FRIDAY 26TH JUNE 2020

President, Governors, Tinubu, PDP Mourn Ajimobi Chuks Okocha, Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja, Martins IďŹ jeh in Lagos, Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Victor Ogunje in Ekiti Tributes poured in yesterday for former Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who passed

on earlier in the day at the age of 70.

Until his death, he was the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and picked as the party's acting national chairman in the wake of the Court of Appeal's ratification

of the suspension of the incumbent, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole.

Ajimobi passed away the same day the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party dissolved the National Working Committee (NWC), which he headed,

albeit through the party's National Vice Chairman (South-south), Chief Hilliard Eta, while he was receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital for COVID-19.

President Muhammadu Buhari, the governors of the 36 states and a top chieftain

of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, expressed shock over the death of Ajimobi, whom they described as a man of integrity.

Among the governors who sent condolence messages over Continued on page 9

CBN: 17 Banks Request to Restructure 32,000 Customers’ Loans...

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Late Ajimobi

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With Obaseki's Victory in PDP Primary, Stage Set for Rematch with Ize-Iyamu... Page 8

In a Deft Move, Buhari Pulls APC from the Brink NEC sacks Oshiomhole-led NWC Yobe gov heads 13-man caretaker committee NEC orders party members to withdraw court cases Sacked NWC kicks, gears up for legal battle

Omololu Ogunmade and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari's master stroke, by agreeing to the convocation of a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he rallied other party leaders to attend, yesterday arrested the drift of the ruling party into an abyss.

The meeting, which held at the State House, Abuja, despite opposition from the National Working Committee (NWC), pulled the break on the spiralling leadership crisis rocking the party with the dissolution of the NWC. In its place, the NEC, which ratified the president's proposal to dissolve the NWC, also accepted his suggestion to raise a 13-member caretaker committee, which is now headed by Yobe State Governor, Mr. Mai Mala Buni, a former national secretary of the party.

However, the dissolution did not go down well with the NWC, headed by Adams Oshiomhole, who is now on Continued on page 9

APC WINNERS

Ize-Iyamu

Fayemi

Bagudu

Bunu

APC LOSERS

Tinubu

Oshiomhole

Giadom

Eta

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Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

CBN: 17 Banks Request to Restructure 32,000 Customers’ Loans World Bank projects pandemic may push 5m more Nigerians into poverty

Obinna Chima The Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Aisha Ahmad, has said that 17 commercial banks have submitted requests, as at last month, to restructure over 32,000 loans for individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic, according to the World Bank, has become a threat to stability in the banking sector and could push another five million Nigerians into the poverty bracket.

The 32,000 loans for individuals and businesses represent 32.94 per cent of total industry loan portfolio, with the manufacturing and general commerce sectors constituting the bulk of the restructured facilities.

Ahmad, in her personal statement at the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting held in May, posted on the CBN’s website yesterday, said the CBN would continue to monitor potential risks to financial stability.

Ahmad said financial soundness indicators remained strong, despite the headwinds and rapid expansion of credit, which increased by N3.0 trillion between May 2019 and the April 2020. The credit growth was driven by the Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) policy. “This resilience notwithstanding, the industry remains exposed to shocks from spillover effects of the pandemic on macroeconomic conditions. “This underscores the importance of regulatory measures to mitigate the effects of the crisis, such as granting forbearance to banks to temporarily restructure loans for businesses and households most affected

by COVID-19 and the Global Standing Instruction policy to limit NPLs,� she added.

According to the CBN deputy governor, results from ongoing impact assessment of COVID-19 effects on impairment by banks indicated modest impact given regulatory policy measures already being implemented. These, coupled with close monitoring by authorities and enhanced risk management practices by financial institutions, would help to mitigate the emerging risks and preserve financial system stability, she said. “The coronavirus-induced global economic crisis is pervasive, with heightened uncertainty for the mediumterm economic outlook. “In Nigeria, early effects of the crisis and containment measures have reflected in modest decline in output growth, exchange rate depreciation, rising public debts and domestic prices amidst existing structural

challenges. “While these impacts on the Nigerian economy continue to evolve, even as some resilience is acknowledged, particularly in healthier than expected first quarter 2020 Gross Domestic Product numbers, there is urgent need to maintain this trajectory to prevent a recession,� she stated.

World Bank Projects pandemic may push 5m more Nigerians into poverty No fewer than five million Nigerians will be pushed into the poverty bracket, due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, according to a forecast by the World Bank.

The multilateral organisation also warned that the disruptions caused by the pandemic poses serious risks to Nigeria’s banking sector and remains a threat to its stability.

The Washington-based multilateral institution stated this in its latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU) titled: “Nigeria in Times of COVID-19: Laying Foundations for a Strong Recovery,� that was released yesterday.

It stated that the economic downturn and the collapse of global oil prices could reverse the declining trend in banking sector's non-performing loans (NPLs), starting with loans to the oil sector, which represent almost 30 per cent of privatesector credit, and progressing through the remaining sectors as demand weakens.

It anticipated that banks’ on-balance-sheet dollardenominated exposures, which represented 38 per cent of the industry’s loan portfolio and 55 per cent of their liabilities at the end of 2019, would also be a source of strain. “The credit to private sector has severely declined in April 2020 as effects of the lockdown and constrained economic activity as it sharply dropped by 65.7 per cent in April 2020. “Meanwhile, credit to the government grew by 7.2 per cent, rebounding from a 53 per cent decline in January 2020. Pressures in the external sector and the stress COVID-19 caused in global financial markets could destabilise Nigeria’s financial sector,� it added.

However, the multilateral institution anticipated that the collapse in oil prices coupled with the pandemic will plunge the Nigerian economy into a severe recession, the worst since the 1980s.

It estimated that Nigeria’s economy would likely contract by 3.2 per cent in 2020.

This projection assumed that the spread of pandemic in the country is contained by the third quarter of 2020.

But it warned that if the spread of the virus becomes

more severe, the economy could contract further. “Before COVID-19, the Nigerian economy was expected to grow by 2.1 per cent in 2020, which means that the pandemic has led to a reduction in growth by more than five percentage points. “The macroeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be significant, even if Nigeria manages to contain the spread of the virus,� it stated.

Oil represents more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s exports, 30 per cent of its banking-sector credit, and 50 per cent of the overall government revenue.

With the drop in oil prices, government revenues are expected to fall from an already low eight per cent of GDP in 2019 to a projected five per cent in 2020, the bank said. “This comes at a time when fiscal resources are urgently needed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and stimulate the economy. “Meanwhile, the pandemic has also led to a fall in private investment due to greater

uncertainty, and is expected to reduce remittances to Nigerian households, which in recent years have been larger than the combined amount of foreign direct investment and overseas development assistance,� it added.

The report also showed that the human cost of the pandemic could be high.

Beyond the loss of life, the COVID-19 shock alone is projected to push about five million more Nigerians into poverty in 2020. “While before the pandemic, the number of poor Nigerians was expected to increase by about two million largely due to population growth, the number would now increase by seven million - with a poverty rate projected to rise from 40.1 per cent in 2019 to 42.5 per cent in 2020,� the report added.

It also noted that the pandemic was likely to disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable, in particular women.

The World Bank added: “School closures have reduced the food intake of almost seven million children who

are enrolled in the national school feeding programme. “Economic activities have been disrupted and women’s livelihoods have been particularly impacted. “Over 40 per cent of Nigerians employed in nonfarm enterprises reported a loss of income in April-May 2020. In addition, the fall in remittances is likely to affect household consumption because half of Nigerians live in remittance-receiving households, of which about a third are poor. “The unprecedented crisis requires an equally unprecedented policy response from the entire Nigerian public sector, in collaboration with the private sector, to save lives, protect livelihoods, and lay the foundations for a strong economic recovery,�World Bank’s Lead Economist for Nigeria and Co-author of the report, Marco Hernandez, said.

However, the bank noted that the government of Nigeria has already taken important health, fiscal and monetary measures to contain the outbreak, moderate the recessionary pressures and

start mitigating the effects of the economic shock.

But it said the pandemic offered an opportunity for Nigeria to identify and remove structural bottlenecks to economic productivity.

Doing so will help the country to recover faster while generating more jobs, the bank stated.

All these outcomes will be invaluable in helping Nigeria to realise its announced ambition of lifting 100 million people out of poverty in the next decade, it added.

Commenting on the report, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, said: “While the long-term economic impact of the global pandemic is uncertain, the effectiveness of the government’s response is important to determine the speed, quality, and sustainability of Nigeria’s economic recovery. “Besides immediate efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and stimulate the economy, it will be even more urgent to address bottlenecks that hinder the productivity of the economy and job creation.�

CHANGE OF GUARD IN APC...

L-R: Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, being sworn-in by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), during the virtual National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, Abuja... yesterday

FG Bans Purchase of Official Vehicles Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The federal government has banned what it described as non-critical and administrative capital spending, including the purchase of vehicles.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a document tagged, “What you need to know about the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan� made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, listed eight key interventions contained in the sustainability report.

The plan was developed by the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and set up by President Muhammadu Buhari earlier in March.

The document was designed to support the economy in the face of the disruptions and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adesina listed the eight key interventions to include mass agricultural programme, infrastructure, informal sector support, business support for MSMEs, technology, expansion of National Social

Investment Programmes, cut in non-essential spending and support for state governments.

As part of ways to cut nonessential spending, Adesina said only ambulances, firefighting vehicles and other essentials were exempted from the ban on the purchase of vehicles.

He said: “The president has approved the implementation of the report on the rationalisation of government agencies. “The NESP will also target a reduction in average production costs of crude oil. “Also, the Integrated

Personnel and Payment Information System (IPPIS) will be expanded to cover all federal government’s MDAs. “Non-critical and administrative capital spending will be eliminated, including purchase of vehicles (except for ambulances, firefighting vehicles and other essentials).�

The presidential spokesman stated that the Economic Sustainability Committee would monitor the implementation of the plan with the vice president regularly briefing the president on the issue.

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With Obaseki's Victory in PDP Primary, Stage Set for Rematch with Ize-Iyamu I won't disappoint, says governor Chuks Okocha and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The governorship contest in Edo State in September will be a battle of two familiar combatants: the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the man he defeated in 2016, Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

However, this time, the duo will be swapping platforms as Obaseki yesterday picked the ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a few days after Ize-Iyamu emerged the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In 2016 when they vied against each other, Obaseki was the APC's candidate and Ize-Iyamu, PDP. Obaseki was affirmed as the candidate of the PDP, having polled 1,952 votes after three other aspirants of the party stepped down for him before the commencement of voting.

A total number of 2,024 delegates were accredited as voters while 72 votes were voided.

Declaring Obaseki as winner of the party's primary and candidate of the party in the September 19 governorship election, Chairman of the Election Committee and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, said: "By the powers conferred on me as chairman of the party’s primary election, I hereby return Governor Godwin Obaseki as the declared winner and candidate of PDP in the Edo State governorship election slated for September 19 this year."

Yesterday's primary was an anti-climax following

intrigues by the other aspirants to ensure that Obaseki, who defected to the PDP last Friday, after he was disqualified from vying for the APC's ticket, did not participate in the primary.

However, with the intervention of party leaders, two of the aspirants, including Hon.Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who had secured a court injunction to restrain the governor from running in the primary, stepped down for Obaseki.

The remaining aspirant, Mr. Kenneth Imasuagbon, was adamant until the eve of the primary when he stepped down too.

It was learnt that he recanted on Wednesday night during a meeting attended by the Bauchi State governor.

At the meeting that was attended by PDP stakeholders with the Oyo State governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde and the Governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Bello Mattawalle and two other members of the ad hoc elect committee, it was agreed that Imasuagbon would be at the Ogbemudia Stadium venue of the primary to enable him officially announce that he had stepped down for Obaseki for the overall interest of the party in the state.

According to the source, "he had to step down when the person that owns the structure accepted to become the National Vice Chairman of the PDP in the South-south (referring to Dan Orbih).

"When eventually Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama agreed on Tuesday night to withdraw his suit at the Port Harcourt Federal High Court against Obaseki and

Dan Orbih accepted to be the national vice chairman of the PDP in the South-south, we knew that it is just a matter time for Imasuagbon to step down. So, what happened on Wednesday night was not surprise for some of us."

However, despite his stepping down for the governor, voting still went on to affirm Obaseki’s candidacy.

Three candidates: Mr.Gideon Ikhini and Imasuagbon from Edo central senatorial zone and Ogbeide-Ihama bought the governorship and nomination forms but none of them eventually contested against Obaseki who came in as aspirant due to the waiver extended to him and his deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu.

THISDAY, however, gathered that when some of the delegates learnt that

Imasuagbon had stepped down, they went back to their homes.

The Ogbemudia stadium venue witnessed a heavy presence of security.

Entrance into the venue was based on accreditation and washing of hands as well as use of hand sanitisers, after the delegate’s temperature was measured with thermometers.

Reacting to his victory, Obaseki said he would not disappoint the people of the state for the confidence reposed in him.

The Edo governor said he believed that by the grace of God, he would win his second term bid.

"Today marks a defining moment for our dear state.

With today’s election result, it is clear that there is no mountain. I thank my family for the encouragement.

"I salute all our party

members for standing tall when it became necessary to do so.

"I almost quit running for second tenure all because of an over-bearing godfather, but the PDP cover provided us with the umbrella when it was heavily raining. “I appreciate former contenders in the election, Mr. Gideon Ikhine, Hon. Omoregie OgbeideIhama and Mr. Kenneth Imasuagbon, who stepped down and declared their support for me.�

Earlier, Mohammed had said the PDP had learnt in a hard way from its past mistakes and would not allow a repeat of history.

He said the party would prove to the world that it was the only party that they could trust.

He described Obaseki as God-sent and resourceful person, noting that what

he has seen at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was a clear attestation to that.

On his part, Dan Orbih said the dream of having the entire South-south states as a PDP state was about to be realised.

Earlier, in his speech, the Edo State Chairman of PDP, Mr. Tony Aziegbemhin, had said he had promised that he was going to return the party to the Osadebe Avenue, adding that he has kept his promise.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees of the PDP has congratulated Obaseki for emerging as the party candidate ahead of the September 19 governorship election.

The BoT, in a statement by its Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, called for unity among party members so that PDP will emerge as the ruling party in 2023.

GIVING ACCOUNT OF STEWARDSHIP...

L-R: Executive Director, Corporate Aairs, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Ore Famurewa; Managing Director, Mr. Ben Langat; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Moyo Ajekigbe, and Non-Executive Director, Mr. Peter Eshikena, at the 47th Annual General Meeting of the company, in Lagos... yesterday sunday adigun

Dubai Police Seize N20.7bn Cash, Assets from Hushpuppi, Alleged Fraudster Ejiofor Alike with agency reports The Dubai Police have seized Dh150 million ($40.9million), along with 13 luxury cars, valued at an estimated Dh25m ($6.8million) in the arrest of an Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, known as Hushpuppi.

Abbas was accused of online fraud and money laundering.

The National of UAE reported that the $57.7 million (N20.772billion) in cash and luxury cars was seized from the 'Instagram celebrity,' who was arrested this month for cyber fraud and money laundering.

In a video shared by the police, officers explained how they arrested the Nigerian gang leader, Hushpuppi.

They alleged that Hushpuppi's principal scam was to create websites that looked identical to well-known companies

and banks.

He and his accomplices then reportedly used emails and messages to prompt people to log in or make payments on the fake sites.

The gang hacked corporate emails and directed huge payments by companies towards accounts they controlled.

Also arrested was Olalekan Jacob Ponle, known as Woodberry.

Woodberry was arrested along with 10 other men in an operation involving six police SWAT teams.

Along with 13 luxury cars, valued at an estimated Dh25m ($6.8m), police confiscated 21 computers and 47 smartphones.

The gang had 119,580 "fraud files" as well as addresses of more than 1.92 million victims.

Police said email addresses for 800,000 potential victims were discovered, and that the gang could have scammed as much as Dh1.6 billion

from victims.

Dubai police officers dubbed the operation ‘Fox Hunt 2’, after busting an African cyber-crime gang running a similar scam in February 2019, in which Dh32 million ($8.7 million) was stolen from victims.

Hushpuppi posed as a real estate investor and businessman, with more than two million followers on Instagram.

His account shows a lavish display of wealth, landing at Atlantis, The Palm in a helicopter and flying across the globe by private yet.

In one image, he poses with his lime green Brabus Mercedes-AMG G63 - which retails in Europe for close to half a million dollars - wearing a lime green tracksuit to match.

In others, he wears Louis Vuitton tracksuits, a $150,000 Richard Mille watch and poses outside the Four Seasons hotel in Paris.

At a wedding in Dubai attended by Nigerian celebrities that made headlines in Nigeria, he was seen in a video dancing around the room throwing $100 notes into the air.

Hushpuppi posed as a successful businessman "celebrating his wealth via social media platforms, in an attempt to lure victims from all over the world," Dubai Police CID Chief, Brigadier Jamal Al Jalaf, said.

"The suspects targeted victims overseas by creating fake websites for well-known companies and banks in a bid to steal victims' credit card information and then launder the stolen money," he said.

A senior prosecutor told The National last week: “They would send out letters from email addresses almost identical to those of legitimate companies, targeting customers of these companies, with

the purpose of diverting payments to themselves. “Initial information includes that he was part of this gang, which fraudulently obtained cash and cars from people. “His statement was taken by prosecution but this is just the beginning of prosecution investigations.�

Hushpuppi was wanted for fraud in Europe, the US and Nigeria.

Dubai Police Chief, Lt. General Abdullah Al Marri, said cyber-crime and financial scams on victims at home and abroad remained a major focus for the force.

"As criminals constantly change their criminal methods, the elite officers of Dubai Police work tirelessly with the latest technologies to tackle emerging and transnational organised crime," he said.

Emirati police have targeted a series of organised crime gangs in recent months, who were

identified to be operating in the country.

Last week, a suspected drug trafficker linked to violent turf wars in Belgium was arrested in Dubai.

Nordin EH, a BelgianMoroccan, faces various drug charges and was linked to cocaine smuggling and hand grenade attacks on rivals in Antwerp.

In December, suspected Dutch crime lord, Ridouan Taghi, was arrested in connection with 11 murders in The Netherlands.

It was alleged he was behind a third of Europe’s cocaine trade and is rumoured to have made ₏100 million from drugs.

Earlier this month, Amir Faten Mekky, an international gang leader wanted by Interpol, was arrested in Dubai.

He was associated with Taghi and the so-called Angels of Death gang and was wanted in connection with two murders and arson attacks in southern Spain.

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PAGE NINE IN A DEFT MOVE, BUHARI PULLS APC FROM THE BRINK

suspension, as it said it would consult its lawyers, possibly to file a lawsuit to challenge the action.

At the virtual NEC meeting, attended by Buhari, the 13-member committee, which has Senator Akpan Udoedehe as its secretary, was also dubbed as the Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and saddled with the task of organising a convention to elect a new leadership for the party.

Other members of the party include the Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, and his Osun State counterpart, Gboyega Oyetola.

The committee has a sixmonth duration to run the party affairs and organise a national convention through which members of the next NWC of the party will be elected.

The NEC meeting was called by a former Deputy National Secretary of APC, Chief Victor Giadom, in his capacity as the acting national chairman of the party following a range of crises, which followed the decision of the Court of Appeal on June 16 that upheld the ruling of an Abuja High Court that had earlier upheld the suspension of Oshiomhole by his ward in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The constitution of a caretaker committee for the party yesterday and other decisions taken by the meeting followed suggestions made by the president in his earlier speech.

In his speech, the president who also called for the withdrawal of all litigations instituted by members of the party, advocated the need to ratify the candidature of Pastor

Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the APC candidate in the September 19 governorship poll in Edo State.

He said: “The meeting may adopt the developed resolution as contained in the agenda and pass resolutions including: approving the immediate discontinuation of all pending litigations involving the party and its members; ratifying the primary election conducted in Edo State; dissolving the current National Working Committee, and appointing caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee for the party."

The president, who expressed concern over various crises rocking the party since June 16, said APC had begun to self-destruct and putting the fortune of the party in jeopardy, a development he said called for interventions at the highest echelon of the party.

He said: "Fellow party members, this is a very crucial moment in the life of our party and it is with a deep sense of concern that I stand before you today to speak as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has been elected on the platform of our great party - the All Progressives Congress. “The issues currently confronting our party at this time are such that should worry every party member. At the moment, our great party is faced with internal wrangling; there are ongoing litigations amongst some party members and we cannot clearly ascertain the status of certain National Working Committee (NWC) members. “There are also other associated disputes as to the legitimacy or otherwise

of holders of certain national offices of the party. The party is also contending with judicial claims and counter-claims, orders and counter-orders and indeed judgments and counter-judgments that are predominantly at cross-purposes. “Confronted with these issues, it is obvious that the fortunes of the party are currently in jeopardy, administration of our party is becoming impossible and there is consequently an urgent need for intervention to immediately arrest further drift and internal wrangling, which may lead to total disintegration. “What we see clearly emerging, is that we are beginning to self-destruct.

This, my dear party members, is not just regrettable but utterly gut wrenching."

Following the ratification of Buhari's recommendations

by NEC yesterday, including the constitution of a caretaker committee, the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), immediately swore in Buni as the chairman of the caretaker committee.

Briefing journalists in the State House after the meeting, the Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors' Forum, Senator Atiku Bagudu, gave the summary of decisions taken at the meeting.

He said: "Today, June 25, 2020, the National Executive Committee meeting of our great party, the All Progressive Congress, held in Abuja and it was attended by other members in virtual manner consistent with the COVID-19 -19 regulations that are in place.

"The meeting was well attended most importantly

by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Deputy Senate President, speaker, deputy speaker, governors from different APC states.

"Among other items, Mr. President, in his speech, called for the dissolution of the National Working Committee and appointed in its place, a caretaker committee which at the same time will serve as a convention planning committee, and membership was proposed and approved

by NEC of our party.

"His Excellency, the Governor of Yobe State, was charged with the burden of leading the Caretaker and Convention Planning Committee. Among the committee members are also other governors - governors of Niger State representing the North-central and Osun State governor, representing the South-west and other illustrious members of the party.

"We are indeed very grateful that the president and the NEC expressed confidence in the governors by appointing these distinguished personalities and we are happy that today, the issues bedeviling our party, has been laid to rest by these momentous decisions and we are equally congratulating Mr. President on the exercise of the mandate that has been given to him by Nigerians and today, the party issues should not distract him but has been sorted out."

Bagudu added that the NEC meeting ratified all decisions taken so far over the conduct of the governorship primary in Edo State, including the decision to forward the

name of Ize-Iyamu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party's candidate for the September 19 election.

He also said following the resolution of the crisis, APC would accordingly put in place the required machinery for the conduct of the governorship election in Ondo State.

He added: "Equally, the meeting ratified all decisions that have been taken in Edo State primary and screening and a name will be forwarded properly to INEC. The name of our candidate in the Edo gubernatorial election and equally the schedule of activities that will commence on the Ondo State primary, for which by God grace, we will also be presenting a candidate, will commence under the leadership of the caretaker committee.

"We thank all our supporters for putting faith in our party and our party leaders for all the support they have been giving Mr. President to achieve this wonderful outcome."

Aside Buni, Udoedehe, Sani-Bello and Oyetola, other members of the caretaker committee named yesterday were: Ken Nnamani, Stella Okotete, Dr. James Lalu, Senator Abubakar Yusuf, Akinyemi Olaide, David Lyon, Abba Ari, Prof. Tahir Mamman and Ismail Ahmed.

Asked if the outcome of the meeting would survive litigations that might follow, as a result of beliefs that the meeting was called following the alleged breach of various provisions of the party's constitution, particularly that the seven-day notice ahead of the meeting, among others, was not adhered to, Buni said no provision was breached because the meeting was just a

continuation of the last meeting of NEC that was adjourned.

"I want to tell you that it is a continuation of the last notice that was issued and we said we had adjourned, and now it’s a continuation of the last adjourned NEC meeting.

All the notices were issued accordingly. So, in no way we are in any aberration," he said.

Also responding to allegations that a national leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, was deliberately sidetracked during invitations to the meeting, Buni disagreed, saying Tinubu as a founding father of the party was also involved in the rescue mission for APC. "You mention the name of one of our leaders, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a founding father of this party. We are all together to rescue this party from all this. Nobody is happy with the situation under which the party is now operating because we are in court for various problems and crises.

"So, this decision was taken

by NEC to address some of this issues. So, nobody is targeted and it is against nobody. Asiwaju is one of the leaders of this party and a founding father of the party," he stated.

Earlier, Giadom, while declaring the meeting opened, said the suspension of Oshiomhole by his ward and subsequent court orders which upheld the suspension, led to various internal crises and confusion in the party.

He said calling the NEC meeting had become compelling in view of the necessity to restore peace, unity and progress to the party.

According to him, the sacked

pinnacle of his professional and political careers by dint of hard work, courage and brilliance.

In his message, Abiodun described as end of an era the death of Ajimobi.

He said the former governor died when his services were most needed and at a time his sagacity would have made a critical difference in statecraft and political engineering.

He said his death was not only a loss to his immediate family and Oyo State that he governed for two unprecedented terms, adding that "it marked the end of an era for Nigeria because of the circumstances of the present time."

Also in his condolence message, Oyetola commiserated with the family of Ajimobi.

Oyetola, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, described the former governor's death as unfortunate, painful and a great loss.

Sanwo-Olu also described the death of Ajimobi as a great loss to his family, the people of the Oyo State and the country as a whole.

The governor added that he is saddened by the loss.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Ajimobi’s demise, after all efforts by medical professionals to stabilise him when he took ill, had opened a deep sore in the hearts of millions of Nigerians, who looked up to him as a rallying point and a political stabiliser.

He said: “the passage of Senator Ajimobi hurts me.

My heart was filled with grief when I was informed that I had lost another political icon to our battle against the coronavirus. “Senator Ajimobi was more than a politician, he was a man of many parts, whose managerial skills and experience are required at this critical period in our national life.�

While commiserating with the deceased’s family, SanwoOlu urged them to take heart, saying ‘‘the death of loved ones is usually one of the most painful episodes in peoples’ lives but we must realise that death is inevitable. We all will die someday. Therefore we must gather enough strength to carry on.�

On his part, Tinubu said with Ajimobi’s departure, Nigeria had lost an outstanding statesman and one of its most able politicians. “Our party, the All Progressives Congress, has lost one of its leading lights.

The Yoruba race and Oyo State have lost a favourite son. I have lost a dedicated friend, brother and ally,� Tinubu said in a statement by his Media Office. “The pain we feel at his passing is beyond what words can describe. This good and excellent man has left us but his energy, activism and commitment to Nigeria and its people shall always be with us,� Tinubu added.

