continue to create superior value for all our stakeholders,� he said.

Uzoka added: “UBA must be doing something right, and for us, these awards mark another milestone for the Group. It is a testament of the diligent execution of the bank’s strategic initiatives geared towards customer service. Being recognised as Africa’s best bank complements positive feedback from customers and is a recognition of our improving efficiencies, service quality and innovation. I, therefore, dedicate it to our growing loyal corporate and retail customers, who are our essence.�

So it was no surprise that UBA was at Obalende. The bank has consistently shown that its heart lies with the customer, who is inevitably part of society. Although one life was lost and several persons came out injured in the Obalende fire, the damage could have been worse if the UBA fire truck had not complemented the government response. Perhaps there is no greater corporate leadership than this - being prepared to avert danger for others.

19

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

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REPO 2.75 2.25

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S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

502.76% ͯ˛͎͹Ϲ 7.96%

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Quick Takes Itel Donates Relief Items to Households

STOCK-TAKING

L-R: Chairman, FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Oladipupo Jadesimi; Chairman, Audit Committee, Akinola Soares; National Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Boniface Okezie, and Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group, Mr. Ladi Balogun, during the seventh Annual General Meeting of the FCMBGroupPlcheldinLagos...recently

DBN Urges MSMEs to Reinvent Business Model to Remain Viable Peter Uzoho

ECONOMY

“If you are an SME, the framework should be to survive the crisis period, have as much liquidity as you can and stem expenditure. You must stabilize the business by stabilising your cost and reconfiguring your operations. “For instance, a five-star hotel in Lagos has outsourced their laundry and restaurant. You can now order takeaway and pickup of your laundry. The crisis will end, and we will return to a period of growth. A lot of things will likely change because of this pandemic. “So, you also need to prepare for that era. You have to be innovative, have a clear vision, be ahead of the curve to take advantage of the new normal,�

Alli said. Speaking on alternative sources of funding for MSMEs, George Ogbonnaya said investors would be frugal in the post COVID-19 era and would only be attracted to businesses that align

purpose with strategic direction.

He listed alternative sources of funding to include: Crowdfunding, Venture lending, Data driven lending platforms and Risk-Sharing Guarantees.

On her part, Sanni admonished small business owners to ‘COVIDProof’ their business, as quality and branded digital presence will stand as distinguishing factors in the present and post COVID-19 era. “Quality and how you distinguish your brand from competitors will be very important. So, while saving as much as you can during this period, you should also invest in your brand and digitize your business. I would like to use the term ‘COVID-Proof’ for your business. Redesign your business such that you are able to do an end-to-end i.e. client acquisition, provision of services, and monitoring and evaluation should involve digital models,� she said.

itel Mobile in partnership with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, has donated food and relief items to Ipaja community, in Lagos State.

According to a statement, the relief initiative was the company’s contributiontotakingcareofthoseinsuburbsinLagos.Thestatement disclosed that residents received raw food and relief items in the extensive outreach driven by the company’s long-standing ‘Love Always On’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Thestatementadded:“Morethan20volunteersgenerouslycommitted several hours of their time to enrich the lives of Nigerians residing in the beneďŹ ting community. An act that deserves commendation.â€?

The Marketing Communications Manager (West Africa), itel Mobile, Oke Umurhohwo, said: “The outreach is a deliberate, impact-driven initiative that gives back to the vulnerable in a manner that shows that they are loved by others. It’s the brand’s way of helping families and children survive the tough times created by the pandemic.�

Inhisremarks,thePresidentoftheLagosFoodBankInitiative,Michael Sunbola, explained: “This partnership comes from a place of impact.

TheLagosfoodbankinitiativeisindeeddelightedtobeonthislaudable move initiated by itel Mobile to bring smiles to people’s faces at this critical time. It is not in doubt that the country needs more support from individuals and corporate organisations at this time, and itel Mobile has created an enabling template with this act of kindness.�

Linkage Assurance Pays Claims

FMBN’s National Housing Fund Hits N383bn

Linkage Assurance Plc said it has continued to meet its claims obligation to individual and corporate clients despite the impact of the Covid-19 across the country.The company, said this was made possible through full implementation of its business continuity plan, which has enabled it attain to customers through digital channels, while the sta continues to operate from remote locations.

Managing Director/CEO of Linkage Assurance, Daniel Braie, while speakingonhowthecompanywasrelatingwithitscustomersduring theCovid-19lockdown,said:“ForusatLinkage,werealisetheserious impact that the Corona virus pandemic is having on both individual and corporate lives of people here in Nigeria, and all over the world. “As a caring corporate organisation, we will continue to be with our customers and the insuring community, to ensure that the Covid -19 pandemic does not disrupt their businesses so badly.�

Braie said the company, before the lockdown, activated its digital platformsthatenableditcollaboratewithvariousworkforceincluding underwriters,claimsadministrators,relationshipmanagers,customer services ITamong others to work together and attain to customers need in these challenging times. “Our business continuity group has continued to work from remote sites and locations particularly with brokers to provide risk management services especially to corporate clients,� he added.

According to Braie, the company has continued to provide insurance services particularly ensuring that claims are paid prompt, adding that from the inception of the lockdown period the management has paid millions of naira on claims to the insured who have ďŹ led claims for various losses. “We have also received 98 per cent claims notiďŹ cations on diverse types of losses from our customers, and where loss adjusters are needed, they have continued to relate with our underwriters who are working to ensure the claims are paid quickly,â€? he added.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

GOXI Microinsurance Pays N41m Claims

The Development Bank of Nigeria Plc (DBN) has advised operators of micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) in the country to reinvent their business models for sustainability due to the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was the takeaway from the panelists’ discussion at the DBN Webinar session which took place recently, with the theme; “Alternative Financing Options for Sustainable Growth Post COVID-19 Lockdown.�

The seminar was aimed at providing capacity building and advisory services for MSMEs through digital platforms to ensure they are empowered to remain in business through this unprecedented period.

Panelists on the session included the immediate past President and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria ((FMBN) said it has succeeded in increasing the National Housing Fund (NHF) from N232 billion it generated in 25 years to N383 billion in the last three years. This represents an increase

by N151 billion.

The NHF is a social savings scheme designed to mobilise long-term funds from Nigerian workers, banks, insurance companies and the federal government to advance concessionary loans to contributors.

The mortgage bank also disclosed that the contributors to the fund had increased from 4.5 million to five million, adding that the plan to recapitalise the fund to at least N500 billion to be able to tackle the housing problem in the country was almost materialising.

Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Dangiwa Ahmed, who spoke during a webinar tagged: “Covid-19: Housing as Solution-FMBN Leading Through

and presently CEO/Partner, South Bridge Group, Mr. Andrew Alli; CEO of Emerging Africa Capital, Mrs. Toyin Sanni; Head SME, FCMB, Mr. George Ogbonnaya; and MD/CEO, Urban Shelter, Hajiya Sa’adiya Aliyu Aminu. The session was moderated by Chief Economist, Development Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Joseph Nnanna.

While dissecting the current implications of the pandemic on the Nigerian economy, the panelists pointed out that MSMEs are the hardest hit by the crisis, as they have limited access to capital and now have to depend on few customer base.

According to a statement, they, however, stressed that the present challenge shall pass and only SMEs with innovative thinking and clear vision will be able to take advantage of the new normal.

ECONOMY the Crisis,� explained that in the last three years, a lot of innovations had been introduced to the NHF to attract more contributors.

He was joined at the online meeting by Rahimatu AminuAliyu, Director, Loans and Mortgage, FMBN; Mr Ugochukwu Chime, ex-President Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) ; Dr Banjo Obaleye, Infinity Mortgage Bank ; Oladapo Obaleye, Head, Strategy and Performance, FMBN and Aliyu Wammako.

According to Ahmed, in terms of loans disbursement, the FMBN had already approved N128 billion, while N94 billion had already been disbursed to the beneficiaries.

On the transparency of the bank’s operations, Dangiwa noted that the FMBN was regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stressing that all the strict rules that apply to other banks also applied to the

bank which was established in 1956, then called the National Building Society (NBS).

Ahmed emphasised that in recent times, the Bank has improved its turnaround time by 30 per cent, generating mortgage loans for 4,000 houses and housing renovation loans for 43,000 buildings.

He said of all states in the country, only Oyo and Kano had not joined the contributory scheme, explaining that the focus is to get the 36 states on board, get institutional investors to sign on, integrate the informal sector and partner diaspora mortgages.

He said: “When we came on board, many of the states were not contributing. We had to bring them on board. Only two states have not joined, that is Kano and Oyo. We have improved in that aspect. We have improved the register of employers. “We have brought in additional 1,629 from the 22,000 we met.

Now, we have 23, 716, over 5 million contributors, with over 500,000 added in the last three

years�

The Chief Executive of the Bank, said cooperative societies had also been introduced to the scheme to encourage the informal sector, swelling the rank of the participants in the scheme by another 1,179 contributors.

He added: “When we came, the fund had collected N232 billion so far. We realised it was not enough. So, within the last three years, we have generated N151 billion more to the N232 billion the bank generated in 25 years, that is from 1992-2017.

Now, we have a total of N383 in the fund.�

Ahmed noted that the Bank was working hard to ensure that all those who have exited the fund get their refund, stressing that from N10.8 billion, the FMBN has now added N23.8 billion to make N34 billion. “We are recapitalising the bank to the tune of N500 billion and we have gone very far. We are also reviewing the NHF and FMBN act to tackle housing deficit,� he noted.

GOXIMicro-insurancehaspaidoverN41millionclaimstoitscustomers who fell victim of various degrees of accident within the last few months in view.In a statement by the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Shina Gbadegesin, “These claims ranges from incidences of Fire occurrence, death, burglary and disability.The victims of recent ďŹ re incidentsatBalogun,AmunandOwodeMarketsinLagosStatewere among the beneďŹ ciaries. “A total of 181 policy holders who are owners of micro and small businesses beneďŹ ted from the claim paid by the company.â€?

Hereiteratedthecommitmentofthecompanyinassistinglowincome earners, and owners of micro and small businesses in managing associated risks, in order to create a sustainable future for them and their family.

“There is no reason on earth for any governor in Nigeria, who depends on the people for a living�

Vice Chairman, Alpha African Advisory,

Mustafa Chike-Obi

20

WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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Access Bank: Delivering Shareholders’ Value One year after successfully consummating its business combination with the defunct Diamond Bank, Access Bank Plc is now adopting strategies that will enhance customer satisfaction and shareholders’ value, writes Goddy Egene

W

hen Access Bank Plc held its 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos last month, the shareholders were very happy with the board, management and staff of the ďŹ nancial institution. The AGM was held by proxy, following the outbreak of the COVID-19, which necessitated social distancing protocol to avoid the spread of the pandemic.

Three leaders of shareholder associations stood in for other shareholders at the AGM. They included: 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.

And obviously the shareholders were highly pleased and showered encomiums on board, management and staff. The first reason for their happiness was fact the decision to combine business with Diamond Bank Plc was a highly pragmatic and visionary one that has yielded significant value. Secondly, they saw a new head office that befits the status of the enlarged Access Bank Plc. Thirdly, they received a final dividend of N14.218 billion and given the business strategy unveiled by the bank, they are sure of better returns on investment going forward.

For instance, Nwosu said Access Bank Plc had a good foresight that saw it merge with defunct Diamond Bank Plc, noting that “the professional and seamless manner with the integration was done should be commended and shareholders appreciate the board and management.�

According to him, the future is very bright for the all shareholders considering the synergy the merger has brought to the bank and the expertise the management and staff is deploying the ensure Access Bank Plc maintain a leading role in the retail banking space.

He also commended the leading efforts of Access Bank Plc in the private sector lead Coalition Against COVID-19(CACOVID) in the supporting the Federal Government to fight the pandemic.

However, after the showering of praises on the board and management, the shareholders urged the bank to control its operating expenses.

In his response, Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, said the high operating expenses resulted from the business combination with Diamond Bank, noting that it was a deliberate strategy to ensure the bank did not lose customers within the first year of the merger.

According to him, having successfully integrated the operations of the two banks, they are now addressing the operating expenses using various strategies.

Wigwe said: “One of the areas we need to address very seriously and you will see it going into the future is our operating expenses.

And for last year, the big jump that you saw came as a result of the merger. We decided to try, for once, a different way of treating a merger. This merger was different because we were bringing a large retail infrastructure and we did not want to lose customers. “We have seen it happen before, so we told ourselves, let us move with the large infrastructure and gradually see how to manage down the cost. When we did the first merger (with Intercontinental Bank) as successful as it was, we saw a deposit run.

