THURSDAY 30TH JULY 2020

NDIC Seeks Timeline for Operation of Bridge Banks Obinna Chima The Chairman of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, yesterday advocated the need for the corporation and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

to jointly state a timeline for the operation of any bridge bank.

According to her, the timeline will specify the duration for such an institution to operate before it gets a buyer.

Sokefun spoke at an online fireside chat with the theme: “A Conversation on Deposit Insurance, Banking Supervision, Failure Resolution and Bank Liquidation in Nigeria," organised by Babalakin & Co Legal

Practitioners, in collaboration with Insolvency Disclosure.

A bridge bank is an institution created by the regulators to operate a failed bank until a buyer can be found.

In Nigeria, the CBN and the

NDIC had in the past created bridge banks - Enterprise Bank Limited and Mainstreet Limited as well as Keystone Bank Limited - from the assets of the defunct Spring Bank, Afribank and Bank PHB respectively. Also, about two

years ago, Polaris Bank was established through a bridging process, after the demise of Skye Bank.

But responding to a question on the status of Polaris Bank, Continued on page 8

W’Bank Approves $500m Loan for Girl-child Education in Northern States... Page 6 Thursday 30 July, 2020 Vol 25. No 9243. Price: N250

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Boko Haram Attacks Borno Governor’s Convoy... Page 6

Mamman Daura’s Rejection of Zoning Rekindles Clamour for Power Shift

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, Segun James in Lagos, Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

The call on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Malam Mamman Daura, for the 2023 presidency to be based on competence rather than zoning has refreshed the nationwide clamour for power shift and restructuring.

Daura, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, had urged Nigerians to embrace competence, and not zoning, in

determining the next president in 2023.

But the comment has set off a wave of rebuttal by traditional advocates of power shift, who have been in hibernation for some time, particularly with the onset of COVID-19, which has slowed down political and socio-economic activities in the country.

The concepts of zoning and rotation of the nation’s presidency, analysts clarified yesterday, arose from the constitution of the Peoples

Continued on page 8

FEC Approves N8.64bn to Fund Siemens’ Power Deal Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday ratified President Muhammadu Buhari’s anticipatory approval for the release of N8,648,081,465 to fund phase one of the Nigeria-Germany electricity deal.

The fund, which is an offshore loan facility of €15.21 million, an equivalent of N6,940,081,465.20, and N1.708 billion onshore fund, is meant for counterpart funding "of the

end-to-end grid modernisation and expansion programme" in the power sector.

The approval, which was a sequel to the 2018 power deal between Nigeria and Siemens AG of Germany followed the agreement signed between the two parties.

The loan will be drawn from a German consortium with a guarantee provided by the German government through Euler Hermes to finance Continued on page 8

REVISED MONEY BILL...

Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Okiye (left), and Governor Godwin Obaseki, during the signing of the revised 2020 Appropriation Bill in Benin City… yesterday

COVID-19 Forces Buhari to Suspend Sallah Homage... Page 5

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NEWS

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

COVID-19 Forces Buhari to Suspend Sallah Homage To observe prayers at home

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja In compliance with COVID-19 regulations, President Muhammadu Buhari will not be receiving Sallah homage by religious, community, party and government leaders today, the presidency said yesterday.

The president will rather observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers with his family at home.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement yesterday, said the president would mark the festival at home just as he did for Eid-el-Fitr over two months ago.

Shehu said Buhari’s decision was in line with advisories from the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and

the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

"In wishing all Muslims a safe and happy Eid, the president reiterated the protocols as issued by the PTF that large gatherings, as

much as possible, should be discouraged. Where small groups choose to hold the Eid together, face masks are absolutely necessary, as is social distancing. Advisedly, such prayers should hold

outdoors and worshippers are encouraged to bring their own prayer mats.

"In order to stop the spread of the disease, the president will not be receiving Sallah homage by religious, community, party

and government leaders and urges all citizens to observe the occasion as advised by state and local authorities.

"He once again he wishes all citizens a safe and happy Eid," he said.

FG Ratifies Nigeria-US Air Transport Agreement Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The federal government yesterday approved the ratification of a bilateral air transport agreement between Nigeria and the United States to strengthen economic and socio-cultural relations between the two countries.

Briefing reporters after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, sought the council's approval for the ratification.

The minister who said both the United States and Nigeria were parties to the Chicago Convention of December 7, 1994, explained that Article 6 of the convention mandates parties to the agreement to sign air services agreement with member states to improve their socio-political and economic relations.

He said: "The aviation minister presented a memo today (Wednesday) on the approval for ratification of the air transport agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States of America.

"The minister sought the council's ratification of the air transport agreement between USA and Nigeria. You will recall that both United States and Nigeria are parties to the Chicago Convention on the 7th of December, 1994. Article 6 of the convention actually urges parties to sign air services agreement with member states to improve social, political and economic ties.

"The US has ratified its own and Mr. President and council graciously accepted today to also ratify this agreement. So, today, Mr. President signed valid agreement of air transport service between Nigeria and the US with the attendant benefits for both countries, especially as Nigeria is working towards having its own full national airline.

"So, we will now take advantage of this air transport bilateral agreement to strengthen economic, social and cultural ties between the two countries."

In his own briefing, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, said the council also approved a memorandum that he presented, seeking the ratification of Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement signed in 2016 between Nigeria and Singapore.

It also approved another agreement between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco.

"In 2016, the Attorney-General of the Federation came up with a new model of Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and that year, Nigeria signed based on that new model between Nigeria and Morocco, and Nigeria and Singapore.

"The whole idea was to grant more protection to Nigerian investors, when they invest abroad and to give Nigeria more protection when other investors come into Nigeria.

Basically, those were what we presented in FEC and the council graciously approved that Mr. President should ratify it and the Attorney-General will present to Mr. President for his ratification and the agreement will come into effect thereafter," he said.

Also briefing, the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Mahmoud, said the council approved a new national forest policy, which he described as a review of the 2006 policy with the intention of providing employment opportunities, means of livelihood, foreign exchange from the export of wood and as well reduce poverty.

"So, we have revised it (2006 policy) and produced a new one, and we believe this will go a long way in generating employment, which is an issue at hand. Youth and women who are vulnerable in rural areas usually bear the brunt of this issue of deforestation.

"The more we populate our forest with trees, the better for the people not just in the rural areas but even the economy.

Currently, we have suspended the export of forest products because we do not have enough control under the old policy.

So, we have suspended that," he said.

WHAT COVID-19 HAS CHANGED...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri (left), and Speaker, House of Assembly, Hon. Abraham Ingobere, during the signing of the revised 2020 Appropriation Bill in Yenagoa…yesterday

AfDB Board Commends Panel that Cleared Adesina Dike Onwuamaeze

The Bureau of the Board of the Governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has commended the members of the High-level Panel of Independent Review, which reviewed the report of the Ethics Committee of the Boards of Directors of the AfDB on the whistleblowers’ complaint against the President of the AfDB Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, “for its work and for working tirelessly to ensure timely submission of its report.”

The bureau noted that the panel’s report has affirmed the integrity of the bank and its governance mechanism.

The panel, which was constituted on July 1, 2020, and given between two and four weeks to complete its work submitted on Tuesday its report that affirmed the innocence of Adesina on all count charges.

The panel, which was chaired by a former President of Ireland, Mrs. Mary Robinson, had the Chief Justice of Gambia, Justice Hassan B. Jallow and the President of LFMcCarthy

and Associates, Mr. Leonard F. McCarthy, as members.

The bureau, in a communiqué it issued on Wednesday, a copy of which THISDAY obtained yesterday, highlighted the panel’s conclusion, which concurred with the findings of the ethics committee "in respect of the allegations against the president and finds that they were properly considered and dismissed by the committee.”

The communiqué was signed by the bureau's chairperson, the Minister of Planning and Development, Republic of Cote

d'Ivoire, Ms. Niale Kaba.

The bureau also noted the panel’s conclusion regarding the submission of Adesina to the ethics committee that “it has considered the president’s submissions on their face and finds them consistent with his innocence and to be persuasive.”

The bureau expressed its appreciation to all governors for “their support and patience during this process that was aimed at ensuring the integrity of the AfDB and its governance mechanisms.”

PDP Accuses FG of Suppressing Information on Corruption Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of diverting attention from corruption allegations.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, called on Nigerians to note the blackmails, intimidation and threats coming from government quarters.

He said the aim of the blackmails was to frustrate whistleblowers and truncate ongoing uncovering of widespread corruption in ministries, departments and agencies, under the APC administration.

The PDP said one of such antics by the administration was the Tuesday press conference by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, wherein he challenged Nigerians to dare the federal government in its anti-corruption war.

He said. "Our party is, however, not surprised that this corrupt administration resorted to distortion of facts and daring of citizens when its officials from the top to the bottom are all soiled in the foul pottage of corruption.

"It is ridiculous that this administration seeks to claim credit for the investigation and the unearthing of fraud in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when it is already public knowledge that the investigation only came as a result of pressure mounted by our party and

other Nigerians."

He explained that this is more so as the corruption in the EFCC has reached an embarrassing crescendo that could no longer be concealed.

According to Ologbondiyan, "such humongous corruption in the EFCC under the APC confirms the level of financial malfeasance and a shameful breach of trust by this administration, in which very top officials of the Buhari’s presidency had been mentioned.

"We challenge the APCled federal government to give an account of the N800 billion, which Lai Mohammed claimed to have been recovered, especially given allegations that recovered monies have been re-looted and shared among topmost officials of the Buhari’s administration and APC leaders,” he stated.

PDP said rather than resorting to alleged false performance claims, the Buhari administration should have sent Mohammed to apologise for this display of gross abuse of position, especially as it relates to the fight against corruption.

The party urged Nigerians to note that Mohammed, in his press conference, admitted that he could not go into the details of the various corruption issues in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), EFCC and other agencies.

"Our party holds that this is an evasion of gory tales of direct stealing, treasury looting and barefaced embezzlement by government officials and APC leaders as already exposed in ongoing investigations at the National Assembly and at the presidential panel.

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W’Bank Approves $500m Loan for Girl-child Education in Northern States

Ejiofor Alike

The World Bank yesterday approved a $500 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme, to improve secondary education opportunities among girls in some northern states.

The bank listed the beneficiary states to include: Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Plateau and Ekiti It said in a statement that the project would support access to secondary education and empowerment for adolescent girls in the seven states.

According to the statement titled, “Nigeria to boost support for keeping adolescent girls in school,” the adolescent girls face many constraints in accessing and completing secondary education.

The bank noted that in northern Nigeria, for instance, the lack of secondary schools was significantly greater with up to 10 primary schools for every secondary school.

“Poor condition of infrastructure and a lack of water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities make it difficult for girls to stay in school.

“In addition, close to 80 per cent of poor households are in the North, which makes it very challenging for them to cover the direct and indirect costs of schooling.

“All these factors have contributed towards limiting

the number of girls that have access to secondary school.

“If nothing is done, 1.3 million girls out of the 1.85 million who began primary school in 2017/2018 in the northern states will drop out before reaching the last year of junior secondary school,” the statement added.

According to the bank, the AGILE project will use the secondary school as a platform to empower girls through education, life skills, health education (such as nutrition, reproductive health) GBV awareness and prevention, negotiations skills, self-agency and digital literacy skills.

The bank said a minimum of six million girls and boys would benefit from the project and many more would continue benefiting thereafter.

Commenting on the initiative, the World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, said: “There is no better investment to accelerate Nigeria’s human capital development than to significantly boost girls’ education.

“The AGILE project will enable Nigeria to make progress in improving access and quality of education for girls, especially in northern Nigeria. Addressing the key structural impediments in a comprehensive way will create the enabling environment to help Nigeria ensure better outcomes for girls, which will translate into their ability to contribute to productivity and better economic outcomes for themselves and the country.”

The project is expected

to benefit about 6.7 million adolescents and additional 15.5 million direct project beneficiaries from families and communities in participating states.

The bank added that the project has also been adapted to respond to COVID-19 and would support a blended learning approach using technology and media (TV and radio) to implement remote and distance learning programmes.

World Bank stated that the AGILE project would expand primary, junior

secondary schools and senior secondary schools to make them functional, safe, and inclusive to teaching and learning.

“This entails building more than 5,500 JSSs and 3,300 classrooms for SSSs, as well as improving 2,786 Junior Secondary and 1,914 Senior Secondary schools with safe, accessible, and inclusive infrastructure,” it stated.

The bank said about 340,000 girls would receive life skills training in safe spaces, which would help them navigate

challenges in life.

This, it added, would incorporate health information and key information on climate change, safety and genderbased violence awareness.

To help girls thrive in the digital economy, it added, 300,000 girls would receive digital literacy training.

The project would also offer 500,000 girls from the poorest households with financial incentives in the form of scholarships to further support their retention and completion of secondary school.

It will also help in raising awareness to address social norms and promote positive behaviors for a supportive and enabling environment for girls’ education using communication and high-level advocacy, it stated.

World Bank’s IDA was established in 1960 to assist the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programmes that boost economic growth, reduce poverty and improve poor people’s lives.

LEGISLATIVE VISIT...

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (left), and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, during a courtesy visit by the speaker to the governor in Abeokuta…yesterday

Boko Haram Attacks Borno Governor’s Convoy Ex-EFCC Prosecutor, Obla, Writes Presidential Panel

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

The convoy of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, was yesterday attacked by gunmen, believed to be members of the terror group, Boko Haram, at Baga in the northern part of the troubled state.

THISDAY gathered that the governor had earlier left the state capital, Maiduguri on Monday to an undisclosed destination in the state as has become his tradition to personally distribute palliatives to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in liberated local government areas.

A security source told THISDAY that the governor was on his way to some IDP camps when the incident happened.

The source told our correspondent that the governor’s convoy ran into an ambush on Baga road yesterday evening.

The source said: “Màsha Àllah. Glory be to God. Governor’s convoy intercepted gunmen along Baga.

“Fortunately the convoy cleared them with two vigilantes and a policeman wounded in the crossfire.”

“The convoy has since returned to Monguno town to forestall any other attack on the dreadful road.”

Investigation revealed that the governor left Maiduguri with a large convoy to give enough palliatives to the IDPs for Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

TheCable gathered that Zulum had not returned to Maiduguri, the state capital, as of 9:10 pm yesterday.

But one of the governor’s aides, Mohammed Mai Bukar, assured residents that he is safe.

In a Facebook post, Bukar wrote: “To Our Concerned Citizens, HE Prof. Zulum and his entourage are all fine and there was (were) no casualties.

Thanks!”

This is the second known attack on the convoy of Zulum within a year.

While returning from a trip to Bama LGA last year, his convoy was attacked at Konduga in Borno.

That attack happened seven months after the Boko Haram insurgents targeted the convoy of Senator Kashim Shettima, Zulum’s successor, on his way to Gamboru Ngala, still in Borno.

All attempts to get confirmation from the government were unsuccessful as the spokesman to the governor, Mallam Isa Gusau, and the Borno State Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Babakura Abba-Jatto, could not be reached on their mobile phones.

Accuses Magu of abuse of power

Tobi Soniyi in Lagos and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja A Senior of Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former prosecutor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chief Godwin Obla, has written to the Presidential Investigation Committee on Alleged Mismanagement by EFCC of Federal Government Recovered Assets and Finances, from May 2015 – May 2020, explaining how the suspended acting Chairman of the commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, used his power to harass and persecute his perceived enemies.

This is coming as Magu’s lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu, has said that his client did not appear before the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel yesterday because it had adjourned till August 4.

In the letter, Obla said Magu was ‘power-drunk’ and in the process destroyed the reputation of the commission.

He narrated how Magu detained him for 21 days on the allegation that he bribed a judge of Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia, to procure the conviction of a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Mr.

Temisan Omatseye.

He said: “It is my firm view that Ibrahim Magu’s tenure as Acting Chairman of the EFCC, almost irredeemably, cast a dark shadow on the anti-corruption fight of the present administration and significantly eroded the gains that have been made in years past."

According to him, EFCC under Magu has become an apparatus for the promotion of personal vendetta against persons with whom the suspended acting chairman has an axe to grind.

He said his ordeal began when he demanded his fees after Magu had disengaged him from further handling of the commission’s cases.

He said: "Magu’s EFCC deliberately refused to settle my fees (which had never at any point contested my bill of professional charges) in spite of the fact that pursuant to the handover process and in response to the EFCC’s debriefing letter, I sent a letter dated February 27, 2017, titled ‘Re: Demand for Payment of Professional Fees to EFCC,' wherein I reminded EFCC of its long-outstanding legal fees in the sum of N685,389,928.10 (six hundred and eighty-five

million, three hundred and eighty-nine thousand, nine hundred and twenty-eight naira and ten kobo) and $202,460.47 (two hundred and two thousand, four hundred and sixty dollars and forty-seven cents) or its naira equivalent at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria exchange rate, together with interest at a prime lending rate, being professional fees for the prosecution of over 40 high-profile cases."

Obla said he recovered over N2 billion for the commission, adding that some of the items his law firm handed over to the EFCC had not been properly accounted for.

He asked the panel to investigate how Magu compromised the pension fraud cases the prosecution of which he said had gained traction before Magu suddenly asked him to hands off the cases.

He said: "It is interesting to note that virtually nothing has occurred by way of progress in respect of almost all the matters withdrawn from our firm in 2016.

"The lackadaisical manner in which most of the matters have been handled either indicate that the matters have been compromised or constructively withdrawn or abandoned.

"Cases in point are the Office

of Head of Service of the Federation pension funds fraud cases. A lot of interim orders of forfeiture were obtained by my firm covering cash in excess of N2 billion, $2,000,000.00 (two million dollars, stocks and shares, real estate, etc.

"The implication of this compromise or abandonment is that there will be no final order of forfeiture over those properties and even the cash obtained by the interim forfeiture orders already transferred to EFCC by court order may someday be liable to be returned to the suspects not because they were adjudged innocent of the charges but because of the deliberately contrived incompetence and negligence of the EFCC in seeing through the prosecutions."

Obla urged the panel to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue his trial because it was malicious and baseless.

He also asked that the commission be ordered to pay his outstanding fees.

He called for a complete inventory of the Office of the Head of Service pension fraud cases with specific attention to the state of the exhibits and recoveries: monies and other properties, which were seized as suspected proceeds of crime.

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PAGE EIGHT MAMMAN DAURA’S RE JECTION OF ZONING REKINDLES CLAMOUR FOR POWER SHIFT Democratic Party (PDP), which enjoins the party to ensure equitable distribution of political offices in order to give every section of the country a sense of belonging.

This, analysts stated further, found expression in a gentleman’s agreement, which stipulates that the presidency would rotate between the North and the South of the country.

The agreement, which started in 1999 with the election of President Olusegun Obasanjo from the South, they pointed out, was given full expression in 2007 with the election of President Umaru Yar’Adua from the North.

They said although there was a slight disruption with the death of Yar’Adua in 2010, which saw the presidency returning to the South as President Goodluck Jonathan completed his term and ran an independent term, they contended that the election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 has largely compensated for the disruption and successfully restored the concept of rotation.

Daura referred to this rotation arrangement on Tuesday and argued that it had not worked, enjoining Nigerians to jettison it for competence.

Reacting to Daura’s intervention in the controversy yesterday, Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere; apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; the Niger Delta socio-cultural group, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF); and frontline nationalist and leader of the South-south, Chief Edwin Clark, said the nation stands no chance of moving forward except it ensures equitable distribution of power and restructuring of the country.

The ruling APC, however,

stated that the president’s nephew expressed his personal opinion, which did not represent the position of the party.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo warned that equity should not be sacrificed on the altar of parochialism since it was the rotation sentiment that produced the incumbent.

The group said it was the turn of the South, particularly Ndigbo, to produce the president in 2023.

President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo, in a statement by his media aide, Chief Emeka Attamah, said: “All we know is that it is the turn of the South where we have abundant competent individuals who can steer the ship of this country, particularly among Ndigbo.”

Nwodo added that it was unfair of Daura to seek an end to “rotation” after Buhari and the northern region had enjoyed two terms in quick succession.

“The truth is that Mamman Daura is not being a fair judge.

Then, he didn’t believe rotation should end. Now that he has tasted power through Buhari, rotation can end and the most qualified and competent can be voted in, discountenancing that the South-east has never tasted what he is drooling in.”

Nwodo reminded Daura that the law of equity demands that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

“By the way, who determines the most qualified and competent candidate? Is it as competent as the last one they gave the nation?

“It is indisputably the turn of the South, specifically the South-east,” he added.

He said one of the reasons northern politicians ganged up and removed former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, from office in 2015 was over the

claim of violation of the rotation principle.

He said: “Now that it is the turn of the South, they don’t see it in that context anymore.

“Having benefited enormously from his nephew being the president, he now wants it jettisoned because it is the turn of the South.

“Talking about competence or most qualified, was President Buhari the most qualified Nigerian when he ascended the presidency? Has he proved to be the most competent?

"Are the service chiefs the most competent among their colleagues to warrant their being retained beyond their tenure?

Now that it is the turn of the South, precisely South-east, he is mouthing most qualified and competent.

"Equity is a constant flagship for peace and good governance.

Without it, there will be continued agitation and crisis."

The spokesman of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said the Daura’s interview had exposed the deceit of the North and its selfish agenda.

"It is amusing to see those, who were singing zoning or tearing down of Nigeria before 2015, now becoming the apostles of competence after taking eight years. This is the most selfish orchestra.

"And this same group has opposed true federalism that would make people comfortable without rotation of the highest office in the land. With the unjust advantages of the Buhari’s years, some of our compatriots are developing the idea that that is the best for the country to have without thinking of the implication.

"There is no hope for Nigeria under this structure. If we go back to federalism, the internecine battle for the control of the centre will definitely go

FEC APPROVES N8.64BN TO FUND SIEMENS’ POWER DEAL Nigeria's power expansion programme.

Briefing reporters after the FEC meeting in the State House, Abuja, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said FEC’s approval followed the presentation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by both the finance ministry and the Ministry of Power.

Earlier in July 2019, the federal government and Siemens had signed a letter of agreement on Nigerian electrification roadmap as a follow-up to a meeting between Buhari and the German Chancellor, Ms. Angela Merkel, on August 31, 2018.

Under the scheme, Nigeria is partnering Siemens AG for Nigeria's electrification project, which has three phases with the overall goal of achieving 25,000 megawatts of electricity in 2025.

According to Ahmed, the

anticipatory counterpart funding for the first phase of the project, approved yesterday, would be used to finance 23 transmission initiatives and 175 separate transformative projects.

According to her, the loan is concessional, with two to three years’ moratorium, 12 years of repayment period and 15 per cent of counterpart funding to be provided by the federal government as captured in the revised 2020 budget.

The minister, who said the facility would support the operations of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), added that after obtaining the loan from Germany, the federal government will "unlend" it to electricity distribution companies (Discos) as a convertible loan facility to the Discos.

She said consequently the federal government would

collaborate with the Discos to restructure a loan agreement with them when the first phase of the project is implemented.

She said: "Today in council, the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; and Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman, jointly presented a memo, requesting the council to ratify President Muhammadu Buhari’s anticipatory approval for the release of 15.21 million Euros offshore and N1.708 billion onshore, towards the counterpart funding for the bilateral loan from German consortium guaranteed by the German government through Hurley Hams to finance the implementation of the end to end grid modernisation and expansion programme.

"So, today at council, we discussed stage one of phase one of this project under the presidential power initiative.

This project is designed

NDIC SEEKS TIMELINE FOR OPERATION OF BRIDGE BANKS Sokefun, who hailed the performance of the current board and management of the bank said: “More importantly, I think the CBN and NDIC must agree on a timeline for any bridge bank, because anything that doesn’t have a timeline, can’t be measured.

So, there must be a timeline within which a bridge bank ceases to be a bridge so that it doesn’t become the norm.”

The former Ogun State commissioner warned that if operators have the feeling that a bridging process would always be created whenever they run into a crisis or mismanage their banks, it may engender laxity as well as hurt confidence in

the system.

She added that creating a bridge bank comes at a cost to the government.

Sokefun explained that a bridge bank is a temporary arrangement and often set up for a specific duration.

“The bank is meant to acquire the assets and liabilities of a failed bank until a final resolution is achieved. It is to ensure stability in the financial system. If you allow a bank to go under, you may have a run on the entire banking system.

“It is also to ensure that the employees of such banks are not in the panic of being thrown into the unemployment market.

Of course, we also preserve

depositors in such institutions because they continue to have access to their deposits in such an institution. It also engenders confidence in the banking sector,” the NDIC chairman added.

According to her, Polaris Bank remains a bridge bank until the regulators find interested investors.

“The current management was put in place by the CBN. Of course, you have seen the results of their work. That intervention saved over 6,000 jobs. The bank had well over 200 branches and the deposit was in excess of N940 billion, which depositors still have unhindered, access to,” she

down," he said.

The Niger Delta sociocultural group, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) also condemned Daura’s position.

The group, in a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ken Robinson, described Daura's statement as not only insensitive but most unfortunate and unarguably capable of creating unnecessary tension in the country.

It said: "Nigeria is currently being confronted with grave challenges of insecurity, with attendant threats to the socioeconomic fabrics of the country; lives and property of innocent citizens are being devastated daily, across the country.

Surprising, that seemed not to bother the Northern leader, who is reportedly a close confidant of Mr. President.

“We expect people like Mamman Daura to speak, in ways and manner, that would promote national unity and cohesion, and not to make statements that would heat up the Nation's political space.

“Unfortunately, it appears he is more interested in who would take over from President Buhari in 2023.

"Perhaps, he needs to be told that the concept of zoning and rotation of political offices is correlated to the principle of federal character, provided by the Constitution, to promote political balance, and to address the problems of exclusion, marginalisation, under representation across the political zones, and power domination by any section of the country. No wonder the federal character provision of the nation's Constitution is being grossly abused by the Buhari administration.”

It said the call for jettisoning of zoning is unnecessary and

self-serving, contending that it is part of the perfidious machinations towards 2023.

“No region has a monopoly of competent people. But come to think of it, if anyone should talk of competence, at this time, should it be coming from them?”

Also speaking, an elder statesman and chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, dismissed Daura's position as “rabble-rousing,” saying Nigeria must be restructured now through a change in the constitution.

According to him, the question of zoning can only be sorted out if the constitution is changed before the next election, warning that unless this is done, the country may break up.

He stated that the outburst

by Daura is rabble-rousing and another attempt to deceive the people.

According to him, "They are just deceiving themselves. We are operating a constitution we didn't approve. Unless we change the constitution, there can be no election or zoning. The way out is through restructuring. The military constitution created states without standards; so, how can it work? The constitution is a military imposition. Nobody can deceive me on that."

He dismissed the Daura interview as inconsequential, saying that until the constitution is rectified, zoning and election in 2023 will be an exercise in futility.

The spokesman for the APC in Lagos State, Mr. Seye Oladejo, said Daura expressed his position to test the waters and feel the people’s pulse.

"I believe they are just testing the waters and feeling our pulse. Everything will be sorted out in the fullness of

time,” he added.

Elder statesman and Ijaw leader, Clark, said Daura is not competent to speak on zoning as he has never held any political office in his life.

Clark, who spoke yesterday on AIT programme, said Daura was only a deputy editor in the defunct New Nigeria Newspaper.

“He was a deputy editor when the late Adamu Ciroma was the editor. He took over as editor when Adamu Ciroma was appointed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.

"So, he is not competent to speak on zoning. His views are personal as he cannot speak for any of the political parties.

He is only a member of the cabal and, therefore, cannot speak for any political party.

Whatever he says is merely a private opinion,” Clark said.

to include 23 transmission initiatives as well as 175 separate transformative projects in the electricity distribution franchises that we have in the country. The project will also support the regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to transit towards a programme of improving metering in the electricity industry in the country.

"Let me remind us as citizens that Mr. President and his German counterpart met in Abuja on 31st August 2018 and committed to jointly increase the capacity of the Nigerian electricity grid from the current capacity of 5,000 megawatts to 25,000 megawatts over a three-phased programme.

"After this meeting, an MoU was executed on July 23, 2019, between the Nigerian government and the Siemens AG with the German government support.

"The MOU is designed to deliver this end-to-end modernisation programme, which we are calling the presidential power initiative.

The objective of this presidential power initiative is to address the intractable problems that have bedeviled the Nigerian power industry, over a period of years.

"The project will be implemented in three phases and the subject of our memo today is phase one. The facility for this programme is to be sourced from the German consortium and it would be guaranteed by the German government through Hurley Hams covering 85 percent of the project cost, the highly concessional facility with two to three years moratorium, 12 years loan repayment period with an interest rate of LIBOR plus one per cent to LIBOR plus 1.2 per cent.

"Also, the federal government

is to provide 15 per cent counterpart funding as its contribution towards the project.

We have a provision in the 2020 appropriation revised for the government’s counterpart funding.

"The federal government is taking the loan from the German government with the plan to unlend this particular loan to the distributing network.

So, it’s a convertible loan facility to the Discos and we will be working with the Discos to restructure an appropriate loan agreement as soon as we are able to close out on this initial phase of the process, and council approved and ratified Mr. President’s approval.”

added.

Responding to a question on payment of insured microfinance banks (MFBs) as well as Primary Mortgage Banks’ (PMBs) depositors, the NDIC chairman said: “The truth of the matter is that most of the MFBs and PMBs don’t meet our conditions. As at the end of the first quarter, 37 MFBs were listed for closure. Why? They could no longer pay their depositors, cessation of businesses and persistent nonrendition of monthly returns.