Also, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) described Ajimobi's death as a national tragedy and a huge loss not only to the APC and his state, Oyo but also to the entire nation.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said: "Indeed, our party is still in shock and deeply saddened over the news of the death of Senator Ajimobi, especially at this time, when our nation needed his wealth of experience and statesmanship the most."

PDP said Ajimobi was an exceptionally brilliant administrator, outstanding legislator and a man of peace, who made immense contributions and sacrifices towards the unity as well as political stability and development of Nigeria.

Continued on page 32

PRESIDENT, GOVERNORS, TINUBU, PDP MOURN AJIMOBI Ajimobi's death were his successor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Mr. Gboyega Oyetola (Osun).

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also condoled with the Ajimobis, the Oyo State Government and the nation.

A source close to the former governor informed THISDAY last night that he died from COVID-19 complications.

According to the source, Ajimobi, along with his wife, Florence, had tested positive for COVID-19 in May, but his wife beat the virus while he had, for weeks, been battling complications associated with the disease.

This, it was gathered, made him to fall into coma at the private hospital in Lagos, where he was receiving treatment.

He was transferred to the intensive care unit of the hospital where prominent Nigerians have been receiving treatment for COVID-19.

In his condolences, the president said Ajimobi's contributions to the development of Oyo State and the nation would always be remembered.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari commiserated with the family of the former governor, whom he said served the country as a senator in 2003, before becoming governor in 2011.

The president said Ajimobi remained steadfast and

consistent in his progressive views, and worked assiduously for the creation of the APC. The statement added: "As the party chieftain bows out, President Buhari believes he left the world at a crucial moment when the party and the country needed his counsels to heal, and grow, noting that his absence will be sorely felt by all associates, particularly in the APC." Fayemi, in a statement issued in his capacity as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), said the late Ajimobi was not just their colleague as governors, but was also a pillar of support to the NGF whose contributions to the forum’s debates were filled with wisdom besides their depth.

Fayemi said that while he was governor of Oyo State, the late Ajimobi was not just one member of the NGF who left indelible impressions in the minds of all members who served during his time, but also provided valuable counsel to the NGF secretariat.

According to the NGF chairman, "With insight and foresight, the late Abiola Ajimobi encouraged the strengthening of ties between governors and served as a counsellor to other governors including my humble self."

Another statement by the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Hon. Simon Lalong, described Ajimobi as a man of integrity who served the people of Oyo State and Nigeria with excellence.

Lalong said: "The sterling leadership qualities of the late Ajimobi and his role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress endeared him to many party members which led to his appointment as deputy national chairman, South."

Makinde, on his part, expressed sadness at the demise of his predecessor.

The governor, in a condolence message to the Ajimobi family and the people of Oyo State, also directed that the state's flag flies at half mast today.

"I cannot begin to imagine the pain the family must be going through at this time because of the loss of their patriarch. It is my prayer that God grants them all the strength to bear this great loss.

"I join the good people of Oyo State as we mourn the death of a statesman. Surely, he will be remembered for leaving a blueprint for some of the activities that our administration is now undertaking," he added.

In another statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi described Ajimobi's death as a personal loss to him, and a huge loss to the people of Oyo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

"We have lost a star' said Fayemi who added that Ajimobi's death was a painful one not only to the family but to the APC. Fayemi described Ajimobi as an accomplished professional, a respected politician and astute administrator, who reached the

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COMMENT

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

A TOKENIST GLANCE AT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN? It’s time to treat drug abuse as a major public health issue, writes Dokun Adedeji

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y the resolution 42/112 of 7th December 1987, the General Assembly of the United Nations, decided to observe June 26 of every year as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation amongst all nations of the world to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

It was both a lofty and laudable goal that seemingly till date appeared elusive considering the current global reality.

This day since 1989 is being globally observed to serve the purpose for which it was originated.

Nigeria as a member nation of the UN, established its own agency called NDLEA - The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency- in 1989 but was not fully founded until 1990.

This agency was charged with the responsibility of eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting and trafficking of hard drugs.

At that time and for the enumerated purposes, it was probably the appropriate reaction but the intricate realities of today’s drug situation, has come with a need to revisit these responsibilities.

I will come to that presently.

It is important at this stage to state emphatically that as a nation, we are on an epidemic! The frightening statistics bear out this painful and unfortunate reality.

The UNODC - the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimereleased some staggering details of the global and Nigerian drug situation last year. I will just touch on a few of them: One, there are about 35 million people worldwide who suffer from drug use disorders. Two, 2018 prevalence of any drug use in Nigeria was 14.4% corresponding to about 14 million Nigerians aged between 15 and 64.

Three, among every four persons with problematic drug use, one is a woman! Four, the highest level of any past year drug use was among those aged between 25 and 39 years. Five, one in five persons who had used drugs in the past year is suffering from drug use disorder.

Six, geographically, the highest past year prevalence of drug use was found in the Southern geopolitical zones - ranging from 13.8% to 22.4%.

Probably the most disturbing aspect of all these is the fact that a lot of problematic drug users are seeking treatment, but regrettably, these are almost not available.

Cannabis remains the most commonly used drug both globally and here in Nigeria. As I had aforementioned, Nigeria has a major drug challenge. The reality of this must be why the President inaugurated a special body called PACEDA- Presidential Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse, led by Gen Buba Marwa in February 2019.

To many of us working on the field, it was a welcome development.

I had earlier stated that I was going to come back to the matter of the NDLEA and its omnibus responsibilities.

It is our considered opinion that there must be a review of this huge responsibility if we want to make a headway in our national response to the drug problem.

We think that NDLEA can continue with its major drive of interdiction whilst PACEDA is saddled with the responsibility of drug

PROBABLY THE MOST DISTURBING ASPECT IS THE FACT THAT A LOT OF PROBLEMATIC DRUG USERS ARE SEEKING TREATMENT, BUT REGRETTABLY, THESE ARE ALMOST NOT AVAILABLE

demand reduction.

Of course, there remains the space for mutual cooperation. Our nation needs to work on drug demand reduction activities with eyes on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation and aftercare.

That we have a drug problem is not really the challenge but our efforts to handle it.

Let me state clearly that the time has come when we must address this problem as a public health issue. We cannot go on criminalising the use of drugs and expect to get any result.

Neither can we travel the route of stigmatising these fellows who are victims, and go on to punish them when all they need are our understanding, help, support and love.

Our collective attitude must change because these are our sons and daughters. True, in the course of their harmful habit, they have hurt us, destroyed our trust and even committed heinous crimes, we must understand that these are products of their habits.

Every human being needs a second chance. Let us give them.

We have been involved in the lives of many of them who have since returned to drug-free lives and doing very well in their various engagements. All hope is not lost.

The point of my engagement with the authorities and our people today as another June 26 approaches is this - will it be another tokenist involvement where there will be a lot of talk and empty activities so that we give an impression that we are worried about the trend?

True, we are in a global health crisis which is taking all our attention but I hope we can remember that many of these folks are scattered in numerous corners of our nation with nowhere to go!

I hope we can also acknowledge that because of the strictures of these times and the consequent difficulties, some more have joined their friends to start the use of drugs.

The theme for this year is: Better knowledge for better care. How many of us will be persuaded to seek a better understanding of this human dilemma so that we can offer appropriate care?

Drug use is not a consequence of moral failure nor is it a crime to be punished. We have come to know that drug use disorders are the result of a complex interplay of many factors that are very much out of the control of the affected individual. This condition should not therefore be considered as self-acquired or be punished or be stigmatised for.

We must therefore as individuals, organisations and nation, come together to deal with this common challenge.

Let this year as we mark another International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, be the turning point in our common desire to see a drug-free society.

Finally, I hope the government of President Buhari who first launched a ‘war’ against drugs many years ago, will rise to the challenge we face today.

He started well with the inauguration of PACEDA. Will he demonstrate the political will to go the whole hog and save our youth and nation from this suffocating disease?

Dr. Adedeji is the Director-General, Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry_

GBAJABIAMILA AND THE WAR AGAINST RAPE Eni Olukotun writes that the speaker’s intervention on issues of common interest is praiseworthy

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he rape epidemic ravaging Nigeria has become a serious source of concerns to all. From men who could not tame their wild libido to mentally-deranged Pedophiles who prey on babies as young as one week; from Uwa in Benin to Barakat in Ibadan and the vulnerable aged being raped in their homes, the public outcry and outrage has become louder against sex predators.

The Buhari government took special notice in the spike of the heinous crime and declared through the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami that the government would be ruthless with sex offenders, ruling out possibility of plea bargain for culprits.

More disturbing is the fact that rapists invade anywhere including sanctuaries of worship. The evil men that raped and killed Uwa in Benin City, the Edo capital, defied and committed murder in the cathedral.

Reticent and easy-going cleric, Enoch Adejare Adeboye could no longer keep his cool. He was enraged and roared, “Death Sentence Not Enough Punishment For Rapists�.

He never sought forgiveness for men who preyed on innocent women and babies. Adeboye might have concluded that it is a sin unto death.

Let the punishment starts from here till hereafter eternity.

Many who thought that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God holy indignation was misplaced would have had a

rethink when they read in the news how three young boys raped their pastor’s Feyisara in Ibadan.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila gave a renewed strength to the war against rape by calling on State House of Assemblies to legislate laws that will potentially rein in dare-devil rapists on the rampage.

Gbajabiamila made the call when he received delegation of 12 civil society organisations urging state assemblies to domesticate the Child Rights Act and Violence Against Persons(Prohibition) Act. The Speaker said: �We called this meeting to see what we can do. It is to also find out from states that have not domesticated these acts to know what exactly the problems are; what are the issues? “How exactly can we collaborate from the federal level, from the House of Representatives, the National Assembly, in helping to domesticate these two laws, taking into consideration the different cultures and communities? “We had a robust debate in the House of Representatives. We had very far reaching resolutions that will address some of these issues.

The bottom line is we need to do something fast.�

The meeting, conducted via zoom, was moderated by the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, with the Speakers of Bauchi, Ekiti, Delta, Edo and Plateau States, among others, in attendance.

The speaker acting with promptness that the

rape crisis demands, activated machinery to reach critical stakeholders, relevant House Committees and government agencies such as NAPTIP, NHRC. Gbajabiamila also coopted the Nigerian Police Force to provide technical support to state legislatures in amending the two acts to suit local circumstances to ensure timely consideration.

This intervention is the latest in the series of people-orientated activism that Gbajabiamila had been waging since he assumed office as the speaker of the House.

The speaker has been a worthy example of how Nigerian political class entrusted with public trust and privileged elites should conduct their affairs. It should be about the people and nothing else.

The essence of leadership is to create a fulfilled life for citizenry and to respond timely when there is a crisis. That is not only the duty of the executive arm of government, a proactive and responsive legislature can also help through legislations and other interventions.

Gbajabiamila has shown how to connect and touch the base with those at the bottom of pyramid without bricks and mortal projects.

After all, a man shall not live by bread alone. The speaker was very exceptional in that regard.

Many occupiers of the office before would only wonder in awe how the US-trained lawyer has made remarkable success in repositioning an institution that was hitherto regarded as non-important.

Gbajabiamila knows that in critical times

like this, he needed not restrict himself to just lawmaking and oversight business. There is need to galvanize the system to deliver the best to the greatest number of people.

And he demonstrated practically in recent times. Even before he became speaker, Gbajabiamila fumed at the exploitative business model of estimated billing regime for energy consumers in the country. He called out the nation’s 11 Distribution Companies (DISCOS) to meter their customers and let people pay for what they actually consumed.

He championed that struggle to the discomfiture of powerful interests in the power sector.

Gbajabiamila also stood with the people during lockdown about two months ago. He advised the government to walk out modalities with power companies to give Nigerians free two-month electricity during their stay at home period.

He didn’t just talk and acted otherwise, Gbajabiamila-led by example. He rallied his colleagues at the Green Chamber to donate their salaries to ease the pains in town. Many who thought that the speaker will be lackey of the executive were surprised when the speaker rattled the Minister for Health over hazard allowance to frontline health workers fighting Coronavirus.

No doubt, rapists cannot survive the coordinated and multi-dimensional assaults underway.

Just as the speaker had led by example, everyone in the position of power must take a cue and use their office to protect the vulnerable.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020

EDITORIAL THE BATTLE OVER WATERWAYS The feud between Lagos State and NIWA is unnecessary

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he face-off between the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Government over the constitutional power to control the waters in the state is rather unfortunate. The latest controversy is coming barely a year after the state and NIWA resolved their differences spanning over 10 years, with the signing of a mutual agreement on modalities for waterways’ regulations and control. Before that resolution was brokered, Lagos State had instituted a legal action against the federal government seeking judicial interpretations on the matter before it was settled out of court. Whatever may have been the resolution arrived at is now in jeopardy.

At issue is a move by the Lagos State House of Assembly to challenge the regulatory powers of NIWA and stop the activities of dredging companies. This, to NIWA is an affront to its authority. In fact, the federal agency recently described the attempt by the Lagos lawmakers as overstepping their mandate on the extant mining laws in the country which vest such oversight powers WHAT IS NEEDED only on NIWA. BETWEEN NIWA AND To the extent that THE LAGOS STATE the management of GOVERNMENT IS inland waterways is COLLABORATION ON under the purview THE ENFORCEMENT OF of federal authorities SAFETY STANDARDS in many climes, we RATHER THAN FIGHTING believe that NIWA is OVER TURF on firmer grounds. In the United States of America for instance, the Marine Highway, an initiative of the Department of Transportation (DOT) was designed to use the country’s 47,000 kilometres of navigable waterways to alleviate traffic. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), a federal establishment, is responsible for 19,000 kilometres of the waterways. Besides, most of the commercially important inland waterways are maintained by the USACE, including 18,000 kilometres of fuel-taxed waterways.

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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

fter evolving from Inland Waterways Department (IWD) of the Federal Ministry of Transport into an Authority vide an act of the National Assembly in 2004, NIWA’s primary responsibility includes improving and developing Nigeria’s inland waterways for navigation.

By the enabling act, other functions of NIWA are to undertake capital and maintenance dredging; undertake hydrological and hydrographic surveys; design ferry routes; survey, remove, and receive derelicts, wrecks and other obstructions from inland waterways; operate ferry services within the inland waterways system; undertake installation and maintenance of lights, buoys and all navigational aids along water channels and banks.

NIWA is also vested with the power to issue and control licences for inland navigation, piers, jetties, dockyards; examine and survey inland water crafts and shipyard operators; grant permit and licences for sand dredging, pipeline construction, dredging of slots and crossing of waterways by utility lines.

Given the foregoing functions, NIWA appears to be operating within its scope, particularly in the instant case of dredging activities. While it is not clear why the Lagos legislature would choose to drag the agency to court less than a year after an amicable resolution was reached with the state government, we are not opposed to testing the law where there are contentions. But while a resort to judicial solution is okay, there are pressing issues that should be the focus of attention by both NIWA and the Lagos authority, especially at a time like this.

Hardly does any month pass within the Lagos waters without report of a boat accident and often with heavy casualty figures. And the reasons are very clear. According to estimates from the United Nations (UN), there are more than three million shipwrecks in the ocean floor worldwide and Nigeria is one of the countries where numerous of such wrecks are said to be lying under the water bed. Therefore, if this issue is about public good, what is needed between NIWA and the Lagos State government is collaboration on the enforcement of safety standards rather than fighting over turf.

It is not too late to begin to tread that part.

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

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What Are Lawmakers Saying About Rape?

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here’s one thing I have noticed about our lawmakers or let me say our politicians— they’re only concerned about themselves. I recall when Nigerian senators fumed over the two million Christmas allowance given to them by the leadership of the house. They went on to call it “a mere drop.” Imagine, this was a period when many households in Nigeria couldn’t afford to buy a chicken. Anyway, that wasn’t the first time our lawmakers were speaking in one voice, they do whenever the issue at hand is all about them— their monthly allowance to be specific.

It’s no longer a news that the rapists in Nigeria are on the prowl.

They had touched and still touching the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. In this month of June alone, more than 20 cases of rape have been reported. These were just the reported cases. What about those who haven’t gone to the appropriate authorities? These are the people who believe that their rapists wouldn’t be brought to book and would go scot-free because of our namby-pamby judicial system. These are the people who don’t want the society to condemn them.

A few weeks ago, when a 100-level student of University of Benin, Vera Omozuwa was raped and murdered, her tragic death sparked reactions among the citizens. Our mainstream media published tons articles from concerned Nigerians who wrote that the law which guides rape should be reviewed. The life imprisonment as a punishment for rape should be emptied in a waste bin. Rapists should be given a death sentence or castrated, a friend suggested. We had not

stopped grieving over Vera Omozuwa’s death, then, another Bello Barakat 18, was raped and murdered in Ibadan. Also in Jigawa, a 12-year-old was gang-raped by 12 able-bodied men.

However, after several calls on our lawmakers by concerned Nigerians over the strutting rape cases, they later picked the call.

What happened after? One Hon James Faleke stood up and recommended that any person found guilty of rape should be castrated.

His position would later be countered. The debate continued and Alhaji Ahmed Jaha gave a shallow reason for rape which offended the sensibility of women. Women dressings expose them to rape?

What about Barakat who didn’t dress indecently but was raped and murdered? His position didn’t go down well with many Nigerians as he was almost torn in two through online protests. He later apologized.

Since the last time the house sat over the increasing rape cases, there have not been any progressive conclusion on it. This is not a welcome idea for an issue that needs a fast decision. Didn’t the lawmakers know that these rapists are still on the prowl. This week alone, our mainstream media reported nothing less than five rape cases. Instead of our lawmakers to sit and conclude on a punishment that will reduce the rate at which our women are being assaulted by these rapists, they were busy discussing on why Nigeria should retaliate the staff quarters of Nigerian High Commission that was demolished in Ghana. Shall we ask our lawmakers what they are saying about rape?

Aremu Lukman Umor, Lagos

Government, Media And Insecurity

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his government is getting away with proper accountability to the people of Nigeria on account of a failed national security policy, but what makes it especially painful is the realisation that the traditional print and electronic media gives lying government spokesmen the assurance of dissemination of the disinformation they have cooked up to explain glaring non-actions in the protection of lives and property. Methinks the media exists to query the mis-truths that a government wants published in the press, but has the government been too smart for newsmen? The media must stop publishing self-serving statements of “successes” against terrorists and “bandits” that are constantly being issued out by competing government agents which are designed to con the citizens that some “technical defeat” has been achieved.

Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2020

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POLITICS

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

A Chronicle of Obaseki’s Four-Year Political Battle Osareme Obetoh, a Benin-based public affairs analyst, presents a studious catalogue of some of the political infractions allegedly masterminded by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

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n appraisal of Governor Godwin Obaseki”s four rule in Edo State reveals to any discerning heart that it was era he fought his enemies more than on good governance which the people yearned for.

Political watchers within and outside the state are often tempted to compare him to the likes of Adolf Hitler of Germany because of his leadership style.

His critics describe him as a man who went out of his way to sweep the legacies of his political godfather, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole under the carpet, that he won’t be remembered for virtually nothing using the Hitler strategy of war which was the main reason Germany ultimately lost the war.

Even though they do not declare Oshiomhole a saint, the critics believe that the governor began the fight too early and took it too far by obviously refusing to accept reality, the same way Hitler took no advice from his Generals and then made poor decisions.

It won’t be out of place to assert that Obaseki was misled by probably myopic observers of Nigeria’s political drama whom in a bid to attain his second term damning the consequences.

Edo people and other Nigerians, who have now taken up arms against Obaseki, recall many of his sins against a presumably weak godfather, Oshiomhole, who is accused of acting belatedly even when it was clear that the governor started the war from the inception of his administration.

According to them, Obaseki in the early days of his administration on December 29, 2016, ordered two All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, Osakpomwan Eriyo and Sunday Osagbona, to be remanded in Oko Prison for alleged attempted murder of Chief Osaro Idah.

Also on October 6, 2018, he allegedly imposed his preferred candidates for National/House of Assembly elections on the party in several LGs of the state. February 23, 2019, Obaseki lost his ward, LG, federal constituencies and senatorial district in the Presidential/National Assembly elections. On March 18, 2019, Obaseki purportedly suspended Gen. Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere (rid) from APC. On June 5, 2019 he accused Edo APC leaders of fighting him for access to the state treasury to share Edo money. On June 17, 2019, his administration refused inaugurate 14 APC members-elect into the Edo State House of Assembly. On June 17, 2019, 14 Edo House of Assembly memberselect were attacked at the Golden Tulip Hotel by political thugs.

On July 3, 2019, eight commissioners and special advisers believed to be Oshiomhole”s loyalists were sacked while on July 4, 2019, Chris Okaeben was suspended from the APC by the Oredo LG chapter of the party. On July 23, 2019. Obaseki was fingered in the fight against the ministerial nomination of Clem Agba by President Muhammadu Buhari. On July 31, the chairman of Etsako West LG, Yakubu Musa, was suspended.

On August 29, 2019, a letter was sent to President Buhari through the APC Ovia North East LG chapter rejecting the nomination of Dr. Pius

Odubu and Chief Victor Ekhator as chairman and member, board of NDDC respectively. On September 3, 2019, the governor ’s lawyer, Andrew

Adaze Emwanta filed a case before an FCT High Court, Abuja against the nomination of Odubu as NDDC’s chairman.

The Unusual Ogbeni Turns 60 Years Lanre Arogundade, President of the International Press Centre eulogises a colleague in the journalism profession on his birthday

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augh uncontrollably, have mouth wide opened or simply stay stunned in amusing silence while shaking your head!

Any of these is bound to happen when you encounter him for the first time; or even a second, a third, a fourth, etc, time.

For close associates, you may say it is the occupational hazard of being friends with someone who seems to have been born with talkativeness, wit, sharp jibes and humour.

Sometimes, these natural gifts could cause near commotion, as it did on the playing field of the Catholic primary school, Osi-Ekiti, during the funeral party of my elder brother’s mother-in-law few years back. So great was that performance that we couldn’t resist recording the one-man theater even as we laughed and laughed.

Town folks who had not seen him before watched in disbelief.

Those jibes are not often about idle matters. They are sometimes political for he’s a keen follower and observer of political and social events.

Indeed one mistake you could make is to assume that Gokus, Gokus, as we often call the one who would normally introduce himself as Ogbeni Goke Odeyinka, is a clown. You would be dead wrong if you do.

Indeed, my first encounters with Gokus was at the second Saturday monthly general meetings of the Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at the NUJ Lighthouse on Victoria Island in the late 80s. He was a regular as he rarely missed meetings. He was easy to notice.

He seemed to know everyone by name and he seemed to have punchy yabis for each and everyone.

I noticed that some call him Baba Fela and initially thought it was merely because he was a Fela fan, having now met him on occasions at Fela’s People street, Ikeja, Afrika Shrine. But it turned out that he admired Fela much more deeply so much so that he named his first son after him and his second

son after Fela’s younger brother, Beko.

Gokus is therefore Baba Fela. He’s also Baba Beko and of course Baba Bolatito his splitimage daughter. Only the deep appreciated and stood by Fela. Gokus is one of them and one of the few who could authoritatively and factually talk and write about Fela. He’s probably more on the fanatical side and you would be incurring his wrath if you question his often stated assertion that Fela is the greatest Nigerian, dead or alive.

We emerged from those early encounters to become team members of the New Trend Movement of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and on the night that Ladi Lawal (of blessed memory), the arrow head of that movement in Lagos NUJ emerged the Council Chairman after a keenly contested election, we ended up - in the company of Baba Nla himself - at Fela’s shrine (where else? ) to celebrate the victory.

Getting closer to Gokus as co residents in Ijesa area of Lagos meant knowing him the more but the cycle became complete when I joined Concord newspapers where he was already excelling as Communications correspondent in the early 90s. In the newsroom he was always a star attraction. Only Gokus, Gokus, would be writing a story and still have the eagle eye to see a female reporter leaning on the table to chat with or answer querries from Niyi Obaremi, the News Editor. On such occasions, he would scream - that is illegal standing!. If the ladies fight back, he would threaten them with his weapon boastfully singing.......’ Union Bank - big, strong, reliable’.

As a jolly good fellow, it was obvious that Gokus would have good sources in the Communications Ministry. He regularly had bylines. And if you really think about it, he did have good sources as we can now reveal the state secret that he met his two wives in that Ministry!

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

On September 27, 2019, the governor sacked Alhaji Aremiyau Momoh as chairman of Etsako East LG while on October 5, 2019, thugs loyal attacked the Benin GRA residence of Oshiomhole.

On October 9, 2019, he proscribed the Edo People’s Movement (EPM) at the Edo APC state party secretariat.

On October 11, 2019- Obaseki ordered the arrest of Hon. Osarobo Idahosa, the APC leader in Ikpoba Okha and about three police Hilux vehicles were stationed outside his house for days. On October 18, 2019, Lawrence Okah was suspended as Edo State APC secretary.

On November 2, 2019, thugs riding on a bike booed Oshiomhole at Edo University, Iyamoho convocation.

On November 14, 2019, nine of the 26 exco members were used to suspend Oshiomhole in his ward 10 of Etsako West LG. On November 21, 2019, a protest was staged at the APC national secretariat led by the governor ’s aide, Osagbovo Iyoha, calling for the resignation/removal of Oshiomhole as APC national chairman.

On November 22, 2019, the state government sealed up the hotel of Comrade Osakpomwan Eriyo and seized his caterpillars, excavators and other work equipment at his sand excavation business site (pit).

On December 3, 2019, Frank Okiye declared the seats of 14 APC House of Assembly members-elect vacant and asked INEC to conduct by-elections.

On December 12, 2019, NWC members and Oshiomhole’s convoy was attacked in Benin by thugs, who burnt vehicles, set bonfire on Airport Road and on December 13, 2019, the governor placed a ban on all political rallies and gatherings in both public and private properties with a threat to revoke the Cs of O of such properties.

On December 13, 2019, the state government ordered men of the Nigeria Police to seal up Garrick Memorial School to prevent the welcome rally for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu back to the APC. On January 29, 2020, he set up a panel to probe Oshiomhole over the construction of the Benin Specialist Hospital.

On February 1, 2020, the state government ordered the Police to seal up ‘Okaigiesan Hall’, the initial venue of the Edo central APC rally.

On February 3, 2020, through his deputy, he asked the IG of Police & Director of DSS to arrest Oshiomhole.

On February 5, 2020, the state government demolished the hotel of Comrade Tony Kabaka Adun, a loyalist of Oshiomhole at Ugbor, Benin City.

On February 22, 2020, his loyalist blocked both the street entrance and exit to the Benin private residence of Oshiomhole with Edo State Waste Management trucks. This was to prevent Oshiomhole from accessing his house or receiving visitors.