Now as today, our savings account is getting to one trillion Naira.� “We could not afford to do anything that will upset the customer, so we made sure that there was no issue of staff going away.

We made sure that branch closure was done a very systematic manner not to irritate the customers because it is a very competitive market. Imagine that we had to carry a staff strength of 30, 000 right through the year, this made our expenses to rise than normal. But we have seen our first quarter still high, but we have taken very drastic measures and you will see the results come through in second and third and fourth quarter,� he added.

According to Wigwe, “we know what to

Wigwe do when it comes to running our business and one thing we wanted to make sure that the benefit of this combination with Diamond Bank was going to be retained and successful.� “As so we are not in mad rush to do what we would had typically done. So now, we are basically rationalising the branches, making all the adjustments necessary to ensure that you start seeing a steep reduction in cost as we move on particularly now that a global recession is staring us in the face. We are doing this to be sure that we manage our institution better,� the GMD said.

Although Access Bank Plc was already in the process of reducing cost after the successful merger with Diamond Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought more burden on the bank, a development that led to apprehensions that 75 per cent of its workforce would be sacked.

However, the management of Access Bank denied any plan to sack its workers, saying it was a baseless speculation. “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. “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 bank said.

Access Bank explained that it had only suspended operations in some branches following the directive by the CBN. “At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, we suspended in-branch operations at different locations as directed by the CBN and in line with business continuity plans at vulnerable spots, whilst we continued to provide services through our 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.

For one, the closure of any bank branches requires the approval of the CBN. But Access Bank has not applied nor obtained the approval of the apex for the closure of any of its branches as widely speculated. The bank has only suspended operations in some branches as directed by the CBN. Yet industry analysts said Access Bank would not have committed any wrongs if it had chosen to lay off or furlough some of its workers in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. “But it is not doing so. It had the opportunity to do so when it merged with the now-defunct Diamond Bank Plc. Big companies all over the world are feeling the heat wrought by COVID-19. To put things in proper context, more than three million Americans have filed unemployment claims a couple of days ago, bringing the total number of Americans who have sought government support since midMarch to 33 million,� an analyst said.

Meanwhile, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States economy lost 20.5 million jobs in April, an unprecedented number since 1939. In March alone, employers slashed 870,000 jobs.

Gradually, a sour recollection of the great depression is springing up. The great depres-

sion was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialised world, that lasted from 1929 to 1939. When the economic depression reached its lowest point in 1933, about 15 million Americans were unemployed and nearly half the country’s banks had failed. “There is nothing in a bank restructuring its workforce to meet with new challenges. It is a common practice all over the world, just as there is nothing wrong with an employee resigning his appointment to take up another job opportunity elsewhere. The leadership of Access Bank has been pretty transparent about their strategic direction and road-map to take them to their goal. I believe Wigwe must be commended for his achievements and transparency and quick thinking. It is the stuff that makes the difference between success and failure in leadership. It is no surprise therefore how within a short ,� time he has redefined the landscape of banking in the country. And for anyone to come this far, he or she must be innovative, creative, forward looking and proactive. You can’t find Wigwe wanting on this frontthe analyst concluded.

Still speaking on the benefits of the merger, Wigwe said the combination of Diamond Bank’s strong retail customer franchise and leading digital platform with Access Bank’s corporate banking capabilities, proven risk management and capital management expertise has created a diversified financial institution with strong value creation potential. “The combination has birthed the largest bank in Nigeria by customer base and total assets and the largest in Africa by customer base. This is a testimony to the ability of the bank to seamlessly execute its strategies. No doubt, a new vista is opened for the Bank by this strategic positioning as we continue to consolidate on this achievement and enhance our retail contribution to our profitability,� he said.

Wigwe said they seek to create sustainable value by developing the opportunities embedded in their operations which represent the most attractive options. “This is in addition to our existing commitment to sustainable business practices and demonstration of our ability to re-engineer the face of Africa by engaging in transactions, processes and partnerships that enable future generations to meet their needs. The future is bright. Access Bank is stronger than ever before and ready to push the limits. 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. The merger has resulted in the establishment of Access Bank as a tier one retail banking franchise with strong digital payments capabilities and benefiting from a diversified business mix,� he declared.

Just as the shareholders expected, the first quarter results of Access Bank ended March 31, 2020, points to a brighter future. Gross earnings rose to N211.12 billion in Q1 of 2020, up from N160.12 billion in the corresponding Q1 of 2019. Profit before tax (PBT) and profit after tax stood at N46.29 billion and N41.14 billion in that order. The bank gave out more loans as at the end of Q1, which stood at N3.14 trillion, compared with N3.06 trillion at the end December 31, 2019. Customer deposits rose by 4.7 per cent to N4.45 trillion from N4.25 trillion in FY 2019, while total assets expanded to N7.28 trillion from N7.14 trillion in FY 2019. “Our resolve is to ensure that our customers have best in speed, service and security. We projected merger synergies of N153.9 billion (cost and revenue) over three years. In 2020, we expect to realise significant cost synergies, which will substantially cut down our cost and boost profitability. Being a systemically important Nigerian bank, we are aware that sustainable returns can only come from a sustainable and resilient business model. As such, our intent to embed resilience at the core of our financing activity is further strengthened, as we journey together to building a bank that is more than banking,� Wigwe said.

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Kyari’s Visionary, Inspiring Leadership at NNPC Alexander Babatunde

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hen President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Mallam Mele Kyari in June last year as the 19th Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), it did not come to many Nigerians as a surprise. Here is a man who, since joining the services of the Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), one of NNPC’s upstream subsidiaries, as a Processing Geophysicist in 1991, has exhibited exemplary leadership capabilities at all the places and levels he was opportune to serve.

Colleagues who knew him when he began his career at the corporation attest to the fact that Mele Kyari has always exhibited sterling qualities that points to the fact that he was destined for the top. It was all a matter of time, they say. Fast forward to 2019, when he was announced as the new NNPC helmsman, it was obvious that those special qualities exhibited throughout his 28 years of service are inherent rather than whimsical.

His performance so far as the helmsman at the NNPC since his appointment 10 months ago has further attested to the fact that Mele Kyari looked every inch the right man for the prestigious NNPC job.

What matters most in the story around Mele Kyari’s emergence is not only the experience and exposure but the fact that at every position he held while growing through the ranks at the NNPC, the Maiduguri-born oil and gas executive stepped in at the right time to provide the right leadership. This is because, in the ever-dynamic world of business, one of the greatest undoing could be procrastination or refusing to take the right decisions when it matters.

Therefore, beginning from his early days at the helm of the NNPC, Mele Kyari went straight to work. First, he began by redefining the strategic focus of the corporation which he anchored on the principle of Transparency, Accountability, Performance Excellence (TAPE) vision.

Under the vision, Mele Kyari told the world he would drive NNPC towards, “Global Excellence.� Within the corporation, he made it clear to all staff that going forward, excuses will not be acceptable as an explanation for poor performance. “We either deliver or walk away in shame,� he said.

Similarly, Mele Kyari explained that for NNPC to get to the “Global Excellence� level, the Corporation must be open and transparent to its numerous stakeholders. It must also be accountable to its shareholders who are the over 180million Nigerians. Most importantly, Kyari said NNPC must exceed expectations, regarding its business priorities. Its processes he said, must be efficient while exceptional performance shall be bountifully rewarded and recognised.

Shortly after unveiling his vision, the GMD NNPC followed up with a strong commitment to deliver by charging the Chief Operating Officers of Directorates to develop five key priority areas (KPA). At a ceremony to sign-off on the performance bonds for the priority areas, Kyari maintained that there would be no hiding place for non-performance.

As we speak, some of those KPAs have well been delivered while a few of them are still being pursued vigorously across the entire value-chain of the NNPC business.

For the Upstream Directorate, Mele Kyari is successfully championing the move to grow the nation’s reserves and also increase its production. The efforts are paying off with the nation’s daily crude oil production hitting an all-time high level of 2.3millions barrels per day in April. For the Gas and Power Directorate; the NNPC under him has been expanding the nation’s gas sector footprint towards stimulating industrialisation.

In the Refining and Petrochemicals Directorate, Kyari is pursuing a deliberate shift to get the refineries back to their nameplate capacities using the Operations & Maintenance (O & M) Model, thereby enhancing local refining capacity. A detailed programme of rehabilitation for the four refineries to bring them back to minimum of 90 per cent of installed production capacity by 2023 is being implemented.

In the Downstream Directorate, it is obvious

Mele Kyari that since Kyari came on board, NNPC has ensured efficient and seamless nationwide petroleum products supply, which is critical in guaranteeing Nigeria’s energy security. That is aside ensuring that all the nation’s critical oil and gas infrastructure are secured. For the Ventures Directorate, several new businesses such as the NNPC Medical Services Ltd, are currently being capitalised and commercialised towards enhanced profitability.

For the Finance and Accounts Directorate, the GMD has ensured the enhancement of the corporation’s revenue through optimisation of costs as well as the improvement of operational efficiency. Close to that also is ensuring that NNPC’s financing remains keenly focused on growth and effective liquidity management.

For the Corporate Services Directorate, Kyari has, since coming on board, developed the corporation’s human capital towards more efficiency and excellent service delivery.

It was against the backdrop of this human capital development that he recently repositioned the organisational assets of the Corporation in line with global best standards. The aim, according to Mele Kyari, was not just to further prepare NNPC for the changing global competitive environment, but also to ensure that going forward, succession planning is never an impediment to business continuity and growth. As at today, several management positions have been occupied while other competency-based role alignments have been entrenched across all levels of the organisation.

Meanwhile, in what could be termed as a new dawn, the latest reshuffle and appointment to the corporation’s management positions

The aim, according to Mele Kyari, was not just to further prepare NNPC for the changing global competitive environment, but also to ensure that going forward, succession planning is never an impediment to business continuity and growth

reflected national spread, without compromising competence, with every geopolitical zone of the country adequately represented.

Not only that, Mele Kyari demonstrated a bold move in appointing the highest number of women into Management positions, another unprecedented development in the history of the Corporation. To mention a few, NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer (Downstream Directorate), Chief Strategist/Planner and Chief Research/ Innovation Officer are all exceptional women who rose through the ranks in the Corporation.

It will not be out of place to list other key achievements recorded by Mallam Kyari in the course of his 10-month headship of NNPC so far. These include: superintending the discovery of crude oil in the Kolmani Structure in the Upper Benue Trough; signing of a Funding & Technical Services Agreement (FTSA) and Alternative Financing deal for NPDC’s OML 13 (US$3.15bn) and OML 65 (US$876mn); achieving 20 per cent year-on-year revenue reservoir studies alongside the upgrade of IDSL’s Data Processing Center; US$300 million reduction in AKK project cost via contract renegotiation; completion of feasibility studies for Condensate Refinery Project and the award of its Front End Engineering Design (FEED).

Others are, Improved petroleum products accounting through “Operation White�; launching of NNPC Retail Lubricants into the Nigerian market; commissioning of Ilorin Depot, two tanks at Calabar and Satellite Depots; recovery of over N80 billion and $45 million debt from NNPC’s gas off-takers; increased process automation across all businesses and crucially, signing off on the Final investment Decision (FID) for NLNG Train 7 (T7), which, potentially, could generate over $20billion of revenue to the Government, 10,000 direct and 40,000 indirect jobs over the project’s lifecycle.

NNPC, as Mele Kyari always says, is not all about the NNPC itself. It is about the over 180million Nigerians. Little wonder that as the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to ravage the world and Nigeria in particular, Kyari stepped up to the plate once more and, for the umpteenth time, led the entire Oil and Gas Industry from the front.

In a never-before-seen gesture, the GMD, under the guidance of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, within a short period rallied his colleagues in the Industry to come up with a intervention initiative to the tune of $58 million (N21bn) to support the Federal Government’s efforts at combating the deadly COVID-19.

The support will cover provision of hospital consumables, in-patient support services and building of lasting infrastructure that will outlive

COVID-19�. It was an unparallel exhibition of corporate compassion and empathy during such a major national crisis.

One area where Mele Kyari has also shown leadership was in ensuring that nationwide petroleum products supply and distribution remain sufficient and intact, even during the lockdown period. Series of critical stakeholders’ engagement with state governors, Nigerian Union of Petroleum & Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), PENGASSAN, Depot owners and relevant security agencies was spearheaded by him to enable fuel tankers deliver products to every nook and cranny of the country unhindered.