“And, there is always that need to protect ourselves so that all these institutions don’t just assume that the NDIC was only set up just to fund their

failing. For some of them, it’s almost like they set out to fail from day one. For instance, as at the end of the first quarter this year, PMBs in Nigeria had combined insured deposits of N112 billion. But guess what?

Non-performing loans stood at N65 billion. What does that tell you?

“So, each time we have issues like this and always dip our hands in our deposit insurance funds, if we then have a major issue in the industry, how would we be able to fulfill our obligation? So, more often like I said, a lot of these MFBs and PMBs don’t meet the conditions which we set to enable us to rescue them.”

Daura Expressed Personal Opinion, Says APC However, the national chapter of the ruling party said the views expressed by Daura on the 2023 presidency did not represent the position of the party.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena, told THISDAY yesterday in Abuja that the party would make its position known at the right time.

He added that while Daura has the right to express his personal opinion, he did not speak for the ruling party.

"He has the right to his own personal opinion; that is his own personal opinion. I don't think he's speaking for the party.

I believe when it gets to that point the party will make it public. He has his right to his personal opinion," he said.

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BAUCHI STATE GOVERNMENT

RT. HON. YAKUBU DOGARA’S SPURIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST BAUCHI STATE GOVERNMENT This statement has been prompted by the reasons adduced by the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, for his defection back to the All Progressive Congress (APC), the party that he jettisoned in 2019 in the quest of a sanctuary to pursue his political career. If he had simply resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), without creating any spurious alibi that touched on the integrity of patriotic citizens of Bauchi State, there would not have been need to oblige him with a response because as he personally admitted, such political nomadism is consistent with his character. However, we are compelled to respond, if only to set the records straight and put certain matters raised by him in proper perspective.

Notwithstanding that he has been running his mouth, apparently to rationalize and stave off the embarrassment that his misguided action is attracting to him, we will limit ourselves to the points raised in his letter of resignation.

LG ALLOCATIONS Right from the inception of this Administration, the state has judiciously adhered to the extant financial rules, in the management of allocations to the local governments, based on federal allocation and cash flow. Since June 2019 we have faithfully released the LG allocations as at when due. To the best of our knowledge no one has complained of any violation of the provisions of either the Revenue and Mobilisation Act or the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

Contrary to what obtained during the last Administration which Dogara endured for four years, the present Administration has been paying wages and salaries as at when due. However, it should be placed on record that the LGs are indebted to the State Government to the tune of N9b. This arose from projects purportedly executed by the previous administration, through the Joint Account Committee.

But we have stopped the charade and we are now rebuilding the finances of the Local Governments.

No detractor, not even Dogara will deny that one of the major achievements of the Bala Mohammed Administration, in its first year in office, is the restoration of life and activities to the hitherto comatose Local Government Areas. For the first time in many years, the people have started feeling the presence of Government and all stakeholders acknowledge the changes that are taking place. Health care is being brought closer to the people through rehabilitation of Primary health care centres, many schools have been rehabilitated and furniture supplied, rural roads are receiving rapid face-lift.

All these have been achieved because of the State Government’s commitment to transparent inter-governmental relations, the type never witnessed in the past several years. No petition or plea is standing, anywhere challenging what we are doing with LG funds, except perhaps, in the jaundiced eyes of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara. Unfortunately, the main obstacle to the Government’s effort at accelerated transformation of the LGs is traceable to the mismanagement of the past, a situation that threw them into the debt reported above. Up till now, the LGs are taking overdraft of 3.5b to pay staff salaries. However, we have no doubt that this debt will progressively decline and ultimately disappear as the strategies to upscale the State’s IGR begin to take effect.

Like the LGs, the Emirates councils are getting their allocations.

But we will not be surprised if Dogara is not aware of this. It takes someone like Dogra who is not in touch with his place, not to recognise that we have comprehensively reinvigorated the Emirate Council system for greater efficiency and comfort of our highly revered traditional institutions.

SALARIES Though we inherited two months arrears of salaries, our track record of prompt payment of salaries both at the state and local government levels, has earned us the confidence and respect of workers in the state. This stabilisation of salaries has been achieved by rebuilding a robust cash flow system using tax refunds from the federal government and blocking leakages such as contract inflation and other bogus expenditure through which the state was being haemorrhaged during the immediate past Administration. It is the height of mischief for Dogara to seek to make political capital out of the recent short delay; caused by the ongoing verification aimed at harmonising the payrolls and eliminating ghost workers.

Unless Hon. Dogara is afflicted by incurable selective amnesia, he could not have forgotten, just under one year, that Bauchi State was the first to implement the minimum wage in the North East zone, for workers between levels 1 and 6. Hon. Dogara could not have forgotten so soon that apart from the staggering over N27 billion backlog of pensions and gratuities, these senior citizens were also being owed several months before we assumed office. By extension, he could not have forgotten that, as an expression of fidelity with the ex-service men and women, the Government of Bala Mohammed set aside an irrevocable monthly allocation, to defray the gargantuan deficit inherited from past Administrations while striving to meet current obligations, within the constraints of fund limitation caused by the Novel Coronavirus pandemic. Naturally, the pensioners and labour unions appreciate the situation. That explains the absence of any labour agitation since the inception of this Administration; more so because all verifications are being done in conjunction with all stakeholders including the state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC. The allegation of outsourcing of salaries is a figment of the imagination of Dogara who has just chosen to be mischievous by creating issues that do not exist. Bauchi State runs two different payroll systems: one for the state and the other for the LGs; a situation that has provided a fertile ground for the perpetuation of

the ghost workers racket. The public will recall the issue of people collecting salaries without BVN. Thus, the correct position is that the state government engaged the services of a Consultant to harmonise the payrolls into one with the goal of eliminating ghost workers and put an end to the collection of multiple salaries by some fraudulent civil servants. In the process, even prior to completion of their work, we have keyed into the platform being installed by the Consultants. If this is what Hon. Dogara refers to as outsourcing payment of staff salaries, we have no apologies to offer.

However, we are satisfied that rather than lose funds due to the work of the Consultants, the state is saving huge amounts of money that will be subsequently deployed in creating the environment for the employment of more hands. It is ironical that Hon. Dogara is questioning a transparency record that has earned Bauchi State, under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed, a grant of N2 billion from the Federal Government. If we may ask: must one throw common sense and decency away just to achieve some selfserving mischief?

LG ELECTIONS It is public knowledge that, as a democrat par excellence and in keeping with the manifesto of the People’s Democratic Party, then candidate Bala Mohammed, had made the restoration of democratically elected local government councils a major campaign issue. It was and remains one of his main strategies for recruitment and training of future political leaders and to jump start development at the rural level, through the felt need approach to development. But for the avoidance of doubt, at no time did he ever promise to conduct local government elections, within six months of assumption of office. Unless he was being plainly mischievous, we can excuse Hon. Dogara for the misrepresentation, since he never participated in our campaigns to know what we promised.

Yet, the truth is that two previous attempts by the Bauchi State Government to conduct the LG elections were shelved because of the COVID-19 crisis that has affected schedules globally. We had to postpone the elections in line with the cautious approach adopted by the Federal Government, to prevent spread of the virus. However, still without throwing caution to the wind, we believe that the environment has sufficiently improved and that we can now manage the protocols, hence the election has now been rescheduled for 17th October 2020. We cannot blame Hon. Dogara for his ignorance. It will take a “lost and found” politician not to know what is happening because he disappeared after the elections.

4.6 BILLION NAIRA LOAN In this again, Dogara is being dishonest. First, we wish to state categorically that there was no N4.6 billion loan. Perhaps, Hon. Dogara is privy to something else that we are not aware of. Be that as it may, the state government only adopted the well-known contract financing approach to handle an immediate need without piling too much pressure on our cash flow. The practice, however, is that the bank, granting the loan, decides the mode of disbursement, to ensure that goods and services are delivered. This contrasts sharply with previous practice, in the state, whereby loans were taken for projects, without evidence of any work done.

As the records show, the mandatory price intelligence was carried out by the Due Process Office in conjunction with the Bank, after getting the approval of both the House of Assembly and the State Executive Council for a loan of N3.6 billion.

It is true that, as part of the transaction, we had to revise the contract sum to accommodate the FG’s new policy on customs duties which had keyed in. Besides being mandatory, payment of the revised Customs Duties was imperative so that the beneficiaries of the vehicles will not be subjected to embarrassment. It is common knowledge that the beneficiaries included members of the state house of assembly, commissioners, special advisers, judges and khadis, as well as Bauchi State members of the National Assembly.

Of course, as one of the illustrious sons of the state who falls in the legislative category, Hon. Dogara got a Toyota V8 that he gleefully collected with thanks. We did it as part of good governance, to enhance efficiency, monitoring and evaluation and smoothening relations among government functionaries. Now, all the vehicles have been supplied and 50% of the loan repaid.

INFLATION OF CONTRACTS AND PAYMENT OF MOBILISATION When Hon. Dogara claims that the state is not observing extant rules in the award of contracts, we ask, which extant rules: The established Government Extant Rules or Dogara Personal Rules?

We can say, without any fear of contradiction, that award of contracts, in the state, has followed due process. In fact, rather than inflate, one cardinal principle of this Administration has been to ensure judicious application of resources through cost reduction without mortgaging quality of work done. That was why, very early in the life of this Administration, we engaged Engr. Emeka Ezeh, aka “Mr. Due Process”, a man whose antecedents are well known to Hon. Dogara, to create for the state, a pricing index within global best practices. Today all our projects are subjected to Basic Engineering Management and Evaluation (BEME), the global standard for evaluation of contracts, not arbitrariness. The result is that, because of intense negotiation with the contractors, most of our projects costs have been reduced drastically, sometimes by as much as 30%.

One such project is the Awallah to Miri Road that was awarded by the immediate past Administration at the cost of N10 billion. Based on negotiation, the contractors have accepted a reduction from the

initial N10 billion, to N7 billion, to complete the project. That is a saving of N3 billion on only one project. Another current project of interest is the 60 km road between Burga and Yelwan Duguri which cost was negotiated down to N8 billion from the initial N15 billion quoted by the contractor. The project has four major bridges, 48 box culverts and 60 pipe culverts. The public should compare the above project with the 45km road from Bogoro to Dull-Burga, awarded at the instance of Dogara when he was Speaker, as part of his constituency project, to the same contractor for the sum of N17 billion! Those who care to scrutinize our records will come to the inescapable conclusion that Hon. Dogara has elevated political mischief to the level of an art.

Contrary to Hon. Dogara’s claim, the Bauchi State Government did not break any rules by paying mobilisation fees to contractors.

It is normal for contractors to be given mobilisation which can be recovered in the life of the contract. The Government followed global best practices, by insisting that the contractors provide advance payment guarantee (APG) certificates based on which mobilisation was given to them. Fortunately, except for the Burga-Yelwa-Duguri Road which has attained 60% completion, all the contracts for which 50% mobilisation was advanced, were completed within a year of the Administration and the public was not short changed, in any way. Rather, the Advance Payment has spurred the contractors to perform optimally with maximum delivery. So, we are hard pressed to understand what Dogara is complaining about.

TRADITIONAL RULERS We make bold to say that no traditional ruler has been treated with “odium” since the inception of this Administration. We are used to Hon. Dogara’s penchant for mischief. If his reference was to Misau where a communal crisis spiralled out of control and led to the death of 11 innocent citizens, there was no way that the State Government, conscious of its responsibility to the people, could have folded its hands even as threat of bigger mayhem hung ominously, over the entire area. We never maltreated the traditional rulers .But consistent with acceptable administrative practices, we simply asked them to step aside to allow for unfettered and credible investigations. Perhaps the adoption of this time-honoured administrative process, to bring the situation under control, did not play into Hon. Dogara’s script, to see the state go up in flames; a situation that would have worsened the security challenges in the North East and by extension, the entire country. Let it be known that we were guided in our decision by serious security information at our disposal and which Hon. Dogara, as former No. 4 citizen of the country, would not expect us to divulge. Be that as it may, we are not oblivious of Dogara’s antics of precipitating mischief for political gains. This time around, we have checkmated his propensity for hiding under the façade of a deceptive innocent mien to instigate violence. We have accorded him all due respect. However, he should take notice that going forward, we will not allow him to instigate people to threaten the peace of our state and by extension, the country.

DOGARA: A MATTER OF CHARACTER We acknowledge that Hon. Dogara is one of our highly placed sons.

Consistent with the policy of this Administration, we will continue to accord him the respect due to him. We also concede his right to join any group of his choice and to pursue any ambition within the law. However, he must realise that this time around, the old strategy of blackmailing and discrediting people and jumping from one party to another, will not work.

For if indeed Dogara had any real issues with the party in his state, did he exhaust the internal mechanisms for conflict resolution? The PDP is larger than the one member and there are provisions for loyal party members to exhaust all avenues for grievance-handling, real or perceived, before jumping ship. As the Chairman of the BOT of the PDP reportedly disclosed, in a recent interview, Hon. Dogara never intimated the party of his grievances. Therefore, it is both ridiculous and a huge insult on the intelligence of Nigerians that Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara is raking up non-existent murk as he struggles to justify his decision to leave a stable political party, for one that is gasping for breath, one that is reeling from deep-seated internal strife, from debilitating personality fights and leadership void. Or is he missing visits to Aso Rock?

Hon. Dogara Yakubu has made his choice. We respect it. With this clarification, Governor Bala Mohammed and his team will channel their energies to the single-minded pursuit of the good life for the people of Bauchi State, through delivering on his campaign promises and policy documents.

Meanwhile, we request the good people of Bauchi State to ignore Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and his antics. In anticipation of his fourth defection, we have no doubt that, very soon, the real reasons for this third defection will emerge. We do not want to indulge in petty speculations regarding his touted presidential or vice-presidential ambition. As to his threat that, come 2023, he will chase us out as he did to Isa Yuguda and Mohammed Abubakar, we are waiting for him, in the firm conviction that, as always, power comes from God who bestows it on whom he chooses.

May Allah continue to lead us to the right path.

Signed

MUKHTAR GIDADO SSA to Governor Bala Mohammed on Media & Publicity 29th July , 2020.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

COMMENT

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

THE NDDC LEADERSHIP CRISIS Ndimele Ajuri urges President Buhari to inaugurate the NDDC board

T

he Senate resolution on the leadership crisis bedeviling the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) offers the country hope of a new beginning for the beleaguered agency.

At its sittings last week Senate President Ahmed Lawan, while directing the committee on NDDC to scrutinize the commission’s budget, insisted that the budget must not be defended by the interim management committee (IMC) set up by the Niger Delta Affairs minister Godswill Akpabio.

In his words: “As far as we are concerned, this Senate knows that we have confirmed the request of Mr. President for the board membership of the NDDC and we have communicated that and the next logical thing to do by law is for the appointments of the members of the board to take immediate effect. I believe that the executive arm of government will attend to that quickly so that we have the right people to come and defend the appropriation request of Mr. President.”

The Senate had on November 5 confirmed 15 of the 16 nominees sent by President Muhammadu Buhari for the NDDC Governing Board, but the board has been in limbo. Rather, the IMC hastily appointed by Akpabio has been holding sway in the commission. This has created tension in the region, with stakeholders insisting that the board be inaugurated to manage the NDDC. The Senate resolution is backed by various stakeholders in the region including the Ijaw Youth Council, which has hailed it as right, just and in line with the demands of the people. The Senate has given the NDDC committee two weeks to scrutinize the budget during which only the confirmed board members will go forward to defend.

The Senate decision on this issue speaks to the provisions of the NDDC act, which is unambiguous as to how the commission should be run. The issues at stake here are issues of law, due process, integrity and order. While the case may be made that the President is head of the executive branch and all ministries, departments and agencies are under this branch and confers on him certain rights and privileges to appoint persons to office in whatever capacity, it does not confer such powers as for the president to disobey or override the laws setting up state institutions. Certainly, that cannot be the spirit of the constitution. Else, why should agencies of government have dedicated laws governing their operations? It is important that we do not allow our narrow interests override the weightier issues of law and due process, the twin pillars on which any society that lays claim to equity, law and social justice is built.

The Ninth National Assembly (NASS) has shown itself to be very cooperative with the executive, to the extent of being the butt of jokes in

THE BUCK STOPS ON THE PRESIDENT’S DESK! HE SHOULD UPHOLD THE LAW, ORDER AND DUE PROCESS IN THE NDDC LEADERSHIP CRISIS

some quarters. This partnership has been praised by President Buhari as necessary to achieve his Next Level goals. Already, the Lawan - led NASS has passed some critical fiscal bills of the executive in record time such as the Finance Bill. It has set a timetable to pass the 2019 National Budget before the year runs out.

From a planning perspective that is impressive, and not a few Nigerians would applaud the sense of duty that this NASS has brought to its assignment. Yet, with duty comes responsibility. The Senate hearkened to the president’s request to screen NDDC governing board of directors only for that board to be disregarded and sidelined on the machinations of a minister. There is no disregard more hurting for the integrity of the Senate and by extension the NASS. This, apparently, in addition to the fundamental issues of law and due process, is what is behind the Senate’s resolution. President Buhari must have this in mind as he considers his options on the NDDC debacle.

President Buhari owes Nigerians a duty to uphold the oath on which he holds office which, among others include the following expression, clearly stated in the seventh schedule of the 1999 constitution: “that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”

If the case now is how to provide them alternative jobs, the APC has room to engage Joi Nunieh and her IMC colleagues, which is what the government should do, but to turn the management of a major state institution into the equivalent of a rat race does not do justice to our laws, the image of the president or the government in power, it simply indicates rudderlessness which the APC can do without.

It is apposite to remind the president and the ruling party of the poignant words of the first lady that things are getting out of hand.

At the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) event in Abuja last week, Mrs Aisha Buhari said that political actors are behaving badly. She made clear that there was a sense of disorder and everyone should do the needful to keep this country on the right course. This applies also to the NDDC and the Niger Delta region.

Several influential groups are in the wings counselling for the right thing to be done at the NDDC with regard to the new board. As the life wire of our economy, we do not need contrived crises that can only be disastrous for oil industry operations. The buck stops on the president’s desk! He should uphold the law, order and due process in the NDDC leadership crisis by directing that the board resume without delay.

Ajuri wrote from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

TACKLING INSECURITY IN THE SAHEL ÙàÏÜØÙÜ Ë×ÌßáËÖ ÓÝ ËÖÖ ÙßÞ ÞÙ ÜÏÍÖËÓ× ÙÕÙÞÙ ÞËÞÏ ÐÜÙ× ÌËØÎÓÞݘ áÜÓÞÏÝ Anselm Okolo

S

okoto State is famed for the sultanate. Its arid desert plains provide an asphyxiating allure for a first-time visitor. Deep in the Sahel region and surrounded by sandy savannah, isolated hills mark it out for lovers of monarchical history and architecture, royal dance and splendour.

With rising incidents of insecurity across the country and the intractable hotbed of insurgents around the north eastern flank of the country, this normally quiet farming state has been in the news for a different kind of reason.

Recent acts of banditry, especially in the eastern parts of the state have assaulted the peace and sombre tranquility erstwhile taken for granted in the state. In several organised night time attacks across over 60 villages recently, these bandits had attempted to overrun the state but for the timely intervention of the Governor of the state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Shocked by the level of carnage by the bandits, Governor Tambuwal quickly mobilized security operatives in rapid response joint reconnaissance operations across the state and especially around areas invaded by the marauding bandits. Results were swift. Many of the bandits were arrested and now awaiting trial.

Addressing a State Executive Council meeting in May in Sokoto, Governor Tambuwal vowed that things must be done differently in Sokoto concerning security. He announced that a new security mechanism will be introduced in the state.

Under the new plan, which is a novel in the country, he said all hands, resources and institutions would be mobilized to ensure that rising incidents of insecurity are nipped in the bud. He said the security mechanism will ensure swift response by security outfits, intelligence gathering by the people led by the traditional institutions and youth groups, to advise and support deployment by security outfits in the state.

Other planks on which the new security mechanism will stand are regular and wide consultation of stakeholders, launch of a new state vigilante security outfit and intelligence sharing by security outfits.

It was in following on the planks of the new

security mechanism, that Governor Tambuwal held frank and incisive consultative meetings with youths and traditional rulers, across the state recently. Governor Tambuwal said at the opening of the meeting with students and youths, that the meeting was part of government’s response mechanism to banditry and kidnappings.

Unveiling other salient aspects of the new security architecture to the students and youth leaders, Governor Tambuwal said the youths must own and drive the new policy to avoid a repeat of the nocturnal attacks by the bandits in the state.

The new security mechanism is novel in its boldness and allocation of responsibilities to government, youths and students, security agencies and the traditional institution in the state. Governor Tambuwal promised at the parley that his administration will fulfil all of its own aspects within a record time.

The government is already doing so. At a recent ceremony in Sokoto, Governor Tambuwal inaugurated 98 specially formatted pick-up vehicles for distribution to security agencies in the state, and added another 15 a few days later, to improve their abilities to safeguard lives and property in the state.

It will further help security personnel chase and apprehend bandits who may insist on continuing their wicked acts in the state.

“This is why we have procured these specially fitted vehicles to support the operational efficiency of the security outfits.” To further support their operations, he said the state government will very soon establish a state vigilante outfit, to increase physical presence of security on the ground and enhance collaboration with local institutions and individuals on intelligence gathering at the rural level.

“Traditional rulers and residents of towns are closest to where these acts of insecurity occur and they know one another and so more able to identity new faces when they enter their communities,” he said, adding: “this is why we have assigned very critical roles for them in the new security mechanism, we are not going to play politics with this.”

Another novel idea canvassed by Aminu Tambuwal is the establishment of a legal framework to compel landlords to keep a record of tenants in

their houses or buildings. This also requires a very strong association of tenants and persons living together in various communities.

But Governor Tambuwal is also convinced that federal government must provide additional training and functional logistics for its security agencies in the state, to assist the officers and men carry out their constitutional mandates effectively. For in the wisdom of the crafters of the 1999 Constitution, most of these security agencies are domiciled operationally in the federal government. And although states have a lot to do, they are hamstrung by the limits imposed on them by the Constitution.

In addition, he argued that the time had come for the federal government to recruit more personnel to fill existing gaps in the security sector of the country.

According to him, the rising incidents of insecurity in the country demanded additional men on the ground. This will not be the first time the governor would be drawing attention to the need for a total overhaul of the security architecture for the country.

Addressing the National Executive Council meeting of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Sokoto in 2018, long before the recent wave of banditry in the state, he had called for the creation of state police to complement what the police was doing.

“Whether we like it or not, there is seeming justification for the state police and there is seeming justification for state governments to have some measure of control on security personnel” he said rightly as it has turned out today, adding: “everything is wrong with our nation and we must as a matter of urgency rise to the challenges.”

The challenge according to him at the occasion included President Muhammadu Buhari mustering the political will to sack the present Service Chiefs.

He was convinced the service chiefs had run out of ideas on confronting the worsening security situation in the country.

“Providing security lies squarely on government, particularly the federal government. We must call a spade by its name. The president has to do the needful, we have qualified people who can bring fresh ideas to the nation’s security situation.”

Consultation and advocacy are two strong vehicles on which Governor Tambuwal plans to rest the success of his new security mechanism. As a

result, a comprehensive list of consultative meetings with all stakeholders in the state has been drawn up. The ones with traditional rulers and youths and students have taken place. So also is that with the federal leadership led by President Buhari.

Satisfied with the outcome of the consultative meeting which held recently in Abuja with Mr President, he returned to Sokoto and assured the citizens of the state of the president’s pledge and commitment to fighting insecurity in the state. The consultation is already bearing fruits.

Mr President recently dispatched the leadership of the entire security agencies to visit the state and assess progress. Those in the entourage of the National Security Adviser include Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu; Director General of Department of State Service, Yusuf Magaji Bichi; Director General National Intelligence Agency, Ahmad Rufai Abubakar and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshall Mohammed Saliu Usman. He assured the delegation that “we here in Sokoto are ready and fully prepared to give our 100 percent support for this mission to succeed in order to restore normalcy and peace.” He said there was already synergy among all the security agencies working in the state as amplified by a new security mechanism of the state government. “They work together and we work together with them. And, the common objective is to re-secure the state, in particular, in the areas where we are having all of these challenges,” the Governor said.

He thanked the President Buhari for dispatching the team to his state and the prompt response when the crisis broke out recently. The governor described the visit as a “soothing balm” that will “send some signal to our people.”

The governor also supports the community policing initiative of the Nigeria Police Force. He said that his administration will work closely with the Nigerian Police to ensure the success of community policing. This was at the inauguration of the State’s Community Policing Advisory Committee.

Tambuwal had earlier declared that the state will “collaborate with the Inspector-General of Police for full implementation and success of community policing.”

Okolo is a journalist based in Abuja

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020

EDITORIAL OF GRAFT AND PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS Public officers should do what is right

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ne distinctive feature of democracy is the right of the people to expect and demand good governance from elected officials. It is also the duty of the latter to perform creditably. That, in a nutshell, is the essence of public trust. In Nigeria, however, this noble relationship has for long been misapplied such that public expectations of office holders in the country seem to be at conflict with national aspirations. It is then little surprise that many of the overpaid politicians and public officials have continued to fleece the very people they are supposed to protect and yet walk the streets free.

A former governor once lamented on national television that the inability of public officers to function well is due to the demands of money and other personal gratifications from the people they are supposed to serve. Government functionaries, he explained, often lose concentration and divert funds meant for developPUBLIC OFFICERS MUST ment to satisfy the COME TO TERMS EARLY need of individuals or groups within their WITH THE DOCTRINE OF various communities.

TRUE SERVICE In other words, public office holders expend the resources put in their trust to preserve their positions through satisfying the personal needs of their constituents and with that, it becomes difficult to deliver on the core responsibilities of government.

Although the former governor was attacked for justifying corruption and abuse of office, he indeed expressed an unfortunate reality about our country today: Family members, friends, communities and tribesmen most often insist that the only way for a public officer to show their worth is to address personal needs. This is taken to a ridiculous extent during elections when they demand instant gratifications in exchange for votes.

However, we are persuaded by trends in the country

Letters to the Editor

to believe that the persistent pressure on public office holders is largely a product of leadership failure. Successive governments have failed to frontally address critical issues like provision of social infrastructure and security. So, in the absence of any real empowerment in such critical areas as health facilities, education, shelter and others, desperation compels the people to directly source money from persons they see as the faces of government. This option is not only beggarly but also undermines the essence of representative administration – the very soul of democratic practice.

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

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

Political And Economic Corruption

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igerians are no fools.

In fact, is there any specie-being out there that is a “fool?” Biologically speaking, if a specie can survive from one day into the next, even if that gritty fellow is on half-filled stomach, then that one is smart indeed. Has anyone ever wondered what it takes to search and hunt for food and feed-up knowing that one will not eat poison? No “fool” bests these rigours at all. Nigerians are homo sapiens specie and we do not suffer fools for long. Thus, what happened at Osun State, Kano State, and Imo State where the party that was a cinch winner of gubernatorial elections conducted over there was overturned by directed subterfuges orchestrated by the federal electoral

here is therefore an urgent need for a proper re-orientation if we must reverse this detestable drift. Public officers must come to terms early with the doctrine of true service. In most cases, people are reduced to beggars by twin effects of illiteracy and poverty. Thus prospective office holders should be determined to discharge their responsibilities effectively rather than succumb to any shady practices, including the so-called public blackmail.

All said, no excuse should be made for corruption and ineptitude. This nation will fare better if persons in places of authority insist on doing the right things, and not compromise responsible and responsive governance. Then, on their part, the people should not unwittingly provide public officers with reasons for underperformance. Poor implementation of projects and programmes is bad enough. And linking it directly to what is now being painted as the parasitic behaviour of the public makes the situation even worse.

From whatever perspective it is viewed government patronage and begging are also caused by greed and selfishness without due consideration of the reality that such individuals stand to gain from the overall development of the country. Embracing accountability and political maturity is, therefore, urgently required by public officials to wake them up to the much-needed task of ensuring that the socio-economic development of the country is the only guarantee for improved living standards of the people and, indeed, the only true cure for poverty.

umpire (INEC) and the courts, with no dire consequences for the benefitting party head honchos, is being interpreted by Nigerians to being, well, excuse the trope, “impunity.” Another big cycle of general elections comes around in just under three years and who would miss out of the big party and picture? If political fraud is tolerated in Nigeria, then the logic that Nigerians have construed is economic fraud should be tolerated if one of the end results of that act is perpetuating the political party in power. It is a circle bisecting a cycle out there in the minds of our politicians. Who recalls “set theory” in mathematics?

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

A Nation On Ventilator… (1) Continued from Backpage nd with the sharp fall in oil prices this year, the economy is projected to contract by about 3% with the consolidated government revenues expected to fall by $10 billion or more, at a time when fiscal resources are urgently needed to take of about 90 million Nigerians who live in extreme poverty.

Local economic activity, according to the World Bank projections, will also be negatively impacted through multiple channels with those in the informal sector more likely to lose incomes and daily livelihoods as a result of Covid-19 pandemic that has already created a breakdown in markets and supply channels and a pronounced decline in demand.

While the largest increases in vulnerable Nigerians may be in the rural and semi-urban communities, the World Bank believes that adverse impacts will be national due to a projected decline in remittances, particularly from domestic migrants since nearly half of the population is in households that receive one form of remittances or another. The extreme poverty rate is also projected to go up with estimation that the number of poor is likely to increase by between 10 to 15 million Nigerians by 2022.

The foregoing prognosis does not bode well for our country and we need to begin to do something about it.