On June 2, 2020, he took the NWC of the APC to the Federal High Court in Benin City to reverse direct primary option to indirect primary. The same day, he also took the NWC to the Federal High Court in Benin City not to accept Ize-Iyamu as a member of the party and to challenge the waiver ordered by NWC. On June 21, 2020, Governor Obasek, vowed to disrupt and make the APC, primary impossible.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2020

17

PERSPECTIVE VIEW FROM

AMERICA

chido@usafricaonline.com@Chido247

The Book Trump Does Not Want You to Read Chido Nwangwu, Founder and Publisher of USAfrica writes that the revealing book by a former National Security Adviser of the United States of America has rattled President Donald Trump more than anything else

J

ohn R. Bolton, the former national security adviser to embattledon-all-fronts President Donald J. Trump, has released his explosive book against Trump. But before the book titled ‘The Room Where It Happened’ made it to bookstores it was all over the social media, especially WhatsApp. It will seem as if the Lords of digital piracy were working for their pockets as well as the litigation interests of John Bolton.

I am resigned to ask the question, specifically, did the publishers of Mr. Bolton‘s book have any hand in the release of the so-called pirated copy?

That is a diabolical strategy yet an effective strategy.

I will tell you why in a minute.

Mr. Trump had gone to court against Mr. Bolton Bolton alleging the former national security advisor of 17 months only, by the facts and content of the book, was engaged in criminal exposition of classified national security information.

At the centre of the entire conflict remains the grave charge by Mr. Bolton that Mr. Trump places his very personal interests especially his need to be reelected in 2020 over and above the national interests of the United States of America!

There could be no more significant challenge and denunciation of any president than the acquisition of private, partisan and unlawful gains over the public interests. In fact it is treasonous and an impeachable offense to seek transient and any forms of personal gains. Why? Such transactions, And compromises are likely to subjugate the power and potency of the presidency of the United States; and of any responsible, accountable and democratic country.

Trump’s biggest problems with the book include the assembly of evidence that Mr. Trump willfully engaged in criminal and unlawful quid pro quo.

Ambassador Bolton’s book goes deeper to directly link President Trump’s suspension of $391 million in security aid for Ukraine to his demands that the government of Ukraine publicly announce investigations into concocted allegations especially against his 2020 presidential election rival, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Somehow, since he bagged the nomination of his party, the Joe Biden pace

and engagement against Trump seems rather incomplete and no connectivity messaging.

The issues surrounding the messy hustle of the Ukraine by Mr. Trump laid the foundation for the Democratic Party led Impeachment of Mr. Trump.

Effort to win votes in order to secure his impeachment failed in the joint session of the United States Congress, the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

Also, Mr. Bolton accused Mr. Trump of begging the President of China, Mr. Xi, to help him win reelection In 2020 by purchasing crops and products from the agriculture producing states here in the US. Mr. Bolton documents that incident as a perfect example of the criminal activity of a foreign power being invited to intervene in the domestic democratic process of the US. Shall we simply note that Mr. Trump lost first effort to stop the publication and release of the book which characterizes him as amateurish and reckless, corrupt and not worthy of being President of the United States!

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth on Saturday June 20, 2020 rejected the Trump administration’s motion by pointing to the fact that news organizations already had copies. He added that hundreds of thousands of the book, pre-ordrered, were ready to be shipped.

The third leg of the reality to contend with is Bolton was granting interviews.

However, the judge made the point that Bolton did not wait for a clearance letter from the government, stating “If he is right and the book does not contain classified information, he keeps the upside mentioned above; but if he is wrong, he stands to lose his profits from the book deal, exposes himself to criminal liability, and imperils national security.”

Bolton, I understand, received a $2 million advance plus additional royalties If it smashes best seller stats.

The ‘Room Where It Happened’ is already a hit; a pre-launch success. And all the news networks are providing their platforms for the author Trump called wacko!

The problem is: The more you listen to Ambassador Bolton you will not see a wacko; you will find patriotic zeal, and man of intellectual structure.

In my research of the 71 year-old lawyer and self described conservative Republican, I noticed he denies the reality and facts of institutional racism in the United States. He is very wrong — in terms of historical and contemporaneous realities of this great country!

Without a doubt, we live in a much better country than it was in the 1800s and any of the 1960s.

Remarkably and with astonishingly fake intensity, President Trump has pinned something about Biden being the personification of corruption in Ukraine and wherever….

I pinch myself, awakening from an Orwellian dizzying spin, fittingly remembering the certain truths from Wes Fesler. He, the one who wrote the timeless words that Hypocrisy is the audacity to preach integrity from a den of corruption.

Why Sanwo-Olu Shunned Fanfare on His 55th Birthday Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos explains why the governor’s birthday was turned into an memorable working day

P

roverbs 22:29 states “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” This biblical verse is the true reflection of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who cloced 55 this week. Without any iota of doubt, the 55th birthday of Governor Sanwo-Olu is worth celebrating considering how he has made meaningful impacts in private and public sectors, especially in the last one year of his administration as number one citizen in the Centre of Excellence.

Mr. Governor believes that an occasion of one’s birthday, especially a milestone such as the age of 55, should be a day to reflect on one’s purpose of existence in life and, this according to him, is “to serve the humanity”.

Therefore the governor in his charismatic leadership and passion for the vulnerable people decided not to have an elaborate feast for families, friends, political associates and professional colleagues. Rather he has chosen the path of honour and genuine love for the needy in the society by asking people to channel the resources they intend to use for congratulatory advertisements in celebration of his birthday to taking care of the vulnerable people in the society. The governor, based on his passion for the state has also declared his intention to spend the better part of today to attend to many important state matters.

Sanwo-Olu’s gesture is going to bring relief to thousands of Lagosians, especially the vulnerable, whose lives are expected to be touched directly or indirectly by the millions of naira that could have been used for birthday messages for the governor.

Sanwo-Olu’s decision is a reflection of his conviction that “the best birthday gift anyone would give him at this period is to identify those at the bottom of the pyramid wherever they reside, lift them up by putting smiles on their faces-that way, they would have lifted his heart too.”

As a man who believes in putting smiles on the faces of others; someone who is passionate and empathetic towards people around him, the governor’s decision to have a low key celebration on his major milestone deserves a lot of accolades.

Lagos State is the commercial capital of Nigeria and the Africa’s fifth largest economy, and based on its unique position as having the highest population density in Nigeria, the battle for the state usually dominates the country’s politics during election period.

This is why many political parties usually battle to be in control of the state. But despite several attempts by the opposition political parties, the progressive camp, which SanwoOlu belongs to, has been in charge of the State since the return of Nigeria to democratic path in May 29, 1999.

The ruling party has provided good governance in Lagos State in the last 21 years and Governor Sanwo-Olu has been part of the State’s progressive trajectory in the past seventeen years. He was a member of the cabinet of the three previous governors.

The banker, who turned politician began his political journey at 37 when he served as Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to ex-deputy governor, Otunba Femi Pedro and later Special Adviser to Governor Bola Tinubu on Corporate Matters in 2004. He was head of different ministries between 2004 and 2015 as Honourable Commissioner.

Former Governor Tinubu appointed SanwoOlu as acting Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget from 2004 to 2005, and later made him substantive Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in 2007.

Also former Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2007 appointed him as Commissioner of Establishment, Training and Pensions.

The incumbent governor also served as the Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) under the immediate past governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

His emergence as the governor of Lagos State was historic, considering the support that heralded his emergence as the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the party’s gubernatorial primaries. For the first time in Lagos politics, Sanwo-Olu defeated an incumbent governor to pick his party’s ticket. He won the March 2, 2019 governorship poll landslide, defeating 44 candidates other who contested against him.

As a man who has played active role in the growth and development of the State in line with the ‘Lagos Master Plan’, Sanwo-Olu didn’t disappoint Lagosians immediately he took over the mantle of leadership. Knowing the various challenges facing the state, Sanwo-Olu’s administration, working with a six pillars policy programme tagged T.H.E.M.E.S to deliver good governance to millions of Lagosians swung into action.

T.H.E.M.E.S stands for; Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century economy; Entertainment and Tourism; Security and Governance.

It is of note that when Sanwo-Olu emerged as APC governorship candidate, Lagos had literally become a dumpsite as heaps of municipal waste littered the streets. The state agency set up for waste disposal had been disengaged in a curious and controversial circumstance, leaving residents to resort to indiscriminate dumping of refuse, which became a daily eyesore, even to the government of the day. Apart from the issue of waste, there were several other issues of concern that the governor faced when assumed office.

The issues of heavy traffic, bad roads, and blockage of drainage, among others were monstrous in nature.

Governor Sanwo-Olu believes that government is continuous and that was why he didn’t spend energy in his early days in office blaming previous administration.

Rather than giving excuses, Sanwo-Olu hit the ground running from his day one in office. He took a lot of bold steps in the early few weeks. To him, the task of achieving the ‘Greater Lagos’ he promised Lagosians must be accomplished.

Sanwo-Olu, within a week in office announced members of his kitchen cabinet as well as key appointments in the state to set the ball of governance rolling in the Centre of Excellence.

The governor also signed the Lagos State 2019 Appropriation Bill of N873,532,460,725 into law. As promised during the electioneering, Sanwo-Olu constituted his full cabinet within his first 60 days in office.

With the cabinet fully in place, the government swung into action by working hard to ensure that the people of Lagos State start enjoying dividends of democracy. The first 100 days in office was a huge success story for a young several programmes and projects executed by administration as there were several projects displayed in the score card.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

18

FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2020 •T H I S D AY

19

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 26, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 15.17 % 16.67 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

14.50 % 12.50 % 13.75 %

J U N E

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

1 9 , 2 0 2 0

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

536.08 % 2.31 % 3.50 %

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 15.12 % YEAR TO DATE 11.41 %

EXCHANGE RATE N361/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes FAAN, NAMA Relocate Head Offices

STOCK-TAKING

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. ‘Laoye Jaiyeola; Chairman, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, and Vice Chairman, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, at the Annual General Meeting of the NESG in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Unions Kick as FG Mulls Airports’ Concession Chinedu Eze Aviation labour unions have issued threats to the federal government over the approval it received from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to concession Nigeria’s four major airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has reiterated that concessioning of the facilities would pave way for private investors to invest in airport modernisation. This, he had said was the key to aviation development of the Buhari administration.

But unions in the aviation sector have vowed to resist the planned concession of the major airports.

Arising from an extraordinary emergency Joint Action Committee meeting

AVIATION on Wednesday, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) branch said due process was violated by government and thereby the interests of Nigerians and workers could be protected.

The unions insisted that government cannot protect the interest of the workers when the airports are concessioned, adding that they could suffer what workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways whose personnel were not compensated for several years until the current

administration paid severance package to those still alive and “they have not even completed the payment.”

The aviation unions vowed to stop the process, warning that with the current situation, FAAN workers and pensioners nationwide have been placed on alert for further directives, threatening to paralyse activities when flights resume at the airports.

The unions also enjoined all FAAN workers and pensioners to embark on a one week of prayer and fasting starting from today.

Industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe in reaction to the agitation of the labour unions told THISDAY that FAAN workers should concern themselves with their retirement and reverence payment and not with the

future of airports because the concern of government is to create jobs for the teeming youths of Nigeria and such jobs cannot be created in the aviation industry without the modernisation and expansion of the airport infrastructure through concession.

He argued that concession would open up the airports, generate multibillion-naira revenue and create thousands of new jobs.

Aligbe also noted that the intractable problems that bedeviled the airports like the provision of safety critical facilities would be solved when the airports is injected with fresh funds by private investors, adding that government does not have the money to invest in airport infrastructure; not when it has other essential amenities like hospitals, schools and security to contend with.

Investment in Port Facility Will Enhance GDP Growth, Says NPA Boss Eromosele Abiodun The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman has stated that the federal government ongoing investment in port infrastructure will boost maritime sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic products (GDP).

She added that port infrastructure being built by the government and assets acquired under her leadership are key in improving efficiency at the port as Nigeria look towards improving maritime sector contribution to GDP. She made this known during the inauguration of two tugboats, MT Musawa and MT Ikoro-Ekiti, acquired by the authority.

According to her, “To achieve

MARITIME our objectives, we need to have tugboats that have capacity for larger and bigger container vessels to come and efficiently berth in our port.”

She added that for the effective execution of its functions in all port locations, the authority was committed to continuous upgrade of facilities and equipment that will enhance service delivery.

“This commitment is to ensure that all the six functioning seaports are prepared for optimal performance at all times. This determination accounts for the purchase of these new tugboats, MT Musawa & MT Ikoro-Ekiti joining our other fleet of four namely: MT Daura, MT Ubima, MT Uromi and MT Majiya,

which were commissioned in 2017,” she added.

In his speech, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, stated that if anyone was in doubt as to the importance of the maritime sector to Nigerian and global economy, the event of the past three months where ports across the world have remained open in spite of the comprehensive lockdown of virtually other sectors should instruct on why priority attention has to be given to the sector.

“Given government’s determination to develop other sectors of the national economy and reduce reliance on the oil and gas sector, we have identified the pivotal role that the maritime sector occupies in the actualisation of the fundamental objectives of the Economic Recovery and

Growth Plan (ERGP) of this administration.

“We understand that not less than 85 percent of the country’s external trade passes through the seaports and are committed to repositioning the ports for greater efficiency.

“The much talked about transition from a mono-product into a diversified economy is heavily dependent on how robust we can make our maritime space and we are committed to achieving this.

“As you are aware, work is ongoing on President’s directive that all seaport locations must be linked up to the standard gauge rail line even as we are determined to link up the thirty- six (36) state capitals with the Federal Capital, Abuja with standard gauge rail services.”

In compliance with the directive of the Federal Ministry of Aviation that allagenciesinthesectorshouldrelocatetheircorporateheadquartersto Abuja,theFederalAirportsAuthorityofNigeria(FAAN)andtheNigerian AirspaceManagementAgency(NAMA)havecomplied.

The agencies said the movement was aimed at ensuring operational efficiency,whilealsoimprovingthequalityofservicedeliverytoairlines.

In a statement, FAAN said already, the Managing Director, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, Directors and other critical members of staff of the Authority hadsincerelocatedtothenewFAANheadquartersinAbuja.

Also in a statement, NAMA said, “The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) hereby wishes to inform its customers, stakeholders and the general public of the relocation of its corporate headquarters fromLagostoAbuja.

“ThisisincompliancewiththerecentdirectivefromtheFederalMinistryof Aviationaskingallagenciesinthesectortorelocateoperationalheadquarters tothenation’scapitalinabidtoensureefficientandeffectivecoordination andenhancedservicedeliverybetweentheMinistryanditsagencies.”

Meanwhile,thetheManagingDirector,Capt.FolaAkinkuotuandothercritical staffoftheagencyhavesincerelocatedtothenewNAMAheadquarters in in Abuja, in adherence to the directive while arrangements are being madeforotherstrategicstafftofollowsuitinduecourse.

Virgin Increases Flight Destinations

UK-based carrier, Virgin Atlantic Airways has announced that it is set to return to 17 additional destinations across its network, including Tel Aviv,Miami,SanFranciscoandBarbados,fromAugust2020.Itsaidithas followedtheplantorestartfirst,passengerflightsfromLondonHeathrow toNewYorkJFK,LosAngelesandHongKongfrom20and21July2020.This wouldbefollowedbyflightsfromLagostoLondonHeathrow,scheduled tostartfromAugust24,2020.TheairlineaddedthatflightsfromLagos to London Heathrow would be operated on its new A350-1000 aircraft, stating that restart of routes would be dependent on travel restrictions liftingaroundtheworld.

Theairlinesaidadditionalmeasureswouldputinplaceattheairportand onboardtoensurehealthandsafetyofourcustomersandourpeople “WearealsodelightedtoannouncethatwhenwereturntoLagoswewillbe doingsoonournewA350-1000aircraftwhichispackedwithinnovation, thoughtfulfeatures,andunmistakableVirginAtlanticflair.

“From our new enhanced social space to extra storage, and our latest entertainmentsystem,there’ssomuchtolookforwardto,”theairlinesaid.

ChiefCommercialOfficer,VirginAtlantic,JuhaJarvinensaid,“Ascountries around the world begin to relax travel restrictions, we look forward to welcomingourcustomersbackonboardandflyingthemsafelytomany destinationsacrossournetwork.

FAA Inspects MAX737

TheFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)hasfinalisedarulerequiringthat operatorsinspectBoeing737Maxwiringshieldsforissuesthatcould,in extremecircumstances,causedual-enginefailuresorerroneousenginedata.

FlightGlobalreportedthattherule,madepublic24June,doesnotrelate totheflightcontrolsystemimplicatedasafactorcontributingtotwo737 Maxcrashes.

TheFAA’sairworthinessdirective(AD)requiresthat737Max8sandMax 9sbeinspectedforwiringshieldissuespriortoflight.Bothmodelswere grounded following the crashes, and Boeing predicted that regulators wouldclearthejetintimetoallowdeliveriestoresumeinthethirdquarter.

Boeingitselfaddressedthewire-shieldissuewithaservicebulletinreleased inDecember2019.

TheFAA’sorderfollowedreportsthat,“exteriorfairingpanelsonthetop of the engine nacelle and strut… may not have the quality of electrical bondingnecessarytoensureadequateshielding.”

Specifically, operators must inspect thumbnail and mid-strut fairing panels for issues with an aluminum foil that shields aircraft wiring “from theelectromagneticeffectsofhigh-intensityradiatedfields”,according toFAAdocuments.

Such fields are caused by “electromagnetic energy from radar, radio, televisionandotherground-based,shipborneorairborneradiofrequency transmitters”,accordingtoearlierFAAmaterials.Thosesignalscanaffect modernaircraftthatrelyheavilyonelectricsystems.

In the case of the 737 Max, “cuts” in the aluminium foil can cause electromagneticenergytoaffectingwiringinwaysthat“couldpotentially lead to a dual-engine power loss event and/or display of hazardously misleadingprimarypropulsionparameters”,theADsays.

“It will be in the best interest of National Union of Air Transport Employees and its members to face the reality of moving airports away from government monopoly and its inefficiencies to competition and effectiveness” President, Aviation Round Table (ART),

Dr Gabriel Olowo

20

T H I S D AY ˞ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

NEWS

Revisiting NOGICD Act Amendment Bill Peter Uzoho writes on the need to reconsider the amendment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development bill

Sylva

O

il is the lifeblood of any industrialised nation. It is a major source of energy in Nigeria and the world in general. Oil is the commodity that greases the global economy.

Without it most industrialised nations and their economies do not function.

The federal government, in recognition of the importance of oil in Nigeria’s economic growth, adopted the local content policy in the oil and gas industry to increase participation of indigenous oil firms in the supply chain to improve backward linkage development and also create more employment opportunities for the local workforce.

Consequently, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Bill was signed into law in 2010.

The implementation of the NOGICD Act 2010 has to a very large extent significantly changed the business and operating structure in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, resulting in development of capacity and capabilities through utilisation of Nigerian human, material resources and services.

But despite the successes arising from the implementation of the NOGICD Act 2010, the National Assembly recently embarked on a legislative reform process to carry out an amendment of the Act. Already, two bills on Nigerian Content Development- the Local Content Development and Enforcement Bill, and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (Amendment) Bill have scaled through second reading in the National Assembly.

Of special interest is the NOGCID Act (Amendment) Bill 2020, sponsored by Senator Teslim Folarin (All Progressives Congress, APC, Oyo Central).

According to the exponents, this Bill is proposed to amend the NOGICD Act 2010 by expanding its scope to capture changes in the industry.

Some of the highlights of the bill include: Creation of a Nigerian Content Council to be headed by the Vice president; deduction of two per cent from every contract awarded in Nigeria for the development of local content; ensuring that no expatriate is allowed to do a job in Nigeria that can be done by Nigerians; building capacities of local companies, not only to compete in Nigeria but also abroad and ensuring the patronage of made in Nigeria goods.

Nigeria has recorded significant accomplishments in Nigerian Content development since the NOGICD Act 2010 and even prior to the enactment of the Act. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, corroborated this recently.

According to him, “before 2010, only three percent of marine vessels were Nigerian owned; but today, Nigerians control and own over 40 percent of vessels that are used in the oil and gas industry. “In the area of fabrication, Nigeria can handle fabrication of more than 60,000 tonnes per year, with its array of world-class fabrication yards.�

More so, the industry has continued to

demonstrate commitment to the promotion of Nigerian Content and has been involved with other stakeholders in proposing and considering various amendments to the NOGICD Act, to ensure that the objectives of the federal government on Nigerian Content are realised in an efficient and practical manner.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, also stated in a recent interview with THISDAY that the international oil companies (IOCs) strictly comply with the provisions of the Act and have been very supportive of local companies that do business with them.

He noted that, “the local companies and the not the IOCs circumvent the Act� as they still have challenges, dealing with indigenous producers.

Having an effective Nigerian Content Law that will ensure capacity development and increased opportunities for Nigerian businesses in the oil and gas industry is very critical and we must commend the National Assembly for the move to expand the Nigerian Content Law, to create more opportunities for Nigerians by amending the NOGICD Act and introducing some new provisions.

However, analysts have expressed concerns about the draft bills to amend the NOGICD Act, particularly the proposals to increase the contributions to the Nigeria Content Development Fund (NCDF) by 100 per cent and the additional requirement for companies to provide annually a minimum of 0.5 per cent of their respective gross revenues for Research & Development (R&D) activities in Nigeria among other changes.

The Bill also proposes that the oil and gas operator will bear all the penalties exclusively (100%), contrary to the standard liability and risk distributions in joint operating agreements and global oil and gas industry practice.

Oil industry analysts argue that the sector is already significantly overburdened by a plethora of levies and fees: Education tax, NPTF levy, NCDF Levy, NDDC Levy, Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme, and Offshore Safety Permit. Others include Cargo & Stevedoring Dues, Waste Reception Facilities Levy, Value Added Tax among others. They have expressed concern that any additional financial imposition as proposed by the NOGICD Act (Amendment) Bill on the industry, will very negatively impact Nigeria’s competitiveness and affect the viability of projects and investments. “The industry is still reeling from the financial impact of the Deepwater Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract (Amendment) Act, the Finance Act, and Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Regulation amendments with their cost burden. “In this current environment of lower oil prices, OPEC production cut and the pervading macro-economic effects of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Government is expected to support the industry to remain a viable partner for the economic development of Nigeria,� analysts emphasised.

The drive by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC to cap production cost at $10/barrel will be significantly challenged by this bill. On one hand, government wants to achieve lower costs; on the other hand, it’s imposing multiple taxes and levies – NDDC (3%); Education tax (2%); NOGICD Amendment (2%) and (0.5%) for R&D. Other bills with potential to increase costs are NOSDRA Amendment, Maritime University Bill, Host Community Bill, CSR Bill, among others.

This is without consideration for high security costs, assets fixing and environmental remediation costs, that follow asset damages.

Industry experts have therefore advised that a further comprehensive review of the proposed amendments with all stakeholders is necessary in the best interest of the oil and gas industry and the country as a whole.

Examining NDLEA’s Strides on Drug Control Chinedu Eze The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has remained unrelenting against drug use and trafficking in Nigeria and reports indicate that through actions and campaigns, it has curbed the activities of traffickers and marketers of the illicit substances in the country.

As the world marks International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the agency can be said to have achieved progress since it was established in 1990.

From this period to 2019, the agency has seized over 60,049,702.19 kg of cannabis, 22, 480.65 kg of cocaine, 3732. 41 kg of heroin and other types of drugs amounting to 446, 633.23kg, totaling 60524, 567. 31kg of drugs.

During this period NDLEA has arrested and persecuted drug traffickers made up of 147, 825 males and 10, 045 females, amounting to 157, 879.

THISDAY learnt that the agency’s fight against drugs gained higher traction since the appointment of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah in January 2016, when NDLEA introduced new innovations in the drug fight by developing its intelligence and information gathering unit, curbing the production of the drugs locally and stemming international trafficking of the illicit substances.

NDLEA has reinvigorated its relationship with sister agencies globally and has gained the support of international agencies concerned with anti-drug trafficking and has also won the support of major countries of the world that have supported the Nigerian organisation with logistics and equipment.

Delivering a speech on Monday to mark the commemoration of the 2020 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking with the theme: ‘Best Knowledge for Better Care,’ Abdallah had said NDLEA has kept faith with its mandate assiduously.

He explained that cannabis cultivation has continued to attract, “our immediate attention because it is the most widely abused substance in Nigeria. In the year ending 2019, a total of 310.1 tons of Cannabis were seized and destroyed publicly. “All together for that year, 612, 903.484 kilograms of drugs were seized. The arrest figures stand at 9,444 of drug related offenders. A total of 1,195 convictions were recorded, while 795 drug dependent persons were counseled.�

He also said drug trafficking was not abating during the lockdown. “They continued with their nefarious trade not withstanding COVID-19. Some of the seizures made include 6, 465.23 kilograms of Cannabis enroute Kano at Kogi, 3, 962 kilograms of Cannabis enroute Kano

NDLEA has reinvigorated its relationship with sister agencies globally and has gained the support of international agencies concerned with anti-drug trafďŹ cking

Abdallah

at Benue, 1, 960 kilograms of Cannabis at Edo, 621. 0857 kilograms of Cannabis at Imo and 267.123 kilograms of Cannabis at Abia. “I have over the years alerted and acquainted you with the frightening dimension of drug manufacturing in Nigeria. That was mainly in relation to Methamphetamine. We are at our wits end to discover more Meth Labs not necessarily because they do not exist. “A new version of manufacturing has reared its head, the introduction of Hydrophonic outfit where Cannabis is manipulated into the production of Hashish and Canaboil, both of which are illegal since they contravene the extant NDLEA Act. Would you believe the locations? “The first in Jos run by a Chinese and the second in Victoria Island, run by a mixed nationality person - Nigeria/German,� the NDLEA Chairman revealed.

He said the agency’s treatment and rehabilitation component of the Drug Demand Reduction Directorate is in dire need of upgrade, noting that medical attention given to drug dependent persons is often the last stage of the war. “Along the course many battles must have been to won. These are the battles of intervention, education, sensitisation counseling and psychotherapy, which the agency is ably competent to perform given the in-house expertise available. “What is lacking is the en-tooling and capacity building required. Time has come for competent treatment and rehabilitation centres to be fully built as anticipated by the NDLEA Act where psychotherapy and medical therapy should mutual reinforce each other,� Abdallah said.