In a tweet via his personal Twitter handle, Mallam Kyari assured Nigerians of adequate fuel supply following sit-at-home order in some states to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

As could be seen by all and sundry, supply of petroleum products has never been an issue during this period of lockdown. “States have all consented to allow movement of fuel trucks and operation of stations during any sit-at-home action. Our stock and supply plan are robust and there is no need to buy more than you require at any time. We will keep supplying,� Kyari’s tweet assured.

When it comes to crisis situations, Mele Kyari is not shy of leading from the front.

During recent explosions in Lagos, some of which were triggered by unwholesome activities of pipeline vandals and other saboteurs, he was always among the first at the scene of incident. In a rare exhibition of compassion, Mele Kyari was always on hand to sympathise with victims of the unfortunate occurrence.

In the same vein, he was always bold and honest to let the authorities know that unless and until the Corporation’s Pipeline Right of Way (PRoW) is secured, the last will never be heard of such explosions.

Nothing exemplifies a true leader than his actions during a crisis. It was John F. Kennedy, the former US President who once said that the best thing that could ever happen to an organisation is to have a leader who sees opportunity, instead of danger, during crisis.

Mallam Mele Kyari mounted the NNPC saddle at a time of crisis of declining crude oil prices worsened by the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

But if the quality of leadership so far shown by him in confronting these challenges headlong is anything to go by, then it is safe to say that the over 180million Nigerians, and indeed the many stakeholders of the corporation have every reason to be hopeful. t#BCBUVOEF B 1VCMJD "GGBJST "OBMZTU XSJUFT GSPN -BHPT

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IMAGES

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Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

Ile-Epo market in Lagos closed as traders disobeys the social distancing order by the Government....recently

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Lagos State Council, Dr. Qasim Akinreti; Lagos State Commissioner of Police and Chairman of the Team, Mr. Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu; Director, Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Mrs. Olayinka Akeredolu and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Admn. Mr. Oqua Etim, during the Inauguration of Joint Technical Task Team on The Emergency Response to Cvovid 19 on the Challenges of Movement of Food and Agricultural Inputs in the Country held at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, Lagos...recently

Commuters on their way to work along Iyana-Ipaja axes as the easing of lockdown enters second week in Lagos...recently

L-R: Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Usman Bello; Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; Governor Godwin Obaseki, and Commissioner of Police, Lawan Jimeta, after the State Security Council meeting at the Government House, Benin City...recently

L-R: Representative of Harmony Foams Limited, Pastor Henry Ironcho and Chief of Sta, Government House, Owerri, Mr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, during the presentation of the 50 pieces of six-springs foams to Imo State Government in Owerri...recently

Chief of Civil Military Aairs (CIMIC), Nigerian Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Hamza Bature (left) and FCT Minister, Mallam Mohammed Bello during the presentation of some Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other kits to the minister to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the territory, in Abuja...recently

Selling and buying continues unabated at Iyana-Ipaja market as the easing of lockdown enters second week in Lagos...recently

Executive Chairman, Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, Tijjani Abdullahi (left), and his Predecessor, Abdullahi Sani, during the handing over ceremony in Kaduna...recently

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EDUCATION e-Learning to the Rescue as Students Stay at Home Schools and parents have high hopes for the online lessons that have become the norm with schools shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. School proprietors and parents spoke to Funmi Ogundare outlining the many advantages that they see

S

chool managements across the country are consulting more with parents of their students as the coronavirus pandemic has forced a shift to online learning.

The meetings focus on how to ensure win-win for all parties.

School managers believe the onset of the online classes is a learning curve embraced by teachers, parents, as well as students and pupils. It would go a long way to minimise disruptions to learning. They added that ‘the new normal’, will also help in ensuring the sustenance of all the positive learning habits schools instilled in students.

Lagos State has fully embraced digital or online education. The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo submits that online learning is the future and most effective method of learning. “Even after the pandemic, we encourage schools to continue with the online classroom because it encourages a lot of skills,�

Adefisayo stated.

The Vice-Principal of Fountain Heights School, Surulere, Mr. Temitope Adewuyi said the online classes started in his school on March 23, 2020, adding that the administration to students has been effective.

According to him, “our parents have been fully involved in these classes. We achieved this because we engaged our students in these classes using their parents’ system. With this, the parents can ensure that their children participate in every lesson taught and monitor what they are doing online.�

On the outlook when regular school finally resumes, Adewuyi foresees a hybrid. He stated, “I think they can only ask for more. We would rather see how we can continue to sustain the online classes post Covid-19.�

The Principal and Chief Operating Officer, Olashore International School, Iloko-Ijesha, Osun State, Mr. John Toscano said the school decided early that in the event of extended closure it would start online learning. Olashore International has made extensive use of technology in teaching students in Years 7 to 10 who have their IPads which they use to support their learning in class.

Toscano stated: “This was made easier for us than for some schools. We informed parents of our plans at an early stage and carried them along with regular updates at each step as the programme developed. “We began the online programme for Year 12 students immediately school closed since we were committed to keeping them in a state of readiness for their forthcoming WASSCE. Years 7-11 began their online programme on the day we scheduled to open for the third term.�

He said the school began the programme with just four subjects in each year group. It is now adding additional subjects so that all topics will be covered. The school also introduced non-academic issues into the online classes.

Toscano said: “This week for example, we had an assembly on Monday morning. We will be having an early morning fitness session on Wednesday and a health clinic with our school doctor on Friday. We are also starting online drama classes and have opened an online clinic where students can speak to the school counsellors.�

On the outlook post-COVID-19, the principal said, “we want the online learning experience to substitute as far as possible for the learning experience in school, but we recognise that there are limitations on what we can achieve. For example, the scope of activity-based learning is restricted online. There will, therefore, be aspects of the curriculum which we cannot cover online.

What we hope is that through this programme, we will continue to develop our students in critical areas, especially in literacy and numeracy, improve their knowledge and understanding of the subjects they are studying, while maintaining their intellectual curiosity and desire to learn. “The overall objective is to minimise the disruption to learning that could otherwise

A mother guiding her daughter through her online class occur and to make sure that we sustain all the positive learning habits we have been developing in students.�

The Proprietor of De Joyland School, Yaba, Mrs. Abimbola Osagie described online classes as the new normal globally. She said foresight, vision and purpose enabled De Joyland School transition from regular school to e-school quite easily, adding that it had a plan to go online before the pandemic. “As a result, we quickly swung into action when the government declared the closure of schools. We decided to use Google Classroom and came with video contents to teach pupils.�

She said her school launched its learning hub on April 1 and that it has been a wonderful experience for the pupils. “Despite the challenges with e-learning such as internet issues, lack of devices for some homes, inability to surf the internet on the part of few students, I must say that technology has brought more good than harm to education especially at this critical time. “I am also happy because if this pandemic happened like 20 or 30 years ago, the story would not be the same for educators and the learners,�

Osagie said. Children from other schools are also on the school’s platform. “Parents have been sending us their testimonies as regards the impact. We are confident that when the pandemic is over, and school finally resumes, the learners would easily fit into their learning journey.�

The proprietor said the e-learning helped parents to keep a tab on their children’s learning experience and that the period has also enhanced bonding between parents and their children.

The Chief Executive Officer, Global International College and Secondary School, Mrs. Bolaji Osime said it has been quite easy for them since the school had been running some of its programmes online even before the closure of schools. “Our students, to an extent, were used to being taught online and of course, our teachers were conversant with using online tools, so it was quite easy for us. We also had our lesson notes in digital format, so we were able to upload quickly on the Dynamiss Microsoft platform, which provides a one-stop-shop for all the features we needed for our online classes.�

She said her school’s goal is to ensure that there is no break in learning for its students to avoid creating any gap in that area, adding that teachers worked very hard to ensure that they were able to have all online classes on the new

website dedicated to such. “We also developed a website: www.globalcollegeonline.com and our students were able to access all course content, assessment materials and student activities, projects and homework which are uploaded by their class teachers on our website. Every student was assigned a Microsoft email for easy communication with the teacher.

For students who have gone through the online classes, Osime said even after COVID-19, they will still have access to the vast resources, videos, notes online 24/7 anywhere and anytime to supplement what they will be learning in class. “It will allow them to deepen their knowledge as they can always go back to the website to download recorded videos, notes and resources that they can learn on their own. Online learning has also allowed our students to develop independent learning skills, creative, problem-solving and collaborative skills. “It also keeps all our students fully engaged during the week, so they focus their energy and time on their academic work�, the chief executive officer said.

To ensure that its students, teachers, and parents are happy, she said the school conducted surveys among students to ascertain its effectiveness. The response it got from them was encouraging. “They told us they enjoyed learning online, using the various learning tools, interacting with their friends and their teachers. We also stayed in touch with our students and parents via Zoom, to ensure they were doing okay and keeping safe.

It has been a very great experience. Parents and students are happy. Teachers have also learnt a lot of new skills for teaching online. This will be our new normal going forward. Physical classes supported by online,� Osime said.

This reporter visited the home of Mrs. Mimido Ucheagwu, a parent whose daughter, Oluebube, attends Our Lady of Apostles Private School, Yaba,

to monitor how she is doing. Oluebube’s typical day starts after breakfast when she begins to bug her mother to login on her laptop computer so she could join the class. She gets excited, especially when her favourite art and craft teacher is on.

Mrs. Ucheagwu told THISDAY that the style the school adopted has been easy, saying that they send the lessons via Telegram. “I download them, and she goes through them offline. Then she does the classwork and takes the quiz of the day if she wants. The format they send is data-friendly, so I don’t spend too much data.�

Another parent, Mrs. Olubunmi James whose children attend Dansol High School, Ikeja, said aside from the challenge of having to buy data, which is eating deep into her pocket, the online classes have kept the children mentally engaged. “Classes start at 9am and end by 2pm. The classes keep them mentally engaged because they get to do their assignments and it is easier for us to discuss difficult questions/topics, especially when the teachers are not able to answer them satisfactorily.�

Pastor Sylvester Ogheneakpobo, whose daughter, Elyon attends Staff Nursery and Primary School, FGC, Warri, described the experience of having her participate in online classes via Zoom as great. “She is in primary four and the classes usually held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It is three subjects each day with classwork and assignments. They did not ask us to pay for data, and they have not said anything about fees for the new term. The management just does not want the children to lag or stay idle. The network has been rather fair enough. There is thorough communication and learning is taking place as my daughter could understand what has been taught,� he said.

He added that most times, her mother guides in her assignments which they submit on WhatsApp. The school sends the scores back.

The ‘New Normal’ in Learning r-PDLEPXOT DBVTFE CZ COVID-19 forced many schools to adopt online instruction and learning. r4UVEZJOH GSPN IPNF involved many parents in the activities of their children and wards. r4DIPPMT GPSFTFF B OFX

normal of classroom instruction mixed with online learning post-COVID-19. r.BOZ TUBUFT TVDI BT Lagos State embrace and encourage online learning. r4DIPPMT BSF MFBSOJOH best practices in data management and transfer

of materials to save data of users. r4FOEJOH NBUFSJBMT BT downloadable files save data better than staying online directly. r1SPNJOFOU QMBUGPSNT BSF Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp and Telegram.

WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020 • T H I S D AY

25

26

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

DMO to Raise N60bn through Bond Auction Nume Ekeghe The Federal Government through the Debt Management Office (DMO) is set to raise N60 billion through bond issuance.

The DMO in a bond offer circular released yesterday on

its official website, stated that it plan to raise N20 billion each from the 12.75% FGN APR 2023 five-year paper, 12.50% FGN MAR 2035, 15 year paper and 12.98% FGN MAR 2050, 30 year paper all of which are to reopen next week Wednesday.

Last month, in spite of the lockdown, it had raised N156.06 billion and an additional N20 billion through uncompetitive bids from the three bond auctioned , higher than N60 billion which it initially planned to raise.

SON Undertakes Quality Assurance Inspections in Abia, Rivers Chris Uba In continuation of its technical support to local manufacturers in the production of essential materials to fight the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, the Standards Organisation of (SON) has undertaken quality assurance inspection of mass production of face masks in Abia and Rivers states.

The Abia State office of SON undertook a quality assurance inspection of Logistics De Luke Limited in Aba, Abia State, where mass production of face mask was ongoing.