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That is why the current probes of financial impropriety at both the presidency (on EFCC) and the National Assembly (on NDDC, NSITF and others) must go beyond media entertainment. If we must be honest, the current budgeting method suits both the executive and the legislature because everybody has something to spend regardless of whether or not it would meaningfully impact the economy in the financial year. And there is no way we can divorce the financial scandals that now dominate public discourse from the larger Nigerian challenge regarding public trust. Our structural deficit encourages lack of accountability in a system that was founded on ‘sharing the national cake’.

While the idea of restructuring may mean different things to different people—and the fixation of some is about North and South or distribution of rent—what some of us advocate is a serious national conversation around the appropriate institutional design to make government and those who hold the levers of power, accountable to Nigerians. It is about how we can harness the potential of our country for the greater good of our people. And this will require unbundling the suffocating hands of Abuja and allowing local institutions to emerge and evolve. I wish all my Muslim readers Eid Mubarak!

NOTE: This series shall continue.

Olusegun Adeniyi, Abuja

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JULY 30, 2020

POLITICS

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

‘Governor Diri is Focused on Generating Prosperity‘ Nseobong Okon-Ekong dialogues with Solomon Agwana, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Bayelsa State on issues that led to crises in the party, resulting in various court cases; and how Governor Douye Diri is rebuilding the broken fabric of the economic, social and developmental life in the state

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id PDP, in your sincere opinion, follow the rule of law in the gubernatorial primaries that led to this court case?

We are very aware of the processes that led to the emergence of His Excellency Douye Diri as the candidate of the party.

The primary was the most transparent primary. All aspirants were given access to all the potential delegates that will determine and decide the candidate.

So after we had gone through a very transparent system, it was even on live television. None of the other aspirants questioned the process except Timi Alaibe because he had his own ill feelings.

Perhaps, it was as a result of his own consultations that he made outside the shores of the state. He did not consult enough to contest for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). So PDP being a law-abiding party regardless of the fact that he defected back to the PDP at a time when he was not supposed to even be eligible to contest, but PDP being a very magnanimous party gave him a waiver that was why he was qualified to run in the primary.

There is a school of thought that says you probably shot yourself in the leg by giving him that waiver PDP as a party is the party that welcomes all shades of opinion and ideas and we said it before the primaries that whoever wins, all other aspirants have to support the winner to build a better Bayelsa because that is the idea of you running under a platform. If eventually you emerge and subsequently get elected, you have to deliver service and service delivery is the key it’s not an individual business, It is collective responsibility.

Going by the provisions of the law which Alaibe quoted so very well, is it good for internal democracy that the party be allowed to have the final say on primaries?

Certainly that is how you govern a civilized society. You must respect the rules in any platform, in any organization you are given consent because its laws were not manufactured by anybody it was a collective decision after a serious brainstorming session by the founders of the party and the leaders down to the grassroots. We all agreed that these are the rules that will govern our processes of selecting a candidate The governor, from our observation does not have a pré-season but he happens to be having a good performance in the season.

What, in your opinion, are some of the qualities in him you may find instructive?

His Excellency, the Governor of the state is a man that believes in selfless service. Over the years he served people and he has built capacity in the course of those services that he has rendered to several leaders in different leadership positions when he was a younger man.

In leadership, you must understand the structure and he has been preparing himself. Little did he know that today he will be a governor but he has served diligently and has prepared himself and if you look at the qualities that makes this governor you will see that he is a peace-loving governor. Besides, if you look at the average politician in other parties, if you look at them carefully you will see that element of violence. This governor is a man that does not believe in any violence. He feels that Bayelsans need somebody like him because he has

Agwana studied leaders that he has served over the years. Bayelsans need somebody like him at this point in time and it is

by God’s design that he came on board.

So the pre-season issue, he had already acquired those qualities and experience under the leadership of former governor Dickson. Before he went to the senate, he had worked both in the executive and legislative arm so if you combine these wealth of ideas I’m sure he’s wellprepared for the job. The position he played in the Ijaw struggle is to give proper leadership to our people and I think those qualities are embedded in him. That is why we are seeing what we are seeing just in this few months of his administration.

The PDP has a manifesto and an agenda. How do these apply to the development of Bayelsa state in specific terms?

The agenda of the PDP is to give quality

service. When you say quality service, all our social infrastructure where not working before now but when governor Dickson came onboard he revived them and what Governor Diri wants to do is to consolidate on what he has done because the social services is the one that guaranties life. You are talking of infrastructure like hospitals, roads, primary health care, education because human capital is the key and those are the cardinal focus of the PDP administration; human capital, Infrastructural development and social services. So if you provide these, you probably would have addressed 60 to 70 percent of our problems because as we speak most of the items that are in the so-called exclusive list cannot be legislated upon by the state. So those are some of the constraints the governors here have been having but be it as it may, PDP has a clear agenda so who ever steps into governance under the platform of the PDP will have to now understand the

This governor is a man that does not believe in any violence. He feels that Bayelsans need somebody like him because he has studied leaders that he has served over the years. Bayelsans need somebody like him at this point in time and it is by God’s design that he came on board. So the pre-season issue, he had already acquired those qualities and experience under the leadership of former governor Dickson. Before he went to the senate, he had worked both in the executive and legislative arm so if you combine these wealth of ideas I’m sure he’s well-prepared for the job

responsibility that has been bestowed on him and in general the expectations of our people. So that is exactly what the current governor is trying to focus on, to bring prosperity. A lot of programmes will come onboard I think it is not my place to start outlining them but in due time Bayelsans will see the truth.

Given recent developments in elections if you take the issue of elections in Bayelsa it has been PDP all the way but APC seems to have made major inroads into the state. they have a senator they have a House of Representatives member and a couple of assembly members so do you think PDP is still the leading party and also most widely accepted by the electorate?

Certainly. PDP is still the party that most Bayelsans know. It is deeply rooted in the state. What happened in the last elections that made APC to make some significant inroads was primarily because the eastern senatorial district had a lot of security issues, could you believe that most of our members, most of the PDP loyalists or supporters from Nembe are currently still here as IDPs? There was no election because that is the strategy they used. There was no proper election. When they have communal clashes they have a lot of chieftaincy dispute that resulted to loss of lives and the former governor tried, because we don’t have the Federal Government, you know that the institutions of government belongs to the party that occupies the centre so he tried his best to see that he brought peace back into the region and the leaders that are on the other side of the divide refused to support the effort of the governor. Under that circumstance, we cannot genuinely and correctly say they have made a proper significant inroad, it was due to the insecurity. There was no elections there.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JULY 30, 2020

POLITICS DISSENTING VOICE...IN HIS OWN WORDS ‘Blame the Political Class, Lawyers and the Judiciary for Does Buhari Love Malians Conflicting Court Rulings’ More Than Nigerians?

Hammed Shittu holds a discussion with the former Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association Anti-corruption Crusade and Senior Advicoate of Nigeria, Mallam Yusuf Ali on the state of nation

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ou are an advocate of a corrupt free society. recently, the Attorney General of the Federation wrote Mr President accusing the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC, Mr.Ibrahim Magu of insubordination, inability to account for proceeds of the recovered loots among other sundry allegations. Don’t you think there is a problem within knowing that one of the cardinal obejctives of this administration is anchored on fighting corruption?

This matter did not start yesterday. What was the main reason given by the Eight Senate for non-confirmation of (Ibrahim Magu)? It is because the DSS wrote a report that was negative on the same person. So, if you all knew where we were coming from, I’m not sure anybody will be too surprised about what was going on.

What would compel the Attorney General to put pen to paper to the President? I think the Attorney General wouldn’t want to do anything that will tarnish his own image. So, I think we should just wait for the man, who has authority to tell us where we are going.

The AGF appeared not disposed to the trial of the killer-soldiers, who reportedly rescued the alleged kidnap kingpin in Taraba State, Bala Hamisu also known as Wadume from Policemen, who arrested him and shot dead three of the policemen.

What would you say about this?

I think the best thing is for the media to ask him (Abubakar Malami) what informed his decision. When you want to prosecute, you have to look at a lot of things. I’m not holding forth for the Attorney General of the Federation but at the same time, I want to believe that he would have valid reasons. So, it is for the media to ask him what informed his decision to prosecute some people and not others.

But the fear that would be rapists would go scot free after they might have been handed over to the police has always been the problem.. (Cuts in) They wouldn’t go scot free. I think the problem is that when you take them to courts, people start to mount pressure on the parents or the victims. So, if you don’t go to courts to give evidence, what would the courts do? The courts will let go. So, it is a very complicated issue. It is just because of the kind of people we are. There is no crime Nigerians cannot go and beg for. Even robbery, they will go to the victims and beg.

We must know that there must be some level of decency in life. How would somebody rape somebody and then you come that it just happened like that. By the time they kill you or cut your penis, then you know it also happens like that.

If you should stand up and wage war against rape, what would you prescribe to stem it?

We should all just stand firmly against it, and that we should not listen to the African method of settlement of issues like that. Anybody who has committed rape must face the consequence and pay the price. We should not use our social system to embarrass, blackmail or cajole the victims and their families. We must bring up our children in proper ways either boys or girls.

And let them be exposed to some sort of self defence. It may be judo or karate so that the girls are in position to decapitate a man, who is mad enough to force his way on them.

I think these things should be introduced in primary schools so that young girls would know how to disarm a man, who has his brain between his legs.

Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, Founder, Igbo Youth Movement, observes that it is insensitive for President Muhammadu Buhari to show clear concern over political impasse in Mali, while ignoring wanton killings all over Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna State

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Ali In recent times, High Courts of coordinate jurisdiction have given conflicting rulings on party politics. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, don’t you think the development is making mockery of the judiciary?

It takes two tto tango. Courts don’t just decide on issues if people don’t bring their problems there. If you want to appeal, especially in political matters that there should be no conflicting judgements, first of all, you beg the politicians.

Lawyers don’t go to courts except somebody comes to brief them. So, let us start from the start. We are talking about court. You are going on top of the tree, what happens at the base?

So, it is a whole lot of things.

One, let us appeal to Nigerian politicians. We are not playing honourable politics here, and in any endeavour when there is no honesty of purpose, you wouldn’t achieve anything. So, there is no honesty of purpose in our politics.

I think that is the starting point.

Two, I appeal to our Police. We should not encourage politicians to do forum shopping.

If you are quarreling about political positions in Kwara, why would you go and file case in Oyo State? Three, our judges should read the newpapers. If a political matter occurs in Zamfara and you are coming to Lagos to litigate about it, our judges should wash their hands off and ask the litigant to go back to his state.

So, it is an appeal to every person, not just to the courts or lawyers alone. As a matter of fact, it takes three to tango, the political class, lawyers and then the judiciary. I think it is the Nigerianess in us that is causing the problem.

While Nigeria has continued to grapple with COVID-19 pandemic, the rampant cases of rape have dominated the discourse.

As a father, would you propose a severe penalty for would be rapist?

Anybody who rapes somebody else is like committing a murder, because you have technically killed the person you raped. That person can never be herself again in life. You have destroyed her dignity, self worth and humanity.

Anybody who has been raped is like a walking corpse. For me, rape is running side by side with kidnapping on the scale of criminality.

So, no punishment would be too much.

Let me also say this. It is possible that there is upsurge in the crime. But I have a feeling that this thing has been going on for long, it is because people are not bold enough to come out and say this thing. Now, people are finding their courage and voices, especially the victims. We should encourage the victims.

Good neighbourliness should not be extended to condoning crime. That is inhuman.

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

resident Muhammadu Buhari recently returned from Mali, where he went to broker peace over political differences in that country.

For five straight days in Kajuri and other local government councils in southern Kaduna, innocent men, women and children are daily slaughtered by rampaging suspected Fulani herdsmen while they sleep. Gory photos of their badly mutilated corpses are currently awash online.

Katsina and other North west states are boiling, whole communities sacked by armed gangs, as the hapless residents run into the bushes.

The North east remains Boko haram territory, as military formations are not spared by the bloodthirsty vermin.

They kill our soldiers weekly, even as the morale of our soldiers remain low, over the performance of the non performing over-stayed service chiefs.

Few days ago, five charity workers were gruesomely murdered in a horrific video trending online.

Okene -Lokoja road has become kidnappers haven: The horror of Lagos to Abuja travellers. Ajaokuta-Lokoja axis has also become impassable. Kidnappers shoot, abduct, rape and slaughter Nigerians unchallenged.

Illegal mining of solid minerals thrive in the North, mostly run by Chinese mafia. Every body looks the other way.

Our country is drifting.

All over the country, armed robbers and kidnappers hold sway from the Niger Delta, through the South east, down to the South west. Nigerians cannot sleep with both eyes closed.

But our President found time to visit Mali, to settle political disagreement amongst top Malian politicians.

For how long would traumatised Nigerians watch in consternation?

The politicians have been entertaining and shocking citizens this penultimate week. Reeling from the ruling party’s leadership battle, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) drama exposed the rot in the system, in a bizarre and embarrassing manner.

Citizens are shocked at the mindless looting and daylight robbery going on under the watch of Mr. Integrity.

Only God knows what mindboggling discovery, searchlight on Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Federal internal IRevenue Service (FIRS) or Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will unearth. We can be sure that very many actors will collapse and pass out during questioning. Nigeria cannot work this way.

Weddings and all sorts of celebrations by the children of top government officials in this season of hardship, sorrow and despair, reek of offensive opulence and mindless display of unearned easy money. This provocative display of excess cash runs contrary to the promises President Buhari reeled out as he ran his campaign five and half years ago. Did we enter a ‘one chance vehicle?’

For how long shall we stand aside and look? Our leaders have ran out of ideas.

The economy is certainly heading towards a recession. The Dollar, today exchanges at an all time high. Unem-

Buhari

ployment keeps rising, poverty keeps increasing, our politicians are busy shouting, “it’s ok, it’s ok, off the mic!”

For how long? Silence of the lambs.

Juxtaposing the current pitiable condition of the citizens with the grand promises flown five and half years ago, is simply heart rending.

Insecurity, poverty, hunger and hardship rule the land. It is clear the ruling party is overwhelmed. The opposition party also seems confused. Silence in the land, suggests folks may have given up on Nigeria. Our country can’t grow this way.

Painful, our image terribly battered abroad. Our young men die daily in the deserts of North Africa as they struggle to migrate to better climes by road.

Theirs organs harvested and sold. So many of them in foreign jails even as many more dream of travelling out to escape the unfriendly environment.

There are well over 100000 trapped Nigerian young females hawking their bodies as prostitutes all over the world and another 100000 held as sex slaves, in Arab countries, their government is not bothered one bit.

The lifestyle of Nigerian politicians encourages sleaze. Nobody batts an eyelid. Unique Nigeria, where over 90% of the Abuja billionaires don’t have any source of livelihood to backup their stupendous wealth, except being close to the corridors of power, either as a government official, ex official or influence peddler.

For how long would we live this way?

For how long?

Everybody knows the 1999 constitution and the unitary structure practiced today encourages a lot of bad behaviour from our political leaders. What are we waiting for to reconstruct the structure of the country and move Nigeria forward? The unitary structure can no longer carry the edifice.

Nigeria is at cross roads, only the truth can save Nigeria now.

For how much longer, do we have to continue the self deception and false hope?Our country isn’t working and will never work this way. What are we waiting for?

Delay in restructuring Nigeria is a great disservice to the fatherland.

Which is why I plead with Nigerians from every region, to identify with and support the recent call by the Yoruba summit group for all, to join hands and drive the early restructuring of Nigeria in order to save Nigeria.

Time is running out.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

FEATURES Call to Action for Women, Girls

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi

Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Chiemelie Ezeobi writes on the recent call to action initiated by Graça Machel and Melinda Gates in highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on women and girls and the need to ensure they are not left behind in the global response to the pandemic

Graça Machel

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he world has experienced unprecedented social and economic shocks during this COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread regression in almost all sectors has been one of the most notable effects of the viral outbreak.

While nations battle to contain the pandemic, another worrisome circumstance is that COVID-19 has unearthed massive inequalities within our societies and reinforced the unique burdens which women carry the world over.

For women who comprise 1.5 billion of the world’s low-wage workforce and twice as many of its carers, it is perhaps ironical to state that they are the most vulnerable to the economic and health crises that unfold in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s an unfortunate reality.

As initially reported by THIDAY, before the pandemic, a majority of women worked as low-wage workers in the manufacturing, service and informal sectors. Unfortunately, these low-wage employments lack a social safety net such as paid sick leave, parental leave, or retirement contributions to cope with the economic shocks of the ongoing pandemic. As a result, girls are now vulnerable to early marriages in order to relieve the family of another mouth to feed; women are facing greater financial barriers and sexual violence has become rampant.

According to experts, to ensure that women do not slip further into poverty and marginalisation, efforts taken by public and private stakeholders must take into consideration these seen and unseen costs.

This is backed by reports by global research which suggests that women's financial inclusion and empowerment has positive benefits for the family and society at large.

Given the way these inequalities have come to the front burner, especially now that Africa undertakes its reconstruction efforts from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Graça Machel and Melinda Gates,

Melinda Gates

two powerhouses, recently held a webinar where they delivered a powerful call to action for public and private sector leaders.

The webinar recently took place on Africa.com and Zoom and the conversation was moderated by Africa.com CEO, Teresa Clarke. According to the objectives of the webinar, COVID 19 has unearthed massive inequalities within our societies and brought to glaring light the unique burdens which women carry the world over.

For Founder of the Graça Machel Trust and the Foundation for Community Development

Gates also highlighted the importance of designing emergency economic relief programs that reach women who need them the most and ensuring women’s voices are included at all levels of decision-making in the response to this crisis...this is how we can emerge from the pandemic in all of its dimensions: by recognising that women are not just victims of a broken world; they can be architects of a better one

and one of the world’s leading advocates for women’s and children’s rights, her thoughts on the impact of the pandemic on women and girls were better captured in a paper she launched exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic has exploited pre-existing inequalities and drastically impacted women’s lives and livelihoods.

In the recently penned open letter, she called on governments, development agencies, and private sectors to take bold actions to mitigate and drive meaningful reconstruction efforts. “We have been presented the opportunity to reimagine and redesign our society into a vibrant and equitable one”.

Also, Gates, who is the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, made the case that to recover fully from this pandemic, leaders must respond to the ways that it is affecting men and women differently.

In the paper, titled “The Pandemic’s Toll on Women and Girls,” she put forward a set of specific, practical policy recommendations that governments should consider in their pandemic response-to improve health systems for women and girls, design more inclusive economic policies, gather better data, and prioritise women’s leadership.

Writing in the paper, Melinda described how previous disease outbreaks, including AIDS and Ebola, tend to exploit existing forces of inequality, particularly around gender, systemic racism, and poverty. “The broader impacts of this crisis are having a disproportionate impact on women and girls.

“In Africa, for example, women account for around 40 per cent of COVID-19 cases.

However, African women and girls are disproportionately affected by reduced access to health care services and are at greater risk of gender-based violence. Women make up the majority of workers in the informal sector, which leaves them at greater risk of losing their income”, she added.

Describing the impact of stretched health

GOOGLE

systems on maternal care, she noted that in low- and middle-income countries, cutbacks could claim the lives of up to 113,000 women, adding that “we know from the past that this threat is real. During the 2014 Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, the number of mothers and babies who died during or after childbirth was higher than the number of deaths from the Ebola virus.

“That is what epidemics do: they not only overwhelm immune systems; they also overwhelm health systems. And because the parts of those systems devoted to caring for women are often the most fragile and underfunded, they collapse first and fastest”.

The paper called on leaders to ensure that women and girls are not left behind in the world’s response to COVID-19, just as it urged policymakers to recognise the opportunity to replace old systems with new and better ones, outlining practical recommendations around health, economics, and decision-making that could help build a more equal and prosperous future.

Some of the recommendations she made include making maternal and reproductive healthcare an essential service, protecting the contraceptive supply chain, and using the pandemic as an opportunity to integrate women’s healthcare.

Gates also highlighted the importance of designing emergency economic relief programs that reach women who need them the most and ensuring women’s voices are included at all levels of decision-making in the response to this crisis.

In conclusion, she posited that “this is how we can emerge from the pandemic in all of its dimensions: by recognising that women are not just victims of a broken world; they can be architects of a better one”.

This webinar is the twelfth episode of the Crisis Management for African Business Leaders series, developed in partnership between Africa.com and faculty from Harvard Business School. The series is supported

by Standard Bank.

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S

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

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Quick Takes IHS Appoints Burns Director

CIBN GOVERNING COUNCIL INAUGURATION

R-L: Registrar/Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Seye Awojobi; Vice President, Prof Deji Olanrewaju; President/Chairman, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi; First Vice President, Mr. Ken Opara, and National Treasurer, Mr. Dele Alabi, during the virtual inauguration of the CIBN Governing Council Committees held in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

‘Robust Data Mining Will Develop Nigeria’s Digital Economy’ Emma Okonji Information and communications technology (ICT) experts have stressed the need for robust and accurate data mining and usage in the private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy, in order to facilitate development in the country’s digital economy drive.

Data mining is a process used by companies to turn raw data into useful information, through data analytics.

President of the Association Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, said Nigeria must adopt technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to drive data analytics that would result in robust and accurate data that would guide decision-making

TELECOM in businesses and governance.

Teniola, told THISDAY that the fastest way to achieve digital economy goals, was for Nigeria to develop static and dynamic data that would help in data verification and identity, adding that data not verifiable could pose threat to identity management.

“Many Nigerians have several mobile devices and Nigeria needs location data to verify static data information of people as well as dynamic data of people in order to match data subscriptions with data subscribers for the purpose of identifying individuals with criminal tendencies, aside using the data for business decision making,” Teniola said.

President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Dr. Yele Okeremi, told THISDAY that data sovereignty and control, remained key factors that Nigeria must consider when it comes to data generation and usage.

“Nigerians generate a lot of data every day in different ways but do not have control of their data. Most of Nigerian data are in the hands of foreigners and we need to have robust platforms where we can control the data we generate for the purpose of informed decisionmaking. “Access to data is key because it is only those that have access to data that can plan and make informed decision. Data generation is therefore important, but more importantly is data control, data monetisation and data kinetics

for informed decision-making,” Okeremi said.

The ICT experts were responding to the views of the Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Dr. Yemi Kale, who spoke during a recent webinar, organised by NBS in collaboration with Softcom Limited, a technology company.

At the webinar, Kale said the twin shocks of the health and economic crisis coming amidst historically low oil prices, would provide a unique opportunity to develop frameworks that solidify better use of data to drive Nigeria’s response to the new global challenges.

The Statistician-General of Continued on page 20

Experts Call for Policies to Avoid Food Crisis Raheem Akingbolu Stakeholders in the agric sector have called for government’s consistent in agricultural policies and substitution of imports with locally grown produce, to avoid food crisis and enhance the local Agribusiness in Nigeria.

Vice President Corporate and Government Relations at Olam Nigeria, Ade Adefeko, who has been consistent in canvassing that government must be an enabler and a catalyst, told THISDAY that the industry look good in Nigeria if governments at various levels would partner with the private sector to drive the industry growth.

“Government must be an enabler and a catalyst. At various levels, they should offer infrastructure support and policy guidance and direction but the

AGRIBUSINESS private sector must be the engine and driver of whatever growth we want to see in the sector.

“For sustainability and taking it from one generation to the other, Nigerian youths and young graduates need to re-orientate themselves and see agriculture as a serious business and not a part time vocation.

“They should strive to plug into different aspects of the value chain; production, processing, technology, finance, logistics and distribution as well as research and development amongst a plethora of areas seeking their intervention. What we will be witnessing post-Covid-19 will be a new normal that will require innovation and require us doing things differently,” Adefeko said.

Adefeko pointed out that the last few months confirmed the vibrancy of the local agricultural sector because most of the food products used as palliatives was sourced locally.

He added: “A very interesting development and a welcome one too. A lot of the palliatives my company -Olam offered; Rice, Noodles, Macaroni and Spaghetti as well as tomato paste were produced from our stable.

Nigeria’s capacity to produce has never been in doubt what we lack is storage capacity and our inability sometimes to add value to our crops and produce.

This you might say boils down to our organisational capacity to get these things done.

Adefeko, who predicted a likely food crisis if stakeholders fail to act fast on promoting growth in the industry, said

infrastructure and incentives to farmers, would boost agriculture.

“I am of the firm opinion we are unlikely to face a food crisis but we might need to have a palette change as we have all that it takes, arable land and labour but what we might want to add to it is the know-how with respect to yield improvement and capacity building to enhance production.

“For instance, we are a leading player in the African food value chain. Number 1 producer of Cassava, Groundnut, cocoyam and sweet potato on the continent. We need to harness this effectively and efficiently ensuring value addition to make our commodities or produce semi- finished or Continued on page 20

IHS Holding Limited, one of the largest independent owners, operators anddevelopersofsharedtelecommunicationsinfrastructureintheworld, hasannouncedtheappointmentofUrsulaBurnstoitsBoardofDirectors, effectiveJuly2020.

Burns, who was Chief Executive Officer of VEON until March this year and Chair until June 1 this year, joined the IHS Board of Directors as a Non-ExecutiveIndependentDirector.ThisbecameeffectiveJuly1,2020.

BurnsservesasamemberoftheBoardofDirectorsofExxonMobil,Uberand Nestlé.Inaddition,sheisasenioradvisortoTeneoandprovidesleadership counseltoseveralcommunity,educationalandnon-profitorganizations includingtheFordFoundation,theMassachusettsInstituteofTechnology (MIT) Corporation, the New York City Ballet and the Mayo Clinic among others.SheservedasChairofthePresident’sExportCouncilfrom2015 to2016afterholdingthepositionofViceChairfrom2010to2015.

During her career with Xerox, spanning over 35 years, Burns joined the organisationasamechanicalengineerbeforemovingintomanagement, takingonanumberofstrategicrolesacrossthecompany.MsBurnsserved asXeroxCEOfrom2009to2016andasChairfrom2010to2017.

Commentingontheappointment,IHSChairmanandGroupChiefExecutive Officer,SamDarwish,said:“WearedelightedtowelcomeUrsulatotheIHS Board.Welookforwardtothewealthofexpertise,experienceandinsight that she will bring to IHS. Her advice and counsel will prove invaluable as we seek to pursue our strategic goals and firmly establish our position as one of the largest independent telecommunications infrastructure owners in the world. The Board and I would like to extend our warmest welcometoUrsula.”

Africa, Asia Get UK’s Funding on Locust

The International Development Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, has announced a donation of £18 million of new UK aid, to tackle this year’s unprecedentedlocustoutbreaksacrossAfricaandAsia,wheremillions ofinsectsaredestroyingthousandsofhectaresofcrops.

Trevelyan made the announcement during her recent visit to British company Micron Group, on the Isle of Wight, which supplies pesticide sprayerstotheUnitedNation’sFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO).

TheimpactoftheplagueofinsectsacrossAfricaandAsiahasbeenmade worsebycoronavirus,withvulnerablecommunitiesfacingdwindlingfood suppliesalongsidethepandemic.

Funded by UK aid, the FAO is using Micron Group’s pesticide sprayers acrossAfricaandAsia.

Swarms of millions of insects can cover areas up to 100 square miles or moreandthesesprayersareabletocoverlargeareaswithpesticide.

SinceJanuarythisyear,theFAOhassuccessfullycontrolledover600,000 hectaresofland,saved1.2metrictonscropswithavalueof$372million anderadicatedover400millionlocustsin10countriesinEastAfrica.

Ofthenewfundingannounced,£17millionwillgototheFAO’semergency appealtohelptocontroltheincreaseoflocustsacrossEastAfrica,Yemen andSouthWestAsia,aswellasreducetheriskofswarmsspreadinginto theSahel.

The UK will also provide up to £1 million to improve early warning and forecasting systems for desert locusts, so that countries can prepare fortheirarrival.

Airtel, Firm Support Online Education

AirtelNigeriahasannouncedapartnershipwithDynamiss,anEducational Technologycompany,tosubsidisedataandmobileinternetforallNigerian schoolsandstudentsusingtheDynamissLearningManagementSystems.

Underthepartnership,bothorganisationsarecollaboratingtoensurethat Dataaccessforeducationalpurposesonanyoftheplatformsprovidedby Dynamisswillnowbesubsidisedandmademoreaffordableforschools andyoungNigerians.

Specifically,customersofAirtelNigeriawhoaccesstheDynamissplatforms willnowenjoyupto50percentdiscountondata/mobileInternetcharges effectiveimmediately.Thisdiscountalsoappliestoschools,studentsand evenparentsontheAirtelnetworkwhouseanyoftheeducationalplatforms providedDynamiss.

Commentingonthenewinitiative,theChiefOperatingOfficer(COO)of Dynamiss, Valerie Sodeinde, said: “The discounted data from Airtel is a key game changer for the adoption of Online/Digital education by most schoolsinNigeria.

“Accurate data had in the past, helped the Federal Government in taking key economic decisions that shaped Nigeria’s economy.

Data facilitates decision making in the face of uncertainty, and provides a basis for comparing the consequences of alternative policy choices” Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning,

Mrs. (Dr.) Zainab Ahmed

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BUSINESSWORLD ‘ROBUST DATA MINING WILL DEVELOP NIGERIA’S DIGITAL ECONOMY’ the Federation highlighted the importance of data generation, data mining and the use of data for economic development.

According to him, “Data aids the decision- making process by enabling us to establish numerical benchmarks and monitor and evaluate the progress of policies or programmes, thus ensuring that our policy interventions are well designed.

“Without data, we cannot make well-informed decisions that will catalyse our socio-economic development and transform the future of generations. It is when we are able to collate, understand and interpret data correctly, as well as identify key areas in our society or our economy that require change, that the policy prescriptions and direction of our governments and businesses are more likely to respond to the real needs of our communities.”