He therefore called on the private sector to support what the federal government is doing to fight illicit drug trafficking and usage, adding that that agency has intensified rehabilitation of drug users and noted that this is an area where the private sector could give their support, stressing that medical attention given to drug dependent persons is often the last stage of the war. “In addition to what the federal government brings to the table, as a nation we should identify and aggressively mobilise the public and private sectors and other strategic partners for a holistic response against the trafficking in and use of illicit substances. “The essence would be to complement the federal government funding in the light of competing national interests. This appears to be a promising, sustainable thrust that could put a damper on the real pandemic of our own nation – the drug pandemic,�

NDLEA Chairman said.

21

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 26, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION ANALYSIS

Improving Domestic Airlines’ Capacity The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the need for government to support Nigerian carriers build capacity, writes Chinedu Eze

T

he coronavirus pandemic has taught Nigerians huge lessons in the aviation industry. One of the major lessons is that under emergency some countries may not have the airlines that could evacuate their citizens so they have to rely on others.

But in emergency situation where it would not be possible to contract out these services due to intelligence and security reasons, does Nigeria have the capacity to bring back its citizens living in West Africa or in the UK or in the US within a specific time frame?

Under the COVID-19 evacuation, Ethiopia Airlines conducted flights for some countries, evacuating citizens of those countries from different parts of the world.

Some of these countries do not have airlines that can carry out this service; some have but because there are so many evacuations to be made, they did not have the capacity to do so.

In Nigeria, not many evacuations have been done so far. However, the ones carried out involved many foreign carriers and only one indigenous carrier, Air Peace.

While international carriers evacuated Nigerians for the federal government, Air Peace also evacuated the citizens of other countries for their governments as well as the federal government.

But some industry analysts insist that if the federal government has fully implemented the policy of using only indigenous airlines for the evacuation, Nigerian carriers led by Air Peace would have returned the same number of Nigerians that arrived the country.

Air Peace Evacuations After the closure of the nation’s airspace to commercial flights on March 23, 2020, Air Peace helped deliver the first batch of medical supplies for the federal government from Turkey in the fight against the spread of Coronavirus pandemic and for the treatment of those who are infected.

The airline also took delivery of the second batch of medical supplies and personnel from China.

Air Peace evacuated about 210 Israelis from Nigeria to Tel-Aviv on March 29, 2020, evacuated about 301 Chinese from Lagos airport to Guangzhou, China on May 28, 2020, and also evacuated 286 Indians to Kochi from Lagos on May 31, 2020.

The airline expressed gratitude to these three countries for the confidence they reposed on the Air Peace, which in no small measure portrayed their support for the development of Nigerian airlines.

Israel blazed the trail when it approved the evacuation of its citizens from Lagos and Abuja to Tel-Aviv, followed by China and India.

Industry observers are of the view that for the three countries to engage Air Peace to carry out the evacuation exercise indicated that the indigenous carrier international safety standards, which has been attested to by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification of our airline.

“What the three countries have done will help in creating and sustaining jobs for Nigerians and by identifying with a Nigerian carrier at this time shows that they love our country and their support has challenged us to do more by improving on our achievements. Air Peace is grateful to the governments of these countries. Their support means a lot to us. It shows that they truly have the interest of Nigeria at heart,” Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said.

He also noted that the gesture shown

by Israel, China and India would not go unnoticed by the Nigerian public, which over the years have yearned for viable Nigerian carriers that could be flying them to different parts of the world, as it is known that Nigerians are great travellers.

Sustained Operation The airline has also sustained the operation of its long haul service, Lagos-Dubai flights via Sharjah without hiccups. The carrier said it would have marked one year of that operation on July 3, 2020 if not for suspension of flights due to COVID-19 lockdown.

The airline also said it would have started flights to Johannesburg, Mumbai in India and Israel if not for the COVID-19 lockdown.

Industry analysts have noted that what made Air Peace different was that it prepared for the long-haul by acquiring the right equipment and the right number of aircraft for the destinations it planned to do.

It could be recalled that some efforts made by Nigerian carriers in the past were forestalled by inadequate equipment, which ensured that they were not consistent on their long-haul routes and coupled with aero politics and competition, many of them aborted their operations.

That was a lesson learned by new entrants like Air Peace. Travel expert and organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi Uko emphasised that any airline that wants to compete in the international market should be ready to compete on these major areas: on time performance, in-flight entertainment and right type of equipment. Ikechi noted that Nigerian airlines have not been great with customer service and any airline that meets the aforementioned in addition to customer service would be successful.

Government Support Industry analysts said the COVID-19 lockdown was an eye opener on the need for Nigeria to support the growth of indigenous carriers and to also protect these airlines, just

I have maintained that international flight operations is part of international diplomacy using the aviation business platform.

International diplomacy is a war fought on the business fronts

as other countries are protecting their own.

They are of the view that every country has some kind of protection of its own carriers because indigenous carriers provide employment and create businesses that also create jobs like caterers, handling companies, marketers, suppliers and many others.

They also support the airports that also create jobs. So by promoting indigenous airlines, government is creating multiple jobs for the citizens.

Industry analyst and consultant, Amos Akpan said: “I have maintained that international flight operations is part of international diplomacy using the aviation business platform. International diplomacy is a war fought on the business fronts.

“Unless the decision to back Nigerian designated airlines in the international arena is viewed from this perspective, the war would be fought; won or lost, while we are still at the discussion table. If Ethiopian or any non-Nigerian airline operates flights for Nigerian government, it means we lost this diplomatic manoeuvre.

“Air Peace met the IATA Operations Specifications Audit. Air Peace met the NCAA’s Air Operators Certification requirements to operate B777 drawn from ICAO technical specifications. Air Peace carried Israelis to Israel. My point is that Air Peace is technically and operationally qualified like any other country’s airline.

“Whatever other qualification the airline considered has lies within government diplomatic circles and it is best described as the test of muscles and its effect. Protect and project your airline if you have designated her,” he said.

Dilly-dally Many in the aviation industry have excoriated the lack of firmness in the implementation of government policies, especially in the areas that concern international operation.

There are indications that Nigerian does not ensure that its policies are protected and implemented and that explained why despite the decision for Nigerian carriers to evacuate Nigerians, other countries were still being given the contract by government agencies like the embassy officials.

The Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison condemned the subtle support given to foreign carriers by government agencies and insisted that this has to change for the industry to move forward.

“I have worked in this industry for the past 35 years and we keep saying the same thing and that is why we are not moving forward. If the government did not give foreign carriers landing permits to evacuate

Nigerians from other countries and land in Nigeria, they won’t do that. “If you can’t put your house in order who else will do that for you? We just make laws and policies but we don’t have the political will to carry out what we have said.

“We see these (foreign airlines) flights coming in everyday and we ask ourselves, why?

Can you fly into Ghana or other countries if you don’t have landing permits? So we need to first put our house in order for things to work the way we want. I keep wondering why our airports are still not open for operations. Aviation is a major propeller of the economy. I keep wondering what is delaying the opening of our airspace,” Meggison said.

Aero Politics Another area government can help Nigerian carriers is supporting them during negotiations for access to international routes.

Onyema said one of the reasons why Nigerian airlines have failed to successfully operate international destinations is because of international aviation politics, which according to him does not favour the airlines since they are not major players in the global air travel market.

He explained that for an airline to profitably operate international destinations, it must have to partner and code-share with other major carriers so that passengers could be carried farther than the final destination of the airline.

He also noted that aero politics is the reason why air travel from Nigeria is dominated by foreign carriers, which charge Nigerian passengers exorbitant fares, as travellers do not have alternative airlines owned by Nigerians that can compete with them.

“You see, it is unfortunate that Nigerians have been paying through their nose over the years for international flight operations.

A six-hour flight to Europe cost more than nine-hour flight from Johannesburg to Europe.

So already foreign airlines are making a feast out of Nigerians and often times most of them would never want any of the Nigerian airlines to succeed.

“But we in Air Peace are trying to help our nation and the domestic airlines are the ones creating the jobs. The foreign airlines put together in the last 60 years have not created the jobs Nigerian airlines have created.

“The number of people they have employed within that period is not anything near what Air Peace alone has created in our first year of operation, not to talk of now we have created up to 3000 direct jobs and over 9000 ancillary jobs in the economy besides acting as a catalyst for economic development,” Onyema had said.

22

T H I S D AY ˞ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

Jamoh: Incentives for Maritime Operators Coming The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos recently spoke about developments in the agency in the first 100 days of his appointment. Dike Onwuamaeze brings the excerpt:

W

ith the coronavirus, what incentives is NIMASA providing for operators in the maritime industry?

It is interesting to know that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) are enjoying a lot of incentives in terms of what they manufacture and at times in terms of custom duty for imported machineries and other things like that. Also, if you look at the aviation industry, they are also enjoying a lot of incentives in terms of spare parts. There is also focus on agriculture, which like the industrial sector is enjoying a lot of incentives. There is no sector of the economy that you can say that NIMASA policies have not offered some level of incentives. So, it is only the maritime industry that. If you look at the history of shipping you will find that shipping is the only business that offers easy means of transportation in terms of maintenance of the navigation area, which is called the waterways for the layman. You do not have to invest much in maintaining the navigational water as well as the ship itself. You can have a ship that is as old as 100 years and still sailing. So, traditionally, shipping gives a lot of comfort to the human race. But in all the time you will find out if you conduct research that there is no country today that achieved any level of development without shipping. There is always an element of shipping in the development of any nation. What am I doing for the maritime industry? I have already set the pace with the approval of policy for incentives that cut across the importation of diesels as well as spare parts. I don’t want to disclose the levels on incentives but the papers are still with authorities concerned that giving it attention. I believe that within a short while from now the maritime industry will start enjoying physical incentives, even with monetary incentives also. I have the plan to also present a case for policy in terms of what the industry will have to benefit from the central bank.

What has NIMASA done in response to the petition against Nigeria an international shipping organisation you mentioned recently?

welfare.

What is the state of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund?

The Minister is inaugurating a committee so it is not appropriate for me to preempt the committee whose responsibilities is to see how to remove the bottlenecks attached to the guidelines. So much has happened between 2003 and now so we must show consideration for the difficulties people are faced with in getting their money from that fund.

Jamoh It is because of Nigeria’s satisfactory response to the issues they raised in the petition that earned the country the United Nations commendation and congratulatory letters. We have been engaging them and they are happy with us. If you have been following me on my twitter you will see the resolutions that we passed in which they agreed that we are working together. There was a meeting some time ago where one of the groups insisted that they have to slam sanctions on Nigeria. But as we continued to engage them this group said that the sanctions would no longer be necessary because Nigeria is focused on specific targets, which we are

achieving. So, I am happy to announce that they are very satisfied with our efforts a result of our performance the International Maritime Organisation sent a congratulatory message to appreciate Nigeria’s efforts.

What has NIMASA done in terms of seafarers’ welfare?

We are taking a lot of measures on this.

I mentioned that we have a committee on Seafarers’ Welfare Development Fund that is tackling issues on welfare as well as their salary enhancement and discrimination on salaries. We have a full plan that will be unrolled within three months about their

What are you doing to ensure that staff are protected from the COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a global problem that is affecting businesses all over the world. Our major problem now is that we don’t have enough workforces to achieve the targets we set out to accomplish. Our own action plan is suffering. There are lots of setbacks.

Workers are exposed to many dangers as those who do not have their own personal vehicles but rely on public transportation are exposed to the danger of being infected.

So, what we are planning to do is to make sure that we abide by the guideline given by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Secondly, on our part we are trying to introduce waterways transportation by getting some ferries that will be taking staffs some going to Lekki, some going to Ikorodu, some going to FESTAC as a pilot scheme. We are also planning to bring back the issue of staff bus so that we can reduce the level of exposure of our workforce to ensure that everyone is safe. These are to assure the staff that we are concerned and taking measures for them not to be exposed to infection as the entire world is opening up for operation. Meanwhile, we are addressing the issue of providing PPE (personal protection equipment) and the contamination of offices on a continuous basis. These are the measures we are putting in place to ensure that we take care of the industry’s stakeholders. We have suffered a lot and that is why I mentioned incentives for the stakeholders to offer them a little relief in terms of incentives like tax holidays and other things.

Oditah Asks Court to Wind up Multinational Firm, Transocean Davidson Iriekpen

F

ollowing a petition filed by the Chairman of Indigo Drilling, Prof.

Fidelis Oditah, for the winding of the company, a Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the processes be served on Transocean Limited, a multinational offshore drilling company.

The court presided over by Justice M.S. Hassan, while ruling on the ex parte application filed by Oditah, ordered that the writ of summons and other processes be served on Transocean Limited at its registered office at Turmstrasse 30 CH6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland through courier service.

Justice also directed that same processes be served on Sedco Forex International Inc at P. O. Box 10342, 36C Dr. Roy’s Drive, Bermuda House, 4th Floor, Grand Cayman, KY-1-1003, Cayman Islands through courier service.

He consequently adjourned the suit to July 2, 2020 for

report of service.

Oditah, a Queen’s Counsel (QC) and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in his statement of claim attached to the court order, said in 2014, Transocean presented a prospectus for an equity private placement of US19.6million to investors.

In the petition which has Transocean Limited, Indigo Drilling Limited, Sedco Forex International Inc, Field Offshore Design Engineering Nigeria Limited and Ernest & Young Nigeria as 1st to 5th defendants respectively, the QC said the amount, which contained an initial financial model, anticipated that Indigo Drilling would generate a cumulated cash flow of at least $95million over a 10-year period.

He added that the prospectus also indicated that five contracts existing at the time of the placement which were entered into in 2011, were expected to generate a cash flow in excess of $43million over the first four years, thus significantly outperforming

the base case financial model.

The professor of Law contended that the prospectus claimed that investing in Indigo Drilling was an opportunity for Nigerians to be involved in the oil and gas business in Nigeria and to profit from its potential rewards.

He said: “In marketing Indigo Drilling to the plaintiff, Transocean stated: Transocean is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling for oil and gas wells. “As evidence of its long term commitment to Nigeria, Transocean has set up Indigo Drilling Limited to be a Nigerian NCD compliant company established to ultimately operate all drilling contracts for Transocean in Nigeria‌â€?

Oditah said on the basis of these representations, he acquired a 12.5 per cent shareholding for $4,375,000 in August 2014.

The senior advocate disclosed that another Nigerian shareholder, Chime Ibeneche,

also in October 2013 acquired a 12.5 per cent shareholding in Indigo Drilling for $5million He said as a result of the acquisition of 25 per cent shareholding by Nigerian minority shareholders, Indigo Drilling was able to comply with the Local Content Law and bid competitively for work with the Nigerian regulatory authorities and got extensions of its existing contracts.

The Queen’s Counsel said the remaining 75 per cent shareholding was held indirectly by Transocean initially through its subsidiaries –Sedco Forex and Transocean Support Services Nigeria Limited.

He alleged that from 2015, Transocean parked 26 per cent of its shares in Indigo Drilling in a Nigerian nominee in order to deceive the Nigerian regulators into believing that Indigo Drilling was a Nigerian company under the Local Content law because Nigerians held 51 per cent shareholding.

According to him, while all these were going on,

Transocean also controlled Indigo Drilling’s board of director, having appointed two of the three directors – himself, Olamide Abudu and Steve McFadin.

He further alleged that Transocean acted as if it were a sole director of the company and completely bypassed Indigo Drilling’s board of directors, subverted its corporate governance and systematically misappropriated and stole the company’s cash and other assets.

He further revealed that as the chairman of Indigo Drilling’s board of directors, he has no idea in which bank the company’s cash is kept, adding that Transocean and its officers fully control the operation of Indigo Drilling’s bank accounts and the flow of funds in and out of the account without any regards for proper corporate governance.

The senior advocate said no annual budgets were presented to Indigo Drilling’s board of directors for approval, instead Transocean set and

altered the budgets to suit its own purposes and not the company’s He also accused the company of other sundry shady deals.

However, Transocean has asked the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

In a written address filed in support of its preliminary objection, the multinational company said the suit was incompetent.

Through its lawyer, Babatunde Fagbohunlu, Transocean argued that from the averments contained in his statement of claim, and the reliefs sought, it was clear that the plaintiff seeks to protect his right and interest and obtain remedies for wrongs purportedly done to him, which therefore represents a claim filed by a member of a company for or on behalf of the company.

It added that by Section 299 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), only a company can sue to remedy a wrong done to it.

23

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 12, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Deepening Islamic Financing Non-interest banking or Islamic financing is fast becoming viable alternative source of credit financing particularly for MSMEs in the country, writes James Emejo

T

he quest for viable alternative to conventional banking has gained momentum in recent times partly because of the inherent credit risks and exposures that had threatened financial stability in the time past.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2012 approved the introduction of the Islamic banking system as alternative to conventional banking system.

However, its emergence was initially greeted with mixed feelings, owing to the secular nature of the country whereby some people believed it was a step towards islamising the country.

The launch of Islamic banking gave birth to the non-interest windows of Stanbic IBTC, Sterling and Islamic Micro-finance banks.

Jaiz Bank and Taj Bank are also some of the Islamic banking institutions in operation.

According to the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) IFSB 2019 Stability Report, emerging risks facing Islamic banks resulted from underlying structural economic weaknesses, inflationary trends and depreciating currencies.

In his recent summation of the challenges of Islamic banking, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, had noted that these identified risks could potentially destabilise liquidity, raise non performing financing and erode capital.

In addition, foreign currency risks also remain a significant concern for regulators and Islamic banks alike as there exist structural challenges around liquidity management and legal accommodation in terms of existence and mechanisms for dispute resolution.

The issues of ignorance, lack of education, lack of trust, poverty, security challenges, high levels of informality in the economy and for Islamic banking-lack of awareness- all constitute impediments to access to finance.

Specifically, one of the key findings of the CBN National Financial Inclusion Strategy review was that low or non-adoption of financial products was due to cultural and religious factors especially in the Northern part of the country.

However, Jaiz Bank, which is the premier non-interest bank in the country was established on the foundation of trust, professionalism and excellence to deliver innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer experience.

This started with a regional license obtained from the CBN to operate in the Northern part of the country.

It, however, transformed to a national bank on the in May 2016 with key presence in all the geopolitical zones of the country.

The bank’s innovative strategy and resilience amid the initial challenges, including unfavourable operating environment finally paid off as evidenced in its financial performance in recent times.

With a record N2.4 billion in Profit After Tax (PAT) for the 2019 financial year ended December 31, it is clear that Islamic finance products are gradually being embraced as alternative financing resources in the economy.

The performance represented a massive leap of 193 per cent from N834.4 million realised in the corresponding period of 2018.

Its gross income grew by 80 per cent to N13.5 billion from N7.5 billion in the previous year while total assets also grew by 54 per cent to N167.27 billion from N108.46 billion.

Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the period under review stood at N2.1 billion, representing 135 per cent growth when compared to N879.7 million in 2018.

Total equity increased to N15.55 billion from N13.10 billion in the preceding year while gross income from financing transactions stood at N13.51 billion compared to N7.51 billion.

The bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Hassan Usman attributed the positive results to the bank’s unrelenting efforts to creating products that satisfy the need of consumers.

He said: “The major driving force was the deliberate efforts to satisfy our customers, which was evident in the significant growth in the deposit base and risk asset portfolio.”

Moreover, the company’s earnings per share surged to 8.30 kobo per share as against 2.83 kobo per share in 2018, signifying an increase of 193 per cent further attesting to the increasing

Usman public interest in Islamic finance products.

Usman said the bank further deepened its support for the MSMEs sector with targeted intervention to meet diverse needs of small-scale bourgeoning entrepreneurs and made significant investment its as infrastructures and e-banking channels which made it easier for customers who prefer to bank on the move than through the mundane visitations to banking halls.

It further benefitted from the deployment of agency banking to boost visibility.

In April last year, the bank had secured a N3 billion credit facility from the Bank of Industry (BoI) for onward lending to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, further demonstrating its capacity to effectively disburse the funds to target groups and increasing opportunities for small businesses to access interest free credit to grow their businesses and create wealth.

According to the bank’s MD:“Fundamental to the vision and mission of Jaiz Bank is to create wealth for MSMEs. I want to assure you that maximum benefits will to the stakeholders. We have already started pilot financial inclusion drive. We are also going to use agency banking to reach those people in places where we are not physically present. We are also intervening to provide financing to women group.”

Furthermore, the bank’s recent resolve to relax KYC requirements had also helped to increase its visibility and boost financial inclusion.

Earlier in 2019, Usman, had explained its decision to tweak the KYC policy adding that it

will facilitate financial inclusion to a large segment of the society who are currently excluded from its financial services.

According to him, the targeted group or those who don’t have access to financial services would be allowed to open account without meeting the strict Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements including utility bills, international passports among others.

He said: “These people don’t have that but the policy allows us to open accounts for people at that level.

These accounts are opened as financial inclusion accounts and then graduate into the next level but what we are trying to do is to use channels such as agency banking, our own branches and other digital avenues to allow as many people to come on board and also empower them with little credit.”

However, analysts believe that the non interest financial sub-sector is capable of contributing positively to sustainable economic growth and development of the economy if accorded the desired attention and patronage.

But there are further concerns that lack of innovative products suitable for all stakeholders could limit success amid lack of adequate awareness.

Writing in International Journal of Management Sciences on “Islamic Banking in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects”, Ismail Kayode Olaoye, et al (2013), argued that Islamic banking is growing rapidly due to the importance that it accords moral beliefs and society.

They noted: “The Shari’ah law is driven by ethical values that are good for mankind, hence, it is well accepted by not only Muslims but also non-Muslim communities. New investment models and business tools are being developed

by Islamic financial experts which are not only 100 per cent Shari’ah compliant but also highly profitable. These tools or investment portfolios can be used both by Muslim and non Muslim alike.

“Islamic finance has become a global system spreading as far as Asia, the Middle East, and the Western world. Islamic banking is not limited only to the Muslim nations in the Middleast but is also in existence in developed economies such as USA, Europe, and the Far East.”

However, to be more prosperous in the country, interest free banking system require significant sensitisation of all the stakeholders.

Jaiz Bank’s core value are built on seven principles with the acronym RESPECT, which implies Responsibility, Entrepreneurship, Simplicity, Excellence, Customer Focus and Trust.

These core values are the guiding forces which empowers the it to project towards its vision to be the clear leader in ethical banking in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The company is a quoted public entity trading on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with a balance sheet size of N167.27 billion from N12 billion in 2012.

Other critical parameters such as customer deposits, branch network and profitability have all been growing year on year since inception.

The bank broke-even in its third years of operation and graduated from a Regional to a national bank, growing its branches from three to 39 which are spread across of the six-geopolitical zones.

Nonetheless, the total assets of non-interest banks and windows grew modestly from 66.96 billion in 2015 to 186.46 billion as at June 30, 2019.

However, the share of total assets of NonInterest banking segment against total assets of the banking industry stood at a paltry 0.49 per cent as at June 30, 2019.

Similarly total deposits were reported at 121.68 billion, or 0.53 per cent of the industry total during the same period.

Total financing stood at 59.81 billion, 0.38 per cent of the industry total as at the end of June 2019, a performance described by the NDIC boss as clearly insignificant.

Experts believe that a lot of work is still required to deepen penetration of non interest products particularly at a period when the COVID-19 pandemic has posed more financing challenges on the business and the economic landscape.

NCAA Gets AU’s Recognition for Fight against COVID-19 Stories by Chinedu Eze The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) has singled out the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for recognition in the industry’s fight against the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

This was disclosed by a statement issued by the Ministry of Aviation and signed by the Director, Public Affairs, James Odaudu.

The statement disclosed that a letter sent to the Director General

by the regional aviation regulatory body stated that NCAA is the only state civil aviation regulator recognised for its significant contribution to the African Union Commission High Level Task Force on COVID-19.

AFCAC Secretary General, Tefera Mekonen on behalf of the African Union Commission recognised and thanked the Director General of the NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu and the Authority’s General Manager Aeromedical Services for their significant contribution to the

work of the AUC Task Force.

In addition, the NCAA Director General served as the Chair of the ECOWAS Experts Committee on Transport, Trade and Logistics that developed a report that was submitted to the Ministerial Committee Chaired by the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

The High Level Task Force was set up in recognition of the need to have a strategic and coordinated response to the COVID-19 impacts on African aviation sector, under

the leadership of the African Union and coordinated by AFCAC. It brought together all African aviation stakeholders including ICAO, AFRAA, Airports Council International-Africa, IATA-Africa, CANSO-Africa, Africa Centre for Disease Control, RECs, UNECA and AFI group.

In order to address the different evolving phases of the pandemic to the African aviation sector, the HLTF addresses the short, medium and long-term restart and recovery of the aviation sector.

Emirates Welcomes Travellers to Dubai Emirates said it is welcoming the latest air travel protocols that will facilitate international travel for UAE citizens, residents and tourists, and open Dubai to business and leisure visitors from 7 July, while putting in place careful measures to ensure the health and safety of travellers and communities.

These protocols for travel into and out of Dubai airports were announced under the directives of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the follow-up of Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed

bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management headed by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Al Maktoum, who is Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive said: “This is a strong affirmation of Dubai’s readiness to resume

aviation and economic activity after comprehensive planning, review, and preparation.

“We are confident that the multi-layered measures that have been put in place in the air, on the ground, and throughout our city, enables us to mitigate risks of infection spread and manage any required response effectively.”

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430

Kenim Obaigbena’s Bold Steps

25

T H I S D AY ˞ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

COVER

Kenim Obaigbena’s Bold Steps Kenim Obaigbena has long charted a path in film and media.Ayoung woman of substance and beautiful dreams, driven by passion and humanity, who also tells Africa’s ‘Forbidden’ stories, has had one of her dreams become a reality, writes VANESSA OBIOHA

I

f you ask Kenim Obaigbena about her career trajectory, she would probably tell you that it’s about film and media.

At the age of 15, she teamed up with her sisters to publish Scoop Magazine.

In 2007, she discovered her passion for filmmaking and while studying at Tufts University, she interned for top music video directing legends, Chris Robinson and Benny Boom. With experience covering global events, producing and directing videos, bringing untold stories to light, and running a production company, OVG Media, Obaigbena can confidently say she is ready for the next big challenge.

On June 19, Obaigbena officially launched her new streaming platform, StreamOVG, a digital marketplace that provides edutainment content for audiences in West Africa and in the Diaspora. The platform offers a myriad of documentaries and shows that illuminate African culture, history, business, and politics.

For the first month, the streamer will provide 41 hours of programming by different West African filmmakers. Exclusive documentaries that run for one or two hours will be added every month.

The dream of owning a streaming platform was hatched in 2014. At the time, Obaigbena was already honing her skills in filmmaking. “It has taken all my experiences from print, fine art, filmmaking, traditional and new media, e-commerce, etc to pull this off,� she said.