The SON inspection team was led by the Abia State Office Coordinator, Oluyomi Lad-Alabi, accompanied by Ben Elesho, Atowa Chidiebere and Okecwukwu Okaugo.

Receiving the SON team, Director General, Abia State Quality Management Agency, Sam Hart, on behalf of the state government described the inspection as timely.

According to him, the company had just received an order through the General Theophilus Danjuma Foundation to supply

200, 000 units of the barrier masks to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the north eastern Nigeria.

He expressed the appreciation of the Abia State government to SON for its past collaboration in the area of quality assurance support to micro, small and medium scale enterprises in the state.

The General Manager of the Company, Chijioke Nwagwugwu explained that the company was mainly producing the face masks for the state government to curb the community transmission of the virus. Responding, Lad-Alabi commended the efforts of the company and the Abia state government in curbing community transmission of the virus in the state in particular and the country in general.

He explained that the SON inspection was to complement the efforts of the state government through value addition and to ensure that the barrier masks are produced to the requirements of the AFNOR SPEC S76-001: 2020 and thus achieve the protective measures that it was intended for.

The SON inspection team explained the standards in detail while being conducted round the company production processes. The interactive session generated questions and answers on various aspects of the standard and the production process, while the SON team duly made clarifications.

Copies of the Standard for making and use of Barrier Masks were given to the company at no cost. In a related development, a team of SON inspectors from Rivers/Bayelsa office led by the State Coordinator, Ayuba Samuel Ushe, recently embarked on a maiden inspection tour of Nigeria Airforce Investment Limited (NAFIL) Tailoring workshop located inside the NAF Base Port Harcourt.

The Managing Director of NAFIL, Air Commodore Clavartrinitas Uchechi Nwagwu, who disclosed that the centre was established to produce coveralls uniform for the Air Force personnel as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) coveralls for frontline health workers, received the SON team.

Stanbic IBTC, Givefood.ng Provide Palliatives Hamid Ayodeji Stanbic IBTC Holdings has joined efforts towards providing support to Nigerians who have little or no access to food due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as it has collaborated with Givefood. ng in order to provide food for 5,250 persons.

Givefood.ng is an emergency food relief platform with an objective to provide one million meals to those in need across Nigeria with the support of its coalition partners.

The initiative has already delivered thousands of meals in Lagos, Kano and is on track to go nationwide in the next couple of weeks.

According to a statement is-

sued by the organisations, both companies remain unwavering towards its quest to provide relief and support to Nigerians during these trying times.

The statement noted that a recent United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) report stated that the number of people facing acute food insecurity has doubled due to the economic fallout of COVID-19, and that Nigeria was also negatively affected by the pandemic even though the nation is Africa’s fastest-growing economy and the continent’s most populous nation. It added: “This partnership is exemplary and worthy of emulation by individuals and other corporate organisations.

“As for Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, as an organisation which aims to positively affect individuals and institutions in Nigeria, we are going to make several efforts to support the government, health care agencies and the citizens of the country in battling the Covid-19 pandemic. “The organisations have made several financial donations to governments and private sector participants as well, whilst the country battles to mitigate the Covid-19 rage with ‘Zero Hunger’ as one of the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015.�

SUNU Group Donates PPE to Health Workers Ebere Nwoji Sunu Group, the parent body of Sunu Assurance Plc and its sister company, Sunu Health Nigeria Limited, has donated N300 million worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the use of front line health workers across African where the Group operates.

Out of this, N15 million worth of the equipment was sent to Lagos State Government for protection of front line health workers working against the spread of the coronavirus.

The Chairman, Sunu Assurance Plc, while donating

the equipment to the Lagos State government, said the company decided to provide the equipment to protect the front line workers.

He added: “All over the world, we hear doctors and healthcare workers being infected by the virus. We need our doctors to be hale and hearty in order to deliver care to the people. “We have personal protective equipment worth about N15 million that we are giving out to protect our front line workers� in Lagos State, “ the Sunu Assurance boss stated.

According to him, the

donation was Sunu group’s contribution to the pandemic across Africa. “Sunu is in 14 African countries primarily west African countries both the French speaking and the English speaking west African countries. In each and every country there has been similar donations being made of PPE for the front line workers that are tackling this pandemic,� he said.

The Managing Director, Sunu Assurance, Mr. Samuel Ogbodu, on his part said the Sunu Group took the decision to donate the PPE across Africa.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019 Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

11,007,422.79

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY, 11 MAY 2020

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $22.71 a barrel on Monday, compared with $22.21 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

27

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ 2020

MARKET NEWS

NSE All-Share Index Sheds 1.06% on Continuing Profit Taking Goddy Egene Profit taking continued at the stock market yesterday, leading to a decline of 1.06 per cent in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI), to close at 23,695.90 while market capitalisation shed N132.9 billion.

Having recorded a significant growth last week, the market opened on Monday on a bearish note as investors locked in profit. And the trend continued

yesterday as 15 stocks depreciated as against 14 stocks that appreciated.

Caverton Offshore Services Group Plc led the price losers with 10 per cent, trailed by Arbico Plc with 9.7 per cent.

Afromedia Media Plc shed 8.8 per cent. LASACO Assurance Plc and WAPIC Insurance Plc went down by 7.4 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively.

Also, Sterling Bank Plc and Guinness Nigeria Plc, which announced their results

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

recently were among the price losers. Sterling Bank lost 2.3 per cent, while Guinness shed 1.1 per cent.

Sterling Bank Plc reported gross earnings of N32.9 billion in the first quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared with N35.270 billion in 2019. Profit before tax stood at N2.219 billion, down from N3.273 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) printed at N2l065 billion compared with N3.240 billion in 2019.

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, explained that the bank’s net trading income grew remarkably to N984 million as against N435 million during the corresponding period, representing an increase of 126.2 percent, despite a very challenging macro-economic environment.

According to the bank, drop in net profit was to a combination of a decline in fees

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

and commission income following the downward review of transactional charges and a slight increase in total expenses which rose from N15.3 billion in 2019 to N16.6 billion in 2020. The increase was driven, the bank added, mainly by other operating expenses and depreciation and amortisation costs. Income tax expense also went up from N33 million in 2019 to N154 million in 2020.

On the other hand, Neimeth led the price gainers with

O F

10 per cent, trailed by NPF Microfinance Bank Plc with 9.7 per cent. Eterna Plc chalked up 9.4 per cent.

Meanwhile, activity level waned as volume and value traded declined 24.0 per cent and 5.6 per cent to 155.6 million shares and N1.7 billion respectively. The most active stocks by volume were FBN Holdings Plc (27.8 million shares), UAC of Nigeria Plc (16.6 million shares) and GTBank Plc (15 million shares).

0 7 / 0 5 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

28

WEDNESDAY, ÍšÍťËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

PERSPECTIVE

Rivers’ Fight against COVID-19 and Examples Simeon Nwakaudu

A Word for Ajuri Ngelale

I have watched very closely Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike's fight against coronavirus on behalf of the people of Rivers State. It has been firm, decisive and basically in the interest of Rivers people.

This is a war against an invisible enemy. A deadly enemy that is claiming lives everyday.

But one thing is clear, every decisive step taken

by Governor Wike leads to an unnecessary shout from propaganda merchants. But few days later, they copy it.

Presidential aide, Ajuri Ngelale, a native of Eleme, went ahead to insult Governor Wike about lockdown in Abuja and Lagos State. This is the worst form of miscalculation. If the lockdown in Lagos succeeded, why the consideration for further lockdown? Why has Ogun State gone on additional lockdown and why is the PTF considering yet another lockdown?

Where’s Dakuku Peterside?

Flouting Executive Order and the Ugly Attack on State Task Force On Sunday, Wike took the decisive step of demolishing two hotels that deliberately flouted Executive Order closing down all hotels across the state. At Prudest Hotel, the wanted PDP Youth Leader and a gang of thugs, inflicted heavy injuries on Task Force members who were at the facility to stop it from operating.

Several members of the Task Force that went to enforce the Executive Order are lying critical ill at the hospital. But these mob reporters expect the Rivers State Governor to look the other way because the youth leader is a member of PDP. The fundamental aim of closing all hotels across Rivers State is to ensure those being allowed by the security agencies to illegally enter Rivers State have nowhere to stay. These hotels for whatever reason flouted the order and did so violently.

If the Rivers State Governor had swept this matter under the carpet, what will be his moral standing when members of other political parties recklessly flout the law.

It is unfortunate that we are in an era where people write and then think later. That is the reason the entire nation was hoodwinked by horrible propaganda in 2015. The guys attacking Governor Wike are the sand proponents of this national failure.

All Stakeholders Were Involved The strategy to check the spread of coronavirus involves all stakeholders in Rivers State. The main goal is preventing the spread of coronavirus.

Inaugurating the Rivers State COVID-19 Local Governments Task Force at the Government House, Port Harcourt on May 7, 2020, the governor charged them to identify erring hotels and beer parlours.

He said: "From tomorrow, move in. Any hotel that is operating, identify it and we will bring down the hotels.

"I have the political will. Those people who disobey, will face the consequences."

Governor Wike said that the task-force must be decisive to ensure that coronavirus is not accommodated in Rivers State.

The governor said that the task-force must take it that they are being drafted to fight an invisible and their duty is to defend the state.

For days, Governor Wike has created awareness on the Executive Order and the consequences of flouting it. Yet, a member of the PDP would flout the order and go ahead to injure operatives of the Task Force that came to enforce a decision.

Lagos State Governor Demolished over 30 Houses During This Pandemic On April 23, 2020, The Punch reported that the Lagos State government demolished over 40 residential buildings in the Ogba area of Lagos State amid the coronavirus lockdown.

These demolitions attracted no media attention because it happened in Lagos. Those affected cried out, but no meaningful response from the civil society. After all, it is Lagos, it has the power to do and undo.

Abuja Demolitions During Coronavirus Pandemic On March 7, 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic raged, the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory demolished structures and mechanic workshops at premises in Kado Estate, in Abuja.

A few whispers were made here and there,

While writing this piece, I saw a news report where Peterside was shouting himself hoarse.

But this man only finds his voice when it concerns Wike. He blew Rivers opportunity at NIMASA by failing to deliver and engaging in untoward behaviour. Nobody takes him seriously any longer.

Where’s the Ban on Interstate Travel?

Wike but there was no serious protest.

Demolition of Strip Club in Abuja In May 2019, the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA) through its Department of Development Control (DDC) demolished the Caramelo Lounge, a popular strip club, for allegedly contravening the FCT land use regulations. This was disclosed by the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) Coordinator, Umar Shuaibu, while briefing newsmen on the exercise on Monday in Abuja.

The FCT regulations were respected by the media because it was drawn by the propaganda merchants of the APC.

Jigawa Demolitions In January 2017, Jigawa State government demolished places of worship affected in a general demolition of houses. It said the demolition of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Lord’s Chosen Church in Dutse were carried out because the churches were not approved by the state government.

January 2020 Demolition of Saraki’s Residence In January 2020, the Kwara State Government demolished the late Olusola Saraki’s home in Ilorin. Even the immediate past Senate President could not stop the demolition. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced the decision to revoke the late Olusola Saraki’s property owing to alleged illegality in its acquisition.

Till date the Saraki family has lost that property.

Kaduna Demolition of a Popular Beer Parlour During the Lockdown According to the Nigerian Pilot, Kaduna State Governor, in May 2020, during the lockdown, demolished a popular beer joint located opposite command secondary school in Kaduna South local government.

Recall the 2018 demolition of a building located in the heart of Kaduna city, belonging to a leader of one of the two APC factions, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi by the state government.

In November 2019, the Kaduna State Government through KASUPA demolished about 300 houses in different communities.

The affected communities are Baban Saura, Anguwan Waziri, Karji, Tsohon Kamanz and

Angwan Maigyero all located along Yakowa road.

Delta Demolishes Abraka Market Right in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the need arose for Delta State Government to demolish Abraka Market. It demolished the market.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa threatened to deal ruthlessly on anyone caught doing business at the demolished Abraka market.

Governor Okowa was at the market last weekend. He said the market was demolished due to illegal and illicit businesses been done there as some unscrupulous elements turned it marked to criminal den.

From Lagos to Kaduna, down to Abuja and Delta State, they carried out demolitions far heavier than that of Rivers State during this coronavirus pandemic. None of the stated demolition was backed by law. There was no stakeholder engagement.

In the case of Eleme hotels demolition, it was backed by an extant law and also supported by stakeholder engagement.