Speaking about the usefulness of data, Kale said: “Our recent longitudinal study on the Impact of Covid-19, undertaken in collaboration with the World Bank, can help policymakers to track the dynamics of the pandemic and design targeted responses.”

EXPERTS CALL FOR POLICIES TO AVOID FOOD CRISIS finished products,” he stated.

Another expert and Chairman of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Sanni Dangote, also urged government to task relevant agencies of government to work with the drive sector in driving the growth of the Agribusiness. “I believe the government should get all the relevant government ministries and agencies and CBN, Bank of Agriculture, bank of industry and of course, the Nigerian Agric Business Group (NABG), to work together and work out a national agricultural production plan.

Sanni, who also spoke on the need for government to remain consistent with its agricultural policies further push substitution of imports with locally grown produce to deepen Agricultural development in the country.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

NEWS

‘Fixed Wireless Access Will Unlock Global Opportunities’ Stories by Emma Okonji Given the current speed and capacity of cellular networks with Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology and its evolution to 5G, there are opportunities for operators to deliver broadband services to homes and small and mediumsized enterprises economically using the Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Head of Networks at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, Chafic Traboulsi, has said.

He, however, said about half of all households in the world, numbering over one billion do not have a fixed broadband connection.

Traboulsi, who made the disclosure recently, explained that 5G networks are now being built out with performance and capacity gains available to be tapped by new use cases, insisting that one of the first will be the fixed wireless access He cited a recent Ericsson Mobility Report, which explained how the fixed wireless access connections were predicted to grow threefold and reach close to 160 million by the end of 2025, accounting for 25 per cent of total mobile network data traffic globally.

Emphasising the fixed wireless access from a broadband perspective,

Traboulsi said: “There are approximately two billion households in the world. By the end of 2019, approximately 1.2 billion, which is about 60 per cent had a fixed broadband connection, and by the end of 2025 this will reach approximately 70 per cent. In this context, FWA will represent 10 per cent of fixed broadband connections.

“However, it is worth mentioning that FWA is also seen as a replacement option

for around 300 million existing Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connections.

“Considering the number of FWA connections, many households consist of several individuals using the same connection. However, in the mobile broadband context, there are more connections than individuals. The forecast of close to 160 million FWA connections by the end of 2025, represents approximately 570

million individuals having access to a wireless broadband connection.”

He listed three main factors that would drive the FWA market and the uptake of connections to include: Continued demand from consumers and businesses for digital services, driving the need for broadband connectivity; Cost-efficient broadband alternative delivered by fixed wireless access in areas with limited availability of

fixed services such as DSL, cable or fiber, thus increasing capacity and allowed by greater spectrum allocations and technology advancements for 4G and 5G networks, as they drive higher network efficiency in terms of the cost per delivered gigabyte; and Fueling broadband connectivity by government, through programs and subsidies, as it is considered vital for digitalisation efforts and economic growth.

MEDIA BRIEFING

L-R: Yoruba Leader, Auto Spare Parts and Machine Dealers Association (ASPMDA), Alhaji Ibrahim Olaleye: Treasurer, Chief David Ajisafe; Member, Mr. Nurudeen Adeniye, and Chairman Yoruba Forum, Mr. Akin Olatunde, during a press conference to protest the alleged marginalisation of Yoruba traders in the management of ASPMDA market affairs, held in Lagos... recently PHOTO ETOP UKUTT

Expert Calls for Statutory Code of Practice on Personal Data A data protection compliant expert has stressed the need to create a statutory code of practice for the use of personal data in order to guard against abuse of such data.

Consultant at NetHost Nigeria Limited, a license Data Protection Compliance Organisation, Dr. Abiola Abimbola, who emphasised this in one of his paper presentations titled: ‘Nigeria Data Protection Regulation Act 2019 Impacts Political Activities’, called on the National Informa-

tion Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to rise to the needs of Nigerians in creating a statutory code of practice for the use of personal data in political activities.

He said political parties needed to work with NITDA, the government agency responsible for technology implementation and data protection, in order to improve the transparency around the use of personal data.

According to him, “If Political parties intend to provide personal

data to third party organisations, such as social media platforms, for marketing purposes, they must make sure individuals are informed that their personal data will be processed in this way.

They must also satisfy a lawful basis under the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation Act 2019.

The use of videos, posters, flyers, billboards that show individual faces should only be published if obtained lawfully and the individuals are aware of how their images or personal

data will be used.”

Abimbola explained that the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) Act 2019 remained an important regulation that protects the security and privacy of personal data of Nigerians, adding that personal data within the regulation refers to any data that can identify a living person such as name, picture, video, email, address and others.

“Political activities in Nigeria and other countries are geared towards winning an election in a

state, region, or federation. There are many strategies used in winning an election but all are aimed at convincing a huge number of voters to vote for a candidate. A key aspect to the above strategy is about communicating the positive values of the candidate, pedigree, accomplishments, candidate’s plans if voted for and others.

“The platform for communicating is usually varied and includes posters, billboards, flyers, video, phone calls, news tabloid, emails, radio, Television and others.“

Centre in Katsina; and two IT Hubs, one each in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria main campus, Kaduna and University of Lagos. The IT Community Centre in Katsina and the two IT Hubs in Kaduna and Lagos, were built by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Speaking during the virtual commissioning of the projects, which took place at the NCC’s Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Mbora District, Abuja and attended

by all heads of agencies under the ministry, Pantami said the projects were all connected to the country’s digital economy drive, as contained in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) unveiled by the President in November last year.

According to him, “these projects are connected to some of the pillars of the NDEPS, especially with respect to developmental regulation, digital literacy and skills, solid infrastructure, among others.”

FG Unveils Six ICT Projects The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, recently in Abuja, unveiled six Information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects.

He assured Nigerians that the federal government projects were designed to drive the country’s digital economy initiative.

The six projects included the Kaduna Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) built by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and five other Information Technology

(IT) projects built by other agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

The ECC project, which will make it possible for people of Kaduna and its environs to dial 112 Emergency Number to get help during emergencies from appropriate emergency response agencies, was aimed at supporting the Federal Government agenda of enhancing security of lives and property in the country.

NCC had built ECC in each

of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. Nineteen of the ECC have been activated while efforts are ongoing to extend it to other states.

The other five IT projects launched by Pantami, were the Tertiary Institution Knowledge Centre (TIKC) in Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo executed by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of NCC; the opening of Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT)’s Northwest Regional Office in Kaduna; the IT Community

Firm Records 50,000 Online Users, Merchants’ Enrolment Hits 200% Growth Rate Kaiglo, a marketplace said it has recorded over 50,000 online users in the last one year that it started operations in Nigeria.

Similarly, the firm said it recorded over 200 per cent growth rate in merchants’ enrolment since the first quarter of this year.

This was disclosed by the Kaiglo’s Co-Founder and

Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Victor Eze, during a virtual press conference as part of activities to mark the first anniversary.

Eze, described Kaiglo as an online marketplace with a unique proposition for fashion entrepreneurs, market traders, and smart gadget dealers, adding that Kaiglo remains resolute in its determination to

grow local brands and bring people’s favorite market closer to them no matter the location.

Kaiglo launched operations in Lagos one year ago and has since recorded over 1000 merchants registered on the platform.

According to Eze, “It has been a very busy 12 months for us. In spite of the ups and downs in the economy,

we are seeing rays of light.

As we mark our first anniversary, we can tell you that new merchant enrolment on Kaiglo rose from 50 per cent to 200 per cent with more happy clients expressing their satisfaction with the platform so far and how it has helped them boost sales.

“Currently, we have more than 1000 merchants registered

on the platform. Our monthly sales growth increased from 50 per cent in 4th quarter of 2019 to 175 per cent in the 2nd quarter of this year.

“Kaiglo has successfully processed and delivered more than 15,000 items in the past one year, with more than 70% delivered in Lagos alone where it currently has most of its operation”.

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Abdullahi: We Have Turned COVID-19 Challenges into Opportunities The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdullahi, in this interview, speaks on how the agency provided adequate support to insulate the technology that turned around COVID-19 challenges into opportunities for all Nigerians, among other burning issues. Emma Okonji brings the excerpts:

I

n the last 10 months you have been at the helm of affairs at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), can you share your experience?

I must say it has been an amazing journey in the last 10 months. This isn’t something that I expected or even envisaged. My appointment was indeed a pleasant surprise. It, however, shows the confidence my boss and mentor, Dr. Isa Pantami, who is the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has in my ability to the extent of recommending me to President Muhammadu Buhari, to take a giant leap step into his shoes. It is a great honour, and I am putting in my best not to disappoint the expectation of my boss and mentor, Mr. President, Nigerian youths as well as the country as a whole. As you may be aware, I am not new in the Nigeria’s IT industry. I am at home being at the helm of affairs in NITDA. As a person that is open to new approaches and strategies, with the experiences I have gained for the last 15 years in the IT sector spanning between the private and the public sector and through unceasing study, my team and I have worked diligently to ensure the continuous development of the IT sector in Nigeria over the past 10 months. Remember, I picked it up from a good place to consolidate upon, considering the foundation laid by my boss and mentor, the minister.

What has been your biggest challenge as DG of NITDA? The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on countries globally. While looking at the management of the pandemic as challenging, it has been a turning point for revolutionising digital technologies to deliver products and services across the world, which is what we refer to as the new normal. Therefore, we did not miss the opportunity to prepare for the impact of the pandemic and also provide adequate support to insulate the technology and innovation ecosystem.

NITDA’s mandates are diverse, what are the key mandates that you want to focus on during your administration?

You may be aware that NITDA is implementing a strategic roadmap for the development of Nigeria’s IT sector. It consists of seven pillars that are in alignment with the eight pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy.

The seven key pillars of our roadmap are: IT Regulation; Capacity Building; Digital Inclusion; Digital Job Creation; Government Digital Service Promotion; Local Content Development, and Cybersecurity. We have rolled out several policies, regulations, and programmes, focusing on those areas. However, the roadmap is set to expire this year as is the Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which it draws from.

NITDA has already commenced reviewing it as well as developing the next plan, which will soon be launched. It is in alignment with and takes cognizance of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) and other important plans and policies of this administration.

Recently, local original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) decried poor implementation of the local content policy on PC procurement

by MDAs. Being the agency that regulates them, how has NITDA waded in to help them get better patronage from the MDAs? Certainly, NITDA has demonstrated great support and has ensured improved patronage of indigenous OEMs in the last three years. It

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Abdullahi

is a fact that the purchase of local devices by MDAs is unprecedented within these years compared to previous years before 2018. For instance, in 2015-2016 less than 250,000 devices were sold by indigenous OEMs. However, due to the intervention of NITDA, records shows that in 2018/2019 alone OEMs sold three times the numbers sold prior to 2017 with about 778,886 of locally assembled devices sold in 2018 and 2019. However, there are some challenges with the implementation of the Presidential Executive Order 003 for promotion of local content in the procurement for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as the NITDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issued guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT, which mandates MDAs also to purchase Nigerian hardware products. NITDA is implementing the Executive Order and Guidelines vigorously through active surveillance and IT Projects assessment and clearance process of the Agency. Nevertheless, procurement law requires OEMs to either bid directly or work with other contractors to bid to ensure transparency and value for money. If MDAs violate the process NITDA can then be notified for action. There is also a challenge with the quality of some of the indigenous brands. In an effort to address this challenge, in 2018, we mandated these OEMs to go through a rigorous certification process requiring them to have ISO 9001:2015 for quality management systems. This, we believe, will ensure they are able to provide products that meet quality and regulatory requirements always. Currently, only three out of 10 previously registered OEMs have been fully certified.

The Nigeria IT Policy is due for review in the light of the changes in the IT world.

What is your view on this?

It may interest you to know that our supervising Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy handles policy-related issues. You may be aware that there were several attempts at reviewing the policy in 2012, 2013 and 2017. Currently, with my boss and mentor, Dr Pantami as the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, the efforts have resulted in the development of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari, during the 2019 e-Nigeria International Conference, Exhibition and Awards, held on November 28th, 2019. The NDEPS effectively replaces the National IT Policy.

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

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T H I S D AY Ëž ͹͎Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Safakish: Our Goal is to Empowering Consumers Akingbolu writes on how some Reduce Smoking by 30% Raheem service providers went extra mile in bringing On July 7, 2020, the United States Food and succour to businesses, families and consumers Drug Administration (US FDA) authorised the to make the period of lockdown less tedious marketing of IQOS, the electronic tobacco heated rom any angle one chooses to look system by Philip Morris International, one of the at it, the ongoing lockdown, as a result of a sudden global pandemic, largest tobacco manufacturing companies in the has created a new order across the world. Aside from the fact that it world. The Managing Director of the corporation shuts down businesses and social activities, lockdown has also brought trauma and fear in Nigeria, Mr. Bahman Safakish, in this interview the of the unknown to families. Perhaps mostly with Tobi Soniyi, speaks on the implication of hit is the world economy, which according to April World Economic Outlook projects global the FDA decision for Nigeria. Excerpts: growth in 2020 to fall to -3 percent.

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or a few years now Philip Morris has been promoting a smoke-free world by offering alternatives to conventional cigarettes, reduced-risk products as you call them. On July 7, the US FDA approved the marketing of your tobacco heated system IQOS as a ModiďŹ ed Risk Tobacco Product. What does this decision really mean?

Indeed, for more than a decade, PMI has devoted many resources to the development and scientific substantiation of alternatives to combustible cigarettes. We call these products reduced risk products (RRP) because they present or have the potential to present less risk of harm to smokers who switch to these products versus continued smoking. It is important to note that the World Health Organisation estimates that there will be over a billion smokers by 2025 and the goal is to reduce the prevalence of smoking by 30 per cent then. One of the quickest and most effective solutions to reach the overall goal of reducing non-communicable diseases would be to switch from conventional tobacco products to less harmful products like smoke-free products.

The number one cause of smoking-related illnesses is all of the toxic substances in cigarette smoke, most of which are formed during the burning of tobacco. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued decisions on Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) applications for IQOS and three HeatSticks variants (the IQOS tobacco heating system) submitted by Philip Morris International (PMI) since 2016. It took more than 3 years for the agency to issue an authorisation to commercialise IQOS with a reduced exposure claim because it takes some time to review the million plus pages of scientific evidence and independent studies and be able to confirm that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system significantly reduces the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals. The decision of the FDA is a historic one as it marks the first time that FDA has granted Modified-Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) marketing orders for a heated tobacco product. This decision confirms three fundamental facts: That IQOS system heats tobacco but does not burn it; that significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals and; scientific studies have shown that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system significantly reduces the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals. Now is the time to rapidly shift smokers away from cigarettes. Scientifically substantiated better alternatives like IQOS represent a public health opportunity.

You are talking about change but you continue to sell cigarettes that still kill millions of people?

Discontinuing cigarette sales would simply result in competitors and illicit trade filling the market space and would do very little for the health of people who smoke and public health.

We are fully committed to doing everything we can to ensure that smoke-free products replace cigarettes as soon as possible. We are making tremendous progress toward our ambition of a smoke-free future. IQOS is already commercialised in 53 markets, and we have already encouraged over 10 million smokers to switch to IQOS and abandon cigarettes, and four more million are currently adopting the product and we expect them to abandon cigarettes soon.

Our ambition is that 30 per cent of our volumes be represented by smoke-free products by 2025, which is equivalent to approximately 40 million smokers that adopt them. However, replacing

Safakish

cigarettes with smoke-free products will take time and does not depend only on our efforts.

For example, scientists and experts should help by providing accurate information to the public about the relative risks of these products versus continued smoking, governments can work with manufacturers to encourage innovation in this space. Governments have an important role to play by defining regulations that encourage smokers to switch and smokers ultimately will have to decide to quit cigarettes and, or switch to less harmful products.

This, of course, does not preclude governments from continuing to prevent smoking initiation and to encourage people to quit smoking. In fact, we too are publicly saying that people should not start smoking and if they do smoke then the best thing to do is to quit. However, the reality is that the vast majority of smokers simply do not quit. Even WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own predictions forecast that there will continue to be more than 1 billion smokers by the year 2025, roughly the same number as today. Providing these smokers with science-based less harmful alternatives is therefore a commonsense solution to improve public health.

All this is not a reality for countries like Nigeria, which are less advanced and where most smokers have a low purchasing power to access these alternatives, what about affordability?

Consumers have the same needs and concerns all around the world. Increasingly, consumers are looking for alternatives to cigarettes. Our goal to replace cigarettes with smoke-free products extends to all adult smokers of all income levels and to all countries worldwide.

Unlike cigarettes, adult smokers who would like to switch to IQOS HEETS need to first purchase the IQOS device. Still, supplying a reliable and scientifically substantiated quality device is costly in this relatively new category, although we have different programs in most countries where we commercialize IQOS to make it easier for smokers to purchase the device.

On the other hand, the price of IQOS HEETS is in the same range as cigarettes, and in most cases, lower than the premium priced cigarettes.

We believe the cost of both device and heated tobacco consumable will continue to drop over time and governments will continue to provide tax differential and other regulatory measures to accelerate adult smokersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; switching. IQOS was launched in South Africa in 2017. We hope to launch in other African countries as soon as possible.

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

In its April report, the global stance concluded that the world has changed dramatically in the three months since its last update of the World Economic Outlook in January. It further established that the magnitude and speed of collapse in activity that has followed was unlike anything experienced in the entire lifetimes.

However, beyond the tragic health hazards and human consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, as pointed out by the report, the economic uncertainties and disruptions that have resulted come at a significant cost to the global economy. For instance, the United Nations Trade and Development Agency (UNCTAD) puts the cost of the outbreak at about US$2 trillion in 2020. Today, most central banks, finance ministries and independent economic experts around the world have taken solace in the prediction that the impacts might be sharp but short-lived, and economic activities would return to normal thereafter. This line of thought mirrors the thinking of the events that shaped the 2007 global financial crisis.

Nigeria outlook Since February, when the first index case was reported in Nigeria, many economic experts have strongly predicted that the country is in the midst of the worst recession since the global financial crisis. The economic downturn in Nigeria was triggered by a combination of declining oil price and spillovers from the Covid-19 outbreak, which not only led to a fall in the demand for oil products but also stopped economic activities from taking place when social distancing policies were enforced. While this continues, it is obvious that the government has simply responded to the crisis by providing financial assistance to businesses, not to households, that were affected by the outbreak. The monetary authority adopted accommodative monetary policies and offered a targeted N3.5trillion loan support to some sectors. These efforts should have prevented the economic crisis from occurring but it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Economic agents refused to engage in economic activities for fear of contracting the Covid-19 disease that was spreading very fast at the time. For Nigeria and Nigerians, the Covid-19 spillovers and the structural weaknesses in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infrastructure have contributed in no small measure to the current economic crisis.

In what looked like hard-hitting as Nigerians approached the lockdown, in January this year, the current administration approved VAT increase from 5% to 7.5% with implementation date effective February 1, 2020. Though this was with the intention to boost government revenue but in response, many companies raised their VAT charges by 2.5 percent to 7.5% as the government expects the same tax returns.

On a cursory look, one will agree that working from home over a prolonged period brings its own unique challenges, whether one is a caregiver or simply because most people are used to being around others during the work day, it is unsettling and overwhelming, to say the least.

Working from home and its challenges Zeroing the global crisis down to businesses, the COVID-19 catastrophe has put many businesses in an extremely challenging situation.

Offices are being closed, meetings postponed and employees sent home. Many CEOs are understandably concerned about how best to manage productivity levels, internal collaboration, and rganizational cohesion. But with the right strategy and tools, this crisis may in fact even strengthen internal collaboration on a structural level and ensure that the potential of the digital

workplace is fully exploited.

Companies adjusting to the new order From the financial sector to telecom, entertainment to marketing communications, smart brand owners are fast adjusting to the new order to create bonds between their products and teaming consumers. As a result of what the crisis has placed on their laps, business owners are now compelled to see the digital workplace as a crucial importance in ensuring uninterrupted production now that everyone who can work from home is in fact doing so.

For instance, the Keystone Bank Masterclass series has come and gone, the impact of the series has since remained with those who participated.

On April 21 and 23, 2020, the bank held two Masterclasses to equip SMEs and career-focused individuals with the knowledge and tools to help them grow during the pandemic and beyond.

In the same way, Pay-TV company, StarTimes, rolled out a series of initiatives to enable families to socialise. In the wake of the pandemic which saw schools in Nigeria shut down, StarTimes came up with a unique educational television programme for students and children.

The educational TV programme tagged â&#x20AC;&#x153;Home Schoolingâ&#x20AC;? airs on StarTimes ST Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; channels.

This new educational programme brings relief to parents whose major headache is the fear of the educational standard of their wards depreciating, and the kids getting carried away with too many unnecessary activities.

Managed by seasoned teachers at Dexterity Group, a British-based curriculum school in Ibadan, the ST SCHOOL project aimed at solving the concerns of parents seeking better standards of education for their kids whilst ensuring that the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social values and heritage are continuously instilled. With fully equipped ICT facilities including interactive smartboard, teaching becomes easier and fun for children at home.

At the unveiling of the initiatives, the company stated in a statement that â&#x20AC;&#x153;The homeschooling educational channels, ST Kids Senior and ST Kids Junior, are packaged with great educational content that will inspire learning and spark curiosity in young minds. Homeschooling brings major subjects taught in school.â&#x20AC;?

To further enable families while the lockdown lasted, the pay TV company also enriched its content with an upgrade of 14 new channel offerings that could be enjoyed in three languages for the delight of television viewers across Africa at no extra cost. The new channels are aired in English, French, and Portuguese on StarTimes DTT, DTH and OTT platforms.

Commenting on the initiative, Eric Xue, vice president of StarTimes, noted: â&#x20AC;&#x153;StarTimes has been operating in Africa for over 10 years and our mission is to ensure that every African family can access, afford, watch and share the beauty of digital TV.â&#x20AC;?

In April, the company raised the bar when it announced a one month â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;free to viewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; service for 4 local television stations on its platform for active and non-active subscribers.

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

THURSDAY JULY 30 2020 • T H I S D AY

23

ELECTRONIC CONNECTIONS LIMITED CODE OF PRACTICE CONSUMER CODE OF PRACTICE Electronic Connections Limited Individual Service Provider (ISP) Code of Practice Document.

1. INTRODUCTION Electronic Connections Limited is a telecommunications infrastructure provider in Nigeria. Electronic Connections Limited is regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

At Electronic Connections Limited, we consider honesty and integrity to be the hallmarks of long-term success, which ultimately contributes to the ethical wellbeing of us all. Our professional standards are therefore exceptionally high, and we have systems and processes in place to ensure compliance with anti-bribery and corruption laws. Amongst the most fundamental operating principles are adherence with all laws and regulations applicable to our business.

This Code of Practice is issued pursuant to the consumer code of Practice Regulations 2007. The matters of Consumer requirements. Handling Consumer complaints and disputes, Consumer compensation in case of breach, Protection of information, Billing.

2. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS Unless otherwise defined, or the context otherwise requires, expressions defined in the General Code of Practice shall have the same meanings in this document including recitals and schedules: “Quality of Service Regulation” means the Quality of Service Regulations 2013 “Host” means the Licensee/ Electronic Connections Limited “Consumer” means the customer “ECNX” refers to Electronics Connections Limited and is used interchangeably.

“Services” refers to any tasks, whether one-off or recurrent, undertaken by ECNX at the behest of a customer.

3. PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO CONSUMERS 3.1 Electronic Connections Limited shall upon request provide a copy of the contract or agreement for the provision of services and such contracts shall be in clear language.

3.2 Copies of duly approved individual Code shall be available to consumers on request.

4. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES 4.1 Electronic Connections Limited manages all aspect relating to Internet Service Provision as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to individuals and corporate bodies.

5. PRICING INFORMATION 5.1 Contract shall not take effect until parties mutually agree on the pricing and composition thereof. Pricing components may include but not limited to applicable rates or charges, calculation basis of each charge element, frequency, or basis of the collection of the charge, information as to whether charges are subject to change and the frequency of such changes and how information on such matters shall be communicated to the consumer.

6. CONTRACT TERMS AND TERMINATION 6.1 Infrastructure sharing contracts with Consumers shall incorporate standard clauses relating to commencement date, minimum contract term (where applicable), manner and consequences of premature termination and calculation basis for payment of any penalty therefrom, situations where early termination may be permitted, renewal terms, installation, connection and decommission terms, and refund policies.

Furthermore, all terms and conditions of a contract regarding the provision of any of our services shall be clearly stated in the contract or agreement in clear and plain language.

7. PRODUCT WARRANTIES AND MAINTENANCE 7.1 Where applicable, the Electronic Connections Limited shall inform the consumer of any contractual warranty relating to any shared infrastructure. Such information, where applicable, shall include how to obtain such warranty services.

7.2 There shall be specific information to the consumers on the availability and provision of any maintenance service by the Host party.

8. PROVISIONING OF SERVICES 8.1 Provision of services by Electronic Connections Limited shall be in accordance with the service supply time targets set out in the NCC quality of service regulations annexed to this Code.

Electronic Connections Limited shall however not be liable for any delays or refusals of service requests, lack of site availability or infrastructure availability which is beyond its reasonable control.

8.2 Further to clause 8.1 above, Electronic Connections Limited shall bear no responsibility for internet delays or refusals where such is attributable to the lack of credit worthiness of the consumer.

9. FAULT REPAIR AND SERVICE INTERRUPTION 9.1 Relevant facilities and processes shall be implemented to ensure reporting of faults 24 hours a day by consumer.

9.2 The standard of fault repair as set out in the annexed quality of service regulations shall apply to the fault repair standards established by the host.

9.3 Electronic Connections Limited shall endeavor to give adequate notification of any planned downtime including details of the disruption or outage, the services and service area affected and any corresponding compensation or other remedies if applicable.

10. AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE 10.1 Electronic Connections Limited shall ensure that marketing presentation materials to potential consumers indicate any known geographical or technical limitations, which may substantially affect the performance of the consumer services.

10.2 In addition to the above, marketing materials must indicate any limitations which restricts a particular group of persons, geographical area, particular period of time or limited availability of infrastructure or other materials.

11. ADVERTISING OF PACKAGED SERVICES 11.1 The consumer shall be entitled to the supply of all components of a serviced package where the Host has marketed the provision of its service as part of a package.

11.2 Appropriate information to potential consumer shall be included in marketing materials by Electronic Connections Limited where it may be unlikely to supply any component of the service package 11.3 The marketing materials may contain information on the pricing of the component of a service package; where this is so, the marketing materials shall also incorporate an estimate of the minimum total charge for the package and indicate any terms and conditions applicable to obtaining the component at the stated price.

12. BILLING INFORMATION 12.1 The following information shall be contained in invoices issued to the consumer: Consumer name and billing address, Electronic Connections Limited current business name address and registered number, Unique identification or invoice number, Date of invoice and billing period, Description of the services provided by Electronic Connections Limited for which consumer is charged, Historical summary of charges including total amount

billed, applicable credits, advance payments or discounts, net amount payable by consumer or payable by Host as the case may be, payment/refund due date, method of payment, method of contact for complaints and billing inquiries.

13. ITEMIZATION CHARGES 13.1 Electronic Connections Limited shall issue bills and include all charges incurred within the specified billing period within 30 days of the closure of each billing period.

14. TIMING FOR ISSUANCE OF BILL 14.1 Electronic Connections Limited shall issue bills and include all charges incurred within the specified billing period within 30 days of the closure of each billing period.

14.2 Exceptions may occur whereby all charges are not included on the invoice as a result of separate agreement between partiers, or any other reason.

15. RECEIPT AND CONSUMER PAYMENT ADVICE 15.1 Electronic Connections Limited shall make available appropriate and accessible methods of verification of bill payment by the consumer.

16. BILLING FREQUENCY 16.1 Consumer shall be provided with sufficient and advance written notification of any proposed changes to the billing period.

The advance written notification shall be deemed sufficient by parties where it provides a minimum notification period of twice the usual billing period(s).

17. NON-PAYMENT OF BILLS 17.1 In the event of non-payment of bills to Electronic Connections Limited shall take necessary measures (which includes but not limited to referring the issue of non-payment by the consumer to the NCC to effect such payment or disconnect the consumer’s equipment.

17.2 Necessary measures as referred to above shall be commensurate and not unduly discriminatory.

18. INFORMATION TO CONSUMERS 18.1 Electronic Connections Limited shall ensure that its complaints procedure is accessible in various media and formats or as directly specified by the NCC from time to time. Information on the complaints procedure shall include: Consumers right to lodge complaint, Mode of lodging the complaint to the Host, Requisite documents required to lodge a valid complaint, means to enquire on status of complaint.

18.2 The procedure must be expressed in clear language and the consumer must be able to identify how to lodge a complaint either physically or via dedicated online platforms.

18.3 Consumer complaints shall be duly recorded and processed in accordance with identified practices and procedures.

19. SPECIAL NEEDS 19.1 Adequate provisions shall be made by Electronic Connections Limited to ensure that people with special needs are able to access the complaint handling processes.

19.2 Electronic Connections Limited shall use its best endeavours to provide reasonable assistance to consumers who may not request assistance with lodging complaints.

20. COMPLAINT PROCESS 20.1 Complaints shall be acknowledged by the Electronic Connections Limited verbally or in writing but preferably in the mode or manner requested by the consumer complaint.

Consumer shall forward complaints to the registered address of the Host Electronic Connections Limited as stated below: No 25 Race course road, Kano, Kano state, Nigeria. Telephone number: 08095150111, 09088700006, 09088700008, Website: https://www.ecnx.net 20.2 Where possible, the consumer shall be provided with an expected outcome or estimated timeframe within which the complaint shall be investigated and resolved. Notwithstanding the forgoing, complaints including those which require further recourse for lack of acceptable resolution, shall be acted upon within the set time frame as directed by the NCC from time to time or as provided in the annexed Quality of Service Regulations and this shall not exceed a period of three calendar months.