Beyond that, the coronavirus pandemic which found Obaigbena self-isolating provided the opportunity to roll the plan into motion. “I was midway in a production of a documentary at the time the lockdown was announced in Lagos. Self-isolation meant that I couldn’t continue filming or working with my full team.

This is where my background in filmmaking helped. So, I had to figure out ways around it.

I had been trying to start my own streaming service for years, and things just made sense,� she explained.

Arguably, there’s been a rise in streaming content since the pandemic struck. This is largely due to the shutdown of cinemas across the globe as governments looked for the best health practices to keep the inscrutable coronavirus at bay. However, Obaigbena believes that cinema culture is in its last days. “Sorry to break it to you but around the world, cinema is taking its last few breaths.

I interviewed a notable film distributor in the UK and Los Angeles who told me, ‘we count cinemagoers over the age of 32 as zero.’ Naturally, younger people consume more because they have a lot freer time. The primary target audience for cinema around the world is primarily Gen X and Alpha, and the few people in Gen Y are still under 32. I’m a Gen Y-er under 32, and I stopped watching TV in 2007. “I can’t tell you the last time I switched on a TV. But I will tell you the last time I switched one off for making too much noise. I’m a filmmaker, and I go to the cinema for two to four times a year. If that doesn’t tell you about consumer behaviour I don’t know what does. Except for sports, most millennials are online. We have predominantly been online for over a decade.

This is not a new revelation, but a lot of people are not paying attention.�

She added that while cinema still offers a unique selling proposition that streaming can’t replicate, that is, the best picture quality, the best sound, and the best overall experience of watching a movie, streaming’s unique point is of more value to consumers. “Streaming offers convenience and freedom.

So no, it’s not a competition and cinema will not completely disappear. But what is clear is where consumer’s eyeballs are. I understand

Ndukwe

that streaming hasn’t taken off in Nigeria as well as it has around the world, simply because of our issues with (internet) data. And this is the only reason the cinema and TV can still thrive in Nigeria,� she pointed out. “But as soon as our data issue is solved - for example, as soon as the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy’s 5G plan rolls out, it’s a wrap. So, I’d say there’s still a massive opportunity in Nigerian cinemas that can be tapped into for the next few years. But if one is building and thinking long-term and business for the future, they should be taking a hard look at the digital economy.�

The young filmmaker is keen on telling stories that are powerful and can influence a progressive world. This explains her reason to focus on educational programmes that inform and entertain.

She emphasised that there is always a lesson to learn on any expository topic on the platform. Obaigbena believes that education is key to re-educate Nigerians and the rest of the world on the history and culture of Africa. In her view, the biggest misconception about Africa is that Africans are not talented, educated, and competent. “This is a big lie. There is so much talent in Africa. A lot of this talent goes to waste because jobs are hard to come by,� she argued.

She pointed out that one of the reasons it seemed Westerners are telling the story of Africa is because “Africans don’t invest in African culture and education the way Westerners and even Easterners invest in themselves. The West have told their own stories. But they haven’t stopped there. They have told our stories too. For this to change, Africans need to tell our own stories.

We need to know our history, and we need

to promote it in Africa and around the world.

We need to invest in ourselves. Nigerians with money often export it around the world, that needs to change.�

Through her newly launched streamer, Obaigbena is dedicated to changing that narrative. One of the documentaries on StreamOVG, ‘A New Era: The Post Covid-19 World’, she captured anger, frustration, and despair of Nigerians who couldn’t fathom the pandemic or the lockdown on the economy. The grim picture from the scenes on the documentary could be a harbinger of worse times as the virus continues to ravage economies.

The graduate of Communications and Media Studies understands the post-COVID-19 era saying: “I’m an optimist, and I also think long-term.

I think that Nigeria is a very young country.

It took 100 years to rid the British of corrupt governance. So, the idea that it can happen for us within 50 years is unrealistic. I think a new era will be great, and it’s up to my generation to build it. “COVID-19 has shone a bright light on the importance of good governance, and the impending recession will make this gesture even more prominent. It’s up to my generation to stand up against it and clean up this mess.

Because a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.�

Another documentary that sheds light on some of the historical events in the country is ‘An Honest Explanation of the Biafra War’, a film by KB Taiwo. “We picked up ‘The Biafran War Story’ because I believe that the Biafran War will teach us how to improve Nigeria. As the saying goes, those that don’t know their history are doomed to repeat (past mistakes). And unfortunately, with

the banning of (such) accounts in primary schools in Nigeria, a lot of millennials and Gen X have been robbed of our history lessons. I really advise everyone to go check out ‘A Biafran War Story’ on StreamOVG to learn more about Nigeria,� she said.

Other contents that are available on the streamer include ‘Business in Nigeria’ - a mini-documentary and collection of exclusive interviews from established entrepreneurs teaching people interested in doing business in Nigeria how to navigate the landscape; controversial series such as ‘The Fraud Business in Nigeria’, and ‘Terrorism in Nigeria’ are bound to provide insight on these areas. There are also in-depth shows on the business landscape of specific industries such as film, fashion, food, and technology.

To ensure that StreamOVG stands out, Obaigbena developed some unique propositions such as the subscription rates. There are three subscription plans. Viewers can pay as low as N4,000 ($9.95) for individual films and documentaries on the Sapphire plan. The Silver (VIP) plan offers a monthly subscription of $14.99 and the Gold (VVIP) gives a subscriber annual access to all content for N40,000 ($95.88).

Also, viewers have the opportunity to share their thoughts on the comment section. “StreamOVG is for anyone interested in West African culture, history, business, politics, and culture. This could be indigenous people wanting to see and hear their authentic stories in a high-quality format. “It could be the diaspora around the world, and it can even be foreigners interested in our unique way of life. Our content is authentically West African and its diaspora. Our content is West Africa-centric, told by West Africans, proudly West African,� she disclosed.

26

T H I S D AY ˞ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

PERSPECTIVE

LASG Declares Zero Tolerance to Sexual, Gender-based Violence Chiemelie Ezeobi The Lagos State Government has declared a zero tolerance to all form of Sexual and Gender bAsed Violence in the State.

In a statement made available to THISDAY, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) Coordinator, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said they ensure survivors get holistic support.

She said: We appreciate that survivors require multi sectoral services and that was one of the reasons why the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team was established. “DSVRT ensures holistic support is provided for survivors in the form of legal, medical, psycho social, emergency (rescue), law enforcement and empowerment where possible. “DSVRT partnered the Lagos State Police Command to upgrade additional nine divisional police stations to Family Support Units (FSU) where we have designated and specialised officers attend to all SGBV incidents.�

Similarly, she said the state government upgraded 57 Comprehensive Primary Health Care Centres in Lagos, to provide sexual

Vivour-Adeniyi

assault management services, and these facilities were equipped with Sexual Assault

She said once evidence is collected, samples are packaged and sent to the Lagos State DNA Forensic lab for testing �so we can now solve sexual offences related cases scientifically. �In 2019 alone, the state government secured over 90 convictions of sexual offences ranging from life imprisonment to 60 years, 25 years and 15 years etc. �We have also entered into a partnership with the Nigerian Correctional Service to commence provision of psycho social support for sex convicts, to aid rehabilitations as we are not oblivious of the fact that some sex convicts would eventually be released, and we do not want them to reoffend. This is one of the ways to reduce recidivism�.

In terms of advocacy and sensitisation, she said the team has embarked on various flagship programs for primary, secondary and university students on SGBV and �one of our flagship program is the Kings Club Initiative which is run in secondary schools, where we seek to re-orientate the mindset of young boys towards behavioural change. “ These clubs have been instrumental in Evidence Collection Kits, also referred to promoting positive masculinity, gender as ’Rape Kits’. equality from a young age�.

AGF Malami Has Helped Buhari Solve ‘The Ibrahim Magu Problem’ Daniel Bwala No fair-minded Nigerian who has lived in the country since 2015 would belittle the contribution of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission under Ibrahim Magu to the anti-corruption fight of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Not only has he taken the fight to the top of the politically exposed persons in the country, but the commission had also secured notable convictions which clearly justified the confidence reposed in his abilities by President Buhari.

Buhari kept him on since March 2017 as acting chairman of the EFCC even when the eighth senate rejected him and failed to confirm his nomination on the basis of alleged security report indicting the man.

Magu benefitted from public sympathy at the time because the then Senate, presided by Bukola Saraki, was thought to be adversarial and corrupt, and could not have confirmed the man.

But since then, Magu has continued to swim in dirty waters and controversies have never been far from him. There have been reports suggesting he may not be as clean as initially thought, with his name constantly been linked with different properties at home and abroad. It is now beyond question that his alleged weaknesses may be compromising his abilities to do the job.

In more decent societies, Magu would have excused himself and resign.

The latest addition to catalogue is a memo said to have been written to Buhari by no less than the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, regarding the acting EFFCC chairman. Media reports this week claimed Malami had recommended the sacking of Magu from the EFCC, and even suggested his replacement for the job. Malami has not denied the reports, meaning the reports are true.

In the memo, Malami reportedly accused Magu of a litany of integrity crimes ranging from diversion of recovered loot to insubordination and misconduct. Malami, who is the supervisory authority over EFCC, is said to have revealed in the memo that there were discrepancies and accounting gaps in figures concerning recovered assets in the custody of the EFCC. Malami had suggested, perhaps, without saying so, that the man

Malami

asked to catch thieves may also be lightfingered. I have also read some subtle defense of Magu against allegation of tampering with recovered loot, but they seemed to me to validate Malami’s memo. For instance, an anonymous person defending him against Malami told a newspaper: “It will interest you to note that Malami accused the EFCC boss of disclosing a total naira recovery of N504 billion but lodged N543 billion in the Recovery Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Incidentally, this exceeded the disclosed figures by N39 billion.�

How can this explanation exonerate Magu from allegation that he couldn’t give proper account of recovered loot? How can the EFCC not have proper record of what it had recovered from suspects and convicts? To me this is a very serious allegation which is not helped by Magu’s reported arrogance and insubordination.

According to the reports, Malami claimed that most of the recovered assets by the EFCC were sold by Magu without the knowledge of anyone! I have no doubt in my mind that this is the time for Buhari to part ways with the anti-graft czar whether the allegations made against him by Malami are true or not.

The Buhari administration cannot afford to have a man with integrity issues as the head of its anti-graft agency, especially in view of the fact that anti-corruption is a major agenda of the Administration and reason many Western countries including the United States of America have supported the President.

Public sympathy has worn thin for Magu in recent times and the Malami memo may be the final nail on the coffin. I do not see how Magu can wriggle out of the damning allegations against him by the nation’s chief law officer. The argument that corruption may be fighting back or that some power forces were arrayed against him holds no water for me.

Malami and Magu were appointed by the same President Buhari. Malami himself had been targeted by unknown forces who have worked to undermine his position as AGF and use the media against him. Many are inclined to believe that instead of corruption fighting back at Magu, it may actually be fighting back against Malami who is perceived as a loyal aide of Buhari and an uncompromising AGF. Buhari has to solve the Magu problem before it becomes an embarrassment for him

and the his administration. Even though the law allows him to continue in acting capacity as boss of EFCC, it is now no longer a matter of legality. It is a matter of how much of moral authority Magu has left for him to be able to lead the EFCC, an agency that should hold the mirror to all public officials and save the country from the cesspit of corruption.

Many groups and individuals had gone to court to challenge the continued stay of Magu as the acting chairman of the commission. But Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ruled in a judgment in 2019 that there was no time limit in the law establishing the EFCC for him to act as the chairman. The Judge held that it was up to the President who appointed him to send his name to the Senate for confirmation.

If Buhari sends his name to the Senate again, there is no assurance that he would be confirmed, otherwise the President would have long sent his name for confirmation as he had done for other appointees recently. It is obvious that Magu had become a burden on President Buhari , and he needs to get rid of it. Malami has made it easier for the President with his recent memo.

The President has other more pressing problems of insecurity and the economy to deal with. He cannot afford to be looking at his back and over his shoulders to see if the anti-corruption agenda of his administration is still on course. This is the time for him to find a replacement who would have none of the baggage of Magu, but who also has his guts.

Any new helmsman for the EFCC must be as courageous as Magu, but with an impeccable character. He or she must be one who is incorruptible and seen to be so. The new person must also be articulate to be able to effectively lead and represent the agency at local and international for a. And most importantly, the person must be someone who shares the President’s belief that corruption is the bane of Nigeria, and that if we don’t kill it, it would eventually kill the country.

If Magu survives Malami’s grievous allegations as he had survived others in the past, then the Buhari administration would be telling Nigerians and the world that integrity doesn’t matter here. And that would be unfortunate indeed. t%BOJFM #XBMB XSPUF GSPN .BMBMJ 2VBSUFST ,BEVOB

FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2020 • T H I S D AY

27

om ess ocortors, are re, unnes of nd a ere per ple

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T H I S D AY ˞ Ͱʹ˜ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

WAIFEM: Covid-19 Will Widen Income Inequality Gap in W’Africa Obinna Chima The Director-General of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Dr. Baba Musa has said the disruptive impact of the Covid-19 will further widen the income inequality gap in countries in West Africa.

Musa, said this in his opening remark during a webinar organised by WAIFEM to diagnose the impact of the pandemic on WAIFEM member countries held recently. The online meeting also featured presentations by the respective Director of Research of central banks of Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and The Gambia.

The Director, Monetary Policy Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Hassan Mahmud, was the discussant.

According to Musa, the pandemic has hit hard on economies of West African countries, including WAIFEM member countries which include Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

He pointed out that in the countries, domestic activities have dropped sharply, while trade, transportation, hospitality, tourism, financial institutions, oil and gas sector, construction and health sector, have been heavily affected.

In addition, the WAIFEM boss said the pandemic has also

resulted to drastic reduction in foreign direct investments (FDIs) and foreign portfolio investments (FPIs), capital reversals, deterioration of exports and imports. “These factors have affected the livelihoods of millions of West African families. As a matter of fact, the Covid-19 crisis has inflicted the most pain on those who are already vulnerable and the toll on the poorer and more vulnerable segments of our society will be several times worse. “Indeed the calamity will lead to a significant rise in income inequality and this could jeopardise developments such as educational attainments and poverty reduction,� he added.

N9.8bn Debt: AMCON Seizes Multibillion Naira Properties at Isheri The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday moved against debtors owing the federal government N9.8billion by seizing their multi-billion naira properties on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Isheri, Ogun State.

The properties included several buildings and Fagbems Petrol Station sitting on 30 hectares of prime land near OPIC Estates.

The debtors, according to a suit marked: FHC/L/CS/537/2020, are Knight Rook Ltd (under AMCON Receivership), Fibigboye Estates Ltd and Grant Properties Ltd.

AMCON’s representative, Adedeji Aniyikaye-Quadri, said the move followed a June 18, 2020 ex parte order granted in the corporation’s favour by Justice Saliu Saidu.

The order attached the respondents’ properties for the satisfaction of the N9,866,510,191.00 (billion) debt.

The property is delineated on survey Plan No. LC10320G of July 30, 2004.

Aniyikaye-Quadri said AMCON executed the judgment following the respondents’ failure to settle the debt after losing at the Court of Appeal.

Aniyikaye-Quadri added: “The land is about 30 hectares and we are executing the order now. The order is permanent and it includes everything fixed on the land - buildings, a filling station - everything fixed on the land. “The judgment debtors appealed the Federal High Court judgment at the Court of Appeal, but the appeal was in AMCON’s favour and sequel to that judgment is why this order was needed, because the defendants, even after the Appeal Court verdict, refused to offset the debt.

IFC, FCMB to Support SMEs with $50m The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, yesterday announced a $50 million loan to First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited to help it expand lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

This is to enable to small business operators sustain business activities disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement from the bank explained that the loan, made through IFC’s COVID-19 fasttrack financing support package, reflects the multilateral institution’s commitment to Nigeria’s private sector following the severe

challenges brought by the health and economic crisis.

The funds would allow FCMB to support hundreds of businesses with trade financing and working capital loans.

Commenting on the development, FCMB’s Chief Executive, Adam Nuru, said, “IFC’s loan facility will allow us to keep credit flowing to SMEs as well as corporate companies across all sectors of Nigeria’s economy, including in the health, pharmaceutical, food and trading industries.�

Also, IFC’s Country Manager for Nigeria, Eme Essien Lore, said, “Supporting financial

institutions like FCMB is vital to keeping smaller businesses solvent, saving jobs, and limiting economic damage in the face of a challenge as formidable as COVID-19. Although Nigeria has a strong and dynamic private sector, it needs liquidity now to ensure it remains viable during and after COVID-19.�

IFC’s $8 billion global COVID-19 fast track facility was launched in March 2020 to support existing clients through direct lending to affected companies and to financial institutions so they can continue lending to their clients and help to preserve and create jobs.

Union Bank Splashes N380m on Customers in Five Years Dike Onwuamaeze Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has rewarded 345 customers who saved diligently with its UnionKorrect accounts with more than N40 million. That brings the amount it has splashed on 2,080 customers since the account was launched in 2015 to N380 million.

Speaking during the latest draw that took place recently, the Head of Retail Deposits at Union Bank, John Obichie, said: “Union Bank is pleased to support our customers’ ambitions and enable their success through initiatives like this. Our UnionKorrect accounts were introduced in response to the need to work with our customers towards achieving

their future goals and to reward them for being consistent with their saving habits.�

Obichie, said the beneficiaries of the latest draw were awarded various cash prizes that totalled N40million in a transparent, automated online draw that was duly supervised by the Nigerian Lottery Board and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC).

Mobilhealth International Wins Award One of Africa’s first fully integrated telehealth start-up, Mobilhealth International, has been announced as winner of the ‘How to help healthcare systems leapfrog from manual to smart logistics solutions at point of care’ Category of the 2020 Sanofi AfricaTech Healthcare Challenge.

A statement signed by the

company said the announcement was made at an online ceremony in France, recently.

The Chief Executive Officer, Mobilhealth International, Dr. Funmi Adewara, expressed delight about the development, saying it was an honour to be recognised as a solution provider committed to attainment of Universal Health

Coverage (UHC) in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals three (SDG-3).

She said the award was dedicated to Nigeria and to every African who desires quality healthcare.

According to her, “Africa has a disproportionate disease burden compared to its population.

Baba

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 Inter-Bank Call Rate

March 2018 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

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ͰͲ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $38.17 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $39.85 the previous day, 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

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T H I S D AY ˞ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

MARKET NEWS

Nigerian Breweries Shareholders Receive N16.1bn Dividend for 2019 Goddy Egene Shareholders of Nigerian Breweries Plc have approved a total dividend of N16.1billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, at the company’s 74th annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos. The total dividend translates

to a dividend per share of N2.01 per share.

The shareholders commended the board and management of the company for being resilient in the face of the challenging operating environment and appreciated the dividend payment which was coming at the right time in view of

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

current economic realities.

Speaking at the AGM, the Chairman of the Company, Chief Kola Jamodu, said the company had earlier paid an interim dividend of N3.99 billion, that is, 50 kobo per share, in December 2019, and the final dividend of N12.1 billion.

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

He explained that Nigerian Breweries recorded a net revenue of N323 billion as against N324.4 billion recorded in 2018, noting that some of the factors that impacted on the company’s performance in 2019 were inflation at double-digit rate, increase in input cost and further

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

rise in the Excise Duty rate which could not be passed to the consumer due to continued pressure on purchasing power.

According to him, the business was, nevertheless, able to post a profit after tax of N16 billion for the year due to series of innovations and implementation

O F

of cost efficiencies.

While thanking the shareholders for their commendation, suggestions and overall support, Jamodu assured them that the company remained focused on delivering long term sustainable value to its shareholders in line with its philosophy of ‘Winning

2 5 / 0 6 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

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30

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

CIS Inaugurates Three Committees to Enhance Growth Strategy Goddy Egene The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has inaugurated three Committees as a strategic move to strengthen its internal structure for optimal performance and growth.

The standing Committee, Advocacy

and Policy and the two interim, Review of CIS Membership Regulations and Code of Conduct 2005 and Governance and Establishment were inaugurated to focus on three broad areas.

They are: brand positioning of the institute through sustained awareness creation of its activities, ensure members‘

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

adherence to ethical codes and review of operations and processes for global competitive edge.

A statement from the Institute indicates that members of the committees cut across top class professionals in various sectors which are relevant to achieving its corporate vision.

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 24Jun-2020, unless otherwise stated.

“One of the cardinal objectives of the Institute is to devote more energy, resources and creativity to advocacy with the ultimate aim of elevating the status of the Institute and Securities and Investment profession in the scheme of things. This will enhance creation of more awareness of the Institute’s activities.

“The Institute is undergoing rapid changes. In order to position it for the current realities and the dynamism of the operating environment there is a need for constant review of its operations and processes. The Governance and Establishment Committee was formed to achieve this objective.“, according to

the statement.

Speaking on the development, President of CIS, Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe, advised the committees’ members to assist in the collective efforts to re-position the institute for enhanced growth and development in the face of challenges of COVID-19 and the need to rejig corporate strategy.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.92 0.93 2.38% ACAP Income Funds 0.78 0.78 10.29% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.50% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.76 2.83 12.30% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 5.90% Anchoria Equity Fund 97.24 97.57 -4.82% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.26 1.26 9.52% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 14.27 14.71 -6.81% ARM Discovery Fund 335.94 346.07 -2.75% ARM Ethical Fund 30.19 31.11 3.83% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.21% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 92.78 93.43 -3.43% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.19% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.10 2.10 19.16% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 0.07 0.05 6.61% Paramount Equity Fund 11.07 11.27 -11.56% Women's Investment Fund 108.26 109.05 -2.02% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.39% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.32 98.54 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 103.74 104.67 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.85% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.91 0.92 -2.29% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.49 1.49 11.84% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 4.22% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.16% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,232.92 1,243.10 6.44% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,326.99 1,328.30 9.05% FBN Balanced Fund 147.62 148.67 0.54% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.99% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 116.83 117.42 1.18% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 117.17 117.75 0.97% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 114.76 116.18 -11.81% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.53% Legacy Debt Fund 3.77 3.77 3.27% Legacy Equity Fund 1.08 1.10 -5.00% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.11 1.11 2.46% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH Treasury Bills Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.67% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 119.82 120.53 11.43%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.37% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.29 2.33 4.43% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 9.86% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 144.06 144.61 0.45% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.22 1.24 4.53% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,133.17 1,133.17 5.08% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.39 1.41 13.67% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.93 11.99 5.91% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.73% PACAM Equity Fund 1.04 1.05 PACAM EuroBond Fund 106.66 108.96 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 112.40 115.24 -3.73% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 4.95% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 -0.68% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.27% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 -1.70% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 0.31% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 -1.08% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.41% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -0.78% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 0.19% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.14 1.16 -5.62% United Capital Bond Fund 1.81 1.81 4.77% United Capital Equity Fund 0.64 0.66 -8.86% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.66% United Capital Eurobond Fund 115.53 115.53 3.29% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.07 -2.11% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.17 10.30 -1.02% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.83 11.96 1.88% Zenith Income Fund 23.59 23.59 6.05% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.45%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

3.50 115.67 53.01

-63.85% 3.25% 1.84%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.08 87.71 67.64

9.18 89.51 68.84

4.29% -3.01% -2.01%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.29

16.90%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

˾ FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020

31

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Has Modernity Failed? - 3 Spahic Omer/IslamiCity (Continued from last week) It is now widely held that the period defined and dictated by the modernist philosophy and principles has ended. Now is a phase of transition into a new phase of human history called post-modernity or post-modernism. The term generally implies a broad spectrum of anti-modern penchants, on the one hand, and such as call for the revision of modernist fundamental assertions and ideas, on the other.

It stands to reason that modernity failed in the sense that it has abruptly ended, and in the sense that it achieved little of what it had intended.

Modernity was guilty of naïve realism where the truth about the supposed objective natural reality, independent of whether anyone is thinking about or perceiving it, has been manipulated and attempted to be imposed on everyone globally. The pursued objective truth was regarded as independent of human beings and all of their intellectual and sociocultural influences. It was also believed that the descriptive and explanatory statements of scientists and historians could, in principle, be objectively true or false. This doctrine accorded science and scientists all the leverage they needed to ascribe a sense of functional sanctity to themselves and what they were doing.

The proponents of modernity and modernism were likewise way off the mark when they affirmed that through the use of reason and logic, and with the more specialized tools provided by science and technology, human beings were likely to change themselves and their societies for the better. It was reasonable to expect that future societies will be more humane, more just, more enlightened, and more prosperous than they were before. It was proven time and again – and it is still being the case – that the misguided pursuit of scientific and technological knowledge leads to the development of technologies for destruction, oppression, subjugation and exploitation. It was owing to that verity that to a majority of researchers, the most advanced 20th century was at the same time the bloodiest in human history, as it was fraught with wars, genocides and famines.

Another problem with modern man was that he gained a new - albeit faulty - conception of himself as a being endowed with reason and technological power, totally independent of Heaven and its revealed knowledge and guidance, “and ready to conquer Earth, both its non-European humanity and the order of nature.” Modern man further viewed himself – again entirely predicated upon humanism, naturalism, rationalism, individualism, and skepticism as the cornerstones of the modernist worldview - as a being whose solitary goal was bodily pleasure rooted in the stimuli of greed, self-centeredness, pride and vanity. Consequently, modern man became a prisoner of his senses and desires, which he had to seek to constantly satiate without limit. He showed no interest whatsoever in the potential significance of both his body and the surrounding natural world in the religious, metaphysical, and cosmological sense.

Relentless scientific discoveries and technological dynamics, fed with the unrestricted innovation and creativity spirit, created a sense of perpetual expectation, hope and insatiability.

People wanted more of everything, and that those things be always better, faster, and brighter. There was so much in life to be experimented and enjoyed by everybody.

Opportunities were limitless and life was not to be wasted on lethargy, traditionalism, and conformity. It was to be lived to the fullest. It could be asserted, therefore, that the pinnacle of modernity and modernism signified the birth of popular culture as a concept and social phenomenon with mass accessibility and appeal, personifying the most broadly shared meanings of a social system.

The Consequences of Modern Man’s Nihilism and Hedonism The dire consequences of such a modernist philosophy and such a set of modernist behavioral patterns could be anticipated. And they were as pervasive and universal as the philosophy and lifestyles that instigated them.

As Seyyed Hossein Nasr puts it: “Modern man has burned his hands in the fire which he himself kindled when he allowed himself to forget who he is. The problem of the devastation brought upon the environment by technology, the ecological crisis and the like, all issue from the malady of amnesia or forgetfulness from which modern as well as postmodern man suffer.” Modern man has simply forgotten who he is and how he is relatable to the spiritual realm and the realm

of his Creator and the Creator of the whole universe. Living on the periphery of his own circle of existence, Modern man “has been able to gain a qualitatively superficial but quantitatively staggering knowledge of the world. He has projected the externalized and superficial image of himself upon the world.