It is baffling that civil society or social media advocacy in Nigeria have lost basic rules of decency and mutual respect. You talk without weighing all sides of the information.

Imagine APC's online medium, using the title: "Our Governor has gone mad again", simply because he enforced a law.

Governor Wike has explained the background that led to the demolition. He did this in a statewide broadcast.

He said: "We acted against the hotelier because, apart from using the facility to jeopardise the lives of our citizens in violation of the extant law, the owner audaciously unleashed thugs led by the Eleme Local Government Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party and inflicted severe injuries on our task-force members who went to enforce the law against the continued operation of the hotel.

"As we speak, nobody knows the fate of the lives of most of the victims of that brazen and deadly attack given the severity of the head injuries they sustained."

Obaseki Demolished Kabaka Hotel During the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, the Edo State Government demolished part of a hotel owned by one of Adams Oshiomhole’s loyalists, Tony Adun, popularly known as Tony Kabaka.

Governor Obaseki said no amount of blackmail would stop the state government from demolishing the hotel because it was built on government land.

The fact that responsible states are working hard to stop influx of suspected cases from the North and West, shows the failure of the federal government and the security agencies.

Trucks with hundreds of people drive into Rivers State from Gombe, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States without any checks from the security agencies on the roads, despite the Presidential Order. There is no security personnel courageous enough to stop them. If Governor Wike stops them, there is a media campaign against him.

The very next day, the media claps for another governor for stop the same disregarding the presidential ban on interstate travel. If the federal security agencies have been doing their job, we wouldn't have to take tougher measures.

Falana’s Ugly Vuvuzela I hear that Femi Falana, the leading diversionary lawyer is insulting Governor Wike. Many people don't know that Falana was one of the lawyers that Dakuku Peterside hired to upturn the mandate of Governor Wike in 2015. They lost at the Supreme Court. Those who take Falana seriously are people who don't know that he hides under advocacy to misinterpret the law. He is only respected by the uniformed.

Do You Want Governor Wike to Go to Sleep Like Others Men like Falana and other armchair critics survive on promoting lawlessness. They call themselves senior lawyers, but their advocacy is mainly to enjoy publicity. It is never based on the law. If it is based on the law, why would Falana insult a governor for promoting a law and punishing a violent offender.

This entire coordinated media attack has nothing to do with the demolition of two hotels.

Falana and his APC goons are promoting a negative agenda. An unfortunate agenda that they have worked for since 2015. Imagine Falana in the same boat with Ralph Uwazuruike, Dakuku Peterside and others crying from the position of ignorance, simply because their extreme hatred for Governor Wike.

Wike Remains Focused to Defending Rivers People These coordinated ignorant attacks won't change the focus of Governor Wike. He is determined to defend Rivers State, irrespective of the sponsored attacks on his person.

Wike once said: "Therefore, while we welcome genuine criticisms directed towards strengthening our intervention measures; it is no use joining issues with uninformed critics and social media legal practitioners who, blinded and prodded by sheer politics, bias and hatred, have opted to demonised and paint our lawful and responsible actions in bad light.

"Let me assure you that the overall interest of all residents remains paramount and we shall continue to fight this virus with all the seriousness it deserves until it is defeated and the safety of everyone is secured and guaranteed." r/XBLBVEV JT 4QFDJBM "TTJTUBOU UP (PWFSOPS 8JLF

WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

29

NEWS

Buhari Condemns Attacks, Reprisals as Bandits Kill 17 in Kaduna Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna As bandits yesterday killed 17 people in Gonan-Rogo village, Kufana District, Kajuru Local government Area of Kaduna State, President Muhammadu Buhari late last night condemned the wave of attacks and counterattacks among the Fulani and Addara communities in Kajuru LGA of the state, describing reprisal killings as wrong and unacceptable.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari made the remarks while reacting to the recent range of attacks and counter-attacks in Kajuru communities as reported yesterday.

The statement also said Buhari threatened that “killing people in the name of revenge is not acceptable.”

According to Shehu, the president described recourse to

self-help, as against allowing the law to take its course as the real cause of killings and counter-killings between the two communities.

He added that the president insisted that no individual had the right to take the law into his or her own hands.

This latest killing is coming barely 24 hours after the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had

announced that troops killed 17 bandits in the state at the weekend.

The incident was said to have occurred in the early morning hours when gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen invaded the community.

Some houses were also said to have been set ablaze by the bandits as the villagers ran to the bushes for their dear lives.

President of the Adara Development Association (ADA), Mr. Awema Maisamari who confirmed the incident in an interview yesterday said, the bandits who came to the village in large numbers, were armed with guns, machetes and knives.

Awema who visited the community, said some of the villagers were killed with guns while others were hacked to

death with machetes.

He said: “The attackers were Fulani herdmen; they invaded the community at about 1:00pm on Tuesday and started killing people.

“Twelve of people were killed on the spot, the corpses of give others were recovered in the bush. There are those who sustained injuries.

NNPC Records N2.5tn from Petrol Sales in OneYear Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday in Abuja announced that that total revenues recorded from the sales of white products for the period February 2019 to February 2020 stood at about 2.6trillion, with petrol contributing about 98.06 per cent of the total sales value of about 2.5 trillion.

The February 2020 Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR) also indicated that its downstream subsidiary company in charge of bulk sales and distribution of petroleum products, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), recorded 211.62billion sale of white products in the second month of 2020.

A statement issued yesterday by the corporation’s Group General

Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, explained that the figure (211.62billion), contained in the February, 2020, NNPC, MFOR was significantly higher compared to the previous month’s record which stood at 151.79billion.

The report stated that about 1.7billion litres of white products were sold and distributed by PPMC in the month of February 2020 compared with about 1.2 billion litres sold in January 2020.

This comprised about 1.7 billion litres of petrol and 1.09million litres of diesel. Also, there was sale of 0.01million litres of special product, Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) in the month.

Total sale and distribution of white products for the period February 2019 to February 2020 stood at about 21 billion litres and petrol accounted for 20.8billion litres or 98.73 per cent.

Orji Kalu Remains in Jail as Co-convict Gets Warrant of Release Davidson Iriekpen The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a warrant of release for a former Director of Finance and Account at the Abia State Government House, Mr. Ude Udeogu, who was convicted for fraud alongside former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

The warrant was issued yesterday for Udeogu to be released from Kuje prison in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

However, Kalu remains in prison without a warrant of release, with many saying he cannot directly benefit from the May 8 judgment of the Supreme Court.

After the Supreme Court had last Friday delivered the judgment, the media had erroneously reported that Kalu’s 12-year conviction had been quashed.

However, it has long been observed that Udeogu was the only appellant in the case and the Supreme Court was specific in its pronouncements.

The court had pronounced that “the case No. FHC/ABJ/ CR/56/2007, as it pertains or relates to the appellant (Udeogu) as the 2nd defendant at the trial court, is hereby remitted to the Chief Judge of Federal High Court for re-assignment to another judge of the Federal High Court for trial de novo.

Appeal allowed.”

Kalu, who has appealed his own conviction up to the apex

court, will get his own judgment separately — but it is not expected to be different from Udeogu’s.

The Federal High Court in Lagos had sentenced Kalu, Chief Whip of the Senate, to 12 years in prison after he was found guilty of fraud to the tune of N7.56 billion.

The assets of Slok Nigeria Limited, his company, were also forfeited to the federal government.

Udeogu was also convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charges against them.

But displeased with the judgment, Udeogu filed an appeal to challenge the conviction.

His lawyers argued that Justice Mohammed Idris who handed down the ruling, lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case because he had been elevated to the appeal court at the time he sentenced them to prison.

The apex court, in a unanimous verdict on the appeal delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko, declared that the conviction of the appellant was null and void.

Justice Eko explained that the declaration was on the ground that Justice Idris was already a judge of the court of appeal, as at the time he delivered the judgment sentencing the appellants.

He held that a judge of the Court of Appeal could not operate as a judge of the federal high court.

ROYAL FATHERS JOIN THE FIGHT…

L-R: Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje; Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero; and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna, during a meeting between the governor and the five first-class Emirs of Kano on COVID-19, held at the Government House, Kano...yesterday

Senate Directs Probe of Violation of Ban on Interstate Movement Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Senate yesterday charged the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu, to probe the alleged involvement of their officers and men in the breach of the interstate lockdown ordered by the federal government.

It also strongly condemned the

apparent breach of the presidential order on overnight curfew and ban on non-essential interstate travels aimed at containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Upper Chamber further called on the two security chiefs to ensure full cooperation of their various commands with respective state authorities in enforcing the presidential orders and other protocols aimed at rolling back the COVID-19 pandemic.

It enjoined Nigerians to strictly comply with the orders for their

own safety and to quicken the country’s victory over the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senate equally directed the IG and Commandant-General of the Corps as well as heads of all security agencies charged with enforcing the ban on interstate travel “to investigate the alleged complicity of their officers in the breach of the curfew and ban on non-essential interstate travels and bring to book anyone found wanting.”

The Senate also called on the

two security chiefs to ensure that their various commands cooperate with respective state authorities in enforcing the presidential orders and other protocols aimed at rolling back the pandemic.

These resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion on ‘Need to Enforce Presidential Order Banning Non-Essential Interstate Movement’, sponsored by former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, at plenary.

Nigeria’s Security Agencies Overwhelmed, Says Lawan Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday declared that the Nigeria’s current security challenge has overwhelmed its security agencies in the country.

This is coming just as the Senate at plenary flayed the spate of killings by bandits in some communities in Niger and Katsina States.

Lawan, who stated this while contributing to motions on the need to beef up security in Niger and Katsina States

moved by Senators Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) and Mandiya Bello (APC, Katsina South), emphasised that the security agencies are overwhelmed due to inadequate number of personnel and equipment.

According to him, the security agencies had not at any time shirked away from their responsibilities of ensuring security for all and sundry in the country.

He, however, said: “But with inadequate personnel and equipment, they are no doubt, overwhelmed by the spate of

crimes across the country.

“They are however expected to redouble their efforts in getting these bandits, kidnappers and other criminals out of their various hideouts.”

Also yesterday, the upper legislative chamber expressed concern over the unending killings by bandits in some communities in Niger and Katsina States.

It, therefore, urged security agencies to rise up to the disturbing challenge by setting up permanent military bases in

the affected areas.

The Senate urged the federal government to establish a permanent military base at the boundary between Alawa and Uregi areas of Shiroro and Rafi Local Government Areas of Niger State, which i s t h e e p i c e ntre of the banditry.

It also called on the federal government to direct the police and army to beef up personnel and equipment deployment to flashpoints of banditry in Katsina State.

House Urges FG to Halt Almajirai’s Evacuation by Northern Govs Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday urged the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to enforce the inter-state travel ban order as well as direct the state governors concerned to immediately halt the evacuation of the Almajiris.

Recently, the Northern

Governors’ Forum under the chairmanship of Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, had unanimously agreed to return all Almajiris to their respective states of origin across the region.

The House also urged the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to counsel the governors concerned on the threat posed by the evacuation of the

children at this critical period.

It further urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to include the Almaijiri children among the beneficiaries of the palliatives being distributed by the federal government to the less privileged.

It also urged the Northern Governors’ Forum to provide

the Almajiris with the requisite tools for the universal basic and technical education system.

These resolutions were sequel to the unanimous adoption of a motion of urgent public importance titled: ‘Urgent need to look into the evacuation of Almajiri amid the coronavirus pandemic’, sponsored by Hon. Aishatu Dukku and Hon. Shehu Kakale.

30

WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

Govs Meet Today over Diseases Control Bill, Distribution of Palliatives Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Governors of the 36 states will hold their eighth teleconference meeting on Wednesday (today) to discuss the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Bill currently before the National

Assembly.

The Senate commenced second reading of the general principles of the NCDC bill on Tuesday.

The governors are expected to reach a resolution on their input to the controversial bill during the meeting.

The meeting will also review the situation in the various states in the country and find solutions for a quick way out of the effects of the pandemic for the country.

According to a statement by the

Head of Media of the Governors’ Forum, Bellingham Barkindo, the meeting will take place today.

He said that an invitation from the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr. Asishana

Bayo Okauru to the governors listed the issues to be discussed at the meeting to include: Update from the Presidential Task Force, on COVID-19; and a new initiative code-named

CACOVID - Volunteer Health Workers Support Scheme to States, which includes a consideration for a CACOVID - Healthcare Training Proposal among others.