20.3 An identified escalation process shall be accessible to the consumer where consumer is dissatisfied with the outcome of a complaint resolution. Such escalation process shall involve further complaint examination by a suitably qualified authorized representative of the Host.

20.4 Consumers shall be duly informed where resolution via the escalation process has been exhausted and there are no further escalation processes.

20.5 Oral or non-written complaints shall be deemed acknowledged by Electronic Connections Limited at the time such was communicated to Electronic Connections Limited.

21. CHARGES 21.1 Electronic Connections Limited complaint handling process shall be provided free of charge. However, any complain that requires the retrieval of records more than twelve (12) months shall attract charges, which the consumers must be informed and agreed to.

22. FURTHER RECOURSE 22.1 Electronic Connections Limited in addition to the complaint process set up by Electronic Connections Limited, the consumer reserves the right to escalate unsatisfactorily resolved or unresolved disputes to the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).

22.2 Electronic Connections Limited shall inform consumer after 60 days of non-resolution of the complaint to the satisfaction of consumer to proceed to refer the complaint to the NCC. 23. ACTION ON DISPUTED CHARGES 23.1 Where a consumer has initiated a complaint through the laid down process and investigation is ongoing, Electronic Connections Limited shall be estopped from taking any action with regard to credit management action or disconnection if installed equipment or related apparatus pending the resolution of the dispute.

24. INTERNAL DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS 24.1 Electronic Connections Limited shall ensure availability of appropriate recording system for complaints and outcomes which shall comply with the requirements of the Commission’s Quality of Service Regulations such that recurring issues are easily tracked for effective processing.

25. CHANGES TO COMPLAINT HANDLING PROCESS 25.1 Electronic Connections Limited shall ensure that consumer is properly updated with any information regarding the changes in the Company’s complaint handling process, if any.

26. RETENTION OF RECORDS 26.1 Information collated and recorded by Host in respect of the complaint handling procedure initiated by the consumer shall be retained for at least twelve (12) months following resolution of consumer complaint.

25 ,Race Course Road, Kano info@ecnx.net, www.ecnx.net 08095157822

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24

T H I S D AY ˾ JULY 30, 2020

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Need for Political Will in Disease Preparedness While disease prevention and management models are, on many occasions, understood by ministers and commissioners of health, director generals of agencies like the NCDC, NIPRD, NHIS and NIMR, and heads of other organisations with capacities to save Nigerians from disease outbreaks, the people with the real political will to provide enviable disease preparedness are the presidents, governors, and federal and state lawmakers, who unfortunately may not know the importance of prioritising healthcare. Martins Ifijeh writes

E

ver wondered why many political appointees in both federal and state levels resume their jobs with high hopes only to end up finishing with minimal impact?

Wonder no further. Majority of them know what to do to leave a lasting mark, but their bosses do not support their works with the deserved priority. They do not throw their political weight behind templates and recommendations laid down by these professionals.

This is especially true for Nigeria’s health sector, as many otherwise brilliant federal and state appointees, including ministers of health, director generals of agencies, as well as commissioners of health, do not make the desired mark they had hoped they would make because the president and governors who oversee them do not give the health sector the priority it deserves. To these bosses, achievements in health are only human capital and may not be visible in a short time for their voters to see.

One area of healthcare in Nigeria most hit by this lack of political will is epidemic preparedness; an area which represents the process of anticipating, preventing, preparing for, detecting, responding, and controlling epidemics in order that the health and economic impacts are minimised. Health experts say it is an allembracing term that described all that needs to be done before, during, and after epidemics, and that it is the core of health security of a nation and its people.

THISDAY investigations have shown that the low attention given to disease prevention and management among Nigerian states and the federal government is due to myriads of factors, including the leaders’ poor understanding of the link between epidemic preparedness and economic prosperity, the habit of reacting to disease outbreaks rather than preparing for it, among others. And this is regardless of the direction their health experts may have proposed.

For instance, a breakdown of the 2019 Lagos State budget of N873.53billion showed that even though some healthcare areas got some lifts, there was no clear allocation for epidemic preparedness. This is despite the state in 2014 being the epicenter of Ebola outbreak in the country that gulped over $180 million and eight human lives, according to data from the World Bank. On specifics, Lagos State allocated N1.9 billion for recurrent expenditure on health insurance scheme for 2019 while nothing was set aside for epidemic preparedness.

The former Commissioner for Health, Lagos Health, Dr. Jide Idris had earlier told THISDAY that every year, he usually made case for funding for disease preparedness and healthcare generally but that nothing often changes until when Ebola came in 2014 and the state government was ready to spend all it had to ensure the disease was defeated.

Data obtained by THISDAY showed that other states have not also taken disease preparedness as priority even though it appeared those in charge of disease prevention and management in those states may have made cases for it during

President Muhammadu Buhari

their planning.

For instance, a breakdown of Imo State budget of N276 billion in 2019, tagged ‘Budget of Consolidation and Economic Stability’ showed that not no amount was allocated to epidemic preparedness in the entire year. It was not any different in Kogi State for the same year; as most of the allocations went to primary healthcare, recurrent and capital expenditure, among others.

This, no doubt has now constituted part of the burden suffered by most state governments managing COVID-19.

Although many states have clearly not given priority to epidemic preparedness as their budget allocation suggests, their ‘big brother’ - Nigeria, who ought to show example and lead the path has also not lived up to expectation. This is even despite the Director General, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu on different occasions consistently advocated for attention on national health security as well as increased funding.

Despite the recurrent bouts of disease outbreaks in Nigeria even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government only allocated a paltry sum of eight naira (2.1 cents) for prevention, diagnosis and management of communicable diseases of each citizen in 2020.

It allocated N1, 673, 486, 127 to the NCDC, the country’s national public health institute, responsible for epidemic preparedness, detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies for over 200 million Nigerians.This implies that the allocated amount (if entirely released) will be spent on preventing, preparing and managing Lassa fever, Ebola, COVID-19, Yellow fever, Cholera, Meningitis, Measles; building, equipping and maintaining of specialised laboratories; administration and

human resource for staff; surveillance and epidemiology; emergency disease response; and a host of other mandates of NCDC. Obviously, the NCDC DG knows the issues and what is needed to address it, but it is not his call to make. He is not the president. He is not one of the governors. He is not a member of the National Assembly who has the responsibility to ensure favourable healthcare policies are passed into law and made legal.

A public health analyst, Dr. Reuben Okoeboh told THISDAY that leaders, especially presidents, governors and lawmakers must make conscious efforts to listen to health experts, as not everything can be politicized.

“Health is not something to be toyed with.

Now we are in the middle of a pandemic and it has brought the world to a standstill. These same governors have lost huge sums in the form of low internally generated revenues.

Our nation is losing. No one is talking about development now but how to ensure they survive the outbreak. No other disaster can cause this if not disease outbreaks. This is why they must listen to experts in the field and put their political weight behind them.

“Director generals of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, that of the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, NCDC, and other related establishments know if governments prioritise their work, they will have results. But what can they do? Theirs is to only recommend,” he said.

The Founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, Dr. Ola Brown who spoke to THISDAY on how lack of political will was threatening the health of Nigerians in the country, said national debt and budgeting constraints can be restructured to dedicate more resources to healthcare.

She said: “Historically, policy-makers in Nigeria have seen healthcare as a cost rather than an investment. This is evident from the amount of money allocated to healthcare in the budget.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria spends less than one per cent of its GDP on healthcare.

The United States and Switzerland spent 17 per cent and 12 per cent respectively in 2017.”

“Part of this is lack of political will. Investments in physical infrastructure like roads are easier to see, commission, and photograph, whereas the dividends from investments in human capital are less visible immediately.

We need to take a long-term view and see healthcare as an investment,” she added.

She said the co-Founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, in 2018 during his visit to Nigeria noted that the country’s lack of investment in human capital development was unhealthy. “Rwanda has invested in human capital development. When the government prioritised building its healthcare system, GDP grew from $754 million in 1994 to $8.4 billion in 2016. Ultimately, a healthy population is more economically productive.

“Health affects economic growth by enhancing worker productivity, increase savings over the individual’s life-cycle, boosting education and encourage foreign direct investment. Each additional year of increase in life expectancy increases economic output by four per cent, even after controlling for work experience and education,” she said.With COVID-19 as an eye opener, time will tell if Nigerian leaders, including the federal and states’ executives and lawmakers will henceforth give disease prevention, and healthcare generally the attention they deserve.

Pandemic: Schneider Electric Foundation Creates Palliatives Fund for Children Given the global impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on citizens, Schneider Electric (SE) Foundation has created a fund to combat the economic hardship facing rural and disadvantaged communities Nigeria.

This will focus on the basic needs, specifically meals for underprivileged children and communities in response to the

coronavirus pandemic.

The initiative, known as Tomorrow Rising Fund, gave Schneider Electric staff the opportunity to donate to the noble cause to help alleviate the hardship in communities.

According to Schneider Electric Foundation, the donations have been trusted with a notable Non-Governmental Organisation

(NGO) with a strong impact in Nigeria, LEAP Africa, to implement the initiative.

Schneider Electric further stated that the implementation of the project will be done in two phases. The first will focus on the basic needs, specifically meals for underprivileged children and communities across the country.

The second phase, which

will be implemented from June to December 2020, will focus on understanding the current situation and needs/ risks of education partners in anglophone Africa with the deployment of support in existing education projects.

In addition, there will be assessment to confirm digital training requirements for student

engagement to reduce drop out and ensure continuous learning and possible support via the Schneider Electric Academy.

Schneider Electric said that the staff of the company donated €1210 while the Schneider Electric Foundation donated €10,550, bringing the total remitted funds for LEAP Africa to €11,760.00.

Speaking on the initiative,

the project coordinator, Access to Energy, of the company, Mr. Isaac Adeleke said under the phase one of the initiative, the foundation in partnership with LEAP Africa will provide 13,000 meals across Nigeria.

The total fund contributed of 11,760.00 euros was handed over officially to LEAP Africa on Friday, July 17, 2020.

T H I S D AY ˾ JULY 30, 2020

25

NEWS

Umami Seasoning Day: WASCO, Food Experts Reaffirm Ajinomoto’s Safety Martins Ifijeh As part of activities to mark the Umami Seasoning Day, Nigerian food experts and the West African Seasoning Company Limited (WASCO) have emphasized the safety associated with the use of Ajinomoto Umami food seasoning.

The Umami Seasoning Day is celebrated on July 25 every year to raise awareness on the importance of the Umami seasoning popularly known as Ajinomoto Glutamate (MSG) in cooking and its safety for consumption as it brings delicious flavor to global cuisines.

The day is also aimed at educating people for better understanding and appreciation of Umami and its essential role in food consumption.

According to the Managing Director, WASCO, Mr. Niki Junichi, the safety of Ajinomoto has long been scientifically proven and its safety approved by authorised agencies of the United Nations.

He said: “An extensive body of research which has been reviewed by scientists and governments around the world, including the US FDA , the American Medical Association, experts of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Health Organisation and the European Commission’s Scientific Committee for Food demonstrates that glutamate is safe” he said.

Junichi noted that based on its safety, Ajinomoto Umami Seasoning was consumed in over 130 countries, adding that the usage of MSG was to enhance taste and also increase deliciousness of food.

Ajinomoto Umami seasoning, according to him, has been safely used as food ingredient since 1908 after it was discovered by a Japanese scientist, Dr. Kikunae Ikeda.

He assured that the company was committed to bringing out the natural taste in cooking through safe and cost-effective seasonings, urging Nigerians to dispel any myth or misconception

about Ajinomoto.

“Umami substance is present in most natural foods such as meat, seafood, vegetables, cheese and milk.

Glutamate is also abundant in breast milk. Umami seasoning enhances taste of dishes and is a universal taste. It is one of the five basic tastes along with sweet, sour, salty and bitter.

Ajinomoto is simply made from sugarcane through the natural process of fermentation”, he explained.

WASCO’s Head of Marketing, Mr. Isah Hassan Shallangwa, also provided more safety facts about Ajinomoto Umami seasoning and gave reasons why Nigerians should embrace it.

“The benefits of the seasoning include enhancing and promoting the

deliciousness of our meals, it is economical, it reduces salt intake and it is rich in glutamate one of the free amino acids. Almost all seasoning contains MSG”, Shallangwa said.

Affirming the safety of glutamate is Prof. Abiodun Sanni of the Department of Microbiology, University of Ibadan, who wants Nigerians to work with facts and not rumours, stressing that glutamate has no health issues as purported in some quarters.

Sanni who is a Professor of Microbiology, noted, “MSG produces a unique and fifth taste known as Umami. We have a lot of glutamate in our local foods. Iru for instance is umami. When you take Iru, you take a lot of glutamate. So, people should

debunk the rumours about glutamate. The human body metabolizes both the natural and added glutamate in the same manner.”

“MSG does not cause allergy; it does not cause asthma-- no link at all; it does not cause obesity; no adverse effect on the lung.

Again, no study has shown any group of people not to take glutamate”, the professor added.

Asking consumers to always work with fact and evidence and to dispel misguided information and misconception about Ajinomoto, a lecturer in the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Applied Food Sciences and Tourism, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Dr.

Helen Henry-Unaeze, said there is no food that is tasty without a glutamate.

“Ajinomoto Umami Seasoning enhances the taste of food. It brings out the flavor of a wide variety of savory foods and makes them palatable. MSG can also be used to reduce the amount of sodium in foods—it contains 1/3 percent less sodium than table salt”, she said.

Henry-Unaeze pointed out that a lot of studies have been carried out on the safety of MSG which confirmed it to be safe for human consumption.

According to her, MSG is not associated with any known health condition in all the researches done so far both locally and internationally as claimed in some quarters.

Lagos State Government Commends Mouka, Others on Donation for COVID-19 Relief The Lagos State government led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has applauded Mouka Limited for the donation of 500 mattresses for the equipment of the state’s COVID-19 isolation centres used for the treatment of infected persons with the pandemic.

Governor Sanwo-Olu eulogised the frontline mattresses and bedding company, in the list of the second batch of 196 donors to the state for COVID-19 relief.

The governor said the donations were well utilised in the enhancement of the COVID-19 isolation centres and that the assistance was necessary as it came at a crucial time when government attention was directed towards boosting the state’s healthcare facilities to eradicate the pandemic.

He stated that his administration is taking a giant stride in ensuring that the pandemic is contained in Lagos and also in the treatment of infected persons, as indicated in the numbers of treated and discharged persons.

In March this year, a donation of another 200 mattresses was made to victims of Abule Ado gas pipeline explosion

by Mouka Limited.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mouka Limited, Raymond Murphy, said the company sees itself

as a partner of the government during a crisis and that the wellbeing of Nigerians is at the core of its mission.

He mentioned that the donation of mattresses to the isolation centres for COVID-19 relief was aimed at enhancing government’s effort in providing appropriate treatment for infected persons and also at curtailing the pandemic.

“Mouka exists to provide comfort to Nigerians and we stay true to our mission even at this period of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The foremost manufacturer of mattresses and beddings in Nigeria also donated 200 mattresses to Ogun State government for its isolation centres.

It acted likewise with 100 Klinic Hospital mattresses and cart ons of insect repellents, Mouka Mozzi, to Oyo State, also for the enhancement of healthcare facilities in its isolation centres.

Recently, the socially responsible company collaborated with the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) to educate consumers on the need for quality sleep which helps to boost the immune system against infections like COVID-19.

In its portfolio are quality brands such as Wellbeing orthopaedic mattresses, Dreamtime water-resistant mattress, Mondeo Spring mattress, and a wide range of pillows for comfortable sleep.

WAR AGAINSTHEPATITIS

L-R: Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; and Country Representative, World Health Organisation - Nigeria, Dr. Kazadi Mulombo, during the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day in Abuja recently

ZEAB Therapeutic, Cresset Discovery Services Partner on Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Martins Ifijeh A Contract Research Organisation (CRO) for early phase discovery, Cresset Discovery Services, has used computational tools to work with ZEAB Therapeutic, a company developing solutions against colorectal cancer, to design models for treatment of the disease.

The first rounds of modeling have provided valuable working hypothesis models, called ZEAB 1-8, which will stimulate further research

activities and exploitation for ZEAB. Being the third most common cancer globally, bowel cancer is one of the most common causes of deaths in the world.

Global patterns and trends in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality Gut 2017; 66:683-691, says it is anticipated that this would increase by over 60 per cent in the next 10 years, resulting in 2.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths, The Director of Consulting Services, Cresset Discovery Service, Dr.

Martin Slater, said, “Having completed in excess of 300 contract research projects for many of the leading pharmaceutical, biotech, agrochemical and flavour and fragrance companies, our CADD scientists are often hired to bridge resource gaps.

“In an ongoing project for ZEAB Therapeutic we are using the Flare structure-based design platform to model key components responsible for the observed cellular activity in order to enable the design and development of better

drugs to fight a very concerning condition, with major impact on people’s lives”.

The Founder and CEO, ZEAB Therapeutic, Dr. Bene Ekine-Afolabi, said, “Working with Cresset Discovery Services has been an insightful and empowering journey for ZEAB. As we don’t have our own in-house computational chemistry team, access to their computational experts and the software solutions they have applied has been invaluable in progressing our drug development activities.”

26

T H I S D AY ˾ JULY 30, 2020

HEALTH

Prof. Sambo’s One Year of Giant Strides at NHIS One year may be a short time to make tremendous progress in a public institution once bedevilled by leadership crises; but not so for this change agent, writes SOLOMON OBUNS

O

nce upon a time, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was a battleground; a theatre of war in many ways. If it was not the helmsman and staff at daggers drawn, it was the leadership of the institution at war with health minister over a needless superiority contest.

While all the bitter battles lasted, work at the Scheme took a back seat, the mandate of the agency suffered lack of attention, while the intended beneficiaries of the Scheme – enrolees – experienced severe neglect.

This was the state of affairs at the NHIS when President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, head-hunted and appointed Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo to take over the Scheme as Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer a year ago. Specifically, while his appointment was formally made on July 1, 2019, Prof. Sambo took over and began his work at the Scheme on July 15, 2019.

His is one appointment that could fittingly be described as a square peg in a square hole! For, since he took charge as ES/CEO of the NHIS, the organisation has rapidly reclaimed its lost grounds and is now well focused on delivering on the mandate it was established to implement.

But beyond every success that Professor Sambo has recorded since he was appointed the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (ES/CEO) of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) one year ago, nothing compares with the peace, tranquillity and harmonious environment he has brought to the Scheme.

To the eternal credit of Professor Sambo is the testimony that staff and management now work as one, better focused to achieve the mandate of the foremost healthcare financing institution in the country. To demonstrate this new found synergy among the entire team at NHIS, on July 15, 2020 which marked the first year anniversary of Professor Sambo as ES/CEO at NHIS, the Top Management Committee (TMC), while observing the new order created by COVID-19 pandemic, celebrated the ES/CEO where they poured encomiums on him for the achievements so far attained, chief among being bringing peace and harmony to the Scheme.

To say that Professor Sambo has done marvellously well in one year, is an understatement.

And this much was expressed by members of Management on behalf of all staff of the Scheme.

As a Change Agent, Professor Sambo has led the NHIS out of the doldrums and today’s NHIS is a stable, vibrant, focused and result-oriented Federal Government agency.

According to members of the Management staff of the NHIS, “Under his leadership and, in just one year, our cherished Scheme has been restored, reinvented, reinvigorated and renewed.

And once again, we have our pride restored.”

In their joy of hearts, they enthused that, “the foundation laying is completed. And the work just began, as we resolutely pursue our mandate with vigour and purpose!”

At his appointment last year, the burden of restoring the NHIS to the path of glory fell on the laps of Professor Sambo, one of the country’s foremost technocrats of health policy and management whose area of special interest is health care financing.

What are the landmarks of the past one year of Professor Sambo’s leadership at the NHIS? Several, to answer it mildly.

In January this year, under Professor Sambo’s watch, the NHIS introduced the innovative conceptual framework of Health Insurance Under One Roof (HIUOR) as a tool to reduce the bottlenecks occasioned by fragmentation in the health insurance system in Nigeria. This laudable programme has as its overall objective to ensure that health insurance operates under one system with proper coordination, regulation and unified data.

By February, as a way of guaranteeing buy-in by stakeholders in the sector such as State Social Health Insurance Schemes (SSHIS), HMOs and healthcare providers, and adjunct interests including international donor partners involved in system strengthening and improving healthcare delivery across Nigeria, Professor Sambo, at a 3-Day retreat organised by the NHIS, held in Goshen Centre, Nasarawa State, communicated with great

Sambo

efficiency his vision of Health Insurance Under One Roof concept.

He said the initiative became necessary as a result of lack of coordination, fragmentation and operational disunity that exists in the health insurance segment.

As a result, Professor Sambo emphasised: “we are looking at some innovative financing options to cover the vulnerable group and we are going to determine who to cover the group.”

The ultimate goal of the Health Insurance Under One Roof is to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for citizens and inhabitants of Nigeria.

Standing up to the sudden pressure of COVID-19 on the health management system of the country, Professor Sambo and his team at the NHIS quickly responded to the demands of the pandemic when the NHIS in March released upfront payment covering the period of April to June for Enrolee Care. This was a strategic move to ensure that no enrolee of the Scheme is turned back for lack of payment of their premium while they seek care during the pandemic.

Professor Sambo also took a bold step to put a permanent end to the disruptive and often contentious issue of indebtedness of Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) to Health Care Facilities (HCFs) resulting from unpaid bills.

This singular problem has been at the head of most service failures in the experiences of the enrolees under the Scheme.

The NHIS embarked on a reconciliation exercise which was designed as a clearing house for areas of disagreement between HMOs and the facilities over unpaid bills. The move is also to guarantee that stakeholders abide faithfully with their obligations under the Operational Guidelines of the Scheme, as well as the restoration of full stakeholder and public confidence in NHIS. The new management of NHIS as a part of its rebranding agenda which is anchored on value re-orientation, transparency and accountability, and attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), had in December last year issued a public notice inviting healthcare facilities accredited by the Scheme to submit claims of unsettled bills standing against the HMOs. The allegation has been that some facilities in the country were withholding care from enrolees over unpaid capitation and fee-for-service by HMOs, in spite of receiving funds timely from NHIS for those purposes.

Not a man given to flippant talk and a nostranger to challenging and seemingly daunting tasks, Professor Sambo still holds tenaciously to his 3-Point Rebranding agenda which was the springboard of his administration at inception 1 year ago.

Indeed, the three-point agenda has since been deepened with each point further developed into various elements to facilitate the process of implementation. It is notable that the implementation has since gotten under way, with various remarkable results already showing.

Value Re-Orientation: Restoring a Value System that will transform NHIS into a credible resultdriven organisation: To achieve this aspect of the reforms, processes were laid out to achieve good work ethics, unity of purpose and direction, synergy between the NHIS and collaboration with critical stakeholders as essential elements as quickly as possible.

Other items that will ensure the success of the first point of the agenda are restoring teamwork and team-spirit among workers, putting in place an effective communication and information management system, creating an excellent work environment which will include office space and improved working tools; and, when management has played its part, efficiency, which is result-oriented could be expected. And, through proper records keeping, as an equitable organisation, there would be an appropriate rewards system and sanctions for inactive and unproductive members of staff but; in all, emphasis is placed on equity and fairness for all concerned.

The second aspect of the 3-Point agenda is Engendering Transparency and Accountability in the entire operations of the Scheme.

Perhaps, this singular item has been at the bedrock of the myriad problems that have plagued the NHIS over the years. Professor Sambo therefore established that for transparency to thrive as the guiding principle of the NHIS, openness in the Scheme’s operations cannot be compromised; and this can only be accomplished through evidence-based working system, whereby the NHIS at all times would endeavour to provide adequate information to all stakeholders, engage regularly with stakeholders in its decision making process, enthrone effective administration and financial management systems in the context of an Information and Communication Technologydriven NHIS. And the third aspect of the agenda is, Accelerating the drive towards achieving universal access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.

As an insider who has been in the forefront of the establishment of effective national health management programme, he was the First Zonal Coordinator, of South West zone of NHIS, the first National Coordinator of Community-based Social Health Insurance that developed the 6-pilot community-based Social Health Insurance Programmes in the country and the former Head of Health Maintenance Organisations Division of

NHIS that registered the first five HMOs in the country; Professor Sambo therefore understands that health insurance and primary health care system are cardinal towards achieving universal health coverage.

So, NHIS under his watch would make conscious effort to consolidate and strengthen existing programmes of the agency, and make innovation through the development of a comprehensive matrix that will ensure that no population segment of the country would be left behind in the quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

It is to the continual fulfilment of the various aspects of these three pronged self-imposed mandate that the management and staff of the NHIS recommitted themselves during the one-year anniversary of the institution under the guidance of Professor Sambo.

For a man who is noted for the depth of his research works, Sambo’s 3-Point Agenda is a product of thorough appraisal of the situation at the NHIS, task at hand and everything that went wrong with the NHIS in the last few years.

His rapid assessment of the scheme led him to the conclusion that only a deliberate and planned effort will bring out the scheme from its lacklustre performance.

To achieve any meaningful result, Professor Sambo realises that only an NHIS which puts the well-being of the people of Nigeria uppermost is worth pursuing. He did not mince words when he announced this objective to the staff of NHIS from the first day.

At that inaugural meeting with staff, he made an individual promise as the 11th Executive Secretary of the NHIS to do his best to return the lost glory of the organisation, with a clear objective to reposition the scheme and make it realise its core mandate for the purpose of national development.

According to Sambo, “I am here to unite and not to perpetuate division; I am here to build bridges and not to destroy, I am here to work and not to joke, I am here to contribute my own quota towards national development.

“I know that NHIS is a system comprising of many stakeholders who are interdependent and the success of each stakeholder depends largely on the others.

“Therefore, I shall make sure I carry every stakeholder along in the process of decision making,” thus he declared in that inaugural address to staff.

A man of many parts, Professor Sambo is an alumnus of the World Bank Institute in Health Sector Reform and Sustainable Financing and he is reputed for his gifted capacity to turn around ailing institutions. This he eloquently demonstrated in the course of his sterling service at ABU in Zaria. His track records of elucidating successes can be also be found in such places as the Kaduna State University where he served as Provost of the College of Medicine. This is specifically the story at the Medical School of the Ahmadu Bello University where he served as Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine.

He was before then Head of Department of Public Health where he introduced far reaching reforms and attracted a lot of collaborations and grants to the department and the university, including the University of Aberdeen, UK and Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta, USA, among others.

In just 100 days of assumption of office last year, Professor Sambo’s had accomplished more than what most of his predecessors could not achieve in years, such that his good works have innovative policies and strategies had virtually obliterated the negative image of the NHIS, and projected new and brighter prospects.

For instance, among his first major assignments on assuming office which was also a way to revamp the appalling morale of the workers of the Scheme, was that he immediately caused the conduct and payment of the arrears accrued as a result of the 2018 promotion exercise of the Scheme.

He began deliberate interactive sessions with some of the critical government agencies whose need for the services and collaboration with the NHIS should not be taken for granted. Among these are, the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) whose Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) had been pending for years for approval.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

IMAGES

L-R;Director of Operations, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Capt. Danyyabu Danraka; The Commissioner, Akin Olateru; and Director of Engineering, Mr Mohammed Wali, during a news briefing on the release of four occurrence reports at the AIB corporate headquarters at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja...recently

L-R Secretary to the Governing Council Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authourity(NSIA) Uduak Ukpeh; MD NSIA, Uche Orji and Nduka Okoronkwo NSIA during an Ineractive meeting between Senate Committee on Finance With Nigeria Sovereign Inestment Aothourity in Abuja,..recently julius atoi

Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen (left) and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, at the Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, shortly before the departure of 288 Nigerian evacuees from the United States to Abuja...recently

Chairman of Enugu state council of traditional rulers, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu (left)and Deputy Governor of Enugu state, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, during a stakeholders’ forum on 2020 Enugu state’s budget, in Enugu...recently

27

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

Gov.ernor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger (middle) being briefed by the Chairman of Suleja Local Government, Abdullahi Shuaibu-Maje during the Governor’s sympathy visit to communities affected by flood disaster in Suleja...recently

L -R , Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Mr. Boss Mustapha ; Chief of Staff to the President , Ambassedor Ibrahim Gambari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the virtual meeting of the APC Governors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidenial Villa , Abuja ...recently GODWIN OMOIGUI

Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Mohammed Goje (right), presenting palliatives as support to vulnerable, orphans, and Internally Displaced Persons and orphans across the 178 wards in the state...recently

R-L; Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde; Chairman Mega Corp Consultant to Federal Government, Mr Nelson Ononye and a member, Mr M.A Jolaosho during a meeting with the Governor at Government House, Ibadan...recently

28

T H I S D AY Ëž ͹͎Ë&#x153; 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NIRSAL Facilitates N105bn Financing to Boost Agric Sector James Emejo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System Plc (NIRSAL) Mr. Aliyu Abdulhameed, has said the agency facilitated over N105 billion in public and private financing options across the pre-Upstream, upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the agricultural value chain to boost the sector since inception.

He said the funding has had a profound positive socioeconomic consequence, resulting in the creation of over 400,000 jobs as well as impacting two million lives.

He also said the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for the 2020 wet season farming activities under the Central

Bank of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (CBN) Anchor Borrowersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Programme (ABP) would significantly increase farm yields and improve livelihoods in states within the North-central.