And then, having come to know the world in such externalized terms, he has sought to reconstruct an image of himself based upon this external knowledge.”[ One of the greatest crimes of modernity was the undue exaltation of man’s freedom.

Such happened to the extent that it was held that man was so talented and capable that he could act independently of any other agent in the universe, while harboring the idea of a new world and indefinite material progress therein, which was set to be identifiable with the attainment of man’s inclusive welfare and happiness. It was additionally believed that only free man could change and form the world. On account of his newly acquired qualities – on top of which stood absolute freedom – man could do so “as he willed irrespective of any cosmic laws or even of the Divine Will.”

Thus armed with his rebellious and defiant tendencies against Heaven and the metaphysical world, selfish and avaricious personality, disoriented mind and character that lacked any genuine moral compass, modern man was set to cause in the long run more damage than benefit for himself, humankind and the natural world. He proved thereby that his modernity project was more of a mirage than an authentic and definite achievement. The global spiritual, moral and environmental crises that have been brought about by modern man and his science and its applications in the sphere of technology, have been unprecedented both in scope and intensity. So critical and so omnipresent are the crises that they could yet prove a cause of the ultimate demise of man as a species.

Having fully forgotten who he is, where he belongs and what his life purpose and mission are, artificial modern man has created artificial environments for himself and his operations.

Concrete jungles, calling to mind the worst and most unpleasant aspects of modern predominant urban life, have become the rule of the day for modern urbanized man. From those artificial environments, nature, human natural disposition and, of course, elements of spirituality, have been excluded to the greatest possible extent.

Nature has become desacralized for modern man. It has come to be regarded as something to be used, exploited and profited from to the fullest extent possible without any sense of obligation and responsibility towards it.

All the talk nowadays about sustainable development and peaceful coexistence with nature is not due to modern and postmodern man’s sudden change in attitude towards nature, life and himself. Rather, it is due to man’s realization that the natural resources of the world are dwindling at an alarming rate. As such, he will soon become unable to rampantly use and enjoy nature for his greedy and selfish ends, as he did in the past. As attractive as they seem, the notions of sustainability and preservation of nature aim only to prolong man’s raping and exploitation of the natural world as a means as well as object of his physical pleasure-seeking. Hence, the issue is never about nature, but about man; nor is it about the inherent interests of nature, but about the artificial and extravagant interests of man.

The harmony between man and his self, and between man and nature, has been damaged by modernity beyond repair. That is a fact everyone seems to be ready to admit. But not everyone realizes that this disequilibrium, with its internal and external manifestations in man and his existential contexts, “is due to the destruction of the harmony between man and God.” Lastly, as an illustration of the scale of the problems faced by man today, according to the findings from a United Nations-backed panel called the Intergovernmental SciencePolicy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), up to one million plant and animal species face extinction, many within decades, because of human activities. Without “transformative changes” to the world’s economic, social and political systems to address this crisis, the IPBES panel projects that major biodiversity losses will continue to 2050 and beyond. “We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide,” says IPBES chair Robert Watson.

Concluded

32

FRIDAY, ÍşÍžËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

Ghana Undertakes to Rebuild Nigeria’s Diplomatic Building Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The government of Ghana has assured Nigeria that it will ensure that the demolished Nigerian High Commission building in Accra, is restored to its original state, as soon as possible.

Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Botchwey (MP), in a statement yesterday following the incident, which has sparked off a diplomatic row between the two countries, said a committee had been raised to investigate the demolition.

The minister added that the committee, comprising officials of the ministry, Ghana's Lands Commission, National Security Secretariat and the Ghana Police Service, will make appropriate recommendations to the government on how to amicably resolve the issue.

Botchwey said preliminary

findings by the committee revealed that the High Commission of Nigeria presented letter referenced SCR/LCS 74/VOL.2/95 dated August 7, 2000, granting allocation and right of entry to the High Commission, for a four-acre parcel of land in the Accra Osu Mantse Layout.

The findings also revealed that the High Commission of Nigeria presented receipts of payments on the land, made by banker's draft, payable to the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, but added that the Land Title Certificate had not been issued to the high commission.

The minister noted that findings also showed that the Lands Commission stated that the four-acre parcel of land was part of vested land, which is owned by the Osu Stool and managed by the Lands Commission.

Botchwey stated that findings of the committee showed that in June 2019, the Osu Stool requested the Greater Accra Regional Lands Commission to grant a lease in respect of a part of the land to a third party.

The minister said: "Lands Commission stated that per its processes of granting leases, its records did not reveal any previous transaction in respect of the land in question.

"The Lands Commission revealed that a letter referenced AC 14826 of July 4, 2019, signed by the Regional Lands Officer and addressed to the High Commission of Nigeria, informed that the Osu Stool had requested the Lands Commission to grant a lease to a third party on the land in question. The Lands Commission, therefore, advised the High Commission of Nigeria to provide relevant documents on ownership of the land, but

the former did not receive any response.

"Based on the silence of the High Commission of Nigeria, the Lands Commission went ahead and issued a land title certificate covering the said parcel of land to a third party.

"The Lands Commission has confirmed that the letter of August 7, 2000, presented by the High Commission of Nigeria granting allocation and right of entry to the High Commission, was genuine and, indeed, emanated from its Head Office."

According to the minister, due to the fact that the High Commission did not obtain a lease following the allocation letter, or proceed to obtain a land title certificate or even a building permit for the new property, a search by the Lands Commission did not show that any proper documentation had been obtained in respect of the

property.

Botchwey noted that Articles 22 and 30 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations stipulate that the premises of the Mission as well as the private residence of a diplomatic agent shall be inviolable, adding that the incident of June 19 constitutes a breach of the convention.

The minister said the government of Ghana decided that the Lands Commission would issue a letter to the Osu Traditional Council stating that in August 2000, a formal offer was made to the High Commission of Nigeria in respect of the parcel of land in question; the offer was accepted by the high commission and payments made, accordingly constituting a contract.

The minister added that the Lands Commission would proceed to issue a land title certificate to the

High Commission of Nigeria to regularise its ownership of the property in question.

Botchwey stated: "Following the arrest of some persons connected to the breach of the premises of the High Commission of Nigeria, the Criminal Investigation Department will expedite action on investigations, given the delicate nature of the matter and its potential ramifications on Ghana–Nigeria relations; "The government of Ghana will ensure that the demolished building is restored to its original state, as soon as possible; "The High Commission of Nigeria will take appropriate steps to obtain building permits for the construction. In view of the above, the government of Ghana will actively engage the Nigerian government at the highest level to address the impasse and help calm tensions in both countries."

Chief Judge Warns Judges against Granting Ex-parte Orders in Political Matters Davidson Iriekpen in Lagos and Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tsoho, has "strongly advised" all judges in the courts to desist from granting ex-parte orders in political matters.

Justice Tsoho also advised the judges not to entertain matters whose substance arose from outside their judicial

divisions.

The admonition came just as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday expressed concerns about conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction and urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to halt the trend.

The CJ in a June 24 circular titled: "Grant of Ex-parte Orders" and Hearing of Cases from Outside Immediate

Territorial Jurisdiction," referred the judges to another circular dated August 6, 2018 issued by his predecessor, Justice Abdul Kafarati, which, according to him, still applies.

Tsoho warned the judges to beware of "political manoeuvring" which was on the rise as a prelude to party conventions, primaries and elections in some states.

Meanwhile, INEC yesterday expressed concerns about

conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

It called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to halt the trend by championing such an abuse of the judicial process.

In a statement yesterday by the National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Public Information, Mr. Festus Okoye, the commission called on the NBA to remind its members on the need to put national interest above

all other issues.

"We urge the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to impress on senior members of the Bar to put the country’s interest and the judiciary above every other interest and not allow personal considerations to outweigh their commitment to the profession, the rule of law and due process. It is in the best interest of the Bar and the Bench not to do anything that would bring them into

disrepute," it added.

The commission said it was worried about the spate and rapidity of conflicting court orders mostly obtained exparte, involving substantially the same parties, on the same or similar grounds and from courts of coordinate jurisdiction on issues and challenges around the administration of political parties and conduct of party primaries.

and seven days in respect of emergency meetings.

"We note that Chief Victor Giadom had convened and conducted a virtual meeting purportedly to be a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of our party wherein certain far reaching resolutions were purportedly reached.

While the National Working Committee is studying the unfolding drama, it will be consulting with stakeholders and team of lawyers on the next line of action."

Chairmen has commended the NEC of the party over the dissolution of the NWC. Chairman of Zamafara State chapter of the party, Mr. Lawal Lima, while speaking on behalf of the forum, described the dissolution of the NWC as a right step in the right direction.

He stated: "I believe all the NEC members are happy with the decision, because when the leader of the party was given his speech, many things were listed, some of us were nervous, we were touched that whoever has this party at heart will be happy about this decision.

The needed action has been taken which we believe will strengthen our party."

Also, the non-NWC members of the party have dissolved the executive of the forum led by Hon. Nelson Alapa with immediate effect.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja immediately after the NWC was dissolved, the acting Publicity Secretary of the forum, Mr. Muhammed Ibrahim, said a three-man member committee had been put in place to run the affairs of the forum pending when a proper election would be held.

affairs of the party after the dissolution of the NWC. Buni stated this in a letter dated June 25, 2020 and titled; "Composition of the National Caretaker Committee of the APC".

The letter read: "I wish to please inform your commission that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party at its 8th resumed meeting on Thursday, 25th June, 2020 approved the immediate dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC).

"The National Executive Committee also constituted a National Caretaker/ExtraOrdinary National Convention Planning Committee."

The caretaker committee in another letter to INEC and dated June 25, 2020, notified the commission of its plan to conduct the Ondo governorship primary election on July 20.

The Ondo State primary election letter was jointly signed by Buni and the secretary of the committee, Senator John J. Akpan Udoedehe.

IN A DEFT MOVE, BUHARI PULLS APC FROM THE BRINK NWC had been divided and had consequently been unable to steer the ship of the party since the commencement of the crises.

He also said the party had been rocked by various violations of its constitution, adding that if the situation was not quickly arrested, the party might lose another state to the opposition.

He said: "The National Working Committee of the party is regrettably divided and unable to provide leadership at this time. Our party, for the past two years, has been characterised with serious violations of our constitution and time will not allow me to enumerate the numerous infractions that have led to the present crises in the party.

"For instance, yesterday (Wednesday), INEC wrote to us to state that they do not reckon with the acting national secretary that signed the notice of party primary to them on the forthcoming election in Ondo State.

"That is the precarious situation we find ourselves as a party, as we run the risk of freely handing over another state to the opposition through our internal recklessness...I therefore most respectfully opine that the present crises in the party can only be resolved by the National Executive Committee of the party."

Present at the meeting were Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate

President, Senator Ovie OmoAgege; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase; the House Leader, Hon. Hassan Doguwa and the House Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje.

Some of the staunch supporters of Oshiomhole that attended the meeting were Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and the Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Peterson Akpatason.

Other state governors that were present at the meeting were: Sule Abdullahi (Nasarawa), Sani Bello (Niger), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Mohammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) and Oyetola (Osun).

Also in attendance were Abiodun (Ogun), Sanwoolu (Lagos), Abdurazak Abdulralman (Kwara), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna) and Bagudu (Kebbi).

Some of the senators present at the meeting were Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo), Abdullahi Sabi (Niger) and Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia).

Sacked NWC Gears up for Legal Battle The sacked NWC has said that it is studying what it described as the unfolding drama and would be consulting with stakeholders and team of lawyers on the next line of action.

The 18-member NWC in

a statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by National Vice Chairman (South-south) and factional acting National Chairman, Hilliard Eta and acting National Secretary, Mr. Waziri Bulama, restated its opposition to the NEC meeting attended by the president and other party leaders.

Other NWC members that were part of the decision included; the National Vice Chairman (North-east), Hon. Inuwa Abdulkadir; National Vice Chairman (South-west), Mr. Bankole Oluwajana; National Vice Chairman (North-central), Mr. Ahmed Suleiman Wambal, and National Vice Chairman (South-east), Hon. Emma Eneukwu.

The statement read: "The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) wishes to reiterate its earlier position that Chief Victor Giadom has no authority whatsoever to convene a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party.

"Article 25(B) of the Constitution of the APC is explicit that only the national chairman or the National Working Committee (NWC) is given the prerogative of summoning meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party either for statutory quarterly meetings or for emergency meetings.

The same provision of the constitution makes it compulsory for a notice of minimum of 14 days in respect statutory quarterly meetings

Buni Assumes OfďŹ ce, Promises to Be Fair Shortly after the inauguration of the caretaker committee, Buni went to the party secretariat that was earlier sealed off by the police, to assume duties.

He arrived at the APC national secretariat in company with some APC governors and Giadom.

Buni told journalists that he would do justice to every member of the party, adding that without justice there would be no peace.

He said: "After being twotime national secretary of the party, I can say I know the party very well, I want to assure every APC member that we will do justice to every one because we have a capable team."

APC State Chairmen Back NEC’s Decision The Forum of APC State

Police Unseal APC Secretariat as APC Writes INEC Caretaker Committee over New Caretaker Resumes Committee, Ondo Gov Primary The police have lifted the The APC has written the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the composition of a 13-man committee to direct the

blockade on the national secretariat of the ruling party.

This happened moments after the NEC meeting of the party presided over by Buhari dissolved the party’s NWC.

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FRIDAY, ÍşÍžËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

WINNERS & LOSERS

The crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC) reached a denouement yesterday with the dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. Davidson Iriekpen and Nseobong Okon-Ekong look at the victors and losers of the new phase in the party

WINNERS

LOSERS

of a ruling party at a time when the nation prepares for a political transition. Oshiomhole is bloodied but certainly not to be counted out. He has lost the battle, but will he win the war.

If Obaseki by any chance wins his second term bid, he may find it difficult to enter his own Edo State.

But Obaseki may have won the battle for the PDP ticket, but it remains unclear whether or not he can win the war for his re-election.

Bola Tinubu: Taming the Lion Osaze Ize-Iyamu: Inching Closer Abubakar Bagudu: Successful to the Prize Captain He is often acknowledged as one of the founding fathers of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who helped to set the body rules with which the party is governed. A former Secretary to the Edo State Government, Ize-Iyamu's quest to become governor on the platform of the APC was thwarted in 2016, forcing him to seek a similar opportunity in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He lost in the governorship election to the incumbent, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Ize-Iyamu's return to the APC came with a lot of intrigues and political melodrama that reverberated round the whole country.

In the wake of the Court of Appeal's ratification of the suspension of the then APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, who is the driving force behind his candidacy in the party, many had thought he might become a collateral damage in the power struggle in the party.

However, at the meeting of the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) yesterday in Abuja, his candidacy was ratified to make him one of the big gainers from the crisis in the party.

From almost being subsumed in the fight against bandits that devastated much of his state, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State also had another headache to contend with in -the different battlefronts with keen gladiators, fighting for control of the APC. As Chairman of the APC Governors' Forum, he was like the captain of a sinking ship.

Bagudu shares the credit for successfully steering the threatened ship out of troubled waters.

All Progressives Congress (APC): Saved from the Brink Since its formation on February 6, 2013, the All Progressives Congress (APC)has weathered many storms that threatened to make it go under, largely owing to the powerful interest groups that came together to form the party.

All the crises that have bedeviled the APC can be traced to the stubborn pursuit of individual goals against the communal or general interest of the group. These past seven years, chieftains of the party, valued federal and state legislators and state governors elected on the APC platform, have parted ways with the party, often through bitter quarrels that deal telling blows on the APC. Each time, however, when the opposition was ready to sing nunc dimitis for the APC, the party rises again, rejuvenated, like a cat with nine lives.

He has on several occasions been referred to as a master of political strategist. Never in his wildest imagination would he have thought that this would happen to him. During the countdown to the 2019 and when the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari kicked off, he was busy putting people in strategic places, indirectly oiling his political machinery, widely believed to be used to achieve his rumoured presidential ambition in 2023.

But all these came crashing down yesterday with the dissolution of the Adams Oshiomholeled National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC by the National Executive Committee at the behest of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The dissolved NWC is peopled by those considered loyal to him, especially Oshiomhole, who he backed at the time of trouble.

The first sign that things were not going his way was when the president on Wednesday snubbed his faction of the NWC and recognised Victor Giadom as the party's acting national chairman. The dissolution of the NWC, despite the protestations by members, was considered as part of a larger plot to tame his presidential ambition.

Therefore, with his loss of the national structure of the party, his undeclared presidential ambition has suffered a setback.

Despite the consolatory appointment of Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State into the new caretaker committee, Tinubu would have to go back to the drawing board to reset his presidential ambition.

Victor Giadom: Shove Aside after a Yeoman's Job The Rivers-state born politician shot himself into national reckoning in the last few weeks as he made a grab for the party's leadership position in the wake of Adam's Oshiomhole's suspension.

However, many will remember Chief Victor Giadom, former Deputy National Secretary of the APC as the spoiler who nearly wrecked the APC. His appearance on the scene after the suspension of Oshiomhole was upheld further factionalised the party.

His subsequent activities nearly drove a nail into the coffin of the APC. But to those familiar with political intrigues, Giadom was a pawn in a complex chess game of power.

Now that he has served his purpose, he has been shoved aside along with his colleagues in the NWC to save the queen: APC.

Chief Hillard Etah: Pawn on the Chessboard

Adams Oshiomhole: He Has Lost the Battle, will He Win the War?

Kayode Fayemi: Sphere of Inuence Increases The Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has definitely increased his sphere of influence with the outcome of the recent APC National Executive Council meeting (NEC).

If anyone harboured a doubt the closeness between Fayemi and President Muhammadu Buhari, the veil has been torn for all to see that Fayemi, who is among those behind the scene working to restore peace to APC, has the ear of the president.

Quietly pushing for a political settlement to the APC crises, Fayemi worked behind the scenes along the the Chairman of the APC Governors' Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Bagudu.

The main body of the proposals from Fayemi and Bagudu to Buhari was adopted at the NEC meeting.

Mai Mala Buni: Rising Star from the North Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State is a rising star from the North who was for a long time National Secretary of APC and the understands how the party secretariat works, meaning that he appointed most of the staff members and therefore will find no difficulty in restoring stability to party affiars. Even as he was one of the governors supporting Oshiomhole he is seen as a neutral team player and a pair of safe hands by all sides of the conflict.

Clearly the battle to save his political legacy in Edo State has suffered a major setback in his war of attrition with Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki who he brought into politics from Lagos Corporate life at the expense of his traditional loyalists.

Though he may have succeeded in paying Obaseki back for being allegedly ungrateful to him for making him governor, that comes at a huge price. He got his fingers burnt and lost his highly influential party chairmanship.

Oshiomhole went about his fight with Obaseki in an unrelentless manner as if there was nobody to call him to order at his initial reluctance to fight with Obaseki.

But in trying to pull the governor down, which he succeeded by gaming the system to force him out of the party, he went down with him.

Even if he gets settled with a ministerial, ambassadorial or board appointment, it can never be like being the national chairman

The National Vice Chairman in-charge of the South-south was hardly known beyond his zone. That was until colleagues in the leadership of the party pushed Chief Hillard Eta forward for the post of acting National Chairman to hold the fort for Senator Abiola Ajimobi who ought to have occupied the position in the aftermath of Oshiomhole's suspension, if not for his hospitalisation.

However, his insistence, along with other NWC to oppose other party leaders' bid to resolve the crisis by kicking against yesterday's NEC meeting, showed that there were other considerations driving their position.

APC NWC: Sold to Outside Inuence While it may be a case of throwing away the baby with the bathwater or one oily finger soiling the rest, the point that has been made is that the National Working Committee of the APC as previously constituted had bought into the vision and dream of one powerful individual, line, hook and sinker. Therefore, allowing any of them to remain in office could mean leaving a window of opportunity open for control by outside influence at the expense of stability in APC.

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FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

FG: 80% of Parents against Reopening of Schools Nigeria records 594 new cases of COVID-19

Olawale Ajimotokan, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, Martins Ifijeh in Lagos and Bassey Inyang in Calabar The federal government has disclosed that 80 per cent of the parents across the country are against the reopening of schools, and has however, promised to announce the new date for the resumption of domestic flights by next week.

The government has also expressed worry over rising cases of COVID-19 in the country, with Cross River State also recording the first case of the virus.

It has also disclosed that the report of the National Agency on Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the Madagascar herbal drug is ready.

This is coming as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha has said that he would impose a fresh lockdown on the country if it was within his power to do so.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during the press briefing by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba revealed that 80 per cent of the responses from parents that followed a perception survey conducted across the country by the ministry, said they were opposed to any hurried reopening of schools to experiment with their children.

“We are keeping the children at home because you can’t see coronavirus with your naked eyes and can’t know if a child is asymptomatic, carrying the virus. If he does and he goes back and infects another person, there is no way for us to know. ‘’Prior to that, the ministry carried out a perception survey around the country and 80 per cent of the responses were assurances from parents that they’re not willing to experiment with their children. If there are parents willing to experiment - to check whether it can work or not, we can invite them to a test,’’ Nwajiuba said.

Nigeria Records 594 New Cases of COVID-19 Nigeria has recorded 594 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 22,614 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

Announcing this yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Lagos recorded 159 new cases, Delta, 106; Ondo, 44; Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Edo, 34 each; Oyo and Kaduna, 33 each; Enugu, 28; Katsina, 25; Imo, 22; Adamawa, 15; Ogun, 12; Osun, 11; Abia, eight; Rivers, six; Nasarawa, Bauchi and Kebbi, five each; Ekiti, three; while Plateau and Taraba had one each.

It said: “22,614 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Nigeria. 7,822 persons have been discharged, while 549 have died.”

FG to Announce New Date for Domestic Flight Resumption Also speaking at the briefing, the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu revealed that the federal government will next week announce a new date for the resumption of domestic flights.

Nuhu, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, said that the announcement will follow the closure of the gaps that resulted in the earlier failure to resume flights on June 21 as earlier

announced.

He added that in order to close the gaps further, the aviation sector will hold a test grade driving test in both Lagos and Abuja airports on Saturday.

FG Expresses Worry over Rising Cases of Pandemic Meanwhile, the federal government has expressed fresh concerns over increasing rate of spread of the virus across various states and communities in the country.

It said the ongoing community transmission of the virus disease has resulted in the high number of confirmed cases which may overwhelm the facilities for case management in some states.

Speaking at the media briefing, the Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamorah said the situation deserved serious response measures to contain.

will be flagging off testing with GeneXpert machine in seven states by today (Friday).

He also assured all the states of federation will have their testing capacity scaled up with the deployment of GeneXpert machine by next week.

SGF Favours Fresh Lockdown In a related development, the Chairman of the task force, who is also the SGF, Mustapha, has said he would impose another lockdown on the country if has the power to do so.

Mustapha said the level of complacency was gravitating towards recklessness on the part of the public, adding that the numbers will continue to rise

in exponential graph unless the public begin to comply with the safety guidelines.

“The message is very simple that it is not time: If it were within my powers, this is the time to lock down. It might not be a popular thing, but I can see the attitude of Tom and Jerry in our people, who are romancing COVID-19 as if the matter is over.”

PTF to Submit Report to Buhari on Sunday Mustapha also said having entered the closing week of the second phase of lockdown, the PTF, which had a virtual meeting with state governors

on Wednesday to evaluate the progress so far made, will on Sunday submit its report, containing its assessment and recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Also speaking, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has also said he had no information concerning the delivery of the of the ventilator which the United States Government promised to supply to the federal government.

Lagos Discharges 36 Additional Patients In another development, the Lagos State Government has discharged 36 additional

COVID-19 patients from its isolation centres, bringing to 1,364, the number of successfully treated persons in the state since the start of the pandemic in Nigeria.

Announcing this yesterday, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said 11 of those discharged are females while 25 are males.

He said: “Nine were discharged from Onikan, eight each from Gbagada and Lekki, seven from Agidingbi and four from Eti Osa isolation centres.

“With this, the number of COVID-19 cases successfully managed and discharged in Lagos has risen to 1364,” he added.

Cross River Records First Case of Virus Meanwhile, despite repeated claim by the Cross River State Government that there was no case of the virus in the state, the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) disclosed yesterday that one of its patients tested positive for COVID-19 recently.

Making the disclosure in a circular dated June 25, and signed by the UCTH, Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, the hospital alerted its staff on the development, saying the patient had been treated and discharged since last week.

NAFDAC Report on Madagascar Herbal Drug Ready While responding to questions on the outcome of the validation of the efficacy of Madagascar herbal drug for Covid-19 treatment, Mamorah said that one of the agencies that is involved in the validation process, NAFDAC has concluded its assessment and will submit its report today (Friday).

When asked when the ministry will give its verdict on the Madagascar herbal cure as well as other claims by local traditional medicine providers, the minister said that he could not give a timeline for the validation process, adding that the exercise involves long-winding processes with no short cut.

According to Mamora, in addition to the assessment carried out by NAFDAC other agencies like NIPRD and Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) are expected to proceed with their own part in order to ensure that a thorough scientific investigation is carried out on the drug.

220 Vaccines undergoing Trials, Says WHO Also yesterday, WHO gave update on the processes leading to the production of vaccine for the treatment of the virus.

Country Representative of the WHO, Ms. Fiona Braka said that two pandemic vaccine candidates have reached advance stages of development and may be nearing final assessment by the end of the year.

She said that about 220 other vaccines are currently undergoing various stages of trials.

On his part, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said that latest studies on the pandemic showed that loss of taste and smell are key symptoms of the virus infection.

Ihekweazu said that as part of efforts to scale up testing for Covid-19 in the country NCDC

DELIVERING HIGHER RETURNS...

L-R: Independent Director, Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, Mr. Raymond Ihyembe; Company Secretary, Ms. Amaka Obiora; Chairman, Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola; and Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Titilola Adigun, at the 11th Annual General Meeting of Caverton Offshore Support ETOP UKUTT Group Plc, held at Caverton Helipad, Victoria Island, Lagos ...yesterday

FG Evacuates 167 Nigerians from South Africa The federal government has evacuated 167 Nigerians from South Africa, who are now enroute to Nigeria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffery Onyeama, in a series of tweet on his handle @GeoffreyOnyeama,

said that the Nigerians have already departed the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

The evacueees who are returning onboard Air Peace, are to first arrive the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport

before proceeding to Lagos, the tweet said.

“Evacuation Update: @ flyairpeace conveying 167 Nigerians just departed O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg, South Africa for the Nnamdi Azikiwe

International Airport, Abuja.

“45 passengers will disembark in Abuja, and thereafter the plane will leave for Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos with 122 passengers,” it said.