House Asks Buhari to Patronise Domestic Airlines in Evacuating Stranded Nigerians Approves president’s request for conversion of N850bn loan Adedayo Akinwale andUdora OrizuinAbuja The House of Representatives has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Ministries of Foreign and Aviation; Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and Presidential Task Force on COVID–19 to stop patronising foreign airlines in evacuating stranded Nigerians abroad.

The House has also approved the request by President Buhari to source for N850 billion from domestic capital market to finance projects and programmes in the 2020 budget.

The House also mandated its Committee on Aviation to investigate the reasons for patronising foreign airlines instead of competent local airlines to evacuate Nigerians stranded in foreign countries.

The decision of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the need to stop the use

of foreign airlines in evacuating Nigerians stranded abroad, which was moved by Hon. Mohammed Bello.

The lawmakers said the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, and the Presidential Task Force on COVID–19 have engaged foreign airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways and Emirates to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Dubai, London and America due to the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world.

The lawmaker added that Air Peace and Max Air have three Boeing 777, whileAzmanAir recently acquired Airbus A340-600 series which can be deployed for such flight operations.

Bello recalled that Air Peace handled the evacuation of Nigerians from South African during the xenophobic attacks in 2019 free of charge and Max Air has been participating in uplifting of pilgrims during Haji without hitches.

ttt $POEFNOT &YUSBKVEJDJBM Killings, Rights Abuse The House of Representatives has condemned the spate of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses especially by security operatives in the enforcement of the lockdown ordered by the President Muhammadu Buhari and the state governors.

The lawmakers at the plenary yesterday, resolved to “condemn in its entirety the abuse of the fundamental rights, especially brutalisation and extortion, and the killing of innocent Nigerians by security operatives enforcing the COVID-19 lockdown across the country.

The House requested Buhari to direct heads of security agencies implicated in the human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings

to immediately fish out the perpetrators for prosecution and punishment according to the law.

Also, the House mandated committees with oversight over the security agencies implicated, including the House Committee on Human Rights, to investigate the abuses and killings.

These resolutions were passed following the unanimous adoption of a motion moved by the Deputy Chief Whip, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

Moving the motion, Onyejeocha recalled that on March 29, 2020, the federal and some state governments declared a 14-day lockdown in Abuja, Lagos, and Ogun States to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bill on Independent Candidacy for Elective Office Passes Second Reading Udora Orizu inAbuja The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday, after several debates, passed for second reading a bill which seeks to allow for independent candidacy to any elective office in Nigeria.

The proposed legislation titled: ‘Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999; to allow for Independent Candidacy to any Elective Office in Nigeria, and for Related Matters (HB. 754)’, was sponsored by Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno.

Leading the debate, Monguno said the bill seeks to deepen the

Nigerian democracy and give a level playing field for all Nigerians who want to contribute their quota to national and local development.

He argued that it is common knowledge that a country’s constitution should not be static, but that it should be a document that takes care of needs that may arise from time to time.

The lawmaker said views abound that few people who hijack political parties hinder those that have contrary views from theirs from expressing themselves politically on the platform of a political party, adding that the views necessitated the need to sponsor the bill.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY...

Managing Director, Daraju Industries Limited, Mr. Oscar Macaulay (left), and Deputy Governor, Ogun State, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, during the donation of Fressia sanitizers and household items as palliatives by the company to the Ogun State Government in Abeokuta ...yesterday

Lawmakers Reject Proposed Motion against NBET’s CEO Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja A proposed motion initiated by some members of the House Committee on Power against the Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), Dr. Marilyn Amobi, was yesterday rejected by the leadership of the House for want of evidence.

THISDAY reported on Monday the huge concern expressed by the presidency and board members of

NBET over the Aliyu Magaji Dauled committee that had approached the House with a one-page motion praying for the passage of a vote of no confidence on Amobi, accusing her of insubordination, incompetence and corruption.

However, during the executive session presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to preview matters for consideration, a member of the House told THISDAY last night that the power committee chairman presented

the motion and its prayers but could not advance any “justifiable evidence” to support his claims before the executive session.

“The inability of the committee to provide any proof to back up any of the three allegations raised by the committee in its motion against Dr. Amobi, forced Speaker Gbajabiamila to ask the chairman to step down the proposed motion.

“The Speaker warned that the House could not proceed with unsubstantiated claims, which

had since been considered and dismissed by the Presidency before Ms. Amobi was reinstated last January.

“Mr. Speaker and the House leadership were clear in rejecting the motion on the grounds that the power committee did not bring up any thread of evidence to show how Dr. Amobi ‘disrespected’ the committee chairman and members when they went on oversight in the company,” the lawmaker stated.

FG Warns Against Expatriate Quota Racketeering in Oil Industry Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Federal government yesterday warned against the abuse of expatriate quota in the oil and gas industry, threatening that henceforth any business concern that flouts the rules would be sanctioned.

In a press statement, the government said that it had come to its attention that that manpower

supply companies and contractors that had been issued Statutory Oil and Gas Industry Service Permits (SOGISP) to engage only Nigerian professionals had started giving the permits to foreigners.

The statement was jointly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Ms. Georgina Ehuriah; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB),

Mr. Simbi Wabote and the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Sarki Auwalu.

According to the government, the permits clearly indicate that they are not to be used to deploy expatriates under any circumstance or guise.

Describing it as disturbing, the federal government said that operators and major service

providers now promote the illegal practice by entering into contract agreements with supply companies to source expatriates for positions, which in several cases had been denied quota and earmarked to be occupied by Nigerians.

It said the practice clearly circumvents laid down statutory approval processes and compliance requirements for obtaining expatriate quota positions.

N’Assembly Unsafe for Lawmakers, House Spokesman Cries Out Udora Orizu in Abuja The Spokesperson of House of Representatives, Hon. Ben Kalu, has raised the alarm of insecurity within the National Assembly complex, saying the offices of the members are no longer safe to carry out their legislative duties.

Kalu, who is the House Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, said he was

shocked to find his personal office burgled by unknown burglars yesterday morning.

Speaking to journalists on the incident, the lawmaker said he had asked his aides to report the matter to Sergeant-At-Arms and the security machinery of the National Assembly while he interfaced with the House Committee on Security and the Police.

He said the police would do their investigation and find out what actually happened.

According to him, “It’s actually surprising to see that somebody broke into my office. We are still trying to assess what was the intention of breaking into my office. Was it to take an important document out or to check if we leave money or any valuables in the office or to plant any security

or spying device there? Honestly, I don’t know, but I have asked my aides to register it with the Sergeant-At-Arms. It’s scary to come into your office and find this.

This is one of the consequences of COVID-19 as we are not sitting every day. The time we were sitting every day, we never experienced this. So, hoodlums are beginning to see this also as an opportunity to break into people offices.

Confusion as Ondo APC Faction Names Oke as Consensus Guber Candidate James Sowole in Akure Confusion broke out yesterday among the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in the Unity Forum faction following the announcement of Chief Olusola Oke (SAN) as the group consensus aspirant ahead of the party’s primary for the October 2020

election.

The Unity Forum is an umbrella body of APC members and aspirants campaigning against second term ambition of the incumbent state Governor, Oluwatotimi Akeredolu, and has 10 aspirants in its fold.

The former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, had yesterday morning released a

statement that the seven-member committee saddled with the responsibilities of selecting one of the 10 aspirants, had selected Oke to confront Akeredolu in the primary scheduled to hold in July.

The former deputy governor said in arriving at the decision, four of the seven member committee opted for Oke; another one opted for a technocrat, one

chose a female aspirant while one member of the committee was absent.

Olanusi, who in the statement listed names of the committee members headed by Senator Yele Omogunwa, urged other aspirants and members to start working towards emergence of Oke as the APC candidate in the July primary of the party.

Ëœ ÍšÍťËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

31

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

TRACK & FIELD

Diamond League Final in Zurich Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Meetings in Doha, Stockholm, Rome, London, Eugene, Oslo, Paris called off

Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report For the first time since its inaugural edition in 2010, there will be no final of the World Athletics’ Diamond League this year.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic that has put virtually all sports activities in the cooler since March, World Athletics announced yesterday that there will be no usual final leg of its elite track and field athletic competition in Zurich, this year The league is made up of 15 of the best invitational athletics meetings.

Already, the Diamond League season earlier scheduled to start in Doha on April 17, has been called off.

Meetings in Doha, Stockholm, Rome, Rabat, Eugene, Oslo and Paris have all been cancelled due to the pandemic.

Top Nigerian athletes like Blessing Okagbare, Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume, etc were scheduled to feature in some of these meets ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The summer games has also been moved to next year.

Yesterday, UK Athletics Chief, Joanna Coates, confirmed that

the London Diamond League meeting scheduled for early July has also been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Anniversary Games had been due take place at the same London Stadium which hosted the 2012 Olympics, on July 4-5. “We are hugely disappointed to confirm the cancellation of one of the flagship events of the global athletics calendar‌ But we must place the safety of the entire athletics family at the forefront of every decision we make during these unprecedented times and ensure we are following government advice,â€? Coates further stressed.

The series sits in the top tier of the World Athletics one-day meeting competitions.

The Diamond League’s schedule of one-day meetings will however begin with the Monaco meeting on 14 August and continue through until midOctober even as there is no final to look forward to.

Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) board member and Nigeria’s foremost track and field writer, Dare Esan told THISDAY that it was shameful the damage the Covid-19 pandemic has done to global sports. “This is really a shame that

Insurance Benefits for Late Rangers’ Forward, Ifeanyi George, Ready The management of Enugu Rangers International F.C, has confirmed receiving the insurance compensation for its late player, Ifeanyi George who died in an auto crash last March.

George who chalked a cap with the Home-based Eagles before his untimely death, was insured along with his Flying Antelopes teammates by the former Nigerian champions.

The General Manager/ C.E.O. of Rangers, Prince Davidson Owumi confirmed yesterday that the immediate family of the late player will be presented with the insurance compensation

by Premier Brokers Limited, the insurance company that brokered the deal. “Despite the fact that we still mourn the sudden death of Ifeanyi George, our former attacker, we are glad to announce that the club is in possession of the Insurance premium due for the immediate family of the late footballer which will be presented as

Late Ifeanyi George in action for Enugu Rangers early this season

soon as the lockdown in almost all the states of the federation is relaxed,� stated the former NPL chairman.

George died in the auto-crash along Asaba-Benin express road on his way to Lagos to be with his family members after the club announced a break after NFF called for a shot down of all football activities in March due to Covid-19.

Owumi praised Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for making it possible for Rangers players to be insured. “We are hoping that the man who made this possible, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Governor of Enugu State will be available to make the presentation on the chosen date as a show of respect for another first from him. Remember he also approved and commissioned the first club owned gymnasium in the country,� stressed Owumi.

The group personal accident insurance policy approved for Rangers by Gov. Ugwuanyi covers players and officials of the club in and out of field of play accidents.

In another development, the management of Rangers International F.C has opened a condolence register at its corporate office, Abakaliki Road, G.R.A, Enugu in respect of the late former NFF executive board member/ Chairman of the NNL Hon. Chidi Ofo Okenwa who died penultimate Tuesday. He was also Chairman of Enugu Football Association.

the Diamond League and several other sporting events have had their calendars disrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic.

However, I think the decision to cancel or postpone these events is better than exposing athletes and officials to the dangers of contracting the virus,� observed Esan who has covered most of World Athletics’ World Championships live in the last two decades.

However, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe praised the cooperative efforts of the meeting organisers to work with World Athletics to still put together a substantial competition season for the sport’s top athletes. “As we have worked through the challenges posed by the pandemic and the disruption it has caused to our sport, as well as the wider community, our first priority was the health and safety of our athletes.

And the next priority has been to find a way to get our professional athletes back into international competition this year as their incomes rely on this. “I’m delighted that it now looks like we will be able to offer them a solid international season between August and October where they can earn prize money and assess their training progress in preparation for next year’s Olympic Games, although we know this will not be easy for everyone. “Inevitably international travel restrictions will affect the ability

of some athletes to attend some meetings, but we hope that there will be a wide enough range of meetings available for most elite athletes to access some competition before the end of the year.�

Of the World Athletics Series events that were scheduled for 2020, only the World Half Marathon Championships will go ahead this year, on 17 October in Gdynia, Poland.