The affected states: Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi and Benue, are expected to witness bumper harvest in rice, maize, cassava, sesame and soybean even as NIRSAL confirmed the structuring of farmers in the FCT into 16 established Agro Geo-Cooperatives (AGCs), 12 of which were included in the ABP for wet season 2020.

Speaking during a meeting with farmers in the FCT, the MD said NIRSAL would continue to prioritise farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs, not just in the implementation of the CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ABP, but also in the development and delivery of frameworks that will further open

the banking sector to agriculture as well as ensure that farmers get the best of inputs at the right times and locations for their production purposes.

This came as the agriculture risk assessment agency also disclosed that it had linked 926 FCT farmers cultivating 1,140 hectares of land with guaranteed off-take markets thereby protecting them from price fluctuations as well as the exploitative tendencies of some middlemen.

Represented at the meeting by the NIRSALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head, Project Monitoring, Reporting and Remediation Office (PMRO) in the FCT, Mr. Ayo Olaleye, Abdulhameed, said though the COVID-19 pandemic had triggered a host of economic challenges globally.

Analyst Foresees 3% GDP Contraction for Nigeria in 2020 Dike Onwuamaeze Contrary to the 5.4 per cent contraction forecasted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the Nigerian economy in 2020, the Group Managing Director of Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, has projected that the economy would witness a contraction of between two per cent and three per cent this year.

Chukwu, stated that the steep decline projected by the IMF would be moderated by the expected growth in the agricultural and ICT sectors, account for 36

per cent of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP. He made this projection yesterday when he presented a paper titled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nigerian Economy- Half Year Review; Expectations and Investments Strategies in H2 2020.â&#x20AC;?

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;While we agree that the Nigerian economy will contract in 2020. We, however, believe that the contraction will not be as steep as the 5.4 per cent projected by the IMF. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expect that the agriculture sector, which accounts for 22 per cent of the GDP to remain resilient due principally to

favourable weather condition this year. This is in spite of setbacks from highlighted insecurity in the northern part of the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ICT sector accounts for 14 per cent of the GDP and is expected to maintain its growth momentum in the remaining quarters of the year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In summary, robust growth in agriculture and the ICT, which combined account for 36 per cent of the GDP will have the effect of cushioning the rate of economic contraction in 2020. We, therefore, project an economic contraction of two percent to three per cent in 2020.â&#x20AC;?

FBN Holdings Records 56% Growth in Half-year Profit to N49.5bn Goddy Egene FBN Holdings Plc yesterday reported gross earnings of N296.4 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2020, showing an increase of 5.8 per cent, from N280.3 billion for the corresponding period of 2019. Net interest income rose 7.4 per cent from N141.7 billion to N131.3 billion in 2020, while non-interest income grew by 46.8 from N54.6 billion to N80.1 billion in 2020.

Unlike the recent trend witnessed in the company, impairment charge for credit losses rose 38.6 per cent from N22.1 billion to N30.7 billion.

Despite the rise in impairment charges, profit before tax (PBT) grew by 14.3 per cent to N41.4

billion, from N36.2 billion, while profit after tax (PAT)grew faster by 56.3 per cent to N49.5 billion from N31.6 billion in 2019.

Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings, UK Eke, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The H1 2020 financial results are impressive and reconfirm our consistent focus on enhanced shareholder value. Despite the difficult operating environment, the H1 results demonstrate our resilience and capacity to deliver on long-term ambitions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 56.3 per cent growth in PAT for the period is a testament to the strength of our organisation to continually deliver exceptional services to our customers in these unprecedented times.

We have been able to achieve

this feat by leveraging our agent banking network, innovative e-banking capabilities and operational efficiency and by utilising technology.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;During the quarter, we successfully divested from the underwriting (insurance) businesses to focus on our banking operations. We are confident this will enhance greater value to our stakeholders and strengthen the Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolve to consolidate its leadership of the banking sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Following the divestment, FBNHoldings injected Tier 1 capital into FirstBank, effectively increasing its CAR to 16.5 per cent.

This provides a comfortable buffer against regulatory requirements with the potential to support any emerging business opportunities.

Union Bank Posts N11.3bn Profit Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has released its unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended June 30 2020, showing that its profit before tax increased marginally to N11.3 billion, from the N11.2 billion it recorded in the first half of 2019.

The bank disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

Similarly, Union Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gross earnings climbed by 10 per cent to N79.9 billion in the period under review, compared with N72.4 billion it realised in the first half of 2019, just as its interest income improved by six per cent to N57.2 billion, as against the

N53.8 billion achieved in the first half of 2019. The performance was driven by an increase in earning assets.

Its net interest income before impairment stood at N28 billion, which was an increase by 21 per cent, as against the N23.2 billion recorded in the first half of 2019, while its non-interest income rose by 22 per cent to N22.7 billion in the period under review.

In the same vein, the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gross loans was up by six per cent, to N630.5 billion, while customer deposits in the period under review was N995.2 billion.

Commenting on the results, the CEO, Union Bank, Emeka

Emuwa said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The impact of Covid-19 and associated movement restrictions on the bank and the wider economy has been broad. The total lockdown of major commercial centers Lagos, Abuja and Ogun and partial lockdowns across the country, slowed business operations in Q2 2020. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Notwithstanding these significant headwinds, the bank delivered a 10 per cent increase in its top line revenue of N79.9 billion for H1 2020. In addition, net interest income before impairments is up 21 per cent to N28 billion and non-interest income up 22 per cent to N22.7 billion.

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&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ë&#x153; Í°Íś Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $43.40 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $43.14 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

29

T H I S D AY Ëž ͹͎Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

United Capital Asset Management Explains Mutual Fundsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Positive Performance Goddy Egene United Capital Asset Management mutual funds have recorded significant growth despite the COVID -19 pandemic that has affected the economy and headwinds in the financial markets. Data made available to THISDAY showed that the funds surpassed the market realities and beat the benchmarks.

According to the fund

managers, â&#x20AC;&#x153;all our funds are managed actively to generate alpha regardless of the market conditions.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, the current return on the United Capital Money Market Fund is 5.7 percent, which exceeds the current benchmark of 91-day Treasury Bill. Also, the United Capital Bond Fund and Eurobond Fundsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; yields stand at 8.9 percent and 6.9 percent compared to benchmark returns of 6.0 percent and 3.0 percent,

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

respectively. The benchmark for the two funds is 3-year average FGN Bond yields and LIBOR+2 percent, respectively,â&#x20AC;? the firm explained.

The company said the funds grew mainly on the back of its robust distribution network. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been able to complement our physical touchpoints with an effective online sales model that allows clients to subscribe and redeem funds seamlessly. Our superior returns

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

also set us apart as the funds continued to return above industry average and benchmarks. A key driver of growth for the Eurobond fund is investorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s demand for foreign currency due to the weak outlook for the naira, especially amidst the pandemic. We have also maintained a strong A credit rating for our Money Market Fund, which gives investors comfort in investing in our funds,â&#x20AC;? the firm explained.

Commenting further, the

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Managing Director/CEO United Capital Asset Management, Odiri Oginni, stated that the firm has continuously supported its clients on their journey to financial independence through our mutual funds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our mutual funds have grown much faster than the overall market in the last 18 months while returns on the funds consistently outperformed benchmarks, placing us among the top five Asset Managers by mutual fund size in the market.

O F

We hope to continue in this streak and even surpass it in the months and years ahead,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Also commenting, the Group Executive Director, United Capital Plc, Sunny Anene, stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;the strong growth in the funds under management of our Asset Management subsidiary points to a high level of investor confidence in our brand as we continue to reward our clients with abovemarket returns regardless of challenges in the market.

2 9 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020

30

Thursday, July 30, 2020 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Marginally Improves... Up 1bp

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

The Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index gained 1bps in yesterday͛s trading session to close at 1,073.44 points, driven by price appreciaƟŽŶ ŝŶ UBA (+0.8%), FBNH (+1.0%) and SEPLAT (+10.0%). These

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

stocks account for 6.4% of the index.

ĂƌŐĂŝŶ ,ƵŶƟŶŐ >ŝŌƐ ĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ /ŶĚĞdž͘​͘​͘ ^/ ƵƉ Ϭ͘Ϯй As

investors

picked

SEPLAT

cherry-

(+10.0%),

BUACEMENT

(+1.0%)

and FBNH (+1.0%), the All-Share index rose 18bps ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ Ϯϰ͕ϲϵϯ͘ϳϯ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ േϮϮ͘ϳďŶ ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ƚŽ േϭϮ͘ϵƚŶ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ůŽƐƐ ĞĂƐĞĚ to -8.0%. ĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĂŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞͲ ĐůŝŶĞĚ ϯϮ͘ϰй ĂŶĚ ϱϬ͘ϴй ƚŽ ϭϬϭ͘ϲŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ േϵϳϯ͘ϲŵ ƌĞƐƉĞĐͲ ƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ GUARANTY (10.9m units),

FBNH

ǁŚŝůĞ

(9.7m

GUARANTY

units)

and

;േϮϰϰ͘ϳŵͿ͕

UBA

(9.4m

SEPLAT

units)

;േϭϲϲ͘ϳŵͿ

and ZENITH ;േϴϯ͘ϵŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD g Change

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

1,073.44

0.01%

-26.9%

7.3%

1 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

117.90

-0.1%

33.4%

12.3%

8.2%

104.9%

13.3%

2 Airtel Africa PLC

348.00

0.0%

18.2%

16.4%

16.4%

9.4%

3.1%

P/E

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

4.0x

0.5x

7.5%

19.3%

11.7x

12.3x

4.2%

8.5%

3.3%

3 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

22.50

-0.4%

9.2%

-24.2%

-22.9%

31.1%

5.2%

3.2x

1.0x

12.4%

31.1%

4 Zenith Bank PLC

16.30

-0.3%

6.3%

-12.4%

-12.8%

24.5%

3.2%

2.4x

0.6x

17.2%

40.9%

5 Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,175.00

0.0%

4.4%

-20.1%

-20.1%

73.6%

24.3%

21.2x

16.4x

6.3%

4.7%

141.80

0.0%

5.0%

-0.1%

-0.1%

26.9%

12.0%

11.6x

3.3x

11.8%

8.6%

6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 Access Bank PLC

6.30

0.0%

3.0%

-37.0%

-37.6%

16.1%

1.4%

2.2x

0.4x

10.3%

45.4%

8 United Bank for Africa PLC

6.20

0.8%

2.7%

-13.3%

-13.9%

15.6%

1.5%

2.5x

0.4x

16.1%

40.8% 45.6%

5.00

1.0%

2.4%

-18.7%

-23.1%

13.3%

1.3%

2.2x

0.3x

7.5%

10 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

9 FBN Holdings Plc

31.00

0.0%

1.6%

-47.5%

-47.5%

7.8%

3.3%

18.2x

1.4x

6.5%

5.5%

11 Lafarge Africa PLC

11.75

-2.1%

2.4%

-23.2%

-14.9%

44.7%

24.1%

8.2x

0.5x

8.5%

12.1%

310.20

10.0%

1.3%

-52.8%

-47.6%

8.2%

4.9%

14.6x

0.3x

12.1%

6.9%

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

12 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

30.00

0.0%

1.7%

-26.8%

-25.0%

25.9%

3.7%

4.2x

1.0x

10.0%

23.7%

14 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

13.3x

0.5x

6.9%

17.05

0.3%

1.0%

-13.5%

-13.5%

3.6%

1.3%

15 International Brew eries PLC

3.30

0.0%

0.4%

-65.3%

-65.3%

-30.1%

-8.6%

16 Ecobank Transnational Inc

4.15

-2.4%

0.7%

-36.2%

-36.6%

12.4%

0.8%

1.6x

0.2x

17 Fidelity Bank PLC

1.71

0.6%

0.7%

-16.6%

-15.3%

12.4%

1.3%

1.8x

0.2x

11.6%

55.4% 11.5%

18 11 PLC

7.5%

0.5x

-81.9% 61.8%

173.40

0.0%

0.9%

17.2%

17.2%

21.1%

9.1%

8.7x

1.5x

4.9%

19 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

74.95

0.0%

0.9%

34.8%

34.8%

20.0%

13.9%

10.2x

2.3x

2.8%

9.8%

ƵůůŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

20 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

11.95

0.0%

0.5%

-12.1%

-14.6%

19.7%

10.4%

6.6x

1.2x

9.2%

15.2%

0.62

-3.1%

0.3%

-37.4%

-42.1%

0.4x

1.6%

WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁĂƐ ďƵůůŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŽĨ ϲ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ

22 Unilever Nigeria PLC

12.25

0.0%

0.3%

-44.3%

-40.8%

-11.5%

-7.2%

23 Guinness Nigeria PLC

13.00

-3.7%

0.2%

-56.7%

-56.7%

3.0%

1.6%

11.0x

0.3x

11.7%

9.1%

1.95

0.0%

0.4%

5.4%

7.1%

9.5%

1.1%

2.1x

0.2x

7.2%

48.7%

21 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

our coverage advanced. The Banking (-0.2%) and AFR-ICT (-5bps) ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ǁĞĂŬŶĞƐƐ ŝŶ GUARANTY (-0.4%), ETI (2.4%) and MTNN (-Ϭ͘ϭйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ the Oil & Gas (+4.6%) and Insurance (+1.4%) indices appreciated on the back of gains in SEPLAT (+10.0%), OANDO (+1.3%), CORNERSTONE (+10.0%) and PRESTIGE (+8.7%). The Industrial (+0.3%) and Consumer 'ŽŽĚƐ ;нϭďƉͿ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĂůƐŽ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ŽǁŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂͲ ƟŽŶ in BUACEMENT (+1.0%), PZ (+5.1%) and HONYFLOUR (+4.2

24 FCMB Group Plc 25 Sterling Bank PLC

1.19

0.8%

0.2%

-40.2%

-37.4%

8.4%

0.8%

3.6x

0.3x

2.5%

27.9%

7.00

2.9%

0.3%

-18.6%

-21.3%

-6.3%

-3.0%

2.1x

0.4x

1.4%

46.5% 17.6%

27 Custodian and Allied Insurance 28 Presco PLC 29 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 30 Total Nigeria PLC 31 Oando PLC 32 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 34 Wema Bank PLC

5.50

0.0%

0.3%

-8.3%

-8.3%

13.0%

4.7%

5.7x

0.7x

8.2%

47.45

0.0%

0.3%

-0.1%

-0.1%

12.5%

5.3%

13.6x

1.6x

4.4%

7.3%

5.40

0.0%

0.2%

-10.0%

-10.7%

8.6%

1.2%

6.8x

0.6x

4.9%

14.8%

8.0%

87.80

0.0%

0.2%

-20.8%

-20.8%

5.7%

1.1%

20.1x

1.2x

2.30

1.3%

0.1%

-42.4%

-42.4%

14.5%

2.6%

1.0x

0.1x

5.0% 101.0%

9.60

0.0%

0.1%

-25.9%

-25.9%

15.1%

4.9%

6.6x

2.2x

4.2%

15.1%

15.00

0.0%

0.1%

-9.5%

-24.6%

22.6%

2.6%

5.9x

0.6x

11.0%

16.8%

0.52

0.0%

-29.7%

-23.5%

9.3%

0.7%

2.7x

0.4x

7.7%

36.5%

13.45

0.0%

0.1% 0.1%

-25.7%

-25.3%

6.5%

1.9%

16.2x

1.1x

5.3x

0.9x

36 Continental Reinsurance PLC

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

-11.8%

26 UAC of Nigeria PLC

35 Ardova PLC

%).

1.1x

6.2%

0.0%

37 Beta Glass PLC

61.55

0.0%

0.1%

14.4%

14.4%

17.2%

11.7%

38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-17.3%

-5.1%

39 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

1.44

0.0%

0.0%

-27.3%

-27.3%

13.7%

3.7%

40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

4.00

0.0%

0.0%

-18.4%

-18.4%

-0.6%

-0.3%

4.3x

0.0x

18.7%

1.6x

-9.5%

0.6x

23.0%

0.5x

0.0x

-11.7%

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ strengthened to 1.3x from 0.8x recorded previously as 18 stocks advanced ǁĞƌĞ

against

the

CORNERSTONE

14

decliners.

(+10.0%),

The SEPLAT

top

gainers (+10.0%)

and PRESTIGE ;нϴ͘ϳйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ NPFMCRFBK (-9.9%), ARBICO (9.7%) and STUDPRESS (-9.5%) lost the most. We believe the ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƚŚŝƐ ǁĞĞŬ ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ ŵĂũŽƌůLJ ĚŝĐƚĂƚĞĚ by the trend in earnings releases.

ŽƌƉŽƌĂƚĞ ĐƟŽŶƐ

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

10.9

-0.4%

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

SEP LA T

310.20

10.0%

GUA R A N T Y

C OR N ER ST

0.55

10.0%

FB NH

9.7

1.0%

P R EST IGE

0.50

8.7%

UB A

9.4

0.8%

PZ

4.10

5.1%

ET I

6.1

-2.4%

4.5%

ST ER LN B A N K

5.9

0.8%

M B EN EF IT

0.23

H ON YF LOUR

1.00

4.2%

FCM B

5.7

0.0%

UA C N

7.00

2.9%

Z EN IT H B A N K

5.2

-0.3%

GLA XOSM IT H

4.90

2.1%

NP FM CRFB K

4.9

-9.9%

OA N D O

2.30

1.3%

UC A P

4.9

0.3%

39.40

1.0%

M B EN EF IT

3.4

4.5%

B UA C EM EN T

hŶŝŽŶ ĂŶŬ WůĐ ;hŶĂƵĚŝƚĞĚ YϮ͗ϮϬϮϬ ZĞƐƵůƚͿ͗ Gross Earnings fell

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

ϭ͘Ϭй LJͬLJ ƚŽ േϯϳ͘ϵďŶ ĨƌŽŵ േϯϴ͘ϯďŶ ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϵ ǁŚŝůĞ ƉƌŽĮƚ ĂŌĞƌ

T ic k er

ƚĂdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ Ϯϳ͘ϵй ƚŽ േϰ͘ϳďŶ ĨƌŽŵ േϲ͘ϲďŶ ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϵ͘

NP FM CRFB K

1.18

A R B IC O

1.39

P ric e

T ic k er

Value

-9.9%

GUA R A N T Y

244.7

-0.4%

-9.7%

SEP LA T

166.7

10.0% -0.3%

P ric e C hg %

P ric e C hg %

ST UD P R ESS

1.80

-9.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

83.9

Seplat Petroleum Development Company WůĐ (Unaudited

NA HCO

2.00

-4.8%

M TNN

77.7

-0.1%

YϮ͗ϮϬϮϬ ZĞƐƵůƚͿ͗ ZĞǀĞŶƵĞ ĨĞůů ϯϳ͘Ϯй LJͬLJ ƚŽ േϯϳ͘ϳďŶ ĨƌŽŵ

J A P A ULOIL

0.22

-4.3%

UB A

58.6

0.8%

GUIN N ESS

13.00

-3.7%

FB NH

49.1

1.0%

D A N GC EM

35.7

0.0%

േϲϬ͘ϬďŶ ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϵ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ƌĞƉŽƌƚĞĚ Ă ůŽƐƐ ĂŌĞƌ ƚĂdž ŽĨ േϯ͘ϭďŶ ĨƌŽŵ Ă േϮϳ͘ϱďŶ ƉƌŽĮƚ ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϵ͘

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

T R A N SC OR P

0.62

-3.1%

ET I

4.15

-2.4%

WA P C O

29.5

-2.1%

WA P C O

11.75

-2.1%

ET I

25.4

-2.4%

ET ER N A

1.99

-2.0%

GUIN N ESS

21.8

-3.7%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Ola Belgore | obelgore@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Oluwarotimi Ashimi | oashimi@afrinvest.com

Adedayo Bakare | abakare@afrinvest.com

31

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Seplat to Drill Two Gas Wells as Cash Reserves Rise to $343m Goddy Egene Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, has announced a cash increased to $343 million despite lower revenues for the

six months ended 30 June 2020. Revenue for the period stood at $234 million amid lower oil prices and demand.

Commenting on the results, which were released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange

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

(NSE) and London Stock Exchange (LSE) on Wednesday, the Chief Executive Officer, Seplat, Mr. Austin Avuru, said: “Seplat has delivered a robust performance despite the unprecedented crises we have experienced

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 28Jul-2020, unless otherwise stated.

since March. Our continued resilience is possible as a result of our financial strength, our careful management of risk and our prudent approach to capital allocation.

Unlike many in our industry, we were

able to protect our 2019 dividend and increase our capital investment to ensure continued growth.”

According to Avuru, Seplat’s oil hedging strategy and gas revenues, have continued

to protect the business from price volatility, with the company achieving substantial cost reductions from its suppliers while managing own costs even more carefully in this challenging period.

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 2.31% ACAP Income Funds 0.78 0.78 9.84% 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 6.41% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.04 3.10 23.36% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 14.01 14.43 -8.56% ARM Discovery Fund 333.21 343.25 -3.54% ARM Ethical Fund 30.34 31.26 4.33% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.75% 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 93.39 94.05 -2.80% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.85% 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 2.16 2.16 22.26% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 1.85 1.87 5.78% 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 0.06 0.04 5.71% Paramount Equity Fund 10.80 11.00 -13.70% Women's Investment Fund 109.03 109.96 -1.27% 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 4.90% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.68 98.91 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 100.52 100.75 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 101.35 101.35 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 3.78% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.94 0.96 1.76% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.61 1.61 20.84% 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 4.28% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.66% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,180.30 1,190.98 6.33% 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 N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 149.88 151.03 2.08% FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.72% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 111.04 112.77 -14.67% 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 4.09% Legacy Debt Fund 3.79 3.79 3.85% Legacy Equity Fund 1.09 1.11 -3.53% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.11 1.11 2.93% 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 3,091.88 3,123.83 1.65% Coral Income Fund 3,205.24 3,205.24 4.21% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 4.43% 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 N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A

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 4.07% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.30 2.34 5.19% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.11% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 148.80 149.41 3.77% 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 1.24 1.26 6.23% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,123.42 1,123.42 6.17% 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 1.36 1.38 11.57% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.04 12.10 6.77% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 4.38% PACAM Equity Fund 1.03 1.05 PACAM EuroBond Fund 106.38 108.81 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 113.40 115.48 -2.07% 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 1.01 1.01 5.73% 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 0.25% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.50% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 0.00% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 0.62% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 0.23% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.56% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -0.54% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 0.39% 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 1.12 1.14 -5.83% United Capital Bond Fund 1.83 1.83 6.04% United Capital Equity Fund 0.63 0.65 -10.23% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.23% United Capital Eurobond Fund 113.57 113.57 3.96% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.02 1.02 -2.87% 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 10.21 10.32 -0.73% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.63 11.69 -0.16% Zenith Income Fund 24.46 24.46 9.84% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.80%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

116.57

4.01%

53.25

2.31%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.13 84.19 67.12

9.23 82.44 65.94

4.84% -3.00% -0.11%

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 Money Market 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

2.77 3.98 11.21 1.00 11.34 190.10

2.81 4.06 11.31 1.00 11.54 192.10

-21.80% -32.37% -7.38% 5.27% 9.02% 0.78%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.03

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.

32

THURSDAY JULY 30, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Gunmen Attack Kogi Village, Kill 13 Family Members Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Gunmen in the early hours of yesterday invaded Agbudu community in Koton-Karfe Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing 14 persons and injuring six.

The state Police Commissioner, Ede Ayuba, who disclosed this while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Lokoja, said he got the report about 2 am The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Ayuba said that 13 of the slain victims were from the same family.

“This morning around 2 am, my Area Commander called me to report that he received information that there was an attack on the Agbudu community.

“I called the SSA on Security of the Local Government in Koton-Karfe and I said that before I get there, he should mobilise his vigilante men to assist the police – the DPO and the Area Commander in the area – for them to assess the place and see what assistance they could render.”

Ayuba said that the vigilance men and his men left immediately and by the time they got there, the hoodlums had carried out their operation and left.

The commissioner said he later went to the scene of the crime and took part in the collection of the dead bodies, adding that: “I was there and I was part of those who picked some of the dead bodies we are talking about.”

“Yes, 14 people were killed and about six others were fatally injured. The saddening thing is that out of the 14 dead bodies that were brought out, 13 were from one family.

“In that family, it is only one person that survived. His uncle, his mother, his uncle’s wife, his younger brother, his senior brother’s wife, his wife and all his children were killed,” he said.

The commissioner said that the police had carried out some preliminary investigations and discovered that there had been longstanding communal fued in the community.

“What I think is, there has been a long-standing communal problem around that area which we are not clearly seeing, but we know that it would not be far from it.

“Presently investigation is in progress. The only person that survived the attack is already with us and he is helping us, the chief of that place is also helping us and some other

Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Rise By 404 to 42,208 Martins Ifijeh Nigeria has recorded 404 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 42,208 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

Announcing this yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Lagos recorded 106 new cases; Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 54; Rivers, 48; Plateau, 40; Edo,

29;Enugu, 21; Oyo, 20;Kano, 18; Ondo, 15; Ogun, 10; Ebonyi, nine; Ekiti, eight; Kaduna, six; Cross River, five; Kwara, four; Anambra and Delta three each; Imo and Nasarawa, two each, and Borno one case.

It said: “Nigeria has so far recorded 42,208 cases of COVID-19. 19,004 patients have been discharged, while 873 persons have died.”

Ndume Faults Amnesty for Boko Haram Fighters The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume has condemned the idea of granting amnesty to repentant Boko Haram fighters, saying that many of the fighters granted amnesty have taken back to terrorism.

Ndume, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, queried federal government’s decision to reform the insurgents, revealing that one of the repentant fighters recently disappeared after killing and robbing his father.

He spoke in a BBC Hausa Service programme monitored in Kaduna yesterday.

“This government’s programme is unacceptable to our people. The right thing is to stop it, forthwith.

“Haba! Not that he even apologised to you; he apologised to the government. His thinking was that government has failed and that is why they are being pampered. “They are like Kharajites. Many among those released have since ran away. They will never repent.

“The government should know what to do about them.

But not re-introducing someone to you, who has killed your parent, or your relations.

“If there is sincerity of purpose in this, those in the IDP camps should be trained in various trades and vocation so that they could start life again.”

A widow, who also featured on the BBC, condemned the amnesty programme for Boko Haram.

According to her: “This thing is painful. They killed my husband in my presence; they killed my son. I am left suffering with four young orphans. Till death, I will never forget that day.

“I was left with orphans, with no help or assistance.

See how harsh life is today, someday we eat, another day we stay hungry. That is how we are suffering with the children.

“Look at the kind of care given to the Boko Haram members. We that have suffered for six years now; we are not taken care of but the repentant Boko Haram, truly government has not done justice here.”

spirited individuals.

“The Ohimege of KotonKarfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa-Koto, is also helping us,

the local government, and all the personnel are helping us.

“We are sure, God helping us, we are going to get to the

root of all these things that are happening. “In the interim, I want to give the assurance that we are not going to relent

in our efforts. We will make sure we get to the root of anything that is behind the killings,” he said.

HONOURING THE DEAD...

L-R: Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari; Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (sitting in front of the pillar); and Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, during Tambuwal’s visit to condole with the emir and the governor on the death of the governor’s father, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Folorunso AbdulRazaq, at the Emir’s Palace in Ilorin...yesterday

Killings: Rejig Security Apparatus, NLC Tells FG Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it was horrified by the escalating insecurity in different parts of the country, noting that the current security system was not working and should be rejigged.It noted the public execution of five staff of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Action Against Hunger, Rich International, and International Rescue Committee by Boko

Haram in Borno State last week.

Expressing the union’s angst over the insecurity in the country, the NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said the only crime of the deceased was their selfless devotion to alleviating the lot of the hapless civilian population in the North-east.

The statement was titled, ‘Stop the rivers of blood: NLC condemns the cruel killings cum violence across the country.’

It observed that in the past seven months, the Boko Haram insurgency and other violence in the country had widened in scope, adding that many intercity and feeder roads in the North-east had been completely abandoned to the terrorists, thereby exacerbating the already precarious humanitarian situation in the region.

It stated, “We call on the federal government to quickly rejig our security apparatus and the security systems it has

deployed to fight terrorism and violent crimes. Certainly, the current system is not working.

“Government must do whatever it takes under the powers bestowed on it to break once and for all the spine of terrorism and violent crimes in our country. We cannot afford to slide into a state of anarchy which is the wish of those who have picked up arms against the state and innocent civilians including workers.”

NSITF Seeks to Recover 46 Assets Seized from Ex-Chairman, Olejeme The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has applied to a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to be handed 46 property, including houses and parcels of land in Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states and Abuja seized from the agency’s exChairman, Ngozi Olejeme.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo had, on July 1 this year, upon an ex-parte application by

the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), granted an order for temporary forfeiture of the identified property.

Justice Taiwo directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national daily to enable anyone who is interested in the affected property to show cause, within 14 days, why the assets should not be permanently forfeited

to the federal government.

Among those who responded to the publication made by the EFCC when the case came up on July 27, 2020 was the NSITF’s management, whose lawyer, Okereke Ezechi, filed a motion, urging the court to pass the property to NSITF should they be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

NSITF, claimed to be the

principal victim of the alleged crimes purported committed

by Olejeme, who served as the Chairman of the agency’s management board between 2009 and 2015.

It stated that the property suspected to have been acquired by Olejeme, through proceeds of crime, were allegedly acquired with funds stolen from NSITF.