Air Peace Flies 25 Empty Aircraft, Dana Demonstrates Readiness Chinedu Eze

Ahead of the planned resumption of flights in Nigeria, domestic airlines, Air Peace and Dana Air on Wednesday carried out dry run and shakedown flights.

Spokesman of Air Peace, Mr. Stanley Olisa said in a statement that Air Peace deployed its 25 aircraft, including the Boeing 777s, flying from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt and back to Lagos without passengers.

He said the flights were aimed at ensuring that the aircraft were in good condition, having been grounded for close to three months,

although they had been under storage maintenance.

“All the aircraft took to the skies flying to Abuja, Port Harcourt and back to Lagos without passengers,” the airline said in a statement by its spokesperson, Stanley Olisa.

Olisa said the flights were part of measures the airline had developed to guarantee the safety of both passengers and crew when operations resume.

He said the aircraft were brought out of storage and the pilots had been testing them, as all pilots and flight attendants had been retrained in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority directives.

On Air Peace’s readiness to resume regular flights, Olisa said, “We have been operating ‘special flights’ to local and international destinations, and we have more of such flights in the works.

“This accentuates our preparedness for operation restart as our pilots, cabin crew and engineers have been hands-on and are current. So, we are 100 per cent ready to resume.”

The airline had been involved in charter and evacuation flights to international destinations based on approvals while the flight ban remained.

Speaking in the same vein,

the Media and Communications Manager, of Dana Air, Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa explained that Dana Air had to carry out the exercise to demonstrate its readiness to resume flights as soon as the airspace is opened. ‘’Although all through the lockdown, we had our engineers on ground to ensure proper storage and steady maintenance of our fleet for resumption at any time, and as part of our post covid resumptions plans, we had to get our team fully on ground on Wednesday for a dry run at the MMA2 terminal under the supervision of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)’’.

NDLEA Intercepts 223kg of Marijuana Hidden Inside Car Engine in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Kano State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it intercepted a Toyota Sequia Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) loaded with 223kg compressed cannabis sativa in the state.

The state Commander of

NDLEA, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, disclosed this at a press briefing in commemoration of International Day against Drug and Illicit Trafficking 2020 held at his office yesterday.

The commander said the vehicle was intercepted during a coordinated operation conducted on Kano-Zaria road, where the car was intercepted with 300 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa

weighing 223kg tucked inside the vehicle’s engine and tank.

He said the driver of the SUV identified as Osaye, has been arrested and would be prosecuted after investigation.

“Worthy of note also is a syndicate of drug barons (a male and female), who deals in cocaine, apprehended with cocaine weighing 100 grammes,” he disclosed.

Abdul, however, stated that the command had seized over 2.8 tons of illegal drugs within the COVID-19 lockdown period in the state.

He explained that apart from the 1.6 tons seized by the command, it also received transfers of 1.2 tons of illegal drugs seized by its sister agencies-police, Customs and vigilance groups within the lockdown period.

FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

35

NEWS XTRA

Bandits Kill 10 Persons in Katsina, Niger Communities Francis Sardauna in Katsina and Laleye Dipo in Minna Bandits again struck two communities in Dan-Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State and three communities in Manta District of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, leaving 10 persons dead and many others injured.

This is coming as the

Nigerian military has reassured President Muhammed Buhari and Nigerians of its commitment to end all forms of criminality across the country.

While the attack in Katsina occurred yesterday, the one in happened on Wednesday evening.

Among those killed in yesterday’s attack in Katsina was a policeman.

The policeman was said

to have been killed when a police team drafted to repel the bandits ran into an ambush.

The Spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident.

He said, “They (the bandits) are over 100 in number. As we are reaching out for support from our base at Maidabino,

they ambushed our team, killing one security personnel.” ”We have redeployed more personnel to the area to enhance the security of the area and arrest the perpetrators.”

In the three communities in Manta District of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State where four persons were killed, it was gathered

that the bandits, riding on motorcycles, shot repeatedly.

The affected villages include Sunko, Gavya, Marafa in Manta District Shiroro local government Area.

Apart from the four killed, some sustained injuries while others are still missing.

Efforts to get a confirmation from the Niger Police

Command proved abortive.

However, the Co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki confirmed the attack.

According to him the effects of the coordinated and premeditated attacks are devastating and mind-boggling lamenting that many lives and properties were lost.

Caverton Posts N4.4bn Profit, Pays Dividend to Shareholders Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, Nigeria’s foremost indigenous offshore logistics services provider, increased its net profit by 14 per cent from N3.8billion to about N4.35billion in the financial year that ended on December 31, 2019.

Caverton Offshore, which shares are listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), in the review financial year, also declared a dividend of 20 kobo per share for shareholders out of its 128 kobo Earnings per Share (EPS) portfolio.

The Group’s Earnings per Share moved up by 14.3 per cent from 112kobo per share in 2018 to 128kobo per share in 2019.

In response to the current economic situation, the Board of Directors had taken a proactive decision to shore-up its revenue reserves.

During the period under review, the group’s revenue reserves increased by 37 per cent from N9.49 billion in 2018 to N12.96billion.

Shareholders’ fund also witnessed an increase of 20 per cent, from N17.94 billion in 2018 to N21.45 billion in the review period.

Financial analysts had thrown their weight behind the company’s decision to reduce its exposure to banks in terms of borrowing in the review financial year.

The company has also pledged to continue to re-invest profit to fund its operations in the years ahead.

Commenting on the company’s impressive financial results at the 11th Annual General Meeting of the group held virtually in Lagos yesterday, the Chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola, said “despite the onerous challenges

we faced due to the changing economic environment, 2019 was indeed a good year for our company as we showed improved performance in most financial indices.”

Makanjuola said the performance reflected continued effective execution of the group’s bold strategy as it continues to innovate and break barriers to boost bottom line in building a customer-centric group ready to generate sustainable long term value to its shareholders.

“The focused leadership, concerted effort of your agile and devoted workforce, and continuing support from our stakeholders enabled us to achieve this feat,” he added.

Makanjuola hinted that the future is bright for Caverton Plc, as he disclosed that it recorded another breakthrough in the financial year ended December 2019.

Specifically, he said, a new seven- year contract for the provision of five aircrafts to support Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) was won after a successful bid.

“This award demonstrates the quality of character and tenacity of purpose of our management team and this laudable development also represents true commitment towards ensuring seamless running of the nation’s oil and gas industry and by extension the Nigerian economy.”

Another notable mileage achieved by Caverton in the 2019 financial year was the acquisition of Flight Simulator Training Device (FSTD), which was the first in Nigeria and the Africa.

Buhari Nominates FCT Chief Judge, Bello for ICC President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Ishaq Usman Bello, as judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The ICC which began functioning on July 1, 2002, is an intergovernmental organisation and international tribunal which has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

The ICC sits in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC, however, lacks universal territorial

jurisdiction, and may only investigate and prosecute crimes committed within member states, nationals of member states, or crimes in situations referred to the court by the United Nations security council.

Member states of the ICC are expected to nominate their candidates out of which only six judges will be elected to fill one-third of the court’s 18 judicial seats.

The elections which are scheduled for the 19th session of the assembly of states parties will be held at the United Nations, New York, from December 7, to December 17, 2020.

GHOST WORKERS IN TROUBLE...

lmo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (left), and Chairperson, Committee on Verification of Staff and Salaries of the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State, Mrs. Rosemary Izogu. during the submission of the committee’s report in Owerri...recently

Solution17 Finalists to Pitch Climate Change Ideas to Buhari The 17 finalists of the ongoing Solution17 for Climate Action in Nigeria will pitch their ideas to the Senior Special Assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals, today, Friday June 26. The event, which will be virtual will see the finalists present their ideas, solutions and implementation stages to Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, to tackle climate change.

Climate Change is one of the goals listed on the SDGs and Creative Youth Community Development Initiative (CYCDI) is at the forefront of promoting

actions that will make the environment livable through the Solution17 Climate Action in Covenant University project.

Covenant University partnered THISDAY Group to commence the search for creative youths who will drive this global movement with innovative ideas and solutions in February.

The 17 finalists were unveiled in a two-day virtual live event on June 2 and 3 themed ‘Global Movement Against Climate Change Crisis in Nigeria: Time For Nature, Pitch For Climate Change’.

Some of the project ideas

to be tackled include ‘ReTree Reforestation Project,‘ ‘The GreenHouse Sink,’ ‘Pet City Bricks,’ ‘The Green MarketPlace,’ ‘A Victory To Biogas,’ ‘Global Trackable Trees’ and The Waste Action,’ ‘The Benefits of working for Nature,’ and ‘Building EcoFriendly Generation Through Gamification’ Each finalist will present their ideas to the SSA who will also deliver a keynote speech while Senior Economic Adviser, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Dr. Amarakoon Bandara will charge them on their role in the

actualisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The founder of CYCDISolution17, Foluke Michael and Editor-at-Large, THISDAY Newspaper and Executive Director, THISDAY CONFERENCES, Ayo Arowolo will discuss the scope of the project and lessons learnt from the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

The project outcome will be unveiled later in the year at the ‘African Youth Summit in Covenant University’, a youth dialogue for global cooperation on ‘The Future We Want’ to commemorate the United Nations 75th anniversary.

Single Currency: No Division in ECOWAS, Onyeama Insists The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, has insisted that there was no division in The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), disclosing that the Heads of States of the sub-regional body are set to meet to discuss issues bordering on the adoption of the single currency – the Eco – for the sub-region.

Onyeama, while briefing journalists yesterday, after a

meeting with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, and the President of ECOWAS, Jean-Claude Brou, said that there was no division between Anglophone and Francophone countries within ECOWAS over the single currency adoption.

He added that the sub-regional body would hold a meeting of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Governments to ensure that all the member-states

were on the same page.

“That is a whole point of organising this meeting very quickly so that we can dispel that notion that there is a division.

“So, the sooner a meeting can be organised of all the heads of state, then we will be in a better position to dispel this notion that somehow, there is this division between the various groups. ECOWAS is one,” he said.

The minister’s comments

come after President Muhammadu Buhari warned that the desire for the single currency could be in “serious jeopardy” unless member states comply with agreed processes of reaching the collective goal.

Also speaking on Thursday, the ECOWAS president said the meeting was convened to discuss the single currency, assuring that the body was doing its best to advance the process.

NYSC Denies Plan to Reopen Orientation Camps The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said its orientation camps will reopen when it is very safe, in view of the formidable danger posed by COVID-19 pandemic.

Director of Press and Public Relations of the scheme, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, made this known in a statement yesterday in Abuja. ”The attention of management of the scheme has been drawn

to an online publication stating that the “NYSC is set to reopen orientation camps, lists guidelines,” alluding that the scheme will soon resume orientation programme,” Adeyemi said.

She said the scheme placed very high premium on the lives of corps members, camp officials and other stakeholders. ”Which was the key reason it suspended 2020 Batch “A” Stream 1 orientation programme in March

and shall never act in any way that will compromise their safety.

“To reinforce the foregoing, it is apt to add that even when it has been sufficiently established it is safe to proceed to the camps for the resumption of normal activities, the corps shall only do so when it has received the nod of the federal government,” she said.

Adeyemi added that corps members and prospective

corps members are advised to glean information concerning the scheme only from NYSC official sources – both the social and mainstream media.

According to her, the DirectorGeneral, NYSC, Brig.Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, admonished corps members and prospective ones to continue strict observance of COVID-19 safety protocols, predicated on social and physical distancing.

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FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Military Kills Two Killer-herdsmen, Recovers Weapons in Benue George Okoh in Makurdi

Troops of the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) covering Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States early yesterday trailed a group of armed herdsmen to their camp close to the boundary between Benue and Nasarawa States, killing two of them and recovering two AK47 riffles with 25 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition from them.

It was gathered from locals

that the armed herdsmen had earlier on Wednesday, invaded Tse- Torkula community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and injured two people before the troops of the OPWS were alerted.

According to one of the locals, who identified himself as Torkuma Jande, the invaders had stormed the community at about 6p.m., shooting sporadically at all directions before being repelled by the security forces stationed

in the area.

“It was about 6 p.m. last Wednesday evening that we suddenly started hearing sounds of gunshots around our community. Some of the security forces around the area were alerted and they immediately moved towards the direction of the firing and pushed back the attackers.

“We also alerted the troops of the OPWS who are stationed

at the neighbouring Umenger and Ukaa communities, but before they could reach there, the herdsmen had fled back to their camp towards Nasarawa State.

“I believe the troops of OPWS were not satisfied with the incidence so they decided to go after the herdsmen searching for them till early hours of this morning when they stormed their camp near the Benue/

Nasarawa States boundary in Keana,” Jande said.

Another villager living close to the area, Mrs. Dorcas Mdzer, who ran to Umenger for safety, said she sighted the soldiers destroying the camp of the armed herdsmen and burning everything in sight.

Mdzer, who ran from the affected community to Umenger village, said she was preparing for evening meal for her family when she heard gunshots close

to their house.

“On looking closely, I saw some soldiers exchanging gunfire with some herdsmen who had built tents in our village. When the sounds of gunshots became too intense, I gathered my children and we ran towards Umenger.

“After sometime, we saw the soldiers with some dead bodies in their vehicle heading towards Daudu,” she said.

ASUU Blames FG for Nigerian Universities’ Poor Ranking Says only UI, UNN among the best 2,000 globally Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday decried the poor ranking of public universities in the country, stating that the positions of the universities have vindicated the resolve of the union that the federal government has failed to properly fund education.

With the 2020/2021 ranking released by the Centre for World University Ranking, only two universities in the country, University of Ibadan and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), made the world’s best 2,000 universities.

According to the union, both universities, who presently hold national rankings of first and second in Nigeria could not make top 1,000 as the premier university is ranked 1,163 while University of Nigeria, Nsukka returned as 1,882 in the world.

However, unlike Nigerian universities, the first 13 universities in South Africa made the best 2,000 universities while seven of them made the best one thousand varsities in the world.

These are University of Cape Town (268), University of Witwatersrand (275), Stellenbosch University (429), University of Kwazulunatal (477), University of Pretoria (578), University of Johannesburg (706), North-west University (922) By the ranking, University of

Ibadan is 8th in Africa followed

by University of Western Cape, South Africa (1,158) that is ranked 9th on the continent.

The Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU, Prof.

Ayo Akinwole, while reacting to the ranking, in a statement made available yesterday, maintained that the ranking has vindicated the struggle by ASUU to make government commit not less than 26 per cent of its national budget to education, lamenting that the best the President Muhammadu Buhari government has done is to reduce the budget yearly to about six per cent at present.

He said ASUU has been drawing government and Nigerians’ attention to the rot in the tertiary education system and was proven right by the 2012 Needs Assessment conducted by the federal government.

ASUU said that as revealed in the ranking, it has taken personal dogged efforts of research output of academics in the University of Ibadan and University of Nigeria to position Nigeria on the global map.

Akinwole noted that the only variable that made the two Nigerian universities to be ranked among the best 2,000 universities is in relation to the research performance where the University of Ibadan had 1,101 with a total score of 69.4, while Nsukka had 1,805 and a total score of 66.2.

Bandits Abduct Scores of People on KadunaAbuja Highway John Shiklam in Kaduna An unspecified number of people are said to have been abducted on the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

The incident, according one of the victims, the driver of The Sun Newspapers circulation van, Mallam Ibrahim, occurred in the early hours of yesterday.

He said the incident took place close to the popular Alheri Camp, a few kilometres to the Kaduna metropolis.

According to him, the bandits occupied both sides of the expressway and were shooting indiscriminately.

Ibrahim said the bandits

left him because he feigned sickness by slumping when he and several others were taken into the bush.

He said the bandits thought he was seriously sick and needed urgent medication and left him lying on the ground.

According to him, “I was driving from Abuja to Kaduna to deliver our newspapers when suddenly we ran into large number of kidnappers around Alheri Camp area early this (yesterday) morning.

“They were shooting and stopping every traveler on the road, and collected all our mobile phones and moved us into the bush.

CONGRATULATIONS...

L-R: Clerk of Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Mr. Mustapha Oluwuyi; Executive Secretary of the West African Society for Communication and Administration (WASCA), Mr. Simeon Charles; Special Assistant (Press) to President of the Senate, Mr. Ezrel Tabiowo; and Director of Communications, Mr. Charles Eluma, after an induction and award presentation ceremony held to honour the Senate President’s media aide as a Fellow of WASCA in Abuja...yesterday

Ondo Monarchs Back Akeredolu’s Re-election Bid James Sowole in Akure Traditional rulers in Ondo State yesterday endorsed the incumbent Governor of the state, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for another term in the office, declaring that other aspirants opposing him are wasting their time.

The Chairman of the state Council of Obas and the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan spoke on behalf of

other tradtional rulers after the end of their monthly meeting held in Akure, the state capital.

Akinruntan said the governor deserved the second term following his laudable performance in the state.

He said the performance of the governor informed the endorsement by the traditional rulers across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Olugbo disclosed that the Council of Obas in the state has

already set up a committee in the three senatorial districts to work for the emergence of Akeredolu and his re-election.

“We looked at what he has done, particularly the Ore Flyover.

Before now, I told someone I was scared to pass through that road since the day I met 18 people dead in an accident on the road.

But now look at what Akeredolu has done for us.

“That bridge is like Lagos and the United States’ bridges. Look

at the way he embraced all the Obas in the state. He has been fantastic. We have not done this for any governor before. These are the Obas from the 18 local government areas of the state. We have set up a senatorial committee to work for the governor.

“Those who are contesting with the governor are wasting their time and resources. They should wait for him for another four years and let Aketi ( Akeredolu) finish his second term.

Armed Robber Kills Colleague in Ondo James Sowole in Akure A suspected robber early yesterday mistakenly shot dead his colleague while trying to escape after they had robbed a Point of Sales (POS) operator in Okitipupa, headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government

Area of Ondo State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred after the two men had successfully robbed the attendant of the PoS of undisclosed amount of money.

The courageous attendant was said to have raised the

alarm which attracted members of the public.

The source disclosed that as the robbers were being pursued by the people of the area, one of the robbers shot into the air to scare the people.

“However, the robber mistakenly shot his colleague

on the head, which killed him instantly,” the source said.

Arriving the scene of the incident, men of the Nigeria Police Force, Okitipupa Division, recovered two guns, the bag that was stolen from the PoS operator and clothes belonging to one of the robbers.

Glo Unveils GloRewards CASHTOKEN for Subscribers As part of efforts to avail Nigerians more innovative telecoms services, national telecommunications company, Globacom, has unveiled a recharge-based loyalty program, GloRewards (CASHTOKEN) for its subscribers.

A statement from Globacom stated that under the GloRewards programme, subscribers will earn a CASHTOKEN of N6 each time they recharge their lines, and this

is the assured cashback. They also stand a chance to win between N5, 000 and N100 million in weekly lottery draws.

The company added that the new offer would enrich the experience of millions of subscribers on the Glo network, especially during this period of Covid-19 pandemic which has seen many businesses operating at minimal level.

Giving more details on how

the service works, Globacom said all existing and new customers can enroll for GloRewards by dialing *777#, after which they will receive a welcome SMS within 48 hours, with details of last 3 months’ average recharge value and recharge target for the month. The recharge target SMS will be received every month until GloRewards program is stopped by Glo. After enrolment, new customers

(using Glo services for less than 3 months) will earn their first CASHTOKEN on first recharge of N200 and above and subsequently earn CASHTOKENs on every cumulative recharge of N1000 during the calendar month. On the other hand, existing customers (using Glo services for more than three months) will start earning their CASHTOKEN on every N1000 cumulative recharge during the same period.

Visual Guru Unveils Automobile Programme for Safety, Security Sunday Okobi A frontline company in automobile education, the Visual Guru Entertainment Limited, has unveiled a television programme, Autoxpat, aimed at shedding light on vehicle management, security, protocols and techniques that will save vehicle owners from undue exploitation and wastages.

The weekly 30 minutes programme currently running on Television Continental (TVC) every Sunday, according to the General Manager of the company, Mr. Ayokunle Tiamiyu, is basically conceptualised to reduce the level of ignorance as regards identifying faults, good conduct on the road, routine maintenance and the right spare parts which

have exposed many vehicle owners and users to undue exploitation from automobile mechanics.

Tiamiyu disclosed this at a press conference held in Lagos with some select journalists.

Shedding more light on the programme, Tiamiyu, who also doubles as the producer of the programme, said: “Autoxpat

is a unique and captivating automobile TV show in Nigeria with appealing, informative, educative and entertaining contents.

“The programme is aimed at enlightening vehicle owners and users to know and appreciate their vehicle more. It is also a recognised platform for road usage and safety.”

FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

37

NEWSEXTRA

FG Plans N200bn Capitalisation, Export Expansion Fund Targets 5m jobs in economic plan James Emejo in Abuja Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, yesterday said the federal government is planning to float a N150 billion capitalisation fund and N50 billion export expansion facilities to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

He added that no fewer than five million jobs would be created as well as saved from the government Post-COVID-19 economic recovery plan.

The minister said plans were

underway to save about 1.4 million jobs for Nigerians, with 40 per cent of such employment opportunities in female-owned MSMEs and 10 per cent in businesses belonging to people with special needs.

Adebayo explained that these were part of his ministry’s input in playing a leading role in the federal government’s delivery of real sector interventions of its economic sustainability plan in the wake of the global pandemic.

According to him, the proposed jobs will be generated through the implementation

of identified programmes, including the MSME survival fund, guaranteed off-take stimulus scheme and the credit support to MSMEs and priority sector.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and

Publicity, Mr. Julius Toba-Jegede, the minister noted that the credit support to MSMEs and priority sectors would provide affordable finance to key sectors impacted by the pandemic.

He said it would also enable increase in manufacturing

capacity in priority sectors, adding that the scheme will save and create an additional three million jobs to be implemented through the N50 billion MSME de-risking facility, including N100 billion intervention fund for priority sectors.

Adebayo said: “These interventions will save and create about five million jobs, support continued operations and increase in production capacity in priority sectors and protect MSMEs from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

... Promises to Protect Jobs of Migrant Workers The federal government has expressed its commitment towards the protection of migrant workers against job losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, gave this assurance last Wednesday in a keynote address at the virtual High Level Panel (HLP) on Labour Migration in Nigeria, which was organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) with the theme: ‘Implications of COVID-19 on the Rights of Migrant Workers in Nigeria’.

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Presenting the address titled: ‘Accentuating the Role of Government in Protection of Migrant Workers in Nigeria in the context of COVID-19 pandemic’, Ngige said the government was making concerted and coordinated efforts and responses to address the challenges posed by the pandemic.

He described the timing of the meeting as very apt in view of the global pandemic which has resulted in severe economic and labour market shocks across the world.

The minister said COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on employment and basic services, including cost of living and economic activities, due to disruption of global supply chain.

A statement issued by his media aide, Emmanuel Nzomiwu, quoted the minister as having stated that the federal government recognises that labour migrants were among those bearing the brunt of the crisis.

CHANGE OF NAME

Refuse dumped along the road at Jakande Gate, Ejigbo, Lagos

NIS Recruitment Saga: Court Orders Moro, Two Others to Open Defence Alex Enumah inAbuja Former Minister of Interior, Senator Abba Moro, has been discharged in seven out of the 11-count criminal charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and was ordered by the court to open defence in four-count charges.

Specifically, the court discharged

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7KLV LV WR FRQ¿UP WKDW WKH EHDUHU RI WKHVH names ONYEOGO MIKE and ONYEOGO MICHAEL CHUKWUEMEKA refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, the bearer wishes to be known and addressed as ONYEOGO MICHAEL CHUKWUEMEKA. All documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

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Moro in the counts bordering on fraud and money laundering, and ordered him to open his defence in the counts relating to breach of procurement laws as a public servant.

Moro is standing trial on an 11-count criminal charges bordering on money laundering and procurement fraud to the tune of N675, 675, 000.

He is being tried alongside a former Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia; a Deputy Director in the ministry, F. O.Alayebami; MahmoodAhmadu, and Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited, a firm involved in the ill-fated 2014 nationwide recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) that resulted in the deaths of some applicants.

In prosecuting its case against the defendants, the EFCC called over 10 witnesses before closing its case late last November 2019.

Instead of opening their defence, the defendants, including the former minister, now a Senator representing Benue South senatorial district at the National Assembly, Moro, entered a no-case submission.

Ibadan Disco to Implement New Tariffs on July 1 Ejiofor Alike

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc has disclosed that it would implement new electricity tariffs on July 1, 2020 as part of its efforts to deliver excellent services to its esteemed customers.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mr. John Ayodele, said the objective of the

I formerly known and address as IDAH REKIA now wish to be known and address as MOHAMMED REKIA JUMAI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and address as GLORY MAYEN ONYEKWERE now wish to be known and address as GLORY MAYEN EDGAR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

A THREAT TO HEALTH, SAFETY...

review is to ensure that IBEDC adjusts its tariffs in line with the current economic realities.

According to him, this is required to meet the new Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) for electricity distribution companies in Nigeria, as well as to achieve financial and fiscal sustainability in the Nigerian power sector.

“In order to provide more efficient and reliable service to customers, cost-reflective

tariffs are required to cover the cost of critical investment in infrastructures and other parameters necessary for improved service delivery,” he said.

The company added that the new tariffs’ design is based on quantity of power supplied as customers will only pay based on availability of supply.

“For example, the tariff design is based on the service delivery, such that those receiving 20

hours’ supply daily will pay more than those getting 10 hours,” he added.

Ayodele also explained that, the company is very mindful of the challenging economic situation occasioned by the global pandemic COVID-19, adding however, that the macroeconomic facts of rising inflation rates and a volatile foreign exchange market compelled the implementation of the new tariff design.

Maritime Workers Kick against Job Cuts Ugo Aliogo The President of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Mr. Adewale Adeyanju, has stated that the union would resist any attempt by employers of labour

to downsize workers in the maritime sector, paricularly their members.

Adeyanju stated this yesterday in Lagos during the formal launching of the programme on sensitisation and distribution of COVID-19 preventives to

Seafarers in all Nigerian ports in Collaboration with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF).

He also noted that some employers had written to them about downsizing, but the union considered such action

as wicked.

“We are not going to allow any wicked employer to downsize our members because they are not the ones that caused the COVID-19. We stand to support the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),” he stated.

NECA Berates FG for Alleged Neglect of Organised Businesses Chris Uba The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has taken a swipe at the federal government over the distribution of COVID-19 palliative, saying none has been extended to the organised businesses in the country, with the adverse consequence that many of them

have closed shop, while others are at the brinks of collapse as a result of the pandemic.

NECA said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) extended N50 billion credit facility to households and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) most affected by the pandemic, as well as N100 billion loan to the health sector, and N1 trillion

to the manufacturing sector.