The World Indoor

Championships will be held in Nanjing, 19-21 March, 2021, but the World U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, and the World Race Walking Team Championships in Minsk, Belarus are still being

IN MODE FOR RESTART‌

Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo was captured by UK’s Daily Mail maintaining his fitness level at Cheshire Park on Monday Dressed in Manchester United training gear, Ighalo was doing sprint drills on the grass in readiness for a potential resumption of the English Premier League on June 12. Teams are likely to return to training on Monday with all health protocols in place for both players and support staff

Premier League: Tackling Banned, Pitches Disinfected as Training Begins Monday Tackling will be banned, pitches disinfected and players restricted to groups of five when the Premier League starts a first phase of team training.

Official protocols sent to players and managers yesterday and obtained by the BBC Sports revealed that social distancing must be “strictly observed�.

Corner-flags, balls, cones, goalposts and even playing surfaces will be disinfected after each session.

League bosses hope training can begin on Monday, restricted to 75 minutes.

Ongoing surveillance measures included in further guidance

include twice-weekly testing, and a daily pre-training questionnaire and temperature check.

Under a section titled ‘health screening’, players are also told a central register of Covid-19 test results (subject to their consent and Professional Footballers’ Association agreement) will need to be maintained.

Recommended “control measures� include “meticulous personal hygiene and use of PPE [personal protective equipment], no congregation in communal areas, including but not limited to medical rooms and gym areas�.

Under further stringent rules, players are told they cannot share

transport with anyone to and from the training ground, and vehicle interiors should be cleaned regularly. Team vehicles and public transport should not be used.

Players are being consulted on proposed medical protocols for a return to training by the PFA. They have been given a condensed version of a 40-page document for them to digest.

The BBC understands the PFA has heard from a number of players, especially those who have underlying health conditions like asthma or who are from black and minority ethnic (Bame) backgrounds, that they have real concerns about returning

to playing.

Black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die with coronavirus as white people in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The draft protocols refer to “additional risk assessment and precautions required for players at increased risk (co-morbidity)�.

Today, there will be a meeting between players, the Premier League, medical staff and the PFA. Government approval will need to be granted before teams can continue to the next stage of training, when contact would be permitted.

Eunisell Boot: The Five Men Giving their NPFL Best Shots The lockdown has meant that the race for this year’s Eunisell Boot remains under wraps, though the battle for the biggest individual prize in Nigeria’s top division is expected to resume soon.

This season, strikers in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) are proving to be prolific in front of goal.

With the season just past the halfway mark, four players are already in double figures so far and the projection is that one of them could reach the 20-goal mark.

The most goals in a season in the NPFL still stands at 23, a

feat which was achieved by a former winner of the Eunisell Boot, Mfon Udoh, six years ago.

However, the field for this season throws up different contenders with Rangers forward Israel Abia -- the frontrunner with 12 goals. On his heels are Ndifreke Effiong of Akwa United, Auwalu Ali of Kano Pillars and Plateau United’s Ibrahim Mustapha on 11 goals apiece while Enyimba’s Victor Mbaoma is on nine goals.

Top league writer, Fisayo Dairo, believes only three of the five players are front-runners in the Eunisell Boot race.

He picks Abia, Effiong, and

Mbaoma ahead of others and posits that Abia looks likely to reach 20 goals this term. “The front runners for me will be the trio of Israel Abia, Ndifreke Effiong and Victor Mbaoma. Abia because he was already settling in perfectly at Rangers and scored twice in his last game, the unfortunate death of Ifeanyi George also avails him the chance to play all games so you can fancy him to get up to eight goals in the remaining 14 matches for Rangers.� “Ndifreke Effiong also because he seems to have mastered how to score in

the nooks and crannies of the league. Having to play with a forward together, sometimes Akarandut Orok or Saidu Salisu has also helped him to do less physical work and concentrate on finishing.

EUNISELL BOOT TOP-FIVE SCORERS

12 GOALS Israel Abia (Rangers) 11 GOALS Ndifreke Effiong (Akwa United) Auwalu Ali (Kano Pillars) Ibrahim Mustapha (Plateau United) 9 GOALS Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba)

Wednesday May 13, 2020

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UT H

& RE A SO

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Jonathan to FG “We urge those who implemented the subpoena to tell Nigerians and the world whether or not they found any bank accounts in the name of former President Goodluck Jonathan� – Former President Goodluck Jonathan, again telling the federal government that he has no bank account in the US or any part of the world, either in his name or in the name of privies.

KAYODEKOMOLAFE THE HORIZON

T

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

0805 500 1974

The Almajiri Question

his dangerous season of COVID-19 is truly one in which the inherent contradictions in the society blow up.

On a positive note, the socio-economic trauma consequent on the (mis) management of the public health emergency is daily bringing out the best examples and expressions of our collective humanity.

Acts of compassion and genuine love for the poor are vividly on display in many quarters.

The mood of the moment is indubitably that of massive solidarity. Food, water, medical facilities and equipment are donated on daily basis to support Â?˜Â&#x;Ž›—–Ž—Â?Č‚ÂœČąÂŽÄ›Â˜Â›Â?ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŒÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂ’ÂŒÂ”ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ socially vulnerable. Spaces and tools are made available for isolation centres by organisations and ’—Â?Â’Â&#x;Â’Â?ÂžÂŠÂ•ÂœÇŻČą ›˜ęÂ?ȏ–Š”’—Â?Čą Œ˜›™˜›ŠÂ?ÂŽÂœÇ°Čą ›Ž•’Â?Â’Â˜ÂžÂœČą bodies and charitable foundations and individuals are in unison in giving succour to the needy.

In contradistinction, this is also a season in Governor Abdulahi Ganduje of Kano State Â Â‘Â’ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂœÂ˜Â–ÂŽČąÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ?˜Â&#x;Ž›—–Ž—Â?ÂœČąÂ?ÂŠÂ”ÂŽČąÂœÂ˜Â–ÂŽČąČąÂ&#x;’•Žȹ policy steps in response to the coronavirus crisis. other. What you have between two contiguous As someone said, the crisis is bringing out both states are boundaries, and not borders. Yet, you the best and the most unpleasant in the Nigeria hear that the “deportedâ€? children were received at the Kano-Kaduna “borderâ€? as if there are experiment with governance. Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â—Â˜ÂžÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ–ÂŽÂ—Â?ÂœČąÂ–ÂŠÂ?ŽȹŠ—Â?ČąÂŠÂŒÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœČąÂŽÂ–Â‹ÂŠÂ›Â”ÂŽÂ?Čą countries on the world map called Kano and upon by some state governors simply upend Kaduna. Indeed, the resonance of this riot of “deportationsâ€? is being felt in virtually all the Â?ÂŽÂŒÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂ˘ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ˜ÄœÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•Â?Â˜Â–ÇŻ Â˜Â›ÂŽČąÂ?ž—Â?Š–Ž—Â?ÂŠÂ•Â•Â˘ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂŠÂ‹Â˘ÂœÂ–ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ•ÂŠÂŒÂ”ČąÂ˜Â?ȹŠȹ states of the federation. Hence there are reports social purpose in the activities of some of of “deportedâ€? fellow citizens being stopped at the state governments amid the unfolding crisis. the “borderâ€? of Oyo or Delta state. This certainly ˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ›Â—Â˜Â›ÂœČąÂœÂ‘Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ČąÂ—Â˜Â?ČąÂ–ÂŠÂ”ÂŽČąÂ–ÂŽÂŒÂ‘ÂŠÂ—Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ•ČąÂ˜Â›Â?ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂŠÂœČą ŒŠ——˜Â?ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂŠČąÂ—Â˜Â›Â–ÂŠÂ•ČąÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂŠÄ›ÂŠÂ’Â›ÂœÇŻČąČą Meanwhile, you can only deport aliens. How Â’Â?ČąÂ?‘Ž¢ȹŠ›ŽȹÂ?ÂŽÂŒÂ‘Â—Â’ÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ—ÂœČąÂ˜Â™ÂŽÂ›ÂŠÂ?’—Â?ČąÂ’Â—ČąÂŠČąÂ Â˜Â›Â”ÂœÂ‘Â˜Â™ÇŻČą If the people are truly the objects and subjects of come these poor children have become aliens that Â™Â˜Â•Â’ÂŒÂ˘Ç°ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąČąÂœÂ?ÂŽÂ™ÂœČąÂ?Š”Ž—ȹ‹¢ȹÂ?˜Â&#x;Ž›—–Ž—Â?ÂœČąÂœÂ‘Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?Čą should be “deportedâ€? all within their fatherland. be accordingly humane. Otherwise, what some Such is the level of conceptual confusion that has Â?˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ›Â—Â˜Â›ÂœČąÂ?Š”ŽȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂœÂ˜Â•ÂžÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœČąÂ—Â˜Â ČąČąÂ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?ȹ•ŠÂ?Ž›ȹȹ permeated the realm of governance in Nigeria.

This is not a simple of grammar as there turn out to be problems greater than the one are serious legal connotations to some of these they are supposed to solve.

The controversial expulsion of the Almajirai unfortunate activities of some state governments. from some states in the north is a clear proof It is an unconscious expression of their deep of policy without social content. In theory, the Š•’Ž—ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąÂ?‘Žȹ—ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Č‚ÂœČąÂ›ÂŽÂŠÂ•Â’Â?Â˘ČąÂŠÂœČąÂ?Žę—ŽÂ?ȹ‹¢ȹ Almajirai (Almajiri - male and Almajira -female) the constitution. As some lawyers have argued, are children entrusted in the hands of a teacher it is unconstitutional for any governor to expel for Quranic education. It is a legitimate concept a citizen from any state of the federation. These of education. The practical reality on the streets, Œ‘’•Â?›Ž—ȹ‹Ž’—Â?ȹȹÂ?˜œœŽÂ?ČąÂŠÂ›Â˜ÂžÂ—Â?ȹ•’”ŽȹÂ?˜˜Â?‹Š••ȹ‘ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČą however, is that you have millions of destitute rights of citizenship and residence protected children in Nigeria who should be in schools by the 1999 Constitution. These are the rights but are roaming and begging for daily meals. ‹Ž’—Â?Čą ̊Â?›Š—Â?•¢ȹ Â?›Š–™•ŽÂ?Čą ÂžÂ™Â˜Â—Čą Čą ‹¢ȹ Â?Â‘Â˜ÂœÂŽČą ’—ȹ These children are receiving neither religious power.

It’s re-assuring that some lawyers have nor secular education. They are not cared for and loved by either the parent or the society. ›Ž™˜›Â?ÂŽÂ?•¢ȹ œ’Â?—’ęŽÂ?Čą ’—Â?Ž—Â?Â’Â˜Â—Čą Â?Â˜Čą Œ‘Š••Ž—Â?ÂŽČą ’—ȹ They are simply abandoned. They come up as court these violations of the rights of fellow occasional statistics in development discussions. citizens. By expelling the roaming children from And that’s all. Their rights as human beings are ÂŠÂ—Â˘ČąÂœÂ?ŠÂ?Žȹ’—ȹ Â’Â?Ž›’ŠǰȹÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ›Â—Â˜Â›ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂžÂ—Â Â’Ä´Â’Â—Â?•¢ȹ violated by the state that is meant to provide criminalising their poverty and destitution. This should be unacceptable in any decent society them social protection. Â˜Čą Â™ÂŠÂ›ÂŠÂ™Â‘Â›ÂŠÂœÂŽČą Čą Â˜Â•ÂŽČą Â˜Â˘Â’Â—Â”ÂŠČą Â˜Â—Čą Š—˜Â?‘Ž›ȹ with any modicum of humanity in it. How are occasion, the condition of these children is “an the children to blame for the abandonment by open sore on the conscienceâ€? of this nation. The their parents who are themselves obviously poor? northern governors, in particular, should move Some of them could also be orphans. In any Â?ŠœÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?ÂŠÂŒÂ”Â•ÂŽČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂ˜ÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•ČąÂšÂžÂŽÂœÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ •–Š“’›’ǯȹ case, what is the proof that the parents of those Otherwise this open sore might degenerate into children came from the states to which they are a gangrene on their collective conscience sooner being moved forcefully? Where are the records? Â‘Â˜Čą Â”ÂŽÂŽÂ™ÂœČą Šȹ Â?’•’Â?Ž—Â?Čą ›ŽÂ?Â’ÂœÂ?Ž›ȹ ˜Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ •–Š“’›Š’Ǿȹ than they may imagine.