Alleged N6.3bn Fraud: We’re Not Ready to Continue Jang’s Trial, EFCC Tells Court Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The trial of the former Governor of Plateau State, Air Commodore Jonah Jang (rtd) was stalled yesterday due to the claim by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that it was not ready yet to continue with the case.

Jang, who was governor between 2007 and 2015, is

being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency alongside Yusuf Pam, a former cashier in the office of the Secretary to the state Government on 17-count charge.

The duo had pleaded not guilty to the offences bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public fund which they allegedly committed towards the end of the ex-governor’s

tenure in 2015.

The accused were first arraigned before Justice Daniel Longji in March 2018.

However, the matter was reassigned to a new judge, Justice Christy Dabub after Longji retired in December 2019.

With the reassignment of the case to a new judge, which prompted a fresh trial, the EFCC which had earlier

closed its case was billed to start calling for another round of witnesses to testify in the case on July 29 and 30, 2020, being the last adjourned dates.

However, when the trial resumed yesterday, EFCC counsel, Oluwatosin Mese announced his appearance but informed the court that the anti-graft agency was not prepared to proceed with the case yet.

Senate to Commence Constitutional Amendment after Sallah Break Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie OmoAgege, has revealed that the Senate will commence the amendment of the 1999 Constitution as soon as the Sallah break is over.

This is just as he explained

that the sexual harassment bill recently passed by the upper legislative chamber is not targetted at university lecturers.

Omo-Agege, who spoke yesterday while playing host to two groups - Women Education Advocacy and Development Initiative (WEADI) and League of Women Voters of Nigeria

(NILOWV) - in his office.

He stressed that the constitution review committee of the Senate headed by him would swing into action immediately after the Sallah break.

“Immediately after the Sallah, we are going to hit the ground running with constitution review exercise. And there are a lot of

bills dealing with women rights advancement”.

The Senator pointed out that the rights of women and the girl-child would be protected during the constitution amendment exercise, adding that the panel would take into account experiences from other African countries.

THURSDAY JULY 30, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

33

NEWS XTRA

APC kicks as Wike Says Obaseki Has No Opponent Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has boasted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election,

Governor Godwin Obaseki, has no opponent.

He also stated that the sudden u-turn by the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, on the candidate of the party, Pastor Osagie Ize-

Police Parade 35 Crime Suspects, Recover Vehicles, Rifles I embarked on crime to expand my church, charity works, says pastor Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Police operatives attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the office of the Inspector-General of Police, yesterday arrested 35 suspects across the country for their active involvement and participation in series of kidnapping, armed robbery and other heinous crimes across the country.

Force PRO and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Frank Mba, said the arrest was sequel to the unrelenting efforts by the force to rid the country of heinous criminals and to get justice for victims.

One of the suspects, pastor Adetokumbo Adenopo, 52, who is the Founder and General Overseer of New Life Ministry, Lukosi, in Shagamu Area of Ogun State and three other members of his criminal gang namely; Chigozie Williams 22, native of Umuahia North, Abia State; Ugoji Linus, 30, native of Ezinifite in Imo State and Emmanuel Chris Ani, 27, native of Aniri in Enugu State, were all responsible for the kidnap for ransom of one Jonathan Ekpo 35, from Benue State.

Curiously, the pastor told the police operatives that he embarked on the crime for the expansion of his church and charity works.

The victim, an employee of a logistic company was kidnapped on July, 17, 2020 while on official duty to deliver goods in Shagamu, Ogun State.

The victim was kept in an underground cabin inside the pastor’s church building in Ogijo town, Ogun State by his abductors who demanded the

payment of N20 million ransom as condition for his release.

He was subsequently rescued unhurt nine days after and reunited with his family by the police.

Similarly, the police also arrested one Udodiri Bright aka Ability 30, a native of Osuachara Village, Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State and three others Ekwuru Shadrack aka Escobar 26, native of Arondizuogu village in Okigwe LGA of Imo State, Chimerie Igwe aka 4real 30, native of Umucheke Village in Orlu LGA of Imo State and Chibuike Sunday, 28, from Arondizuogu of Imo State.

They were arrested on July, 5, 2020 for the abduction and killing of a Nigerian US Soldier, Chuks Okebata who came into Nigeria for holidays in his home town, Okigwe, Imo State in 2017.

The suspects, one of the foremost kidnapping groups terrorising the South-eastern part of the country were arrested 31 months after, following intensive manhunt by the police team.

The police team also arrested a nine-man trans-boundary armed robbery and car snatching syndicate led by one Yakubu Hayatu, 30, from Borno State.

Members of the gang include Adamu Awalu 28, from Kano State, Abdulrahman Yakubu, 23 from Zaria, Yususf Adamu, 22 from Zaria, Kamal Japhet 22 from Katsina, Abubakar Samaila, 20 from Zaria, Muhammadu Abdulahi, 20 from Zaria, Yahaya Mohammed, 18 from Kaduna State, and Ibrahim Abubakar, 21 from Kwara State.

Niger Delta: Osinbajo Meets Sylva, Delta Deputy Gov Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday met with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, and the Delta State deputy governor, Kingsley Otuaro.

The meeting held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was part of efforts aimed at addressing issues arising from the Niger Delta region.

Sylva told State House Correspondents after the meeting that the agitations being witnessed lately in the region are routine matters, which would be addressed to avoid escalation.

He said, “It is normal for me to consult with the vice president from time to time; we had some notice of agitation from the Niger Delta.

“The vice president, of course, preempted everything

by inviting the deputy governor of Delta State so that we can understand exactly what the issues are.

“These are routine issues; these are host community issues and when they come up, we have to deal with them early before they fester and become bigger problems.

“That is why the vice president invited the deputy governor of Delta State to look at the issues so that we can discuss and resolve them quickly before they become bigger issues.”

On his part, Otuaro described the meeting as normal consultations.

“There are issues and we have agreed that immediately after Sallah, we will have a platform to sorting out some of these issues,” he said.

Iyamu, is an insult to the people of Edo State.

But in a swift response, the APC in Edo State has alleged that Wike and Obaseki are plotting to unleash violence in the state to mar the governorship election.

Speaking yesterday as a guest on a Live Television Programme monitored in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said the people of Edo already knew the type of candidate the All Progressives Congress (APC) presented to them following what Adams Oshiomhole said about him four years ago.

Wike, in a statement by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said: “Such a character cannot be accepted by Edo people as Governor during the election.

“I respect the Benin tradition and I know that Edo people are educated to know that Oshiomhole cannot play on their intelligence.

“If he is now retracting what he said of Ize Iyamu, who is sure that he’s saying the correct thing now.

“Adams Oshiomhole’s sudden u- turn is a great insult on Edo people. This is an opportunity for Edo people both at home and in the diaspora to use their votes to tell Oshiomhole they cannot take his lies anymore.

“From all indications, it is obvious that there is no strong opposition against Obaseki and he will win convincingly”.

Wike, who is chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council, stated he and his team accepted the responsibility to lead the campaign because they are satisfied with results coming out already from Edo State.

Wike said the PDP had continued to take steps in strengthening the nation’s democracy with the promotion of internal politics and resolving conflict of interests of members to achieve common goals.

He said the success recorded by the PDP in conducting free and fair party primaries in Edo state was evidence of the internal democracy in the party.

The governor said all the aspirants decided to work together

to support the candidature of Obaseki He said: “It was not easy to have a sole candidate for the party in Edo state. People thought there will be problems, given the fact that Obaseki was coming from another Party.

“But Party members who are grounded and believe in the Party didn’t see any sacrifice too much to make.

“Even in Ondo State, the former Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi who decamped to PDP contested keenly during the primaries and lost . If there are other pending issues in the South West, be sure that the Party will resolve them.

“That is exactly what Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as the chairman of South-South States’ Governors had done.

“He is making sure that we are all on the same page to ensure that all states in the South-South are controlled by PDP”.

Meanwhile, the APC in Edo State has called on Nigerians and the international community to subject to scrutiny an alleged plot Wike and Obaseki to unleash

violence in the State and disrupt the election.

The party alleged that the outburst by Wike is coming against the backdrop that they want to unleash violence on the electorate.

A statement released in Benin City by the Chairman, Edo State APC Campaign Council, Mr. John Mayaki said that the combination of Wike and Obaseki is both ominous and revealing of the violent, and underhand tactics which the PDP allegedly intends to mar the election.

APC said that Obaseki and Wike had perfected intimidation tactics such as the use of vandalism, the destruction of opponent’s properties, and harassment of innocent persons just to obtain power.

He said: “According to reliable data sourced from Peace Map, political violence in Rivers state steadily increased beginning in January 2015, peaking in the lead-up and aftermath of the April gubernatorial elections which was due largely to the violent attitude of Nyesom Wike.

PROMOTING EDUCATION...

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and the Founder, New Era Foundation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the presentation of 10,000 Spelling Bee Dictionaries to the State Ministry of Education by the Foundation, at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday

Court Orders NDDC to Seek Wike’s Consent before Executing Projects in Rivers A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to always seek the consent of the Rivers State Government before executing any project in the state.

Governor Nyesom Wike through the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice had dragged NDDC, its former Managing Director,

Mr. Nsema Ekere and former Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Derick Meene to court for carrying out activities in the state without consent of the government.

Justice Adolphus Enebeli in his judgment yesterday on the matter granted a declaration sought by the government that under Rivers State Physical Planning Law, State Land Law

and Urban Development Law, the NDDC or its agent have no power to claim any land or execute any project in any part of Rivers State without the consent of the government.

Enebeli with reference to 60 planned projects by NDDC which resulted to the suit, held that the projects, if allowed to be executed, would affect urban development and Land Use Act

of the state.

He ruled that the NDDC should seek the consent of the state government for the execution of the projects.

Meanwhile, Enebeli, refused to grant the declaration sought by the claimants to void section seven and eight of NDDC Act which borders on the developmental map of the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

FG Evacuates 289 Nigerians from US No fewer than 289 Nigerians stranded in the United States have returned home.

An Ethiopian Airlines plane conveying the evacuees took off from New Jersey on Tuesday night and was expected to land at Nnamdi

Azikwe International Airport, Abuja yesterday.

This is the fourth evacuation flight, which brings to 1,095, the total number of stranded Nigerians so far repatriated by the Federal Government from

the US. Two families of seven were dropped from this flight, according to the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Benaoyagha Okoyen.

Okoyen said they were denied boarding for failing to

present COVID-19 test results, which is a key requirement for the flight.

FG has approved two more evacuation flights, scheduled to depart from Texas and New Jersey on July 31 and August 7 respectively.

AfDB: Ortom Celebrates Adesina on His Exoneration

George Okoh in Makurdi

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has commended the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for his exoneration in a corruption probe by an independent review panel.

The governor, who made the commendation in Makurdi

yesterday, said Adesina’s exoneration from the 16 allegations levelled against him confirms the fact that he has distinguished himself as an honest and transparent administrator who has creditably led AfDB in the past five years.

He describes the outcome of the independent panel’s review as attestation of Adesina’s

competence to head the bank for another term.

Ortom said having worked with Adesina in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as ministers, he knows that he is a man of probity and enviable reputation, adding that he was optimistic that a review of the report by the group which accused the AfDB president of

corruption would be proved wrong.

The governor encouraged Adesina to consider the development as an inspiration to offer greater service to the African continent and its partners through the bank.

He wished the AfDB president a hitch-free re-election next month and a successful second tenure.

THURSDAY JULY 30, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS XTRA

Southern Kaduna N’Assembly Caucus Knocks FG over Incessant Killings Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Kaduna State Caucus in the House of Representatives has decried the persistent and gruesome killings of natives, residents and citizens of Southern Kaduna, saying the inability of any government to secure the lives and property of its citizens implies failure of government.

Addressing journalists yesterday on behalf of the caucus, the lawmaker representing Kaura federal constituency, Hon. Gideon Gwani, said the caucus was compelled to address journalists following the inhuman killings and kidnappings of the people of the region.

Gwani said it was no longer news that the people

of Southern Kaduna have become preys in their fatherland and have consistently been invaded, slaughtered in cold blood, raped, killed and their property destroyed and pillaged in public glare, with little success in investigating and apprehending the perpetrators of the attacks.

He stated: “As representatives of the people, we have identified herdsmen and farmer clashes; forceful land grabbing by nonnatives of Southern Kaduna, reprisals, banditry and other criminalities as some of the major causes of the killings and hostilities in Southern Kaduna.

“These problems can only be solved if the rule of law is allowed to take its full course.

Rule of Law entails adherence to the principles of supremacy

of the law over all citizens and subjects in Nigeria, and equality of all citizens and subjects before the law.”

The caucus stressed that the 1999 Constitution as amended is premised on the principles of Freedom, Equality and Justice, while Section 14(2)(b) provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government, also, Section 17(2)(b) provides that in furtherance of the social order, the sanctity and dignity of the human person shall be

protected and preserved by the government.

It added that Section 17(3)(c) guarantees the health, safety and welfare of all persons.

According to the caucus, “Thus, the primary objective of any government in Nigeria is to preserve the life and property of its citizenry, no matter their ethnic, religious or ideological differences. The inability of any government to secure the lives and property of its citizens or ensure their welfare implies failure of government.”

The lawmaker pointed out that under the laws of Nigeria and indeed of all civilized nations, extra-judicial killings on any ground whatsoever is not just abominable, evil, unconstitutional, it is inhuman and a heinous crime.

It stressed that the killings of the people of Southern Kaduna or anybody in Nigeria is highly condemnable and must be brought to an end.

The caucus therefore condemned the armed attacks and killings of the people of

Southern Kaduna by the armed militia groups or the justification of any attacks on the people or any reprisal.

It, therefore, called on the federal government as well as the state government to make efforts in the past to stem “this ugly tide and equally called for the arrest, investigation, prosecution and conviction where necessary of these attackers so that they can desist from unleashing mayhem on the people of Southern Kaduna.”

Ekiti APC Sets up Committee to Reconcile Fayemi, Ojudu, Others Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti As the crisis of mistrust rages unabated among some top in the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC), the party has inaugurated an eight-man reconciliation and peace committee to pacify the warring factions across different levels of the party in the state.

The committee was constituted in Ado Ekiti last Tuesday evening by the State Chairman of the party, Hon Paul Omotoso.

The committee is headed by former APC state Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, while Mr. Biodun Akin-Fasae, ex-Special Adviser, Governor’s office to Governor Kayode Fayemi, is the Secretary.

Other members are Mrs. Ronke Okusanya, Mr. Abiodun Ajayi, Tunde Fakoyede, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, Hon Niyi Olajide and Alhaji Teslim Animasahun .

Recently, some aggrieved members spearheaded by the Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu; former Minister of Works, Dayo Adeyeye, and

13 others, had condemned the state Governor, Fayemi, accusing him of running the party like his personal estate.

A statement signed by the party and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, yesterday quoted the APC state Chairman, Paul Omotosho, as saying that the composition of the mediating body became imperative considering the fact that the party has been embroiled in crises, which needed to be abated in due course.

Omotosho noted that all the winning streaks of the party at the polls in 2019 were actualised as a result of unity and sincerity of purpose, which he advised should be maintained for the APC to remain strong and victorious in all coming contests.

“The move to reconcile the aggrieved members of the party has commenced about a year ago. The executive arm of the party has started visiting perceived aggrieved members at various levels, but the COVID-19 pandemic, however, became a clog in the wheel,” he stated.

NLC Opposes New Stamp Duty Tax Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie The Lagos State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has opposed the introduction of stamp duty tax for tenancy rates by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), insisting that the timing is wrong, and it’s targeted at the poor masses.

According to NLC, the introduction was wrongly timed since this is a period where the country is supposed to grant palliatives to its citizens and not add financial burdens to the already chaotic situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chairman of the NLC, Lagos State Chapter, Chief Agnes Sessi, who was a guest on ARISE News channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, expressed her concern over the move, stating that the federal government is putting financial burden on poor Nigerians

during the pandemic.

According to her, “This is a time in which the socioeconomic pressure arising from COVID-19 has already dislocated and pushed so many Nigerians beyond their limits. So many people have lost their daily means of livelihood due to the pandemic, and many salaries have also been cut. It is also worthy to note that the government, which is now adding burden to the workers and Nigerians, haven’t implemented the minimum wage. I am wondering why the leadership in this country will want to worsen the situation of the poor masses through the ill-timing stamp duty tax.”

Sessi went further to state that the NLC is objecting to the tax being imposed at this period “because the government is very insensitive to the plight of the vulnerable group who are the poor masses in the country.”

PROVIDING CONDUCIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT...

L-R: Chairman of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Ikeje Asogwa; Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; member of the state House of Assembly representing Enugu North Constituency, Hon. Ibenaku Onoh; and the Chairman, Enugu North Local Government Area, Hon. Emeka Onunze, when the governor inspected the newly reconstructed and equipped classroom blocks at Ekulu Primary School, GRA, Enugu... yesterday

PDP Postpones Congresses in Sokoto, Niger, Ekiti, Taraba Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Owing to some differences within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in four states out of the 26 states where proposed state congresses was to be held, the party has postponed its planned congresses in Ekiti, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba States.

No new date was given as to when the congresses will take place.

THISDAY learnt that one of the reasons for the postponement of the state congress in Ekiti State was due to the power struggle between the former state Governor, Ayo Fayose, and Senator Biodun Olujimi.

In Ekiti State, the ward congress was slated to hold on July 27 in two wards, and the local government areas congresses to be held on August 8 while the state congress will hold on August 12 2020.

Sokoto State PDP was listed as having completed its wards congresses, but was scheduled to hold local government areas and state congresses on August 8 and 12 respectively before the postponement.

Taraba State, it was learnt, has completed its wards congresses, but was to hold the local government areas and state congresses on August 8 and 12 respectively.

In Niger and Taraba States, it was gathered that the states requested for a change of dates due to the Salah holidays According to a letter issued by the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, and the National Secretary, Senator Umar Tsauri, titled: ‘Re: Re: Year 2020 Party Congresses in 26 Chapters of the PDP Postponement of Party Congresses in Ekiti, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba States’, which was addressed to the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on July 27, PDP said it was postponing the state

congresses in the four state due to unforeseen circumstances.

The letter from the PDP notifying INEC of the shift stated: “Please refer to our earlier letter with reference No: PDP/DOM CF. 2/VolIC/20-094, in which we informed INEC of our time table and schedule of activities for the completion of the outstanding congresses of our party.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are compelled to postpone our planned congresses in the aforementioned states.

“We will communicate to the commission as soon as a new date is fixed.”

No Amount of Kneeling will Save Oshiomhole, Says Shaibu The Deputy Governor of Edo State and the running mate to Governor Godwin Obaseki in the September 19 election, Philip Shaibu, has said no amount of kneeling stunt would save the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, and his party’s candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, from defeat.

Shaibu said this during a campaign that started from

Akpakpava Road in Benin City, through Ekpoma to Jattu, in the Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

He, however, noted that the governorship electioneering would be issue-based, with a focus on performance and not on persons nor throwing of tantrums and making deceptive public appearances.

He said, “No amount of kneeling stunt will save the

former national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, and his candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, from defeat.”

The Deputy Governor explained that the election would present Edo people the opportunity to decide the future of their unborn children and not a time to think about pecuniary gains and egos of wannabe godfathers.

He explained that before

the former national chairman of the APC masterminded their disqualification from contesting the governorship election under the APC, he scheduled several peace meetings with him without success.

Shaibu noted that no amount of intimidation could stop him and Obaseki from fulfilling the aspirations of the majority of the people, as against servicing the greed of a few individuals.

Glo Offers 11kobo Per Second for Calls to all Networks In continuation of its forte of adding value to its subscribers, the grand masters of data, Globacom, has introduced a new tariff plan that allows customers to make calls at 11 kobo per second to any network in Nigeria.

Under the new tariff plan, Glo subscribers will be able to make calls to all networks in Nigeria at 11 kobo per second after paying an access charge of N7, which is

billed together with the first call of the day. Every call they make to any network in Nigeria for the rest of the day will be billed at 11 kobo per second (exclusive of tax). If a customer does not make any call but only receives calls throughout the day, he or she will not have to pay the access fee of N7.

In a statement issued, Globacom announced that

the new tariff plan is open to both existing and new prepaid customers, adding that customers can access the plan by dialling *311# and he or she will be automatically migrated to the Glo 11k per second plan.

Existing rates for SMS and international calls remain the same as customers on the new tariff plan will pay the standard SMS and IDD tariff. However,

customers can purchase any IDD Pack of their choice to enjoy a better international call rate on the Glo network.

“It is our desire to continually delight our customers with innovative products and services at the most competitive rates in the country especially in these trying times of Covid -19 pandemic,” Globacom said in the statement.

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NEWSEXTRA

Sanusi Backs CBN’s Efforts on Unification of Exchange Rate A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has thrown his weight behind the steps so far taken by apex bank towards exchange rate unification.

Sanusi, who stated this on Tuesday at a webinar titled, “United States of Naira: What price for unification?” which was hosted by the currency trading solutions firm, AZA. The former Emir of Kano ,

Sanwo-Olu Appoints Governing Councils for Tertiary Institutions Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of Chairmen and Governing Council members for four state-owned tertiary institutions: Lagos State University (LASU), Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Lagos State Polytechnic and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED).

In a statement signed by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri- Okunola, the governor said the tenure of office of the newly appointed Governing Council members would take effect from August 1, 2020, following the expiration of the tenures of the former Governing Councils. The tenure of office of the institutions’ chief executive officers shall remain as provided in relevant laws. the Head of Service noted that the tenure of the newly appointed Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Professor

Gbolahan Elias (SAN), would become effective from September 16, 2020 when the tenure of the incumbent Chancellor, Justice George Oguntade would have expired.

Sanwo-Olu thanked members of the outgoing Governing Councils for their commitment and meritorious service to the State.

While congratulating the newly appointed Governing Councils members, he expressed his appreciation and delight at the willingness of the new appointees to serve the state and help build on the achievements of the outgoing councils.

He maintained that the newly appointed governing council members had been carefully identified based on their individual track records in their respective professional fields, adding that he had no doubts about their capacity to move tertiary education in Lagos State to greater heights.

Nigerians Losing Faith in Governance, Says TUC Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has declared that more Nigerians are angry and losing faith in government at all levels.

The TUC, in its message on the occasion of Sallah celebration that was signed by the President of the TUC, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, and Secretary General of the TUC, Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said the congress is against government taking more loans when they could not account for the recovered looted funds.

“We want to seize this opportunity to unequivocally

state here that Nigerians are worried and angry.

“We are fast beginning to lose faith in government at all levels. Of what good is this religious event to our leaders when they have deliberately refused to show love to fellow Nigerians?” it said.

The TUC said: “We are against government taking more loans when they cannot account for the recovered loot, monies from fuel hike, Value Added Tax (VAT).”

The labour movement also urged the federal government and the Kaduna State Government to stop the mass killings in the country.

FCTA Extends Markets’ Operational Days to Seven Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has extended market operational days from three days a week to seven days in the week from 7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.

The new directive would take effect from today, July 30, 2020, as part of measures to control the spread of COVID-19.

The extension was ratified after a virtual meeting yesterday between the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Muhammad Musa Bello, members of the FCT COVID-19 Response Team, senior members of the Administration and members of the Coalition of FCT Market

Chairmen and Secretaries, led

by Mr. Raphael Okorie.

It was also resolved that the Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML) and the various market associations would continue to carry out sensitisation activities to enlighten market users on the risk of COVID-19 and on the necessity of obeying all extant health and safety protocols.

In addition, it was also agreed that access to the markets and operations within them will only be permitted with the wearing of facial coverings and adherence to all extant health and safety guidelines, including hand washing and maintenance of physical distancing.

said that the CBN should not get into a panic, but wait for oil prices to rise to enable it build up its foreign exchange buffers.

Sanusi commended the CBN for embarking on exchange rate unification, insisting that the move would curb arbitrage in the forex market in addition to making forex transactions more transparent.

The apex bank has reportedly been under pressure from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to unify the multiple exchange rates as part of measures to improve the transparency of its currencymanagement system.

CBN had adjusted the naira’s

rate from N360/$1 to N380/$1 at the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) but some analysts have insisted that the CBN should officially recognise N381 per dollar as the official rate.

However, Sanusi has urged the CBN to ignore such calls.

According to him, given oil price volatility, the apex bank should maintain its stance of only stating that it was committed to exchange rate unification while waiting for oil prices to head north.

“CBN has to avoid getting into a panic and basically wait for oil prices to go back up.”

He stated that while he welcomed the fact that the CBN

is heading towards exchange rate unification, the banking watchdog, however, needs more support from other arms of government, especially with regard to ensuring more forex savings for the country.

“The CBN is taking too much of a burden for other sectors and other arms of government,” he said, adding that while the scrapping of fuel subsidies is a good development, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) still has to step up efforts to help conserve forex.

Sanusi said it was important that the CBN should not deplete the external reserves in a bid to defend the naira.

He said that healthy reserves helped to shield the economy during the global financial crisis of 2008/2009 and also helped him implement the banking reforms of that period.

Also speaking at the webinar, the Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Capital Nigeria, Mr. Temitope Popoola, said that while the CBN is right to focus on exchange rate unification, the issue of lack of liquidity in the system has to be addressed.

“Before now, we had multiple exchange rates, but there was liquidity. But now, the concern is that we going towards rate unification, but there is no liquidity.”

REWARDING CUSTOMER LOYALTY...

L-R: South-west Regional Sales Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Yomi Shittu; National Sales Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Adeyemi Fajobi; a winner, Mr. Oloyede Ebenezer; Marketing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mrs. Funmi Sanni; and South-west Deputy Regional Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Leye Bodunde, during the presentation of N1 million prize to the winner in the ongoing Dangote Cement ‘Bag of Goodies 2, Consumer Promo in Ibadan, Oyo State...Tuesday

Benue’s Commissioner for Health Resigns George Okoh in Makurdi The Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Sunday Ongbabo, has resigned his appointment.

A statement that was issued yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Terver Akase, said that Governor Samuel Ortom has accepted the resignation of Ongbabo, who was

also the Secretary of the State COVID-19 Response Committee.

Akase said that the governor also thanked Ongbabo for his service to the state and wished him well in his future

endeavours. The resignation of Ongbabo, according to a source, might not be unconnected to issues surrounding the management of the COVID-19 pandemic disease in the state.

Ugwuanyi Signs Enugu’s Revised 2020 Budget of N146.4bn into Law Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has signed the revised 2020 budget of N146,374,641,080 into law, as against the earlier approved budget of N169,557,658,300.00.

The revised 2020 budget of N146.4 billion represents 13.67 per cent reduction in the initial budget size of N169.6 billion, which amounts to N23,183,017,220

The revised budget, which was in response to the negative consequences of the outbreak of COVID-19 on the economy, was passed by State House of Assembly on Wednesday, after its presentation to the public for inputs.

According to details of the new budget, the earlier approved recurrent and capital

expenditures of N68,790,000,000 and N100,767,658,300 were revised to N69,790,000,000 and N76,584,641,080 respectively, representing 48 per cent and 52 per cent.

Also in the approved revised budget, the state government made savings of N53,617,927,900 and added the sum of N27,455,910,680.

The governor, who signed

the budget in the presence of his Deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, members of the House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Hon. Edward Ubosi, members of the State Executive Council, among other top government functionaries, thanked the members of the House for their diligent and expeditious passage of the budget.

Lalong Signs Revised 2020 Appropriation Bill into Law Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Plateau State Governor, Hon. Simon Lalong, has signed the revised 2020 Appropriation Bill into law.

The 2020 Budget was revised from N177,340, 521,174.00 to N122, 848,822,913.00.

Lalong, while performing the ceremony at the new Government House at Rayfield in Jos, said the revised budget became necessary because of the need to take care of the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic which has greatly affected the

economy of the state.

According to him, “For us as a state, the impact has been huge as our earnings have drastically fallen even in the face of demands for funds to carry out statutory responsibilities and also respond to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

“That is why we engaged in various cost-cutting measures to enable us manage the lean resources efficiently and also try to fulfill our most basic responsibilities of providing services to our citizens.”

The governor reiterated

the commitment of his administration to working through this challenging period by effectively applying available resources to the most critical areas that would benefit the citizens and assist in bequeathing a lasting legacy for the people of the state.

He directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning as well as all MDAs to ensure its strict and effective implementation in line with extant financial regulations.

Lalong also stated that a reputable revenue collection firm

has been engaged to improve on revenue targets, especially the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) which he said is crucial to funding the 2020 budget.

He explained that the state government would continue to strengthen the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA); the Efficiency Unit; Bureau for Public Procurement; Liquidity Management Committee, as well as the Project Monitoring and Result Delivery Unit (PMRDU) to maximize resources and eliminate wastages.

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THURSDAY JULY 30, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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P&ID: Adoke Gives Malami Seven Days to Retract Alleged Defamatory Statements

Alex Enumah inAbuja

A former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), has given the current AGF and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), seven days’ ultimatum to retract injuries and defamatory statements made against him (Adoke) at the ongoing hearing of the Process and Industrial Development (P&ID)

arbitration case in England.

Adoke who issued the ultimatum through his lawyers led by Chief Paul Erokoro (SAN), is also asking Malami to tender a public apology for making statements which he knows to be untrue and defamatory against the person of Adoke.

According to the letter dated July 28, Malami had in his witness statement argued by counsel representing the federal

government during a virtual hearing of the P&ID case on July 13 repeatedly described Adoke as “corrupt”.

Erokoro in the letter said the statements of Malami, which in themselves were not true, have however negatively affected Adoke’s image because the court proceedings were on live television in Nigeria and on social media

around the world.

Erokoro added that newspapers also gave prominent coverage to the defamatory words attributed to Malami, even when they were not true hence the essence of the formal protest.