In addition, the interest rates on all CBN interventions programmes were revised downwards from 9 per cent to 5 per cent, and a one-year moratorium was introduced effectively from March 1, 2020.

But regrettably, none has been given to the organised businesses.

The acting President of the

association, Taiwan Adeniyi, who stated this at a press briefing yesterday in Lagos, said the federal government assumed that by dolling out N1 trillion to the manufacturing sector, it has given palliative to the organised businesses, adding that not all business organisations in the country is in the manufacturing sector.

38

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FRIDAYSPORTS Chelsea Beat City to Crown Liverpool Champions First Time in 30 Years

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

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool were crowned champions of England for the first time in 30 years last night after Manchester City lost 1-2 to Chelsea.

Liverpool the 2019/20 Premier League season with 86 points from 31 matches. With just 21 points left from the remaining seven match-days of the English topflight, the Reds are 23 points ahead second-placed Manchester City on 63 points from 31 games.

Last nights victory for Chelsea move them to 54 points in the fourth place and just one behind Leicester on third on 55 points.

Only a win for Man City at Stamford Bridge would have allowed them to hold on to the Premier League trophy for a little longer and their two-season reign is now officially over.

Pep Guardiola’s side lost a total of six league games in those two seasons combined, but their eighth

defeat of this campaign leaves them 23 points behind the leaders, with seven games left.

Kevin de Bruyne’s brilliant second-half free-kick cancelled out Christian Pulisic’s breakaway goal for the hosts but Liverpool’s title was confirmed with 12 minutes left when Fernandinho was sent off for handball on the line and Willian dispatched the resulting penalty.

While City are still in the Champions League and continue their defence of the FA Cup at Newcastle on Sunday, their next act in the league will be as part of Liverpool’s coronation when they welcome the Reds to Etihad Stadium next Thursday.

The outcome of this season’s title race has been inevitable for many months but Liverpool’s long wait to wrap up their

19th triumph, extended by the Premier League’s three-month break amid the coronavirus pandemic, is finally over.

City’s hopes of delaying them further ended in all-too familiar fashion, with crisp passing and forward moves undermined by fragile defending and lapses in focus.

They had been the better side until they gifted Chelsea the lead courtesy of a terrible mistake by Bernard Mendy after Chelsea

had cleared a first-half free-kick.

The France left-back had Ilkay Gundogan in support but was far too casual as he gave Pulisic possession near the halfway line, then compounded his error by diving in and allowing the American to sprint clear and slot home.

De Bruyne’s brilliant dipping free-kick arrowed into the top corner to bring City level shortly after the break and they almost took the lead moments later

when Raheem Sterling hit the post after a stunning counterattack.

Chelsea went close at the other end when Fernandinho let Pulisic in and he rounded Ederson, only to be denied by a brilliant goal-line clearance

by Kyle Walker.

That was a huge let-off for City but they were not so lucky the next time Chelsea came forward.

Ederson denied substitute

Tammy Abraham and then Fernandinho blocked Pulisic’s follow-up but the video assistant referee confirmed what everyone watching on TV had already seen - that he had used his hand to clear.

Referee Stuart Attwell showed the Brazilian a red card after pointing to the spot, and Willian planted his spot-kick into the net to ensure the night belonged to Chelsea - and Liverpool of course.

TO P S I X Team Liverpool Man City Leicester Chelsea Man Utd Wolves

P 31 31 31 31 31 31

W 28 20 16 16 13 12

D 2 3 7 6 10 13

L 1 8 8 9 8 6

GF 70 77 59 55 48 44

GA 21 33 29 41 31 34

GD 49 44 30 14 17 10

Pts 86 63 55 54 49 49

Wigan Sign Leon Balogun Till End of Season English Championship side Wigan Athletic have signed Leon Balogun on a permanent short-term contract till the end of the 2019/2020 season.

Balogun, 31, joined Wigan on loan from Premier League side Brighton, where he struggled for game time following his free transfer from Germany.

A long-term injury also did not help his cause at Brighton.

The lack of playing time will cost him his place in the Super Eagles.

This season, he has played six times for ‘The Latics’, who are 17th on the 24-team Championship table.

NFF to Decide on 2019/20 NPFL Season Today Duro Ikhazuagbe

Leon Balogun

Ahmed Musa Back in Saudi Arabia for Restart of Season Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa, has returned to Saudi Arabia ahead of the restart of the country’s professional football league suspended since March due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Our Nigerian star, Ahmed Musa, arriving earlier today in Riyadh!� a tweet on the club’s official Twitter handle announced on Thursday morning.

The pacy, former Leicester City winger is expected to undergo Covid-19 tests immediately at the Central First Health Centre in Riyadh before joining his team-mates in training.

Liverpool players celebrating one of the victories in their push to becoming the English Premier League champions first time in 30 years

Musa was flown to Lagos last April in a private jet by the Saudi club along with his family members and Super Eagles teammate, John Ogu. The 27-year-old Nigerian Captain featured in 17 league games for Al Nassrthis season and is yet to open his goal account.

Musa linked up with Al Nassr from Premier League club Leicester City in 2018 and won the league title in his first season at the club.

Rui Vitoria’s men occupy second position in the table with 45 points from 22 games, six points adrift log leaders Al Hilal.

A decision on how to end the 2019/20 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to be taken today by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

THISDAY learnt last night that the League Management Company (LMC) and the 20 club chairmen held a virtual meeting on Wednesday where 18 of the clubs restated their resolve to end the topflight season using the Point Per Game (PPG) model in determining teams to represent the country in CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup. Enugu Rangers and Akwa United however opposed the rule.

League leaders Plateau

United and second-placed Enyimba will play in the CAF Champions League, while Rivers United, who placed third will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup. Aiteo Cup holders Kano Pillars will join Rivers United in the CAF Confederation.

There will also be no relegation or promotion.

It was a stamp on the decision taken by the club owners’ forum to end the season as against the ideal of Super 6 been canvassed by a section of the domestic club football.

A statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development yesterday evening insisted that the NFF is the final body to determine how the season is concluded without dragging it into the matter.

“We wish to state clearly that it the ministry was not part of the meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation, club owners and other stakeholders convened to decide on how best to end the ongoing season which was put on hold due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic,� the statement stressed.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Gabriel Aduda: “Following a virtual meeting Presided over by the Honourable Minister on Monday, the Ministry directed that an enlarged meeting of the stakeholders should be convened to deliberate, agree and find a way forward and NFF should revert to the Ministry. “Although the Ministry was invited, it decided to

exclude itself to enable the stakeholders thrash out the critical issues and revert to the Ministry.�

Aduda further said that the Ministry was awaiting the final decision of the meeting communicated to it officially after which it would confer with the necessary authorities to make a final pronouncement on the league.�

He however insisted that the final decision on the league would be guided by the Covid-19 protocols and infrastructure.

The Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, had advised the Federal Government to postpone the National Sports Festival earlier scheduled for March 20th - April 1st 2020, in Benin city, Edo State due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pedro Agrees Roma Switch from Chelsea Chelsea winger Pedro will join Serie A side Roma at the end of the season when his contract expires.

The former Barcelona forward signed a short-term extension on Tuesday until the end of the season as his deal was going to expire at the end of the month.

But Pedro had already agreed a deal in principle with Roma and was waiting for the Serie A club to reduce their wage bill to accommodate him.

The 32-year-old will be available for all remaining

Chelsea games in the 2019-20 season, in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

Pedro was on the bench as Chelsea won their first Premier League match 2-1 following the restart at Aston Villa on Sunday.

The winger won the Premier League during the 2016-17 campaign under Antonio Conte, the FA Cup in 2018 and the Europa League in 2019.

The Spain international scored 43 goals in 201 games since

joining Chelsea from Barcelona in 2015. Pedro signed for the Blues from Barcelona for a fee of ÂŁ21million having won five league titles and three Champions League trophies during his time in Spain.

The forward has played just 18 times since Frank Lampard became head coach last summer, but will hope to help Chelsea to secure a Champions League place for next season and lift the FA Cup again before he departs.

Chelsea have already agreed

deals to sign Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech and RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner at the end of the season - both players who can play out wide and will help to fill the gap left by Pedro.

The Blues played Manchester City in the league last night and to play Leicester City in the FA Cup this weekend.

Chelsea have also successfully managed to tie down forward Olivier Giroud and goalkeeper Willy Caballero on short-term arrangements until the end of the season.

39

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Arsenal Win against Saints Gives Arteta Hope of Europa Ticket Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta remains hopeful that his side can qualify for Europe this season after they won their first game since the restart of the Premier League at Southampton last night.

The Gunners had lost both

of their previous two games, to Manchester City and Brighton, but Thursday’s 2-0 victory arrests the slump, moving them up to ninth in the table.

Champions League qualification looks unlikely, but with Manchester City’s

Burnley Dent Watford’s Survival Hopes Burnley manager Sean Dyche said it had “been an emotional week� after his side dealt a blow to Watford’s Premier League survival hopes.

The Clarets, who have had injury and player contract problems, were thrashed by Manchester City on Monday, with media reports questioning Dyche’s future at the club.

To compound matters a banner reading ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ was towed by an aeroplane over Etihad Stadium during their matchagainst City. “Over seven and a half years we have built a culture and environment that behind it has a strong mentality. We bounced back after the other night,�

Dyche said. “I am still here. I have had this before, still working with the players. It has been an emotional week. Someone wrote the first time in seven years I had questioned the board, I think that’s pretty good.�

Burnley are now up to 11th in the table after Jay Rodriguez scored the decisive goal, with a glancing header from Dwight McNeil’s cross.

The Hornets, who had hoped to use a game in hand to pull clear of their rivals at the bottom of the table, remain 16th, a point above the relegation zone.

While the Clarets enjoyed the better of the early stages, with Matej Vydra hitting the post and Rodriguez twice going close to scoring, Watford will consider themselves unfortunate not to have gained a point.

Danny Welbeck was tackled when well placed to score, while Troy Deeney’s powerful header from a corner was cleared off the Burnley line

by McNeil.

Prior to kick-off Burnley displayed a fan led video in support of Black Lives Matter with a players from both sides also taking a knee in support of the movement.

involvement in Europe still up in the air pending their appeal against a ban for breaching financial fair play, Arteta’s side could well claim a Europa League spot. “I am always very positive,� said Arteta. “We have enough time, we have enough games left to do it. “We had two defeats for the first time since I joined, but now we have won and it lifts the spirit, it lifts the belief. “The calendar of the Premier League has given us is pretty tough. We have four away

games and we have to recover the players now.�

The Gunners were helped along their way at St Mary’s by a dreadful error from Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy who faltered under pressure from Eddie Nketiah following a back-pass, allowing the striker to intercept his attempted ball out slot into an unguarded net.

The win was sealed late on when Jack Stephens was sent off for fouling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the last man and from the resulting free-

kick substitute Joe Willock finished after Alexandre Lacazette’s free-kick struck the wall and his follow-up was parried.

It was timely boost for the Gunners, who have struggled with injuries and form since the restart.

The victory, though, was not undeserved. Prior to the goal, Nketiah had seen a close-range finish ruled out for offside and Aubameyang had crashed an angled effort against the bar.

Coming after such an

impressive display in their first game back at Norwich, the result continues Southampton’s woeful inability to replicate their away form at St Mary’s.

This was their 10th loss at home this season - equalling the club record for a Premier League season, set back in 1993-94 when their were 42 games in a campaign.

With 10 points separating them and the bottom three it is very unlikely that they will get dragged into a relegation fight.

Barca to Get ₏10m Plus Pjanic for Arthur Lille’s President Frustrating Osimhen’s Transfer to Join Juve with ₏80m Fee Chelsea’s Willian (with the ball) shortly after the VAR confirmed the penalty award against Manchester City...

Brazilian midfielder Arthur has agreed terms with Juventus - giving the green light for Miralem Pjanic to move to Barcelona in one of the most bizarre exchange deals in recent history.

Arthur had initially been reluctant to move from Barcelona to Turin after initial approaches were made by the Serie A champions, with Juventus attempting to persuade him to sign after agreeing a fee with the Catalan giants.

Despite his initial hesitancy, Juventus reached an agreement in principle with the player and attempted to sway him by offering him a lucrative contract - worth nearly double what he is currently earning at Barcelona - promising him an important role in the team in the process.

The move will see Miralem Pjanic and â‚Ź10m plus add-ons go in the opposite direction.

Confirmed yesterday afternoon by Goal journalist Romeo Agresti, Fabrizio Romano and Gianluca Di Marzio, it’s now reported that mere final details need to be ironed out before the exchange is made official.

Juventus are widely regarded as receiving the better deal in acquiring 23-year-old Arthur in exchange for 30-year-old Pjanic,

with Barcelona’s financial mismanagement and poor planning at the very heart of the deal.

Spanish journalist Gerrard Romero has reported that Arthur’s compatriot Dani Alves also had a crucial part to play in persuading him to join the Italian champions.

Alves ‘spoke very highly of the Italian club’ to Arthur, and the 23-year-old now has his representatives scouting out houses in Turin for him.

The move from Barcelona to Juventus is one that Alves knows well, having traded Camp Nou for the Allianz Stadium back in 2016. The 37-year-old spent a year with the Serie A outfit, winning the league and Coppa Italia, and helping guide them to their first Champions League final in 13 years.

However, his contract was terminated by mutual consent at the end of the 2016/17 season, and he moved to PSG that summer.

Alves and Arthur have been teammates on the Brazil national team since the latter made his debut in September 2018.

The pair were both part of the Brazil squad who won the 2019 Copa America - with Alves being named player of the tournament.

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Plans by Lille to reap bountifully from the sale of Victor Osimhen is perhaps stalling why the Nigerian forward may remain longer at the French Ligue 1 season beyond this summer transfer window.

Coppa Italian winners Napoli and several Premier League clubs have been linked with interests in Osimhen due to his spectacular form this season in France but Lille President,

Gerard Lopez, is reportedly not shifting ground on his 80million Euros asking fee.

But the coronavirus pandemic that disrupted football and others sporting activities around the world is believed to have dropped the value of some players including Osimhen.

Lopez is banking on Lille reaping in the same manner they did from the sale of Nicolas Pepe to Arsenal for 72million Pounds last season. “Last year, we asked for

the same amount for Nicolas PÊpÊ. Some observers thought I set the bar way too high, but later Arsenal paid £ 72 million. Victor (Osimhen) is worth as much,� the Lille Chairman said in reports in French media yesterday.

Osimhen who buried his 80-year old late father, Patrick last weekend in Lagos was initially believed to have reached personal terms with Napoli but Lopez’s insistence on 80million Euros appears to have put discussions

on hold. The Lille Boss appears on the look out for the highest bidder and not necessarily where the player will have career growth.

Lille Manager Christophe Galtier earlier made his intentions known that he is open for the departure of his prized goal poacher.

The 21-year-old striker cost Lille 12 million Euros from Belgian club Charleroi, who had bought him for 3.5 million Euros from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg after a successful loan spell.

Ansu Fati’s Father Debunks Man Utd Link The reports linking Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati with Manchester United are untrue, according to the player’s father.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Fati is subject of a bid in the region of ÂŁ135million from the Red Devils with the Catalan giants reportedly immediately rejecting the offer.

However, Bori Fati has revealed in an interview with El Larguero, as reported

by AS, that reports linking

his son with a move to Old Trafford are false and that his son is happy at the Nou Camp. ‘We are enjoying life at Barcelona,’ Bori Fati said. ‘But my son must be patient for his chances, as he is playing with the greatest footballer ever in Lionel Messi. ‘The United links are not true, Ansu is happy here, he is following his dreams. He does not have to start every game, and he has Griezmann and Suarez ahead of him.

Ansu has a lot of time.’ According to a report from Mundo Deportivo last weekend, Fati has zero interest in leaving Spain.

The Spanish news outlet’s sources said the player is ‘calm’ because he will soon sign his first professional contract with the club which will include a transfer clause of ÂŁ362m.

Fati has scored six times in LaLiga this season and has made 26 appearances in what has been an impressive campaign.

Hopes are high that he can go on to succeed Messi once the Argentine decides to hang up his boots.

Barca’s club director Xavier Vilajoana recently denied they were prepared to cash in on Fati.

He said: ‘For us, there’s no story with Ansu, we have never spoken about selling him. ‘We won’t use players from the academy to make cash. ‘In principle, we have no intention of selling the players we believe will make the first team.’

Friday June 26, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE CJ to Judges “In this regard, your lordships are strongly advised not to grant ex-parte injunctive orders in any political matter brought before your lordships. Furthermore, your lordships are equally advised not to entertain matters of which the course of action has arisen from outside your judicial divisions” – Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, warning judges of the court against granting ex parte orders in political matters and outside their judicial divisions.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

0811 266 1654

ASnapshot of the Last Five Years L

ast month, precisely on the 29th, President Muhammadu Buhari marked five years in the saddle as Nigeria’s president. In what has become its trademark tactic, the government rolled out a list of achievements, amid a fanfare of chest-thumping that but for Buhari, the country would literally have ceased to exist. It is this messianic complex and personal importance that inflates the president’s own sense of knowledge of everything; from economic management to politics, from human capital development to security, etc., made more so apparent by court jesters/Buharists who discount the skills and abilities of others and daily broadcast their loyalty to the president on rooftops from Cape Verde to Cairo.

Since he assumed power, this tactic of self-praise and condemnation of previous leadership to distract attention from his poor leadership has been very much the same. But it’s been clear for a long time now that this is a deliberate strategy to perforate the land, infiltrate the public consciousness and create excuses for his poor scorecard. It worked for a long time but has since run out of energy.

Very early on, the government and its supporters wove a corruption narrative to incentivize a mob baying for blood. It successfully used this as a high-altitude veil to blot and obscure genuine alarms of the dangers Buhari posed to this country’s diversity and remains a threat to its existence. Occasional concerns that were raised about his divisive policies and actions were met with profound disdain and brushed aside by his government and its supporters who seem to have sworn to an oath of complete insanity and desperate denial of reality.

Perhaps a more charitable explanation would be that a desperate government currently with little to show in an 8-year tenure, might think a little retelling will do. Accordingly, its fifth year anniversary makes it expedient to invoke the memory of what it claims were the failings it inherited from other administrations, to win back some ignorant and gullible supporters whose support and admiration heralded it to power in 2015.

The truth is that those who thought Buhari was a better alternative to former President Goodluck Jonathan threw away caution for credulity to dance on the knife’s edge, marketing perceived attributes instead of substance which a casual glance at his record would have cautioned against; that the man they were enthusiastically rooting for was incapable and would not deliver on his promises and expectations.

The last five years have been truly brutish, nasty, long and harrowing, an endless nightmare of bloodbath, pain and anguish. The country is drained of minimal modest indices of progress on all fronts, from security, the economy to fighting corruption; broken and reeling under the most clannish leader in our living memory.

Looking back, it’s as if time stopped moving five years ago and the little gains recorded by other administrations simply eroded on the crest of Change. It is pathetic that even great minds discarded their own words of great wisdom and caution of yesteryear for a warm embrace of incompetence. Now, see where the wild hysteria and lynch mob of 2015 has led us to.

Nigeria is now a gangster’s paradise – killing and maiming are now a daily companion of the living, normalised in the most hideous manner. It is now such that one is more likely to die in the hands of terrorists Boko Haram, or well organized kidnapping gangs aided by soldiers and police, or marauding terrorists rechristened as bandits mounting sustained attacks on communities across the country, or in the hands of Fulani herdsmen killing, raping, maiming and burning down swathes

Buhari of communities in one fell swoop, than illness or natural causes. The nation’s security situation has grown more precarious in the last five years.

Interstate travel by road has become a death wish.

Criminal terror bandits have seized total control of our highways and made towns, villages and cities a living hell, while the government either looks the other way with unsympathetic indifference, or if it wakes up on the right side of the bed, it swings into symbolic razzmatazz with the deployment of more security agents in affected communities followed by routine condolences to victims’ families. The daily carnage continues with unabating fury.

But despite the glaring failure of leadership – with the country racing to join the league of failed states under Buhari – it is surprising that some still hail him for his unquestionable success in the last five years. Ahead of the pack in the renewed and desperate attempt at revisionism and spreading falsehoods was a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the late Abubakar Tsav who didn’t live to read my thoughts about his disgusting sycophancy. The old man horse had the last laugh. Tsav died before the article I was foot-dragging on was ready. However, I am consoled that, that despicable interview full of barefaced lies to mark Buhari’s five years in the saddle published barely two weeks before his death will be his legacy. It is what many will remember him for.

In it, he tried to beat Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler’s chief propagandist, in the art of spinning tall yarns. Unfortunately, his skills in public oratory weren’t half as good. Either by design or coincidence, he gushed out praises of the president, saying Buhari’s leadership of the country in the last five years was phenomenal and a “rare feat that would make other world leaders green with envy”. Really? Oh my God! I was scandalised by his claim that flies in the face of sanity. I was furious at this barefaced effort to rewrite the story of Nigeria in the last five years. Who cursed this country with people like Tsav?

Here are excerpts from that infamous interview: “For those who know me, know that I am very objective when it comes to issues of national interest. What was happening in Nigeria before Buhari came on board was not a joke. We were on the verge. But he was able to stabilize the polity and Nigeria is better off today. This is indeed phenomenal, and I must extend my utmost commendation to him.”

He stated further that what assisted the Buhari administration was his commitment to the war against Boko Haram terrorism and other acts of economic sabotage that according to him became

the order of the day in previous administrations.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is a man of unquestionable integrity, and this has been the hallmark of his administration. I think it is common sense for all those in his team to understand the body language of their principal and this is what we need in this country as we march forward.

“This administration has carried out a nearimpossible task in just five years, which is a rare feat that would make other world leaders green with envy. Virtually all sectors of the economy have been affected positively, and this is what you get when you have a leader that is upright and committed to the Nigerian cause. The Nigerian Army has been excellent since the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari. One of the first pointers that he meant well was the composition of the service chiefs. Mind you, I am of that constituency, and when I saw the calibre of those appointed, I was convinced that it was just a matter of time before we turned the tide against those insurgents.” I stopped reading for a while thinking I was the one hallucinating. But hell no! I wasn’t. It was painful to continue reading but I had to.

Tsav hailed the composition of Buhari’s service chiefs? The facts on the ground show that there is nothing extraordinary that the president’s lopsided composition of the security structure has achieved on the battlefield. Now, I believe truly, those whom the gods want to destroy, they first make mad.

Abubakar Tsav also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, for repositioning and leading the Nigerian Army in the battle against the Boko Haram insurgents: “I salute the doggedness of the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai. He is such a brilliant officer who understands what it means to be a leader.

He has indeed led by worthy examples, and I am sure that posterity would be kind to him for his numerous sacrifices in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.”

After reading this gushing praise, I literally pinched myself to be cocksure I wasn’t delirious.

Indeed, I wasn’t. It is hard not to think that the man that made those statements wasn’t himself.

Only a man high on something would be so quixotic about the state of affairs in the country today. The pressing question to ask is, of what use is this falsehood? Whose interest is served here? Abubakar Tsav knew full well that the security situation in Nigeria was worse than ever. He knew full well that the economy was in worse shape than it was in 2015 when Buhari assumed power. He knew that corruption under this government has reached a crescendo but he ignored the evidence to dance on the tip of a needle. What pushes men to do things like this, I have no idea.

In Benue State, where Tsav hailed from, people sleep with one eye open. Bandits, mostly of Fulani extraction, cause mayhem daily, wreaking carnage in communities, committing mass murder, burning down swathes of communities, slaying, ripping the stomachs of pregnant women open, abducting and gang-raping women. The state has become a killing field for terrorists and blood-thirsty mass murderers. I cannot remember reading anywhere that he condemned these heinous crimes against humanity. Tsav never called on Buhari to come to the aid of his people.

Two years ago when Fulani herdsmen killed 73 people in one fell swoop, it took several weeks for Buhari who he recently praised to high heaven to cave in to pressure from the public to visit Benue.

Even on that visit, his advice to the Benue people to learn to live with their neigbhours was utterly bereft of all empathy. Professor Wole Soyinka, one of his early enablers who has somewhat retraced

his steps, declared recently that Buhari lost him as a supporter after that statement during his (Buhari’s visit) to Benue. I am sure Tsav missed it, or if he didn’t, didn’t read much into it because the man who uttered those words has “unquestionable integrity”.

Since Tsav granted that infamous interview about four weeks ago to deodorise Buhari’s five years in office, the security situation has gone from bad to worse. Boko Haram/ISWAP has been on the offensive, killing scores of people and abducting several others in Borno State. The terror group attacked Gubio, Nganzai and Monguno local government councils barely a day after the president claimed the terrorist group had been massively degraded and killed over 80 people.

In Buhari’s home state of Katsina, insecurity has reached unprecedented levels, such that protesting youths recently vented their anger on the streets and burnt down a billboard of the president and the state governor. The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) last week stated that the North had become poorer under Buhari owing to the heightened level of insecurity in the region. NEF pointedly called Buhari’s administration a failure and expressed regret he won a second term. And with all facets of our national life limping, the first family is enjoying the goodies of life and even fighting publicly for more spoils of power.

Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is disintegrating, producing five national chairmen in one week.

Professor Usman Yusuf, a Professor of Haematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation captured the situation succinctly in a recent article on state of insecurity in the country titled: Silence in the Face of Evil is Evil Itself. Here are excerpts: “Our country Nigeria and Arewa in particular where mass burials of our people massacred by bandits and insurgents is a common occurrence and where the land is soaked wet with the blood of the innocent, unarmed, undefended folks living largely in rural areas that have never had any government presence. Yet, we the elites have become so immunized to this carnage and injustice in our midst that all we do is share the video clips on WhatsApp, then recoil back into our shell of fear, docility, and nonchalance instead of raising our voices.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) under his leadership campaigned on the tripod of fighting corruption, insecurity, and fixing the economy. Five years hence, corruption is flourishing more than ever before, the economy is in a free fall, with the nation drowning in debt with nothing tangible to show for it. People are much less secure today than they were five years ago.

“Arewa today is under siege and terrorised by rampaging bandits and insurgents. They roll into our towns and villages in convoys of motorcycles riding three on each, brandishing AK47 rifles with impunity. They spend hours killing, burning, raping, carting away livestock, and abducting women as sex slaves. In many of these villages, they put taxes on the people and keep coming back, again and again, to attack because there is no law enforcement presence to protect them. The police or military oftentimes show up after the carnage to count the bodies.”

True, there is something wrong with a man who sees evil and calls it good and who sees good but calls it evil. Thankfully, the Bible in Isaiah 5:20 has already judged Abubakar Tsav and his fellow revisionists of history thus: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Some people are sure condemned to eternal damnation.

Need I say more?

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