The trigger for the latest Almajiri crisis was the Who has the data serving as the basis of these inexplicable move by the Kano State government frantic operations? Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂŠÄ´ÂŽÂ–Â™Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂœÂ˜Â•Â&#x;ŽȹŠ—ȹ’—Â?›Š’—ŽÂ?ČąÂœÂ˜ÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â‹Â•ÂŽÂ–Čą to expel poor children begging for alms from the state to their “state of origin.â€? As things have turned  ’Â?Â‘ČąÂŠČąÂ–ÂŽÂŒÂ‘ÂŠÂ—Â’ÂœÂ?Â’ÂŒČąÂ–Â’Â—Â?œŽÂ?ČąÂ Â’Â•Â•ČąÂ—Â˜Â?ČąÂ Â˜Â›Â”ÇŻČą ÂžÂŒÂ‘Čą out, some of the children moved from one state Š—ȹ ÂŠÂ™Â™Â›Â˜ÂŠÂŒÂ‘Čą Â‘ÂŠÂœČą —ŽÂ&#x;Ž›ȹ  ˜›”ŽÂ?Čą ’—ȹ ‘’œÂ?Â˜Â›Â˘ÇŻČą ‘Žȹ to the other have tested positive to coronavirus. contemporary crisis in Nigeria will not be an This has in turn created public health problems exception.

The harassment of these children with the in the various destinations of the children. Â?Čą œ‘˜ž•Â?Čą ÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜Čą ‹Žȹ ›Ž–Š›”ŽÂ?Čą Čą Â?‘ŠÂ?Čą ’—ȹ Â?‘Žȹ code, Almajiri, even runs counter to the universal mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis wrong protocols for containing the spread of coronavirus.  ˜›Â?ÂœČąÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂ?ÂŽÂ™Â•Â˜Â˘ÂŽÂ?ȹ ’Â?Â‘ČąÂ›ÂŽÂŒÂ”Â•ÂŽÂœÂœČąÂŠÂ‹ÂŠÂ—Â?Â˜Â—ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ“ÂžÂœÂ?Â’Â?¢ȹ —ȹ Â?‘Žȹ Â˜Â—ÂŽČą ‘Š—Â?Ç°Čą Â?‘Žȹ ›Žœ’Â?Ž—Â?’Š•ȹ ÂŠÂœÂ”Čą Â˜Â›ÂŒÂŽČą ’••ŽÂ?ÂŠÂ•ČąÂŠÂŒÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœÇŻČą Â?ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ?˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ›Â—Â˜Â›ÂœČąÂ?ÂŠÂ•Â”ČąÂ˜Â?ČąČƒÂ‹Â˜Â›Â?ÂŽÂ›ÂœČ„Čą (PTF) on COVID-19 is spearheading a national Š—Â?ČąČƒÂ?Ž™˜›Â?ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœČ„ČąÂŠÂœČąÂ’Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂœÂŽČąÂ‹Â˜Â—ÂŠČąÄ™Â?ÂŽČą Â’Â?Ž›’Š—ȹ sensitisation on the restriction of movement of citizens are moved from one country to the Â™ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ˜Â›Â?Ž›ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‹Â›ÂŽÂŠÂ”ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂŒÂ‘ÂŠÂ’Â—ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ&#x;Â’Â›ÂžÂœÇŻČą

The slogan is even “Stay at Home.â€? Is it rational that only the street children are the only exception to this rule? Why can’t they stay where they are and be cared for as other vulnerable people are being supported during this crisis? This ill-advised action of sending the children out of their state in Â Â‘Â’ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂ?‘Ž¢ȹę—Â?ȹȹÂ?‘Ž–œŽ•Â&#x;ÂŽÂœČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ?ž›—ŽÂ?ČąÂ˜ÂžÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‹ÂŽČą a disaster foretold. Those among them who have tested positive might invariably spread the virus in their so-called states origin if precautionary Â–ÂŽÂŠÂœÂžÂ›ÂŽÂœČąÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂ—Â˜Â?ČąÂ?ÂŠÂ”ÂŽÂ—ČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ?‘Ž’›ȹŠ››’Â&#x;Š•ǯȹ In any case, some of them have reportedly ended up in states other than their alleged states of origin. In a period of public health emergency, the nationality, much less the state of origin, of residents of a state should be of no consequence in Â–ÂŠÄ´ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂ˜Â?ȹ”ŽŽ™’—Â?ČąÂœÂŠÂ?ŽȹŠ—Â?ČąÂœÂ?˜™™’—Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂ™Â›ÂŽÂŠÂ?Čą of the virus. The same principle ought to apply to the neglected children. In fact, they should be cared for by the state humanely as persons belonging to the most vulnerable segment of the society. Â˜Â›ÂœÂŽČąÂœÂ?’••ǰȹ‹¢ȹÂ&#x;’›Â?ÂžÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ•Š ȹ–Š”’—Â?ČąÂ‹ÂŠÂœÂ’ÂŒČą education free and compulsory the children are supposed to be in school in whatever state they reside.

If state governments enforced these laws as instruments of social change, no child would ‹Žȹ Â˜Â—Čą Â?‘Žȹ ÂœÂ?›ŽŽÂ?Ç°Čą ’—ȹ Â?‘Žȹ ꛜÂ?Čą Â™Â•ÂŠÂŒÂŽÇŻČą ‘Žȹ Â?Š’•ž›Žȹ of governance on this score is at the core of this problem.

To the credit of the administration of President ˜˜Â?Â•ÂžÂŒÂ”Čą ˜—ŠÂ?‘Š—ǰȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â‹Â•ÂŽÂ–ČąÂ ÂŠÂœČąÂŒÂ˜Â—Â?›˜—Â?ÂŽÂ?Čą frontally. About N15 billion was invested in the famous Almajiri education in the north. Some of the facilities put in place have been reportedly abandoned. Conceptually and practically, not much has been done to improve on this progressive Â™Â˜Â•Â’ÂŒÂ˘ČąÂœÂ?ÂŽÂ™ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ˜—ŠÂ?‘Š—ȹŠÂ?–’—’œÂ?›ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą It is not enough to blame the parents of the Š‹Š—Â?˜—ŽÂ?ČąÂŒÂ‘Â’Â•Â?›Ž—ȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ™Â›Â’Â&#x;ŠÂ?ÂŽÂ•Â˘ČąČąÂœÂ‘Â’Â›Â”Â’Â—Â?ČąÂ?‘Ž’›ȹ responsibility. And this period of crisis is not an appropriate time for the technical topic of the alleged demographic error of bringing those children to life. In social terms, the society should see them as potential assets and not as mere liabilities. As an economist once put, you œ‘˜ž•Â?ČąÂ—Â˜Â?ČąÂ˜Â—Â•Â˘ČąÂ•Â˜Â˜Â”ČąÂŠÂ?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?ŠŒÂ?ČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂŽÂŠÂŒÂ‘ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Ž–ȹ has a mouth to eat; each child also has a brain

Š—Â?ČąÂ?Â Â˜ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ—Â?ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?‘’—”ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ Â˜Â›Â”ČąÂ Â’Â?‘ȹ ‘Ž—ȹŠ—Â?Čą Â’Â?ČąÂ?‘Ž¢ȹŠ›ŽȹÂ?ÂŽÂ&#x;Ž•˜™ŽÂ?ȹȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂ›ÂŽÂœÂ™Â˜Â—ÂœÂ’Â‹Â•ÂŽČąÂ Â˜Â›Â”Â’Â—Â?Čą ŠÂ?ž•Â?ÂœÇŻČą ÂŽÂ?Â ÂŽÂŽÂ—ČąÂŒÂ‘Â’Â•Â?‘˜˜Â?ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ Â˜Â›Â”Â’Â—Â?ȹŠÂ?ÂŽČą when they could be useful to society, it is the duty of the state to invest massively in their human development - healthcare, education Š—Â?Čą Â?Ž—Ž›Š•ȹ  Ž•Â?Š›Žǯȹ Čą Â‘Â’ÂœČą Â’ÂœČą Šȹ –ŠĴŽ›ȹ ˜Â?Čą ÂœÂ˜ÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•Čą development and not just narrow and abstract economic calculations. Afterall, there are aging societies whose problem is generating a youthful population for future development. Regardless of whatever your economists tell you about growth rate versus population expansion, these human ‹Ž’—Â?ÂœČąÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂŠÂ•Â›ÂŽÂŠÂ?¢ȹ’—ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ’Â›ČąÂ–Â’Â•Â•Â’Â˜Â—ÂœÇŻČą ‘ŽȹÂ?ÂŠÂœÂ”Čą ˜Â?ČąÂ?˜Â&#x;Ž›—–Ž—Â?Ç°ČąÂ?‘Ž›ŽÂ?Â˜Â›ÂŽÇ°ČąČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ–ÂŠÂ”ÂŽČąÂ?‘Ž–ȹÂ?ž••¢ȹȹ part of a developed society.

If the governments, especially state governments, do not prioritise the human development of these young citizens, terrorists, bandits and other ÂŒÂ›Â’Â–Â’Â—ÂŠÂ•ÂœČą  ˜ž•Â?Čą ę—Â?Čą ›ŽŒ›ž’Â?ÂœČą Š–˜—Â?Čą Čą Â?‘Ž–ȹ ŠÂ?Čą the peril of the larger society.

For instance, it is the constitutional duty of the Kano state government to ensure that all children resident in Kano have access to basic education and healthcare regardless of where their parents were born in Nigeria.

The forum of —˜›Â?‘Ž›—ȹÂ?˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ›Â—Â˜Â›ÂœČąÂ˜ÂžÂ?‘Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂœÂŽÂŽČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂžÄ´ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ’Â•Â•Â˜Â?Â’ÂŒČą in the movement of these children across states.

The forum should put a stop to this ugly trend and fashion out a common solution. If the forum ŒŠ——˜Â?ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ›Â–Â˜Â—Â’ÂœÂŽČąÂ?‘’—Â?ÂœČąÂšÂžÂ’ÂŒÂ”Â•Â˘ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹę—Â?ČąÂŠČąČąÂ“ÂžÂœÂ?Čą and equitable answer to the Almajiri question, it will only be portraying itself as irrelevant The class prejudice against these children is ‘’Â?Â‘Â•Â˘ČąÂžÂ—ÂŒÂ˜Â—ÂœÂŒÂ’Â˜Â—ÂŠÂ‹Â•ÂŽÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽÂ˘ČąÂœÂžÄ›ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ‹ÂŽÂŒÂŠÂžÂœÂŽČą they are poor and destitute.

The contradictions thrown up by their gross abuse and oppression cannot be fully understood unless issues are seen in that light.

For instance, the Kano state government cannot expel members of the Kano elite who are of Kaduna ÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜Â›Â’Â?’—ǯȹ —Â?ȹ ‘ŠÂ?ÂŽÂ&#x;Ž›ȹ‹Ž—ŽęÂ?ÂœČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąČąÂ›ÂŽÂœÂ’Â?ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂ˘Čą of these elitist elements bring to Kano would not be passed on to Kaduna state as the burden of the Almajiri is being shifted now.

The social content of policies should be improved upon by governments at all levels. ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ”ÂŽÂ›Â—ÂŽÂ•ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹAlmajiri question.

Supreme Court also Sits as a High Court!

Femi Falana In the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered on May 9, 2020 in the case of Ude Jones Udeogu v Federal Republic of Nigeria (unreported Appeal No SC. 662C/2019), section 396 (7) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 was declared illegal and unconstitutional.

The section had empowered a newly appointed Justice of the Court of Appeal to return to the high court to complete a part heard criminal case Consequently, the section has been struck down and expunged from the Act. Even though the apex court has spoken with a note of authority and finality the full implications of the judgment will continue to reverberate in and outside the country for quite some time.

In the leading judgment of the Court Ejembi Eko JSC stated that “Ab initio, section 396 (7) of the ACJA 201T was set out to frontally contradict and challenge the letters, substance and spirit of section 290 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.To that extent section 396 (7) of the ACJA 2015 is

inconsistent with the Constitution, particularly section 290 (1) thereof .Therefore, by operation of section 1(3) of the Constitution section 396 (7) of the ACJA 2015 to the extent of its inconsistency with section 290 (1) of the Constitution, is void.�

With respect, many colleagues who have commended the Supreme Court for the “landmark judgment� have failed to advert their minds to similar provisions in other statutes which are regularly applied by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. Whereas section 396 (7) of the ACJA permits a Justice of the Court of Appeal to conclude a part heard criminal matter in the high court section 16 of the Court of Appeal Act empowers the Justices of the Court to exercise the powers of a trial court as if the proceedings had been instituted in the Court of Appeal as a Court of first instance. In the same vein, section 22 of the Supreme Court Act has vested the Justices of the Court of the apex court with the powers of a trial court as if the proceedings had been instituted in the Court as a court of first instance.

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