Malami was accused of maligning the person of Adoke in several paragraphs of his 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th witness

statements filed on the December 5, 2019, 22nd January, 2020, 6th March, 2020, and 8th June, 2020, respectively.

Specifically, he had accused Adoke of having a hand in the failed P&ID agreement, receiving kickback from the deal through former petroleum minister, Chief Dan Etete and also singlehandedly selecting a legal team to represent

Nigeria at the arbitration.

But Adoke did not only deny all the allegations, he recalled that even Malami had exonerated him from complicity in the P&ID deal, adding that when a competent court in Nigeria removed his name as a party in some ongoing corruption deal in the country, Malami till date did not appeal the judgment.

Bauchi Gov Signs Six Bills into Law

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has signed six bills presented to him by the state House of Assembly into law.

The bills signed by the governor yesterday are the 2020 Revised Budget; Violence Against Person; renaming the College of Health Technology Ningi to Belinda and Gate College of Health Technology Ningi; renaming of College of Nursing and Midwifery to Aliko Dangote College of Nursing and Midwifery.

Others are the Bauchi State Public Procurement 2020; and renaming AD Rufai College of Legal Studies to AD Rufai College of Education and Legal

Studies.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abubakar Suleiman, who presented the bills to the governor on behalf of the lawmakers, commended the executive arm of government for the well prepared 2020 revised budget document.

Speaking after signing the bills, the governor said despite the negative effect of COVID-19 to the economy, the state government has made provisions for continuity in the execution of abandoned projects.

He said the renaming of the two Colleges of Health in the state was a gesture to appreciate the philanthropists for their outstanding contributions towards the advancement of healthcare system.

NECO Begins Oct 5, NABTEB Sept 21, Says FG Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government has said the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) organised by the National Examination Council (NECO) for SS3 pupils will commence on October 5 and end on November 18, 2020.

The government also said the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) examinations will start on September 21 and end

by October 15, 2020.

Minister of State for Education, Mr. Emeka Nwajuiba, announced the dates at the end of a two-day meeting with chief executives of examination bodies in the

country.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education (FMoE), Ben Goong, the ministry said the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into Unity Colleges will hold on October 17, 2020.

The ministry also said the Basic Education Certificate Examinations, (BECE) for JSS 3 pupils also conducted by NECO, will start on the August 24 and end on the September 7, 2020.

The statement said registration for the NECO (SSCE), which is on-going, will end on the 10 of September, 2020 with no option of extension.

House, NPA Disagree over Approval for Tank Farm Owners Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives’ Ad hoc Committee on the need to relocate tank farms from residential areas disagreed yesterday with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on who approved tank farms for Kirikiri and Ijegun areas of Lagos and environs.

Addressing the committee at the investigative hearing, NPA, General Manager, Land and Asset Administration, Mr. Yusuf Ahmed, said they had nothing to do with the approvals.

He said because of the experience of tank farms in Apapa, very few tank farms were given approvals by NPA

after 2008 as there was a restriction on such approvals.

He said, “In my view, the problem came about because of lack of synergy between the planning authorities. It would have been better if the Lagos authorities (who were absent) were available to explain how the tank farms came about.

We are very careful and we ensure all regulations are done.’’

“My response to those tank farms at Ijegun and Kirikiri, those tank farms are clearly not sitting on NPA land. If they were on NPA land, those tank farms will probably not be there. We are very careful of people we allow to develop on NPA land.

FIDAU PRAYER...

L-R: Head of AbdulRazaq/Mustapha Family, Alhaji Fatai Dawodu; Chief Imam, Gbagada/Mushin Communuty, Lagos State, Abdul SamiIbrahim; and representative of Chief lmam of Lagos Central Mosque, Tinubu, Lagos, lmam Shakiru Gafar, during the three days’ Fidau prayer for the late Mutawali of llorin, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Abdul-Razaq, at the Bariga LCDA, Lagos...yesterday ABIODUN AJALA

Kano: Tricycle to Carry Two Passengers on Sallah Day Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) has said the agency would on Eid Kabir day commence the enforcement of two passengers per tricycle across the state in line with COVID-19 protocols.

The Managing Director of the agency, Mr. Bappa Babba DanAgundi, disclosed this yesterday in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Nabilusi

Abubakar Kofar Na’isa, and made available to THISDAY in Kano.

The statement assured the state that the personnel of the agency would be on standby for a hitch-free traffic during the festive period.

“Tricycle operators are also reminded that only two passengers are allowed per trip, and all must wear a face mask. Also, overloading of cars is not allowed just as carrying someone on the motorcycle is

strictly prohibited,” it stated.

The managing director explained that personnel of the agency would be on ground to ensure easy flow of traffic during the Salah celebration.

Motorists and other road users are therefore urged to respect all traffic laws during and after the period, and accord KAROTA personnel all necessary cooperation to enable them carry out their duties effectively.

He also warned that those

who engage in car race and other dangerous ways of driving would be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.

The statement advised parents to desist from giving their underage children/wards vehicles to drive especially during the festive period which has become a norm, as such act would not be tolerated by the agency, adding that any underage caught driving would be apprehended and the vehicle seized.

Delta Provides Palliatives to Private Schools, Businesses Gets $4.5m World Bank grant for fiscal discipline Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The Delta State Government announced yesterday that private schools, maternity homes, medical clinics, agroallied firms, confectionery enterprises, hospitality outfits and small scale businesses would be among the beneficiaries of its special COVID-19 palliative package.

This special palliative, which was announced by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, while briefing newsmen at the Government House in Asaba, would largely be in the form of tax relief aimed at saving

micro, small and medium scale businesses in the state from sinking under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic disease.

This is coming on the heels a grant of $4.5 million to the state government by the World Bank in recognition of the Okowa administration’s consistent display of fiscal discipline in policy programme implementation.

Aniagwu, who was joined by the Chairman of Delta Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR), Mr. Monday Onyeme, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr. Barry Gbe and the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Fidelis Tilije,

explained that the palliatives would save jobs by keeping afloat businesses that bear directly on the lives of the masses.

The DBIR chairman explained that the tax reliefs include waivers concerning the statutory 25 percent interest on delayed tax payment or the compulsive 10 percent penalty for tax defaults.

Onyeme stated that the tax incentives would cover the fiscal periods from 2011to 2019 and advised those with justifiable grounds to apply for the COVID-19 tax or audit palliatives to approach the state internal revenue board.

Similarly, Gbe explained that the fiscal palliatives for small scale businesses were in line with the state government’s efforts to “take away the pains of these essential businesses through tax relief.”

He, however, noted that the incentives were without jeopardy to the implementation of the state government’s revised 2020 budget because the government has taken proactive steps in reshaping the projections for the fiscal year.

The budget was revised down by 29 per cent from the initial N395 billion to the current N282 billion.

Ogun to Reopen Schools, Worship Centres on August 14 Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta The Ogun State Government has announced a conditional approval for the reopening of worship centres across the state from August 14, 2020, and warned that all outfits must completely obey the COVID-19 protocols.

The state government also approved August 4, 2020 as schools’ resumption date for

students preparing to sit for the regional examination organised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

The Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, told journalists yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, that his administration resolved to lift the ban earlier placed on religious congregations and schools after due consultation with critical stakeholders.

He thanked the League of Imams and Alfas as well as the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for showing understanding in the process.

Abiodun explained that his administration’s engagement with different stakeholders in the education sector has received far-reaching recommendations.

“In line with the federal

government resolutions, exit classes-strictly SS3 only (public or private schools), will resume classes on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Then, there will be a two-week revision classes to prepare the SS3 students for the commencement of the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) slated to start on Monday, 17th August, 2020,” he clarified.

37

THURSDAY JULY 30, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Oba of Benin Warns against Turning Edo into War Zone Against the backdrop of the clash by the supporters of the governorship of candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in front of the palace of the Oba of Benin last weekend, the monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has issued a stern warning to politicians

against turning the state into a war zone in a bid to realise their gubernatorial ambition.

He also said that the Benin throne is non-partisan, and warning politicians against turning the state into a war zone as they prepare for the September 19 Edo State governorship election.

Reacting to the clash among rival politicians in front of the palace on Saturday, the monarch,

through a statement by Secretary of Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Chief Frank Irabor, condemned what he described as unruly behaviour of politicians’ supporters, reiterating that the palace remained non-partisan.

The BTC statement said the Oba remained committed to peace and tranquillity in the state, and peaceful governorship elections in the state.

The statement said: “The BTC wishes to state that His Royal Majesty warmly welcomed the august visitors led by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo. “The meeting was cordial.

During the meeting, the Oba of Benin recalled the warm reception accorded him by Governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Aminu Tambuwal when he paid a ‘thank-you’ visit

to both states. The courtesy of the esteemed august visitors to the monarch ended very well.

“We were, therefore, surprised to hear later that there was an incident outside the palace, directly in front of Oredo Local Government Secretariat. His Royal Majesty condemns this unruly behaviour that occurred in front of the Palace.

“We wish to emphasise, once more, that the Benin throne is not partisan.

“The BTC uses this medium to advise all political party members not to turn Edo State into a war zone because of gubernatorial ambition.

“His Royal Majesty is committed to peace and tranquillity in the state and peaceful gubernatorial election.”

Nigeria Contributes $1.17bn to ECOWAS in 16 Years

Nigeria paid more than $1,177 billion to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as its Community Levy contribution in the last 16 years.

According to documents from a presentation by the ECOWAS Commission to Parliament at Plenary during its Virtual Second Extraordinary Session, Nigeria paid 853,310,564 UA (West Africa Unit of Account) for the period under review.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the West African Unit of Account (WAUA) is the authorised currency used in ECOWAS.

The exchange rate for July obtained from ECOWAS shows that one Unit of Account equals $1.3799633.

Nigeria’s payment represents 40.42 per cent of the total payment of $2,913,088,908 payment made by all the 15 member states, and is higher than the payments made by 12 other countries put together, except Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

Ghana paid about $508,577 million, Cote d’Ivoire $347,262 million, while Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo paid a total of $879,711 million.

TOUCHING LIVES...

L-R: 2nd Vice President, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr. Ojekunle Azeez; President, Dr. Oaku Itohan; General Secretary, Dr. Salmon Abeeb; 1st Vice President, Dr. Jeje Bukola; and Editor, Dr. Durojaiye Temitope, during the association’s visit to the Heart of Gold Children Hospice, as part of their annual general conference’s activities in Surulere, Lagos... yesterday

ADC Asks Lai Mohammed to Disclose Figure of Re-looted Funds The African Democratic Congress (ADC) yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to disclose the percentage of the recovered N800 billion loot that had been re-looted under the current administration.

The party said this on the heels of media reports credited to the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, where

the minister tried to paint what it described as a scandalous raiding of collective wealth, as an achievement for the APC administration.

A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Yemi Kolapo, warned the minister and other key officials of the administration to refrain from making a mockery of the nation all in the name of settling intra-party political scores.

It said the APC must stop trivialising salient issues capable of further denting an ready battered image of the country.

The party said, “The ruling party cannot continue to trivialise the issue of corruption or politicise genuine criticisms, especially when over 80 per cent of events, in the last few weeks, had centred around revelations of multi-billion naira fraud in critical agencies.

60 Pardoned Nigerian Prisoners Stranded in Ethiopia Sixty Nigerian prisoners granted pardon by the Ethiopian Government have remained in the detention facility following failures of the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia to process their evacuation.

The freed Nigerians in a Save Our Soul (SoS) message lamented that despite their pardon on March 26 to decongest prisons in response to COVID-19 pandemic, the embassy had refused to clear

them.

Out of 4,011 prisoners of different nationalities released

by Ethiopia to return to their countries, only Nigerians were left stranded in the detention facility. One of the affected Nigerians, Mr. Charles Okeke, who spoke on behalf of others, said they were serving their prison terms at the Kaliti Federal Prison before their pardon.

He said the Consular-General

sent members of the Nigerian Embassy to them on April 6 to collect their passports with a promise that the federal government would send a flight to take them back home.

Okeke said two weeks later, the embassy asked them to pay $1000 each for their flight ticket and $50 each for their exit visa adding that all of them mounted pressure on their family members at home and paid the fees.

Flood Submerges 15 Houses, Farmlands in Delta Community Sylvester Idowu in Warri No fewer than 15 houses and farmlands have been submerged by devastating flood in Abari, a riverine community in Patani Local Government area of Delta State.

Hundreds of residents were also reported to have been displaced from the community since their houses were also on the verge of

being washed away.

THISDAY gathered that the community has been witnessing intermittent rainfalls in the past two weeks which worsen the flooding situation in the area.

The National President of Abari Improvement Union, Mr. Peter Pibowei, confirmed to journalists yesterday that the community has been going through untold hardship since the

beginning of rainy season, and called on the federal and Delta State Governments to come to their aid.

According to him, “As I am talking to you, hundreds of persons are now homeless and many more houses are on the verge of being washed away by devastating erosion if urgent steps are not taken by the appropriate authorities to arrest the situation.”

38

˜ ͻ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

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

Leon Balogun Excited Starting Training with Glasgow Rangers Super Eagles central defender, Leon Balogun, has expressed his excitement at starting training with his new Scottish Premiership club Glasgow Rangers.

The former Brighton defender trained with the Gers for the first time on Monday after linking up with the club on a free transfer last week.

“Great feeling to finally get started and join up with the squad at Murray Park this week #RangersFC,” Balogun tweeted.

The 31-year-old featured for Wigan Athletic in the second half of the just concluded Sky Bet Championship season.

Balogun will add further competition in the centre of defence, following the injury to Niko Katic.

The Nigeria international played previously for Werder

Bremen and Mainz among other clubs he featured for in Germany before he switched to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion in 2018.

Rangers will start the 2020/21 campaign with an away game against Aberdeen on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Josh Maja.

According to the Scottish Sun, the Scottish Premiership giants are set to open talks with Bordeaux over the potential transfer of the Nigeria international.

Maja has been tipped as a possible successor to Alfredo Morelos who has been linked with a move to Lille.

Rangers already have two Nigerians on their books with Balogun having recently joined Joe Aribo at

Ibrox Stadium from Wigan.

Maja, 21, signed for Bordeaux from Sunderland

in January 2019 and scored eight goals in 24 appearances across all

competitions in the 2019/20 season.

Rangers are also

reportedly interested in signing Bafana Bafana midfielder Bongani Zungu.

Finally, Osimhen Seals Napoli Deal ‘Thunder’ Balogun is Nigeria’s Greatest Leon Balogun (centre) at his first training session with his Glasgow Rangers teammates ...on Monday

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen has finally sealed a deal with Italian side, Napoli.

French side, Lille, is expected to announce the departure of the Super Eagles’ striker today.

He has signed a fiveyear deal, which sees him joining the club where the legendary Diego Maradona was a cult hero. A year in the deal signed by Osimhen is put at €70m, which could rise to €80m after a number of performance-related add-ons. “It’s finally done!

All documents are signed.

Osimhen is a Napoli player.

Lille should formalise his departure on Thursday.

Italian daily, Tuttomercarto

tweeted, “All of the paperwork and contracts have been signed off for Victor Osimhen’s move to Napoli. All that’s left to do now is the announcement.”

The deal is the most expensive signing in the history of the club and the highest transfer deal of the summer so far.

Osimhen’s deal is €1m more than the African record transfer fee Arsenal paid Lille for Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe last summer.

The 21-year-old Osimhen, who scored 18 goals in 32 games for Lille, will wear the No.9 jersey at Napoli next season.

Footballer, Says Onigbinde Femi Solaja Two-time Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, hasdescribed the late Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun, as the best footballer ever produced

by Nigeria.

Today is the 48th year anniversary of the death of Balogun who died in his sleep in 1972.

According to Onigbinde who is a former FIFA and CAF Instructor, “The greatest footballer Nigeria has ever produced remains Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun. There is no doubt about it.

“As a footballer, he did many things players before his time, those of his time and after him have not been able to do with the ball.

“The greatest goal scored by any player I have seen played football was scored by ‘Thunder’ Balogun at the Olubadan Stadium in 1968 in the match between the Nigerian national soccer team, the UK Tourists and England,” observed the gaffer who took the Super Eagles to the World Cup in Korea/Japan in 2002.

Chief Onigbinde revealed that during the friendly with England, “ English players were always on him each time he received the ball. To beat the pressure off, ‘Thunder’ stood outside the 18-yard box with his back turned at the England goalkeeper. But as soon as ball was floated to him, English players were expecting him to bring it down. But against their imagination, Balogun staggered

a bit, and in turning, he fired a shot at the goalpost, which saw the goalkeeper diving the wrong,” Onigbinde recalled.

The former Trinidad and Tobago coach stressed that, “the story of ‘Thunder’ Balogun will never die. For those of us who watched him played, we saw him as Nigeria’s greatest footballer.”

Onigbinde observed further: “He died in his sleep on July 30, 1972 at the relatively young age of 45 years, but the heroics of Thunder Balogun live forever.

At birth, the enigmatic footballer was named Tesilim Akanni Balogun. His father was a cricketer. ‘Thunder’ Balogun attained legendary status after he became the first Nigerian to play professional football in England.

Teslim played for Apapa

Bombers, Marine, Railway, Plateau, Pan Bank and Dynamo all between 1944 and 1961.

He won the FA Cup five times in seven final appearances and was the first player to score a hat-trick in the FA Cup final when he put three goals past Warri XI as Pan Bank won the 1952 final 6-1.

In 1949, he was part of Nigeria’s first national team, known as the UK Tourists team that toured the United Kingdom. After that encounter, he signed for Peterborough FC, becoming the first Nigerian to play professional football in England.

He also had professional stints with Holbeach and Queens Park Rangers where he played 13 times and scored three goals in 1956.

Arsenal, Chelsea FA Cup Final Live on DSTv, GOtv SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can settle in for a historic moment in knockout football in England, as the final of the FA Cup is played on Saturday 1 August 2020.

The FA Cup, which is the oldest knockout competition in world football, will close the 2019/20 top-flight English domestic season with the allLondon meeting of Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 August.

The match will air at 5:30pmon SuperSport 3 DStv channel 223 and Select 3 GOtv channel 36 Arsenal upset Manchester City in the semifinal on the penultimate weekend of July, with Gabonese star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory. The Gunners will be chasing a record-extending 14th

FA Cup title and hoping this will be a repeat of the 2017 final in which they defeated Chelsea 2-1.

Arsenal’s win over City in the FA Cup followed on quickly from a victory over Liverpool in the Premier League, leaving manager Mikel Arteta hopeful that his side has turned a corner after a roller-coaster ride of a season.

“We are really happy with what has happened in the last four or five days,” explained the Gunners’ manager. “To beat probably the best two teams in Europe is the nicest thing to do so credit to the players for what they are doing, their performances and the level of fight they are showing.”

Arteta also reckons that an FA Cup success would convince Aubameyang to

remain with the club, following months of speculation over the striker’s future: “Good and beautiful moments, they are always better than the bad ones,” said the Spanish tactician.

“As I told you, the way I look at (Aubameyang) when I speak with him, he sounds pretty convinced. But obviously if he can see that success and the direction, we are taking is the right one, I think he will be more positive about it, yes. Hopefully it will help him to be more convinced we are going in the right direction.”

Chelsea, meanwhile, put in arguably one of their best performances of the season to defeat Manchester United 3-1 in the other semi-final.

The Blues suffocated the

Red Devils and claimed a deserved victory, with strikes from Olivier Giroud, Mason Mount and an own goal from Harry Maguire.

Chelsea will be looking to win the FA Cup for a ninth time, with their most recent success arriving in 2018 when they defeated Man United 1-0 in the final. Manager Frank Lampard believes reaching the FA Cup final is a sign of his side’s improvement.

“It is a great achievement for us to get there,” Lampard explained. “To win a semi is a great thing but to win a final is the thing. We are progressing, we are getting better. There have been recent bumps but (the semi-final win) was a performance of huge character and personality, work ethic and quality.”

THURSDAY JULY 30 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

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Thursday, July 30, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE Ibrahim Gusau to Ifeanyi Ubah â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was an act of brigandage...It is incomprehensible how anyone could have gone ahead with the charade they are calling election. That was an aďŹ&#x20AC;ront on the government and the NFF will never be part of it. Let it be said without ambiguity that the NFF does not recognize such a sham and it cannot standâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Chairman of Chairmen of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, describing the re-election of Senator Ubah as Anambra FA Chairman as a nullity.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

A Nation on Ventilatorâ&#x20AC;Ś (1)

T

hree weeks ago, on 10th July, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Appropriation (Repeal and Amendment) Act, 2020 into law.

At the signing ceremony, the president explained that although he had assented to the 2020 Appropriation Act on 17th December 2019, a revision became necessary as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;response to recent developments, in particular, the COVID-19 Pandemicâ&#x20AC;?. This followed the collapse of crude oil prices in the world market â&#x20AC;&#x153;from a high of $72.20 per barrel in January 2020 to below $20 per barrel in April 2020.â&#x20AC;?

All things considered, amending the Appropriation Act was the right thing to do.

But questions remain as to whether the budget reflects an understanding of the gravity of the situation in which we find ourselves as a nation.

Despite the obsession with raising taxes, recent developments at the National Assembly have shown clearly that we need to look beyond revenue to how it is expended. Besides, increasing taxes at a period the majority of Nigerians are in distress can only worsen their burden. If there is anything that a time like this demands, it is that we cannot continue to do the same thing while expecting a different outcome. Sadly, this is precisely what we are doing.

From â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2016 Zero Budget!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Illusion of Budget Performanceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Budget War and Dysfunctional Envelope Systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as well as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Of Government and Budget Bluesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, I have on several occasions shared perspectives that underscore the fact that what we call budget in Nigeria is basically sharing money. I have also used my personal experience in government to illustrate the point. But in a revealing Twitter thread last year, https://threadreaderapp.com/ thread/1125199032756908032.html, Mr â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Laolu Samuel-Biyi wrote, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you want to keep hope alive in Nigeria, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look at the budgetâ&#x20AC;?. It is an admonition that would have served me well if I had not taken the trouble to spend valuable hours this week going through the details of the amended 2020 budget, beginning with the Covid-19 Intervention Programmes.

In addition to the N126 billion voted for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Building a resilient health systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (out of which N86 is for health infrastructure across Federal Medical Centres, Teaching Hospitals and others), most financial allocations are devoted to the service of transactional matters.

For instance, under the Covid-19 Intervention Programmes, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will spend N43 billion on rural roads across six geopolitical zones this year. Curiously, another N60 billion will go to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) under the Ministry of Works and Housing for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;maintenance of roads through contracts and direct labourâ&#x20AC;?, also across the six geo-political zones.

In the Ministry of Labour and Employment, there are several funding items, including â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Digital Youth Nigeria Programmeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Specific Focus on Positioning Youth for Remote Job Opportunities, Tapping into Global Technology Outsourcing Marketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which goes for N2 billion; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Digital Skills Training (Beginner/Mid-Level): Coding, Web Development, Robotics, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security in the six geo-political zonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which gulps another N2.94 billion and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Green Stimulus Framework: Capacity Building Training Workshop on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies and Empowerment Programme for Wealth and

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan Job Creation in the six geo-political zonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which accounts for N690 million. Aside the public works programme (1000 persons per LGA for 36 states and FCT area councils) for which N52 billion has been earmarked, there are several other budget subheads for the additional N9,589,160,000 under this ministry, including â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Equipment for Vocational Skills Training in the six geo-political zonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at N520.668 million and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Equipment for Youth Centres, Digital Skills Training, Robotic Laboratories in the six geo-political zonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for which N900 million has been allocated.

However, it is in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development that I fail to understand what a number of the budget line items actually mean: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Covid-19 Cash Transfer: Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Directive, the Disbursement of Funds to an additional 1 million Households further (cash transfer)â&#x20AC;&#x2122; at a sum of N30 billion. The ministry also has N1 billion for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Data Collection, Validationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as well as another N37.5 million for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Data Cleaning and Analysisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Monitoring and Evaluationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; takes N65 million while to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Design and Develop Covid-19 Response Register of Beneficiariesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; takes only N3.75 million with another N1.25 for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Design Covid-19 Cash Transferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Perhaps most curious is the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ongoingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project of N742,138,691 for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Durable Solutions and Care Maintenance for Persons of Concerns in the six geopolitical zonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. It is one of the budget lines not presented in round figures.

Another N46.6 million is for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;National Durable Solution Framework for Persons of Concerns in the six geo-political zonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

From buying motorcycles and tricycles to sensitizations, trainings and skill acquisition programmes gulping hundreds of billions of Naira to construction of VIP toilets to supply of relief materials and Toyota Hilux vehicles to hundreds of multi-million Naira grants, the amended 2020 budget is, like previous budgets, simply about sharing money on items that are repeated annually. The N100 billion Zonal Intervention Projects of course belong to our National Assembly members and if you believe Godswill Akpabio, we now have an idea of who the contractors are. But that is not the whole problem.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s examine a few of the items: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Supply of fertilizers to some operatives in Bauchi Central

Senatorial District for N50 millionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask me who these â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;some operativesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are because I have no clue. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Grant to Kutiriko Jummat Mosque Committee, Agaie/Lapai Federal Constituency, Niger Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the sum of N10 million with another N10 million grant to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lapai Emirates Development Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Before you shout â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nigeria has been Islamisedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, please take this: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Construction of Admin Block at ECWA Theological College (Christian Academy) Zambuk, Yamaltu/Debaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at N19 million. My friend, Waziri Adio, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) is from Iwo so I will use this medium to call on him to return home for his share of the N40 million for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Community support in Iwo, Ejigbo and Ola Oluwa LGA in Osun West Senatorial districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; included in the 2020 budget!

However, the best way to identify the heavy hitters is by the size of what they can take home. The Ministry of Labour will cough out N640 million for three projects: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Empowerment items for the people of Kano North Senatorial Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (N200 million); â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Empowerment items for the youths in Kano North Senatorial Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (N210) and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Empowerment items for women of Kano North Senatorial Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (N230 million).

It is curious why â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the people of Kano North Senatorial Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are different from their youths and women but our lawmakers have their own way of doing things.

No grammatical rigour even exists for many of these federal budget items. Supply of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;empowerment materials for youths and women in Ondo motorcycles, tricycles, grinding machine, fashion and training equipment, barbing and hair dressing equipment in Ondo Central Senatorial Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will gulp N60 million if you can decipher that while â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;purchase of one unit of CAT Caterpillar grader equipment for rural road rehabilitation in Ondo Central Senatorial districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; takes another N70 million.

Assuming this caterpillar is purchased (and you find this kind of line item every year),

who takes ownership? Well, since the money for this particular caterpillar is coming from the Public Complaints Commission (yes, you heard me correctly), it is a matter of case closed!

Following my column of last week, a National Assembly member asked me, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why are you picking on us?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and I told him it is because the power of appropriation belongs to the legislature and to the extent that every budget is a law, they should be held accountable. At a time we can no longer rely on oil money to fund the budget and Nigerians are increasingly being taxed, we also cannot continue to fritter away public money. Until the National Assembly begins to take seriously their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;power of the purseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which demands not only transparency and accountability but also a measure of rigour from members, the budget will remain a bazaar.

Given the national economic situation that is now worsened by a global pandemic, we cannot continue to waste borrowed money to service private interest.

The economic and human impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nigeria, according to a recent World Bank position paper, â&#x20AC;&#x153;will be severe, even if Nigeria manages to contain the outbreak locallyâ&#x20AC;?, and this projection is based on a number of identified variables which include the fact that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy and the funds available to the three tiers of government are highly dependent on sales of crude oil which account for 90% of exports, 30% of banking sector credit, and 50% of (consolidated) government revenues. Besides, even non-oil industry and services in the country depend on the oil industry.

Meanwhile, despite the fact that oil accounts for only 10 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the national economy is, by World Bank summation, highly vulnerable to price shocks because of financial sector risks since credit is concentrated in the sector which then puts pressure on the foreign exchange rate. t/05& $PODMVEFE PO QBHF

Adelusi-Adeluyi @ 80 Foremost pharmacist and lawyer, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi will be 80 on Sunday, 2nd August. On Monday, Sam Omatseye in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; paid a most appropriate tribute to an accomplished Nigerian whose life emblemizes service, integrity and character.

And on Tuesday, Reuben Abati provided rare insights of his personal relationship with Adelusi-Adeluyi over a period of three decades to paint the picture of a contented Nigerian and life coach who has, at different times, mentored many young people. I am one of them.

Although I had known Prince AdelusiAdeluyi from a distance, it was not until 2002 that our paths crossed when the Gateway Bank (now defunct), as part of its corporate social responsibility, decided to promote an inter-university essay competition. To accomplish this goal, the bank put together a five-member governing board comprised of the late Mr Gamaliel Onosode, Senator (Mrs) Eme Ekaette, Alhaji Abadulrahman Abubakar, Adelusi-Adeluyi and myself. Being the youngest among such prominent Nigerians,

I used to joke that the bank Managing Director, Mr S. O. Olatunji probably put me on the board just to run errands. But Adelusi-Adeluyi always countered that I was actually the most important person on the board and he would say it with conviction.

In the course of that assignment and after, I visited Adelusi-Adeluyi several times at his Ikeja office, essentially for counselling about career and life. He took interest in both my professional and personal life as he did several young people. The interactions I had with him in those days were extraordinarily rewarding, and while my relocation to Abuja may have created a distance and communication gap, I still hope for more opportunities in future. At 80, Adelusi-Adeluyi has many things to thank God for. His personal and professional accomplishments (and I do not want to repeat what Abati and Omatseye have already written) are only overshadowed by his simplicity. Without doubt, Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi has set a worthy example for us to follow and emulate. May he enjoy many more years of fruitful living.

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